bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study of Dark Matter in the MSSM and Its Singlet Extensions: A Mini Review
Authors: Wang Wenyu
Published: October 2012

In this note we briefly review the recent studies of dark matter in the MSSM and its singlet extensions: the NMSSM, the nMSSM, and the general singlet extension. Under the new detection results of CDMS II, XENON, CoGeNT, and PAMELA, we find that (i) the latest detection results can exclude a large part of the parameter space which is allowed by current collider constraints in these models. The future SuperCDMS and XENON can cover most of the allowed parameter space; (ii) the singlet sector will decouple from the MSSM-like sector in the NMSSM; however, singlet sector makes the nMSSM quite different from the MSSM; (iii) the NMSSM can allow light dark matter at several GeV to exist. Light CP-even or CP-odd Higgs boson must be present so as to satisfy the measured dark matter relic density. In case of the presence of a light CP-even Higgs boson, the light neutralino dark matter can explain the CoGeNT and DAMA/LIBRA results; (iv) the general singlet extension of the MSSM gives a perfect explanation for both the relic density and the PAMELA result through the Sommerfeld-enhanced annihilation. Higgs decays in different scenario are also studied.
Patterns of Cancer Genetic Testing: A Randomized Survey of Oregon Clinicians
Authors: Cox Summer L. , Zlot Amy I. , Silvey Kerry , Elliott Debi , Horn Tara , Johnson Amber , Leman Richard F.
Published: October 2012

Introduction. Appropriate use of genetic tests for population-based cancer screening, diagnosis of inherited cancers, and guidance of cancer treatment can improve health outcomes. We investigated clinicians’ use and knowledge of eight breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer genetic tests.Methods. We conducted a randomized survey of 2,191 Oregon providers, asking about their experience with fecal DNA, OncoVue,BRCA,MMR,CYP2D6, tumor gene expression profiling,UGT1A1, andKRAS.Results. Clinicians reported low confidence in their knowledge of medical genetics; most confident were OB-GYNs and specialists. Clinicians were more likely to have ordered/recommendedBRCAandMMRthan the other tests, and OB-GYNs were twice as likely to have ordered/recommendedBRCAtesting than primary care providers. Less than 10% of providers ordered/recommended OncoVue, fecal DNA,CYP2D6, orUGT1A1; less than 30% ordered/recommended tumor gene expression profiles orKRAS. The most common reason for not ordering/recommending these tests was lack of familiarity.Conclusions. Use of appropriate, evidence-based testing can help reduce incidence and mortality of certain cancers, but these tests need to be better integrated into clinical practice. Continued evaluation of emerging technologies, dissemination of findings, and an increase in provider confidence and knowledge are necessary to achieve this end.
Stability Analysis for Markovian Jump Neutral Systems with Mixed Delays and Partially Known Transition Rates
Authors: Xiong Lianglin , Zhou Xiaobing , Qiu Jie , Lei Jing
Published: October 2012

The delay‐dependent stability problem is studied for Markovian jump neutral systems with partial information on transition probabilities, and the considered delays are mixed and model dependent. By constructing the new stochastic Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional, which combined the introduced free matrices with the analysis technique of matrix inequalities, a sufficient condition for the systems with fully known transition rates is
firstly established. Then, making full use of the transition rate matrix, the results are obtained for the other case, and the uncertain neutral Markovian jump system with incomplete transition rates is also considered. Finally, to show the validity of the obtained results, three numerical examples are provided.
White Matter Atrophy in Patients with Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Voxel-Based Morphometry Analysis of T1- and T2-Weighted MR Images
Authors: Braga Barbara , Yasuda Clarissa L. , Cendes Fernando
Published: October 2012

Introduction. Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) associated with hippocampal sclerosis is highly refractory to clinical treatment. MRI voxel-based morphometry (VBM) of T1-weighted images has revealed a widespread pattern of gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) atrophy in MTLE. Few studies have investigated the role of T2-weighted images in revealing WM atrophy using VBM.Objectives. To compare the results of WM atrophy between T1- and T2-weighted images through VBM.Methods. We selected 28 patients with left and 27 with right MTLE and 60 normal controls. We analyzed T1- and T2- weighted images with SPM8, using VBM/DARTEL algorithm to extract maps of GM and WM. The second level of SPM was used to investigate areas of WM atrophy among groups.Results. Both acquisitions showed bilateral widespread WM atrophy. T1-weighted images showed higher sensibility to detect areas of WM atrophy in both groups of MTLE. T2-weighted images also showed areas of WM atrophy in a more restricted pattern, but still bilateral and with a large area of superposition with T1-weighted images.Conclusions. In MTLE, T1-weighted images are more sensitive to detect subtle WM abnormalities using VBM, compared to T2 images, although both present a good superposition of statistical maps.
The Presence of Anti-HLA Antibodies before and after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cells Transplantation from HLA-Mismatched Unrelated Donors
Authors: Koclega Anna , Markiewicz Miroslaw , Siekiera Urszula , Dobrowolska Alicja , Sylwia Mizia , Dzierzak-Mietla Monika , Zielinska Patrycja , Sobczyk Kruszelnicka Malgorzata , Lange Andrzej , Kyrcz-Krzemien Slawomira
Published: October 2012

Although anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies (anti-HLA Abs) are important factors responsible for graft rejection in solid organ transplantation and play a role in post-transfusion complications, their role in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has not been finally defined. Enormous polymorphism of HLA-genes, their immunogenicity and heterogeneity of antibodies, as well as the growing number of allo-HSCTs from partially HLA-mismatched donors, increase the probability that anti-HLA antibodies could be important factors responsible for the treatment outcomes. We have examined the incidence of anti-HLA antibodies in a group of 30 allo-HSCT recipients from HLA-mismatched unrelated donors. Anti-HLA Abs were identified in sera collected before and after allo-HSCT. We have used automated DynaChip assay utilizing microchips bearing purified class I and II HLA antigens for detection of anti-HLA Abs. We have detected anit-HLA antibodies against HLA-A, B, C, DR, DQ and DP, but no donor or recipient-specific anti-HLA Abs were detected in the studied group. The preliminary results indicate that anti-HLA antibodies are present before and after allo-HSCT in HLA-mismatched recipients.
Gossypiboma Causing Mechanical Intestinal Obstruction: A Case Report
Authors: Aydogan Akin , Akkucuk Seckin , Yetim Ibrahim , Ozkan Orhan Veli , Karcioglu Murat
Published: October 2012

Introduction. Gossypiboma (GP) is a term used to express the mass resulting from forgotten cotton sponge in operations. Rarely, a transmural migration may occur into the gastrointestinal lumen without creating any defect by GP. Laparotomy or endoscopic removal may be required, by the way it can be taken out of the body itself by intestinal ways. In this study, we reported a case of mechanical intestinal obstruction causing GP.Case. The fifty-one-year-old female patient admitted to the emergency department with the complaints of mechanical intestinal obstruction and had a history of open cholecystectomy 20 years ago. There were the findings of intestinal obstruction in abdominal plain radiography and computerized tomography. The sponge that obstructed the lumen completely 40 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve was identified in the laparotomy with the diagnosis of brid ileus. The small intestine was closed over double-fold after removal of sponge. Transmural migration of abdominal-remained sponge was thought to be occurred without creating a defect after cholecystectomy. Postoperatively, the patient was discharged without having any problems at 4th day of hospitalization.Conclusion. Although it is a rare situation in routine clinical practice, GP should be considered as a differential diagnosis in the patients who had a diagnosis of mechanical intestinal obstruction, and laparotomy was applied before. As GP may lead to situations which cause mortality, all precautions should be taken to prevent it.
Industrial Pipe-Rack Health Monitoring System Based on Reliable-Secure Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Lee Jong-Han , Jung Ji-Eun , Kim Nam-Gyu , Song Byung-Hun
Published: October 2012

Energy and power industrial plants need to improve the health monitoring systems of their facilities, particularly high-risk facilities. This need has created a demand for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, for the application of WSN technology in large-scale industrial plants, issues of reliability and security should be fully addressed, and an industrial sensor network standard that mitigatesthe problem of compatibilitywith legacy equipment and systems should be established. To fulfill these requirements, this study proposes a health monitoring system of the pipe-rack structure using ISA100.11a standard. We constructed the system, which consists of field nodes, a network gateway, and a control server, and tested its operation at a large-scale petrochemical plant. The data obtained from WSN-based sensors show that the proposed system can constantly monitor and evaluate the condition of the pipe-rack structure and provide more efficient risk management.
Compact Composition Operators between Bloch Type Spaces in the Polydisk
Authors: Fang Zhong-Shan
Published: October 2012

Wulan et al. (2009), Wulan et al. characterized the compactness of composition operators on the Bloch space in the unit disk by the nth power of the induced analytic function. This paper will generalize the result to the Bloch type space in the polydisk.
The Use of Solved Example Problems for Fostering Strategies of Self-Regulated Learning in Journal Writing
Authors: Roelle Julian , Krüger Sophie , Jansen Christian , Berthold Kirsten
Published: October 2012

Writing learning journals is a powerful tool to integrate self-regulated learning in classrooms. However, to exploit the full potential of journal writing, instructional support is needed that addresses the students’ deficits in the use of self-regulated learning strategies. A promising means to foster learning strategies in learning journals is the provision of solved example problems along with prompts. In a quasiexperimental field study, we provided fifth-grade students (N=48) with solved example problems along with prompts either right from the beginning of writing their journals or after they had already written two learning journal entries. We found that the provision of solved example problems along with prompts right from the beginning of the journal writing process fostered the quality of both cognitive and metacognitive strategies and conceptual knowledge in the initial phase. The delayed provision of solved example problems after an initial phase of journal writing yielded a detrimental effect on the quality of cognitive strategies and a beneficial effect on the quality of metacognitive strategies. In sum, our results suggest that the provision of solved example problems along with prompts right from the beginning of journal writing can effectively support fifth-grade students in overcoming deficits in the use of self-regulated learning strategies.
Towards Aid by Generate and Solve Methodology: Application in the Problem of Coverage and Connectivity in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Pinheiro Placido Rogerio , Coelho Andre Luis Vasconcelos , Aguiar Alexei Barbosa , Sobreira Neto Alvaro de Menezes
Published: October 2012

The integrative collaboration of genetic algorithms and integer linear programming as specified by the Generate and Solve methodology tries to merge their strong points and has offered significant results when applied to wireless sensor networks domains. The Generate and Solve (GS) methodology is a hybrid approach that combines a metaheuristics component with an exact solver. GS has been recently introduced into the literature in order to solve the problem of dynamic coverage and connectivity in wireless sensor networks, showing promising results. The GS framework includes a metaheuristics engine (e.g., a genetic algorithm) that works as a generator of reduced instances of the original optimization problem, which are, in turn, formulated as mathematical programming problems and solved by an integer programming solver.
Vitreous Analysis in the Management of Uveitis
Authors: Damato Erika M. , Angi Martina , Romano Mario R. , Semeraro Francesco , Costagliola Ciro
Published: October 2012

A correct diagnosis of uveitis is often challenging, given the wide range of possible underlying conditions and the lack of typical phenotypes. Management decisions may be difficult in view of the risk of visual loss with either inappropriate or delayed therapy. Analysis of the vitreous may therefore be used to provide the clinician with valuable information. In this paper, we describe the main clinical situations in which vitreous sampling is indicated and provide some guidance to clinicians for tailoring their requests. These situations include suspected intraocular infection and suspected intraocular malignancy. We describe the principal tests carried out on vitreous samples, including cultures, polymerase chain reaction-based testing, and cytokine analysis. Limitations of the tests used are likely to become less as more advanced testing methods are introduced. The importance of selecting the appropriate investigations to support a clinical suspicion is emphasised, as is the interpretation of test results within a clinical context.
Some New Variants of Cauchy′s Methods for Solving Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Liu Tianbao , Li Hengyan
Published: October 2012

We present and analyze some variants of Cauchy′s methods free from
second derivative for obtaining simple roots of nonlinear equations. The convergence
analysis of the methods is discussed. It is established that the methods have convergence order three. Per iteration the new methods require two function and one first
derivative evaluations. Numerical examples show that the new methods are comparable with the well‐known existing methods and give better numerical results in many
aspects.
Androgen Receptor Signaling in Circulating Tumor Cells as a Marker of Hormonally Responsive Prostate Cancer
Authors: Miyamoto David T. , Lee Richard J. , Stott Shannon L. , Ting David T. , Wittner Ben S. , Ulman Matthew , Smas Malgorzata E. , Lord Jenna B. , Brannigan Brian W. , Trautwein Julie , Bander Neil H. , Wu Chin-Lee , Sequist Lecia V. , Smith Matthew R. , Ramaswamy Sridhar , Toner Mehmet , Maheswaran Shyamala , Haber Daniel A.
Published: October 2012

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is initially effective in treating metastatic prostate cancer, and secondary hormonal therapies are being tested to suppress androgen receptor (AR) reactivation in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Despite variable responses to AR pathway inhibitors in CRPC, there are no reliable biomarkers to guide their application. Here, we used microfluidic capture of circulating tumor cells (CTC) to measure AR signaling readouts before and after therapeutic interventions. Single-cell immunofluorescence analysis revealed predominantly “AR-on” CTC signatures in untreated patients, compared with heterogeneous (“AR-on, AR-off, and AR-mixed”) CTC populations in patients with CRPC. Initiation of first-line ADT induced a profound switch from “AR-on” to “AR-off” CTCs, whereas secondary hormonal therapy in CRPC resulted in variable responses. Presence of “AR-mixed” CTCs and increasing “AR-on” cells despite treatment with abiraterone acetate were associated with an adverse treatment outcome. Measuring treatment-induced signaling responses within CTCs may help guide therapy in prostate cancer.

Significance: Acquired resistance to first-line hormonal therapy in prostate cancer is heterogeneous in the extent of AR pathway reactivation. Measurement of pre- and posttreatment AR signaling within CTCs may help target such treatments to patients most likely to respond to second-line therapies. Cancer Discov; 2(11); 995–1003. ©2012 AACR.

Read the Commentary on this article by Pantel and Alix-Panabières, p. 974.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 961
The Potential of Circulating Tumor Cells as a Liquid Biopsy to Guide Therapy in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Pantel Klaus , Alix-Panabières Catherine
Published: October 2012

Summary: Miyamoto and colleagues present data that prostate-specific antigen/prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSA/PSMA)–based measurements of androgen receptor (AR) signaling in circulating tumor cells (CTC) enable real-time quantitative monitoring of intratumoral AR signaling. This finding indicates that measuring AR signaling within CTCs may help to guide therapy in metastatic prostate cancer and highlights the use of CTCs as liquid biopsy. Cancer Discov; 2(11); 974–5. ©2012 AACR.

Commentary on Miyamoto et al., p. 995.
Clinical Presentation and Ischemic Zone on MRI in Cancer Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Seok Jin Myoung , Kim Suk Jae , Song Pamela , Chung Chin-Sang , Kim Gyeong-Moon , Lee Kwang Ho , Bang Oh Young
Published: October 2012

Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and MRI profiles in acute cancer strokes, and to demonstrate our experience with thrombolytic therapy in cancer stroke patients. Methods: We prospectively studied active cancer patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent MRI within 48 h of the onset of symptoms. Patients were grouped based on the presence of conventional stroke mechanisms (CSM). Clinical characteristics and MRI profiles were evaluated. Results: A total of 70 patients were finally included in this study. Patients without CSM were more frequently presented with encephalopathy than those with CSM (29.4 vs. 2.8%, p = 0.002). The diffusion-perfusion mismatch pattern was more prevalent in patients with CSM (21 patients, 58.3%) than in patients without CSM (8 patients, 23.5%). Patients who had a higher tertiles of D-dimer level were significantly less likely to have the diffusion-perfusion mismatch pattern (p = 0.015). Among patients who presented within 6 h of the onset of stroke, revascularization therapy was performed in 4 of 16 (25%) patients with CSM, but none of the patients without CSM. Conclusion: Based on the stroke mechanisms, the optimal strategy of thrombolytic therapy should be considered differently in cancer patients with acute ischemic stroke.
The Role of the Host Defense System in the Development of Cerebral Vasospasm: Analogies between Atherosclerosis and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Yanamoto Hiroji , Kataoka Hiroharu , Nakajo Yukako , Iihara Koji
Published: October 2012

Similar to atherosclerosis, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, a major growth factor for vascular smooth muscle cells, is produced in arterial walls to repair arteries after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). On review of a series of research articles that focus on defensive host responses to SAH, PDGF-BB is identified as a spasmogen, based on the following findings: (1) foreign substances injected into the subarachnoid space cause persistent constriction of cerebral arteries with a time course and histological features almost identical to those seen after SAH; (2) persistent constriction induced by SAH or a foreign substance is dependent on the complement system; (3) the complement system, which stimulates platelets, macrophages and endothelial cells to secrete PDGF-BB, is activated in both the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma immediately after SAH; (4) PDGF-BB levels in the CSF are significantly elevated in patients with delayed cerebral ischemia; (5) the immunodensity of PDGF-BB in the arterial walls correlates well with the severity of cerebral vasospasm; (6) intracisternal injection of PDGF-BB induces persistent constriction of cerebral arteries in a dose-dependent manner; (7) prolonged contact with blood clots promotes the contractile response of cerebral arteries to PDGF-BB, and (8) administration of an antagonist of PDGF-BB function suppresses the development of cerebral vasospasm.
Cognitive Effects of Subthalamic Nucleus Stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease: A Controlled Study
Authors: Sáez-Zea Carmen , Escamilla-Sevilla Francisco , Katati Majed J. , Mínguez-Castellanos Adolfo
Published: October 2012

Background: Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) improves motor function in selected patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) but can be associated with variable changes in cognitive functions. Methods: We studied 21 patients selected for STN-DBS and compared 6-month clinical and neuropsychological outcomes between those who underwent surgery (n = 9) and those who voluntarily refused it (n = 12). Results: Motor and quality of life outcomes were markedly superior in the STN-DBS group versus controls. A wide neuropsychological battery was administered, and the whole sample showed a statistically significant worsening in phonemic verbal fluency, time to perform the Trail Making Test part B, Digit Symbol score of WAIS-III and color-naming score of the Stroop Test. In comparison to controls, a trend to a slightly worse deterioration in phonemic verbal fluency was observed in the STN-DBS patients and was significantly correlated with reductions in the l-dopa-equivalent daily dose (r = 0.850, p = 0.007). Conclusion: Our study confirms the safety of STN-DBS from a cognitive standpoint; a reduction in verbal fluency at 6 months after surgery can also be related to PD progression and medication reduction.
Lymphotoxin, NF-ĸB, and Cancer: The Dark Side of Cytokines
Authors: Bauer Judith , Namineni Sukumar , Reisinger Florian , Zöller Jessica , Yuan Detian , Heikenwälder Mathias
Published: October 2012

Cytokines have been implicated in a variety of physiological processes involving lymphoid tissue development, lymphocyte activation, and control of regenerative processes such as wound healing. The first characterization of a cytokine implicated in abolishing or killing tumor cells – the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) – fostered and boosted a completely new field of research that in addition to cancer research started to generate an overwhelming amount of knowledge in immunology, various pathological processes, and other fields of research. Due to the complex networks and versatile functions of cytokines, it soon became clear that cytokines can possess diametric functions in various biological processes. As for tumor research it was shown that some cytokines – depending on the type of organ, the time of action, gender, and the cellular environment – can have either pro- or anticarcinogenic action. For those cytokines reported to be procarcinogenic, this could be accomplished by directly acting as oncogenes or generating an inflammatory environment that is procarcinogenic. Here we review a novel role for TNF family members – in particular lymphotoxin (LT) α and β – in physiology and in driving tumorigenesis, with special focus on the liver. We believe that recent findings on this particular cytokine might have strong implications for the therapy of liver cancer or other inflammation-induced cancer types.
Use of Mobile and Cordless Phones and Survival of Patients with Glioma
Authors: Hardell Lennart , Carlberg Michael
Published: October 2012

Background: We analysed the survival of patients after glioma diagnosis in relation to the use of wireless phones. Methods: All cases diagnosed between 1997 and 2003 with a malignant brain tumour (n = 1,251) in our case-control studies were included and followed from the date of diagnosis to the date of death or until May 30, 2012. Results: For glioma, the use of wireless phones (mobile and cordless phones) gave a hazard ratio (HR) = 1.1 (95% confidence interval, CI = 0.9–1.2), with >10-year latency HR = 1.2 (95% CI = 1.002–1.5, p trend = 0.02). For astrocytoma grade I-II (low-grade), the results were, HR = 0.5 (95% CI = 0.3–0.9) and for astrocytoma grade IV (glioblastoma), HR = 1.1 (95% CI = 0.95–1.4), with >10 year latency HR = 1.3 (95% CI = 1.03–1.7). In the highest tertile (>426 h) of cumulative use, HR = 1.2 (95% CI = 0.95–1.5) was found for glioblastoma. The results were similar for mobile and cordless phones. Conclusions: Decreased survival of glioma cases with long-term and high cumulative use of wireless phones was found. A survival disadvantage for astrocytoma grade IV, but a survival benefit for astrocytoma grade I-II was observed which could be due to exposure-related tumour symptoms leading to earlier diagnosis and surgery in that patient group.
Ultrafiltration Therapy for Cardiorenal Syndrome: Physiologic Basis and Contemporary Options
Authors: Ross Edward A. , Kazory Amir
Published: October 2012

Background: Heart failure (HF) has a high readmission rate in part due to conventional and recently developed therapeutic options having suboptimal results. Extracorporeal and peritoneal ultrafiltration have been advocated as more beneficial methods for fluid removal in decompensated or refractory HF, respectively. Methods: Traditional and emerging concepts explaining the pathophysiology of HF and the cardiorenal syndrome are reviewed. Extracorporeal and peritoneal ultrafiltration clinical trials are then discussed in terms of potential physiologic benefits, feasibility and their effects on both cardiac and renal function. Results: Ultrafiltration therapy can efficiently correct volume overload in the acute setting, improve cardiac functional and quality of life parameters, and is associated with long-lasting benefits such as reduced HF-related readmissions. Although excessive fluid removal can adversely affect the kidneys, there is evidence that careful protocols can restore diuretic sensitivity and maintain stable renal function; crafting safe parameters has yet to be studied. Conclusion: While extracorporeal ultrafiltration is an appealing therapeutic option for patients with acute decompensated HF, determining the optimal fluid removal rate and the impact on renal function need further investigation. Peritoneal dialysis may be an appropriate alternative in the setting of chronic refractory HF, but controlled studies are needed. Further trials are warranted to determine the long-term outcomes from both ultrafiltration modalities in HF.
Cross-Sectional Association between Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals and Cognitive Limitation in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Power Melinda C. , Webster Thomas F. , Baccarelli Andrea A. , Weisskopf Marc G.
Published: October 2012

Background/Aims: Our limited understanding of how polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs) may impact on human health suggests the potential for a protective impact on brain health. This study was designed to explore the association between PFCs and cognitive ability in older adults. Methods: We assessed the association between four PFCs, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and self-reported limitation due to difficulty remembering or periods of confusion using data from participants aged 60–85 years from the 1999–2000 and 2003–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. We also considered whether diabetic status or diabetic medication use modifies this association in light of in vitro evidence that PFCs may act on the same receptors as some diabetic medications. Results: In multivariable adjusted models, point estimates suggest a protective association between PFCs and self-reported cognitive limitation (odds ratio, OR; 95% confidence interval, CI) for a doubling in PFC concentration: PFOS (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.78, 1.03), PFOA (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.78, 1.09), PFNA (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.79, 1.04) and PFHxS (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.82, 1.06). The protective association was concentrated in diabetics, with strong, significant protective associations in nonmedicated diabetics. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study suggests that there may be a protective association between exposure to PFCs and cognition in older adults, particularly diabetics.
Advances in Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: Citrate Anticoagulation Update
Authors: Tolwani Ashita , Wille Keith M.
Published: October 2012

Because of the potential side effects of heparin, methods of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) have been gaining wider acceptance with the development of simplified and safer protocols. Advantages of RCA include the avoidance of systemic anticoagulation and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. The disadvantage is that citrate can add complexity and labor intensity to CRRT. Frequent monitoring of electrolytes, ionized calcium, and acid-base status is required, due to the potential for hypernatremia, metabolic alkalosis, and systemic ionized hypocalcemia. If properly monitored, complications associated with RCA are uncommon. A variety of methods of delivering RCA are described in the literature. Overall, studies of RCA, as compared to unfractionated heparin, report better filter survival times and less bleeding. In this section, we summarize the characteristics of citrate as an anticoagulant and provide an update of citrate use in CRRT.
Menstrual Disorders in Adolescents: Review of Current Practice
Authors: Williams Cara E. , Creighton Sarah M.
Published: October 2012

Menstrual disorders are common in adolescent girls. Periods can be irregular, heavy and/or painful, especially in the first few years following menarche. Serious pathology is rare; however, menstrual dysfunction can have a significant effect on daily activities and result in school absence. There are many treatment options which are safe to use in adolescents, although the evidence for their use is extrapolated from adult data. We present a clinical review of the current practice, including management of girls with other medical problems and learning difficulties.
Liquefaction versus Torsional IP: A Comparative Study on Endothelial Cells, Corneal Edema and Corneal Sensitivity
Authors: Labiris Georgios , Gatzioufas Zisis , Giarmoukakis Athanassios , Sideroudi Haris , Kozobolis Vassilios P.
Published: October 2012

Background/Aims: To compare the impact of liquefaction and torsional IP cataract extraction methods on endothelial cell count (ECC), central corneal edema, and central corneal sensitivity (CCS) in a sample of cataract patients. Methods: The liquefaction (LG) and torsional IP (TG) group consisted of 47 and 48 grade 2 cataract eyes, respectively. Uncorrected and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, ECC, central corneal thickness (CCT), and CCS were measured 1 day prior to surgery, 10 days, 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Results: Significant difficulties in the nucleus fragmentation were encountered in 2 LG eyes, and they were excluded from the study. Both techniques provided excellent refractive outcomes (LG, p < 0.001; TG, p = 0.02). Nonsignificant differences were detected in CCT values at the final postoperative examination; however, TG patients presented higher CCT on the first postoperative day (p = 0.04). Both groups presented comparable significant reductions in ECC (LG, p < 0.001; TG, p < 0.001) and CCS (LG, p = 0.02; TG, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Both methods provide excellent refractive outcomes, with comparable impact on ECC and CCS. Liquefaction seems to provide less corneal edema; however, difficulties in nucleus fragmentation may be encountered even in grade 2 cataracts.
INNULs: A Novel Design Amplification Strategy for Retrotransposable Elements for Studying Population Variation
Authors: LaRue Bobby L. , Sinha Sudhir K. , Montgomery Anne H. , Thompson Robyn , Klaskala Lauren , Ge Jianye , King Jonathan , Turnbough Meredith , Budowle Bruce
Published: October 2012

Objectives: Retrotransposable elements (REs), consisting of long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), are a group of markers that can be useful for human identity testing. Until now, however, due to the inherent size difference (up to 6 kb in some instances) associated with insertion and null alleles (or INNULs), the use of REs for facilitated population studies has not been sought or practical. The size of the insertion elements (from a few hundred to several thousand bp) has proven to limit their utility as a marker because of the inefficient amplicon yield with PCR. A novel primer design now facilitates INNUL marker testing. A preliminary panel of single-locus markers was developed to evaluate the potential of typing these insertion elements. Nine INNULs (5 Alu and 4 LINEs) were typed in three major North American populations and analyzed for population genetic features. In addition, the variation of each marker among the sample populations provides insight of its potential use as individual identification or ancestral marker. Methods: INNUL markers were developed into fluorescently labeled single-loci PCR. Nine markers were developed with amplicons that were less than 180 bp in length, and, depending on the locus amplicons of the INNULs, alleles varied in size from 50 to 1 bp. This allele size is noteworthy because the insertion alleles of the 9 loci range in size from 297 to 6,195 bp. The allele distribution of the INNULs was assessed and analyzed in three major North American populations. Results: Upon observation of the distribution of the alleles in three major North American populations, the markers generally met Hardy-Weinberg expectations, and there was little evidence of detectable levels of linkage disequilibrium. Due to varying distributions of the alleles in the major population groups tested, some of the markers might be better suited for use as an individual identification marker, while others are better suited for bio-ancestral studies. Conclusions: Using the primer design strategy described in our work, SINEs and (for the first time, to our knowledge) LINEs can be utilized as markers for studying population genetic variation that is more amenable to the limitations of the PCR technique. This study lays the foundation for future work of developing a multiplex panel of INNUL markers that can be used as a single-tube assay for human identity testing utilizing small amplicons (<180 bp), which could be useful for ancient or degraded forensic DNA samples.
Lymphocyte-Derived Catecholamines Induce a Shift of Th1/Th2 Balance toward Th2 Polarization
Authors: Huang Hui-Wei , Tang Jian-Lei , Han Xin-Hua , Peng Yu-Ping , Qiu Yi-Hua
Published: October 2012

Aims: Our previous work has shown that lymphocytes synthesize and secrete catecholamines (CAs), which regulate lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis. In the present study, we explored the effect of the lymphocyte-derived CAs on differentiation and function of T helper (Th) cells. Methods: Lymphocytes were separated from the mesenteric lymph nodes of mice and stimulated by concanavalin A (Con A). These cells were treated with alpha-methyl-p- tyrosine (α-MT), an inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) that is a rate-limiting enzyme for synthesis of CAs, and pargyline, an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase that degrades CAs. Results: Treatment of Con A-stimulated lymphocytes with α-MT (10–6m) reduced CAs both in the cultured lymphocytes and in the culture supernatants. Simultaneously, α-MT upregulated expression of mRNAs and proteins of T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) but downregulated expression of mRNAs and proteins of GATA binding protein 3 (GATA-3) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in Con A-activated lymphocytes. In contrast, pargyline (10–6m) increased intracellular and supernatant CA contents in Con A-activated lymphocytes. Meanwhile, the treatment with pargyline downregulated expression of T-bet and IFN-γ but upregulated expression of GATA-3 and IL-4 in these lymphocytes. Conclusion: CAs synthesized and secreted by lymphocytes regulate differentiation and function of Th cells, with an effect facilitating the shift of Th1/Th2 balance toward Th2 polarization.
Effects of a High-Protein Diet on Insulin Resistance and Body Fat in Catch-Up Growth Rats Born Small for Gestational Age
Authors: Deng Hong-Zhu , Deng Hong , Li Yan-Hong , Su Zhe , Ma Hua-Mei , Du Min-Lian
Published: October 2012

Background/Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a high-protein (HP) diet on insulin resistance and body fat in catch-up growth (CUG) rats born small for gestational age (SGA). Methods: SGA rats were randomly divided into standard diet and HP diet groups. Perirenal fat weight and blood glucose, serum insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels were measured at 4 and/or 8 weeks. Insulin resistance and β-cell function were evaluated by homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and HOMA%. Results: The values of HOMA-IR in both CUG-SGA groups were significantly higher than those in the appropriate for gestational age (AGA) group (p < 0.01), whereas they were significantly lower in the HP diet CUG-SGA group than in the standard diet CUG-SGA group at week 8 (p < 0.01). At week 8, perirenal fat weight and adipocyte diameters were higher in both CUG-SGA groups than in the AGA group (p < 0.05), but these values were significantly lower in the HP diet CUG-SGA group than in the standard diet CUG-SGA group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The HP diet had positive effects on the prevention of insulin resistance, which may have been caused by the reduction of body fat.
Unusual Cases of Adult Intersexuality in the European Eel Anguilla anguilla
Authors: Geffroy B. , Fostier A. , Guiguen Y. , Bardonnet A.
Published: October 2012

Two cases of intersexuality are reported for the first time in European eel, Anguilla anguilla (at the beginning of the silver eel stage), within 140 fish caught as glass eels in the south-west of France and reared in tanks at 17°C. Cysts containing spermatozoa were observed in ovaries with pre-vitellogenic oocytes. This feature is very uncommon, especially owing to the fact that male cells do not normally reach this stage in captivity, and an environmentally controlled transdifferentation process may not be excluded. Besides, the expression of the gonadal aromatase gene (cyp19a1a) was found to be higher in these 2 intersexual fish compared to normal females, although these results must be considered with caution since only 2 intersexual fish were available. A possible feminizing effect of this ‘abnormal’ upregulation of aromatase is discussed.
The Safety of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in a Population With High-Risk Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Skalski Joseph , Allison Thomas G. , Miller Todd D.
Published: October 2012

Background—

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) with measurement of peak oxygen uptake (V
o
2
) is a powerful test for assessment and quantification of functional impairment resulting from cardiovascular disease. The safety of CPX has been established in patients with coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure, but clinical use of CPX in other cardiac diseases has been limited, in part because of a paucity of safety data. This study investigates the safety of CPX in a heterogeneous cohort of patients with a wide variety of underlying high-risk cardiac diagnoses.

Methods and Results—

This single-center retrospective review examined 5060 CPX studies performed in 4250 unique patients, including 1748 (35%) female subjects and 686 (14%) subjects aged ≥75 years. The primary end point was major adverse event during stress testing. The study population included patients with a variety of high-risk cardiac diseases, including congestive heart failure (n=1289, 25.5%), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n=598, 11.8%), pulmonary hypertension (n=194, 3.8%), and aortic stenosis (n=212, 4.2%). This patient population generally had severe functional impairment, including 1192 (24%) patients with peak V
o
2
<14 mL/kg/min. Eight adverse events occurred during CPX, for an adverse event rate of 0.16%. The most common adverse event (n=6) was sustained ventricular tachycardia. There were no fatal events.

Conclusions—

CPX is generally a safe procedure, even in a population with underlying high-risk cardiovascular diagnoses.
Optimal Rainfall Estimation by Considering Elevation in the Han River Basin, South Korea
Authors: Yoon Seong-Sim , Bae Deg-Hyo
Published: October 2012

More than 70% of South Korea has mountainous terrain, which leads to significant spatiotemporal variability of rainfall. The country is exposed to the risk of flash floods owing to orographic rainfall. Rainfall observations are important in mountainous regions because flood control measures depend strongly on rainfall data. In particular, radar rainfall data are useful in these regions because of the limitations of rain gauges. However, radar rainfall data include errors despite the development of improved estimation techniques for their calculation. Further, the radar does not provide accurate data during heavy rainfall in mountainous areas. This study presents a radar rainfall adjustment method that considers the elevation in mountainous regions. Gauge rainfall and radar rainfall field data are modified by using standardized ordinary cokriging considering the elevation, and the conditional merging technique is used for combining the two types of data. For evaluating the proposed technique, the Han River basin was selected; a high correlation between rainfall and elevation can be seen in this basin. Further, the proposed technique was compared with the mean field bias and original conditional merging techniques. Comparison with kriged rainfall showed that the proposed method has a lesser tendency to oversmooth the rainfall distribution when compared with the other methods, and the optimal mean areal rainfall is very similar to the value obtained using gauges. It reveals that the proposed method can be applied to an area with significantly varying elevation, such as the Han River basin, to obtain radar rainfall data of high accuracy.
Evidence of Very Shallow Summertime Katabatic Flows in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica
Authors: Kouznetsov Rostislav , Tisler Priit , Palo Timo , Vihma Timo
Published: October 2012

The three-axis “Latan-3” Doppler sodar was operated near the Finnish Antarctic station Aboa in Dronning Maud Land (73.04°S, 13.40°W) in the austral summer of 2010/11. The measuring site is located at a practically flat, slightly sloped (about 1%) surface of the glacier. The sodar was operated in multiple-frequency parallel mode with 20–800-m sounding range, 20-m vertical resolution, and 10-s temporal resolution. To reveal the wind and temperature profiles below the sounding range as well as turbulent fluxes at 2 and 10 m, the data from a 10-m meteorological mast were used. During the measurements, the atmospheric boundary layer was within the sounding range of the sodar most of the time. Despite a large variety of observed sodar echo patterns and wind speed profiles, several cases of clear steady katabatic flows were observed. Practically all of them were easterly, whereas the uphill direction is southern. The thickness of the katabatic flow varied from a few tens to several hundreds of meters; the wind speed maximum could be as low as 5 m. Thin katabatic flows had lower wind speed and much stronger temperature gradients (up to 1 K m−1) but had smaller surface heat flux than did the thicker ones.
Data Assimilation as a Problem in Optimal Tracking: Application of Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle to Atmospheric Science
Authors: Lakshmivarahan S. , Lewis J. M. , Phan D.
Published: October 2012

A data assimilation strategy based on feedback control has been developed for the geophysical sciences—a strategy that uses model output to control the behavior of the dynamical system. Whereas optimal tracking through feedback control had its early history in application to vehicle trajectories in space science, the methodology has been adapted to geophysical dynamics by forcing the trajectory of a deterministic model to follow observations in accord with observation accuracy. Fundamentally, this offline (where it is assumed that the observations in a given assimilation window are all given) approach is based on Pontryagin’s minimum principle (PMP) where a least squares fit of idealized path to dynamic law follows from Hamiltonian mechanics. This utilitarian process optimally determines a forcing function that depends on the state (the feedback component) and the observations. It follows that this optimal forcing accounts for the model error. From this model error, a correction to the one-step transition matrix is constructed. The above theory and technique is illustrated using the linear Burgers’ equation that transfers energy from the large scale to the small scale.
Asian Monsoon Forcing of Subtropical Easterlies in the Community Atmosphere Model: Summer Climate Implications for the Western Atlantic
Authors: Kelly Patrick , Mapes Brian
Published: October 2012

The effects of a progressively enhanced Asian summer monsoon on the mean zonal wind are examined in a series of experiments using the Community Atmosphere Model version 4 (CAM4). The response of the barotropic mean zonal wind varies in a linear fashion with the forcings of 5, 10, and 20 W m−2 in net radiation over South Asia. The authors increase the strength of the monsoon by making the South Asian land surface hotter (via lower soil albedo). This leads to an enhanced Rossby wave source region over the Balkan Peninsula at 45°N, northwest of the upper-level Tibetan high (TH). Equatorward propagation of Rossby waves causes stationary eddy momentum flux divergence (SEMFD) to the south of this source region. This local area of SEMFD produces easterly tendencies of the barotropic part of the mean zonal wind in the subtropics. As the easterly mean flow strengthens, so do low-level easterlies across the subtropical Atlantic, leading to a westward displacement of the North Atlantic subtropical high (NASH) on its equatorward flank. The western intensification of the NASH causes drying in the west Atlantic and neighboring land masses primarily because of near-surface wind divergence in the anticyclone. These modeling results confirm the mechanisms deduced in the authors’ recent observational analysis of the mean seasonal cycle’s midsummer drought.
Austral Summer Teleconnections of Indo-Pacific Variability: Their Nonlinearity and Impacts on Australian Climate
Authors: Cai Wenju , van Rensch Peter
Published: October 2012

In austral summer, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) covaries with the Indian Ocean Basin Mode (IOBM) and with the southern annular mode (SAM). The present study addresses how the IOBM and the SAM modulate the impact of ENSO on Australia. The authors show that the modulating effect of the SAM is limited; in particular, the SAM does not modify the ENSO teleconnection pattern. However, the IOBM extends ENSO-induced convection anomalies westward over northern Australia and over the eastern Indian Ocean, whereby extending the ENSO tropical teleconnection to the northwest of Australia. The IOBM also generates an equivalent-barotropic Rossby wave train through convection anomalies over northern Australia. The wave train shares an anomaly center over the Tasman Sea latitudes with the Pacific–South American (PSA) pattern, shifting the anomaly center of the PSA pattern to within a closer proximity to Australia. There is a strong asymmetry in the IOBM modulating effect. During an IOBM negative phase, which tends to coincide with La Niña events, the rainfall increase is far greater than the reduction during a positive IOBM phase, which tends to coincide with El Niño events. This modulation asymmetry is consistent with an asymmetry in the ENSO–rainfall teleconnection over Australia, in which the La Niña–rainfall teleconnection is stronger than the El Niño–rainfall teleconnection. This asymmetric ENSO–rainfall teleconnection ensures a higher coherence of northern Australia convective anomalies with La Niña or with a negative phase of the IOBM, hence a greater modification of the PSA pattern, underpinning the asymmetric modulating role of the IOBM.