bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three Presentations of Takayasu’s Arteritis in Hispanic Patients
Authors: Hanna Ramy Magdy , Yang Wan-Ting , Jene Kim Susan , Lopez Eduardo A. , Riad Joseph Nabil , Wilson James
Published: November 2012

Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) is a medium and large vessel vasculitis, defined as a nonspecific aortitis that usually involves the aorta and its branches Kobayashi and Numano (2002). Its etiology remains unclear, and its complications are diverse and severe, including stenosis of the thoracic and abdominal aorta, aortic valve damage and regurgitation, and stenosis of the branches of the aorta. Carotid stenosis, coronary artery aneurysms, and renal artery stenosis resulting in renovascular hypertension are also reported sequellae of TA Kobayashi and Numano (2002). The disease was first described in Japan, but has also been diagnosed in India and Mexico Johnston (2002). Its incidence in the United States has been quoted as 2.6 patients per 1,000,000 people/year Johnston (2002). In Japan, its incidence is 3.6 patients per 1,000,000 patients/year and prevalence is 7.85 patients per 100,000 per year Morita et al. (1996). The natural history of this disease, which is commonly present in Asian populations, has only recently been studied in Hispanic patients despite the notable incidence and prevalence of TA in Mexican, South American, and Indian populations (Johnston 2002, Gamarra et al. 2010 ). We present three cases of Hispanic patients who presented with TA at Olive-View-UCLA Medical Center (OVMC). We review their clinical and radiographic presentations. Finally, we review the literature to compare the clinical features of our three patients with data regarding the presentation of TA in more traditional Asian populations.
Reexpansion Pulmonary Edema following Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy for a Patient with Early Gastric Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: Yajima Kazuhito , Kanda Tatsuo , Tanaka Ryo , Sato Yu , Ishikawa Takashi , Kosugi Shin-ichi , Honda Tadayuki , Hatakeyama Katsuyoshi
Published: November 2012

We report here a case of reexpansion pulmonary edema following laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) for early gastric cancer. A 57-year-old Japanese woman with no preoperative comorbidity was diagnosed with early gastric cancer. The patient underwent LADG using the pneumoperitoneum method. During surgery, the patient was unintentionally subjected to single-lung ventilation for approximately 247 minutes due to intratracheal tube dislocation. One hour after surgery, she developed severe dyspnea and produced a large amount of pink frothy sputum. Chest radiography results showed diffuse ground-glass attenuation and alveolar consolidation in both lungs without cardiomegaly. A diagnosis of pulmonary edema was made, and the patient was immediately intubated and received ventilatory support with high positive end-expiratory pressure. The patient gradually recovered and was weaned from the ventilatory support on the third postoperative day. This case shows that single-lung ventilation may be a risk factor for reexpansion pulmonary edema during laparoscopic surgery with pneumoperitoneum.
Prevalence of Hypertension and Diabetes and Coexistence of Chronic Kidney Disease and Cardiovascular Risk in the Population of the Republic of Moldova
Authors: Codreanu Igor , Sali Vera , Gaibu Sergiu , Suveica Luminita , Popa Sergiu , Perico Norberto , Ene-Iordache Bogdan , Carminati Sergio , Feehally John , Remuzzi Giuseppe
Published: November 2012

In 2005, the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) established the Global Outreach Program (GO) aimed at building a capacity for detecting and managing chronic kidney disease and its complications in low- and middle-income countries. Here we report data from the 2006-2007 screening program (1025 subjects from the general population) in the Republic of Moldova aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and their coexistence with microalbuminuria. The likelihood of a serious cardiovascular (CV) event was also estimated. Hypertension and diabetes were very common among screened subjects. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 16.9% and that of estimated GFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2(decreased renal function) was 9.4%. Male gender was associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension and microalbuminuria. Hypertension and diabetes clustered in subjects with microalbuminuria and renal dysfunction. Risk factors such as preobesity/obesity, physical inactivity and smoking were relatively common, even in younger participants. The prevalence of subjects with predicted 10-year CV risk≥10% was 10.0%. In conclusion, in the Republic of Moldova patients with hypertension and diabetes should be screened for the coexistence of renal abnormalities, with the intention of developing disease-specific health-care interventions with the primary goal to reduce CV morbidity and mortality and prevent renal disease progression to end stage renal disease.
Brain Natriuretic Peptide Production and Secretion in Inflammation
Authors: Ogawa Tsuneo , de Bold Adolfo J.
Published: November 2012

Gene expression and secretion of the cardiac polypeptide hormones atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) are simultaneously upregulated in various cardiac disorders such as congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and hypertensive heart disease, in which hemodynamic or neuroendocrine changes are key components in the progression of disease. However, during acute cardiac allograft rejection, plasma BNP levels are increased but not those of ANF. Successful treatment of the rejection episode decreases the elevated plasma BNP to prerejection values suggesting that substances related to inflammation may selectively influence BNP gene expression. Indeed, cytokines such as TNFαand IL-1βselectively stimulate cardiac BNP at the transcriptional and translational levels in cardiomyocyte cultures without affecting ANF. This selective BNP increase is seenin vivo, in addition to acute cardiac allograft rejection, in several circumstances where inflammation significantly contributes to the pathogenesis of disease such as in sepsis and in acute myocarditis.
Dynamical Analysis of the Global Warming
Authors: Tenreiro Machado J. A. , Lopes António M.
Published: November 2012

Global warming is a major concern nowadays. Weather conditions are changing, and it seems that human activity is one of the main causes. In fact, since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the burning of fossil fuels has increased the nonnatural emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that absorbs the infrared radiation produced by the reflection of the sunlight on the Earth’s surface, trapping the heat in the atmosphere. Global warming and the associated climate changes are being the subject of intensive research due to their major impact on social, economic, and health aspects of human life. This paper studies the global warming trend in the perspective of dynamical systems and fractional calculus, which is a new standpoint in this context. Worldwide distributed meteorological stations and temperature records for the last 100 years are analysed. It is shown that the application of Fourier transforms and power law trend lines leads to an assertive representation of the global warming dynamics and a simpler analysis of its characteristics.
Genome-Wide Analysis of Gene and Protein Expression of Dysplastic Naevus Cells
Authors: Gao Linda , van Nieuwpoort Frans A. , Out-Luiting Jacoba J. , Hensbergen Paul J. , de Snoo Femke A. , Bergman Wilma , van Doorn Remco , Gruis Nelleke A.
Published: November 2012

Cutaneous melanoma, a type of skin tumor originating from melanocytes, often develops from premalignant naevoid lesions via a gradual transformation process driven by an accumulation of (epi)genetic lesions. These dysplastic naevi display altered morphology and often proliferation of melanocytes. Additionally, melanocytes in dysplastic naevi show structural mitochondrial and melanosomal alterations and have elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. For this study we performed genome-wide expression and proteomic analysis of melanocytes from dysplastic naevus (DNMC) and adjacent normal skin (MC) from 18 patients. Whole genome expression profiles of the DNMC and MC of each individual patient subjected to GO-based comparative statistical analysis yielded significantly differentially expressed GO classes including “organellar ribosome,” “mitochondrial ribosome,” “hydrogen ion transporter activity,” and “prefoldin complex.” Validation of 5 genes from these top GO classes revealed a heterogeneous differential expression pattern. Proteomic analysis demonstrated differentially expressed proteins in DNMC that are involved in cellular metabolism, detoxification, and cytoskeletal organization processes, such as GTP-binding Rho-like protein CDC42, glutathione-S-transferase omega-1 and prolyl 4-hydroxylase. Collectively these results point to deregulation of cellular processes, such as metabolism and protein synthesis, consistent with the observed elevated oxidative stress levels in DNMC potentially resulting in oxidative DNA damage in these cells.
Time Course of Placebo Effect of Acupuncture on Pain: A Systematic Review
Authors: Koog Yun Hyung , Jung Won Young
Published: November 2012

Objectives. Our objective was to investigate the time course of the placebo effect of acupuncture on pain and the factors affecting the placebo effect.
Methods. Previously we retrieved three-armed randomized acupuncture trials including sham and no-treatment groups which were published until October 2009. We searched electronic databases again to identify additional trials from October 2009 to December 2011. After a screening of trials, fifteen three-armed acupuncture trials for pain were included in the analysis. Standardized mean differences between the sham and no-treatment groups were calculated for placebo effect. We then plotted the magnitude of the placebo effect over time. Results. The placebo effect gradually has increased for 12 weeks with a standardized mean difference of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.54 to 0.94). Then it decreased after 12 weeks as time passed. When the placebo effects were compared for factors including methodological qualities, they were not affected by all factors, except patient blinding. Trials with sufficient patient blinding showed a larger placebo effect at 8 weeks than those with insufficient patient blinding (P=0.0009). Conclusion. The placebo effect of acupuncture showed a unique pattern, which was affected by insufficient patient blinding.
Converting Biomass and Waste Plastic to Solid Fuel Briquettes
Authors: Zannikos F. , Kalligeros S. , Anastopoulos G. , Lois E.
Published: November 2012

This work examines the production of briquettes for household use from biomass in combination with plastic materials from different sources. Additionally, the combustion characteristics of the briquettes in a common open fireplace were studied. It is clear that the geometry of the briquettes has no influence on the smoke emissions. When the briquettes have a small amount of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the behavior in the combustion is steadier because of the increase of oxygen supply. The smoke levels are between the 3rd and 4th grades of the smoke number scale. Measuring the carbon monoxide emission, it was observed that the burning of the plastic in the mixture with biomass increases the carbon monoxide emissions from 10% to 30% as compared to carbon monoxide emission from sawdust biomass emissions which was used as a reference.
Knoevenagel Condensation of Aldehydes with Ethyl Cyanoacetate in Water Catalyzed by P4VP/Al2O3‐SiO2
Authors: Kolahdoozan Majid , Kalbasi Roozbeh Javad , Shahzeidi Zohreh S. , Zamani Farzad
Published: November 2012

This paper reports the preparation and characterization of poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (P4VP) supported on Al2O3‐SiO2 and its application for Knoevenagel condensation reaction of various aldehydes with ethyl cyanoacetate in water as a green solvent. The results illustrate that the sample containing 0.6 molar ratio of Al to Si exhibits the highest yield (98%) in the reaction of benzaldehyde with ethyl cyanoacetate with 100% selectivity to the arylidene derivative.
Durable Adoptive Immunotherapy for Leukemia Produced by Manipulation of Multiple Regulatory Pathways of CD8+ T-Cell Tolerance
Authors: Berrien-Elliott Melissa M. , Jackson Stephanie R. , Meyer Jennifer M. , Rouskey Craig J. , Nguyen Thanh-Long M. , Yagita Hideo , Greenberg Philip D. , DiPaolo Richard J. , Teague Ryan M.
Published: November 2012

Tolerizing mechanisms within the host and tumor microenvironment inhibit T-cell effector functions that can control cancer. These mechanisms blunt adoptive immunotherapy with infused T-cells due to a complex array of signals that determine T-cell tolerance, survival, or deletion. Ligation of the negative regulatory receptors CTLA4, PD-1(PDCD1), or LAG3 on T-cells normally hinders their response to antigen through nonredundant biochemical processes that interfere with stimulatory pathways. In this study, we used an established mouse model of T-cell tolerance to define the roles of these inhibitory receptors in regulating CD8+ T-cell tolerance during adoptive immunotherapy to treat leukemia. Blocking CTLA4 and PD-1 in vivo combined to promote survival of transferred T-cells despite powerful deletional signals that mediate Bim (BCL2L11)–dependent apoptosis. However, this dual blockade was not optimal for stimulating effector function by responding T-cells, which required the additional blockade of LAG3 to induce full expansion and allow the acquisition of robust cytolytic activity. Thus, the cooperation of multiple distinct regulatory pathways was needed for the survival and effector differentiation of adoptively transferred tumor-reactive CD8+ T-cells. Our work defines the immune escape pathways in which simultaneous blockade could yield durable immunotherapeutic responses that can eradicate disseminated leukemia. Cancer Res; 73(2); 605–16. ©2012 AACR.
Lysyl Oxidase Plays a Critical Role in Endothelial Cell Stimulation to Drive Tumor Angiogenesis
Authors: Baker Ann-Marie , Bird Demelza , Welti Jonathan C. , Gourlaouen Morgane , Lang Georgina , Murray Graeme I. , Reynolds Andrew R. , Cox Thomas R. , Erler Janine T.
Published: November 2012

Identification of key molecules that drive angiogenesis is critical for the development of new modalities for the prevention of solid tumor progression. Using multiple models of colorectal cancer, we show that activity of the extracellular matrix–modifying enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX) is essential for stimulating endothelial cells in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo. We show that LOX activates Akt through platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) stimulation, resulting in increased VEGF expression. LOX-driven angiogenesis can be abrogated through targeting LOX directly or using inhibitors of PDGFRβ, Akt, and VEGF signaling. Furthermore, we show that LOX is clinically correlated with VEGF expression and blood vessel formation in 515 colorectal cancer patient samples. Finally, we validate our findings in a breast cancer model, showing the universality of these observations. Taken together, our findings have broad clinical and therapeutic implications for a wide variety of solid tumor types. Cancer Res; 73(2); 583–94. ©2012 AACR.
Real-time In Vivo Molecular Detection of Primary Tumors and Metastases with Ratiometric Activatable Cell-Penetrating Peptides
Authors: Savariar Elamprakash N. , Felsen Csilla N. , Nashi Nadia , Jiang Tao , Ellies Lesley G. , Steinbach Paul , Tsien Roger Y. , Nguyen Quyen T.
Published: November 2012

Management of metastatic disease is integral to cancer treatment. Evaluation of metastases often requires surgical removal of all anatomically susceptible lymph nodes for ex vivo pathologic examination. We report a family of novel ratiometric activatable cell-penetrating peptides, which contain Cy5 as far red fluorescent donor and Cy7 as near-infrared fluorescent acceptor. Cy5 is quenched in favor of Cy7 re-emission until the intervening linker is cut by tumor-associated matrix metalloproteinases-2 and 9 (MMP2,9) or elastases. Such cleavage increases the Cy5:Cy7 emission ratio 40-fold and triggers tissue retention of the Cy5-containing fragment. This ratiometric increase provides an accelerated and quantifiable metric to identify primary tumors and metastases to liver and lymph nodes with increased sensitivity and specificity. This technique represents a significant advance over existing nonratiometric protease sensors and sentinel lymph node detection methods, which give no information about cancer invasion. Cancer Res; 73(2); 855–64. ©2012 AACR.
Detection of Novel Actionable Genetic Changes in Salivary Duct Carcinoma Helps Direct Patient Treatment
Authors: Nardi Valentina , Sadow Peter M. , Juric Dejan , Zhao Dave , Cosper Arjola K. , Bergethon Kristin , Scialabba Vanessa L. , Batten Julie M. , Borger Darrell R. , Iafrate Anthony John , Heist Rebecca S. , Lawrence Donald P. , Flaherty Keith T. , Bendell Johanna C. , Deschler Daniel , Li Yi , Wirth Lori J. , Dias-Santagata Dora
Published: November 2012

Purpose: Salivary duct carcinomas (SDC) are a rare and aggressive subtype of salivary gland cancers for which cytotoxic chemotherapy has limited efficacy. We investigated whether genotyping analysis could detect novel tumor-specific mutations that would help direct SDC patient treatment using targeted agents.

Experimental Design: We genotyped 27 SDC archival specimens from patients followed at Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (Boston, MA) between 2000 and 2011. These included the tumors of 8 patients who were tested prospectively. Targeted mutational analysis of 13 clinically relevant cancer genes was conducted using SNaPshot multiplexed genotyping. FISH was conducted to detect HER2 gene amplification. Patient medical records and tumor histopathologic features were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Mutually exclusive genetic aberrations were detected in 15 of 27 (56%) tumors, including 2 (7%) mutations in BRAF, 5 (19%) mutations in PIK3CA, and 8 (30%) cases of HER2 gene amplification. To our knowledge, this is the first time that BRAF and PIK3CA mutations have been reported in this tumor type. Prospective clinical testing of 8 patients with SDC identified actionable genetic alterations in 6 tumors and influenced therapeutic decisions for all 6 patients.

Conclusion: SNaPshot molecular profiling identified novel genetic changes in SDCs, expanded the therapeutic options for patients with this rare tumor, and is changing SDC management at our institution. These findings highlight the importance of using broad-based genetic profiling to expedite the identification of effective-targeted therapies for patients with rare malignancies. Clin Cancer Res; 19(2); 480–90. ©2012 AACR.
Dysregulation of the Repressive H3K27 Trimethylation Mark in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Contributes to Dysregulated Squamous Differentiation
Authors: Gannon Orla M. , Merida de Long Lilia , Endo-Munoz Liliana , Hazar-Rethinam Mehlika , Saunders Nicholas A.
Published: November 2012

Purpose: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers diagnosed worldwide and is associated with a 5-year survival rate of 55%. EZH2, a component of the polycomb repressor complex 2, trimethylates H3K27 (H3K27me3), which has been shown to drive squamous differentiation in normal keratinocytes. This study determined whether inhibition of EZH2-mediated epigenetic silencing could induce differentiation or provide therapeutic benefit in HNSCC.

Experimental Design: We determined the effects of inhibiting EZH2, by either RNA interference or pharmacologically, on HNSCC growth, viability, and differentiation in vitro. Xenografts of HNSCC cell lines were used to assess efficacy of 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNep), an inhibitor of H3K27 trimethylation, in vivo.

Results: EZH2 was highly expressed in HNSCC cell lines in vitro and tissue microarray analysis revealed high expression in (n = 59) in situ relative to normal oral epithelium (n = 12). Inhibition of EZH2 with siRNA could induce expression of differentiation genes in differentiation-refractory squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Differentiation-refractory HNSCC cell lines displayed persistent H3K27me3 on the promoters of differentiation genes. DZNep caused cancer-cell–specific apoptosis in addition to a profound reduction in colony-forming efficiency and induction of some squamous differentiation genes. Furthermore, in vivo, DZNep attenuated tumor growth in two different xenograft models, caused intratumor inhibition of EZH2, and induction of differentiation genes in situ.

Conclusions: Collectively, these data suggest that aberrant differentiation in HNSCC may be attributed to epigenetic dysregulation and suggest that inhibition of PRC2-mediated gene repression may represent a potential therapeutic target. Clin Cancer Res; 19(2); 428–41. ©2012 AACR.
Predicting Enhanced Cell Killing through PARP Inhibition
Authors: Horton Julie K. , Wilson Samuel H.
Published: November 2012

PARP inhibitors show promise as combination and single agents in cancer chemotherapy. Here, we evaluate results obtained with mouse fibroblasts and the common laboratory PARP inhibitor 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide (4-AN) and analyze the potential for enhanced cytotoxicity following the combination of a DNA-damaging agent and a PARP inhibitor. Methylated DNA bases are repaired by the monofunctional glycosylase-initiated single-nucleotide base excision repair (BER) pathway. An intermediate of this process has a single-nucleotide gap in double-stranded DNA containing the 5′-deoxyribose phosphate (dRP) group at one margin. This 5′-dRP group is removed by the lyase activity of pol β prior to gap filling; then completion of repair is by DNA ligation. PARP-1 binds to and is activated by the 5′-dRP group–containing intermediate, and poly(ADP-ribos)ylation is important for efficient repair. 4-AN–mediated sensitization to the methylating chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide is extreme, producing a level of cytotoxicity not seen with either agent alone. In contrast, with agents producing oxidative DNA damage repaired by bifunctional glycosylase-initiated BER, there is only weak sensitization by cotreatment with PARP inhibitor. Other clinically used DNA-damaging agents repaired by different DNA repair pathways also reveal minimal 4-AN–mediated sensitization. This information has potentially important implications for strategic use of PARP inhibitors in chemotherapy. Mol Cancer Res; 11(1); 13–18. ©2012 AACR.
Fractional Flow Reserve Evaluation in Patients Considered for Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Case Series
Authors: Stähli Barbara E. , Maier Willibald , Corti Roberto , Lüscher Thomas F. , Altwegg Lukas A.
Published: November 2012

Objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become an established therapy for severe aortic stenosis (AS) in high-risk elderly individuals. Concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) is frequently encountered in this patient population and may have an impact on outcomes. Hence, in patients with both severe AS and CAD, a bespoke therapy of both AS and/or CAD appears mandatory. Methods: We report a series of 5 patients with severe AS and concomitant CAD considered for TAVI who underwent fractional flow reserve (FFR) for hemodynamic assessment of coronary lesions. Results: In 3 patients, a 2-staged procedure was undertaken with FFR measurements at the time of invasive assessment and TAVI thereafter. In the remaining 2 patients, FFR measurements were performed immediately prior to the TAVI procedure with deferral of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in one and ad hoc PCI in the other patient. All 5 patients had uneventful FFR measurements and procedural TAVI outcomes. One patient with a staged approach noted a significant improvement in symptoms already after PCI. Conclusions: FFR provides an effective and safe strategy to assess hemodynamic significance of coronary lesions in patients with severe AS and concomitant CAD considered for TAVI.
Tumor-Infiltrating FoxP3+ Tregs and CD8+ T Cells Affect the Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Huang Yong , Wang Feng-mei , Wang Tao , Wang Yi-jun , Zhu Zheng-yan , Gao Ying-tang , Du Zhi
Published: November 2012

Purpose: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are considered to represent a host immune response against tumor. This study was carried out to analyze the effect of both FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and CD8+ T lymphocytes in prognostic value of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Methods: Expressions of FoxP3, CD4, CD8 and CD34 in patient-matched tumors and peritumoral tissues were assessed by immunohistochemistry for 54 HCC patients. The prognostic effect of groups with high and low numbers was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier and Cox model analysis using median values as a cutoff. Results: Compared with the corresponding peritumoral tissue, the density of intratumoral Tregs was significantly higher, while the density of intratumoral CD8+ T cells was lower (p < 0.001 and p = 0.013, respectively). In addition, tumor-infiltrating Tregs were positively correlated with microvessel density in tumors (r = 0.334, p = 0.020). The high intratumoral Tregs density group showed a significantly lower survival rate (overall survival, p = 0.018; disease-free survival, p = 0.029). Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that intratumoral Tregs density was an independent prognostic factor for HCC. Conclusions: Tumor-infiltrating Tregs may promote HCC progression by fostering angiogenesis and decreasing CD8+ T cells. High tumor-infiltrating Tregs are thought to be an unfavorable prognostic indicator for HCC.
Intrarenal Resistance Index as a Prognostic Parameter in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Compared with Other Hepatic Scoring Systems
Authors: Götzberger M. , Singer J. , Kaiser C. , Gülberg V.
Published: November 2012

Background and Aims: Patients with advanced liver cirrhosis who develop renal dysfunction have a poor prognosis. Elevated intrarenal resistance indices (RIs) due to renal vascular constriction have been described before in cirrhotic patients. In the current study, we prospectively investigated the course of intrarenal RIs and compared their prognostic impact with those of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) and the Child-Pugh scores. Methods: Sixty-three patients with liver cirrhosis underwent a baseline visit which included a sonographic examination and laboratory tests. Forty-four patients were prospectively monitored. The end points were death or survival at the day of the follow-up visit. Results: In 28 patients, a follow-up visit was performed after 22 ± 8 months (group 1). Sixteen patients died during follow-up after 12 ± 8 months (group 2). Group 2 patients showed a significantly higher baseline RI (0.76 ± 0.05) than group 1 patients (RI = 0.72 ± 0.06; p < 0.05). As shown by receiver operating characteristic analysis, the RI and the MELD score achieved similar sensitivity and specificity [area under the curve (AUC): 0.722; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.575–0.873 vs. AUC: 0.724; 95% CI: 0.575–0.873, z = 0.029, n.s.] in predicting survival and were superior to the Child-Pugh score (AUC: 0.677; 96% CI: 0.518–0.837). Conclusion: The RI is not inferior in sensitivity and specificity to the MELD score. Cirrhotic patients with elevated RIs have impaired short- and long-term survival. The RI may help identify high-risk patients that require special therapeutic care.
Plasma Levels of Apolipoprotein E and Risk of Intracranial Artery Stenosis in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients
Authors: Kim Yong-Jae , Lee Seung-Min , Cho Hyun-Ji , Do Hyun Ju , Hong Chang Hyung , Shin Min-Jeong , Kim Young Soon
Published: November 2012

Aims: We aimed to determine the potential blood markers responsible for the risks of intracranial artery stenosis (ICAS) in Korean ischemic stroke patients. Methods: One hundred and sixteen patients diagnosed with ICAS and 188 patients without cerebral atherosclerotic stenosis were examined. All subjects were diagnosed as acute ischemic stroke patients based on brain magnetic resonance imaging results and were admitted within 7 days of symptom onset. Blood lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins including apolipoprotein CIII and apolipoprotein E (apoE), and lipoprotein(a) were measured. Results: No significant differences in total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed between the groups. Also, plasma levels of apolipoprotein CIII and lipoprotein(a) were similar between the groups. On the other hand, patients with ICAS had significantly lower plasma levels of apoE (p < 0.001). Logistic regression and multiple linear regression analysis revealed that plasma apoE levels influenced the risk of ICAS after adjusting for age, body mass index, gender, associated lipid measures, medications and coexisting condition including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and previous stroke. Conclusions: Plasma concentrations of apoE were significantly lower in Korean subjects with ICAS, indicating that a low plasma apoE level may be a risk factor for ICAS in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Ex vivo Evaluation of Caries Infiltration after Different Application Times in Primary Molars
Authors: Soviero V.M. , Paris S. , Leal S.C. , Azevedo R.B. , Meyer-Lueckel H.
Published: November 2012

Low viscosity resins (infiltrants) have been shown to penetrate the lesion body of natural caries lesions almost completely in vitro. However, penetration depths (PD) have not been evaluated in vivo. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the penetration of an infiltrant into proximal caries lesions in primary molars after different application times using an ex vivo model. 59 proximal lesions from 34 children were randomly allocated to one of the application times and were infiltrated under clinical conditions for 1, 3, or 5 min. After extraction or exfoliation (n = 48), teeth were sectioned perpendicular to their surfaces and lesion depths (LD) as well as lesion areas (LA) were evaluated using polarized light microscopy. PD and penetration areas (PA) were measured on scanning electron microscopic images. Percentage penetration depth (PPD) and percentage penetration area (PPA) were calculated. The mean (±SD) LD and LA were 596 ± 203 µm and 4.03 ± 2.75 × 105 µm2, respectively. PPD ranged from 70 to 80% and PPA from 54 to 60%. Longer application times did not result in significantly deeper or more complete penetration (p > 0.05; ANOVA). In conclusion, proximal caries lesions in primary molars can be infiltrated in vivo to a similar extent as observed previously in vitro. Moreover, 1-min application of the infiltrant led to PD and homogeneity similar to those observed with longer application times up to 5 min.
Antecedents and Associations of Root Surface Caries Experience among 38-Year-Olds
Authors: Thomson W.M. , Broadbent J.M. , Foster Page L.A. , Poulton R.
Published: November 2012

Objective: To determine whether coronal caries experience through to the 30s predicts root surface caries experience by age 38. Method: Prospective study of a complete birth cohort (n = 1,037) born in 1972/73 in Dunedin, New Zealand. Dental examinations were conducted at ages 5, 9, 15, 18, 26, 32 and 38. Root surface caries data were first collected at age 38. Data from ages 5 through 32 were used previously to identify low, medium and high life course trajectories of caries experience and plaque accumulation. Results: Of the 916 dentate individuals examined at age 38, 23.0% had 1+ root DFS, 17.2% had 1+ root DS and 11.4% had 1+ root FS. The mean root DS, FS and DFS were 0.6 (SD 3.5), 0.3 (SD 1.1) and 0.9 (SD 3.8), respectively. The mean Root Caries Index (RCI) score was 7.2% (SD 18.0). Age 38 coronal DMFS and root surface caries DFS were only weakly correlated (r = 0.32), but root surface caries experience was strongly associated with coronal caries trajectory, with the mean RCI in the low, medium and high caries trajectory groups being 4.4, 8.0 and 13.5%, respectively (p < 0.0001); their prevalence of 1+ root DFS was 14.5, 25.9 and 42.2% (p < 0.0001). Those in the high coronal caries trajectory were more likely to have 1+ root surface DFS (odds ratio = 3.83; 95% CI = 2.33–6.30); for the medium trajectory, the odds ratio was 1.86 (95% CI = 1.25–2.75). Conclusion: Lifelong coronal caries experience (represented by discrete longitudinal trajectories of caries experience) is indeed a risk factor for root surface caries experience by age 38.
Cytogenetic Mapping of H1 Histone and Ribosomal RNA Genes in Hybrids between Catfish Species Pseudoplatystoma corruscans and Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum
Authors: Hashimoto D.T. , Ferguson-Smith M.A. , Rens W. , Prado F.D. , Foresti F. , Porto-Foresti F.
Published: November 2012

A physical chromosome mapping of the H1 histone and 5S and 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes was performed in interspecific hybrids of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans and P. reticulatum. The results showed that 5S rRNA clusters were located in the terminal region of 2 chromosomes. H1 histone and 18S ribosomal genes were co-localized in the terminal portion of 2 chromosomes (distinct from the chromosomes bearing 5S clusters). These results represent the first report of association between H1 histone and 18S genes in fish genomes. The chromosome clustering of ribosomal and histone genes was already reported for different organisms and suggests a possible selective pressure for the maintenance of this association.
A Match Made by Modafinil: Probability Matching in Choice Decisions and Spatial Attention
Authors: Geng Joy J. , Soosman Steffan , Sun Yile , DiQuattro Nicholas E. , Stankevitch Beth , Minzenberg Michael J.
Published: November 2012

When predicting where a target or reward will be, participants tend to choose each location commensurate with the true underlying probability (i.e., probability match). The strategy of probability matching involves independent sampling of high and low probability locations on separate trials. In contrast, models of probabilistic spatial attention hypothesize that on any given trial attention will either be weighted toward the high probability location or be distributed equally across all locations. Thus, the strategies of probabilistic sampling by choice decisions and spatial attention appear to differ with regard to low-probability events. This distinction is somewhat surprising because similar brain mechanisms (e.g., pFC-mediated cognitive control) are thought to be important in both functions. Thus, the goal of the current study was to examine the relationship between choice decisions and attentional selection within single trials to test for any strategic differences, then to determine whether that relationship is malleable to manipulations of catecholamine-modulated cognitive control with the drug modafinil. Our results demonstrate that spatial attention and choice decisions followed different strategies of probabilistic information selection on placebo, but that modafinil brought the pattern of spatial attention into alignment with that of predictive choices. Modafinil also produced earlier learning of the probability distribution. Together, these results suggest that enhancing cognitive control mechanisms (e.g., through prefrontal cortical function) leads spatial attention to follow choice decisions in selecting information according to rule-based expectations.
The Representation of Audiovisual Regularities in the Human Brain
Authors: Besle Julien , Hussain Zahra , Giard Marie-Hélène , Bertrand Olivier
Published: November 2012

Neural representation of auditory regularities can be probed using the MMN, a component of ERPs generated in the auditory cortex by any violation of that regularity. Although several studies have shown that visual information can influence or even trigger an MMN by altering an acoustic regularity, it is not known whether audiovisual regularities are encoded in the auditory representation supporting MMN generation. We compared the MMNs elicited by the auditory violation of (a) an auditory regularity (a succession of identical standard sounds), (b) an audiovisual regularity (a succession of identical audiovisual stimuli), and (c) an auditory regularity accompanied by variable visual stimuli. In all three conditions, the physical difference between the standard and the deviant sound was identical. We found that the MMN triggered by the same auditory deviance was larger for audiovisual regularities than for auditory-only regularities or for auditory regularities paired with variable visual stimuli, suggesting that the visual regularity influenced the representation of the auditory regularity. This result provides evidence for the encoding of audiovisual regularities in the human brain.
Modulation of Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclone Activity by the ISO. Part I: Genesis and Intensity
Authors: Li Richard C. Y. , Zhou Wen
Published: November 2012

This study investigates the intraseasonal variability of tropical cyclones (TCs) by systematically examining the two major components of the intraseasonal oscillation (ISO), the 30–60-day Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and the 10–20-day quasi-biweekly oscillation (QBWO). Results suggest that these two ISO modes exhibit different origins, spatial scales, and propagation characteristics, which result in distinctive TC modulation in the western North Pacific Ocean (WNP). The northeastward-propagating MJO predominantly controls the basinwide TC frequency. The significant increase (reduction) in cyclogenesis in the convective (nonconvective) phase is found to be associated with the concomitant strengthening (weakening) of the monsoon trough. In addition, the large contrast in TC frequency also results in a significant difference in daily accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) between the convective and nonconvective MJO phases. The northwestward-propagating QBWO, in contrast, is characterized by alternating signals of positive and negative convection. It leads to the opposite TC modulation in the WNP1 (0°–30°N, 120°–150°E) and WNP2 (0°–30°N, 150°E–180°) regions and results in a northwestward shift in TC genesis locations, which in turn causes substantial differences in intensity distribution and daily ACE for different QBWO phases. Finally, a brief examination of the dual mode situation suggests that the QBWO generally exerts modulation upon the background MJO, and the modulation seems to vary under different MJO conditions.
Mapping Surface Currents and Waves with Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar in Coastal Waters: Observations of Wave Breaking in Swell-Dominant Conditions*
Authors: Hwang Paul A. , Toporkov Jakov V. , Sletten Mark A. , Menk Steven P.
Published: November 2012

Airborne and spaceborne interferometric synthetic aperture radars (InSARs) produce surface velocity measurements at very high spatial resolutions over a large area. The data allow construction of the velocity strain field for highlighting ocean surface processes such as wave breaking and rip currents. Also, coherence between signals from two interferometric channels is a descriptor of the correlation condition of the surface roughness that scatters back the radar signals and it is an indication of the ocean surface turbulence. Wave breaking is a major turbulence source causing surface roughness decorrelation, thus the coherence parameter serves as an independent means for detecting wave breaking. The results of breaking detection using roughness decorrelation and critical local acceleration are comparable. In this paper, the breaking fraction in swell-dominant mixed seas along a cross-shore transect is compared with several steepness parameters characterizing different length scales of surface waves. The highest correlation coefficient (from 0.90 to 0.99) is between the breaking fraction and windsea mean square slope contributed primarily by short waves. This result reinforces the previous field observations showing that the length scales of breaking waves are much shorter than the energetic components near the spectral peak, although dominant waves and the associated wave group modulation are important in triggering the breaking process. The large spatial coverage of airborne or spaceborne operation further offers the opportunity to investigate evolution of the surface wave spectrum in high spatial (subkilometer) resolution. This capability is very useful for monitoring the coastal wave and current environment.
An Automated Method for Depicting Mesocyclone Paths and Intensities
Authors: Miller Madison L. , Lakshmanan Valliappa , Smith Travis M.
Published: November 2012

The location and intensity of mesocyclone circulations can be tracked in real time by accumulating azimuthal shear values over time at every location of a uniform spatial grid. Azimuthal shear at low (0–3 km AGL) and midlevels (3–6 km AGL) of the atmosphere is computed in a noise-tolerant manner by fitting the Doppler velocity observations in the neighborhood of a pulse volume to a plane and finding the slope of that plane. Rotation tracks created in this manner are contaminated by nonmeteorological signatures caused by poor velocity dealiasing, ground clutter, radar test patterns, and spurious shear values. To improve the quality of these fields for real-time use and for an accumulated multiyear climatology, new dealiasing strategies, data thresholding, and multiple hypothesis tracking (MHT) techniques have been implemented. These techniques remove nearly all nonmeteorological contaminants, resulting in much clearer rotation tracks that appear to match mesocyclone paths and intensities closely.
The Role of N--Acetylcysteine in the Prevention of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Peripheral Angiography
Authors: O’Sullivan S. , Healy D. A. , Moloney Mary Clarke , Grace P. A. , Walsh S. R.
Published: November 2012

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a leading cause of hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (AKI). N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was proposed as an effective preventative measure. As data in relation to the use of NAC for the prevention of CIN in peripheral angiography are lacking, a systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken. A comprehensive search for the published and unpublished data was performed. Data were extracted from the eligible studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were used to calculate the effect of NAC on CIN incidence. Pooled effect size estimates were used to calculate the effect of NAC on serum creatinine (SCr) postcontrast. Our results showed that NAC did not reduce CIN incidence (pooled OR 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38-2.88; P = .92) or the mean SCr levels (pooled weighted mean difference, 4.38; 95% CI 10.4-1.65; P = .15). In conclusion, insufficient evidence exists to recommend NAC for the prevention of CIN in patients undergoing peripheral angiography.
Guns and Fear
Authors: Hauser Will , Kleck Gary
Published: November 2012

Surveys show that more than one half of gun owners report owning their firearm for self-protection. Although research has examined the effect of fear of crime on gun ownership, the issue of reciprocity and temporal order has been largely ignored. Furthermore, the effect of firearm acquisition and relinquishment on fear has not been evaluated empirically. We hypothesize that the relationship between fear and gun ownership is reciprocal. As James Wright and Peter Rossi noted, it may be that “the initially most fearful may arm themselves and then feel psychologically safer because of it.” Using two-wave panel data, we found, as expected, that higher fear among nonowners encourages them to become gun owners, but lower fear among gun owners does not encourage gun relinquishment. We also found that gun acquisition does not reduce fear, but relinquishment increases fear, suggesting the relationship between guns and fear may be asymmetrical.
Multiscale modeling of matrix cracking coupled with interfacial debonding in random glass fiber composites based on volume elements
Authors: Yang Wensong , Pan Yi , Pelegri Assimina A
Published: November 2012

A multiscale numerical approach is established to model damage in random glass fiber composites. A representative volume element of a random glass fiber composite is employed to analyze microscale damage mechanisms, such as matrix cracking and fiber-matrix interfacial debonding, while the associated damage variables are defined and applied in a mesoscale stiffness reduction law. The macroscopic response of the homogenized mesoscale damage model is investigated using finite element analysis and validated through experiments. A case study of a random glass fiber composite plate containing a central hole subjected to tensile loading is performed to illustrate the applicability of the multiscale damage model.
Interfacial effects in the electrical conductivity and viscous deformation of multiwall carbon nanotube–epoxy composites prepared by sonication
Authors: Brown M , Jagannadham K
Published: November 2012

Multiwall carbon nanotube composites with epoxy matrix were prepared by sonication followed by long curing. The electrical conductivity of the composite samples was measured and found to follow percolation behavior with low threshold mass fraction of multiwall carbon nanotubes and smaller value of critical exponent. The lower values of threshold and exponent are associated with higher purity and better interfacial contact between the multiwall carbon nanotubes and with the epoxy. The temperature dependence of electrical conductivity showed that both variable range hopping and fluctuation-induced tunneling mechanisms are followed. The dependence of conductivity on the width of the epoxy barrier film between multiwall carbon nanotubes is used to establish that fluctuation-induced tunneling through interfacial regions is the appropriate mechanism of conduction in the composites. The activation energy for viscous deformation of the composites was evaluated using dynamic mechanical analysis and found to increase for higher mass fraction of multiwall carbon nanotubes in the composite. These results indicate that interfacial interaction is significant in the molecular movement in the epoxy.
The Proposed Changes for DSM-5 for SLD and ADHD
Authors: Al-Yagon Michal , Cavendish Wendy , Cornoldi Cesare , Fawcett Angela J. , Grünke Matthias , Hung Li-Yu , Jiménez Juan E. , Karande Sunil , van Kraayenoord Christina E. , Lucangeli Daniela , Margalit Malka , Montague Marjorie , Sholapurwala Rukhshana , Sideridis Georgios , Tressoldi Patrizio E. , Vio Claudio
Published: November 2012

This article presents an international perspective of the proposed changes to the DSM-5 for learning disabilities (LD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) across ten countries: Australia, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We provide perspectives of the present situation for youth with LD and youth with ADHD and describe the legislation, prevalence rates, and educational systems that serve students with disabilities in the respective countries. We also present a discussion of the expected impact of the proposed changes for the diagnosis of LD and ADHD in each country.
Teaching About Teaching Science
Authors: Berry Amanda , Van Driel Jan H.
Published: November 2012

Despite pressing concerns about the need to prepare high-quality teachers and the central role of teacher educators (TEs) in this process, little is known about how TEs teach about teaching specific subject matter, and how they develop their expertise. This empirical study focuses on the specific expertise that science TEs bring into teacher education. Individual interviews and story lines were conducted with 12 experienced science TEs from four different teacher education institutions in Australia and the Netherlands, to gain insight into their aims for teaching about science teaching, and how their expertise has developed on the basis of their professional background and experiences. The findings of this exploratory study reveal similarities among the concerns of these TEs and yet considerable diversity among their approaches. The study aims to contribute to a better understanding of science TEs’ work and the development of a pedagogy of science teacher education.