bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abdominal aortic calcification is not superior over other vascular calcification in predicting mortality in hemodialysis patients: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Hong Daqing , Wu Shukun , Pu Lei , Wang Fang , Wang Junru , Wang Zhengtong , Gao Hui , Zhang Yue , Deng Fei , Li Guisen , He Qiang , Wang Li
Published: June 2013

Background

KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) guidelines recommend that a lateral abdominal radiograph should be performed to assess vascular calcification (VC) in dialysis patients. However, abdominal aortic calcification is a prevalent finding, and it remains unclear whether other anatomical areas of VC can predict mortality more accurately.

Methods

A total of 217 maintenance hemodialysis patients were enrolled at the Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital between July 2010 and March 2011. Radiographs of the abdomen, pelvis and hands were evaluated by a radiologist to evaluate the presence of VC. The correlation between different areas of VC and all-cause or cardiovascular mortality was analyzed using univariate and multivariate models.

Results

The prevalence of VC was 70.0% (152 patients), and most had abdominal aortic calcification (90.1%). During 26 ± 7 months of follow-up, 37 patients died. The VC score was independently associated with patient mortality. VC observed on abdominal radiographs (abdominal aortic calcification) was associated with all-cause mortality in models adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors (HR, 4.69; 95%CI, 1.60-13.69) and dialysis factors (HR, 3.38; 95%CI, 1.18-9.69). VC in the pelvis or hands was associated with all-cause mortality in the model adjusted for dialysis factors. When three combinations of VC in different radiographs were included in models, the presence of abdominal VC was only significantly associated with all-cause mortality in the integrated model. VC in the abdomen and pelvis was associated with all-cause mortality in the model adjusted for cardiovascular factors and the integrated model, but neither was significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality. VC in all radiographs was significantly associated with a more than 6-fold risk of all-cause mortality and a more than 5-fold risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to patients without VC.

Conclusions

VC in different arteries as shown on radiographs is associated with different levels of risk for mortality. The lateral abdominal radiograph may not be superior to other radiographs for predicting patient outcomes. Further research is needed to elucidate the effects of difference burdens of VC on patient outcomes.
Infections in pediatric acute promyelocytic leukemia: from the canadian infections in acute myeloid leukemia research group
Authors: Cellot Sonia , Johnston Donna , Dix David , Ethier Marie-Chantal , Gillmeister Biljana , Mitchell David , Yanofsky Rochelle , Lewis Victor , Portwine Carol , Price Victoria , Zelcer Shayna , Silva Mariana , Bowes Lynette , Michon Bruno , Stobart Kent , Brossard Josee , Beyene Joseph , Sung Lillian
Published: June 2013

Background

It is not known whether children with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) have an infection risk similar to non- APL acute myeloid leukemia. The objective was to describe infectious risk in children with newly diagnosed APL and to describe factors associated with these infections.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study that included children ≤ 18 years of age with de novo APL treated at 15 Canadian centers. Thirty-three children with APL were included; 78.8% were treated with APL -specific protocols.

Results

Bacterial sterile site infection occurred in 12 (36.4%) and fungal sterile site infection occurred in 2 (6.1%) children. Of the 127 chemotherapy courses, 101 (79.5%) were classified as intensive and among these, the proportion in which a sterile site microbiologically documented infection occurred was 14/101 (13.9%). There was one infection-related death.

Conclusions

One third of children with APL experienced at least one sterile site bacterial infection throughout treatment and 14% of intensive chemotherapy courses were associated with a microbiologically documented sterile site infection. Infection rates in pediatric APL may be lower compared to non- APL acute myeloid leukemia although these children may still benefit from aggressive supportive care during intensive chemotherapy.
Relapsed angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma with acquired expression of CD20: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Banz Yara , Krasniqi Fatime , Dirnhofer Stephan , Tzankov Alexander
Published: June 2013

Background

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma is one of the most common types of peripheral T-cell lymphomas, usually presenting at an older age with an aggressive clinical course. Its characteristic morphological presentation and follicular helper T-cell phenotype help to distinguish it from other T-cell lymphomas.

Case presentation

We recently encountered the unique case of a 63-year old patient with relapsed tumour-cell rich angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, presenting with a “classical” phenotype and, in addition, an acquired, strong, aberrant expression of CD20.

“Lineage infidelity” of phenotypic markers is a well-documented phenomenon in lymphomas and leukemias, a circumstance currently still poorly understood and with the potential to bring about erroneous interpretations, causing diagnostic havoc. This case represents one of the few documented angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphomas with strong CD20 expression. Of interest, CD20 expression was only detected in the recurrent lymphoma and not upon initial diagnosis. The clinical importance of this finding lies in the potential for treatment with an anti-CD20 antibody, for instance Rituximab, in addition to standard chemotherapy protocols for angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

Conclusion

Diagnostic work-up of lymphomas to determine their lineage should therefore consider morphology, pheno- as well as genotypic characteristics, where appropriate, and in particular signs of progression and change in marker profile in relapsed cases e.g. acquisition of “non-lineage” markers such as CD20 in T-cell lymphoma.
Total cholesterol and lipoprotein composition are associated with dry eye disease in Korean women
Authors: Chun Yoon Hong , Kim Hye Rang , Han Kyungdo , Park Yong-Gyu , Song Ho Jin , Na Kyung-Sun
Published: June 2013

Background

This study aimed to determine the relationship between dyslipidemia and dry eye disease (DED) in a Korean population.

Methods

This population-based study enrolled 5,627 adults (aged >19 years) who were participating in the first year of the fifth annual Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2010 to 2011. Clinically diagnosed DED and its symptoms were surveyed, and biochemical blood analysis data were collected. Dyslipidemia was defined as any of the following: hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol > 200 mg/dL), hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride > 150 mg/dL), low levels of high-density lipoprotein (<40 mg/dL), or high levels of low-density lipoprotein (>100 mg/dL).

Results

After adjusting for demographics (age and body mass index), lifestyle (smoking, drinking, exercise, and residential district), and medical factors (diabetes, hypertension, previous ophthalmic surgery, menopause, and rheumatologic disease), elevated serum cholesterol level was found to be associated with increased likelihood of DED (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.127–2.78) in women.

Conclusions

DED in a Korean population was found to be associated with high serum cholesterol levelsThe results of this study highlight the significance of eye examinations and independent lipid profile monitoring in patients with dyslipidemia because of its possible correlation with DED progression.
New susceptibility locus for obesity and dyslipidaemia on chromosome 3q22.3
Authors: Alshahid Maie , Wakil Salma M , Al-Najai Mohammed , Muiya Nzioka P , Elhawari Samar , Gueco Daisy , Andres Editha , Hagos Samia , Mazhar Nejat , Meyer Brian F , Dzimiri Nduna
Published: June 2013

Background

The muscle Ras (MRAS) gene resides on chromosome 3q22.3 and encodes a member of the membrane-associated Ras small GTPase proteins, which function as signal transducers in multiple processes including cell growth and differentiation. Its role in cardiovascular disease is not fully understood yet. In a preliminary study in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, we identified a locus linking the early onset of coronary artery disease (CAD) to chromosome 3q.22 and elected to sequence theMRASgene using the MegaBACE DNA analysis system. In the present study, we investigated the association of seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at this locus with CAD and its dyslipidaemia-related risk traits in 4,650 Saudi angiographed individuals using TaqMan assays by the Applied Biosystems real-time Prism 7900HT Sequence Detection System.

Results

Among the studied SNPs, rs6782181 (p= 0.017) and rs9818870T (p= 0.009) were associated with CAD following adjustment for sex, age and other confounding risk factors. The rs6782181_GG also conferred risk for obesity (1,764 cases vs. 2,586 controls) [1.16(1.03–1.30);p= 0.017], hypercholesterolaemia (1,686 vs. 2,744) [1.23(1.02–1.47);p= 0.019], hypertriglyceridaemia (1,155 vs. 3,496) [1.29(1.01–1.45);p= 0.043] and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (lHDL-chol) levels (1,935 vs. 2,401) [1.15(1.02–1.30);p= 0.023] after adjustment. Additionally, rs253662_(CT+TT) [1.16(1.01–1.32);p= 0.030] was associated with lHDL-chol levels. Interestingly, rs253662 (p= 0.014) and rs6782181 (p= 0.019) were protective against acquiring high low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (hLDL-chol) levels (p= 0.014), while rs1720819 showed similar effects against CAD (p< 0.0001). More importantly, a 7-mer haplotype, ACCTGAC (χ2= 7.66;p= 0.0056), constructed from the studied SNPs, its 6-mer derivative CCTGAC (χ2= 6.90;p= 0.0086) and several other shorter derivatives conferred risk for obesity. hLDL-chol was weakly linked to CTAA (χ2= 3.79;p= 0.052) and CCT (χ2= 4.32;p= 0.038), while several other haplotypes were protective against both obesity and hLDL-chol level.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that the genomic locus for theMRASgene confers risk for CAD, obesity and dyslipidaemia and point to the possible involvement of other genes or regulatory elements at this locus, rather than changes in the M-Ras protein function, in these events.
Retinal vasculitis in two pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report
Authors: Donnithorne Katherine J , Read Russell W , Lowe Robert , Weiser Peter , Cron Randy Q , Beukelman Timothy
Published: June 2013

We report two pediatric female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who presented with decreased vision. Both patients were found to have retinal vasculitis and occlusive disease. The first patient also presented with vitreous hemorrhage and later non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. She was treated with panretinal photocoagulation and steroid therapy and later in her disease course was treated with rituximab and cyclophosphamide. Her vision remained decreased. The second patient was treated with rituximab and monthly cyclophosphamide infusions early in her disease course, and her vision improved dramatically. The difference in the presentations and outcomes of these two pediatric patients with SLE highlights the spectrum of severity of SLE retinopathy. We suggest that early recognition of disease and early intervention with B-cell depletion therapy in addition to a traditional cytotoxic agent should be considered in pediatric patients with SLE and occlusive retinopathy.
The key role of Shenyan Kangfu tablets, a Chinese patent medicine for diabetic nephropathy: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Wang Hui , Mu Wei , Zhai Jingbo , Xing Dongmei , Miao Shujie , Wang Jia , Deng Yueyi , Wang Niansong , Chen Hongyu , Yang Hongtao , He Xuehong , Shang Hongcai
Published: June 2013

Background

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major microvascular complication with diabetes. In China, an estimated 34.7 percent of people diagnosed with diabetes have renal complications and a further 50 percent die of renal failure. Hence, identification of alternative treatments for these patients should be given priority. The Shenyan Kangfu tablet (SYKFT) is a new formulation of an existing and widely acclaimed Chinese herbal tea for treating qi-yin deficiency syndrome. Because a considerable portion of DN patients presenting with symptoms of swelling, fatigue and weak limbs would be diagnosed with qi-yin deficiency syndrome according to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic criteria, we hypothesize that SYKFT may represent a complementary drug for DN patients with the corresponding syndrome. In view of this, we have designed a trial to assess the efficacy and safety of SYKFT for patients with diabetic nephropathy exhibiting signs of qi and yin deficiency.

Methods

This is a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT). The total target sample size is planned at 80 participants, with a balanced (1:1) treatment allocation. The experimental intervention will be SYKFY plus irbesartan (SI regimen) and the control intervention will be a placebo plus irbesartan (PI regimen). Participants will receive two courses of medication treatment each lasting 8 weeks. The primary outcome will be the composite of the quantitative 24-hour urinary protein level and urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER). Changes in urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and DN staging, and TCM symptom improvement will be the secondary outcome measures. Adverse events (AEs) will be monitored throughout the trial.

Discussion

This study will be the first placebo-controlled RCT to assess whether SYKFT plus irbesartan will have beneficial effects on enhancing overall response rate (ORR), changing DN staging, improving clinical symptoms, and reducing the frequency of AEs for DN patients with qi-yin deficiency syndrome. The results of this trial will help to provide evidence-based recommendations for clinicians.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trials Register, Identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-12002182
SAG2A protein from Toxoplasma gondii interacts with both innate and adaptive immune compartments of infected hosts
Authors: Macêdo Arlindo G , Cunha Jair P , Cardoso Thyago HS , Silva Murilo V , Santiago Fernanda M , Silva João S , Pirovani Carlos P , Silva Deise AO , Mineo José R , Mineo Tiago WP
Published: June 2013

Background

Toxoplasma gondiiis an intracellular parasite that causes relevant clinical disease in humans and animals.Several studies have been performed in order to understand the interactions between proteins of the parasite and host cells. SAG2A is a 22 kDa protein that is mainly found in the surface of tachyzoites. In the present work, our aim was to correlate the predicted three-dimensional structure of this protein with the immune system of infected hosts.

Methods

To accomplish our goals, we performed in silico analysis of the amino acid sequence of SAG2A, correlating the predictions with in vitro stimulation of antigen presenting cells and serological assays.

Results

Structure modeling predicts that SAG2A protein possesses an unfolded C-terminal end, which varies its conformation within distinct strain types ofT. gondii. This structure within the protein shelters a known B-cell immunodominant epitope, which presents low identity with its closest phyllogenetically related protein, an orthologue predicted inNeospora caninum. In agreement with thein silicoobservations, sera of knownT. gondiiinfected mice and goats recognized recombinant SAG2A, whereas no serological cross-reactivity was observed with samples fromN. caninumanimals. Additionally, the C-terminal end of the protein was able to down-modulate pro-inflammatory responses of activated macrophages and dendritic cells.

Conclusions

Altogether, we demonstrate herein that recombinant SAG2A protein fromT. gondiiis immunologically relevant in the host-parasite interface and may be targeted in therapeutic and diagnostic procedures designed against the infection.
Sensitization of ovarian carcinoma cells to Bcl-xL-targeting strategies through indirect modulation of Mcl-1 activity by MR22388, a molecule of the tripentone family
Authors: Tomasina Julie , Malzert-Freon Aurélie , Giffard Florence , Brotin Emilie , Louis Marie-Hélène , Abeilard Edwige , Rault Sylvain , Gauduchon Pascal , Poulain Laurent
Published: June 2013

Background

Our work has been carried out in the context of the therapeutic failure in ovarian carcinoma, which remains the leading cause of death by gynecologic malignancy. In these tumours, recurrence and subsequent acquired chemoresistance constitute major hurdles to successful therapy. Here we studied the interest of a member of the tripentone chemical family, MR22388, for the treatment of chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells.

Findings

MR22388 activity has been assessedin vitroon cisplatin-resistant (SKOV3 and IGROV1-R10) ovarian cancer cell lines by conventional analysis, alone or combined to a BH3-mimetic molecule, ABT-737. MR22388 exerts its activity on cisplatin resistant cells, and we showed that it induces a decrease of the Mcl-1 anti-apoptotic protein expression. Considering our previous work demonstrating that the efficiency of Bcl-xLtargeting strategies is conditioned to the concomitant inhibition of Mcl-1 we studied the interest of the association of this MR22388 with ABT-737, and showed that this combination was highly cytotoxic in chemoresistant cells.

Conclusions

This work thus opens new perspectives for the use of this promising molecule for the treatment of highly chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells and for sensitization of emerging Bcl-xLtargeting strategies such as the use of BH3-mimetic molecules.
Bacterial endophthalmitis caused by an intraocular cilium in a patient under treatment with infliximab
Authors: Jin Xue-hai , Namba Kenichi , Saito Wataru , Iwata Daiju , Ishida Susumu
Published: June 2013

Background

We report a case of bacterial endophthalmitis caused by an intraocular cilium in a patient without any history of trauma or ocular surgery.

Findings

A 32-year-old Caucasian male showed symptoms of orbital myositis and scleritis, with no intraocular inflammation in the right eye. The patient had been treated with infliximab for Crohn’s disease. Three weeks after initiation of oral prednisolone therapy, he developed bacterial endophthalmitis. During pars plana vitrectomy, a cilium in the massive vitreous opacity was found. A focal scleral necrosis was detected just outside where the cilium was intraoperatively observed. Vitreous culture showed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus.

Conclusions

The intraocular cilium seemed to be the aetiology of the endophthalmitis in this case, which suggests that anti-tumour necrosis factor-α therapy may play a role in the migration of cilia into the globe and the occurrence of endophthalmitis.
The effects and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 on myocardial remodeling in an animal model of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Li Chang-yi , Deng Wang , Liao Xiu-qing , Deng Jia , Zhang Yu-kun , Wang Dao-xin
Published: June 2013

Background

Recent studies haveshown that ginsenoside Rg1, extracted from the dry roots of Panax notoginseng as a traditional Asian medicine, plays an anti-fibrosis role in myocardial remodeling. However, the mechanism still remains unclear. In the present study, we investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1on the collagenic remodeling of myocardium in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), and its potential mechanism.

Methods

A rat model of CTEPH was established by injecting thrombi through the jugular vein wice in2 weeks. Four weeks later, four groups (Group A: normal rats + normal saline; Group B: normal rats + Rg1; Group C: CTEPH model + normal saline; Group D: CTEPH model + Rg1) were established. Normal saline and Rg1 were administrated by intraperitoneal injection. Ineach group, we measured the hemodynamic parameters, as well as the right ventricle to left ventricle (RV/LV) thickness ratio. Myocardial tissue sections of the RV were stained by hematoxylin-eosin +gentian violet and the morphological characteristics were observed by light microscopy. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -2 and −9 were detected by the western blot.

Results

Compared with Group A and Group B, the right ventricular systolic pressure was significantly increased in Group C and significantly decreased in Group D. Compared with Group A and Group B, the RV/LV thickness ratio of the rats was significantly higher in Group C and Group D. There was significant fibrosis with collagen in Group C compared with Group A and Group B, and less significant changes in Group D were observed compared with those in Group C. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 exhibited a significant decrease in Group C and was also significantly decreased in Group D compared withGroup A and Group B. Also, a negative linear relationship was shown between collagen-I and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

Conclusions

Our animal study showed that ginsenoside Rg1 positively affects myocardial remodeling and pulmonary hemodynamics in CTEPH. Upregulation of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 could explain the beneficial effects of ginsenoside Rg1 in CTEPH.
Integrative analysis of the microbiome and metabolome of the human intestinal mucosal surface reveals exquisite inter-relationships
Authors: McHardy Ian H , Goudarzi Maryam , Tong Maomeng , Ruegger Paul M , Schwager Emma , Weger John R , Graeber Thomas G , Sonnenburg Justin L , Horvath Steve , Huttenhower Curtis , McGovern Dermot PB , Fornace Albert J , Borneman James , Braun Jonathan
Published: June 2013

Background

Consistent compositional shifts in the gut microbiota are observed in IBD and other chronic intestinal disorders and may contribute to pathogenesis. The identities of microbial biomolecular mechanisms and metabolic products responsible for disease phenotypes remain to be determined, as do the means by which such microbial functions may be therapeutically modified.

Results

The composition of the microbiota and metabolites in gut microbiome samples in 47 subjects were determined. Samples were obtained by endoscopic mucosal lavage from the cecum and sigmoid colon regions, and each sample was sequenced using the 16S rRNA gene V4 region (Illumina-HiSeq 2000 platform) and assessed by UPLC mass spectroscopy. Spearman correlations were used to identify widespread, statistically significant microbial-metabolite relationships. Metagenomes for identified microbial OTUs were imputed using PICRUSt, and KEGG metabolic pathway modules for imputed genes were assigned using HUMAnN. The resulting metabolic pathway abundances were mostly concordant with metabolite data. Analysis of the metabolome-driven distribution of OTU phylogeny and function revealed clusters of clades that were both metabolically and metagenomically similar.

Conclusions

The results suggest that microbes are syntropic with mucosal metabolome composition and therefore may be the source of and/or dependent upon gut epithelial metabolites. The consistent relationship between inferred metagenomic function and assayed metabolites suggests that metagenomic composition is predictive to a reasonable degree of microbial community metabolite pools. The finding that certain metabolites strongly correlate with microbial community structure raises the possibility of targeting metabolites for monitoring and/or therapeutically manipulating microbial community function in IBD and other chronic diseases.
Exploring nonlinearity and nonuniqueness in surface-wave inversion for near-surface velocity estimation
Authors: Douma Huub , Haney Matthew M.
Published: June 2013

With the rapid increase in prospecting for unconventional oil and gas, a large part of which remains on land, the demand for land seismic data processing has increased substantially and is expected to further increase in the future. It is known that land seismic data are often of much poorer quality than marine seismic data. This is to a large extent caused by the presence of unconsolidated rock in the near surface with often complex velocity structure, which is absent in many marine settings. Such near-surface variations cause the wavefield to scatter or even lose its coherence as it propagates. This makes it difficult to accurately image the deeper-lying targets in land seismic data.
Global But Not Gonadotrope-Specific Disruption of Bmal1 Abolishes the Luteinizing Hormone Surge Without Affecting Ovulation
Authors: Chu Adrienne , Zhu Lei , Blum Ian D. , Mai Oliver , Leliavski Alexei , Fahrenkrug Jan , Oster Henrik , Boehm Ulrich , Storch Kai-Florian
Published: June 2013

Although there is evidence for a circadian regulation of the preovulatory LH surge, the contributions of individual tissue clocks to this process remain unclear. We studied female mice deficient in the Bmal1 gene (Bmal1−/−), which is essential for circadian clock function, and found that they lack the proestrous LH surge. However, spontaneous ovulation on the day of estrus was unaffected in these animals. Bmal1−/− females were also deficient in the proestrous FSH surge, which, like the LH surge, is GnRH-dependent. In the absence of circadian or external timing cues, Bmal1−/− females continued to cycle in constant darkness albeit with increased cycle length and time spent in estrus. Because pituitary gonadotropes are the source of circulating LH and FSH, we assessed hypophyseal circadian clock function and found that female pituitaries rhythmically express clock components throughout all cycle stages. To determine the role of the gonadotrope clock in the preovulatory LH and FSH surge process, we generated mice that specifically lack BMAL1 in gonadotropes (GBmal1KO). GBmal1KO females exhibited a modest elevation in both proestrous and baseline LH levels across all estrous stages. BMAL1 elimination from gonadotropes also led to increased variability in estrous cycle length, yet GBmal1KO animals were otherwise reproductively normal. Together our data suggest that the intrinsic clock in gonadotropes is dispensable for LH surge regulation but contributes to estrous cycle robustness. Thus, clocks in the suprachiasmatic nucleus or elsewhere must be involved in the generation of the LH surge, which, surprisingly, is not required for spontaneous ovulation.
Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Indices for Metabolic Syndrome in Japanese Women: One-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Nakajima Yasuyo , Yamada Masanobu , Akuzawa Masako , Ishii Sumiyasu , Masamura Yasuhiro , Satoh Tetsurou , Hashimoto Koshi , Negishi Mayumi , Shimomura Yohnosuke , Kobayashi Isao , Andou Yoshitaka , Mori Masatomo
Published: June 2013

Context:

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) increase with age; however, their relationship remains unclear.

Objective:

Our objective was to investigate the relationship between SCH and indices of metabolic syndrome and follow up subjects for 1 year.

Design:

Cross-sectional and longitudinal follow-up studies of cases were collected from Takasaki Hidaka Hospital between 2003 and 2007.

Participants:

Overall, 11 498 participants of health checkups were analyzed. The mean age was 48 ± 9 years.

Main Outcome Measures:

The relationship between SCH and indices of MetS were examined.

Results:

Serum free T4 levels were lower in women than men in most of the age groups, and the prevalence of SCH, 6.3% in women vs 3.4% in men, increased with age, reaching 14.6% in 70-year-old women. Multivariate logistic-regression analyses revealed that waist circumference and the serum triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were significantly higher in subjects with SCH than without among women. Reflecting these findings, the adjusted odds ratio of MetS in patients with SCH was higher than in the euthyroid subjects in women with an odds ratio of 2.7 (95% confidence interval 1.1–5.6; P = .017) but not in men. Furthermore, progression from euthyroid into SCH resulted in a significant increase in the serum triglyceride levels but not low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in women.

Conclusion:

Japanese women exhibited a high prevalence of SCH associated with low free T4 levels. There was a strong association between SCH and several indices of metabolic syndrome in women. SCH may affect serum triglyceride levels and be a risk factor for metabolic syndrome.
Social and Linguistic Constraints on Relativizer Omission in Canadian English
Authors: Levey Stephen , Hill Carolyn
Published: June 2013

This study addresses the social and linguistic constraints on relativizer omission in restrictive relative clauses in a mainstream urban variety of Canadian English. Drawing on the framework of variationist sociolinguistics, the authors test an array of factors that have been traditionally implicated in the choice of relative marker (e.g., syntactic function of the relative marker; animacy and definiteness of the antecedent head NP; length of the relative clause), in addition to investigating less widely researched factors, such as the informational content of the matrix clause and the lexical specificity of the head NP. A variable rule analysis of nonsubject relative clauses extracted from 19 speakers stratified by age, sex, and education reveals that relativizer omission is socially sensitive and that properties of the matrix clause and adjacency effects are key determinants in the selection of the zero variant. Recurrent structural configurations exhibited by zero marked relative clauses in vernacular discourse are indicative of grammaticalization. Comparison with other varieties of English reveals that relativizer omission fails to pattern uniformly, suggesting that there is no vernacular norm in this area of the grammar. This absence of uniformity calls into question recent attempts by researchers to formulate a unitary account of relativizer omission by appealing to putatively general language processing constraints.
“EVERYBODY SOUNDS THE Same”: OTHERWISE OVERLOOKED IDEOLOGY IN PERCEPTUAL DIALECTOLOGY
Authors: Evans Betsy E.
Published: June 2013

When analyzing dialectology survey data, researchers usually exclude respondents who do not complete the survey as directed. It is argued here that such “unusable” responses can be considered “outlier” data and analyzed rather than be excluded, allowing otherwise overlooked language ideologies to emerge. Responses to a perceptual dialectology map survey in which 31 of the 229 respondents wrote comments on a map of Washington state, without drawing lines around perceived dialect areas as instructed, are described to illustrate this point. In the present data, ideologies such as the homogeneity of dialects and the importance of an urban/rural dichotomy surfaced. These themes are examined in terms outlined by Judith Irvine and Susan Gal in their discussion of how ideological processes are evident in language data. In addition, methodological issues regarding the presuppositions and orientation of respondents to the questionnaire itself are raised.
Specific response to herbivore-inducedde novosynthesized plant volatiles provide reliable information for host plant selection in a moth
Authors: Zakir Ali , Bengtsson Marie , Sadek Medhat M. , Hansson Bill S. , Witzgall Peter , Anderson Peter
Published: June 2013

For accurate behavioural decisions animals depend on reliable sensory information. For herbivorous insects it is crucial to find host plants for feeding and reproduction and they must be able to differentiate suitable from unsuitable plants. Volatiles are important cues for insect herbivores to assess host plant quality. It has previously been shown that female moths of the Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) avoid oviposition on damaged cotton Gossypium hirsutum which may mediated by herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). Among the HIPVs some volatiles are released following any type of damage while others are synthesized de novo and released by the plants only in response to herbivore damage. In behavioural experiments we here show that oviposition by S. littoralis on undamaged cotton plants was reduced by adding volatiles collected from plants with ongoing herbivory. Gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) recordings revealed that antennae of mated S. littoralis females responded to eighteen compounds from a headspace volatile collection of damaged cotton plants. Among these compounds, a blend of the seven de novo synthesized volatile compounds was found to reduce oviposition in S. littoralis on undamaged plants under both laboratory and field conditions. Volatile compounds, which are not produced de novo by the plants, did not affect the oviposition. Our results show that ovipositing females respond specifically to the de novo synthesized volatiles released from plants under herbivore attack. We suggest that these volatiles provide reliable cues for ovipositing females to detect plants of low nutritional quality, and an increased the risk for competition and predation.
Limits to sustained energy intake XIX: A test of the heat dissipation limitation hypothesis in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)
Authors: Yang Deng-Bao , Li Li , Wang Lu-Ping , Chi Qing-Sheng , Hambly Catherine , Wang De-Hua , Speakman John R.
Published: June 2013

We evaluated factors limiting lactating Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) at three temperatures (10°C, 21°C and 30°C). Energy intake and daily energy expenditure (DEE) increased with decreased ambient temperature. At peak lactation (day 14 of lactation), energy intake increased from 148.7 ± 5.7 kJ.day-1 at 30°C to 213.1 ± 8.2 kJ.day-1 at 21°C and 248.7 ± 12.3 kJ.day-1 at 10°C. DEE increased from 105.1 ± 4.0 kJ.day-1 at 30°C to 134.7 ± 5.6 kJ.day-1 at 21°C and 179.5 ± 8.4kJ.day-1 at 10°C on days 14-16 of lactation. With nearly identical mean litter sizes lactating gerbils at 30°C exported 32.0 kJ.day-1 less energy as milk at peak lactation, than those allocated to 10°C or 21°C, with no difference between the latter groups. On day 14 of lactation, the litter masses at 10°C and 30°C were 12.2 g and 9.3 g lower than those at 21°C, respectively. Lactating gerbils had higher thermal conductance of the fur, and lower UCP-1 levels in brown adipose tissue than non-reproductive gerbils, independent of ambient temperature, suggesting they were attempting to avoid heat stress. Thermal conductance of the fur was positively related to circulating prolactin levels. We implanted non-reproductive gerbils with mini-osmotic pumps that delivered either prolactin or saline. Prolactin did not influence thermal conductance of the fur, but did reduce physical activity and UCP-1 levels in BAT. Transferring lactating gerbils from warm to hot conditions resulted in reduced milk production, consistent with the heat dissipation limit theory, but transferring them from warm to cold conditions did not elevate milk production, consistent with peripheral limitation hypothesis or constraints on pup growth.
Structural resonance and mode of flutter of hummingbird tail feathers
Authors: Clark Christopher J. , Elias Damian O. , Girard Madeline B. , Prum Richard O.
Published: June 2013

Feathers can produce sound by fluttering in airflow. This flutter is hypothesized to be aeroelastic, arising from coupling of aerodynamic forces to one or more of the feather's intrinsic structural resonant frequencies. We investigated how mode of flutter varied among a sample of hummingbird tail-feathers tested in a wind tunnel. Feather vibration was measured directly at ~100 points across the surface of the feather with a Scanning Doppler Laser Vibrometer (SLDV), as a function of airspeed, Uair. Most feathers exhibited multiple discrete modes of flutter, which we classified into types including tip, trailing vane, and torsional modes. Vibratory behavior within a given mode was usually stable, but changes in independent variables such as airspeed or orientation sometimes caused feathers to abruptly 'jump' from one mode to another. We measured structural resonance frequencies and mode shapes directly by measuring the free response of 64 feathers stimulated with a shaker and recorded with the SLDV. As predicted by the aeroelastic flutter hypothesis, the mode shape (spatial distribution) of flutter corresponded to a bending or torsional structural resonance frequency of the feather. However, the match between structural resonance mode and flutter mode was better for tip or torsional mode shapes, and poorer for trailing vane modes. Often the 3rd bending structural harmonic matched the expressed mode of flutter, rather than the fundamental. We conclude flutter occurs when airflow excites one or more structural resonance frequencies of a feather, most akin to a vibrating violin string.
Superficial neuromasts facilitate non-visual feeding by larval striped bass (Morone saxatilis)
Authors: Sampson Julia A. , Duston Jim , Croll Roger P.
Published: June 2013

To investigate whether mechanoreception is used in non-visual feeding, the ontogeny of superficial neuromasts along the lateral line was described using the vital stain FM1-43FX and fluorescent microscopy. The number of neuromasts visible along one flank increased from 11 at first feeding (5 to 7 days post-hatch, dph) to >150 by the juvenile stage (27 dph). A neomycin dose response (0, 1, 2, 5 mmol l-1) was evaluated for neuromast ablation of bass age 10, 13, 17, and 20 dph. Using these same age groups, the ability of bass to catch Artemia salina prey in both dark and light tank-based feeding trials was compared between larvae with neuromasts ablated using neomycin (5 mmol l-1) and controls. Neomycin significantly reduced the incidence of feeding in the light and dark. Among larvae that fed, those in the dark treated with neomycin caught fewer Artemia (~5 prey h-1; p<0.05) than controls (16 prey h-1 at 10 dph; 72 prey h-1 at 20 dph). In the light, by contrast, neomycin treatment had no significant effect on prey capture by larvae age 13 to 20 dph, but did inhibit feeding of 10 dph larvae. Verification that neomycin was specifically ablating the hair cells of superficial neuromasts and not affecting either neuromast innervation, olfactory pits, or taste cells was achieved by a combination of staining with FM1-43FX and immunocytochemistry for tubulin and the calcium binding proteins, S100 and calretinin.
The evolution of active vibrissal sensing in mammals: evidence from vibrissal musculature and function in the marsupial opossumMonodelphis domestica
Authors: Grant Robyn A. , Haidarliu Sebastian , Kennerley Natalie J. , Prescott Tony J.
Published: June 2013

Facial vibrissae, or whiskers, are found in nearly all extant mammal species and are likely to have been present in early mammalian ancestors. A sub-set of modern mammals, including many rodents, move their vibrissae back-and-forth at high speed whilst exploring in a behaviour known as "whisking". It is not known whether the vibrissae of early mammals moved in this way. The gray short-tailed opossum, Monodelphis domestica, is considered a useful species from the perspective of tracing the evolution of modern mammals. Interestingly, these marsupials engage in whisking bouts similar to those seen in rodents. To better assess the likelihood that active vibrissal sensing was present in ancestral mammals we examined the vibrissal musculature of the opossum using digital miscroscopy to see if this resembles that of rodents. Although opossums have fewer whiskers than rats, our investigation found that the vibrissal musculature is similar in both species. In particular, in both rats and opossums, the musculature includes both intrinsic and extrinsic muscles with the intrinsic muscles positioned as slings linking pairs of large vibrissae within rows. We identified some differences in the extrinsic musculature which, interestingly, matched with behavioural data obtained through high-speed video recording, and indicated additional degrees of freedom for positioning the vibrissae in rats. These data show that the whisker movements of opossum and rat exploit similar underlying mechanisms. Paired with earlier results suggesting similar patterns of vibrissal movement, this strongly implies that early therian (marsupial and placental) mammals were whisking animals that actively controlled their vibrissae.
Long-day photoperiod interacts with vasopressin and food restriction to modulate reproductive status, and vasopressin receptor expression of male Golden spiny mice
Authors: Ben-Zaken Israel , Haim Abraham , Zubidat Abed E.
Published: June 2013

We tested the effects of photoperiod, water and food availability on body-mass, reproductive status, and vasopressin mRNA receptor 1a (Avpr1a) expression in males of desert-adapted golden spiny mice, Acomys russatus. In experiment 1, Males were acclimated to short-day (SD; 16D:8L) or long-day (LD; 8D:16L) with either saline (control) or vasopressin treatment for three weeks. The results of this experiment revealed that under control conditions, SD-mice increased body-mass by ~5% while LD-mice decreased it by ~4%. SD had no effect on reproductive status and leptin levels, whereas LD-males increased testes mass and serum testosterone, but had no effect on leptin levels. Vasopressin administration decreased LD-induced reproductive enhancement. Since no consistent effect of SD treatment was found on reproductive status, experiment 2 was carried out only on LD-acclimated males kept under 75% food restriction from ad libitum, with saline or leptin treatment. Body-mass, testes mass, serum testosterone, leptin concentrations, and Avpr1a mRNA expression, were measured. Food restriction remarkably decreased body-mass with more potent effect in leptin-treated males showing enhanced reproductive status and significant increase in serum leptin compared with controls. Avpr1a expression was significantly up-regulated in LD, vasopressin, and food restricted males, with higher hypothalamic levels compared with testes. We conclude that in A. russatus LD-photoperiod interacts with water and food availability to advance reproductive responses. Avpr1a is suggested to integrate nutritional and osmotic signals to optimize reproduction by modulating reproductive and energetic neuroendocrine axes at the central level. The interaction between photoperiod and other environmental cues is of an adaptive value to desert-adapted small rodents for timing reproduction in unpredicted ecosystems as extreme deserts.
Characteristics and Origin of Natural Gases in the Puguang and Maoba Gas Fields, NE Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Hu Anping , Li Maowen , Yang Chun , Li Xiuzhi , Ma Yongsheng , Guo Tonglou
Published: June 2013

Northeastern Sichuan Basin is one of the most significant areas for natural gas exploration in China, and Puguang and Maoba are the two most important and typical gas fields there. The common characteristics of the natural gases in the Puguang and Maoba gas fields include extremely high dryness, high H2S contents, high δ13C1 values, with a wide range of δ13C2 values. Based on gas composition and stable carbon isotope values, natural gases in the study area are classified into three genetic groups, derived from type III kerogen, type II kerogen and those with a complex origin. The latter group is most likely the result of mixing between low maturity ethane inherited from earlier oil accumulation and high maturity methane generated from subsequent in-reservoir oil cracking and thermochemical sulfate reduction. In conjunction with regional source rock data, the Upper Permian Longtan Formation is considered to be the main source rock for the gases in the Feixianguan-Changxing reservoirs of the Puguang and Maoba gas fields.
Zonal Classification by Pattern Recognition Methods: An Example from Asmari Formation (Mansuri Oil Field, South of Iran)
Authors: Mollajan Amir , Mehrgini Behzad , Memarian Hossein
Published: June 2013

Uncertainty and risk normally permeate our decisions on reservoirs characterization. A key to mitigate the uncertainties and ambiguities in our analysis is to use some methods that are more quantitative in lieu of the existing conventional one. The present study focuses on identifying first three zones of Asmari Formation as well as its cap rock (Mansuri oil field, south of Iran) from Petrophysical Logs (PLs) using three data-driven methods (i.e. Bayesian classifier, KNN classifier, and Parzen classifier). In term of Lithology, Asmari Formation mainly consists of carbonates and sandstones. In order to generate suitable input data, fluid substitution was performed using Gassmann equation. According to the results, KNN classifier is the best classifier for identifying zones of Asmari Formation. Generalization of the proposed method was also examined and the results of this stage were combined with the use of optimistic Ordered Weighted Average (OWA) technique. The employed fusion technique has improved the results of this step up to 7.6%.
Reservoir-Forming Condition Analysis and Favorable Zone Prediction for the Shale Gas in the Upper Paleozoic Taiyuan Formation in the Ordos Basin
Authors: Guo Shaobin , Wang Yigang
Published: June 2013

Shale gas is a hydrocarbon gas occurring in organic-rich argillaceous shale in a free and adsorbed state. The shale in shale gas reservoirs is source rock and also container rock, which is different from the situation in conventional gas reservoirs; the gas content in shale is mainly related to the abundance, type, and evolution degree of organic matter. The Taiyuan Formation in the Ordos Basin is marine-continental transitional sediments; the argillaceous shale of the Taiyuan Formation has features such as high organic matter abundance and high thermal evolution degree and has better reservoir-forming conditions, compared with the shale gas reservoirs outside China. The argillaceous shale in the Taiyuan Formation strata is mixed with thin gas-bearing sand layers, which indicates a high hydrocarbon-generating potential of the argillaceous shale. According to the main reservoir-forming conditions of shale gas, it is predicted that the favorable zones of shale gas in the Taiyuan Formation are primarily located in areas such as the northwestern corner of the Tianhuan Depression, the northeastern corner of the Shanbei Slope Belt, and the central and southern parts of the Ordos Basin. With the rapid progress in shale gas exploration and exploitation technologies, the shale gas in the Taiyuan Formation in the Ordos Basin has become an important exploration target because of its huge potential.
Uncertainty Analyses of Basement Fracture Reservoir Performances Using Proxy Models with High-Quality History Matching
Authors: Jeong Daein , Jeong Kwangseok , Baik Ho
Published: June 2013

This paper presents a methodology to evaluate the degree of uncertainty of basement fracture reservoir performances when a reservoir has special events like water-breakthrough. Basement fracture reservoir is a particular feature with water-cut performances compared to other common reservoirs due to extremely high fracture permeability and heterogeneity of reservoir properties.

Proxy models are used in this paper to estimate production history and uncertainty. They are useful to reduce the uncertainty contained in a simulation model due to unknown parameters such as reservoir permeability, aquifer size and influx rate, and so on. From a real field application of the proposed methodology, we conclude that the uncertainty of estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) can be significantly reduced when we have water-breakthrough data and proxy models can be utilized to extract probabilistic ranges of EUR with high confidence.

This paper proposes to use only high quality history matching (HQHM) models to configure neural network for a proxy modeling to estimate the uncertainty of EUR. The proxy model to be extracted from HQHM model will reduce the error of estimation and reveal real uncertainty due to uncertain parameters not from the proxy model itself.