bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age-related differences in granulomatous gastritis: a retrospective, clinicopathological analysis
Authors: Renault Macey , Goodier Aimee , Subramony Charu , Hood Brandy , Bishop Phyllis , Nowicki Michael 
Published: March 2010

BackgroundGranulomatous gastritis (GG) is an uncommon pathological finding that may accompany systemic disease, infections, foreign body reaction, malignancy or vasculitis, but may also be an isolated finding. Clinical and pathological features of GG have been systematically evaluated in adults but not children.ObjectivesTo compare clinical and pathological features of GG in adults and children, and also determine the prevalence of GG in children from a single centre.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 23 children and 23 adults with GG was conducted. Demographic and clinical information was recorded for each patient. Gastric biopsy specimens were evaluated for the presence of gastritis, infectious organisms, and number and location of the granulomas.ResultsChildren were a mean±SD age of 12.5±3.0 years, had a male predominance, and were most often Caucasian. Adults were a mean±SD age of 49.2±13.2 years, had a female predominance, and were most often African–American. Primary diagnoses were Crohn's disease in children, and sarcoidosis and isolated GG in adults. In both groups, granulomas were most often located in the antrum, with no difference in the number of granulomas per biopsy between children and adults. All biopsy specimens were negative for acid-fast bacilli and fungal organisms;Helicobacter pyloriinfection was uncommon. Overall prevalence of GG in children in this study was 1.7% for all diagnostic upper endoscopies.ConclusionDifferences in aetiology of GG between children and adults reflect age-specific disease states. Gender differences can be partially explained by gender differences intrinsic to the underlying aetiology. Irrespective of the underlying aetiology, the number and location of granulomas are similar in children and adults.
SQL databases v. NoSQL databases
Authors: Stonebraker Michael 
Published: March 2010

The
Communications
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Communications
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Michael Stonebraker considers several performance arguments in favor of NoSQL databases---and finds them insufficient.
Third international workshop on software product management -- IWSPM'09
Authors: Gorschek Tony , Fricker Samuel , Brinkkemper Sjaak , Ebert Christof 
Published: March 2010

Software product management steers the success of a product in all its lifecycle stages by thoughtful application of planning, coordination, and control.
The third international workshop on software product management (IWSPM´09) was held in conjunction with the International Conference on Requirements Engineering (RE'09) in Atlanta USA. The aim was to bring researchers and industry practitioners together to discuss the area and unique challenges of software and technology product management. Selected challenges put forward by accepted papers from both industry and academia were analyzed. The session discussions focused on identifying future needs for research, the relevance of which was assured by good industry presence at the workshop. The workshop homepage can be found http://2009.iwspm.org
Testing functional requirements using B model specifications
Authors: Gupta Amit , Bhatia Rajesh 
Published: March 2010

Testing is very important part of software development. Almost 80% software fails because of the improper or inefficient testing. Testing is performed by different types of strategies. Generally testing is performed on code, but if the software can be tested in the earlier phases then most of the errors can be eliminated and can be stopped from propagating to next phase. Thus there is a need to explore testing possibilities in earlier phases.
This paper present a novel requirement based testing approach that can fix errors in initial phase. Formal Specification languages play a vital role in software testing. Formal models provide a precise specification of the system, and can be used as a vehicle for driving the development process. To perform requirement based testing, we need a formal language that can deal with the requirement specification efficiently.
Many researchers have proposed various approaches to generate test cases from formal specifications. These approaches include test case generation from various state based languages like Z, VDM and B specifications.
In this paper we proposed a technique that can provide better coverage of requirements as compared to other approaches. For maximizing the coverage of requirements in our model, we annotate our specifications with requirement identifiers, which help in later stages to detect which requirements are covered and which are yet to be tested. Test cases are generated by extracting invariants and post conditions from our specification, and are transformed in a generalized form. Using test selection criteria, we can cover all parts of our model and generates test cases for each of our test objective
Interannual-to-Multidecadal Variability of Vertical Shear and Tropical Cyclone Activity
Authors: Aiyyer Anantha , Thorncroft Chris 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Spatiotemporal patterns of tropics-wide vertical shear variability are extracted after separating a 58-yr data record into high-frequency (HF, periods of 1.5–8 yr) and low-frequency (LF, periods greater than 8 yr) components. The HF vertical shear variability is dominated by circulation anomalies associated with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The LF variability is primarily contained in two multidecadal patterns and a near-decadal pattern.
The multidecadal modes are strongest within the tropical Atlantic and are correlated with Sahel precipitation and interhemispheric sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies. The results suggest that the multidecadal variability of vertical shear over the Atlantic is linked to atmospheric circulation anomalies forced by the variability in Sahel precipitation. The decadal mode is strongest within the central Pacific and is correlated with Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO)-like SST anomalies. The circulation associated with this anomalous shear pattern appears to be consistent with the atmospheric response to the PDO-related diabatic heating anomaly over the central Pacific.
The relationship between vertical shear and seasonal tropical cyclone activity, as defined by the accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), is examined for the Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and western Pacific Oceans. The results show that global modes of vertical shear and seasonal average ACE are not consistently related in all three regions. It is only in the Atlantic Ocean that seasonal ACE is most consistently limited by vertical shear. This calls into question the utility of vertical shear as an independent predictor of seasonal tropical cyclone activity, particularly over the western Pacific Ocean.
WRF Model Sensitivity to Choice of Parameterization over South America: Validation against Surface Variables
Authors: Ruiz Juan J. , Saulo Celeste , Nogués-Paegle Julia 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The Weather and Research Forecast model is tested over South America in different configurations to identify the one that gives the best estimates of observed surface variables.
Systematic, nonsystematic, and total errors are computed for 48-h forecasts initialized with the NCEP Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS). There is no unique model design that best fits all variables over the whole domain, and nonsystematic errors for all configurations differ little from one another; such differences are in most cases smaller than the observed day-to-day variability. An ensemble mean consisting of runs with different parameterizations gives the best skill for the whole domain.
Surface variables are highly sensitive to the choice of land surface models. Surface temperature is well represented by the Noah land model, but dewpoint temperature is best estimated by the simplest land surface model considered here, which specifies soil moisture based on climatology. This underlines the need for better understanding of humid processes at the subgrid scale.
Surface wind errors decrease the intensity of the low-level jet, reducing expected heat and moisture advection over southeast South America (SESA), with negative precipitation errors over SESA and positive biases over the South Atlantic convergence zone (SACZ). This pattern of errors suggests feedbacks between wind errors, precipitation, and surface processes as follows: an increase of precipitation over the SACZ produces compensating descent in SESA, with more stable stratification, less rain, less soil moisture, and decreased rain. This is a clear example of how local errors are related to regional circulation, and suggests that improvement of model performance requires not only better parameterizations at the subgrid scales, but also improved regional models.
Clinical Follow-up of Professional Baseball Players Undergoing Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Using the New Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Overhead Athlete Shoulder and Elbow Score (KJOC Score)
Authors: Domb Benjamin G. , Davis J. T. , Alberta Frank G. , Mohr Karen J. , Brooks Adam G. , ElAttrache Neal S. , Yocum Lewis M. , Jobe Frank W. 
Published: March 2010

Background: There are no validated outcome measures consistently used in the literature to report results of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in overhead athletes. Hypothesis: The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Overhead Athlete Shoulder and Elbow score (KJOC score) will correlate with other validated scores for upper extremity assessment but will be more accurate in evaluating ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction outcomes in professional baseball players. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Fifty-five professional baseball players who underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction were asked to complete the KJOC score, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, and the DASH sports module. Players were separated into 3 categories—(1) playing without pain, (2) playing with pain, and (3) not playing because of pain—and compared with 123 asymptomatic throwers. Pearson (parametric) and Spearman rank (nonparametric) correlations among the 3 systems were conducted to validate the KJOC score. Means across categories were compared using a Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and a threshold score separating categories 1 and 3 was determined using receiver operator characteristic discrimination analysis. Results: Significant correlations were found between the KJOC score and the DASH (−.693, P < .0001), and the DASH sports module (−0.804, P < .0001). Only the KJOC score was able to discriminate between categories 2 and 3, as well as category 1 and the uninjured population. In addition, the KJOC score was the most sensitive and accurate method of discriminating category 1 from category 3, with a threshold score of 81.3. Conclusion: The results of this study validate the use of the KJOC score for evaluation of overhead athletes undergoing ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. The KJOC score is the most sensitive score for detecting subtle changes in performance in the throwing athlete.
Distal Semitendinosus Ruptures in Elite-Level Athletes
Authors: Cooper Daniel E. , Conway John E. 
Published: March 2010

Background: No case series of isolated complete rupture of the distal semitendinosus tendon have been reported previously. Purpose: This study was undertaken to increase awareness and report the authors’ treatment experience, particularly the less than favorable results of nonoperative initial treatment. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The authors identified 25 cases of distal semitendinosus tendon rupture over a 14-year period (1991-2005). All players were male professional (20), collegiate (4), or high-level amateur (1) athletes. Follow-up of 17 cases averaged 13 months (range, 4-55), and 8 patients were lost to follow-up. Eight Major League Baseball, 8 National Football League, and 1 National Hockey League athletes were included in this study. Early treatment experience always involved nonoperative treatment, including rest, modalities, and rehabilitation exercises, followed by functional progression. “Recovery” was defined by clinical criteria including clearance to return to play. Failure to improve with nonoperative treatment, and thus requiring surgical treatment, was deemed a failure of nonoperative treatment. There were 12 players who had initial nonoperative treatment. The authors had later experience with 5 players who had surgery early in the acute phase in hopes of speeding return to competition. Results: In the nonoperative treatment group (12), 7 players recovered at an average of 10.4 weeks (range, 3-35). Five of these players (42%) failed initial nonoperative treatment (mean, 16.8 weeks) and subsequently had surgery to resect the torn tendon and surrounding scar tissue. These 5 players recovered at an average of 12.8 weeks postoperatively. In the acute surgery group, 5players had surgery to resect the torn tendon and scar tissue within 4 weeks of injury. The acute-phase group had an average recovery of 6.8 weeks after surgery. Conclusion: Distal semitendinosus ruptures frequently (42%) do not recover after nonoperative treatment. Acute surgical resection of the completely ruptured semitendinosus tendon may speed recovery when the athlete has a tender mass and difficulty extending the knee fully in the stance phase of gate. Future investigation is warranted to compare the long-term outcome of nonoperative treatment with that after acute surgery.
Biomechanical Comparison of a Modified Weaver-Dunn and a Free-Tissue Graft Reconstruction of the Acromioclavicular Joint Complex
Authors: Michlitsch Michael G. , Adamson Gregory J. , Pink Marilyn , Estess Allyson , Shankwiler James A. , Lee Thay Q. 
Published: March 2010

Background: Most surgical reconstructions of the separated acromioclavicular joint do not address the injured ligaments and capsule of the acromioclavicular joint. Purpose: This study was undertaken to compare the biomechanical characteristics of a modified Weaver-Dunn reconstruction and an intramedullary acromioclavicular joint reconstruction that uses a free-tissue graft for reconstruction of both the coracoclavicular and acromioclavicular ligaments. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Each pair of 6 matched pairs of cadaveric shoulders was randomly selected for a modified Weaver-Dunn reconstruction on 1 side and the contralateral side was used for free-tissue graft reconstruction of the coracoclavicular and acromioclavicular ligamentous complexes. Anterior-posterior and superior-inferior acromioclavicular joint translation (in millimeters) was measured with acromioclavicular joint compressions of 10, 20, and 30 N, and with translational loads of 10 and 15 N both before and after acromioclavicular joint reconstruction. Load-to-failure testing was then performed for each construct. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (translational testing) and Wilcoxon signed rank test (load-to-failure testing), both with P = .05, were used for statistical analysis. Results: Mean anterior-posterior and superior-inferior translation of the intramedullary acromioclavicular joint reconstruction was significantly less than that of the modified Weaver-Dunn under all loading conditions ( P < .001 and P = .001, respectively), but was not significantly different from that of the intact state ( P = .656 and P = .173, respectively). Although the mean ultimate and yield loads and linear stiffness for the intramedullary acromioclavicular reconstruction were greater than that of the modified Weaver-Dunn reconstruction, this did not reach statistical significance ( P = .625, P = .625, and P = .625, respectively). Conclusion: Acromioclavicular joint reconstruction with free-tissue graft for both the coracoclavicular and acromioclavicular ligamentous complexes demonstrates initial stability significantly better than a modified Weaver-Dunn and similar to that of intact specimens. Clinical Relevance: This acromioclavicular joint reconstruction provides the surgeon with a relatively nondestructive option.
TRAF6 inhibits Th17 differentiation and TGF-β–mediated suppression of IL-2
Authors: Cejas Pedro J. , Walsh Matthew C. , Pearce Erika L. , Han Daehee , Harms Gretchen M. , Artis David , Turka Laurence A. , Choi Yongwon 
Published: March 2010

AbstractTransforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has an essential role in the generation of inducible regulatory T (iTreg) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells. However, little is known about the TGF-β–triggered pathways that drive the early differentiation of these cell populations. Here, we report that CD4+ T cells lacking the molecular adaptor tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) exhibit a specific increase in Th17 differentiation in vivo and in vitro. We show that TRAF6 deficiency renders T cells more sensitive to TGF-β–induced Smad2/3 activation and proliferation arrest. Consistent with this, in TRAF6-deficient T cells, TGF-β more effectively down-regulates interleukin-2 (IL-2), a known inhibitor of Th17 differentiation. Remarkably, TRAF6-deficient cells generate normal numbers of Foxp3-expressing cells in iTreg differentiation conditions where exogenous IL-2 is supplied. These findings show an unexpected role for the adaptor molecule TRAF6 in Smad-mediated TGF-β signaling and Th17 differentiation. Importantly, the data also suggest that a main function of TGF-β in early Th17 differentiation may be the inhibition of autocrine and paracrine IL-2–mediated suppression of Th17 cell generation.
Chronic coumarin treatment is associated with increased extracoronary arterial calcification in humans
Authors: Rennenberg Roger J. M. W. , van Varik Bernard J. , Schurgers Leon J. , Hamulyak Karly , ten Cate Hugo , Leiner Tim , Vermeer Cees , de Leeuw Peter W. , Kroon Abraham A. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Vascular calcification is a marker of increased cardiovascular risk. Vitamin K–dependent matrix Gla protein (MGP) is important in inhibiting calcification. Because MGP activation is vitamin K dependent, we performed a cross-sectional study investigating the relationship between the use of vitamin K antagonists and extracoronary vascular calcification. From the Dutch thrombosis services we selected 19 patients younger than 55 years who had no other cardiovascular risk factors and who had used coumarins for more than 10 years, and compared these to 18 matched healthy controls. MGP was measured, and a plain x-ray of the thighs was taken to assess femoral arterial calcifications. The odds ratio for calcification in patients versus controls was 8.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.01-35.95). Coumarin use and MGP were associated with calcification, even after adjusting for other risk factors. We conclude that long-term use of coumarins is associated with enhanced extracoronary vascular calcification, possibly through the inhibition of MGP carboxylation.
Mechanisms of bradykinin-induced contraction in human fetal lung fibroblasts
Authors: Petecchia L. , Sabatini F. , Usai C. , Carnevali S. , Ognibene M. , Vanni C. , Eva A. , Fabbri L.M. , Rossi G.A. , Ricciardolo F.L.M. 
Published: March 2010

Bradykinin (BK) induces fibroblast contraction but the structural changes and intracellular mechanisms involved have not been completely explored.We stimulated HFL-1 fibroblasts with BK to assess: 1) fibroblast contractility; 2) the role of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) in contraction by small interfering RNA (siRNA); 3) α-SMA protein expression; 4) α-SMA and F-actin structure; 5) intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i); and 6) phosphorylated myosin light-chain (pMLC) and MLC kinase (MLCK) expression.BK triggered concentration- and time-dependent fibroblast gel contraction in conjunction with α-SMA over expression, but not in α-SMA-siRNA-treated cells. BK also increased α-SMA+and F-actin+cell number and stress fibre polymerisation (detectable at 5–60 min). These BK-induced changes were associated with an increase in [Ca2+]i, which peaked within 15 s, and activation of pMLC, which was detectable at 5–60 min. No MLCK content modification was observed. The different manifestations of the BK-induced fibroblast activation were downregulated at different levels (25–100%) by HOE140, a specific BK B2 receptor (B2R) antagonist and by the Ca2+chelator, EGTA.Thus, BK-induced fibroblast contraction, associated with differentiation into α-SMA+myofibroblasts, is mediated through the activation of the B2R and involves the Ca2+/calmodulin pMLC-dependent pathway.
Effects of varying Notch1 signal strength on embryogenesis and vasculogenesis in compound mutant heterozygotes
Authors: Ge Changhui , Stanley Pamela 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Background
Identifying developmental processes regulated by Notch1 can be addressed in part by characterizing mice with graded levels of Notch1 signaling strength. Here we examine development in embryos expressing various combinations of Notch1 mutant alleles. Mice homozygous for the hypomorphic Notch112fallele, which removes the single O-fucose glycan in epidermal growth factor-like repeat 12 (EGF12) of the Notch1 ligand binding domain (lbd), exhibit reduced growth after weaning and defective T cell development. Mice homozygous for the inactive Notch1
lbd
allele express Notch1 missing an ~20 kDa internal segment including the canonical Notch1 ligand binding domain, and die at embryonic day ~E9.5. The embryonic and vascular phenotypes of compound heterozygous Notch112f/lbdembryos were compared with Notch1+/12f, Notch112f/12f, and Notch1lbd/lbdembryos. Embryonic stem (ES) cells derived from these embryos were also examined in Notch signaling assays. While Notch1 signaling was stronger in Notch112f/lbdcompound heterozygotes compared to Notch1lbd/lbdembryos and ES cells, Notch1 signaling was even stronger in embryos carrying Notch112fand a null Notch1 allele.

Results
Mouse embryos expressing the hypomorphic Notch112fallele, in combination with the inactive Notch1
lbd
allele which lacks the Notch1 ligand binding domain, died at ~E11.5-12.5. Notch112f/lbdES cells signaled less well than Notch112f/12fES cells but more strongly than Notch1lbd/lbdES cells. However, vascular defects in Notch112f/lbdyolk sac were severe and similar to Notch1lbd/lbdyolk sac. By contrast, vascular disorganization was milder in Notch112f/lbdcompared to Notch1lbd/lbdembryos. The expression of Notch1 target genes was low in Notch112f/lbdyolk sac and embryo head, whereas Vegf and Vegfr2 transcripts were increased. The severity of the compound heterozygous Notch112f/lbdyolk sac phenotype suggested that the allelic products may functionally interact. By contrast, compound heterozygotes with Notch112fin combination with a Notch1 null allele (Notch1tm1Con) were capable of surviving to birth.

Conclusions
Notch1 signaling in Notch112f/lbdcompound heterozygous embryos is more defective than in compound heterozygotes expressing a hypomorphic Notch112fallele and a Notch1 null allele. The data suggest that the gene products Notch1lbd and Notch112f interact to reduce the activity of Notch112f.