bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Challenges to the United States’ AIDS Drug Assistance Program and Possible Implications of the Affordable Care Act
Authors: McManus Kathleen A. , Engelhard Carolyn L. , Dillingham Rebecca
Published: March 2013

AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, enacted through the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act of 1990, are the “payer of last resort” for prescription medications for lower income, uninsured, or underinsured people living with HIV/AIDS. ADAPs face declining funding from the federal government. State funding of ADAP is discretionary, but some states increased their contributions to meet the gap in funding. The demand for ADAP support is increasing as people living with HIV are living longer; the antiretroviral therapy (ART) guidelines have been changed to recommend initiation of treatment for all; the United States is increasing HIV testing goals; and the recession continues. In the setting of increased demand and limited funding, ADAPs are employing cost containment measures. Since 2010, emergency federal funds have bailed out ADAP, but these are not sustainable. In the coming years, providers and policy makers associated with HIV care will need to navigate the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Lessons learned from the challenges associated with providing sustainable access to ART for vulnerable populations through ADAP should inform upcoming decisions about how to ensure delivery of ART during and after the implementation of the ACA.
Chronic Inhibition of 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Activity Decreases Hypertension, Insulin Resistance, and Hypertriglyceridemia in Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Schnackenberg Christine G. , Costell Melissa H. , Krosky Daniel J. , Cui Jianqi , Wu Charlene W. , Hong Victor S. , Harpel Mark R. , Willette Robert N. , Yue Tian-Li
Published: March 2013

Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and obesity that promote the development of cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome has been associated with changes in the secretion or metabolism of glucocorticoids, which have important functions in adipose, liver, kidney, and vasculature. Tissue concentrations of the active glucocorticoid cortisol are controlled by the conversion of cortisone to cortisol by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1). Because of the various cardiovascular and metabolic activities of glucocorticoids, we tested the hypothesis that 11β-HSD1 is a common mechanism in the hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome. In obese and lean SHR/NDmcr-cp (SHR-cp), cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal functions were measured before and during four weeks of administration of vehicle or compound 11 (10 mg/kg/d), a selective inhibitor of 11β-HSD1. Compound 11 significantly decreased 11β-HSD1 activity in adipose tissue and liver of SHR-cp. In obese SHR-cp, compound 11 significantly decreased mean arterial pressure, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, and plasma renin activity with no effect on heart rate, body weight gain, or microalbuminuria. These results suggest that 11β-HSD1 activity in liver and adipose tissue is a common mediator of hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome.
Higher Levels of Autoantibodies Targeting Mutated Citrullinated Vimentin in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis Than in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris
Authors: Dalmády Szandra , Kiss Mária , Képíró László , Kovács László , Sonkodi Gábor , Kemény Lajos , Gyulai Rolland
Published: March 2013

Antibodies against citrullinated proteins/peptides (ACPAs), and especially antibodies targeting mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCVs), are novel biomarkers of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Whereas ACPAs are specific and sensitive markers for RA, there have hardly been any reports relating to ACPAs in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or in psoriasis without joint symptoms (PsO). The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of anti-MCVs in PsA and PsO. Serum anti-MCV titers were measured in 46 PsA and 42 PsO patients and in 40 healthy controls by means of a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The potential correlations of the serum autoantibody levels with several clinical and laboratory parameters were examined. The anti-MCV levels in the PsA patients were significantly higher than those in the PsO group. Among the clinical variables, the presence of tender knee joints and nail psoriasis was significantly associated with anti-MCV positivity in the PsA patients. Higher anti-MCV titers in the PsO patients were associated with a more severe disease course and with the early onset of psoriatic skin symptoms. Our results suggest that anti-MCVs can be used as novel markers in the diagnosis of PsA and in a subset of PsO patients.
The Development of Models Based on Linear and Nonlinear Multivariate Methods to Predict ADME/PK Properties Using Physicochemical Properties of Kinase, Protease Inhibitors, and GPCR Antagonists
Authors: Bakasta Deepu , Shambhu M. G.
Published: March 2013

Oral bioavailability of a drug compound is the significant property for potential drug candidates. Measuring this property can be costly and time-consuming. Quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPRs) are used to estimate the percentage of oral bioavailability, and they are an attractive alternative to experimental measurements. A data set of 217 drug and drug-like compounds with measured values of the percentage of oral bioavailability taken from the small molecule ChemBioBase database was used to develop and test a QSPR model. Descriptors were calculated for the compounds using Codessa 2.1 tool. Nonlinear general regression neural network model was generated using the DTREG predictive modeling program software. The calculated percentage of oral bioavailability model performs well, with root-mean-square (rms) errors of 4.55% oral bioavailability units for the training set, 14.32% oral bioavailability units for the test set, and 19.12% oral bioavailability units for the external prediction set. Given the structural diversity and bias of the data set, this is a good first attempt at modeling oral bioavailability using QSPR methods. The model can be used as a potential virtual screen or property estimator. With a larger data supply less biased toward the high end values of the percentage of oral bioavailability, a more successful model could likely be developed.
Mucocele in Lower Lip as a Result of Improper Use of Feeding Bottle: A Case Report
Authors: Ashok Kumar S. , Ramakrishnan Mahesh
Published: March 2013

A rare case of mucocele associated with improper feeding habit has been presented. An eight-month old male child presented with swelling in lower lip which was noticed by his mother a week earlier. A thorough clinical examination and history taking gave a diagnosis of mucocele resulting from improper use of feeding bottle. This case highlights and discusses the history, the clinical along with histologic features, and the clinical management of this lesion. Awareness of such an entity and the functional problems associated with the lesion will help the pediatric dentist to prevent any further complications.
Giant Cell Arteritis Presenting as Choroidal Infarction
Authors: Kopsachilis Nikolaos , Pefkianaki Maria , Marinescu Anca , Sivaprasad Sobha
Published: March 2013

Background. Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic granulomatous vasculitis that affects large- and medium-sized arteries of the head and neck. Ocular manifestations of GCA usually are anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AION) or retinal vessel occlusion.Case Report. We report an interesting case of a 70-year-old man who presented with sudden vision loss and choroidal infarction in his left eye. Thorough clinical and paraclinical evaluation revealed an underlying GCA, the treatment of which prevented further vision loss and systemic complications.Conclusion. This is an unusual presentation of choroidal infarction associated with CGA and emphasizes the need of thorough systemic evaluation in patients with choroidal infarction.
Thiazolidinedione-Induced Fluid Retention: Recent Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Bełtowski Jerzy , Rachańczyk Jolanta , Włodarczyk Mirosław
Published: March 2013

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ(PPARγ) agonists such as rosiglitazone and pioglitazone are used to improve insulin sensitivity in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, thiazolidinediones induce fluid retention, edema, and sometimes precipitate or exacerbate heart failure in a subset of patients. The mechanism through which thiazolidinediones induce fluid retention is controversial. Most studies suggest that this effect results from the increase in tubular sodium and water reabsorption in the kidney, but the role of specific nephron segments and sodium carriers involved is less clear. Some studies suggested that PPARγagonist stimulates Na+reabsorption in the collecting duct by activating epithelial Na+channel (ENaC), either directly or through serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase-1 (SGK-1). However, other studies did not confirm this mechanism and even report the suppression of ENaC. Alternative mechanisms in the collecting duct include stimulation of non-ENaC sodium channel or inhibition of chloride secretion to the tubular lumen. In addition, thiazolidinediones may augment sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubule by stimulating the expression and activity of apical Na+/H+exchanger-3 and basolateral Na+- cotransporter as well as of Na+,K+-ATPase. These effects are mediated by PPARγ-induced nongenomic transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor and downstream extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK).
Unintentional Injuries among School-Aged Children in Palestine: Findings from the National Study of Palestinian Schoolchildren (HBSC-WBG2006)
Authors: Jildeh Christine , Abdeen Ziad , Al Sabbah Haleama , Philalithis Anastas
Published: March 2013

Purpose. This study describes the nonfatal injuries among adolescents in Palestine.Methods. The 2006 Palestinian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) is a cross-sectional survey. Students of grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 completed a modified version of the international HBSC questionnaire, resulting in 15,963 students (47.3% boys and 52.7% girls) included in this study (56.9% from the West Bank and 43.1% from Gaza).Results. Of the total 15,963 adolescents, 47.6% were injured, with boys (53.5%) being statistically higher than girls (42.1%) (P<0.001). The prevalence of those injured more than once decreased by age and was also found significantly higher in boys than in girls (27.3% and 17.9%, resp.) (P<0.001). Children living in low FAS families showed significantly lower ratios of injuries than those living in moderate and high FAS families (P<0.001). Injuries while biking were significantly higher among boys (46.3%) than girls (41.7%) (P<0.001), and injuries while walking/running were more prevalent among girls (32.5%) than boys (28.0%) (P<0.001).Conclusion. Despite these considerably high rates, injury remains relatively underappreciated. Results of this study are useful to develop a national injury prevention program aimed at enhancing the safety of Palestinian adolescents.
Obesity and Metabolic Comorbidities: Environmental Diseases?
Authors: Lubrano Carla , Genovesi Giuseppe , Specchia Palma , Costantini Daniela , Mariani Stefania , Petrangeli Elisa , Lenzi Andrea , Gnessi Lucio
Published: March 2013

Obesity and metabolic comorbidities represent increasing health problems. Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are exogenous agents that change endocrine function and cause adverse health effects. Most EDCs are synthetic chemicals; some are natural food components as phytoestrogens. People are exposed to complex mixtures of chemicals throughout their lives. EDCs impact hormone-dependent metabolic systems and brain function. Laboratory and human studies provide compelling evidence that human chemical contamination can play a role in obesity epidemic. Chemical exposures may increase the risk of obesity by altering the differentiation of adipocytes. EDCs can alter methylation patterns and normal epigenetic programming in cells. Oxidative stress may be induced by many of these chemicals, and accumulating evidence indicates that it plays important roles in the etiology of chronic diseases. The individual sensitivity to chemicals is variable, depending on environment and ability to metabolize hazardous chemicals. A number of genes, especially those representing antioxidant and detoxification pathways, have potential application as biomarkers of risk assessment. The potential health effects of combined exposures make the risk assessment process more complex compared to the assessment of single chemicals. Techniques and methods need to be further developed to fill data gaps and increase the knowledge on harmful exposure combinations.
Neural Network Blind Equalization Algorithm Applied in Medical CT Image Restoration
Authors: Sun Yunshan , Zhang Liyi , Zhang Jin , Shi Lijuan
Published: March 2013

A new algorithm for iterative blind image restoration is presented in this paper. The method extends blind equalization found in the signal case to the image. A neural network blind equalization algorithm is derived and used in conjunction with Zigzag coding to restore the original image. As a result, the effect of PSF can be removed by using the proposed algorithm, which contributes to eliminate intersymbol interference (ISI). In order to obtain the estimation of the original image, what is proposed in this method is to optimize constant modulus blind equalization cost function applied to grayscale CT image by using conjugate gradient method. Analysis of convergence performance of the algorithm verifies the feasibility of this method theoretically; meanwhile, simulation results and performance evaluations of recent image quality metrics are provided to assess the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The Involvement ofNRF2in Lung Cancer
Authors: Bauer Alison K. , Hill Thomas , Alexander Carla-Maria
Published: March 2013

Nuclear factor, erythroid-derived 2, like 2 (NRF2) is a key regulator of antioxidants and cellular stress responses. The role ofNRF2in pulmonary neoplasia, a diverse disease for which few biomarkers exist, is complicated and appears to depend on several main factors including the existence of activating mutations inNRF2and/or loss of function mutations inKEAP1and the stage of carcinogenesis studied, particularly in the mouse models tested. Therapeutic strategies for lung cancer targetingNRF2have observed mixed results, both anti- and protumorigenic effects; however, these differences seem to reflect the mutation status ofNRF2orKEAP1. In this paper, we will discuss the studies on humanNRF2and the mechanisms proposed, several mouse models using various mice deficient inNRF2, as well as xenograft models, and the chemotherapeutic strategies using theNRF2pathway.
Biventricular Mechanical Circulatory Support Does Not Prevent Delayed Myocardial Ventricular Rupture following Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ravi Yazhini , Sudhakar Emily P. , Nayak Pratima , Sai-Sudhakar Chittoor B. , Dean Boudoulas Konstantinos
Published: March 2013

Cardiogenic shock and myocardial rupture can complicate an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A case is reported in which a 58-year-old male with an acute inferior myocardial infarction required placement of biventricular assist device for hemodynamic support eight days after the onset of his AMI; eleven days after his AMI, the patient developed abrupt onset of hemodynamic instability with massive bleeding from his chest tube due to delayed free wall myocardial rupture that was discovered when he was taking emergently to the operating room. Myocardial rupture in patients with a ventricular assist device should be considered in the differential diagnosis in the event of acute hemodynamic compromise. A high level of suspicion for such a complication should prompt aggressive and emergent actions including surgery. We present a case of delayed free wall myocardial rupture following an acute inferior wall myocardial infarction in a patient with biventricular mechanical circulatory support.
Advances in Antenna Technology for Wireless Handheld Devices
Authors: Anguera Jaume , Andújar Aurora , Huynh Minh-Chau , Orlenius Charlie , Picher Cristina , Puente Carles
Published: March 2013

The constant evolution of wireless handheld devices together with the apparition of multiple wireless communication systems fosters the antenna community to design new radiating and measurements systems capable of satisfying the market demands. It is an object of the present paper to provide an overview of the evolution that wireless handheld technology has experienced in the last years. In this sense, a description of the evolution of wireless handheld devices, regulations, challenges in today’s smartphones, and handset characterization is reviewed. Finally, recent advances in antenna technology for wireless handheld or portable devices are presented.
Sorption of Pb2+ from Aqueous Solution unto Modified Rice Husk: Isotherms Studies
Authors: Dada A. O. , Ojediran J. O. , Olalekan Abiodun Paul
Published: March 2013

Investigation of the sorption potential of rice husk, an agricultural waste, as an adsorbent was carried out. The rice husk was modified with orthophosphoric acid and was used for adsorption of lead (II) ions (Pb2+) from aqueous solution. Physicochemical properties of the modified rice husk were determined. Equilibrium sorption data were confirmed with Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherms. On the basis of adsorption isotherm graphs, R2 values were determined to be 0.995, 0.916, and 0.797 for Langmuir, Temkin, and Freundlich isotherms, respectively, indicating that the data fitted well into the adsorption isotherms, but Langmuir isotherm is a better model. The maximum monolayer coverage from Langmuir studies, Qmax=138.89 mg/g, Langmuir isotherm constant, KL=0.699 L/mg, and the separation factor, RL=1.41×10−2 at 100 mg/L of lead(II) ions indicating that the sorption process, was favourable. The suitability of modified rice husk as an adsorbent for the removal of lead ions from aqueous solution and its potential for pollution control is established.
Normative Data for the Balance Error Scoring System in Adults
Authors: Iverson Grant L. , Koehle Michael S.
Published: March 2013

Background. The balance error scoring system (BESS) is a brief, easily administered test of static balance. The purpose of this study is to develop normative data for this test.Study Design. Cross-sectional, descriptive, and cohort design.Methods. The sample was drawn from a population of clients taking part in a comprehensive preventive health screen at a multidisciplinary healthcare center. Community-dwelling adults aged 20–69 (N=1,236) were administered the BESS within the context of a fitness evaluation. They did not have significant medical, neurological, or lower extremity problems that might have an adverse effect on balance.Results. There was a significant positive correlation between BESS scores and age (r=.34). BESS performance was similar for participants between the ages of 20 and 49 and significantly declined between ages 50 and 69. Men performed slightly better than women on the BESS. Women who were overweight performed significantly more poorly on the test compared to women who were not overweight (P<.0001; Cohen'sd=.62). The BESS normative data are stratified by age and sex.Conclusions. These normative data provide a frame of reference for interpreting BESS performance in adults who sustain traumatic brain injuries and adults with diverse neurological or vestibular problems.
Deformable Contour-Based Maneuvering Flying Vehicle Tracking in Color Video Sequences
Authors: Sabouri Samira , Behrad Alireza , Ghassemian Hassan
Published: March 2013

This paper presents a new method for the tracking of maneuvering flying vehicles using a deformable contour model in color video sequences. The proposed approach concentrates on targets with maneuvering motion in sky, which involves fundamental aspect change stemmed from 3D rotation of the target or video camera. In order to segment and track the aircraft in a video, at first, the target contour is initialized manually in a key frame, and then it is matched and tracked automatically in the subsequent frames. Generally active contour models employ a set of energy functions based on edge, texture, color, and shape features. Afterwards, objective function is minimized iteratively to track the target contour. In the proposed algorithm, we employ game of life cellular automaton to manage snake pixels’ (snaxels’) deformation in each epoch of minimization procedure. Furthermore, to cope with the large aspect change of aircraft, a Gaussian model has been taken into account to represent the target color in RGB space. To compensate for changes in luminance and chrominance ingredients of the target, the prior distribution function is dynamically updated during tracking. The proposed algorithm is evaluated using the collected dataset, and the expected probability of tracking error is calculated. Experimental results show positive results for the proposed algorithm.
Modulating Plant Calcium for Better Nutrition and Stress Tolerance
Authors: Robertson Dominique (Niki)
Published: March 2013

External Ca2+supplementation helps plants to recover from stress. This paper considers genetic methods for increasing Ca2+to augment stress tolerance in plants and to increase their nutritional value. The transport of Ca2+must be carefully controlled to minimize fluctuations in the cytosol while providing both structural support to new cell walls and membranes, and intracellular stores of Ca2+for signaling. It is not clear how this is accomplished in meristems, which are remote from active transpiration—the driving force for Ca2+movement into shoots. Meristems have high levels of calreticulin (CRT), which bind a 50-fold excess of Ca2+and may facilitate Ca2+transport between cells across plasmodesmatal ER. Transgenes based on the high-capacity Ca2+-binding C-domain ofCRT1have increased the total plant Ca2+by 15%–25% and also increased the abiotic stress tolerance. These results are compared to the overexpression ofsCAX1, which not only increased total Ca2+up to 3-fold but also caused Ca2+deficiency symptoms. Coexpression ofsCAX1andCRT1resolved the symptoms and led to high levels of Ca2+without Ca2+supplementation. These results imply an important role for ER Ca2+in stress tolerance and signaling and demonstrate the feasibility of using Ca2+-modulating proteins to enhance both agronomic and nutritional properties.
Estimates for Unimodular Multipliers on Modulation Hardy Spaces
Authors: Chen Jiecheng , Fan Dashan , Sun Lijing , Zhang Chunjie
Published: March 2013

It is known that the unimodular Fourier multiplierseit|Δ|α/2,α>0,are bounded on all modulation spacesMp,qsfor1≤p,q≤∞. We extend such boundedness to the case of all0
0and obtain the local well-posedness for the Cauchy problem of some nonlinear partial differential equations with fundamental semigroupeit|Δ|α/2.
Genomics for Public Health Improvement: Relevant International Ethical and Policy Issues around Genome-Wide Association Studies and Biobanks
Authors: Pang T.
Published: March 2013

Genome-wide association studies and biobanks are at the forefront of genomics research and possess unprecedented potential to improve public health. However, for public health genomics to ultimately fulfill its potential, technological and scientific advances alone are insufficient. Scientists, ethicists, policy makers, and regulators must work closely together with research participants and communities in order to craft an equitable and just ethical framework, and a sustainable environment for effective policies. Such a framework should be a ‘hybrid' form which balances equity and solidarity with entrepreneurship and scientific advances. A good balance between research and policy on one hand, and privacy, protection and trust on the other is the key for public health improvement based on advances in genomics science.
Genetic Susceptibility to West Nile Virus and Dengue
Authors: Loeb M.
Published: March 2013

This article focuses on the host genetic predisposition to 2 viruses, West Nile virus and dengue virus, which belong to the genus Flavivirus. Although by definition these viruses have shared characteristics (e.g. similar size, single stranded, RNA viruses, both transmitted by the bite from an infected mosquito), they differ greatly in epidemiology and clinical manifestations. The text below not only summarizes the genetic factors that predispose to complications of these 2 important flaviviruses, but also illustrates the challenges in determining the genomic basis for complications to these viruses.
EMDR Therapy Modulates the Default Mode Network in a Subsyndromal, Traumatized Bipolar Patient
Authors: Landin-Romero Ramon , Novo Patricia , Vicens Victor , McKenna Peter J. , Santed Antonia , Pomarol-Clotet Edith , Salgado-Pineda Pilar , Shapiro Francine , Amann Benedikt L.
Published: March 2013

Background: Some functional imaging abnormalities found in bipolar disorder are state related, whereas others persist into euthymia. It is uncertain to what extent these latter changes may reflect continuing subsyndromal affective fluctuations and whether those can be modulated by therapeutic interventions. Method: We report functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) findings during performance of the n-back working memory task in a bipolar patient who showed a marked improvement in subsyndromal affective symptoms after receiving eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in the context of a clinical trial. Results: The patient's clinical improvement was accompanied by marked changes in functional imaging, as compared to 30 healthy subjects. fMRI changes were noted particularly in deactivation, with failure of deactivation in the medial frontal cortex partially normalizing after treatment. Conclusions: This case supports the potential therapeutic overall benefit of EMDR in traumatized bipolar patients and suggests a possible neurobiological mechanism of action: normalization of default mode network dysfunction.
Should the Negativity for Islet Cell Autoantibodies Be Used in a Prescreening for Genetic Testing in Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young? The Case of Autoimmunity-Associated Destruction of Pancreatic β-Cells in a Family of HNF1A-MODY Subjects
Authors: Urbanová Jana , Rypáčková Blanka , Kučera Petr , Anděl Michal , Heneberg Petr
Published: March 2013

It was recently suggested that routine islet cell autoantibody testing should be performed to discriminate maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) from type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This is the first report ever to describe the familial manifestation of T1DM autoimmunity in nonobese HNF1A-MODY subjects and the presence of islet antigen-2 (IA-2) antibodies in MODY subjects. Three nonobese subjects in an age range of 14-35 years were diagnosed with HNF1A-MODY (p. Arg159Gln mutation). All the tested subjects had detectable (but varying) levels of islet cell autoantibodies (i.e., antibodies against glutamate decarboxylase or IA-2) in the absence of other T1DM characteristics. They displayed long-term expression of intermediate fasting C-peptide levels, ketoacidosis was absent even in periods of spontaneous insulin withdrawal, and full dependence on externally administered insulin was not detected in any of them although better glycemic control was achieved when insulin was supplemented. The course of the disease was similar to that of the autoantibody-negative HNF1A-MODY subjects. The case questions the selectivity of autoantibodies as a marker of T1DM or late-onset autoimmune diabetes of adulthood (LADA) over MODY and challenges the use of autoantibodies as a universal negative marker of MODY in an effort to decrease the cost of health care, as it may eventually lead to the wrong diagnosis and thus to the incorrect treatment. Further research should involve examination of the autoantibody titers and prevalence in large and geographically diverse cohorts of MODY subjects selected for genetic testing (regardless of their autoantibody titers) as well as determination of the islet cell autoantibody kinetics in the course of MODY onset and progression.
First Study of Microdeletions in the Y Chromosome of Algerian Infertile Men with Idiopathic Oligo- or Azoospermia
Authors: Chellat Djalila , Rezgoune Mohamed Larbi , McElreavey Ken , Kherouatou Naouel , Benbouhadja Sebti , Douadi Hamane , Cherifa Benlatrèche , Abadi Noureddine , Satta Dalila
Published: March 2013

The human Y chromosome is essential for human sex determination and spermatogenesis. The long arm contains the azoospermia factor (AZF) region. Microdeletions in this region are responsible for male infertility. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of Y microdeletions in Algerian infertile males with azoospermia and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia syndrome (OATS) and to compare the prevalence of these abnormalities with other countries and regions worldwide. A sample of 80 Algerian infertile males with a low sperm count (1-20 × 106 sperms/ml) as well as 20 fertile male controls was screened for Y chromosome microdeletions. 49 men were azoospermic and 31 men had OATS. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood and polymerase chain reaction was carried out with a set of 6 AZFa, AZFb and AZFc STS markers to detect the microdeletions as recommended by the European Academy of Andrology. Among the 80 infertile men screened for microdeletion, 1 subject was found to have microdeletions in the AZFc (sY254 and sY255) region. The deletion was found in azoospermic subjects (1/49, 2%). The overall AZF deletion frequency was low (1/80, 1.3%). AZF microdeletions were observed neither in the OATS group nor in the control group. The frequency of AZF microdeletions in infertile men from Algeria was comparable to those reported in the literature. We suggest analyzing 6 STS in the first step to detect Y microdeletions in our population.
Endovascular Treatment of Very Small and Very Large Ruptured Aneurysms of the Anterior Cerebral Circulation: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Mohammadian Reza , Asgari Mohamad , Sattarnezhad Neda , Mansourizadeh Reza , Mohammadian Farideh , Shimia Mohammad , Talebi Mahnaz , Meshkini Ali , Amirkolahy Morteza
Published: March 2013

Introduction: Endovascular treatment of aneurysms has been introduced as a less invasive method for decreasing the rate of aneurysm rerupture and subsequent subarachnoid hemorrhage. The outcome and complication rate for endovascular treatment of very small (≤3 mm) and very large (15-25 mm) intracranial aneurysms has been controversial. Here we report our experience with endovascular coiling of very small and very large ruptured aneurysms of the anterior cerebral circulation. Methods: Patients were included in the study if the maximum dimension of the intracranial ruptured aneurysm was reported to be ≤3 mm or 15-25 mm and if the aneurysm was within the anterior cerebral circulation. The largest dimension was calculated using CT angiography and was confirmed by digital subtraction angiography. Endovascular coiling was performed using Guglielmi detachable coils. All patients underwent follow-up contrast MR angiography every 6 months. Results: A total of 40 cases (18 females and 22 males) were included in this single-center study. Twenty-one very small and 19 very large ruptured aneurysms were analyzed. Preprocedural Hunt and Hess grades were determined. Endovascular coiling was performed successfully in most cases (97.5%), with unsuccessful coiling in 1 patient with a very small ruptured aneurysm. In the very small aneurysm group, the most common location was the anterior communicating artery and, in the large aneurysm group, the most common location was the middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation. The mean follow-up time was 15.08 months (range: 6-30 months). The 6th month modified Rankin scale (mRS) values for very small aneurysm cases were 0 (no symptoms at all) in 16 cases (76.2%) and 1 (no significant disability despite symptoms) in 5 cases (23.80%). For the very large aneurysm cases, the mRS values were 1 in 2 cases (10.5%), 2 in 7 cases (36.8%), 3 in 6 cases (31.6%), 4 in 3 cases (15.8%) and 6 in 1 case (died due to vasospasm 72 h later; 5.2%). The immediate complications that were observed were MCA branch occlusion in 1 very small aneurysm patient and early vasospasms in 3 very large aneurysm patients. The late complication that was observed was recanalization in 1 very small aneurysm case (1/21, 4.76%) and in 5 very large aneurysm cases (5/18, 27.77%). Conclusion: Endovascular treatment of very small aneurysms is an effective method of treatment with acceptable immediate and long-term outcomes. Immediate and long-term complications were more prevalent in very large ruptured aneurysms.
An Open-Label Safety Study of First-Line Bevacizumab in Combination with Standard Chemotherapy in Chinese Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated in an Expanded Access Program in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Kuan-Der , Chen Hong-Hwa , Wang Hwei-Ming , Tsao Chao-Jung , Hsu Tzu-Chi , Chiu Chang-Fang , Su Wu-Chou , Wang Jeng-Yi
Published: March 2013

Objective: An increased risk of serious adverse effects related to bevacizumab has been observed in many Western studies for metastatic colorectal cancer. To evaluate the safety of bevacizumab in Chinese patients, a safety study was conducted in Taiwan. Methods: Bevacizumab was provided by the Expanded Access Program in combination with first-line chemotherapy per investigator's choice. The primary objective is the safety profile, particularly the targeted adverse events such as proteinuria, bowel perforation, hypertension, wound healing complication, thromboembolism and bleeding. The second objectives include time to disease progression and overall survival time. Patients with major surgical procedure performed within the 28 days of bevacizumab were excluded from this study. Results: Forty patients were eligible for intent-to-treat analysis. The overall rate of objective response and disease control was 55.2 and 81.6%. The median time to disease progression and overall survival were 11.9 and 22.9 months. The actuarial 2-year survival was 46.6%. Regarding toxicity, 7 subjects (17.5%) had serious adverse effects related to study treatment. None of the patients in this cohort had arterial thrombotic events and bowel perforation. Conclusions: Bevacizumab demonstrates a similar activity and safety profile in Chinese patients. Life-threatening bowel complications were avoided in this study by excluding patients with major surgery within the first 28 days.
Evaluation of Energy in Heated Water Vapor for the Application of Lung Volume Reduction in Patients with Severe Emphysema
Authors: Henne Erik , Kesten Steven , Herth Felix J.F.
Published: March 2013

Background: A method of achieving endoscopic lung volume reduction for emphysema has been developed that utilizes precise amounts of thermal energy in the form of water vapor to ablate lung tissue. Objective: This study evaluates the energy output and implications of the commercial InterVapor system and compares it to the clinical trial system. Methods: Two methods of evaluating the energy output of the vapor systems were used, a direct energy measurement and a quantification of resultant thermal profile in a lung model. Direct measurement of total energy and the component attributable to gas (vapor energy) was performed by condensing vapor in a water bath and measuring the temperature and mass changes. Infrared images of a lung model were taken after vapor delivery. The images were quantified to characterize the thermal profile. Results: The total energy and vapor energy of the InterVapor system was measured at various dose levels and compared to the clinical trial system at a dose of 10.0 cal/g. An InterVapor dose of 8.5 cal/g was found to have the most similar vapor energy output with the smallest associated reduction in total energy. This was supported by characterization of the thermal profile in the lung model that demonstrated the profile of InterVapor at 8.5 cal/g to not exceed the profile of the clinical trial system. Conclusions: Considering both total energy and vapor energy is important during the development of clinical vapor applications. For InterVapor, a closer study of both energy types justified a reduced target vapor-dosing range for lung volume reduction. The clinical implication is a potential improvement for benefiting the risk profile.
Effects of Everolimus on Oxidative Stress in Kidney Model of Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Kezic Aleksandra , Thaiss Friedrich , Becker Jan U. , Tsui Tung Y. , Bajcetic Milica
Published: March 2013

Background/Aims: Reactive oxygen species play an important role in the pathogenesis of kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) which may be influenced by immunosuppressive therapy. Pertinent to this, we investigated the effects of the mTOR inhibitor everolimus on redox settings and the activity of the anti-oxidative system in kidneys exposed to IRI. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were subjected to IRI by clamping both renal pedicles for 45 min. Everolimus was applied in daily, subcutaneous doses (0.25 mg/kg body weight), starting 1 day before IRI induction. Both everolimus-treated and non-treated mice were sacrificed at several time points, starting 30 min and finishing 7 days after IRI induction. Markers of oxidation such as glutathione and NADPH levels and anti-oxidative enzyme activities were determined in the kidneys. Results: In comparison to both sham and non-treated animals, the treatment with everolimus resulted in an increased level of markers of oxidation, including a lower level of glutathione, increased level of oxidized glutathione and reduced level of NADPH. The activity of superoxide dismutase was reduced in both experimental groups, but the effects were less pronounced in everolimus-treated animals. In the early phase of reperfusion, everolimus-treated animals showed higher activity of glutathione reductase in comparison to non-treated animals, whereas the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase were generally similar. The treatment with everolimus significantly reduced heme oxygenase-1 expression and increased iNOS mRNA expression when compared to non-treated animals. Conclusion: Our data imply that everolimus treatment may decrease cytoprotective capacity in kidneys exposed to IRI due to promoted oxidative/nitrosative stress.
Pulmonary Hypertension in Renal Disease: Epidemiology, Potential Mechanisms and Implications
Authors: Kawar B. , Ellam T. , Jackson C. , Kiely D.G.
Published: March 2013

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is highly prevalent in end-stage renal disease. Several observational studies, based on an echocardiographic diagnosis of PH, have suggested a prevalence of 30-60% and an association with increased mortality and poorer outcome following renal transplantation. The pathogenesis of PH in this population remains poorly understood. Reported associations include arteriovenous fistulae, cardiac dysfunction, fluid overload, bone mineral disorder and non-biocompatible dialysis membranes. However, due to the small numbers, the cross-sectional nature of the majority of studies in this field, and the reliance on echocardiography for the diagnosis of PH, no consistent association with any individual risk factor has been demonstrated. There is no difference in prevalence between patients receiving different dialysis modalities and emerging evidence suggests that the onset of the condition may precede dialysis treatment in many patients. Furthermore, little is known about the impact of the ‘uraemic vasculopathy' on the pulmonary vasculature. Given the similarities between vascular changes in uraemia and those seen in pulmonary arterial hypertension, it is possible that a pulmonary vasculopathy may be present in a proportion of patients. There is a need for better understanding of the natural history and the pathogenesis of the condition which would help to individualise treatment of PH in end-stage renal disease. To enable such understanding, prospective adequately powered studies with an integrated investigational approach including right heart catheterisation are needed.
Towards an Idle Theatre: The Politics and Poetics of Foreplay
Authors: Palladini Giulia
Published: March 2013

Foreplay is a labor of desire projected towards consummation: it is a precarious interval of potentiality for experimenting with forms of labor not yet recognized in the system of production. It is an idle theatre, persisting in its amateur nature as an act of love and hence subverting the time regime of capitalist evaluation.
Phylogenetics of the tribe Phalacropsyllini (Siphonaptera: Ctenophthalmidae: Neopsyllinae) based on molecular and morphological evidence
Authors: ACOSTA ROXANA , MORRONE JUAN J.
Published: March 2013

Six genera of the tribe Phalacropsyllini were analysed based on molecular (18S rDNA and 28S rDNA) and morphological characters, using maximum parsimony analyses and Bayesian inference. The results support the paraphyly of the tribe Phalacropsyllini, as shown in a previous study based only on molecular characters. Three main clades were identified: one includes the genera Neopsylla, Epitedia, Catallagia, and Delotelis; another includes Phalacropsylla and Strepsylla; and a third one includes only Meringis. In order to propose a phylogenetic classification we recognize three tribes, transferring Epitedia, Catallagia and Delotelis to Neopsyllini; keeping Phalacropsyllini only for Phalacropsylla and Strepsylla; and proposing the new tribe Meringini for Meringis.
Winter and Summer Northern Hemisphere Blocking in CMIP5 Models
Authors: Masato Giacomo , Hoskins Brian J. , Woollings Tim
Published: March 2013

The frequencies of atmospheric blocking in both winter and summer and the changes in them from the twentieth to the twenty-first centuries as simulated in 12 models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) are analyzed. The representative concentration pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) high emission scenario runs are used to represent the twenty-first century. The analysis is based on the wave-breaking methodology of Pelly and Hoskins. It differs from the Tibaldi and Molteni index in viewing equatorward cutoff lows and poleward blocking highs in equal manner as indicating a disruption to the westerlies. One-dimensional and two-dimensional diagnostics are applied to identify blocking of the midlatitude storm track and also at higher latitudes. Winter blocking frequency is found to be generally underestimated. The models give a decrease in the European blocking maximum in the twenty-first century, consistent with the results in other studies. There is a mean twenty-first-century winter poleward shift of high-latitude blocking but little agreement between the models on the details. In summer, Eurasian blocking is also underestimated in the models, whereas it is now too large over the high-latitude ocean basins. A decrease in European blocking frequency in the twenty-first-century model runs is again found. However, in summer there is a clear eastward shift of blocking over eastern Europe and western Russia, in a region close to the blocking that dominated the Russian summer of 2010. While summer blocking decreases in general, the poleward shift of the storm track into the region of frequent high-latitude blocking may mean that the incidence of storms being obstructed by blocks may actually increase.
Structural and Intensity Changes of Concentric Eyewall Typhoons in the Western North Pacific Basin
Authors: Yang Yi-Ting , Kuo Hung-Chi , Hendricks Eric A. , Peng Melinda S.
Published: March 2013

An objective method is developed to identify concentric eyewalls (CEs) for typhoons using passive microwave satellite imagery from 1997 to 2011 in the western North Pacific basin. Three CE types are identified: a CE with an eyewall replacement cycle (ERC; 37 cases), a CE with no replacement cycle (NRC; 17 cases), and a CE that is maintained for an extended period (CEM; 16 cases). The inner eyewall (outer eyewall) of the ERC (NRC) type dissipates within 20 h after CE formation. The CEM type has its CE structure maintained for more than 20 h (mean duration time is 31 h). Structural and intensity changes of CE typhoons are demonstrated using a T–Vmax diagram (where T is the brightness temperature and Vmax is the best-track estimated intensity) for a time sequence of the intensity and convective activity (CA) relationship. While the intensity of typhoons in the ERC and CEM cases weakens after CE formation, the CA is maintained or increases. In contrast, the CA weakens in the NRC cases. The NRC (CEM) cases typically have fast (slow) northward translational speeds and encounter large (small) vertical shear and low (high) sea surface temperatures. The CEM cases have a relatively high intensity (63 m s−1), and the moat size (61 km) and outer eyewall width (70 km) are approximately 50% larger than the other two categories. Both the internal dynamics and environmental conditions are important in the CEM cases, while the NRC cases are heavily influenced by the environment. The ERC cases may be dominated by the internal dynamics because of more uniform environmental conditions.
The Possible Reasons for the Misrepresented Long-Term Climate Trends in the Seasonal Forecasts of HFP2
Authors: Jia XiaoJing , Lin Hai
Published: March 2013

The climate trend in a dynamical seasonal forecasting system is examined using 33-yr multimodel ensemble (MME) forecasts from the second phase of the Canadian Historical Forecasting Project (HFP2). It is found that the warming trend of the seasonal forecast in March–May (MAM) over the Eurasian continent is in a good agreement with that in the observations. However, the seasonal forecast failed to reproduce the observed pronounced surface air temperature (SAT) trend in December–February (DJF). The possible reasons responsible for the different behaviors of the HFP2 models in MAM and DJF are investigated. Results show that the initial conditions used for the HFP2 forecast system in MAM have a warming trend over the Eurasian continent, which may come from high-frequency weather systems, whereas the initial conditions for the DJF seasonal forecast do not have such a trend. This trend in the initial condition contributes to the trend of the seasonal forecast in the first month. On the other hand, an examination of the lower boundary SST anomaly forcing shows that the SST trend in MAM has a negative SST anomaly along the central equatorial Pacific, which is favorable for a positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation atmospheric response and a warming over the Eurasian continent. The long-term SST trend used for the seasonal forecast in DJF, however, has a negative trend in the tropical eastern Pacific, which is associated with a Pacific–North American pattern–like atmospheric response that has little contribution to a warming in the Eurasian continent.