bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Instability of the North Pacific Subtropical Countercurrent
Authors: Chang Y.-L. , Oey L.-Y. 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The North Pacific Subtropical Countercurrent (STCC) has a weak eastward velocity near the surface, but the region is populated with eddies. Studies have shown that the STCC is baroclinically unstable with a peak growth rate of 0.015 day−1 in March, and the ~60-day growth time has been used to explain the peak eddy kinetic energy (EKE) in May observed from satellites. It is argued here that this growth time from previously published normal-mode instability analyses is too slow. Growth rates calculated from an initial-value problem without the normal-mode assumption are found to be 1.5 to 2 times faster and at shorter wavelengths, due to the existence of (i) nonmodal solutions and (ii) sea surface temperature front in the mixed layer in winter. At interannual time scales it is shown that because of rapid surface adjustments, the STCC geostrophic shear, hence also the instability growth, is approximately in phase with surface forcing, leading to EKE modulation that peaks approximately 10 months later. However, the EKE can only be partially explained by this mechanism of modulation by baroclinic instability. It is suggested that the unexplained variance may be caused additionally by modulation of the EKE by dissipation.
Assimilating MTSAT-Derived Humidity in Nowcasting Sea Fog over the Yellow Sea
Authors: Wang Yongming , Gao Shanhong , Fu Gang , Sun Jilin , Zhang Suping 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
An extended three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) method based on the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) is developed to assimilate satellite-derived humidity from sea fog at its initial stage over the Yellow Sea. The sea fog properties, including its horizontal distribution and thickness, are retrieved empirically from the infrared and visible cloud imageries of the Multifunctional Transport Satellite (MTSAT). Assuming a relative humidity of 100% in fog, the MTSAT-derived humidity is assimilated by the extended 3DVAR assimilation method. Two sea fog cases, one spread widely over the Yellow Sea and the other spread narrowly along the coast, are first studied in detail with a suite of experiments. For the widespread-fog case, the assimilation of MTSAT-derived information significantly improves the forecast of the sea fog area, increasing the probability of detection and equitable threat scores by about 20% and 15%, respectively. The improvement is attributed to a more realistic representation of the marine boundary layer (MBL) and better descriptions of moisture and temperature profiles. For the narrowly spread coastal case, the model completely fails to reproduce the sea fog event without the assimilation of MTSAT-derived humidity. The extended 3DVAR assimilation method is then applied to 10 more sea fog cases to further evaluate its effect on the model simulations. The results reveal that the assimilation of MTSAT-derived humidity not only improves sea fog forecasts but also provides better moisture and temperature structure information in the MBL.
Norethisterone interference in testosterone assays
Authors: Jeffery Jinny , MacKenzie Finlay , Beckett Geoff , Perry Les , Ayling Ruth 
Published: November 2013

Background This article describes three patients in whom measured serum testosterone concentrations were found to be artifactually high due to interference from norethisterone medication. This interference was investigated further by distributing samples containing norethisterone through an external quality assessment scheme. Methods Serum samples containing different concentrations of norethisterone were distributed to participants in the UK external quality assessment scheme (UK NEQAS) for female testosterone in order to assess the degree of interference from norethisterone in different commercially available immunoassay and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods for measurement of testosterone. Results The results have shown that apparent serum testosterone concentrations in excess of 5 nmol/L may be obtained using the Roche E170 Modular immunoassay method for samples collected from patients taking norethisterone medication and this interference can be reproduced by adding norethisterone to serum samples. Conclusions Although the biggest interference is seen with the Roche system, there is a small effect in the Siemens ADVIA Centaur assay and some of the other immunoassays may also be affected to a much lesser extent. Norethisterone does not interfere in testosterone measurements obtained by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Detection of the human endogenous retrovirus ERV3-encoded Env-protein in human tissues using antibody-based proteomics
Authors: Fei Chen , Atterby Christina , Edqvist Per-Henrik , Pontén Fredrik , Zhang Wei Wei , Larsson Erik , Ryan Frank P 
Published: November 2013

Objectives There is growing evidence to suggest that human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) have contributed to human evolution, being expressed in development, normal physiology and disease. A key difficulty in the scientific evaluation of this potential viral contribution is the accurate demonstration of virally expressed protein in specific human cells and tissues. In this study, we have adopted the endogenous retrovirus, ERV3, as our test model in developing a reliable high-capacity methodology for the expression of such endogenous retrovirus-coded protein. Design Two affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies to ERV3 Env-encoded protein were generated to detect the corresponding protein expression pattern in specific human cells, tissues and organs. Participants Sampling included normal tissues from 144 individuals ranging from childhood to old age. This included more than forty different tissues and organs and some 216 different cancer tissues representing the twenty commonest forms of human cancer. Setting The Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University and Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. Main Outcome Measures The potential expression at likely physiological level of the ERV3Env encoded protein in a wide range of human cells, tissues and organs. Results We found that ERV3 encoded Env protein is expressed at substantive levels in placenta, testis, adrenal gland, corpus luteum, Fallopian tubes, sebaceous glands, astrocytes, bronchial epithelium and the ducts of the salivary glands. Substantive expression was also seen in a variety of epithelial cells as well as cells known to undergo fusion in inflammation and in normal physiology, including fused macrophages, myocardium and striated muscle. This contrasted strongly with the low levels expressed in other tissues types. These findings suggest that this virus plays a significant role in human physiology and may also play a possible role in disease. Conclusion This technique can now be extended to the study of other HERV genomes within the human chromosomes that may have contributed to human evolution, physiology and disease.
Systematic analysis of funding awarded for norovirus research to institutions in the United Kingdom, 1997–2010
Authors: Head Michael G , Fitchett Joseph R , Atun Rifat 
Published: November 2013

Objectives Norovirus infections pose great economic and disease burden to health systems around the world. This study quantifies the investments in norovirus research awarded to UK institutions over a 14-year time period. Design A systematic analysis of public and philanthropic infectious disease research investments awarded to UK institutions between 1997 and 2010. Participants None Setting UK institutions carrying out infectious disease research. Main outcome measures Total funding for infectious disease research, total funding for norovirus research, position of norovirus research along the R&D value chain. Results The total dataset consisted of 6165 studies with sum funding of £2.6 billion. Twelve norovirus studies were identified with a total funding of £5.1 million, 0.2% of the total dataset. Of these, eight were categorized as pre-clinical, three as intervention studies and one as implementation research. Median funding was £200,620. Conclusions Research funding for norovirus infections in the UK appears to be unacceptably low, given the burden of disease and disability produced by these infections. There is a clear need for new research initiatives along the R&D value chain: from pre-clinical through to implementation research, including trials to assess cost-effectiveness of infection control policies as well as clinical, public health and environmental interventions in hospitals, congregate settings and in the community.
Diagnosis Change in Voice‐Disordered Patients Evaluated by Primary Care and/or Otolaryngology: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Cohen Seth M. , Dinan Michaela A. , Roy Nelson , Kim Jaewhan , Courey Mark 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveAccurate diagnosis of a voice disorder is an essential first step toward its appropriate treatment. We examined differences in laryngeal diagnosis over time in outpatients evaluated by primary care physicians (PCPs) and/or otolaryngologists.Study Design and SettingRetrospective analysis of data from a large, national administrative US claims database.Subjects and MethodsPatients with laryngeal disorders based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2008, with at least 2 outpatient visits by a PCP and/or otolaryngologist and continuously enrolled for 12 months were included. The initial and final laryngeal diagnoses were tabulated.ResultsOf approximately 55 million individuals, 29,501 met inclusion criteria. More than half the patients in the PCP to otolaryngology group and one‐third of the otolaryngology to otolaryngology group had different laryngeal diagnoses over time. Three‐fourths of patients with an initial acute laryngitis diagnosis in the PCP to otolaryngology group and half of the otolaryngology to otolaryngology group had a different final laryngeal diagnosis. Of patients with a final laryngeal cancer diagnosis, one‐fourth of the otolaryngology to otolaryngology group had an initial diagnosis of nonspecific dysphonia, and one‐fifth of the PCP to otolaryngology group had an initial diagnosis of acute laryngitis.ConclusionDifferential diagnosis of voice disorders often evolves over time. The impact on treatment and health care utilization are important areas of future study.
Headache as a risk factor for dementia: A prospective population-based study
Authors: Hagen Knut , Stordal Eystein , Linde Mattias , Steiner Timothy J , Zwart John-Anker , Stovner Lars Jacob 
Published: November 2013

Background Headache has not been established as a risk factor for dementia. The aim of this study was to determine whether any headache was associated with subsequent development of vascular dementia (VaD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or other types of dementia. Methods This prospective population-based cohort study used baseline data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT 2) performed during 1995–1997 and, from the same Norwegian county, a register of cases diagnosed with dementia during 1997–2010. Participants aged ≥20 years who responded to headache questions in HUNT 2 were categorized (headache free; with any headache; with migraine; with nonmigrainous headache). Hazard ratios (HRs) for later inclusion in the dementia register were estimated using Cox regression analysis. Results Of 51,383 participants providing headache data in HUNT 2, 378 appeared in the dementia register during the follow-up period. Compared to those who were headache free, participants with any headache had increased risk of VaD ( n = 63) (multivariate-adjusted HR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.4–3.8, p = 0.002) and of mixed dementia (VaD and AD ( n = 52)) (adjusted HR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.5, p = 0.018). There was no association between any headache and later development of AD ( n = 180). Conclusion In this prospective population-based cohort study, any headache was a risk factor for development of VaD.
Disclosure of diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in the workplace positively affects employment status and job tenure
Authors: Kirk-Brown AK , Van Dijk PA , Simmons RD , Bourne MP , Cooper BK 
Published: November 2013

Background: For many employees with multiple sclerosis (MS), disclosure of their diagnosis at work is seen as a high-risk strategy that might lead to diminished perceptions of their capabilities by supervisors and colleagues, if not outright discrimination. The consequence of this mistrust surrounding the disclosure process is that employees with MS may leave it until too late to effectively manage symptoms at work. Objective: The objective of this paper is to statistically evaluate the relationship between disclosure of diagnosis at work and maintenance of employment. Methods: Three annual, large-sample self-report surveys of MS patients prospectively examined the relationship between disclosure of diagnosis at work and employment status. A total of 1438 people responded to all three surveys. Of employed persons in 2010 ( n = 946), 673 also responded to the 2012 survey. Of these 673 respondents 564 were still employed. Results: People who had disclosed their MS status to an employer were more likely to remain in employment in Year 3. The effect of disclosure in predicting employment status remained after controlling for age, gender, hours worked and level of disability. Conclusion: This study provides the first empirical support for the positive role of disclosure in maintaining employment status, measured both as job retention and tenure in current employment.
‘I’m loving life’: Adolescents’ empowering experiences of living with a mental illness
Authors: Kranke Derrick , Jackson Sally E , Taylor Debbie A , Landguth Joan , Floersch Jerry 
Published: November 2013

Objective: Self-stigma is a common phenomenon among adolescents suffering from psychiatric disorders; however, this important research area has received little attention. Furthermore, there is a lack of clarity in the current literature on what makes individuals more or less likely to experience self-stigma. The objectives of our article are to identify the external conditions that help promote empowerment and present a model that explicates the process of those adolescents who do not self-stigmatize. Methods: In this qualitative study, we examine the cases of three adolescents between the ages of 12–17 who were taking psychiatric medication. We gathered adolescents’ experiences and perceptions of psychiatric treatment using the TeenSEMI, coded responses, utilized Atlas.ti software to connect and hyperlink the codes, and constructed individual narratives that ultimately elicited an empowerment process among the adolescents. Results: We identified themes that helped adolescents to buffer against self-stigma; and categorized the components of the empowerment process as: diminish, normalize and attribute. Conclusion and implications for practice: We compare our empowerment model with an adolescent self-stigma model and identify key differences that may mitigate the effects of self-stigma. Although there are limitations to the generalizability of the study, authors recommend interventions applicable to youths with mental illness, as well as family and peers. This study indicates positive outcomes among adolescents who adhere to and are engaged in treatment.
Sarcoidois: is it only a mimicker of primary rheumatic disease? A single center experience
Authors: Kobak Şenol , Sever Fidan , Sivrikoz Oya Nermin , Orman Mehmet 
Published: November 2013

Background: Sarcoidosis is known as a T helper 1 lymphocyte (Th1-Ly) mediated disease which can imitate or sometimes accompany many primary rheumatic diseases. The purpose of this study is to share the clinical, demographic and laboratory data of patients presenting with rheumatologic manifestations and diagnosed with sarcoidosis. Methods: A total of 42 patients (10 men) were included in the study. The patients were admitted to the rheumatology outpatient clinic for the first time with different rheumatic complaints between November 2011 and May 2013 and were diagnosed with sarcoidosis after relevant tests. Clinical, demographic, laboratory, radiological and histological data of these patients were collected during the 18-month follow-up period and then analyzed. Results Mean patient age was 45.2 years (20–70 years) and mean duration of disease was 3.5 years (1 month–25 years). Evaluation of system and organ involvement revealed that 20 (47.6%) patients had erythema nodosum, 3 (7.1%) had uveitis, 1 (2.3%) had myositis, 1 (2.3%) had neurosarcoidosis, 32 (76.2%) had arthritis and 40 (95.2%) had arthralgia. Of the 32 patients with arthritis, 28 (87.5%) had involvement of the ankle, 3 (9.4%) had involvement of the knee and 1 (3.2%) had involvement of the wrist. No patient had cardiac involvement. Thoracic computed tomography scan showed stage 1, 2, 3 and 4 sarcoidosis in 12 (28.5%), 22 (52.4%), 4 (9.5%) and 4 (9.5%) patients, respectively. Histopathology of sarcoidosis was verified by endobronchial ultrasound, mediastinoscopy and skin and axillary biopsy of lymphadenopathies, which revealed noncaseating granulomas. Laboratory tests showed elevated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme in 15 (35.7%) patients, elevated serum calcium level in 6 (14.2%) patients and elevated serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations in 2 (4.7%) patients. Serological tests showed antinuclear antibody positivity in 12 (28.5%) patients, rheumatoid factor positivity in 7 (16.6%) patients and anticyclic citrullinated antibody positivity in 2 (4.8%) patients. Conclusion: Sarcoidosis can imitate or accompany many primary rheumatic diseases. Sarcoidosis should be considered not simply as an imitator but as a primary rheumatic pathology mediated by Th1-Ly. New studies are warranted on this subject.
Viral Inactivation of Human Osteochondral Grafts with Methylene Blue and Light
Authors: Squillace Donna M. , Zhao Zhixing , Call Gazell M. , Gao Jizong , Yao Jian Q. 
Published: November 2013

Objective: Cartilage injury is one of the most common disorders of synovial joints. Fresh osteochondral allografts are becoming a standard treatment; however, they are supply constrained with a potential risk of disease transmission. There are no known virucidal processes available for osteochondral allografts and most methods presently available are detrimental to cartilage. Methylene blue light treatment has been shown to be successful in the literature for viral inactivation of fresh frozen plasma. The purpose of this study was to determine the capacity of methylene blue light treatment to inactivate a panel of clinically relevant viruses inoculated onto osteochondral allografts. Design: Osteochondral grafts recovered from human cadaveric knees were inoculated with one of the following viruses: bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), hepatitis A virus (HAV), human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), porcine parvovirus (PPV), and pseudorabies virus (PrV). The samples were processed through a methylene blue light treatment, which consisted of an initial soak in nonilluminated circulating methylene blue at ambient temperature, followed by light exposure with circulating methylene blue at cool temperatures. The final titer was compared with the recovery control for the viral log reduction. Results: HIV-1, BVDV, and PrV were reduced to nondetectable levels while HAV and PPV were reduced by 3.1 and 5.6 logs, respectively. Conclusions: The methylene blue light treatment was effective in reducing ( a) enveloped DNA and RNA viruses to nondetectable levels and (b) nonenveloped DNA and RNA viruses of inoculated human osteochondral grafts by 3.1 to 5.6 logs. This study demonstrates the first practical method for significantly reducing viral load in osteochondral implants.
Soil bacterial communities shaped by geochemical factors and land use in a less-explored area, Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Guan Xiangyu , Wang Jinfeng , Zhao Hui , Wang Jianjun , Luo Ximing , Liu Fei , Zhao Fangqing 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
As the largest low-latitude permafrost region, the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is an important part of the earth’s terrestrial ecosystem and one of the most vulnerable areas to climate change and human activities. However, to the best of our knowledge, the bacterial communities in TP soils and their roles in biogeochemical cycles remain limited.

Results
In this study, we report the bacterial community structure and function as well as their correlation with environmental factors in TP major ecosystems (farmland, alpine meadow and oligosaline lake) by using metagenomic approaches. Compared with other soil samples in various environments, TP soils share a core set of microorganisms with a distinct abundance and composition. Among TP soil samples, the taxonomic and functional composition of bacterial communities among the upper (3-5 cm) and lower (18-20 cm) soils of farmland sites were highly similar, whereas the dissimilarities within alpine meadow samples were significantly greater than among farmland samples. A similar pattern was observed in elements cycles and pathways associated with adaption to environment and land use types. Canonical correlation analysis revealed that the bacterial communities in most of farmland and alpine meadow soil samples were also significantly correlated with geogenic variables. Specifically, the root-nodule bacteria are negatively correlated with the soil moisture and pH, while Thiobacillus associated with sulfur cycles show potential responses to low temperature and intense UV radiation.

Conclusions
These findings indicate that the bacterial community structure and functions in TP soils were influenced by both human activities and soil environmental properties, and that the bacterial communities appeared to be more homogenized in the farmland soils compared with pristine alpine meadows.
Analysis of localized immune responses reveals presence of Th17 and Treg cells in cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica
Authors: Katara Gajendra Kumar , Raj Anand , Kumar Rajesh , Avishek Kumar , Kaushal Himanshu , Ansari Nasim Akhtar , Bumb Ram Awatar , Salotra Poonam 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Purpose
The interaction between the Leishmania parasite and the host cell involves complex, multifaceted processes. The disease severity in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is largely dependent on the causative species. Most of the information on immune responses in human CL is available with respect to L. major infection and is lacking for L. tropica species. In this study, we employed cytokine/chemokine/receptor membrane cDNA array to capture comprehensive picture of immuno-determinants in localized human tissue during L. tropica infection. Expression of selected molecules was evaluated by real time PCR in dermal lesion tissues at pre- and post treatment stages. Plasma IL-17 level was estimated by sandwich ELISA.

Results
The cDNA array analysis identified several immuno-determinants in tissue lesions of Indian CL including cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-13), chemokines (IL-8, CCL2, CCL3, CCL4) and apoptotic molecules (Fas, TRAIL, IRF-1). Elevated mRNA levels of Th17 (IL-17, IL-23 and RORγt) and Treg (CD25, CTLA-4 and Foxp3) markers were observed in lesion tissues of CL patients compared to the control group, which subsided post treatment. Plasma IL-17 levels were found to be significantly higher in CL samples compared to controls.

Conclusions
In addition to defining comprehensive immunological responses inside lesion tissues of CL patients, our study demonstrated the presence of Th17 and Treg cells in CL caused by L. tropica.