bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of ultrasound to identify chronic Achilles tendinosis in an active asymptomatic population
Authors: Nicol A M , McCurdie I , Etherington J 
Published: March 2013

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of degenerative change in the Achilles tendons of currently asymptomatic individuals and correlate it with their degree of physical activity.MethodsWe recruited 126 healthy subjects, mean age 33.1, range 20 – 50 (78 males and 48 females). Their levels of physical activity were assessed by a questionnaire and scored using the Allied Dunbar Fitness Survey criteria, modified to exclude non-weight bearing activity. One investigator, who was blinded to the activity levels, ultrasound scanned all 252 tendons. Tendons were examined for evidence of hypoechoic regions, localised fusiform thickening, and the cross-sectional diameter of each was measured.ResultsOverall 59% (149) of tendons had ultrasound evidence of hypoechoic regions. In 50 tendons (in 31 patients) there was a history of previous Achilles pain and 84% of these had hypoechoic regions. Thirty three percent of subjects in the lowest quartile of activity had evidence of hypoechoic regions compared to 72.6% in the most active quartile (Pearson Chi2 p < 0.01). Only 5.6% of all Achilles tendons had ultrasound evidence of localised fusiform thickening, with none in the inactive group compared to 6.4% in the very active group (Pearson Chi2 p =0.03).ConclusionsDegenerative changes, identified by ultrasound, are common in the Achilles tendon and are often asymptomatic. There is a direct relationship between these changes and levels of current and lifetime activity. The natural history of asymptomatic chronic Achilles tendinosis and their relationship to future pain or tendon pathology is unknown.
Falls From Height: Injury and Mortality
Authors: Dickinson A , Roberts M , Kumar A , Weaver A , Lockey DJ 
Published: March 2013

ObjectivesTo determine how Injury Severity Score (ISS) and mortality relate to height fallen, and to determine other predictors of mortality including intent and body region injured.MethodsA pre-hospital retrospective, observational database study was conducted. Injured or deceased patients following a fall from height (FFH), aged 16 or over, attended to by London Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), between Jan 2008 to July 2009 were included in the study. In addition to the database, HEMS mission ‘run sheets’ provided further information.Results117 (91 males and 26 females) patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 37 years (range 16 - 85). 34/117 (29%) died. The mean ISS was 28.6 (median 17) and the mean height fallen 9.9m (3rdfloor). In the group that died the mean height was 16.7m (5thfloor). Height fallen was found to be a significant predictor of mortality (p<0.001), as were injuries to the chest and/or head (p<0.05). In patients with head and chest injuries, a 50% mortality rate was estimated to occur at falls from 10.5m, compared to 22.4m in those without injuries to head or chest. Deliberate falls were more common amongst females than males (chi-squared test, p=0.001), were associated with greater ISS (Mann Whitney test, p<0.001) and were more likely to result in death (chi-squared test, p<0.001).ConclusionsHeight fallen correlates with ISS and is a significant predictor of death. Chest and/or head injuries significantly increased the likelihood of death following a FFH. This information may enhance triage criteria applied to tasking of emergency response vehicles, and strategies in injury prevention. Other potential predictors of mortality were not found to be significant.
Winter and Summer Northern Hemisphere Blocking in CMIP5 Models
Authors: Masato Giacomo , Hoskins Brian J. , Woollings Tim 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe frequencies of atmospheric blocking in both winter and summer and the changes in them from the twentieth to the twenty-first centuries as simulated in 12 models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) are analyzed. The representative concentration pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) high emission scenario runs are used to represent the twenty-first century. The analysis is based on the wave-breaking methodology of Pelly and Hoskins. It differs from the Tibaldi and Molteni index in viewing equatorward cutoff lows and poleward blocking highs in equal manner as indicating a disruption to the westerlies. One-dimensional and two-dimensional diagnostics are applied to identify blocking of the midlatitude storm track and also at higher latitudes. Winter blocking frequency is found to be generally underestimated. The models give a decrease in the European blocking maximum in the twenty-first century, consistent with the results in other studies. There is a mean twenty-first-century winter poleward shift of high-latitude blocking but little agreement between the models on the details. In summer, Eurasian blocking is also underestimated in the models, whereas it is now too large over the high-latitude ocean basins. A decrease in European blocking frequency in the twenty-first-century model runs is again found. However, in summer there is a clear eastward shift of blocking over eastern Europe and western Russia, in a region close to the blocking that dominated the Russian summer of 2010. While summer blocking decreases in general, the poleward shift of the storm track into the region of frequent high-latitude blocking may mean that the incidence of storms being obstructed by blocks may actually increase.
Structural and Intensity Changes of Concentric Eyewall Typhoons in the Western North Pacific Basin
Authors: Yang Yi-Ting , Kuo Hung-Chi , Hendricks Eric A. , Peng Melinda S. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
An objective method is developed to identify concentric eyewalls (CEs) for typhoons using passive microwave satellite imagery from 1997 to 2011 in the western North Pacific basin. Three CE types are identified: a CE with an eyewall replacement cycle (ERC; 37 cases), a CE with no replacement cycle (NRC; 17 cases), and a CE that is maintained for an extended period (CEM; 16 cases). The inner eyewall (outer eyewall) of the ERC (NRC) type dissipates within 20 h after CE formation. The CEM type has its CE structure maintained for more than 20 h (mean duration time is 31 h). Structural and intensity changes of CE typhoons are demonstrated using a T–Vmax diagram (where T is the brightness temperature and Vmax is the best-track estimated intensity) for a time sequence of the intensity and convective activity (CA) relationship. While the intensity of typhoons in the ERC and CEM cases weakens after CE formation, the CA is maintained or increases. In contrast, the CA weakens in the NRC cases. The NRC (CEM) cases typically have fast (slow) northward translational speeds and encounter large (small) vertical shear and low (high) sea surface temperatures. The CEM cases have a relatively high intensity (63 m s−1), and the moat size (61 km) and outer eyewall width (70 km) are approximately 50% larger than the other two categories. Both the internal dynamics and environmental conditions are important in the CEM cases, while the NRC cases are heavily influenced by the environment. The ERC cases may be dominated by the internal dynamics because of more uniform environmental conditions.
The Possible Reasons for the Misrepresented Long-Term Climate Trends in the Seasonal Forecasts of HFP2
Authors: Jia XiaoJing , Lin Hai 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
The climate trend in a dynamical seasonal forecasting system is examined using 33-yr multimodel ensemble (MME) forecasts from the second phase of the Canadian Historical Forecasting Project (HFP2). It is found that the warming trend of the seasonal forecast in March–May (MAM) over the Eurasian continent is in a good agreement with that in the observations. However, the seasonal forecast failed to reproduce the observed pronounced surface air temperature (SAT) trend in December–February (DJF). The possible reasons responsible for the different behaviors of the HFP2 models in MAM and DJF are investigated. Results show that the initial conditions used for the HFP2 forecast system in MAM have a warming trend over the Eurasian continent, which may come from high-frequency weather systems, whereas the initial conditions for the DJF seasonal forecast do not have such a trend. This trend in the initial condition contributes to the trend of the seasonal forecast in the first month. On the other hand, an examination of the lower boundary SST anomaly forcing shows that the SST trend in MAM has a negative SST anomaly along the central equatorial Pacific, which is favorable for a positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation atmospheric response and a warming over the Eurasian continent. The long-term SST trend used for the seasonal forecast in DJF, however, has a negative trend in the tropical eastern Pacific, which is associated with a Pacific–North American pattern–like atmospheric response that has little contribution to a warming in the Eurasian continent.
Classifying Proximity Soundings with Self-Organizing Maps toward Improving Supercell and Tornado Forecasting
Authors: Nowotarski Christopher J. , Jensen Anders A. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
The self-organizing map (SOM) statistical technique is applied to vertical profiles of thermodynamic and kinematic parameters from a Rapid Update Cycle-2 (RUC-2) proximity sounding dataset with the goal of better distinguishing and predicting supercell and tornadic environments. An SOM is a topologically ordered mapping of input data onto a two-dimensional array of nodes that can be used to classify large datasets into meaningful clusters. The relative ability of SOMs derived from each parameter to separate soundings in a way that is useful in discriminating between storm type, location, and time of year is discussed. Sensitivity to SOM configuration is also explored. Simple skill scores are computed for each SOM to evaluate the relative potential of each variable for future development as a method of probabilistic forecasting. It is found that variance in SOM nodes is reduced compared to the overall dataset, indicating that this is a viable classification method. SOMs of profiles of wind-derived variables are more effective in discriminating between storm type than thermodynamic variables. The SOM method also identifies meteorological, geographic, and temporal regimes within the dataset. In general, conditional probabilities of storm-type occurrence generated using SOMs have higher skill when wind-derived variables are considered and when forecasting nonsupercell events. Storm-relative wind variables tend to have better skill than ground-relative wind variables when forecasting nonsupercells, whereas ground-relative variables become more important when forecasting tornadoes.
Diagnosing Santa Ana Winds in Southern California with Synoptic-Scale Analysis
Authors: Abatzoglou John T. , Barbero Renaud , Nauslar Nicholas J. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Santa Ana winds (SAW) are among the most notorious fire-weather conditions in the United States and are implicated in wildfire and wind hazards in Southern California. This study employs large-scale reanalysis data to diagnose SAW through synoptic-scale dynamic and thermodynamic factors using mean sea level pressure gradient and lower-tropospheric temperature advection, respectively. A two-parameter threshold model of these factors exhibits skill in identifying surface-based characteristics of SAW featuring strong offshore winds and extreme fire weather as viewed through the Fosberg fire weather index across Remote Automated Weather Stations in southwestern California. These results suggest that a strong northeastward gradient in mean sea level pressure aligned with strong cold-air advection in the lower troposphere provide a simple, yet effective, means of diagnosing SAW from synoptic-scale reanalysis. This objective method may be useful for medium- to extended-range forecasting when mesoscale model output may not be available, as well as being readily applied retrospectively to better understand connections between SAW and wildfires in Southern California.
ERCP Procedures in a Finnish Community Hospital: A Retrospective Analysis of 1207 Cases
Authors: Siiki A. , Tamminen A. , Tomminen T. , Kuusanmäki P. 
Published: March 2013

Background and Aims Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure with a risk of serious and life-threatening complications. The most common complications are pancreatitis, haemorrhage, perforation and cholangitis. The aim of this study was to determine indications, success rates and complications in a low-volume ERCP unit in Kanta-Häme Central Hospital (KHCH). Material and Methods Data on 1207 consecutive ERCPs performed in KHCH between 2002 and 2009 was collected retrospectively from patient histories. Complications were classified according to need for intervention and length of hospitalisation. Results Cannulation of the desired duct was successful in 89.2% of 825 ERCPs with no earlier sphincterotomy. Complete stone removal was achieved in 91.3% of procedures. Standard biliary sphincterotomy was performed in 73.8% and precut sphincterotomy in 12.0 % of cases. Cholangitis developed in 2.1%, bleeding in 1.9%, pancreatitis in 1.9%, perforation in 1.0% and cardio-pulmonary or miscellaneous complications in 4.2% of cases. The majority of complications could be managed conservatively. In procedures with no earlier sphincterotomy ERCP-related 30-day mortality was 0.2% (n = 2) and overall 30-day mortality was 3.3% (n = 27). Conclusions ERCP indications and success rates, as well as morbidity and mortality were comparable to those reported earlier. Although the success rate of cannulation and thereby ERCP procedures seem to be somewhat lower than in tertiary referral centres, ERCP procedures can be safely performed in a low-volume ERCP unit by concentrating procedures on a few experienced endoscopists. The success rates may be further improved with the latest cannulation techniques, used selectively in the last years of the study period.
Soluble ligands for NK cell receptors promote evasion of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells from NK cell anti-tumor activity
Authors: Reiners Katrin S. , Topolar Daniela , Henke Alexander , Simhadri Venkateswara R. , Kessler Jörg , Sauer Maike , Bessler Martina , Hansen Hinrich P. , Tawadros Samir , Herling Marco , Krönke Martin , Hallek Michael , Pogge von Strandmann Elke 
Published: March 2013

Key Points
Exosomal NKp30-ligand BAG6 is crucial for detection of tumor cells by NK cells in vitro and in vivo. Soluble plasma factors including BAG6 suppress NK cell cytotoxicity and promote evasion of CLL cells from NK cell anti-tumor activity.
Pathogenic mechanisms implicated in the intravascular coagulation in the lungs of BVDV-infected calves challenged with BHV-1
Authors: Risalde María A , Molina Verónica , Sánchez-Cordón Pedro J , Romero-Palomo Fernando , Pedrera Miriam , Garfia Bartolomé , Gómez-Villamandos José C 
Published: March 2013

AbstractResistance to respiratory disease in cattle requires host defense mechanisms that protect against pathogens which have evolved sophisticated strategies to evade them, including an altered function of pulmonary macrophages (MΦs) or the induction of inflammatory responses that cause lung injury and sepsis. The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanisms responsible for vascular changes occurring in the lungs of calves infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and challenged later with bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), evaluating the role of MΦs in the development of pathological lesions in this organ. For this purpose, pulmonary lesions were compared between co-infected calves and healthy animals inoculated only with BHV-1 through immunohistochemical (MAC387, TNFα, IL-1α, iNOS, COX-2 and Factor-VIII) and ultrastructural studies. Both groups of calves presented important vascular alterations produced by fibrin microthrombi and platelet aggregations within the blood vessels. These findings were earlier and more severe in the co-infected group, indicating that the concomitance of BVDV and BHV-1 in the lungs disrupts the pulmonary homeostasis by facilitating the establishment of an inflammatory and procoagulant environment modulated by inflammatory mediators released by pulmonary MΦs. In this regard, the co-infected calves, in spite of presenting a greater number of IMΦs than single-infected group, show a significant decrease in iNOS expression coinciding with the presence of more coagulation lesions. Moreover, animals pre-inoculated with BVDV displayed an alteration in the response of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL-1), which play a key role in activating the immune response, as well as in the local cell-mediated response.
Assessment of localisation to auditory stimulation in post-comatose states: use the patient’s own name
Authors: Cheng Lijuan , Gosseries Olivia , Ying Limei , Hu Xiaohua , Yu Dan , Gao Hongxing , He Minhui , Schnakers Caroline , Laureys Steven , Di Haibo 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
At present, there is no consensus on how to clinically assess localisation to sound in patients recovering from coma. We here studied auditory localisation using the patient’s own name as compared to a meaningless sound (i.e., ringing bell).

Methods
Eighty-six post-comatose patients diagnosed with a vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome or a minimally conscious state were prospectively included. Localisation of auditory stimulation (i.e., head or eyes orientation toward the sound) was assessed using the patient’s own name as compared to a ringing bell. Statistical analyses used binomial testing with bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.

Results
37 (43%) out of the 86 studied patients showed localisation to auditory stimulation. More patients (n=34, 40%) oriented the head or eyes to their own name as compared to sound (n=20, 23%; p<0.001).

Conclusions
When assessing auditory function in disorders of consciousness, using the patient’s own name is here shown to be more suitable to elicit a response as compared to neutral sound.
Positive resources for combating depressive symptoms among Chinese male correctional officers: perceived organizational support and psychological capital
Authors: Liu Li , Hu Shu , Wang Lie , Sui Guoyuan , Ma Lei 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Although correctional officers (COs) clearly suffer from depression, positive resources for combating depression have been rarely studied in this population. The purpose of the study was to examine the associations of perceived organizational support (POS) and psychological capital (PsyCap) with depressive symptoms among Chinese COs.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a province of northeast China during March–April 2011. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 1900 male COs from four male prisons. Depressive symptoms, POS, and PsyCap (self efficacy, hope, resilience, and optimism) were measured anonymously. A total of 1428 effective respondents with 953 frontline COs (FL-COs) and 475 non-frontline COs (NFL-COs) became our final sample. Hierarchical linear regression was performed to explore the factors associated with depressive symptoms. Asymptotic and resampling strategies were used to examine the mediating roles of PsyCap and its four components.

Results
The level of depressive symptoms of FL-COs was significantly higher than that of NFL-COs (t = 2.28, p = 0.023). There were significant negative associations of POS, PsyCap, hope, resilience, and optimism with depressive symptoms among FL-COs. In NFL-COs, POS, PsyCap, and optimism were negatively associated with depressive symptoms. POS was positively associated with PsyCap and its four components among both FL-COs and NFL-COs. For FL-COs, PsyCap (a*b = −0.143, BCa 95% CI: –0.186, –0.103, p < 0.05), resilience (a*b = −0.052, BCa 95% CI: –0.090, –0.017, p < 0.05), and optimism (a*b = −0.053, BCa 95% CI: –0.090, –0.016, p < 0.05) significantly mediated the association between POS and depressive symptoms. For NFL-COs, PsyCap (a*b = −0.126, BCa 95% CI: –0.186, –0.065, p < 0.05) and optimism (a*b = −0.066, BCa 95% CI: –0.116, –0.008, p < 0.05) significantly mediated the association.

Conclusions
Perceived organizational support and psychological capital could be positive resources for combating depressive symptoms in Chinese male COs. Psychological capital and its components (resilience and optimism) partially mediate the association between perceived organizational support and depressive symptoms. Therefore, organizational support and psychological capital investment (especially resilience and optimism) should be included in depression preventions and treatments targeting Chinese male COs.
Red ginseng abrogates oxidative stress via mitochondria protection mediated by LKB1-AMPK pathway
Authors: Dong Guang-Zhi , Jang Eun Jeong , Kang Seung Ho , Cho Il Je , Park Sun-Dong , Kim Sang Chan , Kim Young Woo 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) has been used as a botanical medicine throughout the history of Asian traditional Oriental medicine. Formulated red ginseng (one form of Korean ginseng) has been shown to have antioxidant and chemopreventive effects.

Methods
This study investigated the cytoprotective effects and mechanism of action of Korean red ginseng extract (RGE) against severe ROS production and mitochondrial impairment in a cytotoxic cell model induced by AA + iron.

Results
RGE protected HepG2 cells from AA + iron-induced cytotoxicity by preventing the induction of mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Moreover, AA + iron-induced production of ROS and reduction of cellular GSH content (an important cellular defense mechanism) were remarkably attenuated by treatment with RGE. At the molecular level, treatment with RGE activated LKB1-dependent AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which in turn led to increased cell survival. The AMPK pathway was confirmed to play an essential role as the effects of RGE on mitochondrial membrane potential were reversed upon treatment with compound C, an AMPK inhibitor.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate that RGE has the ability to protect cells from AA + iron-induced ROS production and mitochondrial impairment through AMPK activation.
How do autoimmune diseases cluster in families? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cárdenas-Roldán Jorge , Rojas-Villarraga Adriana , Anaya Juan-Manuel 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundA primary characteristic of complex genetic diseases is that affected individuals tend to cluster in families (that is, familial aggregation). Aggregation of the same autoimmune condition, also referred to as familial autoimmune disease, has been extensively evaluated. However, aggregation of diverse autoimmune diseases, also known as familial autoimmunity, has been overlooked. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed aimed at gathering evidence about this topic.MethodsFamilial autoimmunity was investigated in five major autoimmune diseases, namely, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune thyroid disease, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Articles were searched in Pubmed and Embase databases.ResultsOut of a total of 61 articles, 44 were selected for final analysis. Familial autoimmunity was found in all the autoimmune diseases investigated. Aggregation of autoimmune thyroid disease, followed by systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, was the most encountered.ConclusionsFamilial autoimmunity is a frequently seen condition. Further study of familial autoimmunity will help to decipher the common mechanisms of autoimmunity.