bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vulnerability in Research Ethics: a Way Forward
Authors: Lange Margaret Meek , Rogers Wendy , Dodds Susan
Published: May 2013

Several foundational documents of bioethics mention the special obligation researchers have to vulnerable research participants. However, the treatment of vulnerability offered by these documents often relies on enumeration of vulnerable groups rather than an analysis of the features that make such groups vulnerable. Recent attempts in the scholarly literature to lend philosophical weight to the concept of vulnerability are offered by Luna and Hurst. Luna suggests that vulnerability is irreducibly contextual and that Institutional Review Boards (Research Ethics Committees) can only identify vulnerable participants by carefully examining the details of the proposed research. Hurst, in contrast, defines the vulnerable as those especially at risk of incurring the wrongs to which all research ethics participants are exposed. We offer a more substantive conception of vulnerability than Luna but one that gives rise to a different rubric of responsibilities from Hurst's. While we understand vulnerability to be an ontological condition of human existence, in the context of research ethics, we take the vulnerable to be research subjects who are especially prone to harm or exploitation. Our analysis rests on developing a typology of sources of vulnerability and showing how distinct sources generate distinct obligations on the part of the researcher. Our account emphasizes that the researcher's first obligation is not to make the research participant even more vulnerable than they already are. To illustrate our framework, we consider two cases: that of a vulnerable population involved in international research and that of a domestic population of people with diminished capacity.
Target enrichment and high‐throughput sequencing of 80 ribosomal protein genes to identify mutations associated with Diamond‐Blackfan anaemia
Authors: Gerrard Gareth , Valgañón Mikel , Foong Hui En , Kasperaviciute Dalia , Iskander Deena , Game Laurence , Müller Michael , Aitman Timothy J. , Roberts Irene , de la Fuente Josu , Foroni Letizia , Karadimitris Anastasios
Published: May 2013

Diamond‐Blackfan anaemia (DBA) is caused by inactivating mutations in ribosomal protein (RP) genes, with mutations in 13 of the 80 RP genes accounting for 50–60% of cases. The remaining 40–50% cases may harbour mutations in one of the remaining RP genes, but the very low frequencies render conventional genetic screening as challenging. We, therefore, applied custom enrichment technology combined with high‐throughput sequencing to screen all 80 RP genes. Using this approach, we identified and validated inactivating mutations in 15/17 (88%) DBA patients. Target enrichment combined with high‐throughput sequencing is a robust and improved methodology for the genetic diagnosis of DBA.
What's in a (biological) name? The wrath of Lord Rutherford
Authors: Valdecasas Antonio G. , Peláez María L. , Wheeler Quentin D.
Published: May 2013

Names in taxonomy have seven different and important properties, some due to their existence in the context of classifications. Names confer or facilitate individuation, information storage and retrieval, and set theories of relationships, explanatory power, testable predictions, conceptual power, and language. No other way of naming in science is so powerful. And this is possible because taxonomic naming is done with full consideration of the theoretical specification of empirical data (characters) and their correspondence among taxa via homology statements. Since Darwin and Hennig, sets of homologous characters distributed among taxa allow precise hypotheses of a genealogical relationship, and this relationship is reflected in the way naming results in a classification.
Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass patients hospitalized for substance use disorders achieve successful weight loss despite poor psychosocial outcomes
Authors: Pulcini M. E. , Saules K. K. , Schuh L. M.
Published: May 2013

An emerging body of literature indicates that Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients may be at a heightened risk for substance use disorders (SUDs) after surgery. Little is known about how weight loss and psychosocial outcomes of RYGB patients who develop SUD differ from those who do not. The present study compared weight loss and psychosocial outcomes of 26 post‐RYGB patients in inpatient SUD treatment with those of 26 RYGB patients who did not evidence problematic substance use in the post‐operative period. SUD and control cases were matched on age, sex and time lapse since surgery. No significant differences in % total weight loss or % excess weight loss (EWL) were found between groups. Those in SUD treatment were significantly less likely to meet the surgical failure criteria of <50% EWL but evidenced greater symptoms of depression, higher rates of probable major depressive disorder and poorer quality of life. Our findings indicate that RYGB patients hospitalized for SUDs achieve successful weight loss despite having poor psychosocial outcomes.
The determinants of cross‐border bank flows to emerging markets
Authors: Herrmann Sabine , Mihaljek Dubravko
Published: May 2013

This paper studies the determinants of cross‐border bank lending on a panel dataset comprising 17 advanced and 28 emerging market economies from 1993 to 2008. The empirical framework is based on a gravity model of financial flows. Our main findings are that the decrease in cross‐border lending in the 2007–2008 crisis was mostly due to global rather than country‐specific risk factors, and that central and eastern Europe was less affected by this decrease than other emerging market regions because of its stronger financial and monetary ties with creditor countries, and its relatively sound banking systems. These results are fairly robust to several different specifications, sub‐samples and econometric methodologies.
Why Triptan Treatment Can Fail: Focus on Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Migraine
Authors: Newman Lawrence C.
Published: May 2013

Background

Results of randomized, double‐blind, controlled studies establish the efficacy of triptans in the acute treatment of migraine, but triptan benefits demonstrated in clinical trials have not consistently been realized in clinical practice. This paper explores the contribution of gastrointestinal manifestations of migraine – namely nausea (with or without vomiting) and gastroparesis – to triptan treatment failure.

Synthesis

Migraine‐related nausea and vomiting and migraine‐associated gastroparesis appear to be prevalent and highly impactful and have been characterized as being among the greatest challenges affecting migraine care today. These gastrointestinal signs and symptoms have not been satisfactorily taken into account in the management of migraine, which is dominated by the use of oral therapies. Oral triptans are not the optimal therapy in the presence of migraine‐related nausea because nausea predicts poor response to oral triptans and because nausea can cause patients to delay oral treatment, which can further compromise therapeutic efficacy. Oral triptans are not the optimal therapy in the presence of migraine‐associated gastroparesis because these agents rely on gastric motility and gastrointestinal absorption and may be ineffective or slowly or inconsistently effective in the presence of gastroparesis. Health care providers need to work with their patients to address the still‐all‐too‐frequent problem of treatment failure in migraine. First, health care providers need to have greater appreciation of the importance of nausea, vomiting, and gastroparesis as factors affecting migraine prognosis and treatment success. Second, health care providers need to systematically assess migraine patients for gastrointestinal signs and symptoms. Finally, patients and health care providers need to be willing to practice customized migraine care, in which patients tailor the treatment and formulation to the characteristics and context of the individual migraine episode.
Influence of Random Measurement Error on Estimated Rates of Headache Chronification and Remission
Authors: Houle Timothy T. , Turner Dana P. , Smitherman Todd A. , Penzien Donald B. , Lipton Richard B.
Published: May 2013

Objective

To examine the potential influence of random measurement error on estimated rates of chronification and remission.

Background

Studies of headache chronification and remission examine the proportion of headache sufferers that move across a boundary of 15 headache days per month between 2 points in time. At least part of that apparent movement may represent measurement error or random variation in headache activity over time.

Methods

A mathematical simulation was conducted to examine the influence of varying degrees of measurement error on rates of chronic migraine onset and remission. Using data from the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention Study, we estimated a starting distribution of headache days from 0 to 30 in the migraine population. Assuming various levels of measurement error, we then simulated 2 sets of data for Time 1 and Time 2. The “individuals” in this study were assumed to have no real change in headache frequency from Time 1 to Time 2. The observed variations in headache frequency were those influenced by imputed random variance to resemble typical measurement error or natural variability. Using this simulation approach, we estimated the amount of chronification and remission rates that might be attributed simply to statistical artifacts such as unreliability or regression to the mean.

Results

As the degree of measurement error increased, the amounts of illusory chronification and remission increased substantially. For example, if the headache frequency of sufferers randomly varies by only 2 headache days each month due to chance alone, a substantial degree of illusory chronification (0.6% to 1.3%) and illusory remission (10.3% to 23.5%) rates are expected simply due to random variation.

Conclusions

Random variation, without real change, has the potential to influence estimated rates of progression and remission in longitudinal migraine studies. The magnitude of random variation needed to fully reproduce observed rates of progression and remission are implausibly large. Recommendations are offered to improve estimation of rates of progression and remission, reducing the influence of random variation.
Methodological Issues in Studying Rates and Predictors of Migraine Progression and Remission
Authors: Lipton Richard B. , Penzien Donald B. , Turner Dana P. , Smitherman Todd A , Houle Timothy T.
Published: May 2013

Background.—

The progression and remission of migraine and the risk factors that determine the course of illness have been intensively studied for the past decade.

Methods.—

In this fourth paper in a series of methodological articles, we summarize crucial issues that influence studies of migraine clinical course, and suggest directions and opportunities for future research.

Results.—

Defining chronic migraine (CM) based on 15 or more headache days per month is problematic because headache frequency varies from month to month. We propose methods of defining CM as a trait and not as a state of headache frequency. Our notions of progression and remission, defined by the crossing of an arbitrary frequency boundary, are also problematic; we propose alternative approaches. Measuring headache frequency is challenging because of measurement error, temporal sampling error, and real change over time.

Conclusions.—

We suggest alternative approaches for defining migraine subtypes, measuring change in frequency, defining progression and remission, and modeling change over time. Our suggestions are intended to encourage dialogue and need refinement and evaluation. Our long‐term goal is to improve classification and measurement to facilitate the discovery of risk factors, genes, and other biological processes that determine the onset and course of migraine.
Comparative evaluation of chlorhexidine varnish and fluoride varnish on plaque Streptococcus mutans count – an in vivo study
Authors: Sajjan PG , Nagesh L , Sajjanar M , Reddy SKK , Venktesh UG
Published: May 2013

Aim

The aim of the study was to assess and compare the effect of chlorhexidine varnish and fluoride varnish application on Streptococcus mutans counts in plaque of occlusal pits and fissures of permanent mandibular first molars.

Materials and methods

The study was an in vivo comparative study, conducted among 50 schoolchildren aged 7–8 years under a field setting. The 50 subjects were randomly allocated into two groups. Baseline plaque samples were collected from all the subjects followed by the application of two varnishes, Cervitec and Duraphat. The varnish was applied to pit and fissures of occlusal surface of mandibular first molar. The varnish application was carried out on the first day, fifth day and tenth day after baseline plaque sampling. Subsequent plaque samples were collected at the end of 1 month and at the end of 3 months after the varnish application.

Results

The Cervitec varnish has shown a statistically significant reduction at the end of 1 month and at the end of 3 months (P < 0.05). Duraphat varnish did not show a statistically significant difference in reducing the plaque S. mutans count at the end of 1 month and third month (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Cervitec varnish was found to be effective in reducing S. mutans count for a 3‐month period, when compared to Duraphat varnish.
Influence of temperature and storage duration on measurement of activated partial thromboplastin time, D‐dimers, fibrinogen, prothrombin time and thrombin time, in citrate‐anticoagulated whole blood specimens
Authors: Zhao Y. , Lv G.
Published: May 2013

Introduction

We report the effect of temperature and storage duration on a range of haematological analytes: activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), D‐dimers, fibrinogen (Fbg), prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT). All analytes were measured using a Sysmex CA7000 System with SIEMENS reagents.

Methods

One hundred and sixty patients were divided into two groups: samples from group A (80 patients) were used to assess the effect of storage at room temperature (RT) (0, 4, 8 and 24 h), and samples from group B (80 patients) were used to determine the effect of storage at 4 °C. Percentage changes compared with baseline results (T = 0 result) were calculated, and clinically relevant differences were defined as a percentage change of >10%.

Results

Changes in APTT, D‐dimer, Fbg, PT and TT results following 4, 8 and 24 h storage were statistically significant at RT and 4 °C. For D‐dimer, Fbg, PT and TT at both RT and 4 °C, the mean percentage changes after all storage periods were <10%, but for APTT, the mean percentage change following 24 h storage was >10% and exceeded the analytical within‐batch imprecision.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that a storage time interval up to 24 h for D‐dimers, Fbg, PT, and TT, and 8 h for APTT at either RT or 4 °C is acceptable.
Quality and substance of educational strategies for mental health in undergraduate nursing curricula
Authors: Neville Christine , Goetz Sandra
Published: May 2013

In Australia, there is a workforce shortage of nurses in the mental health sector, and it is essential that universities play a part in the recruitment of nurses to work in this area. In this article, we present a literature review of educational strategies for mental health in undergraduate nursing curricula and how these align with the recommendations of the Mental Health Nurse Education Task Force. We reviewed quantitative and qualitative research from 2005 to 2012. Twelve studies from Australia and elsewhere of different types of educational courses and strategies were included for this review. The key topics identified were in relation to a general overview of programmes outlining the content and outcomes, clinical placement strategies, involvement of consumers and mental health nurses in curriculum delivery and oversight, e‐learning strategies, and implementation of mental health majors. Finally, limitations with considering the literature as a whole were highlighted, and recommendations made for future changes and research.
The Resources Boom and Economic Policy in the Long Run
Authors: Sheehan Peter , Gregory Robert G.
Published: May 2013

Australia's current resources boom has three elements: high terms of trade, strong investment and increased resource exports. For a decade, the net effect has been strongly positive: the boost to incomes and activity from the first two has more than offset the impact of the high Australian dollar. But, both resource investment and the terms of trade will fall in due course and the economy will face a major deflationary shock. A sustained policy response will be needed that recognises the limits of monetary policy and hence involves fiscal stimulus, together with innovative approaches to ensure that infrastructure investment rises rapidly.
A retrospective study of gender differences in depressive symptoms and risk of relapse in patients with alcohol dependence
Authors: Abulseoud Osama A. , Karpyak Victor M. , Schneekloth Terry , Hall‐Flavin Daniel K. , Loukianova Larissa L. , Geske Jennifer R. , Biernacka Joanna M. , Mrazek David A. , Frye Mark A.
Published: May 2013

Background and Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate potential gender differences in situations associated with heavy alcohol drinking.

Methods

Data from 395 alcohol dependent patients participating in the Mayo Clinic Intensive Addiction Program were evaluated. Each participant completed the inventory of drug taking situations (IDTS), Penn alcohol craving scale (PACS), patient health questionnaire (PHQ‐9), and/or Beck depression inventory (BDI). Gender differences in IDTS scores representing three domains (negative, positive, and temptation) of situations associated with heavy alcohol use were examined.

Results

Women with alcohol dependence report a higher frequency of heavy drinking in unpleasant emotional (IDTS negative scores mean ± SD women vs. men: 52.3 ± 22.1 vs. 43.8 ± 21.8; p = .0006), and as a result of temptation (IDTS temptation scores mean ± SD women vs. men: 40.4 ± 23.0 vs. 35.3 ± 20.8; p = .035). Upon admission, women also scored significantly higher on depressive symptoms as measured by the BDI (23.4 ± 11.4 vs. 18.2 ± 9.8, p < .001). After controlling for depressive symptom severity as a covariate, the IDTS gender differences were no longer significant.

Conclusion and Scientific Significance

Our results suggest that unpleasant or temptation based emotional situations are a vulnerability risk factor for heavy drinking particularly in females. This risk appears to be at least partially driven by depressive symptom burden. Future research is needed to further investigate this finding. (Am J Addict 2013;22:437–442)
Leaf Cell‐Wall Components as Influenced in the First Phase of Salt Stress in Three Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids Differing in Salt Resistance
Authors: Uddin M. N. , Hanstein S. , Leubner R. , Schubert S.
Published: May 2013

The leaf cell wall (CW) chemical composition of three maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids (salt‐resistant SR 03 and SR 12, salt‐sensitive Pioneer 3906) was investigated in the first phase of salt stress (100 mm NaCl) compared with the control (1 mm NaCl) treatment to investigate whether changes in CW composition were responsible for shoot growth reduction. Salt treatment caused a strong inhibition in shoot growth with a concomitant increase in the ratio between CW dry mass (DM) and shoot fresh mass (FM) and a decrease in CW cellulose concentrations in all hybrids. NaCl caused a large increase in the concentrations of total and non‐methylated uronic acid (UA) in salt‐sensitive Pioneer 3906 and salt‐resistant SR 12. The onset of the accumulation of non‐methylated UA was delayed in SR 12, which indicates that this may be one reason for the better growth performance of this hybrid under salt stress compared with Pioneer 3906. It is concluded that a low accumulation of non‐methylated UA in leaf CW may, among other mechanisms, contribute to salt resistance in the first phase of salt stress.
Effects of soybean product intake on fasting and postload hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes in Japanese men with high body mass index: The Saku Study
Authors: Tatsumi Yukako , Morimoto Akiko , Deura Kijyo , Mizuno Shoichi , Ohno Yuko , Watanabe Shaw
Published: May 2013

Aims/Introduction

The inverse association between soybean intake and type 2 diabetes mellitus has been reported. We investigated the effects of soybean product intake on the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus considering fasting and postload hyperglycemia.

Materials and Methods

The present 4‐year, cohort study included 1,738 men and 1,301 women, aged 30–69 years, without diabetes mellitus at baseline who underwent comprehensive medical check‐ups between April 2006 and March 2007 at Saku Central Hospital. Participants were stratified by sex and body mass index (BMI), and further classified into three groups based on soybean product intake: group 1 (0–1 time/week), group 2 (2–3 times/week) and group 3 (four or more times per week). Participants underwent annual standard 75‐g oral glucose tolerance testing during follow‐up periods until March 2011. Main outcomes were incidence of fasting hyperglycemia, postload hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Results

During 10,503 person‐years of follow up, 204 participants developed type 2 diabetes mellitus, including 61 who developed fasting hyperglycemia and 147 who developed postload hyperglycemia. Among men with a high BMI, group 3 had significantly lower risk for the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, fasting hyperglycemia and postload hyperglycemia than group 1, and multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were 0.44 (0.22–0.89), 0.36 (0.15–0.96) and 0.40 (0.18–0.92), respectively. Similar results were not observed among men with low BMI or women.

Conclusions

Soybean product intake prevented fasting and postload hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus in men with a high BMI. Further long‐term observation is necessary.
Evaluation of a 5‐year cervical cancer prevention project in Indonesia: Opportunities, issues, and challenges
Authors: Kim Young‐Mi , Lambe Fransisca Maria , Soetikno Djoko , Wysong Megan , Tergas Ana Isabel , Rajbhandari Presha , Ati Abigael , Lu Enriquito
Published: May 2013

Aim

The Cervical and Breast Cancer Prevention (CECAP) Project sought to develop a national model for cervical cancer prevention in Indonesia based on visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) to detect abnormal changes in the cervix. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a pilot project introducing VIA and cryotherapy in Indonesia and to identify lessons learned that could be applied to the national scale‐up of cervical cancer prevention services.

Material and Methods

Fifty‐four months (July 2007 to December 2011) of service records at 17 health centers were abstracted and analyzed. The data were used to calculate the proportion of all women aged 30–50 who received VIA screening, the VIA‐positive rate, the treatment rate, and the interval between screening and treatment.

Results

The 45 050 women screened during the project included 24.4% of the total female population in the target age group in the catchment area. Throughout the 5‐year project, 83.1% of VIA‐positive women sought cryotherapy. During the last 18 months of the project, after data collection tools were revised to more accurately reflect when cryotherapy was received, 13% of women were treated on the same day that they were screened. Among the 74% of women treated within 1 month of screening, the mean interval between screening and treatment was 7.2 days.

Conclusion

As cervical cancer prevention services are scaled up throughout Indonesia, changes in the service delivery model and program management are needed to increase screening coverage, promote a single‐visit approach, and ensure the quality of services.
Late presentation of canine nasal tumours in aUKreferral hospital and treatment outcomes
Authors: Mason S. L. , Maddox T. W. , Lillis S. M. , Blackwood L.
Published: May 2013

Objectives

To determine the computed tomographic stage of dogs with nasal tumours in aUKreferral population, and whether stage, time to referral and treatment correlates with outcome.

Methods

Retrospective review of clinical records and computed tomography scans of dogs with nasal tumours.

Results

Dogs (n=78) presented to a referral practice in theUKwith suspected nasal tumours are presented with more late stage tumours than dogs in theUSAand Japan. Length of time from initial presentation to referral did not correlate with tumour stage at diagnosis. Median survival times for radiotherapy‐treated dogs in this population are equivalent to those previously reported for late stage nasal tumours.

Clinical Significance

Dogs with nasal tumours are presented late in the course of disease in the North West of England. Dogs with clinical signs consistent with a nasal tumour should have timely imaging and biopsy, in order to make prompt treatment decisions. Although survival times are comparable with previous reports and radiotherapy is a valid treatment option for dogs with late stage disease, better outcomes are likely to be achievable with earlier treatment.
Narrative Theory and the Sciences of Mind
Authors: Herman David
Published: May 2013

Studies situated at the intersection between narrative theory and the sciences of mind share a common focus on mental capacities and dispositions that provide grounds for – or, conversely, are grounded in – narrative experiences. Two broad questions are therefore centrally relevant for this domain of inquiry: How do stories across media interlock with interpreters' mental capacities and dispositions, thus giving rise to narrative experiences? and How (to what extent, in what specific ways) does narrative scaffold efforts to make sense of experience itself? Analysts engaging with these questions have drawn on work in psychology, linguistics, the philosophy of mind, cognitive anthropology, and other fields as a source domain for concepts they seek to map onto the target domain of narrative studies. If research on narrative and mind is to become a bona fide interdiscipline, however, theorists need to move beyond one‐way borrowing and engage in genuine dialog and exchange, in part by establishing the relevance of traditions of narrative inquiry – the pertinence of ideas developed by scholars of story – for research on the scope and nature of intelligent activity. Using Ambrose Bierce's 1890 story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” as an illustrative example, the present essay seeks to demonstrate how this kind of “transdisciplinary” approach to issues of narrative and mind can translate into practical strategies for engaging with specific stories. At the same time, the essay suggests that because the interrelations between narrative and mind cannot be exhaustively characterized by the arts and humanities, by the social sciences, or by the natural sciences taken alone, open, reciprocal exchanges across these fields of endeavor rather than unidirectional borrowing from a particular field that thereby becomes dominant are likely to promote the most productive interactions between narratology and the cognitive sciences.
Scholarship in Victorian Women and Medicine: An Overview
Authors: Swenson Kristine
Published: May 2013

Since the mid‐1980s, scholars in the history of medicine, social history, women's studies, rhetoric, and literary/cultural studies have all recognized that women and medicine came together in particularly interesting ways in the nineteenth century. Between 1985 and 1990, feminists from across the disciplines drew upon a disparate array of more traditional scholarship to produce books that laid the groundwork for studies on Victorian women and medicine, books whose claims are still being tested and spun out in new scholarship. But although scholars in these various fields have borrowed liberally from one another's work, their critical assumptions and methodologies are often quite different. This essay provides an overview of the scholarship in Victorian women and medicine over the past several decades and suggests how the best recent work in the field attempts to achieve true interdisciplinarity.
Data Processing of Point Clouds for Object Detection for Structural Engineering Applications
Authors: Walsh Sara B. , Borello Daniel J. , Guldur Burcu , Hajjar Jerome F.
Published: May 2013

This research investigates the use of high‐resolution three‐dimensional terrestrial laser scanners as tools to capture geometric range data of complex scenes for structural engineering applications. Laser scanning technology is continuously improving, with commonly available scanners now able to capture over 1,000,000 points per second with an accuracy of ∼0.1 mm. This research focuses on developing the foundation toward the use of laser scanning to structural engineering applications, including structural health monitoring, collapse assessment, and post‐hazard response assessment. One of the keys to this work is to establish a process for extracting important information from raw laser‐scanned data sets such as the location, orientation, and size of objects in a scene, and location of damaged regions on a structure. A methodology for processing range data to identify objects in the scene is presented. Previous work in this area has created an initial foundation of basic data processing steps. Existing algorithms, including sharp feature detection and segmentation are implemented and extended in this work. Additional steps to remove extraneous and outlying points are added. Object detection based on a predefined library is developed allowing generic description of objects. The algorithms are demonstrated on synthetic scenes as well as validated on range data collected from an experimental test specimen and a collapsed bridge. The accuracy of the object detection is presented, demonstrating the applicability of the methodology. These additional steps and modifications to existing algorithms are presented to advance the performance of data processing on laser scan range data sets for future application in structural engineering applications such as robust determination of damage location and finite element modeling.
Inflammatory factors for hypoalbuminemia in Japanese peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Shioya Masuyo , Yoshida Takuya , Kasai Kenji , Furuya Ryuichi , Kato Akihiko , Mori Noriko , Matsumoto Yoshihiro , Kumagai Hiromichi
Published: May 2013

Aim

Hypoalbuminaemia is a common complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD), and the leakage of albumin through peritoneal membrane may be a principal reason for hypoalbuminaemia. However, the relationship between peritoneal inflammation, peritoneal transport properties and hypoalbuminaemia has not been fully elucidated.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed on 76 Japanese PD patients who had been using a low‐glucose PD solution and icodextrin. Systemic inflammatory markers of C‐reactive protein (CRP) and serum interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), peritoneal effluent markers of dialysate IL‐6 and CA125, the dialysate‐to‐plasma ratio of creatinine (D/Pcr) and the dialysate protein concentration were measured and examined for their relationship with hypoalbuminaemia.

Results

There was a significant positive correlation between serum IL‐6 and dialysate IL‐6, mean dialysate IL‐6 being significantly higher than mean serum IL‐6, suggesting that intraperitoneal inflammation was a principal origin of systemic inflammation. Both serum and dialysate IL‐6 were significantly correlated with serum albumin (r = −0.25, P < 0.05 and r = −0.32, P < 0.01, respectively). Dialysate IL‐6 was significantly correlated with D/Pcr and the dialysate protein concentration, and there was a significantly positive association between D/Pcr and the dialysate protein concentration. Dialysate CA125, which is argued to be a marker of mesothelial cell mass in this study, was positively correlated with D/Pcr and the dialysate protein concentration. The dialysate protein, dialysate IL‐6 and dialysate CA125 all increased according to the peritoneal transport rate defined by D/Pcr. A multiple‐regression analysis showed that serum albumin was independently associated with the age, D/Pcr and serum IL‐6.

Conclusion

Hypoalbuminaemia was attributable to both the increased peritoneal permeability and systemic inflammation, and intraperitoneal inflammation might contribute to developing these complications.
A new anaplerotic respiratory pathway involving lysine biosynthesis in isocitrate dehydrogenase‐deficient Arabidopsis mutants
Authors: Boex‐Fontvieille Edouard R. A. , Gauthier Paul P. G. , Gilard Françoise , Hodges Michael , Tcherkez Guillaume G. B.
Published: May 2013

The cornerstone of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) metabolic interactions – respiration – is presently not well understood in plant cells: the source of the key intermediate 2‐oxoglutarate (2OG), to which reduced N is combined to yield glutamate and glutamine, remains somewhat unclear.

We took advantage of combined mutations of NAD‐ and NADP‐dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase activity and investigated the associated metabolic effects in Arabidopsis leaves (the major site of N assimilation in this genus), using metabolomics and 13C‐labelling techniques.

We show that a substantial reduction in leaf isocitrate dehydrogenase activity did not lead to changes in the respiration efflux rate but respiratory metabolism was reorchestrated: 2OG production was supplemented by a metabolic bypass involving both lysine synthesis and degradation.

Although the recycling of lysine has long been considered important in sustaining respiration, we show here that lysine neosynthesis itself participates in an alternative respiratory pathway. Lys metabolism thus contributes to explaining the metabolic flexibility of plant leaves and the effect (or the lack thereof) of respiratory mutations.
Geological and ecological factors drive cryptic speciation of yews in a biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Liu Jie , Möller Michael , Provan Jim , Gao Lian‐Ming , Poudel Ram Chandra , Li De‐Zhu
Published: May 2013

The interplay of orographic uplift and climatic changes in the Himalaya‐Hengduan Mountains region (HHM) have had a key role in speciation and population demography. To gain further insight into these processes, we investigated their effects on Taxus wallichiana by combining molecular phylogeography and species distribution modeling.

Molecular data were obtained from 43 populations of T. wallichiana. Nineteen climatic variables were analyzed alongside genetic discontinuities. Species distribution modeling was carried out to predict potential past distribution ranges.

Two distinct lineages were identified, which diverged c. 4.2 (2.0–6.5) million years ago (Ma), a timescale that corresponds well with the recent uplift of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau and subsequent climatic changes of the region. Correlations with climatic variables also suggest that ecological factors may have further reinforced the separation of the two lineages. Both lineages experienced population expansion during the last glaciation.

The high genetic divergence, long‐term isolation and ecological differentiation suggest a scenario of cryptic speciation in T. wallichiana associated with geological and climatic changes in the HHM. Our findings also challenge the notion of general population ‘contraction’ during the last glaciation in the HHM.
Optimization of BY‐2 cell suspension culture medium for the production of a human antibody using a combination of fractional factorial designs and the response surface method
Authors: Vasilev Nikolay , Grömping Ulrike , Lipperts Anja , Raven Nicole , Fischer Rainer , Schillberg Stefan
Published: May 2013

We have developed a strategy for the optimization of plant cell suspension culture media using a combination of fractional factorial designs (FFDs) and response surface methodology (RSM). This sequential approach was applied to transformed tobacco BY‐2 cells secreting a human antibody (M12) into the culture medium, in an effort to maximize yields. We found that the nutrients KNO3, NH4NO3 and CaCl2 and the hormones 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4–D) and 6‐benzylaminopurine (BAP) had the most significant impact on antibody accumulation. The factorial screening revealed strong interactions within the nutrients group (KNO3, NH4NO3 and CaCl2) and also individually between 2,4‐D and three other components (KNO3, NH4NO3 and BAP). The RSM design resulted in a fivefold increase in the antibody concentration after 5 days and a twofold reduction in the packed cell volume (PCV). Longer cultivation in the optimized medium led to the further accumulation of antibody M12 in the culture medium (up to 107 μg/mL, day 10). Because the packed cell volume was reduced in the optimized medium, this enhanced the overall yield by 20‐fold (day 7) and 31‐fold (day 10) compared to the conventional MS medium.
Cultural Ecosystem Services and Popular Perceptions of the Benefits of an Ecological Restoration Project in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Brancalion Pedro H. S. , Cardozo Ines Villarroel , Camatta Allan , Aronson James , Rodrigues Ricardo R.
Published: May 2013

It is essential to understand how ecological restoration (ER) improves human well‐being in order to justify more investments and upscaling in this emergent field of action. As part of a 22‐year‐old, 80 ha ER project being carried out around a water reservoir that supplies drinking water to the city of Iracemápolis (population 19,700), in the mega‐diversity Atlantic Forest biome of Brazil, we assessed local community perceptions of the tangible and intangible benefits expected to arise from this project. A detailed questionnaire was completed for 292 members of the local community to gauge perceptions of benefits arising from various cultural and provisioning ecosystem services (ESs; especially safe and clean drinking water) provided by the 80 ha forest restoration project. A striking 94% of those interviewed wanted more ER projects in their community. Participants reported an appreciation for cultural ESs such as esthetic landscape improvement, tourism, recreation, as well as various religious, spiritual, and educational services. In addition, 87% of interviewees believed that the restoration project improved the quality of their drinking water, and 63% said they would agree to an increase in water tariffs if the proceeds were to be invested in more forest restoration. Judging from this study, investigation and subsequent communication of popular perceptions of the various benefits of ER projects could promote consensus‐building and support for projects among stakeholders, and inform governmental and societal investments in restoration.
Emotion Regulation Frequency and Success: Separating Constructs from Methods and Time Scale
Authors: McRae Kateri
Published: May 2013

Research on emotion regulation (ER) has largely focused upon two related lines of inquiry: ER frequency and ER success. First, research on ER frequency has focused upon the relationship between how often individuals attempt to use ER strategies in everyday life which is typically measured by subjective reports on questionnaires and interpreted as trait ER. Second, research on ER success has focused on the degree to which experimentally instructed use of different strategies results in change of one or more measures of affect as measured by relatively objective measures. Therefore, distinctions between ER frequency and success are very often confounded by time scale (ER frequency measured in the long‐term, ER success measured in the short‐term) and methods (ER frequency measured with subjective questionnaires, ER success measured with more objective affective variables). I offer examples from the literature on ER and offer suggestions for ways to uncouple ER frequency and success from the methods that are currently being used to measure them. Clarity on the distinction between these constructs should lead to the most appropriate interpretation of results from current studies and more precisely inform clinical interventions that target one or more ER process.
Algorithms for the determination of unacceptable HLA antigen mismatches in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Süsal C. , Roelen D. L. , Fischer G. , Campos E. F. , Gerbase‐DeLima M. , Hönger G. , Schaub S. , Lachmann N. , Martorell J. , Claas F.
Published: May 2013

One of the major tasks of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) laboratories is the pretransplant determination of unacceptable HLA antigen mismatches (UAM) in organ transplant recipients. HLA antigen specificities are determined against which the patient has circulating alloantibodies that are expected to harm the transplanted organ. Using the information on UAM, negative crossmatch (XM) prediction or ‘virtual XM’ is possible when a potential donor's complete HLA typing is available. Before the introduction of solid‐phase antibody detection assays, UAM were determined using the complement‐dependent cytotoxicity methodology. After the introduction of the single antigen bead technique, however, various UAM determination algorithms have emerged. In this report, six different laboratories worldwide present how they determine UAM in their collective of kidney transplant recipients in the pretransplant phase and proceed thereafter to transplantation.
Transfusion and hematologic variables after fibrinogen or platelet transfusion in valve replacement surgery: preliminary data of purified lyophilized human fibrinogen concentrate versus conventional transfusion
Authors: Tanaka Kenichi A. , Egan Katherine , Szlam Fania , Ogawa Satoru , Roback John D. , Sreeram Gautam , Guyton Robert A. , Chen Edward P.
Published: May 2013

Background

Platelet (PLT) and plasma transfusion remain the mainstay hemostatic therapy for perioperative bleeding. Several studies have indicated that acquired fibrinogen (FIB) deficiency can be the primary cause of bleeding after cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to compare hematologic and transfusion profiles between the first‐line FIB replacement and PLT transfusion in post–cardiac surgical bleeding.

Study Design and Methods

In this prospective, randomized, open‐label study, 20 adult patients who underwent valve replacement or repair and fulfilled preset visual bleeding scale were randomized to 4 g of FIB or 1 unit of apheresis PLTs. Primary endpoints included hemostatic condition in the surgical field and 24‐hour hemostatic product usage. Hematologic data, clinical outcome, and safety data were collected up to the 28th day postoperative visit.

Results

In patients who received the first‐line FIB concentrate (n = 10), the visual bleeding scale improved after intervention, and the incidence of PLT transfusion and total plasma donor exposure were lower compared to the PLT group (n = 10). Postintervention FIB level was statistically higher (209 mg/dL vs. 165 mg/dL) in the FIB group than in the PLT group, but PLT count and prothrombin were lower. There were no statistical differences in the postoperative blood loss and red blood cell transfusion between two groups.

Conclusions

Our preliminary data indicate that the primary FIB replacement may potentially reduce the incidence of PLT transfusion and the number of donor exposures. Plasma FIB level of 200 mg/dL is attainable with a single dose of 4 g, and this level seems to mitigate bleeding despite moderately decreased thrombin generation.
THORACIC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, ANGIOGRAPHIC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, AND PATHOLOGY FINDINGS IN SIX CATS EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH AELUROSTRONGYLUS ABSTRUSUS
Authors: Dennler Matthias , Bass Danielle A. , Gutierrez‐Crespo Beatriz , Schnyder Manuela , Guscetti Franco , Di Cesare Angela , Deplazes Peter , Kircher Patrick R. , Glaus Tony M.
Published: May 2013

Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection is common in endemic areas and may cause severe respiratory clinical signs. Computed tomography (CT) is an important tool to diagnose pulmonary disease, because it allows detection of small lesions and discrimination of superimposed structures. The purpose of this study was to characterize by CT and angiographic CT the pulmonary lesions in six cats before, and 48 and 81 days after inoculation with 100 or 800 A. abstrusus infective larvae. Histological examination of the accessory lung lobe was performed to determine the microscopic, pathomorphologic correlate of the CT findings. The predominant CT lesion consisted of multiple nodules of varying size distributed throughout the lungs, severity depending on infectious dose. The histological correlate of the nodular lesions was multifocal dense granulomatous to mixed inflammatory cell infiltrates, including eosinophils distributed in the parenchyma and obliterating the alveoli. Marked, multifocal, dose‐dependent thickening of the bronchi and adjacent interstitial changes blurred the margins of the outer serosal surface of the bronchi and vessels. Histologically, this was due to peribronchial mixed cell inflammation. During the course of infection some of the nodular and peribronchial changes were replaced by areas of ground‐glass opacity. In addition to providing detailed depiction of pulmonary lesions resulting from an infectious cause and clearly defining lesions with respect to time and severity of infection, CT allowed quantitative assessment of bronchial thickness and lymph node size during the course of disease. Findings indicated that CT characteristics of this disease are consistent with pathologic findings.
Achieving Minimum Settling Time Subject to Undershoot Constraint in Systems With One or Two Real Right Half Plane Zeros
Authors: Zhao Shen , Xue Wenchao , Gao Zhiqiang
Published: May 2013

This note concerns with the problem of achieving minimum settling time in linear systems with one or two real right half plane (RHP) zeros subject to the condition that undershoot does not exceed a given threshold. Such problem is of great practical significance, but it has not been formally addressed, to our knowledge. Time optimal control solutions for such systems are readily available based on the well known optimal control theory, but it does not address the practical consideration that the “wrong way response,” i.e., undershoot, must be limited. To be sure, the relationship between the minimum settling time and the undershoot constraint for systems with one or two real RHP zeros has already been given in the literature. How to find the control signal that achieves the minimum settling time, however, is still an open question. In this paper, such control signal is obtained constructively and, combined with feedback, is shown to be rather effective in controlling the system in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances, as shown in simulation.
Adhesion of a Cylindrical Shell in the Presence of DLVO Surface Potential
Authors: Shi Jiayi , Müftü Sinan , Gu April , Wan Kai-tak
Published: May 2013

A theoretical model is built for a micrometer size cylindrical shell adhering to a rigid surface in the presence of an electrolyte. In the presence of surface electrostatic double layers and van der Waals attraction according to the Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory, the shell deforms and settles in either the primary (1min) or secondary (2min) energy minimum depending on whether it has sufficient energy to overcome the repulsive energy barrier. The adhesion-detachment mechanics are constructed and solved computationally, yielding the relations between applied load, deformed profile, and mechanical stress distribution in the shell. The critical compressive load needed for transition from 2min to 1min is found for several repulsive barrier heights. At a critical pull-off tensile force, shell in the 1min detaches spontaneously at a nonzero contact area, but the one in the 2min detaches smoothly with the contact shrinking to a line contact. The model is relevant to bacterial adhesion in environmental engineering and microelectromechanical systems for microfluidics applications.