bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of microarray data in human lymphoblasts shows a role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and NF-kB in the pathogenesis of Down syndrome
Authors: Granese Barbara , Scala Iris , Spatuzza Carmen , Valentino Anna , Coletta Marcella , Vacca Rosa Anna , De Luca Pasquale , Andria Generoso
Published: July 2013

Background

Down syndrome (DS) is a complex disorder caused by the trisomy of either the entire, or a critical region of chromosome 21 (21q22.1-22.3). Despite representing the most common cause of mental retardation, the molecular bases of the syndrome are still largely unknown.

Methods

To better understand the pathogenesis of DS, we analyzed the genome-wide transcription profiles of lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from six DS and six euploid individuals and investigated differential gene expression and pathway deregulation associated with trisomy 21. Connectivity map and PASS-assisted exploration were used to identify compounds whose molecular signatures counteracted those of DS lymphoblasts and to predict their therapeutic potential. An experimental validation in DS LCLs and fetal fibroblasts was performed for the most deregulated GO categories, i.e. the ubiquitin mediated proteolysis and the NF-kB cascade.

Results

We show, for the first time, that the level of protein ubiquitination is reduced in human DS cell lines and that proteasome activity is increased in both basal conditions and oxidative microenvironment. We also provide the first evidence that NF-kB transcription levels, a paradigm of gene expression control by ubiquitin-mediated degradation, is impaired in DS due to reduced IkB-alfa ubiquitination, increased NF-kB inhibitor (IkB-alfa) and reduced p65 nuclear fraction. Finally, the DSCR1/DYRK1A/NFAT genes were analysed. In human DS LCLs, we confirmed the presence of increased protein levels of DSCR1 and DYRK1A, and showed that the levels of the transcription factor NFATc2 were decreased in DS along with a reduction of its nuclear translocation upon induction of calcium fluxes.

Conclusions

The present work offers new perspectives to better understand the pathogenesis of DS and suggests a rationale for innovative approaches to treat some pathological conditions associated to DS.
A short questionnaire to assess pediatric resident’s competencies: the validation process
Authors: Da Dalt Liviana , Anselmi Pasquale , Bressan Silvia , Carraro Silvia , Baraldi Eugenio , Robusto Egidio , Perilongo Giorgio
Published: July 2013

Background

In order to help assess resident performance during training, the Residency Affair Committee of the Pediatric Residency Program of the University of Padua (Italy) administered a Resident Assessment Questionnaire (ReAQ), which both residents and faculty were asked to complete. The aim of this article is to present the ReAQ and its validation.

Methods

The ReAQ consists of 20 items that assess the six core competencies identified by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). A many-facet Rasch measurement analysis was used for validating the ReAQ.

Results

Between July 2011 and June 2012, 211 evaluations were collected from residents and faculty. Two items were removed because their functioning changed with the gender of respondents. The step calibrations were ordered. The self evaluations (residents rating themselves) positively correlated with the hetero evaluations (faculty rating residents; Spearman’s ρ = 0.75, p < 0.001). Unfortunately, the observed agreement among faculty was smaller than expected (Exp = 47.1%; Obs = 41%), which indicates that no enough training to faculty for using the tool was provided.

Conclusions

In its final form, the ReAQ provides a valid unidimensional measure of core competences in pediatric residents. It produces reliable measures, distinguishes among groups of residents according to different levels of performance, and provides a resident evaluation that holds an analogous meaning for residents and faculty.
The pathogenesis of cingulate atrophy in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Tan Rachel H , Pok Karen , Wong Stephanie , Brooks Daniel , Halliday Glenda M , Kril Jillian J
Published: July 2013

Background

Early atrophy of the cingulate cortex is a feature of both behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with degeneration of the anterior cingulate region increasingly recognized as a strong predictor of bvFTD. The total number of neurons in this region, rather than the density of neurons, is associated with mood disturbance in other dementias, although there are no data on the extent and magnitude of neuronal loss in patients with bvFTD. While the density of small populations of neurons in this region has been assessed, it is unlikely that the degree of atrophy of the cingulate cortex seen in bvFTD can be explained by the loss of these subpopulations. This suggests that there is more generalized degeneration of neurons in this region in bvFTD.

The present study assesses total neuronal number, as well as characteristic pathologies, in the anterior and posterior cingulate cortices of pathologically confirmed bvFTD (N = 11) and AD (N = 9) patients compared with age-matched controls (N = 14). The bvFTD cohort comprised 5 cases with tau pathology (Pick’s disease), and 6 with TDP-43 pathology.

Results

At postmortem, atrophy was detected in the anterior and posterior cingulate cortices of bvFTD cases, but only in the posterior cingulate cortex of AD cases. As predicted, there was a significant reduction in both the density and total number of neurons in the anterior but not the posterior cingulate cortex of bvFTD cases with the opposite observed for the AD cases. Importantly, neuronal loss in the anterior cingulate cortex was only observed in cases with tau pathology.

Conclusions

This study confirms significant neuronal loss in the posterior but not anterior cingulate cortex in AD, and demonstrates that significant neuron loss in bvFTD occurs only in the anterior cingulate cortex but only in cases with tau pathology compared with cases with TDP pathology. We propose that significant neurodegeneration in the anterior cingulate cortex may be useful in differentiating the pathological subtypes in vivo.
Who are diabetic foot patients? A descriptive study on 873 patients
Authors: Madanchi Nima , Tabatabaei-Malazy Ozra , Pajouhi Mohammad , Heshmat Ramin , Larijani Bagher , Mohajeri-Tehrani Mohammad-Reza
Published: July 2013

Background

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) as the leading cause of lower limb amputation is one of the most important complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Patient and physician’s education plays a significant role in DFU prevention. While effective treatment and formulation of prevention guidelines for DFU require a thorough understanding of characteristics of DFU patients and their ulcers, there are reports that not only patients’ but also physicians’ information about these characteristics is inadequate. So we conducted this study to investigate these characteristics.

Methods

Necessary data was collected from medical archives of DFU patients admitted between 2002 and 2008 in two university hospitals.

Results

873 patients were included. Mean age was 59.3 ± 11.2 years and most of the patients developed DFU in 5th and 6th decades of their life. 58.1% were men. 28.8% had family history of DM. Mean duration of DM was 172.2 months. Mean duration of DFU was 79.8 days. Only 14.4% of the patients had Hemoglobin A1C < 7%. 69.6% of the patients had history of previous hospitalization due to DM complications. The most prevalent co-morbidities were renal, cardiovascular and ophthalmic ones. Most patients had “ischemic DFU” and DFU in their “right” limb. The most prevalent location of DFU was patients’ toes, with most of them being in the big toe. 28.2% of the patients underwent lower-limb amputations. The amputation rate in the hospital where the “multidisciplinary approach” has been used was lower (23.7% vs. 30.1%).

Conclusions

Number of patients with DFU is increasing. DFU is most likely to develop in middle-aged diabetic patients with a long duration of DM and poor blood sugar control who have other co-morbidities of DM. Male patients are at more risk. Recurrence of DFU is a major point of concern which underscores the importance of patient education to prevent secondary ulcers. As a result, educating medical and nursing personnel, applying screening and prevention guidelines, and allocating more resources are of great importance regarding treatment of DFU patients. Application of the “multidisciplinary approach” can reduce the rate of amputations. Primary care physicians might be furnished with the information presented in the present study.
Value of URTeC for geophysicists
Authors: Beeney Ken
Published: July 2013

Geophysicists should make an effort to attend the first-of-its-kind joint-society (SEG, AAPG, and SPE) technical conference for Unconventional Resources, known as URTeC, to be held 12–14 August in Denver, Colorado. Geophysicists who now find themselves working on unconventional plays have had to adapt their skills in a variety of ways to be able to provide the proper analysis and input to multidisciplinary teams in exploration, appraisal, and development.

Retooling our interpretation and analysis skills from the identification and mapping of conventional prospects where we focused on reservoir presence, trap timing, seal integrity, migration pathways, depth imaging, and attributes related to porosity and fluids involves refocusing on elastic properties, stress analysis, rock mechanics, fault and fracture trends, anisotropy, detailed time/depth conversion, structural attributes, and microseismic data.
Effect of Bathocuproine Electron-transport Layer in Small-molecule Solar Cells with Laminated Top Electrode
Authors: Sakomura Masaru , Matsushiro Minoru , Sawayama Masaya , Miura Shima , Delgertsetseg Byambasuren , Ganzorig Chimed , Ueda Kazuyoshi
Published: July 2013

Small-molecule solar cells based on zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc)–fullerene (C60) heterojunction structure were fabricated with a laminated top electrode. The photovoltaic (PV) performances of the laminated devices with and without a bathocuproine (BCP) buffer layer were investigated by comparing with those of the conventional devices with the top electrode deposited by successive vacuum evaporations. Improved PV performances by insertion of BCP buffer layer were observed with both the evaporation- and the lamination-type devices. These results suggest that the formation of the cathode-induced defect states below the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of BCP would not be necessarily requisite for efficient charge transport across the BCP layer.
The narrative structure and antiwar discourse of Born on the Fourth of July: Screenplay and film
Authors: Larson Stephen
Published: July 2013

This article examines the atypical narrative structure director Oliver Stone and co-scenarist Ron Kovic employed to create a screenplay and cinematic incarnation of the latter’s memoir, Born on the Fourth of July (Kovic, 1976). The eponymous film (Stone, 1989) is exceptional from other screen war biographies in that it adeptly incorporates a triptych and elongated five-act structure to punctuate the transformation of a gung-ho marine into a committed political activist. The article’s main purpose is to expand on the foundations of narrative theory that have been applied to Fourth of July and create a new perceptual lens (via Freytagian criticism) for other avenues to examine how the text cultivates an antiwar discourse. Stone’s structural choices are motivated by a political agenda. It is argued that via the theoretical application of Gustav Freytag’s pyramidal five-act structure to Fourth of July’s narratological makeup, I demonstrate how Stone presents a series of significant signs and signifiers through several scenes which effectively depict Kovic’s evolving maturation and growth. Although Freytag’s pyramid has historically played an important role in the analysis of modes such as drama and film, I propose to bring it to bear on Stone’s film in order to reframe existing critical and popular discussions of the film.
Translation, theatre practice, and the jazz metaphor
Authors: O’Thomas Mark
Published: July 2013

This article assumes a position that sees translation – the interlingual transposition of languages – and adaptation – the (sometimes) interlingual (and sometimes) intersemiotic textual practice as one process despite their separate histories, theories and fields of study. The notion of adaptation is invoked all too often by those commissioning translations as a pejorative, a slur on a (target) text’s authenticity and integrity while for the commissioners of adaptations, translation remains a moniker for either interlingual transposition or a metaphor for supposed one-to-one correspondences of words, scenes, ideas and themes. Jazz, like translation, remains a minority interest, something that operates on the fringes of its more mainstream twin (popular music/literature). But its true power lies in its ability to subvert, invert, move, adapt, but always move forward and change. In this sense, it provides a convenient and creative way to view translation – as a performance on a source, and more specifically a certain kind of performance – jazz. In seeing the relationship between the source and the target, the original text/s and its/their newly forged resultant whole, as essentially dialogic and responsive, adaptation and translation can be viewed as performances on their sources. Just as actors might seek to engage with a text, find a connection with it, and perform it in a personal way that reflects their creative response to that text, so too we can begin to see the work of translators and adaptors beyond the world and scope of theatre practice.
Adaptation as sadomasochism: The case of Guy Maddin’s Dracula: Pages from a Virgin’s Diary
Authors: Brownlee Shannon
Published: July 2013

The article argues that the violence of rhetoric pertaining to fidelity in adaptation – e.g., that the adaptation ‘destroys’ or ‘mutilates’ the adapted text – may at times be symptomatic not of displeasure, but of sadomasochistic pleasure in adaptation. As readers, viewers and listeners develop fantasmatic relationships to texts, they identify with narrative structures, characters and style. Reading, viewing or listening to an adaptation as such can thus be seen as a way of fantasizing both the adaptation and the adapted text, and particularly of fantasizing the latter’s wholeness of meaning and/or form. Guy Maddin’s exemplary Dracula: Pages from a Virgin’s Diary in 2002 is analysed in terms of its ‘dismemberment’ of the ballet on which it is based. While ballet is usually conceived as an art form that communicates through dancers’ whole bodies, Maddin’s film obscures parts of the frame through picture distortion and ‘cuts off’ parts of the bodies through framing and editing techniques in order to elicit sadomasochistic pleasure. The conception of a sadomasochistic form of adaptation is not, however, restricted to film adaptations of ballet, and the article briefly discusses other possible applications of the theory.
Pennies from Heaven from BBC to MGM: Adaptation and the anti-musical
Authors: Shostak Debra
Published: July 2013

When Dennis Potter adapted his award-winning 1978 BBC television miniseries Pennies from Heaven into an MGM musical, it failed at the box office and subsequently received scant critical attention for its innovations. Both productions probe the border between fantasy and reality, signified by the generic juxtaposition of melodrama and the musical as characters pursue dreams mediated by popular song. Both shift modes between naturalism and stylization, notably in Potter’s signature device, in which the actors lip-sync and dance to 1930s recordings. Yet while both versions of Pennies offer disruptive hybrid forms, they accomplish significantly different ends. The BBC series elides fantasy and reality to explore character, suggesting the interpenetration of these oppositions in the characters’ consciousnesses. Herbert Ross’s film, however, serves as an anti-musical by putting the genres and modes on collision course. In a close comparative reading of the two versions of Pennies, especially of select musical sequences, the article argues that the film shifts the discourse’s meanings from a psychological and sociological study to an ideological critique of the musical as a cinematic form.
‘Love is a con. A construction. And I am an engineer’: De-constructing bisexual love and rejection in Othello’s Revenge (2011)
Authors: Rodosthenous George
Published: July 2013

This article will examine the directorial approaches in Othello’s Revenge, directed by George Rodosthenous, in order to provide an insight to the adaptation process. The ‘framing’ of Iago, leading to his and Othello’s revenge, will be discussed in juxtaposition to K. McLelland’s bisexual reading of Othello in 2011 and I. Karremann’s evaluation in 2003 that ‘the play reads either as the tragic failure of a heterosexual love or as the tragic failure of a homosocial desire’. The different forms of sexual, homosocial and bisexual love will be explored in relation to the main characters in this production and demonstrate how Cassio, the only survivor of this emotional and physical catastrophe, was in fact the main axis for the narrative.
Why Have Labour Market Outcomes of Youth in Advanced Economies Deteriorated?
Authors: Christopoulou Rebekka
Published: July 2013

Abstract: Youth labour outcomes in comparison to those of prime-age adults have worsened across the OECD since the mid-1970s. English-speaking countries experienced mostly declines in relative pay; continental European countries experienced mostly declines in relative employment. This paper aims to explain these developments by estimating a system of simultaneous equations on a panel of 10 advanced economies. The results suggest that the deterioration in the youth labour market has been due to inward shifts in relative demand, offset only partially by reductions in relative supply. The heterogeneity in the deterioration across countries was caused partly by differential rates of relative pay adjustment, depending on each country’s mix of labour market institutions and the priority attached by social partners to youth employment.
Long-Term Care Insurance and Family Norms
Authors: Canta Chiara , Pestieau Pierre
Published: July 2013

Abstract: Long-term care (LTC) is mainly provided by the family and subsidiarily by the market and the government. To understand the role of these three institutions, it is important to understand the motives and the working of family solidarity. In this paper, we focus on the case when LTC is provided by children to their dependent parents out of some norm that has been inculcated to them during their childhood by some exemplary behavior of their parents towards their own parents. In the first part, we look at the interaction between the family and the market in providing for LTC. The key parameters are the probability of dependence, the probability of having a norm-abiding child and the loading factor. In the second part, we introduce the government which has a double mission: correct for a prevailing externality and redistribute resources across heterogeneous households.
Fairness, Search Frictions, and Offshoring
Authors: Mitra Devashish , Ranjan Priya
Published: July 2013

Abstract: Fairness considerations are introduced into the determination of wages in a two factor Pissarides-style model of search unemployment to study its implications for the unemployment rates of unskilled and skilled workers in both the closed economy case and when the economy can offshore some inputs. Both fairness concerns and offshoring of jobs done by unskilled workers create the overhiring effect for skilled workers. An increase in the concern for fairness in the closed economy increases the cost of hiring unskilled workers and increases the unemployment rates of both types of workers; however, wage inequality decreases. In the open economy case, an increase in the concern for fairness leads to greater offshoring which prevents skilled unemployment from increasing, but the unemployment of unskilled workers increases. A reduction in the cost of offshoring also increases offshoring and increases the unemployment of unskilled workers, but has a positive effect on skilled workers. Due to the presence of an overhiring effect in the hiring of skilled workers for both offshoring and non-offshoring firms, skilled workers experience higher wages and lower unemployment. The opposite movements in skilled and unskilled unemployment render the net effect ambiguous. Even though wage inequality increases, the impact on the wages of unskilled workers is ambiguous.
Economies of Scope, Entry Deterrence and Welfare
Authors: Pires Cesaltina Pacheco , Catalão-Lopes Margarida
Published: July 2013

This paper develops a model where the incumbent may expand to a related market to signal economies of scope and deter entry in the former market. We show that the incumbent only expands when scope economies are large enough. Thus expansion is a signal of larger economies of scope and, for certain parameter values, leads to entry deterrence. Although our game is two-period, the expansion strategy creates a long-term advantage. We further investigate the implications of prohibiting an entry-deterrent expansion. A major finding is that, in our model, this prohibition always decreases consumer surplus. In terms of global welfare, the impact is ambiguous but negative for many parameter values.
The second main theorem for entire curves into Hilbert modular surfaces
Authors: Tiba Yusaku
Published: July 2013

The main goal of this article is to prove a second main theorem for entire curves into
Hilbert modular surfaces.
As an application of our main theorem, we obtain a condition ensuring that entire curves in a Hilbert modular surface of general type
are contained in the exceptional divisors. We also show a second main theorem for a simple normal crossing divisor which is tangent to a holomorphic
distribution of codimension one
on a smooth projective algebraic manifold.
L
∞ norms of holomorphic modular forms in the case of compact quotient
Authors: Das Soumya , Sengupta Jyoti
Published: July 2013

We prove a sub-convex estimate for the sup-norm of L
2-normalized holomorphic modular forms of weight k on the upper half plane, with respect to the unit group of a quaternion division algebra over ℚ. More precisely we show that when the L
2 norm of an eigenfunction f is one,

∥
f
∥

∞

≪
ε

k

1
2

-

1
33

+
ε

$ \Vert f \Vert _\infty \ll _\varepsilon k^{\frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{33} +\varepsilon } $

for any

ε
>
0

${\varepsilon >0}$

and for all k sufficiently large.
SU(2)-Donaldson invariants of the complex projective plane
Authors: Griffin Michael , Malmendier Andreas , Ono Ken
Published: July 2013

There are two families of Donaldson invariants for the complex projective plane,
corresponding to the SU(2)-gauge theory and the SO(3)-gauge theory
with non-trivial Stiefel–Whitney class.
In 1997 Moore and Witten conjectured that the regularized u-plane integral
on ℂ

P
2

$\mathrm {P}^2$

gives the generating functions for these invariants. In earlier work,
the second two authors proved the conjecture for the SO(3)-gauge theory.
Here we complete the proof of the conjecture by confirming the claim
for the SU(2)-gauge theory. As a consequence, we find that the
SU(2)-Donaldson invariants for ℂ

P
2

$\mathrm {P}^2$

are explicit linear combinations of the Hurwitz class numbers which arise in the theory of imaginary quadratic
fields and orders.
What goes up must come down: molecular basis of MAPKAP kinase 2/3-dependent regulation of the inflammatory response and its inhibition
Authors: Gaestel Matthias
Published: July 2013

Inflammation is normally a fast and transient response to microbial invaders or sterile damage and has to be stringently controlled. The closely-related mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinases MK2 and MK3 are involved in both up- and down-regulation of inflammation in mammals and govern the inflammatory response at different regulatory levels of gene expression and with different kinetics. In conjunction with their activator MAP kinase p38, MK2 and MK3 stimulate the transcription of immediate-early genes including that of the mRNA-binding protein tristetraprolin (TTP). TTP competes with the constitutively expressed protein human antigen R in binding to the mRNA destabilizing adenylate-uridylate -rich element. MK2 and MK3 also regulate the activity of TTP by direct phosphorylation, determine stability and stimulate the translation of cytokine mRNAs. In addition, TTP controls its own re-synthesis via stability and translation of its mRNA in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. This results in a complex scenario of gene expression and guarantees fast up-regulation and intrinsic feedback control of the inflammatory response of macrophages. Inhibition of MK2/3 by small-molecule pharmaceutical inhibitors is an emerging strategy to manipulate the inflammatory response as a therapeutic option. This strategy could display advantages over the direct inhibition of MAP kinase p38.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectra for the Corrosion of Porous Cu-35mass%Ni-(5,10)mass%Cr Alloys in Molten (0.62Li,0.38K)2CO3 at 650 °C in Air
Authors: Chen Jian , Huang Zihan , Ren Yanjie , Li Wei , Qiu Wei , Chen Jianlin , He Jianjun
Published: July 2013

The electrochemical impedance spectra was employed to investigate corrosion behavior of porous Cu-35mass%Ni-5mass%Cr and Cu-35mass%Ni-10mass%Cr alloys in molten (0.62Li,0.38K)2CO3 at 650 °C in air. The results show that the Nyquist plots for the corrosion of two alloys are composed of two capacitive loops which indicate that localized corrosion occur for the total immersion time. The differential potential between Cu-rich phase and Cu-depleted phase contributes to galvanic corrosion of the alloys. As compared to porous Cu-35mass%Ni-5mass%Cr, porous Cu-35mass%Ni-10mass%Cr is more corrosion resistant, which is related with its smaller area fraction of the cathodic Cu-rich phase. In addition, crevice corrosion in the pores of the alloys promotes the micro-crack generation and expansion.
Effect of Y and Mg on the Solidification Structure of Fe-36Ni Invar Alloy
Authors: Yu Yan-Chong , Chen Wei-Qing , Zheng Hong-Guang
Published: July 2013

The effect of Y and Mg on the solidification structure of Fe-36Ni invar alloy melted in a carbon tube furnace was investigated using digital camera, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that Y or Mg addition could remarkablly refine the solidification structure and increase the fraction of equiaxed grains. Great amount of high-melting point compounds (Y2O2S, MgS and MgS-MgO) formed in the alloy with the addition of Y and Mg respectively. Based on the theory of lattice misfit, the effectiveness of high-melting point compounds as heterogeneous nuclei of γ-matrix was calculated. The calculation of the lattice misfit between Y2O2S, MgS and γ-matrix, which were far less than 12%, showed that Y2O2S and MgS acted as heterogeneous nuclei were highly effective. However, MgO could not serve as the heterogeneous nuclei because the lattice misfit between it and γ-matrix exceeded 12%.
Serine-arginine protein kinases: new players in neurodegenerative diseases?
Authors: Chan Chi Bun , Ye Keqiang
Published: July 2013

Serine-arginine protein kinases (SRPKs) are a group of serine kinases that recognize and phosphorylate protein substrates with serine-arginine dipeptide repeats. They are mainly involved in regulating pre-mRNA splicing via phosphorylating splicing factors, such as ASF/SF2 and SC35. Nevertheless, the functions of SRPKs in the nervous system are sketchy, although the kinases have significant expression in neurons. Our recent studies demonstrate that one of the SRPK members, SRPK2, participates in the neuronal survival, cell cycle progression, and memory determination in Alzheimer’s disease. SRPKs are thus a group of unrecognized proteins that may facilitate the pathological progression of disorders caused by neurodegeneration. In this review, we will update our knowledge on SRPKs’ functions in various cellular activities and discuss their potential role in neurodegenerative disorders.
Crystal structure of carbonyl-(4-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)pent-3-en-2-onato-κ2N,O)-(triphenylphosphine-κP)-rhodium(I) acetone solvate, C31.5H28Cl2NO2.5PRh
Authors: Venter Gertruida J. S. , Steyl Gideon , Roodt Andreas
Published: July 2013

C31.5H28Cl2NO2.5PRh, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 17.3242(5) Å, b = 11.3170(3) Å, c = 15.4753(4) Å, β = 108.197(1)°, V = 2882.3 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0303, wRref(F2) = 0.0728, T = 100 K.
Comparison of the effects of primary somatostatin analogue therapy and pituitary adenomectomy on survival in patients with acromegaly: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bogazzi Fausto , Colao Annamaria , Rossi Giuseppe , Lombardi Martina , Urbani Claudio , Sardella Chiara , Iannelli Aldo , Scattina Ilaria , Manetti Luca , Del Sarto Simone , Pivonello Rosario , Grasso Ludovica Francesca Stella , Lupi Isabella , Auriemma Renata Simona , Lombardi Gaetano , Martino Enio
Published: July 2013

Objective

Acromegalic patients have an increased risk of mortality. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of different therapies for acromegaly on mortality.

Design and methods

The mortality rate of 438 consecutive acromegalic patients was compared with that of the general population using the standardized mortality ratio (SMR); the effect of different therapies on survival was evaluated using Cox regression analysis.

Results

Twenty patients (4.5%) died between 1999 and 2009. Age- and sex-adjusted SMR was 0.70 (95% CI 0.43–1.08). The Cox regression analysis revealed that, in the whole population, both general risk factors (age and physical status) and specific factors for acromegaly (macroadenoma, hypopituitarism and uncontrolled disease) were associated with death. The most compromised patients at diagnosis had a higher mortality rate (P=0.001), which also occurred in patients with controlled acromegaly. Death occurred in 2.4% (adenomectomy), 2.6% (adenomectomy followed by somatostatin analogue (SSA) therapy) and 11.4% (SSA therapy as the primary therapy) of the patients. The risk of death was higher in patients receiving SSA therapy as the primary therapy (hazard ratio (HR) 5.52, 95% CI 1.06–28.77,P=0.043) than in all patients submitted to adenomectomy; however, a higher risk of death occurred only in diabetic patients treated with SSAs alone (HR 21.94, 95% CI 1.56–309.04,P=0.022). Radiotherapy was associated with an increased risk of mortality, which occurred in patients with the more locally advanced disease.

Conclusions

Therapies for acromegaly and comorbidities have lowered the risk of mortality to the level of the general population; the effect of SSA therapy alone or that following pituitary adenomectomy was comparable to that of curative neurosurgery on survival in non-diabetic patients; on the contrary, SSA therapy as the primary therapy may be less effective than adenomectomy in reducing mortality rate in diabetic patients.
Effects of low-intensity concentric and eccentric exercise combined with blood flow restriction on indices of exercise-induced muscle damage
Authors: Thiebaud Robert S. , Yasuda Tomohiro , Loenneke Jeremy P. , Abe Takashi
Published: July 2013

Low-intensity blood-flow restriction (BFR) resistance training significantly increases strength and muscle size, but some studies report it produces exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) in the lower body after exercise to failure.

Purpose

To investigate the effects of a pre-set number of repetitions of upper body concentric and eccentric exercise when combined with BFR on changes in EIMD.

Methods

Ten young men had arms randomly assigned to either concentric BFR (CON-BFR) or eccentric BFR (ECC-BFR) dumbbell curl exercise (30% one-repetition maximum (1-RM), 1 set of 30 repetitions followed by 3 sets of 15 repetitions). Maximal isometric voluntary contraction force (MVC), muscle thickness (MTH), circumference, range of motion (ROM), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and muscle soreness were measured before, immediately after, and daily for 4 days post-exercise.

Results

MVC decreased by 36% for CON-BFR and 12% for ECCBFR immediately after exercise but was not changed 1–4 days post-exercise (p> 0.05). Only CON-BFR had significant changes in MTH and circumference immediately after exercise (p< 0.05). Muscle soreness was observed in the ECC-BFR arm at 1 and 2 days after exercise.

Conclusions

Low-intensity ECC-BFR produces significant muscle soreness at 24 h but neither ECC-BFR nor CON-BFR exercise produces significant changes in multiple indices of EIMD.
A rare presentation of Henoch-Schönlein purpura and myocardial infarction at the 5th decade of life
Authors: Rajan Rajesh , Joseph Peter K. , Govindan Vijayaraghavan
Published: July 2013

Henoch-Schönlein purpura is an IgA-mediated, autoimmune, hypersensitivity vasculitis of childhood that results in a triad of symptoms, including a purpuric rash occurring on the lower extremities, abdominal pain or renal involvement, and arthritis. However, any of the triad may be absent, which often leads to a confusion in diagnosing the condition. Although the cause is unknown, Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is often associated with infectious agents, such as group A streptococci and mycoplasma. It has also been associated with food reactions, exposure to cold, insect bites, and drug allergies. The treatment is supportive and needs close followup of renal status. This report describes a rare presentation of Henoch-Schönlein purpura with coronary vasculitis which leads to myocardial infarction at the age of 53. Henoch-Schönlein purpura was diagnosed on the basis of no infection, accelerated ESR (35 mm/h), normal platelet count, positive skin biopsy, proteinuria, and negative searches for rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibody (ANA), antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), and anti-dsDNA.
Immunological investigations of oligoethylene glycols functionalized with desaminotyrosine and desaminotyrosyltyrosine
Authors: Julich-Gruner Konstanze K. , Roch Toralf , Ma Nan , Neffe Axel T. , Lendlein Andreas
Published: July 2013

Biomaterials require thoroughin vitrotesting before being appliedin vivo. Unwanted contaminations of biomaterials but also their intrinsic properties can cause uncontrolled immune response leading to severe consequences for the patient. Therefore, immunological evaluation of materials for biomedical applications is mandatory before entering clinical application. In order to introduce physical netpoints, the aromatic compounds desaminotyrosine (DAT) and desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine (DATT) were successfully used to functionalize linear and star-shaped oligoethylene glycol (lOEG and sOEG) as previously described. The materials showed properties of surfactants and have potential to be used for solubilization of lipophilic drugs in water. Furthermore, the materials are susceptible for H2O2degradation as determined by MALDI-ToF MS analyses. This is important for potentialin vivoapplications, as macrophages can release reactive oxygen species (ROS) under inflammatory conditions. As it is known that surfactant solutions of high concentration can lead to cell lysis, the effects of OEG-DAT(T) solutions on murine RAW macrophages were investigated. Even at highest OEG-DAT(T) concentration of 1000 µg·mL-1the viability of the RAW cells was not significantly impaired. Additionally, the polymers were incubated with whole human blood and the production of inflammatory cytokines such as the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 was determined. Only at high concentrations, the OEG-DAT(T) solution induced low levels of TNF-α and IL-6, indicating that a mild inflammatory reaction could be expected when such high OEG-DAT(T) concentrations are appliedin vivo. Similarly, the OEG-DAT(T) solution did not induce ROS in monocytes and neutrophils after incubation with whole human blood. Conclusively, the data presented here demonstrate that OEG-DAT(T) do not lead to a substantial activation of the innate immune mechanisms and could therefore be investigated for solubilizing pharmaceutical agents.
Interferência da disponibilidade de luz na resposta à adubação de plantios de enriquecimento com leguminosas arbóreas
Authors: Silva Marco Aurélio de Carvalho , Souza Luiz Augusto Gomes de , Brandão Diego Oliveira
Published: July 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a interferência da disponibilidade de luz na resposta à adubação de plantios de enriquecimento da capoeira com leguminosas arbóreas. As espécies Hymenaea courbaril, Stryphnodendron guianense, Parkia platycephala e Stryphnodendron microstachyum foram plantadas em capoeira, sob três tratamentos de fertilização: adubação orgânica, adubação orgânica acrescida de mineral e ausência de adubação. A disponibilidade de luz condicionou a resposta de P. platycephala e H. courbaril à fertilização. A aleatorização não foi suficiente para garantir condições semelhantes de luz nos plantios de enriquecimento. A variação na quantidade de luz incidente no sub‑bosque compromete a correta avaliação dos tratamentos de fertilização.
Breast Cancer Interventions Serving US-Based Latinas: Current Approaches and Directions
Authors: Molina Yamile , Thompson Beti , Espinoza Noah , Ceballos Rachel
Published: July 2013

Despite efforts to reduce morbidity and mortality in breast cancer, Latinas continue to have lower 5-year survival rates than their non-Latina white counterparts. All along the cancer continuum from screening to follow-up of abnormal screening to diagnosis and treatment to survivorship, Latinas fare poorer than non-Latina whites. To close this gap, a number of research projects across the continuum have attempted to improve breast cancer outcomes. In this review, we examine studies that have been carried out in breast cancer along the cancer continuum. We focus not only on randomized, controlled trials, but also on quasi-experimental, and pre- and post-test studies that provided interventions for positive breast cancer outcomes. We examine not only the intervention outcomes, but also the type of intervention targets and type of intervention implementation. In future breast cancer research among Latinas, more emphasis should be placed on the steps in detection and treatment that occur after screening.
Convective heat transfer over a wall mounted cube at different angle of attack using large eddy simulation
Authors: Heidarzadeh Habibollah , Farhadi Mousa , Sedighi Kurosh
Published: July 2013

Turbulent fluid flow and convective heat transfer over the wall mounted cube
in different flow angle of attack have been studied numerically using Large
Eddy Simulation. Cube faces and plate have a constant heat flux. Dynamic
Smagorinsky (DS) subgrid scale model were used in this study. Angles were in
the range 0???45 and Reynolds number based on the cube height and free stream
velocity was 4200. The numerical simulation results were compared with the
experimental data of Nakamura et al [6, 7]. Characteristics of fluid flow
field and heat transfer compared for four angles of attack. Flow around the
cube was classified to four regimes. Results was represented in the form of
time averaged normalized streamwise velocity and Reynolds stress in different
positions, temperature contours, local and average Nusselt number over the
faces of cube. Local convective heat transfer on cube faces was affected by
flow pattern around the cube. The local convective heat transfer from the
faces of the cube and plate are directly related to the complex phenomena
such as horse shoe vortex, arch vortexes in behind the cube, separation and
reattachment. Results show that overall convective heat transfer of cube and
mean drag coefficient have maximum and minimum value at ?=0 deg and ?=25 deg
respectively.
Ranz and Marshall correlations limits on heat flow between a sphere and its surrounding gas at high temperature
Authors: Aissa Abderrahmane , Abdelouahab Mohamed , Noureddine Abdelkader , Elganaoui Mohammed , Pateyron Bernard
Published: July 2013

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) for axisymmetric plasma jet are developed
to investigate particle plasma spraying process. In this paper we study the
plasma jet and we focus mainly on the plasma-particle ex-changes. Finite
element analysis employing COMSOL Multiphysics software is used in this
simulation. Finally, comparisons are made with the numerically observed
particle Nusselt?s numbers and theoretically predicted Nusselt?s numbers
based on the Ranz-Marshall correlation. The results agree well with those
obtained previously.
Turbulent heat transfer for impinging jet flowing inside a cylindrical hot cavity
Authors: Halouane Yacine , Mataoui Amina , Iachachene Farida
Published: July 2013

Convective heat transfer from an isothermal hot cylindrical cavity due to a
turbulent round jet impingement is investigated numerically.
Three-dimensional turbulent flow is considered in this work. The Reynolds
stress second order turbulence model with wall standard treatment is used for
the turbulence predictions the problem parameters are the jet exit Reynolds
number, ranging from 2x104 to 105and the normalized impinging distance to the
cavity bottom and the jet exit Lf, ranging from 4 to 35. The computed flow
patterns and isotherms for various combinations of these parameters are
analyzed in order to understand the effect of the cavity confinement on the
heat transfer phenomena. The flow in the cavity is divided into three parts,
the area of free jet, and the area of the jet interaction with the reverse
flow and the semi-quiescent flow in the region of the cavity bottom. The
distribution of the local and mean Nusselt numbers along the cavity walls for
above combinations of the flow parameters are detailed. Results are compared
against to corresponding cases for impinging jet on a plate for the case of
the bottom wall. The analysis reveals that the average Nusselt number
increases considerably with the jet exit Reynolds number. Finally, it was
found that the average Nusselt number at the stagnation point could be
correlated by a relationship in the form Nu=f(Lf,Re).
Mixed convection boundary-layer flow of a micro polar fluid towards a heated shrinking sheet by homotopy analysis method
Authors: Rashidi Mohammad , Ashraf Muhammad , Rostami Behnam , Rastegari Taher , Bashir Sumra
Published: July 2013

A comprehensive study of two dimensional stagnation flow of an incompressible
micro polar fluid with heat transfer characteristics towards a heated
shrinking sheet is analyzed analytically. The main goal of this paper is to
find the analytic solutions using a powerful technique namely the Homotopy
Analysis Method (HAM) for the velocity and the temperature distributions and
to study the steady mixed convection in two-dimensional stagnation flows of a
micro polar fluid around a vertical shrinking sheet. The governing equations
of motion together with the associated boundary conditions are first reduced
to a set of self-similar nonlinear ordinary differential equations using a
similarity transformation and are then solved by the HAM. Some important
features of the flow and heat transfer for the different values of the
governing parameters are analyzed, discussed and presented through tables and
graphs. The heat transfer from the sheet to the fluid decreases with an
increase in the shrinking rate. Micro polar fluids exhibit a reduction in
shear stresses and heat transfer rate as compared to Newtonian fluids, which
may be beneficial in flow and thermal control of polymeric processing.
Estimation of Air Pollutant Emissions in Flower Roundabouts and in Conventional Roundabouts
Authors: Corriere F. , Guerrieri M. , Ticali D. , Messineo A.
Published: July 2013

The road pollutant emissions, above all in urban context, are correlated to many infrastructural parameters and to traffic intensity and typology. The research work on road junction geometry, carried out in European research centres, has recently allowed to design new road intersection types which are of undoubted interest, especially in terms of traffic functionality and safety, like the flower roundabouts (in which right-turn manoeuvres do not conflict with the circulating flow). The main objective of this paper is to propose a model for the estimation the capacity, delay, levels of service and the pollutant emissions into flower roundabouts. A comparative analysis between conventional roundabout and flower roundabout has been carried out in terms of CO, CO2, CH4, NO, PM2,5 and PM10 vehicular emissions, evaluated by mean of COPERT Software which is developed as a European tool for the calculation of emissions from the road transport sector.
Phytotoxicity of Sodium Chloride Towards Common Duckweed (Lemna Minor L.) and Yellow Lupin (Lupinus Luteus L.)
Authors: Sikorski Łukasz , Piotrowicz -Cieślak Agnieszka I. , Adomas Barbara
Published: July 2013

Salinity has adverse effects on plants and is one of the causes of environment degradation. Plants have developed many defensive mechanisms, protecting them from sodium chloride (NaCl), including accumulation of osmoprotective compounds, which maintain osmotic balance, protect cell structure and enzymes. In the current study, we investigated the effects of salinity resulting from a range of sodium chloride concentrations (from 0 to 400 mM) on the growth of common duckweed (Lemna minor L.) and yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.). Increasing concentration of sodium chloride decreased the area of common duckweed leaves. At the highest applied salt concentration, the decrease of leaf area was associated with leaf chlorosis. In yellow lupin, the increasing sodium chloride concentration inhibited root and stem elongation. The highest tested NaCl concentration of 400 mM completely stopped elongation of yellow lupin shoots. The content of cyclitols and soluble carbohydrates in plant tissues was evaluated as well. Cyclitols (D -chiro -inositol and D -pinitol), as well as soluble carbohydrates (glucose, fructose and sucrose) were detected in common duckweed tissues. Yellow lupin seedlings also contained cyclitols - D -pinitol, myo -inositol and D -chiro -inositol - and soluble carbohydrates - glucose, galactose and sucrose. The content of osmoprotectants in plant tissues, especially sucrose and cyclitols, increased with increasing concentration of sodium chloride in the soil. The results indicate that the content of cyclitols and soluble carbohydrates in plant tissues can be an indicator of plant response to salinity stress.
Description and Verification of the Contaminat Transport Models in Groundwater (Theory And Practice)
Authors: Aniszewski Andrzej
Published: July 2013

This paper presents a general overview of 2D mathematical models for both the inorganic and the organic contaminants moving in an aquifer, taking into consideration the most important processes that occur in the ground. These processes affect, to a different extent, the concentration reduction values for the contaminants moving in a groundwater. In this analysis, the following processes have been taken into consideration: reversible physical non-linear adsorption, chemical and biological reactions (as biodegradation/biological denitrification) and radioactive decay (for moving radionuclides). Based on these 2D contaminant transport models it has been possible to calculate numerically the dimensionless concentration values with and without all the chosen processes in relation to both the chosen natural site (piezometers) and the chosen contaminants.In this paper, it has also been possible to compare all the numerically calculated concentration values to the measured concentration ones (in the chosen earlier piezometers) in relation to both the new unpublished measurement series of May 1982 and the new set of parameters used in these 2D contaminant transport models (as practical verification of these models).