bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic hepatitis B and C: Exploring perceived stigma, disease information, and health‐related quality of life
Authors: Drazic Yvonne Nelly , Caltabiano Marie Louise
Published: November 2012

Research indicates that chronic hepatitis C affects people's quality of life, but such reports are scarce about hepatitis B. This Australian study explored whether perceived stigma and satisfaction with received information and care were related to health‐related quality of life in people with chronic hepatitis B or C. A questionnaire was constructed comprising demographic questions and existing scales to measure the variables. The 77 participants were recruited through various online channels. The median age was 48 years, 74% had hepatitis C, 60% were female, and 73% were Caucasian. Participants with Hepatitis B reported substantially less perceived stigma than those with Hepatitis C, but there was no significant difference between the two groups in health‐related quality of life. Participants with Hepatitis C reported higher satisfaction with received information. The results highlight specific aspects to consider in the care of people with chronic hepatitis. For example, people with hepatitis B do not seem to enjoy better health‐related quality of life despite lower perceived stigmatization. Therefore, these patients may require other improvements in service delivery such as the provision of more culturally appropriate information and education about chronic hepatitis B.
Obesity and C‐reactive protein in various populations: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Choi J. , Joseph L. , Pilote L.
Published: November 2012

Obesity has been associated with elevated levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation and predictor of cardiovascular risk. The objective of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to estimate the associations between obesity and CRP according to sex, ethnicity and age. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched through October 2011. Data from 51 cross‐sectional studies that used body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) or waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) as measure of obesity were independently extracted by two reviewers and aggregated using random‐effects models. The Pearson correlation (r) for BMI and ln(CRP) was 0.36 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30–0.42) in adults and 0.37 (CI, 0.31–0.43) in children. In adults, r for BMI and ln(CRP) was greater in women than men by 0.24 (CI, 0.09–0.37), and greater in North Americans/Europeans than Asians by 0.15 (CI, 0–0.28), on average. In North American/European children, the sex difference in r for BMI and ln(CRP) was 0.01 (CI, −0.08 to 0.06). Although limited to anthropometric measures, we found similar results when WC and WHR were used in the analyses. Obesity is associated with elevated levels of CRP and the association is stronger in women and North Americans/Europeans. The sex difference only emerges in adulthood.
Prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of overweight in children and adolescents who underwent renal transplantation – Short‐ and medium‐term analysis
Authors: Boschetti Sofia Bonna , Nogueira Paulo Cesar Koch , Pereira Aline Maria Luiz , Fisberg Mauro , Pestana José Osmar Medina
Published: November 2012

To determine the prevalence and risk factors for (i) overweight/obesity and (ii) weight gain six months after transplantation and to study the effect of weight excess on graft function and survival. We performed a retrospective study of kidney transplanted children. Endpoints: (i) prevalence of overweight/obesity at sixth month, (ii) gaining 1.0 BMI SDS from one to six months. To study the effects of weight excess, graft function and survival at 36 months were the endpoints. The study included 197 individuals. At sixth month, 57/197 (29%) presented overweight/obesity, and the factors associated to this outcome were: (i) age at transplantation (OR = 3.04) and (ii) overweight/obesity in the first month (OR = 22.16). Groups presented no difference on graft function and survival at 36 months. From one to six months, 90/197 (46%) patients gained >1.0 BMI SDS. This outcome was associated with (i) female sex (OR = 2.50), (ii) steroids' pulses (OR = 2.98), (iii) steroids exposure (OR = 1.04), and (iv) living donor (OR = 2.69). The group that gained BMI presented a lower 36 months graft survival (86% vs. 98%, p < 0.001). Weight excess and gain after transplantation are frequent, particularly in younger female recipients and in those receiving high steroids exposure. The lower graft survival in patients with rapid weight gain deserves investigation.
Outcomes of children receiving en bloc renal transplants from small pediatric donors
Authors: Butani Lavjay , Troppmann Christoph , Perez Richard V.
Published: November 2012

The utilization of en bloc renal allografts from small pediatric donors has been adopted as an effective strategy to expand the organ donor pool in adult recipients. Data in children are limited. The aim of our study is to describe the outcomes of en bloc renal transplants in children from our center. Medical records of children receiving pediatric en bloc renal transplants at our institution from January 2007 were abstracted. Data collected included recipient and donor demographics, operative technique and complications, and post‐operative studies. Eight children received en bloc renal transplants at a median age of 17 yr; median follow‐up was 0.9 yr. Donor body weight ranged from 4 to 22 kg. One kidney was lost to intra‐operative thrombosis, while the other kidney from this en bloc graft remained viable. All grafts showed increased renal size at follow‐up ultrasound. Surveillance biopsies showed glomerulomegaly in two patients. At last follow‐up, the median eGFR was 130 mL/min/1.73 m2. The urinary protein to creatinine ratio was normal in four of seven patients. Our data suggest that in experienced centers, en bloc renal transplantation from young donors into pediatric recipients is effective. Long‐term follow‐up to monitor for complications, including hyperfiltration injury, is warranted.
Prope tolerance after pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Bourdeaux Christophe , Pire Aurore , Janssen Magda , Stéphenne Xavier , Smets Francoise , Sokal Etienne , de Magnée Catherine , Fusaro Fabio , Reding Raymond
Published: November 2012

pT, under mono‐ and infratherapeutic calcineurin inhibition, may constitute an optimal condition combining graft acceptance with low IS load and minimal IS‐related toxicity. We reviewed 171 pediatric (<15.0 yr) survivors beyond one yr after LT, transplanted between April 1999 and June 2007 under tacrolimus‐based regimens (median follow‐up post‐LT: 6.0 yr, range: 0.8–9.5 yr). Their current status regarding IS therapy was analyzed and correlated with initial immunoprophylaxis. pT was defined as tacrolimus monotherapy, with mean trough blood levels <4 ng/mL during the preceding year of follow‐up, combined with normal liver function tests. The 66 children transplanted before April 2001 received a standard tacrolimus–steroid regimen. Beyond April 2001, 105 patients received steroid‐free tacrolimus–basiliximab or tacrolimus–daclizumab immunoprophylaxis. In the latter group, 43 (41%) never experienced any acute rejection episode and never received steroids. In the long term, a total of 79 recipients (47%) developed pT (n = 73) or IS‐free operational tolerance (n = 6), 27 of them belonging to the 43 steroid‐free patients (63%). In contrast, only 52/128 (41%) children treated with steroids subsequently developed prope/operational tolerance (p = 0.012). Steroid‐free tacrolimus‐based IS seems to promote long‐term graft acceptance under minimal/no IS. These results constitute the first evidence that minimization of IS, including steroid avoidance, might be tolerogenic in the long term after pediatric LT.
Mode of First Delivery and Women's Intentions for Subsequent Childbearing: Findings from the First Baby Study
Authors: Kjerulff Kristen H. , Velott Diana L. , Zhu Junjia , Chuang Cynthia H. , Hillemeier Marianne M. , Paul Ian M. , Repke John T.
Published: November 2012

Background

More than a dozen studies have reported a reduced rate of childbearing after caesarean delivery (CD). It has been hypothesised that this is because women who deliver by CD are less likely to intend to have subsequent children than women who deliver vaginally – either before childbirth or as a consequence of CD. Little research has addressed either of these hypotheses.

Methods

As part of an ongoing prospective study, we interviewed 3006 women in their third trimester and 1 month after first childbirth to assess subsequent childbearing intentions.

Results

Women who delivered by CD were similar to those who delivered vaginally in intent to have at least one additional child, both before childbirth (90.1% vaginal, 89.9% CD; P = 0.97) and after (87.8% vaginal, 87.1% CD; P = 0.87); however, women who had CD were less likely to intend two or more additional children, both before childbirth (34.7% vaginal, 29.2% CD; P = 0.03) and after (32.2% vaginal, 26.1% CD; P = 0.01). Among women who intended to have at least one additional child before childbirth, 5.0% reported intending to have no additional children 1 month after delivery (5.1% vaginal, 4.6% CD; P = 0.52).

Conclusions

Women whose first delivery is by CD are less likely to intend a relatively large family of three or more children than those who deliver vaginally, but delivery by CD does not decrease women's intentions to have at least one more child any more than does vaginal delivery, at least in the short term.
Evidence that an evolutionary transition from dehiscent to indehiscent fruits in Lepidium (Brassicaceae) was caused by a change in the control of valve margin identity genes
Authors: Mühlhausen Andreas , Lenser Teresa , Mummenhoff Klaus , Theißen Günter
Published: November 2012

In the Brassicaceae, indehiscent fruits evolved from dehiscent fruits several times independently. Here we use closely related wild species of the genus Lepidium as a model system to analyse the underlying developmental genetic mechanisms in a candidate gene approach. ALCATRAZ (ALC), INDEHISCENT (IND), SHATTERPROOF1 (SHP1) and SHATTERPROOF2 (SHP2) are known fruit developmental genes of Arabidopsis thaliana that are expressed in the fruit valve margin governing dehiscence zone formation. Comparative expression analysis by quantitative RT‐PCR, Northern blot and in situ hybridization show that their orthologues from Lepidium campestre (dehiscent fruits) are similarly expressed at valve margins. In sharp contrast, expression of the respective orthologues is abolished in the corresponding tissue of indehiscent Lepidium appelianum fruits, indicating that changes in the genetic pathway identified in A. thaliana caused the transition from dehiscent to indehiscent fruits in the investigated species. As parallel mutations in different genes are quite unlikely, we conclude that the changes in gene expression patterns are probably caused by changes in upstream regulators of ALC, IND and SHP1/2, possible candidates from A. thaliana being FRUITFULL (FUL), REPLUMLESS (RPL) and APETALA2 (AP2). However, neither expression analyses nor functional tests in transgenic plants provided any evidence that the FUL or RPL orthologues of Lepidium were involved in evolution of fruit indehiscence in Lepidium. In contrast, stronger expression of AP2 in indehiscent compared to dehiscent fruits identifies AP2 as a candidate gene that deserves further investigation.
Seasonal periodicity of plankton and benthic fauna community structure and diversity in a small North African reservoir
Authors: Iskaros Isaac A. , El‐Otify Ahmed M.
Published: November 2012

Aquatic biota in terms of phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthic fauna were qualitatively and quantitatively followed seasonally during 2007 in a North African small reservoir, Aswan Reservoir. Simultaneously, seasonal variations in water quality were investigated in order to determine how far the aquatic biota could be altered by physicochemical and biotic factors. In phytoplankton of the investigated reservoir, 75 species belonging to four systematic groups were recorded, comprising 11 Cyanoprokaryota, 24 Bacillariophyceae, 2 Dinophyceae and 38 Chlorophyceae. Most numerous zooplankton were Rotifera (23 species). Cladocera and Copepoda were less numerous, with only seven and three species, respectively. Early development stages of copepods, nauplii and copepodites were sometimes recorded in considerable numbers. Twenty‐two invertebrate species related to five animal groups were exclusively benthic fauna: three Oligochaeta, nine Mollusca, seven larvae of Chironomidae, one Platyhelminthes, one Hirudinea and one Decapoda. Generally, the estimated values of phytoplankton species richness were relatively higher than those of zooplankton or benthic fauna. In particular, phytoplankton was influenced by physicochemical factors – water transparency, salinity and soluble reactive silica contents – as well as biotic factors – zooplankton and benthic fauna. Levels of pH value, Mg+2, NO3‐N and chlorophyll‐a contents appeared to be the most influential parameters dictating the pattern of seasonal periodicity of benthic fauna. Numerically, the phytoplankton was somewhat more abundant in winter and autumn than in spring or summer. The peak of zooplankton population densities was observed in spring season. Benthic fauna tended to be abundant in summer and autumn seasons, showing a reverse seasonal trend from that of zooplankton. Cyanoprokaryota and Bacillariophyceae were the most important groups that determined the seasonal fluctuation pattern of phytoplankton. Rotifera and Copepoda were the most predominant groups influencing the seasonal periodicity of zooplankton. Oligochaeta and Mollusca alternated the dominancy of benthic fauna community in Aswan Reservoir.
The complex colonization history of nocturnal geckos (Paroedura) in the Comoros Archipelago
Authors: Hawlitschek Oliver , Glaw Frank
Published: November 2012

Hawlitschek, O. & Glaw, F. (2012). The complex colonization history of nocturnal geckos (Paroedura) in the Comoros Archipelago. —Zoologica Scripta, 00, 000–000.

Oceanic islands have attracted special attention from evolutionary biologists because their mostly species‐poor, but highly endemic biota are exposed to selection regimes different to those of their mainland relatives. While many groups of oceanic islands worldwide have been used as natural laboratories of evolutionary biology, few such studies have been performed on the Comoros Archipelago in the Western Indian Ocean. We study Paroedura sanctijohannis Günther 1879, a nocturnal gecko endemic to this archipelago as only species of an otherwise Malagasy endemic genus. According to our phylogeny, P. sanctijohannis is not monophyletic, the population of the geologically oldest island Mayotte is clustering with related Malagasy species. We describe this population as Paroedura stellata sp.n. and provide morphological evidence distinguishing it from other Paroedura species. A molecular clock analysis shows that genetic divergence within P. sanctijohannis of the youngest island Grand Comoro is higher than expected based on its geological age. Additionally, this population is paraphyletic with respect to the population of the older island Anjouan, suggesting that the latter island was colonized long after its initial emergence, possibly after extinction of an original Paroedura population. Furthermore, we find that P. stellata sp.n. and P. sanctijohannis are more similar to each other than to other Paroedura species regarding adult coloration and juvenile coloration. Because these two species are not each other’s closest relatives, we discuss possible explanations for this pattern and suggest that it represents convergent adaptation to a relaxed insular selection regime.
Dilemma of One Common Central Bank in a Heterogeneous Monetary Union
Authors: Menguy Séverine
Published: November 2012

The paper studies the appropriate weight that the central bank of a heterogeneous monetary union should give to each specific country. To stabilize symmetric shocks, the central bank should give a bigger weight to the countries where the rigidity in the labor market and the sensibility of the demand to the interest rate are the highest, whereas equally weighting each country is justified for asymmetric shocks. Moreover, the central bank should overweight the country which has a smaller preference for sustaining the economic activity and a higher preference for stabilizing public expenditures• JEL Classification: E52, E63
Asymmetric Transmission of Monetary Policy in Europe: a Markov-switching Approach
Authors: Hendricks Torben , Kempa Bernd
Published: November 2012

This paper addresses the question of whether the common monetary policy of the European Central Bank is transmitted asymmetrically within the Euro area. To this end, we employ a Markov switching model to identify a credit channel of monetary policy transmission and investigate whether the credit channel is active or passive across four Euro-area countries (France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands) as well as the United Kingdom at any given point in time. We find the timing and the duration of the regime switches into and out of the credit channel regime to be fairly synchronous for France, Germany and Italy, while being more heterogeneous for both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The asymmetry of the credit channel documented in this paper suggests that the heterogeneity of the monetary transmission mechanism is still very much present in the Euro area. This heterogeneity poses serious policy problems for the European Central Bank (ECB), as monetary policy continues to exert differential impacts across individual member countries of the monetary union. Also, it constitutes a convincing reason of why the ECB, the European Commission and a number of national governments actively push for further liberalization of financial markets in Europe.• JEL Classification: C22, F36, F42
China as an Integrated Area?
Authors: Poncet Sandra , Barthélemy Jean
Published: November 2012

This paper documents business cycles' fluctuations in Chinese provinces. China's de facto federalism, within a context of great geographical and economic diversity, suggests the great importance of policy coordination between provinces. We investigate the role of various potential determinants of provincial business cycles' synchronization. We consider exogenous factors like distance and size as well as policy factors such as industrial, fiscal and trade policy. Results emphasize the benefits of domestic trade and local fiscal policy rationalization on the stabilization of output fluctuations. However, they also identify international trade and local economic policy heterogeneity as growing centrifugal forces.• JEL Classification: E32, F41, E63
The Economics and Politics of Safeguards - Political Economy of the Japanese Safeguard System for Agricultural Goods -
Authors: Harimaya Kozo , Kagitani Koichi , Tominaga Hirofumi
Published: November 2012

This paper investigates the effect of political factors on safeguards. We present a simple model to show the relationship between political factors and safeguards, and empirically examine whether the Japanese safeguard system was influenced by the political factors. Our empirical analysis shows that the Japanese safeguard system for agricultural products is not neutral to the WTO Agreement on Safeguards and it is distorted due to political reasons.• JEL Classification: F13, D72, D73
Quantum-State Resolved Bimolecular Collisions of Velocity-Controlled OH with NO Radicals
Authors: Kirste Moritz , Wang Xingan , Schewe H. Christian , Meijer Gerard , Liu Kopin , van der Avoird Ad , Janssen Liesbeth M. C. , Gubbels Koos B. , Groenenboom Gerrit C. , van de Meerakker Sebastiaan Y. T.
Published: November 2012

When Molecules Collide

As advances in computing power and algorithm design parallel the increasing sophistication of experimental apparatus, theory and measurement are perpetually trading places as to which can detail the dynamics of molecular interactions more precisely. At present, collisions of an atom with a diatomic molecule can be studied comparably in both domains. In contrast, collisions of two diatomics each bearing an unpaired electron manifest too many degrees of freedom for computational quantum mechanics.

Kirste
et al.

(p.
1060
) have now experimentally resolved the rotational dynamics of one such case—the inelastic scattering of NO + OH—and find that a simplified theoretical model focusing on long range interactions predicts the outcome surprisingly well. Such approximations could render many analogous systems moderately predictable.
The Origin of the Moon
Authors: Halliday Alex N.
Published: November 2012

Model simulations provide a new picture of how the Earth-Moon system may have formed.
As Open Access Explodes, How to Tell the Good From the Bad and the Ugly?
Authors: Enserink Martin
Published: November 2012

At a meeting last month, science funding agencies, publishers, librarians, and journal editors discussed two proposed yardsticks for quality in open-access journals but failed to come up with clear answers.
Korea Tackles a Mushrooming Problem
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: November 2012

Rapid socioeconomic changes, a burgeoning elderly population, and cultural influences may all play roles in the surge in suicide in Korea, both in South Korea and elsewhere in the region.
Primary retroperitoneal echinococcal cyst
Authors: Gavriilidis Paschalis , Ananiadis Ananias , Theodoulidis Vasilios , Barbanis Sotirios
Published: November 2012

A 74-year-old man was admitted with right flank pain and discomfort lasting for 2 months. CT scanning revealed a large retroperitoneal cystic mass. There were no cysts elsewhere. Serological testing revealed hydatid disease. Preoperatively he was treated by Albendazole 400 mg for 1 month and then underwent laparotomy. The entire mass was excised en bloc and intact and right hemicolectomy was simultaneously performed for excision of the adhered ascending colon. He recovered uneventfully and was discharged on the eighth day, Albendazole was given and follow-up visits were arranged for every 6 months. Total cystectomy in case of active echinococcal cysts remains the treatment of choice.
An unusual intracardiac image
Authors: Lahlou Zineb , Salimi Soundousse , Dehbi Fatima
Published: November 2012

One of the most serious complications in cardiovascular surgery is the unintentional deposit of material and surgical instruments. Very few articles portray these complications in children. This is not the case with regard to interventional and surgical cardiovascular procedures in adults. We report a case concerning a cystic heart image related to a cardiac iatrogenic foreign body in a girl of 14 years. She has been operated 13 years ago for patent ductus arteriosus and aortic stenosis and currently she is admitted for a cyanosis and a dyspnoea.
Combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium
Authors: Xue Kanmin , Mellington Faye , Gout Irina , Rokerya Sofia , Olurin Oyinkan Ibironke , El-Amir Ahmed
Published: November 2012

We report two cases of combined hamatoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (CHR-RPE), illustrated with ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography, fundus fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography images. CHR-RPE could clinically mimic several other retinal conditions. Failure to distinguish it from serious malignancies such as choroidal melanoma or retinoblastoma has led to unnecessary enucleation in the past. Through these case reports and a review of literature, we show the diagnostic features of CHR-RPE, its key differential diagnoses and the management options.
Two unusual variants of Guillain-Barre syndrome
Authors: Verma Rajesh , Chaudhari Tejendra S
Published: November 2012

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a group of autoimmune diseases characterised by acute, acquired and immune-mediated polyneuroradiculopathy. A large number of clinical subtypes of GBS have been described over last 100 years since the first description of this syndrome. We report two such cases GBS variants—first, AMAN with brisk reflexes and second being acute motor axonal neuropathy with conduction block. Through this case report, we intend to make the treating physicians and neurologist aware of these rare variants so that such cases would be appropriately diagnosed and treated.
Information transfer to out-of-hours co-operatives: a survey of general practitioners’ views in relation to palliative patients
Authors: Kiely Fiona , Murphy Marie , O'Brien Tony
Published: November 2012

Background

In Ireland, weekend and night medical cover for community based patients is largely provided by general practice co-operatives. Doctors working in this service do not have direct access to patients’ medical records which challenges continuity of care.

Objectives

This study investigates the opinion of general practitioners (GPs) on the potential value of a formalised method of information transfer regarding their palliative patients to out-of-hours GP co-operatives. The survey was designed to identify the information that is necessary to offer appropriate anticipated end-of-life care.

Methods

A questionnaire was sent to all 414 GPs registered in the Irish Medical Directory in the southwest of Ireland. Data were analysed with Microsoft Excel and SPSS V.12.0.

Results

52% response rate with exclusion of incomplete questionnaires allowed analysis of 212 data sets. Currently, 82% of GPs do not routinely transfer information pertaining to end-of-life issues to the out-of-hours service. Despite this, 96% would value a standardised way of transferring information. 67% felt they sometimes refer unnecessarily to hospital emergency departments due to lack of information. The most important items of information identified by study participants are as follows:

▸ Diagnosis (97%)

▸ Medications (94%)

▸ Patient insight (91%)

▸ Patient wishes regarding end-of-life care (90%)

▸ Anticipated problems and suggested management(90%).

Conclusions

A structured format for information transfer regarding end-of-life care is deemed important by GPs when working on-call at night and weekends. Diagnosis, patient preference and management plans are valued.
Bariatric surgery: a best practice article
Authors: Neff Karl John Hans , le Roux Carel W
Published: November 2012

Bariatric surgery can effectively reduce body weight and treat obesity associated metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. There are also benefits for an individual's functional status and psychological health. A multi-disciplinary evaluation should be offered to the individual as the first essential step in considering bariatric surgery as a treatment. This evaluation should include a thorough medical assessment, as well as psychological and dietetic assessments. In this best practice article, we outline the current recommendations for referral for bariatric surgery. We also present the data for pre-operative assessment before bariatric surgery, with particular reference to cardiovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnoea. We describe the literature on outcomes after bariatric surgery, including the results for mortality, weight loss, remission of diabetes and associated endocrine disorders such as hypogonadism. Within this review, we will illustrate the impact of bariatric surgery on self-image, psychological health and perceived health and functional status. Finally, we briefly detail the potential complications of bariatric surgery, and offer advice on post-operative care and surveillance.
MicroRNAs are suitable for assessment as biomarkers from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue, and miR-24 represents an appropriate reference microRNA for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma studies
Authors: Culpin Rachel Emily , Sieniawski Michal , Proctor Stephen John , Menon Geetha , Mainou-Fowler Tryfonia
Published: November 2012

Tissue biopsy specimens in the form of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPET) represent a valuable resource for biomarker identification and validation. However, to date, they remain an underused asset due to uncertainty regarding RNA extraction and the reliability of downstream techniques, including quantitative RT-PCR. Recently, much interest has emerged in the study of microRNAs; small single-stranded RNAs with a role in transcriptional regulation, that are thought to be well preserved in FFPET. In this study, we show that microRNA expression is comparable between FFPET and matched fresh-frozen samples (miR-17-5p: p=0.01, miR-92: p=0.003), and demonstrate that no significant deterioration in expression occurs over prolonged FFPET storage (p=0.06). Furthermore, microRNA expression is equivalent dependant on RNA extraction method (p<0.001) or DNAse treatment of total RNA (p<0.001). Finally, we validate miR-24 as a suitable reference microRNA for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) FFPET studies.
GLOBAL DYNAMICS OF A CHOLERA MODEL WITH TIME DELAY
Authors: WANG YUJIE , WEI JUNJIE
Published: November 2012

The global dynamics of a cholera model with delay is considered. We determine a basic reproduction number R0 which is chosen based on the relative ODE model, and establish that the global dynamics are determined by the threshold value R0. If R0 < 1, then the infection-free equilibrium is global asymptotically stable, that is, the cholera dies out; If R0 > 1, then the unique endemic equilibrium is global asymptotically stable, which means that the infection persists. The results obtained show that the delay does not lead to periodic oscillations. Finally, some numerical simulations support our theoretical results.
ADVANCED OPTICAL TECHNIQUES TO EXPLORE BRAIN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
Authors: SILVESTRI L. , MASCARO A. L. ALLEGRA , LOTTI J. , SACCONI L. , PAVONE F. S.
Published: November 2012

Understanding brain structure and function, and the complex relationships between them, is one of the grand challenges of contemporary sciences. Thanks to their flexibility, optical techniques could be the key to explore this complex network. In this manuscript, we briefly review recent advancements in optical methods applied to three main issues: anatomy, plasticity and functionality. We describe novel implementations of light-sheet microscopy to resolve neuronal anatomy in whole fixed brains with cellular resolution. Moving to living samples, we show how real-time dynamics of brain rewiring can be visualized through two-photon microscopy with the spatial resolution of single synaptic contacts. The plasticity of the injured brain can also be dissected through cutting-edge optical methods that specifically ablate single neuronal processes. Finally, we report how nonlinear microscopy in combination with novel voltage sensitive dyes allow optical registrations of action potential across a population of neurons opening promising prospective in understanding brain functionality. The knowledge acquired from these complementary optical methods may provide a deeper comprehension of the brain and of its unique features.
Ambulatory Assessment
Authors: Trull Timothy J. , Ebner-Priemer Ulrich
Published: November 2012

Ambulatory assessment (AA) covers a wide range of assessment methods to study people in their natural environment, including self-report, observational, and biological/physiological/behavioral. AA methods minimize retrospective biases while gathering ecologically valid data from patients' everyday life in real time or near real time. Here, we report on the major characteristics of AA, and we provide examples of applications of AA in clinical psychology (a) to investigate mechanisms and dynamics of symptoms, (b) to predict the future recurrence or onset of symptoms, (c) to monitor treatment effects, (d) to predict treatment success, (e) to prevent relapse, and (f) as interventions. In addition, we present and discuss the most pressing and compelling future AA applications: technological developments (the smartphone), improved ecological validity of laboratory results by combined lab-field studies, and investigating gene-environment interactions. We conclude with a discussion of acceptability, compliance, privacy, and ethical issues.
Mitochondria in Vascular Health and Disease
Authors: Dromparis Peter , Michelakis Evangelos D.
Published: November 2012

The eukaryote's mitochondrial network is perhaps the cell's most sophisticated and dynamic responsive sensing system. Integrating metabolic, oxygen, or danger signals with inputs from other organelles, as well as local and systemic signals, mitochondria have a profound impact on vascular function in both health and disease. This review highlights recently discovered aspects of mitochondrial function (oxygen sensing, inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis) and discusses their role in diseases of both systemic and pulmonary vessels. We also emphasize the role of mitochondria as therapeutic targets for vascular disease. We highlight the intriguing similarities of mitochondria-driven molecular mechanisms in terms of both pathogenesis and therapies in very diverse diseases, such as atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, and cancer, to support the foundation of a new field in medicine: mitochondrial medicine.
Nighttime snacking reduces whole body fat oxidation and increases LDL cholesterol in healthy young women
Authors: Hibi Masanobu , Masumoto Ayumi , Naito Yuri , Kiuchi Kahori , Yoshimoto Yayoi , Matsumoto Mai , Katashima Mitsuhiro , Oka Jun , Ikemoto Shinji
Published: November 2012

The increase in obesity and lipid disorders in industrialized countries may be due to irregular eating patterns. Few studies have investigated the effects of nighttime snacking on energy metabolism. We examined the effects of nighttime snacking for 13 days on energy metabolism. Eleven healthy women (means ± SD; age: 23 ± 1 yr; body mass index: 20.6 ± 2.6 kg/m2) participated in this randomized crossover trial for a 13-day intervention period. Subjects consumed a specified snack (192.4 ± 18.3 kcal) either during the daytime (10:00) or the night time (23:00) for 13 days. On day 14, energy metabolism was measured in a respiratory chamber without snack consumption. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed on day 15. Relative to daytime snacking, nighttime snacking significantly decreased fat oxidation (daytime snacking: 52.0 ± 13.6 g/day; nighttime snacking: 45.8 ± 14.0 g/day; P = 0.02) and tended to increase the respiratory quotient (daytime snacking: 0.878 ± 0.022; nighttime snacking: 0.888 ± 0.021; P = 0.09). The frequency of snack intake and energy intake, body weight, and energy expenditure were not affected. Total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol significantly increased after nighttime snacking (152 ± 26 mg/dl and 161 ± 29 mg/dl; P = 0.03 and 76 ± 20 mg/dl and 83 ± 24 mg/dl; P = 0.01, respectively), but glucose and insulin levels after the glucose load were not affected. Nighttime snacking increased total and LDL cholesterol and reduced fat oxidation, suggesting that eating at night changes fat metabolism and increases the risk of obesity.
Sex differences in postsynaptic sweating and cutaneous vasodilation
Authors: Gagnon Daniel , Crandall Craig G. , Kenny Glen P.
Published: November 2012

The current study aimed to determine whether a peripheral modulation of sweating contributes to the lower sudomotor thermosensitivity previously observed in females during exercise. We examined dose-response relationships in 12 males and 12 females to incremental doses of acetylcholine (ACh) and methylcholine (MCh) for sweating (ventilated capsule), as well as to ACh and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) for cutaneous vasodilation (laser-Doppler). All drugs were infused using intradermal microdialysis. On a separate day, potential sex differences in the onset threshold and/or thermosensitivity of heat loss responses were assessed during progressive increases in mean body temperature elicited by passive heating. Increases in sweating as a function of increasing concentration of ACh ( P = 0.008) and MCh ( P = 0.046) significantly differed between males and females. Although the concentration eliciting 50% of the maximal sweating response did not differ between sexes for either agonist ( P > 0.1), maximum values were lower in females in response to ACh (0.34 ± 0.12 vs. 0.59 ± 0.19 mg·min−1·cm−2, P = 0.04) and MCh (0.48 ± 0.12 vs. 0.78 ± 0.26 mg·min−1·cm−2, P = 0.05). This observation was paralleled by a lower thermosensitivity of sudomotor activity in females during passive heating (1.29 ± 0.34 vs. 1.83 ± 0.33 mg·min−1·cm−2·°C−1, P = 0.03), with no significant differences in the change in mean body temperature at which onset of sweating occurred (0.85 ± 0.19 vs. 0.67 ± 0.13°C, P = 0.10). No sex differences in cutaneous vasodilation were observed in response to ACh and SNP, as well as during passive heating (all P > 0.1). These findings provide direct evidence for a peripheral modulation of sudomotor activity in females. In contrast, sex does not modulate cutaneous vasodilation.
Telehealth for Expanding the Reach of Early Autism Training to Parents
Authors: Vismara Laurie A. , Young Gregory S. , Rogers Sally J.
Published: November 2012

Although there is consensus that parents should be involved in interventions designed for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), parent participation alone does not ensure consistent, generalized gains in children’s development. Barriers such as costly intervention, time-intensive sessions, and family life may prevent parents from using the intervention at home. Telehealth integrates communication technologies to provide health-related services at a distance. A 12 one-hour per week parent intervention program was tested using telehealth delivery with nine families with ASD. The goal was to examine its feasibility and acceptance for promoting child learning throughout families’ daily play and caretaking interactions at home. Parents became skilled at using teachable moments to promote children’s spontaneous language and imitation skills and were pleased with the support and ease of telehealth learning. Preliminary results suggest the potential of technology for helping parents understand and use early intervention practices more often in their daily interactions with children.
A Signal Coordination Control Based on Traversing Empty between Mid‐Block Street Crossing and Intersection
Authors: Zheng Changjiang , Ma Genghua , Wu Jinhua , Zhang Xiaoli , Zhang Xiaolei
Published: November 2012

To solve the problem in pedestrian Mid‐Block street crossing, the method of signal coordination control between mid‐block street crossing and intersection is researched in this paper. The paper proposes to use “distance‐flow rate‐time” graph as the tool for building coordination control system model which is for different situations of traffic control. Through alternating the linear optimization model, the system outputs the distribution of signal timing and system operational factors (delays in vehicles and mid‐block street crossing). Finally, taking one section on the Taiping North Road in Nanjing as an example, the signal coordination control is carried out. And the results which are delays in the vehicles and mid‐block street crossing are compared to those in the current distribution of signal timing.
Robust Position Control of PMSM Using Fractional‐Order Sliding Mode Controller
Authors: Huang Jiacai , Li Hongsheng , Chen YangQuan , Xu Qinghong
Published: November 2012

A new robust fractional‐order sliding mode controller (FOSMC) is proposed for the position control of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The sliding mode controller (SMC), which is insensitive to uncertainties and load disturbances, is studied widely in the application of PMSM drive. In the existing SMC method, the sliding surface is usually designed based on the integer‐order integration or differentiation of the state variables, while in this proposed robust FOSMC algorithm, the sliding surface is designed based on the fractional‐order calculus of the state variables. In fact, the conventional SMC method can be seen as a special case of the proposed FOSMC method. The performance and robustness of the proposed method are analyzed and tested for nonlinear load torque disturbances, and simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is more robust and effective than the conventional SMC method.
Preventive and Protective Properties ofZingiber officinale(Ginger) in Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic Complications, and Associated Lipid and Other Metabolic Disorders: A Brief Review
Authors: Li Yiming , Tran Van H. , Duke Colin C. , Roufogalis Basil D.
Published: November 2012

Zingiber officinale(ginger) has been used as herbal medicine to treat various ailments worldwide since antiquity. Recent evidence revealed the potential of ginger for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Data fromin vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials has demonstrated the antihyperglycaemic effect of ginger. The mechanisms underlying these actions are associated with insulin release and action, and improved carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The most active ingredients in ginger are the pungent principles, gingerols, and shogaol. Ginger has shown prominent protective effects on diabetic liver, kidney, eye, and neural system complications. The pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and the safety issues of ginger are also discussed in this update.
Deterioration of Thermal Barrier Coated Turbine Blades by Erosion
Authors: Swar Rohan , Hamed Awatef , Shin Dongyun , Woggon Nathanial , Miller Robert
Published: November 2012

A combined experimental and computational study was conducted to investigate the erosion of thermal barrier coated (TBC) blade surfaces by alumina particles ingestion in a single-stage turbine. In the experimental investigation, tests were performed to determine the erosion rates and particle restitution characteristics under different impact conditions. The experimental results show that the erosion rates increase with increased impingement angle, impact velocity, and temperature. In the computational simulations, an Euler-Lagrangian two-stage approach is used in obtaining numerical solutions to the three-dimensional compressible Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations and the particles equations of motion in each blade passage reference frame. User defined functions (UDFs) were developed to represent experimentally based correlations for particle surface interaction models and TBC erosion rates models. UDFs were employed in the three-dimensional particle trajectory simulations to determine the particle rebound characteristics and TBC erosion rates on the blade surfaces. Computational results are presented in a commercial turbine and a NASA-designed automotive turbine. The similarities between the erosion patterns in the two turbines are discussed for uniform particle ingestion and for particle ingestion concentrated in the inner and outer 5% of the stator blade span to represent the flow cooling of the combustor liner.
Consideration of Gyroscopic Effect in Fault Detection and Isolation for Unbalance Excited Rotor Systems
Authors: Wang Zhentao , Wahrburg Arne , Rinderknecht Stephan
Published: November 2012

Fault detection and isolation (FDI) in rotor systems often faces the problem that the system dynamics is dependent on the rotor rotary frequency because of the gyroscopic effect. In unbalance excited rotor systems, the continuously distributed unbalances are hard to be determined or estimated accurately. The unbalance forces as disturbances make fault detection more complicated. The aim of this paper is to develop linear time invariant (LTI) FDI methods (i.e., with constant parameters) for rotor systems under consideration of gyroscopic effect and disturbances. Two approaches to describe the gyroscopic effect, that is, as unknown inputs and as model uncertainties, are investigated. Based on these two approaches, FDI methods are developed and the results are compared regarding the resulting FDI performances. Results are obtained by the application in a rotor test rig. Restrictions for the application of these methods are discussed.
Pathology of aGammabaculovirusin Its Natural Balsam Fir Sawfly (Neodiprion abietis) Host
Authors: Lucarotti Christopher J. , Whittome-Waygood Beatrixe H. , Lapointe Renée , Morin Benoit , Levin David B.
Published: November 2012

TheNeodiprion abietis Gammabaculovirus(Baculoviridae: NeabNPV) is virulent, highly contagious, and infects only midgut epithelial cells of balsam fir sawfly larvae, but infections can carry through to adult sawflies in the midgut. Larval infections are characterized by hypertrophy of midgut epithelial cell nuclei, where virogenic stromata develop to produce nucleocapsids that are singly enveloped before occlusion into occlusion bodies. Infected, occlusion body-laden cells slough from the midgut epithelium as a result of a dissolution of the basal lamina. Infected cells undergo lysis, and viral occlusion bodies exit affected larvae in a watery diarrhea to infect other balsam fir sawfly larvae. A budded virus stage was not observed, but nucleocapsid and occlusion body formation resembled the development of occlusion-derived virions and occlusion bodies in lepidopteran alphabaculoviruses.
Transportation Structure Analysis Using SD‐MOP in World Modern Garden City: A Case Study in China
Authors: Xu Jiuping , Yang Jing , Yao Liming
Published: November 2012

The idea of the “garden city” was developed theoretically to offer solutions to serious city development problems such as traffic congestion, population, and environmental pollution, among which the transportation is considered the most important. The question is how to develop balanced transportation in a garden city. Transportation is a complex system, particularly in a garden city. Therefore, we establish a new approach named the transportation multiobjective optimization system dynamics  (SD‐MOP) model, which firstly calculates the optimal proportion of different transport means with an MOP approach and then applies them to the dynamic transportation system to analyze the results and analyze the influence on the whole system using different transportation means variation. In this paper, we take Chengdu as an example, one of the few cities in the world declared as building a garden city, and then develop some recommendations about world modern garden city transportation system development.
The Association of Depression and the Cardiovascular Risk Factors of Blood Pressure, HbA1c, and Body Mass Index among Patients with Diabetes: Results from the Translating Research into Action for Diabetes Study
Authors: Kimbro Lindsay B. , Steers W. Neil , Mangione Carol M. , Duru O. Kenrik , Ettner Susan L.
Published: November 2012

Diabetic patients are nearly three times as likely to have depression as their nondiabetic counterparts. Patients with diabetes are already at risk for poor cardiovascular health. Using cross-sectional data from the translating research into action for diabetes (TRIAD) study, the authors tested the association of depression with cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients. Depression was measured using the patient health questionnaire (PHQ8). Patients who scored greater than 9 on the PHQ8 were classified as depressed and were compared with those who were not depressed(n=2,341). Depressed patients did not have significantly different blood pressure levels than those who were not depressed. However, those who were depressed had higher HbA1c levels than those who were not depressed(P<0.01)and higher BMIs than those who were not depressed(P<0.01). These results indicate that depressed diabetic patients are at greater risk of having poor control of cardiovascular risk factors and suggest that depression screening should be a standard practice among this patient group.