bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mass segmentation using a combined method for cancer detection
Authors: Liu Jun , Chen Jianxun , Liu Xiaoming , Chun Lei , Tang Jinshan , Deng Youping
Published: December 2011

Background

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death for women all over the world and mammography is thought of as one of the main tools for early detection of breast cancer. In order to detect the breast cancer, computer aided technology has been introduced. In computer aided cancer detection, the detection and segmentation of mass are very important. The shape of mass can be used as one of the factors to determine whether the mass is malignant or benign. However, many of the current methods are semi-automatic. In this paper, we investigate fully automatic segmentation method.

Results

In this paper, a new mass segmentation algorithm is proposed. In the proposed algorithm, a fully automatic marker-controlled watershed transform is proposed to segment the mass region roughly, and then a level set is used to refine the segmentation. For over-segmentation caused by watershed, we also investigated different noise reduction technologies. Images from DDSM were used in the experiments and the results show that the new algorithm can improve the accuracy of mass segmentation.

Conclusions

The new algorithm combines the advantages of both methods. The combination of the watershed based segmentation and level set method can improve the efficiency of the segmentation. Besides, the introduction of noise reduction technologies can reduce over-segmentation.
High fat diet enhances cardiac abnormalities in SHR rats: Protective role of heme oxygenase-adiponectin axis
Authors: Cao Jian , Sodhi Komal , Puri Nitin , Monu Sumit R , Rezzani Rita , Abraham Nader G
Published: December 2011

Background

High dietary fat intake is a major risk factor for development of cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction including obesity, cardiomyopathy and hypertension.

Methods

The present study was designed to examine effect of high fat (HF) diet on cardio-vascular structure and function in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), fed HF diet for 15 weeks, a phenotype designed to mimic metabolic syndrome.

Results

Development of metabolic syndrome like phenotype was confirmed using parameters, including body weight, total cholesterol and blood pressure levels. High fat diet impaired vascular relaxation by acetylcholine and exacerbated cardiac dysfunction in SHRs as evidenced by lower left ventricular function, and higher coronary resistance (CR) as compared to controls (p < 0.05). The histological examination revealed significant myocardial and peri-vascular fibrosis in hearts from SHRs on HF diet. This cardiac dysfunction was associated with increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, COX-2, NOX-2, TxB2 expression and increase in superoxide (O2
-) levels in SHR fed a HF diet (p < 0.05). HO-1 induction via cobalt-protoporphyrin (CoPP,3 mg/kg), in HF fed rats, not only improved cardiac performance parameters, but also prevented myocardial and perivascular fibrosis. These effects of CoPP were accompanied by enhanced levels of cardiac adiponectin levels, pAMPK, peNOS and iNOS expression; otherwise significantly attenuated (p < 0.05) in HF fed SHRs. Prevention of such beneficial effects of CoPP by the concurrent administration of the HO inhibitor stannic mesoporphyrin (SnMP) corroborates the role of HO system in mediating such effects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this novel study demonstrates that up-regulation of HO-1 improves cardiac and vascular dysfunction by blunting oxidative stress, COX-2 levels and increasing adiponectin levels in hypertensive rats on HF diet.
Regional cerebral blood flow in late-life depression: arterial spin labelling magnetic resonance study
Authors: Colloby Sean J. , Firbank Michael J. , He Jiabao , Thomas Alan J. , Vasudev Akshya , Parry Steve W. , O'Brien John T.
Published: December 2011

Background

A limited number of studies have demonstrated changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) in older individuals with depression, but there are considerable inconsistencies between studies.

Aims

To investigate changes in CBF using arterial spin labelling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in people with late-life depression and in a similarly aged healthy control group.

Method

Sixty-eight participants (30 healthy individuals, 38 with depression) underwent ASL and T1-weighted MRI scanning. For each individual, regional estimates of separate grey and white matter CBF were obtained. Group differences in CBF and their associations with clinical features were examined.

Results

Significant increases were observed in white matter CBF in patients with depression relative to the control group (F1,65 = 9.7, P = 0.003). Grey matter CBF in lateral frontal, medial frontal, cingulate, central and parietal regions did not significantly differ between groups (F1,65≤2.1, P≥0.2). A significant correlation was found between white matter CBF and Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores in depression (r’ =–0.42, P = 0.03). Further analyses revealed that compared with controls, significant elevation of white matter CBF was apparent in participants whose depression was in remission (n = 21, MADRS≤10, P = 0.001) but not in those with current depression (n = 17, MADRS≥11, P = 0.80).

Conclusions

Findings suggest a compensatory response to white matter pathological change or a response to (or a predictor of) successful antidepressant treatment, perhaps by facilitating neurotransmission in specific circuits and so reducing depressive symptoms.
A mutation in the catalytic subunit of yeast telomerase alters primer–template alignment while promoting processivity and protein–DNA binding
Authors: Bairley Robin C. B. , Guillaume Gina , Vega Leticia R. , Friedman Katherine L.
Published: December 2011

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex that is required for maintenance of linear chromosome ends (telomeres). In yeast, the Est2 protein reverse transcribes a short template region of the TLC1 RNA using the chromosome terminus to prime replication. Yeast telomeres contain heterogeneous G1–3T sequences that arise from incomplete reverse transcription of the TLC1 template and alignment of the DNA primer at multiple sites within the template region. We have previously described mutations in the essential N-terminal TEN domain of Est2p that alter telomere sequences. Here, we demonstrate that one of these mutants, glutamic acid 76 to lysine (est2-LTE76K), restricts possible alignments between the DNA primer and the TLC1 template. In addition, this mutant exhibits increased processivity in vivo. Within the context of the telomerase enzyme, the Est2p TEN domain is thought to contribute to enzyme processivity by mediating an anchor-site interaction with the DNA primer. We show that binding of the purified TEN domain (residues 1–161) to telomeric DNA is enhanced by the E76K mutation. These results support the idea that the anchor-site interaction contributes to telomerase processivity and suggest a role for the anchor site of yeast telomerase in mediating primer–template alignment within the active site.
Son maintains accurate splicing for a subset of human pre-mRNAs
Authors: Sharma Alok , Markey Michael , Torres-Muñoz Keshia , Varia Sapna , Kadakia Madhavi , Bubulya Athanasios , Bubulya Paula A.
Published: December 2011

Serine-arginine-rich (SR) proteins play a key role in alternative pre-mRNA splicing in eukaryotes. We recently showed that a large SR protein called Son has unique repeat motifs that are essential for maintaining the subnuclear organization of pre-mRNA processing factors in nuclear speckles. Motif analysis of Son highlights putative RNA interaction domains that suggest a direct role for Son in pre-mRNA splicing. Here, we used in situ approaches to show that Son localizes to a reporter minigene transcription site, and that RNAi-mediated Son depletion causes exon skipping on reporter transcripts at this transcription site. A genome-wide exon microarray analysis was performed to identify human transcription and splicing targets of Son. Our data show that Son-regulated splicing encompasses all known types of alternative splicing, the most common being alternative splicing of cassette exons. We confirmed that knockdown of Son leads to exon skipping in pre-mRNAs for chromatin-modifying enzymes, including ADA, HDAC6 and SetD8. This study reports a comprehensive view of human transcription and splicing targets for Son in fundamental cellular pathways such as integrin-mediated cell adhesion, cell cycle regulation, cholesterol biosynthesis, apoptosis and epigenetic regulation of gene expression.
A feedback loop betweenWolbachiaand theDrosophila gurkenmRNP complex influencesWolbachiatiter
Authors: Serbus Laura R. , Ferreccio Amy , Zhukova Mariya , McMorris Chanel L. , Kiseleva Elena , Sullivan William
Published: December 2011

Although much is known about interactions between bacterial endosymbionts and their hosts, little is known concerning the host factors that influence endosymbiont titer. Wolbachia endosymbionts are globally dispersed throughout most insect species and are the causative agent in filarial nematode-mediated disease. Our investigation indicates that gurken (grk), a host gene encoding a crucial axis determinant, has a cumulative, dosage-sensitive impact on Wolbachia growth and proliferation during Drosophila oogenesis. This effect appears to be mediated by grk mRNA and its protein-binding partners Squid and Hrp48/Hrb27C, implicating the grk mRNA–protein (mRNP) complex as a rate-limiting host factor controlling Wolbachia titer. Furthermore, highly infected flies exhibit defects that match those occurring with disruption of grk mRNPs, such as nurse cell chromatin disruptions and malformation of chorionic appendages. These findings suggest a feedback loop in which Wolbachia interaction with the grk mRNP affects both Wolbachia titer and grk mRNP function.
Control of Isomerization of Pyridinethiol–Ruthenium Complexes via External Stimuli and Factors Affecting Isomerization Behavior
Authors: Hamaguchi Tomohiko , Inoue Yoshimasa , Ujimoto Kikujiro , Kawata Satoshi , Ando Isao
Published: December 2011

Pyridinethiol–ruthenium complexes [Ru(bpy)2(py)(4-pySH)](PF6)2, [Ru(bpy)(tpy)(2-pySH)](PF6)2, and [Ru(bpy)(tpy)(4-pySH)](PF6)2 (4-pySH: 4-pyridinethiol, tpy: 2,2′:6′,6′′-terpyridine, and 2-pySH: 2-pyridinethiol) were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Spectral changes after the addition of acid or base by titration demonstrated that the complexes were reversibly protonated/deprotonated. Crystal-structure analysis of [Ru(bpy)(tpy)(2-pySH)](PF6)2 and XPS analysis of the complexes discussed in this study suggest that all pyridinethiol ligands coordinate in a monodentate fashion to Ru only via the sulfur atom. Regardless of the protonated or deprotonated form, the 4-pyridinethiol complexes exhibited one reversible redox couple that is attributed to RuIII/II–(4-pyridinethiol-κS or 4-pyridinethiolate-κS). The protonated form of the 2-pyridinethiol complex showed one reversible redox couple that is attributed to RuIII/II–(2-pyridinethiol-κS), whereas the deprotonated form showed irreversible redox behavior, implying linkage isomerization between RuII–(2-pyridinethiolate-κS) and RuIII–(2-pyridinethiolate-κN) through the redox reaction of RuIII/II. The reversible/irreversible redox behaviors were also confirmed by spectroelectrochemistry. Effects of ancillary ligands on this linkage isomerization are also discussed in this report.
Polymers in Ionic Liquids: Dawn of Neoteric Solvents and Innovative Materials
Authors: Ueki Takeshi , Watanabe Masayoshi
Published: December 2011

In this paper, we review recent advances in the use of polymers in ionic liquids (ILs) from the view point of the “dawn of neoteric solvents and innovative materials.” The first part of this paper presents a brief review of the solubility parameters of ILs, which are expected to serve as a qualitative guide for predicting polymer solubility in ILs; however, this concept cannot be used to rationalize a number of cases in which strong Coulombic interactions dominate the solubility parameters of the ILs. Thus, solubility of 24 different common synthetic polymers is experimentally demonstrated under dilute conditions (3 wt %) in four different common ILs. It is found that the Lewis basicities of the counter anions in the ILs play an important role in determining the solubility of the polymers. ILs can also be used as good solvents for low-solubility biopolymers and as good dispersion media of carbon nanotubes, which contributes to the fields of biorefinery processes and advanced materials. Certain combinations of polymers in ILs undergo phase separations as the temperature of the solutions is varied. The solubility of a nonionic polymer in water generally decreases with increasing temperature, and certain combinations exhibit lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phase separation, whereas the solubility of a polymer in an organic solvent generally increases with increasing temperature and in some cases upper critical solution temperature (UCST) phase separation is observed. Interestingly, both LCST and UCST phase separations are observed for certain polymers in ILs. After presenting possible explanations of the solubility of polymers in ILs, recent developments in the field of thermosensitive polymers in ILs are discussed from the perspective of materials science, where such phase separations are exploited to trigger abrupt changes in polymer properties. The final part of this review describes the thermosensitive self-assembly of block copolymers in ILs. Similar to conventional molecular solvents, block copolymers in ILs exhibit variable self-assemblies in solution and in the bulk.
Noncompetitive On-Chip Immunoassays for Detection of Nonlabeled Antibodies Based on the Excluded Volume Effect of the Target Itself
Authors: Tomizaki Kin-ya , Obi Masaki , Mihara Hisakazu
Published: December 2011

We propose a novel, noncompetitive, label-free, and on-chip immunoassay format based on the excluded volume effect by a target antibody that is itself bound to the corresponding epitope on a biochip. The advantage of the present method is that it only requires a biotin-tethering peptide epitope (capture agent) and fluorophore-labeled-avidin (a signal-generating agent) pair for signal readout. The method is based on the interaction between a nonlabeled target antibody and the corresponding peptide epitope of the antigen decelerating the association rate of the fluorophore-labeled avidin to the biotin moiety at the end of the peptide epitope due to the excluded volume effect of the target antibody. This causes significant changes in signal intensity. Without the target antibody, there is no interference in the binding of the signal-generating agent. The use of other specific interactions would allow fine-tuning of the excluded volume and binding rate to the capture agent to improve sensitivity and versatility.
Traditional and IS-Enabled Customer Acquisition on the Internet
Authors: Choi Jeonghye , Bell David R. , Lodish Leonard M.
Published: December 2011

Geographic variation in consumer use of Internet retailers is partly explained by variation in offline shopping costs. Explanations for geographic variation in the efficacy of different customer acquisition methods including traditional methods of offline word-of-mouth (WOM) and magazine advertising and information systems (IS)-enabled methods of online WOM and online search remain unexplored. We estimate a multivariate negative binomial distribution (NBD) model on zip code–level customer counts from a leading Internet retailer and provide new insights into factors explaining geographic variation in the success of these methods. First, we show that target customer density explains geographic variation over and above the impact due to the number of potential customers. Moreover, the effect of density is greatest for offline and online WOM acquisitions; this suggests that density contributes to contagion, connectivity, and a hypothesized “social multiplier.” Second, when senders and recipients of WOM share consumption benefits, WOM is more powerful and compelling. We find that location-based convenience benefits have stronger effects on location-dependent offline WOM acquisitions than on location-independent online WOM acquisitions. Third, acquisition channels contribute differently to the total customer pool—offline WOM acquisitions are clustered, whereas magazine acquisitions are dispersed. Finally, separate click-to-conversion data from Coremetrics.com indicates that using the model-based predictions to target specific markets delivers a twofold improvement in actual click-to-order rates.

This paper was accepted by Sandra Slaughter, information systems.
Effect of Traffic on Sales and Conversion Rates of Retail Stores
Authors: Perdikaki Olga , Kesavan Saravanan , Swaminathan Jayashankar M.
Published: December 2011

Attracting shoppers to stores and converting the incoming traffic into sales profitably are vital for the financial health of retailers. In this paper, we use proprietary data pertaining to an apparel retailer to study the relationship between store traffic, labor, and sales performance. We decompose sales volume into conversion rate (defined as the ratio of number of transactions to traffic) and basket value (defined as the ratio of sales volume to number of transactions) and analyze the impact of traffic on sales and its components. We find that store sales volume exhibits diminishing returns to scale with respect to traffic, and labor moderates the impact of traffic on sales. For example, we find that for values of traffic and labor corresponding to the mean, increasing average traffic per hour by one unit increases average sales volume per hour by $9.97. Further, we find that the marginal returns to traffic increases from $10.00 to $11.32 when labor increases by one standard deviation. In addition, we find that the conversion rate declines with increasing traffic and a lower conversion rate is associated with a decrease in future traffic growth. Our study underscores the importance of in-store operations in driving the financial performance of retailers.
Dynamic Space and Time Partitioning for Yard Crane Workload Management in Container Terminals
Authors: Guo Xi , Huang Shell Ying
Published: December 2011

We propose a new hierarchical scheme for yard crane (YC) workload management in container terminals. We also propose a time partitioning algorithm and a space partitioning algorithm for deploying YCs to handle changing job arrival patterns in a row of yard blocks. The main differences between our approach and most of the methods in literature are (1) the average vehicle job waiting time instead of the number of jobs is used to balance YC workload and to evaluate the quality of a partition, (2) the YC working zone assignment is not in units of yard blocks and our space partitioning algorithm generates more flexible divisions of the workload from all blocks, and (3) the YC deployment frequency is not fixed but is decided by our time partitioning algorithm with the objective of minimizing average vehicle waiting times. The scheme combines simulation and optimization to achieve our objective for a row of yard blocks. Experimental results show that the proposed binary partitioning algorithm TP2 makes substantial improvements in job waiting times over the basic partitioning scheme and another existing algorithm (Ng, W. C. 2005. Crane scheduling in container yards with intercrane interference. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 164(1) 64–78) in all tested job arrival scenarios.
Kinetic Modeling of Storage Effects on Biomarkers Related to B Vitamin Status and One-Carbon Metabolism
Authors: Hustad Steinar , Eussen Simone , Midttun Øivind , Ulvik Arve , van de Kant Puck M , Mørkrid Lars , Gislefoss Randi , Ueland Per M
Published: December 2011

BACKGROUND

Biomarkers and metabolites related to B vitamin function and one-carbon metabolism have been studied as predictors of chronic diseases in studies based on samples stored in biobanks. For most biomarkers, stability data are lacking or fragmentary.

METHODS

Degradation and accumulation kinetics of 32 biomarkers were determined at 23 °C in serum and plasma (EDTA, heparin, and citrate) collected from 16 individuals and stored for up to 8 days. In frozen serum (−25 °C), stability was studied cross-sectionally in 650 archival samples stored for up to 29 years. Concentration vs time curves were fitted to monoexponential, biexponential, linear, and nonlinear models.

RESULTS

For many biomarkers, stability was highest in EDTA plasma. Storage effects were similar at room temperature and at −25 °C; notable exceptions were methionine, which could be recovered as methionine sulfoxide, and cystathionine, which decreased in frozen samples. Cobalamin, betaine, dimethylglycine, sarcosine, total homocysteine, total cysteine, tryptophan, asymetric and symmetric dimethyl argenine, creatinine, and methylmalonic acid were essentially stable under all conditions. Most B vitamins (folate and vitamins B2 and B6) were unstable; choline increased markedly, and some amino acids also increased, particularly in serum. The kynurenines showed variable stability. For many biomarkers, degradation (folate and flavin mononucleotide) or accumulation (pyridoxal, riboflavin, choline, amino acids) kinetics at room temperature were non–first order.

CONCLUSIONS

Data on stability and deterioration kinetics for individual biomarkers are required to optimize procedures for handling serum and plasma, and for addressing preanalytical bias in epidemiological and clinical studies.
Identification of TPIT and other novel autoantigens in lymphocytic hypophysitis; immunoscreening of a pituitary cDNA library and development of immunoprecipitation assays
Authors: Smith Casey Jo Anne , Bensing Sophie , Burns Christine , Robinson Phillip J , Kasperlik-Zaluska Anna A , Scott Rodney J , Kämpe Olle , Crock Patricia A
Published: December 2011

Background

Lymphocytic hypophysitis is an organ-specific autoimmune disease of the pituitary gland. A specific and sensitive serological test currently does not exist to aid in the diagnosis.

Objective

To identify target autoantigens in lymphocytic hypophysitis and develop a diagnostic assay for these proteins.

Design/methods

A pituitary cDNA expression library was immunoscreened using sera from four patients with lymphocytic hypophysitis. Relevant cDNA clones from screening, along with previously identified autoantigens pituitary gland-specific factor 1a and 2 (PGSF1a and PGSF2) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were tested in anin vitrotranscription and translation immunoprecipitation assay. The corticotroph-specific transcription factor, TPIT, was investigated separately as a candidate autoantigen.

Results

Significantly positive autoantibody reactivity against TPIT was found in 9/86 hypophysitis patients vs 1/90 controls (P=0.018). The reactivity against TPIT was not specific for lymphocytic hypophysitis with autoantibodies detectable in the sera from patients with other autoimmune endocrine diseases. Autoantibodies were also detected against chromodomain-helicase-DNA binding protein 8, presynaptic cytomatrix protein (piccolo), Ca2+-dependent secretion activator, PGSF2 and NSE in serum samples from patients with lymphocytic hypophysitis, but at a frequency that did not differ from healthy controls. Importantly, 8/86 patients with lymphocytic hypophysitis had autoantibodies against any two autoantigens in comparison with 0/90 controls (P=0.0093).

Conclusions

TPIT, a corticotroph-specific transcription factor, was identified as a target autoantigen in 10.5% of patients with lymphocytic hypophysitis. Further autoantigens related to vesicle processing were also identified as potential autoantigens with different immunoreactivity patterns in patients and controls.
Haematopoietic leptin receptor deficiency does not affect macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue or systemic insulin sensitivity
Authors: Gutierrez Dario A , Hasty Alyssa H
Published: December 2011

The adipokine leptin is primarily produced by white adipose tissue (AT) and is a potent monocyte/macrophage chemoattractantin vitro. The long form of the leptin receptor (LepR) is required for monocyte/macrophage chemotaxis towards leptin. In this study, we examined the effects of haematopoietic LepR as well as LepR with C–C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) deficiency (double knockout (DKO)) on macrophage recruitment to AT after two different periods of high fat diet (HFD) feeding. Briefly, 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice were transplanted with bone marrow (BM) fromLepr+/+, Lepr−/−or DKO donors (groups named BM-Lepr+/+, BM-Lepr−/−and BM-DKO respectively), and were placed on an HFD for 6 or 12 weeks. At the end of the study, macrophage infiltration and the inflammatory state of AT were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR, histology and flow cytometry. In addition, glucose and insulin tolerance were assessed at both time points. Our results showed no differences in macrophage accumulation or AT inflammatory state between the BM-Lepr+/+and BM-Lepr−/−mice after 6 or 12 weeks of HFD feeding; any effects observed in the BM-DKO were attributed to the haematopoietic deficiency of CCR2. In addition, no changes in glucose or insulin tolerance were observed between groups after either period of HFD feeding. Our findings suggest that although leptin is a potent chemoattractantin vitro, haematopoietic LepR deficiency does not affect macrophage accumulation in AT in early to moderate stages of diet-induced obesity.
Empirical Analyses of U.S. Congressional Voting on Recent FTA
Authors: Im Hyejoon , Sung Hankyoung
Published: December 2011

This paper addresses the manner in which political and economic factors affect the voting behavior of House representatives on free trade agreement (FTA) implementation bills in the 108th and 109th Congresses in the U.S., using a simultaneous probit-tobit model consisting of contribution and voting equations. We find that representatives whose districts have relatively higher employment in 'trade-sensitive’ sectors are likely to oppose FTA bills. By comparing our results with the reports of the U.S. International Trade Commission, we discover that the voting behavior of representatives is more receptive to the sectors predicted to be adversely affected by an FTA than to those predicted otherwise. Another finding is that when FTA bills, for which partner countries do not share commonalities, are considered on the same day in the House, members’ voting behavior may be similar.
Soluble Klotho and Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Pavik Ivana , Jaeger Philippe , Ebner Lena , Poster Diane , Krauer Fabienne , Kistler Andreas D. , Rentsch Katharina , Andreisek Gustav , Wagner Carsten A. , Devuyst Olivier , Wüthrich Rudolf P. , Schmid Christoph , Serra Andreas L.
Published: December 2011

Background and objectives

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels are elevated in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), but only the latter is characterized by a renal phosphate wasting phenotype. This study explored potential mechanisms underlying resistance to FGF23 in ADPKD.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

FGF23 and Klotho levels were measured, and renal phosphate transport was evaluated by calculating the ratio of the maximum rate of tubular phosphate reabsorption to GFR (TmP/GFR) in 99 ADPKD patients, 32 CKD patients, 12 XLH patients, and 20 healthy volunteers. ADPKD and CKD patients were classified by estimated GFR (CKD stage 1, ≥90 ml/min per 1.73 m2; CKD stage 2, 60–89 ml/min per 1.73 m2).

Results

ADPKD patients had 50% higher FGF23 levels than did XLH patients; TmP/GFR was near normal in most ADPKD patients and very low in XLH patients. Serum Klotho levels were lowest in the ADPKD group, whereas the CKD and XLH groups and volunteers had similar levels. ADPKD patients with an apparent renal phosphate leak had two-fold higher Klotho levels than those without. Serum Klotho values correlated inversely with cyst volume and kidney growth.

Conclusions

Loss of Klotho might be a consequence of cyst growth and constrain the phosphaturic effect of FGF23 in most patients with ADPKD. Normal serum Klotho levels were associated with normal FGF23 biologic activity in all XLH patients and a minority of ADPKD patients. Loss of Klotho and FGF23 increase appear to exceed and precede the changes that can be explained by loss of GFR in patients with ADPKD.
Towards a Theory of Digital Preservation
Authors: Moore Reagan
Published: December 2011

A preservation environment manages communication from the past while communicating with the future. Information generated in the past is sent into the future by the current preservation environment. The proof that the preservation environment preserves authenticity and integrity while performing the communication constitutes a theory of digital preservation. We examine the representation information that is needed about the preservation environment for a theory of digital preservation. The representation information includes descriptions of the preservation management policies, the preservation processes, and the state information that is needed to verify the correct working behavior of the system. We demonstrate rule-based data grids that can verify that prior policies correctly enforced preservation properties, while sending into the future descriptions of the current preservation management policies.
Defining File Format Obsolescence: A Risky Journey
Authors: Pearson David , Webb Colin
Published: December 2011

File format obsolescence is a major risk factor threatening the ongoing usefulness of digital information collections. While the preservation community has become increasingly interested in tools for assessing a wide range of risks, the National Library of Australia is developing mechanisms specifically focused on the risks of format obsolescence. The paper reports on the AONS II Project, undertaken in conjunction with the Australian Partnership for Sustainable Repositories (APSR). The project aimed to refine and develop a software tool that would automatically find and report indicators of obsolescence risks, to help repository managers decide if preservation action is needed. The paper discusses the current mismatch between this objective and the available sources of information on file formats, and emphasises the need to take account of both local and global factors in assessing risk. The paper calls for the preservation community to engage with the further development of thinking about file format obsolescence.
Digital Data Practices and the Long Term Ecological Research Program Growing Global
Authors: Karasti Helena , Baker Karen S.
Published: December 2011

This paper explores data practices in a Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) setting. It describes a number of salient data characteristics that are specific to the LTER program and outlines some central features of the curation approach cultivated within the US LTER network. It goes on to identify recent developments within the international LTER program relating to data issues: increasing heterogeneities due to networking, integration of data from additional disciplines, and new technologies in a changing digital landscape. Information management experience within LTER provides one example of the recurrent balancing inherent to the work of data curation. It highlights (1) taking into account the extended temporal horizon of data care, (2) aligning support for data, science and information infrastructure, and (3) integrating site and network-level responsibilities. LTER contributes to the inquiry into how to manage the continuity of digital data and to our understanding of how to design a sustainable information infrastructure.
DCC&U: An Extended Digital Curation Lifecycle Model
Authors: Constantopoulos Panos , Dallas Costis , Androutsopoulos Ion , Angelis Stavros , Deligiannakis Antonios , Gavrilis Dimitris , Kotidis Yannis , Papatheodorou Christos
Published: December 2011

The proliferation of Web, database and social networking technologies has enabled us to produce, publish and exchange digital assets at an enormous rate. This vast amount of information that is either digitized or born-digital needs to be collected, organized and preserved in a way that ensures that our digital assets and the information they carry remain available for future use. Digital curation has emerged as a new inter-disciplinary practice that seeks to set guidelines for disciplined management of information. In this paper we review two recent models for digital curation introduced by the Digital Curation Centre (DCC) and the Digital Curation Unit (DCU) of the Athena Research Centre. We then propose a fusion of the two models that highlights the need to extend the digital curation lifecycle by adding (a) provisions for the registration of usage experience, (b) a stage for knowledge enhancement and (c) controlled vocabularies used by convention to denote concepts, properties and relations. The objective of the proposed extensions is twofold: (i) to provide a more complete lifecycle model for the digital curation domain; and (ii) to provide a stimulus for a broader discussion on the research agenda.
Report from the Digital Curation Curriculum Symposium (DigCCurr) 2009
Authors: Ball Alexander , Day Michael
Published: December 2011

The second Digital Curation Curriculum Symposium was held on April 1-3, 2009, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with the theme "Digital Curation Practice, Promise and Prospects". The Symposium featured sessions dealing with issues from the cutting edge of digital curation research, while others showcased recent developments in digital curation tools. At the same time, the Symposium also considered how to equip the new generation of information professionals with the necessary skills to put this research and development into practice.
Towards Interoperable Preservation Repositories: TIPR
Authors: Caplan Priscilla , Kehoe William R. , Pawletko Joseph
Published: December 2011

Towards Interoperable Preservation Repositories (TIPR) is a project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to create and test a Repository eXchange Package (RXP). The package will make it possible to transfer complex digital objects between dissimilar preservation repositories.Â  For reasons of redundancy, succession planning and software migration, repositories must be able to exchange copies of archival information packages with each other. Every different repository application, however, describes and structures its archival packages differently. Therefore each system produces dissemination packages that are rarely understandable or usable as submission packages by other repositories. The RXP is an answer to that mismatch. Other solutions for transferring packages between repositories focus either on transfers between repositories of the same type, such as DSpace-to-DSpace transfers, or on processes that rely on central translation services.Â  Rather than build translators between many dissimilar repository types, the TIPR project has defined a standards-based package of metadata files that can act as an intermediary information package, the RXP, a lingua franca all repositories can read and write.
Formation of useful waters on the Stara Planina mountain, in the area Visok Kraj
Authors: Nikic Zoran , Letic Ljubomir , Nikolic Vesna
Published: December 2011

Formation and discharge of useful waters was studied on southwestern slopes
of the Stara Planina Mountain, in the area Visok Kraj that is the typical
hilly-mountainous region in East Serbia. The catchment?s area of Dojkinacka
River was chosen due to numerous and specific edaphic properties. Pump
forests (association: Fagetum moesiacea serbicum Rud.) dominate here and were
mostly developed on slightly acidic, humus-silicate or on acidic brownish
soil. Soils are of a range of depths and development of pedogenetic
processes. The aim of this work is to highlight elements that have pronounced
influence on supply of useful and small water bodies in the catchment area of
Dojkinacka River. Complex relations between geological setting, climate
conditions, pedological characteristics, hydrological and hydrogeological
conditions, forest vegetation etc. were analyzed. Elements that are
significant for proper evaluation of useful water or small domains supply
were in this case detected through water balance methods, geological mapping
and tracking. It was deduced that the disagreement of topographic and
hydrological catchment?s area of Dojkinacka River represents the significant
element which should be taken into consideration in order to determine the
real reserves of useful, i.e. small water domains.
Sixty-Five Years of Physical Therapy: Bibliometric Analysis of Research Publications From 1945 Through 2010
Authors: Wiles Louise , Matricciani Lisa , Williams Marie , Olds Timothy
Published: December 2011

Background

The generation of research can be likened to the production of consumer goods, with a producer (the study authors and funders), a product (the study and publications arising from it), and consumers (those who read and cite the published study).

Objective

The aim of this study was to use bibliometric indexes to track changes in the producers, products, and consumers of the journal Physical Therapy from 1945 through 2010.

Design

An analysis of published manuscripts (excluding letters, editorials, corrections, commentaries, and book reviews) in Physical Therapy was performed using a reliable bibliometric audit tool. Articles were sampled every 3 months and at 5-year intervals over a 65-year period. Information relating to authorship, the research methods used, and citation patterns was collected. Data were analyzed descriptively.

Results

There have been substantial shifts in the nature of research published over the last 65 years in Physical Therapy. In 1945, the typical paper was anecdotal and authored by 1.4 American authors (working in hospitals), and consisted of 4 pages and 4 references. In 2010, the typical paper used a cross-sectional survey or randomized controlled trial design, with 4.6 multinational authors (working in universities), and consisted of 12 pages and 49 references.

Limitations

Findings are specific to the articles published in Physical Therapy that were sampled in this bibliometric analysis.

Conclusions

The changes seen in the research published in Physical Therapy mirror the shifts that have occurred in other industries: increasing quantification, standardization, collaboration, and internationalization. These trends are likely to continue in the future.
The Importance of Encouraging Librarians to Publish in Peer-Reviewed Publications
Authors: Lamothe Alain R.
Published: December 2011

Advancement in any field can only be achieved when participants distribute their ideas and experiences. What happens, however, when colleagues express uninterest, hesitation, apprehension, and, in some cases, outright hostility toward publishing? By relaying his publishing experiences as an academic librarian, both positive and negative, the author hopes to alleviate the fear, doubt, and resistance some feel toward publishing their results and ideas, particularly in peer-reviewed journals. Reasons to publish, as well as valuable suggestions and advice, are presented to the reader.
A Comparative Study of the Publication Output of Librarians and Academics in Universities in the South-South Zone of Nigeria
Authors: Baro E. Emmanuel , Ebhomeya Loveth
Published: December 2011

This study is aimed at examining the publication output differences between librarians and academics at Niger Delta University and Delta State University in Nigeria. The study employed a comparative method. The study comprises focus groups made up of thirty librarians and forty academics (teaching staff) from Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, Bayelsa State; and Delta State University (Delsu), Abraka, Delta State. Questionnaires and interviews were used for data collection. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analysed using simple percentage to answer the research questions and a chi-squared statistical tool of significance to test the formulated hypotheses. The study revealed the following: that librarians and academics in the two universities published equally; that high qualifications influence the publication output of librarians and academics; and that long daily working hours, heavy workload, a limited number of local journals, and high publication charges are some of the major problems militating against the publication output of librarians and academics in Nigeria. The study will stimulate librarians, despite the obstacles militating against their publication efforts, to see the need to publish like their lecturing counterparts in order to meet promotion requirements. The findings of this study should move university authorities in Nigeria to set aside time (hours or days) for research activities for all academic staff as directed by the National University Commission (NUC) in Nigeria.
Literary Societies in Fiction: ‘A Sort of Mild Mania’
Authors: Bell Hazel K.
Published: December 2011

One might expect that authors would be gratified by the existence of societies devoted to the discussion of works of literature, particularly of those committed to the works of particular authors. Or might resentment of the lack of a band of such devotees of their own rather guide their reaction? Either way, it seems that fictional portrayals of such societies are far from flattering, as this brief article points out.
The “suprasellar notch,” or the tuberculum sellae as seen from below: definition, features, and clinical implications from an endoscopic endonasal perspective
Authors: de Notaris Matteo , Solari Domenico , Cavallo Luigi M. , D'Enza Alfonso Iodice , Enseñat Joaquim , Berenguer Joan , Ferrer Enrique , Prats-Galino Alberto , Cappabianca Paolo
Published: December 2011

Object

The tuberculum sellae is a bony elevation ridge that lines up the anterior aspect of the sella, dividing it from the chiasmatic groove. The recent use of the endoscopic endonasal transtuberculum approach has provided surgeons with a method to reach the suprasellar area, offering a new surgical point of view somehow “opposite” of this area. The authors of this study aimed to define the tuberculum sellae as seen from the endoscopic endonasal view while also providing CT-based systematic measurements to objectively detail the anatomical features of such a structure, which was renamed the “suprasellar notch.”

Methods

The authors analyzed routine skull CT scans from 24 patients with no brain pathology or fractures and measured the interoptic distance at the level of the limbus sphenoidale, the chiasmatic groove sulcal length and width, and the angle of the suprasellar notch.

Indeed, the suprasellar notch was defined as the angle between 2 lines, the first passing through the tuberculum sellae midpoint and perpendicular to the cribriform plate, and a second line passing between 2 points, the midpoints of the limbus sphenoidale and the tuberculum sellae. Moreover, the authors performed on 15 cadaveric heads an endoscopic endonasal transplanum transtuberculum approach with the aid of a neuronavigator to achieve a step-by-step comparison with the radiological data. The whole CT scanning set was statistically analyzed to determine the statistical interdependency of the suprasellar notch angle with the other 3 measurements, that is, the sulcal length at the midline, the interoptic distance at the optic canal entrance, and the interoptic distance at the limbus.

Results

Based on the endoscopic endonasal view and CT imaging analysis, the authors identified a certain anatomical variability and thus introduced a new classification of the suprasellar notch: Type I, angle < 118°; Type II, angle of 118°–138°; and Type III, angle > 138°. They then analyzed the surgical implications of the endoscopic endonasal approach to the suprasellar area, which could be affected by each of these structural types.

Conclusions

The new classification identifies 3 different types of suprasellar notch and, accordingly, their surgical relevance. Above all, the authors found that the different types of suprasellar notch can affect the osteodural defect reconstruction technique, namely the positioning/wedging of the buttress in the extradural space. A precise endoscopic anatomical knowledge of the neurovascular and bony relationships—especially in cases of a less pneumatized sphenoid sinus—is crucial when approaching the anterior skull base via a transtuberculum transplanum route.
Consistent focal cerebral ischemia without posterior cerebral artery occlusion and its real-time monitoring in an intraluminal suture model in mice
Authors: Akamatsu Yosuke , Shimizu Hiroaki , Saito Atsushi , Fujimura Miki , Tominaga Teiji
Published: December 2011

Object

In the intraluminal suture model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in the mouse, disturbance of blood flow from the internal carotid artery to the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) may affect the size of the infarction. In this study, PCA involvement in the model was investigated and modified for consistent MCAO without involving the PCA territory.

Methods

Thirty-seven C57Bl/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups according to the length of coating over the tip of the suture (1, 2, 3, or 4 mm) and subjected to transient MCAO for 2 hours. Real-time topographical cerebral blood flow was monitored over both hemispheres by laser speckle flowmetry. After 24 hours of reperfusion, the infarct territories and volumes were evaluated.

Results

The 1- and 2-mm coating groups showed all lesions in the MCA territory. In the 3- and 4-mm coating groups, 62.5% and 75% of mice, respectively, showed lesions in both the MCA and the PCA territories and other lesions in the MCA territory. Mice in the 1- and 2-mm coating groups had significantly smaller infarct volumes than the 3- and 4-mm groups. Laser speckle flowmetry was useful to distinguish whether the PCA territory would undergo infarction.

Conclusions

Small changes in the coating length of the intraluminal suture may be critical, and 1–2 mm of coating appeared to be optimal to produce consistent MCAO without involving the PCA territory. Laser speckle flowmetry could predict the territory of infarction and improve the consistency of the infarct size.
The posterior cervical triangle approach for high carotid artery exposure in carotid endarterectomy
Authors: Sasaki Tetsuo , Nakamura Yuichi , Yomo Shoji , Sekiguchi Yasuyuki , Kodama Kunihiko , Ichikawa Yozo , Hongo Kazuhiro
Published: December 2011

A new approach in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) was developed for high carotid artery lesions. With the authors' use of the posterior cervical triangle approach, 20 patients with a high carotid artery lesion were successfully treated with CEA. Accessory nerve palsy in 1 patient and hoarseness in 4 patients were encountered postoperatively as transient complications. There were no permanent procedure-related complications. Although this method has some risks, it is a useful method in CEA for high carotid artery lesions.