bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of road and soil dust emission parameterizations in the aerosol model CAMx: Applications over the greater Athens urban area affected by natural sources
Authors: Athanasopoulou E. , Tombrou M. , Russell A. G. , Karanasiou A. , Eleftheriadis K. , Dandou A.
Published: August 2010

A detailed dust emission parameterization was developed for aerosol production by human and natural activity. The road dust scheme includes tire wear, break wear, road abrasion and vehicle‐induced re‐suspension. The natural dust scheme includes wind (Aeolian) erosion from soil surfaces and land disturbances, and considers the effects of soil and atmospheric parameters on dust productivity. Emission rates are chemically and size‐resolved and are incorporated in the CAMx aerosol model coupled with the ISORROPIA II inorganic module. Emissions and concentrations are predicted for five simulation periods, using a domain covering Greece with a fine mesh over the greater Athens area. Re‐suspended mass is the main dust component, calculated 4–5 times higher than exhaust emissions. Soil dust emissions are much greater than road dust during high winds but are of less importance inside the city with maximums located at the periphery of the urban core. Comparison with observations suggests that the road dust component seems adequately estimated in traffic‐affected areas and accounts for 15–40% of the total PM10. Calcium, regarded as a soil dust tracer, is calculated to be 2–4 μg m−3 in areas with high Aeolian emission rates, similar to measured values. Sodium and magnesium predictions show their marine origin, and reasonably replicate the observed mass and size distribution during well‐established onshore flows. Nitrates are predicted as measured during lower winds, but are underestimated when stronger winds prevail from the west. This is caused by an overestimated industrial influence of Athens. As a result, ammonia is bound to the excess of sulfate, rather than reacting with nitric acid. Secondary species are influenced slightly by heterogeneous chemistry on dust particles.
Data Citation and Peer Review
Authors: Parsons Mark A. , Duerr Ruth , Minster Jean‐Bernard
Published: August 2010

A scientific publication is fundamentally an argument consisting of a set of ideas and expectations supported by observations and calculations that serve as evidence of its veracity. An argument without evidence is only a set of assertions. Consider the difference between the statement “The hairy woodpecker population is declining in the northwest region of the United States” and the statement “Hairy woodpecker populations in the northwest region of the United States have declined by 11% between 1992 and 2003, according to data from the Institute for Bird Populations (http://www.birdpop.org/).” Both or neither of these statements could be true, but only the second one can be verified. Scientific papers do, of course, present specific data points as evidence for their arguments, but how well do papers guide readers to the body of those data, where the the data's integrity can be further examined? In practice, a chasm may lie across the path of a reviewer seeking the source data of a scientific argument.
Second stable regime of internal kink modes excited by barely passing energetic ions in tokamak plasmas
Authors: He H. D. , Dong J. Q. , Fu G. Y. , Zheng G. Y. , Sheng Z. M. , Long Y. X. , He Z. X. , Jiang H. B. , Shen Y. , Wang L. F.
Published: August 2010

The internal kink (fishbone) modes, driven by barely passing energetic ions (EIs), are numerically studied with the spatial distribution of the EIs taking into account. It is found that the modes with frequencies comparable to the toroidal precession frequencies are excited by resonant interaction with the EIs. Positive and negative density gradient dominating cases, corresponding to off- and near-axis depositions of neutral beam injection (NBI), respectively, are analyzed in detail. The most interesting and important feature of the modes is that there exists a second stable regime in higher βh (=pressure of EIs/toroidal magnetic pressure) range, and the modes may only be excited by the barely passing EIs in a region of βth1<βh<βth2 (βth is threshold or critical beta of EIs). Besides, the unstable modes require minimum density gradients and minimum radial positions of NBI deposition. The physics mechanism for the existence of the second stable regime is discussed. The results may provide a means of reducing or even preventing the loss of NBI energetic ions and increasing the heating efficiency by adjusting the pitch angle and driving the system into the second stable regime fast enough.
Consequences of the magnetocaloric effect on magnetometry measurements
Authors: Hansen B. R. , Bahl C. R. H. , Kuhn L. Theil , Smith A. , Gschneidner K. A. , Pecharsky V. K.
Published: August 2010

Magnetization curves recorded at high sweep-rates on magnetic materials near a phase transition temperature can be affected by temperature changes in the material due to the magnetocaloric effect. This change in the sample temperature is a result of the quasiadiabatic conditions that can occur under such conditions and we demonstrate its effects on magnetization curves of two magnetocaloric materials, La(Fe0.945Co0.055)11.9Si1.1 and Gd5Si2Ge2. We show how a quantity calculated from isothermal magnetization curves, the magnetic entropy change, ΔSM, is affected by the erroneous data. As ΔSM is a measure of the magnetocaloric effect, the discrepancies demonstrated here are more severe close to a peak in ΔSM, which is precisely the quantity that is of interest and reported on in the literature from possibly erroneous magnetization data. We also demonstrate how, through simple measurements and without a direct measurement of the sample temperature, one can determine an appropriate sweep-rate of the magnetic field.
Dynamical effects in ab initio NMR calculations: Classical force fields fitted to quantum forces
Authors: Robinson Mark , Haynes Peter D.
Published: August 2010

NMR chemical shifts for an L-alanine molecular crystal are calculated using ab initio plane wave density functional theory. Dynamical effects including anharmonicity may be included by averaging chemical shifts over an ensemble of structural configurations generated using molecular dynamics (MD). The time scales required mean that ab initio MD is prohibitively expensive. Yet the sensitivity of chemical shifts to structural details requires that the methodologies for performing MD and calculating NMR shifts be consistent. This work resolves these previously competing requirements by fitting classical force fields to reproduce ab initio forces. This methodology is first validated by reproducing the averaged chemical shifts found using ab initio molecular dynamics. Study of a supercell of L-alanine demonstrates that finite size effects can be significant when accounting for dynamics.
Piezoresponse force microscopy studies of the triglycine sulfate-based nanofibers
Authors: Isakov D. V. , Gomes E. de Matos , Almeida B. G. , Bdikin I. K. , Martins A. M. , Kholkin A. L.
Published: August 2010

Local ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of triglycine sulfate (TGS) nanocrystals embedded into poly(ethylene) oxide (PEO) electrospun fibers were examined by piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). Piezoresponse contrast was found to be strongly dependent on the position being much stronger at the fiber periphery. A model of the distribution of TGS crystals inside the core-shell PEO-TGS fiber structure was proposed. TGS nanocrystals were unevenly distributed along the fiber axis and tend to grow near the surface of the fiber. The volume fraction distribution of the TGS crystals extracted from PFM measurements is in a good agreement with the data obtained from the dielectric constant measurements.
Local probing of magnetoelectric coupling in multiferroic composites of BaFe12O19–BaTiO3
Authors: Karpinsky D. V. , Pullar R. C. , Fetisov Y. K. , Kamentsev K. E. , Kholkin A. L.
Published: August 2010

The BaFe12O19–BaTiO3 composite ferroelectric/ferromagnetic ceramics were prepared by conventional solid-state sintering technique. The magnetic properties are consistent with the ratio of the magnetic phase present but ferroelectric properties are degraded due to a sufficiently high degree of conductivity in the ceramics. Magnetoelectric coupling was observed at a local level by means of the scanning probe microscopy (SPM). Piezoresponse and magnetic force modes of SPM were both utilized to assess strain-mediated magnetoelectric coupling between neighboring grains. The observed variation in the magnetic signal after the electrical poling with SPM was attested to the changes in the magnetic interactions and magnetic anisotropy leading to broadening of the magnetic domain wall.
Magnetic phase separation in Nd0.5(Ca,Sr)0.5MnO3
Authors: Kumary T. Geetha , Lin J. G. , Valsakumar M. C.
Published: August 2010

The phase separation of Nd0.5Ca0.5−ySryMnO3, for 0≤y≤0.5, is studied via electron spin resonance (ESR) in the temperature range 80–400 K. Two types of magnetic phases are found to coexist in the samples with y>0 below a phase separation temperature T∗. The ESR line width exhibits a minimum near the charge order transition temperature TCO for samples with y<0.25, and near T∗ for y≥0.25. A systematic decrease in line width is observed as y increases from 0 to 0.5. The g factors increase slightly and the ESR intensities increase exponentially when the temperature decreases in the paramagnetic region. Our results demonstrate presence of two local magnetic structures due to the intrinsic phase separation.
Photodissociation of nitromethane cluster anions
Authors: Goebbert Daniel J. , Khuseynov Dmitry , Sanov Andrei
Published: August 2010

Three types of anionic fragments are observed in the photodissociation of nitromethane cluster anions, (CH3NO2)n−, n=1–6, at 355 nm: NO2−(CH3NO2)k, (CH3NO2)k−, and OH− (k<n). The fragmentation trends are consistent with the parent clusters containing a monomer-anion core, CH3NO2−, solvated by n−1 neutral nitromethane molecules. The NO2−(CH3NO2)k and OH− fragments formed from these clusters are described as core-dissociation products, while the (CH3NO2)k− fragments are attributed to energy transfer from excited CH3NO2− into the solvent network or a core-dissociation—recombination (caging) mechanism. As with other cluster families, the fraction of caged photofragments shows an overall increase with increasing cluster size. The low-lying A2A′ and/or B2A′ electronic states of CH3NO2− are believed responsible for photoabsorption leading to dissociation to NO2− based fragments, while the C2A″ state is a candidate for the OH− pathway. Compared to neutral nitromethane, the photodissociation of CH3NO2− requires lower energy photons because the photochemically active electron occupies a high energy π∗ orbital (which is vacant in the neutral). Although the electronic states in the photodissociation of CH3NO2 and CH3NO2− are different, the major fragments, CH3+NO2 and CH3+NO2−, respectively, both form via C–N bond cleavage.
Development of reproductive structures in the sole Indian species of Hydatellaceae, Trithuria konkanensis, and its morphological differences from Australian taxa
Authors: Sokoloff Dmitry D. , Remizowa Margarita V. , Yadav Shrirang R. , Rudall Paula J.
Published: August 2010

The current paper presents new morphological and developmental data on the sole Indian species of Hydatellaceae, T. konkanensis Yadav & Janarthanam, and explores its morphological differences from Australian members of the family. On the basis of morphology and ecology, T. konkanensis appears to be closely related to T. lanterna, a species from tropical northern Australia that resembles T. konkanensis more closely than does any other Australian taxon. However, fruits are dehiscent in T. lanterna and indehiscent in T. konkanensis. Developmental data on T. konkanensis are significant for interpreting the reproductive units in Hydatellaceae. In T. konkanensis, each reproductive unit consists of two bract-like phyllomes, several carpels and a single central stamen that is initiated before the carpels. The earliest-formed carpels are those closest to the stamen; the latest-formed carpels are closest to the phyllomes. Despite their apparently whorled arrangement, the phyllomes are initiated sequentially. The spatial arrangement of the earliest-initiated carpels makes it unlikely that the phyllomes subtend any axillary structures. So far, there is no robust direct evidence in favour of a multiaxial (pseudanthial) morphological interpretation of bisexual reproductive units of Hydatellaceae. No evidence for dichogamy is present in bisexual reproductive units of either Indian or Australian Hydatellaceae, a feature that contrasts with the common presence of protogyny in flowers of other early divergent extant angiosperms.
Structure and inhibition of herpesvirus DNA packaging terminase nuclease domain
Authors: Nadal Marta , Mas Philippe J. , Blanco Alexandre G. , Arnan Carme , Solà Maria , Hart Darren J. , Coll Miquel
Published: August 2010

During viral replication, herpesviruses package their DNA into the procapsid by means of the terminase protein complex. In human cytomegalovirus (herpesvirus 5), the terminase is composed of subunits UL89 and UL56. UL89 cleaves the long DNA concatemers into unit-length genomes of appropriate length for encapsidation. We used ESPRIT, a high-throughput screening method, to identify a soluble purifiable fragment of UL89 from a library of 18,432 randomly truncated
ul89
DNA constructs. The purified protein was crystallized and its three-dimensional structure was solved. This protein corresponds to the key nuclease domain of the terminase and shows an RNase H/integrase-like fold. We demonstrate that UL89-C has the capacity to process the DNA and that this function is dependent on Mn
2+
ions, two of which are located at the active site pocket. We also show that the nuclease function can be inactivated by raltegravir, a recently approved anti-AIDS drug that targets the HIV integrase.
Rapidly fatal myeloproliferative disorders in mice with deletion of Casitas B-cell lymphoma (Cbl) and Cbl-b in hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Naramura Mayumi , Nandwani Neha , Gu Hua , Band Vimla , Band Hamid
Published: August 2010

Casitas B-cell lymphoma (Cbl)-family E3 ubiquitin ligases are negative regulators of tyrosine kinase signaling. Recent work has revealed a critical role of Cbl in the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) homeostasis, and mutations in
CBL
have been identified in myeloid malignancies. Here we show that, in contrast to Cbl or Cbl-b single-deficient mice, concurrent loss of Cbl and Cbl-b in the HSC compartment leads to an early-onset lethal myeloproliferative disease in mice. Cbl, Cbl-b double-deficient bone marrow cells are hypersensitive to cytokines, and show altered biochemical response to thrombopoietin. Thus, Cbl and Cbl-b play redundant but essential roles in HSC regulation, whose breakdown leads to hematological abnormalities that phenocopy crucial aspects of mutant Cbl-driven human myeloid malignancies.
Visual motion aftereffect from understanding motion language
Authors: Dils Alexia Toskos , Boroditsky Lera
Published: August 2010

Do people spontaneously form visual mental images when understanding language, and if so, how truly visual are these representations? We test whether processing linguistic descriptions of motion produces sufficiently vivid mental images to cause direction-selective motion adaptation in the visual system (i.e., cause a motion aftereffect illusion). We tested for motion aftereffects (MAEs) following explicit motion imagery, and after processing literal or metaphorical motion language (without instructions to imagine). Intentionally imagining motion produced reliable MAEs. The aftereffect from processing motion language gained strength as people heard more and more of a story (participants heard motion stories in four installments, with a test after each). For the last two story installments, motion language produced reliable MAEs across participants. Individuals differed in how early in the story this effect appeared, and this difference was predicted by the strength of an individual’s MAE from imagining motion. Strong imagers (participants who showed the largest MAEs from imagining motion) were more likely to show an MAE in the course of understanding motion language than were weak imagers. The results demonstrate that processing language can spontaneously create sufficiently vivid mental images to produce direction-selective adaptation in the visual system. The timecourse of adaptation suggests that individuals may differ in how efficiently they recruit visual mechanisms in the service of language understanding. Further, the results reveal an intriguing link between the vividness of mental imagery and the nature of the processes and representations involved in language understanding.
Risk Factors and Outcomes for Vancomycin-ResistantEnterococcusBloodstream Infection in Children
Authors: Haas Eric J. , Zaoutis Theoklis E. , Prasad Priya , Li Mingyao , Coffin Susan E.
Published: August 2010

Background and Objective.

Enterococcal bloodstream infections (BSIs) cause morbidity and mortality in children. This study aims to describe the epidemiological characteristics of enterococcal BSI, to determine the risk factors for vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus(VRE) BSI, and to compare outcomes of VRE BSI and vancomycin-susceptibleEnterococcus(VSE) BSI in this population.

Methods.

A retrospective cohort study at a 418-bed tertiary care children's hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, examined the epidemiological characteristics of children hospitalized with enterococcal BSI during the period from 2001 through 2006. A nested case-control study compared patients with VRE BSI with control patients with VSE BSI. Analysis included regression modeling to identify independent risk factors for VRE BSI.

Results.

We identified 339 patients with enterococcal BSI during the study period, including 39 patients with VRE infection. Fifty-three patients (16%) died before hospital discharge. Risk factors for VRE included long-term receipt of mechanical ventilation (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.40 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.28-6.48]), receipt of immunosuppressive medications during the preceding 30 days (adjusted OR, 2.88 [95% CI, 1.40-20.78]), use of vancomycin during the 2 weeks before onset of bacteremia (adjusted OR per day of vancomycin use, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.14-1.38]), and older age (adjusted OR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.03-1.14]). VRE BSI was not associated with an increased length of stay after onset of bacteremia (0.77 days [95% CI, 0.55-1.07 days]). Mortality was higher for VRE BSI, but the difference was not statistically significant (adjusted OR, 1.94 [95% CI, 0.78-4.8]).

Conclusion.

Most enterococcal BSI in children was caused by VSE. Risk factors for VRE BSI included receipt of vancomycin, long-term receipt of mechanical ventilation, immunosuppression, and older age. Differences in length of stay and mortality were not detected.
Detecting copy number variation with mated short reads
Authors: Medvedev Paul , Fiume Marc , Dzamba Misko , Smith Tim , Brudno Michael
Published: August 2010

The development of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies has opened the door to novel methods for detecting copy number variants (CNVs) in the human genome. While in the past CNVs have been detected based on array CGH data, recent studies have shown that depth-of-coverage information from HTS technologies can also be used for the reliable identification of large copy-variable regions. Such methods, however, are hindered by sequencing biases that lead certain regions of the genome to be over- or undersampled, lowering their resolution and ability to accurately identify the exact breakpoints of the variants. In this work, we develop a method for CNV detection that supplements the depth-of-coverage with paired-end mapping information, where mate pairs mapping discordantly to the reference serve to indicate the presence of variation. Our algorithm, called CNVer, combines this information within a unified computational framework called the donor graph, allowing us to better mitigate the sequencing biases that cause uneven local coverage and accurately predict CNVs. We use CNVer to detect 4879 CNVs in the recently described genome of a Yoruban individual. Most of the calls (77%) coincide with previously known variants within the Database of Genomic Variants, while 81% of deletion copy number variants previously known for this individual coincide with one of our loss calls. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CNVer can reconstruct the absolute copy counts of segments of the donor genome and evaluate the feasibility of using CNVer with low coverage datasets.
Co‐evolutionary interactions between host resistance and pathogen effector genes in flax rust disease
Authors: RAVENSDALE MICHAEL , NEMRI ADNANE , THRALL PETER H. , ELLIS JEFFREY G. , DODDS PETER N.
Published: August 2010

Plant–pathogen co‐evolutionary selection processes are continuous, complex and occur across many spatial and temporal scales. Comprehensive studies of the flax–flax rust pathosystem have led to the postulation of the gene‐for‐gene model, a genetic paradigm describing recognition events between host disease resistance proteins and pathogen effector proteins. The identification of directly interacting fungal effector proteins and plant disease resistance proteins in this pathosystem has facilitated the study of both the physical nature of these interactions and the evolutionary forces that have resulted in a molecular arms race between these organisms. The flax–flax rust pathosystem has also been detailed on the scale of interacting populations, and the integration of molecular‐ and population‐scale datasets represents a unique opportunity to further our understanding of many poorly understood facets of host–pathogen dynamics. In this article, we discuss recent developments and insights in the flax–flax rust pathosystem and their implications for both long‐term co‐evolutionary dynamics in natural settings, as well as short‐term co‐evolutionary dynamics in agro‐ecosystems.
Characterizing abdominal pain in IBS: guidance for study inclusion criteria, outcome measurement and clinical practice
Authors: Spiegel B. M. R. , Bolus R. , Harris L. A. , Lucak S. , Chey W. D. , Sayuk G. , Esrailian E. , Lembo A. , Karsan H. , Tillisch K. , Talley J. , Chang L.
Published: August 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 1192–1202

Background  Although irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a multisymptom disorder, abdominal pain drives illness severity more than other symptoms. Despite consensus that IBS trials should measure pain to define study entry and determine efficacy, the optimal method of measuring pain remains uncertain.

Aim  To determine whether combining information from multiple pain dimensions may capture the IBS illness experience more effectively than the approach of measuring ‘pain predominance’ or pain intensity alone.

Methods  Irritable bowel syndrome patients rated dimensions of pain, including intensity, frequency, constancy, predominance, predictability, duration, speed of onset and relationship to bowel movements. We evaluated the impact of each dimension on illness severity using multivariable regression techniques.

Results  Among the pain dimensions, intensity, frequency, constancy and predictability were strongly and independently associated with illness severity; the other dimensions had weaker associations. The clinical definition of ‘pain predominance’, in which patients define pain as their most bothersome symptom, was insufficient to categorize patients by illness severity.

Conclusions  Irritable bowel disease pain is multifaceted; some pain dimensions drive illness more than others. IBS trials should measure various pain dimensions, including intensity, constancy, frequency and predictability; this may improve upon the customary use of measuring pain as a unidimensional symptom in IBS.
Use and discontinuation of hormone replacement therapy in women with myocardial infarction: a nationwide study
Authors: Bretler Ditte‐Marie , Hansen Peter Riis , Abildstrøm Steen Zabell , Jørgensen Casper Haslund , Sørensen Rikke , Hansen Morten Lock , Schramm Tina Ken , Løkkegaard Ellen , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Gislason Gunnar Hilmar
Published: August 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• General use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) dropped drastically after 2002 when pivotal randomized trials showed increased risk of coronary artery disease and other complications with HRT.

• HRT is not recommended for primary or secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and guidelines recommend discontinuation of HRT after myocardial infarction (MI).

• It is unknown whether women actually discontinue HRT after MI.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Women who use HRT when they experience their MI generally continue using HRT.

• We found a remarkably low increase in discontinuation after 2002, in contrast to the general drop in use of HRT.

AIM To characterize the pattern of use and discontinuation of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women with myocardial infarction (MI) before and after 2002, where the general use of HRT dropped drastically subsequent to the results of the Women's Health Initiative trial.

METHODS All Danish women aged ≥40 years hospitalized with MI in the period 1997 to 2005 and their use of HRT were identified by individual‐level‐linkage of nationwide registers of hospitalization and drug dispensing from pharmacies. Characteristics associated with HRT use at time of MI and subsequent HRT discontinuation were analysed by multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS In the study period, 34 778 women were discharged after MI. Of these, 3979 (11.4%) received HRT at the time of MI and their most used categories of HRT were vaginal oestrogen and oral oestrogen alone (46.6% and 28.7%, respectively). The percentage of women who continued HRT during the first year after discharge was 85.0% in the period 2000–2002 and had decreased to 79.6% in the period 2003–2005. Vaginal oestrogen use was associated with overall discontinuation of HRT (odds ratio [OR] 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10, 1.72), whereas use of oral oestrogen alone and use of oral cyclic combined oestrogen/progestogen were associated with change of HRT after MI (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.10, 4.93 and OR 2.94, 95% CI 1.35, 6.39, respectively).

CONCLUSION The majority of women experiencing an MI during ongoing HRT continued HRT after discharge and this pattern of HRT use did not change markedly after 2002.
Reduced systemic vascular resistance in healthy volunteers with presyncopal symptoms during a nitrate‐stimulated tilt‐table test
Authors: Tahvanainen Anna , Koskela Jenni , Leskinen Miia , Ilveskoski Erkki , Nordhausen Klaus , Kähönen Mika , Kööbi Tiit , Mustonen Jukka , Pörsti Ilkka
Published: August 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Nitrates may facilitate syncope through various pathways, but the precise mechanism of nitrate‐induced syncope is still under debate. The purpose of the present study was to compare the underlying haemodynamic mechanisms in subjects without and with presyncopal symptoms during a nitroglycerin‐stimulated tilt‐table test.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• A major decrease in systemic vascular resistance was documented in subjects with presyncope during 0.25 mg nitroglycerin‐stimulated tilt‐table test, in the absence of changes in cardiac output. These findings indicated that even a small dose of nitroglycerin significantly decreased arterial resistance and cardiac afterload.

AIMS The mechanism of nitrate‐induced syncope remains controversial. We examined the haemodynamic changes in healthy volunteers during nitroglycerin‐stimulated tilt‐table test.

METHODS Continuous radial pulse wave analysis, whole‐body impedance cardiography and plethysmographic finger blood pressure were recorded in a supine position and during head‐up tilt in 21 subjects with presyncopal symptoms (6 male/15 female, age 43 ± 3 years) after 0.25 mg sublingual nitroglycerin and 21 control subjects (6 male/15 female, age 43 ± 2 years). The drug was administered in the supine position and a passive head‐up tilt followed 5 min later. Additionally, nitroglycerin was only administered during head‐up tilt in 19 subjects and the haemodynamics were recorded.

RESULTS Supine and upright haemodynamics were similar before nitroglycerin administration in the two groups. During the nitroglycerin‐stimulated tilt test, aortic and radial mean blood pressure decreased significantly more in the presyncope group when compared with the controls (P= 0.0006 and P= 0.0004, respectively). The decreases in systemic vascular resistance (P= 0.0008) and heart rate (P= 0.002), and increase in aortic reflection time (P= 0.0002) were greater in the presyncope group, while the change in cardiac index was not different between the groups (P= 0.14). If nitroglycerin was administered during the upright tilt and not in supine position, the haemodynamic changes were quite corresponding.

CONCLUSIONS Presyncopal symptoms during nitrate‐stimulated tilt test were explained by decreased systemic vascular resistance and increased aortic reflection time, while cardiac output remained unchanged. These findings indicated reduced arterial resistance in nitroglycerin‐induced presyncope.
Proof of concept study to evaluate step‐down therapy with inhaled corticosteroid alone or additive therapy on surrogate inflammatory markers in asthma
Authors: McKinlay Lorna , Williamson Peter A. , Short Philip M. , Fardon Tom C. , Lipworth Brian J.
Published: August 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Much of the focus of inflammatory surrogates and airway challenges in asthma has been directed towards success of therapy and diagnosis. Few have considered them in the context of guiding dose reduction once sufficient control has been achieved.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) as an indirect bronchial airway challenge, together with non invasive inflammatory surrogate measures were not found to be clinically useful when guiding therapy in a group of asthmatic patients through step 3–4 in British Thoracic Society asthma guidelines. However, they may still play a role in predicting failure of individual step‐down.

AIM The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of inflammatory surrogates in determining step‐down therapy in asthma.

METHODS AMP challenge, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and pulmonary function tests were recorded. Subjects were divided into two groups following high dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS): Group A fixed dose ICS vs. Group B ICS alone and in combination with add on therapies.

RESULTS No differences were seen in inflammatory measures between fixed dose ICS and reduced dose ICS alone or with combination therapies.

CONCLUSIONS AMP challenge conferred no additional benefit in guiding step‐down therapy. The role of inflammatory surrogates may still play a role in predicting failed step‐down on an individual basis.
Selection of reference genes for quantitative polymerase chain reaction studies in purified B cells from B cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients
Authors: Valceckiene Vilma , Kontenyte Rima , Jakubauskas Arturas , Griskevicius Laimonas
Published: August 2010

The clinical heterogeneity of B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B‐CLL) makes it necessary to identify potent prognostic indicators to predict individual clinical course and select risk‐adapted therapy. In recent years, numerous gene expression models have been suggested as prognostic factors of B‐CLL. Today, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is a preferred method for rapid quantification of gene expression and validation of microarray data. The reliability of qPCR data is highly dependent on the use of appropriate reference genes for normalization. To date, no validated reference genes have been reported for the normalization of gene expression in B‐CLL. Therefore, the present study was conducted to identify suitable reference genes for gene expression studies in CD19+ B cells isolated from B‐CLL patients’ peripheral blood. The stability of ACTB, B2M, GAPDH, GUSB, HMBS, HPRT1, MRPL19, TBP and UBC genes was determined by three different descriptive statistics, geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper‐1, which produced highly comparable results. Based on our results, B2M, HPRT1, and GUSB were found to be the most suitable reference genes for qPCR studies in B‐CLL patients’ peripheral blood B cells.
A European consensus report on blood cell identification: terminology utilized and morphological diagnosis concordance among 28 experts from 17 countries within the European LeukemiaNet network WP10, on behalf of the ELN Morphology Faculty
Authors: Zini Gina , Bain Barbara , Bettelheim Peter , Cortez José , D’Onofrio Giuseppe , Faber Edgar , Haferlach Torsten , Kacirkova Petra , Lewandowski Krzysztof , Matutes Estella , Maynadié Marc , Meletis John , Petersen Bodil L. , Porwit Anna , Terpos Evangelos , Tichelli Andrée , Vallespí Teresa , Woessner Soledad , Bennett John , Bene Marie C.
Published: August 2010

This paper describes the methodology used to develop a consensual glossary for haematopoietic cells within Diagnostics‐WP10 of European‐LeukemiaNet EU‐project. This highly interactive work was made possible through the use of the net, requiring only a single two‐day meeting of actual confrontation and debate. It resulted in the production of a freely accessible tool that could be useful for training as well as harmonization of morphological reports in onco‐haematology especially, without geographic limitation, not limited to European countries. Moreover, this collective work resulted in the production of a consensus statement, taking into account individual practices, collegial agreement and literature data.
Invasion of Solidago gigantea in contrasting experimental plant communities: effects on soil microbes, nutrients and plant–soil feedbacks
Authors: Scharfy Deborah , Güsewell Sabine , Gessner Mark O. , Venterink Harry Olde
Published: August 2010

1. Plant–soil feedbacks can influence the success of non‐native plant invasions. We investigated if these feedbacks and the underlying invasion effects on soil microbes and nutrients depend on the species composition of the invaded vegetation, and whether these effects are related to differences in the invasibility of native plant communities.

2. We carried out a mesocosm experiment simulating the invasion of Solidago gigantea into three wetland plant communities (Molinion, Magnocaricion and Filipendulion), each composed of five plant species but differing in productivity. To study plant–soil feedbacks, we used different soil inoculum types from invaded and non‐invaded field sites of the corresponding communities and a reference site. Invasion success was assessed by measuring the biomass of S. gigantea after three growing seasons and by analysing soil properties several times during the experiment.

3. Invasion success varied significantly among communities and soil inoculum types. Solidago gigantea produced more biomass in the Molinion than in the two more productive communities. In all three communities, it exhibited a negative feedback upon itself, producing 31–46% less biomass when the substrate was inoculated with soil from a stand invaded with S. gigantea.

4. The presence of S. gigantea did not influence total biomass in any community nor N and P availability in soil. However, it led to a decrease in soil bacterial and an increase in soil fungal biomasses. These changes were similar in the three communities and unrelated to the biomass of S. gigantea biomass in the invaded communities.

5. Synthesis. The experimental comparison between effects of an invasive plant species on soil properties in different native communities showed similar effects despite pronounced differences in the ability of the invasive species to grow in the different communities. In this system, plant–soil interactions may thus affect invasion, but not explain differences in the invasibility of different communities. The invasive species increased soil fungal biomass, particularly in its own soil, compared to native species and experienced a negative feedback, suggesting that the course of its invasion might be affected by species‐specific soil pathogens.
Lack of antibodies against the antigen domain 2 epitope of cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoprotein B is associated with CMV disease after renal transplantation in recipients having the same glycoprotein H serotypes as their donors
Authors: Ishibashi K. , Tokumoto T. , Shirakawa H. , Hashimoto K. , Ikuta K. , Kushida N. , Yanagida T. , Shishido K. , Aikawa K. , Toma H. , Inoue N. , Yamaguchi O. , Tanabe K. , Suzutani T.
Published: August 2010

K. Ishibashi T. Tokumoto, H. Shirakawa, K. Hashimoto, K. Ikuta, N. Kushida, T. Yanagida, K. Shishido, K. Aikawa, H. Toma, N. Inoue, O. Yamaguchi, K. Tanabe, T. Suzutani. Lack of antibodies against the antigen domain 2 epitope of cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoprotein B is associated with CMV disease after renal transplantation in recipients having the same glycoprotein H serotypes as their donors. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 318–323. All rights reserved

Abstract: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reinfection of seropositive individuals has been associated with adverse outcomes in organ transplantation and is a frequent cause of congenital infection. Previously we demonstrated that mismatching of CMV glycoprotein H (gH) serotypes was associated with CMV disease after renal transplantation. Because the antigen domain 2 (AD2) epitope of glycoprotein B (gB) is conserved among CMV isolates and is one of the known targets of neutralizing antibodies, in this study we investigated whether antibodies against the epitope contribute to protection from CMV reinfection in renal transplantation, irrespective of gH serological matching. For this purpose, the gB and gH serology and clinical outcomes were analyzed retrospectively for 77 transplant recipients in the donor positive/recipient positive setting, who were managed by preemptive strategy. We found that there was a good negative correlation between the numbers of antigenemia‐positive cells and the levels of antibodies against gB AD2 in the CMV‐gH antibody matched group, but not in the CMV‐gH antibody mismatched group. None of the recipients with antibodies against both gB AD2 and strain‐specific epitopes of gH have experienced CMV disease during 6 month after transplantation, while 28% of those who lacked either/both antibody response needed preemptive therapy. Because the outcome was statistically significant, antibodies against gB AD2 can be a useful indicator to predict emergence of CMV disease for preemptive therapy, in addition to antibodies against the mismatched gH types.
Gestosis Index (EPH‐Gestosis); Evaluation for the Assessment of Prognosis and Condition of the Newborn
Authors: Furuhashi Nobuaki , Tanaka Mikio , Shinkawa Osamu , Kono Hideaki , Hiruta Masuki , Takahashi Tomomi , Suzuki Masakuni
Published: August 2010

It is well known that EPH‐Gestosis has some influence on fetal growth. In this study, we analyzed 33 cases of severe polysymptomatic EPH‐Gestosis using a modified Gestosis Index (G.I.) and investigated which G.I. factor had the most severe effect on fetal growth.

According to the G.I. analysis, the fetal death rate is 40% in the group with total G.I. over 8 and each factor point over 2. Hypertension (H) and proteinuria (P) have specially severe effects on the fetus.
Mid‐trimester Acute Polyhydramnios and Fetal Sacro‐coccygeal Teratoma
Authors: Conaghan C. J. , MacLean A. B. , Duff G. B. , Bashford D. H. , Hunter Lauree A.
Published: August 2010

A 31 year old patient presented in mid‐trimester with acute polyhydramnios and ankle oedema. Ultrasonography suggested a sacro‐coccygeal teratoma. Spontaneous abortion occurred and the diagnosis was confirmed.
Ethnic Birth Patterns and Fetal Outcome in Auckland and New Zealand in the 1970's and Their Medico‐social Implications: Part II Ethnicity and Medico‐Social Implications
Authors: Hutchison C. P. T.
Published: August 2010

Maoris and New Zealand Pacific Islanders are steadily forming a larger portion of New Zealand̂s population. The purpose of this paper is to explore possible ethnic medico‐social disadvantages and propose remedial action. It appears Maoris and Pacific Islanders are disadvantaged in terms of health, education, employment/occupation, income and legal offending.

In general, socio‐economic status, rather than ethnicity is the important factor in terms of health outcome. This paper proposes that health priorities be concentrated in the first five years of life and special effort must be directed towards the lower socio‐economic groups. Mechanisms to allow this are discussed.
Determinant Factors in Foetal Mortality Associated with Umbilical Cord Prolapse
Authors: Orhue Augustine A. E. , Unuigbe Jacob A.
Published: August 2010

Fifty cases of umbilical cord prolapse in a nine‐year period is analysed. The incidence was 0.21% and foetal mortality rate 28%. The Caesarian section rate was 86% and all live babies were delivered by Caesarian section.

Analysis of the foetal mortalities revealed the following trend. Of the 18 patients who ruptured membranes spontaneously at home, foetal mortality was 66.6% as against 6.3% for those rupturing membranes in hospital. Of the 20 patients arriving hospital over two hours after the cord prolapse, 65% foetal mortality occurred. When the diagnosis delivery interval was beyond 30 minutes the foetal mortality for the 19 cases was 68.4%. Of the 19 cases where cord prolapse occurred with the Os uteri 8–10 centimeters dilated and had attempted vaginal delivery before Caesarian section, the foetal mortality was 57.9% as against 9.7% for the 31 cases where cord prolapse occurred with the Os uteri less than seven centimeters dilated and had a straight Caesarian section. Other contributing factors to foetal mortality were missed diagnosis of cord prolapse on admission, wrong judgement of the safest mode of delivery and undue delay of patient arrival in labour ward after cord prolapse.
Lack of HLA (A, B and C) Antigen Expression on the Cell Surface of Trophoblastic Tumors (Hydatidiform Moles and Choriocarcinoma)
Authors: Yamashita Kohki , Mure Kazuhide , Hayashi Hiroaki , Sagawa Tadashi , Ishikawa Mutsuo , Shimizu Tetsuya , Yoshiki Takashi
Published: August 2010

Two hydatidiform moles and a choriocarcinoma as well as three normal chorionic villi (control) were examined by an immunofluorescence method in order to investigate the expression of HLA (A, B and C) antigens on trophoblastic tumor cells.

In the hydatidiform moles, HLA antigens were absent from trophoblastic cells of the molar villus, but present on cells in villous stroma in a manner similar to those in normal chorionic villus. In the choriocarcinoma, HLA antigens were virtually negative.

These findings are consistent with a hypothesis that trophoblastic tumor does not express HLA antigens.
Fibrin Related Antigen: An Aid in Cytologically False Negative Effusion Fluid
Authors: Crandon Alex J. , Singh Pritam
Published: August 2010

In this study of F.R.Ag. levels in effusion fluid from 99 patients, it was found that the levels were higher in those patients with malignant disease (mode equals 1,024 mg/1) compared with patients with benign disease (mode equals 8 mg/1).

Estimation of F.R.Ag. levels in effusion fluid using a simple inexpensive, commercial kit would appear to be of adjuvant value in assessing the nature of an effusion.
Uterine Cervical Cancer Associated with Eosinophilic Infiltration
Authors: Yang Li‐Chung , Lee Mu‐Soon , Tsai Chung‐Liang , Chang Chung‐Chuan , Lin Yun‐Nan , Hsu Chien‐Tien
Published: August 2010

In the past five years, 5 out of 999 cases of uterine cervical cancer (0.5%) were found to be associated with eosinophilia in the peripheral blood, the tumor itself and the regional lymph nodes irrespective of whether they were metastatic or non‐metastatic. In all five cases peripheral eosinophilia coincided with tumor eosinophilia. In four cases, no metastases were observed and eosinophilia came down to the normal range after operation. The patients are still living and well. In one case in which extensive node metastases and parametrial invasion were confirmed, eosinophilia remained abnormally high after the operation and the patient died in 2 years. Unlike the findings in the literature, our small series did not confirm a close link between peripheral eosinophilia and dissemination of malignancy but rather between both eosinophilia's. Our limited experience with this small series suggests that peripheral blood eosinophilia and tumor eosinophilia are not significant indicators for prognostication of malignancies as reports in the literature emphasize, but they can be used as a good tumor marker monitoring the progress or regress of malignancies when other causative factors for eosinophilia can be definitely excluded.
Localization OF HCGα and HCGβ in Trophoblastic Tumors
Authors: Kawagoe Koh , Mori Shigeo
Published: August 2010

Tissue distribution of the subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), hCGα and hCGβ, in eight cases of trophoblastic tumors, including four cases of choriocarcinoma, two cases of invasive mole and two cases of hydatidiform mole, was studied by the immunoperoxidase method. In villous trophoblasts of hydatidiform mole, though distribution patterns in the cytoplasm differed, both hCGα and hCGβ were revealed to be located chiefly in the syncytiotrophoblast and to a lesser extent in the cytotrophoblast suggesting that hCG is not only localized but also synthesized mainly in the syncytiotrophoblast while the immature cytotrophoblast does not produce hCG. In invasive mole, villi were markedly degenerative, composed mostly of the syncytiotrophoblast with scarce intraplasmic hCGα. This condition of the villi is considered to be the result of intensive chemotherapy prior to operation, and may be explained by the so‐called cellular effect of transient increase of hCG in the serum during chemotherapy. In choriocarcinoma, strongly immunoreactive products of hCGα and hCGβ were observed in the syncytiotrophoblast‐like cells with several nuclei scattered like islands in the invading front. These findings are considered to be related to the local immunosuppressive effect of hCG on invasion and survival of choriocarcinoma cells analogous to the syncytiotrophoblast in the trophoblastic shell and column of normal pregnancy.
Foeto‐maternal Outcome following Vacuum Extraction:Recent Experience with 625 Consecutive Cases
Authors: Orhue Augustine A.E.
Published: August 2010

Six hundred and twenty five consecutive vacuum extractions in an eight years period is reviewed. The overall success rate was 97 percent and 21.4 percent were done in the first stage of labour. The occurrence of a vesico‐vaginal fistula in 0.16% of cases is emphasised as a very serious maternal complications. The corrected perinatal mortality rate was 1.7% and major foetal scalp lesion occurred in 4.8% of cases.

The vacuum extractor is presented as a safe instrument for use especially when positional problems are present in the shallow African pelvis. Extra care and experience is required for vacuum extraction in the first stage of labour especially with the extreme perineal muscle laxity in the grandmultipara in order to avoid serious damage to maternal tissues.

Careful choice of patients and adherence to the principles of vacuum cup application and traction techniques are emphasised in order to reduce the incidence of foeto‐maternal complications.