bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interdecadal Changes of 30-Yr SST Normals during 1871–2000
Authors: Xue Yan , Smith Thomas M. , Reynolds Richard W.
Published: March 2011

SST predictions are usually issued in terms of anomalies and standardized anomalies relative to a 30-yr normal: climatological mean (CM) and standard deviation (SD). The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) suggests updating the 30-yr normal every 10 yr. In complying with the WMO's suggestion, a new 30-yr normal for the 1971–2000 base period is constructed. To put the new 30-yr normal in historical perspective, all the 30-yr normals since 1871 are investigated, starting from the beginning of each decade (1871–1900, 1881–1910, … , 1971–2000). Using the extended reconstructed sea surface temperature (ERSST) on a 2° grid for 1854–2000 and the Hadley Centre Sea Ice and SST dataset (HadISST) on a 1° grid for 1870–1999, eleven 30-yr normals are calculated, and the interdecadal changes of seasonal CM, seasonal SD, and seasonal persistence (P) are discussed. The interdecadal changes of seasonal CM are prominent (0.3°–0.6°) in the tropical Indian Ocean, the midlatitude North Pacific, the midlatitude North Atlantic, most of the South Atlantic, and the sub-Antarctic front. Four SST indices are used to represent the key regions of the interdecadal changes: the Indian Ocean (“INDIAN”; 10°S–25°N, 45°–100°E), the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO; 35°–45°N, 160°E–160°W), the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO; 40°–60°N, 20°–60°W), and the South Atlantic (SATL; 22°S–2°N, 35°W–10°E). Both INDIAN and SATL show a warming trend that is consistent between ERSST and HadISST. Both PDO and NAO show a multidecadal oscillation that is consistent between ERSST and HadISST except that HadISST is biased toward warm in summer and cold in winter relative to ERSST. The interdecadal changes in Niño-3 (5°S–5°N, 90°–150°W) are small (0.2°) and are inconsistent between ERSST and HadISST. The seasonal SD is prominent in the eastern equatorial Pacific, the North Pacific, and North Atlantic. The seasonal SD in Niño-3 varies interdecadally: intermediate during 1885–1910, small during 1910–65, and large during 1965–2000. These interdecadal changes of ENSO variance are further verified by the Darwin sea level pressure. The seasonality of ENSO variance (smallest in spring and largest in winter) also varies interdecadally: moderate during 1885–1910, weak during 1910–65, and strong during 1965–2000. The interdecadal changes of the seasonal SD of other indices are weak and cannot be determined well by the datasets. The seasonal P, measured by the autocorrelation of seasonal anomalies at a two-season lag, is largest in the eastern equatorial Pacific, the tropical Indian, and the tropical North and South Atlantic Oceans. It is also seasonally dependent. The “spring barrier” of P in Niño-3 (largest in summer and smallest in winter) varies interdecadally: relatively weak during 1885–1910, moderate during 1910–55, strong during 1955–75, and moderate during 1975–2000. The interdecadal changes of SD and P not only have important implications for SST forecasts but also have significant scientific values to be explored.
Shift in ENSO Teleconnections Recorded by a Northern Red Sea Coral
Authors: Rimbu N. , Lohmann G. , Felis T. , Pätzold J.
Published: March 2011

El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) teleconnections over Europe and the Middle East are evaluated using an oxygen isotope coral time series from the northern Red Sea and various instrumental datasets. A shift in the correlation between the Niño-3 index and the Red Sea coral record in the 1970s is detected, and it is shown that this shift can be attributed to nonstationary circulation regimes and related ENSO teleconnections. It is found that positive anomalies of oxygen isotope in the Red Sea coral record from the middle 1930s to the late 1960s are associated with a strong Pacific–North Atlantic teleconnection accompanied by a weak Aleutian low, a more zonal flow at midlatitudes, and La Niña conditions in tropical Pacific. In contrast, positive anomalies of oxygen isotopes in the Red Sea coral after the 1970s are related to El Niño conditions and weaker Pan-Pacific–Atlantic circulation regimes. Using the window correlation of the northern Red Sea coral record with two coral records from the tropical and subtropical Pacific, nonstationary relationships between the tropical Pacific and the European–Middle Eastern climate during the preinstrumental period are found. The results imply that the modulation of teleconnections at interdecadal timescales provides a limitation in the prediction and reconstruction of remote climate phenomena such as the ENSO impact over Europe.
Parameterization-Induced Error Characteristics of MM5 and WRF Operated in Climate Mode over the Alpine Region: An Ensemble-Based Analysis
Authors: Awan Nauman K. , Truhetz H. , Gobiet A.
Published: March 2011

This study investigates the role of physical parameterization in regional climate model simulations. The authors also present a comprehensive assessment of errors arising from use of physical parameterization schemes, and their consequent impact on model performance in a region of complex topography. An error range related to the choice of physical parameterization is provided for 2-m air temperature T2m and precipitation.

Two state-of-the-art nonhydrostatic mesoscale regional climate models, the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) and the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, are used to dynamically downscale the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) to a spatial resolution of 10 km × 10 km in the European alpine region. Simulated T2m and precipitation are compared with gridded observational datasets. The model performance on regional and subregional scales is evaluated on daily, monthly, seasonal, and annual time scales.

The results are based on a mixed physics ensemble of twenty-nine 1-yr-long hindcast simulations generated by choosing different model configurations. These results indicate that performance of both models is sensitive to the choice of physical parameterization and WRF is more sensitive than MM5. This sensitivity is higher during summer than during winter. The cumulus and microphysics scheme have the dominant effect on model performance during summer while boundary layer and radiation schemes affect the results during all seasons.

It is found that annual mean error in the alpine region for T2m and precipitation lies between −2.75° and −1.08°C (−1.12° and 1.33°C) and 0.27 and 0.80 mm day−1 (0.13 and 1.51 mm day−1) for MM5 (WRF), respectively. The authors also found that the error range during winter for subregional scales is higher than the regional-scale error range, while during the other seasons the subregional error ranges are higher only in case of precipitation but not for T2m.

These results suggest that significant reductions of errors can be achieved by choosing a suitable model configuration for the region of interest. The other outcome of these experiments is a suitable setup, which can be used to conduct further long-term high-resolution climate simulations.
Statistical Parameters of the Air Turbulent Boundary Layer over Steep Water Waves Measured by the PIV Technique
Authors: Troitskaya Yu. , Sergeev D. , Ermakova O. , Balandina G.
Published: March 2011

A turbulent airflow with a centerline velocity of 4 m s−1 above 2.5-Hz mechanically generated gravity waves of different amplitudes has been studied in experiments using the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. Direct measurements of the instantaneous flow velocity fields above a curvilinear interface demonstrating flow separation are presented. Because the airflow above the wavy water surface is turbulent and nonstationary, the individual vector fields are conditionally averaged sampled on the phase of the water elevation. The flow patterns of the phase-averaged fields are relatively smooth. Because the averaged flow does not show any strongly nonlinear effects, the quasi-linear approximation can be used. The parameters obtained by the flow averaging are compared with the theoretical results obtained within the theoretical quasi-linear model of a turbulent boundary layer above the wavy water surface. The wave-induced pressure disturbances in the airflow are calculated using the retrieved statistical ensemble of wind flow velocities. The energy flux from the wind to waves and the wind–wave interaction parameter are estimated using the obtained wave-induced pressure disturbances. The estimated values of the wind–wave interaction parameter are in a good agreement with the theory.
Clinical and Pathologic Features of Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinosis in a Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)
Authors: Nibe K. , Miwa Y. , Matsunaga S. , Chambers J. K. , Uetsuka K. , Nakayama H. , Uchida K.
Published: March 2011

Clinical and pathologic features of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis in a 4-month-old ferret are reported. Clinical signs including neurological symptoms appeared at 3 months of age and progressed rapidly. By magnetic resonance imaging, severe cerebral atrophy was recognized. Histopathologically, there was severe neuronal loss and diffuse astrogliosis with macrophage accumulations; lesions were found predominantly in the cerebral cortex. Intracytoplasmic pigments were observed in surviving neurons and macrophages throughout the brain. The pigments were intensely positive for periodic acid–Schiff, Luxol fast blue, and Sudan black B and exhibited a green autofluorescence. Electron microscopic examination revealed the accumulation of electron-dense granular material within lysosomes of neurons and macrophages. Immunohistochemically, a large number of saposin-positive granules accumulated in the neuronal cells, astrocytes, and macrophages of the lesions, but significant immunoreactivity for subunit c of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate synthase was not observed. Based on these findings, the animal was diagnosed as affected by neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis.
Characterization and recovery of polymers from mobile phone scrap
Authors: Kasper Angela C , Bernardes Andréa M , Veit Hugo M
Published: March 2011

Electronic scrap is part of a universally wide range of obsolete, defective, or used materials that need to be disposed of or recycled in an ecologically friendly manner. The present study focused on the polymers present in mobile phone scrap. In mobile phones, polymers are found in frames and in printed circuit boards (PCBs). The frames are mainly made of polymers whereas PCBs use a variety of material (polymers, ceramics, and metals) which makes recycling more difficult. As a first step, mobile phones were collected, separated by manufacturer/model, and weighed, and the principal polymer types identified. The frames and PCBs were processed separately. The metals in PCBs were separated out by an electrostatic separation process. The resulting polymeric material was identified and mixed with the polymers of frames to fabricate the samples. Two types of samples were made: one with polymeric frames, and the other with a mixture of frames and polymeric fraction from the PCBs. Both kinds of sample were fabricated by injection moulding. The samples were evaluated by mechanical tests (tensile, impact, and hardness) to verify the feasibility of recycling the polymers present in mobile phone scrap. The results demonstrated the technical viability of recovering polymers using mechanical processing followed by an injection process.
A Liposuction Technique for Extraction of Bio-Alcamid and Other Permanent Fillers
Authors: Khan Imran , Shokrollahi Kayvan , Bisarya Kamal , Murison Maxwell S C
Published: March 2011

Bio-Alcamid (Polymekon Research, Brindisi, Italy) is a permanent soft tissue filler that has been injected for the correction of contour deformities. It has a number of indications, including pectus excavatum. Infection and migration seem to be the most common complications with this product. The authors report an illustrative case of pectus excavatum deformity treated with Bio-Alcamid. Results highlight the successful treatment of gel migration with liposuction, which has not been recommended by the manufacturer nor reported in the literature to date.
Trends in Chinese Medicine Use Among Prostate Cancer Patients Under National Health Insurance in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Yi-Hsien , Chen Kuang-Kuo , Chiu Jen-Hwey
Published: March 2011

Background: Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) provides Western medicine and Chinese medicine (CM). This study aims to explore the trends of CM use among prostate cancer patients under NHI. Methods: Claims of CM outpatient services from 1996 to 2008 were obtained from NHI Research Database. CM visits of prostate cancer patients were identified. Claims with diagnosis code of prostate cancer were defined as cancer-specific visits. Results: Among 78 323 prostate cancer patients identified during 1996-2008, there were 30 383 (38.8%) CM users and 327 063 CM outpatient visits. The prevalence of CM use in each cross-sectional year increased slightly from 24.9% to 25.6%. Most CM visits (92.7%) were non-cancer-specific. There were greater increases in the proportion of cancer-specific CM visits (from 2.3% to 10.6%) and high-utility CM users (from 3.1% to 19.7%). Most CM services were provided by private clinics (68.1% to 79.2%). The most frequently used CM therapies were Chinese herbal medicine (72.8% to 78.8%), followed by acupuncture/traumatology manipulative therapies (28.1% to 36.8%). Total CM cost increased from $122 247 to $825 454. The average cost per CM visit increased from $14.0 to $19.6. The annual cost per CM user increased from $88.0 to $134.4. Copayment accounted for 6.6% to 11.7%. Conclusions: There was a trend of increased CM use among prostate cancer patients under NHI. Although prostate cancer patients used CM mostly for noncancer diseases, CM visits for prostate cancer increased remarkably. The utilization patterns of CM visits for cancer and for noncancer diseases were distinctly different.
Impaired exercise tolerance is associated with increased urine albumin excretion in the early stages of essential hypertension
Authors: Tsiachris Dimitris , Tsioufis Costas , Syrseloudis Dimitris , Thomopoulos Costas , Mpafakis Ioannis , Michaelides Andreas , Redon Josep , Stefanadis Christodoulos
Published: March 2011

Background: Our aim was to investigate the relationship between impaired exercise capacity and albumin excretion level in the setting of never treated essential hypertension.

Design and methods: For this purpose, 338 consecutive essential hypertensives (52 ± 8.5 years, 227 males, office BP = 148.6/96.1 mmHg) performed a negative for myocardial ischemia, maximal treadmill exercise testing and were classified based on the gender specific median value of the amount of metabolic equivalents (METs) achieved (10.1 ml/kg/min for women and 11 ml/kg/min for men) as fit ( n = 177) and unfit ( n = 161). All the participants underwent 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring, complete echocardiographic study including left ventricular diastolic function evaluation and determination of albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) on two non-consecutive morning spot urine samples.

Results: Unfit hypertensives compared to the fit ones were older by 4.5 years ( p < 0.001) and had greater waist circumference by 4.5 cm ( p < 0.001), body mass index by 1.3 kg/m2 ( p = 0.001), 24-h pulse pressure by 3.0 mmHg ( p = 0.005), ACR levels by 12.6% ( p = 0.003) and prevalence of microalbuminuria (19.5% vs 10.3%, p = 0.007) while the differences in diastolic function indices lost significance after adjustment for confounders. By applying stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis in order to identify the predictors of METs, it was revealed that age (β = −0.338, p = 0.045), gender (β = 0.274, p = 0.045), body mass index (β = −0.230, p = 0.045) and logACR (β = −0.151, p = 0.004) were the only independent predictors of exercise capacity.

Conclusions: Increased ACR is associated with diminished exercise capacity in the early stages of essential hypertension independently from adverse cardiac adaptations, further elucidating the adverse prognostic role of albuminuria in this setting.
Dasatinib enhances megakaryocyte differentiation but inhibits platelet formation
Authors: Mazharian Alexandra , Ghevaert Cedric , Zhang Lin , Massberg Steffen , Watson Steve P.
Published: March 2011

Dasatinib is a novel, potent, ATP-competitive inhibitor of Bcr-Abl, cKIT, and Src family kinases that exhibits efficacy in patients with imatinib-resistant chronic myelogenous leukemia. Dasatinib treatment is associated with mild thrombocytopenia and an increased risk of bleeding, but its biological effect on megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet production is unknown. In this study, we show that dasatinib causes mild thrombocytopenia in mice without altering platelet half-life, suggesting that it inhibits platelet formation. Conversely, the number of megakaryocytes (MKs) in the bone marrow of dasatinib-treated mice was increased and the ploidy of MKs derived from bone marrow progenitor cells in vitro was elevated in the presence of dasatinib. Furthermore, a significant delay in platelet recovery after immune-induced thrombocytopenia was observed in dasatinib-treated mice even though the number of MKs in the bone marrow was increased relative to controls at all time points. Interestingly, the migration of MKs toward a gradient of stromal cell–derived factor 1α (SDF1α) and the formation of proplatelets in vitro were abolished by dasatinib. We propose that dasatinib causes thrombocytopenia as a consequence of ineffective thrombopoiesis, promoting MK differentiation but also impairing MK migration and proplatelet formation.
Assessment of a primary care-based telemonitoring intervention for home care patients with heart failure and chronic lung disease. The TELBIL study
Authors: Martín-Lesende Iñaki , Orruño Estibalitz , Cairo Carmen , Bilbao Amaia , Asua José , Romo María I , Vergara Itziar , Bayón Juan C , Abad Roberto , Reviriego Eva , Larrañaga Jesús
Published: March 2011

Background

Telemonitoring technology offers one of the most promising alternatives for the provision of health care services at the patient's home. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a primary care-based telemonitoring intervention on the frequency of hospital admissions.

Methods/design

A primary care-based randomised controlled trial will be carried out to assess the impact of a telemonitoring intervention aimed at home care patients with heart failure (HF) and/or chronic lung disease (CLD). The results will be compared with those obtained with standard health care practice. The duration of the study will be of one year. Sixty patients will be recruited for the study. In-home patients, diagnosed with HF and/or CLD, aged 14 or above and with two or more hospital admissions in the previous year will be eligible.

For the intervention group, telemonitoring will consist of daily patient self-measurements of respiratory-rate, heart-rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, weight and body temperature. Additionally, the patients will complete a qualitative symptom questionnaire daily using the telemonitoring system. Routine telephone contacts will be conducted every fortnight and additional telephone contacts will be carried out if the data received at the primary care centre are out of the established limits. The control group will receive usual care. The primary outcome measure is the number of hospital admissions due to any cause that occurred in a period of 12 months post-randomisation. The secondary outcome measures are: duration of hospital stay, hospital admissions due to HF or CLD, mortality rate, use of health care resources, quality of life, cost-effectiveness, compliance and patient and health care professional satisfaction with the new technology.

Discussion

The results of this study will shed some light on the effects of telemonitoring for the follow-up and management of chronic patients from a primary care setting. The study may contribute to enhance the understanding of alternative modes of health care provision for medically unstable elderly patients, who bear a high degree of physical and functional deterioration.

Trial Registration

ISRCTN: ISRCTN89041993
Endotoxin-activated microglia injure brain derived endothelial cells via NF-κB, JAK-STAT and JNK stress kinase pathways
Authors: Kacimi Rachid , Giffard Rona G , Yenari Midori A
Published: March 2011

Background

We previously showed that microglia damage blood brain barrier (BBB) components following ischemic brain insults, but the underlying mechanism(s) is/are not well known. Recent work has established the contribution of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation to several brain pathologies including ischemia, neurodegeneration and sepsis. The present study established the requirement of microglia for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mediated endothelial cell death, and explored pathways involved in this toxicity. LPS is a classic TLR4 agonist, and is used here to model aspects of brain conditions where TLR4 stimulation occurs.

Methods/Results

In monocultures, LPS induced death in microglia, but not brain derived endothelial cells (EC). However, LPS increased EC death when cocultured with microglia. LPS led to nitric oxide (NO) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) induction in microglia, but not in EC. Inhibiting microglial activation by blocking iNOS and other generators of NO or blocking reactive oxygen species (ROS) also prevented injury in these cocultures. To assess the signaling pathway(s) involved, inhibitors of several downstream TLR-4 activated pathways were studied. Inhibitors of NF-κB, JAK-STAT and JNK/SAPK decreased microglial activation and prevented cell death, although the effect of blocking JNK/SAPK was rather modest. Inhibitors of PI3K, ERK, and p38 MAPK had no effect.

Conclusions

We show that LPS-activated microglia promote BBB disruption through injury to endothelial cells, and the specific blockade of JAK-STAT, NF-κB may prove to be especially useful anti-inflammatory strategies to confer cerebrovascular protection.
Ultrasonic-aided fabrication of gold nanofluids
Authors: Chen Hui-Jiuan , Wen Dongsheng
Published: March 2011

A novel ultrasonic-aided one-step method for the fabrication of gold nanofluids is proposed in this study. Both spherical- and plate-shaped gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in the size range of 10-300 nm are synthesized. Subsequent purification produces well-controlled nanofluids with known solid and liquid contents. The morphology and properties of the nanoparticle and nanofluids are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering, as well as effective thermal conductivities. The ultrasonication technique is found to be a very powerful tool in engineering the size and shape of GNPs. Subsequent property measurement shows that both particle size and particle shape play significant roles in determining the effective thermal conductivity. A large increase in effective thermal conductivity can be achieved (approximately 65%) for gold nanofluids using plate-shaped particles under low particle concentrations (i.e.764 μM/L).
Diagnosis and molecular characterization of rabies virus from a buffalo in China: a case report
Authors: Zhang Ke-shan , Guo Jian-hong , Xu Zhuo-fei , Xiang Min , Wu Bin , Chen Huan-chun
Published: March 2011

Background

Rabies virus (RABV) can infect many different species of warm-blooded animals. Glycoprotein G plays a key role in viral pathogenicity and neurotropism, and includes antigenic domains that are responsible for membrane fusion and host cell receptor recognition.

Case presentation

A case of buffalo rabies in China was diagnosed by direct fluorescent antibody test, G gene reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and RABV mouse inoculation test. Molecular characterization of the RABV was performed using DNA sequencing, phylogenetic analysis and amino acid sequence comparison based on the G gene from different species of animals.

Conclusion

The results confirmed that the buffalo with suspected rabies was infected by RABV, which was genetically closely related to HNC (FJ602451) that was isolated from cattle in China in 2007. Comparison of the G gene among different species of animal showed that there were almost no amino acid changes among RABVs isolated from the same species of animals that distributed in a near region. However, there were many changes among RABVs that were isolated from different species of animal, or the same species from different geographic regions. This is believed to be the first case report of buffalo rabies in China, and the results may provide further information to understand the mechanism by which RABV breaks through the species barrier.
Merkel cell polyomavirus in Merkel cell carcinoma of Italian patients
Authors: Paolini Francesca , Donati Pietro , Amantea Ada , Bucher Stefania , Migliano Emilia , Venuti Aldo
Published: March 2011

Background

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but very aggressive human malignancy of elderly or immunosuppressed patients. Clonal integration of a new human polyomavirus, the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), has been reported in MCC patients. The main objective of the study was the detection of MCPyV and viral expression in clinical samples of Italian patients who were diagnosed MCC.

Findings

DNA and RNA were extracted from nine MCCs to detect the presence of MCPyV. Viral large T gene (LT1 and LT3), and viral capsid gene (VP1) were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods, and the amplified PCR products were subjected to direct sequencing. The presence of viral T antigen and/or viral capsid DNA sequences was demonstrated in eight of the nine MCC lesions, whereas RNA transcripts were detected in three MCCs.

Conclusions

These findings indicate a potential role of MCPyV in the pathogenesis of at least a subset of MCCs.
Geminivirus mixed infection on pepper plants: Synergistic interaction between PHYVV and PepGMV
Authors: Rentería-Canett Ilenia , Xoconostle-Cázares Beatriz , Ruiz-Medrano Roberto , Rivera-Bustamante Rafael F
Published: March 2011

Background

PHYVV and PepGMV are plant viruses reported in Mexico and Southern US as causal agents of an important pepper disease known as "rizado amarillo". Mixed infections with PHYVV and PepGMV have been reported in several hosts over a wide geographic area. Previous work suggested that these viruses might interact at the replication and/or movement level in a complex manner. The aim of present report was to study some aspects of a synergistic interaction between PHYVV and PepGMV in pepper plants. These include analyses of symptom severity, viral DNA concentration and tissue localization of both viruses in single and mixed infections.

Results

Mixed infections with PepGMV and PHYVV induced symptoms more severe than those observed in single viral infections. Whereas plants infected with either virus (single infection) presented a remission stage with a corresponding decrease in viral DNA levels, double-infected plants did not present symptom remission and both viral DNA concentrations dramatically increased. In situ hybridization experiments revealed that both viruses are restricted to the vascular tissue. Interestingly, the amount of viral DNA detected was higher in plants inoculated with PepGMV than that observed in PHYVV-infected plants. During mixed infections, the location of both viruses remained similar to the one observed in single infections, although the number of infected cells increases. Infections with the tripartite mixture PHYVV (A+B) + PepGMV A produced a similar synergistic infection to the one observed after inoculation with both full viruses. On the contrary, tripartite mixture PepGMV (A+B) + PHYVV A did not produce a synergistic interaction. In an attempt to study the contribution of individual genes to the synergism, several mutants of PHYVV or PepGMV were inoculated in combination with the corresponding wild type, second virus (wt PepGMV or wt PHYVV). All combinations tested resulted in synergistic infections, with exception of the TrAP mutant of PepGMV (PepGMV TrAP-) + PHYVV.

Conclusion

In this report, we have demonstrated that synergistic interaction between PHYVV and PepGMV during a mixed infection is mainly due to an increased DNA concentration of both viruses, without any noticeable effect on the localization of either virus on infected plant tissue. Our results have shown that the viral component A from PepGMV is important for synergism during PHYVV-PepGMV mixed infections.
The effect of consequent exposure of stress and dermal application of low doses of chlorpyrifos on the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in the hippocampus of adult mice
Authors: Lim Kian Loong , Tay Annie , Nadarajah Vishna Devi , Mitra Nilesh Kumar
Published: March 2011

Background

Chlorpyrifos (CPF), a commonly used pesticide worldwide, has been reported to produce neurobehavioural changes. Dermal exposure to CPF is common in industries and agriculture. This study estimates changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in hippocampal regions and correlates with histomorphometry of neurons and serum cholinesterase levels following dermal exposure to low doses of CPF with or without swim stress.

Methods

Male albino mice were separated into control, stress control and four treatment groups (n = 6). CPF was applied dermally over the tails under occlusive bandage (6 hours/day) at doses of 1/10th (CPF 0.1) and 1/5th dermal LD50 (CPF 0.2) for seven days. Consequent treatment of swim stress followed by CPF was also applied. Serum cholinesterase levels were estimated using spectroflurometric methods. Paraffin sections of the left hippocampal regions were stained with 0.2% thionin followed by the counting of neuronal density. Right hippocampal sections were treated with Dako Envision GFAP antibodies.

Results

CPF application in 1/10th LD50 did not produce significant changes in serum cholinesterase levels and neuronal density, but increased GFAP expression significantly (p < 0.001). Swim stress with CPF 0.1 group did not show increase in astrocytic density compared to CPF 0.1 alone but decreased neuronal density.

Conclusions

Findings suggest GFAP expression is upregulated with dermal exposure to low dose of CPF. Stress combined with sub-toxic dermal CPF exposure can produce neurotoxicity.
Radiation recall pneumonitis induced by chemotherapy after thoracic radiotherapy for lung cancer
Authors: Ding Xiao , Ji Wei , Li Junling , Zhang Xiangru , Wang Luhua
Published: March 2011

Background

Radiation recall pneumonitis (RRP) describes a rare reaction in previously irradiated area of pulmonary tissue after application of triggering agents. RRP remains loosely characterized and poorly understood since it has so far only been depicted in 8 cases in the literature. The objective of the study is to disclose the general characteristics of RRP induced by chemotherapy after thoracic irradiation for lung cancer, and to draw attention to the potential toxicity even after a long time interval from the previous irradiation.

Methods

Medical records were reviewed. RRP induced by chemotherapy was diagnosed by the history of chemotherapy after radiotherapy, clinical presentation and radiographic abnormalities including ground-glass opacity, attenuation, or consolidation changes within the radiation field, plus that radiographic examination of the thorax before showed no radiation pneumonitis. RRP was graded according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0. The characteristics of the 12 RRP cases were analyzed.

Results

Twelve patients were diagnosed of RRP, of who 8 received taxanes. The median time interval between end of radiotherapy and RRP, between end of radiotherapy and beginning of chemotherapy, and between beginning of chemotherapy and RRP was 95 days, 42 days and 47 days, respectively. Marked symptomatic and radiographic improvement was observed in the 12 patients after withdrawal of chemotherapy and application of systemic corticosteroids. Seven patients were rechallenged with chemotherapy, of whom four with the same kind of agents, and showed no recurrence with steroid cover.

Conclusions

Doctors should pay attention to RRP even after a long time from the previous radiotherapy or after several cycles of consolidation chemotherapy. Taxanes are likely to be associated with radiation recall more frequently. Withdrawal of causative agent and application of steroids are the treatment of choice. Patients may be rechallenged safely with steroid cover and careful observation, which needs to be validated.
Transformation of Epichloë typhina by electroporation of conidia
Authors: Dombrowski James E , Baldwin James C , Alderman Steve C , Martin Ruth C
Published: March 2011

Background

Choke, caused by the endophytic fungus Epichloë typhina, is an important disease affecting orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) seed production in the Willamette Valley. Little is known concerning the conditions necessary for successful infection of orchardgrass by E. typhina. Detection of E. typhina in plants early in the disease cycle can be difficult due to the sparse distribution of hyphae in the plant. Therefore, a sensitive method to detect fungal infection in plants would provide an invaluable tool for elucidating the conditions for establishment of infection in orchardgrass. Utilization of a marker gene, such as the green fluorescent protein (GFP), transformed into Epichloë will facilitate characterization of the initial stages of infection and establishment of the fungus in plants.

Findings

We have developed a rapid, efficient, and reproducible transformation method using electroporation of germinating Epichloë conidia isolated from infected plants.

Conclusions

The GFP labelled E. typhina provides a valuable molecular tool to researchers studying conditions and mechanisms involved in the establishment of choke disease in orchardgrass.
Increased creatinine clearance in polytrauma patients with normal serum creatinine: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Minville Vincent , Asehnoune Karim , Ruiz Stephanie , Breden Audrey , Georges Bernard , Seguin Thierry , Tack Ivan , Jaafar Acil , Saivin Sylvie , Fourcade Olivier , Samii Kamran , Conil Jean Marie
Published: March 2011

Introduction

The aim of this study, performed in an intensive care unit (ICU) population with a normal serum creatinine, was to estimate urinary creatinine clearance (CLCR) in a population of polytrauma patients (PT) through a comparison with a population of non trauma patients (NPT).

Methods

This was a retrospective, observational study in a medical and surgical ICU in a university hospital. A total of 284 patients were consecutively included. Two different groups were studied: PT (n = 144) and NPT (n = 140). Within the second week after admission to the ICU, renal function was assessed using serum creatinine, 24 h urinary CLCR .

Results

Among the 106 patients with a CLCR above 120 mL minute-1 1.73 m-2, 79 were PT and 27 NPT (P < 0.0001). Only 63 patients had a CLCR below 60 mL minute-1 1.73 m-2 with 15 PT and 48 NPT (P < 0.0001). Patients with CLCR greater than 120 mL minute-1. 1.73 m -2 were younger, had a lower SAPS II score and a higher male ratio as compared to those having CLCR lower than 120 mL minute-1. 1.73 m -2. Through a logistic regression analysis, age and trauma were the only factors independently correlated to CLCR.

Conclusions

In ICU patients with normal serum creatinine, CLCR, is higher in PT than in NPT. The measure of CLCR should be proposed as routine for PT patients in order to adjust dose regimen, especially for drugs with renal elimination.
Respiratory pulse pressure variation fails to predict fluid responsiveness in acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Lakhal Karim , Ehrmann Stephan , Benzekri-Lefèvre Dalila , Runge Isabelle , Legras Annick , Dequin Pierre-François , Mercier Emmanuelle , Wolff Michel , Régnier Bernard , Boulain Thierry
Published: March 2011

Introduction

Fluid responsiveness prediction is of utmost interest during acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but the performance of respiratory pulse pressure variation (ΔRESPPP) has scarcely been reported. In patients with ARDS, the pathophysiology of ΔRESPPP may differ from that of healthy lungs because of low tidal volume (Vt), high respiratory rate, decreased lung and sometimes chest wall compliance, which increase alveolar and/or pleural pressure. We aimed to assess ΔRESPPP in a large ARDS population.

Methods

Our study population of nonarrhythmic ARDS patients without inspiratory effort were considered responders if their cardiac output increased by >10% after 500-ml volume expansion.

Results

Among the 65 included patients (26 responders), the area under the receiver-operating curve (AUC) for ΔRESPPP was 0.75 (95% confidence interval (CI95): 0.62 to 0.85), and a best cutoff of 5% yielded positive and negative likelihood ratios of 4.8 (CI95: 3.6 to 6.2) and 0.32 (CI95: 0.1 to 0.8), respectively. Adjusting ΔRESPPP for Vt, airway driving pressure or respiratory variations in pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (ΔPAOP), a surrogate for pleural pressure variations, in 33 Swan-Ganz catheter carriers did not markedly improve its predictive performance. In patients with ΔPAOP above its median value (4 mmHg), AUC for ΔRESPPP was 1 (CI95: 0.73 to 1) as compared with 0.79 (CI95: 0.52 to 0.94) otherwise (P = 0.07). A 300-ml volume expansion induced a ≥2 mmHg increase of central venous pressure, suggesting a change in cardiac preload, in 40 patients, but none of the 28 of 40 nonresponders responded to an additional 200-ml volume expansion.

Conclusions

During protective mechanical ventilation for early ARDS, partly because of insufficient changes in pleural pressure, ΔRESPPP performance was poor. Careful fluid challenges may be a safe alternative.
Development and Measurement of Guideline-Based Indicators for Patients With Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Authors: Wennekes Lianne , Ottevanger Petronella B. , Raemaekers John M. , Schouten Harry C. , de Kok Marjorie W.E. , Punt Cornelis J.A. , Grol Richard P. , Wollersheim Hub C. , Hermens Rosella P.
Published: March 2011

Purpose

Patients with cancer are not always treated according to available guidelines. Factors such as age and comorbidities are frequently used as arguments for nonadherence. The aim of this study was to measure guideline adherence with guideline-based indicators for patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and to examine the need for improvement, considering relevant arguments.

Methods

A RAND-modified Delphi procedure was used to systematically develop NHL indicators. We evaluated their improvement potential (defined as < 90% score) in a random sample of patients with NHL (N = 431) diagnosed in 2006-2007 in 22 hospitals in the Netherlands with data from medical records. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the relationship between indicator scores and factors: comorbidity index (combined with age), stage, patient's objections, and lymphoma type. Scores were adjusted for significant factors.

Results

Of the 20 indicators developed, 16 had improvement potential. Scores were lowest for assessment of International Prognostic Index, 21%; imaging of neck, thorax, and abdomen and bone marrow examination during the diagnostic process, 23%, and after chemotherapy, 37%; adequate pathology reporting, 11%; and multidisciplinary discussion of patients, 21%. Scores for eight indicators were better for patients with a low Charlson index, stage III or IV disease, no objections to care, and aggressive lymphoma. After adjustments, adherence to all but one indicator (administration of the combination of rituximab and cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-vincristine-prednisone) remained < 90%.

Conclusion

In the Netherlands, almost all indicators for NHL needed improvement. This should be evaluated in other countries as well. International efforts should be undertaken to improve the quality of care of this often curable malignancy.
Increasing Incidence of Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Young White Women, Age 18 to 44 Years
Authors: Patel Sagar C. , Carpenter William R. , Tyree Seth , Couch Marion Everett , Weissler Mark , Hackman Trevor , Hayes D. Neil , Shores Carol , Chera Bhishamjit S.
Published: March 2011

Purpose

To evaluate the incidence of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) and oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) in young white women, age 18 to 44 years.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed incidence and survival data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute from 1975 to 2007 for OCSCC and OTSCC. Three cohorts were examined: all ages, age 18 to 44 years (ie, “young”), and age > 44 years. Individuals were stratified by sex and/or race. Percentage change (PC) and annual percentage change (APC) were calculated. Joinpoint regression analyses were performed to examine trend differences.

Results

Overall, incidence of OCSCC was decreasing for all ages. However, incidence was increasing for young white women (PC, 34.8; APC, 2.2; P < .05). Incidence of OTSCC was decreasing for all ages except in the age 18 to 44 years group (PC, 28.8; APC, 1.8; P < .05). Young white individuals had increasing incidence trends of OTSCC (white women: PC, 111.3; APC, 4; P < .05; young white men: PC, 43.7; APC, 1.6; P < .05). The APC of OTSCC was significantly greater in young white women compared with that in young white men (P = .007). Furthermore, incidence of SCC in all other subsites of the oral cavity was decreasing. Nonwhites had a decreasing incidence of OCSCC and OTSCC. Cause-specific survival was similar among whites age 18 to 44 and individuals older than age 44 years.

Conclusion

OTSCC is increasing among young white individuals age 18 to 44 years, particularly among white women. Young white women may be a new, emerging head and neck cancer patient population.
A Slit/miR-218/Robo regulatory loop is required during heart tube formation in zebrafish
Authors: Fish Jason E. , Wythe Joshua D. , Xiao Tong , Bruneau Benoit G. , Stainier Didier Y. R. , Srivastava Deepak , Woo Stephanie
Published: March 2011

Members of the Slit family of secreted ligands interact with Roundabout (Robo) receptors to provide guidance cues for many cell types. For example, Slit/Robo signaling elicits repulsion of axons during neural development, whereas in endothelial cells this pathway inhibits or promotes angiogenesis depending on the cellular context. Here, we show that miR-218 is intronically encoded in slit2 and slit3 and that it suppresses Robo1 and Robo2 expression. Our data indicate that miR-218 and multiple Slit/Robo signaling components are required for heart tube formation in zebrafish and that this network modulates the previously unappreciated function of Vegf signaling in this process. These findings suggest a new paradigm for microRNA-based control of ligand-receptor interactions and provide evidence for a novel signaling pathway regulating vertebrate heart tube assembly.
Impact of blood sampling technique on blood quality and animal welfare in haemophilic mice
Authors: Holmberg Heidi , Kiersgaard Maria Kristina , Mikkelsen Lars Friis , Tranholm Mikael
Published: March 2011

Blood collection in mice can be a challenge, in particular for samples used for coagulation analysis as initiation of coagulation during the procedures can influence the results. Blood collection from the retrobulbar venous plexus is commonly used but the method remains controversial. Several alternatives exist but not all are applicable to mice with a compromised coagulation system because of subsequently excessive bleeding. We therefore wanted to explore whether blood collection by puncture of the submandibular vein could replace blood collected from the retrobulbar venous plexus during pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in mice lacking coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). The plasma concentrations of recombinant activated factor VII were independent of the blood collection method in a pharmacokinetic study. The same applied to the thromboelastographic profile of mice with normal coagulation in a pharmacodynamic study. However, excessive haemorrhages were observed in all FVIII knockout mice after a single puncture of the submandibular vein and 60% of the mice were euthanized 2–4 h after the blood collection. In contrast, no or only slight haemorrhage was observed in animals subjected to blood collection from the retrobulbar venous plexus. No signs of distress determined by blood glucose level or clinical abnormalities of the eye were observed after puncture of the retrobulbar venous plexus. In conclusion, blood collected by puncture of the submandibular vein and retrobulbar venous plexus has a quality which allows it to be used in coagulation assays. However, because of excessive bleedings, puncture of the submandibular vein is not recommended in mice lacking FVIII.
Surgical treatment of ingrown toenails in children: what is best practice?
Authors: Mitchell S , Jackson CR , Wilson-Storey D
Published: March 2011

INTRODUCTION

Surgery for ingrowing toenails carries a significant re-operation rate. We reviewed our departmental figures to assess the optimal management of these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a 10-year retrospective review of all patients undergoing surgery for ingrown toenails (IGTN) in order to determine the operations most commonly used and the re-operation rate of each of these procedures.

RESULTS

A total of 880 procedures were performed on 414 patients. The median age at operation was 8.5 years. About half (48%) of children underwent two or more procedures with wedge excision and phenol application being the most common initial and repeat procedure. Recurrent surgery was most likely following plain avulsion or wedge avulsion without phenol application. Excision of the nailbed with phenol application had the lowest recurrence rate at 18.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend wedge resection with phenol application as first-line treatment with simple avulsion reserved for severely infected toes. Total nail bed excisions should be reserved for patients with significant on-going morbidity associated with IGTN. Families must be made aware of the likely outcome of IGTN surgery and the choice of operation must be tailored to the individual.
Supports used for positioning of patients in hip arthroplasty: is there an infection risk?
Authors: Ahmad Riaz , Tham Ji , Naqvi Syed Ghufran Ali , Butt Umer , Dixon John
Published: March 2011

INTRODUCTION

Infection after joint arthroplasty is a disastrous complication. Implants used in hip arthroplasty increase the risk of infection from organisms of low pathogenicity. Potential reservoirs, that have not been assessed as yet, are the supports used for patient positioning in hip arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to assess these supports for presence of bacterial pathogens.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We studied 40 supports used in 20 hip arthroplasty procedures. Tryptone soya agar plates were used to sample these supports. All agar plates were incubated at 37°C for 48 h.

RESULTS

Of the 20 anterior supports, 17 (85%) showed bacterial colonisation; of the 20 posterior supports, 10 (50%) had bacterial colonisation. Fourteen (52%) supports were contaminated with one organism, 9 (33%) with two organisms, three (11%) with three organisms and one (4%) with four organisms. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most common isolated organisms (61%) followed by coryneforms (10%) and bacilli (10%). Anterior supports had two times more colony forming units compared to the posterior supports.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed contamination of supports used for positioning patients during hip arthroplasty. It reflects poor cleaning practice and certainly raises the possibility that a high bacterial load on these supports may contribute to higher infection rates in hip arthroplasties. The study raises concerns related to contamination of supports, as there is a potential for cross-infection, wound problems, and deep sepsis around implants which could be disastrous. While colonisation does not equate with infection, we suggest thorough cleaning of the supports before and after every surgical procedure.