bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Stent Length on Peri-Procedural Myocardial Injury after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Mandal MRM , Rahman MA , Akanda MAK , Ullah M , Kar N
Published: March 2014

Background: About one-third of all elective PCI procedures are associated with significant myocardial injury termed peri-procedural myocardial injury (PMI), which has been associated with increased subsequent mortality. The stent length is one of the factors that can predict procedure related Troponon I release. Methods: This interventional study was carried out to evaluate the influence of stent length on peri procedural myocardial injury by measuring post procedural release of Troponin I after percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients with e70% stenosed single vessel disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with single stent were considered. Exclusion criteria were pre-procedural elevation of cardiac Troponin I above the 99th percentile of upper reference, severely ill patients. Total 90 consecutive patients were included. Among them 45 patients had d 20mm long stent (group A) and rest 45 patients had > 20mm long stent (group B). Blood samples for Troponin I were collected before procedure and 12 hours after procedure. Results: Baseline characteristics including age, sex, risk factor for ischaemic heart disease and clinical diagnoses were almost similar between the two groups. During procedure no complications concurred 93.3% patients in group A and 68.9% patients in group B (p<0.05). Post procedural Troponin I level in group A was 0.47 ± 0.54 and in group B was 0.99 ± 1.09 (p<0.05). The stent length and post procedural Troponin I level had moderate correlation (r=0.41) (p<0.05). In hospital complications in two groups include persistent angina (6.7% vs. 11.1%), new ischaemic episode (0.0% vs. 4.4%) (p>0.05). There were no myocardial infarction, acute left ventricular failure, emergency CABG, arrhythmia and death in both groups. Durations of hospital stay were significantly higher in group B then group (4.53 ± 0.63 vs. 4.07 ± 0.65, p<0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of procedural myocardial injury and procedural complications are more in longer stent group. So limiting the stent length by spot-stenting the lesions rather than covering the entire vessel between lesions may reduce peri-procedural release of cTnI and improve post procedural prognosis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v6i2.18358 Cardiovasc. j. 2014; 6(2): 143-148
Social Networks and Welfare in Future Animal Management
Authors: Koene Paul , Ipema Bert
Published: March 2014

It may become advantageous to keep human-managed animals in the social network groups to which they have adapted. Data concerning the social networks of farm animal species and their ancestors are scarce but essential to establishing the importance of a natural social network for farmed animal species. Social Network Analysis (SNA) facilitates the characterization of social networking at group, subgroup and individual levels. SNA is currently used for modeling the social behavior and management of wild animals and social welfare of zoo animals. It has been recognized for use with farm animals but has yet to be applied for management purposes. Currently, the main focus is on cattle, because in large groups (poultry), recording of individuals is expensive and the existence of social networks is uncertain due to on-farm restrictions. However, in many cases, a stable social network might be important to individual animal fitness, survival and welfare. For instance, when laying hens are not too densely housed, simple networks may be established. We describe here small social networks in horses, brown bears, laying hens and veal calves to illustrate the importance of measuring social networks among animals managed by humans. Emphasis is placed on the automatic measurement of identity, location, nearest neighbors and nearest neighbor distance for management purposes. It is concluded that social networks are important to the welfare of human-managed animal species and that welfare management based on automatic recordings will become available in the near future.
Environmental and Anthropogenic Impacts on Avifaunal Assemblages in an Urban Parkland, 1976 to 2007
Authors: Ormond Sara , Whatmough Robert , Hudson Irene , Daniels Christopher
Published: March 2014

Urban environments are unique, rapidly changing habitats in which almost half of the world’s human population resides. The effects of urbanisation, such as habitat (vegetation) removal, pollution and modification of natural areas, commonly cause biodiversity loss. Long-term ecological monitoring of urban environments is vital to determine the composition and long-term trends of faunal communities. This paper provides a detailed view of long-term changes in avifaunal assemblages of the Adelaide City parklands and discusses the anthropogenic and environmental factors that contributed to the changes between 1976 and 2007. The Adelaide City parklands (ACP) comprise 760 ha of land surrounding Adelaide’s central business district. Naturalist Robert Whatmough completed a 32-year survey of the ACP to determine the structure of the urban bird community residing there. Annual species richness and the abundance of birds in March and September months were analysed. Linear regression analysis was applied to species richness and abundance data of each assemblage. Resident parkland birds demonstrated significant declines in abundance. Native and introduced species also exhibited long-term declines in species richness and abundance throughout the 32-year period. Cycles of varying time periods indicated fluctuations in avian biodiversity demonstrating the need for future monitoring and statistical analyses on bird communities in the Adelaide City parklands.
Identification of Phenolic Compounds and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Euphorbia Tirucalli L.
Authors: De Araújo Keline , De Lima Alessandro , Silva Jurandy , Rodrigues Larissa , Amorim Adriany , Quelemes Patrick , Dos Santos Raimunda , Rocha Jefferson , De Andrades Éryka , Leite José , Mancini-Filho Jorge , Da Trindade Reginaldo
Published: March 2014

Bioactive compounds extracted from natural sources can benefit human health. The aim of this work was to determine total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in extracts of Euphorbia tirucalli L. followed by identification and quantification of the phenolic compounds, as well as their antibacterial activities. Antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH and ABTS•+ assay. Identification of phenolic compounds was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and antimicrobial activities were verified by agar dilution methods and MIC values. Total phenolic content ranged from 7.73 to 30.54 mg/100 g gallic acid equivalent. Extracts from dry plants showed higher antioxidant activities than those from fresh ones. The DPPH EC50 values were approximately 12.15 μg/mL and 16.59 μg/mL, respectively. Antioxidant activity measured by the ABTS method yielded values higher than 718.99 μM trolox/g for dry plants, while by the Rancimat® system yielded protection factors exceeding 1 for all extracts, comparable to synthetic BHT. Ferulic acid was the principal phenolic compound identified and quantified through HPLC-UV in all extracts. The extracts proved effective inhibitory potential for Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. These results showed that extracts of Euphorbia tirucalli L. have excellent antioxidant capacity and moderate antimicrobial activity. These can be attributed to the high concentration of ferulic acid.
Effectiveness of α-, γ- and δ-Tocopherol in a CLA-Rich Oil
Authors: Márquez-Ruiz Gloria , García-Martínez María , Holgado Francisca , Velasco Joaquín
Published: March 2014

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a mixture of positional and geometric isomers of octadecadienoic acid with conjugated double bounds. Positive health properties have been attributed to some isomers, such as anticarcinogenic activity, antiartherosclerotic effects and reduction of body fat gain. Hence, oils rich in CLA such as Tonalin® oil (TO), normally obtained through alkaline isomerization of safflower oil (SO), an oil rich in linoleic acid (LA), are currently used in functional foods. However, special care must be taken to protect them from oxidation to ensure the quality of the supplemented foods. The objective of this work was to evaluate the oxidation and effectiveness of different tocopherol homologues (α-, γ- and δ-), alone or in combination with synergists (ascorbyl palmitate and lecithin), in TO compared to SO at different conditions, ambient temperature (25 °C) and accelerated conditions in Rancimat (100 °C). The oils, the oils devoid of their antioxidants and the latter containing the antioxidants added were assayed. Results showed great differences between SO and TO in terms of formation of hydroperoxides and polymers and also in the effectiveness of tocopherols to delay oxidation. TO showed higher levels of polymerization and, in general, the effectiveness of tocopherol homologues, alone or in combination with synergists, was also lower in the TO.
Radiosynthesis and in Vivo Evaluation of Two PET Radioligands for Imaging α-Synuclein
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Jin Hongjun , Padakanti Prashanth , Li Junfeng , Yang Hao , Fan Jinda , Mach Robert , Kotzbauer Paul , Tu Zhude
Published: March 2014

Two α-synuclein ligands, 3-methoxy-7-nitro-10H-phenothiazine (2a, Ki = 32.1 ± 1.3 nM) and 3-(2-fluoroethoxy)-7-nitro-10H-phenothiazine (2b, Ki = 49.0 ± 4.9 nM), were radiolabeled as potential PET imaging agents by respectively introducing 11C and 18F. The syntheses of [11C]2a and [18F]2b were accomplished in a good yield with high specific activity. Ex vivo biodistribution studies in rats revealed that both [11C]2a and [18F]2b crossed the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and demonstrated good brain uptake 5 min post-injection. MicroPET imaging of [11C]2a in a non-human primate (NHP) confirmed that the tracer was able to cross the BBB with rapid washout kinetics from brain regions of a healthy macaque. The initial studies suggested that further structural optimization of [11C]2a and [18F]2b is necessary in order to identify a highly specific positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand for in vivo imaging of α-synuclein aggregation in the central nervous system (CNS).
An Entropy Measure of Non-Stationary Processes
Authors: Liu Ling , Hu Han , Deng Ya , Ding Nai
Published: March 2014

Shannon’s source entropy formula is not appropriate to measure the uncertainty of non-stationary processes. In this paper, we propose a new entropy measure for non-stationary processes, which is greater than or equal to Shannon’s source entropy. The maximum entropy of the non-stationary process has been considered, and it can be used as a design guideline in cryptography.
Do PES Improve the Governance of Forest Restoration?
Authors: Pirard Romain , De Buren Guillaume , Lapeyre Renaud
Published: March 2014

Payments for Environmental Services (PES) are praised as innovative policy instruments and they influence the governance of forest restoration efforts in two major ways. The first is the establishment of multi-stakeholder agencies as intermediary bodies between funders and planters to manage the funds and to distribute incentives to planters. The second implication is that specific contracts assign objectives to land users in the form of conditions for payments that are believed to increase the chances for sustained impacts on the ground. These implications are important in the assessment of the potential of PES to operate as new and effective funding schemes for forest restoration. They are analyzed by looking at two prominent payments for watershed service programs in Indonesia—Cidanau (Banten province in Java) and West Lombok (Eastern Indonesia)—with combined economic and political science approaches. We derive lessons for the governance of funding efforts (e.g., multi-stakeholder agencies are not a guarantee of success; mixed results are obtained from a reliance on mandatory funding with ad hoc regulations, as opposed to voluntary contributions by the service beneficiary) and for the governance of financial expenditure (e.g., absolute need for evaluation procedures for the internal governance of farmer groups). Furthermore, we observe that these governance features provide no guarantee that restoration plots with the highest relevance for ecosystem services are targeted by the PES.
National Survey of Oral/Dental Conditions Related to Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Mexican Adults
Authors: Medina-Solís Carlo , Pontigo-Loyola América , Pérez-Campos Eduardo , Hernández-Cruz Pedro , Ávila-Burgos Leticia , Mendoza-Rodríguez Martha , Maupomé Gerardo
Published: March 2014

Oral diseases are a major burden on individuals and health systems. The aim of this study was to determine whether consumption of tobacco and alcohol were associated with the prevalence of oral/dental problems in Mexican adults. Using data from the National Performance Evaluation Survey 2003, a cross-sectional study part of the World Health Survey, dental information from a representative sample of Mexico (n = 22,229, N = 51,155,740) was used to document self-reported oral/dental problems in the 12 months prior to the survey. Questionnaires were used to collect information related to sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and other risk factors. Three models were generated for each age group (18–30, 31–45 and 46–98 years). The prevalence of oral/dental conditions was 25.7%. Adjusting for sex, schooling, socioeconomic position, diabetes, and self-reported health, those who used tobacco (sometimes or daily) (OR = 1.15, p = 0.070; OR = 1.24, p < 0.01; and OR = 1.16, p < 0.05, for each age group respectively) or alcohol (moderate or high) (OR = 1.26, p < 0.001; OR = 1.18, p < 0.01 and OR = 1.30, p < 0.001, for each age group respectively) had a higher risk of reporting oral/dental problems. Because tobacco and alcohol use were associated with self-reported oral/dental problems in one out of four adults, it appears advisable to ascertain how direct is such link; more direct effects would lend greater weight to adopting measures to reduce consumption of tobacco and alcohol for the specific purpose of improving oral health.
Sovereign Credit Risk and Stock Markets–Does the Markets’ Dependency Increase with Financial Distress?
Authors: Da Silva Paulo
Published: March 2014

This paper addresses the relationship between stock markets and credit default swaps (CDS) markets. In particular, I aim to gauge if the co-movement between stock prices and sovereign CDS spreads increases with the deterioration of the credit quality of sovereign debt. The analysis of correlations, Granger causality, cointegration, and the results of an error-correction model represented in a state space form show a close link between these markets, but do not evidence that the co-movement increases in periods of financial distress. I also analyze the transmission of volatility between the two markets. The results do not support the hypothesis that volatility propagation surges during financial distress periods. On the contrary, for some cases, the data suggests that the lead-lag relationships between the two markets volatility are stronger during stable periods.
New Insights on Plant Cell Elongation: A Role for Acetylcholine
Authors: Di Sansebastiano Gian-Pietro , Fornaciari Silvia , Barozzi Fabrizio , Piro Gabriella , Arru Laura
Published: March 2014

We investigated the effect of auxin and acetylcholine on the expression of the tomato expansin gene LeEXPA2, a specific expansin gene expressed in elongating tomato hypocotyl segments. Since auxin interferes with clathrin-mediated endocytosis, in order to regulate cellular and developmental responses we produced protoplasts from tomato elongating hypocotyls and followed the endocytotic marker, FM4-64, internalization in response to treatments. Tomato protoplasts were observed during auxin and acetylcholine treatments after transient expression of chimerical markers of volume-control related compartments such as vacuoles. Here we describe the contribution of auxin and acetylcholine to LeEXPA2 expression regulation and we support the hypothesis that a possible subcellular target of acetylcholine signal is the vesicular transport, shedding some light on the characterization of this small molecule as local mediator in the plant physiological response.
Influence of Green, Red and Blue Light Emitting Diodes on Multiprotein Complex Proteins and Photosynthetic Activity under Different Light Intensities in Lettuce Leaves (Lactuca sativa L.)
Authors: Muneer Sowbiya , Kim Eun , Park Jeong , Lee Jeong
Published: March 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate the response of light emitting diodes (LEDs) at different light intensities (70 and 80 for green LEDs, 88 and 238 for red LEDs and 80 and 238 μmol m−2 s−1 for blue LEDs) at three wavelengths in lettuce leaves. Lettuce leaves were exposed to (522 nm), red (639 nm) and blue (470 nm) LEDs of different light intensities. Thylakoid multiprotein complex proteins and photosynthetic metabolism were then investigated. Biomass and photosynthetic parameters increased with an increasing light intensity under blue LED illumination and decreased when illuminated with red and green LEDs with decreased light intensity. The expression of multiprotein complex proteins including PSII-core dimer and PSII-core monomer using blue LEDs illumination was higher at higher light intensity (238 μmol m−2 s−1) and was lowered with decreased light intensity (70–80 μmol m−2 s−1). The responses of chloroplast sub-compartment proteins, including those active in stomatal opening and closing, and leaf physiological responses at different light intensities, indicated induced growth enhancement upon illumination with blue LEDs. High intensity blue LEDs promote plant growth by controlling the integrity of chloroplast proteins that optimize photosynthetic performance in the natural environment.
Correction: Koh, L.B., et al. Epoxy Cross-Linked Collagen and Collagen-Laminin Peptide Hydrogels as Corneal Substitutes. J. Funct. Biomater. 2013, 4, 162-177
Authors: Koh Li , Islam Mohammad , Mitra Debbie , Noel Christopher , Merrett Kimberley , Odorcic Silvia , Fagerholm Per , Jackson William , Liedberg Bo , Phopase Jaywant , Griffith May
Published: March 2014

It has been brought to our attention very recently that we had an omission error in our methods section of the paper [1]. [...]
Antibacterial Effects of Afzelin Isolated from Cornus macrophylla on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, A Leading Cause of Illness in Immunocompromised Individuals
Authors: Lee Sang , So Young-Jin , Shin Moon , Cho Jae , Lee Jongsung
Published: March 2014

The crude ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of Cornus macrophylla showed antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading cause of illness in immunocompromised individuals. Bioactivity-guided separation led to the isolation of kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (afzelin). The structure was determined based on evaluation of its spectroscopic (UV, MS, and NMR) data. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of afzelin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to be 31 µg/mL. In addition, the results indicated that a hydroxyl group at C3 of the C-ring of the flavone skeleton and the rhamnose group may act as a negative factor and an enhancing factor, respectively, in the antibacterial activities of afzelin.
Hyaluronic Acid Conjugates as Vectors for the Active Targeting of Drugs, Genes and Nanocomposites in Cancer Treatment
Authors: Arpicco Silvia , Milla Paola , Stella Barbara , Dosio Franco
Published: March 2014

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally-occurring glycosaminoglycan and a major component of the extracellular matrix. Low levels of the hyaluronic acid receptor CD44 are found on the surface of epithelial, hematopoietic, and neuronal cells; it is overexpressed in many cancer cells, and in particular in tumor-initiating cells. HA has recently attracted considerable interest in the field of developing drug delivery systems, having been used, as such or encapsulated in different types of nanoassembly, as ligand to prepare nano-platforms for actively targeting drugs, genes, and diagnostic agents. This review describes recent progress made with the several chemical strategies adopted to synthesize conjugates and prepare novel delivery systems with improved behaviors.
Computational Study of Electron Delocalization in Hexaarylbenzenes
Authors: Rios Citlalli , Salcedo Roberto
Published: March 2014

A number of hexaarylbenzene compounds were studied theoretically, in order to compare energy changes as a result of the toroidal delocalization effect that is characteristic of all these species. The energy was studied taking advantage of locally designed isodesmic reactions. Results indicate that the amount of aromaticity manifested by each substituent is a factor that should be considered when assessing the quantity of energy dissipated from each aromatic center. The influence of different substituents on electronic delocalization is also analyzed, as well as the role played by their frontier molecular orbitals.
The Effect of Normally Consumed Amounts of Sucrose or High Fructose Corn Syrup on Lipid Profiles, Body Composition and Related Parameters in Overweight/Obese Subjects
Authors: Lowndes Joshua , Sinnett Stephanie , Pardo Sabrina , Nguyen Von , Melanson Kathleen , Yu Zhiping , Lowther Britte , Rippe James
Published: March 2014

The American Heart Association (AHA) has advocated that women and men not consume more than 100 and 150 kcal/day, respectively, from added sugars. These levels are currently exceeded by over 90% of the adult population in the United States. Few data exist on longer-term metabolic effects when sucrose and High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), the principal sources of added dietary sugars, are consumed at levels typical of the general population. Sixty five overweight and obese individuals were placed on a eucaloric (weight stable) diet for 10-weeks, which incorporated sucrose- or HFCS-sweetened, low-fat milk at 10% or 20% of calories in a randomized, double-blinded study. All groups responded similarly (interaction p > 0.05). There was no change in body weight in any of the groups over the 10-week study, or in systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Likewise, there were no changes in total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or apolipoprotein B (Apo B). We conclude that (1) when consumed as part of a eucaloric diet fructose—when given with glucose (as normally consumed) does not promote weight gain or an atherogenic lipid profile even when consumed at two to four times the level recently recommended by the AHA. (2) There were no differences between HFCS and sucrose on these parameters.
Living Radical Polymerization via Organic Superbase Catalysis
Authors: Lei Lin , Tanishima Miho , Goto Atsushi , Kaji Hironori
Published: March 2014

Organic superbases reacted with alkyl iodides (R–I) to reversibly generate the corresponding alkyl radicals (R•). Via this reaction, organic superbases were utilized as new and highly efficient organic catalysts in living radical polymerization. The superbase catalysts included guanidines, aminophosphines and phosphazenes. Low-polydispersity polymers (Mw/Mn = 1.1–1.4) were obtained up to high conversions (e.g., 80%) in reasonably short times (3–12 h) at mild temperatures (60–80 °C) for methyl methacrylate, styrene and several functional methacrylates. The high polymerization rate and good monomer versatility are attractive features of these superbase catalysts.
Agricultural Monitoring in Northeastern Ontario, Canada, Using Multi-Temporal Polarimetric RADARSAT-2 Data
Authors: Cable Jeffrey , Kovacs John , Jiao Xianfeng , Shang Jiali
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this research is to analyze how changes in acquisition time and incidence angle affect various C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) polarimetric intensities, co-polarized phase information, polarimetric response plots and decomposition parameters for various crops typical of Northern Ontario, Canada. We examine how these parameters may be used to monitor the growth stages of five common cash crops, namely, barley (Hordeum vulgare), canola (Brassica napus), oat (Avena sativa), soybean (Glycine max) and wheat (Triticum spp.). In total, nine RADARSAT-2 polarimetric images were analyzed across a 14-week period beginning in June and ending in September 2011 using two incidence angles of approximately 26° and 41°. As expected, the backscatter intensities for all targets were found to show a higher response when acquired at the steeper incidence angle (26°). All cash crop targets showed a rise and fall in backscatter response over the course of the growing season, coinciding with changing growth stages. Slight phase differences were observed for cereal crops, possibly due to one of the polarizations penetrating between the rows allowing double-bounce to occur. The polarimetric response plots and decompositions offered insight into the scattering mechanisms of each crop type, generally showing an increase in volume scattering as the crops reached maturity. Specifically, the contributions of the crops increased towards the volume scattering component and zones 4 and 2, as the crops matured in regards to the Freeman-Durden and Cloude-Pottier decompositions respectively. Overall, soybean and canola showed a more similar response in comparison to the cereal cash crops. Although the study focused on Northern Ontario, it is anticipated that these results would be relevant in investigations of multi-temporal RADARSAT-2 for agricultural zones with similar crop types.
La Fusariose du Palmier à huile en Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Bachy André , Fehling C.
Published: March 2014

Le « Wilt » du Palmier à Huile existe en Afrique occidentale. Il est provoqué par Fusarium oxysporum f. elaeidis.

Cette « Fusariose » est comparable à celle décrite au Nigeria et au Congo Belge par Wardlaw et Prendergast.

Elle existe sur palmiers adultes, sur palmiers de replantation et même, mais rarement, sur jeunes palmiers dans les extensions en savane.

Il s'écoule environ 5 mois entre l'apparition des symptômes et la mort.

Des applications de potasse réduisent considérablement l'importance des dégâts en Nigeria. Elles semblent moins efficaces en Côte d'Ivoire.

Il existe dans les zones atteintes une déficience très nette en manganèse.

La relation entre taches de Fusariose et bas-fonds est suffisamment nette pour nécessiter un complément d'information.
Acute colchicine overdose: report of three cases
Authors: Aghabiklooei A. , Zamani N. , Hassanian-Moghaddam H. , Nasouhi S. , Mashayekhian M.
Published: March 2014

Intentional acute toxicity by colchicine is not common but accompanies a high rate of complications and mortality. It is generally assumed to be an emergency in clinical toxicology. Rapid diagnosis and treatment can prevent death. The most common causes of death in this toxicity are acute cardiac failure, shock, and dysrhythmias with hematopoietic complications occurring in later stages. We report three cases of acute colchicine toxicity, two of which expired, with different presenting and ongoing signs and symptoms. We aimed to define the different possible clinical manifestations of the toxicity and review the probable treatments available for these patients.
Biomarkers study in rainbow trout exposed to industrially contaminated groundwater
Authors: Benchalgo Nadjet , Gagné François , Fournier Michel
Published: March 2014

The spill of liquid industrial waste from chemical and petrochemical industries in Mercier lagoons located 20 km south of Montreal, Quebec, caused a major groundwater contamination by industrial contaminants. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxic effects of Mercier groundwater, following 4 and 14 days of exposure to graded concentrations from three wells at increasing distances 1.2, 2.7 and 5.4 km from the source of contamination. Rainbow trout were examined for several biomarkers of defense [ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and gluthatione S-transferase (GST) activities] and those of tissue damage [lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA strand breaks]. The results showed that EROD activity was significantly enhanced in hepatic tissue at 1.2 and 5.4 km, whereas inhibition in activity was observed in group at 2.7 km. Therefore, GST activity was significantly increased at 3.1% concentration for the 2.7 km well. No change in LPO was observed. However, a significant induction of DNA strand breaks in liver was obtained at each distance. In conclusion, the data suggest that the release of these contaminants in groundwater leads to increased biotransformation for coplanar aromatic hydrocarbons and DNA damage in groundwater.
Life in our hands? Some ethical perspectives on the human genome and human genome diversity projects
Authors: Du Toit Cornelius W.
Published: March 2014

The article dealt with implications of the human genome and the human genome diversity project. It examined some theological implications, such as: humans as the image of God, God as the creator of life, the changed role of miracles and healings in religion, the sacredness of nature, life and the genome. Ethical issues that were addressed include eugenics, germline intervention, determinism and the human genome diversity project. Economic and legal factors that play a role were also discussed. Whilst positive aspects of genome research were considered, a critical stance was adopted towards patenting the human genome and some concluding guidelines were proposed.
Progress in Surface Theory
Authors: Abresch Uwe , Pedit Franz , Umehara Masaaki
Published: March 2014

Over the last 30 years global surface theory has become pivotal in the understanding of low dimensional global phenomena. At the same time surface geometry became a platform on which seemingly different areas of mathematics – such as geometric and topological analysis, integrable systems, algebraic geometry of curves, and mathematical physics – coalesce to produce far reaching ideas, conjectures, methods and results. The workshop hosted talks on the resolutions of famous conjectures in surface geometry, including the Willmore conjecture, and on exciting new progress in the understanding of moduli spaces of special surface classes.
Heat Kernels, Stochastic Processes and Functional Inequalities
Authors: Gordina Masha , Kumagai Takashi , Saloff-Coste Laurent , Sturm Karl-Theodor
Published: March 2014

The general topic of the 2013 workshop
Heat kernels, stochastic processes and functional inequalities
was the study of linear and non-linear diffusions in geometric environments: finite and infinite-dimensional manifolds, metric spaces, fractals and graphs, including random environments. The workshop brought together leading researchers from analysis, probability and geometry and provided a unique opportunity for interaction of established and young scientists from these areas. Unifying themes were heat kernel analysis, mass transport problems and related functional inequalities such as Poincar´e, Sobolev, logarithmic Sobolev, Bakry-Emery, Otto-Villani and Talagrand inequalities. These concepts were at the heart of Perelman’s proof of Poincar´e’s conjecture, as well as of the development of the Otto calculus, and the synthetic Ricci bounds of Lott-Sturm-Villani. The workshop provided participants with an opportunity to discuss how these techniques can be used to approach problems in optimal transport for non-local operators, subelliptic operators in finite and infinite dimensions, analysis on singular spaces, as well as random walks in random media.
Complex Algebraic Geometry
Authors: Catanese Fabrizio , Hacon Christopher D. , Kawamata Yujiro , Siebert Bernd
Published: March 2014

The conference focused on several topics, classical and modern, in the classification theory of compact algebraic and Kähler varieties, and on several methods, from singularity theory, topology, homological algebra, Geometric Invariant Theory and Moduli theory, char p methods.
Hyperbolic Techniques for Phase Dynamics
Authors: Colombo Rinaldo M. , LeFloch Philippe G. , Rohde Christian
Published: March 2014

The progress in the theory of hyperbolic conservation laws has always been and still is driven strongly by new fields of applications. The workshop addressed aspects of modelling, analysis and numerics for fundamental problems at the interface between hyperbolic evolution and the emerging mathematical theories of complex multiphasic materials. This includes problems in fluid and solid mechanics but also very recent applications in areas like swarm and traffic modelling.
Quadratic Forms and Linear Algebraic Groups
Authors: Hoffmann Detlev , Merkurjev Alexander , Tignol Jean-Pierre
Published: March 2014

Topics discussed at the workshop “Quadratic Forms and Linear Algebraic Groups” included besides the algebraic theory of quadratic and Hermitian forms and their Witt groups several aspects of the theory of linear algebraic groups and homogeneous varieties, as well as some arithmetic aspects pertaining to the theory of quadratic forms over function fields or number fields.
Algebraic K-theory and Motivic Cohomology
Authors: Geisser Thomas , Huber-Klawitter Annette , Jannsen Uwe , Levine Marc
Published: March 2014

Algebraic K-theory and motivic cohomology are strongly related tools providing a systematic way of producing invariants for algebraic or geometric structures. The definition and methods are taken from algebraic topology, but there have been particularly fruitful applications to problems of algebraic geometry, number theory or quadratic forms. 19 one-hour talks presented a wide range of latest results on the theory and its applications.
Quantifying the contributions of natural emissions to ozone and total fine PM concentrations in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Zare A. , Christensen J. H. , Gross A. , Irannejad P. , Glasius M. , Brandt J.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Accurate estimates of emissions from natural sources are needed for reliable predictions of ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) using air quality models. In this study, the large-scale atmospheric chemistry transport model, DEHM (the Danish Eulerian Hemispheric Model) is further developed, evaluated and applied to study and quantify the contributions of natural emissions of VOCs, NOx, NH3, SO2, CH4, PM, CO and sea salt to the concentration of ozone and formation of PM2.5 for the year 2006. Natural source categories adopted in the recent model are vegetation, lightning, soils, wild animals and oceans. In this study, the model has been further developed to include more Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) and to implement a scheme for secondary organic aerosols as well as an updated description of sea-salt emissions. Our simulations indicate that in the Northern Hemisphere the contribution from natural emissions to the average annual ozone mixing ratios over land is between 4–30 ppbV. Among the natural emissions, BVOCs are found to be the most significant contributors to ozone formation in 2006, enhancing the average ozone mixing ratio by about 11% over the land areas of the Northern Hemisphere. The relative contribution of all the natural emissions to ozone is found to be highest in the northern part of South America by about 42%. Similarly, the highest contribution of all the natural sources to total fine particles over land is found to be in South America by about 74% and sea-salt aerosols demonstrated to play the most important role. However, over the rest of the regions in the model domain the largest contribution from the natural sources to PM2.5 in the specific year 2006 is due to wildfires. The contribution from natural emissions to the mean PM2.5 concentration over the land areas in the model domain is about 34%.
Uncertainty analysis of projections of ozone-depleting substances: mixing ratios, EESC, ODPs, and GWPs
Authors: Velders G. J. M. , Daniel J. S.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. The rates at which ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) are removed from the atmosphere, which determine the lifetimes of these ODSs, are key factors for determining the rate of ozone layer recovery in the coming decades. We present here a comprehensive uncertainty analysis of future mixing ratios of ODSs, levels of equivalent effective stratospheric chlorine (EESC), ozone depletion potentials, and global warming potentials (GWPs), using, among other information, the 2013 WCRP/SPARC (World Climate Research Programme/Stratospheric Processes and their Role in Climate) assessment of lifetimes of ODSs and their uncertainties. The year EESC returns to pre-1980 levels, a metric commonly used to indicate a level of recovery from ODS-induced ozone depletion, is 2048 for midlatitudes and 2075 for Antarctic conditions based on the lifetimes from the SPARC assessment, which is about 2 and 4 yr, respectively, later than based on the lifetimes from the WMO (World Meteorological Organization) assessment of 2011. However, the uncertainty in this return to 1980 levels is much larger than the shift due to this change in lifetimes. The year EESC returns to pre-1980 levels ranges from 2039 to 2064 (95% confidence interval) for midlatitudes and from 2061 to 2105 for the Antarctic spring. The primary contribution to these ranges comes from the uncertainty in the lifetimes, with smaller contributions from uncertainties in other modeled parameters. The earlier years of the return estimates derived by the uncertainty analysis, i.e., 2039 for midlatitudes and 2061 for Antarctic spring, are comparable to a hypothetical scenario in which emissions of ODSs cease in 2014. The later end of the range, i.e., 2064 for midlatitudes and 2105 for Antarctic spring, can also be obtained by a scenario with an additional emission of about 7 Mt CFC-11 eq. (eq. – equivalent) in 2015, which is the same as about 2 times the projected cumulative anthropogenic emissions of all ODSs from 2014 to 2050, or about 12 times the projected cumulative HCFC emissions from 2014 to 2050.
Provenance of tetraether membrane lipids in a large temperate lake (Loch Lomond, UK): implications for GDGT-based palaeothermometry
Authors: Buckles L. K. , Weijers J. W. H. , Tran X.-M. , Waldron S. , Sinninghe Damsté J. S.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. The application of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT)-based palaeoenvironmental proxies, such as the BIT index, TEX86 and the MBT/CBT palaeothermometer, has lately been expanded to lacustrine sediments. Given recent research identifying the production of branched, bacterial GDGTs (brGDGTs) within lakes, it is necessary to ascertain the effect of this lacustrine production on GDGT-based proxies. This study profiles a temperate, monomictic lake (Loch Lomond, UK), analysing labile intact polar GDGT lipids (IPLs) and resilient core GDGT lipids (CLs) in catchment soils, small tributary rivers, lake water and lake sediments. Loch Lomond consists of two basins bisected by the Highland Boundary Fault, resulting in a mesotrophic to oligotrophic gradient from south to north. The north basin is fjord-like, while the south basin is shallow with a lowland catchment. Besides abundant influxes of allochthonous soil and peat-derived (CL) brGDGTs, brGDGTs are produced in a variety of settings in Loch Lomond. Rather than integrating a scattered soil signal, there is some evidence that small rivers may contribute to the brGDGT pool through addition of brGDGTs produced in situ in these streams. 300 days of settling particles and water column profiles of suspended particulate matter (SPM; March and September 2011) reveal brGDGT production throughout the water column, with (IPL and CL) brGDGT distributions varying by basin. In lake sediments, in situ brGDGT production affects the distributions of sedimentary brGDGTs despite high soil and peat-derived organic matter influxes from the catchment. MBT/CBT-derived mean annual air temperature (MAAT) estimates from soil, river and lake sediments vary widely. A strong bias towards higher MAATs in the south and lower MAATs in the north basin further complicates the application of the proxy. These results emphasise that caution must be exercised when applying the MBT/CBT palaeothermometer to individual lakes in which the use of the proxy has not been validated and therefore the factors affecting its application are not well understood. Despite elevated BIT indices, (partly) due to in situ brGDGT production, reliable TEX86 lake surface temperature (LST) estimates were obtained from SPM with BIT indices up to 0.9 but containing abundant crenarchaeol. Lower north basin sediments yielded accurate LST estimates but require further evaluation to properly constrain the application of the TEX86 proxy.
Are Serum to Dialysate Sodium Gradient and Segmental Bioimpedance Volumes associated with the Fall in Blood Pressure with Hemodialysis?
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Khosravi Maryam , Massart Annick , Potluri Madhu , Davenport Andrew
Published: March 2014

Introduction

A fall in blood pressure is the most common complication of outpatient hemodialysis. Several factors have been implicated, including serum sodium to dialysate gradient, ultrafiltration rate, and the amount of fluid to be removed during dialysis.

Methods

We prospectively audited 400 adult patients attending for their routine midweek hemodialysis session, and recorded changes in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP).

Results

Mean age 58.4 ± 16.6 years, 60.9% male, 30.7% diabetic, 36.8% Caucasoid, single pool Kt/V 1.57 ± 0.4, and median percentage change in MAP −6.7% (-14.1 to + 2.8). The percentage fall in MAP was greatest for those starting with higher MAPs (β 0.448, F 67.5, p<0.001), greater serum sodium to dialysate sodium gradient (β 0.676, F 5.59, p = 0.019), and age (β 0.163, F 5.15, p = 0.024). In addition, the percentage fall in MAP was greater in those with the lowest segmental extracellular water/total body water (ECW/TBW) ratios in the right arm prior to dialysis (β −477.5, F 7.11, p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Falls in blood pressure are common during dialysis, and greater for those starting dialysis with the highest systolic pressures, greater dialysate to serum sodium concentration gradient, and also those with the least ECW in the arm. As such, segmental bioimpedance may be useful in highlighting patients at greatest risk for a fall in blood pressure with dialysis.
Gas Exchange Efficiency of an Oxygenator with Integrated Pulsatile Displacement Blood Pump for Neonatal Patients
Authors: Schlanstein Peter C. , Borchardt Ralf , Mager Ilona , Schmitz-Rode Thomas , Steinseifer Ulrich , Arens Jutta
Published: March 2014

Oxygenators have been used in neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) since the 1970s. The need to develop a more effective oxygenator for this patient cohort exists due to their size and blood volume limitations. This study sought to validate the next design iteration of a novel oxygenator for neonatal ECMO with an integrated pulsatile displacement pump, thereby superseding an additional blood pump. Pulsating blood flow within the oxygenator is generated by synchronized active air flow expansion and contraction of integrated silicone pump tubes and hose pinching valves located at the oxygenator inlet and outlet. The current redesign improved upon previous prototypes by optimizing silicone pump tube distribution within the oxygenator fiber bundle; introduction of an oval shaped inner fiber bundle core, and housing; and a higher fiber packing density, all of which in combination reduced the priming volume by about 50% (50 to 27 mL and 41 to 20 mL, respectively). Gas exchange efficiency was tested for two new oxygenators manufactured with different fiber materials: one with coating and one with smaller pore size, both capable of long-term use (OXYPLUS® and CELGARD®). Results demonstrated that the oxygen transfer for both oxygenators was 5.3-24.7 mlo2/min for blood flow ranges of 100-500 mlblood /min. Carbon dioxide transfer for both oxygenators was 3.7-26.3 mlCo2/min for the same blood flow range. These preliminary results validated the oxygenator redesign by demonstrating an increase in packing density and thus in gas transfer, an increase in pumping capacity and a reduction in priming volume.
Peritoneal Dialysis does not Adversely Affect Kidney Function Recovery after Congenital Heart Surgery
Authors: Riley Alyssa A. , Jefferies John L. , Nelson David P. , Bennett Michael R. , Blinder Joshua J. , Ma Qing , Devarajan Prasad , Goldstein Stuart L.
Published: March 2014

Purpose

Acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery to correct congenital heart disease is common. We prevent fluid overload and further cardiac compromise in oliguric infants with continuous peritoneal dialysis (CPD). The effect of CPD on kidney recovery is unknown, thus indications to discontinue CPD are unclear. We aimed to determine if CPD affects kidney recovery, measured by urine output and novel urinary AKI biomarker concentrations.

Methods

Twenty infants <90 days old with congenital heart disease who underwent bypass surgery and were post-operatively treated with CPD were randomized at the time of clinical readiness for CPD discontinuation to 1) discontinue CPD (control) or 2) continue 24 h more CPD (experimental). Urine output (ml/kg per h), total output (ml/kg per h) and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, interleukin-18, liver-type fatty acid binding protein, and kidney injury molecule-1 were assessed post-surgery until CPD catheter removal.

Results

24 hours preceding randomization, there were no differences in mean urine output or total output; 24 hours post-randomization, the control group had higher mean urine output (4.2 ± 2.6 ml/kg per h vs. 2.8 ± 2.0 ml/kg per h, p = 0.02) but lower total output (6.3 ± 2.1 ml/kg per h vs. 4.7 ± 2.7 ml/kg per h, p = 0.01). Median biomarker concentrations did not differ significantly between groups at any time point.

Conclusions

Our results suggest renal replacement therapy does not change the time course of kidney function recovery.
The Thyroid and the Kidney: A Complex Interplay in Health and Disease
Authors: Dousdampanis Periklis , Trigka Konstantina , Vagenakis Georgios A. , Fourtounas Costas
Published: March 2014

Thyroid hormones may directly affect the kidney and altered kidney function may also contribute to thyroid disorders. The renal manifestations of thyroid disorders are based on hemodynamic alterations or/and to direct effects of thyroid hormones. The renin-angiotensin system plays a crucial role in the cross-talk between the thyroid and the kidney. Hypothyroidism may be accompanied by an increase of serum creatinine and reduction of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), whereas hyperthyroidism may increase GFR. Treatment of thyroid disorders may lead to normalization of GFR. Primary and subclinical hypothyroidism and low triiodothyronine (T3) syndrome are common features in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In addition low levels of thyroid hormones may predict a higher risk of cardiovascular and overall mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. The causal nature of this correlation remains uncertain. In this review, special emphasis is given to the thyroid pathophysiology, its impact on kidney function and CKD and the interpretation of laboratorial findings of thyroid dysfunction in CKD.