bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lung Function as a Risk Factor for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Söderholm Martin , Zia Elisabet , Hedblad Bo , Engström Gunnar
Published: August 2012

Background and Purpose—

The etiology of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is poorly understood. Reduced lung function, expressed as low forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV
1
) and low forced vital capacity (FVC), is a predictor of cardiovascular disease, but whether reduced lung function is a risk factor for SAH is not known. The association between lung function and incidence of SAH was investigated in a prospective cohort study.

Methods—

Between 1974 and 1992, 20 534 men and 7237 women (mean age, 44 years) were examined in a health screening program including spirometry. The incidence of SAH was studied during a mean follow-up of 26 years in relation to age- and height-standardized FEV
1
, FVC, and FEV
1
/FVC.

Results—

One hundred forty-five subjects had a SAH (18.3 per 100 000 person-years in men and 26.5 per 100 000 person-years in women). The hazard ratio for SAH in the lowest compared to the highest quartile of FEV
1
and FEV
1
/FVC was 2.24 (95% CI, 1.32–3.81;
P
for trend=0.014) and 1.92 (95% CI, 1.14–3.23;
P
for trend=0.003), respectively, after adjustment for several confounding factors including smoking and hypertension. The results persisted when analysis was restricted to nonsmokers. FVC showed no significant association with incidence of SAH.

Conclusions—

Baseline lung function, expressed as low FEV
1
or FEV
1
/FVC, is a risk factor for SAH, independently of smoking.
Monitoring and Understanding Trends in Extreme Storms: State of Knowledge
Authors: Kunkel Kenneth E. , Karl Thomas R. , Brooks Harold , Kossin James , Lawrimore Jay H. , Arndt Derek , Bosart Lance , Changnon David , Cutter Susan L. , Doesken Nolan , Emanuel Kerry , Groisman Pavel Ya. , Katz Richard W. , Knutson Thomas , O'Brien James , Paciorek Christopher J. , Peterson Thomas C. , Redmond Kelly , Robinson David , Trapp Jeff , Vose Russell , Weaver Scott , Wehner Michael , Wolter Klaus , Wuebbles Donald
Published: August 2012

The state of knowledge regarding trends and an understanding of their causes is presented for a specific subset of extreme weather and climate types. For severe convective storms (tornadoes, hailstorms, and severe thunderstorms), differences in time and space of practices of collecting reports of events make using the reporting database to detect trends extremely difficult. Overall, changes in the frequency of environments favorable for severe thunderstorms have not been statistically significant. For extreme precipitation, there is strong evidence for a nationally averaged upward trend in the frequency and intensity of events. The causes of the observed trends have not been determined with certainty, although there is evidence that increasing atmospheric water vapor may be one factor. For hurricanes and typhoons, robust detection of trends in Atlantic and western North Pacific tropical cyclone (TC) activity is significantly constrained by data heterogeneity and deficient quantification of internal variability. Attribution of past TC changes is further challenged by a lack of consensus on the physical link- ages between climate forcing and TC activity. As a result, attribution of trends to anthropogenic forcing remains controversial. For severe snowstorms and ice storms, the number of severe regional snowstorms that occurred since 1960 was more than twice that of the preceding 60 years. There are no significant multidecadal trends in the areal percentage of the contiguous United States impacted by extreme seasonal snowfall amounts since 1900. There is no distinguishable trend in the frequency of ice storms for the United States as a whole since 1950.
Academic Entrepreneurship and Exchange of Scientific Resources
Authors: Shibayama Sotaro , Walsh John P. , Baba Yasunori
Published: August 2012

This study uses a sample of Japanese university scientists in life and materials sciences to examine how academic entrepreneurship has affected the norms and behaviors of academic scientists regarding sharing scientific resources. Results indicate that high levels of academic entrepreneurship in a scientific field are associated with less reliance on the gift-giving form of sharing (i.e., generalized exchange) traditionally recommended by scientific communities, and with a greater emphasis on direct benefits for givers (i.e., direct exchange), as well as a lower overall frequency of sharing. We observe these shifts in sharing behavior even among individual scientists who are not themselves entrepreneurially active; this suggests a general shift in scientific norms contingent on institutional contexts. These findings reflect contradictions inherent in current science policies that simultaneously encourage open science as well as commercial application of research results, and they suggest that the increasing emphasis on commercial activity may fundamentally change the normative structure of science.
A Pitfall of Private Participation in Infrastructure
Authors: Koo Jun , Yoon Gyun-Soo , Hwang Injae , Barnerjee Sudeshna Ghosh
Published: August 2012

According to a popular belief, private participation in infrastructure service improves overall service efficiency. However, empirical evidence is mixed. In particular, private participation likely creates a potential agency problem, which may adversely affect service efficiency. This implies that proper government regulations can control opportunistic misbehaviors of private participants and reduce their behavioral uncertainty. Therefore, the effects of private participation on the efficiency of the power service can be hypothesized to be positively augmented by the level of government regulations. We developed an empirical model based upon key institutional, political, and socio-economic variables. The results suggest that private participation is in fact negatively associated with the efficiency of the power service. However, the results also show that the overall effects of private participation on efficiency are positively augmented according to the level of government regulations.
Predicting Recidivism in Adolescents With Behavior Problems Using PCL-SV
Authors: Basque Catherine , Toupin Jean , Côté Gilles
Published: August 2012

Studies show that identifying persistent delinquents on the basis of early antisocial conduct yields a significant error rate. However, evaluating childhood or adolescent psychopathic traits is likely to improve matters in this regard. This study seeks to verify the contribution of psychopathic traits in adolescence to antisocial conduct prediction in early adulthood. To this end, a French version of the Psychopathy Checklist -Screening Version (PCL-SV) adapted to adolescents is used to evaluate psychopathic traits in 27 youths aged 15 to 19 years recruited in youth centres and presenting behavioral problems reaching a clinical threshold. The PCL-SV scores contribute significantly above and beyond indices of delinquent behavior to predict self-reported antisocial conduct 2 years later and, specifically, to predict criminal versatility and violent recidivism
Toxic effects of heavy metals (Cd, Cr and Pb) on seed germination and growth and DPPH-scavenging activity in Brassica rapa var. turnip
Authors: Siddiqui Maryam Mehmood , Abbasi Bilal Haider , Ahmad Nisar , Ali Mohammad , Mahmood Tariq
Published: August 2012

Toxicity of heavy metal is a wide spread environmental problem affecting all life forms including plants. In the present study the toxic effects of heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) on seed germination rate (%), germination index (G-index) and growth (mm) of Brassica rapa var. turnip have been investigated. The seeds were soaked either in distilled water (control) or in aqueous solutions of Cd, Cr and Pb (1 g/l, 2.5 g/l and 5 g/l) at 4°C in dark for 24 hours. Prior to inoculation onto MS0 medium, the soaked seeds were either washed with sterile distilled water or inoculated without washing on solidified MS0 medium at 25 ± 2°C with 16/8-hour photoperiod in a growth chamber to germinate in vitro. Such stress conditions revealed that by increasing the concentration of heavy metals, the germination rate (%), G-index value and growth (mm) decreased significantly, suggesting their toxic effect on B. rapa var. turnip. This study further revealed that experiment with seed washing resulted in less toxicity of selected heavy metals on germination and growth of B. rapa var. turnip, as compared to experiment without washing. However, the resulting toxicity order of the selected heavy metals remained the same (Cd > Cr > Pb). Significant decrease has been observed in seed viability and germination potential and finally heavy metals completely ceased further growth and development of plants. The 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-scavenging activity revealed that significantly higher activity was observed in control plants without heavy metals treatment. Furthermore, the Cd-treated plants showed decreased antioxidant activity. Cr and Pb were less toxic as compared to Cd (control > Pb > Cr > Cd). This study revealed that selected heavy metals not only affected plant development but also disturbed plant metabolic pathways.
“If Something Happened, I Will Leave It, Let It Go and Move On”
Authors: Huey Laura , Fthenos Georgios , Hryniewicz Danielle
Published: August 2012

In the present study, we draw on interviews conducted with 60 homeless women ( N = 60) in Detroit and Chicago about their experiences of violent criminal victimization and their attitudes toward accessing various postvictimization assistance—in particular, mental health counseling. Contrary to the research literature, which tends to overemphasize pathological responses to victimization within this population, what our data reveals is the extent to which victimized homeless women exhibit signs of resiliency through both attitudes and coping behaviors. Further, their expressed attitudes demonstrate the existence of a complex set of relationships between trauma, resiliency, and the desire to access mental health services. These findings we suggest have implications for the delivery of mental health services to this group.
Application of simple biomechanical and biochemical tests to heart valve leaflets: Implications for heart valve characterization and tissue engineering
Authors: Huang Hsiao-Ying S , Balhouse Brittany N , Huang Siyao
Published: August 2012

A simple biomechanical test with real-time displacement and strain mapping is reported, which provides displacement vectors and principal strain directions during the mechanical characterization of heart valve tissues. The maps reported in the current study allow us to quickly identify the approximate strain imposed on a location in the samples. The biomechanical results show that the aortic valves exhibit stronger anisotropic mechanical behavior than that of the pulmonary valves before 18% strain equibiaxial stretching. In contrast, the pulmonary valves exhibit stronger anisotropic mechanical behavior than aortic valves beyond 28% strain equibiaxial stretching. Simple biochemical tests are also conducted. Collagens are extracted at different time points (24, 48, 72, and 120 h) at different locations in the samples. The results show that extraction time plays an important role in determining collagen concentration, in which a minimum of 72 h of extraction is required to obtain saturated collagen concentration. This work provides an easy approach for quantifying biomechanical and biochemical properties of semilunar heart valve tissues, and potentially facilitates the development of tissue engineered heart valves.
Analyzing, controlling, and optimizing Damavand power plant operating parameters using a synchronous parallel shuffling self-organized Pareto strategy and neural network: a survey
Authors: Mozaffari Ahmad , Gorji-Bandpy Mofid , Samadian Pendar , Mohammadrezaei Noudeh Sina
Published: August 2012

In recent decades, analyzing and optimizing thermal systems have become of great interest to researchers. Recently, the engineers concentrated on variant concepts of artificial intelligence such as machine learning, simulation, fuzzy logic, game theory, and evolutionary computing to deal with complicated barriers and obstacles. Artificial intelligence and expert system techniques play an important role for surveying and controlling mechanical systems such as power plants and reservoirs. This is because of their interdisciplinary applications and versatile servicing potential in mathematical modeling of industrial systems. In this article, a new method called synchronous parallel shuffling self-organized Pareto strategy algorithm is presented which synthesizes different artificial techniques, nominally evolutionary computing, swarm intelligence techniques, and time adaptive self-organizing map that apply simultaneously incorporating with a stochastic data sharing behavior. Thereafter, it is applied to verify the optimum operating parameter of Damavand power plant as the biggest constructed power plant in Middle East with the potential of producing about 2300 MW electricity sited in Tehran, capital of Iran, as a multi-objective, multi-modal complex problem. It is also proved that implementing the governing equations of power plant leads to a multi-objective problem where some of these objectives are non-linear, non-convex, and multi-modal with different type of real-life engineering constraints. The results confirm the acceptable performance of proposed technique in optimizing the operating parameters of Damavand power plant.
The Experience of Emotional Distress Among Women With Scleroderma
Authors: Newton Evan G. , Thombs Brett D. , Groleau Danielle
Published: August 2012

Emotional distress is common among patients with chronic medical illnesses, but the nature of the distress is not well understood. Our objective was to understand patients’ experiences of emotional distress by conducting in-depth interviews using the McGill Illness Narrative Interview with women affected by scleroderma ( N = 16). We sought to determine how participants described their distress, what they believed caused it, and how they coped. We analyzed interview transcripts using thematic analysis. Many participants described distress associated with scleroderma, but the term depression was reserved for extraordinary, severe experiences. Instead, participants preferred more normal mood descriptors and often viewed their distress in keeping with the definition of “demoralization.” Participants listed concrete symptoms and experiences that caused distress, and some added that stress could exacerbate scleroderma. Participants dealt with distress by not dwelling on their circumstances and working to maintain autonomy. Most preferred to not rely on psychologists and support groups.
Relationships among Acculturative Stress, Sleep, and Nondipping Blood Pressure in Korean American Women
Authors: Suh Minhee , Barksdale Debra J. , Logan Jeongok
Published: August 2012

Generally blood pressure (BP) should drop or dip by 10–20% during sleep. The phenomenon of nondipping BP during sleep has gained interest because of its association with various damaging effects to end-organs. This exploratory study examined nighttime nondipping BP, acculturative stress and quality of sleep in 30 Korean American women. Acculturative stress and sleep quality were measured using the Revised Social, Attitudinal, Familial, and Environmental Acculturative Stress Scale (R-SAFE) and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. Participants’ BP was monitored over a 24-hour period. Participants were categorized as dippers and nondippers based on the drop in nocturnal systolic BP. Of the 30 women, 8 (26.7%) were nondippers. A shorter sleep duration and more disturbed sleep were associated with nondipping and, interestingly, less acculturative stress was also associated with nondipping BP. Our finding supports that sleep evaluation is needed in caring for individuals with nondipping BP.
An Investigation of the Factor Structure and Convergent and Discriminant Validity of the Five-Factor Model Rating Form
Authors: Samuel Douglas B. , Mullins-Sweatt Stephanie N. , Widiger Thomas A.
Published: August 2012

The Five-Factor Model Rating Form (FFMRF) is a one-page measure designed to provide an efficient assessment of the higher order domains of the Five Factor Model (FFM) as well as the more specific, lower order facets proposed by McCrae and Costa. Although previous research has suggested that the FFMRF’s assessment of the lower order facets converge reasonably with other FFM measures, the structural validity of the domain-level assessment has not yet been evaluated. The current study employed an exploratory structural equation modeling framework to investigate the fit of a five-factor solution within a combined sample of 757 participants. This was a novel analysis using a combined sample drawn from three previously published studies and was composed primarily of undergraduates but also included a smaller clinical subsample. Results indicated that the FFMRF is well accommodated within a five-factor solution. Furthermore, the FFMRF domain scores evinced large correlations with domain scores from the NEO Personality Inventory–Revised. The results suggest that the FFMRF might hold promise as a choice for those seeking a brief measure that provides a valid assessment of both the broad and specific traits of the FFM.
Weapons used in serious violence against a parent: Retrospective comparative register study
Authors: Liettu Anu , Säävälä Hannu , Hakko Helinä , Joukamaa Matti , Räsänen Pirkko
Published: August 2012

Aims: Our aim was to compare the weapons used in lethal or potentially lethal violence against parents according to the age (adolescent vs. adult) of the offender and victim (mother vs. father) of the offence. Method: All forensic psychiatric examination statements of male offenders who had offended violently against one of their parents during 1973–2004 in Finland ( n=192) were reviewed retrospectively. Data on the weapons used by adolescent and adult offenders in relation to the sex of the victim, mental disorder, criminal responsibility and intelligence were gathered. Results: In the whole sample, sharp-edged weapons were the most commonly used weapons. Firearms were more commonly used in offences against fathers (i.e. patricidal offences) than against mothers (i.e. matricidal offences). Adolescent offenders were more likely to use firearms than adult offenders in violent acts against a parent. Among personality-disordered subjects, patricidal offenders used firearms more commonly than did matricidal offenders. Homicidal matricidal offenders had higher full-scale and verbal IQ scores as compared to homicidal patricidal offenders. The matricidal offenders using firearms were shown to be more intelligent as measured by full-scale and verbal scale IQs than the patricidal offenders using firearms. Conclusions: Consistent with the physical strength hypothesis, firearms are used more often in lethal or potentially lethal violence against parents by adolescents than by adults in Finland. As firearms legislation in Finland is currently under reform the study findings suggest that restriction of gun availability may have an influence on intrafamilial homicides, particularly those committed by adolescents.
Re-thinking the cultural codes of new media: The question concerning ontology
Authors: Srinivasan Ramesh
Published: August 2012

The digital world need not solely be conceived in Western, elite terms, but instead can and should be re-envisioned as a space that empowers the values, priorities, and ontologies held by global users from the ‘margins’, within the developing world. This paper asks us to re-consider the ontologies of the digital world in light of the cultural beliefs, languages, and value systems of emerging web users. I argue that as we design new media technologies and develop projects we must think about local ontologies and practices rather than singular Western-created representations of knowledge. I present several examples that think past rigid, hierarchical classifications, opening up the codes of new media to better listen to diverse community and cultural voices.
Teleconferencing as a Source of Social Support for Older Spousal Caregivers
Authors: McHugh Joanna Edel , Wherton Joseph P. , Prendergast David K. , Lawlor Brian A.
Published: August 2012

Teleconferencing is increasingly being used as a medium of delivering social support for dementia caregivers. Further direction is required from pilot studies before the optimal clinical service can be delivered. Following a 6-week pilot support group for spousal caregivers, delivered via teleconferencing software, we interviewed 8 participants for their feedback. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using grounded theory analysis. Themes of “group processes” and “barriers,” containing subcategories of “functions of the group,” “responsibilities of facilitators,” and “barriers to communication” were discussed. According to caregivers, successful teleconferencing support groups should acknowledge the caregiver as the dementia expert, allow participants to meet before the deployment of the support group, provide active facilitation and leadership via the researcher, employ user-friendly technologies, and facilitate for the group to self-maintain following the pilot deployment period. These issues should be taken into consideration when designing future teleconferencing applications for caregivers.
Feasibility and Perception of the Impact From Aerobic Exercise in Older Adults With Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Yu Fang , Swartwood Ruth M.
Published: August 2012

Background:

The subjective experience of participating in aerobic exercise is unknown in Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to understand the subjective perceptions of the feasibility and impact of a 6-month, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise intervention by older adults with AD and their family caregivers.

Methods:

Ten older adults with AD who completed the intervention and their family caregivers participated in four focus group interviews.

Results:

Four converging themes were identified: “There was no perceived positive change in cognitive symptoms,” “The 6-month exercise program was socially rewarding,” “The 6-month exercise program increased physical strength,” and “Participation in aerobic exercise was a positive experience.” Family caregivers further identified two additional themes: “The exercise program led to improved attitude in older adults with AD” and “The exercise program reduced caregiver stress.”

Discussion:

Aerobic exercise is a feasible and well-perceived intervention for older adults with AD and their family caregivers.
Growth kinetics and abrasive wear resistance of boride layers on Fe–15Cr alloy
Authors: Dybkov V I , Goncharuk L V , Khoruzha V G , Samelyuk A V , Sidorko V R
Published: August 2012

Two boride layers based on the FeB and Fe2B compounds are formed at the interface between an Fe–15Cr alloy and boron at 850–950°C and reaction times up to 12 h, with the average chromium content being around 8 at- in the former and 12 at- in the latter. Both boride layers reveal a pronounced texture. Diffusional growth kinetics of the layers are close to parabolic and can alternatively be described by a system of two non-linear differential equations. Microhardness values are 17·4 GPa for the FeB layer, 14·4 GPa for the Fe2B layer and 0·95 GPa for the Fe–15Cr alloy base. The dry abrasive wear resistance of borided alloy samples is around 45 times greater than that of non-borided ones.
Fracture toughness KIC analysis of Co-doped 7YSZ
Authors: Petitjean J E , Huang X , Kearsey R M
Published: August 2012

Co-doped samples of 7YSZ with Yb3+, Ce4+ and Nb5+ having high porosity are subject to Vickers hardness testing. Fracture toughness KIC values are obtained by measuring linear and non-linear crack geometries. Three separate means are used to calculate the fracture toughness and to investigate the associated trends. It is confirmed that high amounts of retained tetragonal zirconia improve fracture toughness, while elevated amounts of monoclinic zirconia lower overall fracture toughness. The experimental trend for increasing KIC is Nb:7YSZ<Yb:7YSZ<7YSZ<Ce:7YSZ; however, this trend is qualitative as the Young's modulus values for different samples are corrected for porosity using an equation that does not generally apply to indentation techniques.
Microstructure characterisation of biphasic titanium alloy Ti–10V–2Fe–3Al and effects induced by heterogeneities on X-ray diffraction peak's broadening
Authors: Deleuze C , Barrallier L , Fabre A , Molinas O , Esberard C
Published: August 2012

The present study deals with a microstructural characterisation of a biphasic titanium alloy Ti–10V–2Fe–3Al. The near β titanium alloy is primarily used for high strength applications, such as components for aeronautical industry. The forging process and the heat treatments of Ti–10V–2Fe–3Al induce a complex microstructure, which consists of an equiaxial primary phase αp (hcp) and a secondary phase αsec (hcp) precipitating in the cubic phase β matrix. The forged material exhibits some structures hundreds of micrometres in size. Microstructure evolutions of forged and milled samples are analysed using a scanning electron microscope. Superficial treatments on forged and aged components induce a microstructure flow on the surface. Crystallites’ sizes and strain between phases are heterogeneous, and thermomechanical treatments may induce preferred crystallographic orientations. These phenomena broaden peaks strongly and generate difficulties in analysing residual stresses by X-ray diffraction. The present paper presents the microstructure's evolution, linked to diffraction peaks broadening and crystallographic textures analyses.
Calculation for grain growth rate of carbon steels by solute drag model considering segregation effect of each substitutional element
Authors: Yogo Y , Tanaka K , Ikehata H , Iwata N , Nakanishi K , Ishikawa T
Published: August 2012

Based on the solute drag model, a practical model incorporating the segregation effect is proposed to calculate grain growth rates in carbon steels. The segregation effect is modelled using two factors: the difference in atomic diameter between a solvent and a substitutional element, and the solubility of a substitutional element. By including the segregation energy, the proposed model enables the simulated retardation of grain growth by the addition of microalloying elements. The calculated grain growth rate by the proposed model shows reasonable correspondence between grain growth rates for experimental and calculated results. The temperature dependence of the grain growth rate is also well simulated.
Pressure induced martensite transformation in plain carbon steel
Authors: Shaban Ghazani M , Eghbali B
Published: August 2012

In the present study, plain low carbon steel with 0·033 wt- carbon content was subjected to severe pressure during continuous cooling from austenite region. The pressure increased gradually and then suddenly released by the breakdown of ram under pressure. As a result, a microstructure composed of 80 lath martensite and 20 ferrite was produced. Results showed that the martensite formation is not due to the effect of cooling rate but the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the austenite to ferrite transformation start temperature Ar3.
Compressibility of β-As4S4: an in situ high-pressure single-crystal X-ray study
Authors: Lepore G. O. , Ballaran T. Boffa , Nestola F. , Bindi L. , Pasqual D. , Bonazzi P.
Published: August 2012

Ambient temperature X-ray diffraction data were collected at different pressures from two crystals of β-As4S4, which were made by heating realgar under vacuum at 295ºC for 24 h. These data were used to calculate the unit-cell parameters at pressures up to 6.86 GPa. Above 2.86 GPa, it was only possible to make an approximate measurement of the unit-cell parameters. As expected for a crystal structure that contains molecular units held together by weak van der Waals interactions, β-As4S4 has an exceptionally high compressibility. The compressibility data were fitted to a third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state with a resulting volume V0 = 808.2(2) Å3, bulk modulus K0 = 10.9(2) GPa and K' = 8.9(3). These values are extremely close to those reported for the low-temperature polymorph of As4S4, realgar, which contains the same As4S4 cage-molecule. Structural analysis showed that the unit-cell contraction is due mainly to the reduction in intermolecular distances, which causes a substantial reduction in the unit-cell volume (∼21% at 6.86 GPa). The cage-like As4S4 molecules are only slightly affected. No phase transitions occur in the pressure range investigated.

Micro-Raman spectra, collected across the entire pressure range, show that the peaks associated with As–As stretching have the greatest pressure dependence; the S–As–S bending frequency and the As–S stretching have a much weaker dependence or no variation at all as the pressure increases; this is in excellent agreement with the structural data.
Spontaneous inflammatory pain model from a mouse line with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis
Authors: Chen Tsung-Chieh , Wu José Jiun-Shian , Chang Wei-Pang , Hsu Ping-Ning , Hsieh Sung-Tsang , Shyu Bai-Chuang
Published: August 2012

Background

N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis was used to induce a point mutation in C57BL/6 J mice. Pain-related phenotype screening was performed in 915 G3 mice. We report the detection of a heritable recessive mutant in meiotic recombinant N1F1 mice that caused an abnormal pain sensitivity phenotype with spontaneous skin inflammation in the paws and ears.

Methods

We investigated abnormal sensory processing, neuronal peptides, and behavioral responses after the induction of autoinflammatory disease. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and polymerase chain reaction product sequencing were used to identify the mutation site.

Results

All affected mice developed paw inflammation at 4–8 weeks. Histological examinations revealed hyperplasia of the epidermis in the inflamed paws and increased macrophage expression in the spleen and paw tissues. Mechanical and thermal nociceptive response thresholds were reduced in the affected mice. Locomotor activity was decreased in affected mice with inflamed hindpaws, and this reduction was attributable to the avoidance of contact of the affected paw with the floor. Motor strength and daily activity in the home cage in the affected mice did not show any significant changes. Although Fos immunoreactivity was normal in the dorsal horn of affected mice, calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity significantly increased in the deep layer of the dorsal horn. The number of microglia increased in the spinal cord, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex in affected mice, and the proliferation of microglia was maintained for a couple of months. Two hundred eighty-five SNP markers were used to reveal the affected gene locus, which was found on the distal part of chromosome 18. A point mutation was detected at A to G in exon 8 of thepstpip2gene, resulting in a conserved tyrosine residue at amino acid 180 replaced by cysteine (Y180 C).

Conclusions

The data provide definitive evidence that a mutation inpstpip2causes autoinflammatory disease in anN-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis mouse model. Thus, ourpstpip2mutant mice provide a new model for investigating the potential mechanisms of inflammatory pain.
Analysis of plant-derived miRNAs in animal small RNA datasets
Authors: Zhang Yuanji , Wiggins B Elizabeth , Lawrence Christina , Petrick Jay , Ivashuta Sergey , Heck Greg
Published: August 2012

Background

Plants contain significant quantities of small RNAs (sRNAs) derived from various sRNA biogenesis pathways. Many of these sRNAs play regulatory roles in plants. Previous analysis revealed that numerous sRNAs in corn, rice and soybean seeds have high sequence similarity to animal genes. However, exogenous RNA is considered to be unstable within the gastrointestinal tract of many animals, thus limiting potential for any adverse effects from consumption of dietary RNA. A recent paper reported that putative plant miRNAs were detected in animal plasma and serum, presumably acquired through ingestion, and may have a functional impact in the consuming organisms.

Results

To address the question of how common this phenomenon could be, we searched for plant miRNAs sequences in public sRNA datasets from various tissues of mammals, chicken and insects. Our analyses revealed that plant miRNAs were present in the animal sRNA datasets, and significantly miR168 was extremely over-represented. Furthermore, all or nearly all (>96%) miR168 sequences were monocot derived for most datasets, including datasets for two insects reared on dicot plants in their respective experiments. To investigate if plant-derived miRNAs, including miR168, could accumulate and move systemically in insects, we conducted insect feeding studies for three insects including corn rootworm, which has been shown to be responsive to plant-produced long double-stranded RNAs.

Conclusions

Our analyses suggest that the observed plant miRNAs in animal sRNA datasets can originate in the process of sequencing, and that accumulation of plant miRNAs via dietary exposure is not universal in animals.
Preoperative factors influencing success in pterygium surgery
Authors: Torres-Gimeno Ana , Martínez-Costa Lucía , Ayala Guillermo
Published: August 2012

Background

To identify preoperative, perioperative and postoperative risk factors that influence the success of pterygium surgery.

Methods

This is a prospective study of thirty-six patients with primary or recurrent pterygia. A detailed anamnesis and an ophthalmological examination were performed looking for the following factors: age, race, latitude and altitude of the main place of residence, hours of exposure to the sun, use of protective measures against UV-radiation, classification of pterygium, width of the pterygium at limbus, surgical technique (conjunctival autograft plus suturing versus tissue glue), graft alterations (misapposition, granuloma, haemorrhage, oedema, retraction or necrosis), and postoperative symptoms (foreign-body sensation, pain). The examinations were performed 2 and 7 days and 2, 6 and 12 months after surgery. In addition, recurrence was defined as any growth of conjunctiva into the cornea.

Results

A logistic regression and a survival analysis have been used to perform data analysis. A total number of 36 patients completed a one year follow-up. A total of 13 patients were born and lived in Spain, and 26 came from other countries, mostly Latin America. A total number of 8 males (no women) presented a recurrence, mainly between 2 and 6 months. The hours of sun exposure through their life was independently related to surgical success. Pterygia of less than 5 mm of base width showed a weak positive correlation with recurrence. None of the other factors considered were significantly related to recurrence.

Conclusions

Male gender and high sun exposure are strongly and independently related to surgical success after the removal of pterygia.
Early functional results after Hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture: a randomized comparison between a minimal invasive and a conventional approach
Authors: Renken Felix , Renken Svenja , Paech Andreas , Wenzl Michael , Unger Andreas , Schulz Arndt P
Published: August 2012

Background

A minimal invasive approach for elective hip surgery has been implemented in our institution in the past. It is widely hypothesized that implanting artificial hips in a minimal invasive fashion decreases surgical trauma and is helpful in the rehabilitation process in elective hip surgery. Thereby geriatric patients requiring emergency hip surgery also could theoretically benefit from a procedure that involves less tissue trauma.

Methods

Sixty patients who sustained a fractured neck of femur were randomly assigned into two groups. In the minimal invasive arm, the so called “direct anterior approach” (DAA) was chosen, in the conventional arm the Watson-Jones-Approach was used for implantation of a bipolar hemi-arthroplasty.

Primary outcome parameter was the mobility as measured by the four-item-Barthel index. Secondary outcome parameters included pain, haemoglobin-levels, complications, duration of surgery, administration of blood transfusion and external length of incision. Radiographs were evaluated.

Results

A statistically significant difference (p = 0,009) regarding the mobility as measured with the four-item Barthel index was found at the 5th postoperative day, favouring the DAA. Evaluation of the intensity of pain with a visual analogue scale (VAS) showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0,035) at day 16. No difference was evident in the comparison of radiographic results.

Conclusions

Comparing two different approaches to the hip joint for the implantation of a bipolar hemi-arthroplasty after fractured neck of femur, it can be stated that mobilization status is improved for the DAA compared to the WJA when measured by the four-item Barthel index, there is less pain as measured using the VAS. There is no radiographic evidence that a minimal invasive technique leads to inferior implant position.

Level of Evidence: Level II therapeutic study.
Can personal qualities of medical students predict in-course examination success and professional behaviour? An exploratory prospective cohort study
Authors: Adam Jane , Bore Miles , McKendree Jean , Munro Don , Powis David
Published: August 2012

Background

Over two-thirds of UK medical schools are augmenting their selection procedures for medical students by using the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT), which employs tests of cognitive and non-cognitive personal qualities, but clear evidence of the tests’ predictive validity is lacking. This study explores whether academic performance and professional behaviours that are important in a health professional context can be predicted by these measures, when taken before or very early in the medical course.

Methods

This prospective cohort study follows the progress of the entire student cohort who entered Hull York Medical School in September 2007, having taken the UKCAT cognitive tests in 2006 and the non-cognitive tests a year later. This paper reports on the students’ first and second academic years of study. The main outcome measures were regular, repeated tutor assessment of individual students’ interpersonal skills and professional behaviour, and annual examination performance in the three domains of recall and application of knowledge, evaluation of data, and communication and practical clinical skills. The relationships between non-cognitive test scores, cognitive test scores, tutor assessments and examination results were explored using the Pearson product–moment correlations for each group of data; the data for students obtaining the top and bottom 20% of the summative examination results were compared using Analysis of Variance.

Results

Personal qualities measured by non-cognitive tests showed a number of statistically significant relationships with ratings of behaviour made by tutors, with performance in each year’s objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), and with themed written summative examination marks in each year. Cognitive ability scores were also significantly related to each year’s examination results, but seldom to professional behaviours. The top 20% of examination achievers could be differentiated from the bottom 20% on both non-cognitive and cognitive measures.

Conclusions

This study shows numerous significant relationships between both cognitive and non-cognitive test scores, academic examination scores and indicators of professional behaviours in medical students. This suggests that measurement of non-cognitive personal qualities in applicants to medical school could make a useful contribution to selection and admission decisions. Further research is required in larger representative groups, and with more refined predictor measures and behavioural assessment methods, to establish beyond doubt the incremental validity of such measures over conventional cognitive assessments.
Sleep duration in elderly obese patients correlated negatively with intake fatty
Authors: Santana Aline Alves , Pimentel Gustavo Duarte , Romualdo Monica , Oyama Lila Missae , Santos Ronaldo Vagner Thomatieli , Pinho Ricardo Aurino , de Souza Claudio Teodoro , Rodrigues Bruno , Caperuto Erico Chagas , Lira Fabio Santos
Published: August 2012

Study objectives

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between sleep duration and dietary habits in elderly obese patients treated at an institute of cardiology.

Methods

The fifty-eight volunteers were elderly patients with obesity (classified as obese according to BMI) of both genders, between 60 and 80 years of age. All participants were subjected to assessments of food intake, anthropometry, level of physical activity, and duration of sleep.

Results

The men had significantly greater weight, height, and waist circumference than women. Sleep durations were correlated with dietary nutrient compositions only in men. We found a negative association between short sleep and protein intake (r = -0.43; p = 0.02), short sleep and monounsaturated fatty acids intake (r = -0.40; p = 0.03), and short sleep and cholesterol dietary intake (r = -0.50; p = 0.01).

Conclusions

We conclude that mainly in men, volunteers that had short sleep duration showed a preference for high energy-density as fatty food, at least in part, may explain the relationship between short sleep duration and the development of metabolic abnormalities.
A combination of intradermal jet-injection and electroporation overcomes in vivodose restriction of DNA vaccines
Authors: Hallengärd David , Bråve Andreas , Isaguliants Maria , Blomberg Pontus , Enger Jenny , Stout Richard , King Alan , Wahren Britta
Published: August 2012

Background

The use of optimized delivery devices has been shown to enhance the potency of DNA vaccines. However, further optimization of DNA vaccine delivery is needed for this vaccine modality to ultimately be efficacious in humans.

Methods

Herein we evaluated antigen expression and immunogenicity after intradermal delivery of different doses of DNA vaccines by needle or by the Biojector jet-injection device, with or without the addition of electroporation (EP).

Results

Neither needle injection augmented by EP nor Biojector alone could induce higher magnitudes of immune responses after immunizations with a high dose of DNA. After division of a defined DNA dose into multiple skin sites, the humoral response was particularly enhanced by Biojector while cellular responses were particularly enhanced by EP. Furthermore, a close correlation betweenin vivoantigen expression and cell-mediated as well as humoral immune responses was observed.

Conclusions

These results show that two optimized DNA vaccine delivery devices can act together to overcome dose restrictions of plasmid DNA vaccines.
Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 expression correlates with cholesteryl ester accumulation in the myocardium of ischemic cardiomyopathy patients
Authors: Cal Roi , Juan-Babot Oriol , Brossa Vicenç , Roura Santiago , Gálvez-Montón Carolina , Portoles Manolo , Rivera Miguel , Cinca Juan , Badimon Lina , Llorente-Cortés Vicenta
Published: August 2012

Our hypothesis was that overexpression of certain lipoprotein receptors might be related to lipid accumulation in the human ischemic myocardium. Intramyocardial lipid overload contributes to contractile dysfunction and arrhythmias in cardiomyopathy. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of hypercholesterolemic LDL and hypertrigliceridemic VLDL dose on LRP1 expression in cardiomyocytes, as well as the potential correlation between LRP1 expression and neutral lipid accumulation in the left ventricle tissue from ischemic cardiomyopathy patients. Cell culture experiments include control and LRP1-deficient cardiomyocytes exposed to lipoproteins under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Explanted hearts from 18 ICM patients and eight non-diseased hearts (CNT) were included. Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1), very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) expression was analyzed by real time PCR and Western blotting. Cholesteryl ester (CE), triglyceride (TG) and free cholesterol (FC) content was assess by thin layer chromatography following lipid extraction. Western blotting experiments showed that protein levels of LRP1, VLDLR and HIF-1α were significantly upregulated in ischemic hearts. Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy analysis showed that LRP1 and HIF-1α were upregulated in cardiomyocytes of ICM patients. In vitro studies showed that VLDL, LDL and hypoxia exerted an upregulatory effect on LRP1 expression and that LRP1 played a major role in cholesteryl ester accumulation from lipoproteins in cardiomyocytes. Myocardial CE accumulation strongly correlated with LRP1 levels in ischemic hearts. Taken together, our results suggest that LRP1 upregulation is key for myocardial cholesterol ester accumulation in ischemic human hearts and that LRP1 may be a target to prevent the deleterious effects of myocardial cholesterol accumulation in ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Molecular evidence for increased antitumor activity of gemcitabine in combination with a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, P276-00 in pancreatic cancers
Authors: Rathos Maggie J , Joshi Kavita , Khanwalkar Harshal , Manohar Sonal M , Joshi Kalpana S
Published: August 2012

Background

P276-00 is a novel cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor currently in Phase II clinical trials. Gemcitabine is a standard of care for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The present study investigated the effect of the combination of P276-00 and gemcitabine in five pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Methods

Cytotoxic activity was evaluated by Propidium Iodide assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Genes and proteins known to inhibit apoptosis and contribute to chemoresistance were analysed using western blot analysis and RT-PCR. In vivo efficacy was studied in PANC-1 xenograft model.

Results

The combination of gemcitabine followed by P276-00 was found to be highly to weakly synergistic in various pancreatic cancer cell lines as assessed by the combination index. Enhancement of apoptosis in PANC-1 cells and decrease in the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 and survivin was seen. P276-00 potentiated the gemcitabine-induced cytotoxicity by modulation of proteins involved in chemoresistance to gemcitabine and cell cycle viz. antiapoptotic proteins p8 and cox-2, proapoptotic protein BNIP3 and cell cycle related proteins Cdk4 and cyclin D1. The above results could explain the novel mechanisms of action of the combination therapy. We also show here that gemcitabine in combination with P276-00 is much more effective as an antitumor agent compared with either agent alone in the PANC-1 xenograft tumor model in SCID mice.

Conclusions

The chemosensitzation of pancreatic tumors to gemcitabine would likely be an important and novel strategy for treatment of pancreatic cancer and enable the use of lower and safer concentrations, to pave the way for a more effective treatment in this devastating disease. Phase IIb clinical trials of P276-00 in combination with gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer patients are ongoing.