bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decreased Total MKP‐1 Protein Levels Predict Poor Prognosis in Breast Cancer
Authors: Hou Ming‐Feng , Chang Chien‐Wei , Chen Fang‐Ming , Wang Shen‐Nien , Yang Sheau‐Fang , Chen Po‐Han , Su Jinu‐Huang , Yeh Yao‐Tsung 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackgroundMKP‐1 dephosphorylates and inactivates MAPKs, whose constitutive activations have been associated with human cancers.ResultsWe found that total MKP‐1 protein levels were decreased in 63.7 % of breast cancer tissues compared with the paired noncancerous breast tissues. Decreased MKP‐1 protein levels were correlated with increased tumor stage and positive recurrence and were associated with poor survival, even when using a multivariate Cox regression model. Intriguingly, nuclear MKP‐1 staining was positively correlated with ER status. In vitro, tamoxifen increased MKP‐1 expression in ER‐positive but not ER‐negative breast cancer cells. ER‐specific siRNA was able to attenuate tamoxifen‐induced MKP‐1 expression. Furthermore, tamoxifen prolonged the duration of MKP‐1 elevation and the binding time of ER to the promoter of the MKP‐1/DUSP‐1 gene compared with estrogen.ConclusionsOur results suggest that alterations of MKP‐1 may serve as a prognostic factor in breast cancer. In addition, the regulation of MKP‐1 may be related to the ER.
Management of Grave’s Disease Is Improved by Total Thyroidectomy
Authors: Annerbo Maria , Stålberg Peter , Hellman Per 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackgroundA retrospective analysis was performed on 267 consecutive patients with Graves’ disease (GD). The principal aim of this study was to evaluate the risk for recurrence and complications when changing the surgical method from subtotal (ST) to total thyroidectomy (TT).MethodsInformation from 267 consecutive patients operated on for GD between 2000 and 2006 was collected at Uppsala University Hospital (143) and Falun County Hospital (128). There were 229 women and 38 men. Four patients were operated on twice. A total of 40 STs and 229 TTs were performed. Results were compared to those of a previous cohort from the same hospital, with a majority of STs (157/176) performed from 1980 to 1992.ResultsThe risk for relapse of GD was reduced from 20 to 3.3 % after the shift from ST to TT. In terms of surgical complications, 2.2 % demonstrated permanent vocal cord paralysis and 4.5 % had persistent hypocalcemia, not significant when compared to the previous cohort. In spite of TT, there were four recurrences, all due to remnant thyroid tissue high up at the hyoid bone. Changing the surgical method did not affect postoperative progression of dysthyroid ophthalmopathy (DO, 7.0 vs. 7.5 %). There were no differences in outcome with respect to which hospital the patients had their operation.ConclusionChange from ST to TT dramatically reduced the risk for recurrence of GD without increasing the rate of complications. TT is not more effective than ST in hampering progression of DO as has been advocated by some. Careful surgical dissection up to the hyoid bone is necessary to avoid recurrence.
Right Hepatectomy in Patients over 70 Years of Age: An Analysis of Liver Function and Outcome
Authors: Melloul Emmanuel , Halkic Nermin , Raptis Dimitri Aristotle , Tempia Adrien , Demartines Nicolas 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackgroundAs a consequence of the increase in life expectancy, hepatobiliary surgeons have to deal with an emerging aged population. We aimed to analyze the liver function and outcome after right hepatectomy (RH) in patients over 70 years of age.MethodsFrom January 2006 to December 2009, we prospectively collected data of 207 consecutive elective hepatectomies. In patients who had RH, cardiac risk was assessed by a dedicated preoperative workup. Liver failure (LF) was defined by the “fifty–fifty” criteria at postoperative day 5 (POD) and morbidity by the Clavien–Dindo classification. Liver function tests (LFTs) and short‐term outcome were retrospectively analyzed in patients over (elderly group, EG) and younger (young group, YG) than 70 years of age.ResultsEighty‐seven consecutive RH were performed during the study period. Indication for surgery included 90 % malignancy in 47 % of patients requiring preoperative chemotherapy. ASA grade > 2 (44 vs. 16 %, p = 0.027), ischemic heart disease (17 vs. 5 %, p = 0.076), and preoperative cardiac failure (26 vs. 2 %, p < 0.001) were more frequent in the EG (n = 23) than in the YG (n = 64). Both groups were similar regarding rates of normal liver parenchyma, chemotherapy and intraoperative parameters. The overall morbidity rates were comparable, but the serious complication (grades III–V) rate was relatively higher in the EG (39 vs. 25 %, p = 0.199), particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus (100 vs. 29 %, p = 0.04) and those who had additional nonhepatic surgery (67 vs. 35 %, p = 0.110) and transfusions (44 vs. 30 %, p = 0.523). The 90‐day mortality rate was similar (9 % in the EG vs. 3 % in the YG, p = 0.28) and was related to heart failure in the EG. LFTs showed a similar trend from POD 1 to 8, and patients ≥70 years of age had no liver failure.ConclusionsAge ≥70 years alone is not a contraindication to RH. However, major morbidity is particularly higher in the elderly with diabetes. This high‐risk group should be closely monitored in the postoperative course. Liver function is not altered in the elderly patient after RH.
Neonatal Neuroblastoma needs the Aggressive Treatment?
Authors: Nam So‐Hyun , Kim Dae Yeon , Kim Seong Chul , Seo Jong‐Jin 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackgroundRoutine antenatal ultrasound scans increased the detection of the neuroblastoma (NB) in neonates. We reviewed the treatment outcome and clinical presentation of neonatal NB.MethodsWe included patients who had pathologically confirmed NB presented within 28 days after birth from January 1999 to December 2010.ResultsThere were 17 patients (8 females and 9 males), which consist of 16 % of total NB cases of children in our institution. Nine were followed from prenatal period as an abdominal mass and eight were presented postnatally (5 abdominal distensions, 2 tachypnea, and 1 persistent jaundice). The primary lesion was located in adrenal gland in ten patients, retroperitoneum in four, and posterior mediastinum in three. The tumor size was median 4.1 cm (range, 3–7). The stage of the patients were as follows: stage 1 in six, stage 2 in one, stage 3 in three, stage 4S in five, and stage 4 in two. Six patients were in the low‐risk group, seven were intermediate‐risk group, and four were high‐risk group. Thirteen showed favorable histology among 15 specimens. Five patients (29.4 %) showed MYCN amplification. The median follow‐up period was 78.4 months (range, 17.4–138.6). Fifteen of 17 (88.2 %) are alive without evidence of recurrences and two patients of stage 4S with MYCN amplification in high‐risk group died.ConclusionsThe overall survival of neonatal NB is 88.2 %, but we observed a high ratio of stage 4 and stage 4S tumors and MYCN amplification. We suggested that early treatment might be better for neonatal NB more than 3 cm in size. Aggressive treatment for neonatal NB could bring more favorable outcome.
The combined effects of warming and drying suppress CO2 and N2O emission rates in an alpine meadow of the eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Shi Fusun , Chen Huai , Chen Huafeng , Wu Yan , Wu Ning 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe eastern Tibetan Plateau has become increasingly warmer and drier since the 1990s. Such warming and drying has a great impact on ecosystem processes on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. To determine their combined effects on CO2 and N2O emission rates, we conducted a field manipulative experiment in an alpine meadow of the eastern Tibetan Plateau during the growing season of 2009. The experiment showed that warming manipulation increased soil temperature by 1 °C, and drying manipulation decreased soil water content by 6.8 %. We found that by counteracting the effect of low temperature in the area, experimental warming significantly increased soil microbial biomass, the number of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, ammonifying bacteria, nitrobacteria and denitrifying bacteria, and facilitated the emission rates of CO2 and N2O by 33.4 and 31.5 %, respectively. However, decreased precipitation further aggravated soil water stress and inhibited the numbers of these organisms, and reduced the emission rates of CO2 and N2O by 47.4 and 37.9 %, respectively. So decreased soil water content tended to offset the positive effect of warming. Compared to the positive effects of warming, decreased soil water content was shown in our study to have even greater impact on the eastern Tibetan Plateau during the growing season. Therefore, inhibition of CO2 and N2O emission rates (32.3 and 29.3 %, respectively) by warming and drying will intensify if the combined effects of these climatic trends persist in the region.
Comparison of free breathing versus breath-hold in perfusion imaging using dynamic volume CT
Authors: Kandel Sonja , Meyer Henning , Hein Patrik , Lembcke Alexander , Rueckert Jens-C. , Rogalla Patrik 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Objectives
To compare two scanning protocols (free breathing versus breath-hold) for perfusion imaging using dynamic volume computed tomography (CT) and to evaluate their effects on image registration.

Material and methods
Forty patients underwent dynamic volume CT for pancreatic perfusion analysis and were randomly assigned to either a shallow-breathing (I) or breath-hold (II) group. Both dynamic CT protocols consisted of 17 low-dose volumetric scans. Rigid image registration was performed by using the volume with highest aortic attenuation as reference. All other volumes were visually matched with the pancreatic lesion serving as the volumetric region of interest. The overall demand for post-processing per patient was calculated as the median of three-dimensional vector lengths of all volumes in relation to the relative patient origin. The number of volumes not requiring registration was recorded per group.

Results
Registration mismatch for groups I and II was 2.61 mm (SD, 1.57) and 4.95 mm (SD, 2.71), respectively (P < 0.005). Twenty-eight volumes in group I (8.2%) and 47 volumes in group II (14.1%) did not require manual registration (P = 0.014).

Conclusion
Shallow breathing during dynamic volume CT scanning reduces the overall demand for motion correction and thus may be beneficial in perfusion imaging of the pancreas

Main Messages
• Shallow breathing during perfusion CT scanning reduces the overall demand for motion correction.
• Shallow breathing may be beneficial in perfusion imaging of the pancreas.
• Image registration is crucial for CT perfusion imaging.
Money versus time: evaluation of flow control in terms of energy consumption and convenience
Authors: Frohnapfel Bettina , Hasegawa Yosuke , Quadrio Maurizio 
Published: April 2012

AbstractFlow control with the goal of reducing the skin-friction drag on the fluid–solid interface is an active fundamental research area, motivated by its potential for significant energy savings and reduced emissions in the transport sector. Customarily, the performance of drag reduction techniques in internal flows is evaluated under two alternative flow conditions, i.e. at constant mass flow rate or constant pressure gradient. Successful control leads to reduction of drag and pumping power within the former approach, whereas the latter leads to an increase of the mass flow rate and pumping power. In practical applications, however, money and time define the flow control challenge: a compromise between the energy expenditure (money) and the corresponding convenience (flow rate) achieved with that amount of energy has to be reached so as to accomplish a goal which in general depends on the specific application. Based on this idea, we derive two dimensionless parameters which quantify the total energy consumption and the required time (convenience) for transporting a given volume of fluid through a given duct. Performances of existing drag-reduction strategies as well as the influence of wall roughness are re-evaluated within the present framework; how to achieve the (application-dependent) optimum balance between energy consumption and convenience is addressed. It is also shown that these considerations can be extended to external flows.
Instability of compressible drops and jets
Authors: Miyamoto Umpei 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe revisit the classic problem of the stability of drops and jets held by surface tension, while regarding the compressibility of bulk fluids and spatial dimensions as free parameters. By mode analysis, it is shown that there exists a critical compressibility above which the drops (and discs) become unstable for a spherical perturbation. For a given value of compressibility (and of the surface tension and the density at equilibrium), this instability criterion provides a minimal radius below which the drop cannot be in stable equilibrium. According to the existence of the above unstable mode of the drop, which corresponds to a homogeneous perturbation of a cylindrical jet, the dispersion relation of Rayleigh–Plateau instability for cylinders drastically changes. In particular, we identify another critical compressibility above which the homogeneous unstable mode is predominant. The analysis is carried out for non-relativistic and relativistic perfect fluids, the self-gravity of which is ignored.
First instability of the flow of shear-thinning and shear-thickening fluids past a circular cylinder
Authors: Lashgari Iman , Pralits Jan O. , Giannetti Flavio , Brandt Luca 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe first bifurcation and the instability mechanisms of shear-thinning and shear-thickening fluids flowing past a circular cylinder are studied using linear theory and numerical simulations. Structural sensitivity analysis based on the idea of a ‘wavemaker’ is performed to identify the core of the instability. The shear-dependent viscosity is modelled by the Carreau model where the rheological parameters, i.e. the power-index and the material time constant, are chosen in the range $0. 4\leq n\leq 1. 75$ and $0. 1\leq \lambda \leq 100$. We show how shear-thinning/shear-thickening effects destabilize/stabilize the flow dramatically when scaling the problem with the reference zero-shear-rate viscosity. These variations are explained by modifications of the steady base flow due to the shear-dependent viscosity; the instability mechanisms are only slightly changed. The characteristics of the base flow, drag coefficient and size of recirculation bubble are presented to assess shear-thinning effects. We demonstrate that at critical conditions the local Reynolds number in the core of the instability is around 50 as for Newtonian fluids. The perturbation kinetic energy budget is also considered to examine the physical mechanism of the instability.
A detailed analysis of a dynamo mechanism in a rapidly rotating spherical shell
Authors: Takahashi F. , Shimizu H. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMechanisms of magnetic field intensification by flows of an electrically conducting fluid in a rapidly rotating spherical shell are investigated using a numerical dynamo model with an Ekman number of $1{0}^{\ensuremath{-} 5} $. A strong dipolar solution with a magnetic energy 55 times larger than the kinetic energy of thermal convection is obtained. In a regime of small viscosity and inertia with the strong magnetic field, the convection structure consists of a few large-scale retrograde flows in the azimuthal direction and localized thin sheet-like plumes. A detailed term-by-term analysis of the magnetic field amplification processes shows that the magnetic field is amplified through stretching of magnetic lines, which occurs typically through four types of flow: the retrograde azimuthal flow near the outer boundary, the downwelling flow of the sheet plume, the prograde azimuthal flow near the rim of the tangent cylinder, and the cylindrical-radially alternating flows of the plume cluster. The current loop structure emerges as a result of stretching the magnetic lines along the magnetic field by the flow acceleration. The most remarkable effects of the generated magnetic field on the flow come from the strong azimuthal (toroidal) magnetic field. Similarities of the present model in the convection and magnetic field structures to previous studies at larger and even smaller Ekman numbers suggest universality of the dynamo mechanism in rotating spherical dynamos.
Parasite management in translocations: lessons from a threatened New Zealand bird
Authors: Ewen John G. , Armstrong Doug P. , Empson Raewyn , Jack Sandra , Makan Troy , McInnes Kate , Parker Kevin A. , Richardson Kate , Alley Maurice 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAwareness of parasite risks in translocations has prompted the development of parasite management protocols, including parasite risk assessment, parasite screening and treatments. However, although the importance of such measures seems obvious it is difficult to know whether the measures taken are effective, especially when working with wild populations. We review current methods in one extensively researched case study, the endemic New Zealand passerine bird, the hihiNotiomystis cincta. Our review is structured around four of the 10 questions proposed by Armstrong & Seddon (Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 2008: 23, 20–25) for reintroduction biology. These four questions can be related directly to parasites and parasite management and we recommend using this framework to help select and justify parasite management. Our retrospective study of recent disease and health screening in hihi reveals only partial overlap with these questions. Current practice does not focus on, or aim to reduce, the uncertainty in most steps of the risk assessment process or on evaluating whether the measures are effective. We encourage targeted parasite management that builds more clearly on available disease risk assessment methodologies and integrates these tools within a complete reintroduction plan.
Childhood adversity in schizophrenia: a systematic meta-analysis
Authors: Matheson S. L. , Shepherd A. M. , Pinchbeck R. M. , Laurens K. R. , Carr V. J. 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundChildhood adversity is a putative risk factor for schizophrenia, although evidence supporting this suggestion is inconsistent and controversial. The aim of this review was to pool and quality assess the current evidence pertaining to childhood adversity in people with schizophrenia compared to other psychiatric disorders and to non-psychiatric controls.MethodIncluded were case-control, cohort and cross-sectional studies. Medline, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases were searched. Study reporting was assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist and pooled evidence quality was assessed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.ResultsTwenty-five studies met inclusion criteria. Moderate to high quality evidence suggests increased rates of childhood adversity in schizophrenia compared to controls [odds ratio (OR) 3.60, p < 0.00001]. Increased childhood adversity was also reported in schizophrenia compared to anxiety disorders (OR 2.54, p = 0.007), although the effect was not significant in the subgroup analysis of five studies assessing only sexual abuse. No differences in rates of childhood adversity were found between schizophrenia and affective psychosis, depression and personality disorders whereas decreased rates of childhood adversity were found in schizophrenia relative to dissociative disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (OR 0.03, p < 0.0001).ConclusionsThis is the first meta-analysis to report a medium to large effect of childhood adversity in people with schizophrenia and to assess specificity for schizophrenia. Further research is required that incorporates longitudinal design and other potentially causal variables to assess additive and/or interactive effects.
Who cares? Managing obligation and responsibility across the changing landscapes of informal dementia care
Authors: EGDELL VALERIE 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThis paper explores the different ways in which informal carers for people with dementia negotiate their care-giving role across the changing organisational and spatial landscape of care. In-depth qualitative data are used to argue that the decisions of carers are socially situated and the result of negotiations involving individuals, families and wider cultural expectations. These decisions affect where care occurs. In addressing these issues this paper draws attention to the lack of choice some carers may have in taking on the care-giving role; how and why carers draw upon support; and the different expectations of the care-giver's capabilities across the different sites of care, specifically at home and in nursing homes. It concludes that research and policy attention should focus on how the expectations about the role and abilities of carers are affected by where, and how, care is delivered. In doing so this paper contributes to the emerging health geography literature on care-giving as well as developing the spatial perspective in the established gerontological literature.
Mechanical transmission of lumpy skin disease virus by Rhipicephalus appendiculatus male ticks
Authors: TUPPURAINEN E. S. M. , LUBINGA J. C. , STOLTSZ W. H. , TROSKIE M. , CARPENTER S. T. , COETZER J. A. W. , VENTER E. H. , OURA C. A. L. 
Published: April 2012

SUMMARYLumpy skin disease (LSD) is an economically important, acute or sub-acute, viral disease of cattle that occurs across Africa and in the Middle East. The aim of this study was to investigate if lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) can be transmitted mechanically by African brown ear ticks (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neum.). Laboratory-bred R. appendiculatus males were fed on experimentally infected viraemic ‘donor’ cattle. Partially fed male ticks were then transferred to feed on an uninfected ‘recipient’ cow. The recipient animal became viraemic, showed mild clinical signs of LSD and seroconverted. Additionally, R. appendiculatus males were found to transmit LSDV through feeding on skin lacking visible lesions, demonstrating that viraemic animals without lesions at the feeding site of ticks may be a source of infection. This is the first time that transmission of poxviruses by a tick species has been demonstrated and the importance of this mode of transmission in the spread of LSDV in endemic settings is discussed.
Can capitalism restrain public perceived corruption? Some evidence
Authors: FARIA HUGO J. , MORALES DANIEL R. , PINEDA NATASHA , MONTESINOS HUGO M. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract:A growing body of evidence documents a vast array of economic and social ill-effects of public perceived corruption. These findings and the scant evidence of recent success in the fight against corruption beg the question: how to abate it? We document the existence of a negative, statistically significant and quantitatively large impact of economic freedom (our proxy for institutions of capitalism, markets and competition) on public corruption. This negative response of corruption to economic freedom holds after allowing for non-linearities interacting economic freedom and political rights, endowments, legal families, ethnicity and for robust determinants of corruption uncovered by Daniel Treisman [‘What Have We Learned About the Causes of Corruption From Ten Years of Cross-National Empirical Research?’,Annual Review of Political Science,10: 211–244], such as income, democracy, freedom of the press and fuel exports. Thus, this paper helps to explain why high-income prosperous countries exhibit low levels of public perceived corruption, and why honesty is a normal good.