bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the dynamics of a massless beam with end mass rotating in the three-dimensional space
Authors: Genta Giancarlo
Published: October 2012

Many elements of machines, like shafts, blades, connecting rods, etc., are often modeled using the so-called beam theory and, when these elements rotate with respect to an inertial reference frame, this rotation can deeply affect their dynamic behavior. The position of the beam with respect to the rotation axis and the possibility that the rotation is more complicated than a simple constant-rate rotation about a fixed axis influence this effect, and different models are usually employed. As a result, different phenomena, like gyroscopic effect, centrifugal stiffening or softening, and instability due to rotation are often mentioned in reference to the different cases. The aim of this article is that of building a much simplified beam model, and to subject it to a compound, nonconstant rate rotation. Since the model can be solved in closed form, at least in several cases, a general discussion of the revant phenomena can be done to shed some light on some aspects, like the instability ranges due to rotation and to the damping of the system.
Experimental and numerical study of an airfoil in combination with a cross flow fan
Authors: Askari Salar , Shojaeefard MH
Published: October 2012

In this article, the airfoil comprising a cross flow fan has been studied at various boundary conditions by experiment and numerical solution. The airfoil generates high lift at low forward speeds and shows excellent potential for short take off and landing and vertical take off and landing. According to the experiments, lift and pitching moment coefficients of the airfoil increase and its drag coefficient reduces with the fan rotational velocity. The pitching moment coefficient enhancement demonstrates that the aircraft is more stable at higher rotational speeds. Experiments showed that the aerodynamic coefficients decrease with the free stream Reynolds number. Flow field over the airfoil has been studied by the computational fluid dynamics technique and compared with the experimental data. Numerical solution was in good agreement with the experiments. Solution showed that skin friction coefficient on the airfoil bottom wall is not sensitive to the rotational velocity, but on the upper surface, especially inside the casing, it is deeply influenced by the fan speed, while it increases with the Reynolds number on the both surfaces. According to the numerical solution, the static pressure difference between the airfoil surfaces increases with rotational velocity demonstrating higher lift coefficients at higher fan speeds, and also increases with the Reynolds number that is equivalent to the enhancement of the aerodynamic forces as shown by the experiments. Because of a sharp edge a sudden jump was observed in the pressure distribution on the airfoil upper wall. By replacing this sharp edge with a smooth and round one this pressure jump reduced significantly and pressure distribution on the modified surface became smoother and its extremal value diminished considerably. The streamlines on the upper surface were closer than those on the bottom surface indicating higher pressure on the airfoil bottom wall. They became closer on the airfoil upper surface when fan speed increased. In addition, velocity gradient on the airfoil surfaces increased with the Reynolds number that is tantamount to a higher skin friction coefficient. Discrepancies between numerical and experimental data can be attributed to measurement uncertainty in the experiments and convergence precision in the numerical solution, two-dimensional solution in the computational fluid dynamics and three dimensionality of the flow at the wing tips in reality.
Solar forcing of climate during the last millennium recorded in lake sediments from northern Sweden
Authors: Kokfelt U , Muscheler R
Published: October 2012

We report on a sediment record from a small lake within the subarctic wetland complex Stordalen in northernmost Sweden covering the last 1000 years. Variations in the content of minerogenic material are found to follow reconstructed variations in the activity of the Sun between the 13th and 18th centuries. Periods of low solar activity are associated with minima in minerogenic material and vice versa. A comparison between the sunspot cycle and a long instrumental series of summer precipitation further reveals a link between the 11 yr solar cycle and summer precipitation variability since around 1960. Solar minima are in this period associated with minima in summer precipitation, whereas the amount of summer precipitation increases during periods with higher solar activity. Our results suggest that the climate responds to both the 11 yr solar cycle and to long-term changes in solar activity and in particular solar minima, causing dry conditions with resulting decreased runoff.
Association Between Addition of Learning Support Professionals and School Performance
Authors: Stone Susan , Shields John P. , Hilinski Andrea , Sanford Vida
Published: October 2012

This study capitalizes on the gradual introduction of learning support professionals (LSPs; e.g., school social workers) into an urban school district’s elementary schools ( n = 71) between 2001–2002 and 2008–2009. The time series allowed for a school-level investigation of associations between the presence of LSPs and aggregate school achievement utilizing fixed-effects methodology. Schools with an LSP in a given year, as well as the cumulative years in which a school had an LSP, were both positively associated with the percentage of students who scored at or above proficient in reading achievement on the California Standards Test and were negatively associated with the cumulative number of years a school was in program improvement status, but not associated with mathematics achievement. Findings suggest that school social workers function as a school resource and indicate the utility of fixed-effects methodology in assessing the impact of social work services in schools.
Self-organized flocking with a mobile robot swarm: a novel motion control method
Authors: Ferrante Eliseo , Turgut Ali Emre , Huepe Cristián , Stranieri Alessandro , Pinciroli Carlo , Dorigo Marco
Published: October 2012

In flocking, a swarm of robots moves cohesively in a common direction. Traditionally, flocking is realized using two main control rules: proximal control, which controls the cohesion of the swarm using local range-and bearing information about neighboring robots; and alignment control, which allows the robots to align in a common direction and uses more elaborate sensing mechanisms to obtain the orientation of neighboring robots. So far, limited attention has been given to motion control, used to translate the output of these two control rules into robot motion. In this paper, we propose a novel motion control method: magnitude-dependent motion control (MDMC). Through simulations and real robot experiments, we show that, with MDMC, flocking in a random direction is possible without the need for alignment control and for robots having a preferred direction of travel. MDMC has the advantage to be implementable on very simple robots that lack the capability to detect the orientation of their neighbors. In addition, we introduce a small proportion of robots informed about a desired direction of travel. We compare MDMC with a motion control method used in previous robotics literature, which we call magnitude-independent motion control (MIMC), and we show that the swarms can travel longer distances in the desired direction when using MDMC instead of MIMC. Finally, we systematically study flocking under various conditions: with or without alignment control, with or without informed robots, with MDMC or with MIMC.
Frailty
Authors: Zaslavsky Oleg , Cochrane Barbara B. , Thompson Hilaire J. , Woods Nancy F. , Herting Jerald R. , LaCroix Andrea
Published: October 2012

Frailty is an emerging geriatric syndrome that refers to a state of increased vulnerability to adverse events including mortality, morbidity, disability, hospitalization, and nursing home admission. Despite its long conceptual and operational history in research and publications, frailty and mechanisms of frailty development are still poorly understood. In this review, we describe a number of conceptual models—reliability, allostatic load, and complexity—that have been put forward to explain the dynamic nature of frailty. We illustrate a consolidated pathophysiological model of frailty, taking into consideration the large and exponentially growing body of studies regarding predictors, indicators, and outcomes of frailty. The model addresses cellular (e.g., oxidative damage and telomere length) and systemic mechanisms (e.g., endocrinal, inflammatory, coagulatory, and metabolic deficiencies) of frailty, moderating or risk factors (e.g., ethnicity, lifestyle, and comorbidities), and outcomes (morbidity, disability, and cognitive decline). Finally, we identify the weaknesses of traditional epidemiological approaches for studying complex phenomena related to frailty and propose areas for future methodological and physiological inquiry.
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Authors: Shah Ira
Published: October 2012

About 5% to 10% of HIV-infected patients develop thrombocytopenia during the course of the disease, and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) may be the sole clinical manifestation of HIV infection. The clinical picture is indistinguishable from the classic auto-ITP. Treatment is the same as that given for classic ITP as the pathogenesis is in many ways similar. Steroids, intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs), and antiretroviral therapy (ART) have all been tried with varied results but have been associated with fall in platelet count on withdrawal of therapy. We report a case of a 13-year-old girl who presented with thrombocytopenic purpura and had no response to ART but had normalization of platelet count while on steroids, which immediately fell below the normal range on withdrawing the steroids.
Condition monitoring of electrical power plant components during operational transients
Authors: Baraldi Piero , Di Maio Francesco , Pappaglione Luca , Zio Enrico , Seraoui Redouane
Published: October 2012

Monitoring the condition of a component is typically based on an empirical model that estimates the values of some measurable variables (signals) in normal conditions and triggers the fault alarm when the reconstruction deviates from the measured signal. When condition monitoring is performed during plant operational transients the intrinsically dynamic behavior of the signals should be taken into account. To this purpose, two approaches are proposed in this work. The former is based on the development of several reconstruction models, each one dedicated to a different operational zone of the component. The latter is based on the preprocessing of the signals by means of Haar wavelet transforms. The performance of the two proposed approaches are compared with that of the traditional reconstruction approach used for stationary conditions, with respect to a case study concerning the condition monitoring of a gas turbine during start-up transients.
Accurate First Impressions Leave a Lasting Impression
Authors: Human Lauren J. , Sandstrom Gillian M. , Biesanz Jeremy C. , Dunn Elizabeth W.
Published: October 2012

Above and beyond the benefits of biases such as positivity and assumed similarity, does the accuracy of our first impressions have immediate and long-term effects on relationship development? Assessing accuracy as distinctive self-other agreement, we found that more accurate personality impressions of new classmates were marginally associated with greater liking concurrently, and significantly predicted greater interaction throughout the semester and greater liking and interest in future interactions by the end of the semester. Importantly, greater distinctive self-other agreement continued to promote social interaction even after controlling for Time 1 liking, suggesting that these positive effects of accuracy operate independently of initial liking. Forming positively biased first impressions was a strong predictor of both initial and longer term relationship development, while assumed similarity showed strong initial but not long-term associations. In sum, independent of the benefits of biased impressions, forming accurate impressions has a positive impact on relationship development among new acquaintances.
The World after Thor Heyerdahl: Challenges to Archaeology in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Witoszek Nina
Published: October 2012

Archaeology has been traditionally looked at as a science which reconstructs human history and evolution through the study of material objects. This contribution revisits archaeology as a discipline which revives national pasts, and thus partakes in generating myths of roots and identity. In the world ‘after Thor Heyerdahl' – plunged in environmental crisis and haunted by economic collapse of many communities – the hunger for these myths is bound to intensify. I argue that today, especially, there is a need for archaeology in ‘Thor Heyerdahls' ’ sense: one which would illuminate the unity of mankind and emphasize the imperative of reclaiming nature as human habitat.
Herding, Settlement, and Chronology in the Balkan Neolithic
Authors: Orton David
Published: October 2012

The Neolithic in the central Balkans saw dramatic changes in settlement forms, architecture, and material culture, with substantial, often long-lived settlements that can reasonably be called villages emerging in the later part of the period. This paper examines the role of herding practices in the development of these large, more-or-less settled communities. Radiocarbon results (including twenty-seven new AMS dates from Gomolava, Opovo, and Petnica) are used to place the available zooarchaeological data into a chronological framework, allowing comparison of inter- and intra-site changes across the region. The data point to the development of large-scale cattle herding in the later Neolithic, the implications of which for mobility and community cohesion are discussed. This trend is seen clearly over time at certain sites but, like the settlement evidence, is neither universal nor synchronous across the region, emphasizing that change occurred, and should be understood, on the level of individual communities.
The clinical significance of NOTCH1 and SF3B1 mutations in the UK LRF CLL4 trial
Authors: Oscier David G. , Rose-Zerilli Matthew J. J. , Winkelmann Nils , Gonzalez de Castro David , Gomez Belen , Forster Jade , Parker Helen , Parker Anton , Gardiner Anne , Collins Andrew , Else Monica , Cross Nicholas C. P. , Catovsky Daniel , Strefford Jonathan C.
Published: October 2012

NOTCH1 and SF3B1 mutations have been previously reported to have prognostic significance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia but to date they have not been validated in a prospective, controlled clinical trial. We have assessed the impact of these mutations in a cohort of 494 patients treated within the randomized phase 3 United Kingdom Leukaemia Research Fund Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 4 (UK LRF CCL4) trial that compared chlorambucil and fludarabine with and without cyclophosphamide in previously untreated patients. We investigated the relationship of mutations in NOTCH1 (exon 34) and SF3B1 (exon 14-16) to treatment response, survival and a panel of established biologic variables. NOTCH1 and SF3B1 mutations were found in 10% and17% of patients, respectively. NOTCH1 mutations correlated with unmutated IGHV genes, trisomy 12, high CD38/ ZAP-70 expression and were associated with reduced overall (median 54.8 vs 74.6 months, P = .02) and progression-free (median 22.0 vs 26.4 months, P = .02) survival. SF3B1 mutations were significantly associated with high CD38 expression and with shorter overall survival (median 54.3 vs 79.0 months, P < .001). Furthermore, multivariate analysis, including baseline clinical variables, treatment, and adverse prognostic factors demonstrated that although TP53 alterations remained the most informative marker of dismal survival in this cohort, NOTCH1 (HR 1.58, P = .03) and SF3B1 (HR 1.52, P = .01) mutations have added independent prognostic value.
A Hypomethylated population of Brassica rapa for forward and reverse Epi-genetics
Authors: Amoah Stephen , Kurup Smita , Rodriguez Lopez Carlos Marcelino , Welham Sue J , Powers Stephen J , Hopkins Clare J , Wilkinson Michael J , King Graham J
Published: October 2012

Background

Epigenetic marks superimposed on the DNA sequence of eukaryote chromosomes provide agility and plasticity in terms of modulating gene expression, ontology, and response to the environment. Modulating the methylation status of cytosine can generate epialleles, which have been detected and characterised at specific loci in several plant systems, and have the potential to generate novel and relatively stable phenotypes. There have been no systematic attempts to explore and utilise epiallelic variation, and so extend the range of phenotypes available for selection in crop improvement. We developed an approach for generating novel epialleles by perturbation of the DNA methylation status. 5- Azacytidine (5-AzaC) provides selective targeting of5mCG, which in plants is associated with exonic DNA. Targeted chemical intervention using 5-AzaC has advantages over transgenic or mutant modulation of methyltransferases, allowing stochastic generation of epialleles across the genome.

Results

We demonstrate the potential of stochastic chemically-induced hypomethylation to generate novel and valuable variation for crop improvement. Systematic analysis of dose–response to 5-AzaC inB. rapaguided generation of a selfed stochastically hypomethylated population, used for forward screening of several agronomic traits. Dose–response was sigmoidal for several traits, similar to that observed for chemical mutagens such as EMS. We demonstrated transgenerational inheritance of some phenotypes. BraRoAZ is a unique hypomethylated population of 1000 E2 sib lines. When compared to untreated controls, 5-Aza C-treated lines exhibited reduced immuno-staining of5mC on pachytene chromosomes, and Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism (MSAP) profiles that were both divergent and more variable. There was coincident phenotypic variation among these lines for a range of seed yield and composition traits, including increased seed protein content and decreased oil content, as well as decreased erucic acid and corresponding increases in linoleic and/or palmitic acid. Each 5-AzaC-treated line represents a unique combination of hypomethylated epialleles.

Conclusions

The approach and populations developed are available for forward and reverse screening of epiallelic variation and subsequent functional and inheritance studies. The generation of stochastically hypomethylated populations has utility in epiallele discovery for a wide range of crop plants, and has considerable potential as an intervention strategy for crop improvement.
Versican expression in canine carcinomas in benign mixed tumours: is there an association with clinical pathological factors, invasion and overall survival?
Authors: Damasceno Karine A , Bertagnolli Angélica C , Estrela-Lima Alessandra , Ribeiro Lorena GR , Rabelo Bruna S , Campos Cecília B , Barros André LB , Cassali Geovanni D
Published: October 2012

Background

Components of the extracellular matrix have been studied in an attempt to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the biological behaviour of tumours. The presence of the proteoglycan versican has been strongly associated with cancer development and progression. However, relationship between versican expression and clinical pathological factors and overall survival has not been previously studied in veterinary medicine. Carcinomas in benign mixed tumours (CBMTs) are one of the most common malignant tumours in female canines and can serve as models for studies of tumour progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of versican in in situ and invasive carcinomatous areas of canine CBMTs and to evaluate possible associations of versican expression with other classic prognostic factors and overall survival.

Results

Clinical staging; histological grade determination; immunohistochemical staining for versican, E-cadherin and Ki-67; and confirmation of invasion areas by staining for p63 and smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA) were performed on 49 canine cases of CBMT. Tumour invasion was considered when suspicious Haematoxylin-Eosin (HE)-stained areas showed a total loss of α-SMA and p63 immunoreactivity. Versican immunoreactivity was less intense in the areas adjacent to the in situ carcinomatous regions, compared to invasive regions, which showed extensive and strong staining.

Conclusions

Our data reveal that in canine CBMTs, versican expression differs significantly between invasive and in situ areas, suggesting a role for this molecule in tumour progression. Although a direct relationship exists between versican and invasiveness, our results indicate that the isolated evaluation of this proteoglycan does not represent an independent prognostic factor in canine CBMTs.
Thyroid Hormone Receptor Agonists Reduce Serum Cholesterol Independent of the LDL Receptor
Authors: Lin Jean Z. , Martagón Alexandro J. , Hsueh Willa A. , Baxter John D. , Gustafsson Jan-Åke , Webb Paul , Phillips Kevin J.
Published: October 2012

The majority of cholesterol reduction therapies, such as the statin drugs, work primarily by inducing the expression of hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs), rendering these therapeutics only partially effective in animals lacking LDLRs. Although thyroid hormones and their synthetic derivatives, often referred to as thyromimetics, have been clearly shown to reduce serum cholesterol levels, this action has generally been attributed to their ability to increase expression of hepatic LDLRs. Here we show for the first time that the thyroid hormone T3 and the thyroid hormone receptor-β selective agonists GC-1 and KB2115 are capable of markedly reducing serum cholesterol in mice devoid of functional LDLRs by inducing Cyp7a1 expression and stimulating the conversion and excretion of cholesterol as bile acids. Based on this LDLR-independent mechanism, thyromimetics such as GC-1 and KB2115 may represent promising cholesterol-lowering therapeutics for the treatment of diseases such as homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, a rare genetic disorder caused by a complete lack of functional LDLRs, for which there are limited treatment options because most therapeutics are only minimally effective.
Angiotensin Receptor Blockade Recovers Hepatic UCP2 Expression and Aconitase and SDH Activities and Ameliorates Hepatic Oxidative Damage in Insulin Resistant Rats
Authors: Montez Priscilla , Vázquez-Medina José Pablo , Rodríguez Rubén , Thorwald Max A. , Viscarra José A. , Lam Lisa , Peti-Peterdi Janos , Nakano Daisuke , Nishiyama Akira , Ortiz Rudy M.
Published: October 2012

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is commonly associated with elevated renin-angiotensin system, oxidative stress, and steatohepatitis with down-regulation of uncoupling proteins (UCPs). However, the mechanisms linking renin-angiotensin system, steatosis, and UCP2 to hepatic oxidative damage during insulin resistance are not described. To test the hypothesis that angiotensin receptor activation contributes to decreased hepatic UCP2 expression and aconitase activity and to increased oxidative damage after increased glucose intake in a model of MetS, lean and obese Long Evans rats (n = 10/group) were randomly assigned to the following groups: 1) untreated Long Evans Tokushima Otsuka (lean, strain control), 2) untreated Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) (MetS model), 3) OLETF + angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) (10 mg olmesartan/kg·d × 6 wk), 4) OLETF + high glucose (HG) (5% in drinking water × 6 wk), and 5) OLETF + ARB + HG (ARB/HG × 6 wk). HG increased body mass (37%), plasma triglycerides (TGs) (35%), plasma glycerol (87%), plasma free fatty acids (28%), and hepatic nitrotyrosine (74%). ARB treatment in HG decreased body mass (12%), plasma TG (15%), plasma glycerol (23%), plasma free fatty acids (14%), and hepatic TG content (42%), suggesting that angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1) activation and increased adiposity contribute to the development of obesity-related dyslipidemia. ARB in HG also decreased hepatic nitrotyrosine and increased hepatic UCP2 expression (59%) and aconitase activity (40%), as well as antioxidant enzyme activities (50-120%), suggesting that AT1 activation also contributes to protein oxidation, impaired lipid metabolism, and antioxidant metabolism in the liver. Thus, in addition to promoting obesity-related hypertension, AT1 activation may also impair lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity, resulting in steatosis via decreased UCP2 and tricarboxylic acid cycle activity.
Wnt Inhibitory Factor 1 (Wif1) Is Regulated by Androgens and Enhances Androgen-Dependent Prostate Development
Authors: Keil Kimberly P. , Mehta Vatsal , Branam Amanda M. , Abler Lisa L. , Buresh-Stiemke Rita A. , Joshi Pinak S. , Schmitz Christopher T. , Marker Paul C. , Vezina Chad M.
Published: October 2012

Fetal prostate development from urogenital sinus (UGS) epithelium requires androgen receptor (AR) activation in UGS mesenchyme (UGM). Despite growing awareness of sexually dimorphic gene expression in the UGS, we are still limited in our knowledge of androgen-responsive genes in UGM that initiate prostate ductal development. We found that WNT inhibitory factor 1 (Wif1) mRNA is more abundant in male vs. female mouse UGM in which its expression temporally and spatially overlaps androgen-responsive steroid 5α-reductase 2 (Srd5a2). Wif1 mRNA is also present in prostatic buds during their elongation and branching morphogenesis. Androgens are necessary and sufficient for Wif1 expression in mouse UGS explant mesenchyme, and testicular androgens remain necessary for normal Wif1 expression in adult mouse prostate stroma. WIF1 contributes functionally to prostatic bud formation. In the presence of androgens, exogenous WIF1 protein increases prostatic bud number and UGS basal epithelial cell proliferation without noticeably altering the pattern of WNT/β-catenin-responsive Axin2 or lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (Lef1) mRNA. Wif1 mutant male UGSs exhibit increased (Sfrp)2 and (Sfrp)3 expression and form the same number of prostatic buds as the wild-type control males. Collectively our results reveal Wif1 as one of the few known androgen-responsive genes in the fetal mouse UGM and support the hypothesis that androgen-dependent Wif1 expression is linked to the mechanism of androgen-induced prostatic bud formation.
Information Acquisition in Competitive Markets: An Application to the US Mortgage Market
Authors: Burke Jeremy M , Taylor Curtis R , Wagman Liad
Published: October 2012

How do price commitments impact the amount of information firms acquire about potential customers? We examine this question in the context of a competitive market where firms search for information that may disqualify applicants. Contracts are incomplete because the amount of information acquired cannot be observed. Despite competition, we find that firms search for too much information in equilibrium. If price discrimination is prohibited, members of high-risk groups suffer disproportionately high rejection rates. If rejected applicants remain in the market, the resulting adverse selection can be severe. We apply the results to the US mortgage market. (JEL D82, D83, D86, G21)
‘Sweet Dreams’, ‘Happy Days’ and elevated 24-h urine 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid excretion
Authors: Hallin Magnus Lars Peter , Mahmoud Kamala , Viswanath Ananth , Gama Rousseau
Published: October 2012

We report two patients with markedly elevated 24-h urine 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) excretion due to over-the-counter (OTC) self-medication with 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). It is important to recognize that OTC medication may cause increased ‘false-positive‘ 5-HIAA excretion to prevent undue patient anxiety and unnecessary further investigation for carcinoid disease. Discordance between chromogranin A and 24-h urine 5-HIAA results should alert to the possibility of false-positive or -negative laboratory results.
Long-term outcome in patients with acromegaly: analysis of 1344 patients from the German Acromegaly Register
Authors: Schöfl Christof , Franz Holger , Grussendorf Martin , Honegger Jürgen , Jaursch-Hancke Cornelia , Mayr Bernhard , Schopohl Jochen , _ _
Published: October 2012

Background

Acromegaly is a rare disease with significant morbidity and increased mortality. Epidemiological data about therapeutic outcome under ‘real life’ conditions are scarce.

Objective

To describe biochemical long-term outcome of acromegaly patients in Germany.

Design and methods

Retrospective data analysis from 1344 patients followed in 42 centers of the German Acromegaly Register. Patients' data were collected 8.6 (range 0–52.6) years after diagnosis. Controlled disease was defined by an IGF1 within the center-specific reference range.

Results

Nine hundred and seventeen patients showed a normalized IGF1 (157 (range 25–443) ng/ml). In patients with a diagnosis dated back >2 years (n=1013), IGF1 was normalized in 76.9%. Of the patients, 19.5% had an elevated IGF1 and a random GH ≥1 ng/ml, 89% of the patients had at least one surgical intervention, 22% underwent radiotherapy, and 43% received medical treatment. After surgery 38.8% of the patients were controlled without any further therapy. The control rates were higher in surgical centers with a higher caseload (P=0.034). Of the patients with adjunctive radiotherapy 34.8% had a normal IGF1 8.86 (0–44.9) years post irradiation, 65.2% of the medically treated patients were controlled, and 47.2% of the patients with an elevated IGF1 received no medical therapy.

Conclusion

The majority of acromegaly patients were controlled according to their IGF1 status. Long-term outcome could be improved by exploiting medical treatment options especially in patients who are not controlled by surgery and/or radiotherapy.
Decreased glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates coincide with peripheral nervous system oxidative stress in a murine model of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hinder Lucy M , Vivekanandan-Giri Anuradha , McLean Lisa L , Pennathur Subramaniam , Feldman Eva L
Published: October 2012

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is the most common complication of diabetes and is characterized by distal-to-proximal loss of peripheral nerve axons. The idea of tissue-specific pathological alterations in energy metabolism in diabetic complications-prone tissues is emerging. Altered nerve metabolism in type 1 diabetes models is observed; however, therapeutic strategies based on these models offer limited efficacy to type 2 diabetic patients with DN. Therefore, understanding how peripheral nerves metabolically adapt to the unique type 2 diabetic environment is critical to develop disease-modifying treatments. In the current study, we utilized targeted liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) to characterize the glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolomes in sural nerve, sciatic nerve, and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) from male type 2 diabetic mice (BKS.Cg-m+/+Leprdb;db/db) and controls (db/+). We report depletion of glycolytic intermediates in diabetic sural nerve and sciatic nerve (glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (sural nerve only), 3-phosphoglycerate, 2-phosphoglycerate, phosphoenolpyruvate, and lactate), with no significant changes in DRG. Citrate and isocitrate TCA cycle intermediates were decreased in sural nerve, sciatic nerve, and DRG from diabetic mice. Utilizing LC/electrospray ionization/MS/MS and HPLC methods, we also observed increased protein and lipid oxidation (nitrotyrosine; hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids) indb/dbtissue, with a proximal-to-distal increase in oxidative stress, with associated decreased aconitase enzyme activity. We propose a preliminary model, whereby the greater change in metabolomic profile, increase in oxidative stress, and decrease in TCA cycle enzyme activity may cause distal peripheral nerves to rely on truncated TCA cycle metabolism in the type 2 diabetes environment.
More Than the Sum of Its Parts: A Complex Epistatic Network Underlies Natural Variation in Thermal Preference Behavior inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Gaertner Bryn E , Parmenter Michelle D , Rockman Matthew V , Kruglyak Leonid , Phillips Patrick C
Published: October 2012

Behavior is a complex trait that results from interactions among multiple genes and the environment. Both additive and nonadditive effects are expected to contribute to broad-sense heritability of complex phenotypes, although the relative contribution of each of these mechanisms is unknown. Here, we mapped genetic variation in the correlated phenotypes of thermal preference and isothermal dispersion in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetic variation underlying these traits is characterized by a set of linked quantitative trait loci (QTL) that interact in a complex epistatic network. In particular, two loci located on the X chromosome interact with one another to generate extreme thermophilic behavior and are responsible for ∼50% of the total variation observed in a cross between two parental lines, even though these loci individually explain very little of the among-line variation. Our results demonstrate that simultaneously considering the influence of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on multiple scales of behavior can inform the physiological mechanism of the QTL and show that epistasis can explain significant proportions of otherwise unattributed variance within populations.
Surprising Differences in the Variability of Y Chromosomes in African and Cosmopolitan Populations ofDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Larracuente Amanda M , Clark Andrew G
Published: October 2012

The nonrecombining Drosophila melanogaster Y chromosome is heterochromatic and has few genes. Despite these limitations, there remains ample opportunity for natural selection to act on the genes that are vital for male fertility and on Y factors that modulate gene expression elsewhere in the genome. Y chromosomes of many organisms have low levels of nucleotide variability, but a formal survey of D. melanogaster Y chromosome variation had yet to be performed. Here we surveyed Y-linked variation in six populations of D. melanogaster spread across the globe. We find surprisingly low levels of variability in African relative to Cosmopolitan (i.e., non-African) populations. While the low levels of Cosmopolitan Y chromosome polymorphism can be explained by the demographic histories of these populations, the staggeringly low polymorphism of African Y chromosomes cannot be explained by demographic history. An explanation that is entirely consistent with the data is that the Y chromosomes of Zimbabwe and Uganda populations have experienced recent selective sweeps. Interestingly, the Zimbabwe and Uganda Y chromosomes differ: in Zimbabwe, a European Y chromosome appears to have swept through the population.
A neoadjuváns kezelés szerepe a nyaki szakaszon elhelyezkedő előrehaladott nyelőcsőlaphámrákok sebészi kezelésében
Authors: Papp András , Cseke László , Varga Gábor , Pavlovics Gábor , Potó László , Márton Sándor , Farkas Róbert , Bellyei Szabolcs , Horváth Örs Péter
Published: October 2012

Absztrakt

Bevezetés: A nyaki elhelyezkedésű nyelőcsőlaphámrák kritikus lokalizációjú, mert gyakran csak kiterjesztett műtéttel távolítható el (laryngo-pharyngo-oesophagectomia). Az utóbbi évtizedben a neoadjuváns kemo-radioterápia bevezetése azonban hatásosnak bizonyult az előrehaladott nyelőcsőlaphámrákok kezelésében. Beteganyag és módszer: Klinikánkon 1997 novembere és 2012 januárja között összesen 55 beteg részesült preoperatív kemo-radioterápiában lokálisan előrehaladott, felső harmadi nyelőcsőlaphámrák miatt. A kezelés során 3960 cGy összdózisú sugárterápiát kaptak 180 cGy frakciókban, valamint szimultán Cisplatin és 5-FU kemoterápiában részesültek. A kezelést követően 4–6 héttel az ismételt vizsgálatok eredményétől függően döntöttünk a műtétről. Eredmények: A nyaki elhelyezkedésű nyelőcsőtumoros betegeknél összesen 35 esetben (64%) végeztünk nyelőcső-resectiót vagy laryngo-pharyngectomiát. A műtéti resecatum hisztopatológiai vizsgálata 16 betegnél (16/35, 46%) komplett remissiót (pCR) igazolt. A perioperatív mortalitásunk és az anastomosiselégtelenség ugyanolyan számban fordult elő 5/35 (14%). Az R0 resectiók aránya 82% volt, a 2 és 5 éves túlélés 41%, illetve 18% lett. 19 esetben gégemegtartó pharyngo-oesophagectomiát, 11 esetben laryngo-pharyngectomiát végeztünk, utóbbi esetben a rekonstrukció szabad jejunum-transzplantációval történt. Következtetés: A magas arányú pCR (46%) igazolja, hogy a felső harmadi nyelőcsőtumorok jobban reagálnak a multimodális kezelésre. 30 esetben a neoadjuváns kezelés eredményezte tumorregressio lehetővé tette a laryngo-pharyngo-oesophagectomia elkerülését.
Mellkasi trauma: ki, hogyan és mit?
Authors: Molnár F. Tamás
Published: October 2012

Absztrakt

A szerző ismerteti a három éve működő pécsi modell elveit a nemzetközi szakirodalom tükrében, a sebészet és ezen belül a mellkassebészet szerepét az áthatoló testüregi (has, mellkas) sérülések ellátásában. A mellűri drainage kiemelt szerepű úgy a terápiában, mint a sebészi döntéshozatalban, a diagnosztikában. A thoracotomia melletti döntés és elvégzése sebészi kompetencia, akárcsak a damage control. A definitív ellátás és a szövődmények kezelése általános mellkassebészt igényel. Hangsúlyozza a multidiszciplinaritást.
Funkcionális proktológia a Pécsi Tudományegyetemen
Authors: Kalmár Katalin , Baracs József , Illés Anita , Czimmer József , Weninger Csaba , Horváth Örs Péter
Published: October 2012

Absztrakt

Bevezetés: A Pécsi Tudományegyetemen kb. 15 éve vezették be a funkcionális proktológiai vizsgálatokat, és alakították meg a Medencefenék Multidiszciplináris Csoportot, mely több év szünetelés után másfél éve újraalakult. Ennek tárgykörében a szerzők elsősorban a székletinkontinencia és a kimeneti obstructiós székrekedés gyógyításával kapcsolatos tapasztalataikról számolnak be. Beteganyag: Az elmúlt három évben inkontinencia tárgykörében sebészi kezelésre 9 beteg került. Az elmúlt másfél évben 31 olyan beteget kezeltünk, akinél constipatio miatt sebészi kezelés merült fel. Részletes kivizsgálás után 10 beteg került műtétre, a többiek konzervatív kezelésben részesültek. Hét betegnél perinealis rekonstrukció történt hálóbeültetéssel. Három betegnél laparoscopos anterior recto- és levatoropexiát végeztünk. Eredmények: Az inkontinencia miatt operált betegek 78%-a teljes kontinenciáról számol be, 88%-uk javulásról. A kimeneti obstructiós székrekedésben szenvedő betegeink panaszainak objektivizálására egy új funkcionális pontrendszert alkottunk. A maximálisan 20 pontos score-t a műtét előtt és után kikérdezve a 7 perinealis rekonstrukción átesett betegünknél preoperatíve 14 ± 2,83, posztoperatíve 5,4 ± 4,62 pontot találtunk. A különbség szignifikáns (p = 0,0075). Konklúzió: A funkcionális proktológiai betegek szakértelmet igényelnek az anamnaesis felvételétől kezdve a speciális műszeres vizsgálatokon keresztül a kezelésig. A betegek túlnyomó része kellően profitál a konzervatív kezelésből. A sikeres sebészi kezelés fontos előfeltétele a megfelelő betegszelekció. Tüneti pontrendszerek alkalmazásával, megfelelő betegválasztással jó eredmények érhetők el.
Extratos etanólicos da manga como antioxidantes para frangos de corte
Authors: Freitas Ednardo Rodrigues , Borges Ângela da Silva , Trevisan Maria Teresa Sales , Watanabe Pedro Henrique , Cunha André Luís da , Pereira Ana Lúcia Fernandes , Abreu Virgínia Kelly , Nascimento Germano Augusto Jerônimo do
Published: October 2012

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da inclusão de extratos etanólicos na ração, obtidos do caroço e da casca da manga, sobre o desempenho de frangos e a oxidação lipídica da carne. Foram utilizados 360 pintos machos da linhagem Ross 308, de um dia de idade, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos e seis repetições de dez aves. Os tratamentos consistiram de: ração sem adição de antioxidante (controle); ração com adição de 200 ppm do antioxidante butilato de hidroxitolueno (BHT); ração com 200 ou 400 ppm de extrato da casca da manga (ECAS); e ração com 200 ou 400 ppm de extrato do caroço da manga (ECAR). A adição de BHT ou dos extratos da manga não influenciou significativamente o consumo de ração, o ganho de peso e a conversão alimentar. A adição de BHT e a de 400 ppm de ECAR proporcionaram maior estabilidade lipídica da carne fresca, mensurada pelas substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico antes do armazenamento. O extrato etanólico do caroço da manga, na dosagem de 200 e 400 ppm, retarda a oxidação lipídica da carne de frangos armazenada por 15 dias.
Adubação nitrogenada no consórcio de milho com duas espécies de braquiária em sistema plantio direto
Authors: Costa Nídia Raquel , Andreotti Marcelo , Gameiro Roberta de Aquino , Pariz Cristiano Magalhães , Buzetti Salatiér , Lopes Keny Samejima Mascarenhas
Published: October 2012

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produtividade de grãos e de forragem do consórcio entre milho e espécies de braquiária (safras de 2008/2009 e 2009/2010), submetidos a doses de nitrogênio em cobertura, em sistema plantio direto. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, em arranjo fatorial 2x5, com duas espécies de braquiária (Urochloa brizantha 'Xaraés' e U. ruziziensis) e cinco doses de N aplicadas em cobertura: 0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha‑1. Foram avaliados: leituras indiretas do teor foliar de clorofila (índice de clorofila Falker, ICF), teores de macronutrientes foliares, componentes da produção e produtividade de grãos do milho, e produtividade de matéria seca das forrageiras após o consórcio. Constatou-se que a espécie U. ruziziensis foi a mais competitiva com o milho em consórcio, o que proporcionou menores teores nutricionais e ICF nas duas safras analisadas. O crescimento vegetativo, os componentes da produção e a produtividade de grãos do milho não foram influenciados pelos consórcios. A adubação nitrogenada em cobertura aumenta linearmente o ICF, os teores de N, P e S, bem como os componentes da produção e a produtividade de grãos.
Phosphorus utilization by corn as affected by green manure, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers
Authors: Silva Edson Cabral da , Muraoka Takashi , Franzini Vinícius Ide , Villanueva Felipe Carlos Alvarez , Buzetti Salatiér , Moreti Dolorice
Published: October 2012

The objective of this work was to evaluate the utilization by corn plants of P from triple superphosphate fertilizer labeled with 32P (32P‑TSP), and of P from soil as affected by N rates and by the green manures (GM) sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) and millet (Pennisetum glaucum). The experiment was carried out using pots filled with 5 kg Oxisol (Rhodic Hapludox). A completely randomized design was used, in a 4x4x2 factorial arrangement, with four replicates. The treatments were: four P rates as TSP (0, 0.175, 0.350, and 0.700 g P per pot); four N rates as urea (0, 0.75, 1.50, and 2.25 g N per pot); and sunn hemp or millet as green manure. The additions of N and P by the GM were taken into account. After grain physiologic maturation, corn dry matter, P contents, accumulated P, and P recovery in the different treatments were measured. 32P‑TSP recovery by corn increased with N increasing rates, and decreased with increasing rates of 32P‑TSP. The mineral fertilizer provides most of the accumulated P by corn plants. The recovery of 32P‑TSP by corn was 13.12% in average. The green manure species influence the assimilation of 32P‑TSP by the plants.
Fadiga óssea: causa de dor em joelhos na osteoartrite
Authors: Tavares Júnior Wilson Campos , Faria Fernando Meira de , Figueiredo Reginaldo , Matushita João Paulo Kawaoka , Silva Luciana Costa , Kakehasi Adriana Maria
Published: October 2012

A dor no joelho é o sintoma mais comum na osteoartrite, sendo a principal causa de incapacidade crônica em idosos e uma das principais fontes de morbidade atribuível à osteoartrite em geral. As causas de dor no joelho em pessoas com osteoartrite não são facilmente entendidas e o conhecimento sobre as causas da dor é fundamental para que futuramente sejam realizadas intervenções específicas. A fadiga óssea representa o remodelamento do osso subcondral na osteoartrite, levando a uma consequente alteração na forma do osso e/ou perda óssea. No entanto, a fadiga óssea não é algo facilmente interpretado, pois é de difícil detecção na ausência de defeitos claros da cortical e pela sobreposição de estruturas ósseas nas radiografias convencionais. A fadiga óssea está associada não apenas a dor no joelho, mas também a rigidez e incapacidade. Se a fadiga ocorre antes da osteoartrite avançada, isso sugere que alterações no osso subcondral podem ocorrer simultaneamente a alterações da cartilagem e que tratamentos visando sua preservação podem não ser eficazes. Lesões com padrão de edema ósseo estão associadas e são fatores preditivos para fadiga óssea. Este trabalho tem por objetivo rever a literatura mostrando a importância da fadiga óssea e de como diagnosticar esta alteração nos exames de imagem.
Gravidez ectópica: ensaio iconográfico com enfoque em achados de tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética
Authors: Febronio Eduardo Miguel , Rosas George de Queiroz , Cardia Patrícia Prando , D'Ippolito Giuseppe
Published: October 2012

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever os principais achados de tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética em pacientes com dor abdominal aguda causada por gravidez ectópica. Para isso, dois radiologistas em consenso selecionaram e analisaram exames de tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética realizados entre janeiro de 2010 e dezembro de 2011 de pacientes com dor abdominal aguda comprovadamente decorrente de um quadro de gravidez ectópica. O diagnóstico por imagem de gravidez ectópica é usualmente obtido por ultrassonografia, no entanto, o uso crescente da tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética na avaliação do paciente com abdome agudo de origem ginecológica tem requerido que o radiologista se familiarize com os principais aspectos observados nestes métodos diagnósticos.
Glioma cordoide do terceiro ventrículo: descrição de um novo caso
Authors: Sanches Patrícia , Yamashita Seizo , Freitas Carlos Clayton Macedo de , Resende Luiz Antonio de Lima
Published: October 2012

O glioma cordoide é um tumor cerebral raro, recentemente descrito, localizado na região do terceiro ventrículo e com características histológicas, imuno-histoquímicas e ultraestruturais peculiares. Este estudo ilustra um caso de glioma cordoide do terceiro ventrículo em uma paciente de 59 anos de idade.
Regressão espontânea de proteinose alveolar pulmonar: relato de caso
Authors: Souza Rodrigo Canellas de , Kanaan Daniel , Martins Pedro Henrique Rodrigues , Vianna Guilherme Abdalla Gavinho , Amorim Viviane Brandão , Marchiori Edson
Published: October 2012

Relatamos o caso de uma mulher de 21 anos com história de seis meses de dispneia progressiva, tosse seca e perda de peso. A tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução revelou padrão de pavimentação em mosaico com áreas focais poupadas. A paciente foi submetida a biópsia pulmonar transbrônquica, que confirmou o diagnóstico de proteinose alveolar. Dois anos depois, sem tratamento, houve importante melhora das opacidades pulmonares.