bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy, inflammation and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Vinik Aaron I , Erbas Tomris , Casellini Carolina M
Published: January 2013

One of the most overlooked of all serious complications of diabetes is cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. There is now clear evidence that suggests activation of inflammatory cytokines in diabetic patients and that these correlate with abnormalities in sympathovagal balance. Dysfunction of the autonomic system predicts cardiovascular risk and sudden death in patients with type 2 diabetes. It also occurs in prediabetes, providing opportunities for early intervention. Simple tests that can be carried out at the bedside with real‐time output of information – within the scope of the practicing physician – facilitate diagnosis and allow the application of sound strategies for management. The window of opportunity for aggressive control of all the traditional risk factors for cardiovascular events or sudden death with intensification of therapy is with short duration diabetes, the absence of cardiovascular disease and a history of severe hypoglycemic events. To this list we can now add autonomic dysfunction and neuropathy, which have become the most powerful predictors of risk for mortality. It seems prudent that practitioners should be encouraged to become familiar with this information and apply risk stratification in clinical practice. Several agents have become available for the correction of functional defects in the autonomic nervous system, and restoration of autonomic balance is now possible.
Extension of the mitochondria dysfunction hypothesis of metabolic syndrome to atherosclerosis with emphasis on the endocrine‐disrupting chemicals and biophysical laws
Authors: Lee Hong Kyu , Shim Eun Bo
Published: January 2013

Metabolic syndrome and its component phenotypes, hyperglycemia, hypertension, (abdominal) obesity and hypertriglyceridemia, are major risk factors for atherosclerosis. Recently, associations between exposure to endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs), mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis have been established, suggesting a possible common mechanism underlying these phenomena. Extending a previously proposed mitochondria dysfunction theory of metabolic syndrome and using biophysical laws, such as metabolic scaling, Murray's law and fractal geometry of the vascular branching system, we propose that atherosclerosis could be explained as an ill‐adaptive change occurring in nutrient‐supplying arteries in response to the decreasing tissue energy demand caused by tissue mitochondrial dysfunction. Various aspects of this new hypothesis are discussed.
Best treatment practices for pachyonychia congenita
Authors: Goldberg I. , Fruchter D. , Meilick A. , Schwartz M.E. , Sprecher E.
Published: January 2013

Background

Numerous therapeutic modalities have been proposed to treat the manifestations of pachyonychia congenita (PC). While research hopes lie with molecular therapies, patients are in need of answers regarding the efficacy of conventional treatments.

Aim of the study

To determine patients' experience and preferences regarding conventional treatments for PC.

Methods

The study population included 120 PC patients from 20 countries. The study was based on a patient survey developed by physicians and researchers from the International Pachyonychia Congenita Consortium and conducted via the internet. Using an effectiveness scale of 1 to 5, the patients were asked to grade treatments for different manifestations, including keratoderma, cysts, follicular hyperkeratosis, fingernail and toenail involvement.

Results

Patients reported surgical treatments being most effective for cysts and mechanical treatments the most effective conventional therapeutic approach for all other investigated manifestations. The other conventional medical treatments were found to be non‐effective to only slightly effective. Among patients with keratoderma, older people were more likely to report beneficial effect from mechanical treatments (P = 0.04), topical retinoids (P = 0.04) and topical steroids (P = 0.02). Likewise, females were more inclined to report filing and grinding beneficial than males (P = 0.02). Finally, carriers of KRT16 and KRT6a were more likely to benefit from keratolytics than carriers of mutations in KRT17 (P = 0.04).

Conclusions

None of the currently available therapeutic options for PC are ideal, although they provide some relief, with mechanical/surgical options being preferred over medical therapies. These results emphasize the need for more efficient and targeted therapies.
Rapid, economical single‐nucleotide polymorphism and microsatellite discovery based on de novo assembly of a reduced representation genome in a non‐model organism: a case study of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua
Authors: Carlsson J. , Gauthier D. T. , Carlsson J. E. L. , Coughlan J. P. , Dillane E. , Fitzgerald R. D. , Keating U. , McGinnity P. , Mirimin L. , Cross T. F.
Published: January 2013

By combining next‐generation sequencing technology (454) and reduced representation library (RRL) construction, the rapid and economical isolation of over 25 000 potential single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and >6000 putative microsatellite loci from c. 2% of the genome of the non‐model teleost, Atlantic cod Gadus morhua from the Celtic Sea, south of Ireland, was demonstrated. A small‐scale validation of markers indicated that 80% (11 of 14) of SNP loci and 40% (6 of 15) of the microsatellite loci could be amplified and showed variability. The results clearly show that small‐scale next‐generation sequencing of RRL genomes is an economical and rapid approach for simultaneous SNP and microsatellite discovery that is applicable to any species. The low cost and relatively small investment in time allows for positive exploitation of ascertainment bias to design markers applicable to specific populations and study questions.
Outcomes of Care in Birth Centers: Demonstration of a Durable Model
Authors: Stapleton Susan Rutledge , Osborne Cara , Illuzzi Jessica
Published: January 2013

Introduction: The safety and effectiveness of birth center care have been demonstrated in previous studies, including the National Birth Center Study and the San Diego Birth Center Study. This study examines outcomes of birth center care in the present maternity care environment.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of women receiving care in 79 midwifery‐led birth centers in 33 US states from 2007 to 2010. Data were entered into the American Association of Birth Centers Uniform Data Set after obtaining informed consent. Analysis was by intention to treat, with descriptive statistics calculated for maternal and neonatal outcomes for all women presenting to birth centers in labor including those requiring transfer to hospital care.

Results: Of 15,574 women who planned and were eligible for birth center birth at the onset of labor, 84% gave birth at the birth center. Four percent were transferred to a hospital prior to birth center admission, and 12% were transferred in labor after admission. Regardless of where they gave birth, 93% of women had a spontaneous vaginal birth, 1% an assisted vaginal birth, and 6% a cesarean birth. Of women giving birth in the birth center, 2.4% required transfer postpartum, whereas 2.6% of newborns were transferred after birth. Most transfers were nonemergent, with 1.9% of mothers or newborns requiring emergent transfer during labor or after birth. There were no maternal deaths. The intrapartum fetal mortality rate for women admitted to the birth center in labor was 0.47/1000. The neonatal mortality rate was 0.40/1000 excluding anomalies.

Discussion: This study demonstrates the safety of the midwifery‐led birth center model of collaborative care as well as continued low obstetric intervention rates, similar to previous studies of birth center care. These findings are particularly remarkable in an era characterized by increases in obstetric intervention and cesarean birth nationwide.
Can Time‐Varying Risk of Rare Disasters Explain Aggregate Stock Market Volatility?
Authors: WACHTER JESSICA A.
Published: January 2013

Why is the equity premium so high, and why are stocks so volatile? Why are stock returns in excess of government bill rates predictable? This paper proposes an answer to these questions based on a time‐varying probability of a consumption disaster. In the model, aggregate consumption follows a normal distribution with low volatility most of the time, but with some probability of a consumption realization far out in the left tail. The possibility of this poor outcome substantially increases the equity premium, while time‐variation in the probability of this outcome drives high stock market volatility and excess return predictability.
Access to Collateral and Corporate Debt Structure: Evidence from a Natural Experiment
Authors: VIG VIKRANT
Published: January 2013

We investigate how firms respond to strengthening of creditor rights by examining their financial decisions following a securitization reform in India. We find that the reform led to a reduction in secured debt, total debt, debt maturity, and asset growth, and an increase in liquidity hoarding by firms. Moreover, the effects are more pronounced for firms that have a higher proportion of tangible assets because these firms are more affected by the secured transactions law. These results suggest that strengthening of creditor rights introduces a liquidation bias and documents how firms alter their debt structures to contract around it.
Equilibrium Subprime Lending
Authors: MAKAROV IGOR , PLANTIN GUILLAUME
Published: January 2013

This paper develops an equilibrium model of a subprime mortgage market. Our goal is to offer a benchmark with which the recent subprime boom and bust can be compared. The model is tractable and delivers plausible orders of magnitude for borrowing capacities, as well as default and trading intensities. We offer simple explanations for several phenomena in the subprime market, such as the prevalence of teaser rates and the clustering of defaults. In our model, both nondiversifiable and diversifiable income risks reduce debt capacities. Thus, debt capacities need not be higher when a larger fraction of income risk is diversifiable.
Sentiment during Recessions
Authors: GARCÍA DIEGO
Published: January 2013

This paper studies the effect of sentiment on asset prices during the 20th century (1905 to 2005). As a proxy for sentiment, we use the fraction of positive and negative words in two columns of financial news from the New York Times. The main contribution of the paper is to show that, controlling for other well‐known time‐series patterns, the predictability of stock returns using news' content is concentrated in recessions. A one standard deviation shock to our news measure during recessions predicts a change in the conditional average return on the DJIA of 12 basis points over one day.
A Model of Shadow Banking
Authors: GENNAIOLI NICOLA , SHLEIFER ANDREI , VISHNY ROBERT W.
Published: January 2013

We present a model of shadow banking in which banks originate and trade loans, assemble them into diversified portfolios, and finance these portfolios externally with riskless debt. In this model: outside investor wealth drives the demand for riskless debt and indirectly for securitization, bank assets and leverage move together, banks become interconnected through markets, and banks increase their exposure to systematic risk as they reduce idiosyncratic risk through diversification. The shadow banking system is stable and welfare improving under rational expectations, but vulnerable to crises and liquidity dry‐ups when investors neglect tail risks.
Immunisation coverage in children with cerebral palsy compared with the general population
Authors: Greenwood Victoria J , Crawford Nigel W , Walstab Janet E , Reddihough Dinah S
Published: January 2013

Aim

To compare immunisation coverage of a cerebral palsy (CP) cohort with the known general population vaccination coverage statistics.

Methods

A cohort of children with CP aged less than 7 years was extracted from the Victorian Cerebral Palsy Register. The vaccination status of these children was compared with the general population using the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR). Details that were audited included overall ‘up‐to‐date’ status of immunisations and individual vaccines missed.

Results

The CP cohort consisted of 449 children. Eighty‐six or 19.2% (95% confidence intervals 15.6–23.1%) of these children were not ‘up to date’ (NUTD) with the Australian immunisation schedule at the time of the ACIR data link (13 March 2009). This NUTD result is well above the general population percentage (range 6.4–8%). This group was divided into subgroups based on age, with all groups having significantly lower rates of immunisation, varying from 100% NUTD in the youngest subgroup to 18.6% in the oldest subgroup. The most common vaccine NUTD was MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), followed by polio and DTaP (diphtheria‐tetanus‐acellular pertussis).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that children with CP are at high risk of incomplete and delayed immunisation, a significant problem given the increased health‐care needs of this patient group and their increased vulnerability to the complications of vaccine‐preventable diseases.
Phosphate‐limited growth of the marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii (Bacillariophyceae): evidence of non‐monod growth kinetics1
Authors: Laws Edward A. , Pei Shaofeng , Bienfang Paul
Published: January 2013

The marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii (Grunow) G. A. Fryxell & Hasle was grown in a chemostat over a series of phosphate‐limited growth rates. Ambient substrate concentrations were determined from bioassays involving picomolar spikes of 33P‐labeled phosphate, and maximum uptake rates were determined from analogous bioassays that included the addition of micromolar concentrations of unlabeled phosphate and tracer concentrations of 33P. The relationship between cell phosphorus quotas and growth rates was well described by the Droop equation. Maximum uptake rates of phosphate spikes were several orders of magnitude higher than steady state uptake rates. Despite the large size of the T. weissflogii cells, diffusion of phosphate through the boundary layer around the cells had little effect on growth kinetics, in part because the cellular N:P ratios exceeded the Redfield ratio at all growth rates. Fitting the Monod equation to the experimental data produced an estimate of the nutrient‐saturated growth rate that was ~50% greater than the maximum growth rate observed in batch culture. A modified hyperbolic equation with a curvature that is a maximum in magnitude at positive growth rates gave a better fit to the data and an estimate of the maximum growth rate that was consistent with observations. The failure of the Monod equation to describe the data may reflect a transition from substrate to co‐substrate limitation and/or the presence of an inducible uptake system.
Objective measures of sleep and dim light melatonin onset in adolescents and young adults with delayed sleep phase disorder compared to healthy controls
Authors: Saxvig Ingvild W. , Wilhelmsen‐Langeland Ane , Pallesen Ståle , Vedaa Øystein , Nordhus Inger H. , Sørensen Eli , Bjorvatn Bjørn
Published: January 2013

Delayed sleep phase disorder is characterized by a delay in the timing of the major sleep period relative to conventional norms. The sleep period itself has traditionally been described as normal. Nevertheless, it is possible that sleep regulatory mechanism disturbances associated with the disorder may affect sleep duration and/or architecture. Polysomnographic data that may shed light on the issue are scarce. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine polysomnographic measures of sleep in adolescents and young adults with delayed sleep phase disorder, and to compare findings to that of healthy controls. A second aim was to estimate dim light melatonin onset as a marker of circadian rhythm and to investigate the phase angle relationship (time interval) between dim light melatonin onset and the sleep period. Data from 54 adolescents and young adults were analysed, 35 diagnosed with delayed sleep phase disorder and 19 healthy controls. Results show delayed timing of sleep in participants with delayed sleep phase disorder, but once sleep was initiated no group differences in sleep parameters were observed. Dim light melatonin onset was delayed in participants with delayed sleep phase disorder, but no difference in phase angle was observed between the groups. In conclusion, both sleep and dim light melatonin onset were delayed in participants with delayed sleep phase disorder. The sleep period appeared to occur at the same circadian phase in both groups, and once sleep was initiated no differences in sleep parameters were observed.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF‐23) Concentrations in Cats with Early Nonazotemic Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and in Healthy Geriatric Cats
Authors: Finch N.C. , Geddes R.F. , Syme H.M. , Elliott J.
Published: January 2013

Background

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐23) has an important role in phosphate regulation. Its clinical relevance in cats with CKD has not been explored previously.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The study objectives were (1) to determine whether FGF‐23 concentrations are increased in nonazotemic cats, cats which developed azotemia within 12 months of screening compared with cats that remained non‐azotemic, and (2) to evaluate the relationships between FGF‐23 and PTH and FGF‐23 and glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Animals

Sixty‐two healthy client‐owned geriatric cats, 14 of which developed azotemia during the 12‐month follow‐up period.

Methods

Healthy nonazotemic cats were recruited prospectively into the study and followed for 12 months. At the study end‐point, cats were categorized into 3 groups according to plasma creatinine concentration. PTH, FGF‐23, and additional biochemical variables were evaluated at baseline and after 12 months. GFR was measured by a corrected slope‐intercept iohexol clearance method.

Results

FGF‐23 concentrations at baseline were found to be significantly increased in cats that developed azotemia (P = .001) compared with cats that did not develop azotemia. A significant positive relationship was identified between FGF‐23 and PTH, whereas the relationship between FGF‐23 and GFR was negative.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

FGF‐23 concentrations predicted development of azotemia in geriatric cats. Positive relationships between FGF‐23 and PTH suggest an association between FGF‐23 and renal secondary hyperparathyroidism.
A review of oral preventative strategies to reduce ventilator‐associated pneumonia
Authors: Andrews Tom , Steen Colin
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

Aim

This article evaluates the evidence for and efficacy of the use of mechanical hygiene and chlorhexidine in the prevention of ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP).

Search strategies

Inclusion criteria: primary research articles; randomized controlled trials; systematic reviews. Exclusion criteria: quasi‐experimental trials; opinion articles. Search Engines: PubMed; CINAHL; and EBSCO.

Background

VAP is the commonest infection found in critically ill patients who are mechanically ventilated. It is associated with increased mortality, increased length of stay in intensive care and increased costs.

Relevance to clinical practice

VAP is a health care‐associated infection consistent with the presence of an endotracheal tube and mechanical ventilation for greater than 48 h. Efforts aimed at reducing infection rates include oral decontamination and mechanical hygiene to control the bacteria responsible, since there is an association between changes in bacteria found in the oropharynx and its development. Tooth brushing and the use of an oral antiseptic such as chlorhexidine gluconate are increasingly recommended in ventilator care bundles.

Conclusion

While there have been a number of studies conducted evaluating the efficacy of both approaches, there is limited evidence to support their use. The frequency of oral decontamination and mechanical hygiene interventions have not been established and chlorhexidine 2% seems to be more effective compared to weaker concentrations, but data is mainly confined to patients following cardiothoracic surgery.
Modulation of esophageal afferent pathways by 5‐HT3 receptor inhibition
Authors: Szczesniak M. M. , Fuentealba S. E. , Zhang T. , Cook I. J.
Published: January 2013

Background  The study aims were to investigate whether neural pathways involving 5‐HT3 receptors mediate: (i) distension‐induced upper esophageal sphincter (UES) relaxation reflex, (ii) esophageal sensitivity to acid and electrical stimuli, and (iii) viserosomatic sensitization following acid exposure.

Methods  In Study I, in a double‐blind crossover trial (n = 9) esophageal sensory and pain thresholds to electrical stimulation were measured in the esophagus, midsternum, and the foot, before subjects were randomized to receive either Ondansetron (8 mg i.v.) or NaCl (0.9% w/v). HCl (0.15 mol L−1) was then infused into distal esophagus and electrical thresholds were reassessed. Following electrical sensory threshold testing, subjects received a second esophageal infusion of HCl to evaluate esophageal sensitivity to acid. In Study II (N = 10), frequencies of distension‐induced UES relaxation responses were scored before and after treatment with Ondansetron and NaCl in a double‐blind crossover trial.

Key Results  In Study I, ondansetron had no effect on esophageal sensitivity to HCl or acid‐induced sensitization. However, blockade of 5‐HT3 receptors did reduce midsternum somatic pain thresholds. Sixty minutes after esophageal acid exposure, pain thresholds were significantly lower in the ondansetron arm (mean Δ−1.36 ± 0.4 mA) when compared with NaCl (mean Δ−0.14 ± 0.58 mA) (P < 0.05). In Study II, 5‐HT3 receptor blockade had no significant effect on UES relaxation reflex.

Conclusions & Inferences  This study does not support the hypothesis that in health, 5‐HT3 receptors play a significant role in esophago‐UES distention‐induced relaxation reflex and esophageal sensitivity to acid or electrical stimulation. It does provide new evidence for involvement of 5‐HT3 receptors in viscerosomatic sensitization.
Vagus nerve stimulation: from epilepsy to the cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway
Authors: Bonaz B. , Picq C. , Sinniger V. , Mayol J. F. , Clarençon D.
Published: January 2013

Background  The brain and the gut communicate bidirectionally through the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The vagus nerve (VN), a major component of the ANS, plays a key role in the neuro‐endocrine‐immune axis to maintain homeostasia through its afferents (through the activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and the central ANS) and through its efferents (i.e. the cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway; CAP). The CAP has an anti‐TNF effect both through the release of acetylcholine at the distal VN acting on macrophages and through the connection of the VN with the spleen through the splenic sympathetic nerve. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) of vagal afferents at high frequency (20–30 Hz) is used for the treatment of drug‐resistant epilepsy and depression. Low‐frequency (5 Hz) VNS of vagal efferents activates the CAP for an anti‐inflammatory effect that is as an anti‐TNF therapy in inflammatory diseases were TNF is a key cytokine as represented by experimental sepsis, postoperative ileus, burn‐induced intestinal barrier injury, colitis. However, both vagal afferents and efferents are activated by VNS.

Purpose  The objective of this review was to explore the following: (i) the supporting evidence for the importance of VNS in epilepsy (and depression) and its mechanisms of action, (ii) the anti‐inflammatory characteristics of the VN, (iii) the experimental evidence that VNS impact on inflammatory disorders focusing on the digestive tract, and (iv) how VNS could potentially be harnessed therapeutically in human inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, postoperative ileus, rheumatoid arthritis as an anti‐inflammatory therapy.
Classification of normal and abnormal colonic motility based on cross‐correlations of pancolonic manometry data
Authors: Wiklendt L. , Mohammed S. D. , Scott S. M. , Dinning P. G.
Published: January 2013

Background Manual analysis of data acquired from manometric studies of colonic motility is laborious, subject to laboratory bias and not specific enough to differentiate all patients from control subjects. Utilizing a cross‐correlation technique, we have developed an automated analysis technique that can reliably differentiate the motor patterns of patients with slow transit constipation (STC) from those recorded in healthy controls.

Methods Pancolonic manometric data were recorded from 17 patients with STC and 14 healthy controls. The automated analysis involved calculation of an indicator value derived from cross‐correlations calculated between adjacent recording sites in a manometric trace. The automated technique was conducted on blinded real data sets (observed) and then to determine the likelihood of positive indicator values occurring by chance, the channel number within each individual data set were randomized (expected) and reanalyzed.

Key Results In controls, the observed indicator value (3.2 ± 1.4) was significantly greater than that predicted by chance (0.8 ± 1.5;P < 0.0001). In patients, the observed indicator value (−2.7 ± 1.8) did not differ from that predicted by chance (−3.5 ± 1.6;P = 0.1). The indicator value for controls differed significantly from that of patients (P < 0.0001), withallindividual patients falling outside of the range of indicator values for controls.

Conclusions & Inferences Automated analysis of colonic manometry data using cross‐correlation separated all patients from controls. This automated technique indicates that the contractile motor patterns in STC patients differ from those recorded in healthy controls. The analytical technique may represent a means for defining subtypes of constipation.
Parental thoughts and actions regarding their child's first febrile seizure
Authors: Kanemura Hideaki , Sano Fumikazu , Mizorogi Sonoko , Tando Tomoko , Sugita Kanji , Aihara Masao
Published: January 2013

Background

Little is known about what parents think and how they act when their child experiences febrile seizure (FS). This study therefore surveyed parents of 78 children who had experienced a first FS regarding their thoughts and actions.

Methods

The questionnaire was divided into three parts: details of the child and their family; medical management of the child before reaching hospital; and parental thoughts and actions when the child experienced convulsions.

Results

Parents without prior knowledge of FS showed a higher rate of thinking that FS were harmful than parents with prior knowledge (P < 0.03). Parents with prior knowledge were aware that their child was having an FS at a higher rate than parents without prior knowledge (P < 0.001). Moreover, parents without prior knowledge managed the convulsions less appropriately than parents with prior knowledge (P < 0.03).

Conclusions

Parental fears that the death of their child was imminent and the misperception of FS as a serious, life‐threatening condition indicate a lack of knowledge regarding FS. Organizing parental support groups and effective educational intervention programs for parents should be given priority in the care of children with FS.
A Note on q‐Integrals and Certain Generating Functions
Authors: Cao Jian
Published: January 2013

In this paper, generalizations of certain q‐integrals are given by the method of q‐difference equation, which involves the Andrews–Askey integral. In addition, some mixed generating functions for generalized Rogers–Szegö polynomials are obtained by the technique of q‐integral. More over, generating functions for generalized Andrews–Askey polynomials are achieved by q‐integral.
Physical exercise intervention in depressive disorders: Meta‐analysis and systematic review
Authors: Josefsson T. , Lindwall M. , Archer T.
Published: January 2013

Previous meta‐analyses investigating the effect of exercise on depression have included trials where the control condition has been categorized as placebo despite the fact that this particular placebo intervention (e.g., meditation, relaxation) has been recognized as having an antidepressant effect. Because meditation and mindfulness‐based interventions are associated with depression reduction, it is impossible to separate the effect of the physical exercise from the meditation‐related parts. The present study determined the efficacy of exercise in reducing symptoms of depression compared with no treatment, placebo conditions or usual care among clinically defined depressed adults. Of 89 retrieved studies, 15 passed the inclusion criteria of which 13 studies presented sufficient information for calculating effect sizes. The main result showed a significant large overall effect favoring exercise intervention. The effect size was even larger when only trials that had used no treatment or placebo conditions were analyzed. Nevertheless, effect size was reduced to a moderate level when only studies with high methodological quality were included in the analysis. Exercise may be recommended for people with mild and moderate depression who are willing, motivated, and physically healthy enough to engage in such a program.
Association study of STAT4 polymorphisms and type 1 diabetes in Northeastern Chinese Han population
Authors: Bi C. , Li B. , Cheng Z. , Hu Y. , Fang Z. , Zhai A.
Published: January 2013

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an organ‐specific, T‐cell‐mediated disease resulting from the selective destruction of pancreatic β cells. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) gene is one of the most interesting genes for the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including T1D. In this study, a case–control study was conducted in a Han population in northeastern China comparing the genotypes of T1D patients to healthy controls for the presence of two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the STAT4 gene. The study population comprised of 410 T1D patients and 407 healthy individuals. Two SNPs (rs7574865 and rs3024866) of STAT4 were genotyped with Multiplex SNaPShot method. Data were analyzed with spss 13.0 to determine if a statistical association existed between these genotypes and T1D. One of the two SNPs (rs7574865) was strongly associated with T1D in Northeastern Chinese population compared to healthy controls (P < 0.05), whereas the other tested SNP (rs3024866) demonstrated no significant relationship. In conclusion, the STAT4 gene may play an important role in facilitating susceptibility to T1D in this Han Chinese population.
Sequencing of the novel HLA‐B*49:24 and HLA‐DRB1*03:64 alleles
Authors: Planelles D. , Balas A. , Nagore E. , Vicario J. L.
Published: January 2013

HLA‐B*49:24 shows one nucleotide difference regarding B*49:10 at codon 12 (ATG>GTG). DRB1*03:64 differs from DRB1*03:01:01 in one amino acid residue at position 59, E>Q.
The evolving role of plerixafor in hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization
Authors: Tanhehco Yvette C. , Vogl Dan T. , Stadtmauer Edward A. , O'Doherty Una
Published: January 2013

The introduction of plerixafor as a peripheral blood stem cell mobilization agent has allowed more patients with multiple myeloma, non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease to mobilize sufficient hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) to proceed to autologous transplantation. Because of the high cost of plerixafor, it is not routinely used in all patients undergoing HPC mobilization. If cost were not an issue, an argument could be made that plerixafor could be added to every mobilization regimen, but cost is an issue so in an attempt to be more cost‐effective, many centers have limited plerixafor use to patients who have failed or who are predicted to fail collection of adequate numbers of cells by other methods. Additionally, plerixafor is now under investigation both for HPC collection of healthy donors for allogeneic stem cell transplantation and as an adjunct therapy (i.e., chemosensitizing agent) for acute leukemias. This article briefly reviews the role of plerixafor in autologous and allogeneic transplantation as well as its emerging role in the treatment of acute leukemias. Emphasis is placed on the choice of appropriate patients for plerixafor use to assure an adequate stem cell yield while maximizing the cost effectiveness of using plerixafor. The role of prophylactic collections and future areas of research are also presented.
Measurements of human herpesvirus 8 viral load in blood before and after leukoreduction filtration
Authors: Dollard Sheila C. , Roback John D. , Gunthel Clifford , Amin Minal M. , Barclay Sheilagh , Patrick Ericka , Kuehnert Matthew J.
Published: January 2013

Background

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) is likely transmitted through blood transfusion in high‐prevalence areas. The efficacy of leukoreduction filtration for reducing HHV‐8 in blood has not been reported.

Study Design and Methods

Blood was drawn from 45 human immunodeficiency virus–positive men either with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS; n = 21) or without KS (n = 24) and subject to leukoreduction filtration. HHV‐8 viral load was measured in plasma and in blood before and after filtration.

Results

Twelve subjects, all with KS, had detectable HHV‐8 viremia before filtration with viral loads of 102 to 105 copies/mL (mean, 3 × 104 copies/mL). After filtration, seven of 12 subjects no longer had detectable HHV‐8 in their blood, and five of 12 subjects had detectable HHV‐8 that was 90% reduced on average from prefiltration levels. The presence of HHV‐8 in the blood after filtration was strongly associated with prefiltration viral loads greater than 1000 copies/mL and the presence of cell‐free virus in plasma. None of the subjects without KS had detectable levels of HHV‐8 virus in blood before or after filtration.

Conclusion

Cell‐associated HHV‐8 appeared to be effectively removed by leukoreduction filtration. Cell‐free HHV‐8 was present in 42% of subjects as 1% to 20% of the total virus which was not removed by filtration.
Presumptive central nervous system cuterebriasis and concurrent protein‐losing nephropathy in a dog
Authors: Thawley Vincent J. , Suran Jantra N. , Boller Elise M.
Published: January 2013

Objective

To describe the clinical course and successful management of a dog suspected to have central nervous system (CNS) Cuterebra larval migration and concurrent protein‐losing nephropathy (PLN).

Case Summary

A 1‐year‐old castrated male mixed breed dog was diagnosed with presumptive CNS cuterebriasis based on history, progressively deteriorating mentation, seizures, and magnetic resonance images showing a tubular lesion consistent with a migrating Cuterebra tract. Additionally, serum biochemistry and urine analyses revealed the development of a severe PLN. Surgical removal of the Cuterebra was attempted unsuccessfully, and subsequently, the dog was treated with ivermectin, antihistamines, anticonvulsants, and a tapering dose of glucocorticoids. Over several weeks the dog's neurologic status improved and the PLN resolved completely.

New or Unique Information Provided

This case describes successful management of presumptive CNS cuterebriasis in a dog. It is also, to our knowledge, the first report of PLN associated with cuterebriasis in the veterinary literature.
Multicriteria Assessment of the Performance of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Cell Design and Materials Development: Design and Modeling Approach
Authors: Otomo Junichiro , Waki Keiko , Yamada Koichi
Published: January 2013

The performance of current solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) was evaluated in terms of the cell designs and the physicochemical properties of the component materials such as the electrode and electrolyte in order to demonstrate the potentials of state-of-the-art SOFC technology for the widespread use of SOFCs. A flat tubular type SOFC stack for residential use was analyzed as a standard case of a production version in terms of stack volume, weight, and material cost. The power density and power generation efficiency were also evaluated by model estimation. A microtubular type SOFC was evaluated as an example of an advanced cell design. The assessment of the cell design can pinpoint performance advantages of the microtubular type in stack volume, weight, material cost, volumetric power density, and efficiency. In addition, we attempted to demonstrate an analysis for the concurrent comparison of the impact of cell designs and material properties on cell performance by using volumetric power density as a common assessment criterion. Through the assessment with the state-of-the-art SOFC technology, it is possible to make a quantitative comparison of the significances of cell design and material property. The present assessment suggests that the development of cell design is a consistent approach to improving cell and stack performance. In this way, the proposed assessment can provide hints to a reliable research strategy for improving cell performance and realizing the widespread use of SOFCs.
Panel acoustic contribution analysis
Authors: Wu Sean F. , Kumar Natarajan Logesh
Published: January 2013

Formulations are derived to analyze the relative panel acoustic contributions of a vibrating structure. The essence of this analysis is to correlate the acoustic power flow from each panel to the radiated acoustic pressure at any field point. The acoustic power is obtained by integrating the normal component of the surface acoustic intensity, which is the product of the surface acoustic pressure and normal surface velocity reconstructed by using the Helmholtz equation least squares based nearfield acoustical holography, over each panel. The significance of this methodology is that it enables one to analyze and rank relative acoustic contributions of individual panels of a complex vibrating structure to acoustic radiation anywhere in the field based on a single set of the acoustic pressures measured in the near field. Moreover, this approach is valid for both interior and exterior regions. Examples of using this method to analyze and rank the relative acoustic contributions of a scaled vehicle cabin are demonstrated.
Central masking with bilateral cochlear implants
Authors: Lin Payton , Lu Thomas , Zeng Fan-Gang
Published: January 2013

Across bilateral cochlear implants, contralateral threshold shift has been investigated as a function of electrode difference between the masking and probe electrodes. For contralateral electric masking, maximum threshold elevations occurred when the position of the masker and probe electrode was approximately place-matched across ears. The amount of masking diminished with increasing masker-probe electrode separation. Place-dependent masking occurred in both sequentially implanted ears, and was not affected by the masker intensity or the time delay from the masker onset. When compared to previous contralateral masking results in normal hearing, the similarities between place-dependent central masking patterns suggest comparable mechanisms of overlapping excitation in the central auditory nervous system.
Multiuser acoustic communications with mobile users
Authors: Cho S. E. , Song H. C. , Hodgkiss W. S.
Published: January 2013

A multiuser receiver is developed that is capable of separating receptions from independent, mobile users whose transmissions overlap in both time and frequency. With respect to any one user's Doppler corrected signal, the other communication signals appear as multiple-access interference distributed across the Doppler dimension. A previously developed receiver composed of an adaptive time-reversal processor embedded within a successive interference cancellation framework is limited to stationary users. This paper extends the receiver to properly remove the interference from moving sources by modeling the effects of Doppler through the interference cancellation receiver. The combined receiver has the ability to remove interference in both the temporal and spatial domains, and this property is shown to be preserved even when users are in motion. When applied to data collected during a recent shallow water experiment (KAM11), the receiver is shown to be capable of separating packets in a two user system where one user is moving while the other is stationary.
Transfer function for vital infrasound pressures between the carotid artery and the tympanic membrane
Authors: Furihata Kenji , Yamashita Masato
Published: January 2013

While occupational injury is associated with numerous individual and work-related risk factors, including long working hours and short sleep duration, the complex mechanisms causing such injuries are not yet fully understood. The relationship between the infrasound pressures of the tympanic membrane [ear canal pressure (ECP)], detected using an earplug embedded with a low-frequency microphone, and the carotid artery [carotid artery pressure (CAP)], detected using a stethoscope fitted with the same microphone, can be quantitatively characterized using systems analysis. The transfer functions of 40 normal workers (19 to 57 years old) were characterized, involving the analysis of 446 data points. The ECP waveform exhibits a pulsatile character with a slow respiratory component, which is superimposed on a biphasic recording that is synchronous with the cardiac cycle. The respiratory ECP waveform correlates with the instantaneous heart rate. The results also revealed that various fatigue-related risk factors may affect the mean magnitudes of the measured pressures and the delay transfer functions between CAP and ECP in the study population; these factors include systolic blood pressure, salivary amylase activity, age, sleep duration, postural changes, chronic fatigue, and pulse rate.
Characterization of the time-variant behavior of a biomimetic beamforming baffle
Authors: Meymand Sajjad Zeinoddini , Pannala Mittu , Müller Rolf
Published: January 2013

Horseshoe bats can actively change the shapes of their noseleaves and outer ears on time scales that are comparable to the duration of the biosonar pulses and echoes. When the shape deformations and the emission or reception of the ultrasonic signals overlap in time, the result is a time-variant diffraction process. Such a dynamic process provides additional flexibility that could potentially be used to enhance the encoding of sensory information. However, such a function remains hypothetical at present. To investigate the time-variant properties of deforming baffles such as the outer ears of horseshoe bats, the acoustic behavior of a biomimetic microphone baffle modeled on these biological structures has been investigated. The methods employed to characterize this device included representations in the time–delay domain as well as in the time–frequency domain. It was found that characterization methods which do not employ Fourier transforms revealed even more substantial time-variant effects than were apparent from time–frequency domain characterizations such as beampatterns obtained for different times in the deformation cycle. Furthermore, conspicuous correlates of asymmetries in the time-variant physical shapes were found in some characterizations that could be used to link dynamic baffle geometry with acoustic behavior.
Advantages from bilateral hearing in speech perception in noise with simulated cochlear implants and residual acoustic hearing
Authors: Schoof Tim , Green Tim , Faulkner Andrew , Rosen Stuart
Published: January 2013

Acoustic simulations were used to study the contributions of spatial hearing that may arise from combining a cochlear implant with either a second implant or contralateral residual low-frequency acoustic hearing. Speech reception thresholds (SRTs) were measured in twenty-talker babble. Spatial separation of speech and noise was simulated using a spherical head model. While low-frequency acoustic information contralateral to the implant simulation produced substantially better SRTs there was no effect of spatial cues on SRT, even when interaural differences were artificially enhanced. Simulated bilateral implants showed a significant head shadow effect, but no binaural unmasking based on interaural time differences, and weak, inconsistent overall spatial release from masking. There was also a small but significant non-spatial summation effect. It appears that typical cochlear implant speech processing strategies may substantially reduce the utility of spatial cues, even in the absence of degraded neural processing arising from auditory deprivation.
Compact directional acoustic sensor using a multi-fiber optical probe
Authors: Bucaro J. A. , Lagakos N. , Houston B. H. , Dey Saikat , Zalalutdinov M.
Published: January 2013

A compact directional acoustic sensor is described which uses a two-fiber optical probe, a light emitting diode (LED), a photo-diode detector, and a slender cylindrical cantilever to the end of which is attached an optical reflector. Acoustically induced transverse displacement of the cantilever tip modulates the light reflected by it into the collection fiber, which conveys the light to a photo-detector. Directional sensitivity is achieved through the dependence of the collected light on the cosine of the angle between a line through the centers of the two fibers and the cantilever tip displacement (the sound direction). The sensor requires relatively low power, and its LED source has low levels of 1/f noise. These attributes make it a good choice for remote low frequency applications requiring long operating lifetimes. An analytic model of the acoustic response of the cantilever is constructed, which is partially verified using a finite element model and experimentally validated using measurements of the acoustic response in air. The model is used to predict to what extent and over what frequency band that response depends upon the acoustically generated flow (drag) force [Yuan et al., IEEE Sensor J. 8, 1114–1117 (2008)].
Enhancing rigid frame porous layer absorption with three-dimensional periodic irregularities
Authors: Groby J.-P. , Brouard B. , Dazel O. , Nennig B. , Kelders L.
Published: January 2013

This papers reports a three-dimensional (3D) extension of the model proposed by Groby et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 127, 2865–2874 (2010)]. The acoustic properties of a porous layer backed by a rigid plate with periodic rectangular irregularities are investigated. The Johnson–Champoux–Allard model is used to predict the complex bulk modulus and density of the equivalent fluid in the porous material. The method of variable separation is used together with the radiation conditions and Floquet theorem to derive the analytical expression for the acoustic reflection coefficient from the porous layer with 3D inhomogeneities. Finite element method is also used to validate the proposed analytical solution. The theoretical and numerical predictions agree well with the experimental data obtained from an impedance tube experiment. It is shown that the measured acoustic absorption coefficient spectrum exhibits a quasi-total absorption peak at the predicted frequency of the mode trapped in the porous layer. When more than one irregularity per spatial period is considered, additional absorption peaks are observed.