bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inferring recent historic abundance from current genetic diversity
Authors: Palsbøll Per J. , Zachariah Peery M. , Olsen Morten T. , Beissinger Steven R. , Bérubé Martine 
Published: November 2012

AbstractRecent historic abundance is an elusive parameter of great importance for conserving endangered species and understanding the pre‐anthropogenic state of the biosphere. The number of studies that have used population genetic theory to estimate recent historic abundance from contemporary levels of genetic diversity has grown rapidly over the last two decades. Such assessments often yield unexpectedly large estimates of historic abundance. We review the underlying theory and common practices of estimating recent historic abundance from contemporary genetic diversity, and critically evaluate the potential issues at various estimation steps. A general issue of mismatched spatio‐temporal scales between the estimation itself and the objective of the estimation emerged from our assessment; genetic diversity–based estimates of recent historic abundance represent long‐term averages, whereas the objective typically is an estimate of recent abundance for a specific population. Currently, the most promising approach to estimate the difference between recent historic and contemporary abundance requires that genetic data be collected from samples of similar spatial and temporal duration. Novel genome‐enabled inference methods may be able to utilize additional information of dense genome‐wide distributions of markers, such as of identity‐by‐descent tracts, to infer recent historic abundance from contemporary samples only.
The influence of habitat and time of day on the occurrence of odontocete vocalizations in Onslow Bay, North Carolina
Authors: Hodge Lynne E. W. , Bell Joel T. , Kumar Anurag , Read Andrew J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractTo determine whether the occurrence and duration of odontocete vocal events varied by depth or time of day in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, we analyzed acoustic data collected by five underwater recorders. These recorders were deployed in July 2008 at three depths: two in shallow (64–73 m), one in medium (236 m), and two in deep (~366 m) water. We found that habitat influenced the occurrence of odontocete vocalizations, with significantly greater daily vocal activity from delphinids on recorders in deeper waters and sperm whale clicks recorded only on the medium and deep recorders. These findings suggest that a greater diversity and occurrence of animals are located in waters beyond the shelf break in this area, a conclusion supported by visual surveys. We also found an increase in the occurrence of delphinid clicks at night on the shallow and deep recorders, likely reflecting nocturnal foraging activity, and a regular nocturnal occurrence of sperm whale clicks on the medium‐depth recorder located near the shelf break, suggesting that one or more sperm whales moved into that area to feed at night. These observations improve our understanding of the occurrence and behavior of odontocetes in this region of the U.S. Atlantic seaboard.
Nutritional screening and risk factors in elderly hospitalized patients: association to clinical outcome?
Authors: Holst Mette , Yifter‐Lindgren Elinor , Surowiak Mirek , Nielsen Kari , Mowe Morten , Carlsson Maine , Jacobsen Bent , Cederholm Tommy , Fenger‐Groen Morten , Rasmussen Henrik 
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study was to test the intervalidity of three different nutrition screening tools towards a broad population of elderly hospitalized patients. The association with risk factors and mortality was investigated. This is a prospective cohort study in three medical, surgical and geriatric settings, in Denmark and Sweden. Patients >65 years were consecutively included. Patients were screened by mini‐nutritional assessment (MNA), malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST) and nutritional risk screening (NRS‐2002). Anthropometrics, cognitive test (SPMSQ), as well as a questionnaire investigation regarding eating problems and life situation, were performed. Mortality within 12 months was investigated. In total, 233 patients mean (SD) age 81(7.64) years were included. A large variation in prevalence of nutritional risk was determined between the screening tools, MNA was 68% vs. MUST, 47% and NRS 54%, p < 0.0001. An overall agreement of 67% was seen (κ 0.52–0.55). Risk factors were associated with nutritional risk, including depressive mood. Only handgrip strength, fungus in mouth, serum albumin, CRP and cognitive function were associated with mortality. Fungus had the strongest association (OR 3.7; CI 1.19–11.30). The overall mortality rate was 27% during 12 months. However, none of the three screening tools predicted 12‐month mortality. The findings show great variation in the prevalence of nutritional risk of under nutrition both between the tools and the settings. The level of agreement between the tools was moderate, and none of the three tools were capable of predicting 12‐month mortality. A functional and psychological evaluation including oral health seems recommendable in elderly patients at nutritional risk.
Endovascular Mycobacterium abscessus infection in a heart transplant recipient: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Richey L.E. , Bahadorani J. , Mushatt D. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractNontuberculous mycobacteria are ubiquitous in the environment. Although rarely a cause of infection in immunocompetent individuals, increased risk and severity of infection are seen in patients who are immunocompromised, such as those with solid organ transplants. In this report, we describe the first case of disseminated endovascular Mycobacterium abscessus in a heart transplant recipient. A review of the literature regarding this infection in heart transplant recipients and its therapeutic options and concerns are summarized.
Delineating cost‐effective wellhead protection zones in a rural area in Greece
Authors: Siarkos I. , Latinopoulos D. , Katirtzidou M. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study is the protection of groundwater resources from nitrate pollution by regulating land use and by establishing guidelines for agricultural activities within specific wellhead protection areas. Wellhead protection zones are specifically designed in four wells in the municipality of Nea Moudania, an area of intensive agricultural activities in northern Greece. Recent water samples from these wells indicate high levels of nitrates concentrations. Wellhead protection areas are delineated through a geographic information systems (GIS) analysis in order to determine the boundaries of protection zones, as well as to identify the land use patterns and the specific crop types around the contaminated wells. Different land use management techniques for groundwater protection zoning are also examined with respect to their implementation cost. The purpose of this analysis is to identify the least expensive management strategy for wellhead protection. The results show that land use changes are always more expensive than implementing agro‐environmental measures.
Disease Risk Surface for Coxiella burnetii Seroprevalence in White‐Tailed Deer
Authors: Kirchgessner M. S. , Dubovi E. J. , Whipps C. M. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryCoxiella burnetii is considered a re‐emerging zoonosis in many countries. The bacterium is enzootic in livestock and wildlife in the United States, and environmental contamination is widespread. Despite the potential for exposure, the estimated prevalence of Q fever in humans and animals is not well elucidated, and reported human infections in the United States are relatively rare. Zoonotic transmission of the bacterium is usually associated with abortions in domestic ruminants, but other modes of transmission, such as contact with infected blood and/or milk during field dressing of infected wildlife, have not been thoroughly investigated. Studies of zoonotic pathogen transmission between animal reservoir hosts and humans are usually established in response to documented emergence or re‐emergence of a zoonosis in a particular locale, and, as such, the prevalence of infection in wildlife is largely unknown for many zoonotic pathogens, including C. burnetii. The objective of this study was to create a disease risk surface for C. burnetii seroprevalence in wild white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in New York State. Blood samples were collected from hunter‐harvested deer from across New York State in 2009 and 2010. The samples were processed and tested for the presence of anti‐C. burnetii antibodies via indirect microimmunofluorescence assays using phase II C. burnetii strain RSA439. Overall, 14.50% of the tested white‐tailed deer were C. burnetii phase II seropositive. The dual Kernel density estimation method was used to create a smoothed disease risk surface, which revealed variation in seroprevalence ranging from 0% to 32.0%. Areas of higher seroprevalence were detected in four discrete areas of Central New York and in one additional area in the southwest corner of the northern part of the state. This suggests certain locales where humans may be at increased risk for exposure to the bacterium secondary to contact with potentially infected deer.
Infrared thermal imaging as a novel evaluation method for deep vein thrombosis in lower limbs
Authors: Deng Fangge , Tang Qing , Zheng Yujiang , Zeng Guangqiao , Zhong Nanshan 
Published: November 2012

Purpose:Early detection of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is critical to prevent clinical pulmonary thromboembolism. However, most conventional methods for diagnosing DVT are functionally limited and complicated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of infrared‐thermal‐imaging (IRTI), a novel imaging detection or screening technique, in diagnosis of DVT in animal models.Methods:DVT model of femoral veins was established in nine New Zealand rabbits. The right hind femoral vein was embolized and the contralateral one served as a nonembolized control. Measurements of IRTI, compression ultrasonography (CPUS), and angiography under ultrasonic observation (AGUO) were performed at three time points: T1 (baseline, 10 min prior to surgery), T2 (2 h after thrombin injection), and T3 (48 h postoperatively). Qualitative pseudocolor analysis and quantitative temperature analysis were performed based on mean area temperature (Tav) and mean curvilinear temperature (Tca) of the region of interest as shown in IRTI. Temperature differences (TD) in Tav (TDTav) and Tca (TDTca) between the DVT and control sides were computed. Comparative statistical analysis was carried out by paired t‐test and repeated measure, while multiple comparisons were performed by using Greenhouse‐Geisser and Bonferroni approach. Values of P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 were considered statistically significant and highly significant.Results:Modeling of DVT was successful in all rabbits, as confirmed by CPUS and AGUO and immediately detected by IRTI. IRTI qualitative analysis of pseudocolor revealed that the bilateral temperatures were apparently asymmetrical and that there were abnormally high temperature zones on the DVT side where thrombosis formed. The results of pairedt‐test of Tav and Tca between DVT side and control sides did not reveal statistical difference at T1 (Tav: P = 0.817; Tca: P = 0.983) yet showed statistical differences at both T2 (Tav: P = 0.023; Tca: P = 0.021) and T3 (Tav: P = 0.016; Tca: P = 0.028). Results of repeated measure and multiple comparisons of TDTav and TDTca were highly different and significant differences across the T2 (TDTav: P = 0.009; TDTav: P = 0.03) and T3 (TDTav: P = 0.015; TDTav: P = 0.021).Conclusions:IRTI temperature quantitative analysis may help further detection of DVT. Additionally, IRTI could serve as a novel detection and screening tool for DVT due to its convenience, rapid response, and high sensitivity.
Temperature and temporal dependence of the optical response for a radiochromic dosimeter
Authors: Skyt Peter S. , Wahlstedt Isak , Muren Ludvig P. , Petersen Jørgen B. B. , Balling Peter 
Published: November 2012

Purpose:Both temporal and thermal dependencies of the dose response have been observed in radiochromic dosimeters. As these dependencies may be influenced by the dose level, the present study investigates the temperature dependence during irradiation and the temporal change of the optical response following irradiation of radiochromic dosimeters at a range of doses.Methods:Cuvette samples of the PRESAGE™ radiochromic dosimeter were irradiated within a dose range of 0–10 Gy at irradiation temperatures within 5–35 °C and postirradiation storage within 6–30 °C. The optical response due to irradiation was measured using a standard spectrophotometer and the data were analyzed in terms of thermal and temporal change.Results:The initial dose response was linear over the applied dose range independent of irradiation temperature. However, the optical response to a specific dose increased exponentially with irradiation temperature corresponding to an activation energy of 0.114 ± 0.007 eV. The temporal change in dose response after irradiation consisted of an offset, an auto‐oxidation rate with activation energy 0.84 ± 0.03 eV, and an initial exponential increase in optical response (1.6 ± 0.2 eV) followed by an exponential decrease in optical response (0.98 ± 0.08 eV). These contributions depended on both storage temperature and the dose given, leading to a nonlinear dose response with time at low storage temperatures and a high auto‐oxidation rate at high storage temperatures.Conclusions:Thermal equilibration is important to the radiochromic dosimeter investigated due to an exponential change in dose response with irradiation temperature and a considerable postirradiation temporal change in response. For the dosimeter version investigated in this study, a compromise in storage temperature has to be made between increasing the nonlinearity of the dose response with time and inducing a high auto‐oxidation rate.
Free‐breathing MOLLI: Application to myocardial T1 mapping
Authors: Tsai Jyun‐Ming , Huang Teng‐Yi , Tseng Yu‐Shen , Lin Yi‐Ru 
Published: November 2012

Purpose:Of the myocardial T1 mapping techniques, the modified Look‐Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequence is accurate and highly reproducible. The MOLLI sequence requires patients to hold their breath for 17 heartbeats during the scanning process to minimize respiratory motion‐related artifacts. However, some patients are unable to hold their breath because of illness or limited breath‐hold capacity. This study, therefore, aimed to develop a robust myocardial T1 mapping method based on the MOLLI sequence for patients unable to perform voluntary breath‐holds.Methods:This study presents a free‐breathing MOLLI (FB‐MOLLI) sequence and an optimized reconstruction method to allow myocardial T1 mapping in vivo without breath‐hold. Nine healthy volunteers participated in this study after providing institutionally approved consent. The FB‐MOLLI sequence acquires 20 images within 29 heartbeats. The reconstruction program employs a two‐step automatic image registration technique and an image selection method inspired by the self‐gating cardiac imaging method.Results:Results indicate that the proposed reconstruction method increases the accuracy and reproducibility of free‐breathing T1 measurements significantly (p < 0.001).Conclusions:The FB‐MOLLI method provides a robust tool for clinical application in free‐breathing myocardial T1 mapping, and could greatly facilitate acquisition procedures during routine examinations.
Multiple applicator hepatic ablation with interstitial ultrasound devices: Theoretical and experimental investigation
Authors: Prakash Punit , Salgaonkar Vasant A. , Clif Burdette E. , Diederich Chris J. 
Published: November 2012

Purpose:To evaluate multiple applicator implant configurations of interstitial ultrasound devices for large volume ablation of liver tumors.Methods:A 3D bioacoustic‐thermal model using the finite element method was implemented to assess multiple applicator implant configurations for thermal ablation with interstitial ultrasound energy. Interstitial applicators consist of linear arrays of up to four 10 mm‐long tubular ultrasound transducers, each under separate and dynamic power control, enclosed within a water‐cooled delivery catheter (2.4 mm OD). The authors considered parallel implants with two and three applicators (clustered configuration), spaced 2–3 cm apart, to simulate open surgical placement. In addition, the authors considered two applicator implants with applicators converging and diverging at angles of ∼20°, 30°, and 45° to simulate percutaneous placement. Heating experiments (10–15 min) were performed and compared against simulations employing the same experimental parameters. To estimate the performance of parallel, multiple applicator configurations in anin vivo setting, simulations were performed taking into account a range of blood perfusion levels (0, 5, 12, and 15 kg m−3 s−1) that may occur in tumors of varying vascularity. The impact of tailoring the power supplied to individual transducer elements along the length of applicators is explored for applicators inserted in non‐parallel (converging and diverging) configurations. Thermal dose (t43 > 240 min) and temperature thresholds (T > 52 °C) were used to define the ablation zones, with dynamic changes to tissue acoustic and thermal properties incorporated within the model.Results:Experiments inex vivo bovine liver yielded ablation zones ranging between 4.0–5.6 cm × 3.2–4.9 cm, in cross section. Ablation zone dimensions predicted by simulations with similar parameters to the experiments were in close agreement (within 5 mm). Simulations of in vivo heating showed that 15 min heating and interapplicator spacing less than 3 cm are required to obtain contiguous, complete ablation zones. The ability to create complete ablation zone profiles for nonparallel implants was illustrated by tailoring applied power levels along the length of applicators.Conclusions:Parallel implants consisting of three interstitial ultrasound applicators in a triangular configuration yield complete ablation zones measuring up to 6.2 cm × 5.7 cm after 15 min heating. At larger interapplicator spacing, the level of blood perfusion in the tumor may yield indentations along the periphery of the ablation zone. Tailoring applied power along the length of the applicator can accommodate for nonparallel implants, without compromising safety.
Acute ascorbic acid and hindlimb skeletal muscle blood flow distribution in old rats: rest and exercise
Authors: Copp Steven W. , Schwagerl Peter J. , Hirai Daniel M. , Poole David C. , Musch Timothy I. 
Published: November 2012

Excess reactive oxygen species are implicated in the impaired peripheral vascular function evident during exercise in older individuals. We tested the hypothesis that an acute infusion of the antioxidant ascorbic acid (AA) in old rats would improve antioxidant capacity and reduce oxidative stress and, therefore, elevate hindlimb muscle blood flow at rest and during treadmill exercise in muscles containing principally type I and IIa muscle fibers. Total and individual hindlimb skeletal muscle blood flow was measured (radiolabeled microspheres) in old rats (26–28 months) at rest (n = 8) and during treadmill exercise (n = 8; 20 m·min–1, 5% grade) before and after AA treatment (76 mg·(kg body mass)–1 intra-arterial (i.a.) injection). AA elevated total antioxidant capacity (rest, ∼37%; and exercise, 31%) and reduced oxidative stress (∼26%, exercise only). AA reduced resting total hindlimb muscle blood flow (control, 25 ± 3; AA, 16 ± 2 mL·min–1·(100 g)–1; p < 0.05) and blood flow to 8 of 28 individual muscles with no fiber-type correlation (p > 0.05). During exercise there was no effect of AA on total hindlimb muscle blood flow (control, 154 ± 14; AA, 162 ± 13 mL·min–1·(100 g)–1; p > 0.05) or blood flow to any individual muscle. This disconnect between whole-body antioxidant status and skeletal muscle blood flow in old rats mandates consideration when pursuing antioxidant treatments experimentally or clinically in older populations.
Astaxanthin prevents loss of insulin signaling and improves glucose metabolism in liver of insulin resistant mice
Authors: Bhuvaneswari Saravanan , Anuradha Carani Venkatraman 
Published: November 2012

This study investigates the effects of astaxanthin (ASX) on insulin signaling and glucose metabolism in the liver of mice fed a high fat and high fructose diet (HFFD). Adult male Mus musculus mice of body mass 25–30 g were fed either normal chow or the HFFD. After 15 days, mice in each group were subdivided among 2 smaller groups and treated with ASX (2 mg·(kg body mass)–1) in olive oil for 45 days. At the end of 60 days, HFFD-fed mice displayed insulin resistance while ASX-treated HFFD animals showed marked improvement in insulin sensitivity parameters. ASX treatment normalized the activities of hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, glycogen phosphorylase, and increased glycogen reserves in the liver. Liver tissue from ASX-treated HFFD-fed animals showed increased tyrosine phosphorylation and decreased serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrates (IRS)-1 and -2. ASX increased IRS 1/2 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) association and serine phosphorylation of Akt. In addition, ASX decreased HFFD-induced serine kinases (c-jun N-terminal kinase-1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1). The results suggest that ASX treatment promotes the IRS–PI3K–Akt pathway of insulin signaling by decreasing serine phosphorylation of IRS proteins, and improves glucose metabolism by modulating metabolic enzymes.
Tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside improves the learning and memory of amyloid-β1–42-injected rats and may be connected to synaptic changes in the hippocampus
Authors: Zhou Lin , Hou Ying , Yang Qidong , Du Xiaoping , Li Min , Yuan Mei , Zhou Zhiwen 
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-d-glucoside (TSG), an active component extracted from Polygonum multiflorum, on learning/memory deficits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We randomly divided 24 male Sprague–Dawley rats among 4 groups: (i) the sham-operated group (control); (ii) sham-operated group also treated with TSG (sham+TSG); (iii) beta amyloid treated group (Aβ); and (iv) Aβ treatment group also treated with TSG (Aβ+TSG). Rats in the Aβ and Aβ+TSG groups were treated with Aβ1–42 intracerebroventricularly, whereas the control and sham+TSG groups were given phosphate-buffered saline. Rats in the sham+TSG and Aβ+TSG groups were then treated intragastrically with TSG (50 mg·(kg body mass)–1·day–1) for 4 weeks, and rats in the Aβ and control groups were treated with saline. The results from Morris water maze tests, electron microscopy, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting demonstrated that Aβ1–42 induced impairment in learning and memory, degeneration in synaptic structures, and downregulation of Src and NR2B at the gene and protein level, respectively. These alterations were reversed by the administration of TSG, suggesting that TSG exerts anti-AD properties by protecting synaptic structure and function. TSG-induced upregulation of Src and NR2B may be responsible for this process.