bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of estrogen replacement and aging on the expression of nerve growth factor in the urethra of female rats
Authors: Zucchi Eliana V.M. , Jármy‐Di Bella Zsuzsanna I.K. , Castro Rodrigo A. , Takano Claudia C. , Simões Manuel J. , Girão Manoel J.B.C. , Sartori Marair G.F. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the urethra of adult female rats in different hormonal status using immunohistochemical assay.MethodsForty‐eight rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Rodentia, Mammalia) from the CEDEME‐UNIFESP laboratory animal facility were used in the study. Rats were divided into four groups: group A, 12 non‐neutered rats; group B, 12 oophorectomized rats; group C, 12 castrated rats treated with 17β‐estradiol for 30 days; and group D, 12 aging rats. Animals were killed by lethal injection and their urethra was removed. NGF expression was evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry using mouse monoclonal primary IgG antibody anti‐NGF diluted 1:600, and read under 400× magnification. Digital analysis of the images was done by Imagelab software. The intensity of the dark brown color was used as a measure of NGF cytoplasmatic expression, and was used to quantify the percentage of epithelial and muscular layer cells showing this neurotrophin.ResultsAfter oophorectomy, rats showed a significant increase in NGF expression in the periurethral muscular layer. Compared with oophorectomized rats, NGF expression increased in the epithelial layer and diminished in the periurethral smooth muscle following estrogen administration. In 18‐month‐old rats, NGF expression was diminished in both epithelial and muscular layers.ConclusionsHormonal status led to significant differences in NGF protein expression in urethral epithelium and periurethral smooth muscle. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:702–705, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Supratrigonal cystectomy with hautmann pouch as treatment for neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury patients: Long‐term functional results
Authors: Gobeaux Nicolas , Yates David R. , Denys Pierre , Even‐Schneider Alexia , Richard Francois , Chartier‐Kastler Emmanuel 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAimsTo study clinical and urodynamic data along with immediate and long‐term morbidity of surgical management of neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury (SCI) patientsMethodsSingle‐center retrospective study of 61 SCI patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) related urinary incontinence and/or sphincter weakness incontinence who underwent supratrigonal cystectomy with Hautmann pouch ± concomitant stress incontinence procedure (27.9%; n = 17).ResultsWith a mean follow‐up of 5.84 years (range 1–20.5) an improved or total continence rate was achieved in 89.7% and 74.1%, respectively. Surgery failed (incontinence persisted) for six (10.3%) patients, three of which had a simultaneous procedure for stress incontinence. On urodynamics, maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) (ml) increased from 305.2 to 509.4 (P < 0.05), mean compliance (ml/cmH2O) increased from 15 to 42.7 (P < 0.05) and mean detrusor pressure at MCC (cmH2O) fell from 54.1 to 19.1 (P < 0.05). Persisent NDO occurred in 20.7% compared to 59% pre‐operatively (P < 0.05). The overall complication rate was 37.7% but ≤Clavien grade 2 in 82.6%. Notably, the incidence of bowel dysfunction, namely diarrhea and/or fecal incontinence was 27.5%. Concomitant outlet surgery was associated with increased morbidity as three (17.6%) complications led to re‐intervention.ConclusionsSupratrigonal cystectomy with Hautmann pouch is an excellent surgical treatment for SCI patients suffering from refractory NDO incontinence. It achieves the main goals of achieving continence (74% complete), reducing rates of infection and preserving upper tract function, which is reflected in the improvement on urodynamics. The incidence of secondary bowel dysfunction and potential risk of a simultaneous procedure for stress incontinence needs to be discussed. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:672–676, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diet, Geography and Drinking Water in Polynesia: Microfossil Research from Archaeological Human Dental Calculus, Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
Authors: Dudgeon John V. , Tromp Monica 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTMicrofossil analysis of human dental calculus provides consumption‐specific and archaeologically relevant data for evaluating diet and subsistence in past populations. Calculus was extracted from 114 teeth representing 104 unique individuals from a late 16th to early 18th century skeletal series on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) to address questions of human–environment interactions and possible dietary preference. Scanning electron microscopy was used in lieu of optical microscopy for its superior depth of field and resolution of surface detail. The calculus microfossil recovery produced 16,377 total biogenic silica microfossils: 4733 phytoliths and 11,644 diatoms. The majority of phytoliths correspond with the Arecaceae or palm family (n = 4,456) and the minority corresponds to the Poaceae or grass family (n = 277). Because of the relatively large sample size, we were able to test hypotheses related to age cohort, sex, dental element and geographic region. Results indicate no significant difference in phytolith or diatom recovery based on age cohort or sex. The high frequency and proportion of Arecaceae phytoliths found in calculus extracted from the anterior dentition suggests consumption of soft or cooked foods containing palm phytoliths and the high frequency of diatoms recovered from the southern part of the island argue for different sources of drinking water. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A global perspective on sickle cell disease
Authors: Aygun Banu , Odame Isaac 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe global burden of sickle cell disease (SCD) is now being increasingly realized. SCD poses a significant public health problem in sub‐Saharan Africa, the Middle East, some regions of India, the Caribbean, and Brazil. In many of these regions, progress in the management of SCD has been slow. Long‐term North–South and South–South partnerships between SCD professionals, funding agencies, governments, and industry are needed to help reduce the high disease burden in developing countries, through widespread SCD education, relevant research and implementation of evidence‐based cost‐effective interventions. A group of SCD professionals have responded with action by forming a global network. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:386–390. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of cerebrospinal fluid aminoterminally truncated and oxidized amyloid‐β peptides
Authors: Bibl Mirko , Gallus Marion , Welge Volker , Lehmann Sabine , Sparbier Katrin , Esselmann Hermann , Wiltfang Jens 
Published: April 2012

PurposeCarboxyterminally elongated and aminoterminally truncated Aβ peptides as well as their pyroglutamate and oxidized derivates are major constituents of human amyloid plaques. The objective of the present study was to characterize aminoterminally truncated or oxidized Aβ38, Aβ40, and Aβ42 peptide species in immunoprecipitated human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).Experimental designWe invented a novel sequential aminoterminally and carboxyterminally specific immunoprecipitation protocol and used the Aβ‐SDS‐PAGE/immunoblot for subsequent analysis of CSF Aβ peptide patterns.ResultsIn the present study, we identified the aminoterminally truncated Aβ peptides 2–40 and 2–42 as well as oxidized forms of Aβ1–38 and Aβ1–42 in CSF. Our protocol allowed the quantification of a pattern of Aβ peptides 1–38ox, 2–40, and 2–42 in addition to the well known panel of Aβ 1–37, 1–38, 1–39, 1–40, 1–40ox, and 1–42 in a group of seven patients with peripheral polyneuropathy.Conclusions and clinical relevanceIn the present approach, we could broaden the range of quantifiable Aβ peptides described in previous studies (i.e., 1–37, 1–38, 1–39, 1–40, 1–40ox, and 1–42) by Aβ 1–38ox, 2–40, and 2–42. An exact analysis of CSF Aβ peptides regarding their carboxy‐ and aminoterminus as well as posttranslational modification seems promising with respect to diagnostic and pathogenic aspects.
Structural, surface morphological, and optical properties of nanocrystalline Cu2O and CuO films formed by RF magnetron sputtering: Oxygen partial pressure effect
Authors: Hari Prasad Reddy M. , Pierson J. F. , Uthanna S. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractCopper oxide films were deposited on glass and silicon substrates held at 473 K by radio‐frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering of copper target under different oxygen partial pressure in the range 5 × 10−3–8 × 10−2 Pa. The influence of oxygen partial pressure on the compositional, chemical binding configuration, structural, morphological, electrical, and optical properties of the deposited films was investigated. The films grown at low oxygen partial pressures < 2 × 10−2 Pa, showed mixed phase of Cu2O and Cu. At an oxygen partial pressure of 2 × 10−2 Pa the grown films were single‐phase Cu2O. The films formed at oxygen partial pressure of 2 × 10−2 Pa showed a core level binding energy peak of Cu 2p3/2 at 932.3 eV, confirmed the growth of Cu+ state of copper in Cu2O. The films formed at higher oxygen partial pressure of 5 × 10−2 Pa, films showed mixed phase of Cu2O and CuO. While those formed at 8 × 10−2 Pa were of CuO. Atomic force micrographs showed that the grain size of the films was increased from 40 to 110 nm with increase of oxygen partial pressure from 8 × 10−3 to 2 × 10−2 Pa. Single‐phase Cu2O films grown at oxygen partial pressure of 2 × 10−2 Pa showed electrical resistivity of 10 Ω cm and optical bandgap of 2.36 eV. The CuO films formed at higher oxygen partial pressure of 8 × 10−2 Pa exhibited an electrical resistivity of 3 × 102 Ω cm and optical bandgap of 1.96 eV.
The Public Weather Service Customer Group
Authors: Goldstraw Claire 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBall lightning is a curious, complex and multifaceted atmospheric phenomenon whose nature remains a subject of some controversy. Eyewitness reports of ball lightning allow a fuller and more objective description of the phenomenon to be formulated. This work presents a report describing a ball lightning event observed on 19 February 1783 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) by Bento Sanches Dorta.
Postoperative Adverse Outcomes in Surgical Patients with Dementia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hu Chaur‐Jong , Liao Chien‐Chang , Chang Chuen‐Chau , Wu Chih‐Hsiung , Chen Ta‐Liang 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackgroundDementia patients often present with coexisting medical conditions and potentially face higher risk of complications during hospitalization. Because the general features of postoperative adverse outcomes among surgical patients with dementia are unknown, we conducted a nationwide, retrospective cohort study to characterize surgical complications among dementia patients compared with sex‐ and age‐matched nondementia controls.MethodsReimbursement claims from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were studied. A total of 18,923 surgical patients were enrolled with preoperative diagnosis of dementia for 207,693 persons aged 60 years or older who received inpatient major surgeries between 2004 and 2007. Their preoperative comorbidities were adjusted and risks for major surgical complications were analyzed.ResultsDementia patients who underwent surgery had a significantly higher overall postoperative complication rate, adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.79 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.72–1.86), with higher medical resources use, and in‐hospital expenditures. Compared with controls, dementia patients had a higher incidence of certain postoperative complications that are less likely to be identified in their initial stage, such as: acute renal failure, OR = 1.32 (1.19–1.47); pneumonia, OR = 2.18 (2.06–2.31); septicemia, OR = 1.8 (1.69–1.92); stroke, OR = 1.51 (1.43–1.6); and urinary tract infection, OR = 1.62 (1.5–1.74).ConclusionsThese findings have specific implications for postoperative care of dementia patients regarding complications that are difficult to diagnose in their initial stages. Acute renal failure, pneumonia, septicemia, stroke, and urinary tract infection are the top priorities for prevention, early recognition, and intervention of postoperative complications among surgical patients with dementia. Further efforts are needed to determine specific protocols for health care teams serving this population.
Atherosclerotic calcification relates to cognitive function and to brain changes on magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Bos Daniel , Vernooij Meike W. , Elias-Smale Suzette E. , Verhaaren Benjamin F.J. , Vrooman Henri A. , Hofman Albert , Niessen Wiro J. , Witteman Jacqueline C.M. , van der Lugt Aad , Ikram M. Arfan 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests a role of atherosclerosis in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment and dementia. Calcification volume measured with computed tomography (CT) is a valid marker of atherosclerosis. This study investigates associations of atherosclerosis (measured using CT) at four locations with cognition and brain changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsTo quantify calcification volume, 2414 nondemented people from the Rotterdam Study underwent CT of the coronary arteries, aortic arch, extracranial carotid arteries, and intracranial carotid arteries. To assess global cognition and performance on memory, executive function, information processing speed, and motor speed, they also underwent neuropsychological tests. In a random subgroup of 844 participants, brain MRI was performed. Automated segmentation and quantification of brain MRI scans yielded brain tissue volumes in milliliters. Diffusion tensor imaging was used to measure the microstructural integrity of the white matter. Relationships of atherosclerotic calcification with cognition, brain tissue volumes, and diffusion tensor imaging measures were assessed with linear regression models and adjusted for relevant confounders.ResultsWith larger calcification volumes, lower cognitive scores were observed. When calcification volumes were larger, total brain volumes were also smaller. Specifically, larger coronary artery calcification volumes related to smaller gray matter volumes, and extracranial and intracranial carotid calcification volumes related to smaller white matter volumes. Larger calcification volume in all vessel beds was accompanied by worse microstructural integrity of the white matter.ConclusionsLarger calcification volume is associated with worse cognitive performance. It also relates to smaller brain tissue volumes and worse white matter microstructural integrity, revealing possible mechanisms through which atherosclerosis may lead to poorer cognition.
The antecedents of anticipatory purchase: Reconciling the two routes to optimism
Authors: Chan Elaine , Sengupta Jaideep , Mukhopadhyay Anirban 
Published: April 2012

AbstractConsumers often behave optimistically, purchasing products that they are unable to use at the time of purchase, but anticipate being able to use in the future. This research investigates such anticipatory purchase behavior, and demonstrates that optimism exerts its influence on anticipatory purchase via two distinct routes. One is driven by the perceived ease of the process required to achieve a given outcome and prevails when sufficient cognitive resources are available, while the other is driven directly by the perceived favorability of the outcome itself and holds when cognitive resources are constrained. Within each route, the focus of thought (process vs. outcome‐focus) moderates the influence of optimism, and the two routes converge on enhanced motivation. Multiple experiments provide support for predictions derived from this framework, illuminating the substantive domain of anticipatory purchasing and providing theoretical insights into the nature of optimism.
Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting on Atol das Rocas, north-eastern Brazil, 1990–2008
Authors: Bellini Claudio , Santos Armando J.B. , Grossman Alice , Marcovaldi Maria A. , Barata Paulo C. R. 
Published: April 2012

In this paper, information is presented on green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting on Atol das Rocas (Rocas Atoll), north-eastern Brazil. The temporal distribution of nesting events per season, annual number of nests, carapace length of nesting females, clutch size, hatching success, incubation period, internesting interval, clutch frequency, observed reproductive lifespan, and remigration period are reported. The study period included the nesting seasons from 1990 to 2008, but no regular beach monitoring was carried out in 1998 and 1999. Two sorts of methods were applied to the estimation of the annual number of nests in some seasons. Taking into account the estimated annual numbers of nests, the mean annual number of nests in the study period, excluding 1998–1999, was 335 (standard deviation = 139, range = 136–563, N = 17). An analysis of the available data indicates that the average nesting levels at the beginning of the study period (the first five seasons) and at its end (the last five seasons) were roughly the same. The mean curved carapace length of the nesting turtles decreased significantly during the study period, from 115.9 cm in 1990–1992 to 112.9 cm in 2006–2008. Atol das Rocas was established as a federal biological reserve in 1979, but regular sea turtle conservation activities actually started there in 1990. Since that year, the killing of nesting turtles has ceased, nesting activity by the turtles can proceed in an undisturbed fashion, and their clutches can incubate in a protected environment.
Mitochondrial stress causes increased succination of proteins in adipocytes in response to glucotoxicity
Authors: Frizzell Norma , Thomas Sonia A. , Carson James A. , Baynes John W. 
Published: April 2012

2SC [S-(2-succino)-cysteine] is a chemical modification formed by a Michael addition reaction of fumarate with cysteine residues in proteins. Formation of 2SC, termed ‘succination’ of proteins, increases in adipocytes grown in high-glucose medium and in adipose tissues of Type 2 diabetic mice. However, the metabolic mechanisms leading to increased fumarate and succination of protein in the adipocyte are unknown. Treatment of 3T3 cells with high glucose (30 mM compared with 5 mM) caused a significant increase in cellular ATP/ADP, NADH/NAD+ and Δψm (mitochondrial membrane potential). There was also a significant increase in the cellular fumarate concentration and succination of proteins, which may be attributed to the increase in NADH/NAD+ and subsequent inhibition of tricarboxylic acid cycle NAD+-dependent dehydrogenases. Chemical uncouplers, which dissipated Δψm and reduced the NADH/NAD+ ratio, also decreased the fumarate concentration and protein succination. High glucose plus metformin, an inhibitor of complex I in the electron transport chain, caused an increase in fumarate and succination of protein. Thus excess fuel supply (glucotoxicity) appears to create a pseudohypoxic environment (high NADH/NAD+ without hypoxia), which drives the increase in succination of protein. We propose that increased succination of proteins is an early marker of glucotoxicity and mitochondrial stress in adipose tissue in diabetes.
A rigid, monolithic but still scannable cavity ring-down spectroscopy cell
Authors: Tang Yongxin , Yang Shaoyue L. , Lehmann Kevin K. 
Published: April 2012

A novel cell for continuous wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy (cw-CRDS) is described and tested. The cell is monolithic and maintains a rigid alignment of the two cavity mirrors. Two high-resolution and high-force piezoelectric transducers are used to sweep the length of the cell by elastic deformation of the 2.86 cm outer diameter stainless steel tube that makes up the body of the cell. The cavity length is scanned more than 1/2 wavelength of the near-IR light used, which ensures that at least one TEM00 mode of the cavity will pass through resonance with the laser. This allows the use of a frequency-locked-laser cw-CRDS technique, which increases the precision of the measurements compared to the alternative of sweeping the laser more than one free spectral range of the cavity. The performance of the cell is demonstrated by using it to detect the absorption spectrum of methane (CH4) at the wavenumber regions of around 6051.8–6057.7 cm−1.
Electron kinetics in dc argon microplasmas
Authors: Chang Hyonu , Ryu Chang-Mo , Yoo Suk Jae , Kim Seong Bong , You Shin Jae 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
We carried out one-dimensional particle-in-cell and Monte Carlo collisional simulations of argon dc microplasmas. It is found that argon dc microplasmas have quite different electron kinetics from those of conventional low-pressure argon dc plasmas or helium dc microplasmas. The electron energy probability functions (EEPFs) of the argon dc microplasma are bi-Maxwellian for pressures exceeding 100 Torr, whereas it shows a convex-shaped profile for 10 Torr. The different EEPFs at high pressures come from the fact that, as the pressure is increased, elastic and inelastic electron–neutral collisions increase, because the cathode fall length decreases more slowly than the electron–neutral collisional mean free paths.
Urinary mannose-binding lectin is a biomarker for predicting the progression of immunoglobulin (Ig)A nephropathy
Authors: Liu L-L , Jiang Y , Wang L-N , Liu N 
Published: April 2012

Summary
Complement system activation is associated with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) activity and progression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the importance of urinary mannose-binding lectin (MBL), at the time of renal biopsy, for evaluating disease severity and predicting the progression of IgAN. A total of 162 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN were enrolled and 50 healthy individuals were selected as normal controls. Urinary MBL was measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and normalized for urinary creatinine concentration. Urinary MBL was significantly higher in IgAN patients than that in normal controls, and elevated as histopathological phenotypes upgraded. Urinary MBL was correlated significantly with the well-known clinical predictors for the prognosis of IgAN; that is, renal function (represented by serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate), proteinuria and arterial hypertension. Urinary MBL was demonstrated to be correlated with the histopathological parameters which have independent value in predicting renal outcome of IgAN according to the Oxford classification; that is, mesangial hypercellularity, segmental glomerulosclerosis, endocapillary hypercellularity and tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis. More importantly, non-remission patients at the end of follow-up had significantly higher levels of urinary MBL compared with patients in remission. In conclusion, urinary MBL can be a reliable non-invasive biomarker for evaluating disease severity and predicting the prognosis of IgAN. This is the first report on this issue. However, our conclusions should be verified further in large-scale studies with long-term follow-up.