bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A hard pill to swallow: a qualitative study of women's experiences of adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer
Authors: Harrow Alison , Dryden Ruth , McCowan Colin , Radley Andrew , Parsons Mark , Thompson Alastair M , Wells Mary
Published: June 2014

Objective

To explore women's experiences of taking adjuvant endocrine therapy as a treatment for breast cancer and how their beliefs about the purpose of the medication, side effects experienced and interactions with health professionals might influence adherence.

Design

Qualitative study using semistructured, one-to-one interviews.

Setting

2 hospitals from a single health board in Scotland.

Participants

30 women who had been prescribed tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole or letrozole) and had been taking this medication for 1–5 years.

Results

Women clearly wished to take their adjuvant endocrine therapy medication as prescribed, believing that it offered them protection against breast cancer recurrence. However, some women missed tablets and did not recognise that this could reduce the efficacy of the treatment. Women did not perceive that healthcare professionals were routinely or systematically monitoring their adherence. Side effects were common and impacted greatly on the women’s quality of life but did not always cause women to stop taking their medication, or to seek advice about reducing the side effects they experienced. Few were offered the opportunity to discuss the impact of side effects or the potential options available.

Conclusions

Although most women in this study took adjuvant endocrine therapy as prescribed, many endured a range of side effects, often without seeking help. Advice, support and monitoring for adherence are not routinely offered in conventional follow-up settings. Women deserve more opportunity to discuss the pros, cons and impact of long-term adjuvant endocrine therapy. New service models are needed to support adherence, enhance quality of life and ultimately improve survival. These should ideally be community based, in order to promote self-management in the longer term.
How common are symptoms? Evidence from a New Zealand national telephone survey
Authors: Petrie Keith J , Faasse Kate , Crichton Fiona , Grey Andrew
Published: June 2014

Objective

To assess the frequency of symptoms in a general population sample over the previous week and the associations between symptom reporting and demographic factors, medical visits and medication use.

Design

A representative general population sample (n=1000) was recruited using random digit dialling. Participants were asked whether they had experienced any of a list of 46 symptoms in the previous 7 days and if so, whether the symptom was mild, moderate or severe. Demographic data and information on medical visits and medication use were also collected.

Results

Symptom reporting was very common. The median number of symptoms reported by participants in the previous week was 5 with only 10.6% of participants reporting no symptoms. The five most common symptoms in the previous 7 days were: back pain (38%), fatigue (36%), headache (35%), runny or stuffy nose (34%) and joint pain (34%). The five symptoms rated highest in terms of severity were sexual difficulties, vomiting, tremor, suicidal thoughts and sleep problems. Symptom reporting was significantly positively associated with medical visits in the previous year and current medication taking. Women reported a significantly greater number of symptoms. We found no significant association between age or household size and symptom reporting.

Conclusions

This population-based study found that symptoms are more commonly experienced in the general population than previously estimated and are strongly associated with healthcare visits. Appreciation of the high prevalence of symptoms may help normalise the experience of symptom reports among the general population.
Maternal urinary iodine concentration in pregnancy and children's cognition: results from a population-based birth cohort in an iodine-sufficient area
Authors: Ghassabian Akhgar , Steenweg-de Graaff Jolien , Peeters Robin P , Ross H Alec , Jaddoe Vincent W , Hofman Albert , Verhulst Frank C , White Tonya , Tiemeier Henning
Published: June 2014

Objective

Reports from populations with an insufficient iodine intake suggest that children of mothers with mild iodine deficiency during pregnancy are at risk for cognitive impairments. However, it is unknown whether, even in iodine-sufficient areas, low levels of iodine intake occur that influence cognitive development in the offspring. This study investigated the association between maternal low urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in pregnancy and children's cognition in a population-based sample from a country with an optimal iodine status (the Netherlands).

Setting and participants

In 1525 mother–child pairs in a Dutch multiethnic birth cohort, we investigated the relation between maternal UIC<150 μg/g creatinine, assessed <18 weeks gestation and children's cognition.

Outcomes measures

Non-verbal IQ and language comprehension were assessed during a visit to the research centre using Dutch test batteries when the children were 6 years.

Results

In total, 188 (12.3%) pregnant women had UIC<150 μg/g creatinine, with a median UIC equal to 119.3 μg/g creatinine. The median UIC in the group with UIC>150 μg/g creatinine was 322.9 μg/g and in the whole sample 296.5 μg/g creatinine. There was a univariate association between maternal low UIC and children's suboptimum non-verbal IQ (unadjusted OR=1.44, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.02). However, after adjustment for confounders, maternal low UIC was not associated with children's non-verbal IQ (adjusted OR=1.33, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.93). There was no relation between maternal UIC in early pregnancy and children's language comprehension at 6 years.

Conclusions

The lack of a clear association between maternal low UIC and children's cognition probably reflects that low levels of iodine were not frequent and severe enough to affect neurodevelopment. This may result from the Dutch iodine fortification policy, which allows iodised salt to be added to almost all processed food and emphasises the monitoring of iodine intake in the population.
Predictors and outcomes of early coronary angiography in patients with prior coronary artery bypass surgery presenting with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Asrar ul Haq Muhammad , Rudd Nima , Mian Mueed , Castles Anastasia , Mogilevski Tamara , Mutha Vivek , Van Gaal William J
Published: June 2014

Introduction

The best strategy in patients with prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) who present with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) remains less well defined. We compare the characteristics, therapeutic interventions and outcomes of patients with prior CABG presenting with NSTEMI.

Methods

All patients who presented to our hospital during 2007–2012 with available electronic records were analysed retrospectively. Outcomes were compared between patients who underwent coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus those who were treated medically.

Results

A total of 117 patients were analysed. Of that, 79 patients were managed medically while 38 underwent early angiography, of which only 11 (9.5%) received PCI. Patients treated medically (did not undergo angiography) were older (74±10 vs70±8; p=0.05). ECG changes were the only independent predictor for early angiography (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.99; p=0.05) while recurrent chest pain (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.97; p=0.05) predicted PCI on multivariate analysis. The PCI group had higher Global Registry of Acute Cardiac Events (GRACE) score (176±29 vs 150±31; p=0.01). No significant difference was found in readmission rates, morbidity (unstable angina pectoris, NSTEMI, ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), or combination) or mortality at 12 months between the groups who underwent angiography, PCI, or treated medically on univariate and multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

The opportunity to intervene in prior CABG patients presenting with NSTEMI is often low. Initial medical management may be a reasonable option in carefully selected patients particularly in the absence of ongoing symptoms, ECG changes or very high GRACE scores. Further studies are required to evaluate the safety of non-invasive strategies in managing this population.
Interaction between access choice and pharmacotherapy for coronary intervention: the results of a UK survey
Authors: Kinnaird Tim D , Ossei-Gerning Nicholas , Mitra Rito , Anderson Richard A
Published: June 2014

Introduction

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has changed significantly over the past decade with the uptake of radial access and the development of newer and more potent antiplatelets and safer antithrombins. This survey examined the default access route and pharmacology choice and their interaction in UK interventional practice.

Methods

An email-based survey invited interventional cardiologists to answer questions regarding arterial access and pharmacology use during PCI. Respondents were categorised into femoral, radial and radial+(if the other radial was used rather than femoral if the right radial attempt failed). Data were analysed using χ2or the Student t test.

Results

81% of the 204 respondents reported the radial artery as their default access site with a significant interaction between years since qualification and access choice (21.1 years for radial+vs 23 years for radial (p=0.027) vs 26.6 years for femoral (p=0.013) vs radial (p=0.0005) vs radial+). There were 19 different combinations of access and pharmacology reported. For non-ST elevation myocardial infarction PCI, there was a significant trend for radial+and radial operators to favour ticagrelor or tailored therapy versus femoral operators (54.8% vs 47.8% vs 35%, respectively, p=0.018). For primary PCI (PPCI), radial+and radial operators were much more likely to choose ticagrelor or prasugrel than femoral operators (77.2% (p<0.001) vs 73.9% (p=0.023) vs 50%, respectively (p<0.0001) for trend). For PPCI, glycoprotein inhibitor use was similar between groups (26.1% vs 25%, not significant); radial operators were much more likely to choose bivalirudin (52.8% vs 10%, p<0.0001) and much less likely to use heparin only (19.8% vs 65%, p<0.0001) than femoral operators.

Conclusions

There is a significant interaction between years since qualification and access choice. Although there is no established consensus on access site or drugs, default radial operators are significantly more likely to utilise new generation antiplatelets and bivalirudin than femoral operators.
Cardiac troponin I but not cardiac troponin T adheres to polysulfone dialyser membranes in an in vitro haemodialysis model: explanation for lower serum cTnI concentrations following dialysis
Authors: Gaze David C , Collinson Paul O
Published: June 2014

Background

Elevated serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and I (cTnI) can occur in patients with chronic kidney disease. Differences in cTn concentrations between cTnT and cTnI have been reported but the mechanism of such discrepancy has not been investigated. This study investigates the clearance of cTn with the aid of an in vitro model of haemodialysis (HD).

Methods

Serum was obtained before and after a single session of dialysis from 53 patients receiving HD and assayed for cTnT and cTnI. An in vitro model of the dialysis process was used to investigate the mechanism of clearance of cTn during HD.

Results

Serum cTnI was significantly lower (p=0.043) following a session of HD whereas cTnT concentrations were similar to those obtained before HD.

Using an in vitro model of dialysis, it was demonstrated that cTnI is not dialysed from the vascular compartment but adheres to the dialyser membrane.

Conclusions

The adherence of cTnI to the dialyser membrane is responsible for the observed decrease in serum cTnI following a session of dialysis. The adherence of cTnT or T-I-C complex to the dialyser membrane could not be demonstrated and supports the observation that pre-HD and post-HD serum concentrations of cTnT are similar.
Risk factors for faecal colonisation with Escherichia coli producing extended‐spectrum and plasmid‐mediated AmpC β‐lactamases in dogs
Authors: Belas A. , Salazar A. S. , Gama L. T. da , Couto N. , Pomba C.
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors for faecal carriage of extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL) and plasmidic AmpC β‐lactamase (pAmpC) Escherichia coli producers in dogs. A three‐month cross‐sectional study was conducted and 151 rectal swabs were obtained from healthy dogs. ESBL and pAmpC genes were detected by PCR and were sequenced. Logistic regression models were used to investigate risk factors for the carriage of ESBL and pAmpC‐producing E. coli. About 15 per cent of the isolates carried ESBL genes (bla CTX‐M‐32 n=8, bla CTX‐M‐15 n=5, bla CTX‐M‐1 n=3, bla CTX‐M‐9‐like n=4) and 20 per cent carried pAmpC genes (bla CMY‐2 n=23, blaCMY‐2‐like n=2). Thirteen dogs carried an E. coli isolate with both an ESBL and a pAmpC gene. One E. coli isolate harboured the human bla DHA‐1 pAmpC gene, which has not been previously reported in companion animals in Europe. Dogs with a history of antimicrobial therapy in the past year had a higher risk of being carriers of ESBL‐producing (P=0.003, OR =7.85) and pAmpC‐producing (P=0.005, OR=6.28) E. coli. Dogs from shelter/breeders were approximately three times more likely to have an ESBL‐ or a pAmpC‐producing E. coli than dogs from private owners. Males have a reduced risk of carrying a pAmpC‐producing E. coli than females (P=0.017, OR =0.28). The knowledge of potential risk factors may help to limit the impact of resistance through implementation of effective control measures and judicious antimicrobial therapy.
Effects of short-term energy deficit on muscle protein breakdown and intramuscular proteolysis in normal-weight young adults
Authors: Carbone John W. , Pasiakos Stefan M. , Vislocky Lisa M. , Anderson Jeffrey M. , Rodriguez Nancy R.
Published: June 2014

The effects of short-term energy deficit (ED) on direct measures of muscle proteolysis and the intracellular mechanisms by which muscle proteins are degraded at rest and following aerobic exercise are not well described. This study evaluated the effects of a short-term diet-induced ED, on muscle fractional breakdown rate (FBR), intramuscular 26S proteasome activity, caspase-3 activation, and PSMA2 and MAFbx expression at rest, in the postabsorptive state, and following a single bout of moderate aerobic exercise (45 min at 65% peak oxygen uptake). Six men and 4 women participated in two 10-day diet interventions: weight maintenance (WM) followed by ED (80% estimated energy requirements). Dietary protein (1.5 g·kg−1·day−1) intake was constant for WM and ED. Mixed muscle FBR, proteasome activity, and intracellular proteolytic factor expression were measured using stable isotope methodology, fluorescent enzyme activity assays, and Western blotting, respectively. Overall, FBR and caspase-3 activation increased 60% and 11%, respectively, in response to ED (P < 0.05), but were not influenced by exercise. During ED, 26S proteasome α-subunit PSMA2 expression was 25% higher (P < 0.05) after exercise compared with rest. Exercise did not influence PSMA2 expression during WM, and MAFbx expression and 26S proteasome activity were not affected by ED or exercise. These data illustrate the effects of short-term, moderate ED on muscle protein degradation. In the context of skeletal muscle integrity during weight loss interventions, this work demonstrates a need for further investigations aimed at mitigating muscle loss associated with energy deficit imposed for intentional reduction of total body weight.
Effect of sample disturbance on triaxial and oedometer behaviour of a stiff and heavily overconsolidated clay
Authors: Berre Toralv
Published: June 2014

The tests in this investigation were performed on a natural soft clay with plasticity index around 32%, which was K0consolidated to a vertical stress of 2942 kPa and then K0unloaded to a vertical stress of 74 kPa (i.e., to the “in situ” stress). The specimens so created were disturbed in various ways to study the effect of sample disturbance on the stress–strain relationships during undrained shearing and during drained K0loading (i.e., K0triaxial and oedometer tests). The results for two testing alternatives may be summarized as follows. Alternative 1: Allow the specimen to swell at the correct in situ effective stresses, but accept an initial water content that is higher than the in situ value. This alternative was found to give the best stress–strain relationships around the in situ effective stresses for undrained triaxial tests, but with undrained shear strength values up to about 20% too low, due to the swelling taking place during consolidation to the in situ effective stresses. Alternative 2: Prevent swelling by starting the test at effective stresses that are higher than the in situ stresses, but with a water content that is closer to the in situ value than if alternative 1 is chosen. Using only isotropic stresses prior to shearing, this alternative was found to give better undrained shear strength values (although up to about 14% too high) but strain values much too small around the in situ effective stresses. For oedometer tests, only alternative 2 was investigated. Also, for these tests, the strains around the in situ stress were too small, but preconsolidation stresses estimated from stress–strain curves were typically only around 60% of the true value.
Stratigraphic and chronologic analysis of the Warren Beach, northwest Ohio, USA
Authors: Higley Melinda C. , Fisher Timothy G. , Jol Harry M. , Lepper Kenneth , Martin-Hayden James M.
Published: June 2014

The current understanding of Lake Warren as a proglacial lake stage in the Lake Erie basin during the last deglaciation is based on limited stratigraphic information from strandlines and a wide range of radiocarbon ages. The purpose of this study is to use ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating to reconstruct the stratigraphy, depositional environment, and age of the Oak Openings Ridge (OOR), a former strandline of Lake Warren in northwestern Ohio. Both sedimentary exposures and >4 km of GPR data were used to demonstrate that the OOR is a barrier spit that migrated from the northeast to the southwest, and is currently blanketed by an aeolian sheet. Sediments observed in exposures show a shallowing-up sequence attributed to the retreat of proglacial lakes from the area. Corresponding GPR data reveal three distinct GPR facies. The lowermost radar facies 1 (RF1) is a sandy barrier spit platform of a lower beach face prograding across finer-grained lacustrine mud or till. Eroded into RF1 is an upper beach face of RF2, the top of which is visible in cutbank and borrow pit exposures. Overlying the RF2 beach face is uppermost unit RF3, consisting of low-relief, aeolian parabolic dunes and sand sheets. Four OSL ages from a climbing ripple sequence in RF2 average 14.2 ± 0.5 ka, consistent with an earlier published OSL age of 14.1 ± 1.0 ka (Campbell et al. in 2011) from the same unit. From earlier work, the overlying aeolian dunes (RF3) record westerly winds after formation of the OOR, and OSL dating records episodic activity from the Younger Dryas chronozone to ∼8000 years ago. The results suggest that the OOR formed in two phases. First, a barrier spit prograded into Lake Warren from the northeast. Second, parabolic sand dunes and a sand sheet formed episodically for ∼5000 years thereafter. The sediment source for the sand body is from southeast Michigan, but it is of uncertain origin.
Short- and long-term growth characteristics associated with tree mortality in southwestern mixed-conifer forests
Authors: Kane Jeffrey M. , Kolb Thomas E.
Published: June 2014

Continued increases in global temperatures and incidences of drought have been implicated in elevated tree mortality in many regions, prompting interest in better understanding tree mortality processes. A recent extreme drought in the southwestern U.S. (1996–2003) contributed to elevated tree mortality throughout the region. We used this event to investigate the relationship of short- and long-term tree growth characteristics to recent (1996–2008) tree mortality in the mixed-conifer forests in northern Arizona. We compared radial growth characteristics over a 50-year period between paired live and recently dead white fir (Abies concolor (Gordon & Glend.) Lindl. ex Hildebr.), limber pine (Pinus flexilis E. James), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). We found that (i) dead trees of all species typically had lower mean growth rates than live trees, (ii) dead trees of most species had a greater coefficient of variation in growth over long time periods (>20 years) than live trees, (iii) dead aspen and dead Douglas-fir trees had larger negative growth trends than live trees for some time periods, (iv) dead trees of most species had larger numbers of abrupt growth declines than live trees, and (v) a combination of short- and long-term growth characteristics distinguished live and dead trees, with greater importance of short-term growth for aspen, long-term growth for limber pine, and a mix of short- and long-term growth for white fir and Douglas-fir. These results strongly suggest that recent tree mortality in southwestern mixed-conifer forests is caused by a mixture of short- and long-term processes.
On the topology of real analytic maps
Authors: Cisneros-Molina José Luis , Seade José , Grulha Nivaldo G.
Published: June 2014

We study the topology of the fibers of real analytic maps ℝn → ℝp, n > p, in a neighborhood of a critical point. We first prove that every real analytic map-germ f : ℝn → ℝp, p ≥ 1, with arbitrary critical set, has a Milnor–Lê type fibration away from the discriminant. Now assume also that f has the Thom af-property, and its zero-locus has positive dimension. Also consider another real analytic map-germ g : ℝn → ℝk with an isolated critical point at the origin. We have Milnor–Lê type fibrations for f and for (f, g) : ℝn → ℝp+k, and we prove for these the analogous of the classical Lê–Greuel formula, expressing the difference of the Euler characteristics of the fibers Ff and Ff,g in terms of an invariant associated to these maps. This invariant can be expressed in various ways: as the index of the gradient vector field of a map [Formula: see text] on Ff associated to g; as the number of critical points of [Formula: see text] on Ff; or in terms of polar multiplicities. When p = 1 and k = 1, this invariant can also be expressed algebraically, as the signature of a certain bilinear form. When the germs of f and (f, g) are both isolated complete intersection singularities, we exhibit an even deeper relation between the topology of the fibers Ff and Ff,g, and construct in this setting, an integer-valued invariant, that we call the curvatura integra that picks up the Euler characteristic of the fibers. This invariant, and its name, spring from Gauss' theorem, and its generalizations by Hopf and Kervaire, expressing the Euler characteristic of a manifold (with some conditions) as the degree of a certain map.
Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods Based on Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Tan Chunqiao , Ma Benjiang , Wu Desheng Dash , Chen Xiaohong
Published: June 2014

Fuzziness is inherent in decision data and decision making process. In this paper, interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy set is used to capture fuzziness in multi-criteria decision making problems. The purpose of this paper is to develop a new method for solving multi-criteria decision making problem in interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy environments. First, we introduce and discuss the concept of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy point operators. Using the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy point operators, we can reduce the degree of uncertainty of the elements in a universe corresponding to an interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy set. Then, we define an evaluation function for the decision-making problem to measure the degrees to which alternatives satisfy and do not satisfy the decision-maker's requirement. Furthermore, a series of new score functions are defined for multi-criteria decision making problem based on the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy point operators and the evaluation function and their effectiveness and advantage are illustrated by examples.
User Acceptance Determinants of Information Technology Innovation in Organizations
Authors: Hameed Mumtaz Abdul , Counsell Steve
Published: June 2014

Several models have been developed for understanding and predicting user acceptance of Information Technology (IT). The study presents a meta-analysis of past findings for five determinants of user acceptance of IT. We analyzed the relative strength and impact of the relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norms, facilitating conditions and computer self-efficacy for IT user acceptance in organizations. Results of the meta-analysis confirmed the significance of all five factors on user acceptance behavior. In addition, the meta-analysis moderator effect findings showed that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were the strongest predictors for IT user acceptance.
SIMULATION OF GROWTH AND DIVISION OF 3D CELLS BASED ON FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Authors: DONG SHOUBIN , LONG ZHOU , TANG LIQUN , JIANG YI , YAN YANNAN
Published: June 2014

Adequate proliferating model including each cell's growth and division in 3D is key for the simulation of tissue growth in early stages as embryo, avascular tumor and so on. This paper proposed a novel model to perform the simulation based on a nonlinear finite element method. With the mechanism of cellular growth controlled by total energy of volume and surface of cells, the surface of each cell is divided by triangular elements and the nodal displacements determine the variation of the cellular surface and volume uniquely when cells grow. The nonlinear finite element equations of nodal displacements were deduced by the minimum energy increment in each growth's step. Further, by using the volume-based algorithm to determine cellular division and the modified penalty function method, the nonlinear procedure of the cellular proliferation (growth-division-regrowth) was solved. The numerical results show that the method can simulate both tissue and tissue's every cell well in each growth-division step, and will do great help to model the growth of varied tissues in their early stages.
Local spectral equidistribution for degree two Siegel modular forms in level and weight aspects
Authors: Dickson Martin
Published: June 2014

We prove an equidistribution result for the Satake parameters of the local representations attached to Siegel cusp forms of degree 2 of increasing level and weight, counted with a certain arithmetic weight. We then apply this to compute the symmetry type of a similarly weighted distribution of the low-lying zeros of L-functions attached to these cusp forms.
The unit group of finite group algebra of a generalized dihedral group
Authors: Makhijani Neha , Sharma R. K. , Srivastava J. B.
Published: June 2014

Let [Formula: see text] be a generalized dihedral group of order 2n and 𝔽qbe a finite field having q elements. In this note, we establish the structure of the unit group of [Formula: see text] for any odd n ≥ 3. This extends a result due to Kaur and Khan [Units in 𝔽2D2p, J. Algebra Appl. 13(2) (2014) 9pp., doi: 10.1142/S0219498813500904] as well as a result due to the authors [Units in 𝔽2kD2n, Int. J. Group Theory 3(3) (2014) 25–34].
Application of factor analysis and concentration-volume fractal modeling to delineation of 3D geochemical patterns: a case study of the Jinwozi gold field, NW China
Authors: Lin Xin , Zhang Bimin , Wang Xueqiu
Published: June 2014

Delineation of vertical distribution patterns of elements in overburden over a concealed deposit is essential for determining potential upward migration mechanism of elements and for predicting undiscovered mineral deposits. The aim of this study is to identify the vertical distribution features of elements in the regolith over the Jinwozi gold field, NW China by using factor analysis (FA) and concentration-volume (C-V) fractal modeling based on the data-set generated from 70 overburden drilling boreholes. Firstly, the zones of different gold enrichment states were obtained by the C-V fractal method. Secondly, FA was utilized to define the mineralization-related element association. Finally, the C-V method was applied to the relevant association defined by FA. The results showed that: (1) the C-V fractal method distinguished four enrichment states determined by Au thresholds of 1.6, 7.9 and 39.9 ng/g and by factor scores of −1.14, 0.33 and 1.45; (2) the first factor that describes 41.5% of the common variance has positive loadings in Au, As, Sb and Mo; (3) the zones of both high Au contents and factor scores generally showed horizontally northeasterly distribution along the ductile-shearing alteration belt and vertically top-bottom symmetric distribution in the regolith over the deposit; (4) the rest of the zones determined by the C-V fractal model properly delineated the zones of low and high backgrounds and moderate Au enrichment; and (5) the moderately-enriched zones of the raw Au data are better than those of the factor scores, and the rest of the zones have the similar distributions. These results indicate that: (1) the distribution of elements in the regolith was the product of nonlinear natural processes resulting in an enrichment pattern at the surface over the deposit; and (2) the integration of FA and C-V fractal model is effective for the delineation of 3D geochemical patterns.
Direct analysis of soils by ETV-ICP-AES: a powerful tool for mineral exploration
Authors: Kaveh Farhad , Oates Christopher J. , Beauchemin Diane
Published: June 2014

A fast method for the direct analysis of soils, namely solid sampling (SS) electrothermal vapourization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ETV-ICP-AES), was validated through the accurate analysis of a soil standard reference material (SRM) using another soil SRM as a calibration standard and an Ar emission line as internal standard to compensate for sample loading effects on the plasma. Good agreement was obtained between the measured concentrations and certified values according to a Student’s t-test. The validated method was applied to the determination of the distribution of elements in depth profile soil samples from across the Talbot Lake VMS Cu-Zn prospect, in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake terrane, Manitoba, Canada. These profiles revealed that: Zn, P and Ag had anomalously high concentrations at 20–50 cm depth at 400 m, above where the easternmost part of the ore deposit is located along a 0–1000 m sampling line; Cu, Al, Ba, Pb and Hg were concentrated on the surface and at 40-cm depth mostly between 500 and 600 m; and Cl, Br and I were concentrated at depth at 400 m and over all depths at 600 m. As the geochemical anomaly is known to lie from 400 to 600 m, all these elements could be used to locate the ore. Good agreement was obtained with results by ICP mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) following aqua regia (AR) digestion, for those elements that could be determined by ICP-MS. In fact, not only is sample dissolution unnecessary but qualitative analysis by SS-ETV-ICP-AES is sufficient to obtain depth profiles, including for elements like Cl, which cannot be determined when AR is used for digestion.
Río de la Plata inner estuary (Argentina): main forms, sedimentary infill and Holocene evolution
Authors: Colombo Ferran , Serra Jordi , Rivero Lluis
Published: June 2014

The emerged part of the Río de la Plata estuary is characterized by striking coastal geomorphic features. Aerial and satellite images, field observations of the outcrops, shallow boreholes, radiometric dating of sand and shells and Ground Penetrating Radar surveys were analysed. The main sedimentary features are: a large coastal barrier (up of 220 km long), old coastal lagoons, attached beach ridge (about 210) sets distributed along 170 km, the Ibicuy sand body variously interpreted as a reworked shoal/island or delta, and cheniers. The tidal flats and the modern Paraná Delta are located in the centre and on the right side of the inner estuary. The height of the estuarine coastal barrier represents the maximum flooding surface (MFS) of the last transgression at about 6000 aBP. Other main sedimentary forms developed as a falling stage systems tract (FSST) during the sea-level drop between the aforementioned date and the present. The sea surface was about 5 m above sea-level in the inner part of the estuary during the middle-Holocene. This MFS was subsequently followed by a continuous and slow sea-level fall that controlled the generation of the large sedimentary forms developed in the innermost part of the Río de la Plata Estuary.
ERp29 regulates epithelial sodium channel functional expression by promoting channel cleavage
Authors: Grumbach Yael , Bikard Yann , Suaud Laurence , Chanoux Rebecca A. , Rubenstein Ronald C.
Published: June 2014

The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) plays a key role in the regulation of blood pressure and airway surface liquid volume. ERp29 is a 29-kDa thioredoxin-homologous endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein that has only a single cysteine instead of the usual thioredoxin CXXC motif. Our group previously demonstrated that ERp29 promotes biogenesis of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). On the basis of similarities of CFTR and ENaC trafficking, we hypothesized that ERp29 would also regulate ENaC biogenesis and functional expression. In epithelial cells, overexpression of wild-type (wt) ERp29 increased ENaC functional expression [amiloride-sensitive short-circuit current ( Isc)] in Ussing chamber experiments, as well as the abundance of the cleaved form of γ-ENaC in whole cell lysates. In contrast, siRNA-mediated depletion of ERp29 or overexpression of a mutant ERp29 lacking its single cysteine (C157S ERp29) decreased ENaC functional expression. Cells in which wt ERp29 was overexpressed had a smaller fractional increase in amiloride-sensitive Isc when trypsin was applied to the apical surface to activate uncleaved ENaC, while cells in which C157S ERp29 was overexpressed or ERp29 was depleted had a significantly greater fractional increase in amiloride-sensitive Isc in response to trypsin. Interestingly, these observations were not associated with altered expression of β-ENaC at the apical surface. Instead, ERp29 appeared to promote the interaction of β-ENaC with the Sec24D cargo recognition component of the coat complex II ER exit machinery. Together, these data support the hypothesis that ERp29 directs ENaC toward the Golgi, where it undergoes cleavage during its biogenesis and trafficking to the apical membrane.
Docosapentaenoic acid monoacylglyceride reduces inflammation and vascular remodeling in experimental pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Morin Caroline , Hiram Roddy , Rousseau Eric , Blier Pierre U. , Fortin Samuel
Published: June 2014

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have been shown to reduce inflammation and proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells under pathophysiological conditions. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of the newly synthesized docosapentaenoic acid monoacylglyceride (MAG-DPA) on key signaling pathways in pulmonary hypertension (PH) pathogenesis has yet to be assessed. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of MAG-DPA on pulmonary inflammation and remodeling occurring in a rat model of PH, induced by a single injection of monocrotaline (MCT: 60 mg/kg). Our results demonstrate that MAG-DPA treatment for 3 wk following MCT injection resulted in a significant improvement of right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and a reduction in Fulton's Index (FI). Morphometric analyses revealed that the wall thickness of pulmonary arterioles was significantly lower in MCT + MAG-DPA-treated rats compared with controls. This result was further correlated with a decrease in Ki-67 immunostaining. Following MAG-DPA treatments, lipid analysis showed a consistent increase in DPA together with lower levels of arachidonic acid (AA), as measured in blood and tissue samples. Furthermore, in MCT-treated rats, oral administration of MAG-DPA decreased NF-κB and p38 MAPK activation, leading to a reduction in MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGF expression levels in lung tissue homogenates. Altogether, these data provide new evidence regarding the mode of action of MAG-DPA in the prevention of pulmonary hypertension induced by MCT.
Role of estrogens and age in flow-mediated outward remodeling of rat mesenteric resistance arteries
Authors: Tarhouni K. , Freidja M. L. , Guihot A. L. , Vessieres E. , Grimaud L. , Toutain B. , Lenfant F. , Arnal J. F. , Loufrani L. , Henrion D.
Published: June 2014

In resistance arteries, a chronic increase in blood flow induces hypertrophic outward remodeling. This flow-mediated remodeling (FMR) is absent in male rats aged 10 mo and more. As FMR depends on estrogens in 3-mo-old female rats, we hypothesized that it might be preserved in 12-mo-old female rats. Blood flow was increased in vivo in mesenteric resistance arteries after ligation of the side arteries in 3- and 12-mo-old male and female rats. After 2 wk, high-flow (HF) and normal-flow (NF) arteries were isolated for in vitro analysis. Arterial diameter and cross-sectional area increased in HF arteries compared with NF arteries in 3-mo-old male and female rats. In 12-mo-old rats, diameter increased only in female rats. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression and endothelium-mediated relaxation were higher in HF arteries than in NF arteries in all groups. ERK1/2 phosphorylation, NADPH oxidase subunit expression levels, and arterial contractility to KCl and to phenylephrine were greater in HF vessels than in NF vessels in 12-mo-old male rats only. Ovariectomy in 12-mo-old female rats induced a similar pattern with an increased contractility without diameter increase in HF arteries. Treatment of 12-mo-old male rats and ovariectomized female rats with hydralazine, the antioxidant tempol, or the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker candesartan restored HF remodeling and normalized arterial contractility in HF vessels. Thus, we found that FMR of resistance arteries remains efficient in 12-mo-old female rats compared with age-matched male rats. A balance between estrogens and vascular contractility might preserve FMR in mature female rats.
Characterization of the effects of the vasopressin V2 receptor on sweating, fluid balance, and performance during exercise
Authors: Hew-Butler Tamara , Hummel Jed , Rider Brian C. , Verbalis Joseph G.
Published: June 2014

A regulatory effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on sweat water conservation has been hypothesized but not definitively evaluated. AVP-mediated insertion of sweat and salivary gland aquaporin-5 (AQP5) water channels through activation of the vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2R) remains an attractive, yet unexplored, mechanism that could result in a more concentrated sweat with resultant decreased water loss. Ten runners participated in a double-blind randomized control treadmill trial under three separate pharmacological conditions: a placebo, V2R agonist (0.2 mg desmopressin), or V2R antagonist (30 mg tolvaptan). After a familiarization trial, runners ran for 60 min at 60% of peak speed followed by a performance trial to volitional exhaustion. Outcome variables were collected at three exercise time points: baseline, after the steady-state run, and after the performance run. Body weight losses were <2% across all three trials. Significant pharmacological condition effects were noted for urine osmolality [ F = 84.98; P < 0.0001] and urine sodium concentration ([Na+]) [ F = 38.9; P < 0.0001], which verified both pharmacological activation and inhibition of the V2R at the kidney collecting duct. Plasma osmolality and [Na+] demonstrated significant exercise ( F = 26.0 and F = 11.1; P < 0.0001) and condition ( F = 5.1 and F = 3.8; P < 0.05) effects (osmolality and [Na+], respectively). No significant exercise or condition effects were noted for either sweat or salivary [Na+]. Significant exercise effects were noted for plasma [AVP] ( F = 22.3; P < 0.0001), peak core temperature ( F = 103.3; P < 0.0001), percent body weight change ( F = 6.3; P = 0.02), plasma volume change ( F = 21.8; P < 0.0001), and thirst rating ( F = 78.2; P < 0.0001). Performance time was not altered between conditions ( P = 0.80). In summary, AVP acting at V2R does not appear to regulate water losses from body fluids other than renal excretion during exercise.
Renin release: role of SNAREs
Authors: Mendez Mariela
Published: June 2014

Little is known about the molecular mechanism mediating renin granule exocytosis and the identity of proteins involved. We previously showed that soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNAREs), a family of proteins required for exocytosis, mediate the stimulated release of renin from juxtaglomerular cells. This minireview focuses on the current knowledge of the proteins that facilitate renin-granule exocytosis. We discuss the identity of potential candidates that mediate the signaling and final steps of exocytosis of the renin granule.
Sildenafil improves skeletal muscle oxygenation during exercise in men with intermittent claudication
Authors: Roseguini Bruno T. , Hirai Daniel M. , Alencar Maria C. , Ramos Roberta P. , Silva Bruno M. , Wolosker Nelson , Neder J. Alberto , Nery Luiz E.
Published: June 2014

Endothelial dysfunction caused by defective nitric oxide (NO) signaling plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of intermittent claudication (IC). In the present study, we evaluated the acute effects of sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor that acts by prolonging NO-mediated cGMP signaling in vascular smooth muscle, on blood pressure (BP), skeletal muscle oxygenation, and walking tolerance in patients with IC. A randomized, double-blind, crossover study was conducted in which 12 men with stable IC received two consecutive doses of 50 mg of sildenafil or matching placebo and underwent a symptom-limited exercise test on the treadmill. Changes in gastrocnemius deoxy-hemoglobin by near-infrared spectroscopy estimated peripheral muscle O2delivery-to-utilization matching. Systolic BP was significantly lower during the sildenafil trial relative to placebo during supine rest (∼15 mmHg), submaximal exercise (∼14 mmHg), and throughout recovery (∼18 mmHg) ( P < 0.05). Diastolic BP was also lower after sildenafil during upright rest (∼6 mmHg) and during recovery from exercise (∼7 mmHg) ( P < 0.05). Gastrocnemius deoxygenation was consistently reduced during submaximal exercise (∼41%) and at peak exercise (∼34%) following sildenafil compared with placebo ( P < 0.05). However, pain-free walking time (placebo: 335 ± 42 s vs. sildenafil: 294 ± 35 s) and maximal walking time (placebo: 701 ± 58 s vs. sildenafil: 716 ± 62 s) did not differ between trials. Acute administration of sildenafil lowers BP and improves skeletal muscle oxygenation during exercise but does not enhance walking tolerance in patients with IC. Whether the beneficial effects of sildenafil on muscle oxygenation can be sustained over time and translated into positive clinical outcomes deserve further consideration in this patient population.
Phosphate absorption across multiple epithelia in the Pacific hagfish (Eptatretus stoutii)
Authors: Schultz Aaron G. , Guffey Samuel C. , Clifford Alexander M. , Goss Greg G.
Published: June 2014

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is an essential nutrient for all organisms, but in seawater, Piis a limiting nutrient. This study investigated the primary mechanisms of Piuptake in Pacific hagfish ( Eptatretus stoutii) using ex vivo physiological and molecular techniques. Hagfish were observed to have the capacity to absorb Pifrom the environment into at least three epithelial surfaces: the intestine, skin, and gill. Piuptake in all tissues was concentration dependent, and saturable Pitransport was observed in the skin and gill at <2.0 mmol/l Pi. Gill and intestinal Piuptake was sodium dependent, but Piuptake into the skin increased under low sodium conditions. Gill Pitransport exhibited an apparent affinity constant ∼0.23–0.6 mmol/l Pi. A complete sequence of a type II sodium phosphate cotransporter (Slc34a) was obtained from the hagfish gill. Phylogenetic analysis of the hagfish Slc34a transporter indicates that it is earlier diverging than, and/or ancestral to, the other identified vertebrate Slc34a transporters (Slc34a1, Slc34a2, and Slc34a3). With the use of RT-PCR, the hagfish Slc34a transcript was detected in the intestine, skin, gill, and kidney, suggesting that this may be the transporter involved in Piuptake into multiple epithelia in the hagfish. This is the first measurement of Piuptake across the gill or skin of any vertebrate animal and first sodium phosphate cotransporter identified in hagfish.
Stimulation of the cardiopulmonary baroreflex enhances ventricular contractility in awake dogs: a mathematical analysis study
Authors: Sala-Mercado Javier A. , Moslehpour Mohsen , Hammond Robert L. , Ichinose Masashi , Chen Xiaoxiao , Evan Sell , O'Leary Donal S. , Mukkamala Ramakrishna
Published: June 2014

The cardiopulmonary baroreflex responds to an increase in central venous pressure (CVP) by decreasing total peripheral resistance and increasing heart rate (HR) in dogs. However, the direction of ventricular contractility change is not well understood. The aim was to elucidate the cardiopulmonary baroreflex control of ventricular contractility during normal physiological conditions via a mathematical analysis. Spontaneous beat-to-beat fluctuations in maximal ventricular elastance ( Emax), which is perhaps the best available index of ventricular contractility, CVP, arterial blood pressure (ABP), and HR were measured from awake dogs at rest before and after β-adrenergic receptor blockade. An autoregressive exogenous input model was employed to jointly identify the three causal transfer functions relating beat-to-beat fluctuations in CVP to Emax (CVP → Emax), which characterizes the cardiopulmonary baroreflex control of ventricular contractility, ABP to Emax, which characterizes the arterial baroreflex control of ventricular contractility, and HR to Emax, which characterizes the force-frequency relation. The CVP → Emax transfer function showed a static gain of 0.037 ± 0.010 ml−1 (different from zero; P < 0.05) and an overall time constant of 3.2 ± 1.2 s. Hence, Emax would increase and reach steady state in ∼16 s in response to a step increase in CVP, without any change to ABP or HR, due to the cardiopulmonary baroreflex. Following β-adrenergic receptor blockade, the CVP → Emax transfer function showed a static gain of 0.0007 ± 0.0113 ml−1 (different from control; P < 0.10). Hence, Emax would change little in steady state in response to a step increase in CVP. Stimulation of the cardiopulmonary baroreflex increases ventricular contractility through β-adrenergic receptor system mediation.