bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aspergilluspetrous apicitis associated with cerebral and peritubular abscesses in an immunocompetent man
Authors: Bhatt Y M , Pahade N , Nair B 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackground:Petrous apex aspergillosis is an uncommon and dangerous condition, with only four previously reported cases. As with other forms of petrous apicitis, the clinical symptoms are often non-specific and this contributes to diagnostic delay. This paper presents the first reported case ofAspergilluspetrous apicitis associated with an intracranial or nasopharyngeal abscess.Case report:A 72-year-old man with chronic otorrhoea developed neuralgic headaches and progressive lower cranial nerve palsies despite antibiotic therapy. Imaging revealed petrous apicitis, a temporal lobe abscess and nasopharyngeal abscess. Analysis of biopsy tissue indicated invasive aspergillosis. The patient recovered on a protracted course of voriconazole in addition to medium-term antibiotic therapy.Conclusion:Invasive fungal disease should be considered early in the course of skull base osteomyelitis that is clinically unresponsive to empirical broad spectrum antibiotics. This paper highlights the role of tissue biopsy in diagnosis, and the efficacy of voriconazole therapy without the need for radical surgery.
Unusual hunting and feeding behaviour of polar bears on Spitsbergen
Authors: Stempniewicz Lech , Kidawa Dorota , Barcikowski Mateusz , Iliszko Lech 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTProlonged chasing of an adult reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) by a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) was observed both on land and in the sea, in Magdalenefjorden, northwest Spitsbergen. Polar bears were also observed catching black guillemot (Cepphus grylle) in the sea in northwest Spitsbergen and feeding on chicks in the arctic tern (Sterna paradisea) colony in Hornsund, southwest Spitsbergen. While feeding on seabird species is unsurprising, the prolonged chasing of adult reindeer is unusual for polar bear hunting behaviour. The few documented cases of polar bear hunting reindeer consist of either surprising and killing resting/sleeping prey or stalking and a short rapid chase of the reindeer. Our observations describe new feeding habits of polar bears that may be in response to decreasing seal availability due to shrinking sea-ice cover in the Arctic.
Active nitrogen-fixing heterotrophic bacteria at and below the chemocline of the central Baltic Sea
Authors: Farnelid Hanna , Bentzon-Tilia Mikkel , Andersson Anders F , Bertilsson Stefan , Jost Günter , Labrenz Matthias , Jürgens Klaus , Riemann Lasse 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The Baltic Sea receives large nitrogen inputs by diazotrophic (N2-fixing) heterocystous cyanobacteria but the significance of heterotrophic N2 fixation has not been studied. Here, the diversity, abundance and transcription of the nifH fragment of the nitrogenase enzyme in two basins of the Baltic Sea proper was examined. N2 fixation was measured at the surface (5 m) and in anoxic water (200 m). Vertical sampling profiles of &gt;10 and &lt;10 μm size fractions were collected in 2007, 2008 and 2011 at the Gotland Deep and in 2011 in the Bornholm Basin. Both of these stations are characterized by permanently anoxic bottom water. The 454-pyrosequencing nifH analysis revealed a diverse assemblage of nifH genes related to alpha-, beta- and gammaproteobacteria (nifH cluster I) and anaerobic bacteria (nifH cluster III) at and below the chemocline. Abundances of genes and transcripts of seven diazotrophic phylotypes were investigated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealing abundances of heterotrophic nifH phylotypes of up to 2.1 × 107nifH copies l−1. Abundant nifH transcripts (up to 3.2 × 104 transcripts l−1) within nifH cluster III and co-occurring N2 fixation (0.44±0.26 nmol l−1 day−1) in deep water suggests that heterotrophic diazotrophs are fixing N2 in anoxic ammonium-rich waters. Our results reveal that N2 fixation in the Baltic Sea is not limited to illuminated N-deplete surface waters and suggest that N2 fixation could also be of importance in other suboxic regions of the world’s oceans.
Host DNA released in response to aluminum adjuvant enhances MHC class II-mediated antigen presentation and prolongs CD4 T-cell interactions with dendritic cells
Authors: McKee Amy S. , Burchill Matthew A. , Munks Michael W. , Jin Lei , Kappler John W. , Friedman Rachel S. , Jacobelli Jordan , Marrack Philippa 
Published: February 2013

SignificanceAlum has been used to improve the efficacy of vaccines since the 1930s. Here we show that alum acts in part via host DNA to increase the interaction time between T cells and APCs.
The –308 G&gt;A SNP of TNFA is a factor predisposing to chronic rhinosinusitis associated with nasal polyposis in aspirin-sensitive Hungarian individuals: conclusions of a genetic study with multiple stratifications
Authors: Szabó Kornélia , Kiricsi Ágnes , Révész Mónika , Vóna Ida , Szabó Zsolt , Bella Zsolt , Polyánka Hilda , Kadocsa Edit , Kemény Lajos , Széll Márta , Hirschberg Andor 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) gene (TNFA) have been extensively studied and shown to be associated with an increased risk of the development of various chronic inflammatory diseases. Inflammation has been demonstrated to play a central role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and TNFα is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine with important functions in these processes. In order to determine whether the well-known TNFA –308 G&gt;A SNP has a role in a genetic predisposition to CRS in the Hungarian population, we analyzed our genomic collection containing control and CRS patient samples in a case–control study, and compared the genotype and allele frequencies. There was no significant difference in the observed genotype or allele frequencies between the controls and the total CRS group. However, after careful stratification of the patient group on the basis of the observed clinical symptoms, we found a significantly higher carriage rate of the rare A allele-containing genotypes among the CRS patients with nasal polyposis (NP) who also exhibited sensitivity to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA+). It is concluded that genetic variants of the TNFA gene may affect the risk of CRS in a clinically well-defined group of CRSNP+ASA+ patients in the Hungarian population. Our results also emphasize that the group of CRS patients is not homogenous in that patients exhibiting different clinical symptoms exist. Their carried genetic predisposing factors, and as a result, the exact molecular events leading to the development of various forms of CRS, may also differ.
Understanding the Role of Defective Invertases in Plants: Tobacco Nin88 Fails to Degrade Sucrose
Authors: Le Roy Katrien , Vergauwen Rudy , Struyf Tom , Yuan Shuguang , Lammens Willem , Mátrai Janka , De Maeyer Marc , Van den Ende Wim 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Cell wall invertases (cwINVs), with a high affinity for the cell wall, are fundamental enzymes in the control of plant growth, development, and carbon partitioning. Most interestingly, defective cwINVs have been described in several plant species. Their highly attenuated sucrose (Suc)-hydrolyzing capacity is due to the absence of aspartate-239 (Asp-239) and tryptophan-47 (Trp-47) homologs, crucial players for stable binding in the active site and subsequent hydrolysis. However, so far, the precise roles of such defective cwINVs remain unclear. In this paper, we report on the functional characterization of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Nin88, a presumed fully active cwINV playing a crucial role during pollen development. It is demonstrated here that Nin88, lacking both Asp-239 and Trp-47 homologs, has no invertase activity. This was further supported by modeling studies and site-directed mutagenesis experiments, introducing both Asp-239 and Trp-47 homologs, leading to an enzyme with a distinct Suc-hydrolyzing capacity. In vitro experiments suggest that the addition of Nin88 counteracts the unproductive and rather aspecific binding of tobacco cwINV1 to the wall, leading to higher activities in the presence of Suc and a more efficient interaction with its cell wall inhibitor. A working model is presented based on these findings, allowing speculation on the putative role of Nin88 in muro. The results presented in this work are an important first step toward unraveling the specific roles of plant defective cwINVs.
Behavior of micropolar lubricated lobe bearings: influence of non‐circularity parameters
Authors: Nekoeimehr M. , Rahmatabadi A.D. , Rashidi R. 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the static performance characteristics of lobe journal bearings lubricated with a micropolar fluid, considering effect of non‐circularity. Number of lobes and their preload value are the non‐circularity parameters considered in the present study. The bearings undertaken for the investigation are two, three and four‐lobe symmetric journal bearings with finite width.Design/methodology/approachFor this purpose, modified form of Reynolds equation is derived, based on Eringen's micropolar fluid theory and it is solved numerically using finite element method (FEM). The effect of the non‐circularity parameters of bearings on the steady‐state performance characteristics such as load carrying capacity, attitude angle, coefficient of friction and side leakage flow are presented and discussed.FindingsThe results show that the number of lobes and their preload value can influence the performance of lobe bearings. It is seen that, in order to provide certain improvement over simple cylindrical bearings, the non‐circularity parameters of lobe bearings must be chosen correctly. There is no single optimum profile for multi‐lobe bearing application.Originality/valueLobe bearings, compared with simple circular bearings, offer several geometric parameters to designers. These parameters must be chosen correctly, so that the requirements of a specific application can be fulfilled.
Wear behavior of ceramic powder cladded on carbon steel surface by gas tungsten arc welding
Authors: Peng De‐Xing , Kang Yuan , Li Zheng‐Xian , Chang Shih‐Yen 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the wear behavior of a carbon steel surface after cladding by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) method to enhance wear resistance.Design/methodology/approachThe microstructures, chemical compositions, and wear characteristics of cladded surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). A rotating‐type tribometer was used to evaluate the wear characteristics of cladded specimens under dry sliding conditions at room temperature. The dry sliding wear resistance of the coatings was tested as a function of applied load and sliding time, and wear mechanisms were elucidated by analyzing wear surfaces.FindingsThe experimental results revealed an excellent metallurgical bond between the composite coating and substrate. The coating was uniform, continuous, and almost defect‐free, and particles were evenly distributed throughout the cladding layer. Hardness was increased from 200 HV in the substrate to 650‐800 HV in the modified layer due to the presence of the hard TiC phase. The excellent wear resistance and very low load sensitivity observed in the dry sliding wear test of the intermetallic matrix composite coating were due to the high hardness of TiC and the strong atomic bonds of the intermetallic matrix.Originality/valueThe experiments in this study confirm that, by reducing friction and anti‐wear, the cladding layer prepared using the proposed methods can prolong machinery operating life.
Validation of a META‐RELQUAL construct through a Nordic comparative study
Authors: Svensson Göran , Mysen Tore , Rindell Anne , Billström Anders 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the validity and reliability of a META‐RELQUAL construct in Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish business relationships.Design/methodology/approachA total of 1,500 companies were involved. The Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish sampling frames each consisted of the 500 largest companies based upon revenue across multiple industries. The response rate was 38 percent.FindingsThe goodness‐of‐fit measures of the tested measurement model of the META‐RELQUAL construct were all found to be satisfactory within the recommended guidelines. The recommended guidelines for convergent, discriminant and nomological validity, as well as for construct reliability, were all well met. It is concluded that the measurement properties of the META‐RELQUAL construct applied in Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish business relationships indicate acceptable validity and reliability.Research limitations/implicationsThe tested META‐RELQUAL construct appears accurate for those Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish business relationships studied, but only further testing and comparisons will verify whether it can be seen as a valid, reliable measurement for other countries and their companies’ business relationships. Suggestions for further research are provided.Practical implicationsThis international study is of managerial interest to executives since it provides a framework of constructs to be considered in corporate efforts to maintain satisfactory levels of relationship quality in Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish business relationships. It may also be applicable in other business relationships and in other countries.Originality/valueThis Nordic comparative study of a META‐RELQUAL construct contributes to theory since it outlines a higher‐order construct and measurement instrument benefitting other researchers and practitioners. It appears unique in making an international comparison of a tested measurement model of the META‐RELQUAL construct.
A statistical review of mudrock elastic anisotropy
Authors: Horne S.A. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTMudrocks, defined to be fine‐grained siliclastic sedimentary rocks such as siltstones, claystones, mudstones and shales, are often anisotropic due to lamination and microscopic alignments of clay platelets. The resulting elastic anisotropy is often non‐negligible for many applications in the earth sciences such as wellbore stability, well stimulation and seismic imaging. Anisotropic elastic properties reported in the open literature have been compiled and statistically analysed. Correlations between elastic parameters are observed, which will be useful in the typical case that limited information on a rock's elastic properties is known. For example, it is observed that the highest degree of correlation is between the horizontal elastic stiffnesses C11 and C66. The results of statistical analysis are generally consistent with prior observations. In particular, it is observed that Thomsen's ɛ and γ parameters are almost always positive, Thomsen's ɛ and γ parameters are well correlated, Thomsen's δ is most frequently small and Thomsen's ɛ is generally larger than Thomsen's δ. These observations suggest that the typical range for the elastic properties of mudrocks span a sub‐space less than the five elastic constants required to fully define a Vertical Transversel Isotropic medium. Principal component analysis confirms this and that four principal components can be used to span the space of observed elastic parameters.
Do Clinical Standards for Diabetes Care Address Excess Risk for Hypoglycemia in Vulnerable Patients? A Systematic Review
Authors: Berkowitz Seth A. , Aragon Katherine , Hines Jonas , Seligman Hilary , Lee Sei , Sarkar Urmimala 
Published: February 2013

ObjectiveTo determine whether diabetes clinical standards consider increased hypoglycemia risk in vulnerable patients.Data SourcesMEDLINE, the National Guidelines Clearinghouse, the National Quality Measures Clearinghouse, and supplemental sources.Study DesignSystematic review of clinical standards (guidelines, quality metrics, or pay‐for‐performance programs) for glycemic control in adult diabetes patients. The primary outcome was discussion of increased risk for hypoglycemia in vulnerable populations.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsManuscripts identified were abstracted by two independent reviewers using prespecified inclusion/exclusion criteria and a standardized abstraction form.Principal FindingsWe screened 1,166 titles, and reviewed 220 manuscripts in full text. Forty‐four guidelines, 17 quality metrics, and 8 pay‐for‐performance programs were included. Five (11 percent) guidelines and no quality metrics or pay‐for‐performance programs met the primary outcome.ConclusionsClinical standards do not substantively incorporate evidence about increased risk for hypoglycemia in vulnerable populations.
Severe Hypertriglyceridemia‐Related Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Stefanutti Claudia , Labbadia Giancarlo , Morozzi Claudia 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAcute pancreatitis is a potentially life‐threatening complication of severe hypertriglyceridemia. In some cases, inborn errors of metabolism such as lipoprotein lipase deficiency, apoprotein C‐II deficiency, and familial hypertriglyceridemia have been reported as causes of severe hypertriglyceridemia. More often, severe hypertriglyceridemia describes various clinical conditions characterized by high plasma levels of triglycerides (>1000 mg/dL), chylomicron remnants, or intermediate density lipoprotein like particles, and/or chylomicrons. International guidelines on the management of acute pancreatitis are currently available. Standard therapeutic measures are based on the use of lipid‐lowering agents (fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, niacin, Ω‐3 fatty acids), low molecular weight heparin, and insulin in diabetic patients. However, when standard medical therapies have failed, non‐pharmacological approaches based upon the removal of triglycerides with therapeutic plasma exchange can also provide benefit to patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia and acute pancreatitis. Plasma exchange could be very helpful in reducing triglycerides levels during the acute phase of hyperlipidemic pancreatitis, and in the prevention of recurrence. The current evidence on management of acute pancreatitis and severe hypertriglyceridemia, focusing on symptoms, treatment and potential complications is reviewed herein.
Abstinence duration modulates striatal functioning during monetary reward processing in cocaine patients
Authors: Bustamante Juan‐Carlos , Barrós‐Loscertales Alfonso , Costumero Víctor , Fuentes‐Claramonte Paola , Rosell‐Negre Patricia , Ventura‐Campos Noelia , Llopis Juan‐José , Ávila César 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPre‐clinical and clinical studies in cocaine addiction highlight alterations in the striatal dopaminergic reward system that subserve maintenance of cocaine use. Using an instrumental conditioning paradigm with monetary reinforcement, we studied striatal functional alterations in long‐term abstinent cocaine‐dependent patients and striatal functioning as a function of abstinence and treatment duration. Eighteen patients and 20 controls underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during a Monetary Incentive Delay task. Region of interest analyses based on masks of the dorsal and ventral striatum were conducted to test between‐group differences and the functional effects in the cocaine group of time (in months) with no more than two lapses from the first time patients visited the clinical service to seek treatment at the scanning time (duration of treatment), and the functional effects of the number of months with no lapses or relapses at the scanning session time (length of abstinence). We applied a voxel‐wise and a cluster‐wise FWE‐corrected level (pFWE) at a threshold of P < 0.05. The patient group showed lower activation in the right caudate during reward anticipation than the control group. The regression analyses in the patients group revealed a positive correlation between duration of treatment and brain activity in the left caudate during reward anticipation. Likewise, length of abstinence negatively correlated with brain activity in the bilateral nucleus accumbens during monetary outcome processing. In conclusion, caudate and nucleus accumbens show a different brain response pattern to non‐drug rewards during cocaine addiction, which can be modulated by treatment success.
Decreased cardiac vagal control in drug‐naive patients with panic disorder: A case‐control study in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Hsin‐An , Chang Chuan‐Chia , Tzeng Nian‐Sheng , Kuo Terry B. J. , Lu Ru‐Band , Huang San‐Yuan 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIntroductionCardiac autonomic dysregulation has been proposed in panic disorder (PD), but the results are mixed. Analyses with larger sample sizes and better methodology are needed.MethodsForty‐eight drug‐naïve individuals with PD and 202 healthy volunteers were recruited for a case‐control analysis. We used the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Beck Anxiety Inventory to assess anxiety severity. Cardiac autonomic function was evaluated by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. Frequency‐domain indices of HRV were obtained. The obtained results were evaluated in association with personality traits assessed by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire.ResultsPatients exhibited reduced mean RR interval (816.94 ± 135.92 versus 873.47 ± 143.36 ms, P = 0.014) and HRV levels (Var 6.37 ± 1.32 versus 7.38 ± 0.95, LF 4.90 ± 1.63 versus5.82 ± 1.11 and HF 4.57 ± 1.53 versus 5.62 ± 1.24 [ln(ms2)], all P < 0.001) as compared to controls, which mainly suggested a reduction in cardiac vagal control in PD. The anxiety severity was negatively correlated with HRV levels (r = −0.29 for Var, r = −0.22 for LF and r = −0.28 for HF, all P < 0.001). The harm avoidance score (which has been suggested to be associated with serotonergic activity) was associated with decreased HRV levels (r = −0.22 for Var, P < 0.01, r = −0.14 for LF, P < 0.05 and r = −0.17 for HF, P < 0.01).DiscussionThis study demonstrates that PD is associated with cardiac autonomic dysregulation, highlighting the importance of assessing HRV in PD patients.
Chewing efficiency and electromyographic activity of masseter muscle with three designs of implant‐supported mandibular overdentures. A cross‐over study
Authors: Elsyad Moustafa A. , Hegazy Salah A. F. , Hammouda Nelly I. , Al‐Tonbary Gilan Y. , Habib Ahmed A. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to compare the effect of three designs for implant‐supported mandibular overdenture on the chewing efficiency and electromyographic (EMG) activity of masseter muscles.Material and methodsEighteen edentulous patients received new maxillary and mandibular dentures (control, CD) before implant placement. After using the dentures for 3 months, patients were randomly divided into six blocks (three patients/block) and received four implants in canine and first molar areas of the mandible. Following osseointegration period, new duplicate mandibular overdentures were successively connected to the implants with: (i) ball attachment on two implants (2BOD), (ii) bar attachment on two implants (2ROD), and (iii) bar attachments on four implants (4ROD) in a random order. Chewing efficiency was measured using chewing gum, and EMG was recorded during clenching (with or without food). Evaluations were made 3 months after using each of the following prostheses: CD, 2BOD, 2ROD, and 4ROD.ResultsAll implant‐supported overdentures showed a significant increase in chewing efficiency and EMG values when compared to CD. These values increased significantly with 4ROD when compared to 2BOD or 2ROD prostheses. There was no significant difference in chewing efficiency and EMG between 2BOD and 2ROD prostheses.ConclusionFour‐implant‐supported overdentures seem to present a functional advantage vs. two‐implant‐supported overdentures, independent of the chosen attachment system.