bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of a Dysphonic Population Referred for Voice Assessment and/or Voice Therapy
Authors: De Bodt Marc , Van den Steen Leen , Mertens Fons , Raes Jan , Van Bel Lieve , Heylen Louis , Pattyn Jos , Gordts Frans , van de Heyning Paul
Published: January 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to define patient characteristics of a dysphonic population in terms of voice disorder, gender, age, and subjective and objective vocal parameters and to explore the relevant characteristics of the most frequent groups of voice disorders. Patients and Methods: Patient records from 4,447 subjects referred for voice assessment and/or voice therapy were analyzed. Results: Significantly more cases of dysphonia were structural as compared to nonstructural. This significant difference was found in almost all age groups. Significantly more women were diagnosed with dysphonia than men. The most common symptom was light-to-moderate hoarseness. The average voice handicap index was 31 and the average dysphonia severity index was -0.6. Vocal fold nodules (VFN), functional voice disorders (FVD) and vocal fold paralysis (VFP) were the three most frequently diagnosed vocal pathologies and were analyzed in detail. Women were found to be significantly more vulnerable to FVD, VFN and cysts, whereas men were significantly more often diagnosed with carcinoma, hyperkeratosis, laryngitis, papillomatosis, presbyphonia, puberphonia and VFP. Conclusions: The results of this study allow a better estimation of the clinical needs and costs for a specific dysphonic population looking for help and highlight the gender-related risks of specific voice disorders.
IL-4 Modulates CCL11 and CCL20 Productions from IL-1β-Stimulated Human Periodontal Ligament Cells
Authors: Hosokawa Yoshitaka , Hosokawa Ikuko , Shindo Satoru , Ozaki Kazumi , Matsuo Takashi
Published: January 2016

Background/Aims: IL-4 is a multifunctional cytokine that is related with the pathological conditions of periodontal disease. However, it is uncertain whether IL-4 could control T cells migration in periodontal lesions. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of IL-4 on CCL11, which is a Th2-type chemokine, and CCL20, which is related with Th17 cells migration, productions from human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs). Methods: CCL20 and CCL11 productions from HPDLCs were monitored by ELISA. Western blot analysis was performed to detect phosphorylations of signal transduction molecules in HPDLCs. Results: IL-1β could induce both CCL11 and CCL20 productions in HPDLCs. IL-4 enhanced CCL11 productions from IL-1β-stimulated HPDLCs, though IL-4 inhibited CCL20 production. Western blot analysis showed that protein kinase B (Akt) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)6 pathways were highly activated in IL-4/IL-1β-stimulated HPDLCs. Akt and STAT6 inhibitors decreased CCL11 production, but enhanced CCL20 production in HPDLCs stimulated with IL-4 and IL-1β. Conclusions: These results mean that IL-4 enhanced Th2 cells migration in periodontal lesion to induce CCL11 production from HPDLCs. On the other hand, IL-4 inhibits Th17 cells accumulation in periodontally diseased tissues to inhibit CCL20 production. Therefore, IL-4 is positively related with the pathogenesis of periodontal disease to control chemokine productions in periodontal lesions.
Shaping Public Health Initiatives in Kidney Diseases: The Peer Kidney Care Initiative
Authors: Wetmore James B. , Gilbertson David T. , Collins Allan J.
Published: January 2016

Background: While broad-based societal efforts to improve public health have targeted disorders such as cardiovascular disease and cancer for several decades, efforts devoted to kidney disease have developed only more recently. The Peer Kidney Care Initiative, a novel effort designed to address knowledge gaps in the care of patients with kidney disease, examines key disease processes, the roles of geography and seasonality on outcomes, and longitudinal trends in outcomes over time. Summary: Admissions for gastrointestinal bleeds increased approximately 28% between 2004 and 2011 in prevalent patients. Infection with Clostridium difficile increased nearly 70% between 2003 and 2010 in patients within a year of initiation. Admissions for heart failure in prevalent patients decreased approximately 25% between 2004 and 2012, but admissions for volume overload increased a nearly equal amount. Incidence rates varied substantially by geographic region, such that unadjusted rates in the highest region were nearly double than those in the lowest. There was seasonal variation in all-cause mortality of approximately 15-20% in both incident and prevalent patients, suggesting a link between cardiovascular events and seasonally related environmental conditions. New cases of end-stage renal disease fell from 385 per million population in 2003 to 344 in 2012, a decline of approximately 10%. Key Messages: Peer complements existing kidney disease epidemiologic efforts by examining specific actionable disease entities, exploring geographic variation in care, highlighting the role of seasonality on outcomes, and emphasizing the importance of trending outcomes over time as overall societal progress is being made.
Simultaneous Measurement of Breathing Kinematics and Surface Electromyography of Chest Wall Muscles during Maximum Performance and Speech Tasks in Children: Methodological Considerations
Authors: Clair-Auger Joanna M. , Gan Liu Shi , Norton Jonathan A. , Boliek Carol A.
Published: January 2016

Objective: To develop a standardized paediatric protocol for acquiring simultaneous chest wall kinematics and surface electromyography (EMG) of chest wall muscles during maximum performance and speech tasks. Patients and Methods: Eighteen healthy participants included: (a) a younger age group (n = 6; ages 4.0-6.5 years), (b) an older age group (n = 6; ages 7.0-10.5 years), and (c) an adult group (n = 8; ages 21-33 years). A child (age 10 years) with spastic-type cerebral palsy (CP) served as a ‘proof of protocol feasibility'. Chest wall kinematics and surface EMGs (intercostals, rectus abdominus, external oblique, latissimus dorsi, and erector spinae) were acquired during maximum performance and speech tasks. Results: Successful calibration of the EMG signal and reliable detection of muscle activation onset, offset, and amplitude relative to vital capacity and percent maximum voluntary contraction in children were demonstrated. Kinematic and surface EMG measurements were sensitive to non-speech and speech tasks, age, and neurological status (i.e. CP). Conclusion: The simultaneous measurement of kinematics and EMG of the chest wall muscle groups provides a more comprehensive description of speech breathing in children. This protocol can be used for the observation and interpretation of clinical outcomes seen in children with motor speech disorders following treatments that focus on increasing overall respiratory and vocal effort.
Protocol for the Evaluation of Speech Intelligibility in Dysarthrias: Evidence of Reliability and Validity
Authors: dos Santos Barreto Simone , Zazo Ortiz Karin
Published: January 2016

Background/Aims: Studies about the reliability and validity of intelligibility measures are fundamental to direct their use and interpretation in both clinical and research settings. The present study assessed inter-rater reliability, internal consistency and criterion validity of scores for the sentence and word subtests of the Protocol for the Evaluation of Speech Intelligibility (PESI). Methods: This study included 180 adult volunteers who were divided into three groups: 30 speakers with dysarthria, 30 control speakers and 120 listeners. Intelligibility scores were calculated according to the percentage of words correctly transcribed in each subtest: words in sentences and single words. Results: The intelligibility measurements exhibited a high level of inter-rater reliability for sentences [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.94] and for single words (ICC = 0.96). The items from the single words subtest of the PESI revealed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93). The measurement of intelligibility of sentences and single words had a high discriminatory power (0.82 and 0.95, respectively), with high sensitivity and specificity, particularly for scores in the single words subtest. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence of the reliability and validity of the PESI.
Application of Laser Phoresis in Complicated Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
Authors: Belyaeva Elena Alexandrovna , Khadartsev Alexander A. , Fedorischev Igor Alexandrovich , Sazonov Albert Sergeevich
Published: January 2016

This study presents postmenopausal osteoporosis as a feature of metabolic systemic diseases of the skeleton, with abnormalities of the bone microarchitecture and reduction in bone mineral density, leading to an increased risk of fractures with a low level of trauma. The neurological manifestations of such fractures are uncharacteristic, representing a differential diagnostic indication. There is a change of posture in the form of hyperkyphosis of the thoracic spine and loss of height due to the increase in the number of modified vertebrae. The age of these patients is between 66 and 68 years, which limits the use of traditional analgesic preparations. The ionized gel ‘Giasulf' was applied in 29 cases according to the developed technology. The description of the composition of the gel that provides maximum analgesic effect, reinforced by the influence of laser radiation on the cell membranes, is presented. A significant antinociceptive effect was obtained.
RRx-001-Induced Tumor Necrosis and Immune Cell Infiltration in an EGFR Mutation-Positive NSCLC with Resistance to EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: A Case Report
Authors: Brzezniak Christina , Schmitz Bruno A. , Peterson Paul G. , Degesys Aiste , Oronsky Bryan T. , Scicinski Jan J. , Caroen Scott Z. , Carter Corey A.
Published: January 2016

We present the case of a 49-year-old male with metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive adenocarcinoma of the lung that continues to outlive stage IV diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer after treatment with RRx-001, an experimental anticancer agent with epigenetic and immunologic activity, in the context of a phase II clinical trial called TRIPLE THREAT. Currently, no adequate treatment options exist for patients with EGFR mutation-positive tumors who have failed a 1st-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib or gefitinib) treatment and do not develop a resistant mutation. Biopsy of a large pancreatic metastasis after RRx-001 demonstrated extensive necrosis with CD3+ and CD8+ immune cell infiltration that appears to correlate with prolonged survival despite end-stage disease. These results suggest that the mode of action of RRx-001 is related to immune stimulation in addition to epigenetic inhibition.
A Marca Rio: o turismo nos documentários sobre a cidade
Authors: Freitas Ricardo Ferreira , Gotardo Ana Teresa , Sant'anna Cristina Nunes
Published: January 2016

O artigo trata da cidade do Rio de Janeiro como marca, memória e centro turístico, abordando dois documentários estrangeiros de televisão sobre turismo: 1000 places to see before you die, estadunidense, exibido pela primeira vez na rede TLC em 2007 e baseado em livro homônimo; e Brazil with Michael Palin, transmitido em 2012 pela rede britânica BBC. As exibições apresentam clichês sobre o Brasil e o Rio de Janeiro como cidade-mercadoria. Por esse viés, a cidade do Rio e a Marca Rio se reelaboram e influenciam a produção de conteúdos sobre o imaginário e a memória, consolidando a visão turística clássica.
As vozes e o silêncio em Cartola, música para os olhos.
Authors: Puccini Sérgio
Published: January 2016

O artigo apresenta uma análise do documentário Cartola, música para
os olhos (2007), de Lírio Ferreira e Hilton Lacerda, tendo como foco
questões relacionadas à articulação das vozes e ao uso do silêncio.
O documentário se vale de um amplo e diversificado material de
arquivo que serve como base para os relatos obtidos por meio de uma
grande lista de depoimentos. Dentro de um contexto excessivamente
verborrágico, a noção de silêncio irá adquirir sentido singular.
Felicidade com vista para o mar: a construção discursiva do relacionamento amoroso na série 3 Teresas
Authors: Dantas Sílvia Góis
Published: January 2016

Este trabalho busca uma aproximação com a série televisiva 3 Teresas
(GNT, 2013-2014), a fim de investigar a construção de sentidos da
identidade feminina no discurso ficcional. Com abordagem qualitativa
amparada na teoria da Análise de Discurso de linha francesa, tratase
de um estudo de caso que apresenta como pano de fundo duas
importantes questões da contemporaneidade: a busca contínua da
felicidade e a supervalorização feminina do amor. A análise indica
como esses aspectos se entrelaçam e reverberam na enunciação da
personagem Teresa, vivida pela atriz Denise Fraga.
Arquiteturas de um corpo utópico no coletivo As Travestidas
Authors: Farias Júnior Manoel Moacir
Published: January 2016

Este artigo expõe uma visão cartográfica sobre três peças do coletivo As Travestidas, de Fortaleza. Busca um diálogo com ideias de Foucault e Preciado sobre corpo e política como questões importantes para esses artistas e que estão presentes em seus processos de criação.
Congenital Heart Defects and Indices of Fetal Cerebral Growth in a Nationwide Cohort of 924 422 Liveborn Infants
Authors: Matthiesen Niels B. , Henriksen Tine B. , Gaynor J. William , Agergaard Peter , Bach Cathrine C. , Hjortdal Vibeke E. , Østergaard John R.
Published: January 2016

Background—

Neurodevelopmental disorders are the most common and distressful comorbidities associated with congenital heart defects (CHD). Head circumference at birth (HC), a proxy for prenatal cerebral growth, is an established risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Methods and Results—

In a nationwide cohort, we included all 924 422 liveborn Danish singletons, 1997 to 2011. CHD was present in 5519. The association between CHD and growth indices was analyzed by multivariable linear regression, adjusted for potential confounders. We report mean differences in gestational age–specific
z
scores in comparison with the general population. CHD was associated with lower HC
z
scores, –0.10 (95% confidence interval [CI], –0.13 to –0.08). Several CHD subtypes were associated with smaller HC, eg, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, –0.39 (95% CI, –0.58 to –0.21); common arterial trunk, –0.41 (95% CI, –0.74 to –0.09); and major ventricular septal defects, –0.25 (95% CI, –0.35 to –0.15). Other single-ventricle defects, transposition of the great arteries, tetralogy of Fallot, and anomalous pulmonary venous return, were also associated with smaller HC. Transposition of the great arteries was associated with smaller HC relative to birth weight, –0.26 (95% CI, –0.39 to –0.13). Major ventricular septal defects were associated with larger HC relative to birth weight. The results were consistent under various conditions, eg, when siblings of infants with CHD (n=5311) or infants with other major malformations (n=24 974) were used as the reference.

Conclusions—

Several subtypes of CHD were associated with smaller HC. The associations with major ventricular septal defects, common arterial trunk, and anomalous pulmonary venous return have not previously been described. Only infants with transposition of the great arteries had smaller HC relative to birth weight.
Thrombus Length Estimation on Delayed Gadolinium–Enhanced T1
Authors: Yan Shenqiang , Chen Qingmeng , Xu Mengjun , Sun Jianzhong , Liebeskind David S. , Lou Min
Published: January 2016

Background and Purpose—

Previous studies revealed a close relationship between thrombus length and recanalization rate after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). As a novel approach, we prospectively adjusted the order of sequence acquisition to obtain delayed gadolinium–enhanced T1 (dGE-T1) and thereby assess thrombus length on dGE-T1 to evaluate its predictive value for recanalization after IVT.

Methods—

We reviewed prospectively collected clinical and imaging data from acute ischemic stroke patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion who underwent multimodal magnetic resonance imaging before and 24 hours after IVT. Perfusion-weighted imaging was performed followed by conventional T1. We measured thrombus length on dGE-T1 and examined its association with middle cerebral artery recanalization.

Results—

Of the included 74 patients, the median age was 66 years and 28 (37.8%) were women. Thrombus length was 8.18±4.56 mm on dGE-T1, which was an acceptable predictor for no recanalization (odds ratio, 1.196; 95% confidence interval, 1.015–1.409;
P
=0.033), with a receiver–operator characteristic of 0.732 (95% confidence interval, 0.619–0.845;
P
=0.001). The optimal cut-off point was identified at 6.77 mm, which yielded a sensitivity of 77.8%, a specificity of 57.9%, and an odds ratio of 4.81 (95% confidence interval, 1.742–13.292;
P
=0.002). Moreover, no one achieved recanalization after IVT when length of thrombus exceeded 14 mm on dGE-T1.

Conclusions—

The dGE-T1, obtained by simply adjusting scanning order in multimodal magnetic resonance imaging protocol, is a useful tool for thrombus length estimation and middle cerebral artery recanalization prediction after IVT.
Animal Difference, Sexual Difference, and the Daughter of Jephthah
Authors: Stone Ken
Published: January 2016

As many commentators note, the daughter of Jephthah is given as a burnt offering while Isaac is spared by divine intervention and animal substitution. Thus the sacrifice of Jephthah’s daughter raises questions about the relationships among sexual difference, animal difference, and human sacrifice in the Bible. This article explores such questions in dialogue with the interdisciplinary “animal turn” in the humanities and social sciences. The daughter of Jephthah is one of several women in biblical literature whose fate involves an association with domesticated animals. Attention to both the gendered structure of biblical households and the domestication of “companion species” (Donna Haraway) is crucial for understanding their stories. In addition, Jonathan Klawans’ symbolic theory of sacrifice proposes analogical relations between Israelites and the domesticated animals they cared for, and God and the Israelites who desired God’s care. Perhaps against Klawans’ intentions, his theory helps us understand child sacrifice as a problematic but logical consequence of metaphors that structure biblical symbolism and biblical sacrifice. By virtue of their continued existence in the realm of the domesticated after marriage, daughters/women remain more vulnerable than sons to a potentially animalized fate.
Seasonal and geographic variation in territorial conflicts by male red-backed salamanders
Authors: Wise Sharon E. , Jaeger Robert G.
Published: January 2016

We studied seasonal and geographic variation in the territorial behaviour of male red-backed salamanders, Plethodon cinereus. We examined tail loss in the forest and aggressive and submissive behaviour in the laboratory during summer (non-courtship season) and spring and autumn (courtship seasons) at two localities in Virginia, USA. In both populations, the proportion of tail loss was highest during the spring, while aggression was higher in the summer than in the spring or autumn. Thus, aggression was not directly associated with male–male contests for females or to tail loss. Secondly, we examined geographic variation using males from eight populations varying in elevation, genetic relatedness (two genetic groups), and presence/absence of similar-sized congeners. Behaviour differed based on elevation and genetic group: residents from lower elevations were more submissive and males from one genetic group were more submissive than those from a second genetic group. Therefore, resident-intruder behaviour varied seasonally and geographically.
Cuticular features of Cryptocarya (Lauraceae) from Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand and Indo-China and its taxonomic implications
Authors: Nishida Sachiko , KOK ROGIER DE , YANG YONG
Published: January 2016

Cuticular features potentially offer valuable information on phytotaxonomy, especially for plants that are difficult to classify or identify. Cryptocarya is one such difficult and poorly known genus, and we investigated its cuticular features to evaluate their taxonomic implications. We examined cutinized leaf epidermis and the stomatal complex for 21 species from Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand and Indo-China, as well as one species endemic to Borneo and one to Sumatra, and compared features among members of this group, between this group and congeners in the other countries, and between this group and the other genera of Lauraceae. Many of the Cryptocarya species studied have straight to slightly curved anticlinal epidermal walls and butterfly-shaped stomatal ledges, although some variation was seen in the ornamentation of the periclinal epidermal walls and the appearance of the stomatal complex. Based on these results, we recognized four groups and two subgroups among the South-east Asian species. Comparison with congeneric taxa in the other countries indicates that butterfly-shaped stomatal ledges are often shared among the species across the regions. However, no cuticular features occur exclusively in any of the species groups of Cryptocarya studied here, nor in the genus as a whole. We consider that cuticular features are useful in the recognition of infrageneric groups within Lauraceae, bearing in mind that they might have evolved in parallel in different genera.
Anthracoidea caricis-reznicekii (Anthracoideaceae), a new species on Carex reznicekii, and A. eburneae, a new record for the USA
Authors: Denchev Teodor T. , Denchev Cvetomir M.
Published: January 2016

A new ovariicolous smut fungus, Anthracoidea caricis-reznicekii on Carex reznicekii (C. sect. Acrocystis), is described and illustrated from the USA. The new species is compared with the known Anthracoidea species on sedges in Carex sect. Acrocystis and other closely related sections. Anthracoidea caricis-reznicekii is characterized by a complex of characters: medium-sized spores (15–24.5 μm long), thick spore wall (up to 6.0 μm thick), with conspicuous, often numerous (up to 8) protuberances, and warts 0.2–0.5 μm high. A key to the four known Anthracoidea species on sedges in section Acrocystis is provided. Anthracoidea eburneae, previously known only from Canada, is reported for the first time from the USA, on Carex eburnea.
Neothalassius, a new genus of Parathalassiinae (Diptera: Dolichopodidae s.lat.) from the Pacific coast of South America
Authors: BROOKS SCOTT E. , CUMMING JEFFREY M.
Published: January 2016

A new genus, Neothalassius gen. nov., and two new species, Neothalassius triton sp. nov. and Neothalassius villosus sp. nov., are described from rocky shorelines along the Pacific seacoast of South America. The phylogenetic placement of Neothalassius within the subfamily Parathalassiinae is discussed.
A new species of eriophyoid mite (Acari: Eriophyoidea) on Rosa sp. from Israel
Authors: DRUCIAREK TOBIASZ , LEWANDOWSKI MARIUSZ
Published: January 2016

A new species of eriophyoid mite from a hybrid of Rosa sp. (Rosaceae) found in Israel is described and illustrated. Eriophyes eremus n. sp. is a refuge-seeking type mite, inhabiting flower buds and petiole bases, causing no apparent damage to the host plant. Eighteen eriophyoid species are known to inhabit Rosa sp. and those are listed here along with type localities, damage they cause and host plant details.
Perspectives on Moist Baroclinic Instability: Implications for the Growth of Monsoon Depressions
Authors: Cohen Naftali Y. , Boos William R.
Published: January 2016

Little is known about the genesis and growth mechanisms of monsoon depressions, despite the great importance of these storms for the hydrological cycle of the Asian–Australian monsoon region. Of the few theoretical studies that have examined this issue, most have attributed the amplification of monsoon depressions to some form of baroclinic instability or stable baroclinic growth, highly modified by the diabatic effects of moist convection. Here, a simple criterion—namely, the upshear tilt of potential vorticity anomalies—is argued be necessary for dry or moist baroclinic growth. Reanalysis data are then used to assess whether a large ensemble of South Asian monsoon depressions has vertical structures consistent with this criterion. The evolution of these monsoon depressions is compared with that of ensembles of hurricanes and diabatic Rossby waves, the latter being prototypical examples of moist baroclinic instability. During their amplification phase, monsoon depressions do not exhibit an upshear tilt of potential vorticity anomalies. Many similarities are found between developing monsoon depressions and hurricanes but few with diabatic Rossby waves. Thus, the mechanism responsible for the intensification of monsoon depressions remains unknown, but these results indicate greater similarity with the general process of tropical depression spinup than with moist convectively coupled baroclinic instability.
Response of Tropical Cyclone Tracks to Sea Surface Temperature in the Western North Pacific
Authors: Katsube Kotaro , Inatsu Masaru
Published: January 2016

A set of short-term experiments using a regional atmospheric model (RAM) were carried out to investigate the response of tropical cyclone (TC) tracks to sea surface temperature (SST) in the western North Pacific. For 10 selected TC cases occurring during 2002–07, a warm and a cold run are performed with 2 and −2 K added to the SSTs uniformly over the model domain, respectively. The cases can be classified into three groups in terms of recurvature: recurved tracks in the warm and cold runs, a recurved track in the warm run and a nonrecurved track in the cold run, and nonrecurved tracks in both runs. Commonly the warm run produced northward movement of the TC faster than the cold run. The rapid northward migration can be mainly explained by the result that cyclonic circulation to the west of the TC is found in the steering flow in the warm run and it is not in the cold run. The beta effect is also activated under the warm SST environment. For the typical TC cases, a linear baroclinic model experiment is performed to examine how the cyclonic circulation is intensified in the warm run. The stationary linear response to diabatic heating obtained from the RAM experiment reveals that the intensified TC by the warm SST excites the cyclonic circulation in the lower troposphere to the west of the forcing position. The vorticity and thermodynamic equation analysis shows the detailed mechanism. The time scale of the linear response and the teleconnection are also discussed.
Taking into Account Atmospheric Uncertainty Improves Sequential Assimilation of SMOS Sea Ice Thickness Data in an Ice–Ocean Model
Authors: Yang Qinghua , Losch Martin , Losa Svetlana N. , Jung Thomas , Nerger Lars
Published: January 2016

The sensitivity of assimilating sea ice thickness data to uncertainty in atmospheric forcing fields is examined using ensemble-based data assimilation experiments with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology General Circulation Model (MITgcm) in the Arctic Ocean during November 2011–January 2012 and the Met Office (UKMO) ensemble atmospheric forecasts. The assimilation system is based on a local singular evolutive interpolated Kalman (LSEIK) filter. It combines sea ice thickness data derived from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite and Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMIS) sea ice concentration data with the numerical model. The effect of representing atmospheric uncertainty implicit in the ensemble forcing is assessed by three different assimilation experiments. The first two experiments use a single deterministic forcing dataset and a different forgetting factor to inflate the ensemble spread. The third experiment uses 23 members of the UKMO atmospheric ensemble prediction system. It avoids additional ensemble inflation and is hence easier to implement. As expected, the model-data misfits are substantially reduced in all three experiments, but with the ensemble forcing the errors in the forecasts of sea ice concentration and thickness are smaller compared to the experiments with deterministic forcing. This is most likely because the ensemble forcing results in a more plausible spread of the model state ensemble, which represents model uncertainty and produces a better forecast.
The determination of serum and urinary endocan concentrations in patients with bladder cancer
Authors: Laloglu Esra , Aksoy Hulya , Aksoy Yılmaz , Ozkaya Fatih , Akcay Fatih
Published: January 2016

Background

Endocan (endothelial cell-specific molecule-1) is a proteoglycan and plays an important role in angiogenesis and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate of serum and urinary concentrations of endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 in bladder cancer.

Methods

The study included 50 bladder cancer patients, 50 with urinary tract infection and 51 healthy volunteers. Serum and urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations were measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

In bladder cancer group, serum and urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations were significantly higher than in the healthy subjects ( P = 0.003 and P < 0.0001). Urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations in cases with urinary tract infection were higher than in healthy volunteers ( P = 0.002). There were no significant differences between bladder cancer and urinary tract infection groups in terms of serum and urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations. Urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations were higher than those of corresponding serum endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations ( P < 0.0001 for bladder cancer and urinary tract infection groups, P = 0.002 for healthy subjects). In bladder cancer group, there was a positive correlation between serum endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 and urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations ( r = 0.32, P = 0.002). For serum endothelial cell-specific molecule-1, sensitivity and specificity were 50%, and 77%, and for urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1, 62%, and 71%, respectively.

Conclusion

Serum and urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations increase in bladder cancer. This parameter also increases in serum and urine of cases with urinary tract infection. That urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 values were higher than serum endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 values in all groups may be attributed to direct exfoliation of epithelial cells in bladder to urine.
Effect of fiber parameters on physical, mechanical and water absorption behaviour of coir fiber–epoxy composites
Authors: Das Geetanjali , Biswas Sandhayarani
Published: January 2016

This paper studied the effects of fiber length and fiber content on the physical, mechanical and water absorption behavior of coir fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. Twenty different samples were prepared by varying the fiber length (3 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm and 15 mm) and fiber content (5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt% and 20 wt%) using the hand lay-up technique. The density, hardness, tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, impact energy, compressive strength, compressive modulus, inter-laminar shear strength, fracture toughness and percentage of water absorption of the composites were analyzed. The experimental investigation reveals that the void content and percent of water absorption increases with increase in fiber length and fiber content. The result shows that the density of composites increases with increase in fiber content, while a decrease in density is observed with increase in fiber length. Similarly, the tensile strength, compressive strength, inter-laminar shear strength, flexural strength, and impact strength show their maximum values at 12 mm fiber length and 15 wt% of fiber content. The hardness and tensile modulus, on the other hand, increase with increase in fiber length and fiber content. Morphological analysis is also carried out to observe the fiber pull-out and fracture behavior of the composites using scanning electron microscope.
Effect of Precede–Proceed Model on Preventive Behaviors for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in High-Risk Individuals
Authors: Moshki Mahdi , Dehnoalian Atefeh , Alami Ali
Published: January 2016

This study sought to assess the effect of precede–proceed model on preventive behaviors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in high-risk individuals. In this semi-experimental study, 164 high-risk individuals for type 2 DM were selected and were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control ( n = 85). Educational intervention was performed as a single session face-to-face instruction for 1.5 hr for the intervention group participants. Data were collected before (baseline) and immediately and 1 month after the intervention in the two groups. The mean score of predisposing (knowledge) factors ( p = .001), reinforcing factors ( p = .001), and enabling factors ( p = .02) were significantly different at baseline and 1 month after the intervention in the intervention group compared with the control group ( p < .05). A significant improvement occurred in the nutritional habits of high-risk participants in the intervention group at 1 month after the intervention compared with controls ( p = .001). The precede–proceed model can be effective for promoting the preventive behaviors for type 2 DM in high-risk individuals.
Regional Gray Matter Volume Differences Between Adolescents With ADHD and Typically Developing Controls: Further Evidence for Anterior Cingulate Involvement
Authors: Bonath Björn , Tegelbeckers Jana , Wilke Marko , Flechtner Hans-Henning , Krauel Kerstin
Published: January 2016

Objective: The present study investigated structural brain differences between adolescents with ADHD and matched control participants. Method: Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) using the DARTEL approach was performed to assess regional gray matter (GM) volumes. Additionally, individual performance on tests of attention was recorded to correlate ADHD related cognitive impairments with regional gray matter abnormalities. Results: We found significantly smaller GM volume in subjects with ADHD compared to their matched controls within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the occipital cortex, bilateral hippocampus/amygdala and in widespread cerebellar regions. Further, reductions of the ACC gray matter volume were found to correlate with scores of selective inattention. Conclusion: These findings underline that structural alterations in a widespread cortico-subcortical network seem to underlie the observable attention problems in patients with ADHD.
Long-term insulin treatment restores cardioprotection induced by sufentanil postconditioning in diabetic rat heart
Authors: Zhang Yuwen , Zhang Lei , Gu Erwei , Zhu Bingqing , Zhao Xianya , Chen Jingjing
Published: January 2016

Sufentanil, a commonly used opioid analgesic, could mimic ischemia postconditioning to attenuate ischemia reperfusion injury, but this effect might be hindered in diabetic animals by inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3β phosphorylation. Also, diabetes can abrogate the cardioprotection of sevoflurane (an inhaled anesthetic) against ischemia reperfusion injury, and short-term insulin treatment does not restore protection by sevoflurane postconditioning. We hypothesized that long-term insulin treatment might restore the cardioprotective effect of sufentanil postconditioning in diabetic rats via phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β. Streptozotocin (55 mg/kg)-induced diabetic rats received insulin (Novolin N, 6–8 u/d) for two days or two weeks, then were exposed to 30-min ischemia and 120-min reperfusion. Sufentanil postconditioning was performed 5 min before the onset of reperfusion. Controls included non-diabetic rats, sham surgery for ischemia/reperfusion, and sufentanil vehicle. Infarct size, cardiac troponin I, and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β were examined. Sufentanil postconditioning reduced infarct size by 46% in non-diabetic rats ( P < 0.001), but diabetes prevented this protective effect. Two-day insulin treatment was not effective, but two-week treatment reduced infarct size by 45% ( P < 0.001), reduced cardiac troponin I by 33% ( P < 0.001), and increased phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β levels ( P < 0.001) in the diabetic sufentanil postconditioning group. In conclusion, sufentanil-induced cardioprotection was restored by long-term insulin treatment. The underlying mechanism may be increased phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β.
LncRNA TUG1 acts as a tumor suppressor in human glioma by promoting cell apoptosis
Authors: Li Jun , Zhang Meng , An Gang , Ma Qingfang
Published: January 2016

Previous studies have revealed multiple functional roles of long non-coding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1 in different types of malignant tumors, except for human glioma. Here, it was designed to study the potential function of taurine upregulated gene 1 in glioma pathogenesis focusing on its regulation on cell apoptosis. The expression of taurine upregulated gene 1 in glioma tissues was detected by quantitative RT-PCR and compared with that in adjacent normal tissues. Further correlation analysis was conducted to show the relationship between taurine upregulated gene 1 expression and different clinicopathologic parameters. Functional studies were performed to investigate the influence of taurine upregulated gene 1 on apoptosis and cell proliferation by using Annexin V/PI staining and cell counting kit-8 assays, respectively. And, caspase activation and Bcl-2 expression were analyzed to explore taurine upregulated gene 1-induced mechanism. taurine upregulated gene 1 expression was significantly inhibited in glioma and showed significant correlation with WHO Grade, tumor size and overall survival. Further experiments revealed that the dysregulation of taurine upregulated gene 1 affected the apoptosis and cell proliferation of glioma cells. Moreover, taurine upregulated gene 1 could induce the activation of caspase-3 and-9, with inhibited expression of Bcl-2, implying the mechanism in taurine upregulated gene 1-induced apoptosis. taurine upregulated gene 1 promoted cell apoptosis of glioma cells by activating caspase-3 and -9-mediated intrinsic pathways and inhibiting Bcl-2-mediated anti-apoptotic pathways, acting as a tumor suppressor in human glioma. This study provided new insights for the function of taurine upregulated gene 1 in cancer biology, and suggested a potent application of taurine upregulated gene 1 overexpression for glioma therapy.
Pathways of retinoid synthesis in mouse macrophages and bone marrow cells
Authors: Niu Haixia , Hadwiger Gayla , Fujiwara Hideji , Welch John S
Published: January 2016

In vivo pathways of natural retinoid metabolism and elimination have not been well characterized in primary myeloid cells, even though retinoids and retinoid receptors have been strongly implicated in regulating myeloid maturation. With the use of a upstream activation sequence-GFP reporter transgene and retrovirally expressed Gal4-retinoic acid receptor α in primary mouse bone marrow cells, we identified 2 distinct enzymatic pathways used by mouse myeloid cells ex vivo to synthesize retinoic acid receptor α ligands from free vitamin A metabolites (retinyl acetate, retinol, and retinal). Bulk Kit+ bone marrow progenitor cells use diethylaminobenzaldehyde-sensitive enzymes, whereas bone marrow-derived macrophages use diethylaminobenzaldehyde-insensitive enzymes to synthesize natural retinoic acid receptor α-activating retinoids (all-trans retinoic acid). Bone marrow-derived macrophages do not express the diethylaminobenzaldehyde-sensitive enzymes Aldh1a1, Aldh1a2, or Aldh1a3 but instead, express Aldh3b1, which we found is capable of diethylaminobenzaldehyde-insensitive synthesis of all trans-retinoic acid. However, under steady-state and stimulated conditions in vivo, diverse bone marrow cells and peritoneal macrophages showed no evidence of intracellular retinoic acid receptor α-activating retinoids, despite expression of these enzymes and a vitamin A-sufficient diet, suggesting that the enzymatic conversion of retinal is not the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of intracellular retinoic acid receptor α-activating retinoids in myeloid bone marrow cells and that retinoic acid receptor α remains in an unliganded configuration during adult hematopoiesis.
A 6-Base Pair in Frame Germline Deletion in Exon 7 Of RET Leads to Increased RET Phosphorylation, ERK Activation, and MEN2A
Authors: Latteyer S. , Klein-Hitpass L. , Khandanpour C. , Zwanziger D. , Poeppel T. D. , Schmid K. W. , Führer D. , Moeller L. C. , Führer-Sakel Dagmar
Published: January 2016

Context:

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) is usually caused by missense mutations in the proto-oncogene, RET.

Objective:

This study aimed to determine the mutation underlying MEN2A in a female patient diagnosed with bilateral pheochromocytoma at age 31 years and with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) 6 years later.

Methods:

Leukocyte DNA was used for exome and Sanger sequencing. Wild-type (WT) RET and mutants were expressed in HEK293 cells. Activation of MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT was analyzed by Western blotting and luciferase assay. The effect of RET mutants on cell proliferation was tested in a colony forming assay.

Results:

Exome sequencing revealed a 6-nucleotide/2-amino acid in-frame deletion in exon 7 of RET (c.1512_1517delGGAGGG, p.505_506del). In vitro expression showed that phosphorylation of the crucial tyrosine 905 was much stronger in the p.505_506del RET mutant compared with WT RET, indicating ligand-independent autophosphorylation. Furthermore, the p.505_506del RET mutant induced a strong activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway and the PI3K/AKT pathway. Consequently, the p.505_506del RET mutant cells increased HEK293 colony formation 4-fold compared with WT RET.

Conclusion:

The finding of bilateral pheochromocytoma and MTC in our patient was highly suspicious of a RET mutation. Exome sequencing revealed a 6-base-pair deletion in exon 7 of RET, an exon not yet associated with MEN2. Increased ligand-independent phosphorylation of the p.505_506del RET mutant, increased activation of downstream pathways, and stimulation of cell proliferation demonstrated the pathogenic nature of the mutation. We therefore recommend screening the whole sequence of RET in MTC and pheochromocytoma patients with red flags for a genetic cause.
Molecular Heterogeneity in Aldosterone-Producing Adenomas
Authors: Nanba Kazutaka , Chen Andrew X. , Omata Kei , Vinco Michelle , Giordano Thomas J. , Else Tobias , Hammer Gary D. , Tomlins Scott A. , Rainey William E.
Published: January 2016

Context:

The use of next-generation sequencing has resulted in the identification of recurrent somatic mutations underlying primary aldosteronism (PA). However, significant gaps remain in our understanding of the relationship between tumor aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) expression and somatic mutation status.

Objective:

The objective of the study was to investigate tumor CYP11B2 expression and somatic aldosterone-driver gene mutation heterogeneity.

Methods:

Fifty-one adrenals from 51 PA patients were studied. Immunohistochemistry for CYP11B2 was performed. Aldosterone-producing adenomas with intratumor CYP11B2 heterogeneity were analyzed for mutation status using targeted next-generation sequencing. DNA was isolated from CYP11B2-positive, CYP11B2-negative, and adjacent normal areas from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections.

Results:

Of 51 adrenals, seven (14 %) showed distinct heterogeneity in CYP11B2 by immunohistochemistry, including six adenomas with intratumor heterogeneity and one multinodular hyperplastic adrenal with both CYP11B2-positive and -negative nodules. Of the six adrenocortical adenomas with CYP11B2 heterogeneity, three had aldosterone-regulating mutations (CACNA1D p.F747C, KCNJ5 p.L168R, ATP1A1 p.L104R) only in CYP11B2-positive regions, and one had two different mutations localized to two histologically distinct CYP11B2-positive regions (ATP2B3 p.L424_V425del, KCNJ5 p.G151R). Lastly, one adrenal with multiple CYP11B2-expressing nodules showed different mutations in each (CACNA1D p.F747V and ATP1A1 p.L104R), and no mutations were identified in CYP11B2-negative nodule or adjacent normal adrenal.

Conclusions:

Adrenal tumors in patients with PA can demonstrate clear heterogeneity in CYP11B2 expression and somatic mutations in driver genes for aldosterone production. These findings suggest that aldosterone-producing adenoma tumorigenesis can occur within preexisting nodules through the acquisition of somatic mutations that drive aldosterone production.
5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors as hypothalamic targets of developmental programming in male rats
Authors: Martin-Gronert Malgorzata S. , Stocker Claire J. , Wargent Edward T. , Cripps Roselle L. , Garfield Alastair S. , Jovanovic Zorica , D'Agostino Giuseppe , Yeo Giles S. H. , Cawthorne Michael A. , Arch Jonathan R. S. , Heisler Lora K. , Ozanne Susan E.
Published: January 2016

Though obesity is a global epidemic, the physiological mechanisms involved are little understood. Recent advances reveal that susceptibility to obesity can be programmed by maternal and neonatal nutrition. Specifically, a maternal low protein diet during pregnancy causes decreased intrauterine growth, rapid postnatal catch-up growth and increased risk for diet-induced obesity. Given that the synthesis of the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is nutritionally regulated and 5-HT is a trophic factor, we hypothesized that maternal diet influences fetal 5-HT exposure, which then influences central appetite network development and the subsequent efficacy of 5-HT to control energy balance in later life. Consistent with our hypothesis, pregnant low protein fed rat mothers exhibited elevated serum 5-HT, which was also evident in the placenta and fetal brains at E16.5. This increase was associated with a reduced hypothalamic expression of the primary 5-HT receptor influencing appetite, 5-HT2CR in the fetal brain as well as neonatal and adult hypothalamus. As expected, reduced 5-HT2CR expression was associated with impaired sensitivity to 5-HT-mediated appetite suppression in adulthood. 5-HT primarily achieves effects on appetite via 5-HT2CR stimulation of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) peptides within the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC). We reveal that 5-HT2ARs are also anatomically positioned to influence the activity of ARC POMC and that 5-HT2AR mRNA is increased in the hypothalamus of in utero growth restricted offspring that underwent rapid postnatal catch-up growth. Furthermore, these animals at 3-months of age are more sensitive to 5-HT2AR agonist-induced appetite suppression. These findings may not only reveal a 5-HT-mediated mechanism underlying programming of obesity susceptibility but also provide a promising means to correct it, via a 5-HT2AR agonist treatment.
Blocking evil infinites: A note on a note on a Peircean strategy
Authors: Stjernfelt Frederik
Published: January 2016

This brief note considers Peirce’s strategy of terminating potentially evil infinities – concerning relations, continuous predicates, leading principles, habits – by appeal to the Nota Notae principle.