bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aneurysm-related subarachnoid hemorrhage and acute subdural hematoma: single-center series and systematic review
Authors: Schuss Patrick , Konczalla Jürgen , Platz Johannes , Vatter Hartmut , Seifert Volker , Güresir Erdem
Published: January 2013

Object

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with simultaneous acute subdural hematoma (SDH) is a severe disease. The authors' objective was to analyze the incidence, prognosis, and clinical outcome of patients suffering from aneurysm-related SAH and space-occupying acute SDH.

Methods

Between June 1999 and June 2011, data from 989 patients with aneurysm-related SAH were prospectively entered into a database. Eighteen patients (1.8%) presented with aneurysm-related SAH and space-occupying acute SDH. The treatment decision (clip or coil) was based on an interdisciplinary approach. Outcome was assessed according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 6 months and was dichotomized into favorable outcome (mRS Score 0–2) versus unfavorable outcome (mRS Score 3–6). PubMed was searched for published studies of aneurysm-related SAH and acute SDH to gain a larger population. A multivariate regression analysis was performed on the pooled data.

Results

Literature data, including the current series, revealed a total of 111 patients. Overall, 38 (34%) of 111 patients with aneurysm-related SAH and acute SDH achieved favorable outcome. Favorable outcome was achieved in 68% of patients with good-grade clinical presentation on admission (Hunt and Hess Grades I–III) versus 23% of the patients with poor-grade presentation (Hunt and Hess Grades IV and V, p < 0.0001). In the multivariate analysis, poor clinical condition at admission was the only predictor for unfavorable outcome (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

The present data confirm that patients with aneurysm-related SAH and acute SDH, even when presenting in poor clinical condition, might achieve favorable outcome. Therefore, treatment of patients with SAH and acute SDH should not be discontinued, but careful individual decision making is necessary for each patient.
Management and outcome of focal low-grade brainstem tumors in pediatric patients: the St. Jude experience
Authors: Klimo Paul , Pai Panandiker Atmaram S. , Thompson Clinton J. , Boop Frederick A. , Qaddoumi Ibrahim , Gajjar Amar , Armstrong Gregory T. , Ellison David W. , Kun Larry E. , Ogg Robert J. , Sanford Robert A.
Published: January 2013

Object

Whereas diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas generally have a short symptom duration and more cranial nerve involvement, focal brainstem gliomas are commonly low grade, with fewer cranial neuropathies. Although these phenotypic distinctions are not absolute predictors of outcome, they do demonstrate correlation in most cases. Because there is a limited literature on focal brainstem gliomas in pediatric patients, the objective of this paper was to report the management and outcome of these tumors.

Methods

The authors reviewed the records of all children diagnosed with radiographically confirmed low-grade focal brainstem gliomas from 1986 to 2010. Each patient underwent biopsy or resection for tissue diagnosis. Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival were evaluated. Univariate analysis was conducted to identify demographic and treatment variables that may affect EFS.

Results

Fifty-two patients (20 girls, 32 boys) with follow-up data were identified. Median follow-up was 10.0 years, and the median age at diagnosis was 6.5 years (range 1–17 years). The tumor locations were midbrain (n = 22, 42%), pons (n = 15, 29%), and medulla (n = 15, 29%). Surgical extirpation was the primary treatment in 25 patients (48%). The 5- and 10-year EFS and overall survival were 59%/98% and 52%/90%, respectively. An event or treatment failure occurred in 24 patients (46%), including 5 deaths. Median time to treatment failure was 3.4 years. Disease progression in the other 19 patients transpired within 25.1 months of diagnosis. Thirteen of these patients received radiation, including 11 within 2 months of primary treatment failure. Although children with intrinsic tumors had slightly better EFS at 5 years compared with those with exophytic tumors (p = 0.054), this difference was not significant at 10 years (p = 0.147). No other variables were predictive of EFS.

Conclusions

Surgery suffices in many children with low-grade focal brainstem gliomas. Radiation treatment is often reserved for disease progression but offers comparable disease control following biopsy. In the authors' experience, combining an assessment of clinical course, imaging, and tumor biopsy yields a reasonable model for managing children with focal brainstem tumors.
Antioxidant Capacity of Selected Plant Extracts and Their Essential Oils
Authors: Proestos Charalampos , Lytoudi Konstantina , Mavromelanidou Olga , Zoumpoulakis Panagiotis , Sinanoglou Vassileia
Published: January 2013

The main objective of this study was the screening of some selected aromatic plants very popular in Greece, with respect to their total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, reducing activity, and oxidative stability. All plants were extracted with the conventional method, reflux with methanol. The essential oils of the plants were also analyzed for their antioxidant properties. The total phenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method using gallic acid as the standard, while the phenolic substances were identified and quantified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) coupled with a multi-wavelength ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) detector. The antioxidant capacity of the plant extracts was measured by their ability to scavenge free radicals such as (a) DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and, (b) ABTS (2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiaziline-6- sulfonate). The Folin-Ciocalteu method proved the existence of antioxidants in the aromatic plant extracts. Taking into account the results of the DPPH and ABTS methods, the free radical scavenging capacity was confirmed. Eventually, all plants exhibited low but noticeable protection levels against lipid oxidation, as determined by the Rancimat test.
Cognition is … Fundamentally Cultural
Authors: Bender Andrea , Beller Sieghard
Published: January 2013

A prevailing concept of cognition in psychology is inspired by the computer metaphor. Its focus on mental states that are generated and altered by information input, processing, storage and transmission invites a disregard for the cultural dimension of cognition, based on three (implicit) assumptions: cognition is internal, processing can be distinguished from content, and processing is independent of cultural background. Arguing against each of these assumptions, we point out how culture may affect cognitive processes in various ways, drawing on instances from numerical cognition, ethnobiological reasoning, and theory of mind. Given the pervasive cultural modulation of cognition—on all of Marr’s levels of description—we conclude that cognition is indeed fundamentally cultural, and that consideration of its cultural dimension is essential for a comprehensive understanding.
Analytical Modeling of Partially Shaded Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: Seyedmahmoudian Mohammadmehdi , Mekhilef Saad , Rahmani Rasoul , Yusof Rubiyah , Renani Ehsan
Published: January 2013

As of today, the considerable influence of select environmental variables, especially irradiance intensity, must still be accounted for whenever discussing the performance of a solar system. Therefore, an extensive, dependable modeling method is required in investigating the most suitable Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) method under different conditions. Following these requirements, MATLAB-programmed modeling and simulation of photovoltaic systems is presented here, by focusing on the effects of partial shading on the output of the photovoltaic (PV) systems. End results prove the reliability of the proposed model in replicating the aforementioned output characteristics in the prescribed setting. The proposed model is chosen because it can, conveniently, simulate the behavior of different ranges of PV systems from a single PV module through the multidimensional PV structure.
Evolutionary Exploration of the Finitely Repeated Prisoners’ Dilemma—The Effect of Out-of-Equilibrium Play
Authors: Lindgren Kristian , Verendel Vilhelm
Published: January 2013

The finitely repeated Prisoners’ Dilemma is a good illustration of the discrepancy between the strategic behaviour suggested by a game-theoretic analysis and the behaviour often observed among human players, where cooperation is maintained through most of the game. A game-theoretic reasoning based on backward induction eliminates strategies step by step until defection from the first round is the only remaining choice, reflecting the Nash equilibrium of the game. We investigate the Nash equilibrium solution for two different sets of strategies in an evolutionary context, using replicator-mutation dynamics. The first set consists of conditional cooperators, up to a certain round, while the second set in addition to these contains two strategy types that react differently on the first round action: The ”Convincer” strategies insist with two rounds of initial cooperation, trying to establish more cooperative play in the game, while the ”Follower” strategies, although being first round defectors, have the capability to respond to an invite in the first round. For both of these strategy sets, iterated elimination of strategies shows that the only Nash equilibria are given by defection from the first round. We show that the evolutionary dynamics of the first set is always characterised by a stable fixed point, corresponding to the Nash equilibrium, if the mutation rate is sufficiently small (but still positive). The second strategy set is numerically investigated, and we find that there are regions of parameter space where fixed points become unstable and the dynamics exhibits cycles of different strategy compositions. The results indicate that, even in the limit of very small mutation rate, the replicator-mutation dynamics does not necessarily bring the system with Convincers and Followers to the fixed point corresponding to the Nash equilibrium of the game. We also perform a detailed analysis of how the evolutionary behaviour depends on payoffs, game length, and mutation rate.
Non-Target Effects of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)-Derived Double-Stranded RNA (dsRNA-GFP) Used in Honey Bee RNA Interference (RNAi) Assays
Authors: Nunes Francis , Aleixo Aline , Barchuk Angel , Bomtorin Ana , Grozinger Christina , Simões Zilá
Published: January 2013

RNA interference has been frequently applied to modulate gene function in organisms where the production and maintenance of mutants is challenging, as in our model of study, the honey bee, Apis mellifera. A green fluorescent protein (GFP)-derived double-stranded RNA (dsRNA-GFP) is currently commonly used as control in honey bee RNAi experiments, since its gene does not exist in the A. mellifera genome. Although dsRNA-GFP is not expected to trigger RNAi responses in treated bees, undesirable effects on gene expression, pigmentation or developmental timing are often observed. Here, we performed three independent experiments using microarrays to examine the effect of dsRNA-GFP treatment (introduced by feeding) on global gene expression patterns in developing worker bees. Our data revealed that the expression of nearly 1,400 genes was altered in response to dsRNA-GFP, representing around 10% of known honey bee genes. Expression changes appear to be the result of both direct off-target effects and indirect downstream secondary effects; indeed, there were several instances of sequence similarity between putative siRNAs generated from the dsRNA-GFP construct and genes whose expression levels were altered. In general, the affected genes are involved in important developmental and metabolic processes associated with RNA processing and transport, hormone metabolism, immunity, response to external stimulus and to stress. These results suggest that multiple dsRNA controls should be employed in RNAi studies in honey bees. Furthermore, any RNAi studies involving these genes affected by dsRNA-GFP in our studies should use a different dsRNA control.
Crossed and Linked Histories of Tetrapyrrolic Macrocycles and Their Use for Engineering Pores within Sol-Gel Matrices
Authors: García-Sánchez Miguel , Rojas-González Fernando , Menchaca-Campos E. , Tello-Solís Salvador , Quiroz-Segoviano R. , Diaz-Alejo Luis , Salas-Bañales Eduardo , Campero Antonio
Published: January 2013

The crossed and linked histories of tetrapyrrolic macrocycles, interwoven with new research discoveries, suggest that Nature has found in these structures a way to ensure the continuity of life. For diverse applications porphyrins or phthalocyanines must be trapped inside solid networks, but due to their nature, these compounds cannot be introduced by thermal diffusion; the sol-gel method makes possible this insertion through a soft chemical process. The methodologies for trapping or bonding macrocycles inside pristine or organo-modified silica or inside ZrO2 xerogels were developed by using phthalocyanines and porphyrins as molecular probes. The sizes of the pores formed depend on the structure, the cation nature, and the identities and positions of peripheral substituents of the macrocycle. The interactions of the macrocyclic molecule and surface Si-OH groups inhibit the efficient displaying of the macrocycle properties and to avoid this undesirable event, strategies such as situating the macrocycle far from the pore walls or to exchange the Si-OH species by alkyl or aryl groups have been proposed. Spectroscopic properties are better preserved when long unions are established between the macrocycle and the pore walls, or when oligomeric macrocyclic species are trapped inside each pore. When macrocycles are trapped inside organo-modified silica, their properties result similar to those displayed in solution and their intensities depend on the length of the alkyl chain attached to the matrix. These results support the prospect of tuning up the pore size, surface area, and polarity inside the pore cavities in order to prepare efficient catalytic, optical, sensoring, and medical systems. The most important feature is that research would confirm again that tetrapyrrolic macrocycles can help in the development of the authentic pore engineering in materials science.
Antioxidant Action and Therapeutic Efficacy of Allium sativum L.
Authors: Capasso Anna
Published: January 2013

Allium sativum (L.) is rich in antioxidants which help destroy free radicals particles that can damage cell membranes and DNA, and may contribute to the aging process as well as the development of a number of conditions, including heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause over time. The antioxidant activity of fresh Allium sativum L. (garlic) is well known and is mainly due to unstable and irritating organosulphur compounds. Fresh garlic extracted over a prolonged period (up to 20 months) produces odourless aged garlic extract (AGE) containing stable and water soluble organosulphur compounds that prevent oxidative damage by scavenging free radicals. The aim of this review was to understand the mechanism of antioxidant action and therapeutic efficacy of garlic.
A Novel Health Evaluation Strategy for Multifunctional Self-Validating Sensors
Authors: Shen Zhengguang , Wang Qi
Published: January 2013

The performance evaluation of sensors is very important in actual application. In this paper, a theory based on multi-variable information fusion is studied to evaluate the health level of multifunctional sensors. A novel conception of health reliability degree (HRD) is defined to indicate a quantitative health level, which is different from traditional so-called qualitative fault diagnosis. To evaluate the health condition from both local and global perspectives, the HRD of a single sensitive component at multiple time points and the overall multifunctional sensor at a single time point are defined, respectively. The HRD methodology is emphasized by using multi-variable data fusion technology coupled with a grey comprehensive evaluation method. In this method, to acquire the distinct importance of each sensitive unit and the sensitivity of different time points, the information entropy and analytic hierarchy process method are used, respectively. In order to verify the feasibility of the proposed strategy, a health evaluating experimental system for multifunctional self-validating sensors was designed. The five different health level situations have been discussed. Successful results show that the proposed method is feasible, the HRD could be used to quantitatively indicate the health level and it does have a fast response to the performance changes of multifunctional sensors.
Chemical–biological characterization of a cruzain inhibitor reveals a second target and a mammalian off-target
Authors: Choy Jonathan W , Bryant Clifford , Calvet Claudia M , Doyle Patricia S , Gunatilleke Shamila S , Leung Siegfried S F , Ang Kenny K H , Chen Steven , Gut Jiri , Oses-Prieto Juan A , Johnston Jonathan B , Arkin Michelle R , Burlingame Alma L , Taunton Jack , Jacobson Matthew P , McKerrow James M , Podust Larissa M , Renslo Adam R
Published: January 2013

Inhibition of the Trypanosoma cruzi cysteine protease cruzain has been proposed as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of Chagas’ disease. Among the best-studied cruzain inhibitors to date is the vinylsulfone K777 (1), which has proven effective in animal models of Chagas’ disease. Recent structure–activity studies aimed at addressing potential liabilities of 1 have now produced analogues such as N-[(2S)-1-[[(E,3S)-1-(benzenesulfonyl)-5-phenylpent-1-en-3-yl]amino]-3-(4-methylphenyl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]pyridine-4-carboxamide (4), which is trypanocidal at ten-fold lower concentrations than for 1. We now find that the trypanocidal activity of 4 derives primarily from the inhibition of T. cruzi 14-α-demethylase (TcCYP51), a cytochrome P450 enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of ergosterol in the parasite. Compound 4 also inhibits mammalian CYP isoforms but is trypanocidal at concentrations below those required to significantly inhibit mammalian CYPs in vitro. A chemical-proteomics approach employing an activity-based probe derived from 1 was used to identify mammalian cathepsin B as a potentially important off-target of 1 and 4. Computational docking studies and the evaluation of truncated analogues of 4 reveal structural determinants for TcCYP51 binding, information that will be useful in further optimization of this new class of inhibitors.
Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Amplifies the Differentiation of Alternatively Activated Macrophages
Authors: Han Hongwei , Headley Mark B. , Xu Whitney , Comeau Michael R. , Zhou Baohua , Ziegler Steven F.
Published: December 2012

The epithelial-derived cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has been associated with the promotion of type 2 inflammation and the induction of allergic disease. In humans TSLP is elevated in the lungs of asthma patients and in the lesional skin of individuals with atopic dermatitis, whereas mice lacking TSLP responses are refractory to models of Th2-driven allergic disease. Although several cell types, including dendritic cells, basophils, and CD4 T cells, have been shown to respond to TSLP, its role in macrophage differentiation has not been studied. Type 2 cytokines (i.e., IL-4 and IL-13) can drive the differentiation of macrophages into alternatively activated macrophages (aaMϕs, also referred to as M2 macrophages). This population of macrophages is associated with allergic inflammation. We therefore reasoned that TSLP/TSLPR signaling may be involved in the differentiation and activation of aaMϕs during allergic airway inflammation. In this study, we report that TSLP changes the quiescent phenotype of pulmonary macrophages toward an aaMϕ phenotype during TSLP-induced airway inflammation. This differentiation of airway macrophages was IL-13–, but not IL-4–, dependent. Taken together, we demonstrate in this study that TSLP/TSLPR plays a significant role in the amplification of aaMΦ polarization and chemokine production, thereby contributing to allergic inflammation.
Antigen-Specific Regulation of IgE Antibodies by Non-Antigen–Specific γδ T Cells
Authors: Huang Yafei , Aydintug M. Kemal , Loomis Joshua , MacLeod Megan K. , McKee Amy S. , Kirchenbaum Greg , Jakubzick Claudia V. , Kedl Ross M. , Sun Deming , Jacobelli Jordan , O'Brien Rebecca L. , Born Willi K.
Published: December 2012

We re-examined the observation that γδ T cells, when transferred from mice tolerized to an inhaled conventional Ag, suppress the allergic IgE response to this Ag specifically. Using OVA and hen egg lysozyme in crisscross fashion, we confirmed the Ag-specific IgE-regulatory effect of the γδ T cells. Although only Vγ4+ γδ T cells are regulators, the Ag specificity does not stem from specificity of their γδ TCRs. Instead, the Vγ4+ γδ T cells failed to respond to either Ag, but rapidly acquired Ag-specific regulatory function in vivo following i.v. injection of non-T cells derived from the spleen of Ag-tolerized mice. This correlated with their in vivo Ag acquisition from i.v. injected Ag-loaded splenic non-T cells, and in vivo transfer of membrane label provided evidence for direct contact between the injected splenic non-T cells and the Vγ4+ γδ T cells. Together, our data suggest that Ag itself, when acquired by γδ T cells, directs the specificity of their IgE suppression.
A linear model for amplitude modulation of Langmuir waves in weak electron-beam plasma interaction
Authors: Baumgärtel K.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. A simple linear approach to the phenomenon of amplitude modulation of Langmuir waves in weak beam plasma interaction is presented. During the short growth phase of the instability and within the longer period after saturation, the waves are described by their linear kinetic dispersion properties.The amplitude modulation appears as result of the beating of waves with different wavelengths and amplitudes that have grown from noise in the initial phase. The Langmuir wave fields are calculated via FFT (fast Fourier transform) technique. The resulting waveforms in temporal representation are quite similar to those observed by spacecraft.
Tsunamigenic earthquakes in the Gulf of Cadiz: fault model and recurrence
Authors: Matias L. M. , Cunha T. , Annunziato A. , Baptista M. A. , Carrilho F.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. The Gulf of Cadiz, as part of the Azores-Gibraltar plate boundary, is recognized as a potential source of big earthquakes and tsunamis that may affect the bordering countries, as occurred on 1 November 1755. Preparing for the future, Portugal is establishing a national tsunami warning system in which the threat caused by any large-magnitude earthquake in the area is estimated from a comprehensive database of scenarios. In this paper we summarize the knowledge about the active tectonics in the Gulf of Cadiz and integrate the available seismological information in order to propose the generation model of destructive tsunamis to be applied in tsunami warnings. The fault model derived is then used to estimate the recurrence of large earthquakes using the fault slip rates obtained by Cunha et al. (2012) from thin-sheet neotectonic modelling. Finally we evaluate the consistency of seismicity rates derived from historical and instrumental catalogues with the convergence rates between Eurasia and Nubia given by plate kinematic models.
“Intrinsic Value vs. Market Value: An Empirical Mean-Reversion-Based Study”
Authors: El Ibrami Hassan , Dicko Saidatou
Published: December 2012

The market very often overestimates financial assets because of speculation. This makes it difficult to determine the proper value of a company. We believe that intrinsic value should be used to make an accurate assessment. Hence, financial statements data should be used to determine the value of a company. The main purpose of this paper is to measure the performance of a mean reversion structural model in pricing shares. The model was developed by El Ibrami and Naciri (2012). The market is used as a benchmark to determine the performance of the model analyzed. The results of the study show that the market overestimated mean reversion companies by about 10% and remain consistent throughout the industries. Keywords: Mean reversion, Equity, EBIT, Volatility.
Identification and Analysis of Nonfinancial Measures That Affect Investment Decisions Using the Delphi Method
Authors: Abbaszadeh Mohammad Reza , Mehrabankhou Tahereh
Published: December 2012

Though advocates argue that nonfinancial information forms or should form an increasingly important part of investor decision-making, relatively little research has been done to analyze the nonfinancial information currently available or to determine how investors value specific types of nonfinancial information. This study has examined both the availability of specific types of nonfinancial data, as well as the extent to which retail and professional investorvalue nonfinancial information. We focused on nine types of information,each of which has received considerable attention from academics and advocates in recent years. We reviewed corporate disclosure practices of several companies across different industry sectors; we conducted surveys with academics that had Fields of accounting and economics and investment managers from public of Iran as professional investors. The goal of our research was to better assess both the supply and demand of nonfinancial reporting in the current investment climate. We believe that the results of this study offer academics, investors, corporations and regulators a clearer picture both of investor desires for nonfinancial information and the ways in which various forms of reporting are used. The results can inform choices about which regulatory approach might be best applied to nonfinancial reporting. They can also support corporate and investor efforts to supplement that regime with voluntary corporate reporting on specific nonfinancial information types.
Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy: Applications in Clinical and Translational Science—A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Goetz Martin
Published: December 2012

Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is a novel tool in the endoscopist’s armamentarium. It allows on-site histological information. The ability of gastroenterologists to interpret such microscopic information has been demonstrated in multiple studies from the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Recently, the field of application has expanded to provide hepatobiliary and intra-abdominal CLE imaging. CLE allows “smart,” targeted biopsies and is able to guide endoscopic interventions. But CLE is also translational in its approach and permits functional imaging that significantly impacts on our understanding of gastrointestinal diseases. Molecular imaging with CLE allows detection and characterization of lesions and may even be used for prediction of response to targeted therapy. This paper provides a comprehensive review over current applications of CLE in clinical applications and translational science.
Flowering phenology and pollen seasons of Corylus spp. in Lublin (Poland), 2008-2011
Authors: Dąbrowska Agnieszka
Published: January 2013

In the years 2008-2011, phenological observations of flowering of male inflorescences were carried out in seven taxa from the genus Corylus: C. americana, C. avellana, C. avellana ‘Contorta’, C. avellana ‘Pendula’, C. × colurnoides, C. cornuta, C. maxima, grown in the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University Botanical Garden in Lublin. Simultaneously, the hazel pollen seasons in the atmosphere of Lublin were analysed using a Durham sampler. The aim of the work was to assess the flowering in seven Corylus taxa in relation to selected meteorological elements and to describe the pollen seasons in the years 2008-2011.
 During the study years, the annual phenological cycles in the studied Corylus taxa differed markedly in terms of timing of the onset of the successive flowering phases. During the four years of observations, the earliest beginning of hazel flowering was found at the end of January, whereas the latest – at the end of March. The earliest full bloom took place in the first decade of February, and the latest – in the first decade of April. The end of flowering was reported in February or in the first or second decade of April. Each year, C. avellana was the first to produce flowers and it was subsequently followed by C. americana, C. × colurnoides, C. maxima, C. avellana ‘Pendula’, C. avellana ‘Contorta’, and C. cornuta. The pollen seasons in the study period began at the end of January, in the second decade of February, or in the first decade of March. The end of the pollen seasons most frequently took place in the first or second decade of April. The length of the pollen seasons ranged from 38 to 49 days, while the length of the flowering periods in the individual taxa was 22 days on average. During the four study years, the onset of flowering in C. avellana and the beginning of the pollen season coincided on the same day, whereas the onset of flowering in the other taxa was usually reported after the beginning of the pollen seasons. The flowering period of C. avellana ‘Contorta’ and C. cornuta lasted from 5 to 16 days after the pollen season. The development of inflorescences was most closely related to maximum temperature and relative air humidity.
Leaf micromorphology of Aesculus hippocastanum L. and damage caused by leaf-mining larvae of Cameraria ohridella Deschka and Dimić
Authors: Weryszko-Chmielewska Elżbieta , Haratym Weronika
Published: January 2013

The present study is a continuation of our research on the structure of healthy leaves of Aesculus hippocastanum and leaves damaged by larvae of Cameraria ohridella. In this study, the epidermal micromorphology of both leaf surfaces in A. hippocastanum was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Light microscopy was used to examine on which side of the leaf blades eggs of Cameraria ohridella were laid. The characteristic features of the adaxial and abaxial epidermis were shown. In the hypostomatic leaves of the studied species, the stomata occurred at a density of 173 × mm-2  and they represented the cyclocytic type. A striated layer of the cuticle was observed only in the adaxial epidermis in which glandular hairs were also present along the midribs. Non-glandular trichomes grew only on the surface of the midribs or in their axils in the abaxial epidermis. We found eggs of C. ohridella only on the adaxial surface of the epidermis. Using SEM, we also observed in the mines leaf tissues damaged by C. ohridella. We found palisade parenchyma to be absent, whereas in the spongy parenchyma there could be seen large intercellular spaces and at places a dense mass of organic matter, formed from damaged cells and larval excrement. The vascular bundles and calcium oxalate crystals remained in the feeding places. We found numerous bacteria, fungal spores and hyphae as well as cleistothecia of Erysiphales in the mines on the surface of the damaged mesophyll.
 The glandular trichomes occurring only locally on the leaves, the relatively thin cell walls of the epidermis and a not well-developed cuticle layer on their surface do not protect sufficiently these leaves against the invasion of C. ohridella. On the other hand, damaged tissue areas are a convenient place for the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Pathogens of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber (Phytophtora infestans) occurring in treatments with foliar fertilization
Authors: Cwalina-Ambroziak Bożena , Bogucka Bożena
Published: January 2013

The paper presents the results of a three-year exact plot experiment (2008-2010) established in Bałcyny (NE Poland). Three potato cultivars were grown: medium-early ‘Adam’, medium-late ‘Pasja Pomorska’, and late ‘Ślęza’. The experimental factors were foliar fertilizers applied alone or in combination (Basfoliar 12-4-6, ADOB Mn, Solubor DF) and two levels of soil mineral fertilization (N1P1K1-80 kg N × ha-1, 80 kg P × ha-1, 120 K × ha-1; N2P2K2-120 kg N × ha-1, 144 kg P × ha-1, 156 K × ha-1). The experimental materials comprised potato tubers. The symptoms of soft rot (Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum), late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and dry rot (Fusarium spp.) were evaluated in 5 kg potato samples, and were expressed as the percentage mass of infected tubers. The rates of common scab (Streptomyces scabies) and black scurf (Rhizoctonia solani) infection were estimated on 100 tubers collected randomly after harvest, according to a nine-point scale, and were presented as a percentage infection index. In the laboratory, fungi were isolated on PDA medium from potato tubers immediately after harvest and after five-month storage. The incidence of tuber diseases depended on potato cultivars affected. The severity of tuber diseases varied between treatments with two levels of NPK fertilization and foliar fertilization. The lowest number of Fusarium-infected tubers was obtained from treatments where three foliar fertilizers were applied in combination, which was confirmed by the lowest abundance of fungal isolates. More fungi were isolated from potato tubers after harvest than after storage, but pathogens were more frequently isolated from stored tubers. After harvest, the lowest number of pathogenic fungi was isolated from the tubers of cv. ‘Adam’ in the non-fertilized treatment, and after storage – from the tubers of the late cultivars in the treatment with three foliar fertilizers applied in combination.
Fungi infecting the roots and stem base of winter rye (Secale cereale L.) grown in the Lublin region (Poland)
Authors: Mielniczuk Elżbieta , Kiecana Irena , Cegiełko Małgorzata
Published: January 2013

This study was carried out in the period 2001-2005 in 10 winter rye plantations located in the Lublin region. The percentage of winter rye stems with necrosis symptoms on the lower internodes ranged from 32.5% to 71% in 2001, 38% to 68% in 2002, 21.5% to 56.5% in 2003, 35% to 70% in 2004, and 36% to 88% in 2005. The mean values of the disease index ranged from 7.5 to 46.75 and they differed significantly. The results of mycological analysis showed that the main pathogens infecting the roots and stem base of rye were the species Fusarium avenaceum (24% of all isolates) and F. culmorum (25% of all isolates).
Tissue-Preserving Antibody Cocktails to Differentiate Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Adenocarcinoma, and Small Cell Carcinoma of Lung
Authors: Brown Alan F. , Sirohi Deepika , Fukuoka Junya , Cagle Philip T. , Policarpio-Nicolas Maria , Tacha David , Jagirdar Jaishree
Published: January 2013

Context.—With the availability of cell type–specific therapies, differentiating primary lung squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and adenocarcinomas (ACAs) has become important. The limitations of small sample size and the need to conserve tissue for additional molecular studies necessitate the use of sensitive and specific marker panels on a single slide.

Objective.—To distinguish SCC from ACA and small cell carcinoma (SmCC) of lung using 2 novel tissue-conserving cocktails.

Design.—We compared two antibody cocktails, desmoglein 3 + cytokeratin 5/napsin A and p40/thyroid transcription factor 1 (Biocare Medical, Concord, California) in diagnosing SCC and ACA of the lung on tissue microarray, cytology, and surgical specimens. Both lung and nonlung tissue were evaluated on an 1150-core tissue microarray that contained 200 lung cancers. A microarray of 35 SmCCs and 5 small cell SCCs was also evaluated.

Results.—A cocktail of desmoglein 3 + cytokeratin 5/napsin A provided diagnostic accuracy in lung cancers with a sensitivity and specificity of 100% in SCCs and a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 100% in ACAs. A p40/thyroid transcription factor 1 cocktail showed p40 to have a specificity of 92% and a sensitivity of 93% in SCCs, whereas thyroid transcription factor 1 had a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 77% in ACAs. Cell blocks of fine-needle aspiration cytology compared with corresponding surgical (n = 20) specimens displayed similar findings. The p40 was useful in differentiating bladder from prostate carcinoma with 88% sensitivity. Isolated carcinomas from nonlung tissues were desmoglein 3 + cytokeratin 5 positive. Napsin A was positive in 22% of renal tumors as previously observed. Both cocktails were excellent in differentiating SmCCs and small cell SCCs because none of the SmCCs stained with p40.

Conclusions.—Both antibody cocktails are excellent in differentiating primary lung ACA from SCC, as well as excluding SmCC and ACAs from all other sites on small specimens. A cocktail of desmoglein 3 + cytokeratin 5/napsin A is slightly superior compared with p40/thyroid transcription factor 1 cocktail.
Māori Medical Student and Physician Exposure to Racism, Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying
Authors: Cormack Donna , Gooder Claire , Jones Rhiannon , Lacey Cameron , Stanley James , Paine Sarah-Jane , Curtis Elana , Harris Ricci
Published: July 2024

Importance

Discrimination, bullying, and harassment in medicine have been reported internationally, but exposures for Indigenous medical students and physicians, and for racism specifically, remain less examined.

Objective

To examine the prevalence of racism, discrimination, bullying, and harassment for Māori medical students and physicians in New Zealand and associations with demographic and clinical characteristics.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used data from an anonymous national survey of Māori medical students and physicians in New Zealand in late 2021 and early 2022. Data were analyzed from March 2022 to April 2024.

Exposures

Age, gender, marginalized status (ie, in addition to being Māori, belonging to other groups traditionally marginalized or underrepresented in medicine), year of medical school, year of graduation, and main work role.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Direct and witnessed racism, discrimination, bullying, and harassment were measured as any experience in the last year and ever. Any exposure to negative comments about social groups and witnessing discriminatory treatment toward Māori patients or whānau (extended family). Considering leaving medicine, including because of mistreatment, was measured.

Results

Overall, 205 Māori medical students (median [IQR] age, 23.1 [21.6-24.3] years; 137 [67.2%] women) and 200 physicians (median [IQR] age, 36.6 [30.1-45.3] years; 123 [62.8%] women) responded. Direct and witnessed exposure to racism (184 students [91.5%]; 176 physicians [90.7%]) and discrimination (176 students [85.9%]; 179 physicians [89.5%]) ever in medical education, training, or work environments was common. Ever exposure to witnessed and direct bullying (123 students [66.5%]; 150 physicians [89.3%]) and harassment (73 students [39.5%]; 112 physicians [66.7%]) was also common. Most respondents reported witnessing Māori patients or their whānau being treated badly in clinical settings, in direct interactions (67 students [57.8%]; 112 physicians [58.9%]) or behind their backs (87 students [75.0%]; 138 physicians [72.6%]). One-quarter of Māori medical students (45 students), and 37.0% of physicians (61 physicians) had considered leaving or taken a break from medicine because of these experiences. Additional marginalized statuses were significantly associated with any direct experience of mistreatment in the last year for students and physicians. Exposure to some forms of mistreatment were also significantly associated with higher likelihood of thinking about leaving or taking a break from medicine for physicians.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, Māori medical students and physicians reported high exposure to multiple forms of racism, discrimination, bullying, and harassment in medical education, training, and work environments, requiring an urgent response from medical institutions.
Phenotypical and biochemical characterization of murine psoriasiform and fibrotic skin disease models in Stabilin‐deficient mice
Authors: Krzistetzko Jessica , Géraud Cyrill , Dormann Christof , Riedel Anna , Leibing Thomas
Published: July 2024

Stabilin‐1 (Stab1) and Stabilin‐2 (Stab2) are scavenger receptors expressed by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). The Stabilin‐mediated scavenging function is responsible for regulating the molecular composition of circulating blood in mammals. Stab1 and Stab2 have been shown to influence fibrosis in liver and kidneys and to modulate inflammation in atherosclerosis. In this context, circulating and localized TGFBi and POSTN are differentially controlled by the Stabilins as their receptors. To assess Stab1 and Stab2 functions in inflammatory and fibrotic skin disease, topical Imiquimod (IMQ) was used to induce psoriasis‐like skin lesions in mice and Bleomycin (BLM) was applied subcutaneously to induce scleroderma‐like effects in the skin. The topical treatment with IMQ, as expected, led to psoriasis‐like changes in the skin of mice, including increased epidermal thickness and significant weight loss. Clinical severity was reduced in Stab2‐deficient compared to Stab1‐deficient mice. We did not observe differential effects in the skin of Stabilin‐deficient mice after bleomycin injection. Interestingly, treatment with IMQ led to a significant increase of Stabilin ligand TGFBi plasma levels in Stab2−/− mice, treatment with BLM resulted in a significant decrease in TGFBi levels in Stab1−/− mice. Overall, Stab1 and Stab2 deficiency resulted in minor alterations of the disease phenotypes accompanied by alterations of circulating ligands in the blood in response to the disease models. Stabilin‐mediated clearance of TGFBi was altered in these disease processes. Taken together our results suggest that Stabilin deficiency‐associated plasma alterations may interfere with preclinical disease severity and treatment responses in patients.
Phantoms of a Five‐day Forest
Authors: Badenoch Kirsty
Published: July 2024

Strangely, the palimpsest of human occupation is often far less visible in the city than it is in wilder spaces. Artist, architect, researcher and educator Kirsty Badenoch describes an exploratory expedition to draw out these ghosts within the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, and a subsequent exhibition of the work through diary entries and photographic forms. The work itself is made through transcriptive collaborations with the volatile climate and flora and fauna of the site, creating a tale of palimpsestuous relationships that dislocate the artistic self as nature leads the dance, or at the very least calls the tune.
Immunomodulating Sonocatalytic Nanoagents with Dual‐Functional Ir‐N Centers and Narrow Bandgap for Reversing Immunosuppression and Potentiating Ovarian Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Huang Xiaotong , Zhou Hongju , Lv Ning , Zhao Zhenyang , Tian Tian , Huang Jiayan , Rodriguez Raul D. , Luo Hong , Cheng Chong , Ma Lang
Published: July 2024

The heterogeneity and immunosuppression microenvironment of ovarian cancer seriously restrict the efficiency of monomodal treatment. Emerging multimodal therapy strategies based on sonodynamic therapy with enhanced antitumor effects have attracted intensive attention in the quest to combat cancer. However, exploring highly efficient sonosensitizers integrating chemodynamic/sonodynamic/immunotherapies with reversing immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) capacity is urgently desired but remains challenging. Here, a facile strategy is designed to synthesize immunomodulating sonocatalytic nanoagents (IrT‐SCN) with dual‐functional Ir‐N centers and narrow bandgap for reversing immunosuppression and potentiating ovarian cancer immunotherapy. IrT‐SCN with dual‐functional centers Ir‐N2 and Ir‐N4 and conjugated networks show a reduced bandgap, moderate interaction with H2O2, and efficient production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Such ROS capabilities include: 1) utilizing H2O2 in TME to catalytically generate potent O2, as well as abundant superoxide anion (•O2−) and singlet oxygen (1O2) radicals; 2) external ultrasound (US) irradiation can also boost the production of 1O2 simultaneously; 3) M1 polarization of tumor‐associated macrophages and enhanced immune effect can promote the outcome of cancer treatment. This finding provides proof‐of‐concept evidence for the future development of immunomodulating sonocatalytic nanoagents for oncological treatments and other ROS‐related biomedical fields.
Scaled Elastic Hydrogel Interfaces for Brain Electrophysiology
Authors: Hu Mengdi , Ren Jing , Pan Yue , Cheng Liping , Xu Xin , Tan Chee Leong , Sun Huabin , Shi Yi , Yan Shancheng
Published: July 2024

The advancement in brain–computer interface technology has facilitated real‐time communication between the brain and external devices, rapidly expanding invasive brain–computer interfaces. Nevertheless, little progress has been made in improving the one‐way, noninvasive brain–computer interface technology using conductive methods, necessitating enhancements to the current paste contact electrodes. In this paper, a captivating spherical electrode is fabricated that exhibits noncytotoxic properties, combining alginate hydrogel with indium tin oxide conductor components. The electrode's remarkable and consistent electrical conductivity enables it to generate stable adaptive deformations that conform to diverse scalp topographies. Most impedance values fall below 10 kΩ, indicating heightened hydrophilicity compared to traditional conductive pastes, as evidenced by contact angle measurements. An empirical electroencephalography data collection study confirms its conductivity and signal transmission reliability. The acquired electroencephalography signals are utilized for emotion recognition utilizing band energy ratio analysis and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms. The operation of this system is both straightforward and convenient, requiring minimal preparation before and after the collection of electroencephalography signals. Utilizing an extensive range of raw materials and straightforward preparatory procedures enhances the potential industrial application of hydrogel electrodes, thereby significantly contributing to advancing civilian electroencephalography equipment and investigating depression‐related pathologies.
Single Versus Blended Electrolyte Additives: Impact of a Sulfur‐Based Electrolyte Additive on Electrode Cross‐Talk and Electrochemical Performance of LiNiO2||Graphite Cells
Authors: Wölke Christian , Benayad Anass , Lai Thanh‐Loan , Hanke Felix , Baraldi Giorgio , Echeverría María , Esen Ekin , Ayerbe Elixabete , Neale Alex R. , Everitt Jacqui , Hardwick Laurence J. , Yan Peng , Poterała Marcin , Wieczorek Władysław , Winter Martin , Cekic‐Laskovic Isidora
Published: July 2024

Lithium nickel oxide (LNO) is an attractive positive electrode active material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high reversible specific capacity and absence of cobalt. Nevertheless, it is prone to structural instabilities that lead to rapid capacity fading, safety concerns and shows in average a lower voltage than mixtures with cobalt, limiting its applicability to date. Herein this study introduces the sulfur‐based electrolyte additive, benzo[d][1,3,2]dioxathiole 2,2‐dioxide (DTDPh), to stabilize the LNO electrode and study its effects on interphase compositions by means of complementary electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. Obtained results demonstrate an improved galvanostatic cycling performance in terms of cycle life and achievable specific discharge capacity that significantly outperform the common film‐forming additive vinylene carbonate (VC). The cycle life is increased from 102 to 147 cycles compared to the baseline electrolyte and the accumulated discharge energy until end of life is increased by 45%. This study furthermore provides strong evidence of a significant cross‐talk and negative interplay between DTDPh and VC when both are present in the electrolyte formulation. Mechanistic consideration based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest the formation of mobile poly(VC) species, which is supported by the results of post mortem analysis of the resulting interphases.