bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interdisciplinary intervention decreases cognitive impairment for older Taiwanese with hip fracture: 2‐year follow‐up
Authors: Shyu Yea‐Ing L. , Tseng Ming‐Yueh , Liang Jersey , Tsai Wen‐Che , Wu Chi‐Chuan , Cheng Huey‐Shinn
Published: March 2013

Objectives

Few studies describe the trajectories of cognitive function for hip‐fracture patients following hospital discharge and the treatment effects of interdisciplinary intervention on cognitive outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the 2‐year postoperative trajectory for cognitive function of older hip‐fracture patients and cognitive effects of an interdisciplinary intervention.

Methods

Of 160 subjects randomly assigned to groups, 29 (35.8%) in the control group (n = 81) and 30 (38.0%) in the intervention group (n = 79) were cognitively impaired at admission. The intervention group received geriatric consultation, continuous rehabilitation, and discharge planning. Subjects' cognitive function was measured using the mini mental state examination Taiwan version at admission, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after discharge and analyzed using hierarchical generalized linear models.

Results

Patients who received the intervention program had 75% less likelihood of being cognitively impaired 6 months following discharge than those who received routine care (odds ratio = 0.25, p < 0.001). The difference between the control and intervention groups was small at admission, peaked at 18 months, and decreased from 18 to 24 months following discharge.

Conclusions

Our interdisciplinary intervention improved the long‐term postoperative cognitive functioning of older persons with hip fracture in Taiwan. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for a genetic link between bone and vascular measures in African ancestry families
Authors: Kuipers Allison L , Miljkovic Iva , Kammerer Candace M , Evans Rhobert W , Bunker Clareann H , Patrick Alan L , Wheeler Victor W , Sutton-Tyrrell Kim , Zmuda Joseph M
Published: March 2013

Bone mineral density (BMD) has been inversely associated with subclinical and clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) in population studies, but the potential mechanisms underlying this relationship are unclear. To test if there is a genetic basis underlying this association, we determined the phenotypic and genetic correlations between BMD and carotid artery ultrasound measures in families. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography were used to measure BMD in 461 individuals with African ancestry belonging to seven large, multigenerational families (mean family size 66; 3414 total relative pairs). Carotid artery ultrasound was used to measure adventitial diameter (AD) and intima-media thickness (IMT). Phenotypic and genetic correlations between BMD and carotid measures were determined using pedigree-based maximum likelihood methods. We adjusted for potential confounding factors, including age, sex, body weight, height, menopausal status, smoking, alcohol intake, walking for exercise, diabetes, hypertension, serum lipid and lipoprotein levels, inflammation markers, and kidney function. We found statistically significant phenotypic (ρ = −0.19) and genetic (ρG = −0.70) correlations (p < 0.05 for both) between lumbar spine BMD and AD in fully adjusted models. There was also a significant genetic correlation between trabecular BMD at the radius and IMT in fully adjusted models (ρG = −0.398; p < 0.05). Our findings indicate that the previously observed association between osteoporosis and CVD in population-based studies may be partly mediated by genetic factors and that the pleiotropic effects of these genes may operate independently of traditional risk pathways.
Effects of iron deficiency anemia and its treatment on fibroblast growth factor 23 and phosphate homeostasis in women
Authors: Wolf Myles , Koch Todd A , Bregman David B
Published: March 2013

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is an osteocyte-derived hormone that regulates phosphate and vitamin D homeostasis. Through unknown mechanisms, certain intravenous iron preparations induce acute, reversible increases in circulating FGF23 levels that lower serum phosphate in association with inappropriately low levels of calcitriol, similar to genetic diseases of primary FGF23 excess. In contrast, studies in wild-type mice suggest that iron deficiency stimulates fgf23 transcription but does not result in hypophosphatemia because FGF23 is cleaved within osteocytes by an unknown catabolic system. We tested the association of iron deficiency anemia with C-terminal FGF23 (cFGF23) and intact FGF23 (iFGF23) levels in 55 women with a history of heavy uterine bleeding, and assessed the longitudinal biochemical response over 35 days to equivalent doses of randomly-assigned, intravenous elemental iron in the form of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) or iron dextran. Iron deficiency was associated with markedly elevated cFGF23 (807.8 ± 123.9 relative units [RU]/mL) but normal iFGF23 (28.5 ± 1.1 pg/mL) levels at baseline. Within 24 hours of iron administration, cFGF23 levels fell by approximately 80% in both groups. In contrast, iFGF23 transiently increased in the FCM group alone, and was followed by a transient, asymptomatic reduction in serum phosphate <2.0 mg/dL in 10 women in the FCM group compared to none in the iron dextran group. Reduced serum phosphate was accompanied by increased urinary fractional excretion of phosphate, decreased calcitriol levels, and increased parathyroid hormone levels. These findings suggest that iron deficiency increases cFGF23 levels, and that certain iron preparations temporarily increase iFGF23 levels. We propose that intravenous iron lowers cFGF23 in humans by reducing fgf23 transcription as it does in mice, whereas carbohydrate moieties in certain iron preparations may simultaneously inhibit FGF23 degradation in osteocytes leading to transient increases in iFGF23 and reduced serum phosphate.
Tracking circadian rhythms of bone mineral deposition in murine calvarial organ cultures
Authors: McElderry John-David P , Zhao Guisheng , Khmaladze Alexander , Wilson Christopher G , Franceschi Renny T , Morris Michael D
Published: March 2013

Osteoblasts, which orchestrate the deposition of small apatite crystals through the expression of nucleating proteins, have been shown to also express clock genes associated with the circadian signaling pathway. We hypothesized that protein-mediated bone mineralization may be linked to circadian oscillator mechanisms functioning in peripheral bone tissue. In this study, Per1 expression in ex vivo neonatal murine calvaria organ cultures was monitored for 6 days using a Per1-luciferase transgene as a bioluminescent indicator of clock function. Fluctuations in Per1 expression had a period of 25 ± 4 hours (n = 14) with early expression at CT09:59 ± 03:37 (CT = circadian time). We also established the kinetics of mineral deposition in developing bone by using noninvasive Raman microscopy to track mineral accumulation in calvarial tissue. The content and quality of newly deposited mineral was continually examined at the interparietal bone/fontanel boundary for a period of 6 days with 1-hour temporal resolution. Using this approach, mineralization over time exhibited bursts of mineral deposition followed by little or no deposition, which was recurrent with a periodicity of 26.8 ± 9.6 hours. As many as six near-daily mineralization events were observed in the calvaria before deposition ceased. Earliest mineralization events occurred at CT16:51 ± 03:45, which is 6 hours behind Per1 expression. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that mineralization in developing bone tissue is regulated by a local circadian oscillator mechanism.
An analysis of the association between the vitamin D pathway and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in a healthy Chinese population
Authors: Zhang Zeng , He Jin-Wei , Fu Wen-Zhen , Zhang Chang-Qing , Zhang Zhen-Lin
Published: March 2013

Vitamin D deficiency has been recognized as a major public health issue worldwide. Recent studies have indicated that genetic factors might play an important role in determining serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in Caucasians and African Americans. However, the genes that contribute to the variation in serum 25(OH)D levels in Chinese are unknown. In this study, we screened 15 key genes within the vitamin D metabolic pathway using 96 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in a group of 2897 unrelated healthy Chinese subjects. Significant confounding factors that may influence the variability in serum 25(OH)D levels were used as covariates for association analyses. An association test for quantitative traits was performed to evaluate the association between candidate genes and serum 25(OH)D levels. In the present study, variants and/or haplotypes in GC, CYP2R1, and DHCR7/NADSYN1 were identified as being associated with 25(OH)D levels. Participants with three or four risk alleles of the two variants (GC-rs4588 and CYP2R1-rs10766197) had an increased chance of presenting with a 25(OH)D concentration lower than 20 ng/mL (odds ratio 2.121, 95% confidence interval 1.586–2.836, p = 6.1 × 10−8) compared with those lacking the risk alleles. Each additional copy of a risk allele was significantly associated with a 0.12-fold decrease in the log-25(OH)D concentration (p = 3.7 × 10−12). Haplotype TGA of GC rs705117-rs2282679-rs1491710, haplotype GAGTAC of GC rs842999-rs705120-rs222040-rs4588-rs7041-rs10488854, haplotype CA of GC rs1155563-rs222029, and haplotype AAGA of CYP2R1 rs7936142-rs12794714-rs2060793-rs16930609 were genetic risk factors toward a lower 25(OH)D concentration. In contrast, haplotype TGGGCCC of DHCR7/NADSYN1 rs1790349-rs7122671-rs1790329-rs11606033-rs2276360-rs1629220-rs2282618 were genetic protective factors. The results suggest that the GC, CYP2R1, and DHCR7/NADSYN1 genes might contribute to variability in the serum 25(OH)D levels in a healthy Chinese population in Shanghai. These markers could be used as tools in Mendelian randomization analyses of vitamin D, and they could potentially be drug targets in the Chinese population in Shanghai.
Interannual variability of surface air‐temperature over India: impact of ENSO and Indian Ocean Sea surface temperature
Authors: Chowdary J. S. , John Nisha , Gnanaseelan C.
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

Interannual variability of the seasonal surface air‐temperature over the Indian subcontinent is investigated using observations for the period of 1900–2005. Our results demonstrate that air‐temperature over India is remotely influenced by the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation and locally through Indian Ocean sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies. The leading mode of variability (EOF‐1, empirical orthogonal function) in the observed air‐temperature displays a country‐wide warming in all four seasons. The spatial pattern of EOF‐1 is similar to that of composite air‐temperature anomalies of warm/cold years. Above‐normal air‐temperature in India (country‐wide warming) is positively correlated to a simultaneous El Niño conditions in the eastern Pacific during boreal summer. El Niño induced strong subsidence, weaker low‐level winds, less moisture availability and enhanced incoming shortwave radiation over the north Indian Ocean and Indian subcontinent are responsible for air‐temperature warming in summer. It is observed that during fall, air‐temperature pattern of EOF‐1 over India is highly correlated with SST over the tropical oceans. SST correlation is maximum in central Pacific and north Indian Ocean, indicating the importance of both remote and local forcing. During boreal spring and winter, air‐temperature warming (EOF‐1) is mainly influenced by Indian Ocean SST anomalies. Low moisture and negative sea level pressure anomalies over India indicate the existence of heat low with strong dry winds convergence, which are favourable for air‐temperature warming in spring. Although El Niño peaks during winter, its impact on the air‐temperature over the Indian subcontinent is weak during this season. The second EOF mode shows dipole‐like air‐temperature pattern with warming over the south‐east and cooling in the north‐western India during summer and winter, whereas spring shows opposite polarity. In case of boreal fall, EOF‐2 of air‐temperature displays a south‐west and north‐east orientation. Mechanisms responsible for these variabilities are studied in detail.
High‐transmittance in‐plane switching liquid crystal display device driven by three‐level voltages
Authors: Song Dong Han , Kim Ki‐Han , Yoon Tae‐Hoon
Published: March 2013

We propose a single‐layered electrode structure using three voltage levels instead of two to achieve high transmittance in an in‐plane switching liquid crystal display device. The proposed structure consists of two pixel electrodes and one common electrode. By using three voltage levels, we can generate an in‐plane electric field higher than that in a conventional in‐plane switching device. We confirmed that by using the proposed structure, the transmittance of a liquid crystal device can be increased from 29% to 35% at a slightly lower operating voltage without using the double‐layered electrode structure required for the fringe‐field switching mode. The transmittance of the proposed device is higher than that of the fringe‐field switching device.
EmbRS a new two‐component system that inhibits biofilm formation and saves Rubrivivax gelatinosus from sinking
Authors: Steunou Anne Soisig , Liotenberg Sylviane , Soler Marie‐Noêlle , Briandet Romain , Barbe Valérie , Astier Chantal , Ouchane Soufian
Published: March 2013

Photosynthetic bacteria can switch from planktonic lifestyle to phototrophic biofilm in mats in response to environmental changes. The mechanisms of phototrophic biofilm formation are, however, not characterized. Herein, we report a two‐component system EmbRS that controls the biofilm formation in a photosynthetic member of the Burkholderiales order, the purple bacterium Rubrivivax gelatinosus. EmbRS inactivation results in cells that form conspicuous bacterial veils and fast‐sinking aggregates in liquid. Biofilm analyses indicated that EmbRS represses the production of an extracellular matrix and biofilm formation. Mapping of transposon mutants that partially or completely restore the wild‐type (WT) phenotype allowed the identification of two gene clusters involved in polysaccharide synthesis, one fully conserved only in Thauera sp., a floc‐forming wastewater bacterium. A second two‐component system BmfRS and a putative diguanylate cyclase BdcA were also identified in this screen suggesting their involvement in biofilm formation in this bacterium. The role of polysaccharides in sinking of microorganisms and organic matter, as well as the importance and the evolution of such regulatory system in phototrophic microorganisms are discussed.
The Role of Quantitative and Qualitative Network Effects in B2B Platform Competition
Authors: Li Zhiwen , Penard Thierry
Published: March 2013

This article aims at investigating how quantitative and qualitative (indirect) network effects impact pricing and trading decisions on a Business‐to‐Business marketplace. Using an original data set collected on MFG.com, one of the most prominent B2B platforms in the U.S.A., we find that the market share of a marketplace depends on both the quantity and quality of suppliers, but that quality effects tend to substitute for quantity effects as the size of the marketplace increases. These results suggest that while the quantity of suppliers on board is crucial during the early stage of a marketplace, supplier quality matters much more in the mature stage. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predictors of maternal child‐feeding practices in an ethnically diverse sample and the relationship to child obesity
Authors: Cachelin Fary M. , Thompson Doug
Published: March 2013

Objective

To investigate the relationship between maternal child‐feeding practices and child adiposity in an ethnically diverse sample by examining three categories of relationships: 1) mothers' weight status; 2) mothers' investment in eating‐related issues; and 3) mothers' concerns about child's weight. It was predicted that these variables would be related to mothers' use of restriction, monitoring, and pressure in child feeding, influencing child adiposity.

Design and Methods

A total of 563 mothers (306 Hispanic, 76 Asian, 36 Black, and 145 White) with children aged 2‐11 years completed the Child Feeding Questionnaire and Eating Attitudes Test. Analyses used structural equation modeling.

Results

Ethnic differences in the resulting models emerged. Mothers' weight status negatively predicted maternal control over child's eating; heavier mothers reported less control over child's eating. Greater concern about child's weight was associated with more maternal control of child's eating for all groups. Maternal control over child's eating was predictive of child's body mass index only in the White group.

Conclusions

Although maternal investment in eating‐related issues did predict maternal control over child's eating for White mothers, this relationship did not exist for Hispanics. Different maternal factors influence mothers' control over their child's eating in Hispanic and White groups. In ethnic minorities, maternal control over child's eating may not influence child adiposity.
The changing politics of lobbying: private sector organizations in Mexico
Authors: Hogenboom Barbara
Published: March 2013

This article analyzes how the relations between Mexico's private sector, particularly that of business power groups and interest groups, and the political elite changed as a result of processes of neo‐liberalization and democratization from the early 1980s through the presidency of Vicente Fox (2000–2006). The analysis provides several insights into Mexico's developing interest group system during these years and particularly that of business interests. On the one hand, the changes increased political pluralism, the number of groups operating, and their lobbying options and helped move Mexico toward liberal democracy. On the other hand, with its major resources and political connections, big business was able to maintain, in fact enhance, its political status, whereas small business was less politically successful. Moreover, many old political practices used by big business to influence government persist as well as skepticism among the public regarding democratic institutions. As a consequence, this article argues that despite the new developments in political advocacy, the continuation of traditional political practices presents obstacles to the development of interest group activity resulting in a plutocratic element to Mexico's emerging democracy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A certificateless anonymous authenticated announcement scheme in vehicular ad hoc networks
Authors: Malip Amizah , Ng Siaw‐Lynn , Li Qin
Published: March 2013

Vehicular ad hoc networks provide a safer driving environment by allowing vehicles to broadcast safety related messages and inform neighbouring vehicles regarding traffic and road conditions. Safety can only be achieved if transmission of messages is reliable. However, verification of reliability may violate privacy. On the other hand, it is desirable that malicious or defective vehicles can be identified and revoked. In this paper, we propose a new protocol by using certificateless signature and reputation system to achieve the sometimes contradictory requirements of a reliable, private and accountable vehicular ad hoc network message announcement scheme. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The perils of overdiagnosis
Authors: McCartney Margaret
Published: March 2013

Overdiagnosis as a consequence of PSA screening for prostate cancer is a major hazard of modern medicine, claims Margaret McCartney. Jon Rees, GP with a special interest in men's health, and urologist Roger Kirby respond with their perspectives on this dilemma. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons
A tale of four prostates
Authors: Kirby Roger , Hanbury Damian , Anderson John , Vesey Sean G.
Published: March 2013

Four urologists relate their personal experiences of prostate cancer and highlight some important learning points. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons
New approaches to assessing cardiovascular risk
Authors: Masi Stefano , Charakida Marietta , Deanfield John Eric
Published: March 2013

The authors discuss current evidence that links kidney disease, erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Appropriate screening and treatment strategies are likely to lead to a substantial reduction of the cardiovascular disease burden in patients with these common urological conditions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons
Bilateral Neck Exploration Decreases Operative Time Compared to Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy in Patients with Discordant Imaging
Authors: Nehs Matthew A. , Ruan Daniel T. , Gawande Atul A. , Moore Francis D. , Cho Nancy L.
Published: March 2013

Background

Unilateral parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has a high success rate in patients with concordant imaging by sestamibi and ultrasound. However, the optimal procedure when imaging is discordant remains controversial; therefore we compared unilateral exploration with intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring to bilateral neck exploration without IOPTH monitoring in patients with discordant localization studies.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 324 consecutive patients with PHPT treated at our institution from October 2005 to September 2009. We collected information regarding imaging, localization site, procedure performed, operative time, and calcium/PTH measurements.

Results

Of the 324 patients in the study, 79 (24 %) had discordant imaging by sestamibi and ultrasound. Of these, 62 patients (78 %) underwent bilateral neck exploration without IOPTH monitoring, and 14 patients (18 %) had unilateral exploration with IOPTH monitoring. IOPTH monitoring during unilateral exploration correctly predicted removal of single adenomas in 10/14 patients (71 %) and altered operative management in 4/14 cases (29 %), resulting in conversion to bilateral neck exploration. Operative time for unilateral exploration with IOPTH [median time: 96 min (range: 51–153 min)] was significantly increased relative to bilateral exploration [median time: 52 min (range: 28–149 min)]; p = 0.0027. We identified single‐gland disease in 53/76 patients (70 %), double adenomas in 13/76 patients (17 %), and multiglandular hyperplasia in 10/76 patients (13 %). There was no difference in cure rate between these two surgical approaches (p = 1.0)

Conclusions

In contrast with prior studies, we found that operative time for unilateral exploration with IOPTH was significantly increased compared to bilateral neck exploration. In patients with discordant imaging, IOPTH is a useful adjunct in limiting exploration to a single side despite a high false negative rate.
The molecular mechanism of hypertrophic scar
Authors: Zhu Zhensen , Ding Jie , Shankowsky Heather A. , Tredget Edward E.
Published: March 2013

Hypertrophic scar (HTS) is a dermal form of fibroproliferative disorder which often develops after thermal or traumatic injury to the deep regions of the skin and is characterized by excessive deposition and alterations in morphology of collagen and other extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. HTS are cosmetically disfiguring and can cause functional problems that often recur despite surgical attempts to remove or improve the scars. In this review, the roles of various fibrotic and anti‐fibrotic molecules are discussed in order to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the pathogenesis of HTS. These molecules include growth factors, cytokines, ECM molecules, and proteolytic enzymes. By exploring the mechanisms of this form of dermal fibrosis, we seek to provide some insight into this form of dermal fibrosis that may allow clinicians to improve treatment and prevention in the future.
Transthyretin regulates hippocampal 14‐3‐3ζ protein levels
Authors: Vieira Marta , Saraiva Maria João
Published: March 2013

Transthyretin is the carrier protein of thyroxine and retinol in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid and has been described also as a neuroprotective molecule. 14‐3‐3 Proteins are very important in many cellular processes, being their absence related with deficits in memory and learning. The analysis of the relationship between these two proteins is the main objective of this work. We found that hippocampi of young TTR null mice presented lower levels of 14‐3‐3ζ protein, but no changes in gene expression when compared to TTR wild type littermates were noted. Cellular studies ascribed this finding to increased degradation of 14‐3‐3ζ in lysosomes in the absence of TTR, increasing autophagy.
RGS2 is a feedback inhibitor of melatonin production in the pineal gland
Authors: Matsuo Masahiro , Coon Steven L. , Klein David C.
Published: March 2013

The 24‐h rhythmic production of melatonin by the pineal gland is essential for coordinating circadian physiology. Melatonin production increases at night in response to the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve processes which innervate the pineal gland. This signal is transduced through G‐protein‐coupled adrenergic receptors. Here, we found that the abundance of regulator of G‐protein signaling 2 (RGS2) increases at night, that expression is increased by norepinephrine and that this protein has a negative feedback effect on melatonin production. These data are consistent with the conclusion that RGS2 functions on a daily basis to negatively modulate melatonin production.
Concomitant abnormalities in Brugada syndrome
Authors: Furushima Hiroshi , Chinushi Masaomi , Aizawa Yoshifusa , Minamino Tohru
Published: March 2013

Brugada syndrome (BS) is characterized by ST‐segment elevation in the right precordial leads and is associated with sudden cardiac death secondary to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF) in the absence of structural heart disease. Vasospastic angina (VSA) and neurally mediated syncope (NMS) are observed occasionally in BS patients, although their associations with BS remain controversial. The incidence of concomitant VSA and BS is 11–13%, and there might be an increased risk of VF when BS and VSA coexist, as reported in several previous studies. Whether the manifestation or augmentation of a coved‐type electrocardiography (ECG) pattern is associated with coronary artery vasospasm is unclear. The significance of increased coved‐type ST‐segment elevation and its relation to arrhythmogenesis in BS is an important issue that needs to be resolved in future studies of concomitant BS and VSA. The coexistence of BS and VSA should always be taken into account in the management of both conditions, particularly when calcium antagonists are used. Previous reports suggest a high incidence of NMS in BS patients, and it is often difficult to differentiate between NMS and high‐risk syncopal episodes due to ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Therefore, the identification of a therapeutic strategy to treat syncope in BS patients is often problematic. The autonomic nervous system is involved in arrhythmogenesis and may precipitate cardiac events in BS patients. To investigate BS, it may be useful to consider VSA and NMS as concomitant abnormalities. Future studies are needed to understand the relationship between BS and the autonomic nervous system.
Clinical outcome and risk stratification in Brugada syndrome
Authors: Wada Tadashi , Morita Hiroshi
Published: March 2013

Since the first report on Brugada syndrome, various risk markers for the prediction of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in patients with Brugada syndrome have been reported. Multicenter trials reported spontaneous type 1 electrocardiogram (ECG) and disease symptoms as prognostic predictors. VF induction by programmed electrical stimulation is still controversial, and most of the studies have failed to prove its significance for the prediction of spontaneous VF episodes. In Japan, although most multicenter studies have shown that patients with type 1 ECG were at high risk, it is difficult to determine the indication for implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator only based on the ECG type. Recent studies have added new risk markers, such as inferolateral early repolarization, fragmented QRS, and shorter effective refractory periods of the ventricle, in addition to type 1 ECG and symptoms. Here, we review the clinical outcome and indices reported as reliable prognostic factors of Brugada syndrome with a focus on the clinical and ECG markers for risk stratification.
Perioperative management of anticoagulation in patients on warfarin therapy undergoing surgery for cardiac implantable electronic devices
Authors: Zhu Dennis Weixi , Ahmed Imdad
Published: March 2013

Many patients on chronic warfarin therapy are undergoing surgery for permanent pacemakers and implantable defibrillators, collectively known as cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED). The perioperative management of anticoagulation in these patients is a challenging clinical situation that requires balance between the risk of acute thrombosis and perioperative hemorrhage. This issue however, is inadequately addressed in the guidelines published by professional organizations. Increasing evidence suggests that temporarily interrupting anticoagulation is associated with a small but real thromboembolic risk, whereas cessation of warfarin with heparin bridging anticoagulation frequently leads to a higher incidence of pocket hematoma. Continuing warfarin with a therapeutic international normalized ratio appears to be a safe and cost‐effective approach for CIED surgery in most patients with moderate to high thromboembolic risk. An algorithm is proposed for the practical management of anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy in these patients during the perioperative period.
Overexpression of tumour‐ssociated carbohydrate antigen sialyl‐Tn in advanced bladder tumours
Authors: Ferreira José Alexandre , Videira Paula A. , Lima Luís , Pereira Sofia , Silva Mariana , Carrascal Mylène , Severino Paulo F. , Fernandes Elisabete , Almeida Andreia , Costa Céu , Vitorino Rui , Amaro Teresina , Oliveira Maria J. , Reis Celso A. , Dall'Olio Fabio , Amado Francisco , Santos Lúcio Lara
Published: March 2013

Little is known on the expression of the tumour‐associated carbohydrate antigen sialyl‐Tn (STn), in bladder cancer. We report here that 75% of the high‐grade bladder tumours, presenting elevated proliferation rates and high risk of recurrence/progression expressed STn. However, it was mainly found in non‐proliferative areas of the tumour, namely in cells invading the basal and muscle layers. STn was also found in tumour‐adjacent mucosa, which suggests its dependence on a field effect of the tumour. Furthermore, it was not expressed by the normal urothelium, demonstrating the cancer‐specific nature of this antigen. STn expression correlated with that of sialyltransferase ST6GalNAc.I, its major biosynthetic enzyme. The stable expression of ST6GalNAc.I in the bladder cancer cell line MCR induced STn expression and a concomitant increase of cell motility and invasive capability. Altogether, these results indicate for the first time a link between STn expression and malignancy in bladder cancer. Hence, therapies targeting STn may constitute new treatment approaches for these tumours.
Electrodiagnosis in Persons With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Joyce Nanette C. , Carter Gregory T.
Published: March 2013

Electrophysiology remains an important tool in the evaluation of patients presenting with signs and symptoms of motor neuron disease. The electrodiagnostic study should include peripheral nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography to both exclude treatable disease and gather evidence regarding a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The recent changes in the revised El Escorial criteria, recommended by the Awaji‐shima consensus group, have increased the diagnostic significance of fasciculation potentials to equal that of fibrillation and positive sharp‐wave potentials in the needle electromyography examination of patients suspected of having ALS. In addition, electrophysiologic evidence is now considered equivalent to clinical signs and symptoms in reaching a diagnostic certainty of ALS. These changes, strategies for the design, and implementation of an effective electrodiagnostic evaluation, in addition to electrophysiologic techniques and their relationship to the evaluation of a patient with ALS, are reviewed and discussed.
Black Doctors and Discrimination under South Africa’s Apartheid Regime
Authors: Digby Anne
Published: March 2013

This article discusses an under-researched group and provides an analytical overview of the comparative experiences of African, Indian and Coloured doctors at South African universities during the apartheid era. It probes diversity of experience in training and practice as well as gendered differentiation amongst black students before going on to discuss the careers and political activism of black doctors as well as the impact of recent transformational change on their position. It briefly assesses how singular this South African experience was.
On derivations and elementary operators onC*-algebras
Authors: Gogić Ilja
Published: March 2013

LetAbe a unitalC*-algebra with the canonical (H)C*-bundle$\mathfrak{A}$over the maximal ideal space of the centre ofA, and letE(A)be the set of all elementary operators onA. We consider derivations onAwhich lie in the completely bounded norm closure ofE(A), and show that such derivations are necessarily inner in the case when each fibre of$\mathfrak{A}$is a primeC*-algebra. We also consider separableC*-algebrasAfor which$\mathfrak{A}$is an (F) bundle. For theseC*-algebras we show that the following conditions are equivalent:E(A)is closed in the operator norm;Aas a Banach module over its centre is topologically finitely generated; fibres of$\mathfrak{A}$have uniformly finite dimensions, and each restriction bundle of$\mathfrak{A}$over a set where its fibres are of constant dimension is of finite type as a vector bundle.
Chicxulub impact spherules in the North Atlantic and Caribbean: age constraints and Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary hiatus
Authors: KELLER GERTA , KHOZYEM HASSAN , ADATTE THIERRY , MALARKODI NALLAMUTHU , SPANGENBERG JORGE E. , STINNESBECK WOLFGANG
Published: March 2013

The Chicxulub impact is commonly believed to have caused the Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary mass extinction and a thin impact spherule layer in the North Atlantic and Caribbean is frequently cited as proof. We evaluated this claim in the seven best North Atlantic and Caribbean Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary sequences based on high-resolution biostratigraphy, quantitative faunal analyses and stable isotopes. Results reveal a major Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary unconformity spanning most of Danian subzone P1a(1) and Maastrichtian zones CF1–CF2 (~400 ka) in the NW Atlantic Bass River core, ODP Sites 1049A, 1049C and 1050C. In the Caribbean ODP Sites 999B and 1001B the unconformity spans from the early Danian zone P1a(1) through to zones CF1–CF4 (~3 Ma). Only in the Demerara Rise ODP Site 1259B is erosion relatively minor and restricted to the earliest Danian zone P0 and most of subzone P1a(1) (~150 ka). In all sites examined, Chicxulub impact spherules are reworked into the early Danian subzone P1a(1) about 150–200 ka after the mass extinction. A similar pattern of erosion and redeposition of impact spherules in Danian sediments has previously been documented from Cuba, Haiti, Belize, Guatemala, south and central Mexico. This pattern can be explained by intensified Gulf stream circulation at times of climate cooling and sea level changes. The age of the Chicxulub impact cannot be determined from these reworked impact spherule layers, but can be evaluated based on the stratigraphically oldest spherule layer in NE Mexico and Texas, which indicates that this impact predates the Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary by about 130–150 ka.
A new species ofMarionia(Opisthobranchia: Nudibranchia: Tritoniidae) from the tropical South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: De Vasconcelos Silva Felipe , Oliveira de Meirelles Carlos Augusto , Matthews-Cascon Helena
Published: March 2013

A new species of the family Tritoniidae is described for the tropical South Atlantic Ocean. The animal was found off north-east Brazil.Marionia limceanasp. nov. is up to 31 mm long, with a sturdy white body, of which the notum is covered with two rows of red polygons running from the rhinophores to the tail; notum with tubers; bi-lobed veil with 16 velar papillae; retractable white rhinophores; 11–14 pairs of branchial plumes; the anus is located below the 4th gill on the right side, and the genital opening is under the 3rd gill. Internally,M. limceanasp. nov. is distinguished from other tritoniids by jaws with three or four rows of denticles on the inner lips, a belt of 18 stomach plates; and the radular formula 26 × 26–32.1.1.1.26–32 teeth. The animal was found feeding on octocorals of a species of the new genusStragulum, and is the first reported nudibranch to feed on this genus.
NIASGBsnp: integration of single nucleotide polymorphism data of rice (Oryzasativa L.) genetic resources
Authors: Takeya Masaru , Yamasaki Fukuhiro , Hattori Sachiko , Ebana Kaworu
Published: March 2013

The NIASGBsnp system manages data on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of rice (Oryzasativa L.) genetic resources in the National Institute of Agrobiological Science (NIAS) Genebank. NIASGBsnp currently holds data on 768 SNP markers for 301 rice accessions and plans to add the SNP data of active rice accessions in the NIAS Genebank. It can show differences between accessions by graphical genotyping. Passport, characteristics and evaluation data of accessions can be retrieved to allow phenotype to be associated with genotype. NIASGBsnp will support various research purposes such as genomic selection and plant pathology research.
Star Formation in the Molecular Cloud Associated with the Monkey Head Nebula: Sequential or Spontaneous?
Authors: Chibueze J. O. , Imura K. , Omodaka T. , Handa T. , Nagayama T. , Fujisawa K. , Sunada K. , Nakano M. , Kamezaki T. , Yamaguchi Y.
Published: March 2013

We mapped the NH3 (1,1), (2,2), and (3,3) lines of the molecular cloud associated with the Monkey Head Nebula (MHN) with 1′.6 angular resolution using Kashima 34 m telescope. Its kinetic temperature distribution was contrary to what is expected for a molecular cloud at the edge of an expanding H II region and suggested that the massive star associated with S252A compact HII region formed spontaneously rather than through a sequential process.
Birthplace of 6.7 GHz methanol masers
Authors: Gan Cong-Gui , Chen Xi , Shen Zhi-Qiang
Published: March 2013

We performed polarization sensitive VLBI observations of 6.7 GHz methanol masers toward high-mass young stellar objects with clear outflow seen from Spitzer IRAC images in the 4.5 μm band (i.e. EGOs, see Cyganowski et al. 2008) with the EVN to investigate the birthplace of the masers. By comparing direction of the major axis of methanol maser distributions with directions of higher resolution outflow and magnetic field vector, we suggest that the methanol masers toward source G28.83-0.25 may arise from surrounding disk.
Gas Content in the GMC G333: hierarchical structure of turbulence
Authors: Lo N. , Cunningham M. R. , Jones P. A. , Bronfman L.
Published: March 2013

We present our preliminary results on the application of dendrogram statistics to the carbon monoxide PPV map of the giant molecular cloud G333. We obtain the dendrograms at various merging levels and found the clustering of branches is independent from the merging levels. The statistics of intensity distributions show gravity is possibly significant in this cloud and the gas may be sonic. Application of this method to other molecular lines data are required for further analysis of the cloud properties.
Ammonia towards dust clumps in the giant molecular cloud associated with RCW 106
Authors: Lowe Vicki , Cunningham Maria R. , Urquhart James S. , Horiuchi Shinji
Published: March 2013

High-mass stars are known to be born within giant molecular clouds (GMCs); However, the exact processes involved in forming a high-mass star are still not well understood. It is clear that high-mass stars do not form in isolation, and that the processes surrounding high-mass star formation may affect the environment of the entire molecular cloud. We are studying the GMC associated with RCW 106 (G333), which is one of the most active massive-star formation regions in the Galactic plane. This GMC, located at l = 333° b = − 0.5°, has been mapped in over 20 molecular line transitions with the Mopra radio telescope (83-110 GHz), in Australia, and with the Swedish-ESO Submillimeter Telescope (SEST) in the 1.2 mm cool dust continuum. The region is also within the Spitzer GLIMPSE infrared survey (3.6, 4.5, 5.8, and 8.0 μm) area. We have decomposed the dust continuum using a clump-finding algorithm (CLUMPFIND), and are using the multiple molecular line traditions from the Mopra radio telescope to classify the type and stage of star formation taking place therein. Having accurate physical temperatures of the star forming clumps is essential to constrain other parameters to within useful limits. To achieve this, we have obtained pointed NH3 observations from the Tidbinbilla 70-m radio telescope, in Australia, towards these clumps.
Early stage of star formation in Orion KL
Authors: Matveyenko Leonid I. , Sivakon Stanislav S. , Demichev Vasily A. , Graham David A. , Diamond Phillip J. , Abrahamyan Martin G.
Published: March 2013

Super H2O outbursts accompany star formation. We have been studying this phenomenon in Orion KL starting in 1971.8.
Propagation of Highly Efficient Star Formation in the North American Nebula (NGC 7000)
Authors: Toujima Hideyuki , Handa Toshihiro , Omodaka Toshihiro , Nagayama Takumi , Kobayashi Hideyuki , Koyama Yasuhiro
Published: March 2013

We mapped the molecular cloud associated with the North American Nebula in the NH3 lines and the H2O maser using the Kashima 34-m telescope. The line ratio shows the molecular gas is cold. For the clumps and subclumps in the cloud we also estimate the star forming efficiency (SFE). The east end of the cloud shows the highest SEF, 0.62, and the other end is the lowest, 0.06. The 3 dimensional structure derived using the published Hα map suggests the east end is in the HII region and it should be a reason why the SFE is high there.
The Central Molecular Zone with Mopra
Authors: Burton Michael G. , Jones Paul A.
Published: March 2013

We outline a project to map the molecular line emission from the Central Molecular Zone across the 3–12 mm wavebands using the Mopra telescope in Australia. The dataset facilitates use of the CMZ as a template against which observations of molecular emission in other galactic nuclei may be interpreted.
The Supershell-Molecular Cloud Connection in the Milky Way and Beyond
Authors: Dawson J. R. , McClure-Griffiths N. M. , Fukui Y. , Dickey J. , Wong T. , Hughes A. , Kawamura A.
Published: March 2013

The role of large-scale stellar feedback in the formation of molecular clouds has been investigated observationally by examining the relationship between Hi and 12CO(J = 1−0) in supershells. Detailed parsec-resolution case studies of two Milky Way supershells demonstrate an enhanced level of molecularisation over both objects, and hence provide the first quantitative observational evidence of increased molecular cloud production in volumes of space affected by supershell activity. Recent results on supergiant shells in the LMC suggest that while they do indeed help to organise the ISM into over-dense structures, their global contribution to molecular cloud formation is of the order of only ∼ 10%.
From Gas to Stars: Simulating a Population of GMCs
Authors: Goldbaum Nathan J. , Krumholz Mark R.
Published: March 2013

Here, we present a theoretical model for the global evolution of isolated giant molecular clouds. Accounting for the amount of mass, momentum, and energy supplied by accretion and star formation feedback, we are able to follow the growth, evolution, and dispersal of individual GMCs. We compare our models to observations of GMCs and associated young star clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud and find good agreement between our model clouds and the observed relationship between Hii regions, young star clusters, and GMCs.
Young Stellar Objects in the Low-Metallicity Small Magellanic Cloud
Authors: Sewiło M. , Carlson L. R. , Seale J. P. , Indebetouw R. , Meixner M. , Whitney B. A. , Robitaille T. R. , Oliveira J. M. , Gordon K.
Published: March 2013

The Spitzer Legacy Program “Surveying the Agents of Galaxy Evolution in the Tidally-Stripped, Low-Metallicity Small Magellanic Cloud” (SAGE-SMC; Gordon et al. 2011) allows a global study of star formation in the SMC at high enough resolution to resolve individual cores and protostars at a range of mid-IR wavelengths. Using the SAGE-SMC IRAC (3.6 - 8.0 μm) and MIPS (24 and 70 μm) catalogs and images combined with the near-IR and optical data, we identified a population of ∼1100 intermediate- to high-mass Young Stellar Objects (YSOs) in the SMC (3 × more than previously known). We investigate the properties of the YSOs and how they relate to the galaxy's structure and gas and dust distribution.
Pattern analysis of young stellar clusters
Authors: Tóth L. Viktor , Zahorecz Sarolta , Marton Gábor , Onishi Toshikazu , Balázs Lajos G. , Fehér Orsolya , Kawamura Akiko , Kitamura Yoshimi , Lisztes Mónika , Nishimura Atsushi , Pásztor László , Pintér Sándor , Racz Istvan , Tamura Motohide , Ueno Munetaka
Published: March 2013

We revealed a statistically significant clustering in the all sky distribution of AKARI-WISE young stellar objects with large groups of elongated and bush types.
The Environmental Effect of the CMF in the Galactic Center 50 km s−1 Molecular Cloud
Authors: Tsuboi Masato , Miyazaki Atsushi
Published: March 2013

We present the statistical properties of molecular clumps in the Galactic center 50 km s−1 molecular cloud based on observations of the CS J = 1 − 0 emission line with the Nobeyama Millimeter Array. The CMF and size spectrum for the whole cloud can be described by power laws of dN/dM ∝ M−2.6 ± 0.1 and dN/dR ∝ R−5.9±0.3, respectively. The CMF observed in the interacting part with the Sgr A East steepens to dN/dM ∝ M−4.0±0.2. On the other hand, the interaction presumably truncates the size spectrum on the larger side of R ∼ 0.4 pc.