bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Retrospective Study of Acute Kidney Injury in Cats and Development of a Novel Clinical Scoring System for Predicting Outcome for Cats Managed by Hemodialysis
Authors: Segev G. , Nivy R. , Kass P.H. , Cowgill L.D.
Published: May 2013

Background

Information regarding acute kidney injury (AKI) in cats is limited, and there are no reliable tools to objectively assess disease severity and predict outcome.

Objectives

To assess clinical signs, clinicopathologic abnormalities, etiology, and outcome of cats withAKI, and to develop models using clinical metrics and empirically derived scores to predict outcome.

Animals

One hundred and thirty‐two client‐owned cats.

Methods

Retrospective study. Bivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables predictive of 30‐day survival. Continuous variables outside the reference range were divided into quartiles to yield quartile‐specific odds ratios (OR) for survival. Models were developed incorporating weighting factors assigned to each quartile based on theOR. A predictive score for each model was calculated for each cat by summing all weighting factors. A second, multivariable logistic regression model was created from actual values of the same variables. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to determine the models' performance. Models were further tested using a subset of cases not used in initial assessment.

Results

Fifty five of 132 cats (42%) remained dialysis‐independent for at least 30 days after discharge, and the remaining 77 cats either died (n = 37, 28%) or were euthanized (n = 40, 30%). The most common etiology was ureteral obstruction (n = 46, 35%). Higher scores were associated with decreased probability of survival (P < .001). Models correctly classified outcomes in 75–77% of the cases and 84–89% of the cases in the subsequent evaluation.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Models can provide objective guidance in assessingAKIprognosis and severity, but should be validated in other cohorts of cats.
Habitat‐dependent interactive effects of a heatwave and experimental fertilization on the vegetation of an alpine mire
Authors: Brancaleoni Lisa , Gerdol Renato
Published: May 2013

Aims

Our objective was to investigate how the after‐effects of a heatwave interacted with nutrient addition in affecting the vegetation of an alpine mire. We also aimed to assess if the responses of vegetation to the environmental changes differed between mire habitats.

Location

A mire in the Dolomites (southeastern Alps, Italy, 1800 m a.s.l.).

Methods

We carried out an 8‐yr (2002–2009) experiment of nutrient addition in an alpine mire that experienced, in summer 2003, an unprecedented heatwave. The cover of vascular plants and mosses was assessed non‐destructively and the presence of all vascular plant and moss species was recorded in 60 plots.

Results

Interacting effects of the heatwave and experimental fertilization brought about profound changes in the vegetation of the mire. Patterns of change varied considerably between two habitats (hummocks and lawns). In the short term (2003–2005), the 2003 heatwave triggered a change in vegetation structure and PFT cover, with vascular plants expanding at the expense of mosses in both habitats. In the mid‐term (2005–2009), moss cover increased in hummocks because Sphagnum mosses recovered and non‐Sphagnum mosses expanded, especially under N addition. Conversely, in lawns vascular plants expanded while mosses did not recover. These trends were strengthened when N was added with no concomitant P addition. A decline in species richness was observed in lawns, most likely due to stronger interactions among species.

Conclusions

Hummocks have a greater ability than lawns to recover from extreme climatic events under higher levels of N influx. Conversely, a persistent increase in vascular plant cover at the expense of moss cover in lawns may jeopardize the carbon sink function of lawn habitats.
Effects of microhabitat and growth form on bryophyte mortality associated with leaf litter burial in a boreal spruce forest
Authors: Schmalholz Martin , Granath Gustaf
Published: May 2013

Questions

Do mortality rates of boreal bryophytes associated with leaf litter burial vary with degree of shelter on forest floor microsites in spruce‐dominated forests? Do erect and prostrate species respond similarly? What is the relative importance of deciduous leaves (from aspen and birch) vs conifer needles as bryophyte mortality agents?

Location

Boreal spruce forests of central Sweden.

Methods

A transplant study examining mortality was set up with four different bryophyte species: two creeping, prostrate liverworts (Calypogeia integristipula and Lepidozia reptans) and two more erect mosses (Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus and Hylocomiastrum umbratum). We tested for differences in mortality rates associated with leaf litter burial in three microhabitats differing in degree of shelter on the forest floor, i.e. sheltered (large boulders, tree bases of spruce) and unsheltered (open forest floor).

Results

After two growing seasons, 12.7% of the bryophyte transplants (40 out of 316, of which 37 transplants were prostrate liverworts) were dead, presumably due to litter burial. These two prostrate liverworts displayed significantly higher mortality rates close to boulders and at tree bases compared to unsheltered forest floors. Furthermore, although only comprising a small portion of the canopy (<10%), deciduous litter accounted for 53% of all transplants that were buried by litter, compared to 47% for conifer needle litter.

Conclusion

We find fine‐scale spatial patchiness in the responses of bryophytes to litter fall. Mortality of prostrate liverworts associated with litter burial varies among microhabitats on the forest floor, with significantly higher mortality at sheltered microsites (here exemplified by boulders and tree bases) compared to erect moss species. Bryophytes close to microtopographic structures (e.g. boulders and trees) are more strongly exposed to litter burial, but such structures can also function as refuges under disturbance events such as clear‐cuts and windthrows. In addition, they may contain convex surfaces that accumulate less litter than flat or convex forest floor surfaces. The observed large effect of litter burial associated with bryophyte mortality, and the variation among microhabitats and species growth forms, suggest that incorporation of litter fall is of vital importance for our understanding of the dynamics of forest bryophyte communities.
Ammonia clearance with haemofiltration in adults with liver disease
Authors: Slack Andrew J. , Auzinger Georg , Willars Chris , Dew Tracy , Musto Rebecca , Corsilli Daniel , Sherwood Roy , Wendon Julia A. , Bernal William
Published: May 2013

Background & Aims

Ammonia is recognized as a toxin central to complications of liver failure. Hyperammonaemia has important clinical consequences, but optimal means to reduce circulating levels are uncertain. In patients with liver disease, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with haemofiltration (HF) is often required to treat concurrent kidney injury, but its effects upon ammonia levels are poorly characterized. To evaluate the effect of HF at different treatment intensities on ammonia clearance (AC) and arterial ammonia concentration.

Methods

Prospective study of adult patients with liver failure and arterial ammonia >100 μmol/L requiring CRRT using veno‐venous HF. Arterial ammonia concentration and AC measured at 1 and 24 h after initiation of low (35 ml/kg/h) or high (90 ml/kg/h) filtration volume.

Results

Twenty‐four patients (10 acute liver failure, 10 chronic liver disease and 4 following liver resection) were studied. Clearance of urea and ammonia solutes correlated closely (r = 0.819, P = 0.007). Ammonia clearance correlated closely with ultrafiltration rate (r = 0.86, P < 0.001). At 1 h, AC was 39 (34–54) ml/min (low volume) vs 85 (62–105) ml/min (high volume) CRRT, (P < 0.001) and at 24 h 44 (34–63) vs 105 (82–109) ml/min, (P = 0.01). Overall, a 22% reduction in median arterial ammonia concentration was observed over 24 h of HF from 156 (137–176) to 122 (85–133) μmol/L, (P ≤ 0.0001).

Conclusion

Clinically significant ammonia clearance can be achieved in adult patients with hyperammonaemia utilizing continuous VVHF. Ammonia clearance is closely correlated with ultrafiltration rate. HF was associated with a fall in arterial ammonia concentration.
Chromatic‐Third Relations in the Music ofBruckner: a Neo‐Riemannian Perspective
Authors: Ramirez Miguel
Published: May 2013

The present study offers an extended neo‐Riemannian examination of chromatic‐third relations in selectedBruckner compositions of the 1880s, and it constitutes the first such examination of the composer's music. Owing to its inherent indifference towards the notions of tonal centre and conventional harmonic syntax, a neo‐Riemannian transformational model seems particularly apt for the analysis of the music selected – music in which non‐functional chord progressions, symmetrical divisions of the octave and the temporary suspension of tonic centricity are featured. The characteristics of the works analysed here suggest an evolution inBruckner's handling of chromaticism, from the seeminglysui generismixture of plagal and chromatic‐third relations in the coda of the opening movement of the SixthSymphony, to a more methodical use of hexatonic‐polar transformations in the motetEcce sacerdos magnus, to the exhaustive, almost systematic exploration of hexatonic cycles in the finale of the EighthSymphony.
Peripheral and total parenteral nutrition as the strongest risk factors for nosocomial candidemia in elderly patients: a matched case–control study
Authors: Luzzati Roberto , Cavinato Silvia , Giangreco Manuela , Granà Gianluca , Centonze Sandro , Deiana Maria L. , Biolo Gianni , Barbone Fabio
Published: May 2013

Candidemia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the healthcare setting. However, there is limited information about risk factors for such infection among elderly patients. A case–control study was conducted during the period 2008–2011. For each case, two controls were selected among patients admitted to the same hospital, and individually matched by sex, age, time of admission, hospital ward and hospitalisation duration. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) was calculated using multiple conditional logistic regression. We identified 145 episodes of candidemia occurring in 140 patients with a median age of 80 years. Candida albicans caused 55% of all candidemia episodes. After adjustment, candidemia was strongly associated with duration of total [duration > 7 days: OR = 20.09; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.44–117.52] and peripheral parenteral nutrition (duration > 7 days: OR = 26.83; 95% CI: 6.54–110.17), other central vascular catheters (OR = 5.17; 95% CI: 1.24–23.54) and glycopeptide antibiotics (OR = 6.45; 95% CI: 1.90–21.91). Duration of peripheral and total parenteral nutrition and antibiotics predicted over 50% of all candidemias. Intervention studies should be planned to evaluate effectiveness of candidemia prevention by restricting parenteral nutrition, prompting earlier enteral feeding, and reducing use of antibiotics, especially glycopeptides, in elderly patients.
Micronutrient supplements: Who needs them? A personal view
Authors: Shenkin A.
Published: May 2013

Supplements of vitamins and trace elements are consumed widely in the UK, yet there is little evidence that their ingestion is beneficial to health or wellbeing. This review summarises the evidence for health benefits or harm in the situations where supplements are taken.

In only a few cases does the Department of Health recommend supplements in the otherwise healthy population – folic acid before and in the early stages of pregnancy, as requirements are higher, and vitamin D in infants under 5 for example, as their diet is inadequate and they are unlikely to get enough from exposure to sunlight.

Deficiency of individual micronutrients leading to signs of clinical deficiency is fairly common in clinical practice (e.g. anaemia due to iron deficiency, or folate or vitamin B12 deficiency) and it is clear that the relevant nutrient must be provided to correct the deficiency state. Subclinical deficiency is more common, where the deficit in a nutrient is not sufficiently severe to cause clinical signs, but there may be metabolic or non‐specific clinical effects. Benefits of supplements on immune function or cognition in these situations have been difficult to prove. In particular, concern about the adequacy of the antioxidant defences has led to several studies of high‐dose antioxidants in an attempt to reduce mortality from cardiovascular disease or cancer. These have been found to lead to an increase, rather than a decrease, in mortality.

There is good evidence that benefit is obtained from ingestion of micronutrients as part of a varied, balanced diet, including at least five portions of fruits and vegetables per day. Purified supplements may be of value in certain at‐risk groups who are known to have a poor or inadequate diet. In such cases, supplements should be limited to provision of no more than the Reference Nutrient Intake to minimise the risk of excess.
Evaluation of Linear Lesions in the Left and Right Atrium in Ablation of Long‐standing Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: WANG YUAN‐LONG , LIU XU , TAN HONG‐WEI , ZHOU LI , JIANG WEI‐FENG , GU JUN , LIU YU‐GANG
Published: May 2013

Background

This randomized prospective study compared three ablation strategies in patients with long‐standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LPeAF). It also explored the best procedural endpoint from among the following: circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) + left atrial (LA) linear lesions (roofline, mitral isthmus) + complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) ablation, PVI + LA linear lesions + cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation + CFAE ablation, and PVI + CFAE ablation.

Methods and Results

A total of 210 patients with LPeAF referred for catheter ablation were enrolled and randomized into three ablation groups. The patients in group A (n = 70) underwent PVI followed by LA linear and CFAE ablation; in 93% of patients the primary endpoint was achieved (five patients with incomplete linear lesions). Of the 70 patients in group B who were subjected to PVI followed by LA linear, CFAE, and CTI ablations, in 94% of patients the primary endpoint was achieved (four patients with incomplete linear lesions). All patients in group C (n = 70) successfully underwent PVI and CFAE ablation. Direct current cardioversion was performed upon PVI, CFAE elimination, and completion of linear lesions. Patients were followed‐up for atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence for at least 24 months. After a single ablation procedure, group C (36%) exhibited the lowest success compared with group A (54%) and group B (51%) (P = 0.06). At the mean follow‐up of 32 ± 9 months after the final ablation procedure, 53 patients (76%) in group A, 53 (76%) in group B, and 41 (59%) in group C were in sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic drugs (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

In LPeAF, linear lesions in the LA help improve outcome of ablation, additional CTI ablation does not.
A Case Report on Autosomal Recessive Total Congenital Anonychia
Authors: Balta Ilknur , Kalkan Goknur
Published: May 2013

A 21‐year‐old woman presented with a history of the absence of the nails of all her fingers and toes since birth. Her grandfathers were first degree relatives. Her two brothers (26 and 28 years old) had the same anomalies. Autosomal recessive inheritance of this disease was supported in our cases because the parents were consanguineous and the disease occurred in two brothers and a sister.
Epidemiology of Ophthalmologic Disease Associated with Erythema Multiforme, Stevens‐Johnson Syndrome, and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in Hospitalized Children in the United States
Authors: Moreau Jacqueline F. , Watson Robert S. , Hartman Mary E. , Linde‐Zwirble Walter T. , Ferris Laura K.
Published: May 2013

The objective of the current study was to characterize the epidemiology and resource use of U.S. children hospitalized with ophthalmologic disease secondary to erythema multiforme (EM), Stevens‐Johnson syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). We studied children ages 5 to 19 years hospitalized in 2005 in 11 states, encompassing 38% of the U.S. pediatric population. Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes, we identified admissions of children with EM, SJS, or TEN and the presence of concurrent ophthalmologic disease, analyzed patient and hospitalization characteristics, and generated age‐ and sex‐adjusted national estimates. We identified 460 children admitted with EM, SJS, or TEN, corresponding to 1,229 U.S. hospitalizations in 2005. Of the children with EM, SJS, or TEN, 60 (13.0%) had ophthalmologic disease, primarily (90.0%) disorders of the conjunctiva. Children with the highest proportions of ophthalmologic disease included those with mycoplasma pneumonia (26.7%), herpes simplex virus (15.6%), upper respiratory infection (13.9%), and lower respiratory infection (13.7%). Individuals with EM, SJS, or TEN and ophthalmologic disease were more likely than those without ophthalmologic disease to receive intensive care unit care (28.3% vs 17.0%, p = 0.03) and to be admitted to a children's hospital (63.3% vs 48.8%, p = 0.03). Ophthalmologic disease was also associated with a significantly longer median length of stay (6.0 days, interquartile range [IQR] 3–9 days vs 3.0 days, IQR 2–6 days, p < 0.001) and median hospital cost ($7,868, IQR $3,539–$17,440 vs $2,969, IQR $1,603–$8,656, p < 0.001). In children with EM, SJS, or TEN, ophthalmologic disease was most common in those with concurrent Mycoplasma pneumoniae and herpes simplex virus infections. Ophthalmologic disease was associated with considerably higher inpatient resource use in this population. Children with EM, SJS, or TEN should be screened and treated early for ophthalmologic disease to prevent morbidity and minimize long‐term sequellae.
Generation of Soluble NKG2D Ligands: Proteolytic Cleavage, Exosome Secretion and Functional Implications
Authors: Chitadze G. , Bhat J. , Lettau M. , Janssen O. , Kabelitz D.
Published: May 2013

The activating natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) receptor is expressed on NK cells, cytotoxic T cells and additional T cell subsets. Ligands for human NKG2D comprise two groups of MHC class I‐related molecules, the MHC class I chain‐related proteins A and B (MICA/B) and 6 UL16‐binding proteins (ULBP1‐6). While NKG2D ligands are absent from most normal cells, expression is induced upon stress and malignant transformation. In fact, most solid tumours and leukaemia/lymphomas constitutively express at least one NKG2D ligand and thereby are susceptible to NKG2D‐dependent immunosurveillance. However, soluble NKG2D ligands are released from tumour cells and can down‐modulate NKG2D activation as a means of tumour immune escape. In some tumour entities, levels of soluble NKG2D ligands in the serum correlate with tumour progression. NKG2D ligands can be proteolytically shed from the cell surface or liberated from the membrane by phospholipase C in the case of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored molecules. Moreover, NKG2D ligands can be secreted in exosomal microvesicles together with other tumour‐derived molecules. Depending on the specific tumour/immune cell setting, these various forms of soluble and/or exosome‐bound NKG2D ligands can exert multiple effects on NKG2D/NKG2D ligand interactions. In this review, we focus on the role of various proteases in the shedding of human NKG2D ligands from tumour cells and discuss the not completely unanimous reported functional implications of soluble and exosome‐secreted NKG2D ligands for immunosurveillance.
ESAT‐6‐gpi DNA Vaccine Augmented the Specific Antitumour Efficacy Induced by the Tumour Vaccine B16F10‐ESAT‐6‐gpi/IL‐21 in a Mouse Model
Authors: He X. , Wang J. , Zhao F. , Chen D. , Chen J. , Zhang H. , Yang C. , Liu Y. , Dou J.
Published: May 2013

In this study, we hypothesized that the mice immunized with the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored 6‐kDa early‐secreted antigenic target (ESAT‐6) DNA vaccine (ESAT‐6‐gpi) and the tumour vaccine B16F10‐ESAT‐6‐gpi/IL‐21 might significantly enhance immune responses and antimelanoma efficacy. Our experimental results indicated that the anti‐ESAT‐6 antibody induced by the DNA vaccine ESAT‐6‐gpi bound ESAT‐6 to the surface of tumour vaccine to activate a complement classical pathway and resulted in the B16F10 tumour cell lysis and apoptosis, which served as a potential trigger for breaking melanomatous immune tolerance to elicit an initiation of natural antimelanoma immunity. Our innovative approach of using the DNA vaccine ESAT‐6‐gpi priming and the tumour vaccine B16F10‐ESAT‐6‐gpi/IL‐21 boosting induced strong antimelanoma immunity that inhibited melanomatous growth. These findings highlighted the DNA vaccine ESAT‐6‐gpi as an immune enhancer to augment the immune efficacy of the tumour vaccine B16F10‐ESAT ‐6‐gpi/IL‐21 against melanoma in a mouse model.
The Nonequivalent Health of High School Equivalents
Authors: Zajacova Anna , Everett Bethany G.
Published: May 2013

Objectives

Millions of U.S. adults are recipients of the high school (HS) equivalency (General Education Development [GED]) diploma. Virtually nothing is known about the health of this large group, although literature suggests GED recipients are considerably worse off than HS graduates in numerous economic and social outcomes. We analyze general health among working‐age adults with a HS diploma, GED recipients, and HS dropouts.

Methods

Ordered and binary logistic models of self‐rated health and activity limitations were estimated using data from the 1997–2009 National Health Interview Surveys (N = 76,703).

Results

GED recipients have significantly and substantially worse health than HS graduates, among both sexes. In fact, the GED recipients’ health is generally comparable to that of HS dropouts. Health behaviors and economic factors explain a large proportion of the difference but the gap remains significant.

Conclusions

In terms of health, adults with a terminal GED are not equivalent to HS graduates. GED recipients report considerably worse general health and activity limitations. The disadvantage is only partly due to the worse economic outcomes and health behaviors; a significant difference remains unexplained and may be due to other, unobserved pathways, or to selection mechanisms.
Do Social Ties Encourage Immigrant Voters to Participate in Other Campaign Activities?
Authors: Klofstad Casey A. , Bishin Benjamin G.
Published: May 2013

Objective

How do immigrants become politically active? While this process has been extensively studied, the role of ties to formal and informal institutions of society has been understudied. We test whether informal (political discussion) and formal (connections to community organizations) ties encourage immigrant voters to participate in other campaign activities.

Methods

Data were collected through a 2008 exit poll of Miami‐Dade County, Florida, USA voters. Along with assessing the bivariate relationship between social ties and campaign participation, we use a Poisson event count regression model to control for alternative explanations.

Results

The positive relationship between social ties and campaign participation among immigrant voters disappears once we control for alternative explanations. There is, however, a positive relationship among the native born (including second‐generation immigrants).

Conclusion

Voters need to acquire personal resources, and become assimilated into American political culture, before social ties have an effect on campaign participation.
The President on Spanish‐Language Television News
Authors: Eshbaugh‐Soha Matthew , Balarezo Christine
Published: May 2013

Objectives

Different audience demographics and preferences should produce significant descriptive differences in the content of presidential news, with Noticiero Telemundo (Telemundo) newscasts offering more treatment of presidential news concerning issues pertinent to Latinos than NBC Nightly News (NBC). In addition, presidents can influence Spanish‐language news by targeting policy issues and locations most relevant to Latinos.

Methods

We offer a basic descriptive comparison of news features and also use probit methodology to predict the conditions that contribute to Spanish‐language presidential news coverage over 85 days in early 2011.

Results

Although Telemundo and NBC devote a similar amount of coverage to the president, Telemundo appeals to its Latino audience by reporting on issues relevant to Latinos. In addition, presidents increase the likelihood of Spanish‐language news coverage by visiting border states.

Conclusions

Presidential influence of the news extends to Spanish‐language television, even though Spanish‐language news covers different topics in comparison with English‐language news coverage.
A Morphological Approach to Predicting Urban Expansion
Authors: Arsanjani Jamal Jokar , Helbich Marco , Mousivand Ali Jafar
Published: May 2013

Many methods for modeling urban expansion are available. Most of these computational models demand a variety of large‐scale environmental and socio‐economic data to investigate the relationship between urban expansion and its driving forces. These requirements are not always fulfilled, particularly in developing countries due to a lack of data availability. This necessitates methods not suffering from data limitations to ease their application. Consequently, this research presents a morphological approach for predicting urban expansion on the basis of spatiotemporal dynamics of urban margins by investigating the interior metropolitan area of Tehran, Iran as a case study. To assess the model's performance, urban expansion is monitored from 1976 to 2012. The proposed model is evaluated to ensure that the prediction performance for the year 2012 is acceptable. For the year 2024, the model predicts Tehran's urban expansion at an overall R2 of 88%. Accordingly, it is concluded that: (1) although this approach only inputs urban margins, it represents a suitable and easy‐to‐use urban expansion model; and (2) urban planners are faced with continuing urban expansion.
Aspergillosis after liver transplantation in the context of common variable immunodeficiency: case report
Authors: Chen Y. , Cameron A.
Published: May 2013

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common primary immune defect, resulting in hypogammaglobulinemia as well as deficits in cell‐mediated immunity. Although it mainly manifests in immunodeficiency and related infection, CVID can also be associated with autoimmune phenomena such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, primary biliary cirrhosis, and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). AIH is a less common but serious complication of CVID, which can result in early cirrhosis, ascites, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we discuss a recent case of transplantation for cirrhosis secondary to AIH in the context of CVID. Although the patient's surgery occurred without complication, he rapidly developed fulminant alveolar hemorrhage and seizures, and died secondary to disseminated neuroaspergillosis.
A Framework for Modeling the Interaction of Syntactic Processing and Eye Movement Control
Authors: Engelmann Felix , Vasishth Shravan , Engbert Ralf , Kliegl Reinhold
Published: May 2013

We explore the interaction between oculomotor control and language comprehension on the sentence level using two well‐tested computational accounts of parsing difficulty. Previous work (Boston, Hale, Vasishth, & Kliegl, 2011) has shown that surprisal (Hale, 2001; Levy, 2008) and cue‐based memory retrieval (Lewis & Vasishth, 2005) are significant and complementary predictors of reading time in an eyetracking corpus. It remains an open question how the sentence processor interacts with oculomotor control. Using a simple linking hypothesis proposed in Reichle, Warren, and McConnell (2009), we integrated both measures with the eye movement model EMMA (Salvucci, 2001) inside the cognitive architecture ACT‐R (Anderson et al., 2004). We built a reading model that could initiate short “Time Out regressions” (Mitchell, Shen, Green, & Hodgson, 2008) that compensate for slow postlexical processing. This simple interaction enabled the model to predict the re‐reading of words based on parsing difficulty. The model was evaluated in different configurations on the prediction of frequency effects on the Potsdam Sentence Corpus. The extension of EMMA with postlexical processing improved its predictions and reproduced re‐reading rates and durations with a reasonable fit to the data. This demonstration, based on simple and independently motivated assumptions, serves as a foundational step toward a precise investigation of the interaction between high‐level language processing and eye movement control.
Periorbital adenocarcinoma in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
Authors: Darrow Brett G. , Johnstone McLean Nancy S. , Russman Shirley E. , Schiller Chris A.
Published: May 2013

A 4.5‐year‐old female bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) presented for periorbital swelling affecting the left eye. A well‐organized, hypoechoic mass was noted ventral and medial to the globe on ocular ultrasound. The mass continued to grow despite antibiotic therapy, and an exenteration was performed. The mass was diagnosed via histopathology and immunohistochemical staining as a probable lacrimal gland carcinoma, although a Harderian gland origin could not definitively be ruled out. The tumor recurred following removal, and the lizard died 2 months postoperatively.
Primary primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the retina and ciliary body in dogs
Authors: Regan Daniel P. , Dubielzig Richard R. , Zeiss Caroline J. , Charles Brad , Hoy Sarah S. , Ehrhart E. J.
Published: May 2013

We describe the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical features of primary intraocular primitive neuroectodermal tumors in eight dogs. Four of eight tumors exhibited histological features similar to human retinoblastomas characterized by Flexner–Wintersteiner rosettes, and fleurettes, and demonstrated variable immunoreactivity for retinal markers opsin, S‐antigen (S‐Ag) and interphotoreceptor retinoid‐binding protein (IRBP). All dogs with tumors displaying histological and immunohistochemical features of retinal differentiation were ≤2 years of age. All tumors diagnosed as medulloepitheliomas (n = 4) did not display histological and immunohistochemical features of retinal differentiation and were present in dogs 7 years or older. Age of onset, in conjunction with immunohistochemistry for opsin, S‐Ag, and IRBP, is an important aid in the differentiation of primary, primitive neuroectodermal tumors arising within the canine ciliary body, retina, and optic papilla.
Intraocular myelolipoma in a dog
Authors: Storms Goedele , Janssens Gerlinde
Published: May 2013

An 8‐year‐old Scottish terrier was presented with a red and painful right eye. Slitlamp biomicroscopy and ocular ultrasound demonstrated the presence of a large mass in the anterior chamber. Enucleation was performed one week after initial presentation. Histological examination of the eye revealed a relatively well‐delineated mass distorting the dorsal iris and occupying most of the anterior chamber. The tumor was composed of fully differentiated adipose tissue and normal hematopoietic cells of the three major blood‐forming elements. These findings were most consistent with the diagnosis of an anterior chamber myelolipoma distorting the iris. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of an intraocular myelolipoma in any species.
Human adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells can survive and integrate into the adult rat eye following xenotransplantation
Authors: Haddad‐Mashadrizeh Aliakbar , Bahrami Ahmad R. , Matin Maryam M. , Edalatmanesh Mohammad A. , Zomorodipour Alireza , Gardaneh Mossa , Farshchian Moein , Momeni‐Moghaddam Madjid
Published: May 2013

Background

Novel threads of discovery provide the basis for optimism for the development of a stem‐cell‐based strategy for the treatment of retinal blindness. Accordingly, achievement to suitable cell source with potential‐to‐long‐term survival and appropriate differentiation can be an effective step in this direction.

Methods

After derivation of human adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (HAD‐MSCs), they were stably transfected with a vector containing Turbo‐green fluorescent protein (GFP) and JRed to be able to trace them after transplantation. Labeled HAD‐MSCs were transplanted into the intact adult rat eye and their survival, integration, and migration during 6 months post‐transplantation were assessed.

Results

The transplanted cells were traceable in the rat vitreous humor (VH) up until 90 days after transplantation, with gradual reduction in numbers, their adhesion and expansion capacity after recovery. These cells were also integrated into the ocular tissues. Nonetheless, some of the implanted cells succeeded to cross the blood–retina barrier (BRB) and accumulate in the spleen with time.

Conclusions

The survival of the HAD‐MSCs for a period of 90 days in VH and even longer period of up to 6 months in other eye tissues makes them a promising source to be considered in regenerative medicine of eye diseases. However, the potency of crossing the BRB by the implanted cells suggests that use of HAD‐MSCs must be handled with extreme caution.
Relationships among the basal lineages of Noctuidae (Lepidoptera, Noctuoidea) based on eight gene regions
Authors: Zahiri Reza , Lafontaine Donald , Schmidt Christian , Holloway Jeremy D. , Kitching Ian J. , Mutanen Marko , Wahlberg Niklas
Published: May 2013

In this study, we clarify the relationships between the basal lineages in the moth family Noctuidae using DNA sequence data from eight independent gene regions. Data matrices (6.4 kbp) are analysed using parsimony and model‐based methods (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference). Our results support the family Noctuidae as a monophyletic group in which most subfamilies have hindwing vein M2 reduced or absent. Our phylogenetic hypothesis suggests that in the Noctuidae, the plesiomorphic condition is that in which vein M2 arises about one‐third of the way up the discocellular vein between the origins of M1 and M3, mainly parallel to M3, and is of thickness similar to vein M3. Most Noctuidae lineages possess an apomorphic (derived) condition in which hindwing vein M2 is markedly reduced or totally absent, so that the cubital vein appears to be three‐branched and these lineages are hence referred to as ‘trifine’. However, Noctuidae also include a number of lineages in which vein M2 is unreduced, or only slightly reduced, and these are more problematic for morphological association with the family Noctuidae. Our results also show that the subfamily Acronictinae is not closely related to Pantheinae, but instead shows a closer association with Amphipyrinae. Among the major lineages of Noctuidae, we postulate a general trend, with numerous exceptions, in larval host plants from woody plants in the basal groups towards herb feeding in derived groups. Similarly, the major radiations of monocot‐feeding groups within the family Noctuidae are in the higher trifines. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: Thiacidinae, syn. nov., a junior synonym of Pantheinae, and Dyopsinae, stat. nov., are reinstated as a subfamily.
An Historical and Topical Note on Convection in Porous Media
Authors: Nield D. A. , Kuznetsov A. V.
Published: May 2013

This note deals with three main themes. The first is a discussion of the early literature on convection in porous media. The second is a brief overview of current analytical modeling of single-phase convection in saturated porous media and in composite fluid/porous-medium domains. The third is a brief discussion of some pertinent recent studies involving nanofluids, cellular porous materials, bidisperse and tridisperse porous media.
Numerical Simulation of the Breakup of Elliptical Liquid Jet in Still Air
Authors: Farvardin Ehsan , Dolatabadi Ali
Published: May 2013

The numerical simulation of liquid jets ejecting from a set of elliptical orifices with different aspect ratios between 1 (circular) and 3.85 is performed for several Weber numbers, ranging from 15 to 330. The axis-switching phenomenon and breakup length of the jets are characterized by means of a volume of fluid (VOF) method, together with a dynamic mesh refinement model. This three-dimensional simulation is compared with a recent experimental work and the results agree well. It is concluded that for Weber numbers ranging from 15 to 100, by increasing the Weber number, the breakup length of the liquid jet increases, reaches a peak, and then decreases suddenly.
ATAXIN-2 Activates PERIOD Translation to Sustain Circadian Rhythms in
Drosophila
Authors: Lim Chunghun , Allada Ravi
Published: May 2013

ATAXIN Clock

Although core components of circadian clocks in flies and mammals are transcriptional circuits, recent evidence indicates posttranscriptional regulation of the clock occurs. Studies from
Lim and Allada
(p.
875
) and

Zhang
et al.

(p.
879
) converge to show that the protein ATAXIN-2, associated with neurodegenerative diseases in humans, is a regulator of translation required for normal clock function in pacemaker neurons and for daily rhythms of behavior. ATAXIN is an RNA-binding protein and cooperates in the accumulation of the Per (Period) protein, a core transcriptional regulatory component of the clock.
Complexity from Simplicity
Authors: Vlieg Elias
Published: May 2013

Manipulation of crystal growth conditions results in the controlled formation of complex micrometer-scale shapes.

[Also see Research Article by

Noorduin
et al.

]
Synthetic Vaccine Strain May Speed Up Pandemic Response
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: May 2013

Researchers publish technique that could shave up to 4 weeks off vaccine production time, which during a pandemic could save tens of thousands of lives.
Troubled Waters for Ancient Shipwrecks
Authors: Pringle Heather
Published: May 2013

As archaeologists find new ways to pull precious data from wrecks, they are squaring off against those salvaging ships for profit.
Seroprevalence of Antipolio Antibodies among Children <15 Years of Age in Border Provinces in China
Authors: Wang HaiBo , Cui Hui , Ding ZhengRong , Ba Pian , Zhu ShuangLi , Wen Ning , Hao LiXin , Ning Jing , Zhang Jie , Yang De , Xu WenBo , Zhang Yong , Fan ChunXiang , Yu WenZhou , Liang XiaoFeng , Luo HuiMing
Published: May 2013

Despite remarkable progression toward polio eradication worldwide, wild poliovirus (WPV) importation has been a great challenge for China, as it shares borders with countries where WPV is endemic. The objective of this study was to estimate poliovirus antibody seroprevalence among children <15 years of age in 3 border provinces (Yunnan Province, Tibet Autonomous Region, and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region) in China. A cross-sectional, hospital-based study was undertaken in 3 border provinces in 2010. Individuals <15 years old who visited hospitals at the prefecture level or above to have their blood drawn for any reason were invited to participate in our study. Neutralizing antibody titers to polio serotypes 1 (P1), P2, and P3 were assayed according to the World Health Organization manual for the virological investigation of polio. Antibody titers of ≥8 were considered positive. Among the 1,360 subjects enrolled, 1,220 (89.7%), 1,259 (92.6%), and 1,112 (81.8%) were seropositive to P1, P2, and P3, respectively, and 1,051 (77.3%) subjects were seropositive to all three serotypes. The highest seropositive rates were observed in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. By age, 3- to 5-year-old subjects had the highest rate of seropositivity, and seropositivity decreased significantly with increasing age. The risk of WPV importation will continue until WPV transmission has been interrupted worldwide. Consistent with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative's polio endgame strategy, China must maintain its polio-free status by ensuring adequate population immunity against polio. Because immunity wanes with increasing age, a booster dose with bivalent type 1 and 2 oral poliovirus vaccine could be considered for teenagers in China.
Protection against Experimental Melioidosis following Immunization with Live Burkholderia thailandensis Expressing amanno-Heptose Capsule
Authors: Scott Andrew E. , Laws Thomas R. , D'Elia Riccardo V. , Stokes Margaret G. M. , Nandi Tannistha , Williamson E. Diane , Tan Patrick , Prior Joann L. , Atkins Timothy P.
Published: May 2013

Melioidosis is a severe infectious disease caused byBurkholderia pseudomallei. It is highly resistant to antibiotic treatment, and there is currently no licensed vaccine.Burkholderia thailandensisis a close relative ofBurkholderia pseudomalleibut is essentially avirulent in mammals. In this report, we detail the protective efficacy of immunization with liveB. thailandensisE555, a strain which has been shown to express an antigenic capsule similar to that ofB. pseudomallei. Immunization with E555 induced significant protection against a lethal intraperitonealB. pseudomalleichallenge in a mouse model of infection, with no mice succumbing to infection over the course of the study, even with challenges of up to 6,000 median lethal doses. By comparison, mice immunized withB. thailandensisnot expressing aB. pseudomallei-like capsule had significantly decreased levels of protection. E555-immunized mice had significantly higher levels of IgG than mice immunized with noncapsulatedB. thailandensis, and these antibody responses were primarily directed against the capsule.
Influence of Oxidation and Multimerization on the Immunogenicity of a Thioredoxin-L2 Prophylactic Papillomavirus Vaccine
Authors: Seitz Hanna , Dantheny Tatiana , Burkart Frank , Ottonello Simone , Müller Martin
Published: May 2013

Current commercial prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are based on virus-like particles assembled from the major capsid protein L1 and show excellent safety and efficacy profiles. Still, a major limitation is their rather narrow range of protection against different HPV types. In contrast, the minor capsid protein L2 contains a so-called major cross-neutralizing epitope that can induce broad-range protective responses against multiple HPV types. This epitope is conserved among different papillomaviruses (PV) and contains two cysteine residues that are present in the L2 proteins of all known PV types. The main challenge in developing L2-directed vaccines is to overcome the intrinsically low immunogenicity of the L2 protein. Previously, we developed a recombinant L2-based prototype vaccine by inserting peptide epitopes spanning the cross-neutralizing L2 sequence into a bacterial thioredoxin (Trx) scaffold. These antigens induced high-titer neutralizing antibodies in mice. Here, we address the question of whether Trx scaffold multimerization may further enhance the immunogenicity of the TrxL2 vaccine. We also demonstrate that the oxidation state of the conserved cysteine residues is not essential for vaccine functionality, but it contributes to immunogenicity.
Vaccination with Lentiviral Vector Expressing thenfa1Gene Confers a Protective Immune Response to Mice Infected with Naegleria fowleri
Authors: Kim Jong-Hyun , Sohn Hae-Jin , Lee Jinyoung , Yang Hee-Jong , Chwae Yong-Joon , Kim Kyongmin , Park Sun , Shin Ho-Joon
Published: May 2013

Naegleria fowleri, a pathogenic free-living amoeba, causes fatal primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in humans and animals. Thenfa1gene (360 bp), cloned from a cDNA library ofN. fowleri, produces a 13.1-kDa recombinant protein which is located on pseudopodia, particularly the food cup structure. Thenfa1gene plays an important role in the pathogenesis ofN. fowleriinfection. To examine the effect ofnfa1DNA vaccination againstN. fowleriinfection, we constructed a lentiviral vector (pCDH) expressing thenfa1gene. For thein vivomouse study, BALB/c mice were intranasally vaccinated with viral particles of a viral vector expressing thenfa1gene. To evaluate the effect of vaccination and immune responses of mice, we analyzed the IgG levels (IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a), cytokine induction (interleukin-4 [IL-4] and gamma interferon [IFN-γ]), and survival rates of mice that developed PAM. The levels of both IgG and IgG subclasses (IgG1 and IgG2a) in vaccinated mice were significantly increased. The cytokine analysis showed that vaccinated mice exhibited greater IL-4 and IFN-γ production than the other control groups, suggesting a Th1/Th2 mixed-type immune response. In vaccinated mice, high levels of Nfa1-specific IgG antibodies continued until 12 weeks postvaccination. The mice vaccinated with viral vector expressing thenfa1gene also exhibited significantly higher survival rates (90%) after challenge withN. fowleritrophozoites. Finally, thenfa1vaccination effectively induced protective immunity by humoral and cellular immune responses inN. fowleri-infected mice. These results suggest that DNA vaccination using a viral vector may be a potential tool againstN. fowleriinfection.
Impact of Analytical Variability on Clinical Interpretation of Multiplex Pneumococcal Serology Assays
Authors: Zhang Xiaochun , Simmerman Kelly , Yen-Lieberman Belinda , Daly Thomas M.
Published: May 2013

The response to pneumococcal vaccination can be used to assess a patient's humoral immune response to polysaccharide antigens. Multiplex assays measuring serotype-specific levels of pneumococcal antibodies are often used for this purpose, and clinical algorithms have been published to assist in the definition of an adequate immune response. We evaluated whether interlaboratory variability in multiplex pneumococcal serology assays would affect the clinical classification of the immune response. Specimens from 57 patients were analyzed at three reference laboratories with different multiplex assays to measure pneumococcal serology. Analytical correlation and clinical agreement in the classification of a patient's vaccination status by the three methods were compared. Although substantial variation in the quantitative antibody levels measured by different laboratories was seen, the qualitative classification of individual serologic results showed a high degree of agreement between labs and the ultimate classification of a patient as “protected” or “nonprotected” was the same for most patients. The majority of discordant classifications were driven by a systematic bias in results from one of the assays rather than by random error. These data suggest that the use of integrated assessments based on multiple serotypes can compensate for much of the analytical variability seen between laboratories. Knowledge of the analytical performance characteristics of a particular assay is most important when evaluating patients with results near clinical cut points.
Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas veronii Strain 1YdBTEX2
Authors: de Lima-Morales Daiana , Chaves-Moreno Diego , Jarek Michael , Vilchez-Vargas Ramiro , Jauregui Ruy , Pieper Dietmar H.
Published: May 2013

Pseudomonas veronii
strain 1YdBTEX2 was isolated from a benzene-contaminated site. Here we report the draft genome sequence of 1YdBTEX2 and its genes associated with aromatic metabolism. The broad catabolic potential of this strain is consistent with the environment from which it was isolated.