Equatorial waves simulated by the NCAR community climate model

The equatorial planetary waves simulated by the NCAR CCM1 general circulation model were investigated in terms of space-time spectral analysis (Kao, 1968; Hayashi, 1971, 1973) and energetic analysis (Hayashi, 1980). These analyses are particularly applied to grid-point data on latitude circles. In order to test some physical factors which may affect the generation of tropical transient planetary waves, three different model simulations with the CCM1 (the control, the no-mountain, and the no-cloud experiments) were analyzed

\u3ci\u3eIn Vivo\u3c/i\u3e Murine Melanoma Tumor Responses to Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field Treatment

High intensity nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF) were applied to melanoma tumors to observe functional and structural biological changes and to investigate the possible molecular mechanisms responsible. An animal model was set up by injecting B16F10 mouse melanoma cells into SKH-1 mice. A treatment (Tx) of 100 pulses: 300 nanosecond duration; 40 kV/cm field strength; at 0.5 Hz rate were delivered to melanoma tumors in 120 mice. The nsPEF Txcaused tumor self-destruction with sharply decreased cell volumes and shrunken nuclei. The apoptotic biochemical tests confirmed nsPEF Tx induced apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. Examination of gross vessel and micro-vessel density indicated direct vascular damage to pre-existing vessels and antiangiogenic consequence on neovascular development concomitant with tumor self-destruction. A five-month survival study on 36 mice showed nsPEF Tx eliminated tumors with no recurrence to the primary site over the five months. In contradistinction to ionization, thermal or electroporation Tx, nsPEFs produced broad impacts on the melanomas in vivo, ranging from DNA fragmentation, caspase activation, nuclear damage, apoptosis induction, damage to pre-existing infra-tumoral vessels and neovascular inhibition. These tumor responses were expressed by histological and biochemical changes in both short and long term trials. The data indicate nsPEF Tx acts as non-chemical, non-thermal and non-ligand stimulus that can ablate melanomas in vivo

The Possible Relationship of Adiponectin and Gestational Weight Gain during Different Stages of Pregnancy Amongst Different Ethnic Groups

Introduction: Gestational Weight Gain (GWG) is defined as weight gain between conception and birth. Adiponectin, a fat derived hormone, has an inverse relationship with weight gain. We investigated the relationship of maternal adiponectin concentration and GWG during different pregnancy stages among ethnic groups. Method: Serum adiponectin levels were measured at entry (week 16) and trimester three (week 28) in pregnant women (n = 1634, age 22.0±5.3, pre-pregnancy BMI 25.7±6.3) which included Hispanic (47%), African American (37%) and Caucasian (16%) women. GWG was measured at week 24, 28, 32, and delivery and was divided into inadequate, adequate, and excessive according to Institute of Medicine guidelines. Multivariable analyses controlling for potential confounding variables were performed. IRB approval was obtained for this study. Results: Adiponectin levels differ among ethnic groups during early and late pregnancy. At entry, Hispanic (17.90±0.32 μg/ml) and African American (16.50±0.37 μg/ml) women have significantly lower levels compared to Caucasian women (19.34±0.57 μg/ml;

Association of Maternal Biomarkers with Gestational Weight Gain and Pre-Eclampsia

Background: There is convincing evidence that excessive gestational weight gain (GWG), based on the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) 2009 guidelines, increases the risk of both maternal and neonatal complications.1-6 Although the association between excessive GWG and pre-eclampsia is well-established, the reason why this association exists remains unclear. Methods: Previously collected data from a cohort of pregnant women in Camden, NJ between the years of 1998-2007 was used to examine the association between maternal serum biomarkers (C-peptide, IGF-1, Insulin and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR)) collected at entry (week 16) and 3rd trimester (week 28) and longitudinally assessed gestational weight gain (GWG) using the IOM guidelines. The relationship between excessive GWG and preeclampsia was also accessed. All analyses were run on SAS v.9.4 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC). Results: This study included 2,418 pregnant women in Camden, NJ between the years 1998-2007. The average maternal age of the cohort was 21.99 (SD = 5.18). The cohort included Hispanic (45.86%), Black( 37.68%), White/Other( 16.46%). This was the first birth for 38.92% of the participants. The average pre-pregnancy BMI was 25.64 (SD = 6.22) and entry blood pressure was 112.20/70.17 (SD = 11.47/8.71). And 18.91% participants reported being smokers. The odds of excessive gestational weight gain was significantly higher at 24, 28, 32 weeks and delivery for those in the highest level (the 4th quartile) compared to lower IGF-1 level (1st-3rd quartiles) (entry adjusted odds ratio: 1.586-1.843, 3rd trimester adjusted odds ratio: 1.505-1.765 ). The odds of excessive gestational weight gain was significantly higher at 24 and 32 weeks and delivery for those in the highest level (the 4th quartile) compared to other quartiles (1st-3rd quartiles) of C-peptide levels during the 3rd trimester (adjusted odds ratio: 1.332-1.467) . Individuals with excessive gestational weight gain at 28 weeks, 32 weeks and delivery had a 56% to 65% increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia compared to those with adequate gestational weight gain (adjusted odds ratio at 28 weeks: 1.561 [95% confidence interval: 1.029-2.369], adjusted odds ratio at 32 weeks: 1.653 [95% confidence interval: 1.078-2.534], adjusted odds ratio at delivery: 1.564 [95% confidence interval: 1.077-2.271]). Women with pre-eclampsia and excessive gestational weight gain at 24 weeks, 28 weeks, 32 weeks and delivery had the highest average levels of C-peptide and IGF-1 at entry to care. There were no consistent results with insulin and HOMA-IR at entry. Conclusion: Higher levels of C-peptide and IGF-1 during 3rd trimester of pregnancy appear to be associated with excessive gestational weight gain and pre-eclampsia. Measures should be taken to monitor and control the levels of these biomarkers in pregnant women to reduce the risk of excessive GWG as well as gestational hypertension

Overview of Clostridium difficile infection: implications for China

The incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) have dramatically increased in the Western world in recent years. In contrast, CDI is rarely reported in China, possibly due to under-diagnosis. This article briefly summarizes CDI incidence, management and preventive strategies. The authors intend to raise awareness of this disease among Chinese physicians and health workers, in order to minimize the medical and economic burden of a potential epidemic in the future