bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of etomidate on complications related to intubation and on mortality in septic shock patients treated with hydrocortisone: a propensity score analysis
Authors: Jung Boris , Clavieras Noemie , Nougaret Stephanie , Molinari Nicolas , Roquilly Antoine , Cisse Moussa , Carr Julie , Chanques Gerald , Asehnoune Karim , Jaber Samir 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Endotracheal intubation in the ICU is associated with a high incidence of complications. Etomidate use is debated in septic shock because it increases the risk of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency, which may impact outcome. We hypothesized that hydrocortisone, administered in all septic shock cases in our ICU, may counteract some negative effects of etomidate.
The aim of our study was to compare septic shock patients who received etomidate versus another induction drug both for short-term safety and for long-term outcomes.

Methods
A single-center observational study was carried out in septic shock patients, treated with hydrocortisone and intubated within the first 48 hours of septic shock. Co-primary end points were life-threatening complications incidence occurring within the first hour after intubation and mortality during the ICU stay. Statistical analyses included unmatched and matched cohorts using a propensity score analysis. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results
Sixty patients in the etomidate cohort and 42 patients in the non-etomidate cohort were included. Critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency was 79% in the etomidate cohort and 52% in the non-etomidate cohort (P = 0.01). After intubation, life-threatening complications occurred in 36% of the patients whatever the cohort. After adjustment with propensity score analysis, etomidate was a protective factor for death in the ICU both in unmatched (hazard ratio, 0.33 (0.15 to 0.75); P < 0.01)) and matched cohorts (hazard ratio, 0.33 (0.112 to 0.988); P = 0.04).

Conclusion
In septic shock patients treated with hydrocortisone, etomidate did not decrease life-threatening complications following intubation, but when associated with hydrocortisone it also did not impair outcome.
Cost-effectiveness of early intervention in first-episode psychosis: economic evaluation of a randomised controlled trial (the OPUS study)
Authors: Hastrup Lene Halling , Kronborg Christian , Bertelsen Mette , Jeppesen Pia , Jorgensen Per , Petersen Lone , Thorup Anne , Simonsen Erik , Nordentoft Merete 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundInformation about the cost-effectiveness of early intervention programmes for first-episode psychosis is limited.AimsTo evaluate the cost-effectiveness of an intensive early-intervention programme (called OPUS) (trial registration NCT00157313) consisting of enriched assertive community treatment, psychoeducational family treatment and social skills training for individuals with first-episode psychosis compared with standard treatment.MethodAn incremental cost-effectiveness analysis of a randomised controlled trial, adopting a public sector perspective was undertaken.ResultsThe mean total costs of OPUS over 5 years (€123683, s.e. = 8970) were not significantly different from that of standard treatment (€148751, s.e. = 13073). At 2-year follow-up the mean Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score in the OPUS group (55.16, s.d. = 15.15) was significantly higher than in standard treatment group (51.13, s.d. = 15.92). However, the mean GAF did not differ significantly between the groups at 5-year follow-up (55.35 (s.d. = 18.28) and 54.16 (s.d. = 18.41), respectively). Cost-effectiveness planes based on non-parametric bootstrapping showed that OPUS was less costly and more effective in 70% of the replications. For a willingness-to-pay up to €50000 the probability that OPUS was cost-effective was more than 80%.ConclusionsThe incremental cost-effectiveness analysis showed that there was a high probability of OPUS being cost-effective compared with standard treatment.
Acoustic gaze adjustments during active target selection in echolocating porpoises
Authors: Wisniewska Danuta Maria , Johnson Mark , Beedholm Kristian , Wahlberg Magnus , Madsen Peter Teglberg 
Published: November 2012

SUMMARY
Visually dominant animals use gaze adjustments to organize perceptual inputs for cognitive processing. Thereby they manage the massive sensory load from complex and noisy scenes. Echolocation, as an active sensory system, may provide more opportunities to control such information flow by adjusting the properties of the sound source. However, most studies of toothed whale echolocation have involved stationed animals in static auditory scenes for which dynamic information control is unnecessary. To mimic conditions in the wild, we designed an experiment with captive, free-swimming harbor porpoises tasked with discriminating between two hydrophone-equipped targets and closing in on the selected target; this allowed us to gain insight into how porpoises adjust their acoustic gaze in a multi-target dynamic scene. By means of synchronized cameras, an acoustic tag and on-target hydrophone recordings we demonstrate that porpoises employ both beam direction control and range-dependent changes in output levels and pulse intervals to accommodate their changing spatial relationship with objects of immediate interest. We further show that, when switching attention to another target, porpoises can set their depth of gaze accurately for the new target location. In combination, these observations imply that porpoises exert precise vocal-motor control that is tied to spatial perception akin to visual accommodation. Finally, we demonstrate that at short target ranges porpoises narrow their depth of gaze dramatically by adjusting their output so as to focus on a single target. This suggests that echolocating porpoises switch from a deliberative mode of sensorimotor operation to a reactive mode when they are close to a target.
Strike mechanics of an ambush predator: the spearing mantis shrimp
Authors: deVries M. S. , Murphy E. A. K. , Patek S. N. 
Published: November 2012

SUMMARYAmbush predation is characterized by an animal scanning the environment from a concealed position and then rapidly executing a surprise attack. Mantis shrimp (Stomatopoda) consist of both ambush predators (‘spearers’) and foragers (‘smashers’). Spearers hide in sandy burrows and capture evasive prey, whereas smashers search for prey away from their burrows and typically hammer hard-shelled, sedentary prey. Here, we examined the kinematics, morphology and field behavior of spearing mantis shrimp and compared them with previously studied smashers. Using two species with dramatically different adult sizes, we found that strikes produced by the diminutive species, Alachosquilla vicina, were faster (mean peak speed 5.72±0.91 m s–1; mean duration 3.26±0.41 ms) than the strikes produced by the large species, Lysiosquillina maculata (mean peak speed 2.30±0.85 m s–1; mean duration 24.98±9.68 ms). Micro-computed tomography and dissections showed that both species have the spring and latch structures that are used in other species for producing a spring-loaded strike; however, kinematic analyses indicated that only A. vicina consistently engages the elastic mechanism. In the field, L. maculata ambushed evasive prey primarily at night while hidden in burrows, striking with both long and short durations compared with laboratory videos. We expected ambush predators to strike with very high speeds, yet instead we found that these spearing mantis shrimp struck more slowly and with longer durations than smashers. Nonetheless, the strikes of spearers occurred at similar speeds and durations to those of other aquatic predators of evasive prey. Although counterintuitive, these findings suggest that ambush predators do not actually need to produce extremely high speeds, and that the very fastest predators are using speed to achieve other mechanical feats, such as producing large impact forces.
In Vivo Imaging of Nano-hydroxyapatite Biodistribution Using Positron Emission Tomography Imaging
Authors: Zheng Jun , Zhou Wei 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
18F-Radiolabeled nano-hydroxyapatite (HAP) was synthesized by a simple wet-chemical method. Then, anesthetized experimental rabbits were injected in the auricular vein with an 18F-radiolabeled nano-HAP suspension dispersed in physiological saline. Through PET/CT scanning, the nano-HAP biodistribution could be observed and analyzed in dynamically acquired PET images. The current work may provide a new approach for the investigation of the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of nano-HAP and other related nanoparticles in vivo.
Two novel mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor gene affecting the same amino acid position lead to opposite phenotypes and reveal the importance of p.N802 on receptor activity
Authors: Lia-Baldini Anne-Sophie , Magdelaine Corinne , Nizou Angélique , Airault Coraline , Salles Jean-Pierre , Moulin Pierre , Delemer Brigitte , Aitouares Mina , Funalot Benoît , Sturtz Franck , Lienhardt-Roussie Anne 
Published: November 2012

ObjectiveGain-of-function mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) gene have been identified in patients with sporadic or familial autosomal dominant hypocalcemia (ADH). Inactivating mutations of the CASR gene cause familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH). Here, we report two novel CASR mutations affecting the same amino acid (p.N802); one causes ADH and the other atypical FHH.Patients and methodsThe first patient, an 11-year-old girl suffering from hypocalcemia, developed nephrocalcinosis when she was only 5 years old. The second patient is a 30-year-old woman who presented with mild hypercalcemia. PCR amplification of CASR coding exons and direct sequencing of PCR products were used to identify mutations. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to generate mutated CASR cDNAs in an expression plasmid. Using the MAPK assay system and transient transfection of Cos-7 cells with wild-type (WT) and mutated CASR, we studied the responses of these mutated receptors to extracellular Ca2+ and to the negative allosteric CASR modulator, NPS2143.ResultsTwo heterozygous missense mutations (p.N802I and p.N802S) affecting a residue in the sixth transmembrane domain of CASR were identified. In functional tests, the response of the p.N802S mutant to calcium was typical of an inactivating mutation. However, the p.N802I mutant had 70% of the maximally stimulated WT receptor activity even in the absence of extracellular calcium. This constitutive activity was only partially inhibited by the inhibitor, NPS2143.ConclusionsThe asparagine at amino acid position 802 appears to be essential for the activity of the CASR protein and is implicated in the mechanism of CASR signaling.
Effect of short-term GH and testosterone administration on body composition and glucose homoeostasis in men receiving chronic glucocorticoid therapy
Authors: Ragnarsson Oskar , Burt Morton G , Ho Ken K Y , Johannsson Gudmundur 
Published: November 2012

ObjectiveLong-term pharmacological glucocorticoid (GC) therapy leads to skeletal muscle atrophy and weakness. The objective of this study was to investigate whether short-term treatment with GH and testosterone (T) can increase lean mass without major impairment of glucose homoeostasis in patients on GC therapy.Design, materials and methodsThis was a prospective, open-label, randomised, crossover study. Twelve men (age 74±6 years) on chronic GC treatment participated. The effects of 2 weeks' treatment with GH, testosterone and the combination of both on lean body mass (LBM), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM), extracellular water (ECW), body cell mass (BCM) and plasma glucose concentrations were investigated.ResultsLBM increased significantly after GH (Δ1.7±1.4 kg;P=0.007) and GH+testosterone (Δ2.4±1.1 kg;P=0.003), but not testosterone alone. ASMM increased after all three treatment periods; by 1.0±0.8 kg after GH (P=0.005), 1.7±0.4 kg after GH+testosterone (P=0.002) and 0.8±1.0 kg after testosterone (P=0.018). The increase in ASMM was larger with combined treatment than either GH or testosterone alone (P<0.05). ECW increased significantly after GH+testosterone by 1.5±2.6 l (P=0.038) but not after GH or testosterone alone. BCM increased slightly after single and combined treatments, but the changes were not significant. Fasting glucose increased significantly after GH (Δ0.4±0.4 mmol/l,P=0.006) while both fasting (Δ0.2±0.3 mmol/l,P=0.045) and post glucose-load (Δ1.8±2.3 mmol/l,P=0.023) plasma glucose concentrations increased after GH+testosterone.ConclusionsGH and testosterone induce favourable and additive body compositional changes in men on chronic, low-dose GC treatment. In the doses used, combination therapy increases fasting and postprandial glucose concentration.
Thermal expansion of corium prepared from UO2 and Zircaloy-2
Authors: Hirooka Shun , Akashi Masatoshi , Uchida Teppei , Morimoto Kyoichi , Kato Masato 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTIn this study, sintered pellets were prepared from Zircaloy-2 oxide and UO2 as a parameter of content ratio (Zr contents were 0, 24.3, 49.0, 73.4, and 97.9 at% in metal). The sintered pellets were heated in 5%H2/Ar gas. UO2 pellets underwent simple thermal expansion caused by thermal vibration while Zircaloy-2 oxide pellets underwent thermal expansion and volume change with phase transformation. Finally, the 24.3, 49.0, and 73.5 at%Zr-UO2 pellet specimens showed both phenomena. However, phase transformation temperatures were lower than that of Zircaloy-2 oxide, and volume changes were much smaller. X-ray diffraction patterns obtained after thermal expansion measurements showed that the 24.3 at%Zr-UO2 specimen contained tetragonal and cubic (Zr, U)O2 while the 73.5 at%Zr-UO2 specimen contained mainly monoclinic ZrO2.
Biotechnological Mineral Composites via Vaterite Precursors
Authors: Weber E. , Guth C. , Eder M. , Bauer P. , Arzt E. , Weiss I. M. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTVaterite is one of the thermodynamically less stable polymorphs of calcium carbonate. Under ambient conditions it transforms into calcite, the most stable form of calcium carbonate. Organisms are able to stabilize minerals such as vaterite by means of organic molecules. The exact mechanisms how biomineralization proteins interact with metastable mineral phases are, however, less well understood. Many in vitro studies were performed using calcite as a model system. A deeper understanding of the interaction of organic molecules with metastable mineral phases would make them useful as a tool to control mineralization processes in vitro. In this study, we report on the co-precipitation of a natively soluble histidine-tagged GFP (green fluorecent protein) with a metastable vaterite phase and the subsequent insolubility of the fluorescent organic matrix in a 30μl calcium carbonate precipitation assay. The intrinsic fluorescence of GFP is conserved during the interaction with the mineral phase, indicating proper folding even in the insoluble state. This experiment can be extended to obtain deeper insights into some mechanistic models of biomineralization proteins by tracking native and modified GFP proteins microscopically during various stages of mineral precipitation and dissolution.
PROBING FRICTION FORCES USING GECKO MATERIALS
Authors: Puthoff J. B. , Holbrook M. , Wilkinson M. J. , Autumn K. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTGeckos can cling to almost any surface using dense arrays of microscopic hierarchical hairs called setae. The flat, regular, terminal branches of the setae adhere by the van der Waals dispersion force, and the mechanics of the gecko attachment scheme are a current topic among biologists and researchers in smart materials for adhesion. We studied the friction behavior of natural gecko arrays. Our experiments demonstrate the presence of velocity strengthening dynamic friction over the range of velocities from 5×10–4to 158 mm/s and a range of specimen elastic moduli from 1.1 to 3.6 GPa. From these dynamic experiments, we calculate low-vactivation volumes between 1500 and 3000 nm3. Since these volumes are 3 orders of magnitude larger then are typical for bulk materials, we conclude that there is weak coupling between individual sliding contacts in the gecko system.
Mid-infrared silicon photonics for sensing applications
Authors: Mashanovich Goran Z. , Milosevic Milan M. , Nedeljkovic Milos , Cox David , Passaro Vittorio M. N. , Chong Harold M. H. , Soref Richard 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThe mid-infrared wavelength region offers a plethora of possible applications ranging from sensing, medical diagnostics and free space communications, to thermal imaging and IR countermeasures. Hence group IV mid-infrared photonics is attracting more research interest lately. Sensing is an especially attractive area as fundamental vibrations of many important gases are found in the 3 to 14 μm spectral region. To realise group IV photonic mid-infrared sensors several serious challenges need to be overcome. The first challenge is to find suitable material platforms for the mid-infrared. In this paper we present experimental results for passive mid-infrared photonic devices realised in silicon-on-insulator (SOI), silicon-on-sapphire (SOS), and silicon on porous silicon (SiPSi). Although silicon dioxide is lossy in most parts of the mid-infrared, we have shown that it has potential to be used in the 3-4 μm region. We have characterized SOI waveguides with < 1 dB/cm propagation loss. We have also designed and fabricated SOI passive devices such as MMIs and ring resonators. For longer wavelengths SOS or SiPSi structures could be used. An important active device for long wavelength group IV photonics will be an optical modulator. We present relationships for the free-carrier induced electro-refraction and electro-absorption in silicon in the mid-infrared wavelength range. Electro-absorption modulation is calculated from impurity-doping spectra taken from the literature, and a Kramers-Kronig analysis of these spectra is used to predict electro-refraction modulation. We have examined the wavelength dependence of electro-refraction and electro-absorption, and found that the predictions suggest longer-wave modulator designs will in many cases be different than those used in the telecom range.
An Optimized ICP Etching Process for Pyramidal C-QWIP FPAs
Authors: Sun Jason , Choi Kwong-kit , Lee Unchul 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTWe developed an optimized inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching process to produce GaAs pyramidal corrugated quantum well infrared photodetector focal plane arrays. A statistically-designed experiment was performed to optimize the etching parameters. The resulting parameters are discussed in terms of the effect on the etching rate and profile. This process uses a small amount of mask corrosion and the control of the etching mask gap to give a 45-50 degree V-groove etching profile, which is independent on the crystal orientation of GaAs. In the etching development, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the surface morphology and the pattern profile. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was utilized to obtain the elemental composition and the contamination of the etching surface. It is found that extremely small stoichiometric change and surface damage of the etching surface can be achieved while keeping relatively high etching rate and ~45 degree V-groove etching profile. This etching process is applied to the fabrication of pyramidal C-QWIP FPAs, which is expected to have better performance than the regular prism-shaped C-QWIPs according to electromagnetic (EM) modeling. The expected results will be verified by optical and electrical measurements. In addition to infrared detectors, this process technology can also be applied to GaAs V-groove solar cell, quantum wire light-emitting diodes, quantum wire lasers, and other GaAs –based devices.
Projections of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Burden in the U.S. Population Aged &lt;20 Years Through 2050
Authors: Imperatore Giuseppina , Boyle James P. , Thompson Theodore J. , Case Doug , Dabelea Dana , Hamman Richard F. , Lawrence Jean M. , Liese Angela D. , Liu Lenna L. , Mayer-Davis Elizabeth J. , Rodriguez Beatriz L. , Standiford Debra ,   for the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study Group
Published: November 2012

OBJECTIVETo forecast the number of U.S. individuals aged &lt;20 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through 2050, accounting for changing demography and diabetes incidence.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe used Markov modeling framework to generate yearly forecasts of the number of individuals in each of three states (diabetes, no diabetes, and death). We used 2001 prevalence and 2002 incidence of T1DM and T2DM from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study and U.S. Census Bureau population demographic projections. Two scenarios were considered for T1DM and T2DM incidence: 1) constant incidence over time; 2) for T1DM yearly percentage increases of 3.5, 2.2, 1.8, and 2.1% by age-groups 0–4 years, 5–9 years, 10–14 years, and 15–19 years, respectively, and for T2DM a yearly 2.3% increase across all ages.RESULTSUnder scenario 1, the projected number of youth with T1DM rises from 166,018 to 203,382 and with T2DM from 20,203 to 30,111, respectively, in 2010 and 2050. Under scenario 2, the number of youth with T1DM nearly triples from 179,388 in 2010 to 587,488 in 2050 (prevalence 2.13/1,000 and 5.20/1,000 [+144% increase]), with the greatest increase in youth of minority racial/ethnic groups. The number of youth with T2DM almost quadruples from 22,820 in 2010 to 84,131 in 2050; prevalence increases from 0.27/1,000 to 0.75/1,000 (+178% increase).CONCLUSIONSA linear increase in diabetes incidence could result in a substantial increase in the number of youth with T1DM and T2DM over the next 40 years, especially those of minority race/ethnicity.
Comparison of the diuretic effects of medetomidine hydrochloride and xylazine hydrochloride in healthy cats
Authors: Murahata Yusuke , Hikasa Yoshiaki 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Objective—To investigate dose-related diuretic effects of medetomidine hydrochloride and xylazine hydrochloride in healthy cats.
Animals—5 sexually intact cats (4 males and 1 female).
Procedures—The 5 cats received each of 11 treatments. Cats were treated by IM administration of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (control treatment), medetomidine hydrochloride (20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 μg/kg), and xylazine hydrochloride (0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 mg/kg). Urine and blood samples were collected 9 times during a 24-hour period. Variables measured were urine volume, pH, and specific gravity; plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentration; and creatinine and electrolyte concentrations as well as osmolality in both urine and plasma.
Results—Both medetomidine and xylazine increased urine production for up to 5 hours after injection. Xylazine had a dose-dependent diuretic effect, but medetomidine did not. Urine specific gravity and osmolality decreased in a dose-dependent manner for both drugs. Free-water clearance increased for up to 5 hours after injection, whereas glomerular filtration rate, osmolar clearance, plasma osmolality, and electrolyte concentrations did not change significantly. Area under the curve for AVP concentrations decreased in a dose-dependent manner for medetomidine but not for xylazine; however, this was not related to diuresis.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Both medetomidine and xylazine induced profound diuresis in cats by decreasing reabsorption of water in the kidneys. The diuretic effect of medetomidine, including the change in AVP concentration, differed from that of xylazine. Care must be used when administering these drugs to cats with urinary tract obstruction, hypovolemia, or dehydration.