bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Familial history of non‐medullary thyroid cancer is an independent prognostic factor for tumor recurrence in younger patients with conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Lee Yu‐Mi , Yoon Jong Ho , Yi Onvox , Sung Tae‐Yon , Chung Ki‐Wook , Kim Won Bae , Hong Suck Joon 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundIt is not clear whether familial non‐medullary thyroid cancer (FNMTC) is more aggressive and has a poorer prognosis, than sporadic carcinoma. Therefore, the optimal clinical approach for FNMTC is yet to be established. In this study, we investigated the biological behavior and prognosis of FNMTC compared with its sporadic counterpart.MethodsBetween 1996 and 2004, 1,262 patients underwent a total thyroidectomy for conventional PTC at Asan Medical Center and 113 (9.0%) were diagnosed with FNMTC. We compared the clinico‐pathologic characteristics, treatment modalities, and prognosis between familial and sporadic NMTC.ResultsFNMTC was significantly more multi‐centric than sporadic. We also found that family history itself was an independent risk factor for recurrence. Moreover, disease‐free survival in the familial group was significantly shorter than in the sporadic group in the subgroups in which age was <45 years, and in which the tumors were multi‐centric, bilateral, and of N1b node status.ConclusionFNMTC may be considered as a separate clinical entity with a higher rate of recurrence and worse DFS than its sporadic counterpart. Furthermore, familial history of NMTC is an independent risk factor for recurrence, especially in younger patients with conventional PTC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:168–173. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Imaging: What can it tell us about parkinsonian gait?
Authors: Bohnen Nicolaas I. , Jahn Klaus 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTFunctional neuroimaging has provided new tools to study cerebral gait control in Parkinson's disease (PD). First, imaging of blood flow functions has identified a supraspinal locomotor network that includes the (frontal) cortex, basal ganglia, brainstem tegmentum, and cerebellum. These studies also emphasize the cognitive and attentional dependency of gait in PD. Furthermore, gait in PD and related syndromes like progressive supranuclear palsy may be associated with dysfunction of the indirect, modulatory prefrontal–subthalamic–pedunculopontine loop of locomotor control. The direct, stereotyped locomotor loop from the primary motor cortex to the spinal cord with rhythmic cerebellar input appears to be preserved and may contribute to the unflexible gait pattern in parkinsonian gait. Second, neurotransmitter and proteinopathy imaging studies are beginning to unravel novel mechanisms of parkinsonian gait and postural disturbances. Dopamine displacement imaging studies have shown evidence for a mesofrontal dopaminergic shift from a depleted striatum in parkinsonian gait. This may place additional burden on other brain systems mediating attention functions to perform previously automatic motor tasks. For example, our preliminary cholinergic imaging studies suggest significant slowing of gait speed when additional forebrain cholinergic denervation occurs in PD. Cholinergic denervation of the pedunculopontine nucleus and its thalamic projections have been associated with falls and impaired postural control. Deposition of β‐amyloid may represent another non‐dopaminergic correlate of gait disturbance in PD. These findings illustrate the emergence of dopamine non‐responsive gait problems to reflect the transition from a predominantly hypodopaminergic disorder to a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder involving non‐dopaminergic locomotor network structures and pathologies. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Gait ataxia—specific cerebellar influences and their rehabilitation
Authors: Ilg Winfried , Timmann Dagmar 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTIt is well known that the cerebellum is important for movement control and plays a critical role in balance and locomotion. As such, one of the most characteristic and sensitive signs of cerebellar damage is gait ataxia. However, characterizing ataxic gait is no easy task, because gait patterns are highly variable. This variability seems to result from the interaction of different factors, namely, (1) the primary motor deficits in balance control and multi‐joint coordination and oculomotor dysfunction, (2) the safety strategies used, and (3) inaccurate adjustments in patients with loss of balance. In this report, we review different approaches to analyzing ataxic gait and studies to identify and quantify the different factors contributing to this movement disorder. We also discuss the influence of the cerebellum in adaptive locomotor control, the interaction between cognitive load and gait in dual‐task paradigms, and the recent advances in rehabilitation of gait and posture for patients with cerebellar degeneration. In the second part, we discuss open questions concerning cerebellar mechanisms in multi‐joint coordination during different walking conditions. Furthermore, we point out potential future directions in motor rehabilitation, with the objective of identifying predictors of rehabilitation outcome and the development of individualized training programs that potentially involve rehabilitation technology. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Alternating least squares in nonlinear principal components
Authors: Kuroda Masahiro , Mori Yuichi , Masaya Iizuka , Sakakihara Michio 
Published: October 2013

Principal components analysis (PCA) is probably the most popular descriptive multivariate method for analyzing quantitative data with ratio and interval scale measures. When applying PCA to nominal and ordinal data, the data are processed by a method such as optimal scaling, which nonlinearly transforms nominal and ordinal data into quantitative data. Therefore, PCA with optimal scaling is called nonlinear PCA. Nonlinear PCA reveals nonlinear relationships among variables with different measurement levels and therefore presents a more flexible alternative to ordinary PCA. The alternating least squares algorithm is utilized for nonlinear PCA. The algorithm alternates between optimal scaling for quantifying nominal and ordinal data and ordinary PCA for analyzing optimally scaled data. This article discusses two nonlinear PCA algorithms, namely, PRINCIPALS and PRINCALS. WIREs Comput Stat 2013, 5:456–464. doi: 10.1002/wics.1279This article is categorized under:

Algorithms and Computational Methods > Algorithms
Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Multivariate Analysis
Algorithms and Computational Methods > Numerical Methods
Statistical Models > Nonlinear Models
Algorithms and Computational Methods > Least Squares
P2X receptor signaling in skeletal muscle health and disease
Authors: Young Christopher N. J. , Sinadinos Anthony , Gorecki Dariusz C. 
Published: October 2013

Skeletal muscle (SM) is a heterogeneous and dynamic tissue that changes significantly in its form and function in response to external and internal stimuli and throughout life, from development right through to aging. The fully differentiated SM fiber is a highly specialized, complex and metabolically active cell containing finely tuned assemblies of contractile force‐generating proteins, while its growth and repair are maintained by a resident stem cell population. There is increasing evidence that extracellular ATP (ATPe) released during physiological activity and acting on P2 purinoceptors is involved in a number of muscle functions. Furthermore, very high levels of ATPe released from injured muscles can trigger further damage either by altered activation of P2 purinoceptors on muscle cells or by promoting inflammatory cell infiltration. Therefore, the effects of activation of specific P2 purinoceptors in SM can vary from physiologically beneficial to pathologically catastrophic. The most studied in SM so far have been the P2X purinoceptors, which are a family of homo/heterotrimeric ATP‐gated ion channels comprised of seven subtypes. Of these P2X1, P2X2, P2X4, P2X5, P2X6, and P2X7 have been identified, so far, predominantly in mouse SM and shown to influence cell growth, differentiation, death, and regeneration in health and disease. There is, however, a considerable diversity in expression of these receptors between different muscle groups and fiber types, which is not fully recognized yet. Understanding the roles of specific P2X purinoceptors in the physiology and pathology of different muscle groups might offer new opportunities for targeted pharmacological intervention in SM diseases. WIREs Membr Transp Signal 2013. doi: 10.1002/wmts.96Conflict of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article.For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Complications of Bronchial Stapling in Thoracic Surgery
Authors: Yano Motoki , Yokoi Kohei , Numanami Hiroki , Kondo Ryoichi , Ohde Yasuhisa , Sugaya Masakazu , Narita Kunio , Chihara Koji , Matsushima Yasushi , Kobayashi Ryo , Hikosaka Yu 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjectiveThe use of staplers for thoracic surgery has been widely accepted and regarded as a safe procedure. However, complications of stapling are occasionally experienced. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze complications of bronchial stapling.MethodsA retrospective multi‐institutional review was conducted by the Central Japan Lung Cancer Surgery Study Group, comprising 29 institutions. All instances of bronchial stapling in thoracic surgery were reviewed during the research period.ResultsBronchial stapling was performed 2,030 times, using 36 kinds of staplers. The total number of complications related to stapling was 36 (1.8 %); 31 events occurred intraoperatively and five events occurred postoperatively. The intraoperative complications were air leakage (N = 20) and stapling failure (N = 11), which were caused by stapler–tissue thickness mismatch (N = 17), stapler defect (N = 3), tissue fragility (N = 2), and unknown reasons (N = 9). In all 31 cases, intraoperative complications were recovered intraoperatively with additional suturing, and no further complications were observed postoperatively. The postoperative complications were bronchopleural fistula (BPF) (N = 4) and bleeding from the chest wall (intercostal artery) (N = 1). The rate of BPF was 0.2 % (4 of 2,030). Two of four BPFs induced critical conditions. Postoperative bleeding was caused by the use of Duet TRSTM. Both total complications and BPF occurred more frequently in the main bronchus than in the lobar or segmental bronchus. No relationship was seen between the incidence of complications and cartridge colors in lobar bronchial stapling. The compression types of staplers were associated with the incidence of complication.ConclusionsIntraoperative and postoperative complications of bronchial stapling were studied. Generally, bronchial stapling in recent thoracic surgery was safe, but rare postoperative complications may induce critical conditions. Knowledge of potential complications and causes of bronchial stapling may decrease the incidence of stapling complications.
Are habitat loss, predation risk and climate related to the drastic decline in a Siberian flying squirrel population? A 15‐year study
Authors: Koskimäki Jane , Huitu Otso , Kotiaho Janne S. , Lampila Satu , Mäkelä Antero , Sulkava Risto , Mönkkönen Mikko 
Published: October 2013

AbstractTo devise effective conservation actions, it is important to know which factors are associated with the population parameters of a declining population. Using mark–recapture methods, we estimated the annual population size, growth rate and survival probability of an ear‐tagged flying squirrel population over a 15‐year period in a 4,500 ha study area in western Finland. The species is considered vulnerable, but detailed knowledge concerning population sizes or trends is lacking. The population parameters and changes therein were regressed against habitat availability, an indicator of predation pressure, and mean winter temperature (an indicator of climate change), to reveal potential reasons for trends in the population. The best‐fit models suggested the annual growth rate to be below one, and on average it was 0.93 (±0.06; SE) across the 15‐year period. The survival probability was about 0.22 (±0.03) for juveniles and 0.50 (±0.03) for adults. The population size of adult flying squirrels decreased from 65 (±11) individuals in 1995 to 29 (±6) individuals in 2009. The number of flying squirrels was associated with the amount of available habitat, but the decline in population size was more rapid than the loss of habitat area. If the current decreasing trend in habitat availability continues, the population might become extinct by the year 2020. To halt the population decline, it is necessary to refrain from clear‐cutting mature spruce stands until new suitable habitats develop from the maturation of younger forests.
Comparison of the diversity, composition, and host recurrence of xylariaceous endophytes in subtropical, cool temperate, and subboreal regions in Japan
Authors: Ikeda Anzu , Matsuoka Shunsuke , Masuya Hayato , Mori Akira S. , Hirose Dai , Osono Takashi 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe diversity, composition, and host recurrence of endophytic fungi in the Xylariaceae were compared in subtropical (ST), cool temperate (CT), and subboreal forests (SB) in Japan based on the 28S ribosomal DNA sequences from fungal isolates. A total of 610 isolates were obtained from the leaves of 167 tree species in three sites, which were classified into 42 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the 99 % similarity level of the 28S rDNA sequence. ST, CT, and SB yielded 31, 13, and three OTUs, respectively. The OTU richness, diversity, and evenness of fungal communities were in the order: ST > CT > SB. The 42 OTUs were assigned to nine genera in the Xylariaceae: Xylaria, Annulohypoxylon, Anthostomella, Biscogniauxia, Nemania, Hypoxylon, Muscodor, Daldinia, and Rosellinia. Xylarioid isolates in the subfamily Xylarioideae outnumbered Hypoxyloid isolates in the subfamily Hypoxyloideae in ST and CT, whereas the opposite was found in SB. Sørensen's quotient of similarity was generally low between the three sites. Host recurrence of fungal OTUs was evaluated with the degree of specialization of interaction network between xylariaceous endophytes and plant species and compared between the three sites. We found that the networks in the three sites showed a significantly higher degree of specialization than simulated networks, where partners were associated randomly. Permutational multivariate analyses of variance indicated that plant family and leaf trait significantly affected the OTU composition in ST, which can account for the specialization of interaction network and host recurrence of xylariaceous endophytes.
Production of Diacylglycerol‐Mixture of Regioisomers with High Purity by Two‐Step Enzymatic Reactions Combined with Molecular Distillation
Authors: Zheng Pingyu , Xu Yang , Wang Weifei , Qin Xiaoli , Ning Zhengxiang , Wang Yonghua , Yang Bo 
Published: October 2013

AbstractPure diacylglycerol (DAG) is of vital importance for the biomedical and dietetic properties research of DAG. In this study, we aimed to develop an effective process to produce DAG‐mixture of regioisomers with high purity. Firstly, DAGs and monoacylglycerols (MAGs) were synthesized by enzymatic esterification of glycerol and free fatty acids (FFAs) from camellia oil with catalysis of Penicillium camembertii lipase, and the obtained reaction mixture was composed of 49.9 % DAG [33.4 % for 1,3‐DAG and 16.5 % for 1,2 (2,3)‐DAG], 31.6 % MAG and 18.5 % FFA. Secondly, a monoacylglycerol lipase (lipase CBD‐MGLP), which was produced by recombinant Escherichia coli in our laboratory, was employed to hydrolyze MAG in the above reaction mixture, and the MAG content decreased to 1.9 % under the optimal conditions with 375 U/g (U/w, with respect to the mass of MAG in the mixture) of CBD‐MGLP loading, temperature of 45 °C, mass ratio of esterification mixture to Tris–HCl buffer (w/w) 10:10, and pH of Tris–HCl buffer 9.0. Then, the hydrolytic products were further purified by molecular distillation at low temperature of 130 °C under a pressure of 10 Pa [equivalent to 377 °C at 101.325 kPa (1 atm)], and the DAG purity was up to 98.0 % (66.6 % for 1,3‐DAG and 31.4 % for 1,2‐DAG) in the final products. This indicated that two‐step enzymatic reactions combined with molecular distillation at low temperature could be a feasible and prospective process to produce DAG‐mixture of regioisomers with high purity.
Inflammatory response and oxidative stress in developing rat brain and its consequences on motor behavior following maternal administration of LPS and perinatal anoxia
Authors: Stigger Felipe , Lovatel Gisele , Marques Marília , Bertoldi Karine , Moysés Felipe , Elsner Viviane , Siqueira Ionara Rodrigues , Achaval Matilde , Marcuzzo Simone 
Published: October 2013

AbstractCerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder of locomotion, posture and movement that can be caused by prenatal, perinatal or postnatal insults during brain development. An increased incidence of CP has been correlated to perinatal asphyxia and maternal infections during gestation. The effects of maternal exposure to low doses of bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) associated or not with perinatal anoxia (PA) in oxidative and inflammatory parameters were examined in cerebral cortices of newborns pups. Concentrations of TNF‐α, IL‐1, IL‐4, SOD, CAT and DCF were measured by the ELISA method. Other newborn rats were assessed for neonatal developmental milestones from day 1 to 21. Motor behavior was also tested at P29 using open‐field and Rotarod. PA alone only increased IL‐1 expression in cerebral cortex with no changes in oxidative measures. PA also induced a slight impact on development and motor performance. LPS alone was not able to delay motor development but resulted in changes in motor activity and coordination with increased levels of IL‐1 and TNF‐α expression associated with a high production of free radicals and elevated SOD activity. When LPS and PA were combined, changes on inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters were greater. In addition, greater motor development and coordination impairments were observed. Prenatal exposure of pups to LPS appeared to sensitize the developing brain to effects of a subsequent anoxia insult resulting in an increased expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and increased free radical levels in the cerebral cortex. These outcomes suggest that oxidative and inflammatory parameters in the cerebral cortex are implicated in motor deficits following maternal infection and perinatal anoxia by acting in a synergistic manner during a critical period of development of the nervous system.
Flexible body with drag independent of the flow velocity
Authors: Barois Thomas , de Langre Emmanuel 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe drag of a rigid object is expected to increase with flow velocity. For wide ranges of velocities commonly encountered, the drag increases as the square of the relative velocity of the fluid. This strong dependence of the load on the velocity accounts for specific survival strategies adopted by passive living systems such as plants in wind or algae in marine environments: through elastic reconfiguration, the drag on plants is reduced when compared to a rigid configuration and the velocity exponent for the drag is typically found to be between 1 and 1.5. In this work, a membrane configuration is presented that exhibits a drag force that is almost independent of the free-stream velocity. This surprising result is shown to be remarkably robust as it is experimentally observed for a range of geometries. This study opens the way for the design of devices subjected to a drag that is independent of the flow velocity. This possibility constitutes a key point in various fields involving flexible structures that are towed or subjected to wind.
Stock Price Jumps and Cross-Sectional Return Predictability
Authors: Jiang George J. , Yao Tong 
Published: October 2013

AbstractWe identify large discontinuous changes, known as jumps, in daily stock prices and explore the role of jumps in cross-sectional stock return predictability. Our results show that small and illiquid stocks have higher jump returns to the extent that cross-sectional differences in jumps fully account for the size and illiquidity effects. Based on value-weighted portfolios, jumps also account for the value premium. On the other hand, jumps are not the cause of momentum or net share issue effects. The findings of our study shed new light on stock return dynamics and present challenges to conventional explanations of stock return predictability.
Real Assets and Capital Structure
Authors: Campello Murillo , Giambona Erasmo 
Published: October 2013

AbstractWe characterize the relation between asset structure and capital structure by exploiting variation in the salability of corporate assets. To establish this link, we distinguish across different assets in firms’ balance sheets (machinery, land, and buildings) and use an instrumental approach that incorporates market conditions for those assets. We also use a natural experiment driving differential increases in the supply of real estate assets across the United States: The Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990. Consistent with a supply-side view of capital structure, we find that asset redeployability is a main driver of leverage when credit frictions are high.
Factors influencing the illegal harvest of wildlife by trapping and snaring among the Katu ethnic group in Vietnam
Authors: MacMillan Douglas C. , Nguyen Quoc Anh 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe harvest of wildlife through hunting, trapping and snaring is illegal in Vietnam but remains widespread and is understood to be the major threat to many species. Clandestine activities such as trapping and snaring, which are deeply embedded in the culture and economy, are difficult to investigate and this study is the first to carry out in-depth research into the illegal capture and sale of wildlife by a major ethnic group in Vietnam. The research focused on two villages of the Katu, a forest-dwelling people living close to the boundary of the newly created Saola Nature Reserve, and involved collecting data from a focus group, 30 semi-structured interviews with trappers, and a number of informal, unstructured interviews with local forest rangers, forest officers and village headmen. We find that trapping is widespread and motivated by financial gain and non-pecuniary benefits such as social esteem and enjoyment, rather than by poverty per se. Trappers’ awareness of wildlife protection law was low and animals were killed indiscriminately in traps and snares designed to catch a range of animal species. With demand for wildlife and wildlife products expected to increase we believe that new approaches will be required to protect threatened species in Vietnamese protected areas.