bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
(Обзор основных изданий о дореволюционных деятелях)
Authors: Шилов Денис Николаевич
Published: January 2012

В статье представлен обзор биографических и биобиблиографических словарей и справочников, опубликованных на русском языке в первое десятилетие XXI в. и посвященных (исключительно или преимущественно) деятелям Российской империи. Автор анализирует основные тенденции и проблемы, существующие в современной российской справочно-биографической литературе. Подробно рассматриваются достоинства и недостатки ряда фундаментальных работ, остальные перечисляются с краткими общими характеристиками. Весь комплекс выявленных справочных изданий разделен в статье на предметно-тематические группы, что позволяет сопоставлять между собой труды, посвященные схожим по номенклатуре, месту действия или роду занятий группам лиц.
Dust Lofting and Ingestion by Supercell Storms
Authors: Seigel Robert B. , van den Heever Susan C.
Published: January 2012

Recent research pertaining to aerosol impacts on cloud microphysics has shown a need for understanding mineral dust entrainment into moist convection. The goal of this study is to examine the pathways in which nonmicrophysically active mineral dust is entrained into supercell storms within three commonly observed dust regimes. The Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) with an interactive dust model that allows for surface emission was used to achieve this goal.

First, a supercell is simulated within an already dusty environment (EXP-BACKGROUND) to investigate ingestion purely from a background source. Second, the supercell is simulated within a clean background environment and lofts its own dust via the interactive dust model (EXP-STORM) to investigate the regime in which the only source of dust in the atmosphere is due to the storm itself. Finally, the supercell is simulated with a low-level convergence boundary introduced ahead of the supercell to investigate dust lofting by outflow boundary interactions (EXP-BOUNDARY). Results indicate that the supercell in EXP-BACKGROUND ingests large dust concentrations ahead of the rear flank downdraft (RFD) cold pool. Conversely, dust lofted by the cold pool in EXP-STORM is ingested by the supercell in relatively small amounts via a narrow corridor generated by turbulent mixing of the RFD cold pool and ambient air. The addition of a convergence boundary in EXP-BOUNDARY is found to act as an additional source of dust for the supercell. Results demonstrate the importance of an appropriate dust representation for numerical modeling.
Twenty-First-Century Multimodel Subtropical Precipitation Declines Are Mostly Midlatitude Shifts
Authors: Scheff Jack , Frierson Dargan
Published: January 2012

Declines in subtropical precipitation are a robust response to modeled twenty-first-century global warming. Two suggested mechanisms are the “dry-get-drier” intensification of existing subtropical dry zones due to the thermodynamic increase in vapor transport and the poleward expansion of these same dry zones due to poleward shifts in the modeled general circulation. Here, subtropical drying in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report multimodel archive is compared to each of these two mechanisms. Each model’s particular, biased, and seasonally and zonally varying mean state is considered relative to the location of that model’s predicted changes, and these relationships are recorded in a common framework that can be compared across models.

The models have a strong tendency to reduce precipitation along the subtropical flanks of their existing midlatitude cyclonic precipitation belts. This broad result agrees with the poleward expansion mechanism and with a poleward storm-track shift in particular. In contrast, the models have no clear tendency to reduce precipitation in the central nor equatorward portions of their subtropical dry zones, implying that the thermodynamic mechanism is broadly unimportant for the precipitation reductions. This is unlike the response of precipitation minus evaporation, which robustly declines in large portions of these regions, especially over the oceans.

The models also tend to increase precipitation in their wet deep tropical areas, but this is not as robust as the above reduction in the subtropical midlatitudes. High-latitude precipitation increases are the most robust precipitation changes of all in this framework.
Serum γ-Glutamyltransferase Levels Correlate With Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Ege Meltem Refiker , Guray Umit , Guray Yesim , Demirkan Burcu , Kisacik Halil
Published: January 2012

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is related to the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Increased γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity is associated with atherosclerosis. We assessed the relationship between EAT and serum GGT activity in addition to cardiovascular risk factors in patients with stable anginal symptoms. Consecutive patients (n = 120) who underwent coronary angiography were included. Epicardial adipose tissue thickness was measured by echocardiography. Serum GGT activity was measured by enzymatic colorimetric assay. Epicardial adipose tissue thickness and serum GGT activity were higher in patients with CAD (n = 83). Patients with metabolic syndrome (n = 83) were found to have higher EAT thickness. Serum GGT activity was independently associated with EAT values. In conclusion, echocardiographic EAT was significantly higher in patients with CAD and serum GGT activity correlated with EAT thickness.
Peripheral Intravenous Access in Pediatric Inpatients
Authors: Reigart J. Routt , Chamberlain Katie H. , Eldridge David , O’Brien Elizabeth S. , Freeland Katherine D. , Larsen Pamela , Goff David , Hartzog Timothy H.
Published: January 2012

Background. Peripheral intravenous (PIV) line placement is a time-consuming procedure performed on the majority of general pediatric inpatients, with significant discomfort to patients. Objective. To determine parameters of pediatric PIV placement, including success rates, time to success, and factors associated with success. Design. Prospective study involving direct observation of PIV placement by trained research staff. Setting. General inpatient wards at 2 medium-sized pediatric hospitals. Patients. Hospitalized children younger than 19 years. Results. Successful placement was achieved in 95.8% (567/592) cases with a median time of 9 minutes. Children younger than 2 years were less likely to have success on the first attempt (38.9% vs 53.5%) and have longer time to success (11 minutes). Conclusions. Children younger than 2 years experienced lower first-attempt successful PIV placement and took longer. The overall success rate was similar to prior reports; these data are the first to show differential PIV success by patient age.
Development of a scale to measure laypersons’ beliefs about medical knowledge
Authors: Barnes Laura LB , Wheeler Denna L , Laster Bonnie B , McGaugh Miriam , Morse Amy
Published: January 2012

Objective:

Literature on participatory health care suggests that, though many patients desire basic information, a substantial number prefer a passive role. This variability is explored as a function of laypersons’ beliefs about the nature of medical knowledge, referred to as epistemological beliefs, through the evaluation of a newly-developed instrument, the discipline-based epistemological beliefs scale-lay medical knowledge (DEBS-LMK).

Design:

Survey.

Method:

Items were developed to measure Schommer’s1 hypothesized constructs of epistemological beliefs within a medical context: source, structure, and certainty of knowledge plus beliefs about acquiring knowledge – innate ability and speed of learning.

Setting:

Faculty, staff, and students ( n = 367) from a Midwestern university provided complete responses to 63 medical epistemological beliefs items and the 18-item multidimensional locus of control scales (MHLOC).2

Results:

Factor analysis confirmed the basic theoretical structure of the instrument. Scores on the DEBS-LMK were associated in predictable ways with MHLOC scales. Beliefs about doctors as omniscient authorities were associated with perceptions that powerful others are responsible for health status; in particular, beliefs that patients should be empowered to question and challenge their doctors predicted lower powerful others scores. Beliefs that medical knowledge depends on innate ability and quick learning predicted views that health status is due to chance factors, but beliefs in the need for quick learning were negatively associated with an internal health locus of control.

Conclusions:

Implications for research on information seeking and on interventions to improve patient/provider communication are discussed.
‘Are We (Really) Brothers?’: Contemporary India as Observed by Chinese Diplomats
Authors: Egreteau Renaud
Published: January 2012

This article considers the views that Chinese diplomats have developed on contemporary India. Using Chinese-written memoirs and essays, as well as discussions with active or retired diplomats of the People’s Republic of China who served in India, this research explores the diversity of the Chinese elite’s perceptions of the emergence, domestic politics and cultures of India today. It will be argued that four main sets of rather negative perceptions are produced: (1) candid views describing India in naïve, passionate or diplomatic ways; (2) judgemental opinions perpetuating a dirty-cum-messy image of India; and (3) more specifically of its corrupt and volatile communalism-prone society; and, finally, (4) more subtle insights on India’s current polity. But, given the perpetuation of rather stable, yet tense, Sino–Indian interactions at the dawn of the 21st century, conclusions will be drawn on the relatively-low impact that Chinese critical perceptions of India have had on Beijing’s recent policymaking towards New Delhi.
Tissue-engineered Oral Mucosa
Authors: Moharamzadeh K. , Colley H. , Murdoch C. , Hearnden V. , Chai W.L. , Brook I.M. , Thornhill M.H. , MacNeil S.
Published: January 2012

Advances in tissue engineering have permitted the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of human oral mucosa for various in vivo and in vitro applications. Tissue-engineered oral mucosa have been further optimized in recent years for clinical applications as a suitable graft material for intra-oral and extra-oral repair and treatment of soft-tissue defects. Novel 3D in vitro models of oral diseases such as cancer, Candida, and bacterial invasion have been developed as alternatives to animal models for investigation of disease phenomena, their progression, and treatment, including evaluation of drug delivery systems. The introduction of 3D oral mucosal reconstructs has had a significant impact on the approaches to biocompatibility evaluation of dental materials and oral healthcare products as well as the study of implant-soft tissue interfaces. This review article discusses the recent advances in tissue engineering and applications of tissue-engineered human oral mucosa.
Parenteral Nutrition Training for the Pharmacy Team
Authors: Cassano Angela Turner
Published: January 2012

Pharmacy technicians are integral to the success of parenteral compounding programs in pharmacies around the country. Their positions may vary depending on practice site, but technicians are critical to the pharmacy team, and it is imperative that they be appropriately trained to take on their roles and responsibilities. Numerous national pharmacy organizations support the need for a national standard for pharmacy technician training, education, certification, and regulatory oversight in all practice settings. Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a highly specialized compounded product with potential for errors in ordering, transcribing, preparation, labeling, and administration. All compounding personnel involved in the process of delivering PN, including technicians, must be trained on the proper techniques, applicable technology, and risk of errors. This article outlines the landscape of training as it specifically pertains to pharmacy technicians and shares proceedings from key pharmacy meetings in the past 5 years that advocate for national standards.
Virtual reality in the rehabilitation of the arm after hemiplegic stroke: a randomized controlled pilot study
Authors: Crosbie JH , Lennon S , McGoldrick MC , McNeill MDJ , McDonough SM
Published: January 2012

Objective:

To assess the feasibility of a trial to investigate the effectiveness of virtual reality-mediated therapy compared to conventional physiotherapy in the motor rehabilitation of the arm following stroke, and to provide data for a power analysis to determine numbers for a future main trial.

Design:

Pilot randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Clinical research facility.

Participants:

Eighteen people with a first stroke, 10 males and 8 females, 7 right and 2 left side most affected. Mean time since stroke 10.8 months.

Interventions:

Participants were randomized to a virtual reality group or a conventional arm therapy group for nine sessions over three weeks.

Main measures:

The upper limb Motricity Index and the Action Research Arm Test were completed at baseline, post intervention and six weeks follow-up.

Results:

Outcome data were obtained from 95% of participants at the end of treatment and at follow-up: one participant withdrew. Compliance was high; only two people reported side-effects from virtual reality exposure. Both groups demonstrated small (7–8 points on upper limb Motricity Index and 4 points on the Action Research Arm Test), but non-significant, changes to their arm impairment and activity levels.

Conclusion:

A randomized controlled trial of virtual reality-mediated therapy comparable to conventional therapy would be feasible, with some suggested improvements in recruitment and outcome measures. Seventy-eight participants (39 per group) would be required for a main trial.
Stability and stabilization of Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy switched system with time-delay
Authors: Chiou Juing-Shian , Tsai Shun-Hung
Published: January 2012

This paper presents the stability result and switching law for the considered unforced Takagi–Sugeno time-delay fuzzy switched system. For controller design, the parallel distributed compensation method is adopted to design a fuzzy controller to stabilize the time-delay fuzzy switched system. In addition, the stability and stabilization conditions for the overall fuzzy control system are formulated by linear matrix inequalities. Finally, an example is utilized to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed schemes.
Montesquieu on Ancient Greek Foreign Relations
Authors: Radasanu Andrea
Published: January 2012

Montesquieu famously claims that modernity ushered in gentle mores and peaceful relations among countries. Consulting Montesquieu’s teaching on Greek foreign policy, both republican and imperial, elucidates the character of these peaceful mores. Montesquieu weaves a modernization tale from primitive ancient Greece to modern commercial states, all to teach the reader to overcome any lingering attachment to glory and to adopt the rational standards of national interest and self-preservation. This account provides important insights on the relationship between realism and idealism in Montesquieu’s international relations teaching and helps scholars to rethink how these categories are construed.
Quality of INR Control and Outcomes Following Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Gallagher Arlene M. , de Vries Frank , Plumb Jonathan M. , Haß Bastian , Clemens Andreas , van Staa Tjeerd-Pieter
Published: January 2012

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the pattern of anticoagulation after venous thromboembolism (VTE) in actual clinical practice. Material and Methods: This study used the General Practice Research Database. Individuals aged 18+ years with VTE were matched to 3 controls. Results: Of the 46 335 patients with VTE and 138 024 controls, 70.2% of cases and 86.6% of controls had no obvious risk factors. The mortality risk was increased substantially around the time of diagnosis (relative hazard rate [RR] around 21) but remained elevated for a further 4 years (RRs around 1.5-2.0). The mean percentage of time spent within the therapeutic range for international normalized ratio (INR) was 57.0%. The lowest rate of VTE recurrence occurred in patients with ≥70% time spent within therapeutic range (RR of 0.50, 95% CI 0.39-0.63 compared to <30%). Conclusions: Higher time spent within therapeutic INR range was associated with lower risks of VTE recurrence and death due to VTE.
Short-Term Rat Inhalation Study With Aerosols of Acrylic Ester-Based Polymer Dispersions Containing a Fraction of Nanoparticles
Authors: Ma-Hock Lan , Landsiedel Robert , Wiench Karin , Geiger Dominik , Strauss Volker , Gröters Sibylle , Ravenzwaay Bennard van , Gerst Matthias , Wohlleben Wendel , Scherer Gertrud
Published: January 2012

Aqueous polymer dispersions are important raw materials used in a variety of industrial processes. They may contain particles with diameters ranging from 10 to 1500 nm. Polymer exposure alone may cause pulmonary lesions after inhalation exposure. Polymer dispersions with increased proportions of nano-sized particles are being developed for improved material characteristics, and this may pose even increased pulmonary hazards upon potential inhalation exposure. In a 5-day screening study, male rats were nose-only exposed to aerosols generated from 2 dispersions of acrylic ester polymers with identical chemical composition but different nano-sized particle proportions at particle concentrations of 3 and 10 mg/m3. Immediately and 19 days after the end of inhalation, necropsies were conducted with major emphasis on respiratory tract histopathology. Three and 23 days after the end of inhalation, bronchoalveolar lavage was performed to screen for early pulmonary injury and inflammation. In contrast to the adverse effects known for other materials in short-term inhalation studies, none of the tested preparations of acrylic ester polymers elicited any adverse effect at the end of the inhalation or postinhalation periods. No shift in toxicity could be observed by the increased proportion of nano-sized polymer particles. Under the conditions of this study, the no observable adverse effect levels for both preparations were >10 mg/m3, that is 2- to 3-fold beyond current nuisance dust threshold limit values.
Supervision and consultation practice with domestic violence
Authors: Vetere Arlene
Published: January 2012

This paper describes an approach to supervision and consultation with practitioners who work therapeutically with individuals, couples, and families where domestic violence is of concern. The approach is rooted in an established and visible safety methodology, developed over the last 16 years in the Reading Safer Families project. We emphasise risk management, responsibility for behaviour, and co-operative practices as an integrated framework for safer therapeutic practices. The paper illustrates how supervision style and process are adapted to pay attention to safety from all perspectives in the family-professional network.
Fracture properties of high-performance concrete containing fly ash
Authors: Zhang P , Li Q , Zhang H
Published: January 2012

A parametric experimental study has been conducted to investigate the effect of fly ash on the fracture properties of high-performance concrete (HPC), with four fly ash contents used. By means of three-point bending method, the fracture toughness, fracture energy, effective crack length, critical crack opening displacement, and maximum crack opening displacement of the specimen were measured, respectively. The results indicate that fly ash has great improvement on the fracture parameters, and these fracture parameters gradually increase when the content of fly ash increases from 10 per cent to 20 per cent. However, these fracture parameters begin to decrease after the fly ash content exceeds 20 per cent. Besides, as the fly ash content increases from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, the relational curves between the vertical load and the mid-span deflection ( PV– δ), crack mouth opening displacement ( PV– CMOD), and crack tip opening displacement ( PV– CTOD) become plumper and plumper, which indicates that the capability of HPC containing fly ash to resist crack propagation is becoming stronger and stronger, while the curves become shriveled after the fly ash content exceeds 20 per cent. The contribution of fly ash on the fracture properties of HPC containing fly ash seems to be performed only when the fly ash content does not exceed 20 per cent.
Carbohydrates for Physical Activity
Authors: Miles Mary P.
Published: January 2012

Intake of carbohydrates above the dietary guidelines to support performance of physical activity is common but may be unnecessary and counterproductive. Sports nutrition guidelines have not been designed to incorporate characteristics that may make high carbohydrate consumption a source of metabolic stress that may increase oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipogenesis. This metabolic stress is linked to the physiology underlying the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases. This review describes research-based evidence to aid in bridging the gap between dietary guidelines for overall health and those to support physical activity. Characteristics that increase the likelihood of metabolic stress resulting from carbohydrate intake include overweight and obesity, central/visceral adiposity, older age, sedentary lifestyle, and caloric state. Carbohydrate-based foods that provide the most health benefits are whole grains, beans and legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Carbohydrate-based foods that most readily elicit metabolic stress are those with added sugars and refined grains or that have a high glycemic index. A checklist that incorporates both the number of these characteristics and prevailing guidelines for nutrition and physical activity is presented. This may be useful in determining whether additional carbohydrates are needed to support the physical activity level of the individual.
Persuasive Visions: Film and Memory
Authors: Silbey Jessica
Published: January 2012

This commentary takes a new look at law and film studies through the lens of film as memory. Instead of describing film as evidence and foreordaining its role in truth-seeking processes, it thinks instead of film as individual, institutional and cultural memory, placing it squarely within the realm of contestability. Paralleling film genres, the commentary imagines four forms of memory that film could embody: memorabilia (cinéma vérité), memoirs (autobiographical and biographical film), ceremonial memorials (narrative film monuments of a life, person or institution), and mythic memory (dramatic fictional film). Imagining film as memory resituates film’s role in law (procedural, substantive and cultural) as authoritative rhetoric that must be disputed and reappropriated to serve the specific goals of justice.
Listening Rhetorically to Defending Our Lives: Identification and Advocacy in Intimate Partner Abuse
Authors: Britt Elizabeth C.
Published: January 2012

In the documentary film Defending Our Lives (1993), women imprisoned for killing their abusers narrate their mistreatment by both their partners and the law. This article examines the film’s function in preparing future attorneys to advocate for women in abusive relationships. It argues that the film encourages rhetorical listening by helping future advocates understand the cultural logics informing abused women’s choices. The film compels viewers to examine the broad cultural contexts of intimate partner abuse, including the sometimes hostile responses of the law, disrupting commonplaces about the role of the legal advocate in the pursuit of justice.
Bilateral Simultaneous Achilles Tendon Rupture in the Absence of Risk Factors
Authors: Hashim Zaid , Dahabreh Ziad , Jemain M. T. Bin , Williams Hywel R.
Published: January 2012

Hashim Z, Dahabreh Z, Bin Jemain MT, Williams HR. Bilateral Simultaneous Achilles Tendon Rupture in the Absence of Risk Factors. Foot Ankle Spec. 2011;4:175-178. (Original DOI: 10.1177/1938640010397657)

The above article was submitted to Foot & Ankle Specialist with an incorrect version of the article. The correct, final, version of the article appears after this statement of correction.
What does adolescent undiagnosed wheeze represent? Findings from the Isle of Wight Cohort
Authors: Raza Abid , Kurukulaaratchy Ramesh J. , Grundy Jane D. , Clayton C. Bernie , Mitchell Frances A. , Roberts Graham , Ewart Susan , Sadeghnejad Alireza , Arshad S. Hasan
Published: January 2012

We sought to characterise adolescent wheeze in the absence of asthma, which we termed “undiagnosed wheeze”.

The Isle of Wight Birth Cohort (n=1,456) was reviewed at 1, 2, 4, 10 and 18 yrs. Using questionnaire responses, “asthma” was defined as “ever had asthma” plus either “wheezing in the last 12 months” or “taking asthma treatment in the last 12 months”; “undiagnosed wheeze” as “wheeze in the last 12 months” but “no” to “ever had asthma”; and remaining subjects termed “non-wheezers”.

Undiagnosed wheeze (prevalence 4.9%) accounted for 22% of wheezing at 18 yrs. This was largely adolescent-onset with similar symptom frequency and severity to diagnosed asthma. However, undiagnosed wheezers had significantly higher forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity ratio, less bronchodilator reversibility and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and were less frequently atopic than asthmatics. Undiagnosed wheezers had earlier smoking onset, higher smoking rates and monthly paracetamol use than non-wheezers. Logistic regression identified paracetamol use (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01–1.23; p=0.03), smoking at 18 yrs (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.19–5.41; p=0.02), rhinitis at 18 yrs (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.38–5.73; p=0.004) and asthmatic family history (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.10–4.63; p=0.03) as significant independent risk factors for undiagnosed wheeze.

Undiagnosed wheeze is relatively common during adolescence, differs from diagnosed asthma and has strong associations with smoking and paracetamol use. Better recognition of undiagnosed wheeze and assessment of potential relevance to adult health is warranted.
Pioglitazone attenuates endotoxin-induced acute lung injury by reducing neutrophil recruitment
Authors: Grommes Jochen , Mörgelin Mathias , Soehnlein Oliver
Published: January 2012

Treatment of acute lung injury (ALI) remains an unsolved problem in intensive care medicine. Activation and recruitment of neutrophils are regarded as key mechanisms in the progression of ALI. As pioglitazone holds potent pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effects, we explored its effects during ALI.

C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to aerosolised lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) (500 μg·mL−1) and their alveolar, interstitial and intravascular neutrophils were assessed 4 h later. Lung permeability changes were evaluated by fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran clearance and protein content in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.In vitro, human isolated neutrophils were pretreated with piolitazone (10 μM, for 1 or 3 h) and then activated withN-formyl-l-methionyl-l-leucyl-l-phenylalanine. Neutrophil activation, adhesion, release and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phagocytosis were measured thereafter.

Pioglitazone treatment before or after induction of ALI significantly diminished alveolar (reduction by 73% and 67%, respectively) and interstitial neutrophil influx (reduction by 55% and 63%, respectively) and reduced lung permeability changes (reduction by 64% and 58%, respectively) indicating a protective role of pioglitazone treatment in ALI. Moreover, pioglitazone significantly reduced degranulation and adhesion of neutrophils without affecting ROS formation and release or bacterial phagocytosis.

Pioglitazone reduces recruitment and activation of neutrophils thereby preventing LPS-induced ALI. Our results imply a potential role for pioglitazone treatment in the management of ALI.
Respiratory impairment and COPD hospitalisation in older persons: a competing risk analysis
Authors: Vaz Fragoso Carlos A. , Concato John , McAvay Gail , Van Ness Peter H. , Gill Thomas M.
Published: January 2012

The aim of the present study was to evaluate, among older persons, the association between respiratory impairment and hospitalisation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), based on spirometric Z-scores,i.e.the LMS (lambda, mu, sigma) method, and a competing risk approach.

Using data on 3,563 white participants aged 65–80 yrs (from the Cardiovascular Health Study) we evaluated the association of LMS-defined respiratory impairment with the incident of COPD hospitalisation and the competing outcome of death without COPD hospitalisation, over a 5-yr period. Respiratory impairment included airflow limitation (mild, moderate or severe) and restrictive pattern.

Over a 5-yr period, 276 (7.7%) participants had a COPD hospitalisation incident, whereas 296 (8.3%) died without COPD hospitalisation. The risk of COPD hospitalisation was elevated more than two-fold in LMS-defined mild and moderate airflow limitation and restrictive pattern (adjusted HR (95% CI): 2.25 (1.25–4.05), 2.54 (1.53– 4.22) and 2.65 (1.82–3.86), respectively), and more than eight-fold in LMS-defined severe airflow limitation (adjusted HR (95% CI) 8.33 (6.24–11.12)). Conversely, only LMS-defined restrictive-pattern was associated with the competing outcome of death without COPD hospitalisation (adjusted HR (95% CI) 1.68 (1.22–2.32)).

In older white persons, LMS-defined respiratory impairment is strongly associated with an increased risk of COPD hospitalisation. These results support the LMS method as a basis for defining respiratory impairment in older persons.
Tuberculosis: cost of illness in Germany
Authors: Diel Roland , Rutz Stefan , Castell Stefanie , Schaberg Tom
Published: January 2012

4,444 new cases of tuberculosis (TB) were reported in Germany in 2009; of those, the proportion of multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB cases increased to 2.1% (63 cases).

On the basis of the therapy guidelines of the German Central Committee against Tuberculosis and the new World Health Organization guidelines, this study estimates the mean direct outpatient and combined in- and outpatient costs of TB, together with other attributable costs of the disease on the basis of the most recent German official health statistics and scientific literature.

According to this, the mean outpatient costs (rounded) per case were €1,197 (adults) and €1,006 (children) for standard therapy, but €36,543 for treatment of MDR-TB. The mean combined in-patient/outpatient costs were €7,364 (adults) and €7,300 (children), respectively; the combined costs for treatment of MDR-TB amounted to €52,259. Including MDR-TB cases the mean costs of treatment per TB case were €7,931. These are joined by the mean costs due to loss of productivity (€2,313), costs per case for rehabilitation (€74) and contact tracing (€922), adding up to €11,240.

When considering the probability of increasing numbers of MDR-TB cases in the near future, TB is still a disease of significant economic impact in Germany.
Semantic Web Applications and Tools for the Life Sciences: SWAT4LS 2010
Authors: Burger Albert , Paschke Adrian , Romano Paolo , Marshall M Scott , Splendiani Andrea
Published: January 2012

As Semantic Web technologies mature and new releases of key elements, such as SPARQL 1.1 and OWL 2.0, become available, the Life Sciences continue to push the boundaries of these technologies with ever more sophisticated tools and applications. Unsurprisingly, therefore, interest in the SWAT4LS (Semantic Web Applications and Tools for the Life Sciences) activities have remained high, as was evident during the third international SWAT4LS workshop held in Berlin in December 2010. Contributors to this workshop were invited to submit extended versions of their papers, the best of which are now made available in the special supplement of BMC Bioinformatics. The papers reflect the wide range of work in this area, covering the storage and querying of Life Sciences data in RDF triple stores, tools for the development of biomedical ontologies and the semantics-based integration of Life Sciences as well as clinicial data.
User centered and ontology based information retrieval system for life sciences
Authors: Sy Mohameth-François , Ranwez Sylvie , Montmain Jacky , Regnault Armelle , Crampes Michel , Ranwez Vincent
Published: January 2012

Background

Because of the increasing number of electronic resources, designing efficient tools to retrieve and exploit them is a major challenge. Some improvements have been offered by semantic Web technologies and applications based on domain ontologies. In life science, for instance, the Gene Ontology is widely exploited in genomic applications and the Medical Subject Headings is the basis of biomedical publications indexation and information retrieval process proposed by PubMed. However current search engines suffer from two main drawbacks: there is limited user interaction with the list of retrieved resources and no explanation for their adequacy to the query is provided. Users may thus be confused by the selection and have no idea on how to adapt their queries so that the results match their expectations.

Results

This paper describes an information retrieval system that relies on domain ontology to widen the set of relevant documents that is retrieved and that uses a graphical rendering of query results to favor user interactions. Semantic proximities between ontology concepts and aggregating models are used to assess documents adequacy with respect to a query. The selection of documents is displayed in a semantic map to provide graphical indications that make explicit to what extent they match the user's query; this man/machine interface favors a more interactive and iterative exploration of data corpus, by facilitating query concepts weighting and visual explanation. We illustrate the benefit of using this information retrieval system on two case studies one of which aiming at collecting human genes related to transcription factors involved in hemopoiesis pathway.

Conclusions

The ontology based information retrieval system described in this paper (OBIRS) is freely available at:http://www.ontotoolkit.mines-ales.fr/ObirsClient/. This environment is a first step towards a user centred application in which the system enlightens relevant information to provide decision help.
Hsp90 inhibition differentially destabilises MAP kinase and TGF-beta signalling components in cancer cells revealed by kinase-targeted chemoproteomics
Authors: Haupt Armin , Joberty Gerard , Bantscheff Marcus , Fröhlich Holger , Stehr Henning , Schweiger Michal R , Fischer Axel , Kerick Martin , Boerno Stefan T , Dahl Andreas , Lappe Michael , Lehrach Hans , Gonzalez Cayetano , Drewes Gerard , Lange Bodo MH
Published: January 2012

Background

The heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is required for the stability of many signalling kinases. As a target for cancer therapy it allows the simultaneous inhibition of several signalling pathways. However, its inhibition in healthy cells could also lead to severe side effects. This is the first comprehensive analysis of the response to Hsp90 inhibition at the kinome level.

Methods

We quantitatively profiled the effects of Hsp90 inhibition by geldanamycin on the kinome of one primary (Hs68) and three tumour cell lines (SW480, U2OS, A549) by affinity proteomics based on immobilized broad spectrum kinase inhibitors ("kinobeads"). To identify affected pathways we used the KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway classification. We combined Hsp90 and proteasome inhibition to identify Hsp90 substrates in Hs68 and SW480 cells. The mutational status of kinases from the used cell lines was determined using next-generation sequencing. A mutation of Hsp90 candidate client RIPK2 was mapped onto its structure.

Results

We measured relative abundances of > 140 protein kinases from the four cell lines in response to geldanamycin treatment and identified many new potential Hsp90 substrates. These kinases represent diverse families and cellular functions, with a strong representation of pathways involved in tumour progression like the BMP, MAPK and TGF-beta signalling cascades. Co-treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 enabled us to classify 64 kinases as true Hsp90 clients. Finally, mutations in 7 kinases correlate with an altered response to Hsp90 inhibition. Structural modelling of the candidate client RIPK2 suggests an impact of the mutation on a proposed Hsp90 binding domain.

Conclusions

We propose a high confidence list of Hsp90 kinase clients, which provides new opportunities for targeted and combinatorial cancer treatment and diagnostic applications.
Trace glucose and lipid metabolism in high androgen and high-fat diet induced polycystic ovary syndrome rats
Authors: Zhai Hua-Ling , Wu Hui , Xu Hui , Weng Pan , Xia Fang-Zhen , Chen Yi , Lu Ying-Li
Published: January 2012

Background

There is a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and dyslipidemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of different metabolic pathways in the development of diabetes mellitus in high-androgen female mice fed with a high-fat diet.

Methods

Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: the control group(C), n = 10; the andronate-treated group (Andronate), n = 10 (treated with andronate, 1 mg/100 g body weight/day for 8 weeks); and the andronate-treated and high-fat diet group (Andronate+HFD), n = 10. The rate of glucose appearance (Ra of glucose), gluconeogenesis (GNG), and the rate of glycerol appearance (Ra of glycerol) were assessed with a stable isotope tracer. The serum sex hormone levels, insulin levels, glucose concentration, and the lipid profile were also measured.

Results

Compared with control group, both andronate-treated groups exhibited obesity with higher insulin concentrations (P< 0.05) but similar blood glucose concentrations. Of the two andronate-treated groups, the andronate+HFD group had the most serious insulin resistance (IR). Estrus cycles were completely acyclic, with polycystic ovaries and elevated serum lipid profiles in the andronate+HFD group (P< 0.05). Ra of glucose and GNG increased significantly in the andronate+HFD rats. However, the Ra of glycerol was similar in the three groups.

Conclusions

Andronate with HFD rat model showed ovarian and metabolic features of PCOS, significant increase in glucose Ra, GNG, and lipid profiles, as well as normal blood glucose levels. Therefore, aberrant IR, increased glucose Ra, GNG, and lipid metabolism may represent the early-stage of glucose and lipid kinetics disorder, thereby might be used as potential early-stage treatment targets for PCOS.
Translation of MMTV Gag requires nuclear events involving splicing motifs in addition to the viral Rem protein and RmRE
Authors: Boeras Ioana , Sakalian Michael , West John T
Published: January 2012

Background

Retroviral Gag proteins are encoded in introns and, because of this localization, they are subject to the default pathways of pre-mRNA splicing. Retroviruses regulate splicing and translation through a variety of intertwined mechanisms, including 5'- post-transcriptional control elements, 3'- constitutive transport elements, and viral protein RNA interactions that couple unspliced and singly spliced mRNAs to transport machinery. Sequences within the gag gene termed inhibitory or instability sequences also appear to affect viral mRNA stability and translation, and the action of these sequences can be countered by silent mutation or the presence of RNA interaction proteins like HIV-1 Rev. Here, we explored the requirements for mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) Gag expression using a combination of in vivo and in vitro expression systems.

Results

We show that MMTV gag alleles are inhibited for translation despite possessing a functional open reading frame (ORF). The block to expression was post-transcriptional and targeted the mRNA but was not a function of mRNA transport or stability. Using bicistronic reporters, we show that inhibition of gag expression imparted a block to both cap-dependent and cap-independent translation onto the mRNA. Direct introduction of in vitro synthesized gag mRNA resulted in translation, implying a nuclear role in inhibition of expression. The inhibition of expression was overcome by intact proviral expression or by flanking gag with splice sites combined with a functional Rem-Rem response element (RmRE) interaction.

Conclusions

Expression of MMTV Gag requires nuclear interactions involving the viral Rem protein, its cognate binding target the RmRE, and surprisingly, both a splice donor and acceptor sequence to achieve appropriate signals for translation of the mRNA in the cytoplasm.
Spontaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus after an episode of Kawasaki disease: a case report
Authors: Lin Ming-Chih , Fu Yun-Ching , Jan Sheng-Ling
Published: January 2012

Introduction

Kawasaki disease is regarded as systemic vasculitis. Many experts believe that not only coronary arteries but also other small arteries are involved during the period of systemic inflammation. However, the evidence to support this point view is limited.

Case presentation

We report the case of a one-year-four-month-old Taiwanese girl whose patent ductus arteriosus was incidentally found during an episode of Kawasaki disease. The ductus closed spontaneously after the acute phase of Kawasaki disease.

Conclusions

In this patient, the patent ductus arteriosus may have closed spontaneously after Kawasaki disease due to its involvement in the generalized vasculitis that this disease incurs. This would support the theory that the vasculitis of Kawasaki disease is limited not only to coronary arteries but also to all medium- sized arteries.
Apico-basal elongation requires a drebrin-E–EB3 complex in columnar human epithelial cells
Authors: Bazellières Elsa , Massey-Harroche Dominique , Barthélémy-Requin Magali , Richard Fabrice , Arsanto Jean-Pierre , Le Bivic André
Published: January 2012

Although columnar epithelial cells are known to acquire an elongated shape, the mechanisms involved in this morphological feature have not yet been completely elucidated. Using columnar human intestinal Caco2 cells, it was established here that the levels of drebrin E, an actin-binding protein, increase in the terminal web both in vitro and in vivo during the formation of the apical domain. Drebrin E depletion was found to impair cell compaction and elongation processes in the monolayer without affecting cell polarity or the formation of tight junctions. Decreasing the drebrin E levels disrupted the normal subapical F-actin–myosin-IIB–βII-spectrin network and the apical accumulation of EB3, a microtubule-plus-end-binding protein. Decreasing the EB3 levels resulted in a similar elongation phenotype to that resulting from depletion of drebrin E, without affecting cell compaction processes or the pattern of distribution of F-actin–myosin-IIB. In addition, EB3, myosin IIB and βII spectrin were found to form a drebrin-E-dependent complex. Taken together, these data suggest that this complex connects the F-actin and microtubule networks apically during epithelial cell morphogenesis, while drebrin E also contributes to stabilizing the actin-based terminal web.
Julian Huxley,Uca pugnaxand the allometric method
Authors: Packard Gary C.
Published: January 2012

The allometric method, which often is attributed to Julian Huxley, entails fitting a straight line to logarithmic transformations of the original bivariate data and then back-transforming the resulting equation to form a power function in the arithmetic scale. Development of the technique was strongly influenced by Huxley’s own research on growth by the enlarged ‘crusher’ claw in male fiddler crabs (Uca pugnax). Huxley reported a discontinuity in the log–log plot of chela mass vs body mass, which he interpreted as an abrupt change in relative growth of the chela at about the time crabs attain sexual maturity. My analysis of Huxley’s arithmetic data indicates, however, that the discontinuity was an artifact caused by logarithmic transformation and that dynamics of growth by the crusher claw do not change at any point during development. Arithmetic data are well described by a power function fitted by nonlinear regression but not by one estimated by back-transforming a line fitted to logarithms. This finding and others like it call into question the continued reliance on the allometric method in contemporary research.
Does Chatter Really Matter? Dynamics of User-Generated Content and Stock Performance
Authors: Tirunillai Seshadri , Tellis Gerard J.
Published: January 2012

This study examines whether user-generated content (UGC) is related to stock market performance, which metric of UGC has the strongest relationship, and what the dynamics of the relationship are. We aggregate UGC from multiple websites over a four-year period across 6 markets and 15 firms. We derive multiple metrics of UGC and use multivariate time-series models to assess the relationship between UGC and stock market performance.

Volume of chatter significantly leads abnormal returns by a few days (supported by Granger causality tests). Of all the metrics of UGC, volume of chatter has the strongest positive effect on abnormal returns and trading volume. The effect of negative and positive metrics of UGC on abnormal returns is asymmetric. Whereas negative UGC has a significant negative effect on abnormal returns with a short “wear-in” and long “wear-out,” positive UGC has no significant effect on these metrics. The volume of chatter and negative chatter have a significant positive effect on trading volume. Idiosyncratic risk increases significantly with negative information in UGC. Positive information does not have much influence on the risk of the firm. An increase in off-line advertising significantly increases the volume of chatter and decreases negative chatter. These results have important implications for managers and investors.
Network Characteristics and the Value of Collaborative User-Generated Content
Authors: Ransbotham Sam , Kane Gerald C. , Lurie Nicholas H.
Published: January 2012

User-generated content is increasingly created through the collaborative efforts of multiple individuals. In this paper, we argue that the value of collaborative user-generated content is a function both of the direct efforts of its contributors and of its embeddedness in the content–contributor network that creates it. An analysis of Wikipedia's WikiProject Medicine reveals a curvilinear relationship between the number of distinct contributors to user-generated content and viewership. A two-mode social network analysis demonstrates that the embeddedness of the content in the content–contributor network is positively related to viewership. Specifically, locally central content—characterized by greater intensity of work by contributors to multiple content sources—is associated with increased viewership. Globally central content—characterized by shorter paths to the other collaborative content in the overall network—also generates greater viewership. However, within these overall effects, there is considerable heterogeneity in how network characteristics relate to viewership. In addition, network effects are stronger for newer collaborative user-generated content. These findings have implications for fostering collaborative user-generated content.
Messung des Restgasdruckes in einer Wassertripelpunktzelle
Authors: Mittelstädt Hannelore
Published: January 2012

Es wird eine einfache Messvorrichtung zur Ermittlung des Restgasdruckes in einer abgeschlossenen Wassertripelpunktzelle beschrieben. Für die Vorrichtung wird eine Messskale berechnet.
Optische Inspektion von Blechmassivumformteilen und -werkzeugen mit feinen Nebenformelementen
Authors: Ohrt Christoph , Kästner Markus , Reithmeier Eduard , Weckenmann Albert , Weickmann Johannes
Published: January 2012

Die neuartige Fertigungstechnologie der Blechmassivumformung stellt besonders hohe Anforderungen an die Prüfung von Bauteilen und Werkzeugen. Hier werden mit der endoskopischen Streifenprojektion und der mehrskaligen Streifenprojektion zwei Verfahren vorgestellt, die eine optische Inspektion von Bauteilen und Werkzeugen erlauben.