bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Quercetin‐rich Onion Peel Extracts on Adipokine Expression in the Visceral Adipose Tissue of Rats
Authors: Kim Oh Yoen , Lee Seung‐Min , Do Hyunju , Moon Jiyoung , Lee Kyung‐Hea , Cha Yong‐Jun , Shin Min‐Jeong
Published: August 2011

We examined the effects of quercetin‐rich onion peel extract supplementation on adipokine expressions from adipose tissues in a diet‐induced obese animal model. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats (n = 24) were randomly assigned into control (n = 8), high fat diet (HF, n = 8) and high fat diet with onion peel extract (HFOE, n = 8). After 8 weeks, serum biochemical parameters, weights of adipose tissues (epididymal, perirenal and mesenteric fats) and adipokine mRNA levels (adiponectin, IL (interleukin)‐6 and visfatin) along with PPAR (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor) γ2 from adipose tissues were measured. After the 8 week supplementation, mesenteric fat weights were lower in the HFOE group than the HF group (p < 0.05). Adiponectin mRNA levels (mesenteric fats) were remarkably higher in the HFOE group than the other groups (p < 0.05 for both). Levels of PPARγ2 mRNA (mesenteric fats) were significantly higher in the HF group (p < 0.05) than those in the control group, but those in the HFOE group were not different from those in the control group. The IL‐6 mRNA levels (perirenal and mesenteric fats) were higher in the HF and HFOE groups, but those in the HFOE group were slightly lower than those in the HF group. In conclusion, quercetin‐rich onion peel extract supplementation influenced adipokine expressions, particularly from mesenteric fat, addressing the modulatory effect of this substance on obesity‐induced inflammation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Suppressive Effects of Quercetin‐3‐O‐(6″‐Feruloyl)‐β‐D‐Galactopyranoside on Adipogenesis in 3T3‐L1 Preadipocytes Through Down‐regulation of PPARγ and C/EBPα Expression
Authors: Yang Lei , Li Xiao‐Fan , Gao Lei , Zhang Ya‐Ou , Cai Guo‐Ping
Published: August 2011

Obesity is a chronic, costly disease, and flavonoids such as quercetin have been proven to play protective roles against it. This study investigated the suppressive effect of quercetin‐3‐O‐(6″‐feruloyl)‐β‐D‐galactopyranoside (QFG) on adipogenesis of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. Quercetin‐3‐O‐(6″‐feruloyl)‐β‐D‐galactopyranoside and quercetin were both extracted from Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae, commonly known as guava) leaves and were evaluated for their suppressive effect on adipogenesis by means of oil red O staining and triglyceride assay. It was shown that QFG inhibited adipogenesis in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, and it exerted a stronger effect than did quercetin at the same concentration. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were conducted to further examine the differentiation expression of marker genes and transcriptional factors. Both mRNA and protein expression of the key adipogenic transcriptional factors, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT (cytidine‐cytidine‐adenosine‐adenosine‐thymidine)/enhancer‐binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), were inhibited by QFG. Moreover, the mRNA expression patterns of key participants in the Wnt–β‐catenin pathway were not altered during the QFG‐induced adipogenesis inhibition. These results suggest that QFG effectively suppresses adipogenesis and that it exerts its role mainly through the significant down‐regulation of PPARγ and C/EBPα and, probably, via a Wnt–β‐catenin independent pathway. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A polar low named Vera: the use of potential vorticity diagnostics to assess its development
Authors: Nordeng Thor Erik , Røsting Bjørn
Published: August 2011

20 November 2008 the Norwegian Meteorological Institute issued an extreme weather warning for Trøndelag County. A storm was expected in the afternoon. The storm, a polar low (PL), was named ‘Vera’. Vera was the second of two polar lows that developed along a wedge of warm air at the rear of a synoptic‐scale low that moved northeastwards into northern Norway. The dynamical development may be explained by classic dynamical theory: low‐level warm air seclusion and shallow secondary circulation in a frontal zone that couples to transient upper level disturbances. The study focuses on the potential vorticity (PV) perspective of the PL development and we have modified the initial PV field to study the effect of each individual PV perturbation. Two PV and two low‐level temperature anomalies have been chosen. The PV anomalies retained their structure during the development while the temperature anomalies became less coherent and difficult to define by the end of the cyclogenesis period. By modifying the initial conditions in the upper troposphere over Greenland, it is shown that in this case the upper PV anomaly had the strongest effect on the development, and that this effect remained strong throughout the cyclogenesis until the polar low made landfall. The effect from the low level PV anomaly became large after onset of cyclogenesis, reflecting the positive feedback, although its impact on the development remained smaller than that of the upper PV anomaly. It is also shown that the topography of Greenland was important in determining the correct position of this polar low development. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
A global climatology of favourable conditions for polar lows
Authors: Kolstad Erik W.
Published: August 2011

Polar lows (PLs) are small‐scale and intense low‐pressure systems that form at high latitudes in both hemispheres. Due to their limited spatial scale and brief lifetimes, weather and climate models are often unable to resolve these systems. One way to overcome this problem is to define a suitable proxy for PLs, with which the likelihood of PL formation can be assessed even in coarse‐resolution datasets. This study draws on previous studies and an empirical database of 63 PLs to quantify the respective influences of low‐level static stability and upper‐level forcing on PL formation, as both of these factors are known to favour PL development. Little redundancy between the two parameters is found. After defining threshold values for the two parameters, climatological properties of favourable conditions for PLs are computed for the North Atlantic, the North‐West Pacific and the Southern Hemisphere. The low‐level static stability, which is strongly modified during marine cold‐air outbreaks, puts important constraints on where PLs can form, while the upper‐level forcing determines whether or not they will form. As a result of the climatologically lower tropopause in the Labrador Sea region, favourable conditions for PLs occur more often there than in the Nordic Seas, which has long been believed to be the main PL region in the Northern Hemisphere (NH). In the Southern Hemisphere, favourable conditions for PLs occur substantially less often than in the NH. The PL index defined here is suitable for other climatological studies and PL forecasting. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Observational probability method to assess ensemble precipitation forecasts
Authors: Santos Carlos , Ghelli Anna
Published: August 2011

It is common practice when assessing the skill of either deterministic or ensemble forecasts to consider the observations with no uncertainty. Observation uncertainty may be associated with different causes and the present paper discusses the uncertainty that derives from the mismatch between model‐generated grid point precipitation and locally measured precipitation values. There have been many attempts to add uncertainty to the verification process; in the present paper the uncertainty is derived from the observed precipitation distribution within grid boxes of assigned resolution. The Brier skill score (BSS) and the area under relative operating characteristic curve skill score calculated utilizing the verification method which includes observational uncertainty (O‐OP), are compared to analogous scores obtained from standard verification methods. The scores are calculated for two different forecasting systems: the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Ensemble Prediction System and the Spanish Meteorological Agency Short‐Range Ensemble Prediction System.

The results show that the resolution component of the BSS improves when using the O‐OP method, i.e. forecast probabilities are distinguished from climatological probabilities and therefore the system has better skill. The reliability component, on the contrary, greatly degrades and this degradation is worse for lower precipitation thresholds. The results also show that the more asymmetric the precipitation distribution is within the grid box, the larger is the degradation of the reliability component. The overall BSS improves except for low thresholds. These results encourage further research into observation uncertainty and how it can be effectively accounted for in the verification of weather parameters such as precipitation. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Intensity forecast experiment of hurricane Rita (2005) with a cloud‐resolving, coupled hurricane–ocean modelling system
Authors: Qiu Xin , Xiao Qingnong , Tan Zhe‐Min , Michalakes John
Published: August 2011

A cloud‐resolving, coupled hurricane‐ocean modelling system is developed under the Earth System Modeling Framework using state‐of‐the‐art numerical forecasting models of the atmosphere and the ocean. With this system, the importance of coupling to an eddy‐resolving ocean model and the high resolution of the atmospheric model for the prediction of intensity change of hurricane Rita (2005) is demonstrated through a set of numerical experiments. The erroneous intensification in the uncoupled experiments could be eliminated when taking account of the negative feedback of sea‐surface temperature cooling. Moreover, the deepening rate of Rita becomes larger with higher resolution of the atmospheric model. Nevertheless, the horizontal resolution of the atmospheric model with grid spacing at least less than ∼4 km is required in order to predict the rapid intensity changes of hurricane Rita in the fully coupled experiment. This strong dependence is found to arise from the potential interaction between the ocean coupling and internal processes of Rita, thus indicating that both high resolution and the ocean coupling are indispensable for the future improvement of hurricane intensity prediction. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Electronic structure, dielectric properties and infrared vibrational spectrum of fayalite: An ab initio simulation with an all‐electron Gaussian basis set and the B3LYP functional
Authors: Noël Y. , De La Pierre M. , Maschio L. , Rérat M. , Zicovich‐Wilson C. M. , Dovesi R.
Published: August 2011

The electronic structure, the static and high frequency dielectric tensors, and the infrared (IR) spectrum of fayalite Fe2SiO4, the Fe‐rich end‐member of olivine solid solutions, are explored at an ab initio quantum mechanical level, by using an all‐electron Gaussian type basis set, the B3LYP hybrid DFT functional, and the CRYSTAL09 code. Mulliken population analysis and spin density maps illustrate the electronic structure, characterized by a nearly pure d6, high‐spin configuration of the transition metal atom. The full set of IR wavenumbers and intensities is computed. The availability of highly accurate synchrotron radiation data (Suto et al., Astron Astrophys 2002, 389, 568) permits a very accurate comparison between simulated and measured quantities, in primis wavenumbers (ν) and oscillator strengths (f). The mean absolute difference
${\overline{\vert\Delta\nu\vert}}$
is as small as 4 cm−1, and the maximum absolute difference |Δνmax| never exceeds 12 cm−1, whereas the summed absolute difference ΔF between fexp and fcalc is around 10%. Modes not detected in the experiment turn out to be (i) characterized by low computed intensity, or (ii) very close to a large intense peak. Computed and experimental IR reflectance curves are in striking agreement also. The nature of the vibrational modes is investigated by means of isotopic substitutions, which clarify the participation of the various atomic species to each mode. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012
Value of the assessment in the SEM of surface structures and 3‐D shape of the cell for predicting malignancy
Authors: Veselý Pavel , Urbancová Hana , Chaloupková Alena , Urbanec Přemysl , Boháč Luhoš , Kůrka Petr , Rovensky Jurij A. , MacOnnachie Elaine
Published: August 2011

A description is given of an approach to the objective qualification and quantification of information obtained by secondary electron imaging of the three‐dimensional shape and surface ultrastructure of cells grown attached to the flat substratum in vitro. Objective cell assessment in the SEM (OCAS) is based on the evaluation of cell phenotype in standard defined culture conditions according to a fixed protocol. The human capacity to analyse complex images is used for the elementary collection of data and this is analysed by computerised mathematical processing.

The OCAS method described was tested on a training set of populations of mostly rat mesenchymal normal and neoplastic cells. The results show a significant correlation between OCAS data structures describing a cell population and the following biological properties: malignancy, tumorigenicity, virogenicity and growth properties in vitro. These findings correspond to those of others and to an intuitive evaluation of the secondary electron SEM images of cells.

In a detailed analysis the OCAS differences were screened for the indicative power to show the particular biological properties of the investigated cells. This was achieved by varying the representation of the OCAS variables in all three groups used: microecology, cell shape, and surface ultrastructure. It was found that the variable which describes the cell surface features points out tumorigenicity and malignancy while the width/height ratio alone indicates tumorigenicity. When these two criteria are combined, then all important biological properties coming into consideration (malignancy, tumorigenicity, virogenicity and growth properties in vitro) are shown. If only microecological criteria are used, then anchorage independence alone is revealed. This led to the conclusion that, for the prediction of malignancy, just the surface ultrastructure, especially the presence of various microvilli, and the three‐dimensional shape of the mesenchymal cell in vitro are decisive. Microecological criteria can be omitted unless the adaptation to the growth under in vitro conditions is investigated. Moreover, from our results it follows that the expression of the influences of neoplastic transformation (tumorigenicity) and the adaption to growth in vitro (anchorage independent growth) on the cell morpho‐type are to some extent at variance, which deserves further study.
An experimental system for X‐ray microanalysis, digital electron‐beam control and image processing
Authors: Fuchs H.
Published: August 2011

An energy‐dispersive microanalyser was extended for the acquisition and processing of electron microscopic images and digital beam control. Based on fast magnetic disk storages and hardware arithmetic units, the software implementation of most functions including raster‐scan and vector‐scan sequencing, and the continuous output monitoring of stored images has proven adequate. As a consequence, few hardware extensions had to be installed, essentially consisting of analog/digital circuitry. Data processing is performed by an interactive, menu‐driven Fortran software package.
A new comparator for SEM stereophotogrammetry
Authors: Ross Hamish F.
Published: August 2011

The design of a new multi‐axis recording stereo‐comparator, originally conceived for the analysis of stereo‐pair SEM images is outlined. In the three‐axis instrument for SEM work, X, Y, and delta‐X (or parallax) co‐ordinates are output directly to a microcomputer.
The influence of surface topography on the x‐ray intensity in electron microprobe analysis (EDS/WDS)
Authors: Rönnhult T. , Brox B. , Fritze G.
Published: August 2011

Copper surfaces were ground or polished to various surface roughnesses and analysed by WDS and EDS. Both K and L photons were analysed at the accelerating voltages 5, 15 and 45 kV. The influence of topography on the K‐peak intensity was negligible, while the L‐peak intensity was rather sensitive to the surface roughness. For low and medium accelerating voltages the L‐peak intensity was lower from a rough than from a smooth surface because of shadowing effects. For high accelerating voltages it was instead enhanced by the surface roughness because of an edge effect which outweighs the shadowing. If small areas are analysed (as always in WDS‐analyses) the variation of the local orientation will cause some scattering in the measured intensities of low energy photons. High energy photons are less affected by the surface roughness. Because of the larger escape length in the material these photons can reach also the detector from areas which are shadowed. Generally, if the surface roughness cannot be avoided, high energy photons should be preferred for the analysis or the peak to background ratio method should be used. The accelerating voltage should in all cases be kept as low as possible in order to minimise the influence of surface roughness.
A simple computer program to obtain digital pseudo‐colored high resolution electron microscopy images
Authors: Armigliato A. , Bianconi M. , Parisini A.
Published: August 2011

Computer programs which allow one to simulate high resolution electron microscopy images generally deliver the output on a line printer with the overprinting technique. Although this method suffers from poor resolution and limited contrast dynamics, it is still in widespread use. A more effective way is to represent the images in digital form on a color video display, and several solutions have been proposed recently, which often, however, make necessary use of rather expensive pictorial video terminals. In this work we describe a simple program which allows one to represent the output of a multislice program (projected potentials, lattice images, and diffraction patterns) on the display of an inexpensive color video terminal. Useful operations on the image, such as color selection over a wide range, image magnification, and filtering (to enhance specific details of interest) have been implemented. The displayed image can be either photographed from the screen or recorded on a good quality hard copier.
Extraction of pure chemical contrast in scanned elemental mappings of surfaces
Authors: Frank L. , Vašina P.
Published: August 2011

A novel modification of the ratio techniques in on‐line data processing in the analytical mapping mode of the scanning microscope of microprobe is suggested which is suitable mainly for surface‐senstive imaging.
SEM/EDS images from a laser printer
Authors: Robenalt S. A. , Howitt D. G.
Published: August 2011

A method for producing hardcopy images with a laser printer from scanned video images is presented. The advantages and limitations of this method are compared to the traditional Polaroid technique used for scanning electron microscopy and some methods of creating artificial grey scales using arrays of dots are discussed.
Images obtained in STEM of gold particles condensed on the top of thick single crystals of copper
Authors: Fourie J. T.
Published: August 2011

It is proposed that when a thin sample is mounted on the top surface of a thick single crystal foil, this foil may function as a collector aperture with regard to the radiation transmitted through the thin sample. The detailed aspects of how the crystal foil may perform as an aperture are discussed in terms of the electron equivalent of the Borrmann effect in crystals. Experiments are presented which demonstrate that the image of the thin sample is sensitive to the thickness of the single crystal foil and to its orientation with regard to the beam axis. It is concluded from the experimental results that the crystal foil does perform a collector aperture‐like function.
Size distribution analysis of cascade impactor and multistage cyclone emission samples by a SEM‐based imaging system
Authors: Dekeyser E. , Dams R.
Published: August 2011

Dust emission samples were obtained with an in‐stack cascade impactor and with a multistage series cyclone system. The collected particulate material on each stage was subjected to a sizing procedure by means of an SEM‐based imaging system. Often the mass‐size distributions resulting from SEM measurements did not agree with those calculated conventionally from effective cutoff diameters. Noticeable differences between impactor and cyclone mass‐size distributions were also observed. The measurements performed on the samples allowed causes for the observed deviations to be pinpointed and a distinction to be made between the effects induced by the sampler and temporary fluctuations of the actual size distribution.
Examination of occlusions in xylem vessels of cut rose flowers, using cryoscanning electron microscopy and cryoultramilling cross‐sectioning
Authors: van Doorn W. G. , Thiel F. , Boekestein A.
Published: August 2011

The occlusions occurring in xylem vessels of cut rose flowers (Rosa hybrida L.) were examined using freeze fracturing and conventional SEM, or cryoultramilling cross‐sectioning followed by cryo‐SEM. The study provides an excellent example of the utility of the latter procedure. The stems contained bacteria surrounded by amorphous material. The amorphous material, which was likely bacterial slime, was more abundant in cryo‐SEM. The ultramilling method resulted in smooth cross‐sectioning of the xylem walls. The results show that bacteria do not degrade the xylem walls.
ADAM-17/Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Converting Enzyme Inhibits Neurogenesis and Promotes Gliogenesis from Neural Stem Cells
Authors: Romero-Grimaldi Carmen , Murillo-Carretero Maribel , López-Toledano Miguel Angel , Carrasco Manuel , Castro Carmen , Estrada Carmen
Published: August 2011

Neural precursor cells (NPCs) are activated in central nervous system injury. However, despite being multipotential, their progeny differentiates into astrocytes rather than neurons in situ. We have investigated the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the generation of non-neurogenic conditions. Cultured mouse subventricular zone NPCs exposed to differentiating conditions for 4 days generated approximately 50% astrocytes and 30% neuroblasts. Inhibition of EGFR with 4-(3-chloroanilino)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline significantly increased the number of neuroblasts and decreased that of astrocytes. The same effects were observed upon treatment with the metalloprotease inhibitor galardin, N-[(2R)-2-(hydroxamidocarbonylmethyl)-4-methylpentanoyl]-L-tryptophan methylamide (GM 6001), which prevented endogenous transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) release. These results suggested that metalloprotease-dependent EGFR-ligand shedding maintained EGFR activation and favored gliogenesis over neurogenesis. Using a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM-17) small interference RNAs transfection of NPCs, ADAM-17 was identified as the metalloprotease involved in cell differentiation in these cultures. In vivo experiments revealed a significant upregulation of ADAM-17 mRNA and de novo expression of ADAM-17 protein in areas of cortical injury in adult mice. Local NPCs, identified by nestin staining, expressed high levels of ADAM-17, as well as TGF-α and EGFR, the three molecules necessary to prevent neurogenesis and promote glial differentiation in vitro. Chronic local infusions of GM6001 resulted in a notable increase in the number of neuroblasts around the lesion. These results indicate that, in vivo, the activation of a metalloprotease, most probably ADAM-17, initiates EGFR-ligand shedding and EGFR activation in an autocrine manner, preventing the generation of new neurons from NPCs. Inhibition of ADAM-17, the limiting step in this sequence, may contribute to the generation of neurogenic niches in areas of brain damage.
Increased nuchal translucency and normal karyotype: perinatal and pediatric outcomes at 2 years of age
Authors: Mula R. , Goncé A. , Bennásar M. , Arigita M. , Meler E. , Nadal A. , Sánchez A. , Botet F. , Borrell A.
Published: August 2011

Objective

To assess the perinatal and pediatric outcomes up to 2 years of age in singleton karyotypically normal fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT) above the 99th percentile.

Methods

Singleton fetuses with NT above the 99th percentile and normal karyotype scanned in our center from 2002 to 2006 were included. Work‐up included first‐ and second‐trimester anomaly scan, first‐ and second‐trimester fetal echocardiography, and in selected cases infection screening and genetic testing. Among survivors, a pediatric follow‐up up to 2 years of age was undertaken.

Results

During this 4‐year period, 171 singleton fetuses with NT above the 99th percentile and normal karyotype were included in the study. There were seven spontaneous fetal losses, 38 terminations of pregnancy and two postnatal deaths. Among the 124 (72.5%) survivors, 12 (9.7%) were born with structural abnormalities. Neurodevelopmental follow‐up was completed in 108 (87.1%) of the 124 survivors and four (3.7%) showed moderate to severe impairment. Overall, a structural abnormality or genetic syndrome was diagnosed in 50 fetuses/newborns. Prenatal diagnosis was achieved for 83.8% (31/37) of the structural abnormalities and 69.2% (9/13) of the genetic syndromes. Interestingly, a single umbilical artery was found in six fetuses with no structural defects at birth, five of which had a long‐term favorable outcome (4.5%), and in one 22q11 microdeletion syndrome was diagnosed at 2 years of age.

Conclusion

Singleton fetuses with an increased NT above the 99th percentile and normal karyotype showed a 63% intact survival. Long‐term neurodevelopmental outcome among survivors did not appear to differ from that reported for the general population. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased nuchal translucency, normal karyotype and infant development
Authors: Miltoft C. B. , Ekelund C. K. , Hansen B. M. , Lando A. , Petersen O. B. , Skovbo P. , Jørgensen F. S. , Sperling L. , Zingenberg H. , Nikkilä A. , Shalmi A. C. , Stornes I. , Ersbak V. , Tabor A.
Published: August 2011

Objective

To investigate whether chromosomally normal fetuses with a nuchal translucency (NT) ≥ 99th percentile (3.5 mm) in the first trimester have an increased risk of delayed development at 2 years of age.

Methods

The study included children of women from 10 Danish hospitals who had fetal NT either ≥ 99th percentile (Group 1) or < 95th percentile (Group 2) in the first trimester. The groups were matched by gender, gestational age at birth and maternal age. There were twice as many children in Group 2 as in Group 1. Follow‐up was conducted at 2 years of age, infant development being assessed by the ‘Ages and Stages Questionnaire’. The cut‐off value for delayed development was defined as the 5th percentile from the first 100 questionnaires from Group 2.

Results

In a 1‐year period 202 of 33 266 fetuses (0.6%) had NT ≥ 3.5 mm. Of these, 99 (49.0%) were liveborn with normal karyotype and normal ultrasound findings during pregnancy. The response rate to the ASQ was 83.3% in Group 1 and 71.4% in Group 2. A low ASQ score was found in 1.3% (1/80) and 4.4% (6/137) in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.265), but no difference was found in the mean ASQ score between the two groups (P = 0.160).

Conclusion

Fetuses with NT ≥ 99th percentile, normal karyotype and normal ultrasound findings during pregnancy had no increased risk of developmental delay at 2 years of age compared with fetuses with normal NT (< 95th percentile). Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Magnetic resonance imaging in the normal fetal heart and in congenital heart disease
Authors: Votino C. , Jani J. , Damry N. , Dessy H. , Kang X. , Cos T. , Divano L. , Foulon W. , De Mey J. , Cannie M.
Published: August 2011

Objective

To evaluate prospectively the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessment of the fetal heart for congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study, including 66 fetuses with a normal heart and 40 with CHD. The fetal heart was examined on MRI using axial steady‐state free precession (SSFP) sequences. Regression analysis was used to investigate the effect on the ability to visualize cardiac anatomy of gestational age at examination, maternal body mass index, presence of fetal cardiac abnormality, fetal movements, fetal lie and twinning. The sensitivity and specificity of detecting cardiac defects were calculated.

Results

The four‐chamber view was visualized in 98.1% of fetuses. The sensitivity of detecting a cardiac defect on the four‐chamber view was 88% and the specificity 96%. The ability to visualize the left and right outflow tracts was only influenced by the presence of fetal movements: for the left outflow tract 94.4 vs. 50.0% visualization and for the right outflow tract 92.6 vs. 53.8% visualization without and with fetal movements, respectively. The sensitivity of detecting a cardiac defect of the left outflow tract was 63% and the specificity 100%, while sensitivity and specificity were 59 and 97%, respectively, for the right outflow tract.

Conclusions

Despite the use of SSFP sequences, MRI in the fetal heart remains of limited value. It can only be used as a second‐line approach for abnormalities of the four‐chamber view suspected at prenatal ultrasound. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Four‐dimensional sonographic evaluation of avulsion of the levator ani according to delivery mode
Authors: Cassadó Garriga J. , Pessarrodona Isern A. , Espuña Pons M. , Duran Retamal M. , Felgueroso Fabrega A. , Rodriguez Carballeira M. , Jordà Santamaria I.
Published: August 2011

Objective

To determine the frequency of avulsion of the levator ani muscle in primiparous women according to delivery mode, using introital four‐dimensional ultrasonography.

Methods

We performed a prospective observational study at a tertiary obstetric unit. One hundred and eighty primiparous women were included and divided into three groups: normal vaginal delivery without episiotomy, forceps delivery and Cesarean section groups. Between 40 and 120 days after delivery, four‐dimensional ultrasonography was performed in order to evaluate the integrity of the levator ani muscle. The operator was blinded to all clinical data and was not aware of delivery mode. The influence of other variables associated with delivery such as birth weight, body mass index, maternal age and use of epidural anesthesia was also studied.

Results

Avulsion of the puborectalis component of the levator ani muscle was detected on ultrasonography in 61.7% of women who had undergone a forceps delivery, compared with 13.3% of those who had had a normal vaginal delivery and 0% of those who had had a Cesarean section. Bilateral avulsion was observed in 12/60 (20.0%) of the forceps group and in 2/60 (3.3%) of the normal vaginal delivery group (P < 0.001). Other variables did not seem to influence prevalence.

Conclusions

Forceps delivery is associated with an increased rate of avulsion of the puborectalis component of the levator ani muscle. The effect of forceps use is independent of other delivery‐related variables. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Starry sky pattern of fetal liver sonogram as first sign of twin–twin transfusion syndrome
Authors: Segev Y. , Goldberg Y. , Riskin‐Mashiah S. , Berdicef M. , Lavie O. , Auslender R.
Published: August 2011

‘Starry sky’ liver is one of the most common sonographic patterns in diffuse liver disease. It is characterized by clearly identified portal venules due to diminished parenchymal echogenicity. In advanced cases of twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), volume overload is considered the key factor in the pathogenesis of cardiac dysfunction of the recipient twin. When right‐sided failure occurs, the liver might show signs of edema and, as in acute hepatitis, the appearance of starry sky might develop. We present a case in which the sonographic appearance of starry sky liver, along with right‐sided cardiac failure (tricuspid regurgitation), were the first signs of TTTS in monochorionic twins at 20 weeks. A short time later, at 21 weeks, other signs of overload and signs of worsening heart failure were noted, as the typical triphasic waves in the inferior vena cava were replaced by a biphasic flow profile. Twin 2 at that time had relative oligohydramnios. A few days later, relative polyhydramnios and edema of the placental domain of the recipient twin were also noted. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report describing this hepatic sonographic pattern as an early sonographic sign of TTTS. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does use of a sex‐specific model improve the accuracy of sonographic weight estimation?
Authors: Melamed N. , Yogev Y. , Ben‐Haroush A. , Meizner I. , Mashiach R. , Glezerman M.
Published: August 2011

Objective

To determine whether the use of a sex‐specific sonographic model improves the accuracy of fetal weight estimation.

Methods

New regression models (sex‐independent and sex‐specific) were developed, based on 1708 sonographic weight estimations performed within 3 days prior to delivery. The accuracy of these models was compared to that of several published models including two of the original Hadlock models (which incorporate the biometric indices abdominal circumference (AC), biparietal diameter (BPD), femur diaphysis length (FL) and head circumference (HC) as follows: AC‐FL‐BPD and AC‐FL‐HC, designated here as Hadlock I and Hadlock II, respectively), modified versions of the Hadlock I and II models for which coefficients were adjusted to our local cohort, sex‐specific versions of the Hadlock I and II models and Schild's model (a previously published sex‐specific model).

Results

The unadjusted models of Hadlock and Schild were associated with the highest systematic error (1.6–4.9%; P < 0.001) which was significantly higher for females (2.3–4.9%) compared to males (1.6–2.0%; P < 0.001). Adjustment of model coefficients to the local population decreased the systematic error (−1.4% to 1.5%) and resulted in a systematic error that was of similar magnitude (P = 0.3) but opposite in direction for male and female fetuses. The sex‐specific models (adjusted or newly developed) were associated with the lowest systematic error (−0.4 to 0.5%) and were the only models for which the systematic error was similar for male and female fetuses. There were no differences in the systematic error between adjusted sex‐specific versions of the Hadlock I and II models and the newly developed sex‐specific models (0.0% to 0.4% vs. − 0.4% to 0.5%; P = 0.4). The random error was similar for all models and, for most of the models, was unrelated to fetal sex.

Conclusions

The use of sex‐specific models appears to improve the accuracy of fetal weight estimation, principally because the optimal set of model coefficients differs for male and female fetuses. The improved accuracy is mainly the result of a decrease in systematic error, as the random error was not affected by the use of such sex‐specific models. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of extended surgery for pancreatic cancer: critical review of the four major RCTs comparing standard and extended surgery
Authors: Yokoyama Yukihiro , Nagino Masato
Published: August 2011

Pancreatic ductal carcinoma is one of the most dismal malignancies in the gastrointestinal system. Despite the development of several adjuvant therapeutic options, surgical treatment is still the only procedure that can completely cure this disease. Since pancreatic cancer easily extends to the adjacent tissues or develops distant metastasis, there has been argument as to whether we should perform extended surgery in order to widely eradicate peripancreatic tissue. After the report from Japanese surgeons that showed a survival benefit of the extended surgery for the invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas in the late 1980s, many Japanese surgeons applied the extended surgery for pancreatic cancer. However, the major problems of these studies were the retrospective and non‐randomized nature of the study design. Thereafter, randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing a standard and extended resection for the pancreatic cancer have been conducted first in Europe, second and third in the USA, and, subsequently, fourth in Japan. Unexpectedly, the survival benefit of the aggressive surgery has been refuted in all of the four major RCTs. This fact implied to us that surgery alone is not enough and that another adjuvant therapeutic option is necessary in order to improve the patients’ survival of pancreatic cancer.
Stable Carbon Isotope Composition of c9,t11‐Conjugated Linoleic Acid in Cow's Milk as Related to Dietary Fatty Acids
Authors: Richter Eva Katharina , Spangenberg Jorge E. , Klevenhusen Fenja , Soliva Carla R. , Kreuzer Michael , Leiber Florian
Published: August 2011

This study explores the potential use of stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) of single fatty acids (FA) as tracers for the transformation of FA from diet to milk, with focus on the metabolic origin of c9,t11‐18:2. For this purpose, dairy cows were fed diets based exclusively on C3 and C4 plants. The FA in milk and feed were fractionated by silver‐ion thin‐layer chromatography and analyzed for their δ13C values. Mean δ13C values of FA from C3 milk were lower compared to those from C4 milk (−30.1‰ vs. −24.9‰, respectively). In both groups the most negative δ13C values of all FA analyzed were measured for c9,t11‐18:2 (C3 milk = −37.0 ± 2.7‰; C4 milk −31.4 ± 1.4‰). Compared to the dietary precursors 18:2n‐6 and 18:3n‐3, no significant 13C‐depletion was measured in t11‐18:1. This suggests that the δ13C‐change in c9,t11‐18:2 did not originate from the microbial biohydrogenation in the rumen, but most probably from endogenous desaturation of t11‐18:1. It appears that the natural δ13C differences in some dietary FA are at least partly preserved in milk FA. Therefore, carbon isotope analyses of individual FA could be useful for studying metabolic transformation processes in ruminants.
Instability of helical tip vortices in rotor wakes
Authors: SØRENSEN J. N.
Published: August 2011

The conditions for the appearance of instabilities in systems of helical vortices constitute an intriguing problem that still remains partly unsolved. The experimental study of Felli, Camussi & Di Felice (J. Fluid Mech., this issue, vol. 682, 2011, pp. 5–53) has shed new light on some of the basic mechanisms governing the instability mechanisms.
FOREIGN INVESTMENT ARBITRATION: A PLACE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS?
Authors: Simma Bruno
Published: August 2011

The protection of foreign investment by way of treaties and arbitration has recently suffered attacks on its legitimacy. The article turns on human rights concerns in this context and analyses what legal mechanisms and arguments can be employed to ease the tension between investment protection and human rights. Harmonization in this regard finds two key entry points: first, at the inter-State level of investment agreements, and secondly, at the intra-State level of the foreign investment contract. At the first level, human rights considerations, particularly concerning economic and social rights, can be brought to bear by way of their systematic integration qua treaty interpretation. The article subjects this inroad to close scrutiny but concludes that, while it possesses considerable merits and has attracted a certain attention (albeit still more in the academic world than in that of arbitration practice), it remains an approach ex post, possibly leaving excessive discretion to arbitrators. Thus, at the second level, already at the pre-investment stage, efforts should be made to recast investors' “legitimate expectations” under foreign investment contracts by including a “human rights audit” as part of the due diligence to be conducted by the investor and the host State, to survey the host State's human rights treaty commitments and domestic methods for implementing these commitments. The primary objective of this audit would thus be to fully include the prospective host State's international obligations as part of the body of applicable law and thus create a better map of the landscape of an investor's “legitimate expectations”.
AMERICAN PRIVATE LAW WRIT LARGE? THE UNCITRAL SECURED TRANSACTIONS GUIDE
Authors: McCormack Gerard
Published: August 2011

This article provides a critical evaluation of the main provisions of the UNCITRAL Legislative Guide on Secured Transactions. It examines the Guide in the context of other international and national secured transactions instruments including article 9 of the United States Uniform Commercial Code. The clear objective of the Guide is to facilitate secured financing. It is very facilitating and enabling, and permits the creation of security in all sorts of situations. Security is seen as a good thing, through enhancing the availability of lower-cost credit. The paper suggests that this closeness in approach to article 9 is likely to militate against the prospects of the Guide gaining widespread international acceptance. This is the case for various interlocking reasons including the battering that American legal and financial norms have taken with the global financial crisis.
METHODS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF CUSTOMARY INTERNATIONAL LAW IN THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE'S JURISPRUDENCE: 2000–2009
Authors: Alvarez-Jiménez Alberto
Published: August 2011

‘Sometimes the most important historical events are the non-events: the things that did not occur,’ says the British historian Niall Ferguson.1Such a statement may well describe in large measure the International Court of Justice's case-law regarding the methods for the identification of rules of customary international law during the period 2000–2009. The previous two decades had been marked by two milestones in this domain: the eighties by the judgment on the merits inNicaragua,2and the nineties by the Court's advisory opinion inNuclear Weapons.3There was, though, no single decision by the Court of comparative significance regarding methods of customary international law during the first decade of the new millennium. Further, some of the most important determinations in this domain were those in which the Court did not declare the existence of a customary international rule. However, this is not to say that the above-mentioned conclusion applies to all of the Court's jurisprudence related to customary international law. The conclusion is limited to the Court's decisions regarding the methods for the recognition of norms of this character. In fact, the Court made very important pronouncements as to the content of customary international law in many domains, such as the use of force, territorial occupation, diplomatic protection, and international humanitarian law.
EU BIOFUELS POLICY—RAISING THE QUESTION OF WTO COMPATIBILITY
Authors: Switzer Stephanie , McMahon Joseph A
Published: August 2011

Governments intervene in the energy sector using a variety of measures to pursue a range of objectives, from security of supply and energy efficiency to environmental protection. Recent concerns about the impact of fossil fuels on climate change have resulted in the increasing promotion of biofuels as an alternative to oil. While worries exist with regard to the environmental impact of biofuel production in ecologically sensitive areas, it has been argued that with an effective regulatory framework to promote sustainable production, biofuels could provide a mechanism to provide energy security in an environmentally positive way.1The interest of the European Union (EU) in the promotion of biofuels production is a relatively recent phenomenon and it is now the world's largest producer of biodiesel and the fourth largest producer of bioethanol. At its most basic level, the promotion of biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels is part of a wider EU effort to support the use of renewable energy. The promotion of renewable energy is traceable to a number of goals, a central one of which is ensuring security of energy supply.2Other policy goals supported by the promotion of renewable energies include reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with climate change, decreasing dependence upon imported oil, the promotion of technological development as well as regional and rural development and employment.3
INVOKING DIRECT APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF INTERNATIONAL TREATIES BY THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE: IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
Authors: Marsden Simon
Published: August 2011

This article analyses the contribution made to the effective implementation of international environmental law in the EU by the ECJ invoking direct application and effect of international treaties. It considers the requirements of these doctrines in international law, distinguishing them from related doctrines in EU law. It reviews jurisprudence and literature and evaluates future potential. Implications for direct application and effect from the EU doctrine of primacy and for the principle of effective judicial protection are examined, and alternatives to full transposition, implementation and enforcement explored, including non-compliance procedures.
III. ASSASSINATION AND TARGETED KILLING—THE KILLING OF OSAMA BIN LADEN
Authors: Rogers APV , McGoldrick Dominic
Published: August 2011

Osama Bin Laden was killed on 2 May 2011 in the course of an operation by US special forces (Navy Seals) in Abbottabad, Pakistan.1 The US forces were flown by helicopter from neighbouring Afghanistan. The death of Bin Laden renewed questions about the legality of such operations during armed conflicts and during peacetime.2 The potentially applicable law includes international humanitarian law, international human rights law, jus ad bellum and the domestic law of the US and Pakistan.3
Variation for temporary waterlogging response within the mini core pigeonpea germplasm
Authors: KRISHNAMURTHY L. , UPADHYAYA H. D. , SAXENA K. B. , VADEZ V.
Published: August 2011

Pigeonpea is an important rainfed pulse crop grown in the rainy season that is subject to waterlogging. There are not many sources of waterlogging tolerance available; therefore the mini core pigeonpea germplasm (n=146) were screened, along with a few genotypes already reported to exhibit tolerance. Five trials were conducted starting at 40 and 50 days after sowing (DAS) in 2008, and at 40, 62 and 76 DAS in 2009. The mortality rate in any trial depended on the vapour pressure deficits (VPD) that prevailed during waterlogging and the recovery periods. There were large and highly significant variations due to genotype and to genotype×trial interactions. The heritability of individual trials ranged from 0·27 to 0·75, while it was 0·40 when all the trials were considered together. The survival counts were grouped into representative groups using a hierarchical cluster analysis, which yielded five distinctive groups. The highly tolerant group, with above-average survival means in all five trials, comprised 24 accessions. None of the previously tested or control entries appeared in this group. The sensitive entries comprised 37 accessions including ICP 7035, ICP 8338 and ICP 13562, which were known to be sensitive from previous reports. The tolerant group comprised 39 accessions, moderately tolerant 42 and moderately sensitive 18. Survival during waterlogging and a rapid recovery are considered equally important for categorizing the genotypes and their further use.