bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Materials Selection and Performance Criteria for Hydrogen Pipeline Transmission
Authors: Mohitpour Mo. , Solanky Hemant , Vinjamuri Gopala K.
Published: October 2008

As a part of worldwide Hydrogen Fuel Initiatives, hydrogen fuel cell technology (US DOE 2003) is being championed as a viable resource while at the same time recognizing that the production, transmission and end use distribution of hydrogen gas will be the most critical elements. The application of fuel cell technology when fully developed is expected to dominate power and auto industries worldwide. As the demand for hydrogen increases, issues related to the safe design and economic construction of hydrogen supply and transportation infrastructure will emerge as critical path items requiring serious consideration. One of the barriers for viable hydrogen economy is that the current guidelines in various codes and standards and regulations are not adequate for the required service conditions for hydrogen transportation and delivery. Thus is the requirement for Multi-Year Research, Development and Demonstration Plan (MYPP) for the development of codes and standards to support hydrogen economy, (US DOE, 2002 & 2003). Although for many decades within the chemical industry, hydrogen in various forms has been transported by various modes, including pipelines, tank cars, mobile re-charges etc., the service conditions and transport requirements are significantly different when developing more economical methods for large volume hydrogen transportation. As industry moves quickly to implement an economical and effective pipeline infrastructure, either with new construction or by converting existing pipeline, understanding of material selection and performance, joining/welding, and establishing consensus for codes and standards are critical. Additionally, government regulations must be developed to ensure acceptable safety levels and public acceptance. The purpose of this paper is to identify current materials used in hydrogen service, their applicability and limitations, and to develop materials selection and performance criteria for designing safe hydrogen pipeline transmission infrastructure to support the development of hydrogen codes and standards, initiated by ASME (2003). Additionally, some critical future materials research areas are identified. In particular, this paper will give attention to higher strength pipeline steels (i.e. API 5LX Grade 65 and higher), quenched and tempered steels, stainless steels, as well as those alloy steels used for pressure vessels and piping. Recent development of composite reinforced line pipe (CRLP™) has the potential as viable alternative to use of very high strength thermo-mechanically treated line pipe steels, but many issues related design parameters, construction and maintenance require research and development.
Review on leptin and adiponectin responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise
Authors: Bouassida A , Chamari K , Zaouali M , Feki Y , Zbidi A , Tabka Z
Published: October 2008

Leptin and adiponectin represent two newly discovered adipose tissue derived hormones; that are both associated with health status and glucose and free fatty acid (FFA) metabolism. Moreover, acute and chronic exercises affect body composition, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It is thus interesting to evaluate the effects of physical exercise and training on leptin and adiponectin levels. It seems that leptin concentration is not modified after short-term exercise (<60 min) or exercise that generates an energy expenditure lower than 800 kcal. Leptin levels decrease after long-term exercise (≥60 min) stimulating FFA release, or after exercise that generates energy expenditure higher than 800 kcal. Adiponectin concentration presents a delayed increase (30 min) after short-term intense exercise (<60 min) performed by trained athletes. For adiponectin, limited data suggest that adiponectin concentration presents a delayed increase (30 min) after short-term intense exercise (<60 min) performed by trained athletes. It seems that adiponectin concentrations do not change in response to long-term exercise (≥60 min). Short-term training (<12 weeks) and long-term training (≥12 weeks) show contrasting results regarding leptin and adiponectin. Most training studies which improve fitness levels and affect body composition could decrease leptin and increase adiponectin concentrations.
A preliminary study of the effects of Tai Chi and Qigong medical exercise on indicators of metabolic syndrome, glycaemic control, health-related quality of life, and psychological health in adults with elevated blood glucose
Authors: Liu X , Miller Y D , Burton N W , Brown W J
Published: October 2008

Objectives

To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and effects of a Tai Chi and Qigong exercise programme in adults with elevated blood glucose.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A single group pre–post feasibility trial with 11 participants (3 male and 8 female; aged 42–65 years) with elevated blood glucose.

Intervention

Participants attended Tai Chi and Qigong exercise training for 1 to 1.5 h, 3 times per week for 12 weeks, and were encouraged to practise the exercises at home.

Main Outcome Measures

Indicators of metabolic syndrome (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol); glucose control (HbA1c, fasting insulin and insulin resistance (HOMA)); health-related quality of life; stress and depressive symptoms.

Results

There was good adherence and high acceptability. There were significant improvements in four of the seven indicators of metabolic syndrome including BMI (mean difference −1.05, p<0.001), waist circumference (−2.80 cm, p<0.05), and systolic (−11.64 mm Hg, p<0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (−9.73 mm Hg, p<0.001), as well as in HbA1c (−0.32%, p<0.01), insulin resistance (−0.53, p<0.05), stress (−2.27, p<0.05), depressive symptoms (−3.60, p<0.05), and the SF-36 mental health summary score (5.13, p<0.05) and subscales for general health (19.00, p<0.01), mental health (10.55, p<0.01) and vitality (23.18, p<0.05).

Conclusions

The programme was feasible and acceptable and participants showed improvements in metabolic and psychological variables. A larger controlled trial is now needed to confirm these promising preliminary results.
Effect of 12 weeks of moderate–intensity resistance training on arterial stiffness: a randomised controlled trial in women aged 32–59 years
Authors: Yoshizawa M , Maeda S , Miyaki A , Misono M , Saito Y , Tanabe K , Kuno S , Ajisaka R
Published: October 2008

Background:

Resistance training has been increasingly incorporated into the overall exercise programme because of its effect on muscle strength, functional capacity and osteoporosis. High-intensity resistance training increases arterial stiffness. However, the effect of moderate-intensity resistance training on arterial stiffness is unknown.

Objective:

To determine whether 12 weeks of moderate-intensity resistance training increases arterial stiffness in middle-aged women.

Methods:

35 middle-aged women (age range 32 to 59 years) volunteered to participate. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: resistance training (RT) group, aerobic exercise training (AET) group or control group. The RT and AET groups performed 12 weeks of moderate-intensity resistance training or aerobic exercise training (two days/week).

Results:

In the RT group, one-repetition maximum strength significantly increased after the intervention. Interestingly, aortic (carotid–femoral) pulse wave velocity (PWV; an index of arterial stiffness), and peripheral (femoral–ankle) PWV did not change with moderate-intensity resistance training. In contrast, in the AET group, carotid–femoral PWV significantly decreased after the intervention. Resistance training and aerobic exercise training did not affect blood pressure.

Conclusions:

This study found that moderate-intensity resistance training did not increase arterial stiffness in middle-aged women, which may have great importance for health promotion with resistance training.
The behavior of tied-back retaining walls
Authors: Hanna T. H. , Matallana G. A.
Published: October 2008

Rational design of an excavation support system that incorporates the retaining of the soil mass by a wall which is held by prestressed anchors (tie-backs) located in the retained soil necessitates an appreciation of the influence of construction techniques on performance, an estimation of the magnitude of the ground movements that will take place, and the provision of adequate strength to the structural components of the wall. In this paper, the general subject of tied-back retaining walls is considered and the results of a series of laboratory scale experiments are presented. These data provide the first comprehensive information on the subject and have enabled the basic mechanics of wall behavior to be worked out. In particular it has been shown that the performance of a tied-back retaining wall is conditioned by (1) the depth of the excavation in relation to the ground geometry, (2) the bearing capacity of the base of the wall and, (3) the interaction between the flexible support anchors (their inclination in particular), the retained ground, and the wall.The paper is divided into three parts: the first contains a brief discussion on the tied-back retaining wall with particular reference to the interaction between the anchors, the wall, and the ground; the second part is concerned with a laboratory scale test program; the third part provides a tentative interpretation of the experimental findings and draws attention to the limitation in the present understanding of the subject.
On contributory factors in avalanche hazard evaluation
Authors: Perla R. I.
Published: October 2008

Using 20 years of storm and ramsonde profile data, the probability of avalanche hazard to the Alta Highway and Village is plotted as a function of ten contributory factors. Results indicate that the hazard probability is related strongly to precipitation and wind direction. Certain factors previously thought to be important (wind speed, settlement, and ramsonde profiles) do not seem important for the south facing slopes and large avalanches tested in this study.
Settlement studies on air terminal building and apron, Vancouver International Airport, British Columbia
Authors: Meyerhof G. G. , Sebastyan G. Y.
Published: October 2008

The foundation conditions at the new Terminal Building and parking apron of the Vancouver International Airport are discussed, and the settlements of the preload fills on the site are analyzed. The preconstruction estimates of the probable settlements of the foundations and apron are compared with the results of settlement observations during and after the construction of the terminal. The actual movements, which varied from about 1 in. (2.5 cm) to over 2 in. (5 cm) for the building and from about 2 in. (5 cm) to 5 in. (13 cm) for the apron, agree reasonably well with the predictions.
Geochemistry of late Mesoproterozoic volcanism in southwestern Scandinavia: implications for Sveconorwegian/Grenvillian plate tectonic models
Authors: BREWER T. S. , ÅHÄLL K.-I. , DARBYSHIRE D. P. F. , MENUGE J. F.
Published: October 2008

Abstract:
The last magmatic stage before the Sveconorwegian orogeny in the Baltic Shield is represented by bimodal,
c.
1.16 Ga volcanics from the Bandak Group in southern Norway and largely coeval basalts from the Dal Group in SW Sweden. In both areas, the volcanic rocks are intercalated with sedimentary units and the onset of basin development is marked by deposition of clastic sediments.

In the lower part of the Bandak Group, the Morgedal basalts are relatively evolved and geochemical signatures suggest assimilation of lower crustal components. In contrast, the subsequent Gjuve basalts are more primitive and record assimilation of upper crustal rocks similar to exposed basement rocks.

In the Bandak Group, the chemistry of the basalts changes within the stratigraphy, such that the older Morgedal basalts (MgO = 5.2–8.8 wt%, initial
ϵ
Nd
2.81–3.96, Zr/Y = 4.0–5.1, Zr/Nb = 34–50, La/Nb = 2.4–3.7) are more fractionated and have more enriched Nd isotope ratios compared to the Gjuve basalts (MgO = 6.4–12.3 wt%, initial
ϵ
Nd
4.05–4.97, Zr/Y = 3.4–4.7, Zr/Nb = 20–30, La/Nb = 1.5–2.4). This suggests that there earliest basalts are more contaminated, and it appears that the composition of the crustal component changed with time.

A thin felsic volcanic unit, the Dalen Formation, separates the two basalt sequences. It represents melting of upper crustal rocks, triggered by injection of mafic magmas into crustal magma chambers. In the Dal Group, basalts form a relatively thin unit (< 500 m) where flows with high MgO values (> 9%) were least affected by assimilation of crustal components.

Whole-rock geochemistry and Nd isotope ratios for the Bandak and Dal basalts indicate shallow melting of sub-continental lithospheric mantle in response to extension in a continental back-arc setting, related to subduction along the western margin of Baltica. These constraints envision a similar tectonic evolution with that of eastern Laurentia, which support models of a pre-Grenvillian supercontinent with a long-lived, active margin that reached western Baltica.
Volcanic rocks in the Devonian Solund Basin, Western Norway: large landslides of Silurian (439 Ma) rhyolites
Authors: HARTZ EBBE H. , MARTIN MARK W. , ANDRESEN ARILD , ANDERSEN TORGEIR B.
Published: October 2008

Abstract:
The Devonian Solund Basin in SW Norway is the only Old Red Sandstone basin in the Scandinavian Caledonides from which volcanic rocks have been described. These rhyolitic lavas yield a concordant ID TIMS U–Pb zircon age of 439 ± 1 Ma (Early Silurian) interpreted as dating the crystallization of the rhyolite, and are thus too old to be syndepositional with the Devonian sedimentary rocks. This new age constraint, combined with field observations, suggests that the volcanic rocks form part of a 30 km
2
landslide of rhyolite, granite, gabbro and metasedimentary rocks, rather than extension related volcanism as previously suggested. The landslides show an inverted stratigraphy with respect to the nearby Solund–Stavfjord Ophiolite Complex and its overlying volcanic arc, which was formed immediately prior to obduction of Caledonian exotic terranes onto Baltica. The dated rocks thus appear to record the youngest pre-collisional volcanism in the Scandinavian Caledonides. Tectonic models involving Devonian Old Red volcanic rocks in the Scandinavian Caledonides must thus be revised.
Source of the Dalradian Supergroup constrained by U–Pb dating of detrital zircon and implications for the East Laurentian margin
Authors: Cawood Peter A. , Nemchin Alexander A. , Smith Martin , Loewy Staci
Published: October 2008

Detrital zircons in siliciclastic units of the Dalradian Supergroup yield U–Pb ages ranging from 3.2 to 0.5 Ga. Detrital zircons from the sub-Grampian Group basement and the Grampian Group are predominantly of Palaeoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic ages with Archaean grains absent or rare. In contrast, the overlying Appin, Argyll and Southern Highland groups contain a significant contribution of Archaean detrital zircon grains, some of which locally preserve evidence for late Palaeoproterozoic overgrowths dated at
c
. 1.8 Ga. In addition, on concordia plots Archaean grains are slightly discordant with a lower intercept at
c
. 1.8 Ga suggesting they were affected by a tectonothermal event at this time. Late Palaeoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic grains also show evidence for overprinting by a tectonothermal event around 1.0–0.9 Ga. These tectonothermal events occurred in the source region before accumulation of the siliciclastic detritus. The analysed samples contained no definitive evidence for having been affected by a late Neoproterozoic (Knoydartian) event or of containing detritus derived from a source showing evidence for this event. The overall age range of detritus, combined with sparse palaeocurrent data, is consistent with derivation from the Laurentian foreland, especially the Labrador–Greenland region. Archaean detritus overlaps with that of Archaean cratons, notably the Superior, whereas Palaeoproterozoic detritus corresponds to the timing of suturing of Archaean cratons by a series of orogenic belts (Ketilidian–Makkovik, New Quebec, Nagssugtoqidian, Torngat belts). Mesoproterozoic detritus is consistent with derivation from the Grenville Orogen. The presence of a series of detrital age peaks in the late Palaeoproterozoic and early Mesoproterozoic (1.8–1.5 Ga), the paucity of mid-Mesoproterozoic detritus (1.4–1.2 Ga), and evidence for a tectonothermal event between 1.0 and 0.9 Ga is typical of the geological history of the Labrador–Greenland region of Laurentia.
Pattern of orogenic rotations in central–eastern Sicily: implications for the timing of spreading in the Tyrrhenian Sea
Authors: Speranza Fabio , Maniscalco Rosanna , Grasso Mario
Published: October 2008

New palaeomagnetic data from upper Triassic to Pliocene sediments reveal that in eastern Sicily a major 70° clockwise (CW) rotation took place between Oligocene and late Tortonian time, followed by a further 30° CW rotation. Results from central Sicily are less coherent. They show 44–83° post-Oligocene CW rotation, local 14° post-late Tortonian counterclockwise (CCW) rotation, and 25° post-mid-Pliocene CW rotation. We interpret the larger CW rotation observed in eastern Sicily as related to a more internal palaeogeographical position with respect to central Sicily. Our results complement pre-existing data from the northwestern Sicily carbonates, and indicate that all the internal carbonate nappes coherently rotated by
c
. 100° CW during tectonic emplacement, implying a west-to-east increase of shortening in the Sicilian Maghrebian belt. In Sicily, compressive deformation started during the Langhian, i.e. just after the deposition of the upper Oligocene–upper Burdigalian Numidian Flysch turbidites. Therefore the age of the older 70° palaeomagnetic rotation (synchronous to the thrusting) is constrained to occur between the Langhian and late Tortonian. Furthermore, by considering a maximum possible rotation rate of 20° Ma
−1
, we infer that CW rotation started in Sicily in Langhian–Serravallian times, between 15–16 and 11–12 Ma ago. The 100° CW rotation observed in pre-orogenic strata from the whole of Sicily is mirrored by 80° orogen-scale CCW rotations characterizing the internal southern Apennines. Palaeomagnetism therefore shows that during orogenesis, the southern Apennines and the Sicilian Maghrebides rotated in a ‘saloon-door’ fashion, synchronous to back-arc spreading of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea. Consequently, our palaeomagnetic data suggest that the southern Tyrrhenian back-arc basin started to spread during Langhian–Serravallian times (from 15–16 to 11–12 Ma), significantly earlier than the late Tortonian age (8 Ma) suggested so far by oceanic drilling data.
Exhumation of early Tertiary, coesite-bearing eclogites from the Pakistan Himalaya
Authors: Treloar P.J. , O'Brien P.J. , Parrish R.R. , Khan M.A.
Published: October 2008

Early Tertiary, coesite-bearing eclogites crop out in the internal zones of the Indian Plate in the Kaghan Valley of North Pakistan. Field and geochronological data suggest that UHP metamorphism, at
c
. 46 Ma, accompanied subduction of the leading edge of continental India beneath Kohistan. A new U–Pb rutile age of 44.1 ± 1.1 Ma can be interpreted as either a growth or a cooling age, given the uncertainty of the closure temperature of rutile for Pb, but clearly documents a very short-lived metamorphic peak, with cooling occurring between 44 and 40 Ma. Eclogitic assemblages are preserved in Permo-Triassic mafic rocks in both cover and basement sequences, with the best-preserved eclogites hosted in the anhydrous basement. The eclogite-facies rocks lie on the hanging wall of a major south-directed ductile thrust zone, which placed basement rocks that contain coesite eclogites southward onto lower-pressure cover metasediments. Shear criteria show that those sequences that contain eclogite-facies rocks are flanked above by a zone of pervasive north-directed extensional shearing. Mineral assemblages contained within both the thrust and extensional shear zones are consistent with them both having operated synchronously during the amphibolite- to greenschist-facies transition. Amphibole Ar–Ar cooling history data suggest that this was at
c
. 40–42 Ma. As in the Alps this implies exhumation from the metamorphic peak to greenschist-facies conditions within a few million years. This short time scale has important implications, as it is likely that both the thrust and extensional shear zones represent the late stage of a deformation continuum that commenced at UHP and brought the UHP rocks back to ‘mid’-crustal levels. This late Eocene extensional shearing, and associated exhumation of HP or UHP rocks, has not previously been recorded in the Pakistan Himalaya. The thrusts and shears were later folded by major east-trending folds, themselves cut by Miocene-aged, north-vergent extensional faults that currently separate the Indian Plate from the structurally overlying Kohistan island arc.
Evidence for aqueous fluid–sediment transport and erosional processes on Venus
Authors: Jones A.P. , Pickering K.T.
Published: October 2008

Venusian canali occur in low-lying, generally smooth-surfaced plains on Venus and were thought unique because of their great lengths (up to 6800 km) and nearly constant cross-sectional shape. Low-viscosity fluids, widely considered to be rapidly emplaced lavas, which we question, were invoked to have formed the canali. However, we are able to match their key morphological features with modern fluvial and long submarine channels (>3000 km) on Earth; they are therefore not unique to Venus. We also present new evidence for attendant surface erosional processes on Venus. Independent new evidence that Venus's lost water (e.g. oceans) could be stored as hydrous minerals in the crust supports our preferred alternative theory. Despite current hostile conditions at Venus's surface, we are driven to conclude that aqueous fluids may in fact have formed the canali over long periods of time.
The search for the origin of the planktic Foraminifera
Authors: HART M.B. , HYLTON M.D. , OXFORD M.J. , PRICE G.D. , HUDSON W. , SMART C.W.
Published: October 2008

Planktic Foraminifera are an extremely abundant, important and successful group of marine protists. They are particularly useful in reconstructing past environments and for biostratigraphic dating. Despite their importance, the origin of the group is uncertain. Previous work has suggested that they evolved from a benthic ancestor during the Triassic or, perhaps, the Mid-Jurassic (?Bajocian), but a reason for their origination has remained unclear. Here, we present evidence from the Toarcian (early Jurassic) of NW Europe that the origin of the planktic Foraminifera may have been one of the results of the early Toarcian oceanic anoxic event. This event appears to have been associated with a massive dissociation of gas hydrates and other, perhaps related, water chemistry changes.
Prograde temperature–time evolution in the Barrovian type–locality constrained by Sm/Nd garnet ages from Glen Clova, Scotland
Authors: BAXTER ETHAN F. , AGUE JAY J. , DEPAOLO DONALD J.
Published: October 2008

Abstract:
The timing of garnet growth during metamorphism associated with the Grampian Orogeny in the sillimanite zone of the Barrovian type-locality in Glen Clova, Scotland, was determined by Sm/Nd geochronology. Two high precision garnet-whole-rock ages were achieved by employing HF partial dissolution of garnet separates to optimize purity. Multiple garnet growth generations were identified on the basis of the geochronology and detailed textural and chemical data: an early stage, at 472.9 ± 2.9 Ma, during D
2
deformation under garnet zone conditions (c. 500–550 °C), and a later stage, at 464.8 ± 2.7 Ma, during or slightly after D
3
deformation mostly under sillimanite zone conditions (peak temperature of c. 660 °C), but possibly including some growth during kyanite zone conditions. When combined with recently published garnet ages from the kyanite and garnet zones the data suggest that peak metamorphic temperatures in at least these three of Barrow's zones were achieved roughly contemporaneously. The difference between garnet zone and sillimanite zone peak temperature attainment is 2.8 ± 3.7 Ma. The near contemporaneity of peak temperature attainment in different metamorphic zones requires an additional source of heat beyond thermal relaxation of a variably over-thickened crust. We suggest that local igneous intrusions, with synmetamorphic ages, provided that additional heat.
Stroke Rehabilitation: Strategies to Enhance Motor Recovery
Authors: O'Dell Michael W. , Lin Chi-Chang David , Harrison Victoria
Published: October 2008

Recent evidence indicates that the brain can remodel after stroke, primarily through synaptogenesis. Task-specific and repetitive exercise appear to be key factors in promoting synaptogenesis and are central elements in rehabilitation of motor weakness following stroke. Expert medical management ensures a patient is well enough to participate in rehabilitation with minimal distractions due to pain or depression. Contraint-induced motor therapy and body-weight-supported ambulation are forms of exercise that “force use” of an impaired upper extremity. Technologies now in common use include robotics, functional electrical stimulation, and, to a lesser degree, transcranial magnetic stimulation and virtual reality. The data on pharmacological interventions are mixed but encouraging; it is hoped such treatments will directly stimulate brain tissue to recovery. Mitigation of factors preventing movement, such as spasticity, might also play a role. Research evaluating these motor recovery strategies finds them generally good at the movement level but somewhat less robust when looking at functional performance. It remains unclear whether inconsistent evidence for functional improvement is a matter of poor treatment efficacy or insensitive outcome measures.
Serotonin (5-HT) release and uptake measured by real-time electrochemical techniques in the rat ileum
Authors: Bertrand Paul P. , Hu Xiaoya , Mach John , Bertrand Rebecca L.
Published: October 2008

Serotonin (5-HT) is released from the enterochromaffin cells and plays an important role in regulating intestinal function. Although the release of 5-HT is well documented, the contribution of the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) to the levels and actions of 5-HT in the intestine is unclear. This study aimed to demonstrate real-time SERT activity in ileal mucosa and to assess the effects of SERT inhibition using fluoxetine. Electrochemical recordings were made from the mucosa in full-thickness preparations of rat ileum using a carbon fiber electrode to measure 5-HT oxidation current and a force transducer to record circular muscle (CM) tension. Compression of the mucosa stimulated a peak 5-HT release of 12 ± 6 μM, which decayed to 7 ± 4 μM. Blockade of SERT with fluoxetine (1 μM) increased the peak compression-evoked release to 19 ± 9 μM, and the background levels of 5-HT increased to 11 ± 7 μM ( P < 0.05, n = 7). When 5-HT was exogenously applied to the mucosa, fluoxetine caused a significant increase in the time to 50% and 80% decay of the oxidation current. Fluoxetine also increased the spontaneous CM motility ( P < 0.05; n = 7) but did not increase the CM contraction-evoked 5-HT release ( P > 0.05, n = 5). In conclusion, this is the first characterization of the real-time uptake of 5-HT into the rat intestine. These data suggest that SERT plays an important role in the modulation of 5-HT concentrations that reach intestinal 5-HT receptors.
Bacterial-mucosal interactions in inflammatory bowel disease—an alliance gone bad
Authors: Chichlowski Maciej , Hale Laura P.
Published: October 2008

The complex interaction of genetic, microbial, and environmental factors may result in continuous activation of the mucosal immune system leading to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Most present treatments for IBD involve altering or suppressing the aberrant immune response; however, the role of the intestinal microbiota in the pathophysiology of IBD is becoming more evident. The epithelial layer is essential for the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and its increased permeability to the luminal antigens may lead to the inflammatory processes and mucosal damage observed in IBD. Factors affecting the efficacy of the epithelial barrier include presence of pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Helicobacter spp.), presence of probiotic bacteria, availability of selected nutrients, and others. Defective function of the mucosal barrier might facilitate the contact of bacterial antigens and adjuvants with innate and adaptive immune cells to generate prolonged inflammatory responses. This review will briefly describe the complex structure of the epithelial barrier in the context of bacterial-mucosal interactions observed in human IBD and mouse models of colitis.
Heightened efficacy of nitric oxide-based therapies in type II diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Ahanchi Sadaf S. , Varu Vinit N. , Tsihlis Nick D. , Martinez Janet , Pearce Charles G. , Kapadia Muneera R. , Jiang Qun , Saavedra Joseph E. , Keefer Larry K. , Hrabie Joseph A. , Kibbe Melina R.
Published: October 2008

Type II diabetes mellitus (DM) and metabolic syndrome are associated with accelerated restenosis following vascular interventions due to neointimal hyperplasia. The efficacy of nitric oxide (NO)-based therapies is unknown in these environments. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the efficacy of NO in preventing neointimal hyperplasia in animal models of type II DM and metabolic syndrome and examine possible mechanisms for differences in outcomes. Aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were harvested from rodent models of type II DM (Zucker diabetic fatty), metabolic syndrome (obese Zucker), and their genetic control (lean Zucker). Interestingly, NO inhibited proliferation and induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest to the greatest extent in VSMC from rodent models of metabolic syndrome and type II DM compared with controls. This heightened efficacy was associated with increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, but not p27. Using the rat carotid artery injury model to assess the efficacy of NO in vivo, we found that the NO donor PROLI/NO inhibited neointimal hyperplasia to the greatest extent in type II DM rodents, followed by metabolic syndrome, then controls. Increased neointimal hyperplasia correlated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as demonstrated by dihydroethidium staining, and NO inhibited this increase most in metabolic syndrome and DM. In conclusion, NO was surprisingly a more effective inhibitor of neointimal hyperplasia following arterial injury in type II DM and metabolic syndrome vs. control. This heightened efficacy may be secondary to greater inhibition of VSMC proliferation through cell cycle arrest and regulation of ROS expression, in addition to other possible unidentified mechanisms that deserve further exploration.
Short-term immobilization and recovery affect skeletal muscle but not collagen tissue turnover in humans
Authors: Christensen Britt , Dyrberg Eva , Aagaard Per , Kjaer Michael , Langberg Henning
Published: October 2008

Not much is known about the effects of immobilization and subsequent recovery on tendon connective tissue. In the present study, healthy young men had their nondominant leg immobilized for a 2-wk period, followed by a recovery period of the same length. Immobilization resulted in a mean decrease of 6% (5,413 to 5,077 mm2) in cross-sectional area (CSA) of the triceps surae muscles and a mean decrease of 9% (261 to 238 N·m) in strength of the immobilized calf muscles. Two weeks of recovery resulted in a 6% increased in CSA (to 5,367 mm2), whereas strength remained suppressed (240 N·m). No difference in Achilles tendon CSA was detected between the two legs at any time point. Local tendon collagen synthesis, measured as the peritendinous concentrations of PINP (NH2-terminal propeptide of type I collagen; indirect marker for collagen synthesis), was unchanged after 2 wk of immobilization. However, peritendinous levels of PINP were significantly elevated in the immobilized leg (15 to 139 ng/ml) following 2 wk of remobilization compared with preimmobilization levels. In contradiction hereto, systemic concentrations of PINP remained unchanged throughout the study. Immobilization reduced muscle size and strength, while tendon size and collagen turnover were unchanged. While recovery resulted in an increase in muscle size, strength was unchanged. No significant difference in tendon size could be detected between the two legs after 2 wk of recovery, although collagen synthesis was increased in the previously immobilized leg. Thus 2 wk of immobilization are sufficient to induce significant changes in muscle tissue, whereas tendon tissue seems to be more resistant to short-term immobilization.
Aerobic exercise training reduces epicardial fat in obese men
Authors: Kim Maeng-Kyu , Tomita Tsugio , Kim Mi-Ji , Sasai Hiroyuki , Maeda Seiji , Tanaka Kiyoji
Published: October 2008

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of exercise training on ventricular epicardial fat thickness in obese men and to investigate the relationship of the change in epicardial fat thickness to changes in abdominal fat tissue following exercise training. Twenty-four obese middle-aged men [age, 49.4 ± 9.6 yr; weight, 87.7 ± 11.2 kg; body mass index (BMI), 30.7 ± 3.3 kg/m2; peak oxygen consumption, 28.4 ± 7.2 ml·kg−1·min−1; means ± SD] participated in this study. Each participant completed a 12-wk supervised exercise training program (60–70% of the maximal heart rate; 60 min/day, 3 days/wk) and underwent a transthoracic echocardiography. The epicardial fat thickness on the free wall of the right ventricle was measured from both parasternal long- and short-axis views. The visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissues were measured by computed tomography. Following exercise training, the epicardial fat thickness was significantly decreased ( P < 0.001). The percentage change of epicardial fat thickness was twice as high compared with those of waist, BMI, and body weight of original values ( P <0.05). There was a significant relationship ( r = 0.525, P = 0.008) between changes in the epicardial fat thickness and VAT with exercise training. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the change in VAT, change in systolic blood pressure, and change in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index were independently related to the change epicardial fat thickness ( P < 0.05). The ventricular epicardial fat thickness is reduced significantly after aerobic exercise training and is associated with a decrease in VAT. These results suggest that aerobic exercise training may be an effective nonpharmacological strategy for decreasing the ventricular epicardial fat thickness and visceral fat area in obese middle-aged men.
Contribution of IL-6 to the Hsp72, Hsp25, and αβ-crystallin responses to inflammation and exercise training in mouse skeletal and cardiac muscle
Authors: Huey Kimberly A. , Meador Benjamin M.
Published: October 2008

The heat shock proteins (Hsps) Hsp72, Hsp25, and αβ-crystallin (αβC) may protect tissues during exercise and/or inflammatory insults; however, no studies have investigated whether exercise training increases both basal and inflammation-induced expression of these Hsps in skeletal or cardiac muscle. IL-6 is produced by muscle during both exercise and inflammation and has been shown to modulate Hsp expression. These studies tested the hypothesis that voluntary wheel running (RW) increases basal and inflammation-induced Hsp72, Hsp25, and αβC protein through an IL-6-dependent mechanism. We compared Hsp72, Hsp25, αβC, and IL-6 protein levels 4 h after systemic inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in skeletal and cardiac muscles of wild-type (IL-6+/+) and IL-6 deficient (IL-6−/−) mice after 2 wk of RW or normal cage activity (Sed). LPS significantly increased skeletal Hsp72 and Hsp25 relative to saline in Sed IL-6+/+, but not IL-6−/−mice. LPS increased Hsp72 relative to saline in Sed IL-6+/+cardiac muscle. RW increased basal Hsp72, Hsp25, and αβC in skeletal muscle in IL-6+/+and IL-6−/−mice. However, LPS was not associated with increases in any Hsp in RW IL-6+/+or IL-6−/−mice. LPS increased IL-6 protein in skeletal muscle and plasma in Sed and RW groups, with a significantly greater response in RW. The major results provide the first in vivo evidence that the absence of IL-6 is associated with reduced skeletal muscle Hsp72 and Hsp25 responses to LPS, but that IL-6 is not required for exercise-induced Hsp upregulation in skeletal or cardiac muscle.
The Implication of N-Acetylglucosaminyl- transferase V Expression in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Tian Hai , Miyoshi Eiji , Kawaguchi Naomasa , Shaker Mohammed , Ito Yasuhiro , Taniguchi Naoyuki , Tsujimoto Masahiko , Matsuura Nariaki
Published: October 2008

Objective: N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V) is a key enzyme that catalyzes β1–6 branching of N-acetylglucosamine on N-glycan of cell proteins, some of which are linked with metastasis. GnT-V expression was studied immunohistochemically in gastric cancer to compare clinicopathological parameters and evaluate the role of GnT-V in the prognosis of gastric cancer. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was carried out to detect GnT-V expression in 50 advanced gastric cancer tissues where the depth of invasion exceeded the subserosa, and the relationship between GnT-V expression and various clinicopathological factors, including survival, was analyzed. Results: GnT-V was expressed in 23 (46%) gastric cancer tissues. GnT-V expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastases, peritoneal dissemination and liver metastases, respectively (p = 0.005, p = 0.013 and p = 0.023). Patients with GnT-V-positive gastric cancer had a significantly shorter survival than those without GnT-V expression (5-year survival rate: 31.2 and 54.4%, respectively; p = 0.045). Conclusion: GnT-V expression is correlated with a poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients due to metastases.
Trial of Early Neonatal Hydrocortisone: Two-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Peltoniemi Outi M. , Lano Aulikki , Puosi Riina , Yliherva Anneli , Bonsante Francesco , Kari M. Anneli , Hallman Mikko
Published: October 2008

Background: Dexamethasone treatment is associated with an increased risk of cerebral palsy (CP). Early hydrocortisone (HC) treatment may decrease the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia; however, the long-term effects are still under evaluation. Follow-up of randomized studies concerning early HC treatment is essential to confirm the long-term safety. Objective: We hypothesized that early HC treatment in very preterm infants does not impair the neurologic outcome. Methods: We report follow-up data from a randomized trial of early HC given for 10 days. Before the HC or placebo treatment, serum cortisol levels were measured. Receiver-operating characteristic was defined. Values below the median were classified as low endogenous cortisol and those above the median as high endogenous cortisol. A meta-analysis was performed. Results: Altogether 98% of the 46 surviving infants participated in a follow-up study at a corrected age of 2 years. The growth characteristics were similar between the study groups. The developmental quotients (DQs) of the children with high endogenous cortisol and placebo treatment shortly after birth (100 ± 13) and those with low endogenous cortisol and HC (97 ± 7) were not lower than the DQs of the children with high endogenous cortisol and HC (92 ± 3) or low cortisol and placebo (96 ± 2). According to a meta-analysis of three available trials (411 children), the rate of CP and survival without neurosensory or cognitive impairment was not influenced by HC. Conclusion: Early low-dose HC administration had no adverse effects at 2 years of age. Further studies are required to define the target group for neonatal HC.
Cognitive Performance and Plasma Levels of Homocysteine, Vitamin B12, Folate and Lipids in Patients with Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Li Ling , Cao Dongfeng , Desmond Renee , Rahman Atiq , Lah James J. , Levey Allan I. , Zamrini Edward
Published: October 2008

Background: Conflicting results have been reported on the association of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) and cholesterol levels in Alzheimer disease (AD). The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between cognitive performance and plasma levels of tHcy and its biological determinants folate and vitamin B12, and lipids in clinically diagnosed AD patients. Methods: A cross-sectional database review was performed on two separate groups of patients (n = 191). Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores, plasma levels of tHcy, vitamin B12, folate, cholesterol, and triglycerides were analyzed. Results: The MMSE scores were inversely correlated with age, plasma levels of tHcy and LDL cholesterol. However, only the inverse relationship between MMSE scores and LDL cholesterol levels persisted after adjustment for age, sex, and status of statin treatment. Plasma tHcy levels increased significantly with age and were inversely related to vitamin B12 and folate levels, which modified the relationship between MMSE scores and plasma tHcy levels. Conclusions: The plasma tHcy levels appeared to relate more to aging than to cognition. Cognitive performance was inversely associated with plasma LDL cholesterol levels in AD patients. Our findings provide further evidence that high LDL cholesterol levels may play a role in the pathogenesis of AD.
Detecting Interactions in Association Studies by Using Simple Allele Recoding
Authors: Sillanpää Mikko J.
Published: October 2008

This paper aims to describe the benefits of using data recoding methods for the analysis of genetic interactions. By changing the representation of the input data it is possible to model non-additive genetic effects in association analysis software, which has been primarily designed to analyse only additive genetic effects. Similar treatment can be applied also for general-purpose statistical search algorithms available in general statistical packages. Data recoding is illustrated for several interaction models using hypothetical examples and by presenting gene-gene interaction analysis in a real cystic fibrosis dataset using the BAMA software.
Composition and Seasonality of Diet in Wild Hamadryas Baboons: Preliminary Findings from Filoha
Authors: Swedell Larissa , Hailemeskel Getenet , Schreier Amy
Published: October 2008

Here we report the first year-round quantitative data on dietary composition and seasonality in wild hamadryas baboons. Study subjects were adult male members of band 3 at the Filoha field site in central lowland Ethiopia. Data collection consisted of 10-min focal samples during all-day follows 4–6 days per month over the course of 1 year. The two largest contributors to the diet were Hyphaene thebaica and Acacia senegal, and these were the only plant species found in the diet during every month of the year. Other relatively major contributors to the diet, such as Cyperus grandibulbosus, Seddera bagshawei, Tribulus cistoides and Typha latifolia, showed a seasonal pattern. Fewer plant species were consumed during the dry months of the year compared to the wet months. During the hottest and driest months of the year, study subjects subsisted almost exclusively on H. thebaica, A. senegal, C. grandibulbosus and T. latifolia. Overall, these patterns suggest that this population of hamadryas baboons spends less time feeding and is able to subsist on a narrower array of plant foods compared to other baboons. This pattern may be driven by the presence at Filoha of the doum palm (H. thebaica), a high-quality food resource that is consumed year-round.
Interaction Between P450 Eicosanoids and Nitric Oxide in the Control of Arterial Tone in Mice
Authors: Hercule Hantz C. , Schunck Wolf-Hagen , Gross Volkmar , Seringer Jasmin , Leung Fung Ping , Weldon Steven M. , da Costa Goncalves Andrey Ch. , Huang Yu , Luft Friedrich C. , Gollasch Maik
Published: October 2008

Objective—

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) serve as endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHF), but may also affect vascular function by other mechanisms. We identified a novel interaction between EETs and endothelial NO release using soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) −/− and +/+ mice.

Methods and Results—

EDHF responses to acetylcholine in pressurized isolated mesenteric arteries were neither affected by the sEH inhibitor, N-adamantyl-N′-dodecylurea (ADU), nor by sEH gene deletion. However, the EDHF responses were abolished by catalase and by apamin/charybdotoxin (ChTx), but not by iberiotoxin, nor by the cytochrome P450 inhibitor PPOH. All four EETs (order of potency: 8,9-EET >14,15-EET≈5,6-EET >11,12-EET) and all 4 dihydroxy derivatives (14,15-DHET≈8,9-DHET≈11,12-DHET >5,6-DHET) produced dose-dependent vasodilation. Endothelial removal or L-NAME blocked 8,9-EET and 14,15-DHET-dependent dilations. The effects of apamin/ChTx were minimal. 8,9-EET and 14,15-DHET induced NO production in endothelial cells. ADU (100 μg/mL in drinking water) lowered blood pressure in angiotensin II–infused hypertension, but not in L-NAME–induced hypertension. Blood pressure and EDHF responses were similar in L-NAME–treated sEH +/+ and −/− mice.

Conclusions—

Our data indicate that the EDHF response in mice is caused by hydrogen peroxide, but not by P450 eicosanoids. Moreover, P450 eicosanoids are vasodilatory, largely through their ability to activate endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and NO release.
Platelet C4d Is Associated With Acute Ischemic Stroke and Stroke Severity
Authors: Mehta Nidhi , Uchino Ken , Fakhran Saeed , Sattar M. Abdus , Branstetter Barton F. , Au Karen , Navratil Jeannine S. , Paul Barbara , Lee Melissa , Gallagher Katie M. , Manzi Susan , Ahearn Joseph M. , Kao Amy H.
Published: October 2008

Background and Purpose—

Platelets bearing complement C4d were recently reported to be 99% specific for a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and associated with neuropsychiatric lupus. We compared the prevalence of platelet C4d and investigated the clinical associations of platelet C4d in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods—

We recruited 80 patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke. Stroke severity was measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIH-SS). Infarct volume was determined by MRI. Platelet C4d was measured by flow cytometry.

Results—

Mean age was 57.9 years (range: 24.6 to 86.8 years), 58% were male, and 91% were white. Eight patients (10%) with acute ischemic stroke were platelet C4d-positive, which was significantly higher in prevalence compared to healthy controls (0%,
P
<0.0001) and non-SLE patients with immune/inflammatory disease (2%,
P
=0.004). The median NIH-SS score and infarct volume for acute stroke patients were 6 (interquartile range [IQR]: 2 to 13) and 3.4 cc (IQR: 1.1 to 16.6), respectively. Platelet C4d-positive patients were more likely to have a severe stroke compared to those with negative platelet C4d (NIH-SS median: 17.5 versus 5,
P
=0.003). Positive platelet C4d was independently associated with stroke severity (
P
=0.03) after controlling for age, anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) status, and total anterior circulation of stroke involvement, and also with infarct volume (
P
=0.005) after controlling for age, aCL status, and old stroke by MRI.

Conclusions—

Platelet C4d is associated with severe acute ischemic stroke. Platelet C4d may be a biomarker as well as pathogenic clue that links cerebrovascular inflammation and thrombosis.