bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vascular Endothelial Cadherin Modulates Renal Interstitial Fibrosis
Authors: Yamaguchi Ikuyo , Tchao Bie Nga , Burger Megan L. , Yamada Muneharu , Hyodo Toshitake , Giampietro Costanza , Eddy Allison A.
Published: November 2011

Background/Aims: Renal interstitial fibrosis is a final common pathway of all chronic, progressive kidney diseases. Peritubular capillary rarefaction is strongly correlated with fibrosis. The adherens junction protein vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) is thought to play a critical role in vascular integrity. We hypothesized that VE-cadherin modulates the renal microcirculation during fibrogenesis and ultimately affects renal fibrosis. Methods: Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was used as a renal fibrosis model in VE-cadherin heterozygote (VE+/–) and wild-type (WT) mice, and the kidneys were harvested at days 3, 7, and 14. Peritubular capillary changes and fibrogenesis were investigated. Results: VE+/– mice had lower levels of VE-cadherin protein than WT mice at 3 and 7, but not 14 days after UUO. Vascular permeability was significantly greater in VE+/– mice 7 days after UUO, while peritubular capillary density was not significantly different in VE+/– and WT mice. Interstitial myofibroblast numbers and collagen I and III mRNA levels were significantly higher in VE+/– mice, consistent with a stronger early fibrogenic response. Expression of the pericyte marker neuron-glial antigen 2 was upregulated after UUO, but was not greater in VE+/– mice compared to the WT mice. Conclusion: Our data suggest that VE-cadherin controls vascular permeability and limits fibrogenesis after UUO.
Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Gene Transfer to Renal Tubule Cells via a Retrograde Ureteral Approach
Authors: Chung Daniel C. , Fogelgren Ben , Park Kwon Moo , Heidenberg Jessica , Zuo Xiaofeng , Huang Liwei , Bennett Jean , Lipschutz Joshua H.
Published: November 2011

Background/Aims: Gene therapy involves delivery of exogenous DNA to provide a therapeutic protein. Ideally, a gene therapy vector should be non-toxic, non-immunogenic, easy to produce, and efficient in protecting and delivering DNA into target cells. Methods: Adeno-associated virus (AAV) offers these advantages and few, if any, disadvantages, and over 100 isolates exist. We previously showed that AAV-mediated gene therapy can be used to restore vision to patients with Leber’s congenital amaurosis, a disease of childhood blindness. Results: Here we show that novel recombinant AAV2/8 and AAV2/9 transduce kidney tubule cells with high efficiency both in vitroin cell culture and in vivoin mice. In addition, we adapted and modified a retrograde approach to allow for optimal transgene delivery to renal tubular cells that further minimizes the risk of an immunogenic reaction. Conclusions: We believe that recombinant AAV2, especially AAV2/8, gene delivery to renal tubule cells via a retrograde approach represents a viable method for gene therapy for a multitude of renal disorders ranging from autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease to acute kidney injury.
Characterizing Small Supernumerary Marker Chromosomes with Combination of Multiple Techniques
Authors: Yu S. , Fiedler S.D. , Brawner S.J. , Joyce J.M. , Zhou X.G. , Liu H.Y.
Published: November 2011

Fourteen cases with constitutional small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMCs) were assessed by combination of diverse techniques including genome-wide high-resolution chromosomal microarray (CMA), chromosome banding analysis (G banding), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Of the 14 sSMCs, 4 were complex sSMCs composed of genomic materials from more than one chromosome, 7 were simple sSMCs which contain only centromeric and/or pericentromeric regions from individual chromosomes, and the remaining 3 sSMCs contained inverted duplications. CMA precisely defined the breakpoints and genetic contents in 12 of the 14 sSMCs but failed to identify 2 of the 14 sSMCs due to lack of detectable euchromatin. In addition, CMA revealed unexpected genomic abnormalities in 2 cases. FISH techniques were necessary for the determination of the physical location, structure, formation mechanism, mosaic level, and origin of all these sSMCs. Our data emphasize the necessity to combine these methods for comprehensive characterization of sSMCs
The Transposition Advancement Flap for Repair of Postsurgical Defects on the Upper Lip
Authors: Skaria A.M.
Published: November 2011

Background: Skin cancer of the lip is frequent, and reconstruction after Mohs surgery might be challenging mostly when the postsurgical defect has a size of more than 1 cm2 and is situated adjacent to the philtrum. Objective: We present a combination of a transposition and advancement flap for the reconstruction of postsurgical defects of the upper lip. Methods: Demonstration of the technique and practical application for this kind of reconstruction. Results: The transposition advancement flap (TAF) presents excellent results for medium defects of the upper lip medially adjacent to the philtrum. Conclusion: The TAF can be used in the reconstruction of the major part of postsurgical lip defects in the medial two fifths of the upper lip without any risk of lip distortion. As this flap is easy to perform, it is an important tool in the armamentarium of the dermatologic surgeon.
Molecular Pathogenesis of Pancreatic Cancer and Clinical Perspectives
Authors: Matthaios D. , Zarogoulidis P. , Balgouranidou I. , Chatzaki E. , Kakolyris S.
Published: November 2011

Pancreatic cancer remains stubbornly resistant to many key cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents and novel targeted therapies. The molecular heterogeneity of this cancer may account for therapy failures to date, although our growing arsenal of novel targeted agents could translate into patient survival. The main objectives of this review are to elucidate histological subtypes of pancreatic neoplasms that exhibit the characteristic of a gradual process of differentiation from benign entities to malignant ones. In addition, important genes, molecular abnormalities, and significant pathways of pancreatic cancer are analyzed and a potential clinical interpretation is presented (p16/cdkn2a, k-ras mutations, smad-4/tgf-/stat3, stk-11, braf, brca-2, neurotensin, mucs proteins, palb2, mitochondrial mutations, DNA mismatch repair genes, methylation, microrna expression, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, egfr mutations, the pi3k-akt-mtor pathway, the vegf pathway, heat shock proteins, cxcr4, the cox pathway, the src pathway, the hedgehog pathway, pancreatic stellate cells, a progression model, and molecular events in uncommon pancreatic tumors). Finally, future therapeutic directions are elucidated.
Quality of Life and the Effect of Memantine in Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
Authors: Larsson Victoria , Engedal Knut , Aarsland Dag , Wattmo Carina , Minthon Lennart , Londos Elisabet
Published: November 2011

Aim: To investigate quality of life (QOL) and the effect of memantine treatment in patients with Lewy body dementias. Methods: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled study in 70 patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) over 24 weeks using caregiver-rated QOL-Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in domains according to the WHO’s classification of health. Results: Baseline QOL shows lower ratings for body functions over environmental factors in DLB/PDD. Treatment with memantine significantly improves life as a whole compared to placebo and improves total QOL, body function and structure. Conclusion: This study shows that memantine improves QOL in Lewy body dementias. We also demonstrate important QOL patterns which can be used in clinical practice.
Renal function and long-term mortality in patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis
Authors: Pernicka Elisabeth , Niessner Alexander , Goliasch Georg , Amighi Jasmin , Koppensteiner Renate , Minar Erich , Mlekusch Wolfgang , Rumpold Helmut , Wagner Oswald , Schillinger Martin , Hoke Matthias
Published: November 2011

Renal dysfunction is a risk factor for mortality in patients with atherosclerosis. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), cystatin C (CysC) and beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) are measures of renal function. It remains unclear, which of these parameters is the strongest predictor of outcome in patients with atherosclerosis. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality were prospectively investigated in 1,065 consecutive patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis. During a median follow-up of 6.3 years 275 patients died (25.8%), including 182 (66.2%) from cardiovascular causes. Estimated GFR, CysC and B2M were all significantly and independently associated with mortality. Inclusion of the renal parameters CysC and B2M but not of eGFR into a model with established cardiovascular risk factors improved the C-statistics significantly (p=0.0035 and 0.036, respectively; p=0.182 for eGFR). The net reclassification improvement (NRI) was 32.4% (p<0.0001) for CysC, 29% (p<0.0001) for B2M, and 16.5% (p=0.019) for eGFR. The integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) was 0.014 (p=0.0009) for CysC and 0.011 (p=0.005) for B2M while it was not significant for eGFR. Results were consistent for various subgroups with different extent of atherosclerosis. In summary, CysC and B2M were found to be independent predictors for mortality and had superior predictive value compared to eGFR in patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis. The clinical importance of these findings has to be validated in larger studies with a community-based approach.
Civil–Military Control over the Swedish Military Profession
Authors: Hedlund Erik
Published: November 2011

Civil–military relations and the autonomy of the military profession in Sweden have varied over time depending on the perceived level of external threats. In this article, we set out to conduct an analysis of Swedish civil–military relations over a period of more than twenty-five years from 1984 to 2011. Our analysis is made from the perspective of civil–military control of (1) the military officer rank system and (2) the professional officer education system, for all three services. The analysis is based on Samuel Huntington’s and Morris Janowitz’s theoretical discussion of “objective” and “subjective” civilian control over the military and will give answers on how the Swedish armed forces have been effected by objective and subjective civilian control during the late Cold War era and after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The findings of this study confirm the assumption that civil–military relations vary over time because of perceived external threats but also because of new threats, new tasks, and increased globalization and cooperation in multinational international operations.
Early roots of adult competence
Authors: Englund Michelle M. , Kuo Sally I-Chun , Puig Jennifer , Collins W. Andrew
Published: November 2011

Social capital has traditionally been defined in terms of the amount of resources that one derives as a result of a diversity of interpersonal relationships. However, the quality of these relationships across development has not been examined as a contributor to social capital and few studies have examined the significance of various age-salient relationships in predicting adaptive functioning, especially testing for cumulative effects over time. Using data from the Minnesota Longitudinal Study of Risk and Adaptation, developmental models spanning from infancy to adulthood were tested via path modeling, linking quality of various age-salient relationships (e.g., infant–caregiver attachment, peer competence, friendship security, and effectiveness in romantic relationships) to global adaptive functioning at age 28. As hypothesized, quality of age-salient relationships during different developmental periods predicted the quality of subsequent relationships, but also showed links with adaptive functioning in early adulthood. Results also showed that the quality of infant attachment relationships not only was linked with more proximal relationships, but also had direct effects on global functioning, suggesting the potential significance of early relationship quality in adaption and well-being in adulthood.
Dimensions of social capital and life adjustment in the transition to early adulthood
Authors: Pettit Gregory S. , Erath Stephen A. , Lansford Jennifer E. , Dodge Kenneth A. , Bates John E.
Published: November 2011

The predictive relations between social capital depth (high-quality relationships across contexts) and breadth (friendship network extensivity) and early-adult life adjustment outcomes were examined using data from a prospective longitudinal study. Interviews at age 22 yielded (a) psychometrically sound indexes of relationship quality with parents, peers, and romantic partners that served as indicators of a latent construct of social capital depth, and (b) a measure of number of close friends. In follow-up interviews at age 24, participants reported on their behavioral adjustment, educational attainment, and arrests and illicit substance use. Early-adolescent assessments of behavioral adjustment and academic performance served as controls; data on what were construed as interpersonal assets (teacher-rated social skills) and opportunities (family income) were also collected at this time. Results showed that depth was associated with overall better young-adult adjustment, net of prior adjustment, and assets and opportunities. Breadth was only modestly associated with later outcomes, and when its overlap with depth was taken into account, breadth predicted higher levels of subsequent externalizing problems. These findings are consistent with the notion that social capital is multidimensional and that elements of it confer distinct benefits during an important life transition.
Hyoid Bone Advancement for Improving Airway Patency
Authors: Rosenbluth Kathryn H. , Kwiat Dillon A. , Harrison Michael R. , Kezirian Eric J.
Published: November 2011

Objective

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of anterior forces applied to the hyoid bone on upper airway dimensions and airflow. The study also evaluated the feasibility of applying these forces using a novel magnet‐based system.

Study Design

Human cadaver specimens.

Setting

Surgical laboratory.

Subjects and Methods

Five fresh cadaveric specimens were evaluated using fluoroscopy and computed tomography to examine upper airway opening as well as an airflow model to examine upper airway collapse. Anteriorly directed force was applied to the hyoid bone directly using a wire and with a magnet‐based system called the Magnap device. Direct application of force was examined with an axial load frame or suspended weights. The magnet‐based system applied similar forces using an internal, implanted magnet secured to the hyoid bone and an external magnet housed within an orthotic brace.

Results

A force of 2 N perpendicular to the neck skin advanced the hyoid 1 cm, opened the upper airway, and significantly improved airflow. The implanted magnet‐based device generated similar forces, with similar effects on the upper airway.

Conclusion

Application of anterior force to the hyoid bone improved upper airway dimensions and airflow in the human cadaver model. These results justify additional study to evaluate the benefits of this magnet‐based system as a possible treatment of upper airway obstruction.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Frech Andreas , Falkensammer Juergen , Fraedrich Gustav , Schirmer Michael
Published: November 2011

Abdominal aortic aneurysms represent both an individual risk of mortality and a socioeconomic burden for health care systems worldwide, but screening is not performed in all countries. Here, the authors summarize the pros and cons of screening to reduce abdominal aortic aneurysm–related mortality.
Study on preparation of large sized nanoparticle reinforced aluminium matrix composite by solid–liquid mixed casting process
Authors: Su H , Gao W L , Zhang H , Liu H B , Lu J , Lu Z
Published: November 2011

This paper presents a new method for an inexpensive fabrication of large sized aluminium matrix nanocomposite, namely, the solid–liquid mixed (SLiM) casting technique accompanied with the idea of carrier ‘protein’ in the biochemistry. The results reveal that the poor dispersibility and low wettability of nanosized Al2O3 particles are obviously improved via the carrier agent of Al powder, and the large sized 0·6 wt-Al2O3–Al-2024 metal matrix nanocomposite (MMNC) with an uniformly nanosized particle distribution is successfully prepared by the SLiM casting process. Compared with the conventional stir casting, the tensile strength, yield strength and the hardness of the SLiM 0·6 wt-Al2O3–Al-2024 nanocomposite are enhanced by 59, 58 and 16 respectively. The present fabrication method is suitable for the production of other MMNCs. This work is expected to provide a guidance for the commercial preparation of the MMNC.
Effect of alloying on mechanical properties of as cast ferritic nodular cast irons
Authors: Sertucha J , Lacaze J , Serrallach J , Suárez R , Osuna F
Published: November 2011

The development of low temperature applications for ferritic nodular cast irons calls for improved materials in the as cast state, e.g. for off-shore windmills components. Within this line of work, a series of 68 castings were prepared with the same casting procedure and slight changes in composition. The tensile properties at room temperature, as well as the impact energy for rupture at room temperature, −20°C and −40°C, were measured. Outputs from multivariate analysis performed on the data are then discussed and compared to literature results, putting emphasis on the properties of the ferritic matrix.
Netted structure of grain boundary phases and its influence on electrical conductivity of Cu–Ni–Si system alloys
Authors: Jia L , Xie H , Lu Z L , Wang X , Wang S M
Published: November 2011

Cu–Ni–Si alloys with four different Cu contents were fabricated by means of smelting. Subsequently, isothermal aging and hot rolling followed by aging treatment were carried out. The microstructure and phase composition were characterised by optical microscope, transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer. Electrical conductivity was measured by using an eddy current based technique. The results show that the electrical conductivities of as cast Cu–Ni–Si alloys decrease obviously with a decline in Cu content. Isothermal aging is favourable to enhance the electrical conductivities of Cu–Ni–Si alloys with higher than 90Cu content rather than that with <90Cu content containing an integrated netted structure of grain boundary phases. The electrical conductivities of as rolled Cu–Ni–Si alloys can obviously be increased by subsequent aging treatment. The above results suggest that the disintegration of the integrated netted structure at the grain boundary is a promise to achieve high electrical conductivity for Cu–Ni–Si alloys.
Effects of T6 heat treatment on thermal stability and wear behaviour of Al–12·5Si–4·5Cu–1·0Mg alloy
Authors: Lee K Y , Lee S L , Wu C T , Chen W C , Lin J C
Published: November 2011

The present study elucidates how T6 heat treatment affects thermal stability and wear behaviour of Al–12·5Si–4·5Cu–1·0Mg alloy. The experimental alloys under as cast and T6 heat treated conditions were isothermally heat treated at 300°C for 100 h to investigate thermal stability and wear behaviour. Owing to the precipitation of a large amount of λ′ (Al5Cu2Mg8Si6) and θ′ (Al2Cu) phases, T6 heat treated alloy showed the highest hardness before isothermal heat treatment. The coarsening of λ′ and θ′ phases led to a large decrease in hardness following isothermal heat treatment. The thermal stability of the T6 heat treated alloy was much worse than that of the as cast alloy. For wear behaviour, the as cast and T6 heat treated alloys showed the same wear rate with 10 N load after isothermal heat treatment, which indicated that the wear rates of Al–12·5Si–4·5Cu–1·0Mg alloys were independent on T6 heat treatment. Under 40 N load, the wear resistance of as cast alloy was superior to that of T6 heat treated alloy after isothermal heat treatment.
Novel migrating mouse neural crest cell assay system utilizing P0-Cre/EGFP fluorescent time-lapse imaging
Authors: Kawakami Minoru , Umeda Masafumi , Nakagata Naomi , Takeo Toru , Yamamura Ken-ichi
Published: November 2011

Background

Neural crest cells (NCCs) are embryonic, multipotent stem cells. Their long-range and precision-guided migration is one of their most striking characteristics. We previously reported that P0-Cre/CAG-CAT-lacZ double-transgenic mice showed significant lacZ expression in tissues derived from NCCs.

Results

In this study, by embedding a P0-Cre/CAG-CAT-EGFP embryo at E9.5 in collagen gel inside a culture glass slide, we were able to keep the embryo developing ex vivo for more than 24 hours; this development was with enough NCC fluorescent signal intensity to enable single-cell resolution analysis, with the accompanying NCC migration potential intact and with the appropriate NCC response to the extracellular signal maintained. By implantation of beads with absorbed platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA), we demonstrated that PDGF-AA acts as an NCC-attractant in embryos.

We also performed assays with NCCs isolated from P0-Cre/CAG-CAT-EGFP embryos on culture plates. The neuromediator 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) has been known to regulate NCC migration. We newly demonstrated that dopamine, in addition to 5-HT, stimulated NCC migration in vitro. Two NCC populations, with different axial levels of origins, showed unique distribution patterns regarding migration velocity and different dose-response patterns to both 5-HT and dopamine.

Conclusions

Although avian species predominated over the other species in the NCC study, our novel system should enable us to use mice to assay many different aspects of NCCs in embryos or on culture plates, such as migration, division, differentiation, and apoptosis.
Construction and evaluation of a whole genome microarray of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Toepel Jörg , Albaum Stefan P , Arvidsson Samuel , Goesmann Alexander , la Russa Marco , Rogge Kristin , Kruse Olaf
Published: November 2011

Background

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is widely accepted as a model organism regarding photosynthesis, circadian rhythm, cell mobility, phototaxis, and biotechnology. The complete annotation of the genome allows transcriptomic studies, however a new microarray platform was needed. Based on the completed annotation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii a new microarray on an Agilent platform was designed using an extended JGI 3.1 genome data set which included 15000 transcript models.

Results

In total 44000 probes were determined (3 independent probes per transcript model) covering 93% of the transcriptome. Alignment studies with the recently published AUGUSTUS 10.2 annotation confirmed 11000 transcript models resulting in a very good coverage of 70% of the transcriptome (17000). Following the estimation of 10000 predicted genes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii our new microarray, nevertheless, covers the expected genome by 90-95%.

Conclusions

To demonstrate the capabilities of the new microarray, we analyzed transcript levels for cultures grown under nitrogen as well as sulfate limitation, and compared the results with recently published microarray and RNA-seq data. We could thereby confirm previous results derived from data on nutrient-starvation induced gene expression of a group of genes related to protein transport and adaptation of the metabolism as well as genes related to efficient light harvesting, light energy distribution and photosynthetic electron transport.
De novo assembly and characterization of a maternal and developmental transcriptome for the emerging model crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis
Authors: Zeng Victor , Villanueva Karina E , Ewen-Campen Ben S , Alwes Frederike , Browne William E , Extavour Cassandra G
Published: November 2011

Background

Arthropods are the most diverse animal phylum, but their genomic resources are relatively few. While the genome of the branchiopodDaphnia pulexis now available, no other large-scale crustacean genomic resources are available for comparison. In particular, genomic resources are lacking for the most tractable laboratory model of crustacean development, the amphipodParhyale hawaiensis. Insight into shared and divergent characters of crustacean genomes will facilitate interpretation of future developmental, biomedical, and ecological research using crustacean models.

Results

To generate a transcriptome enriched for maternally provided and zygotically transcribed developmental genes, we created cDNA from ovaries and embryos ofP. hawaiensis. Using 454 pyrosequencing, we sequenced over 1.1 billion bases of this cDNA, and assembled themde novoto create, to our knowledge, the second largest crustacean genomic resource to date. We found an unusually high proportion of C2H2 zinc finger-containing transcripts, as has also been reported for the genome of the pea aphidAcyrthosiphon pisum. Consistent with previous reports, we detected trans-spliced transcripts, but found that they did not noticeably impact transcriptome assembly. Our assembly products yielded 19,067 unique BLAST hits againstnr(E-value cutoff e-10). These included over 400 predicted transcripts with significant similarity toD. pulexsequences but not to sequences of any other animal. Annotation of several hundred genes revealedP. hawaiensishomologues of genes involved in development, gametogenesis, and a majority of the members of six major conserved metazoan signaling pathways.

Conclusions

The amphipodP. hawaiensishas higher transcript complexity than known insect transcriptomes, and trans-splicing does not appear to be a major contributor to this complexity. We discuss the importance of a reliable comparative genomic framework within which to consider findings from new crustacean models such asD. pulexandP. hawaiensis, as well as the need for development of further substantial crustacean genomic resources.
Herbal medicine use among urban residents in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Oreagba Ibrahim Adekunle , Oshikoya Kazeem Adeola , Amachree Mercy
Published: November 2011

Background

Over three-quarter of the world's population is using herbal medicines with an increasing trend globally. Herbal medicines may be beneficial but are not completely harmless.

This study aimed to assess the extent of use and the general knowledge of the benefits and safety of herbal medicines among urban residents in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods

The study involved 388 participants recruited by cluster and random sampling techniques. Participants were interviewed with a structured open- and close-ended questionnaire.

The information obtained comprises the demography and types of herbal medicines used by the respondents; indications for their use; the sources, benefits and adverse effects of the herbal medicines they used.

Results

A total of 12 herbal medicines (crude or refined) were used by the respondents, either alone or in combination with other herbal medicines. Herbal medicines were reportedly used by 259 (66.8%) respondents. 'Agbo jedi-jedi' (35%) was the most frequently used herbal medicine preparation, followed by 'agbo-iba' (27.5%) and Oroki herbal mixture® (9%). Family and friends had a marked influence on 78.4% of the respondents who used herbal medicine preparations. Herbal medicines were considered safe by half of the respondents despite 20.8% of those who experienced mild to moderate adverse effects.

Conclusions

Herbal medicine is popular among the respondents but they appear to be ignorant of its potential toxicities. It may be necessary to evaluate the safety, efficacy and quality of herbal medicines and their products through randomised clinical trial studies. Public enlightenment programme about safe use of herbal medicines may be necessary as a means of minimizing the potential adverse effects.
Epidemiology of imported malaria among children and young adults in Barcelona (1990-2008)
Authors: Garcia-Villarrubia Mireia , Millet Juan-Pablo , de Olalla Patricia Garcia , Gascón Joaquim , Fumadó Victoria , i Prat Jordi Gómez , Treviño Begoña , Pinazo María-Jesús , Cabezos Juan , Muñoz José , Zarzuela Francesc , Caylà Joan A
Published: November 2011

Background

Increasing international travel and migration is producing changes in trends in infectious diseases, especially in children from many European cities. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology and determine the trends of imported malaria in patients under 20 years old in the city of Barcelona, Spain, during an 18-year period.

Methods

The study included malaria cases that were laboratory confirmed and reported to the malaria register at the Public Health Agency of Barcelona from 1990 to 2008, residing in Barcelona and less than 20 years old. Patients were classified as natives (born in Spain) or immigrants. Differences in the distribution of demographic, clinical characteristics, and incidence per 100,000 person-year evolution were analysed. Natives and immigrants were compared by logistic regression by calculating the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and Chi-square for a linear trend (p < 0.05).

Results

Of the total 174 cases, 143 (82.1%) were immigrants, 100 (57.5%) were female, 121 (69.5%) Plasmodium falciparum, and 108 (62.1%) were visiting friends and relatives (VFR) as the reason for travel. Among the immigrants, 99 (67.8%) were from Equatorial Guinea. Immigrant cases more frequently travelled to Africa than natives (p = 0.02). The factors associated with imported malaria among immigrant residents was travelling for VFR (OR: 6.2 CI 1.9-20.2) and age 15-19 (OR: 3.7 CI 1-13.3). The incidence increased from 1990 to 1999 (p < 0.001) and decreased from 2000 to 2008 (p = 0.01), although the global linear trend was not statistically significant (p = 0.41). The fatality rate was 0.5%.

Conclusions

The majority of cases of malaria in population less than 20 years in Barcelona were immigrants, travelling to Africa for VFR and Plasmodium falciparum was most frequently detected. The trend analysis of the entire study period did not show a statistically significant decline. It is recommended to be aware of malaria, especially among children of immigrants who travel to their parent's home country for VFR. Better access to pre travel advice should be provided.
Impacts of impulsive noise from partial discharges on wireless systems performance: application to MIMO precoders
Authors: Madi Ghadir , Sacuto Fabien , Vrigneau Baptiste , Agba Basile L. , Pousset Yannis , Vauzelle Rodolphe , Gagnon François
Published: November 2011

To satisfy the smart grid electrical network, communication systems in high-voltage substations have to be installed in order to control equipments. Considering that those substations were not necessarily designed for adding communication networks, one of the most appropriate solutions is to use wireless sensor network (WSN). However, the high voltage transported through the station generates a strong and specific radio noise. In order to prepare for such a network, the electromagnetic environment has to be characterized and tests in laboratories have to be performed to estimate the communication performances. This paper presents a method for measuring the noise due to high voltage and more particularly the impulsive noise. In the laboratory, we generate the impulsive noise using two specimens, and we show that these laboratory measurements validate the field measurements of Pakala et al. For the two specimens, it aims to link the noise characteristics (magnitude and frequency) with the specimen parameters (power supply and geometric dimensions) to predict the environments where wireless communications can be troublesome. By using different sets of this measured noise, we show that the statistical model of Middleton Class A can be used to model the impulsive noise in high-voltage substations better than the Gaussian model. We consider a cooperative multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system to achieve the wireless sensor communication. This system uses recent MIMO techniques based on precoding like max-d
min and P-OSM precoders. The MIMO precoder-based cooperative system is a potential candidate for energy saving in WSN since energy efficiency optimization is a very important critical issue. Since MIMO precoders are with Gaussian noise assumption, we evaluate the performance of several MIMO precoders in the presence of impulsive noise using estimated parameters from the measured noise.
Strong convergent result for quasi-nonexpansive mappings in Hilbert spaces
Authors: Tian Ming , Jin Xin
Published: November 2011

In this article, we study an iterative method over the class of quasi-nonexpansive mappings which are more general than nonexpansive mappings in Hilbert spaces. Our strong convergent theorems include several corresponding authors' results.

2000 MSC: 58E35; 47H09; 65J15.
A stabilized mixed discontinuous Galerkin method for the incompressible miscible displacement problem
Authors: Luo Yan , Feng Minfu , Xu Youcai
Published: November 2011

A new fully discrete stabilized discontinuous Galerkin method is proposed to solve the incompressible miscible displacement problem. For the pressure equation, we develop a mixed, stabilized, discontinuous Galerkin formulation. We can obtain the optimal priori estimates for both concentration and pressure.
The association between serum adhesion molecules and outcome in acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Wang Hung-Chen , Lin Wei-Che , Lin Yu-Jun , Rau Cheng-Shyuan , Lee Tsung-Han , Chang Wen-Neng , Tsai Nai-Wen , Cheng Ben-Chung , Kung Chia-Te , Lu Cheng-Hsien
Published: November 2011

Introduction

Serum concentrations of adhesion molecules may be connected to the pathogenesis of secondary brain injury after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This study posits the hypothesis that levels of adhesion molecules substantially increase after ICH and are decreased thereafter, and that they can predict treatment outcomes.

Methods

Two hundred and thirty-nine blood samples were collected from 60 consecutive patients admitted within 24 hours after onset of spontaneous ICH and 60 blood samples were collected from 60 volunteers. Additional samples were obtained on Days 4, 7, 10, and 14 after onset of ICH regardless of clinical deterioration.

Results

Upon discharge, the therapeutic outcomes of the 60 spontaneous ICH cases based on the modified Rankin Disability Scale (mMRS) showed that 17 had no disability while 8.3% developed delayed cerebral infarction (DCI). Statistical analysis of adhesion molecules between patient groups with good outcome (mMRS = 0 or 1) and poor outcome (mMRS ≥2) revealed significant differences in diabetes mellitus (P=0.049), hyperlipidemia (P=0.012), mentality change (P=0.043), ICH volume and intraventricular hemorrhage on admission (P=0.036 and 0.006, respectively), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on admission (P≤0.001), neuro-surgical intervention (P=0.003), and sE-selectin and soluble intercellular cell adhesion-molecule-1 (sICAM-1) levels on admission (P=0.036 and 0.019, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis of these significant variables showed that GCS on admission, hyperlipidemia, and sICAM-1 (P=0.039, 0.042, and 0.022, respectively) were independently associated with outcome of acute spontaneous ICH.

Conclusion

Increased sICAM-1 and sE-selectin levels may imply poor therapeutic outcomes for the treatment of spontaneous ICH during hospitalization. These early inflammatory responses may cause whole-brain injury immediately after spontaneous ICH and offer a potential therapeutic target for such patients. The importance of these findings is that they offer a potential therapeutic target for patients with spontaneous ICH.
Microseismic monitoring and geomechanical modeling of CO2 storage in subsurface reservoirs
Authors: Verdon James
Published: November 2011

Geophysics publishes abstracts of dissertations and titles of master’s theses both in print and online. Recent graduates are invited to submit their abstracts or titles by completing and submitting the appropriate form found at http://seg.org/dissertationabstracts. Abstracts and titles will be reviewed and accepted or rejected based on their relevance to the readers of Geophysics. Abstracts must be written in English and defended in 2009 or later.
Imaging velocity and attenuation scatterers with wave equation migration
Authors: Hak Bobby
Published: November 2011

Geophysics publishes abstracts of dissertations and titles of master’s theses both in print and online. Recent graduates are invited to submit their abstracts or titles by completing and submitting the appropriate form found at http://seg.org/dissertationabstracts. Abstracts and titles will be reviewed and accepted or rejected based on their relevance to the readers of Geophysics. Abstracts must be written in English and defended in 2009 or later.
Fast 3D migration-velocity analysis by wavefield extrapolation using the prestack exploding-reflector model
Authors: Guerra Claudio , Biondi Biondo
Published: November 2011

In areas of complex geology, migration-velocity estimation should use methods that describe the complexity of wavefield propagation, such as focusing and defocusing, multipathing, and frequency-dependent velocity sensitivity. Migration-velocity analysis by wavefield extrapolation has the ability to address these issues because, in contrast to ray-based methods, it uses wavefields as carriers of information. However, its high cost and lack of flexibility with respect to model parametrization and to target-oriented analysis have prevented its routine industrial use. We overcome those limitations by using new types of wavefields as carriers of information: the image-space generalized wavefields. These wavefields are synthesized from a prestack image computed with wavefield-extrapolation methods, using the prestack exploding-reflector model. Cost of migration-velocity analysis (MVA) by wavefield extrapolation is decreased because only a small number of image-space generalized wavefields are necessary to accurately describe the kinematics of velocity errors and because these wavefields can be easily used in a target-oriented way. Flexibility is naturally incorporated because modeling these wavefields has as the initial conditions selected reflectors, which allow use of a horizon-based parametrization of the model space. In a 3D example of the North Sea, we show that using wavefields synthesized by the prestack exploding-reflector model greatly improves efficiency of MVA by wavefield extrapolation, while yielding a final migration-velocity model that is accurate as evidenced by well focused and structurally reasonable reflectors.
Neonatal Exposure to Estradiol/Bisphenol A Alters Promoter Methylation and Expression of Nsbp1 and Hpcal1 Genes and Transcriptional Programs of Dnmt3a/b and Mbd2/4 in the RatProstate Gland Throughout Life
Authors: Tang Wan-yee , Morey Lisa M. , Cheung Yuk Yin , Birch Lynn , Prins Gail S. , Ho Shuk-mei
Published: November 2011

Evidence supporting an early origin of prostate cancer is growing. We demonstrated previously that brief exposure of neonatal rats to estradiol or bisphenol A elevated their risk of developing precancerous lesions in the prostate upon androgen-supported treatment with estradiol as adults. Epigenetic reprogramming may be a mechanism underlying this inductive event in early life, because we observed overexpression of phosphodiesterase 4D variant 4 (Pde4d4) through induction of hypomethylation of its promoter. This epigenetic mark was invisible in early life (postnatal d 10), becoming apparent only after sexual maturation. Here, we asked whether other estrogen-reprogrammable epigenetic marks have similar or different patterns in gene methylation changes throughout life. We found that hypomethylation of the promoter of nucleosome binding protein-1 (Nsbp1), unlike Pde4d4, is an early and permanent epigenetic mark of neonatal exposure to estradiol/bisphenol A that persists throughout life, unaffected by events during adulthood. In contrast, hippocalcin-like 1 (Hpcal1) is a highly plastic epigenetic mark whose hypermethylation depends on both type of early-life exposure and adult-life events. Four of the eight genes involved in DNA methylation/demethylation showed early and persistent overexpression that was not a function of DNA methylation at their promoters, including genes encoding de novo DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt3a/b) and methyl-CpG binding domain proteins (Mbd2/4) that have demethylating activities. Their lifelong aberrant expression implicates them in early-life reprogramming and prostate carcinogenesis during adulthood. We speculate that the distinctly different fate of early-life epigenetic marks during adulthood reflects the complex nature of lifelong editing of early-life epigenetic reprogramming.
Renshaw cell interneuron specialization is controlled by a temporally restricted transcription factor program
Authors: Stam Floor J. , Hendricks Timothy J. , Zhang Jingming , Geiman Eric J. , Francius Cedric , Labosky Patricia A. , Clotman Frederic , Goulding Martyn
Published: November 2011

The spinal cord contains a diverse array of physiologically distinct interneuron cell types that subserve specialized roles in somatosensory perception and motor control. The mechanisms that generate these specialized interneuronal cell types from multipotential spinal progenitors are not known. In this study, we describe a temporally regulated transcriptional program that controls the differentiation of Renshaw cells (RCs), an anatomically and functionally discrete spinal interneuron subtype. We show that the selective activation of the Onecut transcription factors Oc1 and Oc2 during the first wave of V1 interneuron neurogenesis is a key step in the RC differentiation program. The development of RCs is additionally dependent on the forkhead transcription factor Foxd3, which is more broadly expressed in postmitotic V1 interneurons. Our demonstration that RCs are born, and activate Oc1 and Oc2 expression, in a narrow temporal window leads us to posit that neuronal diversity in the developing spinal cord is established by the composite actions of early spatial and temporal determinants.
Terrestrial feeding in aquatic turtles: environment-dependent feeding behavior modulation and the evolution of terrestrial feeding in Emydidae
Authors: Stayton Charles Tristan
Published: November 2011

Evolutionary transitions between aquatic and terrestrial environments are common in vertebrate evolution. These transitions require major changes in most physiological functions, including feeding. Emydid turtles are ancestrally aquatic, with most species naturally feeding only in water, but some terrestrial species can modulate their feeding behavior appropriately for both media. In addition, many aquatic species can be induced to feed terrestrially. A comparison of feeding in both aquatic and terrestrial environments presents an excellent opportunity to investigate the evolution of terrestrial feeding from aquatic feeding, as well as a system within which to develop methods for studying major evolutionary transitions between environments. Individuals from eight species of emydid turtles (six aquatic, two terrestrial) were filmed while feeding underwater and on land. Bite kinematics were analyzed to determine whether aquatic turtles modulated their feeding behavior in a consistent and appropriate manner between environments. Aquatic turtles showed consistent changes between environments, taking longer bites and using more extensive motions of the jaw and hyoid when feeding on land. However, these motions differ from those shown by species that naturally feed in both environments and mostly do not seem to be appropriate for terrestrial feeding. For example, more extensive motions of the hyoid are only effective during underwater suction feeding. Emydids evolving to feed on land probably would have needed to evolve or learn to overcome many, but not all, aspects of the intrinsic emydid response to terrestrial feeding. Studies that investigate major evolutionary transitions must determine what responses to the new environment are shown by naïve individuals in order to fully understand the evolutionary patterns and processes associated with these transitions.
Habituation under natural conditions: model predators are distinguished by approach direction
Authors: Raderschall Chloé A. , Magrath Robert D. , Hemmi Jan M.
Published: November 2011

Habituation is an active process that allows animals to learn to identify repeated, harmless events, and so could help individuals deal with the trade-off between reducing the risk of predation and minimizing escape costs. Safe habituation requires an accurate distinction between dangerous and harmless events, but in natural environments such an assessment is challenging because sensory information is often noisy and limited. What, then, comprises the information animals use to recognize objects that they have previously learned to be harmless? We tested whether the fiddler crab Uca vomeris distinguishes objects purely by their sensory signature or whether identification also involves more complex attributes such as the direction from which an object approaches. We found that crabs habituated their escape responses after repeated presentations of a dummy predator consistently approaching from the same compass direction. Females habituated both movement towards the burrow and descent into the burrow, whereas males only habituated descent into the burrow. The crabs were more likely to respond again when a physically identical dummy approached them from a new compass direction. The crabs distinguished between the two dummies even though both dummies were visible for the entire duration of the experiment and there was no difference in the timing of the dummies' movements. Thus, the position or approach direction of a dummy encodes important information that allows animals to identify an event and habituate to it. These results argue against the traditional notion that habituation is a simple, non-associative learning process, and instead suggest that habituation is very selective and uses information to distinguish between objects that is not available from the sensory signature of the object itself.
Dual Gamma Rhythm Generators Control Interlaminar Synchrony in Auditory Cortex
Authors: Ainsworth Matthew , Lee Shane , Cunningham Mark O. , Roopun Anita K. , Traub Roger D. , Kopell Nancy J. , Whittington Miles A.
Published: November 2011

Rhythmic activity in populations of cortical neurons accompanies, and may underlie, many aspects of primary sensory processing and short-term memory. Activity in the gamma band (30 Hz up to >100 Hz) is associated with such cognitive tasks and is thought to provide a substrate for temporal coupling of spatially separate regions of the brain. However, such coupling requires close matching of frequencies in co-active areas, and because the nominal gamma band is so spectrally broad, it may not constitute a single underlying process. Here we show that, for inhibition-based gamma rhythmsin vitroin rat neocortical slices, mechanistically distinct local circuit generators exist in different laminae of rat primary auditory cortex. A persistent, 30–45 Hz, gap-junction-dependent gamma rhythm dominates rhythmic activity in supragranular layers 2/3, whereas a tonic depolarization-dependent, 50–80 Hz, pyramidal/interneuron gamma rhythm is expressed in granular layer 4 with strong glutamatergic excitation. As a consequence, altering the degree of excitation of the auditory cortex causes bifurcation in the gamma frequency spectrum and can effectively switch temporal control of layer 5 from supragranular to granular layers. Computational modeling predicts the pattern of interlaminar connections may help to stabilize this bifurcation. The data suggest that different strategies are used by primary auditory cortex to represent weak and strong inputs, with principal cell firing rate becoming increasingly important as excitation strength increases.