bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Right Heart Structural and Functional Remodeling in Athletes
Authors: D'Andrea Antonello , La Gerche Andrè , Golia Enrica , Teske Arco J. , Bossone Eduardo , Russo Maria Giovanna , Calabrò Raffaele , Baggish Aaron L.
Published: September 2014

Long‐term intensive exercise training programs lead to numerous progressive cardiac adaptations, which are collectively termed “athlete's heart.” Noninvasive diagnostic techniques, such as color Doppler echocardiography, have been widely used in the analysis of the athlete's heart. Initial experiences focused mainly on left heart adaptations to training. However, in recent years, substantial structural and functional adaptations of the right heart have been documented. The present review article focuses on recent data defining right heart adaptation to short‐ and long‐term periods of exercise training. Right ventricular (RV) morphology and function may be more profoundly affected by intense exercise and, in some cases, functional recovery may be incomplete. Moreover, there is speculation that such changes may represent a substrate for proarrhythmic RV remodeling in some highly trained athletes, even in the absence of a known familial redisposition.
Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathies: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Diagnosis
Authors: Limongelli Giuseppe , Rea Alessandra , Masarone Daniele , Francalanci M. Paola , Anastasakis Aris , Calabro' Raffaele , Maria Giovanna Russo , Bossone Eduardo , Elliott Perry Mark , Pacileo Giuseppe
Published: September 2014

The physiological importance of the right ventricle (RV) has been underestimated over the past years. Finally in the early 1950s through the 1970s, cardiac surgeons recognized the importance of RV function. Since then, the importance of RV function has been recognized in many acquired cardiac heart disease. RV can be mainly or together with left ventricle (LV) affected by inherited or acquired cardiomyopathy. In fact, RV morphological and functional remodeling occurs more common during cardiomyopathies than in ischemic cardiomyopathies and more closely parallels LV dysfunction.

Moreover, there are some cardiomyopathy subtypes showing a predominant or exclusive involvement of the RV, and they are probably less known by cardiologists. The clinical approach to right ventricular cardiomyopathies is often challenging. Imaging is the first step to raise the suspicion and to guide the diagnostic process. In the differential diagnosis, cardiologists should consider athlete's heart, congenital heart diseases, multisystemic disorders, and inherited arrhythmias. However, a multiparametric and multidisciplinary approach, involving cardiologists, experts in imaging, geneticists, and pathologists with a specific expertise in these heart muscle disorders is required.
Elderly patients with maxillofacial trauma: study of mandibular condyle fractures
Authors: Nogami Shinnosuke , Yamauchi Kensuke , Yamashita Toshio , Kataoka Yoshihiro , Hirayama Bunichi , Tanaka Kenko , Takahashi Tetsu
Published: September 2014

Background/Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the trends and characteristic features of mandibular condyle fractures in elderly patients in terms of etiology, patterns, and treatment modalities.

Patients and methods

Records of 201 patients aged 65 years and older, who were treated for maxillofacial fractures at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kyushu Dental University, and Tohoku University from January 2002 to December 2013, were retrospectively analyzed. Patient records and radiographs were examined, with the following information: relevant medical history, cause of fracture, the presence and state of premolars and molars in the maxilla and mandible, number and location of mandible fracture, and method of treatment. As for the state of premolars and molars, premolars or molars in the mandible in contact with the maxilla were regarded as contacted.

Results

A fall was responsible for the majority of the fractures (173/201). With condyle fractures, there was a significant difference between the contacted and non‐contacted group in regard to incidence. Furthermore, there was a significantly greater number of cases with symphysis and condyle combination fractures in the non‐contacted group (70.9%) than in the contacted group (51.9%). As for the method of treatment, arthrocentesis was the most commonly employed.

Conclusions

The present findings suggest that contacted molars in the maxilla and mandible have an influence on condyle fractures in elderly individuals.
Student Guidance and Attention to Diversity in the Processes of Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Authors: Ferreira Camino , Vidal Javier , Vieira María José
Published: September 2014

The main objective of this article is to analyse the importance given to student guidance and diversity in the standards and criteria used in the quality accreditation and evaluation processes in Europe and the US. Agencies selected in this study are the members of ENQA (European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education), EQAR (European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education) and regional and programme accrediting organisations in the US that are recognised by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The data were analysed by means of qualitative and content analysis of the principles, standards and criteria published in the guidelines of the respective agencies. The results of this study reveal that guidance and attention to diversity are included in the quality evaluation guidelines for university study programmes and for higher education institutions in different ways. The main conclusion is that most guidelines include general criteria about guidance and diversity. In order to assist HEIs in the way to plan this support, guidelines should include specific criteria for the provision of academic, career and personal guidance within general student support services. Additionally, criteria should specify the actions to be taken and the resources to respond to diversity.
Serotonergic responses to stress are enhanced in the central amygdala and inhibited in the ventral hippocampus during amphetamine withdrawal
Authors: Li Hao , Scholl Jamie L. , Tu Wenyu , Hassell James E. , Watt Michael J. , Forster Gina L. , Renner Kenneth J.
Published: September 2014

Withdrawal from amphetamine increases anxiety and reduces the ability to cope with stress, which are factors that are believed to contribute to drug relapse. Stress‐induced serotonergic transmission in the central nucleus of the amygdala is associated with anxiety states and fear. Conversely, stress‐induced increases in ventral hippocampal serotonin (5‐HT) levels have been linked to coping mechanisms. The goal of this study was to investigate the neurobiological changes induced by amphetamine that contribute to stress sensitivity during withdrawal. We tested the hypothesis that limbic serotonergic responses to restraint stress would be altered in male Sprague‐Dawley rats chronically pretreated with amphetamine (2.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) and then subjected to 2 weeks of withdrawal. Amphetamine withdrawal resulted in increased stress‐induced behavioral arousal relative to control treatment, suggesting that drug withdrawal induced greater sensitivity to the stressor. When microdialysis was used to determine the effects of restraint on extracellular 5‐HT, stress‐induced increases in 5‐HT levels were abolished in the ventral hippocampus and augmented in the central amygdala during amphetamine withdrawal. Reverse dialysis of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone into the ventral hippocampus blocked the stress‐induced increase in 5‐HT levels in saline‐pretreated rats, suggesting that glucocorticoid receptors mediate stress‐induced increases in 5‐HT levels in the ventral hippocampus. However, mifepristone had no effect on stress‐induced increases in 5‐HT levels in the central amygdala, indicating that stress increases 5‐HT levels in this region independently of glucocorticoid receptors. During amphetamine withdrawal, the absence of stress‐induced increases in ventral hippocampal 5‐HT levels combined with enhanced stress‐induced serotonergic responses in the central amygdala may contribute to drug relapse by decreasing stress‐coping ability and heightening stress responsiveness.
Hybridisation is associated with increased fecundity and size in invasive taxa: meta‐analytic support for the hybridisation‐invasion hypothesis
Authors: Hovick Stephen M. , Whitney Kenneth D.
Published: September 2014

The hypothesis that interspecific hybridisation promotes invasiveness has received much recent attention, but tests of the hypothesis can suffer from important limitations. Here, we provide the first systematic review of studies experimentally testing the hybridisation‐invasion (H‐I) hypothesis in plants, animals and fungi. We identified 72 hybrid systems for which hybridisation has been putatively associated with invasiveness, weediness or range expansion. Within this group, 15 systems (comprising 34 studies) experimentally tested performance of hybrids vs. their parental species and met our other criteria. Both phylogenetic and non‐phylogenetic meta‐analyses demonstrated that wild hybrids were significantly more fecund and larger than their parental taxa, but did not differ in survival. Resynthesised hybrids (which typically represent earlier generations than do wild hybrids) did not consistently differ from parental species in fecundity, survival or size. Using meta‐regression, we found that fecundity increased (but survival decreased) with generation in resynthesised hybrids, suggesting that natural selection can play an important role in shaping hybrid performance – and thus invasiveness – over time. We conclude that the available evidence supports the H‐I hypothesis, with the caveat that our results are clearly driven by tests in plants, which are more numerous than tests in animals and fungi.
Copy number variations and susceptibility to lateral temporal epilepsy: A study of 21 pedigrees
Authors: Fanciulli Manuela , Pasini Elena , Malacrida Sandro , Striano Pasquale , Striano Salvatore , Michelucci Roberto , Ottman Ruth , Nobile Carlo
Published: September 2014

Objective

Autosomal dominant lateral temporal epilepsy (ADLTE) is a focal epileptic syndrome characterized by auditory or aphasic auras. Mutations in the LGI1 gene account for <50% of ADLTE families. To identify copy number variants (CNVs) related to ADLTE, we examined a collection of ADLTE families without LGI1 mutations.

Methods

Twenty‐one families were included based on a history of focal seizures with auditory and/or receptive aphasic symptoms in two or more individuals, absence of brain abnormalities, and negative LGI1 test. DNA suitable for single nucleotide polymorphism‐array analysis was genotyped using the high‐density HumanOmni1‐Quad v1.0 beadchip (Illumina). CNVs were inferred using the PennCNV algorithm. Selected CNVs were validated by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Results

We analyzed 62 affected and 114 unaffected members of our study families and identified a total of 11,214 CNVs, corresponding to 1,890 unique regions with an average size of 67.3 kb. Most CNVs were <50 kb, whereas a small proportion (1.2%) exceeded 500 kb. We identified 12 rare CNVs that segregated with lateral temporal epilepsy in single families. Particularly, we found rare microdeletions within or near two genes, RBFOX1 and NRXN1, previously shown to harbor deletions associated with idiopathic generalized epilepsy, and a microduplication in the proximal region of chromosome 1q21.1, where duplications have been associated with various neurodevelopmental disorders and epilepsy. We also found numerous polymorphic CNVs in the affected members of one or more families, including a deletion of the PCDHA8/10 genes, which was enriched in the patients of our family cohort.

Significance

Our results provide clues on genes for susceptibility to ADLTE, particularly in those families where the inheritance pattern is less compatible with autosomal dominance. Some of these genes also confer risk for other epilepsy syndromes.
The maximal cumulative solar UVB dose allowed to maintain healthy and young skin and prevent premature photoaging
Authors: Ichihashi Masamitsu , Ando Hideya
Published: September 2014

The young facial skin of children with a smooth healthy appearance changes over time to photoaged skin having mottled pigmentation, solar lentigines, wrinkles, dry and rough skin, leathery texture, and benign and malignant tumors after exposure to chronic, repeated solar radiation. The first sign of photoaging in Japanese subjects is usually solar lentigines appearing around 20 years of age on the face. Fine wrinkles can then appear after 30 years of age, and benign skin tumors, seborrhoeic keratoses, can occur after 35 years of age in sun‐exposed skin. We theoretically calculated the maximal daily exposure time to solar radiation, which could prevent the development of photoaged skin until 60 and 80 years of age, based on published data of personal solar UVB doses in sun‐exposed skin. One MED (minimal erythema dose) was determined to be 20 mJ/cm2, and 200 MED was used as the average yearly dose of Japanese children. Further, we hypothesized that the annual dose of Japanese adults is the same as that of the children. The cumulative UVB dose at 20 years of age was thus calculated to be 4000 MED, and 22 MED was used as the maximal daily UVB dose based on data measured in Kobe, located in the central area of Japan. We used the solar UVB dose from 10:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. which occupies 60% of the total daily UV dose, to obtain the maximal UVB per hour in a day, and calculated the maximal daily UV exposure time that would delay the onset of solar lentigines until 60 or 80 years of age. The mean daily sun exposure time to maintain healthy skin until 80 years of age in the summer was calculated to be 2.54 min (0.14 MED) for unprotected skin and 127 min with the use of a sunscreen of SPF (sun protection factor) of 50. In this study, we did not evaluate the photoaging effect of UVA radiation, but findings of the adverse effects of UVA radiation on the skin have accumulated in the last decade. Therefore, it will be important to estimate the maximal dose of solar UV radiation to retard the onset of photoaging based on an evaluation of both solar UVB and UVA in the future. Finally, we expect that this study may contribute to keeping Japanese and other types of skin young and healthy by limiting the exposure of the skin to solar radiation outdoors during the day.
Portulaca oleracea extracts protect human keratinocytes and fibroblasts from UV‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Lee Suyeon , Kim Ki Ho , Park Changhoon , Lee Jong‐Suk , Kim Young Heui
Published: September 2014

Portulaca oleracea extracts, known as Ma Chi Hyun in the traditional Korean medicine, show a variety of biomedical efficacies including those in anti‐inflammation and anti‐allergy. In this study, we investigate the protective activity of the P. oleracea extracts against UVB‐induced damage in human epithelial keratinocytes and fibroblasts by several apoptosis‐related tests. The results suggest that P. oleracea extracts have protective effects from UVB‐induced apoptosis.
Modulation of alternative splicing by expression of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N
Authors: Lee Moon‐Sing , Lin Yu‐Shan , Deng Yi‐Fang , Hsu Wan‐Ting , Shen Chiung‐Chun , Cheng Yi‐Hsin , Huang Yao‐Ting , Li Chin
Published: September 2014

Alternative splicing of pre‐mRNA, catalyzed by small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), plays an important role in proteome complexity and the modulation of cellular functions. snRNP polypeptide N (SmN), is tissue‐specifically expressed, where it replaces snRNP polypeptide B (SmB)/B′ in the Sm core assembly of snRNPs. Recent studies have demonstrated that perturbation of snRNPs leads to alternative splicing, but whether SmN modulates functions of the splicing machinery remains unclear. In this study, we found that ectopic expression of SmN increased utilization of the proximal 5′ splice site on an adenovirus early gene 1A reporter. To evaluate the molecular mechanisms underlying SmN‐dependent alternative splicing, we generated a HeLa cell line with an inducible expression system for SmN. Upon SmN induction, SmB/B′ expression decreased dramatically, despite only small changes in the level and splicing pattern of SNRPB mRNA. In addition, SmN was incorporated into the U2 snRNP but not into the U1 snRNP after induction. Sedimentation analysis revealed a decrease in the level of mature U2 snRNP. This result suggests that SmN incorporation into the Sm core may impede processing, decreasing the level of functional U2 snRNP. We also found that the inclusion frequencies of alternatively spliced exons in the bridging integrator 1 and exocyst complex component 7 (EXOC7) genes were modulated by SmN expression. An enhanced GFP–EXOC7 reporter was used to confirm that SmN increases the inclusion frequency of EXOC7 exon 7. Taken together, our findings indicate that SmN expression reduces the level of mature U2 snRNP, leading to alternative splicing.
Pressure effects reveal that changes in the redox states of the heme iron complexes in the sensor domains of two heme‐based oxygen sensor proteins, EcDOS and YddV, have profound effects on their flexibility
Authors: Anzenbacher Pavel , Marchal Stéphane , Palacký Jan , Anzenbacherová Eva , Domaschke Thomas , Lange Reinhard , Shimizu Toru , Kitanishi Kenichi , Stranava Martin , Stiborová Marie , Martinkova Marketa
Published: September 2014

The catalytic activity of a heme‐based oxygen sensor phosphodiesterase from Escherichia coli (EcDOS) towards cyclic diGMP is regulated by the redox state of the heme iron complex in the enzyme's sensing domain and the association of external ligands with the iron center. Specifically, the Fe(II) complex is more active towards cyclic diGMP than the Fe(III) complex, and its activity is further enhanced by O2 or CO binding. In order to determine how the redox state and coordination of the heme iron atom regulate the catalytic activity of EcDOS, we investigated the flexibility of its isolated N‐terminal heme‐binding domain (EcDOS‐heme) by monitoring its spectral properties at various hydrostatic pressures. The most active form of the heme‐containing domain, i.e. the Fe(II)–CO complex, was found to be the least flexible. Conversely, the oxidized Fe(III) forms of EcDOS‐heme and its mutants had relatively high flexibilities, which appeared to be linked to the low catalytic activity of the corresponding intact enzymes. These findings corroborate the suggestion, made on the basis of crystallographic data, that there is an inverse relationship between the flexibility of the heme‐containing domain of EcDOS and its catalytic activity. The Fe(II)–CO form of the heme domain of a second heme‐based oxygen sensor, diguanylate cyclase (YddV), was also found to be quite rigid. Interestingly, the incorporation of a water molecule into the heme complex of YddV caused by mutation of the Leu65 residue reduced the flexibility of this heme domain. Conversely, mutation of the Tyr43 residue increased its flexibility.
The Random Walk Value for Ranking Spatial Characteristics in Road Networks
Authors: Wei Xuebin , Yao Xiaobai A.
Published: September 2014

This study proposes a new network index at both nodal and link levels to rank the spatial characteristics of individual network components. The objective is to create a network metric that captures socioeconomic characteristics in urban environments. Because this index is based on the random walk simulation modeling strategy, it is coined the random walk value (RWV). An algorithm and an associated software tool were developed to calculate the RWVs of network components. Compared with other popular network indices, the unique advantage of the RWV is that this index considers not only spatial structural or topological characteristics, but also physical characteristics of network components. Two case study cities, the Chinese city of Wuhan and the U.S. city of Atlanta, were chosen to test the utility of the RWV. These two case studies yield several findings. First, the RWV is highly consistent with some of the most widely used network measures, such as closeness and connectivity measures, which was evidenced by strong correlations between RWV and other networks. Second, the RWV has been proven to be a good indicator of spatial importance and a better predictor of socioeconomic variables in urban environments. The RWV outperforms all other network indices in terms of its correlations with important socioeconomic variables and its ability to predict some of them. Third, both case studies confirm that the RWV can be a good substitute for some important socioeconomic variables, such as population density and job density, in spatial modeling. This finding is significant for studies when population and job data are not available and for studies that attempt to predict future scenarios.
Differences in species–area relationships among the major lineages of land plants: a macroecological perspective
Authors: Patiño Jairo , Weigelt Patrick , Guilhaumon François , Kreft Holger , Triantis Kostas A. , Naranjo‐Cigala Agustín , Sólymos Péter , Vanderpoorten Alain
Published: September 2014

Aim

Although the increase in species richness with increasing area is considered one of the few laws in ecology, the role of environmental and taxon‐specific features in shaping species–area relationships (SARs) remains controversial. Using 421 land‐plant floras covering continents, continental islands and oceanic islands, we investigate whether variations in SAR parameters can be interpreted in terms of differences among lineages in speciation mode and dispersal capacities (TAXON), or of geological history and geographical isolation between continents and islands (GEO).

Location

Global.

Methods

Linear mixed‐effects models describing variation in SARs, depending on the factors GEO and TAXON and controlling for differences between realms (REALM) and biomes (BIOME).

Results

The best random‐effect structure included both random slopes and random intercepts for GEO, TAXON, REALM and BIOME. This accounted for 77% of the total variation in species richness, substantially more than the 27% statistically explained by the model with fixed effects only (i.e. the simple SAR). The slopes of the SARs were higher for oceanic islands than for continental islands and continents, and higher in spermatophytes than in pteridophytes and bryophytes. The intercepts largely exhibited the reverse trend. TAXON was included in best‐fit models restricted to oceanic and continental islands, but not continents. Analysing each plant lineage separately, the intercept of GEO was only included in the random structure of spermatophytes.

Main conclusions

SAR parameters varied considerably depending on geological history and taxon‐specific traits. Such differences in SARs among land plants challenge the neutral theory that the accumulation of species richness on islands is controlled exclusively by extrinsic factors. Taxon‐specific differences in SARs were, however, confounded by interactions with geological history and geographical isolation. This highlights the importance of applying integrative frameworks that take both environmental context and taxonomic idiosyncrasies into account in SAR analyses.
Productivity as related to diversity and age in planted versus natural forests
Authors: Guo Qinfeng , Ren Hai
Published: September 2014

Aim

Little is known about the performance of plantations relative to natural forests of the same climate zone and age. China has more plantations than any other country as a consequence of massive afforestation efforts. We use data fromChina to comparatively examine tree biomass and productivity of planted and natural stands in relation to climate zone, latitude, elevation, age and species diversity (richness).

Location

Six forest climate/vegetation zones inChina.

Methods

We used a database completed in 2007 and then updated in 2013 that contained extensive records of forest stands (10 m × 10 m plots) acrossChina. The database records included a total of 6153 forest stands (1716 planted forests aged 0–80 years and 4437 natural forests of aged 0–400 years), located from 18.1 to 53.2° Nand 75.53 to 131.8° E, and between elevations of 7 and 4240 m above sea level. These forests were grouped into six climate zones for comparisons.

Results

Under generally similar physical conditions (climate zones) to those in natural forests and despite having low diversity (i.e. often a single tree species), plantations aged 0–80 years already had similar biomass but much higher productivity, and thus much higher carbon sequestration rates, than natural forests. Tree biomass, productivity and their above/below ground ratios showed stronger latitudinal and elevational trends in natural forests than in planted forests. No difference in productivity was observed between the planted forests with one or two species; in natural forests, however, high diversity usually led to high productivity.

Main conclusions

The differences in performance between planted and natural forests were mainly explained by: (1) age (the plantations were in early succession), (2) elevation (plantations were located at lower elevations), and (3) species selection (only highly productive species were planted). As the plantations were all still young, closer monitoring of their performance is needed.
Is the permeability of crystalline rock in the shallow crust related to depth, lithology or tectonic setting?
Authors: Ranjram M. , Gleeson T. , Luijendijk E.
Published: September 2014

The permeability of crystalline rocks is generally assumed to decrease with depth due to increasing overburden stress. While experiments have confirmed the dependence of permeability on stress, field measurements of crystalline permeability have not previously yielded an unambiguous and universal relation between permeability and depth in the shallow crust (<2.5 km). Large data sets from Sweden, Germany and Switzerland provide new opportunities to characterize the permeability of crystalline rocks in the shallow crust. Here we compile in situ permeability measurements (n = 973) and quantitatively test potential relationships between permeability, depth (0–2.5 km), lithology (intrusive and metamorphic) and tectonic setting (active and inactive). Higher permeabilities are more common at shallow depths (<1 km), but trend analysis does not support a consistently applicable and generalizable relationship between permeability and depth in crystalline rock in the shallow crust. Results suggest lithology has a weak control on permeability–depth relations in the near surface (<0.1 km), regardless of tectonic setting, but may be a more important control at depth. Tectonic setting appears to be a stronger control on permeability–depth relations in the near surface. Permeability values in the tectonically active Molasse basin are scattered with a very weak relationship between permeability and depth. While results indicate that there is no consistently applicable relationship between permeability and depth for crystalline rock in the shallow crust, some specific lithologies and tectonic settings display a statistically significant decrease of permeability with depth, with greater predictive power than a generalized relationship, that could be useful for hydrologic and earth system models.
Modeling the Factors Impacting Pesticide Concentrations in Groundwater Wells
Authors: Aisopou Angeliki , Binning Philip J. , Albrechtsen Hans‐Jørgen , Bjerg Poul L.
Published: September 2014

This study examines the effect of pumping, hydrogeology, and pesticide characteristics on pesticide concentrations in production wells using a reactive transport model in two conceptual hydrogeologic systems; a layered aquifer with and without a stream present. The pumping rate can significantly affect the pesticide breakthrough time and maximum concentration at the well. The effect of the pumping rate on the pesticide concentration depends on the hydrogeology of the aquifer; in a layered aquifer, a high pumping rate resulted in a considerably different breakthrough than a low pumping rate, while in an aquifer with a stream the effect of the pumping rate was insignificant. Pesticide application history and properties have also a great impact on the effect of the pumping rate on the concentration at the well. The findings of the study show that variable pumping rates can generate temporal variability in the concentration at the well, which helps understanding the results of groundwater monitoring programs. The results are used to provide guidance on the design of pumping and regulatory changes for the long‐term supply of safe groundwater. The fate of selected pesticides is examined, for example, if the application of bentazone in a region with a layered aquifer stops today, the concentration at the well can continue to increase for 20 years if a low pumping rate is applied. This study concludes that because of the rapid response of the pesticide concentration at the drinking water well due to changes in pumping, wellhead management is important for managing pesticide concentrations.
Joint Estimation of Hydraulic and Poroelastic Parameters from a Pumping Test
Authors: Berg Steven J. , Illman Walter A. , Mok Chin Man W.
Published: September 2014

The coupling of hydraulic and poroelastic processes is critical in predicting processes involving the deformation of the geologic medium in response to fluid extraction or injection. Numerical models that consider the coupling of hydraulic and poroelastic processes require the knowledge of relevant parameters for both aquifer and aquitard units. In this study, we jointly estimated hydraulic and poroelastic parameters from pumping test data exhibiting “reverse water level fluctuations,” known as the Noordbergum effect, in aquitards adjacent to a pumped aquifer. The joint estimation was performed by coupling BIOT2, a finite element, two‐dimensional, axisymmetric, groundwater model that considers poroelastic effects with the parameter estimation code PEST. We first tested our approach using a synthetic data set with known parameters. Results of the synthetic case showed that for a simple layered system, it was possible to reproduce accurately both the hydraulic and poroelastic properties for each layer. We next applied the approach to pumping test data collected at the North Campus Research Site (NCRS) on the University of Waterloo (UW) campus. Based on the detailed knowledge of stratigraphy, a five‐layer system was modeled. Parameter estimation was performed by: (1) matching drawdown data individually from each observation port and (2) matching drawdown data from all ports at a single well simultaneously. The estimated hydraulic parameters were compared to those obtained by other means at the site yielding good agreement. However, the estimated shear modulus was higher than the static shear modulus, but was within the range of dynamic shear modulus reported in the literature, potentially suggesting a loading rate effect.
Importance of the poor prognosis of severe and fulminant hepatitis in the elderly in an era of a highly aging society: Analysis in a Japanese center
Authors: Fujiwara Keiichi , Yasui Shin , Yonemitsu Yutaka , Arai Makoto , Kanda Tatsuo , Nakano Masayuki , Oda Shigeto , Yokosuka Osamu
Published: September 2014

Aim

Older age has been widely believed to be associated with a poor prognosis of acute liver failure. We aimed to evaluate the impact of older age on outcomes of Japanese patients with severe and fulminant hepatitis in an era of a highly aging society.

Methods

We investigated 105 consecutive adult patients with fulminant hepatitis (FH) or severe hepatitis (SH) admitted to our liver unit between 2000 and 2013, consisting of 14 elderly patients (≥65 years) and 91 younger ones (<65 years).

Results

In elderly patients, the proportion of women was greater (P < 0.001), the levels of aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase on admission were lower (P = 0.011 and P = 0.010, respectively), and the survival rate without liver transplantation was lower (P = 0.024) than younger ones. Two of seven SH and all seven FH elderly patients died, whereas all 45 SH and 16 of 46 FH younger patients recovered. Seventy‐one percent of elderly patients had underlying diseases with medications, and 57% had additional complications after the start of treatment for acute liver failure. Patients aged 70 years or more showed even poorer prognoses than younger ones and those aged 65–69 years (P = 0.0052 and P = 0.036, respectively).

Conclusion

Older age was associated with a poor prognosis of patients with SH and FH. One of the reasons other than complications and loss of organ reserve by aging would be that elderly patients consulted us at a more advanced stage of illness than younger ones.
Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis and non‐specific interstitial pneumonia: frequent pulmonary sequelae of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Takeuchi Yasuhide , Miyagawa‐Hayashino Aya , Chen Fengshi , Kubo Takeshi , Handa Tomohiro , Date Hiroshi , Haga Hironori
Published: September 2014

Aims

Pulmonary sequelae, reported as chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (cGVHD), of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) include constrictive bronchiolitis obliterans (CBO), lymphocytic bronchiolitis (LB), and veno‐occlusive disease (VOD); recently, pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) has also been described in bone marrow transplant recipients. The histological features of pulmonary HSCT sequelae have not been described systematically. The aim of the study was to review and identify the histological features of PPFE after bone marrow transplant.

Methods and results

A retrospective review of 20 patients who underwent lung transplantation for pulmonary disease following HSCT between 2004 and 2013 was conducted. The patient age at transplantation ranged from 8 years to 57 years (median, 27.5 years). Fifteen patients had cGVHD in other organs (skin, nine; liver, six; salivary gland, six). Lung transplantation was performed at a median of 4.6 years (range, 1.2–14.8 years) post‐HSCT. Histologically, all cases had CBO, with concurrent LB in 10, and VOD in three. PPFE was identified in 15 cases (75%), with subpleural (15), paraseptal (11) and centrilobular (13) distributions; and non‐specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) was identified in 15 cases (75%), with fibrotic (nine) and cellular (six) patterns. PPFE was distributed in all lobes, with a predominance in the upper lobe. NSIP was mostly focal, with two cases having diffuse involvement.

Conclusions

PPFE and NSIP were frequently seen in HSCT patients. Possible causes may include reactions to drugs or radiation, or cGVHD.
Population genetics and demographic inferences in a recovering shorebird, the African Black Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini
Authors: Bray Timothy C. , Hockey Phil A. R.
Published: September 2014

The extensive literature on the African Black Oystercatcher is a testament to what is now a conservation success story. Here we provide the first genetic insight into the population dynamics of this recovering shorebird and an assessment of genetic variation within the species using microsatellite markers. Although behavioural studies suggest strong natal philopatry, we found a single genetic cluster across all of the locations sampled and a significant signal of isolation by distance suggesting some geographical structuring. The microsatellite markers used in this study are useful at a population level, and the limited genetic variation detected is likely to be due to a low historical population size.
Manipulation of regulatory T cells and antigen‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐based tumour immunotherapy
Authors: Karimi Shirin , Chattopadhyay Subhasis , Chakraborty Nitya G.
Published: September 2014

The most potent killing machinery in our immune system is the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL). Since the possibility for self‐destruction by these cells is high, many regulatory activities exist to prevent autoimmune destruction by these cells. A tumour (cancer) grows from the cells of the body and is tolerated by the body's immune system. Yet, it has been possible to generate tumour‐associated antigen (TAA) ‐specific CTL that are also self‐antigen specific in vivo, to achieve a degree of therapeutic efficacy. Tumour‐associated antigen‐specific T‐cell tolerance through pathways of self‐tolerance generation represents a significant challenge to successful immunotherapy. CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ T cells, referred to as T regulatory (Treg) cells, are selected in the thymus as controllers of the anti‐self repertoire. These cells are referred to as natural T regulatory (nTreg) cells. According to the new consensus (Nature Immunology 2013; 14:307–308) these cells are to be termed as (tTreg). There is another class of CD4+ Treg cells also involved in regulatory function in the periphery, also phenotypically CD4+ CD25±, classified as induced Treg (iTreg) cells. These cells are to be termed as peripherally induced Treg (pTreg) cells. In vitro‐induced Treg cells with suppressor function should be termed as iTreg. These different Treg cells differ in their requirements for activation and in their mode of action. The current challenges are to determine the degree of specificity of these Treg cells in recognizing the same TAA as the CTL population and to circumvent their regulatory constraints so as to achieve robust CTL responses against cancer.
The heavy weight of death: how anti‐fat bias is affected by weight‐based group membership and existential threat
Authors: Seibert Ann , Schindler Simon , Reinhard Marc‐André
Published: September 2014

Anti‐fat bias is marked by a devaluation of overweight people compared with non‐overweight persons. Even though belonging to the same group, research on social identity theory (SIT) indicates that overweight people also devaluate overweight others. Merging insights from research on anti‐fat bias, SIT, and terror management theory, our study (n = 101) provides new insights on motivational aspects of anti‐fat bias by investigating the effects of existential threat on the evaluation of non‐overweight and overweight people. Results revealed that participants in the existential threat condition displayed in‐group bias: Participants perceiving themselves as non‐overweight showed more pronounced anti‐fat bias compared with participants in the non‐death threat condition. In contrast, participants perceiving themselves as overweight demonstrated less anti‐fat bias than controls.
Resistant Hypertension and Associated Comorbidities in a Veterans Affairs Population
Authors: Acharya Tushar , Tringali Steven , Singh Manmeet , Huang Jian
Published: September 2014

Resistant hypertension (RH) is understudied and its reported prevalence varies with study populations. The authors sought to determine its prevalence and association with certain comorbid conditions in a Veterans Affairs population. This cross‐sectional study utilized demographic and clinical data from 17,466 patients. Chi‐square or t test was used for comparing groups with and without RH. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent associations. Overall, the prevalence of RH was 9%, and 13% of all hypertensive patients met criteria for RH. After adjusting for confounding variables, RH was significantly associated with older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.007), higher body mass index (OR, 1.04), Framingham score (OR, 1.14), and coexisting coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular accident/transient ischemic attack, peripheral vascular disease, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and metabolic syndrome (OR, 1.3, 1.32, 1.29, 2.88, 2.13, 1.2, 1.12, and 1.2, respectively; all P<.05). Our results indicate a complex interplay of certain comorbid conditions among patients with RH and suggest the need for multifaceted interventions in this high‐risk population to prevent cardiovascular events.
Greening China's Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure in the Face of Rapid Development: Analysis Based on Material Stock and Flow through 2050
Authors: Hou Wanxin , Tian Xin , Tanikawa Hiroki
Published: September 2014

Wastewater treatment infrastructure (WWTI) construction in China has entered an accelerated stage of development in recent years as a result of rapid economic growth, urbanization, and the demand for improving water quality. As a result, a large amount of resources and materials will be allocated for the WWTI, and it is particularly important to find ways to reduce resource consumption effectively so that social dematerialization and sustainable development can be achieved. In this study, we employed the dynamic material flow model to estimate the material flows and stocks of WWTIs and the associated carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through 2050, considering effects of a rise in water consumption, a longer lifetime, and an increased material recycling rate. Our results indicate that material consumption in WWTIs will increase rapidly through 2025 to meet the needs of the increased volume of discharged wastewater as well as to overcome the shortage of existing wastewater treatment plants. In contrast with the moderate effects of rise in water consumption, prolonging the lifetime will greatly reduce material consumption in WWTI construction during the period 2030–2050, and approximately 60% of the total material input will be saved in the medium‐lifetime scenario, compared with the short‐lifetime scenario. Material output and CO2 emissions associated with WWTIs will be reduced by 87% and 37%, respectively, in the medium‐lifetime scenario, compared with the short‐lifetime scenario, under high‐water‐consumption growth. Our results highlight the great importance of pipeline construction and cement consumption in resource consumption associated with WWTI construction in China. Moreover, this study also examined the potential ways to reduce material consumption in WWTI construction in the context of the demand chain, the design, construction, operation and management, and demolition.
Performance evaluation of image segmentation algorithms on microscopic image data
Authors: BENEŠ MIROSLAV , ZITOVÁ BARBARA
Published: September 2014

In our paper, we present a performance evaluation of image segmentation algorithms on microscopic image data. In spite of the existence of many algorithms for image data partitioning, there is no universal and ‘the best’ method yet. Moreover, images of microscopic samples can be of various character and quality which can negatively influence the performance of image segmentation algorithms. Thus, the issue of selecting suitable method for a given set of image data is of big interest. We carried out a large number of experiments with a variety of segmentation methods to evaluate the behaviour of individual approaches on the testing set of microscopic images (cross‐section images taken in three different modalities from the field of art restoration). The segmentation results were assessed by several indices used for measuring the output quality of image segmentation algorithms. In the end, the benefit of segmentation combination approach is studied and applicability of achieved results on another representatives of microscopic data category – biological samples – is shown.
An investigation of factors that impact patients’ subjective experience of nurse‐led clinics: a qualitative systematic review
Authors: Jakimowicz Samantha , Stirling Christine , Duddle Maree
Published: September 2014

Aims and objectives

To systematically review the qualitative evidence on factors that affect the experience of patients attending nurse‐led clinics and compare with key elements of person‐centred care.

Background

As the number of nurse‐led clinics increases in response to health system needs, evaluation has focused on clinical outcomes and cost. Patient experiences are less researched and yet, they are an important influence on clinical outcomes and an indicator of person‐centred care. A detailed review of existing research in this area is needed.

Design

A systematic review of primary, qualitative literature was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology of meta‐aggregation.

Methods

Published research from 1990–2012 was located using CINAHL, PubMed, Medline and PsycINFO. Reference lists were searched and analysed. Two reviewers assessed the papers for methodological quality using instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute to critically appraise, extract data and meta‐aggregate findings.

Results

Eleven studies met all inclusion criteria. Three meta‐synthesis statements were derived from 46 findings aggregated to nine categories. The key themes relating to establishment of a therapeutic relationship, effective communication, and clinical skills and collaboration mapped closely to the person‐centred care framework.

Conclusion

Concepts central to person‐centred care proved to be factors impacting patients’ subjective experience. Further research is warranted to meet the challenge to transform the key concepts of the person‐centred care model into everyday nursing practice.

Relevance to clinical practice

Knowledge of patients’ feelings and the importance of person‐centred, individualised care may contribute to development of future training and re‐training programs in basic nursing skills. This is significant in that it contributes to future positive patient experience.
Barriers to breast cancer screening in Australia: experiences of women with physical disabilities
Authors: Peters Kath , Cotton Antoinette
Published: September 2014

Aims and objectives

To explore the experiences of breast cancer screening for women with physical disabilities.

Background

Despite women with disabilities having the same or greater risk of having breast cancer than women without disabilities, they are less likely to uptake breast cancer screening services.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

Twelve women with physical disabilities were recruited for the purpose of this study. Data were collected via semi‐structured face to face or telephone interviews. Interviews were transcribed and data were analysed thematically.

Results

Overwhelmingly, participants conveyed that their breast screening experiences were negative. The following four themes describe the experiences of breast cancer screening for women with physical disabilities: feeling I'm not in control; being ignored and not listened to; being helpless, alone and afraid and; experiencing pain, torture and humiliation.

Conclusions

Women with physical disabilities experience substantial barriers to breast cancer screening. This research highlights that the attitudes and poor communication skills of health professionals served as a deterrent to future screening for participants.

Relevance to clinical practice

By exploring experiences of women with physical disabilities of breast cancer screening, nurses and other health‐care professionals can use this to develop and implement optimal approaches, such as collaborative models of care which empower women with disabilities.