bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of Thyroid Dysfunction during Pregnancy and Postpartum: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline
Authors: De Groot Leslie , Abalovich Marcos , Alexander Erik K. , Amino Nobuyuki , Barbour Linda , Cobin Rhoda H. , Eastman Creswell J. , Lazarus John H. , Luton Dominique , Mandel Susan J. , Mestman Jorge , Rovet Joanne , Sullivan Scott
Published: November 2012

Objective:

The aim was to update the guidelines for the management of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and postpartum published previously in 2007. A summary of changes between the 2007 and 2012 version is identified in the Supplemental Data (published on The Endocrine Society's Journals Online web site at http://jcem.endojournals.org).

Evidence:

This evidence-based guideline was developed according to the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force, grading items level A, B, C, D, or I, on the basis of the strength of evidence and magnitude of net benefit (benefits minus harms) as well as the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system to describe both the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence.

Consensus Process:

The guideline was developed through a series of e-mails, conference calls, and one face-to-face meeting. An initial draft was prepared by the Task Force, with the help of a medical writer, and reviewed and commented on by members of The Endocrine Society, Asia and Oceania Thyroid Association, and the Latin American Thyroid Society. A second draft was reviewed and approved by The Endocrine Society Council. At each stage of review, the Task Force received written comments and incorporated substantive changes.

Conclusions:

Practice guidelines are presented for diagnosis and treatment of patients with thyroid-related medical issues just before and during pregnancy and in the postpartum interval. These include evidence-based approaches to assessing the cause of the condition, treating it, and managing hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, gestational hyperthyroidism, thyroid autoimmunity, thyroid tumors, iodine nutrition, postpartum thyroiditis, and screening for thyroid disease. Indications and side effects of therapeutic agents used in treatment are also presented.
Endogenous ribosomal protein L29 (RPL29): a newly identified regulator of angiogenesis in mice
Authors: Jones Dylan T. , Lechertier Tanguy , Reynolds Louise E. , Mitter Richard , Robinson Stephen D. , Kirn-Safran Catherine B. , Hodivala-Dilke Kairbaan M.
Published: November 2012

Cellular ribosomal protein L29 (RPL29) is known to be important in protein synthesis, but its function during angiogenesis has never been described before. We have shown previously that mice lacking β3-integrins support enhanced tumour angiogenesis and, therefore, deletion of endothelial αvβ3 can provide a method for discovery of novel regulators of tumour angiogenesis. Here, we describe significant upregulation of RPL29 in β3-null endothelial cells at both the mRNA and protein level. Ex vivo, we show that VEGF-stimulated microvessel sprouting was reduced significantly in Rpl29-heterozygous and Rpl29-null aortic ring assays compared with wild-type controls. Moreover, we provide in vivo evidence that RPL29 can regulate tumour angiogenesis. Tumour blood vessel density in subcutaneously grown Lewis lung carcinomas was reduced significantly in Rpl29-mutant mice. Additionally, depletion of Rpl29 using RNA interference inhibited VEGF-induced aortic ring sprouting, suggesting that anti-RPL29 strategies might have anti-angiogenic potential. Overall, our results identify that loss or depletion of RPL29 can reduce angiogenesis in vivo and ex vivo.
Muscleblind, BSF and TBPH are mislocalized in the muscle sarcomere of aDrosophilamyotonic dystrophy model
Authors: Llamusi Beatriz , Bargiela Ariadna , Fernandez-Costa Juan M. , Garcia-Lopez Amparo , Klima Raffaella , Feiguin Fabian , Artero Ruben
Published: November 2012

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a genetic disease caused by the pathological expansion of a CTG trinucleotide repeat in the 3' UTR of the DMPK gene. In the DMPK transcripts, the CUG expansions sequester RNA-binding proteins into nuclear foci, including transcription factors and alternative splicing regulators such as MBNL1. MBNL1 sequestration has been associated with key features of DM1. However, the basis behind a number of molecular and histological alterations in DM1 remain unclear. To help identify new pathogenic components of the disease, we carried out a genetic screen using a Drosophila model of DM1 that expresses 480 interrupted CTG repeats, i(CTG)480, and a collection of 1215 transgenic RNA interference (RNAi) fly lines. Of the 34 modifiers identified, two RNA-binding proteins, TBPH (homolog of human TAR DNA-binding protein 43 or TDP-43) and BSF (Bicoid stability factor; homolog of human LRPPRC), were of particular interest. These factors modified i(CTG)480 phenotypes in the fly eye and wing, and TBPH silencing also suppressed CTG-induced defects in the flight muscles. In Drosophila flight muscle, TBPH, BSF and the fly ortholog of MBNL1, Muscleblind (Mbl), were detected in sarcomeric bands. Expression of i(CTG)480 resulted in changes in the sarcomeric patterns of these proteins, which could be restored by coexpression with human MBNL1. Epistasis studies showed that Mbl silencing was sufficient to induce a subcellular redistribution of TBPH and BSF proteins in the muscle, which mimicked the effect of i(CTG)480 expression. These results provide the first description of TBPH and BSF as targets of Mbl-mediated CTG toxicity, and they suggest an important role of these proteins in DM1 muscle pathology.
Temperature-dependent sex determination modulates cardiovascular maturation in embryonic snapping turtles, Chelydra serpentina
Authors: Alvine Travis , Rhen Turk , Crossley Dane A.
Published: November 2012

We investigated sex differences in cardiovascular maturation in embryos of the snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), a species with temperature-dependent sex determination. One group of eggs was incubated at 26.5°C to produce males. Another group of eggs was incubated at 26.5°C until embryos reached stage 17, eggs were then shifted to 31°C for six days to produce females, and returned to 26.5°C for the rest of embryogenesis. Thus, males and females were at the same temperature when autonomic tone was determined and for most of development. Cholinergic blockade increased resting blood pressure (Pm) and heart rate (fH) in both sexes at 75% and 90% of incubation. However, the magnitude of the fH response was enhanced in males when compared to females at 90% of incubation. β-adrenergic blockade increased Pm at 75% of incubation in both sexes but had no effect at 90% of incubation. β-adrenergic blockade reduced fH at both time points but produced a stronger response at 90% versus 75% of incubation. We found that α-adrenergic blockade decreased Pm in both sexes at 75% and 90% of incubation and decreased fH at 75% of incubation in both sexes. At 90% of incubation, fH decreased in females but not males. Although these data clearly demonstrate sexual dimorphism in the autonomic regulation of cardiovascular physiology in embryos, further studies are needed to test whether differences are caused by endocrine signals from gonads or by a hormone-independent temperature effect.
Implantation reduces the negative effects of bio-logging devices on birds
Authors: White Craig R. , Cassey Phillip , Schimpf Natalie G. , Halsey Lewis G. , Green Jonathan A. , Portugal Steven J.
Published: November 2012

Animal-borne logging or telemetry devices are widely used for the measurements of physiological and movement data from free-living animals. For such measurements to be relevant, however, it is essential that the devices themselves do not affect the data of interest. A recent meta-analysis (Barron et al. 2010; Methods Ecol Evol. 1:180-187) reported an overall negative effect of these devices on the birds that bear them, i.e. on nesting productivity, clutch size, nest initiation date, offspring quality, body condition, flying ability, foraging behaviours, energy expenditure or survival rate. Method of attachment (Harness, Collar, Glue, Anchor, Implant, Breast-mounted, Tailmount) had no influence on the strength of these effects but anchored and implanted transmitters had the highest reported rates of device-induced mortality. Furthermore, external devices, but not internal devices, caused an increase in 'device-induced behaviour' (comfort behaviours such as preening, fluffing and stretching, and unrest activities including unquantifiable 'active' behaviours). These findings suggest that, with the exception of device-induced behaviour, external attachment is preferable to implantation. In the present study we undertake a meta-analysis of 183 estimates of device impact from 39 studies of 36 species of bird designed to explicitly compare the effects of externally-attached and surgically-implanted devices on a range of traits, including condition, energy expenditure, and reproduction. In contrast to Barron et al., we demonstrate that externally-attached devices have a consistent detrimental effect (i.e., negative influences on body condition, reproduction, metabolism, and survival), whereas implanted devices have no consistent effect. We also show that the magnitude of the negative effect of externally attached devices decreases with time. We therefore conclude that device implantation is preferable to external attachment, providing that the risk of mortality associated with the anaesthesia and surgery required for implantation can be mitigated. We recommend that studies employing external devices use devices that can be borne for long periods, and, wherever possible, deploy devices in advance of the time period of interest.
Condition-dependent strategies of eggshell pigmentation: an experimental study of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
Authors: Duval Camille , Cassey Phillip , Mikšík Ivan , Reynolds James , Spencer Karen
Published: November 2012

A relationship has been suggested between eggshell colour and female body condition based on the opposing antioxidant properties of the two main eggshell pigments: the antioxidant biliverdin (blue-green) and the pro-oxidant protoporphyrin (brown). We hypothesised that experimentally food-restricted females with low antioxidant capacity would deposit more protoporphyrin and less biliverdin in their eggshells, resulting in eggshells of reduced brightness but increased colour intensity. Two eggs were collected at the beginning and two at the end of a 2-week period from each of 24 female Japanese quails that were either food-restricted or receiving ad libitum food (i.e. controls) during that time. Reflectance spectra were recorded and analysed using spectral shape descriptors, chromatic and achromatic contrasts were computed accounting for avian visual sensitivities, and eggshell pigments were quantified. We examined both spot and background pigmentation and found no significant effect of food restriction on eggshell reflectance. However, food-restricted females in lower body condition increased the deposition of protoporphyrin and decreased the amount of biliverdin invested into their eggshells. We hypothesise that in species laying brown-spotted eggshells, females modulate eggshell pigment investment in response to their body condition. According to this hypothesis, we predict that females maintain eggshell colour to limit visible changes that could be detected by predators and thereby conceal their eggs, although this work has yet to be conducted. We suggest that further experimental work on egg camouflage under different environmental conditions will elaborate the process of pigment deposition and the physiological costs to females of laying heavily pigmented eggshells.
Low pass filters and differential tympanal tuning in a paleotropical bushcricket with an unusually low frequency call
Authors: Rajaraman Kaveri , Mhatre Natasha , Jain Manjari , Postles Mathew , Balakrishnan Rohini , Robert Daniel
Published: November 2012

Low frequency sounds are advantageous for long-range acoustic signal transmission, but for small animals, they constitute a challenge for signal detection and localization. The efficient detection of sound in insects is enhanced by mechanical resonance either in the tracheal or tympanal system before subsequent neuronal amplification. Making small structures resonant at low sound frequencies poses challenges for insects and has not been adequately studied. Similarly, detecting the direction of long-wavelength sound using interaural signal amplitude and/or phase differences is difficult for small animals. Pseudophylline bushcrickets predominantly call at high, often ultrasonic frequencies, but a few paleotropical species use lower frequencies. We investigated the mechanical frequency tuning of the tympana of one such species, Onomarchus uninotatus, a large bushcricket that produces a narrow bandwidth call at an unusually low carrier frequency of 3.2 kHz. Onomarchus uninotatus, like most bushcrickets, has two large tympanal membranes on each fore-tibia. We found that both these membranes vibrate like hinged flaps anchored at the dorsal wall and do not show higher modes of vibration in the frequency range investigated (1.5-20 kHz). The anterior tympanal membrane acts as a low-pass filter, attenuating sounds at frequencies above 3.5 kHz, in contrast to the high-pass filter characteristic of other bushcricket tympana. Responses to higher frequencies are partitioned to the posterior tympanal membrane, which shows maximal sensitivity at several broad frequency ranges, peaking at 3.1, 7.4 and 14.4 kHz. This partitioning between the two tympanal membranes constitutes an unusual feature of peripheral auditory processing in insects. The complex tracheal shape of O. uninotatus also deviates from the known tube or horn shapes associated with simple band-pass or high-pass amplification of tracheal input to the tympana. Interestingly, while the anterior tympanal membrane shows directional sensitivity at conspecific call frequencies, the posterior tympanal membrane is not directional at conspecific frequencies and instead shows directionality at higher frequencies.
Thermal effects on motor control andin vitromuscle dynamics of the ballistic tongue apparatus in chameleons
Authors: Anderson Christopher V. , Deban Stephen M.
Published: November 2012

Temperature strongly affects whole organism performance through its effect on muscle contractile rate properties, but movements powered by elastic recoil are liberated from much of the performance decline experienced by muscle-powered movements at low temperature. We examined the motor control and muscle contractile physiology underlying an elastically powered movement - tongue projection in chameleons - and the associated muscle powered retraction to test the premise that the thermal dependence of muscle contractile dynamics is conserved. We further tested the associated hypothesis that motor control patterns and muscle contractile dynamics must change as body temperature varies, despite the thermal robustness of tongue-projection performance. We found that, over 14-26°C, the latency between the onset of the tongue projector muscle activity and tongue projection was significantly affected by temperature (Q10 of 2.56), as were dynamic contractile properties of the tongue projector and retractor muscles (Q10 of 1.48-5.72), supporting our hypothesis that contractile rates slow with decreasing temperature and activity durations of the projector muscle increase at low temperatures as a result. Over 24-36°C, thermal effects on motor control and muscle contractile properties declined, indicating that temperature effects are more extreme across lower temperature ranges. Over the entire 14-36°C range, intensity of muscle activity for the tongue muscles were not affected by temperature, indicating that recruitment of motor units in neither muscle increases with decreasing temperature to compensate for declining contractile rates. These results reveal that specializations in morphology and motor control, not muscle contractile physiology, are responsible for the thermal robustness of tongue projection in chameleons.
The energy cost of voluntary running in weasels,Mustela nivalis
Authors: Chappell Mark A. , Szafrańska Paulina A. , Zub Karol , Konarzewski Marek
Published: November 2012

The small size and elongate shape of weasels (Mustela nivalis Linnaeus) probably evolved to facilitate movement within the burrow systems of prey species, but result in high energy costs of thermoregulation. In this study we measured metabolic rates of weasels during voluntary locomotion to determine if energy costs of transport are also high in these unusually shaped mammals. In addtion, we measured the lower and upper limits of aerobic metabolism (resting metabolic rate; RMR, and maximal oxygen consumption in forced exercise; VO2max), and used the wide size range of adult weasels to investigate the intraspecific scaling of energy metabolism. Finally, we combined measurements of energy use during running with radiotracking and doubly-labeled water data from free-living weasels to estimate the importance of locomotor costs in daily energy budgets. We found that weasels have higher than predicted costs of running, largely due to an elevated intercept of the speed versus metabolic rate relationship. Running costs were strongly affected by the ~ 4-fold range of body size in adults. As reported in other studies, the RMR of weasels was considerably higher than predicted from body mass. Maximal oxygen consumption was also higher than predicted, but factorial aerobic scope (VO2max/RMR) was within the normal range for mammals. Intraspecific mass scaling of RMR and VO2max did not differ from typical interspecific mammalian allometries. In wild weasels, locomotor costs comprised roughly 5% of daily energy expenditures; this small value was primarily a result of low travel times and distances.
CeO2-catalyzed Transformations of Nitriles and Amides
Authors: Tamura Masazumi , Shimizu Ken-ichi , Satsuma Atsushi
Published: November 2012

Recently, cerium oxides have been extensively used as heterogeneous catalysts for green organic reactions. This review describes recent progress in such reactions, with a focus on our studies on pure CeO2-catalyzed reactions of nitriles and amides with nucleophiles (H2O, alcohols, and amines). Hydration of nitriles to amides in water, one-pot ester synthesis from nitriles and alcohols, one-pot synthesis of N-alkylamides from nitriles with amines, and synthesis of N-alkylamides from amides and amines (transamidation) are selectively catalyzed by CeO2 under aqueous or solvent-free conditions. Mechanistic studies suggest that a cooperation of Lewis acid site (Ce4+ cation) and acid–base (Ce–O) pair site plays essential roles in the catalytic reactions.
Chromatography Using Ternary Water–Acetonitrile–Ethyl Acetate Mixture as a Carrier Solution on a Microchip Incorporating Microchannels
Authors: Matsuda Takafumi , Jinno Naoya , Yamashita Kenichi , Maeda Hideaki , Arai Akihiro , Hashimoto Masahiko , Tsukagoshi Kazuhiko
Published: November 2012

An open-tubular capillary chromatography system has been developed using a ternary mixed solvent solution, i.e., water–hydrophilic/hydrophobic organic solvent mixture as a carrier solution. The system is called “tube radial distribution chromatography (TRDC).” In this study, we tried to carry out the TRDC on a microchip incorporating microchannels. A model analyte solution of isoluminol isothiocyanate (ILITC) and ILITC-labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA) was injected to the double T-junction part (0.5 mm length, ca. 2 nL) on the microchip. The analyte solution was then delivered in the separation microchannel (40 µm in depth, 100 µm in width, and 22 cm in length) with a ternary water–acetonitrile–ethyl acetate mixture carrier solution (3:8:4, volume ratio). The model analytes, the ILITC and the labeled BSA were separated through the microchannel, where the carrier solvents were radially distributed in the separation channel generating inner and outer phases. This phenomenon of the solvents is called “tube radial distribution phenomenon (TRDP).” The outer phase functions as a pseudo-stationary phase under laminar flow conditions in the chromatography, i.e., TRDC. Finally, the ILITC and the labeled BSA were eluted in this order and detected with chemiluminescence reaction.
New Fluorogenic Benzothiadiazole and Benzoselenadiazole Reagents to Yield Environment-sensitive Fluorophores via a Reaction with Amines
Authors: Kawamoto Kyoko , Uchiyama Seiichi
Published: November 2012

We introduce 7-fluoro-4-N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole and 7-fluoro-4-N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl-2,1,3-benzoselenadiazole as new fluorogenic reagents for amines. These reagents are nonfluorescent themselves and can easily react with nonfluorescent amines to produce environment-sensitive fluorophores. Herein, we report the synthesis of the new reagents and the fluorescence properties of the reagents and their amine derivatives as well as the reactivity of the new reagents toward amines.
Supercritical Water Gasification of Organosolv Lignin over a Graphite-supported Ruthenium Metal Catalyst
Authors: Shirai Masayuki , Hiyoshi Norihito , Murakami Yuka , Osada Mitsumasa , Sato Osamu , Yamaguchi Aritomo
Published: November 2012

A graphite-supported ruthenium metal catalyst was highly active for catalytic gasification of organosolv lignin in supercritical water at 673 K because of the easy accessibility of the reaction intermediates to ruthenium metal sites on the graphite surface, compared to a charcoal-supported ruthenium metal catalyst.
Efficient Cesium Adsorbent Using Prussian Blue Nanoparticles Immobilized on Cotton Matrices
Authors: Kitajima Akiko , Tanaka Hisashi , Minami Nobutsugu , Yoshino Kazunori , Kawamoto Tohru
Published: November 2012

An efficient cesium adsorbent has been developed using Prussian blue nanoparticles immobilized on cotton gauze. A cesium decontamination factor of the order of 106 is achieved by passing cesium solutions through a column filled with 1.81 g of the adsorbent. In this study, two ion-exchange steps were used, i.e., Na+ to K+ for immobilization of nanoparticles on matrices and K+ to Cs+ for adsorption. The new cesium adsorbent shows promise for the decontamination of radioactive cesium.
Evaluation of left renal vein entrapment using multidetector computed tomography
Authors: Poyraz Ahmet K , Firdolas Fatih , Onur Mehmet R , Kocakoc Ercan
Published: November 2012

Background

Nutcracker syndrome, also called left renal vein entrapment syndrome, is a cause of non-glomerular hematuria with difficulties in diagnosis. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is a powerful tool to prevent unnecessary diagnostic procedures.

Purpose

To retrospectively determine the prevalence of nutcracker phenomenon and nutcracker syndrome seen in MDCT in consecutive patients.

Material and Methods

The institutional review board approved the study and waived the requirement for informed consent. Abdominal contrast-enhanced MDCT scans were reviewed from 1000 consecutive patients. MDCT scan assessment included renal vein diameter measurements and evaluation for the presence of anterior or posterior left renal vein entrapment. Electronic medical records and urine analysis reports of patients with left renal vein entrapment were reviewed. Student's t test was used to assess differences in renal vein diameter in patients with left renal vein entrapment.

Results

Left renal vein entrapment was observed in 10.9% (109), retro-aortic left renal vein in 6.5% (65), entrapment of left renal vein between superior mesenteric artery and aorta in 4.1% (41), and circumaortic left renal vein in 0.3% ( 3 ) of patients. Mean diameters of right (8.8±1.9 mm) and unentrapped left (8.9±1.8 mm) renal veins were not significantly different ( P = 0.1). The mean diameter of anterior entrapped left renal veins (10.3±2 mm) was significantly greater ( P = 0.04) than contralateral renal veins (8.6±2.1 mm) in their widest portion. In 8.8% of patients with the left renal vein entrapment, urine analysis showed isomorphic hematuria or proteinuria with no other known cause. Varicocele and pelvic congestion were seen in 5.5% of patients with the left renal vein entrapment.

Conclusion

Left renal vein entrapment is not a rare entity and renal nutcracker phenomenon might be underdiagnosed.
Acute febrile illness in cirrhosis – thinking beyond spontaneous bacterial peritonitis!
Authors: Jain Ajay K , Sircar Shohini , Jain Mayank , Adkar Sagar , Waghmare Chandrashekhar , Chahwala Fatema
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study was to look at the aetiological factors presenting as acute febrile illness in cirrhotic patients. The study group included all cirrhotic patients admitted as inpatients between January and December 2011 with a history of fever of less than seven days duration. Detailed history, clinical examination and investigations, as required, were noted. The data collected were analysed. A total of 42 patients formed the study group. The male-to-female ratio was 9.5:1. The mean age at presentation was 45.09 years (24 –77 years). The aetiological factors for fever were: spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (20), lower respiratory tract infection (8), urinary tract infection (6), lower limb cellulitis (4), acute cholecystitis (2) and malaria (2). The mean MELD (model for end-stage liver disease) score at presentation was 20.4. Three patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and a mean MELD score of 31 died during the hospital admission. Febrile illness in cirrhosis is attributable to multiple causes. Outcome is dependent on the severity of underlying liver disease.
Improving case fatality rate of adult tetanus in urban Nigeria: focus on better facilities of care
Authors: Oshinaike Olajumoke O , Ojelabi Olaitan O , Ogbera Anthonia O , Ojo Oluwadamilare O , Ajose Frances A , Okubadejo Njideka U
Published: November 2012

Tetanus is a life threatening preventable infection with a high mortality. Our aim was to determine the current case fatality rate at our centre in a retrospective case review of patients aged >10 years who had been hospitalized with tetanus between August 2006 and July 2011. We show the intrahospital case fatality rate. Data are based on 176 cases for which we had sufficient information. There was a preponderance of males (3.09:1); 167 (95%) had generalized tetanus and nine (5%) had localized tetanus. The overall case fatality rate was 56.2% and was higher in males (64.4%) than females (27.9%; P = 0.0001). In a multivariate analysis, older age ( P = 0.000), male gender ( P = 0.005) and a longer duration of admission ( P = 0.004) were significant determinants of outcome. The case fatality rate of tetanus has declined at our centre from 70% between January 2004 and March 2006 to 56.2% currently. Improved facilities are required in order to significantly reduce adverse outcome from tetanus.
Is There a Co-Association Between Renal or Retroperitoneal Tumours and Scrotal Varicoceles? A Systematic Review
Authors: Robson James , Wolstenhulme Stephen , Knapp Peter
Published: November 2012

Scrotal varicoceles, which are relatively common, are sometimes caused by venous flow disturbance resulting from a renal or retroperitoneal tumour. Consequently, it is common practice to perform extended renal and retroperitoneal scans following varicocele identification. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the extent of the co-association between renal or retroperitoneal tumours and scrotal varicoceles using primary research literature. We conducted a search of 11 electronic databases; hand-searched five relevant textbooks; and conducted forward- and backward-citation searches of included articles. Articles that were included were assessed for research quality and data extracted. Twenty-four articles were found, comprising 19 case reports and five case series, reporting 35 cases in total. All cases had both a varicocele and a tumour (renal, retroperitoneal or other). We found no cohort or case–control studies. In conclusion, case reports and case series are susceptible to significant publication bias and the lack of any cohort or case–control studies meant that it was not possible to establish the extent of the co-association between renal or retroperitoneal tumours and scrotal varicoceles. It was not possible to estimate the value of conducting an extended scan in patients with scrotal varicoceles. Research is needed, particularly of a cohort or case-control design and including a robust sampling method, to examine the extent of any co-association. Meanwhile, extended renal or retroperitoneal scans should be undertaken when diagnosing all varicoceles, regardless of patient age, until this research is completed.
Structural Response of a Commercial Wind Turbine to Various Stopping Events
Authors: Bas Jeffrey , Smith Jamie , Carriveau Rupp , Cheng Shaohong , Ting David S-K , Newson Tim
Published: November 2012

Increases in forced curtailments at commercial wind farms have triggered a need to investigate turbine behaviour during stopping events. A 2.3 MW commercial horizontal axis wind turbine instrumented with a fiber Bragg grating strain array was subjected to the three most common types of stopping sequences performed by the turbine to measure the supporting tower's structural response. An overview of each considered stop type is included identifying their individual mechanical processes as well as their specific triggers. The along-wind and transverse strain measurements at varying elevations of the tower are presented and discussed. Distinguishable response characteristics for each stop type are identified at stop initiation, during rotor deceleration, and following event completion. Results obtained are subsequently compared to the tower strain reactions as a result of typical power production as well as pure yawing of the nacelle. Furthermore, the strain signal has been subjected to a discrete wavelet transform identifying variations in the signal frequency content, triggered by the stopping events.
Noise Source Localization Using a Compact Phased Array: Studies on a Full Scale Wind Turbine in a Wind Farm
Authors: Ramachandran Rakesh C. , Raman Ganesh , Dougherty Robert P.
Published: November 2012

Locating the dominant noise sources on a wind turbine is an important problem in designing and developing low noise wind turbines. Previously very large microphone arrays were used to locate these sources. The primary focus of this paper is to show that using a compact and mobile microphone array with advanced beamforming algorithms, the noise sources can be successfully located and quantified. The results from the qualification experiments on the microphone array conducted in laboratory using synthetic noise sources show the differences between the various beamforming algorithms used in this study (both frequency and time domain algorithms). The initial experimental results on a full scale wind turbine reveal that it is indeed possible to locate the noise sources using a compact microphone array by successfully locating the two dominant noise sources on the wind turbine namely, aerodynamic noise near the blade tip and mechanical noise from nacelle.
A structure-based model of RIG-I activation
Authors: Kolakofsky Daniel , Kowalinski Eva , Cusack Stephen
Published: November 2012

A series of high-resolution crystal structures of RIG-I and RIG-I:dsRNA cocrystals has recently been reported. Comparison of these structures provides considerable insight into how this innate immune pattern recognition receptor is activated upon detecting and binding a certain class of viral RNAs.
Structure and mechanism of the polynucleotide kinase component of the bacterial Pnkp-Hen1 RNA repair system
Authors: Wang Li Kai , Das Ushati , Smith Paul , Shuman Stewart
Published: November 2012

Pnkp is the end-healing and end-sealing component of an RNA repair system present in diverse bacteria from many phyla. Pnkp is composed of three catalytic modules: an N-terminal polynucleotide 5′-kinase, a central 2′,3′ phosphatase, and a C-terminal ligase. Here we report the crystal structure of the kinase domain of Clostridium thermocellum Pnkp bound to ATP•Mg2+ (substrate complex) and ADP•Mg2+ (product complex). The protein consists of a core P-loop phosphotransferase fold embellished by a distinctive homodimerization module composed of secondary structure elements derived from the N and C termini of the kinase domain. ATP is bound within a crescent-shaped groove formed by the P-loop (15GSSGSGKST23) and an overlying helix-loop-helix “lid.” The α and β phosphates are engaged by a network of hydrogen bonds from Thr23 and the P-loop main-chain amides; the γ phosphate is anchored by the lid residues Arg120 and Arg123. The P-loop lysine (Lys21) and the catalytic Mg2+ bridge the ATP β and γ phosphates. The P-loop serine (Ser22) is the sole enzymic constituent of the octahedral metal coordination complex. Structure-guided mutational analysis underscored the essential contributions of Lys21 and Ser22 in the ATP donor site and Asp38 and Arg41 in the phosphoacceptor site. Our studies suggest a catalytic mechanism whereby Asp38 (as general base) activates the polynucleotide 5′-OH for its nucleophilic attack on the γ phosphorus and Lys21 and Mg2+ stabilize the transition state.
Diabetic Nephropathy and Extracellular Matrix
Authors: Kolset S. O. , Reinholt F. P. , Jenssen T.
Published: November 2012

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious complication in diabetes. Major typical morphological changes are the result of changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Thus, basement membranes are thickened and the glomerular mesangial matrix and the tubulointerstitial space are expanded, due to increased amounts of ECM. One important ECM component, the proteoglycans (PGs), shows a more complex pattern of changes in DN. PGs in basement membranes are decreased but increased in the mesangium and the tubulointerstitial space. The amounts and structures of heparan sulfate chains are changed, and such changes affect levels of growth factors regulating cell proliferation and ECM synthesis, with cell attachment affecting endothelial cells and podocytes. Enzymes modulating heparan sulfate structures, such as heparanase and sulfatases, are implicated in DN. Other enzyme classes also modulate ECM proteins and PGs, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and serine proteases, such as plasminogen activator, as well as their corresponding inhibitors. The levels of these enzymes and inhibitors are changed in plasma and in the kidneys in DN. Several growth factors, signaling pathways, and hyperglycemia per se affect ECM synthesis and turnover in DN. Whether ECM components can be used as markers for early kidney changes is an important research topic, whereas at present, the clinical use remains to be established.
Novel Control of Photovoltaic based Water Pumping System without Energy Storage
Authors: Bhende Chandrashekhar N. , Malla Siva G.
Published: November 2012

Photovoltaic (PV) based water pumping systems are used for irrigation and drinking water. PV based pumping systems without battery can provide a cost-effective solution. In this paper an integrated controller is proposed for the operation of a stand-alone PV based water pumping system without battery storage. To incorporate PV based water pumping system, two schematics and corresponding controllers (i.e, power and voltage based) are proposed. In voltage based control scheme, inverter not only controls the voltage but also acts as maximum power point tracker for PV. Hence no extra dc-dc converter is required to extract maximum power from solar. The proposed integrated controller requires only measurements of dc-link voltage and load currents, no need to measure the PV and load powers. Under light load condition, dc-link voltage will go up, hence, in order to protect dc bus resistive type of dump load is connected so that it will consume the surplus power from PV. Effective control coordination is developed to switch ON/OFF the induction motors so that negligible power wasted in dump load under scenario of PV power is more than load. Results are presented based on different cases of irrigation pumping application and availability of solar irradiance. Extensive simulation is carried out using Matlab/Simulink and through simulation results it is shows that the performance of proposed controller is quite satisfactory.
Carotenoid Production by Phaffia rhodozyma Using Raw Glycerol as an Additional Carbon Source
Authors: Silva Carolina M. , Borba Thais M. , Burkert Carlos A V. , Burkert Janaína F M.
Published: November 2012

This paper presents pure glycerol and raw glycerol as additional carbon sources in the production of carotenoids by Phaffia rhodozyma NRRL Y-17268. Batch cultures in shaken flasks were performed in order to verify the effects of temperature cultivation (20 and 25ºC) and pure glycerol concentration (0, 10 and 40 g.L-1). The increase from 20 to 25ºC led to a significant increase (p<0.05) in cell concentration for all the pure glycerol concentrations, reaching the maximum levels of 8.9 g.L-1 of biomass (168 h), specific production of carotenoids (SPC) of 91.0 μg.g-1 (72 h) and volumetric production of carotenoids (VPC) of 2.0 μg.mL-1 (168 h) with 40 g.L-1 of pure glycerol at 25ºC. The use of 40 g.L-1 of raw glycerol at the same temperature resulted in a carotenogenic production showing no significant difference (p>0.05) in pure glycerol, reaching the maximum values of 8.3 g.L-1 of biomass (168 h) and within 120 h SPC 275.5 μg.g-1 and VPC 1.7 μg.mL-1. Therefore, the pure glycerol and raw glycerol can be used as additional carbon sources in the culture medium of P. rhodozyma.
Soil preparation and forage sowing time for crop-livestock integration in corn culture
Authors: Fritsch Luiz Fernando de Andrade , Carvalho Marco Antonio Camillo de , Dallacort Rivanildo , Santos Cristiano
Published: November 2012

This work was carried out during the 2008/2009 crop season, in an Oxisol. It was used a split-plot arrangement design, with each plot corresponding to a different soil preparation system and each split-plot corresponding to a different sowing time of the forage Brachiaria brizantha Stapf. The soil preparation systems were: heavy harrowing (HH), disk plough (DP), chisel plough (CP) and no-till (NT), and the forage sowing times were: 0, 8, 16 and 25 days after sowing (DAS) of corn, arranged in 16 treatments with 3 replicates. The productive and vegetative characteristics of the corn were evaluated. Soil preparations have influenced plant height and the first ear height, with the highest value found for the heavy harrow treatment. Forage sowing time had no influence on vegetative characteristics of the corn and productive characteristics were not influenced by the soil preparations. The forage sowing time had influence on corn productivity, causing decrease in competition with corn forage from 5 DAS. The productivity was highly correlated with the number of grains per ear.
Efetividade de programa de controle de qualidade em mamografia para o Sistema Único de Saúde
Authors: Corrêa Rosangela da Silveira , Freitas-Junior Ruffo , Peixoto João Emílio , Rodrigues Danielle Cristina Netto , Lemos Maria Eugênia Fonseca , Dias Cíntia Melazo , Ferreira Rubemar de Souza , Rahal Rosemar Macedo Souza
Published: November 2012

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a efetividade de um programa de controle de qualidade de imagem nos serviços de mamografia da rede do Sistema Único de Saúde. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo com análise temporal do tipo "antes e depois" de uma ação de vigilância em saúde. Participaram do estudo 35 serviços que tinham mamógrafos em operação e realizavam exames regularmente em Goiás entre 2007 e 2009. Foram avaliados os serviços, por testes de desempenho de mamógrafos, processadoras e demais materiais em três visitas técnicas, a qualidade da imagem e a dose de entrada no simulador radiográfico de mama. Cada serviço recebeu uma pontuação correspondente ao percentual dos testes em conformidade com os padrões. RESULTADOS: Os percentuais médios de conformidade dos serviços foram de 64,1% (± 13,3%) na primeira visita, 68,4% (± 15,9%) na segunda e 77,1% (± 13,3%) na terceira (p < 0,001). As principais melhorias foram decorrentes dos ajustes da força de compressão da mama, do controle automático de exposição e do alinhamento da bandeja de compressão. As doses medidas estavam dentro da faixa de conformidade em 80% dos serviços avaliados. CONCLUSÕES: A implantação do programa nos serviços foi efetiva para a melhoria dos parâmetros de operação do mamógrafo, embora 40% dos serviços não tenham alcançado o nível aceitável de 70%. Este resultado indica a necessidade de haver continuidade na vigilância em saúde.
Avaliação de operadoras de saúde por usuários pelo método Analytic Hierarchy Process
Authors: Wollmann Dewey , Steiner Maria Teresinha Arns , Vieira Guilherme Ernani , Steiner Patrícia Arns
Published: November 2012

OBJETIVO: Analisar a qualidade dos serviços oferecidos por empresas operadoras de planos de saúde, segundo a percepção de usuários. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 360 usuários de sete operadoras de planos de saúde da cidade de Curitiba, PR, e região metropolitana em 2008. Foi aplicado questionário sobre as preferências dos usuários em relação a seis atributos (localização dos pontos de atendimento; efetividade da ação dos médicos, clínicas e hospitais; rapidez e amabilidade no atendimento; facilidade na liberação de guias; preço; abrangência da rede credenciada) de cada uma das empresas operadoras. Para a análise das respostas foi utilizado o método Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP, ou Processo Analítico de Hierarquia), ferramenta de análise de decisão e planejamento de múltiplos critérios. RESULTADOS: O atributo mais valorizado pelos usuários foi "preço". As empresas foram agrupadas em dois conjuntos de preferências em relação aos atributos: dos sete planos de saúde, dois apresentaram menor preferência (entre 23% e 19%) e cinco, maior preferência (em torno de 10%). CONCLUSÕES: Com esse tipo de pesquisa, as empresas operadoras de planos de saúde poderiam reformular suas estruturas, processos, preços e redes credenciadas com o objetivo de melhorar seu posicionamento no mercado.
Médicos, advogados e indústria farmacêutica na judicialização da saúde em Minas Gerais, Brasil
Authors: Campos Neto Orozimbo Henriques , Acurcio Francisco de Assis , Machado Marina Amaral de Ávila , Ferré Felipe , Barbosa Fernanda Loureiro Vasconcelos , Cherchiglia Mariângela Leal , Andrade Eli Iola Gurgel
Published: November 2012

OBJETIVO: Descrever as relações entre médico prescritor, advogado e indústria farmacêutica em ações judiciais contra o Estado. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo retrospectivo com base nas informações dos expedientes administrativos dos processos judiciais com demandas por medicamentos contra o Estado de Minas Gerais movidos entre outubro de 1999 e outubro de 2009. As variáveis estudadas foram: sexo, idade e doença dos beneficiários das ações, origem do atendimento médico (público ou privado), médico prescritor, tipo de representação jurídica e medicamento solicitado. Foi realizada análise descritiva das variáveis com a distribuição de frequências. RESULTADOS: Foram analisadas 2.412 ações judiciais referentes a 2.880 medicamentos solicitados, com 18 fármacos diferentes. Entre esses, 12 são fornecidos pelas políticas de assistência farmacêutica do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Os medicamentos mais solicitados foram adalimumabe, etanercepte, infliximabe e insulina glargina. As principais doenças dos beneficiários foram artrite reumatóide, espondilite anquilosante, diabetes mellitus e doenças pulmonares obstrutivas crônicas. Houve predomínio de representação por advogados particulares e atendimento por médicos do setor privado. Entre as ações representadas pelo escritório A, 43,6% tiveram um único médico prescritor para o adalimumabe e 29 médicos foram responsáveis por 40,2% dos pedidos do mesmo fármaco. Apenas um médico foi responsável por 16,5% das prescrições de adalimumabe, solicitado por apenas um escritório particular de advocacia, em 44,8% dos pedidos. CONCLUSÕES: A maior representatividade de médicos do setor privado e advogados particulares pode trazer prejuízo à equidade. Os dados sugerem associação entre médicos e escritórios de advocacia nas solicitações dos medicamentos. Esse quadro é um indício de que a Justiça e a medicina têm sido utilizadas para atender aos interesses da indústria farmacêutica.
Risco e segurança sanitária: análise do reprocessamento de produtos médicos em hospitais de Salvador, BA
Authors: Costa Eliana Auxiliadora Magalhães , Costa Ediná Alves
Published: November 2012

OBJETIVO: Analisar condições técnicas do reprocessamento de produtos médicos em hospitais. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo de casos múltiplos em centros de material e esterilização de quatro hospitais da cidade de Salvador, BA, em 2010. Foram realizadas entrevista semiestruturada e observação direta, com base em modelo regulatório de reprocessamento de produtos médicos elaborado com a técnica de Conferência de Consenso como padrão de referência. As categorias analíticas utilizadas neste estudo foram: gerenciamento da prática de reprocessamento de produtos médicos, protocolos de reprocessamento, monitoramento do processo de esterilização e rastreabilidade de produtos. Essas categorias foram pontuadas segundo sua conformidade com o modelo regulatório de reprocessamento utilizado. RESULTADOS: Observou-se inadequação generalizada das condições técnicas de reprocessamento de produtos médicos, das condições estruturais dos centros de material e esterilização estudados e das condições dos processos de trabalho, além de dificuldades organizacionais e gerenciais que interferiram nas práticas analisadas. CONCLUSÕES: As práticas de reprocessamento dos produtos médicos nos hospitais analisados configuram risco para os pacientes usuários. É necessária a adoção de um sistema de gerenciamento de risco nesses hospitais e de maior controle sanitário pelo Estado, a fim de proteger a saúde dos pacientes.