bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pituitary granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Authors: Slabu Hannah , Arnason Terra
Published: May 2013

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a small vessel vasculitis that can affect several organs, most commonly the respiratory tract and kidneys. Pituitary involvement is exceptionally rare. Most case reports of GPA of the pituitary gland have been described in middle-aged women who have concomitant ears, nose and throat involvement. The most frequent manifestation is diabetes insipidus due to a preponderance of posterior pituitary infiltration. The majority of cases sustain permanent damage to the pituitary gland even with remission of the underlying granulomatous disease. Here, the authors describe a case of pituitary GPA involving both the anterior and posterior pituitary glands with permanent residual pituitary insufficiency.
Hyperphosphatemic tumoral calcinosis
Authors: Mallick Saumyaranjan , Ahmad Zohra , Gupta Arun K , Mathur Sandeep R
Published: May 2013

Tumoral calcinosis (TC) is a rare locally aggressive lesion characterised by extra-articular soft tissue deposition of the calcium phosphate around large joints. The exact aetiology is not known. A 19–year–old boy presented with a painful progressive swelling around the bilateral elbow and left hip joints over a 6–month duration. Routine laboratory results showed a normal haemogram, and normal calcium and high phosphate levels. Imaging showed a soft tissue calcified mass around these joints. The cut surface of the excised mass showed myxoid material with areas of calcification. On microscopy, there were typical features of TC. Our case is being presented due to the rarity of the entity and the peculiar dual energy CT (DECT) finding which are being described for the first time in this pathology.
Body mass index and perioperative complications after oesophagectomy for adenocarcinoma: a systematic database review
Authors: Melis Marcovalerio , Weber Jill , Shridhar Ravi , Hoffe Sarah , Almhanna Khaldoun , Karl Richard C , Meredith Kenneth L
Published: May 2013

Objective

Given the increasing rate of obesity, the effects of excessive body weight on surgical outcomes constitute a relevant quality of care concern. Our aim was to determine the relationship between preoperative body mass index (BMI) on perioperative complications after oesophagectomy for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.

Design

Retrospective database review.

Setting

Single institution high volume oncological tertiary care referral centre.

Participants

From our comprehensive oesophageal cancer database consisting of 709 patients, we stratified patients according to BMI: 155 normal-weight (BMI 20–24), 198 overweight (BMI 25–29) and 187 obese (BMI ≥30) patients.

Interventions

All patients underwent oesophagectomy for cancer.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Incidences of preoperative risk factors and perioperative complications in each group were analysed.

Results

The patient cohort consisted of 474 men and 66 women with a mean age of 64.3 years (28–86). They were similar in terms of demographics and comorbidities, with the exception of a younger age (65.2 vs 65.4 vs 62.5 years, p=0.0094), and a higher incidence of diabetes (9.1% vs 13.2% vs 22.7%, p=0.001), hiatal hernia (16.8% vs 17.8% vs 28.8%, p=0.009) and Barrett oesophagus (24.7% vs 25.4% vs 36.2%, p=0.025) for obese patients. The type of surgery performed, overall blood loss, extent of lymphadenectomy, R0 resections and complications were not influenced by BMI on univariate and multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

In our experience, patients with an elevated BMI and oesophageal adenocarcinoma do not experience an increase in morbidity and mortality after oesophagectomy as stated in previous reports, when performed at a high volume centre. Additionally, BMI did not affect the quality of oncological resection as determined by number of harvested lymph-nodes and rates of R0 resections.

Trial Registration

MCC 15030, IRB 105286.
A cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals to determine what they believe constitutes ‘specialist’ care for teenage and young adult patients with cancer
Authors: Birch Rebecca J , Morris Eva J A , West Robert M , Stark Dan P , Lewis Ian , Morgan Sue , Feltbower Richard G
Published: May 2013

Objectives

To examine the attitudes of UK healthcare professionals towards what they believe constitutes specialist care for teenage and young adult (TYA) patients with cancer, to determine which factors they considered to be the most important components of specialist TYA care, and whether opinion varied between clinical specialties and reflected the drivers for care improvements within National Health Service (NHS) policy.

Design and methods

The study utilised a cross-sectional survey, using Likert scales, to assess attitudes towards specialist care. Responses were grouped using model-based clustering methods implemented in LatentGold 4.5.

Setting

Participants from 98 NHS trusts in the UK were invited to participate in the study.

Participants

691 healthcare professionals involved in the management of TYA patients were approached; of these, 338 responded.

Results

338 healthcare professionals responded (51.9% of those invited). Responses were grouped into three clusters according to the pattern of responses to the questions. One cluster rated age-appropriate care above all else, the second rated both age and site-appropriate care highly while the third assigned more importance to site-specific care. Overall, the psychosocial and supportive aspects of care were rated highest while statements relating to factors known to be important (access to clinical trials, treatment at a high volume centre and specialist diagnostics) were not rated as highly as expected.

Conclusions

Attitudes varied widely between professionals treating TYA patients with cancer as to what constitutes key aspects of specialist care. Further work is needed to quantify the extent to which this influences practice.
Influenza-like illness in acute myocardial infarction patients during the winter wave of the influenza A H1N1 pandemic in London: a case–control study
Authors: Warren-Gash Charlotte , Geretti Anna Maria , Hamilton George , Rakhit Roby D , Smeeth Liam , Hayward Andrew C
Published: May 2013

Objective

To investigate recent respiratory and influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) in acute myocardial infarction patients compared with patients hospitalised for acute non-vascular surgical conditions during the second wave of the 2009 influenza A H1N1 pandemic.

Design

Case–control study.

Setting

Coronary care unit, acute cardiology and acute surgical admission wards in a major teaching hospital in London, UK.

Participants

134 participants (70 cases and 64 controls) aged ≥40 years hospitalised for acute myocardial infarction and acute surgical conditions between 21 September 2009 and 28 February 2010, frequency-matched for gender, 5-year age-band and admission week.

Primary exposure

ILI (defined as feeling feverish with either a cough or sore throat) within the last month.

Secondary exposures

Acute respiratory illness within the last month not meeting ILI criteria; nasopharyngeal and throat swab positive for influenza virus.

Results

29 of 134 (21.6%) participants reported respiratory illness within the last month, of whom 13 (9.7%) had illnesses meeting ILI criteria. The most frequently reported category for timing of respiratory symptom onset was 8–14 days before admission (31% of illnesses). Cases were more likely than controls to report ILI—adjusted OR 3.17 (95% CI 0.61 to 16.47)—as well as other key respiratory symptoms, and were less likely to have received influenza vaccination—adjusted OR 0.46 (95% CI 0.19 to 1.12)—although the differences were not statistically significant. No swabs were positive for influenza virus.

Conclusions

Point estimates suggested that recent ILI was more common in patients hospitalised with acute myocardial infarction than with acute surgical conditions during the second wave of the influenza A H1N1 pandemic, and influenza vaccination was associated with cardioprotection, although the findings were not statistically significant. The study was underpowered, partly because the age groups typically affected by acute myocardial infarction had low rates of infection with the pandemic influenza strain compared with seasonal influenza.
Do social interactions explain ethnic differences in psychological distress and the protective effect of local ethnic density? A cross-sectional study of 226 487 adults in Australia
Authors: Feng Xiaoqi , Astell-Burt Thomas , Kolt Gregory S
Published: May 2013

Background

A frequently proposed, but under-researched hypothesis is that ethnic density benefits mental health through increasing social interactions. We examined this hypothesis in 226 487 adults from 19 ethnic groups aged 45 years and older in Australia.

Methods

Multilevel logit regression was used to measure the association between ethnicity, social interactions, own-group ethnic density and scores of 22+ on the Kessler scale of psychological distress. Self-reported ancestry was used as a proxy for ethnicity. Measures of social interactions included a number of times in the past week were (i) spent with friends or family participants did not live with; (ii) talked to someone on the telephone; (iii) attended meetings of social groups and (iv) how many people could be relied upon outside their home, but within 1 h of travel. Per cent own-group ethnic density was measured at the Census Collection District scale.

Results

Psychological distress was reported by 11% of Australians born in Australia. The risk of experiencing psychological distress varied among ethnic minorities and by country of birth (eg, 33% for the Lebanese born in Lebanon and 4% for the Swiss born in Switzerland). These differences remained after full adjustment. Social interactions varied between ethnic groups and were associated with lower psychological distress and ethnic density. Ethnic density was associated with reduced psychological distress for some groups. This association, however, was explained by individual and neighbourhood characteristics and not by social interactions.

Conclusions

Social interactions are important correlates of mental health, but fully explain neither the ethnic differences in psychological distress nor the protective effect of own-group density.
Loss of population data sources when health systems are not responsible for geographically defined populations: implications of the Health and Social Care Act of 2012 in England
Authors: Pollock Allyson M , Price David
Published: May 2013

Biomedical health services and health systems research require timely, complete, accurate and accessible data relating to geographical populations in order to facilitate needs assessment and planning of medical care, new medicines and technology. The international trend towards competition and privatisation has largely proceeded as if data generation were immune to market fragmentation and loss of universal coverage. By examining recent reforms to the English National Health Service, the authors show that this is not the case. Routine and population data are products of administrative systems and the nature, completeness and quality of data available to clinical and public health researchers are substantially impaired by market reforms.
Ambulance handovers: can a dedicated ED nurse solve the delay in ambulance turnaround times?
Authors: Clarey A , Allen M , Brace-McDonnell S , Cooke M W
Published: May 2013

With ever increasing concern over ambulance handover delays this paper looks at the impact of dedicated A&E nurses for ambulance handovers and the effect it can have on ambulance waiting times. It demonstrates that although such roles can bring about reduced waiting times, it also suggests that using this as a sole method to achieve these targets would require unacceptably low staff utilisation.
Individual variability of wild juvenile Atlantic salmon activity patterns: effect of flow stage, temperature, and habitat use
Authors: Roy Mathieu L. , Roy André G. , Grant James W.A. , Bergeron Normand E.
Published: May 2013

The magnitude of variation of diel activity patterns and habitat use of wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr was examined during the summer and autumn through a gradient of declining temperature. Fish were marked with passive integrated transponders and tracked using a large network of flatbed antennas. High interindividual variability was observed, as some individuals were predominantly nocturnal whereas others frequently changed their daily activity pattern. Overall fish activity decreased with decreasing temperature and increasing flow stage, but most of these changes in daily activity were observed in crepuscular periods. Parr used habitats with lower velocity at night than in the day during the summer, but not in the autumn. Furthermore, there was no difference between day and night habitats for fish that were cathemeral (active both day and night during a given day), so differences between day and night habitats were the result of individuals adopting different activity patterns. These results suggest that habitat interacts with activity pattern, as individuals using suboptimal habitats seem to increase daytime foraging to secure sufficient energy. Temporal and among-fish variability of activity patterns illustrate the dynamic nature of foraging decisions that may partly result from trade-offs experienced at the microhabitat scale.
ANALYSIS OF THE LOW-ENERGY π-p CHARGE-EXCHANGE DATA
Authors: MATSINOS E. , RASCHE G.
Published: May 2013

We analyze the charge-exchange (CX) measurements π-p→π0n below pion laboratory kinetic energy of 100 MeV. After the removal of five degrees of freedom from the initial database, we combine it with the truncated π+p database [E. Matsinos and G. Rasche, J. Mod. Phys.3, 1369 (2012)] and fit the ETH model [P. F. A. Goudsmit, H. J. Leisi, E. Matsinos, B. L. Birbrair and A. B. Gridnev, Nucl. Phys. A575, 673 (1994)] to the resulting data. The set of the parameter values of the ETH model, as well as the predictions derived on their basis for the hadronic phase shifts and for the low-energy πN constants, are significantly different from the results obtained in the analysis of the truncated π±p elastic-scattering databases. The main difference in the hadronic phase shifts occurs in [Formula: see text]. We discuss the implications of these findings in terms of the violation of the isospin invariance in the hadronic part of the πN interaction. The effect observed amounts to the level of 7–8% in the CX scattering amplitude below 70 MeV. The results and conclusions of this study agree well with those obtained in the mid 1990s, when the isospin invariance was first tested by using πN experimental data, and disagree with the predictions obtained within the framework of the heavy-baryon Chiral-Perturbation Theory.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE PHOTOPHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF ZINC OCTACARBOXY PHTHALOCYANINE UPON CONJUGATION TO MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES
Authors: MODISHA PHILLIMON , ANTUNES EDITH , MACK JOHN , NYOKONG TEBELLO
Published: May 2013

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) comprising magnetite (Fe3O4) were functionalized with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane forming amino functionalized magnetite nanoparticles (AMNPs). The amino group allows for conjugation with zinc octacarboxyphthalocyanine ( ZnOCPc ) via the carboxyl group to form an amide bond. Transmission electron microscopy showed a change in morphology after conjugation. The covalent linkage of AMNPs to ZnOCPc has shown improvements in the photophysical behavior of the Pc in the presence of the MNP, increasing the triplet quantum yield (ΦT), singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ), triplet lifetime (τT) and singlet oxygen lifetime (τΔ) of the ZnOCPc and thus improving the efficiency of the ZnOCPc as a photosensitizer.
Influence of fish oil on skeletal muscle mitochondrial energetics and lipid metabolites during high-fat diet
Authors: Lanza Ian R. , Blachnio-Zabielska Agnieszka , Johnson Matthew L. , Schimke Jill M. , Jakaitis Daniel R. , Lebrasseur Nathan K. , Jensen Michael D. , Sreekumaran Nair K. , Zabielski Piotr
Published: May 2013

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) enhance insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis in rodent models of insulin resistance. These beneficial effects have been linked with anti-inflammatory properties, but emerging data suggest that the mechanisms may also converge on mitochondria. We evaluated the influence of dietary n-3 PUFAs on mitochondrial physiology and muscle lipid metabolites in the context of high-fat diet (HFD) in mice. Mice were fed control diets (10% fat), HFD (60% fat), or HFD with fish oil (HFD+FO, 3.4% kcal from n-3 PUFAs) for 10 wk. Body mass and fat mass increased similarly in HFD and HFD+FO, but n-3 PUFAs attenuated the glucose intolerance that developed with HFD and increased expression of genes that regulate glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle. Despite similar muscle triglyceride levels in HFD and HFD+FO, long-chain acyl-CoAs and ceramides were lower in the presence of fish oil. Mitochondrial abundance and oxidative capacity were similarly increased in HFD and HFD+FO compared with controls. Hydrogen peroxide production was similarly elevated in HFD and HFD+FO in isolated mitochondria but not in permeabilized muscle fibers, likely due to increased activity and expression of catalase. These results support a hypothesis that n-3 PUFAs protect glucose tolerance, in part by preventing the accumulation of bioactive lipid mediators that interfere with insulin action. Furthermore, the respiratory function of skeletal muscle mitochondria does not appear to be a major factor in sphingolipid accumulation, glucose intolerance, or the protective effects of n-3 PUFAs.
Lack of myostatin impairs mechanical performance and ATP cost of contraction in exercising mouse gastrocnemius muscle in vivo
Authors: Giannesini Benoît , Vilmen Christophe , Amthor Helge , Bernard Monique , Bendahan David
Published: May 2013

Although it is well established that the lack of myostatin (Mstn) promotes skeletal muscle hypertrophy, the corresponding changes regarding force generation have been studied mainly in vitro and remain conflicting. Furthermore, the metabolic underpinnings of these changes are very poorly documented. To clarify this issue, we have investigated strictly noninvasively in vivo the impact of the lack of Mstn on gastrocnemius muscle function and energetics in Mstn-targeted knockout ( Mstn−/−) mice using 1H-magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and 31P-MR spectroscopy during maximal repeated isometric contractions induced by transcutaneous electrostimulation. In Mstn−/− animals, although body weight, gastrocnemius muscle volume, and absolute force were larger (+38, +118, and +34%, respectively) compared with wild-type ( Mstn+/+) mice, specific force (calculated from MR imaging measurements) was significantly lower (−36%), and resistance to fatigue was decreased. Besides, Mstn deficiency did not affect phosphorylated compound concentrations and intracellular pH at rest but caused a large increase in ATP cost of contraction (up to +206% compared with Mstn+/+) throughout the stimulation period. Further, Mstn deficiency limits the shift toward oxidative metabolism during muscle activity despite the fact that oxidative ATP synthesis capacity was not altered. Our data demonstrate in vivo that the absence of Mstn impairs both mechanical performance and energy cost of contraction in hypertrophic muscle. These findings must be kept in mind when considering Mstn as a potential therapeutic target for increasing muscle mass in patients suffering from muscle-wasting disorders.
Rat model of exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy: hemodynamic characterization using left ventricular pressure-volume analysis
Authors: Radovits Tamás , Oláh Attila , Lux Árpád , Németh Balázs Tamás , Hidi László , Birtalan Ede , Kellermayer Dalma , Mátyás Csaba , Szabó Gábor , Merkely Béla
Published: May 2013

Long-term exercise training is associated with characteristic structural and functional changes of the myocardium, termed athlete's heart. Several research groups investigated exercise training-induced left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in animal models; however, only sporadic data exist about detailed hemodynamics. We aimed to provide functional characterization of exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy in a rat model using the in vivo method of LV pressure-volume (P-V) analysis. After inducing LV hypertrophy by swim training, we assessed LV morphometry by echocardiography and performed LV P-V analysis using a pressure-conductance microcatheter to investigate in vivo cardiac function. Echocardiography showed LV hypertrophy (LV mass index: 2.41 ± 0.09 vs. 2.03 ± 0.08 g/kg, P < 0.01), which was confirmed by heart weight data and histomorphometry. Invasive hemodynamic measurements showed unaltered heart rate, arterial pressure, and LV end-diastolic volume along with decreased LV end-systolic volume, thus increased stroke volume and ejection fraction (73.7 ± 0.8 vs. 64.1 ± 1.5%, P < 0.01) in trained versus untrained control rats. The P-V loop-derived sensitive, load-independent contractility indexes, such as slope of end-systolic P-V relationship or preload recruitable stroke work (77.0 ± 6.8 vs. 54.3 ± 4.8 mmHg, P = 0.01) were found to be significantly increased. The observed improvement of ventriculoarterial coupling (0.37 ± 0.02 vs. 0.65 ± 0.08, P < 0.01), along with increased LV stroke work and mechanical efficiency, reflects improved mechanoenergetics of exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Despite the significant hypertrophy, we observed unaltered LV stiffness (slope of end-diastolic P-V relationship: 0.043 ± 0.007 vs. 0.040 ± 0.006 mmHg/μl) and improved LV active relaxation (τ: 10.1 ± 0.6 vs. 11.9 ± 0.2 ms, P < 0.01). According to our knowledge, this is the first study that provides characterization of functional changes and hemodynamic relations in exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy.
Association of Rev-erbα in adipose tissues with Type 2 diabetes mellitus amelioration after gastric bypass surgery in Goto-Kakizaki rats
Authors: Zhang Rui , Yan Caifeng , Zhou Xinrong , Qian Bangguo , Li Fuqiang , Sun Yidan , Shi Chen , Li Bing , Saito Shigeru , Horimoto Katsuhisa , Zhou Huarong
Published: May 2013

We estimated the key molecules related to Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adipose, liver, and muscle tissues, from nonobese diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats and their Wistar controls, by computationally analyzing the expression profiles in open source data. With the aid of information from previous reports, Rev-erbα in adipose tissue emerged as one of the most plausible candidates. Here, in animal models, including GK rats surgically treated to ameliorate T2DM, we examined the association of Rev-erbα in adipose tissue with T2DM progression. After analyses of the Rev-erbα mRNA expression in the adipose tissue of our animal models, we compared the Rev-erbα protein expression levels in the adipose, liver, and muscle tissues of GK and Wistar controls at the ages of 1 mo (M), 3M, and 6M. The Rev-erbα protein levels in adipose tissue showed a distinctive pattern, with the negative correlation of an increasing trend in GK rats, and a decreasing trend in Wistar rats during aging, from those in liver and muscle tissues. Moreover, dysregulation of the circadian Rev-erbα expression in the adipose tissue of 6-mo-old GK rats was also observed. In particular, we ameliorated T2DM in GK rats by gastric bypass surgery, and revealed that T2DM amelioration in diabetic GK rats was associated with improved circadian Rev-erbα expression, in a comparison between the surgically treated and untreated GK rats. The roles of Rev-erbα in adipose tissue were further investigated by observations of Rev-erbα-related molecules, with reference to previous reports.
Epidermal growth factors in the kidney and relationship to hypertension
Authors: Staruschenko Alexander , Palygin Oleg , Ilatovskaya Daria V. , Pavlov Tengis S.
Published: May 2013

Members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-family bind to ErbB (EGFR)-family receptors that play an important role in the regulation of various fundamental cell processes in many organs including the kidney. In this field, most of the research efforts are focused on the role of EGF-ErbB axis in cancer biology. However, many studies indicate that abnormal ErbB-mediated signaling pathways are critical in the development of renal and cardiovascular pathologies. The kidney is a major site of the EGF-family ligands synthesis, and it has been shown to express all four members of the ErbB receptor family. The study of kidney disease regulation by ErbB receptor ligands has expanded considerably in recent years. In vitro and in vivo studies have provided direct evidence of the role of ErbB signaling in the kidney. Recent advances in the understanding of how the proteins in the EGF-family regulate sodium transport and development of hypertension are specifically discussed here. Collectively, these results suggest that EGF-ErbB signaling pathways could be major determinants in the progress of renal lesions, including its effects on the regulation of sodium reabsorption in collecting ducts.
Sucking and swallowing rates after palatal anesthesia: an electromyographic study in infant pigs
Authors: Holman Shaina Devi , Waranch Danielle R. , Campbell-Malone Regina , Ding Peng , Gierbolini-Norat Estela M. , Lukasik Stacey L. , German Rebecca Z.
Published: May 2013

Infant mammalian feeding consists of rhythmic suck cycles and reflexive pharyngeal swallows. Although we know how oropharyngeal sensation influences the initiation and frequency of suck and swallow cycles, the role of palatal sensation is unknown. We implanted EMG electrodes into the mylohyoid muscle, a muscle active during suckling, and the thyrohyoid muscle, a muscle active during swallowing, in eight infant pigs. Pigs were then bottle-fed while lateral videofluoroscopy was simultaneously recorded from the electrodes. Two treatments were administered prior to feeding and compared with control feedings: 1) palatal anesthesia (0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride), and 2) palatal saline. Using the timing of mylohyoid muscle and thyrohyoid muscle activity, we tested for differences between treatment and control feedings for swallowing frequency and suck cycle duration. Following palatal anesthesia, four pigs could not suck and exhibited excessive jaw movement. We categorized the four pigs that could suck after palatal anesthesia as group A, and those who could not as group B. Group A had no significant change in suck cycle duration and a higher swallowing frequency after palatal saline ( P = 0.021). Group B had significantly longer suck cycles after palatal anesthesia ( P < 0.001) and a slower swallowing frequency ( P < 0.001). Swallowing frequency may be a way to predict group membership, since it was different in control feedings between groups ( P < 0.001). The qualitative and bimodal group response to palatal anesthesia may reflect a developmental difference. This study demonstrates that palatal sensation is involved in the initiation and frequency of suck and swallow cycles in infant feeding.
RNA-Seq reveals expression signatures of genes involved in oxygen transport, protein synthesis, folding, and degradation in response to heat stress in catfish
Authors: Liu Shikai , Wang Xiuli , Sun Fanyue , Zhang Jiaren , Feng Jianbin , Liu Hong , Rajendran K. V. , Sun Luyang , Zhang Yu , Jiang Yanliang , Peatman Eric , Kaltenboeck Ludmilla , Kucuktas Huseyin , Liu Zhanjiang
Published: May 2013

Temperature is one of the most prominent abiotic factors affecting ectotherms. Most fish species, as ectotherms, have extraordinary ability to deal with a wide range of temperature changes. While the molecular mechanism underlying temperature adaptation has long been of interest, it is still largely unexplored with fish. Understanding of the fundamental mechanisms conferring tolerance to temperature fluctuations is a topic of increasing interest as temperature may continue to rise as a result of global climate change. Catfish have a wide natural habitat and possess great plasticity in dealing with environmental variations in temperature. However, no studies have been conducted at the transcriptomic level to determine heat stress-induced gene expression. In the present study, we conducted an RNA-Seq analysis to identify heat stress-induced genes in catfish at the transcriptome level. Expression analysis identified a total of 2,260 differentially expressed genes with a cutoff of twofold change. qRT-PCR validation suggested the high reliability of the RNA-Seq results. Gene ontology, enrichment, and pathway analyses were conducted to gain insight into physiological and gene pathways. Specifically, genes involved in oxygen transport, protein folding and degradation, and metabolic process were highly induced, while general protein synthesis was dramatically repressed in response to the lethal temperature stress. This is the first RNA-Seq-based expression study in catfish in response to heat stress. The candidate genes identified should be valuable for further targeted studies on heat tolerance, thereby assisting the development of heat-tolerant catfish lines for aquaculture.
Gene selection heuristic algorithm for nutrigenomics studies
Authors: Valour D. , Hue I. , Grimard B. , Valour B.
Published: May 2013

Large datasets from -omics studies need to be deeply investigated. The aim of this paper is to provide a new method (LEM method) for the search of transcriptome and metabolome connections. The heuristic algorithm here described extends the classical canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to a high number of variables (without regularization) and combines well-conditioning and fast-computing in “R.” Reduced CCA models are summarized in PageRank matrices, the product of which gives a stochastic matrix that resumes the self-avoiding walk covered by the algorithm. Then, a homogeneous Markov process applied to this stochastic matrix converges the probabilities of interconnection between genes, providing a selection of disjointed subsets of genes. This is an alternative to regularized generalized CCA for the determination of blocks within the structure matrix. Each gene subset is thus linked to the whole metabolic or clinical dataset that represents the biological phenotype of interest. Moreover, this selection process reaches the aim of biologists who often need small sets of genes for further validation or extended phenotyping. The algorithm is shown to work efficiently on three published datasets, resulting in meaningfully broadened gene networks.
Fashion Brand Purity and Firm Performance
Authors: Zheng Jin-hui , Cao Zixia , Dai Xin , Chiu Chun-Hung
Published: May 2013

A large number of prior empirical research and case studies used qualitative methodology to discuss the fashion brand dilution resulting from consumer base extension from the target group(s) to the nontarget groups and its impacts. From a different perspective, this paper establishes a dynamic brand dilution and performance model, demonstrating how dynamic changes of sales volumes involving the two consumer groups affect the degree of brand dilution and the performance of the brand. We incorporate the factor “brand purity” to the model as a quantitative measure of brand dilution level that affects firm annual revenue and profit change comprehensively in iteration. Our model suggests that fashion brands, especially luxury brands, can be easily diluted under the pressure of firm growth, and the brands suffer the significant negative impact on their revenues and profit. While increasing sales volume can aggravate the negative consequences, brand purity can be increased through limiting the consumer base to the target group only.
Antibacterial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Bark Extract of Syzygium cumini
Authors: Prasad Ram , Swamy Vyshnava Satyanarayana
Published: May 2013

The unique property of the silver nanoparticles having the antimicrobial activity drags the major attention towards the present nanotechnology. The environmentally nontoxic, ecofriendly, and cost-effective method that has been developed for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant extracts creates the major research interest in the field of nanobiotechnology. The synthesized silver nanoparticles have been characterized by the UV-visible spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Further, the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles was evaluated by well diffusion method, and it was found that the biogenic silver nanoparticles have antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Azotobacter chroococcum WR 9, and Bacillus licheniformis (MTCC 9555).
Stabilization Analysis for the Switched Large-Scale Discrete-Time Systems via the State-Driven Switching
Authors: Wang Chi-Jo , Chiou Juing-Shian
Published: May 2013

A criterion of stabilization for the switched large-scale discrete-time system is deduced by employing state-driven switching method and the Lyapunov stability theorem. This particular method especially can be applied to cases when all individual subsystems are unstable.
A Novel Feature Extraction Method for Nonintrusive Appliance Load Monitoring
Authors: Chahine Khaled , El Khamlichi Drissi Khalil
Published: May 2013

Improving energy efficiency by monitoring household electrical consumption is of significant importance with the climate change concerns of the present time. A solution for the electrical consumption management problem is the use of a nonintrusive appliance load monitoring (NIALM) system. This system captures the signals from the aggregate consumption, extracts the features from these signals and classifies the extracted features in order to identify the switched-on appliances. This paper focuses solely on feature extraction through applying the matrix pencil method, a well-known parametric estimation technique, to the drawn electric current. The result is a compact representation of the current signal in terms of complex numbers referred to as poles and residues. These complex numbers are shown to be characteristic of the considered load and can thus serve as features in any subsequent classification module. In the absence of noise, simulations indicate an almost perfect agreement between theoretical and estimated values of poles and residues. For real data, poles and residues are used to determine a feature vector consisting of the contribution of the fundamental, the third, and the fifth harmonic currents to the maximum of the total load current. The result is a three-dimensional feature space with reduced intercluster overlap.
Prevalence of K-RAS Codons 12 and 13 Mutations in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Impact on Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Bissada Eric , Abboud Olivier , Abou Chacra Zahi , Guertin Louis , Weng Xiaoduan , Nguyen-Tan Phuc Félix , Tabet Jean-Claude , Thibaudeau Ève , Lambert Louise , Audet Marie-Lise , Fortin Bernard , Soulières Denis
Published: May 2013

Background. RAS gene mutations have an impact on treatment response and overall prognosis for certain types of cancer.Objectives. To determine the prevalence and impact of K-RAS codons 12 and 13 mutations in patients with locally advanced HNSCC treated with primary or adjuvant chemo-radiation.Methods. 428 consecutive patients were treated with chemo-radiation therapy and followed for a median of 37 months. From these, 199 paraffin embedded biopsy or surgical specimens were retrieved. DNA was isolated and analyzed for K-RAS mutational status.Results. DNA extraction was successful in 197 samples. Of the 197 specimens, 3.5% presented K-RAS codon 12 mutations. For mutated cases and non-mutated cases, complete initial response to chemoradiation therapy was 71 and 73% (P=0.32). LRC was respectively 32 and 83% (P=0.03), DFS was 27 and 68% (P=0.12), distant metastasis-free survival was 100 and 81% (P=0.30) and OS was 57 and 65% (P=0.14) at three years. K-Ras codon 13 analysis revealed no mutation.Conclusion. K-RAS codon 12 mutational status, although not associated with a difference in response rate, may influence the failure pattern and the type of therapy offered to patients with HNSCC. Our study did not reveal any mutation of K-RAS codon 13.
AMPK: A Contextual Oncogene or Tumor Suppressor?
Authors: Liang Jiyong , Mills Gordon B.
Published: May 2013

The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) functions to monitor and maintain energy homeostasis at the cellular and organism level. AMPK was perceived historically primarily as a component of the LKB1/STK11 tumor suppressor (LKB1 mutations cause the Peutz-Jegher cancer predisposition syndrome) cascade upstream of the TSC1/2/mTOR pathway and thus likely to be a tumor suppressor. However, AMPK has recently been shown to promote cancer cell survival in the face of extrinsic and intrinsic stressors including bioenergetic, growth factor, and oncogene stress compatible with studies showing that AMPK is required for oncogenic transformation. Thus, whether AMPK acts as a bona fide tumor suppressor or a contextual oncogene and, of particular importance, whether AMPK should be targeted for activation or inhibition during cancer therapy, is controversial and requires clarification. We aim to initiate discussions of these critical questions by reviewing the role of AMPK with an emphasis on cancer cell adaptation to microenvironment stress and therapeutic intervention. Cancer Res; 73(10); 2929–35. ©2013 AACR.
The Changing Mutational Landscape of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Authors: Larsson Connie A. , Cote Gilbert , Quintás-Cardama Alfonso
Published: May 2013

Over the past few years, large-scale genomic studies of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) have unveiled recurrent somatic mutations in genes involved in epigenetic regulation (DNMT3A, IDH1/2, TET2, ASXL1, EZH2 and MLL) and the spliceosomal machinery (SF3B1, U2AF1, SRSF2, ZRSR2, SF3A1, PRPF40B, U2AF2, and SF1). The identification of these mutations and their impact on prognostication has led to improvements in risk-stratification strategies and has also provided new potential targets for the treatment of these myeloid malignancies. In this review, we discuss the most recently identified genetic abnormalities described in MDS and AML and appraise the current status quo of the dynamics of acquisition of mutant alleles in the pathogenesis of AML, during the transformation from MDS to AML, and in the context of relapse after conventional chemotherapy.

Implications: Identification of somatic mutations in AML and MDS suggests new targets for therapeutic development. Mol Cancer Res; 11(8); 815–27. ©2013 AACR.
Reversal of rivaroxaban anticoagulation by haemostatic agents in rats and primates
Authors: Gruber András , Tinel Hanna , Marzec Ulla , Buetehorn Ulf , Buchmueller Anja , Heitmeier Stefan , Laux Volker , Perzborn Elisabeth
Published: May 2013

Rivaroxaban is an oral, direct factor Xa inhibitor for the management of thromboembolic disorders. Despite its short half-life, the ability to reverse rivaroxaban anticoagulation could be beneficial in life-threatening emergencies. The potential of prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC; Beriplex®), activated PCC (aPCC; FEIBA®) or recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa; NovoSeven®) to reverse rivaroxaban in rats and baboons was investigated. Anaesthetised rats pre-treated with intravenous rivaroxaban (2 mg/kg) received intravenous rFVIIa (100/400 μg/kg), PCC (25/50 U/kg) or aPCC (50/100 U/kg) after initiation of bleeding. Clotting times and bleeding times (BTs) were recorded. Rivaroxaban was administered as an intravenous 0.6 mg/kg bolus followed by continuous 0.6 mg/kg/hour infusion in baboons. Animals received intravenous aPCC 50 U/kg (2 U/kg/minute) or rFVIIa 210 μg/kg. BT and clotting parameters were measured. In rats pre-treated with high-dose rivaroxaban, PCC 50 U/kg, aPCC 100 U/kg and rFVIIa 400 μg/kg significantly reduced BT vs rivaroxaban alone (5.4 ± 1.4-fold to 1.5 ± 0.4-fold [p<0.05]; 3.0 ± 0.4-fold to 1.4 ± 0.1-fold [p<0.001]; and 3.5 ± 0.7-fold to 1.7 ± 0.2-fold [p<0.01] vs baseline, respectively). In baboons pre-infused with rivaroxaban and then given aPCC, BT increased by 2.0 ± 0.2-fold and aPCC returned BT to baseline for the duration of its infusion. rFVIIa reduced BT from 2.5 ± 0.3-fold over baseline to 1.7 ± 0.3-fold over baseline. Prolongation of prothrombin time was reduced by PCC, aPCC and rFVIIa in both species. Rivaroxaban reduced thrombin-antithrombin levels; application of PCC and aPCC, but not rFVIIa, increased these levels. In conclusion, PCC, aPCC or rFVIIa have the potential to reverse the anticoagulant and anti-haemostatic effects of rivaroxaban.
Vers une nouvelle lecture de la Risāla attribuée à Sahl b. Hārūn par al-Ǧāḥiẓ*
Authors: Geries Ibrahim
Published: May 2013

Résumé

Contrairement à ce qu’ont dit les auteurs arabes anciens et certains chercheurs modernes, l’épître dite de Sahl b. Hārūn qui suit l’introduction du Livre des avares ne défend pas l’avarice. Cette recherche veut montrer que l’épître en question est une satire parodique écrite par al-Ǧāḥiẓ pour corriger le vice de ses contemporains et particulièrement ceux de l’élite de la société. Notre article tentera de montrer qu’al-Ǧāḥiẓ utilise l’ironie de façon pragmatique pour décrier l’attitude d’un de ses contemporains atteint du mal de l’avarice. L’épître est donc en parfaite harmonie avec les autres éléments du livre.
Free Movement for Some: The Treatment of the Roma after the European Union’s Eastern Expansion
Authors: Gehring Jacqueline S.
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Securing the free movement of people has been one of the most difficult challenges for the European Union. The migration of Roma to ‘old’ Member States has been met with hostility and deportation, sometimes voluntary, other times forced. The states that have engaged in deportation have faced minimal sanction from the European Union. This article explores the European Union’s faltering enforcement of the right to free movement. Does the right to free movement exist only for a subset of EU citizens?
Post-Accession Polish Migrants in Britain and Ireland: Challenges and Obstacles to Integration in the European Union
Authors: Johns Michael
Published: May 2013

Abstract

The European Union’s 2004 expansion was accompanied by worries in several western states about potential large-scale immigration by workers from new member states. In France, for example, the ‘Polish plumber’ featured as a symbol of cheap labour in the 2005 constitutional referendum. The accession treaty allowed existing member states to restrict the entry of workers from new member states for up to seven years; only the United Kingdom, Ireland and Sweden allowed immediate unrestricted entry of workers from new member states. Many workers, particularly Poles, did move, and a cursory examination of this migration could lead one to judge it a success. Ireland and Britain benefited from an influx of workers during a boom economic period and the Poles earned wages beyond what they would have earned at home. A closer examination illustrates the difficulties and discrimination faced by the Polish community in Ireland and Britain. This article documents how the skills of Polish migrants have been under-valued and how it was assumed that when the economy soured, they would leave. As many have stayed, they face further discrimination. The paper relies on both primary interviews and secondary sources to examine the treatment and future of Europe’s largest recent internal migration.
Free Movement and Discrimination: Evidence from Europe, the United States, and Canada
Authors: Maas Willem
Published: May 2013

Abstract

This article surveys some general lessons to be drawn from the tension between the promise of citizenship to deliver equality and the particularistic drive to maintain diversity. Democratic states tend to guarantee free movement within their territory to all citizens, as a core right of citizenship. Similarly, the European Union guarantees (as the core right of EU citizenship) the right to live and the right to work anywhere within EU territory to EU citizens and members of their families. Such rights reflect the project of equality and undifferentiated individual rights for all who have the status of citizen. But they are not uncontested. Within the EU, several member states propose to reintroduce border controls and to restrict access for EU citizens who claim social assistance. Similar tensions and attempts to discourage freedom of movement also exist in other political systems, and the article gives examples from the United States and Canada. Within democratic states, particularly federal ones and others where decentralized jurisdictions are responsible for social welfare provision, it thus appears that some citizens can be more equal than others. Principles such as benefit portability, prohibition of residence requirements for access to programs or rights, and mutual recognition of qualifications and credentials facilitate the free flow of people within states and reflect the attempt to eliminate internal borders. Within the growing field of migration studies, most research focuses on international migration, movement between states, involving international borders. But migration across jurisdictional boundaries within states is at least as important as international migration. Within the European Union, free movement often means changing residence across jurisdictional boundaries within a political system with a common citizenship, even though EU citizenship is not traditional national citizenship. The EU is thus a good test of the tension between the equality promised by common citizenship and the diversity institutionalized by borders.
MAURO TEIXEIRA JR, FRANCISCO DAL VECHIO, PEDRO M. SALES NUNES, ANTONIO MOLLO NETO, LUCIANA MOREIRA LOBO, LUIS FERNANDO STORTI, RENATO AUGUSTO JUNQUEIRA GAIGA, PEDRO HENRIQUE FREIRE DIAS, MIGUEL TREFAUT RODRIGUES (2013) A new species of Bachia Gray, 1845 (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from the western Brazilian Amazonia. Zootaxa, 3636(3): 401–420.
Authors: TEIXEIRA MAURO JR , VECHIO FRANCISCO DAL , NUNES PEDRO M. SALES , NETO ANTONIO MOLLO , LOBO LUCIANA MOREIRA , STORTI LUIS FERNANDO , GAIGA RENATO AUGUSTO JUNQUEIRA , DIAS PEDRO HENRIQUE FREIRE , RODRIGUES MIGUEL TREFAUT
Published: May 2013

Figure 5 caption to read as:FIGURE 5. Sulcate and asulcate faces of (A) left hemipenis of Bachia scaea sp. nov. (MZUSP 103414). and (B) right hemipenis of B. dorbignyi (MZUSP 97914). Scale bar=1mm.
The Corner and the Crew: The Influence of Geography and Social Networks on Gang Violence
Authors: Papachristos Andrew V. , Hureau David M. , Braga Anthony A.
Published: May 2013

Nearly a century of empirical research examines how neighborhood properties influence a host of phenomena such as crime, poverty, health, civic engagement, immigration, and economic inequality. Theoretically bundled within these neighborhood effects are institutions’ and actors’ social networks that are the foundation of other neighborhood-level processes such as social control, mobilization, and cultural assimilation. Yet, despite such long-standing theoretical links between neighborhoods and social networks, empirical research rarely considers or measures dimensions of geography and social network mechanisms simultaneously. The present study seeks to fill this gap by analyzing how both geography and social networks influence an important social problem in urban America: gang violence. Using detailed data on fatal and non-fatal shootings, we examine effects of geographic proximity, organizational memory, and additional group processes (e.g., reciprocity, transitivity, and status seeking) on gang violence in Chicago and Boston. Results show adjacency of gang turf and prior conflict between gangs are strong predictors of subsequent gang violence. Furthermore, important network processes, including reciprocity and status seeking, also contribute to observed patterns of gang violence. In fact, we find that these spatial and network processes mediate racial effects, suggesting the primacy of place and the group in generating gang violence.