bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Central and statistical data monitoring in the Clinical Randomisation of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant Haemorrhage (CRASH-2) trial
Authors: Edwards Phil , Shakur Haleema , Barnetson Lin , Prieto David , Evans Stephen , Roberts Ian
Published: December 2013

Background

The purpose of monitoring in clinical trials is to ensure the rights, safety, and well-being of trial patients and the accuracy of the trial data. In the Clinical Randomisation of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant Haemorrhage (CRASH-2) trial, which recruited over 20,000 adult trauma patients worldwide, the nature and extent of monitoring was based on a risk assessment undertaken before recruitment started.

Purpose

We report the methods used for central and statistical monitoring in the CRASH-2 trial and explain how central monitoring was used to target on-site investigations.

Methods

To ensure that trial participants met the inclusion criteria, we monitored event rates for the primary (death) and secondary outcomes (blood transfusion given). We monitored four quantitative variables (systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, and capillary refill time) as indicators of the severity of bleeding. We used the coefficient of variation (CV) to identify sites with too much or too little variability. To ensure the accuracy of the data on side effects, we monitored thromboembolic events at each site. Sites with higher or lower than expected event rates were identified for further evaluation.

Results

A total of 274 sites recruited patients: 145 sites recruited ≥20; patients, and 52 sites recruited ≥100 patients. Sites with low case fatality and low blood transfusion rates were found to be including patients with relatively mild haemorrhage. One site with a high rate of thromboembolic events was found to be using clinical judgement alone. Measurements of SBP and HR varied by about one-fifth of their average value, and capillary refill time measurements varied by around one-third of their average; between-site variation was lowest for blood pressure.

Limitations

A comparison of mean and median CV indicated that the distributions are slightly skewed to the right. Our simple approach to calculating 95% confidence intervals for the CV may be improved by using a logarithmic transformation of CV for each variable.

Conclusions

Central and statistical monitoring of data can be used to monitor clinical trials, particularly large, pragmatic, international trials where 100% on-site monitoring is neither necessary nor cost-effective. In the CRASH-2 trial, re-education about trial protocol and the development of guidance helped resolve the issues identified during monitoring.
Targeting the synovial angiogenesis as a novel treatment approach to osteoarthritis
Authors: Henrotin Yves , Pesesse Laurence , Lambert Cecile
Published: December 2013

Synovitis is a key feature in osteoarthritis and is associated with symptom severity. Synovial membrane inflammation is secondary to cartilage degradation which occurs in the early stage and is located adjacent to cartilage damage. This inflammation is characterized by the invasion and activation of macrophages and lymphocytes, the release in the joint cavity of large amounts of pro-inflammatory and procatabolic mediators, and by a local increase of synovial membrane vascularity. This latter process plays an important role in the chronicity of the inflammatory reaction by facilitating the invasion of the synovium by immune cells. Therefore, synovial membrane angiogenesis represents a key target for the treatment of osteoarthritis. This paper is a narrative review of the literature referenced in PubMed during the past 5 years. It addresses in particular three questions. What are the mechanisms involved in synovium blood vessels invasion? Are current medications effective in controlling blood vessels formation and invasion? What are the perspectives of research in this area?
Are You Feeling What I’m Feeling? Emotional Similarity Buffers Stress
Authors: Townsend Sarah S. M. , Kim Heejung S. , Mesquita Batja
Published: December 2013

We examine the idea that it is beneficial for people in threatening situations to affiliate with others who are experiencing similar, relative to dissimilar, emotions. Pairs of participants waited together and then engaged in a laboratory stressor (i.e., giving a speech). We created an index of each pair’s emotional similarity using participants’ emotional states. We also measured how threatening participants perceived the speech task to be (i.e., whether they had high vs. low dispositional fear of public speaking). We hypothesized that perceiving greater threat in the situation would be associated with greater stress, but interacting with someone who is emotionally similar would buffer individuals from this heightened stress. Confirming our hypotheses, greater initial dyadic emotional similarity was associated with a reduced cortisol response and lower reported stress among participants who feared public speaking.
Affirmative Action Support in an Organization
Authors: Oyinlade A. Olu
Published: December 2013

Underpinned by the assumption that people would support affirmative action based on self-interests, and/or when they have high job security not to be threatened by the policy, this study investigated the likelihood that workers would differentially support affirmative action by their demographic attributes. Analyses of three demographic models—social, organizational, and combined(social plus organizational)—were used to determine predictors of support for affirmative action. Findings of the third (combined) model indicated that organizational tenure (an organizational demographic variable) and educational completion (a social demographic variable), respectively, were the two strongest predictors of support for affirmative action. This study suggested that factors of achievement, rather than race-ethnicity or gender, were the strongest predictors of support for affirmative action. This finding may be useful to personnel and human resources leaders in designing programs for employee acceptance of affirmative action programs.
Development of Guidelines for Adults on How to Communicate With Adolescents About Mental Health Problems and Other Sensitive Topics
Authors: Fischer Julie A. , Kelly Claire M. , Kitchener Betty A. , Jorm Anthony F.
Published: December 2013

There is little evidence-based information available to guide adults in the general community on communicating effectively with adolescents about mental health problems or other sensitive topics. The Delphi methodology was used to develop guidelines to fill this evidence gap. An online questionnaire containing potential guideline statements was developed following a literature search and input from two focus groups. Two expert panels (Youth Mental Health First Aid instructors and young consumer advocates) rated the questionnaire over three rounds, according to whether or not they believed that the statements should be included in the guidelines. Results were analyzed by comparing endorsement rates between the panels. Of the 175 statements presented, 80 were rated as essential or important by ≥90% of both panels and were included in the guidelines. The Delphi process has offered an effective way to achieve consensus between expert panels on useful tips to help adults communicate with adolescents.
Associations Among School and Friendship Identity in Adolescence and Romantic Relationships and Work in Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Branje Susan , Laninga-Wijnen Lydia , Yu Rongqin , Meeus Wim
Published: December 2013

This study examined the interrelations between employment status and romantic relationship status, work and romantic relationship identity in emerging adulthood, and school and friendship identity in adolescence. Dutch participants ( N = 1,026) from two age cohorts (16-year-old cohort comprised 735 participants and 20-year-olds comprised 291, at Time 1) reported about school and friendship identity during adolescence, and about status of and identification with work and romantic relationships during emerging adulthood 5 years later. Employment status and romantic relationship status were significantly related to each other. Employment status was also significantly related to relational identity, and relationship status was significantly related to work identity. Moreover, work and romantic relationship identity, but not employment status and romantic relationship status, could be predicted by school and friendship identity in adolescence. These results confirm the interdependence of role transitions in emerging adulthood and suggest that the base of the successful attainment of these transitions is laid in adolescence.
Eltrombopag restores trilineage hematopoiesis in refractory severe aplastic anemia that can be sustained on discontinuation of drug
Authors: Desmond Ronan , Townsley Danielle M. , Dumitriu Bogdan , Olnes Matthew J. , Scheinberg Phillip , Bevans Margaret , Parikh Ankur R. , Broder Kinneret , Calvo Katherine R. , Wu Colin O. , Young Neal S. , Dunbar Cynthia E.
Published: December 2013

Key Points

Eltrombopag promotes hematopoiesis in patients with severe aplastic anemia by stimulating stem and progenitor cells. Eltrombopag can be discontinued safely in robust responders with maintenance of hematopoiesis.
Effect of physisorption and chemisorption of water on resonant modes of rolled-up tubular microcavities
Authors: Zhong Jian , Wang Jiao , Huang Gaoshan , Yuan Guoliang , Mei Yongfeng
Published: December 2013

Both blue- and redshifts of resonant modes are observed in the rolled-up Y2O3/ZrO2 tubular microcavity during a conformal oxide coating process. Our investigation based on spectral analyses suggests that there are two competitive processes during coating: desorption of both chemically and physically absorbed water molecules and increase of the tube wall thickness. The redshift is due to the increase of the wall thickness and corresponding light confinement enhancement. On the other hand, desorption of water molecules by heating leads to a blueshift. The balance of these two factors produces the observed bi-directional shift of the modes while they both contribute to promoted quality factor after coating.
An alternative method for modeling close-range interactions between air guns
Authors: Barker Daniel , Landrø Martin
Published: December 2013

We evaluated the problem of modeling the decay of the primary pulse amplitudes of air-gun clusters caused by the traditional assumption of sphericality. This was done by generalizing the Rayleigh equation to work with arbitrary bubble shapes, while retaining the assumption of incompressibility. To approximate the coalescence of the bubbles, we let the shapes be isosurfaces of the velocity potential. With this method, it is possible to model the firing of clustered air guns at any separation distance, including small distances that would cause two spherical bubbles to overlap. In this way, we obtained results matching the relative decay shown to be present for air-gun clusters. In addition, this method also allowed a way of calibrating the model such that effects created by the presence of the gun, compared to just a single spherical air bubble, may be estimated and included.
Damage to Oil Storage Tanks from the 2011 Mw 9.0 Tohoku-Oki Tsunami
Authors: Hatayama Ken
Published: December 2013

The Mw 9.0 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami damaged 418 oil storage tanks and moved 157 of them. Using data on the severity of damage and the maximum inundation depth of the tsunami, a fragility curve representing the damage to oil storage tank plumbing is presented in this paper: P( η)= Φ ((ln η − 1.02)/0.574), where P is the damage rate, η is the maximum inundation depth in meters, and Φ is the standard normal cumulative distribution function. The existing method of predicting the movement of tanks exposed to a tsunami is validated by comparing the predicted damage with actual damage data from the 2011 tsunami. The accuracy (hit rate) is 76%.
Fragility Curves Based on Data from the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Tsunami in Ishinomaki City, with Discussion of Parameters Influencing Building Damage
Authors: Suppasri Anawat , Charvet Ingrid , Imai Kentaro , Imamura Fumihiko
Published: December 2013

The 63,605 damaged buildings from the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami in Ishinomaki were used to develop 52 fragility curves using linear regression. The data comprise the damage level and the measured inundation depth for each building. In agreement with previous studies, the present results indicate that reinforced concrete and steel buildings with three stories or more perform better under tsunami loading. Performance with respect to their intended function was found to depend mainly on structural material. Moreover, based on Japan's design code for earthquake-resistant buildings, buildings constructed after 1981 do not display a better performance compared to more recent constructions. Finally, the results show that for the same inundation depth, a higher damage probability exists along a ria coast due to higher flow velocities, confirmed by numerical simulation and survivor videos. These new findings are useful for building damage assessment, town reconstruction, and comparison of vulnerability functions in future studies.
Don't Make Things Worse with Your Ventilator Settings: How You Manage the Lungs During the Perioperative Period Affects Postoperative Outcomes
Authors: Slinger Peter
Published: December 2013

Nonphysiological ventilation in healthy lungs induces acute lung injury (ALI). Protective lung ventilation in patients with ALI improves outcomes. Protective lung ventilation in noninjured lungs and in the absence of a primary pulmonary insult may initiate ventilator-induced lung injury, as evidenced by inflammatory markers. Ventilator-induced lung injury has important implications remote to the lungs and may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Volatile anesthetics may have a lung-protective effect. Excess fluids may contribute to perioperative lung injury. Anesthesiologists manage a heterogeneous group of patients in the perioperative period; from patients with healthy lungs, and patients with “at risk” lungs, through to patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. More patients are at risk for ALI during surgery than previously thought. Appropriate perioperative management may prevent or ameliorate this lung injury.
Stress adaptation in a pathogenic fungus
Authors: Brown Alistair J. P. , Budge Susan , Kaloriti Despoina , Tillmann Anna , Jacobsen Mette D. , Yin Zhikang , Ene Iuliana V. , Bohovych Iryna , Sandai Doblin , Kastora Stavroula , Potrykus Joanna , Ballou Elizabeth R. , Childers Delma S. , Shahana Shahida , Leach Michelle D.
Published: December 2013

Candida albicans is a major fungal pathogen of humans. This yeast is carried by many individuals as a harmless commensal, but when immune defences are perturbed it causes mucosal infections (thrush). Additionally, when the immune system becomes severely compromised, C. albicans often causes life-threatening systemic infections. A battery of virulence factors and fitness attributes promote the pathogenicity of C. albicans. Fitness attributes include robust responses to local environmental stresses, the inactivation of which attenuates virulence. Stress signalling pathways in C. albicans include evolutionarily conserved modules. However, there has been rewiring of some stress regulatory circuitry such that the roles of a number of regulators in C. albicans have diverged relative to the benign model yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This reflects the specific evolution of C. albicans as an opportunistic pathogen obligately associated with warm-blooded animals, compared with other yeasts that are found across diverse environmental niches. Our understanding of C. albicans stress signalling is based primarily on the in vitro responses of glucose-grown cells to individual stresses. However, in vivo this pathogen occupies complex and dynamic host niches characterised by alternative carbon sources and simultaneous exposure to combinations of stresses (rather than individual stresses). It has become apparent that changes in carbon source strongly influence stress resistance, and that some combinatorial stresses exert non-additive effects upon C. albicans. These effects, which are relevant to fungus–host interactions during disease progression, are mediated by multiple mechanisms that include signalling and chemical crosstalk, stress pathway interference and a biological transistor.
Environmentally relevant stressors alter memory formation in the pond snailLymnaea
Authors: Lukowiak Ken , Sunada Hiroshi , Teskey Morgan , Lukowiak Kai , Dalesman Sarah
Published: December 2013

Stress alters adaptive behaviours such as learning and memory. Stressors can either enhance or diminish learning, memory formation and/or memory recall. We focus attention here on how environmentally relevant stressors alter learning, memory and forgetting in the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis. Operant conditioning of aerial respiration causes associative learning that may lead to long-term memory (LTM) formation. However, individual ecologically relevant stressors, combinations of stressors, and bio-active substances can alter whether or not learning occurs or memory forms. While the behavioural memory phenotype may be similar as a result of exposure to different stressors, how each stressor alters memory formation may occur differently. In addition, when a combination of stressors are presented it is difficult to predict ahead of time what the outcome will be regarding memory formation. Thus, how combinations of stressors act is an emergent property of how the snail perceives the stressors.
New integral results using Pólya-Szegö inequality
Authors: Anber Ahmed , Dahmani Zoubir
Published: December 2013

In this paper, we use the Riemann-Liouville fractional integral to present recent integral results using new inequalities of Pólya-Szegö type.
Small Animal Review
Authors: Tennant Bryn
Published: December 2013

Introduction:

Circovirus and Schmallenberg virus are recognised pathogens in farm animals but may be new and emerging diseases of dogs.
Disease Facts: otitis externa
Authors: Craig Mark
Published: December 2013

This article discusses otitis externa, inflammation of the external ear canal, the classification of which has been modified to include a combination of causes and factors. Primary and secondary causes, predisposing and perpetuating factors, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis are considered.
Thoracoscopic pericardiectomy for the management of a neoplastic pericardial effusion
Authors: Nelissen Pieter , Tappin Simon , Smith Paul , Brissot Herve
Published: December 2013

A 15-year-old domestic shorthair cat was presented with a five-day history of progressive inappetence, lethargy and dyspnoea. Thoracic radiographs revealed pleural effusion and suggested pericardial effusion. Echocardiography revealed a pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade and focal thickening of the pericardium. Diagnostic and therapeutic pericardiocentesis was performed and led to immediate but short-term alleviation of the clinical signs. Both the pleural and pericardial effusion were modified transudates and contained reactive mesothelial cells. Thoracoscopic pericardiectomy was performed which revealed a moderate amount of pleural effusion, and a diffusely thickened and irregular pericardium but no other abnormalities were found. Histopathological examination of the pericardium revealed an aggressive anaplastic carcinoma. Thoracoscopy gave a far superior visualisation of thoracic structures compared to that expected at open thoracotomy. Thoracoscopic pericardiectomy was an efficient procedure with a good postoperative recovery.
Clinical Forum: canine aggressive behaviour towards people
Authors: Barclay Rosie , Henley Elaine , Glover Kris , Hedges Stephanie
Published: December 2013

This clinical forum discusses a real-life behavioural case history of canine aggressive behaviour towards people conducted by the author. The case highlights the importance of consulting directly with the client and viewing the dog within the home environment, and the complexity and challenges that each individual case presents. A series of questions regarding this case were asked of behavioral specialists who are full APBC (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors) members and a summary of the case presented.
Rumen fluke in cattle in the UK: a review
Authors: Tilling Oliver
Published: December 2013

This article tracks the emergence of rumen fluke in cattle in the United Kingdom. As well as a parasitological summary, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and control options are discussed.
Exotic disease threats in the horse
Authors: Copas Victoria
Published: December 2013

There is a real chance of exotic infectious disease reaching the UK, posing a threat to our equine population. The movement of horses and their biological products, and the movement of vectors have the potential to introduce exotic disease. The occurrence of such diseases could have a devastating impact on equine health and welfare, on human health in the case of zoonoses, on the trade of horses, and also on the reputation of the equine industry. Statutory health inspections and serological testing protects the UK from the incursion of exotic infectious disease from outside the European Union (EU). However, there have been several outbreaks of exotic disease inside the EU, and far fewer biosecurity measures are in place to protect the UK from intra-EU exotic diseases. History shows that passive surveillance by practicing clinicians may play a pivotal role in the early detection of disease and so it is essential that we stay well informed about national and international infectious disease outbreaks and trends in equine movement.
Íslensk menningarstefna
Authors: Sigurjónsson Njörður
Published: December 2013

Í mars 2013 samþykkti Alþingi þingsályktunartillögu sem kynnt er sem "Menningarstefna íslenskra stjórnvalda" á vef mennta- og menningarmálaráðuneytisins og er þetta í fyrsta sinn sem slík stefna er sett fram á jafn afgerandi hátt. Í þessari grein er stefnuskjalið skoðað og velt upp álitaefnum er varða menningarstefnu sem yfirlýsingu. Í ljós kemur að tvö meginþemu séu ráðandi í stefnumörkun Alþingis: áhersla á þátttöku og aðgengi annars vegar en hins vegar undirstrikun á mikilvægi fagmennsku og góðrar stjórnsýslu við úthlutun fjár. Þá er minni áhersla á þjóðmenningu eða samanburð við önnur lönd en búast hefði mátt við. Þó ekki sé hægt að tala um einn hlut eða skilning sem rétta skilgreiningu á "menningarstefnu" (O. Bennett 2004; T. Bennett 2007; Frenander 2008; Gray 2010), er mikilvægt að kanna nánar og gera grein fyrir þeim túlkunum á hugtakinu sem kunna að vera ríkjandi hverju sinni. Til þess að fá aukna yfirsýn er litið er til eldri notkunar hugtaksins en jafnframt til samtímans og þá sérstaklega til nokkurra íslenskra fræðimanna sem fjallað hafa um íslenska menningarstefnu á undanförnum árum (Gestur Guðmundsson 2003; Haukur F. Hannesson 2009; Bjarki Valtýsson 2011; Ágúst Einarsson 2012). Þessi mismunandi sjónarhorn segja nokkra sögu um viðhorf um ríkjandi viðhorf.
Toxicological evaluation of the lyophilized fruit juice extract of Annona muricata Linn. (Annonaceae) in rodents
Authors: Awodele Olufunsho , Ishola Ismail O. , Ikumawoyi Victor O. , Akindele Abidemi J. , Akintonwa Alade
Published: December 2013

Background:
Annona muricata Linn. (Annonaceae) (AM) fruit juice is widely consumed either raw or after processing in tropical countries because of its very juicy, creamy and sweet character including its medicinal importance. The safety of AM fruit was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats for acute and 60-day subchronic toxicity effects.

Methods: Rats were administered distilled water (DW) and AM daily at doses of 80, 400 and 2000 mg/kg orally for 60 days. At the end of the study, blood samples were assayed for biochemical and hematological parameters. Vital organs were harvested and assessed for antioxidants and histopathology.

Results: There was no mortality recorded up to 2000 mg/kg following acute administration. There were no significant changes in vital organ weights and hematological and biochemical parameters. However, significant (p<0.05) reduction in platelet count and packed cell volume was observed at 2000 and 400 mg/kg, respectively, which was reversed after cessation of treatment. Interestingly, subchronic oral administration of AM (80, 400 or 2000 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.001) increased sperm count and motility in comparison to vehicle-treated control. AM long-term treatment induced significant (p<0.05, <0.01 and <0.001) increases in the levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, respectively, in the liver and kidney. Conversely, AM (2000 mg/kg) produced significant (p<0.001) increase in malondialdehyde level with decreased (p<0.05) SOD activity in the brain.

Conclusions: The study established that AM did not induce any significant toxic effect, indicating that it is safe in rats following oral administration for 60 consecutive days.
An inverse problem for differential pencils on graphs with a cycle
Authors: Yurko Vjacheslav A.
Published: December 2013

We study boundary value problems on compact graphs with a cycle
for second-order ordinary differential equations with nonlinear dependence on the
spectral parameter. We establish properties of the spectral characteristics and
investigate the inverse spectral problem of recovering coefficients of the differential
equation from spectral data. For this inverse problem we prove a uniqueness theorem and
provide a procedure for constructing its solution.
Moving Migrants, States, and Rights Human Rights and Border Deaths
Authors: Spijkerboer Thomas
Published: December 2013

This article begins to undertake a human rights analysis of the increasing number of migrants who die annually while trying to cross the borders of Europe in an irregular manner. Over the past 20 years, border policies increasingly focus on (pro-active, extraterritorial, privatized, and securitized) border management instead of on classical (reactive, territorial, and public) border control. On the basis of existing data, it seems plausible to assume that the increasing migrant mortality is an unintended side-effect of this shift from control to management. The article argues that it is possible to collect data, which are more reliable than those presently available, and presents data from a pilot project carried out on Sicily in November 2011. Presuming better data can be collected; two diverging human rights approaches are developed – a conventional approach holding that European states are not accountable under human rights law for these side-effects and a functional approach holding that human rights law does impose obligations on European states in this context. On all four doctrinal issues which are relevant to the problem (jurisdiction, positive obligations, standing, and collective state responsibility), these diverging approaches lead to diverging doctrinal positions. A choice between the two approaches implies not only legal but also moral, ethical, and political choices.
Effect of a spacer moiety on radiometal labelled Neurotensin derivatives
Authors: Mascarin A. , Valverde I. E. , Mindt T. L.
Published: December 2013

The binding sequence of the regulatory peptide Neurotensin, NT(8-13), represents a promising tumour-specific vector for the
development of radiopeptides useful in nuclear oncology for the diagnosis (imaging) and therapy of cancer. A number of
radiometal-labelled NT(8-13) derivatives have been reported, however, the effect of the spacer which connects the vector with
the radiometal complex has yet not been investigated systematically. Because a spacer moiety can influence potentially
important biological characteristics of radiopeptides, we synthesized three [DOTA(177Lu)]-X-NT(8-13) derivatives
and evaluated the effect of a spacer (X) on the physico-chemical properties of the conjugate including lipophilicity,
stability, and in vitro receptor affinity and cell internalization.
Sources of variability in the determination by evaporation method of gross alpha activity in water samples
Authors: Baeza A. , Corbacho J. Á.
Published: December 2013

Determining the gross alpha activity concentration of water samples is one way to screen for waters whose radionuclide content is so
high that its consumption could imply surpassing the Total Indicative Dose as defined in European Directive 98/83/EC. One of the
most commonly used methods to prepare the sources to measure gross alpha activity in water samples is desiccation. Its main advantages
are the simplicity of the procedure, the low cost of source preparation, and the possibility of simultaneously determining the gross
beta activity. The preparation of the source, the construction of the calibration curves, and the measurement procedure itself involve,
however, various factors that may introduce sufficient variability into the results to significantly affect the screening process. We
here identify the main sources of this variability, and propose specific procedures to follow in the desiccation process that will
reduce the uncertainties, and ensure that the result is indeed representative of the sum of the activities of the alpha emitters
present in the sample.
Mass-array screening of frequent mutations in cancers reveals RB1 alterations in aggressive adrenocortical carcinomas
Authors: Ragazzon Bruno , Libé Rossella , Assié Guillaume , Tissier Frédérique , Barreau Olivia , Houdayer Claude , Perlemoine Karine , Audebourg Anne , Clauser Eric , René-Corail Fernande , Bertagna Xavier , Dousset Bertrand , Bertherat Jérôme , Groussin Lionel
Published: December 2013

Context

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare disease with a poor overall outcome. Transcriptome analysis identified two groups of ACCs with different prognosis. In aggressive ACCs, somatic mutations of the tumor suppressor geneTP53and the proto-oncogene β-catenin are detected in 50% of cases. For the remaining aggressive ACCs and for the group with a better prognosis, molecular alterations are unknown.

Objective

To identify new molecular actors driving adrenal tumorigenesis.

Experimental design

Analysis by mass array of 374 mutations among 32 common oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes was performed on the tumoral DNA of 26 ACCs, using Sequenom OncoCarta Panels.

Results

Four mutations were identified, two previously known β-catenin mutations and one alteration in two other genes:JAK3and retinoblastoma gene (RB1). TheJAK3alteration was found in leukocyte DNA and therefore considered as a polymorphism and not a somatic event. The fullRB1tumor suppressor gene was subsequently sequenced in a cohort of 49 ACCs (26 ACCs from the ‘OncoCarta cohort’ and 23 other ACCs): three somatic mutations were identified, all in the poor-outcome ACC group. By immunohistochemistry, a loss of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) was found exclusively in aggressive ACCs in 27% of cases (seven out of 26), three of them with an inactivatingRB1mutation. Among the seven pRb-negative ACCs, five had an allele loss at theRB1locus.

Conclusions

Parallel analysis of somatic mutations among known cancer genes allowed us to identifyRB1as a new actor in aggressive ACCs. These results suggest a prognostic significance of pRb expression loss in ACCs.
DIAGNOSIS OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Biochemical diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma
Authors: van Berkel A , Lenders J W M , Timmers H J L M
Published: December 2013

Adrenal phaechromocytomas and extra-adrenal sympathetic paragangliomas (PPGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumours, characterised by production of the catecholamines: noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine. Tumoural secretion of catecholamines determines their clinical presentation which is highly variable among patients. Up to 10–15% of patients present entirely asymptomatic and in 5% of all adrenal incidentalomas a PPGL is found. Therefore, prompt diagnosis of PPGL remains a challenge for every clinician. Early consideration of the presence of a PPGL is of utmost importance, because missing the diagnosis can be devastating due to potential lethal cardiovascular complications of disease. First step in diagnosis is proper biochemical analysis to confirm or refute the presence of excess production of catecholamines or their metabolites. Biochemical testing is not only indicated in symptomatic patients but also in asymptomatic patients with adrenal incidentalomas or identified genetic predispositions. Measurements of metanephrines in plasma or urine offer the best diagnostic performance and are the tests of first choice. Paying attention to sampling conditions, patient preparation and use of interfering medications is important, as these factors can largely influence test results. When initial test results are inconclusive, additional tests can be performed, such as the clonidine suppression test. Test results can also be used for estimation of tumour size or prediction of tumour location and underlying genotype. Furthermore, tumoural production of 3-methoxytyramine is associated with presence of an underlyingSDHBmutation and may be a biomarker of malignancy.
Ultra Optimum Green Concrete Using High Volume Fly Ash Activated Systems
Authors: Velandia Diego F. , Lynsdale Cyril , Ramirez Fernando , Provis John L. , Hermida German , Gomez Ana C.
Published: December 2013

Environmental issues related to CO2 emissions have become a key focus for many different industries, including the cement and concrete industry. An environmentally optimized ‘green’ concrete can provide a much needed alternative to conventional concrete to reduce the carbon foot-print of the construction industry. This can be achieved through high Portland cement replacement by fly ash and with the inclusion of activators to enhance the rate of development of strength and other properties. This study evaluates different fly ashes and different activators (Na2SO4, lime and quicklime) that are added to enhance the reaction of the fly ash to achieve a comparable performance to that of standard Portland cement in mixes of much lower CO2 emissions. TGA, XRD and SEM are used to determine the development of hydration products and the consumption of portlandite by the fly ash. It is found that the amorphous content of the fly ash is an important parameter influencing compressive strength evolution. Based on the results, Na2SO4 as an activator, and a fly ash with high reactive SiO2 and Al2O3 contents and low Fe2O3 are found to provide the best options for producing a high volume fly ash matrix with the potential to show comparable behavior to a Portland cement control mix.
Tri-axial magnetic alignment and rare-earth-dependent tri-axial magnetic anisotropies in REBa2Cu4O8cuprate superconductors
Authors: Yamaki M. , Furuta M. , Doi T. , Shimoyama J. , Horii S.
Published: December 2013

We report the growth of single crystals by a flux method in ambient pressure and tri-axial orientation under modulated rotation magnetic fields (MRFs) on REBa2Cu4O8(RE124, RE; rare earth elements) compounds. RE124 crystals were grown for RE = Y, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb through appropriate choice of source compounds. All the obtained RE124 powders were tri-axially aligned in MRF of 10T, whereas magnetization axes depended on the type of RE. Moreover, it was found from the changes in the degrees ofc-axis and inplane orientation that tri-axial magnetic anisotropies of RE124 also depended on the type of RE. This indicates that it appropriate choice of RE is important for the fabrication of tri-axial oriented ceramics in lower magnetic field conditions.
Oral Pyogenic Granuloma Associated With a Dental Implant Treated With an Er:YAG Laser: A Case Report
Authors: Kaya Alper , Ugurlu Faysal , Basel Bilal , Sener Cem B.
Published: December 2013

A pyogenic granuloma is a tumorlike proliferation that occurs slightly more often in females, frequently involving the gingiva in the maxillary region. Clinically, it presents as a sessile or pedunculated exophytic mass with a smooth or lobulated surface, which tends to bleed easily. Its color can range from pink to dark red. The most common treatment is surgical excision. This case report presents a pyogenic granuloma that formed around an implant 7 years after its insertion. Pyogenic granulomas associated with dental implants are extremely rare; this is the fourth reported case and the first case of pyogenic granuloma to be treated with an Er:YAG laser.
Subperíodos fenológicos e ciclo da soja conforme grupos de maturidade e datas de semeadura
Authors: Trentin Roberto , Heldwein Arno Bernardo , Streck Nereu Augusto , Trentin Gustavo , Silva Joel Cordeiro da
Published: December 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar a duração dos subperíodos fenológicos e do ciclo de desenvolvimento da soja, de acordo com grupos de maturidade e datas de semeadura, e determinar as funções de distribuição de probabilidades que melhor caracterizam a distribuição destes dados. Foram avaliadas as funções exponencial, gama, lognormal, normal e Weibull, tendo-se verificado a de melhor ajuste aos dados de desenvolvimento simulado da cultura, de acordo com dados meteorológicos diários coletados de outubro de 1968 a julho de 2012, na estação climatológica principal de Santa Maria, RS. A simulação do desenvolvimento da cultura foi feita para diferentes datas de semeadura, com os grupos de maturidade (GM): 5.9-6.8, ciclo precoce/semiprecoce; 6.9-7.3, ciclo médio; e 7.4-8.0, ciclo semitardio/tardio. A função lognormal é a que melhor se ajusta à duração dos subperíodos e do ciclo da soja. Esta duração varia conforme a data de semeadura, com ciclo maior nas semeaduras antecipadas (outubro) e menor nas tardias (dezembro).
Extratos etanólicos de manga como antioxidantes na alimentação de poedeiras
Authors: Freitas Ednardo Rodrigues , Borges Ângela da Silva , Trevisan Maria Teresa Salles , Cunha André Luís da , Braz Nádia de Melo , Watanabe Pedro Henrique , Nascimento Germano Augusto Jerônimo do
Published: December 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de extratos etanólicos do caroço e da casca de manga, sobre o desempenho de poedeiras e sobre a qualidade e estabilidade lipídica dos ovos. Um total de 180 poedeiras comerciais Hisex White foi distribuído ao acaso em seis tratamentos, com cinco repetições de seis aves. Os tratamentos consistiram de: ração sem adição de antioxidante; ração com 200 ppm do antioxidante butilato de hidroxitolueno (BHT); ração com 200 ou 400 ppm de extrato da casca de manga (Ecas); ração com 200 ou 400 ppm de extrato de caroço de manga (Ecar). Foram avaliados: o consumo de ração, a produção de ovos, o peso do ovo, a massa de ovo produzida (grama por ave por dia), a conversão alimentar e características de qualidade dos ovos. A oxidação lipídica da gema durante o armazenamento foi determinada pela quantificação das substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico. As aves alimentadas com a ração sem adição de antioxidantes produziram ovos com os piores valores de unidade Haugh e maior oxidação lipídica da gema. Os teores de 400 ppm de Ecas e 200 ou 400 ppm de Ecar foram efetivos na prevenção de danos oxidativos aos ovos durante o armazenamento e podem ser utilizados na alimentação das poedeiras como substituto ao antioxidante sintético.
Crescimento de juvenis de Piaractus brachypomus alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes perfis de aminoácidos essenciais
Authors: Vásquez-Torres Wálter , Arias-Castellanos José Alfredo
Published: December 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o efeito de dietas com diferentes perfis de aminoácidos essenciais (AAE) sobre a eficiência de utilização de nutrientes e o crescimento de juvenis de pirapitinga (Piaractus brachypomus). Utilizaram-se caseína e gelatina como fontes de proteína, tendo-se formulado nove dietas com concentração de caseína entre 0 e 35%, com incrementos de 4,4% e concomitante diminuição da proporção de gelatina. Determinou-se o perfil de aminoácidos da caseína, da gelatina e de amostras de tecidos do corpo inteiro de juvenis de pirapitinga. Os níveis dietéticos de caseína apresentaram efeito quadrático positivo sobre as variáveis zootécnicas. O escore químico entre o perfil de aminoácidos essenciais das proteínas corpóreas e o perfil das dietas experimentais mostrou que, nas rações com 31,6 e 35% de caseína, o conteúdo de arginina torna-se limitante. O perfil de aminoácidos corporais da pirapitinga foi similar ao padrão de aminoácidos descrito para teleósteos. O perfil de aminoácidos obtido com a mistura de caseína e gelatina à proporção de 8:1 se aproxima do requerido para o crescimento de juvenis de Piaractus brachypomus.
Densidade de estocagem e frequência alimentar no cultivo de jundiá em tanques-rede
Authors: Martinelli Suziane Ghedini , Radünz Neto João , Silva Leila Picolli da , Bergamin Giovani Taffarel , Maschio Daniel , Flora Marco Aurélio Lopes Della , Nunes Lucas Mesquita da Costa , Possani Glauber
Published: December 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes densidades de estocagem e frequências alimentares sobre a resposta zootécnica e metabólica, e sobre a composição de peixe inteiro e de filé de juvenis de jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) cultivados em tanques-rede durante 60 dias. Foram utilizados 1.200 juvenis de jundiá (57,48±3,34 g e 17,86±0,36 cm). Os peixes foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 2×2, à densidade de 50 e 150 peixes m-3 e frequência alimentar de uma ou duas vezes ao dia. Tanto as densidades de estocagem quanto o manejo alimentar não influenciaram o desempenho nem os parâmetros metabólicos. No entanto, a interação entre a menor densidade e a maior frequência alimentar resultou em menor teor lipídico nos filés. Como ambos os fatores testados não interferiram no desempenho zootécnico, pode-se sugerir como melhor densidade a de 150 peixes m-3, com frequência de arraçoamento de uma vez ao dia.
Densidade de estocagem na engorda de camarão-branco cultivado em sistema de biofloco
Authors: Fróes Charles , Fóes Geraldo , Krummenauer Dariano , Poersch Luis Henrique , Wasielesky Junior Wilson
Published: December 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a densidade de estocagem ideal para o cultivo de camarão-branco, em sistema de biofloco sem renovação de água. Foram realizados dois experimentos inteiramente casualizados, com três repetições para cada tratamento. No primeiro, juvenis de camarão-branco, com peso médio inicial de 1,23±0,09 g, foram cultivados a densidades de estocagem de 833, 1.250, 1.667, 2.083 e 2.500 camarões por m³. No segundo experimento, o peso médio inicial foi de 6,32±0,7 g, e as densidades foram de 566, 833, 1.111, 1.388 e 1.667 camarões por m³. Os melhores resultados de produtividade, com médias de 9,92 e 10,77 kg m-3, foram obtidos com 1.667 e 1.111 camarões por m³, respectivamente, no primeiro e segundo experimentos. O aumento da densidade de estocagem afeta o crescimento e a sobrevivência do camarão-branco em sistema de biofloco.
Dieta suplementada com prebiótico, probiótico e simbiótico no cultivo de camarões marinhos
Authors: Bolívar Ramírez Norha , Seiffert Walter Quadros , Vieira Felipe do Nascimento , Mouriño José Luiz Pedreira , Jesus Gabriel Fernandes Alves , Ferreira Gabriela Soltes , Andreatta Edemar Roberto
Published: December 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o uso de suplemento prebiótico, probiótico e simbiótico, na dieta de camarões marinhos (Litopenaeus vannamei) e seus efeitos sobre o crescimento, a microbiota intestinal, a resposta imune e a resistência ao desafio experimental com Vibrio alginolyticus. Foram utilizados quatro tratamentos: prebiótico inulina; probiótico Lactobacillus plantarum; simbiótico Lactobacillus plantarum + inulina; e controle. Os camarões foram distribuídos em 16 tanques de dez mil litros de água, povoados com 200 camarões cada, cultivados por seis semanas. Avaliaram-se a microbiologia do trato intestinal dos camarões e a reposta imune, antes e após o desafio com V. alginolyticus. A concentração de Vibrio spp. no trato digestório foi menor em camarões alimentados com dieta suplementada com prebiótico, probiótico e simbiótico, enquanto a concentração de bactérias acidoláticas foi superior somente nos camarões alimentados com probiótico e simbiótico. O título aglutinante do soro contra V. alginolyticus aumentou no grupo probiótico e simbiótico, antes da infecção, e foi maior em todos os tratamentos após infecção com V. alginolyticus, em comparação ao controle. Não foi observada diferença entre os tratamentos quanto aos demais parâmetros avaliados. As dietas probióticas, prebióticas e simbióticas alteram a microbiota intestinal e aumentam o título aglutinante do soro contra V. alginolyticus; contudo, não alteram a resistência ao desafio nem o crescimento dos camarões.
Estabilidade em armazenamento da carne de tilápia-do-nilo mecanicamente separada, lavada, adicionada de conservantes e congelada
Authors: Kirschnik Peter Gaberz , Trindade Marco Antonio , Gomide Catarina Abdala , Moro Maria Estela Gaglianone , Viegas Elisabete Maria Macedo
Published: December 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do processo de lavagem e da adição de eritorbato de sódio e tripolifosfato de sódio na estabilidade de carne mecanicamente separada (CMS), obtida a partir de resíduos da filetagem de tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Foram avaliados quatro tratamentos, em triplicata: CMS, lavada ou não e armazenada, com ou sem a adição de conservantes, durante 180 dias de armazenamento a -18ºC. Para a avaliação da estabilidade, foram realizadas análises microbiológicas de nitrogênio não proteico, bases nitrogenadas voláteis, oxidação lipídica pelo índice de Tbars, valor de pH e perda de líquido por descongelamento ("drip"). O processo de lavagem elevou o teor de umidade e diminuiu os teores de proteína bruta, lipídios e cinzas na CMS, bem como os níveis de nitrogênio não proteico, bases nitrogenadas voláteis e oxidação lipídica após a lavagem. Durante o armazenamento, não foram detectadas diferenças nos teores de nitrogênio não proteico, pH e "drip", mas houve aumento nos valores de bases nitrogenadas voláteis. O processo de lavagem favorece a estabilidade da CMS de tilápia, e a adição de tripolifosfato e eritorbato de sódio reduz a oxidação lipídica do produto não lavado.
Fauna parasitária dos híbridos siluriformes cachapinta e jundiara nos primeiros estágios de desenvolvimento
Authors: Ventura Arlene Sobrinho , Jerônimo Gabriela Tomas , Gonçalves Eduardo Luiz Tavares , Tamporoski Bianca Rafaela Fiori , Martins Maurício Laterça , Ishikawa Márcia Mayumi
Published: December 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a fauna parasitária dos peixes híbridos cachapinta (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans macho x P. reticulatum fêmea) e jundiara (Leiarius marmoratus macho x P. reticulatum fêmea) no período de larvicultura. Um total de 315 animais, 126 híbridos jundiara e 189 híbridos cachapinta, foram examinados de acordo com o estágio de desenvolvimento: larvas, pós-larvas e alevinos. Larvas e pós-larvas foram prensadas entre lâmina e lamínula e observadas sob microscopia óptica. Os alevinos foram observados externamente em estereomicroscópio e necropsiados para avaliação interna dos órgãos. Foram aferidos os parâmetros de qualidade de água em todas as fases de cultivo. O exame parasitológico revelou a presença dos protozoários Epistylis sp. e Trichodina sp., no tegumento e nas brânquias, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis no tegumento, dos helmintos Monogenea nas brânquias, e das metacercárias de digenéticos em brânquias, baço, rins, fígado e intestino, em ambos os híbridos analisados. Os parasitos Epystilis sp., Trichodina sp. e metacercária de digenéticos ocorrem com maior frequência nos dois híbridos, nas fases de pós-larvas e alevinos. Há maior prevalência e diversidade de parasitos na fase de alevinagem dos híbridos estudados.