bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Strategies for Identification of Glioma Stem Cells: Adequate or Unsatisfactory?
Authors: Brescia Paola , Richichi Cristina , Pelicci Giuliana
Published: May 2012

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) were isolated in multiple tumor types, including human glioblastomas, and although the presence of surface markers selectively expressed on CSCs can be used to isolate them, no marker/pattern of markers are sufficiently robust to definitively identify stem cells in tumors. Several markers were evaluated for their prognostic value with promising early results, however none of them was proven to be clinically useful in large-scale studies, leading to outstanding efforts to identify new markers. Given the heterogeneity of human glioblastomas further investigations are necessary to identify both cancer stem cell-specific markers and the molecular mechanisms sustaining the tumorigenic potential of these cells to develop tailored treatments. Markers for glioblastoma stem cells such as CD133, CD15, integrin-α6, L1CAM might be informative to identify these cells but cannot be conclusively linked to a stem cell phenotype. Overlap of expression, functional state and morphology of different subpopulations lead to carefully consider the techniques employed so far to isolate these cells. Due to a dearth of methods and markers reliably identifying the candidate cancer stem cells, the isolation/enrichment of cancer stem cells to be therapeutically targeted remains a major challenge.
Additional Interventions to Enhance the Effectiveness of Individual Placement and Support: A Rapid Evidence Assessment
Authors: Boycott Naomi , Schneider Justine , McMurran Mary
Published: May 2012

Topic. Additional interventions used to enhance the effectiveness of individual placement and support (IPS).Aim. To establish whether additional interventions improve the vocational outcomes of IPS alone for people with severe mental illness.Method. A rapid evidence assessment of the literature was conducted for studies where behavioural or psychological interventions have been used to supplement standard IPS. Published and unpublished empirical studies of IPS with additional interventions were considered for inclusion.Conclusions. Six published studies were found which compared IPS alone to IPS plus a supplementary intervention. Of these, three used skills training and three used cognitive remediation. The contribution of each discrete intervention is difficult to establish. Some evidence suggests that work-related social skills and cognitive training are effective adjuncts, but this is an area where large RCTs are required to yield conclusive evidence.
Type and Toxicity of Pesticides Sold for Community Vector Control Use in the Gambia
Authors: Murphy M. W. , Sanderson W. T. , Birch M. E. , Liang F. , Sanyang E. , Canteh M. , Cook T. M. , Murphy S. C.
Published: May 2012

Objectives. The objective of this study was to identify the types of pesticides in circulation at local markets in The Gambia and to determine the proportion of products that were sold as unlabeled pesticides. Methods. One hundred twenty-eight samples sold as pesticides were collected from four local markets throughout The Gambia. Pesticides in the samples were identified by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Findings. Of the 128 samples collected, 115 were unlabeled. Pesticide components in 111 of those unlabeled samples were identified. Approximately 28% of these samples that contained pesticides are banned or restricted in the United States, and about 16% was classified as hazardous by WHO. Conclusions. Based on results for 128 samples, a significant percentage of the pesticide products sold at local markets in The Gambia in 2005 are considered extremely hazardous.
In Vitro Biocompatibility and Osteoblast Differentiation of an Injectable Chitosan/Nano‐Hydroxyapatite/Collagen Scaffold
Authors: Chen Yan , Huang Zhi , Li Xiaoming , Li Songjian , Zhou Zhilai , Zhang Yichen , Feng Qing ling , Yu Bo
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro cell biocompatibility of an in situ forming composite consisting of chitosan (CS), nano‐hydroxyapatite and collagen (nHAC), which has a complex hierarchical structure similar to natural bone. MC3T3‐E1 mouse calvarial preosteoblasts were cultured on the surface of the injectable CS/nHAC and CS scaffold. The proliferations of seeded MC3T3‐E1 were investigated for 10 days. Cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, and cell expression of osteogenic markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), type 1 collagen (COL‐1), RUNX‐2, and osteocalcin (OCN) were examined by biochemical assay and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability and total cellularity (measured by dsDNA) were similar between the two scaffold groups. However, ALP, COL‐1, OCN, and RUNX‐2 production were significantly greater when osteoblasts were cultured on CS/nHAC scaffolds. The increase in osteogenic markers production on CS/nHAC scaffolds indicated that these scaffolds were superior to chitosan‐only scaffolds in facilitating osteoblast mineralization. These results demonstrate the potential of the CS/nHAC scaffolds to be used in bone tissue engineering.
The Effect of Alternating Current Iontophoresis on Rats with the Chronic Constriction Injury to the Infraorbital Nerve
Authors: Yamazaki Yoko , Umino Masahiro , Fukayama Haruhisa , Shimada Masahiko
Published: May 2012

This study aimed to examine the effect of AC iontophoresis on rats with the chronic constriction injury (CCI) to the infraorbital nerve by animal experiments. CCI model rats were divided into four groups, namely, rats that received general anesthesia for 60 min except AC IOP (CCI:n=5), AC IOP with 0.9% physiological saline for 60 min (CCI + saline AC IOP:n=5), AC IOP with 4% lidocaine hydrochloride for 60 min (CCI + lidocaine AC IOP:n=5), and attachment of two electrodes soaked with 4% lidocaine hydrochloride to the facial skin for 60 min (CCI + attach lidocaine:n=5). In the CCI + lidocaine AC IOP group, an elevated withdrawal threshold was observed after AC IOP, and the duration of efficacy was longer compared with that in the CCI + saline AC IOP and CCI + attached lidocaine groups. A significant decrease in the number of Fos-like immunoreactive (LI) cells was observed in the CCI + lidocaine AC IOP group compared with that in the CCI group. These findings suggest that the effect of CCI + lidocaine AC IOP group may be caused by active permeation of lidocaine into the facial skin and electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nucleus.
Variability in Prevalence ofHelicobacter pyloriStrains Resistant to Clarithromycin and Levofloxacin in Southern Poland
Authors: Karczewska Elżbieta , Klesiewicz Karolina , Skiba Iwona , Wojtas-Bonior Izabela , Sito Edward , Czajecki Krzysztof , Zwolińska-Wcisło Małgorzata , Budak Alicja
Published: May 2012

Background. An increasing resistance ofHelicobacter pyloristrains to antimicrobial agents is the serious therapeutic problem. The aim of this study was to compare the primary and secondary resistance ofH. pyloristrains isolated between 2006–2008 (data published) and 2009–2011 to clarithromycin and levofloxacin.Material and Methods. 220 dyspeptic patients (153 before treatment, 67 after), were enrolled in the study. 51H. pyloristrains were isolated. MIC values of clarithromycin and levofloxacin were determined by theE-test method. The statistical analysis was conducted with theχ2test with Yates correction at the 0.05 significance level (P≤0.05).Results. Between 2006 and 2008, 34% (39/115) ofH. pyloristrains were resistant to clarithromycin (primary 21% (19/90), secondary 80% (20/25)). 5% (6/115) of strains were resistant to levofloxacin (primary 2% (2/90), secondary 16% ((4/25); data published) Between 2009–2011, 22% (11/51) ofH. pyloristrains were resistant to clarithromycin (primary 19% (8/43), secondary 38% (3/8)). 16% (8/51) of strains were resistant to levofloxacin (primary 12% (5/43), secondary 38% (3/8)).Conclusion. The present study has shown the increasing amount of resistantH. pyloristrains isolated from patients in Southern Poland to levofloxacin and decreasing number of resistant strains to clarithromycin.
Genome Wide Analysis of Nucleotide-Binding Site Disease Resistance Genes inBrachypodium distachyon
Authors: Tan Shenglong , Wu Song
Published: May 2012

Nucleotide-binding site (NBS) disease resistance genes play an important role in defending plants from a variety of pathogens and insect pests. Many R-genes have been identified in various plant species. However, little is known about the NBS-encoding genes inBrachypodium distachyon. In this study, using computational analysis of theB. distachyongenome, we identified 126 regular NBS-encoding genes and characterized them on the bases of structural diversity, conserved protein motifs, chromosomal locations, gene duplications, promoter region, and phylogenetic relationships. EST hits and full-length cDNA sequences (fromBrachypodiumdatabase) of 126 R-like candidates supported their existence. Based on the occurrence of conserved protein motifs such as coiled-coil (CC), NBS, leucine-rich repeat (LRR), these regular NBS-LRR genes were classified into four subgroups: CC-NBS-LRR, NBS-LRR, CC-NBS, and X-NBS. Further expression analysis of the regular NBS-encoding genes inBrachypodiumdatabase revealed that these genes are expressed in a wide range of libraries, including those constructed from various developmental stages, tissue types, and drought challenged or nonchallenged tissue.
Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Tumor Arising from the Olfactory Mucosa
Authors: Ogino-Nishimura Eriko , Nakagawa Takayuki , Mikami Yoshiki , Ito Juichi
Published: May 2012

We report a rare case of olfactory ensheathing cell tumor. A female presented a large soft mass extending medially to the olfactory cleft and laterally to the middle meatus in the left nasal cavity. Imaging studies confirmed a cystic mass extending superiorly into the frontal lobe, indicating that the tumor arouse from the olfactory mucosa. A subtotal resection was achieved through an endoscopic endonasal approach without operative complications. Immunohistochemically constituent cells were diffusely positive for S-100 protein, but olfactory ensheathing cell tumor was diagnosed by negative staining for Leu7 (CD57). This case indicates that olfactory ensheathing cell tumor should be included in differential diagnoses for the olfactory cleft tumors.
Stability in Switched Cohen‐Grossberg Neural Networks with Mixed Time Delays and Non‐Lipschitz Activation Functions
Authors: Wu Huaiqin , Xu Guohua , Wu Chongyang , Li Ning , Wang Kewang , Guo Qiangqiang
Published: May 2012

The stability for the switched Cohen‐Grossberg neural networks
with mixed time delays and α‐inverse Hölder activation functions is investigated
under the switching rule with the average dwell time property. By applying multiple Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional approach and linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, a delay‐dependent sufficient criterion is achieved to ensure such switched
neural networks to be globally exponentially stable in terms of LMIs, and the exponential decay estimation is explicitly developed for the states too. Two illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the validity of the theoretical results.
Comparative Pathogenomics of Bacteria Causing Infectious Diseases in Fish
Authors: Sudheesh Ponnerassery S. , Al-Ghabshi Aliya , Al-Mazrooei Nashwa , Al-Habsi Saoud
Published: May 2012

Fish living in the wild as well as reared in the aquaculture facilities are susceptible to infectious diseases caused by a phylogenetically diverse collection of bacterial pathogens. Control and treatment options using vaccines and drugs are either inadequate, inefficient, or impracticable. The classical approach in studying fish bacterial pathogens has been looking at individual or few virulence factors. Recently, genome sequencing of a number of bacterial fish pathogens has tremendously increased our understanding of the biology, host adaptation, and virulence factors of these important pathogens. This paper attempts to compile the scattered literature on genome sequence information of fish pathogenic bacteria published and available to date. The genome sequencing has uncovered several complex adaptive evolutionary strategies mediated by horizontal gene transfer, insertion sequence elements, mutations and prophage sequences operating in fish pathogens, and how their genomes evolved from generalist environmental strains to highly virulent obligatory pathogens. In addition, the comparative genomics has allowed the identification of unique pathogen-specific gene clusters. The paper focuses on the comparative analysis of the virulogenomes of important fish bacterial pathogens, and the genes involved in their evolutionary adaptation to different ecological niches. The paper also proposes some new directions on finding novel vaccine and chemotherapeutic targets in the genomes of bacterial pathogens of fish.
Maternal Distress during Pregnancy and Offspring Childhood Overweight
Authors: Ingstrup Katja Glejsted , Schou Andersen Camilla , Ajslev Teresa Adeltoft , Pedersen Pernille , Sørensen Thorkild I. A. , Nohr Ellen A.
Published: May 2012

Background. Maternal distress during pregnancy increases the intrauterine level of glucocorticoids, which may have long-term health consequences for the child.Objective. To examine if distress as a combined measure of anxiety, depression, and stress of the mother during pregnancy was associated with offspring childhood overweight at age 7.Methods. We performed a cohort study using prospective data from 37,764 women and child dyads from the Danish National Birth Cohort (1996–2002). At a telephone interview at approximately 30 weeks gestation, the women reported whether they felt anxious, depressed, or stressed. The 95 percentile for body mass index in an international reference defined childhood overweight at any given age. Logistic regression was used for the analyses.Results. The prevalence of overweight children at 7 years of age was 9.9%. Prenatal exposure to maternal distress during pregnancy was not associated with childhood overweight at 7 years of age (adjusted OR 1.06 (95% CI 0.96; 1.18)). In analyses stratified on sex, a small tendency of overweight was seen in boys (OR 1.15 (0.99; 1.33)), but not in girls (OR 0.98 (0.85; 1.13)).Conclusions. Maternal distress during pregnancy appeared to have limited, if any, influence on the risk of overweight in offspring at 7 years of age.
Simple Program to Investigate Hysteresis Damping Effect of Cross-Ties on Cables Vibration of Cable-Stayed Bridges
Authors: Papadopoulos Panagis G. , Diamantopoulos Andreas , Xenidis Haris , Lazaridis Panos
Published: May 2012

A short computer program, fully documented, is presented, for the step-by-step dynamic analysis of isolated cables or couples of parallel cables of a cable-stayed bridge, connected to each other and possibly with the deck of the bridge, by very thin pretensioned wires (cross-ties) and subjected to variation of their axial forces due to traffic or to successive pulses of a wind drag force. A simplified SDOF model, approximating the fundamental vibration mode, is adopted for every individual cable. The geometric nonlinearity of the cables is taken into account by their geometric stiffness, whereas the material nonlinearities of the cross-ties include compressive loosening, tensile yielding, and hysteresis stress-strain loops. Seven numerical experiments are performed. Based on them, it is observed that if two interconnected parallel cables have different dynamic characteristics, for example different lengths, thus different masses, weights, and geometric stiffnesses, too, or if one of them has a small additional mass, then a single pretensioned very thin wire, connecting them to each other and possibly with the deck of the bridge, proves effective in suppressing, by its hysteresis damping, the vibrations of the cables.
An Unusual Presentation of Tumor Lysis Syndrome in a Patient with Advanced Gastric Adenocarcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Vodopivec Danica Maria , Rubio Jose Enrique , Fornoni Alessia , Lenz Oliver
Published: May 2012

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is characterized by hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and secondary hypocalcemia in patients with a malignancy. When these laboratory abnormalities develop rapidly, clinical complications such as cardiac arrhythmias, acute renal failure, seizures, or death may occur. TLS is caused by rapid release of intracellular contents by dying tumor cells, a condition that is expected to be common in hematologic malignancies. However, TLS rarely occurs with solid tumors, and here we present the second chemotherapy-induced TLS in a patient with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma to be reported in the literature. We also provide information regarding the total cases of TLS in solid tumors reported from 1977 to present day. Our methodology involved identifying key articles from existing reviews of the literature and then using search terms from these citations in MEDLINE to find additional publications. We relied on a literature review published in 2003 by Baeksgaard et al., where they gathered all total 45 cases reported from 1977 to 2003. Then, we looked for new reported cases from 2004 to present day. All reports (case reports, brief reports, letters to editor, correspondence, reviews, journals, and short communications) identified through these searches were reviewed and included.
Before It Gets Started: Regulating Translation at the 5′ UTR
Authors: Araujo Patricia R. , Yoon Kihoon , Ko Daijin , Smith Andrew D. , Qiao Mei , Suresh Uthra , Burns Suzanne C. , Penalva Luiz O. F.
Published: May 2012

Translation regulation plays important roles in both normal physiological conditions and diseases states. This regulation requires cis-regulatory elements located mostly in 5′ and 3′ UTRs and trans-regulatory factors (e.g., RNA binding proteins (RBPs)) which recognize specific RNA features and interact with the translation machinery to modulate its activity. In this paper, we discuss important aspects of 5′ UTR-mediated regulation by providing an overview of the characteristics and the function of the main elements present in this region, like uORF (upstream open reading frame), secondary structures, and RBPs binding motifs and different mechanisms of translation regulation and the impact they have on gene expression and human health when deregulated.
Monte Carlo Calculation of Fragment Distributions in Nuclear Reactions
Authors: Deppman A. , Andrade-II E. , Rossi P. C. R. , Garcia F. , Maiorino J. R.
Published: May 2012

The fragments produced in nuclear reactions for accelarator driven systems (ADS) operation form elements that can have effects on the structure of the reactor. In this regard, the calculation of fragment distributions gives important information for the development of ADS. To obtain those distributions, the Monte Carlo (MC) method is an important tool, and in this work we describe calculations of fragment distributions through a MC code for reactions initiated by intermediate- and high-energy protons and photons on actinide and preactinide nuclei. We study the production of fragments through spallation and fission reactions. The results show good qualitative agreement with experimental data.
Persistent Umbilical Discharge from an Omphalomesenteric Duct Cyst Containing Gastric Mucosa
Authors: Tamilselvan Kanimozhi , Mohan Arunodaya , Cheslyn-Curtis Sarah , Eisenhut Michael
Published: May 2012

Umbilical discharge in infancy is often attributed to infection or an umbilical granuloma. It is important to investigate if such a discharge is due to an underlying congenital abnormality because corrective surgical intervention may then be required. We present the first case of an infant with a persistent umbilical discharge from an omphalomesenteric duct cyst. The discharge was associated with periumbilical dermatitis. The dermatitis was most likely due to irritation of the skin by gastric acid produced by the ectopic gastric mucosa contained in the omphalomesenteric duct cyst. Both discharge and dermatitis resolved after surgical removal of the cyst.
Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Clinic Report of Intranasal Low-Intensity Laser Therapy on Vascular Diseases
Authors: Liu Timon Cheng-Yi , Cheng Lei , Su Wen-Juan , Zhang Yi-Wen , Shi Yun , Liu Ai-Hong , Zhang Li-Li , Qian Zhuo-Ya
Published: May 2012

The intranasal low intensity GaInP/AlGaInP diode 650 nm laser therapy (ILGLT) might improve blood lipid and hemorheologic behavior of patients in view of its previous research, but it should be further supported by a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical study. In this paper, 90 patients with coronary heart disease or cerebral infarction were randomly divided into two groups, 60 in the treatment group and 30 in the control group, and were blindly treated with ILGLT at 8.38 and 0 mW/cm2for 30 min each time once a day ten days each session for two sessions between which there were three days for rest, respectively. Fasting blood lipid such as total cholesterol and low/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hemorheologic behavior such as blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, redox viscosity and red blood cell aggregation were assessed before the first treatment and after the two sessions and were found to be significantly improved by ILGLT. It was concluded that ILGLT may improve blood lipid and hemorheologic behavior of patients with coronary heart disease or cerebral infarction.
Preliminary Results of Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Intraoperative Chemotherapy as an Adjuvant in Resectable Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Tentes Antonios-Apostolos K. , Kyziridis Dimitrios , Kakolyris Stylianos , Pallas Nicolaos , Zorbas Georgios , Korakianitis Odysseas , Mavroudis Christos , Courcoutsakis Nicolaos , Prasopoulos Panos
Published: May 2012

Background and Aims. 5-year survival in patients with pancreatic cancer is poor. Surgical resection is the only potentially curative resection. The results of adjuvant treatment either with chemotherapy or with radiotherapy have been contradictory and the incidence of local-regional recurrence remains high. If local-regional recurrence is controlled survival may be expected to increase. Hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) may be used in order to control local-regional recurrences. The purpose of the study is to identify the effect of HIPEC in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing potentially resection.Patients and Methods. From 2007–2011, 21 patients, mean age69.4±9.5(50–86) years, underwent tumor resection, and HIPEC with gemcitabine. The hospital mortality and morbidity rate was 9.5% and 33.3%, respectively. 5-year and median survival was 23% and 11 months, respectively. The recurrence rate was 50% but no patient developed local-regional recurrence. No patient was recorded with gemcitabine-induced toxicity.Conclusions. This clinical study of 21 patients is the first to combine an R0pancreas cancer resection with HIPEC. Increased morbidity and mortality from intraoperative gemcitabine was not apparent. Patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing potentially curative resection in combination with HIPEC may be offered a survival benefit. Data suggested that local-regional recurrences may be greatly reduced. Further studies with greater number of patients are required to confirm these findings.
Operative Treatment of Cervical Myelopathy: Cervical Laminoplasty
Authors: Braly Brett A. , Lunardini David , Cornett Chris , Donaldson William F.
Published: May 2012

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a degenerative process which may result in clinical signs and symptoms which require surgical intervention. Many treatment options have been proposed with various degrees of technical difficulty and technique sensitive benefits. We review laminoplasty as a motion-sparing posterior decompressive method. Current literature supports the use of laminoplasty for indicated decompression. We also decribe our surgical technique for an open-door, or “hinged”, laminoplasty.
Counter Current Flow Limitation of Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flow in Nearly Horizontal Pipe
Authors: Prayitno Sigit , Santoso R. A. , Deendarlianto  , Höhne Thomas , Lucas Dirk
Published: May 2012

Experimental work about counter current two-phase flow of air and gas in nearly horizontal pipe has been performed. The work was performed in a 1.1 m long circular transparent acrylic pipe with 50 mm inner diameter, in two inclination angle settings (20° and 10° from horizontal). The smooth liquid and air inlet was used. Porous liquid inlet and a nozzle connected with calm section were used as liquid and gas inlet. The effect of liquid properties is examined by using five different working fluids (Water, two different concentration of butanol and glycerin aqua solutions). As for results. (1) CCFL causes a drastic change in the delivered liquid to the lower plenum. (2) The effect of inclination angle is significantly observed. The flooding gas superficial velocity decreases with inclination angle. (3) The liquid viscosity affects the flooding phenomena.
Postconcussion Symptoms in Patients with Injury-Related Chronic Pain
Authors: Stålnacke Britt Marie
Published: May 2012

Background. Postconcussion symptoms (PCSs)—such as fatigue, headache, irritability, dizziness, and impaired memory—are commonly reported in patients who have mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBIs). Evaluation of PCS after MTBI is proposed to have a diagnostic value although it is unclear whether PCS are specific to MTBI. After whiplash injuries, patients most often complain of headaches and neck pain; the other PCS are not as closely evaluated. In patients with chronic pain because of other injuries, the presence of PCS is unclear. This study aimed to describe the frequency of PCS in patients with injury-related pain and to examine the relationships between PCS, pain, and psychological factors.Methods. This study collected data using questionnaires addressing PCS (Rivermead Postconcussion Questionnaire, RPQ), pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), depression, anxiety (Hospital, Anxiety, and Depression Scale), and posttraumatic stress (Impact of Event Scale).Results. Fatigue (90.7%), sleep disturbance (84.9%), headache (73.5%), poor concentration (88.2%), and poor memory (67.1%) were some of the most commonly reported PCS. Significant relationships were found between PCS and posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety.Conclusion. To optimize treatment, it is important to assess each patient’s PCS, the mechanism of injury, and factors such as posttraumatic stress and depression.
Effect ofCymbopogon citratusand Citral on Vascular Smooth Muscle of the Isolated Thoracic Rat Aorta
Authors: Devi R. Chitra , Sim S. M. , Ismail R.
Published: May 2012

Cymbopogon citratushas been shown to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic and chemo-protective properties. Citral, is the major constituent ofC. citratus. This study investigated the effects of methanolic extracts of leaves (LE), stems (SE), and roots (RE) ofC. citratusand citral on vascular smooth muscle and explored their possible mechanisms of action. The experiment was conducted using isolated tissue preparations, where citral, LE, SE, and RE were added separately into a tissue bath that contained aortic rings, which were pre-contracted with phenylephrine (PE). Citral, LE, and RE exhibited a dose-dependent relaxant effect on the PE-induced contractions. Citral appeared to partially act via NO as its vasorelaxant effect was attenuated by L-NAME. However, the effect of LE may involve prostacyclin as indomethacin reversed the relaxant effect of LE on the PE-induced contraction. Furthermore, citral, LE, and RE abolished the restoration of PE-induced contraction caused by the addition of increasing doses of calcium in both endothelium intact and denuded rings. These findings suggest that the relaxation effect of citral, LE, and RE is endothelium-independent and may be mainly by affecting the intracellular concentration of calcium. Citral may partially act through the NO pathway while a vasodilator prostaglandin may mediate the effect of LE.
Early Blockade of TLRs MyD88-Dependent Pathway May Reduce Secondary Spinal Cord Injury in the Rats
Authors: Yao An-hui , Jia Li-yun , Zhang Yu-kai , Ma Quan-rui , Cheng Peng , Liu Ling , Ju Gong , Kuang Fang
Published: May 2012

To determine the role of toll-like receptors (TLRs) myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) dependent pathway in the spinal cord secondary injury, compression injury was made at T8 segment of the spinal cord in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Shown by RT-PCR, TLR4 mRNA in the spinal cord was quickly elevated after compression injury. Intramedullary injection of MyD88 inhibitory peptide (MIP) resulted in significant improvement in locomotor function recovery at various time points after surgery. Meanwhile, injury area, p38 phosphorylation, and proinflammation cytokines in the injured spinal cord were significantly reduced in MIP-treated animals, compared with control peptide (CP) group. These data suggest that TLRs MyD88-dependent pathway may play an important role in the development of secondary spinal cord injury, and inhibition of this pathway at early time after primary injury could effectively protect cells from inflammation and apoptosis and therefore improve the functional recovery.
Study on Carbon Nanocomposite Counterelectrode for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Yiming , Zhang Haiyan , Chen Yuting , Lin Jiapeng
Published: May 2012

Carbon nanocomposite electrodes were prepared by adding carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into carbon black as counterelectrodes of dye‐sensitized solar cells(DSSCs). The morphology and structure of carbon nanocomposite electrodes were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The influence of CNTs on the electrochemical performance of carbon nanocomposite electrodes is investigated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Carbon nano composite electrodes with CNTs exhibit a highly interconnected network structure with high electrical conductivity and good catalytic activity. The influence of different CNTs content in carbon nanocomposite electrodes on the open‐circuit voltage, short‐circuit current, and filling factor of DSSCs is also investigated. DSSCs with 10% CNTs content exhibit the best photovoltaic performance in our experiments.
Implementation and Control of an AC/DC/AC Converter for Double Wound Flywheel Application
Authors: Oliveira J. G. , Schettino H. , Gama V. , Carvalho R. , Bernhoff H.
Published: May 2012

An all-electric driveline based on a double wound flywheel, connected in series between main energy storage and a wheel motor, is presented. The flywheel works as a power buffer, allowing the battery to deliver optimized power. It also separates electrically the system in two sides, with the battery connected to the low voltage side and the wheel motor connected to the high voltage side. This paper presents the implementation and control of the AC/DC/AC converter, used to connect the flywheel high voltage windings to the wheel motor. The converter general operation and the adopted control strategy are discussed. The implementation of the AC/DC/AC converter has been described from a practical perspective. Results from experimental tests performed in the full-system prototype are presented. The prototype system is running with satisfactory stability during acceleration mode. Good efficiency and unity power factor could be achieved, based on vector control and space vector modulation.
Preclinical and Clinical Evidence of Antioxidant Effects of Antidepressant Agents: Implications for the Pathophysiology of Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Behr Guilherme A. , Moreira José C. F. , Frey Benicio N.
Published: May 2012

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disorder associated with a significant negative impact on quality of life, morbidity/mortality, and cognitive function. Individuals who suffer with MDD display lower serum/plasmatic total antioxidant potentials and reduced brain GSH levels. Also, F2-isoprostanes circulatory levels are increased in MDD subjects and are correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms. Urinary excretion of 8-OHdG seems to be higher in patients with MDD compared to healthy controls. Despite the fact that antidepressant drugs have been used for more than 50 years, their mechanism of action is still not fully understood. This paper examines preclinical (in vitroand animal model) and clinical literature on oxidative/antioxidant effects associated with antidepressant agents and discusses their potential antioxidant-related effects in the treatment of MDD. Substantial data support that MDD seems to be accompanied by elevated levels of oxidative stress and that antidepressant treatments may reduce oxidative stress. These studies suggest that augmentation of antioxidant defences may be one of the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of antidepressants in the treatment of MDD.
Lightlike Submanifolds of a Semi‐Riemannian Manifold of Quasi‐Constant Curvature
Authors: Jin D. H. , Lee J. W.
Published: May 2012

We study the geometry of lightlike submanifolds (M, g, S(TM), S(TM⊥)) of a semi‐Riemannian manifold of quasiconstant curvature subject to the following conditions: (1) the curvature vector field ζ of is tangent to M, (2) the screen distribution S(TM) of M is totally geodesic in M, and (3) the coscreen distribution S(TM⊥) of M is a conformal Killing distribution.
Antibacterial Properties of Silver‐Loaded Plasma Polymer Coatings
Authors: Ploux Lydie , Mateescu Mihaela , Anselme Karine , Vasilev Krasimir
Published: May 2012

In a previous paper, we proposed new silver nanoparticles (SNPs) based antibacterial coatings able to protect eukaryotic cells from SNPs related toxic effects, while preserving antibacterial efficiency. A SNPs containing n‐heptylamine (HA) polymer matrix was deposited by plasma polymerization and coated by a second HA layer. In this paper, we elucidate the antibacterial action of these new coatings. We demonstrated that SNPs‐loaded material can be covered by thin HA polymer layer without losing the antibacterial activity to planktonic bacteria living in the near surroundings of the material. SNPs‐containing materials also revealed antibacterial effect on adhered bacteria. Adhered bacteria number was significantly reduced compared to pure HA plasma polymer and the physiology of the bacteria was affected. The number of adhered bacteria directly decreased with thickness of the second HA layer. Surprisingly, the quantity of cultivable bacteria harvested by transfer to nutritive agar decreased not only with the presence of SNPs, but also in relation to the covering HA layer thickness, that is, oppositely to the increase in adhered bacteria number. Two hypotheses are proposed for this surprising result (stronger attachment or weaker vitality), which raises the question of the diverse potential ways of action of SNPs entrapped in a polymer matrix.
Performance Analysis of Polarization Diversity for Indoor Scenarios at 41.4 GHz and 61.5 GHz
Authors: Alejos Ana Vazquez , Garcia Sanchez Manuel , Cuiñas Iñigo
Published: May 2012

We present the radio channel experiments conducted in indoor scenarios to test the performance of a dual orthogonal polarization scheme in the single-branch receiver end of a mobile system with a centre frequency of 41.4 GHz and 61.5 GHz. The diversity gain has been obtained according to three main combination methods for an outage probability of 1%: signal selection, equal gain combining, and maximal ratio combining. Diversity gain calculated ranges from 0.25 to 4.5 dB, depending on the combination technique used, the radiation pattern, the scenario, and the frequency band. The spatial variation of the cross-polar discrimination factor (XPD) has been estimated. The XPD ranges from 31 dB to 34 dB at 41.4 GHz and between 26 dB and 29 dB for the 61.5 GHz band. From the gain and discrimination results, we evaluated the performance of this scheme to conclude its suitability as either a diversity technique for reducing signal fading, as the 41.4 GHz, or as a method for increasing the link capacity in the 61.5 GHz case.
Improving DNS Security Using Active Firewalling with Network Probes
Authors: Afonso Joao , Veiga Pedro
Published: May 2012

The security problems that outbreak network services today are increasing at a dramatic pace especially with the unceasing improvement of network transmission rates and the sheer amount of data exchanged. This translates not only more incidents but also new types of attacks with network incidents becoming more and more frequent. A significant part of the attacks occurs at Top Level Domains (TLDs) who have the assignment of ensuring the correct functioning of Domain Name System (DNS) zones. The proposed solution has been developed and tested at FCCN (Foundation for National Scientific Computing), the TLD manager for the .PT domain. The system consists of network sensors that monitor the network in real-time and can dynamically detect, prevent, or limit the scope of the attempted intrusions or other types of attacks to the DNS service, thus improving its global availability.
Study on TCM Syndrome Identification Modes of Coronary Heart Disease Based on Data Mining
Authors: Shi Qi , Zhao Huihui , Chen Jianxin , Ma Xueling , Yang Yi , Zheng Chenglong , Wang Wei
Published: May 2012

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most important types of heart disease because of its high incidence and high mortality. TCM has played an important role in the treatment of CHD. Syndrome differentiation based on information from traditional four diagnostic methods has met challenges and questions with the rapid development and wide application of system biology. In this paper, methods of complex network and CHAID decision tree were applied to identify the TCM core syndromes of patients with CHD, and to establish TCM syndrome identification modes of CHD based on biological parameters. At the same time, external validation modes were also constructed to confirm the identification modes.
Loss of RASSF2 Enhances Tumorigencity of Lung Cancer Cells and Confers Resistance to Chemotherapy
Authors: Clark Jennifer , Freeman Jessica , Donninger Howard
Published: May 2012

RASSF2 is a novel pro-apoptotic effector of K-Ras that is frequently inactivated in a variety of primary tumors by promoter methylation. Inactivation of RASSF2 enhances K-Ras-mediated transformation and overexpression of RASSF2 suppresses tumor cell growth. In this study, we confirm that RASSF2 and K-Ras form an endogenous complex, validating that RASSF2 is a bona fide K-Ras effector. We adopted an RNAi approach to determine the effects of inactivation of RASSF2 on the transformed phenotype of lung cancer cells containing an oncogenic K-Ras. Loss of RASSF2 expression resulted in a more aggressive phenotype that was characterized by enhanced cell proliferation and invasion, decreased cell adhesion, the ability to grow in an anchorage-independent manner and cell morphological changes. This enhanced transformed phenotype of the cells correlated with increased levels of activated AKT, indicating that RASSF2 can modulate Ras signaling pathways. Loss of RASSF2 expression also confers resistance to taxol and cisplatin, two frontline therapeutics for the treatment of lung cancer. Thus we have shown that inactivation of RASSF2, a process that occurs frequently in primary tumors, enhances the transforming potential of activated K-Ras and our data suggests that RASSF2 may be a novel candidate for epigenetic-based therapy in lung cancer.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Two Decades of Experience with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast
Authors: Choi Daniel Xavier , Van Zee Kimberly J.
Published: May 2012

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have investigated many aspects of their experience with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast over the past 20 years. This paper summarizes the most clinically relevant findings.
Effects of Hyul-Bu-Chuke-Tang on Erythrocyte Deformability and Cerebrovascular CO2Reactivity in Normal Subjects
Authors: Jung Woo-Sang , Park Joo-Young , Byeon Hyung-Sik , Kim Young-Jee , Park Jung-Mi , Park Seong-Uk , Cho Seung-Yeon , Moon Sang-Kwan
Published: May 2012

Aim. Hyul-bu-chuke-tang (HCEt) is a well-known traditional herbal medicine that is used for the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disorders. We investigated the acute effects of HCEt on erythrocyte deformability and cerebrovascular CO2reactivity (CVR) in healthy male subjects.Materials and Methods. We examined erythrocyte deformability in an HCEt group (n=14) and a control group (n=10). CVR was measured using hyperventilation-induced CO2reactivity of the middle cerebral artery and transcranial Doppler (TCD) in the HCEt group (n=11). A historical control group (n=10) of CVR measurements was also created from our previous study. All measurements were performed prior to and 1, 2, and 3 hours after HCEt administration.Results. HCEt significantly improved erythrocyte deformability 1 hour after administration compared to the control group (2.9±1.1% versus-0.6±1.0%,P=0.034). HCEt significantly improved the CVR 2 hours after administration compared to the historical control group (9.1±4.0% versus-8.1±4.1%,P=0.007). The mean blood pressure and pulse rate did not vary from baseline values in either group.Conclusions. We demonstrated that HCEt improved erythrocyte deformability and CVR. Our findings suggest that an improvement in erythrocyte deformability contributes to HCEt’s effect on cerebral microcirculation.
Model Predictive Engine Air-Ratio Control Using Online Sequential Relevance Vector Machine
Authors: Wong Hang-cheong , Wong Pak-kin , Vong Chi-man
Published: May 2012

Engine power, brake-specific fuel consumption, and emissions relate closely to air ratio (i.e., lambda) among all the engine variables. An accurate and adaptive model for lambda prediction is essential to effective lambda control for long term. This paper utilizes an emerging technique, relevance vector machine (RVM), to build a reliable time-dependent lambda model which can be continually updated whenever a sample is added to, or removed from, the estimated lambda model. The paper also presents a new model predictive control (MPC) algorithm for air-ratio regulation based on RVM. This study shows that the accuracy, training, and updating time of the RVM model are superior to the latest modelling methods, such as diagonal recurrent neural network (DRNN) and decremental least-squares support vector machine (DLSSVM). Moreover, the control algorithm has been implemented on a real car to test. Experimental results reveal that the control performance of the proposed relevance vector machine model predictive controller (RVMMPC) is also superior to DRNNMPC, support vector machine-based MPC, and conventional proportional-integral (PI) controller in production cars. Therefore, the proposed RVMMPC is a promising scheme to replace conventional PI controller for engine air-ratio control.
Pathophysiological Implications of Different Bicuspid Aortic Valve Configurations
Authors: Kari F. A. , Beyersdorf F. , Siepe M.
Published: May 2012

There are numerous types of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) configurations. Recent findings suggest that various BAV types represent different pathophysiological substrates on the aortic media level. Data imply that the BAV type is probably not related to location and extent of the aneurysm. However, BAV type is likely linked to the severity of aortic media disease. Some BAVs with raphe seem more aggressive than BAV without a raphe. Cusp fusion pattern, altered hemodynamics, and the qualitative severity of the disease in the aortic media might on the one hand share the same substrate. On the other hand, the aortopathy's longitudinal extent and location may represent a different pathophysiological substrate, probably dictated by the heritable aspects of BAV disease. The exact nature of the relation between BAV type and the aneurysm's location and extent as well as to the risk of aortic complications remains unclear. This paper reviews results of recent human and experimental studies on the significance of BAV types for local aortic media disease and location and extent of the aortopathy. We describe the known and hypothesized hemodynamic and hereditary factors that may result in aortic aneurysm formation in BAV patients.
Delay‐Dependent Exponential Stability for Uncertain Neutral Stochastic Systems with Mixed Delays and Markovian Jumping Parameters
Authors: Chen Huabin
Published: May 2012

This paper is mainly concerned with the globally exponential stability in mean square of uncertain neutral stochastic systems with mixed delays and Markovian jumping parameters. The mixed delays are comprised of the discrete interval time‐varying delays and the distributed time delays. Taking the stochastic perturbation and Markovian jumping parameters into account, some delay‐dependent sufficient conditions for the globally exponential stability in mean square of such systems can be obtained by constructing an appropriate Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional, which are given in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The derived criteria are dependent on the upper bound and the lower bound of the time‐varying delay and the distributed delay and are therefore less conservative. Two numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness and applicability of our obtained results.
Efficient Solutions of Multidimensional Sixth‐Order Boundary Value Problems Using Symmetric Generalized Jacobi‐Galerkin Method
Authors: Doha E. H. , Abd-Elhameed W. M.
Published: May 2012

This paper presents some efficient spectral algorithms for solving linear sixth‐order
two‐point boundary value problems in one dimension based on the application of the
Galerkin method. The proposed algorithms are extended to solve the two‐dimensional
sixth‐order differential equations. A family of symmetric generalized Jacobi polynomials
is introduced and used as basic functions. The algorithms lead to linear systems with
specially structured matrices that can be efficiently inverted. The various matrix systems
resulting from the proposed algorithms are carefully investigated, especially their
condition numbers and their complexities. These algorithms are extensions to some of
the algorithms proposed by Doha and Abd‐Elhameed (2002) and Doha and Bhrawy (2008) for second‐ and
fourth‐order elliptic equations, respectively. Three numerical results are presented
to demonstrate the efficiency and the applicability of the proposed algorithms.
Socioeconomic Position, Rural Residence, and Marginality Influences on Obesity Status in the Adult Mexican Population
Authors: Sparks P. Johnelle , Sparks Corey S.
Published: May 2012

This paper assesses individual and social environment determinants of obesity in the adult Mexican population based on socioeconomic position, rural residence, and areal deprivation. Using a nationally representative health and nutrition survey, this analysis considers individual and structural determinants of obesity from a socioeconomic position and health disparities conceptual framework using multilevel logistic regression models. We find that more than thirty percent of Mexican adults were obese in 2006 and that the odds of being obese were strongly associated with an individual's socioeconomic position, gender, place of residence, and the level of marginalization (areal deprivation) in the place of residence. Surprisingly, areas of the country where areal deprivation was highest had lower risks of individual obesity outcomes. We suggest that programs oriented towards addressing the health benefits of traditional food systems over high-energy dense refined foods and sugary beverages be promoted as part of a public health program aimed at curbing the rising obesity prevalence in Mexico.