bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cohort study on the incidence and outcome of pulmonary embolism in trauma and orthopedic patients
Authors: Gudipati Suribabu , Fragkakis Evangelos M , Ciriello Vincenzo , Harrison Simon J , Stavrou Petros Z , Kanakaris Nikolaos K , West Robert M , Giannoudis Peter V
Published: March 2014

Background

This study aims to determine the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in trauma and orthopedic patients within a regional tertiary referral center and its association with the pattern of injury, type of treatment, co-morbidities, thromboprophylaxis and mortality.

Methods

All patients admitted to our institution between January 2010 and December 2011, for acute trauma or elective orthopedic procedures, were eligible to participate in this study. Our cohort was formed by identifying all patients with clinical features of PE who underwent Computed Tomography-Pulmonary Angiogram (CT-PA) to confirm or exclude the clinical suspicion of PE, within six months after the injury or the surgical procedure.

Case notes and electronic databases were reviewed retrospectively to identify each patient’s venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk factors, type of treatment, thromboprophylaxis and mortality.

Results

Out of 18,151 patients admitted during the study period only 85 (0.47%) patients developed PE (positive CT-PA) (24 underwent elective surgery and 61 sustained acute trauma). Of these, only 76% of the patients received thromboprophylaxis. Hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease were the most commonly identifiable risk factors. In 39% of the cases, PE was diagnosed during the in-hospital stay. The median time of PE diagnosis, from the date of injury or the surgical intervention was 23 days (range 1 to 312). The overall mortality rate was 0.07% (13/18,151), but for those who developed PE it was 15.29% (13/85). Concomitant deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was identified in 33.3% of patients. The presence of two or more co-morbidities was significantly associated with the incidence of mortality (unadjusted odds ratio (OR) = 3.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.34, 18.99), P = 0.034). Although there was also a similar clinical effect size for polytrauma injury on mortality (unadjusted OR = 1.90 (0.38, 9.54), P = 0.218), evidence was not statistically significant for this factor.

Conclusions

The incidence of VTE was comparable to previously reported rates, whereas the mortality rate was lower. Our local protocols that comply with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines in the UK appear to be effective in preventing VTE and reducing mortality in trauma and orthopedic patients.
Spinal dermoid sinus in a Dachshund with vertebral and thoracic limb malformations
Authors: Barrios Natasha , Gómez Marcelo , Mieres Marcelo , Vera Frank , Alvial Genaro
Published: March 2014

Background

Dermoid sinus is an uncommon epithelial-lined fistula that may be associated with vertebral malformations. In humans, Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is a rare condition characterized by congenital cervical vertebral fusion and may be associated with other developmental defects, including dermoid sinus. The present case report describes an adult Dachshund with cervical and cranial thoracic vertebral malformations as well as thoracic limb malformations resembling KFS with a concurrent type IV dermoid sinus.

Case presentation

A 1.5 year-old Dachshund with congenital thoracic limbs deformities and cervical-thoracic vertebral malformations presented with cervical hyperesthesia, rigidity of the cervical musculature and tetraparesis. Neurologic, radiographic, and computed tomography (CT) (2D, 3D, CT fistulography) examinations revealed skeletal anomalies, a dermoid sinus in the cranial thoracic region and epidural gas within the vertebral canal. Surgical resection and histopathological evaluation of the sinus tract were performed and confirmed a type IV dermoid sinus. The clinical signs progressively recovered postoperatively, and no recurrent signs were observed after 6 months of follow-up.

Conclusions

Cervical vertebral malformations associated with limbs anomalies have not been reported in dogs and may represent a condition similar to KFS in humans. KFS can occur concurrently with other congenital conditions including dermoid sinus and should be included among the complex congenital anomalies described in dogs.
Hypoxia-conditioned media allows species-specific attraction of bone marrow stromal cells without need for recombinant proteins
Authors: Gabrielyan Anastasia , Knaak Sven , Gelinsky Michael , Arnhold Stefan , Rösen-Wolff Angela
Published: March 2014

Background

In vivo tissue regeneration depends on migration of stem cells into injured areas, their differentiation into specific cell types, and their interaction with other cells that are necessary to generate new tissue. Human mesenchymal stem cells, a subset of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), can migrate and differentiate into osteoblasts in bone tissue. This can be facilitated by recombinant growth factors and cytokines. In many animal species, the availability of genomic sequences, recombinant proteins, and/or antibodies is limited so that new approaches are needed to generate resources that facilitate migration of stem cells into tissue defect areas. Here we used bone marrow stromal cells of human, ovine, equine, and canine origin to generate hypoxia-conditioned media (HCM) in order to attract BMSCs of the respective species in migration assays.

Results

We show that HCM contain attractors even more potent than vascular endothelial growth factor and can therefore be used in many animal species without the need for purified proteins.

Conclusion

Generation of HCM is easy and cheap compared to preparation and purification of protein fractions and/or recombinant proteins. Hence, HCM could be applied in large animals (e.g. sheep, horse, dogs) for attraction of BMSCs into tissue defects caused by tumor resection or trauma.
Study of color pigments associated to archaic chinchorro mummies and grave goods in Northern Chile (7000–3500 B.P.)
Authors: Sepúlveda Marcela , Rousseliere Hélene , Van Elslande Elsa , Arriaza Bernardo , Standen Vivien , Santoro Calogero M , Walter Philippe
Published: March 2014

This article presents the results of physical–chemical characterization of the layers of coating covering the bodies, faces and stuffed of four mummified human bodies and seven grave goods from the Chinchorro Archaic funerary tradition that inhabited the Atacama Desert of the far northern coast of Chile. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-Rays (SEM-EDX) and X-Ray Diffraction (μDRX), the study identified the use of different pigments including iron, manganese and copper oxides that were combined into different preparations or pictorial recipes for paste and coating bodies and faces. The results indicate that the Chinchorro, an archaic hunting, gathering and fishing society (7000- 3500 B.P.) managed a complex color technology for their mortuary practices.
Recent scientific and operational achievements of D/V Chikyu
Authors: Taira Asahiko , Toczko Sean , Eguchi Nobu , Kuramoto Shin’ichi , Kubo Yusuke , Azuma Wataru
Published: March 2014

The D/V Chikyu, a scientific drilling vessel, is equipped with industry-standard riser capabilities. Riser drilling technology enables remarkable drilling and downhole logging capabilities and provides unprecedented hole-stability, enabling the shipboard team to retrieve high-quality wire-line logging data as well as well-preserved core samples. The 11 March 2011 Tohoku Oki mega-earthquake and tsunami cost over 18,000 casualties in NE Japan. Chikyu, docked in the Port of Hachinohe, was damaged by the tsunami. By April 2012, the ship was back in operation; drilling the toe of the Japan Trench fault zone where topographic surveys suggested there was up to 50 m eastward motion, the largest earthquake rupture ever recorded. During Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expeditions 343 and 343 T, Chikyu drilled 850 m below sea floor (mbsf) in 6,900+ m water depth and recovered core samples of a highly brecciated shear zone composed of pelagic claystone. A subseafloor observatory looking for temperature signatures caused by the fault friction during the earthquake, was installed and later successfully recovered. The recovered temperature loggers recorded data from which the level of friction during the mega-earthquake slip could be determined.

Following Exp. 343, Chikyu began IODP Exp. 337, a riser drilling expedition into the Shimokita coal beds off Hachinohe, to study the deep subsurface biosphere in sedimentary units including Paleogene-Neogene coal beds. New records in scientific ocean drilling were achieved in deepest penetration (drilling reached 2,466 mbsf) and sample recovery.

Currently Chikyu is conducting deep riser drilling at the Nankai Trough in the final stage of the NanTroSEIZE campaign. During the years 2011 to 2013, including drilling in the Okinawa Hydrothermal System, Chikyu’s operational and scientific achievements have demonstrated that the ship’s capabilities are vital for opening new frontiers in earth and biological sciences.
Whole-genome analysis of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and 5-methylcytosine at base resolution in the human brain
Authors: Wen Lu , Li Xianlong , Yan Liying , Tan Yuexi , Li Rong , Zhao Yangyu , Wang Yan , Xie Jingcheng , Zhang Yan , Song Chunxiao , Yu Miao , Liu Xiaomeng , Zhu Ping , Li Xiaoyu , Hou Yu , Guo Hongshan , Wu Xinglong , He Chuan , Li Ruiqiang , Tang Fuchou , Qiao Jie
Published: March 2014

Background

5-methylcytosine (mC) can be oxidized by the tet methylcytosine dioxygenase (Tet) family of enzymes to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (hmC), which is an intermediate of mC demethylation and may also be a stable epigenetic modification that influences chromatin structure. hmC is particularly abundant in mammalian brains but its function is currently unknown. A high-resolution hydroxymethylome map is required to fully understand the function of hmC in the human brain.

Results

We present genome-wide and single-base resolution maps of hmC and mC in the human brain by combined application of Tet-assisted bisulfite sequencing and bisulfite sequencing. We demonstrate that hmCs increase markedly from the fetal to the adult stage, and in the adult brain, 13% of all CpGs are highly hydroxymethylated with strong enrichment at genic regions and distal regulatory elements. Notably, hmC peaks are identified at the 5′splicing sites at the exon-intron boundary, suggesting a mechanistic link between hmC and splicing. We report a surprising transcription-correlated hmC bias toward the sense strand and an mC bias toward the antisense strand of gene bodies. Furthermore, hmC is negatively correlated with H3K27me3-marked and H3K9me3-marked repressive genomic regions, and is more enriched at poised enhancers than active enhancers.

Conclusions

We provide single-base resolution hmC and mC maps in the human brain and our data imply novel roles of hmC in regulating splicing and gene expression. Hydroxymethylation is the main modification status for a large portion of CpGs situated at poised enhancers and actively transcribed regions, suggesting its roles in epigenetic tuning at these regions.
Design of plasmonic cavities
Authors: Kwon Soon-Hong , No You-Shin , Park Hong-Gyu
Published: March 2014

In this review paper, we introduce the unique optical properties of high-quality, fully three-dimensional, subwavelength-scale plasmonic cavities. Surface-plasmon-polaritons excited at dielectric-metal interfaces are strongly confined in such cavities. The field profiles of plasmonic modes, their temperature-dependent quality factors, and subwavelength mode volumes are calculated and analyzed systematically using three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulations. Reasonable design of high-quality plasmonic cavities opens an opportunity to demonstrate novel plasmonic lasers enabling the further miniaturization of coherent light sources for use in ultra-compact photonic integrated circuits.
Seismic screening for hydrocarbon prospects using rock-physics attributes
Authors: Avseth Per , Veggeland Tor , Horn Frederik
Published: March 2014

Rock-physics templates (RPT), in combination with seismic AVO inversion data, can be used to screen for hydrocarbon prospects during exploration. With the improved quality and increased use of elastic seismic inversion, there has recently been a paradigm change in prospect mapping in the oil industry, and quantitative interpretation has become a widely used jargon. Rock-physics models are essential in that they help in converting elastic parameters from inversion data to reservoir parameters. In the screening phase of inversion data, rock-physics models also can reveal hydrocarbon-associated anomalies. Two new rock-physics attributes help in detecting hydrocarbons from seismic—the curved pseudo-elastic impedance and the trend angle. The first of these is similar to the extended elastic impedance or the fluid factor in that it represents a deviation from a wet-background trend in a rock-physics template. However, it honors the nonlinear nature of a compaction trend. The trend angle is a measure of slope angle between two adjacent data points in the AI-versus-VP/VS crossplot, and this attribute will highlight fluid trends in the data. Those two attributes can be used complementarily to detect and highlight hydrocarbon accumulations, as demonstrated on data from the Norwegian shelf.
Rock-physics modeling of a dispersed-clay sandstone and dispersed-quartz shale sequence
Authors: Liu Di , Sams Mark , White Roger
Published: March 2014

The elastic and petrophysical properties of the fluvial rocks of the Miocene in the western basin of the Gulf of Thailand display typical signatures of dispersed-clay sandstones and dispersed-quartz shales. That is, the relationships between various properties exhibit two strong trends associated with a grain-supported domain and a matrix-supported domain. The minimum porosity and maximum P-velocity occur at the transition between these domains at a clay volume of approximately 40–50%. This means that the hardest rocks occur at this transition. A simple rock-physics model has been developed that quantifies the elastic properties over a large depth range but does not explicitly account for the dispersed nature of the clay and quartz. It employs a single aspect ratio at each depth within an inclusion-based modeling scheme. The required aspect ratio at each depth can be estimated from the depth, the porosity, and the clay volume of the rock.
Advanced rock-physics diagnostic analysis: A new method for cement quantification
Authors: Hossain Zakir , MacGregor Lucy
Published: March 2014

Rock-physics diagnostic (RPD) analysis is widely used to describe the functional relationship between seismic velocity and porosity, which is consistent with local geology, for example, characterizing diagenetic pore-filling cement and contact cements. Rock-physics studies indicate that quantitative cement substitution is as important as fluid substitution in understanding the difference between the hydrocarbon effect and the cementation effect from seismic data. Cement quantification is also important in understanding the fluid flow and mechanical strength of reservoir rocks. A new method quantifies the amount of contact and pore-filling cement by using RPD analysis. This cement-quantification method combines soft-sand, stiff-sand, and intermediate stiff-sand models and is a physical-based approach to quantify the amount of contact and pore-filling cement. By using these rock-physics models, one can examine the relationship between elastic properties and porosity in laboratory data and can link rock-physics properties to diagenesis to quantify the amount of cement. Pore-filling berthierine cements determined from thin-section analyses agree well with pore-filling cement determined from RPD analysis. The amount of contact cements determined from RPD analysis also agrees well with the amount of quartz cement determined from thin-section analyses. This new approach can be used to quantify the amount of pore-filling and contact cement from seismic properties.
Rock-physics model for unconventional shales
Authors: Khadeeva Yulia , Vernik Lev
Published: March 2014

An analytic model was adopted to calculate bedding-normal, dry elastic moduli of rocks enriched with solid organic matter — kerogen. Elastic stiffnesses in the model are functions of solid matrix moduli, total porosity, pore-shape factor, and crack density. Crack density is taken to be an exponential decay function of stress, which was calibrated using ultrasonic core measurements, whereas pore-shape factor was calibrated using sonic logs. Bedding-normal, fluid-saturated moduli were computed by means of Gassmann's equation, i.e., ignoring anisotropy. As a result, a model to calculate elastic moduli of organic shales was constructed and used for sonic-velocity prediction and pore-pressure calibration. Among other things, the model established the fact that the saturating fluid effect on elastic properties in organic shales can be noticeable, especially at extremely low effective stress. However, it is the kerogen content that is largely responsible for the anomalous deviation of log data points from conventional shale trend toward the hydrocarbon-charged sandstone trend in the acoustic- versus shear-impedance (AI–SI) domain.
Genetic Markers of Toxicity From Capecitabine and Other Fluorouracil-Based Regimens: Investigation in the QUASAR2 Study, Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Rosmarin Dan , Palles Claire , Church David , Domingo Enric , Jones Angela , Johnstone Elaine , Wang Haitao , Love Sharon , Julier Patrick , Scudder Claire , Nicholson George , Gonzalez-Neira Anna , Martin Miguel , Sargent Daniel , Green Erin , McLeod Howard , Zanger Ulrich M. , Schwab Matthias , Braun Michael , Seymour Matthew , Thompson Lindsay , Lacas Benjamin , Boige Valérie , Ribelles Nuria , Afzal Shoaib , Enghusen Henrik , Jensen Søren Astrup , Etienne-Grimaldi Marie-Christine , Milano Gérard , Wadelius Mia , Glimelius Bengt , Garmo Hans , Gusella Milena , Lecomte Thierry , Laurent-Puig Pierre , Martinez-Balibrea Eva , Sharma Rohini , Garcia-Foncillas Jesus , Kleibl Zdenek , Morel Alain , Pignon Jean-Pierre , Midgley Rachel , Kerr David , Tomlinson Ian
Published: March 2014

Purpose

Fluourouracil (FU) is a mainstay of chemotherapy, although toxicities are common. Genetic biomarkers have been used to predict these adverse events, but their utility is uncertain.

Patients and Methods

We tested candidate polymorphisms identified from a systematic literature search for associations with capecitabine toxicity in 927 patients with colorectal cancer in the Quick and Simple and Reliable trial (QUASAR2). We then performed meta-analysis of QUASAR2 and 16 published studies (n = 4,855 patients) to examine the polymorphisms in various FU monotherapy and combination therapy regimens.

Results

Global capecitabine toxicity (grades 0/1/2 v grades 3/4/5) was associated with the rare, functional DPYD alleles 2846T>A and *2A (combined odds ratio, 5.51; P = .0013) and with the common TYMS polymorphisms 5′VNTR2R/3R and 3′UTR 6bp ins-del (combined odds ratio, 1.31; P = 9.4 × 10−6). There was weaker evidence that these polymorphisms predict toxicity from bolus and infusional FU monotherapy. No good evidence of association with toxicity was found for the remaining polymorphisms, including several currently included in predictive kits. No polymorphisms were associated with toxicity in combination regimens.

Conclusion

A panel of genetic biomarkers for capecitabine monotherapy toxicity would currently comprise only the four DPYD and TYMS variants above. We estimate this test could provide 26% sensitivity, 86% specificity, and 49% positive predictive value—better than most available commercial kits, but suboptimal for clinical use. The test panel might be extended to include additional, rare DPYD variants functionally equivalent to *2A and 2846A, though insufficient evidence supports its use in bolus, infusional, or combination FU. There remains a need to identify further markers of FU toxicity for all regimens.
Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter, Randomized, Phase IIB Neoadjuvant Study of Letrozole-Lapatinib in Postmenopausal Hormone Receptor–Positive, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Negative, Operable Breast Cancer
Authors: Guarneri Valentina , Generali Daniele Giulio , Frassoldati Antonio , Artioli Fabrizio , Boni Corrado , Cavanna Luigi , Tagliafico Enrico , Maiorana Antonino , Bottini Alberto , Cagossi Katia , Bisagni Giancarlo , Piacentini Federico , Ficarra Guido , Bettelli Stefania , Roncaglia Enrica , Nuzzo Simona , Swaby Ramona , Ellis Catherine , Holford Clare , Conte PierFranco
Published: March 2014

Purpose

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to evaluate the clinical and biologic effects of letrozole plus lapatinib or placebo as neoadjuvant therapy in hormone receptor (HR) –positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) –negative operable breast cancer.

Methods

Ninety-two postmenopausal women with stage II to IIIA primary breast cancer were randomly assigned to preoperative therapy consisting of 6 months of letrozole 2.5 mg orally daily plus lapatinib 1,500 mg orally daily or placebo. Surgery was performed within 2 weeks from the last study medication. Clinical response was assessed by ultrasonography. Pre- and post-treatment samples were evaluated for selected biomarkers. Fresh-frozen tissue samples were collected for genomic analyses.

Results

Numerically similar clinical response rates (partial + complete response) were observed (70% for letrozole-lapatinib and 63% for letrozole-placebo). Toxicities were generally mild and manageable. A significant decrease in Ki-67 and pAKT expression from baseline to surgery was observed in both arms. Overall, 34 patients (37%) had a mutation in PIK3CA exon 9 or 20. In the letrozole-lapatinib arm, the probability of achieving a clinical response was significantly higher in the presence of PIK3CA mutation (objective response rate, 93% v 63% in PIK3CA wild type; P = .040).

Conclusion

The combination of letrozole-lapatinib in early breast cancer was feasible, with expected and manageable toxicities. In unselected estrogen receptor–positive/HER2-negative patients, letrozole-lapatinib and letrozole-placebo resulted in a similar overall clinical response rate and similar effect on Ki-67 and pAKT. Our secondary end point findings of a significant correlation between PIK3CA mutation and response to letrozole-lapatinib in HR-positive/HER2-negative early breast cancer must now be independently confirmed.
Shifting Patterns in the Interpretation of Phase III Clinical Trial Outcomes in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: The Bar Is Dropping
Authors: Sacher Adrian G. , Le Lisa W. , Leighl Natasha B.
Published: March 2014

Purpose

Despite multiple trials of new agents in advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), outcomes remain poor. This study explores how the design and interpretation of randomized trials in advanced NSCLC has changed over time.

Methods

Phase III randomized controlled trials of systemic therapy for advanced NSCLC between 1980 and 2010 were identified, and their primary end point, outcome, statistical significance, and conclusions were recorded.

Results

Of 245 trials identified, 203 were eligible for study inclusion. Although overall survival remains the most common primary end point of phase III trials, more trials from the last decade have used progression-free survival instead (none in 1980 to 1990, 13% in 2001 to 2010; P = .002). The percentage of trials meeting their primary statistical end points remained stable over time; however, the percentage of trials reporting a positive outcome without meeting that end point increased (30% in 1980 to 1990, 53% in 2001 to 2010; P < .001). A trend toward decreasing magnitude of survival gain in positive trials was seen over time (3.9 months in 1980 to 1990, 2.5 months in 2001 to 2010; P = .11), with a concomitant increase in the sample size of clinical trials over the same time period (median: 152 patients in 1980 to 1990, 413 in 2001 to 2010; P < .001). Only studies predating 1990 reported negative results as a result of insufficient magnitude of survival benefit despite statistical significance.

Conclusion

A significant shift has occurred over the past three decades in the design and interpretation of phase III trials in advanced NSCLC. The use of survival as the primary measure of benefit is declining, as is the magnitude of benefit deemed clinically relevant.
Ccm3, a gene associated with cerebral cavernous malformations, is required for neuronal migration
Authors: Louvi Angeliki , Nishimura Sayoko , Günel Murat
Published: March 2014

Loss of function of cerebral cavernous malformation 3 (CCM3) results in an autosomal dominant cerebrovascular disorder. Here, we uncover a developmental role for CCM3 in regulating neuronal migration in the neocortex. Using cell type-specific gene inactivation in mice, we show that CCM3 has both cell autonomous and cell non-autonomous functions in neural progenitors and is specifically required in radial glia and newly born pyramidal neurons migrating through the subventricular zone, but not in those migrating through the cortical plate. Loss of CCM3 function leads to RhoA activation, alterations in the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton affecting neuronal morphology, and abnormalities in laminar positioning of primarily late-born neurons, indicating CCM3 involvement in radial glia-dependent locomotion and possible interaction with the Cdk5/RhoA pathway. Thus, we identify a novel cytoplasmic regulator of neuronal migration and demonstrate that its inactivation in radial glia progenitors and nascent neurons produces severe malformations of cortical development.
Dynamics of Sonic hedgehog signaling in the ventral spinal cord are controlled by intrinsic changes in source cells requiring Sulfatase 1
Authors: Oustah Amir Al , Danesin Cathy , Khouri-Farah Nagham , Farreny Marie-Amélie , Escalas Nathalie , Cochard Philippe , Glise Bruno , Soula Cathy
Published: March 2014

In the ventral spinal cord, generation of neuronal and glial cell subtypes is controlled by Sonic hedgehog (Shh). This morphogen contributes to cell diversity by regulating spatial and temporal sequences of gene expression during development. Here, we report that establishing Shh source cells is not sufficient to induce the high-threshold response required to specify sequential generation of ventral interneurons and oligodendroglial cells at the right time and place in zebrafish. Instead, we show that Shh-producing cells must repeatedly upregulate the secreted enzyme Sulfatase1 (Sulf1) at two critical time points of development to reach their full inductive capacity. We provide evidence that Sulf1 triggers Shh signaling activity to establish and, later on, modify the spatial arrangement of gene expression in ventral neural progenitors. We further present arguments in favor of Sulf1 controlling Shh temporal activity by stimulating production of active forms of Shh from its source. Our work, by pointing out the key role of Sulf1 in regulating Shh-dependent neural cell diversity, highlights a novel level of regulation, which involves temporal evolution of Shh source properties.
Tryptophan-dependent auxin biosynthesis is required for HD-ZIP III-mediated xylem patterning
Authors: Ursache Robertas , Miyashima Shunsuke , Chen Qingguo , Vatén Anne , Nakajima Keiji , Carlsbecker Annelie , Zhao Yunde , Helariutta Ykä , Dettmer Jan
Published: March 2014

The development and growth of higher plants is highly dependent on the conduction of water and minerals throughout the plant by xylem vessels. In Arabidopsis roots the xylem is organized as an axis of cell files with two distinct cell fates: the central metaxylem and the peripheral protoxylem. During vascular development, high and low expression levels of the class III HD-ZIP transcription factors promote metaxylem and protoxylem identities, respectively. Protoxylem specification is determined by both mobile, ground tissue-emanating miRNA165/6 species, which downregulate, and auxin concentrated by polar transport, which promotes HD-ZIP III expression. However, the factors promoting high HD-ZIP III expression for metaxylem identity have remained elusive. We show here that auxin biosynthesis promotes HD-ZIP III expression and metaxylem specification. Several auxin biosynthesis genes are expressed in the outer layers surrounding the vascular tissue in Arabidopsis root and downregulation of HD-ZIP III expression accompanied by specific defects in metaxylem development is seen in auxin biosynthesis mutants, such as trp2-12, wei8 tar2 or a quintuple yucca mutant, and in plants treated with L-kynurenine, a pharmacological inhibitor of auxin biosynthesis. Some of the patterning defects can be suppressed by synthetically elevated HD-ZIP III expression. Taken together, our results indicate that polar auxin transport, which was earlier shown to be required for protoxylem formation, is not sufficient to establish a proper xylem axis but that root-based auxin biosynthesis is additionally required.
Chaos Entropy Index Combined with Desorption Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Rapid Analysis of Complex Viscous Sample, Edible Oil
Authors: Zhang Wenjun , Chen Lin , Wang Xin , Fang Xiaowei , Zhu Zhiqiang , Ouyang Yongzhong
Published: March 2014

By means of surface desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (DAPCI-MS), mass-spectra fingerprints of various oil samples were rapidly recorded in the mass range of m/z 50–1000 without any sample pretreatment in negative ion mode. A new spectrogram analysis method (Chaos Entropy Index) for identifying complex mixtures was established and applied to the authentication of expired oil. Multivariate statistics analysis showed that expired edible oils can be successfully separated from fresh edible oils with 100% accuracy on the basis of Global CEIs and the most significant mass ranges presenting major feature peaks of expired oil were determined based on Local CEIs. These experimental findings demonstrate that as a rapid, simple, and accurate analytical method, CEI approach in conjunction with DAPCI-MS has an extensive prospect for differential analysis of complex viscous mixtures.
A Synthetic Cell Division System: Effect of Nonbilayer-forming Lipid on Division of Liposomal Membranes
Authors: Hao Fei , Tahara Keishiro , Kikuchi Jun-ichi
Published: March 2014

Spontaneous division of lipid bilayer vesicles was observed for giant vesicles formed by a phospholipid mixture containing a nonbilayer-forming lipid, i.e., a nonionic peptide lipid with a quinoyl head moiety. This synthetic cell division involved dynamic sequential processes, including phase separation of mixed lipids in the vesicles, vesicle deformation from a spherical to an elliptical shape, and subsequently fission.
Modeling of the Dynamics of State Vector of Human Organism in the Conditions of Pulse Hyper-Gravitational Physical Loading
Authors: Еськов  , Eskov Valeriy , Фудин  , Fudin N. , Королев  , Korolev V. , Хадарцев  , Khadartsev Aleksandr
Published: March 2014

The effect of hyper-gravity with pulse acceleration was studied in 156 boys and girls by means of device «Power Plate». This paper presents the regularities of behavior parameters quasi-attractors of state vector organism of human being in multidimensional phase space of states in the conditions of pulse hyper-gravitational physical load. The effects were evaluated by means of pulso-metry, rheovasography and the multifunctional complex M35 (USA). Processing of the results was carried out on a license package of statistical programs and methods for neural network to identify the parameters of the order. It is established that a single exposure to a pulsed physical hyper-gravitational activity the regulation of the cardiovascular system is manifested by the change of the distance between the centers of quasi-attractors state vector of the human organism, as well as the volume of m-dimensional parallelepiped, bounding quasi-attractors, due to the factors of gender and the initial level of frequency of cardiac rhythm. Features of change of parameters of the regional hemodynamics and blood pressure in young people with normal cardiac rhythm and tachycardia were identified. Low-amplitude hyper-gravity of an untrained people with normal cardiac rhythm provokes various changes of the quasi-attractors parameters. Informative methods of the theory of chaos and self-organization in the study of the influence of stress on the human body were presented. In the researches, according to multiparameters, on the influence of hyper-gravity on the function of the cardiovascular system greater prognostic importance are the results of data processing by means of the method of multidimensional phase spaces.
Evaluation of the Diastolic Function of the Left Ventricular by Means of Tissue Doppler
Authors: Смоленский  , Smolenskiy A. , Татаринова  , Tatarinova A. , Михайлова  , Mikhaylova A.
Published: March 2014

The results of the morphological and functional evaluation of the left ventricular in athletes of different sports disciplines are presented in this paper. The aim of the study was to assess morphological and functional condition of the left ventricular in athletes with the emphasis on the evaluation of the diastolic function including the use of tissue Doppler. Methods: 231 athletes of different sports disciplines were examined. All athletes included in this study underwent comprehensive transthoracal echocardiography by means of Doppler study and tissue Doppler. Results: This study revealed the difference in heart morphology between athletes of different sports disciplines. Parameters of the diastolic function of the left ventricular are not significantly differ between athletes of different sports disciplines. The diastolic function was not impaired in athletes with mild hypertrophy of the left ventricular. Violation of diastolic function occur in athletes with complaints of extreme fatigue after exercise. Method of tissue Doppler allows to detect signs of diastolic function impairment in athletes with formally "normal" mitral blood flow. Conclusions: 1. In athletes with small and border myocardial hypertrophy of the left ventricle is not observed violations of diastolic function of the left ventricular myocardium, which indicates the adaptive nature of the appearance of a small hypertrophy. 2. The authors suggest that the impairment of the diastolic function of the left ventricular is linked with the chronic overload of cardiovascular system. 3. The use of tissue Doppler allows to determine the signs of diastolic function impairment in athletes with visually normal mitral blood flow. 4. The authors consider enough check tissue Doppler imaging speed of displacement of the lateral part of the mitral annulus, since the check in other segments rarely gives new information, significantly extending the time of the study. 5. The authors also suggest that it is necessary to assess diastolic function by means of tissue Doppler in athletes with the E/A ratio less than 1.5.
Differences in Endotoxin-Induced Changes of Thymic Morphology in Offspring of Femal Mice Exposed in Early Pregnancy Single Stimulation of Immunity
Authors: Обернихин  , Obernikhin S.
Published: March 2014

The relation between maternal immune response to bacterial, viral and other antigens in pregnancy and postnatal development and function of offspring immune system is little studied. The aim of the research was to study morphological changes of the thymus in the offspring of female mice exposed in early pregnancy single immune-stimulated у effects of T-cell mitogen concanavalin, and control of females after the introduction of the half-lethal dose of endotoxin gram-negative bacteria. The experiment was performed in 44 male C57BL/6 mice at the age of 2,5 weeks. The animals were removed from the experiment through 24 and 48h. after the introduction of lipopolysaccharide of E. coli in a dose of 15 mg/kg. Morphological and histological, physiological changes of thymus mice in the control and experimental groups have similar nature (thymic involution, migration mature thymocytes, reducing the number of fat cells). In the offspring exposed to prenatal exposure, thymic involution and migration mature thymocytes are developing more slowly and to a lesser extent. These data show a decrease in the immune system reactivity offspring subjected to early prenatal development of a massive influence of cytokines secreted by their mother´s lymphocytes under the influence of concanavalin A.
Protection Against Electromagnetic Fields by Means of Fractal Screen-Restructor
Authors: Хачапуридзе  , Khachapuridze N. , Филиппов  , Filippov Yu. , Соколовская  , Sokolovskaya L. , Погорелая  , Pogorelaya L. , Плаксин  , Plaksin S. , Лаврич  , Lavrich Yu. , Бабинец  , Babinets F. , Соколовский  , Sokolovskiy I. , Дзензерский  , Dzenzerskiy V. , Яшин  , Yashin S.
Published: March 2014

To protect medical personnel and other institutions where used low- intensity electromagnetic fields the fractal electromagnetic screen-restructor was developed. This device contains a substrate of bioinert material and installation tool, which is made in the form of electromagnetic circuit, which includes overlapping concentric circles of big and small diameters and flat element located in the centre of the circle formed by the circles of the big diameter. A circle of small diameter located on six radial lines, circles of the big diameter equidistantly in relation to each other and relative to the center of the circles of the big diameter, and the flat element is made in the form of a regular hexagon. The screen was tested and has shown high efficiency. The developed fractal screen is the medical technique and is used to protect personnel from the negative influence of various fields of electro - and radio-technical installations, from unauthorized exposure, as well as for biological protection and correction of the functional state of operators industrially loaded productions. There are many devices designed for protection of an organism from the negative electromagnetic radiation, to maintain and enhance its bioenergetic potential, containing a variety of three-dimensional constructs and two-dimensional plate-a matrix, equipped with various geometric structures of electrically conductive materials, or diminutive volume elements - cylindrical or cone-shaped and their combinations.
Design and Principle of Operation of the Clamping Mechanism Artificial Urinary Sphincter A-1
Authors: Алиев  , Aliev M.
Published: March 2014

The paper deals with the methods of treating urinary incontinence in the men. The analysis of parameters of available artificial urinary sphincters is carried out. The paper describes the reasons for improving clamping mechanism of the sphincter. It shows the structure of a new clamping mechanism and its operating principle. The device provides urinary control preventinginvolunta-ry leakage of urine from the bladder. As a result of experimental study, parameters of urethra compression and optimal filling of the clamping mechanism were defined. The paper describes the design advantages of the new clamping mechanism of artificial urinary sphincter A-l.
Experimental Complete Transection Spinal Cord and Its Bioengineering Reconstruction
Authors: Каптюк  , Kaptyuk G. , Игнатов  , Ignatov A. , Кузнецов  , Kuznetsov V. , Шеина  , Sheina Yu. , Большаков  , Bolshakov I. , Карапетян  , Karapetyan A.
Published: March 2014

The work represents the original research devoted to cellular and issue reconstruction of a spinal cord injury in adult rats with an experimental vertebral-spinal trauma. After performing a laminectomy, partial and full mechanical intersection of the spinal cord at the IX thoracic vertebrae in the spinal implanted medical devices containing bovine collagen and crab chitosan, sulfated and non-sulfated glycosaminoglycans, full nutrient medium, conditioned nutrient medium with neurotrophic factors in the growth of brain cells mouse embryos and embryonic mouse stem cells, N2 neuronal additive, retinoic acid. The dynamics neurologic status in animals has shown essential reduction of deficiency on BBB scale during 20 weeks of the postoperative period. The indirect immune-fluorescence method of a spinal cord cells and histological sections confirms presence of active introduction of cells of a parent spinal cord into implant, high viability of the replaced cells of the mouse during all period of supervision, formation in 1 week after operation of progenitor neuronal cells with expression of neurotransmitters. This change is accompanied by a partial recovery of motor, sensory and vegetative functions of the spinal cord, reduction in the level of neuro-deficit of 5, 6 points on a scale of BBB. Transplantation of collagen-chitosan matrix containing 100 thousand cells, neuronal precursors leads for 20 weeks of observation to preserve their viability, formation of numerous neurons, creating intra-synaptic correlation associated to early expression of neurotransmitters, significant restoration of motor and sensory functions of the spinal cord, reaching a level of reduction neuro-deficit equal to 19.5 points on a scale of BBB.
Duality of Presentation of Information Signals in Biological Systems: Generalized Kotel´nikov Theorem
Authors: Яшин  , Yashin A.
Published: March 2014

This article presents a conceptual approach to the substantiation of a factor of duality of information presentation, and it signals in biological systems. The purpose is to study relations between discrete and continuous bio-informational signals, which provide all the aspects of functioning of biosystems. Strict physical-mathematical and biophysical evidence of a generalized Kotelnikov theorem for biological systems is formulated. This material is essentially important in the context of the development of the information biophysical models. This aim is realized by the decision of the following tasks. It is shown that a structured living organism is a complex, organized in its hierarchy functional system in which information exchange is carried out set of discrete and continuous (analog) signals of various physical nature: from simple and electrochemical to magnetic and electromagnetic. Their analysis are developed, theorem of duality of presentation of information in biological systems is formulated. Basic generalized theorem Kotelnikov - Yashin (see explanation in the text) with the use of physical and mathematical apparatus of integral equations, the Lebesgue integral, the Fourier and Hubert transforms etc. is formulated and proved. This theorem states that in the biosystem information-containing signal has the quality of dualism, which combines quantum potentiality of the wave function and discreteness of collapsing. This paper contains useful application.
About Mechanisms of Biological Activity of the Nano- and Microparticles of Natural Minerals in the Experiment
Authors: Сергиевич  , Sergievich A. , Чайка  , Chayka Vladimir , Голохваст  , Golokhvast Kirill , Хороших  , Khoroshikh P.
Published: March 2014

There are both in the domestic and the world science a discussion about the biological activity of water-insoluble solid microparticles technogenous and natural. These interactions are studied in the context of the professional pathology, hygiene and nanotoxicology. The purpose of this research was to study the mechanisms of action of particles of natural minerals of various sizes on biological systems. The paper is based on the applied modern methods which allow to determine the degree of interaction of microelements with the functional systems of the organism. Analysis of the results showed that the application of these methods has a number of shortcomings in the experiments in vivo and in vitro, associated with the physical and chemical features of zeolites. It is established that under cultivation in 6- and 24-hole tablets, the zeolite in a dose of 50 mg/ml covers all the cells attached to the glass. In the fields of view of the cells are practically invisible. Thus, an assessment of toxic effects or functional condition of the cells is not possible. Zeolite being water-insoluble compound wich is not subjected to the pipetting. At the delete zeolite of culture, there is practically full elimination of cells from the hole. Accumulation of the primary information about the biological effects of nano - and microparticles is extremely important. This allows the authors to make some conclusions, but the decision of a question on the mechanism of biological activity, especially the prediction of some properties of particles without the study of physical-chemical properties of the particles isn´t possible.
Forecasting the Equity Risk Premium: The Role of Technical Indicators
Authors: Neely Christopher J. , Rapach David E. , Tu Jun , Zhou Guofu
Published: March 2014

Academic research relies extensively on macroeconomic variables to forecast the U.S. equity risk premium, with relatively little attention paid to the technical indicators widely employed by practitioners. Our paper fills this gap by comparing the predictive ability of technical indicators with that of macroeconomic variables. Technical indicators display statistically and economically significant in-sample and out-of-sample predictive power, matching or exceeding that of macroeconomic variables. Furthermore, technical indicators and macroeconomic variables provide complementary information over the business cycle: technical indicators better detect the typical decline in the equity risk premium near business-cycle peaks, whereas macroeconomic variables more readily pick up the typical rise in the equity risk premium near cyclical troughs. Consistent with this behavior, we show that combining information from both technical indicators and macroeconomic variables significantly improves equity risk premium forecasts versus using either type of information alone. Overall, the substantial countercyclical fluctuations in the equity risk premium appear well captured by the combined information in technical indicators and macroeconomic variables.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2013.1838 .

This paper was accepted by Wei Jiang, finance.
Optimal Energy Procurement in Spot and Forward Markets
Authors: Secomandi Nicola , Kekre Sunder
Published: March 2014

Spot and forward purchases for delivery on the usage date play an important role in matching the supply and the uncertain demand of energy because storage capacity for energy, such as electricity, natural gas, and oil, is limited. Transaction costs tend to be larger in spot than forward energy markets near maturity. Partially procuring supply in the forward market, rather than entirely in the spot market, is thus a potentially valuable real option, which we call the forward procurement option. We investigate the optimal value and management of this real option as well as their sensitivities to parameters of interest. Our research quantifies the value of the forward procurement option on realistic natural gas instances, also suggesting that procuring the demand forecast in the forward market is nearly optimal. This policy greatly simplifies the management of this real option without an appreciable loss of value. We provide some theoretical support for this numerical finding. Beyond energy, our research has potential relevance for the procurement of other commodities, such as metals and agricultural products.