bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional and evolutionary implications of the cellular composition of the gill epithelium of feeding adults of a freshwater parasitic species of lamprey, Ichthyomyzon unicuspis
Authors: Bartels Helmut , Docker Margaret F. , Fazekas Ursula , Potter Ian C.
Published: September 2012

This paper provides the first description of the cellular composition of the gill epithelium of feeding adults of Ichthyomyzon unicuspis Hubbs and Trautman, 1937 (silver lamprey), a parasitic species of lamprey that is confined to fresh water. The surface layer of this epithelium consists solely of pavement cells and intercalated mitochondria-rich cells, which are the only cell types found in all freshwater stages of lampreys and thus considered responsible for the uptake of Na+ and Cl– in hypotonic environments. This epithelium does not contain, however, the chloride cells present during the marine parasitic phase of anadromous lamprey species, such as Petromyzon marinus L., 1758 (sea lamprey), and which are responsible for secreting excess Na+ and Cl–. The absence of this cell type in parasitic adults of I. unicuspis also differs from its presence in parasitic adults of landlocked P. marinus and metamorphosing individuals of the exclusively freshwater nonparasitic species Lethenteron appendix (DeKay, 1842) (American brook lamprey), and which thus reflects the retention of a cell type that was crucial for osmoregulation during the marine phase of their respective anadromous parasitic ancestors. The absence of chloride cells in I. unicuspis is consistent with the hypothesis that Ichthyomyzon, which is at or close to the base of the phylogenetic tree for Northern Hemisphere lampreys (Petromyzontidae), evolved in fresh water or has been confined to fresh water for a very long period.
Muscle cellularity, enzyme activities, and nucleic acid content in meagre (Argyrosomus regius)
Authors: Mittakos Ioannis , Ayala M. Dolores , López-Albors Octavio , Grigorakis Kriton , Lenas Dimitrios , Kakali Fotini , Nathanailides Cosmas
Published: September 2012

Anatomical and biochemical indices of axial muscle growth were monitored in farmed meagre ( Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801)), a species with larger ultimate size. Within the first 19 months of a production cycle, body mass exceeded 1300 g. The specific daily growth rate ranged from a winter low of 0.2% to a summer high of 1.3%. Axial muscle RNA:DNA ratio decreased and cytochrome c oxidase levels increased from spring to winter, indicating a metabolic reorganisation of this tissue in response to winter temperature lows. Body mass correlated positively with increased lactate dehydrogenase activity and myofibre size (hypertrophy). The DNA:protein ratio, the myofibre density, and the percentage of small myofibres (0–150 µm2) decreased towards the end of the production cycle. However, small myofibres persisted even after the first 20 months of rearing. Compared with commonly cultivated species in the Mediterranean region, meagre exhibits delayed onset of puberty, larger ultimate size, and growth rate that is supported by the recruitment of new muscle fibres. This is in agreement with the hypothesis of a relationship between ultimate size and muscle growth dynamics.
PROBING THE ANISOTROPIC EXPANSION HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE WITH COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND
Authors: MOHAPATRA RANJITA K. , SAUMIA P. S. , SRIVASTAVA AJIT M.
Published: September 2012

We propose a simple technique to detect any anisotropic expansion stage in the history of the universe starting from the inflationary stage to the surface of last scattering from the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) data. We use the property that any anisotropic expansion in the universe would deform the shapes of the primordial density perturbations and this deformation can be detected in a shape analysis of superhorizon fluctuations in CMBR. Using this analysis we obtain the constraint on any previous anisotropic expansion of the universe to be less than about 35%.
COSMOLOGICAL CONCORDANCE MODEL WITH PARTICLE CREATION
Authors: CARNEIRO SAULO
Published: September 2012

The creation of ultra-light dark particles in the late-time FLRW spacetime provides a cosmological model in accordance with precise observational tests. The matter creation backreaction implies in this context a vacuum energy density scaling linearly with the Hubble parameter H, which is consistent with the vacuum expectation value of the QCD condensate in a low-energy expanding spacetime. Both the cosmological constant and coincidence problems are alleviated in this scenario. We also explore the opposite, high energy limit of the particle creation process. We show that it leads to a non-singular primordial universe where an early inflationary era takes place, with natural reheating and exit. The generated primordial spectrum is scale invariant and, by supposing that inflation lasts for 60 e-folds, we obtain a scalar expectral index n ≈ 0.97.
A MEAN FIELD THEORY FOR THE COLD QUARK GLUON PLASMA APPLIED TO STELLAR STRUCTURE
Authors: FOGAÇA D. A. , NAVARRA F. S. , FRANZON B.
Published: September 2012

The quark gluon plasma (QGP) at zero temperature and high baryon number is a strongly interacting system that may exist in the core of dense stars. Using an equation of state based on a mean-field approximation of QCD to describe this cold QGP, we study the structure of compact stars and obtain masses which are compatible with recent astrophysical data.
DATA ANALYSIS OF GRAVITATIONAL WAVES SIGNALS FROM MILLISECONDS PULSARS
Authors: OLIVEIRA F. G. , MARINHO R. M. , COELHO J. G. , MAGALHAES N. S.
Published: September 2012

The present work is devoted to the detection of monochromatic gravitational waves signals from pulsars using the ALLEGRO's data detector. In this work we will present the region (in frequency) of millisecond pulsars of the 47 Tucanae (NGC 104) in the band of detector. According with this result was possible to analyse the frequency of the pulsar J1342+2822c, searching annual Doppler variations using power spectrum estimates for the year 1999. We tested this method injecting a simulated signal in real data and we were able to detect it.
COHERENT STATES OF LIGHT PROPAGATING IN CURVED SPACETIMES
Authors: PEDROSA I. A. , ROSAS ALEXANDRE , FURTADO C.
Published: September 2012

In this work we investigate classical and quantum properties of light propagating in curved spacetimes determined by the Robertson-Walker metric. As a special case we consider the classical de Sitter spacetime. Afterwards, based on a quadratic invariant and the dynamical invariant method, we solve the Schrödinger equation for this problem and write the corresponding wave functions in terms of solutions of the Milne-Pinney equation. In addition, we construct coherent states for the quantized light and employ them to study quantum properties of light in curved spacetimes. In particular, we show that the product of the quantum fluctuations of the coordinate and the momentum space does not attain its minimum value.
THE GÖDEL METRIC IN THE CHERN-SIMONS MODIFIED GRAVITY
Authors: FURTADO C. , MARIZ T. , NASCIMENTO J. R. , PETROV A. YU. , SANTOS A. F.
Published: September 2012

We discuss the consistency of the Gödel metric within the Chern-Simons modified gravity, both for external and dynamical Chern-Simons coefficients.
η(T)/s(T) AND COLLECTIVE FLOW IN CHIRAL HYDRODYNAMICS
Authors: PERALTA-RAMOS J. , KREIN GASTÃO
Published: September 2012

Using relativistic conformal hydrodynamics coupled to the linear σ model we study the evolution of matter created in heavy–ion collisions. We focus the study on the influence of the dynamics of the chiral fields on the charged-hadron elliptic flow v2 for a temperature–independent as well as for a temperature–dependent η/s that is calculated from kinetic theory. We find that v2 is not very sensitive to the coupling of chiral fields to the hydrodynamic evolution, but the temperature dependence of η/s plays a much bigger role on this observable.
GLUEBALL-GLUEBALL POTENTIAL IN A CONSTITUENT GLUON MODEL
Authors: DA SILVA M. L. L. , HADJIMICHEF D. , VASCONCELLOS C. A. Z.
Published: September 2012

In this work we use a mapping technique to derive in the context of a constituent gluon model an effective Hamiltonian that involves explicit gluon degrees of freedom. We study glueballs with two gluons using the Fock-Tani formalism. In the present work we calculate the glueball-glueball potential, in the context of the constituent gluon model, with gluon interchange.
Modulation of Electron-States of Graphite Thin Films by the Nearly Free Electron States of Metal Surfaces
Authors: Takagi Yoshiteru , Okada Susumu
Published: September 2012

We have used density functional theory to study the electronic structure of the interfaces between graphite thin films and metal substrates. We found that unusual electron transfer from Ag to the graphite thin film occurs as a result of the spatial modulation of the Dirac point of the interfacial region of graphene layers. Detailed analysis of the modulation of electron-states revealed a mechanism where the surface states of the Ag substrate, which have nearly free electron (NFE) character, induce an electric field in the graphite thin film.
The Unique Paradigm of Spirochete Motility and Chemotaxis
Authors: Charon Nyles W. , Cockburn Andrew , Li Chunhao , Liu Jun , Miller Kelly A. , Miller Michael R. , Motaleb Md. A. , Wolgemuth Charles W.
Published: September 2012

Spirochete motility is enigmatic: It differs from the motility of most other bacteria in that the entire bacterium is involved in translocation in the absence of external appendages. Using the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) as a model system, we explore the current research on spirochete motility and chemotaxis. Bb has periplasmic flagella (PFs) subterminally attached to each end of the protoplasmic cell cylinder, and surrounding the cell is an outer membrane. These internal helix-shaped PFs allow the spirochete to swim by generating backward-moving waves by rotation. Exciting advances using cryoelectron tomography are presented with respect to in situ analysis of cell, PF, and motor structure. In addition, advances in the dynamics of motility, chemotaxis, gene regulation, and the role of motility and chemotaxis in the life cycle of Bb are summarized. The results indicate that the motility paradigms of flagellated bacteria do not apply to these unique bacteria.
Quantitative phosphoproteomics in nuclei of vasopressin-sensitive renal collecting duct cells
Authors: Bolger Steven J. , Hurtado Patricia A. Gonzales , Hoffert Jason D. , Saeed Fahad , Pisitkun Trairak , Knepper Mark A.
Published: September 2012

Vasopressin regulates transport across the collecting duct epithelium in part via effects on gene transcription. Transcriptional regulation occurs partially via changes in phosphorylation of transcription factors, transcriptional coactivators, and protein kinases in the nucleus. To test whether vasopressin alters the nuclear phosphoproteome of vasopressin-sensitive cultured mouse mpkCCD cells, we used stable isotope labeling and mass spectrometry to quantify thousands of phosphorylation sites in nuclear extracts and nuclear pellet fractions. Measurements were made in the presence and absence of the vasopressin analog dDAVP. Of the 1,251 sites quantified, 39 changed significantly in response to dDAVP. Network analysis of the regulated proteins revealed two major clusters (“cell-cell adhesion” and “transcriptional regulation”) that were connected to known elements of the vasopressin signaling pathway. The hub proteins for these two clusters were the transcriptional coactivator β-catenin and the transcription factor c-Jun. Phosphorylation of β-catenin at Ser552 was increased by dDAVP [log2(dDAVP/vehicle) = 1.79], and phosphorylation of c-Jun at Ser73 was decreased [log2(dDAVP/vehicle) = −0.53]. The β-catenin site is known to be targeted by either protein kinase A or Akt, both of which are activated in response to vasopressin. The c-Jun site is a canonical target for the MAP kinase Jnk2, which is downregulated in response to vasopressin in the collecting duct. The data support the idea that vasopressin-mediated control of transcription in collecting duct cells involves selective changes in the nuclear phosphoproteome. All data are available to users at http://helixweb.nih.gov/ESBL/Database/mNPPD/ .
Trypsin impaired epithelial barrier function and induced IL-8 secretion through basolateral PAR-2: a lesson from a stratified squamous epithelial model
Authors: Shan Jing , Oshima Tadayuki , Chen Xin , Fukui Hirokazu , Watari Jiro , Miwa Hiroto
Published: September 2012

Immune-mediated injury by the protease-activated receptor-2-interleukin-8 (PAR-2-IL8) pathway may underlie the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the localization of PAR-2 and the mechanism of PAR-2 activation remain unclear. This study aimed to address these questions on an esophageal stratified squamous epithelial model and in the human esophageal mucosa of GERD patients. Normal human esophageal epithelial cells were cultured with the air-liquid interface system to establish the model. SLIGKV-NH2 (PAR-2 synthetic agonist), trypsin (PAR-2 natural activator), and weak acid (pH 4, 5, and 6) were added to either the apical or basolateral compartment to evaluate their effects on transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and IL-8 production. PAR-2 localization was examined both in the cell model and biopsies from GERD patients by immunohistochemistry. Apical trypsin stimulation induced IL-8 accompanied by decreased TEER in vitro, whereas the effective concentration from the basolateral side was 10 times lower. SLIGKV-NH2 from basolateral but not apical stimulation induced IL-8 production. Apical weak acid stimulation did not influence TEER or IL-8 production. Immunohistochemistry showed intense reactivity of PAR-2 in the basal and suprabasal layers after stimulation with trypsin. A similar PAR-2 reactivity that was mainly located at the basal and suprabasal layers was detected in GERD patients. In conclusion, the activation of the PAR-2-IL-8 pathway probably occurred at the basal and suprabasal layers, while the esophageal epithelial barrier may influence the activation of PAR-2. Under proton pump inhibitor therapy, refluxed trypsin may remain active and be a potential agent in the pathogenesis of refractory GERD.
Intracranial pressure pulse waveform correlates with aqueductal cerebrospinal fluid stroke volume
Authors: Hamilton Robert , Baldwin Kevin , Fuller Jennifer , Vespa Paul , Hu Xiao , Bergsneider Marvin
Published: September 2012

This study identifies a novel relationship between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) stroke volume through the cerebral aqueduct and the characteristic peaks of the intracranial pulse (ICP) waveform. ICP waveform analysis has become much more advanced in recent years; however, clinical practice remains restricted to mean ICP, mainly due to the lack of physiological understanding of the ICP waveform. Therefore, the present study set out to shed some light on the physiological meaning of ICP morphological metrics derived by the morphological clustering and analysis of continuous intracranial pulse (MOCAIP) algorithm by investigating their relationships with a well defined physiological variable, i.e., the stroke volume of CSF through the cerebral aqueduct. Seven patients received both overnight ICP monitoring along with a phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI) of the cerebral aqueduct to quantify aqueductal stroke volume (ASV). Waveform morphological analysis of the ICP signal was performed by the MOCAIP algorithm. Following extraction of morphological metrics from the ICP signal, nine temporal ICP metrics and two amplitude-based metrics were compared with the ASV via Spearman's rank correlation. Of the nine temporal metrics correlated with the ASV, only the width of the P2 region (ICP-Wi2) reached significance. Furthermore, both ICP pulse pressure amplitude and mean ICP did not reach significance. In this study, we showed the width of the second peak (ICP-Wi2) of an ICP pulse wave is positively related to the volume of CSF movement through the cerebral aqueduct. This finding is an initial step in bridging the gap between ICP waveform morphology research and clinical practice.
Functional assessments of the knee joint biomechanics by using pendulum test in adults with Down syndrome
Authors: Casabona Antonino , Valle Maria Stella , Pisasale Mariangela , Pantò Maria Rosita , Cioni Matteo
Published: September 2012

In this study, we assessed kinematics and viscoelastic features of knee joint in adults with Down syndrome (DS) by means of the Wartenberg pendulum test. This test allows the measuring of the kinematics of the knee joint during passive pendular motion of leg under the influence of gravity. In addition, by a combination of kinematic and anthropometric data, pendulum test provides estimates of joint viscoelastic properties by computing damping and stiffness coefficients. To monitor the occurrences of muscle activation, the surface electromyogram (EMG) of muscle rectus femoris was recorded. The experimental protocol was performed in a group of 10 adults with DS compared with 10 control adults without DS. Joint motion amplitude, velocity, and acceleration of the leg during the first knee flexion significantly decreased in persons with DS with respect to those without DS. This behavior was associated with the activation of rectus femoris in subjects with DS that resulted in increasing of joint resistance shortly after the onset of the first leg flexion. The EMG bursts mostly occurred between 50 and 150 ms from the leg flexion onset. During the remaining cycles of pendular motion, persons with DS exhibited passive leg oscillations with low tonic EMG activity and reduced damping coefficient compared with control subjects. These results suggest that adults with DS might perform preprogrammed contractions to increase joint resistance and compensate for inherent joint instability occurring for quick and unpredictable perturbations. The reduction of damping coefficients observed during passive oscillations could be a predictor of muscle hypotonia.
Intrinsic aerobic capacity correlates with greater inherent mitochondrial oxidative and H2O2emission capacities without major shifts in myosin heavy chain isoform
Authors: Seifert Erin L. , Bastianelli Mark , Aguer Céline , Moffat Cynthia , Estey Carmen , Koch Lauren G. , Britton Steven L. , Harper Mary-Ellen
Published: September 2012

Exercise capacity and performance strongly associate with metabolic and biophysical characteristics of skeletal muscle, factors that also relate to overall disease risk. Despite its importance, the exact mechanistic features that connect aerobic metabolism with health status are unknown. To explore this, we applied artificial selection of rats for intrinsic (i.e., untrained) aerobic treadmill running to generate strains of low- and high-capacity runners (LCR and HCR, respectively), subsequently shown to diverge for disease risk. Concurrent breeding of LCR and HCR per generation allows the lines to serve as reciprocal controls for unknown environmental changes. Here we provide the first direct evidence in mitochondria isolated from skeletal muscle that intrinsic mitochondrial capacity is higher in HCR rats. Maximal phosphorylating respiration was ∼40% greater in HCR mitochondria, independent of substrate and without altered proton leak or major changes in protein levels or muscle fiber type, consistent with altered control of phosphorylating respiration. Unexpectedly, H2O2emission was ∼20% higher in HCR mitochondria, due to greater reduction of more harmful reactive oxygen species to H2O2; indeed, oxidative modification of mitochondrial proteins was lower. When the higher mitochondrial yield was considered, phosphorylating respiration and H2O2emission were 70–80% greater in HCR muscle. Greater capacity of HCR muscle for work and H2O2signaling may result in enhanced and more immediate cellular repair, possibly explaining lowered disease risks.
Changes in taste receptor cell [Ca2+]i modulate chorda tympani responses to bitter, sweet, and umami taste stimuli
Authors: DeSimone John A. , Phan Tam-Hao T. , Ren ZuoJun , Mummalaneni Shobha , Lyall Vijay
Published: September 2012

The relationship between taste receptor cell (TRC) intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and rat chorda tympani (CT) nerve responses to bitter (quinine and denatonium), sweet (sucrose, glycine, and erythritol), and umami [monosodium glutamate (MSG) and MSG + inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP)] taste stimuli was investigated before and after lingual application of ionomycin (Ca2+ ionophore) + Ca2+, 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane- N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM; Ca2+ chelator), U73122 (phospholipase C blocker), thapsigargin (Ca2+-ATPase blocker), and diC8-PIP2 (synthetic phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate). The phasic CT response to quinine was indifferent to changes in [Ca2+]i. However, a decrease in [Ca2+]i inhibited the tonic part of the CT response to quinine. The CT responses to sweet and umami stimuli were indifferent to changes in TRC [Ca2+]i. However, a decrease in [Ca2+]i attenuated the synergistic effects of ethanol on the CT response to sweet stimuli and of IMP on the glutamate CT response. U73122 and thapsigargin inhibited the phasic and tonic CT responses to bitter, sweet, and umami stimuli. Although diC8-PIP2 increased the CT response to bitter and sweet stimuli, it did not alter the CT response to glutamate but did inhibit the synergistic effect of IMP on the glutamate response. The results suggest that bitter, sweet, and umami taste qualities are transduced by [Ca2+]i-dependent and [Ca2+]i-independent mechanisms. Changes in TRC [Ca2+]i in the BAPTA-sensitive cytosolic compartment regulate quality-specific taste receptors and ion channels that are involved in the neural adaptation and mixture interactions. Changes in TRC [Ca2+]i in a separate subcompartment, sensitive to inositol trisphosphate and thapsigargin but inaccessible to BAPTA and ionomycin + Ca2+, are associated with neurotransmitter release.
Conformal Mapping of Unbounded Multiply Connected Regions onto Canonical Slit Regions
Authors: Yunus Arif A. M. , Murid Ali H. M. , Nasser Mohamed M. S.
Published: September 2012

We present a boundary integral equation method for conformal mapping of unbounded multiply connected regions onto five types of canonical slit regions. For each canonical region, three linear boundary integral equations are constructed from a boundary relationship satisfied by an analytic function on an unbounded multiply connected region. The integral equations are uniquely solvable. The kernels involved in these integral equations are the modified Neumann kernels and the adjoint generalized Neumann kernels.
Portomesenteric Venous System Gas after CT Colonography: A Case Report
Authors: Sansoni Ilaria , Piccolo Claudia Lucia , Di Giampietro Ilenia , Polacco Matteo , Beomonte Zobel Bruno
Published: September 2012

Portomesenteric vein gas can occur owing to a variety of interraleted factors such as loss of mucosal integrity and intraluminal overpressure, and the most common and serious cause is bowel ischemia, which requires urgent laparotomy. Nevertheless, when portal venous gas is caused by nonischemic causes, surgery is not required and it can be treated conservatively. So, its features should be carefully evaluated at CT scan, together with clinical findings. The authors report a case of an old male with portomesenteric venous system gas after CT colonography, without evidence of pneumatosis intestinalis or colonic perforation. A CT scan without enema was required after 24 hours in absence of worsened patient conditions, revealing the disappearance of gas in mesenteric vein and in the portal venous system.
Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Assessing Retroperitoneal Fibrosis: A Literature Review
Authors: Treglia Giorgio , Mattoli Maria Vittoria , Bertagna Francesco
Published: September 2012

Background and Purpose. Several studies have evaluated the role of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET and PET/CT) in diagnosing and assessing disease activity in patients with retroperitoneal fibrosis (RF). The aim of our paper is to perform a literature review on this topic. Methods. Scientific articles that evaluated the usefulness of FDG-PET and PET/CT in patients with RF were searched and discussed. Results. Eleven studies were found, and the main findings of these articles were described. Conclusion. FDG-PET and PET/CT are useful functional imaging methods for assessing patients with RF both in the diagnosis and in the treatment response evaluation. Moreover, further studies are needed to substantiate the role of FDG-PET and PET/CT in patients with RF.
A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Association between Physical Activity and Visceral Adipose Tissue Accumulation in a Multiethnic Cohort
Authors: Lesser Iris A. , Yew Ann C. , Mackey Dawn C. , Lear Scott A.
Published: September 2012

Higher levels of VAT at the same body size and lower levels of physical activity (PA) have been reported in persons of Chinese and South Asian origin compared to European origin. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that higher levels of VAT in persons of Chinese and South Asian origin versus European origin are associated with lower levels of PA. Chinese, European, and South Asian participants were assessed for sociodemographics, obesity-related measures, anthropometrics, and PA. Bivariate correlations, analysis of covariance, and regression models were used to explore ethnic differences in PA and the role of PA in explaining obesity-related measures. We observed ethnic differences in both body fat distribution and PA. Chinese and South Asians had higher amounts of VAT at a given BMI but lower amounts of moderate PA, vigorous PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Furthermore, we found ethnic-specific differences in the associations between body fat distribution and PA with only Europeans showing a consistent negative relationship between body fat distribution and PA. When ethnic differences in PA were taken into account, there were no longer any differences in VAT between the Chinese and European groups, while VAT remained higher in South Asians than Europeans.
Radioimmunotherapy of Fibroblast Activation Protein Positive Tumors by Rapidly Internalizing Antibodies
Authors: Fischer Eliane , Chaitanya Krishna , Wüest Thomas , Wadle Andreas , Scott Andrew M. , van den Broek Maries , Schibli Roger , Bauer Stefan , Renner Christoph
Published: September 2012

Purpose: Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a serine protease that has emerged as a promising target for cancer therapy, either by direct abrogation of its proinvasive activity or by specific targeting of FAP-expressing cells with cytotoxic immunoconjugates. We aimed to select novel human–mouse cross-reactive antibodies and to test suitability for tumor therapy as radioimmunoconjugates in a preclinical model.

Experimental Design: Human Fab fragments that bind to human and murine FAP were selected from an antibody phage library. Two candidates (ESC11 and ESC14) were engineered into fully human IgG1 antibodies and further characterized. We investigated the intracellular trafficking of ESC11 and ESC14 in live cells by confocal microscopy and analyzed the biodistribution and therapeutic effects of anti-FAP antibodies labeled with the β-emitting radionuclide 177Lu in a melanoma xenograft nude mouse model. Results were compared with vF19, a humanized variant of an anti-FAP antibody that has been previously used in clinical trials.

Results: The two antibodies bound selectively to both human and mouse FAP, with affinities in the low nanomolar range. Binding to FAP-expressing melanoma cells resulted in rapid internalization of FAP-antibody complexes. 177Lu-labeled ESC11 specifically accumulated in melanoma xenografts in vivo, with a higher tumor uptake than ESC14 and vF19. Radioimmunotherapy with 8 MBq 177Lu-labeled anti-FAP antibodies delayed growth of established tumors, whereas 177Lu-ESC11 extended mouse survival more pronounced than 177Lu-ESC14 and 177Lu-vF19.

Conclusion: Our results show the potential of ESC11 and ESC14 as potent radioimmunoconjugates or antibody–drug conjugates for diagnostic and therapeutic use in patients with FAP-expressing tumors. Clin Cancer Res; 18(22); 6208–18. ©2012 AACR.
Intrinsic Endobronchial Obstructions in Children from Turkey: Evaluation of 2,555 Flexible Bronchoscopic Procedures
Authors: Kut Arif , Cakir Erkan , Gokdemir Yasemin , Midyat Levent , Ersu Refika , Erdem Ela , Karadag Bulent , Karakoc Fazilet
Published: September 2012

Background: Endobronchial obstructions are rarely seen in children and are often misdiagnosed resulting in delay of definitive treatment. A variety of diseases can cause endobronchial obstructions in childhood, but data is limited as to the frequency, distribution and clinical characteristics of endobronchial obstructions diagnosed with flexible bronchoscopy (FB). Objective: To document endobronchial obstructions detected by FB. Methods: FB results from three pediatric pulmonology centers in Istanbul were evaluated. Results: A total of 2,555 children underwent an FB procedure during the study period. Endobronchial obstructions were detected in 10% (n = 256) of the patients. Among FB in patients who had endobronchial obstructions, the four most common indications for bronchoscopy were persistent infiltrations (30%, n = 72), persistent wheezing (28%, n = 70), chronic cough (26%, n = 66) and atelectasis (23%, n = 59). The most common endobronchial obstructions detected in the patients were aspirated foreign bodies (35.9%, n = 92), endobronchial tuberculosis (31.6%, n = 81), mucous plugs occluding airway (16.7%, n = 43) and granulation scars (6%, n = 16). Other pathologies included hydatid cysts (n = 5), hemangiomas (n = 5), tumors (n = 5), submucosal nodules (n = 5) and polyps (n = 4). Endobronchial obstructions were most commonly located in the right bronchus (51%, n = 130) followed by the left bronchus (33%, n = 85), bilaterally (8%, n = 21) and trachea (8%, n = 20). Conclusions: Endobronchial obstructions can be caused by a number of different diseases which require various medical or surgical treatments. In the presence of clinical or radiological findings suggesting an endobronchial obstruction, FB should be performed promptly.
A Simple New Visualization of Exercise Data Discloses Pathophysiology and Severity of Heart Failure
Authors: Hansen James E. , Sun Xing‐Guo , Stringer William W.
Published: September 2012

Background

The complexity of cardiopulmonary exercise testing data and their displays tends to make assessment of patients, including those with heart failure, time consuming.

Methods and Results

We postulated that a new single display that uses concurrent values of oxygen uptake / ventilation versus carbon dioxide output / ventilation ratios (

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), plotted on equal X–Y axes, would better quantify normality and heart failure severity and would clarify pathophysiology. Consecutive

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values from rest to recovery were displayed on X–Y axes for patients with Class II and IV heart failure and for healthy subjects without heart failure. The displays revealed distinctive patterns for each group, reflecting sequential changes in cardiac output, arterial and mixed venous O
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and CO
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content differences, and ventilation (

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). On the basis of exercise tests of 417 healthy subjects, reference formulas for highest

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and

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, which normally occur during moderate exercise, are presented. Absolute and percent predicted values of highest

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and

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were recorded for 10 individuals from each group: Those of healthy subjects were significantly higher than those of patients with Class II heart failure, and those of patients with Class II heart failure were higher than those of patients with Class IV heart failure. These values differentiated heart failure severity better than peak

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, anaerobic threshold, peak oxygen pulse, and

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slopes. Resting

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values were strikingly low for patients with Class IV heart failure, and with exercise, increased minimally or even decreased. With regard to the pathophysiology of heart failure, high

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values during milder exercise, previously attributed to ventilatory inefficiency, seem to be caused primarily by reduced cardiac output rather than increased

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Conclusion

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measurements and displays, extractable from future or existing exercise data, separate the 3 groups (healthy subjects, patients with Class II heart failure, and patients with Class IV heart failure) well and confirm the dominant role of low cardiac output rather than excessive

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in heart failure pathophysiology.

(
J Am Heart Assoc
. 2012;1:e001883 doi

:
10.1161/JAHA.112.001883
.)
Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on Risk of Incident Atrial Fibrillation and Subsequent Survival in Medicare Patients
Authors: Nelson Sarah E. , Shroff Gautam R. , Li Shuling , Herzog Charles A.
Published: September 2012

Background

Atrial fibrillation (
AF
) and chronic kidney disease (
CKD
) are prevalent in the elderly and are independently associated with increased risk of death. We evaluated risk of incident
AF
with advancing
CKD
and examined the mortality rate associated with
CKD
after incident
AF
in elderly patients.

Methods and Results

This retrospective cohort study used the
M
edicare 5% database. Point‐prevalent
M
edicare enrollees on December 31, 2006, without preexistent
AF
or end‐stage renal disease were followed up for incident
AF
through 2008.
CKD
and
AF
were identified from
International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification
diagnosis codes. Associations between
CKD
stage and incident
AF
and subsequent risk of death were examined in a Cox proportional‐hazards model. Unadjusted survival after incident
AF
was estimated by the
K
aplan‐
M
eier method.
CKD
was present in 55 962 patients (5.1% of the cohort). Of these, 4952 (8.8%) had
CKD
stages 1 and 2; 19 795 (35.3%), stages 3 to 5; and 31 215 (55.7%), unknown stage. The hazard ratio for incident
AF
in
CKD
stages 3 to 5 was 1.13 (95% confidence interval 1.09 to 1.18). Other stages were not independently associated with incident
AF
. Survival after incident
AF
decreased progressively as
CKD
stage increased (
P
<0.0001). The 1‐year mortality rate for
CKD
stages 3 to 5 with incident
AF
was 35.6%. Adjusted hazard ratios for death after incident
AF
were 1.14 (95% confidence interval 1.00 to 1.30) for
CKD
stages 1 and 2, 1.27 (95% confidence interval 1.20 to 1.35) for
CKD
stages 3 to 5, and 1.29 (95% confidence interval 1.23 to 1.36) for unknown stage.

Conclusions

Advanced
CKD
is associated with increased risk of incident
AF
. In Medicare patients with incident AF, mortality rates are higher for those with advanced CKD than for those without CKD.
Evaluating Cloud Contamination in Clear-Sky MODIS Terra Daytime Land Surface Temperatures Using Ground-Based Meteorology Station Observations
Authors: Williamson Scott N. , Hik David S. , Gamon John A. , Kavanaugh Jeffrey L. , Koh Saewan
Published: September 2012

Environment Canada meteorological station hourly sampled air temperatures Tair at four stations in the southwest Yukon were used to identify cloud contamination in the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Terra clear-sky daytime land surface temperature (LST) and emissivity daily level-3 global 1-km grid product (MOD11A1, Collection 5) that is not flagged by the MODIS quality algorithm as contaminated. The additional cloud masking used qualitative ground-based sky condition observations, collected at two of the four stations, and coincident MODIS quality flag information. The results indicate that air temperature observed at a variety of discrete spatial locations having different land cover is highly correlated with MODIS LST collected at 1-km grid spacing. Quadratic relationships between LST and air temperature, constrained by ground observations of “clear” sky conditions, show less variability than relationships found under “mainly clear” and “mostly cloudy” sky conditions, and the more clouds observed in the sky coincides with a decreasing y intercept. Analysis of MODIS LST and its associated quality flags show a cold bias (<0°C) in the assignment of the ≤3-K-average LST error, indicating MODIS LST has a maximum average error of ≤2 K over a warm surface (>0°C). Analysis of two observation stations shows that unidentified clouds in MODIS LST are between 13% and 17%, a result that agrees well with previous studies. Analysis of daytime values is important because many processes are dependent on daylight and maximum temperature. The daytime clear-sky LST–Tair relationship observed for the good-quality confirmed cloud-free-sky MODIS LST quality flag can be used to discriminate cloud-contaminated grid cells beyond the standard MODIS cloud mask.
A comparative study of mechanical and tribological properties of poly(ether ether ketone) composites filled by micro- and nano-Ni and ZrO2 fillers
Authors: Mordina Bablu , Tiwari RK
Published: September 2012

The poly(ether ether ketone) micro/nanocomposite reinforced with N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyl triethoxy silane treated micro- and nano-sized nickel and zirconia (0.5, 1, and 3 wt%) were prepared by melt mixing in a co-rotating twin screw extruder followed by test specimen fabrication in microinjection molding. The resulting nanocomposites with 3 wt% Ni and ZrO2 nanoparticles exhibit the maximum improvement in tensile and flexural strength as well as the modulus with respect to neat poly(ether ether ketone). The lowest specific wear rate of 17.6 × 10−4 mm3/N/m has been achieved with 3 wt% nano-Ni-filled composite in comparison to neat poly(ether ether ketone)’s value 191.5 × 10−4 mm3/N/m. The thermal stability of micro- and nano-particle reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) composites measured by thermogravimetric analysis found to be higher than the unfilled poly(ether ether ketone).
The Positive Effects of Participative Decision Making for Midlevel Correctional Management
Authors: Reeves David W. , Walsh Benjamin M. , Tuller Michael D. , Magley Vicki J.
Published: September 2012

This study examined the effects of increased participation in decision making on perceived supervisory and organizational support among middle managers within corrections. Using data collected from 146 middle managers and structural equation modeling, the authors found that increases in participation in decision making were associated with increases in both perceived supervisor support and perceived organizational support. Furthermore, the relationship between participation in decision making and perceived organizational support was partially mediated by perceived supervisor support. The present study extends the literature by being the first examination of the relationships between participation in decision making and perceived supervisor and organizational support within corrections. It also extends the corrections literature by focusing on key individuals within corrections, middle managers, who for the most part have been ignored in the published literature. Suggestions for enhancing the involvement of middle management in decisions are discussed as well as limitations and opportunities for future research.
Automatic kinematic modelling of a modular reconfigurable robot
Authors: Pan Xinan , Wang Hongguang , Jiang Yong , Xiao Jizhong
Published: September 2012

This paper focuses on the automatic generation of forward kinematics of a kind of modular reconfigurable robot. Based on the modularized division of robots and the communication between the host and the modules, a configuration recognition method is proposed. By using the graph theory, the method of topological analysis is proposed, and the assembly incidence matrix (AIM) and path matrix are derived. Subsequently, based on the results of topological analysis and the definition of module frames, the initial poses and twists of a robot are obtained. To deal with the multi-chain robots, the entries of the path matrix are employed to enable dyads to appear or not to appear in the kinematic equations. Then, the forward kinematics of the multi-chain robot is derived. An illustrative example and an experiment are presented. The results show that the method is valid and suitable for both single-open-chain robots and multi-chain robots.
Validation of a Self-Administered Computerized System to Detect Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults
Authors: Brinkman Samuel D. , Reese Robert J. , Norsworthy Larry A. , Dellaria Donna K. , Kinkade Jacob W. , Benge Jared , Brown Kimberly , Ratka Anna , Simpkins James W.
Published: September 2012

There is increasing interest in the development of economical and accurate approaches to identifying persons in the community who have mild, undetected cognitive impairments. Computerized assessment systems have been suggested as a viable approach to identifying these persons. The validity of a computerized assessment system for identification of memory and executive deficits in older individuals was evaluated in the current study. Volunteers ( N = 235) completed a 3-hr battery of neuropsychological tests and a computerized cognitive assessment system. Participants were classified as impaired ( n = 78) or unimpaired ( n = 157) on the basis of the Mini Mental State Exam, Wechsler Memory Scale-III and the Trail Making Test (TMT), Part B. All six variables (three memory variables and three executive variables) derived from the computerized assessment differed significantly between groups in the expected direction. There was also evidence of temporal stability and concurrent validity. Application of computerized assessment systems for clinical practice and for identification of research participants is discussed in this article.
Moving to Opportunity
Authors: Pfeiffer Deirdre
Published: September 2012

Greater safety is a primary benefit garnered by black public housing residents participating in housing mobility programs. Whether similar outcomes are arising from the recent exurbanization of nonsubsidized families is unclear. Using the migration of 130,000 African Americans into the Los Angeles exurbs as a case study, this research combines evidence from mover interviews and crime and census data to show that the region has enabled families’ safety over time—a finding that calls for planners’ consideration of racial equity in responding to urban sprawl.
Mitigating the Effect of a Criminal Record at Sentencing
Authors: Ortiz Natalie R. , Spohn Cassia
Published: September 2012

The assumption in courts and sentencing research is that recidivists—or, defendants with a criminal record who are facing new charges—are considered more blameworthy and perceived as more dangerous by courtroom decision makers, including prosecutors. Nagel and Schulhofer suggested that defendants with a prior record may be viewed as sympathetic by federal prosecutors because of “human factors,” leading to substantial assistance departures in these cases. We conceptualize human factors as local life circumstances, or temporally bound situations that make attributional statements about the defendant. We operationalize local life circumstances in terms of employment status, financial responsibility to dependents, and drug use, and determine whether these circumstances affect the likelihood of a receiving a substantial assistance departure among defendants with an established record of criminality. In addition to case characteristics, employment and drug use increased the likelihood of a prosecutor-sponsored sentence departure among recidivists in federal court.
Positioning Résumés and Cover Letters as Reflective-Reflexive Process
Authors: Randazzo Chalice
Published: September 2012

Although the résumé and cover letter genre is widely discussed in both popular and scholarly publications, discussion thus far has failed to acknowledge that the process of creating a résumé and cover letter has the potential for encouraging students’ reflective and reflexive capacities. This article suggests that business communication educators can realize this potential through three pedagogical changes: timing the assignment to coincide with reflective phases in the learning cycle, incorporating rhetorical context, and promoting abstraction and generalization. With these adjustments, the genre becomes a unique opportunity among reflective-reflexive documents because of its pervasiveness, timeliness, and rhetorical significance.
Who's the Man? Fragile Masculinities, Consumer Masculinities, and the Profiles of Sex Work Clients
Authors: Joseph Lauren J. , Black Pamela
Published: September 2012

Some research on male clients of female prostitutes argues that clients are simply seeking unemotional sexual release or looking for wild and varied sexual experiences. Yet other sex workers portray clients as lonely, vulnerable, and desiring of emotional connection with women. Rather than view this as an “either-or” scenario—in which all clients fit one profile—we construct two dichotomous models of masculinity for clients and explore their attitudes toward women and sex. Men in the fragile masculinities category feel uncomfortable around women, unattractive to women, and rejected by women in the sexual marketplace, while consumer masculinities men get excited by approaching a prostitute, seek a variety of partners, and do not want the responsibilities of a relationship. We find that fragile masculinities men may be more dangerous to women than consumer masculinities men.
Clinical relevance of serum natalizumab concentration and anti-natalizumab antibodies in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Vennegoor Anke , Rispens Theo , Strijbis Eva MM , Seewann Alexandra , Uitdehaag Bernard MJ , Balk Lisanne J , Barkhof Frederik , Polman Chris H , Wolbink Gertjan , Killestein Joep
Published: September 2012

Background:

Antibodies against natalizumab have been found in 4.5–14.1% of natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. If antibodies persist, they are associated with an adverse effect on treatment response. However, it has proved to be difficult to standardize anti-drug antibody measurements.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological impact of serum natalizumab concentrations and their relation with anti-natalizumab antibodies in MS patients.

Methods:

In this prospective observational cohort study of 73 consecutive patients treated with natalizumab, we measured serum natalizumab levels and antibody titers before the start of natalizumab treatment, at weeks 12 and 24 and annually after natalizumab initiation. Antibodies against natalizumab were measured by radioimmunoassay and serum natalizumab concentrations using a newly developed enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and clinical evaluation were performed before the start of natalizumab treatment and subsequently every year.

Results:

Antibodies were detected in 58% of the natalizumab-treated patients. All patients developed their antibodies before week 24. The large majority of these patients reverted to neutralizing antibody (NAb) negative status during follow-up. The presence of antibodies was inversely correlated with serum natalizumab concentration ( p<0.001). Only high antibody titers are associated with very low or undetectable serum natalizumab concentration. Both high antibody titers and low serum natalizumab concentrations are associated with relapses and gadolinium-enhancing lesions on MRI.

Conclusions:

Our data show that both low natalizumab serum concentration and high antibody titers are associated with a lack of efficacy of natalizumab. Measuring serum natalizumab, using a highly specific assay, might lead to more enhanced precision using natalizumab in individual patients.