bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deconvolution of multicomponent seismic data by means of quaternions: Theory and preliminary results‡
Authors: Menanno Giovanni M. , Mazzotti Alfredo
Published: August 2011

Multicomponent seismic data are acquired by orthogonal geophones that record a vectorial wavefield. Since the single components are not independent, the processing should be performed jointly for all the components.

In this contribution, we use hypercomplex numbers, specifically quaternions, to implement the Wiener deconvolution for multicomponent seismic data. This new approach directly derives from the complex Wiener filter theory, but special care must be taken in the algorithm implementation due to the peculiar properties of quaternion algebra.

Synthetic and real data examples show that quaternion deconvolution, either spiking or predictive, generally performs superiorly to the standard (scalar) deconvolution because it properly takes into account the vectorial nature of the wavefields. This provides a better wavelet estimation and thus an improved deconvolution performance, especially when noise affects differently the various components.
Iterative electromagnetic migration for 3D inversion of marine controlled‐source electromagnetic data
Authors: Zhdanov Michael S. , Čuma Martin , Wilson Glenn A. , Velikhov Evgeny P. , Black Noel , Gribenko Alexander V.
Published: August 2011

The key to deriving a reliable quantitative interpretation from marine controlled‐source electromagnetic data is through the integration of shared earth modeling and robust 3D electromagnetic inversion. Subsurface uncertainty is minimized through efficient workflows that use all available subsurface data as a priori information and which permit multiple resistivity models to explain the same observed data. To this end, we present our implementation of an iterative migration method for controlled‐source electromagnetic data that is equivalent to rigorous 3D inversion. Our iterative migration method is based on the 3D integral equation method with inhomogeneous background conductivity and focusing regularization with a priori terms. We will show that focusing stabilizers recover more geologically realistic models with sharper resistivity contrasts and boundaries than traditional smooth stabilizers. Additionally, focusing stabilizers have better convergence properties than smooth stabilizers. Finally, inhomogeneous background information described as a priori resistivity models can improve the fidelity of the final models. Our method is implemented in a fully parallelized code. This makes it practical to run large‐scale 3D iterative migration on multicomponent, multifrequency and multiline controlled‐source electromagnetic surveys for 3D models with millions of cells. We present a suite of interpretations obtained from different iterative migration scenarios for a 3D controlled‐source electromagnetic feasibility study computed from a detailed model of stacked anticline structures and reservoir units of the Shtokman gasfield in the Russian sector of the Barents Sea.
ANGUSTIFOLIA, a plant homolog of CtBP/BARS, functions outside the nucleus
Authors: Minamisawa Naoko , Sato Mayuko , Cho Kiu‐Hyung , Ueno Hanako , Takechi Katsuaki , Kajikawa Masataka , Yamato Katsuyuki T. , Ohyama Kanji , Toyooka Kiminori , Kim Gyung‐Tae , Horiguchi Gorou , Takano Hiroyoshi , Ueda Takashi , Tsukaya Hirokazu
Published: August 2011

CtBP/BARS is a unique protein family in having quite diversified cellular functions, intercellular localizations, and developmental roles. ANGUSTIFOLIA (AN) is the sole homolog of CtBP/BARS from Arabidopsis thaliana, although it has plant AN‐specific motifs and a long C‐terminus. Previous studies suggested that AN would function in the nucleus as a transcriptional co‐repressor, as CtBPs function in animals; however, precise verification has been lacking. In this paper, we isolated a homologous gene (MAN) of AN from liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha. Transformation of the Arabidopsis an‐1 mutant with 35S‐driven MAN completely complemented the an‐1 phenotype, although it lacks the putative nuclear localization signal (NLS) that exists in AN proteins isolated from other plant species. We constructed several plasmids for expressing modified ANs with amino acid substitutions in known motifs. The results clearly indicated that modified AN with mutations in the putative NLS‐like domain could complement the an‐1 phenotype. Therefore, we re‐examined localization of AN using several techniques. Our results demonstrated that AN localizes on punctuate structures around the Golgi, partially overlapping with a trans‐Golgi network resident, which highlighted an unexpected link between leaf development and membrane trafficking. We should reconsider the roles and evolutionary traits of AN based on these findings.
NIMA‐related kinase NEK6 affects plant growth and stress response in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Bo , Chen Hao‐Wei , Mu Rui‐Ling , Zhang Wang‐Ke , Zhao Ming‐Yu , Wei Wei , Wang Fang , Yu Hui , Lei Gang , Zou Hong‐Feng , Ma Biao , Chen Shou‐Yi , Zhang Jin‐Song
Published: August 2011

The NIMA‐related kinases (NEKs) are a family of serine/threonine kinases involved largely in cell cycle control in fungi, mammals and other eukaryotes. In Arabidopsis, NEK6 is involved in the regulation of epidermal cell morphogenesis. However, other roles of NEK6 in plants are less well understood. Here we report functions of NEK6 in plant growth, development and stress responses in Arabidopsis. NEK6 transcripts and proteins are induced by ethylene precursor ACC and salt stress. Expression of other NEK genes except NEK5 is also responsive to the two treatments. Overexpression and mutant analysis disclose that the NEK6 gene increases rosette growth, seed yield and lateral root formation. However, NEK6 appears to play a negative role in the control of seed size. The gene also promotes plant tolerance to salt stress and osmotic stress in its overexpressing plants. The NEK6 gene may achieve its function through suppression of ethylene biosynthesis and activation of CYCB1;1 and CYCA3;1 expression. Our present study reveals new functions of the NEK6 gene in plant growth and stress tolerance, and manipulation of NEK6 may improve important agronomic traits in crop plants.
Characterization of a novel allele, HLA‐B*15:228
Authors: Endres R. O. , Hoffman A. D. , Scott I.
Published: August 2011

B*15:228 differs from B*15:01:01:01 at three nucleotides in exon 4.
Developmental origins of obesity‐related hypertension
Authors: Henry Sarah L , Barzel Benjamin , Wood‐Bradley Ryan J , Burke Sandra L , Head Geoffrey A , Armitage James A
Published: August 2011

1. In the past 30 years the prevalence of obesity and overweight have doubled. It is now estimated that globally over 500 million adults are obese and a further billion adults are overweight. Obesity is a cardiovascular risk factor and some studies suggest that up to 70% of cases of essential hypertension may be attributable, in part, to obesity. Increasingly, evidence supports a view that obesity‐related hypertension may be driven by altered hypothalamic signalling, which results in inappropriately high appetite and sympathetic nerve activity to the kidney.

2. In addition to the adult risk factors for obesity and hypertension, the environment encountered in early life may ‘programme’ the development of obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In particular, maternal obesity or high dietary fat intake in pregnancy may induce changes in fetal growth trajectories and predispose individuals to develop obesity and related sequelae.

3. The mechanisms underlying the programming of obesity‐related hypertension are becoming better understood. However, several issues require clarification, particularly with regard to the role of the placenta in transferring fatty acid to the fetal compartment, the impact of placental inflammation and cytokine production in obesity.

4. By understanding which factors are most associated with the development of obesity and hypertension in the offspring, we can focus therapeutic and behavioural interventions to most efficiently reduce the intergenerational propagation of the obesity cycle.
Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis: Case report
Authors: Ochiai Hidenobu , Kawano Hirokazu , Minato Seiichiro , Yoneyama Takumi , Shimao Yoshiya
Published: August 2011

Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis is a rare and frequently fatal disease. This disease is often caused by hematogenous spread of pathogens that are inoculated in the skin of the extremities after slight or minor trauma, and its mortality rate is rather high despite aggressive treatment. Our patient presented with headache and pyrexia. She was diagnosed with fungal meningitis and treated by systemic administration of voriconazole (VRCZ). However, after initial improvement, meningitis recurred. MRI of the brain showed multiple small masses in the cerebral hemisphere and she was thus referred to our Department of Neurosurgery. On admission, an examination showed that the masses were deeply located in the brain and were too small to be excised; therefore, treatment with systemic VRCZ and intrathecal amphotericin B was initially selected. However, the intracerebral masses continued to grow; therefore, they were surgically excised. Histological examination of the surgical specimens at that time identified the masses as granuloma caused by infection with Aspergillus niger. After the surgery, her general condition improved; therefore treatment with systemic and intrathecal antifungal agents were continued. However, the intracerebral masses recurred, and despite further aggressive surgical treatment and systemic and intrathecal antifungal administration, she died 43 months after the initial diagnosis. Autopsy examination showed that the cerebral lesions were phaeohyphomycotic granulomas. This paper describes the clinical presentation, histopathological results and treatment for this rare disease.
Protease‐resistant PrP and PrP oligomers in the brain in human prion diseases after intraventricular pentosan polysulfate infusion
Authors: Honda Hiroyuki , Sasaki Kensuke , Minaki Haruhiko , Masui Kenta , Suzuki Satoshi O. , Doh‐ura Katsumi , Iwaki Toru
Published: August 2011

Intraventricular infusion of pentosan polysulfate (PPS) as a treatment for various human prion diseases has been applied in Japan. To evaluate the influence of PPS treatment we performed pathological examination and biochemical analyses of PrP molecules in autopsied brains treated with PPS (one case of sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (sCJD, case 1), two cases of dura mater graft‐associated CJD (dCJD, cases 2 and 4), and one case of Gerstmann‐Sträussler‐Scheinker disease (GSS, case 3). Six cases of sCJD without PPS treatment were examined for comparison. Protease‐resistant PrP (PrPres) in the frontal lobe was evaluated by Western blotting after proteinase K digestion. Further, the degree of polymerization of PrP molecules was examined by the size‐exclusion gel chromatography assay. PPS infusions were started 3–10 months after disease onset, but the treatment did not achieve any clinical improvements. Postmortem examinations of the treated cases revealed symmetrical brain lesions, including neuronal loss, spongiform change and gliosis. Noteworthy was GFAP in the cortical astrocytes reduced in all treated cases despite astrogliosis. Immunohistochemistry for PrP revealed abnormal synaptic deposits in all treated cases and further plaque‐type PrP deposition in case 3 of GSS and case 4 of dCJD. Western blotting showed relatively low ratios of PrPres in case 2 of dCJD and case 3 of GSS, while in the treated sCJD (case 1), the ratio of PrPres was comparable with untreated cases. The indices of oligomeric PrP were reduced in one sCJD (case 1) and one dCJD (case 2). Although intraventricular PPS infusion might modify the accumulation of PrP oligomers in the brains of patients with prion diseases, the therapeutic effects are still uncertain.
Performance characteristics and predictors of yield from transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions
Authors: TRISOLINI ROCCO , CANCELLIERI ALESSANDRA , TINELLI CARMINE , PAIOLI DANIELA , SCUDELLER LUIGIA , FORTI PARRI SERGIO NICOLA , LIVI VANINA , BOARON MAURIZIO , PATELLI MARCO
Published: August 2011

Background and objective:  Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is useful for diagnosing peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL). However, TBNA is largely underused and the variables that may be related to its diagnostic usefulness have not been specifically studied. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance characteristics and predictors of yield from TBNA of PPL, and to compare the performance characteristics of different bronchoscopic sampling methods.

Methods:  Consecutive patients with PPL were prospectively enrolled, and during the same examination, TBNA, transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) and bronchial washing (BW) were performed.

Results:  Two hundred and eighteen PPL in 218 patients were sampled. TBNA was more sensitive (65%) than either TBLB (45%, P < 0.001) or BW (22%, P < 0.001). TBNA was the only diagnostic procedure in 42/196 patients (21%) with malignant lesions, and was more likely to be the only diagnostic procedure for lesions lacking (23/85 patients, 27%) than for lesions with the bronchus sign (19/111 patients, 17%). In multivariate analysis, a lesion size >2 cm, malignancy and location in the middle lobe were independent predictors of a positive TBNA result.

Conclusions:  TBNA is the single best contributor to the success of bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of PPLs, and should be routinely used especially in the presence of lesions lacking the bronchus sign. Lesion size of > 2 cm, location in the middle lobe, and malignant nature are strong predictors of a positive TBNA result.
Ratko Mladić: Relativism, myth and reality (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Bošković Aleksandar
Published: August 2011

This editorial explores the context of the arrest and subsequent extradition to the ICTY at the Hague of Ratko Mladić, former Bosnian Serb Army Commander. As Mladić acquired an almost mythical status among the Serbs, the issue of dealing with the recent past is important, especially when relativized in relation to recent events. This offers an excellent opportunity for the anthropology of violence and reconciliation processes, as well to re‐examine some of the old debates of the relationship between universalism and relativism when it comes to human rights. Since some of these issues have been present there for a number of years, Serbia offers a unique opportunity to further our understanding of some of these processes.
Inappropriate object: Warsaw and the Stalin‐era Palace of Culture after the Smolensk disaster (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Murawski Michał
Published: August 2011

This article is about the shifting relationship between the city of Warsaw and the Palace of Culture and Science – a gigantic Stalinist skyscraper which dominates the city centre – in the aftermath of the 10 April 2010 plane crash that killed the Polish president and 95 others (mostly very senior military and political figures) in the woods outside Smolensk in western Russia. The crash's victims had been on their way to a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of a massacre in the Katyń forest, near Smolensk, during which thousands of Polish army officers were shot on the orders of Stalin. Despite its status as Warsaw's most obvious material relic of Russia's historical domination over Poland, the Palace of Culture has in the last two decades been gradually reappropriated into the city's own landscape and everyday life. In fact, since the fall of communism, the Palace has eclipsed the city's traditional emblems and monuments to become regarded as the most identifiable marker, or ‘symbol’, of the contemporary city. Further, the Palace has consolidated the tangible and powerful impact it exerts on the city's architecture and urban layout, on its political, bureaucratic, ‘cultural’, commercial and educational life, and on the bodies and minds of its citizens. The very word ‘palace’ is normally understood in Warsaw to refer to the Palace of Culture. For a time after Smolensk, however, the word acquired a new association with the Presidential Palace, where crowds gathered to lay flowers, light candles and stand vigil. The markedly muted presence in Warsaw of the Palace of Culture during the mourning period after Smolensk demonstrated that the happy interaction between post‐socialist Warsaw and the rehabilitated Palace does not extend into every domain. The topography of mourning in Warsaw in the days after 10 April seemed to highlight the abject dimension of the Palace's uncanny presence in the city. This article explores why, how and for how long the Palace withdrew and was withdrawn from the life of the Warsaw after Smolensk.
Context‐Based Coding of Adaptive Multiresolution Meshes
Authors: von Tycowicz Christoph , Kälberer Felix , Polthier Konrad
Published: August 2011

Multiresolution meshes provide an efficient and structured representation of geometric objects. To increase the mesh resolution only at vital parts of the object, adaptive refinement is widely used. We propose a lossless compression scheme for these adaptive structures that exploits the parent–child relationships inherent to the mesh hierarchy. We use the rules that correspond to the adaptive refinement scheme and store bits only where some freedom of choice is left, leading to compact codes that are free of redundancy. Moreover, we extend the coder to sequences of meshes with varying refinement. The connectivity compression ratio of our method exceeds that of state‐of‐the‐art coders by a factor of 2–7. For efficient compression of vertex positions we adapt popular wavelet‐based coding schemes to the adaptive triangular and quadrangular cases to demonstrate the compatibility with our method. Akin to state‐of‐the‐art coders, we use a zerotree to encode the resulting coefficients. Using improved context modelling we enhanced the zerotree compression, cutting the overall geometry data rate by 7% below those of the successful Progressive Geometry Compression. More importantly, by exploiting the existing refinement structure we achieve compression factors that are four times greater than those of coders which can handle irregular meshes.
An evaluation of P50 paired‐click methodologies
Authors: Dalecki Anna , Croft Rodney J. , Johnstone Stuart J.
Published: August 2011

The utility of P50 paired‐click measures is limited by their unestablished reliability, unknown effects of time, and long protocol. This study measured within‐session reliability, temporal course, effect of varying interpair interval (IPI), and peak definition and ratio calculation methods on P50 paired‐click measures in healthy participants. Results indicate higher reliability for difference (ICC=.72) than ratio (ICC=.44) method; when P50 peaks are defined as baseline‐to‐peak than peak‐to‐peak; time‐related changes; and comparable P50 paired‐click measures at long (9 s) and short (3–7 s) IPIs. After controlling for time effects, P50 paired‐click measures are relatively reliable within‐session and are best measured using the difference method and defined as baseline‐to‐peak amplitude; time effects must be taken into account when measuring P50 paired‐click measures in a long paradigm; and IPI can be shortened in studies with healthy samples.
Effects of simvastatin, atorvastatin, ezetimibe, and ezetimibe + simvastatin combination on the inflammatory process and on the liver metabolic changes of arthritic rats
Authors: Bracht Lívia , Barbosa Carmem Patrícia , Caparroz‐Assef Silvana Martins , Cuman Roberto Kenji Nakamura , Ishii‐Iwamoto Emy Luiza , Bracht Adelar , Bersani‐Amado Ciomar Aparecida
Published: August 2011

In this study, simvastatin, atorvastatin, ezetimibe, and ezetimibe + simvastatin combination were administered to arthritic rats, first to determine their effects on the inflammatory response, employing a low‐dose adjuvant‐induced arthritis model in rats. Arthritis was induced by the subcutaneous injection of a suspension of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (100 μg) in mineral oil [complete Freund’s adjuvant used (CFA)] into the plantar surface of the hind paws. Simvastatin40mg/kg, atorvastatin10mg/kg, ezetimibe10mg/kg, ezetimibe10mg/kg + simvastatin20mg/kg or 40mg/kg were given intragastrically and the treatment began on the day of CFA injection and continued daily up to the 28th day after arthritis induction. The ezetimibe + simvastatin combination was more effective in reducing the inflammatory response in arthritic rats than in atorvastatin, simvastatin, or ezetimibe monotherapy. The observed effect seems to be cholesterol‐independent as there were no changes in plasma cholesterol levels. In spite of the benefits on joint lesions, treatment with ezetimibe + simvastatin combination caused a marked increment in liver, kidneys, spleen size, and plasma transaminases activities. Therefore, animals treated with the ezetimibe10mg/kg + simvastatin40mg/kg combination were also submitted to liver perfusion experiments. In this regard, ezetimibe + simvastatin did not improve the liver metabolic alterations seen in control arthritic rats, on the contrary, a worsening was observed in liver production of glucose from alanine, as well as in oxygen uptake. All of these metabolic changes appear to be induced by treatment with ezetimibe + simvastatin combination, as the same metabolic effects were observed in normal and treated arthritic animals.
Effects of controlled ingestion of kaolinite (5%) on food intake, gut morphology and in vitro motility in rats
Authors: Voinot Florian , Fischer Caroline , Bœuf Amandine , Schmidt Camille , Delval‐Dubois Véronique , Reichardt François , Liewig Nicole , Chaumande Bertrand , Ehret‐Sabatier Laurence , Lignot Jean‐Hervé , Angel Fabielle
Published: August 2011

Geophagia is found in various animal species and in humans. We have previously shown that spontaneously ingested kaolinite interacts with the intestinal mucosa modifies nutrient absorption and slows down gastric emptying and intestinal transit in rats in vivo. However, the precise mechanisms involved are not elucidated. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of controlled kaolinite ingestion on food intake, gut morphology and in vitro motility in rats. Male Wistar rats were fed with 5% kaolinite in standard food pellets during 7, 14 and 28 days. Body mass and food consumption were measured daily. Intestinal morphological and proteomic analyses were conducted. The length of mucosal lacteals was evaluated. Plasmatic levels of leptin and adiponectin were determined. Finally, organ bath studies were conducted to evaluate smooth muscle contractility. Food consumption was significantly increased during the first two weeks of kaolinite ingestion without any mass gain compared to controls. Kaolinite induced weak variations in proteins that are involved in various biological processes. Compared to control animals, the length of intestinal lacteals was significantly reduced in kaolinite group whatever the duration of the experiment. Leptin and adiponectin plasmatic levels were significantly increased after 14 days of kaolinite consumption. Changes in spontaneous motility and responses to electrical nerve stimulation of the jejunum and proximal colon were observed at day 14. Altogether, the present data give evidence for a modulation by kaolinite‐controlled ingestion on satiety and anorexigenic signals as well as on intestinal and colonic motility.
Social threat, social reward, and regulation of investment in romantic relationships
Authors: SPIELMANN STEPHANIE S. , MACDONALD GEOFF , TACKETT JENNIFER L.
Published: August 2011

Regulation of romantic investment is often examined in terms of concerns over self‐protection. Perceived opportunity for intimate connection has been an overlooked motivational force in investment decisions. In 4 studies, participants assessed risks of rejection and opportunity for connection from future partners (among single participants), current partners (among coupled participants), and ex‐partners (all participants). Beyond rejection risks, intimacy potential of future/current partners negatively predicted pining for an ex‐partner, whereas intimacy potential of ex‐partners positively predicted such longing. Rewarding ex‐partners garnered particularly strong investment when future/current partners were lacking in intimacy potential, suggesting the need to belong motivates pursuit of intimacy in a hydraulic fashion: When connection is lacking in one relationship, the draw of intimacy from another becomes particularly strong.
Disruption of inflammatory signals by cytokine‐targeted therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Caprioli Flavio , Caruso Roberta , Sarra Massimiliano , Pallone Francesco , Monteleone Giovanni
Published: August 2011

Gut inflammation occurring in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is associated with an excessive immune response that is directed against constituents of the normal bacterial flora and results in the production of large amounts of inflammatory cytokines. Anti‐cytokine compounds, such as the neutralizing TNF antibodies, have been employed with clinical success in patients with IBD. However, nearly half of IBD patients are refractory to such treatments, response can wane with time, and anti‐TNF treatment can associate with severe side effects and/or development/exacerbation of extra‐intestinal immune‐mediated pathologies. These observations, and the demonstration that, in IBD, the pathological process is also characterized by defects in the production and/or activity of counter‐regulatory cytokines, have boosted further studies aimed at delineating novel strategies to combat the IBD‐associated tissue‐damaging immune response.
Does Better Quality of Care for Falls and Urinary Incontinence Result in Better Participant‐Reported Outcomes?
Authors: Min Lillian C. , Reuben David B. , Adams John , Shekelle Paul G. , Ganz David A. , Roth Carol P. , Wenger Neil S.
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether delivery of better quality of care for urinary incontinence (UI) and falls is associated with better participant‐reported outcomes.

DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING: Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders Study 2 (ACOVE‐2).

PARTICIPANTS: Older (≥75) ambulatory care participants in ACOVE‐2 who screened positive for UI (n=133) or falls or fear of falling (n=328).

MEASUREMENTS: Composite quality scores (percentage of quality indicators (QIs) passed per participant) and change in Incontinence Quality of Life (IQOL, range 0–100) or Falls Efficacy Scale (FES, range 10–40) scores were measured before and after care was delivered (mean 10 months). Because the treatment‐related falls QIs were measured only on patients who received a physical examination, an alternative Common Pathway QI (CPQI) score was developed that assigned a failing score for falls treatment to unexamined participants.

RESULTS: Each 10% increment in receipt of recommended care for UI was associated with a 1.4‐point improvement in IQOL score (P=.01). The original falls composite quality‐of‐care score was unrelated to FES, but the new CPQI scoring method for falls quality of care was related to FES outcomes (+0.4 points per 10% increment in falls quality, P=.01).

CONCLUSION: Better quality of care for falls and UI was associated with measurable improvement in participant‐reported outcomes in less than 1 year. The connection between process and outcome required consideration of the interdependence between diagnosis and treatment in the falls QIs. The link between process and outcome demonstrated for UI and falls underscores the importance of improving care in these areas.
Metabolic Syndrome and Physical Performance in Elderly Men: The Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study
Authors: Everson‐Rose Susan A. , Paudel Misti , Taylor Brent C. , Dam Tien , Cawthon Peggy Mannen , LeBlanc Erin , Strotmeyer Elsa S. , Cauley Jane A. , Stefanick Marcia L. , Barrett‐Connor Elizabeth , Ensrud Kristine E. ,   for the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Research Group
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and objective measures of physical performance.

DESIGN: Cross‐sectional analysis of the cohort study, the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study.

SETTING: Six clinical sites in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS: Five thousand four hundred fifty‐seven ambulatory men (mean age 73.6 ± 5.9).

MEASUREMENTS: Physical performance assessed according to grip strength, narrow walk speed, walking speed, and time to complete five repeated chair stands. Individual scores were converted to quintiles (worst=1 to best=5; unable to complete=0) and summed for an overall score (mean 11.6 ± 4.3, range, 1–20). MetS was defined according to World Health Organization criteria that include evidence of glucose dysregulation (insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, or hyperinsulinemia) and at least two additional characteristics: high blood pressure, low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high triglycerides, obesity.

RESULTS: More than one‐quarter (26.3%) of participants met criteria for MetS. In separate linear regression models, four of five MetS components were related to performance (P<.001); only high blood pressure was unrelated. Men with MetS had a 1.1‐point lower performance score (mean 10.8, 95% confidence interval (CI)=10.6–11.0) than men without MetS (mean 11.9, 95% CI=11.8–12.0) (P<.001), adjusting for age, race, education, and site. With further covariate adjustment, this difference was reduced but remained significant (β=−0.78, P<.001). A graded association was observed between number of MetS components (0, 1, 2, or ≥3) and performance (P for trend <.001). Findings were similar excluding men with diabetes mellitus or obese men.

CONCLUSION: Metabolic dysregulation is related to objectively assessed poorer physical performance in relatively healthy older men.
Effect of Catheter Ablation on Progression of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: JONGNARANGSIN KRIT , SUWANAGOOL ARISARA , CHUGH AMAN , CRAWFORD THOMAS , GOOD ERIC , PELOSI FRANK , BOGUN FRANK , ORAL HAKAN , MORADY FRED
Published: August 2011

Ablation and Progression of Atrial Fibrillation. Objective: The objective was to determine the effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) on progression of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: Progression to persistent AF may occur in up to 50% of patients with paroxysmal AF receiving pharmacological therapy. Hypertension, age, prior transient ischemic event, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart failure (HATCH score) have been identified as independent risk factors for progression of AF.

Methods: RFA was performed in 504 patients (mean age: 58 ± 10 years) to eliminate paroxysmal AF. A repeat RFA procedure was performed in 193 patients (38%). Clinical variables predictive of outcome and their relation to progression of AF after RFA were assessed using multivariate analysis.

Results: At a mean follow‐up of 27 ± 12 months after RFA, 434/504 patients (86%) were in sinus rhythm; 49/504 patients (9.5%) continued to have paroxysmal AF; and 14 (3%) were in atrial flutter. Among the 504 patients, 7 (1.5%) progressed to persistent AF. In patients with recurrent AF after RFA, paroxysmal AF progressed to persistent AF in 7/56 (13%, P < 0.001). The progression rate of AF was 0.6% per year after RFA (P < 0.001 compared to 9% per year reported in pharmacologically treated patients). Age >75 years, duration of AF >10 years and diabetes were independent predictors of progression to persistent AF. The HATCH score was not significantly different between patients with paroxysmal AF who did and did not progress to persistent AF (0.7 ± 0.8 vs 1.0 ± 0.5, P = 0.3).

Conclusions: Compared to a historical control group of pharmacologically treated patients with paroxysmal AF, RFA appears to reduce the rate of progression of paroxysmal AF to persistent AF. Age, duration of AF, and diabetes are independent risk factors for progression to persistent AF after RFA. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 9‐14, January 2012)
Atrial Fibrosis Quantified Using Late Gadolinium Enhancement MRI is Associated With Sinus Node Dysfunction Requiring Pacemaker Implant
Authors: AKOUM NAZEM , MCGANN CHRISTOPHER , VERGARA GASTON , BADGER TROY , RANJAN RAVI , MAHNKOPF CHRISTIAN , KHOLMOVSKI EUGENE , MACLEOD ROB , MARROUCHE NASSIR
Published: August 2011

Atrial Fibrosis and Sinus Node Dysfunction. Introduction: Sinus node dysfunction (SND) commonly manifests with atrial arrhythmias alternating with sinus pauses and sinus bradycardia. The underlying process is thought to be because of atrial fibrosis. We assessed the value of atrial fibrosis, quantified using Late Gadolinium Enhanced‐MRI (LGE‐MRI), in predicting significant SND requiring pacemaker implant.

Methods:
Three hundred forty‐four patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) presenting for catheter ablation underwent LGE‐MRI. Left atrial (LA) fibrosis was quantified in all patients and right atrial (RA) fibrosis in 134 patients. All patients underwent catheter ablation with pulmonary vein isolation with posterior wall and septal debulking. Patients were followed prospectively for 329 ± 245 days. Ambulatory monitoring was instituted every 3 months. Symptomatic pauses and bradycardia were treated with pacemaker implantation per published guidelines.

Results:
The average patient age was 65 ± 12 years. The average wall fibrosis was 16.7 ± 11.1% in the LA, and 5.3 ± 6.4% in the RA. RA fibrosis was correlated with LA fibrosis (R2= 0.26; P < 0.01). Patients were divided into 4 stages of LA fibrosis (Utah I: <5%, Utah II: 5–20%, Utah III: 20–35%, Utah IV: >35%). Twenty‐two patients (mean atrial fibrosis, 23.9%) required pacemaker implantation during follow‐up. Univariate and multivariate analysis identified LA fibrosis stage (OR, 2.2) as a significant predictor for pacemaker implantation with an area under the curve of 0.704.

Conclusions:
In patients with AF presenting for catheter ablation, LGE‐MRI quantification of atrial fibrosis demonstrates preferential LA involvement. Significant atrial fibrosis is associated with clinically significant SND requiring pacemaker implantation. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 44‐50, January 2012)
Intestinal and plasma VEGF levels in cirrhosis: the role of portal pressure
Authors: Huang Hui‐Chun , Haq Omar , Utsumi Teruo , Sethasine Supatsri , Abraldes Juan G. , Groszmann Roberto J. , Iwakiri Yasuko
Published: August 2011

Increased levels of intestinal VEGF are thought to worsen portal hypertension. The cause of the increase in the level of intestinal VEGF found during cirrhosis is not known. The aim of this study is to demonstrate a relationship between portal pressure (PP) and intestinal/ plasma VEGF levels in different stages of fibrosis/cirrhosis. In this experiment, rats were exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 6, 8 and 12 weeks. At the end of exposure, the three groups of rats exhibited three different stages of pathology: non‐cirrhotic, early fibrotic and cirrhotic, respectively. For those rats and their age‐matched controls, PP and intestinal/plasma VEGF levels were measured. Rats inhaling CCl4 for 12 weeks developed portal hypertension (18.02 ± 1.07 mmHg), while those exposed for 6 weeks (7.26 ± 0.58 mmHg) and for 8 weeks (8.55 ± 0.53 mmHg) did not. The rats exposed for 12 weeks also showed a 40% increase in the level of intestinal VEGF compared to the controls (P < 0.05), while those rats exposed to CCl4 inhalation for 6 and 8 weeks did not. There was a significant positive correlation between PP and intestinal VEGF levels (r2 = 0.4, P < 0.005). Plasma VEGF levels were significantly elevated in those rats exposed to 12 weeks of CCl4 inhalation (63.7 pg/ml, P < 0.01), compared to the controls (8.5 pg/ml). However, no correlation was observed between PP and plasma VEGF levels. It is concluded that portal pressure modulates intestinal VEGF levels during the development of cirrhosis.
Matrix metalloproteinase‐1 contribution to sarcoma cell invasion
Authors: Garamszegi Nandor , Garamszegi Susanna P. , Scully Sean P.
Published: August 2011

Matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) activity has been linked to numerous disease processes from arthritis to ulcer. Its proteolytic activity has been implicated inconsistently in different steps of tumourigenesis and metastasis. The discrepancies may be attributable to our limited understanding of MMP‐1 production, cellular trafficking, secretion and local activation. Specifically, regulation of MMP‐1 directional delivery versus its general extracellular matrix secretion is largely unknown. Inhibition of prenylation by farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI‐276) decreased extracellular MMP‐1 and subsequently reduced invasiveness by 30%. Parallel, stable cell line RNAi knockdown of MMP‐1 confirmed its role in cellular invasiveness. The prenylation agonist farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) partially normalized FTI‐276 inhibited extracellular MMP‐1 levels and invasion capacity while transiently delayed its cellular podia distribution. MMP‐1 directional delivery to these structures were confirmed by combination of a MMP‐1–specific fluorogenic substrate, a MMP1‐Ds‐Red fusion protein construct expression and DQ‐collagen degradation, which demonstrated coupling of directional delivery and activation. MetaMorph analysis of cellular lamellipodia structures indicated that FTI‐276 inhibited formation and delivery to these structures. Farnesyl pyrophosphate partially restored lamellipodia area but not MMP‐1 delivery under the time frame investigated. These results indicate that MMP‐1 directional delivery to podia structures is involved in the invasive activity of sarcoma cells, and this process is prenylation sensitive.
Patterns and controls of above‐ground net primary production in meadows of Patagonia. A remote sensing approach
Authors: Irisarri J. Gonzalo N. , Oesterheld Martín , Paruelo José M. , Texeira Marcos A.
Published: August 2011

Questions:

(1) Can above‐ground net primary production (ANPP) of Patagonian meadows be estimated from remote sensing? (2) How does ANPP of Patagonian meadows change in space and time?

Location:

Northwestern Patagonia, meadows embedded in a steppe matrix (39–43°S, 70–72ºW; area: 85 000 km2).

Methods:

For the first question, we contrasted field ANPP measurements with MODIS high‐spatial resolution (pixel size: 0.0625 km2) data and developed a model that estimates radiation use efficiency. For the second question, we applied the model to a 6‐year MODIS record for 14 meadows whose physiognomic heterogeneity was known from previous work.

Results:

Up to 77% of the field‐based ANPP variation was accounted for by the absorbed photosynthetic radiation, based on a linear transformation of the normalized difference vegetation index derived from MODIS data. Mean radiation use efficiency was 0.54 g dry matter MJ−1. ANPP ranged between 610 and 1060 g m−2 year−1, which represents three to 5.3 times the ANPP of the surrounding arid and semi‐arid steppes. The inter‐annual coefficient of variation of ANPP was 10%, which is higher than other systems of similar productivity, but much lower than the surrounding steppes (33%). At the level of management units (paddock), ANPP spatial variations were mainly related to the proportion of Prairies, a proxy for low topographic position in the landscape, and longitude, a proxy for precipitation. ANPP inter‐annual variation was most related to latitude, a proxy for temperature.

Conclusion:

The model developed and tested can be used to infer ANPP from remote sensing data at a spatial resolution that allows one to detect variability within meadows and management units. Variations at both the physiognomic unit and paddock level were associated with geographic patterns and topography. Meadows were three to five times more productive and less fluctuating than nearby steppes. When compared with other ecosystems, their productivity was high, but more variable inter‐annually, likely due to exceptionally high variability of precipitation in Patagonia.
Antioxidant Activity and Protective Effect Against Plasmid DNA Strand Scission of Leaf, Bark, and Heartwood Extracts from Acacia catechu
Authors: Guleria Sanjay , Tiku A.K. , Singh Gurjinder , Vyas Dhiraj , Bhardwaj Ashwani
Published: August 2011

Abstract:  The antioxidant activity of methanol extract/fractions of leaf, bark, and heartwood of Acacia catechu was evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including free radical, superoxide and hydroxyl radical, reducing power, metal ion chelation, as well as hydroxyl radical induced DNA strand scission. The leaf, bark, and heartwood powder was extracted in methanol and the lyophilized methanol extract was fractionated with different solvents in the order of increasing polarity. The results indicate that ethyl acetate fraction of heartwood has the highest antioxidant capacities, presenting lower EC50 values particularly in free radical scavenging activity, including DPPH radicals (4.76 ± 0.14 μg/mL), superoxide anions (26.21 ± 0.79 μg/mL), and hydroxyl radicals (33.69 ± 1.42 μg/mL), in direct assay systems. Reducing power was also highest in ethyl acetate fraction of heartwood (EC50 of 79.05 ± 1.02 μg/mL). As for the chelating power on ferrous ions, leaf extract was more effective than bark and heartwood extracts. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate and acetone fractions of heartwood significantly protected pBR322 supercoiled plasmid DNA against strand scission induced by hydroxyl radicals in a Fenton's reaction mixture.

Practical Application:  The present investigation suggests that the three organs of A. catechu differ significantly in their antioxidant potential as seen in the DPPH radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay, metal ion chelating assay, superoxide radical scavenging assay and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay. Further, our results showed that crude methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction of heartwood of A. catechu might have a good potential as a source for natural health products due to its antioxidant and DNA protective activities.
Phenolic Composition, Isolation, and Structure of a New Deoxyloganic Acid Derivative from Dhokar and Gemri‐Dhokar Olive Cultivars
Authors: Rigane Ghayth , Salem Ridha Ben , Sayadi Sami , Bouaziz Mohamed
Published: August 2011

Abstract:  Two rare olive cultivars, Dhokar and Gemri‐Dhokar, growing in the south of Tunisia were investigated to identify their phenolic profile and evaluate their sugar content and antioxidant activity. The highest value of phenolic content was detected in Gemri‐Dhokar cultivar extract (6.97 g gallic acid equivalents/kg of fresh olive). In addition, sugar content was quantified; glucose (45.17 g/kg of fresh olive) was the predominant sugar in Dhokar cultivar, followed by fructose (40.83 g/kg of fresh olive). The identification of phenolic compounds was based on separation by high‐performance liquid chromatography equipped with a diode array detector followed by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis. In both cultivars, Oleuropein aglycon derivatives and elenolic acid were the main phenolic components. Oleuropeins were the major compounds quantified in the Gemri‐Dhokar drupes olives (61.04 mg/100 g of fresh olive), while 0.25 mg/100 g were found in fresh Dhokar. A new iridoid compound, isolated as pure compound, was not previously reported in the literature. Its structure was established by spectroscopic analyses (NMR, UV, MS, and IR). DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays showed that the most important antioxidant capacity of olive extracts was found in with Gemri‐Dhokar cultivar.
Interventional Treatments for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Mohiddin Saidi A. , Knight Charles
Published: August 2011

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited cardiac disorder. This autosomal dominant condition is defined by left ventricular hypertrophy and associated with functional limitation and premature death. In fact, many individuals are asymptomatic and the annual mortality in most modern series is 1% or less. However, severe symptoms may develop at any age, and the risk of premature death from arrhythmia, stroke, and progressive systolic impairment may complicate asymptomatic disease. The clinical management of patients with HCM therefore encompasses (1) genetic counseling including discussion of indications for genetic testing and cascade family screening, (2) assessment of prognostic risk from ventricular arrhythmia, stroke, and heart failure, and (3) symptom management. This article describes the interventional treatments in the management of severe symptoms associated with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO).
Local frequency as a key to interpreting species occurrence data when recording effort is not known
Authors: Hill Mark O.
Published: August 2011

1. Data on the occurrence of species in grid cells are collected by biological recording schemes, typically with the intention of publishing an atlas. Interpretation of such data is often hampered by the lack of information on the effort that went into collecting them. This is the ‘recorder effort problem’.

2. One measure of recorder effort is the proportion of a suite of common species (‘benchmark species’) found at a given location and time. Benchmark species have in the past been taken as a uniform set across a territory. However, if records are available from a neighbourhood surrounding a given location, then a local set benchmark species can be defined by pooling records from the neighbourhood and selecting the commonest species in the pooled set.

3. Neighbourhoods differ in species richness, so that the list of species that ‘ought’ to be found in one location may be longer than that for another. If the richness of a neighbourhood can be estimated, then a suite of benchmark species can be standardized to be the commonest of a fixed proportion of the total expected for the neighbourhood. Recording effort is then defined as the proportion of benchmark species that were found.

4. A method of estimating species richness is proposed here, based on the local frequencies fj of species in neighbouring grid cells. Species discovery is modelled as a Poisson process. It is argued that when a neighbourhood is well sampled, the frequency‐weighted mean frequency /∑fj of species in the neighbourhood will assume a standard value.

5. The method was applied to a data set of 2 000 000 records detailing the occurrence of bryophytes in 3695 out of the total 3854 hectads (10‐km squares) in Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

6. Three main applications are outlined: estimation of recording effort, scanning data for unexpected presences or absences and measurement of species trends over time. An explicit statistical model was used to estimate trends, modelling the probability of species j being found at location i and time t as the outcome of Poisson process with intensity Qijtxjt, where xjt is a time factor for species j, and Qijt depends on recording effort at location i and time t and on the time‐independent probability of species j being found in hectad i.
Gain Scheduling-Inspired Boundary Control for Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Siranosian Antranik A. , Krstic Miroslav , Smyshlyaev Andrey , Bement Matt
Published: August 2011

We present a control design method for nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) based on a combination of gain scheduling and backstepping theory for linear PDEs. A benchmark first-order hyperbolic system with an in-domain nonlinearity is considered first. For this system a nonlinear feedback law, based on gain scheduling, is derived explicitly, and a proof of local exponential stability, with an estimate of the region of attraction, is presented for the closed-loop system. Control designs (without proofs) are then presented for a string PDE and a shear beam PDE, both with Kelvin–Voigt (KV) damping and free-end nonlinearities of a potentially destabilizing kind. String and beam simulation results illustrate the merits of the gain scheduling approach over the linearization based design.