bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Depolarization‐Dependent Contraction Increase after Birth and Preservation following Long‐Term Hypoxia in Sheep Pulmonary Arteries
Authors: Papamatheakis Demosthenes G. , Patel Jay J. , Blood Quintin , Merritt Travis T. , Longo Lawrence D. , Wilson Sean M. 
Published: April 2012

Membrane depolarization is critical to pulmonary arterial (PA) contraction. Both L‐type Ca2+ channels (CaL) and Rho‐kinase are important signaling components of this process and mitochondrial and non‐mitochondrial generated superoxides can be part of the signaling process. Maturation and long‐term hypoxia (LTH) each can modify depolarization‐dependent contraction and the role of superoxides. By the use of wire myography, we tested the hypothesis that maturation and LTH increase pulmonary arterial reactivity to high‐K+‐induced membrane depolarization through enhancements in the importance of CaL and Rho‐kinase‐dependent pathways. The data show that maturation, but not LTH, increases contraction to 125 mM KCl (high‐K+) without altering the EC50. High‐K+‐dependent contraction was inhibited to a similar extent in fetal and adult PA by multiple CaL blockers, including 10 μM diltiazem, 10 μM verapamil, and 10 μM nifedipine. Postnatal maturation increased the role for 10 μM nifedipine‐sensitive CaL, and decreased that for 10 μM Y‐27632‐sensitive Rho‐kinase. In all groups, the combination of nifedipine and Y‐27632 effectively inhibited high‐K+ contraction. Tempol (3 mM) but not 100 μM apocynin slightly reduced contraction in arteries from fetal hypoxic and adult normoxic and hypoxic sheep, indicating a limited role for non‐mitochondrial derived superoxide to high‐K+‐induced contraction. Western immunoblot for alpha smooth muscle actin indicated small increases in relative abundance in the adult. The data suggest that while CaL therapies more effectively vasodilate PA in adults and rho‐kinase therapies are more effective in newborns, combination therapies would provide greater efficacy in both young and mature patients regardless of normoxic or hypoxic conditions.
Estimation of Endothelin‐Mediated Vasoconstriction in Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism
Authors: Tsang John Y. C. , Lamm Wayne J. E. 
Published: April 2012

We aimed to investigate the role of endothelin‐mediated vasoconstriction following acute pulmonary thromboembolism (APTE). Thirteen anesthetized piglets (~25 kg) were ventilated with 0 PEEP. Cardiac output (Qt) and wedge pressure (Pw) were measured by a Swan Ganz catheter, along with arterial and venous blood gases. APTE was induced by autologous blood clots (~0.8 g/kg, 12–16 pieces) via a jugular venous catheter at time = 0 minutes until the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) was about 2.5 times the baseline at 30 minutes. Eight control animals (Group 1) received only normal saline afterward, while the remaining five (Group 2) received at time = 40‐minute saline plus Tezosentan, a nonspecific endothelin antagonist. The drug was initially given as an intravenous bolus (10 mg/kg), followed by an infusion (2 mg/min) until the end of the experiment at 2 hours. Hemodynamic data were measured before APTE and then at 30‐minute intervals. Pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) was calculated as (Ppa‐Pw)/CI, where CI was cardiac index or Qt/W (body weight). Fluorescent microspheres (FMS) were used to mark regional blood flows and ventilation for cluster analysis. PVRI acutely increased within minutes and remained high despite some recovery over time. With Tezosentan treatment, the results showed that endothelin‐mediated vasoconstriction persisted significantly up to 2 hours and accounted for about 25% of the increase in PVRI while clot obstruction accounted for the remaining 75%. CI remained relatively constant throughout. Tezosentan also affected PVRI indirectly by mitigating the shift of regional blood flow back to the embolized areas over time, possibly by attenuating vasoconstriction in the nonembolized areas. We conclude that following APTE, although the increased PVRI is mostly due to mechanical embolic obstruction, secondary factors such as vasoconstriction and pattern of regional blood flow over time also play important roles.
Severe Pulmonary Hypertension in Idiopathic Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia
Authors: Hallowell Robert W. , Reed Robert M. , Fraig Mostafa , Horton Maureen R. , Girgis Reda E. 
Published: April 2012

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication of interstitial lung disease (ILD), particularly in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and ILD associated with connective tissue disease, where the underlying pathology is often a nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) pattern. The degree of PH in ILD is typically mild to moderate and radiographic changes of ILD are usually prominent. We describe four patients with idiopathic NSIP and severe PH (mPAP > 40 mmHg). The average mean pulmonary artery pressure was 51±7 mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance was 13±4 Wood's units. Pulmonary function was characterized by mild restriction (total lung capacity 63–94% predicted) and profound reductions in DLCO (19–53% predicted). Computed tomographic imaging revealed minimal to moderate interstitial thickening without honeycombing. In two of the cases, an initial clinical diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension was made. Both were treated with intravenous epoprostenol, which was associated with worsening of hypoxemia. All four patients died or underwent lung transplant within 4 years of PH diagnonsis. Lung pathology in all four demonstrated fibrotic NSIP with medial thickening of the small and medium pulmonary arteries, and proliferative intimal lesions that stained negative for endothelial markers (CD31 and CD34) and positive for smooth muscle actin. There were no plexiform lesions. Severe pulmonary hypertension can therefore occur in idiopathic NSIP, even in the absence of advanced radiographic changes. Clinicians should suspect underlying ILD as the basis for PH when DLCO is severely reduced or gas exchange deteriorates with pulmonary vasodilator therapy.
Integrating the Disaster Cycle Model Into Traditional Disaster Diplomacy Concepts
Authors: Callaway David W. , Yim Eugene S. , Stack Colin , Burkle Frederick M. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTDisaster diplomacy is an evolving contemporary model that examines how disaster response strategies can facilitate cooperation between parties in conflict. The concept of disaster diplomacy has emerged during the past decade to address how disaster response can be leveraged to promote peace, facilitate communication, promote human rights, and strengthen intercommunity ties in the increasingly multipolar modern world. Historically, the concept has evolved through two camps, one that focuses on the interactions between national governments in conflict and another that emphasizes the grassroots movements that can promote change. The two divergent approaches can be reconciled and disaster diplomacy further matured by contextualizing the concept within the disaster cycle, a model well established within the disaster risk management community. In particular, access to available health care, especially for the most vulnerable populations, may need to be negotiated. As such, disaster response professionals, including emergency medicine specialists, can play an important role in the development and implementation of disaster diplomacy concepts.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:53–59)
Mental Health Outcomes Among Adults in Galveston and Chambers Counties After Hurricane Ike
Authors: Ruggiero Kenneth J. , Gros Kirstin , McCauley Jenna L. , Resnick Heidi S. , Morgan Mark , Kilpatrick Dean G. , Muzzy Wendy , Acierno Ron 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTObjective: To examine the mental health effects of Hurricane Ike, the third costliest hurricane in US history, which devastated the upper Texas coast in September 2008.Method: Structured telephone interviews assessing immediate effects of Hurricane Ike (damage, loss, displacement) and mental health diagnoses were administered via random digit-dial methods to a household probability sample of 255 Hurricane Ike–affected adults in Galveston and Chambers counties.Results: Three-fourths of respondents evacuated the area because of Hurricane Ike and nearly 40% were displaced for at least one week. Postdisaster mental health prevalence estimates were 5.9% for posttraumatic stress disorder, 4.5% for major depressive episode, and 9.3% for generalized anxiety disorder. Bivariate analyses suggested that peritraumatic indicators of hurricane exposure severity—such as lack of adequate clean clothing, electricity, food, money, transportation, or water for at least one week—were most consistently associated with mental health problems.Conclusions: The significant contribution of factors such as loss of housing, financial means, clothing, food, and water to the development and/or maintenance of negative mental health consequences highlights the importance of systemic postdisaster intervention resources targeted to meet basic needs in the postdisaster period.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:26–32)
A new process variable and dynamics selection method based on a genetic algorithm‐based wavelength selection method
Authors: Kaneko Hiromasa , Funatsu Kimito 
Published: April 2012

AbstractSoft sensors have been used in industrial plants to estimate process variables that are difficult to measure online. Soft sensor models predicting an objective variable should be constructed with only important explanatory variables in terms of predictive ability, better interpretation of models and lower measurement costs. Besides, some process variables can affect an objective variable with time‐delays. Therefore, we have proposed the methods for selecting important process variables and optimal time‐delays of each variable simultaneously, by modifying the genetic algorithm‐based wavelength selection method that is one of the wavelength selection methods in spectrum analysis. The proposed methods can select time‐regions of process variables as a unit by using process data that includes process variables that are delayed in the range from zero to a set/given maximum value. The case study with simulation data and real industrial data confirmed that predictive, easy‐to‐interpret, and appropriate models were constructed using the proposed methods. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 1829–1840, 2012
Adult presentation of arterial tortuosity syndrome in a 51‐year‐old woman with a novel homozygous c.1411+1G>A mutation in the SLC2A10 gene
Authors: Castori Marco , Ritelli Marco , Zoppi Nicoletta , Molisso Luisa , Chiarelli Nicola , Zaccagna Fulvio , Grammatico Paola , Colombi Marina 
Published: April 2012

AbstractArterial tortuosity syndrome (ATS) is an autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder, mainly characterized by tortuosity and elongation of the large‐ and medium‐sized arteries with predisposition to stenoses and aneurysms. ATS is caused by mutations in the SLC2A10 gene, encoding for the facilitative glucose transporter 10 (GLUT10) and is described typically in pediatric patients. We report on a 51‐year‐old woman, originally ascertained because of unexplained widespread chronic pain and positive family history of aortic malformation. The main findings included aged appearance, congenital joint hypermobility, joint instability complications, chronic fatigue syndrome, progressive painful joint stiffness, abdominal hernias, pelvic prolapses, multiple cardiac valve prolapses, varicose veins, easy bruising, and gingival recession. Vascular imaging revealed kinking and anomalous origin of the aortic arch branches, marked tortuosity of the aorta, pulmonary and most middle arteries, and a small aneurysm of the splenic artery. SLC2A10 analysis disclosed homozygosity for the novel c.1411+1G>A splice mutation, leading to a 41 amino acids GLUT10 internal deletion. Expression study by immunofluorescence using healthy control cells showed lack of membrane internalization of GLUT10 in patient's skin fibroblasts. This report describes the first splice‐site SLC2A10 mutation and increases to 19 the repertoire of known mutations in this gene. Comparison with the few previously published adult patients with ATS contributes to the natural history of this condition, which is probably under diagnosed within the expanding family of inherited connective tissue disorders. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
COL1A1 association and otosclerosis: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Schrauwen Isabelle , Khalfallah Ayda , Ealy Megan , Fransen Erik , Claes Charlotte , Huber Alex , Murillo Laura Rodriguez , Masmoudi Saber , Smith Richard J.H. , Van Camp Guy 
Published: April 2012

AbstractOtosclerosis is a disease of abnormal bone remodeling in the human otic capsule that can lead to progressive hearing loss. Little of the underlying disease etiology has been elucidated thus far, although several studies have suggested that COL1A1 may play a role based on its importance in bone metabolism and other diseases like osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta. Genetic association studies between COL1A1 and otosclerosis, however, have been contradictory. To resolve this issue, we studied a large Belgian‐Dutch and a Swiss population for a genetic association between COL1A1 and otosclerosis and additionally performed a meta‐analysis to investigate the overall genetic effect of COL1A1 on all otosclerosis populations studied to date. We found a significant association both in the Belgian‐Dutch population and in the meta‐analysis. In aggregate, our analysis supports evidence for an association between COL1A1 and otosclerosis although effect sizes of the variants reported in the initial studies are likely to be an overestimate of true effect sizes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Autoimmune disease and multiple autoantibodies in 42 patients with RASopathies
Authors: Quaio Caio R.D.C. , Carvalho Jozélio F. , da Silva Clovis A. , Bueno Cleonice , Brasil Amanda S. , Pereira Alexandre C. , Jorge Alexander A.L. , Malaquias Alexsandra C. , Kim Chong A. , Bertola Débora R. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe association of RASopathies [Noonan syndrome (NS) and Noonan‐related syndromes] and autoimmune disorders has been reported sporadically. However, a concomitant evaluation of autoimmune diseases and an assessment of multiple autoantibodies in a large population of patients with molecularly confirmed RASopathy have not been performed. The clinical and laboratory features were analyzed in 42 RASopathy patients, the majority of whom had NS and five individuals had Noonan‐related disorders. The following autoantibodies were measured: Anti‐nuclear antibodies, anti‐double stranded DNA, anti‐SS‐A/Ro, anti‐SS‐B/La, anti‐Sm, anti‐RNP, anti‐Scl‐70, anti‐Jo‐1, anti‐ribosomal P, IgG and IgM anticardiolipin (aCL), thyroid, anti‐smooth muscle, anti‐endomysial (AE), anti‐liver cytosolic protein type 1 (LC1), anti‐parietal cell (APC), anti‐mitochondrial (AM) antibodies, anti‐liver‐kidney microsome type 1 antibodies (LKM‐1), and lupus anticoagulant. Six patients (14%) fulfilled the clinical criteria for autoimmune diseases [systemic lupus erythematous, polyendocrinopathy (autoimmune thyroiditis and celiac disease), primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS), autoimmune hepatitis, vitiligo, and autoimmune thyroiditis]. Autoimmune antibodies were observed in 52% of the patients. Remarkably, three (7%) of the patients had specific gastrointestinal and liver autoantibodies without clinical findings. Autoimmune diseases and autoantibodies were frequently present in patients with RASopathies. Until a final conclusion of the real incidence of autoimmunity in Rasopathy is drawn, the physicians should be alerted to the possibility of this association and the need for a fast diagnosis, proper referral to a specialist and ultimately, adequate treatment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ASTN1 and alcohol dependence: Family‐based association analysis in multiplex alcohol dependence families
Authors: Hill Shirley Y. , Weeks Daniel E. , Jones Bobby L. , Zezza Nicholas , Stiffler Scott 
Published: April 2012

AbstractA previous genome‐wide linkage study of alcohol dependence (AD) in multiplex families found a suggestive linkage result for a region on Chromosome 1 near microsatellite markers D1S196 and D1S2878. The ASTN1 gene is in this region, a gene previously reported to be associated with substance abuse, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Using the same family data consisting of 330 individuals with phenotypic data and DNA, finer mapping of a 26 cM region centered on D1S196 was undertaken using SNPs with minor allele frequency (MAF) ≥ 0.15 and pair‐wise linkage disequilibrium (LD) of r2 < 0.8 using the HapMap CEU population. Significant FBAT P‐values for SNPs within the ASTN1 gene were observed for four SNPs (rs465066, rs228008, rs6668092, and rs172917), the most significant, rs228008, within intron 8 had a P‐value of 0.001. Using MQLS, which allows for inclusion of all families, we find three of these SNPs with MQLS P‐values < 0.003. In addition, two additional neighboring SNPs (rs10798496 and rs6667588) showed significance at P = 0.002 and 0.03, respectively. Haplotype analysis was performed using the haplotype‐based test function of FBAT for a block that included rs228008, rs6668092, and rs172917. This analysis found one block (GCG) over‐transmitted and another (ATA) under‐transmitted to affected offspring. Linkage analysis identified a region consistent with the association results. Family‐based association analysis shows the ASTN1 gene significantly associated with alcohol dependence. The potential importance of the ASTN1 gene for AD risk may be related its role in glial‐guided neuronal migration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A re‐review of the association between the NOTCH4 locus and schizophrenia
Authors: Shayevitz Christina , Cohen Ori S. , Faraone Stephen V. , Glatt Stephen J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractNOTCH4 has long been identified as a candidate susceptibility gene for schizophrenia, but the collective body of genetic association studies of this gene has been less than conclusive. Recently a variant in NOTCH4 was implicated as one of the most reliably associated polymorphisms observed in a genome‐wide association scan of the disorder, and the collective evidence for this polymorphism now surpasses criteria for genome‐wide significance. To place these developments in context, we now summarize the initial work identifying NOTCH4 as a candidate gene for schizophrenia. The results of the genome‐wide association studies that have confirmed this as a risk gene, and novel bioinformatics analyses that reveal potential functional profiles of the most likely risk‐conferring polymorphisms. These analyses suggest that the NOTCH4 polymorphisms most strongly associated with schizophrenia exert their effects on susceptibility by altering the efficiency and/or alternative splicing of Notch4 transcripts. Further experimental evidence should be pursued to clarify the NOTCH4‐regulated molecular and cellular phenotypes of relevance to the disorder, and the functional consequences of the implicated polymorphisms in the gene. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism moderates the effect of stressful life events on drinking behavior in college students of African descent
Authors: Kranzler Henry R. , Scott Denise , Tennen Howard , Feinn Richard , Williams Carla , Armeli Stephen , Taylor Robert E. , Briggs‐Gowan Margaret J. , Covault Jonathan 
Published: April 2012

AbstractCovault et al. [Covault et al. (2007); Biol Psychiatry 61(5): 609–616] reported that the common functional polymorphism, 5‐HTTLPR, in the serotonin transporter gene moderated the association between past‐year stressful events and daily reports of drinking in a sample of European‐American (EA) college students. We examined this effect in college students of African descent. Students recruited at a Historically Black University (n = 564) completed web‐based measures of past‐year stressful life experiences and daily reports of drinking and heavy drinking over a 30‐day period. Participants were genotyped for the tri‐allelic 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism and dichotomized as low‐activity S′ allele carriers or high‐activity L′ homozygotes. Generalized linear models were used to examine the effects of life stress, genotype, and their interaction on the two drinking measures. In students who completed 15 or more daily surveys (n = 393), there was a significant interaction of past‐year stressful events, 5‐HTTLPR genotype, and gender on the number of drinking days (P = 0.002). Similar findings were obtained in relation to heavy drinking days (P = 0.007). Men showed a main effect of past‐year stressful events on both drinking outcomes (P's < 0.001), but no main or moderator effects of genotype. In women, the S′ allele moderated the impact of past‐year life stressors on the frequency of drinking and heavy drinking days (P's < 0.001). In college students of African descent, past‐year stressful events were associated with more frequent drinking and heavy drinking, an effect that was moderated by the 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism. However, in contrast to the findings in EA students, in the current sample, 5‐HTTLPR moderated the association only among women. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Flame‐retardant fabric systems based on electrospun polyamide/boric acid nanocomposite fibers
Authors: Selvakumar N. , Azhagurajan A. , Natarajan T. S. , Mohideen Abdul Khadir M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractTo examine the feasibility of developing flame‐retardant‐textile coated fabric systems with electrospun polyamide/boric acid nanocomposites, fiber webs coated on cotton substrates were developed to impart‐fire retardant properties. The morphology of the polyamide/boric acid nanocomposite fibers was examined with scanning electron microscopy. The flame‐retardant properties of coated fabric systems with different nanoparticle contents were assessed. The flame retardancy of the boric acid coated fabric systems was evaluated quantitatively with a flammability test apparatus fabricated on the basis of Consumer Product Safety Commission 16 Code of Federal Regulations part 1610 standard and also by thermogravimetric analysis. The 0.05 wt % boric acid nanocomposite fiber web coated on pure cotton fabric exhibited an increment in flame‐spreading time of greater than 80%, and this indicated excellent fire protection. Also, the coated fabric systems with 0.05% boric acid nanocomposite fiber webs exhibited a distinct shift in the peak value in the thermal degradation profile and a 75% increase in char formation in the thermooxidative degradation profile, as indicated by the results of thermogravimetric analysis. The results show the feasibility of successfully imparting flame‐retardant properties to cotton fabrics through the electrospinning of the polymer material with boric acid nanoparticles. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012