bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mesostructural analysis of S-C fabrics in a shallow shear zone of the Umbria–Marche Apennines (Central Italy)
Authors: Lena G. , Barchi M. R. , Alvarez W. , Felici F. , Minelli G. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Several examples of foliated fault zones characterized by penetrative S-C fabric are exposed in the Umbria–Marche region, often associated with major thrusts. These tectonites, dominated by pressure-solution processes, are developed at shallow depths (<3 km) in sedimentary rocks. In this paper, we perform a detailed structural analysis of the Scheggia Thrust Zone (STZ), a significant example of S-C tectonite spectacularly exposed in the Umbria–Marche Apennines. We reconstruct both the architecture and internal structure of the shear zone, focusing on the factors controlling the genesis and development of the tectonic pattern such as: (a) anisotropy; (b) lithological contrast; and (c) distance from the fault core. The STZ shows an intensely cleaved fault core (S-C fabric) and a thick and asymmetric damage zone developed in the footwall rocks. By analysing the spacing of the S-surfaces, we observe that the magnitude of deformation decreases with distance from the fault core. However, far from the fault core the magnitude of deformation is strongly controlled by the lithology of the protolith: almost undeformed calcareous beds alternate with intensely sheared intervals, localized along weak, marly horizons, also characterized by flattened S-planes. Based on these data we have divided the STZ into three subzones where the deformation is mainly driven by: (1) distance from the fault core; and (2) the lithology of the protolith. Marly horizons into these subzones, with respect to the calcareous horizon, show that: (i) S-planes are more closely spaced; and (ii) the angle between C- and S-planes is smaller. Our study confirms that the rhythmic alternation of calcareous and marly rocks can favour the development of foliated fault zones, also producing an increase in pressure-solution cleavage at shallow crustal conditions.
Interactions between Ultraviolet Light and MC1R and OCA2 Variants Are Determinants of Childhood Nevus and Freckle Phenotypes
Authors: Barón Anna E. , Asdigian Nancy L. , Gonzalez Victoria , Aalborg Jenny , Terzian Tamara , Stiegmann Regan A. , Torchia Enrique C. , Berwick Marianne , Dellavalle Robert P. , Morelli Joseph G. , Mokrohisky Stefan T. , Crane Lori A. , Box Neil F. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Background: Melanocytic nevi (moles) and freckles are well known biomarkers of melanoma risk, and they are influenced by similar UV light exposures and genetic susceptibilities to those that increase melanoma risk. Nevertheless, the selective interactions between UV exposures and nevus and freckling genes remain largely undescribed.
Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study from ages 6 through 10 years in 477 Colorado children who had annual information collected for sun exposure, sun protection behaviors, and full body skin exams. MC1R and HERC2/OCA2 rs12913832 were genotyped and linear mixed models were used to identify main and interaction effects.
Results: All measures of sun exposure (chronic, sunburns, and waterside vacations) contributed to total nevus counts, and cumulative chronic exposure acted as the major driver of nevus development. Waterside vacations strongly increased total nevus counts in children with rs12913832 blue eye color alleles and facial freckling scores in those with MC1R red hair color variants. Sunburns increased the numbers of larger nevi (≥2 mm) in subjects with certain MC1R and rs12913832 genotypes.
Conclusions: Complex interactions between different UV exposure profiles and genotype combinations determine nevus numbers and size, and the degree of facial freckling.
Impact: Our findings emphasize the importance of implementing sun-protective behavior in childhood regardless of genetic make-up, although children with particular genetic variants may benefit from specifically targeted preventive measures to counteract their inherent risk of melanoma. Moreover, we demonstrate, for the first time, that longitudinal studies are a highly powered tool to uncover new gene–environment interactions that increase cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(12); 2829–39. ©2014 AACR.
Examining Rare and Low-Frequency Genetic Variants Previously Associated With Lone or Familial Forms of Atrial Fibrillation in an Electronic Medical Record System
Authors: Weeke Peter , Denny Joshua C. , Basterache Lisa , Shaffer Christian , Bowton Erica , Ingram Christie , Darbar Dawood , Roden Dan M. 
Published: November 2014

Background—
Studies in individuals or small kindreds have implicated rare variants in 25 different genes in lone and familial atrial fibrillation (AF) using linkage and segregation analysis, functional characterization, and rarity in public databases. Here, we used a cohort of 20 204 patients of European or African ancestry with electronic medical records and exome chip data to compare the frequency of AF among carriers and noncarriers of these rare variants.

Methods and Results—

The exome chip included 19 of 115 rare variants, in 9 genes, previously associated with lone or familial AF. Using validated algorithms querying a combination of clinical notes, structured billing codes, ECG reports, and procedure codes, we identified 1056 AF cases (>18 years) and 19 148 non-AF controls (>50 years) with available genotype data on the Illumina HumanExome BeadChip v.1.0 in the Vanderbilt electronic medical record-linked DNA repository, BioVU. Known correlations between AF and common variants at 4q25 were replicated. None of the 19 variants previously associated with AF were over-represented among AF cases (
P
>0.1 for all), and the frequency of variant carriers among non-AF controls was >0.1% for 14 of 19. Repeat analyses using non-AF controls aged >60 (n=14 904), >70 (n=9670), and >80 (n=4729) years did not influence these findings.

Conclusions—
Rare variants previously implicated in lone or familial forms of AF present on the exome chip are detected at low frequencies in a general population but are not associated with AF. These findings emphasize the need for caution when ascribing variants as pathogenic or causative.
Quantification of viable eggs of the potato cyst nematodes (Globodera spp.) using either trehalose or RNA-specific Real-Time PCR
Authors: Beniers Johanna E. , Been Thomas H. , Mendes Odette , van Gent-Pelzer Marga P.E. , van der Lee Theo A.J. 
Published: November 2014

Two novel methods for the quantitative estimation of the number of viable eggs of the potato cyst nematodes (Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis) were tested and compared with visual inspection. One is based on the loss of membrane integrity upon death and uses trehalose (a disaccharide) as a marker, the second test exploits the rapid degeneration of mRNA upon decease with a RNA-specific Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) assay. The viability of eggs in suspensions with different numbers of eggs was determined morphologically and was compared with both trehalose and elongation-factor-1-alpha (EF1α) mRNA measurements. The trehalose assay provided results that were close to those of the visual assessment using a microscope but only when samples contained low numbers of eggs. The lowest detectable value is 1.1 egg in the original sample and small differences in the number of viable eggs can be detected. Unfortunately, trehalose measurements reached a saturation limit at 1 cyst 10 μl−1; therefore, samples with nematode numbers above 262 eggs have to be diluted. The presence of dead cysts did not have a negative effect on the trehalose measurements. However, the use of egg suspensions instead of encysted eggs improved both the trehalose absorbance and the reliability of the measurements. When cysts were exposed to a treatment with allylisothiocyanate, the trehalose measurement detected the presence of more viable eggs than a hatching assay. The RT-PCR assay required a minimum of 30 eggs before detection occurred but can detect up to 8000 eggs in a 25 μl sample, which is an advantage when samples with high PCN infestations have to be processed. However, the confidence intervals (CI) of the RT-PCR assay are larger than those of the trehalose assay, which results in a high variation of single measurements. For example, at a density of 210 eggs in the original sample the 95% CI for the trehalose assay covers 191-228 eggs, and the 95% CI for the RT-PCR assay for G. pallida lies between 73 and 602 eggs and for G. rostochiensis between 59 and 745 eggs. Trials with field samples using both methods supported the laboratory tests. 95% of the field samples tested with the trehalose assay lie within the CI of the standard curve compared to 58% of the RT-PCR tested samples for G. pallida. The measurements of the field samples of G. pallida and G. rostochiensis populations using both methods resulted in larger numbers of viable eggs being detected compared to a hatching test. Neither of the investigated methods in their current state of development is optimal for use as a substitute for the visual inspection used in monitoring labs. The variance of the RT-PCR assay is too high if used for quantitative monitoring; the density range of eggs that can be detected using the trehalose assay is too small.
Controls on Spatial and Temporal Variability in Northern Hemisphere Terrestrial Snow Melt Timing, 1979–2012
Authors: Mioduszewski J. R. , Rennermalm A. K. , Robinson D. A. , Wang L. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Spring snowmelt onset has occurred earlier across much of the Northern Hemisphere land area in the last four decades. Understanding the mechanisms driving spring melt has remained a challenge, particularly in its spatial and temporal variability. Here, melt onset dates (MOD) obtained from passive microwave satellite data are used, as well as energy balance and meteorological fields from NASA’s Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, to assess trends in the MOD and attribute melt onset across much of Arctic and sub-Arctic Eurasia and North America during the spring snowmelt season from 1979 to 2012. Across much of the Northern Hemisphere MOD has occurred 1–2 weeks earlier over this period, with the strongest trends in western and central Russia and insignificant trends across most of North America. Trends in MOD are reflected by those in energy balance terms, with energy advection providing an increasing proportion of melt energy in regions with the strongest MOD trends. Energy advection plays a larger role in melt onset in regions where snow begins melting in March and April, while insolation and longwave radiation drives melt where the MOD occurs in May and June. This implies that there is a potential shift in snowmelt drivers toward those involved in advective processes rather than radiative processes with an earlier MOD. As the high latitudes warm and terrestrial snow cover continues to melt and disappear earlier in the spring, it is valuable to elucidate regional snowmelt sensitivities to better understand regional responses to changing climatological processes.
Smoking is highly associated with discoid lupus erythematosus and lupus erythematosus tumidus: analysis of 405 patients
Authors: Böckle B C , Sepp N T 
Published: November 2014

Background Environmental factors appear to play a role in the pathogenesis of lupus erythematosus (LE). Objective To determine the association between cigarette smoking and various types of cutaneous LE. Design Retrospective descriptive study at a dermatology clinic of a tertiary referral hospital. Methods All patients diagnosed with cutaneous and/or systemic LE from January 2000 to December 2012 at the outpatient clinic for dermatological autoimmune diseases were analyzed. Results 405 patients were diagnosed with LE. Smokers were more common among patients with cutaneous LE, especially those with LE tumidus or discoid LE. The frequency of cigarette smokers was not significantly higher among patients with other LE-specific skin lesions and patients with systemic LE compared to the general population. Smoking at the onset of disease was associated with LE tumidus (odds ratio OR 4.5), discoid LE (OR 2.05), the male gender (OR 3.31), age < 50 years (OR 1.03), and photosensitivity (OR 2.07). Limitations A retrospective descriptive study at a tertiary referral hospital. Conclusion Smoking is highly associated with cutaneous LE, but not systemic LE. Various risk factors appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous and systemic LE.
Hybrid endovascular and surgical approach for mycotic pseudoaneurysms of the extracranial internal carotid artery
Authors: Mazzaccaro Daniela , Stegher Silvia , Occhiuto Maria Teresa , Malacrida Giovanni , Righini Paolo , Tealdi Domenico G , Nano Giovanni 
Published: November 2014

Objectives: Mycotic pseudoaneurysms of the extracranial internal carotid artery are rare, and their management often represents a challenge, but treatment is necessary due to the high risk of rupture and distal brain embolization. Systemic antibiotics associated with open surgical excision of the infected tissues and carotid reconstruction using autologous grafts are the treatment of choice. The use of endovascular techniques still remains controversial in infective fields; however, it can be an attractive alternative in high-risk patients or more often as a “temporary” solution to achieve immediate bleeding control for a safe surgical reconstruction. Methods: We discuss the unusual case of an extracranial right internal carotid artery mycotic pseudoaneurysm following methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection, in a patient with poor general conditions. Results and Conclusion: The lesion was successfully treated using a hybrid endovascular and surgical procedure.
Platelet hyaluronidase-2: an enzyme that translocates to the surface upon activation to function in extracellular matrix degradation
Authors: Albeiroti Sami , Ayasoufi Katayoun , Hill David R. , Shen Bo , de la Motte Carol A. 
Published: November 2014

Key PointsPlatelet HYAL2 is stored in α-granules and upon activation it becomes surface expressed where it functions to degrade extracellular matrix. Platelets from IBD patients contain lower HYAL2 protein and activity than those from non-IBD controls.
Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation delays tumor progression and prolongs overall survival in patients with intermediate (BCLC B) hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yin Xin , Zhang Lan , Wang Yan-Hong , Zhang Bo-Heng , Gan Yu-Hong , Ge Ning-Lin , Chen Yi , Li Li-Xin , Ren Zheng-Gang 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Background
This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation in patients with intermediate (BCLC B) stage hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Methods
Included in this study were 211 patients with intermediate stage HCC who underwent initial transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and were potentially amendable for radiofrequency ablation (single tumor with diameter 5-8 cm, median 6.0 cm; 2–5 multiple nodules with diameter less than 5 cm) between January 2005 and December 2011. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 55 patients were treated with following radiofrequency ablation, and the remaining 156 patients were treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization alone. The treatment effectiveness, local tumor control and survival outcome between the two groups were compared.

Results
The complete tumor necrosis rate after treatment was 76.9% in combination group vs. 46.5% in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization alone group (P = 0.02). The major complication rate was 1.8% in combination group vs. 2.6% in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization alone group. Follow-up observation showed that the total tumor control rate was 74.5% in combination group versus 54.5% in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization alone group (P < 0.001). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates in combination group were significantly higher than those in TACE alone group (P = 0.01).

Conclusions
Radiofrequency ablation following initial transcatheter arterial chemoembolization delays tumor progression and prolongs overall survival of patients with intermediate stage HCC tumors.
Lysophosphatidic Acid and its Receptors LPA1 and LPA3 Mediate Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Mice
Authors: Uchida Hitoshi , Nagai Jun , Ueda Hiroshi 
Published: November 2014

Background: Paclitaxel, which is widely used for the treatment of solid tumors, causes neuropathic pain via poorly understood mechanisms. Previously, we have demonstrated that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and its receptors (LPA1 and LPA3) are required for the initiation of peripheral nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain. The present study aimed to clarify whether LPA and its receptors could mediate paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain. Results: Intraperitoneal administration of paclitaxel triggered a marked increase in production of LPA species (18:1-, 16:0-, and 18:0-LPA) in the spinal dorsal horn. Also, we found significant activations of spinal cytosolic phospholipase A2 and calcium-independent phospholipase A2 after the paclitaxel treatment. The paclitaxel-induced LPA production was completely abolished not only by intrathecal pretreatment with neurokinin 1 (NK1) or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, but also in LPA1 receptor-deficient ( Lpar1−/–) and LPA3 receptor-deficient ( Lpar3−/–) mice. In addition, the pharmacological blockade of NK1 or NMDA receptor prevented a reduction in the paw withdrawal threshold against mechanical stimulation after paclitaxel treatments. Importantly, the paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia was absent in Lpar1−/– and Lpar3−/– mice. Conclusions: These results suggest that LPA1 and LPA3 receptors-mediated amplification of spinal LPA production is required for the development of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain.
Aldosterone, Parathyroid Hormone, and the Use of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Brown Jenifer , de Boer Ian H. , Robinson-Cohen Cassianne , Siscovick David S. , Kestenbaum Bryan , Allison Matthew , Vaidya Anand 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Context:
Aldosterone and PTH are implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and skeletal diseases. An expanding body of evidence supports a bidirectional and positive physiologic relationship between aldosterone and PTH. Large population-based studies confirming this relationship, and whether it may be targeted as a potential method to mitigate the clinical consequences associated with excess aldosterone and PTH, are needed.

Objective:
We hypothesized that higher aldosterone levels would associate with higher PTH, and that the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors would predict lower PTH in a large, multi-ethnic, community-based cohort.

Design, Setting, Participants:
We conducted cross-sectional analyses of participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis without apparent primary hyperparathyroidism or chronic kidney disease (n = 5668). We evaluated associations of RAAS inhibitor use with PTH concentration among 1888 treated hypertensive participants. We also tested associations of serum aldosterone concentration with PTH concentration among 1547 participants with these measurements.

Outcome:
Serum PTH concentration.

Results:
Higher aldosterone associated with higher PTH (β = 0.19 pg/ml per 1 ng/dl of aldosterone, P &lt; .0001), and this finding was most pronounced among those with a primary hyperaldosteronism-like phenotype. There was a stepwise increment in PTH when comparing untreated normotensives, hypertensives using RAAS inhibitors, untreated hypertensives, and treated hypertensives using non-RAAS inhibitors (40.8, 45.0, 46.2, 47.1 pg/ml, respectively). The use of any RAAS inhibitor independently associated with lower PTH (β = −2.327 pg/ml per use of RAAS inhibitor, P = .006), when compared with the use of any non-RAAS inhibitor medication.

Conclusions:
Higher serum aldosterone concentration is associated with higher serum PTH concentration, and the use of RAAS inhibitors is associated with lower PTH concentration. These results extend prior evidence from observational and intervention studies suggesting a potentially important and modifiable relationship between the RAAS and PTH in humans.
On the Origin and Structure of the Recently Observed Acetal in the Soai Reaction
Authors: Gridnev Ilya D , Vorobiev Andrey Kh 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Recent observation of the acetal species in the course of autoamplifying Soai reaction was analysed by the formal kinetic analysis of the experimental data and DFT computations. Kinetic analysis demonstrated convincingly that the observed species cannot be a precursor of the reaction product. Hence, it is an off-loop species that is not important for the process of the chirality amplification. DFT search for a kinetically stable acetal species resulted in the location of a Zn3 cluster stabilized with three Zn–O–Zn bridges.
ICU Admission Control: An Empirical Study of Capacity Allocation and Its Implication for Patient Outcomes
Authors: Kim Song-Hee , Chan Carri W. , Olivares Marcelo , Escobar Gabriel 
Published: November 2014

This work examines the process of admission to a hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). ICUs currently lack systematic admission criteria, largely because the impact of ICU admission on patient outcomes has not been well quantified. This makes evaluating the performance of candidate admission strategies difficult. Using a large patient-level data set of more than 190,000 hospitalizations across 15 hospitals, we first quantify the cost of denied ICU admission for a number of patient outcomes. We use hospital operational factors as instrumental variables to handle the endogeneity of the admission decisions and identify important specification issues that are required for this approach to be valid. Using the quantified cost estimates, we then provide a simulation framework for evaluating various admission strategies' performance. By simulating a hospital with 21 ICU beds, we find that we could save about $1.9 million per year by using an optimal policy based on observables designed to reduce readmissions and hospital length of stay. We also discuss the role of unobserved patient factors, which physicians may discretionarily account for when making admission decisions, and show that including these unobservables could result in a more than threefold increase in benefits compared to just optimizing the policy over the observable patient factors.This paper was accepted by Serguei Netessine, operations management.