bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LINKING POPULATION DYNAMICS AND DISEASE MODELS FOR MULTI-HOST PATHOGEN SYSTEMS: IMPLICATIONS FOR PATHOGEN AND SPECIES INVASION
Authors: BOKIL V. A. , MANORE C. A.
Published: January 2015

We consider models for the spread of disease in one or two species where density-dependent population dynamics can range from affecting primarily reproduction and juvenile survival to affecting death rates of adults. We show that disease and competition (both intra- and inter-specific) can interact to change the dynamics of a system, resulting in changes in species density, disease invasion and prevalence. Additionally, we show that the mechanism of competition between and within species can affect the ability of a disease to spread and persist. If density dependence acts only on reproduction and juvenile survival rates, disease is more likely to persist, while for the same system if competition acts solely on the survival rate of adults the disease is less likely to successfully invade. This has implications both for conservation and public health, especially as climate change and invasive species change community structure and as zoonotic diseases become more important.
A DELAYED HIV-1 MODEL WITH MULTIPLE TARGET CELLS AND GENERAL NONLINEAR INCIDENCE RATE
Authors: LI BING , LIU SHENGQIANG
Published: January 2015

We investigate a delayed HIV-1 infection model with general nonlinear incidence functions and two classes of target cells: CD4+ T-cells and macrophages. To account for the time lags between viruses' entry into the corresponding two types of target cells and the production of new virus particles, we incorporate four distributed intracellular delays into the model. We show that the basic reproduction number ℜ0 is the sum of the basic reproduction numbers of HIV-1 infection with CD4+ T-cells and that with macrophages; moreover, if ℜ0 is less than or equal to one, then the HIV-1 infection is cleared from the T-cell population and macrophages; whereas if ℜ0 is larger than one, then the viral concentration maintains at some constant level. It is shown, from both our analytic and numeric results, that ignoring the contributions of macrophages to HIV-1 infection and production will underestimate both the risk of HIV-1 infection and the viral load when persisting. This highlights the important effects of multiple target cells on HIV-1 infection.
THE CHICKEN FOOT DIGITAL REPLANT TRAINING MODEL
Authors: Athanassopoulos Thanassi , Loh Charles Yuen Yung
Published: January 2015

A simple, readily available digital replantation model in the chicken foot is described. This high fidelity model will hopefully allow trainees in hand surgery to gain further experience in replant surgery prior to clinical application.
TOTAL PROXIMAL INTERPHALANGEAL JOINT ARTHROPLASTY FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS VERSUS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS — A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Ibrahim Mazin Saad , Jordan Robert W. , Kallala Rami , Koris Jacob , Chakrabarti Indranil
Published: January 2015

Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of the proximal interphalangeal joints (PIPJ) can be treated with arthroplasty, although the complicated anatomy of the joint makes surgery challenging. Controversy exists regarding outcomes in relation to disease aetiology. This study aims to compare functional outcomes and re-operation rates in these two conditions. The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane database and Google scholar were searched in accordance with PRISMA. The study quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomised Studies (MINOR). A total of 16 studies were reviewed including 506 cases in the OA and 542 in the RA group. Five studies assessed function and patient satisfaction, demonstrating a non-significant improvement in the OA group. Five studies reported re-operation rate; three showing it to be lower in the OA group and two reporting similar rates. This review suggests that those undergoing PIPJ arthroplasty for OA may have a better functional outcome and lower re-operation rate.
RADIAL NERVE LACERATIONS — THE OUTCOME OF END-TO-END REPAIRS IN PENETRATING TRAUMA
Authors: Laubscher M. , Held M. , Maree M. , Solomons M.
Published: January 2015

Due to its mostly motor content, repair of the radial nerve is considered to yield favourable results. This is despite the fact that there are limited studies looking at the outcomes of end-to-end repair secondary to sharp penetrating trauma. We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of a series of repaired level 2 and level 3 radial nerves following penetrating stab injuries. Twenty-seven cases with adequate follow-up were included. All the patients underwent direct end-to-end repair. We evaluated the motor recovery of the target muscles using the British Medical Research Council (MRC) grading system. Wrist extension recovered in 93% of cases at a mean of six months. Finger extension recovered in 74% and thumb extension in 52% of cases within the follow-up period. We conclude that end-to-end repair is possible in the majority of level 2 and level 3 radial nerve lacerations secondary to penetrating stab injuries. Acceptable results can be expected.
HAND AND WRIST INJURIES IN PROFESSIONAL COUNTY CRICKET
Authors: Ahearn Nathanael , Bhatia Raj , Griffin Stephen
Published: January 2015

Aim: This study aims to examine the mechanism and subsequent treatment modalities of hand and wrist injuries sustained in a professional cricket team. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected injury data at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club (GCCC) over six seasons (2008–2013). We investigated all injuries sustained, treated by the team lead physiotherapist and senior author. Results: There were a total of 64 injuries recorded, with 55 (86%) hand and 9 (14%) wrist injuries. The little and ring fingers were the most commonly injured, and the most commonly occurring specific injury was distal interphalangeal joint dislocations. The majority of injuries, 33 (52%), occurred during fielding activities. There were a total of 10 fractures (16%), predominantly phalangeal, and only 7 players (11%) had injuries that required operative intervention. Conclusions: The majority of injuries sustained by professional cricketers occur in the little and ring fingers, whilst fielding during match situations. We recommend buddy strapping of little and ring fingers during fielding to prevent injury.
SURGICAL CORRECTION OF ULNAR DEVIATION DEFORMITY OF THE WRIST IN PATIENTS WITH BIRTH BRACHIAL PLEXUS PALSY SEQUELAE
Authors: Bhardwaj Praveen , Parekh Harshil , Venkatramani Hari , Raja Sabapathy S.
Published: January 2015

Ulnar deviation deformity of the wrist in patients with birth brachial plexus palsy is an important cosmetic concern among the patients and their relatives; especially in the patients who have recovered the basic limb functions. Though there is ample literature available regarding the management of the shoulder deformity there is paucity of literature regarding management of wrist ulnar deviation deformity. We report our experience with correction of this deformity in five cases with isolated ulnar deviation deformity without forearm rotational deformity or weakness of the wrist muscles. All the patients underwent extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) to extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) tendon transfer. At a minimum of 18 months follow-up all the patients and their families were satisfied with the cosmetic appearance of the limb. Correction of the deformity improves the appearance of the limb, improves self-confidence of the child, and allows them to integrate well into the society. Interestingly, the patients expressed improvement in their grip strength and overall hand function after this surgery. The notable functions which improved were easy reach of the hand-to-mouth for feeding and easy handling of the things requiring bimanual activities. Although the main aim of this operation was to correct the appearance of the hand it was found to be also functionally useful by the patients and hence we are encouraged to report it for wider use. The results were maintained during the follow-up period of as long as 47 months.
NEW TECHNIQUE "GRAFT REPOSITION ON FLAP" IN ALLEN TYPE IV AMPUTATION: A REPORT OF SIX CASES
Authors: Malshikare Vijay A.
Published: January 2015

Allen type IV fingertip amputations were treated by a modified technique, when the replantation is difficult to be performed or not an option. The pre-existing technique involves nail bed grafting and local flap. In the modified technique, a free bone graft is added, bone and free nail bed repositioned and pulp reconstruction by local flap. This can be best described "graft reposition on flap" (GRF). GRF was found to be simple and cost effective. It allows preservation of finger length and a fully functional and cosmetically acceptable nail.
On Korn’s inequalities on a surface
Authors: Ciarlet Philippe G. , Hou Yifeng , Mardare Cristinel
Published: January 2015

Korn’s inequalities on a surface constitute the keystone for establishing the existence and uniqueness of solutions to various linearly elastic shell problems. As a rule, they are, however, somewhat delicate to establish. After briefly reviewing how such Korn inequalities are classically established, we show that they can be given simpler and more direct proofs in some important special cases, without any recourse to J. L. Lions lemma; besides, some of these inequalities hold on open sets that are only assumed to be bounded. In particular, we establish a new “identity for vector fields defined on a surface”. This identity is then used for establishing new Korn’s inequalities on a surface, whose novelty is that only the trace of the linearized change of curvature tensor appears in their right-hand side.
Learning rates for the risk of kernel-based quantile regression estimators in additive models
Authors: Christmann Andreas , Zhou Ding-Xuan
Published: January 2015

Additive models play an important role in semiparametric statistics. This paper gives learning rates for regularized kernel-based methods for additive models. These learning rates compare favorably in particular in high dimensions to recent results on optimal learning rates for purely nonparametric regularized kernel-based quantile regression using the Gaussian radial basis function kernel, provided the assumption of an additive model is valid. Additionally, a concrete example is presented to show that a Gaussian function depending only on one variable lies in a reproducing kernel Hilbert space generated by an additive Gaussian kernel, but does not belong to the reproducing kernel Hilbert space generated by the multivariate Gaussian kernel of the same variance.
Uncertainty principle for multivector-valued functions
Authors: Fu Yingxiong , Li Luoqing
Published: January 2015

The idea of multiplexing motivates us to develop the theory on the Fourier transform (FT) of multivector-valued functions. In this paper, in the framework of Clifford analysis, we establish a Heisenberg–Pauli–Weyl type uncertainty principle for the FT of multivector-valued functions.
Wavelet analysis on developable surface base on area preserving projection
Authors: Wang Bao Qin , Wang Gang , Zhou Xiao Hui , Su Yu
Published: January 2015

In this paper, a simple method is given in order to construct an area preserving mapping from a developable surface M to a plane. Based on the area preserving projection, we give some important formulas on M, and define a multi-resolution analysis on L2(M). We provide the conditions to further discuss the continuous wavelet transform and discrete wavelet transform on developable surface. At the same time, we derived two-scale equations that the scaling function and wavelet function on developable surface satisfied, we also define and discuss the orthogonality, and several important theorems are given. Finally, we construct the numerical examples. The focus of this paper is the area preserving mapping that from developable surface M to a plane, and the discrete wavelet transform on developable surface.
Myotubes from lean and severely obese subjects with and without type 2 diabetes respond differently to an in vitro model of exercise
Authors: Feng Yuan Z. , Nikolić Nataša , Bakke Siril S. , Kase Eili T. , Guderud Kari , Hjelmesæth Jøran , Aas Vigdis , Rustan Arild C. , Thoresen G. Hege
Published: January 2015

Exercise improves insulin sensitivity and oxidative capacity in skeletal muscles. However, the effect of exercise on substrate oxidation is less clear in obese and type 2 diabetic subjects than in lean subjects. We investigated glucose and lipid metabolism and gene expression after 48 h with low-frequency electrical pulse stimulation (EPS), as an in vitro model of exercise, in cultured myotubes established from lean nondiabetic subjects and severely obese subjects (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) with and without type 2 diabetes. EPS induced an increase in insulin sensitivity but did not improve lipid oxidation in myotubes from severely obese subjects. Thus, EPS-induced increases in insulin sensitivity and lipid oxidation were positively and negatively correlated to BMI of the subjects, respectively. EPS enhanced oxidative capacity of glucose in myotubes from all subjects. Furthermore, EPS reduced mRNA expression of slow fiber-type marker (MYH7) in myotubes from diabetic subjects; however, the protein expression of this marker was not significantly affected by EPS in either of the donor groups. On the contrary, mRNA levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 were unaffected by EPS in myotubes from diabetic subjects, while IL-6 mRNA expression was increased in myotubes from nondiabetic subjects. EPS-stimulated mRNA expression levels of MYH7, IL-6, and IL-8 correlated negatively with subjects' HbA1c and/or fasting plasma glucose, suggesting an effect linked to the diabetic phenotype. Taken together, these data show that myotubes from different donor groups respond differently to EPS, suggesting that this effect may reflect the in vivo characteristics of the donor groups.
l-Carnitine reverses maternal cigarette smoke exposure-induced renal oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in mouse offspring
Authors: Nguyen Long T. , Stangenberg Stefanie , Chen Hui , Al-Odat Ibrahim , Chan Yik L. , Gosnell Martin E. , Anwer Ayad G. , Goldys Ewa M. , Pollock Carol A. , Saad Sonia
Published: January 2015

Maternal smoking is associated with metabolic disorders, renal underdevelopment, and a predisposition to chronic kidney disease in offspring, yet the underlying mechanisms are unclear. By exposing female Balb/c mice to cigarette smoke for 6 wk premating and during gestation and lactation, we showed that maternal smoke exposure induced glucose intolerance, renal underdevelopment, inflammation, and albuminuria in male offspring. This was associated with increased renal oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction at birth and in adulthood. Importantly, we demonstrated that dietary supplementation of l-carnitine, an amino acid shown to increase antioxidant defenses and mitochondrial function in numerous diseases, in smoke-exposed mothers during pregnancy and lactation significantly reversed the detrimental maternal impacts on kidney pathology in these male offspring. It increased SOD2 and glutathione peroxidase 1, reduced ROS accumulation, and normalized levels of mitochondrial preprotein translocases of the outer membrane, and oxidative phosphorylation complexes I–V in the kidneys of mouse progeny after intrauterine cigarette smoke exposure. These findings support the hypothesis that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are closely linked to the adverse effects of maternal smoking on male offspring renal pathology. The results of our study suggest that l-carnitine administration in cigarette smoke-exposed mothers mitigates these deleterious renal consequences.
Identification and function of adenosine A3 receptor in afferent arterioles
Authors: Lu Yan , Zhang Rui , Ge Ying , Carlstrom Mattias , Wang Shaohui , Fu Yiling , Cheng Liang , Wei Jin , Roman Richard J. , Wang Lei , Gao Xichun , Liu Ruisheng
Published: January 2015

Adenosine plays an important role in regulation of renal microcirculation. All receptors of adenosine, A1, A2A, A2B, and A3, have been found in the kidney. However, little is known about the location and function of the A3 receptor in the kidney. The present study determined the expression and role of A3 receptors in mediating the afferent arteriole (Af-Art) response and studied the interaction of A3 receptors with angiotensin II (ANG II), A1 and A2 receptors on the Af-Art. We found that the A3 receptor expressed in microdissected isolated Af-Art and the mRNA levels of A3 receptor were 59% of A1. In the isolated microperfused Af-Art, A3 receptor agonist IB-MECA did not have a constrictive effect. Activation of A3 receptor dilated the preconstricted Af-Art by norepinephrine and blunted the vasoconstrictive effect of both adenosine A1 receptor activation and ANG II on the Af-Art, respectively. Selective A2 receptor antagonist (both A2A and A2B) had no effect on A3 receptor agonist-induced vasodilation, indicating that the dilatory effect of A3 receptor activation is not mediated by activation of A2 receptor. We conclude that the A3 receptor is expressed in the Af-Art, and activation of the A3 receptor dilates the Af-Art.
Glycogen synthase kinase 3α regulates urine concentrating mechanism in mice
Authors: Nørregaard Rikke , Tao Shixin , Nilsson Line , Woodgett James R. , Kakade Vijayakumar , Yu Alan S. L. , Howard Christiana , Rao Reena
Published: January 2015

In mammals, glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3 comprises GSK3α and GSK3β isoforms. GSK3β has been shown to play a role in the ability of kidneys to concentrate urine by regulating vasopressin-mediated water permeability of collecting ducts, whereas the role of GSK3α has yet to be discerned. To investigate the role of GSK3α in urine concentration, we compared GSK3α knockout (GSK3αKO) mice with wild-type (WT) littermates. Under normal conditions, GSK3αKO mice had higher water intake and urine output. GSK3αKO mice also showed reduced urine osmolality and aquaporin-2 levels but higher urinary vasopressin. When water deprived, they failed to concentrate their urine to the same level as WT littermates. The addition of 1-desamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin to isolated inner medullary collecting ducts increased the cAMP response in WT mice, but this response was reduced in GSK3αKO mice, suggesting reduced responsiveness to vasopressin. Gene silencing of GSK3α in mpkCCD cells also reduced forskolin-induced aquaporin-2 expression. When treated with LiCl, an isoform nonselective inhibitor of GSK3 and known inducer of polyuria, WT mice developed significant polyuria within 6 days. However, in GSK3αKO mice, the polyuric response was markedly reduced. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that GSK3α could play a crucial role in renal urine concentration and suggest that GSK3α might be one of the initial targets of Li+in LiCl-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
Amplitude and dynamics of polarization-plane signaling in the central complex of the locust brain
Authors: Bockhorst Tobias , Homberg Uwe
Published: January 2015

The polarization pattern of skylight provides a compass cue that various insect species use for allocentric orientation. In the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, a network of neurons tuned to the electric field vector ( E-vector) angle of polarized light is present in the central complex of the brain. Preferred E-vector angles vary along slices of neuropils in a compasslike fashion (polarotopy). We studied how the activity in this polarotopic population is modulated in ways suited to control compass-guided locomotion. To this end, we analyzed tuning profiles using measures of correlation between spike rate and E-vector angle and, furthermore, tested for adaptation to stationary angles. The results suggest that the polarotopy is stabilized by antagonistic integration across neurons with opponent tuning. Downstream to the input stage of the network, responses to stationary E-vector angles adapted quickly, which may correlate with a tendency to steer a steady course previously observed in tethered flying locusts. By contrast, rotating E-vectors corresponding to changes in heading direction under a natural sky elicited nonadapting responses. However, response amplitudes were particularly variable at the output stage, covarying with the level of ongoing activity. Moreover, the responses to rotating E-vector angles depended on the direction of rotation in an anticipatory manner. Our observations support a view of the central complex as a substrate of higher-stage processing that could assign contextual meaning to sensory input for motor control in goal-driven behaviors. Parallels to higher-stage processing of sensory information in vertebrates are discussed.
Dynamics of 3D view invariance in monkey inferotemporal cortex
Authors: Ratan Murty N. Apurva , Arun Sripati P.
Published: January 2015

Rotations in depth are challenging for object vision because features can appear, disappear, be stretched or compressed. Yet we easily recognize objects across views. Are the underlying representations view invariant or dependent? This question has been intensely debated in human vision, but the neuronal representations remain poorly understood. Here, we show that for naturalistic objects, neurons in the monkey inferotemporal (IT) cortex undergo a dynamic transition in time, whereby they are initially sensitive to viewpoint and later encode view-invariant object identity. This transition depended on two aspects of object structure: it was strongest when objects foreshortened strongly across views and were similar to each other. View invariance in IT neurons was present even when objects were reduced to silhouettes, suggesting that it can arise through similarity between external contours of objects across views. Our results elucidate the viewpoint debate by showing that view invariance arises dynamically in IT neurons out of a representation that is initially view dependent.
Bursting by taste-responsive cells in the rodent brain stem
Authors: Baird John-Paul , Tordoff Michael G. , McCaughey Stuart A.
Published: January 2015

Neurons that fire in bursts have been well-characterized in vision and other neural systems, but not in taste systems. We therefore examined whether brain stem gustatory neurons fire in bursts during spontaneous activity and, if so, whether such cells differ from nonbursting cells in other characteristics. We looked at neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) of C57BL/6ByJ (B6) and 129P3/J (129) mice, and in the NST and parabrachial nucleus (PBN) of Sprague-Dawley rats. Many NST cells fired frequently with short intervals characteristic of bursting, and such neurons differed from others in their responsiveness to taste compounds. In B6 mice and rats, there was a significant positive correlation between the prevalence of short-interval firing and the net spikes evoked by application of NaCl. In contrast, in 129 mice the prevalence of short intervals was positively correlated with the size of sucrose responses. We also compared breadth-of-tuning measures based on counting either all spikes or only those following short intervals, and we found narrower tuning for the latter in the NST of B6 mice and rats. There was little evidence of spontaneous bursting in the rat PBN, and firing patterns in this nucleus were not related to the size of taste-evoked responses. We suggest that bursting may be a strategy employed by the NST to amplify the postsynaptic impact of particular taste stimuli, depending on an animal's needs. Another function may be to sharpen breadth-of-tuning and thus enhance the contrast between stimuli of different taste qualities.
Locomotor training improves reciprocal and nonreciprocal inhibitory control of soleus motoneurons in human spinal cord injury
Authors: Knikou Maria , Smith Andrew C. , Mummidisetty Chaithanya K.
Published: January 2015

Pathologic reorganization of spinal networks and activity-dependent plasticity are common neuronal adaptations after spinal cord injury (SCI) in humans. In this work, we examined changes of reciprocal Ia and nonreciprocal Ib inhibition after locomotor training in 16 people with chronic SCI. The soleus H-reflex depression following common peroneal nerve (CPN) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) nerve stimulation at short conditioning-test (C-T) intervals was assessed before and after training in the seated position and during stepping. The conditioned H reflexes were normalized to the unconditioned H reflex recorded during seated. During stepping, both H reflexes were normalized to the maximal M wave evoked at each bin of the step cycle. In the seated position, locomotor training replaced reciprocal facilitation with reciprocal inhibition in all subjects, and Ib facilitation was replaced by Ib inhibition in 13 out of 14 subjects. During stepping, reciprocal inhibition was decreased at early stance and increased at midswing in American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale C (AIS C) and was decreased at midstance and midswing phases in AIS D after training. Ib inhibition was decreased at early swing and increased at late swing in AIS C and was decreased at early stance phase in AIS D after training. The results of this study support that locomotor training alters postsynaptic actions of Ia and Ib inhibitory interneurons on soleus motoneurons at rest and during stepping and that such changes occur in cases with limited or absent supraspinal inputs.
Attentional trade-offs maintain the tracking of moving objects across saccades
Authors: Szinte Martin , Carrasco Marisa , Cavanagh Patrick , Rolfs Martin
Published: January 2015

In many situations like playing sports or driving a car, we keep track of moving objects, despite the frequent eye movements that drastically interrupt their retinal motion trajectory. Here we report evidence that transsaccadic tracking relies on trade-offs of attentional resources from a tracked object's motion path to its remapped location. While participants covertly tracked a moving object, we presented pulses of coherent motion at different locations to probe the allocation of spatial attention along the object's entire motion path. Changes in the sensitivity for these pulses showed that during fixation attention shifted smoothly in anticipation of the tracked object's displacement. However, just before a saccade, attentional resources were withdrawn from the object's current motion path and reflexively drawn to the retinal location the object would have after saccade. This finding demonstrates the predictive choice the visual system makes to maintain the tracking of moving objects across saccades.
Radiation Processed Carrageenan Improves Plant Growth, Physiological Activities, and Alkaloids Production inCatharanthus roseusL.
Authors: Naeem M. , Idrees Mohd. , Aftab Tariq , Alam M. Masidur , Khan M. Masroor A. , Uddin Moin , Varshney Lalit
Published: January 2015

Catharanthus roseus(L.) G. Don (Apocynaceae) is a medicinal plant that produces indole alkaloids used in cancer chemotherapy. Commercially important antineoplastic alkaloids, namely, vinblastine and vincristine, are mainly present in the leaves ofC. roseus. Gamma-rays irradiated carrageenan (ICR) has been proven as plant growth promoting substance for a number of medicinal and agricultural plants. Considering the importance of ICR as a promoter of plant growth and alkaloids production inC. roseus, a pot experiment was carried out to explore the effect of ICR on the plant growth, physiological activities, and production of anticancer alkaloids inC. roseusat 120 and 150 days after planting (DAP). Foliar application of ICR (at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg L−1) significantly improved the performance ofC. roseus. 80 mg L−1of ICR enhanced the leaf yield by 29.2 and 35.4% and the herbage yield by 32.5 and 37.4% at 120 and 150 DAP, respectively, over the control. The spray of ICR at 80 mg L−1increased the yield of vinblastine by 64.3 and 65.0% and of vincristine by 75.5 and 77.0% at 120 and 150 DAP, respectively, as compared to the control.
The Preventive Effect of Oxytocin to Cisplatin-Induced Neurotoxicity: An Experimental Rat Model
Authors: Akman Tulay , Akman Levent , Erbas Oytun , Terek Mustafa Cosan , Taskiran Dilek , Ozsaran Aydin
Published: January 2015

Peripheral neurotoxicity is a frequent dose-limiting side effect of the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. This study was conducted to investigate the preventive effect of oxytocin (OT) on cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Forty-four adult female rats were included in the study. Thirty-six rats were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) single dose cisplatin 10 mg/kg and divided in to 3 groups. The first group (n=12) received saline i.p., whereas the second group (n=12) and the third group (n=12) were injected with 80 µg/kg and 160 µg/kg OT, respectively, for 10 days. The remaining 8 rats served as the control group. Electromyography (EMG) studies were recorded and blood samples were collected for the measurement of plasma lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and glutathione (GSH) levels. EMG findings revealed that compound muscle action potential amplitude was significantly decreased and distal latency was prolonged in the nontreated cisplatin-injected rats compared with the control group (P<0.005). Also, nontreated cisplatin-injected rats showed significantly higher TNF-αand MDA levels and lower GSH level than control group. The administration of OT significantly ameliorated the EMG alterations, suppressed oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters, and increased antioxidative capacity. We suggest that oxytocin may have beneficial effects against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity.
Vascular Endothelial Injury and Apoptosis in Rats with Severe Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Ge Ning , Xia Qing , Yang Zhong-Hua , Ding Qun-Fang , Zeng Zhi
Published: January 2015

We explored mechanisms of vascular endothelial injury that lead to systemic multiple organ failure by detecting the soluble endothelial protein C receptor (sEPCR), von Willebrand factor (vWF), serum nitric oxide (NO), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and Bcl-2 mRNA and Bax mRNA expression in a severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) rat model. Compared to controls, the levels of TNF-α, vWF, and sEPCR were significantly increased in the experimental group at 12 hours and 24 hours and the NO level was significantly decreased. After 12 hours, the aortic endothelial apoptosis index and Bax mRNA expression in aortic endothelial cells had increased in the experimental group, but Bcl-2 mRNA levels had decreased. All these changes appeared at both 12 h and 24 hours. The results indicated that vascular endothelial injury and apoptosis markers were elevated in SAP. Endothelial injury and increased apoptosis in the experimental group were related to the increased expression of TNF-α.
Identifying Chinese Herbal Medicine Network for Eczema: Implications from a Nationwide Prescription Database
Authors: Chen Hsing-Yu , Lin Yi-Hsuan , Hu Sindy , Yang Sien-hung , Chen Jiun-liang , Chen Yu-Chun
Published: January 2015

Eczema is a highly prevalent dermatological disease that can severely affect the patient’s quality of life. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is commonly used in combination for eczema due to the complicated pathogenesis. This study aimed to identify a CHM network for the treatment of eczema by using a nationwide database. During 2011, 381,282 CHM prescriptions made for eczema (ICD-9-CM 692.x) were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan and analyzed by using association rule mining and social network analysis. Among 661 available CHMs, 44 important combinations were identified. Among the CHM networks, seven clusters with the predominant traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern were recognized. The largest CHM cluster was used to treat the wind-dampness-heat pattern, and Xiao-Feng-San (24.1% of all prescriptions) was the core of this cluster with anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and antiallergic effects.Lonicera japonica(11.0% of all prescriptions) withForsythia suspense(17.0% of all prescriptions) was the most commonly used CHM combination and was also the core treatment for treating the heat pattern, in which an antimicrobial effect is found. CHM network analysis is helpful for TCM doctors or researchers to choose candidates for clinical practice or further studies.
Clinical Significance of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin in Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
Authors: Erturk Ayse , Cure Erkan , Parlak Emine , Cumhur Cure Medine , Baydur Sahin Serap , Yuce Suleyman
Published: January 2015

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), which is an important prognostic marker for sepsis and inflammatory diseases, is mostly released from neutrophils. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) patients are generally neutropenic. We aimed to investigate whether there is a change in serum NGAL level and to investigate its effect on the recovery time (RT) during the course of CCHF. A total of 40 CCHF patients (19 females and 21 males) and 34 healthy controls (17 females and 17 males) were included in the study. The serum NGAL level and biochemical and hematological parameters were checked. The NGAL level of CCHF patients was significantly higher than that of the healthy controls (P<0.001). A multivariate analysis showed that the independent prognostic factor for the prediction of the RT is the NGAL level (odds ratio [OR] 0.3, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 0.1–0.4,P<0.001). An elevated NGAL level was found to be associated with an increased RT in CCHF patients. The NGAL levels of CHHF patients might be elevated due to increased cytokine release, the presence of a tissue injury, and the release of immature neutrophils from the bone marrow into the peripheral stream. This may be a good prognostic factor in CHHF patients.
Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Cisternostomy for Nonneoplastic Sellar Cysts
Authors: Su Yukai , Ishii Yudo , Lin Chien-Min , Tahara Shigeyuki , Teramoto Akira , Morita Akio
Published: January 2015

Background and Importance. Sellar arachnoid cysts and Rathke’s cleft cysts are benign lesions that produce similar symptoms, including optochiasmatic compression, pituitary dysfunction, and headache. Studies have reported the use of various surgical treatment methods for treating these symptoms, preventing recurrence, and minimizing operative complications. However, the postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula and recurrence rate remain significant.Clinical Presentation. In this paper, we present 8 consecutive cases involving arachnoid cysts and Rathke’s cleft cysts, which were managed by using drainage and cisternostomy, the intentional fenestration of the cyst into the subarachnoid space, and then meticulously closing sellar floor using dural sutures. The postoperative images, CSF fistula rate, and the recurrence rate were favorable.Conclusion. We report this technique and discuss the benefit of this minimally invasive approach.
A Precipitation Phenomenon of Titanium Compounds in Aluminum Melts and the Refinement Fading Mechanism of the Al-5Ti-0.62C Master Alloy
Authors: Ding Wanwu , Zhao Wenjun , Xia Tiandong
Published: January 2015

The Al-5Ti-0.62C master alloy was prepared through a method of thermal explosion in molten aluminum. The process of remelting and refining of commercially pure aluminum was conducted, and precipitation samples with different heat-treatment times were obtained. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy (OM), and other techniques were used to analyze the microstructure of the precipitates at the bottom of the samples so as to explore the fading mechanism of Al-Ti-C alloy refinement. The results showed that an obvious precipitation phenomenon of titanium compounds existed in the remelted Al-5Ti-0.62C master alloy and that there were both TiC compounds and TiAl3compounds in the precipitates; in the refined pure aluminum samples, the precipitates were mainly TiC compounds. Precipitation of titanium compounds in aluminum melting is the main cause of fading in the refinement effect of an Al-Ti-C master alloy.
Mechanical Stress Promotes Cisplatin-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Death
Authors: Ziko Laila , Riad Sandra , Amer Momen , Zdero Radovan , Bougherara Habiba , Amleh Asma
Published: January 2015

Cisplatin (CisPt) is a commonly used platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent. Its efficacy is limited due to drug resistance and multiple side effects, thereby warranting a new approach to improving the pharmacological effect of CisPt. A newly developed mathematical hypothesis suggested that mechanical loading, when coupled with a chemotherapeutic drug such as CisPt and immune cells, would boost tumor cell death. The current study investigated the aforementioned mathematical hypothesis by exposing human hepatocellular liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells to CisPt, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and mechanical stress individually and in combination. HepG2 cells were also treated with a mixture of CisPt and carnosine with and without mechanical stress to examine one possible mechanism employed by mechanical stress to enhance CisPt effects. Carnosine is a dipeptide that reportedly sequesters platinum-based drugs away from their pharmacological target-site. Mechanical stress was achieved using an orbital shaker that produced 300 rpm with a horizontal circular motion. Our results demonstrated that mechanical stress promoted CisPt-induced death of HepG2 cells (~35% more cell death). Moreover, results showed that CisPt-induced death was compromised when CisPt was left to mix with carnosine 24 hours preceding treatment. Mechanical stress, however, ameliorated cell death (20% more cell death).
Lower Extremity Function following Partial Calcanectomy in High-Risk Limb Salvage Patients
Authors: Oliver Noah G. , Steinberg John S. , Powers Kelly , Evans Karen K. , Kim Paul J. , Attinger Christopher E.
Published: January 2015

Partial calcanectomy (PC) is an established limb salvage procedure for treatment of deep heel ulceration with concomitant calcaneal osteomyelitis. The purpose of this study is to determine if a relationship exists between the amount of calcaneus removed during PC and the resulting lower extremity function and limb salvage outcomes. Consecutive PC patients were retrospectively divided into two cohorts defined by the amount of calcaneus resected before wound closure: patients in cohort 1 retained = 50% of calcaneus, while patients in cohort 2 underwent resection of >50% of the calcaneus. The Lower Extremity Function Scale (LEFS) was used to assess postoperative lower extremity function. The average amount of calcaneus resected was 13% ± 9.2 (1–39%) and 74% ± 19.5 (51–100) in cohorts 1 and 2, respectively (P<0.0001). Below knee amputation was performed in 7 (28%) and 5 (29%) of subjects in cohorts 1 and 2, respectively (P=1.0). The average LEFS score was 33.9 ± 15.0 for subjects in cohort 1 and 36.2 ± 19.9 for the subjects cohort 2 (P=0.8257) which correlates to “moderate to quite a bit of difficulty.” Our study suggests that regardless of the amount of calcaneus resected, PC provides a viable treatment option for high-risk patients with calcaneal osteomyelitis.
Knowledge of Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Immunization with Hepatitis B Vaccine, Risk Perception, and Challenges to Control Hepatitis among Hospital Workers in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital
Authors: Adekanle Olusegun , Ndububa Dennis A. , Olowookere Samuel Anu , Ijarotimi Oluwasegun , Ijadunola Kayode Thaddeus
Published: January 2015

Background. Studies had reported high rate of hepatitis B infection among hospital workers with low participation in vaccination programmes, especially those whose work exposes them to the risk of HBV infection. The study assessed knowledge of hepatitis B virus infection, risk perception, vaccination history, and challenges to control hepatitis among health workers. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study. Consenting health care workers completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed respondents’ general knowledge of HBV, vaccination history and HBsAg status, risk perception, and challenges to control hepatitis. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results. Three hundred and eighty-two health care workers participated in the study. There were 182 males and 200 females. The respondents comprised 94 (25%) medical doctors, 168 (44%) nurses, 68 (18%) medical laboratory technologists, and 52 (14%) pharmacists. Over 33% had poor knowledge with 35% not immunized against HBV. Predictors of good knowledge include age less than 35 years, male sex, being a medical doctor, previous HBsAg test, and complete HBV immunisation. Identified challenges to control hepatitis include lack of hospital policy (91.6%), poor orientation of newly employed health workers (75.9%), and low risk perception (74.6%). Conclusion. Hospital policy issues and low risk perception of HBV transmission have grave implications for the control of HBV infection.
Effect of Spirulina Intervention on Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Status, and Lipid Profile in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients
Authors: Ismail Md. , Hossain Md. Faruk , Tanu Arifur Rahman , Shekhar Hossain Uddin
Published: January 2015

Background and Objective.Oxidative stress is intimately associated with many diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Study objectives include a comparison of the oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and lipid profile between COPD patients and controls and evaluation of the effect of spirulina intervention on oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and lipid profile of COPD patients.Methods.30 patients with COPD and 20 controls with no respiratory problems were selected. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria were served as the basis of COPD diagnosis. The serum content of malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid hydroperoxide, glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) was measured. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) was also measured. Two different doses, (500 × 2) mg and (500 × 4) mg spirulina, were given to two groups, each of which comprises 15 COPD patients.Results.All targeted blood parameters have significant difference(P=0.000)between COPD patients and controls except triglyceride (TG). Spirulina intake for 30 and 60 days at (500 × 2) mg dose has significantly reduced serum content of MDA, lipid hydroperoxide, and cholesterol(P=0.000)while increasing GSH, Vit C level(P=0.000), and the activity of SOD(P=0.000)and GST(P=0.038). At the same time, spirulina intake for 30 and 60 days at (500 × 4) mg dose has favorable significant effect(P=0.000)on all targeted blood parameters except for HDL(P=0.163).
Geographic Concerns on Flood Climate and Flood Hydrology in Monsoon-Dominated Damodar River Basin, Eastern India
Authors: Ghosh Sandipan , Mistri Biswaranjan
Published: January 2015

In the Lower Gangetic Plain of West Bengal, the furious monsoon flood of Damodar River is a recurrent hydrometeorological phenomenon which is now intensified by the human activities. At present, the flood regulation system of Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) is not capable of managing gigantic inflow water (which appeared as surface runoff and channel flow) coming from the wide fan-shaped upper catchment of Damodar River. As a result, the lower basin of Damodar (covering Barddhaman, Hooghly, and Howrah districts of West Bengal) annually experiences low to high magnitude of floods and overflow condition because the existing canal system, streams, palaeochannels, and Damodar River itself have lost their former carrying capacity to accommodate all excess water within its active domain due to over siltation and drainage congestion. So when the DVC dams are not able to regulate flood flow, then extreme rainfall of prolonged duration over the basin turns the normal situation into devastating flood, like the years of 1978 and 2000 in West Bengal. Identifying the existing problems of lower Damodar River, this paper principally tries to assess the potentiality of flood climate and to estimate the contributing rainfall-runoff, peak discharge, and existing carrying capacity of river in relation to increasing flood risk of lower basin using the quantitative hydrologic expressions.
Effects ofMentha suaveolensEssential Oil onChlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Sessa Rosa , Di Pietro Marisa , De Santis Fiorenzo , Filardo Simone , Ragno Rino , Angiolella Letizia
Published: January 2015

Chlamydia trachomatis, the most common cause of sexually transmitted bacterial infection worldwide, has a unique biphasic developmental cycle alternating between the infectious elementary body and the replicative reticulate body.C. trachomatisis responsible for severe reproductive complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and obstructive infertility. The aim of our study was to evaluate whetherMentha suaveolensessential oil (EOMS) can be considered as a promising candidate for preventingC. trachomatisinfection. Specifically, we investigated thein vitroeffects of EOMS towardsC. trachomatisanalysing the different phases of chlamydial developmental cycle. Our results demonstrated that EOMS was effective towardsC. trachomatis, whereby it not only inactivated infectious elementary bodies but also inhibited chlamydial replication. Our study also revealed the effectiveness of EOMS, in combination with erythromycin, towardsC. trachomatiswith a substantial reduction in the minimum effect dose of antibiotic. In conclusion, EOMS treatment may represent a preventative strategy since it may reduceC. trachomatistransmission in the population and, thereby, reduce the number of new chlamydial infections and risk of developing of severe sequelae.
Hamilton Paths and Cycles in Varietal Hypercube Networks with Mixed Faults
Authors: Zhou Jian-Guang , Xu Jun-Ming
Published: January 2015

This paper considers the varietal hypercube network VQn with mixed faults and shows that VQn contains a fault-free Hamilton cycle provided faults do not exceed n-2 for n⩾2 and contains a fault-free Hamilton path between any pair of vertices provided faults do not exceed n-3 for n⩾3. The proof is based on an inductive construction.
A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of AJG522 versus Standard PEG + E as Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy
Authors: Sagawa Toshihiko , Sato Ken , Tomizawa Taku , Mizuide Masafumi , Yasuoka Hidetoshi , Shimoyama Yasuyuki , Kuribayashi Shiko , Kakizaki Satoru , Kawamura Osamu , Kusano Motoyasu , Yamada Masanobu
Published: January 2015

Polyethylene glycol- (PEG-) based bowel preparations for colonoscopies are often poorly tolerated due to the large volumes of fluid intake required. We compared low-volume “modified” PEG + ascorbic acid (AJG522) with standard PEG with electrolytes (PEG + E) in addition to a stimulant laxative and an agent to improve bowel function for the bowel cleansing before colonoscopy to evaluate its efficacy, safety, and acceptability. Outpatients scheduled to undergo colonoscopy were randomized to receive either AJG522 or PEG + E. Bowel cleansing conditions were assessed via macroscopic fecal findings by blinded and independent investigators. A survey of the patients’ feedback regarding the preparation was conducted by questionnaire. Successful cleansing was achieved in all cases, except for 4 cases in the PEG + E group, at 3 hours after taking the preparation. The fecal properties were significantly clearer in the AJG522 group than in the PEG + E group at 2 hours after taking each preparationP=0.013. Although the total liquid volume of the bowel preparation was not reduced, the AJG522 preparation could significantly reduce the required volume of the preparationP<0.0001. Moreover, the patients in the AJG522 group had better acceptabilityP=0.010. There were no significant differences in the safety profiles between groups (UMIN000013892).