bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Residual antibacterial activity of dog hairs after therapy with antimicrobial shampoos
Authors: Kloos Isabell , Straubinger Reinhard K. , Werckenthin Christiane , Mueller Ralf S.
Published: February 2013

Background

Topical antimicrobial treatment for canine pyoderma is becoming increasingly important, but little is known about the mechanism of action and persistence of activity of antimicrobial shampoos.

Objective

To determine the residual antimicrobial activity on canine hairs treated with antimicrobial shampoos.

Animals

Forty‐two dogs from a research institution.

Methods

Dogs were treated with six different shampoos and the combination of one shampoo and conditioner containing benzoyl peroxide, chlorhexidine in different concentrations (0.8, 2, 3 and 4%), ethyl lactate and miconazole twice weekly for 2 weeks. A shampoo vehicle without antimicrobial ingredients was used as the control. Hairs were collected immediately after and 2, 4 and 7 days after the last shampoo therapy and placed onto an agar plate streaked withStaphylococcus pseudintermedius. After incubation, the growth inhibition zone around the hair shafts was measured.

Results

The largest zone of inhibition of bacterial growth was seen after shampoos containing 2 and 3% chlorhexidine and the combination of chlorhexidine shampoo and conditioner. The zone of inhibition was smaller with the shampoos containing 0.8 and 4% chlorhexidine. There was no difference between the inhibition zones post‐treatment with benzoyl peroxide, ethyl lactate and control.

Conclusion and clinical importance

The efficacy of a shampoo is dependent not only on the concentration of the active ingredients but also on the shampoo formulation. Hair shafts treated with shampoos containing 2 and 3% chlorhexidine and the combination of shampoo and conditioner inhibited bacterial growth significantly and seem suitable to treat canine bacterial pyoderma.
Cytotypes ofCentaurea stoebefound to differ in root growth using growth pouches
Authors: Collins A R , Thalmann D , Müller‐Schärer H
Published: February 2013

Centaurea stoebeis native toEurope andWesternAsia and was introduced intoNorthAmerica in the late 19th century, where it has become highly invasive. In its native range,C. stoebeoccurs in two cytotypes, namely diploids (2n = 18) and tetraploids (2n = 36), but only the tetraploid form has been identified in the invaded range. We used special growth pouches to determine whether diploid and tetraploid cytotypes from the native range differed in root growth and architecture. We grew seeds from five populations of each cytotype in growth pouches during a period of sixteen days and measured root growth traits both by hand and using a root‐scanning software package (WinRHIZO). Tetraploid cytotypes had significantly larger total root length, taproot length, surface area, root volume, above‐ and below‐ground biomass and root to shoot ratios than diploid cytotypes. We suggest that increased early root growth of tetraploid cytotypes as compared with diploids may be one factor that pre‐adapted them towards the colonisation of warmer and drier climates inEurope andNorthAmerica, where tetraploids are currently expanding and invasive respectively.
Projective Constraint Stabilization for a Power Series Forward Dynamics Solver
Authors: Milenkovic Paul
Published: February 2013

A power series expression for the forward dynamics of a closed kinematic chain provides an explicit time-step update of the system state. The resulting numerical differential equation solver applies kinematic constraints to the power series terms for acceleration and higher derivatives of motion. Integrating acceleration determines velocity and position time histories that approximate the constraints to a high degree of precision when using a high order of the expansion. When high precision is not required, a lower order achieves shorter computation times, but that condition results in violation of the constraints in the absence of any correction. Projecting the velocities and positions onto the constraint manifold after each time step produces step changes. This paper determines which choices of linear subspace for this projection give step changes that are equal to the residues of truncating the power series solution for the kinematic portion of the problem. The limit of that power series gives position and velocity time histories that approximate the dynamics while giving an exact kinematic solution. Thus projection onto the constraints in this procedure determines sample values of an underlying solution for the motion trajectories, where that underlying solution is continuous in both velocity and position and also satisfies the kinematic constraints at all times. This property is confirmed by numerical simulation of a Clemens constant-velocity coupling.
Estimated nursing workload for the implementation of ventilator bundles
Authors: Branch-Elliman Westyn , Wright Sharon B , Gillis Jean M , Howell Michael D
Published: February 2013

Background

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a common healthcare-associated infection with high attributable morbidity and mortality. Prevention strategies, including prevention bundles, have been widely adopted across the USA. However, the nursing resources required to implement these bundles, and their effect on other aspects of intensive care unit patient care, are unknown.

Methods

We conducted a survey of all critical care nurses at our institution to determine the time required, and impact of, a prevention bundle at our hospital.

Results

Nurses estimated that the standard ventilator bundle requires a median of 115 min (IQR: 74–182) per patient per day. Although the majority of nurses did not perceive that other patient care tasks were delayed by these prevention activities, this was not universal; 29% (95% CI 21% to 39%) of respondents reported that other patient care tasks were sometimes delayed because time was allocated to ventilator bundle activities.

Conclusions

Our estimates may serve as potentially important inputs for cost-effectiveness and decision analyses related to intensive care unit prevention activities. Further research should include direct observations about nursing time allocation related to prevention activities.
An emergency contraception algorithm based on risk assessment: changes in clinicians’ practice and patients’ choices
Authors: McKay Rebecca Jayne , Gilbert Lynne
Published: February 2013

Objectives

When ulipristal acetate (UPA) was introduced into the Contraceptive and Sexual Health Services service in June 2011 an algorithm was developed to guide method selection. The aim was to encourage clinicians to assess risk and to offer a copper intrauterine device (IUD) as first-line choice with hormonal methods as second-line choice.

Methods

UPA was the second-line choice for presentations up to 120 hours after high-risk episodes (i.e. around the time of ovulation). Women at lower risk were also offered UPA if presentation was between 72 and 120 hours after unprotected intercourse unless the risk was very low, in which case levonorgestrel 1.5 mg was the second-line choice.

Results

Prior to the protocol only 49% of women were offered an IUD compared with 61.6% afterwards. This improved further in the subgroup of women at high risk where 93.3% were offered an IUD compared with 59% initially. After the introduction of UPA the percentage of women accepting the IUD fell from 30% to 14.1%. Overall 14.5% of women received UPA compared to 7.8% receiving an IUD.

Conclusions

Introduction of a standardised protocol for the provision of emergency contraception has significantly increased the proportion of women offered an IUD as postcoital contraception, particularly in women at high risk of conception. Introduction of UPA has seen a halving of the number of women accepting the IUD. This is cause for concern. Further investigation into the reasons behind this decrease in IUD uptake needs to be undertaken.
Insights into the neural control of eccentric contractions
Authors: Duchateau Jacques , Baudry Stéphane
Published: February 2013

The purpose of this brief review is to examine our current knowledge of the neural control of eccentric contractions. The review focuses on three main issues. The first issue considers the ability of individuals to activate muscles maximally during eccentric contractions. Most studies indicate that, regardless of the experimental approach (surface EMG amplitude, twitch superimposition, and motor unit recordings), it is usually more difficult to achieve full activation of a muscle by voluntary command during eccentric contractions than during concentric and isometric contractions. The second issue is related to the specificity of the control strategy used by the central nervous system during submaximal eccentric contractions. This part underscores that although the central nervous system appears to employ a single size-related strategy to activate motoneurons during the different types of contractions, the discharge rate of motor units is less during eccentric contractions across different loading conditions. The last issue addresses the mechanisms that produce this specific neural activation. This section indicates that neural adjustments at both supraspinal and spinal levels contribute to the specific modulation of voluntary activation during eccentric contractions. Although the available information on the control of eccentric contractions has increased during the last two decades, this review indicates that the exact mechanisms underlying the unique neural modulation observed in this type of contraction at spinal and supraspinal levels remains unknown and their understanding represents, therefore, a major challenge for future research on this topic.
Impact of Radiosonde Balloon Drift on Numerical Weather Prediction and Verification
Authors: Laroche Stéphane , Sarrazin Réal
Published: February 2013

Radiosonde observations employed in real-time numerical weather prediction (NWP) applications are disseminated through the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) using alphanumeric codes. These codes do not include information about the position and elapsed ascent time of the balloon. Consequently, the horizontal balloon drift has generally been either ignored or estimated in data assimilation systems for NWP. With the increasing resolution of atmospheric models, it is now important to consider the positions and times of radiosonde data in both data assimilation and forecast verification systems. This information is now available in the Binary Universal Form for the Representation of Meteorological Data (BUFR) code for radiosonde data. This latter code will progressively replace the alphanumeric codes for all radiosonde data transmitted on the GTS. As a result, a strategy should be adopted by NWP centers to deal with the various codes for radiosonde data during this transition. In this work, a method for estimating the balloon drift position from reported horizontal wind components and a representative elapsed ascent time profile are developed and tested. This allows for estimating the missing positions and times information of radiosonde data in alphanumeric reports, and then for processing them like those available in BUFR code. The impact of neglecting the balloon position in data assimilation and verification systems is shown to be significant in short-range forecasts in the upper troposphere and stratosphere, especially for the zonal wind field in the Northern Hemisphere winter season. Medium-range forecasts are also improved overall when the horizontal position of radiosonde data is retrieved.
Selective defoliation affects plant growth, fruit transcriptional ripening program and flavonoid metabolism in grapevine
Authors: Pastore Chiara , Zenoni Sara , Fasoli Marianna , Pezzotti Mario , Tornielli Giovanni Battista , Filippetti Ilaria
Published: February 2013

Background

The selective removal of grapevine leaves around berry clusters can improve the quality of ripening fruits by influencing parameters such as the berry sugar and anthocyanin content at harvest. The outcome depends strongly on the timing of defoliation, which influences the source–sink balance and the modified microclimate surrounding the berries. We removed the basal leaves fromVitis viniferaL. cv Sangiovese shoots at the pre-bloom and veraison stages, and investigated responses such as shoot growth, fruit morphology and composition compared to untreated controls. Moreover, we performed a genome-wide expression analysis to explore the impact of these defoliation treatments on berry transcriptome.

Results

We found that pre-bloom defoliation improved berry quality traits such as sugar and anthocyanin content, whereas defoliation at veraison had a detrimental effect, e.g. less anthocyanin and higher incidence of sunburn damage. Genome-wide expression analysis during berry ripening revealed that defoliation at either stage resulted in major transcriptome reprogramming, which slightly delayed the onset of ripening. However, a closer investigation of individual gene expression profiles identified genes that were specifically modulated by defoliation at each stage, reflecting the uncoupling of metabolic processes such as flavonoid biosynthesis, cell wall and stress metabolism, from the general ripening program.

Conclusions

The specific transcriptional modifications we observed following defoliation at different time points allow the identification of the developmental or metabolic processes affected in berries thus deepening the knowledge of the mechanisms by which these agronomical practices impact the final berry ripening traits.
Induction of selective cytotoxicity and apoptosis in human T4-lymphoblastoid cell line (CEMss) by boesenbergin a isolated from boesenbergia rotunda rhizomes involves mitochondrial pathway, activation of caspase 3 and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest
Authors: Ng Kuan-Beng , Bustamam Ahmad , Sukari Mohd Aspollah , Abdelwahab Siddig Ibrahim , Mohan Syam , Buckle Michael James Christopher , Kamalidehghan Behnam , Nadzri Nabilah Muhammad , Anasamy Theebaa , A Hadi A Hamid , Rahman Heshu Sulaiman
Published: February 2013

Background

Boesenbergia rotunda(Roxb.) Schlecht (family zingiberaceae) is a rhizomatous herb that is distributed from north-eastern India to south-east Asia, especially in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Previous research has shown that the crude extract of this plant has cytotoxic properties. The current study examines the cytotoxic properties of boesenbergin A isolated fromBoesenbergia rotunda.

Methods

MTT assay was used to check the cytotoxicity of boesenbergin A. The morphological assessment of apoptosis was monitored using normal and fluorescence microscopy. The early and late phase of apoptosis was investigated using annexin V and DNA laddering assays, respectively. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Human apoptosis proteome profiler assays were performed to investigate the mechanism of cell death. In addition, the protein levels of Bax, Bcl2 and HSP 70 were also analyzed using western blot. Assays of caspase =-3/7, -8 and =-9 were carried out in order to test for induction during treatment. Lastly, cell cycle progression was analyzed using flow cytometry.

Results

Boesenbergin A was found to have the highest toxicity towards CEMss cancer cells (IC50 = 8 μg/ml). The morphology of CEMss cells after treatment showed evidence of apoptosis that included blebbing and chromatin condensation. The annexin V assay revealed that early apoptosis is induced after treatment. The DNA laddering assay confirmed that DNA fragmentation had occurred during late apoptosis. The cell cycle analysis indicated that boesenbergin A was able to induce G2/M phase arrest in CEMss cells. The activity of caspases -3/7, -8 and -9 was increased after treatment which indicates both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways are induced during apoptosis. The involvement of mitochondria was established by increased mitochondrial membrane potential and up and down regulation of Bcl2 and Bax proteins as well as HSP70.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the results demonstrated that boesenbergin A induced apoptosis of CEMss cells through Bcl2/Bax signaling pathways with the involvement of caspases and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. The current findings warrant further research on boesenbergin A as a novel chemotherapeutic agent for leukemia intervention including studies in animal models.
Cranial radiotherapy predisposes to abdominal adiposity in survivors of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Siviero-Miachon Adriana Aparecida , Spinola-Castro Angela Maria , Lee MariaLúcia deMartino , Andreoni Solange , Geloneze Bruno , Lederman Henrique , Guerra-Junior Gil
Published: February 2013

Background

Advances in treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia increased the likelihood of developing late treatment-associated effects, such as abdominal adiposity, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease in this population. Cranial radiotherapy is one of the factors that might be involved in this process. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cranial radiotherapy on adiposity indexes in survivors of acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Methods

A comparative cross-sectional study of 56 acute lymphocytic leukemia survivors, chronological age between 15 and 24 years, assigned into two groups according to the exposure to cranial radiotherapy (25 irradiated and 31 non-irradiated), assessed according to body fat (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), computed tomography scan-derived abdominal adipose tissue, lipid profile, and insulin resistance.

Results

Cranial radiotherapy increased body fat and abdominal adipose tissue and altered lipid panel. Yet, lipids showed no clinical relevance so far. There were significantly more obese patients among those who received cranial radiotherapy (52% irradiated versus 22.6% non-irradiated), based on dual energy X-ray absorptiometry body fat measurements. Nonetheless, no association was observed between cranial radiotherapy and body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio or insulin resistance.

Conclusions

Adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia showed an increase in body fat and an alteration of fat distribution, which were related to cranial radiotherapy. Fat compartment modifications possibly indicate a disease of adipose tissue, and cranial radiotherapy imports in this process.
A human neuronal model of Niemann Pick C disease developed from stem cells isolated from patient’s skin
Authors: Bergamin Natascha , Dardis Andrea , Beltrami Antonio , Cesselli Daniela , Rigo Silvia , Zampieri Stefania , Domenis Rossana , Bembi Bruno , Beltrami Carlo Alberto
Published: February 2013

Background

Niemann Pick C (NPC) disease is a neurovisceral lysosomal storage disorder due to mutations in NPC1 or NPC2 genes, characterized by the accumulation of endocytosed unesterified cholesterol, gangliosides and other lipids within the lysosomes/late endosomes. Even if the neurodegeneration is the main feature of the disease, the analysis of the molecular pathways linking the lipid accumulation and cellular damage in the brain has been challenging due to the limited availability of human neuronal models.

Objective

The aim of this study was to develop a human neuronal model of NPC disease by inducing neuronal differentiation of multipotent adult stem cells (MASC) isolated from NPC patients.

Methods

Stem cells were isolated from 3 NPC patients and 3 controls both from skin biopsies and previously established skin fibroblast cultures. Cells were induced to differentiate along a neuronal fate adapting methods previously described by Beltrami et al, 2007. The surface immunophenotype of stem cells was analyzed by FACS. Stem cell and neuronal markers expression were evaluated by immunofluorescence. Intracellular accumulation of cholesterol and gangliosides were assessed by filipin staining and immunofluorescence, respectively. A morphometric analysis was performed using a Neurite outgrowth image program.

Results

After 3 passages in selective medium, MASC isolated either from skin biopsies or previously established skin fibroblast cultures displayed an antigenic pattern characteristic of mesenchymal stem cells and expressed the stem cell markers Oct-4, Nanog, Sox-2 and nestin. A massive lysosomal accumulation of cholesterol was observed only in cells isolated from NPC patients. After the induction of neural differentiation, remarkable morphologic changes were observed and cells became positive to markers of the neuronal lineage NeuN and MAP2. Differentiated cells from NPC patients displayed characteristic features of NPC disease, they showed intracellular accumulation of unesterified cholesterol and GM2 ganglioside and presented morphological differences with respect to cells derived from healthy donors.

In conclusion, we generated a human neuronal model of NPC disease through the induction of differentiation of stem cells obtained from patient’s easily accessible sources. The strategy described here may be applied to easily generate human neuronal models of other neurodegenerative diseases.
The γ-filtration and the Rost invariant
Authors: Garibaldi Skip , Zainoulline Kirill
Published: February 2013

Grothendieck studied two filtrations – the γ and topological filtrations – on the ring

K
0

(
X
)

$K_0(X)$

for a projective variety X, together with the associated graded rings. He gave a necessary and sufficient condition for the graded ring

⊕
i

γ
i

/

γ

i
+
1

$\oplus _i \gamma ^{i} / \gamma ^{i+1}$

to have non-zero torsion elements when X is the variety of Borel subgroups of a simply connected semisimple algebraic group G over an algebraically closed field. We sharpen his observation by calculating explicitly the torsion in

γ
2

/

γ
3

$\gamma ^{2} / \gamma ^3$

, and we do this under weaker hypotheses on G. We apply this result to describing the torsion in the group

CH
3

(
X
)

$\operatorname{CH}^3(X)$

of codimension-3 cycles on X, and providing an extension of the Rost invariant.
A cellular automata approach for the hydro-power operation of multi-reservoir systems
Authors: Afshar Mohammad Hadi
Published: February 2013

A cellular automata (CA) method is proposed in this paper for the optimal operation of hydropower multi-reservoir systems. The beginning and the end of the operation periods are taken here as the CA cells leading to the storage volumes of the system being defined as the cell state. This choice naturally leads to a cell neighbourhood defined by the previous and next periods of the underlying cell. The objective function and constraints of the underlying optimal operational problem are projected on each cell to arrive at the local updating rule of the CA method. The resulting updating rule is, therefore, defined by an optimisation sub-problem of a size equal to the number of reservoirs in the system which is subsequently solved by NLP technique to get the updated values of the cell states, storage volumes of the reservoirs in the system. The efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed CA method is tested against two multi-reservoir systems, namely four- and ten-reservoir problems over 12, 60 and 240 monthly operation periods, and the results are presented and compared with those obtained by two of the most commonly used continuous heuristic search methods, namely genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithms. The results show that the proposed CA method is more efficient and effective than the GA and PSO algorithms, in particular for the solution of large-scale multi-reservoir hydropower operation problems.
Global costs and benefits of reaching universal coverage of sanitation and drinking-water supply
Authors: Hutton Guy
Published: February 2013

Economic evidence on the cost and benefits of sanitation and drinking-water supply supports higher allocation of resources and selection of efficient and affordable interventions. The study aim is to estimate global and regional costs and benefits of sanitation and drinking-water supply interventions to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target in 2015, as well as to attain universal coverage. Input data on costs and benefits from reviewed literature were combined in an economic model to estimate the costs and benefits, and benefit-cost ratios (BCRs). Benefits included health and access time savings. Global BCRs (Dollar return per Dollar invested) were 5.5 for sanitation, 2.0 for water supply and 4.3 for combined sanitation and water supply. Globally, the costs of universal access amount to US$ 35 billion per year for sanitation and US$ 17.5 billion for drinking-water, over the 5-year period 2010–2015 (billion defined as 109 here and throughout). The regions accounting for the major share of costs and benefits are South Asia, East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Improved sanitation and drinking-water supply deliver significant economic returns to society, especially sanitation. Economic evidence should further feed into advocacy efforts to raise funding from governments, households and the private sector.
Effect of Cow Nutrition in the Far-off Period on Colostrum Quality and Immune Response of Calves
Authors: Nowak Włodzimierz , Mikuła Robert , Kasprowicz-Potocka Małgorzata , Ignatowicz Marta , Zachwieja Andrzej , Paczyńska Katarzyna , Pecka Ewa
Published: February 2013

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the limitation of energy intake by restrictive dry matter intake in the faroff part (from -56 d to -22 d) of dry period on the colostrum quality and the calf immunological status. Thirty-eight Polish Holstein- Friesian Black and White multiparous cows and their calves were randomly allotted to one of the two dietary treatments in the far-off period. In group ADLIB, diet was offered ad libitum (2.0% body weight), while in group REST, dry matter intake was restricted to 1.5% of body weight. Lowered feed intake in the far-off period did not have a statistically significant influence on the quality of colostrum. On the 3rd d of calves’ life, serum concentrations of immunoglobulins, albumins, globulins, total protein, and IGF-1 were not affected by treatments of dam in the far-off period. The concentrations of total Ig and G and A immunoglobulins of 21-day-old calves from cows fed ad libitum during the far-off period was found to be significantly lower compared to REST group. No significant differences in birth weight and growth rate during the first 21 d of life were found. Limiting maternal diet in far-off period did not affect negatively colostrum quality and calves` immune response during early stages of their life.
Multi-Class Procedure for Analysis of Antibacterial Compounds in Eggs by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Błądek Tomasz , Posyniak Andrzej , Gajda Anna , Gbylik Małgorzata , Żmudzki Jan
Published: February 2013

A liquid chromatographic method coupled with tandem mass spectrometry for determination of residues of β-lactams, macrolides, tetracyclines, quinolones, sulfonamides, and lincosamides in eggs has been described. Analytes were isolated from egg samples by solvent extraction method and extracts were cleaned by filtration on OASIS HLB cartridges. The whole procedure was validated according to European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The recovery ranged between 86% and 110%. The repeatability was below 16% and within-laboratory reproducibility was lower than 20%. The method was successfully applied in the official control of antibacterial compounds residue in Poland.
Skull base surgery for tumors in children: long-term clinical and functional outcome
Authors: Hayhurst Caroline , Williams Dawn , Yousaf Jawad , Richardson David , Pizer Barry , Mallucci Conor
Published: February 2013

Object

Skull base tumors in children are rare but require complex approaches with potential morbidity to the developing craniofacial skeleton, in addition to tumor-related morbidity. Reports of long-term clinical and functional outcome following skull base approaches in children are scarce. The authors report long-term outcome in children with tumors undergoing multidisciplinary skull base surgery.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was undertaken of children undergoing surgery at a single institution between 1998 and 2008 for benign and malignant lesions of the anterior, middle, or posterior cranial base. Patients with craniopharyngioma, pituitary tumors, and optic glioma were excluded. Histology, surgical morbidity, length of hospital stay, progression-free survival, and adjuvant therapy were recorded. Functional and cognitive outcome was assessed prospectively using the Late Effects Severity Score (LESS).

Results

Twenty-three children ranging in age from 13 months to 15 years underwent skull base approaches for resection of tumors during the study period. The median follow-up duration was 60 months. Tumor types included meningioma, schwannoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, angiofibroma, and chordoma. Complete resection was achieved in 12 patients (52%). Thirteen patients (57%) had benign histology. The median hospital stay was 7 days. There were 3 deaths, 1 perioperative and 2 from tumor progression. Two patients had CSF leakage (9%) and 2 developed meningitis. Two children (9%) had residual neurological deficit at last follow-up evaluation. Thirteen (59%) of 22 surviving patients received adjuvant therapy. The majority of the patients remain in mainstream education and 19 of the 20 surviving children have an LESS of 3 or lower.

Conclusions

Children tolerate complex skull base procedures well, with minimal surgical-related morbidity as well as good long-term tumor control rates and functional outcomes from maximal safe resection combined with adjuvant treatment when required.
Subarachnoid–subarachnoid bypass: a new surgical technique for posttraumatic syringomyelia
Authors: Hayashi Tetsuo , Ueta Takayoshi , Kubo Masahiro , Maeda Takeshi , Shiba Keiichiro
Published: February 2013

Object

The origin of posttraumatic syringomyelia is not completely understood. With respect to posttraumatic syringomyelia, the optimum management strategy for patients with spinal cord injury has also not been established. The authors hypothesized that reconstruction of the subarachnoid channels would reestablish CSF flow, thereby addressing the underlying cause of the syrinx formation. The authors performed a new type of surgery, subarachnoid–subarachnoid bypass (S–S bypass), in which an attempt was made to reestablish normal CSF circulation around the spinal cord. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of S–S bypass for posttraumatic syringomyelia.

Methods

Twenty consecutive patients with symptomatic posttraumatic syringomyelia who had progressive neurological symptoms and underwent S–S bypass were included in the study. The surgical procedure was as follows: a laminectomy was performed at the level of trauma, and a midline dural opening was made under a microscope. The arachnoid was exposed up to the area of normal arachnoid mater with normal CSF circulation. After dissection of the normal arachnoid mater at the cephalic and caudal sites, 1 or 2 tubes made of medical-grade silicone were inserted into the cephalic and caudal ends of the normal subarachnoid space. Bypass tubes were laid in the subdural space, and a watertight dural closure was accomplished using running sutures. The mean follow-up period was 48.2 months (range 12–93 months). The preoperative status and postoperative clinical course were assessed according to 3 grading systems: the Frankel grading system for global neurological status, the American Spinal Injury Association motor score for motor weakness, and the Klekamp system for bladder function. The major presenting symptoms or signs were assessed in terms of symptom improvement, stabilization, or deterioration. Preoperative and postoperative MRI was used to analyze the size and craniocaudal extension of the cavity.

Results

Twelve patients showed clinical improvement, 4 were stable, and 4 showed deterioration. The mean length of the syrinx observed on preoperative MRI was 9.9 spinal levels, and the mean Vaquero index was 62.3%. The mean length of the syrinx observed on postoperative MRI was 5.3 spinal levels, and the mean Vaquero index was 28.4%. These values were significantly lower than the preoperative values (p = 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively).

Conclusions

This study showed that interference with CSF flow was the major cause of syrinx development and that reconstruction of CSF flow is the most important treatment strategy based on the cause of the syrinx. Subarachnoid–subarachnoid bypass, which can be performed without myelotomy, was not only a safe and effective surgical technique, but may also be a more physiological way of treating posttraumatic syringomyelia.
Imaging and Quantitation Techniques for Tracking Cargo along Endosome-to-Golgi Transport Pathways
Authors: Chia Pei , Gleeson Paul
Published: February 2013

Recent improvements in the resolution of light microscopy, coupled with the development of a range of fluorescent-based probes, have provided new approaches to dissecting membrane domains and the regulation of membrane trafficking. Here, we review these advances, as well as highlight developments in quantitative image analysis and novel unbiased analytical approaches to quantitate protein localization. The application of these approaches to endosomal sorting and endosome-to-Golgi transport is discussed.
Evaluating the potential contribution of vegetation as a nutrient source in snowmelt runoff
Authors: Elliott Jane
Published: February 2013

Elliott, J. 2013. Evaluating the potential contribution of vegetation as a nutrient source in snowmelt runoff. Can. J. Soil Sci. 93: 435–443. On the Canadian prairies, most nutrient transport to surface waters takes place during snowmelt. The potential for a range of 11 residue types to release nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and carbon (C) was assessed by snowmelt simulation. Interactions between soils and residues were measured for two contrasting residues. Samples (taken in late fall) were frozen prior to snowmelt simulations that consisted of three diurnal temperature cycles from −5°C to +9°C followed by a final melt at +5°C. Releases of total and total dissolved P (TP and TDP), total dissolved N (TDN), and dissolved organic C (DOC) during simulated snowmelt were greater from actively growing residues than from crop stubble and were significantly related to plant moisture and nutrient contents. Nutrient release from wheat stubble (WS) was statistically similar to that from the underlying surface soil but releases of P and ammonia (NH3) from winter wheat (WW) were at least four times greater than for the corresponding soil. When combined samples of residue and soil were tested, releases of most nutrients were less than when the residue and soil were tested separately. Potential release of nutrients from vegetation is a factor for consideration in the design of practices to reduce nutrient transport.
Comparing rooting characteristics and soil water withdrawal patterns of wheat with alternative oilseed and pulse crops grown in the semiarid Canadian prairie
Authors: Cutforth H. W. , Angadi S. V. , McConkey B. G. , Miller P. R. , Ulrich D. , Gulden R. , Volkmar K. M. , Entz M. H. , Brandt S. A.
Published: February 2013

Cutforth, H. W., Angadi, S. V., McConkey, B. G., Miller, P. R., Ulrich, D., Gulden, R., Volkmar, K. M., Entz, M. H. and Brandt, S. A. 2013. Comparing rooting characteristics and soil water withdrawal patterns of wheat with alternative oilseed and pulse crops grown in the semiarid Canadian prairie. Can. J. Soil Sci. 93: 147–160. To improve sustainability and increase economic returns, producers in the semiarid Canadian prairie are diversifying their cropping systems to include alternative crops such as pulses and oilseeds in rotation with wheat. Producers must adopt crops and cropping systems that use water most efficiently. We compared the root systems and water withdrawal patterns for three pulse crops (leguminous grain crops) [chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris Medik. L.)] and three oilseed crops [canola (Brassica napus L. and Brassica rapa L.) and mustard (Brassica juncea L.)] with one cereal crop [wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)] under well-watered, rain-fed, imposed drought water regimes during 1996–1998. Wheat withdrew the most water, whereas pulses withdrew the least amount of water from the soil profile. Pulses withdrew substantially less water than oilseeds and wheat below about the 80-cm depth, whereas oilseeds withdrew less water than wheat from the upper regions of the soil profile, thus increasing soil water available to the following crops. Therefore, producers can increase the overall efficiency of a crop rotation by growing deeper rooting crops, such as wheat and canola, following pulses, and by growing crops, such as wheat, that will use the increased soil water reserves following canola.
Cirrus crystal fall velocity estimates using the Match method with ground-based lidars: first investigation through a case study
Authors: Dionisi D. , Keckhut P. , Hoareau C. , Montoux N. , Congeduti F.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Cirrus ice particle sedimentation velocity (vs) is one of the critical variables for the parameterization of cirrus properties in a global climate model (GCM). In this study a methodology to estimate cirrus properties, such as crystal mean fall speed, through successive lidar measurements is evaluated. This "Match" technique has been applied on cirrus cloud observations and then tested with measurements from two ground-based lidars located in the Mediterranean area. These systems, with similar instrumental characteristics, are installed at the Observatory of Haute Provence (OHP, 43.9° N, 5.7° E) in France and at Rome Tor Vergata (RTV, 41.8° N, 12.6° E) in Italy. At a distance of approximately 600 km, the two lidar stations have provided systematic measurements for several years and are along a typical direction of an air path. A test case of an upper tropospheric cirrus, observed over both sites during the night between 13 and 14 March 2008, has been selected and the feasibility of the Match-cirrus approach investigated through this case. The analysis through lidar principal parameters (vertical location, geometrical thickness and optical depth) reveals a case of a thin sub-visible cirrus (SVC) located around the tropopause. A first range of values for vs (1.4–1.9 cm s−1, consistent with simple-shaped small crystals) has been retrieved with a simplified approach (adiabatic transport and "frozen" microphysical conditions inside the cirrus). The backward trajectory analysis suggests a type of cirrus formed by large-scale transport processes (adiabatic cooling of moist air masses coming from the subtropical area around Mexico gulf), which is characterized by a long atmospheric lifetime and horizontal extension of several hundred km. The analysis of this case study reveals that many uncertainties reduce the confidence of the retrieved estimates of the crystal fall velocity. However, this paper allows for assessing the technique feasibility by identifying the main critical issues for future similar investigations. This study shows that such approach is feasible; however, the methodology should be improved and some directions have been suggested for future campaigns.
CREST-Snow Field Experiment: analysis of snowpack properties using multi-frequency microwave remote sensing data
Authors: Lakhankar T. Y. , Muñoz J. , Romanov P. , Powell A. M. , Krakauer N. Y. , Rossow W. B. , Khanbilvardi R. M.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. The CREST-Snow Analysis and Field Experiment (CREST-SAFE) was carried out during January–March 2011 at the research site of the National Weather Service office, Caribou, ME, USA. In this experiment dual-polarized microwave (37 and 89 GHz) observations were accompanied by detailed synchronous observations of meteorology and snowpack physical properties. The objective of this long-term field experiment was to improve understanding of the effect of changing snow characteristics (grain size, density, temperature) under various meteorological conditions on the microwave emission of snow and hence to improve retrievals of snow cover properties from satellite observations. In this paper we present an overview of the field experiment and comparative preliminary analysis of the continuous microwave and snowpack observations and simulations. The observations revealed a large difference between the brightness temperature of fresh and aged snowpack even when the snow depth was the same. This is indicative of a substantial impact of evolution of snowpack properties such as snow grain size, density and wetness on microwave observations. In the early spring we frequently observed a large diurnal variation in the 37 and 89 GHz brightness temperature with small depolarization corresponding to daytime snowmelt and nighttime refreeze events. SNTHERM (SNow THERmal Model) and the HUT (Helsinki University of Technology) snow emission model were used to simulate snowpack properties and microwave brightness temperatures, respectively. Simulated snow depth and snowpack temperature using SNTHERM were compared to in situ observations. Similarly, simulated microwave brightness temperatures using the HUT model were compared with the observed brightness temperatures under different snow conditions to identify different states of the snowpack that developed during the winter season.
Wide Bandgap Semiconductor One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Applications in Nanoelectronics and Nanosensors
Authors: Pearton Stephen J. , Ren Fan
Published: February 2013

Wide bandgap semiconductor ZnO, GaN and InN nanowires have displayed the ability to detect many types of gases and biological and chemical species of interest. In this review, we give some recent examples of using these nanowires for applications in pH sensing, glucose detection and hydrogen detection at ppm levels. The wide bandgap materials offer advantages in terms of sensing because of their tolerance to high temperatures, environmental stability and the fact that they are usually piezoelectric. They are also readily integrated with wireless communication circuitry for data transmission.
La reproducción en la vida de las mujeres. Aportaciones desde la antropología
Authors: Blázquez Rodríguez Maribel , Montes Muñoz Mª Jesús
Published: February 2013

Este artículo aborda la reproducción como un asunto central en la vida de las mujeres y un objeto de estudio relevante para la ciencia para entender que las mujeres son los sujetos cuyas vidas están trabadas en torno a este asunto. Se muestra la tradición de la antropología desde diversos campos, señalando el carácter social, construido y central de la reproducción en la vida social.
Ciència i moral. En els orígens de la maternitat totalitzant
Authors: Bolufer Mònica
Published: February 2013

En la construcció i difusió com a model normatiu d’una imatge de la maternitat entesa com  a vocació totalitzant, tasca exclusiva, destí natural i plena realització de les dones, el discurs científic, i de manera molt especial, el mèdic, ha exercit un paper clau. Explorarem els orígens d’aquest model en els textos mèdics divulgatius i la literatura de ficció del segle XVIII.
Comparison of Procedures to Estimate Critical Headways at Roundabouts
Authors: Pimentel Vasconcelos António Luís , Maia Seco Álvaro Jorge , César Bastos Silva Ana Maria
Published: February 2013

The capacity analysis of roundabouts in Portugal is mostly done using the UK regression method. Due to its empirical and non-explanatory nature, this method has some limitations, particularly for studying innovative layouts, which has recently motivated research in Portugal into the use of capacity methods based on gap-acceptance theory. This paper describes the results of a related project: the estimation of critical headways and follow-up times at Portuguese roundabouts. For this study, gap-acceptance data were collected at six roundabouts, in two cities, and used to estimate the parameters at each entry, for the left and right entry lanes independently. Several estimation methods were used (Siegloch, Raff, Wu, Maximum Likelihood and Logit). The results have revealed important specificities of the methods that have significant effects on the results and therefore on the capacity estimate exercises. The comparison of the estimates with reference values from several countries indicates significant differences, suggesting the existence of relevant driving style differences, which implies that locally calibrated, country-specific, parameters are required for capacity calculations.
Transcriptomics of Wild‐Type Mice and Mice Lacking ADAMTS‐5 Activity Identifies Genes Involved in Osteoarthritis Initiation and Cartilage Destruction
Authors: Bateman John F. , Rowley Lynn , Belluoccio Daniele , Chan Ben , Bell Katrina , Fosang Amanda J. , Little Christopher B.
Published: February 2013

Objective

To identify changes in gene expression in mice with osteoarthritis (OA) in order to explore the mechanisms of the disease.

Methods

Gene expression profiling was performed in cartilage from mice with surgically induced OA. We used wild‐type (WT) mice and Adamts5Δcat mice, in which ADAMTS‐5 activity is lacking and aggrecan loss and cartilage erosion are inhibited, to distinguish gene expression changes that are independent of ADAMTS‐5 activity and cartilage breakdown. Mechanical instability was introduced into the knee joints of 10‐week‐old male mice via surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). Cartilage from the developing lesion in the destabilized medial meniscus and corresponding regions in sham‐operated joints was harvested by microdissection at 1, 2, and 6 weeks postsurgery, and RNA was extracted, amplified, and hybridized to whole‐genome microarrays.

Results

Several previously identified OA‐related genes, including Ptgs2, Crlf1, and Inhba, and novel genes, such as Phdla2 and Il11, were up‐regulated in both WT mice and Adamts5Δcat mice, indicating that they are independent of ADAMTS‐5 activity. The altered expression of other genes, including Col10a1, the sentinel marker of cartilage hypertrophy, and Wnt/β‐catenin pathway genes, required ADAMTS‐5 activity. Cell death pathway genes were dysregulated, and Tp53, Foxo4, and Xbp1 endoplasmic reticulum–stress transcriptional networks were activated. Analysis of degradome genes identified up‐regulation of many proteases, including Mmp3, Capn2, and the novel cartilage proteases Prss46 and Klk8. Comparison with other studies identified 16 genes also dysregulated in rat and human OA as priorities for study.

Conclusion

We have identified, for the first time, several genes that have an ADAMTS‐5–independent role in OA, identifying them as possible OA initiation candidates. This work provides new insights into the sequence of gene dysregulation and the molecular basis of cartilage destruction in OA.
PKC‐θ exists in an oxidized inactive form in naive human T cells
Authors: von Essen Marina Rode , Kongsbak Martin , Levring Trine Bøegh , Hansen Ann Kathrine , Boding Lasse , Lauritsen Jens Peter Holst , Woetmann Anders , Baier Gottfried , Ødum Niels , Bonefeld Charlotte Menné , Geisler Carsten
Published: February 2013

PKC‐θ plays a central role in TCR‐induced IL‐2 production and T‐cell proliferation. The aim of the present study was to analyse how PKC‐θ is regulated in human T cells during T‐cell activation and differentiation. We show that PKC‐θ is found in a high‐molecular disulfide‐linked complex in naïve T cells, and that PKC‐θ most likely is inactive in this form. In parallel with the accumulation of the major redox regulators, glutathione and thioredoxin, PKC‐θ is gradually reduced to the 82 kDa active form during T‐cell activation. We demonstrate that PKC‐θ is recruited to the plasma membrane in the disulfide‐linked form in naïve T cells, and that activation of PKC‐θ is redox dependent and requires de novo synthesis of glutathione. This is the first study that shows that the activity of PKC‐θ is regulated by the intracellular redox state, and that PKC‐θ is recruited to the plasma membrane in an inactive form in naïve T cells. Our observations underscore the existence of major differences in TCR signaling in naïve versus primed T cells.