Ku I Ke Ao: Hawaiian Cultural Identity and Student Progress at Kamehameha Elementary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stender, Robert Holoua

2010-01-01

The relationship between Hawaiian cultural identity and student progress at Kamehameha Elementary School (KES) is the focal point of this study. As the student demographics continue to evolve at Kamehameha Schools, most recently with increasing numbers of children coming from orphan and indigent backgrounds, teachers want greater understanding of…

Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress. Volume 5, Number 12

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Amos, Jason, Ed.

2005-01-01

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) House Committee Approves Education Funding Bill: Striving Readers Program Would Receive $5 Million Increase; (2) Role…

Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress. Volume 4, Number 9

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Amos, Jason, Ed.

2004-01-01

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Graduation for All, A Right and a Responsibility: National Campaign to Focus on Increasing High School Graduation…

Neurobiological correlates of illness progression in the recurrent affective disorders.

PubMed

Post, Robert M; Fleming, Jaclyn; Kapczinski, Flavio

2012-05-01

Some clinical aspects of affective illness progression, such as episode-, stress-, and substance-induced sensitization, have been well documented in the literature, but others have received less attention. These include cognitive deficits, treatment-refractoriness, and neurobiological correlates of illness progression, which are the primary focus of this paper. We review the evidence that cognitive dysfunction, treatment resistance, medical comorbidities, and neurobiological abnormalities increase as a function of the number of prior episodes or duration of illness in the recurrent unipolar and bipolar disorders. Substantial evidence supports the view that cognitive dysfunction and vulnerability to a diagnosis of dementia in old age increases as a function of number of prior mood episodes as does non-response to many therapeutic interventions as well as naturalistic treatment. Neurobiological abnormalities that correlate with the number of mood episodes or duration of illness include: anatomical, functional, and biochemical deficits in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, as well as amygdala hyperactivity and cortisol hyper-secretion. Some neurotrophic factors and inflammatory markers may also change with greater illness burden. Causality cannot be inferred from these correlative relationships. Nonetheless, given the potentially grave consequences of episode recurrence and progression for morbidity and treatment non-responsiveness, it is clinically wise to assume episodes are causing some of the progressive cognitive and neurobiological abnormalities. As such, earlier and more sustained long-term prophylaxis to attempt to reduce these adverse outcomes is indicated. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The COMET Initiative database: progress and activities update (2015).

PubMed

Gargon, E; Williamson, P R; Altman, D G; Blazeby, J M; Tunis, S; Clarke, M

2017-02-03

This letter describes the substantial activity on the Core Outcome Measure in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) website in 2015, updating our earlier progress reports for the period from the launch of the COMET website and database in August 2011 to December 2014. As in previous years, 2015 saw further increases in the annual number of visits to the website, the number of pages viewed and the number of searches undertaken. The sustained growth in use of the website and database suggests that COMET is continuing to gain interest and prominence, and that the resources are useful to people interested in the development of core outcome sets.

Disease progression in recurrent glioblastoma patients treated with the VEGFR inhibitor axitinib is associated with increased regulatory T cell numbers and T cell exhaustion.

PubMed

Du Four, Stephanie; Maenhout, Sarah K; Benteyn, Daphné; De Keersmaecker, Brenda; Duerinck, Johnny; Thielemans, Kris; Neyns, Bart; Aerts, Joeri L

2016-06-01

Recurrent glioblastoma is associated with a poor overall survival. Antiangiogenic therapy results in a high tumor response rate but has limited impact on survival. Immunotherapy has emerged as an efficient treatment modality for some cancers, and preclinical evidence indicates that anti-VEGF(R) therapy can counterbalance the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with recurrent glioblastoma treated in a randomized phase II clinical trial comparing the effect of axitinib with axitinib plus lomustine and analyzed the immunophenotype of PBMC, the production of cytokines and expression of inhibitory molecules by circulating T cells. PBMC of 18 patients were collected at baseline and at 6 weeks after initiation of study treatment. Axitinib increased the number of naïve CD8(+) T cells and central memory CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and reduced the TIM3 expression on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Patients diagnosed with progressive disease on axitinib had a significantly increased number of regulatory T cells and an increased level of PD-1 expression on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. In addition, reduced numbers of cytokine-producing T cells were found in progressive patients as compared to patients responding to treatment. Our results suggest that axitinib treatment in patients with recurrent glioblastoma has a favorable impact on immune function. At the time of acquired resistance to axitinib, we documented further enhancement of a preexisting immunosuppression. Further investigations on the role of axitinib as potential combination partner with immunotherapy are necessary.

Less contribution of mast cells to the progression of renal fibrosis in Rat kidneys with chronic renal failure.

PubMed

Baba, Asuka; Tachi, Masahiro; Ejima, Yutaka; Endo, Yasuhiro; Toyama, Hiroaki; Saito, Kazutomo; Abe, Nozomu; Yamauchi, Masanori; Miura, Chieko; Kazama, Itsuro

2017-02-01

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is histopathologically characterized by tubulointerstitial fibrosis in addition to glomerulosclerosis. Although mast cells are known to infiltrate into the kidneys with chronic inflammation, we know little about their contribution to the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis associated with CRF. The aim of this study was to reveal the involvement of mast cells in the progression of renal fibrosis in CRF. Using a rat model with CRF resulting from 5/6 nephrectomy, we examined the histopathological features of the kidneys and the infiltration of mast cells into the renal interstitium. By treating the rats with a potent mast cell stabilizer, tranilast, we also examined the involvement of mast cells in the progression of renal fibrosis associated with CRF. The CRF rat kidneys were characterized by the wide staining of collagen III and increased number of myofibroblasts, indicating the progression of renal fibrosis. Compared to T-lymphocytes or macrophages, the number of tryptase-positive mast cells was much smaller within the fibrotic kidneys and they did not proliferate in situ. The mRNA expression of mast cell-derived fibroblast-activating factors was not increased in the renal cortex isolated from CRF rat kidneys. Treatment with tranilast did not suppress the progression of renal fibrosis, nor did it ameliorate the progression of glomerulosclerosis and the interstitial proliferation of inflammatory leukocytes. This study demonstrated for the first time that mast cells are neither increased nor activated in the fibrotic kidneys of CRF rats. Compared to T-lymphocytes or macrophages that proliferate in situ within the fibrotic kidneys, mast cells were less likely to contribute to the progression of renal fibrosis associated with CRF. © 2016 Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology.

Egyptian women in physics: Progress and challenges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohsen, M.; Hosni, Hala; Mohamed, Hadeer; Gadalla, Afaf; Kahil, Heba; Hashem, Hassan

2015-12-01

The present study shows a progressive increase in the number of female physicists as undergraduates and postgraduates in several governmental universities. For instance, in Ain Shams University, the percentage of women who selected physics as a major course of study increased from 7.2% in 2012 to 10.8% in 2013 and 15.7% in 2014. The study also provides the current gender distribution in the various positions among the teaching staff in seven governmental universities. The data supports the fact that female teaching assistants are increasing in these universities.

The situation of women in physics in Cameroon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woulache, Rosalie Laure; Kom, Guillaume; Siebatcheu, Beatrice Couonang; Onana, Marthe Boyomo

2013-03-01

The progress of women in science has been widely discussed in recent years. Women have made great progress in the social sciences, but they lag in the field of physics. A survey of the situation of women in physics in Cameroon over the last three years shows some improvement and some areas of stagnation. For example, the statistics show an increase of women teaching physics in secondary school and a slight improvement in the numbers of women studying physics at the university level, but stagnation in the number of women lecturers in physics.

Swollen joint count in psoriatic arthritis is associated with progressive radiological damage in hands and feet.

PubMed

Simon, P; Pfoehler, C; Bergner, R; Schreiber, M; Pfreundschuh, M; Assmann, G

2012-01-01

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may progress to joint damage. Determining clinical predictors of joint damage assessed by radiography is important. The aim of this study was to determine clinical factors as possible predictors for radiological damage in hands and feet of PsA patients with a 12-month follow-up. We conducted a retrospective study on 53 PsA patients who were taking disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and/or tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-blockers at a fixed dosage. The patients were observed in 118 follow-up visits (intervals of 12 months ± 3 months), according to a clinical and radiological protocol which included the documentation of the number of swollen and tender joints in hands and feet, the applied therapy, psoriasis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and global health assessment. Outcome was defined as radiographic damage of hands and feet (Ratingen score). For the statistical analysis the Chi-Square test for 2x2 crosstables (with Fisher's correction, as required) was used. Progressive radiological damage was more frequent among patients with an increasing swollen joint count (8 of 26 visits; 30.8%) than among those with a stable or decreased number of swollen joints (5 of 89 visits; 5.6%; p=0.001). The analysis of the patients stratified into the different treatment modalities resulted in a significant higher rate of radiological progress (20.8%) in patients on DMARD therapy compared with TNF-alpha blocking agents (0%) (p=0.009). During a 12-month follow-up of PsA patients, an increasing number of swollen joints heralds progression of radiological damage. TNF-alpha-blocker therapy appears to be superior to DMARDs in the protection from radiological progress.

Multi-step aberrant CpG island hyper-methylation is associated with the progression of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

PubMed

Sato, Hiaki; Oka, Takashi; Shinnou, Yoko; Kondo, Takami; Washio, Kana; Takano, Masayuki; Takata, Katsuyoshi; Morito, Toshiaki; Huang, Xingang; Tamura, Maiko; Kitamura, Yuta; Ohara, Nobuya; Ouchida, Mamoru; Ohshima, Koichi; Shimizu, Kenji; Tanimoto, Mitsune; Takahashi, Kiyoshi; Matsuoka, Masao; Utsunomiya, Atae; Yoshino, Tadashi

2010-01-01

Aberrant CpG island methylation contributes to the pathogenesis of various malignancies. However, little is known about the association of epigenetic abnormalities with multistep tumorigenic events in adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). To determine whether epigenetic abnormalities induce the progression of ATLL, we analyzed the methylation profiles of the SHP1, p15, p16, p73, HCAD, DAPK, hMLH-1, and MGMT genes by methylation specific PCR assay in 65 cases with ATLL patients. The number of CpG island methylated genes increased with disease progression and aberrant hypermethylation in specific genes was detected even in HTLV-1 carriers and correlated with progression to ATLL. The CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) was observed most frequently in lymphoma type ATLL and was also closely associated with the progression and crisis of ATLL. The high number of methylated genes and increase of CIMP incidence were shown to be unfavorable prognostic factors and correlated with a shorter overall survival by Kaplan-Meyer analysis. The present findings strongly suggest that the multistep accumulation of aberrant CpG methylation in specific target genes and the presence of CIMP are deeply involved in the crisis, progression, and prognosis of ATLL, as well as indicate the value of CpG methylation and CIMP for new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.

Multi-Step Aberrant CpG Island Hyper-Methylation Is Associated with the Progression of Adult T–Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma

PubMed Central

Sato, Hiaki; Oka, Takashi; Shinnou, Yoko; Kondo, Takami; Washio, Kana; Takano, Masayuki; Takata, Katsuyoshi; Morito, Toshiaki; Huang, Xingang; Tamura, Maiko; Kitamura, Yuta; Ohara, Nobuya; Ouchida, Mamoru; Ohshima, Koichi; Shimizu, Kenji; Tanimoto, Mitsune; Takahashi, Kiyoshi; Matsuoka, Masao; Utsunomiya, Atae; Yoshino, Tadashi

2010-01-01

Aberrant CpG island methylation contributes to the pathogenesis of various malignancies. However, little is known about the association of epigenetic abnormalities with multistep tumorigenic events in adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). To determine whether epigenetic abnormalities induce the progression of ATLL, we analyzed the methylation profiles of the SHP1, p15, p16, p73, HCAD, DAPK, hMLH-1, and MGMT genes by methylation specific PCR assay in 65 cases with ATLL patients. The number of CpG island methylated genes increased with disease progression and aberrant hypermethylation in specific genes was detected even in HTLV-1 carriers and correlated with progression to ATLL. The CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) was observed most frequently in lymphoma type ATLL and was also closely associated with the progression and crisis of ATLL. The high number of methylated genes and increase of CIMP incidence were shown to be unfavorable prognostic factors and correlated with a shorter overall survival by Kaplan-Meyer analysis. The present findings strongly suggest that the multistep accumulation of aberrant CpG methylation in specific target genes and the presence of CIMP are deeply involved in the crisis, progression, and prognosis of ATLL, as well as indicate the value of CpG methylation and CIMP for new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. PMID:20019193

Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress. Volume 8, Number 19

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Amos, Jason, Ed.

2008-01-01

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) "A Tipping Point in Education": Report Finds Educational Attainment of Younger Generations Has Not Increased; (2) Building a…

Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress. Volume 10, Number 2

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alliance for Excellent Education, 2010

2010-01-01

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) "The High Cost of Low Educational Performance": New OECD Report Finds that 25 Point Increase in PISA Scores…

Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress. Volume 11, Number 21

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Amos, Jason, Ed.

2011-01-01

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Nation's Report Card Reveals Modest Increases in Math and Reading: Report Shows One-Quarter of Eighth Graders Reading…

Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress. Volume 8, Number 6

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Amos, Jason, Ed.

2008-01-01

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) House and Senate Pass Budget Blueprints: Plans Would Increase Spending by More than $20 Billion Over the President's…

Measuring Developmental Progress of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder on School Entry Using Parent Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Charman, Tony; Howlin, Patricia; Berry, Bryony; Prince, Emily

2004-01-01

Increasing numbers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are diagnosed in the preschool years, and their educational progress must be monitored. Parent questionnaire data can augment psychometric assessments and individual planning at low cost. One hundred and twenty-five parents of UK children who entered dedicated autism primary…

Progression of initially mild hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

PubMed

Williams, M J; Lang-Lenton, M

2011-01-01

A significant number of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection have minimal fibrosis at presentation. Although the short-term outlook for such patients is good, there are limited data available on long-term progression. We assessed the risk of fibrosis progression in 282 patients with chronic hepatitis C with Ishak stage 0 or 1 fibrosis on initial liver biopsy. Progression of fibrosis stage occurred in 118 patients (42%) over a median interval of 52.5 months. Thirteen (5%) progressed to severe (Ishak stage 4 or more) fibrosis. Progression was significantly associated with both age at initial biopsy [odds ratio (OR) for progression of 1.31 per 10 year increase in age] and median alanine transaminase (ALT) levels during follow-up (OR of 1.06 per 10 IU/L increase). There was no significant association with gender, histological inflammatory grade, hepatic steatosis or body mass index. We conclude that hepatitis C with initially mild fibrosis does progress in a substantial proportion of patients and should not be viewed as a benign disease. Early antiviral therapy should be considered in older patients and those with high ALT levels.

Ageing and recurrent episodes of neuroinflammation promote progressive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Biozzi ABH mice.

PubMed

Peferoen, Laura A N; Breur, Marjolein; van de Berg, Sarah; Peferoen-Baert, Regina; Boddeke, Erik H W G M; van der Valk, Paul; Pryce, Gareth; van Noort, Johannes M; Baker, David; Amor, Sandra

2016-10-01

Current therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) reduce the frequency of relapses by modulating adaptive immune responses but fail to limit the irreversible neurodegeneration driving progressive disability. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Biozzi ABH mice recapitulates clinical features of MS including relapsing-remitting episodes and secondary-progressive disability. To address the contribution of recurrent inflammatory events and ageing as factors that amplify progressive neurological disease, we examined EAE in 8- to 12-week-old and 12-month-old ABH mice. Compared with the relapsing-remitting (RREAE) and secondary progressive (SPEAE) EAE observed in young mice, old mice developed progressive disease from onset (PEAE) associated with pronounced axonal damage and increased numbers of CD3(+) T cells and microglia/macrophages, but not B cells. Whereas the clinical neurological features of PEAE and SPEAE were comparable, the pathology was distinct. SPEAE was associated with significantly reduced perivascular infiltrates and T-cell numbers in the central nervous system (CNS) compared with PEAE and the acute phase of RREAE. In contrast to perivascular infiltrates that declined during progression from RREAE into SPEAE, the numbers of microglia clusters remained constant. Similar to what is observed during MS, the microglia clusters emerging during EAE were associated with axonal damage and oligodendrocytes expressing heat-shock protein B5, but not lymphocytes. Taken together, our data reveal that the course of EAE is dependent on the age of the mice. Younger mice show a relapsing-remitting phase followed by progressive disease, whereas old mice immediately show progression. This indicates that recurrent episodes of inflammation in the CNS, as well as age, contribute to progressive neurological disease. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Myostatin inhibitors as therapies for muscle wasting associated with cancer and other disorders

PubMed Central

Smith, Rosamund C.; Lin, Boris K.

2013-01-01

Purpose of review This review summarizes recent progress in the development of myostatin inhibitors for the treatment of muscle wasting disorders. It also focuses on findings in myostatin biology that may have implications for the development of antimyostatin therapies. Recent findings There has been progress in evaluating antimyostatin therapies in animal models of muscle wasting disorders. Some programs have progressed into clinical development with initial results showing positive impact on muscle volume. In normal mice myostatin deficiency results in enlarged muscles with increased total force but decreased specific force (total force/total mass). An increase in myofibrillar protein synthesis without concomitant satellite cell proliferation and fusion leads to muscle hypertrophy with unchanged myonuclear number. A specific force reduction is not observed when atrophied muscle, the predominant therapeutic target of myostatin inhibitor therapy, is made myostatindeficient. Myostatin has been shown to be expressed by a number of tumor cell lines in mice and man. Summary Myostatin inhibition remains a promising therapeutic strategy for a range of muscle wasting disorders. PMID:24157714

Myostatin inhibitors as therapies for muscle wasting associated with cancer and other disorders.

PubMed

Smith, Rosamund C; Lin, Boris K

2013-12-01

This review summarizes recent progress in the development of myostatin inhibitors for the treatment of muscle wasting disorders. It also focuses on findings in myostatin biology that may have implications for the development of antimyostatin therapies. There has been progress in evaluating antimyostatin therapies in animal models of muscle wasting disorders. Some programs have progressed into clinical development with initial results showing positive impact on muscle volume.In normal mice myostatin deficiency results in enlarged muscles with increased total force but decreased specific force (total force/total mass). An increase in myofibrillar protein synthesis without concomitant satellite cell proliferation and fusion leads to muscle hypertrophy with unchanged myonuclear number. A specific force reduction is not observed when atrophied muscle, the predominant therapeutic target of myostatin inhibitor therapy, is made myostatindeficient.Myostatin has been shown to be expressed by a number of tumor cell lines in mice and man. Myostatin inhibition remains a promising therapeutic strategy for a range of muscle wasting disorders.

Prognostic value of angiogenesis in solitary bone plasmacytoma.

PubMed

Kumar, Shaji; Fonseca, Rafael; Dispenzieri, Angela; Lacy, Martha Q; Lust, John A; Wellik, Linda; Witzig, Thomas E; Gertz, Morie A; Kyle, Robert A; Greipp, Philip R; Rajkumar, S Vincent

2003-03-01

Angiogenesis plays an important role in the biology of multiple myeloma (MM) and has prognostic importance in this disease. Solitary plasmacytoma is a localized plasma cell malignancy that progresses to MM in a significant number of patients. We examined if angiogenesis is increased in solitary plasmacytoma and if it can help identify patients likely to progress to myeloma. We studied angiogenesis in plasmacytoma biopsy samples and bone marrow biopsies from 25 patients. High-grade angiogenesis was present in 64% of plasmacytomas. In contrast, bone marrow angiogenesis was low in all patients. Patients with high-grade angiogenesis in the plasmacytoma sample were more likely to progress to myeloma and had a shorter progression-free survival compared with patients with low-grade angiogenesis (P =.02). Angiogenesis is increased in solitary plasmacytoma and is a significant predictor of progression to myeloma and provides further evidence of its importance in the pathogenesis of myeloma.

G. Stanley Hall and Edward Thorndike on the Education of Women Theory and Policy in the Progressive Era.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seller, Maxine

1981-01-01

Explores theories of educational psychologists Hall and Thorndike in relation to the education of women and examines the relationship of these theories to educational policy and the social context of the Progressive Era. The restrictive ideas of these psychologists were a response to anxieties about the increasing number of women entering the work…

Haemodynamic and anatomic progression of aortic stenosis.

PubMed

Nguyen, Virginia; Cimadevilla, Claire; Estellat, Candice; Codogno, Isabelle; Huart, Virginie; Benessiano, Joelle; Duval, Xavier; Pibarot, Philippe; Clavel, Marie Annick; Enriquez-Sarano, Maurice; Vahanian, Alec; Messika-Zeitoun, David

2015-06-01

Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is a progressive disease, but the impact of baseline AS haemodynamic or anatomic severity on AS progression remains unclear. In 149 patients (104 mild AS, 36 moderate AS and 9 severe AS) enrolled in 2 ongoing prospective cohorts (COFRASA/GENERAC), we evaluated AS haemodynamic severity at baseline and yearly, thereafter, using echocardiography (mean pressure gradient (MPG)) and AS anatomic severity using CT (degree of aortic valve calcification (AVC)). After a mean follow-up of 2.9±1.0 years, mean MGP increased from 22±11 to 30±16 mm Hg (+3±3 mm Hg/year), and mean AVC from 1108±891 to 1640±1251 AU (arbitrary units) (+188±176 AU/year). Progression of AS was strongly related to baseline haemodynamic severity (+2±3 mm Hg/year in mild AS, +4±3 mm Hg/year in moderate AS and +5±5 mm Hg/year in severe AS (p=0.01)), and baseline haemodynamic severity was an independent predictor of haemodynamic progression (p=0.0003). Annualised haemodynamic and anatomic progression rates were significantly correlated (r=0.55, p<0.0001), but AVC progression rate was also significantly associated with baseline haemodynamic severity (+141±133 AU/year in mild AS, +279±189 AU/year in moderate AS and +361±293 AU/year in severe AS, p<0.0001), and both baseline MPG and baseline AVC were independent determinants of AVC progression (p<0.0001). AS progressed faster with increasing haemodynamic or anatomic severity. Our results suggest that a medical strategy aimed at preventing AVC progression may be useful in all subsets of patients with AS including those with severe AS and support the recommended closer follow-up of patients with AS as AS severity increases. COFRASA (clinicalTrial.gov number NCT 00338676) and GENERAC (clinicalTrial.gov number NCT00647088). Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Progression of periodontal inflammation in adolescents is associated with increased number of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythensis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum.

PubMed

Yang, Ning-Yan; Zhang, Quan; Li, Jin-Lu; Yang, Sheng-Hui; Shi, Qing

2014-05-01

The study aims to evaluate the change of related subgingival periodontopathogens among different stage of gingivitis in adolescent and assess the relationship between periodontopathogens and the progression of periodontal inflammation. A total of 77 subgingival plaque samples from 35 adolescent individuals were divided into three groups including gingivitis group (mild, 15 samples; moderate, 16 samples; severe, 15 samples), chronic periodontitis group (15 samples) and healthy group (15 samples). Real-time PCR was used to quantitate Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythensis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum in subgingival plaque samples. All species, except for F. nucleatum, were detected in samples from gingivitis and periodontitis groups in significantly greater number than in those from healthy group (P < 0.05). In gingivitis groups, the number of P. gingivalis, T. forsythensis, and F. nucleatum in moderate and severe gingivitis groups was significantly higher than in mild gingivitis group (P < 0.05). After merging moderate gingivitis and severe gingivitis groups into moderate-to-severe gingivitis group, the four periodontopathogens were detected in samples from periodontitis group in significantly greater number than in those from moderate-to-severe gingivitis group (P < 0.05). The number of P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, T. forsythensis, and F. nucleatum in subgingival plaque increases with progression of periodontal inflammation in adolescents. Examination of periodontopathogens number in adolescents may be of some value for monitoring of periodontal disease development. © 2013 BSPD, IAPD and John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Characterization of naïve, memory and effector T cells in progressive multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Nielsen, Birgitte Romme; Ratzer, Rikke; Börnsen, Lars; von Essen, Marina Rode; Christensen, Jeppe Romme; Sellebjerg, Finn

2017-09-15

We characterized naïve, central memory (CM), effector memory (EM) and terminally differentiated effector memory (TEMRA) CD4 + and CD8 + T cells and their expression of CD49d and CD26 in peripheral blood in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls. CD26 + CD28 + CD4 + TEMRA T cells were increased in all subtypes of MS, and CD26 + CD28 + CD8 + TEMRA T cells were increased in relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive MS. Conversely, in progressive MS, CD49d + CM T cells were decreased and natalizumab increased the circulating number of all six subsets but reduced the frequency of most subsets expressing CD49d and CD26. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Techniques for improving transients in learning control systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chang, C.-K.; Longman, Richard W.; Phan, Minh

1992-01-01

A discrete modern control formulation is used to study the nature of the transient behavior of the learning process during repetitions. Several alternative learning control schemes are developed to improve the transient performance. These include a new method using an alternating sign on the learning gain, which is very effective in limiting peak transients and also very useful in multiple-input, multiple-output systems. Other methods include learning at an increasing number of points progressing with time, or an increasing number of points of increasing density.

[Biological mechanisms of myopia].

PubMed

Schaeffel, F

2017-01-01

Recent studies have confirmed that the prevalence of myopia has increased in most countries, that the increase must be due to environmental factors and that myopia is closely linked to the level of education. Extensive close-up work with short viewing distances, little outdoor activity and continuous exposure to low illumination are currently considered the major factors. It remains unknown how close-up work can stimulate eye growth. Animal models provide the possibility to manipulate visual experiences and to observe subsequent changes in eye growth. They have uncovered a number of unexpected aspects which have led to studies in children. When applied in low doses atropine (0.01 %) is effective against progression of myopia and shows no rebound effect after termination of the treatment, in contrast to treatment with previously used higher doses. While education cannot be limited in our society, there are now an increasing number of options to slow myopia progression so that high myopia is less frequently reached.

Attributional styles in boys with severe behaviour problems: a possible reason for lack of progress on a positive behaviour programme.

PubMed

Eslea, M

1999-03-01

The number of exclusions from British schools has been increasing in recent years: the vast majority are because of disruptive behaviour. Increasing the effectiveness of behaviour control is therefore a priority for educators. This study tests the hypothesis that children who do not respond well to a behaviour modification regime exhibit a depressed attributional style. The sample comprised 26 boys aged 7-11 in a special day school for children with behaviour problems. Participants were interviewed about positive and negative aspects of school life: responses were coded using the Leeds Attributional Coding System (Stratton et al., 1988). School records were then used to identify children making good progress through the Positive Behaviour Programme (N = 13) and those making little or no progress (N = 8). Mean proportions of stable, global, internal, personal and controllable attributions were compared by progress group (high/low) and outcome (positive/negative) using mixed-design ANOVA. High progress children made significantly more global and internal attributions for positive than for negative events, while low progress children made more personal attributions for negative than for positive events. A depressed attributional style may act as a barrier which hinders the generalisation and internalisation of traditional behaviour modification methods. Increased teacher-awareness of attribution could increase the effectiveness of remedial programmes.

Missing Links: The Fragmented Relationship between Tertiary Education and Jobs. Research Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wheelahan, Leesa; Leahy, Mary; Fredman, Nick; Moodie, Gavin; Arkoudis, Sophie; Bexley, Emmaline

2012-01-01

Increasing the pathways between vocational and higher education is a central concern of Australian governments. Governments want more pathways to support occupational progression, skills deepening and social inclusion. They consider that the number of pathways and number of students traversing them to be inadequate, and have commissioned many…

New Media for Health Education: A Revolution in Progress

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bernhardt, Jay M.; Chaney, J. Don; Chaney, Beth H.; Hall, Amanda K.

2013-01-01

Health education researchers have continued to explore creative new ways to leverage the Internet and diverse new media applications to increase the efficacy of their interventions. The number of new media and health education studies continues to grow, as does the number of manuscripts related to new media that are submitted to "Health Education…

Complement is activated in progressive multiple sclerosis cortical grey matter lesions.

PubMed

Watkins, Lewis M; Neal, James W; Loveless, Sam; Michailidou, Iliana; Ramaglia, Valeria; Rees, Mark I; Reynolds, Richard; Robertson, Neil P; Morgan, B Paul; Howell, Owain W

2016-06-22

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) are caused by damage to myelin and nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Inflammation is tightly linked with neurodegeneration, and it is the accumulation of neurodegeneration that underlies increasing neurological disability in progressive MS. Determining pathological mechanisms at play in MS grey matter is therefore a key to our understanding of disease progression. We analysed complement expression and activation by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridisation in frozen or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded post-mortem tissue blocks from 22 progressive MS cases and made comparisons to inflammatory central nervous system disease and non-neurological disease controls. Expression of the transcript for C1qA was noted in neurons and the activation fragment and opsonin C3b-labelled neurons and glia in the MS cortical and deep grey matter. The density of immunostained cells positive for the classical complement pathway protein C1q and the alternative complement pathway activation fragment Bb was significantly increased in cortical grey matter lesions in comparison to control grey matter. The number of cells immunostained for the membrane attack complex was elevated in cortical lesions, indicating complement activation to completion. The numbers of classical (C1-inhibitor) and alternative (factor H) pathway regulator-positive cells were unchanged between MS and controls, whilst complement anaphylatoxin receptor-bearing microglia in the MS cortex were found closely apposed to cortical neurons. Complement immunopositive neurons displayed an altered nuclear morphology, indicative of cell stress/damage, supporting our finding of significant neurodegeneration in cortical grey matter lesions. Complement is activated in the MS cortical grey matter lesions in areas of elevated numbers of complement receptor-positive microglia and suggests that complement over-activation may contribute to the worsening pathology that underlies the irreversible progression of MS.

Blastulation rates decline in a linear fashion from euploid to aneuploid embryos with single versus multiple chromosomal errors.

PubMed

Vega, Mario; Breborowicz, Andrzej; Moshier, Erin L; McGovern, Peter G; Keltz, Martin D

2014-08-01

To test the hypothesis that the blastulation rate is higher in euploid embryos than in aneuploid embryos as assessed by cleavage-stage biopsy with array-comprehensive genomic hybridization (aCGH). Retrospective cohort study. University-affiliated institution. Forty-one patients with 48 in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles and 385 embryos that underwent cleavage-stage preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) with aCGH at the Continuum Reproductive Center between January 2010 and September 2013. None. Probability of blastocyst and/or fully expanded or hatching blastocyst (FEHB) progression depending on number of chromosomal abnormalities. Euploid embryos are twice as likely to progress to blastocyst and three times as likely to progress to FEHB than aneuploid embryos: 76% versus 37% and 56% versus 18%, respectively. For every additional chromosomal abnormality, the likelihood of progressing to the blastocyst stage decreases by 22% and the likelihood of progressing to FEHB decreases by 33%. Euploid embryos are far more likely than aneuploid embryos to progress to the blastocyst and FEHB stages. There is a linear decrease in probability of blastulation with the increasing number of chromosomal abnormalities. Copyright © 2014 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Enzyme replacement therapy stabilized white matter lesion progression in Fabry disease.

PubMed

Fellgiebel, Andreas; Gartenschläger, Martin; Wildberger, Kerstin; Scheurich, Armin; Desnick, Robert J; Sims, Katherine

2014-01-01

The central nervous system manifestations in Fabry disease (FD) include progressive white matter lesions (WMLs) and stroke. Due to progressive microvascular involvement, men and women with FD over 35 years of age develop WMLs. Moreover, the prevalence of stroke has been estimated to be 12 times higher in FD compared with the general population. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is available and has shown beneficial effects on renal, cardiac, and peripheral nerve function in FD, but the ERT effect on the progression of WMLs, or the reduction in cerebrovascular events, remains unknown. The WML burden and the effect of agalsidase beta 1 mg/kg biweekly on WML progression were assessed longitudinally in a Phase 4 agalsidase-beta placebo-controlled analysis of untreated and treated FD patients with mild-to-moderate renal involvement (serum creatinine measurements of ≥1.2 mg/dl and <3.0 mg/dl). The primary end point was the difference in the number of patients with increased WML burden between the agalsidase beta and placebo groups at the end of treatment. The diameters of the WMLs were determined manually using axial flow-attenuated-inversion-recovery-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans taken at baseline and follow-up. MRI scans from 41 FD patients (mean age 43.9, age range 20-68, 3 females; n=25 on ERT, n=16 on placebo) were analyzed. WML burden was present in 63% of patients at baseline, increased over a mean of 27 months (range 12-33 months) follow-up, and correlated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVPW). Patients with previous or recent strokes (n=11, 39-68 years) showed an increase in the number of WMLs (p=0.005). A greater proportion of younger patients (≤50 years) on ERT (n=18) had stable WML burden compared with younger patients in the placebo group (n=13): 44% (8 of 18) versus 31% (4 of 13), p=0.014. The number needed to treat was 8. This FD patient cohort, with mild-to-moderate renal involvement, had a significant WML burden and high inter-individual variability associated with the degree of LVPW but not the degree of kidney dysfunction. These advanced patients with increased LVPW and stroke evidence may have had a higher cerebrovascular risk. The WML burden in patients on ERT was more likely to remain stable, compared with patients on placebo. Thus, ERT may reduce the progression of vascular disease, even in advanced FD patients, suggesting that early treatment may stabilize WML progression and stroke risk. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Effect of pulsed progressive fluoroscopy on reduction of radiation dose in the cardiac catheterization laboratory

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Holmes, D.R. Jr.; Wondrow, M.A.; Gray, J.E.

1990-01-01

The increased application of therapeutic interventional cardiology procedures is associated with increased radiation exposure to physicians, patients and technical personnel. New advances in imaging techniques have the potential for reducing radiation exposure. A progressive scanning video system with a standard vascular phantom has been shown to decrease entrance radiation exposure. The effect of this system on reducing actual radiation exposure to physicians and technicians was assessed from 1984 through 1987. During this time, progressive fluoroscopy was added sequentially to all four adult catheterization laboratories; no changes in shielding procedures were made. During this time, the case load per physician increasedmore » by 63% and the number of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty procedures (a high radiation procedure) increased by 244%. Despite these increases in both case load and higher radiation procedures, the average radiation exposure per physician declined by 37%. During the same time, the radiation exposure for technicians decreased by 35%. Pulsed progressive fluoroscopy is effective for reducing radiation exposure to catheterization laboratory physicians and technical staff.« less

Clinical significance of detecting circulating tumor cells in colorectal cancer using subtraction enrichment and immunostaining-fluorescence in situ hybridization (SE-iFISH)

PubMed Central

Shen, Zhen; Jing, Yan; Lu, Haibo; Li, Heng; Yang, Xiaoye; Cui, Xiangbin; Li, Yuqing; Lou, Zheng; Liu, Peng; Zhang, Cun; Zhang, Wei

2017-01-01

Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are useful in early detection of colorectal cancer. This study described a newly developed platform, integrated subtraction enrichment and immunostaining-fluorescence in situ hybridization (SE-iFISH), to assess CTCs in colorectal cancer. CTCs were detected by SE-iFISH in 40 of 44 preoperative colorectal cancer patients, and yielded a sensitivity of 90.9%, which was significantly higher than CellSearch system (90.9% vs. 43.2%, P=0.033). No significant association was found between tumor stage, survival and preoperative CTC number. CTCs were detected in 10 colorectal cancer patients one week after surgery; seven patients with decreased CTC numbers (compared with preoperative CTC number) were free of recurrence; whereas two of the three patients with increased CTC numbers had tumor recurrence. Moreover, CTCs were detected in 34 colorectal cancer patients three months after surgery; patients with CTC<2 at three months after surgery had significantly longer Progression Free Survival than those with CTC>=2 (P=0.019); patients with decreased CTC number (compared with preoperative CTC number) had significantly longer Progression Free Survival than those with increased CTC number (P=0.003). In conclusion, CTCs could be detected in various stages of colorectal cancer using SE-iFISH. Dynamic monitoring of CTC numbers could predict recurrence and prognosis. PMID:28423493

Reconsidering the safety in numbers effect for vulnerable road users: an application of agent-based modeling.

PubMed

Thompson, Jason; Savino, Giovanni; Stevenson, Mark

2015-01-01

Increasing levels of active transport provide benefits in relation to chronic disease and emissions reduction but may be associated with an increased risk of road trauma. The safety in numbers (SiN) effect is often regarded as a solution to this issue; however, the mechanisms underlying its influence are largely unknown. We aimed to (1) replicate the SiN effect within a simple, simulated environment and (2) vary bicycle density within the environment to better understand the circumstances under which SiN applies. Using an agent-based modeling approach, we constructed a virtual transport system that increased the number of bicycles from 9% to 35% of total vehicles over a period of 1,000 time units while holding the number of cars in the system constant. We then repeated this experiment under conditions of progressively decreasing bicycle density. We demonstrated that the SiN effect can be reproduced in a virtual environment, closely approximating the exponential relationships between cycling numbers and the relative risk of collision as shown in observational studies. The association, however, was highly contingent upon bicycle density. The relative risk of collisions between cars and bicycles with increasing bicycle numbers showed an association that is progressively linear at decreasing levels of density. Agent-based modeling may provide a useful tool for understanding the mechanisms underpinning the relationships previously observed between volume and risk under the assumptions of SiN. The SiN effect may apply only under circumstances in which bicycle density also increases over time. Additional mechanisms underpinning the SiN effect, independent of behavioral adjustment by drivers, are explored.

Heritability of semen traits in German Warmblood stallions.

PubMed

Gottschalk, M; Sieme, H; Martinsson, G; Distl, O

2016-07-01

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate genetic parameters for semen quality traits of 241 fertile German Warmblood stallions regularly employed in artificial insemination (AI). Stallions were owned by the National Studs Celle and Warendorf in Germany. Semen traits analyzed were gel-free volume, sperm concentration, total number of sperm, progressive motility and total number of progressively motile sperm. Semen protocols from a total of 63,972 ejaculates were collected between the years 2001 and 2014 for the present analysis. A multivariate linear animal model was employed for estimation of additive genetic and permanent environmental variances among stallions and breeding values (EBVs) for semen traits. Heritabilities estimated for all German Warmblood stallions were highest for gel-free volume (h(2)=0.28) and lowest for total number of progressively motile sperm (h(2)=0.13). The additive genetic correlation among gel-free volume and sperm concentration was highly negative (rg=-0.76). Average reliabilities of EBVs were at 0.37-0.68 for the 241 stallions with own records. The inter-stallion variance explained between 33 and 61% of the trait variance, underlining the major impact of the individual stallion on semen quality traits analyzed here. Recording of semen traits from stallions employed in AI may be recommended because EBVs achieve sufficient accuracies to improve semen quality in future generations. Due to favorable genetic correlations, sperm concentration, total number of sperm and total number of progressively motile sperm may be increased simultaneously. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

What's the Bottom Line

EPA Science Inventory

Advances in analytical instrumentation have not only increased the number and types of chemicals measured, but reduced the quantitation limits, allowing these chemicals to be detected at progressively lower concentrations in various environmental matrices. Such analytical advanc...

Nanoparticle radio-enhancement: principles, progress and application to cancer treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuncic, Zdenka; Lacombe, Sandrine

2018-01-01

Enhancement of radiation effects by high-atomic number nanoparticles (NPs) has been increasingly studied for its potential to improve radiotherapeutic efficacy. The underlying principle of NP radio-enhancement is the potential to release copious electrons into a nanoscale volume, thereby amplifying radiation-induced biological damage. While the vast majority of studies to date have focused on gold nanoparticles with photon radiation, an increasing number of experimental, theoretical and simulation studies have explored opportunities offered by other NPs (e.g. gadolinium, platinum, iron oxide, hafnium) and other therapeutic radiation sources such as ion beams. It is thus of interest to the research community to consolidate findings from the different studies and summarise progress to date, as well as to identify strategies that offer promising opportunities for clinical translation. This is the purpose of this Topical Review.

Mast cells mediate neutrophil recruitment during atherosclerotic plaque progression.

PubMed

Wezel, Anouk; Lagraauw, H Maxime; van der Velden, Daniël; de Jager, Saskia C A; Quax, Paul H A; Kuiper, Johan; Bot, Ilze

2015-08-01

Activated mast cells have been identified in the intima and perivascular tissue of human atherosclerotic plaques. As mast cells have been described to release a number of chemokines that mediate leukocyte fluxes, we propose that activated mast cells may play a pivotal role in leukocyte recruitment during atherosclerotic plaque progression. Systemic IgE-mediated mast cell activation in apoE(-/-)μMT mice resulted in an increase in atherosclerotic lesion size as compared to control mice, and interestingly, the number of neutrophils was highly increased in these lesions. In addition, peritoneal mast cell activation led to a massive neutrophil influx into the peritoneal cavity in C57Bl6 mice, whereas neutrophil numbers in mast cell deficient Kit(W(-sh)/W(-sh)) mice were not affected. Within the newly recruited neutrophil population, increased levels of CXCR2(+) and CXCR4(+) neutrophils were observed after mast cell activation. Indeed, mast cells were seen to contain and release CXCL1 and CXCL12, the ligands for CXCR2 and CXCR4. Intriguingly, peritoneal mast cell activation in combination with anti-CXCR2 receptor antagonist resulted in decreased neutrophil recruitment, thus establishing a prominent role for the CXCL1/CXCR2 axis in mast cell-mediated neutrophil recruitment. Our data suggest that chemokines, and in particular CXCL1, released from activated mast cells induce neutrophil recruitment to the site of inflammation, thereby aggravating the ongoing inflammatory response and thus affecting plaque progression and destabilization. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dropout Prevention. The Progress of Education Reform, 2007. Volume 8, Number 1

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dounay, Jennifer

2007-01-01

Improving high school graduation rates has in recent years become a growing concern to state and local policymakers for a number of reasons: the reduced economic opportunities and increased social costs for individuals without a high school diploma; the economic consequences, such as reduced tax revenues; and the need for more college graduates.…

Disease progression of acute pancreatitis in pediatric patients.

PubMed

Hao, Fabao; Guo, Hongjie; Luo, Qianfu; Guo, Chunbao

2016-05-15

Approximately 10% of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) progress to chronic pancreatitis. Little is known about the factors that affect recurrence of pancreatitis after an initial episode. We retrospectively investigated patients with AP, focusing on their outcomes and the predictors for disease progression. Between July 2003 and June 2015, we retrospectively enrolled first-time AP patients with medical records on disease etiology, severity (according to the Atlanta classifications), and recurrence of AP. Independent predictors of recurrent AP (RAP) and chronic pancreatitis were identified using the logistic regression model. Of the total 159 patients, 45 (28.3%) developed RAP, including two episodes of RAP in 19 patients, and 9 (5.7%) developed chronic pancreatitis. The median duration from the time of AP to the onset of RAP was 5.6 ± 2.3 months. RAP patients were identified as more common among patients with idiopathic first-time AP. The presence of severe ascites, pancreatic necrosis, and systemic complications was independent predictors of RAP in pediatric patients. Experiencing over two RAP episodes was the predictor for developing chronic pancreatitis. No influence of age or number of AP episodes was found on the occurrence of abdominal pain, pain severity, and the prevalence of any pain. Severity of first-time AP and idiopathic first-time AP are related to RAP. Recurrence increases risk for progression to chronic pancreatitis. The risk of recurrence increased with increasing numbers of AP episodes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Clinical Investigation Program. Annual Progress Report. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-01-20

Suport Labs Resch Chemist 13 0644 GS Salata, KF Allergy Microbiologist 12 0403 CS Billups, L Flow Cytom Microbiologist 12 0403 GS Dobek, AS Inf Disease 5...continued to increase laboratory research support to principal investigators throughout the medical center. The DCI Flow Cytometry Laboratory provided...Kalman PhD. Mitogen-Inducible T Suppressor Cell 12 Assay by Flow Cytometry (12/89) * Reference is to page number(s) in Volume II. 30 PROTOCOL NUMBER

Prenatal programming-effects on blood pressure and renal function.

PubMed

Ritz, Eberhard; Amann, Kerstin; Koleganova, Nadezda; Benz, Kerstin

2011-03-01

Impaired intrauterine nephrogenesis-most clearly illustrated by low nephron number-is frequently associated with low birthweight and has been recognized as a powerful risk factor for renal disease; it increases the risks of low glomerular filtration rate, of more rapid progression of primary kidney disease, and of increased incidence of chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease. Another important consequence of impaired nephrogenesis is hypertension, which further amplifies the risk of onset and progression of kidney disease. Hypertension is associated with low nephron numbers in white individuals, but the association is not universal and is not seen in individuals of African origin. The derangement of intrauterine kidney development is an example of a more general principle that illustrates the paradigm of plasticity during development-that is, that transcription of the genetic code is modified by epigenetic factors (as has increasingly been documented). This Review outlines the concept of prenatal programming and, in particular, describes its role in kidney disease and hypertension.

Noise, Turbulence, and Thrust of Subsonic Free Jets from Lobed Nozzles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zaman, K. B. M. Q.; Wang, F. Y.

2002-01-01

A study of noise benefit, vis-a-vis thrust penalty, and its correlation to turbulence intensities was conducted for free jets issuing from lobed nozzles. Four convergent nozzles with constant exit area were used in the experiments. Three of these were of rectangular lobed configuration having six, ten and fourteen lobes; the fourth was a circular nozzle. Increasing the number of lobes resulted in a progressive reduction in the turbulence intensities as well as in the overall radiated noise. The noise reduction was pronounced at the low frequency end of the spectrum. However, there was an increase in the high frequency noise that rendered the overall benefit less attractive when compared on a scaled-up A-weighted basis. A reduction in noise was accompanied by a commensurate reduction in the turbulent kinetic energy in the flow field. As expected, increasing the number of lobes involved progressive reduction in the thrust coefficient. Among the cases studied, the six-lobed nozzle had the optimum reduction in turbulence and noise with the least thrust penalty.

[Progress in research of reasons for women engaging in commercial sex].

PubMed

Du, Yihui; Wang, Zhiping; Fu, Jihua

2016-01-01

With the development of economy, increase of cultural exchanges and changes of people's ideology in China, the number of female sex workers (FSWs) increased rapidly under the influence of various social factors. The diverse motivations for women engaging in commercial sex have been observed. Foreign researchers have conducted some surveys of factors associated with female commercial sex, while few such studies were conducted among FSWs in China. This paper summarizes the progress in the research of reasons for women engaging in commercial sex both at home and abroad to provide evidence for future study.

Anemia in new congenital adult type polycystic kidney mice.

PubMed

Koumegawa, J; Nagano, N; Arai, H; Wada, M; Kusaka, M; Takahashi, H

1991-12-01

Mechanisms for the development of anemia and the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) on hematological parameters were studied in new congenital adult type polycystic kidney (DBA/2FG-pcy) mice. The majority of DBA/2FG-pcy mice showed progressive anemia and an elevation of blood urea nitrogen, while a minority showed progressive anemia following polycythemia. Kidneys with numerous cysts in the cortex and medulla occupied virtually the entire abdominal cavity, and the combined kidney weight taken as a percentage of body weight reached 13.5% in the DBA/2FG-pcy mouse. The osmotic fragility of DBA/2FG-pcy mice erythrocytes was significantly increased compared with that of normal control mice. In addition, two-fold increases in serum EPO levels, determined by radioimmunoassay, and a decreased number of colony forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) were observed in the DBA/2FG-pcy mice. The administration of r-HuEPO during anemia significantly increased the red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and reticulocyte percentage in a dose-dependent manner. These findings indicate that anemia in the DBA/2FG-pcy mouse is due to increased fragility of erythrocytes, a deficiency in EPO for the degree of anemia and a decreased number or a decreased response of erythroid progenitor cells. We suggest that the DBA/2FG-pcy mouse is a useful spontaneous model of chronic progressive renal failure.

The progress of emergency medicine in Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong: perspective from publications in Emergency Medicine Journals, 1992-2011.

PubMed

Lee, Ching-Hsing; Chaou, Chung-Hsien; Lin, Chih-Chuan

2014-01-01

The progress of emergency medicine (EM) in Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong was evaluated from the perspective of publications in EM journals. This was a retrospective study. All articles published from 1992 to 2011 in all journals in the EM category in the 2010 Journal Citation Reports (JCR) were included. A computerized literature search was conducted using the SciVerse Scopus database. The slope ( β ) of the linear regression was used to evaluate the trends in the numbers of articles as well as the ratios to the total number of EM journal articles. The trends in the numbers of articles from Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong were 6.170, 1.908, and 2.835 and the trends in the ratios of their publication numbers to the total number of EM journal articles were 15.0 × 10(-4), 4.60 × 10(-4), and 6.80 × 10(-4), respectively. All P-values were <0.01. The mean, median, and 75th percentiles of the number of citations in all EM journals were greater than those of these three areas. The publications from Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong have increased at a higher rate than those of the overall EM field in the past 20 years and indicated the rapid progress in these three areas.

Progressive specialization within general surgery: adding to the complexity of workforce planning.

PubMed

Stitzenberg, Karyn B; Sheldon, George F

2005-12-01

Although most general surgeons receive comparable training leading to Board certification, the services they provide in practice may be highly variable. Progressive specialization is the voluntary narrowing of scope of practice from the breadth of skills acquired during training; it occurs in response to patient demand, rapid growth of medical knowledge, and personal factors. Progressive specialization is increasingly linked to fellowship training, which generally abruptly narrows a surgeon's scope of practice. This study examines progressive specialization by evaluating trends in fellowship training among general surgeons. Because no database exists that tracks trainees from medical school matriculation through entrance into the workforce, data from multiple sources were compiled to assess the impact of progressive specialization. Trends in overall number of trainees, match rates, and proportion of international medical graduates were analyzed. The proportion of general surgeons pursuing fellowship training has increased from > 55% to > 70% since 1992. The introduction of fellowship opportunities in newer content areas, such as breast surgery and minimally invasive surgery, accounts for some of the increase. Meanwhile, interest in more traditional subspecialties (ie, thoracic and vascular surgery) is declining. Progressive specialization confounds workforce projections. Available databases provide only an estimate of the extent of progressive specialization. When surgeons complete fellowships, they narrow the spectrum of services provided. Consequently, as the phenomenon of progressive specialization evolves, a larger surgical workforce will be needed to provide the breadth of services encompassed by the primary components of general surgery.

Women in physics in Nigeria: Status, actions, and progress (2011-2014)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuwape, Ibiyinka A.; Rabiu, Babatunde; Ogunjo, Samuel

2015-12-01

In Nigeria the number of women taking up a career in physics is increasing. The progress made by Nigerian women in physics is presented. The Nigerian Women in Physics working group continues to organize activities to encourage more girls and women into physics. One of such activity is the biannual conference of women in physics in Nigeria. Through this event, many Nigerian women in physics attend and a few women from educationally disadvantaged parts of Nigeria attend and present their research. In this report we present progress that has been made to bring in more women into physics in Nigeria.

Lots of autoantibodies equal lupus?

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Autoantibodies may be found years before an autoimmune disease becomes clinically apparent. For systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), those to RNA-binding proteins, to phospholipids, and to double-stranded DNA, in particular, have been found in sera of SLE patients years before the diagnosis was made. New data now show in an unbiased way that, in patients with early SLE, no single antibody class or specificity is associated with progression to SLE. Rather, an increasing number of autoantibody specificities, such as to thyroid antigens, was observed in patients progressing. This points to more generalized B cell autoreactivity during progression to SLE, underlying lupus disease manifestations. PMID:23347779

Progression of coronary artery calcification in black and white women: do the stresses and rewards of multiple roles matter?

PubMed

Janssen, Imke; Powell, Lynda H; Jasielec, Mateusz S; Matthews, Karen A; Hollenberg, Steven M; Sutton-Tyrrell, Kim; Everson-Rose, Susan A

2012-02-01

Black women experience higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than white women, though evidence for racial differences in subclinical CVD is mixed. Few studies have examined multiple roles (number, perceived stress, and/or reward) in relation to subclinical CVD, or whether those effects differ by race. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of multiple roles on 2-year progression of coronary artery calcium. Subjects were 104 black and 232 white women (mean age 50.8 years). Stress and reward from four roles (spouse, parent, employee, caregiver) were assessed on five-point scales. Coronary artery calcium progression was defined as an increase of ≥10 Agatston units. White women reported higher rewards from their multiple roles than black women, yet black women showed cardiovascular benefits from role rewards. Among black women only, higher role rewards were related significantly to lower progression of coronary artery calcium, adjusting for body mass index, blood pressure, and other known CVD risk factors. Blacks reported fewer roles but similar role stress as whites; role number and stress were unrelated to coronary artery calcium progression. Rewarding roles may be a novel protective psychosocial factor for progression of coronary calcium among black women.

The Implications of Business English Mock Exams on Language Progress at Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

González Romero, Rocío

2016-01-01

Language learning has been increasingly influenced by technology over the last decades thanks to its positive effects on language acquisition. It is thanks to the technology's supportive role towards language learning that an increasing number of online foreign language courses have appeared. Besides, foreign language courses are more and more…

Relationship of Education and IQ in the WAIS-R Standardization Sample.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Matarazzo, Joseph D.; Herman, David O.

1984-01-01

Analyzed the total number of years of schooling completed against the Verbal IQ (VIQ), Performance IQ (PIQ), and Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) of the 1,880 individuals who were used to standardize the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R). Analysis revealed a progressive increase in mean FSIQ with increasing education. (JAC)

The Effects of Cognitive Task Complexity on L2 Oral Production

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Levkina, Mayya; Gilabert, Roger

2012-01-01

This paper examines the impact of task complexity on L2 production. The study increases task complexity by progressively removing pre-task planning time and increasing the number of elements. The combined effects of manipulating these two variables of task complexity simultaneously are also analyzed. Using a repeated measures design, 42…

Central State University: Addendum to the Phase I Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ohio Board of Regents, 2012

2012-01-01

On May 31, 2012, Central State University submitted the Phase I Report detailing progress made in support of the plan to increase enrollment, improve course completion and increase the number of graduates. The report detailed accomplishments made in support of the following Phase I action items: (1) Identification of Three Degree Partnerships in…

The Burn Wound Microenvironment

PubMed Central

Rose, Lloyd F.; Chan, Rodney K.

2016-01-01

Significance: While the survival rate of the severely burned patient has improved significantly, relatively little progress has been made in treatment or prevention of burn-induced long-term sequelae, such as contraction and fibrosis. Recent Advances: Our knowledge of the molecular pathways involved in burn wounds has increased dramatically, and technological advances now allow large-scale genomic studies, providing a global view of wound healing processes. Critical Issues: Translating findings from a large number of in vitro and preclinical animal studies into clinical practice represents a gap in our understanding, and the failures of a number of clinical trials suggest that targeting single pathways or cytokines may not be the best approach. Significant opportunities for improvement exist. Future Directions: Study of the underlying molecular influences of burn wound healing progression will undoubtedly continue as an active research focus. Increasing our knowledge of these processes will identify additional therapeutic targets, supporting informed clinical studies that translate into clinical relevance and practice. PMID:26989577

The role of women in dental education: monitoring the pipeline to leadership.

PubMed

Reed, Michael J; Corry, Ann Marie; Liu, Ying W

2012-11-01

The purpose of this study was to analyze data collected by the American Dental Association and the American Dental Education Association over the past two decades relating to changes in the number of women active in dental education and dental practice. The concept of a pipeline of women in dentistry was explored by analyzing predoctoral, postdoctoral, dental practice, and dental education domains for the inclusion of women. Statistical analyses show that there has been a consistent and progressive increase in the number of women in all stages of the pipeline. Over the past two decades, the number of female students attending and graduating from dental school has steadily increased. In 1984-85, 23.7 percent of all predoctoral students were women; in 2009-10, 45.1 percent were women. Similarly, in 1999, the graduating class was 35.3 percent women; in 2009, it was 46.1 percent women. In the postdoctoral domain, in 1996, 29.9 percent of all residents were women; in 2010, this had increased to 39.0 percent. In dental practice, the number of actively licensed women dentists in 1999 was 15.3 percent of the workforce; in 2010, this percentage had grown to 24.0 percent. In dental education, the number of women clinical faculty members has gradually increased from 669 in 1997-98 to 902 in 2007-08. Until 2000, there had been only two women deans and very few associate/assistant deans, with only sixteen in 1990. In 2000, major changes began with three women deans and seventy-two women associate/assistant deans. In 2009-10, there were 111 associate/assistant women deans and twelve women deans. These data show a progressive increase in the presence of women in all domains of dentistry, especially in leadership positions in dental education.

Achievements in postgraduate urologic education in Iran: a quantitative study.

PubMed

Simforoosh, Nasser; Tabatabai, Shima; Ziaee, Seyed Amir Mohsen

2014-01-04

The study focus is on the quantitative achievements in urology education and growth trends in urologic surgical workforce and fellowships by gender since 1979. This comprehensive national quantitative study was performed in Iranian Academy of medical science. The first hand data gathered from The Iran Specialty Training Council of and also from Medical Council of Iran. Over the period 1979 to 2012, the numbers of resident's admission in urology/ fellowships have increased from 5 to 51 and from 0 to 24 respectively, and graduated urologists of national programs has grown from 5 (14%) in 1979 to 47 (100%) in 2012. Iranian urologists workforce haves increased from 315 in 1979 to 1637 in 2012. In 1979, there was 1 urologist for every 117,460 population, while in 2012 there was 1 urologist for every 46120 population. Iran Urologists to population rate is 1:46120. These statistics represents significant improvement from 34 years ago. Number of female urologists has progressively increased from 1 in 1979 (0%) to 110 (7%) in 2012. Urology fellowships are offered in 6 fields since 1994 in Iran. The number of trained fellowships grew sharply and reached to 221 in 2012. The current urology training is successful to improve urology health care. Along with expansion of urology and fellowship training, the number of Iranian female urologists significantly increased. To our knowledge Iran had the greatest growth rate of female urologist training in the Middle East, and is comparable with those in the most progressed countries in the world.

Using Israel's National Cancer Registry Database to Track Progress in the War against Cancer: A Challenge for Health Services.

PubMed

Robinson, Eliezer; Silverman, Barbara G; Keinan-Boker, Lital

2017-04-01

The number of cancer survivors has been increasing worldwide and is now approximately 32.6 million and growing. Cancer survivors present a challenge to health care providers because of their higher susceptibility to long-term health outcomes related to their primary disease and treatment. To report on the number of cancer survivors and incident cancer cases in the period 1960-2009 in Israel, in order to provide data on the scope of the challenge Israel's health care funds face. The Israel National Cancer Registry (INCR) database was used to identify new cancer cases diagnosed during the period 1960-2009. Lifetable analysis was used to assess changes in cumulative survival and population prevalence of cancer survivors throughout the 50 year study period. Almost 600,000 invasive cancer cases were diagnosed during the period 1960-2009 (overall absolute survival rate 54%). Within this time period, the number of new patients diagnosed with cancer increased fivefold and that of cancer survivors ninefold. The absolute survival of cancer patients and the prevalence of cancer survivors in the general population significantly increased with time from 34% and 0.5%, respectively (1960-1969), to 62% and 1.9%, respectively (2000-2009). Cumulative absolute survival for 5, 10 and 15 years following diagnosis increased with time as well. The INCR database is useful to assess progress in the war against cancer. The growing numbers of cancer survivors in Israel present a challenge to the national health and social services system.

[A critical perspective on the global research activity in the field of bladder cancer].

PubMed

Schöffel, N; Domnitz, F; Brüggmann, D; Klingelhöfer, D; Bendels, M H K; Groneberg, D A

2016-11-01

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common forms of cancer world-wide. This underestimated disease can cause severe morbidity and mortality in individuals. Increasing awareness can be depicted by the increasing numbers of publications since the 1990s. Hence, it is challenging for a scientist to obtain an overview of the topic. To quantify the global research activity in this field, a scientometric investigation was conducted. Using the database Web of Science, the bibliometric data of publications on the topic of BC was acquired for the period 1900-2007. According to the NewQIS protocol, different visualization techniques and scientometric methods were applied. A total of 19,651 publications were evaluated. The USA takes a leading position in terms of the overall number of publications, institutions, and collaborations. International collaboration on BC has changed considerably in terms of quantity during the past 20 years. The largest number of articles and the highest number of citations regarding BC are found in the Journal of Urology. Thus, it is considered the most prolific journal. Furthermore, the productivity (i. e., publication numbers) of authors and scientific impact (i. e., citation rates) vary greatly. The field of BC continues to progress, whereby the influence of international co-operation on scientific progress is of increasing importance. New evaluation factors/tools have to be established for a more reliable evaluation of scientific work.

Protection, promotion and support of breast-feeding in Europe: progress from 2002 to 2007.

PubMed

Cattaneo, Adriano; Burmaz, Tea; Arendt, Maryse; Nilsson, Ingrid; Mikiel-Kostyra, Krystyna; Kondrate, Irena; Communal, Marie José; Massart, Catherine; Chapin, Elise; Fallon, Maureen

2010-06-01

To assess progress in the protection, promotion and support of breast-feeding in Europe. Data for 2002 and 2007 were gathered with the same questionnaire. Of thirty countries, twenty-nine returned data for 2002, twenty-four for 2007. The number of countries with national policies complying with WHO recommendations increased. In 2007, six countries lacked a national policy, three a national plan, four a national breast-feeding coordinator and committee. Little improvement was reported in pre-service training; however, the number of countries with good coverage in the provision of WHO/UNICEF courses for in-service training increased substantially, as reflected in a parallel increase in the number of Baby Friendly Hospitals and the proportion of births taking place in them. Little improvement was reported as far as implementation of the International Code on Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes is concerned. Except for Ireland and the UK, where some improvement occurred, no changes were reported on maternity protection. Due to lack of standard methods, it was difficult to compare rates of breast-feeding among countries. With this in mind, slight improvements in the rates of initiation, exclusivity and duration were reported by countries where data at two points in time were available. Breast-feeding rates continue to fall short of global recommendations. National policies are improving slowly but are hampered by the lack of action on maternity protection and the International Code. Pre-service training and standard monitoring of breast-feeding rates are the areas where more efforts are needed to accelerate progress.

Progressive calibration and averaging for tandem mass spectrometry statistical confidence estimation: Why settle for a single decoy?

PubMed Central

Keich, Uri; Noble, William Stafford

2017-01-01

Estimating the false discovery rate (FDR) among a list of tandem mass spectrum identifications is mostly done through target-decoy competition (TDC). Here we offer two new methods that can use an arbitrarily small number of additional randomly drawn decoy databases to improve TDC. Specifically, “Partial Calibration” utilizes a new meta-scoring scheme that allows us to gradually benefit from the increase in the number of identifications calibration yields and “Averaged TDC” (a-TDC) reduces the liberal bias of TDC for small FDR values and its variability throughout. Combining a-TDC with “Progressive Calibration” (PC), which attempts to find the “right” number of decoys required for calibration we see substantial impact in real datasets: when analyzing the Plasmodium falciparum data it typically yields almost the entire 17% increase in discoveries that “full calibration” yields (at FDR level 0.05) using 60 times fewer decoys. Our methods are further validated using a novel realistic simulation scheme and importantly, they apply more generally to the problem of controlling the FDR among discoveries from searching an incomplete database. PMID:29326989

A Hidden Cause of Rising Tuition: Tuition Discounting in Public Colleges and Universities. The Progress of Education Reform. Volume 15, Number 4

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gianneschi, Matt; Pingel, Sarah

2014-01-01

Why does tuition increase faster than inflation? And why does tuition continue to increase even when states increase their investments in public colleges and universities? These questions have perplexed policymakers and higher education consumers alike. Though tuition setting can be very complicated, one of the drivers for rising costs is price…

Reynolds number scaling of the influence of boundary layers on the global behavior of laboratory quasi-Keplerian flows

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Edlund, E. M.; Ji, H.

2015-10-06

Here, we present fluid velocity measurements in a modified Taylor-Couette device operated in the quasi-Keplerian regime, where it is observed that nearly ideal flows exhibit self-similarity under scaling of the Reynolds number. In contrast, nonideal flows show progressive departure from ideal Couette as the Reynolds number is increased. We present a model that describes the observed departures from ideal Couette rotation as a function of the fluxes of angular momentum across the boundaries, capturing the dependence on Reynolds number and boundary conditions.

Reynolds number scaling of the influence of boundary layers on the global behavior of laboratory quasi-Keplerian flows.

PubMed

Edlund, E M; Ji, H

2015-10-01

We present fluid velocity measurements in a modified Taylor-Couette device operated in the quasi-Keplerian regime, where it is observed that nearly ideal flows exhibit self-similarity under scaling of the Reynolds number. In contrast, nonideal flows show progressive departure from ideal Couette as the Reynolds number is increased. We present a model that describes the observed departures from ideal Couette rotation as a function of the fluxes of angular momentum across the boundaries, capturing the dependence on Reynolds number and boundary conditions.

Embedding of polyaniline molecules on adhesive tape using successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pamatmat, J. K.; Gillado, A. V.; Herrera, M. U.

2017-05-01

Polyaniline molecules are embedded on adhesive tape using successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique. The infrared spectrum shows the existence of molecular vibrational modes associated with the presence of polyaniline molecules on the sample. With the addition of polyaniline molecules, the conductivity of adhesive tape increases. Surface conductivity increases with number of dipping cycle until it reaches a certain value. Beyond this value, surface conductivity begins to decrease. The surface conductivity of the sample is associated with the connectivity of the embedded polyaniline molecules. The connectivity increases as the number of dipping cycle progresses. Meanwhile, the decrease in surface conductivity is attributed to the eroding of existing embedded structure at higher number of dipping cycle.

Investing in College Completion. The Progress of Education Reform. Volume 11, Number 4

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Education Commission of the States (NJ1), 2010

2010-01-01

States are faced with the difficult challenge of increasing college completion rates at a time of historic budget shortfalls. While most agree that increasing the education level of U.S. citizens is essential to future economic prosperity (and public revenue collection), institutions will need to meet the goal through the more efficient use of…

WORKING WOMEN AND THE AMERICAN ECONOMY.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

KEYSERLING, MARY DUBLIN

AMERICAN WOMEN HAVE MADE A LARGE AND GROWING CONTRIBUTION TO FAMILY INCOME PROGRESS SINCE 1940. THE NUMBER OF WOMEN IN THE WORKING FORCE HAS DOUBLED. THIS INCREASE REFLECTS THE DRAMATIC CHANGE IN WOMEN'S WORK-LIFE PATTERNS. THERE HAS BEEN A MARKED INCREASE IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN OVER 35. THE WOMAN MOST LIKELY TO BE A WAGE EARNER IN 1967 WAS…

Mechanisms underlying progressive polyuria in familial neurohypophysial diabetes insipidus.

PubMed

Arima, H; Oiso, Y

2010-07-01

Familial neurohypophysial diabetes insipidus (FNDI), an autosomal dominant disorder, is mostly caused by mutations in the gene of neurophysin II (NPII), the carrier protein of arginine vasopressin (AVP). The analyses of knock-in mice expressing a mutant NPII that causes FNDI in humans demonstrated that polyuria progressed substantially in the absence of loss of AVP neurones. Morphological analyses revealed that inclusion bodies were present in the AVP neurones in the supraoptic nucleus and that the size and numbers of inclusion bodies gradually increased in parallel with the increases in urine volume. Electron microscopic analyses showed that aggregates existed in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of AVP neurones. These data suggest that cell death is not the primary cause of polyuria in FNDI, and that the aggregate formation in the ER is likely to be related to the pathogenesis of the progressive polyuria.

Force and number of myosin motors during muscle shortening and the coupling with the release of the ATP hydrolysis products

PubMed Central

Caremani, Marco; Melli, Luca; Dolfi, Mario; Lombardi, Vincenzo; Linari, Marco

2015-01-01

The chemo-mechanical cycle of the myosin II–actin reaction in situ has been investigated in Ca2+-activated skinned fibres from rabbit psoas, by determining the number and strain (s) of myosin motors interacting during steady shortening at different velocities (V) and the effect of raising inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentration. It was found that in control conditions (no added Pi), shortening at V ≤ 350 nm s–1 per half-sarcomere, corresponding to force (T) greater than half the isometric force (T0), decreases the number of myosin motors in proportion to the reduction of T, so that s remains practically constant and similar to the T0 value independent of V. At higher V the number of motors decreases less than in proportion to T, so that s progressively decreases. Raising Pi concentration by 10 mm, which reduces T0 and the number of motors by 40–50%, does not influence the dependence on V of number and strain. A model simulation of the myosin–actin reaction in which the structural transitions responsible for the myosin working stroke and the release of the hydrolysis products are orthogonal explains the results assuming that Pi and then ADP are released with rates that increase as the motor progresses through the working stroke. The rate of ADP release from the conformation at the end of the working stroke is also strain-sensitive, further increasing by one order of magnitude within a few nanometres of negative strain. These results provide the molecular explanation of the relation between the rate of energy liberation and the load during muscle contraction. Key points Muscle contraction is due to cyclical ATP-driven working strokes in the myosin motors while attached to the actin filament. Each working stroke is accompanied by the release of the hydrolysis products, orthophosphate and ADP. The rate of myosin–actin interactions increases with the increase in shortening velocity. We used fast half-sarcomere mechanics on skinned muscle fibres to determine the relation between shortening velocity and the number and strain of myosin motors and the effect of orthophosphate concentration. A model simulation of the myosin–actin reaction explains the results assuming that orthophosphate and then ADP are released with rates that increase as the motor progresses through the working stroke. The ADP release rate further increases by one order of magnitude with the rise of negative strain in the final motor conformation. These results provide the molecular explanation of the relation between the rate of energy liberation and shortening velocity during muscle contraction. PMID:26041599

Influence of model assumptions about HIV disease progression after initiating or stopping treatment on estimates of infections and deaths averted by scaling up antiretroviral therapy

PubMed Central

Sucharitakul, Kanes; Boily, Marie-Claude; Dimitrov, Dobromir

2018-01-01

Background Many mathematical models have investigated the population-level impact of expanding antiretroviral therapy (ART), using different assumptions about HIV disease progression on ART and among ART dropouts. We evaluated the influence of these assumptions on model projections of the number of infections and deaths prevented by expanded ART. Methods A new dynamic model of HIV transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) was developed, which incorporated each of four alternative assumptions about disease progression used in previous models: (A) ART slows disease progression; (B) ART halts disease progression; (C) ART reverses disease progression by increasing CD4 count; (D) ART reverses disease progression, but disease progresses rapidly once treatment is stopped. The model was independently calibrated to HIV prevalence and ART coverage data from the United States under each progression assumption in turn. New HIV infections and HIV-related deaths averted over 10 years were compared for fixed ART coverage increases. Results Little absolute difference (<7 percentage points (pp)) in HIV infections averted over 10 years was seen between progression assumptions for the same increases in ART coverage (varied between 33% and 90%) if ART dropouts reinitiated ART at the same rate as ART-naïve MSM. Larger differences in the predicted fraction of HIV-related deaths averted were observed (up to 15pp). However, if ART dropouts could only reinitiate ART at CD4<200 cells/μl, assumption C predicted substantially larger fractions of HIV infections and deaths averted than other assumptions (up to 20pp and 37pp larger, respectively). Conclusion Different disease progression assumptions on and post-ART interruption did not affect the fraction of HIV infections averted with expanded ART, unless ART dropouts only re-initiated ART at low CD4 counts. Different disease progression assumptions had a larger influence on the fraction of HIV-related deaths averted with expanded ART. PMID:29554136

Some Effects of Sweep and Aspect Ratio on the Transonic Flutter Characteristics of a Series of Thin Cantilever Wings Having a Taper Ratio of 0.6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, G. W., Jr.; Unangst, J. R.

1963-01-01

An investigation of the flutter characteristics of a series of thin cantilever wings having taper ratios of 0.6 was conducted in the Langley transonic blowdown tunnel at Mach numbers between 0.76 and 1.42. The angle of sweepback was varied from 0 degrees to 60 degrees on wings of aspect ratio 4, and the aspect ratio was varied from 2.4 to 6.4 on wings with 45 degrees of sweepback. The results are presented as ratios between the experimental flutter speeds and the reference flutter speeds calculated on the basis of incompressible two-dimensional flow. These ratios, designated the flutter-speed ratios, are given as functions of Mach number for the various wings. The flutter-speed ratios were characterized, in most cases, by values near 1.0 at subsonic speeds with large increases in the speed ratios in the range of supersonic speeds investigated. Increasing the sweep effected increases in the flutter-speed ratios between 0 degrees and 30 degrees followed by progressive reductions of the speed ratios to nearly 1.0 as the sweep was increased from 30 degrees to 60 degrees. Reducing the aspect ratio from 6.4 to 2.4 resulted in progressively larger values of the flutter-speed ratios throughout the Mach number range investigated.

Performance of HIV Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission Programs in Sub-Saharan Africa: Longitudinal Assessment of 64 Nevirapine-Based Programs Implemented in 25 Countries, 2000-2011

PubMed Central

Ladner, Joël; Besson, Marie-Hélène; Rodrigues, Mariana; Saba, Joseph; Audureau, Etienne

2015-01-01

Background To evaluate the performance and to identify predictive factors of performance in prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission programs (PMTCT) in sub-Saharan African countries. Methods From 2000 to 2011, PMTCT programs included in the Viramune Donation Programme (VDP) were prospectively followed. Each institution included in the VDP provided data on program implementation, type of management institution, number of PMTCT sites, key programs outputs (HIV counseling and testing, NVP regimens received by mothers and newborns). Nevirapine Coverage Ratio (NCR), defined as the number of women who should have received nevirapine (observed HIV prevalence x number of women in antenatal care), was used to measure performance. Included programs were followed every six months through progress reports. Results A total of 64 programs in 25 sub-Saharan African countries were included. The mean program follow-up was 48.0 months (SD = 24.5); 20,084,490 women attended in antenatal clinics were included. The overall mean NCR was 0.52 (SD = 0.25), with an increase from 0.37 to 0.57 between the first and last progress reports (p<.0001); NCR increased by 3.26% per year-program. Between the first and the last report, the number of women counseled and tested increased from 64.3% to 86.0% (p<.0001), the number of women post-counseled from 87.5% to 91.3% (p = 0.08). After mixed linear regression analysis, type of responsible institution, number of women attended in ANC, and program initiation in 2005-2006 were significant predictive factors associated with the NCR. The effect of the time period increased from earlier to later periods. Conclusion A longitudinal assessment of large PMTCT programs shows that scaling-up of programs was increased in sub-Saharan African countries. The PMTCT coverage increased throughout the study period, especially after 2006. Performance may be better for programs with a small or medium number of women attended in ANC. Identification of factors that predict PMTCT program performance may help in the development and expansion of additional large PMTCT services in sub-Saharan Africa. PMID:26098311

Understanding the effect of emulsifiers on bread aeration during breadmaking.

PubMed

Garzón, Raquel; Hernando, Isabel; Llorca, Empar; Rosell, Cristina M

2018-04-24

Much research has been done to explain the action of emulsifiers during breadmaking, but there is still plenty unknown to elucidate their functionality despite their diverse chemical structure. The aim of the present study was to provide some light on the role of emulsifiers on air incorporation into the dough and gas bubbles progress during baking and their relationship with bread features. Emulsifiers like diacetyl tartaric acid ester of monoglycerides (DATEM), sodium stearoyl lactylate (SSL), distilled monoglyceride (DMG-45 and DMG-75), lecithin and polyglycerol esters of fatty acids (PGEF) were tested in very hydrated doughs. Emulsifiers increase the maximum dough volume during proofing. Emulsifiers increase the number of bubbles incorporated during mixing, observing higher number of bubbles, particularly with PGEF. Major changes in dough occurred at 70 K when bubble size augmented, becoming more heterogeneous. DMG-75 produced the biggest bubbles. As a consequence, emulsifiers tend to increase the number of gas cells with lower size in the bread crumb, but led to greater crumb firmness, which suggested different interactions between emulsifiers and gluten, affecting protein polymerization during baking. The progress of the bubbles during baking allowed the differentiation of emulsifiers, which could explain their performance in breadmaking. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Amplification and up-regulation of MIR30D was associated with disease progression of cervical squamous cell carcinomas.

PubMed

Zhou, You; Hao, Yinghua; Li, Yuxia; Li, Ruizhen; Wu, Ruifang; Wang, Shubin; Fang, Zhengyu

2017-03-29

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the most frequent type among cervical cancers. Although the altered miRNA miR-30d expression and the amplified chromosome locus of MIR30D, 8q24, have been reported in somatic cancers, the definitive functional impact of such region especially in CSCC remains under-investigated. One hundred thirty-six cases of CSCC tissues and matched adjacent normal ovarian epithelial tissues were assessed in this study. FISH and qPCR were performed to detect the copy number and microRNA expression of MIR30D gene in the collected samples. In in-vitro study, proliferation of CSCC cells were analyzed using WST-1 assay and invasion abilities of CSCC cells were evaluated by transwell assay. In-vivo study using a model of nude mice bearing tumor was also performed. Copy number gains of MIR30D were detected in 22.8% (31 out of 136) of CSCC samples. Copy number of MIR30D was positively correlated with tumor progression. CSCCs with lymph node metastases (LNM) also showed more frequencies (36.4%) of MIR30D amplification than those without LNM (18.4%, p < 0.05). CSCCs with increased copy number of MIR30D also showed a positive correlation with miR-30d up-regulation. Inhibition of miR-30d in CSCC cells led to impaired tumor growth and migration. Copy number amplifications of MIR30D gene and enhanced expression of miR-30d were positively correlated with tumor progression in CSCCs, indicating miR-30d might play an oncomiric role in the progression of CSCC.

Investigate the Role of Obesity in Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-07-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-15-1-0095 TITLE: Investigate the Role of Obesity in Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR...TITLE AND SUBTITLE Investigate the Role of Obesity in Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER W81XWH-15-1...cells and in transformed ovarian cells affected by obesity that lead to ovarian cancer initiation and progression. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Obesity , Ovarian

Investigate the Role of Obesity in Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-15-1-0095 TITLE: Investigate the Role of Obesity in Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR...TITLE AND SUBTITLE Investigate the Role of Obesity in Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER W81XWH-15-1...pathways in ovarian stem cells and in transformed ovarian cells affected by obesity that lead to ovarian cancer initiation and progression. 15. SUBJECT

Epidemiology of Barrett’s Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Runge, Thomas M.; Abrams, Julian A.; Shaheen, Nicholas J.

2015-01-01

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a common condition, and is the precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma, a disease with increasing burden in the western world, especially in Caucasian males. The incidence of BE increased dramatically during the late-20th century and incidence estimates continue to increase, with a prominent male:female ratio. The prevalence is between 0.5 – 2.0 percent. A number of anthropomorphic and behavioral risk factors exist for BE including obesity and tobacco smoking, but GERD is the strongest risk factor, and the risk is more pronounced with long-standing GERD. Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is the most common form of esophageal cancer in the U.S. Risk factors include GERD, tobacco smoking, and obesity, while NSAIDs and statins may be protective. A major factor predicting progression from non-dysplastic BE to EAC is the presence of dysplastic changes seen on esophageal histology, although a number of issues limit the utility of dysplasia as a marker for disease. Length of the involved BE segment is another risk for progression to high-grade dysplasia and cancer. Biomarkers have shown promise, but none are approved for clinical use. PMID:26021191

Effect of Alcohol on the Spreading Ability of Sodium Hypochlorite Endodontic Irrigant

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-09-01

Research Progress Sodium Hypochlorite Endodontic Irrigant Report (Interim) 6. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER 7. AU THOR(s) 8. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(s...neceewary and Identify by block nam.ber) Alcohol Sodium hypochlorite Endodontics Root canal 20, ABSTRACT (Continue on reveree side If neceeseay and...depressant significantly increased the ability of the sodium hypochlorite endodontic irrigant to penetrate in vitro. A freshly mixed solution containing 30

Influence of age on adaptability of human mastication.

PubMed

Peyron, Marie-Agnès; Blanc, Olivier; Lund, James P; Woda, Alain

2004-08-01

The objective of this work was to study the influence of age on the ability of subjects to adapt mastication to changes in the hardness of foods. The study was carried out on 67 volunteers aged from 25 to 75 yr (29 males, 38 females) who had complete healthy dentitions. Surface electromyograms of the left and right masseter and temporalis muscles were recorded simultaneously with jaw movements using an electromagnetic transducer. Each volunteer was asked to chew and swallow four visco-elastic model foods of different hardness, each presented three times in random order. The number of masticatory cycles, their frequency, and the sum of all electromyographic (EMG) activity in all four muscles were calculated for each masticatory sequence. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the effects of hardness, age, and gender. Hardness was associated to an increase in the mean number of cycles and mean summed EMG activity per sequence. It also increased mean vertical amplitude. Mean vertical amplitude and mean summed EMG activity per sequence were higher in males. These adaptations were present at all ages. Age was associated with an increase of 0.3 cycles per sequence per year of life and with a progressive increase in mean summed EMG activity per sequence. Cycle and opening duration early in the sequence also fell with age. We concluded that although the number of cycles needed to chew a standard piece of food increases progressively with age, the capacity to adapt to changes in the hardness of food is maintained.

Carcinogen-induced squamous papillomas and oncogenic progression in the absence of the SSeCKS/AKAP12 metastasis suppressor correlates with FAK upregulation

PubMed Central

Akakura, Shin; Bouchard, Rene; Bshara, Wiam; Morrison, Carl; Gelman, Irwin H.

2011-01-01

The ability of SSeCKS/Gravin/AKAP12 (SSeCKS) to negatively regulate cell cycle progression is thought to relate to its spatiotemporal scaffolding activity for key signaling molecules such as protein kinase A and C, calmodulin, and cyclins. SSeCKS is downregulated upon progression to malignancy in many cancer types, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The forced re-expression of SSeCKS is especially potent in suppressing metastasis through the inhibition of VEGF-mediated neovascularization. We have previously shown that SSeCKS-null (KO) mice exhibit hyperplasia and focal dysplasia in the prostate marked by activated Akt. To address whether KO-mice exhibit increased skin carcinogenesis, WT and KO C57BL/6 mice were treated topically with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene. Compared to WT mice, KO mice developed squamous papillomas more rapidly and in greater numbers, and also exhibited significantly increased progression to squamous cell carcinoma. Untreated KO epidermal layers were thicker than those in age-matched WT mice, and exhibited significantly increased levels of FAK and phospho-ERK1/2, known mediators of carcinogen-induced squamous papilloma progression to carcinoma. Compared to protein levels in WT mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF), SSeCKS levels were increased in FAK-null cells whereas FAK levels were increased in SSeCKS-null cells. RNAi studies in WT MEF cells suggest that SSeCKS and FAK attenuate each other’s expression. Our study implicates a role for SSeCKS in preventing of skin cancer progression possibly through negatively regulating FAK expression. PMID:21128249

Predicting Disease Progression in Scleroderma with Skin and Blood Biomarkers

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-13-1-0452 TITLE: Predicting Disease Progression in Scleroderma with Skin and Blood Biomarkers PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr...Predicting Disease Progression in Scleroderma with Skin and Blood 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Biomarkers 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR...autoimmune disease associated with high morbidity and mortality primarily due to lung disease . There is a large variability in individual patients’ courses

Infant feeding with soy formula milk: effects on puberty progression, reproductive function and testicular cell numbers in marmoset monkeys in adulthood.

PubMed

Tan, Karen A L; Walker, Marion; Morris, Keith; Greig, Irene; Mason, J Ian; Sharpe, Richard M

2006-04-01

This marmoset study addresses concerns about feeding human male infants with soy formula milk (SFM). From age 4 to 5 days, seven male co-twin sets were fed standard formula milk (SMA) or SFM for 5-6 weeks; blood samples were subsequently collected at 10-week intervals. Testes from co-twins killed at 120-138 weeks were fixed for cell counts. SFM- and SMA-fed twins showed normal weight gain; puberty started and progressed normally, based on blood testosterone measurements. Body weight, organ weights (prostate, seminal vesicles, pituitary, thymus and spleen) and penis length were comparable in co-twins. All SMA- and 6/7 SFM-fed males were fertile. Unexpectedly, testis weight (P = 0.041), Sertoli (P = 0.025) and Leydig cell (P = 0.026) numbers per testis were consistently increased in SFM-fed co-twins; the increase in Leydig cell numbers was most marked in males with consistently low-normal testosterone levels. Seminiferous epithelium volume per tubule showed a less consistent, non-significant increase in SFM-fed males; raised germ cell numbers per testis, probably due to increased Sertoli cells, conceivably resulted in larger testes. Average lumen size, although greater in SFM-fed group, was inconsistent between co-twins and the difference was not significant. Infant feeding with SFM has no gross adverse reproductive effects in male marmosets, though it alters testis size and cell composition, and there is consistent, if indirect, evidence for possible 'compensated Leydig cell failure'. Similar and perhaps larger changes likely occur in adult men who were fed SFM as infants.

Individual progression of carotid intima media thickness as a surrogate for vascular risk (PROG-IMT): Rationale and design of a meta-analysis project

PubMed Central

Lorenz, Matthias W.; Bickel, Horst; Bots, Michiel L.; Breteler, Monique M.B.; Catapano, Alberico L.; Desvarieux, Moise; Hedblad, Bo; Iglseder, Bernhard; Johnsen, Stein Harald; Juraska, Michal; Kiechl, Stefan; Mathiesen, Ellisiv B.; Norata, Giuseppe D.; Grigore, Liliana; Polak, Joseph; Poppert, Holger; Rosvall, Maria; Rundek, Tatjana; Sacco, Ralph L.; Sander, Dirk; Sitzer, Matthias; Steinmetz, Helmuth; Stensland, Eva; Willeit, Johann; Witteman, Jacqueline; Yanez, David; Thompson, Simon G.

2013-01-01

Carotid intima media thickness (IMT) progression is increasingly used as a surrogate for vascular risk. This use is supported by data from a few clinical trials investigating statins, but established criteria of surrogacy are only partially fulfilled. To provide a valid basis for the use of IMT progression as a study end point, we are performing a 3-step meta-analysis project based on individual participant data. Objectives of the 3 successive stages are to investigate (1) whether IMT progression prospectively predicts myocardial infarction, stroke, or death in population-based samples; (2) whether it does so in prevalent disease cohorts; and (3) whether interventions affecting IMT progression predict a therapeutic effect on clinical end points. Recruitment strategies, inclusion criteria, and estimates of the expected numbers of eligible studies are presented along with a detailed analysis plan. PMID:20435179

GABA(A) and dopamine receptors in the nucleus accumbens shell differentially influence performance of a water-reinforced progressive ratio task.

PubMed

Covelo, Ignacio R; Wirtshafter, David; Stratford, Thomas R

2012-03-01

Several authors have shown that injections of the GABA(A) agonist muscimol into the medial shell region of the nucleus accumbens (AcbSh) result in large increases in food, but not water, intake. In previous studies we demonstrated that intra-AcbSh injections of either muscimol or of the indirect dopamine agonist amphetamine increase response output on a food-reinforced progressive ratio schedule. In the current experiment we extended these observations by examining the effects of muscimol and amphetamine injections on the performance of a water-reinforced progressive ratio task in mildly deprived animals. We found that muscimol did not affect the number of responses made in the water-reinforced task, even though a marked increase in responding was observed after amphetamine. Muscimol did, however, significantly increase food intake in the same animals. The results suggest that the enhancing effects of intra-AcbSh muscimol differ from those of amphetamine in that they are selective for food-reinforced behaviors. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Relationship of metabolic syndrome with incident aortic valve calcium and aortic valve calcium progression: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

PubMed

Katz, Ronit; Budoff, Matthew J; Takasu, Junichiro; Shavelle, David M; Bertoni, Alain; Blumenthal, Roger S; Ouyang, Pamela; Wong, Nathan D; O'Brien, Kevin D

2009-04-01

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with increased prevalence of aortic valve calcium (AVC) and with increased progression of aortic stenosis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether MetS is associated with increased risks for the development of new ("incident") AVC or for progression of established AVC as assessed by CT. The relationships of MetS or its components as well as of diabetes to risks for incident AVC or AVC progression were studied among participants with CT scans performed at baseline and at either year 2 or year 3 examinations in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Of 5,723 MESA participants meeting criteria for inclusion, 1,674 had MetS by Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, whereas 761 had diabetes. Among the 5,123 participants without baseline AVC, risks for incident AVC, adjusted for time between scans, age, sex, race/ethnicity, LDL cholesterol, lipid-lowering medications, and smoking, were increased significantly for MetS (odds ratio [OR] 1.67 [95% CI 1.21-2.31]) or diabetes (2.06 [1.39-3.06]). In addition, there was an increase in incident AVC risk with increasing number of MetS components. Similar results were found using the International Diabetes Federation MetS criteria. Among the 600 participants (10.5%) with baseline AVC, neither MetS nor diabetes was associated with AVC progression. In the MESA cohort, MetS was associated with a significant increase in incident ("new") AVC, raising the possibility that MetS may be a potential therapeutic target to prevent AVC development.

Heme oxygenase-1 gene promoter microsatellite polymorphism is associated with progressive atherosclerosis and incident cardiovascular disease.

PubMed

Pechlaner, Raimund; Willeit, Peter; Summerer, Monika; Santer, Peter; Egger, Georg; Kronenberg, Florian; Demetz, Egon; Weiss, Günter; Tsimikas, Sotirios; Witztum, Joseph L; Willeit, Karin; Iglseder, Bernhard; Paulweber, Bernhard; Kedenko, Lyudmyla; Haun, Margot; Meisinger, Christa; Gieger, Christian; Müller-Nurasyid, Martina; Peters, Annette; Willeit, Johann; Kiechl, Stefan

2015-01-01

The enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) exerts cytoprotective effects in response to various cellular stressors. A variable number tandem repeat polymorphism in the HO-1 gene promoter region has previously been linked to cardiovascular disease. We examined this association prospectively in the general population. Incidence of stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death was registered between 1995 and 2010 in 812 participants of the Bruneck Study aged 45 to 84 years (49.4% males). Carotid atherosclerosis progression was quantified by high-resolution ultrasound. HO-1 variable number tandem repeat length was determined by polymerase chain reaction. Subjects with ≥32 tandem repeats on both HO-1 alleles compared with the rest of the population (recessive trait) featured substantially increased cardiovascular disease risk (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 5.45 [2.39, 12.42]; P<0.0001), enhanced atherosclerosis progression (median difference in atherosclerosis score [interquartile range], 2.1 [0.8, 5.6] versus 0.0 [0.0, 2.2] mm; P=0.0012), and a trend toward higher levels of oxidized phospholipids on apolipoprotein B-100 (median oxidized phospholipids/apolipoprotein B level [interquartile range], 11364 [4160, 18330] versus 4844 [3174, 12284] relative light units; P=0.0554). Increased cardiovascular disease risk in those homozygous for ≥32 repeats was also detected in a pooled analysis of 7848 participants of the Bruneck, SAPHIR, and KORA prospective studies (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 3.26 [1.50, 7.33]; P=0.0043). This study found a strong association between the HO-1 variable number tandem repeat polymorphism and cardiovascular disease risk confined to subjects with a high number of repeats on both HO-1 alleles and provides evidence for accelerated atherogenesis and decreased antioxidant defense in this vascular high-risk group. © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.

Quinazoline derivatives as potential anticancer agents: a patent review (2007 - 2010).

PubMed

Marzaro, Giovanni; Guiotto, Adriano; Chilin, Adriana

2012-03-01

Due to the increase in knowledge about cancer pathways, there is a growing interest in finding novel potential drugs. Quinazoline is one of the most widespread scaffolds amongst bioactive compounds. A number of patents and papers appear in the literature regarding the discovery and development of novel promising quinazoline compounds for cancer chemotherapy. Although there is a progressive decrease in the number of patents filed, there is an increasing number of biochemical targets for quinazoline compounds. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the quinazolines patented in 2007 - 2010 as potential anticancer agents. Information from articles published in international peer-reviewed journals was also included, to give a more exhaustive overview. From about 1995 to 2006, the anticancer quinazolines panorama has been dominated by the 4-anilinoquinazolines as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The extensive researches conducted in this period could have caused the progressive reduction in the ability to file novel patents as shown in the 2007 - 2010 period. However, the growing knowledge of cancer-related pathways has recently highlighted some novel potential targets for therapy, with quinazolines receiving increasing attention. This is well demonstrated by the number of different targets of the patents considered in this review. The structural heterogeneity in the patented compounds makes it difficult to derive general pharmacophores and make comparisons among claimed compounds. On the other hand, the identification of multi-target compounds seems a reliable goal. Thus, it is reasonable that quinazoline compounds will be studied and developed for multi-target therapies.

Practice and Progression in Second Language Research Methods

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mackey, Alison

2014-01-01

Since its inception, the field of second language research has utilized methods from a number of areas, including general linguistics, psychology, education, sociology, anthropology and, recently, neuroscience and corpus linguistics. As the questions and objectives expand, researchers are increasingly pushing methodological boundaries to gain a…

In Vitro Progression of HPV16 Episome-Associated Cervical Neoplasia Displays Fundamental Similarities to Integrant-Associated Carcinogenesis

PubMed Central

Gray, Elizabeth; Pett, Mark R.; Ward, Dawn; Winder, David M.; Stanley, Margaret A.; Roberts, Ian; Scarpini, Cinzia G.; Coleman, Nicholas

2010-01-01

An important event in the development of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is deregulated expression of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) oncogenes, most commonly related to viral integration into host DNA. Mechanisms of development of the ~15% of SCCs that contain extra-chromosomal (episomal) HR-HPV are poorly understood, due to limited longitudinal data. We therefore employed the W12 model to study mechanisms of cervical carcinogenesis associated with episomal HPV16. In vitro progression of W12 normally occurs through selection of cells containing integrated HPV16. However, in one long-term culture, keratinocytes developed a selective growth advantage and invasive phenotype, while retaining HPV16 episomes at increased copy number in the absence of transcriptionally active integrants. Longitudinal investigations revealed similarities between the episome- and integrant-associated routes of neoplastic progression. Most notable were dynamic changes in viral early gene expression in episome-retaining cells, consistent with continually changing selective pressures. An early increase in viral transcription preceded elevated episome copy number and was followed by a reduction to near baseline after the development of invasiveness. Episomal transcriptional deregulation did not require selection of a specific sequence variant of the HPV16 upstream regulatory region, although increased levels of acetylated histone H4 around the late promoter implicated a role for altered chromatin structure. Interestingly, invasive episome-retaining cells demonstrated high levels of HPV16-E2/E6 proteins (despite decreased transcript levels) and reduced expression of interferon-stimulated genes, adaptations that support viral persistence and cell survival. Our findings suggest a unified working model for events important in cervical neoplastic progression, regardless of HR-HPV physical state. PMID:20442284

Ascending aorta dilatation in patients with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis: a prospective CMR study.

PubMed

Rossi, Alexia; van der Linde, Denise; Yap, Sing Chien; Lapinskas, Thomas; Kirschbaum, Sharon; Springeling, Tirza; Witsenburg, Maarten; Cuypers, Judith; Moelker, Adriaan; Krestin, Gabriel P; van Dijk, Arie; Johnson, Mark; van Geuns, Robert-Jan; Roos-Hesselink, Jolien W

2013-03-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural progression of aortic dilatation and its association with aortic valve stenosis (AoS) in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). Prospective study of aorta dilatation in patients with BAV and AoS using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic peak velocity, left ventricular systolic and diastolic function and mass were assessed at baseline and at 3-year follow-up. Of the 33 enrolled patients, 5 needed surgery, while 28 patients (17 male; mean age: 31 ± 8 years) completed the study. Aortic diameters significantly increased at the aortic annulus, sinus of Valsalva and tubular ascending aorta levels (P < 0.050). The number of patients with dilated tubular ascending aortas increased from 32 % to 43 %. No significant increase in sino-tubular junction diameter was observed. Aortic peak velocity, ejection fraction and myocardial mass significantly increased while the early/late filling ratio significantly decreased at follow-up (P < 0.050). The progression rate of the ascending aorta diameter correlated weakly with the aortic peak velocity at baseline (R (2) = 0.16, P = 0.040). BAV patients with AoS showed a progressive increase of aortic diameters with maximal expression at the level of the tubular ascending aorta. The progression of aortic dilatation correlated weakly with the severity of AoS.

Detailed noise measurements on the SR-7A propeller: Tone behavior with helical tip Mach number

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dittmar, James H.; Hall, David G.

1991-01-01

Detailed noise measurements were taken on the SR-7A propeller to investigate the behavior of the noise with helical tip Mach number and then to level off as Mach number was increased further. This behavior was further investigated by obtaining detailed pressure-time histories of data. The pressure-time histories indicate that a portion of the primary pressure pulse is progressively cancelled by a secondary pulse which results in the noise leveling off as the helical tip Mach number is increased. This second pulse appears to originate on the same blade as the primary pulse and is in some way connected to the blade itself. This leaves open the possibility of redesigning the blade to improve the cancellation; thereby, the propeller noise is reduced.

Detailed noise measurements on the SR-7A propeller: Tone behavior with helical tip Mach number

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dittmar, James H.; Hall, David G.

1991-12-01

Detailed noise measurements were taken on the SR-7A propeller to investigate the behavior of the noise with helical tip Mach number and then to level off as Mach number was increased further. This behavior was further investigated by obtaining detailed pressure-time histories of data. The pressure-time histories indicate that a portion of the primary pressure pulse is progressively cancelled by a secondary pulse which results in the noise leveling off as the helical tip Mach number is increased. This second pulse appears to originate on the same blade as the primary pulse and is in some way connected to the blade itself. This leaves open the possibility of redesigning the blade to improve the cancellation; thereby, the propeller noise is reduced.

Computational Simulation of Composite Structural Fatigue

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minnetyan, Levon; Chamis, Christos C. (Technical Monitor)

2005-01-01

Progressive damage and fracture of composite structures subjected to monotonically increasing static, tension-tension cyclic, pressurization, and flexural cyclic loading are evaluated via computational simulation. Constituent material properties, stress and strain limits are scaled up to the structure level to evaluate the overall damage and fracture propagation for composites. Damage initiation, growth, accumulation, and propagation to fracture due to monotonically increasing static and cyclic loads are included in the simulations. Results show the number of cycles to failure at different temperatures and the damage progression sequence during different degradation stages. A procedure is outlined for use of computational simulation data in the assessment of damage tolerance, determination of sensitive parameters affecting fracture, and interpretation of results with insight for design decisions.

Computational Simulation of Composite Structural Fatigue

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minnetyan, Levon

2004-01-01

Progressive damage and fracture of composite structures subjected to monotonically increasing static, tension-tension cyclic, pressurization, and flexural cyclic loading are evaluated via computational simulation. Constituent material properties, stress and strain limits are scaled up to the structure level to evaluate the overall damage and fracture propagation for composites. Damage initiation, growth, accumulation, and propagation to fracture due to monotonically increasing static and cyclic loads are included in the simulations. Results show the number of cycles to failure at different temperatures and the damage progression sequence during different degradation stages. A procedure is outlined for use of computational simulation data in the assessment of damage tolerance, determination of sensitive parameters affecting fracture, and interpretation of results with insight for design decisions.

Transition Experiments on Large Bluntness Cones with Distributed Roughness in Hypersonic Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reda, Daniel. C.; Wilder, Michael C.; Prabhu, Dinesh K.

2012-01-01

Large bluntness cones with smooth nosetips and roughened frusta were flown in the NASA Ames hypersonic ballistic range at a Mach number of 10 through quiescent air environments. Global surface intensity (temperature) distributions were optically measured and analyzed to determine transition onset and progression over the roughened surface. Real-gas Navier-Stokes calculations of model flowfields, including laminar boundary layer development in these flowfields, were conducted to predict values of key dimensionless parameters used to correlate transition on such configurations in hypersonic flow. For these large bluntness cases, predicted axial distributions of the roughness Reynolds number showed (for each specified freestream pressure) that this parameter was a maximum at the physical beginning of the roughened zone and decreased with increasing run length along the roughened surface. Roughness-induced transition occurred downstream of this maximum roughness Reynolds number location, and progressed upstream towards the beginning of the roughened zone as freestream pressure was systematically increased. Roughness elements encountered at the upstream edge of the roughened frusta thus acted like a finite-extent trip array, consistent with published results concerning the tripping effectiveness of roughness bands placed on otherwise smooth surfaces.

Pivotal roles of Kupffer cells in the progression and regression of DDC-induced chronic cholangiopathy.

PubMed

Jemail, Leila; Miyao, Masashi; Kotani, Hirokazu; Kawai, Chihiro; Minami, Hirozo; Abiru, Hitoshi; Tamaki, Keiji

2018-04-23

Kupffer cells (KCs) are key players in maintaining tissue homeostasis and are involved in various liver diseases. However, the roles of KCs in the pathogenesis of cholangiopathy are largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the precise roles of KCs in both the progression and regression phases of the 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC)-induced cholangiopathy model. In the early phase of DDC-induced cholangiopathy, the number of KCs significantly increased over time. Moreover, KCs were associated with abnormal phenotypic changes in other liver cells, such as hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and hepatic stellate cells. In contrast, KC depletion by clodronate administration suppressed the progression of the disease, and maintained the phenotypes of other cells. In the regression phase, the numbers of KCs significantly decreased, and the cells redifferentiated to their quiescent state. In contrast, KC depletion delayed the recovery of cells by maintaining other liver cells in an active state. These findings suggest that KCs play detrimental roles in the progression phase; however, they are beneficial in the regression phase by mediating interactions between other liver cells. Our data provide new insights into the roles of KCs in the pathogenesis of cholangiopathy.

Eye movements provide insights into the conscious use of context in prospective memory.

PubMed

Bowden, Vanessa K; Smith, Rebekah E; Loft, Shayne

2017-07-01

Prior research examining the impact of context on prospective memory (PM) has produced mixed results. Our study aimed to determine whether providing progressive context information could increase PM accuracy and reduce costs to ongoing tasks. Seventy-two participants made ongoing true/false judgements for simple sentences while maintaining a PM intention to respond differently to four memorised words. The context condition were informed of the trial numbers where PM targets could appear, and eye-tracking recorded trial number fixation frequency. The context condition showed reduced costs during irrelevant contexts, increased costs during relevant contexts, and had better PM accuracy compared to a standard condition that was not provided with context. The context condition also made an increasing number of trial number fixations leading up to relevant contexts, indicating the conscious use of context. Furthermore, this trial number checking was beneficial to PM, with participants who checked more frequently having better PM accuracy. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hierarchical cluster analysis of progression patterns in open-angle glaucoma patients with medical treatment.

PubMed

Bae, Hyoung Won; Rho, Seungsoo; Lee, Hye Sun; Lee, Naeun; Hong, Samin; Seong, Gong Je; Sung, Kyung Rim; Kim, Chan Yun

2014-04-29

To classify medically treated open-angle glaucoma (OAG) by the pattern of progression using hierarchical cluster analysis, and to determine OAG progression characteristics by comparing clusters. Ninety-five eyes of 95 OAG patients who received medical treatment, and who had undergone visual field (VF) testing at least once per year for 5 or more years. OAG was classified into subgroups using hierarchical cluster analysis based on the following five variables: baseline mean deviation (MD), baseline visual field index (VFI), MD slope, VFI slope, and Glaucoma Progression Analysis (GPA) printout. After that, other parameters were compared between clusters. Two clusters were made after a hierarchical cluster analysis. Cluster 1 showed -4.06 ± 2.43 dB baseline MD, 92.58% ± 6.27% baseline VFI, -0.28 ± 0.38 dB per year MD slope, -0.52% ± 0.81% per year VFI slope, and all "no progression" cases in GPA printout, whereas cluster 2 showed -8.68 ± 3.81 baseline MD, 77.54 ± 12.98 baseline VFI, -0.72 ± 0.55 MD slope, -2.22 ± 1.89 VFI slope, and seven "possible" and four "likely" progression cases in GPA printout. There were no significant differences in age, sex, mean IOP, central corneal thickness, and axial length between clusters. However, cluster 2 included more high-tension glaucoma patients and used a greater number of antiglaucoma eye drops significantly compared with cluster 1. Hierarchical cluster analysis of progression patterns divided OAG into slow and fast progression groups, evidenced by assessing the parameters of glaucomatous progression in VF testing. In the fast progression group, the prevalence of high-tension glaucoma was greater and the number of antiglaucoma medications administered was increased versus the slow progression group. Copyright 2014 The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.

Remotely piloted aircraft in the civil environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gregory, T. J.; Nelms, W. P.; Karmarkar, J. S.

1977-01-01

Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA's) are of increasing interest to the military and others, as evidenced by a number of technology and development programs that are currently funded or planned. These programs have led to a number of test aircraft with significant capabilities, and future remotely piloted aircraft are forecast to become even more capable as the technology in a number of important subsystem areas is progressing at a rapid rate. As the size, weight and cost of RPA's is reduced, the prospect of using them for civilian applications becomes more likely.

NaK-ATPase pump sites in cultured bovine corneal endothelium of varying cell density at confluence.

PubMed

Crawford, K M; Ernst, S A; Meyer, R F; MacCallum, D K

1995-06-01

The driving force for ion and water flow necessary for efficient deturgesence of the corneal stroma resides in the ouabain-sensitive sodium (Na) pump of corneal endothelial cells. Using a cell culture model of corneal endothelial cell hypertrophy, the authors examined the expression of Na pumps at the cell surface to see how this central element of the endothelial pump changed as corneal endothelial cell density decreased to a level associated with corneal decompensation in vivo. 3H-ouabain binding to NaK-ATPase at saturating conditions was used to quantitate the number of Na pump sites on cultured bovine corneal endothelial cells as the confluent density decreased from approximately 2750 cells/mm2 to approximately 275 cells/mm2. The mean number of Na pump sites per cell at confluence (1.92 +/- 0.07 x 10(6)) did not change as the cell density decreased 2.7-fold from 2763 cells/mm2 to 1000 cells/mm2. However, pump site expression doubled to approximately 4 x 10(6) sites/cell as the cell density decreased from 1000 cells/mm2 to 275 cells/mm2. Despite the incremental increase in Na pump site expression that occurred as the cells hypertrophied below a density of 1000/mm2 to achieve confluence, this increase was insufficient to prevent a decrease in Na pump site density of the intact monolayer, expressed as pump sites/mm2. The confluent cell density of cultured bovine corneal endothelial cells can be varied from that found in the normal native cornea to that associated with corneal decompensation. In confluent cultures with cell densities ranging from 2750 cells/mm2 to 1000 cells/mm2, the number of pump sites per cell remains relatively unchanged. Below cell densities of 1000 cells/mm2, the number of pump sites per cell progressively increases. The increased Na pump site abundance in markedly hypertrophied endothelial cells cannot adequately compensate for the progressive reduction in the number of transporting cells per unit area within the intact monolayer. Even when considered with the decrease in the size of the paracellular ion conductive pathway that is a consequence of progressive endothelial hypertrophy, the overall pumping capacity of the intact endothelial monolayer declines.

Genetic mouse models of brain ageing and Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Bilkei-Gorzo, Andras

2014-05-01

Progression of brain ageing is influenced by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Analysis of genetically modified animals with uniform genetic backgrounds in a standardised, controlled environment enables the dissection of critical determinants of brain ageing on a molecular level. Human and animal studies suggest that increased load of damaged macromolecules, efficacy of DNA maintenance, mitochondrial activity, and cellular stress defences are critical determinants of brain ageing. Surprisingly, mouse lines with genetic impairment of anti-oxidative capacity generally did not show enhanced cognitive ageing but rather an increased sensitivity to oxidative challenge. Mouse lines with impaired mitochondrial activity had critically short life spans or severe and rapidly progressing neurodegeneration. Strains with impaired clearance in damaged macromolecules or defects in the regulation of cellular stress defences showed alterations in the onset and progression of cognitive decline. Importantly, reduced insulin/insulin-like growth factor signalling generally increased life span but impaired cognitive functions revealing a complex interaction between ageing of the brain and of the body. Brain ageing is accompanied by an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Transgenic mouse models expressing high levels of mutant human amyloid precursor protein showed a number of symptoms and pathophysiological processes typical for early phase of Alzheimer's disease. Generally, therapeutic strategies effective against Alzheimer's disease in humans were also active in the Tg2576, APP23, APP/PS1 and 5xFAD lines, but a large number of false positive findings were also reported. The 3xtg AD model likely has the highest face and construct validity but further studies are needed. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Elevated resistin levels induce central leptin resistance and increased atherosclerotic progression in mice

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Resistin was originally identified as an adipocyte-derived factor upregulated during obesity and as a contributor to obesity-associated insulin resistance. Clinically, resistin has also been implicated in cardiovascular disease in a number of different patient populations. Our aim was to simultaneou...

JPRS Report, China, Selected Provincial Reports.

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-07-26

114.8 billion yuan. The province’s gross value of the scientific and technological sector, vast numbers of industrial output totalled 219.77 billion...and technological progress made increasingly were valued at 57.04 billion yuan, increasing at an important contributions to economic growth. Educa...outlook and investment environment showed new fairly comfortable life. In 1990, urban people’s per- improvements. The pace of technological transforma

Interventions to Reduce Myopia Progression in Children.

PubMed

Tay, Su Ann; Farzavandi, Sonal; Tan, Donald

2017-03-01

Efforts to reduce the progression of myopia in childhood are on the rise, due to an increasing incidence of myopia worldwide and its associated sight-threatening complications. Interventions are aimed at reducing myopia in childhood and include environmental considerations, spectacles, contact lenses, and pharmacological agents. We reviewed recent literature with interventions aimed at reducing myopia progression in children and found that a number of interventions were significant in reducing the progression of myopia. Of these interventions, atropine showed the largest dose-related effect on myopia progression control. Although higher doses are associated with side effects of pupil dilatation, loss of accommodation, near vision blur, and rebound phenomenon, low-dose atropine has also been shown to provide effective myopia control with minimal side effects and rebound. To a lesser degree, bifocal soft contact lenses have also been shown to be effective in reducing the progression of myopia, though compliance is an issue. Similarly, orthokeratology lenses have also been shown to be effective in reducing axial length elongation and myopia progression, though long-term data on its rebound effects are unavailable.

Targeting Alpha5 Beta1 Integrin to Prevent Metastatic Breast Cancer Cell Invasion: PhScN Target Site Definition and Plasma Stability

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-01

systemic therapy to prevent breast cancer bone colony progression. Figure 6. Colocalization of Ac-PhscNGGK-Bio with DiI in lung– extravasated SUM149PT cells...breast cancer progression that are ultimately fatal. Hence, prevention of extravasation which leads to colony formation would increase life...1 Award Number: W81XWH-12-1-0097 TITLE: “Targeting Alpha5 Beta1 Integrin to Prevent Metastatic Breast Cancer Cell Invasion: PhScN Target Site

Changes of the phytoplankton community as symptoms of deterioration of water quality in a shallow lake.

PubMed

Dembowska, Ewa Anna; Mieszczankin, Tomasz; Napiórkowski, Paweł

2018-01-25

Covering more than 60% of the lake surface, macrophytes determined the taxonomic composition of phytoplankton. We have found numerous indications of ecological deterioration and an increased trophic level year to year: an increased total number of taxa; a significantly increased number of species of Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyceae and Cyanoprokaryota; a decreased number of Chrysophyceae; increased Nygaard index, and high diversity and variability of phytoplankton functional groups. Within 2 years (2002 and 2003) algal biomass doubled: from 3.616 to 7.968 mg l -1 . An increased contribution of Chlorococcales and Cyanoprokaryota indicates progressive eutrophication of the lake. The average size of planktonic algae increased, particularly Cyanoprokaryota, where small-celled decreased dramatically and were replaced by large colonies. Cyanoprokaryota remained the dominant group of phytoplankton after 10 years, and the ecosystem of the lake remained in the turbid state. This group of algae had the average biomass 9.734 mg l -1 , which constituted almost 92% of the total biomass.

Studies in nonlinear problems of energy. Progress report, October 1, 1993--September 30, 1994

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Matkowsky, B.J.

1994-09-01

The authors concentrate on modeling, analysis and large scale scientific computation of combustion and flame propagation phenomena, with emphasis on the transition from laminar to turbulent combustion. In the transition process a flame passed through a stages exhibiting increasingly complex spatial and temporal patterns which serve as signatures identifying each stage. Often the transitions arise via bifurcation. The authors investigate nonlinear dynamics, bifurcation and pattern formation in the successive stage of transition. They describe the stability of combustion waves, and transitions to combustion waves exhibiting progressively higher degrees of spatio-temporal complexity. One aspect of this research program is the systematicmore » derivation of appropriate, approximate models from the original models governing combustion. The approximate models are then analyzed. The authors are particularly interested in understanding the basic mechanisms affecting combustion, which is a prerequisite to effective control of the process. They are interested in determining the effects of varying various control parameters, such as Nusselt number, Lewis number, heat release, activation energy, Damkohler number, Reynolds number, Prandtl number, Peclet number, etc. The authors have also considered a number of problems in self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS), in which combustion waves are employed to synthesize advanced materials. Efforts are directed toward understanding fundamental mechanisms. 167 refs.« less

Silicosis Appears Inevitable Among Former Denim Sandblasters: A 4-Year Follow-up Study.

PubMed

Akgun, Metin; Araz, Omer; Ucar, Elif Yilmazel; Karaman, Adem; Alper, Fatih; Gorguner, Metin; Kreiss, Kathleen

2015-09-01

The course of denim sandblasting silicosis is unknown. We aimed to reevaluate former sandblasters studied in 2007 for incident silicosis, radiographic progression, pulmonary function loss, and mortality and to examine any associations between these outcomes and previously demonstrated risk factors for silicosis. We defined silicosis on chest radiograph as category 1/0 small opacity profusion using the International Labor Organization classification. We defined radiographic progression as a profusion increase of two or more subcategories, development of a new large opacity, or an increase in large opacity category. We defined pulmonary function loss as a ≥ 12% decrease in FVC. Among the 145 former sandblasters studied in 2007, 83 were reassessed in 2011. In the 4-year follow-up period, nine (6.2%) had died at a mean age of 24 years. Of the 74 living sandblasters available for reexamination, the prevalence of silicosis increased from 55.4% to 95.9%. Radiographic progression, observed in 82%, was associated with younger age, never smoking, foreman work, and sleeping at the workplace. Pulmonary function loss, seen in 66%, was positively associated with never smoking and higher initial FVC % predicted. Death was associated with never smoking, foreman work, number of different denim-sandblasting places of work, sleeping at the workplace, and lower pulmonary function, of which only the number of different places worked remained in multivariate analyses. This 4-year follow-up suggests that almost all former denim sandblasters may develop silicosis, despite short exposures and latency.

On the theory of quantum measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haus, Hermann A.; Kaertner, Franz X.

1994-01-01

Many so called paradoxes of quantum mechanics are clarified when the measurement equipment is treated as a quantized system. Every measurement involves nonlinear processes. Self consistent formulations of nonlinear quantum optics are relatively simple. Hence optical measurements, such as the quantum nondemolition (QND) measurement of photon number, are particularly well suited for such a treatment. It shows that the so called 'collapse of the wave function' is not needed for the interpretation of the measurement process. Coherence of the density matrix of the signal is progressively reduced with increasing accuracy of the photon number determination. If the QND measurement is incorporated into the double slit experiment, the contrast ratio of the fringes is found to decrease with increasing information on the photon number in one of the two paths.

Cytogenetical and ultrastructural effects of copper on root meristem cells of Allium sativum L.

PubMed

Liu, Donghua; Jiang, Wusheng; Meng, Qingmin; Zou, Jin; Gu, Jiegang; Zeng, Muai

2009-04-01

Different copper concentrations, as well as different exposure times, were applied to investigate both cytogenetical and ultrastructural alterations in garlic (Allium sativum L.) meristem cells. Results showed that the mitotic index decreased progressively when either copper concentration or exposure time increased. C-mitosis, anaphase bridges, chromosome stickiness and broken nuclei were observed in the copper treated root tip cells. Some particulates containing the argyrophilic NOR-associated proteins were distributed in the nucleus of the root-tip cells and the amount of this particulate material progressively increased with increasing exposure time. Finally, the nucleolar material was extruded from the nucleus into the cytoplasm. Also, increased dictyosome vesicles in number, formation of cytoplasmic vesicles containing electron dense granules, altered mitochondrial shape, disruption of nuclear membranes, condensation of chromatin material, disintegration of organelles were observed. The mechanisms of detoxification and tolerance of copper are briefly discussed.

Improving Reading and Social Studies Learning for Secondary Students with Reading Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Capin, Philip; Vaughn, Sharon

2017-01-01

Significant numbers of adolescents and young adults do not adequately understand complex texts, impeding their school success, access to postsecondary learning, and opportunities within an increasingly competitive work environment. National data (National Assessment of Educational Progress [NAEP], 2015) have shown improvements among fourth- and…

Facilitating Quality Language Interpretation for Families of Diverse Students with Special Needs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hart, Juliet E.; Cheatham, Gregory; Jimenez-Silva, Margarita

2012-01-01

As the nation as a whole becomes progressively more diverse, increasing numbers of children from linguistically diverse backgrounds are served in special education programs. Ensuring that appropriate educational services are developed for these students in collaboration with their family members as equal participants on school-based teams…

Magnitude Knowledge: The Common Core of Numerical Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siegler, Robert S.

2016-01-01

The integrated theory of numerical development posits that a central theme of numerical development from infancy to adulthood is progressive broadening of the types and ranges of numbers whose magnitudes are accurately represented. The process includes four overlapping trends: (1) representing increasingly precisely the magnitudes of non-symbolic…

Magnitude Knowledge: The Common Core of Numerical Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siegler, Robert S.

2016-01-01

The integrated theory of numerical development posits that a central theme of numerical development from infancy to adulthood is progressive broadening of the types and ranges of numbers whose magnitudes are accurately represented. The process includes four overlapping trends: 1) representing increasingly precisely the magnitudes of non-symbolic…

Advancement of Women in Dental Education: Trends and Strategies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sinkford, Jeanne C.; Valachovic, Richard W.; Harrison, Sonja

2003-01-01

Reviews progress made since the adoption of formal policies in support of women in the profession by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). Provides an overview of current ADEA programs designed to increase the number of women in academic dentistry and sustain an environment in which they can contribute. (EV)

Perspective, June 2010

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Achieve, Inc., 2010

2010-01-01

"Perspective" is a monthly e-newsletter presenting news and views from Achieve. This month's issue commences with a report stating how the number of states that ensure the college and career readiness of their students has increased since Achieve first started tracking progress on the college- and career-ready policy agenda five years…

Baseline Kidney Function as Predictor of Mortality and Kidney Disease Progression in HIV-Positive Patients

PubMed Central

Ibrahim, Fowzia; Hamzah, Lisa; Jones, Rachael; Nitsch, Dorothea; Sabin, Caroline; Post, Frank A.

2012-01-01

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased all-cause mortality and kidney disease progression. Decreased kidney function at baseline may identify human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients at increased risk of death and kidney disease progression. Study Design Observational cohort study. Setting & Participants 7 large HIV cohorts in the United Kingdom with kidney function data available for 20,132 patients. Predictor Baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Outcomes Death and progression to stages 4-5 CKD (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 for >3 months) in Cox proportional hazards and competing-risk regression models. Results Median age at baseline was 34 (25th-75th percentile, 30-40) years, median CD4 cell count was 350 (25th-75th percentile, 208-520) cells/μL, and median eGFR was 100 (25th-75th percentile, 87-112) mL/min/1.73 m2. Patients were followed up for a median of 5.3 (25th-75th percentile, 2.0-8.9) years, during which 1,820 died and 56 progressed to stages 4-5 CKD. A U-shaped relationship between baseline eGFR and mortality was observed. After adjustment for potential confounders, eGFRs <45 and >105 mL/min/1.73 m2 remained associated significantly with increased risk of death. Baseline eGFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m2 was associated with increased risk of kidney disease progression, with the highest incidence rates of stages 4-5 CKD (>3 events/100 person-years) observed in black patients with eGFR of 30-59 mL/min/1.73 m2 and those of white/other ethnicity with eGFR of 30-44 mL/min/1.73 m2. Limitations The relatively small numbers of patients with decreased eGFR at baseline and low rates of progression to stages 4-5 CKD and lack of data for diabetes, hypertension, and proteinuria. Conclusions Although stages 4-5 CKD were uncommon in this cohort, baseline eGFR allowed the identification of patients at increased risk of death and at greatest risk of kidney disease progression. PMID:22521282

Increased copy number of the DLX4 homeobox gene in breast axillary lymph node metastasis

PubMed Central

Torresan, Clarissa; Oliveira, Márcia M.C.; Pereira, Silma R.F.; Ribeiro, Enilze M.S.F.; Marian, Catalin; Gusev, Yuriy; Lima, Rubens S.; Urban, Cicero A.; Berg, Patricia E.; Haddad, Bassem R.; Cavalli, Iglenir J.; Cavalli, Luciane R.

2017-01-01

DLX4 is a homeobox gene strongly implicated in breast tumor progression and invasion. Our main objective was to determine the DLX4 copy number status in sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis to assess its involvement in the initial stages of the axillary metastatic process. A total of 37 paired samples of SLN metastasis and primary breast tumors (PBT) were evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and array comparative genomic hybridization assays. DLX4 increased copy number was observed in 21.6% of the PBT and 24.3% of the SLN metastasis; regression analysis demonstrated that the DLX4 alterations observed in the SLN metastasis were dependent on the ones in the PBT, indicating that they occur in the primary tumor cell populations and are maintained in the early axillary metastatic site. In addition, regression analysis demonstrated that DLX4 alterations (and other DLX and HOXB family members) occurred independently of the ones in the HER2/NEU gene, the main amplification driver on the 17q region. Additional studies evaluating DLX4 copy number in non-SLN axillary lymph nodes and/or distant breast cancer metastasis are necessary to determine if these alterations are carried on and maintained during more advanced stages of tumor progression and if could be used as a predictive marker for axillary involvement. PMID:24947980

Using filtered forecasting techniques to determine personalized monitoring schedules for patients with open-angle glaucoma.

PubMed

Schell, Greggory J; Lavieri, Mariel S; Helm, Jonathan E; Liu, Xiang; Musch, David C; Van Oyen, Mark P; Stein, Joshua D

2014-08-01

To determine whether dynamic and personalized schedules of visual field (VF) testing and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements result in an improvement in disease progression detection compared with fixed interval schedules for performing these tests when evaluating patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Secondary analyses using longitudinal data from 2 randomized controlled trials. A total of 571 participants from the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) and the Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study (CIGTS). Perimetric and tonometric data were obtained for AGIS and CIGTS trial participants and used to parameterize and validate a Kalman filter model. The Kalman filter updates knowledge about each participant's disease dynamics as additional VF tests and IOP measurements are obtained. After incorporating the most recent VF and IOP measurements, the model forecasts each participant's disease dynamics into the future and characterizes the forecasting error. To determine personalized schedules for future VF tests and IOP measurements, we developed an algorithm by combining the Kalman filter for state estimation with the predictive power of logistic regression to identify OAG progression. The algorithm was compared with 1-, 1.5-, and 2-year fixed interval schedules of obtaining VF and IOP measurements. Length of diagnostic delay in detecting OAG progression, efficiency of detecting progression, and number of VF and IOP measurements needed to assess for progression. Participants were followed in the AGIS and CIGTS trials for a mean (standard deviation) of 6.5 (2.8) years. Our forecasting model achieved a 29% increased efficiency in identifying OAG progression (P<0.0001) and detected OAG progression 57% sooner (reduced diagnostic delay) (P = 0.02) than following a fixed yearly monitoring schedule, without increasing the number of VF tests and IOP measurements required. The model performed well for patients with mild and advanced disease. The model performed significantly more testing of patients who exhibited OAG progression than nonprogressing patients (1.3 vs. 1.0 tests per year; P<0.0001). Use of dynamic and personalized testing schedules can enhance the efficiency of OAG progression detection and reduce diagnostic delay compared with yearly fixed monitoring intervals. If further validation studies confirm these findings, such algorithms may be able to greatly enhance OAG management. Copyright © 2014 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Progress on molecular biology of Isaria farinosa, pathogen of host of Ophiocordyceps sinensis during the artificial culture].

PubMed

Liu, Fei; Wu, Xiao-Li; Liu, Ying; Chen, Da-Xia; Zhang, De-Li; Yang, Da-Jian

2016-02-01

Isaria farinosa is the pathogen of the host of Ophiocordyceps sinensis. The present research has analyzed the progress on the molecular biology according to the bibliometrics, the sequences (including the gene sequences) of I. farinosa in the NCBI. The results indicated that different country had published different number of the papers, and had landed different kinds and different number of the sequences (including the gene sequences). China had published the most number of the papers, and had landed the most number of the sequences (including the gene sequences). America had landed the most numbers of the function genes. The main content about the pathogen study was focus on the biological controlling. The main content about the molecular study concentrated on the phylogenies classification. In recent years some protease genes and chitinase genes had been researched. With the increase of the effect on the healthy of O. sinensis, and the whole sequence and more and more pharmacological activities of I. farinosa being made known to the public, the study on the molecular biology of the I. farinosa would be deeper and wider. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Revised Household-Based Microplanning in Polio Supplemental Immunization Activities in Kano State, Nigeria. 2013-2014.

PubMed

Gali, Emmanuel; Mkanda, Pascal; Banda, Richard; Korir, Charles; Bawa, Samuel; Warigon, Charity; Abdullahi, Suleiman; Abba, Bashir; Isiaka, Ayodeji; Yahualashet, Yared G; Touray, Kebba; Chevez, Ana; Tegegne, Sisay G; Nsubuga, Peter; Etsano, Andrew; Shuaib, Faisal; Vaz, Rui G

2016-05-01

Remarkable progress had been made since the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988. However endemic wild poliovirus transmission in Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan remains an issue of international concern. Poor microplanning has been identified as a major contributor to the high numbers of chronically missed children. We assessed the contribution of the revised household-based microplanning process implemented in Kano State from September 2013 to April 2014 to the outcomes of subsequent polio supplemental immunization activities using used preselected planning and outcome indicators. There was a 38% increase in the number of settlements enumerated, a 30% reduction in the number of target households, and a 54% reduction in target children. The reported number of children vaccinated and the doses of oral polio vaccine used during subsequent polio supplemental immunization activities showed a decline. Postvaccination lot quality assurance sampling and chronically missed settlement reports also showed a progressive reduction in the number of children and settlements missed. We observed improvement in Kano State's performance based on the selected postcampaign performance evaluation indicators and reliability of baseline demographic estimates after the revised household-based microplanning exercise. © 2016 World Health Organization; licensee Oxford Journals.

Revised Household-Based Microplanning in Polio Supplemental Immunization Activities in Kano State, Nigeria. 2013–2014

PubMed Central

Gali, Emmanuel; Mkanda, Pascal; Banda, Richard; Korir, Charles; Bawa, Samuel; Warigon, Charity; Abdullahi, Suleiman; Abba, Bashir; Isiaka, Ayodeji; Yahualashet, Yared G.; Touray, Kebba; Chevez, Ana; Tegegne, Sisay G.; Nsubuga, Peter; Etsano, Andrew; Shuaib, Faisal; Vaz, Rui G.

2016-01-01

Background. Remarkable progress had been made since the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988. However endemic wild poliovirus transmission in Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan remains an issue of international concern. Poor microplanning has been identified as a major contributor to the high numbers of chronically missed children. Methods. We assessed the contribution of the revised household-based microplanning process implemented in Kano State from September 2013 to April 2014 to the outcomes of subsequent polio supplemental immunization activities using used preselected planning and outcome indicators. Results. There was a 38% increase in the number of settlements enumerated, a 30% reduction in the number of target households, and a 54% reduction in target children. The reported number of children vaccinated and the doses of oral polio vaccine used during subsequent polio supplemental immunization activities showed a decline. Postvaccination lot quality assurance sampling and chronically missed settlement reports also showed a progressive reduction in the number of children and settlements missed. Conclusions. We observed improvement in Kano State's performance based on the selected postcampaign performance evaluation indicators and reliability of baseline demographic estimates after the revised household-based microplanning exercise. PMID:26908755

Human endogenous retrovirus type W envelope expression in blood and brain cells provides new insights into multiple sclerosis disease

PubMed Central

Germi, Raphaëlle; Bernard, Corinne; Garcia-Montojo, Marta; Deluen, Cécile; Farinelli, Laurent; Faucard, Raphaël; Veas, Francisco; Stefas, Ilias; Fabriek, Babs O; Van-Horssen, Jack; Van-der-Valk, Paul; Gerdil, Claire; Mancuso, Roberta; Saresella, Marina; Clerici, Mario; Marcel, Sébastien; Creange, Alain; Cavaretta, Rosella; Caputo, Domenico; Arru, Giannina; Morand, Patrice; Lang, Alois B; Sotgiu, Stefano; Ruprecht, Klemens; Rieckmann, Peter; Villoslada, Pablo; Chofflon, Michel; Boucraut, Jose; Pelletier, Jean; Hartung, Hans-Peter

2012-01-01

Background: The envelope protein from multiple sclerosis (MS) associated retroviral element (MSRV), a member of the Human Endogenous Retroviral family ‘W’ (HERV-W), induces dysimmunity and inflammation. Objective: The objective of this study was to confirm and specify the association between HERV-W/MSRV envelope (Env) expression and MS. Methods: 103 MS, 199 healthy controls (HC) and controls with other neurological diseases (28), chronic infections (30) or autoimmunity (30) were analysed with an immunoassay detecting Env in serum. Env RNA or DNA copy numbers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were determined by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Env was detected by immunohistology in the brains of patients with MS with three specific monoclonals. Results: Env antigen was detected in a serum of 73% of patients with MS with similar prevalence in all clinical forms, and not in chronic infection, systemic lupus, most other neurological diseases and healthy donors (p<0.01). Cases with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (5/8) and rare HC (4/103) were positive. RNA expression in PBMC and DNA copy numbers were significantly elevated in patients with MS versus HC (p<0.001). In patients with MS, DNA copy numbers were significantly increased in chronic progressive MS (secondary progressive MS vs relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) p<0.001; primary progressive MS vs RRMS –<0.02). Env protein was evidenced in macrophages within MS brain lesions with particular concentrations around vascular elements. Conclusion: The association between MS disease and the MSRV-type HERV-W element now appears quite strong, as evidenced ex-vivo from serum and PBMC with post-mortem confirmation in brain lesions. Chronic progressive MS, RRMS and clinically isolated syndrome show different ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and/or PCR profiles suggestive of an increase with disease evolution, and amplicon sequencing confirms the association with particular HERV-W elements. PMID:22457345

Autonomy Level Specification for Intelligent Autonomous Vehicles

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-09-01

Autonomy Level Specification for Intelligent Autonomous Vehicles : Interim Progress Report Hui-Min Huang, Elena Messina, James Albus...Level Specification for Intelligent Autonomous Vehicles : Interim Progress Report 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6

Leptin induces proliferation of neuronal progenitors and neuroprotection in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Pérez-González, Rocío; Antequera, Desiree; Vargas, Teo; Spuch, Carlos; Bolós, Marta; Carro, Eva

2011-01-01

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with senile amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, neuronal death, and cognitive decline. Neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus, which is notably affected by progressive neurodegeneration and Aβ pathology, is implicated in learning and memory regulation. Human postmortem brains of AD patients and AβPP/PS1 double transgenic mice show increased neurodegeneration. Leptin, an adipose-derived hormone, promotes neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus, but the way in which this process occurs in the AD brain is still unknown. Thus, we sought to determine if leptin stimulated the proliferation of neuronal precursors in AβPP/PS1 mice. We estimated the number proliferating hippocampal cells after intracerebroventricular administration of a lentiviral vector encoding leptin. After 3 months of treatment with leptin we observed an increase in the number of BrdU-positive cells in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus, as shown by morphometric analysis. This increase resulted mainly from an increased proliferation of neuronal precursors. Additionally, leptin led to an attenuation of Aβ-induced neurodegeneration, as revealed by Fluoro-Jade staining. Our results suggest that in AβPP/PS1 mice, leptin exerts changes resembling acute neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects. These effects could serve as the basis for the design of future treatment strategies in AD.

New strategies for providing hormonal contraception in developing countries.

PubMed

Townsend, John W; Sitruk-Ware, Regine; Williams, Katherine; Askew, Ian; Brill, Klaus

2011-05-01

Even with progress in increasing access to effective contraception over the past decades, and the growing range of contraceptive methods available on the market, women in developing countries continue to report an unmet need for family planning. This constraint continues to challenge reproductive health policies and programs, while the momentum of population growth and the young age structure in developing countries leads to larger numbers of potential contraceptive users and increasing global demand in contraceptive markets. Of late, there is a renewed focus on increasing access to long-acting hormonal methods to effectively meet this need, establishing and effectively implementing new service delivery strategies. A number of processes have profoundly affected the procurement and use of hormonal contraceptive methods in developing countries: a supportive policy environment, evidence-based practices and an increasing diversity of delivery strategies play a significant part in increasing number of contraceptive users and the demand for hormonal contraception. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Large scale tracking algorithms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hansen, Ross L.; Love, Joshua Alan; Melgaard, David Kennett

2015-01-01

Low signal-to-noise data processing algorithms for improved detection, tracking, discrimination and situational threat assessment are a key research challenge. As sensor technologies progress, the number of pixels will increase signi cantly. This will result in increased resolution, which could improve object discrimination, but unfortunately, will also result in a significant increase in the number of potential targets to track. Many tracking techniques, like multi-hypothesis trackers, suffer from a combinatorial explosion as the number of potential targets increase. As the resolution increases, the phenomenology applied towards detection algorithms also changes. For low resolution sensors, "blob" tracking is the norm. For highermore » resolution data, additional information may be employed in the detection and classfication steps. The most challenging scenarios are those where the targets cannot be fully resolved, yet must be tracked and distinguished for neighboring closely spaced objects. Tracking vehicles in an urban environment is an example of such a challenging scenario. This report evaluates several potential tracking algorithms for large-scale tracking in an urban environment.« less

Progression of cartilage damage and meniscal pathology over 30 months is associated with an increase in radiographic tibiofemoral joint space narrowing in persons with knee OA--the MOST study.

PubMed

Crema, M D; Nevitt, M C; Guermazi, A; Felson, D T; Wang, K; Lynch, J A; Marra, M D; Torner, J; Lewis, C E; Roemer, F W

2014-10-01

To determine the association of MRI-assessed worsening of tibiofemoral cartilage damage, meniscal damage, meniscal extrusion, separately and together, with progression of radiographic joint space narrowing (JSN). The Multicenter Osteoarthitis Study (MOST) Study is a cohort study of subjects with or at risk for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Knees with radiographic OA Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 at baseline and with baseline and 30-month 1.0 T MRIs were selected for reading using the WORMS system for cartilage damage, meniscal damage, and meniscal extrusion. The association of worsening of cartilage damage, meniscal damage, and/or meniscal extrusion with increases in the JSN was performed using logistic regression. A total of 276 knees (one per subject) were included (women 68.5%, mean age 62.9 ± 7.8, mean body mass index (BMI) 30.2 ± 5.0). Worsening of each MRI feature was associated with any increase in JSN (P < 0.01). Worsening of cartilage damage was more frequently observed than worsening of meniscal damage and extrusion, and was significantly associated with both slow and fast progression of JSN. An increasing risk of JSN worsening was associated with increasing number of worsening MRI features (P for trend < 0.0001). Worsening of tibiofemoral cartilage damage, meniscal damage, and meniscal extrusion are independent predictors of JSN progression in the same compartment. Worsening of cartilage damage is more frequently observed in JSN when compared to meniscal worsening. A strong cumulative effect on JSN progression is observed for worsening of more than one MRI feature. Copyright © 2014 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Can Non-HLA Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Help Stratify Risk in TrialNet Relatives at Risk for Type 1 Diabetes?

PubMed

Steck, Andrea K; Xu, Ping; Geyer, Susan; Redondo, Maria J; Antinozzi, Peter; Wentworth, John M; Sosenko, Jay; Onengut-Gumuscu, Suna; Chen, Wei-Min; Rich, Stephen S; Pugliese, Alberto

2017-08-01

Genome-wide association studies identified >50 type 1 diabetes (T1D) associated non-human leukocyte antigens (non-HLA) loci. The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of non-HLA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to risk of disease progression. The TrialNet Pathway to Prevention Study follows relatives of T1D patients for development of autoantibodies (Abs) and T1D. Using the Immunochip, we analyzed 53 diabetes-associated, non-HLA SNPs in 1016 Ab-positive, at-risk non-Hispanic white relatives. Effect of SNPs on the development of multiple Abs and T1D. Cox proportional analyses included all substantial non-HLA SNPs, HLA genotypes, relationship to proband, sex, age at initial screening, initial Ab type, and number. Factors involved in progression from single to multiple Abs included age at screening, relationship to proband, HLA genotypes, and rs3087243 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4). Significant factors for diabetes progression included age at screening, Ab number, HLA genotypes, rs6476839 [GLIS family zinc finger 3 (GLIS3)], and rs3184504 [SH2B adaptor protein 3 (SH2B3)]. When glucose area under the curve (AUC) was included, factors involved in disease progression included glucose AUC, age at screening, Ab number, relationship to proband, HLA genotypes, rs6476839 (GLIS3), and rs7221109 (CCR7). In stratified analyses by age, glucose AUC, age at screening, sibling, HLA genotypes, rs6476839 (GLIS3), and rs4900384 (C14orf64) were significantly associated with progression to diabetes in participants <12 years old, whereas glucose AUC, sibling, rs3184504 (SH2B3), and rs4900384 (C14orf64) were significant in those ≥12. In conclusion, we identified five non-HLA SNPs associated with increased risk of progression from Ab positivity to disease that may improve risk stratification for prevention trials. Copyright © 2017 by the Endocrine Society

Total RNA Sequencing Analysis of DCIS Progressing to Invasive Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-14-1-0080 TITLE: Total RNA Sequencing Analysis of DCIS Progressing to Invasive Breast Cancer. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR...PREPARED FOR: U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Fort Detrick, Maryland 21702-5012 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT: Approved for Public Release...SUBTITLE Total RNA Sequencing Analysis of DCIS Progressing to Invasive Breast Cancer. 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER W81XWH-14-1-0080 GRANT11489

Review of meta-analyses evaluating surrogate endpoints for overall survival in oncology.

PubMed

Sherrill, Beth; Kaye, James A; Sandin, Rickard; Cappelleri, Joseph C; Chen, Connie

2012-01-01

Overall survival (OS) is the gold standard in measuring the treatment effect of new drug therapies for cancer. However, practical factors may preclude the collection of unconfounded OS data, and surrogate endpoints are often used instead. Meta-analyses have been widely used for the validation of surrogate endpoints, specifically in oncology. This research reviewed published meta-analyses on the types of surrogate measures used in oncology studies and examined the extent of correlation between surrogate endpoints and OS for different cancer types. A search was conducted in October 2010 to compile available published evidence in the English language for the validation of disease progression-related endpoints as surrogates of OS, based on meta-analyses. We summarize published meta-analyses that quantified the correlation between progression-based endpoints and OS for multiple advanced solid-tumor types. We also discuss issues that affect the interpretation of these findings. Progression-free survival is the most commonly used surrogate measure in studies of advanced solid tumors, and correlation with OS is reported for a limited number of cancer types. Given the increased use of crossover in trials and the availability of second-/third-line treatment options available to patients after progression, it will become increasingly more difficult to establish correlation between effects on progression-free survival and OS in additional tumor types.

Critical Role for Monocytes/Macrophages in Rapid Progression to AIDS in Pediatric Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Macaques.

PubMed

Sugimoto, Chie; Merino, Kristen M; Hasegawa, Atsuhiko; Wang, Xiaolei; Alvarez, Xavier A; Wakao, Hiroshi; Mori, Kazuyasu; Kim, Woong-Ki; Veazey, Ronald S; Didier, Elizabeth S; Kuroda, Marcelo J

2017-09-01

Infant humans and rhesus macaques infected with the human or simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV or SIV), respectively, express higher viral loads and progress more rapidly to AIDS than infected adults. Activated memory CD4 + T cells in intestinal tissues are major primary target cells for SIV/HIV infection, and massive depletion of these cells is considered a major cause of immunodeficiency. Monocytes and macrophages are important cells of innate immunity and also are targets of HIV/SIV infection. We reported previously that a high peripheral blood monocyte turnover rate was predictive for the onset of disease progression to AIDS in SIV-infected adult macaques. The purpose of this study was to determine if earlier or higher infection of monocytes/macrophages contributes to the more rapid progression to AIDS in infants. We observed that uninfected infant rhesus macaques exhibited higher physiologic baseline monocyte turnover than adults. Early after SIV infection, the monocyte turnover further increased, and it remained high during progression to AIDS. A high percentage of terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase dUTP nick end label (TUNEL)-positive macrophages in the lymph nodes (LNs) and intestine corresponded with an increasing number of macrophages derived from circulating monocytes (bromodeoxyuridine positive [BrdU + ] CD163 + ), suggesting that the increased blood monocyte turnover was required to rapidly replenish destroyed tissue macrophages. Immunofluorescence analysis further demonstrated that macrophages were a significant portion of the virus-producing cells found in LNs, intestinal tissues, and lungs. The higher baseline monocyte turnover in infant macaques and subsequent macrophage damage by SIV infection may help explain the basis of more rapid disease progression to AIDS in infants. IMPORTANCE HIV infection progresses much more rapidly in pediatric cases than in adults; however, the mechanism for this difference is unclear. Using the rhesus macaque model, this work was performed to address why infants infected with SIV progress more quickly to AIDS than do adults. Earlier we reported that in adult rhesus macaques, increasing monocyte turnover reflected tissue macrophage damage by SIV and was predictive of terminal disease progression to AIDS. Here we report that uninfected infant rhesus macaques exhibited a higher physiological baseline monocyte turnover rate than adults. Furthermore, once infected with SIV, infants displayed further increased monocyte turnover that may have facilitated the accelerated progression to AIDS. These results support a role for monocytes and macrophages in the pathogenesis of SIV/HIV and begin to explain why infants are more prone to rapid disease progression. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Critical Role for Monocytes/Macrophages in Rapid Progression to AIDS in Pediatric Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Macaques

PubMed Central

Sugimoto, Chie; Merino, Kristen M.; Hasegawa, Atsuhiko; Wang, Xiaolei; Alvarez, Xavier A.; Wakao, Hiroshi; Kim, Woong-Ki; Veazey, Ronald S.; Didier, Elizabeth S.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Infant humans and rhesus macaques infected with the human or simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV or SIV), respectively, express higher viral loads and progress more rapidly to AIDS than infected adults. Activated memory CD4+ T cells in intestinal tissues are major primary target cells for SIV/HIV infection, and massive depletion of these cells is considered a major cause of immunodeficiency. Monocytes and macrophages are important cells of innate immunity and also are targets of HIV/SIV infection. We reported previously that a high peripheral blood monocyte turnover rate was predictive for the onset of disease progression to AIDS in SIV-infected adult macaques. The purpose of this study was to determine if earlier or higher infection of monocytes/macrophages contributes to the more rapid progression to AIDS in infants. We observed that uninfected infant rhesus macaques exhibited higher physiologic baseline monocyte turnover than adults. Early after SIV infection, the monocyte turnover further increased, and it remained high during progression to AIDS. A high percentage of terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase dUTP nick end label (TUNEL)-positive macrophages in the lymph nodes (LNs) and intestine corresponded with an increasing number of macrophages derived from circulating monocytes (bromodeoxyuridine positive [BrdU+] CD163+), suggesting that the increased blood monocyte turnover was required to rapidly replenish destroyed tissue macrophages. Immunofluorescence analysis further demonstrated that macrophages were a significant portion of the virus-producing cells found in LNs, intestinal tissues, and lungs. The higher baseline monocyte turnover in infant macaques and subsequent macrophage damage by SIV infection may help explain the basis of more rapid disease progression to AIDS in infants. IMPORTANCE HIV infection progresses much more rapidly in pediatric cases than in adults; however, the mechanism for this difference is unclear. Using the rhesus macaque model, this work was performed to address why infants infected with SIV progress more quickly to AIDS than do adults. Earlier we reported that in adult rhesus macaques, increasing monocyte turnover reflected tissue macrophage damage by SIV and was predictive of terminal disease progression to AIDS. Here we report that uninfected infant rhesus macaques exhibited a higher physiological baseline monocyte turnover rate than adults. Furthermore, once infected with SIV, infants displayed further increased monocyte turnover that may have facilitated the accelerated progression to AIDS. These results support a role for monocytes and macrophages in the pathogenesis of SIV/HIV and begin to explain why infants are more prone to rapid disease progression. PMID:28566378

Boronic acids for fluorescence imaging of carbohydrates.

PubMed

Sun, Xiaolong; Zhai, Wenlei; Fossey, John S; James, Tony D

2016-02-28

"Fluorescence imaging" is a particularly exciting and rapidly developing area of research; the annual number of publications in the area has increased ten-fold over the last decade. The rapid increase of interest in fluorescence imaging will necessitate the development of an increasing number of molecular receptors and binding agents in order to meet the demand in this rapidly expanding area. Carbohydrate biomarkers are particularly important targets for fluorescence imaging given their pivotal role in numerous important biological events, including the development and progression of many diseases. Therefore, the development of new fluorescent receptors and binding agents for carbohydrates is and will be increasing in demand. This review highlights the development of fluorescence imaging agents based on boronic acids a particularly promising class of receptors given their strong and selective binding with carbohydrates in aqueous media.

Mapping of Students’ Learning Progression Based on Mental Model in Magnetic Induction Concepts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamid, R.; Pabunga, D. B.

2017-09-01

The progress of student learning in a learning process has not been fully optimally observed by the teacher. The concept being taught is judged only at the end of learning as a product of thinking, and does not assess the mental processes that occur in students’ thinking. Facilitating students’ thinking through new phenomena can reveal students’ variation in thinking as a mental model of a concept, so that students who are assimilative and or accommodative can be identified in achieving their equilibrium of thought as well as an indicator of progressiveness in the students’ thinking stages. This research data is obtained from the written documents and interviews of students who were learned about the concept of magnetic induction through Constructivist Teaching Sequences (CTS) models. The results of this study indicate that facilitating the students’ thinking processes on the concept of magnetic induction contributes to increasing the number of students thinking within the "progressive change" category, and it can be said that the progress of student learning is more progressive after their mental models were facilitated through a new phenomena by teacher.

Role of Protein Synthesis Initiation Factors in Dietary Soy Isoflavone-Mediated Effects on Breast Cancer Progression

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-01

and complemented with data from the present report (recently published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry ) (6), was that the described increase in...Biological Chemistry (6). To investigate if the increased protein expression in response to equol was due to an increase in gene expression, we... Chemistry . Volume 50, Number, 10. pp.41640-50. See Appendix 12    CONCLUSION: Results with highly metastatic cancer cell lines show that the effects of

On the evolutionary advantage of multi-cusped teeth

PubMed Central

Bush, Mark B.; Barani, Amir; Lawn, Brian R.

2016-01-01

A hallmark of mammalian evolution is a progressive complexity in postcanine tooth morphology. However, the driving force for this complexity remains unclear: whether to expand the versatility in diet source, or to bolster tooth structural integrity. In this study, we take a quantitative approach to this question by examining the roles of number, position and height of multiple cusps in determining sustainable bite forces. Our approach is to use an extended finite-element methodology with due provision for step-by-step growth of an embedded crack to determine how fracture progresses with increasing occlusal load. We argue that multi-cusp postcanine teeth are well configured to withstand high bite forces provided that multiple cusps are contacted simultaneously to share the load. However, contact on a single near-wall cusp diminishes the strength. Location of the load points and cusp height, rather than cusp number or radius, are principal governing factors. Given these findings, we conclude that while complex tooth structures can enhance durability, increases in cusp number are more likely to be driven by the demands of food manipulation. Structural integrity of complex teeth is maintained when individual cusps remain sufficiently distant from the side walls and do not become excessively tall relative to tooth width. PMID:27558851

Analysis of progression of cervical OPLL using computerized tomography: typical sign of maturation of OPLL mass.

PubMed

Choi, Byung-Wan; Baek, Dong-Hoon; Sheffler, Lindsey C; Chang, Han

2015-07-17

OBJECT The progression of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) can lead to increase in the size of the OPLL mass and aggravation of neurological symptoms. In the present study, the authors aimed to analyze the progression of cervical OPLL by using CT imaging, elucidate the morphology of OPLL masses, and evaluate the factors associated with the progression of cervical OPLL. METHODS Sixty patients with cervical OPLL were included. All underwent an initial CT examination and had at least 24 months' follow-up with CT. The mean duration of follow-up was 29.6 months. Fourteen patients (Group A) had CT evidence of OPLL progression, and 46 (Group B) did not show evidence of progression on CT. The 2 groups were compared with respect to the following variables: sex, age, number of involved segments, type of OPLL, and treatment methods. The CT findings, such as the connection of an OPLL mass with the vertebral body and formation of trabeculation in the mass, were evaluated. RESULTS Sex and treatment modality were not associated with OPLL progression. The mean age of the patients in Group A was significantly lower than that in Group B (p = 0.03). The mean number of involved segments was 5.3 in Group A and 3.6 in Group B (p = 0.002). Group A had a higher proportion of cases with the mixed type of OPLL, whereas Group B had a higher proportion of cases with the segmental type (p = 0.02). A connection between the vertebral body and OPLL mass and trabeculation formation were more common in Group B (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Progression of cervical OPLL is associated with younger age, involvement of multiple levels, and mixed-type morphology. OPLL masses that are contiguous with the vertebral body and have trabecular formation are useful findings for identifying masses that are less likely to progress.

Thin-Section CT Features of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Correlated with Micro-CT and Histologic Analysis.

PubMed

Mai, Cindy; Verleden, Stijn E; McDonough, John E; Willems, Stijn; De Wever, Walter; Coolen, Johan; Dubbeldam, Adriana; Van Raemdonck, Dirk E; Verbeken, Eric K; Verleden, Geert M; Hogg, James C; Vanaudenaerde, Bart M; Wuyts, Wim A; Verschakelen, Johny A

2017-04-01

Purpose To elucidate the underlying lung changes responsible for the computed tomographic (CT) features of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and to gain insight into the way IPF proceeds through the lungs and progresses over time. Materials and Methods Micro-CT studies of tissue cores obtained from explant lungs were examined and were correlated 1:1 with a CT study obtained immediately before transplantation. Samples for histologic analysis were obtained from selected cores. Results In areas with no or minimal abnormalities on CT images, small areas of increased attenuation located in or near the interlobular septa can be seen on micro-CT studies. In more involved lung areas, the number of opacities increases and opacities enlarge and approach each other along the interlobular septa, causing a fine reticular pattern on CT images. Simultaneously, air-containing structures in and around these opacities arise, corresponding with small cysts on CT images. Honeycombing is caused by a progressive increase in the number and size of these cystic structures and tissue opacities that gradually extend toward the centrilobular region and finally replace the entire lobule. At histologic analysis, the small islands of increased attenuation very likely correspond with fibroblastic foci. Near these fibroblastic foci, an abnormal adjacency of alveolar walls was seen, suggesting alveolar collapse. In later stages, normal lung tissue is replaced by a large amount of young collagen, as seen in patients with advanced fibrosis. Conclusion Fibrosis and cyst formation in patients with IPF seem to start at the periphery of the pulmonary lobule and progressively extend toward the core of this anatomic lung unit. Evidence was found that alveolar collapse might already be present in an early stage when there is only little pulmonary fibrosis. © RSNA, 2016.

Thin-Section CT Features of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Correlated with Micro-CT and Histologic Analysis

PubMed Central

Mai, Cindy; Verleden, Stijn E.; McDonough, John E.; Willems, Stijn; De Wever, Walter; Coolen, Johan; Dubbeldam, Adriana; Van Raemdonck, Dirk E.; Verbeken, Eric K.; Verleden, Geert M.; Hogg, James C.; Vanaudenaerde, Bart M.; Wuyts, Wim A.

2017-01-01

Purpose To elucidate the underlying lung changes responsible for the computed tomographic (CT) features of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and to gain insight into the way IPF proceeds through the lungs and progresses over time. Materials and Methods Micro-CT studies of tissue cores obtained from explant lungs were examined and were correlated 1:1 with a CT study obtained immediately before transplantation. Samples for histologic analysis were obtained from selected cores. Results In areas with no or minimal abnormalities on CT images, small areas of increased attenuation located in or near the interlobular septa can be seen on micro-CT studies. In more involved lung areas, the number of opacities increases and opacities enlarge and approach each other along the interlobular septa, causing a fine reticular pattern on CT images. Simultaneously, air-containing structures in and around these opacities arise, corresponding with small cysts on CT images. Honeycombing is caused by a progressive increase in the number and size of these cystic structures and tissue opacities that gradually extend toward the centrilobular region and finally replace the entire lobule. At histologic analysis, the small islands of increased attenuation very likely correspond with fibroblastic foci. Near these fibroblastic foci, an abnormal adjacency of alveolar walls was seen, suggesting alveolar collapse. In later stages, normal lung tissue is replaced by a large amount of young collagen, as seen in patients with advanced fibrosis. Conclusion Fibrosis and cyst formation in patients with IPF seem to start at the periphery of the pulmonary lobule and progressively extend toward the core of this anatomic lung unit. Evidence was found that alveolar collapse might already be present in an early stage when there is only little pulmonary fibrosis. © RSNA, 2016 PMID:27715655

Progress in obstetrics or the road to the Promised Land

PubMed Central

2008-01-01

The exceptional progress in obstetrics, especially in the second half of the 20th century, creates a series of dilemmas, without having yet the answer to old, basic questions, such as premature delivery and prevention of preeclampsia. Sexual liberty and the delay of the first pregnancy are responsible for the drop in natality rate and the increasing demand for assisted reproductive technologies. Their success is marked, though, by a drastic increase in the multiple birth rate and its complications. The advancing maternal age brings along a number of cardiovascular pathologies that endanger not only the present pregnancy, but also the long distance health prognosis. Plus, there is a marked risk for foetal chromosomal anomalies, which explains the need and the importance of prenatal diagnosis. Probably the newest branch in materno–foetal medicine, it offers many answers and solutions, but there are still a lot of question marks. In conclusion, the progress is necessary, is expected, but it should always be filtered by time and experience. PMID:20108480

Hyperplasia of type 2 pneumocytes following 0. 34 ppm nitrogen dioxide exposure: quantitation by image analysis. [Mice

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sherwin, R.P.; Richters, V.

1982-09-01

Swiss Webster male mice were exposed to intermittent 0.34 ppm nitrogen dioxide for 6 wk. Quantitative image analysis showed increased Type 2 cell numbers in each of the three lobes measured, with and without adjustment to alveolar wall measurements for lung volume normalization (e.g., P < .037 for Type 2 cell number adjusted to alveolar wall perimeters, combined lobe analysis of variance). The exposed animals dominated the upper quartile ranking of the cell number/alveolar area ratio computations (P < .025), which implied the presence of an especially susceptible subpopulation of animals. The Type 2 cell increase is believed to resultmore » from damage and loss of Type 1 cells, the reversibility and progression of which are presently unknown. The data also suggest an increased size of the Type 2 cell, and possibly slight atelectasis and/or edema of the alveolar walls.« less

Submitting a manuscript for peer review – integrity, integrity, integrity

PubMed Central

Murphy, Sean P.; Bulman, Christopher; Shariati, Behnam; Hausmann, Laura

2014-01-01

Publication of a flawed manuscript has significant consequences for the progress of science. When this proves to be intentional, science is brought into disrepute and this puts even more pressure on the shrinking resources that society is prepared to invest in research. All scientific journals, including the Journal of Neurochemistry, have witnessed a marked increase in the number of corrections and retractions of published papers over the last 10 years, and uncovered a depressingly large number of fabrications amongst submitted manuscripts. The increase in number of ‘spoiled’ manuscripts reflects not only the improved methods that journals employ to detect plagiarism in its many forms, but also suggests a measurable change in the behavior of authors. The increased policing of submissions by reviewers, editors and publishers expends time and money. The sanctions imposed by journal editors on authors found guilty of malpractice are transparent and severe. PMID:24410543

How Do Freshman Engineering Students Reflect an Online Calculus Course?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boz, Burcak; Adnan, Muge

2017-01-01

Improved access to technology has led to an increase in the number of online courses and degree programs in higher education. Despite continuous progress, little attention is paid to "understanding" students prior to implementation of learning and teaching processes. Being a valuable input for design of online learning environments and…

It's in the Cards: A Classwide Management System to Promote Student Success

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murphy, Sashaa A.; Korinek, Lori

2009-01-01

Increasing numbers of students with disabilities and those at risk for school failure are participating in general education classes. They are expected to master the content, to take primary responsibility for their success, and to manage their own progress. Unfortunately, many students do not consistently demonstrate the nonacademic skills that…

Progress Report on Alzheimer Disease: Volume III.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Inst. on Aging (DHHS/PHS), Bethesda, MD.

This report summarizes advances in the understanding of Alzheimer's disease, the major cause of mental disability among older Americans. The demography of the disease is discussed, noting that approximately 2.5 million American adults are afflicted with the disease and that the large increase in the number of Alzheimer's disease patients is due to…

Framing Students' Progression in Understanding Matter: A Review of Previous Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hadenfeldt, Jan Christoph; Liu, Xiufeng; Neumann, Knut

2014-01-01

This manuscript presents a systematic review of the research on how students conceptualise matter. Understanding the structure and properties of matter is an essential part of science literacy. Over the last decades the number of studies on students' conceptions of matter published in peer-reviewed journals has increased significantly. These…

Exploring Perspectives on Child Care with Families of Children with Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mereoiu, Mariana; Bland, Carol; Dobbins, Nicole; Niemeyer, Judith A.

2015-01-01

Early childhood programs serve increasing numbers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families. While many programs have made significant progress in providing educational services responsive to the needs of children with ASD, concerns persist about whether early education programs can meet the educational needs of such…

Psychological Profile of University Students with Different Types of Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dong, Shengli; Lucas, Margaretha S.

2014-01-01

Increasing numbers of students with disabilities attend colleges and universities after graduation from high school, but studies show that students with disabilities lag behind academically and fail to make progress and complete academic programs at a level and a timeframe comparable to their peers without disabilities. Studies are needed that…

Discipline-Specific Reading Expectation and Challenges for ESL Learners in US Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hartshorn, K. James; Evans, Norman W.; Egbert, Jesse; Johnson, Amy

2017-01-01

English-medium institutions of higher education host increasing numbers of English-as-a second-language (ESL) learners in the US. English language skill is vital to their progress. Previous research examined reading challenges and expectations faculty have for their first-year students within five popular majors for international students…

Race to Top Buy-In Level Examined

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McNeil, Michele

2010-01-01

States significantly increased buy-in from local teachers' unions in round two of the Race to the Top competition, but made far less progress in enlisting districts or expanding the number of students affected by the states' education reform plans. Those patterns emerged from an "Education Week" analysis of applications from 29 states…

The Four-Year College Experience of One Student with Multiple Learning Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hadley, Wanda

2017-01-01

The number of students with learning disabilities (LD) attending postsecondary institutions with the intent of graduating and pursuing employment is progressively increasing. This paper was developed from the experiences of Mitchell's (a pseudonym) participation in a four-year research study with nine other college students with LD. At the end of…

Herbivores sculpt leaf traits differently in grasslands depending on life form and land-use histories.

PubMed

Firn, Jennifer; Schütz, Martin; Nguyen, Huong; Risch, Anita C

2017-01-01

Vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores alter plant communities directly by selectively consuming plant species; and indirectly by inducing morphological and physiological changes to plant traits that provide competitive or survivorship advantages to some life forms over others. Progressively excluding aboveground herbivore communities (ungulates, medium and small sized mammals, invertebrates) over five growing seasons, we explored how leaf morphology (specific leaf area or SLA) and nutrition (nitrogen, carbon, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and calcium) of different plant life forms (forbs, legumes, grasses, sedges) correlated with their dominance. We experimented in two subalpine grassland types with different land-use histories: (1) heavily grazed, nutrient-rich, short-grass vegetation and (2) lightly grazed, lower nutrient tall-grass vegetation. We found differences in leaf traits between treatments where either all herbivores were excluded or all herbivores were present, showing the importance of considering the impacts of both vertebrates and invertebrates on the leaf traits of plant species. Life forms responses to the progressive exclusion of herbivores were captured by six possible combinations: (1) increased leaf size and resource use efficiency (leaf area/nutrients) where lower nutrient levels are invested in leaf construction, but a reduction in the number of leaves, for example, forbs in both vegetation types, (2) increased leaf size and resource use efficiency, for example, legumes in short grass, (3) increased leaf size but a reduction in the number of leaves, for example, legumes in the tall grass, (4) increased number of leaves produced and increased resource use efficiency, for example, grasses in the short grass, (5) increased resource use efficiency of leaves only, for example, grasses and sedges in the tall grass, and (6) no response in terms of leaf construction or dominance, for example, sedges in the short grass. Although we found multiple possible responses by life forms to progressive exclusion of herbivores, we also found some important generalities. Changes in leaf traits of legumes and grasses correlated with their increasing dominance in the short-grass vegetation and plants were more efficient at constructing photosynthetic tissue when herbivores are present with few exceptions. These results demonstrate that vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores are essential to maintain plant species richness and resource-use efficiency. © 2016 by the Ecological Society of America.

Activated microglia proliferate at neurites of mutant huntingtin-expressing neurons

PubMed Central

Kraft, Andrew D.; Kaltenbach, Linda S.; Lo, Donald C.; Harry, G. Jean

2011-01-01

In Huntington's disease (HD), mutated huntingtin (mhtt) causes striatal neurodegeneration which is paralleled by elevated microglia cell numbers. In vitro cortico-striatal slice and primary neuronal culture models, in which neuronal expression of mhtt fragments drives HD-like neurotoxicity, were employed to examine wild type microglia during both the initiation and progression of neuronal pathology. As neuronal pathology progressed, microglia initially localized in the vicinity of neurons expressing mhtt fragments increased in number, demonstrated morphological evidence of activation, and expressed the proliferation marker, Ki67. These microglia were positioned along irregular neurites, but did not localize with mhtt inclusions nor exacerbate mhtt fragment-induced neurotoxicity. Prior to neuronal pathology, microglia upregulated Iba1, signaling a functional shift. With neurodegeneration, interleukin-6 and complement component 1q were increased. The results suggest a stimulatory, proliferative signal for microglia present at the onset of mhtt fragment-induced neurodegeneration. Thus, microglia effect a localized inflammatory response to neuronal mhtt expression that may serve to direct microglial removal of dysfunctional neurites or aberrant synapses, as is required for reparative actions in vivo. PMID:21482444

Effects of creatine and its analog, β-guanidinopropionic acid, on the differentiation of and nucleoli in myoblasts.

PubMed

Ohira, Yoshinobu; Matsuoka, Yoshikazu; Kawano, Fuminori; Ogura, Akihiko; Higo, Yoko; Ohira, Takashi; Terada, Masahiro; Oke, Yoshihiko; Nakai, Naoya

2011-01-01

The effects of supplementation with creatine (Cr) and its analog, β-guanidinopropionic acid (β-GPA), on the differentiation of myoblasts and the numbers of nucleoli were studied in C2C12 cells. The cells were cultured in differentiation medium for 4 d. Then Cr (1 mM) or β-GPA (1 mM) was added to the cells, and the mixture was cultured for an additional 2 d. Although the number of myotubes was not different among the groups, myotube diameters and nuclear numbers in myotubes were increased by Cr and β-GPA treatment respectively. The expression of differentiation marker proteins, myogenin, and the myosine heavy chain, was increased in the β-GPA group. Supplementation with β-GPA also increased the percentage of p21 (inhibitor for cell cycle progression)-positive myoblasts. Supplementation with Cr inhibited the decrease in nucleoli numbers, whereas β-GPA increased nucleolar sizes in the myotubes. These results suggest that β-GPA supplementation stimulated the differentiation of myoblasts into multi-nucleated myotubes through induction of p21 expression.

Progression of regional grey matter atrophy in multiple sclerosis

PubMed Central

Marinescu, Razvan V; Young, Alexandra L; Firth, Nicholas C; Jorge Cardoso, M; Tur, Carmen; De Angelis, Floriana; Cawley, Niamh; Brownlee, Wallace J; De Stefano, Nicola; Laura Stromillo, M; Battaglini, Marco; Ruggieri, Serena; Gasperini, Claudio; Filippi, Massimo; Rocca, Maria A; Rovira, Alex; Sastre-Garriga, Jaume; Geurts, Jeroen J G; Vrenken, Hugo; Wottschel, Viktor; Leurs, Cyra E; Uitdehaag, Bernard; Pirpamer, Lukas; Enzinger, Christian; Ourselin, Sebastien; Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott, Claudia A; Chard, Declan; Thompson, Alan J; Barkhof, Frederik; Alexander, Daniel C; Ciccarelli, Olga

2018-01-01

Abstract See Stankoff and Louapre (doi:10.1093/brain/awy114) for a scientific commentary on this article. Grey matter atrophy is present from the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis, but its temporal ordering is poorly understood. We aimed to determine the sequence in which grey matter regions become atrophic in multiple sclerosis and its association with disability accumulation. In this longitudinal study, we included 1417 subjects: 253 with clinically isolated syndrome, 708 with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, 128 with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis, 125 with primary-progressive multiple sclerosis, and 203 healthy control subjects from seven European centres. Subjects underwent repeated MRI (total number of scans 3604); the mean follow-up for patients was 2.41 years (standard deviation = 1.97). Disability was scored using the Expanded Disability Status Scale. We calculated the volume of brain grey matter regions and brainstem using an unbiased within-subject template and used an established data-driven event-based model to determine the sequence of occurrence of atrophy and its uncertainty. We assigned each subject to a specific event-based model stage, based on the number of their atrophic regions. Linear mixed-effects models were used to explore associations between the rate of increase in event-based model stages, and T2 lesion load, disease-modifying treatments, comorbidity, disease duration and disability accumulation. The first regions to become atrophic in patients with clinically isolated syndrome and relapse-onset multiple sclerosis were the posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus, followed by the middle cingulate cortex, brainstem and thalamus. A similar sequence of atrophy was detected in primary-progressive multiple sclerosis with the involvement of the thalamus, cuneus, precuneus, and pallidum, followed by the brainstem and posterior cingulate cortex. The cerebellum, caudate and putamen showed early atrophy in relapse-onset multiple sclerosis and late atrophy in primary-progressive multiple sclerosis. Patients with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis showed the highest event-based model stage (the highest number of atrophic regions, P < 0.001) at the study entry. All multiple sclerosis phenotypes, but clinically isolated syndrome, showed a faster rate of increase in the event-based model stage than healthy controls. T2 lesion load and disease duration in all patients were associated with increased event-based model stage, but no effects of disease-modifying treatments and comorbidity on event-based model stage were observed. The annualized rate of event-based model stage was associated with the disability accumulation in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, independent of disease duration (P < 0.0001). The data-driven staging of atrophy progression in a large multiple sclerosis sample demonstrates that grey matter atrophy spreads to involve more regions over time. The sequence in which regions become atrophic is reasonably consistent across multiple sclerosis phenotypes. The spread of atrophy was associated with disease duration and with disability accumulation over time in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. PMID:29741648

Progression of regional grey matter atrophy in multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Eshaghi, Arman; Marinescu, Razvan V; Young, Alexandra L; Firth, Nicholas C; Prados, Ferran; Jorge Cardoso, M; Tur, Carmen; De Angelis, Floriana; Cawley, Niamh; Brownlee, Wallace J; De Stefano, Nicola; Laura Stromillo, M; Battaglini, Marco; Ruggieri, Serena; Gasperini, Claudio; Filippi, Massimo; Rocca, Maria A; Rovira, Alex; Sastre-Garriga, Jaume; Geurts, Jeroen J G; Vrenken, Hugo; Wottschel, Viktor; Leurs, Cyra E; Uitdehaag, Bernard; Pirpamer, Lukas; Enzinger, Christian; Ourselin, Sebastien; Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott, Claudia A; Chard, Declan; Thompson, Alan J; Barkhof, Frederik; Alexander, Daniel C; Ciccarelli, Olga

2018-06-01

See Stankoff and Louapre (doi:10.1093/brain/awy114) for a scientific commentary on this article.Grey matter atrophy is present from the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis, but its temporal ordering is poorly understood. We aimed to determine the sequence in which grey matter regions become atrophic in multiple sclerosis and its association with disability accumulation. In this longitudinal study, we included 1417 subjects: 253 with clinically isolated syndrome, 708 with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, 128 with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis, 125 with primary-progressive multiple sclerosis, and 203 healthy control subjects from seven European centres. Subjects underwent repeated MRI (total number of scans 3604); the mean follow-up for patients was 2.41 years (standard deviation = 1.97). Disability was scored using the Expanded Disability Status Scale. We calculated the volume of brain grey matter regions and brainstem using an unbiased within-subject template and used an established data-driven event-based model to determine the sequence of occurrence of atrophy and its uncertainty. We assigned each subject to a specific event-based model stage, based on the number of their atrophic regions. Linear mixed-effects models were used to explore associations between the rate of increase in event-based model stages, and T2 lesion load, disease-modifying treatments, comorbidity, disease duration and disability accumulation. The first regions to become atrophic in patients with clinically isolated syndrome and relapse-onset multiple sclerosis were the posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus, followed by the middle cingulate cortex, brainstem and thalamus. A similar sequence of atrophy was detected in primary-progressive multiple sclerosis with the involvement of the thalamus, cuneus, precuneus, and pallidum, followed by the brainstem and posterior cingulate cortex. The cerebellum, caudate and putamen showed early atrophy in relapse-onset multiple sclerosis and late atrophy in primary-progressive multiple sclerosis. Patients with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis showed the highest event-based model stage (the highest number of atrophic regions, P < 0.001) at the study entry. All multiple sclerosis phenotypes, but clinically isolated syndrome, showed a faster rate of increase in the event-based model stage than healthy controls. T2 lesion load and disease duration in all patients were associated with increased event-based model stage, but no effects of disease-modifying treatments and comorbidity on event-based model stage were observed. The annualized rate of event-based model stage was associated with the disability accumulation in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, independent of disease duration (P < 0.0001). The data-driven staging of atrophy progression in a large multiple sclerosis sample demonstrates that grey matter atrophy spreads to involve more regions over time. The sequence in which regions become atrophic is reasonably consistent across multiple sclerosis phenotypes. The spread of atrophy was associated with disease duration and with disability accumulation over time in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Method and system for benchmarking computers

DOEpatents

Gustafson, John L.

1993-09-14

A testing system and method for benchmarking computer systems. The system includes a store containing a scalable set of tasks to be performed to produce a solution in ever-increasing degrees of resolution as a larger number of the tasks are performed. A timing and control module allots to each computer a fixed benchmarking interval in which to perform the stored tasks. Means are provided for determining, after completion of the benchmarking interval, the degree of progress through the scalable set of tasks and for producing a benchmarking rating relating to the degree of progress for each computer.

The progress on time & frequency during the past 5 decades

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zheng-Ming

2002-06-01

The number and variety of applications using precise timing are astounding and increasing along with the new technology in communication, computer science, space science as well as in other fields. The world has evolved into the information age, and precise timing is at the heart of managing the flow of that information, which prompts the progress on precise timing itself rapidly. The development of time scales, UT1 determination, frequency standards, time transfer and the time dissemination for the past half century in the world and in China are described in this paper. The expectation in this field is discussed.

The association between patient-therapist MATRIX congruence and treatment outcome.

PubMed

Mendlovic, Shlomo; Saad, Amit; Roll, Uri; Ben Yehuda, Ariel; Tuval-Mashiah, Rivka; Atzil-Slonim, Dana

2018-03-14

The present study aimed to examine the association between patient-therapist micro-level congruence/incongruence ratio and psychotherapeutic outcome. Nine good- and nine poor-outcome psychodynamic treatments (segregated by comparing pre- and post-treatment BDI-II) were analyzed (N = 18) moment by moment using the MATRIX (total number of MATRIX codes analyzed = 11,125). MATRIX congruence was defined as similar adjacent MATRIX codes. the congruence/incongruence ratio tended to increase as the treatment progressed only in good-outcome treatments. Progression of MATRIX codes' congruence/incongruence ratio is associated with good outcome of psychotherapy.

Psychiatric Emergencies in the Elderly.

PubMed

Sikka, Veronica; Kalra, S; Galwankar, Sagar; Sagar, Galwankar

2015-11-01

With the increasing life expectancy, the geriatric population has been increasing over the past few decades. By the year 2050, it is projected to compose more than a fifth of the entire population, representing a 147% increase in this age group. There has been a steady increase in the number of medical and psychiatric disorders, and a large percentage of geriatric patients are now presenting to the emergency department with such disorders. The management of our progressively complex geriatric patient population will require an integrative team approach involving emergency medicine, psychiatry, and hospitalist medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Making progress: the role of cancer councils in Australia in indigenous cancer control.

PubMed

Thompson, Sandra C; Shahid, Shaouli; DiGiacomo, Michelle; Pilkington, Leanne; Davidson, Patricia M

2014-04-11

Indigenous Australians have poorer outcomes from cancer for a variety of reasons including poorer participation in screening programs, later diagnosis, higher rates of cancer with poor prognosis and poorer uptake and completion of treatment. Cancer prevention and support for people with cancer is part of the core business of the State and Territory Cancer Councils. To support sharing of lessons learned, this paper reports an environmental scan undertaken in 2010 in cancer councils (CCs) nationwide that aimed to support Indigenous cancer control. The methods replicated the approach used in a 2006 environmental scan of Indigenous related activity in CCs. The Chief Executive Officer of each CC nominated individuals for interview. Interviews explored staffing, projects, programs and activities to progress cancer control issues for Indigenous Australians, through phone or face-to-face interviews. Reported initiatives were tabulated using predetermined categories of activity and summaries were returned to interviewees, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Subcommittee and Chief Executive Officers for verification. All CCs participated and modest increases in activity had occurred in most states since 2006 through different means. Indigenous staff numbers were low and no Indigenous person had yet been employed in smaller CCs; no CC had an Indigenous Board member and efforts at capacity building were often directed outside of the organisation. Developing partnerships with Indigenous organisations were ongoing. Acknowledgement and specific mention of Indigenous people in policy was increasing. Momentum increased following the establishment of a national subcommittee which increased the profile of Indigenous issues and provided collegial and practical support for those committed to reducing Indigenous cancer disparities. Government funding of "Closing the Gap" and research in the larger CCs have been other avenues for increasing knowledge and activity in Indigenous cancer control. This environmental scan measured progress, allowed sharing of information and provided critical assessment of progress across areas of importance for increasing Indigenous cancer control. Structured examination of policies, institutional support systems, programs and interventions is a useful means of highlighting opportunities for progress with minority groups relevant for many organisations. Progress has occurred with momentum likely to increase in the future and benefit from commitment to long-term monitoring and sharing of achievements.

Molecular Mechanisms of Prostate Cancer Progression

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-01-01

Weinberg. 1999. Inhibition of telomerase limits the growth of human cancer cells. Nat. Med. 5:1164-1170. 16. Hayflick , L. 1965. The limited in vitro...radicicol 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: a. REPORT u b. ABSTRACT u c. THIS PAGE u 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT uu 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 35...P69 nontumorigenic cells and show an increase in p23 without a concomitant increase in telomerase activity, suggesting that p23 is not limiting in

Involvement of Luteinizing Hormone in Alzheimer Disease Development in Elderly Women.

PubMed

Rao, C V

2017-03-01

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a slow progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects more elderly women than elderly men. It impairs memory, typically progresses into multidomain cognitive decline that destroys the quality of life, and ultimately leads to death. About 5.3 million older Americans are now living with this disease, and this number is projected to rise to 14 million by 2050. Annual health-care costs in the United States alone are projected to increase to about US$1.1 trillion by 2050. The initial theory that decreasing estrogen levels leads to AD development in postmenopausal women has been proven inconclusive. For example, Women's Health Research Initiative Memory Study and the population-based nested case-control study have failed to demonstrate that estrogen/progesterone (hormone replacement therapy [HRT]) or estrogen replacement therapy could prevent the cognitive decline or reduce the risk of AD. This led to the realization that AD development could be due to a progressive increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in postmenopausal women. Accordingly, a large number of studies have demonstrated that an increase in LH levels is positively correlated with neuropathological, behavioral, and cognitive changes in AD. In addition, LH has been shown to promote amyloidogenic pathway of precursor protein metabolism and deposition of amyloid β plaques in the hippocampus, a region involved in AD. Cognate receptors that mediate LH effects are abundantly expressed in the hippocampus. Reducing the LH levels by treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists could provide therapeutic benefits. Despite these advances, many questions remain and require further research.

Prevalence of bacteria and fungi in athlete's foot of varying severity and response to topical antibacterial and antifungal therapies.

PubMed

Talwar, P; Kumar, B; Ayyagiri, A; Kaur, S

1985-08-01

Ninety-six patients with clinical evidence of interdigital lesions classified as mild, moderate and severe athlete's foot were investigated for bacterial and fungal populations in the interspaces. Gram-negative bacteria, which were not found in the toe spaces of 50 normal controls, were grown in increasing numbers and with increasing frequency as the symptoms progressed from mild to severe. Gram-positive bacteria were also isolated regularly and in increasing numbers commensurate with the severity of the disease. Similarly the isolation rates of dermatophytes and Candida species were higher in patients with moderate and severe disease compared to those with mild disease. Clinical and culture responses to topical applications with framycetin, tolnaftate, miconazole and clotrimazole were also studied. In some patients the prevalence of pathogenic fungi increased as bacterial numbers decreased. The pure antibacterial framycetin brought symptomatic relief, as did the purely anti-dermatophyte substance tolnaftate, but best results were seen with two azole compounds having mixed antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Golgi-Related Proteins GOLPH2 (GP73/GOLM1) and GOLPH3 (GOPP1/MIDAS) in Cutaneous Melanoma: Patterns of Expression and Prognostic Significance.

PubMed

Donizy, Piotr; Kaczorowski, Maciej; Biecek, Przemyslaw; Halon, Agnieszka; Szkudlarek, Teresa; Matkowski, Rafal

2016-10-01

GOLPH2 and GOLPH3 are Golgi-related proteins associated with aggressiveness and progression of a number of cancers. Their prognostic significance in melanoma has not yet been analyzed. We performed immunohistochemical analysis for GOLPH2 and GOLPH3 in 20 normal skin, 30 benign nevi and 100 primary melanoma tissue samples and evaluated their expression in three compartments: cancer cells, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). High levels of both proteins in melanoma cells were associated with characteristics of aggressive disease, and shorter disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific overall survival (CSOS). On the contrary, increased numbers of GOLPH2-positive and GOLPH3-positive TAMs were observed in thinner, non-ulcerated tumors, with brisk lymphocytic reaction and absent lymphangioinvasion. Distant metastases were not observed among patients with high numbers of GOLPH2-positive TAMs. Increased expression of either protein in TAMs was related to prolonged CSOS and DFS. Similarly, GOLPH3-expressing CAFs were more frequent in thin melanomas with low mitotic rate, without ulceration and lymphangioinvasion. Moreover, increased GOLPH3-positive CAFs correlated with the absence of regional or distant metastases, and with longer CSOS and DFS. GOLPH2 expression was not observed in CAFs. Our results suggest that GOLPH2 and GOLPH3 play a role in melanoma progression and are potential targets for molecular-based therapies.

Progress in immunization information systems--United States, 2011.

PubMed

2013-01-25

Immunization information systems (IIS) are confidential, computerized, population-based systems that collect and consolidate vaccination data from vaccination providers and provide important tools for designing and sustaining effective immunization strategies. A Healthy People 2020 objective (IID-18) is to increase to 95% the proportion of children aged <6 years whose immunization records are in fully operational, population-based IIS. The National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) has published goals for IIS, including required and optional core data elements for which IIS should collect information. Two of the required core data elements are vaccine manufacturer and vaccine lot number. To monitor progress toward achieving these and other program goals, CDC annually surveys 56 immunization program grantees using the IIS Annual Report (IISAR). Results from the 2011 IISAR (completed by 54 grantees) indicate that 84% (19.2 million) of U.S. children aged <6 years participated in IIS, as defined by having at least two recorded vaccinations, an increase from 82% (18.8 million) in 2010. Grantees reported that an average of 63% of vaccination records for these children contained data in the field for vaccine manufacturer and 60% contained data in the field for lot number. A new project under way to capture vaccine product information, expiration date, and lot number on two-dimensional (2D) barcodes on vaccine vials might increase completeness, accuracy, and availability of these data elements in patient medical records and IIS, which in turn might enhance vaccine safety and support vaccine inventory management.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Study the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Relapsing and Progressive MS

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-10-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-15-1-0654 TITLE: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Study the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Relapsing and Progressive MS...valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. 1. REPORT DATE Oct 2017 2. REPORT TYPE Annual 3. DATES COVERED 30...Multidisciplinary Approach to Study the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Relapsing and Progressive MS 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Study the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Relapsing and Progressive MS

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-15-1-0653 TITLE: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Study the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Relapsing and Progressive MS...Approach to Study the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Relapsing and Progressive MS 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e...compare the gut microbiome of subjects with RMS and PPMS. Major Task 1: To seek and obtain HRPO approval Major Task 2: Identification and

Increasing rates of people identifying as transgender presenting to Endocrine Services in the Wellington region.

PubMed

Delahunt, John W; Denison, Hayley J; Sim, Dalice A; Bullock, Jemima J; Krebs, Jeremy D

2018-01-19

Overseas clinics specialising in management of transgender people have noted a marked increase in the numbers of people requesting therapy in the last few years. No data has been presented for New Zealand. We therefore reviewed the number of transgender people seen in the Wellington Endocrine Service to assess if the pattern was similar and assess any potential problems for service delivery. Using hospital records, we reviewed the new appointments of people who were referred for advice on gender reassignment and seen in the Wellington Endocrine Service from 1990 to 2016. In total, 438 people who identified as transgender attended the clinic at least once in this period. There has been a progressive increase in number of people identifying as transgender presenting to the clinic, particularly since 2010. In addition to increasing overall numbers, there has been in particular increase in referrals for people under age 30, as well as an increasing proportion of people requesting female-to-male (FtM) therapy so that it is now approaching the number of people requesting male-to-female therapy (MtF). The pattern observed is comparable to changes reported overseas. These changes have practical consequences for the delivery of both secondary and primary level healthcare, requiring an increased focus on clinical coordination between the relevant medical services and their links to the primary services sector.

Aberrant methylation accounts for cell adhesion-related gene silencing during 3-methylcholanthrene and diethylnitrosamine induced multistep rat lung carcinogenesis associated with overexpression of DNA methyltransferases 1 and 3a

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu Wenbin; Cui Zhihong; Ao Lin

To evaluate the significance of alterations in cell adhesion-related genes methylation during lung multistep carcinogenesis induced by the genotoxic carcinogens 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) and diethylnitrosamine (DEN), tissue samples microdissected from MCA/DEN-induced rat lung carcinogenesis model were subjected to methylation-specific PCR to evaluate the DNA methylation status of CADM1, TIMP3, E-cadherin and N-cadherin. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine protein expression of CADM1, TIMP3, N-cadherin and the DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) 1, 3a and 3b. E-cadherin hypermethylation was not detected in any tissue. CADM1, TIMP3 and N-cadherin hypermethylation was correlated with the loss of their protein expression during the progression of pathologic lesions. Themore » prevalence of DNA methylation of at least one gene and the average number of methylated genes increased with the histological progression. DNMT1 and DNMT3a protein expression increased progressively during the stages of lung carcinogenesis, whereas DNMT3b overexpression was only found in several samples. Furthermore, DNMT1 protein expression levels were correlated with CADM1 methylation, and DNMT3a protein expression levels were correlated with CADM1, TIMP3 and N-cadherin methylation. The average number of methylated genes during carcinogenesis was significantly correlated with DNMT1 and DNMT3a protein expression levels. Moreover, mRNA expression of CADM1 significantly increased after treatment with DNMT inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine in CADM1-methylated primary tumor cell lines. Our findings suggest that an accumulation of hypermethylation accounts for cell adhesion-related gene silencing is associated with dynamic changes in the progression of MCA/DEN-induced rat lung carcinogenesis. We suggest that DNMT1 and DNMT3a protein overexpression may be responsible for this aberrant DNA methylation.« less

Predictors of Progression From the Appearance of Islet Autoantibodies to Early Childhood Diabetes: The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY).

PubMed

Steck, Andrea K; Vehik, Kendra; Bonifacio, Ezio; Lernmark, Ake; Ziegler, Anette-G; Hagopian, William A; She, JinXiong; Simell, Olli; Akolkar, Beena; Krischer, Jeffrey; Schatz, Desmond; Rewers, Marian J

2015-05-01

While it is known that there is progression to diabetes in <10 years in 70% of children with two or more islet autoantibodies, predictors of the progression to diabetes are only partially defined. The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study has observed 8,503 children who were at increased genetic risk for autoimmune diabetes. Insulin autoantibodies (IAAs), GAD65 autoantibodies (GADAs), and insulinoma-associated protein 2 autoantibodies (IA-2As) were measured every 3 months until 4 years of age and every 6 months thereafter; if results were positive, the autoantibodies were measured every 3 months. Life table analysis revealed that the cumulative incidence of diabetes by 5 years since the appearance of the first autoantibody differed significantly by the number of positive autoantibodies (47%, 36%, and 11%, respectively, in those with three autoantibodies, two autoantibodies, and one autoantibody, P < 0.001). In time-varying survival models adjusted for first-degree relative status, number of autoantibodies, age at first persistent confirmed autoantibodies, and HLA genotypes, higher mean IAA and IA-2A levels were associated with an increased risk of type 1 diabetes in children who were persistently autoantibody positive (IAAs: hazard ratio [HR] 8.1 [95% CI 4.6-14.2]; IA-2A: HR 7.4 [95% CI 4.3-12.6]; P < 0.0001]). The mean GADA level did not significantly affect the risk of diabetes. In the TEDDY study, children who have progressed to diabetes usually expressed two or more autoantibodies. Higher IAA and IA-2A levels, but not GADA levels, increased the risk of diabetes in those children who were persistently autoantibody positive. © 2015 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.

Crackle Pitch Rises Progressively during Inspiration in Pneumonia, CHF, and IPF Patients.

PubMed

Vyshedskiy, Andrey; Murphy, Raymond

2012-01-01

Objective. It is generally accepted that crackles are due to sudden opening of airways and that larger airways produce crackles of lower pitch than smaller airways do. As larger airways are likely to open earlier in inspiration than smaller airways and the reverse is likely to be true in expiration, we studied crackle pitch as a function of crackle timing in inspiration and expiration. Our goal was to see if the measurement of crackle pitch was consistent with this theory. Methods. Patients with a significant number of crackles were examined using a multichannel lung sound analyzer. These patients included 34 with pneumonia, 38 with heart failure, and 28 with interstitial fibrosis. Results. Crackle pitch progressively increased during inspirations in 79% of all patients. In these patients crackle pitch increased by approximately 40 Hz from the early to midinspiration and by another 40 Hz from mid to late-inspiration. In 10% of patients, crackle pitch did not change and in 11% of patients crackle pitch decreased. During expiration crackle pitch progressively decreased in 72% of patients and did not change in 28% of patients. Conclusion. In the majority of patients, we observed progressive crackle pitch increase during inspiration and decrease during expiration. Increased crackle pitch at larger lung volumes is likely a result of recruitment of smaller diameter airways. An alternate explanation is that crackle pitch may be influenced by airway tension that increases at greater lung volume. In any case improved understanding of the mechanism of production of these common lung sounds may help improve our understanding of pathophysiology of these disorders.

Recurrence in truncated Boussinesq models for nonlinear waves in shallow water

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elgar, Steve; Freilich, M. H.; Guza, R. T.

1990-01-01

The rapid spatial recurrence of weakly nonlinear and weakly dispersive progressive shallow-water waves is examined using a numerical integration technique on the discretized and truncated form of the Boussinesq equations. This study primarily examines recurrence in wave fields with Ursell number O(1) and characterizes the sensitivity of recurrence to initial spectral shape and number of allowed frequency modes. It is shown that the rapid spatial recurrence is not an inherent property of the considered Boussinesq systems for evolution distances of 10-50 wavelengths. The main result of the study is that highly truncated Boussinesq models of resonant shallow-water ocean surface gravity waves predict rapid multiple recurrence cycles, but that this is an artifact dependent on the number of allowed modes. For initial conditions consisting of essentially all energy concentrated in a single mode, damping of the recurrence cycles increases as the number of low-power background modes increases. When more than 32 modes are allowed, the recurrence behavior is relatively insensitive to the number of allowed modes.

The effect of preexisting respiratory co-morbidities on burn outcomes☆

PubMed Central

Knowlin, Laquanda T.; Stanford, Lindsay B.; Cairns, Bruce A.; Charles, Anthony G.

2018-01-01

Introduction Burns cause physiologic changes in multiple organ systems in the body. Burn mortality is usually attributable to pulmonary complications, which can occur in up to 41% of patients admitted to the hospital after burn. Patients with preexisting comorbidities such as chronic lung diseases may be more susceptible. We therefore sought to examine the impact of preexisting respiratory disease on burn outcomes. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients admitted to a regional burn center from 2002–2012. Independent variables analyzed included basic demographics, burn mechanism, presence of inhalation injury, TBSA, pre-existing comorbidities, smoker status, length of hospital stay, and days of mechanical ventilation. Bivariate analysis was performed and Cox regression modeling using significant variables was utilized to estimate hazard of progression to mechanical ventilation and mortality. Results There were a total of 7640 patients over the study period. Overall survival rate was 96%. 8% (n=672) had a preexisting respiratory disease. Chronic lung disease patients had a higher mortality rate (7%) compared to those without lung disease (4%, p<0.01). The adjusted Cox regression model to estimate the hazard of progression to mechanical ventilation in patients with respiratory disease was 21% higher compared to those without respiratory disease (HR=1.21, 95% CI=1.01–1.44). The hazard of progression to mortality is 56% higher (HR=1.56, 95% CI=1.10–2.19) for patients with pre-existing respiratory disease compared to those without respiratory disease after controlling for patient demographics and injury characteristics. Conclusion Preexisting chronic respiratory disease significantly increases the hazard of progression to mechanical ventilation and mortality in patients following burn. Given the increasing number of Americans with chronic respiratory diseases, there will likely be a greater number of individuals at risk for worse outcomes following burn. PMID:28341260

The effect of preexisting respiratory co-morbidities on burn outcomes.

PubMed

Knowlin, Laquanda T; Stanford, Lindsay B; Cairns, Bruce A; Charles, Anthony G

2017-03-01

Burns cause physiologic changes in multiple organ systems in the body. Burn mortality is usually attributable to pulmonary complications, which can occur in up to 41% of patients admitted to the hospital after burn. Patients with preexisting comorbidities such as chronic lung diseases may be more susceptible. We therefore sought to examine the impact of preexisting respiratory disease on burn outcomes. A retrospective analysis of patients admitted to a regional burn center from 2002-2012. Independent variables analyzed included basic demographics, burn mechanism, presence of inhalation injury, TBSA, pre-existing comorbidities, smoker status, length of hospital stay, and days of mechanical ventilation. Bivariate analysis was performed and Cox regression modeling using significant variables was utilized to estimate hazard of progression to mechanical ventilation and mortality. There were a total of 7640 patients over the study period. Overall survival rate was 96%. 8% (n=672) had a preexisting respiratory disease. Chronic lung disease patients had a higher mortality rate (7%) compared to those without lung disease (4%, p<0.01). The adjusted Cox regression model to estimate the hazard of progression to mechanical ventilation in patients with respiratory disease was 21% higher compared to those without respiratory disease (HR=1.21, 95% CI=1.01-1.44). The hazard of progression to mortality is 56% higher (HR=1.56, 95% CI=1.10-2.19) for patients with pre-existing respiratory disease compared to those without respiratory disease after controlling for patient demographics and injury characteristics. Preexisting chronic respiratory disease significantly increases the hazard of progression to mechanical ventilation and mortality in patients following burn. Given the increasing number of Americans with chronic respiratory diseases, there will likely be a greater number of individuals at risk for worse outcomes following burn. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

Black Raspberries Enhance Natural Killer Cell Infiltration into the Colon and Suppress the Progression of Colorectal Cancer

PubMed Central

Pan, Pan; Kang, Siwen; Wang, Youwei; Liu, Ka; Oshima, Kiyoko; Huang, Yi-Wen; Zhang, Jianying; Yearsley, Martha; Yu, Jianhua; Wang, Li-Shu

2017-01-01

Natural killer (NK) cells are an essential component of innate immunity against cancer development. Many studies have been conducted to evaluate immune-modulating effects using dietary compounds. Our laboratory has been investigating the chemopreventive potential of black raspberries (BRBs) and previously demonstrated their beneficial modulation of genetic and epigenetic biomarkers in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The current study investigated their potential on modulating NK cells. To avoid the excessive inflammation caused by the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) treatment that leads to colitis, we treated the mice with overnight DSS so that it would slightly irritate the colon but still promote colon carcinogenesis with 100% incidence in both the ApcMin/+ mice and azoxymethane (AOM)-treated mice. A significant decrease of tissue-infiltrating NK cells along the progression of microadenoma-to-adenoma and adenoma-to-adenocarcinoma was observed in the ApcMin/+/DSS and AOM/DSS mice, respectively. Depletion of NK cells significantly promoted the development of CRC, suggesting a critical role of NK cells in combating CRC progression. BRBs significantly suppressed the CRC progression and increased the number of tissue-infiltrating NK cells in both mouse models. Moreover, we further determined BRBs’ effects on NK cells in the human biopsy specimens collected from our previously completed clinical trial, in which CRC patients consumed BRBs for an average of 4 weeks during a presurgical window. We observed an increased number and an enhanced cytotoxicity of NK cells by BRB intervention. The current study provides evidence that BRBs have the potential to enhance the tumor immunesurveillance of NK cells that can be beneficial in the setting of CRC prevention and treatment. PMID:28861089

CD163 as a marker of M2 macrophage, contribute to predicte aggressiveness and prognosis of Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Hu, Jian Ming; Liu, Kai; Liu, Ji Hong; Jiang, Xian Li; Wang, Xue Li; Chen, Yun Zhao; Li, Shu Gang; Zou, Hong; Pang, Li Juan; Liu, Chun Xia; Cui, Xiao Bin; Yang, Lan; Zhao, Jin; Shen, Xi Hua; Jiang, Jin Fang; Liang, Wei Hua; Yuan, Xiang Lin; Li, Feng

2017-03-28

M2 macrophages was domesticated by tumor microenvironment to produce some angiogenic molecules and protease, facilitating angiogenesis and matrix breakdown, promoting tumor invasive and metastasis. However, The function of M2 macrophages to progression of eophageal carcinoma, especially Kazakh esophageal carcinoma is still dimness. This study aims to investigate M2 macrophages correlated with matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) and microvessel density, and the role in the progression of Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. CD163 and CD34 as the marker of M2 macrophages and endothelial cells, were used to identify the M2 macrophages density and microvessel density, respectively. Immunohistochemistry staining was evaluated the expression of MMP9. The number of infiltrated CD163-positive M2 macrophages in tumor islets and stroma was significantly higher than in cancer adjacent normal tissues. The increased of M2 macrophages and microvessel density were significantly correlated with more malignant phenotypes including lymph node metastasis and clinical stage progression. Meanwhile, the expression of MMP9 showed much higher level in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma than that in cancer adjacent normal tissues, and high expression of MMP9 in Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was significantly associated with age, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and tumor clinical stage. The quantity of M2 macrophages in tumor stroma was positively associated with microvessel density and the expression of MMP9, and as an independent poorly prognostic factor for overall survival time of Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. These findings suggest the increased number of M2 macrophages correlated with high expression of MMP9 and high microvessel density may contribute to the tumor aggressiveness and angiogenesis, promoting the progression of Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Transmission and Progression to Disease of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Phylogenetic Lineages in The Netherlands.

PubMed

Nebenzahl-Guimaraes, Hanna; Verhagen, Lilly M; Borgdorff, Martien W; van Soolingen, Dick

2015-10-01

The aim of this study was to determine if mycobacterial lineages affect infection risk, clustering, and disease progression among Mycobacterium tuberculosis cases in The Netherlands. Multivariate negative binomial regression models adjusted for patient-related factors and stratified by patient ethnicity were used to determine the association between phylogenetic lineages and infectivity (mean number of positive contacts around each patient) and clustering (as defined by number of secondary cases within 2 years after diagnosis of an index case sharing the same fingerprint) indices. An estimate of progression to disease by each risk factor was calculated as a bootstrapped risk ratio of the clustering index by the infectivity index. Compared to the Euro-American reference, Mycobacterium africanum showed significantly lower infectivity and clustering indices in the foreign-born population, while Mycobacterium bovis showed significantly lower infectivity and clustering indices in the native population. Significantly lower infectivity was also observed for the East African Indian lineage in the foreign-born population. Smear positivity was a significant risk factor for increased infectivity and increased clustering. Estimates of progression to disease were significantly associated with age, sputum-smear status, and behavioral risk factors, such as alcohol and intravenous drug abuse, but not with phylogenetic lineages. In conclusion, we found evidence of a bacteriological factor influencing indicators of a strain's transmissibility, namely, a decreased ability to infect and a lower clustering index in ancient phylogenetic lineages compared to their modern counterparts. Confirmation of these findings via follow-up studies using tuberculin skin test conversion data should have important implications on M. tuberculosis control efforts. Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Psychosocial Factors Are Associated With Blood Pressure Progression Among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Study

PubMed Central

Sims, Mario; Higginbotham, John C.; Crowther, Martha R.; Wyatt, Sharon B.; Musani, Solomon K.; Payne, Thomas J.; Fox, Ervin R.; Parton, Jason M.

2016-01-01

BACKGROUND Research that examines the associations of psychosocial factors with incident hypertension among African Americans (AA) is limited. Using Jackson Heart Study (JHS) data, we examined associations of negative affect and stress with incident hypertension and blood pressure (BP) progression among AA. METHODS Our sample consisted of 1,656 normotensive participants at baseline (2000–2004) (mean age 47±12; 61% women). We investigated associations of negative affect (cynical distrust, anger-in, anger-out, and depressive symptoms) and stress (perceived stress, weekly stress inventory (WSI)-event, WSI-impact, and major life events) with BP progression (an increase by one BP stage as defined by JNC VII) and incident hypertension by examination 2 (2005–2008). Poisson regression analysis was utilized to examine the prevalence ratios (PRs; 95% confidence interval (CI)) of BP tracking and incident hypertension with psychosocial factors, adjusting for baseline age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES), and hypertension risk factors. RESULTS Fifty-six percentage of the sample (922 cases) had BP progression from 2005 to 2008. After adjustment for age, sex, and SES, a high anger-out score was associated with a 20% increased risk of BP progression compared to a low anger-out score (PR 1.20; 95% CI 1.05–1.36). High depressive symptoms score was associated with BP progression in the age, sex, and SES-adjusted model (PR 1.14; 95% CI 1.00–1.30). High WSI-event scores were associated with BP progression in the fully adjusted model (PR 1.21; 95% CI 1.04–1.40). We did not observe significant associations with any of the psychosocial measures and incident hypertension. CONCLUSIONS Psychosocial factors were associated with BP progression, with the strongest evidence for number of stressful events that occurred. PMID:26964661

Trefoil factors: Tumor progression markers and mitogens via EGFR/MAPK activation in cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Kosriwong, Kanuengnuch; Menheniott, Trevelyan R; Giraud, Andrew S; Jearanaikoon, Patcharee; Sripa, Banchob; Limpaiboon, Temduang

2011-01-01

AIM: To investigate trefoil factor (TFF) gene copy number, mRNA and protein expression as potential biomarkers in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). METHODS: TFF mRNA levels, gene copy number and protein expression were determined respectively by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry in bile duct epithelium biopsies collected from individuals with CCA, precancerous bile duct dysplasia and from disease-free controls. The functional impact of recombinant human (rh)TFF2 peptide treatment on proliferation and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling was assessed in the CCA cell line, KMBC, by viable cell counting and immunoblotting, respectively. RESULTS: TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3 mRNA expression was significantly increased in CCA tissue compared to disease-free controls, and was unrelated to gene copy number. TFF1 immunoreactivity was strongly increased in both dysplasia and CCA, whereas TFF2 immunoreactivity was increased only in CCA compared to disease-free controls. By contrast, TFF3 immunoreactivity was moderately decreased in dysplasia and further decreased in CCA. Kaplan-Meier analysis found no association of TFF mRNA, protein and copy number with age, gender, histological subtype, and patient survival time. Treatment of KMBC cells with rhTFF2 stimulated proliferation, triggered phosphorylation of EGFR and downstream extracellular signal related kinase (ERK), whereas co-incubation with the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, PD153035, blocked rhTFF2-dependent proliferation and EGFR/ERK responses. CONCLUSION: TFF mRNA/protein expression is indicative of CCA tumor progression, but not predictive for histological sub-type or survival time. TFF2 is mitogenic in CCA via EGFR/MAPK activation. PMID:21472131

Baseline kidney function as predictor of mortality and kidney disease progression in HIV-positive patients.

PubMed

Ibrahim, Fowzia; Hamzah, Lisa; Jones, Rachael; Nitsch, Dorothea; Sabin, Caroline; Post, Frank A

2012-10-01

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased all-cause mortality and kidney disease progression. Decreased kidney function at baseline may identify human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients at increased risk of death and kidney disease progression. Observational cohort study. 7 large HIV cohorts in the United Kingdom with kidney function data available for 20,132 patients. Baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Death and progression to stages 4-5 CKD (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m(2) for >3 months) in Cox proportional hazards and competing-risk regression models. Median age at baseline was 34 (25th-75th percentile, 30-40) years, median CD4 cell count was 350 (25th-75th percentile, 208-520) cells/μL, and median eGFR was 100 (25th-75th percentile, 87-112) mL/min/1.73 m(2). Patients were followed up for a median of 5.3 (25th-75th percentile, 2.0-8.9) years, during which 1,820 died and 56 progressed to stages 4-5 CKD. A U-shaped relationship between baseline eGFR and mortality was observed. After adjustment for potential confounders, eGFRs <45 and >105 mL/min/1.73 m(2) remained associated significantly with increased risk of death. Baseline eGFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m(2) was associated with increased risk of kidney disease progression, with the highest incidence rates of stages 4-5 CKD (>3 events/100 person-years) observed in black patients with eGFR of 30-59 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and those of white/other ethnicity with eGFR of 30-44 mL/min/1.73 m(2). The relatively small numbers of patients with decreased eGFR at baseline and low rates of progression to stages 4-5 CKD and lack of data for diabetes, hypertension, and proteinuria. Although stages 4-5 CKD were uncommon in this cohort, baseline eGFR allowed the identification of patients at increased risk of death and at greatest risk of kidney disease progression. Copyright © 2012 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Response to Intervention within Tier 3: A Model for Data Teams

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sgouros, Ilana; Walsh, Karen

2012-01-01

There is increasing evidence that a significant number of children in America are not learning important basic reading skills. Response to intervention (RTI) for support in reading is appropriate, but what does a school district do about students who are in Tier 3 and not making progress? Teachers and psychologists at the Special School District…

The Wage Gap and Comparable Worth.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, James P.

The typical working woman is thought to make 60% of a man's wage, despite increased job skills. Facts prove this perception incorrect. Lack of progress is an artifact of changing labor market characteristics associated with the rapid growth in the numbers of women in the labor market. Low skills, low wage female entrants tend to hold down the…

Mental Health Nursing Practicum: Student and Mentor Perspectives on Stress and Satisfaction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gelabert-Vilella, Sandra; Bonmati-Tomàs, Anna; Bosch-Farré, Cristina; Malagón-Aguilera, M. Carmen; Fuentes-Pumarola, Concepció; Ballester-Ferrando, David

2014-01-01

Nursing students begin to complete practicum experiences during their first year, increasing the number of applied credits as they progress toward degree completion. This contributes to integrating knowledge and skills from all of their courses and to obtaining the basic competencies of the nursing profession. It is also essential to identify the…

FY2015 Vehicle Systems Annual Progress Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None, None

The Vehicle Systems research and development (R&D) subprogram within the DOE Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) provides support and guidance for many cutting-edge automotive technologies under development. Research focuses on addressing critical barriers to advancing light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle systems to help maximize the number of electric miles driven and increase the energy efficiency of transportation vehicles.

NCLB's Ultimate Restructuring Alternatives: Do They Improve the Quality of Education?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mathis, William J.

2009-01-01

Across the nation, the final stage of school restructuring is being reached by an inexorably increasing number of schools. Under the No Child Left Behind law, if a school does not make its adequate yearly progress targets after four previous years of being "in need of improvement," it must implement a fundamental restructuring plan. The…

7 CFR 457.128 - Guaranteed production plan of fresh market tomato crop insurance provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... before any damage occurs. Potential production. The number of cartons per acre of mature green or ripe... Basic Provisions (§ 457.8), practical to replant is defined as our determination, after loss or damage... all other types. (b) The production guarantees per acre are progressive by stages and increase at...

7 CFR 457.128 - Guaranteed production plan of fresh market tomato crop insurance provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... before any damage occurs. Potential production. The number of cartons per acre of mature green or ripe... Basic Provisions (§ 457.8), practical to replant is defined as our determination, after loss or damage... all other types. (b) The production guarantees per acre are progressive by stages and increase at...

7 CFR 457.128 - Guaranteed production plan of fresh market tomato crop insurance provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... before any damage occurs. Potential production. The number of cartons per acre of mature green or ripe... Basic Provisions (§ 457.8), practical to replant is defined as our determination, after loss or damage... all other types. (b) The production guarantees per acre are progressive by stages and increase at...

Tracing Sustainability: An International Comparison of ESD Implementation into Lower Secondary Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bagoly-Simó, Péter

2013-01-01

With the progress of the DESD, increasing numbers of researchers have been developing indicators to effectively measure the implementation of ESD in formal, informal and non-formal education. This paper aims to measure the implementation of ESD in secondary school curricula in three countries carrying the fingerprints of a developed (Germany),…

Professional Carers' Experiences of Caring for Individuals with Intellectual Disability and Dementia: A Review of the Literature

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cleary, Josephine; Doody, Owen

2017-01-01

The number of people with intellectual disability living into old age and developing dementia continues to increase. Dementia presents a wide range of challenges for staff due to progressive deterioration. This article presents the findings from a narrative literature review of professional caregivers' experiences of caring for individuals with…

76 FR 4322 - Charter Schools Program (CSP); Office of Innovation and Improvement; Overview Information...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-25

... to 8 points). The State has demonstrated progress in increasing the number of high-quality charter... the LEA implementing a restructuring plan under section 1116(b)(8) of the ESEA; or (2) the creation of... reopens a school under a charter school operator, a charter management organization, or an education...

Importance of being indexed in important databases--effect on the quantity of published articles in JBUON.

PubMed

Vuckovic-Dekic, Ljiljana; Gavrilovic, Dusica

2016-01-01

To investigate the dynamics of indexing the Journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology (JBUON) in important biomedical databases, the effects on the quantity and type of published articles, and also the countries of the (co)authors of these papers. The process of the JBUON indexing started with EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, followed in 2006 (PUBMED/MEDLINE) and continued every second year in other important biomedical databases, until 2012 when JBUON became Open Access Journal (for even more information please visit www.jbuon.com). Including the next two years for monitoring the effect of the last indexing, we analyzed 9 volumes consisting of 36 issues that were published from January 2006 to December 2014, with regard to the number and category of articles, the contribution of authors from Balkan and non-Balkan countries, and the (co)authorship in the published articles. In the period 2006-2014, 1165 articles of different categories were published in J BUON. The indexing progress of JBUON immediately increased the submission rate, and enlarged the number of publications, original papers in particular, in every volume of JBUON. Authors from Balkan countries contributed in 80.7% of all articles. The average number of coauthors per original article grew slowly and was higher at the end of the investigated period than at the start (6.6 and 5.8, respectively). The progressing covering of JBUON in important biomedical databases and its visibility on international level attracted the attention of a large readership, and submission rate and the number of published articles grew significantly, particularly the number of original papers. This is the most important consequence of the editorial policy which will hopefully lead to even more progress of JBUON in the near future.

The development of a relevant and comprehensive research agenda to improve Hispanic health.

PubMed Central

Marin, G; Amaro, H; Eisenberg, C; Opava-Stitzer, S

1993-01-01

The development of an appropriate research agenda for Hispanics requires progress in three areas: (a) developing an appropriate research infrastructure, (b) increasing the availability of appropriate research instrumentation, and (c) identifying and assigning priority areas. In addition, a Latino health research agenda must identify mechanisms for increasing the number of trained Hispanic researchers and the number of Latino professional staff members at the Department of Health and Human Services. It is recommended that an Office of Hispanic Health be established within the Office of Minority Health at the Department to oversee the implementation of the recommendations made as part of the Surgeon General's National Hispanic Health Initiative. PMID:8416112

Predicting Disease Progression in Scleroderma with Skin and Blood Biomarkers

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-13-1-0452 TITLE: Predicting Disease Progression in Scleroderma with Skin...Annual 3. DATES COVERED 23Sep 2013 – 22 Sep 2014 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Predicting Disease Progression in...Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis, SSc) is a chronic, incurable autoimmune disease associated with high morbidity and mortality primarily due to SSc-lung

Inflammation in Lafora Disease: Evolution with Disease Progression in Laforin and Malin Knock-out Mouse Models.

PubMed

López-González, Irene; Viana, Rosa; Sanz, Pascual; Ferrer, Isidre

2017-07-01

Lafora progressive myoclonus epilepsy (Lafora disease, LD) is a fatal rare autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of insoluble ubiquitinated polyglucosan inclusions in the cytoplasm of neurons, which is most commonly associated with mutations in two genes: EPM2A, encoding the glucan phosphatase laforin, and EPM2B, encoding the E3-ubiquitin ligase malin. The present study analyzes possible inflammatory responses in the mouse lines Epm2a -/- (laforin knock-out) and Epm2b -/- (malin knock-out) with disease progression. Increased numbers of reactive astrocytes (expressing the GFAP marker) and microglia (expressing the Iba1 marker) together with increased expression of genes encoding cytokines and mediators of the inflammatory response occur in both mouse lines although with marked genotype differences. C3ar1 and CxCl10 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are significantly increased in Epm2a -/- mice aged 12 months when compared with age-matched controls, whereas C3ar1, C4b, Ccl4, CxCl10, Il1b, Il6, Tnfα, and Il10ra mRNAs are significantly upregulated in Epm2b -/- at the same age. This is accompanied by increased protein levels of IL1-β, IL6, TNFα, and Cox2 particularly in Epm2b -/- mice. The severity of inflammatory changes correlates with more severe clinical symptoms previously described in Epm2b -/- mice. These findings show for the first time increased innate inflammatory responses in a neurodegenerative disease with polyglucosan intraneuronal deposits which increase with disease progression, in a way similar to what is seen in neurodegenerative diseases with abnormal protein aggregates. These findings also point to the possibility of using anti-inflammatory agents to mitigate the degenerative process in LD.

Review of meta-analyses evaluating surrogate endpoints for overall survival in oncology

PubMed Central

Sherrill, Beth; Kaye, James A; Sandin, Rickard; Cappelleri, Joseph C; Chen, Connie

2012-01-01

Overall survival (OS) is the gold standard in measuring the treatment effect of new drug therapies for cancer. However, practical factors may preclude the collection of unconfounded OS data, and surrogate endpoints are often used instead. Meta-analyses have been widely used for the validation of surrogate endpoints, specifically in oncology. This research reviewed published meta-analyses on the types of surrogate measures used in oncology studies and examined the extent of correlation between surrogate endpoints and OS for different cancer types. A search was conducted in October 2010 to compile available published evidence in the English language for the validation of disease progression-related endpoints as surrogates of OS, based on meta-analyses. We summarize published meta-analyses that quantified the correlation between progression-based endpoints and OS for multiple advanced solid-tumor types. We also discuss issues that affect the interpretation of these findings. Progression-free survival is the most commonly used surrogate measure in studies of advanced solid tumors, and correlation with OS is reported for a limited number of cancer types. Given the increased use of crossover in trials and the availability of second-/third-line treatment options available to patients after progression, it will become increasingly more difficult to establish correlation between effects on progression-free survival and OS in additional tumor types. PMID:23109809

Chapter 27 -- Breast Cancer Genomics, Section VI, Pathology and Biological Markers of Invasive Breast Cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Spellman, Paul T.; Heiser, Laura; Gray, Joe W.

2009-06-18

Breast cancer is predominantly a disease of the genome with cancers arising and progressing through accumulation of aberrations that alter the genome - by changing DNA sequence, copy number, and structure in ways that that contribute to diverse aspects of cancer pathophysiology. Classic examples of genomic events that contribute to breast cancer pathophysiology include inherited mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, and CHK2 that contribute to the initiation of breast cancer, amplification of ERBB2 (formerly HER2) and mutations of elements of the PI3-kinase pathway that activate aspects of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling and deletion of CDKN2A/B that contributes tomore » cell cycle deregulation and genome instability. It is now apparent that accumulation of these aberrations is a time-dependent process that accelerates with age. Although American women living to an age of 85 have a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer, the incidence of cancer in women younger than 30 years is uncommon. This is consistent with a multistep cancer progression model whereby mutation and selection drive the tumor's development, analogous to traditional Darwinian evolution. In the case of cancer, the driving events are changes in sequence, copy number, and structure of DNA and alterations in chromatin structure or other epigenetic marks. Our understanding of the genetic, genomic, and epigenomic events that influence the development and progression of breast cancer is increasing at a remarkable rate through application of powerful analysis tools that enable genome-wide analysis of DNA sequence and structure, copy number, allelic loss, and epigenomic modification. Application of these techniques to elucidation of the nature and timing of these events is enriching our understanding of mechanisms that increase breast cancer susceptibility, enable tumor initiation and progression to metastatic disease, and determine therapeutic response or resistance. These studies also reveal the molecular differences between cancer and normal that may be exploited to therapeutic benefit or that provide targets for molecular assays that may enable early cancer detection, and predict individual disease progression or response to treatment. This chapter reviews current and future directions in genome analysis and summarizes studies that provide insights into breast cancer pathophysiology or that suggest strategies to improve breast cancer management.« less

Spontaneous and induced aneuploidy, considerations which may influence chromosome malsegregation.

PubMed

Parry, James M; Al-Obaidly, A; Al-Walhaib, M; Kayani, M; Nabeel, T; Strefford, J; Parry, E M

2002-07-25

Aneuploidy plays a major role in the production of human birth defects and is becoming increasingly recognised as a critical event in the etiology of a wide range of human cancers. Thus, the detection of aneuploidy and the characterisation of the mechanisms which lead to chromosome malsegregation is an important area of genotoxicological research. As an aid to aneuploidy research, methods have been developed to analyse the mechanisms of chromosome malsegregation and to investigate the role of aneuploidy in tumour progression. The presence of aneuploid cells is a common characteristic of many of tumour cell types as illustrated by the wide range of chromosome number changes detected in post-menopausal breast tumours. To investigate the time of occurrence of aneuploidy during tumour progression, we have studied the chromosome number status of Syrian hamster dermal (SHD) cells cultures progressing to morphological transformation. The production of both polyploid and aneuploid cells is a common feature of progressing cells in this model. The elevation of both progression to morphological transformation and aneuploid frequencies can be produced by exposure to a diverse range of carcinogens and tumour promoters. Analysis of the genotoxic activity of the hormone 17-beta oestradiol demonstrated its ability to induce both chromosome loss and non-disjunction in human lymphoblastoid cells implicating aneugenic activity in hormone related cancers. Mutations in the p53 tumour suppressor gene introduced into human fibroblasts produced modifications in chromosome separation at mitosis which may lead to the production of both aneuploidy and polyploid cells. Our studies indicate that the production of aneuploid cells can be influenced by both endogenous and exogenous factors and occur throughout the progression of normal cells to a malignant phenotype.

Assessment of professionalism: a consolidation of current thinking.

PubMed

Goldie, John

2013-01-01

Professionalism has become a hot topic in medical education. Professionalism needs to be assessed if it is to be viewed as both positive and relevant. The assessment of professionalism is an evolving field. This review aims to consolidate current thinking. Assessment of professionalism has progressed from an initial focus on the development and attainment of professional identity, through identifying areas of deficiency, to the attainment of a set of identifiable positive attributes and behaviours. It is now beginning to recognise the challenge of assessing a multi-dimensional construct, looking beyond the measurement of behaviour to embrace a diversity of approaches. Professionalism should be assessed longitudinally. It requires combinations of different approaches, assessing professionalism at individual, interpersonal and societal/institutional levels. Increasing the depth and the quality of reliability and validity of existing programmes in various contexts may be more appropriate than concentrating on developing new instruments. Increasing the number of tests and the number of relevant contexts will increase the reliability of the result. Similarly increasing the number of observers increases reliability. Feedback, encouraging reflection, can promote change in behaviour and identity formation.

Mitochondrial DNA Mutations in Epithelial Ovarian Tumor Progression

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-01

of the author( s ) and should not be construed as an official Department of the Army position, policy or decision unless so designated by other...Epithelial Ovarian Tumor Progression 5b. GRANT NUMBER W81XWH-05-1-0054 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR( S ) Felix O. Aikhionbare, Ph.D. 5d...PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER E-Mail: faikhionbare@msm.edu 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME( S ) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8

Search for Genetic Modifiers of PSC: Time to Increase the Number of Needles in the Haystack.

PubMed

Krawczyk, Marcin; Lammert, Frank

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) belongs to the most obscure liver diseases. Patients with progressive PSC require liver transplantation as only therapeutic option. Previously several HLA- and non-HLA-associated PSC risk variants have been discovered, however their involvement in the development of PSC seems to be minor in comparison to environmental determinants. Lately, variant rs853974 at the RSPO3 gene locus has been shown to modulate the course of PSC. Here we briefly discuss the phenotypes related to this polymorphism and propose alternative directions of research that might help to identify new genetic modifiers of PSC progression.

Osthole induces apoptosis, suppresses cell-cycle progression and proliferation of cancer cells.

PubMed

Jarząb, Agata; Grabarska, Aneta; Kiełbus, Michał; Jeleniewicz, Witold; Dmoszyńska-Graniczka, Magdalena; Skalicka-Woźniak, Krystyna; Sieniawska, Elwira; Polberg, Krzysztof; Stepulak, Andrzej

2014-11-01

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of osthole on cell proliferation and viability, cell-cycle progression and induction of apoptosis in human laryngeal cancer RK33 and human medulloblastoma TE671 cell lines. Cell viability was measured by means of the MTT method and cell proliferation by the 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay. Cell-cycle progression was determined by flow cytometry, and induction of apoptosis by release of oligonucleosomes to the cytosol. The gene expression was estimated by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. High-performance counter-current chromatography (HPCCC) was applied for isolation of osthole from fruits of Mutellina purpurea. Osthole decreased proliferation and cell viability of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. The tested compound induced apoptosis, increased the cell numbers in G1 and decreased cell number in S/G2 phases of the cell cycle, differentially regulating CDKN1A and TP53 gene expression depending on cancer cell type. Osthole could be considered as a potential compound for cancer therapy and chemoprevention. Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Son Preference and Family Limitation in Pakistan: A Parity- and Contraceptive Method-Specific Analysis.

PubMed

Channon, Melanie Dawn

2017-09-01

Son preference exerts a strong influence over contraceptive and fertility decisions in many South Asian countries. In Pakistan, where fertility remains high and contraceptive use low, research on son preference has been limited. Data from Pakistan Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 1990-1991, 2006-2007 and 2012-2013 were used to examine potential indicators and outcomes of son preference. Descriptive analyses looked at sex composition preferences of men and women, as well as the sex ratio at last birth. Multivariate logistic regression analyses examined parity progression by birth order, while multinomial logistic regression was used to identify associations between sex composition and use of permanent, temporary and traditional contraceptive methods. Parity progression and choice of contraceptive method are increasingly associated with the sex composition of children. Many respondents wanted at least two sons, though most also wanted at least one daughter. Analyses suggest that the prevalence of modern contraceptive use among parous women would have been 19% higher in 2012-2013 in the absence of son preference. Permanent method use was extremely low among women with no sons and increased significantly with number of sons. The association between number of sons and use of temporary methods was weaker, while son preference had little relationship with traditional method use. The association of son preference with parity progression and modern contraceptive use has become stronger in Pakistan. Continuation of the fertility transition may be difficult unless the degrees of differential stopping behavior and differential contraceptive use decline.

Magnitude knowledge: the common core of numerical development.

PubMed

Siegler, Robert S

2016-05-01

The integrated theory of numerical development posits that a central theme of numerical development from infancy to adulthood is progressive broadening of the types and ranges of numbers whose magnitudes are accurately represented. The process includes four overlapping trends: (1) representing increasingly precisely the magnitudes of non-symbolic numbers, (2) connecting small symbolic numbers to their non-symbolic referents, (3) extending understanding from smaller to larger whole numbers, and (4) accurately representing the magnitudes of rational numbers. The present review identifies substantial commonalities, as well as differences, in these four aspects of numerical development. With both whole and rational numbers, numerical magnitude knowledge is concurrently correlated with, longitudinally predictive of, and causally related to multiple aspects of mathematical understanding, including arithmetic and overall math achievement. Moreover, interventions focused on increasing numerical magnitude knowledge often generalize to other aspects of mathematics. The cognitive processes of association and analogy seem to play especially large roles in this development. Thus, acquisition of numerical magnitude knowledge can be seen as the common core of numerical development. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

DNA Methylation as an Epigenetic Factor in the Development and Progression of Polycythemia Vera

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-11-01

in the Development and Progression of Polycythemia Vera PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jean-Pierre Issa, M.D. CONTRACTING...NUMBER DNA Methylation as an Epigenetic Factor in the Development and Progression of Polycythemia Vera 5b. GRANT NUMBER W81XWH-05-1-0535 5c...AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for Public Release; Distribution Unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT Polycythemia vera (PV

Two Point Space-Time Correlation of Density Fluctuations Measured in High Velocity Free Jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Panda, Jayanta

2006-01-01

Two-point space-time correlations of air density fluctuations in unheated, fully-expanded free jets at Mach numbers M(sub j) = 0.95, 1.4, and 1.8 were measured using a Rayleigh scattering based diagnostic technique. The molecular scattered light from two small probe volumes of 1.03 mm length was measured for a completely non-intrusive means of determining the turbulent density fluctuations. The time series of density fluctuations were analyzed to estimate the integral length scale L in a moving frame of reference and the convective Mach number M(sub c) at different narrow Strouhal frequency (St) bands. It was observed that M(sub c) and the normalized moving frame length scale L*St/D, where D is the jet diameter, increased with Strouhal frequency before leveling off at the highest resolved frequency. Significant differences were observed between data obtained from the lip shear layer and the centerline of the jet. The wave number frequency transform of the correlation data demonstrated progressive increase in the radiative part of turbulence fluctuations with increasing jet Mach number.

Selection and concentration of obstetric facilities in Japan: Longitudinal study based on national census data.

PubMed

Matsumoto, Masatoshi; Koike, Soichi; Matsubara, Shigeki; Kashima, Saori; Ide, Hiroo; Yasunaga, Hideo

2015-06-01

A shortage of obstetricians with increased workload is a social problem in Japan. In response, the government and professional bodies have accelerated the 'selection and concentration' of obstetric facilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the recent trend of selection and concentration. We used data on the number of deliveries and of obstetricians in each hospital and clinic in Japan, according to the Static Survey of Medical Institutions in 2005, 2008 and 2011. To evaluate the inter-facility equality of distribution of the number of deliveries, number of obstetricians and number of deliveries per obstetrician, Gini coefficients were calculated. The number of obstetric hospitals decreased by 20% and the number of deliveries per hospital increased by 26% between 2005 and 2011. Hospital obstetricians increased by 16% and the average number of obstetricians per hospital increased by 19% between 2008 and 2011. Gini coefficient of deliveries has significantly decreased. In contrast, Gini coefficient of deliveries per obstetrician has significantly increased. The degree of increase in obstetricians and of decrease in deliveries per obstetrician was largest at the hospitals with the highest proportion of cesarean sections. The proportion of obstetric hospitals with the optimal volume of deliveries and obstetricians, as defined by Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was 4% in 2008, and it had doubled to 8.1% 3 years later. The selection and concentration of obstetric facilities is progressing rapidly and effectively in Japan. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2014 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Genetic testing for hearing impairment.

PubMed

Topsakal, V; Van Camp, G; Van de Heyning, P

2005-01-01

For some patients, genetic testing can reveal the etiology of their hearing impairment, and can provide evidence for a medical diagnosis. However, a gap between fundamental genetic research on hereditary deafness and clinical otology emerges because of the steadily increasing number of discovered genes for hereditary hearing impairment (HHI) and the comparably low clinical differentiation of the HHIs. In an attempt to keep up with the scientific progress, this article enumerates the indications of genetic testing for HHI from a clinical point of view and describes the most frequently encountered HHIs in Belgium. Domains of recent scientific interest, molecular biological aspects, and some pitfalls with HHIs are highlighted. The overview comprises bilateral congenital hearing loss, late-onset progressive high frequency hearing loss, progressive bilateral cochleo-vestibular deficit, and progressive low frequency hearing loss. Also, several syndromal forms of HHI are summarized, and the availability of genetic tests mentioned. Finally, the requirements for successful linkage analysis, an important genetic research tool for localizing the potential genes of a trait on a chromosome, are briefly described.

[New markers of progression of chronic heart failure in patients with myocardial infarction, type 2 diabetes and obesity].

PubMed

Kravchun, P P; Kadykova, O I; Gabisonia, T N

2015-01-01

Currently identified a large number of biomarkers that are closely linked with the development of chronic heart failure, some of which are clusterin and fractalkine. Accordingly, the purpose of our study was - to evaluate the role of clusterin and fractalkine in progression of chronic heart failure in patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis, type 2 diabetes and obesity. We investigated 71 patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis, type 2 diabetes and obesity. All patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis, diabetes and obesity were divided into groups according to the functional class of chronic heart failure (CHF). It was found that an increase the level of fractalkine and reduced clusterin leads due to the development of systolic dysfunction and heart failure progression in patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Fractalkine and clusterin play an important role in progression of the heart failure in patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis, type 2 diabetes and obesity, and this gives them the right to be considered indicators of the severity of CHF.

Progression of Authorship of Scientific Articles in The Journal of Hand Surgery, 1985-2015.

PubMed

Gu, Alex; Almeida, Neil; Cohen, Jordan S; Peck, Kathryn M; Merrell, Gregory A

2017-04-01

For scientists, authorship is academic currency. Authorship characteristics have been studied in a subset of the surgical and medical literature, but trends in the specialty of hand surgery have not yet been investigated. Specifically, a longitudinal analysis of number, educational training, sex, and geographical origin of authors has not been conducted. We explored the progression of authorship of scientific articles in a leading hand surgery journal. We recorded number of authors, number of references, degrees, and sex of the first and senior authors as well as geographical origin of the corresponding author in The Journal of Hand Surgery in 1985, 1995, 2005, and 2015. All original work was analyzed. A total of 892 articles were reviewed. The mean number of authors per article increased significantly from 2.6 in 1985 to 3.9 in 2015 and the number of references increased significantly from 13.7 in 1985 to 22.6 in 2015. There was a significant increase in the proportion of first authors with an MD/PhD, PhD, master's or bachelor's degree since 1985. During that same time period, a decrease in the proportion of first authors who held solely an MD was seen. There was a significant increase in proportion of the number of last authors with an MD/PhD, PhD or Master's degree in that same time period. There has been significant growth in publications originating from the "Far East" and "Other" regions, with 4.2% and 5.0% of publications, respectively, in 1985 having increased to 10.3% and 7.4% of publications, respectively, in 2015. Female first authorship significantly increased over the study period from 7.9% in 1985 to 22.1% of publications in 2015. There has been a significant increase in number of authors per article in The Journal of Hand Surgery. Similar to other studies, we noted shifts in the degrees most commonly held by authors, an increase in references per article, and a greater representation of international authors in the hand surgery. In addition, the proportion of manuscripts written by female authors has increased in the past 30 years, with the largest increase occurring between 2005 and 2015. This manuscript strives to provide further insight into the changing characteristics of authors contributing to the hand surgery literature. With increased pressure to publish in academia, it is important to understand how publishing author characteristics have evolved over time. In addition, the published literature of a field could be considered one repository of the insights and advancements of the field. One would hope that the authors contributing to that literature are a deep and wide reflection of the people working in that field. Analyzing authorship is one way to assess the breadth and depth of contributions from the profession. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Exercise attenuates neuropathology and has greater benefit on cognitive than motor deficits in the R6/1 Huntington's disease mouse model.

PubMed

Harrison, David J; Busse, Monica; Openshaw, Rebecca; Rosser, Anne E; Dunnett, Stephen B; Brooks, Simon P

2013-10-01

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a mutation within the huntingtin gene that induces degeneration within the striatal nuclei, progressing to widespread brain atrophy and death. The neurodegeneration produces symptoms that reflect a corticostriatal disconnection syndrome involving motor, cognitive and psychiatric disturbance. Environmental enrichment has been demonstrated to be beneficial to patients with neurological disorders, with exercise being central to this effect. Rodent studies have confirmed exercise-induced neurogenesis and increased growth factor levels in the brain and improved behavioural function. The present study sought to determine whether an extended regime of exercise could retard disease progression in the R6/1 mouse model of HD. The study was designed specifically with a translational focus, selecting behavioural assessments with high clinical predictive validity. We found that exercise improved gait function in both control and HD mice and selectively improved performance in the R6/1 mice on a motor coordination aspect of the balance beam task. Exercise also retarded the progression of cognitive dysfunction on water T-maze procedural and reversal learning probes presented serially to probe cognitive flexibility. In addition, exercise reduced striatal neuron loss in the R6/1 mice but increased striatal neuronal intra-nuclear inclusion size and number relative to non-exercised R6/1 mice which demonstrated increased numbers of extra-neuronal inclusions, suggesting that the functional effects were striatally mediated. These results confirm and extend those from previous studies that demonstrate that HD may be amenable to exercise-mediated therapeutics, but suggest that the impact of such interventions may be primarily cognitive. © 2013.

Does the number of veins ligated during varicococele surgery influence post-operative semen and hormone results?

PubMed

Majzoub, A; Elbardisi, H; Arafa, M; Agarwal, A; Al Said, S; Al Rumaihi, K

2016-09-01

Varicocele is a well-established cause of male subfertility, which is directly proportional to its clinical grade. Although newer ultrasonic grading systems have taken into account the existence of pampiniform venous plexi, little is known about the clinical significance of the number of veins ligated during surgery. Very few undersized studies reported an influence which triggered the need to evaluate such association. This is a retrospective study of 378 patients who underwent left microsurgical subinguinal varicocoelectomy. Semen analyses and blood hormone studies performed pre-operatively were compared to those executed 6 months after surgery. Patients were divided into abnormal semen and normal semen groups based on their initial semen results. They were also subdivided according to the number of veins ligated intraoperatively into three groups: <5, 5-10, and >10 veins. Sperm count, total motility, and progressive motility were significantly increased in 62, 60.3, and 53.3% of patients post-operatively (p = 0.001), respectively. No significant differences in hormone levels were detected overall. Of the 378 patients, 332 had an abnormal semen analysis, while the remaining 46 patients had a normal result. Sperm count, total motility, and progressive motility significantly increased after varicocoelectomy in patients with an abnormal initial semen analysis (p = 0.001). In 48.7% of patients, 5-10 veins were ligated during surgery, whereas 28.3% had >10 and 23% had <5 ligated veins. No statistically significant differences were noted in the initial or the follow-up results among the number of vein subgroups. Varicocele ligation improves patients' fertility potential. This improvement, however, is not influenced by the number of veins ligated intraoperatively. Clinical grading maintains its superiority in the evaluation of varicocele patients. © 2016 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.

Progress in bio-manufacture of platelets for transfusion.

PubMed

Heazlewood, Shen Y; Nilsson, Susan K; Cartledge, Kellie; Be, Cheang Ly; Vinson, Andrew; Gel, Murat; Haylock, David N

2017-11-01

Blood transfusion services face an ever-increasing demand for donor platelets to meet clinical needs. Whilst strategies for increasing platelet storage life and improving the efficiency of donor platelet collection are important, in the longer term, platelets generated by bio-manufacturing processes will be required to meet demands. Production of sufficient numbers of in vitro-derived platelets for transfusion represents a significant bioengineering challenge. In this review, we highlight recent progress in this area of research and outline the main technical and biological obstacles that need to be met before this becomes feasible and economic. A critical consideration is assurance of the functional properties of these cells as compared to their fresh, donor collected, counterparts. We contend that platelet-like particles and in vitro-derived platelets that phenotypically resemble fresh platelets must deliver the same functions as these cells upon transfusion. We also note recent progress with immortalized megakaryocyte progenitor cell lines, molecular strategies for reducing expression of HLA Class I to generate universal donor platelets and the move to early clinical studies with in vitro-derived platelets.

Relationship Factors Contributing to the Progression of Combat Related PTSD and Suicidality over Time

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-04-01

Award Number: W81XWH-12-1-0090 TITLE: Relationship Factors Contributing to the Progression of Combat Related PTSD and Suicidality over Time...PTSD and Suicidality Over Time. 5b. GRANT NUMBER 12348001 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) Elizabeth S. Allen, PhD 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e...PTSD), couples adaptation and stress processes, suicide risk 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 19a

Teacher Expectations of Students: A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy? The Progress of Education Reform. Volume 13, Number 6

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Workman, Emily

2012-01-01

Teachers are the single most important in-school factor that affects student achievement. As a result, over the last decade state leaders have taken aim at increasing educator effectiveness, including requiring the implementation of new teacher evaluation systems. A growing body of research suggests that the expectations a teacher sets for an…

Examining Repeaters' Performance on Second Language Proficiency Tests: A Review and a Call for Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barkaoui, Khaled

2017-01-01

As the number of candidates who repeat English language proficiency tests more than once to meet a certain cutscore (e.g., for university admission) or to demonstrate progress (e.g., after instruction) continues to increase dramatically, there is a need for more research on the attributes and test performance of test repeaters. This article…

Progress in Student Academic Achievement: Evaluation of New City Charter School in 2008-09

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gozali-Lee, Edith

2010-01-01

This report describes New City Charter School student achievement in the 2008-09 school year, the school's sixth operating year. The number of students enrolled in the school was 125, an increase from 60 students enrolled the first year of the school. Student academic achievement is measured using the Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement…

Patterns of English Learner Student Reclassification in New York City Public Schools. REL 2017-200

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kieffer, Michael J.; Parker, Caroline E.

2016-01-01

With the rapid growth in the number of English learner students served by schools in the United States, educators are increasingly concerned with how these students progress toward proficiency in English. The large and diverse English learner student population in New York City public schools, where more than 41 percent of students speak a…

Getting down to Dollars and Cents: What Do School Districts Spend to Deliver Student-Centered Learning?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Lawrence J.; Gross, Betheny; Ouijdani, Monica

2012-01-01

In the era of No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top, school districts are under increasing pressure from policymakers to hold all students to high performance standards. In response, a growing number of schools are embracing the principles of student-centered learning (SCL). SCL is a contemporary approach that combines progressive and…

Leading under Sanction: Principals' Perceptions of Threat Rigidity, Efficacy, and Leadership in Underperforming Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Daly, Alan J.; Der-Martirosian, Claudia; Ong-Dean, Colin; Park, Vicki; Wishard-Guerra, Alison

2011-01-01

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) was passed to ensure that 100 percent of students would be proficient by 2014. Progress toward that goal is measured annually and results suggest that while some schools improve, increasing numbers are identified as in need of improvement (INI) and are subject to sanctions. We examined perceived levels of threat…

The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2017: National

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

ACT, Inc., 2017

2017-01-01

This report looks at the progress of the 2017 ACT®-tested graduating class relative to college and career readiness. This year's report shows that 60% of students in the 2017 US graduating class took the ACT test, up from 54% in 2013. The increased number of test takers over the past several years enhances the breadth and depth of the data pool,…

Pathways to the Doctorate Degree: A Phenomenological Study of African American Women in Doctorate Degree Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Starks, Luciana Janee'

2010-01-01

Increasing the number of advanced degree recipients is more than an educational issue; it is also a key social issue. "A college-educated population results in pivotal benefits to society" (The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, 2004, p. 1). Although African Americans have made steady and notable progress in doctorate degree…

Uronic polysaccharide degrading enzymes.

PubMed

Garron, Marie-Line; Cygler, Miroslaw

2014-10-01

In the past several years progress has been made in the field of structure and function of polysaccharide lyases (PLs). The number of classified polysaccharide lyase families has increased to 23 and more detailed analysis has allowed the identification of more closely related subfamilies, leading to stronger correlation between each subfamily and a unique substrate. The number of as yet unclassified polysaccharide lyases has also increased and we expect that sequencing projects will allow many of these unclassified sequences to emerge as new families. The progress in structural analysis of PLs has led to having at least one representative structure for each of the families and for two unclassified enzymes. The newly determined structures have folds observed previously in other PL families and their catalytic mechanisms follow either metal-assisted or Tyr/His mechanisms characteristic for other PL enzymes. Comparison of PLs with glycoside hydrolases (GHs) shows several folds common to both classes but only for the β-helix fold is there strong indication of divergent evolution from a common ancestor. Analysis of bacterial genomes identified gene clusters containing multiple polysaccharide cleaving enzymes, the Polysaccharides Utilization Loci (PULs), and their gene complement suggests that they are organized to process completely a specific polysaccharide. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Women and political representation.

PubMed

Rathod, P B

1999-01-01

A remarkable progress in women's participation in politics throughout the world was witnessed in the final decade of the 20th century. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union report, there were only eight countries with no women in their legislatures in 1998. The number of women ministers at the cabinet level worldwide doubled in a decade, and the number of countries without any women ministers dropped from 93 to 48 during 1987-96. However, this progress is far from satisfactory. Political representation of women, minorities, and other social groups is still inadequate. This may be due to a complex combination of socioeconomic, cultural, and institutional factors. The view that women's political participation increases with social and economic development is supported by data from the Nordic countries, where there are higher proportions of women legislators than in less developed countries. While better levels of socioeconomic development, having a women-friendly political culture, and higher literacy are considered favorable factors for women's increased political representation, adopting one of the proportional representation systems (such as a party-list system, a single transferable vote system, or a mixed proportional system with multi-member constituencies) is the single factor most responsible for the higher representation of women.

Research articles published by Korean spine surgeons: Scientific progress and the increase in spine surgery.

PubMed

Lee, Soo Eon; Jahng, Tae-Ahn; Kim, Ki-Jeong; Hyun, Seung-Jae; Kim, Hyun Jib; Kawaguchi, Yoshiharu

2017-02-01

There has been a marked increase in spine surgery in the 21st century, but there are no reports providing quantitative and qualitative analyses of research by Korean spine surgeons. The study goal was to assess the status of Korean spinal surgery and research. The number of spine surgeries was obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance Service. Research articles published by Korean spine surgeons were reviewed by using the Medline/PubMed online database. The number of spine surgeries in Korea increased markedly from 92,390 in 2004 to 164,291 in 2013. During the 2000-2014 period, 1982 articles were published by Korean spine surgeons. The annual number of articles increased from 20 articles in 2000 to 293 articles in 2014. There was a positive correlation between the annual spine surgery and article numbers (p<0.001). There were 1176 original studies published, and there was an annual increase in articles with Oxford levels of evidence 1, 2, and 3. The mean five-year impact factor (IF) for article quality was 1.79. There was no positive correlation between the annual IF and article numbers. Most articles (65.9%) were authored by neurosurgical spine surgeons. But spinal deformity-related topics were dominant among articles authored by orthopedics. The results show a clear quantitative increase in Korean spinal surgery and research over the last 15years. The lack of a correlation between annual IF and published article numbers indicate that Korean spine surgeons should endeavor to increase research value. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of Retinal Disease Progression in a 1-Year Longitudinal Study of Eyes With Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy in Diabetes Type 2.

PubMed

Ribeiro, Luisa; Bandello, Francesco; Tejerina, Amparo Navea; Vujosevic, Stela; Varano, Monica; Egan, Catherine; Sivaprasad, Sobha; Menon, Geeta; Massin, Pascale; Verbraak, Frank D; Lund-Andersen, Henrik; Martinez, Jose P; Jürgens, Ignasi; Smets, Erica; Coriat, Caroline; Wiedemann, Peter; Ágoas, Victor; Querques, Giuseppe; Holz, Frank G; Nunes, Sandrina; Neves, Catarina; Cunha-Vaz, José

2015-08-01

To identify eyes of patients with diabetes type 2 that show progression of retinal disease within a 1-year period using noninvasive techniques. Three hundred seventy-four type 2 diabetic patients with mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] level 20 or 35) were included in a 12-month prospective observational study to identify retinopathy progression. Four visits were scheduled at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months. Microaneurysm (MA) activity using the RetmarkerDR and retinal thickness using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were assessed by a central reading center at all visits and ETDRS severity level in the first and last visits. Three hundred thirty-one eyes/patients completed the study. Microaneurysm formation rate greater than or equal to 2 was present in 68.1% of the eyes and MA turnover greater than or equal to 6 in 54.0% at month 6. Higher MA turnover values were registered in eyes that showed progression in ETDRS severity level (P < 0.03). There were also significant correlations between increased microaneurysm activity and increases in retinal thickness. Spectral-domain OCT identified clinical macular edema in 24 eyes/patients (6.7%) and subclinical macular edema in 104 eyes/patients (28.9%) at baseline. Progression of retinal thickening was registered in eyes that had either subclinical or clinical macular edema at baseline. Changes in MA activity measured with RetmarkerDR and in central retinal thickness in eyes with mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and diabetes type 2 are able to identify eyes at risk of progression. These eyes/patients should be selected for inclusion in future clinical trials of drugs targeted to prevent diabetic retinopathy progression to vision-threatening complications. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01145599.)

Risk factors for predicting visual field progression in Chinese patients with primary open-angle glaucoma: A retrospective study.

PubMed

Hung, Kuo-Hsuan; Cheng, Ching-Yu; Liu, Catherine Jui-Ling

2015-07-01

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. It is characterized by progressive deterioration of the visual field (VF) that results in a complete loss of vision. This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with VF progression in Chinese patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). We reviewed the charts of POAG patients who visited our clinic between July 2009 and June 2010. We included patients with five or more reliable VF tests using the Humphrey Field Analyzer (Humphrey Instruments, San Leandro, CA, USA) during a period of at least 2 years. The scoring system of the Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study (CIGTS) was used to code the VF. Progression was defined as an increasing score ≥3, compared to the averaged baseline data. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors of VF progression. There were 92 patients (representing 92 eyes) with an average of 8.9 reliable VFs over a mean follow up of 5.4 years. Multivariate logistic regression showed that eyes with more VF tests [odds ratio (OR) = 1.500, p < 0.010] and either increased peak intraocular pressure (IOP) (OR = 1.235, p = 0.044) or a wide IOP range (OR = 1.165, p = 0.041) favored VF progression. High myopia (less than -6.0 D) was not a risk factor (OR = 1.289, p = 0.698) for VF progression in this study. In addition to a greater number of VF tests, Chinese patients with treated POAG who experienced a high peak IOP or a wide range of IOP during follow up were more likely to have VF deterioration. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Taiwan.

Elevated Levels of Innate Immune Modulators in Lymph Nodes and Blood Are Associated with More-Rapid Disease Progression in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Monkeys▿

PubMed Central

Durudas, Andre; Milush, Jeffrey M.; Chen, Hui-Ling; Engram, Jessica C.; Silvestri, Guido; Sodora, Donald L.

2009-01-01

Cytokines and chemokines are critical for establishing tissue-specific immune responses and play key roles in modulating disease progression in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaques and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected humans. The goal here was to characterize the innate immune response at different tissue sites and to correlate these responses to clinical outcome, initially focusing on rhesus macaques orally inoculated with SIV and monitored until onset of simian AIDS. Cytokine and chemokine mRNA transcripts were assessed at lymph nodes (LN) and peripheral blood cells utilizing quantitative real-time PCR at different time points postinfection. The mRNA expression of four immune modulators—alpha interferon (IFN-α), oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS), CXCL9, and CXCL10—was positively associated with disease progression within LN tissue. Elevated cytokine/chemokine expression in LN did not result in any observed beneficial outcome since the numbers of CXCR3+ cells were not increased, nor were the SIV RNA levels decreased. In peripheral blood, increased OAS and CXCL10 expression were elevated in SIV+ monkeys that progress the fastest to simian AIDS. Our results indicate that higher IFN-α, OAS, CXCL9, and CXCL10 mRNA expression in LN was associated with rapid disease progression and a LN environment that may favor SIV replication. Furthermore, higher expression of CXCL10 and OAS in peripheral blood could potentially serve as a diagnostic marker for hosts that are likely to progress to AIDS. Understanding the expression patterns of key innate immune modulators will be useful in assessing the disease state and potential rates of disease progression in HIV+ patients, which could lead to novel therapy and vaccine approaches. PMID:19759147

Elevated levels of innate immune modulators in lymph nodes and blood are associated with more-rapid disease progression in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected monkeys.

PubMed

Durudas, Andre; Milush, Jeffrey M; Chen, Hui-Ling; Engram, Jessica C; Silvestri, Guido; Sodora, Donald L

2009-12-01

Cytokines and chemokines are critical for establishing tissue-specific immune responses and play key roles in modulating disease progression in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaques and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected humans. The goal here was to characterize the innate immune response at different tissue sites and to correlate these responses to clinical outcome, initially focusing on rhesus macaques orally inoculated with SIV and monitored until onset of simian AIDS. Cytokine and chemokine mRNA transcripts were assessed at lymph nodes (LN) and peripheral blood cells utilizing quantitative real-time PCR at different time points postinfection. The mRNA expression of four immune modulators-alpha interferon (IFN-alpha), oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS), CXCL9, and CXCL10-was positively associated with disease progression within LN tissue. Elevated cytokine/chemokine expression in LN did not result in any observed beneficial outcome since the numbers of CXCR3(+) cells were not increased, nor were the SIV RNA levels decreased. In peripheral blood, increased OAS and CXCL10 expression were elevated in SIV(+) monkeys that progress the fastest to simian AIDS. Our results indicate that higher IFN-alpha, OAS, CXCL9, and CXCL10 mRNA expression in LN was associated with rapid disease progression and a LN environment that may favor SIV replication. Furthermore, higher expression of CXCL10 and OAS in peripheral blood could potentially serve as a diagnostic marker for hosts that are likely to progress to AIDS. Understanding the expression patterns of key innate immune modulators will be useful in assessing the disease state and potential rates of disease progression in HIV(+) patients, which could lead to novel therapy and vaccine approaches.

Correlation between Gene Expression and Osteoarthritis Progression in Human.

PubMed

Zhong, Leilei; Huang, Xiaobin; Karperien, Marcel; Post, Janine N

2016-07-14

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial disease characterized by gradual degradation of joint cartilage. This study aimed to quantify major pathogenetic factors during OA progression in human cartilage. Cartilage specimens were isolated from OA patients and scored 0-5 according to the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) guidelines. Protein and gene expressions were measured by immunohistochemistry and qPCR, respectively. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays were used to detect apoptotic cells. Cartilage degeneration in OA is a gradual progress accompanied with gradual loss of collagen type II and a gradual decrease in mRNA expression of SOX9, ACAN and COL2A1. Expression of WNT antagonists DKK1 and FRZB was lost, while hypertrophic markers (RUNX2, COL10A1 and IHH) increased during OA progression. Moreover, DKK1 and FRZB negatively correlated with OA grading, while RUNX2 and IHH showed a significantly positive correlation with OA grading. The number of apoptotic cells was increased with the severity of OA. Taken together, our results suggested that genetic profiling of the gene expression could be used as markers for staging OA at the molecular level. This helps to understand the molecular pathology of OA and may lead to the development of therapies based on OA stage.

First analysis of 10-year trends in national factor concentrates usage in haemophilia: data from CHARMS, the Canadian Hemophilia Assessment and Resource Management System.

PubMed

Traore, A N; Chan, A K C; Webert, K E; Heddle, N; Ritchie, B; St-Louis, J; Teitel, J; Lillicrap, D; Iorio, A; Walker, I

2014-07-01

The Canadian Hemophilia Assessment and Resource Management System (CHARMS) tracks factor concentrates (FC) from the sole suppliers, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) and Hema-Quebec (HQ), to hospitals and to patients' homes. Patients FC infusion data are entered into CHARMS at Canadian Hemophilia Treatment Centres (HTCs) then exported to the national database (CentrePoint). From 2000 to 2009, 2260 registered haemophilia A or B patients received FVIII (1,009,097,765 IU) and FIX (272,406,859 IU). Over 91% of FVIII and over 84% of FIX was infused at home. Utilization of FVIII progressively increased; this was accounted for by an increase in the number of patients treated (r = 0.97; P < 0.001), there being a linear relationship between the increase in utilization and the increase in number of patients treated (P < 0.001). There was also a correlation with the annual amount used per patient (r = 0.95; P < 0.001). Utilization of FIX did not increase over time. The highest proportional utilization of both FVIII and FIX was for prophylaxis, and this proportion progressively increased being, in year 10 (2009), 77% and 66% for FVIII and FIX respectively. The proportion used for bleeding remained steady; in year 10 that proportion was 14% for FVIII and 26% for FIX, the use per patient for bleeding decreasing. The HTC-based CHARMS tracking system is essential, in Canada, for analysing indications for infusion, for predicting utilization and planning for future needs. © 2014 The Authors. Haemophilia Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

First analysis of 10-year trends in national factor concentrates usage in haemophilia: data from CHARMS, the Canadian Hemophilia Assessment and Resource Management System

PubMed Central

Traore, A N; Chan, A K C; Webert, K E; Heddle, N; Ritchie, B; St-Louis, J; Teitel, J; Lillicrap, D; Iorio, A; Walker, I

2014-01-01

The Canadian Hemophilia Assessment and Resource Management System (CHARMS) tracks factor concentrates (FC) from the sole suppliers, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) and Hema-Quebec (HQ), to hospitals and to patients’ homes. Patients FC infusion data are entered into CHARMS at Canadian Hemophilia Treatment Centres (HTCs) then exported to the national database (CentrePoint). From 2000 to 2009, 2260 registered haemophilia A or B patients received FVIII (1 009 097 765 IU) and FIX (272 406 859 IU). Over 91% of FVIII and over 84% of FIX was infused at home. Utilization of FVIII progressively increased; this was accounted for by an increase in the number of patients treated (r = 0.97; P < 0.001), there being a linear relationship between the increase in utilization and the increase in number of patients treated (P < 0.001). There was also a correlation with the annual amount used per patient (r = 0.95; P < 0.001). Utilization of FIX did not increase over time. The highest proportional utilization of both FVIII and FIX was for prophylaxis, and this proportion progressively increased being, in year 10 (2009), 77% and 66% for FVIII and FIX respectively. The proportion used for bleeding remained steady; in year 10 that proportion was 14% for FVIII and 26% for FIX, the use per patient for bleeding decreasing. The HTC-based CHARMS tracking system is essential, in Canada, for analysing indications for infusion, for predicting utilization and planning for future needs. PMID:24948405

Making progress: the role of cancer councils in Australia in indigenous cancer control

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Indigenous Australians have poorer outcomes from cancer for a variety of reasons including poorer participation in screening programs, later diagnosis, higher rates of cancer with poor prognosis and poorer uptake and completion of treatment. Cancer prevention and support for people with cancer is part of the core business of the State and Territory Cancer Councils. To support sharing of lessons learned, this paper reports an environmental scan undertaken in 2010 in cancer councils (CCs) nationwide that aimed to support Indigenous cancer control. Methods The methods replicated the approach used in a 2006 environmental scan of Indigenous related activity in CCs. The Chief Executive Officer of each CC nominated individuals for interview. Interviews explored staffing, projects, programs and activities to progress cancer control issues for Indigenous Australians, through phone or face-to-face interviews. Reported initiatives were tabulated using predetermined categories of activity and summaries were returned to interviewees, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Subcommittee and Chief Executive Officers for verification. Results All CCs participated and modest increases in activity had occurred in most states since 2006 through different means. Indigenous staff numbers were low and no Indigenous person had yet been employed in smaller CCs; no CC had an Indigenous Board member and efforts at capacity building were often directed outside of the organisation. Developing partnerships with Indigenous organisations were ongoing. Acknowledgement and specific mention of Indigenous people in policy was increasing. Momentum increased following the establishment of a national subcommittee which increased the profile of Indigenous issues and provided collegial and practical support for those committed to reducing Indigenous cancer disparities. Government funding of “Closing the Gap” and research in the larger CCs have been other avenues for increasing knowledge and activity in Indigenous cancer control. Conclusions This environmental scan measured progress, allowed sharing of information and provided critical assessment of progress across areas of importance for increasing Indigenous cancer control. Structured examination of policies, institutional support systems, programs and interventions is a useful means of highlighting opportunities for progress with minority groups relevant for many organisations. Progress has occurred with momentum likely to increase in the future and benefit from commitment to long-term monitoring and sharing of achievements. PMID:24725974

Association between progression-free survival and health-related quality of life in oncology: a systematic review protocol

PubMed Central

Kovic, Bruno; Guyatt, Gordon; Brundage, Michael; Thabane, Lehana; Bhatnagar, Neera; Xie, Feng

2016-01-01

Introduction There is an increasing number of new oncology drugs being studied, approved and put into clinical practice based on improvement in progression-free survival, when no overall survival benefits exist. In oncology, the association between progression-free survival and health-related quality of life is currently unknown, despite its importance for patients with cancer, and the unverified assumption that longer progression-free survival indicates improved health-related quality of life. Thus far, only 1 study has investigated this association, providing insufficient evidence and inconclusive results. The objective of this study protocol is to provide increased transparency in supporting a systematic summary of the evidence bearing on this association in oncology. Methods and analysis Using the OVID platform in MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane databases, we will conduct a systematic review of randomised controlled human trials addressing oncology issues published starting in 2000. A team of reviewers will, in pairs, independently screen and abstract data using standardised, pilot-tested forms. We will employ numerical integration to calculate mean incremental area under the curve between treatment groups in studies for health-related quality of life, along with total related error estimates, and a 95% CI around incremental area. To describe the progression-free survival to health-related quality of life association, we will construct a scatterplot for incremental health-related quality of life versus incremental progression-free survival. To estimate the association, we will use a weighted simple regression approach, comparing mean incremental health-related quality of life with either median incremental progression-free survival time or the progression-free survival HR, in the absence of overall survival benefit. Discussion Identifying direction and magnitude of association between progression-free survival and health-related quality of life is critically important in interpreting results of oncology trials. Systematic evidence produced from our study will contribute to improvement of patient care and practice of evidence-based medicine in oncology. PMID:27591026

Illness Progression, Recent Stress and Morphometry of Hippocampal Subfields and Medial Prefrontal Cortex in Major Depression

PubMed Central

Treadway, Michael T.; Waskom, Michael L.; Dillon, Daniel G.; Holmes, Avram J.; Park, Min Tae M.; Chakravarty, M. Mallar; Dutra, Sunny J.; Polli, Frida E.; Iosifescu, Dan V.; Fava, Maurizio; Gabrieli, John D.E.; Pizzagalli, Diego A.

2014-01-01

Background Longitudinal studies of illness progression in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) indicate that the onset of subsequent depressive episodes becomes increasingly decoupled from external stressors. A possible mechanism underlying this phenomenon is that multiple episodes induce long-lasting neurobiological changes that confer increased risk for recurrence. Prior morphometric studies have frequently reported volumetric reductions in MDD—especially in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus— but few studies have investigated whether these changes are exacerbated by prior episodes. Methods We used structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) to examine relationships between number of prior episodes, current stress, and brain volume and cortical thickness in a sample of 103 medication-free depressed patients and never-depressed controls. Volumetric analyses of the hippocampus were performed using a recently-validated subfield segmentation approach, while cortical thickness estimates were obtained using Vertex-Based Cortical Thickness (VBCT). Participants were grouped on the basis of the number of prior depressive episodes as well as current depressive state. Results Number of prior episodes was associated with both lower reported stress levels as well as reduced volume in the dentate gyrus. Cortical thinning of the left medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was associated with a greater number of prior depressive episodes, but not current depressive state. Conclusions Collectively, these findings are consistent with preclinical models suggesting that the dentate gyrus and mPFC are especially vulnerable to stress exposure, and provide evidence for morphometric changes that are consistent with stress-sensitization models of recurrence in MDD. PMID:25109665

Illness progression, recent stress, and morphometry of hippocampal subfields and medial prefrontal cortex in major depression.

PubMed

Treadway, Michael T; Waskom, Michael L; Dillon, Daniel G; Holmes, Avram J; Park, Min Tae M; Chakravarty, M Mallar; Dutra, Sunny J; Polli, Frida E; Iosifescu, Dan V; Fava, Maurizio; Gabrieli, John D E; Pizzagalli, Diego A

2015-02-01

Longitudinal studies of illness progression in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) indicate that the onset of subsequent depressive episodes becomes increasingly decoupled from external stressors. A possible mechanism underlying this phenomenon is that multiple episodes induce long-lasting neurobiological changes that confer increased risk for recurrence. Prior morphometric studies have frequently reported volumetric reductions in patients with MDD--especially in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus--but few studies have investigated whether these changes are exacerbated by prior episodes. In a sample of 103 medication-free patients with depression and control subjects with no history of depression, structural magnetic resonance imaging was performed to examine relationships between number of prior episodes, current stress, hippocampal subfield volume and cortical thickness. Volumetric analyses of the hippocampus were performed using a recently validated subfield segmentation approach, and cortical thickness estimates were obtained using vertex-based methods. Participants were grouped on the basis of the number of prior depressive episodes and current depressive diagnosis. Number of prior episodes was associated with both lower reported stress levels and reduced volume in the dentate gyrus. Cortical thinning of the left mPFC was associated with a greater number of prior depressive episodes but not current depressive diagnosis. Collectively, these findings are consistent with preclinical models suggesting that the dentate gyrus and mPFC are especially vulnerable to stress exposure and provide evidence for morphometric changes that are consistent with stress-sensitization models of recurrence in MDD. Copyright © 2015 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Premium inflation in the Irish private health insurance market: drivers and consequences.

PubMed

Turner, B

2013-12-01

Nearly half of the Irish population is covered by private health insurance. In recent years, premium inflation has been significantly ahead of overall inflation and has been accelerating. This has contributing to a drop in the numbers insured since the peak in 2008. The fall in the numbers with private health insurance also has implications for the public health system. Factors behind this premium inflation include rising charges for beds in public hospitals, increasing volume of treatments and increasing quality of service and cover. While some progress has been made by insurers on reducing fees paid to consultants and private hospitals, unless the quantity or quality of care are addressed then premium inflation is unlikely to abate.

Intestinal endotoxemia plays a central role in development of hepatopulmonary syndrome in a cirrhotic rat model induced by multiple pathogenic factors.

PubMed

Zhang, Hui Ying; Han, De Wu; Su, Ai Rong; Zhang, Li Tong; Zhao, Zhong Fu; Ji, Jing Quan; Li, Bao Hong; Ji, Cheng

2007-12-21

To characterize the correlation between severity of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) and degree of hepatic dysfunction, and to explore how intestinal endotoxemia (IETM) affects the development of HPS in cirrhotic rats. Male Wister rats were fed with a diet containing maize flour, lard, cholesterol, and alcohol and injected subcutaneously with CCl(4) oil solution every two days for 8 wk to induce typical cirrhosis and development of HPS. The animals were also given a nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitor, N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) intraperitoneally, and an iNOS inhibitor, aminoguanidine hydrochloride (AG) via gavage daily from the end of the 4th wk to the end of the 6th or 8th wk, or a HO-1 inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) intraperitoneally 12 h prior to killing. Blood, liver and lung tissues were sampled. Histological deterioration of the lung paralleled to that of the liver in the cirrhotic rats. The number of pulmonary capillaries was progressively increased from 6.1 +/- 1.1 (count/filed) at the 4th wk to 14.5 +/- 2.4 (count/filed) at the 8th wk in the cirrhotic rats. Increased pulmonary capillaries were associated with increased blood levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (0.31 +/- 0.08 EU/mL vs control 0.09 +/- 0.03 EU/mL), alanine transferase (ALT, 219.1 +/- 17.4 U/L vs control 5.9 +/- 2.2 U/L) and portal vein pressure. Compared with normal control animals, the number of total cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the cirrhotic rats at the 8th wk was not changed, but the number of macrophages and the ratio of macrophages to total cells were increased by nearly 2-fold, protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) started to increase significantly at the 4th wk, and reached its peak at the 8th wk in the lung of cirrhotic rats. The increase of iNOS expression appeared to be quicker than that of eNOS. NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) was also increased, which was correlated to the increase of iNOS (r = 0.7699, P < 0.0001) and eNOS (r = 0.5829, P < 0.002). mRNA expression of eNOS and iNOS was highly consistent with their protein expression. Progression and severity of HPS as indicated by both increased pulmonary capillaries and histological changes are closely associated with LPS levels and progression of hepatic dysfunction as indicated by increased levels of ALT and portal vein pressure. Intestinal endotoxemia plays a central role in the development of HPS in the cirrhotic rat model by inducing NO and/or CO.

[Neurological sciences based on evidence].

PubMed

Ceballos, C; Almárcegui, C; Artal, A; García-Campayo, J; Valdizán, J R

An exhaustive search of reported metanalysis from any medical speciality is described. Search of papers included in MEDLINE or EMBASE between 1973-1998. A descriptive analysis of the reported papers (frequency tables and graphics) is described, including differences of mean of reported metanalysis papers by medical speciality and year. 1,514 papers were selected and classified. Between 1977-1987 overall mean of reported studies of neurologic metanalysis (1.20 +/- 1.10) was significatively inferior to the 1988-1998 (11.20 +/- 7.85) (p < 0.001). Global number of neurologic metanalysis was positively correlated (p < 0.05) with the number of studies about fundamentals and methodology during the study period. A progressive increase in the number of reported neurologic metanalysis since 1977 can be demonstrated. Diffusion of knowledge about fundamentals and methodology of metanalysis seems to have drawn and increase in performing and reporting this kind of analysis.

The Case for Dual Training in Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care: The Time is Now.

PubMed

Gabbard, Jennifer; McNabney, Matthew

2018-02-01

The majority of older adults die from chronic illnesses which are preceded by years of progressive decline and increasing symptom burden. Delivery of high-quality care cannot take place without sufficient numbers of health professionals with appropriate training and skills in both geriatric and palliative care medicine. Despite the surge in aging population and the majority of deaths being attributed to patients with multiple comorbidities, very few health-care providers undergo dual training in these areas. Thus, the nation is facing a health-care crisis as the number of geriatric patients with chronic disease increasingly outpaces the number of physicians with adequate skills to manage them. Joint training in palliative care and geriatric medicine could prepare physicians to better manage our aging population by addressing all their health-care needs irrespective of their stage of disease emphasizing patient-directed care.

Progress in physical activity over the Olympic quadrennium.

PubMed

Sallis, James F; Bull, Fiona; Guthold, Regina; Heath, Gregory W; Inoue, Shigeru; Kelly, Paul; Oyeyemi, Adewale L; Perez, Lilian G; Richards, Justin; Hallal, Pedro C

2016-09-24

On the eve of the 2012 summer Olympic Games, the first Lancet Series on physical activity established that physical inactivity was a global pandemic, and global public health action was urgently needed. The present paper summarises progress on the topics covered in the first Series. In the past 4 years, more countries have been monitoring the prevalence of physical inactivity, although evidence of any improvements in prevalence is still scarce. According to emerging evidence on brain health, physical inactivity accounts for about 3·8% of cases of dementia worldwide. An increase in research on the correlates of physical activity in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) is providing a better evidence base for development of context-relevant interventions. A finding specific to LMICs was that physical inactivity was higher in urban (vs rural) residents, which is a cause for concern because of the global trends toward urbanisation. A small but increasing number of intervention studies from LMICs provide initial evidence that community-based interventions can be effective. Although about 80% of countries reported having national physical activity policies or plans, such policies were operational in only about 56% of countries. There are important barriers to policy implementation that must be overcome before progress in increasing physical activity can be expected. Despite signs of progress, efforts to improve physical activity surveillance, research, capacity for intervention, and policy implementation are needed, especially among LMICs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The role of coherent structures in the generation of noise for subsonic jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morrison, G. L.

1982-01-01

The coherent structure in high Reynolds number (184,000 to 262,000), Mach number 0.6 to 0.8 axisymmetric cold air jets exhausting at atmospheric pressure was studied. The mean flow and the statistical time averaged turbulence properties were measured. Spectra showed a very broad frequency content which shifted towards the lower frequencies as the flow progressed downstream. Axial wave number measurements indicate that the axial wave number-frequency relationship was the same for a wide range of Mach (0.3 to 2.5) and Reynolds (3,700 to over 200,000) numbers. Measurements of the azimuthal mode numbers show that several modes from n = -3 to +3 exist simultaneously in various quantities that the different frequencies studied. Acoustic measurements were made in the near field of the Mach number 0.6 jet. Sound pressure level contours showed that noise appeared to be radiated from a location near the end of the potential core. Directivity plots revealed that the spectra of this noise shifted towards higher frequencies as the angle from the jet axis increased. It was also found that mid-band excitation frequencies produced an increase in full spectrum noise.

Developing information fluency in introductory biology students in the context of an investigative laboratory.

PubMed

Lindquester, Gary J; Burks, Romi L; Jaslow, Carolyn R

2005-01-01

Students of biology must learn the scientific method for generating information in the field. Concurrently, they should learn how information is reported and accessed. We developed a progressive set of exercises for the undergraduate introductory biology laboratory that combine these objectives. Pre- and postassessments of approximately 100 students suggest that increases occurred, some statistically significant, in the number of students using various library-related resources, in the numbers and confidence level of students using various technologies, and in the numbers and confidence levels of students involved in various activities related to the scientific method. Following this course, students should be better prepared for more advanced and independent study.

Developing Information Fluency in Introductory Biology Students in the Context of an Investigative Laboratory

PubMed Central

2005-01-01

Students of biology must learn the scientific method for generating information in the field. Concurrently, they should learn how information is reported and accessed. We developed a progressive set of exercises for the undergraduate introductory biology laboratory that combine these objectives. Pre- and postassessments of approximately 100 students suggest that increases occurred, some statistically significant, in the number of students using various library-related resources, in the numbers and confidence level of students using various technologies, and in the numbers and confidence levels of students involved in various activities related to the scientific method. Following this course, students should be better prepared for more advanced and independent study. PMID:15746979

Exosomes as Novel microRNA-Delivery Vehicles to Modulate Prostate Cancer Progression

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-14-1-0548 TITLE: Exosomes as Novel microRNA-Delivery Vehicles to Modulate Prostate Cancer Progression PRINCIPAL...Sep 2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Exosomes as Novel microRNA-Delivery Vehicles to Modulate Prostate Cancer Progression 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT...they are produced, but can also signal intercellularly to other cells and tissues at distant sites via exosomal transport. We hypothesize that miRNAs

Improving the Efficiency and Efficacy of Glibenclamide in Limiting Progressive Hemorrhagic Necrosis Following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-01

2   INTRODUCTION: The magnitude of acute post- traumatic hemorrhagic necrosis (PHN) is an early prognostic indicator of long-term...Efficacy of Glibenclamide in Limiting Progressive Hemorrhagic Necrosis Following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: J. Marc Simard...Limiting Progressive Hemorrhagic Necrosis Following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury 5b. GRANT NUMBER W81XWH-10-1-0898 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6

Instructional versus schedule control of humans' choices in situations of diminishing returns

PubMed Central

Hackenberg, Timothy D.; Joker, Veronica R.

1994-01-01

Four adult humans chose repeatedly between a fixed-time schedule (of points later exchangeable for money) and a progressive-time schedule that began at 0 s and increased by a fixed number of seconds with each point delivered by that schedule. Each point delivered by the fixed-time schedule reset the requirements of the progressive-time schedule to its minimum value. Subjects were provided with instructions that specified a particular sequence of choices. Under the initial conditions, the instructions accurately specified the optimal choice sequence. Thus, control by instructions and optimal control by the programmed contingencies both supported the same performance. To distinguish the effects of instructions from schedule sensitivity, the correspondence between the instructed and optimal choice patterns was gradually altered across conditions by varying the step size of the progressive-time schedule while maintaining the same instructions. Step size was manipulated, typically in 1-s units, first in an ascending and then in a descending sequence of conditions. Instructions quickly established control in all 4 subjects but, by narrowing the range of choice patterns, they reduced subsequent sensitivity to schedule changes. Instructional control was maintained across the ascending sequence of progressive-time values for each subject, but eventually diminished, giving way to more schedule-appropriate patterns. The transition from instruction-appropriate to schedule-appropriate behavior was characterized by an increase in the variability of choice patterns and local increases in point density. On the descending sequence of progressive-time values, behavior appeared to be schedule sensitive, sometimes even optimally sensitive, but it did not always change systematically with the contingencies, suggesting the involvement of other factors. PMID:16812747

The Present and Future of Robotic Technology in Rehabilitation

PubMed Central

Laut, Jeffrey; Porfiri, Maurizio; Raghavan, Preeti

2016-01-01

Robotic technology designed to assist rehabilitation can potentially increase the efficiency of and accessibility to therapy by assisting therapists to provide consistent training for extended periods of time, and collecting data to assess progress. Automatization of therapy may enable many patients to be treated simultaneously and possibly even remotely, in the comfort of their own homes, through telerehabilitation. The data collected can be used to objectively assess performance and document compliance as well as progress. All of these characteristics can make therapists more efficient in treating larger numbers of patients. Most importantly for the patient, it can increase access to therapy which is often in high demand and rationed severely in today’s fiscal climate. In recent years, many consumer grade low-cost and off-the-shelf devices have been adopted for use in therapy sessions and methods for increasing motivation and engagement have been integrated with them. This review paper outlines the effort devoted to the development and integration of robotic technology for rehabilitation. PMID:28603663

Colon Tumors with the Simultaneous Induction of Driver Mutations in APC, KRAS, and PIK3CA Still Progress through the Adenoma-to-carcinoma Sequence.

PubMed

Hadac, Jamie N; Leystra, Alyssa A; Paul Olson, Terrah J; Maher, Molly E; Payne, Susan N; Yueh, Alexander E; Schwartz, Alexander R; Albrecht, Dawn M; Clipson, Linda; Pasch, Cheri A; Matkowskyj, Kristina A; Halberg, Richard B; Deming, Dustin A

2015-10-01

Human colorectal cancers often possess multiple mutations, including three to six driver mutations per tumor. The timing of when these mutations occur during tumor development and progression continues to be debated. More advanced lesions carry a greater number of driver mutations, indicating that colon tumors might progress from adenomas to carcinomas through the stepwise accumulation of mutations following tumor initiation. However, mutations that have been implicated in tumor progression have been identified in normal-appearing epithelial cells of the colon, leaving the possibility that these mutations might be present before the initiation of tumorigenesis. We utilized mouse models of colon cancer to investigate whether tumorigenesis still occurs through the adenoma-to-carcinoma sequence when multiple mutations are present at the time of tumor initiation. To create a model in which tumors could concomitantly possess mutations in Apc, Kras, and Pik3ca, we developed a novel minimally invasive technique to administer an adenovirus expressing Cre recombinase to a focal region of the colon. Here, we demonstrate that the presence of these additional driver mutations at the time of tumor initiation results in increased tumor multiplicity and an increased rate of progression to invasive adenocarcinomas. These cancers can even metastasize to retroperitoneal lymph nodes or the liver. However, despite having as many as three concomitant driver mutations at the time of initiation, these tumors still proceed through the adenoma-to-carcinoma sequence. ©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.

Colon tumors with the simultaneous induction of driver mutations in APC, KRAS, and PIK3CA still progress through the adenoma-to-carcinoma sequence

PubMed Central

Hadac, Jamie N.; Leystra, Alyssa A.; Olson, Terrah J. Paul; Maher, Molly E.; Payne, Susan N; Yueh, Alexander E.; Schwartz, Alexander R.; Albrecht, Dawn M.; Clipson, Linda; Pasch, Cheri A.; Matkowskyj, Kristina A.; Halberg, Richard B.; Deming, Dustin A.

2015-01-01

Human colorectal cancers often possess multiple mutations, including 3–6 driver mutations per tumor. The timing of when these mutations occur during tumor development and progression continues to be debated. More advanced lesions carry a greater number of driver mutations, indicating that colon tumors might progress from adenomas to carcinomas through the stepwise accumulation of mutations following tumor initiation. However, mutations that have been implicated in tumor progression have been identified in normal-appearing epithelial cells of the colon, leaving the possibility that these mutations might be present prior to the initiation of tumorigenesis. We utilized mouse models of colon cancer to investigate whether tumorigenesis still occurs through the adenoma-to-carcinoma sequence when multiple mutations are present at the time of tumor initiation. To create a model in which tumors could concomitantly possess mutations in Apc, Kras, and Pik3ca, we developed a novel minimally invasive technique to administer an adenovirus expressing Cre recombinase to a focal region of the colon. Here we demonstrate that the presence of these additional driver mutations at the time of tumor initiation results in increased tumor multiplicity and an increased rate of progression to invasive adenocarcinomas. These cancers can even metastasize to retroperitoneal lymph nodes or the liver. However, despite having as many as three concomitant driver mutations at the time of initiation, these tumors still proceed through the adenoma-to-carcinoma sequence. PMID:26276752

Cardiac myosin binding protein C regulates postnatal myocyte cytokinesis

PubMed Central

Jiang, Jianming; Burgon, Patrick G.; Wakimoto, Hiroko; Onoue, Kenji; Gorham, Joshua M.; O’Meara, Caitlin C.; Fomovsky, Gregory; McConnell, Bradley K.; Lee, Richard T.; Seidman, J. G.; Seidman, Christine E.

2015-01-01

Homozygous cardiac myosin binding protein C-deficient (Mybpct/t) mice develop dramatic cardiac dilation shortly after birth; heart size increases almost twofold. We have investigated the mechanism of cardiac enlargement in these hearts. Throughout embryogenesis myocytes undergo cell division while maintaining the capacity to pump blood by rapidly disassembling and reforming myofibrillar components of the sarcomere throughout cell cycle progression. Shortly after birth, myocyte cell division ceases. Cardiac MYBPC is a thick filament protein that regulates sarcomere organization and rigidity. We demonstrate that many Mybpct/t myocytes undergo an additional round of cell division within 10 d postbirth compared with their wild-type counterparts, leading to increased numbers of mononuclear myocytes. Short-hairpin RNA knockdown of Mybpc3 mRNA in wild-type mice similarly extended the postnatal window of myocyte proliferation. However, adult Mybpct/t myocytes are unable to fully regenerate the myocardium after injury. MYBPC has unexpected inhibitory functions during postnatal myocyte cytokinesis and cell cycle progression. We suggest that human patients with homozygous MYBPC3-null mutations develop dilated cardiomyopathy, coupled with myocyte hyperplasia (increased cell number), as observed in Mybpct/t mice. Human patients, with heterozygous truncating MYBPC3 mutations, like mice with similar mutations, have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, the mechanism leading to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in heterozygous MYBPC3+/− individuals is myocyte hypertrophy (increased cell size), whereas the mechanism leading to cardiac dilation in homozygous Mybpc3−/− mice is primarily myocyte hyperplasia. PMID:26153423

The Role of Central Metabolism in Prostate Cancer Progression

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-07-01

AD_________________ Award Number: W81XWH-08-1-0694 TITLE: The Role of Central Metabolism in Prostate...SUBTITLE The Role of Central Metabolism in Prostate Cancer Progression 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER W81XWH-08-1-0694 5c. PROGRAM...examine the excised prostate tissue for differences in tumor growth, proteomes and intermediates in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolism . The

Radiation promotes colorectal cancer initiation and progression by inducing senescence-associated inflammatory responses.

PubMed

Kim, S B; Bozeman, R G; Kaisani, A; Kim, W; Zhang, L; Richardson, J A; Wright, W E; Shay, J W

2016-06-30

Proton radiotherapy is becoming more common as protons induce more precise DNA damage at the tumor site with reduced side effects to adjacent normal tissues. However, the long-term biological effects of proton irradiation in cancer initiation compared with conventional photon irradiation are poorly characterized. In this study, using a human familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome susceptible mouse model, we show that whole-body irradiation with protons are more effective in inducing senescence-associated inflammatory responses (SIRs), which are involved in colon cancer initiation and progression. After proton irradiation, a subset of SIR genes (Troy, Sox17, Opg, Faim2, Lpo, Tlr2 and Ptges) and a gene known to be involved in invasiveness (Plat), along with the senescence-associated gene (P19Arf), are markedly increased. Following these changes, loss of Casein kinase Iα and induction of chronic DNA damage and TP53 mutations are increased compared with X-ray irradiation. Proton irradiation also increases the number of colonic polyps, carcinomas and invasive adenocarcinomas. Pretreatment with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid-ethyl amide (CDDO-EA), reduces proton irradiation-associated SIR and tumorigenesis. Thus exposure to proton irradiation elicits significant changes in colorectal cancer initiation and progression that can be mitigated using CDDO-EA.

Loss of miR-1258 contributes to carcinogenesis and progression of liver cancer through targeting CDC28 protein kinase regulatory subunit 1B.

PubMed

Hu, Minghua; Wang, Mingwei; Lu, Huihong; Wang, Xiaoming; Fang, Xiaoshan; Wang, Jinguo; Ma, Chenyang; Chen, Xiaobing; Xia, Hongping

2016-07-12

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of cancer related death worldwide. The number of deaths is proportional to the global incidence, which highlights the aggressive tumor biology and lack of effective therapies. Dysregulation of microRNAs has been implicated in carcinogenesis and progression of liver cancer. Here, we identified that miR-1258 was significantly downregulated in HCC and associated with poor patients' survival. Overexpression of miR-1258 significantly inhibits liver cancer cell growth, proliferation and tumorigenicity through increasing cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and promotes cell apoptosis. Interestingly, stable overexpression of miR-1258 suppresses cell migration, stemness and increases sensitivity of HCC cells to chemotherapy drug like doxorubicin. The CDC28 protein kinase regulatory subunit 1B (CKS1B) was identified as a functional downstream target of miR-1258. Re-expression of CKS1B overcomes miR-1258 induced apoptosis and increases stemness of HCC cells, suggesting that loss of miR-1258 contributes to carcinogenesis and progression of liver cancer through targeting CKS1B . Therefore, loss of miR-1258 may be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and blocking miR-1258-CKS1B axis is a potential therapeutic strategy in HCC.

Progress, challenges and perspectives on fish gamete cryopreservation: A mini-review.

PubMed

Asturiano, Juan F; Cabrita, Elsa; Horváth, Ákos

2017-05-01

Protocols for the cryopreservation of fish gametes have been developed for many different fish species, in special, freshwater salmonids and cyprinids. Methods for sperm freezing have progressed during the last decades due to the increasing number of potential applications: aquaculture (genetic improvement programs, broodstock management, helping with species having reproductive problems), biotechnology studies using model fish species (preservation of transgenic or mutant lines), cryobanking of genetic resources from endangered species, etc. This mini-review tries to give an overview of the present situation of this area of research, identifying the main challenges and perspectives, redirecting the reader to more in-depth reviews and papers. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An investigation of the apparent breast cancer epidemic in France: screening and incidence trends in birth cohorts

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Official descriptive data from France showed a strong increase in breast-cancer incidence between 1980 to 2005 without a corresponding change in breast-cancer mortality. This study quantifies the part of incidence increase due to secular changes in risk factor exposure and in overdiagnosis due to organised or opportunistic screening. Overdiagnosis was defined as non progressive tumours diagnosed as cancer at histology or progressive cancer that would remain asymptomatic until time of death for another cause. Methods Comparison between age-matched cohorts from 1980 to 2005. All women residing in France and born 1911-1915, 1926-1930 and 1941-1945 are included. Sources are official data sets and published French reports on screening by mammography, age and time specific breast-cancer incidence and mortality, hormone replacement therapy, alcohol and obesity. Outcome measures include breast-cancer incidence differences adjusted for changes in risk factor distributions between pairs of age-matched cohorts who had experienced different levels of screening intensity. Results There was an 8-fold increase in the number of mammography machines operating in France between 1980 and 2000. Opportunistic and organised screening increased over time. In comparison to age-matched cohorts born 15 years earlier, recent cohorts had adjusted incidence proportion over 11 years that were 76% higher [95% confidence limits (CL) 67%, 85%] for women aged 50 to 64 years and 23% higher [95% CL 15%, 31%] for women aged 65 to 79 years. Given that mortality did not change correspondingly, this increase in adjusted 11 year incidence proportion was considered as an estimate of overdiagnosis. Conclusions Breast cancer may be overdiagnosed because screening increases diagnosis of slowly progressing non-life threatening cancer and increases misdiagnosis among women without progressive cancer. We suggest that these effects could largely explain the reported "epidemic" of breast cancer in France. Better predictive classification of tumours is needed in order to avoid unnecessary cancer diagnoses and subsequent procedures. PMID:21936933

An investigation of the apparent breast cancer epidemic in France: screening and incidence trends in birth cohorts.

PubMed

Junod, Bernard; Zahl, Per-Henrik; Kaplan, Robert M; Olsen, Jørn; Greenland, Sander

2011-09-21

Official descriptive data from France showed a strong increase in breast-cancer incidence between 1980 to 2005 without a corresponding change in breast-cancer mortality. This study quantifies the part of incidence increase due to secular changes in risk factor exposure and in overdiagnosis due to organised or opportunistic screening. Overdiagnosis was defined as non progressive tumours diagnosed as cancer at histology or progressive cancer that would remain asymptomatic until time of death for another cause. Comparison between age-matched cohorts from 1980 to 2005. All women residing in France and born 1911-1915, 1926-1930 and 1941-1945 are included. Sources are official data sets and published French reports on screening by mammography, age and time specific breast-cancer incidence and mortality, hormone replacement therapy, alcohol and obesity. Outcome measures include breast-cancer incidence differences adjusted for changes in risk factor distributions between pairs of age-matched cohorts who had experienced different levels of screening intensity. There was an 8-fold increase in the number of mammography machines operating in France between 1980 and 2000. Opportunistic and organised screening increased over time. In comparison to age-matched cohorts born 15 years earlier, recent cohorts had adjusted incidence proportion over 11 years that were 76% higher [95% confidence limits (CL) 67%, 85%] for women aged 50 to 64 years and 23% higher [95% CL 15%, 31%] for women aged 65 to 79 years. Given that mortality did not change correspondingly, this increase in adjusted 11 year incidence proportion was considered as an estimate of overdiagnosis. Breast cancer may be overdiagnosed because screening increases diagnosis of slowly progressing non-life threatening cancer and increases misdiagnosis among women without progressive cancer. We suggest that these effects could largely explain the reported "epidemic" of breast cancer in France. Better predictive classification of tumours is needed in order to avoid unnecessary cancer diagnoses and subsequent procedures.

The Status and Contributions of American Women in the Economy, 1950-1953.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keyserling, Mary Dublin

Although the role of women in the American economy has come a long way in the years since 1950, women have made relatively little progress in quite a number of areas. In the years during and after World War II, women's employment has increased significantly, with married women being the ones who have entered the work force most rapidly. Despite…

Proposals for National Arrangements for the Use of Academic Credit in Higher Education in England: Final Report of the Burgess Group

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Universities UK, 2006

2006-01-01

"Credit" has an increasingly important role to play in recording student achievement and also for providing support for students and their progression both into and within the education system. It is a key tool for promoting lifelong learning. Credit can serve a number of purposes but is fundamentally a tool for assessing the equivalence…

GABA signaling stimulates α-cell-mediated β-like cell neogenesis.

PubMed

Napolitano, Tiziana; Avolio, Fabio; Vieira, Andhira; Ben-Othman, Nouha; Courtney, Monica; Gjernes, Elisabet; Hadzic, Biljana; Druelle, Noémie; Navarro Sanz, Sergi; Silvano, Serena; Mansouri, Ahmed; Collombat, Patrick

2017-01-01

Diabetes is a chronic and progressing disease, the number of patients increasing exponentially, especially in industrialized countries. Regenerating lost insulin-producing cells would represent a promising therapeutic alternative for most diabetic patients. To this end, using the mouse as a model, we reported that GABA, a food supplement, could induce insulin-producing beta-like cell neogenesis offering an attractive and innovative approach for diabetes therapeutics.

Performance Measures in Out-of-School Time Evaluation. Out-of-School Time Evaluation Snapshot, Number 3.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harvard University Harvard Family Research Project, 2004

2004-01-01

Increasingly, out-of-school time programs are being asked to provide data that documents their progress and demonstrates their results. But for many OST programs and their over-worked staff this added responsibility is the "straw that broke the camel?s back." Across the country there is a cry from programs for help in deciding what to measure and…

The Gender Gap in Youth Sports: Too Many Urban Girls Are Being Left Behind

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sabo, Don

2009-01-01

The last several decades have witnessed a large increase in the number of girls who participate in sports in the United States. Today an estimated 8 million third- through 12th-grade girls and 12 million boys participate in organized and team sports. While much progress has been made toward achieving gender equity in youth sports, too many girls…

Implementation of the Education of the Handicapped Act [Public Law 94-142]. Eleventh Annual Report to Congress.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (ED), Washington, DC. Div. of Innovation and Development.

The report documents the nation's progress in providing a free appropriate public education for all children with handicaps under the provisions of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, Public Law 94-142. Chapter I presents national statistics reported annually by the states (e.g., a 1.6% increase in number of handicapped children served…

The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2016: National

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

ACT, Inc., 2016

2016-01-01

This report is the ACT annual report on the progress of U.S. high school graduates relative to college readiness. This year's report shows that 64% of students in the 2016 US graduating class took the ACT test, up from 59% in 2015 and 49% in 2011. The increased number of test takers over the past several years enhances the breadth and depth of the…

Perspectives on the Use of Null Hypothesis Statistical Testing. Part III: the Various Nuts and Bolts of Statistical and Hypothesis Testing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marmolejo-Ramos, Fernando; Cousineau, Denis

2017-01-01

The number of articles showing dissatisfaction with the null hypothesis statistical testing (NHST) framework has been progressively increasing over the years. Alternatives to NHST have been proposed and the Bayesian approach seems to have achieved the highest amount of visibility. In this last part of the special issue, a few alternative…

Too easily lead? Health effects of gasoline additives.

PubMed Central

Menkes, D B; Fawcett, J P

1997-01-01

Octane-enhancing constituents of gasoline pose a number of health hazards. This paper considers the relative risks of metallic (lead, manganese), aromatic (e.g., benzene), and oxygenated additives in both industrialized and developing countries. Technological advances, particularly in industrialized countries, have allowed the progressive removal of lead from gasoline and the increased control of exhaust emissions. The developing world, by contrast, has relatively lax environmental standards and faces serious public health problems from vehicle exhaust and the rapid increase in automobile use. Financial obstacles to the modernization of refineries and vehicle fleets compound this problem and the developing world continues to import large quantities of lead additives and other hazardous materials. Progress in decreasing environmental health problems depends both on the adoption of international public health standards as well as efforts to decrease dependence on the private automobile for urban transport. Images Figure 1. Figure 2. PMID:9171982

Delayed Consequences of Acute Kidney Injury

PubMed Central

Parr, Sharidan K; Siew, Edward D

2016-01-01

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an increasingly common complication of hospitalization and acute illness. Experimental data indicate that AKI may cause permanent kidney damage through tubulointerstitial fibrosis and progressive nephron loss, while also lowering the threshold for subsequent injury. Furthermore, preclinical data suggest that AKI may also cause distant organ dysfunction. The extension of these findings to human studies suggests long-term consequences of AKI including, but not limited to recurrent AKI, progressive kidney disease, elevated blood pressure, cardiovascular events, and mortality. As the number of AKI survivors increases, the need to better understand the mechanisms driving these processes becomes paramount. Optimizing care for AKI survivors will require understanding the short- and long-term risks associated with AKI, identifying patients at highest risk for poor outcomes, and testing interventions that target modifiable risk factors. In this review, we examine the literature describing the association between AKI and long-term outcomes and highlight opportunities for further research and potential intervention. PMID:27113695

The Case Mix of Patients Presenting with Full-Thickness Macular Holes and Progression before Surgery: Implications for Optimum Management.

PubMed

Madi, Haifa A; Dinah, Christiana; Rees, Jon; Steel, David H W

2015-01-01

Analysis of pre-operative spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) characteristics of full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) and effect on optimum management. We retrospectively reviewed SD-OCT characteristics of a consecutive cohort of patients waitlisted for FTMH surgery and categorized them by current evidence-based treatments. Out of the 106 holes analysed, 36 were small, 40 medium and 30 large. Initially, 33 holes had vitreomacular adhesion (VMA). 41 holes were analysed for change in characteristics with a median duration of 8 weeks between the scans. The number of small or medium holes decreased from 20 to 6 and that of large holes doubled. The number of holes with VMA halved. Smaller hole size (p = 0.014) and being phakic (p = 0.048) were associated with a larger increase in size. The strongest predictor of hole progression into a different surgical management category was the presence of VMA. FTMH characteristics can change significantly pre-operatively and affect optimal treatment choice.

Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication--India, January 2004-May 2005.

PubMed

2005-07-08

Since 1988, the global incidence of polio has decreased by more than 99%, and three World Health Organization (WHO) regions (Americas, Western Pacific, and European) have been certified as polio-free . India, the largest of the six countries where polio remains endemic, experienced a large polio outbreak (1,600 cases) in 2002. Since then, the Government of India (GOI) has accelerated its polio eradication activities by increasing the number and quality of supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), which reduced the number of reported cases to 225 in 2003, 134 in 2004, and 18 in 2005 (as of June 18). During 2004 and early 2005, taking advantage of the geographic restriction of wild poliovirus (WPV) circulation, GOI and its partners launched several immunization and surveillance strategies to maximize the probability of eliminating poliovirus transmission in India. With continued high-quality interventions, interruption of WPV transmission in India by the end of 2005 appears feasible. This report summarizes progress toward polio elimination during January 2004-May 2005 toward that end.

Contractors Road Heavy Equipment Area SWMU 055 Corrective Measures Implementation Progress Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dorman, Lane

2015-01-01

This Corrective Measures Implementation (CMI) Progress Report, Revision 1, for Contractor's Road Heavy Equipment (CRHE) Area Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) Number 055 was prepared by Geosyntec Consultants (Geosyntec) for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under contract number NNK09CA02B, Delivery Order NNK09CA62D and Project Number PCN ENV-2324. This CMI Progress Report documents: (i) activities conducted as part of supplemental assessment activities completed from June 2009 through November 2014; (ii) Engineering Evaluation (EE) Advanced Data Packages (ADPs); and (iii) recommendations for future activities related to corrective measures at the Site.

Hazards to Early Development: The Biological Embedding of Early Life Adversity.

PubMed

Nelson, Charles A

2017-10-11

The number of children under 18 years of age has increased worldwide over the past decade. This growth spurt is due, in part, to remarkable progress in child survival. Alas, surviving early hazards, like prematurity or infectious disease, does not guarantee that children's development will not be compromised by other hazards as they grow older. Throughout the world, children continue to be confronted with a large number of biological and psychosocial challenges that greatly limit their developmental potential. The focus of this article is how such adverse experiences impact the developing brain. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multiple Sclerosis: Epidemiologic, Clinical, and Therapeutic Aspects.

PubMed

Vidal-Jordana, Angela; Montalban, Xavier

2017-05-01

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune and degenerative disease of the central nervous system that affects young people. MS develops in genetically susceptible individuals exposed to different unknown triggering factors. Different phenotypes are described. About 15% of patients present with a primary progressive course and 85% with a relapsing-remitting course. An increasing number of disease-modifying treatments has emerged. Although encouraging, the number of drugs challenges the neurologist because each treatment has its own risk-benefit profile. Patients should be involved in the decision-making process to ensure good treatment and safety monitoring adherence. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Effect of hemosorption on the ultrastructure of hepatocytes in toxic liver damage].

PubMed

Kasymov, A Kh; Kasymov, Sh Z; Vorozheĭkin, V M; Kirichenko, I P

1985-03-01

Extracorporeal perfusion of toxic blood via carbonic sorbents is an effective method for correcting severe disturbances of hemostasis. Ultrastructural alterations in hepatic cells were studied in experimental toxic liver injury before and after hemosorption. It was established that after hemosorption the processes of intracellular regeneration were significantly activated in the liver parenchyma. The number of crysts in the mitochondria increased as did the electronic density of the matrix. At the same time the number of lysosomes rose as well. However, in persistent unresolved cholestasis, destructive alterations in the hepatic tissue progressed despite the performance of hemosorption.

Short-term modern life-like stress exacerbates Aβ-pathology and synapse loss in 3xTg-AD mice.

PubMed

Baglietto-Vargas, David; Chen, Yuncai; Suh, Dongjin; Ager, Rahasson R; Rodriguez-Ortiz, Carlos J; Medeiros, Rodrigo; Myczek, Kristoffer; Green, Kim N; Baram, Tallie Z; LaFerla, Frank M

2015-09-01

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder that impairs memory and other cognitive functions in the elderly. The social and financial impacts of AD are overwhelming and are escalating exponentially as a result of population aging. Therefore, identifying AD-related risk factors and the development of more efficacious therapeutic approaches are critical to cure this neurological disorder. Current epidemiological evidence indicates that life experiences, including chronic stress, are a risk for AD. However, it is unknown if short-term stress, lasting for hours, influences the onset or progression of AD. Here, we determined the effect of short-term, multi-modal 'modern life-like' stress on AD pathogenesis and synaptic plasticity in mice bearing three AD mutations (the 3xTg-AD mouse model). We found that combined emotional and physical stress lasting 5 h severely impaired memory in wild-type mice and tended to impact it in already low-performing 3xTg-AD mice. This stress reduced the number of synapse-bearing dendritic spines in 3xTg-AD mice and increased Aβ levels by augmenting AβPP processing. Thus, short-term stress simulating modern-life conditions may exacerbate cognitive deficits in preclinical AD by accelerating amyloid pathology and reducing synapse numbers. Epidemiological evidence indicates that life experiences, including chronic stress, are a risk for Alzheimer disease (AD). However, it is unknown if short stress in the range of hours influences the onset or progression of AD. Here, we determined the effect of short, multi-modal 'modern-lifelike'stress on AD pathogenesis and synaptic plasticity in mice bearing three AD mutations (the 3xTg-AD mouse model). We found that combined emotional and physical stress lasting 5 h severely impaired memory in wild-type mice and tended to impact it in already low-performing 3xTg-AD mice. This stress reduced the number of synapse-bearing dendritic spines in 3xTg-AD mice and increased Aβ levels by augmenting AβPP processing. Thus, short stress simulating modern-life conditions may exacerbate cognitive deficits in preclinical AD by accelerating amyloid pathology and reducing synapse numbers. © 2015 International Society for Neurochemistry.

Progress of Multi-Beam Long Trace-Profiler Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gubarev, Mikhail; Kilaru, Kiranmayee; Merthe, Daniel J.; Kester, Thomas; McKinney, Wayne R.; Takacs, Peter Z.; Yashchuk, Valeriy V.

2012-01-01

The multi-beam long trace profiler (LTP) under development at NASA s Marshall Space Flight Center[1] is designed to increase the efficiency of metrology of replicated X-ray optics. The traditional LTP operates on a single laser beam that scans along the test surface to detect the slope errors. While capable of exceptional surface slope accuracy, the LTP single beam scanning has slow measuring speed. As metrology constitutes a significant fraction of the time spent in optics production, an increase in the efficiency of metrology helps in decreasing the cost of fabrication of the x-ray optics and in improving their quality. Metrology efficiency can be increased by replacing the single laser beam with multiple beams that can scan a section of the test surface at a single instance. The increase in speed with such a system would be almost proportional to the number of laser beams. A collaborative feasibility study has been made and specifications were fixed for a multi-beam long trace profiler. The progress made in the development of this metrology system is presented.

Medical education on a collision course: sooner rather than later?

PubMed

David, Alan K

2013-03-01

The escalating cost of medical education does not have transparency. This results in high percentages of medical students with progressively rising levels of indebtedness that are only exceeded by the increases in tuition. Indebtedness is a factor in specialty choice along with the "business" of medicine that reimburses procedural-based physicians much more than cognitive primary care-based services. In response to perceived increased physician demand by 2025, medical schools have increased enrollments, and new schools are online or in development. Despite the inevitable increase in medical graduates, the number of residency positions is static and may even contract. While these phenomena are being studied individually, almost no one is examining the bigger picture: increasing numbers of highly indebted students vying for static numbers of residency positions, especially in the more highly remunerative specialties. The workforce is out of balance now, and the desired workforce outcomes are not universally agreed upon, let alone how to achieve them. This collision of forces is imminent. Family medicine can become "counter culture" once again and advocate for change with education/cost data, political expertise, and outcome measures. Returning to our roots by advocating ultimately for the patient is fundamental to our discipline.

[Increasing Number of Road Traffic Fatalities in Germany - Turnaround or Snap-Shot].

PubMed

Brand, S; Schmucker, U; Lob, G; Haasper, C; Juhra, C; Hell, W; Rieth, P; Matthes, G

2017-04-01

Introduction: For the first time since 20 years, the number of road accident fatalities in 2011 increased on German roads compared to earlier periods. Methods and Results: The presented paper submitted by the expert group for accident prevention investigates and discusses possible reasons for the observed increase in road traffic fatalities. Results: Climate changes as well as changes in economic environment, and technological progress in car and passenger safety are identified as possible reasons for the observed increase. Discussion: Mentioning the "Decade of Action for Road Safety" initiated by the UNO and coordinated by the WHO, the overall goal is a worldwide reduction of accident related road fatalities. But prognostic calculations predict an asymptotic approximation to a limit of road fatalities. To achieve a reduction by half until 2020 intense collaboration and disproportional expenditure are necessary. Conclusion: From the authors' point of view the current increase of traffic fatalities in Germany is rated as a snapshot rather than a turnaround. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Psychosocial Factors Are Associated With Blood Pressure Progression Among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Study.

PubMed

Ford, Cassandra D; Sims, Mario; Higginbotham, John C; Crowther, Martha R; Wyatt, Sharon B; Musani, Solomon K; Payne, Thomas J; Fox, Ervin R; Parton, Jason M

2016-08-01

Research that examines the associations of psychosocial factors with incident hypertension among African Americans (AA) is limited. Using Jackson Heart Study (JHS) data, we examined associations of negative affect and stress with incident hypertension and blood pressure (BP) progression among AA. Our sample consisted of 1,656 normotensive participants at baseline (2000-2004) (mean age 47±12; 61% women). We investigated associations of negative affect (cynical distrust, anger-in, anger-out, and depressive symptoms) and stress (perceived stress, weekly stress inventory (WSI)-event, WSI-impact, and major life events) with BP progression (an increase by one BP stage as defined by JNC VII) and incident hypertension by examination 2 (2005-2008). Poisson regression analysis was utilized to examine the prevalence ratios (PRs; 95% confidence interval (CI)) of BP tracking and incident hypertension with psychosocial factors, adjusting for baseline age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES), and hypertension risk factors. Fifty-six percentage of the sample (922 cases) had BP progression from 2005 to 2008. After adjustment for age, sex, and SES, a high anger-out score was associated with a 20% increased risk of BP progression compared to a low anger-out score (PR 1.20; 95% CI 1.05-1.36). High depressive symptoms score was associated with BP progression in the age, sex, and SES-adjusted model (PR 1.14; 95% CI 1.00-1.30). High WSI-event scores were associated with BP progression in the fully adjusted model (PR 1.21; 95% CI 1.04-1.40). We did not observe significant associations with any of the psychosocial measures and incident hypertension. Psychosocial factors were associated with BP progression, with the strongest evidence for number of stressful events that occurred. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2016. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Thalidomide Prevents the Progression of Peritoneal Fibrosis in Mice

PubMed Central

Arai, Hideyuki; Furusu, Akira; Nishino, Tomoya; Obata, Yoko; Nakazawa, Yuka; Nakazawa, Masayuki; Hirose, Misaki; Abe, Katsushige; Koji, Takehiko; Kohno, Shigeru

2011-01-01

Thalidomide is clinically recognized as a therapeutic agent for multiple myeloma and has been known to exert anti-angiogenic actions. Recent studies have suggested the involvement of angiogenesis in the progression of peritoneal fibrosis. The present study investigated the effects of thalidomide on the development of peritoneal fibrosis induced by injection of chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) into the mouse peritoneal cavity every other day for 3 weeks. Thalidomide was given orally every day. Peritoneal tissues were dissected out 21 days after CG injection. Expression of CD31 (as a marker of endothelial cells), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), α-smooth muscle actin (as a marker of myofibroblasts), type III collagen and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β was examined using immunohistochemistry. CG group showed thickening of the submesothelial zone and increased numbers of vessels and myofibroblasts. Large numbers of VEGF-, PCNA-, and TGF-β-positive cells were observed in the submesothelial area. Thalidomide treatment significantly ameliorated submesothelial thickening and angiogenesis, and decreased numbers of PCNA- and VEGF-expressing cells, myofibroblasts, and TGF-β-positive cells. Moreover, thalidomide attenuated peritoneal permeability for creatinine, compared to the CG group. Our results indicate the potential utility of thalidomide for preventing peritoneal fibrosis. PMID:21614166

Female STEM majors wanted: The impact of certain factors on choice of a college major

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conrad, Walter Michael

Although females have made significant strides in educational achievements and substantial inroads into academic majors, such as business and medicine, they have made considerably less progress in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. This translates into a smaller number of female graduates prepared to work in the science career fields and results in American industry looking to other countries for its educated workforce. A mixed-methods research design was used to explore and understand the lived experiences and perceptions of faculty members and working STEM professionals in Northern and Central Virginia. Results indicated that although females are attaining STEM degrees and entering STEM fields in record numbers, obstacles such as a challenging STEM curriculum, bias, feelings of insecurity, lack of female role models, and inadequate preparation for the STEM workforce could impede the progress females have made. This research makes recommendations to the academic community and industry which may be used as retention and recruitment strategies for females considering a career in STEM. The ultimate goal is to significantly increase the number of highly skilled female graduates entering STEM fields, leading the U.S. to regain its previous position atop the world in technological innovation and leadership.

Holding a mirror to society? Progression towards achieving better sociodemographic representation among the University of Otago's health professional students.

PubMed

Crampton, Peter; Weaver, Naomi; Howard, Andrea

2018-06-08

1) To describe the sociodemographic characteristics of students accepted into eight health professional programmes at the University of Otago in 2016. 2) To provide an update on an earlier (2012) paper to illustrate progress towards increasing diversity within the health professional student cohort. Student data were obtained from the University of Otago's central student records system. Data were obtained in anonymous, summary form. New Zealand population data were obtained from Statistics New Zealand. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Between 2010 and 2016 there was: a marked increase in the proportion of Māori (124% increase) and Pacific students (121% increase) in health professional programmes, more pronounced in medicine and dentistry (increases of 179% and 133% respectively); an increase in the proportion of students from rural areas from 19.2% to 22.5%; an increase in the proportion of female students from 59.6% to 61.3%; and little overall change in the overall socioeconomic profile. Between 2010 and 2016 there was an overall increase in diversity in the health professional student body, with strong growth in Māori, Pacific and rural students. The recent introduction of new affirmative categories will hopefully result in an increase in socioeconomic diversity and in the number of refugee students.

The number of preproghrelin mRNA expressing cells is increased in mice with activity-based anorexia.

PubMed

François, Marie; Barde, Swapnali; Achamrah, Najate; Breton, Jonathan; do Rego, Jean-Claude; Coëffier, Moïse; Hökfelt, Tomas; Déchelotte, Pierre; Fetissov, Sergueï O

2015-06-01

Plasma levels of ghrelin, an orexigenic peptide, are increased during conditions of chronic starvation, such as in patients with anorexia nervosa. However, it is not known whether such increase can be related to the number of preproghrelin mRNA-expressing cells in the stomach, and if chronic starvation may activate a tentative central ghrelin production. In this work, in situ hybridization technique was used to analyze the presence and number of preproghrelin mRNA-expressing cells in the stomach and the hypothalamus of mice with activity-based anorexia (ABA) induced by the combination of running wheel activity with progressive, during 10 days, feeding-time restriction (FTR) and compared with sedentary FTR, ABA pair-fed (PF) and ad libitum-fed control mice. All food-restricted mice lost more than 20% of body weight. Body weight loss was similar in ABA and PF mice, but it was more pronounced than in FTR mice. Food intake was also lower in ABA than in FTR mice. Preproghrelin mRNA-expressing cells in the stomach were increased proportionally to the body weight loss in all food-restricted groups with the highest number in ABA mice. No preproghrelin mRNA-producing cells were detectable in the hypothalamus of either control or food-restricted mice. Thus, the increased number of gastric preproghrelin mRNA-producing cells during chronic starvation proportionally to the body weight loss and reduced food intake may underlie increased plasma ghrelin. Hyperactivity-induced anorexia appears to further increase the number of preproghrelin mRNA-producing cells in the stomach. No evidence was found for ghrelin expression in the hypothalamus, not even in any of the present experimental models. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Progressive resistance training in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Saltychev, Mikhail; Bärlund, Esa; Paltamaa, Jaana; Katajapuu, Niina; Laimi, Katri

2016-01-01

Objectives To investigate if there is evidence on effectiveness of progressive resistance training in rehabilitation of Parkinson disease. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: Central, Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Web of Science, Pedro until May 2014. Randomised controlled or controlled clinical trials. The methodological quality of studies was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration's domain-based evaluation framework. Data synthesis: random effects meta-analysis with test for heterogeneity using the I² and pooled estimate as the raw mean difference. Participants Adults with primary/idiopathic Parkinson's disease of any severity, excluding other concurrent neurological condition. Interventions Progressive resistance training defined as training consisting of a small number of repetitions until fatigue, allowing sufficient rest between exercises for recovery, and increasing the resistance as the ability to generate force improves. Comparison Progressive resistance training versus no treatment, placebo or other treatment in randomised controlled or controlled clinical trials. Primary and secondary outcome measures Any outcome. Results Of 516 records, 12 were considered relevant. Nine of them had low risk of bias. All studies were randomised controlled trials conducted on small samples with none or 1 month follow-up after the end of intervention. Of them, six were included in quantitative analysis. Pooled effect sizes of meta-analyses on fast and comfortable walking speed, the 6 min walking test, Timed Up and Go test and maximal oxygen consumption were below the level of minimal clinical significance. Conclusions There is so far no evidence on the superiority of progressive resistance training compared with other physical training to support the use of this technique in rehabilitation of Parkinson's disease. Systematic review registration number PROSPERO 2014:CRD42014009844. PMID:26743698

Vulnerability to predation and physiological stress responses in juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) experimentally infected with Renibacterium salmoninarum

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mesa, M.G.; Poe, T.P.; Maule, A.G.; Schreck, C.B.

1998-01-01

We experimentally infected juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) with Renibacterium salmoninarum (Rs), the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease (BKD), to examine the vulnerability to predation of fish with differing levels of Rs infection and assess physiological change during progression of the disease. Immersion challenges conducted during 1992 and 1994 produced fish with either a low to moderate (1992) or high (1994) infection level of Rs during the 14-week postchallenge rearing period. When equal numbers of treatment and unchallenged control fish were subjected to predation by either northern squaw fish (Ptychocheilus oregonensis) or smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui), Rs-challenged fish were eaten in significantly greater numbers than controls by nearly two to one. In 1994, we also sampled fish every 2 weeks after the challenge to determine some stressful effects of Rs infection. During disease progression in fish, plasma cortisol and lactate increased significantly whereas glucose decreased significantly. Our results indicate the role that BKD may play in predator-prey interactions, thus ascribing some ecological significance to this disease beyond that of direct pathogen-related mortality. In addition, the physiological changes observed in our fish during the chronic progression of BKD indicate that this disease is stressful, particularly during the later stages.

Evaluation of scientific production in oral surgery in Italy from 1998 to 2012.

PubMed

Zizzari, V L; De Carlo, A; Lorusso, F; Tetè, S; Piattelli, A

2014-05-01

Dental research, especially in the field of oral surgery, showed a strong and significant increase during the last years. This was probably determined by the introduction among the clinicians of different therapeutic protocols through biomaterials engineering, and by the large broadcasting of scientific knowledge due to new media such as the internet. The aim of this work was to analyze the scientific production of a sample of Italian Oral Surgeons from 1998 to 2012. The scientific production of 252 Active Members belonging to three Italian associations of Oral Surgery (SIdCO, SIO, SICOI) was examined. The number of authors, the number of publications and the number of citation were quantified for three periods of 5 years each from the first year considered along 15 years. The overall sample was then divided into two groups, academics and not academics, in order to differently assess the scientific production conducted inside or outside the University. Over the years, scientific production increased considerably, with a progression not strictly proportional if compared to the number of authors, especially in the last 5 years. By spearately considering the academics and the not academics authors, the biggest contribution to the scientific production increasingly came from the last 5 years, both in terms of authors' and published papers number. The results reported in this bibliometric analysis show how scientific research increasingly pursued by clinicians in oral surgery in the last 15 years.

Evaluation of scientific production in Oral Surgery in Italy from 1998 to 2012.

PubMed

Zizzari, V L; De Carlo, A; Lorusso, F; Tetè, S; Piattelli, A

2014-06-20

Dental research, especially in the field of oral surgery, showed a strong and significant increase during the last years. This was probably determined by the introduction among the clinicians of different therapeutic protocols through biomaterials engineering, and by the large broadcasting of scientific knowledge due to new media such as the internet. The aim of this work was to analyze the scientific production of a sample of Italian Oral Surgeons from 1998 to 2012. The scientific production of 252 Active Members belonging to three associations of Italian Oral Surgery (SIdCO, SIO, SICOI) was examined. The number of authors, the number of publications and the number of citation were quantified for three periods of 5 years each from the first year considered along 15 years. The overall sample was then divided into two groups, Academics and Not Academics, in order to differently assess the scientific production conducted inside or outside the University. Over the years, scientific production increased considerably, with a progression not strictly proportional if compared to the number of authors, especially in the last 5 years. By spearately considering the Academics and the Not Academics authors, the biggest contribution to the scientific production increasingly came from the last 5 years, both in terms of authors' and published papers number. The results reported in this bibliometric analysis show how scientific research increasingly pursued by clinicians in Oral Surgery in the last 15 years.

Particulate matter air pollution exposure promotes recruitment of monocytes into atherosclerotic plaques.

PubMed

Yatera, Kazuhiro; Hsieh, Joanne; Hogg, James C; Tranfield, Erin; Suzuki, Hisashi; Shih, Chih-Horng; Behzad, Ali R; Vincent, Renaud; van Eeden, Stephan F

2008-02-01

Epidemiologic studies have shown an association between exposure to ambient particulate air pollution <10 microm in diameter (PM(10)) and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We previously showed that PM(10) exposure causes progression of atherosclerosis in coronary arteries. We postulate that the recruitment of monocytes from the circulation into atherosclerotic lesions is a key step in this PM(10)-induced acceleration of atherosclerosis. The study objective was to quantify the recruitment of circulating monocytes into vessel walls and the progression of atherosclerotic plaques induced by exposure to PM(10). Female Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits, which naturally develop systemic atherosclerosis, were exposed to PM(10) (EHC-93) or vehicle by intratracheal instillation twice a week for 4 wk. Monocytes, labeled with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) in donors, were transfused to recipient rabbits as whole blood, and the recruitment of BrdU-labeled cells into vessel walls and plaques in recipients was measured by quantitative histological methodology. Exposure to PM(10) caused progression of atherosclerotic lesions in thoracic and abdominal aorta. It also decreased circulating monocyte counts, decreased circulating monocytes expressing high levels of CD31 (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1) and CD49d (very late antigen-4 alpha-chain), and increased expression of CD54 (ICAM-1) and CD106 (VCAM-1) in plaques. Exposure to PM(10) increased the number of BrdU-labeled monocytes adherent to endothelium over plaques and increased the migration of BrdU-labeled monocytes into plaques and smooth muscle underneath plaques. We conclude that exposure to ambient air pollution particles promotes the recruitment of circulating monocytes into atherosclerotic plaques and speculate that this is a critically important step in the PM(10)-induced progression of atherosclerosis.

[Professional activity of Bulgarian women during the period 1946-1984].

PubMed

Lazarova, F

1987-01-01

The role of women in socialist Bulgaria is discussed with special emphasis on the changes in educational level and professional activity. In capitalist Bulgaria (prior to 1946), the vast majority of women (up to 90%) worked in textile, food or tobacco industry. Only 1.3% of women had a college degree. Socialist revolution in the post World War II Bulgaria gave women equal rights to employment and education. During the period of 1946-1975, there was a 14-fold increase in the number of women engaged in skilled labor. The number of women with college degrees showed progressive increases from 21.4% in 1956 to 47.7% in 1983. In 1977, 40.1% of research personnel and 31.9% of engineers were women. In 1965, approximately 75% of women in the 16-54 year age group were married; 81.3% of married women have been working. The number of married women with at least a high school diploma showed increases from 27.7% in 1965 to 37.7% in 1975, while the number of married women with vocational education increased from 4.7% to 12.4%. At the same time, the birth rate in working women showed a decrease from 2.03 in 1965 to 1.88 in 1975.

Sex-Based Differences in Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Part II: Rising Incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in Women and the Vulnerability of Men to Progression of this Disease.

PubMed

Dunn, Shannon E; Gunde, Eva; Lee, Hyunwoo

2015-01-01

It is well known that a number of autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS) predominantly affect women and there has been much attention directed toward understanding why this is the case. Past research has revealed a number of sex differences in autoimmune responses that can account for the female bias in MS. However, much less is known about why the incidence of MS has increased exclusively in women over the past half century. The recency of this increase suggests that changing environmental or lifestyle factors are interacting with biological sex to increase MS risk predominantly in females. Indeed, a number of recent studies have identified sex-specific differences in the effect of environmental factors on MS incidence. The first part of this chapter will overview this evidence and will discuss the possible scenarios of how the environment may be interacting with autoimmune mechanisms to contribute to the preferential rise in MS incidence in women. Despite the strong female bias in MS incidence, culminating evidence from natural history studies, and imaging and pathology studies suggests that males who develop MS may exhibit a more rapid decline in disability and cognitive functioning than women. Very little is known about the biological basis of this more rapid deterioration, but some insights have been provided by studies in rodent models of demyelination/remyelination. The second part of this chapter will overview the evidence that males with relapsing-onset MS undergo a more rapid progression of disease than females and will discuss potential biological mechanisms that account for this sex difference.

A look at construction aggregates production

USGS Publications Warehouse

Willett, Jason Christopher

2009-01-01

Construction aggregates are defined as the combination of crushed stone and construction sand and gravel. Aggregates are one of the most accessible natural resources on Earth and one of the fundamental building blocks of our society. They have been used from the earliest times of our civilization for a variety of applications that have increased in number and complexity with time and technological progress. Despite the relatively low but increasing unit value of its basic products, the construction aggregates industry is a major contributor to and an indicator of the economic well-being of the nation.

The Role of Central Metabolism in Prostate Cancer Progression

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-10-01

metabolites of dietary ω-3 and - 6 PUFAs directly affect PCa and the ability to do so depends on intake and metabolic enzyme expression. Omega -3 and - 6 ...The Role of Central Metabolism in Prostate Cancer Progression 5b. GRANT NUMBER W81XWH-08-1-0694 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6 . AUTHOR(S) Thomas...ABSTRACT We hypothesize that by enriching the diet with -3 PUFAs PCa tumor progression will be significantly reduced. Patients with localized PCa

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Study the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Relapsing and Progressive MS

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-15-1-0654 TITLE: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Study the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Relapsing and Progressive MS...Multidisciplinary Approach to Study the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Relapsing and Progressive MS 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT...Major Tasks and subtasks: Aim#1: To compare the gut microbiome of subjects with RMS and PPMS. Major Task 1: To seek and obtain HRPO approval Major

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Study the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Relapsing and Progressive MS

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-15-1-0652 TITLE: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Study the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Relapsing and Progressive MS...0652 A Multidisciplinary Approach to Study the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Relapsing and Progressive MS 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d...SOW, each Aim was subdivided into Major Tasks and subtasks: Aim#1: To compare the gut microbiome of subjects with RMS and PPMS. Major Task 1

Methodology for Developing a Probabilistic Risk Assessment Model of Spacecraft Rendezvous and Dockings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farnham, Steven J., II; Garza, Joel, Jr.; Castillo, Theresa M.; Lutomski, Michael

2011-01-01

In 2007 NASA was preparing to send two new visiting vehicles carrying logistics and propellant to the International Space Station (ISS). These new vehicles were the European Space Agency s (ESA) Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), the Jules Verne, and the Japanese Aerospace and Explorations Agency s (JAXA) H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV). The ISS Program wanted to quantify the increased risk to the ISS from these visiting vehicles. At the time, only the Shuttle, the Soyuz, and the Progress vehicles rendezvoused and docked to the ISS. The increased risk to the ISS was from an increase in vehicle traffic, thereby, increasing the potential catastrophic collision during the rendezvous and the docking or berthing of the spacecraft to the ISS. A universal method of evaluating the risk of rendezvous and docking or berthing was created by the ISS s Risk Team to accommodate the increasing number of rendezvous and docking or berthing operations due to the increasing number of different spacecraft, as well as the future arrival of commercial spacecraft. Before the first docking attempt of ESA's ATV and JAXA's HTV to the ISS, a probabilistic risk model was developed to quantitatively calculate the risk of collision of each spacecraft with the ISS. The 5 rendezvous and docking risk models (Soyuz, Progress, Shuttle, ATV, and HTV) have been used to build and refine the modeling methodology for rendezvous and docking of spacecrafts. This risk modeling methodology will be NASA s basis for evaluating the addition of future ISS visiting spacecrafts hazards, including SpaceX s Dragon, Orbital Science s Cygnus, and NASA s own Orion spacecraft. This paper will describe the methodology used for developing a visiting vehicle risk model.

[Joint Prosthetic Infection: UpDate Approaches to Diagnosis and Treatment].

PubMed

Belov, B S; Makarov, S A; Byalik, E I

2015-01-01

At present endoprosthetics of the joints is considered as a progressive and ever developing method in the surgical treatment of patients with affection of the locomotor system of any genesis. Hence, increasing of the number of endoprosthetic results in increasing of the number of patients with periprosthetic infection. Polymorphism of the clinical picture and inspecificity of the diagnostic tests often cause a delay in the diagnosis of the joint prosthetic infection (JPI) and consequently the late treatment. The contemporary data on the etiology, epidemiology, clinical picture and diagnosis of JPI are presented. The importance of cooperated treatment of JPI, i.e. combination of the surgical management and etiotropic antibacterial therapy is indicated. The choice of the concrete treatment method is defined by the patient state, comorbid pathology, the infection severity and duration.

Deregulation of MiR-34b/Sox2 Predicts Prostate Cancer Progression.

PubMed

Forno, Irene; Ferrero, Stefano; Russo, Maria Veronica; Gazzano, Giacomo; Giangiobbe, Sara; Montanari, Emanuele; Del Nero, Alberto; Rocco, Bernardo; Albo, Giancarlo; Languino, Lucia R; Altieri, Dario C; Vaira, Valentina; Bosari, Silvano

2015-01-01

Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer will have an indolent and curable disease, whereas approximately 15% of these patients will rapidly progress to a castrate-resistant and metastatic stage with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the identification of molecular signature(s) that detect men at risk of progressing disease remains a pressing and still unmet need for these patients. Here, we used an integrated discovery platform combining prostate cancer cell lines, a Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of the Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) model and clinically-annotated human tissue samples to identify loss of expression of microRNA-34b as consistently associated with prostate cancer relapse. Mechanistically, this was associated with epigenetics silencing of the MIR34B/C locus and increased DNA copy number loss, selectively in androgen-dependent prostate cancer. In turn, loss of miR-34b resulted in downstream deregulation and overexpression of the "stemness" marker, Sox2. These findings identify loss of miR-34b as a robust biomarker for prostate cancer progression in androgen-sensitive tumors, and anticipate a potential role of progenitor/stem cell signaling in this stage of disease.

COX-derived prostanoid pathways in gastrointestinal cancer development and progression: novel targets for prevention and intervention.

PubMed

Cathcart, Mary-Clare; O'Byrne, Kenneth J; Reynolds, John V; O'Sullivan, Jacintha; Pidgeon, Graham P

2012-01-01

Arachidonic acid metabolism through cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways leads to the generation of biologically active eicosanoids. Eicosanoid expression levels vary during development and progression of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. COX-2 is the major COX-isoform responsible for G.I. cancer development/progression. COX-2 expression increases during progression from a normal to cancerous state. Evidence from observational studies has demonstrated that chronic NSAID use reduces the risk of cancer development, while both incidence and risk of death due to G.I. cancers were significantly reduced by daily aspirin intake. A number of randomized controlled trials (APC trial, Prevention of Sporadic Adenomatous Polyps trial, APPROVe trial) have also shown a significant protective effect in patients receiving selective COX-2 inhibitors. However, chronic use of selective COX-2 inhibitors at high doses was associated with increased cardiovascular risk, while NSAIDs have also been associated with increased risk. More recently, downstream effectors of COX-signaling have been investigated in cancer development/progression. PGE(2), which binds to both EP and PPAR receptors, is the major prostanoid implicated in the carcinogenesis of G.I. cancers. The role of TXA(2) in G.I. cancers has also been examined, although further studies are required to uncover its role in carcinogenesis. Other prostanoids investigated include PGD(2) and its metabolite 15d-PGJ2, PGF(1α) and PGI(2). Targeting these prostanoids in G.I. cancers has the promise of avoiding cardiovascular toxicity associated with chronic selective COX-2 inhibition, while maintaining anti-tumor reactivity. A progressive sequence from normal to pre-malignant to a malignant state has been identified in G.I. cancers. In this review, we will discuss the role of the COX-derived prostanoids in G.I. cancer development and progression. Targeting these downstream prostanoids for chemoprevention and/or treatment of G.I. cancers will also be discussed. Finally, we will highlight the latest pre-clinical technologies as well as avenues for future investigation in this highly topical research field. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of nose shape and tail length on supersonic stability characteristics of a projectile

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sawyer, W. C.; Collins, I. K.

1973-01-01

The effect of nose shape and tail length on the static stability of a fin-stabilized projectile has been investigated in the Langley Unitary Plan with tunnel at angles of attack to about 12 deg for a Mach number range from 1.5 to 2.5. The tests were made at a constant Reynolds number of 6.56 x 1,000,000 per meter. The results of the investigation showed that nose shape had no effect on the static stability. Increasing the tail length resulted in a progressively stabilizing tendency. However, only the 1.5-caliber-tail-length configuration was stable over the test angle-of-attack range at Mach number 1.5. This configuration was marginally stable or unstable at the higher Mach numbers, and the shorter configurations were unstable at all Mach numbers for either part of or the entire test angle-of-attack range.

In vivo selection to improve gene therapy of hematopoietic disorders.

PubMed

Persons, Derek A; Nienhuis, Arthur W

2002-10-01

Successful gene therapy of hematopoietic disorders lacking intrinsic natural selection for genetically corrected cells will require efficient ex vivo gene transfer into autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). For these diseases, currently available gene transfer methodologies are unlikely to result in therapeutic numbers of corrected HSCs, especially in the setting of minimal recipient conditioning. A strategy to increase the numbers of genetically corrected HSCs in an individual is therefore highly desirable. One approach to overcome the barrier of limiting numbers of genetically corrected cells is to endow them with a competitive advantage conferred by inclusion of a 'selectable' gene in the therapeutic vector. Herein, we review recent progress in the development of in vivo selection systems, which hold promise in facilitating successful gene therapy.

Longitudinal study of gastroesophageal reflux and erosive tooth wear.

PubMed

Wilder-Smith, Clive H; Materna, Andrea; Martig, Lukas; Lussi, Adrian

2017-10-25

Approximately 60% of patients presenting to dentists with erosive tooth wear have significant gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), despite minor reflux symptoms. No longitudinal studies of reflux-associated erosive tooth wear and of reflux characteristics have been reported to date. The aim of this study was to characterize the longitudinal course of GERD and of associated erosive tooth wear, as well as factors predictive of its progression, in a large group of patients. Seventy-two patients presenting to dentists with clinically significant erosive tooth wear and increased esophageal acid exposure by 24-h multichannel intraluminal pH-impedance measurement (MII-pH) were re-assessed clinically and by MII-pH after 1 year treatment with esomeprazole 20 mg twice-daily. Predictive factors for erosive tooth wear were assessed by logistic regression. At follow-up, no further progression in erosive tooth wear was observed in 53 (74%) of patients. The percentage of time with a pH < 4, the number of acid reflux episodes and the percentage of proximal esophageal reflux off-PPI did not change significantly after one year, but the number of weakly acidic reflux episodes decreased significantly in the large subgroup without progression. None of the baseline demographic, clinical, endoscopic or esophageal acid exposure characteristics were significantly associated with progression of erosive tooth wear at follow-up. In this longitudinal study in patients with erosive tooth wear and oligosymptomatic GERD receiving esomeprazole for one year, erosive tooth wear did not progress further in the majority of patients. Background acidic esophageal reflux exposure appeared stable over time, whereas weakly acidic exposure decreased significantly in patients without erosion progression. MII-pH measurements on-PPI and with healthy controls will be useful in the further elucidation of the causal role of reflux in erosive tooth wear. ClinicalTrials.gov , retrospectively registered: NCT02087345 .

Cyclin-dependent kinase regulates the length of S phase through TICRR/TRESLIN phosphorylation.

PubMed

Sansam, Courtney G; Goins, Duane; Siefert, Joseph C; Clowdus, Emily A; Sansam, Christopher L

2015-03-01

S-phase cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) stimulate replication initiation and accelerate progression through the replication timing program, but it is unknown which CDK substrates are responsible for these effects. CDK phosphorylation of the replication factor TICRR (TopBP1-interacting checkpoint and replication regulator)/TRESLIN is required for DNA replication. We show here that phosphorylated TICRR is limiting for S-phase progression. Overexpression of a TICRR mutant with phosphomimetic mutations at two key CDK-phosphorylated residues (TICRR(TESE)) stimulates DNA synthesis and shortens S phase by increasing replication initiation. This effect requires the TICRR region that is necessary for its interaction with MDM two-binding protein. Expression of TICRR(TESE) does not grossly alter the spatial organization of replication forks in the nucleus but does increase replication clusters and the number of replication forks within each cluster. In contrast to CDK hyperactivation, the acceleration of S-phase progression by TICRR(TESE) does not induce DNA damage. These results show that CDK can stimulate initiation and compress the replication timing program by phosphorylating a single protein, suggesting a simple mechanism by which S-phase length is controlled. © 2015 Sansam et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

Research on Building Education and Workforce Capacity in Systems Engineering

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-31

Professional Ethics Since one goal of RT-19A is to understand how best to increase the number of schools offering systems engineering capstone courses...project evaluation plan  Developed and issued the request for proposals and selection process (an independent review team and rubric) for...faculty members from both institutions talk frequently to share ideas, compare progress and clarify any issues . Auburn recruited faculty only, so

Access and Success for People of Color in Washington Community and Technical Colleges: Progress Report. Research Report Number 09-2

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, 2009

2009-01-01

In September 2006, the State Board approved a new System Direction to guide the two-year-college system for the next ten years. One of three primary goals for the system is to increase educational attainment for the economic development of the state and the economic well-being of Washingtonians. Since 2000, State Board staff has provided periodic…

An Investigation of Vocational Progression Pathways for Young People and Adults in Building Crafts and Hospitality CoVEs. A London Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, Ruth; Yarrow, Karen

2006-01-01

Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) deliver specialist vocational provision with a focus on increasing learner numbers at Level 3. They aim to produce skilled and appropriately qualified workers to meet the needs of the economy by enhancing the skills and careers of those already in work, the employability of new entrants to the labor …

Defining College Readiness: Where Are We Now, and Where Do We Need to Be? The Progress of Education Reform. Volume 13, Number 2

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zinth, Jennifer Dounay

2012-01-01

Multiple catalysts are fueling states' increased urgency to establish a definition of "college readiness". Some states are creating a "college readiness" definition that describes what a student will know and be able to do in such core academic courses as English language arts and math, and that identifies items or benchmarks on state assessments…

Technology in Early Education: Building Platforms for Connections and Content That Strengthen Families and Promote Success in School. The Progress of Education Reform. Volume 13, Number 4

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guernsey, Lisa

2012-01-01

Touch-screen technologies, on-demand multimedia, and mobile devices are prompting a rethinking of education. In a world of increasing fiscal constraints, state leaders are under pressure to capitalize on these new technologies to improve productivity and help students excel. The task is daunting across the education spectrum, but for those in…

How 15 Hundred Is like 15 Cherries: Effect of Progressive Alignment on Representational Changes in Numerical Cognition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thompson, Clarissa A.; Opfer, John E.

2010-01-01

How does understanding the decimal system change with age and experience? Second, third, sixth graders, and adults (Experiment 1: N = 96, mean ages = 7.9, 9.23, 12.06, and 19.96 years, respectively) made number line estimates across 3 scales (0-1,000, 0-10,000, and 0-100,000). Generation of linear estimates increased with age but decreased with…

USSR and Eastern Europe Scientific Abstracts, Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences, Number 81.

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-11-28

Hydrobiology 21 Industrial Microbiology 22 Industrial Toxicology 31 Marine Mammals 35 Microbiology 36 Molecular Biology 38 Neuros ciences...in progress. Factors involved in increasing productivity were calculated and presented in 4 tables: duration of use of equipment in 1 day (hours...machines no longer in production but omits materials on some new equipment and some new forms of organization of the work of the agrochemical

Annual Research Progress Report, Fiscal Year 1980

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-10-01

AITE -sd Subtitle) 3. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED 4UAL RESEARCH pROGRESS REPORT ____________ANNUAL - FY 80 S- -- 4. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUNSER 7...AUHON) 4F e. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(e)’ JAMES DERSON, JR , M.D. 10. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10- PROGRAM ELEMENT, PROJECT, TASK...and DOD) regulations governing human, animal and even in vitro research, the declining number of academic physicians serving as role models and

Sexually transmitted diseases: extract from the Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health and Social Security for the Year 1978.

PubMed

1980-06-01

In England, a comparison of the number of newly reported cases of sexually transmitted diseases for the years ending June 30, 1977 and 1978 indicated that during the latter year there was an increase in the incidence of early and late syphilis, genital candidosis, genital herpes, simplex, and nonspecific genital infection and a slight decline in the incidence of gonorrhea. During the year ending June 30, 1978, early syphilis increased 5.4% among men and 11.8% among women, and the number of cases/100,000 population was 10.18 for men and 1.91 for women. The reported number of new cases of late syphilis increased 15.8% during that same year, and the number of new cases/100,000 was 4.32 for men 1.90 for women. Gonorrhea cases decreased by 2.5% among men and by 3.3% among women, and the number of new cases/100,000 was 160.55 for men and 89.23 for women. The number of new cases of chancroid increased slightly, and there were 0.11 cases /100,000 population. Nonspecific genital infections increased for the total population by 2.2%; however, the rate among women declined by 2.1% and among men increased by 3.4%. The number of new cases of herpes simplex/100,000 population was 22.50 for men and 12.25 for women. 4 tables provided information on 1) the number of new reported cases for the years ending in June 30, 1977 and 1978 and the incidence rates for 1974-78 for syphilis, gonorrhea, and chancroid and 2) incidence rates for the years ending on June 1974-78 for other sexually transmitted diseases. During the year ending June 30, 1978, a total of 518,839 persons, representing a 2% increase over the previous year, presented at hospital clinics for venereal disease checkups. 5% of these individuals were noninfected. During 1978, progress was made in training more workers and expanding facilities for tracing individuals who had contact with persons known to have venereal disease. In addition, the genitourinary medical staff at facilities in England and Wales increased from 203-211 between 1977-78. 101 of these staff members were consultants. Consultants, according to the Special Advisory Committee in Genitourinary Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians should be members of the Royal College of Physicians and have 4 years of training at the senior registrar level. This requirement has been relaxed somewhat, however, due to recruitment difficulties. Requirement of male nurses is still inadedquate. In regard to progress in education and training personnel to work in the venereal disease area, a Department of Genitourinary Medicine is being established at the Middlesex Hospital Medical School of London University. British physicians played an active role in several international conferences on sexually transmitted diseases in 1978, and the Department of Health and Social Security continued to provide funds for health professionals to visit veneral disease centers in other countries in order to learn about new techniques for diagnosing and treating veneral disease.

Short periods of high temperature during meiosis prevent normal meiotic progression and reduce grain number in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

PubMed

Draeger, Tracie; Moore, Graham

2017-09-01

Exposure of wheat to high temperatures during male meiosis prevents normal meiotic progression and reduces grain number. We define a temperature-sensitive period and link heat tolerance to chromosome 5D. This study assesses the effects of heat on meiotic progression and grain number in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. Chinese Spring), defines a heat-sensitive stage and evaluates the role of chromosome 5D in heat tolerance. Plants were exposed to high temperatures (30 or 35 °C) in a controlled environment room for 20-h periods during meiosis and the premeiotic interphase just prior to meiosis. Examination of pollen mother cells (PMCs) from immature anthers immediately before and after heat treatment enabled precise identification of the developmental phases being exposed to heat. A temperature-sensitive period was defined, lasting from premeiotic interphase to late leptotene, during which heat can prevent PMCs from progressing through meiosis. PMCs exposed to 35 °C were less likely to progress than those exposed to 30 °C. Grain number per spike was reduced at 30 °C, and reduced even further at 35 °C. Chinese Spring nullisomic 5D-tetrasomic 5B (N5DT5B) plants, which lack chromosome 5D, were more susceptible to heat during premeiosis-leptotene than Chinese Spring plants with the normal (euploid) chromosome complement. The proportion of plants with PMCs progressing through meiosis after heat treatment was lower for N5DT5B plants than for euploids, but the difference was not significant. However, following exposure to 30 °C, in euploid plants grain number was reduced (though not significantly), whereas in N5DT5B plants the reduction was highly significant. After exposure to 35 °C, the reduction in grain number was highly significant for both genotypes. Implications of these findings for the breeding of thermotolerant wheat are discussed.

The Effect of Viewing Eccentricity on Enumeration

PubMed Central

Palomares, Melanie; Smith, Paul R.; Pitts, Carole Holley; Carter, Breana M.

2011-01-01

Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity progressively diminish with increasing viewing eccentricity. Here we evaluated how visual enumeration is affected by visual eccentricity, and whether subitizing capacity, the accurate enumeration of a small number (∼3) of items, decreases with more eccentric viewing. Participants enumerated gratings whose (1) stimulus size was constant across eccentricity, and (2) whose stimulus size scaled by a cortical magnification factor across eccentricity. While we found that enumeration accuracy and precision decreased with increasing eccentricity, cortical magnification scaling of size neutralized the deleterious effects of increasing eccentricity. We found that size scaling did not affect subitizing capacities, which were nearly constant across all eccentricities. We also found that size scaling modulated the variation coefficients, a normalized metric of enumeration precision, defined as the standard deviation divided by the mean response. Our results show that the inaccuracy and imprecision associated with increasing viewing eccentricity is due to limitations in spatial resolution. Moreover, our results also support the notion that the precise number system is restricted to small numerosities (represented by the subitizing limit), while the approximate number system extends across both small and large numerosities (indexed by variation coefficients) at large eccentricities. PMID:21695212

The effect of viewing eccentricity on enumeration.

PubMed

Palomares, Melanie; Smith, Paul R; Pitts, Carole Holley; Carter, Breana M

2011-01-01

Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity progressively diminish with increasing viewing eccentricity. Here we evaluated how visual enumeration is affected by visual eccentricity, and whether subitizing capacity, the accurate enumeration of a small number (∼3) of items, decreases with more eccentric viewing. Participants enumerated gratings whose (1) stimulus size was constant across eccentricity, and (2) whose stimulus size scaled by a cortical magnification factor across eccentricity. While we found that enumeration accuracy and precision decreased with increasing eccentricity, cortical magnification scaling of size neutralized the deleterious effects of increasing eccentricity. We found that size scaling did not affect subitizing capacities, which were nearly constant across all eccentricities. We also found that size scaling modulated the variation coefficients, a normalized metric of enumeration precision, defined as the standard deviation divided by the mean response. Our results show that the inaccuracy and imprecision associated with increasing viewing eccentricity is due to limitations in spatial resolution. Moreover, our results also support the notion that the precise number system is restricted to small numerosities (represented by the subitizing limit), while the approximate number system extends across both small and large numerosities (indexed by variation coefficients) at large eccentricities.

Targeting BET bromodomain proteins in solid tumors

PubMed Central

Sahai, Vaibhav; Redig, Amanda J.; Collier, Katharine A.; Eckerdt, Frank D.; Munshi, Hidayatullah G.

2016-01-01

There is increasing interest in inhibitors targeting BET (bromodomain and extra-terminal) proteins because of the association between this family of proteins and cancer progression. BET inhibitors were initially shown to have efficacy in hematologic malignancies; however, a number of studies have now shown that BET inhibitors can also block progression of non-hematologic malignancies. In this Review, we summarize the efficacy of BET inhibitors in select solid tumors; evaluate the role of BET proteins in mediating resistance to current targeted therapies; and consider potential toxicities of BET inhibitors. We also evaluate recently characterized mechanisms of resistance to BET inhibitors; summarize ongoing clinical trials with these inhibitors; and discuss potential future roles of BET inhibitors in patients with solid tumors. PMID:27283767

Association between progression-free survival and health-related quality of life in oncology: a systematic review protocol.

PubMed

Kovic, Bruno; Guyatt, Gordon; Brundage, Michael; Thabane, Lehana; Bhatnagar, Neera; Xie, Feng

2016-09-02

There is an increasing number of new oncology drugs being studied, approved and put into clinical practice based on improvement in progression-free survival, when no overall survival benefits exist. In oncology, the association between progression-free survival and health-related quality of life is currently unknown, despite its importance for patients with cancer, and the unverified assumption that longer progression-free survival indicates improved health-related quality of life. Thus far, only 1 study has investigated this association, providing insufficient evidence and inconclusive results. The objective of this study protocol is to provide increased transparency in supporting a systematic summary of the evidence bearing on this association in oncology. Using the OVID platform in MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane databases, we will conduct a systematic review of randomised controlled human trials addressing oncology issues published starting in 2000. A team of reviewers will, in pairs, independently screen and abstract data using standardised, pilot-tested forms. We will employ numerical integration to calculate mean incremental area under the curve between treatment groups in studies for health-related quality of life, along with total related error estimates, and a 95% CI around incremental area. To describe the progression-free survival to health-related quality of life association, we will construct a scatterplot for incremental health-related quality of life versus incremental progression-free survival. To estimate the association, we will use a weighted simple regression approach, comparing mean incremental health-related quality of life with either median incremental progression-free survival time or the progression-free survival HR, in the absence of overall survival benefit. Identifying direction and magnitude of association between progression-free survival and health-related quality of life is critically important in interpreting results of oncology trials. Systematic evidence produced from our study will contribute to improvement of patient care and practice of evidence-based medicine in oncology. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Pilot-in-the-Loop CFD Method Development

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-31

Contract # N00014-14-C-0020 Pilot-in-the-Loop CFD Method Development Progress Report (CDRL A001) Progress Report for Period: Aug 1, 2015 to...30-10-2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Pilot-in-the-Loop CFD Method Development 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6...environment. For example, ship airwake are calculated using CFD solutions without the presence of the helicopter main rotor. The gusts from the turbulent

Use of a Lysine-Derived Urethane Surgical Adhesive as an Alternative to Progressive Tension Sutures in Abdominoplasty Patients: A Cohort Study.

PubMed

Spring, Michelle A

2018-04-07

Fluid accumulation is a common complication after abdominoplasty procedures, and is typically managed by the placement of post-surgical drains. Progressive tension sutures (PTS) have been shown to be an effective approach to reduce the dead space by point-wise mechanical fixation, allowing for drain-free procedures. Lysine-derived urethane surgical adhesive provides an alternative approach for mechanical fixation and reduction of dead space, and may reduce surgery time compared to PTS. This prospective, controlled, single center clinical study compared progressive tension suture wound closure technique without drains (control) to tissue adhesive wound closure technique without drains (test) during abdominoplasty surgery. The objective was to determine if lysine-derived urethane surgical adhesive is an effective alternative to PTS for drain-free abdominoplasty procedures. Patients undergoing abdominoplasty who met the established inclusion/exclusion criteria were consented and enrolled in the study. Ten PTS (control) cases were performed, followed immediately by ten tissue adhesive (test) cases. Drains were not used in any procedures. Key outcome measures included all major and minor post-surgical complications requiring any intervention, the time to place progressive tension sutures versus time for tissue adhesive application, and number of PTS attachments versus number of adhesive drops applied. Surgeries were completed over an 8-month period. No statistical differences were identified between the two groups with regard to age, BMI, dissection surface area or flap weight. No clinical seroma formation was observed in either group. In the control (PTS) group, two patients developed small areas of dermal closure suture abscess requiring removal of suture material. One control patient developed drainage and fat necrosis thought to be related to PTS above the incision and later required a scar revision. One tissue adhesive patient developed hypertrophic scars of both her breast reduction and abdominoplasty scars requiring additional treatment. The average time to place PTS in the control group was 10.7 minutes (range, 7-18 minutes) and the average number of sutures placed was 16.6 (range, 12-22 sutures). In the test group, the average time to place the tissue adhesive and hold pressure was 5.9 minutes (range 5.5-8.0 minutes). The average number of tissue adhesive drops applied was 69.6 (range: 63-78 drops). In the tissue adhesive group, both the reduction in time for flap adhesion and the increased number of adhesive points were statistically significant when compared to PTS. Lysine-derived urethane surgical adhesive was applied in less time than progressive tension sutures, even after accounting for holding pressure for 5 minutes. The tissue adhesive provided four times the number of attachment points compared to PTS, although the significance of this is not clear. There were no postoperative clinical seromas detected in either group and there were no major complications in either group. Based on these results, the use of lysine-derived urethane surgical adhesive was found to be a safe and effective alternative to progressive tension sutures to reduce seroma formation in drain-free abdominoplasty procedures.

Progressive Vector Quantization on a massively parallel SIMD machine with application to multispectral image data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manohar, Mareboyana; Tilton, James C.

1994-01-01

A progressive vector quantization (VQ) compression approach is discussed which decomposes image data into a number of levels using full search VQ. The final level is losslessly compressed, enabling lossless reconstruction. The computational difficulties are addressed by implementation on a massively parallel SIMD machine. We demonstrate progressive VQ on multispectral imagery obtained from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer instrument and other Earth observation image data, and investigate the trade-offs in selecting the number of decomposition levels and codebook training method.

A pilot study on the efficacy of melodic based communication therapy for eliciting speech in nonverbal children with autism.

PubMed

Sandiford, Givona A; Mainess, Karen J; Daher, Noha S

2013-06-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of melodic based communication therapy (MBCT) to traditional speech and language therapy for eliciting speech in nonverbal children with autism. Participants were 12 nonverbal children with autism ages 5 through 7 randomly assigned to either treatment group. Both groups made significant progress after treatment. The MBCT group progressed significantly in number of verbal attempts after weeks 1 through 4 and number of correct words after weeks 1 and 3, while the traditional group progressed significantly after weeks 4 and 5. No significant differences in number of verbal attempts or number of correct words were noted between groups following treatment. A significant number of new words were heard in the home environment for the MBCT group (p = .04). Participants in the MBCT group had more imitative attempts (p = .03). MBCT appears to be a valid form of intervention for children with autism.

CDC National Health Report: leading causes of morbidity and mortality and associated behavioral risk and protective factors--United States, 2005-2013.

PubMed

Johnson, Nicole Blair; Hayes, Locola D; Brown, Kathryn; Hoo, Elizabeth C; Ethier, Kathleen A

2014-10-31

Although substantial progress has been made in improving the health of persons in the United States, serious problems remain to be solved. Life expectancy is increasing, and the rates of the leading causes of death are improving in many cases; however, numerous indicators (i.e., measures of observed or calculated data on the status of a condition) of the health and safety of the U.S. population remain poor. This report reviews population health in the United States and provides an assessment of recent progress in meeting high-priority health objectives. The health status indicators described in this report were selected because of their direct relation to the leading causes of death and other substantial sources of morbidity and mortality and should be the focus of prevention efforts. Data are reported starting in 2005 (or the earliest available year since 2005) through the current data year. Because data sources and specific indicators vary regarding when data are available, the most recent year for which data are available might range from 2010 to 2013. Data were obtained from 17 CDC surveys or surveillance systems and three non-CDC sources to provide a view of this particular point of time in the nation's health and trends in recent years. Data from the following CDC surveillance systems and surveys were used: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS); Emerging Infections Program/Active Bacterial Core surveillance (EIP/ABCs); Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet); Internet Panel Surveys: Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Health-Care Personnel and Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Pregnant Women; National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS); National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES); National Health Interview Survey (NHIS); National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN); National HIV Surveillance System; National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS); National Immunization Survey (NIS); National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen); National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS); Nationally Notifiable STD Surveillance; National Vital Statistics System (NVSS); and Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). Three non-CDC sources were used: the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Monthly Statistical Releases; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS); and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Since 2005, life expectancy at birth in the U.S. has increased by 1 year; however, the number of persons who died prematurely was relatively constant. The years of potential life lost declined for eight of the 10 leading causes of death. Age-adjusted rates declined among all leading causes except deaths attributable to Alzheimer's disease and suicide, although the numbers of deaths increased for most causes. Heart disease, stroke, and deaths attributed to motor-vehicle injuries demonstrated notable declines since 2005. Numbers and rates increased for both Alzheimer's disease and suicide. The number of deaths from drug poisoning increased by approximately 11,000, and the number of deaths among older adults caused by falls increased by approximately 7,000. Risk and protective factors for these leading causes of death also showed mixed progress. Current smoking among adults remained stable at approximately 25% while smoking among youths declined to a record low of 15.7%. Obesity rates remained level at approximately 35% for adults and approximately 17% for youths. Approximately 21% of adults met recommended levels of physical activity, consistent with results recorded in the 3 previous years. Control of blood pressure and cholesterol increased to 46.3% and 29.5%, respectively. During the 2012-13 influenza season, vaccination rates reached highs of 72.0% for health-care personnel, 56.6% for children aged <17 years, 50.5% for pregnant women, and 41.5% for persons aged >18 years. Other important measures of the health of the U.S. population also varied. Rates of foodborne illness varied from year to year, with average annual increases for Salmonella and Salmonella serotype Enteritidis. Listeria rates were stable in recent years at 0.26 cases per 100,000 population. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O157 increased during the past 3 years to a rate of 1.15 cases per 100,000 population, even though the annual change for the study period noted an average decline overall. Health-care-associated infections declined, on average, for central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), surgical site infections (SSI), and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. The percentage of persons living with HIV who know their serostatus increased to 84.2%, but trends fluctuated for the number of new HIV infections and the rate of HIV transmission among adolescents and adults. Chlamydia rates increased by an average of 3.3% per year for persons aged 15-19 years and by 4.9% per year for women aged 20-24 years. The number of new cases of hepatitis C and hepatitis C-associated deaths increased by an average of 6.4% and 6.0% per year. Indictors of maternal and child health all improved, including historically low rates of infant mortality (6.1 per 1,000 live births) and teen births (26.6 per 1,000 female population). The percentage of infants breastfed at 6 months increased to 49.4%. Among children aged 19-35 months, 70.4% received the set of universally recommended vaccines, an increase of 2.9% from the previous year. The findings in this report indicate that progress has been steady but slow for many of the priority health issues in the United States. The age-adjusted rates for most of the leading causes of death are declining, but in some cases, the number of deaths is increasing, in part reflecting the growing U.S. population. Several protective factors that have registered substantial average increases (e.g., physical activity among adults, high blood pressure control, and human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescent females) have stalled in recent years. Many protective factors, even those with impressive relative gains, still represent only a minority of the U.S. population (e.g., control of high cholesterol at 29.5%). More data are needed to properly interpret fluctuating trends, such as those observed with the number of HIV infections and HIV transmission rates. Finally, some indicators of disease that appear to be increasing, such as chlamydia and hepatitis C, reflect increased efforts to engage in targeted screening but also suggest that the actual burden of infection is much greater than the reported data alone indicate. Although not all-inclusive, this compilation highlights important health concerns, points to areas in which important success has been achieved, and highlights areas in which more effort is needed. By tracking progress, public health officials, program managers, and decision makers can better identify areas for improvement and institute policies and programs to improve health and the quality of life.

Impact of accelerated progression to AIDS on public health monitoring of late HIV diagnosis.

PubMed

Sabharwal, Charulata J; Sepkowitz, Kent; Mehta, Reshma; Shepard, Colin; Bodach, Sara; Torian, Lucia; Begier, Elizabeth M

2011-03-01

Some patients develop AIDS within a year of HIV infection ("accelerated progression"). Classifying such cases as late HIV diagnosis may lead to inaccurate evaluation of HIV testing efforts. We sought to determine this group's contribution to overall late diagnosis rates. To identify cases of accelerated progression (development of AIDS within 12 months of a negative HIV test), we reviewed published HIV seroconverter cohort studies and used New York City's (NYC) HIV/AIDS surveillance registry. From the literature review, three seroconverter cohort studies revealed that 1.0-3.6% of participants had accelerated progression to AIDS. Applying this frequency estimate to the number of new infections in NYC (4762) for 2006 calculated by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention's incidence formula, we estimated that 3.6-13.0% of 1317 NYC HIV cases who are diagnosed with AIDS within 12 months of HIV diagnosis are accelerated progressors, not persons HIV infected for many years who did not test and present with AIDS (i.e., delayed diagnosis). In addition, our analysis of the 2006 NYC surveillance registry confirmed the occurrence of accelerated progression in a population-based setting; 67 accelerated progressors were reported and 9 (13%) could be confirmed through follow-up medical record review. With increased HIV testing initiatives, the irreducible proportion of AIDS cases with accelerated progression must be considered when interpreting late diagnosis data.

Progress of Iran in Medical Research.

PubMed

Kolahdoozan, Shadi; Massarrat, Sadegh

2016-11-01

 The indexed Iranian journals in ISI and PubMed at the end of 2012 with known impact factor (IF) were evaluated with regard to the number of articles published in 2010-2012, the number of citations by authors from inside and outside Iran, their IF as well as their ranking order among all other journals in their specialized categories. There were among 130 English journals, 21 indexed with known IF. The mean IF of these journals increased from 0.4 in 2010 to 0.68 in 2012. The number of citations per article by authors from outside Iran increased from 0.19 to 0.49 during the same time period. The rank of the majority of the indexed journals was in the lowest 20% of their category. Although some improvement has been observed in the quality and the number of citations of Iranian journals indexed in ISI during these two years, the quality of the manuscripts remains low. A reduction in the number of journals, a change of their structure as well as more financial resources for research is necessary for the improvement of the quality and better rank and status of Iranian science among an international audience.

Plasma copeptin level predicts acute traumatic coagulopathy and progressive hemorrhagic injury after traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Yang, Ding-Bo; Yu, Wen-Hua; Dong, Xiao-Qiao; Du, Quan; Shen, Yong-Feng; Zhang, Zu-Yong; Zhu, Qiang; Che, Zhi-Hao; Liu, Qun-Jie; Wang, Hao; Jiang, Li; Du, Yuan-Feng

2014-08-01

Higher plasma copeptin levels correlate with poor clinical outcomes after traumatic brain injury. Nevertheless, their links with acute traumatic coagulopathy and progressive hemorrhagic injury are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma copeptin levels, acute traumatic coagulopathy and progressive hemorrhagic injury in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. We prospectively studied 100 consecutive patients presenting within 6h from head trauma. Progressive hemorrhagic injury was present when the follow-up computerized tomography scan reported any increase in size or number of the hemorrhagic lesion, including newly developed ones. Acute traumatic coagulopathy was defined as an activated partial thromboplastic time greater than 40s and/or international normalized ratio greater than 1.2 and/or a platelet count less than 120×10(9)/L. We measured plasma copeptin levels on admission using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a blinded fashion. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, plasma copeptin level emerged as an independent predictor of progressive hemorrhagic injury and acute traumatic coagulopathy. Using receiver operating characteristic curves, we calculated areas under the curve for progressive hemorrhagic injury and acute traumatic coagulopathy. The predictive performance of copeptin was similar to that of Glasgow Coma Scale score. However, copeptin did not obviously improve the predictive value of Glasgow Coma Scale score. Thus, copeptin may help in the prediction of progressive hemorrhagic injury and acute traumatic coagulopathy after traumatic brain injury. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Subcellular Changes in Bridging Integrator 1 Protein Expression in the Cerebral Cortex During the Progression of Alzheimer Disease Pathology.

PubMed

Adams, Stephanie L; Tilton, Kathy; Kozubek, James A; Seshadri, Sudha; Delalle, Ivana

2016-08-01

Genome-wide association studies have established BIN1 (Bridging Integrator 1) as the most significant late-onset Alzheimer disease (AD) susceptibility locus after APOE We analyzed BIN1 protein expression using automated immunohistochemistry on the hippocampal CA1 region in 19 patients with either no, mild, or moderate-to-marked AD pathology, who had been assessed by Clinical Dementia Rating and CERAD scores. We also examined the amygdala, prefrontal, temporal, and occipital regions in a subset of these patients. In non-demented controls without AD pathology, BIN1 protein was expressed in white matter, glia, particularly oligodendrocytes, and in the neuropil in which the BIN1 signal decorated axons. With increasing severity of AD, BIN1 in the CA1 region showed: 1) sustained expression in glial cells, 2) decreased areas of neuropil expression, and 3) increased cytoplasmic neuronal expression that did not correlate with neurofibrillary tangle load. In patients with AD, both the prefrontal cortex and CA1 showed a decrease in BIN1-immunoreactive (BIN1-ir) neuropil areas and increases in numbers of BIN1-ir neurons. The numbers of CA1 BIN1-ir pyramidal neurons correlated with hippocampal CERAD neuritic plaque scores; BIN1 neuropil signal was absent in neuritic plaques. Our data provide novel insight into the relationship between BIN1 protein expression and the progression of AD-associated pathology and its diagnostic hallmarks. © 2016 American Association of Neuropathologists, Inc. All rights reserved.

Developing a Learning Progression for Number Sense Based on the Rule Space Model in China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Fu; Yan, Yue; Xin, Tao

2017-01-01

The current study focuses on developing the learning progression of number sense for primary school students, and it applies a cognitive diagnostic model, the rule space model, to data analysis. The rule space model analysis firstly extracted nine cognitive attributes and their hierarchy model from the analysis of previous research and the…

Direct and indirect effects of screening for Chlamydia trachomatis on the prevention of pelvic inflammatory disease: a mathematical modeling study.

PubMed

Herzog, Sereina A; Heijne, Janneke C M; Scott, Pippa; Althaus, Christian L; Low, Nicola

2013-11-01

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) results from the ascending spread of microorganisms, including Chlamydia trachomatis, to the upper genital tract. Screening could improve outcomes by identifying and treating chlamydial infections before they progress to PID (direct effect) or by reducing chlamydia transmission (indirect effect). We developed a compartmental model that represents a hypothetical heterosexual population and explicitly incorporates progression from chlamydia to clinical PID. Chlamydia screening was introduced, with coverage increasing each year for 10 years. We estimated the separate contributions of the direct and indirect effects of screening on PID cases prevented per 100,000 women. We explored the influence of varying the time point at which clinical PID could occur and of increasing the risk of PID after repeated chlamydial infections. The probability of PID at baseline was 3.1% by age 25 years. After 5 years, the intervention scenario had prevented 187 PID cases per 100,000 women and after 10 years 956 PID cases per 100,000 women. At the start of screening, most PID cases were prevented by the direct effect. The indirect effect produced a small net increase in PID cases, which was outweighed by the effect of reduced chlamydia transmission after 2.2 years. The later that progression to PID occurs, the greater the contribution of the direct effect. Increasing the risk of PID with repeated chlamydial infection increases the number of PID cases prevented by screening. This study shows the separate roles of direct and indirect PID prevention and potential harms, which cannot be demonstrated in observational studies.

Liquid electrolytes for lithium and lithium-ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blomgren, George E.

A number of advances in electrolytes have occurred in the past 4 years, which have contributed to increased safety, wider temperature range of operation, better cycling and other enhancements to lithium-ion batteries. The changes to basic electrolyte solutions that have occurred to accomplish these advances are discussed in detail. The solvent components that have led to better low-temperature operation are also considered. Also, additives that have resulted in better structure of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) are presented as well as proposed methods of operation of these additives. Other additives that have lessened the flammability of the electrolyte when exposed to air and also caused lowering of the heat of reaction with the oxidized positive electrode are discussed. Finally, additives that act to open current-interrupter devices by releasing a gas under overcharge conditions and those that act to cycle between electrodes to alleviate overcharging are presented. As a class, these new electrolytes are often called "functional electrolytes". Possibilities for further progress in this most important area are presented. Another area of active work in the recent past has been the reemergence of ambient-temperature molten salt electrolytes applied to alkali metal and lithium-ion batteries. This revival of an older field is due to the discovery of new salt types that have a higher voltage window (particularly to positive potentials) and also have greatly increased hydrolytic stability compared to previous ionic liquids. While practical batteries have not yet emerged from these studies, the increase in the number of active researchers and publications in the area demonstrates the interest and potentialities of the field. Progress in the field is briefly reviewed. Finally, recent results on the mechanisms for capacity loss on shelf and cycling in lithium-ion cells are reviewed. Progress towards further market penetration by lithium-ion cells hinges on improved understanding of the failure mechanisms of the cells, so that crucial problems can be addressed.

Clinician-scientists in Canada: barriers to career entry and progress.

PubMed

Lander, Bryn; Hanley, Gillian E; Atkinson-Grosjean, Janet

2010-10-04

Clinician-scientists play an important role in translating between research and clinical practice. Significant concerns about a decline in their numbers have been raised. Potential barriers for career entry and progress are explored in this study. Case-study research methods were used to identify barriers perceived by clinician-scientists and their research teams in two Canadian laboratories. These perceptions were then compared against statistical analysis of data from Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) databases on grant and award performance of clinician-scientists and non-clinical PhDs for fiscal years 2000 to 2008. Three main barriers were identified through qualitative analysis: research training, research salaries, and research grants. We then looked for evidence of these barriers in the Canada-wide statistical dataset for our study period. Clinician-scientists had a small but statistically significant higher mean number of degrees (3.3) than non-clinical scientists (3.2), potentially confirming the perception of longer training times. But evidence of the other two barriers was equivocal. For example, while overall growth in salary awards was minimal, awards to clinician-scientists increased by 45% compared to 6.3% for non-clinical PhDs. Similarly, in terms of research funding, awards to clinician-scientists increased by more than 25% compared with 5% for non-clinical PhDs. However, clinician-scientist-led grants funded under CIHR's Clinical thematic area decreased significantly from 61% to 51% (p-value<0.001) suggesting that clinician-scientists may be shifting their attention to other research domains. While clinician-scientists continue to perceive barriers to career entry and progress, quantitative results suggest improvements over the last decade. Clinician-scientists are awarded an increasing proportion of CIHR research grants and salary awards. Given the translational importance of this group, however, it may be prudent to adopt specific policy and funding incentives to ensure the ongoing viability of the career path.

Transplantation of spinal cord-derived neural stem cells for ALS: Analysis of phase 1 and 2 trials.

PubMed

Glass, Jonathan D; Hertzberg, Vicki S; Boulis, Nicholas M; Riley, Jonathan; Federici, Thais; Polak, Meraida; Bordeau, Jane; Fournier, Christina; Johe, Karl; Hazel, Tom; Cudkowicz, Merit; Atassi, Nazem; Borges, Lawrence F; Rutkove, Seward B; Duell, Jayna; Patil, Parag G; Goutman, Stephen A; Feldman, Eva L

2016-07-26

To test the safety of spinal cord transplantation of human stem cells in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with escalating doses and expansion of the trial to multiple clinical centers. This open-label trial included 15 participants at 3 academic centers divided into 5 treatment groups receiving increasing doses of stem cells by increasing numbers of cells/injection and increasing numbers of injections. All participants received bilateral injections into the cervical spinal cord (C3-C5). The final group received injections into both the lumbar (L2-L4) and cervical cord through 2 separate surgical procedures. Participants were assessed for adverse events and progression of disease, as measured by the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised, forced vital capacity, and quantitative measures of strength. Statistical analysis focused on the slopes of decline of these phase 2 trial participants alone or in combination with the phase 1 participants (previously reported), comparing these groups to 3 separate historical control groups. Adverse events were mostly related to transient pain associated with surgery and to side effects of immunosuppressant medications. There was one incident of acute postoperative deterioration in neurologic function and another incident of a central pain syndrome. We could not discern differences in surgical outcomes between surgeons. Comparisons of the slopes of decline with the 3 separate historical control groups showed no differences in mean rates of progression. Intraspinal transplantation of human spinal cord-derived neural stem cells can be safely accomplished at high doses, including successive lumbar and cervical procedures. The procedure can be expanded safely to multiple surgical centers. This study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with ALS, spinal cord transplantation of human stem cells can be safely accomplished and does not accelerate the progression of the disease. This study lacks the precision to exclude important benefit or safety issues. © 2016 American Academy of Neurology.

Clinician-Scientists in Canada: Barriers to Career Entry and Progress

PubMed Central

Lander, Bryn; Hanley, Gillian E.; Atkinson-Grosjean, Janet

2010-01-01

Background Clinician-scientists play an important role in translating between research and clinical practice. Significant concerns about a decline in their numbers have been raised. Potential barriers for career entry and progress are explored in this study. Methods Case-study research methods were used to identify barriers perceived by clinician-scientists and their research teams in two Canadian laboratories. These perceptions were then compared against statistical analysis of data from Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) databases on grant and award performance of clinician-scientists and non-clinical PhDs for fiscal years 2000 to 2008. Results Three main barriers were identified through qualitative analysis: research training, research salaries, and research grants. We then looked for evidence of these barriers in the Canada-wide statistical dataset for our study period. Clinician-scientists had a small but statistically significant higher mean number of degrees (3.3) than non-clinical scientists (3.2), potentially confirming the perception of longer training times. But evidence of the other two barriers was equivocal. For example, while overall growth in salary awards was minimal, awards to clinician-scientists increased by 45% compared to 6.3% for non-clinical PhDs. Similarly, in terms of research funding, awards to clinician-scientists increased by more than 25% compared with 5% for non-clinical PhDs. However, clinician-scientist-led grants funded under CIHR's Clinical thematic area decreased significantly from 61% to 51% (p-value<0.001) suggesting that clinician-scientists may be shifting their attention to other research domains. Conclusion While clinician-scientists continue to perceive barriers to career entry and progress, quantitative results suggest improvements over the last decade. Clinician-scientists are awarded an increasing proportion of CIHR research grants and salary awards. Given the translational importance of this group, however, it may be prudent to adopt specific policy and funding incentives to ensure the ongoing viability of the career path. PMID:20957175

The Peripheral Myeloid Expansion Driven by Murine Cancer Progression Is Reversed by Radiation Therapy of the Tumor

PubMed Central

Crittenden, Marka R.; Savage, Talicia; Cottam, Benjamin; Bahjat, Keith S.; Redmond, William L.; Bambina, Shelly; Kasiewicz, Melissa; Newell, Pippa; Jackson, Andrew M.; Gough, Michael J.

2013-01-01

Expansion of myeloid-lineage leukocytes in tumor-bearing mice has been proposed as a cause of systemic immunosuppression. We demonstrate that radiation therapy of tumors leads to a decline in myeloid cell numbers in the blood and a decrease in spleen size. The frequency of myeloid cells does not decline to the level seen in tumor-free mice: we demonstrate that metastatic disease can prevent myeloid cell numbers from returning to baseline, and that tumor recurrence from residual disease correlates with re-expansion of myeloid lineage cells. Radiation therapy results in increased proliferation of T cells in the spleen and while T cell responses to foreign antigens are not altered by tumor burden or myeloid cell expansion, responses to tumor-associated antigens are increased after radiation therapy. These data demonstrate that myeloid cell numbers are directly linked to primary tumor burden, that this population contracts following radiation therapy, and that radiation therapy may open a therapeutic window for immunotherapy of residual disease. PMID:23936036

Gross national happiness as a framework for health impact assessment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pennock, Michael, E-mail: michael.pennock@viha.c; Ura, Karma

The incorporation of population health concepts and health determinants into Health Impact Assessments has created a number of challenges. The need for intersectoral collaboration has increased; the meaning of 'health' has become less clear; and the distinctions between health impacts, environmental impacts, social impacts and economic impacts have become increasingly blurred. The Bhutanese concept of Gross National Happiness may address these issues by providing an over-arching evidence-based framework which incorporates health, social, environmental and economic contributors as well as a number of other key contributors to wellbeing such as culture and governance. It has the potential to foster intersectoral collaborationmore » by incorporating a more limited definition of health which places the health sector as one of a number of contributors to wellbeing. It also allows for the examination of the opportunity costs of health investments on wellbeing, is consistent with whole-of-government approaches to public policy and emerging models of social progress.« less

Analysis of the interaction between experimental and applied behavior analysis.

PubMed

Virues-Ortega, Javier; Hurtado-Parrado, Camilo; Cox, Alison D; Pear, Joseph J

2014-01-01

To study the influences between basic and applied research in behavior analysis, we analyzed the coauthorship interactions of authors who published in JABA and JEAB from 1980 to 2010. We paid particular attention to authors who published in both JABA and JEAB (dual authors) as potential agents of cross-field interactions. We present a comprehensive analysis of dual authors' coauthorship interactions using social networks methodology and key word analysis. The number of dual authors more than doubled (26 to 67) and their productivity tripled (7% to 26% of JABA and JEAB articles) between 1980 and 2010. Dual authors stood out in terms of number of collaborators, number of publications, and ability to interact with multiple groups within the field. The steady increase in JEAB and JABA interactions through coauthors and the increasing range of topics covered by dual authors provide a basis for optimism regarding the progressive integration of basic and applied behavior analysis. © Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Implementation and assessment of a yeast orphan gene research project; involving undergraduates in authentic research experiences and progressing our understanding of uncharacterized open reading frames

PubMed Central

Bowling, Bethany V.; Schultheis, Patrick J.

2015-01-01

Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the first eukaryotic organism to be sequenced, however little progress has been made in recent years in furthering our understanding of all open reading frames (ORFs). From October 2012 to May 2015 the number of verified ORFs has only risen from 75.31% to 78% while the number of uncharacterized ORFs have decreased from 12.8% to 11% (representing more than 700 genes still left in this category) [http://www.yeastgenome.org/genomesnapshot]. Course-based research has been shown to increase student learning while providing experience with real scientific investigation; however, implementation in large, multi-section courses presents many challenges. This study sought to test the feasibility and effectiveness of incorporating authentic research into a core genetics course with multiple instructors to increase student learning and progress our understanding of uncharacterized ORFs. We generated a module-based annotation toolkit and utilized easily accessible bioinformatics tools to predict gene function for uncharacterized ORFs within the Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD). Students were each assigned an uncharacterized ORF which they annotated using contemporary comparative genomics methodologies including multiple sequence alignment, conserved domain identification, signal peptide prediction and cellular localization algorithms. Student learning outcomes were measured by quizzes, project reports and presentations, as well as a post-project questionnaire. Our results indicate the authentic research experience had positive impacts on student's perception of their learning and their confidence to conduct future research. Furthermore we believe that creation of an online repository and adoption and/or adaptation of this project across multiple researchers and institutions could speed the process of gene function prediction. PMID:26460164

Implementation and assessment of a yeast orphan gene research project: involving undergraduates in authentic research experiences and progressing our understanding of uncharacterized open reading frames.

PubMed

Bowling, Bethany V; Schultheis, Patrick J; Strome, Erin D

2016-02-01

Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the first eukaryotic organism to be sequenced; however, little progress has been made in recent years in furthering our understanding of all open reading frames (ORFs). From October 2012 to May 2015 the number of verified ORFs had only risen from 75.31% to 78%, while the number of uncharacterized ORFs had decreased from 12.8% to 11% (representing > 700 genes still left in this category; http://www.yeastgenome.org/genomesnapshot). Course-based research has been shown to increase student learning while providing experience with real scientific investigation; however, implementation in large, multi-section courses presents many challenges. This study sought to test the feasibility and effectiveness of incorporating authentic research into a core genetics course, with multiple instructors, to increase student learning and progress our understanding of uncharacterized ORFs. We generated a module-based annotation toolkit and utilized easily accessible bioinformatics tools to predict gene function for uncharacterized ORFs within the Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD). Students were each assigned an uncharacterized ORF, which they annotated using contemporary comparative genomics methodologies, including multiple sequence alignment, conserved domain identification, signal peptide prediction and cellular localization algorithms. Student learning outcomes were measured by quizzes, project reports and presentations, as well as a post-project questionnaire. Our results indicate that the authentic research experience had positive impacts on students' perception of their learning and their confidence to conduct future research. Furthermore, we believe that creation of an online repository and adoption and/or adaptation of this project across multiple researchers and institutions could speed the process of gene function prediction. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Molecular mechanisms of memory in imprinting.

PubMed

Solomonia, Revaz O; McCabe, Brian J

2015-03-01

Converging evidence implicates the intermediate and medial mesopallium (IMM) of the domestic chick forebrain in memory for a visual imprinting stimulus. During and after imprinting training, neuronal responsiveness in the IMM to the familiar stimulus exhibits a distinct temporal profile, suggesting several memory phases. We discuss the temporal progression of learning-related biochemical changes in the IMM, relative to the start of this electrophysiological profile. c-fos gene expression increases <15 min after training onset, followed by a learning-related increase in Fos expression, in neurons immunopositive for GABA, taurine and parvalbumin (not calbindin). Approximately simultaneously or shortly after, there are increases in phosphorylation level of glutamate (AMPA) receptor subunits and in releasable neurotransmitter pools of GABA and taurine. Later, the mean area of spine synapse post-synaptic densities, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor number and phosphorylation level of further synaptic proteins are elevated. After ∼ 15 h, learning-related changes in amounts of several synaptic proteins are observed. The results indicate progression from transient/labile to trophic synaptic modification, culminating in stable recognition memory. Crown Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Molecular mechanisms of memory in imprinting

PubMed Central

Solomonia, Revaz O.; McCabe, Brian J.

2015-01-01

Converging evidence implicates the intermediate and medial mesopallium (IMM) of the domestic chick forebrain in memory for a visual imprinting stimulus. During and after imprinting training, neuronal responsiveness in the IMM to the familiar stimulus exhibits a distinct temporal profile, suggesting several memory phases. We discuss the temporal progression of learning-related biochemical changes in the IMM, relative to the start of this electrophysiological profile. c-fos gene expression increases <15 min after training onset, followed by a learning-related increase in Fos expression, in neurons immunopositive for GABA, taurine and parvalbumin (not calbindin). Approximately simultaneously or shortly after, there are increases in phosphorylation level of glutamate (AMPA) receptor subunits and in releasable neurotransmitter pools of GABA and taurine. Later, the mean area of spine synapse post-synaptic densities, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor number and phosphorylation level of further synaptic proteins are elevated. After ∼15 h, learning-related changes in amounts of several synaptic proteins are observed. The results indicate progression from transient/labile to trophic synaptic modification, culminating in stable recognition memory. PMID:25280906

Detection of progressive idiopathic scoliosis during growth using back surface topography: a prospective study of 100 patients.

PubMed

De Korvin, G; Randriaminahisoa, T; Cugy, E; Cheze, L; de Sèze, M

2014-12-01

The progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is typically monitored via regular radiographic follow-up. The Cobb angle (as measured on whole-spine radiographs) is considered as the gold standard in scoliosis monitoring. To determine the sensitivity and specificity of back surface topography parameters, with a view to detecting changes in the Cobb angle. One hundred patients (mean age: 13.3) with Cobb angles greater than 10 degrees were included. Topographic parameters were measured in a standard position and in a position with hunched shoulders. Gibbosities and spinal curvatures were evaluated. An increase of more than 2 degrees in any one gibbosity or in the sum of the gibbosities (in either of the two examination positions) enabled the detection of a five-degree increase in the Cobb angle with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 50%. If the present results are confirmed by other studies, analysis with back surface topography parameters may reduce the number of X-ray examinations required to detect increases in the Cobb angle. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

[Cancer immunotherapy. Importance of overcoming immune suppression].

PubMed

Malvicini, Mariana; Puchulo, Guillermo; Matar, Pablo; Mazzolini, Guillermo

2010-01-01

Increasing evidence indicates that the immune system is involved in the control of tumor progression. Effective antitumor immune response depends on the interaction between several components of the immune system, including antigen-presenting cells and different T cell subsets. However, tumor cells develop a number of mechanisms to escape recognition and elimination by the immune system. In this review we discuss these mechanisms and address possible therapeutic approaches to overcome the immune suppression generated by tumors.

RLE (Research Laboratory of Electronics) Progress Report Number 125.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-01-01

Optical Communications 32 7.3 Picosecond Optics 35 7.4 Ultrashort Pulse Formation 37 7.5 Femtosecond Laser System 37 7.6 Parametric Scattering with...Figure 3-2: The cross section for 4 photon ionization of atomic hydrogen as calculated by 10 Reinhardt for a single frequency laser . To facilitate...profiles produced by laser intensity I* and at five times that intensity 11 510. As the laser intensity is increased, the ionization profile becomes

FcgammaRIIa genotype predicts progression of HIV infection.

PubMed

Forthal, Donald N; Landucci, Gary; Bream, Jay; Jacobson, Lisa P; Phan, Tran B; Montoya, Benjamin

2007-12-01

Polymorphisms in FcgammaR genes are associated with susceptibility to or severity of a number of autoimmune and infectious diseases. We found that HIV-infected men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study with the FcgammaRIIa RR genotype progressed to a CD4(+) cell count of <200/mm(3) at a faster rate than individuals with the RH or HH genotypes (relative hazard = 1.6; p = 0.0001). However, progression to AIDS (using the broad definition of either a CD4(+) cell count <200/mm(3) or development of an AIDS-defining illness) was less impacted by FcgammaRIIa genotype, largely because HH homozygotes had an increased risk of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia as an AIDS-defining illness. We also showed that chronically infected subjects develop a substantial anti-gp120-specific IgG2 response. Moreover, HIV-1 immune complexes are more efficiently internalized by monocytes from HH subjects compared with RR subjects, likely because of the presence of IgG2 in the complexes. Finally, the FcgammaRIIIa F/V gene polymorphism was not associated with progression of HIV infection, but, as demonstrated previously, did predict the risk of Kaposi's sarcoma. These results demonstrate the importance of FcgammaRs in AIDS pathogenesis and point toward a critical role for interactions between FcgammaRs and immune complexes in disease progression.

On the forecasting the unfavorable periods in the technosphere by the space weather factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyakhov, N. N.

2002-12-01

There is the considerable progress in development of geomagnetic disturbances forecast technique, in the necessary time, by solar activity phenomena last years. The possible relationship between violations of the traffic safety terms (VTS) in East Siberian Railway during 1986-1999 and the space weather factors was investigated. The overall number of cases under consideration is equal to 11575. By methods of correlation and spectral analysis it was shown, that statistics of VTS has not a random and it's character is probably caused by space weather factors. The principal difference between rhythmic of VTS by purely technical reasons (MECH) (failures in mechanical systems) and, that of VTS caused by wrong operations of a personnel (MAN), is noted. Increase of sudden storm commencements number results in increase of probability of mistakable actions of an operator. Probability of violations in mechanical systems increases with increase of number of quiet geomagnetic conditions. This, in its turn, dictate different approach to the ordered rows of MECH and MAN data when forecasting the unfavourable periods as the priods of increased risk in working out a wrong decision by technological process participants. The advances in forecasting of geomagnetic environment technique made possible to start construction of systems of the operative informing about unfavourable factors of space weather for the interested organizations.

Status of women in physics in Spain in 2011

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

López-Sancho, M. P.; Carreras, C.; Chevalier, M.; Campabadal, F.; Yzuel, M. J.

2013-03-01

We present statistical data updated from the 2008 IUPAP International Conference on Women in Physics. Despite several gender equality measures adopted by the Spanish government, updated data exhibit the same trend: the percentage of women at the staff levels in the universities and at the Spanish High Research Council (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; CSIC) remains approximately constant at about 33%. At the universities, the progress of women is slow. However, at the CSIC, both an increase in the number of available posts and the work of the Commission of Women and Science helped to increase the number of women in its top positions, although the net proportion among women and men did not change significantly. We describe the activities carried out by the Women in Physics group of the Spanish Physical Society.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

White, Mark D.; McPherson, Brian J.; Grigg, Reid B.

Numerical simulation is an invaluable analytical tool for scientists and engineers in making predictions about of the fate of carbon dioxide injected into deep geologic formations for long-term storage. Current numerical simulators for assessing storage in deep saline formations have capabilities for modeling strongly coupled processes involving multifluid flow, heat transfer, chemistry, and rock mechanics in geologic media. Except for moderate pressure conditions, numerical simulators for deep saline formations only require the tracking of two immiscible phases and a limited number of phase components, beyond those comprising the geochemical reactive system. The requirements for numerically simulating the utilization and storagemore » of carbon dioxide in partially depleted petroleum reservoirs are more numerous than those for deep saline formations. The minimum number of immiscible phases increases to three, the number of phase components may easily increase fourfold, and the coupled processes of heat transfer, geochemistry, and geomechanics remain. Public and scientific confidence in the ability of numerical simulators used for carbon dioxide sequestration in deep saline formations has advanced via a natural progression of the simulators being proven against benchmark problems, code comparisons, laboratory-scale experiments, pilot-scale injections, and commercial-scale injections. This paper describes a new numerical simulator for the scientific investigation of carbon dioxide utilization and storage in partially depleted petroleum reservoirs, with an emphasis on its unique features for scientific investigations; and documents the numerical simulation of the utilization of carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery in the western section of the Farnsworth Unit and represents an early stage in the progression of numerical simulators for carbon utilization and storage in depleted oil reservoirs.« less

Resolution of tracheal aspiration after the acute phase of stroke-related oropharyngeal Dysphagia.

PubMed

Terré, Rosa; Mearin, Fermín

2009-04-01

We set out to ascertain the evolution and the clinical and videofluoroscopic (VFS) prognostic factors of aspiration recovery and return to oral intake in patients with stroke and VFS diagnosis of tracheal aspiration. Twenty patients with stroke and VFS diagnosis of tracheal aspiration were prospectively evaluated. Clinical evaluation of oropharyngeal dysphagia and VFS examination were performed at admission and repeated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up. At admission, videofluoroscopy showed 40% of patients to have an increase in oral transit time and 65% impaired tongue control; in the pharyngeal phase, mean pharyngeal transit time was increased in 70% of patients and the time required to trigger the swallowing reflex was delayed in 70%. During follow-up, an improvement was observed, and the number of patients with aspiration decreased progressively (the most significant change occurred at 6 months). Evolution was related to the vascular territory affected: at 1 year, aspiration persisted in 12% of anterior territory lesions vs. 58% of posterior territory lesions. Also, the number of silent aspirators decreased from 35% at baseline to no patients after 3 months. Persistent aspiration at 1 year of follow-up significantly correlated with the following baseline variables: vascular territory, gag reflex abolition, palatoglossal seal alteration and pharyngeal delay time. Swallowing physiology in stroke greatly improved during follow-up, mainly between 3 and 6 months, and the number of aspirations decreased progressively. Prognostic factors for persisting aspiration are posterior vascular territory lesions, oropharyngeal reflex abolition, palatoglossal seal alteration and pharyngeal delay time at baseline.

Inflammatory models drastically alter tumor growth and the immune microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma.

PubMed

Markowitz, Geoffrey J; Michelotti, Gregory A; Diehl, Anna Mae; Wang, Xiao-Fan

2015-04-01

Initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is intimately associated with a chronically diseased liver tissue. This diseased liver tissue background is a drastically different microenvironment from the healthy liver, especially with regard to immune cell prevalence and presence of mediators of immune function. To better understand the consequences of liver disease on tumor growth and the interplay with its microenvironment, we utilized two standard methods of fibrosis induction and orthotopic implantation of tumors into the inflamed and fibrotic liver to mimic the liver condition in human HCC patients. Compared to non-diseased controls, tumor growth was significantly enhanced under fibrotic conditions. The immune cells that infiltrated the tumors were also drastically different, with decreased numbers of natural killer cells but greatly increased numbers of immune-suppressive CD11b + Gr1 hi myeloid cells in both models of fibrosis. In addition, there were model-specific differences: Increased numbers of CD11b + myeloid cells and CD4 + CD25 + T cells were found in tumors in the bile duct ligation model but not in the carbon tetrachloride model. Induction of fibrosis altered the cytokine production of implanted tumor cells, which could have farreaching consequences on the immune infiltrate and its functionality. Taken together, this work demonstrates that the combination of fibrosis induction with orthotopic tumor implantation results in a markedly different tumor microenvironment and tumor growth kinetics, emphasizing the necessity for more accurate modeling of HCC progression in mice, which takes into account the drastic changes in the tissue caused by chronic liver disease.

The Relationship Between the Number of Types of Legal Gambling and the Rates of Gambling Behaviors and Problems Across U.S. States.

PubMed

Welte, John W; Tidwell, Marie-Cecile O; Barnes, Grace M; Hoffman, Joseph H; Wieczorek, William F

2016-06-01

In this article, we examine the relationship between the total number of types of gambling that are legal in a state and the gambling involvement of state residents. Of particular interest is whether more types of legal gambling are associated with higher rates of problem gambling. Telephone surveys of U.S. adults were conducted in 1999-2000 and 2011-2013. The same questions were used and the data sets were combined for most of the analyses. Gambling exposure was defined as the sum of the number of years that all types were legal. Results tabulated by state showed progressively higher rates of problem gambling, frequent gambling and any past year gambling as the number of legal types of gambling increased. Holding constant the number of legal types, problem gambling rates increased as exposure increased. States with longer exposure to legal lotteries or casinos tended to have higher rates of problem gambling. An analysis was also conducted in which the data sets from 1999 to 2000 and from 2011 to 2013 were compared. Among the states, there was a striking positive relationship between changes in the number of legal types of gambling between the two studies and changes in rates of frequent gambling between the two studies. For states that had fewer types of legal gambling in 2011 than in 1999, the rates of frequent gambling went down. For states that increased their types of legal gambling, rates of frequent gambling typically, but not always, went up. Possible explanations for these results were discussed.

The Relationship Between the Number of Types of Legal Gambling and the Rates of Gambling Behaviors and Problems Across U.S. States

PubMed Central

Tidwell, Marie-Cecile O.; Barnes, Grace M.; Hoffman, Joseph H.; Wieczorek, William F.

2015-01-01

In this article, we examine the relationship between the total number of types of gambling that are legal in a state and the gambling involvement of state residents. Of particular interest is whether more types of legal gambling are associated with higher rates of problem gambling. Telephone surveys of U.S. adults were conducted in 1999–2000 and 2011–2013. The same questions were used and the data sets were combined for most of the analyses. Gambling exposure was defined as the sum of the number of years that all types were legal. Results tabulated by state showed progressively higher rates of problem gambling, frequent gambling and any past year gambling as the number of legal types of gambling increased. Holding constant the number of legal types, problem gambling rates increased as exposure increased. States with longer exposure to legal lotteries or casinos tended to have higher rates of problem gambling. An analysis was also conducted in which the data sets from 1999 to 2000 and from 2011 to 2013 were compared. Among the states, there was a striking positive relationship between changes in the number of legal types of gambling between the two studies and changes in rates of frequent gambling between the two studies. For states that had fewer types of legal gambling in 2011 than in 1999, the rates of frequent gambling went down. For states that increased their types of legal gambling, rates of frequent gambling typically, but not always, went up. Possible explanations for these results were discussed. PMID:26050148

Characterization of the Tumor Microenvironment and Tumor–Stroma Interaction by Non-invasive Preclinical Imaging

PubMed Central

Ramamonjisoa, Nirilanto; Ackerstaff, Ellen

2017-01-01

Tumors are often characterized by hypoxia, vascular abnormalities, low extracellular pH, increased interstitial fluid pressure, altered choline-phospholipid metabolism, and aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect). The impact of these tumor characteristics has been investigated extensively in the context of tumor development, progression, and treatment response, resulting in a number of non-invasive imaging biomarkers. More recent evidence suggests that cancer cells undergo metabolic reprograming, beyond aerobic glycolysis, in the course of tumor development and progression. The resulting altered metabolic content in tumors has the ability to affect cell signaling and block cellular differentiation. Additional emerging evidence reveals that the interaction between tumor and stroma cells can alter tumor metabolism (leading to metabolic reprograming) as well as tumor growth and vascular features. This review will summarize previous and current preclinical, non-invasive, multimodal imaging efforts to characterize the tumor microenvironment, including its stromal components and understand tumor–stroma interaction in cancer development, progression, and treatment response. PMID:28197395

Mammalian O-Mannosylation Pathway: Glycan Structures, Enzymes, and Protein Substrates

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

The mammalian O-mannosylation pathway for protein post-translational modification is intricately involved in modulating cell–matrix interactions in the musculature and nervous system. Defects in enzymes of this biosynthetic pathway are causative for multiple forms of congenital muscular dystophy. The application of advanced genetic and biochemical technologies has resulted in remarkable progress in this field over the past few years, culminating with the publication of three landmark papers in 2013 alone. In this review, we will highlight recent progress focusing on the dramatic expansion of the set of genes known to be involved in O-mannosylation and disease processes, the concurrent acceleration of the rate of O-mannosylation pathway protein functional assignments, the tremendous increase in the number of proteins now known to be modified by O-mannosylation, and the recent progress in protein O-mannose glycan quantification and site assignment. Also, we attempt to highlight key outstanding questions raised by this abundance of new information. PMID:24786756

Genetic Breeding and Diversity of the Genus Passiflora: Progress and Perspectives in Molecular and Genetic Studies

PubMed Central

Cerqueira-Silva, Carlos Bernard M.; Jesus, Onildo N.; Santos, Elisa S. L.; Corrêa, Ronan X.; Souza, Anete P.

2014-01-01

Despite the ecological and economic importance of passion fruit (Passiflora spp.), molecular markers have only recently been utilized in genetic studies of this genus. In addition, both basic genetic researches related to population studies and pre-breeding programs of passion fruit remain scarce for most Passiflora species. Considering the number of Passiflora species and the increasing use of these species as a resource for ornamental, medicinal, and food purposes, the aims of this review are the following: (i) to present the current condition of the passion fruit crop; (ii) to quantify the applications and effects of using molecular markers in studies of Passiflora; (iii) to present the contributions of genetic engineering for passion fruit culture; and (iv) to discuss the progress and perspectives of this research. Thus, the present review aims to summarize and discuss the relationship between historical and current progress on the culture, breeding, and molecular genetics of passion fruit. PMID:25196515

Progressive paralysis associated with diffuse astrocyte anaplasia in delta 202 mice homozygous for a transgene encoding the SV40 T antigen.

PubMed

López-Revilla, Rubén; Soto-Zárate, Carlos; Ridaura, Cecilia; Chávez-Dueñas, Lucía; Paul, Dieter

2004-03-01

A convenient transgenic astrocytoma model in delta202 mice, homozygous for a construct encoding the early region of the SV40 virus genome, is described. In the offspring of crosses between delta202 mice heterozygous for the transgene nearly 60% were transgenic; one third of these developed progressive paralysis starting in the hindlimbs at approximately 35 days of age and died at 90 +/- 30 days of age. In affected mice proliferating-non-neuronal cells immunostained with antibodies to the GFAP, an astrocyte marker, whose number increased with age were found in the white matter of the brain, cerebellum and spinal cord, and progressive degeneration and necrosis of spinal motoneurons was observed that-may explain the paralysis. The early onset and reproducible time course of the neurological disease suggest that homozygous delta202 mice, whose proliferating astrocytes appear to damage spinal motoneurons, are a useful model to study astrocyte differentiation, function and tumorigenesis.

Plant hormone cytokinins control cell cycle progression and plastid replication in apicomplexan parasites.

PubMed

Andrabi, Syed Bilal Ahmad; Tahara, Michiru; Matsubara, Ryuma; Toyama, Tomoko; Aonuma, Hiroka; Sakakibara, Hitoshi; Suematsu, Makoto; Tanabe, Kazuyuki; Nozaki, Tomoyoshi; Nagamune, Kisaburo

2018-02-01

Cytokinins are plant hormones that are involved in regulation of cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and cell and plastid development. Here, we show that the apicomplexan parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium berghei, an opportunistic human pathogen and a rodent malaria agent, respectively, produce cytokinins via a biosynthetic pathway similar to that in plants. Cytokinins regulate the growth and cell cycle progression of T. gondii by mediating expression of the cyclin gene TgCYC4. A natural form of cytokinin, trans-zeatin (t-zeatin), upregulated expression of this cyclin, while a synthetic cytokinin, thidiazuron, downregulated its expression. Immunofluorescence microscopy and quantitative PCR analysis showed that t-zeatin increased the genome-copy number of apicoplast, which are non-photosynthetic plastid, in the parasite, while thidiazuron led to their disappearance. Thidiazuron inhibited growth of T. gondii and Plasmodium falciparum, a human malaria parasite, suggesting that thidiazuron has therapeutic potential as an inhibitor of apicomplexan parasites. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ROCK inhibition with Y27632 promotes the proliferation and cell cycle progression of cultured astrocyte from spinal cord.

PubMed

Yu, Zhiyuan; Liu, Miao; Fu, Peicai; Xie, Minjie; Wang, Wei; Luo, Xiang

2012-12-01

Rho-associated Kinase (ROCK) has been identified as an important regulator of proliferation and cell cycle progression in a number of cell types. Although its effects on astrocyte proliferation have not been well characterized, ROCK has been reported to play important roles in gap junction formation, morphology, and migration of astrocytes. In the present study, our aim was to investigate the effect of ROCK inhibition by [(+)-(R)-trans-4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride] (Y27632) on proliferation and DNA synthesis in cultured astrocytes from rat spinal cord and the possible mechanism involved. Western blots showed that treatment of astrocytes with Y27632 increased their expression of cyclin D1, CDK4, and cyclin E, thereby causing cell cycle progression. Furthermore, Y27632-induced astrocyte proliferation was mediated through the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase signaling cascade. These results indicate the importance of ROCK in astrocyte proliferation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Kidney transplantation epidemiology in France].

PubMed

Hiesse, Christian

2013-11-01

Kidney transplantation activity in France is among the most important worldwide: in 2011, 2976 transplants have been performed (47.5 per million population), and the number of patients living with a functional graft is estimated around 30,000, representing 44.7% of all patients (n = 67,270) treated for end-stage renal failure. However, the rate of preemptive kidney transplants remains very low, only 3.3% of incident patients starting renal replacement therapy. The analysis of demand showed a progressive increase in recent years, as demonstrated by the registration rate on the kidney transplantation waiting list, increasing by 5% yearly between 2006 and 2010, but with huge differences according to age categories and regional registration areas, reflecting discrepant appreciations in indications for kidney transplantation. The median waiting time between registration and transplantation increased progressively in recent years, reaching 22.3 months with considerable variations according to regional areas and transplantation teams. Kidney transplantation activity, while increasing continuously, is far to cover the rising demand, and inexorably patients accumulate on the waiting list (around 9000 patients were registered by January 2012). This situation is the consequence of insufficient organ procurement activity. The deceased organ procurement rate remained high: 1572 harvested donors in 2011 (24.1 per million population), but the proportion of older donors rose in recent years, to reach the rate of 26% of donors older than 65 years in 2011. The procurement activity of donors after cardiac arrest was reintroduced in 2006, but increased slowly: 65 transplants were performed in 2011 using kidney procured in non heart-beating donors. The living donor kidney transplantation activity has markedly increased recently: 302 living donor transplantations were performed in 2011, representing 10.1% of the kidney transplantations. Facing the predictable increase in the number of candidates, all efforts should be put together, by increasing the living donor transplantation activity and by supporting and promoting the deceased donor procurement activity. Copyright © 2013 Association Société de néphrologie. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Age-related pathophysiological changes in rats with unilateral renal agenesis.

PubMed

Amakasu, Kohei; Suzuki, Katsushi; Katayama, Kentaro; Suzuki, Hiroetsu

2011-06-01

Affected rats of the unilateral urogenital anomalies (UUA) strain show renal agenesis restricted to the left side. To determine whether unilateral renal agenesis is a risk factor for the progression of renal insufficiency, we studied age-related pathophysiological alterations in affected rats. Although body growth and food intake were normal, polydipsia and polyuria with low specific gravity were present at 10 weeks and deteriorated further with age. Blood hemoglobin concentrations were normal, though there was slight erythropenia with increased MCV and MCH. Although hypoalbuminemia, hypercholesterolemia, azotemia, and hypermagnesemia were manifested after age 20 weeks, neither hyperphosphatemia nor hypocalcemia was observed. Plasma Cre and UN concentrations gradually increased with age. Cre clearance was almost normal, whereas fractional UN excretion was consistently lower than normal. Proteinuria increased with age, and albumin was the major leakage protein. In addition to cortical lesions, dilated tubules, cast formation, and interstitial fibrosis were observed in the renal medulla of 50 week-old affected rats. Renal weight was increased 1.7-fold and glomerular number 1.2-fold compared with normal rats. These findings show that the remaining kidney in UUA rats is involved not only in compensatory reactions but experiences pathophysiological alterations associated with progressive renal insufficiency.

A robust, good manufacturing practice-compliant, clinical-scale procedure to generate regulatory T cells from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis for adoptive cell therapy.

PubMed

Alsuliman, Abdullah; Appel, Stanley H; Beers, David R; Basar, Rafet; Shaim, Hila; Kaur, Indresh; Zulovich, Jane; Yvon, Eric; Muftuoglu, Muharrem; Imahashi, Nobuhiko; Kondo, Kayo; Liu, Enli; Shpall, Elizabeth J; Rezvani, Katayoun

2016-10-01

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a fundamental role in the maintenance of self-tolerance and immune homeostasis. Defects in Treg function and/or frequencies have been reported in multiple disease models. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting upper and lower motor neurons. Compelling evidence supports a neuroprotective role for Tregs in this disease. Indeed, rapid progression in ALS patients is associated with decreased FoxP3 expression and Treg frequencies. Thus, we propose that strategies to restore Treg number and function may slow disease progression in ALS. In this study, we developed a robust, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant procedure to enrich and expand Tregs from ALS patients. Tregs isolated from these patients were phenotypically similar to those from healthy individuals but were impaired in their ability to suppress T-cell effector function. In vitro expansion of Tregs for 4 weeks in the presence of GMP-grade anti-CD3/CD28 beads, interleukin (IL)-2 and rapamcyin resulted in a 25- to 200-fold increase in their number and restored their immunoregulatory activity. Collectively, our data facilitate and support the implementation of clinical trials of adoptive therapy with ex vivo expanded and highly suppressive Tregs in patients with ALS. Copyright © 2016 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Thirty year celebration of journal publications on radiation oncology medical physics.

PubMed

Oliver, L D

2007-03-01

The Australasian Physical & Engineering Sciences in Medicine Journal (APESM) is an avenue for the profession to report scientific work in medicine; provide a facility for the publication of current work, new research and new techniques developed or reviewed; report on professional news from elsewhere and; publish the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM) policies and protocols. The journal is a vital instrument within the ACPSEM organisation with a worldwide circulation. This review of APESM on medical physics in radiation oncology is meant to be a progress summary of work in that specialty. Even so, it has become a lengthy appraisal due to the many years involved. In considering publications related to medical physics in radiation oncology, this review has shown the progression of the College journal to an international journal. There is an increase in the number of papers contributed from Asia and other countries world wide for this discipline. Growth in the number of contributions should continue to rise. In order to provide some appreciation of where the present medical physics activity arose from, this article commences its discussion in 1959 and progresses towards the present, describing along the way, from radiation oncology papers published in APESM, the use of linear accelerators, brachytherapy, the medical physics workforce, the formation of the ACPSEM, and the more modern developments in radiotherapy such as 3-D treatment planning and IMRT.

[Radiation protection in interventional cardiology].

PubMed

Durán, Ariel

2015-01-01

INTERVENTIONAL: cardiology progress makes each year a greater number of procedures and increasing complexity with a very good success rate. The problem is that this progress brings greater dose of radiation not only for the patient but to occupationally exposed workers as well. Simple methods for reducing or minimizing occupational radiation dose include: minimizing fluoroscopy time and the number of acquired images; using available patient dose reduction technologies; using good imaging-chain geometry; collimating; avoiding high-scatter areas; using protective shielding; using imaging equipment whose performance is controlled through a quality assurance programme; and wearing personal dosimeters so that you know your dose. Effective use of these methods requires both appropriate education and training in radiation protection for all interventional cardiology personnel, and the availability and use of appropriate protective tools and equipment. Regular review and investigation of personnel monitoring results, accompanied as appropriate by changes in how procedures are performed and equipment used, will ensure continual improvement in the practice of radiation protection in the interventional suite. Copyright © 2014 Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez. Published by Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.

Progress in increasing electronic reporting of laboratory results to public health agencies--United States, 2013.

PubMed

2013-09-27

Electronic reporting of laboratory results to public health agencies can improve public health surveillance for reportable diseases and conditions by making reporting more timely and complete. Since 2010, CDC has provided funding to 57 state, local, and territorial health departments through the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases cooperative agreement to assist with improving electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) from clinical and public health laboratories to public health agencies. As part of this agreement, CDC and state and large local health departments are collaborating to monitor ELR implementation in the United States by developing data from each jurisdiction regarding total reporting laboratories, laboratories sending ELR by disease category and message format, and the number of ELR laboratory reports compared with the total number of laboratory reports. At the end of July 2013, 54 of the 57 jurisdictions were receiving at least some laboratory reports through ELR, and approximately 62% of 20 million laboratory reports were being received electronically, compared with 54% in 2012. Continued progress will require collaboration between clinical laboratories, laboratory information management system (LIMS) vendors, and public health agencies.

Transformation of the education of health professionals in China: progress and challenges.

PubMed

Hou, Jianlin; Michaud, Catherine; Li, Zhihui; Dong, Zhe; Sun, Baozhi; Zhang, Junhua; Cao, Depin; Wan, Xuehong; Zeng, Cheng; Wei, Bo; Tao, Lijian; Li, Xiaosong; Wang, Weimin; Lu, Yingqing; Xia, Xiulong; Guo, Guifang; Zhang, Zhiyong; Cao, Yunfei; Guan, Yuanzhi; Meng, Qingyue; Wang, Qing; Zhao, Yuhong; Liu, Huaping; Lin, Huiqing; Ke, Yang; Chen, Lincoln

2014-08-30

In this Review we examine the progress and challenges of China's ambitious 1998 reform of the world's largest health professional educational system. The reforms merged training institutions into universities and greatly expanded enrolment of health professionals. Positive achievements include an increase in the number of graduates to address human resources shortages, acceleration of production of diploma nurses to correct skill-mix imbalance, and priority for general practitioner training, especially of rural primary care workers. These developments have been accompanied by concerns: rapid expansion of the number of students without commensurate faculty strengthening, worries about dilution effect on quality, outdated curricular content, and ethical professionalism challenged by narrow technical training and growing admissions of students who did not express medicine as their first career choice. In this Review we underscore the importance of rebalance of the roles of health sciences institutions and government in educational policies and implementation. The imperative for reform is shown by a looming crisis of violence against health workers hypothesised as a result of many factors including deficient educational preparation and harmful profit-driven clinical practices. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Search for Life Beyond the Solar System. Exoplanets, Biosignatures & Instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Apai, Daniel; Gabor, Pavel

2014-03-01

Motivated by the rapidly increasing number of known Earth-sized planets, the increasing range of extreme conditions in which life on Earth can persist, and the progress toward a technology that will ultimately enable the search for life on exoplanets, the Vatican Observatory and the Steward Observatory announce a major conference entitled The Search for Life Beyond the Solar System: Exoplanets, Biosignatures & Instruments. The goal of the conference is to bring together the interdisciplinary community required to address this multi-faceted challenge: experts on exoplanet observations, early and extreme life on Earth, atmospheric biosignatures, and planet-finding telescopes.

[Distribution of environmental temperature and relative humidity according to the number of conditioned air changes in laboratory animals rooms].

PubMed

Fujita, S; Obara, T; Tanaka, I; Yamauchi, C

1981-01-01

The relation of the rate of circulating air change to room temperature and relative humidity in animal quarters with a central air-conditioning system during heating and cooling seasons was investigated, with the results as follows: During the period of heating, the ambient temperature generally rose with a fall of relative humidity as the number of conditioned air changes per hour was increased. Vertical differences in temperature and humidity between levels of 0.5 and 1.5 m above the floor also diminished with increasing air change rate. This tendency was more conspicuous in small animals rooms with outer walls facing north and west. With increasing rate of air changes, the room temperature was prone to decline and the relative humidity to rise during the period of cooling. There were less vertical differences in temperature and humidity during this period. The velocity of air circulation within the animal quarters and its variations tended to increase progressively with increasing rate of ventilation, though the changes were modest.

[Sarcoidosis: A Descriptive Approach to the Global Research Network and Recent Scientific Developments].

PubMed

Schöffel, N; Kirchdörfer, M; Brüggmann, D; Bundschuh, M; Ohlendorf, D; Groneberg, D A; Bendels, M H K

2016-01-01

Sarcoidosis continues to be an underestimated disease that can cause severe morbidity and mortality in individuals. There has, however, been an increasing awareness of this disease as shown by the increasing number of publications since the 1990  s. The large number of available publications makes it challenging for a single scientist to provide an overview of the topic. To quantify the global research activity in this field, a scientometric investigation was conducted. The total number of publications on sarcoidosis was determined in the Web of Science to obtain their bibliometric data for the period 1900-2008. According to the NewQIS-protocol, different visualisation techniques and scientometric methods were applied. A total of 14,190 published items were evaluated. The U.S. takes a leading position in terms of the overall number of publications and collaborations. Prolific institutions and authors are of U.S. origin. Only a relatively small number of international co-operations were identified. The most intensive network is between the "University of Colorado" and the "National Jewish Medical Research Center". "Semenzato, G" has the highest citation rate of all authors. The most productive co-operative author is "du Bois, RM". The scientific interest in the topic sarcoidosis is growing steadily. The influence of international co-operation on scientific progress in this area is of increasing importance. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Design Research on Mathematics Education: Investigating the Progress of Indonesian Fifth Grade Students' Learning on Multiplication of Fractions with Natural Numbers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shanty, Nenden Octavarulia; Hartono, Yusuf; Putri, Ratu Ilma Indra; de Haan, Dede

2011-01-01

This study aimed at investigating the progress of students' learning on multiplication fractions with natural numbers through the five activity levels based on Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) approach proposed by Streefland. Design research was chosen to achieve this research goal. In design research, the Hypothetical Learning Trajectory…

Learning From Leaders: Life-span Trends in Olympians and Supercentenarians

PubMed Central

Berthelot, Geoffroy; Marck, Adrien; Noirez, Philippe; Latouche, Aurélien; Toussaint, Jean-François

2015-01-01

Life-span trends progression has worldwide practical implications as it may affect the sustainability of modern societies. We aimed to describe the secular life-span trends of populations with a propensity to live longer—Olympians and supercentenarians—under two hypotheses: an ongoing life-span extension versus a biologic “probabilistic barrier” limiting further progression. In a study of life-span densities (total number of life durations per birth date), we analyzed 19,012 Olympians and 1,205 supercentenarians deceased between 1900 and 2013. Among most Olympians, we observed a trend toward increased life duration. This trend, however, decelerates at advanced ages leveling off with the upper values with a perennial gap between Olympians and supercentenarians during the whole observation period. Similar tendencies are observed among supercentenarians, and over the last years, a plateau attests to a stable longevity pattern among the longest-lived humans. The common trends between Olympians and supercentenarians indicate similar mortality pressures over both populations that increase with age, scenario better explained by a biologic “barrier” forecast. PMID:25143003

Barrett’s Esophagus: Frequency and Prediction of Dysplasia and Cancer

PubMed Central

Falk, Gary W.

2015-01-01

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma is continuing to increase at an alarming rate in the Western world today. Barrett’s esophagus is a clearly recognized risk factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma, but the overwhelming majority of patients with Barrett’s esophagus will never develop esophageal cancer. A number of endoscopic, histologic and epidemiologic risk factors identify Barrett’s esophagus patients at increased risk for progression to high-grade dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic factors include segment length, mucosal abnormalities as seemingly trivial as esophagitis and the 12 to 6 o’clock hemisphere of the esophagus. Both intestinal metaplasia and low grade dysplasia, the latter only if confirmed by a pathologist with expertise in Barrett’s esophagus pathologic interpretation are the histologic risk factors for progression. Epidemiologic risk factors include aging, male gender, obesity, and smoking. Factors that may protect against the development of adenocarcinoma include a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and the use of proton pump inhibitors, aspirin/NSAIDs and statins. PMID:25743461

Barrett's oesophagus: frequency and prediction of dysplasia and cancer.

PubMed

Falk, Gary W

2015-02-01

The incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma is continuing to increase at an alarming rate in the Western world today. Barrett's oesophagus is a clearly recognized risk factor for the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, but the overwhelming majority of patients with Barrett's oesophagus will never develop oesophageal cancer. A number of endoscopic, histologic and epidemiologic risk factors identify Barrett's oesophagus patients at increased risk for progression to high-grade dysplasia and oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic factors include segment length, mucosal abnormalities as seemingly trivial as oesophagitis and the 12 to 6 o'clock hemisphere of the oesophagus. Both intestinal metaplasia and low grade dysplasia, the latter only if confirmed by a pathologist with expertise in Barrett's oesophagus pathologic interpretation are the histologic risk factors for progression. Epidemiologic risk factors include ageing, male gender, obesity, and smoking. Factors that may protect against the development of adenocarcinoma include a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and the use of proton pump inhibitors, aspirin/NSAIDs and statins. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Short progressive muscle relaxation or motor coordination training does not increase performance in a brain-computer interface based on sensorimotor rhythms (SMR).

PubMed

Botrel, L; Acqualagna, L; Blankertz, B; Kübler, A

2017-11-01

Brain computer interfaces (BCIs) allow for controlling devices through modulation of sensorimotor rhythms (SMR), yet a profound number of users is unable to achieve sufficient accuracy. Here, we investigated if visuo-motor coordination (VMC) training or Jacobsen's progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) prior to BCI use would increase later performance compared to a control group who performed a reading task (CG). Running the study in two different BCI-labs, we achieved a joint sample size of N=154 naïve participants. No significant effect of either intervention (VMC, PMR, control) was found on resulting BCI performance. Relaxation level and visuo-motor performance were associated with later BCI performance in one BCI-lab but not in the other. These mixed results do not indicate a strong potential of VMC or PMR for boosting performance. Yet further research with different training parameters or experimental designs is needed to complete the picture. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Treatment patterns and outcomes in BRAF V600E-mutant melanoma patients with brain metastases receiving vemurafenib in the real-world setting.

PubMed

Gibney, Geoffrey T; Gauthier, Geneviève; Ayas, Charles; Galebach, Philip; Wu, Eric Q; Abhyankar, Sarang; Reyes, Carolina; Guérin, Annie; Yim, Yeun Mi

2015-08-01

Brain metastases are a common and serious complication among patients with metastatic melanoma. The selective BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib has demonstrated clinical efficacy in patients with BRAF V600E-mutant melanoma brain metastases (MBM). We examined the real-world application and clinical outcomes of vemurafenib in this patient population. Demographic, treatment patterns, response, and survival data were collected from medical charts. Clinical data on 283 patients with active BRAF V600E-mutant MBM treated with vemurafenib were provided by 70 US oncologists. Mean age was 57.2 years, 60.8% were male, 67.5% had ECOG performance status of 0-1, and 43.1% used corticosteroids at vemurafenib initiation. Median follow-up was 5.7 months. Following vemurafenib initiation, 48.1% of patients experienced intracranial response and 45.6% experienced extracranial response. The Kaplan-Meier estimate for overall survival was 59% at 12 months. Multivariate analyses showed associations between intracranial response and both corticosteroid use and vemurafenib as initial therapy after MBM diagnosis. Larger size (5-10 mm vs. < 5 mm) and number of brain metastases (≥ 5 vs. < 2) and progressive extracranial disease at treatment initiation were associated with decreased intracranial response and increased risk of disease progression. Multiple extracranial sites (2 vs. < 2) and the absence of local treatments were also associated with increased risk of progression. Increased risk of death was associated with ≥ 2 extracranial disease sites, progressive extracranial disease, and ≥ 5 brain metastases. Subgroups of MBM patients may derive more benefit with vemurafenib, warranting prospective investigation. © 2015 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Step-wise loss of antidepressant effectiveness with repeated antidepressant trials in bipolar II depression.

PubMed

Amsterdam, Jay D; Lorenzo-Luaces, Lorenzo; DeRubeis, Robert J

2016-11-01

This study examined the relationship between the number of prior antidepressant treatment trials and step-wise increase in pharmacodynamic tolerance (or progressive loss of effectiveness) in subjects with bipolar II depression. Subjects ≥18 years old with bipolar II depression (n=129) were randomized to double-blind venlafaxine or lithium carbonate monotherapy for 12 weeks. Responders (n=59) received continuation monotherapy for six additional months. After controlling for baseline covariates of prior medications, there was a 25% reduction in the likelihood of response to treatment with each increase in the number of prior antidepressant trials (odds ratio [OR]=0.75, unstandardized coefficient [B]=-0.29, standard error (SE)=0.12; χ 2 =5.70, P<.02], as well as a 32% reduction in the likelihood of remission with each prior antidepressant trial (OR=0.68, B=-0.39, SE=0.13; χ 2 =9.71, P=.002). This step-wise increase in pharmacodynamic tolerance occurred in both treatment conditions. Prior selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) therapy was specifically associated with a step-wise increase in tolerance, whereas other prior antidepressants or mood stabilizers were not associated with pharmacodynamic tolerance. Neither the number of prior antidepressants, nor the number of prior SSRIs, or mood stabilizers, were associated with an increase in relapse during continuation therapy. The odds of responding or remitting during venlafaxine or lithium monotherapy were reduced by 25% and 32%, respectively, with each increase in the number of prior antidepressant treatment trials. There was no relationship between prior antidepressant exposure and depressive relapse during continuation therapy of bipolar II disorder. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Breeding progress, variation, and correlation of grain and quality traits in winter rye hybrid and population varieties and national on-farm progress in Germany over 26 years.

PubMed

Laidig, Friedrich; Piepho, Hans-Peter; Rentel, Dirk; Drobek, Thomas; Meyer, Uwe; Huesken, Alexandra

2017-05-01

Grain yield of hybrid varieties and population varieties in official German variety trials increased by 23.3 and 18.1%, respectively, over the last 26 years. On-farm gain in grain yield (18.9%) was comparable to that of population varieties in variety trials, yet at a level considerably lower than in variety trials. Rye quality is subject to large year-to-year fluctuation. Increase in grain yield and decline of protein concentration did not negatively influence quality traits. Performance progress of grain and quality traits of 78 winter rye varieties tested in official German trials to assess the value for cultivation and use (VCU) were evaluated during 1989 and 2014. We dissected progress into a genetic and a non-genetic component for hybrid and population varieties by applying mixed models, including regression components to model trends. VCU trial results were compared with grain yield and quality data from a national harvest survey (on-farm data). Yield gain for hybrid varieties was 23.3% (18.9 dt ha -1 ) and for population varieties 18.1% (13.0 dt ha -1 ) relative to 1989. On-farm yield progress of 18.9% (8.7 dt ha -1 ) was considerably lagging behind VCU trials, and mean yield levels were substantially lower than in field trials. Most of the yield progress was generated by genetic improvement. For hybrid varieties, ear density was the determining yield component, whereas for population varieties, it was thousand grain mass. Results for VCU trials showed no statistically significant gains or losses in rye quality traits. For on-farm data, we found a positive but non-significant gain in falling number and amylogram viscosity and temperature. Variation of grain and quality traits was strongly influenced by environments, whereas genotypic variation was less than 19% of total variation. Grain yield was strongly negatively associated with protein concentration, yet was weakly to moderately positively associated with quality traits. In general, our results from VCU trials and on-farm data indicated that increasing grain yield and decreasing protein concentration did not negatively affect rye quality traits.

Progress in Public Health Emergency Preparedness—United States, 2001–2016

PubMed Central

Molinari, Noelle-Angelique M.; LeBlanc, Tanya T.; Vagi, Sara J.; Avchen, Rachel N.

2017-01-01

Objectives. To evaluate the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program’s progress toward meeting public health preparedness capability standards in state, local, and territorial health departments. Methods. All 62 PHEP awardees completed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s self-administered PHEP Impact Assessment as part of program review measuring public health preparedness capability before September 11, 2001 (9/11), and in 2014. We collected additional self-reported capability self-assessments from 2016. We analyzed trends in congressional funding for public health preparedness from 2001 to 2016. Results. Before 9/11, most PHEP awardees reported limited preparedness capabilities, but considerable progress was reported by 2016. The number of jurisdictions reporting established capability functions within the countermeasures and mitigation domain had the largest increase, almost 200%, by 2014. However, more than 20% of jurisdictions still reported underdeveloped coordination between the health system and public health agencies in 2016. Challenges and barriers to building PHEP capabilities included lack of trained personnel, plans, and sustained resources. Conclusions. Considerable progress in public health preparedness capability was observed from before 9/11 to 2016. Support, sustainment, and advancement of public health preparedness capability is critical to ensure a strong public health infrastructure. PMID:28892440

Biomedical progress rates as new parameters for models of economic growth in developed countries.

PubMed

Zhavoronkov, Alex; Litovchenko, Maria

2013-11-08

While the doubling of life expectancy in developed countries during the 20th century can be attributed mostly to decreases in child mortality, the trillions of dollars spent on biomedical research by governments, foundations and corporations over the past sixty years are also yielding longevity dividends in both working and retired population. Biomedical progress will likely increase the healthy productive lifespan and the number of years of government support in the old age. In this paper we introduce several new parameters that can be applied to established models of economic growth: the biomedical progress rate, the rate of clinical adoption and the rate of change in retirement age. The biomedical progress rate is comprised of the rejuvenation rate (extending the productive lifespan) and the non-rejuvenating rate (extending the lifespan beyond the age at which the net contribution to the economy becomes negative). While staying within the neoclassical economics framework and extending the overlapping generations (OLG) growth model and assumptions from the life cycle theory of saving behavior, we provide an example of the relations between these new parameters in the context of demographics, labor, households and the firm.

Biomedical Progress Rates as New Parameters for Models of Economic Growth in Developed Countries

PubMed Central

Zhavoronkov, Alex; Litovchenko, Maria

2013-01-01

While the doubling of life expectancy in developed countries during the 20th century can be attributed mostly to decreases in child mortality, the trillions of dollars spent on biomedical research by governments, foundations and corporations over the past sixty years are also yielding longevity dividends in both working and retired population. Biomedical progress will likely increase the healthy productive lifespan and the number of years of government support in the old age. In this paper we introduce several new parameters that can be applied to established models of economic growth: the biomedical progress rate, the rate of clinical adoption and the rate of change in retirement age. The biomedical progress rate is comprised of the rejuvenation rate (extending the productive lifespan) and the non-rejuvenating rate (extending the lifespan beyond the age at which the net contribution to the economy becomes negative). While staying within the neoclassical economics framework and extending the overlapping generations (OLG) growth model and assumptions from the life cycle theory of saving behavior, we provide an example of the relations between these new parameters in the context of demographics, labor, households and the firm. PMID:24217179

Progress in Public Health Emergency Preparedness-United States, 2001-2016.

PubMed

Murthy, Bhavini Patel; Molinari, Noelle-Angelique M; LeBlanc, Tanya T; Vagi, Sara J; Avchen, Rachel N

2017-09-01

To evaluate the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program's progress toward meeting public health preparedness capability standards in state, local, and territorial health departments. All 62 PHEP awardees completed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's self-administered PHEP Impact Assessment as part of program review measuring public health preparedness capability before September 11, 2001 (9/11), and in 2014. We collected additional self-reported capability self-assessments from 2016. We analyzed trends in congressional funding for public health preparedness from 2001 to 2016. Before 9/11, most PHEP awardees reported limited preparedness capabilities, but considerable progress was reported by 2016. The number of jurisdictions reporting established capability functions within the countermeasures and mitigation domain had the largest increase, almost 200%, by 2014. However, more than 20% of jurisdictions still reported underdeveloped coordination between the health system and public health agencies in 2016. Challenges and barriers to building PHEP capabilities included lack of trained personnel, plans, and sustained resources. Considerable progress in public health preparedness capability was observed from before 9/11 to 2016. Support, sustainment, and advancement of public health preparedness capability is critical to ensure a strong public health infrastructure.

Deregulation of MiR-34b/Sox2 Predicts Prostate Cancer Progression

PubMed Central

Russo, Maria Veronica; Gazzano, Giacomo; Giangiobbe, Sara; Montanari, Emanuele; Del Nero, Alberto; Rocco, Bernardo; Albo, Giancarlo; Languino, Lucia R.; Altieri, Dario C.; Vaira, Valentina; Bosari, Silvano

2015-01-01

Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer will have an indolent and curable disease, whereas approximately 15% of these patients will rapidly progress to a castrate-resistant and metastatic stage with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the identification of molecular signature(s) that detect men at risk of progressing disease remains a pressing and still unmet need for these patients. Here, we used an integrated discovery platform combining prostate cancer cell lines, a Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of the Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) model and clinically-annotated human tissue samples to identify loss of expression of microRNA-34b as consistently associated with prostate cancer relapse. Mechanistically, this was associated with epigenetics silencing of the MIR34B/C locus and increased DNA copy number loss, selectively in androgen-dependent prostate cancer. In turn, loss of miR-34b resulted in downstream deregulation and overexpression of the “stemness” marker, Sox2. These findings identify loss of miR-34b as a robust biomarker for prostate cancer progression in androgen-sensitive tumors, and anticipate a potential role of progenitor/stem cell signaling in this stage of disease. PMID:26107383

Management of non-progressive dysarthria: practice patterns of speech and language therapists in the Republic of Ireland.

PubMed

Conway, Aifric; Walshe, Margaret

2015-01-01

Dysarthria is a commonly acquired speech disorder. Rising numbers of people surviving stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) mean the numbers of people with non-progressive dysarthria are likely to increase, with increased challenges for speech and language therapists (SLTs), service providers and key stakeholders. The evidence base for assessment and intervention approaches with this population remains limited with clinical guidelines relying largely on clinical experience, expert opinion and limited research. Furthermore, there is currently little evidence on the practice behaviours of SLTs available. To investigate whether SLTs in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) vary in how they assess and manage adults with non-progressive dysarthria; to explore SLTs' use of the theoretical principles that influence therapeutic approaches; to identify challenges perceived by SLTs when working with adults with non-progressive dysarthria; and to determine SLTs' perceptions of further training needs. A 33-item survey questionnaire was devised and disseminated electronically via SurveyMonkey to SLTs working with non-progressive dysarthria in the ROI. SLTs were identified through e-mail lists for special-interest groups, SLT manager groups and general SLT mailing lists. A reminder e-mail was sent to all SLTs 3 weeks later following the initial e-mail containing the survey link. The survey remained open for 6 weeks. Questionnaire responses were analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative comments to open-ended questions were analysed through thematic analysis. Eighty SLTs responded to the survey. Sixty-seven of these completed the survey in full. SLTs provided both quantitative and qualitative data regarding their assessment and management practices in this area. Practice varied depending on the context of the SLT service, experience of SLTs and the resources available to them. Not all SLTs used principles such as motor programming or neural plasticity to direct clinical work and some requested further direction in this area. SLTs perceived that the key challenges associated with working in this area were the compliance, insight and motivation of adults with dysarthria. The use of specific treatment programmes varies amongst SLTs. A lack of resources is reported to restrict practice in both assessment and management. Ongoing research into the effectiveness of SLT interventions with adults with non-progressive dysarthria is required to guide clinical decision-making. SLTs identified further training needs which may provide direction for the development of professional training courses in the future. © 2015 Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

ORENZA: a web resource for studying ORphan ENZyme activities

PubMed Central

Lespinet, Olivier; Labedan, Bernard

2006-01-01

Background Despite the current availability of several hundreds of thousands of amino acid sequences, more than 36% of the enzyme activities (EC numbers) defined by the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NC-IUBMB) are not associated with any amino acid sequence in major public databases. This wide gap separating knowledge of biochemical function and sequence information is found for nearly all classes of enzymes. Thus, there is an urgent need to explore these sequence-less EC numbers, in order to progressively close this gap. Description We designed ORENZA, a PostgreSQL database of ORphan ENZyme Activities, to collate information about the EC numbers defined by the NC-IUBMB with specific emphasis on orphan enzyme activities. Complete lists of all EC numbers and of orphan EC numbers are available and will be periodically updated. ORENZA allows one to browse the complete list of EC numbers or the subset associated with orphan enzymes or to query a specific EC number, an enzyme name or a species name for those interested in particular organisms. It is possible to search ORENZA for the different biochemical properties of the defined enzymes, the metabolic pathways in which they participate, the taxonomic data of the organisms whose genomes encode them, and many other features. The association of an enzyme activity with an amino acid sequence is clearly underlined, making it easy to identify at once the orphan enzyme activities. Interactive publishing of suggestions by the community would provide expert evidence for re-annotation of orphan EC numbers in public databases. Conclusion ORENZA is a Web resource designed to progressively bridge the unwanted gap between function (enzyme activities) and sequence (dataset present in public databases). ORENZA should increase interactions between communities of biochemists and of genomicists. This is expected to reduce the number of orphan enzyme activities by allocating gene sequences to the relevant enzymes. PMID:17026747

JPL initiative on historically black colleges and universities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, Lew; Forte, Paul, Jr.; Leipold, Martin H.

1989-01-01

Executive order number 12320 of September 15, 1981, established a program designed to significantly increase the participation of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU's) in Federal programs. Because of its geographical remoteness and position as a contractor operated center, JPL had not participated in grant and training programs with the HBCU's. In recognition of JPL's responsibility to the national commitment on behalf of the historically black colleges and universities, an initiative with effective, achievable guidelines and early progress for a better and more productive interaction between JPL and the HBCU's is described. Numerous areas of interaction with the historically black colleges and universities have been identified and are being inplemented. They have two broad objectives: research interactions and faculty/student interactions. Plans and progress to date for each specific area are summarized.

DNA and histone methylation in gastric carcinogenesis

PubMed Central

Calcagno, Danielle Queiroz; Gigek, Carolina Oliveira; Chen, Elizabeth Suchi; Burbano, Rommel Rodriguez; Smith, Marília de Arruda Cardoso

2013-01-01

Epigenetic alterations contribute significantly to the development and progression of gastric cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Epigenetics refers to the number of modifications of the chromatin structure that affect gene expression without altering the primary sequence of DNA, and these changes lead to transcriptional activation or silencing of the gene. Over the years, the study of epigenetic processes has increased, and novel therapeutic approaches that target DNA methylation and histone modifications have emerged. A greater understanding of epigenetics and the therapeutic potential of manipulating these processes is necessary for gastric cancer treatment. Here, we review recent research on the effects of aberrant DNA and histone methylation on the onset and progression of gastric tumors and the development of compounds that target enzymes that regulate the epigenome. PMID:23482412

Chemical chronobiology: Toward drugs manipulating time.

PubMed

Wallach, Thomas; Kramer, Achim

2015-06-22

Circadian clocks are endogenous timing systems orchestrating the daily regulation of a huge variety of physiological, metabolic and behavioral processes. These clocks are important for health - in mammals, their disruption leads to a diverse number of pathologies. While genetic and biochemical approaches largely uncovered the molecular bases of circadian rhythm generation, chemical biology strategies targeting the circadian oscillator by small chemical compounds are increasingly developed. Here, we review the recent progress in the identification of small molecules modulating circadian rhythms. We focus on high-throughput screening approaches using circadian bioluminescence reporter cell lines as well as describe alternative mechanistic screens. Furthermore, we discuss the potential for chemical optimization of small molecule ligands with regard to the recent progress in structural chronobiology. Copyright © 2015 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mammalian neurogenesis requires Treacle-Plk1 for precise control of spindle orientation, mitotic progression, and maintenance of neural progenitor cells.

PubMed

Sakai, Daisuke; Dixon, Jill; Dixon, Michael J; Trainor, Paul A

2012-01-01

The cerebral cortex is a specialized region of the brain that processes cognitive, motor, somatosensory, auditory, and visual functions. Its characteristic architecture and size is dependent upon the number of neurons generated during embryogenesis and has been postulated to be governed by symmetric versus asymmetric cell divisions, which mediate the balance between progenitor cell maintenance and neuron differentiation, respectively. The mechanistic importance of spindle orientation remains controversial, hence there is considerable interest in understanding how neural progenitor cell mitosis is controlled during neurogenesis. We discovered that Treacle, which is encoded by the Tcof1 gene, is a novel centrosome- and kinetochore-associated protein that is critical for spindle fidelity and mitotic progression. Tcof1/Treacle loss-of-function disrupts spindle orientation and cell cycle progression, which perturbs the maintenance, proliferation, and localization of neural progenitors during cortical neurogenesis. Consistent with this, Tcof1(+/-) mice exhibit reduced brain size as a consequence of defects in neural progenitor maintenance. We determined that Treacle elicits its effect via a direct interaction with Polo-like kinase1 (Plk1), and furthermore we discovered novel in vivo roles for Plk1 in governing mitotic progression and spindle orientation in the developing mammalian cortex. Increased asymmetric cell division, however, did not promote increased neuronal differentiation. Collectively our research has therefore identified Treacle and Plk1 as novel in vivo regulators of spindle fidelity, mitotic progression, and proliferation in the maintenance and localization of neural progenitor cells. Together, Treacle and Plk1 are critically required for proper cortical neurogenesis, which has important implications in the regulation of mammalian brain size and the pathogenesis of congenital neurodevelopmental disorders such as microcephaly.

Mammalian Neurogenesis Requires Treacle-Plk1 for Precise Control of Spindle Orientation, Mitotic Progression, and Maintenance of Neural Progenitor Cells

PubMed Central

Sakai, Daisuke; Dixon, Jill; Dixon, Michael J.; Trainor, Paul A.

2012-01-01

The cerebral cortex is a specialized region of the brain that processes cognitive, motor, somatosensory, auditory, and visual functions. Its characteristic architecture and size is dependent upon the number of neurons generated during embryogenesis and has been postulated to be governed by symmetric versus asymmetric cell divisions, which mediate the balance between progenitor cell maintenance and neuron differentiation, respectively. The mechanistic importance of spindle orientation remains controversial, hence there is considerable interest in understanding how neural progenitor cell mitosis is controlled during neurogenesis. We discovered that Treacle, which is encoded by the Tcof1 gene, is a novel centrosome- and kinetochore-associated protein that is critical for spindle fidelity and mitotic progression. Tcof1/Treacle loss-of-function disrupts spindle orientation and cell cycle progression, which perturbs the maintenance, proliferation, and localization of neural progenitors during cortical neurogenesis. Consistent with this, Tcof1 +/− mice exhibit reduced brain size as a consequence of defects in neural progenitor maintenance. We determined that Treacle elicits its effect via a direct interaction with Polo-like kinase1 (Plk1), and furthermore we discovered novel in vivo roles for Plk1 in governing mitotic progression and spindle orientation in the developing mammalian cortex. Increased asymmetric cell division, however, did not promote increased neuronal differentiation. Collectively our research has therefore identified Treacle and Plk1 as novel in vivo regulators of spindle fidelity, mitotic progression, and proliferation in the maintenance and localization of neural progenitor cells. Together, Treacle and Plk1 are critically required for proper cortical neurogenesis, which has important implications in the regulation of mammalian brain size and the pathogenesis of congenital neurodevelopmental disorders such as microcephaly. PMID:22479190

Endocrine therapy for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive her2-negative advanced breast cancer after progression or recurrence on nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor therapy: a Canadian consensus statement.

PubMed

Pritchard, K I; Gelmon, K A; Rayson, D; Provencher, L; Webster, M; McLeod, D; Verma, S

2013-02-01

Approximately 22,700 Canadian women were expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. Despite improvements in screening and adjuvant treatment options, a substantial number of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive (hr+) breast cancer will continue to develop metastatic disease during or after adjuvant endocrine therapy. Guidance on the selection of endocrine therapy for patients with hr+ disease that is negative for the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (her2-) and that has relapsed or progressed on earlier nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (nsai) therapy is of increasing clinical importance. Exemestane, fulvestrant, and tamoxifen are approved therapeutic options in this context. Four phase iii trials involving 2876 patients-efect, sofea, confirm, and bolero-2-have assessed the efficacy of various treatment options in this clinical setting. Data from those trials suggest that standard-dose fulvestrant (250 mg monthly) and exemestane are of comparable efficacy, that doubling the dose of fulvestrant from 250 mg to 500 mg monthly results in a 15% reduction in the risk of progression, and that adding everolimus to exemestane (compared with exemestane alone) results in a 57% reduction in the risk of progression, albeit with increased toxicity. Multiple treatment options are now available to women with hr+ her2- advanced breast cancer recurring or progressing on earlier nsai therapy, although current clinical trial data suggest more robust clinical efficacy with everolimus plus exemestane. Consideration should be given to the patient's age, functional status, and comorbidities during selection of an endocrine therapy, and use of a proactive everolimus safety management strategy is encouraged.

Endocrine therapy for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive her2–negative advanced breast cancer after progression or recurrence on nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor therapy: a Canadian consensus statement

PubMed Central

Pritchard, K.I.; Gelmon, K.A.; Rayson, D.; Provencher, L.; Webster, M.; McLeod, D.; Verma, S.

2013-01-01

Approximately 22,700 Canadian women were expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. Despite improvements in screening and adjuvant treatment options, a substantial number of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive (hr+) breast cancer will continue to develop metastatic disease during or after adjuvant endocrine therapy. Guidance on the selection of endocrine therapy for patients with hr+ disease that is negative for the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (her2–) and that has relapsed or progressed on earlier nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (nsai) therapy is of increasing clinical importance. Exemestane, fulvestrant, and tamoxifen are approved therapeutic options in this context. Four phase iii trials involving 2876 patients—efect, sofea, confirm, and bolero-2—have assessed the efficacy of various treatment options in this clinical setting. Data from those trials suggest that standard-dose fulvestrant (250 mg monthly) and exemestane are of comparable efficacy, that doubling the dose of fulvestrant from 250 mg to 500 mg monthly results in a 15% reduction in the risk of progression, and that adding everolimus to exemestane (compared with exemestane alone) results in a 57% reduction in the risk of progression, albeit with increased toxicity. Multiple treatment options are now available to women with hr+ her2– advanced breast cancer recurring or progressing on earlier nsai therapy, although current clinical trial data suggest more robust clinical efficacy with everolimus plus exemestane. Consideration should be given to the patient’s age, functional status, and comorbidities during selection of an endocrine therapy, and use of a proactive everolimus safety management strategy is encouraged. PMID:23443928

The progressive nature of concentration camp syndrome in former prisoners of Nazi concentration camps--Not just history, but the important issue of contemporary medicine.

PubMed

Jabłoński, Robert; Rosińczuk, Joanna; Leszek, Jerzy; Uchmanowicz, Izabella; Panaszek, Bernard

2016-04-01

Constant stress, slave labor, tortures, and starvation all affected the health of concentration camp prisoners, contributing to multimorbidities, increased mortality and accelerated development of chronic illnesses, what we have shown in an earlier publication. The interrelated somatic and psychological symptoms gave rise to concentration camp syndrome (KZ-syndrome), which has many features of PTSD, occurring frequently nowadays. The paper attempts at assessing the influence of concentration camp conditions on functional disorders in each system of the human body, occurring in KZ-syndrome, and at demonstrating the progressive nature of the syndrome. A retrospective assessment of the former prisoners' health after 5 and 30 years following their leaving camps was performed based on medical records and surveys. The materials included 250 former prisoners who underwent medical examination in 1950, i.e. 5 years after leaving the camp, of whom 120 former prisoners survived and were examined and surveyed in 1975, i.e. 30 years after leaving the camp. KZ-syndrome was shown to occur in 58.8% of former prisoners 5 years after leaving the camp, and in 77.5% after 30 years (p < 0.001), which confirms the syndrome's chronic and progressive nature. Pathological sequels of internment in concentration camps, in the form of KZ-syndrome, were observed in most former prisoners. Over time, the number of morbidities and the intensity of symptoms increased, which indicates that the syndrome has a chronic and progressive nature. KZ-syndrome is a multi-organ disorder, with numerous chronic comorbidities exacerbating the progression. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Increasing fetal ovine number per gestation alters fetal plasma clinical chemistry values.

PubMed

Zywicki, Micaela; Blohowiak, Sharon E; Magness, Ronald R; Segar, Jeffrey L; Kling, Pamela J

2016-08-01

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is interconnected with developmental programming of lifelong pathophysiology. IUGR is seen in human multifetal pregnancies, with stepwise rises in fetal numbers interfering with placental nutrient delivery. It remains unknown whether fetal blood analyses would reflect fetal nutrition, liver, and excretory function in the last trimester of human or ovine IUGR In an ovine model, we hypothesized that fetal plasma biochemical values would reflect progressive placental, fetal liver, and fetal kidney dysfunction as the number of fetuses per gestation rose. To determine fetal plasma biochemical values in singleton, twin, triplet, and quadruplet/quintuplet ovine gestation, we investigated morphometric measures and comprehensive metabolic panels with nutritional measures, liver enzymes, and placental and fetal kidney excretory measures at gestational day (GD) 130 (90% gestation). As anticipated, placental dysfunction was supported by a stepwise fall in fetal weight, fetal plasma glucose, and triglyceride levels as fetal number per ewe rose. Fetal glucose and triglycerides were directly related to fetal weight. Plasma creatinine, reflecting fetal renal excretory function, and plasma cholesterol, reflecting placental excretory function, were inversely correlated with fetal weight. Progressive biochemical disturbances and growth restriction accompanied the rise in fetal number. Understanding the compensatory and adaptive responses of growth-restricted fetuses at the biochemical level may help explain how metabolic pathways in growth restriction can be predetermined at birth. This physiological understanding is important for clinical care and generating interventional strategies to prevent altered developmental programming in multifetal gestation. © 2016 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Physiological Society and The Physiological Society.

[DIET CHARACTERISTICS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE].

PubMed

Bašić-Marković, N; Šutić, I; Popović, B; Marković, R; Vučak, J

2016-12-01

Because of the increasing number of patients, chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a significant public health problem. As kidney function decreases, it is necessary to introduce certain dietary modifications. The aim was to investigate what is the appropriate approach to diet of CKD patients, which could contribute to slowing down progression of the disease. Dietary recommendations are individual for each patient, but also vary in the same patient depending on the stage of disease progression because special attention must be paid to appropriate intake of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates and fats), micronutrients (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, various vitamins), and water. In newly diagnosed patients, it is necessary to assess their nutritional status and energy requirements. It has been shown that protein-energy malnutrition, muscle loss and cachexia are strong predictors of mortality in CKD. Comparing different dietary approaches in everyday life of patients suffering from CKD, it was found that the most effective diet is Mediterranean food style. Studies confirm that Mediterranean diet has a preventive effect on renal function and reduces progression of the disease. Preventive measures, correct identification and early intervention can increase survival of patients and improve their quality of life. Mediterranean diet tailored to individual stages of CKD has been confirmed as the best choice in CKD patients.

Progressive muscle proteome changes in a clinically relevant pig model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

PubMed

Fröhlich, Thomas; Kemter, Elisabeth; Flenkenthaler, Florian; Klymiuk, Nikolai; Otte, Kathrin A; Blutke, Andreas; Krause, Sabine; Walter, Maggie C; Wanke, Rüdiger; Wolf, Eckhard; Arnold, Georg J

2016-09-16

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by genetic deficiency of dystrophin and characterized by massive structural and functional changes of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to terminal muscle failure. We recently generated a novel genetically engineered pig model reflecting pathological hallmarks of human DMD better than the widely used mdx mouse. To get insight into the hierarchy of molecular derangements during DMD progression, we performed a proteome analysis of biceps femoris muscle samples from 2-day-old and 3-month-old DMD and wild-type (WT) pigs. The extent of proteome changes in DMD vs. WT muscle increased markedly with age, reflecting progression of the pathological changes. In 3-month-old DMD muscle, proteins related to muscle repair such as vimentin, nestin, desmin and tenascin C were found to be increased, whereas a large number of respiratory chain proteins were decreased in abundance in DMD muscle, indicating serious disturbances in aerobic energy production and a reduction of functional muscle tissue. The combination of proteome data for fiber type specific myosin heavy chain proteins and immunohistochemistry showed preferential degeneration of fast-twitch fiber types in DMD muscle. The stage-specific proteome changes detected in this large animal model of clinically severe muscular dystrophy provide novel molecular readouts for future treatment trials.

Student Learning Assessment and the Curriculum: Issues and Implications for Policy, Design and Implementation. In-Progress Reflections No. 1 on "Current and Critical Issues in the Curriculum and Learning"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Muskin, Joshua A.

2015-01-01

The role of assessment in education has grown greatly over the past few decades, a trend that has two major manifestations. One is the rapid increase in the number of countries and other jurisdictions either participating in international surveys (tests) of learning or initiating their own system-wide assessments; or both. The other is the…

Deterioration of duodenal lymphangiectasia after radiotherapy for gastric MALT lymphoma

PubMed Central

Iwamuro, Masaya; Tanaka, Takehiro; Kanzaki, Hiromitsu; Kawano, Seiji; Kawahara, Yoshiro; Iwasaki, Yoshiaki; Okada, Hiroyuki

2017-01-01

A 68-year-old Japanese woman underwent radiotherapy for gastric lymphoma. Although lymphangiectasia was sparsely observed in the second portion of the duodenum before radiotherapy, the number of pinpoint white spots obviously increased after the treatment. Although the duodenal lymphangiectasia gradually progressed, the patient had no features of protein-losing enteropathy. This case highlights the importance of endoscopic observation of the duodenum after irradiation to the abdomen as radiotherapy may secondarily cause intestinal lymphangiectasia. PMID:28798810

[Historical heritage and medical progress: the destiny of the scientific collections in the 'modern' Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova in Florence].

PubMed

Diana, Esther

2008-01-01

The scientific collections of Florentine Santa Maria Nuova Hospital stimulated new interest in the second half of eigthteenth century. Indeed, the modernization process of the Hospital lead to a steadily increasing alienation of its rich historical heritage, including the scientific collections. Archive documents witness the sale or the museum valorization of a number of collections including mathematical instruments and the anatomical, surgical and wax-obstetrical ones.

[Current therapy of multiple sclerosis].

PubMed

Antonio García Merino, J

2014-12-01

Since the introduction of interferon beta 1 b for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, there has been a progressive increase in the number of drugs available for this disease. Currently, 11 drugs have been approved in Spain, and their indications depend on specific clinical characteristics. The present article reviews these indications and also discusses other medications without official approval that have also been used in multiple sclerosis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

TAFE Projects in Progress. No. 1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Skott, Diana, Comp.

1982-01-01

This publication contains a listing of educational research and development projects currently in progress in Australia, which is the first of a planned twice-yearly listing of projects in progress. Projects are listed by territories and are indexed by author and by subject. Information supplied for each project includes a reference number,…

Anti-fibrotic Role of miR-214 in Thioacetamide-induced Liver Cirrhosis in Rats.

PubMed

Izawa, Takeshi; Horiuchi, Takashi; Atarashi, Machi; Kuwamura, Mitsuru; Yamate, Jyoji

2015-08-01

An increasing number of studies have focused on the role of microRNAs in liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. miR-214 has recently attracted more attention as a fibrosis-related factor; however, the molecular mechanisms in hepatic fibrogenesis remain largely unknown. Here, we investigate the pathological role of miR-214 during progression of liver cirrhosis in rats. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with thioacetamide at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, twice a week. The liver was collected at post first injection weeks 5, 10, 15, and 20. Hepatic expression of miR-214 was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and laser microdissection. The effects of miR-214 overexpression were investigated by in vitro transfection using fibroblastic MT-9 cells. miR-214 was highly upregulated in the fibrotic area in parallel with the cirrhosis progression. miR-214 overexpression in MT-9 cells under transforming growth factor-β1 stimulation resulted in decreased cell number and increased expression of cleaved caspase 3 and decreased expression of α-smooth muscle actin, suggesting that miR-214 induces apoptosis and inhibits myofibroblast differentiation in fibroblastic cells under stimulation of fibrogenic factors. These data indicate an anti-fibrotic role of miR-214 in chemically induced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. © 2015 by The Author(s).

Liver transplantation: Current status and challenges

PubMed Central

Jadlowiec, Caroline C; Taner, Timucin

2016-01-01

Great progress has been made in the field of liver transplantation over the past two decades. This progress, however, also brings up the next set of challenges: First, organ shortage remains a major limitation, and accounts for a large proportion of wait list mortality. While living donation has successfully increased the total number of liver transplants done in Asian countries, the total number of such transplants has been stagnant in the western hemisphere. As such, there has been a significant effort over the past decade to increase the existing deceased donor pool. This effort has resulted in a greater use of liver allografts following donation after cardiac death (DCD) along with marginal and extended criteria donors. Improved understanding of the pathophysiology of liver allografts procured after circulatory arrest has not only resulted in better selection and management of DCD donors, but has also helped in the development of mechanical perfusion strategies. Early outcomes demonstrating the clinical applicability of both hypothermic and normothermic perfusion and its potential to impact patient survival and allograft function have generated much interest. Second, long-term outcomes of liver transplant recipients have not improved significantly, as recipients continue to succumb to complications of long-term immunosuppression, such as infection, malignancy and renal failure. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that chronic immune-mediated injury to the liver may also impact graft function. PMID:27182155

Labor patterns in twin gestations

PubMed Central

Leftwich, Heidi K.; Zaki, Mary N.; Wilkins, Isabelle; Hibbard, Judith U.

2014-01-01

Objective To compare labor progression in twin vs singleton gestations. Study Design Retrospective review of electronic database created by Consortium on Safe Labor, reflecting labor and delivery information from 12 clinical centers 2002-2008. Women with twin gestations, cephalic presentation of presenting twin, gestational age ≥34 weeks, with ≥2 cervical examinations were included. Exclusion criteria were fetal anomalies or demise. Singleton controls were selected by the same criteria. Categorical variables were analyzed by χ2; continuous by Student t test. Interval censored regression was used to determine distribution for time of cervical dilation in centimeters, or “traverse times,” and controlled for confounding factors. Repeated-measures analysis constructed mean labor curves by parity and number of fetuses. Results A total of 891 twin gestations were compared with 100,513 singleton controls. Twin gestations were more often older, white or African American, earlier gestational age, increased prepregnancy body mass index, and with lower birthweight. There was no difference in number of prior cesarean deliveries, induction, or augmentation, or epidural use. Median traverse times increased at every centimeter interval in nulliparous twins, in both unadjusted and adjusted analysis (P < .01). A similar pattern was noted for multiparas in both analyses. Labor curves demonstrated a delayed inflection point in the labor pattern for nulliparous and multiparous twin gestations. Conclusion Both nulliparous and multiparous women have slower progression of active phase labor with twins even when controlling for confounding factors. PMID:23871795

Ecological stress and sex evolution in soil microfungi.

PubMed Central

Grishkan, Isabella; Korol, Abraham B; Nevo, Eviatar; Wasser, Solomon P

2003-01-01

The elucidation of the origin and maintenance of sex is a major unsolved problem in evolutionary biology. A number of hypotheses have been elaborated, but the scarcity of empirical data limits further progress. During recent years, the general inclination has changed towards pluralistic models of sex evolution, due partly to an increased diversity of studied organisms. Fungi are among the most promising organisms for testing sexual causation, as demonstrated in recent laboratory experiments. However, reconciling theory and evidence necessitates critical field observations. Here, we report new estimates of the distribution of morphologically sexual and asexual soil microfungi in nature, which indicate a remarkable trend towards increased sexuality with increasing climatic stress. PMID:12590766

Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-01

availability becomes more difficult further away from the cities. A lack of sufficient progress in governance and sustainable economic ...their confinement to areas away from major population centers. A small number of high-profile attacks (HPAs) occurred during the reporting period...activities were related to criminal networks. A small number of high-profiles attacks (HPAs) occurred during the reporting period. Contrary to insurgents

Fundamental studies in geodynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, D. L.; Hager, B. H.; Kanamori, H.

1981-01-01

Research in fundamental studies in geodynamics continued in a number of fields including seismic observations and analysis, synthesis of geochemical data, theoretical investigation of geoid anomalies, extensive numerical experiments in a number of geodynamical contexts, and a new field seismic volcanology. Summaries of work in progress or completed during this report period are given. Abstracts of publications submitted from work in progress during this report period are attached as an appendix.

Design and Commissioning of a Transportable Laser Ranging Station STAR-C

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Humbert, L.; Hasenohr, T.; Hampf, D.; Riede, W.

An increasing number of space debris and the rise of mega constellations as well as the deployment of small cost efficient satellites are a growing concern for space faring nations and their missions. Hence, a tight network of worldwide stations to support maintenance of catalogues for various tasks such as space surveillance tracking and space traffic management will significantly increase the reliability and availability of the collected data and therefore the safety of missions. A promising concept are transportable laser ranging stations in order to increase the number of observing stations and hence the coverage of the sky. Built and tested on a building test site they can be deployed to a desired site for operation. High energy laser with short pulses provide accurate ranging data to objects in space both cooperative and uncooperative, e.g. objects with a retroreflector and without one. This work introduces the progress of a transportable laser ranging station, of a Surveillance, Tracking and Ranging Container (STAR-C), built into a 20ft ISO container.

Naked gene therapy of hepatocyte growth factor for dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kanbe, Takamasa; Murai, Rie; Mukoyama, Tomoyuki

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is progressive and relapsing disease. To explore the therapeutic effects of naked gene therapy of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on UC, the SR{alpha} promoter driving HGF gene was intrarectally administered to the mice in which colitis was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Expression of the transgene was seen in surface epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosae. The HGF-treated mice showed reduced colonic mucosal damage and increased body weights, compared with control mice (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The HGF-treated mice displayed increased number of PCNA-positive cells and decreased number of apoptotic cells thanmore » in control mice (P < 0.01, each). Phosphorylated AKT was dramatically increased after HGF gene administration, however, phosphorylated ERK1/2 was not altered. Microarray analysis revealed that HGF induced expression of proliferation- and apoptosis-associated genes. These data suggest that naked HGF gene delivery causes therapeutic effects through regulation of many downstream genes.« less

Effect of severity of meningitis on fungicidal activity of flucytosine combined with fluconazole in a murine model of cryptococcal meningitis.

PubMed Central

Ding, J C; Bauer, M; Diamond, D M; Leal, M A; Johnson, D; Williams, B K; Thomas, A M; Najvar, L; Graybill, J R; Larsen, R A

1997-01-01

We studied the effect of the severity of meningitis on the response to therapy with fluconazole and flucytosine in a murine model of cryptococcal meningitis. Meningitis was established by intracerebral injection of Cryptococcus neoformans. The severity of meningitis was varied by delaying the onset of treatment from 3 to 7 days. Animals were sacrificed after 14 days of treatment, and the numbers of C. neoformans per gram of brain tissue were quantified. The range of effective dose combinations of fluconazole and flucytosine became progressively reduced as the severity of meningitis increased. The magnitude of treatment effect, as measured by the numbers of CFU/gram of brain tissue, was also reduced with increasing severity of meningitis. In this model, as the severity of meningitis increases, higher doses of fluconazole are required to achieve equivalent levels of activity. The combination of fluconazole and flucytosine appears to have the most-potent antifungal effects. This is most readily observed in animals with more-severe meningitis. PMID:9210691

Assessing the Role of Copy Number Variants in Prostate Cancer Risk and Progression Using a Novel Genome-Wide Screening Method

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-01

role of copy number variants in prostate cancer risk and progression using a novel genome-wide screening method. 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT ...Prostate; Cancer; Risk; Deletion; Prognosismatter Published by Elsevier Inc. .urolonc.2013.06.004 d in part by DOD grant PC081025, by grant arly...Detection Research Network of the National CTRC at UTHSCSA grant P30CA054174. Data omics Core Shared Resource, which is supported CI P30CA054174 (CTRC of

Characterising the progress in HIV/AIDS research in the Middle East and North Africa

PubMed Central

Saba, Hanan F; Kouyoumjian, Silva P; Mumtaz, Ghina R; Abu-Raddad, Laith J

2013-01-01

Objectives The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is perceived to have limited HIV data. The objective of this study was to quantitatively characterise the progress in HIV research in this region since the discovery of the epidemic. Methods Four indices were defined and implemented to measure the progress of HIV research using the PubMed, Embase, MENA HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Synthesis Project and US Census Bureau HIV/AIDS Surveillance databases. The four indices provide complementary measures to characterise different aspects of the progress of HIV research. Results A total of 2118, 2352, 683 and 4889 records were identified through the PubMed, the Embase, the Synthesis Project and the HIV Prevalence indices, respectively. The proportion of the total global HIV records that relate to MENA is 1.2%. Overall, the indices show steady progress in the number of new records every year, with an accelerated pace in the last few years. The rate of progress in MENA was also higher than the rate of progress in HIV records globally. There is no evidence so far of stabilisation or a peak in the number of new records year by year. About half of the records were produced after the year 2005. The number of records shows large heterogeneity across countries. Conclusions MENA has witnessed a rapid growth in HIV research over the last decade. However, there are still large gaps in HIV scientific evidence in the region, and the progress is far from being uniform across countries. Ongoing and future research needs to be geared towards academic standard and production of scientific publications. PMID:23596206

fMRI evidence of improved visual function in patients with progressive retinitis pigmentosa by eye-movement training.

PubMed

Yoshida, Masako; Origuchi, Maki; Urayama, Shin-Ichi; Takatsuki, Akira; Kan, Shigeyuki; Aso, Toshihiko; Shiose, Takayuki; Sawamoto, Nobukatsu; Miyauchi, Satoru; Fukuyama, Hidenao; Seiyama, Akitoshi

2014-01-01

To evaluate changes in the visual processing of patients with progressive retinitis pigmentosa (RP) who acquired improved reading capability by eye-movement training (EMT), we performed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before and after EMT. Six patients with bilateral concentric contraction caused by pigmentary degeneration of the retina and 6 normal volunteers were recruited. Patients were given EMT for 5 min every day for 8-10 months. fMRI data were acquired on a 3.0-Tesla scanner while subjects were performing reading tasks. In separate experiments (before fMRI scanning), visual performances for readings were measured by the number of letters read correctly in 5 min. Before EMT, activation areas of the primary visual cortex of patients were 48.8% of those of the controls. The number of letters read correctly in 5 min was 36.6% of those by the normal volunteers. After EMT, the activation areas of patients were not changed or slightly decreased; however, reading performance increased in 5 of 6 patients, which was 46.6% of that of the normal volunteers (p< 0.05). After EMT, increased activity was observed in the frontal eye fields (FEFs) of all patients; however, increases in the activity of the parietal eye fields (PEFs) were observed only in patients who showed greater improvement in reading capability. The improvement in reading ability of the patients after EMT is regarded as an effect of the increased activity of FEF and PEF, which play important roles in attention and working memory as well as the regulation of eye movements.

fMRI evidence of improved visual function in patients with progressive retinitis pigmentosa by eye-movement training

PubMed Central

Yoshida, Masako; Origuchi, Maki; Urayama, Shin-ichi; Takatsuki, Akira; Kan, Shigeyuki; Aso, Toshihiko; Shiose, Takayuki; Sawamoto, Nobukatsu; Miyauchi, Satoru; Fukuyama, Hidenao; Seiyama, Akitoshi

2014-01-01

To evaluate changes in the visual processing of patients with progressive retinitis pigmentosa (RP) who acquired improved reading capability by eye-movement training (EMT), we performed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before and after EMT. Six patients with bilateral concentric contraction caused by pigmentary degeneration of the retina and 6 normal volunteers were recruited. Patients were given EMT for 5 min every day for 8–10 months. fMRI data were acquired on a 3.0-Tesla scanner while subjects were performing reading tasks. In separate experiments (before fMRI scanning), visual performances for readings were measured by the number of letters read correctly in 5 min. Before EMT, activation areas of the primary visual cortex of patients were 48.8% of those of the controls. The number of letters read correctly in 5 min was 36.6% of those by the normal volunteers. After EMT, the activation areas of patients were not changed or slightly decreased; however, reading performance increased in 5 of 6 patients, which was 46.6% of that of the normal volunteers (p< 0.05). After EMT, increased activity was observed in the frontal eye fields (FEFs) of all patients; however, increases in the activity of the parietal eye fields (PEFs) were observed only in patients who showed greater improvement in reading capability. The improvement in reading ability of the patients after EMT is regarded as an effect of the increased activity of FEF and PEF, which play important roles in attention and working memory as well as the regulation of eye movements. PMID:25068106

The effect of swirl recovery vanes on the cruise noise of an advanced propeller

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dittmar, James H.; Hall, David G.

1990-01-01

The SR-7A propeller was acoustically tested with and without downstream swirl recovery vanes to determine if any extra noise was caused by the interaction of the propeller wakes and vortices with these vanes. No additional noise was observed at the cruise condition over the angular range tested. The presence of the swirl recovery vanes did unload the propeller and some small peak noise reductions were observed from lower propeller loading noise. The propeller was also tested alone to investigate the behavior of the peak propeller noise with helical tip Mach number. As observed before on other propellers, the peak noise first rose with helical tip Mach number and then leveled off or decreased at higher helical tip Mach numbers. Detailed pressure-time histories indicate that a portion of the primary pressure pulse is progressively cancelled by a secondary pulse as the helical tip Mach number is increased. This cancellation appears to be responsible for the peak noise behavior at high helical tip Mach numbers.

Generation of Synthetic Spike Trains with Defined Pairwise Correlations

PubMed Central

Niebur, Ernst

2008-01-01

Recent technological advances as well as progress in theoretical understanding of neural systems have created a need for synthetic spike trains with controlled mean rate and pairwise cross-correlation. This report introduces and analyzes a novel algorithm for the generation of discretized spike trains with arbitrary mean rates and controlled cross correlation. Pairs of spike trains with any pairwise correlation can be generated, and higher-order correlations are compatible with common synaptic input. Relations between allowable mean rates and correlations within a population are discussed. The algorithm is highly efficient, its complexity increasing linearly with the number of spike trains generated and therefore inversely with the number of cross-correlated pairs. PMID:17521277

The Inherent Drawbacks of the Pressure to Publish in Health Sciences: Good or Bad Science

PubMed Central

Dinis-Oliveira, Ricardo Jorge; Magalhães, Teresa

2016-01-01

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of scientific publications– it is the era of “hunting the article”. This commentary discusses the drawbacks of the pressure to publish that certainly contribute to the ‘dark side’ of science. In fact, health science career progression greatly relies on the number of scientific publications a researcher has, and in many cases these may be more valorized than the health services provided. Of course, scientific publications help to develop the skills of health care professionals, but as Einstein highlighted “ not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts”. PMID:26594336

ISCB: past-present perspective for the International Society for Computational Biology.

PubMed

Rost, Burkhard

2014-01-01

Since its establishment in 1997, International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) has contributed importantly toward advancing the understanding of living systems through computation. The ISCB represents nearly 3000 members working in >70 countries. It has doubled the number of members since 2007. At the same time, the number of meetings organized by the ISCB has increased from two in 2007 to eight in 2013, and the society has cemented many lasting alliances with regional societies and specialist groups. ISCB is ready to grow into a challenging and promising future. The progress over the past 7 years has resulted from the vision, and possibly more importantly, the passion and hard working dedication of many individuals.

ISCB: past-present perspective for the International Society for Computational Biology.

PubMed

Rost, Burkhard

2013-12-15

Since its establishment in 1997, International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) has contributed importantly toward advancing the understanding of living systems through computation. The ISCB represents nearly 3000 members working in >70 countries. It has doubled the number of members since 2007. At the same time, the number of meetings organized by the ISCB has increased from two in 2007 to eight in 2013, and the society has cemented many lasting alliances with regional societies and specialist groups. ISCB is ready to grow into a challenging and promising future. The progress over the past 7 years has resulted from the vision, and possibly more importantly, the passion and hard working dedication of many individuals.

Tackling the Global Challenge: Humanitarian Catastrophes

PubMed Central

Iserson, Kenneth V.

2014-01-01

“Humanitarian catastrophes,” conflicts and calamities generating both widespread human suffering and destructive events, require a wide range of emergency resources. This paper answers a number of questions that humanitarian catastrophes generate: Why and how do the most-developed countries—those with the resources, capabilities, and willingness to help—intervene in specific types of disasters? What ethical and legal guidelines shape our interventions? How well do we achieve our goals? It then suggests a number of changes to improve humanitarian responses, including better NGO-government cooperation, increased research on the best disaster response methods, clarification of the criteria and roles for humanitarian (military) interventions, and development of post-2015 Millennium Development Goals with more accurate progress measures. PMID:24672618

Circulating human papillomavirus DNA as a surveillance tool in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Jensen, Kristina Kvist; Grønhøj, Christian; Jensen, David H; von Buchwald, Christian

2018-05-15

The incidence of human papillomavirus-induced (HPV+) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) i.e. especially oropharyngeal cancers (OPSCC) is increasing and a significant proportion of patients encounter disease progression. A simple and sensitive test to identify patients with progression is an unmet need. To systematically review the literature and carry out a meta-analysis of studies, investigated circulating HPV-DNA as a biomarker for disease progression in patients with HNSCC. A systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for articles published in English from January 1980 to November 2017. Search terms used were related to HPV, cancer sites, blood-based biomarkers and terms for specific use settings. Articles reviewed and selected by authors and data on study design, demographic variables, location, HPV status, number of pre treatment blood tests, number of post treatment blood tests, blood HPV status and number of recurrences and length of follow-up was extracted. A meta-analysis of HPV-DNA as a diagnostic test for recurrence by means of a hierarchical summary receiver operating curve (HSROC) model was performed. We identified five studies (n=600 subjects) examining circulating HPV-DNA in patients with HNSCC. In these five studies (n=411) patients had both pre and post treatment blood samples. The pooled sensitivity, in detecting a recurrence was estimated to be 54% (95% CI: 32%-74%), while the pooled specificity was 98% (95% CI: 93-99.4%). The pooled false-positive rate is 2% (95% CI: 0.6%-7%). The area under the curve (AUC) of the summary HSROC was 0.93. Positive predictive value was estimated to 93% and the negative predictive value to 94%. Plasma HPV-DNA is a promising tool for surveillance in patients with HPV-related HNSCC i.e. OPSCC and has a high specificity. By recent technical advances and by increasing follow-up blood samples the sensitivity could likely be improved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Increasing the number of female primary school teachers in African countries: Effects, barriers and policies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haugen, Caitlin S.; Klees, Steven J.; Stromquist, Nelly P.; Lin, Jing; Choti, Truphena; Corneilse, Carol

2014-12-01

Girls' education has been a high development priority for decades. While some progress has been made, girls are often still at a great disadvantage, especially in developing countries, and most especially in African countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, less than half of primary school teachers and only a quarter of secondary school teachers are women, and enrolment figures for girls are low. One common policy prescription is to increase the number of women teachers, especially in the many countries where teaching remains a predominantly male profession. This policy prescription needs to be backed by more evidence in order to significantly increase and improve its effective implementation. The available research seems to suggest that girls are more likely to enrol in schools where there are female teachers. Moreover, increasing the number of trained teachers in sub-Saharan Africa depends on more girls completing their school education. To date, however, there has been no comprehensive literature review analysing the effects of being taught by women teachers on girls' educational experience. This paper aims to make a start on filling this gap by examining the evidence on the effects in primary schools, especially in African countries. It also identifies and examines the barriers women face in becoming and staying teachers, and considers policies to remedy their situation.

Effects of electromagnetic radiation from a cellular phone on human sperm motility: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Erogul, Osman; Oztas, Emin; Yildirim, Ibrahim; Kir, Tayfun; Aydur, Emin; Komesli, Gokhan; Irkilata, Hasan Cem; Irmak, Mehmet Kemal; Peker, Ahmet Fuat

2006-10-01

There has been growing public concern on the effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by cellular phones on human health. Many studies have recently been published on this topic. However, possible consequences of the cellular phone usage on human sperm parameters have not been investigated adequately. A total number of 27 males were enrolled in the study. The semen sample obtained from each participant was divided equally into two parts. One of the specimens was exposed to EMR emitted by an activated 900 MHz cellular phone, whereas the other was not. The concentration and motility of the specimens were compared to analyze the effects of EMR. Assessment of sperm movement in all specimens was performed using four criteria: (A) rapid progressive, (B) slow progressive, (C) nonprogressive, (D) no motility. Statistically significant changes were observed in the rapid progressive, slow progressive and no-motility categories of sperm movement. EMR exposure caused a subtle decrease in the rapid progressive and slow progressive sperm movement. It also caused an increase in the no-motility category of sperm movement. There was no statistically significant difference in the sperm concentration between two groups. These data suggest that EMR emitted by cellular phone influences human sperm motility. In addition to these acute adverse effects of EMR on sperm motility, long-term EMR exposure may lead to behavioral or structural changes of the male germ cell. These effects may be observed later in life, and they are to be investigated more seriously.

Thiols of flagellar proteins are essential for progressive motility in human spermatozoa.

PubMed

Cabrillana, María Eugenia; Monclus, María de Los Ángeles; Lancellotti, Tania Estefania Sáez; Boarelli, Paola Vanina; Vincenti, Amanda Edith; Fornés, Miguel Matias; Sanabria, Eduardo Alfredo; Fornés, Miguel Walter

2017-07-01

Male infertility is a disorder of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. The presence of low-motile or immotile spermatozoa is one of many causes of infertility; however, this observation provides little or no information regarding the pathogenesis of the malfunction. Good sperm motility depends on correct assembly of the sperm tail in the testis and efficient maturation during epididymal transit. Thiols of flagellar proteins, such as outer dense fibre protein 1 (ODF1), are oxidised to form disulfides during epididymal transit and the spermatozoa become motile. This study was designed to determine how oxidative changes in protein thiol status affect progressive motility in human spermatozoa. Monobromobimane (mBBr) was used as a specific thiol marker and disruptor of sperm progressive motility. When mBBr was blocked by dithiothreitol it did not promote motility changes. The analysis of mBBr-treated spermatozoa revealed a reduction of progressive motility and an increased number of spermatozoa with non-progressive motility without affecting ATP production. Laser confocal microscopy and western blot analysis showed that one of the mBBr-positive proteins reacted with an antibody to ODF1. Monobromobimane fluorescence intensity of the sperm tail was lower in normozoospermic than asthenozoospermic men, suggesting that thiol oxidation in spermatozoa of asthenozoospermic men is incomplete. Our findings indicate that mBBr affects the thiol status of ODF1 in human spermatozoa and interferes with progressive motility.

The association of traumatic brain injury with rate of progression of cognitive and functional impairment in a population-based cohort of Alzheimer's disease: the Cache County Dementia Progression Study.

PubMed

Gilbert, Mac; Snyder, Christine; Corcoran, Chris; Norton, Maria C; Lyketsos, Constantine G; Tschanz, JoAnn T

2014-10-01

There is limited research on factors that influence the rate of progression in Alzheimer's disease (AD). A history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with an increased risk for AD, but its role on the rate of dementia progression after the onset of AD has not been examined. A population-based cohort of 325 persons with incident AD was followed for up to 11 years. The sample was 65% female with a mean (SD) age of dementia onset = 84.4 (6.4) years. History of TBI was categorized as number, severity (with or without loss of consciousness), and timing in relation to dementia onset (within ten years or more than ten years). Cognition was assessed by the Consortium to Establish a Registry of AD battery, and functional ability was assessed by the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes. In linear mixed models, a history of TBI within ten years of onset showed faster progression of functional impairment (LR x2 = 10.27, p = 0.006), while those with TBI more than ten years before dementia onset had higher scores on a measure of list learning (β = 1.61, p = 0.003) and semantic memory (β = 0.75, p = 0.0035). History of TBI and its recency may be a useful factor to predict functional progression in the course of AD.

Oscillation of Angiogenesis with Vascular Dropout in Diabetic Retinopathy by VESsel GENeration Analysis (VESGEN)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parsons-Wingerter, Patricia; Radbakrishnan, Krisbnan; Vickerman, Mary B.; Kaiser, Peter K.

2010-01-01

PURPOSE. Vascular dropout and angiogenesis are hallmarks of the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, current evaluation of DR relies on grading of secondary vascular effects, such as microaneurysms and hemorrhages, by clinical examination instead of by evaluation of actual vascular changes. The purpose of this study was to map and quantify vascular changes during progression of DR by VESsel GENeration Analysis (VESGEN). METHODS. In this prospective cross-sectional study, 15 eyes with DR were evaluated with fluorescein angiography (FA) and color fundus photography, and were graded using modified Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study criteria. FA images were separated by semiautomatic image processing into arterial and venous trees. Vessel length density (L(sub v)), number density (N(sub v)), and diameter (D(sub v)) were analyzed in a masked fashion with VESGEN software. Each vascular tree was automatically segmented into branching generations (G(sub 1)...G(sub 8) or G(sub 9)) by vessel diameter and branching. Vascular remodeling status (VRS) for N(sub v) and L(sub v) was graded 1 to 4 for increasing severity of vascular change. RESULTS. By N(sub v) and L(sub v), VRS correlated significantly with the independent clinical diagnosis of mild to proliferative DR (13/15 eyes). N(sub v) and L(sub v) of smaller vessels (G(sub >=6) increased from VRS1 to VRS2 by 2.4 X and 1.6 X, decreased from VRS2 to VRS3 by 0.4 X and 0.6X, and increased from VRS3 to VRS4 by 1.7 X and 1.5 X (P < 0.01). Throughout DR progression, the density of larger vessels (G(sub 1-5)) remained essentially unchanged, and D(sub v1-5) increased slightly. CONCLUSIONS. Vessel density oscillated with the progression of DR. Alternating phases of angiogenesis/neovascularization and vascular dropout were dominated first by remodeling of arteries and subsequently by veins.

Media Impacts on Women's Fertility Desires: A Prolonged Exposure Experiment.

PubMed

Knobloch-Westerwick, Silvia; Willis, Laura E; Kennard, Ashley R

2016-06-01

Media exposure may have implications for family planning, a public health issue of key importance. Drawing on social comparison theory and social identity theory, a prolonged exposure experiment examined whether media portrayals of women's social roles affect fertility desires among 166 American, nonstudent, never married, childless women ages 21-35 years old. After sign-up and baseline sessions, participants viewed magazine pages five days in a row. Stimuli presented women in either mother/homemaker roles, beauty ideal roles, or professional roles. Three days later, participants again indicated their number of desired children and time planned until first birth. Exposure to mother/homemaker and beauty ideal portrayals increased the number of desired children across time. Exposure to professional portrayals increased the time planned until 1st birth compared to beauty ideal portrayals-this impact was partially mediated by a shift toward more progressive gender norms (per social identity theory) and assimilation (per social comparison theory).

Coal desulfurization by a microwave process. Technical progress report, February 1981-May 1981

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zavitsanos, P.D.; Golden, J.A.; Bleiler, K.W.

1981-01-01

Desulfurization experiments were carried out using the 6KW, 2450 MHz Flow Reactor System. The program has been directed toward the combination of physical separation and microwave exposure with NaOH to increase sulfur removal. The following treatment sequence has been used with good results: (1) expose 1/4 to 1 in. raw coal to microwaves; (2) crush the treated coal and separate the sample into float/sink fractions; (3) add NaOH to the float fraction and re-expose the sample to microwaves; and (4) wash, add NaOH and expose to microwaves. This procedure has produced up to 89% sulfur removal and as low asmore » 0.31 numberS/10/sup 6/ Btu. Ash analyses on these samples showed as high as 40% reduction. The calorific value was increased in almost all samples. Data on sulfur, ash and calorific values are summarized.« less

24. CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS VIEW TO NORTHWEST, SHOWING BLOWER BUILDING. INEEL ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

24. CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS VIEW TO NORTHWEST, SHOWING BLOWER BUILDING. INEEL PHOTO NUMBER NRTS-60-4407. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Old Waste Calcining Facility, Scoville, Butte County, ID

Sequential karyotyping in Burkitt lymphoma reveals a linear clonal evolution with increase in karyotype complexity and a high frequency of recurrent secondary aberrations.

PubMed

Aukema, Sietse M; Theil, Laura; Rohde, Marius; Bauer, Benedikt; Bradtke, Jutta; Burkhardt, Birgit; Bonn, Bettina R; Claviez, Alexander; Gattenlöhner, Stefan; Makarova, Olga; Nagel, Inga; Oschlies, Ilske; Pott, Christiane; Szczepanowski, Monika; Traulsen, Arne; Kluin, Philip M; Klapper, Wolfram; Siebert, Reiner; Murga Penas, Eva M

2015-09-01

Typical Burkitt lymphoma is characterized by an IG-MYC translocation and overall low genomic complexity. Clinically, Burkitt lymphoma has a favourable prognosis with very few relapses. However, the few patients experiencing disease progression and/or relapse have a dismal outcome. Here we report cytogenetic findings of seven cases of Burkitt lymphoma in which sequential karyotyping was performed at time of diagnosis and/or disease progression/relapse(s). After case selection, karyotype re-review and additional molecular analyses were performed in six paediatric cases, treated in Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster-Non-Hodgkin lymphoma study group trials, and one additional adult patient. Moreover, we analysed 18 cases of Burkitt lymphoma from the Mitelman database in which sequential karyotyping was performed. Our findings show secondary karyotypes to have a significant increase in load of cytogenetic aberrations with a mean number of 2, 5 and 8 aberrations for primary, secondary and third investigations. Importantly, this increase in karyotype complexity seemed to result from recurrent secondary chromosomal changes involving mainly trisomy 21, gains of 1q and 7q, losses of 6q, 11q, 13q, and 17p. In addition, our findings indicate a linear clonal evolution to be the predominant manner of cytogenetic evolution. Our data may provide a biological framework for the dismal outcome of progressive and relapsing Burkitt lymphoma. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Effects of seven diets on the population dynamics of laboratory cultured Tisbe holothuriae Humes (Copepoda, Harpacticoida)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miliou, H.; Moraïtou-Apostolopoulou, M.

1991-09-01

The harpacticoid copepod Tisbe holothuriae was collected from Saronicos Gulf (Greece) and reared under constant laboratory conditions. In order to study the effects of food on the population dynamics, seven diets were tested: the seaweed Ulva; five artificial compound feeds: the liquid Fryfood® (Waterlife), a powder of Mytilus, yeast, soya and Spirulina, respectively; and a mixed diet consisting of Ulva and Fryfood. The life cycle parameters (mortality, sex ratio, generation time, offspring production) were measured, and the demographic variables [mean generation time (T), net reproductive rate (Ro), and intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm)] were determined. As to their efficiency regarding population dynamics, the diets ranked as follows: (1) Ulva+Fryfood, (2), Ulva, (3) Fryfood, (4) Mytilus, (5) soya, (6) yeast, and (7) Spirulina. In this order they cause a progressive increase of both larval mortality and generation time, a progressive decrease of sex ratio, number of offspring per egg sac, number of egg sacs per female and, consequently, of Ro and rm. The observed differences between diets were most pronounced with respect to offspring production. Of the compound diets, those containing animal extracts were more efficient than those containing vegetable materials. Ulva plays an important role in the nutrition of T. holothuriae, favouring offspring production as well as larval survival, development and pigmentation. Ulva in combination with Fryfood led to a greater copepodid survival and offspring production. This mixed diet proved to be the most favourable for rearing the Greek population of t. holothuriae, resulting in an efficient intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm=0.304) of the population.

Profound CD4+/CCR5+ T cell expansion is induced by CD8+ lymphocyte depletion but does not account for accelerated SIV pathogenesis

PubMed Central

Okoye, Afam; Park, Haesun; Rohankhedkar, Mukta; Coyne-Johnson, Lia; Lum, Richard; Walker, Joshua M.; Planer, Shannon L.; Legasse, Alfred W.; Sylwester, Andrew W.; Piatak, Michael; Lifson, Jeffrey D.; Sodora, Donald L.; Villinger, Francois; Axthelm, Michael K.; Schmitz, Joern E.

2009-01-01

Depletion of CD8+ lymphocytes during acute simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of rhesus macaques (RMs) results in irreversible prolongation of peak-level viral replication and rapid disease progression, consistent with a major role for CD8+ lymphocytes in determining postacute-phase viral replication set points. However, we report that CD8+ lymphocyte depletion is also associated with a dramatic induction of proliferation among CD4+ effector memory T (TEM) cells and, to a lesser extent, transitional memory T (TTrM) cells, raising the question of whether an increased availability of optimal (activated/proliferating), CD4+/CCR5+ SIV “target” cells contributes to this accelerated pathogenesis. In keeping with this, depletion of CD8+ lymphocytes in SIV− RMs led to a sustained increase in the number of potential CD4+ SIV targets, whereas such depletion in acute SIV infection led to increased target cell consumption. However, we found that the excess CD4+ TEM cell proliferation of CD8+ lymphocyte–depleted, acutely SIV-infected RMs was completely inhibited by interleukin (IL)-15 neutralization, and that this inhibition did not abrogate the rapidly progressive infection in these RMs. Moreover, although administration of IL-15 during acute infection induced robust CD4+ TEM and TTrM cell proliferation, it did not recapitulate the viral dynamics of CD8+ lymphocyte depletion. These data suggest that CD8+ lymphocyte function has a larger impact on the outcome of acute SIV infection than the number and/or activation status of target cells available for infection and viral production. PMID:19546246

[Hepatocyte apoptosis and mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver].

PubMed

Kang, Min; Li, Sen; Zhong, Dejun; Yang, Zhimin; Li, Peng

2013-07-01

To investigate the role of hepatocyte apoptosis and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Thirty male SD rats were randomized into normal diet group and high-fat diet group. At 4, 8 and 12 week of feeding. The hepatocyte apoptosis index (AI) was measured using flow cytometry, and MPTP opening was evaluated with ultraviolet spectrophotometry. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect hepatic expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax, and Western blotting was used to detect Bax protein expression changes. High-fat feeding resulted in significantly increased hepatocyte AI at 4-12 weeks and gradually increased MPTP opening. In the high-fat diet group, hepatic Bcl-2 expression was detected but the positive cell number remained stable, whereas Bax-positive cell number increased steadily with time with progressively increased intensity of Bax protein expression, resulting in gradually decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Hepatocyte apoptosis occurs in the rat model of NAFLD in close correlation with mitochondrial damage. Increased MPTP opening as the result of increased Bax expression and aberrant Bcl-2/Bax ratio is an important mechanism of hepatocyte mitochondrial damage in NAFLD.

A Multi-state Model for Designing Clinical Trials for Testing Overall Survival Allowing for Crossover after Progression

PubMed Central

Xia, Fang; George, Stephen L.; Wang, Xiaofei

2015-01-01

In designing a clinical trial for comparing two or more treatments with respect to overall survival (OS), a proportional hazards assumption is commonly made. However, in many cancer clinical trials, patients pass through various disease states prior to death and because of this may receive treatments other than originally assigned. For example, patients may crossover from the control treatment to the experimental treatment at progression. Even without crossover, the survival pattern after progression may be very different than the pattern prior to progression. The proportional hazards assumption will not hold in these situations and the design power calculated on this assumption will not be correct. In this paper we describe a simple and intuitive multi-state model allowing for progression, death before progression, post-progression survival and crossover after progression and apply this model to the design of clinical trials for comparing the OS of two treatments. For given values of the parameters of the multi-state model, we simulate the required number of deaths to achieve a specified power and the distribution of time required to achieve the requisite number of deaths. The results may be quite different from those derived using the usual PH assumption. PMID:27239255

Predicting the "graduate on time (GOT)" of PhD students using binary logistics regression model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shariff, S. Sarifah Radiah; Rodzi, Nur Atiqah Mohd; Rahman, Kahartini Abdul; Zahari, Siti Meriam; Deni, Sayang Mohd

2016-10-01

Malaysian government has recently set a new goal to produce 60,000 Malaysian PhD holders by the year 2023. As a Malaysia's largest institution of higher learning in terms of size and population which offers more than 500 academic programmes in a conducive and vibrant environment, UiTM has taken several initiatives to fill up the gap. Strategies to increase the numbers of graduates with PhD are a process that is challenging. In many occasions, many have already identified that the struggle to get into the target set is even more daunting, and that implementation is far too ideal. This has further being progressing slowly as the attrition rate increases. This study aims to apply the proposed models that incorporates several factors in predicting the number PhD students that will complete their PhD studies on time. Binary Logistic Regression model is proposed and used on the set of data to determine the number. The results show that only 6.8% of the 2014 PhD students are predicted to graduate on time and the results are compared wih the actual number for validation purpose.

The climb to break the glass ceiling in surgery: trends in women progressing from medical school to surgical training and academic leadership from 1994 to 2015.

PubMed

Abelson, Jonathan S; Chartrand, Genevieve; Moo, Tracy-Ann; Moore, Maureen; Yeo, Heather

2016-10-01

There have been many efforts to increase the number of women surgeons. We provide an update of women surgeon representation along the pathway to surgical academia. Data was extracted from Association of American Medical Colleges FACTS and Faculty Administrative Management Online User System as well as GME annual reports starting in 1994 until the last year available for each. The proportion of graduating women medical students has increased on average .5% per year from 1994 to 2014. Women general surgery trainees have more than doubled in number over the same period but represented 38.3% of all general surgery trainees in 2014. Women Full Professors increased on average .3% from 1994 to 2015 but still make up less than 10% of all Full Professors. Despite improvements over the past 20 years, there are still large gender gaps in surgery for trainees and academic leadership. At the current rate of increase, women Full Professors will not achieve gender parity until in 2136. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

What effects has the cataract surgery on the development and progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

PubMed Central

Bockelbrink, Angelina; Rasch, Andrej; Roll, Stephanie; Willich, Stefan N.; Greiner, Wolfgang

2006-01-01

Background The cataract (Cataracta senilis) is the most frequent eye disease of elderly people worldwide. In Germany, the cataract operation - with currently 450,000 interventions each year the most frequent operation in ophthalmology – can be seen as routine surgery. The age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a further one of the most common, age-related eye diseases and the most frequent cause of blindness of elderly people in industrial nations. Due to demographic changes an increasing number of patients will suffer from cataract and AMD at the same time. This coincidence leads to a greater interest in the question of a mutual influence of both diseases, respectively their therapies, on each other. Objectives The aim of this report was the evaluation of the medical and health economic effects of cataract operations on the development and progression of an age related macular degeneration (AMD). It was differentiated between first manifestations of AMD, progression of early stages of AMD and influence on further impairment in late stages of AMD. Methods The relevant publications for this report were identified by DIMDI via structured database enquiry as well as common, self-made enquiry and were evaluated, based on the criteria of evidence based medicine. The present report included German and English literature published since 1983. Results The database enquiry generated a record of 2769 issue-related publications. Eight medical publications were eligible for analysis in the course of the present HTA report. No relevant studies on health economical, ethical, social or legal issues could be included. Three epidemiological cohort studies provided some evidence for a promoting influence of cataract extractions on the progression of early types of AMD. Two of the epidemiological studies assessed the risk of first manifestation of AMD after cataract extraction. Both came up with up with increased incidences that did not reach statistical significance despite a large number of participants. Only one out of two clinical studies looked at further impairment in late stages of AMD and could not find an interrelation with cataract extraction. Thus the available evidence was not sufficient to come to a conclusion on the contribution of cataract extractions to the first manifestation of AMD and to the further impairment in late stages. Discussion The presentation of the evaluated literature made clear that only a small number of publications dealt with the development of age related macula degeneration in consequence of a cataract extraction. The overall scientific level of evidence of these articles was not very high. Therefore it was not possible to obtain a well-defined conclusion on the effect of a cataract extraction on the development or progression of an age related macula degeneration. Conclusion Additional well conducted clinical trials, that offer a sufficient number of patients, length of study period and adequate control for confounding variables like age and severity of cataract, are urgently needed. Health economic, ethical, social and legal aspect of the problem could and should be investigated after clarification of the mentioned medical issues. PMID:21289972

Gaining Momentum, Losing Ground. Progress Report, 2008

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Business Roundtable, 2008

2008-01-01

This report presents an update of the progress of Tapping America's Potential (TAP), a coalition of 15 of the nation's leading business organizations, and assesses three years' progress since 2005 in working towards the goal of doubling the number of students earning bachelor's degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by 2015.…

Web-Based Mathematics Progress Monitoring in Second Grade

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salaschek, Martin; Souvignier, Elmar

2014-01-01

We examined a web-based mathematics progress monitoring tool for second graders. The tool monitors the learning progress of two competences, number sense and computation. A total of 414 students from 19 classrooms in Germany were checked every 3 weeks from fall to spring. Correlational analyses indicate that alternate-form reliability was adequate…

Quarterly Progress Report: Modeling and Simulation of the Homopolar Motor Test Apparatus

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-05-01

Quarterly Progress Report: Modeling and Simulation of the Homopolar Motor Test Apparatus 5. FUNDING NUMBERS Contract # N00014-1-0588 6. AUTHOR(S) K...superconducting homopolar motor /generator (SCHPMG) machine for ship propulsion. Electrical contact (brush/slip ring) performance is a limiting factor in SCHPMG...SUBJECT TERMS superconducting homopolar motors , inhomogenous brush wear, polarity dependence, destabilized force 15. NUMBER OF PAGES 11 16. PRICE CODE

Indicators of success for smart law enforcement in protected areas: A case study for Russian Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) reserves.

PubMed

Hötte, Michiel H H; Kolodin, Igor A; Bereznuk, Sergei L; Slaght, Jonathan C; Kerley, Linda L; Soutyrina, Svetlana V; Salkina, Galina P; Zaumyslova, Olga Y; Stokes, Emma J; Miquelle, Dale G

2016-01-01

Although considerable conservation resources have been committed to develop and use law enforcement monitoring and management tools such as SMART, measures of success are ill-defined and, to date, few reports detail results post-implementation. Here, we present 4 case studies from protected areas with Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in Russia, in which indicators of success were defined and evaluated at each. The ultimate goal was an increase in tiger numbers to 1 individual/100 km(2) at each site. We predicted that improvements in law enforcement effectiveness would be followed by increases in prey numbers and, subsequently, tiger numbers. We used short-term and long-term indicators of success, including: (i) patrol team effort and effectiveness; (ii) catch per unit effort indicators (to measure reductions in threats); and (iii) changes in target species numbers. In addition to implementing a monitoring system, we focused on improving law enforcement management using an adaptive management process. Over 4 years, we noted clear increases in patrol effort and a partial reduction in threats. Although we did not detect clear trends in ungulate numbers, tiger populations remained stable or increased, suggesting that poaching of tigers may be more limiting than prey depletion. Increased effectiveness is needed before a clear reduction in threats can be noted, and more time is needed before detecting responses in target populations. Nonetheless, delineation of concrete goals and indicators of success provide a means of evaluating progress and weaknesses. Such monitoring should be a central component of law enforcement strategies for protected areas. © 2015 International Society of Zoological Sciences, Institute of Zoology/Chinese Academy of Sciences and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Non-right handed primary progressive apraxia of speech.

PubMed

Botha, Hugo; Duffy, Joseph R; Whitwell, Jennifer L; Strand, Edythe A; Machulda, Mary M; Spychalla, Anthony J; Tosakulwong, Nirubol; Senjem, Matthew L; Knopman, David S; Petersen, Ronald C; Jack, Clifford R; Lowe, Val J; Josephs, Keith A

2018-07-15

In recent years a large and growing body of research has greatly advanced our understanding of primary progressive apraxia of speech. Handedness has emerged as one potential marker of selective vulnerability in degenerative diseases. This study evaluated the clinical and imaging findings in non-right handed compared to right handed participants in a prospective cohort diagnosed with primary progressive apraxia of speech. A total of 30 participants were included. Compared to the expected rate in the population, there was a higher prevalence of non-right handedness among those with primary progressive apraxia of speech (6/30, 20%). Small group numbers meant that these results did not reach statistical significance, although the effect sizes were moderate-to-large. There were no clinical differences between right handed and non-right handed participants. Bilateral hypometabolism was seen in primary progressive apraxia of speech compared to controls, with non-right handed participants showing more right hemispheric involvement. This is the first report of a higher rate of non-right handedness in participants with isolated apraxia of speech, which may point to an increased vulnerability for developing this disorder among non-right handed participants. This challenges prior hypotheses about a relative protective effect of non-right handedness for tau-related neurodegeneration. We discuss potential avenues for future research to investigate the relationship between handedness and motor disorders more generally. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Management of diabetic nephropathy: Recent progress and future perspective.

PubMed

Ahmad, Jamal

2015-01-01

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) affecting ∼20-30% diabetics, is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. The progression of kidney disease in patients with diabetes can take many years. It occurs as a result of interaction between both genetic and environmental factors in individuals with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Hyperglycaemia, hypertension, and genetic pre-disposition are the main risk factors besides elevated serum lipids, smoking habits, and the amount of dietary proteins. Interventions such as glycaemic control, blood pressure control and inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system have been shown to slow this progression. Despite the implementation of these strategies, the number of patients with diabetes that ultimately develop end-stage renal disease remains high. The treatment of DN, therefore, has posed a formidable challenge besides optimization of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade in patients with DN; additional investigation has focused on the potential of novel therapies that target various pathways upregulated by hyperglycaemia or other targets believed to promote the progression of DN such as oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelin system and vitamin D receptors. This review article addresses the pathogenesis and some of the well established principles regarding the progression and accepted management of DN, and also includes the perspectives of novel anti-DN agents and the future directions for the prevention of DN. Copyright © 2015 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Myocardial architecture and patient variability in clinical patterns of atrial fibrillation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manani, Kishan A.; Christensen, Kim; Peters, Nicholas S.

2016-10-01

Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of stroke by a factor of 4-5 and is the most common abnormal heart rhythm. The progression of AF with age, from short self-terminating episodes to persistence, varies between individuals and is poorly understood. An inability to understand and predict variation in AF progression has resulted in less patient-specific therapy. Likewise, it has been a challenge to relate the microstructural features of heart muscle tissue (myocardial architecture) with the emergent temporal clinical patterns of AF. We use a simple model of activation wave-front propagation on an anisotropic structure, mimicking heart muscle tissue, to show how variation in AF behavior arises naturally from microstructural differences between individuals. We show that the stochastic nature of progressive transversal uncoupling of muscle strands (e.g., due to fibrosis or gap junctional remodeling), as occurs with age, results in variability in AF episode onset time, frequency, duration, burden, and progression between individuals. This is consistent with clinical observations. The uncoupling of muscle strands can cause critical architectural patterns in the myocardium. These critical patterns anchor microreentrant wave fronts and thereby trigger AF. It is the number of local critical patterns of uncoupling as opposed to global uncoupling that determines AF progression. This insight may eventually lead to patient-specific therapy when it becomes possible to observe the cellular structure of a patient's heart.

Systemic Inflammation in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Involves Follicular T-Helper, Th17- and Activated B-Cells and Correlates with Progression

PubMed Central

Christensen, Jeppe Romme; Börnsen, Lars; Ratzer, Rikke; Piehl, Fredrik; Khademi, Mohsen; Olsson, Tomas; Sørensen, Per Soelberg; Sellebjerg, Finn

2013-01-01

Pathology studies of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) indicate a major role of inflammation including Th17-cells and meningeal inflammation with ectopic lymphoid follicles, B-cells and plasma cells, the latter indicating a possible role of the newly identified subset of follicular T-helper (TFH) cells. Although previous studies reported increased systemic inflammation in progressive MS it remains unclear whether systemic inflammation contributes to disease progression and intrathecal inflammation. This study aimed to investigate systemic inflammation in progressive MS and its relationship with disease progression, using flow cytometry and gene expression analysis of CD4+ and CD8+T-cells, B-cells, monocytes and dendritic cells. Furthermore, gene expression of cerebrospinal fluid cells was studied. Flow cytometry studies revealed increased frequencies of ICOS+TFH-cells in peripheral blood from relapsing-remitting (RRMS) and secondary progressive (SPMS) MS patients. All MS subtypes had decreased frequencies of Th1 TFH-cells, while primary progressive (PPMS) MS patients had increased frequency of Th17 TFH-cells. The Th17-subset, interleukin-23-receptor+CD4+T-cells, was significantly increased in PPMS and SPMS. In the analysis of B-cells, we found a significant increase of plasmablasts and DC-SIGN+ and CD83+B-cells in SPMS. ICOS+TFH-cells and DC-SIGN+B-cells correlated with disease progression in SPMS patients. Gene expression analysis of peripheral blood cell subsets substantiated the flow cytometry findings by demonstrating increased expression of IL21, IL21R and ICOS in CD4+T-cells in progressive MS. Cerebrospinal fluid cells from RRMS and progressive MS (pooled SPMS and PPMS patients) had increased expression of TFH-cell and plasmablast markers. In conclusion, this study is the first to demonstrate the potential involvement of activated TFH-cells in MS. The increased frequencies of Th17-cells, activated TFH- and B-cells parallel findings from pathology studies which, along with the correlation between activated TFH- and B-cells and disease progression, suggest a pathogenic role of systemic inflammation in progressive MS. These observations may have implications for the treatment of progressive MS. PMID:23469245

23. CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS VIEW LOOKING TOWARD EAST SHOWING CONCRETE BLOCK ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

23. CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS VIEW LOOKING TOWARD EAST SHOWING CONCRETE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION. INEEL PHOTO NUMBER NRTS-59-4305. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Old Waste Calcining Facility, Scoville, Butte County, ID

19. CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS PHOTO SHOWING (TYPICALLY COMPLEX) WASTE HOLDING CELL ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

19. CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS PHOTO SHOWING (TYPICALLY COMPLEX) WASTE HOLDING CELL PIPING. INEEL PHOTO NUMBER NRTS-59-3212. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Old Waste Calcining Facility, Scoville, Butte County, ID

15. CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS PHOTO SHOWING FORMS GOING UP ON ACCESS ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

15. CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS PHOTO SHOWING FORMS GOING UP ON ACCESS CORRIDOR. INEEL PHOTO NUMBER NRTS-59-336. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Old Waste Calcining Facility, Scoville, Butte County, ID

An intervention to improve spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting by hospital physicians: a time series analysis in Spain.

PubMed

Pedrós, Consuelo; Vallano, Antoni; Cereza, Gloria; Mendoza-Aran, Gemma; Agustí, Antònia; Aguilera, Cristina; Danés, Immaculada; Vidal, Xavier; Arnau, Josep M

2009-01-01

Spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in hospitals is scarce and several obstacles to such reporting have been identified previously. To assess the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention based on healthcare management agreements for improving spontaneous reporting of ADRs by physicians in a hospital setting. In 2003, the spontaneous reporting of ADRs was included as one of the objectives of hospital physicians at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, within the context of management agreements between clinical services and hospital managers. A continuous intervention related to these management agreements, including periodic educational meetings and economic incentives, was then initiated. We carried out an ecological time series analysis and assessed the change in the total number of spontaneous reports of ADRs, and the number of serious ADRs, unexpected ADRs, and ADRs associated with new drugs between a period previous to the intervention (from 1998 to 2002) and the period during the intervention (from 2003 to 2005). A time series analysis with ARIMA (Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average) models was performed. The median number of reported ADRs per year increased from 40 (range 23-55) in the first period to 224 (range 98-248) in the second period. In the first period, the monthly number of reported ADRs was stable (3.47 per month; 95% CI 1.90, 5.03), but in the second period the number increased progressively (increase of 0.74 per month; 95% CI 0.62, 0.86). In the second period, the proportion of reported serious ADRs increased nearly 2-fold (63.1% vs 32.5% in the first period). The absolute number of previously unknown or poorly known ADRs increased 4-fold in the second period (54 vs 13 in the first period). There was also an increase in the absolute number of suspected pharmacological exposures to new drugs (97 vs 28) and in the number of different new drugs suspected of causing ADRs (50 vs 19). A continuous intervention based on healthcare management agreements with economic incentives and educational activities is associated with a quantitative and qualitative improvement of spontaneous reporting of ADRs by hospital physicians.

Surface-pattern geometry, topography, and chemical modifications during KrF excimer laser micro-drilling of p-type Si (111) wafers in ambient environment of HCl fumes in air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zakria Butt, Muhammad; Saher, Sobia; Waqas Khaliq, Muhammad; Siraj, Khurram

2016-11-01

Eight mirror-like polished p-type Si (111) wafers were irradiated with 100, 200, 300, 400, 800, 1200, 1600, and 2000 KrF excimer laser pulses in ambient environment of HCl fumes in air. The laser parameters were: wavelength = 248 nm, pulse width = 20 ns, pulse energy = 20 mJ, and repetition rate = 20 Hz. For each set of laser pulses, characterization of the rectangular etched patterns formed on target surface was done by optical/scanning electron microscopy, XRD, and EDX techniques. The average etched depth increased with the increase in number of laser pulses from 100 to 2000 in accord with Sigmoidal (Boltzmann) function, whereas the average etch rate followed an exponential decay with the increase in number of laser pulses. However, the etched area, maximum etched depth, and maximum etch rate were found to increase linearly with the number of laser pulses, but the rate of increase was faster for 100-400 laser pulses (region I) than that for 800-2000 laser pulses (region II). The elemental composition for each etched-pattern determined by EDX shows that both O and Cl contents increase progressively with the increase in the number of laser shots in region I. However, in region II both O and Cl contents attain saturation values of about 39.33 wt.% and 0.14 wt.%, respectively. Perforation of Si wafers was achieved on irradiation with 1200-2000 laser pulses. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of SiO2, SiCl2 and SiCl4 phases in Si (111) wafers due to chemical reaction of silicon with both HCl fumes and oxygen in air.

[Design and optimization of wireless power and data transmission for visual prosthesis].

PubMed

Lei, Xuping; Wu, Kaijie; Zhao, Lei; Chai, Xinyu

2013-11-01

Boosting spatial resolution of visual prostheses is an effective method to improve implant subjects' visual perception. However, power consumption of visual implants greatly rises with the increasing number of implanted electrodes. In respond to this trend, visual prostheses need to develop high-efficiency wireless power transmission and high-speed data transmission. This paper presents a review of current research progress on wireless power and data transmission for visual prostheses, analyzes relative principles and requirement, and introduces design methods of power and data transmission.

Addressing tomorrow's DMO technical challenges today

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milligan, James R.

2009-05-01

Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) is essentially a type of networked training that pulls in participants from all the armed services and, increasingly, allies to permit them to "game" and rehearse highly complex campaigns, using a mix of local, distant, and virtual players. The United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is pursuing Science and Technology (S&T) solutions to address technical challenges associated with distributed communications and information management as DMO continues to progressively scale up the number, diversity, and geographic dispersal of participants in training and rehearsal exercises.

Does Applied Critical Leadership Theory Really Apply? The Formation of Hispanic-Latin@ Ecclesial Leaders at Seminaries Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools: A Historical-Critical Analysis of the Progress and Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Solis-Walker, Joanne

2016-01-01

A front-seat view allows the observer to see (a) the continual growth of the Hispanic population in the United States, (b) an increase in the number of Hispanic churches, and a (c) Latin@ community with significant buying power that also leaves its mark in the entertainment and sports industries. The view from the back is seldom beheld, but it…

Targeting Alpha5 Beta1 Integrin to Prevent Metastatic Breast Cancer Cell Invasion: PhScN Target Site Definition and Plasma Stability

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-01

increased PhScN potency as a result of preventing endoproteolytic degradation. Finally, the in vivo lung extravasation and colonization data, as well as...successful colonization are late stages in breast cancer progression that are ultimately fatal. Hence, prevention of extravasation which leads to colony...Award Number: TITLE: “Targeting Alpha5 Beta1 Integrin to Prevent Metastatic Breast Cancer Cell Invasion: PhScN Target Site Definition and Plasma

Considerations for proper selection of dental cements.

PubMed

Simon, James F; Darnell, Laura A

2012-01-01

Selecting the proper cement for sufficient bond strength has become progressively complicated as the number of different materials for indirect restorations has increased. The success of any restoration is highly dependent on the proper cement being chosen and used. The function of the cement is not only to seal the restoration on the tooth but also, in some cases, to support the retention of the restoration. This ability to strengthen retention varies by the cement chosen by the clinician; therefore, careful consideration must precede cement selection.

Revascularization to preserve renal function in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease.

PubMed

Novick, A C; Textor, S C; Bodie, B; Khauli, R B

1984-08-01

There are a significant number of patients with advanced atherosclerotic renovascular disease whose blood pressure is well controlled with medical therapy but in whom such vascular disease poses a grave risk to overall renal function. This article reviews current concepts regarding screening, evaluation, and selection of patients with this disease for revascularization to preserve renal function. The underlying rationale for this approach is an increasing awareness that, in selected patients, atherosclerotic renovascular disease represents a surgically correctable cause of progressive renal failure.

Stem cell research in cell transplantation: sources, geopolitical influence, and transplantation.

PubMed

Eve, David J; Fillmore, Randolph W; Borlongan, Cesar V; Sanberg, Paul R

2010-01-01

If the rapidly progressing field of stem cell research reaches its full potential, successful treatments and enhanced understanding of many diseases are the likely results. However, the full potential of stem cell science will only be reached if all possible avenues can be explored and on a worldwide scale. Until 2009, the US had a highly restrictive policy on obtaining cells from human embryos and fetal tissue, a policy that pushed research toward the use of adult-derived cells. Currently, US policy is still in flux, and retrospective analysis does show the US lagging behind the rest of the world in the proportional increase in embryonic/fetal stem cell research. The majority of US studies being on either a limited number of cell lines, or on cells derived elsewhere (or funded by other sources than Federal) rather than on freshly isolated embryonic or fetal material. Neural, mesenchymal, and the mixed stem cell mononuclear fraction are the most commonly investigated types, which can generally be classified as adult-derived stem cells, although roughly half of the neural stem cells are fetal derived. Other types, such as embryonic and fat-derived stem cells, are increasing in their prominence, suggesting that new types of stem cells are still being pursued. Sixty percent of the reported stem cell studies involved transplantation, of which over three quarters were allogeneic transplants. A high proportion of the cardiovascular systems articles were on allogeneic transplants in a number of different species, including several autologous studies. A number of pharmaceutical grade stem cell products have also recently been tested and reported on. Stem cell research shows considerable promise for the treatment of a number of disorders, some of which have entered clinical trials; over the next few years it will be interesting to see how these treatments progress in the clinic.

Identification of different macrophage subpopulations with distinct activities in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy

PubMed Central

Zhu, Yanji; Zhang, Ling; Lu, Qing; Gao, Yushuo; Cai, Yujuan; Sui, Ailing; Su, Ting; Shen, Xi; Xie, Bing

2017-01-01

The aim of the present study was to characterize the phenotypic shift, quantity and role changes in different subgroups of retinal macrophages in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). The mRNA expression levels of macrophage M1 and M2 subgroup marker genes and polarization-associated genes were analyzed by RT-qPCR. The number of M1 and M2 macrophages in our mouse model of OIR was analyzed by flow cytometry at different time points during the progression of OIR. Immunofluorescence whole mount staining of the retinas of mice with OIR was performed at different time points to examine the influx of macrophages, as well as the morphological characteristics and roles of M1 and M2 macrophages. An increased number of macrophages was recruited during the progression of angiogenesis in the retinas of mice with OIR due to the pro-inflammatory microenvironment containing high levels of cell adhesion and leukocyte transendothelial migration molecules. RT-qPCR and flow cytometric analysis at different time points revealed a decline in the number of M1 cells from a significantly high level at post-natal day (P)13 to a relatively normal level at P21, as well as an increase in the number of M2 cells from P13 to P21 in the mice with OIR, implicating a shift of macrophage polarization towards the M2 subtype. Immunofluorescence staining suggested that the M1 cells interacted with endothelial tip cells at the vascular front, while M2 cells embraced the emerging vessels and bridged the neighboring vessel sprouts. Thus, our data indicate that macrophages play an active role in OIR by contributing to the different steps of neovascularization. Our findings indicate that tissue macrophages may be considered as a potential target for the anti-angiogenic therapy of ocular neovascularization disease. PMID:28627621

Status of Multi-beam Long Trace-profiler Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gubarev, Mikhail V.; Merthe, Daniel J.; Kilaru, Kiranmayee; Kester, Thomas; Ramsey, Brian; McKinney, Wayne R.; Takacs, Peter Z.; Dahir, A.; Yashchuk, Valeriy V.

2013-01-01

The multi-beam long trace profiler (MB-LTP) is under development at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. The traditional LTPs scans the surface under the test by a single laser beam directly measuring the surface figure slope errors. While capable of exceptional surface slope accuracy, the LTP single beam scanning has slow measuring speed. Metrology efficiency can be increased by replacing the single laser beam with multiple beams that can scan a section of the test surface at a single instance. The increase in speed with such a system would be almost proportional to the number of laser beams. The progress for a multi-beam long trace profiler development is presented.

Photonic Doppler Velocimetry Multiplexing Techniques: Evaluation of Photonic Techniques

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Edward Daykin

This poster reports progress related to photonic technologies. Specifically, the authors developed diagnostic system architecture for a Multiplexed Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (MPDV) that incorporates frequency and time-division multiplexing into existing PDV methodology to provide increased channel count. Current MPDV design increases number of data records per digitizer channel 8x, and also operates as a laser-safe (Class 3a) system. Further, they applied heterodyne interferometry to allow for direction-of-travel determination and enable high-velocity measurements (>10 km/s) via optical downshifting. They also leveraged commercially available, inexpensive and robust components originally developed for telecom applications. Proposed MPDV architectures employ only commercially available, fiber-coupled hardware.

Understanding the Dengue Viruses and Progress towards Their Control

PubMed Central

Gould, Ernest A.

2013-01-01

Traditionally, the four dengue virus serotypes have been associated with fever, rash, and the more severe forms, haemorrhagic fever and shock syndrome. As our knowledge as well as understanding of these viruses increases, we now recognise not only that they are causing increasing numbers of human infections but also that they may cause neurological and other clinical complications, with sequelae or fatal consequences. In this review we attempt to highlight some of these features in the context of dengue virus pathogenesis. We also examine some of the efforts currently underway to control this “scourge” of the tropical and subtropical world. PMID:23936833

Novel approaches to increasing the brightness of broad area lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crump, P.; Winterfeldt, M.; Decker, J.; Ekterai, M.; Fricke, J.; Knigge, S.; Maaßdorf, A.; Erbert, G.

2016-03-01

Progress in studies to increase the lateral brightness Blat of broad area lasers is reviewed. Blat=Pout/BPPlat is maximized by developing designs and technology for lowest lateral beam parameter product, BPPlat, at highest optical output power Pout. This can be achieved by limiting the number of guided lateral modes and by improving the beam quality of low-order lateral modes. Important effects to address include process and packaging induced wave-guiding, lateral carrier accumulation and the thermal lens profile. A careful selection of vertical design is also shown to be important, as are advanced techniques to filter out higher order modes.

[Nursing care of patients fitted with a tracheostomy speaking valve].

PubMed

Liao, Shu-Chen; Lin, Chia-Ling; Kao, Wei-Hwa; Chang, Yueh-Jiuan

2006-08-01

As the number of patients who are ventilator dependent increase, the tracheostomy has become an increasingly popular procedure. Inability to either communicate verbally or take food and liquids orally constitute the main distress symptom of patients, which can delay progress in treating the conditions of patients undergoing tracheostomies. Passy-Muir speaking valves (PMV) succeed in overcoming the abovementioned problems and clinical practice is gradually broadening. This article introduces the relevant underlying principles, indications, advantages, disadvantages and nursing principles of PMV. We hope this article can provide new information related to the PMV speaking valve and, as a result, help improve patient's security and medical quality.

20. CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS PHOTO OF INSTRUMENT PANEL IN PLACE IN ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

20. CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS PHOTO OF INSTRUMENT PANEL IN PLACE IN OPERATING CORRIDOR. INEEL PHOTO NUMBER NRTS-59-6091. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Old Waste Calcining Facility, Scoville, Butte County, ID

The Barcelona Hospital Clínic therapeutic apheresis database.

PubMed

Cid, Joan; Carbassé, Gloria; Cid-Caballero, Marc; López-Púa, Yolanda; Alba, Cristina; Perea, Dolores; Lozano, Miguel

2017-09-22

A therapeutic apheresis (TA) database helps to increase knowledge about indications and type of apheresis procedures that are performed in clinical practice. The objective of the present report was to describe the type and number of TA procedures that were performed at our institution in a 10-year period, from 2007 to 2016. The TA electronic database was created by transferring patient data from electronic medical records and consultation forms into a Microsoft Access database developed exclusively for this purpose. Since 2007, prospective data from every TA procedure were entered in the database. A total of 5940 TA procedures were performed: 3762 (63.3%) plasma exchange (PE) procedures, 1096 (18.5%) hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) collections, and 1082 (18.2%) TA procedures other than PEs and HPC collections. The overall trend for the time-period was progressive increase in total number of TA procedures performed each year (from 483 TA procedures in 2007 to 822 in 2016). The tracking trend of each procedure during the 10-year period was different: the number of PE and other type of TA procedures increased 22% and 2818%, respectively, and the number of HPC collections decreased 28%. The TA database helped us to increase our knowledge about various indications and type of TA procedures that were performed in our current practice. We also believe that this database could serve as a model that other institutions can use to track service metrics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Heat and Mass Transfer Analysis of MHD Nanofluid Flow with Radiative Heat Effects in the Presence of Spherical Au-Metallic Nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qureshi, M. Zubair Akbar; Rubbab, Qammar; Irshad, Saadia; Ahmad, Salman; Aqeel, M.

2016-10-01

Energy generation is currently a serious concern in the progress of human civilization. In this regard, solar energy is considered as a significant source of renewable energy. The purpose of the study is to establish a thermal energy model in the presence of spherical Au-metallic nanoparticles. It is numerical work which studies unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) nanofluid flow through porous disks with heat and mass transfer aspects. Shaped factor of nanoparticles is investigated using small values of the permeable Reynolds number. In order to scrutinize variation of thermal radiation effects, a dimensionless Brinkman number is introduced. The results point out that heat transfer significantly escalates with the increase of Brinkman number. Partial differential equations that govern this study are reduced into nonlinear ordinary differential equations by means of similarity transformations. Then using a shooting technique, a numerical solution of these equations is constructed. Radiative effects on temperature and mass concentration are quite opposite. Heat transfer increases in the presence of spherical Au-metallic nanoparticles.

Heat and Mass Transfer Analysis of MHD Nanofluid Flow with Radiative Heat Effects in the Presence of Spherical Au-Metallic Nanoparticles.

PubMed

Qureshi, M Zubair Akbar; Rubbab, Qammar; Irshad, Saadia; Ahmad, Salman; Aqeel, M

2016-12-01

Energy generation is currently a serious concern in the progress of human civilization. In this regard, solar energy is considered as a significant source of renewable energy. The purpose of the study is to establish a thermal energy model in the presence of spherical Au-metallic nanoparticles. It is numerical work which studies unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) nanofluid flow through porous disks with heat and mass transfer aspects. Shaped factor of nanoparticles is investigated using small values of the permeable Reynolds number. In order to scrutinize variation of thermal radiation effects, a dimensionless Brinkman number is introduced. The results point out that heat transfer significantly escalates with the increase of Brinkman number. Partial differential equations that govern this study are reduced into nonlinear ordinary differential equations by means of similarity transformations. Then using a shooting technique, a numerical solution of these equations is constructed. Radiative effects on temperature and mass concentration are quite opposite. Heat transfer increases in the presence of spherical Au-metallic nanoparticles.

Does Participation in Sports Affect Osteoarthritic Progression After Periacetabular Osteotomy?

PubMed

Hara, Daisuke; Hamai, Satoshi; Fukushi, Jun-Ichi; Kawaguchi, Ken-Ichi; Motomura, Goro; Ikemura, Satoshi; Komiyama, Keisuke; Nakashima, Yasuharu

2017-09-01

Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is an effective treatment for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. However, whether postoperative participation in sports leads to progression of the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade of osteoarthritis (OA) in these patients is unclear. To investigate (1) participation in sports before and after PAO and (2) whether postoperative participation in sports leads to progression of the KL grade. Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. The authors retrospectively reviewed data on 161 patients (183 hips) who underwent PAO for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia with preoperative KL grade 1 or 2 between 1998 and 2011. The mean age at the time of surgery was 42.0 ± 10.9 years (range, 12-64 years), and the mean follow-up duration was 100 months (range, 13-180 months). Data included participation in sports, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale score, age at the time of surgery, body mass index, follow-up duration, history of treatment for developmental hip dislocations, Merle d'Aubigné-Postel score, Oxford Hip Score, center-edge angle, and KL grade. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to determine which factors were associated with progression to KL grade 3 or 4 after PAO. The number of patients who participated in sports significantly increased from 50 (31.1%) preoperatively to 89 (55.3%) postoperatively. The mean UCLA score significantly increased from 4.7 ± 2.1 preoperatively to 5.5 ± 2.0 postoperatively. The KL grade progressed to grade 3 or 4 in 16 hips, including 4 hips that underwent conversion to total hip arthroplasty. No significant differences were found in postoperative participation in sports (89 hips [53.3%] vs 11 hips [68.8%], respectively; P = .24) and the UCLA score (5.6 ± 2.0 vs 5.1 ± 2.0, respectively; P = .30) between hips with KL grade 1 or 2 and KL grade 3 or 4. A multivariate analysis revealed that no factors, including postoperative participation in sports, were significantly associated with progression to KL grade 3 or 4. Postoperative participation in sports after PAO did not significantly and negatively influence progression of the KL grade at midterm follow-up.

CSF inflammation and axonal damage are increased and correlate in progressive multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Romme Christensen, Jeppe; Börnsen, Lars; Khademi, Mohsen; Olsson, Tomas; Jensen, Poul Erik; Sørensen, Per Soelberg; Sellebjerg, Finn

2013-06-01

The mechanism underlying disease progression in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) is uncertain. Pathological studies found widespread inflammation in progressive MS brains correlating with disease progression and axonal damage. To study cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and clarify whether inflammation and axonal damage are associated in progressive MS. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we analysed CSF from 40 secondary progressive (SPMS), 21 primary progressive (PPMS), and 36 relapsing-remitting (RRMS) and 20 non-inflammatory neurological disease (NIND) patients. Twenty-two of the SPMS patients participated in an MBP8298 peptide clinical trial and had CSF follow-up after one year. Compared to NIND patients, inflammatory biomarkers osteopontin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) were increased in all MS patients while CXCL13 was increased in RRMS and SPMS patients. Biomarkers of axonal damage (NFL) and demyelination (MBP) were increased in all MS patients. In progressive MS patients CSF levels of osteopontin and CXCL13 correlated with NFL while osteopontin and MMP9 correlated with MBP. MBP8298 treatment did not affect the levels of the biomarkers after one year of treatment. All biomarkers were continuously increased after one year of follow-up except MBP, which decreased. CSF biomarkers of inflammation, axonal damage and demyelination are continuously increased in progressive MS patients and correlate. These findings parallel pathology studies, emphasise a relationship between inflammation, axonal damage and demyelination and support the use of CSF biomarkers in progressive MS clinical trials.

Molecular pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma and impact of therapeutic advances

PubMed Central

Dhanasekaran, Renumathy; Bandoh, Salome; Roberts, Lewis R.

2016-01-01

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality and has an increasing incidence worldwide. HCC can be induced by multiple etiologies, is influenced by many risk factors, and has a complex pathogenesis. Furthermore, HCCs exhibit substantial heterogeneity, which compounds the difficulties in developing effective therapies against this highly lethal cancer. With advances in cancer biology and molecular and genetic profiling, a number of different mechanisms involved in the development and progression of HCC have been identified. Despite the advances in this area, the molecular pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma is still not completely understood. This review aims to elaborate our current understanding of the most relevant genetic alterations and molecular pathways involved in the development and progression of HCC, and anticipate the potential impact of future advances on therapeutic drug development. PMID:27239288

Transposon mutagenesis identifies genes that cooperate with mutant Pten in breast cancer progression

PubMed Central

Rangel, Roberto; Lee, Song-Choon; Hon-Kim Ban, Kenneth; Guzman-Rojas, Liliana; Mann, Michael B.; Newberg, Justin Y.; McNoe, Leslie A.; Selvanesan, Luxmanan; Ward, Jerrold M.; Rust, Alistair G.; Chin, Kuan-Yew; Black, Michael A.; Jenkins, Nancy A.; Copeland, Neal G.

2016-01-01

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the worst prognosis of any breast cancer subtype. To better understand the genetic forces driving TNBC, we performed a transposon mutagenesis screen in a phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) mutant mice and identified 12 candidate trunk drivers and a much larger number of progression genes. Validation studies identified eight TNBC tumor suppressor genes, including the GATA-like transcriptional repressor TRPS1. Down-regulation of TRPS1 in TNBC cells promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by deregulating multiple EMT pathway genes, in addition to increasing the expression of SERPINE1 and SERPINB2 and the subsequent migration, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. Transposon mutagenesis has thus provided a better understanding of the genetic forces driving TNBC and discovered genes with potential clinical importance in TNBC. PMID:27849608

The value of workforce data in shaping nursing workforce policy: A case study from North Carolina.

PubMed

Fraher, Erin P

In 2015, the Institute of Medicine's Committee for Assessing Progress on Implementing the Future of Nursing recommendations noted that little progress has been made in building the data infrastructure needed to support nursing workforce policy. This article outlines a case study from North Carolina to demonstrate the value of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating state-level workforce data. Data were derived from licensure renewal information gathered by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and housed at the North Carolina Health Professions Data System at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. State-level licensure data can be used to inform discussions about access to care, evaluate progress on increasing the number of baccalaureate nurses, monitor how well the ethnic and racial diversity in the nursing workforce match the population, and investigate the educational and career trajectories of licensed practical nurses and registered nurses. At the core of the IOM's recommendations is an assumption that we will be able to measure progress toward a "Future of Nursing" in which 80% of the nursing workforce has a BSN or higher, the racial and ethnic diversity of the workforce matches that of the population, and nurses currently employed in the workforce are increasing their education levels through lifelong learning. Without data, we will not know how fast we are reaching these goals or even when we have attained them. This article provides concrete examples of how a state can use licensure data to inform nursing workforce policy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cell cycle progression in irradiated endothelial cells cultured from bovine aorta

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rubin, D.B.; Drab, E.A.; Ward, W.F.

1988-11-01

Logarithmically growing endothelial cells from bovine aortas were exposed to single doses of 0-10 Gy of 60Co gamma rays, and cell cycle phase distribution and progression were examined by flow cytometry and autoradiography. In some experiments, cells were synchronized in the cell cycle with hydroxyurea (1 mM). Cell number in sham-irradiated control cultures doubled in approximately 24 h. Estimated cycle stage times for control cells were 14.4 h for G1 phase, 7.2 h for S phase, and 2.4 h for G2 + M phase. Irradiated cells demonstrated a reduced distribution at the G1/S phase border at 4 h, and anmore » increased distribution in G2 + M phase at 24 h postirradiation. Autoradiographs of irradiated cells after continuous (3H)thymidine labeling indicated a block in G1 phase or at the G1/S-phase border. The duration of the block was dose dependent (2-3 min/cGy). Progression of the endothelial cells through S phase after removal of the hydroxyurea block also was retarded by irradiation, as demonstrated by increased distribution in early S phase and decreased distribution in late S phase. These results indicate that progression of asynchronous cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells through the DNA synthetic cycle is susceptible to radiation inhibition at specific sites in the cycle, resulting in redistribution and partial synchronization of the population. Thus aortic endothelial cells, diploid cells from a normal tissue, resemble many immortal cell types that have been examined in this regard in vitro.« less

Scientific progress without increasing verisimilitude: In response to Niiniluoto.

PubMed

Rowbottom, Darrell P

2015-06-01

First, I argue that scientific progress is possible in the absence of increasing verisimilitude in science's theories. Second, I argue that increasing theoretical verisimilitude is not the central, or primary, dimension of scientific progress. Third, I defend my previous argument that unjustified changes in scientific belief may be progressive. Fourth, I illustrate how false beliefs can promote scientific progress in ways that cannot be explicated by appeal to verisimilitude. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Scottish Stroke Research Network: the first three years.

PubMed

McCormick, K; Langhorne, P; Graham, F E J; McFarlane, C

2010-08-01

Research networks were introduced in the UK to facilitate and improve clinical research and stroke was seen as a priority topic for local research network development. The Scottish Stroke Research Network (SSRN) is one of 11 stroke research networks in the UK. In this article we review the progress of the Scottish Stroke Research Network in the three years since inception. Between 2006-2009 the number of active hospital research sites has increased from 10 to 22 expanding to involve 20 stroke research nurses. There was a corresponding 58% increase in recruitment of participants into stroke studies, from 376 in 2006/07 to 594 in 2008/09. The majority (17/20) of our current studies are interventional. Data from one of these, the CLOTs trial (Clots in Legs Or sTocking after Stroke), demonstrates that the annual recruitment in Scotland increased from a median of 94 (range 6-122) patients per year in the six years before the SSRN, to 140 (135-158) patients per year after SSRN involvement. We currently screen about 50% of Scottish stroke patients and approximately 5% of Scottish stroke patients are participating in research studies that we support. The SSRN has made good progress in the first three years. Increasing the recruitment of screened patients remains a challenge.

Using the cavitation collapse time to indicate the extent of histotripsy-induced tissue fractionation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macoskey, J. J.; Choi, S. W.; Hall, T. L.; Vlaisavljevich, E.; Lundt, J. E.; Lee, F. T., Jr.; Johnsen, E.; Cain, C. A.; Xu, Z.

2018-03-01

Histotripsy is an ultrasonic tissue ablation method based on acoustic cavitation. It has been shown that cavitation dynamics change depending on the mechanical properties of the host medium. During histotripsy treatment, the target-tissue is gradually fractionated and eventually liquefied to acellular homogenate. In this study, the change in the collapse time (t col) of the cavitation bubble cloud over the course of histotripsy treatment is investigated as an indicator for progression of the tissue fractionation process throughout treatment. A 500 kHz histotripsy transducer is used to generate single-location lesions within tissue-mimicking agar phantoms of varying stiffness levels as well as ex vivo bovine liver samples. Cavitation collapse signals are acquired with broadband hydrophones, and cavitation is imaged optically using a high-speed camera in transparent tissue-mimicking phantoms. The high-speed-camera-acquired measurements of t col validate the acoustic hydrophone measurements. Increases in t col are observed both with decreasing phantom stiffness and throughout histotripsy treatment with increasing number of pulses applied. The increasing trend of t col throughout the histotripsy treatment correlates well with the progression of lesion formation generated in tissue-mimicking phantoms (R 2  =  0.87). Finally, the increasing trend of t col over the histotripsy treatment is validated in ex vivo bovine liver.

Organ transplantation in Tunisia.

PubMed

El Matri, Aziz; Ben Abdallah, Taieb

2015-04-01

Kidney transplants were first performed in Tunisia in 1986, and transplants soon extended to other organs including the heart, liver, and pancreas. Live-related donor and deceased-donor kidney transplants were both began in the summer of 1986. An organ procurement and transplant law was passed in March 1991, and the National Centre for Advancement of Organ Transplantation was created in 1995. The number of transplantation units has increased to 7 throughout the country, and the yearly transplant number has progressively increased to 139 in 2010, including 20% from deceased kidney donors. Despite these gains, the need continues to grow. Heart transplants began in January 1993, and Tunisia and Jordan are currently the only Arab countries where it is practiced. However, only 16 patients have received a heart transplant as of 2004, and the number of recipients has decreased in the past 10 years. Liver transplants are rare in other Arab countries, but began in Tunisia in January 1998. Over 10 years, 38 patients benefited from this procedure. After a few years of stagnation, the number of liver transplants is increasing. While all types of transplantation are needed, kidney transplantation is a priority in Tunisia. The target is to perform 400 transplants annually, which would require a long-term strategy to provide full financial coverage using the National Health Insurance Funds in both the public and private sectors.

Trends in hospitalization for atrial fibrillation: epidemiology, cost, and implications for the future.

PubMed

Sheikh, Azfar; Patel, Nileshkumar J; Nalluri, Nikhil; Agnihotri, Kanishk; Spagnola, Jonathan; Patel, Aashay; Asti, Deepak; Kanotra, Ritesh; Khan, Hafiz; Savani, Chirag; Arora, Shilpkumar; Patel, Nilay; Thakkar, Badal; Patel, Neil; Pau, Dhaval; Badheka, Apurva O; Deshmukh, Abhishek; Kowalski, Marcin; Viles-Gonzalez, Juan; Paydak, Hakan

2015-01-01

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent arrhythmia worldwide and the most common arrhythmia leading to hospitalization. Due to a substantial increase in incidence and prevalence of AF over the past few decades, it attributes to an extensive economic and public health burden. The increasing number of hospitalizations, aging population, anticoagulation management, and increasing trend for disposition to a skilled facility are drivers of the increasing cost associated with AF. There has been significant progress in AF management with the release of new oral anticoagulants, use of left atrial catheter ablation, and novel techniques for left atrial appendage closure. In this article, we aim to review the trends in epidemiology, hospitalization, and cost of AF along with its future implications on public health. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Secretory IgM Exacerbates Tumor Progression by Inducing Accumulations of MDSCs in Mice.

PubMed

Tang, Chih-Hang Anthony; Chang, Shiun; Hashimoto, Ayumi; Chen, Yi-Ju; Kang, Chang Won; Mato, Anthony R; Del Valle, Juan R; Gabrilovich, Dmitry I; Hu, Chih-Chi Andrew

2018-06-01

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells can secrete immunoglobulin M. However, it is not clear whether secretory IgM (sIgM) plays a role in disease progression. We crossed the Eμ-TCL1 mouse model of CLL, in which the expression of human TCL1 oncogene was driven by the V(H) promoter-Ig(H)-Eμ enhancer, with MD4 mice whose B cells produced B-cell receptor (membrane-bound IgM) and sIgM with specificity for hen egg lysozyme (HEL). CLL cells that developed in these MD4/Eμ-TCL1 mice reactivated a parental Ig gene allele and secreted IgM, and did not recognize HEL. The MD4/Eμ-TCL1 mice had reduced survival, increased myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), and decreased numbers of T cells. We tested whether sIgM could contribute to the accumulation of MDSCs by crossing μS -/- mice, which could not produce sIgM, with Eμ-TCL1 mice. The μS -/- /Eμ-TCL1 mice survived longer than Eμ-TCL1 mice and developed decreased numbers of MDSCs which were less able to suppress proliferation of T cells. We targeted the synthesis of sIgM by deleting the function of XBP-1s and showed that targeting XBP-1s genetically or pharmacologically could lead to decreased sIgM, accompanied by decreased numbers and reduced functions of MDSCs in MD4/Eμ-TCL1 mice. Additionally, MDSCs from μS -/- mice grafted with Lewis lung carcinoma were inefficient suppressors of T cells, resulting in slower tumor growth. These results demonstrate that sIgM produced by B cells can upregulate the functions of MDSCs in tumor-bearing mice to aggravate cancer progression. In a mouse model of CLL, production of secretory IgM led to more MDSCs, fewer T cells, and shorter survival times for the mice. Thus, secretory IgM may aggravate the progression of this cancer. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(6); 696-710. ©2018 AACR . ©2018 American Association for Cancer Research.

Relationship between stage II transport and number of chewing strokes as mastication progresses.

PubMed

Yamashita, Shuichiro; Sugita, Daisuke; Matsuo, Koichiro

2013-10-02

As mastication progresses, little is known about the occurrence of the stage II transport (oro-pharyngeal bolus transport). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between stage II transport and bolus aggregation in the pharynx and the number of chewing strokes. Twenty-five clinical residents with natural dentitions were recruited. The subjects were asked to chew gummy jelly with their preferred rhythm and to swallow the bolus at their preferred timing. To investigate stage II transport and bolus aggregation in the pharynx, a transnasal endoscope was used. The number of chewing strokes was measured by electromyographic activity from the masseter muscle. The mean numbers of chewing strokes of pre-stage II transport and post-stage II transport were 29.8 and 8.1, respectively; the difference was significant (p<0.01). The ratio of the number of chewing strokes of pre-stage II transport to that of post-stage II transport was 4.0 to 1.0. This study showed that stage II transport started at four-fifths of the way along the progress of mastication, and that stage II transport and bolus aggregation in the pharynx are related to the number of chewing strokes. © 2013. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

21. CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS VIEW OF CALCINER VESSEL ON LOW BOY ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

21. CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS VIEW OF CALCINER VESSEL ON LOW BOY EN ROUTE TO FACILITY. INEEL PHOTO NUMBER NRTS-60-2487. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Old Waste Calcining Facility, Scoville, Butte County, ID