bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of horse movements and events during the 2007 outbreak of equine influenza in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Bell IG , Drury‐Klein C
Published: June 2011

Objective  To analyse horse event and horse movement registration data collected between September 2007 and December 2008 during the outbreak of equine influenza in New South Wales, Australia.

Results  A total of 9356 events were registered, involving 504,382 horses and 242,952 riders. Registered horse movements totalled 224,084, involving 349,327 horses (excluding mobs) travelling 34.4 million km with an average of 154 km per journey. The number of recorded events and movements were low while movement controls were most stringent, then increased from December 2007 as restrictions were eased, to peak in April 2008 with up to 290 events and 15,730 movements weekly, after which registrations declined as the disease was eradicated. The main types of events registered were pony clubs (38%), race meetings and trials (17%), competition (13%), and clinics and lessons (11%).

Conclusions  Registration of horse events and movements allowed movement controls to be progressively eased while retaining the ability to trace the movements of large numbers of horses if needed. The number of recorded events, movements and distances travelled confirms the highly mobile nature of the recreational horse industries, helps to explain the rapid and widespread dispersal of the disease before movement restrictions were imposed, and also demonstrates the value of those restrictions as a control measure. The data provide a quantitative snap‐shot of horse events and movements, albeit distorted by the prevailing movement restrictions as well as by limitations in the data recording that should be addressed when developing traceability systems for horses in future.
Risk factors associated with relapse of type 1 autoimmune hepatitis in Japan
Authors: Yokokawa Junko , Kanno Yukiko , Saito Hironobu , Abe Kazumichi , Takahashi Atsushi , Yokokawa Hirohide , Ohira Hiromasa
Published: June 2011

Aim:  Patients receiving corticosteroid therapy on a tapered schedule occasionally suffer autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) relapses. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and features of relapses, explore risk factors associated with relapses, and evaluate the effectiveness of azathioprine (AZP) therapy against relapses in Japanese patients with type 1 AIH.

Methods:  We assessed clinical characteristics and therapeutic processes in 67 patients diagnosed with AIH.

Results:  Twenty patients (29.9%) suffered from relapses during tapering of corticosteroid therapy. The remaining 47 patients sustained their remission. At the onset of disease, risk factors associated with relapse were: age of 50 years or older; total bilirubin of 1.5 mg/dL or more; aspartate aminotransferase levels of 250 IU/L or more; alanine aminotransferase levels of 250 IU/L or more; prothrombin activity of 80% or more; γ‐globulin levels of 3.4 g/dL or more; and International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) score of 17 or more in univariate analysis. Grading of histological interface hepatitis is not significantly associated with relapse. Multivariate analysis revealed that IAIHG scores of 17 or more were significantly associated with relapse (odds ratio = 6.57, 95% confidence interval = 1.19–36.33). Seven patients who relapsed were treated with AZP and prednisolone (PSL), and all sustained remission (100%). Of the remaining 13 relapse patients who received only PSL, eight (61.5%) suffered additional relapses.

Conclusion:  Our results demonstrate the risk factors associated with relapse of AIH. We also show that early administration of AZP after the first relapse may help to prevent additional relapses.
The Influence of the Total Pressure Profile on the Performance of Axial Gas Turbine Diffusers
Authors: Hirschmann A. , Volkmer S. , Schatz M. , Finzel C. , Casey M. , Montgomery M.
Published: June 2011

Large industrial gas turbines for combined heat and power generation normally have axial diffusers leading to the heat recovery steam generator. The diffusers operate with high inlet axial Mach number (0.6) and with a nonuniform inlet total pressure profile from the turbine. Tests have been carried out on a generic highly loaded axial diffuser in a scaled axial diffuser test rig, with different inlet total pressure profiles including those that might be met in practice. The results show that the inlet total pressure profile has a strong effect on the position of flow separation, whereby a hub-strong profile tends to separate at the casing and the tip-strong profile on the hub. Steady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using the shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model have been carried out based on extensive studies of the best way to model the inlet boundary conditions. These simulations provide good agreement with the prediction of separation in the diffuser but the separated regions often persist too long so that, in this highly loaded case with flow separation, the calculated diffuser pressure recovery can be in error by up to 30%.
Synthesis of La0.8Sr0.2Co0.8Fe0.2O3 Nanopowders and Their Application in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Ding Changsheng , Lin Hongfei , Sato Kazuhisa , Hashida Toshiyuki
Published: June 2011

La0.8Sr0.2Co0.8Fe0.2O3 (LSCF) nanopowders, which are being investigated as a promising cathode material for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), were synthesized by citric acid gel combustion method. The LSCF nanopowders synthesized at 700°C are single perovskite phases and have an average particle size of less than 30 nm. In order to evaluate the use of the synthesized LSCF nanopowders as cathode material of low-temperature SOFCs, anode-supported SOFCs were fabricated from the synthesized LSCF nanopowders and tested in the conditions of humidified hydrogen for anode and oxygen for cathode. The anode-supported single cell with the LSCF cathode sintered at 700°C showed high electrical performance with the maximum power density of 771 mW cm−2 at 600°C. The results show that the synthesized LSCF nanopowders are suitable to be applied as cathode material for low-temperature SOFCs.
The Fiber of Modern Society
Authors: Edelman Elazer R. , Leon Martin B.
Published: June 2011

In a series of articles, diverse professionals engage in a critical dialogue on innovation.
A Hair-Raising Finding in Leukemia
Authors: Hong David S.
Published: June 2011

The discovery of a BRAF kinase mutation in hairy cell leukemia suggests that a BRAF kinase inhibitor may be useful for treating this disease.
The Biodigital Brain
Authors: Wang Wei
Published: June 2011

A computer chip that mimics the natural neuronal network can potentially bypass or replace damaged neuronal circuitry in the brain.
Endovascular treatment of extracranial atherosclerotic disease involving the vertebral artery origins: a comparison of drug-eluting and bare-metal stents
Authors: Raghuram Karthikram , Seynnaeve Carl , Rai Ansaar T
Published: June 2011

Objective

To determine whether drug-eluting (DE) stents offer any advantage over bare-metal (BM) stents in terms of restenosis rates and to identify indications for vertebral artery stenting (VAS) based on the current literature.

Methodology

A retrospective analysis was performed for patients who underwent extracranial VAS for symptomatic stenosis. Patients were divided into two groups based on stent use (DE and BM).

Results

A total of 28 stents were implanted in 24 patients. Of these, 13 were DE and 15 BM. Technical success was achieved in all patients. There were procedure-related complications of retroperitoneal hematoma in some patients (3.6%). The median clinical and imaging follow-up times were 26 and 21 months, respectively, for the BM arm and 13 and 12 months, respectively, for the DE group. The mean stenosis percentage was 80.7±10.9 for the BM group and 87.0±9.5 for the DE group. The mean stent diameter was 4.7±0.5 for the BM group and 3.3±0.4 for the DE group (p<0.0001). There was no statistical difference in the restenosis rates among the two groups, 4/15 (26.7%) for BM and 4/13 (30.8%) for DE stents.

Conclusions

Extracranial VAS is a relatively safe procedure. No differences could be elicited in the restenosis rates between BM and DE stents. While VAS has been reported for symptomatic and asymptomatic disease, a benefit of VAS has only been demonstrated for patients with symptoms clearly attributable to the diseased artery. The benefit of stenting in asymptomatic disease or stenting to improve perfusion to the anterior circulation is speculative.
Reliability-based load and resistance factors for soil-nail walls
Authors: Sivakumar Babu G.L. , Singh Vikas Pratap
Published: June 2011

Existing soil nailing design methodologies are essentially based on limit equilibrium principles that together with a lumped factor of safety or a set of partial factors on the material parameters and loads account for uncertainties in design input parameter values. Recent trends in the development of design procedures for earth retaining structures are towards load and resistance factor design (LRFD). In the present study, a methodology for the use of LRFD in the context of soil-nail walls is proposed and a procedure to determine reliability-based load and resistance factors is illustrated for important strength limit states with reference to a 10 m high soil-nail wall. The need for separate partial factors for each limit state is highlighted, and the proposed factors are compared with those existing in the literature.
Three-dimensional slope stability based on stresses from a stress-deformation analysis
Authors: Stianson J.R. , Fredlund D.G. , Chan D.
Published: June 2011

A procedure is developed where stresses from a finite element analysis are incorporated into a limit equilibrium framework to evaluate the stability of three-dimensional slopes. An independent stress-deformation analysis is performed to calculate the internal stress state for the slope. The stress distribution is imported into the three-dimensional slope stability analysis in the form of a regular grid. The slip surfaces considered in the limit equilibrium analysis are ellipsoidal and discretized using a series of triangular planes. The normal and shear force acting at the centroid of individual triangular planes can be computed from the internal stress distribution. Subsequently, the factor of safety of a selected slip surface can be calculated directly without using an iterative procedure. A series of verification examples are presented to confirm that the proposed method provides the required accuracy and flexibility to assess the stability of slopes typically encountered in practice. Sensitivity analyses are presented to show how the procedure used to compute the forces acting on each triangular plane, the number of planes used to discretize the slip surface, and Poisson’s ratio influence the computed factors of safety, but do not limit the successful application of the methodology.
1′-Acetoxychavicol Acetate Enhances the Phase II Enzyme Activities via the Increase in Intranuclear Nrf2 Level and Cytosolic p21 Level
Authors: Yaku Keisuke , Matsui-Yuasa Isao , Azuma Hideki , Kojima-Yuasa Akiko
Published: June 2011

(1′S)-acetoxychavicol acetate ((S)-ACA) exhibits chemopreventive effects on chemically induced tumor formation. It has been shown that ACA inhibited the development of azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis through its suppression of cell proliferation in the colonic mucosa and its induction of glutathione S-transferase and quinone oxidoreductase 1 in vivo. In this study, we investigated how ACA induced these enzymes by using rat intestine epithelial cells (IEC6) in vitro. ACA induced glutathione S-transferase (GST) and NAD (P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) activities, increased intracellular glutathione (GSH) level, and upregulated intranuclear Nrf2 and cytosolic p21. It suggested that activation of phase II enzymes via Nrf2 associated with p21 is one of possible mechanisms of ACA to prevent advance of carcinogenesis.
CHARACTERIZATION OF FINITE p-GROUPS BY THEIR SCHUR MULTIPLIERS
Authors: KHAMSEH ELAHEH , MOGHADDAM MOHAMMAD REZA R. , SAEEDI FARSHID
Published: June 2011

Let G be a finite p-group of order pn and M(G) be the Schur multiplier of G. In 1956, Green proved that |M(G)| = p(n(n-1)/2)-t(G), where t(G) ≥ 0. Berkovich (1991), Zhou (1994) and Ellis (1999) have determined the structure of G, when t(G) = 0, 1, 2 and 3, respectively. In 2007, Salemkar et al. classified the structure of G for t(G) = 4 under one condition. In this paper, we characterize all finite abelian p-groups for t(G) ≥ 0 and non-abelian p-groups, for t(G) = 4 and 5.
ON THE ASSOCIATED GRAPHS TO A COMMUTATIVE RING
Authors: BARATI Z. , KHASHYARMANESH K. , MOHAMMADI F. , NAFAR KH.
Published: June 2011

Let R be a commutative ring with nonzero identity. For an arbitrary multiplicatively closed subset S of R, we associate a simple graph denoted by ΓS(R) with all elements of R as vertices, and two distinct vertices x, y ∈ R are adjacent if and only if x+y ∈ S. Two well-known graphs of this type are the total graph and the unit graph. In this paper, we study some basic properties of ΓS(R). Moreover, we will improve and generalize some results for the total and the unit graphs.
UNIPOTENT ELEMENTS IN REPRESENTATIONS OF FINITE GROUPS OF LIE TYPE
Authors: DI MARTINO L. , ZALESSKI A. E.
Published: June 2011

Let G be a finite quasi-simple group of Lie type of defining characteristic r > 2. Let H = 〈h, G〉 be a group with normal subgroup G, where h is a non-central r-element of H. Let ϕ be an irreducible representation of H non-trivial on G over an algebraically closed field of characteristic ℓ ≠ r. We show that ϕ(h) has at least two distinct eigenvalues of multiplicity greater than 1, unless G is a central quotient of one of the following groups: SL(2, r), SL(2, 9) or Sp(4, 3), and H = G⋅Z(H).
RANK-1 TENSOR PROJECTION VIA REGULARIZED REGRESSION FOR ACTION CLASSIFICATION
Authors: WU XIAN , LAI JIANHUANG , CHEN XILIN
Published: June 2011

This paper proposes a novel method for classification using rank-1 tensor projection via regularized regression to directly map tensor example to its corresponding label, which is different from the general procedure of classification on the compact representation of the original data. Action can be naturally considered as a third-order tensor, where the first two dimensions represent the space and the third one is temporal. By applying this method to multi-label action classification based on problem transformation and subset embedding technique, we obtain the comparable results to the state-of-the-art approaches on the popular action datasets Weizmann and KTH. Our experimental results are also considerably robust to the viewpoint changes, the partial occlusion and the irregularities in the motion styles.
Oscillation and Asymptotic Behaviour of a Higher‐Order Nonlinear Neutral‐Type Functional Differential Equation with Oscillating Coefficients
Authors: Yildiz Mustafa Kemal , Karaman Emrah , Durur Hülya
Published: June 2011

We will study oscillation of bounded solutions of higher‐order nonlinear neutral delay differential equations of the following type:
[y(t) + p(t)f(y(τ(t)))] (n) + q(t)h(y(σ(t))) = 0, t ≥ t0, t ∈ ℝ, where
p ∈ C([t0, ∞), ℝ), limt→∞p(t) = 0, q ∈ C([t0, ∞), ℝ+), τ(t), σ(t) ∈ C([t0, ∞), ℝ), τ(t), σ(t) < t, lim t→∞τ(t), σ(t) = ∞, and
f, h ∈ C(ℝ, ℝ). We obtain sufficient conditions for the oscillation of all solutions of this equation.
Tumor Immunology: Basic and Clinical Advances
Authors: Beatty Pamela L. , Cascio Sandra , Lutz Eric
Published: June 2011

The third in a series of AACR conferences, entitled “Tumor Immunology: Basic and Clinical Advances,” was held in Miami Beach, Florida from November 30 to December 3, 2010. The overall objective of this meeting was to discuss rapid developments in the understanding of basic principles of antitumor immunity and strategies for increasing the success rate of cancer immunotherapy. The key findings that emerged from the meeting included (i) that integrated approaches are required for the development of effective cancer immunotherapies and (ii) attention should be on multiple cellular and molecular components and their broader networks rather than on a single pathway or cell type. Cancer Res; 71(13); 4338–43. ©2011 AACR.
Gastric Cancer Growth Control by BEZ235In VivoDoes Not Correlate with PI3K/mTOR Target Inhibition but with [18F]FLT Uptake
Authors: Fuereder Thorsten , Wanek Thomas , Pflegerl Pamina , Jaeger-Lansky Agnes , Hoeflmayer Doris , Strommer Sabine , Kuntner Claudia , Wrba Friedrich , Werzowa Johannes , Hejna Michael , Müller Markus , Langer Oliver , Wacheck Volker
Published: June 2011

Purpose: In this study, we tested the antitumor activity of the dual phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 against gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Experimental Design: Gastric cancer cell lines (N87, MKN45, and MKN28) were incubated with BEZ235 and assessed for cell viability, cell cycle, and PI3K/mTOR target inhibition. In vivo, athymic nude mice were inoculated with N87, MKN28, or MKN45 cells and treated daily with BEZ235. 3′-Deoxy-3′-[18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT) uptake was measured via small animal positron emission tomography (PET).

Results: In vitro, BEZ235 dose dependently decreased the cell viability of gastric cancer cell lines. The antiproliferative activity of BEZ235 was linked to a G1 cell-cycle arrest. In vivo, BEZ235 treatment resulted in PI3K/mTOR target inhibition as shown by dephosphorylation of AKT and S6 protein in all xenograft models. However, BEZ235 treatment only inhibited tumor growth of N87 xenografts, whereas no antitumor effect was observed in the MKN28 and MKN45 xenograft models. Sensitivity to BEZ235 in vivo correlated with downregulation of the proliferation marker thymidine kinase 1. Accordingly, [18F]FLT uptake was only significantly reduced in the BEZ235-sensitive N87 xenograft model as measured by PET.

Conclusion: In conclusion, in vivo sensitivity of gastric cancer xenografts to BEZ235 did not correlate with in vitro antiproliferative activity or in vivo PI3K/mTOR target inhibition by BEZ235. In contrast, [18F]FLT uptake was linked to BEZ235 in vivo sensitivity. Noninvasive [18F]FLT PET imaging might qualify as a novel marker for optimizing future clinical testing of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. Clin Cancer Res; 17(16); 5322–32. ©2011 AACR.
Lupeol, a Novel Androgen Receptor Inhibitor: Implications in Prostate Cancer Therapy
Authors: Siddique Hifzur Rahman , Mishra Shrawan Kumar , Karnes R. Jeffery , Saleem Mohammad
Published: June 2011

Purpose: Conventional therapies to treat prostate cancer (CaP) of androgen-dependent phenotype (ADPC) and castration-resistant phenotype (CRPC) are deficient in outcome which has necessitated a need to identify those agents that could target AR for both disease types. We provide mechanism-based evidence that lupeol (Lup-20(29)-en-3b-ol) is a potent inhibitor of androgen receptor (AR) in vitro and in vivo.

Experimental Design: Normal prostate epithelial cell (RWPE-1), LAPC4 (wild functional AR/ADPC), LNCaP (mutant functional/AR/ADPC), and C4-2b (mutant functional/AR/CRPC) cells were used to test the anti-AR activity of lupeol. Cells grown under androgen-rich environment and treated with lupeol were tested for proliferation, AR transcriptional activity, AR competitive ligand binding, AR–DNA binding, and AR–ARE/target gene binding. Furthermore, in silico molecular modeling for lupeol–AR binding was done. Athymic mice bearing C4-2b and LNCaP cell–originated tumors were treated intraperitoneally with lupeol (40 mg/kg; 3 times/wk) and tumor growth and surrogate biomarkers were evaluated. To assess bioavailability, lupeol serum levels were measured.

Results: Lupeol significantly inhibited R1881 (androgen analogue) induced (i) transcriptional activity of AR and (ii) expression of PSA. Lupeol (i) competed antagonistically with androgen for AR, (ii) blocked the binding of AR to AR-responsive genes including PSA, TIPARP, SGK, and IL-6, and (iii) inhibited the recruitment of RNA Pol II to target genes. Lupeol sensitized CRPC cells to antihormone therapy. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that lupeol is bioavailable to mice. Lupeol inhibited the tumorigenicity of both ADPC and CRPC cells in animals. Serum and tumor tissues exhibited reduced PSA levels.

Conclusion: Lupeol, an effective AR inhibitor, could be developed as a potential agent to treat human CaP. Clin Cancer Res; 17(16); 5379–91. ©2011 AACR.
Treatment of Neovascular Glaucoma after Proton Therapy for Uveal Melanomas with Ranibizumab Injection: Preliminary Results
Authors: Caujolle Jean Pierre , Maschi Celia , Freton Aurelien , Pages Gilles , Gastaud Pierre
Published: June 2011

A last-chance intravitreal injection of ranibizumab was administered alone or in combination with cryotherapy before enucleation for 14 melanomas with neovascular glaucoma (NVG) after proton therapy. These patients were uncontrolled despite medical treatment and experienced pain. All of our patients had a minimum of 4 months of follow-up (ranging from 4 to 22 months). In all of the cases, the neovessels disappeared, and the intra-ocular pressure was normal for 11 out of the 14 patients with or without antiglaucoma drops. No patient experienced pain after the first injection. Tumour regression increased in some patients. However, thus far, the number of cases has been too small to perform any statistical analyses. Although very promising, our results are only preliminary.
Successful Treatment of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor-Induced Periungual Inflammation with Adapalene
Authors: Hachisuka Junichi , Doi Kazuko , Moroi Yoichi , Furue Masutaka
Published: June 2011

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are increasingly used for cancer treatment, but commonly carry dermatologic side effects. Periungual inflammation is a particularly painful condition that additionally worsens quality of life. In this paper, we report 3 cases of successful treatment of periungual inflammation induced by 3 different EGFR inhibitors (gefitinib, erlotinib, and cetuximab) with topically applied adapalene.
Clopidogrel response variability and the advent of personalised antiplatelet therapy
Authors: Gurbe Paul A. , Tantry Udaya S.
Published: June 2011

Platelet-mediated thrombosis is a dreaded clinical event and is the primary cause of acute coronary syndromes and post-percutaneous intervention (PCI) ischaemic events. There has been a long standing interest in the ex vivo quantification of platelet reactivity to assess the risk of thrombosis. Early studies demonstrated platelet activation and heightened platelet reactivity in acute coronary syndromes and after PCI. However, a demonstration that heightened reactivity actually precipitated the ischaemic event was lacking. Our knowledge of platelet receptor physiology and the advent of novel inhibitors have significantly advanced the field. The P2Y12 receptor has been shown to play a pivotal role in the amplification of platelet activation by multiple agonists and its inhibition has resulted in improved clinical outcomes. The most widely used drug to block P2Y12 receptor, clopidogrel is associated with resistance in selected patients and these patients have been shown to be at increased risk for post-PCI ischaemic event occurrence in multiple studies. Importantly, a threshold of high platelet reactivity has been demonstrated, and beyond this threshold ischaemic events occur precipitously. Based on the current evidence, it is rational to quantify the intensity of the ADP-P2Y12 interaction in the patient at the greatest risk for thrombosis-the PCI patient. However, there is only evidence from small clinical trials demonstrating the clinical efficacy of changing an antiplatelet regimen based on an ex vivo platelet function measurement. Moreover, there are numerous patients with vulnerable coronary anatomy that have not yet experienced plaque rupture; the prognostic role of a measurement of platelet reactivity in the latter group has never been studied. Large-scale trials are ongoing that will investigate the role of personalised antiplatelet therapy in the PCI patient.
Effectiveness of Preprocedural Statin Therapy on Clinical Outcomes for Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease After Percutaneous Coronary Interventions
Authors: Ko Dennis T. , Wijeysundera Harindra C. , Yun Lingsong , Austin Peter C. , Cantor Warren J. , Tu Jack V.
Published: June 2011

Background—

Data have shown that preprocedural statin therapy reduces periprocedural myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, whether preprocedural statins improve clinical outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been established. We aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of preprocedural statin therapy in patients with stable CAD undergoing PCI.

Methods and Results—

We conducted an observational study of 12 980 patients, age >65 years with stable CAD, who underwent PCI from December 1, 2003, to March 31, 2008. Using propensity score–matching analysis, 3098 unique matched pairs (6196 patients) who had similar likelihood of receiving preprocedural statins were identified. Additional analyses adjusting for postprocedural statins as a time-varying variable were performed. The main outcome measure was a composite of death or recurrent acute coronary syndrome. In the propensity-matched cohort, at 90 days, the primary outcome of death and acute coronary syndrome occurred in 5.6% in the preprocedural statin group as compared with 7.4% in the no-pretreatment group (
P
=0.005). Improved clinical outcomes associated with preprocedural statins were still observed at 2 years (16.7% versus 19.3%,
P
=0.007). The effectiveness of preprocedural statins was most pronounced at 90 days after PCI (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.65 to 0.98) but was no longer significant at 1 year (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.79 to 1.07) after accounting for postprocedural statin therapy.

Conclusions—

Preprocedural statin therapy was associated with significant reduction in the risk of death or recurrent acute coronary syndrome in stable CAD patients after PCI. These findings support the routine use of preprocedural statins for suitable candidates.
A Simple, Minimal Parameter Model for Predicting the Influence of Changing Land Cover on the Land–Atmosphere System+
Authors: Bagley Justin E. , Desai Ankur R. , West Paul C. , Foley Jonathan A.
Published: June 2011

The impacts of changing land cover on the soil–vegetation–atmosphere system are numerous. With the fraction of land used for farming and grazing expected to increase, extensive alterations to land cover such as replacing forests with cropland will continue. Therefore, quantifying the impact of global land-cover scenarios on the biosphere is critical. The Predicting Ecosystem Goods and Services Using Scenarios boundary layer (PegBL) model is a new global soil–vegetation–boundary layer model designed to quantify these impacts and act as a complementary tool to computationally expensive general circulation models and large-eddy simulations. PegBL provides high spatial resolution and inexpensive first-order estimates of land-cover change on the surface energy balance and atmospheric boundary layer with limited input requirements. The model uses a climatological-data-driven land surface model that contains only the physics necessary to accurately reproduce observed seasonal cycles of fluxes and state variables for natural and agricultural ecosystems. A bulk boundary layer model was coupled to the land model to estimate the impacts of changing land cover on the lower atmosphere. The model most realistically simulated surface–atmosphere dynamics and impacts of land-cover change at tropical rain forest and northern boreal forest sites. Further, simple indices to measure the potential impact of land-cover change on boundary layer climate were defined and shown to be dependent on boundary layer dynamics and geographically similar to results from previous studies, which highlighted the impacts of land-cover change on the atmosphere in the tropics and boreal forest.
The Impact of Party Control on the Diffusion of Parental Involvement Laws in the U.S. States
Authors: Medoff Marshall H. , Dennis Christopher , Stephens Kerri
Published: June 2011

The authors examine the impact of political party control of government on the restrictiveness of a U.S. state's abortion policy, measured by the enactment of a parental involvement law. The empirical results show that (1) institutional control of a state's legislative and executive branches of government by the Republican Party increases the likelihood a state will enact a parental involvement law, while Democratic Party control decreases this likelihood; (2) the more conservative state public opinion is on abortion rights, the more likely a state is to enact a parental involvement law; (3) public anti-abortion attitudes do not act as a moderating force on the link between political party control and the enactment of a parental involvement law; and (4) the impact of political party control on the enactment of a parental involvement law has grown larger over time.
Exhaled nitric oxide and clinical phenotypes of childhood asthma
Authors: Mahut Bruno , Peyrard Séverine , Delclaux Christophe
Published: June 2011

Whether exhaled NO helps to identify a specific phenotype of asthmatic patients remains debated. Our aims were to evaluate whether exhaled NO (FENO0.05) is independently associated (1) with underlying pathophysiological characteristics of asthma such as airway tone (bronchodilator response) and airway inflammation (inhaled corticosteroid [ICS]-dependant inflammation), and (2) with clinical phenotypes of asthma.

We performed multivariate (exhaled NO as dependent variable) and k-means cluster analyses in a population of 169 asthmatic children (age ± SD: 10.5 ± 2.6 years) recruited in a monocenter cohort that was characterized in a cross-sectional design using 28 parameters describing potentially different asthma domains: atopy, environment (tobacco), control, exacerbations, treatment (inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting bronchodilator agonist), and lung function (airway architecture and tone).

Two subject-related characteristics (height and atopy) and two disease-related characteristics (bronchodilator response and ICS dose > 200 μg/d) explained 36% of exhaled NO variance. Nine domains were isolated using principal component analysis. Four clusters were further identified: cluster 1 (47%): boys, unexposed to tobacco, with well-controlled asthma; cluster 2 (26%): girls, unexposed to tobacco, with well-controlled asthma; cluster 3 (6%): girls or boys, unexposed to tobacco, with uncontrolled asthma associated with increased airway tone, and cluster 4 (21%): girls or boys, exposed to parental smoking, with small airway to lung size ratio and uncontrolled asthma. FENO0.05 was not different in these four clusters.

In conclusion, FENO0.05 is independently linked to two pathophysiological characteristics of asthma (ICS-dependant inflammation and bronchomotor tone) but does not help to identify a clinically relevant phenotype of asthmatic children.
Detection of mild cognitive impairment in people older than 65 years of age and its relationship to cardiovascular risk factors (DECRIVAM)
Authors: Perea-Bartolome M Victoria , García-García Ricardo , Ladera-Fernández Valentina , Mora-Simón Sara , Patino-Alonso María C , Almanza-Guerra Tita J , Agudo-Conde Cristina , Muriel-Diez M Paz , Rodríguez-Sánchez Emiliano
Published: June 2011

Background

Studies centered on the detection of cognitive impairment and its relationship to cardiovascular risk factors in elderly people have gained special relevance in recent years. Knowledge of the cardiovascular risk factors that may be associated to cognitive impairment could be very useful for introducing treatments in early stages - thereby possibly contributing to improve patient quality of life.

The present study explores cognitive performance in people over 65 years of age in Salamanca (Spain), with special emphasis on the identification of early symptoms of cognitive impairment, with the purpose of detecting mild cognitive impairment and of studying the relationships between this clinical situation and cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods/Design

A longitudinal study is contemplated. The reference population will consist of 420 people over 65 years of age enrolled through randomized sampling stratified by healthcare area, and who previously participated in another study. Measurement: a) Sociodemographic variables; b) Cardiovascular risk factors; c) Comorbidity; d) Functional level for daily life activities; and e) Study of higher cognitive functions based on a neuropsychological battery especially adapted to the evaluation of elderly people.

Discussion

We hope that this study will afford objective information on the representative prevalence of cognitive impairment in the population over 65 years of age in Salamanca. We also hope to obtain data on the relationship between cognitive impairment and cardiovascular risk factors in this specific population group. Based on the results obtained, we also will be able to establish the usefulness of some of the screening tests applied during the study, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination and the 7 Minute Screen test.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01327196
Defective response of CD4+T cells to retinoic acid and TGFβ in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Sobel Eric S , Brusko Todd M , Butfiloski Ed J , Hou Wei , Li Shiwu , Cuda Carla M , Abid Ariana N , Reeves Westley H , Morel Laurence
Published: June 2011

Introduction

CD25+ FOXP3+ CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are induced by transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and further expanded by retinoic acid (RA). We have previously shown that this process was defective in T cells from lupus-prone mice expressing the novel isoform of the Pbx1 gene, Pbx1-d. This study tested the hypothesis that CD4+ T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients exhibited similar defects in Treg induction in response to TGFβ and RA, and that PBX1-d expression is associated with this defect.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from 142 SLE patients and 83 healthy controls (HCs). The frequency of total, memory and naïve CD4+ T cells was measured by flow cytometry on fresh cells. PBX1 isoform expression in purified CD4+ T cells was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). PBMCs were stimulated for three days with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 in the presence or absence of TGFβ and RA. The expression of CD25 and FOXP3 on CD4+ T cells was then determined by flow cytometry. In vitro suppression assays were performed with sorted CD25+ and CD25- FOXP3+ T cells. CD4+ T cell subsets or their expansion were compared between patients and HCs with two-tailed Mann-Whitney tests and correlations between the frequencies of two subsets were tested with Spearman tests.

Results

The percentage of CD25- FOXP3+ CD4+ (CD25- Tregs) T cells was greater in SLE patients than in HCs, but these cells, contrary to their matched CD25+ counterparts, did not show a suppressive activity. RA-expansion of TGFβ-induced CD25+ Tregs was significantly lower in SLE patients than in HCs, although SLE Tregs expanded significantly more than HCs in response to either RA or TGFβ alone. Defective responses were also observed for the SLE CD25- Tregs and CD25+ FOXP3- activated CD4+ T cells as compared to controls. PBX1-d expression did not affect Treg induction, but it significantly reduced the expansion of CD25- Tregs and prevented the reduction of the activated CD25+ FOXP3- CD4+ T cell subset by the combination of TGFβ and RA.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that the induction of Tregs by TGFβ and RA was defective in SLE patients and that PBX1-d expression in CD4+ T cells is associated with an impaired regulation of FOXP3 and CD25 by TGFβ and RA on these cells. These results suggest an impaired integration of the TGFβ and RA signals in SLE T cells and implicate the PBX1 gene in this process.
Quetiapine in refractory hyperactive and mixed intensive care delirium: a case series
Authors: Wan Ruth YY , Kasliwal Moneesha , McKenzie Catherine A , Barrett Nicholas A
Published: June 2011

Introduction

Delirium affects up to 80% of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. Haloperidol is the gold standard for treatment, although quetiapine has been successfully used in the management of delirium.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of patients admitted to the ICU between February 2008 and May 2010 who were prescribed quetiapine by the attending clinician. Data collected included demographics, history of drug and/or alcohol dependence, ICU and hospital length of stay, length of mechanical ventilation and the duration of treatment with sedatives and medications for delirium. The daily dose of quetiapine was recorded. Hyperactive or mixed delirium was identified by a validated chart review and a Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) score persistently greater than 1 for 48 hours despite therapy.

Results

Seventeen patients were included. Delirium onset occurred after a median of five days. Patients were being given at least four agents for delirium prior to the introduction of quetiapine, and they had a median RASS score of 3. Quetiapine was initiated at a 25 mg daily dose and titrated to a median daily dose of 50 mg. The median duration of delirium prior to quetiapine therapy was 15 days. Quetiapine commencement was associated with a reduction in the need for other medications (within 0 to 6 days) and resolution of delirium within a median of four days. Adverse events included somnolence and transient hypotension.

Conclusions

This case series provides an initial effort to explore a possible role for quetiapine in the management of refractory hyperactive and mixed ICU delirium.
Nuocytes: expanding the innate cell repertoire in type-2 immunity
Authors: Barlow Jillian L , McKenzie Andrew N J
Published: June 2011

Activation and differentiation of the Th1 cell population lead to their production of the classical type-1 cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-β, thus promoting type-1 immunity. This is thought to occur via the ligation of TLRs by bacterial and viral products, which in turn, drive production of the essential Th1 cell differentiation factor, IL-12, by dendritic cells (DCs). Concurrent studies have been able to identify the effector cytokines produced by Th2 cells (IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13) as being essential for parasitic immunity and also as essential factors in allergic asthma. However, the factors that are critical for initiation of the type-2 response remained obscure. Recently however, two critical observations have led to a more detailed understanding of the innate type-2 response. First, two novel, type-2-inducing cytokines—IL-25 and IL-33—were identified as being necessary for the up-regulation of the type-2 effector cytokines, mirroring the role of IL-12 in the type-1 response. Second, studies focused on target cell populations of IL-25 and IL-33 have identified novel, innate cell populations, which potentially bridge the gap between presentation of the type-2-inducing cytokine and the later adaptive Th2 cell response. In this review, we will discuss these new type-2 innate cell populations, in particular, the recently discovered nuocyte population, which are required for type-2 responses against helminthic parasites.
Early Metabolic Programming of Puberty Onset: Impact of Changes in Postnatal Feeding and Rearing Conditions on the Timing of Puberty and Development of the Hypothalamic Kisspeptin System
Authors: Castellano Juan M. , Bentsen Agnete H. , Sánchez-Garrido Miguel A. , Ruiz-Pino Francisco , Romero Magdalena , Garcia-Galiano David , Aguilar Enrique , Pinilla Leonor , Diéguez Carlos , Mikkelsen Jens D. , Tena-Sempere Manuel
Published: June 2011

Kiss1 neurons have recently emerged as a putative conduit for the metabolic gating of reproduction, with leptin being a regulator of hypothalamic Kiss1 expression. Early perturbations of the nutritional status are known to predispose to different metabolic disorders later in life and to alter the timing of puberty; however, the potential underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. Here we report how changes in the pattern of postnatal feeding affect the onset of puberty and evaluate key hormonal and neuropeptide [Kiss1/kisspeptin (Kp)] alterations linked to these early nutritional manipulations. Female rats were raised in litters of different sizes: small (four pups per dam: overfeeding), normal (12 pups per dam), and large litters (20 pups per litter: underfeeding). Postnatal overfeeding resulted in persistently increased body weight and earlier age of vaginal opening, as an external sign of puberty, together with higher levels of leptin and hypothalamic Kiss1 mRNA. Conversely, postnatal underfeeding caused a persistent reduction in body weight, lower ovarian and uterus weights, and delayed vaginal opening, changes that were paralleled by a decrease in leptin and Kiss1 mRNA levels. Kisspeptin-52 immunoreactivity (Kp-IR) in the hypothalamus displayed similar patterns, with lower numbers of Kp-IR neurons in the arcuate nucleus of postnatally underfed animals, and a trend for increased Kp-positive fibers in the periventricular area of early overfed rats. Yet, gonadotropin responses to Kp at puberty were similar in all groups, except for enhanced responsiveness to low doses of Kp-10 in postnatally underfed rats. In conclusion, our data document that the timing of puberty is sensitive to both overfeeding and subnutrition during early (postnatal) periods and suggest that alterations in hypothalamic expression of Kiss1/kisspeptin may underlie at least part of such programming phenomenon.
Transfer of a Motor Fascicle From the Ulnar Nerve to the Branch of the Radial Nerve Destined to the Long Head of the Triceps for Restoration of Elbow Extension in Brachial Plexus Surgery
Authors: Flores Leandro Pretto
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE:

Restoration of elbow extension has not been considered of much importance regarding functional outcomes in brachial plexus surgery; however, the flexion of the elbow joint is only fully effective if the motion can be stabilized, what can be achieved solely if the triceps brachii is coactivated. To present a novel nerve transfer of a healthy motor fascicle from the ulnar nerve to the nerve of the long head of the triceps to restore the elbow extension function in brachial plexus injuries involving the upper and middle trunks.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION:

Case 1 is a 32-year-old man sustaining a right brachial extended upper plexus injury in a motorcycle accident 5 months before admission. The computed tomography myelogram demonstrated avulsion of the C5 and C6 roots. Case 2 is a 24-year-old man who sustained a C5-C7 injury to the left brachial plexus in a traffic accident 4 months before admission. Computed tomography myelogram demonstrated signs of C6 and C7 root avulsion. The technique included an incision at the medial border of the biceps, in the proximal third of the involved arm, followed by identification of the ulnar nerve, the radial nerve, and the branch to the long head of the triceps. The proximal stump of a motor fascicle from the ulnar nerve was sutured directly to the distal stump of the nerve of the long head of the triceps. Techniques to restore elbow flexion and shoulder abduction were applied in both cases. Triceps strength Medical Research Council M4 grade was obtained in both cases.

CONCLUSION:

The attempted nerve transfer was effective for restoration of elbow extension in primary brachial plexus surgery; however, it should be selected only for cases in which other reliable donor nerves were used to restore elbow flexion.
Bedeutung der Interoperabilität bei Entwurf und Nutzung von automatisierten Produktionssystemen
Authors: Diedrich Christian , Lüder Arndt , Hundt Lorenz
Published: June 2011

Die strukturelle und verhaltensbezogene Komplexität von Produktionssystemen und ihrer Entwurfsprozesse stieg in den letzten Jahren kontinuierlich an. Daher ist es notwendig, diese Systeme bezüglich ihrer Nutzbarkeit und Veränderbarkeit auf neue Art und Weise zu bewerten. Ein Mittel für diese Bewertung ist die Untersuchung der Integration und Interaktion der Elemente von Produktionssystemen und Entwurfsprozessen. Auf ihrer Basis können neue Wege zur Verbessung der Struktur und des Verhaltens dieser Systeme und Prozesse entwickelt werden. Im Rahmen dieses Fachartikels werden unterschiedliche Integrationsgrade, darunter auch die Interoperabilität, auf der Basis der Modellaspekte Syntax und Semantik in eine Integrationsmatrix eingeordnet. An zwei Beispielen wird aufgezeigt, welche Bedeutung die verschiedenen Integrationsgrade in der praktischen Anwendung besitzen.
Intratumoral androgen biosynthesis in prostate cancer pathogenesis and response to therapy
Authors: Cai Changmeng , Balk Steven P
Published: June 2011

The majority of prostate cancers (PCa) express high levels of androgen receptor (AR) and are dependent for their growth on testosterone produced by the testes, which is reduced in the prostate to the higher affinity ligand 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). PCa growth can be suppressed by androgen deprivation therapy, which involves removal of testicular androgens (surgical or medical castration) or treatment with an AR antagonist (or a combination of both), but patients invariably relapse with tumors that have been termed castration recurrent/resistant PCa (CRPC). Importantly, AR transcriptional activity becomes reactivated at this CRPC stage of the disease and remains essential for tumor growth. The objective of this review is to outline one clinically important mechanism contributing to this AR reactivation, which is increased intratumoral synthesis of testosterone and DHT from weak androgens produced by the adrenal glands and possiblyde novofrom cholesterol. Early studies showed that a substantial fraction of CRPC patients responded to adrenalectomy or medical suppression of adrenal androgen synthesis using agents such as ketoconazole (CYP17A1 inhibitor), and a recent phase III study of a more potent and selective CYP17A1 inhibitor (abiraterone) has demonstrated an improvement in survival. With the pending FDA approval of abiraterone for CRPC, defining the molecular mechanisms contributing to CYP17A1 inhibitor resistance/relapse and AR reactivation is now critical to build on these advances.
Linking cyclic stress and cyclic strain based methods for assessment of cyclic liquefaction triggering in sands
Authors: Schneider J. A. , MOSS R. E. S.
Published: June 2011

Contradictory conclusions may arise when assessing liquefaction resistance of sands based on penetration tests and shear wave velocity. To provide a more unified analysis framework, this letter couples cyclic stress and cyclic strain based analysis of liquefaction triggering using site-specific correlations between penetration resistance and small strain shear modulus from shear wave velocity using the seismic cone tests. Cyclic strain theory provides a robust lower limit to liquefaction resistance, and analyses indicate that relatively high ratios of small strain stiffness to penetration resistance lead to high liquefaction resistance at relatively low cyclic stress ratios. The increased resistance to liquefaction from relatively high stiffness values is suspected to break down at higher cyclic stress ratios, where liquefaction resistance is controlled by the potential for soil to dilate, which correlates well with effective stress normalised cone tip resistance. The analysis framework is in general agreement with laboratory and field data that are predominantly Holocene in origin; however further validation by a comprehensive lab testing programme is warranted.