bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breast Cancer in South East Asia: Comparison of Presentation and Outcome Between a Middle Income and a High Income Country
Authors: Saxena Nakul , Hartman Mikael , Bhoo‐Pathy Nirmala , Lim Jennifer N. W. , Aw Tar‐Ching , Iau Philip , Taib Nur Aishah , Lee Soo‐Chin , Yip Cheng‐Har , Verkooijen Helena M.
Published: August 2012

Background

There are large differences in socio‐economic growth within the region of South East Asia, leading to sharp contrasts in health‐systems development between countries. This study compares breast cancer presentation and outcome between patients from a high income country (Singapore) and a middle income country (Malaysia) in South East Asia.

Methods

Within the Singapore Malaysia Breast Cancer Registry we identified all consecutive patients diagnosed with breast cancer between 1993 and 2007 at the National University Hospital in Singapore (high income country, n = 2,141) and the University of Malaya Medical Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (middle income country, n = 3,320). We compared demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment patterns, and survival between patients from both countries.

Results

In Malaysia, patients were less often diagnosed with in situ breast cancer (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] 0.2; 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI] 0.1–0.3), more likely to be diagnosed with late stage (III and IV) disease (ORadj for stage III 1.6; 95 % CI 1.3–2.0; ORadj for stage IV 1.2; 95 % CI 1.1–1.4) as compared to patients from Singapore. Univariate analysis showed that Malaysian patients were at a 72 % increased risk of death as compared to Singaporeans. After adjusting for other prognostic factors, the risk decreased by only 5 % (ORadj 1.67, 95 % CI 1.44–1.92).

Conclusions

Differences in way of presentation (except stage and tumor size) and treatment of breast cancer patients from the two countries are small. The overall survival of breast cancer patients from Malaysia is much lower than that of Singaporean patients.
Computer Simulation of Water-Mediated Adhesion Between Phospholipid Bilayer and Solid Support Functionalized with Self-Assembled Monolayers
Authors: Pertsin Alexander , Grunze Michael
Published: August 2012

An attempt is made to estimate, via computer simulation of the force–distance relation, the free energy of adhesion between a phosphatidylethanolamine bilayer and an alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayer (SAM) in aqueous medium. The simulations are performed using the grand canonical Monte Carlo technique and atomistic force fields. The bilayer adhesion free energy is predicted to be −22 ± 3 mJ/m2 (–1.4 ± 0.2 kcal/mol) on a hydrophilic carboxyl-terminated SAM and −1 ± 1 mJ/m2 (–0.06 ± 0.06 kcal/mol) on a hydrophobic methyl-terminated SAM.
Misoprostol as first‐line treatment for incomplete abortion at a secondary‐level health facility in Nigeria
Authors: Fawole Adeniran O. , Diop Ayisha , Adeyanju Alaruru O. , Aremu Oyewole T. , Winikoff Beverly
Published: August 2012

Objective

To determine the feasibility of introducing misoprostol as first‐line treatment for incomplete abortion at a secondary‐level health facility.

Methods

An open‐label prospective study was conducted in a secondary‐level health facility in Nigeria. Eligible women diagnosed with incomplete abortion received 400‐μg sublingual misoprostol as first‐line treatment. Nurse–midwives took the lead in diagnosis, counseling, treatment, and assessment of final outcome. The primary outcome was the proportion of women who completed the abortion process.

Results

Complete evacuation was achieved in 83 of 90 (92.2%) eligible women. The most common adverse effects were abdominal pain/cramps (58 [64.4%]), heavy bleeding (21 [23.3%]), spotting (15 [16.7%]), and fever/chills (11 [12.2%]). More than 90% of women reported that the procedure was satisfactory, that pain and adverse effects were tolerable, and that bleeding was acceptable. Eighty‐four (93.3%) and 86 (95.6%) women, respectively, would use the method in the future and recommend it to friends.

Conclusion

Misoprostol is an effective, safe, and acceptable method for treating incomplete abortion. It can be successfully used as first‐line treatment by nurse–midwives. Success rates over 90% are consistent with findings from previous studies in which drug administration was controlled solely by physicians.

Clinical trials.gov: NCT01539408.
Decreased leptin concentration in neonates is associated with enhanced postnatal growth during the first year
Authors: Wang Ling‐Jen , Mu Shu‐Chi , Cheng I , Chen Yi‐Ling , Chen Bing‐Fang , Jow Guey‐Mei
Published: August 2012

Leptin regulates maternal metabolism and fetal growth by reducing food intake and increasing energy expenditure, particularly during the third trimester. In this study, we investigated the relationships between leptin and growth, and explored the longitudinal change of leptin in early postnatal life. A total of 58 infants were categorized according to gestational length and birth weight. Arterial blood samples were taken within 24 hours (Day 1), and on Days 4 and 7 of life. Plasma leptin levels were measured by commercial human leptin enzyme immunometric assay. The average serum leptin level declined in the first week of life. There was a positive correlation between leptin level and body weight on Day 4. Neonates with leptin decrease between Day 1 and Day 4 had better weight gain at one year old, and the hospital stay day was shorter. Furthermore, the full feeding days and the duration of feeding priming and full feeding days in the leptin decrease group were less than in the leptin increase group. Serum leptin was significantly decreased and positively correlated with neonates' body weight gain in the first week of life. A rapid decline in serum leptin after birth is associated with greater future weight gain and physiological advantage for infants' life.
Expression of MMP‐2, MMP‐9 and MMP‐11 in dermatofibroma and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Authors: Chen Yi‐Ting , Chen Wan‐Tzu , Huang Wan‐Ting , Wu Chun‐Chieh , Chai Chee‐Yin
Published: August 2012

Dermatofibroma (DF) and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) are the spindle cell mesenchymal neoplasms of the dermis and subcutis. Their histogenesis still remains uncertain and controversial. Traditionally, CD34 and factor XIIIa or other markers have been widely used to distinguish these two diseases. However, the results of these markers reveal overlapping and they lack specificity. Formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded blocks were collected from the biopsied cases in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital in Taiwan between 2004 and 2006. This study included 19 cases of DF and 17 cases of DFSP. Immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies CD34, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)‐2, MMP‐9, and MMP‐11 was performed. We found that the expression of CD34, MMP‐2 and MMP‐11 shows significant statistical differences in Immunohistochemistry (IHC) study positive or negative reactivity (positive of CD34 in DFSP and positive of MMP‐2 and MMP‐11 in DF; p = 0.03, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively) between DF and DFSP. The result for expression of MMP‐9 reveals no differences. The results indicate that the pathogenesis of DF and DFSP are affected by different expressions of extracellular matrix proteins. Metalloproteinases may play a direct role in these two diseases. Since no single marker can completely distinguish DF from DFSP, a combination of more than two or three stains may elevate the accuracy of diagnosis.
Histone deacetylases and cancer
Authors: Barneda-Zahonero Bruna , Parra Maribel
Published: August 2012

Reversible acetylation of histone and non‐histone proteins is one of the most abundant post‐translational modifications in eukaryotic cells. Protein acetylation and deacetylation are achieved by the antagonistic actions of two families of enzymes, histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). Aberrant protein acetylation, particularly on histones, has been related to cancer while abnormal expression of HDACs has been found in a broad range of cancer types. Therefore, HDACs have emerged as promising targets in cancer therapeutics, and the development of HDAC inhibitors (HDIs), a rapidly evolving area of clinical research. However, the contributions of specific HDACs to a given cancer type remain incompletely understood. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge concerning the role of HDACs in cancer with special emphasis on what we have learned from the analysis of patient samples.
The ties that bind? Russia’s evolving relations with its neighbors
Authors: Saivetz Carol R.
Published: August 2012

As the kick-off to his presidential campaign, newly elected Russian President Vladimir Putin published an article calling for a Eurasian Union among the states of the former Soviet Union. Using this as a jumping off point, this article evaluates the several overlapping organizations promoted by Moscow to bring the ex-Soviet republics closer together. It looks specifically at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Eurasian Economic Community, and finally the hopes for a Eurasian Union. The article analyzes the multipronged approach, combining military cooperation through the CSTO and the hoped-for Customs Union and broader Eurasian Union. Using energy politics as a case study to explore the extent and limitations of Russia’s influence over the policies of the other states, the article illustrates how resources and domestic politics create either strengths or vulnerabilities for them. Finally, the author argues that despite Moscow’s wishes, each of the states is more or less able to defend its sovereignty and independence, thus limiting Russia’s sway over the territory of the “former Soviet space.”
Woody vegetation, fuel and fire track the melting of the Scandinavian ice-sheet before 9500 cal yr BP
Authors: Carcaillet Christopher , Hörnberg Greger , Zackrisson Olle
Published: August 2012

New studies indicate the presence of early Holocene ice-free areas far north in Scandinavia. Post-glacial fire and vegetation were investigated based on sedimentary charcoal and pollen from two small lakes in northern Sweden. Accumulation of organic sediment started around 10,900 and 9200 cal yr BP, showing that both lake valleys were ice-free extremely early given their northerly location. Fire events started after 9600 cal yr BP and became less common around the ‘8.2-ka event’. Woody vegetation provided fuel that contributed to fires. The first vegetation in our pollen record consisted ofHippophae,Dryas, grasses and sedges. Subsequently broadleaved trees (Betula,Salix) increased in abundance and laterPinus,Alnus, ferns andLycopodiumcharacterized the vegetation. Pollen fromLarix,PiceaandMaluswere also found. The change in vegetation composition was synchronous with the decrease in lake-water pH in the region, indicating ecosystem-scale processes; this occurred during a period of net global and regional warming. The changes in fire frequency and vegetation appear independent of regional trends in precipitation. The reconstructed fire history and vegetation support the scenario of early ice-free areas far north in Scandinavia during early Holocene warming, creating favorable conditions for woody plants and wildfires.
Two–stage Method for the Extraction of a Horizontally Impacted Lower Third Molar
Authors: Kubota Yasutaka , Oka Shoji , Yahara Yoshie , Shirasuna Kanemitsu
Published: August 2012

A modification of the surgical technique for extracting impacted lower third molars is required to decrease the rate of complications including inferior alveolar nerve injury. In this study, a new two–stage extraction method for the horizontally impacted lower third molar was developed. During the first stage, only the crown was removed after separating the impacted tooth at the neck. Thereafter, the root(s) was pulled toward the anterior direction with an elastic band at 130–150 g over a 7­day period. Next, the root(s) was extracted. This method was firstly attempted for 20 horizontally impacted lower third molars, the roots of which had been close to the mandibular canal in panoramic radiographs and were pulled for 20.8 ± 11.5 (n = 20) days. The roots in 17 of 20 cases (85%) were loosened from the sockets and extracted easily without any complications. These outcomes suggest that this two­stage method is useful for the extraction of a horizontally impacted lower third molar in order to decrease the rate of inferior alveolar nerve injury.
Nerve Growth Factor in Saliva Stimulated by Mastication
Authors: Komatsu Kiyomi , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Honda Takashi , Yabashi Atsuko , Kawasaki Tateharu
Published: August 2012

The aim of the present study was to measure the amount of nerve growth factor (NGF) present in saliva, and investigate the relationship with aging, gender, and number of retained teeth. The subjects were 93 healthy volunteers (35 males and 58 females) aged 18–87 years. Stimulated saliva was collected during gum chewing, and saliva secretion per minute and NGF concentration per unit volume were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. We found that NGF in saliva was measurable in all subjects. The mean NGF concentration in saliva was 55.70 ± 38.27 pg/ml, and no relationship was found between NGF concentration and aging, gender, and the number of retained teeth. The mean NGF amount in saliva was 84.38 ± 71.06 pg/min. The NGF amount in saliva decreased with age, especially for the group aged 70 years and older. It was higher in male than female subjects, and was significantly higher in the group without tooth loss compared to the edentulous group. In addition, regarding the relationship between the saliva flow rate per minute and NGF amount in saliva, the latter increased significantly with a rise in the former. These results indicate that the NGF amount in saliva is influenced by aging, masticatory function, and saliva amount. It is speculated that human salivary glands play an important role in the synthesis and expression of NGF.
Development of Computer‐assisted Diagnosis Using Digital Radiography for the Evaluation of Dental Implant Osseointegration
Authors: Hayashi Kiyonobu , Kaku Yusuke , Kawamata Ryota , Nakamura Koji , Sakurai Takashi , Kashima Isamu
Published: August 2012

To develop an osseointegration analyzing system for dental implants, a new analyzing system which can assess the level of osseointegration between an implant and trabecular bone was constructed using digital radiography with morphological filter and node‐strut analysis. For assessment of this system, a grayscale test chart that simulates six levels of an osseointegration was created. In addition, digital implant images were made in which the trabecular pattern around the implant was varied over a total of five levels. Implant osseointegration was evaluated on the basis of seven parameters related to the number of nodes (Nd) and terminuses (Tm) of the skeleton bound to the implant (Im) and the skeletal length. The seven parameters were as follows : the number of struts connecting the Im with the Nd and Tm (N.ImNd, N.ImTm), the total number of N.ImNd and N.ImTm (N.Im), the strut length connecting the Im with the Nd and Tm (ImNd, ImTm), and the ratios of the struts connecting the Im with the Nd and Tm (ImNd/TSL, ImTm/ TSL), where TSL is the total strut length.

Strong correlations (R2 = 0.971–1.0) between the theoretical values from the test charts and the measured values were demonstrated. N.ImNd showed the strongest correlation, R2 = 0.948, from the digital implant images, followed by N.Im and ImNd, with correlations of R2 = 0.86 and R2 = 0.84, respectively. This new system for evaluating implant osseointegration by applying morphological processing and node‐strut analysis could be useful for computer‐assisted diagnosis of digital dental implant images.
An Anti‐apoptotic Role of NF‐κB in TNFα‐induced Apoptosis in an Ameloblastoma Cell Line
Authors: Hendarmin Laifa , Kawano Shintaro , Yoshiga Daigo , Sandra Ferry , Mitsuyasu Takeshi , Nakao Yu , Higuchi Yoshinori , Nakamura Norifumi , Nakamura Seiji
Published: August 2012

Nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) is involved in the promotion of cell survival in a variety of cell types. The present study focused on the role of NF‐κB in TNFα‐induced apoptosis in an ameloblastoma. Immunohistochemical staining revealed p65 NF‐κB protein to be expressed in ameloblastoma tissues. Furthermore, immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry analyses showed that the stimulation of TNFα in an ameloblastoma cell line (AM‐1) induced p65 NF‐κB translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, indicating NF‐κB activation. These findings were confirmed by an NF‐κB luciferase reporter assay, which detected enhanced NF‐κB transcription activity of AM‐1 cells by TNFα stimulation. Moreover, pretreatment with SN50, a nuclear translocation inhibitor, prior to TNFα stimulation, effectively inhibited TNFα‐induced NF‐κB activation in AM‐1 cells. In order to reveal the role of NF‐κB activation during TNFα‐induced apoptosis in AM‐1 cells, an apoptosis assay was performed, and showed that the potential of TNFα in inducing apoptosis in AM‐1 cells was significantly elevated by inhibiting the NF‐κB activation. These results suggest that NF‐κB plays an anti‐apoptotic role in TNFα‐induced apoptosis in AM‐1 cells.
Effect of Preliminary Amifostine Administration in Irradiation of Parotid Glands
Authors: Yachi Yoshifumi , Nasu Masanori , Yosue Takashi
Published: August 2012

To investigate the effect of amifostine, we administered amifostine, a radioprotective agent, 30 minutes before exposing the maxillary region of mice, including the parotid gland, to 5 Gy or 10 Gy X‐ray irradiation. The survival rate was recorded, and changes in the parotid gland morphology were investigated by examining the hematoxylin and eosin (HE)‐stained specimens and light microscope autoradiography (LMARG) images obtained 30 days after irradiation. A survival rate of 100% was not observed in any group administered 200 mg/kg amifostine with or without irradiation. Among the groups irradiated with 10 Gy X‐rays, the survival rate was higher and the survival period was longer in the 100 mg/kg amifostine group than in the no amifostine group. The histological findings in the group that received 5 Gy irradiation without amifostine were as follows : auxetic growth of acinar cells, nuclei of all sizes, cells in the mitotic phase, and cells undergoing apoptosis. Further, the treated groups were compared with the no amifostine and no irradiation group (untreated control). LMRG imaging revealed that the number of reduced silver grains per mm2 of acinar cells after 30 min of 3H‐leucine administration was higher than that after 120 min in mice treated with 100 mg/kg amifostine with or without 5 Gy irradiation. This observation was similar to that in the untreated control.

This finding suggests that although amifostine administration reduces the adverse effects of irradiation on the parotid gland, higher doses of amifostine may be fatal.
Inflammatory Exudates Modulate the Function and Apoptosis of Neutrophils
Authors: Takashi Noriyuki , Watari Fumio , Totsuka Yasunori
Published: August 2012

Biochemical factors of neutrophils in exudates from acute surgical wounds have been investigated. However, the fate and functions of neutrophils in the exudates have not been clarified and no prior study had compared exudates in the early and late surgical wound stages. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differing effects of exudates on human neutrophils between the early and late phases of inflammation, and to clarify the factors affecting neutrophil function. Exudates from 30 surgical patients with oral cancer who underwent radical neck dissection were collected on the 1st and 5th day after surgery (EX1, EX5). Neutrophils were obtained from two healthy volunteers. Following incubation of the neutrophils with the exudates we examined superoxide anion production and hAPO‐1/Fas expression by the neutrophils, apoptosis of the neutrophils and cytokine concentration in the exudates, and the factors related to neutrophil apoptosis. Superoxide anion production by neutrophils incubated with EX1 was significantly higher than by those incubated with EX5, while hAPO‐1/Fas expression by the neutrophils was also significantly greater upon incubation with EX5. The DNA ladder was detected only in human neutrophils incubated with EX5. The level of IL‐10 in EX1 was significantly lower than that in EX5. Apoptosis of the neutrophils incubated with EX5 was suppressed by the addition of anti‐IL‐10 antibody. These results indicate that neutrophils have their functions augmented and apoptosis is inhibited in the early phase of inflammation. Furthermore, IL‐10 is involved in apoptosis of neutrophils in the late phase of inflammation.
A Case of Actinomycosis of the Minor Salivary Gland in the Buccal Region
Authors: Tamura Takayuki , Ryoke Kazuo , Kidani Kazunori , Takubo Kazuko , Nakabayashi Motoki , Amekawa Shigeki
Published: August 2012

We report a case of actinomycosis arising in the minor salivary gland in the buccal region. A 71‐year‐old male presented with a swelling in the left buccal region. The clinical diagnosis was minor salivary gland tumor in the buccal mucosa. Under local anesthesia, the lesion was excised. Histopathological examination showed basophilic amorphous masses of Actinomyces in the dilated excretory duct with squamous metaplasia. A final diagnosis of actinomycosis was made. Its portal of entry was thought to be a disruption of the mucosal barrier after trauma due to maladaptation of dentures. There was no sign of recurrence after the surgery.
A Case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising from Branchial Cleft Cyst
Authors: Saito Takashi , Sato Touru , Usui Hiroyuki , Hirashita Kouki , Asada Kouichi , Ishibashi Katsunori
Published: August 2012

Carcinoma arising from the remnant of branchial epithelium or branchial cleft cyst is known as branchiogenic carcinoma. It is very rare, and its existence is a matter of controversy. We report a case of cystic carcinoma of the upper neck that fully met Martin’s criteria for branchiogenic carcinoma. A 53‐year‐old male visited Tsurumi University Dental Hospital with a swelling on the left side of the neck. Three tumors were excised from the neck, and histopathology revealed squamous cell carcinoma in a cystic lesion. As metastatic carcinoma of the cervical lymph nodes was suspected, the appropriate clinical tests and imaging were performed to determine the possible presence of a primary tumor. However, no primary carcinoma was found. These findings suggest that this was a case of branchiogenic carcinoma. The patient was treated with radiotherapy and followed up over an 8‐year period. No evidence of recurrence was found.
Swallowing in Cockayne Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Hara Iwao , Umemoto George , Takahashi Hiromasa , Kikuta Toshihiro
Published: August 2012

The case of a 20‐year‐old female with Cockayne syndrome, presenting with reduced intake of food, is described. At admission, her intake of food and her body weight were low. The patient’s food swallowing function was recorded by video fluorography and evaluated. Reduced transfer of food boluses to the posterior site of the oral cavity, incomplete formation of boluses in the oral phase, and residual food after swallowing in the pharynx phase were observed. No aspiration was observed, however, during video fluorography. The patient’s nutrition was managed by changing her meals to fluid‐type food to shorten the eating time.
Septic Pulmonary Embolism Ascribed to Periapical Periodontitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Sakuma Hidenori , Nakamura Atsushi , Fukuoka Yumi , Okabe Mitsukuni , Tsurumi Kunio , Yokoi Motoo
Published: August 2012

Septic pulmonary embolism is a rare condition, the common sources of which are bacterial endocarditis and infected venous catheters. Septic pulmonary embolism ascribed to dental infection is extremely rare. The present report describes a case of septic pulmonary embolism attributed to periapical periodontitis in a 39‐year‐old patient, who was admitted with persistent toothache, fever, and chest pain. Chest CT showed a feeding vessel sign and a target sign. A panoramic radiograph of the left maxillary bone showed alveolar bone loss in a horizontal pattern typical of periodontitis and periapical periodontitis. The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics and teeth extraction. To our knowledge, only 4 cases of septic pulmonary embolism ascribed to dental infection have been reported in the English literature. These patients repeatedly developed dental infections but did not receive appropriate dental treatment including extraction of the causative teeth, leading to the development of septic pulmonary embolism. This paper may contribute to the limited clinical knowledge base regarding septic pulmonary embolism ascribed to periapical periodontitis. Effective oral care and removal of the primary source of infection, including extraction of the causative teeth, are important to prevent septic pulmonary embolism.
The Resurfacing of Bepridil Hydrochloride on the World Stage as an Antiarrhythmic Drug for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Nakazato Yuji
Published: August 2012

Bepridil hydrochloride is a multiple ion channel blocker with relatively strong suppressive effects for various K+ channels. Recent clinical studies mainly done in Japan have revealed the eficacy of the agent for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). The pharmacological conversion effect for persistent AF seems particularly promising. The agent also has robust effects in maintaining sinus rhythm after pharmacological or electrical conversion, as well as suppressing recurrent attacks of paroxysmal AF. Though torsades de pointes may develop due to QT prolongation, an appropriate dosage and careful follow‐up can prevent this serious complication. Now that the antiarrhythmic eficacy of bepridil for AF is recognized in Japan, the agent is poised to resurface on the world stage as a treatment for AF.
Clinical and Electrocardiographic Characteristics of Patients with Brugada Syndrome: Report of Five Cases of Documented Ventricular Fibrillation
Authors: Takashio Seiji , Honda Toshihiro , Koyama Junjiro , Odagawa Yukinari , Nakao Koichi
Published: August 2012

Background: Brugada syndrome is a disease in which idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (VF) sometimes occurs and causes sudden death. However, the clinical characteristics are still not fully understood.

Patients and Methods: Five patients with Brugada syndrome, and with spontaneous VF documented by electrocardiograms (ECGs), were included in this study. We examined their clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics.

Results: The mean age at the first VF/syncope episode was 54:4 ± 11:4 years. The mean follow‐up duration of the study was 114:8 ± 35:9 months. In 4 patients, typical coved‐type ST‐elevation with a circadian change in >1 right precordial lead (V1 to V3) was observed, and in the remaining patient it developed only after a pilsicainide test. VF was initiated by ventricular premature contractions (VPCs), which were almost identical to the preceding VPCs. While the isolated VPCs rarely occurred before VF in the patients whose late potentials were positive, in the patient whose late potential was negative, there were frequent episodes of VPCs before VF.

Conclusion: In this study, we presented variable clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics of the patients. The differences might suggest that several mechanisms are involved in the onset of VF in Brugada syndrome.
Clinical Meaning of Right Bundle Branch Block Pattern on Surface Electrocardiogram in Pacemaker Patients During Right Ventricular Endocardial Pacing
Authors: Abulaiti Abula , Goseki Yoshinari , Arata Hiroshi , Morisaki Michihiko , Yazaki Yoshinao , Ishiyama Taizo , Yamashina Akira
Published: August 2012

Introduction: Right bundle branch block (RBBB) pattern is sometimes observed in right ventricular (RV) endocardial pacing. However, the true mechanism and the clinical meaning of this phenomenon are still unknown.

Methods and results: Out of 218 consecutive patients with RV apex endocardial pacing, we studied 30 cases with RBBB pattern and 111 cases with left bundle branch block (LBBB) pattern. No significant differences were found between these 2 groups in age, sex, and pacing mode. However, the percentage of cardiomyopathy patients in the RBBB pattern group was significantly higher than in the LBBB pattern group (36.7% versus 1.8%, p < 0.0001). The left ventricular diastolic dimension (52.2 ± 9.3 mm versus 48.0 ± 5.5 mm, p = 0.05) was bigger and left ventricular ejection fraction (56.2 ± 14.7% versus 66.4 ± 11.6%, p = 0.0003) was lower in the RBBB pattern group. In RBBB pattern group, 11 out of 13 patients with low cardiac function (ejection fraction <50%) showed a wide QRS duration greater than 160 ms in V1 and II leads.

Conclusions: RBBB pattern, especially QRS duration wider than 160 ms in V1 and II leads, during RV endocardial pacing may represent left ventricular enlargement and dysfunction. These findings would help assess the cardiac function based on surface 12‐lead electrocardiography even in RV pacing.
An Alternative Approach for Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Intra‐atrial Reentrant Tachycardia Associated with Open‐Heart Surgery
Authors: Narita Sumito , Tsuchiya Takeshi , Ashikaga Keiichi , Miyamoto Koji , Taniguchi Izumi , Ando Shin‐ichi
Published: August 2012

We present case reports of 2 patients with scar‐related intra‐atrial reentrant tachycardia (IART) associated with previous open‐heart surgeries, in which standard ablation strategies failed to eliminate atrial tachycardia (AT). The strategies targeted a narrow conducting channel between the right atrial scars or between the scar and inferior vena cava. In these patients, an alternative approach to transect another narrow conducting pathway between the scar and crista terminalis (CT), which was revealed by a noncontact mapping system, successfully terminated and eliminated the IART. Both the cases were free of recurrent AT at the 24‐and 25‐month follow up visits, respectively. Transection of the corridor between the CT and the incision scar appears to be an effective technique for eliminating scar‐related IART and can be considered as a second‐line procedure for radiofrequency catheter ablation to eliminate IART.
Comparing two methods to estimate the sensitivity of regional climate simulations to tropical SST anomalies
Authors: Li Wei , Forest Chris E. , Barsugli Joseph
Published: August 2012

We perform ensemble simulations using NCAR CAM3.1 T42 forced by perturbed SST fields to estimate the sensitivity of regional climate change at seasonal scales to tropical SST anomalies. We compare the sensitivity and linear reconstruction of regional climate change to tropical SST anomalies from the patch method and the random perturbation method (RPM). The patch method adds one SST anomaly patch at a certain location of the tropical ocean to the prescribed SST field at one time. The RPM method randomly perturbs the climatological SST field with spatially coherent anomalies and estimates the anomalous response with respect to the climatological equilibrium state. The two methods provide generally consistent sensitivity information and similar reconstruction of the regional response over the global scale and tropical regions. If only the dominant sensitivity information is desired, the RPM method is about twelve times more computationally efficient than the patch method due mainly to the larger area‐integrated amplitude of the SST forcing used.
A blueprint for process‐based modeling of uncertain hydrological systems
Authors: Montanari Alberto , Koutsoyiannis Demetris
Published: August 2012

We present a probability based theoretical scheme for building process‐based models of uncertain hydrological systems, thereby unifying hydrological modeling and uncertainty assessment. Uncertainty for the model output is assessed by estimating the related probability distribution via simulation, thus shifting from one to many applications of the selected hydrological model. Each simulation is performed after stochastically perturbing input data, parameters and model output, this latter by adding random outcomes from the population of the model error, whose probability distribution is conditioned on input data and model parameters. Within this view randomness, and therefore uncertainty, is treated as an inherent property of hydrological systems. We discuss the related assumptions as well as the open research questions. The theoretical framework is illustrated by presenting real‐world and synthetic applications. The relevant contribution of this study is related to proposing a statistically consistent simulation framework for uncertainty estimation which does not require model likelihood computation and simplification of the model structure. The results show that uncertainty is satisfactorily estimated although the impact of the assumptions could be significant in conditions of data scarcity.
Research using high (and higher) resolution radiosonde data
Authors: Love Peter T. , Geller Marvin A.
Published: August 2012

High vertical resolution radiosonde data (HVRRD), which began to become available in the early 1990s, have had value in gravity wave and tropical wave studies [Hamilton and Vincent, 1995]. For example, routine analysis of upper troposphere‐lower stratosphere temperature and wind has led to better understanding of seasonal and geographic variations in gravity wave activity and spectral characteristics. Since then, HVRRD have been exploited for much broader research applications in fields where HVRRD provide the highest resolution available for observational parameters. With recent upgrades to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) network of U.S. upper air stations providing yet higher vertical resolution, new research applications of operational sounding data are emerging. A repository of long‐term, routine, very high resolution in situ observations of fundamental atmospheric parameters, including temperature, water vapor, and wind velocity, is now available, for which the full research potential has yet to be realized.
How do meteoroids affect Venus's and Mars's ionospheres?
Authors: Withers Paul
Published: August 2012

Recent discoveries in the ionospheres of Venus and Mars of layers of metal ions that have been known to exist on Earth for decades have opened a new area for observationally constrained comparative planetology. These new observations raise four questions, amenable to study with current data and models, whose solutions will collectively answer the titular question of this article.
Tyler Prize nominations sought
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: August 2012

Nominations for the 2013 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement are being accepted until 21 September. The prize is considered the top international award that honors achievements and contributions in environmental science, protection, energy, and medicine. Among previous recipients are a number of AGU members, including 2012 awardee John Seinfeld, the Louis E. Nohl Professor and professor of chemical engineering at the California Institute of Technology, who was recognized for his contributions to the understanding of the origin, chemistry, and evolution of aerosols in the atmosphere. For more information about the prize, prior honorees, and nomination requirements, see http://www.tylerprize.usc.edu
Overdeepenings in glacial systems: Processes and uncertainties
Authors: Fischer Urs H. , Haeberli Wilfried
Published: August 2012

Workshop on Glacial Overdeepening; Zurich, Switzerland, 20–21 April 2012 Glacially overdeepened valleys and basins are common features in high mountain belts and their forelands. These overdeepenings are of practical and scientific interest, representing sites of potential lake formation; influencing the dynamics and hydrology of ice masses; presenting opportunities for glacial and climate reconstruction; and raising management issues related to aggregate, groundwater, and hydrocarbon resources and radioactive waste disposal in deep geological repositories. Although the basic principles of glacial erosion are generally known, the formation of overdeepened valleys beneath glaciers and ice sheets remains incompletely understood.
AGU election FAQs
Authors: Robinson Robert
Published: August 2012

Many of you are aware that this is an election year, and I don't mean electing the next president of the United States! This is AGU's election year, and the polls are opening soon. Your vote matters. Eligible voters should vote, and now is the time to learn about the candidates. There are no TV ads, and the candidates won't be covered in the news. However, electing AGU leaders for the next term affects the future direction of the Union. Please take a few minutes to visit the election Web site (http://sites.agu.org/elections/) and review the candidate bios.
The random walk of tracers through river catchments
Authors: Bhattacharya Atreyee
Published: August 2012

River catchments play critical roles in regional economies and in the global economy. In addition, rivers carry large volumes of nutrients, pollutants, and several other forms of tracers into the ocean. An intricate system of pathways and channels, both on the surface and in the subsurface of catchments, allows rivers to carry large volumes of tracers. However, scientists do not yet fully understand how pollutants and other tracers travel through the intricate web of channels in the catchment areas of rivers. In a new study, Cvetkovic et al show that the travel path of tracers through channels can be modeled as a random walk, which is mathematically similar to the path an animal would trace when foraging. Previous studies have applied the random walk approach to understand the behavior of fluids flowing through aquifers and soils but not to model the transport mechanism of tracers that travel passively with water flowing through catchments.
Recent advances in turbulence prediction
Authors: Bhattacharya Atreyee
Published: August 2012

Turbulence in the upper troposphere and the lower stratosphere (8–14 kilometers in altitude) is a well‐known aviation hazard; it is the major cause of injuries and occasional fatalities to passengers and crew members on commercial aircraft. Jet streams, thunderstorms, flow over mountains, and even the passage of other aircraft cause turbulence. However, the lack of precise observational data (which is still mainly from pilots reporting turbulence) and a clear understanding of the processes that cause turbulence make it difficult to accurately forecast aviation‐scale turbulence. Hence, upper troposphere and lower stratosphere turbulence forecasting is an area of active research.
Present not the key to the past in tidal environments?
Authors: Bhattacharya Atreyee
Published: August 2012

Landforms in tidal environments such as estuaries and lagoons are molded by both past climate as well as modern conditions such as local changes in mean sea level. Hence, it is difficult to determine which landforms in a tidal environment retain signatures of past climate and which ones reflect more modern conditions. In a new study, Stefanon et al. used conceptual laboratory experiments to investigate how cyclic variations of the local mean sea level affect landforms in tidal environments and if tidal landscapes retain signatures of past conditions. For the experiment the researchers created a synthetic lagoonal environment and periodically changed the mean sea level relative to the land. The researchers found that the total volume of water passing through the lagoon between each cycle of high tide and low tide, also called the tidal prism, strongly influenced the drainage pattern as well as the transport of water, sediments, nutrients, and pollutants in the lagoon.
Forest fires may cause cooling in boreal Canada
Authors: Bhattacharya Atreyee
Published: August 2012

As climate in North America continues to become warmer and drier through the 21st century, a new study finds that fire may be playing an increasingly important role in shaping the climate of the boreal regions of Canada. Forest fires change the amount of shortwave radiation absorbed by Earth's surface by reducing vegetation cover and changing the composition of plant species, thereby changing the reflectivity of the surface (albedo). Fires also affect other ecosystem processes and increase aerosol (particularly soot) emission and deposition, all of which alter regional climate through a series of feedbacks mechanisms. Jin et al. used satellite observations of surface albedo from 2000 to 2011 and fire perimeter data since 1970 to study how forest fires affect surface albedo and associated shortwave radiation at the surface, across forests in boreal Canada.
Multiproxy characterization and budgeting of terrigenous end‐members at the NW African continental margin
Authors: Just Janna , Heslop David , von Dobeneck Tilo , Bickert Torsten , Dekkers Mark J. , Frederichs Thomas , Meyer Inka , Zabel Matthias
Published: August 2012

Grain‐size, terrigenous element and rock magnetic remanence data of Quaternary marine sediments retrieved at the NW African continental margin off Gambia (gravity core GeoB 13602–1, 13°32.71′N, 17°50.96′W) were jointly analyzed by end‐member (EM) unmixing methods to distinguish and budget past terrigenous fluxes. We compare and cross‐validate the identified single‐parameter EM systems and develop a numerical strategy to calculate associated multiparameter EM properties. One aeolian and two fluvial EMs were found. The aeolian EM is much coarser than the fluvial EMs and is associated with a lower goethite/hematite ratio, a higher relative concentration of magnetite and lower Al/Si and Fe/K ratios. Accumulation rates and grain sizes of the fluvial sediment appear to be primarily constrained by shore distance (i.e., sea level fluctuations) and to a lesser extent by changes in hinterland precipitation. High dust fluxes occurred during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and during Heinrich Stadials (HS) while the fluvial input remained unchanged. Our approach reveals that the LGM dust fluxes were ∼7 times higher than today's. However, by far the highest dust accumulation occurred during HS 1 (∼300 g m−2 yr−1), when dust fluxes were ∼80 fold higher than today. Such numbers have not yet been reported for NW Africa, and emphasize strikingly different environmental conditions during HSs. They suggest that deflation rate and areal extent of HSs dust sources were much larger due to retreating vegetation covers. Beyond its regional and temporal scope, this study develops new, in principle, generally applicable strategies for multimethod end‐member interpretation, validation and flux budgeting calibration.
ULF waves and discrete aurora
Authors: Streltsov A. V. , Jia N. , Pedersen T. R. , Frey H. U. , Donovan E. D.
Published: August 2012

We present results from the numerical study of ULF waves generated by the ionospheric feedback instability in density cavities. The goal of the study is to explain several spectral features of ULF waves detected on the ground in close vicinity of intense discrete auroral arcs. These features include (1) localization of the waves packages across the ambient magnetic field, (2) variation of the wave frequency in relatively small amplitude waves, and (3) presence of several discrete harmonics in the spectrum of the relatively large amplitude waves. Time‐dependent, two‐dimensional simulations based on the two‐fluid MHD model performed in the dipole, axisymmetrical geometry of the ambient magnetic field with realistic parameters of the plasma density in the ionosphere and the magnetosphere demonstrate that the ionospheric feedback instability inside the density cavity indeed provides a good, quantitative explanation of these features of ULF waves observed at high latitudes during substorm onsets.
Global 3‐D ionospheric electron density reanalysis based on multisource data assimilation
Authors: Yue Xinan , Schreiner William S. , Kuo Ying‐Hwa , Hunt Douglas C. , Wang Wenbin , Solomon Stanley C. , Burns Alan G. , Bilitza Dieter , Liu Jann‐Yenq , Wan Weixing , Wickert Jens
Published: August 2012

We report preliminary results of a global 3‐D ionospheric electron density reanalysis demonstration study during 2002–2011 based on multisource data assimilation. The monthly global ionospheric electron density reanalysis has been done by assimilating the quiet days ionospheric data into a data assimilation model constructed using the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) 2007 model and a Kalman filter technique. These data include global navigation satellite system (GNSS) observations of ionospheric total electron content (TEC) from ground‐based stations, ionospheric radio occultations by CHAMP, GRACE, COSMIC, SAC‐C, Metop‐A, and the TerraSAR‐X satellites, and Jason‐1 and 2 altimeter TEC measurements. The output of the reanalysis are 3‐D gridded ionospheric electron densities with temporal and spatial resolutions of 1 h in universal time, 5° in latitude, 10° in longitude, and ∼30 km in altitude. The climatological features of the reanalysis results, such as solar activity dependence, seasonal variations, and the global morphology of the ionosphere, agree well with those in the empirical models and observations. The global electron content derived from the international GNSS service global ionospheric maps, the observed electron density profiles from the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar during 2007–2010, and foF2 observed by the global ionosonde network during 2002–2011 are used to validate the reanalysis method. All comparisons show that the reanalysis have smaller deviations and biases than the IRI‐2007 predictions. Especially after April 2006 when the six COSMIC satellites were launched, the reanalysis shows significant improvement over the IRI predictions. The obvious overestimation of the low‐latitude ionospheric F region densities by the IRI model during the 23/24 solar minimum is corrected well by the reanalysis. The potential application and improvements of the reanalysis are also discussed.
The Pingding segment of the Altyn Tagh Fault (91°E): Holocene slip‐rate determination from cosmogenic radionuclide dating of offset fluvial terraces
Authors: Mériaux A.‐S. , Van der Woerd J. , Tapponnier P. , Ryerson F. J. , Finkel R. C. , Lasserre C. , Xu X.
Published: August 2012

Morphochronologic slip‐rates on the Altyn Tagh Fault (ATF) along the southern front of the Pingding Shan at ∼90.5°E are determined by cosmogenic radionuclide (CRN) dating of seven offset terraces at two sites. The terraces are defined based upon morphology, elevation and dating, together with fieldwork and high‐resolution satellite analysis. The majority of the CRN model ages fall within narrow ranges (<2 ka) on the four main terraces (T1, T2, T3 and T3′), and allow a detailed terrace chronology. Bounds on the terrace ages and offsets of 5 independent terraces yield consistent slip‐rate estimates. The long‐term slip‐rate of 13.9 ± 1.1 mm/yr is defined at the 95% confidence level, as the joint rate probability distribution of the rate derived from each independent terrace. It falls within the bounds of all the rates defined on the central Altyn Tagh Fault between the Cherchen He (86.4°E) and Akato Tagh (∼88°E) sites. This rate is ∼10 mm/yr less than the upper rate determined near Tura at ∼87°E, in keeping with the inference of an eastward decreasing rate due to progressive loss of slip to thrusts branching off the fault southwards but it is greater than the 9 ± 4 mm/yr rate determined at ∼90°E by GPS surveys and other geodetic short‐term rates defined elsewhere along the ATF. Whether such disparate rates will ultimately be reconciled by a better understanding of fault mechanics, resolved transient deformations during the seismic cycle or by more accurate measurements made with either approach remains an important issue.