bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolving concepts on the age‐related changes in “muscle quality”
Authors: Russ David W. , Gregg-Cornell Kimberly , Conaway Matthew J. , Clark Brian C. 
Published: February 2012

The deterioration of skeletal muscle with advancing age has long been anecdotally recognized and has been of scientific interest for more than 150 years. Over the past several decades, the scientific and medical communities have recognized that skeletal muscle dysfunction (e.g., muscle weakness, poor muscle coordination, etc.) is a debilitating and life‐threatening condition in the elderly. For example, the age‐associated loss of muscle strength is highly associated with both mortality and physical disability. It is well‐accepted that voluntary muscle force production is not solely dependent upon muscle size, but rather results from a combination of neurologic and skeletal muscle factors, and that biologic properties of both of these systems are altered with aging. Accordingly, numerous scientists and clinicians have used the term “muscle quality” to describe the relationship between voluntary muscle strength and muscle size. In this review article, we discuss the age‐associated changes in the neuromuscular system—starting at the level of the brain and proceeding down to the subcellular level of individual muscle fibers—that are potentially influential in the etiology of dynapenia (age‐related loss of muscle strength and power).
Generically split projective homogeneous varieties. II
Authors: Petrov Victor , Semenov Nikita 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis article gives a complete classification of generically split projective homogeneous varieties. This project was begun in our previous article [PS10], but here we remove all restrictions on the characteristic of the base field, give a new uniform proof that works in all cases and in particular includes the case PGO2n+ which was missing in [PS10].
Three-dimensional river bed forms
Authors: Colombini M. , Stocchino A. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe linear stability of a uniform flow in an infinitely wide erodible channel is investigated with respect to disturbances of the bed that are periodic in both the transverse and the longitudinal directions. A rotational flow and sediment transport model, originally developed to study the formation of two-dimensional dunes and antidunes, is straightforwardly extended to cover variations in the lateral direction. Sediment is assumed to be transported as bed load, disregarding the role of suspension. Following a standard linearization procedure, a dispersion relationship is obtained that expresses the growth rate and the celerity of the sand wave as a function of the streamwise and spanwise wavenumbers and of the relevant flow and sediment parameters. Regions of instabilities in the space of the parameters are found, which can be associated with bed forms of different kinds, spanning from dunes and antidunes to alternate bars. Therefore, the present theory allows for a unified view of the formation of two- and three-dimensional bed forms in rivers in terms of the relevant flow and sediment parameters.
FINITELY GENERATED δ-SUPPLEMENTED MODULES ARE AMPLY δ-SUPPLEMENTED
Authors: TRIBAK RACHID 
Published: February 2012

AbstractLet R be a commutative ring. It is shown that if an R-module M is a sum of δ-local submodules and a semisimple projective submodule, then every finitely generated submodule of M is δ-supplemented. From this result, we conclude that finitely generated δ-supplemented modules over commutative rings are amply δ-supplemented.
A MINIMUM DEGREE CONDITION FOR FRACTIONAL ID-[a,b]-FACTOR-CRITICAL GRAPHS
Authors: ZHOU SIZHONG , SUN ZHIREN , LIU HONGXIA 
Published: February 2012

AbstractLet G be a graph of order n, and let a and b be two integers with 1≤a≤b. Let h:E(G)→[0,1] be a function. If a≤∑ e∋xh(e)≤b holds for any x∈V (G), then we call G[Fh] a fractional [a,b] -factor of G with indicator function h, where Fh ={e∈E(G):h(e)>0}. A graph G is fractional independent-set-deletable [a,b] -factor-critical (in short, fractional ID-[a,b] -factor-critical) if G−I has a fractional [a,b] -factor for every independent set I of G. In this paper, it is proved that if n≥((a+2b)(a+b−2)+1 )/b and δ(G)≥((a+b)n )/(a+2b ) , then G is fractional ID-[a,b] -factor-critical. This result is best possible in some sense, and it is an extension of Chang, Liu and Zhu’s previous result.
Effects of a high-fat diet and bamboo extract supplement on anxiety- and depression-like neurobehaviours in mice
Authors: Del Rosario Adeline , McDermott Mindy M. , Panee Jun 
Published: February 2012

High-fat diet is a major causative factor of overweight and obesity, which are associated with an increased risk of neuropsychiatric diseases, such as anxiety and depression. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of bamboo extract (BEX) on anxiety- and depression-like neurobehaviours in mice treated with a high-fat diet. Male mice with CD-1 genetic background were treated for 2 months with either a standard or a high-fat diet (10 or 45 % energy from fat, respectively), with or without the BEX supplement (11 g dry mass per 17 MJ). The anxiety levels of mice were evaluated using open-field and hole-board tests, and depression was measured using the force-swimming test. The anxiety responses of the animals were found significantly increased after the high-fat diet treatment, and this elevation was effectively abolished by the BEX supplement. The high-fat diet seemed to have an anti-depressive effect in mice at the tested time point, but the effect of the BEX supplement on the depression level of the animals was not conclusive. The high-fat diet significantly decreased total glutathione content in the blood while the BEX supplement increased glutathione oxidation. In summary, the present study shows that decreased total glutathione concentration in the blood co-occurred with a high-fat treatment, high anxiety level and low depression level in mice, and when supplemented in a high-fat diet, BEX had an anxiolytic effect in mice.
A new magnetic resonance imaging scoring system for perilymphatic space appearance after intratympanic gadolinium injection, and its clinical application
Authors: Fang Z-M , Chen X , Gu X , Liu Y , Zhang R , Cao D-R , He H-G 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjective:To establish a new magnetic resonance imaging scoring system for diagnosing endolymphatic hydrops.Patients and methods:A total of 214 ears of 107 patients were categorised into five groups: no symptoms, Ménière's disease, sudden deafness, delayed endolymphatic hydrops and other ear disorders. Gadolinium distribution within the labyrinth was scored separately and quantitatively by two radiologists. Multiple independent-sample non-parametric tests, Bayesian discriminant analysis, multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed.Results:The derived scoring model was highly accurate for diagnosing Ménière's disease and delayed endolymphatic hydrops. Two magnetic resonance imaging scoring methods for the perilymphatic space were proposed for the diagnosis of endolymphatic hydrops: a pre-1 value (a new variable that predicts individual probability) of more than 0.3982299, or a sum of all labyrinth component scores of less than 14.5.Conclusion:A convenient method is proposed which offers reliable radiological diagnostic criteria for Ménière's disease and delayed endolymphatic hydrops.
Controlled ionization-induced injection by tailoring the gas-density profile in laser wakefield acceleration
Authors: ZENG MING , HAFZ NASR A. M. , NAKAJIMA KAZUHISA , CHEN LI-MING , LU WEI , MORI WARREN B. , SHENG ZHENG-MING , ZHANG JIE 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIonization-induced injection into a laser-driven wakefield is studied using 2½D OSIRIS simulations. A laser propagates into a gas mixture of 99.5% helium and 0.5% nitrogen with gas density of each rising linearly from 0 to a peak, after which these remain constant. Simulations show that the process can be controlled by varying the scale length of an up-ramp, the laser intensity, and the maximum plasma density. The injection process is controlled by the bubble radius decreasing as laser propagates up the density gradient and laser self-focusing in the flat-top region. A beam with a central energy of 350 MeV and an energy spread (FWHM) of 1.62% was obtained for an up-ramp length of 135 μm, a normalized vector potential of 2, and a density of 7 × 1018cm−3 (assuming a 0.8 μm wavelength laser).
Trypanosoma cruziheparin-binding proteins mediate the adherence of epimastigotes to the midgut epithelial cells ofRhodnius prolixus
Authors: OLIVEIRA F. O. R. , ALVES C. R. , SOUZA-SILVA F. , CALVET C. M. , CÔRTES L. M. C. , GONZALEZ M. S. , TOMA L. , BOUÇAS R. I. , NADER H. B. , PEREIRA M. C. S. 
Published: February 2012

SUMMARYHeparin-binding proteins (HBPs) have been demonstrated in both infective forms ofTrypanosoma cruziand are involved in the recognition and invasion of mammalian cells. In this study, we evaluated the potential biological function of these proteins during the parasite-vector interaction. HBPs, with molecular masses of 65·8 kDa and 59 kDa, were isolated from epimastigotes by heparin affinity chromatography and identified by biotin-conjugated sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Surface plasmon resonance biosensor analysis demonstrated stable receptor-ligand binding based on the association and dissociation values. Pre-incubation of epimastigotes with GAGs led to an inhibition of parasite binding to immobilized heparin. Competition assays were performed to evaluate the role of the HBP-GAG interaction in the recognition and adhesion of epimastigotes to midgut epithelial cells ofRhodnius prolixus.Epithelial cells pre-incubated with HBPs yielded a 3·8-fold inhibition in the adhesion of epimastigotes. The pre-treatment of epimastigotes with heparin, heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate significantly inhibited parasite adhesion to midgut epithelial cells, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. We provide evidence that heparin-binding proteins are found on the surface ofT. cruziepimastigotes and demonstrate their key role in the recognition of sulfated GAGs on the surface of midgut epithelial cells of the insect vector.
Poisson approximation for the number of visits to balls in non-uniformly hyperbolic dynamical systems
Authors: CHAZOTTES J.-R. , COLLET P. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractWe study the number of visits to balls Br(x), up to time t/μ(Br(x)), for a class of non-uniformly hyperbolic dynamical systems, where μ is the Sinai–Ruelle–Bowen measure. Outside a set of ‘bad’ centers x, we prove that this number is approximately Poissonnian with a controlled error term. In particular, when r→0, we get convergence to the Poisson law for a set of centers of μ-measure one. Our theorem applies for instance to the Hénon attractor and, more generally, to systems modelled by a Young tower whose return-time function has an exponential tail and with one-dimensional unstable manifolds. Along the way, we prove an abstract Poisson approximation result of independent interest.
On Finsler surfaces without conjugate points
Authors: GOMES JOSÉ BARBOSA , RUGGIERO RAFAEL O. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIf (M,F) is a C4 compact Finsler surface of genus at least two without conjugate points, we show that the first integrals of the geodesic flow are constant. Using this fact, we show that if (M,F) is also of Landsberg type then (M,F) is Riemannian. The connection between the absence of conjugate points and the Riemannian character of the Finsler metric has some remarkable consequences concerning rigidity.
How to analyse seed germination data using statistical time-to-event analysis: non-parametric and semi-parametric methods
Authors: McNair James N. , Sunkara Anusha , Frobish Daniel 
Published: February 2012

AbstractSeed germination experiments are conducted in a wide variety of biological disciplines. Numerous methods of analysing the resulting data have been proposed, most of which fall into three classes: intuition-based germination indexes, classical non-linear regression analysis and time-to-event analysis (also known as survival analysis, failure-time analysis and reliability analysis). This paper briefly reviews all three of these classes, and argues that time-to-event analysis has important advantages over the other methods but has been underutilized to date. It also reviews in detail the types of time-to-event analysis that are most useful in analysing seed germination data with standard statistical software. These include non-parametric methods (life-table and Kaplan–Meier estimators, and various methods for comparing two or more groups of seeds) and semi-parametric methods (Cox proportional hazards model, which permits inclusion of categorical and quantitative covariates, and fixed and random effects). Each method is illustrated by applying it to a set of real germination data. Sample code for conducting these analyses with two standard statistical programs is also provided in the supplementary material available online (athttp://journals.cambridge.org/). The methods of time-to-event analysis reviewed here can be applied to many other types of biological data, such as seedling emergence times, flowering times, development times for eggs or embryos, and organism lifetimes.
Restoration of adipose function in obese glucose-tolerant men following pioglitazone treatment is associated with CCAAT enhancer-binding protein β up-regulation
Authors: Powell Lesley A. , Crowe Paul , Kankara Chenchi , McPeake Jennifer , McCance David R. , Young Ian S. , Trimble Elisabeth R. , McGinty Ann 
Published: February 2012

Obese AT (adipose tissue) exhibits increased macrophage number. Pro-inflammatory CD16+ peripheral monocyte numbers are also reported to increase with obesity. The present study was undertaken to simultaneously investigate obesity-associated changes in CD16+ monocytes and ATMs (AT macrophages). In addition, a pilot randomized placebo controlled trial using the PPAR (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor) agonists, pioglitazone and fenofibrate was performed to determine their effects on CD14+/CD16+ monocytes, ATM and cardiometabolic and adipose dysfunction indices. Obese glucose-tolerant men (n=28) were randomized to placebo, pioglitazone (30 mg/day) and fenofibrate (160 mg/day) for 12 weeks. A blood sample was taken to assess levels of serum inflammatory markers and circulating CD14+/CD16+ monocyte levels via flow cytometry. A subcutaneous AT biopsy was performed to determine adipocyte cell surface and ATM number, the latter was determined via assessment of CD68 expression by IHC (immunohistochemistry) and real-time PCR. Subcutaneous AT mRNA expression of CEBPβ (CCAAT enhancer-binding protein β), SREBP1c (sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein 1c), PPARγ2, IRS-1 (insulin receptor substrate-1), GLUT4 (glucose transporter type 4) and TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) were also assessed. Comparisons were made between obese and lean controls (n=16) at baseline, and pre- and post-PPAR agonist treatment. Obese individuals had significantly increased adipocyte cell surface, percentage CD14+/CD16+ monocyte numbers and ATM number (all P=0.0001). Additionally, serum TNF-α levels were significantly elevated (P=0.017) and adiponectin levels reduced (total: P=0.0001; high: P=0.022) with obesity. ATM number and percentage of CD14+/CD16+ monocytes correlated significantly (P=0.05). Pioglitazone improved adiponectin levels significantly (P=0.0001), and resulted in the further significant enlargement of adipocytes (P=0.05), without effect on the percentage CD14+/CD16+ or ATM number. Pioglitazone treatment also significantly increased subcutaneous AT expression of CEBPβ mRNA. The finding that improvements in obesity-associated insulin resistance following pioglitazone were associated with increased adipocyte cell surface and systemic adiponectin levels, supports the centrality of AT to the cardiometabolic derangement underlying the development of T2D (Type 2 diabetes) and CVD (cardiovascular disease).
Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Ronald McDonald Houses: A Needs Assessment
Authors: Guzman-Cottrill Judith A. , Bryant Kristina A. , Zerr Danielle M. , Harris Alan A. , Alexander Erin Rose , Boone Zak , Siegel Jane D. 
Published: February 2012

We surveyed Ronald McDonald Houses (RMHs) to assess infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. A diverse patient population is served by RMH. Most sites have locally written IPC guidelines, and consultation resources vary, increasing the potential for inconsistent IPC practices. RMH would benefit from a standardized IPC guideline.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2012;33(3):299-301
Colonization with Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-ProducingEscherichia coliandKlebsiellaSpecies in Long-Term Care Facility Residents
Authors: Lautenbach Ebbing , Han Jennifer , Santana Evelyn , Tolomeo Pam , Bilker Warren B. , Maslow Joel 
Published: February 2012

We describe the prevalence of and risk factors for colonization with extended-spectrum (3-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-EB) in the long-term care facility (LTCF) setting. Colonization prevalence differed significantly across the 3 LTCFs evaluated in the study, with recent use of levofloxacin and fecal incontinence demonstrating borderline significant associations with ESBL-EB colonization.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2012;33(3):302-304
Investigation of Short‐term Variations in Casein and Whey Proteins in Breast Milk of Term Mothers
Authors: Khan Sadaf , Casadio Ylenia S. , Lai Ching T. , Prime Danielle K. , Hepworth Anna R. , Trengove Naomi J. , Hartmann Peter E. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTObjectives:We investigated changes in breast milk whey and casein proteins, between fore and hind milk during breast expression, between breasts and within 24‐hour period during breast‐feeding. This has implications for developing an appropriate sampling protocol for investigating the influence of milk composition on gastric emptying and infants' feeding behaviour.Methods:Breast milk samples were collected from mothers (n = 25) of healthy term infants ages 1 to 8 months. A total of 17 mothers provided fore and hind milk samples, which were collected during simultaneous expression of both breasts. Fifteen mothers provided samples from each breast‐feed during 24‐hour period, of which samples were selected from 4 time points (morning, day, evening, night). Whey and casein were isolated from skim milk, and protein concentration of the skim, whey, and casein fractions were determined.Results:Mean protein concentrations were found to be 13.5 ± 2.1 (skim milk), 7.6 ± 1.5 (whey), and 3.4 ± 0.97 g/L (casein). Protein concentrations were not significantly different between fore and hind milk. During a 24‐hour period, no significant differences were found in protein concentration of any fraction at the 4 time points or between left and right breasts. Large variations were seen between mothers with coefficient of variances of 15.5%, 19.8%, and 28.4% for skim milk, whey, and casein, respectively.Conclusions:Although there was wide variation between mothers, the small variations within mothers indicate that for sampling purposes, a single breast milk sample (fore or hind from each breast at any time point of the day) will be representative of that mother's protein concentration of skim, whey, and casein fractions for that day.
Pediatric Obesity and Gallstone Disease
Authors: Koebnick Corinna , Smith Ning , Black Mary Helen , Porter Amy H. , Richie Bradley A. , Hudson Sharon , Gililland Deborah , Jacobsen Steven J. , Longstreth George F. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTObjectives:The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between childhood and adolescent obesity, the risk of gallstones, and the potential effect modification by oral contraceptive use in girls.Methods:For this population‐based cross‐sectional study, measured weight and height, oral contraceptive use, and diagnosis of cholelithiasis or choledocholithiasis were extracted from the electronic medical records of 510,816 patients ages 10 to 19 years enrolled in an integrated health plan, 2007–2009.Results:We identified 766 patients with gallstones. The adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of gallstones for under‐/normal‐weight (reference), overweight, moderate obesity, and extreme obesity in boys were 1.00, 1.46 (0.94%–2.27%), 1.83 (1.17%–2.85%), and 3.10 (1.99%–4.83%) and in girls were 1.00, 2.73 (2.18%–3.42%), 5.75 (4.62%–7.17%), and 7.71 (6.13%–9.71%), respectively (P for interaction sex × weight class <0.001). Among girls, oral contraceptive use was associated with higher odds for gallstones (odds ratio 2.00, 95% CI 1.66%–2.40%). Girls who used oral contraceptives were at higher odds for gallstones than their counterparts in the same weight class who did not use oral contraceptives (P for interaction weight class × oral contraceptive use 0.023).Conclusions:Due to the shift toward extreme childhood obesity, especially in minority children, pediatricians can expect to face increasing numbers of children and adolescents affected by gallstone disease.
Review article: the natural history of postoperative Crohn's disease recurrence
Authors: Buisson A. , Chevaux J.‐B. , Allen P. B. , Bommelaer G. , Peyrin‐Biroulet L. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryBackgroundSurgical resection of the diseased bowel in Crohn's disease is unfortunately not curative, and postoperative recurrence remains a problem in these patients.AimTo review the rates of and risk factors for clinical and endoscopic recurrence in population‐based studies, referral centres and randomised controlled trials.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE (source PUBMED, 1966 to September, 2011).ResultsIn randomised controlled trials, clinical recurrence in the first year after surgery occurred in 10–38% of patients, whereas endoscopic recurrence in the first year was reported in 35–85% of patients. In population‐based studies, approximately half of patients experienced clinical recurrence at 10 years. In referral centres, 48–93% of the patients had endoscopic lesions (Rutgeerts’ score ≥1) in the neoterminal ileum within 1 year after surgery, whereas 20–37% had symptoms suggestive of clinical recurrence. Three years after surgery, the endoscopic postoperative recurrence rate increased to 85–100%, and symptomatic recurrence occurred in 34–86% of patients. Smoking is the strongest risk factor for postoperative recurrence, increasing by twofold, the risk of clinical recurrence. Prior intestinal resection, penetrating behaviour, perianal disease and extensive bowel disease (>50 cm) are established risk factors for postoperative recurrence. Risk factors for postoperative recurrence remain poorly defined in population‐based cohorts.ConclusionEndoscopic and clinical postoperative recurrence remains common in patients with Crohn's disease, and the identification of risk factors may allow targeted strategies to reduce this recurrence rate.
Human erythrocyte remodelling during Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite growth and egress
Authors: Mbengue Alassane , Yam Xue Y. , Braun‐Breton Catherine 
Published: February 2012

SummaryThe intra‐erythrocyte growth and survival of the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for both uncomplicated and severe malaria cases and depends on the parasite's ability to remodel its host cell. Host cell remodelling has several functions for the parasite, such as acquiring nutrients from the extracellular milieu because of the loss of membrane transporters upon erythrocyte differentiation, avoiding splenic clearance by conferring cytoadhesive properties to the infected erythrocyte, escaping the host immune response by exporting antigenically variant proteins at the red blood cell surface. In addition, parasite‐induced changes at the red blood cell membrane and sub‐membrane skeleton are also necessary for the efficient release of the parasite progeny from the host cell. Here we review these cellular and molecular changes, which might not only sustain parasite growth but also prepare, at a very early stage, the last step of egress from the host cell.