bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Depressive Symptoms as a Predictor of Quality of Life in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease, Acting Independently of Disability; a Study in Both Sporadic Small Vessel Disease and Cadasil
Authors: Brookes Rebecca L. , Willis Thomas A. , Patel Bhavini , Morris Robin G. , Markus Hugh S. 
Published: February 2012

Background Cerebral small vessel disease causes lacunar stroke, and more recently has been implicated as a cause of depression. Factors causing reduced quality of life in small vessel disease, including the relative contributions of disability and depressive symptoms, remain uncertain. Methods One hundred patients with small vessel disease and 55 controls completed the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life scale. The protocol was repeated in 40 patients with the young-onset genetic form of small vessel disease, cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with sub-cortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy, and 35 controls. Disability, activities of daily living, cognition and depression were measured. Results Quality of life was significantly lower in small vessel disease versus controls: mean (standard deviation), 196·8 (35·2) vs. 226·8 (15·3), P < ·0001. Depressive symptoms were the major predictor of quality of life, explaining 52·9% of variance. The only other independent predictor was disability, explaining an additional 18·4%. A similar pattern was found in the young-onset genetic group, with reduced quality of life 202·0 (29·7) vs. controls 228·6 (13·1) P < ·0001, and depressive symptoms accounting for 42·2% of variance. Disability explained an additional 17·6%. Relationships between depression and quality of life, and disability and quality of life were independent of one another. Conclusions Depressive symptoms, often unrecognized, are a major determinant of reduced quality of life in small vessel disease. They account for greater reduction than, and are independent of, disability. This relationship may reflect the proposed causal association between white matter disease and depression. Treatment of depressive symptoms might significantly improve quality of life in small vessel disease.
Changes of serum biochemical parameters and liver pathology in 18 patients with 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane‐induced hepatotoxicity
Authors: ZHENG Rui Dan , QU Ying , WU Wei Ping , MENG Jia Rong , CHEN Jie , XU Ming Yi , LU Lun Gen 
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE:  To evaluate the changes of serum biochemical parameters and liver pathology in patients with 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane (TTCE)‐induced hepatotoxicity.METHODS:  A total of 18 patients were diagnosed as TTCE‐induced hepatotoxicity with an incubation period of 11–56 days. Blood samples were obtained from all patients and liver biopsy was performed in 16.RESULTS:  All patients had fatigue, poor appetite and dark urine, 15 of whom suffered nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension and other gastrointestinal disorders. All patients had various degrees of liver function damage, and one died from liver failure. The prothrombin time was significantly prolonged in 6 patients. Histological findings showed varying degrees of necrosis, fatty degeneration and fibrosis in portal areas without cirrhosis. Patients with more severe jaundice had more severe pathologic changes, including piecemeal and bridge necrosis, and cholestasis.CONCLUSIONS:  TTCE‐induced hepatotoxicity may cause the changes in serum biochemical parameters and liver pathology. Most patients might recover with regular treatment. Prevention and early diagnosis of TTCE‐induced hepatotoxicity are necessary.
An uncertainty index to measure the feasibility of Whole‐Life Cycle Costing approach in flood risk management
Authors: Viavattene C. , Faulkner H. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIn the UK, increased use of non‐structural responses (NSRs) in integrated urban flood risk management has been recommended since the flood of autumn 2000. Paralleling this change, the UK government are now strongly promoting a Whole Life Cycle Costing approach (WLCC) to flood risk management economic appraisals. However, due to a relative lack of economic knowledge in relation to NSR, costing non‐structural responses is still in its infancy. Thus, the feasibility of the WLCC approach to costing non‐structural strategies has been brought into question. This paper describes a qualitative method to assess the feasibility of WLCC approach, i.e. a method designed to assess if enough expert‐based knowledge and/or economic data are available to support an effective, robust economic appraisal for a scheme that includes NSRs. This conceptual method allows flood risk managers to identify if, and when, further efforts are required in relation to obtaining better cost data to underpin a cost–benefit test. A user‐friendly interface has been developed to support decision makers faced with these new challenges. A schematic project has been presented in the text to illustrate the potential application of the method.
Insights into the effects of diclofenac and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents on ion channels
Authors: Gwanyanya Asfree , Macianskiene Regina , Mubagwa Kanigula 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Objectives
Diclofenac and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used in the treatment of inflammation and pain. Most effects of NSAIDs are attributed to the inhibition of cyclooxygenases (COX). However, many NSAIDs may have other effects not related to COX, including the modulation of various ion channels. The clinical implications of the effects on channels are not fully understood. This review outlines the effects of NSAIDs, with special attention to diclofenac, on ion channels and highlights the possible underlying mechanisms.

Key findings
NSAIDs have effects on channels such as inhibition, activation or changes in expression patterns. The channels affected include voltage-gated Na+, Ca2+, or K+ channels, ligand-gated K+ channels, transient receptor potential and other cation channels as well as chloride channels in several types of cells. The mechanisms of drug actions not related to COX inhibition may involve drug–channel interactions, interference with the generation of second messengers, changes in channel expression, or synergistic/antagonist interactions with other channel modulators.

Summary
The effects on ion channels may account for novel therapeutic actions of NSAIDs or for adverse effects. Among the NSAIDs, diclofenac may serve as a template for developing new channel modulators and as a tool for investigating the actions of other drugs.
Some Sunni Ḥadīth on the Qurʾānic Term Kalāla: An Attempt at Historical Reconstruction
Authors: Pavlovitch Pavel 
Published: February 2012

AbstractSince the 1980s the Qurʾānic term kalāla has been studied comprehensively, using Islamic literary sources, by David Powers and Agostino Cilardo. Cilardo, who deploys J. Schacht’s Ḥadīth-analytical criteria to date the kalāla traditions, points to the first half of the 2nd century AH and, occasionally, to the end of the 1st century AH as the period in which most of these traditions were circulated. Powers, who combines the literary evidence with the documentary evidence of BNF 328a, concludes that kalāla traditions evolved during the second half of the first and the first quarter of the second century AH. In the present essay I employ the isnād-cum-matn methodology to date several kalāla traditions discussed by Powers and Cilardo.
Precipitation Characteristics of the South American Monsoon System Derived from Multiple Datasets
Authors: Carvalho Leila M. V. , Jones Charles , Posadas Adolfo N. D. , Quiroz Roberto , Bookhagen Bodo , Liebmann Brant 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
The South American monsoon system (SAMS) is the most important climatic feature in South America and is characterized by pronounced seasonality in precipitation during the austral summer. This study compares several statistical properties of daily gridded precipitation from different data (1998–2008): 1) Physical Sciences Division (PSD), Earth System Research Laboratory [1.0° and 2.5° latitude (lat)/longitude (lon)]; 2) Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP; 1° lat/lon); 3) Climate Prediction Center (CPC) unified gauge (CPC-uni) (0.5° lat/lon); 4) NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) (0.5° lat/lon); 5) NASA Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) reanalysis (0.5° lat/0.3° lon); and 6) Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) 3B42 V6 data (0.25° lat/lon). The same statistical analyses are applied to data in 1) a common 2.5° lat/lon grid and 2) in the original resolutions of the datasets.
All datasets consistently represent the large-scale patterns of the SAMS. The onset, demise, and duration of SAMS are consistent among PSD, GPCP, CPC-uni, and TRMM datasets, whereas CFSR and MERRA seem to have problems in capturing the correct timing of SAMS. Spectral analyses show that intraseasonal variance is somewhat similar in the six datasets. Moreover, differences in spatial patterns of mean precipitation are small among PSD, GPCP, CPC-uni, and TRMM data, while some discrepancies are found in CFSR and MERRA relative to the other datasets. Fitting of gamma frequency distributions to daily precipitation shows differences in the parameters that characterize the shape, scale, and tails of the frequency distributions. This suggests that significant uncertainties exist in the characterization of extreme precipitation, an issue that is highly important in the context of climate variability and change in South America.
Feline alimentary lymphoma
Authors: Barrs Vanessa , Beatty Julia 
Published: February 2012

Practical relevance Alimentary lymphoma (AL) occurs commonly in cats and exists as distinct subtypes that differ in their clinical course, response to treatment and prognosis. Accurate diagnosis is important to guide appropriate treatment. Clinical challenges Differentiation of low-grade alimentary lymphoma from lymphoplasmacytic enteritis can be challenging, especially where endoscopic intestinal biopsies, which sample only the mucosa and submucosa, are used. The major differentials for intermediate- and high-grade alimentary lymphoma are other neoplastic and non-neoplastic intestinal mass lesions. The diagnosis of large granular lymphocyte lymphoma requires vigilance as it may be missed with routine diagnostics. Patient group AL affects predominantly middle- to old-aged domestic crossbred cats (median age 10–13 years). Evidence base The evidence supporting this review is grade II, III and IV, derived from prospective studies, retrospective case series, reviews, extrapolation from other species, pathophysiological justification and the combined clinical experience of those working in the field.
The origin of black colouration in onyx agate from Mali
Authors: Götze J. , Nasdala L. , Kempe U. , Libowitzky E. , Rericha A. , Vennemann T. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractNatural onyx agate from Mali was investigated in an integrated mineralogical and chemical study to reveal the origin of the unusual black colouration. Detailed studies by polarizing microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy showed that the colour of the dark bands is related to the incorporation of small particles of carbon (low-crystalline graphite) up to 200 nm in size into the cryptocrystalline silica matrix. The dark bands have carbon contents of 1.88 wt.%. The location of the graphite particles is closely related to the primary structural banding in the chalcedony. Cathodoluminescence data shows that the banding is interrupted by small fissures containing secondary hydrothermal quartz. The carbon isotope composition (δ13C value of –31.1±0.2‰) of the carbonaceous material points to an organic precursor. Both the direct hydrothermal formation of graphite from methane under elevated temperature and the graphitization of organic precursors by secondary hydrothermal or metamorphic overprint are possible explanations for the colour of the dark bands. The graphitization of organic precursors results in an intense electron spin resonance line at geff = 2.0026.
Plastic deformation of natural diamonds by twinning: evidence from X-ray diffraction studies
Authors: Titkov S.V. , Krivovichev S. V. , Organova N. I. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractA pink-purple diamond crystal from the Internatsional'naya kimberlite pipe (Siberia) was studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques using an area detector. Direct indexing of the diffraction pattern suggested a primitive hexagonal unit cell [ahex = 2.513(4), chex = 6.172(11) Å], instead of the well known face-centred cubic unit cell (acub ∼3.567 Å). Theoretical considerations and diffraction pattern simulation showed that the hexagonal diffraction pattern is the result of the superposition of two diffraction patterns with cubic symmetry due to spinel-law twinning along (111). These data are in good agreement with previous analyses of deformation microtwins in natural pink-purple diamonds using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and optical microscopy. The results suggest that natural epigenetic plastic deformation of diamonds occurs not only by dislocation slipping but also as a result of mechanical twinning.
Davidlloydite, ideally Zn3(AsO4)2(H2O)4, a new arsenate mineral from the Tsumeb mine, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) region, Namibia: description and crystal structure
Authors: Hawthorne F.C. , Cooper M. A. , Abdu Y. A. , Ball N. A. , Back M. E. , Tait K. T. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractDavidlloydite, ideally Zn3(AsO4)2(H2O)4, is a new supergene mineral from the Tsumeb mine, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) region, Namibia. It occurs as elongated prisms (∼10:1 length-to-width ratio) that are flattened on {010}, and up to 100 × 20 × 10 μm in size. The crystals occur as aggregates (up to 500 μm across) of subparallel to slightly diverging prisms lying partly on and partly embedded in fine-grained calcioandyrobertsite. Crystals are prismatic along [001] and flattened on {010}, and show the forms {010} dominant and {100} subsidiary. Davidlloydite is colourless with a white streak and a vitreous lustre; it does not fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The cleavage is distinct on {010}, and no parting or twinning was observed. The Mohs hardness is 3 – 4. Davidlloydite is brittle with an irregular to hackly fracture. The calculated density is 3.661 g cm–3. Optical properties were measured with a Bloss spindle stage for the wavelength 590 nm using a gel filter. The indices of refraction are α = 1.671, β = 1.687, γ = 1.695, all ±0.002; the calculated birefringence is 0.024; 2Vobs = 65.4(6)°, 2Vcalc = 70°; the dispersion is r < v, weak; pleochroism was not observed. Davidlloydite is triclinic, space group P1, with a = 5.9756(4), b = 7.6002(5), c = 5.4471(4) Å, α = 84.2892(9), β = 90.4920(9), γ = 87.9958(9)°, V = 245.99(5) Å3, Z = 1 and a:b:c = 0.7861:1:0.7167. The seven strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern [listed as d (Å), I, (hkl)] are as follows: 4.620, 100, (011, 10); 7.526, 71, (010); 2.974, 49, (200, 01); 3.253, 40, (021, 120); 2.701, 39, (10, 002, 1); 5.409, 37, (001); 2.810, 37, (210). Chemical analysis by electron microprobe gave As2O5 43.03, ZnO 37.95, CuO 5.65, H2O(calc) 13.27, sum 99.90 wt.%. The H2O content and the valence state of As were determined by crystal structure analysis. On the basis of 12 anions with H2O = 4 a.p.f.u., the empirical formula is (Zn2.53Cu0.39)Σ2.92As2.03O8(H2O)4.The crystal structure of davidlloydite was solved by direct methods and refined to an R1 index of 1.51% based on 1422 unique observed reflections collected on a three-circle rotating-anode (MoKα radiation) diffractometer equipped with multilayer optics and an APEX-II detector. In the structure of davidlloydite, sheets of corner-sharing (As5+O4) and (ZnO4) tetrahedra are linked by ZnO2(H2O)4 octahedra. The structure is related to that of parahopeite.
Tin and associated metal and metalloid geochemistry by femtosecond LA-ICP-QMS microanalysis of pegmatite–leucogranite melt and fluid inclusions: new evidence for melt–melt–fluid immiscibility
Authors: Borisova A. Y. , Thomas R. , Salvi S. , Candaudap F. , Lanzanova A. , Chmeleff J. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractGranitic pegmatites are exceptional igneous rocks and the possible role of an immiscibility process in their origin is strongly debated. To investigate metal and metalloid behaviour in hydrous peraluminous systems (aluminium saturation index, ASI >1), we analysed 15 quartz-hosted primary melt and fluid inclusions from pegmatites in the Ehrenfriedersdorf Complex (Erzgebirge, Germany) and 26 primary melt inclusions from leucogranites of the Ehrenfriedersdorf district (Germany), Kymi (Finland) and Erongo (Namibia) by femtosecond laser ablation inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry. The results presented here for 32 elements provide evidence for metal and metalloid fractionation between two types of immiscible melts (A and B) and NaCl – HCl-rich brine in the pegmatite system. No evidence for the boundary layer effect was observed in the 40 – 500 μm size melt inclusions that were investigated. The data on the Ehrenfriedersdorf pegmatites allow quantification of the metal and metalloid partitioning between natural NaCl-rich brine and the two types of melt (e.g. KAsbrine/type-A,B melts = 0.01 – 1.7; KSbbrine/type-A,B melts = 10 – 285; KZnbrine/type-A,B melts ≥ 50; KPbbrine/type-A melt ≥ 50; KAgbrine/type-A melt = 46). These data are in accord with existing natural and experimental data on equilibrium fluid – melt partitioning as well as spectroscopic data on the metal and metalloid complexation in hydrous aluminosilicate melts and NaCl – HCl-rich fluids.
ADAM8 in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a retrospective study
Authors: Zielinski Valerie , Brunner Markus , Heiduschka Gregor , Schneider Sven , Seemann Rudolf , Erovic Boban , Thurnher Dietmar 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
A disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAMs) have been associated with multiple malignancies. ADAMs are involved in cell fusion, cell migration, membrane protein shedding and proteolysis. ADAM8 has been found to be overexpressed in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung. A new study showed that ADAM8 is significantly overexpressed in metastasis of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC).

Methods
We determined ADAM8 levels in the serum of 79 HNSCC patients at the time of diagnosis, in 35 patients 3 months after treatment and in 10 patients 1 year after therapy and compared the results to the sera of 31 healthy volunteers. We also constructed tissue microarrays to detect ADAM8 immunohistochemically in 100 patients. The results were correlated with the survival data of the patients to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value.

Results
The data demonstrated that patients with high ADAM8 expression in the tumor have worse survival rates. We found that high ADAM8 serum levels correlated with high ADAM8 expression in tumor samples. Soluble ADAM8 levels did not show any prognostic or diagnostic properties.

Conclusion
In summary ADAM8 expression is a prognostic factor for survival of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
A context-aware multimedia service scheduling framework in smart homes
Authors: Liang Yunji , Zhou Xingshe , Yu Zhiwen , Wang Haipeng , Guo Bin 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Many pervasive services are embedded in smart homes. It is a great challenge to schedule these services due to the heterogeneity and the mobility of devices. In this article, we elaborate a context-aware service scheduling framework (CASSF), which discovers available services hosted on those heterogeneous and mobile devices, selects suitable services that meet task requirements (TR) and ultimately enhances user experience with content adaptation. Contributions of this article are in three folds. First, the device ontology is designed to describe device features including built-in services, which benefits the knowledge sharing and facilitates the service discovery; second, a context-aware service selection mechanism is proposed, in which available services and contexts including user situations, TR, device capabilities, etc. are taken into consideration. Furthermore, due to the heterogeneity and the diversity of devices, the content adaptation is introduced in the framework to improve user satisfaction. Based on the CASSF, a multimedia prompting system is implemented to assist the elderly with intelligent services, and the evaluation of the proposed framework is performed in term of the execution time. The experimental results showed the framework is feasible and effective.
Blockade of interleukin-6 signaling inhibits the classic pathway and promotes an alternative pathway of macrophage activation after spinal cord injury in mice
Authors: Guerrero Alexander Rodriguez , Uchida Kenzo , Nakajima Hideaki , Watanabe Shuji , Nakamura Masaya , Johnson William EB , Baba Hisatoshi 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundRecentin vivoandin vitrostudies in non-neuronal and neuronal tissues have shown that different pathways of macrophage activation result in cells with different properties. Interleukin (IL)-6 triggers the classically activated inflammatory macrophages (M1 phenotype), whereas the alternatively activated macrophages (M2 phenotype) are anti-inflammatory. The objective of this study was to clarify the effects of a temporal blockade of IL-6/IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) engagement, using an anti-mouse IL-6R monoclonal antibody (MR16-1), on macrophage activation and the inflammatory response in the acute phase after spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice.MethodsMR16-1 antibodies versus isotype control antibodies or saline alone were administered immediately after thoracic SCI in mice. SC tissue repair was compared between the two groups by Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining for myelination and immunoreactivity for the neuronal markers growth-associated protein (GAP)-43 and neurofilament heavy 200 kDa (NF-H) and for locomotor function. The expression of T helper (Th)1 cytokines (interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-13) was determined by immunoblot analysis. The presence of M1 (inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-positive, CD16/32-positive) and M2 (arginase 1-positive, CD206-positive) macrophages was determined by immunohistology. Using flow cytometry, we also quantified IFN-γ and IL-4 levels in neutrophils, microglia, and macrophages, and Mac-2 (macrophage antigen-2) and Mac-3 in M2 macrophages and microglia.ResultsLFB-positive spared myelin was increased in the MR16-1-treated group compared with the controls, and this increase correlated with enhanced positivity for GAP-43 or NF-H, and improved locomotor Basso Mouse Scale scores. Immunoblot analysis of the MR16-1-treated samples identified downregulation of Th1 and upregulation of Th2 cytokines. Whereas iNOS-positive, CD16/32-positive M1 macrophages were the predominant phenotype in the injured SC of non-treated control mice, MR16-1 treatment promoted arginase 1-positive, CD206-positive M2 macrophages, with preferential localization of these cells at the injury site. MR16-1 treatment suppressed the number of IFN-γ-positive neutrophils, and increased the number of microglia present and their positivity for IL-4. Among the arginase 1-positive M2 macrophages, MR16-1 treatment increased positivity for Mac-2 and Mac-3, suggestive of increased phagocytic behavior.ConclusionThe results suggest that temporal blockade of IL-6 signaling after SCI abrogates damaging inflammatory activity and promotes functional recovery by promoting the formation of alternatively activated M2 macrophages.