bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dewetting and transport property enhancement: antimonide crystals for high performance electronic devices
Authors: Ebnalwaled A. A. , Duffar T. , Sylla L. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe dewetting technique has been applied to the growth of InSb and GaSb polycrystals. After optimization of the set up and growth parameters, four samples, 88 mm in length and 11 mm in diameter, have been obtained. Their electrical properties were investigated in relation to the type of solidification (attached, dewetted and so on). In spite of the polycrystalline structure of these samples, room temperature Hall mobilities obtained for dewetted antimonide samples have shown the highest values obtained till now. These results indicate that dewetting can be used to produce InSb and GaSb with high mobility for device applications.
Interdisciplinary intervention decreases cognitive impairment for older Taiwanese with hip fracture: 2‐year follow‐up
Authors: Shyu Yea‐Ing L. , Tseng Ming‐Yueh , Liang Jersey , Tsai Wen‐Che , Wu Chi‐Chuan , Cheng Huey‐Shinn 
Published: March 2013

ObjectivesFew studies describe the trajectories of cognitive function for hip‐fracture patients following hospital discharge and the treatment effects of interdisciplinary intervention on cognitive outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the 2‐year postoperative trajectory for cognitive function of older hip‐fracture patients and cognitive effects of an interdisciplinary intervention.MethodsOf 160 subjects randomly assigned to groups, 29 (35.8%) in the control group (n = 81) and 30 (38.0%) in the intervention group (n = 79) were cognitively impaired at admission. The intervention group received geriatric consultation, continuous rehabilitation, and discharge planning. Subjects' cognitive function was measured using the mini mental state examination Taiwan version at admission, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after discharge and analyzed using hierarchical generalized linear models.ResultsPatients who received the intervention program had 75% less likelihood of being cognitively impaired 6 months following discharge than those who received routine care (odds ratio = 0.25, p < 0.001). The difference between the control and intervention groups was small at admission, peaked at 18 months, and decreased from 18 to 24 months following discharge.ConclusionsOur interdisciplinary intervention improved the long‐term postoperative cognitive functioning of older persons with hip fracture in Taiwan. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for a genetic link between bone and vascular measures in African ancestry families
Authors: Kuipers Allison L , Miljkovic Iva , Kammerer Candace M , Evans Rhobert W , Bunker Clareann H , Patrick Alan L , Wheeler Victor W , Sutton-Tyrrell Kim , Zmuda Joseph M 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Bone mineral density (BMD) has been inversely associated with subclinical and clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) in population studies, but the potential mechanisms underlying this relationship are unclear. To test if there is a genetic basis underlying this association, we determined the phenotypic and genetic correlations between BMD and carotid artery ultrasound measures in families. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography were used to measure BMD in 461 individuals with African ancestry belonging to seven large, multigenerational families (mean family size 66; 3414 total relative pairs). Carotid artery ultrasound was used to measure adventitial diameter (AD) and intima-media thickness (IMT). Phenotypic and genetic correlations between BMD and carotid measures were determined using pedigree-based maximum likelihood methods. We adjusted for potential confounding factors, including age, sex, body weight, height, menopausal status, smoking, alcohol intake, walking for exercise, diabetes, hypertension, serum lipid and lipoprotein levels, inflammation markers, and kidney function. We found statistically significant phenotypic (ρ = −0.19) and genetic (ρG = −0.70) correlations (p &lt; 0.05 for both) between lumbar spine BMD and AD in fully adjusted models. There was also a significant genetic correlation between trabecular BMD at the radius and IMT in fully adjusted models (ρG = −0.398; p &lt; 0.05). Our findings indicate that the previously observed association between osteoporosis and CVD in population-based studies may be partly mediated by genetic factors and that the pleiotropic effects of these genes may operate independently of traditional risk pathways.
Effects of iron deficiency anemia and its treatment on fibroblast growth factor 23 and phosphate homeostasis in women
Authors: Wolf Myles , Koch Todd A , Bregman David B 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is an osteocyte-derived hormone that regulates phosphate and vitamin D homeostasis. Through unknown mechanisms, certain intravenous iron preparations induce acute, reversible increases in circulating FGF23 levels that lower serum phosphate in association with inappropriately low levels of calcitriol, similar to genetic diseases of primary FGF23 excess. In contrast, studies in wild-type mice suggest that iron deficiency stimulates fgf23 transcription but does not result in hypophosphatemia because FGF23 is cleaved within osteocytes by an unknown catabolic system. We tested the association of iron deficiency anemia with C-terminal FGF23 (cFGF23) and intact FGF23 (iFGF23) levels in 55 women with a history of heavy uterine bleeding, and assessed the longitudinal biochemical response over 35 days to equivalent doses of randomly-assigned, intravenous elemental iron in the form of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) or iron dextran. Iron deficiency was associated with markedly elevated cFGF23 (807.8 ± 123.9 relative units [RU]/mL) but normal iFGF23 (28.5 ± 1.1 pg/mL) levels at baseline. Within 24 hours of iron administration, cFGF23 levels fell by approximately 80% in both groups. In contrast, iFGF23 transiently increased in the FCM group alone, and was followed by a transient, asymptomatic reduction in serum phosphate &lt;2.0 mg/dL in 10 women in the FCM group compared to none in the iron dextran group. Reduced serum phosphate was accompanied by increased urinary fractional excretion of phosphate, decreased calcitriol levels, and increased parathyroid hormone levels. These findings suggest that iron deficiency increases cFGF23 levels, and that certain iron preparations temporarily increase iFGF23 levels. We propose that intravenous iron lowers cFGF23 in humans by reducing fgf23 transcription as it does in mice, whereas carbohydrate moieties in certain iron preparations may simultaneously inhibit FGF23 degradation in osteocytes leading to transient increases in iFGF23 and reduced serum phosphate.
Tracking circadian rhythms of bone mineral deposition in murine calvarial organ cultures
Authors: McElderry John-David P , Zhao Guisheng , Khmaladze Alexander , Wilson Christopher G , Franceschi Renny T , Morris Michael D 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

Osteoblasts, which orchestrate the deposition of small apatite crystals through the expression of nucleating proteins, have been shown to also express clock genes associated with the circadian signaling pathway. We hypothesized that protein-mediated bone mineralization may be linked to circadian oscillator mechanisms functioning in peripheral bone tissue. In this study, Per1 expression in ex vivo neonatal murine calvaria organ cultures was monitored for 6 days using a Per1-luciferase transgene as a bioluminescent indicator of clock function. Fluctuations in Per1 expression had a period of 25 ± 4 hours (n = 14) with early expression at CT09:59 ± 03:37 (CT = circadian time). We also established the kinetics of mineral deposition in developing bone by using noninvasive Raman microscopy to track mineral accumulation in calvarial tissue. The content and quality of newly deposited mineral was continually examined at the interparietal bone/fontanel boundary for a period of 6 days with 1-hour temporal resolution. Using this approach, mineralization over time exhibited bursts of mineral deposition followed by little or no deposition, which was recurrent with a periodicity of 26.8 ± 9.6 hours. As many as six near-daily mineralization events were observed in the calvaria before deposition ceased. Earliest mineralization events occurred at CT16:51 ± 03:45, which is 6 hours behind Per1 expression. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that mineralization in developing bone tissue is regulated by a local circadian oscillator mechanism.
An analysis of the association between the vitamin D pathway and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in a healthy Chinese population
Authors: Zhang Zeng , He Jin-Wei , Fu Wen-Zhen , Zhang Chang-Qing , Zhang Zhen-Lin 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

Vitamin D deficiency has been recognized as a major public health issue worldwide. Recent studies have indicated that genetic factors might play an important role in determining serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in Caucasians and African Americans. However, the genes that contribute to the variation in serum 25(OH)D levels in Chinese are unknown. In this study, we screened 15 key genes within the vitamin D metabolic pathway using 96 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in a group of 2897 unrelated healthy Chinese subjects. Significant confounding factors that may influence the variability in serum 25(OH)D levels were used as covariates for association analyses. An association test for quantitative traits was performed to evaluate the association between candidate genes and serum 25(OH)D levels. In the present study, variants and/or haplotypes in GC, CYP2R1, and DHCR7/NADSYN1 were identified as being associated with 25(OH)D levels. Participants with three or four risk alleles of the two variants (GC-rs4588 and CYP2R1-rs10766197) had an increased chance of presenting with a 25(OH)D concentration lower than 20 ng/mL (odds ratio 2.121, 95% confidence interval 1.586–2.836, p = 6.1 × 10−8) compared with those lacking the risk alleles. Each additional copy of a risk allele was significantly associated with a 0.12-fold decrease in the log-25(OH)D concentration (p = 3.7 × 10−12). Haplotype TGA of GC rs705117-rs2282679-rs1491710, haplotype GAGTAC of GC rs842999-rs705120-rs222040-rs4588-rs7041-rs10488854, haplotype CA of GC rs1155563-rs222029, and haplotype AAGA of CYP2R1 rs7936142-rs12794714-rs2060793-rs16930609 were genetic risk factors toward a lower 25(OH)D concentration. In contrast, haplotype TGGGCCC of DHCR7/NADSYN1 rs1790349-rs7122671-rs1790329-rs11606033-rs2276360-rs1629220-rs2282618 were genetic protective factors. The results suggest that the GC, CYP2R1, and DHCR7/NADSYN1 genes might contribute to variability in the serum 25(OH)D levels in a healthy Chinese population in Shanghai. These markers could be used as tools in Mendelian randomization analyses of vitamin D, and they could potentially be drug targets in the Chinese population in Shanghai.
Interannual variability of surface air‐temperature over India: impact of ENSO and Indian Ocean Sea surface temperature
Authors: Chowdary J. S. , John Nisha , Gnanaseelan C. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTInterannual variability of the seasonal surface air‐temperature over the Indian subcontinent is investigated using observations for the period of 1900–2005. Our results demonstrate that air‐temperature over India is remotely influenced by the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation and locally through Indian Ocean sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies. The leading mode of variability (EOF‐1, empirical orthogonal function) in the observed air‐temperature displays a country‐wide warming in all four seasons. The spatial pattern of EOF‐1 is similar to that of composite air‐temperature anomalies of warm/cold years. Above‐normal air‐temperature in India (country‐wide warming) is positively correlated to a simultaneous El Niño conditions in the eastern Pacific during boreal summer. El Niño induced strong subsidence, weaker low‐level winds, less moisture availability and enhanced incoming shortwave radiation over the north Indian Ocean and Indian subcontinent are responsible for air‐temperature warming in summer. It is observed that during fall, air‐temperature pattern of EOF‐1 over India is highly correlated with SST over the tropical oceans. SST correlation is maximum in central Pacific and north Indian Ocean, indicating the importance of both remote and local forcing. During boreal spring and winter, air‐temperature warming (EOF‐1) is mainly influenced by Indian Ocean SST anomalies. Low moisture and negative sea level pressure anomalies over India indicate the existence of heat low with strong dry winds convergence, which are favourable for air‐temperature warming in spring. Although El Niño peaks during winter, its impact on the air‐temperature over the Indian subcontinent is weak during this season. The second EOF mode shows dipole‐like air‐temperature pattern with warming over the south‐east and cooling in the north‐western India during summer and winter, whereas spring shows opposite polarity. In case of boreal fall, EOF‐2 of air‐temperature displays a south‐west and north‐east orientation. Mechanisms responsible for these variabilities are studied in detail.
High‐transmittance in‐plane switching liquid crystal display device driven by three‐level voltages
Authors: Song Dong Han , Kim Ki‐Han , Yoon Tae‐Hoon 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWe propose a single‐layered electrode structure using three voltage levels instead of two to achieve high transmittance in an in‐plane switching liquid crystal display device. The proposed structure consists of two pixel electrodes and one common electrode. By using three voltage levels, we can generate an in‐plane electric field higher than that in a conventional in‐plane switching device. We confirmed that by using the proposed structure, the transmittance of a liquid crystal device can be increased from 29% to 35% at a slightly lower operating voltage without using the double‐layered electrode structure required for the fringe‐field switching mode. The transmittance of the proposed device is higher than that of the fringe‐field switching device.
EmbRS a new two‐component system that inhibits biofilm formation and saves Rubrivivax gelatinosus from sinking
Authors: Steunou Anne Soisig , Liotenberg Sylviane , Soler Marie‐Noêlle , Briandet Romain , Barbe Valérie , Astier Chantal , Ouchane Soufian 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPhotosynthetic bacteria can switch from planktonic lifestyle to phototrophic biofilm in mats in response to environmental changes. The mechanisms of phototrophic biofilm formation are, however, not characterized. Herein, we report a two‐component system EmbRS that controls the biofilm formation in a photosynthetic member of the Burkholderiales order, the purple bacterium Rubrivivax gelatinosus. EmbRS inactivation results in cells that form conspicuous bacterial veils and fast‐sinking aggregates in liquid. Biofilm analyses indicated that EmbRS represses the production of an extracellular matrix and biofilm formation. Mapping of transposon mutants that partially or completely restore the wild‐type (WT) phenotype allowed the identification of two gene clusters involved in polysaccharide synthesis, one fully conserved only in Thauera sp., a floc‐forming wastewater bacterium. A second two‐component system BmfRS and a putative diguanylate cyclase BdcA were also identified in this screen suggesting their involvement in biofilm formation in this bacterium. The role of polysaccharides in sinking of microorganisms and organic matter, as well as the importance and the evolution of such regulatory system in phototrophic microorganisms are discussed.
Predictors of maternal child‐feeding practices in an ethnically diverse sample and the relationship to child obesity
Authors: Cachelin Fary M. , Thompson Doug 
Published: March 2013

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between maternal child‐feeding practices and child adiposity in an ethnically diverse sample by examining three categories of relationships: 1) mothers' weight status; 2) mothers' investment in eating‐related issues; and 3) mothers' concerns about child's weight. It was predicted that these variables would be related to mothers' use of restriction, monitoring, and pressure in child feeding, influencing child adiposity.Design and MethodsA total of 563 mothers (306 Hispanic, 76 Asian, 36 Black, and 145 White) with children aged 2‐11 years completed the Child Feeding Questionnaire and Eating Attitudes Test. Analyses used structural equation modeling.ResultsEthnic differences in the resulting models emerged. Mothers' weight status negatively predicted maternal control over child's eating; heavier mothers reported less control over child's eating. Greater concern about child's weight was associated with more maternal control of child's eating for all groups. Maternal control over child's eating was predictive of child's body mass index only in the White group.ConclusionsAlthough maternal investment in eating‐related issues did predict maternal control over child's eating for White mothers, this relationship did not exist for Hispanics. Different maternal factors influence mothers' control over their child's eating in Hispanic and White groups. In ethnic minorities, maternal control over child's eating may not influence child adiposity.
A certificateless anonymous authenticated announcement scheme in vehicular ad hoc networks
Authors: Malip Amizah , Ng Siaw‐Lynn , Li Qin 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTVehicular ad hoc networks provide a safer driving environment by allowing vehicles to broadcast safety related messages and inform neighbouring vehicles regarding traffic and road conditions. Safety can only be achieved if transmission of messages is reliable. However, verification of reliability may violate privacy. On the other hand, it is desirable that malicious or defective vehicles can be identified and revoked. In this paper, we propose a new protocol by using certificateless signature and reputation system to achieve the sometimes contradictory requirements of a reliable, private and accountable vehicular ad hoc network message announcement scheme. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bilateral Neck Exploration Decreases Operative Time Compared to Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy in Patients with Discordant Imaging
Authors: Nehs Matthew A. , Ruan Daniel T. , Gawande Atul A. , Moore Francis D. , Cho Nancy L. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundUnilateral parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has a high success rate in patients with concordant imaging by sestamibi and ultrasound. However, the optimal procedure when imaging is discordant remains controversial; therefore we compared unilateral exploration with intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring to bilateral neck exploration without IOPTH monitoring in patients with discordant localization studies.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of 324 consecutive patients with PHPT treated at our institution from October 2005 to September 2009. We collected information regarding imaging, localization site, procedure performed, operative time, and calcium/PTH measurements.ResultsOf the 324 patients in the study, 79 (24 %) had discordant imaging by sestamibi and ultrasound. Of these, 62 patients (78 %) underwent bilateral neck exploration without IOPTH monitoring, and 14 patients (18 %) had unilateral exploration with IOPTH monitoring. IOPTH monitoring during unilateral exploration correctly predicted removal of single adenomas in 10/14 patients (71 %) and altered operative management in 4/14 cases (29 %), resulting in conversion to bilateral neck exploration. Operative time for unilateral exploration with IOPTH [median time: 96 min (range: 51–153 min)] was significantly increased relative to bilateral exploration [median time: 52 min (range: 28–149 min)]; p = 0.0027. We identified single‐gland disease in 53/76 patients (70 %), double adenomas in 13/76 patients (17 %), and multiglandular hyperplasia in 10/76 patients (13 %). There was no difference in cure rate between these two surgical approaches (p = 1.0)ConclusionsIn contrast with prior studies, we found that operative time for unilateral exploration with IOPTH was significantly increased compared to bilateral neck exploration. In patients with discordant imaging, IOPTH is a useful adjunct in limiting exploration to a single side despite a high false negative rate.
The molecular mechanism of hypertrophic scar
Authors: Zhu Zhensen , Ding Jie , Shankowsky Heather A. , Tredget Edward E. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractHypertrophic scar (HTS) is a dermal form of fibroproliferative disorder which often develops after thermal or traumatic injury to the deep regions of the skin and is characterized by excessive deposition and alterations in morphology of collagen and other extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. HTS are cosmetically disfiguring and can cause functional problems that often recur despite surgical attempts to remove or improve the scars. In this review, the roles of various fibrotic and anti‐fibrotic molecules are discussed in order to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the pathogenesis of HTS. These molecules include growth factors, cytokines, ECM molecules, and proteolytic enzymes. By exploring the mechanisms of this form of dermal fibrosis, we seek to provide some insight into this form of dermal fibrosis that may allow clinicians to improve treatment and prevention in the future.
Concomitant abnormalities in Brugada syndrome
Authors: Furushima Hiroshi , Chinushi Masaomi , Aizawa Yoshifusa , Minamino Tohru 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBrugada syndrome (BS) is characterized by ST‐segment elevation in the right precordial leads and is associated with sudden cardiac death secondary to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF) in the absence of structural heart disease. Vasospastic angina (VSA) and neurally mediated syncope (NMS) are observed occasionally in BS patients, although their associations with BS remain controversial. The incidence of concomitant VSA and BS is 11–13%, and there might be an increased risk of VF when BS and VSA coexist, as reported in several previous studies. Whether the manifestation or augmentation of a coved‐type electrocardiography (ECG) pattern is associated with coronary artery vasospasm is unclear. The significance of increased coved‐type ST‐segment elevation and its relation to arrhythmogenesis in BS is an important issue that needs to be resolved in future studies of concomitant BS and VSA. The coexistence of BS and VSA should always be taken into account in the management of both conditions, particularly when calcium antagonists are used. Previous reports suggest a high incidence of NMS in BS patients, and it is often difficult to differentiate between NMS and high‐risk syncopal episodes due to ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Therefore, the identification of a therapeutic strategy to treat syncope in BS patients is often problematic. The autonomic nervous system is involved in arrhythmogenesis and may precipitate cardiac events in BS patients. To investigate BS, it may be useful to consider VSA and NMS as concomitant abnormalities. Future studies are needed to understand the relationship between BS and the autonomic nervous system.