bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study of Two Propagating Heavy-Rainfall Episodes near Taiwan during SoWMEX/TiMREX IOP-8 in June 2008. Part I: Synoptic Evolution, Episode Propagation, and Model Control Simulation
Authors: Wang Chung-Chieh , Chieh-Sheng Hsu Jason , Tai-Jen Chen George , Lee Dong-In
Published: April 2014

This paper is the first of a two-part study to investigate two rain-producing episodes in the longitude–time (Hovmöller) space upstream from Taiwan during the eighth intensive observing period (IOP-8, 12–17 June 2008) of the Southwest Monsoon Experiment/Terrain-influenced Monsoon Rainfall Experiment (SoWMEX/TiMREX), with a goal to better understand the mechanism and controlling factors for their organization and propagation. Both in a prefrontal environment, the first episode moved eastward and the second was a rare westward-moving event, and each caused heavy rainfall in Taiwan, on 14 and 16 June, respectively. In Part II, the roles played by synoptic conditions and terrain effects are further examined through sensitivity tests.

With the aid from a successful simulation with a grid spacing of 2.5 km, the structure and organization of convection embedded in the two episodes are shown to be different. With stronger low-level vertical wind shear in its environment, the first episode consisted of well-organized squall-line-type convective systems and propagated eastward mainly through cold-pool dynamics. However, the convection of the second episode was scattered and less organized with weaker vertical shear, and individual cells traveled with background flow toward the north-northeast. Throughout the 6-day case period, the southwesterly low-level jet (LLJ) is found to have much control over the general region of convection, and thus dictates the overall rainfall pattern in the Hovmöller space at the regional scale. The rapid development of the mei-yu front and LLJ over southeastern China during 16–17 June, to the west of the previous location of the jet, is found to result in the westward movement of the second episode.
Determining an Optimal Decay Factor for Bias-Correcting MOS Temperature and Dewpoint Forecasts
Authors: Glahn Bob
Published: April 2014

Model output statistics (MOS) forecast relationships for temperature and dewpoint developed with least squares regression and put into operation by the National Weather Service (NWS) are unbiased over the sample period of development. However, short-term biases within that period can exist, and application of the regression equations to new data may produce forecasts with short- or long-term biases. Because NWP models undergo changes over time, MOS forecasts can be biased because of these changes, and also possibly because of local environmental changes. These biases can be largely eliminated. In the decaying average method, a “decay factor” is used. This value affects not only the short- and long-term bias characteristics, but also other accuracy measures of the forecasts. This paper shows how different values of the decay factor affect MOS temperature and dewpoint forecasts, and the range of factors that would be appropriate for bias correcting those forecasts. Biases and other quality measures are shown for both cool and warm season samples before and after various values of the decay factor have been applied.
Packages Ltd. Capacity Addition in Carton Line: Riviera vs. Austin
Authors: Malik M. Abdur Rahman , Rana Arif I. , Bashir M. Farhan
Published: April 2014

The case is about choice of new technology. One option (Riviera) is more expensive, but has better after sales service, better reputation, better process capability, and lower capacity utilization. The choice of technology requires looking into the changes in the market, existing capabilities, company strategy and projections about the future. This case can be taught in ‘capacity analysis’ module in operations management, or in a course on Management of Technology.
Inadvertently queer school leadership amongst lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) school leaders
Authors: Courtney Steven J.
Published: April 2014

Lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) school leaders may understand these sexual identities as essentialist categories and present lived experiences resistant to the identity category-troubling tenets of queer theory, whose application in queer empirical research can nonetheless provide important insights into leaders’ identity, practices and power. In this article, I focus on reconciling this conceptual tension to produce an empirical account of inadvertently queer school leadership in England. The article uses queer theory to re-interpret findings from a study of five LGB school leaders to show that despite perceiving sexual identity in an essentialist way, these LGB school leaders sexually embody inadvertently queer school leadership. They trouble gender norms and conceptualizations of ‘leader’ through non-normative sexual embodiment; suggest queer identities for others; and challenge heteronormativity’s institutional foundations and other processes of normalization.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical and environmental isolates constitute a single population with high phenotypic diversity
Authors: Grosso-Becerra María-Victoria , Santos-Medellín Christian , González-Valdez Abigail , Méndez José-Luis , Delgado Gabriela , Morales-Espinosa Rosario , Servín-González Luis , Alcaraz Luis-David , Soberón-Chávez Gloria
Published: April 2014

Background

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen with a high incidence of hospital infections that represents a threat to immune compromised patients. Genomic studies have shown that, in contrast to other pathogenic bacteria, clinical and environmental isolates do not show particular genomic differences. In addition, genetic variability of all the P. aeruginosa strains whose genomes have been sequenced is extremely low. This low genomic variability might be explained if clinical strains constitute a subpopulation of this bacterial species present in environments that are close to human populations, which preferentially produce virulence associated traits.

Results

In this work, we sequenced the genomes and performed phenotypic descriptions for four non-human P. aeruginosa isolates collected from a plant, the ocean, a water-spring, and from dolphin stomach. We show that the four strains are phenotypically diverse and that this is not reflected in genomic variability, since their genomes are almost identical. Furthermore, we performed a detailed comparative genomic analysis of the four strains studied in this work with the thirteen previously reported P. aeruginosa genomes by means of describing their core and pan-genomes.

Conclusions

Contrary to what has been described for other bacteria we have found that the P. aeruginosa core genome is constituted by a high proportion of genes and that its pan-genome is thus relatively small. Considering the high degree of genomic conservation between isolates of P. aeruginosa from diverse environments, including human tissues, some implications for the treatment of infections are discussed. This work also represents a methodological contribution for the genomic study of P. aeruginosa, since we provide a database of the comparison of all the proteins encoded by the seventeen strains analyzed.
Delineation of immunodominant and cytadherence segment(s) of Mycoplasma pneumoniae P1 gene
Authors: Chourasia Bishwanath K , Chaudhry Rama , Malhotra Pawan
Published: April 2014

Background

Adhesion of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) to host epithelial cells requires several adhesin proteins like P1, P30 and P116. Among these proteins, P1 protein has been inedited as one of the major adhesin and immunogenic protein present on the attachment organelle of M. pneumoniae. In the present study, we scanned the entire sequence of M. pneumoniae P1 protein to identify the immunodominant and cytadherence region(s). M. pneumoniae P1 gene was synthesized in four segments replacing all the UGA codons to UGG codons. Each of the four purified P1 protein fragment was analyzed for its immunogenicity with anti-M. pneumoniae M129 antibodies (Pab M129) and sera of M. pneumoniae infected patients by western blotting and ELISA. Antibodies were produced against all the P1 protein fragments and these antibodies were used for M. pneumoniae adhesion, M. pneumoniae adhesion inhibition and M. pneumoniae surface exposure assays using HEp-2 cells lines.

Results

Our results show that the immunodominant regions are distributed throughout the entire length of P1 protein, while only the N- and C- terminal region(s) of P1 protein are surface exposed and block cytadhesion to HEp-2 cells, while antibodies to two middle fragments failed to block cytadhesion.

Conclusions

These results have important implications in designing strategies to block the attachment of M. pneumoniae to epithelial cells, thus preventing the development of atypical pneumonia.
Clinical predictors of incident gallstone disease in a Chinese population in Taipei, Taiwan
Authors: Chen Jau-Yuan , Hsu Chung-Te , Liu Jorn-Hon , Tung Tao-Hsin
Published: April 2014

Background

Gallstone disease (GSD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder throughout the world. The authors explored the incidence of GSD in Taiwan and its condition-associated predictive factors.

Methods

The initial study cohort comprised 2386 healthy adult participants, who were voluntarily admitted to a teaching hospital for a physical check-up in 2002 in Taipei, Taiwan. After excluding 126 patients who exhibited prevalent GSD, 2260 non-GSD participants received annual follow-up screenings for GSD until 31 December, 2007. Of those, 1296 (57.3%) patients were re-examined to collect blood samples and conduct ultrasound sonography.

Results

Among the 1296 participants who exhibited no GSD at the first screening, 23 patients developed GSD during 3640 person-years of follow-up. The incidence was 0.632% per year (95% CI: 0.292%–2.009%). After conducting a Cox regression, increased age (50–59 years versus < 40 years, RR = 2.16 [95% CI: 1.09–5.97], 60+ years versus < 40 years, RR = 3.81 [95% CI: 2.77–8.63]), high body mass index (≥27 kg/m2 versus < 24 kg/m2, RR = 1.64 [95% CI: 1.07–2.98]), high fasting plasma glucose levels (≥126 mg/dL versus < 110 mg/dL, RR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.10–3.87), and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (yes versus no, RR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.21–1.90) appeared to be significantly related to developing GSD.

Conclusion

Increased age is a well-established risk factor for developing GSD. The current findings indicated that high body mass index, elevated fasting plasma glucose levels, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were also associated with GSD.
Detection of EGFR mutations in plasma and biopsies from non-small cell lung cancer patients by allele-specific PCR assays
Authors: Weber Britta , Meldgaard Peter , Hager Henrik , Wu Lin , Wei Wen , Tsai Julie , Khalil Azza , Nexo Ebba , Sorensen Boe S
Published: April 2014

Background

Lung cancer patients with mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are primary candidates for EGFR-targeted therapy. Reliable analyses of such mutations have previously been possible only in tumour tissue. Here, we demonstrate that mutations can be detected in plasma samples with allele-specific PCR assays.

Methods

Pairs of the diagnostic biopsy and plasma obtained just prior to start of erlotinib treatment were collected from 199 patients with adenocarcinoma of non-small-cell lung cancer. DNA from both sample types was isolated and examined for the presence of mutations in exons 18–21 of the EGFR gene, employing the cobas® EGFR Tissue Test and cobas® EGFR Blood Test (in development, Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., CA, USA).

Results

Test results were obtained in all 199 (100%) plasma samples and 196/199 (98%) of the biopsies. EGFR-activating mutations were identified in 24/199 (12%) plasma samples and 28/196 (14%) biopsy samples, and 17/196 (9%) matched pairs contained the same mutation. Six EGFR mutations were present only in plasma samples but not in the biopsy samples. The overall concordance of the EGFR gene mutations detected in plasma and biopsy tissue was 179/196 (91%) (kappa value: 0.621).

Conclusion

Mutational analysis of the EGFR gene in plasma samples is feasible with allele-specific PCR assays and represents a non-invasive supplement to biopsy analysis.

Trial registration

M-20080012 from March 10, 2008 and reported to ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00815971.
Periodontal conditions, low birth weight and preterm birth among postpartum mothers in two tertiary health facilities in Uganda
Authors: Muwazi Louis , Rwenyonyi Charles Mugisha , Nkamba Moses , Kutesa Annet , Kagawa Mike , Mugyenyi Godfrey , Kwizera Godfrey , Okullo Isaac
Published: April 2014

Background

Literature reports have indicated an increase in research evidence suggesting association between periodontal disease and the risk of pre-term birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW). Periodontal diseases in Uganda have been documented as a public health problem, but their association to adverse pregnancy outcomes is unknown. This study was conducted to assess the association between periodontital diseases in postpartum mothers and PTB and LBW of babies in Mulago and Mbarara referral hospitals.

Methods

This was a cross sectional study using medical records, clinical examination and oral interview of mothers at the two tertiary health facilities. Mothers with singleton babies from Mulago (n = 300) and Mbarara Hospital (n = 100) were recruited for the study. The women were clinically examined for periodontal disease by 2 trained and calibrated dentists. Data on PTB and LBW were retrieved from medical records. The data were analyzed to determine the relationship between the four parameters for periodontal disease (bleeding gingiva, periodontal pockets, gingival recession and calculus with plaque deposits) and the adverse pregnancy outcomes. Frequency distribution was used to describe the data. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to study the association between the periodontal diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Results

Approximately 26% and 29% of the postpartum mothers examined had bleeding gingiva and periodontal pockets of 4 mm or more deep, respectively. Advanced periodontitis i.e. pocket depth ≥ 6 mm was recorded in 13 (3.6%) of the mothers. Calculus with plaque deposits were recorded in 86% (n = 343) of the mothers. Gingival recession was recorded in 9.0% of the mothers and significantly and directly related to birth weight (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Periodontal conditions of postpartum mothers in this study were found to be better than previously reported amongst the Ugandan population. Bivariate analysis showed a significant association only between gingival recession and low birth weight. However, this finding should be interpreted with caution as it could have occurred by chance.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma metastatic to the submandibular salivary gland, simulating glandular hypertrophy, diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy: a case report and literature review
Authors: Ambroggi Massimo , Orlandi Elena , Foroni Raoul P , Cavanna Luigi
Published: April 2014

Background

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare neoplasm that generally develops in the pleural or peritoneal cavity. Distant metastases are common; it rarely metastatizes to the head and neck region.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old white man, a non-smoker, was treated with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation for a malignant pleural mesothelioma. Seven months after the last treatment, he developed a right submandibular enlargement: clinical examination, ultrasound and computerized tomography scans revealed a salivary gland hypertrophy. Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic treatment was then started, without improvement. An ultrasound (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) showed atypical mesothelial cells with nuclear enlargement and increased chromatin representation. Immunocytochemistry showed positivity for calretinin and WT-1.

A diagnosis of right submandibular salivary gland involvement from mesothelioma was established, allowing an adequate treatment.

Conclusion

We report a very rare site of metastasis from malignant pleural mesothelioma. We suggest that US-guided FNAB is a useful, quick, and cheap procedure for a definite diagnosis.
Distributed beamforming designs to improve physical layer security in wireless relay networks
Authors: Qian Mujun , Liu Chen , Fu Youhua
Published: April 2014

This paper investigates security-oriented beamforming designs in a relay network composed of a source-destination pair, multiple relays, and a passive eavesdropper. Unlike most of the earlier works, we assume that only statistical information of the relay-eavesdropper channels is known to the relays. We propose beamforming solutions for amplify-and-forward (AF) and decode-and-forward (DF) relay networks to improve secrecy capacity. In an AF network, the beamforming design is obtained by approximating a product of two correlated Rayleigh quotients to a single Rayleigh quotient using the Taylor series expansion. Our study reveals that in an AF network, the secrecy capacity does not always grow as the eavesdropper moves away from the relays or as total relay transmit power increases. Moreover, if the destination is nearer to the relays than the eavesdropper is, a suboptimal power is derived in closed form through monotonicity analysis of secrecy capacity. While in a DF network, secrecy capacity is a single Rayleigh quotient problem which can be easily solved. We also found that if the relay-eavesdropper distances are about the same, it is unnecessary to consider the eavesdropper in a DF network. Numerical results show that for either AF or DF relaying protocol, the proposed beamforming scheme provides higher secrecy capacity than traditional approaches.
Seroprevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis antibodies in intensive pig farms in China
Authors: Wu Zongxue , Ling Yong , Tian Deyu , Pan Qing , Heegaard Peter M H , He Cheng
Published: April 2014

Background

Porcine proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis (L. intracellularis) is a major concern to the pig industry worldwide. Although 8.3 billion pigs are produced each year in China, few reports on the prevalence of L.intracellularis infection are available. The aim of the current study was to estimate the seroprevalence of L. intracellularis antibodies in intensive pig farms in China.

Results

A total of 1060 serum samples were collected from 14 commercial pig farms located throughout China. Animals from all age groups were sampled including pre-weaning piglets, weaners, fattening pigs, adult sows and boars. Antibodies against L. intracellularis were detected using a specific blocking ELISA. Of the 1060 serum samples, 602 were identified as positive using the ELISA test. The apparent seroprevalence of L. intracellularis seropositivity was 57% (95% CI 50 to 64%). The true prevalence (that is, prevalence corrected for the imperfect sensitivity and specificity of the testing method) was 77% (95% CI 70 to 83%).

Conclusions

The highest true prevalence was observed in sows and boars, suggesting that within a herd these stock classes are a reservoir for infection. The prevalence of L. intracellularis seropositivity in local breed pigs was significantly less than that in imported breeds. A higher seroprevalence was found in pigs in herds in Central and Northern China, which may correspond to the greater use of the intensive production systems in these areas. We conclude that L. intracellularis is widely prevalent in commercial pigs in China.
Evaluating the effect of emergency department crowding on triage destination
Authors: O’Connor Erin , Gatien Mathieu , Weir Cindy , Calder Lisa
Published: April 2014

Background

Emergency Department (ED) crowding has been studied for the last 20 years, yet many questions remain about its impact on patient care. In this study, we aimed to determine if ED crowding influenced patient triage destination and intensity of investigation, as well as rates of unscheduled returns to the ED. We focused on patients presenting with chest pain or shortness of breath, triaged as high acuity, and who were subsequently discharged home.

Methods

This pilot study was a health records review of 500 patients presenting to two urban tertiary care EDs with chest pain or shortness of breath, triaged as high acuity and subsequently discharged home. Data extracted included triage time, date, treatment area, time to physician initial assessment, investigations ordered, disposition, and return ED visits within 14 days. We defined ED crowding as ED occupancy greater than 1.5. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the χ2 and Fisher exact tests.

Results

Over half of the patients, 260/500 (52.0%) presented during conditions of ED crowding. More patients were triaged to the non-monitored area of the ED during ED crowding (65/260 (25.0%) vs. 39/240 (16.3%) when not crowded, P = 0.02). During ED crowding, mean time to physician initial assessment was 132.0 minutes in the non-monitored area vs. 99.1 minutes in the monitored area, P <0.0001. When the ED was not crowded, mean time to physician initial assessment was 122.3 minutes in the non-monitored area vs. 67 minutes in the monitored area, P = 0.0003. Patients did not return to the ED more often when triaged during ED crowding: 24/260 (9.3%) vs. 29/240 (12.1%) when ED was not crowded (P = 0.31). Overall, when triaged to the non-monitored area of the ED, 44/396 (11.1%) patients returned, whereas in the monitored area 9/104 (8.7%) patients returned, P = 0.46.

Conclusions

ED crowding conditions appeared to influence triage destination in our ED leading to longer wait times for high acuity patients. This did not appear to lead to higher rates of return ED visits amongst discharged patients in this cohort. Further research is needed to determine whether these delays lead to adverse patient outcomes.
Tribulus terrestris for treatment of sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo - controlled study
Authors: Akhtari Elham , Raisi Firoozeh , Keshavarz Mansoor , Hosseini Hamed , Sohrabvand Farnaz , Bioos Soodabeh , Kamalinejad Mohammad , Ghobadi Ali
Published: April 2014

Background

Tribulus terrestris as a herbal remedy has shown beneficial aphrodisiac effects in a number of animal and human experiments. This study was designed as a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of Tribulus terrestris in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder during their fertile years. Sixty seven women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder were randomly assigned to Tribulus terrestris extract (7.5 mg/day) or placebo for 4 weeks. Desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks after the end of the treatment by using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Two groups were compared by repeated measurement ANOVA test.

Results

Thirty women in placebo group and thirty women in drug group completed the study. At the end of the fourth week, patients in the Tribulus terrestris group had experienced significant improvement in their total FSFI (p < 0.001), desire (p < 0.001), arousal (p = 0.037), lubrication (p < 0.001), satisfaction (p < 0.001) and pain (p = 0.041) domains of FSFI. Frequency of side effects was similar between the two groups.

Conclusions

Tribulus terrestris may safely and effectively improve desire in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Further investigation of Tribulus terrestris in women is warranted.
Oily wastewaters treatment using Pseudomonas sp. isolated from the compost fertilizer
Authors: Azhdarpoor Abooalfazl , Mortazavi Bagher , Moussavi Gholamreza
Published: April 2014

Background

Discharging the oily wastewater in the environment causes serious problems, because of the oil compounds and organic materials presence. Applying biological methods using the lipase enzyme producer microorganisms can be an appropriate choice for treatment of these wastewaters. The aim of this study is to treat those oil wastewaters having high concentration of oil by applying lipase enzyme producer bacteria.

Materials and methods

Oil concentration measurement was conducted using the standard method of gravimetric and the wastewater under study was synthetically made and contained olive, canola and sunflower oil. The strain used in this study was Pseudomonas strain isolated from compost fertilizer. The oil under study had concentration of 1.5 to 22 g/l.

Results

The oil removal amount in concentrations lower than 8.4 g/l was over 95 ± 1.5%. Increase of the oil's concentration to 22 g/l decreases the amount of removal in retention time of 44 hours to 85 ± 2.5%. The best yield of removing this strain in retention time of 44 hours and temperature of 30°C was achieved using Ammonium Nitrate as the nitrogen resource which yield was about 95 percent.

Conclusion

The findings of the research showed that Pseudomonas bacteria isolated from the compost fertilizer can degrade high concentration oils.
The effect of standing and sitting postures on breathing in brass players
Authors: Price Kevin , Schartz Philippe , Watson Alan HD
Published: April 2014

Purpose

The object of this study was to examine the effect of posture on breathing in brass players. Breathing when standing was compared with sitting erect on a flat, downward or upward sloping seat, or on a reclining seat.

Methods

Spirometry was used to measure aspects of lung function. Muscle activity and respiratory movements during different playing tasks were recorded using electromyography and inductive plethysmography.

Results

Only sitting in a reclining position produced statistically significantly lower values for VC, FVC, FEV1, PEF than standing. When players were asked to produce a note of maximum duration, only a downward sloping seat caused a significant change (an 11% reduction) compared to standing. When seated, the abdominal component of respiratory movement was significantly higher during these long notes than when standing, though maximum activity in abdominal wall muscles was significantly reduced (by 32–44%). On a downward sloping seat, muscle activity was significantly higher (9%) than on a flat seat. Tongued and untongued sforzando notes recruited significantly less abdominal muscle activity (33–67%) when sitting than when standing. When playing a trumpet study, abdominal muscle activity was significantly reduced on a downward sloping seat (by 32%) and on a flat seat (by 40%) in comparison to standing. Muscle activity in the two sitting positions were not significantly different.

Conclusion

Though brass players are often told to “sit as if standing”, abdominal muscle activity is always significantly reduced when sitting on a flat or downward sloping seat, however when greater respiratory effort is required, activity on downward sloping seats may rise closer to that of standing.
Photogrammetric error sources and impacts on modeling and surveying in construction engineering applications
Authors: Dai Fei , Feng Youyi , Hough Ryan
Published: April 2014

This paper reviews photogrammetric error sources and their impacts on modeling and surveying for construction quantity takeoff, quality control, and site safety monitoring applications. These error sources include camera internal parameters (i.e., type, principal point, principal distance, and camera lens distortion coefficients), imaging settings (i.e., shooting distances, baselines, percentage of photo overlaps, number of overlapping photos, camera intersection angles, and angles of incidence), and processing software programs. To augment the body of knowledge on photogrammetric modeling errors, this paper further conducts experiment, which concerns characterization of the behavior of different strategies in selecting reference lines for fixing absolute scale of photogrammetric models. In construction photogrammetric surveying, it is imperative to convert the relative scale of a 3D model into absolute measurements so geometric measurements can be taken. Previous work suggests this can be done through the determination of a reference line in absolute units; however, the position and quantity of reference lines has not been investigated. This experiment attempts to tackle this issue. The result shows that one horizontal reference line in the middle of the object performed with consistent accuracy, but if a specific area on the object needs more accurate measurements, it is best to select a reference line in that area. The review and the experimental findings may help construction professionals better understand the performance of the photogrammetric surveying and apply it in their real-world projects.
CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells: a marker for lupus nephritis?
Authors: Bonelli Michael , Göschl Lisa , Blüml Stephan , Karonitsch Thomas , Steiner Carl-Walter , Steiner Günter , Smolen Josef S , Scheinecker Clemens
Published: April 2014

Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogenous autoimmune disease, which can affect different organs. Increased proportions of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells have been described in SLE patients. The exact role of this cell population in SLE patients still remains unclear. We therefore analyzed this T cell subset in a large cohort of SLE patients with different organ manifestations.

Methods

Phenotypic analyses, proportions and absolute cell numbers of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells were determined by flow cytometry (FACS) in healthy controls (HC) (n = 36) and SLE patients (n = 61) with different organ manifestations. CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells were correlated with clinical data, the immunosuppressive therapy and different disease activity indices. In patients with active glomerulonephritis, CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells were analyzed in urine sediment samples. Time course analyses of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells were performed in patients with active disease activity before and after treatment with cyclophosphamide and prednisone.

Results

CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells were significantly increased in active SLE patients and the majority expressed Helios. Detailed analysis of this patient cohort revealed increased proportions of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells in SLE patients with renal involvement. CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells were also detected in urine sediment samples of patients with active glomerulonephritis and correlated with the extent of proteinuria.

Conclusion

CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells resemble regulatory rather than activated T cells. Comparative analysis of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells in SLE patients revealed a significant association of this newly described cell population with active nephritis. Therefore CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells might serve as an important tool to recognize and monitor SLE patients with renal involvement.
Impact of prior statin therapy on the outcome of patients with suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia: an observational study
Authors: Bruyere Rémi , Vigneron Clara , Prin Sébastien , Pechinot André , Quenot Jean-Pierre , Aho Serge , Papazian Laurent , Charles Pierre-Emmanuel
Published: April 2014

Introduction

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most commonly acquired infection in intensive care units (ICU). Its outcome is related, at least in part, to the host’s response. Statins have anti-inflammatory effects and may thus improve the outcome. We aimed to assess the impact of prior statin use in the setting of VAP.

Methods

A six-year cohort study was conducted in a French ICU at a teaching hospital. All of the patients with suspected VAP were included. Baseline characteristics, outcomes, statin exposure, and the description of suspected episodes were collected prospectively. The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality. Patients who were taking statins before admission to the ICU whether or not treatment was continued thereafter (‘previous users’ group) were compared to those without prior statin therapy (‘statin-naive’ group). A survival analysis using a Cox model was conducted in the whole cohort and in the subgroup of prior statin users.

Results

Among the 349 patients included, 93 (26.6%) had taken statins. At baseline, these patients were at higher risk of complications than statin-naive ones (for example, older, more likely to be men and to have underlying diseases, greater simplified acute physiology score II (SAPS II)). There was, however, no difference regarding severity at the time VAP was suspected (sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA): 9.0 (4.0 to 16.0) versus 8.0 (4.0 to 17.0); P = 0.11). Nonetheless, 30-day mortality in statin users was not different from that in statin-naive patients (35.5% versus 26.2%, respectively; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.23 (0.79 to 1.90) 95% confidence interval (CI); P = 0.36). In contrast, after limiting analysis to prior statin users and adjusting for potential confounders, those who continued the treatment had better survival than those who did not (HR = 0.47; (0.22 to 0.97) 95% CI; P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Statin continuation in prior users could provide protective effects in patients with suspected VAP.
Carbon monoxide poisoning in the 21st century
Authors: Chiew Angela L , Buckley Nicholas A
Published: April 2014

The world has experienced some very large shifts in the epidemiology of carbon monoxide poisoning, but it remains one of the most important toxicological global causes of morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis can be quickly confirmed with blood gases (pulse oximeters lack both sensitivity and specificity). Several strong predictors for serious neurological sequelae (prolonged loss of consciousness and elevated S100B) and reduced life expectancy (elevated troponin) are now reasonably well established. Despite this clearly defined high-risk group and extensive research into the pathophysiology, there has been little translation into better treatment. Much of the pathophysiological research has focused on hyperbaric oxygen. Yet it is apparent that clinical trials show little evidence for benefit from hyperbaric oxygen, and the most recent even raises the possibility of harm for repeated courses. More logical and promising potential antidotes have been under-researched, although recently both animal and small human studies suggest that erythropoietin may reduce S100B and prevent neurological sequelae. Major breakthroughs are likely to require further research on this and other treatments that may inhibit post-hypoxic inflammatory responses and apoptosis.
Neural substrates associated with humor processing
Authors: Noh Jihye , Seok Ji-woo , Kim Suk-Hee , Cheong Chaejoon , Sohn Jin-Hun
Published: April 2014

Background

Humor is composed of a cognitive element related to the detection of humor and an affective element related to the appreciation of humor. To investigate activated areas of the brain related to the two components of humor and to identify neural substrates associated with the degree of humor intensity, 13 participants were scanned while watching cartoons.

Findings

While watching humorous scenes, various areas of the brain were activated, including (1) the inferior gyrus, an area involved in reconciling ambiguous semantic content with stored knowledge, and (2) the temporal gyrus and fusiform gyrus, brain regions associated with the feeling of mirth. Further, humor intensity was positively correlated with BOLD signal magnitude in the nucleus accumbens, a region known to be involved in psychologically and psychopharmacologically driven rewards.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate a two-component neural circuit model of humor processing and a key region important in pleasurable feelings accompanied by humor.
Temporal structure of the peritrich ciliate assemblage in a large Neotropical lake
Authors: Safi Lúcia SL , Fontoura Nelson F , Severo Henrique J , Utz Laura RP
Published: April 2014

Background

Periphytic communities are usually composed by prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes and small metazoans and could be found in any submerged surface in aquatic environments. Ciliates generally are the dominant organisms in periphytic communities where they can form assemblages of complex taxonomic composition. Among these ciliate taxa, peritrichs are very common organisms found in periphyton; also, they are easy to collect, be easily recognized, and have been widely used to evaluate and monitor ecological and ecotoxicological investigations. Several studies have been focused on periphytic communities in freshwaters from the Northern Hemisphere, with very little data on similar environments in the South. In the present study, we analyzed the structure and temporal dynamics of the ciliate peritrich community in a Neotropical shallow lake, comparing the fluctuation of the peritrich community with environmental factors.

Results

Peritrichia comprised a total of 22 morphospecies throughout the year with genera Epistylis and Vorticella the most diverse and abundant genera. Peritrich density was considerably higher during fall and winter, demonstrating a clear seasonal cycle. Small, solitary species showed no pattern of dominance during any particular stage of succession, reaching abundance peak any time during the sampling period. On the other hand, large colonial species were abundant only in the last half of each successional cycle. Species abundance was correlated to temporal and environmental drivers.

Conclusion

Our results support the hypothesis of a temporal pattern of succession in the community of peritrich ciliates that composes the periphyton of the studied lake with different responses by individual species to successional time, year, season, and environmental factors.
A Polymorphism in the Crhr1 Gene Determines Stress Vulnerability in Male Mice
Authors: Labermaier Christiana , Kohl Christine , Hartmann Jakob , Devigny Christian , Altmann Andre , Weber Peter , Arloth Janine , Quast Carina , Wagner Klaus V. , Scharf Sebastian H. , Czibere Ludwig , Widner-Andrä Regina , Brenndörfer Julia , Landgraf Rainer , Hausch Felix , Jones Ken A , Müller Marianne B , Uhr Manfred , Holsboer Florian , Binder Elisabeth B. , Schmidt Mathias V.
Published: April 2014

Chronic stress is a risk factor for psychiatric disorders but does not necessarily lead to uniform long-term effects on mental health, suggesting modulating factors such as genetic predispositions. Here we address the question whether natural genetic variations in the mouse CRH receptor 1 (Crhr1) locus modulate the effects of adolescent chronic social stress (ACSS) on long-term stress hormone dysregulation in outbred CD1 mice, which allows a better understanding of the currently reported genes × environment interactions of early trauma and CRHR1 in humans. We identified 2 main haplotype variants in the mouse Crhr1 locus that modulate the long-term effects of ACSS on basal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. This effect is likely mediated by higher levels of CRHR1, because Crhr1 mRNA expression and CRHR1 binding were enhanced in risk haplotype carriers. Furthermore, a CRHR1 receptor antagonist normalized these long-term effects. Deep sequencing of the Crhr1 locus in CD1 mice revealed a large number of linked single-nucleotide polymorphisms with some located in important regulatory regions, similar to the location of human CRHR1 variants implicated in modulating gene × stress exposure interactions. Our data support that the described gene × stress exposure interaction in this animal model is based on naturally occurring genetic variations in the Crhr1 gene associated with enhanced CRHR1-mediated signaling. Our results suggest that patients with a specific genetic predisposition in the CRHR1 gene together with an exposure to chronic stress may benefit from a treatment selectively antagonizing CRHR1 hyperactivity.
The Niemann-Pick C1 Like 1 (NPC1L1) Inhibitor Ezetimibe Improves Metabolic Disease Via Decreased Liver X Receptor (LXR) Activity in Liver of Obese Male Mice
Authors: Sugizaki Taichi , Watanabe Mitsuhiro , Horai Yasushi , Kaneko-Iwasaki Nao , Arita Eri , Miyazaki Teruo , Morimoto Kohkichi , Honda Akira , Irie Junichiro , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: April 2014

Dyslipidemic patients with diabetes mellitus, including metabolic syndrome, are at increased risk of coronary heart disease. It has been reported that ezetimibe, a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, improves metabolic diseases in mice and humans. However, the underlying mechanism has been unclear. Here we explored the effects of ezetimibe on lipid and glucose homeostasis. Male KK-Ay mice were fed a high-fat diet, which is the mouse model of metabolic syndrome, with or without ezetimibe for 14 weeks. Ezetimibe improved dyslipidemia, steatosis, and insulin resistance. Ezetimibe decreased hepatic oxysterols, which are endogenous agonists of liver X receptor (LXR), to decrease hepatic lipogenic gene expressions, especially in stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), leading to a remarkable reduction of hepatic oleate content that would contribute to the improvement of steatosis by reducing triglycerides and cholesterol esters. Simultaneously, hepatic β-oxidation, NADPH oxidase and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) were reduced, and thus reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines were also decreased. Consistent with these changes, ezetimibe diminished c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation and improved insulin signaling in the liver. In vitro study using primary hepatocytes obtained from male SD rats, treated with oleate and LXR agonist, showed excess lipid accumulation, increased oxidative stress and impaired insulin signaling. Therefore, in obese subjects, ezetimibe reduces hepatic LXR activity by reducing hepatic oxysterols to lower hepatic oleate content. This improves steatosis and reduces oxidative stress, and this reduction improves insulin signaling in the liver. These results provide insight into pathogenesis and strategies for treatment of the metabolic syndrome.
Neural Activity Reveals Preferences without Choices
Authors: Smith Alec , Bernheim B. Douglas , Camerer Colin F. , Rangel Antonio
Published: April 2014

We investigate the feasibility of inferring the choices people would make (if given the opportunity) based on their neural responses to the pertinent prospects when they are not engaged in actual decision making. The ability to make such inferences is of potential value when choice data are unavailable, or limited in ways that render standard methods of estimating choice mappings problematic. We formulate prediction models relating choices to “nonchoice” neural responses, and use them to predict out-of-sample choices for new items and for new groups of individuals. The predictions are sufficiently accurate to establish the feasibility of our approach. (JEL D12, D87)
When Is a Risky Asset “Urgently Needed”?
Authors: Kubler Felix , Selden Larry , Wei Xiao
Published: April 2014

Risk free asset demand in the classic portfolio problem is shown to decrease with income if and only if the consumer's uncertainty preferences over assets satisfy the preference condition that the risk free asset is more readily substituted for the risky asset as the quantity of the latter increases. In this case, the risky asset is said to be “urgently needed” following the terminology of the classic certainty analysis of Johnson (1913). The urgently needed property tends to be more readily satisfied in uncertainty versus certainty settings. Asset pricing implications of this property are provided. (JEL D11, D53, D81, G11, G12)
Inefficiency Measurement
Authors: Chambers Christopher P. , Miller Alan D.
Published: April 2014

We introduce an ordinal model of efficiency measurement. Our primitive is a notion of efficiency that is comparative, but not cardinal or absolute. In this framework, we postulate axioms that an ordinal efficiency measure should satisfy. Primary among these are choice consistency and planning consistency, which guide the measurement of efficiency in a firm with access to multiple technologies. Other axioms include scale invariance, strong monotonicity, and a continuity condition. These axioms characterize a family of path-based measures. By replacing the continuity condition with symmetry, we obtain the coefficient of resource utilization. (JEL D24, D60)
Acidosasa (Poaceae: Bambusoideae): Publication by descriptio generico‐specifica and typification
Authors: Deng Yun-Fei , Xia Nian-He
Published: April 2014

Acidosasa was not validly published when first effectively published in 1979. The first instance of valid publication of Acidosasa has traditionally been taken to be Keng in 1982 with A. chinensis as type. However, Acidosasa was first validly published along with Acidosasa glauca by Yang in 1981 using a descriptio generico‐specifica. Consequently Acidosasa was validly published at an earlier date and with a different type than what has generally been reported. As a result, Acidosasa glauca B.M.Yang predates the name Indosasa chienouensis T.H.Wen (1983), the basionym of A. chienouensis (T.H.Wen) C.S.Chao & T.H.Wen with which A. glauca has been previously treated as a synonym. The correct place and date of publication, authorship, typification, and synonymy are given for the genus name Acidosasa and specific names placed under Acidosasa.
Lectotypification of names of Eurasian‐African Senecio (Compositae)
Authors: Calvo Joel , Spencer Mark A. , Aedo Carlos
Published: April 2014

Of thirty‐eight Senecio taxa recognized in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands, eight of their accepted species names are typified herein. Senecio adonidifolius, S. aquaticus, S. boissieri, S. flavus, S. gallicus, S leucophyllus, S. malacitanus, and S. minutus are lectotypified, and an epitype is designated for S. aquaticus.
Three species for the price of one within the moss Homalothecium sericeum s.l.
Authors: Hedenäs Lars , Désamoré Aurélie , Laenen Benjamin , Papp Beata , Quandt Dietmar , González-Mancebo Juana Maria , Patiño Jairo , Vanderpoorten Alain , Stech Michael
Published: April 2014

Phylogenetic analyses within the moss Homalothecium sericeum resolved two clades and four haplotypes in a polytomy. Because the clades and the four haplotypes as one group exhibit comparable levels of genetic divergence to those observed among sister species in the genus, significant morphological differences, and distinct geographic distributions, they are recognised as three distinct species. Discriminant analysis was employed to assign the types of “forgotten” taxa previously recognized within H. sericeum s.l. to those three species based on their morphology. While a growing number of “cryptic species” has been reported in the literature, the results suggest that thorough morpho‐anatomical investigations are likely to reveal morphological discontinuities among such taxa and trigger their formal description at the appropriate taxonomic level. Homalothecium sericeum s.str., H. mandonii (Mitt.) Geh. and H. meridionale (M. Fleisch. & Warnst) Hedenäs comb. & stat. nov. clearly differ in sporophytic traits but the identification of sterile specimens is challenged by the overlap in gametophytic characters. As a consequence, 8%–37% of the specimens were mis‐classified in discriminant analyses in an attempt to find the best combination of gametophytic traits to identify specimens that were assigned to one of the three species on the basis of their genotype. The three species differ in rpl16, a region that distinguishes species also in other moss genera and should be further explored as a candidate for DNA barcoding marker among mosses. Homalothecium mandonii is the second case of an endemic Macaronesian bryophyte species whose range encompasses the Cape Verde Islands, the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores. Homalothecium meridionale is circum‐Mediterranean and was reported from one locality in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, while H. sericeum occurs across Europe, eastern North America, and western Asia. The distributions of the segregate species within H. sericeum s.l. reinforce the notion that many disjunctions typically observed in moss distribution ranges are due to taxonomic shortcomings and call for the need of substantial taxonomic revisions of previously broadly defined bryophyte species.
Lectotypification of Linnaean names in the genus Achyranthes (Amaranthaceae)
Authors: Iamonico Duilio
Published: April 2014

The typification of four Linnaean names in Achyranthes L. (Amaranthaceae) are discussed. Specimens from the Linnaean Herbarium and illustrations from Burman and Dillenius are designated as the lectotypes.