bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction in Children with Coeliac Disease: Is the Gluten-Free Diet Effective?
Authors: Saylan Berna , Cevik Ayhan , Kirsaclioglu Ceyda Tuna , Ekici Filiz , Tosun Ozgur , Ustundag Gonca
Published: November 2012

Objectives. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of coeliac disease on cardiac function in children using conventional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE).Methods. Coeliac disease patients were evaluated in two different groups based on serum endomysial antibody (EmA) titers (EmA (+) and EmA (−)), and the data obtained by conventional and TDE studies were compared between the patient groups and healthy controls.Results. There was no significant difference between EmA (+) and EmA (−) groups in terms of the conventional TTE parameters, including ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), and left ventricle end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), that show the left ventricular systolic function (P=0.727,P=0.317,P=0.118). TDE showed a significant difference in left ventricle (LV) isovolumic relaxation time (LV IVRT) and LV myocardial performance index (LV MPI) parameters between EmA (+) and EmA (−) patient groups (P<0.0001).Conclusion. The measurement of LV MPI and LV IVRT parameters by TDE would be beneficial in early determination of the cardiac involvement and establishing appropriate treatment and followup of patients with coeliac disease as well as in making distinction between EmA (+) and EmA (−) patients.
Designing Laterally Loaded RC Stiffened Plates: Energy Balance Concept
Authors: Singh Harvinder
Published: November 2012

Plates are most widely used structural systems to build and/or enclose the space along with some other structural elements, namely, walls, columns, and so forth. in any building. Design procedure for proportioning plates has been recommended in various design codes based upon empirical relations and some factors found on basis of the results of an extensive series of tests and well-established performance record of various plate/slab systems constructed in the past. These guidelines have a number of inherent limitations in the form of assumptions, thereby, forcing the designers to proportion the plate system within the domain of these limitations. A procedure to design reinforced concrete stiffened-plates is presented using an energy-balance concept and it can be used for both a single panel as well as multipanel rectangular plate system with any value of aspect ratio, number of panels, and orthotropy. To validate the results from the proposed design procedure, these are compared with the results from well-established literature on the plate analysis and are found to be in good agreement. Working procedure is illustrated with the help of design examples.
Coloration of Anuran Tadpoles (Amphibia): Development, Dynamics, Function, and Hypotheses
Authors: Thibaudeau Giselle , Altig Ronald
Published: November 2012

Colorations of anuran tadpoles surely function in many of the same ways that have been ascribed to color and pattern in other animals, but the paucity of data forces one to look to other groups to generate hypotheses. Such an action often occurs because of the difficulty of defining specific fitness parameters to larval forms. The commonly muted colorations of tadpoles are typically considered to function only in some form of crypsis, but we discuss other functions in the particular context of behavioral ecology and changes induced by various kinds of coinhabitants. We review the development, terminology, diversity, and functions of coloration in tadpoles and then pose various questions for future research. We strongly support a broad-based perspective that calls for an integration of several fields of research.
Contact Deformation of Alumina
Authors: Bhattacharya Manjima , Mukhopadhyay Anoop Kumar
Published: November 2012

The study of contact-induced deformations during hardness evaluation and the subsequent damage mechanisms of alumina under low loads deserves significant importance for its applications as wear-resistant inserts, biomedical implants, thin films, and armour plates, because the contact-induced brittle failure is an issue of major scientific concern that prevents their widespread commercial applications. However, the studies on hardness of dense, coarse grain alumina at ultralow load, for example, 1 N, are still lacking. Therefore, the present study was conducted on a dense (~95% of theoretical) coarse-grain (~20 μm) alumina at a low peak load of 1 N with varying loading rates (10−3–100 N·s−1) applied in depth sensitive indentation experiments. The results showed profuse presence of multiple micro-pop-in and pop-out events possibly linked to dislocation nucleations underneath the indenter. The critical resolved shear stress () was found to enhance with the increase in applied loading rates. The occurrences of the localized shear deformation band formation and microcracking in and around the indentation cavity were explained in terms of the correlation between the nanoscale plasticity events, the small magnitude of (), the maximum shear stress () developed just underneath the indenter, and the dislocation loop radius ().
Geodesic Lightlike Submanifolds of Indefinite Kenmotsu Manifolds
Authors: Haider S. M. Khursheed , Thakur Mamta , Advin
Published: November 2012

The aim of the present paper is to study geodesic contact screen Cauchy Riemannian (SCR-) lightlike submanifolds, geodesic screen transversal lightlike, and
geodesic transversal lightlike submanifolds of indefinite Kenmotsu manifolds.
Rehabilitation of Shear-Damaged Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Self-Compacting Concrete Jacketing
Authors: Chalioris Constantin E. , Pourzitidis Constantin N.
Published: November 2012

The application of a reinforced self-compacting concrete jacket for the structural rehabilitation of shear damaged reinforced concrete beams is experimentally investigated. Five beams were constructed and subjected to monotonic loading in order to exhibit shear failure. The damaged specimens were restored using relatively thin reinforced jackets and retested by the same four-point bending loading. The self-compacting concrete jacket applied, encasing the bottom width and both vertical sides of the initially tested beams (U-formed jacketing), has a small thickness (25 mm) and includes small (5) steel bars and U-formed stirrups. Test results and comparisons between the experimental behaviour of the beams indicated that the examined jacketing technique is a reliable rehabilitation method since the capacity of the retrofitted beams was fully restored or ameliorated with respect to the initial specimens. Discussion of the ability of the applied jacket to enhance the overall structural performance of the examined beams and, potentially, to alter their failure mode to a more ductile one is also included. Calculations of the flexural and shear strength of the tested beams and evaluation of the monolithic factors for the capacity at yield and at ultimate of the jacketed beams were also performed and are commented on.
A Review of High-Energy X-Ray Diffraction from Glasses and Liquids
Authors: Benmore C. J.
Published: November 2012

This paper summarizes the scientific trends associated with the rapid development of the technique of high-energy X-ray diffraction over the past decade pertaining to the field of liquids, glasses, and amorphous materials. The measurement of high-quality X-ray structure factors out to large momentum transfers leads to high-resolution pair distribution functions which can be directly compared to theory or combined with data from other experimental techniques. The advantages of combining highly penetrating radiation with low angle scattering are outlined together with the data analysis procedure and formalism. Also included are advances in high-energy synchrotron beamline instrumentation, sample environment equipment, and an overview of the role of simulation and modeling for interpreting data from disordered materials. Several examples of recent trends in glass and liquid research are described. Finally, directions for future research are considered within the context of past and current developments in the field.
Clinical Pharmacology in Sleep Medicine
Authors: Proctor Ashley , Bianchi Matt T.
Published: November 2012

The basic treatment goals of pharmacological therapies in sleep medicine are to improve waking function by either improving sleep or by increasing energy during wakefulness. Stimulants to improve waking function include amphetamine derivatives, modafinil, and caffeine. Sleep aids encompass several classes, from benzodiazepine hypnotics to over-the-counter antihistamines. Other medications used in sleep medicine include those initially used in other disorders, such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and psychiatric disorders. As these medications are prescribed or encountered by providers in diverse fields of medicine, it is important to recognize the distribution of adverse effects, drug interaction profiles, metabolism, and cytochrome substrate activity. In this paper, we review the pharmacological armamentarium in the field of sleep medicine to provide a framework for risk-benefit considerations in clinical practice.
Rare Earth-Doped SrTio3 Perovskite Formation from Xerogels
Authors: Rocca Anastasia , Licciulli Antonio , Politi Monia , Diso Daniela
Published: November 2012

A synthesis process of rare earth doped SrTiO3 by modified sol-gel technique is described. Impervious strontium titanate doped with rare earth was prepared by gelification and calcination of colloidal systems. Powders of thulium substituted strontium titanate (-δ, where ; 0.02; 0.05) were obtained through cohydrolysis of titanium, strontium, and thulium precursors by sol-gel method. The xerogel obtained from the evaporation of solvents was milled and calcinated at 1100°C to give a reactive powder. Pure and doped SrTiO3 dense disks were formed by uniaxial pressing. Thermogravimetry (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been used to study the microstructural evolution of amorphous xerogel into crystalline reactive and sinterable powders. Hardness was measured for each membrane by a Vickers microindenter. Dilatometric and TGA-DSC in pure CO2 flow tests have been performed to evaluate, respectively, the thermal and chemical stability of the material. The optimized preparation route has allowed to synthesize highly reactive easy sintering powders used for fully densified, impervious ceramics with high thermal and chemical stability at high temperature.
Sterculic Oil, a Natural SCD1 Inhibitor, Improves Glucose Tolerance in Obese ob/ob Mice
Authors: Ortinau Laura C. , Pickering R. Taylor , Nickelson Karen J. , Stromsdorfer Kelly L. , Naik Chaitasi Y. , Haynes Rebecca A. , Bauman Dale E. , Rector R. Scott , Fritsche Kevin L. , Perfield James W.
Published: November 2012

Obesity and its metabolic complications are associated with increased expression/activity of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), a major regulator of lipid metabolism. Reduction or ablation of this enzyme is associated with an improved metabolic profile and has gained attention as a target for pharmaceutical development. Sterculic oil (SO) is a known inhibitor of SCD1 and may provide a natural approach for treating obesity and/or insulin resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of SO consumption in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice, a model of obesity and insulin resistance. Five-week-old male mice received either an AIN-93G (control) or an AIN-93G diet containing 0.5% SO. After 9 weeks, SO supplementation did not alter food intake or body weight; however, the desaturase indices, a proxy of SCD1 activity, were reduced in liver and adipose tissue of SO-supplemented animals. This reduction was associated with improved glucose and insulin tolerance and attenuated hepatic inflammation in obese ob/ob mice, while no appreciable changes were observed in lean control mice receiving SO. Future studies are needed to better understand the mechanism(s) by which SO is functioning to improve glucose metabolism and to further explore the nutraceutical potential and health implications of SO supplementation.
Analytical Solution for the Pressure Oscillations Caused by Trains of Solitary Waves within Confined Coastal Aquifers
Authors: Pannone Marilena
Published: November 2012

An exact analytical solution is proposed for the pressure oscillations within deep coastal aquifers under the action of tidal level time-variations attributable to train of solitary waves originating off-shore. The purpose of the study is to relate the characteristics of the response of the system to amplitude, steepness, and asymmetry of the soliciting waves, in order to assess its vulnerability to events like violent seaquakes and consequent tsunamis. The time needed by the forcing perturbations, approximated by consecutive triangular impulses, to attain their maximum is assumed to be always smaller than the aquifer diffusive time, in order to evaluate the consequences of the sudden raise of water level along the shoreline, typical of those quite extreme phenomena.
Exploring the Causes of Neck Pain and Disability as Perceived by Those Who Experience the Condition: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Walton David M. , Balsor Bradley , Etruw Evelyn
Published: November 2012

Designing effective treatment protocols for neck-related disability has proven difficult. Disability has been examined from structural, emotional, and cognitive perspectives, with evidence supporting a multidimensional nature. The patient’s perspective of their condition has found increasing value for patient-centred, evidence-informed care. This cross-sectional study utilized descriptive thematic analysis to examine perceptions of causation in 118 people with neck pain. The Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire was used to capture perceptions of causation for neck pain symptoms. The Neck Disability Index, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the P4 pain intensity numeric rating scale were also collected. Eight main themes were found for the cause(s) of neck pain: posture and movement, structure and mechanism, emotions, predisposition and lifestyle, symptoms, fatigue and insomnia, treatment, and environment. A series of regression models stratified by perceived cause suggested that disability could be explained by different constructs across the larger of the main themes. The findings are discussed in terms of the false view that mechanical neck pain should be considered a homogenous condition and potential application to treatment decision making based on patient perspectives.
Naturally Occurring Elettaria cardamomum Extract as a Corrosion Inhibitor for the Dissolution of Zinc in 1.0 M HCl
Authors: Sobhi M.
Published: November 2012

The inhibitive action of water extract of naturally occurring Elettaria cardamomum plant against the corrosion of zinc in 1.0 M HCl solution was investigated using weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. From these measurements, it was found that the values of surface coverage (θ) and inhibition efficiency increase with increasing the concentration of the extracted compound. The activation energy of the corrosion was calculated and it was found that the presence of the extracted compound in 1.0 M HCl solutions increases the values of activation energy. The inhibiting effect of this extract results from its adsorption on the electrode surface via the adsorption centers of the compounds present in the extract. The adsorption of this extract compound onto the surface of zinc follows the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The thermodynamic parameters were calculated for the tested system from the data obtained at different temperatures.
Darboux Transformation and N-Soliton Solution for the Coupled Modified Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations
Authors: Zhang Hai-Qiang
Published: November 2012

The pulse propagation in the picosecond or femtosecond regime of birefringent optical fibers is governed by the coupled mixed derivative nonlinear Schr¨odinger (CMDNLS) equations. A new type of Lax pair associated with such coupled equations is derived from the Wadati-Konno-Ichikawa spectral problem. The Darboux transformation method is applied to this integrable model, and the N-times iteration formula of the Darboux transformation is presented in terms of the compact determinant representation. Starting from the zero potential, the bright vector N-soliton solution of CMDNLS equations is expressed as a compact determinant by N complex eigenvalues and N linearly independent eigenfunctions. The collision mechanisms in two components shows that bright vector solitons can exhibit the standard elastic and inelastic collisions. Such energy-exchange collision behaviours have potential applications in the construction of logical gates, the design of fiber directional couplers, and quantum information processors.
Nonperiodic Oscillation of Bright Solitons in Condensates with a Periodically Oscillating Harmonic Potential 10.5560/ZNA.2012-0085
Authors: He Zhang-Ming , Wang Deng-Long , She Yan-Chao , Ding Jian-Wen , Yan Xiao-Hong
Published: November 2012

Considering a periodically oscillating harmonic potential, we explored the dynamic properties of bright solitons in a Bose-Einstein condensate by using Darboux transformation. It is found that the soliton movement exhibits a nonperiodic oscillation under a slow oscillating potential, while it is hardly affected under a fast oscillating potential. Furthermore, the head-on and/or ‘chase’ collisions of two solitons have been obtained, which could be controlled by the oscillation frequency of the potential.
Structural and Electronic Properties of Stable AunIr2 (n = 1 – 7) Clusters: Comparison with Pure Gold Clusters
Authors: Ding Li-Ping , Kuang Xiao-Yu , Shao Peng , Zhong Ming-Min , Li Yan-Fang
Published: November 2012

The geometrical structures, relative stabilities, electronic and magnetic properties of AunIr2 (n = 1 - 7) clusters have been systematically investigated by using meta-generalized gradient approximation (meta-GGA) Tao-Perdew-Staroverov-Scuseria (TPSS) functional in comparison with pure gold clusters. The optimized geometries show that the two doping iridium atoms can affect the structure of the host cluster. Compared with the pure Aun+2 clusters, the lowest energy AunIr2 (n=1 - 7) clusters favour higher spin multiplicity except for Au7Ir2. Furthermore, the calculated binding energies, fragmentation energies, second-order difference energies, and the highest occupied-lowest unoccupied energy gaps indicate that the stability of AunIr2 is enhanced. Natural population analysis reveals that the charges transfer from the Aun frames to the iridium atoms for Au3;4;6;7Ir2 clusters. In addition, charges and magnetic moments of 6s, 5d, and 6p states for the iridium atoms in AunIr2 (n = 1 - 7) clusters are also analyzed and compared.
Construction of New S-Boxes Over Finite Field and Their Application to Watermarking
Authors: Hussain Iqtadar , Shah Tariq , Gondal Muhammad Asif , Mahmood Hasan
Published: November 2012

In this work, we develop an imperceptible watermarking technique for images that employ substitution boxes constructed over Galois field GF(24). The strength of the proposed substitution box (S-box) is analyzed and its suitability is investigated for watermarking applications by applying statistical methods, which include entropy, contrast, correlation, energy, homogeneity, mean of absolute deviation (MAD), mean square error (MSE), peak-to-peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), and structural similarity (SSIM) paradigm analysis. The application of the proposed S-box is presented for embedding copyright information in images.
A Fabrick of Moderate Bulk: Tenure Reform, Jurisdictional Bounds and Parcel Renewal on First Nations’ Lands
Authors: Ballantyne Brian , Rogers Steve , Sullivan Peter
Published: November 2012

Land tenure reform on First Nations’ Reserves is linked with surveys. Entry by a First Nation into the existing First Nations Lands Management regime requires that the external boundary of each Reserve be described; 45% of 192 descriptions have required a survey. First Nations entering the conceptual First Nations Property Ownership regime will require such a description; in addition, parcel fabric within each Reserve will be measured and renewed. Fabric quality is assessed with a Parcel Fabric Index (PFI) equation that compares improvements on the ground to formal parcels. The PFI allows comparison across Reserves and with off-Reserve communities. The median PFI of 0.72 calculated for a sample of 118 Reserves was lower than for non-Reserve communities; PFI for each Reserve correlates negatively with remoteness and positively with community well-being. Pilots at five Reserves reveals that parcel fabric renewal is primarily a social—not a measuring—exercise; that low costs per parcel can be achieved owing to economies of scale; and that long time-frames are necessarily a function of community structure, consultation and acceptance.
Boundary Dispute Resolution: A Comparison of Ontario’s Boundaries Act and Surveys Act as Solutions for Municipal Roads
Authors: Barzo John
Published: November 2012

In resolving boundary disputes in Ontario, there are two separate statutory regimes that can be utilized by municipalities (and others). Focusing on the context of municipalities and disputes in relating to the location of roads, this paper provides a comparative analysis of Ontario’s Boundaries Act and the long ignored municipal resurvey provisions in the Surveys Act. It is the writer’s thesis that in these circumstances, the Surveys Act provides for a more efficient and better cost recovery process for municipalities than the regime set out in the Boundaries Act.
Measuring the success of a farm animal welfare education event
Authors: Jamieson J , Reiss MJ , Allen D , Asher L , Wathes CM , Abeyesinghe SM
Published: November 2012

Education of children about farm animal welfare could affect welfare standards, through influence on current and future purchasing of animal products, and improve general consideration for animals. Establishing success requires evaluation. Here, a farm animal educational event for 13 to 14 year-old schoolchildren, focusing on chicken biology, welfare and food labelling, was assessed. Alterations in knowledge, attitude and a proxy measure of behaviour towards animals and their welfare, key aspects expected to impact on animal welfare, were investigated using questionnaires. These key aspects were predicted to increase following event attendance and remain higher than in the non-attending control group three months later. Knowledge and positive behaviour towards specific poultry species increased significantly in attendees but, although remaining greater than pre-attendance, tended to diminish over time. Value afforded to animal life was unaffected by the event. Consideration of welfare needs was significantly greater overall in attendees than non-attendees, but appeared to be characteristic of children choosing to attend the event, rather than the eventper se. Importance attributed to animal welfare followed a hierarchy from survival-relevant, eg freedom from hunger and thirst, to less critical needs, eg stimulation. The specific species under consideration had the most significant effect on attitudes; consistent with predictions based on perceptions of the animals’ ‘complexity’, cognitive ability, similarity to humans and use. Further investigation into the aetiology of attitude and potential barriers to attitude change is required to effect attitude change and determine whether attitude alteration could support maintenance of shifts in knowledge and behaviour.
Incidence of dog bites and public attitudes towards dog care and management in Samoa
Authors: Farnworth MJ , Blaszak KA , Hiby EF , Waran NK
Published: November 2012

In many developing nations, dogs(Canis familiaris)present a significant issue in terms of human health, safety and animal welfare. We assessed attitudes towards dogs and their management in Samoa, a developing South Pacific island nation, using a questionnaire. It demonstrated that Samoa has one of the world's highest recorded levels of household dog ownership (88%) but a comparatively low rate of vaccination (12%) and sterilisation (19%). Those interviewed believe dogs were important and should be considered part of the family; however most households reported that their dogs were kept for protection (79%). There was a clear skew in the sex distribution. The dog population showed a strong male bias (71%) suggesting females are removed from the population. Of those surveyed only 16% had received any education about dogs and their management and overall the respondents showed a clear disparity between attitudes and behaviour (eg the majority believe dogs should be vaccinated [81%] yet most dogs in this sample [72%] had never been to a veterinarian). Overall, there was a willingness to manage the free-roaming dog population which was considered by many to be a nuisance, however there were few enforceable mechanisms by which this could occur and most dogs were not confined. Harm or killing of dogs was relatively commonplace with 30% of households reporting they knew someone who had harmed or killed a dog and 26% of respondents indicating they believed harming or killing dogs was good for Samoan society, presumably by reducing problems associated with the free-roaming population. Dog bites were relatively frequent in Samoa and reports from two hospitals indicated a frequency of 37 new bitesper annumrequiring hospitalisation per 10,000 head of population. Furthermore, this paper outlines strategies and further research that could be considered to improve dog welfare and reduce the need to harm or kill dogs, namely improvements in veterinary provision and dog-focused education. It also considers the need for legislative controls and more research and funding to be made available for small developing nations to explore their animal welfare obligations.
Human-animal relationships in the Norwegian dairy goat industry: attitudes and empathy towards goats (Part I)
Authors: Muri K , Tufte PA , Skjerve E , Valle PS
Published: November 2012

The quality of human-animal relationships in the livestock industries has been increasingly recognised as an important determinant of animal welfare. Attitudes and empathy are multi-dimensional traits that may be associated with the stockpersons’ behaviour. The aim of this study was to determine the dimensionality of the goat-oriented attitudes and empathy of stockpeople in the Norwegian dairy goat industry. We also explored how empathic and attitudinal dimensions are interrelated, and how the demographic background variables may predict empathy and attitudes. A total of 260 dairy goat farmers participated in the study, by the means of either postal or internet-based questionnaire formats. Multi-item rating scales were developed specifically for the assessment of attitudes and empathy towards goats, and Principal Component Factor Analysis was conducted to determine the dimensionality of the farmers’ goat-oriented attitudes and empathy. Subsequently, linear and ordinal regression analyses were performed to explore the interrelationships. The analyses revealed dimensions of empathy that can be recognised from studies of human-oriented empathy, and attitude dimensions that can be interpreted similarly as dimensions described in studies from other livestock industries. Our results show that different dimensions of attitudes and empathy were associated with different demographic variables, and that each empathy dimension was associated with a different attitude factor.
Prevention of HIV‐1 infection 2013: glimmers of hope
Authors: Cohen M
Published: November 2012

The efficiency of transmission of HIV depends on the infectiousness of the index case and the susceptibility of those exposed. Infectiousness is dictated by the concentration of HIV‐1 in relevant fluids (regardless of route of transmission) and the viral genotype and phenotype. People newly infected with HIV‐1 (i.e. acute infection) and those with STI co‐infections excrete such a large concentration of virus as to be “hyperinfectious.” The actual transmission of HIV likely occurs in the first few hours after exposure. The probability of transmission may be as low as 1/10,000 episodes of intercourse or 1/10 sexual exposures when anal intercourse is practiced. The transmission of HIV is generally limited to one or a small number of founder variants which themselves may be “hyperinfectious.” Synergistic behavioural and biologic HIV prevention strategies have been developed and implemented. Safer sex includes limiting the number of sexual partners, use of male latex condoms, and structural interventions to reduce exposure. These strategies appear to have contributed to reduced HIV incidence in many countries. Biological interventions have proved catalytic: these include treatment of inflammatory cofactors, voluntary male circumcision and use of antiviral agents either for infected people (who can be rendered remarkably less contagious) or as pre‐ and post‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP). Ecologic evidence suggests that broader, earlier antiviral treatment of HIV may be reducing incidence in some (but not all) populations. However, maximal benefit of HIV “treatment for prevention” and application of PrEP will likely require a program of universal “test and treat,” where many more infected patients are identified, linked to care, and treated very early in disease and for life. Community randomized trials designed to support this approach are under way in Africa. The “test and treat” prevention strategy is resource‐intensive and serves to emphasize research that searches for a cure for HIV infection so that people living with HIV can eventually reduce or stop treatment. Likewise, success in HIV prevention emphasizes the importance of development of an HIV vaccine, which remains focused on agents that may evoke CTL responses, antibody dependent cytotoxicity, and (perhaps most important) broad neutralizing antibodies. A human clinical trial (RV144) and animal experiments have provided hope, excitement and a roadmap for development of an HIV vaccine.
HIV eradication: virological chances and clinical perspectives
Authors: Perno C
Published: November 2012

Once a retrovirus infects a eukaryotic cell and integrates within chromosomal DNA, it becomes part of its genome and can be activated/transcribed/translated to produce viral proteins and/or new viral particles. Over the years, some of these retroviruses may lose their pathogenicity and become adapted to the new host. Under these conditions, retroviruses can paradoxically ameliorate the functional portfolio of the infected cell, thus potentially increasing its functionality and/or chances of survival in a difficult environment. Individuals whose cells are infected by retroviruses have acquired, in the last millions of years, innovative functions that, once transmitted to the new generation through germinal cells, have become essential for their homeostasis, or even for their survival. This is the case of some endogenous retroviruses, whose products are mandatory for the proper vascularization of human placenta. To our knowledge, there are no natural means able to selectively eliminate retroviral genes from an infected cell or an individual. Therefore, the chances of getting naturally cured by retroviruses, once infection is set and viral genomes are spread into the body, are minimal or absent. HIV is a retrovirus that behaves as all other retroviruses that interacted with humans in the past millennia. Its fate is to remain forever within the infected body. For these reasons, the chances of getting rid of HIV infection and being biologically cured (that is, eliminating all viral genomes from the body) are very limited if we consider current knowledge, biotechnology and available medical tools (yet it cannot be fully excluded in very peculiar cases). The option offered by the so‐called “functional cure” is different. In this case, medical manipulation may create conditions whereby viral genomes, decreased in number and function by proper therapies/vaccines, are no longer able to harm the host for an indefinite period of time. Patients do remain infected, but viral replicative cycles are absent, and progression of the disease is interrupted. This latter clinical approach may be suitable, and this is where clinical research is directing its efforts. If achievable, infected persons should cope with the virus and keep it under control for decades, without support of chronic antiviral therapy. In conclusion, the proper knowledge of the biological characteristics of HIV helps in selecting the best strategies aimed at obtaining the maximum achievable clinical result.
Late presenters: what can we do?
Authors: Mussini C
Published: November 2012

Late presentation represents a major problem for patients with HIV infection. Actually, it should be made a distinction between late testers and late presenters since the strategies to reduce the percentage of these two groups of subjects could be different. Indeed, the first population is represented by individuals unaware of their serological status, while in the second case the problem is related to engagement and retention in care. Concerning the first population, it has been shown that most of the patients had been seen by their family doctor or admitted to hospital during the year before HIV diagnosis. Indeed, this is a relevant problem, and new strategies to increase the level of suspicion of HIV infection among doctors who are non‐HIV specialists are needed, as testing in presence of indicator diseases, should be applied. Concerning the population of late presenters, American data showed a percentage of engagement in care ranging between 50 and 59%. These low percentages could be due to the American Health System, while in a public health system setting, the percentage of patients not engaged in care or lost to follow‐up could be lower, even if still relevant. Another important factor that should be considered in both populations is stigma. Indeed, many patients that present late, either late testers or late presenters, are immigrants and have important cultural barriers to disclose their HIV serostatus to family members and friends. Obviously, all subjects unaware or refusing their HIV infection could potentially infect their partners. In conclusion, all efforts should be made to reduce the phenomenon of late presentation since these two populations represent an epidemiological problem not only for the prognosis of the single patient but also for the treatment as prevention strategy.
HIV, co‐morbidity and ageing
Authors: Reiss P
Published: November 2012

As treatment for HIV infection needs to be used continuously and lifelong, issues concerning long‐term outcomes, including those involving tolerability and safety of treatment, are gaining increasing importance. Although current combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) regimens are generally better tolerated than those in the early days of cART, treatment toxicity remains an important cause for discontinuation of (components) of treatment. Moreover, several of the potential toxicities of cART (including cardiovascular, metabolic, renal and bone toxicity) overlap with known ageing‐associated co‐morbidities. Given that our patient population with HIV is increasingly getting older as a result of the success of cART in reducing traditional HIV‐associated morbidity and mortality, these co‐morbidities are increasingly being seen and importantly influence patient management. Moreover, persons with HIV, in spite of having suppressed viraemia on cART seem to be at increased risk of the premature development of age‐associated non‐communicable co‐morbidities, including cardiovascular, chronic kidney, liver and pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, non‐AIDS associated malignancies, and neurocognitive impairment. It has therefore been hypothesised that such individuals, despite effective cART, may be prone to accelerated ageing. The underlying pathogenesis is likely to be multifactorial and, apart from include sustained immune activation, both systemically and within the central nervous system. The presentation will review the current state of knowledge and investigation in this area.
Life expectancy of HIV‐1‐positive individuals approaches normal conditional on response to antiretroviral therapy: UK Collaborative HIV Cohort Study
Authors: May M , Gompels M , Sabin C
Published: November 2012

Life expectancies (LEs) of patients in UK Collaborative HIV Cohort (UK CHIC) stratified by CD4 count at start of antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been estimated [1] but not gains in years of life in response to ART. We estimated LE associated with attained CD4 count and viral suppression at different durations of ART. Patients in UK CHIC aged > 20 years who started ART in 2000 to 2008 (excluding person who injects drugs) were followed to end of 2010. All‐cause mortality was ascertained from clinic notes and by linkage to national records. We used the nearest CD4 count before ART and the last in each of years 1 to 5 of ART and determined whether patients were virally suppressed (HIV‐1 RNA < 400 copies/mL) in the past year for those remaining under follow‐up. Poisson models were used to estimate mortality rates by sex, age, latest CD4 count (<200, 200 to 349,≥350) and viral suppression for each duration of ART. Abridged life tables were constructed from age‐specific mortality rates to estimate LE for ages 20 to 85 years. Results are presented as the average number of years that will be lived after exact age 35 years. A total of 17,021 patients started ART from 2000 to 2008 of whom 708 (4.2%) died; 3956 (23%) were lost to study follow‐up. There was no difference in mortality between those with attained CD4 350 to 499 and ≥ 500. On starting ART, male LE at exact age 35 was 36, 44 and 42 (female LE 38, 46 and 44) years for attained CD4 < 200, 200 to 349,≥350, respectively; after 5 years on ART, it was 22, 42 and 46 (female LE 27, 46 and 51) years, respectively. Only 17% of patients had CD4 ≥ 350 at ART start, compared with 78% of patients on ART for > 5 years. The difference in LE between suppressed versus unsuppressed patients was around 11 years. The figure shows that both CD4 count and viral suppression contribute to changes in LE. Male patients that increased their CD4 in the 1st year of ART from < 200 to 200–349 or ≥ 350 gained 6 and 11 years of LE to 42 and 48 years, respectively, with similar rises for women. Overall, LE was 4 years greater for those on ART for > 5 years compared with those starting ART. Individuals that attain viral suppression and a CD4 count > 350 within 1 year of ART start have a normal LE with 35‐year olds estimated to live to over 80 years on average. LE in patients with CD4 count < 200 beyond 5 years on ART drops by 15 years. Estimated LE may be biased by under‐ascertainment of deaths, missing CD4 measurements and extrapolation beyond available data.

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Treatment optimization in low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Cooper D
Published: November 2012

The unprecedented, successful collaborative international effort to provide universal access to HIV care, including effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), has reached a critical time point. The global economic downturn, changing donor priorities and competing priorities in the health sector threaten the capacity of various agencies to maintain support for the continued scale‐up of access toward the UN General Assembly‐agreed target of 15 million people with HIV/AIDS receiving ART by 2015. This aspiration has recently received added impetus as we have come to understand that treatment acts as prevention by reducing the infectiousness of treated individuals. It is now necessary to review the elements of the success to date, in order to be able to do more with less. These elements include efforts to optimize delivery of HIV care, including ART, in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC); the emergence of new agents and drug classes which have simplified HIV treatment and made broader successful management more achievable; and changes to commencement protocols. Recent studies have indicated that earlier commencement of HIV therapy is beneficial, leading to changes in the recommended ART initiation threshold in LMIC to <350 CD4 T cells/µL. Studies currently underway are investigating approaches to second‐line ART in LMIC. The results from these studies will better inform the rollout of effective second‐line therapy. In addition, the financial cost of ART makes optimization of dosing an important consideration in LMIC, in order to maximize effectiveness while limiting costs. ART monitoring is also an important priority in LMIC. Efforts to develop simple and reliable technologies that can provide rapid results in the field are underway. The final priority is operational optimization, to ensure service delivery through initiatives such as exploiting economies of scale and the training and retention of health professionals. Although the challenges in LMIC are substantial and evolving, considerable inroads have been and are being made into optimizing HIV treatment in this area, which is crucial in reducing the global impact of the disease.
Immunohistochemical Detection of the Putative Mechanoproteins ASIC2 and TRPV4 in Avian Herbst Sensory Corpuscles
Authors: Cabo R. , Gálvez A. , Laurà R. , San José I. , Pastor J.F. , López‐Muñiz A. , García‐Suárez O. , Vega J.A.
Published: November 2012

The avian Herbst corpuscles are the equivalent of the Pacinian corpuscles in mammals, and detect vibration and the movement of joints and feathers. Therefore, they can be regarded as rapidly adapting low‐threshold mechanoreceptors. In recent years, it has been establish that some ion channels are involved in mechanosensation and are present in both mechanosensory neurons and mechanoreceptors. Here we have used immunohistochemistry to localize some putative mechanoproteins in the Herbst corpuscles from the rictus of Columba livia. The proteins investigated were the subunits of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), the transient‐receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), and the acid‐sensing ion channel 2 (ASIC2). Immunoreactivity for ENaC subunits was never found in Herbst corpuscles, while the axon expressed ASIC2 and TRPV4 immunoreactivity. Moreover, TRPV4 was also detected in the cell forming the inner core. The present results demonstrate for the first time the occurrence of mechanoproteins in avian low‐threshold mechanoreceptors and provide further evidence for a possible role of the ion channels in mechanosensation. Anat Rec, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Force modulated conductance of artificial coiled‐coil protein monolayers
Authors: Atanassov Alexander , Hendler Ziv , Berkovich Inbal , Ashkenasy Gonen , Ashkenasy Nurit
Published: November 2012

Studies of charge transport through proteins bridged between two electrodes have been the subject of intense research in recent years. However, the complex structure of proteins makes it difficult to elucidate transport mechanisms, and the use of simple peptide oligomers may be an over simplified model of the proteins. To bridge this structural gap, we present here studies of charge transport through artificial parallel coiled‐coil proteins conducted in dry environment. Protein monolayers uniaxially oriented at an angle of ∼ 30° with respect to the surface normal were prepared. Current voltage measurements, obtained using conductive‐probe atomic force microscopy, revealed the mechano‐electronic behavior of the protein films. It was found that the low voltage conductance of the protein monolayer increases linearly with applied force, mainly due to increase in the tip contact area. Negligible compression of the films for loads below 26 nN allowed estimating a tunneling attenuation factor, β0, of 0.5–0.6 Å−1, which is akin to charge transfer by tunneling mechanism, despite the comparably large charge transport distance. These studies show that mechano‐electronic behavior of proteins can shed light on their complex charge transport mechanisms, and on how these mechanisms depend on the detailed structure of the proteins. Such studies may provide insightful information on charge transfer in biological systems. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 100: 93–99, 2013.
Randomized control study of the outback LTD reentry catheter versus manual reentry for the treatment of chronic total occlusions in the superficial femoral artery
Authors: Gandini Roberto , Fabiano Sebastiano , Spano Sergio , Volpi Tommaso , Morosetti Daniele , Chiaravalloti Antonio , Nano Giovanni , Simonetti Giovanni
Published: November 2012

Purpose

To assess the efficacy and safety of the Outback device in patients with a chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the superficial femoral artery and evaluate its impact on fluoroscopy and procedural times.

Materials and methods

From October 2006 to March 2007, 52 patients affected by TASC II‐D superficial femoral artery CTO were treated with subintimal recanalization. Clinical indications for endovascular recanalization were: claudication, tissue loss, and at rest leg pain with critical limb ischemia. In 26 patients the manual reentry technique was used and in 26 the OUTBACK®LTD Re‐Entry Catheter was used. Total procedure time, fluoroscopy time and precision in targeting the expected reentry site have been compared.

Results

Technical success was achieved in all cases (100%). In group 2, the planned in‐target re‐entry was achieved in 11/26 cases (42.3%). The procedure was performed with a traditional antegrade approach in 23/26 (88.4%) cases and in three cases (11.6%) a combined antegrade/retrograde approach was necessary. In group 1, the in‐target re‐entry was achieved in 26/26 cases (100%). In group 2, the mean procedural time was 55.4 ± 14.2 min with a mean fluoroscopy time 39.6 ± 13.9 min compared to 36.0 ± 9.4 min and 29.8 ± 8.9 min, respectively, of group 1 (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

In our experience, the use of this device is very useful for the revascularization of chronic femoral occlusions, even calcific, in which an accurate re‐entry cannot be achieved with the conventional subintimal technique. In these cases, the Outback device grants high technical success rates and a significant reduction of procedural and fluoroscopy times. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nitrogen‐Rich Bis‐1,2,4‐triazoles—A Comparative Study of Structural and Energetic Properties
Authors: Dippold Alexander A. , Klapötke Thomas M.
Published: November 2012

In this contribution, the synthesis and full structural and spectroscopic characterization of five bis‐1,2,4‐triazoles in combination with different energetic moieties like amino, nitro, nitrimino, azido, and dinitromethylene groups is presented. The main goal is a comparative study on the influence of those energetic moieties on the structural and energetic properties. A complete characterization including IR, Raman, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy of all compounds is presented. Additionally, X‐ray crystallographic measurements were performed and deliver insight into structural characteristics as well as inter‐ and intramolecular interactions. The standard enthalpies of formation were calculated for all compounds at the CBS‐4M level of theory, the detonation parameters were calculated by using the EXPLO5.05 program. Additionally, the impact as well as the friction sensitivities and the sensitivity against electrostatic discharge were determined. The potential application of the synthesized compounds as energetic material will be studied and evaluated by using the experimentally obtained values for the thermal decomposition, the sensitivity data, and the calculated performance characteristics.