Spatial and temporal variation in autochthonous and allochthonous contributors to increased organic carbon and nitrogen burial in a plateau lake.

Increased organic carbon and nitrogen accumulation rates (OCAR and ONAR) in lake sediment significantly regulate the global carbon cycle. However, the reasons for and contributors to the increased OCAR and ONAR are unclear. Seven sediment cores, collected in July 2014 from Dianchi Lake, China, were used to evaluate the effects of autochthonous and allochthonous sources on OCAR and ONAR.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria Pulsatile Abdominal Mass Suspected Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Clinical palpation of a pulsating abdominal mass alerts the clinician to the presence of a possible abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Imaging studies are important in diagnosing and categorizing the extent of the aneurysm and may aid in treatment planning. The consensus of the literature supports the use of ultrasound as the initial screening test in patients with suspected AAA.

Pharmacological Therapy of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: An Update.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a progressive segmental abdominal aortic dilation, is associated with high mortality. AAA is characterized by inflammation, smooth muscle cell (SMC) depletion and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Surgical intervention and endovascular therapy are recommended to prevent rupture of large AAAs.

Inhibition of Receptor-Interacting Protein Kinase 1 with Necrostatin-1s ameliorates disease progression in elastase-induced mouse abdominal aortic aneurysm model.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common aortic disease with a progressive nature. There is no approved pharmacological treatment to effectively slow aneurysm growth or prevent rupture. Necroptosis is a form of programmed necrosis that is regulated by receptor-interacting protein kinases (RIPs).

DNA flap creation by the RarA/MgsA protein of Escherichia coli.

We identify a novel activity of the RarA (also MgsA) protein of Escherichia coli, demonstrating that this protein functions at DNA ends to generate flaps. A AAA+ ATPase in the clamp loader clade, RarA protein is part of a highly conserved family of DNA metabolism proteins. We demonstrate that RarA binds to double-stranded DNA in its ATP-bound state and single-stranded DNA in its apo state.

Non-invasive Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Clinical Trial (N-TA(3)CT): Design of a Phase IIb, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial of doxycycline for the reduction of growth of small abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Objectives: The Non-Invasive Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Clinical Trial (N-TA(3)CT) is a Phase IIb randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, testing doxycycline (100mg bid) for inhibition of growth in the greatest transverse, orthogonal diameter of small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

Methods: We will enroll 258 patients, ≥55years of age who have AAA, men: 3.5-5.

Clinical relevance of the discrepancy in phenylalanine concentrations analyzed using tandem mass spectrometry compared with ion-exchange chromatography in phenylketonuria.

Introduction: Metabolic control of phenylketonuria (PKU) and compliance with the low-phenylalanine (phe) diet are frequently assessed by measuring blood phe concentrations in dried blood spots (DBS) collected by patients instead of plasma phe concentrations.

Objective: Our objective was to investigate the difference in blood phe concentrations in DBS collected by subjects and analyzed using either a validated newborn screening tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) protocol or ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) compared to plasma phe concentrations obtained simultaneously and analyzed using IEC.

Design: Three to four fasting blood samples were obtained from 29 subjects with PKU, ages 15-49 years.

Andrographolide Ameliorates Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression by Inhibiting Inflammatory Cell Infiltration through Downregulation of Cytokine and Integrin Expression.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), characterized by exuberant inflammation and tissue deterioration, is a common aortic disease associated with a high mortality rate. There is currently no established pharmacological therapy to treat this progressive disease. Andrographolide (Andro), a major bioactive component of the herbaceous plant Andrographis paniculata, has been found to exhibit potent anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activity in several disease models.

Changes in land use, climate and the environment during a period of rapid economic development in Jiangsu Province, China.

Understanding changes in climate and environment on a regional scale can provide useful guidance for regional socio-economic development. The present study characterizes changes in the environment, climate, land use and cover types via in situ observed, statistical data and remote sensing images for Jiangsu Province, China, during the period 1980-2012. Statistical and spatial analyses indicate that the pace of urbanization in southern Jiangsu is more rapid than that in northern Jiangsu.

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) contributes to the development of vascular inflammation by regulating monocytic cell motility in mouse models of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Rationale: Histological examination of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) tissues demonstrates extracellular matrix destruction and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Previous work with mouse models of AAA has shown that anti-inflammatory strategies can effectively attenuate aneurysm formation. Thrombospondin-1 is a matricellular protein involved in the maintenance of vascular structure and homeostasis through the regulation of biological functions, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and adhesion.

PET Imaging of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with 64Cu-Labeled Anti-CD105 Antibody Fab Fragment.

Unlabelled: The critical challenge in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) research is the accurate diagnosis and assessment of AAA progression. Angiogenesis is a pathologic hallmark of AAA, and CD105 is highly expressed on newly formed vessels. Our goal was to use (64)Cu-labeled anti-CD105 antibody Fab fragment for noninvasive assessment of angiogenesis in the aortic wall in a murine model of AAA.

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 contributes to abdominal aortic aneurysms via smooth muscle cell necrosis and inflammation.

Rationale: Depletion of medial smooth muscle cell (SMC) is a major pathological characteristic of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), although the mechanism by which these cells are eliminated remains incompletely understood. We reasoned that necroptosis, a recently described form of necrosis mediated by receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3), may contribute to AAA pathology through the induction of SMC death and the significant production of inflammatory cytokines.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that RIP3-mediated necroptosis is actively involved in aneurysm pathogenesis.

Murine abdominal aortic aneurysm model by orthotopic allograft transplantation of elastase-treated abdominal aorta.

Objective: Murine models have proved instrumental in studying various aspects of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), from identification of underlying pathophysiologic changes to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In the current study, we describe a new model in which an elastase-treated donor aorta is transplanted to a recipient mouse and allowed to progress to aneurysm. We hypothesized that by transplanting an elastase-treated abdominal aorta of one genotype to a recipient mouse of a different genotype, one can differentiate pathophysiologic factors that are intrinsic to the aortic wall from those stemming from circulation and other organs.

Analysis of multiple genetic polymorphisms in aggressive-growing and slow-growing abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Background: The natural history of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) suggests that some remain slow in growth rate whereas many develop a more accelerated growth rate and reach a threshold for intervention. We hypothesized that different mechanisms are responsible for AAAs that remain slow growing and never become actionable vs the aggressive AAAs that require intervention and may be reflected by distinct associations with genetic polymorphisms.

Methods: AAA growth rate was determined from serial imaging data in 168 control and 141 AAA patients with ultrasound or computed tomography imaging studies covering ∼5 years.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) regulates macrophage cytotoxicity in abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Aims: In abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), macrophages are detected in the proximity of aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs). We have previously demonstrated in a murine model of AAA that apoptotic SMCs attract monocytes and other leukocytes by producing MCP-1. Here we tested whether infiltrating macrophages also directly contribute to SMC apoptosis.

Rehospitalization to primary versus different facilities following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: Reducing readmissions represents a unique opportunity to improve care and reduce health care costs and is the focus of major payers. A large number of surgical patients are readmitted to hospitals other than where the primary surgery was performed, resulting in clinical decisions that do not incorporate the primary surgeon and potentially alter outcomes. This study characterizes readmission to primary vs different hospitals after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair and examines the implications with regard to mortality and cost.

Postdischarge outcomes after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: Perioperative outcomes after endovascular repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) have been rigorously studied; however, inpatient and postdischarge outcomes have not been separately analyzed. The objective of this study was to examine postdischarge 30-day outcomes after elective EVAR.

Methods: Patients who underwent an elective EVAR for AAA (n = 11,229) were identified from the American College of Surgeons 2005-2010 National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database.

Readmission after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: what does it mean?

Thirty-day readmission is common after AAA repair, an d postoperative events are strong predictors of readmission after adjusting for comorbidity. In addition, readmission is strongly associated with 1-year mortality. Considering the current evidence for readmission after AAA repair, improved coordination of care across the inpatient, transitional care, and outpatient settings, with active surveillance for procedure-specific (EVAR vs open) postoperative complications, may prevent some early readmissions.

Aneurysmal disease: the abdominal aorta.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Approximately 80% of AAAs occur in the infrarenal abdominal aorta. Most are caused by a degenerative process in the aortic wall, and smoking is the risk factor most strongly associated with AAA.

Clinical implications of non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography for follow-up after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Background: There is growing concern over the long-term radiation exposure from serial computed tomographic (CT) scan follow-up after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Screening for endoleaks with non-contrast-enhanced volumetric CT has been shown to significantly reduce radiation doses. We evaluated the use of NCT as the primary method of follow-up after EVAR of AAAs.

Strong contributions from vertical triads to helix-partner preferences in parallel coiled coils.

Pairing preferences in heterodimeric coiled coils are determined by complementarities among side chains that pack against one another at the helix-helix interface. However, relationships between dimer stability and interfacial residue identity are not fully understood. In the context of the "knobs-into-holes" (KIH) packing pattern, one can identify two classes of interactions between side chains from different helices: "lateral", in which a line connecting the adjacent side chains is perpendicular to the helix axes, and "vertical", in which the connecting line is parallel to the helix axes.

Causes and implications of readmission after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: To determine the frequency, causes, predictors, and consequences of 30-day readmission after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

Background Data: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will soon reduce total Medicare reimbursements for hospitals with higher-than-predicted 30-day readmission rates after vascular surgical procedures, including AAA repair. However, causes and factors leading to readmission in this population have never before been systematically analyzed.

Elevated protein kinase C-δ contributes to aneurysm pathogenesis through stimulation of apoptosis and inflammatory signaling.

Objective: Apoptosis of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is a prominent pathological characteristic of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We have previously shown that SMC apoptosis stimulates proinflammatory signaling in a mouse model of AAA. Here, we test whether protein kinase C-δ (PKCδ), an apoptotic mediator, participates in the pathogenesis of AAA by regulating apoptosis and proinflammatory signals.