bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors for cognitive decline in patients with confluent white matter hyperintensities
Authors: Mok Vincent , Xiong Yunyun , Wong Kelvin K. , Wong Adrian , Schmidt Reinhold , Chu Winnie W.C. , Hu Xintao , Lung Leung Eric Yim , Chen Sirong , Chen Yangkun , Tang Wai Kwong , Chen Xiangyan , Ho Chi Lai , Wong Ka Sing , Wong Stephen T.C. 
Published: July 2012

BackgroundAlthough patients harboring confluent white matter hyperintensities (WMH) are at high risk of cognitive decline, this risk varies among individuals. We investigated the predictors for cognitive decline in stroke patients with confluent WMH.MethodsWe followed up 100 stroke patients with confluent WMH who were participants of the VITAmins TO Prevent Stroke study for 2 years.We investigated the association between clinical features, apolipoprotein E status, imaging measures (infarcts, microbleeds, volumes of WMH, cortical gray matter [cGM], lateral ventricles, and hippocampi), and B vitamins with changes in cognitive measures (clinical dementia rating scale, Mini‐Mental State Examination, Mattis dementia rating scale—initiation/perseveration subscale). We performed Pittsburgh compound B imaging among dementia converters.ResultsMultivariate regression analysis showed that increase in clinical dementia rating scale grade was associated with cGM atrophy, absence of hyperlipidemia, and lower diastolic blood pressure at baseline. cGM atrophy and absence of hyperlipidemia were also associated with deterioration in Mini‐Mental State Examination and Mattis dementia rating scale—initiation/perseveration subscale scores. Pittsburgh compound B retention typical of Alzheimer's disease was found only in 10% of dementia converters. Incident stroke and B vitamins were not associated with cognitive decline.ConclusionsAmong stroke patients with confluent WMH, cGM atrophy and absence of hyperlipidemia are important predictors for cognitive decline. Significant cognitive decline can occur in the absence of incident stroke or Alzheimer's pathology.
The epidemiology of Alzheimer's disease: Laying the foundation for drug design, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials
Authors: Yaffe Kristine , Tocco Michael , Petersen Ronald C. , Sigler Catherine , Burns Leah C. , Cornelius Christel , Khachaturian Ara S. , Irizarry Michael C. , Carrillo Maria C. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractEpidemiological studies increasingly inform Alzheimer's disease (AD) public health impact, prevention strategies, drug targets, therapeutic interventions, and clinical trial design. For this reason, the Alzheimer's Association Research Roundtable convened an international group of AD experts with experience in conducting both observational and clinical trials for a meeting on October 19 and 20, 2010, in Washington, DC, to discuss the role of epidemiologic studies in AD research and therapeutic advances. Topics included wellness markers and risk factors, with a focus on special populations such as those at elevated risk, super agers, and underserved populations. Discussions also highlighted lessons learned from observational studies of aging, cardiovascular disease, and other disease areas, as well as how new technologies have enabled the gathering of data relevant to drug development and clinical trial conduct.
The draft “National Plan” to address Alzheimer's disease ‐ National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA)
Authors: Khachaturian Zaven S. , Khachaturian Ara S. , Thies William 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThis perspective updates the status of the “National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease” and the recommendations of the NAPA Advisory Council's Sub‐committee on Research. Here, we identify some of the critical issues the future reiterations of the National Plan should consider during implementation phase of the plan. The Journal invites the scientific community to contribute additional ideas and suggestions towards a national research initiative.
Streaming-potential phenomena in the thin-Debye-layer limit. Part 2. Moderate Péclet numbers
Authors: Schnitzer Ory , Frankel Itzchak , Yariv Ehud 
Published: July 2012

AbstractMacroscale description of streaming-potential phenomena in the thin-double-layer limit, and in particular the associated electro-viscous forces, has been a matter of long-standing controversy. In part 1 of this work (Yariv, Schnitzer & Frankel,J. Fluid Mech., vol. 685, 2011, pp. 306–334) we identified that the product of the Hartmann ($\lambda $) and Péclet ($\mathit{Pe}$) numbers is$O({\delta }^{\ensuremath{-} 2} )$,$\delta $being the dimensionless Debye thickness. This scaling relationship defines a one-family class of limit processes appropriate to the consistent analysis of this singular problem. In that earlier contribution we focused on the generic problems associated with moderate$\lambda $and large$\mathit{Pe}$, where the streaming-potential magnitude is comparable to the thermal voltage. Here we consider the companion generic limit of moderate Péclet numbers and large Hartmann numbers, deriving the appropriate macroscale model wherein the Debye-layer physics is represented by effective boundary conditions. Since the induced electric field is asymptotically smaller, calculation of these conditions requires higher asymptotic orders in analysing the Debye-scale transport. Nonetheless, the leading-order electro-viscous forces are of the same$O({\delta }^{2} )$relative magnitude as those previously obtained in the large-$\mathit{Pe}$limit. The structure of these forces is different, however, first because the small Maxwell stresses do not contribute at leading order, and second because salt polarization results in a dominant diffuso-osmotic slip. Since the salt distribution is governed by an advection–diffusion equation, this slip gives rise to electro-viscous forces which are nonlinear in the driving flow. The resulting scheme is illustrated by the calculation of the electro-viscous excess drag in the prototype problem of a translating sphere.
Gene expression analysis of the liver and skeletal muscle of psyllium-treated mice
Authors: Togawa Naoyuki , Takahashi Rumiko , Hirai Shizuka , Fukushima Tatsunobu , Egashira Yukari 
Published: July 2012

Psyllium, a dietary fibre rich in soluble components, has both cholesterol- and TAG-lowering effects. Many studies have verified these actions using liver samples, whereas little information is available on the effects of psyllium treatment on other organs. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of psyllium. We investigated the gene expression profiles of both liver and skeletal muscle using DNA microarrays. C57BL/6J mice were fed a low-fat diet (LFD; 7 % fat), a high-fat diet (HFD; 40 % fat) or a HFD with psyllium (40 % fat+5 % psyllium; HFD+Psy) for 10 weeks. Body weights and food intake were measured weekly. After 10 weeks, the mice were killed and tissues were collected. Adipose tissues were weighed, and plasma total cholesterol and TAG blood glucose levels were measured. The expression levels of genes involved in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glucose transport and fatty acid metabolism were measured by DNA microarray in the liver and skeletal muscle. In the HFD+Psy group, plasma total cholesterol, TAG and blood glucose levels significantly decreased. There was a significant reduction in the relative weight of the epididymal and retroperitoneal fat tissue depots in mice fed the HFD+Psy. The expression levels of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and lipid transport were significantly up-regulated in the skeletal muscle of the HFD+Psy group. This result suggests that psyllium stimulates lipid transport and fatty acid oxidation in the muscle. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that psyllium can promote lipid consumption in the skeletal muscle; and this effect would create a slightly insufficient glucose state in the liver.
Fenugreek seed affects intestinal microbiota and immunological variables in piglets after weaning
Authors: Zentek Jürgen , Gärtner Stefanie , Tedin Lydia , Männer Klaus , Mader Anneluise , Vahjen Wilfried 
Published: July 2012

Fenugreek seed has been shown to affect the intestinal microbiota and immunological responses in animals. A feeding trial with male castrated piglets was performed over 28 d without or with the addition of 1·5 g fenugreek seeds/kg complete diet in ten and eleven piglets, weaned at 21 d. In the intestinal tract, pH, lactate and SCFA were measured as major bacterial metabolites. Immune cell phenotypes, phagocytic activity and lymphocyte proliferation after stimulation with pokeweed mitogen, concanavalin A and phytohaemagglutinin M were measured by flow cytometry. Health status and performance of the piglets were not affected by fenugreek. The pH in the caecum and colon were reduced compared with the control (P< 0·05). Higher concentrations ofl-lactic acid were recorded in the small-intestinal digesta (average concentrations from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum;P< 0·05), while the concentrations of SCFA remained unchanged except an increase inn-butyric acid in colon contents (P< 0·05). The piglets fed the fenugreek diet had higherLactobacillusand clostridium cluster I concentrations and lowerEscherichia,HafniaandShigellaconcentrations in the small intestine. The addition of fenugreek increased the relative concentration of the γδ T-cell population (TCR1+CD8α−) in the blood with a simultaneous reduction of antigen-presenting cells (MHCII+CD5−) (P< 0·05). Proliferation rate and phagocytosis activity of monocytes were not affected by the additive. In conclusion, fenugreek seeds might be interesting as a feed ingredient for young piglets due to their effects on the intestinal microbiota and immunological variables. The impact on performance and animal health has to be further evaluated.
Arbitrary amplitude dust-acoustic double-layers in an electron-depleted dusty plasma with two high-energy tail ion distributions
Authors: MAYOUT SALIHA , TRIBECHE MOULOUD 
Published: July 2012

AbstractArbitrary amplitude dust-acoustic double-layers (DA-DLs) in two high-energy tail ion distributions are investigated. The electron number density has been assumed sufficiently depleted during the charging of dust grains on account of the attachment of background plasma electrons on the surface of dust grains. It is found that under certain conditions DA-DLs may be admitted. The degree of suprathermality of the low-temperature component has a sensitive role on their formation and a small change in this degree can even prevent the DL formation. The ‘Maxwellianization’ of the high-temperature component involves a suprathermalization process of the low-temperature component for the existence of localized DA-DLs. Our results may be relevant to a number of space dusty plasma systems, particularly the Saturn's F-ring where electron depletion and suprathermality are thought to come into play.
Efficient generation of proton bunches by intense laser pulse with a double-slice-foil target
Authors: ZHENG JUN , SHENG ZHENG-MING , LIU JIN-LU , ZHOU WEI-MIN , XU HAN , ZHANG JIE 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA double-slice-foil target is proposed for the generation of quasi-monoenergetic proton bunches by intense laser pulses. In this new target structure, two symmetrical solid slices are adjoined obliquely to the front side of a plane double-layer target. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations show that a large number of hot electrons are pulled out from solid slices and accelerated forward by direct laser acceleration, which lead to significant enhancement of the sheath field and the produced proton beam energy as compared with the normal plane double-layer target and some other modified targets. It appears that well-collimated proton bunches with energy larger than 200 MeV can be produced at the focused laser intensity of about 1021W/cm2 with the proposed target design.
Effect of RF on RF nitrogen discharge with induced argon plasma at high pressure
Authors: WANG YINAN , LIU YUE , ZHENG SHU , LIN GUOQIANG 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA one-dimensional fluid model is built to study the effect of radio frequency (RF) on the characteristics of RF nitrogen discharge with induced argon plasma at high pressure. The model is solved by a finite difference method, and the numerical results are obtained. The numerical results show that by modulating driven frequency, the discharge can obtain higher plasma density. Moreover, the discharge is operated in a stable α mode in a range of 100 MHz of driven frequency.
Dust-ion-acoustic solitary waves in a dusty plasma with arbitrarily charged dust and non-thermal electrons
Authors: KUNDU N. R. , MAMUN A. A. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe dust-ion-acoustic solitary waves (DIA SWs) in an unmagnetized dusty plasma containing non-thermal electrons, cold mobile positive ions, and stationary arbitrarily (positively and negatively) charged static dust have been theoretically studied. The reductive perturbation technique has been employed to derive the Korteweg-de Vries equation, which admits SW solutions under certain conditions. It has been also shown that the basic features (amplitude, width, speed, etc.) of DIA SWs are significantly modified by the polarity of dust and non-thermal electrons. The implications of our results in space and laboratory dusty plasma situations are briefly discussed.
Rotavirus genotypes in children in the Basque Country (North of Spain): rapid and intense emergence of the G12[P8] genotype
Authors: CILLA G. , MONTES M. , GOMARIZ M. , ALKORTA M. , ITURZAETA A. , PEREZ-YARZA E. G. , PEREZ-TRALLERO E. 
Published: July 2012

SUMMARYBetween July 2009 and June 2011, rotavirus was detected in 507 of 4597 episodes of acute gastroenteritis in children aged <3 years in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain), of which the G-type was determined in 458 (90·3%). During the annual seasonal epidemic of 2010–2011, the unusual G-type 12 was predominant, causing 65% (145/223) of cases of rotavirus gastroenteritis. All the G12 strains were clustered in lineage III and were preferentially associated with P-type 8. This epidemic was characterized by broad geographical distribution (rural and urban) and, over 7 months, affected both infants and children, the most frequently affected being children between 4 and 24 months. Of children with rotavirus G12, 16% required hospital admission, the admission rate in children aged <2 years being 20·7 cases/10 000 children. The sudden emergence and predominance of G12 rotaviruses documented in this winter outbreak suggest that they may soon become a major human rotavirus genotype.
Seismic stratigraphy of the late Quaternary sedimentary infill of Lac d'Armor (Kerguelen archipelago): a record of glacier retreat, sedimentary mass wasting and southern Westerly intensification
Authors: Heirman Katrien , De Batist Marc , Arnaud Fabien , De Beaulieu Jacques-Louis 
Published: July 2012

AbstractLac d'Armor (49°27′S, 69°42′E) is a medium-sized, fjord-type lake located on the ‘Grande Terre’ island of the Kerguelen archipelago. A dense grid of high-resolution reflection seismic profiles was collected from this lake basin. The seismic stratigraphic facies reveal a last deglaciation to Holocene infill comparable to the seismic facies found in other glacigenic lakes all over the world. Remarkable features in the seismic stratigraphy are mounded structures found at the southern edge of both sub-basins. The sediment mounds can be interpreted as sediment drifts created by wind-induced bottom currents. The onset of the build-up of these drifts initiated at some point in the Holocene and indicates a strengthening of the southern Westerlies, which are currently the dominant winds on this island.
Trade and the political economy of standards
Authors: SWINNEN JOHAN , VANDEMOORTELE THIJS 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThis paper reviews the emerging literature on the political economy of public standards in an open economy to explain why standards are set at certain levels, and how this affects trade. We use a simple framework to illustrate how interest groups may influence the standard-setting process, and which factors may affect the political equilibria. We analyze the relation between trade and standards, and their potential protectionist nature. We argue that standards may act as barriers or catalysts to trade, that both under- or over-standardization may occur, and that standards may serve as protectionist instruments, or not.
Comparing the mechanism of water condensation and evaporation in glassy aerosol
Authors: Bones David L. , Reid Jonathan P. , Lienhard Daniel M. , Krieger Ulrich K. 
Published: July 2012

Atmospheric models generally assume that aerosol particles are in equilibrium with the surrounding gas phase. However, recent observations that secondary organic aerosols can exist in a glassy state have highlighted the need to more fully understand the kinetic limitations that may control water partitioning in ambient particles. Here, we explore the influence of slow water diffusion in the condensed aerosol phase on the rates of both condensation and evaporation, demonstrating that significant inhibition in mass transfer occurs for ultraviscous aerosol, not just for glassy aerosol. Using coarse mode (3–4 um radius) ternary sucrose/sodium chloride/aqueous droplets as a proxy for multicomponent ambient aerosol, we demonstrate that the timescale for particle equilibration correlates with bulk viscosity and can be ≫10
3
s. Extrapolation of these timescales to particle sizes in the accumulation mode (e.g., approximately 100 nm) by applying the Stokes-Einstein equation suggests that the kinetic limitations imposed on mass transfer of water by slow bulk phase diffusion must be more fully investigated for atmospheric aerosol. Measurements have been made on particles covering a range in dynamic viscosity from < 0.1 to > 10
13
Pa s. We also retrieve the radial inhomogeneities apparent in particle composition during condensation and evaporation and contrast the dynamics of slow dissolution of a viscous core into a labile shell during condensation with the slow percolation of water during evaporation through a more homogeneous viscous particle bulk.
LeishmaniaTDR1 structure, a unique trimeric glutathione transferase capable of deglutathionylation and antimonial prodrug activation
Authors: Fyfe Paul K. , Westrop Gareth D. , Silva Ana Marta , Coombs Graham H. , Hunter William N. 
Published: July 2012

Thiol-dependent reductase I (TDR1), an enzyme found in parasiticLeishmaniaspecies andTrypanosoma cruzi, is implicated in deglutathionylation and activation of antimonial prodrugs used to treat leishmaniasis. The 2.3 Å resolution structure of TDR1 reveals a unique trimer of subunits each containing two glutathione-S-transferase (GST) domains. The similarities of individual domains and comparisons with GST classes suggest that TDR1 evolved by gene duplication, diversification, and gene fusion; a combination of events previously unknown in the GST protein superfamily and potentially explaining the distinctive enzyme properties of TDR1. The deglutathionylation activity of TDR1 implies that glutathione itself has regulatory intracellular roles in addition to being a precursor for trypanothione, the major low mass thiol present in trypanosomatids. We propose that activation of antiparasite Sb(V)-drugs is a legacy of the deglutathionylation activity of TDR1 and involves processing glutathione adducts with concomitant reduction of the metalloid to active Sb(III) species.
Electronic Surveillance for Infectious Disease Trend Analysis following a Quality Improvement Intervention
Authors: Peterson Kari E. , Hacek Donna M. , Robicsek Ari , Thomson Richard B. , Peterson Lance R. 
Published: July 2012

Objective.Interventions for reducing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) healthcare-associated disease require outcome assessment; this is typically done by manual chart review to determine infection, which can be labor intensive. The purpose of this study was to validate electronic tools for MRSA healthcare-associated infection (HAI) trending that can replace manual medical record review.Design and Setting.This was an observational study comparing manual medical record review with 3 electronic methods: raw culture data from the laboratory information system (LIS) in use by our healthcare organization, LIS data combined with admission-discharge-transfer (ADT) data to determine which cultures were healthcare associated (LIS + ADT), and the CareFusion MedMined Nosocomial Infection Marker (NIM). Each method was used for the same 7-year period from August 2003 through July 2010.Patients.The data set was from a 3-hospital organization covering 342,492 admissions.Results.Correlation coefficients for raw LIS, LIS + ADT, and NIM were 0.976, 0.957, and 0.953, respectively, when assessed on an annual basis. Quarterly performance for disease trending was also good, with R2 values exceeding 0.7 for all methods.Conclusions.The electronic tools accurately identified trends in MRSA HAI incidence density when all infections were combined as quarterly or annual data; the performance is excellent when annual assessment is done. These electronic surveillance systems can significantly reduce (93% [in-house-developed program] to more than 99.9999% [commercially available systems]) the personnel resources needed to monitor the impact of a disease control program.
Enhanced Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Following Hysterectomy, Vascular, and Colorectal Surgery
Authors: Yokoe Deborah S. , Khan Yosef , Olsen Margaret A. , Hooper David C. , Greenbaum Maurice , Vostok Johanna , Lankiewicz Julie , Fraser Victoria J. , Stevenson Kurt B. ,   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epicenters Program
Published: July 2012

Objective.To evaluate the use of inpatient pharmacy and administrative data to detect surgical site infections (SSIs) following hysterectomy and colorectal and vascular surgery.Design.Retrospective cohort study.Setting.Five hospitals affiliated with academic medical centers.Patients.Adults who underwent abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy, colorectal surgery, or vascular surgery procedures between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2005.Methods.We reviewed the medical records of weighted, random samples drawn from 3,079 abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy, 4,748 colorectal surgery, and 3,332 vascular surgery procedures. We compared routine surveillance with screening of inpatient pharmacy data and diagnosis codes and then performed medical record review to confirm SSI status.Results.Medical records from 823 hysterectomy, 736 colorectal surgery, and 680 vascular surgery procedures were reviewed. SSI rates determined by antimicrobial- and/or diagnosis code-based screening followed by medical record review (enhanced surveillance) were substantially higher than rates determined by routine surveillance (4.3% [95% confidence interval, 3.6%—5.1%] vs 2.7% for hysterectomies, 7.1% [95% confidence interval, 6.7%–8.2%] vs 2.0% for colorectal procedures, and 2.3% [95% confidence interval, 1.9%–2.9%] vs 1.4% for vascular procedures). Enhanced surveillance had substantially higher sensitivity than did routine surveillance to detect SSI (92% vs 59% for hysterectomies, 88% vs 22% for colorectal procedures, and 72% vs 43% for vascular procedures). A review of medical records confirmed SSI for 31% of hysterectomies, 20% of colorectal procedures, and 31% of vascular procedures that met the enhanced screening criteria.Conclusion.Antimicrobial- and diagnosis code-based screening may be a useful method for enhancing and streamlining SSI surveillance for a variety of surgical procedures, including those procedures targeted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.