bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Air–Sea Interaction over the Subtropical North Pacific during the ENSO Transition Phase
Authors: Wu Wei , Wen Zhiping , Wu Renguang , Wang Tongmei 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
In the present study, monthly mean objectively analyzed air–sea fluxes (OAFlux) and NCEP–Department of Energy (DOE) reanalysis datasets are employed to investigate air–sea interaction over the subtropical North Pacific during the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) transition phase. A coupled low-frequency mode is identified, for which surface net heat flux and atmospheric circulation changes are strongly coupled during the ENSO transition phase. This mode features anomalous cooling (warming) and low-level anomalous cyclonic (anticyclonic) circulation over the subtropical North Pacific. When this mode is prominent, the atmospheric circulation anomalies lead to SST cooling (warming) through surface heat flux anomalies associated with increases (decreases) in the sea–air temperature and humidity differences induced by anomalous cold (warm) advection. In turn, positive heat flux anomalies induce more surface heating, and the SST cooling (warming) causes less (more) deep convective heating. The anomalous surface heating and deep convective heating contribute significantly to anomalous circulation through the thermal adaptation mechanism (adaptation of atmospheric circulation to vertical differential heating). This positive feedback favors the maintenance of these anomalous winds over the subtropical North Pacific.
Rossby Waves and the Variability of the North Pacific Current during 2002–03
Authors: Donohue Shawn M. , Stacey Michael W. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
A numerical model, the Parallel Ocean Program (POP), with 0.25° horizontal spatial resolution and 28 vertical levels is used to simulate the circulation of the North Pacific Ocean for the time period 1960–2006. Spectral nudging is used so that model drift of the mean state over the 46-yr time period of the simulation is prevented while allowing for the prognostic evolution of the circulation at time scales that are not nudged. The simulation successfully reproduces a southward shift in the North Pacific Current in 2002–03 as calculated from scalar observations. It is suggested that this calculated shift may not be solely due to meridional current drift but also a consequence of the shifting intensity of two eastward-moving current bands separated by 300–500 km, a distance consistent with the Rhines scale (the scale at which the 2D turbulence cascade tends to be arrested), which implies an influence from Rossby waves that are heavily affected by nonlinearities. The simulation suggests that the North Pacific Current may indeed have been influenced by a Rossby wave–like disturbance. This disturbance could have been forced to a significant extent by the local winds, but there is also evidence in the model for a coastally generated Rossby wave–like disturbance. This coastal disturbance was generated during the 1997/98 ENSO and traveled westward from the coast at about 1 cm s−1, taking 3–5 yr to travel into the region of the North Pacific Current. The noncoastal portion of the disturbance, which was generated by the local winds away from the coast, propagated westward at about 1 cm s−1 as well.
Estimating Continuous-Coverage Instantaneous Precipitation Rates Using Remotely Sensed and Ground-Based Measurements
Authors: Grim Joseph A. , Pinto James O. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis study demonstrates a method of temporally and spatially scaling precipitation rates at low probability of precipitation-rate exceedance levels (e.g., 0.1%) from coarser-resolution global datasets to near-instantaneous localized rain gauge precipitation rates. In particular, the 8-km-, 1-h-resolution Climate Prediction Center Morphing (CMORPH) dataset was scaled to 1-min localized rates using the Automated Surface Observing Station (ASOS) rain gauge data. Maps of these scaled precipitation rates show overall patterns and magnitudes that are nearly identical to the lower-spatial-resolution rain gauge maps yet retain the much higher resolution of the original remotely sensed global dataset, which is particularly important over regions of complex geography and sparse surface observing stations. To scale the CMORPH data, temporal and spatial conversion factor arrays were calculated by comparing precipitation rates at different temporal (ASOS 1-min and 1-h) and spatial (ASOS 1-h and CMORPH 1-h) resolutions. These temporal and spatial conversion factors were found to vary by probability level, season, and climatological region. Meteorological implications of these variations are discussed.
Matrix-Associated Implantation of Predifferentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Versus Articular Chondrocytes
Authors: Marquass Bastian , Schulz Ronny , Hepp Pierre , Zscharnack Matthias , Aigner Thomas , Schmidt Stefanie , Stein Frank , Richter Robert , Osterhoff Georg , Aust Gabriele , Josten Christoph , Bader Augustinus 
Published: April 2011

Background: The use of predifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) leads to better histological results compared with undifferentiated MSC in sheep. This raises the need for a longer term follow-up study and comparison with a clinically established method. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that chondrogenic in vitro predifferentiation of autologous MSC embedded in a collagen I hydrogel leads to better structural repair of a chronic osteochondral defect in an ovine stifle joint after 1 year. We further hypothesized that resulting histological results would be comparable with those of chondrocyte-seeded matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT). Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Predifferentiation period of ovine MSC within collagen gel in vitro was defined by assessment of several cellular and molecular biological parameters. For the animal study, 2 osteochondral lesions (7-mm diameter) were created at the medial femoral condyles of the hind legs in 9 sheep. Implantation of MSC gels was performed 6 weeks after defect creation. Thirty-six defects were divided into 4 treatment groups: (1) chondrogenically predifferentiated MSC gels (pre-MSC gels), (2) undifferentiated MSC gels (un-MSC gels), (3) MACT gels, and (4) untreated controls (UC). Histological, immunohistochemical, and radiological evaluations followed after 12 months. Results: After 12 months in vivo, pre-MSC gels showed significantly better histological outcome compared with un-MSC gels and UC. Compared with MACT gels, the overall scores were higher for O’Driscoll and International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS). The repair tissue of the pre-MSC group showed immunohistochemical detection of interzonal collagen type II staining. Radiological evaluation supported superior bonding of pre-MSC gels to perilesional native cartilage. Compared with previous work by our group, no degradation of the repair tissue between 6 and 12 months in vivo, particularly in pre-MSC gels, was observed. Conclusion: Repair of chronic osteochondral defects with collagen hydrogels composed of chondrogenically predifferentiated MSC shows no signs of degradation after 1 year in vivo. In addition, pre-MSC gels lead to partially superior histological results compared with articular chondrocytes. Clinical Relevance: The results suggest an encouraging method for future treatment of focal osteochondral defects without donor site morbidity by harvesting articular chondrocytes.
First-trimester low-dose prednisolone in refractory antiphospholipid antibody–related pregnancy loss
Authors: Bramham Kate , Thomas Mari , Nelson-Piercy Catherine , Khamashta Munther , Hunt Beverley J. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess pregnancy outcome in women with a history of refractory antiphospholipid antibody–associated pregnancy loss(es) who were treated with early low-dose prednisolone in addition to aspirin and heparin. Eighteen women with antiphospholipid antibodies who had refractory pregnancy loss(es) were given prednisolone (10 mg) from the time of their positive pregnancy test to 14 weeks' gestation. Before low-dose prednisolone was given as treatment, 4 (4%) of 97 pregnancies had resulted in live births. Among 23 pregnancies supplemented with prednisolone, 9 women had 14 live births (61%), including 8 uncomplicated pregnancies. The remainder were complicated by preterm delivery, preeclampsia, and/or small-for-gestational-age infants. There were 8 first-trimester miscarriages and 1 ectopic pregnancy. There were no fetal deaths after 10 weeks' gestation and no evidence of maternal morbidity. The addition of first-trimester low-dose prednisolone to conventional treatment is worthy of further assessment in the management of refractory antiphospholipid antibody–related pregnancy loss(es), although complications remain elevated.
Sequential interim analyses of survival data in DNA microarray experiments
Authors: Leha Andreas , Beißbarth Tim , Jung Klaus 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Discovery of biomarkers that are correlated with therapy response and thus with survival is an important goal of medical research on severe diseases, e.g. cancer. Frequently, microarray studies are performed to identify genes of which the expression levels in pretherapeutic tissue samples are correlated to survival times of patients. Typically, such a study can take several years until the full planned sample size is available.
Therefore, interim analyses are desirable, offering the possibility of stopping the study earlier, or of performing additional laboratory experiments to validate the role of the detected genes. While many methods correcting the multiple testing bias introduced by interim analyses have been proposed for studies of one single feature, there are still open questions about interim analyses of multiple features, particularly of high-dimensional microarray data, where the number of features clearly exceeds the number of samples. Therefore, we examine false discovery rates and power rates in microarray experiments performed during interim analyses of survival studies. In addition, the early stopping based on interim results of such studies is evaluated. As stop criterion we employ the achieved average power rate, i.e. the proportion of detected true positives, for which a new estimator is derived and compared to existing estimators.

Results
In a simulation study, pre-specified levels of the false discovery rate are maintained in each interim analysis, where reduced levels as used in classical group sequential designs of one single feature are not necessary. Average power rates increase with each interim analysis, and many studies can be stopped prior to their planned end when a certain pre-specified power rate is achieved. The new estimator for the power rate slightly deviates from the true power rate but is comparable to other estimators.

Conclusions
Interim analyses of microarray experiments can provide evidence for early stopping of long-term survival studies. The developed simulation framework, which we also offer as a new R package 'SurvGenesInterim' available at http://survgenesinter.R-Forge.R-Project.org, can be used for sample size planning of the evaluated study design.
Effect of grazers and viruses on bacterial community structure and production in two contrasting trophic lakes
Authors: Berdjeb Lyria , Pollet Thomas , Domaizon Isabelle , Jacquet Stéphan 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Over the last 30 years, extensive studies have revealed the crucial roles played by microbes in aquatic ecosystems. It has been shown that bacteria, viruses and protozoan grazers are dominant in terms of abundance and biomass. The frequent interactions between these microbiological compartments are responsible for strong trophic links from dissolved organic matter to higher trophic levels, via heterotrophic bacteria, which form the basis for the important biogeochemical roles of microbial food webs in aquatic ecosystems. To gain a better understanding of the interactions between bacteria, viruses and flagellates in lacustrine ecosystems, we investigated the effect of protistan bacterivory on bacterial abundance, production and structure [determined by 16S rRNA PCR-DGGE], and viral abundance and activity of two lakes of contrasting trophic status. Four experiments were conducted in the oligotrophic Lake Annecy and the mesotrophic Lake Bourget over two seasons (early spring vs. summer) using a fractionation approach. In situ dark vs. light incubations were performed to consider the effects of the different treatments in the presence and absence of phototrophic activity.

Results
The presence of grazers (i.e. < 5-μm small eukaryotes) affected viral production positively in all experiments, and the stimulation of viral production (compared to the treatment with no eukaryotic predators) was more variable between lakes than between seasons, with the highest value having been recorded in the mesotrophic lake (+30%). Viral lysis and grazing activities acted additively to sustain high bacterial production in all experiments. Nevertheless, the stimulation of bacterial production was more variable between seasons than between lakes, with the highest values obtained in summer (+33.5% and +37.5% in Lakes Bourget and Annecy, respectively). The presence of both predators (nanoflagellates and viruses) did not seem to have a clear influence upon bacterial community structure according to the four experiments.

Conclusions
Our results highlight the importance of a synergistic effect, i.e. the positive influence of grazers on viral activities in sustaining (directly and indirectly) bacterial production and affecting composition, in both oligotrophic and mesotrophic lakes.
Inhibin secretion in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome before and after treatment with progesterone
Authors: Dafopoulos Konstantinos , Venetis Christos , Messini Christina I , Pournaras Spyros , Anifandis George , Garas Antonios , Messinis Ioannis E 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Objectives
It has been suggested that inhibin secretion is altered in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the contribution of a preceding luteal phase has not been taken into account. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether progesterone in the context of a simulated luteal phase affects basal and FSH-induced inhibin secretion in women with PCOS and elevated LH.

Methods
Ten women with PCOS and 8 normally cycling women participated in an experimental procedure (Exp) involving the administration of a single injection of recombinant FSH (450 IU sc). In the women with PCOS, the procedure was performed before (Exp 1) and after a 20-day treatment with progesterone (Exp 2), while in the normal women on day 2 of the cycle (Exp 3). Inhibin A and B levels were measured in blood samples taken before and 24 hours after the FSH injection.

Results
Basal LH levels were significantly higher and inhibin A levels were significantly lower in the PCOS group compared to the control group, while inhibin B levels were comparable in the two groups. In the PCOS group, after treatment with progesterone inhibin A and LH but not inhibin B levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05). After the FSH injection, inhibin A and B levels increased significantly in the women with PCOS (Exp 1 and Exp 2) but not in the control women (Exp 3).

Conclusions
In women with PCOS, as compared to control women, the dissimilar pattern of inhibin A and inhibin B secretion in response to FSH appears to be independent of a preceding simulated luteal phase. It is possible that compared to normal ovaries, the PCOS ovaries are less sensitive to endogenous LH regarding inhibin A secretion and more sensitive to exogenous FSH stimulation in terms of inhibin A and inhibin B secretion.
Cellular transcripts regulated during infections with Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza virus in 3 host systems
Authors: Balasubramaniam Vinod RMT , Hassan Sharifah S , Omar Abdul R , Mohamed Maizan , Noor Suriani M , Mohamed Ramlan , Othman Iekhsan 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus is able to infect many hosts and the virus replicates in high levels in the respiratory tract inducing severe lung lesions. The pathogenesis of the disease is actually the outcome of the infection as determined by complex host-virus interactions involving the functional kinetics of large numbers of participating genes. Understanding the genes and proteins involved in host cellular responses are therefore, critical for the elucidation of the mechanisms of infection.

Methods
Differentially expressed transcripts regulated in a H5N1 infections of whole lung organ of chicken, in-vitro chick embryo lung primary cell culture (CeLu) and a continuous Madin Darby Canine Kidney cell line was undertaken. An improved mRNA differential display technique (Gene Fishing™) using annealing control primers that generates reproducible, authentic and long PCR products that are detectable on agarose gels was used for the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Seven of the genes have been selected for validation using a TaqMan® based real time quantitative PCR assay.

Results
Thirty seven known and unique differentially expressed genes from lungs of chickens, CeLu and MDCK cells were isolated. Among the genes isolated and identified include heat shock proteins, Cyclin D2, Prenyl (decaprenyl) diphosphate synthase, IL-8 and many other unknown genes. The quantitative real time RT-PCR assay data showed that the transcription kinetics of the selected genes were clearly altered during infection by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus.

Conclusion
The Gene Fishing™ technique has allowed for the first time, the isolation and identification of sequences of host cellular genes regulated during H5N1 virus infection. In this limited study, the differentially expressed genes in the three host systems were not identical, thus suggesting that their responses to the H5N1 infection may not share similar mechanisms and pathways.
Constraint-based analysis of gene interactions using restricted boolean networks and time-series data
Authors: Higa Carlos HA , Louzada Vitor HP , Andrade Tales P , Hashimoto Ronaldo F 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundA popular model for gene regulatory networks is the Boolean network model. In this paper, we propose an algorithm to perform an analysis of gene regulatory interactions using the Boolean network model and time-series data. Actually, the Boolean network is restricted in the sense that only a subset of all possible Boolean functions are considered. We explore some mathematical properties of the restricted Boolean networks in order to avoid the full search approach. The problem is modeled as a Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP) and CSP techniques are used to solve it.ResultsWe applied the proposed algorithm in two data sets. First, we used an artificial dataset obtained from a model for the budding yeast cell cycle. The second data set is derived from experiments performed using HeLa cells. The results show that some interactions can be fully or, at least, partially determined under the Boolean model considered.ConclusionsThe algorithm proposed can be used as a first step for detection of gene/protein interactions. It is able to infer gene relationships from time-series data of gene expression, and this inference process can be aided by aprioriknowledge available.
Liver-Derived IGF-I Contributes to GH-Dependent Increases in Lean Mass and Bone Mineral Density in Mice with Comparable Levels of Circulating GH
Authors: Nordstrom Sarah M. , Tran Jennifer L. , Sos Brandon C. , Wagner Kay-Uwe , Weiss Ethan J. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
The relative contributions of circulating and locally produced IGF-I in growth remain controversial. The majority of circulating IGF-I is produced by the liver, and numerous mouse models have been developed to study the endocrine actions of IGF-I. A common drawback to these models is that the elimination of circulating IGF-I disrupts a negative feedback pathway, resulting in unregulated GH secretion. We generated a mouse with near total abrogation of circulating IGF-I by disrupting the GH signaling mediator, Janus kinase (JAK)2, in hepatocytes. We then crossed these mice, termed JAK2L, to GH-deficient little mice (Lit). Compound mutant (Lit-JAK2L) and control (Lit-Con) mice were treated with equal amounts of GH such that the only difference between the two groups was hepatic GH signaling. Both groups gained weight in response to GH but there was a reduction in the final weight of GH-treated Lit-JAK2L vs. Lit-Con mice. Similarly, lean mass increased in both groups, but there was a reduction in the final lean mass of Lit-JAK2L vs. Lit-Con mice. There was an equivalent increase in skeletal length in response to GH in Lit-Con and Lit-JAK2L mice. There was an increase in bone mineral density (BMD) in both groups, but Lit-JAK2L had lower BMD than Lit-Con mice. In addition, GH-mediated increases in spleen and kidney mass were absent in Lit-JAK2L mice. Taken together, hepatic GH-dependent production of IGF-I had a significant and nonredundant role in GH-mediated acquisition of lean mass, BMD, spleen mass, and kidney mass; however, skeletal length was dependent upon or compensated for by locally produced IGF-I.
Audiologic Evaluation of Patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis at a Pediatric Hospital
Authors: Pereira Rodrigo Guimarães , Vassoler Tríssia Maria Farah , Alcantara Lauro João Lobo , Zimmermann Elise , Santos Mara Lúcia Schmitz Ferreira , Gomes Ariana Braga 
Published: April 2011

Summary
Introduction: Mucopolysaccharidosis are characterized by the deficit of lysosomal enzymes corrupting the glycosaminoglycans. Accumulating these metabolites causes several alterations, such as otologic alterations.
Objective: To evaluate a number of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis at Pequeno Principe Hospital, emphasizing their audiologic alterations and establish a permanent evaluation protocol for these patients.
Method: A backward-looking study of audiologic evaluation by using records of 18 patients diagnosed with mucopolysaccharidosis and attended at Pequeno Principe Hospital between January 2005 and November 2010.
Results: 7 records were selected, out of which only one did not have a hearing loss, and most of them presented conductive or mixed hearing loss, and only one had an exclusively sensorineural loss. Six of these patients had also been submitted to at least one otorhinolaryngological procedure.
Conclusion: Mucopolysaccharidosis patients require a permanent care and a multidisciplinary follow-up. The pediatric otorhinolaryngologist plays an important role when performing the otologic and audiologic evaluation and managing the airways, since almost all the patients evaluated presented some kind of hearing loss and an indication of otorhinolaryngologic procedure. The pattern determined in our service was at least an initial consultation when there is a suspicion and/or diagnosis of MPS and sequential consultations that were at least twice a year or more frequent, if necessary.
Activity of the Communist Government Appointed in the Greek-Catholic Episcopal Office in Prešov
Authors: Borza Peter 
Published: April 2011

Activity of the Communist Government Appointed in the Greek-Catholic Episcopal Office in Prešov
The paper deals with the activities of the government appointee in the Greek Catholic Episcopal office in Presov before the violent destruction of the Greek Catholic Church in 1950. The government appointee was used by the communists in the Episcopal office to limit the freedom of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in Slovakia. This was an unprecedented intrusion into the jurisdiction of bishops, which contravened the church, but also democratic principles. Government appointees were part of the planned fight against the Church, which was at that time, the last real force, capable of contradicting the emerging totalitarian regime.