bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mental illness and a high‐risk, elderly Japanese population: characteristic differences related to gender and residential location
Authors: Kikuchi Hiroyuki , Takamiya Tomoko , Odagiri Yuko , Ohya Yumiko , Shimomitsu Teruichi , Inoue Shigeru 
Published: October 2013

AbstractPurposeExamining the sociodemographic determinants of psychological distress is important in identifying specific subgroups in need of further intervention. However, there are few studies focusing on older populations and on the role of gender or location of residence. To try to clarify characteristics of a population at high risk for mental illness, we examined the sociodemographic determinants of psychological distress in older adults living in three different locations.MethodsA mail survey was used to collect data on levels of psychological distress and sociodemographic characteristics from a population‐based sample of 1894 older adults who lived in Bunkyo (urban setting), Fuchu (suburban setting) and Oyama (rural setting) in Japan (aged 65–74 years, 51.3% men). Psychological distress level was measured based on Kessler's six‐item psychological distress scale (K6) and dichotomized into two groups with a cut‐off score of 5 (0–4 or 5–24). Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between sociodemographic factors, specifically gender and location of residence, and psychological distress levels.ResultsThe variables of older age, living in Bunkyo, living in Oyama and living alone were significantly associated with high psychological distress. Although these associations were observed in men, no associations were observed in women. Location‐specific analyses showed significant associations between sociodemographic and psychological distress among men living in Oyama, but not among those in Bunkyo or Fuchu.ConclusionsSociodemographic factors were significantly correlated with psychological distress, particularly among older men in rural areas. Characteristics of a population at high risk for mental illness may vary based on gender and location of residence. Health promotion initiatives for older adults may be more effective if they take these demographic factors into account.
Similar donors—similar blood?
Authors: Tarasev Michael , Alfano Kenneth , Chakraborty Sumita , Light Lucia , Doeden Kim , Gorlin Jed B. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundRed blood cell (RBC) storage lesions have been suggested as contributing factors to suboptimal clinical outcomes. While undesirable effects of storage are well documented, their clinical relevance is still debated. Focus on storage time as the sole determinant of RBC quality ignores the variability in cell properties that may depend on factors other than age. Mechanical fragility (MF) aggregately reflects many storage‐related functional and structural changes. This study evaluates interdonor versus intradonor variability, throughout storage, of both MF and autohemolysis (AH).Study Design and MethodsThirteen uniformly manufactured RBC units were collected initially as whole blood from nonsmoking, group A+, male Caucasian research donors. Mechanical stress was applied using a bead mill with oscillation at 50 Hz over durations varying from 0.5 to 60 minutes. MF profiles were described in terms of percent hemolysis after stresses of specified durations. Two months later, 11 of the 13 donors returned and assays were performed using the same protocol to allow comparison of intradonor versus interdonor variation.ResultsAt 5 days postcollection, RBC MF profiles exhibited marked interdonor variability (up to twofold) overall. Both autolysis and MF across all units increased during storage—with rates of these increases varying by up to 10‐fold for certain MF variables. Especially high AH and MF were observed for an outlier donor (with p < 0.05), for whom follow‐up revealed previously undisclosed hereditary hypertriglyceridemia (levels exceeding approx. 1000 mg/dL).ConclusionsRBCs, even from similar donors, vary significantly in levels and changes of both AH and MF, the clinical significance of which must still be ascertained. While further study is needed, donors with severe hypertriglyceridemia may not be appropriate as blood donors due to the unacceptable level of hemolysis observed during storage of our affected study subject.
Total nucleated cells as a sole predictor of distinct targets of hematopoietic potential (CD34+ cells) in cord blood units: the results of a large series analysis in autologous cord blood units
Authors: Mazzocchetti Daniele , Berti Amy Maria , Sartini Roberta , Lucarini Alessandra , Ragusa Giuseppe , Caroli Matteo , Pierelli Luca 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundRapid identification of eligible cord blood units (CBUs) for banking is an important issue in hematopoietic stem cell procurement. Distinct contents of CD34+ cells in CBU can contribute to identify grafts that may be banked also for unrelated transplants or limited to family‐directed or autologous use.Study Design and MethodsConsidering thresholds of CD34+ cell content of 3 × 106, 2 × 106, and 1 × 106 CD34+ cells, we analyzed a consecutive series of 1309 CBUs. CBUs were collected for autologous banking without any volume‐based preselection criteria. Predictors of distinct content of CD34+ cells have been assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ResultsMedian total nucleated cell (TNC) and CD34+ cell counts of the series were 6.97 × 108 (range, 0.36 × 108‐34.9 × 108) and 1.47 × 106 (0‐20.56 × 106). Volumes ranged from 21 to 163 mL, with a median of 73.8 mL. For the CD34+ target of 1 × 106, the best predictor was TNC count with a threshold of 6.63 × 108; volume results were less predictive with a value of 68.1 mL. For CD34+ targets of 2 × 106 and 3 × 106, ROC curves confirmed a stronger predictive power of TNC, above the collected volume, with thresholds of 7.55 × 108 and 8.98 × 108. ROC analysis by combining all predictors (TNC, volume, TNC2, volume2, age of mothers, types of delivery, birthweight) gave worse results than TNC count alone.ConclusionsThis analysis, carried out on a large, unrestricted CBU series, shows that TNC alone is the best predictor of distinct targets of hematopoietic potential with the chance to predict CBU potentially useful for unrelated recipients or limited for family‐directed or autologous use.
An 8‐week course of 45 mg of carbonyl iron daily reduces iron deficiency in female whole blood donors aged 18 to 45 years: results of a prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Marks Denese C. , Speedy Joanna , Robinson Kathryn L. , Brama Tania , Capper Hugh R. , Mondy Phillip , Keller Anthony J. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundBlood donation is known to contribute to iron deficiency in regular blood donors. This study investigated the safety and efficacy of postdonation iron replacement to mitigate iron deficiency in blood donors.Study Design and MethodsA total of 282 female whole blood donors aged 18 to 45 were prospectively randomized in a double‐blinded placebo controlled trial to receive an 8‐week postdonation course of carbonyl iron (45 mg daily) or placebo. The primary endpoint was prevalence of iron deficiency (ferritin < 15 ng/mL) at 12 weeks postdonation. Secondary endpoints were eligibility to donate based on capillary hemoglobin (Hb) and incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) complaints.ResultsFerritin levels at Week 12 were significantly higher in donors receiving carbonyl iron (17.0 ± 10.9 ng/mL) compared with those receiving placebo (10.6 ± 8.4 ng/mL; p < 0.001). The proportion of iron‐deficient donors was significantly lower in the carbonyl iron group (51.9%) compared to the placebo (80.5%; p < 0.001). The mean Hb level in the carbonyl iron group (134.6 ± 8.7 g/L) was significantly higher than in the placebo arm (130.0 ± 9.9 g/L; p < 0.001), significantly improving eligibility to donate at Week 12. Significantly more donors receiving carbonyl iron had at least one GI side effect (p < 0.001). Importantly, 86.7% of donors receiving carbonyl iron indicated that they would take iron on an ongoing basis.ConclusionAn 8‐week postdonation course of 45 mg of carbonyl iron significantly reduced iron deficiency and was well tolerated in female whole blood donors. Postdonation iron replacement may have a role in a broader strategy to optimize donor iron status.
Lamellar keratoplasty in rabbits using human and rabbit amniotic membrane grafts: a comparative study
Authors: Godoy‐Esteves Cintia A. L. , Gomes José Álvaro P. , Yazbek Karina , Guerra José L. , Barros Paulo S. M. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the behavior of human and rabbit amniotic membrane (AM) grafts in surgically induced corneal thinning in rabbits.Animals studiedThirty two NZWR were randomly assigned to two groups of 16 animals each according to AM type (Human AM: group HAM and Rabbit AM: group RAM).ProcedureAll animals were submitted to right keratectomy at a depth of 0.1 mm using a 5 mm trephine. Animals from HAM group had a button of 5 mm of human AM sutured into the corneal bed with a continuous pattern and 10.0 nylon monofilament suture, while animals from the RAM group had a button of 6 mm diameter of rabbit AM. Four animals in each group were euthanized 2, 7, 15, and 30 days postoperatively. Their corneas were harvested, fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde solution, and stained with haematoxylin–eosin, picrosirius red, and alcian blue for evaluation under light optical microscopy. Microscope images were digitalized and inflammatory cells and stromal blood vessels were counted.ResultsThere were no clinically significant differences between groups, and complete corneal epithelialization was observed in all animals in 30 days. Light optical microscopy revealed AM incorporation and resorption in both groups. However, the number of inflammatory cells and blood vessels was significantly higher in group HAM than in group RAM (P < 0.05, Mann–Whitney test). Clinical responses to human or rabbit AM were similar; however, human AM induced greater inflammatory reaction and stromal neovascularization in the rabbit cornea than in rabbit AM.ConclusionThese differences may reflect a potential reaction to the xenograft. More studies are needed to further characterize these findings.
Acquired canaliculocele with intranasal extension in a dog
Authors: Durieux Philippe , Libermann Stéphane , Rattez Elise , Lagadic Marie , Ruel Yannick , Chen Thomas 
Published: October 2013

AbstractTo describe a case of a nasolacrimal canaliculocele with intranasal extension in a dog. A 6‐year‐old neutered femaleJackRussellTerrier was referred to theCentreHospitalierVétérinaire desCordeliers for a slowly enlarging mass adjacent to the medial canthus of the right eye of 5 months duration. Ophthalmic exam, ultrasound, fine needle aspiration, dacryocystorhinography and computerized tomography examinations were performed. Rhinoendoscopic treatment with marsupialisation of the endonasal canaliculocele was performed. Physical examination revealed a 3 cm diameter, subcutaneous mass beneath the medial canthus of the right eye, with a defect in the maxillary bone below. Dacryocystorhinography demonstrated blockage at the level of the nasolacrimal duct. Fine needle aspiration confirmed the cavitary nature of the lesion. During rhinoendoscopy, a mass containing watery fluid was found. Following marsupialisation with a large mass wall resection, the lacrimal drainage system irrigated freely in the nasal chamber. The communication of the lumen of the diverticulum with the lumen of the superior but not the inferior canaliculus was clearly demonstrated during endoscopy. Given negative immunohistochemical staining for smooth muscle actin and desmin, nasolacrimal dacryocele appears to be the most likely diagnosis. Histological examination confirmed that no goblet cells were present in the wall of the diverticulum, which is consistent with the canaliculus rather than the lacrimal sac. Complete resolution was observed without recurrence one year after surgery. Despite its rarity, a canaliculocele should be considered in adult dogs with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Marsupialisation seems to be the appropriate therapy.
Paracrine anti‐fibrotic effects of neonatal cells and living cell constructs on young and senescent human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Pratsinis Harris , Armatas Andreas , Dimozi Anastasia , Lefaki Maria , Vassiliu Pantelis , Kletsas Dimitris 
Published: October 2013

AbstractSenescent cells observed in the area of chronic wounds have been proposed to affect wound healing. Therapeutic approaches against chronic wounds include, among others, the local application of living cell constructs (LCCs), containing fibroblasts and/or keratinocytes. Accordingly, the aim of the present work was to examine the effects of factors secreted by early passage neonatal fibroblasts and LCCs—in the form of a conditioned medium (CM)—on senescent adult dermal fibroblasts regarding functions related to the healing process, i.e., cell proliferation, alpha‐smooth muscle actin and metalloproteinase expression, and collagen synthesis. Target cells were fibroblasts senescent either due to subsequent divisions (replicative senescence) or due to an exogenous stress (stress‐induced premature senescence). No effect on the proliferation of senescent fibroblasts was observed, as expected. All CMs were found to inhibit overall collagen synthesis both in early passage and in senescent fibroblasts. The LCC‐derived CM was found to be more potent than fibroblast‐derived CMs and, furthermore, to inhibit alpha‐smooth muscle actin expression. In conclusion, these results may indicate anti‐contractile and anti‐fibrotic activities of factor(s) secreted by neonatal skin fibroblasts, and more intensely by LCCs on adult donor‐derived fibroblasts. These activities seem to persist during senescence of the target cells.
Dose equations for tube current modulation in CT scanning and the interpretation of the associated CTDIvol
Authors: Dixon Robert L. , Boone John M. 
Published: October 2013

Purpose:The scanner‐reported CTDIvol for automatic tube current modulation (TCM) has a different physical meaning from the traditional CTDIvol at constant mA, resulting in the dichotomy “CTDIvol of the first and second kinds” for which a physical interpretation is sought in hopes of establishing some commonality between the two.Methods:Rigorous equations are derived to describe the accumulated dose distributions for TCM. A comparison with formulae for scanner‐reported CTDIvol clearly identifies the source of their differences. Graphical dose simulations are also provided for a variety of TCM tube current distributions (including constant mA), all having the same scanner‐reported CTDIvol.Results:These convolution equations and simulations show that the local dose at z depends only weakly on the local tube currenti(z) due to the strong influence of scatter from all other locations along z, and that the “local CTDIvol(z)” does not represent a local dose but rather only a relative i(z) ≡ mA(z). TCM is a shift‐variant technique to which the CTDI‐paradigm does not apply and its application to TCM leads to a CTDIvol of the second kind which lacks relevance.Conclusions:While the traditional CTDIvol at constant mA conveys useful information (the peak dose at the center of the scan length), CTDIvol of the second kind conveys no useful information about the associated TCM dose distribution it purportedly represents and its physical interpretation remains elusive. On the other hand, the total energy absorbed E (“integral dose”) as well as its surrogate DLP remain robust between variable i(z) TCM and constant current i0 techniques, both depending only on the total mAs = ⟨i⟩t0 = i0 t0 during the beam‐on time t0.
Time‐resolved dose distributions to moving targets during volumetric modulated arc therapy with and without dynamic MLC tracking
Authors: Ravkilde Thomas , Keall Paul J. , Grau Cai , Høyer Morten , Poulsen Per R. 
Published: October 2013

Purpose:The highly conformal doses delivered by volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) may be compromised by intrafraction target motion. Although dynamic multileaf collimator (DMLC) tracking can mitigate the dosimetric impact of motion on the accumulated dose, residual errors still exist. The purpose of this study was to investigate the temporal evolution of dose errors throughout VMAT treatments delivered with and without DMLC tracking.Methods:Tracking experiments were performed on a linear accelerator connected to prototype DMLC tracking software. A three‐axis motion stage reproduced representative clinical trajectories of four lung tumors and four prostates. For each trajectory, two VMAT treatment plans (low and high modulation) were delivered with and without DMLC tracking as well as to a static phantom for reference. Dose distributions were measured continuously at 72 Hz using a dosimeter with biplanar diode arrays. During tracking, the MLC leaves were continuously refitted to the 3D target position measured by an electromagnetic transponder at 30 Hz. The dosimetric errors caused in the 32 motion experiments were quantified by a time‐resolved 3%/3 mmγ‐test. The erroneously exposed areas in treatment beamˈs eye view (BEV) caused by inadequate real‐time MLC adaptation were calculated and compared with the time‐resolved γ failure rates.Results:The transientγ failure rate was on average 16.8% without tracking and 5.3% with tracking. The γ failure rate correlated well with the erroneously exposed areas in BEV (mean of Pearson r = 0.83, p < 0.001). For the final accumulated doses, the mean γ failure rate was 17.9% without tracking and 1.0% with tracking. With tracking the transient dose errors tended to cancel out resulting in the low mean γ failure rate for the accumulated doses.Conclusions:Time‐resolved measurements allow pinpointing of transient errors in dose during VMAT delivery as well as monitoring of erroneous dose evolution in key target positions. The erroneously exposed area in BEV was shown to be a good indicator of errors in the dose distribution during treatment delivery.
BILATERAL COUNTERPARTY RISK VALUATION OF CDS CONTRACTS WITH SIMULTANEOUS DEFAULTS
Authors: TENG LONG , EHRHARDT MATTHIAS , GÜNTHER MICHAEL 
Published: October 2013

We analyze the general risk-neutral valuation for counterparty risk embedded in a Credit Default Swap (CDS) contract by adapting the recent findings of Brigo and Capponi (2009) to allow for simultaneous defaults among the two parties and the underlying reference credit, while the counterparty risk is considered bilaterally. For the default intensities, we employ a Markov copula model allowing for the possibility of a simultaneous default. The dependence between defaults of three names in a CDS contract and the wrong-way risk will thus be represented by the possibility of simultaneous defaults. We investigate numerically the effect of considering simultaneous defaults on the counterparty risk valuation of a CDS contract. Finally, we study a CDS contract between Royal Dutch Shell and British Airways based on Lehman Brothers applying this methodology, illustrating the bilateral adjustments with the possibility of simultaneous defaults in concrete crisis situations.
Spontaneous Superrotation and the Role of Kelvin Waves in an Idealized Dry GCM
Authors: Potter Samuel F. , Vallis Geoffrey K. , Mitchell Jonathan L. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The nondimensional parameter space of an idealized dry primitive equation model is explored to find superrotating climate states. The model has no convective parameterization and is forced using a simple thermal relaxation to a prescribed radiative equilibrium temperature. It is demonstrated that, of four nondimensional parameters that determine the model’s state, only the thermal Rossby number has a significant effect on superrotation. The mode that drives the transition to superrotation in an intermediate-thermal-Rossby-number atmosphere is shown to behave like a Kelvin wave in the tropics.
Raindrop Size Distribution (DSD) Retrieval for X-Band Dual-Polarization Radar
Authors: Yoshikawa Eiichi , Chandrasekar V. , Ushio Tomoo 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
A raindrop size distribution (DSD) retrieval method for a dual-polarization radar at attenuating frequency is proposed. The proposed method is developed such that the range profiles of the gamma DSD parameters, an intercept parameter Nw (mm−1 m−3), and a median volume diameter D0 (mm) can be estimated to match the dual-polarization measurements, measured equivalent reflectivity at horizontal polarization ZHm, measured differential reflectivity ZDRm, and measured differential propagation phase ΦDPm, where the forward scattering and backscattering are formulated simultaneously to avoid the two-step process of attenuation correction and DSD retrieval. Additionally, the proposed method does not have the attenuation-correction errors accumulated along range that traditional forward and backward processes have, since the range profiles of the DSD parameters are optimized in a radar beam simultaneously. In the simulation, the proposed algorithm showed fairly good accuracies for retrievals Nw and D0. Errors with the different axis ratio models or calibration biases in ZHm and ZDRm, which contaminate assumptions of the proposed method in real observational data, were also evaluated. Under a Gaussian fluctuation model, the estimation process, known as an iterative maximum-likelihood estimator, derives the best estimation in the statistical fluctuation conditions. This scheme could be extended to duplicative observation such as a radar network environment.
Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics decipher differences in the resistance of pedunculate oak to the herbivore Tortrix viridanaL.
Authors: Kersten Birgit , Ghirardo Andrea , Schnitzler Jörg-Peter , Kanawati Basem , Schmitt-Kopplin Philippe , Fladung Matthias , Schroeder Hilke 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe interaction between insect pests and their host plants is a never-ending race of evolutionary adaption. Plants have developed an armament against insect herbivore attacks, and attackers continuously learn how to address it. Using a combined transcriptomic and metabolomic approach, we investigated the molecular and biochemical differences betweenQuercus roburL. trees that resisted (defined as resistant oak type) or were susceptible (defined as susceptible oak type) to infestation by the major oak pest,Tortrix viridanaL.ResultsNext generation RNA sequencing revealed hundreds of genes that exhibited constitutive and/or inducible differential expression in the resistant oak compared to the susceptible oak. Distinct differences were found in the transcript levels and the metabolic content with regard to tannins, flavonoids, and terpenoids, which are compounds involved in the defence against insect pests. The results of our transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses are in agreement with those of a previous study in which we showed that female moths prefer susceptible oaks due to their specific profile of herbivore-induced volatiles. These data therefore define two oak genotypes that clearly differ on the transcriptomic and metabolomic levels, as reflected by their specific defensive compound profiles.ConclusionsWe conclude that the resistant oak type seem to prefer a strategy of constitutive defence responses in contrast to more induced defence responses of the susceptible oaks triggered by feeding. These results pave the way for the development of biomarkers for an early determination of potentially green oak leaf roller-resistant genotypes in natural pedunculate oak populations in Europe.