bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Potato Fiber and Potato‐Resistant Starch on Biomarkers of Colonic Health in Rats Fed Diets Containing Red Meat
Authors: Paturi Gunaranjan , Nyanhanda Tafadzwa , Butts Christine A. , Herath Thanuja D. , Monro John A. , Ansell Juliet
Published: September 2012

Abstract:  The effects of red meat consumption with and without fermentable carbohydrates on indices of large bowel health in rats were examined. Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed cellulose, potato fiber, or potato‐resistant starch diets containing 12% casein for 2 wk, then similar diets containing 25% cooked beef for 6 wk. After week 8, cecal and colonic microbiota composition, fermentation end‐products, colon structure, and colonocyte DNA damage were analyzed. Rats fed potato fiber had lower Bacteroides‐Prevotella‐Porphyromonas group compared to other diet groups. Colonic Bifidobacterium spp. and/or Lactobacillus spp. were higher in potato fiber and potato‐resistant starch diets than in the cellulose diet. Beneficial changes were observed in short‐chain fatty acid concentrations (acetic, butyric, and propionic acids) in rats fed potato fiber compared with rats fed cellulose. Phenol and p‐cresol concentrations were lower in the cecum and colon of rats fed potato fiber. An increase in goblet cells per crypt and longer crypts were found in the colon of rats fed potato fiber and potato‐resistant starch diets. Fermentable carbohydrates had no effect on colonic DNA damage. Dietary combinations of red meat with potato fiber or potato‐resistant starch have distinctive effects in the large bowel. Future studies are essential to examine the efficacy of different types of nondigestible carbohydrates in maintaining colonic health during long‐term consumption of high‐protein diets.

Practical Application:  Improved understanding of interactions between the food consumed and gut microbiota provides knowledge needed to make healthier food choices for large bowel health. The impact of red meat on large bowel health may be ameliorated by consuming with fermentable dietary fiber, a colonic energy source that produces less harmful by‐products than the microbial breakdown of colonic protein for energy. Developing functional red meat products with fermentable dietary fiber could be one way to promote a healthy and balanced macronutrient diet.
Effect of Steam Baking on Acrylamide Formation and Browning Kinetics of Cookies
Authors: Isleroglu Hilal , Kemerli Tansel , Sakin‐Yilmazer Melike , Guven Gonul , Ozdestan Ozgul , Uren Ali , Kaymak‐Ertekin Figen
Published: September 2012

Abstract:  Effects of baking method and temperature on surface browning and acrylamide concentration of cookies were investigated. Cookies were baked in natural and forced convection and steam‐assisted hybrid ovens at 165, 180, and 195 °C and at different times. For all oven types, the acrlyamide concentration and surface color of cookies increased with increasing baking temperature. Significant correlation was observed between acrylamide formation and browning index, BI, which was calculated from Hunter L, a, and b color values, and it showed that the BI may be considered as a reliable indicator of acrylamide concentration in cookies. Acrylamide formation and browning index in cookies were considered as the first‐order reaction kinetics and the reaction rate constants, k, were in the range of 0.023 to 0.077 (min−1) and 0.019 to 0.063 (min−1), respectively. The effect of baking temperature on surface color and acrylamide concentration followed the Arrhenius type of equation, with activation energies for acrylamide concentration as 6.87 to 27.84 kJ/mol; for BI value as 19.54 to 35.36 kJ/mol, for all oven types. Steam‐assisted baking resulted in lower acrylamide concentration at 165 °C baking temperature and lower surface color for all temperatures. Steam‐assisted baking is recommended as a healthy way of cooking providing the reduction of harmful compounds such as acrylamide for bakery goods, at a minimal level, while keeping the physical quality.

Practical Application:  The kinetics of acrylamide formation and browning of cookies will possibly allow definition of optimum baking temperatures and times at convectional and steam‐assisted baking ovens. The kinetic model can be used by developing baking programs that can automatically control especially a new home‐scale steam‐assisted hybrid oven producing healthy products, for the use of domestic consumers.
Efficacy of flexible spectral imaging color enhancement on the detection of small intestinal diseases by capsule endoscopy
Authors: Kobayashi Yuka , Watabe Hirotsugu , Yamada Atsuo , Hirata Yoshihiro , Yamaji Yutaka , Yoshida Haruhiko , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: September 2012

Objective

The aim of this study was to estimate the efficacy of flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) on the detection of small intestinal diseases by capsule endoscopy (CE).

Methods

Six individuals without significant lesions and 18 patients with following diseases were selected: four tumors, five angioectasias, seven ulcerative diseases, one ulcerative lesion and tumor and one ulcerative lesion and angioectasia. Three endoscopists reviewed all CE videos on standard and three types of FICE modes and compared their sensitivity and specificity for detection of small intestinal diseases.

Results

The overall sensitivity of CE was 94.4% at standard mode, 90.7% at FICE channel (Ch) 1, 87.0% at FICE Ch 2 and 87.0% at FICE Ch 3 and the overall specificity of CE was 66.7%, 55.6%, 77.8% and 66.7%, respectively, per patient. There was no significant difference between the standard and each FICE mode. In per‐lesion analysis, FICE Ch 1 detected more angioectasias and ulcerative lesions than the standard mode (angioectasia, 25.7 vs 21.0, P = 0.005; ulcerative lesions, 19.3 vs 14.0, P = 0.06). However, FICE Ch 1 missed more tumors than the standard mode (4.3 vs 10.0, P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Although FICE Ch 1 is better in detecting angioectasias and ulcerative lesions and worse in tumors or polyps than the standard mode, the patient‐based sensitivity and specificity of small intestinal diseases are not different between standard and each FICE mode. Further experiences with and improvement of FICE are required.
Adherence to Canadian C‐Spine Rule in a regional hospital: A retrospective study of 406 cases
Authors: Paxton Mark , Heal Clare F , Drobetz Herwig
Published: September 2012

Introduction

Cervical spine radiography may be over‐utilised in an emergency department setting. The Canadian C‐Spine Rule has been developed to reduce unnecessary radiography. Our aim was to retrospectively determine the proportion of cervical spine radiographs requested through the emergency department for trauma patients that were clinically indicated, according to the Canadian C‐Spine Rule.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional survey conducted at a regional centre in Northern Queensland, Australia. All cervical spine radiographs for trauma, performed at the Mackay Base Hospital from 1 January 2009 to the 31 December 2009, were reviewed. The relevant patient charts were audited for evidence of indications for radiography.

Results

Of 406 patients in the study, 155 patients (38%) (95% confidence interval 33.3%, 42.7%) had cervical spine imaging performed that was not indicated according to the Canadian C‐Spine Rule. None of these patients had a significant cervical spine injury on radiography.

Conclusion

Applying the Canadian C‐Spine Rule would have safely reduced the incidence of cervical spine radiography by 38%. This would also reduce costs, patient morbidity and radiation exposure.
Assessment of Surface Flaws in Glass via Thermal Downshock Test
Authors: Gulati S. T. , Okamoto F. , Nishikawa M. , Shimizu G.
Published: September 2012

The severity of surface flaws in a sodium aluminosilicate glass was assessed by subjecting flat glass plates to successively higher thermal downshock and determining the temperature range that causes failure. The temperature data are then translated to short‐lived tensile stresses, which, in turn, provide an estimate of flaw depth using Griffith's fracture criterion. The data show that the failure occurs from the edge zone indicating a more severe flaw population associated with edge finishing than that with manufactured flat surfaces. Etching of the edge region reduces flaw severity and increases the failure temperature nearly twofold. The observed fragmentation density appears to vary with stored elastic energy. The estimated thermal stresses, flaw depth, and elastic energy during thermal downshock are discussed.
In vitro reconstruction of human junctional and sulcular epithelium
Authors: Dabija‐Wolter G. , Bakken V. , Cimpan M. R. , Johannessen A. C. , Costea D. E.
Published: September 2012

Background

The aim of this study was to develop and characterize standardized in vitro three‐dimensional organotypic models of human junctional epithelium (JE) and sulcular epithelium (SE).

Methods

Organotypic models were constructed by growing human normal gingival keratinocytes on top of collagen matrices populated with gingival fibroblasts (GF) or periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLF). Tissues obtained were harvested at different time points and assessed for epithelial morphology, proliferation (Ki67), expression of JE‐specific markers (ODAM and FDC‐SP), cytokeratins (CK), transglutaminase, filaggrin, and basement membrane proteins (collagen IV and laminin1).

Results

The epithelial component in 3‐ and 5‐day organotypics showed limited differentiation and expressed Ki‐67, ODAM, FDC‐SP, CK 8, 13, 16, 19, and transglutaminase in a similar fashion to control JE samples. PLF supported better than GF expression of CK19 and suprabasal proliferation, although statistically significant only at day 5. Basement membrane proteins started to be deposited only from day 5. The rate of proliferating cells as well as the percentage of CK19‐expressing cells decreased significantly in 7‐ and 9‐day cultures. Day 7 organotypics presented higher number of epithelial cell layers, proliferating cells in suprabasal layers, and CK expression pattern similar to SE.

Conclusion

Both time in culture and fibroblast type had impact on epithelial phenotype. Five‐day cultures with PLF are suggested as JE models, 7‐day cultures with PLF or GF as SE models, while 9‐day cultures with GF as gingival epithelium (GE) models. Such standard, reproducible models represent useful tools to study periodontal bacteria–host interactions in vitro.
Potential involvement of collagen‐binding proteins of Streptococcus mutans in infective endocarditis
Authors: Nomura R , Naka S , Nemoto H , Inagaki S , Taniguchi K , Ooshima T , Nakano K
Published: September 2012

Objective

Streptococcus mutans, a major pathogen of dental caries, is considered to be one of the causative agents of infective endocarditis (IE). Two types of cell surface collagen‐binding proteins, Cnm and Cbm, have been identified in the organism. The aim of the present study was to analyze these proteins as possible etiologic factors for IE.

Materials and Methods

The binding activities of S. mutans strains to collagen types I, III, and IV were analyzed relative to the presence of Cnm and Cbm, as were their adhesion and invasion properties with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). In addition, distributions of the genes encoding Cnm and Cbm in S. mutans‐positive heart valve specimens extirpated from IE and non‐IE patients were analyzed by PCR.

Results

Most of the Cbm‐positive strains showed higher levels of binding to type I collagen as well as higher rates of adhesion and invasion with HUVEC as compared to the Cnm‐positive strains. Furthermore, the gene encoding Cbm was detected significantly more frequently in heart valve specimens from IE patients than from non‐IE patients.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the collagen‐binding protein Cbm of S. mutans may be one of the potential important factor associated with the pathogenesis of IE.
Microbial diversity in the oral cavity of healthy Chinese Han children
Authors: Xin BC , Luo AH , Qin J , Paster BJ , Xu YL , Li YL , Yang DQ
Published: September 2012

Objective

This study aimed to identify the oral microbial diversity of healthy Chinese Han children.

Methods

Dental plaques were sampled from the oral cavity of ten healthy Chinese Han children. The oral microbiome was examined using the 16S rRNA–based Human Oral Microbe Identification Microarray. The microbial diversity and similarity were analyzed using the Chao–Jaccard similarity index.

Results

A total of 112 species, which belonged to nine bacterial phyla and 41 genera, were detected. Each individual harbored an average of 54.1 microbial species (ranging from 37 to 69) and 26.2 genera (ranging from 21 to 31), with interindividual variations both at the species and genus level. Thirteen genera were conserved among all individuals. The Chao–Jaccard similarity index averages, at the genus and species level, were 0.642 (ranging from 0.485 to 0.871) and 0.506 (ranging from 0.338 to 0.676), respectively, suggesting that the healthy oral community was more conserved at the genus level than at the species level.

Conclusion

Although there was interindividual variation in the oral microflora, some bacterial genera were conserved among individuals, supporting the existence of a core microbiome in the oral cavity of healthy Chinese Han children.
Comparative genomic hybridization and transcriptome analysis with a pan‐genome microarray reveal distinctions between JP2 and non‐JP2 genotypes of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Huang Y. , Kittichotirat W. , Mayer M.P.A. , Hall R. , Bumgarner R. , Chen C.
Published: September 2012

It was postulated that the highly virulent JP2 genotype of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans may possess a constellation of distinct virulence determinants not found in non‐JP2 genotypes. This study compared the genome content and the transcriptome of the serotype b JP2 genotype and the closely related serotype b non‐JP2 genotype of A. actinomycetemcomitans. A custom‐designed pan‐genomic microarray of A. actinomycetemcomitans was constructed and validated against a panel of 11 sequenced reference strains. The microarray was subsequently used for comparative genomic hybridization of serotype b strains of JP2 (six strains) and non‐JP2 (six strains) genotypes, and for transcriptome analysis of strains of JP2 (three strains) and non‐JP2 (two strains). Two JP2‐specific and two non‐JP2‐specific genomic islands were identified. In one instance, distinct genomic islands were found to be inserted into the same locus among strains of different genotypes. Transcriptome analysis identified five operons, including the leukotoxin operon, to have at least two genes with an expression ratio of 2 or greater between genotypes. Two of the differentially expressed operons were members of the membrane‐bound nitrate reductase system (nap operon) and the Tol‐Pal system of gram‐negative bacterial species. This study is the first to demonstrate the differences in the full genome content and gene expression between A. actinomycetemcomitans strains of JP2 and non‐JP2 genotypes. The information is essential for designing hypothesis‐driven experiments to examine the pathogenic mechanisms of A. actinomycetemcomitans.
Effect of Temperature and Chloride Content on the Stress Corrosion Cracking Susceptibility of 304 Stainless Steel Welded Joints Treated by Ultrasonic Impact Treatment
Authors: Ma Gang , Ling Xiang
Published: September 2012

Effect of temperature and chloride content on the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility of 304 stainless steel welded joints treated by ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT) is investigated in this study. High tensile weld residual stress is an important factor contributing to SCC. UIT can produce compressive stresses on the surface of welded joints that negate the tensile stresses to enhance the SCC resistance of welded joints. In the SCC testing, the specimens were immersed in sodium chloride solution at the temperatures of 200 °C–280 °C in the range of sodium chloride solution from 50 g/L to 200 g/L. During the testing, treated specimens show good SCC resistance with different temperature and consistency of chloride ion. The results show that the SCC susceptibility of 304 stainless steel welded joints reduces with increase of temperature and decrease of chloride ion consistency. The surface roughness of sample after UIT was investigated by portable surface roughness tester. The results reveal that surface of the samples becomes rougher than the original plate with the increase of the impact duration, which contribute to the pitting corrosion of treated specimens. And, the level of pitting corrosion is reduced with increase of temperature.
Corrected contact dynamics for the Steinecke and Herzel asymmetric two-mass model of the vocal folds
Authors: Sommer David E. , Erath Byron D. , Zañartu Matias , Peterson Sean D.
Published: September 2012

The simplified two-mass model of human vocal folds, proposed by Steinecke and Herzel [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 97(3), 1874–1884 (1995)], has seen widespread use throughout the speech community. Herein, an error is corrected in the contact loadings on colliding vocal folds with asymmetric tissue properties, as arises clinically in cases of unilateral paralysis. A revised contact model is proposed that remediates the erroneous asymmetric contact forces. The vibration regime map presented in Steinecke and Herzel illustrating the dynamical behavior of the system is revised using the corrected collision model.
On the measurement of airborne, angular-dependent sound transmission through supercritical bars
Authors: Shaw Matthew D. , Anderson Brian E.
Published: September 2012

The coincidence effect is manifested by maximal sound transmission at angles at which trace wave number matching occurs. Coincidence effect theory is well-defined for unbounded thin plates using plane-wave excitation. However, experimental results for finite bars are known to diverge from theory near grazing angles. Prior experimental work has focused on pulse excitation. An experimental setup has been developed to observe coincidence using continuous- wave excitation and phased-array methods. Experimental results with an aluminum bar exhibit maxima at the predicted angles, showing that coincidence is observable using continuous waves. Transmission near grazing angles is seen to diverge from infinite plate theory.
Cosubstrate Tolerance of the Aminoglycoside Resistance Enzyme Eis from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Chen Wenjing , Green Keith D. , Garneau-Tsodikova Sylvie
Published: September 2012

We previously demonstrated that aminoglycoside acetyltransferases (AACs) display expanded cosubstrate promiscuity. The enhanced intracellular survival (Eis) protein of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is responsible for the resistance of this pathogen to kanamycin A in a large fraction of clinical isolates. Recently, we discovered that Eis is a unique AAC capable of acetylating multiple amine groups on a large pool of aminoglycoside (AG) antibiotics, an unprecedented property among AAC enzymes. Here, we report a detailed study of the acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) cosubstrate profile of Eis. We show that, in contrast to other AACs, Eis efficiently uses only 3 out of 15 tested acyl-CoA derivatives to modify a variety of AGs. We establish that for almost all acyl-CoAs, the number of sites acylated by Eis is smaller than the number of sites acetylated. We demonstrate that the order of
n
-propionylation of the AG neamine by Eis is the same as the order of its acetylation. We also show that the 6′ position is the first to be
n
-propionylated on amikacin and netilmicin. By sequential acylation reactions, we show that AGs can be acetylated after the maximum possible
n
-propionylation of their scaffolds by Eis. The information reported herein will advance our understanding of the multiacetylation mechanism of inactivation of AGs by Eis, which is responsible for
M. tuberculosis
resistance to some AGs.
Use of Xylitol To Enhance the Therapeutic Efficacy of Polymethylmethacrylate-Based Antibiotic Therapy in Treatment of Chronic Osteomyelitis
Authors: Beenken Karen E. , Bradney Laura , Bellamy William , Skinner Robert A. , McLaren Sandra G. , Gruenwald M. Johannes , Spencer Horace J. , Smith James K. , Haggard Warren O. , Smeltzer Mark S.
Published: September 2012

Using a rabbit model of postsurgical osteomyelitis, we demonstrate that incorporation of xylitol into polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement enhances the elution of daptomycin under
in vivo
conditions. We also demonstrate that this can be correlated with an improved therapeutic outcome in the treatment of a chronic bone infection following surgical debridement.
Subtilase Cytotoxin Enhances Escherichia coli Survival in Macrophages by Suppression of Nitric Oxide Production through the Inhibition of NF-κB Activation
Authors: Tsutsuki Hiroyasu , Yahiro Kinnosuke , Suzuki Kotaro , Suto Akira , Ogura Kohei , Nagasawa Sayaka , Ihara Hideshi , Shimizu Takeshi , Nakajima Hiroshi , Moss Joel , Noda Masatoshi
Published: September 2012

Subtilase cytotoxin (SubAB), which is produced by certain strains of Shiga-toxigenicEscherichia coli(STEC), cleaves an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone, BiP/Grp78, leading to induction of ER stress and caspase-dependent apoptosis. SubAB alters the innate immune response. SubAB pretreatment of macrophages inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of both monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). We investigated here the mechanism by which SubAB inhibits nitric oxide (NO) production by mouse macrophages. SubAB suppressed LPS-induced NO production through inhibition of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein expression. Further, SubAB inhibited LPS-induced IκB-α phosphorylation and nuclear localization of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65/p50 heterodimer. Reporter gene and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed that SubAB reduced LPS-induced NF-κB p65/p50 heterodimer binding to an NF-κB binding site on the iNOS promoter. In contrast to the native toxin, a catalytically inactivated SubAB mutant slightly enhanced LPS-induced iNOS expression and binding of NF-κB subunits to the iNOS promoter. The SubAB effect on LPS-induced iNOS expression was significantly reduced in macrophages from NF-κB1 (p50)-deficient mice, which lacked a DNA-binding subunit of the p65/p50 heterodimer, suggesting that p50 was involved in SubAB-mediated inhibition of iNOS expression. Treatment of macrophages with an NOS inhibitor or expression of SubAB byE. coliincreasedE. colisurvival in macrophages, suggesting that NO generated by macrophages resulted in efficient killing of the bacteria and SubAB contributed toE. colisurvival in macrophages. Thus, we hypothesize that SubAB might represent a novel bacterial strategy to circumvent host defense during STEC infection.
Capsular Polysaccharide of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, the Causative Agent of Swine Erysipelas, and Its Modification with Phosphorylcholine
Authors: Shi Fang , Harada Tomoyuki , Ogawa Yohsuke , Ono Hiroshi , Ohnishi-Kameyama Mayumi , Miyamoto Toru , Eguchi Masahiro , Shimoji Yoshihiro
Published: September 2012

The capsule has been implicated in the virulence of the swine pathogen
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
, a rod-shaped, intracellular Gram-positive bacterium that has a unique phylogenetic position in the phylum
Firmicutes
and is a close relative of
Mollicutes
(mycoplasma species). In this study, we analyzed the genetic locus and composition of the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of the Fujisawa strain of
E. rhusiopathiae
. Genome analysis of the Fujisawa strain revealed that the genetic locus for capsular polysaccharide synthesis (
cps
) is located next to an
lic
operon, which is involved in the incorporation and expression of phosphorylcholine (PCho). Reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed that
cps
and
lic
are transcribed as a single mRNA, indicating that the loci form an operon. Using the cell surface antigen-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) ER21 as a probe, the capsular materials were isolated from the Fujisawa strain by hot water extraction and treatment with DNase, RNase, pronase, and
N
-acetylmuramidase SG, followed by anion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The materials were then analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The CPS of
E. rhusiopathiae
is heterogeneous and consists of the major monosaccharides galacturonic acid, galactose, mannose, glucose, arabinose, xylose, and
N
-acetylglucosamine and some minor monosaccharides containing ribose, rhamnose, and
N
-acetylgalactosamine. In addition, the capsule is modified by PCho, which comigrates with the capsular materials, as determined by Western immunoblotting, and colocalizes on the cell surface, as determined by immunogold electron microscopy. Virulence testing of PCho-defective mutants in mice demonstrated that PCho is critical for the virulence of this organism.
HORIZONTAL LAPLACIAN ON TANGENT BUNDLE OF FINSLER MANIFOLD WITH g-NATURAL METRIC
Authors: PEYGHAN ESMAEIL , TAYEBI AKBAR , ZHONG CHUNPING
Published: September 2012

Recently the third author studied horizontal Laplacians in real Finsler vector bundles and complex Finsler manifolds. In this paper, we introduce a class of g-natural metrics Ga,bon the tangent bundle of a Finsler manifold (M, F) which generalizes the associated Sasaki–Matsumoto metric and Miron metric. We obtain the Weitzenböck formula of the horizontal Laplacian associated to Ga,b, which is a second-order differential operator for general forms on tangent bundle. Using the horizontal Laplacian associated to Ga,b, we give some characterizations of certain objects which are geometric interest (e.g. scalar and vector fields which are horizontal covariant constant) on the tangent bundle. Furthermore, Killing vector fields associated to Ga,bare investigated.
Ascending Aortic Wall Cohesion: Comparison of Bicuspid and Tricuspid Valves
Authors: Benedik Jaroslav , Pilarczyk Kevin , Wendt Daniel , Indruch Jiri , Flek Radek , Tsagakis Konstantinos , Alaeddine Savvas , Jakob Heinz
Published: September 2012

Objectives. Bicuspid aortic valve (AV) represents the most common form of congenital AV malformation, which is frequently associated with pathologies of the ascending aorta. We compared the mechanical properties of the aortic wall between patients with bicuspid and tricuspid AV using a new custom-made device mimicking transversal aortic wall shear stress.Methods. Between 03/2010 and 07/2011, 190 consecutive patients undergoing open aortic valve replacement at our institution were prospectively enrolled, presenting either with a bicuspid (group 1,n=44) or a tricuspid (group 2,n=146) AV. Aortic wall specimen were examined with the “dissectometer” resulting in nine specific aortic-wall parameters derived from tensile strength curves (TSC).Results. Patients with a bicuspid AV showed significantly more calcified valves (43.2% versus 15.8%,P<0.001), and a significantly thinner aortic wall (2.04±0.42 mm versus2.24±0.41 mm,P=0.008). Transesophageal echocardiography diameters (annulus, aortic sinuses, and sinotubular junction) were significantly larger in the bicuspid group (P=0.003,P=0.02,P=0.01). We found no difference in the aortic wall cohesion between both groups as revealed by shear stress testing (P=0.72,P=0.40,P=0.41).Conclusion. We observed no differences of TSC in patients presenting with tricuspid or bicuspid AVs. These results may allow us to assume that the morphology of the AV and the pathology of the ascending aorta are independent.
Development of Laser-Produced Tin Plasma-Based EUV Light Source Technology for HVM EUV Lithography
Authors: Fujimoto Junichi , Hori Tsukasa , Yanagida Tatsuya , Mizoguchi Hakaru
Published: September 2012

Since 2002, we have been developing a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser-produced tin (Sn) plasma (LPP) extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source, which is the most promising solution because of the 13.5 nm wavelength high power (>200 W) light source for high volume manufacturing. EUV lithography is used for its high efficiency, power scalability, and spatial freedom around plasma. We believe that the LPP scheme is the most feasible candidate for the EUV light source for industrial use. We have several engineering data from our test tools, which include 93% Sn ionization rate, 98% Sn debris mitigation by a magnetic field, and 68% CO2 laser energy absorption rate. The way of dispersion of Sn by prepulse laser is key to improve conversion efficiency (CE). We focus on prepulsed laser pulsed duration. When we have optimized pulse duration from nanosecond to picosecond, we have obtained maximum 4.7% CE (CO2 laser to EUV; our previous data was 3.8%) at 2 mJ EUV pulse energy. Based on these data we are developing our first light source as our product: “GL200E.” The latest data and the overview of EUV light source for the industrial EUV lithography are reviewed in this paper.
A Note on Coincidence Degree Theory
Authors: Sırma Ali , Ṣevgin Sebaheddin
Published: September 2012

The background of definition of coincidence degree is explained, and some of its basic properties are given.
Design and Statistical Analysis of Pooled Next Generation Sequencing for Rare Variants
Authors: Wang Tao , Lin Chang-Yun , Zhang Yuanhao , Wen Ruofeng , Ye Kenny
Published: September 2012

Next generation sequencing (NGS) is a revolutionary technology for biomedical research. One highly cost-efficient application of NGS is to detect disease association based on pooled DNA samples. However, several key issues need to be addressed for pooled NGS. One of them is the high sequencing error rate and its high variability across genomic positions and experiment runs, which, if not well considered in the experimental design and analysis, could lead to either inflated false positive rates or loss in statistical power. Another important issue is how to test association of a group of rare variants. To address the first issue, we proposed a new blocked pooling design in which multiple pools of DNA samples from cases and controls are sequenced together on same NGS functional units. To address the second issue, we proposed a testing procedure that does not require individual genotypes but by taking advantage of multiple DNA pools. Through a simulation study, we demonstrated that our approach provides a good control of the type I error rate, and yields satisfactory power compared to the test-based on individual genotypes. Our results also provide guidelines for designing an efficient pooled.
Facile Synthesis of Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles from Cockle Shells
Authors: Islam Kh. Nurul , Zuki A. B. Z. , Ali M. E. , Bin Hussein Mohd Zobir , Noordin M. M. , Loqman M. Y. , Wahid H. , Hakim M. A. , Abd Hamid Sharifa Bee
Published: September 2012

A simple and low‐cost method for the synthesis of calcium carbonate nanoparticles from cockle shells was described. Polymorphically, the synthesized nanoparticles were aragonites which are biocompatible and thus frequently used in the repair of fractured bone and development of advanced drug delivery systems, tissue scaffolds and anticarcinogenic drugs. The rod‐shaped and pure aragonite particles of 30 ± 5 nm in diameter were reproducibly synthesized when micron‐sized cockle shells powders were mechanically stirred for 90 min at room temperature in presence of a nontoxic and nonhazardous biomineralization catalyst, dodecyl dimethyl betaine (BS‐12). The findings were verified using a combination of analytical techniques such as variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (VPSEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and energy dispersive X‐ray analyser (EDX). The reproducibility and low cost of the method suggested that it could be used in industry for the large scale synthesis of aragonite nanoparticles from cockle shells, a low cost and easily available natural resource.
Extended Mapping Method and Its Applications to Nonlinear Evolution Equations
Authors: Alzaidy J. F.
Published: September 2012

We use extended mapping method and auxiliary equation method for finding new periodic wave solutions of nonlinear evolution equations in mathematical physics, and we obtain some new periodic wave solution for the Boussinesq system and the coupled KdV equations. This method is more powerful and will be used in further works to establish more entirely new solutions for other kinds of nonlinear partial differential equations arising in mathematical physics.
Adaptive Control of a Two‐Item Inventory Model with Unknown Demand Rate Coefficients
Authors: Alshamrani Ahmad M.
Published: September 2012

This paper considers a multiitem inventory model with unknown demand rate coefficients. An adaptive control approach with a nonlinear feedback is applied to track the output of the system toward the inventory goal level. The Lyapunov technique is used to prove the asymptotic stability of the adaptive controlled system. Also, the updating rules of the unknown demand rate coefficients are derived from the conditions of the asymptotic stability of the perturbed system. The linear stability analysis of the model is discussed. The adaptive controlled system is modeled by a system of nonlinear differential equations, and its solution is discussed numerically.
Painless Livedoid Vasculopathy in a Patient with G20210A Prothrombin Gene Mutation
Authors: Mirrakhimov Aibek E. , Velasquez Kho Erwin , Ali Alaa
Published: September 2012

87 year old Caucasian female with chronic painless non-healing ulcers over malleoli was admitted to the hospital. On a physical examination, there were two bilateral and laterally located malleoli ulcers with no discharge. A thorough work up was done: lower extremities venous and arterial Doppler ultrasound did not show any evidence of venous and arterial disease respectively. Heterozygous G20210A Prothrombin gene mutation was found, and the patient was started on anticoagulation. This case reports highlights a possibility of a painless livedoid vasculopathy presentation in a patient without significant past thrombotic events. Therefore, it is important to consider livedoid vasculopathy in the differential in a patient with painless ulcerative, atrophic and/or nodular skin lesions over the shins and malleoli.
Why RECIST Works and Why It Should Stay—Counterpoint
Authors: Fojo Antonio T. , Noonan Anne
Published: September 2012

Assessing that the efficacy of a cancer therapeutic is an integral part of its path to regulatory approval, we review the history that led to our current assessment method, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). We describe the efforts of Moertel and Hanley to standardize response assessments in lymphoid malignancies and how this was adapted in the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Two decades later, RECIST was advanced to streamline WHO and improve its reproducibility. We describe the ways in which thresholds established by Moertel and Hanley to provide accuracy and reproducibility evolved to become measures of efficacy and why they have been valuable. While we recognize RECIST is far from perfect—in need of modification as a measure of efficacy for some agents and in some diseases—for the majority of solid tumors, it is very valuable. We argue that over time, the efficacy thresholds established by WHO and then RECIST have proved their worth, and we summarize 10 years of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals in solid tumors to support our position that current RECIST thresholds should be retained. Cancer Res; 72(20); 5151–7. ©2012 AACR.
Subtle Abnormalities in Contractile Function Are an Early Manifestation of Sarcomere Mutations in Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Lakdawala Neal K. , Thune Jens J. , Colan Steven D. , Cirino Allison L. , Farrohi Faranak , Rivero Jose , McDonough Barbara , Sparks Elizabeth , Orav E. J. , Seidman J. G. , Seidman Christine E. , Ho Carolyn Y.
Published: September 2012

Background—

Sarcomere mutations cause both dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM); however, the steps leading from mutation to disease are not well described. By studying mutation carriers before a clinical diagnosis develops, we characterize the early manifestations of sarcomere mutations in DCM and investigate how these manifestations differ from sarcomere mutations associated with HCM.

Methods and Results—

Sixty-two genotyped individuals in families with sarcomeric DCM underwent clinical evaluation including strain echocardiography. The group included 12 subclinical DCM mutation carriers with normal cardiac dimensions and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥55%), 21 overt DCM subjects, and 29 related mutation (-) normal controls. Results were compared with a previously characterized cohort of 60 subclinical HCM subjects (sarcomere mutation carriers without left ventricular hypertrophy). Systolic myocardial tissue velocity, longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain, and longitudinal and radial strain rate were reduced by 10%–23% in subclinical DCM mutation carriers compared with controls (
P
<0.001 for all comparisons), after adjusting for age and family relations. No significant differences in diastolic parameters were identified comparing the subclinical and control cohorts. The opposite pattern of contractile abnormalities with reduced diastolic but preserved systolic function was seen in subclinical HCM.

Conclusions—

Subtle abnormalities in systolic function are present in subclinical DCM mutation carriers, despite normal left ventricular size and ejection fraction. In contrast, impaired relaxation and preserved systolic function appear to be the predominant early manifestations of sarcomere mutations that lead to HCM. These findings support the theory that the mutation’s intrinsic impact on sarcomere function influences whether a dilated or hypertrophic phenotype develops.
Five-year Clinical and Economic Outcomes Among Patients With Medically Managed Severe Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Clark Mary Ann , Arnold Suzanne V. , Duhay Francis G. , Thompson Ann K. , Keyes Michelle J. , Svensson Lars G. , Bonow Robert O. , Stockwell Benjamin T. , Cohen David J.
Published: September 2012

Background—

Patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis, who do not undergo valve replacement surgery have a poor long-term prognosis. Limited data exist on the medical resource utilization and costs during the final stages of the disease.

Methods and Results—

We used data from the 2003 Medicare 5% standard analytic files to identify patients with aortic stenosis and a recent hospitalization for heart failure, who did not undergo valve replacement surgery within the ensuing 2 calendar quarters. These patients (n=2150) were considered to have medically managed severe aortic stenosis and were tracked over 5 years to measure clinical outcomes, medical resource use, and costs (from the perspective of the Medicare Program). The mean age of the cohort was 82 years, 64% were female, and the estimated logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) (a measure of predicted mortality with cardiac surgery) was 17%. During 5 years of follow-up, overall mortality was 88.4% with a mean survival duration of 1.8 years. During this time period, patients experienced an average of 4.4 hospital admissions, 52% were admitted to skilled nursing care, and 28% were admitted to hospice care. The total 5-year costs were $63 844 per patient, whereas mean annual follow-up costs (excluding the index quarter) per year alive were $29 278.

Conclusions—

Elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing medical management have limited long-term survival and incur substantial costs to the Medicare Program. These results have important implications for policy makers interested in better understanding the cost-effectiveness of emerging treatment options such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
Television Watching, Leisure Time Physical Activity, and the Genetic Predisposition in Relation to Body Mass Index in Women and Men
Authors: Qi Qibin , Li Yanping , Chomistek Andrea K. , Kang Jae H. , Curhan Gary C. , Pasquale Louis R. , Willett Walter C. , Rimm Eric B. , Hu Frank B. , Qi Lu
Published: September 2012

Background—

Previous studies on gene-lifestyle interaction and obesity have focused mostly on the
FTO
gene and physical activity, whereas little attention has been paid to sedentary behavior as indicated by television (TV) watching.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed interactions between TV watching, leisure time physical activity, and genetic predisposition in relation to body mass index (BMI) in 7740 women and 4564 men from 2 prospective cohorts: The Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Data on physical activity and TV watching were collected 2 years before assessment of BMI. A weighted genetic risk score was calculated on the basis of 32 established BMI-associated variants. In both women and men, the genetic associations with BMI strengthened with increased hours of TV watching. An increment of 10 points in the weighted genetic risk score was associated with 0.8 (SE, 0.4), 0.8 (SE, 0.2), 1.4 (SE, 0.2), 1.5 (SE, 0.2), and 3.4 (SE, 1.0) kg/m
2
higher BMI across the 5 categories of TV watching (0–1, 2–5, 6–20, 21–40, and >40 h/wk;
P
for interaction=0.001). In contrast, the genetic association with BMI weakened with increased levels of physical activity. An increment of 10 points in the weighted genetic risk score was associated with 1.5 (SE, 0.2), 1.3 (SE, 0.2), 1.2 (SE, 0.2), 1.2 (SE, 0.2), and 0.8 (SE, 0.2) kg/m
2
higher BMI across the quintiles of physical activity. The interactions of TV watching and physical activity with genetic predisposition in relation to BMI were independent of each other.

Conclusions—

A sedentary lifestyle, indicated by prolonged TV watching, may accentuate the predisposition to elevated adiposity, whereas greater leisure time physical activity may attenuate the genetic association.
Statistical Analysis of the Spatial Evolution of the Stationary Wind Wave Field
Authors: Zavadsky A. , Liberzon D. , Shemer L.
Published: September 2012

Detailed investigation of wind-generated water waves in a 5-m-long wind wave flume facility is reported. Careful measurements were carried out at a large number of locations along the test section and at numerous airflow rates. The evolution of the wind wave field was investigated using appropriate dimensionless parameters. When possible, quantitative comparison with the results accumulated in field measurements and in larger laboratory facilities was performed. Particular attention was given to the evolution of wave frequency spectra along the tank, distinguishing between the frequency domain around the spectral peak and the high-frequency tail of the spectrum. Notable similarity between the parameters of the evolving wind wave field in the present facility and in field measurements was observed.
Impacts of Mesonet Observations on Meteorological Surface Analyses
Authors: Tyndall Daniel P. , Horel John D.
Published: September 2012

Given the heterogeneous equipment, maintenance and reporting practices, and siting of surface observing stations, subjective decisions that depend on the application tend to be made to use some observations and to avoid others. This research determines objectively high-impact surface observations of 2-m temperature, 2-m dewpoint, and 10-m wind observations using the adjoint of a two-dimensional variational surface analysis over the contiguous United States. The analyses reflect a weighted blend of 1-h numerical forecasts used as background grids and available observations. High-impact observations are defined as arising from poor observation quality, observation representativeness errors, or accurate observed weather conditions not evident in the background field. The impact of nearly 20 000 surface observations is computed over a sample of 100 analysis hours during 25 major weather events. Observation impacts are determined for each station as well as within broad network categories. For individual analysis hours, high-impact observations are located in regions of significant weather—typically, where the background field fails to define the local weather conditions. Low-impact observations tend to be ones where there are many observations reporting similar departures from the background. When averaged over the entire 100 cases, observations with the highest impact are found within all network categories and depend strongly on their location relative to other observing sites and the amount of variability in the weather; for example, temperature observations have reduced impact in urban areas such as Los Angeles, California, where observations are plentiful and temperature departures from the background grids are small.
Climate Advocacy Coalitions in Guangdong, China
Authors: Francesch-Huidobro Maria , Mai Qianqing
Published: September 2012

This article applies a modified conceptual framework derived from Sabatier’s advocacy coalition framework and Haas’ epistemic communities’ framework to analyze climate advocacy coalitions in Guangzhou, China, a largely unexplored area of study. Our analysis reveals several key features of the climate policy advocacy groups working to promote policy change within the policy subsystem of a nonpluralistic regime: (a) mutual interdependence (consensus building) in the creation of an advocacy coalition system, (b) government recognition and endorsement of newly established or professionally oriented coalition organizations, (c) coalition formation in a top-down manner rather than by accumulative bottom-up demands, and (d) bottom-up motivators, such as changing societal values and the external environment, which contribute to and accelerate the reform of policy orientation and the administrative structure of coalition formation.
Would You Go Broke to Stay Alive in Singapore?
Authors: Quah Song Chiek
Published: September 2012

Aims:

This study attempts to explore how high treatment costs can result in people foregoing necessary treatment.

Methods:

Health care professionals (HCPs) were invited to complete a questionnaire survey, in which they were requested to imagine that they had locally recurrent head and neck cancers. They were then asked to choose a treatment in each of the 3 scenarios, which differed only in the cost of treatment.

Results:

Majority would choose the cheapest treatment option if treatment costs mirrored that in real life. But majority would opt for the treatment that gave the greatest median survival, if cost was not an issue.

Conclusion:

High cost of treatment can be a strong deterrent to patients who need and can benefit from those treatments.
Coexistence of anti-synchronization and complete synchronization of delay hyperchaotic Lü systems via partial variables
Authors: Wang Zuolei , Shi Xuerong
Published: September 2012

This work is devoted to investigating the coexistence of anti-synchronization (AS) and complete synchronization (CS) of two identical delay hyperchaotic Lü systems via partial variables. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, a simple synchronization scheme only with linear inputs is considered. The sufficient conditions of synchronization are also obtained for both linear feedback and adaptive control approaches. The coexistence of AS and CS between two nearly identical delay chaotic systems with unknown parameters is explored. A single input controller is proposed and the adaptive parameter update laws are developed. Numerical simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed chaos synchronization scheme.