bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the potential use of aerial line transect surveys for estimating polar bear abundance in sea ice habitats: A case study for the Chukchi Sea
Authors: Nielson Ryan M. , Evans Thomas J. , Stahl Michelle Bourassa
Published: July 2012

Abstract

The expense of traditional capture‐recapture methods, interest in less invasive survey methods, and the circumpolar decline of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) habitat require evaluation of alternative methods for monitoring polar bear populations. Aerial line transect distance sampling (DS) surveys are thought to be a promising monitoring tool. However, low densities and few observations during a survey can result in low precision, and logistical constraints such as heavy ice and fuel and safety limitations may restrict survey coverage. We used simulations to investigate the accuracy and precision of, DS for estimating polar bear abundance in sea ice habitats, using the Chukchi Sea subpopulation as an example. Simulation parameters were informed from a recent pilot survey. Predictions from a resource selection model were used for stratification, and we compared two ratio estimators to account for areas that cannot be sampled. The ratio estimator using predictions of resource selection by polar bears allowed for extrapolation beyond sampled areas and provided results with low bias and CVs ranging from 21% to 36% when abundance was >1,000. These techniques could be applied to other DS surveys to allocate effort and potentially extrapolate estimates to include portions of the landscape that are logistically impossible to survey.
The founding of a southern elephant seal colony
Authors: Ferrari Mariano A. , Campagna Claudio , Condit Richard , Lewis Mirtha N.
Published: July 2012

Abstract

The only large mainland colony of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) is on Península Valdés, at 42°S, in Argentine Patagonia. Censuses of pups have been carried out regularly there since 1970, and the population grew five‐fold by 2010. Here we use Bayesian modeling tools to make rigorous estimates of the rate of population growth, r, and to estimate survival and recruitment parameters that could account for the growth, incorporating observation error across different census methods. In the 1970s, r= 8%/yr, but has slowed to <1%/yr over the past decade. Using explicit demographic models, we established that the high growth of the 1970s was consistent with adult and juvenile survival at the upper end of published values (0.87/yr adult female survival; 0.40 juvenile survivorship to age four); the decline in the rate of population growth from 1970 to 2010 can be described by density‐dependent reductions in adult and juvenile survival that fall well within published variation. Extrapolating empirical models of population growth rate backwards illustrates that the population could have been an established colony, with 100 pups born per year, between 1915 and 1945, consistent with qualitative observations prior to 1950. We conclude that the Valdés colony was founded by a few immigrants early in the 20th century and has been growing mostly by internal recruitment, with unknown density‐dependent processes causing a reduction in growth and stabilization at 15,000–16,000 pups born.
Fetal Brain Lesions in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: TORC1 Activation and Inflammation
Authors: Prabowo Avanita S. , Anink Jasper J. , Lammens Martin , Nellist Mark , van den Ouweland Ans M. W. , Adle‐Biassette Homa , Sarnat Harvey B. , Flores‐Sarnat Laura , Crino Peter B. , Aronica Eleonora
Published: July 2012

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in either the TSC1 or TSC2 genes and characterized by developmental brain abnormalities. We defined the spectrum of brain abnormalities in fetal TSC brain ranging from 23 to 38 gestational weeks. We hypothesized (i) prenatal activation of the target‐of‐rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) signaling pathway; and (ii) activation of inflammatory pathways in fetal brain lesions. Immunocytochemical analysis of cortical tubers, as well as subependymal lesions in all cases confirmed the cell‐associated activation of the TORC1 signaling pathway in both the cortical tubers and subependymal lesions (including a congenital subependymal giant cell astrocytoma) with expression of pS6, p4EBP1 and c‐myc proteins, as well as of p70 S6 kinase 1. The lesions contained macrophages and T‐lymphocytes; giant cells within the lesions expressed inflammatory response markers including major histocompatibility complex class I and II, Toll‐like receptors (TLR) 2 and 4 and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). These observations indicate that brain malformations in TSC are likely a consequence of increased TORC1 activation during embryonic brain development. We also provide evidence supporting the possible immunogenicity of giant cells and the early activation of inflammatory pathways in TSC brain.
Spatio‐Temporal Development of Axonopathy in Canine Intervertebral Disc Disease as a Translational Large Animal Model for Nonexperimental Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Bock Patricia , Spitzbarth Ingo , Haist Verena , Stein Veronika M. , Tipold Andrea , Puff Christina , Beineke Andreas , Baumgärtner Wolfgang
Published: July 2012

Spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a devastating central nervous system disease that still lacks sufficient therapies. Here, dogs are increasingly recognized as a preclinical animal model for the development of future therapies. The aim of this study was a detailed characterization of axonopathy in canine intervertebral disc disease, which produces a mixed contusive and compressive injury and functions as a spontaneous translational animal model for human SCI. The results revealed an early occurrence of ultrastructurally distinct axonal swelling. Immunohistochemically, enhanced axonal expression of β‐amyloid precursor protein, non‐phosphorylated neurofilament (n‐NF) and growth‐associated protein‐43 was detected in the epicenter during acute canine SCI. Indicative of a progressive axonopathy, these changes showed a cranial and caudally accentuated spatial progression in the subacute disease phase. In canine spinal cord slice cultures, immunoreactivity of axons was confined to n‐NF. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction of naturally traumatized tissue and slice cultures revealed a temporally distinct dysregulation of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9 with a dominating expression of the latter. Contrasting to early axonopathy, diminished myelin basic protein immunoreactivity and phagocytosis were delayed. The results present a basis for assessing new therapies in the canine animal model for translational research that might allow partial extrapolation to human SCI.
Saproxylic beetle tolerance to habitat fragmentation induced by salvage logging in a boreal mixed‐cover burn
Authors: Saint‐Germain Michel , Drapeau Pierre , Hibbert Annie
Published: July 2012

Saproxylic insect assemblages associated with burned forests are generally abundant and species rich, consisting of a mix of pyrophilous and secondary, opportunistic species depending on time elapsed since disturbance. Life‐history traits associated with each group suggest that they may respond differentially to habitat fragmentation caused by salvage logging, with pyrophilous species having a much higher dispersal potential.

In a 2‐year‐old burn highly fragmented by pre‐ and post‐fire logging, we sampled saproxylic beetles in coniferous and broadleaf burned residual stands along a gradient of spatial context including intensity of fragmentation and isolation from source habitat using Lindgren multiple‐funnels traps.

Beetle assemblages differed in composition between coniferous and broadleaf burned stands, with secondary users dominating the latter. Pyrophilous species increased in abundance with distance from the edge and avoided unburned patches within the fire. Secondary users did not respond negatively to fragmentation or isolation of burned habitats, with one exception, the alleculid
Isomira quadristriata (Couper), being overall diverse and abundant throughout the study area regardless of salvage logging prevalence.

No deleterious effects of isolation were thus detected in the occurrence patterns of secondary users, even up to 8 km from the edge. Our results suggest that older burns, especially those having some broadleaf cover, are intensively used by non‐pyrophilous saproxylic species usually associated with dead wood in green forests and may contribute to maintain broader saproxylic assemblages than originally thought, especially when considering the importance of dead wood volume pulses associated with fire in boreal forests.
Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate modulates expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human articular chondrocytes: a possible new role in arthritis
Authors: Masuko Kayo , Murata Minako , Beppu Moroe , Nakamura Hiroshi , Kato Tomohiro , Yudoh Kazuo
Published: July 2012

Aim

Although sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) is suggested to have an important role in arthritis, its function in chondrocytes remains unknown. In contrast, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been speculated to contribute to the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA), most likely by regulating angiogenesis. We here investigated the in vitro effect of S1P on VEGF expression in human articular chondrocytes from OA patients.

Methods

Human articular cartilage samples were obtained from patients with OA under informed consent. Chondrocytes were isolated by an enzymatic procedure, grown in monolayer culture, and then stimulated with S1P in the presence or absence of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors or the Gi protein inhibitor pertussis toxin (PTX). VEGF expression and secretion in culture supernatants were analyzed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Although S1P did not enhance basal secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1 and MMP‐13, it stimulated VEGF expression in human articular chondrocytes, both at the messenger RNA and protein levels. MAPK inhibitors SB203580 and PD98059 were not effective at suppressing VEGF induction; rather, blocking extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) MAPK enhanced VEGF expression. The Gi protein inhibitor PTX partially attenuated S1P‐induced VEGF secretion.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that S1P may contribute to the regulation of VEGF expression in human chondrocytes. S1P may therefore play a unique role in the pathophysiology of OA by regulating VEGF expression in chondrocytes.
Development and evaluation of ForestGrowth‐SRCa process‐based model for short rotation coppice yield and spatial supply reveals poplar uses water more efficiently than willow
Authors: Tallis Matthew J. , Casella Eric , Henshall Paul A. , Aylott Matthew J. , Randle Timothy J. , Morison James I. L. , Taylor Gail
Published: July 2012

Woody biomass produced from short rotation coppice (SRC) poplar (Populusspp.) and willow (Salixspp.) is a bioenergy feedstock that can be grown widely across temperate landscapes and its use is likely to increase in future. Process‐based models are therefore required to predict current and future yield potential that are spatially resolved and can consider new genotypes and climates that will influence future yield. The development of a process‐based model forSRCpoplar and willow, ForestGrowth‐SRC, is described and the ability of the model to predictSRCyield and water use efficiency (WUE) was evaluated. ForestGrowth‐SRCwas parameterized from a process‐based model, ForestGrowth for high forest. The new model predicted annual above ground yield well for poplar (r2 = 0.91,RMSE = 1.46 ODT ha−1 yr−1) and willow (r2 = 0.85,RMSE = 1.53 ODT ha−1 yr−1), when compared with measured data from seven sites in contrasting climatic zones across theUnited Kingdom. Average modelled yields for poplar and willow were 10.3 and 9.0 ODT ha−1 yr−1, respectively, and interestingly, the model predicted a higherWUEfor poplar than for willow: 9.5 and 5.5 g kg−1respectively. Using regional mapped climate and soil inputs, modelled and measured yields for willow compared well (r2 = 0.58,RMSE = 1.27 ODT ha−1 yr−1), providing the firstUKmap ofSRCyield, from a process‐based model. We suggest that the model can be used for predicting current and futureSRCyields at a regional scale, highlighting important species and genotype choices with respect to water use efficiency and yield potential.
North‐south population subdivision of Juniperus seravschanica in Kyrgyzstan revealed through novel plastid DNA markers
Authors: SULTANGAZIEV Ormon , KONRAD Heino , SCHUELER Silvio , GEBUREK Thomas
Published: July 2012

Abstract  Junipers are main components of semiarid forests in Central Asia. Conservation of these plant genetic resources should be based on an understanding of factors that have shaped species‐level genetic variation. We used Juniperus seravschanica Kom. as a model species to investigate patterns and processes that may be associated with these factors. Novel plastid DNA markers (two minisatellites, one transversion, one indel) were identified and applied to investigate haplotype diversity and population structure in Kyrgyzstan. In total, 540 individuals from 15 populations were analyzed and 11 haplotypes detected. Strong divergence between populations from northern and southern Kyrgyzstan was evident from the haplotype distribution. Gene diversity within populations ranged from 0.083 to 0.765, and was on average higher in southern (0.687) than in northern populations (0.540). A similar pattern was detected in allelic richness. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 11.9% of the total genetic variation was due to differences among regions, 1.5% among populations, and 86.6% within populations. NST was not significantly different from GST (0.125), suggesting no evidence of a phylogeographic pattern. A Mantel test detected a weak but significant isolation‐by‐distance pattern for the whole dataset and southern populations separately. These results suggest that the north of Kyrgyzstan was relatively recently colonized by migrants from southern populations, probably associated with favorable conditions during the early Holocene. The humid Fergana Valley and Fergana Range are probable ecological barriers to gene flow between northern and southern populations.
Cerebral haemorrhage in a pregnant Standardbred mare with Evan's syndrome
Authors: Väänänen L. , Sihvo H.‐K. , Hewetson M.
Published: July 2012

A 3‐year‐old pregnant Standardbred mare was treated at the University of Helsinki Equine Teaching Hospital for severe idiopathic immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia and haemolytic anaemia (Evan's syndrome). Despite initial improvement with supportive care and immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids and azathioprine, the mare died from a fatal cerebral haemorrhage on Day 21 of treatment.
Protecting travelling pets from disease
Authors: Elsheikha H. , Fisher M. , McGarry J.
Published: July 2012

As the holiday season begins in earnest, thousands of owners will be making plans to take their dogs – or perhaps cats – abroad. Vets have an important role in ensuring owners planning to travel overseas with their animals are sufficiently informed to be able to make educated decisions to protect their pets from the various diseases they may encounter, as Hany Elsheikha, Maggie Fisher and John McGarry explain.
Aging-associated shifts in functional status of mast cells located by adult and aged mesenteric lymphatic vessels
Authors: Chatterjee Victor , Gashev Anatoliy A.
Published: July 2012

We had previously proposed the presence of permanent stimulatory influences in the tissue microenvironment surrounding the aged mesenteric lymphatic vessels (MLV), which influence aged lymphatic function. In this study, we performed immunohistochemical labeling of proteins known to be present in mast cells (mast cell tryptase, c-kit, prostaglandin D2synthase, histidine decarboxylase, histamine, transmembrane protein 16A, and TNF-α) with double verification of mast cells in the same segment of rat mesentery containing MLV by labeling with Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated avidin followed by toluidine blue staining. Additionally, we evaluated the aging-associated changes in the number of mast cells located by MLV and in their functional status by inducing mast cell activation by various activators (substance P; anti-rat DNP Immunoglobulin E; peptidoglycan from Staphyloccus aureus and compound 48/80) in the presence of ruthenium red followed by subsequent staining by toluidine blue. We found that there was a 27% aging-associated increase in the total number of mast cells, with an ∼400% increase in the number of activated mast cells in aged mesenteric tissue in resting conditions with diminished ability of mast cells to be newly activated in the presence of inflammatory or chemical stimuli. We conclude that higher degree of preactivation of mast cells in aged mesenteric tissue is important for development of aging-associated impairment of function of mesenteric lymphatic vessels. The limited number of intact aged mast cells located close to the mesenteric lymphatic compartments to react to the presence of acute stimuli may be considered contributory to the aging-associated deteriorations in immune response.
CellMiner: A Web-Based Suite of Genomic and Pharmacologic Tools to Explore Transcript and Drug Patterns in the NCI-60 Cell Line Set
Authors: Reinhold William C. , Sunshine Margot , Liu Hongfang , Varma Sudhir , Kohn Kurt W. , Morris Joel , Doroshow James , Pommier Yves
Published: July 2012

High-throughput and high-content databases are increasingly important resources in molecular medicine, systems biology, and pharmacology. However, the information usually resides in unwieldy databases, limiting ready data analysis and integration. One resource that offers substantial potential for improvement in this regard is the NCI-60 cell line database compiled by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, which has been extensively characterized across numerous genomic and pharmacologic response platforms. In this report, we introduce a CellMiner (http://discover.nci.nih.gov/cellminer/) web application designed to improve the use of this extensive database. CellMiner tools allowed rapid data retrieval of transcripts for 22,379 genes and 360 microRNAs along with activity reports for 20,503 chemical compounds including 102 drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Converting these differential levels into quantitative patterns across the NCI-60 clarified data organization and cross-comparisons using a novel pattern match tool. Data queries for potential relationships among parameters can be conducted in an iterative manner specific to user interests and expertise. Examples of the in silico discovery process afforded by CellMiner were provided for multidrug resistance analyses and doxorubicin activity; identification of colon-specific genes, microRNAs, and drugs; microRNAs related to the miR-17-92 cluster; and drug identification patterns matched to erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, and lapatinib. CellMiner greatly broadens applications of the extensive NCI-60 database for discovery by creating web-based processes that are rapid, flexible, and readily applied by users without bioinformatics expertise. Cancer Res; 72(14); 3499–511. ©2012 AACR.
Erythropoietin Use and Immunogenicity of Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fabrizi Fabrizio , Dixit Vivek , Martin Paul , Messa Piergiorgio
Published: July 2012

Background: It is known that the immunogenicity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine is lower in uremic patients than healthy subjects. Numerous inherited or acquired factors have been implicated in this lowered response, and the high frequency of recombinant human erythropoietin use among patients on maintenance dialysis has been suggested to play a pivotal role. However, the impact of therapy with recombinant erythropoietin on the immune response to HBV vaccine in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not appropriately detailed. Aim: To evaluate the influence of human recombinant erythropoietin therapy on the immunological response to HBV vaccine in CKD patients by performing a systematic review of the literature with a meta-analysis of clinical studies. Methods: We used the random-effects model of DerSimonian and Laird with heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses. The end-point of interest was the rate of patients showing seroprotective anti-hepatitis B titers at completion of a hepatitis B vaccine schedule among human erythropoietin users versus those who did not receive the drug in a CKD population. Results: We identified 11 studies involving 862 unique patients with CKD. Aggregation of study results did not show a significant increase in response rates among erythropoietin user versus non-user patients (pooled odds ratio = 1.431; 95% CI 0.954; 2.146), according to a random-effects model. No heterogeneity was found, the p value was 0.1 for our test of study heterogeneity (Q = 14.147). Stratified analysis in various subgroups of interest did not significantly change these findings. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis showed no link between immunological response to HBV vaccine and therapy with human recombinant erythropoietin among individuals on long-term dialysis. We suggest the use of recombinant vaccine towards hepatitis B in patients on regular dialysis irrespective of erythropoietin treatment.
The Effect of Valsartan versus Non-RAAS Treatment on Autoregulation of Cerebral Blood Flow
Authors: Périard Daniel , Rey Marie-Antoinette , Casagrande Damien , Vesin Jean-Marc , Carrera Emmanuel , Hayoz Daniel
Published: July 2012

Background: Cerebral autoregulation (CA) is a protective mechanism which maintains the steadiness of the cerebral blood flow (CBF) through a broad range of systemic blood pressure (BP). Acute hypertension has been shown to reduce the cerebrovascular adaptation to BP variations. However, it is still unknown whether CA is impaired in chronic hypertension. This study evaluated whether a strict control of BP affects the CA in patients with chronic hypertension, and compared a valsartan-based regimen to a regimen not inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (non-RAAS). Methods: Eighty untreated patients with isolated systolic hypertension were randomized to valsartan 320 mg or to a non-RAAS regimen during 6 months. The medication was upgraded to obtain BP <140/90 mm Hg. Continuous recordings of arterial BP and CBF velocity (transcranial Doppler) were performed during periods of 5 minutes, at rest, and at different levels of alveolar CO2 pressure provided by respiratory maneuvers. The dominant frequency of CBF oscillations was determined for each patient. Dynamic CA was measured as the mean phase shift between BP and CBF by cross-spectral analysis in the medium frequency and in the dominant CBF frequency. Results: Mean ambulatory 24-hour BP fell from 144/87 to 127/79 mm Hg in the valsartan group and from 144/87 to 134/81 mm Hg in the non-RAAS group (p = 0.13). Both groups had a similar reduction in the central BP and in the carotido-femoral pulse wave velocity. The average phase shift between BP fluctuations and CBF response at rest was normal at randomization (1.82 ± 0.08 s), which is considered a preserved autoregulation and increased to 1.91 ± 0.12 s at the end of study (p = 0.45). The comparison of both treatments showed no significant difference (–0.01 ± 0.17 s vs. 0.16 ± 0.16 s, p = 0.45) for valsartan versus non-RAAS groups. The plasmatic level of glycosylated hemoglobin decreased in the valsartan arm compared to the non-RAAS arm (–0.23 ± 0.06 vs. –0.08 ± 0.07%, p = 0.07). Conclusions: In elderly hypertensive men with isolated chronic systolic hypertension, CA seems efficient at baseline and is not significantly affected by 6 months of BP-lowering treatment. This suggests that the preventive effects of BP medication against stroke are not mediated through a restoration of the CA.
SnoN as a Key Regulator of the High Glucose-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cells of the Proximal Tubule
Authors: Liu Ruixia , Wang Yuanyuan , Xiao Ying , Shi Mingjun , Zhang Guozhong , Guo Bing
Published: July 2012

Background/Aims: Ski-related protein N (SnoN) suppression is essential to transforming growth factor-β1 induction and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in several cancer cells. The role of SnoN in diabetic nephropathy is unknown. We aimed to determine the role of SnoN in the EMT of proximal tubule cells (PTCs) maintained under high glucose conditions. Methods: Immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, Western blotting, small interfering RNA gene silencing, viral transduction and RT-PCR were used to assess changes in SnoN, E-cadherin, cytokeratin-18, α-smooth muscle actin and fibronectin expression using an in vivo streptozotocin-induced rat diabetic nephropathy model, and PTCs exposed to high glucose (25 mmol/l). Results: High glucose induced EMT in vitro and in vivo. Exposure of PTCs to a high concentration of glucose suppressed SnoN expression in a time-dependent manner compared with normal glucose and high osmolarity-treated groups. SnoN gene silencing under high glucose conditions appears to enhance the transition of PTC phenotype. Conversely, ectopic expression of exogenous SnoN after transfection conferred tubular epithelial cell resistance to high glucose-induced EMT. Conclusion: SnoN plays a negative role in high glucose-induced EMT in PTCs. The effect of SnoN downregulation in vivo and in vitro suggests that SnoN may be a potential therapeutic target.
Tissue-Engineered Devices in Cardiovascular Surgery
Authors: Klopsch C. , Steinhoff G.
Published: July 2012

Manufacturing life-long functional cardiovascular (CV) implants is the ultimate goal for researchers and clinicians in the cardiothoracic field. Tissue engineering (TE) is an opportunity to create ideal prostheses that are vital, growing, adaptive, autologous and functionally optimally performing. Today, initial translation from basic science to first clinical trials has begun. The article depicts the state of the art in TE techniques for CV products and describes milestones in the ongoing development of tissue-engineered myocardial, valvular and vascular devices from an experimental and clinical point of view. Artificial CV implants still reveal remarkable limitations but promising advances regarding optimal structural design, the prevention of intimal hyperplasia and the reduction of antigenicity and thrombogenicity. Where applicable, the implantation of vascularized autografts should still be preferred. Apart from that, decellularized allogen bioprostheses currently represent most promising matrix scaffolds that can be autologously cellularized in vitro prior to or in vivo after implantation. Capable biologic alternatives have been described like the decellularized porcine small intestinal submucosa. Rising evidence suggests that in vitro endothelialization might be the minimal requirement for improved long-term results of biological tissue-engineered CV grafts.
Differential Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis
Authors: Cui Yunfeng , Zhang Hongtao , Zhao Erpeng , Cui Naiqiang , Li Zhonglian
Published: July 2012

Objective: To describe the differential diagnosis and treatment options for xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC), the presentations and management of 68 patients were described. Subjects and Methods: Demographical and clinical data from 68 cases of XGC treated between January 2004 and January 2010 were analyzed. Clinical characteristics, radiological and surgical findings, histopathological features and postoperative recoveries were recorded. Clinical features of laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus open surgery and XGC versus gallbladder (GB) cancer were compared. Results: The CA19-9 levels of XGC and coexisting GB cancer were significantly different (p = 0.0034). In radiological findings, focal thickening of the GB wall was more frequent in coexisting GB cancer, early enhancement of the GB was observed more often in coexisting GB cancer, and lymph node enlargement was seen more often in coexisting GB cancer (p < 0.05). There were also significant differences between laparoscopic and open surgery for CA19-9, intramural hypoattenuated nodule, pericholecystic invasion, lymph node enlargement and maximum thickness, focal thickening, heterogeneous enhancement and early enhancement of the GB wall (p < 0.05). These findings were confirmed by multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Ultrasound, computed tomography scan and intraoperative frozen section were the helpful modalities for XGC diagnosis. CA19-9 (>37 kU/l), pericholecystic invasion, lymph node enlargement (>10 mm), and focal thickening and early enhancement of the GB wall were the criteria for open surgery. In some selected cases, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was preferable.
Computed Tomography Findings for Intracerebral Hemorrhage Have Little Incremental Impact on Post-Stroke Mortality Prediction Model Performance
Authors: Zahuranec Darin B. , Sánchez Brisa N. , Brown Devin L. , Wing Jeffrey J. , Smith Melinda A. , Garcia Nelda M. , Meurer William J. , Morgenstern Lewis B. , Lisabeth Lynda D.
Published: July 2012

Background: Stroke outcome studies often combine cases of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and ischemic stroke (IS). These studies of mixed stroke typically ignore computed tomography (CT) findings for ICH cases, though the impact of omitting these traditional predictors of ICH mortality is unknown. We investigated the incremental impact of ICH CT findings on mortality prediction model performance. Methods: Cases of ICH and IS (2000–2003) were identified from the Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC) project. Base models predicting 30-day mortality included demographics, stroke type, and clinical findings (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) +/– Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)). The impact of adding CT data (volume, intraventricular hemorrhage, infratentorial location) was assessed with the area under the curve (AUC), unweighted sum of squared residuals (Ŝ), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). The model assessment was performed first for the mixed case of IS and ICH, and then repeated for ICH cases alone to determine whether any lack of improvement in model performance with CT data for mixed stroke type was due to IS cases naturally forming a larger proportion of the total sample than ICH. Results: A total of 1,256 cases were included (86% IS, 14% ICH). Thirty-day mortality was 16% overall (11% for IS; 43% for ICH). When both clinical scales (NIHSS and GCS) were included, none of the model performance measures showed improvement with the addition of CT findings whether considering IS and ICH together (ΔAUC: 0.002, 95% CI –0.01, 0.02; ΔŜ: –3.0, 95% CI –9.1, 2.6; IDI: 0.017, 95% CI –0.004, 0.05) or considering ICH cases alone (ΔAUC: 0.02, 95% CI –0.02, 0.08; ΔŜ: –2.0, 95% CI –9.7, 3.4; IDI 0.065, 95% CI –0.03, 0.21). If NIHSS was the only clinical scale included, there was still no improvement in AUC or Ŝ when CT findings were added for the sample with IS/ICH combined (ΔAUC: 0.005, 95% CI –0.01, 0.02; ΔŜ: –5.0, 95% CI –11.6, 1.0) or for ICH cases alone (ΔAUC: 0.05, 95% CI –0.002, 0.11; ΔŜ: –4.2, 95% CI –11.5, 2.3). However, IDI was improved when NIHSS was the only clinical scale for IS/ICH combined (IDI: 0.029, 95% CI 0.002, 0.065) and ICH alone (IDI: 0.12, 95% CI 0.005, 0.26). Conclusions: Excluding ICH CT findings had only minimal impact on mortality prediction model performance whether examining ICH and IS together or ICH alone. These findings have important implications for the design of clinical studies involving ICH patients.
Clinical Study Monitoring the pH on Tooth Surfaces in Patients with and without Erosion
Authors: Lussi A. , von Salis-Marincek M. , Ganss C. , Hellwig E. , Cheaib Z. , Jaeggi T.
Published: July 2012

The aim of this study was to compare tooth surface pH after drinking orange juice or water in 39 patients with dental erosion and in 17 controls. The following investigations were carried out: measurement of pH values on selected tooth surfaces after ingestion of orange juice followed by ingestion of water (acid clearance), measurement of salivary flow rate and buffering capacity. Compared with the controls, patients with erosion showed significantly greater decreases in pH after drinking orange juice, and the pH stayed lower for a longer period of time (p < 0.05). Saliva parameters showed no significant differences between the two patient groups except for a lower buffering capacity at pH 5.5 in the erosion group.
Transcriptomic and Epigenetic Changes in the Hypothalamus Are Involved in an Increased Susceptibility to a High-Fat-Sucrose Diet in Prenatally Stressed Female Rats
Authors: Paternain L. , Batlle M.A. , De la Garza A.L. , Milagro F.I. , Martínez J.A. , Campión J.
Published: July 2012

Disturbances in the prenatal period are linked to metabolic disorders in adulthood, implying the hypothalamic systems of appetite and energy balance regulation. In order to analyze the central effects of a high-fat-sucrose (HFS) diet in prenatally stressed (PNS) female adult rats, Wistar dams were exposed to chronic-mild-stress during the third week of gestation and were then compared with unstressed controls. Adult female offspring were fed a chow or HFS diet for 10 weeks. Changes in body weight, adiposity as well as expression and methylation levels of selected hypothalamic genes were analyzed. PNS induced lower birthweight and body length with no changes in body fat mass. After the HFS diet, the expected overweight model was observed accompanied by higher adiposity and insulin resistance, which was worsened by PNS. The stress model induced higher energy intake in adulthood. Hypothalamic gene expression analysis revealed that the HFS diet decreased Slc6a3 (dopamine active transporter), NPY (neuropeptide Y) and IR (insulin receptor) and increased POMC (pro-opiomelanocortin). Hypothalamic DNA methylation levels in the promoter region of Slc6a3 revealed that Slc6a3 was hypermethylated by the HFS diet in CpG site –53 bp to the transcription start site. HFS diet also hypermethylated CpG site –167 bp of the POMC promoter only in nonstressed animals. No correlations were found between gene expression and DNA methylation levels. These results imply that early-life stress in females increased predisposition to diet-induced obesity in adulthood.
Modelling occurrence and duration of building drainage discharge loads from random and intermittent appliance flushes
Authors: Mui KW , Wong LT
Published: July 2012

Building drainage demands are assumed random and intermittent. The existing Hunter-based models have been developed to aid in the sizing of pipes for instantaneous demands but not to predict the occurrence and duration of such demands. This paper proposes a time series model to determine the occurrence and duration of drainage demand, which are greater than some predefined flow rates due to a number of appliances that discharge randomly and intermittently with variable flow rates. While the duration is resolved using the time series data for simultaneous demands, the occurrence together with the time-dependent flow rate is quantified via Monte Carlo simulation based on occupant usage patterns and appliance discharge profiles derived from appliance flushes at the base of the main vertical stack. The applicability of this model is demonstrated with example discharges from a number of water closet (WC) cisterns with reduced flush volume.

Practical application: This study will help designers determine the duration and occurrence of drainage demand due to a number of appliances that discharge randomly and intermittently with variable flow rates.
War, Trade, and Distrust: Why Trade Agreements Don’t Always Keep the Peace
Authors: Hafner-Burton Emilie M. , Montgomery Alexander H.
Published: July 2012

There is growing evidence that preferential trade agreements (PTAs) provide strong institutional incentives to prevent international conflict among member states, often creating the conditions of trust that can help prevent militarized aggression. We provide an approach to the study of how international institutions influence conflict behavior that considers how PTAs exclude as well as include members and create asymmetrical relationships among members that could exacerbate conflict. PTAs do more than create expectations of economic gains and reduce opportunism; they also create hierarchical relations between states, which can encourage conflict under different conditions due to distrust. We theorize these conditions for militarized international disputes, develop appropriate measures using social network analysis, and test our expectations on new PTA data during the period 1950 to 2000.
Preferential Attachment, Homophily, and the Structure of International Networks, 1816–2003
Authors: Maoz Zeev
Published: July 2012

This study examines the extent to which network formation processes in international relations parallel models that characterize the formation processes of physical, biological, and social networks. I introduce two influential models from networks sciences: Preferential Attachment (PA) models state that the probability of a new node forming a link with an existing node is a function of the latter node’s centrality. Networks that form through a PA process tend to have a power-law degree distribution. The Homophily (HO) model states that nodes tend to attach to similar other nodes. Such networks evolve into a set of homogenous subgroups. An analysis of alliance and trade networks over the 1816 (1870)–2003 period reveals strong evidence that alliance networks are affected by homophily processes. Trade networks form via a preferential attachment process. The tendency of international networks to evolve according to such processes increases over time. I discuss the implications of these results.
Complex Dependencies in the Alliance Network
Authors: Cranmer Skyler J. , Desmarais Bruce A. , Menninga Elizabeth J.
Published: July 2012

The multifaceted and strategic interactions inherent in the formation of international military pacts render the alliance decisions of states highly interdependent. Our aim here is to model the network of alliances in such a way as to capture the effects of covariates and account for the complex dependencies inherent in the network. Regression analysis, due to its foundational assumption of conditional independence, cannot be used to analyze alliance decisions specifically and interdependent decisions generally. We demonstrate how alliance decisions are interdependent and define the problems associated with the regression analysis of nonindependent dyads. We then show that alliances can naturally be conceived of as constituting a network, where alliance formation is an inherently interdependent process. We proceed by introducing the exponential random graph model for analyzing interdependence in the alliance network and estimating the effect of covariates on alliances.
Implementation and Process Evaluation of a Workplace Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in Eastern Washington
Authors: Hannon Peggy A. , Vu Thuy , Ogdon Sara , Fleury Emily M. , Yette Emily , Wittenberg Reva , Celedonia Megan , Bowen Deborah J.
Published: July 2012

Colorectal cancer screening is a life-saving intervention, but screening rates are low. The authors implemented and evaluated the Spokane Colorectal Cancer Screening Program—a novel worksite intervention to promote colorectal cancer screening that used a combination of evidence-based strategies recommended by the Guide to Community Preventive Services, as well as additional strategies. Over a period of approximately 3 months, participating worksites held one or more physician-led seminars about colorectal cancer screening for employees. They also distributed free fecal immunochemical tests at the worksite to employees 50 years and older, and they provided test results to employees and their primary care physician. The authors measured attendance at seminars, test kits taken and returned, employee awareness of the program, and colorectal cancer screening rates in participating and comparison worksites. It is estimated that 9% of eligible employees received kits at the worksite, and 4% were screened with these kits. The Spokane Colorectal Cancer Screening Program was a promising pilot test of an innovative worksite screening program that successfully translated evidence-based strategies into practical use in a brief period of time, and it merits a larger study to be able to test its effects more rigorously.
Neuro-optimal control of an unmanned helicopter
Authors: Nodland David , Ghosh Arpita , Zargarzadeh H , Jagannathan S
Published: July 2012

Helicopter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be extensively used for military missions as well as in civil operations, ranging from multi-role combat support and search and rescue, to border surveillance and forest fire monitoring. Helicopter UAVs are underactuated nonlinear mechanical systems with correspondingly challenging controller designs. This paper presents an optimal controller design for tracking of an underactuated helicopter using an adaptive critic neural network (NN) framework. The online approximator-based controller learns the infinite-horizon continuous-time Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation and then calculates the corresponding optimal control input that minimizes the HJB equation forward-in-time without using value and policy iterations. In the proposed technique, optimal tracking is accomplished by a single NN, which is tuned online using a novel weight update law. Stability analysis is performed and simulation results demonstrate the proposed control design.
Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: focus on glucagon-like peptide-1 based therapies
Authors: Stranges Paul , Khanderia Ujjaini
Published: July 2012

Type 2 diabetes is a well known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). While glycemic control has consistently been shown to prevent microvascular complications, large randomized trials have not demonstrated the same consistent beneficial effects of intensive glycemic control in improving cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Thus, optimal glucose control alone is not sufficient to reduce CV risk. Aggressive management of CV risk factors such as blood pressure, lipids, and body weight is also necessary. A growing body of evidence suggests that the recently available glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists have beneficial CV effects beyond glucose control. Studies have demonstrated beneficial effects in the myocardium, endothelium, vasculature and various markers of cardiovascular risk such as body weight, blood pressure and dyslipidemia. Despite the growing evidence, large, randomized, blinded clinical trials with hard CV endpoints have not been performed. Most human studies have been small, and have focused on surrogate endpoints. The findings need to be confirmed by prospective, randomized cardiovascular outcomes trials. In this review we examine the GLP-1R agonist data on weight reduction, blood pressure lowering, beneficial changes in dyslipidemia, and improvements in myocardial and endothelial function. The safety as well as potential role of these agents in treatment regimens for type 2 diabetes is also addressed.
Eulerian two-phase flow simulation and experimental validation of semisolid slurry generation process using cooling slope
Authors: Das P , Samanta S K , Chattopadhyay H , Sharma B B , Dutta P
Published: July 2012

Experimental and numerical studies of slurry generation using a cooling slope are presented in the paper. The slope having stainless steel body has been designed and constructed to produce semisolid A356 Al alloy slurry. The pouring temperature of molten metal, slope angle of the cooling slope and slope wall temperature were varied during the experiment. A multiphase numerical model, considering liquid metal and air, has been developed to simulate the liquid metal flow along the cooling channel using an Eulerian two-phase flow approach. Solid fraction evolution of the solidifying melt is tracked at different locations of the cooling channel following Schiel's equation. The continuity, momentum and energy equations are solved considering thin wall boundary condition approach. During solidification of the melt, based on the liquid fraction and latent heat of the alloy, temperature of the alloy is modified continuously by introducing a modified temperature recovery method. Numerical simulations has been carried out for semisolid slurry formation by varying the process parameters such as angle of the cooling slope, cooling slope wall temperature and melt superheat temperature, to understand the effect of process variables on cooling slope semisolid slurry generation process such as temperature distribution, velocity distribution and solid fraction of the solidifying melt. Experimental validation performed for some chosen cases reveals good agreement with the numerical simulations.
Analyses of plated films by thermal desorption spectrometry (TDS)
Authors: Koiwa I , Deguchi K , Haijima Y , Hirashita N , Maejima K
Published: July 2012

Thermal desorption spectrometry (TDS) is an effective method to detect gases that are trapped in films, and it has been used in the semiconductor field. In this paper, there are two main purposes. One is the detection of toxic elements such as lead, which are contained in extremely small quantities in plated films, especially for electroless Ni–P alloy films as bath stabiliser. The other is the detection of gases such as hydrogen, which is a key factor to control film properties, especially for Cu electroplating. Lead has been used for electroless Ni–P films as stabiliser; recently, bismuth has also been used as stabiliser instead of lead from the viewpoint of environment safety and restriction of hazardous substances. The TDS has detected both lead and bismuth contained in electroless Ni–P films, which have been plated from baths containing only 0·1 ppm of Pb and Bi. Copper electroplating has been used to produce printed circuit boards and recently to produce semiconductor wiring. To fill via holes, several kinds of additives, three or more, have been added into the plating bath. The TDS is effective to detect the captured materials because it detects all kinds of mass from 1 to more than 100. Moreover, this method is used for both qualitative and quantitative analyses. In this study, the kinds of additives greatly affected captured materials, kinds and quantity. Three kinds of additives were added in the bath. The film plated from the bath containing only polyethylene glycol with chloride ion showed the lowest hydrogen desorption level; the film plated from the bath containing only bis(3-sulfopropyl)disulfide (SPS) showed the highest level. However, the film plated from the bath that contained only SPS showed the lowest sulphur oxide level. On the other hand, the film plated from the bath containing only Janus green B and the plated bath without additives showed middling levels. The film plated from the bath with all additives showed the highest water desorption level and the lowest hydrogen desorption level, and its contained condition was strongly dependent on the additives.
Characterisation of rare earth assisted plasma carbonitrided TiNi alloys
Authors: Feng X , Sui J H , Cai W , Mi X J
Published: July 2012

In order to increase the thickness of diffusion layers on TiNi alloys, the rare earth (RE) metals La and Ce were employed in the plasma carbonitriding process. The phases, microstructures and wear behaviours of the coated TiNi with and without RE assistance were compared. Experimental results indicated the addition of RE obviously increased the thickness of diffusion layer from 2·5 to 12·5 μm. Rare earth assisted plasma carbonitrided samples had less weight loss, and thus they exhibited better wear resistance than specimens plasma carbonitrided without RE assistance.