bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multimodal evaluation of CSF dynamics following extradural decompression for Chiari malformation Type I
Authors: Quon Jennifer L. , Grant Ryan A. , DiLuna Michael L.
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

Extradural decompression is a minimally invasive technique for treating Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I) that avoids the complications of dural opening. While there is no agreement on which surgical method is optimal, mounting evidence demonstrates that extradural decompression effectively treats clinical symptoms, with a minimal reoperation rate. Neurological symptoms such as headache may be related to obstructed flow of CSF, and one aspect of successful extradural decompression is improved CSF dynamics. In this series, the authors report on their use of phase-contrast cine flow MRI to assess CSF flow as well as satisfactory decompression.

METHODS

The authors describe their first surgical series of 18 patients with CM-I undergoing extradural decompression and correlate clinical improvement with radiological changes. Patients were categorized as having complete, partial, or no resolution of their symptoms. Posterior fossa area, cisterna magna area, and tonsillar herniation were assessed on T2-weighted MRI, whereas improvement of CSF flow was evaluated with phase-contrast cine flow MRI. All patients received standard pre- and postoperative MRI studies; 8 (44.4%) patients had pre- and postoperative phase-contrast cine, while the rest underwent cine studies only postoperatively.

RESULTS

All 18 patients presented with symptomatic CM-I, with imaging studies demonstrating tonsillar herniation ≥ 5 mm, and 2 patients had associated syringomelia. All patients underwent suboccipital decompression and C-1 laminectomy with splitting of the dura. Patients with complete resolution of their symptoms had a greater relative increase in cisterna magna area compared with those with only partial improvement (p = 0.022). In addition, in those with complete improvement the preoperative cisterna magna area was smaller than in those who had either partial (0.020) or no (0.025) improvement. Ten (91%) of the 11 patients with improved flow also had improvement in their symptoms. There was 1 postoperative complication of dysphagia and dysphonia. None of the patients have required a second operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Extradural decompression has the potential to be the first-line treatment for CM-I but has been lacking an objective measure by which to assess surgical success as well as the need for reoperation. An increase in the CSF spaces and improved CSF dynamics may be associated with resolution of clinical symptoms. Including cine imaging as part of routine pre- and postoperative evaluation can help identify which patients are most likely to benefit from surgery.
Risk factors for traumatic blunt cerebrovascular injury diagnosed by computed tomography angiography in the pediatric population: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ravindra Vijay M. , Riva-Cambrin Jay , Sivakumar Walavan , Metzger Ryan R. , Bollo Robert J.
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is frequently used to examine patients for blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) after cranial trauma, but the pediatric population at risk for BCVI is poorly defined. Although CTA is effective for BCVI screening in adults, the increased lifetime risk for malignant tumors associated with this screening modality warrants efforts to reduce its use in children. The authors' objective was to evaluate the incidence of BCVI diagnosed by CTA in a pediatric patient cohort and to create a prediction model to identify children at high risk for BCVI.

METHODS

Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data were collected retrospectively for pediatric patients who underwent CTA during examination for traumatic cranial injury from 2003 through 2013. The primary outcome was injury to the carotid or vertebral artery diagnosed by CTA.

RESULTS

The authors identified 234 patients (mean age 8.3 years, range 0.04–17 years, 150 [64%] boys) who underwent CTA screening for BCVI. Of these, 24 (10.3%) had a focal neurological deficit, and 153 (65.4%) had intracranial hemorrhage on a head CTA. Thirty-seven BCVIs were observed in 36 patients (15.4%), and 16 patients (6.8%) died. Multivariate regression analysis identified fracture through the carotid canal, petrous temporal bone fracture, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of < 8, focal neurological deficit, and stroke on initial CT scan as independent risk factors for BCVI. A prediction model for identifying children at high risk for BCVI was created. A score of ≤ 2 yielded a 7.9% probability of BCVI and a score of ≥ 3 a risk of 39.3% for BCVI.

CONCLUSIONS

For cranial trauma in children, fracture of the petrous temporal bone or through the carotid canal, focal neurological deficit, stroke, and a GCS score of < 8 are independent risk factors for BCVI.
Augmented reality–guided neurosurgery: accuracy and intraoperative application of an image projection technique
Authors: Besharati Tabrizi Leila , Mahvash Mehran
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

An augmented reality system has been developed for image-guided neurosurgery to project images with regions of interest onto the patient's head, skull, or brain surface in real time. The aim of this study was to evaluate system accuracy and to perform the first intraoperative application.

METHODS

Images of segmented brain tumors in different localizations and sizes were created in 10 cases and were projected to a head phantom using a video projector. Registration was performed using 5 fiducial markers. After each registration, the distance of the 5 fiducial markers from the visualized tumor borders was measured on the virtual image and on the phantom. The difference was considered a projection error. Moreover, the image projection technique was intraoperatively applied in 5 patients and was compared with a standard navigation system.

RESULTS

Augmented reality visualization of the tumors succeeded in all cases. The mean time for registration was 3.8 minutes (range 2–7 minutes). The mean projection error was 0.8 ± 0.25 mm. There were no significant differences in accuracy according to the localization and size of the tumor. Clinical feasibility and reliability of the augmented reality system could be proved intraoperatively in 5 patients (projection error 1.2 ± 0.54 mm).

CONCLUSIONS

The augmented reality system is accurate and reliable for the intraoperative projection of images to the head, skull, and brain surface. The ergonomic advantage of this technique improves the planning of neurosurgical procedures and enables the surgeon to use direct visualization for image-guided neurosurgery.
Combined noninvasive language mapping by navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation and functional MRI and its comparison with direct cortical stimulation
Authors: Ille Sebastian , Sollmann Nico , Hauck Theresa , Maurer Stefanie , Tanigawa Noriko , Obermueller Thomas , Negwer Chiara , Droese Doris , Zimmer Claus , Meyer Bernhard , Ringel Florian , Krieg Sandro M.
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

Repetitive navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is now increasingly used for preoperative language mapping in patients with lesions in language-related areas of the brain. Yet its correlation with intraoperative direct cortical stimulation (DCS) has to be improved. To increase rTMS's specificity and positive predictive value, the authors aim to provide thresholds for rTMS's positive language areas. Moreover, they propose a protocol for combining rTMS with functional MRI (fMRI) to combine the strength of both methods.

METHODS

The authors performed multimodal language mapping in 35 patients with left-sided perisylvian lesions by using rTMS, fMRI, and DCS. The rTMS mappings were conducted with a picture-to-trigger interval (PTI, time between stimulus presentation and stimulation onset) of either 0 or 300 msec. The error rates (ERs; that is, the number of errors per number of stimulations) were calculated for each region of the cortical parcellation system (CPS). Subsequently, the rTMS mappings were analyzed through different error rate thresholds (ERT; that is, the ER at which a CPS region was defined as language positive in terms of rTMS), and the 2-out-of-3 rule (a stimulation site was defined as language positive in terms of rTMS if at least 2 out of 3 stimulations caused an error). As a second step, the authors combined the results of fMRI and rTMS in a predefined protocol of combined noninvasive mapping. To validate this noninvasive protocol, they correlated its results to DCS during awake surgery.

RESULTS

The analysis by different rTMS ERTs obtained the highest correlation regarding sensitivity and a low rate of false positives for the ERTs of 15%, 20%, 25%, and the 2-out-of-3 rule. However, when comparing the combined fMRI and rTMS results with DCS, the authors observed an overall specificity of 83%, a positive predictive value of 51%, a sensitivity of 98%, and a negative predictive value of 95%.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison with fMRI, rTMS is a more sensitive but less specific tool for preoperative language mapping than DCS. Moreover, rTMS is most reliable when using ERTs of 15%, 20%, 25%, or the 2-out-of-3 rule and a PTI of 0 msec. Furthermore, the combination of fMRI and rTMS leads to a higher correlation to DCS than both techniques alone, and the presented protocols for combined noninvasive language mapping might play a supportive role in the language-mapping assessment prior to the gold-standard intraoperative DCS.
Wie viel Wildnis für die Schweiz? Ein Diskussionsbeitrag (Essay)
Authors: Broggi Mario F.
Published: March 2015

How much wilderness in Switzerland? A contribution to the debate (essay)

In national biodiversity strategies, various goals are proposed for how much wilderness there should be, and how much forest should be left to develop according to natural ecosystem processes. This article aims to quantify these objectives. It presents and discusses the state of knowledge about the need for wilderness, the potential to satisfy this need, and the necessary minimum size for wilderness areas. On this basis, it calculates how much wilderness is desirable and possible in Switzerland. For wilderness areas in category Ib of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), a minimum size of 1,000 ha in the Alpine region and 500 ha in the rest of the country is proposed. These areas should be distributed according to ecosystem type and cover about 8% of the land area.
Unterirdische Kontinuität und Pilzvielfalt alter Waldstandorte
Authors: Winter Susanne , Lüderitz Matthias , Rzanny Michael
Published: March 2015

Underground continuity and fungi diversity of old forest sites

Old-growth forests (old stands) and ancient forests (historically old forest sites) in general provide a higher biodiversity (number of species) than comparable younger ones. Thus the forest and forest site history in terms of continuity is fundamental for the biodiversity status. Underground continuity comprises several aspects, each of which impacts the biodiversity: continuity of carbon and nitrogen storage, undisturbed ageing of the ground surface (large terrestrial bryophyte cushions and lichen turfs), uninterrupted soil hydrological processes, continuity of natural processes such as bio- and cryoturbation, continuity of soil development and geological layers as well as underground and above ground structural diversity. We describe two approaches for assessing underground continuity. The first is based on records of indicator fungi species (signal species), and the second considers structural surface components. We show the relation between fungi species indicating forest continuity and total fungi diversity without signal species at plot level (500 m2) considering a continuity index and the classification of a regression tree. Finally we conclude that 1) the conservation of forests with long continuity should be prioritized as the high fungi species diversity of these sites contributes greatly to biodiversity, and 2) the underground diversity should be markedly considered in forest monitoring schemes.
Bioinformatics: a promising field for Medical Biochemists
Authors: Majumder Manojit
Published: March 2015

Abstract not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v7i2.22410 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2014; 7(2): 39-40
Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Serum Lipid Profile of Bangladeshi Female Volunteers
Authors: Akhtaruzzaman M , Hoque N , Choudhury MBK , Uddin MM Jamal , Parvin T
Published: March 2015

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of fasting for a period of one month during Ramadan on the lipid profile of Bangladeshi female volunteers who fasted during the Arabic month of Ramadan, when there occurs a change, both in the pattern and timing of dietary intake. Findings of the study showed that Ramadan fast significantly reduced serum Total cholesterol (TC) (p=0.030) and Low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) (p=0.011). A statistically nonsignificant elevation of triglyceride (TG)) was observed (p=0.598). High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) also found to be raised significantly at the end of fasting (p = 0.037). Findings of the study revealed that fasting during the month of Ramadan changes lipid profile pattern in an aniatherogenic direction and may be beneficial to health. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v7i2.22412 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2014; 7(2): 47-51
Blood Lipid Profile in Acute Coronary Syndrome and Chronic Stable Angina Patients
Authors: Parvin T , Rahman MH , Ferdousi S , Shahnaz A , Mahal M , Ahmed SF , Ferdous BA , Hussain DAS
Published: March 2015

This study was designed to compare the blood lipid profile and conventional cardiovascular risk factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and chronic stable angina (CSA). A total of 110 patients, 55 of which were of ACS and 55 with chronic stable angina (CSA) who underwent coronary angiography in the Department of Cardiology, BSMMU, Dhaka were enrolled for the study. Lipid profile and age, sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking habit, family history of premature coronary artery diseases (CAD) of the patients were recorded and compared. Mean±SD age of the studied patients was 52.2±10 years. Prevalence of diabetes mellitus (p<0.05) and hypertension (p <0.05) was significantly higher in patients with CSA than that with ACS. Frequency of hyperlipidemia, smoking habit and family history of CAD was similar between groups. Patients with CSA had significantly higher triple vessel diseases (TVD) (p < 0.001) and significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) (p < 0.05) compared to that of patients with ACS. ACS patients had significantly higher single vessel diseases (SVD) (p <0.001) compared to that of CSA but the distribution of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), total cholesterol and triglycerides were variable between groups. This study showed that CSA patients had substantially higher frequency of having some CVD risk factors with alteration in certain lipid profile parameters and higher number of triple vessels disease than patients with ACS. This might aid in selecting appropriate criteria for angiographic evaluation and better management of patients with coronary artery diseases. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v7i2.22413 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2014; 7(2): 52-56
Metabolic Syndrome in Hypothyroid Patients
Authors: Haque R , Ferdousi S , Ferdousi SS , Rahman W , Uddin MN , Hoque MM
Published: March 2015

Thyroid functions affect metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters including blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, serum triglycerides and HDL-Cholesterol. But the relationship between MetS and thyroid functions is yet to be identified clearly. Metabolic syndrome is a state in which most features of hypothyroidism can be seen. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of MetS in hypothyroid patients. Thirty one patients with overt hypothyroidism, 32 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and 58 euthyroid controls were enrolled in this study. NCEP-ATP III criteria was used to diagnose metabolic syndrome. Majority of the participants were in the age group of 30-40 years. Body mass index and waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and serum triglycerides were found to be higher in hypothyroid patients compared to that of euthyroid controls (p<0.001). On the other hand serum HDL-C was found to be significantly lower in hypothyroid patients compared to that of euthyroid controls (p<0.001). Prevalence of MetS was 82.5% in the hypothyroid group and 27.6% in eythyroid controls (p<0.001). No significant difference was found between SCH (81.3%) and overt hypothyroid (86.7%) groups in respect to prevalence of MetS (p<0.05). The findings of the study suggest a need to investigate the presence of hypothyroidism during the management of MetS patients. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v7i2.22414 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2014; 7(2): 57-61
Targeting sTNF/TNFR1 Signaling as a New Therapeutic Strategy
Authors: Fischer Roman , Kontermann Roland , Maier Olaf
Published: March 2015

Deregulation of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plays an important role in the initiation and perpetuation of chronic inflammation and has been implicated in the development of various autoimmune diseases. Accordingly, TNF-inhibitors are successfully used for the treatment of several diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis. However, total inhibition of TNF can cause severe side effects such as an increased risk of inflammation and reactivation of tuberculosis. This is likely due to the different actions of the two TNF receptors. Whereas TNFR1 predominantly promotes inflammatory signaling pathways, TNFR2 mediates immune modulatory functions and promotes tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Therefore, the specific blockage of TNFR1 signaling, either by direct inhibition with TNFR1-selective antagonists or by targeting soluble TNF, which predominantly activates TNFR1, may prevent the detrimental effects associated with total TNF-inhibitors and constitute a next-generation approach to interfere with TNF.
Ceruloplasmin and Hypoferremia: Studies in Burn and Non-Burn Trauma Patients
Authors: Dubick Michael , Barr Johnny , Keen Carl , Atkins James
Published: March 2015

Objective: Normal iron handling appears to be disrupted in critically ill patients leading to hypoferremia that may contribute to systemic inflammation. Ceruloplasmin (Cp), an acute phase reactant protein that can convert ferrous iron to its less reactive ferric form facilitating binding to ferritin, has ferroxidase activity that is important to iron handling. Genetic absence of Cp decreases iron export resulting in iron accumulation in many organs. The objective of this study was to characterize iron metabolism and Cp activity in burn and non-burn trauma patients to determine if changes in Cp activity are a potential contributor to the observed hypoferremia. Material and Methods: Under Brooke Army Medical Center Institutional Review Board approved protocols, serum or plasma was collected from burn and non-burn trauma patients on admission to the ICU and at times up to 14 days and measured for indices of iron status, Cp protein and oxidase activity and cytokines. Results: Burn patients showed evidence of anemia and normal or elevated ferritin levels. Plasma Cp oxidase activity in burn and trauma patients were markedly lower than controls on admission and increased to control levels by day 3, particularly in burn patients. Plasma cytokines were elevated throughout the 14 days study along with evidence of an oxidative stress. No significant differences in soluble transferrin receptor were noted among groups on admission, but levels in burn patients were lower than controls for the first 5 days after injury. Conclusion: This study further established the hypoferremia and inflammation associated with burns and trauma. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show an early decrease in Cp oxidase activity in burn and non-burn trauma patients. The results support the hypothesis that transient loss of Cp activity contributes to hypoferremia and inflammation. Further studies are warranted to determine if decreased Cp activity increases the risk of iron-induced injury following therapeutic interventions such as transfusions with blood that has undergone prolonged storage in trauma resuscitation.
Ni-CeO2/C Catalysts with Enhanced OSC for the WGS Reaction
Authors: Pastor-Pérez Laura , Reina Tomás , Ivanova Svetlana , Centeno Miguel , Odriozola José , Sepúlveda-Escribano Antonio
Published: March 2015

In this work, the WGS performance of a conventional Ni/CeO2 bulk catalyst is compared to that of a carbon-supported Ni-CeO2 catalyst. The carbon-supported sample resulted to be much more active than the bulk one. The higher activity of the Ni-CeO2/C catalyst is associated to its oxygen storage capacity, a parameter that strongly influences the WGS behavior. The stability of the carbon-supported catalyst under realistic operation conditions is also a subject of this paper. In summary, our study represents an approach towards a new generation of Ni-ceria based catalyst for the pure hydrogen production via WGS. The dispersion of ceria nanoparticles on an activated carbon support drives to improved catalytic skills with a considerable reduction of the amount of ceria in the catalyst formulation.
Recent Advances in Carbon Supported Metal Nanoparticles Preparation for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Low Temperature Fuel Cells
Authors: Holade Yaovi , Sahin Nihat , Servat Karine , Napporn Teko , Kokoh Kouakou
Published: March 2015

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is the oldest studied and most challenging of the electrochemical reactions. Due to its sluggish kinetics, ORR became the major contemporary technological hurdle for electrochemists, as it hampers the commercialization of fuel cell (FC) technologies. Downsizing the metal particles to nanoscale introduces unexpected fundamental modifications compared to the corresponding bulk state. To address these fundamental issues, various synthetic routes have been developed in order to provide more versatile carbon-supported low platinum catalysts. Consequently, the approach of using nanocatalysts may overcome the drawbacks encountered in massive materials for energy conversion. This review paper aims at summarizing the recent important advances in carbon-supported metal nanoparticles preparation from colloidal methods (microemulsion, polyol, impregnation, Bromide Anion Exchange…) as cathode material in low temperature FCs. Special attention is devoted to the correlation of the structure of the nanoparticles and their catalytic properties. The influence of the synthesis method on the electrochemical properties of the resulting catalysts is also discussed. Emphasis on analyzing data from theoretical models to address the intrinsic and specific electrocatalytic properties, depending on the synthetic method, is incorporated throughout. The synthesis process-nanomaterials structure-catalytic activity relationships highlighted herein, provide ample new rational, convenient and straightforward strategies and guidelines toward more effective nanomaterials design for energy conversion.
Multi-Scale Entropy Analysis as a Method for Time-Series Analysis of Climate Data
Authors: Balzter Heiko , Tate Nicholas , Kaduk Jörg , Harper David , Page Susan , Morrison Ross , Muskulus Michael , Jones Phil
Published: March 2015

Evidence is mounting that the temporal dynamics of the climate system are changing at the same time as the average global temperature is increasing due to multiple climate forcings. A large number of extreme weather events such as prolonged cold spells, heatwaves, droughts and floods have been recorded around the world in the past 10 years. Such changes in the temporal scaling behaviour of climate time-series data can be difficult to detect. While there are easy and direct ways of analysing climate data by calculating the means and variances for different levels of temporal aggregation, these methods can miss more subtle changes in their dynamics. This paper describes multi-scale entropy (MSE) analysis as a tool to study climate time-series data and to identify temporal scales of variability and their change over time in climate time-series. MSE estimates the sample entropy of the time-series after coarse-graining at different temporal scales. An application of MSE to Central European, variance-adjusted, mean monthly air temperature anomalies (CRUTEM4v) is provided. The results show that the temporal scales of the current climate (1960–2014) are different from the long-term average (1850–1960). For temporal scale factors longer than 12 months, the sample entropy increased markedly compared to the long-term record. Such an increase can be explained by systems theory with greater complexity in the regional temperature data. From 1961 the patterns of monthly air temperatures are less regular at time-scales greater than 12 months than in the earlier time period. This finding suggests that, at these inter-annual time scales, the temperature variability has become less predictable than in the past. It is possible that climate system feedbacks are expressed in altered temporal scales of the European temperature time-series data. A comparison with the variance and Shannon entropy shows that MSE analysis can provide additional information on the statistical properties of climate time-series data that can go undetected using traditional methods.
Effects of Topographic and Soil Factors on Woody Species Assembly in a Chinese Subtropical Evergreen Broadleaved Forest
Authors: Zhao Lijuan , Xiang Wenhua , Li Jiaxiang , Lei Pifeng , Deng Xiangwen , Fang Xi , Peng Changhui
Published: March 2015

Evergreen broadleaved forests in subtropical China contain a complicated structure of diverse species. The impact of topographic and soil factors on the assembly of woody species in the forest has been poorly understood. We used Ripley’s K(t) function to analyze the spatial patterns and associations of dominant species and residual analysis (RDA) to quantify the contribution of topography and soil to species assembly. The 1 ha plot investigated had 4797 stems with a diameter at breast height (dbh) larger than 1 cm that belong to 73 species, 55 genera, and 38 families. All stems of the entire forest and four late successional species exhibited a reversed J shape for dbh distribution, while two early successional species showed a unimodal shape. Aggregation was the major spatial pattern for entire forests and dominant species across vertical layers. Spatial associations between inter- and intra-species were mostly independent. Topographic and soil factors explained 28.1% of species assembly. The forest was close to late succession and showed the characteristics of diverse woody species, high regeneration capacity, and aggregated spatial patterns. Topographic and soil factors affected species assembly, but together they could only explain a small part of total variance.
Role of Mecp2 in Experience-Dependent Epigenetic Programming
Authors: Zimmermann Christoph , Hoffmann Anke , Raabe Florian , Spengler Dietmar
Published: March 2015

Mutations in the X-linked gene MECP2, the founding member of a family of proteins recognizing and binding to methylated DNA, are the genetic cause of a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder in humans, called Rett syndrome. Available evidence suggests that MECP2 protein has a critical role in activity-dependent neuronal plasticity and transcription during brain development. Moreover, recent studies in mice show that various posttranslational modifications, notably phosphorylation, regulate Mecp2’s functions in learning and memory, drug addiction, depression-like behavior, and the response to antidepressant treatment. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis drives the stress response and its deregulation increases the risk for a variety of mental disorders. Early-life stress (ELS) typically results in sustained HPA-axis deregulation and is a major risk factor for stress related diseases, in particular major depression. Interestingly, Mecp2 protein has been shown to contribute to ELS-dependent epigenetic programming of Crh, Avp, and Pomc, all of these genes enhance HPA-axis activity. Hereby ELS regulates Mecp2 phosphorylation, DNA binding, and transcriptional activities in a tissue-specific and temporospatial manner. Overall, these findings suggest MECP2 proteins are so far underestimated and have a more dynamic role in the mediation of the gene-environment dialog and epigenetic programming of the neuroendocrine stress system in health and disease.
Hologram QSAR Models of a Series of 6-Arylquinazolin-4-Amine Inhibitors of a New Alzheimer’s Disease Target: Dual Specificity Tyrosine-Phosphorylation-Regulated Kinase-1A Enzyme
Authors: Leal Felipe , Da Silva Lima Camilo , De Alencastro Ricardo , Castro Helena , Rodrigues Carlos , Albuquerque Magaly
Published: March 2015

Dual specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase-1A (DYRK1A) is an enzyme directly involved in Alzheimer’s disease, since its increased expression leads to β-amyloidosis, Tau protein aggregation, and subsequent formation of neurofibrillary tangles. Hologram quantitative structure-activity relationship (HQSAR, 2D fragment-based) models were developed for a series of 6-arylquinazolin-4-amine inhibitors (36 training, 10 test) of DYRK1A. The best HQSAR model (q2 = 0.757; SEcv = 0.493; R2 = 0.937; SE = 0.251; R2pred = 0.659) presents high goodness-of-fit (R2 > 0.9), as well as high internal (q2 > 0.7) and external (R2pred > 0.5) predictive power. The fragments that increase and decrease the biological activity values were addressed using the colored atomic contribution maps provided by the method. The HQSAR contribution map of the best model is an important tool to understand the activity profiles of new derivatives and may provide information for further design of novel DYRK1A inhibitors.
Mechanistic Studies on the Dibenzofuran Formation from Phenanthrene, Fluorene and 9–Fluorenone
Authors: Li Shanqing , Zhang Qingzhu
Published: March 2015

We carried out molecular orbital theory calculations for the homogeneous gas‑phase formation of dibenzofuran from phenanthrene, fluorene, 9-methylfluorene and 9-fluorenone. Dibenzofuran will be formed if ∙OH adds to C8a, and the order of reactivity follows as 9-fluorenone > 9-methylfluorene > fluorene > phenanthrene. The oxidations initiated by ClO∙ are more favorable processes, considering that the standard reaction Gibbs energies are at least 21.63 kcal/mol lower than those of the equivalent reactions initiated by ∙OH. The adding of ∙OH and then O2 to phenanthrene is a more favorable route than adding ∙OH to C8a of phenanthrene, when considering the greater reaction extent. The reaction channel from fluorene and O2 to 9-fluorenone and H2O seems very important, not only because it contains only three elementary reactions, but because the standard reaction Gibbs energies are lower than −80.07 kcal/mol.
Film Growth Rates and Activation Energies for Core-Shell Nanoparticles Derived from a CVD Based Aerosol Process
Authors: Weis Frederik , Seipenbusch Martin , Kasper Gerhard
Published: March 2015

Silica core-shell nanoparticles of about 60–120 nm with a closed outer layer of bismuth or molybdenum oxide of 1–10 nm were synthesized by an integrated chemical vapor synthesis/chemical vapor deposition process at atmospheric pressure. Film growth rates and activation energies were derived from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images for a deposition process based on molybdenum hexacarbonyl and triphenyl bismuth as respective coating precursors. Respective activation energies of 123 ± 10 and 155 ± 10 kJ/mol are in good agreement with the literature and support a deposition mechanism based on surface-induced removal of the precursor ligands. Clean substrate surfaces are thus prerequisite for conformal coatings. Integrated aerosol processes are solvent-free and intrinsically clean. In contrast, commercial silica substrate particles were found to suffer from organic residues which hinder shell formation, and require an additional calcination step to clean the surface prior to coating. Dual layer core-shell structures with molybdenum oxide on bismuth oxide were synthesized with two coating reactors in series and showed similar film growth rates.
A Study on the Nourishing Number of Graphs and Graph Powers
Authors: Naduvath Sudev , Augustine Germina
Published: March 2015

Let \(\mathbb{N}_{0}\) be the set of all non-negative integers and \(\mathcal{P}(\mathbb{N}_{0})\) be its power set. Then, an integer additive set-indexer (IASI) of a given graph \(G\) is defined as an injective function \(f:V(G)\to \mathcal{P}(\mathbb{N}_{0})\) such that the induced edge-function \(f^+:E(G) \to\mathcal{P}(\mathbb{N}_{0})\) defined by \(f^+ (uv) = f(u)+ f(v)\) is also injective, where \(f(u)+f(v)\) is the sumset of \(f(u)\) and \(f(v)\). An IASI \(f\) of \(G\) is said to be a strong IASI of \(G\) if \(|f^+(uv)|=|f(u)|\,|f(v)|\) for all \(uv\in E(G)\). The nourishing number of a graph \(G\) is the minimum order of the maximal complete subgraph of \(G\) so that \(G\) admits a strong IASI. In this paper, we study the characteristics of certain graph classes and graph powers that admit strong integer additive set-indexers and determine their corresponding nourishing numbers.
Renewal of the Scope of Medical Sciences
Authors: Chang Yu-Jia
Published: March 2015

From time to time, it is useful to reassess a journal’s purpose, and position it in a way that it can make a significant and unique contribution to the scientific literature. I have recently completed the task of adjusting the scope of Medical Sciences (ISSN 2076-3271; http://www.mdpi.com/journal/medsci), and I believe it is now in an even better position to publish significant work that will be of use and interest to scholars and clinicians within the medical science field.[...]
Screening Antitumor Bioactive Fraction from Sauromatum giganteum (Engl.) Cusimano & Hett and Sensitive Cell Lines with the Serum Pharmacology Method and Identification by UPLC-TOF-MS
Authors: Gao Shi-Yong , Gong Yun-Fei , Sun Qiu-Jia , Bai Jing , Wang Long , Fan Zi-Quan , Sun Yu , Su Yi-Jun , Gang Jian , Ji Yu-Bin
Published: March 2015

Sauromatum giganteum (Engl.) Cusimano & Hett Tuber are used in Chinese folklore medicine for treatment of neoplasms. However, the claim has not been scientifically validated. The aim of the study is to screen the antitumor bioactive fraction of Sauromatum giganteum (Engl.) Cusimano & Hett Tuber and sensitive tumor cell lines using a cytotoxicity assay in vitro and tumor transplantation method in vivo, to support its use in folk medicine. The petroleum ether fraction, chloroform fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, n-butanol fraction and water fraction were successively extracted by turn by the maceration under reflux assay. Screening of antitumor bioactive fraction and sensitive cell lines were measured by MTT assay and the serum pharmacology method, and in vivo the antitumor activities of the active fraction was evaluated by using S180 or H22 tumor-bearing mice model and Kunming mice. The active constituents of ethyl acetate fraction of Sauromatum giganteum (Engl.) Cusimano & Hett were characterized by UPLC-TOF-MS. Compared with control groups, mice serum containing ethyl acetate fraction had a inhibition effect on SMMC-7721 cell, SGC-7901 cell, MCF-7 cell, HeLa cell, A549 cell, HT-29, and MDA-MB-231, respectively, but mice serum containing other four fractions had no different with that of control group. The inhibition capabilities of mice serum containing ethyl acetate fraction on the seven cell lines in descending order is SGC-7901 > SMMC-7721 > MCF-7 > HT-29 > A549 > HeLa > MDA-MB-231. In vivo the inhibition rate of 106, 318, 954 mg/kg·d ethyl acetate fraction dry extract to sarcoma S180 is 15.22%, 26.15% and 40.24%, respectively, and life prolonging rate to hepatoma H22 is 33.61%, 40.16% and 55.74%. A total of 14 compounds were identified in the ethyl acetate fraction of Sauromatum giganteum (Engl.) Cusimano & Hett. The results of the experimental studies proved the antitumor activity of Sauromatum giganteum (Engl.) Cusimano & Hett and supported the traditional use of this plant. These data indicate the potential for the use of ethyl acetate fraction of Sauromatum giganteum (Engl.) Cusimano & Hett Tuber in tumor therapy, anti-tumor activity on cancer cell line in descending order is SGC-7901 > SMMC-7721 > MCF-7 > HT-29 > A549 > HeLa > MDA-MB-231.
New Synthesis Method for Sultone Derivatives: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Biological Evaluation of S-CA
Authors: Li Bi , Yan Wenqiang , Zhang Chenze , Zhang Yuzhong , Liang Miao , Chu Fuhao , Gong Yan , Xu Bing , Wang Penglong , Lei Haimin
Published: March 2015

There has been no remarkable progress in the synthesis of sultones in recent years. To facilitate more detailed studies of this functional group, we found a new method to synthesize the sulfonic acid lactone derivatives and finish its ring-closing reaction. A new sultone derivative, (E)-ethyl 4-oxo-6-styryl-3,4-dihydro-1,2-oxathiine-5-carboxylate 2,2-dioxide (S-CA), was synthesized and structurally identified by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMQC and X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. The new rapid synthesis extended the method of ring-closing reaction of sulfonic acid lactone derivatives. The angiogenesis activities of S-CA were evaluated by the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. It could selectively suppress small angiogenesis in CAM, without influencing either middle and large angiogenesis. In addition, anticancer efficacy of S-CA was evaluated in vivo using a murine sarcoma S180 model. Reduction of the tumor weight and tumor HE staining regions demonstrated that S-CA (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) had potent inhibition effects and a 44.71% inhibitory rate in S180 mice. Moreover, an acute toxicity test showed that the LD50 value of S-CA via intraperitoneal injection was 25.624 mg/kg.
LC-ESI-MS/MS Analysis and Pharmacokinetics of GP205, an Innovative Potent Macrocyclic Inhibitor of Hepatitis C Virus NS3/4A Protease in Rats
Authors: Yang Nan , Sun Qiushi , Xu Zihua , Wang Xiuyun , Zhao Xin , Cao Yuqing , Chen Li , Fan Guorong
Published: March 2015

A high-throughput, sensitive and specific LC-ESI-MS/MS method was established for the quantitative determination of GP205, a potent inhibitor of hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease, in rat. The analyte was isolated from 25 μL plasma sample by 96-well LLE. Good linearity was achieved within the concentration range of 2–5000 ng/mL (r2 > 0.996). The intra- and inter-day precision was less than 10%. The accuracy ranged from 0.8% to 5.5% for GP205 in quality control samples at three levels. GP205 was stable during the analysis and the storage period. The method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of GP205 in Sprague-Dawley rats. The pharmacokinetic profiles of GP205 at three dose levels with oral administration and one dose level with intravenous administration were successfully studied for the first time in SD rats, respectively. After single oral administration of GP205 at the doses of 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg, respectively, Cmax and AUC0-τ were proportional to the doses given. The absolute bioavailability was estimated as 34% based on the AUCs of oral administration at the dose of 5 mg/kg and intravenous administration at the dose of 1 mg/kg. The data presented in this study provides useful information for further study for GP205.
Bioavailability Enhancement of Paclitaxel via a Novel Oral Drug Delivery System: Paclitaxel-Loaded Glycyrrhizic Acid Micelles
Authors: Yang Fu-Heng , Zhang Qing , Liang Qian-Ying , Wang Sheng-Qi , Zhao Bo-Xin , Wang Ya-Tian , Cai Yun , Li Guo-Feng
Published: March 2015

Paclitaxel (PTX, taxol), a classical antitumor drug against a wide range of tumors, shows poor oral bioavailability. In order to improve the oral bioavailability of PTX, glycyrrhizic acid (GA) was used as the carrier in this study. This was the first report on the preparation, characterization and the pharmacokinetic study in rats of PTX-loaded GA micelles The PTX-loaded micelles, prepared with ultrasonic dispersion method, displayed small particle sizes and spherical shapes. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) thermograms indicated that PTX was entrapped in the GA micelles and existed as an amorphous state. The encapsulation efficiency was about 90%, and the drug loading rate could reach up to 7.90%. PTX-loaded GA micelles displayed a delayed drug release compared to Taxol in the in vitro release experiment. In pharmacokinetic study via oral administration, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0→24 h) of PTX-loaded GA micelles was about six times higher than that of Taxol (p < 0.05). The significant oral absorption enhancement of PTX from PTX-loaded GA micelles could be largely due to the increased absorption in jejunum and colon intestine. All these results suggested that GA would be a promising carrier for the oral delivery of PTX.
The Effects of Reduced Gluten Barley Diet on Humoral and Cell-Mediated Systemic Immune Responses of Gluten-Sensitive Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Sestak Karol , Thwin Hazel , Dufour Jason , Aye Pyone , Liu David , Moehs Charles
Published: March 2015

Celiac disease (CD) affects approximately 1% of the general population while an estimated additional 6% suffers from a recently characterized, rapidly emerging, similar disease, referred to as non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). The only effective treatment of CD and NCGS requires removal of gluten sources from the diet. Since required adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) is difficult to accomplish, efforts to develop alternative treatments have been intensifying in recent years. In this study, the non-human primate model of CD/NCGS, e.g., gluten-sensitive rhesus macaque, was utilized with the objective to evaluate the treatment potential of reduced gluten cereals using a reduced gluten (RG; 1% of normal gluten) barley mutant as a model. Conventional and RG barleys were used for the formulation of experimental chows and fed to gluten-sensitive (GS) and control macaques to determine if RG barley causes a remission of dietary gluten-induced clinical and immune responses in GS macaques. The impacts of the RG barley diet were compared with the impacts of the conventional barley-containing chow and the GFD. Although remission of the anti-gliadin antibody (AGA) serum responses and an improvement of clinical diarrhea were noted after switching the conventional to the RG barley diet, production of inflammatory cytokines, e.g., interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) by peripheral CD4+ T helper lymphocytes, persisted during the RG chow treatment and were partially abolished only upon re-administration of the GFD. It was concluded that the RG barley diet might be used for the partial improvement of gluten-induced disease but its therapeutic value still requires upgrading—by co-administration of additional treatments.
Fully Human and Fully Divine: The Birth of Christ and the Role of Mary
Authors: Pederson Ann , Spars-McKee Gretchen , Berndt Elisa , DePerno Morgan , Wehde Emily
Published: March 2015

The task given to us for this article was to offer theological responses to, “Can modern biology interpret the mystery of the birth of Christ?” by Giuseppe Benagiano and Bruno Dallapiccola. We are female Protestant theologians and respond to the issues from this perspective. The Christian confession of the virgin birth of Jesus (stated within the Apostles and Nicene creeds) is a statement of faith that God became incarnate through the power of the Holy Spirit in the flesh of the human Jesus and, likewise, that God continues to become incarnate in our flesh and in the messy details of our lives. The mystery and miracle of the birth of Jesus has much more to do with the incarnation of God in human flesh and in God’s spirit at work in and with Mary, than to do with Mary’s gynecological or parthenogenical mechanisms. The language of mechanism and miracle, in the ways used by the authors, can reduce the mystery and power of the incarnation. Consequently, we would like to offer a theological interpretation of the birth of Jesus and the role of Mary that expresses the mystery and grace of God’s incarnation not only in human nature, but also in all of nature. Our world is God’s home. We cannot comprehend all the ramifications of what is happening in the sciences and technologies of reproduction and development. However, what we do know is that we cannot stop asking questions, seeking answers, and remaining open to being both critical of, and appreciative of, what the sciences are teaching us about being human and creatures of God.
An Approach to Precise Nitrogen Management Using Hand-Held Crop Sensor Measurements and Winter Wheat Yield Mapping in a Mediterranean Environment
Authors: Quebrajo Lucía , Pérez-Ruiz Manuel , Rodriguez-Lizana Antonio , Agüera Juan
Published: March 2015

Regardless of the crop production system, nutrients inputs must be controlled at or below a certain economic threshold to achieve an acceptable level of profitability. The use of management zones and variable-rate fertilizer applications is gaining popularity in precision agriculture. Many researchers have evaluated the application of final yield maps and geo-referenced geophysical measurements (e.g., apparent soil electrical conductivity-ECa) as a method of establishing relatively homogeneous management zones within the same plot. Yield estimation models based on crop conditions at certain growth stages, soil nutrient statuses, agronomic factors, moisture statuses, and weed/pest pressures are a primary goal in precision agriculture. This study attempted to achieve the following objectives: (1) to investigate the potential for predicting winter wheat yields using vegetation measurements (the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index—NDVI) at the beginning of the season, thereby allowing for a yield response to nitrogen (N) fertilizer; and (2) evaluate the feasibility of using inexpensive optical sensor measurements in a Mediterranean environment. A field experiment was conducted in two commercial wheat fields near Seville, in southwestern Spain. Yield data were collected at harvest using a yield monitoring system (RDS Ceres II-volumetric meter) installed on a combine. Wheat yield and NDVI values of 3498 ± 481 kg ha−1 and 0.67 ± 0.04 nm nm−1 (field 1) and 3221 ± 531 kg ha−1 and 0.68 ± 0.05 nm nm−1 (field 2) were obtained. In both fields, the yield and NDVI exhibited a strong Pearson correlation, with rxy = 0.64 and p < 10−4 in field 1 and rxy = 0.78 and p < 10−4 in field 2. The preliminary results indicate that hand-held crop sensor-based N management can be applied to wheat production in Spain and has the potential to increase agronomic N-use efficiency on a long-term basis.
Design of a Mobile Brain Computer Interface-Based Smart Multimedia Controller
Authors: Tseng Kevin , Lin Bor-Shing , Wong Alice , Lin Bor-Shyh
Published: March 2015

Music is a way of expressing our feelings and emotions. Suitable music can positively affect people. However, current multimedia control methods, such as manual selection or automatic random mechanisms, which are now applied broadly in MP3 and CD players, cannot adaptively select suitable music according to the user’s physiological state. In this study, a brain computer interface-based smart multimedia controller was proposed to select music in different situations according to the user’s physiological state. Here, a commercial mobile tablet was used as the multimedia platform, and a wireless multi-channel electroencephalograph (EEG) acquisition module was designed for real-time EEG monitoring. A smart multimedia control program built in the multimedia platform was developed to analyze the user’s EEG feature and select music according his/her state. The relationship between the user’s state and music sorted by listener’s preference was also examined in this study. The experimental results show that real-time music biofeedback according a user’s EEG feature may positively improve the user’s attention state.