bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How useful are databases in environmental and criminal forensics?
Authors: McKinley Jennifer 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Advances in computational and information technologies have facilitated the acquisition of geospatial information for regional and national soil and geology databases. These have been completed for a range of purposes from geological and soil baseline mapping to economic prospecting and land resource assessment, but have become increasingly used for forensic purposes. On the question of provenance of a questioned sample, the geologist or soil scientist will draw invariably on prior expert knowledge and available digital map and database sources in a ‘pseudo Bayesian’ approach. The context of this paper is the debate on whether existing (digital) geology and soil databases are indeed useful and suitable for forensic inferences. Published and new case studies are used to explore issues of completeness, consistency, compatibility and applicability in relation to the use of digital geology and soil databases in environmental and criminal forensics. One key theme that emerges is that, despite an acknowledgement that databases can be neither exhaustive nor precise enough to portray spatial variability at the scene of crime scale, coupled with expert knowledge, they play an invaluable role in providing background or reference material in a criminal investigation. Moreover databases can offer an independent control set of samples.
On Approximating the Number of Relevant Variables in a Function
Authors: Ron Dana , Tsur Gilad 
Published: July 2013

In this work we consider the problem of approximating the number of relevant variables in a function given query access to the function. Since obtaining a multiplicative factor approximation is hard in general, we consider several relaxations of the problem. In particular, we consider a relaxation of the property testing variant of the problem and we consider relaxations in which we have a promise that the function belongs to a certain family of functions (e.g., linear functions). In the former relaxation the task is to distinguish between the case that the number of relevant variables is at most
k
, and the case in which it is far from any function in which the number of relevant variables is more than (1 +
γ
)
k
for a parameter
γ
. We give both upper bounds and almost matching lower bounds for the relaxations we study.
Akt SUMOylation Regulates Cell Proliferation and Tumorigenesis
Authors: Li Rong , Wei Jie , Jiang Cong , Liu Dongmei , Deng Lu , Zhang Kai , Wang Ping 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Proto-oncogene Akt plays essential roles in cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Full activation of Akt is regulated by phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and acetylation. Here we report that SUMOylation of Akt is a novel mechanism for its activation. Systematically analyzing the role of lysine residues in Akt activation revealed that K276, which is located in a SUMOylation consensus motif, is essential for Akt activation. Ectopic or endogenous Akt1 could be modified by SUMOylation. RNA interference–mediated silencing of UBC9 reduced Akt SUMOylation, which was promoted by SUMO E3 ligase PIAS1 and reversed by the SUMO-specific protease SENP1. Although multiple sites on Akt could be SUMOylated, K276 was identified as a major SUMO acceptor site. K276R or E278A mutation reduced SUMOylation of Akt but had little effect on its ubiquitination. Strikingly, these mutations also completely abolished Akt kinase activity. In support of these results, we found that expression of PIAS1 and SUMO1 increased Akt activity, whereas expression of SENP1 reduced Akt1 activity. Interestingly, the cancer-derived mutant E17K in Akt1 that occurs in various cancers was more efficiently SUMOylated than wild-type Akt. Moreover, SUMOylation loss dramatically reduced Akt1 E17K–mediated cell proliferation, cell migration, and tumorigenesis. Collectively, our findings establish that Akt SUMOylation provides a novel regulatory mechanism for activating Akt function. Cancer Res; 73(18); 5742–53. ©2013 AACR.
Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Authors: Pavanello Sofia , Dioni Laura , Hoxha Mirjam , Fedeli Ugo , Mielzynska-Švach Danuta , Baccarelli Andrea A. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Background: Increased mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) is a biologic response to mtDNA damage and dysfunction, predictive of lung cancer risk. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are established lung carcinogens and may cause mitochondrial toxicity. Whether PAH exposure and PAH-related nuclear DNA (nDNA) genotoxic effects are linked with increased mtDNAcn has never been evaluated.
Methods: We investigated the effect of chronic exposure to PAHs on mtDNAcn in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) of 46 Polish male noncurrent smoking coke-oven workers and 44 matched controls, who were part of a group of 94 study individuals examined in our previous work. Subjects' PAH exposure and genetic alterations were characterized through measures of internal dose (urinary 1-pyrenol), target dose [anti-benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide (anti-BPDE)–DNA adduct], genetic instability (micronuclei and telomere length), and DNA methylation (p53 promoter) in PBLs. mtDNAcn (MT/S) was measured using a validated real-time PCR method.
Results: Workers with PAH exposure above the median value (&gt;3 μmol 1-pyrenol/mol creatinine) showed higher mtDNAcn [geometric means (GM) of 1.06 (unadjusted) and 1.07 (age-adjusted)] compared with controls [GM 0.89 (unadjusted); 0.89 (age-adjusted); (P = 0.029 and 0.016)], as well as higher levels of genetic and chromosomal [i.e., anti-BPDE–DNA adducts (P &lt; 0.001), micronuclei (P &lt; 0.001), and telomere length (P = 0.053)] and epigenetic [i.e., p53 gene-specific promoter methylation (P &lt; 0.001)] alterations in the nDNA. In the whole study population, unadjusted and age-adjusted mtDNAcn was positively correlated with 1-pyrenol (P = 0.043 and 0.032) and anti-BPDE–DNA adducts (P = 0.046 and 0.049).
Conclusions: PAH exposure and PAH-related nDNA genotoxicity are associated with increased mtDNAcn.
Impact: The present study is suggestive of potential roles of mtDNAcn in PAH-induced carcinogenesis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(10); 1722–9. ©2013 AACR.
Why have studies of tailored anti-platelet therapy failed so far?
Authors: Siller-Matula Jolanta M. , Jilma Bernd 
Published: July 2013

SummaryPublished data linking clopidogrel non-responsiveness to adverse ischaemic events lead to the suggestion that the magnitude of platelet inhibition by clopidogrel can be monitored and individually adjusted. This has been tested in randomised clinical trials (ARCTIC, GRAVITAS and TRIGGER-PCI), but despite reducing platelet reactivity, a strategy of therapy adjustment based on platelet function monitoring did not reduce the incidence of cardiac ischaemic events. Several critical issues regarding the design of these trials, which might in part have led to negative results, are discussed in this article.
A Novel Method for Determining the Phase of T-Wave Alternans
Authors: Sayadi Omid , Merchant Faisal M. , Puppala Dheeraj , Mela Theofanie , Singh Jagmeet P. , Heist E. Kevin , Owen Chris , Armoundas Antonis A. 
Published: July 2013

Background—
T-wave alternans (TWA) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. However, to estimate and suppress TWA effectively, the phase of TWA must be accurately determined.

Methods and Results—

We developed a method that computes the beat-by-beat integral of the T-wave morphology, over time points within the T-wave with positive alternans. Then, we estimated the signed derivative of the T-wave integral sequence, which allows the classification of each beat to a binary phase index. In animal studies, we found that this method was able to accurately identify the T-wave phase in artificially induced alternans (
P
<0.0001). The coherence of the phase increased consistently after acute ischemia induction in all body-surface and intracardiac leads (
P
<0.0001). Also, we developed a phase-resetting detection algorithm that enhances the diagnostic utility of TWA. We further established an algorithm that uses the phase of TWA to deliver appropriate polarity-pacing pulses (all interventions compared with baseline,
P
<0.0001 for alternans voltage;
P
<0.0001 for K
score
), to suppress TWA. Finally, we demonstrated that using the phase of TWA we can suppress spontaneous TWA during acute ischemia; 77.6% for alternans voltage (
P
<0.0001) and 92.5% for K
score
(
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions—
We developed a method to quantify the temporal variability of the TWA phase. This method is expected to enhance the utility of TWA in predicting ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death and raises the possibility of using upstream therapies to abort a ventricular tachyarrhythmia before its onset.
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidase 4 Mediates the Differential Responsiveness of Atrial Versus Ventricular Fibroblasts to Transforming Growth Factor-β
Authors: Yeh Yung-Hsin , Kuo Chi-Tai , Chang Gwo-Jyh , Qi Xiao-Yan , Nattel Stanley , Chen Wei-Jan 
Published: July 2013

Background—
Atrial fibrosis, a common feature of atrial fibrillation, is thought to originate from the differential response of atrium versus ventricle to pathological insult. However, detailed mechanisms underlying the regional differences remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the related factor(s) in mediating atrial vulnerability to fibrotic processes.

Methods and Results—
We first compared the response of cultured atrial versus ventricular fibroblasts with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a key mediator of myocardial fibrosis. Atrial fibroblasts showed a stronger response to TGF-β1 in producing extracellular matrix protein (collagen and fibronectin) than ventricular fibroblasts. Furthermore, TGF-β1 activated its downstream signaling (Smads) and induced pronounced oxidative stress, including up-regulation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase in atrial fibroblasts, and to a lesser extent in ventricular fibroblasts. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase inhibitors and small-interfering RNA for Nox4 eliminated TGF-β–induced difference between atrial and ventricular fibroblasts, suggesting the crucial role of Nox4 in mediating the atrial-ventricular discrepancy. Small-interfering RNA for Smad3 also suppressed the differential responsiveness of atrial versus ventricular fibroblasts to TGF-β1, including Nox4 activation, implicating a crosstalk between nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases and Smad. In vivo, the increased TGF-β1 responsiveness and Nox4 expression were documented in the atria of transgenic mice with cardiac overexpression of TGF-β1.

Conclusions—
Atrial fibroblasts show greater fibrotic and oxidative responses to TGF-β1 than ventricular fibroblasts. Nox4-derived reactive oxygen species production mediates the susceptibility of atrial fibroblasts to TGF-β1 via activating TGF-β1/Smad signaling cascade, which provides a novel insight into the pathogenesis of atrial fibrosis.
“I'm Not Just a Heart, I'm a Whole Person Here”: A Qualitative Study to Improve Sexual Outcomes in Women With Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Abramsohn Emily M. , Decker Carole , Garavalia Brian , Garavalia Linda , Gosch Kensey , Krumholz Harlan M. , Spertus John A. , Lindau Stacy Tessler 
Published: July 2013

Background

Little is known about recovery of female sexual function following an acute myocardial infarction (
MI
). Interventions to improve sexual outcomes in women are limited.

Methods and Results

Semistructured, qualitative telephone interviews were conducted with 17 partnered women (aged 43 to 75 years) purposively selected from the Translational Research Investigating Underlying Disparities in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients’ Health Status Registry to deepen knowledge of recovery of female sexual function following an acute myocardial infarction (
MI
) and to improve sexual outcomes in women. Sixteen women had a monogamous relationship with a male spouse; 1 had a long‐term female partner. Most women resumed sexual activity within 4 weeks of their
MI
. Sexual problems and concerns were prevalent, including patient and/or partner fear of “causing another heart attack.” Few women received counseling about sexual concerns or the safety of returning to sex. Most women who discussed sex with a physician initiated the discussion themselves. Inquiry about strategies to improve sexual outcomes elicited key themes: need for privacy, patient‐centeredness, and information about the timing and safe resumption of sexual activity. In addition, respondents felt that counseling should be initiated by the treating cardiologist, who “knows whether your heart is safe,” and then reinforced by the care team throughout the rehabilitation period.

Conclusions

Partnered women commonly resume sexual activity soon after an
MI
with fear but without directed counseling from their physicians. Proactive attention to women's concerns related to sexual function and the safety of sexual activity following an
MI
could improve post‐
MI
outcomes for women and their partners.
Client-centred occupational therapy in Canada: Refocusing on core values / Recentrer l’ergothérapie au Canada sur les valeurs fondamentales de la pratique centrée sur le client
Authors: Hammell Karen R. Whalley 
Published: July 2013

Background. The Canadian occupational therapy profession has proclaimed its allegiance to client-centred practice for three decades. However, official definitions of client-centred practice have been inconsistent, and its defining features, underlying assumptions, and power relations have been subjected to little critical reflection. Purpose. The aim was to reflect critically on Canadian conceptions of client-centred practice and its core values. Key issues. Definitions of client-centred practice have evolved and changed, suggesting that the occupational therapy profession in Canada may have abandoned those values that originally underpinned its vision of client-centred practice by electing to focus on the enabling skills of therapists. However, evidence suggests that clients value those qualities of client-centred practice that underpinned the profession’s original vision. Implications. This paper proposes a renewed focus on respect—respect for clients; respect for clients’ strengths, experience, and knowledge; respect for clients’ moral right to make choices concerning their lives—and on fostering respectful, supportive relationships with clients.
Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Children: Race and Socioeconomic Status
Authors: Smith David F. , Ishman Stacey L. , Tunkel David E. , Boss Emily F. 
Published: July 2013

PurposeAlthough chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is common in children, the influence of race and socioeconomic status (SES) on the diagnosis/treatment of CRS has not been evaluated. We describe the epidemiology of children with CRS in a pediatric otolaryngology clinic and evaluate demographic differences when compared to a group of children referred for a general pediatric otolaryngology evaluation.Study DesignHistorical cohort study.SettingTertiary academic care center.Subjects and MethodsAll new/consult patients (March 1, 2008–July 1, 2011) in a tertiary pediatric otolaryngology clinic with primary diagnosis of CRS were compared to a control group that consisted of all new/consult patients seen in the same clinic over 3 months. Records were evaluated for variables including age, sex, race, and insurance. Characteristics were compared between groups using Mann‐Whitney and Fisher's exact tests.ResultsOne hundred and seventy‐four children with CRS were compared to 430 controls. When compared to the general pediatric otolaryngology population, children with CRS were older (8.2 ± 4.4 years vs 5.9 ± 4.8 years; P <. 0001) and more commonly male (63% vs 52%; P =. 018). When compared to controls, children with CRS were more likely to be white (CRS 77% white, 10% black, 13% other vs control 47% white, 33% black, 20% other; P <. 0001, risk ratio [RR] = 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0‐3.7). Likewise, children with CRS were less commonly insured with medical assistance (CRS 14% vs control 44%; P <. 0001; RR = 0.3; 95% CI, 0.21‐0.45).ConclusionsWhen compared to the general population of children seen in this academic urban pediatric otolaryngology setting, children with CRS were more likely to be white and privately insured. This study is the first to evaluate race and SES in relationship to pediatric CRS. Future research should employ nationally representative data to assess the true demographic variation in children with CRS.
PET/CT imaging of skeletal muscle metastases
Authors: Surov Alexey , Pawelka Maria Kerstin , Wienke Andreas , Schramm Dominik 
Published: July 2013

Background Skeletal muscle metastases (SMM) are very rare because of complex resistance of the musculature to metastatic invasion. Previously, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of SMM has been reported only in few reports. A systematic analysis of SMM features in PET/CT has not been performed before. Purpose To study PET/CT findings of SMM in a larger group of patients with known malignancies and to determine PET/CT patterns of SMM in different primary tumors. Material and Methods Between January 2009 and December 2011 581 patients with lung cancer were investigated by PET with 18 F-fluordeoxyglucose (FDG PET) and computed tomography (CT) at the Center of Fusion Imaging, Halle. In five patients SMM were identified. Furthermore, PubMed database was screened for muscle metastases. Only articles containing SUV of SMM were considered in the study. Twenty-one articles with 33 patients could be included in this meta-analysis from the literature. Results At our center the prevalence of SMM was 0.9%. Our analysis comprised 38 patients with 67 muscle metastases. All identified SMM presented as intramuscular focal abnormal activity with SUV ranging from 2.4 to 25.9, median SUV 7.8. The median size of the muscle metastases was 2.5 cm (range, 0.6–6.5 cm). There were no significant differences between SUV and size of SMM arising from lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and esophageal cancer. Also, there was no correlation between SUV and size of SMM (r = 0.101, P = 0.558) and between SUV of SMM and primary tumors (r = 0.138, P = 0.686). In nine (23.7%) of the 38 patients, the identified SMM were isolated distant metastases or isolated tumor recurrence. Conclusion SMM manifested on PET/CT as focal hypermetabolic intramuscular areas with different SUV. There were no significant differences between SUV or size of the identified SMM in esophageal cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and lung cancer.
Effect of Excessive Contralateral Trunk Tilt on Pitching Biomechanics and Performance in High School Baseball Pitchers
Authors: Oyama Sakiko , Yu Bing , Blackburn J. Troy , Padua Darin A. , Li Li , Myers Joseph B. 
Published: July 2013

Background: There is a growing number of pitching-related upper extremity injuries among young baseball pitchers; however, there is a lack of data on the identification of injury prevention strategies, particularly the prevention of injuries through the instruction/modification of technique. The identification of technical parameters that are associated with increased joint loading is needed. Purpose: To investigate the effects of excessive contralateral trunk tilt, a common technique identifiable by video observation, on pitching biomechanics and performance in high school baseball pitchers. The hypothesis was that this strategy is associated with greater joint loading and poor pitching performance. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The 3-dimensional pitching biomechanics, ball speed, and frontal view of the pitching technique from 72 high school baseball pitchers were captured on video and analyzed. The videos were reviewed to determine if the pitcher’s trunk was excessively contralaterally tilted at the instant of maximal shoulder external rotation by examining whether the side of the pitcher’s head ipsilateral to the throwing limb deviated by more than a head width from a vertical line passing through the pitcher’s stride foot ankle. Upper extremity kinetics and upper extremity/trunk kinematics between pitchers with and without excessive contralateral trunk tilt were compared using independent t tests. Results: Compared with pitchers who did not demonstrate excessive contralateral trunk tilt, those with excessive contralateral trunk tilt pitched at a higher ball speed (mean, 32.6 ± 2.2 vs 31.1 ± 2.9 m/s, respectively; P = .019) and experienced a greater elbow proximal force (mean, 103.9 ± 12.7 vs 93.2 ± 13.9 %weight, respectively; P = .001), shoulder proximal force (mean, 104.8 ± 14.1 vs 94.3 ± 15.5 %weight, respectively; P = .004), elbow varus moment (mean, 4.29 ± 0.73 vs 3.84 ± 0.8 %height*weight, respectively; P = .017), and shoulder internal rotation moment (mean, 4.21 ± 0.71 vs 3.75 ± 0.78 %height*weight, respectively; P = .011). Pitchers with excessive contralateral trunk tilt demonstrated less upper torso flexion at stride foot contact, less upper torso rotation, and greater upper torso contralateral flexion at maximal shoulder external rotation and ball release ( P < .05). Conclusion: Excessive contralateral trunk tilt is a strategy that is associated with higher ball speeds and increased joint loading. Clinical Relevance: Pitching with excessive contralateral trunk tilt, which can be identified through screening of the pitching technique, is associated with a benefit in performance and increased joint loading. Future study is warranted to determine if this strategy should be encouraged or discouraged by baseball coaches.
Glucocorticoid downregulates expression of IL-12 family cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Qiu F , Song L , Yang N , Li X 
Published: July 2013

Objective This study aims to investigate expression of interleukin 12 (IL-12) family cytokines IL-12, IL-23, IL-27 and IL-35 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and the effect of glucocorticoid (GC) treatment on their expression. Methods Plasma concentration of IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, IL-35, IL-6 and anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies in 30 newly diagnosed severe SLE patients and 30 matched healthy subjects was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation between the levels of IL-12 family cytokines and the levels of IL-6 or anti-dsDNA antibodies was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation. Results Significantly higher levels of plasma IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, IL-35, IL-6 and anti-dsDNA antibodies were observed in SLE patients compared with healthy controls ( p<0.05), and after prednisone treatment, the serum levels of IL-12 family cytokines decreased significantly. Moreover, serum levels of IL-12, IL-23, IL-27 and IL-35 were correlated with serum levels of IL-6 and anti-dsDNA antibodies in pre-treatment as well as post-treatment SLE patients. Conclusions SLE patients have increased plasma levels of IL-12 family cytokines and GCs can downregulate the expression of them in SLE patients. Therefore, members of the IL-12 family may be involved in the pathophysiological process of SLE.