bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sperm structure and motility in the eusocial naked mole-rat, Heterocephalus glaber: a case of degenerative orthogenesis in the absence of sperm competition?
Authors: van der Horst Gerhard , Maree Liana , Kotzé Sanet H , O'Riain M Justin 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundWe have studied sperm structure and motility in a eusocial rodent where reproduction is typically restricted to a single male and behaviourally dominant queen. Males rarely compete for access to the queen during her estrus cycle, suggesting little or no role for sperm competition.ResultsOur results revealed an atypical mammalian sperm structure with spermatozoa from breeding, subordinate and disperser males being degenerate and almost completely lacking a "mammalian phylogenetic stamp". Sperm structure is characterized by extreme polymorphism with most spermatozoa classified as abnormal. Sperm head shapes include round, oval, elongated, lobed, asymmetrical and amorphous. At the ultrastructural level, the sperm head contains condensed to granular chromatin with large open spaces between the chromatin. Nuclear chromatin seems disorganized since chromatin condensation is irregular and extremely inconsistent. The acrosome forms a cap (ca 35%) over the anterior part of the head. A well defined nuclear fossa and neck with five minor sets of banded protein structures are present. The midpiece is poorly organized and contains only 5 to 7 round to oval mitochondria. The flagellar pattern is 9+9+2. A distinct degenerative feature of the tail principal piece is the absence of the fibrous sheath. Only 7% motile spermatozoa were observed which had exceptionally slow swimming speeds.ConclusionIn this species, sperm form has simplified and degenerated in many aspects and represents a specialised form of degenerative orthogenesis at the cellular level.
Cortical injury in multiple sclerosis; the role of the immune system
Authors: Walker Caroline A , Huttner Anita J , O'Connor Kevin C 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe easily identifiable, ubiquitous demyelination and neuronal damage that occurs within the cerebral white matter of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been the subject of extensive study. Accordingly, MS has historically been described as a disease of the white matter. Recently, the cerebral cortex (gray matter) of patients with MS has been recognized as an additional and major site of disease pathogenesis. This acknowledgement of cortical tissue damage is due, in part, to more powerful MRI that allows detection of such injury and to focused neuropathology-based investigations. Cortical tissue damage has been associated with inflammation that is less pronounced to that which is associated with damage in the white matter. There is, however, emerging evidence that suggests cortical damage can be closely associated with robust inflammation not only in the parenchyma, but also in the neighboring meninges. This manuscript will highlight the current knowledge of inflammation associated with cortical tissue injury. Historical literature along with contemporary work that focuses on both the absence and presence of inflammation in the cerebral cortex and in the cerebral meninges will be reviewed.
Analysis of optical absorption in GaAs nanowire arrays
Authors: Guo Haomin , Wen Long , Li Xinhua , Zhao Zhifei , Wang Yuqi 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
In this study, the influence of the geometric parameters on the optical absorption of gallium arsenide [GaAs] nanowire arrays [NWAs] has been systematically analyzed using finite-difference time-domain simulations. The calculations reveal that the optical absorption is sensitive to the geometric parameters such as diameter [D], length [L], and filling ratio [D/P], and more efficient light absorption can be obtained in GaAs NWAs than in thin films with the same thickness due to the combined effects of intrinsic antireflection and efficient excitation of resonant modes. Optimized geometric parameters are obtained as follows: D = 180 nm, L = 2 μm, and D/P = 0.5. Meanwhile, the simulation on the absorption of GaAs NWAs for oblique incidence has also been carried out. The underlying physics is discussed in this work.

PACS: 81.07.Gf nanowires; 81.05.Ea III-V semiconductors; 88.40.hj efficiency and performance of solar cells; 73.50.Pz photoconduction and photovoltaic effects.
The treatment of severe child aggression (TOSCA) study: Design challenges
Authors: Farmer Cristan A , Arnold L Eugene , Bukstein Oscar G , Findling Robert L , Gadow Kenneth D , Li Xiaobai , Butter Eric M , Aman Michael G 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Polypharmacy (the concurrent use of more than one psychoactive drug) and other combination interventions are increasingly common for treatment of severe psychiatric problems only partly responsive to monotherapy. This practice and research on it raise scientific, clinical, and ethical issues such as additive side effects, interactions, threshold for adding second drug, appropriate target measures, and (for studies) timing of randomization. One challenging area for treatment is severe child aggression. Commonly-used medications, often in combination, include psychostimulants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and alpha-2 agonists, which vary considerably in terms of perceived safety and efficacy.

Results
In designing our NIMH-funded trial of polypharmacy, we focused attention on the added benefit of a second drug (risperidone) to the effect of the first (stimulant). We selected these two drugs because their associated adverse events might neutralize each other (e.g., sleep delay and appetite decrease from stimulant versus sedation and appetite increase from antipsychotic). Moreover, there was considerable evidence of efficacy for each drug individually for the management of ADHD and child aggression. The study sample comprised children (ages 6-12 years) with both diagnosed ADHD and disruptive behavior disorder (oppositional-defiant or conduct disorder) accompanied by severe physical aggression. In a staged sequence, the medication with the least problematic adverse effects (stimulant) was openly titrated in 3 weeks to optimal effect. Participants whose behavioral symptoms were not normalized received additional double-blind medication, either risperidone or placebo, by random assignment. Thus children whose behavioral symptoms were normalized with stimulant medication were not exposed to an antipsychotic. All families participated in an empirically-supported parent training program for disruptive behavior, so that the actual comparison was stimulant+parent training versus stimulant+antipsychotic+parent training.

Conclusions
We hope that the resolutions of the challenges presented here will be useful to other investigators and facilitate much-needed research on child psychiatric polypharmacy.

Trial Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00796302
Chemical composition and enzymatic digestibility of sugarcane clones selected for varied lignin content
Authors: Masarin Fernando , Gurpilhares Daniela B , Baffa David CF , Barbosa Márcio HP , Carvalho Walter , Ferraz André , Milagres Adriane MF 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
The recalcitrance of lignocellulosic materials is a major limitation for their conversion into fermentable sugars. Lignin depletion in new cultivars or transgenic plants has been identified as a way to diminish this recalcitrance. In this study, we assessed the success of a sugarcane breeding program in selecting sugarcane plants with low lignin content, and report the chemical composition and agronomic characteristics of eleven experimental hybrids and two reference samples. The enzymatic digestion of untreated and chemically delignified samples was evaluated to advance the performance of the sugarcane residue (bagasse) in cellulosic-ethanol production processes.

Results
The ranges for the percentages of glucan, hemicellulose, lignin, and extractive (based on oven-dry biomass) of the experimental hybrids and reference samples were 38% to 43%, 25% to 32%, 17% to 24%, and 1.6% to 7.5%, respectively. The samples with the smallest amounts of lignin did not produce the largest amounts of total polysaccharides. Instead, a variable increase in the mass of a number of components, including extractives, seemed to compensate for the reduction in lignin content. Hydroxycinnamic acids accounted for a significant part of the aromatic compounds in the samples, with p-coumaric acid predominating, whereas ferulic acid was present only in low amounts. Hydroxycinnamic acids with ester linkage to the hemicelluloses varied from 2.3% to 3.6%. The percentage of total hydroxycinnamic acids (including the fraction linked to lignin through ether linkages) varied from 5.0% to 9.2%, and correlated to some extent with the lignin content. These clones released up to 31% of glucose after 72 hours of digestion with commercial cellulases, whereas chemically delignified samples led to cellulose conversion values of more than 80%. However, plants with lower lignin content required less delignification to reach higher efficiencies of cellulose conversion during the enzymatic treatment.

Conclusion
Some of the experimental sugarcane hybrids did have the combined characteristics of high biomass and high sucrose production with low lignin content. Conversion of glucan to glucose by commercial cellulases was increased in the samples with low lignin content. Chemical delignification further increased the cellulose conversion to values of more than 80%. Thus, plants with lower lignin content required less delignification to reach higher efficiencies of cellulose conversion during the enzymatic treatment.
Successful disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cell generation from patients with kidney transplantation
Authors: Thatava Tayaramma , Armstrong Adam S , De Lamo Josep Genebriera , Edukulla Ramakrishna , Khan Yulia Krotova , Sakuma Toshie , Ohmine Seiga , Sundsbak Jamie L , Harris Peter C , Kudva Yogish C , Ikeda Yasuhiro 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Introduction
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a major public health problem. Although kidney transplantation is a viable therapeutic option, this therapy is associated with significant limitations, including a shortage of donor organs. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology, which allows derivation of patient-specific pluripotent stem cells, could provide a possible alternative modality for kidney replacement therapy for patients with ESRD.

Methods
The feasibility of iPS cell generation from patients with a history of ESRD was investigated using lentiviral vectors expressing pluripotency-associated factors.

Results
In the present article we report, for the first time, generation of iPS cells from kidney transplant recipients with a history of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), systemic lupus erythematosus, or Wilms tumor and ESRD. Lentiviral transduction of OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC, under feeder-free conditions, resulted in reprogramming of skin-derived keratinocytes. Keratinocyte-derived iPS cells exhibited properties of human embryonic stem cells, including morphology, growth properties, expression of pluripotency genes and surface markers, spontaneous differentiation and teratoma formation. All iPS cell clones from the ADPKD patient retained the conserved W3842X mutation in exon 41 of the PKD1 gene.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate successful iPS cell generation from patients with a history of ESRD, PKD1 gene mutation, or chronic immunosuppression. iPS cells from autosomal kidney diseases, such as ADPKD, would provide unique opportunities to study patient-specific disease pathogenesis in vitro.
Durability of Acrylic Sealants Applied to Joints of Autoclaved Lightweight Concrete Walls: Evaluation of Exposure Testing
Authors: Miyauchi Hiroyuki , Lacasse Michael A. , Enomoto Noriyoshi , Murata Shigeki , Tanaka Kyoji 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
In Japan acrylic sealants are traditionally the sealant products of choice when specified for use between autoclaved lightweight concrete (ALC) panels. Although, in general terms, the mechanisms of the deterioration of acrylic sealants are well known its long-term durability to outdoor exposure has not, however, been fully investigated. The research described in this paper focuses on the change in the properties and deterioration of acrylic sealant products when exposed to outdoor testing. The two stage project consisted of (i) on-site investigations of deteriorated acrylic sealants that had been placed in external joints of ALC-clad buildings; and (ii) outdoor exposure testing of different types of acrylic sealant in three climate regions located in Japan. The results of the work from the first stage of the study revealed the following. Two-sided adhesion joint configurations installed in deep panel ALC cladding were more reliable than three-sided adhesion joints used for thin panel ALC cladding from the viewpoint of the durability of the sealed joint installed in actual buildings. Most fractures of the sealed joint could be characterized as failure in peel (or thin layer cohesive failures), in which the sealant ruptured at the interface with the ALC substrate to which it was applied. Additionally, in 47 of 62 locations surveyed, surface cracks were apparent on the coating that had been applied to protect the sealant. The second stage of the project focused on the degree of deterioration of coated and non-coated acrylic sealants subjected to outdoor exposure testing in a cold, a warm, and a subtropical climate. Results from this stage showed that aging of the sealant, as determined by the degree of surface cracking, expectedly depended on the local temperature and the respective degree of exposure to solar radiation. It was determined that the longer the exposure period, the lower the tensile performance of the acrylic sealants. The elongation of three-sided adhesive joint configurations after 5 years exposure testing decreased remarkably and their maximum elongation was less than 50 %. A significant number of sealed joints after 5 years ofexposure had ALC substrate failure.
Scrambling Eggs: Meiotic Drive and the Evolution of Female Recombination Rates
Authors: Brandvain Yaniv , Coop Graham 
Published: December 2011

AbstractTheories to explain the prevalence of sex and recombination have long been a central theme of evolutionary biology. Yet despite decades of attention dedicated to the evolution of sex and recombination, the widespread pattern of sex differences in the recombination rate is not well understood and has received relatively little theoretical attention. Here, we argue that female meiotic drivers—alleles that increase in frequency by exploiting the asymmetric cell division of oogenesis—present a potent selective pressure favoring the modification of the female recombination rate. Because recombination plays a central role in shaping patterns of variation within and among dyads, modifiers of the female recombination rate can function as potent suppressors or enhancers of female meiotic drive. We show that when female recombination modifiers are unlinked to female drivers, recombination modifiers that suppress harmful female drive can spread. By contrast, a recombination modifier tightly linked to a driver can increase in frequency by enhancing female drive. Our results predict that rapidly evolving female recombination rates, particularly around centromeres, should be a common outcome of meiotic drive. We discuss how selection to modify the efficacy of meiotic drive may contribute to commonly observed patterns of sex differences in recombination.
Symptoms and Time to Medical Care in Children With Accidental Extremity Fractures
Authors: Farrell Caitlin , Rubin David M. , Downes Kevin , Dormans John , Christian Cindy W. 
Published: December 2011

Background And Objective:
Delay in seeking medical care is one criterion used to identify victims of abuse. However, typical symptoms of accidental fractures in young children and the time between injury and the seeking of medical care have not been reported. We describe patient and injury characteristics that influence the time from injury to medical care.

Methods:
Parental interviews were conducted for children &lt;6 years old with accidental extremity fractures. Demographic characteristics, signs and symptoms of the injury, and fracture location and severity were described and examined for their association with a delay (&gt;8 hours) in seeking medical care.

Results:
Among 206 children, 69% had upper extremity fractures. The median time to the first medical evaluation was 1 hour, but 21% were seen at &gt;8 hours after injury. Although 91% of children cried after the injury, only 83% were irritable for &gt;30 minutes. Parents observed no external sign of injury in 15% of children, and 12% used the injured extremity normally. However, all parents noted at least 1 sign or symptom. Minority children (odds ratio [OR]: 2.54 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–5.47), those with lower extremity injuries (OR: 2.23 [95% CI: 1.01–4.90]), those without external signs of injury (OR: 3.40 [95% CI: 1.36–8.51]), and those with continued extremity use (OR: 3.26 [95% CI: 1.22–8.76]) were more likely to delay seeking medical care.

Conclusions:
Although some children did not manifest all expected responses, no child with an accidental fracture was asymptomatic. Delay in seeking medical care was associated with more subtle signs of injury; however, delays identified in minority patients are unexplained.
Lower-limb Amputations in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Pino Alejandro E. , Taghva Samantha , Chapman Cary , Bowker John H. 
Published: December 2011

It is estimated that approximately 23.6 million people in the United States have diabetes mellitus. With adequate control of this disease and appropriate foot care and basic surveillance, many patients can lead active and healthy lifestyles. However, some patients experience complications associated with poorly controlled glucose levels, including lower-extremity ulcerations and infections. When conservative measures have failed in treating these conditions, a lower-extremity amputation is an option for patients seeking to gain maximal functional recovery. A complete preoperative workup includes assessment of healing potential and preoperative ambulatory status, control or optimization of comorbidities when possible, and determination of amputation level using modern diagnostic modalities.
Once the decision to proceed with an amputation has been made, it is important to choose an appropriate level of amputation and practice sound surgical technique. This article describes the preoperative evaluation and operative techniques involved in performing amputations on diabetic patients and reviews the current literature on the most common lower-extremity amputations performed in the care of infections in the feet of patients with diabetes mellitus.
Local limit theorems on some non unimodular groups
Authors: Le Page Emile , Peigné Marc 
Published: December 2011

Let

G_d

be the semi-direct product of

\mathbb R^{*+}

and

\mathbb R^d

,

d≥1

and let us consider the product group

G_{d,N} = G_d \times \mathbb R^N

,

N≥1

. For a large class of probability measures

\mu

on

G_{d,N}

, one proves that there exists

\rho (\mu) \in ]0,1]

such that the sequence of finite measures

\Big\lbrace\frac {n^{(N+3)/2}}{\rho (\mu)^n} \mu^{*n}\Big\rbrace_{n≥1}

converges weakly to a non-degenerate measure.

Résumé

Soit

G_d

le produit semi-direct de

\mathbb R^{*+}

et de

\mathbb R^d

et

G_{d,N}

le
groupe produit

G_d \times \mathbb R^N

,

N≥0

. Pour une large classe de mesures de
probabilité sur

G_{d,N}

nous montrons qu'il existe

\rho (\mu) \in ]0,1]

tel que la
suite de mesures finies

\Big\lbrace\frac {n^{(N+3)/2}}{\rho (\mu)^n} \mu^{*n}\Big\rbrace_{n≥1}

converge vaguement vers une mesure non nulle.
Commercial Products That Convey Personal Health Information in Emergencies
Authors: Potini Vishnu C. , Weerasuriya Dilani N. , Lowery-North Douglas W. , Kellermann Arthur L. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTObjective: Describe commercially available products and services designed to convey personal health information in emergencies.Methods: The search engine Google®, supplemented by print ads, was used to identify companies and organizations that offer relevant products and services to the general market. Disease-specific, health system, and health plan-specific offerings were excluded. Vendor web sites were the primary sources of information, supplemented by telephone and e-mail queries to sales representatives. Perfect inter-rater agreement was achieved.Results: Thirty-nine unique vendors were identified. Eight sell engraved jewelry. Three offer an embossed card or pamphlet. Twelve supply USB drives with various features. Eleven support password-protected web sites. Five maintain national call centers. Available media differed markedly with respect to capacity and accessibility. Quoted prices ranged from a one-time expenditure of $3.50 to an annual fee of $200. Associated features and annual fees varied widely.Conclusion: A wide range of products and services exist to help patients convey personal health information. Health care providers should be familiar with their features, so they can access the information in a disaster or emergency.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2011;5:261–265)
Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Posttraumatic Stress Among Survivors of the 2005 Pakistani Earthquake
Authors: Hashmi Shahrukh , Petraro Paul , Rizzo Tara , Nawaz Hafsa , Choudhary Rabeea , Tessier-Sherman Baylah , Kasl Stanislav , Nawaz Haq 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTObjectives: To assess and compare the prevalence of psychological morbidity among survivors of the 2005 northern Pakistan earthquake from Azad Kashmir and the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP).Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among randomly sampled survivors (N = 361) of the earthquake living in camps at the time of the interview, approximately 6 months after the earthquake.Results: The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in the total sample was 51.5% and the prevalence of individuals who received positive scores on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL) was 75%. The prevalence rates for anxiety and depression symptoms were 77.3% and 70.9%, respectively. The prevalence in Azad Kashmir was 57.9% for PTSD and 79.8% for positive HSCL, and NWFP had 41.3% PTSD and 67.4% positive HSCL. Study subjects from Azad Kashmir were approximately 2 times as likely to have PTSD or a positive HSCL when compared to subjects from NWFP (odds ratio 1.95, confidence interval 1.27-3.0; P = .0024) and (odds ratio 1.91, confidence interval 1.18-3.1; P = .0085), respectively.Conclusions: Nearly half of the northern Pakistan earthquake survivors had symptoms of PTSD. Six months after the incident, more than three-fourths exhibited symptoms of an anxiety disorder.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2011;5:293–299)
In Vitro Opioid Receptor Assays
Authors: Taylor David A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAlthough opioid analgesics have been used for centuries, identification of opioid receptors and the ability of an opioid receptor antagonist to block natural pain processes prompted a search for endogenous opioid peptides. In vitro models were needed to characterize opioid activity in biological samples. The longitudinal muscle/myenteric plexus (LM/MP) of the guinea pig ileum was the classical in vitro assay system, but the development of the mouse vas deferens (MVD) assay provided another important model that could be employed. Both assays entail electrical stimulation of intramural nerves to produce muscle contractions of the target organ. The robust contractions of the LM/MP are inhibited by µ and κ opioid receptor agonists, while the more labile contractions of the MVD are inhibited by µ, κ, and δ opioid receptor agonists. These in vitro assay systems are useful for evaluating biological activity of unknown substances and studying the properties of drug tolerance and both are described in this unit. Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol. 55:4.8.1‐4.8.34. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.