bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of stance angle on postural stability and performance with national‐standard air pistol competitors
Authors: Hawkins Richard Nelson
Published: January 2013

The effects of stance angle on postural stability and shooting processes were studied using eight national‐standard male air‐pistol shooters. Each shooter performed 60 shots each in four stance angles (0°, 15°, 30° and 45° from the line of fire). Postural stability was determined by measuring change in centre of pressure with a dual‐force platform system assessing centre‐of‐pressure (COP) excursion (average difference of the centre of pressure from the mean) and COP speed (total COP path divided by time). Shooting process measures were determined by using a NOPTEL ST‐2000 optoelectronic system. Score was assessed with a Sius Ascor S10 electronic scoring system. The results revealed no significant difference among the various stance angles; COP excursion or COP speed, p>0.05. Results indicated a significant stance angle effect with the shooting process measure, hit fine (percentage of hold within an area the size of the 10‐ring when centred over the actual shot; p = 0.025) and the shooting performance measure adjusted score (raw score adjusted for true zero; p=0.008). Moreover, best overall performance was with a stance angle of 15°. These findings suggest that stance angle may affect pistol stability and performance in air‐pistol athletes.
Indirect measures of substrate utilisation following exercise‐induced muscle damage
Authors: Hughes Jonathan , Chapman Phillip , Brown Stephen , Johnson Nathan , Stannard Stephen
Published: January 2013

This study investigated whether exercise‐induced muscle damage (EIMD) resulted in changes to whole‐body substrate utilisation during exercise performed during the subsequent 48 hours. Eight males (31±6 years) performed 30 minutes of bench‐stepping exercise. One leg performed eccentric contractions (Ecc) by lowering the body whilst the control leg performed concentric contractions (Con) by raising the body. On the two days following bench‐stepping exercise participants performed measures of muscle function on an isokinetic dynamometer and undertook a bout of one leg cycling exercise, at two differing workloads, with the first workload (WL1) at 1.5±0.25 W/kg and the second workload (WL2) at 1.8±0.25 W/kg with each leg. Expired respiratory gases were collected during cycling to estimate whole body substrate utilisation. There were significant decrements in measures of muscular performance (isometric force, concentric and eccentric torque) and increased perception of soreness in Ecc compared with Con (P < 0.05). The effect of the Ecc treatment on substrate utilisation during one‐legged cycling revealed a significant trial×time interaction with higher rates of CHO oxidation in the Ecc condition compared with Con that were further increased 48 hours later (P = 0.02). A significant treatment×time×effort interaction (P < 0.01) indicated the effect of the treatment altered as workload increased with higher rates of CHO oxidation occurring in WL2. This is consistent with greater reliance upon muscle glycogen. Suggesting that in EIMD, reductions in strength and increased feelings of soreness can be associated with greater reliance upon intramuscular CHO oxidation, than lipid, during subsequent concentric work.
Prognostic relevance of a non‐invasive evaluation of right ventricular function and pulmonary artery pressure in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Ghio Stefano , Temporelli Pier Luigi , Klersy Catherine , Simioniuc Anca , Girardi Bruna , Scelsi Laura , Rossi Andrea , Cicoira Mariantonietta , Genta Franco Tarro , Dini Frank L.
Published: January 2013

Aim

To determine the prognostic relevance of the echocardiographic evaluation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction have both been associated with poor prognosis in CHF.

Methods and results

A complete echocardiographic examination was performed in 658 outpatients with CHF and LVEF <45%. PASP was available in 544 (83%) patients, TAPSE in all patients, and E wave deceleration time (DT) in 643 (98%) patients. During a median follow‐up period of 38 months, 125 patients died, 5 underwent urgent heart transplantation, and 5 had an appropriately detected and treated episode of ventricular fibrillation. At Cox survival analysis (composite endpoint was death, urgent heart transplantation, and ventricular fibrillation), patients with PASP ≥40 mmHg plus TAPSE ≤14 mm had a poorer prognosis than those with high PASP but preserved TAPSE; RV dysfunction associated with normal PASP did not carry additional risks. Similar results were obtained when patients were grouped on the basis of DT (restrictive vs. non restrictive) and TAPSE.

Conclusions

A simple echocardiographic evaluation of PASP and RV function with TAPSE may improve risk stratification in patients with CHF. Importantly, if PASP cannot be recorded at echocardiography, a restrictive DT, measurable in the vast majority of patients, may be coupled with TAPSE to stratify patients.
Copper scandium zirconium phosphate: occupancy of theM1 andM2 sites in the temperature range 100–300 K
Authors: Bond Andrew D. , Warner Terence E.
Published: January 2013

The title compound, with nominal formula Cu2ScZr(PO4)3, has a beige coloration and displays fast Cu+cation conduction at elevated temperatures. It adopts a NASICON-type structure in the space groupR\overline{3}c. The examined crystal was an obverse–reverse twin with approximately equal twin components. The [ScIIIZrIV(PO4)3]2−framework is composed of corner-sharing Sc/ZrO6octahedra and PO4tetrahedra. The Sc and Zr atoms are disordered on one atomic site on a crystallographic threefold axis. The P atom of the phosphate group lies on a crystallographic twofold axis. Nonframework Cu+cations occupy three positions. Two of the Cu+positions generate an approximately circular distribution around a site of \overline{3} symmetry, referred to as theM1 site in the NASICON-type structure. The other Cu+position is situated close to the twofold symmetricM2 site, displaced into a position with a distorted square-based pyramidal coordination geometry. The structure has been determined at 100, 200 and 300 K. Changes in the refined site-occupancy factors of the Cu+positions suggest increased mobility of Cu+around the circular orbit close to theM1 site at room temperature, but no movement into or out of theM2 site. Free refinement of the Cu site-occupancy factors suggests that the formula of the crystal is Cu1.92(1)ScZr(PO4)3, which is consistent with the low-level presence of Cu2+exclusively in theM2 site.
N-(5-Amino-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridine-2-carboxamide
Authors: Hernández-Gil Javier , Ferrer Sacramento , Ballesteros Rafael , Castiñeiras Alfonso
Published: January 2013

The title compound, C8H8N6O, was obtained by the reaction of 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole with ethyl 2-picolinate in a glass oven. The dihedral angles formed between the plane of the amide group and the pyridine and triazole rings are 11.8 (3) and 5.8 (3)°, respectively. In the crystal, an extensive system of classical N—H...N and N—H...O hydrogen bonds generate an infinite three-dimensional network.
Methyl 2,4-dihydroxy-5-(2-methylpropanamido)benzoate
Authors: Naz Syeda Sohaila , Islam Nazar Ul , Tahir M. Nawaz , Shah Muhammad Raza
Published: January 2013

In the title compound, C12H15NO5, the dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the C atoms of the terminal isopropyl group is 83.48 (16)°. Intramolecular N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds generateS(5) andS(6) rings, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds, generatingC(7) chains propagating in [001]. Weak aromatic π–π stacking [centroid–centroid separation = 3.604 (3) Å] is also observed.
2-Chloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(methylamino)phenyl]acetamide
Authors: Bai Yu-Bin , Chen Xia-Hui , Ma Ya-Tuan , Zhang An-Ling , Gao Jin-Ming
Published: January 2013

The title compound, C10H13ClN2O, was obtained as a by-product in the reaction of 2-chloromethyl-1H-benzimidazole, dimethyl sulfate and toluene to synthesise 2-chloromethyl-1-methylbenzimidazole. The dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the acetamide group is 89.72  (6)° while that between the aromatic ring and the chloracetyl group is 84.40 (4)°. In the crystal, adjacent molecules are linked by pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds into inversion dimers.
Bis[μ-4-(4-carboxyphenoxy)phthalato]bis[triaquacobalt(II)]
Authors: Wang Liang
Published: January 2013

The dinuclear title complex, [Co2(C15H8O7)2(H2O)6], lies across an inversion center. The unique CoIIion is coordinated in a slightly distorted octahedral coordination geometry by two O atoms from a chelating 4-(carboxyphenoxy)phthalate ligand, three water O atoms and a further O atom from a bridging carboxylate group of a symmetry-related 4-(carboxyphenoxy)phthalate ligand. In the crystal, O—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into a three-dimensional network.
Olanzapinium dipicrate
Authors: Kavitha C. N. , Jasinski Jerry P. , Keeley Amanda C. , Yathirajan H. S. , Dayananda A. S.
Published: January 2013

The asymmetric unit of the title salt [systematic name: 2-methyl-4-(4-methylpiperazin-4-ium-1-yl)-10H-thieno[2,3-b][1,5]benzodiazepinium bis(2,4,6-trinitrophenolate)], C17H22N4S2+·2C6H2N3O7−, consists of a diprotonated olanzapinium cation and two independent picrate anions. In the cation, the piperazine ring adopts a distorted chair conformation and contains a positively charged N atom with quaternary character and the N atom in the seven-membered 1,5-diazepine ring, which adopts a boat configuration, is also protonated. The dihedral angle between the benzene and thiene rings flanking the diazepine ring is 58.8 (1)°. In one of the picrate anions, a nitro group is disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.748 (5):0.252 (5) ratio, and the benzene ring has a flat envelope conformation with the O−C atom displaced from the mean plane of the other five C atoms [maximum deviation 0.0151 (14) Å] by 0.1449 (14) Å. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds and weak intermolecular C—H...S and C—H...O interactions link the components, forming a three-dimensional network.
4-Amino-N-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide–2-nitrobenzoic acid (1/1)
Authors: Smith Graham , Wermuth Urs D.
Published: January 2013

In the asymmetric unit of the title co-crystal, C12H14N4O2S·C7H5NO4, the sulfamethazine and 2-nitrobenzoic acid molecules form a heterodimer through intermolecular amide–carboxylic acid N—H...O and carboxylic acid–pyrimidine O—H...N hydrogen-bond pairs, giving a cyclic motif [graph setR22(8)]. The dihedral angle between the two aromatic ring systems in the sulfamethazine molecule is 88.96 (18)° and the nitro group of the acid is 50% rotationally disordered. Secondary aniline N—H...Osulfonehydrogen-bonding associations give a two-dimensional structure lying parallel to theabplane.
Relating Creamy Perception of Whey Protein Enriched Yogurt Systems to Instrumental Data by Means of Multivariate Data Analysis
Authors: Krzeminski Alina , Tomaschunas Maja , Köhn Ehrhard , Busch‐Stockfisch Mechthild , Weiss Jochen , Hinrichs Jörg
Published: January 2013

Yogurts differing in fat content, protein content, and casein to whey protein ratio were produced, and structurally as well as sensorially examined. The objective of the current research was to evaluate the predictive value of rheological and particle size measurements concerning sensory appearance and texture attributes in 13 differently composed stirred yogurt systems, with a focus on graininess, viscosity, and creaminess. Structural and sensory analyses showed large differences in texture properties between the tested yogurt systems. Both data sets were correlated by means of multivariate statistical methods. Sensory graininess was highly correlated with particle size‐related parameters, sensory viscosity was highly correlated with destructive rheological parameters, and creamy perception was highly correlated with particle size‐related parameters and destructive rheological parameters but was not as well described by any oscillatory parameter. Best predictive ability (r2 > 0.89) was found for creaminess combining particle size related‐ and destructive rheological parameters tested within this study.

Practical Application: Knowing the instrumental parameters describing sensory textural attributes provides important information for having a better understanding of the underlying processes during consumer's perception. Knowledge about the sensory behavior of a product and its oral processing imparts an opportunity to fasten the product development process. By means of yogurt systems instrumental parameters derived from particle size analysis and rheological measurements were correlated with sensory attributes in order to determine the main factors leading to the mouthfeel sensations grainy, viscous, and creamy of semisolid milk products.
Development of a novel fusion imaging technique in the diagnosis of hepatobiliary‐pancreatic lesions
Authors: Soga Koichi , Ochiai Jun , Kassai Kyoichi , Miyajima Takashi , Itani Kenji , Yagi Nobuaki , Naito Yuji
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Multi‐row detector computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) play an important role in the imaging diagnosis of hepatobiliary‐pancreatic lesions. Here we investigated whether unifying the MDCT and MRCP images onto the same screen using fusion imaging could overcome the limitations of each technique, while still maintaining their benefits. Moreover, because reports of fusion imaging using MDCT and MRCP are rare, we assessed the benefits and limitations of this method for its potential application in a clinical setting.

Methods

The patient group included 9 men and 11 women. Among the 20 patients, the final diagnoses were as follows: 10 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, 5 biliary system carcinomas, 1 pancreatic adenocarcinoma and 5 non‐neoplastic lesions. After transmitting the Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine data of the MDCT and MRCP images to a workstation, we performed a 3‐D organisation of both sets of images using volume rendering for the image fusion.

Results

Fusion imaging enabled clear identification of the spatial relationship between a hepatobiliary‐pancreatic lesion and the solid viscera and/or vessels. Further, this method facilitated the determination of the relationship between the anatomical position of the lesion and its surroundings more easily than either MDCT or MRCP alone.

Conclusion

Fusion imaging is an easy technique to perform and may be a useful tool for planning treatment strategies and for examining pathological changes in hepatobiliary‐pancreatic lesions. Additionally, the ease of obtaining the 3‐D images suggests the possibility of using these images to plan intervention strategies.
Pool‐hmm: a Python program for estimating the allele frequency spectrum and detecting selective sweeps from next generation sequencing of pooled samples
Authors: Boitard Simon , Kofler Robert , Françoise Pierre , Robelin David , Schlötterer Christian , Futschik Andreas
Published: January 2013

Due to its cost effectiveness, next generation sequencing of pools of individuals (Pool‐Seq) is becoming a popular strategy for genome‐wide estimation of allele frequencies in population samples. As the allele frequency spectrum provides information about past episodes of selection, Pool‐seq is also a promising design for genomic scans for selection. However, no software tool has yet been developed for selection scans based on Pool‐Seq data. We introduce Pool‐hmm, a Python program for the estimation of allele frequencies and the detection of selective sweeps in a Pool‐Seq sample. Pool‐hmm includes several options that allow a flexible analysis of Pool‐Seq data, and can be run in parallel on several processors. Source code and documentation for Pool‐hmm is freely available at https://qgsp.jouy.inra.fr/.
Serious complications associated with spinal and epidural anaesthesia in Finland from 2000 to 2009
Authors: PITKÄNEN M. T. , AROMAA U. , COZANITIS D. A. , FÖRSTER J. G.
Published: January 2013

Background

Analyses of closed claims provide insight into the characteristics of rare complications. Serious complications related to spinal and epidural blocks are relatively rare. In Finland, all malpractice cases are primarily handled by the Patient Insurance Centre (PIC) within a ‘no‐fault scheme’.

Methods

All claims attributed to central neuraxial blocks and settled by the PIC during the period, 2000–2009 were analysed. The number of spinal and epidural procedures performed during this time was estimated based on a questionnaire sent to all surgical hospitals in Finland in 2009, surveying the numbers and types of neuraxial blocks carried out in 2008.

Results

During the study period, 216 closed claims were flagged with spinal or epidural blocks. In 41 of 216 instances, the neuraxial block was apparently responsible for a serious (fatal or critical or lasting >1 year) complication. These included six fatalities and 13 epidural haematomata (two in conjunction with fondaparinux, three with excessive doses of low molecular weight heparins, six where present guidelines were not observed). Fatalities occurred in 1 : 775,000 spinals for surgery, 1 : 62,000 in epidurals for surgery or acute pain relief, 1 : 12,000 epidurals for chronic pain relief, 1 : 89,000 in combined spinal and epidural for surgery, and 1 : 144,000 epidurals for labour. The incidence of neuraxial haematoma after spinal block was 1 : 775,000, that for epidural block 1 : 26,400, and in the case of combined spinal and epidural, 1 : 17,800. Irrespective of the method of neuraxial technique, the majority of patients suffering serious complications were the elderly having comorbidities.

Conclusions

In this closed claims analysis, major problems related to neuraxial blocks were rare. Epidural or a combined spinal and epidural technique resulted in more complications than did spinal procedure.
Calibrating a camera trap–based biased mark–recapture sampling design to survey the leopard population in the N'wanetsi concession, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Authors: Maputla Nakedi W. , Chimimba Christian T. , Ferreira Sam M.
Published: January 2013

Estimating large carnivore abundance can be challenging. A biased leopard (Panthera pardus) population survey was conducted in the N'wanetsi concession in the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa, using motion‐sensitive camera traps from April to August 2008. Survey effort included 88 trapping occasions and 586 trap days. The survey yielded 24 leopard photographs, comprising fourteen adults of eleven males and three females. The capture rate was determined to be 24.4 trap days per leopard. Estimates of population abundance stabilized at approximately 500 trap days. Precision of population estimates began to stabilize after 378 trap days. We estimated that there were nineteen leopards in an area of 150 km2. Leopard density was estimated at 12.7 leopards per 100 km2. We explore the possibility of employing the methods used in this study to survey the leopard population in the KNP and surrounding areas.
Potential distribution of vulnerable Entandrophragma angolense (Welw.) C. DC. (Meliaceae) in East Africa
Authors: Mbatudde M. , Majaliwa G. , Eilu G. , Kakudidi E. , Dalitz H.
Published: January 2013

The various human‐induced threats imposed on nature have recently triggered the study of species' distributions. We developed potential suitability models using two algorithms for a threatened African mahogany, Entandrophragma angolense, in three East African countries; Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The effect of features selection and modelling algorithm selection on potential suitability predictions was explored. Occurrence records and high‐resolution environmental data were used. The two species distribution modelling techniques were genetic algorithm rule for prediction; and maximum entropy modelling. With Maxent, the area under the receiver characteristic operating curve (AUC) for potential distribution models tested on independent data ranged from 0.942 to 0.972 when using automatic features and from 0.974 to 0.666 with target or specific features. With GARP, AUC for potential distribution models ranged from 0.591 to 0.736 with all rule types and from 0.388 to 0.805 for specific rule types (Tables  and ). The area under the E. angolense potential suitability was best predicted by soil, rainfall and aspect using GARP. Potential suitability increased with increasing aspect and decreased with increasing slope. Low rainfall and elevation increased potential suitability, while high levels of either variable decreased potential suitability. Potential suitability maps for vulnerable species require using a multi‐algorithm, fine scale data approach and incorporation of environmental variables like soil, slope, land use and elevation. Species distribution models can offer insight on the distribution requirements of vulnerable species and help guide the development of management plans. Results of this study suggest that E. angolense management plans should promote the protection of terrestrial forests surrounding water bodies including Mabira forest in Uganda.
Earth observation: overlooked potential to support species reintroduction programmes
Authors: Freemantle Terri P. , Wacher Tim , Newby John , Pettorelli Nathalie
Published: January 2013

Habitat evaluation is considered an essential step for assessing the potential for an area to support a viable reintroduced population. Remote sensing techniques can support such investigations, by greatly enhancing the temporal and spatial coverage of habitat assessments. This study makes use of freely available earth observation data to evaluate the suitability of the Ouadi Rimé–Ouadi Achim Game Reserve in central Chad for the reintroduction of the Scimitar‐horned Oryx. The reserve was the last stronghold of the species within its historical range, prior to extinction in the wild in the 1980s, providing a basis for reintroduction. Results show that since the 1980s, there has been a steady increase in average annual precipitation and satellite‐derived estimates of primary production. The spatial downscaling of the average trend in primary production showed that the north of the protected area exhibited a drying trend over the period 1982–2008, while the south was associated with intense greening. As a result, the subdesert transition zone preferred by oryx is currently narrowing. If this is correct, this implies a potential reduction of favourable habitat for the oryx, which could have detrimental effects on the success of establishing a self‐sustaining reintroduced population.
Effects of restriction of wild herbivore movement on woody and herbaceous vegetation in the Okavango Delta Botswana
Authors: Cassidy Lin , Fynn Richard , Sethebe Bongani
Published: January 2013

We conducted herbaceous and woody vegetation surveys across Botswana's southern Okavango Buffalo Fence, which separates wildlife management from tribal grazing areas, to determine whether the restriction of herbivore movement by fencing has influenced vegetation composition, diversity and structure. We sampled herbaceous and woody vegetation at twenty paired sites every 2 km along the fence. For the herbaceous layer, ten 0.25 m2 quadrats were laid every 10 m perpendicular to the fence; while for the woody vegetation, variable quadrat plots were used. Paired t‐tests were run. Results show little difference in forb or grass composition between the two sides. However, the cover and diversity of many woody species were greatly reduced across most height classes on the wildlife management side. Overall woody cover on the wildlife side of the fence was nearly half that of the tribal grazing side (t = 2.83, P = 0.011, df = 19), while overall wood diversity was also significantly less on the wildlife side (t = 3.29, P = 0.004, df = 19). We conclude that the concentration of wildlife due to the fence, while improving habitat for some herbivore species, is having a detrimental effect on plant diversity in general.
Lentivirus‐Mediated bcl‐2 Gene Therapy Improves Function and Structure of Chemotherapy‐Damaged Ovaries in Wistar Rats
Authors: Wang Xuefeng , He Yuanli , Liu Mubiao , Fu Xiafei
Published: January 2013

Objective

This study aimed to explore the roles and mechanisms of lentivirus‐mediated bcl‐2 gene therapy in repairing the function and structure of chemotherapy‐damaged ovaries in rats.

Method of Study

The lentivirus vector carrying the bcl‐2 gene (pGC‐FU ‐EGFP‐bcl‐2) was constructed and condensed at a high titer. Wistar rats were divided into seven groups based on the treatment they were given: no treatment [the normal control (NC) group]; intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (the CTX group); bilateral ovarian injection of pGC‐FU‐EGFP‐bcl‐2 (the bcl‐2 group) or empty vector pGC‐FU‐EGFP (the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) group); bilateral ovarian injection of normal saline (the NS + CTX group), pGC‐FU‐EGFP (the EGFP + CTX group), or pGC‐FU‐EGFP‐bcl‐2 (the bcl‐2 + CTX group) followed by intraperitoneal injection of CTX. At 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after injection, the rats were killed, serum levels of estradiol (E2) and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) were detected by radioimmunoassay; ovarian structure and follicles were observed under a microscope, the apoptosis of granulosa cells was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyide transferase‐mediated biotin–dUTP biotin nick‐end labeling, and the expression of Bcl‐2 in the ovaries was detected by Western blotting.

Results

After the injection of pGC‐FU‐EGFP‐bcl‐2, the serum level of E2 was elevated, whereas that of FSH was dropped, follicles were increased, the CTX‐induced apoptosis of granulosa cells was inhibited, and the expression of Bcl‐2 was up‐regulated.

Conclusion

The lentivirus‐mediated bcl‐2 gene therapy can improve ovarian function and structure damaged by chemotherapy and, therefore, might be a potential method to treat CTX‐induced pre‐mature ovarian failure.
Surgical management of placenta accreta: a 10‐year experience
Authors: Tan SE Grace , Jobling Thomas W , Wallace Euan M , Mcneilage L Jane , Manolitsas Thomas , Hodges Ryan J
Published: January 2013

Objective

To examine maternal morbidity in primary surgical management of placenta accreta.

Design

Retrospective case series.

Setting

Quaternary perinatal referral center in Melbourne, Australia.

Population

Clinically suspected and histologically confirmed cases of placenta accreta, increta and percreta.

Methods

Women were identified from our hospital database coded for placenta accreta, increta, percreta and peripartum hysterectomy. Relevant details were sought from medical records.

Main outcome measures

Predefined maternal morbidities: blood loss, transfusion requirements, surgical complications, reoperation rate, duration in hospital. Predefined neonatal outcomes: gestational age at birth, birth‐weight, admission to intensive (NICU) or special care nurseries (SCN), respiratory distress syndrome.

Results

Between 1999 and 2009, 33 women were diagnosised with invasive placentation. A total of 27 were confirmed histologically after hysterectomy: 12 accreta, one increta, and 14 percreta. Median blood loss was 2 L. There was a 1.8‐L reduction in mean blood loss with elective vs. emergency hysterectomy (p = 0.04). Nearly two‐thirds of women required four or more units of packed red‐blood‐cells. Half of the women suffered from surgical complications, mostly from bladder injury. The risk of returning to theater for further surgery was 20%. Women with placenta percreta were more likely to require additional blood products (p = 0.03), sustain renal tract injury (p = 0.003) and require intensive care admission (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

A primary surgical approach to management of placenta accreta is associated with significant maternal morbidity, even when managed in a dedicated quaternary perinatal referral center.
Novel Pulsatile Diagonal Pump for Pediatric Extracorporeal Life Support System
Authors: Wang Shigang , Kunselman Allen R. , Ündar Akif
Published: January 2013

A novel pulsatile rotary flow pump has been used in clinical extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in Europe. The objective of this study is to evaluate the Medos Deltastream DP3 diagonal pump (Medos Medizintechnik AG, Stolberg, Germany) in a simulated pediatric ECLS system. The ECLS circuit consisted of a Medos Hilite 800LT hollow fiber membrane oxygenator (Medos Medizintechnik AG), a Medos Deltastream DP3 diagonal pump, a 10Fr Terumo TenderFlow Pediatric Arterial Cannula (Terumo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), and an arterial/venous tubing. All trials were conducted at flow rates ranging from 200–800 mL/min (in 200 mL/min increments) under a blood temperature of 35°C using human blood (hematocrit 40%). The postcannula pressure was maintained 60 mm Hg by a Hoffman clamp. Real‐time pressure and flow data were recorded using a Labview‐based acquisition system (National Instruments, Austin, TX, USA). The results showed that the Medos Deltastream DP3 can generate effective pulsatile flow without backflow, provide higher flow rates and pressures than nonpulsatile flow, and then create surplus hemodynamic energy and more total hemodynamic energy than nonpulsatile flow. Pulsatility increased with increased speed differential values and flow rates, while the oxygenator pressure drop increased at an acceptable level. The Medos Deltastream DP3 diagonal pump can provide adequate quality of pulsatility without backflow, and generate more hemodynamic energy under pulsatile mode in a simulated pediatric ECLS system.
Continuous Monitoring of Inflammation Biomarkers During Simulated Cardiopulmonary Bypass Using a Microfluidic Immunoassay Device—A Pilot Study
Authors: Sasso Lawrence A. , Aran Kiana , Guan Yulong , Ündar Akif , Zahn Jeffrey D.
Published: January 2013

This work demonstrates the use of a continuous online monitoring system for tracking systemic inflammation biomarkers during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedures. The ability to monitor inflammation biomarkers during CPB will allow surgical teams to actively treat inflammation and reduce harmful effects on postoperative morbidity and mortality, enabling improved patient outcomes. A microfluidic device has been designed which allows automation of the individual processing steps of a microbead immunoassay to allow continuous tracking of antigen concentrations. Preliminary experiments have demonstrated that the results produced by the microimmunoassay are comparable to results produced from a standard enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (r = 0.98). Additionally, integration of the assay with a simulated CPB circuit has been demonstrated with temporal tracking of C3a concentrations within blood continuously sampled from the circuit. The presented work describes the motivation, design challenges, and preliminary experimental results of this project.
A Nonocclusive, Inexpensive Pediatric Pulsatile Roller Pump for Cardiopulmonary Bypass, Extracorporeal Life Support, and Left/Right Ventricular Assist Systems
Authors: Wang Shigang , Durandy Yves , Kunselman Allen R. , Ündar Akif
Published: January 2013

A simple, inexpensive pediatric pulsatile roller blood pump has been utilized for routine cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedures, extracorporeal life support (ECLS), and left/right ventricular assist systems (LVAS/RVAS) for decades in France. This particular nonocclusive pulsatile system has many advantages including several safety features for patients as well as an extremely lower cost. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of this particular system for CPB, ECLS, and LVAS/RVAS in pulsatile mode. This pediatric nonocclusive system was evaluated with pump flow rates of 500, 750, and 1000 mL/min under normothermic (35°C) and hypothermic (25°C) conditions in CPB, ECLS, and LVAS/RVAS circuits using clinical disposables and settings. Energy equivalent pressure (EEP), surplus homodynamic energy (SHE), and total hemodynamic energy (THE) were calculated for each experimental stage. The pump generated near physiological quality of pulsatile flow without backflow in the three simulated pediatric circuits. With increased flow rates, more hemodynamic energy was delivered to the pseudo patient. This particular nonocclusive pediatric pulsatile system performed well during all of the experimental conditions and generated adequate quality pulsatile pressure‐flow waveforms using CPB, ECLS, and LVAS/RVAS circuitry. Although this novel concept was first introduced in the 1990s, we believe that there is still need for this technology (with engineering modifications) because of significant advantages including safety and cost.
A published pharmacogenetic algorithm was poorly predictive of tacrolimus clearance in an independent cohort of renal transplant recipients
Authors: Boughton Oliver , Borgulya Gabor , Cecconi Maurizio , Fredericks Salim , Moreton‐Clack Michelle , MacPhee Iain A. M.
Published: January 2013

Aims

An algorithm based on theCYP3A5genotype to predict tacrolimus clearance to inform the optimal initial dose was derived using data from theDeKAFstudy (Passeyet al. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2011; 72: 948–57) but was not tested in an independent cohort of patients. Our aim was to test whether theDeKAFdosing algorithm could predict estimated tacrolimus clearance in renal transplant recipients at our centre.

Methods

Predicted tacrolimus clearance based on theDeKAFalgorithm was compared with dose‐normalized trough whole‐blood concentrations (estimated clearance) on day 7 after transplantation in a single‐centre cohort of 255 renal transplant recipients.

Results

There was a weak correlation (r= 0.431) between clearance based on dose‐normalized trough whole‐blood concentrations andDeKAFalgorithm‐predicted clearance. The means of the tacrolimus clearance predicted by theDeKAFalgorithm and the estimated tacrolimus clearance based on the dose‐normalized trough blood concentrations were plotted against the differences in the clearance as aBland–Altman plot. Logarithmic transformation was performed owing to the increased difference in tacrolimus clearance as the mean clearance increased. There was a highly significant systematic error (P< 0.0005) characterized by a sloped regression line [gradient, 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.75–1.01)] on theBland–Altman plot.

Conclusions

TheDeKAFalgorithm was unable to predict the estimated tacrolimus clearance accurately based on real tacrolimus doses and blood concentrations in our cohort of patients. Other genes are known to influence the clearance of tacrolimus, and a polygenic algorithm may be more predictive than those based on a single genotype.
Second‐language learners’ advantage in metalinguistic awareness: A question of languages’ characteristics
Authors: Reder Fanny , Marec‐Breton Nathalie , Gombert Jean‐Emile , Demont Elisabeth
Published: January 2013

Background

The awareness of the formal structure of language has been widely studied in the literature but less in a bilingualism context. Even less with second‐language learners (SLL) who are acquiring their second language (L2) and are not considered as bilinguals.

Aims

This study aimed at providing an investigation of young SLL's skills in phonological, morphological and syntactic awareness.

Samples

Ninety‐five French first graders participated in our study. Children were divided into two groups: monolinguals versus SLL of German (i.e., L1 = French, L2 = German).

Method

Both groups completed two phonological tasks (i.e., phonological categorization and deletion). They also completed four morphological tasks evaluating their morphological awareness on two distinct aspects (i.e., affixes and compounds). Finally, they were evaluated on a syntactic awareness task.

Results

The main findings highlighted a bilingual superiority for compounds morphological and syntactic awareness but not for affixes morphological and phonological awareness.

Conclusions

The second‐language learning advantage was observed on dimensions distinguishing the two languages (i.e., compounds morphology and syntax) but not on shared affixes morphological and phonological dimensions. Thus, results are discussed in light of languages' characteristics and bilingualism proficiency.
Attenuation of Corpus Callosum Axon Myelination and Remyelination in the Absence of Circulating Sex Hormones
Authors: Patel Rhusheet , Moore Spencer , Crawford Daniel K. , Hannsun Gemmy , Sasidhar Manda V. , Tan Kevin , Molaie Donna , Tiwari‐Woodruff Seema K.
Published: January 2013

Sex differences in the structure and organization of the corpus callosum (CC) can be attributed to genetic, hormonal or environmental effects, or a combination of these factors. To address the role of gonadal hormones on axon myelination, functional axon conduction and immunohistochemistry analysis of the CC in intact, gonadectomized and hormone‐replaced gonadectomized animals were used. These groups were subjected to cuprizone diet‐induced demyelination followed by remyelination. The myelinated component of callosal compound action potential was significantly decreased in ovariectomized and castrated animals under normal myelinating condition. Compared to gonadally intact cohorts, both gonadectomized groups displayed more severe demyelination and inhibited remyelination. Castration in males was more deleterious than ovariectomy in females. Callosal conduction in estradiol‐supplemented ovariectomized females was significantly increased during normal myelination, less attenuated during demyelination, and increased beyond placebo‐treated ovariectomized or intact female levels during remyelination. In castrated males, the non‐aromatizing steroid dihydrotestosterone was less efficient than testosterone and estradiol in restoring normal myelination/axon conduction and remyelination to levels of intact males. Furthermore, in both sexes, estradiol supplementation in gonadectomized groups increased the number of oligodendrocytes. These studies suggest an essential role of estradiol to promote efficient CC myelination and axon conduction in both sexes.
Indirect Effects of Human Development Along the Coast on Coral Health
Authors: Guilherme Becker C. , Dalziel Benjamin D. , Kersch‐Becker Mônica F. , Park Mia G. , Mouchka Morgan
Published: January 2013

Accelerated human development in coastal areas is causing declines in coral reefs worldwide, but the mechanisms by which development leads to reef degradation are often difficult to identify. Here, we use Akaike information criterion model averaging in combination with path analysis to test for the direct and indirect effects of potential environmental stressors on two coral diseases on the west coast of Hawai'i. We quantified human‐altered land cover and human population density at two spatial scales: inland area of 1‐km radius and watershed. We then tested for the effects of these land cover variables, as well as seawater chlorophyll α concentrations, depth, host coral cover, and proximity to surface water discharge on the density of growth anomalies (GA) and prevalence of trematodiasis (TRE) affecting Porites lobata, the locally dominant reef‐building coral species. Our analyses showed that human‐altered land cover measured at 1‐km scale was a strong indirect predictor of GA. Specifically, we found that human interference adjacent to the coast predicted higher chlorophyll α concentrations, which in turn predicted higher GA density. We also found that chlorophyll α and depth were strong negative predictors of TRE, and host coral cover a positive predictor. Our results indicated that GA are likely regulated by indirect land‐based anthropogenic impacts, whereas TRE is mostly affected by host density‐dependent forces. Path analysis can serve as a useful tool to rapidly identify the scale and indirect effects of anthropogenic stressors related to coral diseases, allowing for accurate conservation planning in the face of limited resources for tropical conservation.
Evaluation of Coumarin and Neoflavone Derivatives as HCV NS5B Polymerase Inhibitors
Authors: Nichols Daniel B. , Leão Raquel A. C. , Basu Amartya , Chudayeu Maksim , de Moraes Paula de F. , Talele Tanaji T. , Costa Paulo R. R. , Kaushik‐Basu Neerja
Published: January 2013

Coumarins and coumestans represent an important family of compounds with diverse pharmacological properties. We recently identified coumestans as novel inhibitors of hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase and predicted their binding in thumb pocket‐1 (TP‐1) of NS5B. As the coumarins are structurally related to coumestans by virtue of their common A‐ and B‐rings, we postulated them to also exhibit similar binding interaction with NS5B and inhibit its polymerase function. We therefore investigated 24 coumarin and neoflavone derivatives as candidate NS5B inhibitors and identified 14 compounds inhibiting NS5B polymerase activity with IC50 values between 17 and 63 μm. Of these, the newly synthesized 6,8‐diallyl‐5,7‐dihydroxycoumarin (8a) was produced in three steps in high chemical yield from floroglucinol and found to be the most potent of this series, exhibiting activity similar to the reference coumestan LQB‐34. The binding site of 8a was mapped to TP‐1 of NS5B by counter screening against P495L NS5B mutant, employed as a screen for TP‐1 site binders. NS5B‐TP‐1‐8a interaction map provided insight into 8a binding and offered clues for future SAR optimization.
Extracellular vesicles, especially derived from Gram‐negative bacteria, in indoor dust induce neutrophilic pulmonary inflammation associated with both Th1 and Th17 cell responses
Authors: Kim Y.‐S. , Choi E.‐J. , Lee W.‐H. , Choi S.‐J. , Roh T.‐Y. , Park J. , Jee Y.‐K. , Zhu Z. , Koh Y.‐Y. , Gho Y. S. , Kim Y.‐K.
Published: January 2013

Background

Many bacterial components in indoor dust can evoke inflammatory pulmonary diseases. Bacteria secrete nanometre‐sized vesicles into the extracellular milieu, but it remains to be determined whether bacteria‐derived extracellular vesicles in indoor dust are pathophysiologically related to inflammatory pulmonary diseases.

Objective

To evaluate whether extracellular vesicles (EV) in indoor air are related to the pathogenesis of pulmonary inflammation and/or asthma.

Methods

Indoor dust was collected from a bed mattress in an apartment. EV were prepared by sequential ultrafiltration and ultracentrifugation. Innate and adaptive immune responses were evaluated after airway exposure of EV.

Results

Repeated intranasal application of indoor‐dust‐induced neutrophilic pulmonary inflammation accompanied by lung infiltration of both Th1 and Th17 cells. EV 50–200 nm in diameter were present (102.5 μg protein concentration/g dust) in indoor dust. These vesicles were internalized by airway epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages, and this process was blocked by treatment of polymyxin B (an antagonist of lipopolysaccharide, an outer‐membrane component of Gram‐negative bacteria). Intranasal application of 0.1 or 1 μg of these vesicles for 4 weeks elicited neutrophilic pulmonary inflammation. This phenotype was accompanied by lung infiltration of both Th1 and Th17 cells, which were reversed by treatment of polymyxin B. Serum dust EV‐reactive IgG1 levels were significantly higher in atopic children with asthma than in atopic healthy children and those with rhinitis or dermatitis.

Conclusion & Clinical Relevance

Indoor dust EV, especially derived from Gram‐negative bacteria, is a possible causative agent of neutrophilic airway diseases.
Parity and tanned white skin as novel predictors of vitamin D status in early pregnancy: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Andersen L. B. , Abrahamsen B. , Dalgård C. , Kyhl H. B. , Beck‐Nielsen S. S. , Frost‐Nielsen M. , Jørgensen J. S. , Barington T. , Christesen H. T.
Published: January 2013

Context

In pregnancy, vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency, defined as serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) <50 nM, and <25 nM, respectively, may have adverse effects for both mother and child. Prevalence estimates, and identification of subgroups at special risk, may be useful for the planning of preventive strategies.

Objective

To study the prevalence and risk factors of hypovitaminosis D in early pregnancy.

Design and Methods

In a cross‐sectional study of 1348 women in early pregnancy from the Odense Child Cohort, Denmark, 25(OH)D was determined and correlated to demographic and lifestyle variables (age, nationality, skin tone, parity, prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), smoking and sun exposure), using multiple linear and logistic regression analyses for all year, or stratified for summer and winter. The risk of vitamin D insufficiency was expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals in brackets.

Results

The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was estimated to 27·8% and 3·5% respectively. In adjusted analyses, vitamin D insufficiency was directly associated with winter season, OR = 1·89 (1·35–2·63); increasing prepregnancy BMI, OR = 1·06 (1·03–1·10); and smoking, OR = 2·7 (1·34–5·41); but was less frequent in nulliparous, OR = 0·47 (0·33–0·68) and tanned Caucasians, OR = 0·63 (0·41–0·97). Season‐specific associations having parental origin from outside Europe in summer, OR = 4·13 (1·41–12·13); in winter smoking, OR = 3·15 (1·19–8·36); and prepregnancy BMI, OR = 1·12 (1·06–1·18).

Conclusions

Vitamin D insufficiency was widespread in early pregnancy. Associations to smoking, prepregnancy BMI and origin outside Europe varied with season. Multiparity and not being tanned in Caucasians represent new risk factors of vitamin D insufficiency.
Feature‐Preserving Surface Reconstruction From Unoriented, Noisy Point Data
Authors: Wang J. , Yu Z. , Zhu W. , Cao J.
Published: January 2013

We propose a robust method for surface mesh reconstruction from unorganized, unoriented, noisy and outlier‐ridden 3D point data. A kernel‐based scale estimator is introduced to estimate the scale of inliers of the input data. The best tangent planes are computed for all points based on mean shift clustering and adaptive scale sample consensus, followed by detecting and removing outliers. Subsequently, we estimate the normals for the remaining points and smooth the noise using a surface fitting and projection strategy. As a result, the outliers and noise are removed and filtered, while the original sharp features are well preserved. We then adopt an existing method to reconstruct surface meshes from the processed point data. To preserve sharp features of the generated meshes that are often blurred during reconstruction, we describe a two‐step approach to effectively recover original sharp features. A number of examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of our method.
Coarse‐to‐Fine Isometric Shape Correspondence by Tracking Symmetric Flips
Authors: Sahillioğlu Y. , Yemez Y.
Published: January 2013

We address the symmetric flip problem that is inherent to multi‐resolution isometric shape matching algorithms. To this effect, we extend our previous work which handles the dense isometric correspondence problem in the original 3D Euclidean space via coarse‐to‐fine combinatorial matching. The key idea is based on keeping track of all optimal solutions, which may be more than one due to symmetry especially at coarse levels, throughout denser levels of the shape matching process. We compare the resulting dense correspondence algorithm with state‐of‐the‐art techniques over several 3D shape benchmark datasets. The experiments show that our method, which is fast and scalable, is performance‐wise better than or on a par with the best performant algorithms existing in the literature for isometric (or nearly isometric) shape correspondence. Our key idea of tracking symmetric flips can be considered as a meta‐approach that can be applied to other multi‐resolution shape matching algorithms, as we also demonstrate by experiments.