bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Carbon Nanostructures by Thermo-Mechanical Means
Authors: Barber David , Calderón H. A. , Quintero Julio , Robles Hernandez Francisco C.
Published: October 2013

Different C phases have been developed by mechanical milling, conventional heat treatments and Spark Plasma Sintering of C soot and transition metals (Fe or Ni). Transition metals are known to catalyze the development of different C phases. The energy input involved in such a processing method has been used to develop composite and ceramic materials made of transition metals and fullerenes and C soot. The as milled samples as well as the sintered composites show various dispersions of diamonds, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphitic carbon, graphenes, among other nanostructures. Thus milling, heat treatment or sintering of quasi-amorphous carbon nanostructures with different transition metals under various conditions can be a simple route to synthesize the above mentioned phases in solid state. Results of electron (scanning and transmission) microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, XRD and nanohardness are presented and discussed accordingly.
Sensitivity Analysis of Gas Turbine Fuel Consumption With Respect to Turbine Stage Efficiency
Authors: Zeinalpour M. , Mazaheri K. , Irannejad A.
Published: October 2013

In this paper, the effect of turbine stage efficiency on fuel consumption of both gas turbines and aerial engines is assessed quantitatively. At the beginning of the gas generator optimization to decrease the fuel consumption, it is necessary to analyze the sensitivity of fuel consumption to its main components efficiencies. This will guide us which component is more important to be optimized. Here a zero-dimensional analysis has been done to determine the effect of turbine stage efficiency on the fuel consumption. Results of this analysis are evaluated in the context of thermodynamic cycle of a gas turbine generator and an aerial engine. As an example, it is shown that if the efficiency of first stage of the turbine is increased from 82% to 84%, the fuel consumption of an aerial engine is computed to be decreased by 1%. The cycle analysis performed implies that the sensitivity of fuel consumption to turbine stage efficiency varies for different values of stage efficiency.
Design and Development of Mechanically Actuated Wheelchair Convertible to Bed
Authors: Kothari Naman S. , Porwal Mayank R. , Kacholiya Mayur O.
Published: October 2013

Wheelchair design for patient safety and comfort has been one of the most concerned topics for practitioners of mechanical engineering and bio-engineers. In the present scenario of medical institutions, transferring of immobilized patients from bed to wheelchair and vice-versa for numerous chronic and emergency activities is a very labor intensive and tedious job.

Various attempts have been made in addressing this problem. These were modeled using simple mechanical devices providing the conversion. But still the issue of easy and controlled transition of adjusting the position of wheelchair’s head and base part according to patient’s needs and its full conversion has not been modeled and devised completely. So arises the need for a suitable, efficient and complete designing and development of such a device.

This paper focuses on the design and manufacturing of a safe, reliable and low cost wheelchair which is convertible to a bed and vice-versa using a novel mechanical actuation by the effort of a single person. It models out a process of development and evolution of a reliable and verified design. Key areas focused upon are compact and efficient transmission system, discrete angular control of head and leg space with efficient load distribution while optimizing the size, cost (initial, service and disposal) and weight of the device. Further, the model is analyzed and justified by applying Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods.
Evaluation of Fiber Reinforced Aircraft Composites via Nondestructive Testing Techniques
Authors: Asmatulu R. , Movva V.
Published: October 2013

Nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques, such as ultrasonic C-scan and A-scan, time delay tap hammer and visual inspection were employed for advanced aircraft composite panels using standard procedures to achieve maximum possible error free data of voids, fiber volume, fiber wash, inter laminar and trans laminar cracks, miss-oriented fibers, lay-up orders and latent (or hidden) defects. The composite panels with different porosity levels (e.g., 0–2%, 3–6% and greater than 7%) were selected and examined in detail. Data obtained from C-scan images, attenuation (dB loss), time delay, fiber volume and void content was compared each other to determine the accuracy of the experimental results. Optimization of the parameters was conducted using design of experiments. Each technique was also used on a standard reference composite panel to establish the system parameters. We determined that each technique has some degree of variations on porosity and defects of the composites, which may be because of the operating skill, composite types, initial preparation, lack of standardized testing pattern and testing time. This also brings reliability and uncertainty issues for the NDT techniques on the composite panels.
Heteromeric MT
1
/MT
2
Melatonin Receptors Modulate Photoreceptor Function
Authors: Baba Kenkichi , Benleulmi-Chaachoua Abla , Journé Anne-Sophie , Kamal Maud , Guillaume Jean-Luc , Dussaud Sébastien , Gbahou Florence , Yettou Katia , Liu Cuimei , Contreras-Alcantara Susana , Jockers Ralf , Tosini Gianluca
Published: October 2013

Melatonin stimulates a heteromeric G protein–coupled receptor to modulate the eye’s response to light flashes at night.
Lipid-Induced Toxicity Stimulates Hepatocytes to Release Angiogenic Microparticles That Require Vanin-1 for Uptake by Endothelial Cells
Authors: Povero Davide , Eguchi Akiko , Niesman Ingrid R. , Andronikou Nektaria , de Mollerat du Jeu Xavier , Mulya Anny , Berk Michael , Lazic Milos , Thapaliya Samjana , Parola Maurizio , Patel Hemal H. , Feldstein Ariel E.
Published: October 2013

Fat-overloaded hepatocytes release microparticles that induce angiogenesis and worsening of fatty liver disease.
Tricellular Cooperation
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: October 2013

Three cells communicate to maintain vessel integrity as lymphocytes pass into the lymph nodes.
A Salty Switch
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: October 2013

Synaptic and nonsynaptic signaling contribute to the worm response to high-salt stimuli.
Pacing Acidification for Neural Development
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: October 2013

Premature acidification of endosomes attenuates neurotrophin signaling and hampers axonal and dendrite branching.
The Inflammasome and Transplantation
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: October 2013

The NLRP3 inflammasome is activated during the preconditioning phase of transplantation and mediates graft-versus-host disease in mice.
Resetting the Circadian Clock
Authors: Kiberstis Paula A.
Published: October 2013

In mice, the pace of recovery from jet lag is partly determined by vasopressin signaling in a certain region of the brain.
RNA on the Attack
Authors: Hines Pamela J.
Published: October 2013

A pathogenic fungus delivers small RNA molecules to disable gene regulatory systems in the target plant.
Oral Treatment Targeting the Unfolded Protein Response Prevents Neurodegeneration and Clinical Disease in Prion-Infected Mice
Authors: Moreno Julie A. , Halliday Mark , Molloy Colin , Radford Helois , Verity Nicholas , Axten Jeffrey M. , Ortori Catharine A. , Willis Anne E. , Fischer Peter M. , Barrett David A. , Mallucci Giovanna R.
Published: October 2013

Pharmacological inhibition of PERK, the key kinase of the unfolded protein response that mediates translational shutdown, restores protein synthesis in prion-infected mice, thus preventing neurodegeneration and clinical disease.
Phytosterols Promote Liver Injury and Kupffer Cell Activation in Parenteral Nutrition–Associated Liver Disease
Authors: El Kasmi Karim C. , Anderson Aimee L. , Devereaux Michael W. , Vue Padade M. , Zhang Wujuan , Setchell Kenneth D. R. , Karpen Saul J. , Sokol Ronald J.
Published: October 2013

Intravenous phytosterols, components of soy lipid emulsions, promote cholestasis and liver injury during parenteral nutrition in a mouse model.
BPIFB1 Is a Lung-Specific Autoantigen Associated with Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Shum Anthony K. , Alimohammadi Mohammad , Tan Catherine L. , Cheng Mickie H. , Metzger Todd C. , Law Christopher S. , Lwin Wint , Perheentupa Jaakko , Bour-Jordan Helene , Carel Jean Claude , Husebye Eystein S. , De Luca Filippo , Janson Christer , Sargur Ravishankar , Dubois Noémie , Kajosaari Merja , Wolters Paul J. , Chapman Harold A. , Kämpe Olle , Anderson Mark S.
Published: October 2013

Autoimmunity targeting the lung-specific antigen BPIFB1 may be important to the pathogenesis of interstitial lung disease.
EGFR Mutations Transform Tumors Inside and Out
Authors: Callahan Margaret K.
Published: October 2013

EGFR mutant tumors are associated with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and are susceptible to PD-1 blockade.
A One-Two Punch for Aging and Brain Malformations
Authors: Eid Tore
Published: October 2013

Maternally inherited and somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations additively contribute to human dysfunction and disease.
The Novel Human Influenza A(H7N9) Virus Is Naturally Adapted to Efficient Growth in Human Lung Tissue
Authors: Knepper Jessica , Schierhorn Kristina L. , Becher Anne , Budt Matthias , Tönnies Mario , Bauer Torsten T. , Schneider Paul , Neudecker Jens , Rückert Jens C. , Gruber Achim D. , Suttorp Norbert , Schweiger Brunhilde , Hippenstiel Stefan , Hocke Andreas C. , Wolff Thorsten
Published: October 2013

A novel influenza A virus (IAV) of the H7N9 subtype has been isolated from severely diseased patients with pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome and, apparently, from healthy poultry in March 2013 in Eastern China. We evaluated replication, tropism, and cytokine induction of the A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9) virus isolated from a fatal human infection and two low-pathogenic avian H7 subtype viruses in a human lung organ culture system mimicking infection of the lower respiratory tract. The A(H7N9) patient isolate replicated similarly well as a seasonal IAV in explanted human lung tissue, whereas avian H7 subtype viruses propagated poorly. Interestingly, the avian H7 strains provoked a strong antiviral type I interferon (IFN-I) response, whereas the A(H7N9) virus induced only low IFN levels. Nevertheless, all viruses analyzed were detected predominantly in type II pneumocytes, indicating that the A(H7N9) virus does not differ in its cellular tropism from other avian or human influenza viruses. Tissue culture-based studies suggested that the low induction of the IFN-β promoter correlated with an efficient suppression by the viral NS1 protein. These findings demonstrate that the zoonotic A(H7N9) virus is unusually well adapted to efficient propagation in human alveolar tissue, which most likely contributes to the severity of lower respiratory tract disease seen in many patients.

IMPORTANCE
Humans are usually not infected by avian influenza A viruses (IAV), but this large group of viruses contributes to the emergence of human pandemic strains. Transmission of virulent avian IAV to humans is therefore an alarming event that requires assessment of the biology as well as pathogenic and pandemic potentials of the viruses in clinically relevant models. Here, we demonstrate that an early virus isolate from the recent A(H7N9) outbreak in Eastern China replicated as efficiently as human-adapted IAV in explanted human lung tissue, whereas avian H7 subtype viruses were unable to propagate. Robust replication of the H7N9 strain correlated with a low induction of antiviral beta interferon (IFN-β), and cell-based studies indicated that this is due to efficient suppression of the IFN response by the viral NS1 protein. Thus, explanted human lung tissue appears to be a useful experimental model to explore the determinants facilitating cross-species transmission of the H7N9 virus to humans.
Relapse after Treatment with Miltefosine for Visceral Leishmaniasis Is Associated with Increased Infectivity of the Infecting Leishmania donovani Strain
Authors: Rai Keshav , Cuypers Bart , Bhattarai Narayan Raj , Uranw Surendra , Berg Maya , Ostyn Bart , Dujardin Jean-Claude , Rijal Suman , Vanaerschot Manu
Published: October 2013

Leishmania donovani
is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes leishmaniasis, which can range from a self-healing cutaneous disease to a fatal visceral disease depending on the infecting species. Miltefosine is currently the latest and only oral antileishmanial that came out of drug discovery pipelines in the past few decades, but recent reports indicate a significant decline in its efficacy against visceral leishmaniasis (also known as kala-azar) in the Indian subcontinent. This relapse rate of up to 20% within 12 months after treatment was shown not to be related to reinfection, drug quality, drug exposure, or drug-resistant parasites. We therefore aimed to assess other phenotypes of the parasite that may affect treatment outcome and found a significant association between the number of metacyclic parasites, parasite infectivity, and patient treatment outcome in the Indian subcontinent. Together with previous studies on resistance of
L. donovani
against pentavalent antimonials, these data suggest that the infectivity of the parasite, or related phenotypes, might be a more determinant factor for treatment failure in visceral leishmaniasis than drug susceptibility, warranting a reassessment of our current view on treatment failure and drug resistance in leishmaniasis and beyond.

IMPORTANCE
The high miltefosine relapse rate poses a major challenge for the current Kala-Azar Elimination Program in the Indian subcontinent and other leishmaniasis control programs worldwide. This relapse rate could not be related to reinfection, drug-resistant parasites, or reduced treatment quality. Here we report that an increased infectivity of the parasite is associated with miltefosine relapse of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients. These results supplement those obtained with antimonial-resistant
L. donovani
where an increased infectivity was also observed. This challenges the current view of
Leishmania
drug susceptibility being the biggest parasitic factor that contributes to treatment failure in leishmaniasis. These selected more infectious parasites may pose an additional burden to leishmaniasis control programs, highlighting the importance of multifaceted control measures to achieve leishmaniasis elimination in the Indian subcontinent and other regions where leishmaniasis is endemic.
Infected total knee arthroplasty due to postoperative wound contamination withPasteurella multocida
Authors: Subramanian Bala , Holloway Edward , Townsend Robert , Sutton Paul
Published: October 2013

Pasteurella multocidais a small Gram-negative bacterium comprising part of the normal gastrointestinal and nasopharyngeal flora of domestic pets, such as dogs and cats. It rarely causes infection in humans. Previous reports ofP multocidacausing prosthetic joint infection have described either haematogenous spread of infection from a distant site through a scratch or bite, or reactivation of infection from a previous injury. We report a case of acute total knee arthroplasty joint infection becoming acutely infected byP multocida. We postulate that the mechanism of infection was direct contamination of the wound as a consequence of the patient being licked by his pet dog. We discuss the potential role played by thromboprophylaxis as a factor contributing to prolonged wound leak.
V1–V2–V3–V4 T wave inversion: left or right ventricle?
Authors: Mirijello Antonio , Pola Roberto , Saviano Luisa , Landolfi Raffaele
Published: October 2013

An 84-year-old woman, affected by Alzheimer's disease, presented to the emergency department with intense dyspnoea. Since ECG was showing T wave inversion in anterior leads and troponin-T was high, the patient was admitted to our unit with a diagnosis of anterior non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. However, the patient's medical history and a further review of the ECG led us to suspect a pulmonary embolism (PE) as a possible differential clinical diagnosis. We tested this alternative hypothesis: echocardiography as well as contrast-enhanced CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of PE. We describe these misleading ECG findings together with a brief discussion of electrocardiographical changes in pulmonary embolism.
Primary pulmonary melanoma: the unexpected tumour
Authors: Lares dos Santos Cláudia , Rodrigues Fernandes Lígia , Meruje Manuela , Barata Fernando
Published: October 2013

A 62-year-old woman was referred to our pulmonology team with exertional dyspnoea and chest tightness of 2 months duration. Her medical history included cervical cancer and thyroid nodules. Imaging studies showed collapse of left upper lobe. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy unveiled an endoluminal lesion and bronchial biopsy displayed features of melanoma. She denied a history of melanoma or excision of lesions of skin, mucous membranes or the eye. A thorough evaluation including combined positron emission tomography with CT scan excluded other possible sites of primary melanoma, but there was a metastasis in a thoracic vertebra. Palliative radiotherapy of the spine was performed. Chemotherapy initiation with dacarbazine was postponed by the appearance of a malignant pleural effusion, confirmed by pleural fluid cytology. After four cycles chemotherapy was discontinued due to disease progression. The patient is still alive with a follow-up of 12 months, currently on best supportive care.
Floating thrombus in the left upper pulmonary vein dissolved by dabigatran
Authors: Takeuchi Hidekazu
Published: October 2013

Pulmonary vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare but life-threatening condition. Although warfarin reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF)-related stroke by 64%, the use of this drug has some limitations. Dabigatran is a relatively novel therapeutic option for patients with AF. The mechanism of action of dabigatran is unclear, and its ability to dissolve pulmonary vein thrombi is uncertain. Scans from a 64-slice multidetector CT (64-MDCT) scanner can evaluate coronary artery stenosis and detect left atrial appendage thrombi and pulmonary vein thrombi. A 73-year-old male patient presented with chest pain, and a 64-MDCT scan was performed to assess coronary artery stenosis. The 64-MDCT scan showed no stenosis but it did reveal a thrombus located in the centre of the left upper pulmonary vein. After 3 months of dabigatran therapy, the thrombus disappeared. This is the first case report of dabigatran dissolving a left upper pulmonary vein thrombus, as assessed by a 64-MDCT scan.
An unfamiliar presentation of a lateral periodontal cyst
Authors: Byatnal Amit R , K Parvathidevi M , Rukmangada Thriveni , Koppal Shrinivas
Published: October 2013

Lateral periodontal cyst, developmental in origin, typically is observed in the cuspid–bicuspid region of the mandible and less frequently in the maxilla. It may arise initially as a dentigerous cyst developing by expansion of the follicle along the lateral surface of the crown which eventually comes to lie on the lateral aspect of the root if tooth eruption is normal. Alternatively, it may arise from the cell rests of malassez. The incidence of lateral periodontal cysts has been reported to be less than 1% and these cysts represent nearly 0.8% of all central cysts of the maxillary bone. Here we present one such case with unusual findings.
Osteomalacia as inaugural manifestation of Sjögren syndrome
Authors: Cherif Eya , Ben Hassine Lamia , Kaoueche Zouleikha , Khalfallah Narjess
Published: October 2013

Osteomalacia is a relatively common condition, which is frequently underdiagnosed due to lack of clinical suspicion and non-specific symptoms. Osteomalacia can complicate tubulo-interstital nephritis. However, it occurs exceptionally as the first manifestation of Sjögren syndrome with renal involvement. It is a consequence of chronic metabolic acidosis and is associated with distal renal tubular acidosis. We report a 31-year-old woman hospitalised for a 1 year history of muscle weakness and joint and chest wall pains. Skeletal imagery showed Looser’s zones in the left femoral neck. Investigations concluded to the diagnosis of primary Sjogren's syndrome.
Cross-sectional study: Does combining optical coherence tomography measurements using the ‘Random Forest’ decision tree classifier improve the prediction of the presence of perimetric deterioration in glaucoma suspects?
Authors: Sugimoto Koichiro , Murata Hiroshi , Hirasawa Hiroyo , Aihara Makoto , Mayama Chihiro , Asaoka Ryo
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To develop a classifier to predict the presence of visual field (VF) deterioration in glaucoma suspects based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements using the machine learning method known as the ‘Random Forest’ algorithm.

Design

Case–control study.

Participants

293 eyes of 179 participants with open angle glaucoma (OAG) or suspected OAG.

Interventions

Spectral domain OCT (Topcon 3D OCT-2000) and perimetry (Humphrey Field Analyser, 24-2 or 30-2 SITA standard) measurements were conducted in all of the participants. VF damage (Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study criteria (2002)) was used as a ‘gold-standard’ to classify glaucomatous eyes. The ‘Random Forest’ method was then used to analyse the relationship between the presence/absence of glaucomatous VF damage and the following variables: age, gender, right or left eye, axial length plus 237 different OCT measurements.

Main outcome measures

The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AROC) was then derived using the probability of glaucoma as suggested by the proportion of votes in the Random Forest classifier. For comparison, five AROCs were derived based on: (1) macular retinal nerve fibre layer (m-RNFL) alone; (2) circumpapillary (cp-RNFL) alone; (3) ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer (GCL+IPL) alone; (4) rim area alone and (5) a decision tree method using the same variables as the Random Forest algorithm.

Results

The AROC from the combined Random Forest classifier (0.90) was significantly larger than the AROCs based on individual measurements of m-RNFL (0.86), cp-RNFL (0.77), GCL+IPL (0.80), rim area (0.78) and the decision tree method (0.75; p<0.05).

Conclusions

Evaluating OCT measurements using the Random Forest method provides an accurate prediction of the presence of perimetric deterioration in glaucoma suspects.
Sustained life-like waveform capnography after human cadaveric tracheal intubation
Authors: Reid Cliff , Lewis Anthony , Habig Karel , Burns Brian , Billson Frank , Kunkel Sven , Fisk Wesley
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Fresh frozen cadavers are effective training models for airway management. We hypothesised that residual carbon dioxide (CO2) in cadaveric lung would be detectable using standard clinical monitoring systems, facilitating detection of tracheal tube placement and further enhancing the fidelity of clinical simulation using a cadaveric model.

Methods

The tracheas of two fresh frozen unembalmed cadavers were intubated via direct laryngoscopy. Each tracheal tube was connected to a self-inflating bag and a sidestream CO2detector. The capnograph display was observed and recorded in high-definition video. The cadavers were hand-ventilated with room air until the capnometer reached zero or the waveform approached baseline.

Results

A clear capnographic waveform was produced in both cadavers on the first postintubation expiration, simulating the appearances found in the clinical setting. In cadaver one, a consistent capnographic waveform was produced lasting over 100 s. Maximal end-tidal CO2was 8.5 kPa (65 mm Hg). In cadaver two, a consistent capnographic waveform was produced lasting over 50 s. Maximal end-tidal CO2was 5.9 kPa (45 mm Hg).

Conclusions

We believe this to be the first work to describe and quantify detectable end-tidal capnography in human cadavers. We have demonstrated that tracheal intubation of fresh frozen cadavers can be confirmed by life-like waveform capnography. This requires further validation in a larger sample size.
Current and future treatment options for gonorrhoea
Authors: Ison Catherine A , Deal Carolyn , Unemo Magnus
Published: October 2013

The delivery of effective antimicrobial therapy is essential for public health control of gonorrhoea, in the absence of a suitable vaccine. The antimicrobial agent chosen should have high efficacy and quality, lack toxicity and give >95% success when given empirically. Guidelines, which are informed by surveillance data, are used to aid clinicians in their choice of appropriate agent. Historically, gonorrhoea treatment has been delivered as a single, directly observed dose but this has resulted in failure of successive antimicrobial agents which have been replaced by a new antimicrobial to which resistance has been rare or non-existing. Following the drift towards decreased susceptibility and treatment failure to the extended spectrum cephalosporins, and the lack of ‘new’ alternative antimicrobials, the threat of difficult to treat or untreatable gonorrhoea has emerged. The challenge of maintaining gonorrhoea as a treatable infection has resulted in national, regional and global response or action plans. This review discusses different approaches to the future treatment of gonorrhoea including; use of ceftriaxone, the injectable cephalosporin at increased dosage; dual antimicrobial therapy; use of drugs developed for other infections and use of older agents, directed by rapid point of care tests, to susceptible infections. Finally, it is considered whether the time is right to readdress the possibility of developing an effective gonococcal vaccine, given the major advances in our understanding of natural infection, molecular pathogenesis and the revolution in molecular biology techniques.
Suboptimal adherence to doxycycline and treatment outcomes among men with non-gonococcal urethritis: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Khosropour Christine M , Manhart Lisa E , Colombara Danny V , Gillespie Catherine W , Lowens M Sylvan , Totten Patricia A , Golden Matthew R , Simoni Jane
Published: October 2013

Objective

Doxycycline, one of two recommended therapies for non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), consists of a 7-day course of therapy (100 mg BID). Since suboptimal adherence may contribute to poor treatment outcomes, we examined the association between self-reported imperfect adherence to doxycycline and clinical and microbiologic failure among men with NGU.

Methods

Men aged ≥16 years with NGU attending a Seattle, WA, sexually transmitted diseases clinic were enrolled in a double-blind, parallel-group superiority trial from January 2007 to July 2011. Men were randomised to active doxycycline/placebo azithromycin or placebo doxycycline/active azithromycin. Imperfect adherence was defined as missing ≥1 dose in 7 days. Urine was tested forChlamydia trachomatis(CT),Mycoplasma genitalium(MG), andUreaplasma urealyticum-biovar 2 (UU-2) using nucleic acid amplification tests. Clinical failure (symptoms and ≥5 PMNs/HPF or discharge) and microbiologic failure (positive tests for CT, MG, and/or UU-2) were determined after 3 weeks.

Results

184 men with NGU were randomised to active doxycycline and provided data on adherence. Baseline prevalence of CT, MG and UU-2 was 26%, 13% and 27%, respectively. 28% of men reported imperfect adherence, and this was associated with microbiologic failure among men with CT (aRR=9.33; 95% CI 1.00 to 89.2) and UU-2 (aRR=3.08; 95% CI 1.31 to 7.26) but not MG. Imperfect adherence was not significantly associated with clinical failure overall or for any specific pathogens, but it was more common among imperfectly adherent men with CT (aRR=2.63; 0.93–7.41, p=0.07).

Conclusions

Adherence may be important for microbiologic cure of select pathogens. Factors other than adherence should be considered for CT-negative men with persistent NGU.
Distribution of serotypes and genotypes of Salmonella enterica species in French pig production
Authors: Denis M. , Houard E. , Fablet A. , Rouxel S. , Salvat G.
Published: October 2013

The population of Salmonella found at various stages of pig production in France was characterised to analyse the distribution and spread of Salmonella in the pig production chain. We serotyped and genotyped by PFGE 174 isolates collected from breeding pigs from breeding farms, 163 collected from breeding pigs from production farms, and 325 collected from fattening pigs. Forty‐seven serovars and 110 genotypes were identified. The major serovars were S Derby (263 isolates) and S Typhimurium (162 isolates). The percentage of S Derby isolates decreased slightly through the production system (44.3, 41.1 per cent and 36.5 per cent) and 79.1 per cent of the S Derby isolates were distributed in the five genotypes common to all three stages. The percentage of S Typhimurium isolates was high for slaughter pigs (40.8 per cent) and 43 of the 46 S Typhimurium genotypes were only identified at this stage. Distributions of S Derby and S Typhimurium between breeding and fattening pigs were different. S Derby was found throughout the pig production pyramid, suggesting that this serotype may be transmitted by the transfer of animals between herds. The presence of multiple S Typhimurium genotypes in fattening pigs suggests that there were many sources of contamination at this stage, with fattening pigs having higher levels of exposure and/or sensitivity to this serotype.
UV-vis study of the reaction of chloro(tetraphenylporphyrinato)manganese(III) with tetra-n-butylammonium hydrogen monopersulfate in the presence of imidazole
Authors: Hashemi Majid , Solati Zahra , Mohammadpour Pegah
Published: October 2013

Reaction of chloro(tetraphenylporphyrinato)manganese(III) with tetra-n-butylammonium hydrogen monopersulfate (n- Bu4NHSO5) in the presence of high ratio of imidazole was followed by UV-Vis spectroscopy in CH2Cl2at room temperature. The variation in the UV-vis spectra shows that the reaction goes through Mn ( III ), high valent Mn ( V ) or Mn ( IV ), Mn ( III ), low valent Mn ( II ) and again Mn ( III ) complexes. The Mn ( III ) complex before the addition of n- Bu4NHSO5could not be reduced to Mn ( II ), but Mn ( III ) complex which was obtained after decay of high valent Mn complexes was reduced to Mn ( II ), probably because its spin state is different from the first one. Addition of methanol to the reaction mixture (in the presence or absence of ferrocene) shows that two high valent Mn complexes [( MnV( TPP )-( O )( X )] ( X = Im-or OMe-) and [ MnIV( TPP )( OMe )2] are involved in the course of the reaction. Using meta-choloroperbenzoic acid instead of (n- Bu4NHSO5) as oxidant showed that reduction of Mn ( III ) to Mn ( II ) is taking place only in the presence of HSO4.
Autocrine role of interleukin-13 on skeletal muscle glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetic patients involves microRNA let-7
Authors: Jiang Lake Q. , Franck Niclas , Egan Brendan , Sjögren Rasmus J. O. , Katayama Mutsumi , Duque-Guimaraes Daniella , Arner Peter , Zierath Juleen R. , Krook Anna
Published: October 2013

Low-grade inflammation associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is postulated to exacerbate insulin resistance. We report that serum levels, as well as IL-13 secreted from cultured skeletal muscle, are reduced in T2DM vs. normal glucose-tolerant (NGT) subjects. IL-13 exposure increases skeletal muscle glucose uptake, oxidation, and glycogen synthesis via an Akt-dependent mechanism. Expression of microRNA let-7a and let-7d, which are direct translational repressors of the IL-13 gene, was increased in skeletal muscle from T2DM patients. Overexpression of let-7a and let-7d in cultured myotubes reduced IL-13 secretion. Furthermore, basal glycogen synthesis was reduced in cultured myotubes exposed to an IL-13-neutralizing antibody. Thus, IL-13 is synthesized and released by skeletal muscle through a mechanism involving let-7, and this effect is attenuated in skeletal muscle from insulin-resistant T2DM patients. In conclusion, IL-13 plays an autocrine role in skeletal muscle to increase glucose uptake and metabolism, suggesting a role in glucose homeostasis in metabolic disease.
Sputter Power Influenced Structural, Electrical, and Optical Behaviour of Nanocrystalline CuNiO2 Films Formed by RF Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Sreedhar A. , Hari Prasad Reddy M. , Uthanna S. , Pierson J. F.
Published: October 2013

Copper nickel oxide (CuNiO2) films were deposited on glass and silicon substrates using RF magnetron sputtering of equimolar Cu50Ni50 alloy target at different sputter powers in the range of 3.1–6.1 W/cm2. The effect of sputter power on the chemical composition, crystallographic structure, chemical binding configuration, surface morphology, and electrical and optical properties of CuNiO2 films was investigated. The films formed at sputter power of 5.1 W/cm2 were of nearly stoichiometric CuNiO2. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies indicated the presence of the characteristic vibrational bands of copper nickel oxide. The nanocrystalline CuNiO2 films were formed with the increase in grain size from 75 to 120 nm as the sputter power increased from 3.1 to 5.1 W/cm2. The stoichiometric CuNiO2 films formed at sputter power of 5.1 W/cm2 exhibited electrical resistivity of 27 Ωcm, Hall mobility of 21 cm2/Vsec, and optical bandgap of 1.93 eV.
The Involvement of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in the Suppression of Colorectal Tumorigenesis by Tolfenamic Acid
Authors: Zhang Xiaobo , Lee Seong-Ho , Min Kyung-Won , McEntee Michael F. , Jeong Jin Boo , Li Qingwang , Baek Seung Joon
Published: October 2013

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug tolfenamic acid has been shown to suppress cancer cell growth and tumorigenesis in different cancer models. However, the underlying mechanism by which tolfenamic acid exerts its antitumorigenic effect remains unclear. Previous data from our group and others indicate that tolfenamic acid alters expression of apoptosis- and cell-cycle arrest–related genes in colorectal cancer cells. Here, we show that tolfenamic acid markedly reduced the number of polyps and tumor load in APCmin/+ mice, accompanied with cyclin D1 downregulation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, tolfenamic acid promotes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, resulting in activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling pathway, of which PERK-mediated phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) induces the repression of cyclin D1 translation. Moreover, the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4 branch of the UPR pathway plays a role in tolfenamic acid-induced apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells, as silencing ATF4 attenuates tolfenamic acid-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggest ER stress is involved in tolfenamic acid-induced inhibition of colorectal cancer cell growth, which could contribute to antitumorigenesis in a mouse model. Cancer Prev Res; 6(12); 1337–47. ©2013 AACR.
Incident Atrial Fibrillation Among Asians, Hispanics, Blacks, and Whites
Authors: Dewland Thomas A. , Olgin Jeffrey E. , Vittinghoff Eric , Marcus Gregory M.
Published: October 2013

Background—

Because the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and race has only been rigorously compared in population-based studies that dichotomized participants as white or black, it is unclear whether white race confers elevated AF risk or black race affords AF protection.

Methods and Results—

The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project was used to identify patients receiving hospital-based care in California between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2009. The association between race and incident AF was examined using Cox proportional hazards models. Interaction analyses were performed to elucidate the mechanism underlying the race-AF association. Among 13 967 949 patients, 375 318 incident AF episodes were observed over a median 3.2 (interquartile range 1.8–4.3) years. In multivariable Cox models adjusting for patient demographics and established AF risk factors, blacks (hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.82–0.85;
P
<0.001), Hispanics (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.77–0.79;
P
<0.001), and Asians (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.77–0.79;
P
<0.001) each exhibited a lower AF risk compared with whites. AF risk among whites was disproportionately higher in the absence of acquired cardiovascular risk factors and diminished or reversed in the presence of comorbid diseases. Although Hispanics and Asians also had a lower adjusted risk of incident atrial flutter compared with whites, the risk of flutter was significantly higher among blacks.

Conclusions—

In a large hospital-based cohort, whites have an increased risk of AF whether compared with blacks, Asians, or Hispanics. The heightened AF risk among whites is most pronounced in the absence of cardiovascular comorbidities.
Acute Inhibition of Excessive Mitochondrial Fission After Myocardial Infarction Prevents Long‐term Cardiac Dysfunction
Authors: Disatnik Marie‐Hélène , Ferreira Julio C.B. , Campos Juliane Cruz , Gomes Kátia Sampaio , Dourado Paulo M.M. , Qi Xin , Mochly‐Rosen Daria
Published: October 2013

Background

Ischemia and reperfusion (
IR
) injury remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality and multiple molecular and cellular pathways have been implicated in this injury. We determined whether acute inhibition of excessive mitochondrial fission at the onset of reperfusion improves mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiac contractility postmyocardial infarction in rats.

Methods and Results

We used a selective inhibitor of the fission machinery, P110, which we have recently designed. P110 treatment inhibited the interaction of fission proteins Fis1/Drp1, decreased mitochondrial fission, and improved bioenergetics in three different rat models of
IR
, including primary cardiomyocytes, ex vivo heart model, and an in vivo myocardial infarction model. Drp1 transiently bound to the mitochondria following
IR
injury and P110 treatment blocked this Drp1 mitochondrial association. Compared with control treatment, P110 (1 μmol/L) decreased infarct size by 28±2% and increased adenosine triphosphate levels by 70+1% after
IR
relative to control
IR
in the ex vivo model. Intraperitoneal injection of P110 (0.5 mg/kg) at the onset of reperfusion in an in vivo model resulted in improved mitochondrial oxygen consumption by 68% when measured 3 weeks after ischemic injury, improved cardiac fractional shortening by 35%, reduced mitochondrial H
2
O
2
uncoupling state by 70%, and improved overall mitochondrial functions.

Conclusions

Together, we show that excessive mitochondrial fission at reperfusion contributes to long‐term cardiac dysfunction in rats and that acute inhibition of excessive mitochondrial fission at the onset of reperfusion is sufficient to result in long‐term benefits as evidenced by inhibiting cardiac dysfunction 3 weeks after acute myocardial infarction.
Clot Length Distribution and Predictors in Anterior Circulation Stroke
Authors: Kamalian Shervin , Morais Livia T. , Pomerantz Stuart R. , Aceves Mario , Sit Siu Po , Bose Arani , Hirsch Joshua A. , Lev Michael H. , Yoo Albert J.
Published: October 2013

Background and Purpose—

Thin-section noncontrast computed tomography images can be used to measure hyperdense clot length in acute ischemic stroke. Clots ≥8 mm have a very low probability of intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator recanalization and hence may benefit from a bridging intra-arterial approach. To understand the prevalence of such clots, we sought to determine the distribution and predictors of clot lengths in consecutive anterior circulation proximal artery occlusions.

Methods—

Of 623 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke, 53 met inclusion criteria: presentation <8 hours from onset; intracranial internal carotid artery-terminus or proximal-middle cerebral artery occlusion; admission thin-slice noncontrast computed tomography (≤2.5 mm); and no intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator pretreatment. For each patient, hyperdense clot length was measured and recorded along with additional relevant imaging and clinical data.

Results—

Mean age was 70 years, and mean time to computed tomography was 213 minutes. Median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 16.5. Occlusions were located in the internal carotid artery-terminus (34% [18 of 53]), middle cerebral artery M1 (49% [26 of 53]) and M2 segments (17% [9 of 53]). Hyperdense thrombus was visible in 96%, with mean and median clot lengths (mm) of 18.5 (±14.2) and 16.1 (7.6–25.2), respectively. Occlusion location was the strongest predictor of clot length (multivariate,
P
=0.02). Clot length was ≥8 mm in 94%, 73%, and 22% of internal carotid artery-terminus, M1, and M2 occlusions, respectively.

Conclusions—

The majority of anterior circulation proximal occlusions are ≥8 mm long, helping to explain the low published rates of intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator recanalization. Internal carotid artery-terminus occlusion is an excellent marker for clot length ≥8 mm; vessel-imaging status alone may be sufficient. Thin-section noncontrast computed tomography seems useful for patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion because of the wide variability of clot lengths.
Negotiating the Complex Interface between State Immunity and Human Rights: An Analysis of the International Court of Justice Decision in Germany v. Italy
Authors: Barker J. Craig
Published: October 2013

Abstract

One of the most controversial areas of contemporary international law is the interface between immunities and human rights. International immunities have been successfully challenged on human rights grounds in certain jurisdictions. However, to date, no international court tribunal has endorsed such challenges. In its judgment in Germany v. Italy the International Court of Justice re-asserted the conservative approach to the relationship between State immunity and human rights, which rejects the claim that State immunity is “trumped” by hierarchically superior human rights norms. This article examines the Court’s reasoning, before turning to consider the alternative vision of the interface between State immunity and human rights presented by Judge Cinçado Trindade. While persuasive, Trindade’s analysis must ultimately be rejected. The overtly positivist and formalistic approach of the Court, which is itself open to criticism, was, nevertheless, necessitated by the failure of States to provide for a human rights exception in the United Nations Convention on the Jurisdictional Immunities of States and Their Property 2004, signifying a strong opinio juris against the further limitation of State immunity at the present time. Nevertheless, the Court carefully sought to limit the effects of its judgment by limiting its focus to the specific questions before it.
Atmospheric Motion Vectors from Model Simulations. Part I: Methods and Characterization as Single-Level Estimates of Wind
Authors: Bormann Niels , Hernandez-Carrascal Angeles , Borde Régis , Lutz Hans-Joachim , Otkin Jason A. , Wanzong Steve
Published: October 2013

The objective of this study is to improve the characterization of satellite-derived atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs) and their errors to guide developments in the use of AMVs in numerical weather prediction. AMVs tend to exhibit considerable systematic and random errors that arise in the derivation or the interpretation of AMVs as single-level point observations of wind. One difficulty in the study of AMV errors is the scarcity of collocated observations of clouds and wind. This study uses instead a simulation framework: geostationary imagery for Meteosat-8 is generated from a high-resolution simulation with the Weather Research and Forecasting regional model, and AMVs are derived from sequences of these images. The forecast model provides the “truth” with a sophisticated description of the atmosphere. The study considers infrared and water vapor AMVs from cloudy scenes. This is the first part of a two-part paper, and it introduces the framework and provides a first evaluation in terms of the brightness temperatures of the simulated images and the derived AMVs. The simulated AMVs show a considerable global bias in the height assignment (60–75 hPa) that is not observed in real AMVs. After removal of this bias, however, the statistics comparing the simulated AMVs with the true model wind show characteristics that are similar to statistics comparing real AMVs with short-range forecasts (speed bias and root-mean-square vector difference typically agree to within 1 m s−1). This result suggests that the error in the simulated AMVs is comparable to or larger than that in real AMVs. There is evidence for significant spatial, temporal, and vertical error correlations, with the scales for the spatial error correlations being consistent with estimates for real data.
Impact of Potential Large-Scale Irrigation on the West African Monsoon and Its Dependence on Location of Irrigated Area
Authors: Im Eun-Soon , Marcella Marc P. , Eltahir Elfatih A. B.
Published: October 2013

This study investigates the impact of potential large-scale irrigation on the West African monsoon using the Massachusetts Institute of Technology regional climate model (MRCM). A new irrigation module is implemented to assess the impact of location and scheduling of irrigation on rainfall distribution over West Africa. A control simulation (without irrigation) and eight sensitivity experiments (with irrigation) are performed and compared to discern the effects of irrigation location and scheduling. It is found that the irrigation effect on soil moisture could force significant changes in spatial distribution and magnitude of rainfall, depending on the latitudinal location of irrigation. In general, the large irrigation-induced surface cooling owing to anomalously wet soil tends to suppress moist convection and rainfall, which in turn induces local subsidence and low-level anticyclonic circulation. These local effects are dominated by a consistent reduction of local rainfall over the irrigated land, irrespective of its location. However, the remote response of rainfall distribution to irrigation exhibits a significant sensitivity to the latitudinal position of irrigation and the intraseasonal variation of supplied irrigation water. The low-level northeasterly airflow associated with an anticyclonic circulation centered over the irrigation area, induced at optimal location and timing, would enhance the extent of low-level convergence areas through interaction with the prevailing monsoon flow, leading to a significant increase in rainfall. As the location of the irrigation area is moved from the coast northward, the regional rainfall change exhibits a significant decrease first, then increases gradually to a maximum corresponding to irrigation centered around 20°N, before it declines again.