bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the Relationship between Southern Ocean Overturning and ACC Transport
Authors: Morrison Adele K. , McC. Hogg Andrew 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
The eddy field in the Southern Ocean offsets the impact of strengthening winds on the meridional overturning circulation and Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) transport. There is widespread belief that the sensitivities of the overturning and ACC transport are dynamically linked, with limitation of the ACC transport response implying limitation of the overturning response. Here, an idealized numerical model is employed to investigate the response of the large-scale circulation in the Southern Ocean to wind stress perturbations at eddy-permitting to eddy-resolving scales. Significant differences are observed between the sensitivities and the resolution dependence of the overturning and ACC transport, indicating that they are controlled by distinct dynamical mechanisms. The modeled overturning is significantly more sensitive to change than the ACC transport, with the possible implication that the Southern Ocean overturning may increase in response to future wind stress changes without measurable changes in the ACC transport. It is hypothesized that the dynamical distinction between the zonal and meridional transport sensitivities is derived from the depth dependence of the extent of cancellation between the Ekman and eddy-induced transports.
Measurement of Cloud Perturbation Pressures Using an Instrumented Aircraft
Authors: Parish Thomas R. , Leon David 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Vertical accelerations during the early stages of convective cloud formation are often the result of buoyancy and the perturbation vertical pressure gradient forces. Convection modifies the local pressure field surrounding the cloud. Measurement of the cloud perturbation pressure field is challenging over distance scales on the order of the convective elements, since the signals are often small and the turbulent environment complicates the measurement of static pressure. A technique is described that enables detection of the horizontal pressure perturbations associated with evolving convective clouds using global positioning system measurements on an airborne platform. Differential kinematic processing of data from dual-frequency, carrier-phase-tracking GPS receivers on research aircraft with static base station receivers enables the three-dimensional aircraft position to be resolved within decimeters. Vertical positioning and precise measurement of static pressure allow horizontal pressure perturbations to be determined to an accuracy of roughly 10 Pa. Errors in the static pressure measurement, rather than the GPS-derived altitude, are the largest source of error. A field experiment was conducted in May–June 2008 to demonstrate measurement of perturbations in the horizontal pressure field associated with summertime cumulus congestus clouds over the high plains. Observations of growing convective clouds show negative pressure perturbations on the order of 100 Pa near cloud base linked to updraft regions. Growing cumulus show a high degree of variability between subsequent passes that demonstrate that the horizontal pressure fields evolve rapidly along with attendant vertical circulations and cloud microphysical characteristics.
In vivo roles of factor XII
Authors: Renné Thomas , Schmaier Alvin H. , Nickel Katrin F. , Blombäck Margareta , Maas Coen 
Published: September 2012

AbstractCoagulation factor XII (FXII, Hageman factor, EC = 3.4.21.38) is the zymogen of the serine protease, factor XIIa (FXIIa). FXII is converted to FXIIa through autoactivation induced by “contact” to charged surfaces. FXIIa is of crucial importance for fibrin formation in vitro, but deficiency in the protease is not associated with excessive bleeding. For decades, FXII was considered to have no function for coagulation in vivo. Our laboratory developed the first murine knockout model of FXII. Consistent with their human counterparts, FXII−/− mice have a normal hemostatic capacity. However, thrombus formation in FXII−/− mice is largely defective, and the animals are protected from experimental cerebral ischemia and pulmonary embolism. This murine model has created new interest in FXII because it raises the possibility for safe anticoagulation, which targets thrombosis without influence on hemostasis. We recently have identified platelet polyphosphate (an inorganic polymer) and mast cell heparin as in vivo FXII activators with implications on the initiation of thrombosis and edema during hypersensitivity reactions. Independent of its protease activity, FXII exerts mitogenic activity with implications for angiogenesis. The goal of this review is to summarize the in vivo functions of FXII, with special focus to its functions in thrombosis and vascular biology.
High abundance of Serine/Threonine-rich regions predicted to be hyper-O-glycosylated in the secretory proteins coded by eight fungal genomes
Authors: González Mario , Brito Nélida , González Celedonio 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background

O-glycosylation of secretory proteins has been found to be an important factor in fungal biology and virulence. It consists in the addition of short glycosidic chains to Ser or Thr residues in the protein backbone via O-glycosidic bonds. Secretory proteins in fungi frequently display Ser/Thr rich regions that could be sites of extensive O-glycosylation. We have analyzed in silico the complete sets of putatively secretory proteins coded by eight fungal genomes (Botrytis cinerea, Magnaporthe grisea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Ustilago maydis, Aspergillus nidulans, Neurospora crassa, Trichoderma reesei, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in search of Ser/Thr-rich regions as well as regions predicted to be highly O-glycosylated by NetOGlyc (http://www.cbs.dtu.dk).

Results
By comparison with experimental data, NetOGlyc was found to overestimate the number of O- glycosylation sites in fungi by a factor of 1.5, but to be quite reliable in the prediction of highly O- glycosylated regions. About half of secretory proteins have at least one Ser/Thr-rich region, with a Ser/Thr content of at least 40% over an average length of 40 amino acids. Most secretory proteins in filamentous fungi were predicted to be O-glycosylated, sometimes in dozens or even hundreds of sites. Residues predicted to be O-glycosylated have a tendency to be grouped together forming hyper-O-glycosylated regions of varying length.

Conclusions
About one fourth of secretory fungal proteins were predicted to have at least one hyper-O-glycosylated region, which consists of 45 amino acids on average and displays at least one O- glycosylated Ser or Thr every four residues. These putative highly O-glycosylated regions can be found anywhere along the proteins but have a slight tendency to be at either one of the two ends.
Cardiovascular determinants of prognosis in normotensive hemodialysis patients
Authors: Yu Wen-Chung , Lin Yao-Ping , Chuang Shao-Yuan , Lin I-Feng , Chenb Chen-Huan 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Normotension has been hold to be the goal of hemodialysis. It remains obscure which cardiovascular parameter determines the prognosis in these normotensive hemodialysis patients.

Methods
We prospectively enrolled 145 hemodialysis patients, who had attained normotension without anti-hypertensive medications, and followed them for 72.6 ± 28.5 months. Important cardiovascular parameters were obtained at enrollment. Predictors for all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities were identified with the Cox model.

Results
There were 45 (18 cardiovascular/27 non-cardiovascular) deaths occurred during follow-up. Age, diabetes, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) were significant predictors for all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities. After adjustment for age and diabetes, only LVEF was significantly associated with all-cause mortality. LVEF was significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality. LVEF remained as a significant independent predictor of cardiovascular death after adjusting for age, diabetes, LVMI, CIMT, or PWV, respectively.

Conclusion
LVEF is the independent predictor for all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities in the normotensive hemodialysis patients.
A comparison of Direct sequencing, Pyrosequencing, High resolution melting analysis, TheraScreen DxS, and the K-ras StripAssay for detecting KRAS mutations in non small cell lung carcinomas
Authors: Jancik Sylwia , Drabek Jiri , Berkovcova Jitka , Xu Yong Zhong , Stankova Marcela , Klein Jiri , Kolek Vitezslav , Skarda Josef , Tichy Tomas , Grygarkova Ivona , Radzioch Danuta , Hajduch Marian 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
It is mandatory to confirm the absence of mutations in the KRAS gene before treating metastatic colorectal cancers with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, and similar regulations are being considered for non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) and other tumor types. Routine diagnosis of KRAS mutations in NSCLC is challenging because of compromised quantity and quality of biological material. Although there are several methods available for detecting mutations in KRAS, there is little comparative data regarding their analytical performance, economic merits, and workflow parameters.

Methods
We compared the specificity, sensitivity, cost, and working time of five methods using 131 frozen NSCLC tissue samples. We extracted genomic DNA from the samples and compared the performance of Sanger cycle sequencing, Pyrosequencing, High-resolution melting analysis (HRM), and the Conformité Européenne (CE)-marked TheraScreen DxS and K-ras StripAssay kits.

Results and conclusions
Our results demonstrate that TheraScreen DxS and the StripAssay, in that order, were most effective at diagnosing mutations in KRAS. However, there were still unsatisfactory disagreements between them for 6.1% of all samples tested. Despite this, our findings are likely to assist molecular biologists in making rational decisions when selecting a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective method for detecting KRAS mutations in heterogeneous clinical tumor samples.
Acute adrenal failure as the presenting feature of primary antiphospholipid syndrome in a child
Authors: Improda Nicola , Alessio Maria , Capalbo Donatella , Russo Giustina , D’Acunzo Ida , Palamaro Loredana , Pignata Claudio , Salerno Mariacarolina 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Introduction
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by recurrent arterial and venous thrombosis and detection of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). This syndrome may be associated with connective tissue disorders, or with malignancies, but it may also appear in isolated form (primary APS). We report on a pediatric patient presenting with acute adrenal failure as the first manifestation of primary APS.

Case report
A previously healthy 11-year-old boy developed fever, abdominal pain, and vomiting. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed nodular lesions in the adrenal glands. He was referred to our Department and a diagnosis of APS and acute adrenal failure was considered, based on positive aPLs (IgG and IgM), elevated ACTH levels and low cortisol levels. Other features were anemia, thrombocytopenia, elevated inflammatory parameters, hypergammaglobulinemia, prolonged partial thromboplastin time, positive antinuclear, anticardiolipin, anti-platelet antibodies, with negative double-stranded DNA antibodies. Lupus anticoagulant and Coomb’s tests were positive. MRI revealed a bilateral adrenal hemorrhage. A treatment with intravenous metylprednisolone, followed by oral prednisone and anticoagulant, was started, resulting in a progressive improvement. After 2 months he also showed hyponatremia and elevated renine levels, indicating a mineralcocorticoid deficiency, requiring fludrocortisones therapy.

Conclusion
The development of acute adrenal failure from bilateral adrenal haemorrhage in the context of APS is a rare but life-threatening event that should be promptly recognized and treated. Moreover, this case emphasizes the importance of the assessment of aPLs in patients with acute adrenal failure in the context of an autoreaction.
Nuclear hormone receptors in podocytes
Authors: Khurana Simran , Bruggeman Leslie A , Kao Hung-Ying 
Published: September 2012

AbstractNuclear receptors are a family of ligand-activated, DNA sequence-specific transcription factors that regulate various aspects of animal development, cell proliferation, differentiation, and homeostasis. The physiological roles of nuclear receptors and their ligands have been intensively studied in cancer and metabolic syndrome. However, their role in kidney diseases is still evolving, despite their ligands being used clinically to treat renal diseases for decades. This review will discuss the progress of our understanding of the role of nuclear receptors and their ligands in kidney physiology with emphasis on their roles in treating glomerular disorders and podocyte injury repair responses.
Initial experience with the Codman Certas adjustable valve in the management of patients with hydrocephalus
Authors: Watt Sara , Agerlin Niels , Romner Bertil 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
A new adjustable valve, the Codman CertasTM valve for treatment of hydrocephalus was introduced into clinical practice in January 2011. It has 8 different settings with an opening pressure varying from 36 to over 400 mm H2O at a flow rate of 20 mL/h. The 8th setting is designed to provide a "virtual off" function. The objective of this report is to describe the initial clinical experience with the CertasTM valve and evaluate clinical usage with the main focus on the portable adjustment device - Therapeutic Management System (TMS), the “virtual off” setting and compatibility with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Findings
Forty-two patients with hydrocephalus from different etiologies were treated with the CertasTM adjustable shunt system. Data regarding implantation procedures, the use of the TMS system, x-ray imaging, and MRI procedures were recorded prospectively. All patients had clinical follow-up at four weeks after implantation and every three months until a stable clinical condition was obtained.
The mean time for follow-up was 8.6 months (1–16.6). Seventy-one adjustments were performed with the TMS, 12 were problematic. Twenty-nine MRI procedures were performed and did not cause accidental resetting. Five patients were treated with the "virtual off" function for a period.

Conclusions
We found the CertasTM valve valuable in the treatment of hydrocephalus, usability of the TMS was high because it is small and portable, but in some cases we experienced adjustment problems with the first procedures performed by a surgeon, indicating that there is a learning curve. The "virtual off" function provided a possibility of treating over-drainage without the need for shunt ligation or other invasive procedures.
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor is a key mediator in experimental osteoarthritis pain and disease development
Authors: Cook Andrew D , Pobjoy Jarrad , Steidl Stefan , Dürr Manuela , Braine Emma L , Turner Amanda L , Lacey Derek C , Hamilton John A 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Introduction

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been shown to be important in the development of inflammatory models of rheumatoid arthritis and there is encouraging data that its blockade may have clinical relevance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The aims of the current study were to determine whether GM-CSF may also be important for disease and pain development in a model of osteoarthritis.

Methods

The role of GM-CSF was investigated using the collagenase-induced instability model of osteoarthritis. We studied both GM-CSF-/- mice and wild-type (C57BL/6) mice treated prophylactically or therapeutically with a monoclonal antibody to GM-CSF. Disease development (both early and late) was evaluated by histology and knee pain development was measured by assessment of weight distribution.

Results

In the absence of GM-CSF, there was less synovitis and matrix metalloproteinase-mediated neoepitope expression at week 2 post disease induction, and less cartilage damage at week 6. GM-CSF was absolutely required for pain development. Therapeutic neutralization of GM-CSF not only abolished the pain within 3 days but also led to significantly reduced cartilage damage.

Conclusions

GM-CSF is key to the development of experimental osteoarthritis and its associated pain. Importantly, GM-CSF neutralization by a therapeutic monoclonal antibody-based protocol rapidly and completely abolished existing arthritic pain and suppressed the degree of arthritis development. Our results suggest that it would be worth exploring the importance of GM-CSF for pain and disease in other osteoarthritis models and perhaps clinically for this form of arthritis.
Prenatal, Perinatal, Early Life, and Sociodemographic Factors Underlying Racial Differences in the Likelihood of High Body Mass Index in Early Childhood
Authors: Weden Margaret M , Brownell Peter , Rendall Michael S. 
Published: September 2012

Objectives. We investigated early childhood disparities in high body mass index (BMI) between Black and White US children. Methods. We compared differences in Black and White children’s prevalence of sociodemographic, prenatal, perinatal, and early life risk and protective factors; fit logistic regression models predicting high BMI (≥ 95th percentile) at age 4 to 5 years to 2 nationally representative samples followed from birth; and performed separate and pooled-survey estimations of these models. Results. After adjustment for sample design–related variables, models predicting high BMI in the 2 samples were statistically indistinguishable. In the pooled-survey models, Black children's odds of high BMI were 59% higher than White children's (odds ratio [OR] = 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI]= 1.32, 1.92). Sociodemographic predictors reduced the racial disparity to 46% (OR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.17, 1.81). Prenatal, perinatal, and early life predictors reduced the disparity to nonsignificance (OR = 1.18; 95% CI = 0.93, 1.49). Maternal prepregnancy obesity and short-duration or no breastfeeding were among predictors for which racial differences in children’s exposures most disadvantaged Black children. Conclusions. Racial disparities in early childhood high BMI were largely explained by potentially modifiable risk and protective factors.
Ethical Concerns in Tobacco Control Nonsmoker and “Nonnicotine” Hiring Policies: The Implications of Employment Restrictions for Tobacco Control
Authors: Voigt Kristin 
Published: September 2012

Smoking has been restricted in workplaces for some time. A number of organizations with health promotion or tobacco control goals have taken the further step of implementing employment restrictions. These restrictions apply to smokers and, in some cases, to anyone testing positive on cotinine tests, which also capture users of nicotine-replacement therapy and those exposed to secondhand smoke. Such policies are defended as closely related to broader antismoking goals: first, only nonsmokers can be role models and advocates for tobacco control; second, nonsmoker and “nonnicotine” hiring policies help denormalize tobacco use, thus advancing a central aspect of tobacco control. However, these arguments are problematic: not only can hiring restrictions come into conflict with broader antismoking goals, but they also raise significant problems of their own.
Type A Behavior Pattern and Coronary Heart Disease: Philip Morris’s “Crown Jewel”
Authors: Petticrew Mark P. , Lee Kelley , McKee Martin 
Published: September 2012

The type A behavior pattern (TABP) was described in the 1950s by cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman, who argued that TABP was an important risk factor for coronary heart disease. This theory was supported by positive findings from the Western Collaborative Group Study and the Framingham Study.We analyzed tobacco industry documents to show that the tobacco industry was a major funder of TABP research, with selected results used to counter concerns regarding tobacco and health. Our findings also help explain inconsistencies in the findings of epidemiological studies of TABP, in particular the phenomenon of initially promising results followed by negative findings.Our analysis suggests that these “decline effects” are partly explained by tobacco industry involvement in TABP research.
Integration of Primary Health Care and Public Health During a Public Health Emergency
Authors: Wynn Aaron , Moore Kieran M. 
Published: September 2012

We have provided a detailed evaluation of how collaboration between an Ontario public health unit and its primary care providers facilitated an optimal response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Family health teams (integrated, interdisciplinary teams that provide a range of care options) provided flu assessment centers, with public health as a partner providing infection control advice, funding, coordination, antiviral medication, clinical care guidelines, supplemental nurse staffing, and arrangement of communication strategies with the public. The family health team structure offers a new capacity for timely, coordinated, and comprehensive response to public health emergencies, in partnership with public health, and provides a promising new direction for healthcare organization.
Les contributions de la pédagogie comportementale à l’éducation spécialisée
Authors: Forget Jacques 
Published: September 2012

La pédagogie comportementale est apparue au début du 20e siècle avec les travaux d’Edward Lee Thorndike, Frederick Lister Burk et Sidney Pressey. Il faudra cependant attendre l’ouvrage de B.F. Skinner, The technology of teaching, publié en 1968, pour que cette conception de l’enseignement trouve une place appréciable parmi les modèles pédagogiques disponibles dans les écoles. Combiné à l’émergence de nombreuses techniques d’analyse de tâche, d’orientation comportementale ou cognitive, l’enseignement programmé et ses variantes se sont développés de manière importante au cours des années 60 et 70. La technologie de l’instruction est alors devenue un domaine de recherche et une orientation pédagogique légitimes. Dix ans plus tard, l’arrivée d’une conception cognitive « globaliste » de l’apprentissage a rapidement dominé la pensée didactique. Quinze ans plus tard, cette orientation s’est transformée en didactique socioconstructivisme, la version pédagogique du postmodernisme qui se situe aux antipodes de la tradition empirique et du doute rationaliste en attribuant, dans sa version radicale, comme celle de von Glasersfeld (2009), la même valeur épistémologique à toutes les formes de connaissances, qu’elles soient scientifiques, intuitives ou mythiques. L’approche soutient aussi que toutes les compétences d’un enfant, qu’elles soient disciplinaires ou transversales, ne peuvent provenir que de sa propre construction subjective. Mais au-delà de ces transformations, l’enseignement programmé a masqué l’apport de nombreux travaux de recherche qui furent développés dans le contexte de l’éducation spécialisée et de projets d’intégration scolaire et qui donnèrent lieu au développement de modèles et de méthodes d’enseignement s’appuyant sur la psychologie comportementale. Le présent article vise à faire un survol de ces principaux modèles. À la fin de ce panorama, quelques expériences réalisées au Canada français au cours des 50 dernières années sont brièvement présentées.