bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uromodulin and α1-Antitrypsin Urinary Peptide Analysis to Differentiate Glomerular Kidney Diseases
Authors: Navarro-Muñoz Maribel , Ibernon Meritxell , Bonet Josep , Pérez Vanessa , Pastor Mari Cruz , Bayés Beatriz , Casado-Vela Juan , Navarro Maruja , Ara Jordi , Espinal Anna , Fluvià Lourdes , Serra Assumpta , López Dolores , Romero Ramón
Published: March 2012

Background/Aims: Glomerular kidney disease (GKD) is suspected in patients based on proteinuria, but its diagnosis relies primarily on renal biopsy. We used urine peptide profiling as a noninvasive means to link GKD-associated changes to each glomerular entity. Methods: Urinary peptide profiles of 60 biopsy-proven glomerular patients and 14 controls were analyzed by combining magnetic bead peptide enrichment, MALDI-TOF MS analysis, and ClinProTools v2.0 to select differential peptides. Tentative identification of the differential peptides was carried out by HPLC-MS/MS. Results: The HPLC-MS/MS results suggest that uromodulin (UMOD; m/z: 1682, 1898 and 1913) and α1-antitrypsin (A1AT; m/z: 1945, 2392 and 2505) are differentially expressed urinary peptides that distinguish between GKD patients and healthy subjects. Low UMOD and high A1AT peptide abundance was observed in 80–92% of patients with GKD. Proliferative forms of GKD were distinguished from nonproliferative forms, based on a combination of UMOD and A1AT peptides. Nonproliferative forms correlated with higher A1AT peptide levels – focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was linked more closely to high levels of the m/z 1945 peptide than minimal change disease. Conclusion: We describe a workflow – urinary peptide profiling coupled with histological findings – that can be used to distinguish GKD accurately and noninvasively, particularly its nonproliferative forms.
Successful Percutaneous Drainage with Iodine Irrigation for Pancreatic Fistulas and Abscesses after Necrotizing Pancreatitis
Authors: Zerem Enver , Omerović Safet
Published: March 2012

Objective: To report an uncommon method of managing pancreatic fistulas and retroperitoneal abscess. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 50-year-old man was admitted with fever, abdominal pain, periumbilical fistula and pus in stool. Five months before admission, he underwent urgent necrosectomy (7 days after onset of pain) and subsequently two more surgeries for necrotizing pancreatitis. Ultrasound revealed fluid collection in the retropancreatic space. After evacuation of pus, contrast medium instilled through a catheter showed a retroperitoneal abscess cavity, retroperitoneal-periumbilical and retroperitoneal-sigmoidal fistulas. After percutaneous drainage and iodine irrigation, the abscess collection and fistulas disappeared. Conclusion: In this case, percutaneous drainage was a successful option in the management of pancreatic fistulas and a retroperitoneal abscess.
The Role of Apelin on the Alleviative Effect of Angiotensin Receptor Blocker in Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction-Induced Renal Fibrosis
Authors: Nishida Masashi , Okumura Yasuko , Oka Tatsujiro , Toiyama Kentaro , Ozawa Seiichiro , Itoi Toshiyuki , Hamaoka Kenji
Published: March 2012

Background: Apelin is a selective endogenous ligand of the APJ receptor, which genetically has closest identity to the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT-1). The effects of the apelin/APJ system on renal fibrosis still remain unclear. Methods: We examined the effects of the apelin/APJ system on renal fibrosis during AT-1 blockade in a mouse unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model. Results: We obtained the following results: (1) At UUO day 7, mRNA expressions of apelin/APJ and phosphorylations of Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the UUO kidney were increased compared to those in the nonobstructed kidney. (2) AT-1 blockade by the treatment with losartan resulted in a further increase of apelin mRNA as well as phosphorylations of Akt/eNOS proteins, and this was accompanied by alleviated renal interstitial fibrosis, decreased myofibroblast accumulation, and a decreased number of interstitial macrophages. (3) Blockade of the APJ receptor by the treatment with F13A during losartan administration completely abrogated the effects of losartan in the activation of the Akt/eNOS pathway and the amelioration of renal fibrosis. (4) Inhibition of NOS by the treatment with L-NAME also resulted in a further increase in renal fibrosis compared to the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that increased nitric oxide production through the apelin/APJ/Akt/eNOS pathway may, at least in part, contribute to the alleviative effect of losartan in UUO-induced renal fibrosis.
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
Authors: Hu Shengshou , Zheng Zhe , Yuan Xin , Wang Yun , Normand Sharon-Lise T. , Ross Joseph S. , Krumholz Harlan M.
Published: March 2012

Background—

The use of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery in China is growing, but little is known about hospital-level performance. We sought to characterize the variation in performance across hospitals participating in a national registry in China.

Methods and Results—

The study sample was drawn from the Chinese Cardiac Surgery Registry, a national multicenter database that includes 43 hospitals across 13 provinces and 4 direct-controlled municipalities in China. We assessed consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG surgery during the period of January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2008. Hierarchical generalized linear models were used to estimate hospital-level risk-standardized in-hospital all-cause mortality rates (RSMR) and major complication rates (RSMCR), which included death, myocardial infarction, reoperation for bleeding, mediastinal infection, stroke, reintubation, and renal failure. Among 8739 patients who underwent isolated CABG surgery, the mean age was 62.2 years (SD=9.2), and 78% were male. Observed in-hospital mortality and complication rates were 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9–2.5%) and 6.6% (95% CI, 6.1–7.1%), respectively. The mean RSMR was 1.9% (SD=1.1), with a range of 0.7–5.8%, and the mean RSMCR was 6.4% (SD=1.5), with a range of 3.8–10.1%. The odds of dying and the odds of having a complication after CABG surgery at a hospital 1 SD below the average relative to a hospital 1 SD above the average were 2.06 (95% CI, 1.40–3.04) and 1.53 (95% CI, 1.31–1.79), respectively. The Eastern region had the lowest RSMR and RSMCR (1.6% and 5.8%, respectively), whereas the Central region had the highest RSMR (2.5%) and the Southern region had the highest RSMCR (7.7%).

Conclusions—

Mortality and complication rates after CABG surgery in the Chinese Cardiac Surgery Registry are generally low but vary by hospital and region within China. These results suggest that there are opportunities to improve outcomes in some CABG facilities.
Explaining Calcium-Dependent Gating of Anoctamin-1 Chloride Channels Requires a Revised Topology
Authors: Yu Kuai , Duran Charity , Qu Zhiqiang , Cui Yuan-Yuan , Hartzell H. Criss
Published: March 2012

Rationale:

Ca
2+
-activated Cl channels play pivotal roles in the cardiovascular system. They regulate vascular smooth muscle tone and participate in cardiac action potential repolarization in some species. Ca
2+
-activated Cl channels were recently discovered to be encoded by members of the anoctamin (Ano, also called Tmem16) superfamily, but the mechanisms of Ano1 gating by Ca
2+
remain enigmatic.

Objective:

The objective was to identify regions of Ano1 involved in channel gating by Ca
2+
.

Methods and Results:

The Ca
2+
sensitivity of Ano1 was estimated from rates of current activation, and deactivation in excised patches rapidly switched between zero and high Ca
2+
on the cytoplasmic side. Mutation of glutamates E702 and E705 dramatically altered Ca
2+
sensitivity. E702 and E705 are predicted to be in an extracellular loop, but antigenic epitopes introduced into this loop are not accessible to extracellular antibodies, suggesting this loop is intracellular. Cytoplasmically applied membrane-impermeant sulfhydryl reagents alter the Ca
2+
sensitivity of Ano1 E702C and E705C as expected if E702 and E705 are intracellular. Substituted cysteine accessibility mutagenesis of the putative re-entrant loop suggests that E702 and E705 are located adjacent to the Cl conduction pathway.

Conclusions:

We propose an alternative model of Ano1 topology based on mutagenesis, epitope accessibility, and cysteine-scanning accessibility. These data contradict the popular re-entrant loop model by showing that the putative fourth extracellular loop (ECL 4) is intracellular and may contain a Ca
2+
binding site. These studies provide new perspectives on regulation of Ano1 by Ca
2+
.
Body Mass Index, Surgery, and Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Middle-Aged Women
Authors: Parkin Lianne , Sweetland Siân , Balkwill Angela , Green Jane , Reeves Gillian , Beral Valerie
Published: March 2012

Background—

Obesity and surgery are known risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE), but there is limited information about the independent effects of obesity on the incidence of postoperative VTE. We linked questionnaire data from the Million Women Study with hospital admission and death records to examine the risk of VTE in relation to body mass index (BMI) both in the absence of surgery and in the first 12 weeks following an operation.

Methods and Results—

Overall, 1 170 495 women (mean age, 56.1 years) recruited in 1996 to 2001 through the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme in England and Scotland were followed for an average of 6 years, during which time 6438 were admitted to hospital or died of VTE. The adjusted relative risks of VTE increased progressively with increasing BMI and women with a BMI ≥35 kg/m
2
were 3–4 times as likely to develop VTE as those with a BMI 22.5 to 24.9 (relative risk 3.45 [95% CI 3.09–3.86]). Overweight and obese women were more likely than lean women to be admitted for surgery and also to develop postoperative VTE. During a 12-week period without surgery, the incidence rates of VTE per 1000 women with a BMI <25 and ≥25 were 0.10 (0.09–0.10) and 0.19 (0.18–0.20); the corresponding rates in the 12 weeks following day and inpatient surgery were, respectively, about 4 and 40 times higher.

Conclusions—

VTE risk increases with increasing BMI and the associated excess risk is much greater after surgery than without surgery.
A Numerical Simulation of Convectively Induced Turbulence above Deep Convection
Authors: Kim Jung-Hoon , Chun Hye-Yeong
Published: March 2012

At 1034 UTC 2 September 2007, a commercial aircraft flying from Jeju, South Korea, to Osaka, Japan, at an altitude of approximately 11.2 km encountered severe turbulence above deep convection. To investigate the characteristics and generation mechanism of this event, the real atmosphere is simulated using the Weather Research and Forecasting model with six nested domains, the finest of which is a horizontal grid spacing of 120 m. The model reproduces well the observed large-scale flows and the location and timing of the turbulence along the evolving deep convection. Three hours before the incident, isolated deep convection with two overshooting tops develops in a warm area ahead of the cold front in the southwestern region of the turbulence. As the deep convection moves with the dominant southwesterly flow toward the incident region, its thickness shrinks significantly because of weakening of upward motions inside the convection. Twenty minutes before the incident, the dissipating convection disturbs the southwesterly flow at the incident altitude, enhancing local vertical wind shear above the dissipating convection. The leading edge of the cloud stretches toward the lee side because of shear-induced y vorticity, finally overturning. This activates turbulence and vertical mixing at the cloud boundary through convective instability in the entrainment process. While the dissipating convection, its thickness still shrinking, continues to move toward the observed turbulence region, the turbulence generated at the cloud interface is advected by the dominant southwesterly flow, emerging about 1–2 km above the dissipating convection and intersecting the aircraft’s flight route at the incident time.
The Lower-Stratospheric Response to 11-Yr Solar Forcing: Coupling to the Troposphere–Ocean Response
Authors: Hood Lon L. , Soukharev Boris E.
Published: March 2012

The origin of the tropical lower-stratospheric response to 11-yr solar forcing and its possible coupling to a troposphere–ocean response is investigated using multiple linear regression (MLR) analyses of stratospheric ozone and temperature data over the 1979–2009 period and tropospheric sea level pressure (SLP) data over the 1880–2009 period. Stratospheric MLR results, comparisons with simulations from a chemistry–climate model, and analyses of decadal variations of meridional eddy heat flux indicate that the tropical lower-stratospheric response is produced mainly by a solar-induced modulation of the Brewer–Dobson circulation (BDC), with a secondary contribution from the Hadley circulation in the lowermost stratosphere. MLR analyses of long-term SLP data confirm previous results indicating a distinct positive response, on average, during the northern winter season in the North Pacific. The mean response in the Northern Hemisphere resembles a positive Arctic Oscillation mode and can also be characterized as “La Niña–like,” implying a reduction of Rossby wave forcing, a weakening of the BDC, and an increase in tropical lower-stratospheric ozone and temperature near solar maxima. However, MLR analyses of different time periods show that the Pacific SLP response is not always present during every cycle; it was most clearly detected mainly during the ~1938–93 period when 11-yr solar variability was especially strong. During the 1979–93 period, the SLP response was strongly present when the lower-stratospheric responses were large. But during the 1994–2009 period, the SLP response was much less significant and the lower-stratospheric responses were weak, supporting the hypothesis that the lower-stratospheric and surface climate responses are dynamically coupled.
Objective Optimization of Weather Radar Networks for Low-Level Coverage Using a Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Kurdzo James M. , Palmer Robert D.
Published: March 2012

The current Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) radar network is approaching 20 years of age, leading researchers to begin exploring new opportunities for a next-generation network in the United States. With a vast list of requirements for a new weather radar network, research has provided various approaches to the design and fabrication of such a network. Additionally, new weather radar networks in other countries, as well as networks on smaller scales, must balance a large number of variables in order to operate in the most effective way possible. To offer network designers an objective analysis tool for such decisions, a coverage optimization technique, utilizing a genetic algorithm with a focus on low-level coverage, is presented. Optimization is achieved using a variety of variables and methods, including the use of climatology, population density, and attenuation due to average precipitation conditions. A method to account for terrain blockage in mountainous regions is also presented. Various combinations of multifrequency radar networks are explored, and results are presented in the form of a coverage-based cost–benefit analysis, with considerations for total network lifetime cost.
Characterizing Soil Physical Properties for Soil Moisture Monitoring with the North Carolina Environment and Climate Observing Network
Authors: Pan Weinan , Boyles R. P. , White J. G. , Heitman J. L.
Published: March 2012

Soil moisture has important implications for meteorology, climatology, hydrology, and agriculture. This has led to growing interest in development of in situ soil moisture monitoring networks. Measurement interpretation is severely limited without soil property data. In North Carolina, soil moisture has been monitored since 1999 as a routine parameter in the statewide Environment and Climate Observing Network (ECONet), but with little soils information available for ECONet sites. The objective of this paper is to provide soils data for ECONet development. The authors studied soil physical properties at 27 ECONet sites and generated a database with 13 soil physical parameters, including sand, silt, and clay contents; bulk density; total porosity; saturated hydraulic conductivity; air-dried water content; and water retention at six pressures. Soil properties were highly variable among individual ECONet sites [coefficients of variation (CVs) ranging from 12% to 80%]. This wide range of properties suggests very different behavior among sites with respect to soil moisture. A principal component analysis indicated parameter groupings associated primarily with soil texture, bulk density, and air-dried water content accounted for 80% of the total variance in the dataset. These results suggested that a few specific soil properties could be measured to provide an understanding of differences in sites with respect to major soil properties. The authors also illustrate how the measured soil properties have been used to develop new soil moisture products and data screening for the North Carolina ECONet. The methods, analysis, and results presented here have applications to North Carolina and for other regions with heterogeneous soils where soil moisture monitoring is valuable.
Application of Theory to Simulations of Observed Cases of Orographically Forced Convective Rainfall
Authors: Miglietta Mario Marcello , Rotunno Richard
Published: March 2012

In two recent papers, the authors reported on numerical simulations of conditionally unstable flows past an idealized mesoscale mountain ridge. These idealized simulations, which were performed with a three-dimensional, explicitly cloud-resolving model, allowed the investigation of simulated precipitation characteristics as a function of the prescribed environment. The numerical solutions were carried out for a uniform wind flowing past a bell-shaped ridge and using an idealized unstable sounding with prescribed values of the relevant parameters.

In the present work the application of these theoretical results to observed cases of orographically forced convective rainfall including the Big Thompson flood (1976, Colorado), the Oahu flood (1974, Hawaii), and the Gard flood (2002, France) is reported. Specifically, numerical simulations have been carried out using observed and idealized soundings relevant to these cases but with idealized topography. It is found that using the observed soundings, but with idealized constant-wind profiles, the simulated rain rates fit reasonably well within the previous theoretically derived parameter space for intense orographic convective rainfall. However, in order to reproduce larger rainfall rates, in closer agreement with observations, in the first two cases it was necessary to initialize the sounding with a wind profile characterized by low-level flow toward the mountain with weak flow aloft (as observed for the across-mountain wind component). For the Gard case, the situation was more complex and it is found unlikely that the situation can be reduced to a simple two-dimensional problem.
Hail Swaths Observed from Satellite Data and Their Relation to Radar and Surface-Based Observations: A Case Study from Iowa in 2009
Authors: Gallo Kevin , Smith Travis , Jungbluth Karl , Schumacher Philip
Published: March 2012

Several storms produced extensive hail damage over Iowa on 9 August 2009. The hail associated with these supercells was observed with radar data, reported by surface observers, and the resulting hail swaths were identified within satellite data. This study includes an initial assessment of cross validation of several radar-derived products and surface observations with satellite data for this storm event. Satellite-derived vegetation index data appear to be a useful product for cross validation of surface-based reports and radar-derived products associated with severe hail damage events. Satellite imagery acquired after the storm event indicated that decreased vegetation index values corresponded to locations of surface reported damage. The areal extent of decreased vegetation index values also corresponded to the spatial extent of the storms as characterized by analysis of radar data. While additional analyses are required and encouraged, these initial results suggest that satellite data of vegetated land surfaces are useful for cross validation of surface and radar-based observations of hail swaths and associated severe weather.
Non-Fick effect of transient water transport in woven fabrics
Authors: Chen Mei-yu , Lai Kan , Sun Runjun , Wu Hui , Wang Bo
Published: March 2012

This study investigated a new phenomenon of liquid water transport in woven fabrics by using a specially-designed liquid water transport detecting device. It was found that within 6 mm space from liquid water resource, transient transport of liquid water in a woven fabric appears to have non-Fick effect, that is, liquid water transport in a woven fabric processes obvious transient shock effect. After this transient period, water transport in the fabric follows the classical mass transfer theory, and tends to maintain a constant rate. The non-Fick effect of the water transport varied with fabric densities and yarn twists. In general, the lower the fabric density and the yarn twist are, the more obvious the non-Fick effect is. The non-Fick effect of transient transports of liquid water also behaved differently for fabrics made of different fiber materials.
The impact of perceived organizational support on work–family conflict: Does role overload have a mediating role?
Authors: Gurbuz Sait , Turunc Omer , Celik Mazlum
Published: March 2012

The present cross-sectional study aims to investigate (1) the direct effects of perceived organizational support and role overload on work–family conflict and (2) the mediating role of role overload in the relationship between perceived organizational support and work–family conflict using a Turkish sample. The hypotheses were tested with a sample of 344 employees from small and medium-sized enterprises in Turkey. The results demonstrated that perceived organizational support was negatively related to both family to work conflict and work to family conflict of the employees. Role overload was also positively related to both family to work conflict and work to family conflict. In addition, the results indicated that role overload did not have a mediating role between perceived organizational support and work–family conflict.
Rumination Mediates the Prospective Effect of Low Self-Esteem on Depression
Authors: Kuster Farah , Orth Ulrich , Meier Laurenz L.
Published: March 2012

Previous research supports the vulnerability model of low self-esteem and depression, which states that low self-esteem operates as a prospective risk factor for depression. However, it is unclear which processes mediate the effect of low self-esteem. To test for the mediating effect of rumination, the authors used longitudinal mediation models, which included exclusively prospective effects and controlled for autoregressive effects of the constructs. Data came from 663 individuals (aged 16 to 62 years), who were assessed 5 times over an 8-month period. The results indicated that low self-esteem predicted subsequent rumination, which in turn predicted subsequent depression, and that rumination partially mediated the prospective effect of low self-esteem on depression. These findings held for both men and women, and for both affective-cognitive and somatic symptoms of depression. Future studies should test for the mediating effects of additional intrapersonal and interpersonal processes.
Ex Ante Severance Agreements and Timely Disclosures of Bad News
Authors: Ling Qianhua
Published: March 2012

This study explores the puzzle of CEO severance agreements by examining the association between the existence of ex ante severance agreements and the timeliness of bad news disclosures. Classifying severance agreements by type and the way boards grant them, this article documents a positive association between the timeliness of bad news disclosures and the existence of an ex ante single-trigger severance agreement, especially when it is granted alone. This association remains positive in the CEO’s last year of tenure where performance is poor. Further analyses show that this association is stronger among CEOs with a high-variable pay structure than among CEOs with a low-variable pay structure. These results suggest that an ex ante single-trigger severance agreement may play a role in forming timely disclosures of bad news and that paring it with a high-variable pay structure enhances the chance of its success.
Water and technoscientific state formation in California
Authors: Carroll Patrick
Published: March 2012

This paper argues that water gradually became, over a period of more than half a century, a critical boundary object between science and governance in California. The paper historicizes ‘water’, and argues that a series of discrete problems that involved water, particularly the reclamation of ‘swampland’ in the Sacramento Valley, gradually came to be viewed as a single ‘water problem’ with many facets. My overarching theoretical aim is to rethink the ontology of the technoscientific state through the tools of actor-network theory. I conclude with the following paradox: the more the technoscientific state forms into a complex gathering – or ‘thing’ – of which humans are part, the more it is represented and perceived as a simplified and singular actor set apart from those same humans.
The Letter of Aristeas Again
Authors: Rappaport Uriel
Published: March 2012

Scholars disagree about the date of the Letter of Aristeas, some assign it to the late third century bce, others to later dates, most of them to the middle of the second half of the second century bce. This article proposes that the Letter of Aristeas was written in the late third century bce, either towards the end of the reign of Ptolemy IV (222–205 bce) or the beginning of the reign of Ptolemy V (204–180 bce). This dating is supported, inter alia, by the list of harbors in the Letter (115) and by the Sitz im Leben of Jewish life in Egypt that the Letter reflects.
13C-NMR analysis of chain microstructure of copolyimides on the basis of 2,2-bis[(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxyl)-phenyl]-propane dianhydride synthesized in molten benzoic acid
Authors: Kuznetsov Alexander A. , Tsegelskaya Anna Yu. , Perov Nikolay S.
Published: March 2012

Three series of copolyimides CPI-1, CPI-2 and CPI-3 were prepared in molten benzoic acid, based on 2,2-bis-[(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)-phenyl]-propane dianhydride (intermonomer) and three pairs of diamines (comonomers): aromatic/aliphatic (CPI-1, CPI-3) and moderate basic aromatic/low basic aromatic (CPI-2). The chain microstructure of copolyimides was determined by means of the high resolution 13C NMR spectroscopy. It was found that microstructure of copolyimides depends on the order of comonomers/inermonomer loading. The one-shot loading of comonomers/intermonomer mixture leads to random copolymer whereas slow addition of intermonomer to the mixture of two comonomers leads to preferentially multi-block copolymer.
Molecular weight effects on the mechanical properties of novel epoxy thermoplastics
Authors: Caroselli Christine D. , Pramanik Monoj , Achord Brandon C. , Rawlins James W.
Published: March 2012

A series of epoxy thermoplastics (ETPs) with varying molecular weights were synthesized from a difunctional diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA)-based epoxy resin and an aromatic secondary diamine. The materials possessed glass transition temperatures varying between 73.61 and 85.36°C. The ETP series was characterized for fracture toughness, flexural, and compression properties. In general, fracture properties increased with increasing molecular weight and yet were consistently shown to decrease when higher molecular weight values were the result of increased branching. Flexural ultimate strength and strain-at-break increased with increasing molecular weight while flexural modulus decreased to a plateau. Compression properties were relatively unaffected by changes in molecular weight over the range of materials synthesized.
The miscibility of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) with phosphorus polyester flame retardants
Authors: Pospiech Doris , Häußler Liane , Korwitz Andreas , Fischer Oliver , Starke Sandra , Jehnichen Dieter , Köppl Thomas , Altstädt Volker
Published: March 2012

Phosphorus polyesters provide sustainable flame retardancy to conventional polyesters like PET (poly(ethylene terephthalate)) and PBT (poly(butylene terephthalate)). Their use as a flame retardant additive results in the formation of a classical polymer blend. The morphology of such blends should determine the resulting fire behavior and has therefore to be examined in detail. This study investigates the state of miscibility in blends of standard polyesters (mainly PBT) with phosphorus (co)polyesters mainly using the behavior of the glass transition ( Tg). The Tg values were determined by modulated DSC measurements and compared to the ones calculated assuming complete miscibility according to the Fox–Flory concept. The homopolyesters are completely immiscible with each other. Miscibility can be improved by transesterification reactions in the melt as well as by copolyester consisting of segments of PBT or PET and the phosphorus polymer.
Pilot-model-in-the-loop simulation environment to study large aircraft dynamics
Authors: Lone Mohammad M , Cooke Alastair K
Published: March 2012

Effects of aeroservoelasticity on the manual control of large aircraft are investigated through a pilot modelling approach based on the modified optimal control model. A synopsis of modelling techniques is presented followed by the description of the adopted method. A simulation environment suitable for investigating pilot–vehicle dynamics in the longitudinal axis has been developed which couples an aeroelastic model of a large transport aircraft with the modified optimal control pilot model. The pilot model parameter selection was based on limiting the bandwidth. A comparison between a conventionally designed height hold autopilot and the pilot model control in continuous turbulence is made to demonstrate this simulation capability.
Comparison of the Distortion of Probability Information in Decision Under Risk and an Equivalent Visual Task
Authors: Glaser Craig , Trommershäuser Julia , Mamassian Pascal , Maloney Laurence T.
Published: March 2012

Decision makers typically overweight small probabilities and underweight large probabilities. However, there are recent reports that when probability is presented in the form of relative frequencies, this typical pattern reverses. We tested this hypothesis by comparing decision making in two tasks: In one task, probability was stated numerically, and in the other task, it was conveyed through a visual representation. In the visual task, participants chose whether a “stochastic bullet” should be fired at either a large target for a small reward or a small target for a large reward. Participants’ knowledge of probability in the visual task was the result of extensive practice firing bullets at targets. In the classical numerical task, participants chose between pairs of lotteries with probabilities and rewards matched to the probabilities and rewards in the visual task. We found that participants’ probability-weighting functions were significantly different in the two tasks, but the pattern for the visual task was the typical, not the reversed, pattern.
Perceptions About Organ Donation Among African American, Hispanic, and White High School Students
Authors: Quick Brian L. , LaVoie Nicole R. , Scott Allison M. , Bosch Dave , Morgan Susan E.
Published: March 2012

We applied the Health Belief Model (HBM) to better understand perceptions of organ donation among African American, Hispanic, and White high school students. We conducted 14 focus groups with 18-year-old students to identify strategies to reach this audience when promoting the First-Person Consent Registry (FPCR) for organ donation. We found that African American, Hispanic, and White high school students are largely unaware of the need for organ donors, and are unfamiliar with how to join the FPCR. Participants identified more barriers to joining the FPCR than benefits. Two aspects of self-efficacy emerged related to joining the FPCR: decisional and task efficacy. Overall, few differences were found with respect to organ donation myths across the three ethnic groups. The results are discussed, with an emphasis on how the findings compare and contrast with previous organ donation research. We focus on message design and dissemination strategies for practitioners targeting 18-year-old high school students with organ donation promotional materials.
Curcumin Protects Against Regional Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Through Activation of RISK/GSK-3β and Inhibition of p38 MAPK and JNK
Authors: Jeong Cheol-Won , Yoo Kyung Yeon , Lee Seong Heon , Jeong Hye Jin , Lee Cha Sup , Kim Seok Jai
Published: March 2012

Background:

Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric ( Curcuma longa), is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. The present study was aimed to determine the effect of curcumin in regional myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and its underlying mechanisms involving the role of prosurvival kinases and apoptotic kinases.

Methods:

Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 109) subjected to a 30-minute left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion followed by reperfusion were assigned to receive saline (control), curcumin (100 mg/kg), wortmannin (inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase [PI3K]-Akt), wortmannin + curcumin, U0126 (inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK1/2]), U0126 + curcumin, SB216763 (inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase [GSK-3β]), and SB216763 + curcumin 20 minutes before LAD occlusion. Infarct size was measured after 2 hours of reperfusion by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining. The phosphorylation of Akt, ERK1/2, GSK-3β, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) was determined by immunoblotting after 10 minutes of reperfusion.

Results:

Curcumin significantly reduced the infarct size compared with the control (33.1% ± 6.2% vs 50.1% ± 3.9%; P < .05). Wortmannin or U0126 alone did not affect the infarct size but abolished the curcumin-induced cardioprotective effect. Curcumin significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt, ERK1/2, and GSK-3β, while it reduced that of p38 and JNK. Wortmannin or U0126 abolished enhanced phosphorylation of GSK-3β induced by curcumin. SB216763 alone or combined with curcumin reduced the infarct size and enhanced phosphorylation of GSK-3β compared with the control.

Conclusions:

Preconditioning by curcumin effectively protects against regional myocardial I/R injury through the activation of prosurvival kinases involving PI3K-Akt, ERK1/2, and GSK-3β, and attenuation of p38 and JNK.
Structural and Pharmacological Profile of Generic Enoxaparins Used in Brazil
Authors: Lima Marcelo A. , de Farias Eduardo H. C. , Gray Angel , Sadeghi Nasir , Gesteira Tarsis F. , Cavalheiro Renan P. , Hoppensteadt Debra , Fareed Jawed , Sassaki Guilherme L. , Nader Helena B.
Published: March 2012

Generic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) have been commonly used in Brazil, since 1999, but most of them are synthetic and small molecules. Recently, a large number of generic enoxaparins were introduced into the market raising concerns related to product-to-product interchangeability, efficiency, and drug counterfeiting. These drugs are produced from biological sources and their production involves complex procedures and purification processes. The present article evaluates several generic enoxaparins, structurally and pharmacologically, and compares them with the branded products. Structural analysis showed that the generic products are, indeed, quite similar to the branded products, however, this similarity cannot be extended to their pharmacological activities. The results showed that generic products must go through extensive structural, pharmacological, and clinical evaluation in order to assess their quality, efficacy and, ultimately, avoid drug counterfeiting before clinical use. Variation was also observed between the branded products, showing that such drugs must be at constant surveillance.
Relationship Between Some Clinical Situations, Autoantibodies, and Pseudothrombocytopenia
Authors: Isik Ayse , Balcik Ozlem Sahin , Akdeniz Derya , Cipil Handan , Uysal Sema , Kosar Ali
Published: March 2012

The widespread usage of blood count autoanalyzers has led to a major improvement in cellular hematology because of quick and accurate results found in most instances. However, spurious test results also can be observed like pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP). In our study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical and laboratory factors associated with PTCP. Forty-six patients with PTCP and 69 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Sex distribution was similar between the groups. Hospitalization, infection, the use of low-molecular-weight heparin and pregnancy increased the incidence of PTCP. Atherosclerosis and some drugs such as warfarin and calcium channel blockers were associated with PTCP, but the coincidence was not statistically significant. Antinuclear antibody positivity was higher in PTCP group (18.8% vs 7.2%; P=0.033) but anticardiolipin positivity rates were similar when compared to controls. Pseudothrombocytopenia was frequently misdiagnosed, which led to inappropiate treatments. Therefore, this situation should be kept in mind.
Fabrication and properties of stainless steel foams for sandwich panels
Authors: Gerber M , Poss R , Tillmann A , Walther G , Kieback B , Wolf K , Hänel F
Published: March 2012

Open-celled metallic foams with their specific structural properties are attractive candidates for a wide range of applications in the field of catalyst supports, process, and energy technologies. However, the material is so far not introduced as an engineering material and needs to be characterized for the respective applications. The metallic foams, especially in combination with cover plates, have a high potential for applications as light weight and functional materials. In this article, an industrial manufacturing process is described, which allows to produce a wide range of different qualities of foam with a variety of tailored alloys and pore sizes. The foam material can be stacked and co-sintered with top layers to high-strength sandwich structures. The mechanical properties evaluated in shear and compression tests are promising for couple of aircraft applications.
The role of positive and negative social interactions in child custody outcomes: Voices of US women with serious mental illness
Authors: Hollingsworth Leslie Doty , Swick Danielle , Choi Y. Joon
Published: March 2012

In a given year, approximately 26 percent of persons in the United States 18 years and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder. About six percent are diagnosed with a serious mental illness and 65 percent of these are mothers. Mothers with serious mental illness are at increased risk of losing custody of their children. This report represents findings from a qualitative study of the relationship between positive and negative social interactions as three such women went through the process of experiencing threats to their children’s safety, relinquishing custody, and working to regain it (or to adjust to a permanent placement). Data collection involved semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis of data was conducted. Among three conceptual models of social interactions – additive, moderating, and domain specific, the domain-specific model was prominent. Findings are discussed as preliminary to future similar studies involving larger samples. Tentative implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed.
Overcoming challenges in market access of generic medicines in the European Union
Authors: Dylst Pieter , Vulto Arnold , Simoens Steven
Published: March 2012

Generic medicines have become essential contributors for governments in their effort to contain public health care budgets. Therefore, market access of generic medicines should be made possible immediately after expiry of the patent protecting the originator medicine. Generic medicines can only enter the market when the patent on the originator medicine is expired and when a marketing authorisation and pricing and reimbursement approval have been obtained from the national competent authorities. Arguments on patent validity or patent infringement which result in litigation before national courts, backlogs in national approval systems, defensive patenting strategies (‘evergreening’), patent linkage and third-party interventions during the process of marketing authorisation and pricing and reimbursement are well-documented causes for delayed market access of generic medicines. The establishment of a unitary European Union patent together with a unified and specialised patent litigation system, the reduction of backlogs in national agencies, avoiding third-party interventions as much as possible and automatic approval of pricing and reimbursement status upon marketing authorisation approval of the generic medicines are just a few examples of policies which could enhance market access of generic medicines in the European Union. This article aims to provide an overview of the regulatory framework regarding market access of generic medicines in the European Union and lists the hurdles which impede market access. Recommendations to enhance market access of generic medicines round off this article.
Evaluation of a multi-modal grounded theory approach to explore patients’ daily coping with breathlessness due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Jørgensen Lene Bastrup , Dahl Ronald , Pedersen Preben Ulrich , Lomborg Kirsten
Published: March 2012

Conventional methods have not yet succeeded in capturing the complexity of how people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cope with breathlessness during daily living. We used a multi-modal grounded theory (GT) approach to investigate coping. In this paper, we describe and evaluate the multi-modal GT approach, which encompasses videos of daily life activity, interviews, medical history, demographics, self-rated sensation of breathlessness, and physiological measurements. A formative evaluation was conducted according to the criteria that the data collection should strengthen the participants’ ability to remember and narrate how they cope with breathlessness; capture the multidimensional aspects involved in coping with breathlessness; encompass tools for collecting both qualitative and quantitative data, providing the opportunity to generate, synchronize, and combine data; and be ethically justifiable. The approach should also be consistent with the GT methodology of generating a theory. Striving to develop and perfect the multi-modal GT approach was time-consuming. Apart from this practical challenge, the multimodal GT approach met all evaluation criteria. This approach has the potential to generate new knowledge and may become an important methodological contribution towards understanding the multidimensionality of coping with breathlessness.
The efficacy of octreotide LAR in acromegalic patients as primary or secondary therapy
Authors: Velija-Asimi Zelija
Published: March 2012

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of octreotide therapy in acromegalic patients as primary or secondary therapy.

Methods: Ten acromegalic patients diagnosed at the Endocrinology Clinic in Sarajevo (seven females and three males, mean age 55.2 ± 7.2 years, age range 40–65 years, five patients with microadenoma and five patients with macroadenoma) were treated with octreotide. Among them, 60% of patients were operated on and the majority of the procedures were performed transnasaly (90%). That group of patients had recidivism of disease (pituitary adenoma and acromegaly). The concentration of human growth hormone (HGH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) was evaluated at 0, 6 and 12 months, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was taken before the treatment and 12 months after. Eight patients received octreotide 30 mg/28 days, one patient received a dose of 20 mg and the other received 60 mg/28 days.

Results: Before treatment growth hormone (GH) levels were 50.87 ± 10.56 ng/ml (range: 26–64.9), IGF-1 were 776.66 ± 118.40 ng/ml (range: 526–934). Four patients (40%) were treated with primary octreotide treatment and six patients (60%) with secondary somatostatin analog treatment. At the beginning of therapy, there were no differences in terms of age, HGH levels and IGF-1 levels between primary and secondary treatment groups ( p > 0.05). The difference between groups was only in regard to the size of tumors ( p = 0.01). After 6 and 12 months the GH levels decreased to 1.61 ± 0.86 ng/ml (range: 0.7–2.65) and 1.85 ± 2.40 ng/ml (range: 0.0–8.3), respectively, while the IGF-1 became 305.90 ± 43.19 ng/ml after 6 months of treatment (range: 240–376) and 256.99 ± 71.43 ng/ml after 12 months of octreotide treatment (range: 126–325), respectively. The pituitary adenomas size prior to treatment was 9.57 mm, while after 12 months of treatment, the size decreased to 8.0 mm. After therapy, a GH decrease to less than 2.5 ng/ml was achieved in 90% of cases; tumor size decrease was achieved in 60% while normalization of IGF-1 was achieved in 100% of the patients, respectively. All differences about HGH and IGF-1 in each group were statistically significant ( p < 0.05). In the group of acromegalic patients treated with octreotide LAR as primary therapy, the difference was more significant for GH and IGF-1 than for adenomas size.

Conclusions: Octreotide treatment of acromegaly not only decreases GH and IGF-1 concentrations, but also appears to diminish the size of the tumor in about 60% of cases. The somatostatin analogs are more efficient in the primary treatment of acromegalic patients, due to the fact that primary therapy is as effective as secondary therapy but primary therapy has small advantages when compared with secondary octreotide therapy because no surgical treatment is required before.
Pheochromocytoma – update on disease management
Authors: Därr Roland , Lenders Jacques W.M. , Hofbauer Lorenz C. , Naumann Bernd , Bornstein Stefan R. , Eisenhofer Graeme
Published: March 2012

Pheochromocytomas are rare endocrine tumors that can present insidiously and remain undiagnosed until death or onset of clear manifestations of catecholamine excess. They are often referred to as one of the ‘great mimics’ in medicine. These tumors can no longer be regarded as a uniform disease entity, but rather as a highly heterogeneous group of chromaffin cell neoplasms with different ages of onset, secretory profiles, locations, and potential for malignancy according to underlying genetic mutations. These aspects all have to be considered when the tumor is encountered, thereby enabling optimal management for the patient. Referral to a center of specialized expertise for the disease should be considered wherever possible. This is not only important for surgical management of patients, but also for post-surgical follow up and screening of disease in patients with a hereditary predisposition to the tumor. While preoperative management has changed little over the last 20 years, surgical procedures have evolved so that laparoscopic resection is the standard of care and partial adrenalectomy should be considered in all patients with a hereditary condition. Follow-up testing is essential and should be recommended and ensured on a yearly basis. Managing such patients must now also take into account possible underlying mutations and the appropriate selection of genes for testing according to disease presentation. Patients and family members with identified mutations then require an individualized approach to management. This includes consideration of distinct patterns of biochemical test results during screening and the appropriate choice of imaging studies for tumor localization according to the mutation and associated differences in predisposition to adrenal, extra-adrenal and metastatic disease.