bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Significance of Postvoid Residual Volume in Older Ambulatory Women
Authors: Huang Alison J. , Brown Jeanette S. , Boyko Edward J. , Moore Elya E. , Scholes Delia , Walter Louise C. , Lin Feng , Vittinghoff Eric , Fihn Stephan D.
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence, natural history, and clinical significance of high postvoid residual (PVR) volume in ambulatory older women.

DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

SETTING: Group health plan in Washington state.

PARTICIPANTS: Nine hundred eighty‐seven ambulatory women aged 55 to 75.

MEASUREMENTS: PVR was measured using bladder ultrasonography at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years. Participants completed questionnaires about urinary symptoms and provided urine samples for microbiological evaluation.

RESULTS: Of the 987 participants, 79% had a PVR less than 50 mL, 10% of 50 to 99 mL, 6% of 100 to 199 mL, and 5% of 200 mL or greater at baseline. Of women with a PVR less than 50 mL, 66% reported at least one urinary symptom at baseline. Of women with a PVR of 200 mL or greater, 27% reported no significant symptoms at baseline. In adjusted analyses using data from all study visits, women with a PVR of 100 mL or greater were more likely to report urinating more than eight times during the day (odds ratio (OR)=1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.07–1.87), and women with a PVR of 200 mL or greater were more likely to report weekly urgency incontinence (OR=1.50, 95% CI=1.03–2.18) than those with a PVR less than 50 mL. High PVR was not associated with greater risk of stress incontinence, nocturnal frequency, or urinary tract infection in adjusted analyses. Forty‐six percent of those with a PVR of 200 mL or greater and 63% of those with a PVR of 100 to 199 mL at baseline had a PVR less than 50 mL at 2 years.

CONCLUSION: More than 10% of ambulatory older women may have a PVR of 100 mL or greater, which is associated with greater risk of some urinary symptoms, but many with high PVR are asymptomatic, and high PVR frequently resolves within 2 years. Symptom‐guided management of urinary symptoms may be more appropriate than PVR‐guided management in this population.
A Novel Longitudinal Geriatric Medical Student Experience: Using Teaching Objective Structured Clinical Examinations
Authors: Sutin David , Rolita Lydia , Yeboah Nina , Taffel Leah , Zabar Sondra
Published: August 2011

It has previously been shown that medical students perform poorly when assessing older adults with recurrent falls. To address this and teach students about other geriatric syndromes, a standardized patient, played by one of nine actresses, aging during the course of an afternoon, was developed. The patient is first aged 75 with falls, then 80 with memory problems, then 82 with an acute confusional state. The third‐year students interact with the patient on a one‐to‐one basis. After seeing and examining her, the students write up the case and then meet with the supervising physician after each section to discuss the case. This intervention was well accepted, scoring 5.95 on a 7‐point Likert‐type scale. At the end of the clinical year, the students participated in an eight‐case clinical skills examination that included a 79‐year‐old man with falls. Using the actor's checklists, the performances of the 42 medical students who had participated in the standardized patient experience were compared with those of the 128 who had not. Over the eight cases, there was no difference in the three domains of communication, information gathering, and physical examination, but in the geriatric case, the students who had participated in the experience performed significantly better in all three domains. The intervention students were also three times as likely to examine the subject's gait (60% vs 20%). A 3‐hour interactive session substantially improved specific geriatric competencies. One can only wonder what more dedicated time could accomplish.
Influence of Prior Pneumococcal and Influenza Vaccination on Outcomes of Older Adults with Community‐Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Manzur Adriana , Izquierdo Conchita , Ruiz Laura , Sousa Dolores , Bayas Jose‐María , Celorrio Jose‐Miguel , Varona Wenceslao , Nebot Manel , Salleras Lluis , Domínguez Angela , Carratalà Jordi ,   for the Working Group for the Study of Prevention of Community‐Acquired Pneumonia in the Elderly
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether prior pneumococcal and seasonal influenza vaccination improves outcomes in older adults hospitalized for community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP).

DESIGN: Prospective, observational, multicenter study.

SETTING: Five public hospitals providing universal free care to the whole population in three Spanish regions.

PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged 65 and older admitted to the hospital with CAP through the emergency department.

MEASUREMENTS: Pneumococcal and influenza vaccination status. The primary study outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of hospital stay (LOS), and overall case‐fatality rate. Outcome variables of individuals vaccinated with both vaccines were compared with outcomes of those who were unvaccinated.

RESULTS: Two hundred thirty‐eight individuals had received 23‐valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and seasonal influenza vaccination and were compared with 195 unvaccinated individuals. No differences were found with respect to combined antibiotic therapy between groups (38.0% vs 39.7%; P=.80). Similar percentages of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals required ICU admission (7.2% vs 8.2%; P=.69). Mean LOS was significantly shorter in vaccinated individuals (9.9 vs 12.4 days; P=.04). Overall case‐fatality rates were similar in both groups (5.9% vs 5.1%; P=.73). After adjustment, LOS, risk of ICU admission, and overall case‐fatality rate were not associated with prior pneumococcal and seasonal influenza vaccination.

CONCLUSION: The clinical outcomes of vaccinated older adults hospitalized with CAP were not better than those observed in unvaccinated individuals.
Characteristics of Chronic Pain Associated with Sleep Difficulty in Older Adults: The Maintenance of Balance, Independent Living, Intellect, and Zest in the Elderly (MOBILIZE) Boston Study
Authors: Chen Qian , Hayman Laura L. , Shmerling Robert H. , Bean Jonathan F. , Leveille Suzanne G.
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate pain severity and distribution in relation to sleep difficulty in older adults.

DESIGN: Population‐based cross‐sectional study.

SETTING: Community within a 5‐mile radius of the study center at the Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife (HSL), Boston.

PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred sixty‐five participants of the Maintenance of Balance, Independent Living, Intellect, and Zest in the Elderly (MOBILIZE) Boston Study aged 64 and older.

MEASUREMENTS: Pain severity was measured using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Pain Severity Subscale. Musculoskeletal pain distribution was grouped according to no pain, single site, two or more sites, and widespread pain (upper and lower extremities and back pain). Three aspects of sleep difficulty were measured using items from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Revised (trouble getting to sleep, sleep more than usual, and restless sleep).

RESULTS: Prevalence of trouble getting to sleep according to BPI severity was 17.8%, 19.7%, 32.0%, and 37.0% for the lowest to highest pain severity quartiles, respectively. Similar relationships between pain and sleep were observed across sleep measures according to pain severity and distribution. Adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, chronic conditions, and health behaviors, chronic pain was strongly associated with trouble sleeping (≥1 d/wk) (single‐site pain, odds ratio (OR)=1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.10–2.87; multisite pain, OR=2.38, 95% CI=1.48–3.83; widespread pain, OR=2.55, 95% CI=1.43–4.54, each compared with no pain). Similar associations were observed for restless sleep and sleeping more than usual. For specific pain sites alone or in combination with other sites of pain, only modest associations were observed with sleep problems.

CONCLUSION: Widespread or other multisite pain and moderate to severe pain are strongly associated with sleep difficulty in older adults. Further research is needed to better understand the burden and consequences of pain‐related sleep problems in older adults.
Chronic Female Pelvic Pain—Part 2: Differential Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Nelson Patricia , Apte Gail , Justiz Rafael , Brismeé Jean‐Michel , Dedrick Gregory , Sizer Philip S.
Published: August 2011

Abstract:  Pelvic pain is a common condition. Treatment interventions have traditionally targeted biomedical conditions with variable success. Utilizing a systematic approach to examination of the pelvic girdle and related organ systems contained within the pelvis will aid the clinician in identifying the painful structure(s) as well as the associated impairments limiting functional recovery. From this, a complete management program can be instituted. The following description of gynecologic, urologic, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and neurologic conditions that can cause or are associated with chronic pelvic pain leads to conservative management proposals based on the available evidence. Finally, nonoperative interventional strategies are described, which target the pain system from a cognitive behavioral perspective, address movement dysfunctions, and address interventional pain technique possibilities.▪
Calcineurin regulation of cytoskeleton organization: a new paradigm to analyse the effects of calcineurin inhibitors on the kidney
Authors: Descazeaud Virginie , Mestre Elodie , Marquet Pierre , Essig Marie
Published: August 2011

Introduction

Calcineurin effects on neuronal cytoskeleton

Calcineurin effects on myocytes

Intracellular pathway involved in calcineurin‐induced effects on cytoskeletal organization

Calcineurin effects on kidney cells    cytoskeleton

Conclusion

Calcineurin is a serine/threonine phosphatase originally involved in the immune response but is also known for its role as a central mediator in various non‐immunological intracellular signals. The nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) proteins are the most widely described substrates of calcineurin, but ongoing work has uncovered other substrates among which are the cytoskeleton organizing proteins (i.e. cofilin, synaptopodin, WAVE‐1). Control over cytoskeletal proteins is of outmost interest because the phenotypic properties of cells are dependent on cytoskeleton architecture integrity, while rearrangements of the cytoskeleton are implicated in both physiological and pathological processes. Previous works investigating the role of calcineurin on the cytoskeleton have focused on neurite elongation, myocyte hypertrophic response and recently in kidney cells structure. Nuclear factor of activated T cell activation is expectedly identified in the signalling pathways for calcineurin‐induced cytoskeleton organization, however new NFAT‐independent pathways have also been uncovered. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the effects of calcineurin on cytoskeletal proteins and related intracellular pathways. These newly described properties of calcineurin on cytoskeletal proteins may explain some of the beneficial or deleterious effects observed in kidney cells associated with the use of the calcineurin inhibitors, cyclosporine and tacrolimus.
In vitro analyses of the anti‐fibrotic effect of SPARC silencing in human Tenon’s fibroblasts: comparisons with mitomycin C
Authors: Seet Li‐Fong , Su Roseline , Toh Li Zhen , Wong Tina T.
Published: August 2011

Failure of glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS) is commonly attributed to scarring at the surgical site. The human Tenon’s fibroblasts (HTFs) are considered the major cell type contributing to the fibrotic response. We previously showed that SPARC (secreted protein, acidic, rich in cysteine) knockout mice had improved surgical success in a murine model of GFS. To understand the mechanisms of SPARC deficiency in delaying subconjunctival fibrosis, we used the gene silencing approach to reduce SPARC expression in HTFs and examined parameters important for wound repair and fibrosis. Mitomycin C‐treated HTFs were used for comparison. We demonstrate that SPARC‐silenced HTFs showed normal proliferation and negligible cellular necrosis but were impaired in motility and collagen gel contraction. The expression of pro‐fibrotic genes including collagen I, MMP‐2, MMP‐9, MMP‐14, IL‐8, MCP‐1 and TGF‐β2 were also reduced. Importantly, TGF‐β2 failed to induce significant collagen I and fibronectin expressions in the SPARC‐silenced HTFs. Together, these data demonstrate that SPARC knockdown in HTFs modulates fibroblast functions important for wound fibrosis and is therefore a promising strategy in the development of anti‐scarring therapeutics.
Mineral content of calcium and magnesium in the serum and longitudinal periodontal progression in Japanese elderly smokers
Authors: Yoshihara Akihiro , Iwasaki Masanori , Miyazaki Hideo
Published: August 2011

Yoshihara A, Iwasaki M, Miyazaki H: Mineral content of calcium and magnesium in the serum and longitudinal periodontal progression in Japanese elderly smokers. J Clin Periodontol 2011; 38: 992–997. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2011.01769.x.

Objective: Evidence from physiological and clinical studies regarding the mechanism by which calcium and magnesium are associated with periodontal disease, adjusted for smoking habits, is lacking. This longitudinal study evaluated the association of serum calcium levels and the calcium/magnesium (Ca/Mg) ratio with periodontal disease progression among smokers and non‐smokers.

Material and Methods: A total of 309 subjects aged 73 years were included. Follow‐up surveys were carried out every year for 6 years. After dividing subjects into smokers and non‐smokers, multiple logistic regression analysis for men was performed to evaluate the relationship between the serum Ca/Mg ratio and periodontal disease progression. We used the 25th percentile of periodontal disease events for 6 years as the dependent variable and seven other variables, including quartiles for serum Ca/Mg ratios, as independent variables.

Results: There was a clear dose–response relationship of Ca/Mg ratio quartiles for periodontal disease events among smokers. Significant differences in odds ratios in the first and second quartiles were seen compared with the fourth quartile (reference): 6.28 (p=0.014) and 5.96 (p=0.022), respectively. However, there was no significant dose–response relationship among non‐smokers.

Conclusion: A low serum Ca/Mg ratio was significantly associated with periodontal disease progression in Japanese elderly smokers.
Syntaxonomical survey of boreal oligotrophic pine forests in northern Europe and Western Siberia
Authors: Ermakov Nikolai , Morozova Olga
Published: August 2011

Question: What is the syntaxonomical diversity of boreal oligotrophic pine forests in Western Eurasia?

Location: Boreal zone of Northern Europe and Western Siberia.

Methods: Classification of forest vegetation plots using Ward's clustering and the Braun‐Blanquet approach.

Results: North European and West Siberian boreal oligotrophic pine forests can be assigned to the Vaccinio‐Piceetea Br.‐Bl. in Br.‐Bl. et al. 1939; Pinetalia sylvestris Oberdorfer 1957; Cladonio stellaris‐Pinion sylvestris Kielland‐Lund ex Ermakov et Morozova 2011, seven associations (Cladonio arbusculae‐Pinetum sylvestris (Kielland‐Lund 1967) Ermakov & Ìîrozova 2011; Flavocetrario nivalis‐Pinetum sylvestris Morozova et al. 2008; Pinetum sibiricae‐sylvestris Makhatkov et Ermakov 2010; Hedysaro alpini‐Laricetum sibiricae Saburov 1972; Linnaeo borealis‐Pinetum sylvestris (Kielland‐Lund 1967) Ermakov & Ìîrozova 2011; Barbilophozio‐Pinetum sylvestris Br.‐Bl. et Sissingh in Br.‐Bl. et al. 1939; Bazzanio‐Pinetum sylvestris Kielland‐Lund 1967; Calamagrostio lapponicae‐Pinetum sylvestris Br.‐Bl. et Sissingh in Br.‐Bl. et al. 1939) and six subassociations. Syntaxonomical and geographical boundaries between the alliances Cladonio stellaris‐Pinion sylvestris and Dicrano‐Pinion (Libbert 1933) Matuszkiewicz 1962 were defined.

Conclusion: We propose the concept of alliance Cladonio stellaris‐Pinion sylvestris, which includes all associations of oligotrophic pine forests within the boreal zone of Europe and Western Siberia. Analysis of a data set from Northern Europe and North‐western Siberia demonstrates a common set of ecological, floristic and phytocoenotic features of all types of oligotrophic pine forests. This supports Oberdorfer's concept of a single Eurasian order Pinetalia sylvestris.
Pharmacophore Optimization and Design of Competitive Inhibitors of Thymidine Monophosphate Kinase Through Molecular Modeling Studies
Authors: Chitre Trupti S. , Kathiravan Muthu K. , Bothara Kailash G. , Bhandari Shashikant V. , Jalnapurkar Rajeshwar R.
Published: August 2011

A series of N1‐(4‐substituted‐benzyl)‐pyrimidines were subjected to 2D and 3D quantitative structure–activity relationship analyses. Statistically significant models were generated, and the most robust model for 2D quantitative structure–activity relationship was obtained using simulated annealing‐multiple linear regression. The physicochemical descriptors, viz., slogp, estate descriptors like SaaCHE index and SdsCHE index contribute significantly to the biological activity. The pharmacophore requirements for selective inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis thymidine monophosphate kinase were optimized using the information derived from 2D and 3D quantitative structure–activity relationship studies. With the results from the studies, we have designed new chemical entities using the CombiLib Tool of V‐Life Molecular Design Suite. In addition, using structure‐based drug design, the distances between interacting groups of ligands and amino acid residues of the protein Mycobacterium tuberculosis thymidine monophosphate kinase (PDB ID:1W2H) were thoroughly analyzed. Thus, we have successfully replaced the sugar moiety with substituted aromatic ring on N1 of thymidine. Thorough studies on substitution pattern around pyrimidine ring were carried out.
Rational Design of Peptides with Anti‐HCV/HIV Activities and Enhanced Specificity
Authors: Li Gui‐Rong , He Li‐Yan , Liu Xiu‐Ying , Liu Ai‐Ping , Huang Yi‐Bing , Qiu Chao , Zhang Xiao‐Yan , Xu Jian‐Qing , Yang Wei , Chen Yu‐Xin
Published: August 2011

Lack of vaccines for HCV and HIV makes the antiviral drug development urgently needed. The recently identified HCV NS5A‐derived virucidal peptide (C5A) demonstrated a wide spectrum of activities against viruses. In this study, the C5A sequence SWLRDIWDWICEVLSDFK was utilized as the framework to study the effect of the modulation of peptide helicity and hydrophobicity on its anti‐HCV and anti‐HIV activities. Peptide helicity and hydrophobicity were altered by substitutions of varying amino acids on the non‐polar face of C5A. Peptide hydrophobicity has been proved to play a crucial role in peptide anti‐HCV or anti‐HIV activities. Peptide helicity was relatively independent with antiviral activity. However, peptide analogs with dimerized structure in an aqueous medium while maintaining the ability to be induced into a more helical structure in a hydrophobic environment may tend to show comparable or improved antiviral activity and specificity to C5A. By modulating peptide helicity and hydrophobicity, we improved the specificity of C5A against HCV and HIV by 23‐ and 69‐fold, respectively, in terms of the ratio of hemolytic activity to antiviral activity. We demonstrated that obtained by de novo design approach, peptide I6L/I10L/V13L may be a promising candidate as a new anti‐HCV and anti‐HIV therapeutic.
Investigation into Potent Inflammation Inhibitors from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Chen Kuan‐Chung , Sun Mao‐Feng , Yang Shun‐Chieh , Chang Su‐Sen , Chen Hsin‐Yi , Tsai Fuu‐Jen , Chen Calvin Yu‐Chian
Published: August 2011

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase‐1 (mPGES‐1) is the key enzyme for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) generation during inflammation and is a potential target for designing anti‐inflammatory drugs. Potential inhibitors of m‐PGES‐1 were selected from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM Database@Taiwan) based on the pharmacophore map generated by the top HypoGen hypothesis and validated using structure‐ and ligand‐based analysis. Key features for potential m‐PGES‐1 inhibitors include pi‐interactions and H‐bond donors. TCM compounds, shanciol B, shanciol A, castilliferol, and aurantiamide acetate, contoured to the quantitative structure–activity relationship pharmacophore and exhibited high docking scores and binding stability with m‐PGES‐1. Bioactivity models multiple linear regression (MLR) and support vector machine also supported activity predictions for the candidate compounds. Our results indicate that the investigated TCM compounds could be of use for development into mPGES‐1 inhibitors.
Phosphorylation of Enkephalins: NMR and CD Studies in Aqueous and Membrane‐Mimicking Environments
Authors: Yeomans Larisa , Muthu Dhanasekaran , Lowery John J. , Martinez Heather N. , Abrell Leif , Lin Guanxin , Strom Kyle , Knapp Brian I. , Bidlack Jean M. , Bilsky Edward J. , Polt Robin
Published: August 2011

Phosphorylation of l‐serine‐containing enkephalin analogs has been explored as an alternative to glycosylation in an effort to increase blood–brain barrier permeability and CNS bioavailability of peptide pharmacophores. Two enkephalin‐based peptides were modified for these studies, a set related to DTLES, a mixed μ/δ‐agonist, and one related to DAMGO, a highly selective μ‐agonist. Each unglycosylated peptide was compared to its phosphate, its mono‐benzylphosphate ester, and its β‐d‐glucoside. Binding was characterized in membrane preparations from Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing human μ, δ and κ‐opiate receptors. Antinociception was measured in mice using the 55 °C tail‐flick assay. To estimate bioavailability, the antinociceptive effect of each opioid agonist was evaluated after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) or intravenous administration (i.v.) of the peptides. Circular dichroism methods and high‐field nuclear magnetic resonance were used in the presence and absence of sodium dodecylsulfate to understand how the presence of a membrane might influence the peptide conformations.
Effects of Spray Drying on Antioxidant Capacity and Anthocyanidin Content of Blueberry By‐Products
Authors: Lim Kar , Ma Mitzi , Dolan Kirk D.
Published: August 2011

Abstract:  The effect of spray drying on degradation of nutraceutical components in cull blueberry extract was investigated. Samples collected before and after spray drying were tested for antioxidant capacity using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORACFL) and total phenolics; and for individual anthocyanidins. In Study 1, four different levels of maltodextrin (blueberry solids to maltodextrin ratios of 5: 95, 10: 90, 30: 70, and 50: 50) were spray dried a pilot‐scale spray dryer. There was significantly higher retention of nutraceutical components with increased levels of maltodextrin indicating a protective effect of maltodextrin on the nutraceutical components during spray drying. In Study 2, the air inlet temperature of the spray dryer was kept constant for all runs at 150 °C, with 2 different outlet temperatures of 80 and 90 °C. The degradation of nutraceutical components was not significantly different at the 2 selected outlet temperatures. ORACFL reduction for blueberry samples after spray drying was 66.3% to 69.6%. After spray drying, total phenolics reduction for blueberry was 8.2% to 17.5%. Individual anthocyanidin reduction for blueberry was 50% to 70%. The experimental spray dried powders compared favorably to commercial blueberry powders. Results of the study show that use of blueberry by‐products is feasible to make a value‐added powder.

Practical Application:  Results can be used by producers to estimate final nutraceutical content of spray‐dried blueberry by‐products.
The carbon implications of large‐scale afforestation of agriculturally marginal land with short‐rotation willow in Saskatchewan
Authors: Amichev Beyhan Y. , Kurz Werner A. , Smyth Carolyn , Van Rees Ken C. J.
Published: August 2011

Afforestation with short‐rotation coppice (SRC) willow plantations for the purpose of producing bioenergy feedstock was contemplated as one potential climate change mitigation option. The objectives of this study were to assess the magnitude of this mitigation potential by addressing: (i) the land area potentially available for SRC systems in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada; (ii) the potential biomass yields of SRC plantations; and (iii) the carbon implications from such a large‐scale afforestation program. Digital soils and land‐use data were used to identify, map, and group into clusters of similar polygons 2.12 million hectares (Mha) of agriculturally marginal land that was potentially suitable for willow in the Boreal Plains and Prairies ecozones in Saskatchewan. The Physiological Principles in Predicting Growth (3PG) model was calibrated with data from SRC experiments in Saskatchewan, to quantify potential willow biomass yields, and the Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM‐CFS3), was used to simulate stand and landscape‐level C fluxes and stocks. Short‐rotation willow plantations managed in 3 year rotations for seven consecutive harvests (21 years) after coppicing at Year 1 produced about 12 Mg ha−1 yr−1 biomass. The more significant contribution to the C cycle was the cumulative harvest. After 44 years, the potential average cumulative harvested biomass C in the Prairies was 244 Mg C ha−1 (5.5 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) about 20% higher than the average for the Boreal Plains, 203 Mg C ha−1 (4.6 Mg C ha−1 yr−1). This analysis did not consider afforestation costs, rate of establishment of willow plantations, and other constraints, such as drought and disease effects on biomass yield. The results must therefore be interpreted as a biophysical mitigation potential with the technical and economic potential being both lower than our estimates. Nevertheless, short‐rotation bioenergy plantations offer one potential mitigation option to reduce the rate of CO2 accumulation in the earth's atmosphere and further research is needed to operationalise such a mitigation effort.
Fluctuations in HbA1c are associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bouchi Ryotaro , Babazono Tetsuya , Mugishima Michino , Yoshida Naoshi , Nyumura Izumi , Toya Kiwako , Hayashi Toshihide , Hanai Ko , Tanaka Nobue , Ishii Akiko , Iwamoto Yasuhiko
Published: August 2011

Aims/Introduction:  To reveal whether visit‐to‐visit variability in HbA1c is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods:  The study was conducted on 689 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes [295 women, 394 men; mean (±standard deviations (SD)) age 65 ± 11 years]. Variability in HbA1c was evaluated as the intrapersonal SD of serial measurements of HbA1c during the follow‐up period for at least 12 months. Patients were divided into quartiles according to the SD of HbA1c, and the primary endpoint was defined as incident CVD. Cox’s proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results:  During a median follow‐up period of 3.3 years (range 1.0–6.3 years), 26 ± 14 measurements of HbA1c were obtained per patient and 61 episodes of incident CVD were recorded. The 5‐year cumulative incidence of CVD in patients across the first, second, third, and fourth quartiles of SD in HbA1c was 4.9, 8.7, 17.1, and 26.2%, respectively (P < 0.001, log‐rank test). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the incidence of CVD was significantly higher in patients in the fourth quartile of SD in HbA1c compared with those in the first quartile (HR 3.38; 95% CI 1.07–10.63; P = 0.039), independent of mean HbA1c and other traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions:  Variability of HbA1c may be a potent predictor of incident CVD in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2011.00155.x, 2011)
Developing the Coaxial Dual-Pipe Heat Pipe for Applications on Heat Pipe Cooler
Authors: Ting Chen-Ching , Chen Chien-Chih
Published: August 2011

This article presents significant experimental data about the coaxial dual-pipe heat pipe which is invented by our CCT laboratory. The coaxial dual-pipe heat pipe is built-in an inner pipe in the adiabatic section of a common heat pipe. A common heat pipe is composed of three sections: the evaporator section at the one end; the condenser section at the other end; and the adiabatic section in between. The vapor and the liquid phases of the working fluid flow in opposite directions through the core and the wick, respectively. This special heat transfer behavior causes a common heat pipe to yield the discrete heat transfer property. In process, the vapor directly brings large amounts of heat from heat source and rapidly flows through the adiabatic section to the condenser section. This intelligent heat transfer technique lets the heat pipe yield extremely large thermal conductivity. Unfortunately, a heat pipe integrated with cooling fin in the adiabatic section has changed its original heat transfer property. The integrated cooling fin in the adiabatic section has in advance taken heat of the vapor away and caused the vapor to be condensed in the adiabatic section. Therefore, the vapor cannot reach the condenser section and the condenser section hence loses its cooling capability. In other words, the effective cooling length of a common heat pipe which is integrated with cooling fin in the adiabatic section is shortened. The coaxial dual-pipe heat pipe is built-in an inner pipe in the adiabatic section of a common heat pipe to avoid heat of the vapor to be earlier taken away and even condensed in the adiabatic section. Experimental study in this work first built a home-made square coaxial dual-pipe heat pipe integrated with outside isothermal cycling cooling water as the coaxial dual-pipe heat pipe cooler. The home-made square coaxial dual-pipe heat pipe has an observation window. It is convenient to observe change of the two-phase flow inside the heat pipe influenced by the outside cooling water. The results show that the new developed coaxial dual-pipe heat pipe cooler has kept the original heat transfer property of the bare heat pipe. The vapor has reached the condenser section.
On the Benefits and Pitfalls of Analogies for Innovative Design: Ideation Performance Based on Analogical Distance, Commonness, and Modality of Examples
Authors: Chan Joel , Fu Katherine , Schunn Christian , Cagan Jonathan , Wood Kristin , Kotovsky Kenneth
Published: August 2011

Drawing inspiration from examples by analogy can be a powerful tool for innovative design during conceptual ideation but also carries the risk of negative design outcomes (e.g., design fixation), depending on key properties of examples. Understanding these properties is critical for effectively harnessing the power of analogy. The current research explores how variations in analogical distance, commonness, and representation modality influence the effects of examples on conceptual ideation. Senior-level engineering students generated solution concepts for an engineering design problem with or without provided examples drawn from the U.S. Patent database. Examples were crossed by analogical distance (near-field vs. far-field), commonness (more vs. less-common), and modality (picture vs. text). A control group that received no examples was included for comparison. Effects were examined on a mixture of ideation process and product variables. Our results show positive effects of far-field and less-common examples on novelty and variability in quality of solution concepts. These effects are not modulated by modality. However, detailed analyses of process variables suggest divergent inspiration pathways for far-field vs. less-common examples. Additionally, the combination of far-field, less-common examples resulted in more novel concepts than in the control group. These findings suggest guidelines for the effective design and implementation of design-by-analogy methods, particularly a focus on far-field, less-common examples during the ideation process.
Recommendations of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine on dosimetry, imaging, and quality assurance procedures for 90Y microsphere brachytherapy in the treatment of hepatic malignancies
Authors: Dezarn William A. , Cessna Jeffery T. , DeWerd Larry A. , Feng Wenzheng , Gates Vanessa L. , Halama James , Kennedy Andrew S. , Nag Subir , Sarfaraz Mehrdad , Sehgal Varun , Selwyn Reed , Stabin Michael G. , Thomadsen Bruce R. , Williams Lawrence E. , Salem Riad
Published: August 2011

Yttrium‐90 microsphere brachytherapy of the liver exploits the distinctive features of the liver anatomy to treat liver malignancies with beta radiation and is gaining more wide spread clinical use. This report provides a general overview of microsphere liver brachytherapy and assists the treatment team in creating local treatment practices to provide safe and efficient patient treatment. Suggestions for future improvements are incorporated with the basic rationale for the therapy and currently used procedures. Imaging modalities utilized and their respective quality assurance are discussed. General as well as vendor specific delivery procedures are reviewed. The current dosimetry models are reviewed and suggestions for dosimetry advancement are made. Beta activity standards are reviewed and vendor implementation strategies are discussed. Radioactive material licensing and radiation safety are discussed given the unique requirements of microsphere brachytherapy. A general, team‐based quality assurance program is reviewed to provide guidance for the creation of the local procedures. Finally, recommendations are given on how to deliver the current state of the art treatments and directions for future improvements in the therapy.
3D modeling of effects of increased oxygenation and activity concentration in tumors treated with radionuclides and antiangiogenic drugs
Authors: Lagerlöf Jakob H. , Kindblom Jon , Bernhardt Peter
Published: August 2011

Purpose:

Formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) in response to hypoxia is a fundamental event in the process of tumor growth and metastatic dissemination. However, abnormalities in tumor neovasculature often induce increased interstitial pressure (IP) and further reduce oxygenation (pO2) of tumor cells. In radiotherapy, well‐oxygenated tumors favor treatment. Antiangiogenic drugs may lower IP in the tumor, improving perfusion, pO2 and drug uptake, by reducing the number of malfunctioning vessels in the tissue. This study aims to create a model for quantifying the effects of altered pO2‐distribution due to antiangiogenic treatment in combination with radionuclide therapy.

Methods:

Based on experimental data, describing the effects of antiangiogenic agents on oxygenation of GlioblastomaMultiforme (GBM), a single cell based 3D model, including 1010 tumor cells, was developed, showing how radionuclide therapy response improves as tumor oxygenation approaches normal tissue levels. The nuclides studied were 90Y, 131I, 177Lu, and 211At. The absorbed dose levels required for a tumor control probability (TCP) of 0.990 are compared for three different log‐normal pO2‐distributions: μ1 = 2.483, σ1 = 0.711; μ2 = 2.946, σ2 = 0.689; μ3 = 3.689, and σ3 = 0.330. The normal tissue absorbed doses will, in turn, depend on this. These distributions were chosen to represent the expected oxygen levels in an untreated hypoxic tumor, a hypoxic tumor treated with an anti‐VEGF agent, and in normal, fully‐oxygenated tissue, respectively. The former two are fitted to experimental data. The geometric oxygen distributions are simulated using two different patterns: one Monte Carlo based and one radially increasing, while keeping the log‐normal volumetric distributions intact. Oxygen and activity are distributed, according to the same pattern.

Results:

As tumor pO2 approaches normal tissue levels, the therapeutic effect is improved so that the normal tissue absorbed doses can be decreased by more than 95%, while retaining TCP, in the most favorable scenario and by up to about 80% with oxygen levels previously achieved in vivo, when the least favourable oxygenation case is used as starting point. The major difference occurs in poorly oxygenated cells. This is also where the pO2‐dependence of the oxygen enhancement ratio is maximal.

Conclusions:

Improved tumor oxygenation together with increased radionuclide uptake show great potential for optimising treatment strategies, leaving room for successive treatments, or lowering absorbed dose to normal tissues, due to increased tumor response. Further studies of the concomitant use of antiangiogenic drugs and radionuclide therapy therefore appear merited.
DISCRETE DECOMPOSABLE BRANCHING LAWS AND PROPER MOMENTUM MAPS
Authors: NASRIN SALMA
Published: August 2011

Suppose an irreducible unitary representation π of a Lie group G is obtained as a geometric quantization of a coadjoint orbit [Formula: see text] in the Kirillov–Kostant–Duflo orbit philosophy. Let H be a closed subgroup of G, and we compare the following two conditions.

(1) The restriction π|H is discretely decomposable in the sense of Kobayashi.

(2) The momentum map [Formula: see text] is proper.

In this article, we prove that (1) is equivalent to (2) when π is any holomorphic discrete series representation of scalar type of a semisimple Lie group G and (G, H) is any symmetric pair.
A CYCLIC APPROACH TO THE ANNULAR TEMPERLEY–LIEB CATEGORY
Authors: PENNEYS DAVID
Published: August 2011

In [The planar algebra of a bipartite graph, Knots in Hellas '98 (World Scientific, 2000), pp. 94–117, MR1865703], Jones found two copies of the cyclic category cΔ in the annular Temperley–Lieb category Atl. We give an abstract presentation of Atl to discuss how these two copies of cΔ generate Atl together with the coupling constants and the coupling relations. We then discuss modules over the annular category and homologies of such modules, the latter of which arises from the cyclic viewpoint.
Waggle Dances and Azimuthal Windows
Authors: Duangphakdee O. , Radloff S. E. , Pirk C. W. W. , Hepburn H. R.
Published: August 2011

Because the waggle dances of honeybees contain celestial components, modifications of the dances occur with changing celestial moves relative to a honeybee nest. Since the direction of a particular resource is static, the dances must alter to compensate for the sun's passage. The position of the sun is seasonal between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn so that turns at the end of waggle runs will vary with season and latitude. The bees are confronted with a new difficulty when the sun closely approaches its zenith because only slight errors in the bees' estimation of the relative positions of the sun and zenith generate very large errors. So, the sun compass loses its usefulness when at its zenith. We review experiments and observations on both foraging and absconding in relation to the azimuth. The honeybees' solution for the paradox of the azimuth includes an azimuthal lull, preferences, and time windows.
BSR versus Climate Change and Slides
Authors: Tinivella U. , Giustiniani M. , Accettella D.
Published: August 2011

We investigate the relationship between climate change and hydrate stability in two peri-Antarctic areas: Antarctic Peninsula and South Chile. We consider these areas because the polar and subpolar areas are the most sensitive about global change. The zone, where the methane can be easily released by hydrate melting, is the shallow water, that is, in proximity of the intersection between the BSR and the sea bottom. In order to simulate the effect of climate change on hydrate stability, we consider the following seven scenarios for both areas: present environmental condition; sea bottom temperature increase/decrease of
water depth increase/decrease of 100 m; sea bottom temperature and water depth increase/decrease of
and 100 m, respectively. On the basis of our result, we can draw the conclusion that the modeling is a useful tool to understand the effect of the climate change on hydrate stability. Moreover, in these areas where the sea bottom temperature is influenced by temperature increase, slides could be easily triggered by hydrate dissociation.
Plasticity of Tiller Dynamics in Wild RiceOryza rufipogonGriff.: A Strategy for Resilience in Suboptimal Environments
Authors: Mohapatra Pravat K. , Panda Binay B. , Kariali Ekamber
Published: August 2011

Rice cultivation in tropical Asia is susceptible to drought and flood and the need is high for stress resistant genes. Wild riceOryza rufipogonGriff., grows in close sympatric association with cultivated rice in various habitats across the globe and possesses traits for survival under challenging environments. The species adapts according to the level of soil moisture available and modifies phenology, biomass production and grain yield. Variation in tiller dynamics of the species between contrasting environments gives an estimate of the adaptation. The species possesses AA genome, which permits genetic compatibility for cross breeding with cultivated rice. Utility of the species as possible repository of stress resistant genes is evaluated in this review by examining variation in assimilate partitioning between different classes of tillers of ecotypes growing across a gradation of habitats against background knowledge available for cultivated rice. Models have been constructed to explain mechanisms of tillering and tiller dynamics, and reveal the genotypic permissibility for resilience in sub-optimal environments. It is concluded that environmentally cued alteration in assimilate production and partitioning mask genetic potential for tiller production and survival. Tiller number in excess of resource capacity is corrected by senescence of late-tillers possibly through an ethylene-mediated signal.
Chemical Assistance in Refolding of Bacterial Inclusion Bodies
Authors: Alibolandi Mona , Mirzahoseini Hasan
Published: August 2011

Escherichia coliis one of the most widely used hosts for the production of recombinant proteins but insoluble expression of heterologous proteins is a major bottleneck in production of recombinant proteins inE. coli.In vitrorefolding of inclusion body into proteins with native conformations is a solution for this problem but there is a need for optimization of condition for each protein specifically. Several approaches have been described for in vitro refolding; most of them involve the use of additives for assisting correct folding. Cosolutes play a major role in refolding process and can be classified according to their function as aggregation suppressors and folding enhancers. This paper presents a review of additives that are used in refolding process of insoluble recombinant proteins in small scale and industrial processes.
The Expanding Zoo of Calabi-Yau Threefolds
Authors: Davies Rhys
Published: August 2011

This is a short review of recent constructions of new Calabi-Yau threefolds with small Hodge numbers and/or nontrivial fundamental group, which are of particular interest for model building in the context of heterotic string theory. The two main tools are topological transitions and taking quotients by actions of discrete groups. Both of these techniques can produce new manifolds from existing ones, and they have been used to bring many new specimens to the previously sparse corner of the Calabi-Yau zoo, where both Hodge numbers are small. Two new manifolds are also obtained here from hyperconifold transitions, including the first example with fundamental groupS3, the smallest non-Abelian group.
Reliability of Diagnostic Tests forHelicobacter pyloriInfection
Authors: Redéen S. , Petersson F. , Törnkrantz E. , Levander H. , Mårdh E. , Borch K.
Published: August 2011

Introduction.Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)infection is very common worldwide. A reliable diagnosis is crucial for patients withH. pylori-related diseases. At followup, it is important to confirm that eradication therapy has been successful. There is no established gold standard for the diagnosis ofH. pyloriinfection.Material and Methods. A sample of 304 volunteers from the general population was screened forH. pyloriinfection with serology,13C-urea breath test (UBT), rapid urease test (RUT) on fresh biopsy, culture from biopsy, and histological examination. Culture was used as gold standard.Results. The sensitivity was 0.99 for serology, 0.90 for UBT, 0.90 for RUT, and 0.90 for histological examination. Corresponding specificities were 0.82, 0.99, 0.98, and 0.97, respectively. The accuracy was 0.86 for serology, 0.96 for UBT, 0.95 for RUT, 0.93 for culture, and 0.95 for histology. There was a strong correlation between the results of UBT and the histological scores ofH. pyloricolonisation as well as between the results of UBT and the scores of RUT.Conclusion. There were only minor differences in accuracy between the three invasive tests forH. pyloriinfection in this population. RUT may be recommended as the first choice since a result is obtained within hours. The accuracy of UBT was comparable to the invasive tests, and it is recommended for situations when endoscopy is not needed.
Diabetic Inhibition of Preconditioning- and Postconditioning-Mediated Myocardial Protection against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Yin Xia , Zheng Yang , Zhai Xujie , Zhao Xin , Cai Lu
Published: August 2011

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) or postconditioning (Ipost) is proved to efficiently prevent ischemia/reperfusion injuries. Mortality of diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction was found to be 2–6 folds higher than that of non-diabetic patients with same myocardial infarction, which may be in part due to diabetic inhibition of IPC- and Ipost-mediated protective mechanisms. Both IPC- and Ipost-mediated myocardial protection is predominantly mediated by stimulating PI3K/Akt and associated GSK-3β pathway while diabetes-mediated pathogenic effects are found to be mediated by inhibiting PI3K/Akt and associated GSK-3β pathway. Therefore, this review briefly introduced the general features of IPC- and Ipost-mediated myocardial protection and the general pathogenic effects of diabetes on the myocardium. We have collected experimental evidence that indicates the diabetic inhibition of IPC- and Ipost-mediated myocardial protection. Increasing evidence implies that diabetic inhibition of IPC- and Ipost-mediated myocardial protection may be mediated by inhibiting PI3K/Akt and associated GSK-3β pathway. Therefore any strategy to activate PI3K/Akt and associated GSK-3β pathway to release the diabetic inhibition of both IPC and Ipost-mediated myocardial protection may provide the protective effect against ischemia/reperfusion injuries.
The Role of the Sun in the Pantheon’s Design and Meaning
Authors: Magli Giulio , Hannah Robert
Published: August 2011

Despite being one of the most recognizable buildings from ancient Rome, the Pantheon is poorly understood. While its architecture has been well studied, its function remains uncertain. This paper argues that both the design and the meaning of the Pantheon are in fact dependent upon an understanding of the role of the sun in the building, and of the apotheosized emperor in Roman thought. Supporting evidence is drawn not only from the instruments of time in the form of the roofed spherical sundial, but also from other Imperial monuments, notably Nero’s Domus Aurea and Augustus’s complex of structures on the Campus Martius — his Ara Pacis, the ‘Horologium Augusti,’ and his Mausoleum. Hadrian’s Mausoleum and potentially part of his Villa at Tivoli are drawn into this argument as correlatives. Ultimately, it is proposed that sun and time were linked architecturally into cosmological signposts for those Romans who could read such things.