bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cyclooxygenase Expression and Platelet Function in Healthy Dogs Receiving Low‐Dose Aspirin
Authors: Dudley A. , Thomason J. , Fritz S. , Grady J. , Stokes J. , Wills R. , Pinchuk L. , Mackin A. , Lunsford K.
Published: December 2012

Background

Low‐dose aspirin is used to prevent thromboembolic complications in dogs, but some animals are nonresponsive to the antiplatelet effects of aspirin (“aspirin resistance”).

Hypothesis/Objectives

That low‐dose aspirin would inhibit platelet function, decrease thromboxane synthesis, and alter platelet cyclooxygenase (COX) expression.

Animals

Twenty‐four healthy dogs.

Methods

A repeated measures study. Platelet function (PFA‐100 closure time, collagen/epinephrine), platelet COX‐1 and COX‐2 expression, and urine 11‐dehydro‐thromboxane B2(11‐dTXB2) were evaluated before and during aspirin administration (1 mg/kg Q24 hours PO, 10 days). Based on prolongation of closure times after aspirin administration, dogs were divided into categories according to aspirin responsiveness: responders, nonresponders, and inconsistent responders.

Results

Low‐dose aspirin increased closure times significantly (62% by Day 10,P < .001), with an equal distribution among aspirin responsiveness categories, 8 dogs per group. Platelet COX‐1 mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) increased significantly during treatment, 13% on Day 3 (range, −29.7–136.1%) (P = .047) and 72% on Day 10 (range, −0.37–210%) (P < .001). Platelet COX‐2 MFI increased significantly by 34% (range, −29.2–270%) on Day 3 (P = .003) and 74% (range, −19.7–226%) on Day 10 (P < .001). Urinary 11‐dTXB2concentrations significantly (P = .005,P < .001) decreased at both time points. There was no difference between aspirin responsiveness and either platelet COX expression or thromboxane production.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Low‐dose aspirin consistently inhibits platelet function in approximately one‐third of healthy dogs, despite decreased thromboxane synthesis and increased plateletCOXexpression in most dogs.COXisoform expression before treatment did not predict aspirin resistance.
Noninvasive Clinical Assessment of Systolic Torsional Motions by Two‐Dimensional Speckle‐Tracking Echocardiography in Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease
Authors: Suzuki R. , Matsumoto H. , Teshima T. , Koyama H.
Published: December 2012

Background

Left ventricular torsional motion plays an important role for effective pump function. However, noninvasive clinical assessment of torsional deformations by two‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography (2D‐STE) in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) has not been reported.

Hypothesis

Left ventricular torsion is determined by the native orientation of the helical myocardial fibers, such that it might provide better assessment of myocardial function than conventional methods.

Animals

Sixty‐seven client‐owned dogs with MMVD were classified into 3 classes based on the International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council classification and 16 weight‐ and age‐matched healthy dogs.

Methods

Dogs were examined for myocardial deformations by 2D‐STE and were evaluated for peak systolic rotation and rotation rate at each basal and apical view. Dogs also were evaluated for peak systolic torsion and torsion rate.

Results

Peak systolic torsion was higher in class II than in class I (P < .001) dogs. Peak systolic torsion was lower in class III than in class II (P = .001) dogs and controls (P = .003).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Torsional deformations assessed by 2D‐STE differed among clinical classes of MMVD. Myocardial torsional deformations by 2D‐STE may provide more detailed assessment of contractile function in dogs with MMVD.
Force Plate Gait Analysis in Doberman Pinschers with and without Cervical Spondylomyelopathy
Authors: Foss K. , da Costa R.C. , Rajala‐Shultz P.J. , Allen M.J.
Published: December 2012

Background

The most accepted means of evaluating the response of a patient with cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) to treatment is subjective and based on the owner and clinician's perception of the gait.

Objective

To establish and compare kinetic parameters based on force plate gait analysis between normal andCSM‐affectedDobermans.

Animals

NineteenDoberman Pinschers: 10 clinically normal and 9 withCSM.

Methods

Force plate analysis was prospectively performed in all dogs. At least 4 runs of ipsilateral limbs were collected from each dog. Eight force platform parameters were evaluated, including peak vertical force (PVF) and peak vertical impulse (PVI), peak mediolateral force (PMLF) and peak mediolateral impulse, peak braking force and peak braking impulse, and peak propulsive force (PPF) and peak propulsive impulse. In addition, the coefficient of variation (CV) for each limb was calculated for each parameter. Data analysis was performed by a repeated measures approach.

Results

PMLF(P = .0062),PVI(P = .0225), andPPF(P = .0408) were found to be lower inCSM‐affected dogs compared with normal dogs. Analysis byCVas the outcome indicated more variability inPVFinCSM‐affected dogs (P = 0.0045). The largest difference in theCVofPVFwas seen in the thoracic limbs of affected dogs when compared with the thoracic limbs of normal dogs (P = 0.0019).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

TheCVofPVFin all 4 limbs, especially the thoracic limbs, distinguished clinically normalDobermans from those withCSM. Other kinetic parameters less reliably distinguishedCSM‐affected from clinically normalDobermans.
Effect of Weight Loss in Obese Dogs on Indicators of Renal Function or Disease
Authors: Tvarijonaviciute A. , Ceron J.J. , Holden S.L. , Biourge V. , Morris P.J. , German A.J.
Published: December 2012

Background

Obesity is a common medical disorder in dogs, and can predispose to a number of diseases. Human obesity is a risk factor for the development and progression of chronic kidney disease.

Objectives

To investigate the possible association of weight loss on plasma and renal biomarkers of kidney health.

Animals

Thirty‐seven obese dogs that lost weight were included in the study.

Methods

Prospective observational study. Three novel biomarkers of renal functional impairment, disease, or both (homocysteine, cystatin C, and clusterin), in addition to traditional markers of chronic renal failure (serum urea and creatinine, urine specific gravity [USG], urine protein‐creatinine ratio [UPCR], and urine albumin corrected by creatinine [UAC]) before and after weight loss in dogs with naturally occurring obesity were investigated.

Results

Urea (P = .043) and USG (P = .012) were both greater after weight loss than before loss, whilst UPCR, UAC, and creatinine were less after weight loss (P = .032, P = .006, and P = .026, respectively). Homocysteine (P < .001), cystatin C (P < .001) and clusterin (P < .001) all decreased upon weight loss. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed associations between percentage weight loss (greater weight loss, more lean tissue loss; r = −0.67, r2 = 0.45, P < .001) and before‐loss plasma clusterin concentration (greater clusterin, more lean tissue loss; r = 0.48, r2 = 0.23, P = .003).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

These results suggest possible subclinical alterations in renal function in canine obesity, which improve with weight loss. Further work is required to determine the nature of these alterations and, most notably, the reason for the association between before loss plasma clusterin and subsequent lean tissue loss during weight management.
Chondrules born in plasma? Simulation of gas–grain interaction using plasma arcs with applications to chondrule and cosmic spherule formation
Authors: MORLOK A. , SUTTON Y. C. , BRAITHWAITE N. St. J. , GRADY Monica M.
Published: December 2012

Abstract–

We are investigating chondrule formation by nebular shock waves, using hot plasma as an analog of the heated gas produced by a shock wave as it passes through the protoplanetary environment. Precursor material (mainly silicates, plus metal, and sulfide) was dropped through the plasma in a basic experimental set‐up designed to simulate gas–grain collisions in an unconstrained spatial environment (i.e., no interaction with furnace walls during formation). These experiments were undertaken in air (at atmospheric pressure), to act as a “proof‐of‐principle”—could chondrules, or chondrule‐analog objects (CAO), be formed by gas–grain interaction initiated by shock fronts? Our results showed that if accelerating material through a fixed plasma field is a valid simulation of a supersonic shock wave traveling through a cloud of gas and dust, then CAO certainly could be formed by this process. Melting of and mixing between starting materials occurred, indicating temperatures of at least 1266 °C (the olivine‐feldspar eutectic). The production of CAO with mixed mineralogy from monomineralic starting materials also shows that collisions between particles are an important mechanism within the chondrule formation process, such that dust aggregates are not necessarily required as chondrule precursors. Not surprisingly, there were significant differences between the synthetic CAO and natural chondrules, presumably mainly because of the oxidizing conditions of the experiment. Results also show similarity to features of micrometeorites like cosmic spherules, particularly the dendritic pattern of iron oxide crystallites produced on micrometeorites by oxidation during atmospheric entry and the formation of vesicles by evaporation of sulfides.
Outcome analysis of childhood pilocytic astrocytomas: a retrospective study of 148 cases at a single institution
Authors: Colin C. , Padovani L. , Chappé C. , Mercurio S. , Scavarda D. , Loundou A. , Frassineti F. , André N. , Bouvier C. , Korshunov A. , Lena G. , Figarella‐Branger D.
Published: December 2012

Background

Pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are characterized by an excellent prognosis although several factors of adverse outcome have been reported. The mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway plays a major role in their tumorigenesis.

Aim

To report a series of 148 PAs in children to define clinicopathological and biological prognostic factors.

Methods

Clinical data were collected from patient files and mail inquiry. Pathological specimens were centrally reviewed. The three major KIAA1549:BRAF fusion subtypes were analysed by reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in a subset of 47 frozen cases and by fluorescence in situ hybridization on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue in 23 cases. Tumour location, age at surgery, extent of surgical removal, histological subtype and KIAA1549:BRAF fusion by RT‐PCR were searched for prognostic significance.

Results

Pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA) and the hypothalamo‐chiasmatic (H/C) location were associated with a worse prognosis [P < 0.001 for overall survival (OS) and P = 0.001 for progression‐free survival (PFS)]. Patients who underwent complete surgical excision had a better OS (P = 0.004) and a longer PFS (P < 0.001) than the others. Age was also a strong prognostic factor for OS but not for PFS. Infants (<1 year) and young children (<3 years) had a much worse outcome than the others (P < 0.001 and P = 0.004 respectively). KIAA1549:BRAF fusion status was not predictive of outcome.

Conclusion

This study highlights the good prognostic factors of PAs but H/C PA remains a subgroup with dismal prognosis associated with young age, PMA variant and incomplete surgery. Search for KIAA1549:BRAF fusion in tumours with PA pattern is recommended even though the prognostic impact is still unclear.
Accounting for internal variation in nationalist mobilization: unofficial referendums for independence in Catalonia (2009–11)
Authors: Muñoz Jordi , Guinjoan Marc
Published: December 2012

Between September 2009 and April 2011, around one‐half of the Catalan municipalities held unofficial referendums on independence from Spain, in which more than 800,000 citizens took part. However, the participation rates were unevenly distributed across Catalonia. In this paper, using an original data set, we aim to respond to two relevant questions: first, why in some municipalities the referendum took place and in others it did not occur. Second, why did the referendum achieve high rates of turnout in some localities and much lower participation in others. We find that the resources available to the movement, the intensity of the mobilization efforts, the participatory tradition of the municipalities and the size of the nationalist ‘sentiment pool’ in each locality explain to a great extent the internal variation in nationalist mobilization in Catalonia.
Micronutrient challenges across the age spectrum: Is there a role for red meat?
Authors: Ruxton C. H. S. , Derbyshire E. , Pickard R. S.
Published: December 2012

In recent years, there has been controversy about the healthiness of red meat, prompting suggestions that people should limit their consumption. However, national dietary surveys indicate that UK diets can be low in nutrients typically found in red meat, e.g. vitamin B2, vitamin D, iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium and potassium, particularly among low‐income groups, teenagers and females. This article examines the nutritional challenges from infanthood to old age and considers whether there is still a role for red meat in helping people to achieve their dietary requirements. The fossil record indicates that early man evolved as an omnivore, with meat representing a significant source of protein and nutrients in the prehistoric diet. Modern diets offer substantially more variation in protein sources yet the range of nutrients supplied by red meat and their high bioavailability may make meat particularly suitable for human diets. Studies suggest that low intakes of red meat are a marker for iron insufficiency, while inclusion of red meat in the diet is associated with higher mineral intakes. Moderate amounts of lean red meat provide a wide range of important nutrients, without substantially increasing intakes of energy and saturated fatty acids. While concerns have been raised about the potential impact of red meat on the risk of chronic disease, the data are mostly observational and may be confounded by cooking methods or other dietary factors. In conclusion, integrating red meat into diets across the age spectrum, from infanthood to old age, may help to narrow the present gap between micronutrient intakes and recommendations.
Viable screening targets related to the bacterial cell wall
Authors: Silver Lynn L.
Published: December 2012

The synthesis of the bacterial peptidoglycan has been recognized for over 50 years as fertile ground for antibacterial discovery. Initially, empirical screening of natural products for inhibition of bacterial growth detected many chemical classes of antibiotics whose specific mechanisms of action were eventually dissected and defined. Of the nontoxic antibiotics discovered, most were found to be inhibitors of either protein synthesis or cell wall synthesis, which led to more directed screening for inhibitors of these pathways. Directed screening and design programs for cell wall inhibitors have been undertaken since the 1960s. In that time it has become clear that, while certain steps and intermediates have yielded selective inhibitors and are established targets, other potential targets have not yielded inhibitors whose antibacterial activity is proven to be solely due to that inhibition. Why has this search been so problematic? Are the established targets still worth pursuing? This review will attempt to answer these and other questions and evaluate the viability of targets related to peptidoglycan synthesis.
Benzamidine derivatives inhibit the virulence of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Fröhlich E. , Kantyka T. , Plaza K. , Schmidt K.‐H. , Pfister W. , Potempa J. , Eick S.
Published: December 2012

We have previously shown that benzamidine‐type compounds can inhibit the activity of arginine‐specific cysteine proteinases (gingipains HRgpA and RgpB); well‐known virulence factors of Porphyromonas gingivalis. They also hinder in vitro growth of this important periodontopathogenic bacterium. Apparently growth arrest is not associated with their ability to inhibit these proteases, because pentamidine, which is a 20‐fold less efficient inhibitor of gingipain than 2,6‐bis‐(4‐amidinobenzyl)‐cyclohexanone (ACH), blocked P. gingivalis growth far more effectively. To identify targets for benzamidine‐derived compounds other than Arg‐gingipains, and to explain their bacteriostatic effects, P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 and P. gingivalis M5‐1‐2 (clinical isolate) cell extracts were subjected to affinity chromatography using a benzamidine–Sepharose column to identify proteins interacting with benzamidine. In addition to HRgpA and RgpB the analysis revealed heat‐shock protein GroEL as another ligand for benzamidine. To better understand the effect of benzamidine‐derived compounds on P. gingivalis, bacteria were exposed to benzamidine, pentamidine, ACH and heat, and the expression of gingipains and GroEL was determined. Exposure to heat and benzamidine‐derived compounds caused significant increases in GroEL, at both the mRNA and protein levels. Interestingly, despite the fact that gingipains were shown to be the main virulence factors in a fertilized egg model of infection, mortality rates were strongly reduced, not only by ACH, but also by pentamidine, a relatively weak gingipain inhibitor. This effect may depend not only on gingipain inhibition but also on interaction of benzamidine derivatives with GroEL. Therefore these compounds may find use in supportive periodontitis treatment.
Highly variable ‘Arhar’ simple sequence repeat markers for molecular diversity and phylogenetic studies in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millisp.]
Authors: Dutta Sutapa , Mahato Ajay K. , Sharma Priti , Raje Ranjeet S. , Sharma Tilak R. , Singh Nagendra K.
Published: December 2012

Pigeonpea is an important tropical grain legume widely cultivated in South and South‐East Asia for versatile end usage as food, feed, fodder and fuel. Recent publication of draft genome sequence of pigeonpea (‘Arhar’) has allowed mining of large numbers of genomic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers most of which are either not validated or show very little polymorphism in simple agarose gel–based assays. Here, we describe a special category of 370 validated highly variable ‘Arhar’ genomic SSR (HASSR) markers, which provide much higher level of polymorphism than a random set of SSR markers. These markers were validated for consistent amplification in a set of eight pigeonpea varieties and 152 of these (41%) showed allelic polymorphism on agarose gel electrophoresis. Twenty‐four highest polymorphic HASSR markers were used on a larger set of forty pigeonpea varieties and eight wild Cajanus species for the analysis of genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship. Genomic HASSR markers described here are highly suitable for genetic diversity and phylogenic studies in pigeonpea.
Use of molecular marker diversity to increase forage yield in timothy (Phleum pratense L.)
Authors: Tanaka Tsuneki , Tamaki Hiroyuki , Ashikaga Kazunori , Fujii Hiroki , Yamada Toshihiko
Published: December 2012

Molecular marker technologies may provide a tool to overcome the forage yield plateau in timothy (Phleum pratense L.). Therefore, a study was designed to investigate the relationship between marker‐based genetic distance (GD) estimates and yield. Genetic distances were estimated using Dice coefficients framed by 28 simple sequence repeat markers. In Experiment 1, parents with high general combining ability (GCA) from two contrasting first‐generation synthetic strains (exhibiting high and low yields) were compared. Average GDs of each strain were 0.74 (high) and 0.68 (low). These differences indicated that GD may be partially the basis for contrasting yields. In Experiment 2, GDs among 40 parents of a polycross were used for calculating general genetic distance (GGD), which is indicative of their allelic complementation. Analyses revealed a significant (P < 0.01) moderate correlation (r) between GGD and GCA for yield (r = 0.45) and a significant (P < 0.01) residual mean square for the regression of yield on GGD, suggesting that considerable non‐additive effects were associated with GCA. The results are indicative of the potential use of GD estimation for yield improvement in timothy.
Associations of biological factors and affordances in the home with infant motor development
Authors: Saccani Raquel , Valentini Nadia C , Pereira Keila RG , Müller Alessandra B , Gabbard Carl
Published: December 2012

Background

Whereas considerable work has been published regarding biological factors associated with infant health, much less is known about the associations of environmental context with infant development – the focus of the present cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Data were collected on 561 infants, aged newborn to 18 months. Measures included the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development–Infant Scale, Alberta Infant Motor Scale, and selected bio/medical factors. Correlation and regression were used to analyze the data.

Results

Home environmental factors were associated with children's motor development as much as some typically high‐risk biologic factors.

Conclusion

The home environment partially explained infant development outcomes and infants at risk could possibly be helped with a home assessment for affordances.
Urban–rural disparity in physical fitness of elementary schoolchildren in Taiwan
Authors: Wang Jiun‐Hao , Wu Min‐Chen , Chang Hung‐Hao
Published: December 2012

Background

Childhood fitness is generally evaluated by a battery of health‐related estimators to assess pediatric health status. More so than the fitness level at any other stage of life, the level of physical fitness in childhood will have a marked effect on an individual's physical development and overall health in adolescence and adulthood. This paper contributes to this issue by investigating the differences in the distribution of the physical fitness of elementary schoolchildren aged 9–12 by gender, region and ethnicity.

Methods

Data were drawn from a nationwide dataset of physical fitness test profiles of elementary school students, conducted by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan in 2008. In total, 134 546 schoolchildren in fourth to sixth grade aged from 9 to 12 were included. Three components of physical fitness are measured: explosive power; muscle strength; and flexibility. Each fitness test was carried out by the school teachers during physical education classes. A statistical test procedure was then used to test the distribution differences in each category of physical fitness by age, gender and region. By further using the official recommended levels, the proportions of schoolchildren who have poor physical fitness performance were also examined.

Results

In general, boys have better physical fitness than girls except in the area of flexibility. In addition to gender differences, the present results are supportive of there being differences in the rural and urban populations. The rural children perform better than urban children in bent‐leg curl‐ups and standing long jump tests.

Conclusions

Physical fitness has been recognized not only as an integrated predictor of the body's functional status, but also as an important marker of health outcomes. Although considerable attention had been paid to examining the urban–rural differences in physical fitness, it is necessary to further consider the differences in ethnicity.
Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Safety Concerns: A Lesson from the Tuberculosis Ultraviolet Shelter Study Murphy's Law Affirmed
Authors: Brickner Philip W. , Vincent Richard L.
Published: December 2012

Concerns about the safety of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) applications on human beings have been an issue at least since the introduction of this technology for practical use in the 1930s. The resurgence of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States in the mid‐1980s led to a revival of interest in UV technology, a focus that had almost disappeared because alternate means of controlling TB had inaccurately been deemed successful. These failures in TB control led to a revival of UVGI use. And with that revival grew necessary and appropriate concerns about attempts to eliminate human overexposure. For all those working in the field of UVGI, safety issues must be a concern because when UVGI fixtures are placed improperly, or precautions ignored, room occupants are placed at risk of photokeratoconjunctivitis and photodermatitis. If safety is so prominent a concern, why do incidents of UV side effects continue to occur? See Murphy's Law.
The Effect of Lipid Composition on the Permeability of Fluorescent Markers from Photosensitized Membranes
Authors: Ytzhak Shany , Weitman Hana , Ehrenberg Benjamin
Published: December 2012

There is evidence indicating that the cellular locus ofPDTaction by amphiphilic sensitizers are the cellular membranes. The photosensitization process causes oxidative damage to membrane components that can result in the cell's death. However, it was not yet established whether lipid oxidation can cause free passage of molecules through the membrane and, as a result, be the primary cause of the cell's death. In this work, we studied the effect of liposomes' lipid composition on the kinetics of the leakage of three fluorescent dyes, calcein, carboxyfluorescein andDTAF, which were trapped in the intraliposomal aqueous phase, after photosensitization with the photosensitizer deuteroporphyrin. We found that as the degree of fatty acid unsaturation increased, the photosensitized passage of these molecules through the lipid bilayer increased. We also found that the rate of leakage of these molecules was affected by their size and bulkiness as well as by their net electric charge. In liposomes that are composed of a lipid mixture similar to that of natural membranes, the observed passage of molecules through the membrane is slow. Thus, the photodynamic damage to lipids does not appear to be severe enough to be an immediate, primary cause of cell death in biological photosensitization.
Synergy Between Cell‐Penetrating Peptides and Singlet Oxygen Generators Leads to Efficient Photolysis of Membranes
Authors: Muthukrishnan Nandhini , Johnson Gregory A. , Erazo‐Oliveras Alfredo , Pellois Jean‐Philippe
Published: December 2012

Cell‐penetrating peptides such as TAT or R9 labeled with small organic fluorophores can lyse endosomes upon light irradiation. The photoendosomolytic activity of these compounds can in turn be used to deliver proteins and nucleic acids to the cytosol of live cells with spatial and temporal control. In this report, we examine the mechanisms by which such fluorescent peptides exert a photolytic activity using red blood cells as a membrane model. We show that the peptides TAT and R9 labeled with tetramethylrhodamine photolyze red blood cells by promoting the formation of singlet oxygen in the vicinity of the cells' membranes. In addition, unlabeled TAT and R9 accelerate the photolytic activity of the membrane‐bound photosensitizer Rose bengal in trans, suggesting that the cell‐penetrating peptides participate in the destabilization of photo‐oxidized membranes. Peptides and singlet oxygen generators therefore act in synergy to destroy membranes upon irradiation.
Role of Pigmentation in Protecting Aspergillus niger Conidiospores Against Pulsed Light Radiation
Authors: Esbelin Julia , Mallea Sabine , J Ram Arthur F. , Carlin Frédéric
Published: December 2012

The photoprotective potential of fungus pigments was investigated by irradiating conidiospores of three Aspergillus niger strains possessing the same genetic background, but differing in their degree of pigmentation with pulsed light (PL) and monochromatic (254 nm) UV‐C radiation. Spores of A. niger MA93.1 and JHP1.1 presenting, respectively, a fawn and a white pigmentation were more sensitive to PL and continuous UV‐C radiation than the wild‐type A. niger strain N402 possessing a dark pigment. Both spores of the dark A. niger N402 and the fawn‐color mutant were equally resistant to moist heat at 56°C while spores of the white‐color mutant were highly sensitive. These results indicate that melanin protects pigmented spores of A. niger from PL.
Proliferative glomerulonephritis with discrete deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulin γ1 CH2 heavy chain and κ light chain: A new variant of monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease
Authors: Komatsuda Atsushi , Ohtani Hiroshi , Sawada Kenichi , Joh Kensuke , Wakui Hideki
Published: December 2012

A 45‐year‐old man presented with moderate proteinuria and hematuria. A renal biopsy showed mesangial/endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis, linear deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulin γ1 CH2 heavy chain along glomerular and tubular basement membranes (GBMs and TBMs), granular deposition of κ light chain within the mesangial area, and continuous linear deposits of finely granular electron‐dense materials along GBMs and TBMs. Dual immunostaining showed essentially discrete glomerular localization of γ1 CH2 heavy chain and κ light chain. Monoclonal protein was not detected in urine and serum. A bone marrow aspiration showed no abnormalities. Steroid therapy led to the improvement of proteinuria and hematuria. We would classify this case as a new variant of monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease, light chain/heavy chain deposition disease. In contrast with light and heavy chain deposition disease, the remarkable characteristics of this variant are separate deposition of monoclonal heavy chain and light chain, deposition of largely deleted γ heavy chain lacking the CH1 domain, and good response to steroid therapy.
The limits and variety of risk‐based governance: The case of flood management in Germany and England
Authors: Krieger Kristian
Published: December 2012

Risk‐based governance is argued by many to hold the promise of a more rational and efficient state, by making explicit the limitations of state interventions and focusing finite resources on those targets where probable damage is greatest. This paper challenges the assumption that risk‐based governance has the potential for universal and uniform application, by comparing contemporary flood management in Germany and England. On first inspection, flooding appears to be a paradigmatic case of risk colonizing European policy discourses, with the traditional notion of flood defense giving way to flood risk management in the context of climate change, increasingly frequent flood disasters, political and cost pressures on flood protection, and publicly available European‐wide flood assessments. Drawing on in‐depth empirical research, this paper shows how the role, and even the definition, of “risk” is institutionally shaped, and how the respective institutional environments of German and English flood management practices impede and promote risk colonization. In particular, the use and conceptualizations of risk in governance are variously promoted, filtered, or constrained by the administrative procedures, structures, and political expectations embedded within flood management and wider polities of each country. The findings of this research are important for the design and implementation of supranational policies and regulations that endorse risk‐based approaches, such as the recent EU Flood Directive, as well as scholarly debate as to how to legitimately define the limits of governance in the face of uncertainty and accountability pressures.
Comparison of pleural N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, midregion pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide and mid‐region pro‐adrenomedullin for the diagnosis of pleural effusions associated with cardiac failure
Authors: Porcel José M. , Bielsa Silvia , Morales‐Rull José L. , Civit Carme , Cao Gonzalo , Light Richard W. , Esquerda Aureli
Published: December 2012

Background and objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic utility of pleural fluid N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), midregion pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide (MR‐proANP) and midregion pro‐adrenomedullin (MR‐proADM) for discriminating heart failure (HF)‐associated effusions.

Methods

NT‐proBNP, MR‐proANP and MR‐proADM were measured by commercially available methodologies in the pleural fluid of a retrospective cohort of 185 consecutive patients with pleural effusions, of whom 95 had acute decompensated HF. Receiver‐operating characteristic and area under the curve (AUC) analyses allowed comparisons of the discriminative properties of these biomarkers to be made at their optimal cut‐off points.

Results

The diagnostic accuracy of NT‐proBNP and MR‐proANP for HF as quantified by the AUC was 0.935 and 0.918, respectively, whereas MR‐proADM was of limited value (AUC = 0.62). A pleural fluid MR‐proANP >260 pmol/L or NT‐proBNP >1700 pg/mL argues for HF (likelihood ratio (LR) positive >5), while levels below these cut‐off values significantly decrease the probability of having the disease (respective LR negative 0.19 and 0.10). The optimal cut‐off points for natriuretic peptides were influenced by age, renal function and body mass index. Finally, both NT‐proBNP and the albumin gradient correctly identified more than 80% of those cardiac effusions misclassified as exudates by standard criteria.

Conclusions

MR‐proANP is as valuable a diagnostic tool as NT‐proBNP for diagnosing or excluding HF as the cause of pleural effusion.
Short‐acting anticholinergic bronchodilation does not increase cardiovascular events in smokers with mild to moderate pulmonary obstruction
Authors: de Jong Emmy , van Dijk Wouter D. , Heijdra Yvonne , Lenders Jacques W. M. , van Weel Chris , Akkermans Reinier , Schermer Tjard R. J.
Published: December 2012

Background and objective

We hypothesized that bronchodilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases the smoke‐related risk to develop cardiovascular disease, and aimed to study the effect of short‐acting anticholinergic bronchodilation and smoking on cardiovascular events.

Methods

We performed a secondary analysis on data from the Lung Health Study, a large randomized clinical trial of smokers with mild to moderate pulmonary obstruction, 35–60 years old, without cardiovascular comorbidity. We used Cox proportional survival analysis, controlling for several confounders, to study the effect on 5‐year risk of fatal and/or non‐fatal cardiovascular events. Secondary outcome encompassed fatal and non‐fatal coronary events.

Results

Of 2745 participants, 23 (0.8%) died of cardiovascular disease. One hundred and sixty‐two participants were hospitalized for a cardiovascular event, and 94 participants due to a coronary event. Survival analysis revealed no effect between smoking and short‐acting anticholinergic bronchodilation on fatal and/or non‐fatal cardiovascular events, hazard ratio = 1.12 (0.58–2.19), nor on coronary events, hazard ratio = 1.46 (0.60–3.56).

Conclusions

Our study results show that short‐acting anticholinergic bronchodilation had no detrimental effect on cardiovascular disease in smokers with mild to moderate pulmonary obstruction.
Blockade of the Suprascapular Nerve: A Radiological and Cadaveric Study Comparing Landmark and Ultrasound-guided Blocking Techniques
Authors: Lancaster Sarah T. , Clark Damian A. , Redpath Yvette , Hughes David M. , Crowther Mark A. , Lewis Simon M.
Published: December 2012

Background

Blockade of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) is used frequently in shoulder surgery and in chronic shoulder pain. Anatomical landmarks may be used to locate the nerve before infiltration with local anaesthetic, with ultrasound comprising a popular method for locating the nerve.

Methods

Twelve cadaveric shoulders from six specimens were injected with dye using both the landmark and the ultrasound technique. The shoulders were scanned by computed tomography (CT) and then dissected to determine the accuracy of each technique.

Results

Using the CT scan results, we found the ultrasound group to be more accurate with respect to placing the anaesthetic needle close to the suprascapular notch (and therefore nerve), with this being statistically significant ( p = 0.021).

Conclusions

The findings of the present study demonstrate that ultrasound-guided block is significantly more accurate than the landmark technique, therefore suggesting that ultrasound guidance be used for blockade of the SSN.
Assessment of dentally related functional competency for older adults with cognitive impairment—a survey for special‐care dental professionals
Authors: Chen Xi , Clark Jennifer J.J.
Published: December 2012

This survey was to study whether and how dental professional assess dental‐related function in older adults with cognitive impairment (OACI). An invitation was sent to 525 special‐care dental professionals, followed by a reminder in 2 weeks. Thirteen percent of the targeted participants completed the survey. Among them, 88% completed a hospital dentistry, geriatric dentistry, or other postgraduate training program. Nearly 70% of the respondents considered somewhat to very difficult to assess dentally related function; 45% did not ever or did not regularly assess dental‐related function for OACI. Dental‐related functional assessments were often based on a subjective, unstructured approach. Only 6% of the respondents routinely used standard instruments to assess the patients’ function. These results indicate that an objective functional assessment based on a standardized instrument has not been routinely incorporated into dental care for OACI, raising concerns for quality of care in this vulnerable population.
The investigation of the skin characteristics of males focusing on gender differences, skin perception, and skin care habits
Authors: Mizukoshi Koji , Akamatsu Hisashi
Published: December 2012

Background/purpose

Various studies have examined the properties of male skin. However, because these studies mostly involved simple measurement with non‐invasive devices, a lack of understanding of the properties of male skin remains.

Methods

In this study, we focused and investigated not only on simple instrumental measurements but also on gender differences and men's subjective perceptions of skin and daily skin care habits.

Results

Barrier function depends on corneocyte maturation level as well as sebum amount. Irrespective of the skin type, a high percentage of male subjects perceived a ‘tacky feeling’. However, the percentage of men perceiving a ‘shiny feeling’ differed by skin type. Furthermore, there was a relationship between skin care habits and skin function. Men who did not perform a daily skincare regimen demonstrated a significantly higher sebum amount and transepidermal water loss value than those who did perform a daily skincare regimen.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that male skin has two specific characteristics: impaired barrier function because of the excess amount of sebum and a lack of an appropriate skin care regimen because of the ‘tacky feeling’ caused by excess sebum.
The skin surface pH and its different influence on the development of acne lesion according to gender and age
Authors: Youn S. H. , Choi C. W. , Choi J. W. , Youn S. W.
Published: December 2012

Background

Skin pH is one of the important physiological parameters of the skin. Changes in the pH play a role in the pathogenesis of several skin diseases, including acne.

Purpose

To assess the correlation between the pH and the age, and between the pH and the development of acne lesions, in a large acne patients group. We also evaluated the difference between the genders.

Methods

A total of 540 patients clinically diagnosed with acne vulgaris were included. The clinical digital photographs were taken, and the acne lesions were counted. The pH was measured, using the skin‐pH‐meter®. Area‐weighted pH was calculated and statistical analysis was performed, according to age and gender.

Results

The female had higher pH than the male acne patients. The T‐zone had higher pH than that of the U‐zone. In female acne patients, age and the area‐weight pH showed a positive correlation. Male acne patients had more inflammatory lesions. And U‐zone showed more acne lesions than T‐zone. There are negative correlations between the area‐weight pH and the number of acne lesions, in the T‐zone of the female acne patients and positive correlation at the inflammatory lesions on the T‐zone of male acne patients.

Conclusions

This is the first study to evaluate the correlations between pH, age, gender, and acne development in a large acne patients group using an objective, bioengineering method within the viewpoint of skin pH. We could expect that there are gender differences in the correlation between pH, age, and acne development. From this result, we could provide a clue to the treatment of acne, that maintaining the pH balance according to the difference of gender and age is an essential consideration.
A Proline‐Tyrosine Nuclear Localization Signal (PY‐NLS) Is Required for the Nuclear Import of Fission Yeast PAB2, but Not of Human PABPN1
Authors: Mallet Pierre‐Luc , Bachand François
Published: December 2012

Nuclear poly(A)‐binding proteins (PABPs) are evolutionarily conserved proteins that play key roles in eukaryotic gene expression. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the major nuclear PABP, Pab2, functions in the maturation of small nucleolar RNAs as well as in nuclear RNA decay. Despite knowledge about its nuclear functions, nothing is known about how Pab2 is imported into the nucleus. Here, we show that Pab2 contains a proline‐tyrosine nuclear localization signal (PY‐NLS) that is necessary and sufficient for its nuclear localization and function. Consistent with the role of karyopherin β2 (Kapβ2)‐type receptors in the import of PY‐NLS cargoes, we show that the fission yeast ortholog of human Kapβ2, Kap104, binds to recombinant Pab2 and is required for Pab2 nuclear localization. The absence of arginine methylation in a basic region N‐terminal to the PY‐core motif of Pab2 did not affect its nuclear localization. However, in the context of a sub‐optimal PY‐NLS, we found that Pab2 was more efficiently targeted to the nucleus in the absence of arginine methylation, suggesting that this modification can affect the import kinetics of a PY‐NLS cargo. Although a sequence resembling a PY‐NLS motif can be found in the human Pab2 ortholog, PABPN1, our results indicate that neither a functional PY‐NLS nor Kapβ2 activity are required to promote entry of PABPN1 into the nucleus of human cells. Our findings describe the mechanism by which Pab2 is imported into the nucleus, providing the first example of a PY‐NLS import system in fission yeast. In addition, this study suggests the existence of alternative or redundant nuclear import pathways for human PABPN1.
Analysis of Laminar Slip-Flow Thermal Transport in Microchannels With Transverse Rib and Cavity Structured Superhydrophobic Walls at Constant Heat Flux
Authors: Maynes D. , Webb B. W. , Crockett J. , Solovjov V.
Published: December 2012

This paper presents an analytical investigation of the thermal transport in a parallel-plate channel comprised of superhydrophobic walls. An analytical solution is obtained for the thermally developing state, however, it is the condition far downstream from the entrance where the temperature field exhibits repeating periodic streamwise variation that is of primary interest here. The superhydrophobic walls considered in this paper exhibit alternating microribs and cavities positioned perpendicular to the flow direction and the transport scenario analyzed is that of constant wall heat flux through the rib surfaces with negligible thermal transport through the vapor cavity interface. Axial conduction is neglected in the analysis and the problem is one of Graetz flow with apparent slip-flow and periodicity of constant heating. Closed form solutions for the local Nusselt number and wall temperature are presented and are in the form of infinite series expansions. Previously, it has been shown that significant reductions in the overall frictional pressure drop can be expected relative to the classical smooth channel laminar flow. The present results reveal that the overall thermal transport is markedly influenced by the relative cavity region (cavity fraction), the relative rib/cavity module width, and the flow Peclet number. The following conclusions can be made regarding thermal transport for a constant heat flux channel exhibiting the superhydrophobic surfaces considered: (1) Increases in the cavity fraction lead to decreases in the average Nusselt number; (2) Increasing the relative rib/cavity module length yields a decrease in the average Nusselt number; and (3) as the Peclet number increases the average Nusselt number increases. For all parameters explored, the limiting upper bound on the fully developed average Nusselt number corresponds to the limiting case scenario of classical laminar flow through a smooth-walled channel with constant heat flux.
Unsteady Magnetohydrodynamic Free Convection Flow Past a Semi-Infinite Permeable Moving Plate Through Porous Medium With Chemical Reaction and Radiation Absorption
Authors: El-dabe Nabil T. M. , Hassan Mohamed A. , Godh Wessam A.
Published: December 2012

The effect of the chemical reaction and radiation absorption on the unsteady free convective flow of an incompressible viscous fluid through porous medium past a semi-infinite vertical permeable moving plate is studied. The system is stressed by a uniform transverse magnetic field. The system equations are derived for the flow over a vertical plate and the resulting nonlinear coupled differential equations are solved numerically by finite difference technique. Also, the case of the flow over a horizontal plate was studied analytically by using the perturbation technique. A comparison between the case of vertical and horizontal flow was illustrated graphically to access the accuracy of our numerical calculations, and the results show an excellent agreement. The effects of various parameters on the velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are presented graphically and the physical aspects of the problem are highlighted and discussed.