bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Classifying El Niño Modoki I and II by Different Impacts on Rainfall in Southern China and Typhoon Tracks
Authors: Wang Chunzai , Wang Xin 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Based on their opposite influences on rainfall in southern China during boreal fall, this paper classifies El Niño Modoki into two groups: El Niño Modoki I and II, which show different origins and patterns of SST anomalies. The warm SST anomalies originate in the equatorial central Pacific and subtropical northeastern Pacific for El Niño Modoki I and II, respectively. Thus, El Niño Modoki I shows a symmetric SST anomaly distribution about the equator with the maximum warming in the equatorial central Pacific, whereas El Niño Modoki II displays an asymmetric distribution with the warm SST anomalies extending from the northeastern Pacific to the equatorial central Pacific. Additionally, the warm SST anomalies in the equatorial central Pacific extend farther westward for El Niño Modoki II than for El Niño Modoki I. Similar to the canonical El Niño, El Niño Modoki I is associated with an anomalous anticyclone in the Philippine Sea that induces southwesterly wind anomalies along the south coast of China and carries the moisture for increasing rainfall in southern China. For El Niño Modoki II, an anomalous cyclone resides east of the Philippines, associated with northerly wind anomalies and a decrease in rainfall in southern China. The canonical El Niño and El Niño Modoki I are associated with a westward extension of the western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH), whereas El Niño Modoki II shifts the WNPSH eastward. Differing from canonical El Niño and El Niño Modoki I, El Niño Modoki II corresponds to northwesterly anomalies of the typhoon steering flow, which are unfavorable for typhoons to make landfall in China.
Eddy-Induced Particle Dispersion in the Near-Surface North Atlantic
Authors: Rypina Irina I. , Kamenkovich Igor , Berloff Pavel , Pratt Lawrence J. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
This study investigates the anisotropic properties of the eddy-induced material transport in the near-surface North Atlantic from two independent datasets, one simulated from the sea surface height altimetry and one derived from real-ocean surface drifters, and systematically examines the interactions between the mean- and eddy-induced material transport in the region. The Lagrangian particle dispersion, which is widely used to characterize the eddy-induced tracer fluxes, is quantified by constructing the “spreading ellipses.” The analysis consistently demonstrates that this dispersion is spatially inhomogeneous and strongly anisotropic. The spreading is larger and more anisotropic in the subtropical than in the subpolar gyre, and the largest ellipses occur in the Gulf Stream vicinity. Even at times longer than half a year, the spreading exhibits significant nondiffusive behavior in some parts of the domain. The eddies in this study are defined as deviations from the long-term time-mean. The contributions from the climatological annual cycle, interannual, and subannual (shorter than one year) variability are investigated, and the latter is shown to have the strongest effect on the anisotropy of particle spreading. The influence of the mean advection on the eddy-induced particle spreading is investigated using the “eddy-following-full-trajectories” technique and is found to be significant. The role of the Ekman advection is, however, secondary. The pronounced anisotropy of particle dispersion is expected to have important implications for distributing oceanic tracers, and for parameterizing eddy-induced tracer transfer in non-eddy-resolving models.
Impact of the Economic Reform Programme on the Quality of Human Life in India: A Study on the Health Indicators
Authors: Gangadharan Srinivasa Rao , Yoonus C.A. 
Published: August 2012

This article examines the impact of the economic reform programme in enhancing the quality of human life in India. The methodology adopted is to examine the existence of structural changes between the three crucial health indicators—life expectancy at birth (LEB), Child Mortality rate (CMR) and Infant Mortality rate (IMR) before and after the implementation of the reform programme. The article also focuses on the level of influence of the expenditure on health by the government and the number of Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) available to provide medical treatment on the three health indicators. We have used the Chow test to examine the existence of structural changes and regression analysis to find out the level of influence of the independent variables. The analysis showed that the reform programme brought structural changes in CMR and IMR but not in LEB. The regression analysis reveals that the expenditure on health by the government had no impact whereas the number of RMPs available to provide medical treatment had some influence in improving the three health indicators. The article concludes that the reform programme in India had no significant impact in enhancing the quality of human life; it is concerned more on the fiscal, structural and trade adjustments rather than on social sector development.
Local ASIC3 modulates pain and disease progression in a rat model of osteoarthritis
Authors: Izumi Masashi , Ikeuchi Masahiko , Ji Qinghui , Tani Toshikazu 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Recent data have suggested a relationship between acute arthritic pain and acid sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) on primary afferent fibers innervating joints. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of ASIC3 in a rat model of osteoarthritis (OA) which is considered a degenerative rather than an inflammatory disease.

Methods
We induced OA via intra-articular mono-iodoacetate (MIA) injection, and evaluated pain-related behaviors including weight bearing measured with an incapacitance tester and paw withdrawal threshold in a von Frey hair test, histology of affected knee joint, and immunohistochemistry of knee joint afferents. We also assessed the effect of ASIC3 selective peptide blocker (APETx2) on pain behavior, disease progression, and ASIC3 expression in knee joint afferents.

Results
OA rats showed not only weight-bearing pain but also mechanical hyperalgesia outside the knee joint (secondary hyperalgesia). ASIC3 expression in knee joint afferents was significantly upregulated approximately twofold at Day 14. Continuous intra-articular injections of APETx2 inhibited weight distribution asymmetry and secondary hyperalgesia by attenuating ASIC3 upregulation in knee joint afferents. Histology of ipsilateral knee joint showed APETx2 worked chondroprotectively if administered in the early, but not late phase.

Conclusions
Local ASIC3 immunoreactive nerve is strongly associated with weight-bearing pain and secondary hyperalgesia in MIA-induced OA model. APETx2 inhibited ASIC3 upregulation in knee joint afferents regardless of the time-point of administration. Furthermore, early administration of APETx2 prevented cartilage damage. APETx2 is a novel, promising drug for OA by relieving pain and inhibiting disease progression.
Construction of a high-density genetic map for grape using next generation restriction-site associated DNA sequencing
Authors: Wang Nian , Fang Linchuan , Xin Haiping , Wang Lijun , Li Shaohua 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Genetic mapping and QTL detection are powerful methodologies in plant improvement and breeding. Construction of a high-density and high-quality genetic map would be of great benefit in the production of superior grapes to meet human demand. High throughput and low cost of the recently developed next generation sequencing (NGS) technology have resulted in its wide application in genome research. Sequencing restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) might be an efficient strategy to simplify genotyping. Combining NGS with RAD has proven to be powerful for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker development.

Results
An F1 population of 100 individual plants was developed. In-silico digestion-site prediction was used to select an appropriate restriction enzyme for construction of a RAD sequencing library. Next generation RAD sequencing was applied to genotype the F1 population and its parents. Applying a cluster strategy for SNP modulation, a total of 1,814 high-quality SNP markers were developed: 1,121 of these were mapped to the female genetic map, 759 to the male map, and 1,646 to the integrated map. A comparison of the genetic maps to the published Vitis vinifera genome revealed both conservation and variations.

Conclusions
The applicability of next generation RAD sequencing for genotyping a grape F1 population was demonstrated, leading to the successful development of a genetic map with high density and quality using our designed SNP markers. Detailed analysis revealed that this newly developed genetic map can be used for a variety of genome investigations, such as QTL detection, sequence assembly and genome comparison.
Unique expression, processing regulation, and regulatory network of peach (Prunus persica) miRNAs
Authors: Zhu Hong , Xia Rui , Zhao Bingyu , An Yong-qiang , Dardick Chris D , Callahan Ann M , Liu Zongrang 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently emerged as important gene regulators in plants. MiRNAs and their targets have been extensively studied inArabidopsisand rice. However, relatively little is known about the characterization of miRNAs and their target genes in peach (Prunus persica), which is a complex crop with unique developmental programs.ResultsWe performed small RNA deep sequencing and identified 47 peach-specific and 47 known miRNAs or families with distinct expression patterns. Together, the identified miRNAs targeted 80 genes, many of which have not been reported previously. Like the model plant systems, peach has two of the three conservedtrans-acting siRNA biogenesis pathways with similar mechanistic features and target specificity. Unique to peach, three of the miRNAs collectively target 49MYBs, 19 of which are known to regulate phenylpropanoid metabolism, a key pathway associated with stone hardening and fruit color development, highlighting a critical role of miRNAs in the regulation of peach fruit development and ripening. We also found that the majority of the miRNAs were differentially regulated in different tissues, in part due to differential processing of miRNA precursors. Up to 16% of the peach-specific miRNAs were differentially processed from their precursors in a tissue specific fashion, which has been rarely observed in plant cells. The miRNA precursor processing activity appeared not to be coupled with its transcriptional activity but rather acted independently in peach.ConclusionsCollectively, the data characterizes the unique expression pattern and processing regulation of peach miRNAs and demonstrates the presence of a complex, multi-level miRNA regulatory network capable of targeting a wide variety of biological functions, including phenylpropanoid pathways which play a multifaceted spatial-temporal role in peach fruit development.
Medical students’ perceptions and attitudes about family practice: a qualitative research synthesis
Authors: Selva Olid Anna , Zurro Amando Martín , Villa Josep Jiménez , Hijar Antonio Monreal , Tuduri Xavier Mundet , Puime Ángel Otero , Dalmau Gemma Mas , Coello Pablo Alonso‐ ,   for the Universidad y Medicina de Familia Research Group (UNIMEDFAM)
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
During the last decade medical students from most Western countries have shown little interest in family practice. Understanding the factors that influence medical students to choose family medicine is crucial.

Objective
To systematically review and synthesize published evidence about medical students’ attitudes and perceptions towards family practice.

Methods
A qualitative systematic review. The literature search was undertaken in July 2010 in PubMed, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Social Science Citation Index (SSCI), and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. Two authors independently selected the studies for their inclusion and assessed their quality. The selected studies were thoroughly read. Key themes and categories were identified. A matrix was created for allowing the comparison of each theme across studies.

Results
Ten studies were finally included. Seven broad themes were identified across them: 1) Scope and context of practice was a broad theme comprising linked sub-themes: perception of a varied specialty, broad practice, holistic perspective and flexibility that allows having a family; 2) Lower interest or intellectually less challenging: treating common disease, repetitive, quasi administrative job; 3) Influence of role models, either positive and negative, and society: negative comments from other professionals, peers and family; 4) Lower prestige; 5) Poor remuneration; 6) Medical school influences, being important both the length and quality of the exposure; 7) Post graduate training, where the shorter duration and the lower intensity were perceived as positive aspects. After identifying these seven key themes, were also looked into patterns in the distribution of these themes among studies.

Conclusions
Our qualitative review provides a comprehensive picture of medical students’ attitudes towards family practice in the available literature. In general, although some students find family medicine appealing, it is regarded as a career of low interest and prestige. More research is needed on the influence of role models, medical school and post graduate training.
Predictive value of advanced glycation end products for the development of post-infarction heart failure: a preliminary report
Authors: Raposeiras-Roubín Sergio , Rodiño-Janeiro Bruno K , Paradela-Dobarro Beatriz , Grigorian-Shamagian Lilian , García-Acuña José M , Aguiar-Souto Pablo , Jacquet-Hervet Michel , Reino-Maceiras María V , Álvarez Ezequiel , González-Juanatey José R 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Since post-infarction heart failure (HF) determines a great morbidity and mortality, and given the physiopathology implications of advanced glycation end products (AGE) in the genesis of myocardial dysfunction, it was intended to analyze the prognostic value of these molecules in order to predict post-infarction HF development.

Methods
A prospective clinical study in patients after first acute coronary syndrome was conducted. The follow-up period was consisted in 1 year. In 194 patients consecutively admitted in the coronary unit for myocardial infarct fluorescent AGE levels were measured. The association between glycaemic parameters and the development of post-infarction HF were analyzed in those patients. Finally, we identified the variables with independent predictor value by performing a multivariate analysis of Hazard ratio for Cox regression.

Results
Eleven out of 194 patients (5.6%) developed HF during follow-up (median: 1.0 years [0.8 - 1.5 years]). Even though basal glucose, fructosamine and glycated haemoglobin were significant predictive factors in the univariate analysis, after being adjusted by confounding variables and AGE they lost their statistical signification. Only AGE (Hazard Ratio 1.016, IC 95%: 1.006-1.026; p<0,001), together with NT-proBNP and the infarct extension were predictors for post-infarction HF development, where AGE levels over the median value 5-fold increased the risk of HF development during follow-up.

Conclusions
AGE are an independent marker of post-infarction HF development risk.
Comparison of histopathology to gene expression profiling for the diagnosis of metastatic cancer
Authors: Kulkarni Anand , Pillai Raji , Ezekiel Ashley M , Henner W David , Handorf Charles R 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Determining the primary site of metastatic cancer with confidence can be challenging. Pathologists commonly use a battery of immunohistochemical (IHC) stains to determine the primary site. Gene expression profiling (GEP) has found increasing use, particularly in the most difficult cases. In this pilot study, a direct comparison between GEP and IHC-guided methods was performed.

Methods
Ten archived formalin-fixed paraffin embedded metastatic tumor samples for which the primary site had been clinically determined were selected. Five pathologists who were blinded to the diagnosis were asked to determine the primary site using IHC and other stains selected from a panel of 84 stains. Each pathologist was provided patient sex, biopsy site and gross sample description only. Slides were digitized using ScanScope®XT at 0.25 μm/pixel. Each evaluating pathologist was allowed to provide a diagnosis in three stages: initial (after reviewing the H&E image), intermediate (after reviewing images from the first batch of stains) and final diagnosis (after the second batch of stains if requested). GEP was performed using the only FDA-cleared test for this intended use, the Pathwork Tissue of Origin Test. No sample information was provided for GEP testing except for patient sex. Results were reported as the tumor tissue type with the highest similarity score.

Results
In this feasibility study, GEP determined the correct primary site in 9 of the 10 cases (90%), compared to the IHC-guided method which determined the correct primary site for 32 of 50 case evaluations (average 64%, range 50% to 80%). The five pathologists directing the IHC-guided method ordered an average of 8.8 stains per case (range 1 to 18). GEP required an average of 3 slides per case (range 1 to 4).

Conclusions
Results of the pilot study suggest that GEP provides correct primary site identification in a higher percentage of metastatic cases than IHC-guided methods, and uses less tissue. A larger comparative effectiveness study using this study design is needed to confirm the results.

Virtual slides
The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here:http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1749854104745508
Osteosarcoma following single fraction radiation prophylaxis for heterotopic ossification
Authors: Farris Michael K , Chowdhry Varun K , Lemke Sheila , Kilpatrick Mary , Lacombe Michael 
Published: August 2012

AbstractRadiotherapy for prophylaxis of heterotopic ossification (HO) is commonly used in high risk patients following orthopedic surgery. While treatment is effective and can prevent morbidity associated with HO, with any dose of radiation there is a concern of a radiation induced malignancy. Here we a report a case of radiation induced osteosarcoma which developed 11 years after a single fraction of 700 cGy. We performed dosimetric analysis by superimposing the patient’s original treatment field on a CT scan performed after the diagnosis. The radiotherapy dose for this patient is lower than classically reported for radiation induced sarcomas. We identified greatest bony destruction that was thought to be the epicenter of the tumor, and this was specially contoured on the diagnostic CT scan. This volume appears to be located at the edge of the radiotherapy field. Fifty percent of the treated volume received 240 cGy, the mean dose was 333 cGy. There was a variation across the treatment volume, between 21.8 cGy and 717 cGy. While a rare complication, we stress the importance of informing regarding the risk of a radiation induced malignancy following HO prophylaxis.
A molecular signature in blood identifies early Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Molochnikov Leonid , Rabey Jose M , Dobronevsky Evgenya , Bonuccelli Ubaldo , Ceravolo Roberto , Frosini Daniela , Grünblatt Edna , Riederer Peter , Jacob Christian , Aharon-Peretz Judith , Bashenko Yulia , Youdim Moussa BH , Mandel Silvia A 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
The search for biomarkers in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is crucial to identify the disease early and monitor the effectiveness of neuroprotective therapies. We aim to assess whether a gene signature could be detected in blood from early/mild PD patients that could support the diagnosis of early PD, focusing on genes found particularly altered in the substantia nigra of sporadic PD.

Results
The transcriptional expression of seven selected genes was examined in blood samples from 62 early stage PD patients and 64 healthy age-matched controls. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis identified five genes as optimal predictors of PD: p19 S-phase kinase-associated protein 1A (odds ratio [OR] 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60–0.90), huntingtin interacting protein-2 (OR 1.32; CI 1.08–1.61), aldehyde dehydrogenase family 1 subfamily A1 (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.75–0.99), 19 S proteasomal protein PSMC4 (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.60–0.89) and heat shock 70-kDa protein 8 (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.14–1.70). At a 0.5 cut-off the gene panel yielded a sensitivity and specificity in detecting PD of 90.3 and 89.1 respectively and the area under the receiving operating curve (ROC AUC) was 0.96.
The performance of the five-gene classifier on the de novo PD individuals alone composing the early PD cohort (n = 38), resulted in a similar ROC with an AUC of 0.95, indicating the stability of the model and also, that patient medication had no significant effect on the predictive probability (PP) of the classifier for PD risk. The predictive ability of the model was validated in an independent cohort of 30 patients at advanced stage of PD, classifying correctly all cases as PD (100% sensitivity). Notably, the nominal average value of the PP for PD (0.95 (SD = 0.09)) in this cohort was higher than that of the early PD group (0.83 (SD = 0.22)), suggesting a potential for the model to assess disease severity. Lastly, the gene panel fully discriminated between PD and Alzheimer’s disease (n = 29).

Conclusions
The findings provide evidence on the ability of a five-gene panel to diagnose early/mild PD, with a possible diagnostic value for detection of asymptomatic PD before overt expression of the disorder.
Metabolic remodeling agents show beneficial effects in the dystrophin- deficient mdx mouse model
Authors: Jahnke Vanessa E , Van Der Meulen Jack H , Johnston Helen K , Ghimbovschi Svetlana , Partridge Terrence , Hoffman Eric P , Nagaraju Kanneboyina 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease involving a severe muscle wasting that is characterized by cycles of muscle degeneration/regeneration and culminates in early death in affected boys. Mitochondria are presumed to be involved in the regulation of myoblast proliferation/differentiation; enhancing mitochondrial activity with exercise mimetics (AMPK and PPAR-delta agonists) increases muscle function and inhibits muscle wasting in healthy mice. We therefore asked whether metabolic remodeling agents that increase mitochondrial activity would improve muscle function in mdx mice.

Methods
Twelve-week-old mdx mice were treated with two different metabolic remodeling agents (GW501516 and AICAR), separately or in combination, for 4 weeks. Extensive systematic behavioral, functional, histological, biochemical, and molecular tests were conducted to assess the drug(s)' effects.

Results
We found a gain in body and muscle weight in all treated mice. Histologic examination showed a decrease in muscle inflammation and in the number of fibers with central nuclei and an increase in fibers with peripheral nuclei, with significantly fewer activated satellite cells and regenerating fibers. Together with an inhibition of FoXO1 signaling, these results indicated that the treatments reduced ongoing muscle damage.

Conclusions
The three treatments produced significant improvements in disease phenotype, including an increase in overall behavioral activity and significant gains in forelimb and hind limb strength. Our findings suggest that triggering mitochondrial activity with exercise mimetics improves muscle function in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice.