bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial epidemiology of eastern equine encephalitis in Florida
Authors: Vander Kelen Patrick T , Downs Joni A , Stark Lillian M , Loraamm Rebecca W , Anderson James H , Unnasch Thomas R 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) is an alphavirus with high pathogenicity in both humans and horses. Florida continues to have the highest occurrence of human cases in the USA, with four fatalities recorded in 2010. Unlike other states, Florida supports year-round EEEV transmission. This research uses GIS to examine spatial patterns of documented horse cases during 2005–2010 in order to understand the relationships between habitat and transmission intensity of EEEV in Florida.

Methods
Cumulative incidence rates of EEE in horses were calculated for each county. Two cluster analyses were performed using density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN). The first analysis was based on regional clustering while the second focused on local clustering. Ecological associations of EEEV were examined using compositional analysis and Euclidean distance analysis to determine if the proportion or proximity of certain habitats played a role in transmission.

Results
The DBSCAN algorithm identified five distinct regional spatial clusters that contained 360 of the 438 horse cases. The local clustering resulted in 18 separate clusters containing 105 of the 438 cases. Both the compositional analysis and Euclidean distance analysis indicated that the top five habitats positively associated with horse cases were rural residential areas, crop and pastureland, upland hardwood forests, vegetated non-forested wetlands, and tree plantations.

Conclusions
This study demonstrates that in Florida tree plantations are a focus for epizootic transmission of EEEV. It appears both the abundance and proximity of tree plantations are factors associated with increased risk of EEE in horses and therefore humans. This association helps to explain why there is are spatially distinct differences in the amount of EEE horse cases across Florida.
Effect of co-exposure to nickel and particulate matter on insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction in a mouse model
Authors: Xu Xiaohua , Rao Xiaoquan , Wang Tse-Yao , Jiang Silis Y , Ying Zhekang , Liu Cuiqing , Wang Aixia , Zhong Mianhua , Deiuliis Jeffrey A , Maiseyeu Andrei , Rajagopalan Sanjay , Lippmann Morton , Chen Lung-Chi , Sun Qinghua 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
It has been well recognized that toxicity of fine ambient air particulate matter (PM2.5) may depend on its chemical constituents, including components such as soluble metals that may theoretically exert distinctive effects. We have recently demonstrated an important effect of PM2.5 on metabolic function. Since transition metals, such as nickel (Ni), represent an important component of exposure in certain environments, and may significantly influence the toxicity of inhalational exposure, we investigated the effects of Ni as a variable component of ambient PM2.5 exposure.

Methods
Male ApoE knockout mice were exposed to filtered air (FA), fine-sized nickel sulfate particles alone (Ni) at 0.44 μ g/m3, concentrated ambient air PM2.5 (CAPs) at a mean of 70 μ g/m3, or CAPs+Ni in Tuxedo, NY, 6 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 3 months.

Results
Exposure to Ni, irrespective of co-exposure to CAPs, resulted in body weight gain, while exposure to CAPs+Ni significantly enhanced fasting glucose and worsened insulin resistance measures (HOMA-IR), when compared with exposure to CAPs alone. CAPs+Ni exposure induced a significant decrease in phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α. Exposure to Ni or CAPs+Ni significantly induced microcirculatory dysfunction and increased monocytic cell infiltration into lung and adipose, and decreased uncoupling protein 1 expression at gene and protein levels and several brown adipocyte-specific genes in adipose tissue.

Conclusions
Ni exposure has effects on metabolic and inflammatory parameters that are comparable to that of CAPs. Additionally, Ni synergistically exacerbates CAPs-induced adverse effects on some of, but not all of, these parameters, that may be mediated via the AMPK signaling pathway. These findings have important implications for inhaled transition metal toxicity that may exert synergistic effects with other PM2.5 components.
Multiscale forward electromagnetic model of uterine contractions during pregnancy
Authors: La Rosa Patricio S , Eswaran Hari , Preissl Hubert , Nehorai Arye 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Analyzing and monitoring uterine contractions during pregnancy is relevant to the field of reproductive health assessment. Its clinical importance is grounded in the need to reliably predict the onset of labor at term and pre-term. Preterm births can cause health problems or even be fatal for the fetus. Currently, there are no objective methods for consistently predicting the onset of labor based on sensing of the mechanical or electrophysiological aspects of uterine contractions. Therefore, modeling uterine contractions could help to better interpret such measurements and to develop more accurate methods for predicting labor. In this work, we develop a multiscale forward electromagnetic model of myometrial contractions during pregnancy. In particular, we introduce a model of myometrial current source densities and compute its magnetic field and action potential at the abdominal surface, using Maxwell’s equations and a four-compartment volume conductor geometry. To model the current source density at the myometrium we use a bidomain approach. We consider a modified version of the Fitzhugh-Nagumo (FHN) equation for modeling ionic currents in each myocyte, assuming a plateau-type transmembrane potential, and we incorporate the anisotropic nature of the uterus by designing conductivity-tensor fields.

Results
We illustrate our modeling approach considering a spherical uterus and one pacemaker located in the fundus. We obtained a travelling transmembrane potential depolarizing from −56 mV to −16 mV and an average potential in the plateau area of −25 mV with a duration, before hyperpolarization, of 35 s, which is a good approximation with respect to the average recorded transmembrane potentials at term reported in the technical literature. Similarly, the percentage of myometrial cells contracting as a function of time had the same symmetric properties and duration as the intrauterine pressure waveforms of a pregnant human myometrium at term.

Conclusions
We introduced a multiscale modeling approach of uterine contractions which allows for incorporating electrophysiological and anatomical knowledge of the myometrium jointly. Our results are in good agreement with the values reported in the experimental technical literature, and these are potentially important as a tool for helping in the characterization of contractions and for predicting labor using magnetomyography (MMG) and electromyography (EMG).
Reducing ligation bias of small RNAs in libraries for next generation sequencing
Authors: Sorefan Karim , Pais Helio , Hall Adam E , Kozomara Ana , Griffiths-Jones Sam , Moulton Vincent , Dalmay Tamas 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
The use of nucleic acid-modifying enzymes has driven the rapid advancement in molecular biology. Understanding their function is important for modifying or improving their activity. However, functional analysis usually relies upon low-throughput experiments. Here we present a method for functional analysis of nucleic acid-modifying enzymes using next generation sequencing.

Findings
We demonstrate that sequencing data of libraries generated by RNA ligases can reveal novel secondary structure preferences of these enzymes, which are used in small RNA cloning and library preparation for NGS. Using this knowledge we demonstrate that the cloning bias in small RNA libraries is RNA ligase-dependent. We developed a high definition (HD) protocol that reduces the RNA ligase-dependent cloning bias. The HD protocol doubled read coverage, is quantitative and found previously unidentified microRNAs. In addition, we show that microRNAs in miRBase are those preferred by the adapters of the main sequencing platform.

Conclusions
Sequencing bias of small RNAs partially influenced which microRNAs have been studied in depth; therefore most previous small RNA profiling experiments should be re-evaluated. New microRNAs are likely to be found, which were selected against by existing adapters. Preference of currently used adapters towards known microRNAs suggests that the annotation of all existing small RNAs, including miRNAs, siRNAs and piRNAs, has been biased.
Dynamic content synchronization between learning management systems over limited bandwidth network
Authors: Ijtihadie Royyana M , Hidayanto Bekti C , Affandi Achmad , Chisaki Yoshifumi , Usagawa Tsuyoshi 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWell-designed instructional material is equally important for successful e-Learning implementation. Teachers and instructors play a major role in terms of designing and building learning content. In one respect, it requires costs in terms of effort, time and experience. In other respects, a good learning content is likely a result of recurring revisions as a result of teaching experience as well as evaluating student activities. In the case of higher educational institutions (HEI) in developing countries (such as Indonesia), resource sharing in many aspects is highly recommended effort against high cost and redundant works, e-Learning is no exception. Sharing and re-using e-Learning content on particular subject between Learning Management Systems (LMS) can be one of the methods. In addition, collaborative teaching may cause a content develops gradually while conducting content sharing. Thus, the capability of synchronizing the content between LMS is necessary. On the other hand, typical e-Learning implementation might not be appropriate due to the concerns of network infrastructure in developing countries. In some areas, the network has less bandwidth and even frequent disconnections. This paper introduces a novel method of sharing e-Learning content between distributed Learning Management Systems by using dynamic content synchronization. This method also suites the need of course sharing which supports collaborative teaching activity. Moreover, this approach is designed to address the needs of content sharing in areas with network infrastructure limitation in terms of bandwidth and availability.
Familial Hypercholesterolemia in the Danish General Population: Prevalence, Coronary Artery Disease, and Cholesterol-Lowering Medication
Authors: Benn Marianne , Watts Gerald F. , Tybjaerg-Hansen Anne , Nordestgaard Børge G. 
Published: November 2012

Context:
The diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) can be made using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria. This employs the personal and family history of premature coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia and the presence of a pathogenic mutation in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and apolipoprotein B (APOB) genes.

Objective:
We employed this tool to investigate the prevalence of FH and the associations between FH and coronary artery disease and cholesterol-lowering medication in the Copenhagen General Population Study.

Setting:
The study was of an unselected, community-based population comprising 69,016 participants.

Main Outcome Measures:
FH (definite/probable) was defined as a Dutch Lipid Clinic Network score higher than 5. Coronary artery disease was myocardial infarction or angina pectoris.

Results:
The prevalence of FH was 0.73% (one in 137). Of participants with FH, 20% had an LDLR or APOB mutation. The prevalence of coronary artery disease among FH participants was 33%. Only 48% of subjects with FH admitted to taking cholesterol-lowering medication. The odds ratio for coronary artery disease off cholesterol-lowering medication was 13.2 (10.0–17.4) in definite/probable FH compared with non-FH subjects, after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, metabolic syndrome and diabetes, and smoking. The corresponding adjusted odds ratio for coronary artery disease in FH subjects on cholesterol-lowering medication was 10.3 (7.8–13.8).

Conclusion:
The prevalence of FH appears to be higher than commonly perceived in a general population of white Danish individuals, with at least half of affected subjects not receiving cholesterol-lowering medication. The very high risk of coronary artery disease irrespective of use of medication reflects the extent of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of FH in the community and primary care.
Bone Turnover and Bone Mineral Density Are Independently Related to Selenium Status in Healthy Euthyroid Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Hoeg Antonia , Gogakos Apostolos , Murphy Elaine , Mueller Sandra , Köhrle Josef , Reid David M. , Glüer Claus C. , Felsenberg Dieter , Roux Christian , Eastell Richard , Schomburg Lutz , Williams Graham R. 
Published: November 2012

Context:Selenium status may have direct effects on bone and indirect effects through changes in thyroid hormone sensitivity.Objective:We hypothesized that variation in selenium status in healthy euthyroid postmenopausal women is associated with differences in bone turnover, bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture susceptibility.Design:The Osteoporosis and Ultrasound Study (OPUS) is a 6-yr prospective study of fracture-related factors.Setting:The study was comprised of a population-based cohort from five European cities.Participants:A total of 2374 postmenopausal women participated. Subjects with thyroid disease and nonthyroidal illness and those receiving drugs affecting thyroid status or bone metabolism were excluded, leaving a study population of 1144.Interventions:There were no interventions.Main Outcome Measures:We measured selenium (micrograms per liter); selenoprotein P (milligrams per liter); free T4 (picomoles per liter); free T3 (picomoles per liter); TSH (milliunits per liter); bone turnover markers; BMD; and vertebral, hip, and nonvertebral fractures.Results:Higher selenium levels were associated with higher hip BMD at study entry (β = 0.072, P = 0.004) and lower levels of bone formation (osteocalcin: β = −0.101, P &lt; 0.001; procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide: β = −0.074, P = 0.013) and resorption markers (C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen: β = −0.058, P = 0.050; N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen: β = −0.095, P = 0.002). Higher selenoprotein P was associated with higher hip (β = 0.113, P &lt; 0.001) and lumbar spine BMD (β = 0.088, P = 0.003) at study entry, higher hip BMD after the 6-yr follow-up (β = 0.106, P = 0.001) and lower osteocalcin (β = −0.077, P = 0.009), C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (β = −0.075, P = 0.012), and N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (β = −0.110, P &lt; 0.001).Conclusion:Selenium status is inversely related to bone turnover and positively correlated with BMD in healthy euthyroid postmenopausal women independent of thyroid status.
GH Replacement Improves Quality of Life and Metabolic Parameters in Cured Acromegalic Patients with Growth Hormone Deficiency
Authors: Giavoli Claudia , Profka Eriselda , Verrua Elisa , Ronchi Cristina L. , Ferrante Emanuele , Bergamaschi Silvia , Sala Elisa , Malchiodi Elena , Lania Andrea G. , Arosio Maura , Ambrosi Bruno , Spada Anna , Beck-Peccoz Paolo 
Published: November 2012

Objective:
Effects of GH replacement in patients with GH deficiency (GHD) after a cure for acromegaly so far have been poorly studied, although its prevalence among acromegalic patients may reach the 60%. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether metabolic parameters and quality of life are improved by GH replacement in patients with prior acromegaly and severe GHD.

Design and Methods:
This was a prospective study on 42 GHD subjects [22 men, mean age (sd): 48 ± 10]: 10 acromegalics treated with recombinant human GH (group A), 12 acromegalics who refused treatment (group B), and 20 subjects operated for nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma on recombinant human GH (group C). Serum IGF-I levels, lipid profile, glucose levels (fasting and after an oral glucose tolerance test), glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index), anthropometric parameters (body mass index, waist circumference, body composition), and quality of life (Questions on Life Satisfaction-Hypopituitarism Z-scores) were evaluated at baseline and after 12 and 36 months.

Results:
At baseline, group B showed higher IGF sd score than group A and C, as well as better quality of life and higher post-oral glucose tolerance test glucose levels than group A. After 12-months, similarly in group A and C, the IGF-I sd score significantly increased, and body composition and lipid profile improved, without deterioration of glucose tolerance. Quality of life significantly improved too, and the baseline difference between group A and B disappeared. Results were confirmed after 36 months.

Conclusions:
In GHD acromegalic patients, GH therapy improved body composition, lipid profile, and quality of life as in patients with GHD due to nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma, without negative effects on glucose metabolism. GH replacement therapy should be considered in these patients, as in patients with GHD from other causes.
Mineralogy of Egyptian Bentonitic Clays I: Discriminant Function Analysis
Authors: Agha Mohamed , Ferrell Ray E. , Hart George F. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe purpose of the present investigation was to apply a discriminant function analysis (DFA) to quantitative mineralogical data from 124 Paleogene and Neogene bentonitic clays from the northern Western Desert of Egypt in order to establish an objective procedure for grouping the samples at three distinctly recognizable, but partially overlapping, levels of classification. These levels were province or geographic region, geologic age, and quarry. Quantitative mineralogical data were obtained by means of X-ray diffraction procedures employing least-squares fitting of simulated and standard mineral patterns with those from the laboratory. All data were transformed by a log-ratio procedure prior to the DFA. Fe-rich smectite (Feoct-1.4 a.p.f.u.), coarsely crystalline kaolinite, Fe-poor I-S (random with 60% S layers), quartz, and illite were the most important discriminator minerals. S-moderate I-S (random with 70% S), S-rich I-S (random with 80% S), two varieties of finely crystalline kaolinite, feldspar, and amorphous matter were also present. Calcite and gypsum were present in some samples. The median wt.% values for Fe-rich smectite, coarsely crystalline kaolinite, Fe-poor I-S, quartz, and illite in all samples were 16.6, 16.0, 15.2, 4.2, and 3.7, respectively. Abundances of quartz and feldspar have a good positive correlation, and finely crystalline kaolinite and Fe-rich smectite are negatively correlated. Other specific mineral associations are difficult to interpret visually because of the numbers of classes and variables employed in the investigation; however, DFA was successful in identifying statistically significant differences amongst the groups.At the province level, the back-classification of the samples was successful 92% of the time at the highest probability level, or 100% if the first plus second probability results were utilized. For samples of the same age, 80% of the first-choice assignments were correct and >90% were correct when the second choice was included. At the quarry level, the predictability rate ranged from 76 to >90%. Using both probability results, only seven of the samples were misclassified. In a blind test of quarry samples, the DFA assignment was 80% correct. These tests confirm the objective reliability of class assignments based on DFA. Results based on this data set can be used to classify new samples in future geologic interpretations and economic exploitation of the deposits in the region.
The Dispersive Effect of Sodium Hexametaphosphate on Kaolinite in Saline Water
Authors: Ma Mark 
Published: November 2012

AbstractFreshwater has become increasingly scarce in many countries. To reduce the consumption of freshwater, the use of saline water resources in industry could provide an opportunity to meet the challenge of water-supply sustainability. However, the presence of electrolytes in saline water causes the coagulation of kaolinite, the colloid stability of which plays a key role in the processing of a number of minerals. Therefore, the dispersion of kaolinite in saline water was studied here. Electrophoretic mobility and colloid stability studies were conducted on a sodium hexametaphosphate-kaolinite system in the presence of NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2, the major electrolytes in saline water resources. The effect of each electrolyte on kaolinite dispersion was studied. Based on the studies of individual electrolytes, a method was developed to disperse kaolinite in 1:1 diluted synthetic seawater with distilled water, which may potentially reduce the consumption of freshwater by 50% when applied in industry.
Stereochemistry and Molecular Recognition on the Surface of a Smectite Clay Mineral
Authors: Yamagishi Akihiko , Sato Hisako 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAttempts at optical resolution and asymmetric syntheses using smectite clay minerals are described. Use of the method was prompted by the discovery that the saturated adsorption of a tris(chelated) metal complex, [Ru(1,10-phenanthroline)3]2+, by Na-montmorillonite depended heavily on the stereochemical properties. The pure enantiomer was adsorbed by cation exchange at negative surface sites of the clay mineral, while the racemic mixture was adsorbed to two times excess of the cation exchange capacity. The chelate takes a uniform orientation on a clay mineral surface due to the matching between the molecular symmetry and the two-dimensional network of a phyllosilicate layer. On a clay mineral surface covered with the enantiomeric chelates, a vacant space capable of chiral discrimination was generated. Based on this, an ion-exchange adduct of smectite and the chiral chelate was used as an adsorbent for separating racemic mixtures or selectively producing either one of the optical isomers.