bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First Record of the European Rusted Flea Beetle,Neocrepidodera ferruginea(Scopoli, 1763), in North America (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini)
Authors: LeSage Laurent , Savard Karine
Published: April 2012

The European rusted flea beetleNeocrepidodera ferruginea(Scopoli, 1763) is reported for the first time from Québec and Ontario, Canada. It was likely introduced into southern Ontario at an international port on the Great Lakes in early 1970s, or possibly earlier in the 1960s. However, the exact location and date of introduction could not be precisely determined. The flea beetle has since dispersed northeastwards and reached Aylmer, north of Ottawa River, in Québec, by 2003. This is about 375 km from Niagara Falls, where the oldest known specimens were collected in 1977. In 2009, various wild habitats and cultivated areas of Aylmer were surveyed. The host plants of the larvae could not be determined, but adults were swept from many plant species including various weeds and cultivated grasses:Alopecurus pratense(meadow foxtail),Dactylis glomerata(orchard-grass),Festuca rubra(red fescue-grass), andPoa pratensis(Kentucky blue-grass). Adults were also collected from flowers of several weeds:Astersp. (undetermined species),Aster novae-angliae(New England aster),Ambrosia artemisiifolia(small ragweed),Echium vulgare(viper’s bugloss),Nasturtium officinale(water cress),Melilotus alba(white sweet-clover),Hypericum perforatum(common St. John’s-wort),Lythrum salicaria(purple loosestrife),Ranunculus acris(buttercup), andSolidagospp. (goldenrods). Since larvae are known to develop inside the roots and central stems of cereals, this new alien species represents a threat to Canadian agriculture, particularly if it reaches the Prairies in western Canada, where cereals represent a considerable part of their economy.European rusted flea beetleandAltise ferrugineuse européenneare suggested for the English and French common names of this flea beetle, respectively.
Advanced Techniques and Antenna Design for Pulse Shaping in UWB Cognitive Radio
Authors: Safatly Lise , Al-Husseini Mohammed , El-Hajj Ali , Kabalan Karim Y.
Published: April 2012

Spectrum scarcity has emerged as a primary problem in the communications technology. The combination of cognitive radio (CR) and ultra-wideband impulse radio (UWB-IR) has been proposed to solve the shortage problem by allowing smart and adaptive spectrum management, leading to UWB-CR. In a UWB-CR scheme, secondary users are supposed to ensure interference avoidance by adaptively selecting the portions of the spectrum not being used by primary users. In this paper, three different techniques for the generation of adaptive UWB pulses are studied. The Parks-McClellan algorithm is employed, a neural network is trained, and a reconfigurable band stop filter is designed to generate an adaptive waveform with nulls at specific frequencies. Simulations, measurements, and analysis show that each generated UWB pulse has remarkable advantages in the frequency utilization, spectrum avoidance, and hardware implementation.
Splendid Hybrids: The Effects of a Tiger Beetle Hybrid Zone on Apparent Species Diversity
Authors: Brust Mathew L. , Hoback W. Wyatt , Spomer Stephen M.
Published: April 2012

Nonexpert citizen groups are being used to monitor species to track ecosystem changes; however, challenges remain for proper identification, especially among diverse groups such as beetles. Tiger beetles,Cicindelaspp., have been used for biological diversity monitoring because of their diversity and the ease of recognition. The finding of an apparent hybrid zone amongCicindela denverensisCasey,Cicindela limbalisKlug, andCicindela splendidaHentz in central Nebraska prompted a detailed study of the biogeography of this species group within Nebraska, a test of characteristics that could be used by citizen scientists, and limited breeding experiments. This study suggests that whileC. denverensisappears to hybridize with bothC. limbalisandC. splendidawithin the hybrid zone, all three species maintain their integrity across most of their ranges, largely occupy unique geographic regions, and at leastC. denverensisandC. splendidacooccur in many areas with no evidence of hybridization. Evidence of hybridization betweenC. limbalisandC. splendidawas found at only two sites. Furthermore, breeding experiments with virginC. splendidaandC. denverensisshowed that they are capable of producing hybrid larvae in the laboratory. The presence of morphological intergrades serves as a cautionary note when using biological indicator species.
An 11-Year-Old Child with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Who Presented with Nephrolithiasis
Authors: Firinci Fatih , Soylu Alper , Kasap Demir Belde , Turkmen Mehmet , Kavukcu Salih
Published: April 2012

Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease become symptomatic and are diagnosed usually at adulthood. The rate of nephrolithiasis in these patients is 5–10 times the rate in the general population, and both anatomic and metabolic abnormalities play role in the formation of renal stones. However, nephrolithiasis is rare in childhood age group. In this paper, an 11-year-old child with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease presenting with nephrolithiasis is discussed.
Reduced-Complexity Radio Architectures for Enhanced Receive Selection Combining in Multiuser Diversity Systems
Authors: Tsakalaki Elpiniki P. , Alrabadi Osama N. , Papadias Constantinos B. , Prasad Ramjee
Published: April 2012

Although antenna selection is a simple and efficient technique for enhancing the downlink performance of multiuser diversity systems, the large antenna interelement spacing required for achieving spatial diversity is prohibitive for user terminals due to size restrictions. In order to allay this problem, we propose miniaturized switched beam receiver designs assisted by low-cost passive reflectors. Unlike conventional spatial receive diversity systems, the proposed angular diversity architectures occupy a small volume whereas the antenna system properties are optimized by controlling the strong reactive fields present at small dimensions. The systems are designed for maximum antenna efficiency and low interbeam correlation, thus yieldingNpractically uncorrelated receive diversity branches. The simulation results show that the proposed enhanced diversity combining systems improve the average throughput of a multiuser network outperforming classical antenna selection especially for small user populations and compact user terminal size.
Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Presenting with Hemichorea
Authors: Ayalew Yezenash , Khattak Fazlihakim
Published: April 2012

A 25-year-old Bangladeshi lady presented to neurology with a three-month history of involuntary movements of her right arm, associated with loss of power. There was progression to the right leg, and she subsequently developed episodes of slurred speech and blurred vision. At the time of presentation, she was 12 weeks pregnant and the symptoms were reported to have started at conception. Past medical history was unremarkable apart from one first trimester miscarriage and there was no significant family history suggestive of a hereditary neurological condition. MRI of the head revealed no abnormalities but serology showed positive antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) at a titre of 1/400. Further investigations revealed strongly positive anticardiolipin antibodies (>120) and positive lupus anticoagulant antibodies. The patient had a second miscarriage at 19 weeks gestation strengthening the possibility that the chorea was related to antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and she was started on a reducing dose of Prednisolone 40 mg daily and aspirin 300 mg daily. Six months later, she had complete resolution of neurological symptoms. There are several reports of chorea as a feature of antiphospholipid syndrome, but no clear consensus on underlying pathophysiology.
Stable One‐Dimensional Periodic Wave in Kerr‐Type and Quadratic Nonlinear Media
Authors: Savastru Roxana , Dontu Simona , Savastru Dan , Tautan Marina , Babin Vasile
Published: April 2012

We present the propagation of optical beams and the properties of one‐dimensional (1D) spatial solitons (“bright” and “dark”) in saturated Kerr‐type and quadratic nonlinear media. Special attention is paid to the recent advances of the theory of soliton stability. We show that the stabilization of bright periodic waves occurs above a certain threshold power level and the dark periodic waves can be destabilized by the saturation of the nonlinear response, while the dark quadratic waves turn out to be metastable in the broad range of material parameters. The propagation of (1+1) a dimension‐optical field on saturated Kerr media using nonlinear Schrödinger equations is described. A model for the envelope one‐dimensional evolution equation is built up using the Laplace transform.
Wavelet Transform Fuzzy Algorithms for Dermoscopic Image Segmentation
Authors: Castillejos Heydy , Ponomaryov Volodymyr , Nino-de-Rivera Luis , Golikov Victor
Published: April 2012

This paper presents a novel approach to segmentation of dermoscopic images based on wavelet transform where the approximation coefficients have been shown to be efficient in segmentation. The three novel frameworks proposed in this paper, W-FCM, W-CPSFCM, and WK-Means, have been employed in segmentation using ROC curve analysis to demonstrate sufficiently good results. The novel W-CPSFCM algorithm permits the detection of a number of clusters in automatic mode without the intervention of a specialist.
Precursor-Like Anomalies prior to the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake: A Critical-but-Constructive Review
Authors: Ma Tengfei , Wu Zhongliang
Published: April 2012

Results published since the last three years on the observations of the precursor-like anomalies before the May 12, 2008, Wenchuan,Ms8.0 earthquake are collected and analyzed. These retrospective case studies would have provided heuristic clues about the preparation process of this inland great earthquake and the predictability of this destructive event if the standards for the rigorous test of earthquake forecast schemes were strictly observed. At least in some of these studies, however, several issues still need to be further examined to confirm or falsify the connection of the reported observations with the Wenchuan earthquake. Some of the problems are due to the inevitable limitation of observational infrastructure at the recent time, but some of the problems are due to the lack of communication about the test of earthquake forecast schemes. For the interdisciplinary studies on earthquake forecast, reminding of the latter issue seems of special importance for promoting the works and cooperation in this field.
Unique Case Reports Associated with Ovarian Failure: Necessity of Two Intact X Chromosomes
Authors: Rao Kandukuri Lakshmi , Padmalatha Venkata , Kanakavalli Murthy , Turlapati Raseswari , Swapna Mangalipally , Vidyadhari Metuku , Saranaya Govindaraghavan , Himaja Kattera , Deenadayal Mamata , Kumar Sethi Bipin , Deb Prasun , Gupta Nalini , Chakraborthy Baidyanath , Nallari Pratibha , Singh Lalji
Published: April 2012

Premature ovarian failure is defined as the loss of functional follicles below the age of 40 years and the incidence of this abnormality is 0.1% among the 30–40 years age group. Unexplained POF is clinically recognized as amenorrhoea (>6 months) with low level of oestrogen and raised level of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH > 20 IU/l) occurring before the age of 40. It has been studied earlier that chromosomal defects can impair ovarian development and its function. Since there is paucity of data on chromosomal defects in Indian women, an attempt is made to carry out cytogenetic evaluation in patients with ovarian failure. Cytogenetic analysis of women with ovarian defects revealed the chromosome abnormalities to be associated with 14% of the cases analyzed. Interestingly, majority of the abnormalities involved the X-chromosome and we report two unique abnormalities, (46,XXdel(Xq21-22) and q28) and (mos,45XO/46,X+ringX) involving X chromosome in association with ovarian failure. This study revealed novel X chromosome abnormalities associated with ovarian defects and these observations would be helpful in genetic counseling and apart from, infertility clinics using the information to decide suitable strategies to help such patients.
A Linear Transformation Approach for Estimating Pulse Arrival Time
Authors: Kim Dohyun , Ahn Jong-Hoon , Lee Jongshill , Park Hoon Ki , Kim In Young
Published: April 2012

We propose a new mathematical framework for estimating pulse arrival time (PAT). Existing methods of estimating PAT rely on local characteristic points or global parametric models: local characteristic point methods detect points such as foot points, max points, or max slope points, while global parametric methods fit a parametric form to the anacrotic phase of pulse signals. Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses; we take advantage of the favorable properties of both approaches in our method. To be more precise, we transform continuous pulse signals into scalar timing codes through three consecutive transformations, the last of which is a linear transformation. By training the linear transformation method on a subset of data, the proposed method yields results that are robust to noise. We apply this method to real photoplethysmography (PPG) signals and analyze the agreement between our results and those obtained using a conventional approach.
Optimizing Investment Strategies with the Reconfigurable Hardware Platform RIVYERA
Authors: Starke Christoph , Grossmann Vasco , Wienbrandt Lars , Koschnicke Sven , Carstens John , Schimmler Manfred
Published: April 2012

The hardware structure of a processing element used for optimization of an investment strategy for financial markets is presented. It is shown how this processing element can be multiply implemented on the massively parallel FPGA-machine RIVYERA. This leads to a speedup of a factor of about 17,000 in comparison to one single high-performance PC, while saving more than 99% of the consumed energy. Furthermore, it is shown for a special security and different time periods that the optimized investment strategy delivers an outperformance between 2 and 14 percent in relation to a buy and hold strategy.
Application of Serial Analysis of Gene Expression to the Study of the Gene Expression Profile ofLeishmania infantum chagasiPromastigote
Authors: Lima Neto Adelino Soares , de Melo Neto Osvaldo Pompílio , Costa Carlos Henrique Nery
Published: April 2012

This study describes the application of the LongSAGE methodology to study the gene expression profile in promastigotes ofLeishmania infantum chagasi. A tag library was created using the LongSAGE method and consisted of 14,208 tags of 17 bases. Of these, 8,427 (59.3%) were distinct. BLAST research of the 1,645 most abundant tags showed that 12.8% of them identified the coding sequences of genes, while 82% (1,349/1,645) identified one or more genomic sequences that did not correspond with open reading frames. Only 5.2% (84/1,645) of the tags were not aligned to any position in theL. infantum genome. The UTR size ofLeishmaniaand the lack of CATG sites in some transcripts were decisive for the generation of tags in these regions. Additional analysis will allow a better understanding of the expression profile and discovering the key genes in this life cycle.
Soil Degradation-Induced Decline in Productivity of Sub-Saharan African Soils: The Prospects of Looking Downwards the Lowlands with theSawahEcotechnology
Authors: Obalum Sunday E. , Buri Mohammed M. , Nwite John C. , Hermansah  , Watanabe Yoshinori , Igwe Charles A. , Wakatsuki Toshiyuki
Published: April 2012

The paper provides an insight into the problem of land degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa, with emphasis on soil erosion and its effect on soil quality and productivity, and proposes a lowland-based rice-production technology for coping with the situation. Crop yields are, in addition to the degree of past and current erosion, determined by a number of interacting variables. This, coupled with the generally weak database on erosion-induced losses in crop yield in spite of the region’s high vulnerability to erosion, makes it difficult to attain a reliable inference on the cause-effect relationship between soil loss and productivity. Available data suggest, however, that the region is at risk of not meeting up with the challenges of agriculture in this 21st century. Based on the few studies reviewed, methodology appears to have an overwhelming influence on the erosion-productivity response, whereas issues bordering on physical environment and soil affect the shape of the response curve. We argue that thesawahecotechnology has the potential of countering the negative agronomic and environmental impacts of land degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is a farmer-oriented, low-cost system of managing soil, water, and nutrient resources for enhancing lowland rice productivity and realizing Green Revolution in the region.
Health Monitoring for Coated Steel Belts in an Elevator System
Authors: Lei Huaming , Tian Guiyun , Zhao Hui , Mao Yimei , Huang Zuoying
Published: April 2012

This paper presents a method of health monitoring for coated steel belts in an elevator system by measuring the electrical resistance of the ropes embedded in the belt. A model on resistance change caused by fretting wear and stress fatigue has been established. Temperature and reciprocating cycles are also taken into consideration when determining the potential strength degradation of the belts. It is proved by experiments that the method could effectively estimate the health degradation of the most dangerous section as well as other ones along the whole belts.
Layer-by-Layer CdS-ModifiedTiO2Film Electrodes for Enhancing the Absorption and Energy Conversion Efficiency of Solar Cells
Authors: Li Ming , Liu Yong , Wang Hai , Zhao Wenxia , Huang Hong , Liang Chaolun , Deng Youjun , Shen Hui
Published: April 2012

A layer-by-layer assemble method was used to fabricate CdS quantum dots (QDs) sensitized electrodes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been utilized to characterize the samples. The absorption spectra and photovoltaic measurement confirmed that much more effective deposition of QDs inTiO2matrix and much better power conversion performance were achieved for these multilayer electrodes compared with the ones fabricated by traditional single-layer assembly method.
The GDTM‐Padé Technique for the Nonlinear Lattice Equations
Authors: Lu Junfeng
Published: April 2012

The GDTM‐Padé technique is a combination of the generalized differential transform
method and the Padé approximation. We apply this technique to solve the two nonlinear lattice
equations, which results in the high accuracy of the GDTM‐Padé solutions. Numerical results are
presented to show its efficiency by comparing the GDTM‐Padé solutions, the solutions obtained by
the generalized differential transform method, and the exact solutions.
Synthesis of Antibodies‐Conjugated Fluorescent Dye‐Doped Silica Nanoparticles for a Rapid Single Step Detection of Campylobacter jejuni in Live Poultry
Authors: Tansub Wachira , Tuitemwong Kooranee , Limsuwan Pichet , Theparoonrat Supannee , Tuitemwong Pravate
Published: April 2012

The preparation of antibodies‐conjugated fluorescent dye‐doped silica nanoparticles (FDS‐NPs) was developed to detect Campylobacter jejuni cells under a fluorescence microscope. The particles prepared by sol‐gel microemulsion techniques have a round shape with an average size of 43 ± 4 nm. They were highly photo stable and could emit strong orange fluorescent for 60 min. Both amine‐ and carboxyl‐functionalized properties were evident from FTIR and FT Raman spectra. The FDS‐NPs conjugated with antibodies against C. jejuni were well dispersed in PBS solution at 20 mM of NaCl. The conjugation with monoclonal antibodies against C. jejuni was successful. The direct observation of the antibodies‐conjugated FDS‐NPs‐ that bounds C. jejuni with Petroff Hausser counting chamber at 40x was clear. The different focus lengths clearly separated bound and unbound FDS‐NPs under the microscope. We successfully synthesis the bio‐conjugated dye doped silica nanoparticles for C. jejuni that are easy to use and giving clear detection in due time.
Integral Test Facility PKL: Experimental PWR Accident Investigation
Authors: Umminger Klaus , Dennhardt Lars , Schollenberger Simon , Schoen Bernhard
Published: April 2012

Investigations of the thermal-hydraulic behavior of pressurized water reactors under accident conditions have been carried out in the PKL test facility at AREVA NP in Erlangen, Germany for many years. The PKL facility models the entire primary side and significant parts of the secondary side of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) at a height scale of 1 : 1. Volumes, power ratings and mass flows are scaled with a ratio of 1 : 145. The experimental facility consists of 4 primary loops with circulation pumps and steam generators (SGs) arranged symmetrically around the reactor pressure vessel (RPV). The investigations carried out encompass a very broad spectrum from accident scenario simulations with large, medium, and small breaks, over the investigation of shutdown procedures after a wide variety of accidents, to the systematic investigation of complex thermal-hydraulic phenomena. This paper presents a survey of test objectives and programs carried out to date. It also describes the test facility in its present state. Some important results obtained over the years with focus on investigations carried out since the beginning of the international cooperation are exemplarily discussed.
Low‐Thrust Orbital Transfers in the Two‐Body Problem
Authors: Sukhanov A. A. , Prado A. F. B. A.
Published: April 2012

Low‐thrust transfers between given orbits within the two‐body problem are considered; the thrust is assumed power limited. A simple method for obtaining the transfer trajectories based on the linearization of the motion near reference orbits is suggested. Required calculation accuracy can be reached by means of use of a proper number of the reference orbits. The method may be used in the case of a large number of the orbits around the attracting center; no averaging is necessary in this case. The suggested method also is applicable to the cases of partly given final orbit and if there are constraints on the thrust direction. The method gives an optimal solution to the linearized problem which is not optimal for the original nonlinear problem; the difference between the optimal solutions to the original and linearized problems is estimated using a numerical example. Also examples illustrating the method capacities are given.
Fixation of an Anatomically Designed Cementless Stem in Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Nakamura Shigeru , Arai Noriyuki , Kobayashi Takateru , Matsushita Takashi
Published: April 2012

Purpose. The Anatomic Fiber Metal plus stem (Zimmer) is one of the anatomically designed cementless stems to achieve stable fixation by metaphyseal fit. We studied outcomes of cementless total hip arthroplasty using this stem and possible effects of metaphyseal fit on outcomes.Methods. The cementless total hip arthroplasty using this stem was performed for 155 hips. One hundred and thirty-seven hips of 122 patients were followed for 5 to 16 (mean, 9.7) years and entered into the study. The metaphyseal fit was defined as good or poor in an anteroposterior radiograph after surgery. We studied the fixation of the stem and bone reaction on an anteroposterior radiograph at the final followup.Results. Twelve hips had revision, six acetabular components and six acetabular liners. No stem was revised. The biological fixation of the stem was bone ingrown fixation for 136 hips and unstable for one. The metaphyseal fit was good for 83 hips and poor for 54 hips. There were no differences for stem fixation and bone reaction between the two groups.Conclusions. The fixation of the stem was stable at a mean followup of 9.7 years independently from metaphyseal fit.
Pentraxin 3(PTX 3): An Endogenous Modulator of the Inflammatory Response
Authors: Kunes P. , Holubcova Z. , Kolackova M. , Krejsek J.
Published: April 2012

Inflammatory or anti-inflammatory? That is the question as far as the acute-phase response and its mediators, the pentraxins, are concerned. Only some ten years ago, the classical or short pentraxin C-reactive protein and the newly discovered long pentraxin PTX3 were considered to exert most of the detrimental effects of acute inflammation, whether microbial or sterile in origin. However, accumulating evidence suggests an at least dichotomous, context-dependent outcome attributable to the pentraxins, if not a straightforward anti-inflammatory nature of the acute-phase response. This paper is focused on the inherent effects of pentraxin 3 in inflammatory responses, mainly in coronary artery disease and inAspergillus fumigatusinfection. Both are examples of inflammatory reactions in which PTX3 is substantially involved; the former sterile, the latter infectious in origin. Apart from different inducing noxae, similarities in the pathogenesis of the two are striking. All the same, the introductory question still persists: is the ultimate impact of PTX3 in these conditions inflammatory or anti-inflammatory, paradoxical as the latter might appear? We try to provide an answer such as it emerges in the light of recent findings.
Diagnosis Analysis of 4 TCM Patterns in Suboptimal Health Status: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach
Authors: Wang Li-Min , Zhao Xin , Wu Xi-Ling , Li Yang , Yi Dan-Hui , Cui Hua-Ting , Chen Jia-Xu
Published: April 2012

Background. We illustrated an example of structure equation modelling (SEM) in the research on SHS to explore the diagnosis of the Sub optimal health status (SHS) and provide evidence for the standardization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) patterns in SHS. And the diagnosis of 4 TCM patterns in SHS was evaluated in this analysis.Methods. This study assessed data on 2807 adults (aged 18 to 49) with SHS from 6 clinical centres. SEM was used to analyze the patterns of SHS in TCM. Parameters in the introduced model were estimated by the maximum likelihood method.Results. The discussed model fits the SHS data well with CFI = 0.851 and RMSEA = 0.075. The direct effect of Qi deficiency pattern on dampness pattern had the highest magnitude (value of estimate is 0.822). With regard to the construct of “Qi deficiency pattern”, “fire pattern”, “stagnation pattern” and “dampness pattern”, the indicators with the highest load were myasthenia of limbs, vexation, deprementia, and dizziness, respectively. It had been shown that estimate factor should indicate the important degree of different symptoms in pattern.Conclusions. The weights of symptoms in the respective pattern can be statistical significant and theoretical meaningful for the 4 TCM patterns identification in SHS research. The study contributed to a theoretical framework, which has implications for the diagnosis points of SHS.
Laparoscopic Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC in Patients with Limited Pseudomyxoma Peritonei of Appendiceal Origin
Authors: Esquivel Jesus , Averbach Andrew
Published: April 2012

Introduction. Increasing numbers of patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) of appendiceal origin are being evaluated with a low tumor burden. We explored a minimally invasive approach for this group of patients.Materials and Methods. We designed a protocol in which patients with a PMP diagnosis would have a diagnostic laparoscopy. If limited carcinomatosis (PCI ≤ 10) is identified, the procedure will continue laparoscopically. If extensive carcinomatosis (PCI > 10) is found, then the procedure will be converted to an open approach.Results. From December 2008 to December 2011, 19 patients had a complete cytoreduction and HIPEC: 18 of them (95%) were done laparoscopically and 1 of them (5%) was converted to an open procedure. Mean PCI was 4.2. Grade 3 morbidity was 0, and one patient (5%) experienced a grade 4 complication, needing a reoperation for an internal hernia. There were no mortalities. Mean length of hospital stay was 5.3 days. At a mean follow-up of 17 months (1–37) all 19 patients are alive and free of disease.Conclusion. This study demonstrates that cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC via the laparoscopic route is feasible and safe and should be offered to patients with limited pseudomyxoma peritonei of appendiceal origin.
Income and Education as Predictors of Stroke Mortality after the Survival of a First Stroke
Authors: Ahacic Kozma , Trygged Sven , Kåreholt Ingemar
Published: April 2012

Background. It is well known that socioeconomic indicators, such as income and education, predict both stroke incidence and stroke mortality. This means that persons in lower socioeconomic positions are less likely to survive their stroke, and there will be a selective survival in the group discharged from hospital after their first stroke.Question. Does socioeconomic position continue to predict mortality, stroke specific, or from other causes, among patients surviving their first stroke in spite of this selective survival?Methods. All persons in Sweden aged 40–59 years who were discharged after a first hospitalization for stroke in 1996–2000 were included (n= 10,487), then followed up until the end of the fourth calendar year after discharge. Data were analysed with Cox regressions controlling for age, sex, and stroke type.Results. Persons with high socioeconomic position, measured by education and income, have lower mortality than those of low position. Education was not significant when adjusted for income, however. The risk of dying was similar for stroke-specific mortality and all-cause mortality, for those with cerebral infarction as well as for all patients.Conclusions. Socioeconomic position predicted stroke-specific mortality also in the selective group of persons who survived their first stroke.
Smac Mimetic LBW242 Sensitizes XIAP-Overexpressing Neuroblastoma Cells for TNF-α–Independent Apoptosis
Authors: Eschenburg Georg , Eggert Angelika , Schramm Alexander , Lode Holger N. , Hundsdoerfer Patrick
Published: April 2012

Despite intensive treatment regimens, high-risk and late-stage neuroblastoma tends to have a poor survival outcome. Overexpression of the apoptotic regulator, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), has been associated with chemotherapy resistance in several cancers including neuroblastoma. Here, we report preclinical evidence that XIAP offers an effective therapeutic target in neuroblastoma. Human and murine neuroblastoma cells were treated with the Smac mimetic LBW242 alone or in combination with cytotoxic drugs used clinically to treat neuroblastoma. Expression of XIAP protein, but not mRNA, was highly increased in neuroblastoma cells compared to healthy adrenal gland tissue, consistent with a posttranscriptional regulation of XIAP expression. Treatment with LBW242 sensitized human and murine neuroblastoma cells to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis, which was mediated by activation of both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways. Although Smac mimetics have been reported to stimulate TNF-α–induced apoptosis by degradation of cellular IAP (cIAP)-1/2, we found that LBW242-mediated sensitization in neuroblastoma cells occurred in a TNF-α–independent manner, despite induction of cIAP-1/2 degradation and TNF-α expression. Together, our findings show that XIAP targeting sensitizes neuroblastoma to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis, suggesting a novel therapeutic approach to treat this childhood malignancy. Cancer Res; 72(10); 2645–56. ©2012 AACR.
Predominance of mTORC1 over mTORC2 in the Regulation of Proliferation of Ovarian Cancer Cells: Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Montero Juan Carlos , Chen Xi , Ocaña Alberto , Pandiella Atanasio
Published: April 2012

mTOR is a serine/threonine kinase that acts by binding different sets of proteins forming two complexes, termed mTORC1 and mTORC2. mTOR is deregulated in a substantial proportion of ovarian tumors. Despite the use of drugs directed to mTOR in ongoing clinical trials, the functional relevance of the individual mTORC branches in ovarian cancer is not known. Here, we show that mTORC1 and mTORC2 were constitutively active in ovarian cancer cell lines. Knockdown of raptor or rictor, proteins required for the function of mTORC1 or mTORC2, respectively, resulted in profound inhibition of ovarian cancer cell proliferation. The knockdown of raptor had a more important inhibitory effect than the knockdown of rictor, indicating mTORC1 had a predominant role over mTORC2 in the control of ovarian cancer cell proliferation. Rapamycin decreased the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells, and this was accompanied by inhibition of the phosphorylation of S6, a protein used as readout of mTORC1 function. However, rapamycin had only a marginal effect on the phosphorylation status of 4E-BP1, another mTORC1 substrate. Therefore, mTORC1 probably controls p4E-BP1 along two distinct pathways, one of them sensitive to rapamycin and another insensitive. The dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 was more efficient than rapamycin in its inhibitory action on ovarian cancer cell proliferation. Biochemically, BEZ235 completely inhibited pS6, p4E-BP1, and pAkt. Our results suggest that broad-spectrum mTOR inhibitors that block mTORC1 and mTORC2 are more desirable for their clinical development in ovarian cancer than agents exclusively targeting one of the mTOR branches. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(6); 1342–52. ©2012 AACR.
The Role of the PGE2–Aromatase Pathway in Obesity-Associated Breast Inflammation
Authors: Wang Dingzhi , DuBois Raymond N.
Published: April 2012

Subbaramaiah and colleagues present the first evidence indicating that a cyclooxygenase-2–prostaglandin E2–aromatase pathway promotes obesity-associated inflammation in women's breast tissues. Their findings shed new light on obesity-associated inflammation in general and provide a rationale for developing effective chemopreventive and therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway for obese women with breast inflammation and patients with hormone-dependent breast cancer. Cancer Discov; 2(4); 308–10. ©2012 AACR.

Commentary on Subbaramaiah et al., p. 356.
Radial Artery Versus Femoral Artery Access Options in Coronary Angiogram Procedures
Authors: Schwalm Jon-David , Stacey Dawn , Pericak Dan , Natarajan Madhu K.
Published: April 2012

Background—

Vascular access options in coronary angiography can be considered a preference-sensitive decision, where the benefits/risks have different levels of significance, depending on the individual patient. For preference-sensitive healthcare options, patient decision aids (PtDA) significantly improve the process of decision-making. The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based PtDA compared with usual care in patients eligible for radial and femoral artery access.

Methods and Results—

We conducted a single-center, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial with patients eligible for both femoral and radial access as per their treating physician. The PtDA was designed to guide patients to make an informed choice, consistent with their preferences and values. The primary outcome, decisional conflict, was assessed using the validated decisional conflict scale. One hundred fifty patients were randomized (vascular access PtDA=76 versus usual care=74). The intervention group had a significantly reduced decisional conflict scale compared with control (unadjusted 14.8 versus 19.5,
P
=0.04) and were significantly more knowledgeable regarding risks/benefits associated with each vascular access (mean knowledge score 3/5 (95% confidence interval, 2.6 to 3.3) versus 2/5 (95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 2.3,
P
<0.01). PtDA patients had better informed value congruence with their vascular access received (47.3% versus 25.7%,
P
<0.01). There were no significant differences in procedural success or safety between the 2 groups.

Conclusions—

A vascular access PtDA for eligible patients undergoing coronary angiogram procedures reduces decisional conflict and improves value congruence and the patients' knowledge of their healthcare options; however, a multicenter study, powered to confirm these benefits and evaluate differences in procedural success or complications, is required.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01032551.
Cardiac G-Protein–Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 Ablation Induces a Novel Ca
2+
Handling Phenotype Resistant to Adverse Alterations and Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Raake Philip W. , Zhang Xiaoying , Vinge Leif E. , Brinks Henriette , Gao Erhe , Jaleel Naser , Li Yingxin , Tang Mingxin , Most Patrick , Dorn Gerald W. , Houser Steven R. , Katus Hugo A. , Chen Xiongwen , Koch Walter J.
Published: April 2012

Background—

G-protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is a primary regulator of β-adrenergic signaling in the heart. G-protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 ablation impedes heart failure development, but elucidation of the cellular mechanisms has not been achieved, and such elucidation is the aim of this study.

Methods and Results—

Myocyte contractility, Ca
2+
handling and excitation-contraction coupling were studied in isolated cardiomyocytes from wild-type and GRK2 knockout (GRK2KO) mice without (sham) or with myocardial infarction (MI). In cardiac myocytes isolated from unstressed wild-type and GRK2KO hearts, myocyte contractions and Ca
2+
transients were similar, but GRK2KO myocytes had lower sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca
2+
content because of increased sodium-Ca
2+
exchanger activity and inhibited SR Ca
2+
ATPase by local protein kinase A–mediated activation of phosphodiesterase 4 resulting in hypophosphorylated phospholamban. This Ca
2+
handling phenotype is explained by a higher fractional SR Ca
2+
release induced by increased L-type Ca
2+
channel currents. After β-adrenergic stimulation, GRK2KO myocytes revealed significant increases in contractility and Ca
2+
transients, which were not mediated through cardiac L-type Ca
2+
channels but through an increased SR Ca
2+
. Interestingly, post-MI GRK2KO mice showed better cardiac function than post-MI control mice, which is explained by an improved Ca
2+
handling phenotype. The SR Ca
2+
content was better maintained in post-MI GRK2KO myocytes than in post-MI control myocytes because of better-maintained L-type Ca
2+
channel current density and no increase in sodium-Ca
2+
exchanger in GRK2KO myocytes. An L-type Ca
2+
channel blocker, verapamil, reversed some beneficial effects of GRK2KO.

Conclusions—

These data argue for novel differential regulation of L-type Ca
2+
channel currents and SR load by GRK2. G-protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 ablation represents a novel beneficial Ca
2+
handling phenotype resisting adverse remodeling after MI.
Barriers to Bioweapons: Intangible Obstacles to Proliferation
Authors: Ouagrham-Gormley Sonia Ben
Published: April 2012

Although the issue of knowledge diffusion has been at the heart of nonproliferation research and policies, no study in the political science field has thus far systematically identified the mechanisms that allow the acquisition and efficient use of specialized knowledge related to bioweapons. This analytical gap has led to the commonly held belief that bioweapons knowledge is easily transferable. Studies of past weapons programs, including the former U.S. and Soviet bioweapons programs, show that gathering the relevant information and expertise required to produce a weapon is not sufficient to guarantee success. The success of a bioweapons program is dependent on intangible factors, such as work organization, program management, structural organization, and social environment, which can enhance the advancement of a program or create obstacles to progress. When assessed within smaller state and terrorist bioweapons programs, such as those of South Africa and the terrorist group Aum Shinrikyo, these intangible factors produce the same constraining effects as in larger programs. More important, intangible factors have a significant effect on covert programs, because clandestinity imposes greater restrictions on knowledge diffusion. By taking into account these intangible factors, analysts and policymakers can improve their threat assessments and develop more effective nonproliferation and counterproliferation policies.
Praetorian Prefects’ Power and Senatorial Status in the Third Century: Re-evaluating Historia Augusta, Vita Alexandri 21.5
Authors: Mennen Inge
Published: April 2012

Abstract

In Vita Alexandri 21.5 the author of the Historia Augusta claims that praetorian prefects were elevated to the rank of senator by Severus Alexander to make sure that no Roman senator would be judged by someone who was not a senator. Most scholars agree that the writer of the Historia Augusta makes a muddle of truth, half truth and falsehood concerning the grant of senatorial dignity to praetorian prefects. Yet they pay little attention to the statement concerning the motive of the prefects’ status upgrade. Re-interpretations based on recent discoveries suggest that information from the Historia Augusta may contain elements of truth, which makes it worthwhile to re-evaluate cases for which alternative sources are available. In this article, the case of L. Petronius Taurus Volusianus, praetorian prefect under Gallienus and consul in AD 261, is discussed against the background of changing power and status relations in the third century, showing that Historia Augusta, Vita Alexandri 21.5 may contain more truth than is usually agreed upon.
Jumping to Conclusions? Media Coverage of Jumps Racing Debates in Australia
Authors: Montoya Daniel , McManus Phil , Albrecht Glenn
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Should jumps racing be banned? This paper examines print media coverage of the future of “jumps racing” in 21 Australian newspapers between February 2008 and December 2009, a period of intense debate over its future due to high-profile incidents of horse deaths, campaigning by animal activists, and increased media coverage. In November 2009, Racing Victoria Limited banned jumps racing following the 2010 season but later opened the possibility of jumps racing in 2011 and beyond. The research finds that there is significant variation in support for, and opposition to, jumps racing in different newspapers; that there is sometimes a discrepancy between the perspectives of articles and letters on this issue; and the importance of jumps racing to particular small cities is reflected in the media coverage. While recent events and mounting public pressure may eventually contribute to the demise of steeplechasing and hurdling in Victoria, the termination of horse racing is not a foregone conclusion.
A new genus and six new species of Ungellidae (Rhabditida: Drilonematoidea) parasitic in earthworms from West Africa and Haiti
Authors: Ivanova Elena , Bain Odile
Published: April 2012

A new genus and six new species of nematodes (Ungellidae, Drilonematoidea) parasitic in earthworms deposited in the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, are described. Except for Ungella haitiana sp. n., all nematodes were found in West African oligochaetes. Chabaudigella perforata gen. n., sp. n. is distinguished by having a single row of minute pores on each lateral chord, cephalic hooks in a subdorsal pit with cuticularised rims, excretory pore opposite pharyngeal base, post-uterine sac, pouch-like vagina, short, non-cephalate spicules, and bristle-like male caudal sensilla. Ungella haitiana sp. n. is distinguished by presence of large pocket-like amphids, excretory pore posterior to isthmus, slim pharynx, female body posteriorly expanded, ovary tip in tail, vulva post-median, asymmetrical caudal organs, long spicules; U. millsoniae sp. n. by its small size, indistinct amphids, excretory pore posterior to pharynx base, ovary tip posterior to mid-body, distal ovary portion reflexed, female caudal organs large, with cavity, spicules strongly bent; U. agastrodrilii sp. n. by cephalic hooks in subdorsal pit, male with swollen body, short conical tail and symmetrical caudal organs situated shortly posterior to anus. Ungella barbaulti sp. n. is distinguished by its small size, short and thin cephalic hooks, large amphids, vulva median, post-uterine sac absent, and short spicules; U. lamto sp. n. by its small size; cephalic hooks in subdorsal pit, indistinct amphids; post-uterine sac absent, ovary tip between vulva and anus, median vulva, oblique vagina, caudal organs prominent, spicules short, broadly cephalate, precloacal supplement and bristle-like male caudal sensilla present. Keys to genera of Ungellinae and Ungella are given.
Marker analysis for detection of the Mi-1.2 resistance gene in tomato hybrid rootstocks and cultivars
Authors: Cortada Laura , Mantelin Sophie , Verdejo-Lucas Soledad , Kaloshian Isgouhi
Published: April 2012

In tomato, the REX-1 marker is typically used to detect the root-knot nematode resistance gene Mi-1.2 in Solanum lycopersicum cultivars with introgression from S. peruvianum (Sp). However, using this marker, false positives have been reported in hybrid tomato rootstocks with introgressions from other Solanum species. We evaluated the reliability of available PCR-based markers Mi23, PMi and PM3 for detection of root-knot nematode resistance in a set of tomato hybrid rootstocks, cultivars and in several accessions of different Solanum species. Results showed that none of the tested markers was able to identify unequivocally lines with resistant phenotype. The Mi23 marker amplified from the susceptible tomato cvs Ailsa Craig and Chatham was Sp-like, while the PMi marker was highly polymorphic in several accessions of Solanum species and did not distinguish between a susceptible accession of S. peruvianum (LA1336) and two resistant accessions/clones (PI270435-2R2 and PI270435-3MH). In addition, the PM3 marker generated amplification products from the susceptible tomato cv. Tyrmes and susceptible accessions of S. chilense (LA1969 and LA2746) that were also Sp-like. Fingerprinting Mi-1.2 gene homologues (MiGHs) using primers flanking intron-1 in the tomato hybrid rootstocks and nematode-resistant and susceptible cvs indicated a great variation in the number and nature of the MiGHs. In silico analysis with the existing Mi-1.2 gene-specific primers C1/2, IMO-F1/R1 and VIGS-F indicated that they were not specific for the Mi-1.2 gene as they could amplify a fragment with a similar size from MiGHs from S. lycopersicum as well as other MiGHs from S. peruvianum. A newly designed Mi-1.2 gene-specific primer, Pau-do, used with an existing primer, C2S4, amplified an identical fragment of 1494 bp from cDNA of nematode-resistant tomato cv. Motelle and rootstocks Beaufort and Maxifort. Overall, this paper provides information to breeders, scientists and growers on the limited reliability of the available molecular tools to characterise root-knot nematode resistance in hybrid tomato rootstocks. The results show that, as most of the current markers are not universal and can lead to the appearance of false positives for root-knot nematode resistance, the resistance response of hybrid tomato rootstocks will still need to be evaluated through infection tests.