bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interkingdom Signaling Induces Streptococcus pneumoniae Biofilm Dispersion and Transition from Asymptomatic Colonization to Disease
Authors: Marks Laura R. , Davidson Bruce A. , Knight Paul R. , Hakansson Anders P.
Published: July 2013

Streptococcus pneumoniaeis a common human nasopharyngeal commensal colonizing 10% to 40% of healthy individuals, depending on age. Despite a low invasive disease rate, widespread carriage ensures that infection occurs often enough to makeS. pneumoniaea leading bacterial cause of respiratory disease worldwide. However, the mechanisms behind transition from asymptomatic colonization to dissemination and disease in otherwise sterile sites remain poorly understood but are epidemiologically strongly linked to infection with respiratory viruses. In this report, we show that infection with influenza A virus and treatment with the resulting host signals (febrile-range temperatures, norepinephrine, extracytoplasmic ATP, and increased nutrient availability) induce the release of bacteria from biofilms in a newly developed biofilm model on live epithelial cells bothin vitroand duringin vivocolonization. These dispersed bacteria have distinct phenotypic properties different from those of both biofilm and broth-grown, planktonic bacteria, with the dispersed population showing differential virulence gene expression characteristics resulting in a significantly increased ability to disseminate and cause infection of otherwise sterile sites, such as the middle ear, lungs, and bloodstream. The results offer novel and important insights into the role of interkingdom signaling between microbe and host during biofilm dispersion and transition to acute disease.

IMPORTANCEThis report addresses the mechanisms involved in transition from pneumococcal asymptomatic colonization to disease. In this study, we determined that changes in the nasopharyngeal environment result in the release of bacteria from colonizing biofilms with a gene expression and virulence phenotype different not only from that of colonizing biofilm bacteria but also from that of the broth-grown planktonic bacteria commonly used for pathogenesis studies. The work importantly also identifies specific host factors responsible for the release of bacteria and their changed phenotype. We show that these interkingdom signals are recognized by bacteria and are induced by influenza virus infection, which is epidemiologically strongly associated with transition to secondary pneumococcal disease. As virus infection is a common inducer of transition to disease among species occupying the nasopharynx, the results of this study may provide a basis for better understanding of the signals involved in the transition from colonization to disease in the human nasopharynx.
Receptor Polymorphism Restricts Contact-Dependent Growth Inhibition to Members of the Same Species
Authors: Ruhe Zachary C. , Wallace Adam B. , Low David A. , Hayes Christopher S.
Published: July 2013

Bacteria that express contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) systems outcompete siblings that lack immunity, suggesting that CDI mediates intercellular competition. To further explore the role of CDI in competition, we determined the target cell range of the CDI
EC93
system from
Escherichia coli
EC93. The CdiA
EC93
effector protein recognizes the widely conserved BamA protein as a receptor, yet
E. coli
EC93 does not inhibit other enterobacterial species. The predicted membrane topology of BamA indicates that three of its extracellular loops vary considerably between species, suggesting that loop heterogeneity may control CDI specificity. Consistent with this hypothesis, other enterobacteria are sensitized to CDI
EC93
upon the expression of
E
. 
coli bamA
and
E. coli
cells become CDI
EC93
resistant when
bamA
is replaced with alleles from other species. Our data indicate that BamA loops 6 and 7 form the CdiA
EC93
-binding epitope and their variation between species restricts CDI
EC93
target cell selection. Although BamA loops 6 and 7 vary dramatically between species, these regions are identical in hundreds of
E. coli
strains, suggesting that BamA
Ecoli
and CdiA
EC93
play a role in self-nonself discrimination.

IMPORTANCE
Contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) systems are widespread among Gram-negative bacteria, enabling them to bind to neighboring bacterial cells and deliver protein toxins that inhibit cell growth. In this study, we tested the role of CDI in interspecies competition using intestinal isolate
Escherichia coli
EC93 as an inhibitor cell model. Although
E. coli
EC93 inhibits different
E. coli
strains, other bacterial species from the intestine are completely resistant to CDI. We show that resistance is due to small variations in the CDI receptor that prevent other species from being recognized as target cells. CDI receptor interactions thus provide a mechanism by which bacteria can distinguish siblings and other close relatives (self) from more distant relatives or other species of bacteria (nonself). Our results provide a possible means by which antimicrobials could be directed to one or only a few related bacterial pathogens by using a specific receptor “zip code.”
Adrenal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour
Authors: Chawla Arun , Hameed Zeeshan , Mishra Dilip , Monappa Vidya
Published: July 2013

A rare case of large adrenal mass which was non-functioning is presented. It is difficult to make preoperative diagnosis in these cases as the imaging findings are non-specific. Radical excision is mandatory as preoperative malignancy cannot be ruled out.
Practical responses to confidentiality dilemmas in elite sport medicine
Authors: Malcolm Dominic , Scott Andrea
Published: July 2013

Aim

To examine the ethical challenges of upholding patient confidentiality in sports medicine and the practical responses of clinicians to these challenges.

Method

Questionnaire survey and follow-up semi-structured interviews with the members of the British Olympic Association's Medical Committee and Physiotherapy Forum.

Results

Clinicians identified three contextual factors that influenced issues related to patient confidentiality in sports medicine: the use of confidentiality waivers; the facilities available for treatment; and the cultural norms of elite sport. They further identified interpersonal strategies used to lessen or eradicate conflicts, including emphasising the benefits and avoidance of disbenefits for athletes and the potential negative consequences for others.

Conclusions

Aspects of clinicians’ practice environment should be designed to enable compliance with the highest levels of ethical conduct. Professional associations should establish guidelines for clinicians’ interpersonal conduct in dealing with confidentiality issues and consider their provision of ethics-based continuous professional development. They should also petition for the establishment of athletes’ codes of conduct which identify a context-relevant understanding of ‘serious harm’ and how that might impact on information disclosure.
HIV enteropathy: HAART reduces HIV-induced stem cell hyperproliferation and crypt hypertrophy to normal in jejunal mucosa
Authors: Batman Philip A , Kapembwa Moses S , Belmonte Liliana , Tudor Gregory , Kotler Donald P , Potten Christopher S , Booth Catherine , Cahn Pedro , Griffin George E
Published: July 2013

Objective

To analyse the structural and kinetic response of small intestinal crypt epithelial cells including stem cells to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Design

Crypt size and proliferative activity of transit and stem cells in jejunal mucosa were quantified using morphometric techniques.

Methods

Crypt length was measured by counting the number of enterocytes along one side of a number of crypts in each biopsy specimen and the mean crypt length was calculated. Proliferating crypt cells were identified with MIB-1 monoclonal antibody, and the percentage of crypt cells in proliferation was calculated at each cell position along the length of the crypt (proliferation index). Data were obtained from 9 HIV-positive test patients co-infected with microsporidia, 34 HIV-positive patients receiving HAART and 13 control cases.

Results

Crypt length was significantly greater in test patients than in controls, but crypt length in patients receiving HAART was normal. The proliferation index was greater in test subjects than in controls in stem and transit cell compartments, and was decreased in patients treated with HAART only in the stem cell region of the crypt.

Conclusions

Villous atrophy in HIV enteropathy is attributed to crypt hypertrophy and encroachment of crypt cells onto villi. HAART restores normal crypt structure by inhibition of HIV-driven stem cell hyperproliferation at the crypt bases.
Reassessment ofIschnacanthus?scheiiSpjeldnaes (Acanthodii, Ischnacanthiformes) from the latest Silurian or earliest Devonian of Ellesmere Island, arctic Canada
Authors: Burrow Carole J.
Published: July 2013

Articulated specimens of jawed fishes, and assemblages of disarticulated elements that can be assigned to a single biological species, are extremely rare from pre-Devonian deposits. The acanthodian species Ischnacanthus? scheii Spjeldnaes is based on a monospecific assemblage, comprising fin spines, dentigerous jaw bone fragments and scales, from the ?Siluro-Devonian boundary beds of the Devon Island Formation in central west Ellesmere Island, Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Nunavut. A new examination of the type material, in particular by scanning electron microscopy and thin sectioning of scales, shows that the species is a porosiform poracanthodid that is now assigned to Radioporacanthodes scheii comb. nov. Scales of the same species are also recognized from the upper Pridoli of Cornwallis Island and the ?Pridoli or Lochkovian of north Greenland.
Reduced dermal photosensitivity in juvenile sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) reflects life-history-dependent changes in habitat and behaviour
Authors: Binder T.R. , McDonald D.G. , Wilkie M.P.
Published: July 2013

This study tested the hypothesis that sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus L., 1758) undergo a reduction in the photosensitivity of photoreceptors in the tail after metamorphosing from burrow-dwelling, filter-feeding larval sea lampreys (ammocoetes) into open-water, parasitic juvenile phase animals that attach themselves to and feed on the blood of marine and freshwater fishes. Using a photo-illumination apparatus, ammocoetes and juvenile sea lampreys were exposed to white light at an intensity of 10 lx and the photokinetic response (time to movement) was measured in individual animals. The median latency of the response of juvenile lampreys was 5.4 times longer (i.e., slower response time) than observed in ammocoetes, and only 61% of the juvenile animals responded to the light compared with 95% of ammocoetes. It is concluded that the greater photosensitivity of tail photoreceptors in ammocoetes helps ensure that the animals are totally concealed from potential predators while burrowing. Decreased photosensitivity following metamorphosis is likely related to the transition to an open water, parasitic life style in which tail photoreception would have little selective advantage.
GRAPHENE AS TUNABLE STATIONARY PHASE ADDITIVE FOR ENANTIOSEPARATION
Authors: TU FEI-YUE , YU LIN-YAN , YU JIN-GANG , CHEN XIAO-QING , FU QIANG , JIAO FEI-PENG , PENG ZHI-GUANG , ZHANG TING
Published: July 2013

Graphene-based biosensor and chiral sensor have made significant progress in recent years. Because of the similarity of the optical enantiomers, enantioseparation is perhaps the most subtle to achieve. Developing more effectively chiral separation techniques based on graphene is highly desirable. Herein, pristine graphene was prepared and then applicated to assist resolution of two racemic drugs of propranolol and ofloxacin using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). In comparison with TLC chiral separation by only using pure D-(-)-tartaric acid as a selector with relatively low degree of separation, a mixture of graphene and D-(-)-tartaric acid is more attractive, efficient and ready available. The high specific resolution ability for racemic compounds aided by graphene might allow its potential application in future chiral separation technologies.
Scaling LAPACK panel operations using parallel cache assignment
Authors: Castaldo Anthony M. , Whaley R. Clint , Samuel Siju
Published: July 2013

In LAPACK many matrix operations are cast as block algorithms which iteratively process a panel using an unblocked algorithm and then update a remainder matrix using the high performance Level 3 BLAS. The Level 3 BLAS have excellent scaling, but panel processing tends to be bus bound, and thus scales with bus speed rather than the number of processors (
p
). Amdahl's law therefore ensures that as
p
grows, the panel computation will become the dominant cost of these LAPACK routines. Our contribution is a novel parallel cache assignment approach to the panel factorization which we show scales well with
p
. We apply this general approach to the QR, QL, RQ, LQ and LU panel factorizations. We show results for two commodity platforms: an 8-core Intel platform and a 32-core AMD platform. For both platforms and all twenty implementations (five factorizations each of which is available in 4 types), we present results that demonstrate that our approach yields significant speedup over the existing state of the art.
Multimodal eyes-free exploration of maps
Authors: Bahram Sina
Published: July 2013

Touch It, Key It, Speak It (Tikisi) is a software framework for accessible exploration of graphical information by vision impaired users. Multimodal input to Tikisi is through multitouch gestures, keystrokes, and spoken commands; output is generated speech. The key insight in Tikisi is the decoupling of input and output resolutions achieved by a virtual, variable-resolution grid overlaid on an application, which supports touch-based exploration of graphics at different levels of granularity. Using Tikisi For Maps, a vision impaired user can run a finger over a geographical map and issue commands to center, rescale, or zoom the map; to go to specific locations such as cities or states; to find features such as water/land boundaries; and to summarize contextual spatial information at a location. In this paper we describe the architecture and implementation of Tikisi and the capabilities of Tikisi For Maps. We discuss the results of a preliminary formative usability study carried out on the use of the system.
Bach1 deficiency protects pancreatic β-cells from oxidative stress injury
Authors: Kondo Keiichi , Ishigaki Yasushi , Gao Junhong , Yamada Tetsuya , Imai Junta , Sawada Shojiro , Muto Akihiko , Oka Yoshitomo , Igarashi Kazuhiko , Katagiri Hideki
Published: July 2013

BTB and CNC homology 1 (Bach1) is a transcriptional repressor of antioxidative enzymes, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Oxidative stress is reportedly involved in insulin secretion impairment and obesity-associated insulin resistance. However, the role of Bach1 in the development of diabetes is unclear. HO-1 expression in the liver, white adipose tissue, and pancreatic islets was markedly upregulated in Bach1-deficient mice. Unexpectedly, glucose and insulin tolerance tests showed no differences in obese wild-type (WT) and obese Bach1-deficient mice after high-fat diet loading for 6 wk, suggesting minimal roles of Bach1 in the development of insulin resistance. In contrast, Bach1 deficiency significantly suppressed alloxan-induced pancreatic insulin content reduction and the resultant glucose elevation. Furthermore, TUNEL-positive cells in pancreatic islets of Bach1-deficient mice were markedly decreased, by 60%, compared with those in WT mice. HO-1 expression in islets was significantly upregulated in alloxan-injected Bach1-deficient mice, whereas expression of other antioxidative enzymes, e.g., catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, was not changed by either alloxan administration or Bach1 deficiency. Our results suggest that Bach1 deficiency protects pancreatic β-cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and that the enhancement of HO-1 expression plays an important role in this protection.
Adult teleost heart expresses two distinct troponin C paralogs: cardiac TnC and a novel and teleost-specific ssTnC in a chamber- and temperature-dependent manner
Authors: Genge Christine E. , Davidson William S. , Tibbits Glen F.
Published: July 2013

The teleost-specific whole genome duplication created multiple copies of genes allowing for subfunctionalization of isoforms. In this study, we show that the teleost cardiac Ca2+-binding troponin C (TnC) is the product of two distinct genes: cardiac TnC (cTnC, TnnC1a) and a fish-specific slow skeletal TnC (ssTnC, TnnC1b). The ssTnC gene is novel to teleosts as mammals have a single gene commonly referred as cTnC but which is also expressed in slow skeletal muscle. In teleosts, the data strongly indicate that these are two TnC genes are different paralogs. Because we determined that ssTnC exists across many teleosts but not in basal ray-finned fish (e.g., bichir), we propose that these paralogs are the result of an ancestral tandem gene duplication persisting only in teleosts. Quantification of mRNA levels was used to demonstrate distinct expression localization patterns of the paralogs within the chambers of the heart. In the adult zebrafish acclimated at 28°C, ssTnC mRNA levels are twofold greater than cTnC mRNA levels in the atrium, whereas cTnC mRNA was almost exclusively expressed in the ventricle. Meanwhile, rainbow trout acclimated at 5°C showed cTnC mRNA levels in both chambers significantly greater than ssTnC. Distinct responses to temperature acclimation were also quantified in both adult zebrafish and rainbow trout, with mRNA in both chambers shifting to express higher levels of cTnC in 18°C acclimated zebrafish and 5°C acclimated trout. Possible subfunctionalization of TnC isoforms may provide insight into how teleosts achieve physiological versatility in chamber-specific contractile properties.
Weak Solutions for ap-Laplacian Impulsive Differential Equation
Authors: Dong Wei , Xu Jiafa , Zhang Xiaoyan
Published: July 2013

By the virtue of variational method and critical point theory, we give some existence results of weak solutions for ap-Laplacian impulsive differential equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions.
Tuberculosis Infection Mimicking Brain Metastatic Malignancy Lesions in an Elderly Male
Authors: Anyfantakis Dimitrios , Damianaki Ageliki , Kokosi Maria , Symvoulakis Emmanouil K. , Kastanakis Serafim
Published: July 2013

An 83-year-old Caucasian Greek man was referred by his general practitioner to the emergency department of the general hospital in Crete because of seizures and agitation. His past medical history was negative for any neurological or medical condition. Electroencephalogram showed a bradyarrhythmic theta activity, without evidence of any focal or other specific abnormality. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated a number of diffuse nodular lesions and moderate perivascular edema. An axillary lymph node fine needle aspiration cytology suggested a granulomatous lymphadenitis along with signs of tuberculous infiltration. Tuberculin skin test was positive. We report a rare case of extrapulmonary tuberculosis mimicking brain metastatic lesions.
Thermal Conductivity of Gel-Grown Barium Oxalate at 326 and 335 K
Authors: Dalal Paresh Vasantlal
Published: July 2013

Single crystals of barium oxalate have been grown by gel method using agar-agar gel as media of growth at ambient temperature. The grown crystal crystallizes under monoclinic structure. Thermal conductivity of gel-grown barium oxalate crystals as a function of temperature has been studied at 326 and 335 K by using divided bar method. The thermal conductivity of barium oxalate crystal at 326 K was found 3.685 W m−1 K−1 and 3.133 W m−1 K−1 at 335 K. The reduction of thermal conductivity with the rise in temperature may be due to reduction in mean free path of phonons in the solid.
Can Axial-Based Nodal Size Criteria Be Used in Other Imaging Planes to Accurately Determine “Enlarged” Head and Neck Lymph Nodes?
Authors: Bartlett Eric S. , Walters Thomas D. , Yu Eugene
Published: July 2013

Objective. We evaluate if axial-based lymph node size criteria can be applied to coronal and sagittal planes. Methods. Fifty pretreatment computed tomographic (CT) neck exams were evaluated in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCCa) and neck lymphadenopathy. Axial-based size criteria were applied to all 3 imaging planes, measured, and classified as “enlarged” if equal to or exceeding size criteria. Results. 222 lymph nodes were “enlarged” in one imaging plane; however, 53.2% (118/222) of these were “enlarged” in all 3 planes. Classification concordance between axial versus coronal/sagittal planes was poor (kappa = −0.09 and −0.07, resp., P<0.05). The McNemar test showed systematic misclassification when comparing axial versus coronal (P<0.001) and axial versus sagittal (P<0.001) planes. Conclusion. Classification of “enlarged” lymph nodes differs between axial versus coronal/sagittal imaging planes when axial-based nodal size criteria are applied independently to all three imaging planes, and exclusively used without other morphologic nodal data.
The Controversial Role of Microglia in Malignant Gliomas
Authors: Wei Jun , Gabrusiewicz Konrad , Heimberger Amy
Published: July 2013

Malignant gliomas contain stroma and a variety of immune cells including abundant activated microglia/macrophages. Mounting evidence indicates that the glioma microenvironment converts the glioma-associated microglia/macrophages (GAMs) into glioma-supportive, immunosuppressive cells; however, GAMs can retain intrinsic anti-tumor properties. Here, we review and discuss this duality and the potential therapeutic strategies that may inhibit their glioma-supportive and propagating functions.
Importance of Video-EEG Monitoring in the Diagnosis of Refractory Panic Attacks
Authors: Kirmani Batool F. , Mungall Diana
Published: July 2013

Partial seizures can be misdiagnosed as panic attacks. There is considerable overlap of symptoms between temporal lobe seizures and panic attacks making the diagnosis extremely challenging. Temporal lobe seizures can present with intense fear and autonomic symptoms which are also seen in panic disorders. This results in delay in diagnosis and management. We report an interesting case of a young woman who was diagnosed with right temporal lobe seizures with symptoms suggestive of a panic attack.
Development and Validation of an RP-HPLC Method for Estimation of Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Ibuprofen, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride in Combined Pharmaceutical Dosage Form
Authors: Sanchaniya Pinak M. , Mehta Falgun A. , Uchadadiya Nirav B.
Published: July 2013

The objective of this paper is to develope a simple, precise, accurate, and reproducible reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantitative determination of chlorpheniramine maleate, ibuprofen, and phenylephrine hydrochloride in combined pharmaceutical dosage form. Analysis was carried out using acetonitrile : mathanol : phoshphate buffer (50 : 20 : 30, v/v/v, pH 5.6) mobile phase at 1.0 mL/min flow rate and Sunfire C 18 column (5 μm × 250 mm × 4.6 mm) as stationary phase with detection wavelength of 220 nm. The retention times of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM), ibuprofen (IBU), and phenylephrine hydrochloride (PHE) were 4.2 min, 13.6 min, and 2.7 min, respectively. The proposed method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity, and robustness. The linearity for chlorpheniramine maleate, ibuprofen, and phenylephrine hydrochloride was in the range of 0.5–2.5 μg/mL, 25–125 μg/mL, and 1.25–6.25 μg/mL, respectively. The % recoveries of all the three drugs were found to be 99.44–101.61%, 99.39–101.79%, and 98.66–101.83%. LOD were found to be 32, 120, and 68 ng/mL for CPM, IBU, and PHE, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the estimation of chlorpheniramine maleate, ibuprofen, and phenylephrine hydrochloride in combined pharmaceutical dosage form.
A Systematic Review of Experimental and Clinical Acupuncture in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Franconi Giovanna , Manni Luigi , Schröder Sven , Marchetti Paolo , Robinson Nicola
Published: July 2013

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect that can be very disabling and can limit or delay the dose of chemotherapy that can be administered. Acupuncture may be effective for treating peripheral neuropathy. The aim of this study was to review the available literature on the use of acupuncture for CIPN. The systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Database, CINHAL, and ISI Proceedings. Hand searching was conducted, and consensus was reached on all extracted data. Only papers in the English language were included, irrespective of study design. From 3989 retrieved papers, 8 relevant papers were identified. One was an experimental study which showed that electroacupuncture suppressed CIPN pain in rats. In addition, there were 7 very heterogeneous clinical studies, 1 controlled randomised study using auricular acupuncture, 2 randomized controlled studies using somatic acupuncture, and 3 case series/case reports which suggested a positive effect of acupuncture in CIPN.Conclusions. Only one controlled randomised study demonstrated that acupuncture may be beneficial for CIPN. All the clinical studies reviewed had important methodological limitations. Further studies with robust methodology are needed to demonstrate the role of acupuncture for treating CIPN resulting from cancer treatment.
Localized Surface Plasmons Enhanced Light Transmission into c-Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Singh Y. Premkumar , Jain Amit , Kapoor Avinashi
Published: July 2013

The paper investigates the light incoupling into c-Si solar cells due to the excitation of localized surface plasmon resonances in periodic metallic nanoparticles by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique. A significant enhancement of AM1.5G solar radiation transmission has been demonstrated by depositing nanoparticles of various metals on the upper surface of a semi-infinite Si substrate. Plasmonic nanostructures located close to the cell surface can scatter incident light efficiently into the cell. Al nanoparticles were found to be superior to Ag, Cu, and Au nanoparticles due to the improved transmission of light over almost the entire solar spectrum and, thus, can be a potential low-cost plasmonic metal for large-scale implementation of solar cells.
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy in Previously Shunted Children
Authors: Brichtova Eva , Chlachula Martin , Hrbac Tomas , Lipina Radim
Published: July 2013

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a routine and safe procedure for therapy of obstructive hydrocephalus. The aim of our study is to evaluate ETV success rate in therapy of obstructive hydrocephalus in pediatric patients formerly treated by ventriculoperitoneal (V-P) shunt implantation. From 2001 till 2011, ETV was performed in 42 patients with former V-P drainage implantation. In all patients, the obstruction in aqueduct or outflow parts of the fourth ventricle was proved by MRI. During the surgery, V-P shunt was clipped and ETV was performed. In case of favourable clinical state and MRI functional stoma, the V-P shunt has been removed 3 months after ETV. These patients with V-P shunt possible removing were evaluated as successful. In our group of 42 patients we were successful in 29 patients (69%). There were two serious complications (4.7%)—one patient died 2.5 years and one patient died 1 year after surgery in consequence of delayed ETV failure. ETV is the method of choice in obstructive hydrocephalus even in patients with former V-P shunt implantation. In case of acute or scheduled V-P shunt surgical revision, MRI is feasible, and if ventricular system obstruction is diagnosed, the hydrocephalus may be solved endoscopically.
Comparative Study of Genome Divergence in Salmonids with Various Rates of Genetic Isolation
Authors: Shubina Elena A. , Nikitin Mikhail A. , Ponomareva Ekaterina V. , Goryunov Denis V. , Gritsenko Oleg F.
Published: July 2013

The aim of the study is a comparative investigation of changes that certain genome parts undergo during speciation. The research was focused on divergence of coding and noncoding sequences in different groups of salmonid fishes of the Salmonidae (Salmo, Parasalmo, Oncorhynchus, andSalvelinusgenera) and the Coregonidae families under different levels of reproductive isolation. Two basic approaches were used: (1) PCR-RAPD with a 20–22 nt primer design with subsequent cloning and sequencing of the products and (2) a modified endonuclease restriction analysis. The restriction fragments were shown with sequencing to represent satellite DNA. Effects of speciation are found in repetitive sequences. The revelation of expressed sequences in the majority of the employed anonymous loci allows for assuming the adaptive selection during allopatric speciation in isolated char forms.
Super-Twisting Algorithm Second-Order Sliding Mode Control for a Synchronous Reluctance Motor Speed Drive
Authors: Lin Wen-Bin , Chiang Huann-Keng
Published: July 2013

This paper presents the design and implementation of a super-twisting algorithm second-order sliding mode controller (SOSMC) for a synchronous reluctance motor. SOSMC is an effective tool for the control of uncertain nonlinear systems since it overcomes the main drawbacks of conventional sliding mode control, that is, large control effort and chattering. The practical implementation of SOSMC has simple control laws and assures an improvement in sliding accuracy with respect to conventional sliding mode control. This paper proposes a control scheme based on super-twisting algorithm SOSMC. The SOSMC is mathematically derived, and its performance is verified by simulation and experiments. The proposed SOSMC is robust against motor parameter variation and mitigates chattering.
An Unusual Presentation of Scimitar Syndrome in a Military Service Member
Authors: Simmons Daniel B. , Menon Ravi S. , Pomeroy William L. , Batts Travis C. , Slim Ahmad M.
Published: July 2013

This is the case of a twenty-two-year-old active duty male soldier with nonexertional chest pain and worsening performance on his physical fitness test. His history was significant for a diagnosis of dextrocardia upon entry to the military. On acute presentation to the emergency department, he was deemed a candidate for the expedited coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) protocol to assess for a possible anatomic cause of his symptoms. CCTA revealed the presence of an anomalous right pulmonary vein draining into the inferior vena cava. Additionally, the imaging showed dextroversion of the heart, dilation of the inferior vena cava, right atrium, and right ventricle, as well as a hypoplastic right lung, a collection of findings consistent with scimitar syndrome and not dextrocardia.
Fabrication of C60 Fullerene Nanofibers by Volatile Diffusion Method
Authors: Wang Bingzhe , Gao Xin , Piao Guangzhe
Published: July 2013

C60 fullerene nanofibers (FNFs) were for the first time prepared by a volatile diffusion method using toluene as solvent and isopropyl alcohol as precipitation agent in room temperature, 25°C. FNFs with different lengths, aspect ratios, and morphologies could be fabricated by changing incubation time. Meanwhile, as for a crystal growth process, a possible mechanism of the formation of the crystal of FNFs was proposed in which the short and thin FNFs are the result of crystal growth, and self‐assembly happens between the short fibers and thus leads to the formation of thick and long bundles of the FNFs.
Socioeconomic, Psychiatric and Materiality Determinants and Risk of Postpartum Depression in Border City of Ilam, Western Iran
Authors: Taherifard Pegah , Delpisheh Ali , Shirali Ramin , Afkhamzadeh Abdorrahim , Veisani Yousef
Published: July 2013

Background. Postpartum depression (PPD) is considered as one of the mood disturbances occurring during 2-3 months after delivery. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of PPD and its associated risk factors in border city of Ilam, western Iran.Methods. Through a descriptive cross-sectional study in 2011, overall, 197 women who attended Obstetrics & Gynecology clinics postpartumly in the border city of Ilam, western Iran, were randomly recruited. A standard questionnaire that was completed by a trained midwife through face to face interviews was used for data gathering.Results. Mean age ± standard deviations was 27.9 ± 5.2 years. Prevalence of PPD was estimated to be 34.8% (95% CI: 27.7–41.7). A significant difference was observed among depression scores before and after delivery (P≤0.001). Type of delivery (P=0.044), low socioeconomic status (P=0.011), and women having low educational level (P=0.009) were the most important significant risk factors associated with PPD. The regression analysis showed that employed mothers compared to housekeepers were more at risk for PPD (adjusted OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.22–2.28,P=0.003).Conclusions. Prevalence of PPD in western Iran was slightly higher than the corresponding rate from either national or international reports.
Picard Type Iterative Scheme with Initial Iterates in Reverse Order for a Class of Nonlinear Three Point BVPs
Authors: Singh Mandeep , Verma Amit K.
Published: July 2013

We consider the following class of three point boundary value problemy′′(t)+f(t,y)=0,0<t<1,y′(0)=0,y(1)=δy(η), whereδ>0,0<η<1, the source termf(t,y)is Lipschitz and continuous. We use monotone iterative technique in the presence of upper and lower solutions for both well-order and reverse order cases. Under some sufficient conditions, we prove some new existence results. We use examples and figures to demonstrate that monotone iterative method can efficiently be used for computation of solutions of nonlinear BVPs.
Intraoperative Platelet Rich Plasma Usage in Total Knee Arthroplasty: Does It Help?
Authors: Pace Thomas B. , Foret Jonathan L. , Palmer M. Jason , Tanner Stephanie L. , Snider Rebecca G.
Published: July 2013

Autologous platelet rich plasma preparations, commonly referred to as platelet gel, have been reported to have benefits when used in total knee replacement of less blood loss and better motion, with few reported complications. This retrospective review of 268 consecutive primary total knee arthroplasty cases compares postsurgical range of motion at 2, 8, and 12 weeks, knee manipulation rates, change in hemoglobin, and complications between one group receiving a platelet gel preparation (135 cases), and an equivalent group receiving no platelet gel preparation (133 control cases). No difference was found between groups in manipulation rates, knee range of motion, or changes in hemoglobin (). The use of platelet gel in this study did not have a significant effect on hemoglobin at 72 hours postoperatively, knee range of motion, or manipulation rates up to 3 months post-op in this patient cohort.
Black Tea May Be a Prospective Adjunct for Calcium Supplementation to Prevent Early Menopausal Bone Loss in a Rat Model of Osteoporosis
Authors: Das Asankur Sekhar , Banerjee Maitrayee , Das Dolan , Mukherjee Sandip , Mitra Chandan
Published: July 2013

The present study was undertaken to find out the ability of black tea extract (BTE) as a suitable alternative of adjunct for calcium supplementation in treating an ovariectomized rat model of early osteoporosis. Female Wistar rats weighing 140–150 g were divided into four groups consisting of six animals in each group: (A) sham-operated control; (B) bilaterally ovariectomized; (C) bilaterally ovariectomized + BTE; (D) bilaterally ovariectomized + 17β-estradiol. Results suggest that BTE could promote intestinal absorption of calcium significantly (P<0.01for duodenum and ileum; andP<0.05for jejunum). This was found associated with enhanced activities of two relevant intestinal mucosal enzymes alkaline phosphatase (P<0.01for duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and Ca2+activated ATPase (P<0.01for duodenum, jejunum, and ileum). Such BTE-mediated promotion of calcium absorption was coupled with increase in serum estrogen titer (P<0.01) and recovery of all urinary, bone, and serum osteoporotic marker parameters, including bone histological features. Serum parathyroid hormone level, however, was not altered in these animals (P>0.05). A comparative study with 17β-estradiol, a well-known adjunct for calcium supplementation, indicated that efficacy of BTE in maintaining skeletal health is close to that of 17β-estradiol. This study suggests that simultaneous use of BTE is promising as a prospective candidate for adjunctive therapies for calcium supplementation in the early stage of menopausal bone changes.
Ant Colony Optimization for Social Utility Maximization in a Multiuser Communication System
Authors: Lin Ming-Hua , Tsai Jung-Fa , Lee Lu-Yao
Published: July 2013

In a multiuser communication system such as cognitive radio or digital subscriber lines, the transmission rate of each user is affected by the channel background noise and the crosstalk interference from other users. This paper presents an efficient ant colony optimization algorithm to allocate each user’s limited power on different channels for maximizing social utility (i.e., the sum of all individual utilities). The proposed algorithm adopts an initial solution that allocates more power on the channel with a lower background noise level. Besides, the cooling concept of simulated annealing is integrated into the proposed method to improve the convergence rate during the local search of the ant colony optimization algorithm. A number of experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Simultaneous-Fault Diagnosis of Gas Turbine Generator Systems Using a Pairwise-Coupled Probabilistic Classifier
Authors: Yang Zhixin , Wong Pak Kin , Vong Chi Man , Zhong Jianhua , Liang JieJunYi
Published: July 2013

A reliable fault diagnostic system for gas turbine generator system (GTGS), which is complicated and inherent with many types of component faults, is essential to avoid the interruption of electricity supply. However, the GTGS diagnosis faces challenges in terms of the existence of simultaneous-fault diagnosis and high cost in acquiring the exponentially increased simultaneous-fault vibration signals for constructing the diagnostic system. This research proposes a new diagnostic framework combining feature extraction, pairwise-coupled probabilistic classifier, and decision threshold optimization. The feature extraction module adopts wavelet packet transform and time-domain statistical features to extract vibration signal features. Kernel principal component analysis is then applied to further reduce the redundant features. The features of single faults in a simultaneous-fault pattern are extracted and then detected using a probabilistic classifier, namely, pairwise-coupled relevance vector machine, which is trained with single-fault patterns only. Therefore, the training dataset of simultaneous-fault patterns is unnecessary. To optimize the decision threshold, this research proposes to use grid search method which can ensure a global solution as compared with traditional computational intelligence techniques. Experimental results show that the proposed framework performs well for both single-fault and simultaneous-fault diagnosis and is superior to the frameworks without feature extraction and pairwise coupling.
Quantum Dots Do Not Alter the Differentiation Potential of Pancreatic Stem Cells and Are Distributed Randomly among Daughter Cells
Authors: Danner S. , Benzin H. , Vollbrandt T. , Oder J. , Richter A. , Kruse C.
Published: July 2013

With the increasing relevance of cell-based therapies, there is a demand for cell-labeling techniques forin vitroandin vivostudies. For the reasonable tracking of transplanted stem cells in animal models, the usage of quantum dots (QDs) for sensitive cellular imaging has major advances. QDs could be delivered to the cytoplasm of the cells providing intense and stable fluorescence. Although QDs are emerging as favourable nanoparticles for bioimaging, substantial investigations are still required to consider their application for adult stem cells. Therefore, rat pancreatic stem cells (PSCs) were labeled with different concentrations of CdSe quantum dots (Qtracker 605 nanocrystals). The QD labeled PSCs showed normal proliferation and their usual spontaneous differentiation potentialin vitro. The labeling of the cell population was concentration dependent, with increasing cell load from 5 nM QDs to 20 nM QDs. With time-lapse microscopy, we observed that the transmission of the QD particles during cell divisions was random, appearing as equal or unequal transmission to daughter cells. We report here that QDs offered an efficient and nontoxic way to label pancreatic stem cells without genetic modifications. In summary, QD nanocrystals are a promising tool for stem cell labeling and facilitate tracking of transplanted cells in animal models.
Low-Density Lipoprotein Modified by Myeloperoxidase in Inflammatory Pathways and Clinical Studies
Authors: Delporte Cédric , Van Antwerpen Pierre , Vanhamme Luc , Roumeguère Thierry , Zouaoui Boudjeltia Karim
Published: July 2013

Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has a key role in atherogenesis. Among the different models of oxidation that have been studied, the one using myeloperoxidase (MPO) is thought to be more physiopathologically relevant. Apolipoprotein B-100 is the unique protein of LDL and is the major target of MPO. Furthermore, MPO rapidly adsorbs at the surface of LDL, promoting oxidation of amino acid residues and formation of oxidized lipoproteins that are commonly named Mox-LDL. The latter is not recognized by the LDL receptor and is accumulated by macrophages. In the context of atherogenesis, Mox-LDL accumulates in macrophages leading to foam cell formation. Furthermore, Mox-LDL seems to have specific effects and triggers inflammation. Indeed, those oxidized lipoproteins activate endothelial cells and monocytes/macrophages and induce proinflammatory molecules such as TNFαand IL-8. Mox-LDL may also inhibit fibrinolysis mediated via endothelial cells and consecutively increase the risk of thrombus formation. Finally, Mox-LDL has been involved in the physiopathology of several diseases linked to atherosclerosis such as kidney failure and consequent hemodialysis therapy, erectile dysfunction, and sleep restriction. All these issues show that the investigations of MPO-dependent LDL oxidation are of importance to better understand the inflammatory context of atherosclerosis.
Acute Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction due to Occlusion of the Wrapped Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery
Authors: Sunil Roy Thottuvelil Narayanan , Nagham Jafar Saeed , Anil Kumar Rajappan
Published: July 2013

Acute occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) generally results in ST segment elevations in precordial leads and reciprocal ST segment depression in inferior leads. The occurrence of isolated inferior myocardial infarction due to occlusion of LAD is very rare. We describe an isolated acute inferior myocardial infarction due to occlusion of a wrapped LAD at the apex which continues as the large posterior descending coronary artery (PDA) beyond the occlusion.
The Role of Aberrant VHL/HIF Pathway Elements in Predicting Clinical Outcome to Pazopanib Therapy in Patients with Metastatic Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Choueiri Toni K. , Fay André P. , Gagnon Robert , Lin Ying , Bahamon Brittany , Brown Victoria , Rosenberg Jonathan E. , Hutson Thomas E. , Baker-Neblett Katherine L. , Carpenter Christopher , Liu Yuan , Pandite Lini , Signoretti Sabina
Published: July 2013

Purpose: Inactivation of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) leads to increased levels of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) and overexpression of HIF target genes, such as VEGF and others. VEGF-targeted agents are standard in advanced clear-cell RCC but biomarkers of activity are lacking.

Experimental Design: We analyzed tumor tissue samples from metastatic clear-cell RCC patients who received pazopanib as part of clinical trial VEG102616. We evaluated several components of the VHL/HIF pathway: VHL gene inactivation (mutation and/or methylation), HIF-1α and HIF-2α immunohistochemistry staining, and HIF-1α transcriptional signature. We evaluated the association of these biomarkers with best overall response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) to pazopanib, a standard first-line VEGF-targeted agent.

Results: The VEG102616 trial enrolled 225 patients, from whom 78 samples were available for tumor DNA extraction. Of these, 70 patients had VHL mutation or methylation. VHL gene status did not correlate with ORR or PFS. Similarly, HIF-1α (65 samples) and HIF-2α (66 samples) protein levels (high vs. low) did not correlate with ORR or PFS to pazopanib. The HIF-1α transcriptional signature (46 samples) was enriched in tumors expressing high HIF-1α levels. However, the HIF-1α gene expression signature was not associated with clinical outcome to pazopanib.

Conclusions: In patients with advanced clear-cell RCC, several potential biomarkers along the VHL/HIF-1α/HIF-2α axis were not found to be predictive for pazopanib activity. Additional efforts must continue to identify biomarkers associated with clinical outcome to VEGF-targeted agents in metastatic RCC. Clin Cancer Res; 19(18); 5218–26. ©2013 AACR.
Dietary Polyphenols Suppress Elevated Levels of Proinflammatory Mediators and Aromatase in the Mammary Gland of Obese Mice
Authors: Subbaramaiah Kotha , Sue Erika , Bhardwaj Priya , Du Baoheng , Hudis Clifford A. , Giri Dilip , Kopelovich Levy , Zhou Xi Kathy , Dannenberg Andrew J.
Published: July 2013

In postmenopausal women, obesity is a risk factor for the development of hormone receptor–positive breast cancer driven by estrogen. After menopause, aromatization of androgen precursors in adipose tissue is a major synthetic source of estrogen. Recently, in mouse models and women, we identified an obesity–inflammation–aromatase axis. This obesity-induced inflammation is characterized by crown-like structures (CLS) consisting of dead adipocytes encircled by macrophages in breast white adipose tissue. CLS occur in association with NF-κB activation, elevated levels of proinflammatory mediators, and increased aromatase expression. Saturated fatty acids released from adipocytes have been linked to obesity-related white adipose tissue inflammation. Here we found that stearic acid, a prototypic saturated fatty acid, stimulated Akt-dependent activation of NF-κB resulting in increased levels of proinflammatory mediators [TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, COX-2] in macrophages leading, in turn, to the induction of aromatase. Several polyphenols (resveratrol, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate) blocked these inductive effects of stearic acid. Zyflamend, a widely used polyherbal preparation that contains numerous polyphenols, possessed similar suppressive effects. In a mouse model of obesity, treatment with Zyflamend suppressed levels of phospho-Akt, NF-κB binding activity, proinflammatory mediators, and aromatase in the mammary gland. Collectively, these results suggest that targeting the activation of NF-κB is a promising approach for reducing levels of proinflammatory mediators and aromatase in inflamed mouse mammary tissue. Further investigation in obese women is warranted. Cancer Prev Res; 6(9); 886–97. ©2013 AACR.