bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of naofen in apoptosis of hepatocytes induced by lipopolysaccharide through mitochondrial signaling in rats
Authors: Fan Jun‐Hua , Feng Guo‐Gang , Huang Lei , Tsunekawa Koji , Honda Takashi , Katano Yoshiaki , Hirooka Yoshiki , Goto Hidemi , Kandatsu Nobuhisa , Ando Kazuo , Fujiwara Yoshihiro , Koide Tatsuro , Okada Shoshiro , Ishikawa Naohisa 
Published: February 2012

Aim:  Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) causes apoptosis of hepatocytes, which is probably mediated by inflammatory substances released from Kupffer cells (KCs). Recently, we have reported that naofen, a newly found intracellular WD40‐repeat protein, has a role in inducing the apoptosis in HEK293 cells. Hence, the present study was undertaken to investigate a role of naofen in the LPS‐induced apoptosis of rat hepatocytes.Methods:  Rats were treated with i.v. injections of LPS, and livers were extirpated to evaluate expression of naofen and apoptosis. In in vitro experiments, hepatocytes and KCs were separately isolated from rat livers. The incubation medium for KCs treated with LPS (KC‐CM) was used for hepatocyte culture.Results:  Intravenous injections of LPS enhanced the expression of naofen in the livers. Livers showed terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)‐positive staining, and elevated caspase‐3 activity. In isolated KCs or hepatocytes, LPS hardly affected naofen expression and caspase‐3 activity, whereas incubation of hepatocytes with KC‐CM enhanced both naofen expression and caspase‐3 activation. Transfection of hepatocyte with naofen siRNA prevented such effects of KC‐CM, and clearly eliminated KC‐CM‐induced reduction of Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL. In contrast, overexpression of naofen in hepatocytes downregulated Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL, released cytochrome c from mitochondria, and activated caspase‐3.Conclusion:  These results indicate that LPS may induce the hepatic apoptosis in association with enhanced naofen expression, and that naofen may mediate the activation of caspase‐3 through downregulating the Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL expression, and releasing cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytoplasm.
Diagnosis and non‐surgical periodontal management in congenital afibrinogenemia: report of a rare case
Authors: Gadagi Jayaprakash S. , Chava Vijay K. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractMedical records have an important role in the diagnosis and planning treatment modalities of periodontal diseases. Surgical periodontal procedures can pose severe complications if the underlying systemic condition is not recorded. To substantiate this, we present a rare case of afibrinogenemia that was reported to the Department of Periodontics, Narayana Dental College, Nellore, India. The present case report gives details of fibrinogen disorder and the dental management of such cases.
The association of 2‐year‐old training milestones with career length and racing success in a sample of Thoroughbred horses in New Zealand
Authors: TANNER J. C. , ROGERS C. W. , FIRTH E. C. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryReasons for performing study:There is increasing evidence that exercise early in life has a positive effect on musculoskeletal health. At present, there is little whole population research investigating the effect of racing as 2‐year‐olds on future racing career.Objectives:To investigate the association between attaining training milestones as 2‐year‐olds with length of career and racing success in Thoroughbred horses in New Zealand.Methods:Retrospective data were obtained of the 2001/02‐born Thoroughbred foal crop. The 3 training milestones were: registered with a trainer, trialled and raced. The association of the training milestones with career length was measured using the outcomes: number of race starts and number of years raced, in a Cox regression model. Logistic regression models analysed the association of the training milestones with the outcomes: won or placed in a race. Linear regression was performed to assess the association of training milestones with total career earnings.Results:Of 4683 horses in the population; 3152 horses were registered with a trainer, 2661 horses trialled and 2109 horses raced. Horses that raced as 2‐year‐olds had significantly (P<0.001) more race starts than those first raced as 3‐year‐olds or older, this was also true when the 2‐year‐old year data were omitted. Horses that raced as 2‐year‐olds had significantly (P<0.001) more years racing. Horses registered with a trainer, trialled or raced as 2‐year‐olds were more likely to have won or been placed in a race than those that achieved the milestones as 3‐year‐olds or older. Horses that first trialled and raced as 2‐year‐olds had greater total earnings than those that first trialled or raced at a later age.Conclusions and potential relevance:Two‐year‐old training milestones had a strong association with positive racing career outcomes. Horses in training or racing as 2‐year‐olds may have better musculoskeletal health throughout life than horses that are first in training or racing at a later age.
Perspective Depth Extraction of Points on a Surface Under an Instantaneous Rigid Body Transformation
Authors: Bergström Per 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
We consider the computational problem of finding the point in 3D-space on a transformed surface corresponding to a coordinate pair given in a perspective mapping. The transformation is a rigid body transformation that is assumed to be small and vary. Initially, it is unknown but when it becomes known, the output must be accurate and quickly returned. Therefore, the computations are adapted for those conditions. Preprocessed shape information about the surface is computed in a perspective mapping where the surface is in an original position. We are discussing algorithms for solving the considered problem.
Routine pre-procedure laboratory testing for patients undergoing outpatient cerebral angiography is not indicated
Authors: Rai Ansaar T , Domico Jennifer 
Published: February 2012

BackgroundCerebral angiography is a routine low-risk procedure. Laboratory testing is performed in almost all patients. Some testing may be warranted in selected patients but can also result in delays in performing the procedure.PurposeTo determine if routine pre-procedure testing for outpatient cerebral angiography is necessary.Methods447 patients who underwent outpatient cerebral angiography were reviewed. The tests were evaluated for any abnormality, correlation of the abnormality with underlying diseases and for any impact that these tests may have on the safety of the procedure. Only tests performed at our institution were analyzed. All instances of any hospital/physician visit related to the procedure were recorded.ResultsA low hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet count was seen in 3.5%, 1.8% and 0.1% of patients, respectively. These were marginally outside the reference range and not sufficiently abnormal to indicate underlying disease or to affect the procedure. An elevated prothrombin time/international normalized ratio was seen in 4.5% of patients and this was associated with warfarin use (p<0.0001). About 15% of the patients had a disturbance in renal function. An elevated creatinine was associated with diabetes (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.8 to 5.7, p=0.0001) and hypertension (OR 4.4, 95% CI 2.1 to 9.2, p<0.0001). Cerebral angiography was performed on these patients with appropriate renal protective measures and no cases of acute renal failure secondary to contrast administration were documented.ConclusionThe incidence of abnormal testing in patients undergoing outpatient cerebral angiography is very low. These results and evidence in the literature suggest that the majority of patients undergoing cerebral angiography do not require any pre-procedure testing. Assessment of renal function using the estimated glomerular filtration rate in high-risk patients only is, however, warranted.
Immune Thrombocytopenia in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Is Associated with Stereotyped B-cell Receptors
Authors: Visco Carlo , Maura Francesco , Tuana Giacomo , Agnelli Luca , Lionetti Marta , Fabris Sonia , Novella Elisabetta , Giaretta Ilaria , Reda Gianluigi , Barcellini Wilma , Baldini Luca , Neri Antonino , Rodeghiero Francesco , Cortelezzi Agostino 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Purpose: To assess biologic features related to the development of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Experimental Design: We retrospectively analyzed 463 patients with CLL with available immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable (IGHV) gene status and B-cell receptor (BCR) configuration [heavy-chain complementary-determining region 3 (HCDR3)], of whom thirty-six developed ITP, according to previously defined criteria. Most of them had available cytogenetic analysis.
Results: We observed a significant association between ITP occurrence and IGHV unmutated gene status (P &lt; 0.0001), unfavorable cytogenetic lesions (P = 0.005), and stereotyped HCDR3 (P = 0.006). The more frequent stereotyped HCDR3 subsets were #1 (IGHV1-5-7/IGHD6-19/IGHJ4; 16 of 16 unmutated) and #7 (IGHV1-69 or IGHV3-30/IGHD3-3/IGHJ6; 13 of 13 unmutated), both being significantly more represented among patients developing ITP (P = 0.003 and P = 0.001, respectively). Moreover, restricting the analysis to unmutated patients, subset #7 confirmed its independent significant association with the occurrence of ITP (P = 0.013). Both unmutated IGHV mutational status, del(11)(q23) and stereotyped BCR were significantly associated with shorter time to ITP development (P &lt; 0.0001, P = 0.02, and P = 0.005, respectively) than other patients.
Conclusion: Our data suggest that patients with CLL and peculiar BCR conformations are at higher risk of developing secondary ITP and that stereotyped BCR may be involved in the pathogenesis of this complication. Clin Cancer Res; 18(7); 1870–8. ©2012 AACR.
Three Potential Mechanisms for Failure of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation in Cardiac Tissue
Authors: Laughner Jacob I. , Sulkin Matthew S. , Wu Ziqi , Deng Cheri X. , Efimov Igor R. 
Published: February 2012

Background—
High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been introduced for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias because it offers the ability to create rapid tissue modification in confined volumes without directly contacting the myocardium. In spite of the benefits of HIFU, a number of limitations have been reported, which hindered its clinical adoption.

Methods and Results—
In this study, we used a multimodal approach to evaluate thermal and nonthermal effects of HIFU in cardiac ablation. We designed a computer controlled system capable of simultaneous fluorescence mapping and HIFU ablation. Using this system, linear lesions were created in isolated rabbit atria (n=6), and point lesions were created in the ventricles of whole-heart (n=6) preparations by applying HIFU at clinical doses (4–16 W). Additionally, we evaluate the gap size in ablation lines necessary for conduction in atrial preparations (n=4). The voltage sensitive dye di-4-ANEPPS was used to assess functional damage produced by HIFU. Optical coherence tomography and general histology were used to evaluate lesion extent. Conduction block was achieved in 1 (17%) of 6 atrial preparations with a single ablation line. Following 10 minutes of rest, 0 (0%) of 6 atrial preparations demonstrated sustained conduction block from a single ablation line. Tissue displacement of 1 to 3 mm was observed during HIFU application due to acoustic radiation force along the lesion line. Additionally, excessive acoustic pressure and high temperature from HIFU generated cavitation, causing macroscopic tissue damage. A minimum gap size of 1.5 mm was found to conduct electric activity.

Conclusions—
This study identified 3 potential mechanisms responsible for the failure of HIFU ablation in cardiac tissues. Both acoustic radiation force and acoustic cavitation, in conjunction with inconsistent thermal deposition, can increase the risk of lesion discontinuity and result in gap sizes that promote ablation failure.
High Horizontal and Vertical Resolution Limited-Area Model: Near-Surface and Wind Energy Forecast Applications
Authors: Bernier Natacha B. , Bélair Stéphane 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAs harvesting of wind energy grows, so does the need for improved forecasts from the surface to the top of wind turbines. To improve mesoscale forecasts of wind, temperature, and dewpoint temperature in this layer, two different approaches are examined. In the first experiment, the vertical resolution of a limited-area model with 2.5-km grid spacing (LAM-2.5 km) is significantly increased near the surface to better represent profiles in that layer. In the second experiment, prognostic variables for land and ocean surfaces are initialized using results from an external land surface model system [the Global Environmental Multiscale Surface system (GEM-Surf)] and from a regional ocean model. Results show that increasing the vertical resolution near the surface leads to improved temperature and dewpoint temperature forecasts at the surface and in the wind turbine layer. For winds, improvements are more modest, because they are limited to the gradient measured across the span of the vertical wind turbine blades. On the other hand, the replacement of operational surface analyses with high-resolution analyses obtained from GEM-Surf is found to improve summer dewpoint temperature forecasts. It is shown that changes in soil moisture analyses explain the bulk of the improved dewpoint forecasts.
Summer Land–Atmosphere Coupling Strength in the United States: Comparison among Observations, Reanalysis Data, and Numerical Models
Authors: Mei Rui , Wang Guiling 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
This study examines the land–atmosphere coupling strength during summer over subregions of the United States based on observations [Climate Prediction Center (CPC)–Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC)], reanalysis data [North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) and NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR)], and models [Community Atmosphere Model, version 3 (CAM3)–Community Land Model, version 3 (CLM3) and CAM4–CLM4]. The probability density function of conditioned correlation between soil moisture and subsequent precipitation or surface temperature during the years of large precipitation anomalies is used as a measure for the coupling strength. There are three major findings: 1) among the eight subregions (classified by land cover types), the transition zone Great Plains (and, to a lesser extent, the Midwest and Southeast) are identified as hot spots for strong land–atmosphere coupling; 2) soil moisture–precipitation coupling is weaker than soil moisture–surface temperature coupling; and 3) the coupling strength is stronger in observational and reanalysis products than in the models examined, especially in CAM4–CLM4. The conditioned correlation analysis also indicates that the coupling strength in CAM4–CLM4 is weaker than in CAM3–CLM3, which is further supported by Global Land–Atmosphere Coupling Experiments1 (GLACE1)-type experiments and attributed to changes in CAM rather than modifications in CLM. Contrary to suggestions in previous studies, CAM–CLM models do not seem to overestimate the land–atmosphere coupling strength.
Retrieving Winds in the Surface Layer over Land Using an Airborne Doppler Lidar
Authors: Godwin K. S. , De Wekker S. F. J. , Emmitt G. D. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Airborne Doppler wind lidars are increasingly being used to measure winds in the lower atmosphere at higher spatial resolution than ever before. However, wind retrieval in the range gates closest to the earth’s surface remains problematic. When a laser beam from a nadir-pointing airborne Doppler wind lidar intercepts the ground, the return signal from the ground mixes with the windblown aerosol signal. As a result, winds in a layer adjacent to the surface are often unreliable and removed from wind profiles. This paper describes the problem in detail and discusses a two-step approach to improve near-surface wind retrievals. The two-step approach involves removing high-intensity ground returns and identifying and tracking aerosol radial velocities in the layer affected by ground interference. Using this approach, it is shown that additional range gates closer to the surface can be obtained, thereby further enhancing the potential of airborne Doppler lidar in atmospheric applications. The benefits of the two-step approach are demonstrated using measurements acquired over the Salinas Valley in central California. The additional range gates reveal details of the wind field that were previously not quantified with the original approach, such as a pronounced near-surface wind speed maximum.
Case Study of a Barrier Wind Corner Jet off the Coast of the Prince Olav Mountains, Antarctica
Authors: Nigro Melissa A. , Cassano John J. , Lazzara Matthew A. , Keller Linda M. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe Ross Ice Shelf airstream (RAS) is a barrier parallel flow along the base of the Transantarctic Mountains. Previous research has hypothesized that a combination of katabatic flow, barrier winds, and mesoscale and synoptic-scale cyclones drive the RAS. Within the RAS, an area of maximum wind speed is located to the northwest of the protruding Prince Olav Mountains. In this region, the Sabrina automatic weather station (AWS) observed a September 2009 high wind event with wind speeds in excess of 20 m s−1 for nearly 35 h. The following case study uses in situ AWS observations and output from the Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System to demonstrate that the strong wind speeds during this event were caused by a combination of various forcing mechanisms, including katabatic winds, barrier winds, a surface mesocyclone over the Ross Ice Shelf, an upper-level ridge over the southern tip of the Ross Ice Shelf, and topographic influences from the Prince Olav Mountains. These forcing mechanisms induced a barrier wind corner jet to the northwest of the Prince Olav Mountains, explaining the maximum wind speeds observed in this region. The RAS wind speeds were strong enough to induce two additional barrier wind corner jets to the northwest of the Prince Olav Mountains, resulting in a triple barrier wind corner jet along the base of the Transantarctic Mountains.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Giggins OM , Fullen BM , Coughlan GF 
Published: February 2012

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled and controlled clinical trials Methods: Studies were identified from databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Sports Discus, PEDro and the Cochrane Library) searched to January 2011 using a battery of keywords. Two reviewers selected studies meeting inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Thomas Test and the strength of the evidence was then graded using the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research guidelines. Data were pooled and meta-analyses were performed. Results: Nine randomized controlled trials and one controlled clinical trial, studying a total of 409 participants ( n = 395 for randomized controlled trials, and n = 14 for controlled trial) with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis were included. Inconsistent evidence (level D) was found that neuromuscular electrical stimulation has a significant impact on measures of pain, function and quadriceps femoris muscle strength in knee osteoarthritis. Conclusion: The role of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis is ambiguous. Therefore, future work is needed in this field to clearly establish the role of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in this population.
Reliability of real-time ultrasound for measuring skeletal muscle size in human limbs in vivo: a systematic review
Authors: English Coralie , Fisher Laura , Thoirs Kerry 
Published: February 2012

Objective: To systematically review evidence for the reliability of real-time brightness-mode ultrasound for assessing skeletal muscle size in human limbs in vivo and to establish in which populations and anatomical sites the reliability had been tested. Data sources: Articles were retrieved via electronic database searching and expert contact. Study selection: Studies reporting reliability indices of test–retest measures of real-time brightness-mode ultrasound measures of skeletal muscle size within human limbs were included. Data extraction: Articles were assessed for methodological quality by two reviewers, decisions were made by consensus. Participant characteristics, measurement protocol, ultrasound protocol, type of reliability measured and statistical methods were extracted by one reviewer. Data synthesis: Twenty-four articles were included, involving 605 participants. Studies were of low to moderate methodological quality. Most studies were conducted within the healthy population. Only one study demonstrated poor reliability at one site only, and only when the participants were measured in the supine position. Conclusion: There is a moderate amount of low-level evidence that real-time brightness-mode ultrasound has good reliability for measuring muscle size across a number of limb sites in healthy populations. There is limited evidence for the reliability of ultrasound measures of muscle size in clinical populations.
Wii Fit® training vs. Adapted Physical Activities: which one is the most appropriate to improve the balance of independent senior subjects? A randomized controlled study
Authors: Toulotte Claire , Toursel Cindy , Olivier Nicolas 
Published: February 2012

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of three protocols (Adapted Physical Activities, Wii Fit®, Adapted Physical Activities + Wii Fit®) on the balance of independent senior subjects. Design: Case comparison study. Settings: Healthy elderly subjects living in independent community dwellings. Subjects: Thirty-six subjects, average age 75.09 ± 10.26 years, took part in this study, and were randomly assigned to one of the four experimental groups: G1 followed an Adapted Physical Activities training programme, while the second group (G2) participated in Wii Fit® training and the third one (G3) combined both methods. There was no training for the fourth group (G4). All subjects trained once a week (1 hour) for 20 weeks and were assessed before and after treatment. Main measures: The Tinetti test, unipedal tests and the Wii Fit® tests. Results: After training, the scores in the Tinetti test decreased significantly ( P < 0.05) for G1, G2 and G3 respectively in static conditions and for G1 and G3 in dynamic conditions. After training, the performance in the unipedal tests decreased significantly ( P < 0.05) for G1 and G3. The position of the centre of gravity was modified significantly ( P < 0.05) for G2 and G3. Conclusion: After 20 training sessions, G1 (Adapted Physical Activities), G2 (Wii Fit®) and G3 (Adapted Physical Activities and Wii Fit®) improved their balance. In addition, G1 and G3 increased their dynamic balance. The findings suggest that Adapted Physical Activities training limits the decline in sensorial functions in the elderly.