bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Some remarks on the Neuber rule applied to a control volume surrounding sharp and blunt notch tips
Authors: Zappalorto M. , Lazzarin P. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTThe paper deals with the small scale yielding estimation of nonlinear stresses and strains at the root of sharp and blunt notches through the mechanical model of antiplane shear loadings. The frame stems from the relation existing between the elastic and plastic averaged strain energy densities evaluated over the control volume drawn by the energy contour lines ahead of the notch tip.The analysis proves that there exist different relationships in terms of point‐wise elastic and plastic stresses and strains at the notch tip depending whether the notch is sharp (small notch tip radius) or blunt. For sharp notches, the analysis confirms previous results obtained by the present authors, according to which . This equation accounts for the influence of the material law through the hardening exponent n. Differently, when the notch can be regarded as blunt, calculations over the control volume give , in agreement with the Neuber rule.
Variable fidelity of tissue‐marking dyes in surgical pathology
Authors: Williams Andrew S , Dakin Haché Kelly 
Published: November 2013

AimsPathology specimens often contain important margins that must be identified from gross examination of specimens through to microscopic examination. Commonly, unique colours of tissue‐marking dye (TMD) are applied to each margin, which facilitates both macroscopic and microscopic identification. Various techniques have been described, but the colour endurance and fidelity ofTMDs following special tissue processing have not been addressed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of variousTMDs through decalcification and immunohistochemistry (IHC) protocols.Methods and resultsSamples ofTMDs from two manufacturers and acrylic artists' inks were obtained in seven colours and applied to excess non‐diagnostic surgical pathology tissue. Tissues were subjected to a decalcification protocol or directly processed in a routine fashion. The presence and colour ofTMDor ink were assessed on routine H&E sections and followingIHC. Of the colours that reliably survived routine processing, loss of colour and colour change following decalcification andIHCprotocols were seen with one manufacturer's product.ConclusionsTMDmay lose or change its colour during special tissue processing. This previously unreported artefact may lead to potentially serious errors in margin assessment and reporting. Laboratories should evaluateTMDs and inks through routine processing, decalcification, andIHCprotocols, to ensure colour endurance and fidelity.
The effects of age on associations between markers of HIV progression and markers of metabolic function including albumin, haemoglobin and lipid concentrations
Authors: Samuel M , Jose S , Winston A , Nelson M , Johnson M , Chadwick D , Fisher M , Leen C , Gompels M , Gilson R , Post FA , Hay P , Sabin CA ,   UK Collaborative HIV Cohort Study (UK CHIC)
Published: November 2013

ObjectivesWe investigated whether age modified associations between markers of HIV progression, CD4 T lymphocyte count and HIV RNA viral load (VL), and the following markers of metabolic function: albumin, haemoglobin, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and total cholesterol (TC).MethodsA retrospective analysis of data from the United Kingdom Collaborative HIV Cohort was carried out. Analyses were limited to antiretroviral‐naïve subjects to focus on the impact of HIV disease itself. A total of 16670 subjects were included in the analysis. Multilevel linear regression models assessed associations between CD4 count/VL and each of the outcomes. Statistical tests for interactions assessed whether associations differed among age groups.ResultsAfter adjustment for gender and ethnicity, there was evidence that lower CD4 count and higher VL were associated with lower TC, LDL‐C, haemoglobin and albumin concentrations but higher triglyceride concentrations. Age modified associations between CD4 count and albumin (P < 0.001) and haemoglobin (P = 0.001), but not between CD4 count and HDL‐C, LDL‐C and TC, or VL and any outcome. Among participants aged < 30, 30–50 and > 50 years, a 50 cells/μL lower CD4 count correlated with a 2.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–3.0], 3.6 (95% CI 3.2–4.0) and 5.1 (95% CI 4.0–6.1) g/L lower haemoglobin concentration and a 0.09 (95% CI 0.07–0.11), 0.12 (95% CI 0.11–0.13) and 0.16 (95% CI 0.13–0.19) g/L lower albumin concentration, respectively.ConclusionsWe present evidence that age modifies associations between CD4 count and plasma albumin and haemoglobin levels. A given reduction in CD4 count was associated with a greater reduction in haemoglobin and albumin concentrations among older people living with HIV. These findings increase our understanding of how the metabolic impact of HIV is influenced by age.
The effectiveness of enzymic irrigation in removing a nutrient‐stressed endodontic multispecies biofilm
Authors: Niazi S. A. , Clark D. , Do T. , Gilbert S. C. , Foschi F. , Mannocci F. , Beighton D. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimTo establish a nutrient‐stressed multispecies model biofilm and investigate the dynamics of biofilm killing and disruption by 1% trypsin and 1% proteinase K with or without ultrasonic activation.MethodologyNutrient‐stressed biofilms (Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Actinomyces radicidentis, Streptococcus mitis and Enterococcus faecalis OMGS 3202) were grown on hydroxyapatite discs and in prepared root canals of single‐rooted teeth in modified fluid universal medium. The treatment groups included trypsin, proteinase K, 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) (with and without ultrasonics). NaOCl and chlorhexidine were the positive controls and untreated group, and sterile saline was the negative control. The biofilms were investigated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with live/dead staining and quantitative microbial culture.ResultsNutrient stress in the multispecies biofilm was apparent as the medium pH became alkaline, glucose was absent, and serum proteins were degraded in the supernatant. The CLSM showed the percentage reduction in viable bacteria at the biofilm surface level due to nutrient starvation. On the disc model, trypsin and proteinase K were effective in killing bacteria; their aerobic viable counts were significantly lower (P < 0.01) than the negative control and chlorhexidine. NaOCl was the most effective agent (P < 0.001). In the tooth model, when compared to saline, trypsin with ultrasonics caused significant killing both aerobically and anaerobically (P < 0.05). Chlorhexidine (1.46 ± 0.42), trypsin (3.56 ± 1.18) and proteinase K (4.2 ± 1.01) with ultrasonics were significantly effective (P < 0.05) in reducing the substratum coverage as compared to saline with ultrasonics (12% ± 4.9).ConclusionTrypsin with ultrasonic activation has a biofilm killing and disrupting potential.
Fetal hemoglobin and alpha thalassemia modulate the phenotypic expression of HbSD‐Punjab
Authors: Patel D. K. , Purohit P. , Dehury S. , Das P. , Dutta A. , Meher S. , Patel S. , Bag S. , Mashon R. S. , Das K. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryIntroductionHbSD‐Punjab (HbSD) is a less common form of sickle cell disease (SCD) and discrimination between HbSD and HbSS is not possible on alkaline electrophoresis because the two variants overlap in the compound heterozygous state. There are only a few publications consisting mostly of case reports. Thus, the phenotypic expression of HbSD and its modifiers has not been studied.MethodsWe studied the phenotypic expression of 42 cases of HbSD (the largest number of subjects ever included in this kind of study) and compared them with 84 HbSS cases matched for age, sex, and caste. Further, we evaluated the influence of HbF concentration and alpha thalassemia on the phenotypic expressions of HbSD, namely the frequency of VOC and degree of hemolysis.ResultsThe frequencies of VOC were similar in both the groups. The markers of hemolysis such as total bilirubin, unconjugated bilirubin, and LDH were higher where as HbF concentration was significantly low in HbSD. There was a negative correlation between HbF concentration and risk of VOC in the HbSD. The total hemoglobin level and hematocrit were significantly high, and the MCV and MCH were significantly low in HbSD with alpha thalassemia. Alpha thalassemia had no influence on the frequency of VOC and severity of hemolysis in HbSD.ConclusionHbF reduced the frequency of VOC but had no influence on the hemolytic markers in HbSD. HbSD with alpha thalassemia was associated with hypohromic and microcytic features of red blood cells.
THE ORAL HEALTH STATUS OF PATIENTS WITH RENAL DISEASE IN CENTRAL INDIA: A PRELIMINARY STUDY
Authors: Tiwari Vidhatri , Saxena Vrinda , Bhambhal Ajay , Tiwari Utkarsh , Singh Aishwarya , Goud Siddana 
Published: November 2013

SUMMARYAimTo compare prevalence of caries and periodontal disease amongst patients on renal dialysis with healthy individuals.Materials and MethodsA case–control study was conducted amongst 30 cases and 30 controls. Patients who were diagnosed with renal disease were included as cases and systemically healthy individuals as controls. Patients' perceptions of oral health were recorded using structured questionnaires. The WHO proforma (1997) was used to record the periodontal condition, caries status and the treatment need of each group.ResultsThe number of people affected by periodontal disease (bleeding and calculus) was significantly higher amongst people with renal disease compared with controls (p < 0.05) and also mean caries prevalence amongst the cases was significantly higher compared with controls (p < 0.05).ConclusionThis study provides evidence for greater periodontal disease amongst patients with renal disease as compared with healthy individuals.
Alkaline phosphatase in boar sperm function
Authors: Bucci D. , Isani G. , Giaretta E. , Spinaci M. , Tamanini C. , Ferlizza E. , Galeati G. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryAlkaline phosphatase (AP) catalyses the detachment of phosphate residues from different substrates. Its activity has been demonstrated in seminal plasma and spermatozoa from porcine and other mammalian species; anyway, the role of AP in male reproduction has not been clarified yet and the aim of this study was to determine AP function in boar sperm capacitation and in vitro fertilization (IVF). AP activity was assayed in seminal plasma and in uncapacitated and in vitro capacitated (IVC) spermatozoa; in addition, capacitation was studied in presence of different doses of AP (1.2 and 2.5 IU/mL). The effect of different doses of AP (1.2 and 2.5 IU/mL) on several sperm parameters after IVC (viability, acrosome integrity with FITC‐PSA, capacitation status with CTC staining, tyrosine phosphorylation) and on fertilizing ability during IVF were also evaluated. High AP activity was detected in seminal plasma, in particular in sperm‐rich fraction; a lower activity was detected in uncapacitated spermatozoa while a significant decrease was evidenced after IVC. Viability was not changed by AP supplementation of the capacitating medium, whereas acrosome integrity and capacitation status were significantly affected by 1.2 and 2.5 doses, with a dose‐dependent decrease in acrosome‐reacted cells as well as in CTC B pattern displaying cells. As for sperm head protein phosphorylation, a decrease in relative fluorescence was detected in AP 2.5 group, if compared with capacitated one. After IVF, a dose‐dependent decrease in penetrated oocytes was recorded, with an increase in monospermic zygote rate. In conclusion, we demonstrated that AP activity decreases under capacitating condition and that addition of AP to spermatozoa during capacitation results in a depression of the capacitating process and IVF. We can infer that AP plays a role in keeping spermatozoa quiescent until they are ejaculated and in modulating the acquisition of the fertilizing ability.
Improvement in HSPF's Low‐Flow Predictions by Implementation of a Power Law Groundwater Storage‐Discharge Relationship
Authors: Schultz C.L. , Ahmed S.N. , Mandel R. , Moltz H.L.N. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe have enhanced the ability of a widely used watershed model, Hydrologic Simulation Program — FORTRAN (HSPF), to predict low flows by reconfiguring the algorithm that simulates groundwater discharge. During dry weather periods, flow in most streams consists primarily of base flow, that is, groundwater discharged from underlying aquifers. In this study, HSPF's groundwater storage‐discharge relationship is changed from a linear to a more general nonlinear relationship which takes the form of a power law. The nonlinear algorithm is capable of simulating streamflow recession curves that have been found in some studies to better match observed dry weather hydrographs. The altered version of HSPF is implemented in the Chesapeake Bay Program's Phase 5 Model, an HSPF‐based model that simulates nutrient and sediment loads to the Chesapeake Bay, and is tested in the upper Potomac River basin, a 29,950 km2 drainage area that is part of the Bay watershed. The nonlinear relationship improved median Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiencies for log daily flows at the model's 45 calibration points. Mean absolute percent error on low‐flow days dropped in five major Potomac River tributaries by up to 12 percentage points, and in the Potomac River itself by four percentage points, where low‐flow days were defined as days when observed flows were in the lowest 5th percentile range. Percent bias on low‐flow days improved by eight percentage points in the Potomac River, from −11 to −3%.
Mitochondrial Genome Sequences and Comparative Genomics of Achlya hypogyna and Thraustotheca clavata
Authors: O'Brien Megan A. , Misner Ian , Lane Christopher E. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAs a lineage, oomycetes have adapted to a wide range of lifestyles. Although the common ancestor of the group was likely a marine pathogen, extant members inhabit a spectrum from free‐living saprobes to obligate biotrophs. The mitochondrial genomes of Achlya hypogyna and Thraustotheca clavata were sequenced to directly compare a facultative parasitic species (A. hypogyna) to a closely related free living saprobe (T. clavata). Both sequenced mitochondrial genomes are circular, with sizes of 46,869 bp for A. hypogyna and 47,381 bp for T. clavata. They share 63 common genes, indicating little influence of lifestyle on gene content, but small differences in total number and order of genes. Achlya hypogyna has a single copy of nad2, whereas T. clavata has one pseudogene (rps7) and two duplicated genes (nad5 and nad2), each with one full and one truncated copy. The genomes encode a total of 29 or 30 tRNAs (A. hypogyna and T. clavata, respectively) for 19 amino acids. Three unidentified open reading frames are conserved, and one is unique to T. clavata. Comparisons of these genomes with published sequences of the closely related Saprolegnia ferax mitochondrial genome, and four other more distantly related oomycetes, reveals no correlation in genome content or architecture with lifestyle.
Atomic force microscopic investigation of respiratory syncytial virus infection in HEp‐2 cells
Authors: TIWARI P.M. , EROGLU E. , BOYOGLU‐BARNUM S. , HE Q. , WILLING G.A. , VIG K. , DENNIS V.A. , SINGH S.R. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) primarily causes bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants. In spite of intense research, no safe and effective vaccine has been developed yet. For understanding its pathogenesis and development of anti‐RSV drugs/therapeutics, it is indispensable to study the RSV–host interaction. Although, there are limited studies using electron microscopy to elucidate the infection process of RSV, to our knowledge, no study has reported the morphological impact of RSV infection using atomic force microscopy. We report the cytoplasmic and nuclear changes in human epidermoid cell line type 2 using atomic force microscopy. Human epidermoid cell line type 2 cells, grown on cover slips, were infected with RSV and fixed after various time periods, processed and observed for morphological changes using atomic force microscopy. RSV infected cells showed loss of membrane integrity, with degeneration in the cellular content and cytoskeleton. Nuclear membrane was disintegrated and nuclear volume was decreased. The chromatin of the RSV infected cells was condensed, progressing towards degeneration via pyknosis and apoptosis. Membrane protrusions of ∼150–200 nm diameter were observed on RSV infected cells after 6 h, suggestive of prospective RSV budding sites. To our knowledge, this is the first study of RSV infection process using atomic force microscopy. Such morphological studies could help explore viral infection process aiding the development of anti‐RSV therapies.
Automatic segmentation of fluorescence lifetime microscopy images of cells using multiresolution community detection—a first study
Authors: HU D. , SARDER P. , RONHOVDE P. , ORTHAUS S. , ACHILEFU S. , NUSSINOV Z. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryInspired by a multiresolution community detection based network segmentation method, we suggest an automatic method for segmenting fluorescence lifetime (FLT) imaging microscopy (FLIM) images of cells in a first pilot investigation on two selected images. The image processing problem is framed as identifying segments with respective average FLTs against the background in FLIM images. The proposed method segments a FLIM image for a given resolution of the network defined using image pixels as the nodes and similarity between the FLTs of the pixels as the edges. In the resulting segmentation, low network resolution leads to larger segments, and high network resolution leads to smaller segments. Furthermore, using the proposed method, the mean‐square error in estimating the FLT segments in a FLIM image was found to consistently decrease with increasing resolution of the corresponding network. The multiresolution community detection method appeared to perform better than a popular spectral clustering‐based method in performing FLIM image segmentation. At high resolution, the spectral segmentation method introduced noisy segments in its output, and it was unable to achieve a consistent decrease in mean‐square error with increasing resolution.
Study for the improvement of umbilical cord blood sampling using a new trial apparatus
Authors: Masaoka Naoki , Morooka Masako , Nakajima Yoshiyuki , Ogata Hajime , Kodo Hideki , Kato Shunichi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the trial umbilical cord blood sampling bag for unrelated cord blood transplantation.Material and MethodsData were obtained from 100 vaginal deliveries. In 50 cases, umbilical cord blood (UCB) was taken with the traditional Kawasumi type UCB sampling bag. In another 50 cases, UCB were taken with trial UCB sampling bag offered by NIPRO Co. We compared the sampling volume between the two groups. Furthermore, 10 cases in each group were matched by sampling volume; we examined the quality of UCB on the number and concentration of nucleated cells, mononuclear cells, CD34+ cells and colony‐forming unit granulocyte macrophage and the numbers tested positive for bacteria.ResultsWhereas there were no significant differences in gestational weeks at sampling, the ratio of primipara women to multipara women, maternal age, and neonatal weight between the two groups, the sampling UCB volumes with the trial sampling bag were significantly higher than those with traditional sampling bags (P < 0.05). In addition, this phenomenon was more significant in the latter part of the study period (P < 0.05). On the other hand, there were no significant differences in the quality of UCB between the two groups.ConclusionOnce clinicians have become accustomed to the trial UBC sampling bag, this method might be a useful method for collecting UCB for unrelated cord blood transplantation.
Evaluation of the efficacy of Fructus agni casti in women with severe primary dysmenorrhea: A prospective comparative Doppler study
Authors: Aksoy Ayse Nur , Gözükara Ilay , Kabil Kucur Suna 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of this case–control study was to compare the efficacy of ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone and Fructus agni casti in women with severe primary dysmenorrhea measuring uterine artery blood flow via Doppler ultrasonography.MethodsA total of 60 women with severe primary dysmenorrhea and 30 healthy women (control) were included in this study. Thirty patients were treated with ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg/drospirenone (group 1) and another 30 were treated with Fructus agni casti (group 2) during three menstrual cycles. Before and at the end of third month of therapy visual analog scale (VAS) scores, pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI) of uterine artery were recorded before and after receiving therapy on the first day of the menstrual cycle.ResultsMean PI and RI values in patients with severe primary dysmenorrhea were significantly higher than in the control groups on the first day of the menstrual cycle (P < 0.0001). Mean PI and RI values were significantly lower after the treatment in both groups compared to before values (P < 0.001 for both). After using the drugs for three menstrual cycles, VAS scores were significantly dropped in both groups compared to before treatment values (P < 0.0001 for both); however, there were no significant differences in terms of Doppler findings between group 1 and 2.ConclusionThe effectiveness of Fructus agni casti was similar to that of ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone in patients with primary dysmenorrhea.
Retrospective analysis of outcomes of secondary debulking surgery for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer with favorable prognostic factors
Authors: Nasu Kaei , Kai Kentaro , Hirakawa Tomoko , Nishida Masakazu , Matsumoto Harunobu , Kawano Yasushi , Narahara Hisashi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimOvarian cancer is the second most common gynecological malignancy, yet it has the highest case‐fatality ratio of all gynecologic malignancies. Surgery followed by combination platinum‐taxane chemotherapy is the standard approach to the management of primary epithelial ovarian cancer. However, standard treatment of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer remains poorly defined. Secondary cytoreductive surgery (SDS) at the time of relapse has been proposed as a means of improving the prognosis of recurrent ovarian cancer patients with a treatment‐free interval of at least 6 months.MethodsIn the present study, we retrospectively collected 16 patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer who might benefit most from SDS and evaluated the impact of SDS on the outcomes for this highly select patient group.ResultsWe found that SDS led to excellent outcomes, with a 73.1% 8‐year overall survival rate after initial treatment, a 67.9% 5‐year overall survival rate after prior SDS, and a 31.3% 5‐year progression‐free survival rate after prior SDS. Although the findings were not significant, these results suggest that repeated SDS might improve outcomes for this patient group.ConclusionThe present study may provide a platform for discussion of the impact of aggressive or repeated SDS on the survival of patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer and favorable prognostic factors. Further multi‐institutional studies with larger number of patients are mandatory to confirm the present findings.