bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short‐term heat stress results in diminution of bacterial symbionts but has little effect on life history in adult female citrus mealybugs
Authors: Parkinson Jasmine F. , Gobin Bruno , Hughes William O.H.
Published: July 2014

Mealybugs are sap‐feeding insect pests that pose a serious threat to horticulture. The citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), like most other mealybug species, harbours two obligate maternally transmitted bacterial endosymbionts, which are essential for nutrient acquisition and host survival. These are ‘Candidatus Tremblaya princeps’, a member of the β‐Proteobacteria, and ‘Candidatus Moranella endobia’, a member of the γ‐Proteobacteria. The density of symbionts in the hosts is now understood to be dynamic, being influenced by the age and gender of the host and by environmental conditions during development. Here, we examine the impact of short‐term heat stress treatment on the obligate symbionts and life‐history parameters of P. citri, using qPCR to measure changes in symbiont density. Heat stress killed juveniles and adult males, and significantly reduced levels of ‘Ca. Moranella endobia’ and ‘Ca. Tremblaya princeps’ in adult females. However, adult females were resilient to this and it did not affect their fecundity or brood survival, although the sex ratio of their brood was slightly, but significantly, more female biased. Our results suggest that ‘Ca. Tremblaya princeps’ and ‘Ca. Moranella endobia’ are not as essential to the survival of adult mealybugs as they are to the survival of immature mealybugs and that sub‐lethal heat treatment alone is unlikely to be effective as a disinfestation tactic.
Examination of fine‐scale spatial‐temporal overlap and segregation between two closely related congeners Gadus morhua and Gadus ogac in coastal Newfoundland
Authors: Knickle D. C. , Rose G. A.
Published: July 2014

The spatial and temporal movement patterns of sympatric juvenile Atlantic cod Gadus morhua and Greenland cod Gadus ogac were studied using high‐resolution radio‐acoustic positioning in a coastal area of Newfoundland during the summers of 2009 and 2010. A total of 20 fish (10 G. ogac and 10 G. morhua) were equipped with acoustic transmitters and monitored for periods up to 23 days. Most fishes showed high site fidelity with mean residence times of 12·4 (G. morhua) and 14·4 days (G. ogac). A few individuals showed a transient use of the study area, ranging distances up to c. 4 km. Mean daily home ranges [95% kernel utilization distributions (KUDs)] and core activity areas were significantly larger for G. morhua (3·8 and 0·5 ha) than for G. ogac (2·7 and 0·3 ha). Home ranges were not related to total length (LT) for G. morhua but showed a weak positive relationship for G. ogac. Gadus morhua occupied larger areas during the day while G. ogac occupied slightly larger areas at night. Mean rates of movement for G. ogac and G. morhua ranged from 0·83 to 1·24 and 0·76 to 1·76 LT s−1, respectively, and were highest during crepuscular periods. Overall, G. morhua were wider ranging, moved at faster rates and were active throughout the diel cycle compared to G. ogac of the same size. It is suggested that differential use of space and activity periods plays an important role in the successful coexistence of these two species.
Contrast between Water‐ and Ethanol‐Based Antioxidant Assays: Aspen (Populus tremula) and Black Poplar (Populus nigra) Extracts as a Case Study
Authors: Benedec Daniela , Oniga Ilioara , Muresan Bianca , Mot Augustin C. , Damian Grigore , Nistor Adriana , Silaghi‐Dumitrescu Radu , Hanganu Daniela , Duma Mihaela , Vlase Laurian
Published: July 2014

Water‐based antioxidant assays such as TEAC method, Folin–Ciocalteu assay, the newly developed physiological relevant enzymatic assay HAPX, EPR radicals detection and ethanol based antioxidant assays such as the well‐known DPPH bleaching assay and another EPR method were employed, revealing several aspects of the antioxidant activities of Populus tremula and Populus nigra extracts. A distinct behavior between these two types of assays could be observed in our samples. Alkali‐generated EPR‐detectable free radicals are described here for the first time in Populus sp. extracts. The shape of these signals and the conditions under which they were obtained point to polyphenolic compounds as the sites of the radicals – as confirmed by HPLC‐MS chemical analysis. Besides their antioxidant activity, the antibacterial activity of these extracts reconfirms their biological activity of these widespread herbal medicinal products.

Practical Applications

Since the antioxidant activity of pharmaceutical and food‐based products is one of the properties that is usually evaluated for their quality, this study aims to draw attention at the variables that might influence the parameters used to estimate this property. As such, this research shows that a set of methods, based on different mechanisms, should be employed rather than only one or two classical methods. In addition, a relatively newly introduced method, based on EPR, detected semiquinone anion radicals is also described, which might be applied for other polyphenol‐rich food‐based products concerning antioxidant activity assessment.
High expression of the histone demethylase LSD1 associates with cancer cell proliferation and unfavorable prognosis in tongue cancer
Authors: Yuan Chunping , Li Zhongwu , Qi Bing , Zhang Wei , Cheng Jie , Wang Yanling
Published: July 2014

Background

The histone lysine‐specific demethylase (LSD1) is a key chromatin modifier mediating the demethylation of both H3K4me1/me2 and H3K9 me1/me2. Recently, its deregulation has been implicated in the initiation and progression of various cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern of LSD1 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and determine its prognostic significance in predicting patients' prognosis.

Methods

LSD1 expression was examined by RT‐PCR and western blotting in three tongue cancer cell lines and by immunohistochemistry in 63 primary tongue SCC specimens with detailed clinical, pathological, and follow‐up data. Its associations with various clinicopathological parameters, Ki‐67 expression, and patients' survival were further assessed.

Results

Upregulated LSD1 expression was observed in tongue cancer cells and a major fraction of tongue SCC samples. Overexpression of LSD1 significantly associated with tumor size (P = 0.0357), pathological grade (P = 0.0323), Ki‐67 abundance (P = 0.0148), and reduced overall and disease‐free survival (Kaplan–Meier analysis, P = 0.0351, 0.0479, respectively). The Cox regression survival analyses identified LSD1 as an important independent predictor for patients' overall survival.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that aberrant LSD1 overexpression associates with key clinicopathological features and unfavorable prognosis in patients with tongue cancer. LSD1 might play critical roles during tongue tumorigenesis and represent a novel biomarker and potential therapeutic target for this malignancy.
Association between human papilloma virus/Epstein–Barr virus coinfection and oral carcinogenesis
Authors: Jiang Ru , Ekshyyan Oleksandr , Moore‐Medlin Tara , Rong Xiaohua , Nathan Sean , Gu Xin , Abreo Fleurette , Rosenthal Eben L. , Shi Mingxia , Guidry Joseph T. , Scott Rona S. , Hutt‐Fletcher Lindsey M. , Nathan Cherie‐Ann O.
Published: July 2014

Background

The recent epidemic of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) has not addressed its association with lymphoid tissue in the oropharynx or the potential role of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)/HPV coinfection.

Methods

The prevalence of HPV and EBV infection/coinfection and CD21 mRNA expression were determined in normal and cancerous tissues from the oropharynx using in situ hybridization (ISH), p16, and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT‐PCR). The effects of coinfection on tumorigenicity were evaluated using proliferation and invasion assays.

Results

Normal oropharynx, tonsil, non‐cancer base of tongue (BOT), and BOT from sleep apnea patients demonstrated EBV positivity ranging from 7% to 36% depending on the site and methods of detection used (qRT‐PCR or ISH). Among non‐malignant BOT samples, HPV positivity was noted only in 20%. The percent of tonsil and BOT cancers positive for HPV (up to 63% and 80%, respectively) or coinfected with HPV/EBV (up to 25% and 70%, respectively) were both significantly associated with cancer status. Notably, HPV/EBV coinfection was observed only in malignant tissue originating in lymphoid‐rich oropharynx sites (tonsil, BOT). CD21 mRNA (the major EBV attachment receptor) was detected in tonsil and BOT epithelium, but not in soft‐palate epithelium. Coinfected cell lines showed a significant increase in invasiveness (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

There is a high prevalence of HPV/EBV infection and coinfection in BOT and tonsil cancers, possibly reflecting their origins in lymphoid‐rich tissue. In vitro, cells modeling coinfection have an increased invasive potential.
A comparative immunohistochemistry study of diagnostic tools in salivary gland tumors: usefulness of mammaglobin, gross cystic disease fluid protein 15, and p63 cytoplasmic staining for the diagnosis of mammary analog secretory carcinoma?
Authors: Projetti Fabrice , Lacroix‐Triki Magali , Serrano Elie , Vergez Sebastien , Herbault Barres Béatrice , Meilleroux Julie , Delisle Marie‐Bernadette , Uro‐Coste Emmanuelle
Published: July 2014

Background

Mammary analog secretory carcinoma (MASC) of the salivary gland has been recently described according to morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular (ETV6‐NTRK3 translocation) similarities with the mammary secretory carcinoma. The most important differential diagnostic considerations of MASC are low‐grade adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified (NOS), cystadenocarcinoma, and acinic cell carcinoma (AciCC). These tumors may share an overlapping morphology with MASC, and additional immunohistochemical studies are required to reinforce the diagnosis. Mammaglobin, GCDFP‐15, and p63 staining have been reported in MASC. Our study was designed to check the specificity of these antibodies in MASC compared to other frequent tumors of salivary glands.

Methods

A series of 62 salivary gland tumors [10 MASCs, 5 adenocarcinomas NOS and 2 cystadenocarcinomas with MASC features and without ETV6 rearrangement, one low‐grade cribriform cystadenocarcinoma (LGCCC), 9 AciCCs, 10 MECs, 10 adenoid cystic carcinomas (AdeCCs), 5 polymorphous low‐grade adenocarcinomas (PLGAs), and 10 pleomorphic adenomas (PAs)] was analyzed by immunohistochemistry with mammaglobin, GCDFP‐15, and p63 antibodies.

Results

Positivity for mammaglobin was observed in all MASCs, cystadenocarcinomas, LGCCC, and PLGAs, in some adenocarcinomas NOS, PAs, and MECs, rarely in AciCCs and never in AdeCCs. Positivity for GCDFP‐15 was observed in most of the tumor types except in AdeCCs. Interestingly, cytoplasmic positivity for p63 was observed in most of MASCs and PLGAs while rarely in adenocarcinomas NOS and PAs, and never in the other tumor types.

Conclusion

Our study revealed the usefulness of mammaglobin and p63 cytoplasmic staining to define which tumors are worth to be screened for ETV6 rearrangement.
A practice change initiative to improve the provision of enteral nutrition to intensive care patients
Authors: Jarden Rebecca J , Sutton Lynsey J
Published: July 2014

Aim

To describe a practice change initiative that improved the provision of enteral nutrition (EN) to patients in a New Zealand tertiary intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

The project reviewed and summarized EN literature, amended local policy, and an evidence‐based EN delivery algorithm was developed. The EN practice change initiative was implemented and evaluated. Data was collected and analyzed in a pre‐audit (2009) and a post‐audit (2013).

Results

Comparison of the pre‐audit (N = 25) and the post‐audit (N = 40) data demonstrated improvements in three areas of EN delivery. The commencement of early EN within 24 h of admission was evident for a large proportion of patients in both 2009 and 2013 audits. There was a large reduction in time between the two audits for both ICU admission to achievement of EN goal rate (M = 57·71 h versus M = 33·79 h, p = 0·006) and also for EN commencement to achievement of EN goal rate (M = 31·65 h versus M = 10·15 h, p = 0·000). The volume of prescribed EN delivered on days 2, 4 and 6 was greater in the 2013 audit in comparison to the 2009 audit. Staff compliance with adhering to the EN policy and algorithm improved from 46% in 2009, to 95% in 2013.

Conclusions

The practice change has significantly improved the practice delivery of EN for patients in the local ICU resulting in optimal care.

Relevance to clinical practice

Malnutrition is highly prevalent among intensive care patients. Strategies and initiatives that improve the delivery of enteral nutrition to the critical care population is therefore vitally important. This article describing such an initiative is thus highly relevant to all health care professionals delivering enteral nutrition in intensive and critical care units.
Integrative Complexity Coding Raises Integratively Complex Issues
Authors: Tetlock Philip E. , Metz S. Emlen , Scott Sydney E. , Suedfeld Peter
Published: July 2014

Conway, Conway, Gornick, and Houck (2014) report a major effort to automate integrative complexity coding. Judging this effort requires researchers to be more explicit in articulating key methodological assumptions about the coding process and theoretical assumptions about the construct. Unresolved issues include: (1) when, and on what basis, we should attribute divergences between human coders and algorithms to overestimations or underestimations by one or the other approach; and (2) to what extent second‐generation algorithms can yield Pareto improvements that reduce errors of both underestimation and overestimation. Further progress in developing natural language processing measures of this cognitive style will require sharper definitions of target constructs: in particular, different types of differentiation (dialectical and elaborative) and integration (hierarchical and flexible) and clearer guidelines for factoring context into assessments.
Validity of Pre‐Eclampsia Registration in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway for Women Participating in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study, 1999–2010
Authors: Klungsøyr Kari , Harmon Quaker E. , Skard Linn B. , Simonsen Ingeborg , Austvoll Elise T. , Alsaker Elin R. , Starling Anne , Trogstad Lill , Magnus Per , Engel Stephanie M.
Published: July 2014

Background

The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), a prospective population‐based pregnancy cohort, is a valuable database for studying causes of pre‐eclampsia. Pre‐eclampsia data in MoBa come from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN); thus, we wanted to study the validity of MBRN pre‐eclampsia registration for MoBa women.

Methods

We selected all MoBa pregnancies with pre‐eclampsia registered in the MBRN (n = 4081) and a random control group (n = 2000) without pre‐eclampsia registrations. After excluding two delivery units not participating in MoBa and one no longer operating, units were asked to provide copies of antenatal charts with blood pressure and urinary measurements from all antenatal visits during pregnancy, and hospital discharge codes from the delivery stay. We received data for 5340 pregnancies delivered 1999–2010 (87% of all eligible). We calculated positive predictive value (PPV), and sensitivity and specificity of MBRN registration, using hypertension and proteinuria on the antenatal charts and/or hospital discharge codes indicating pre‐eclampsia as gold standard.

Results

Overall PPV was 83.9% [95% CI 82.7, 85.1] and was higher when women were primiparous, or delivered preterm or low birthweight infants. Severe pre‐eclampsia in the MBRN was found to be a true severe pre‐eclampsia in 70% of cases. Extrapolating to the total MoBa population, the estimated sensitivity was low – 43.0% (38.7, 48.2) – while specificity was high – 99.2% (99.2, 99.3). False negative cases seemed to have mild forms of pre‐eclampsia.

Conclusions

PPV and specificity of pre‐eclampsia registration in the MBRN during 1999–2010 was satisfactory, while sensitivity was low.
Intergenerational Earnings and Income Mobility in Spain
Authors: Cervini‐Plá María
Published: July 2014

This paper contributes to the large number of studies on intergenerational earnings and income mobility by providing new evidence for Spain. Since there are no Spanish surveys covering long‐term information on both children and their fathers' income or earnings, we deal with this selection problem using the two‐sample two‐stage least squares estimator. We find that intergenerational mobility in Spain is similar to that in France, lower than in the Nordic countries and Britain, and higher than in Italy and the United States. Furthermore, we use the Chadwick and Solon approach to explore intergenerational mobility in the case of daughters and we find similar results by gender.
Amniotic membrane: New concepts for an old dressing
Authors: Litwiniuk Malgorzata , Grzela Tomasz
Published: July 2014

The amniotic membrane is the innermost layer of fetal membranes that surrounds and protects the embryo. The amniotic epithelial cells are a rich source for biologically active factors known to promote cell proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, the amniotic membrane is considered to be an attractive wound dressing material. Despite a large number of publications reporting anti‐inflammatory, bacteriostatic, reepithelializing, and scar‐preventing properties of amniotic membrane, not all the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial actions of the amniotic membrane dressing have been fully elucidated. This review summarizes current knowledge on the properties of the amniotic membrane and its various clinical applications. It includes an overview of the main biologically active factors that may be responsible for the observed clinical effects of amnion dressings. This issue is briefly discussed in the context of the role of amnion processing and inter‐ and intradonor variations between amniotic membrane specimens. Finally, future directions for the use of amnion derivatives in wound care are indicated.
Hyaluronan enhances wound repair and increases collagen III in aged dermal wounds
Authors: Damodarasamy Mamatha , Johnson Richard S. , Bentov Itay , MacCoss Michael J. , Vernon Robert B. , Reed May J.
Published: July 2014

Age‐related changes in the extracellular matrix contribute to delayed wound repair in aging. Hyaluronan, a linear nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan, promotes synthesis and assembly of key extracellular matrix components, such as the interstitial collagens, during wound healing. The biological effects of hyaluronan are mediated, in part, by hyaluronan size. We have previously determined that dermal wounds in aged mice, relative to young mice, have deficits in the generation of lower molecular weight hyaluronan (defined as <300 kDa). Here, we tested the effect of exogenous hyaluronan of 2, 250, or 1,000 kDa sizes on full‐thickness excisional wounds in aged mice. Only wounds treated with 250 kDa hyaluronan (HA250) were significantly improved over wounds that received carrier (water) alone. Treatment with HA250 was associated with increased expression of transcripts for the hyaluronan receptors CD44 and RHAMM, as well as collagens III and I. Analyses of dermal protein content by mass spectrometry and Western blotting confirmed significantly increased expression of collagen III in wounds treated with HA250 relative to control wounds. In summary, we find that HA250 improves wound repair and increases the synthesis of collagen III in aged dermal wounds.
Fabrication of sub-200 nm AlN-GaN-AlN waveguide with cleaved end facet
Authors: Chen Yijing , Krishnamurthy Vivek , Lai Yicheng , Luo Yi , Hao Zhibiao , Wang Lai , Ho Seng-Tiong
Published: July 2014

The authors report the first realization of sub-200 nm wide AlN-GaN-AlN (AGA) ridge waveguide with height-to-width ratio of ∼6:1, fabricated via inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching with Cl2/Ar gas chemistry. Reactive ion etching (RIE) power and ICP power were varied in the ranges of 100–450 W and 200–600 W, respectively. An optimized RIE power and ICP power at 100 and 400 W, respectively, reduced the density of nanorods formed in the etched trenches. Further optimization of the gas flow rate of Cl2/Ar to 40/10 sccm improved the slope of the etched waveguide. In addition, the authors also developed a simple and novel dice-and-cleave technique to achieve cleaved end facet of AGA waveguide.
Electrophoresis of proteins in agar jelly
Authors: Gordon A. H. , Keil B. , Šebesta K. , Knessl O. , Šorm F.
Published: July 2014

The reduction of toluenesulphonyl-L-pyrrolidonecarboxamide (II) and the corresponding anilide (III) with lithium borohydride yields the amide and anilide of N-toluenesulphonyl-δ-hydroxy-L-α-aminovaleric acid (IV and V), respectively. Cyclisation of these compounds leads to the corresponding derivatives of toluenesulphonyl-L-proline which have been converted to L-proline. These reactions represent the first direct chemical conversion of L-glutamic acid to L-proline.
When Something is Not Quite Right: An Ankle Sprain
Authors: da Encarnação António Paulo Martins
Published: July 2014

Ankle sprains are a common musculoskeletal injury in sport. Older people are increasingly participating in sports such as running. The specificities of musculoskeletal injuries in older people pose a different diagnostic challenge from that in young people participating in the same activities. A clinical case is presented of a 64-year-old patient diagnosed with a grade 1, plantar flexion/inversion ankle sprain that was later diagnosed as a quite different and rare injury. Fractures of the fibular malleolus, talar neck and dome are possible differential diagnoses for an ankle sprain, as are talar dome chondral defects. Response to treatment may help to guide the diagnostic procedure when pain persists after appropriate treatment.
Andrew's bridge system: an aesthetic and functional option for rehabilitation of compromised maxillary anterior dentition
Authors: Tambe Abhijit , Patil Sanjayagouda B , Bhat Sudhakara , Badadare Mokshada M
Published: July 2014

A patient with several missing teeth in the anterior aesthetic region along with severe ridge defect poses a greater challenge for prosthodontic rehabilitation. In such cases treatment using fixed partial denture (FPD) may not be feasible because of the extent of edentulous span and the periodontal conditions of the abutment teeth. To present a case of multiple missing maxillary anterior teeth with class III ridge defect rehabilitated using FPD-removable partial denture. A 38-year-old female patient was successfully rehabilitated using Andrew's bridge system in the maxillary anterior region. The fixed-removable Andrew's bridge system provides a good prognosis if diagnosed and planned meticulously.
Decidualised fallopian tube endometriotic implant causing spontaneous haemoperitoneum in a twin pregnancy
Authors: Aggarwal Ieera , Tan Pamela , Mathur Manisha
Published: July 2014

Spontaneous haemoperitoneum in pregnancy (SHiP) is a rare but serious condition associated with an adverse pregnancy outcome. We present a case of previable twin pregnancy presenting with SHiP secondary to endometriosis, necessitating an emergency laparotomy and hysterotomy as a life-saving measure to achieve haemostasis. At laparotomy there was massive haemoperitoneum with active bleeding from the left fallopian tube and a left salpingectomy was performed. Histological examination showed haemorrhagic foci of endometriosis on the fallopian tube exhibiting florid stromal decidual change. We wish to raise awareness of this uncommon but potentially life-threatening condition requiring early recognition and prompt recourse to surgical intervention to minimise the morbidity and mortality.
Recommendations for policy development regarding sport-related concussion prevention and management in Canada
Authors: Frémont Pierre , Bradley Lindsay , Tator Charles H , Skinner Jill , Fischer Lisa K ,   from the Canadian Concussion Collaborative
Published: July 2014

The Canadian Concussion Collaborative (CCC) is composed of health-related organisations concerned with the recognition, treatment and management of concussion. Its mission is to create synergy between organisations concerned with concussion to improve education and implementation of best practices for the prevention and management of concussions. Each of the organisations that constitute the CCC has endorsed two recommendations that address the need for relevant authorities to develop policies about concussion management in sports. The recommendations were developed to support advocacy for regulations, policies or legislation to improve concussion prevention and management at all levels of sport.
Can emergency physicians ‘rule in’ and ‘rule out’ acute myocardial infarction with clinical judgement?
Authors: Body Richard , Cook Gary , Burrows Gillian , Carley Simon , Lewis Philip S
Published: July 2014

Objective

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of emergency physician gestalt in emergency department (ED) patients with suspected cardiac chest pain, both alone and in combination with initial troponin level and ECG findings.

Methods

We prospectively included patients presenting to the ED with suspected cardiac chest pain. Clinicians recorded their ‘gestalt’ at the time of presentation using a five-point Likert scale, blinded to outcome. Troponin T and high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT; both Roche Diagnostics Elecsys) levels were measured in admission blood samples. All patients underwent troponin testing at least 12 h after peak symptoms. The primary outcome was acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Results

458 patients were included in this study, 81 (17.7%) of whom had AMI. Clinician gestalt alone had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.76 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.82) for AMI. Immediately discharging patients with normal initial troponin and ECG in whom the clinician felt the diagnosis was ‘probably not’ or ‘definitely not’ acute coronary syndrome (ACS) would have avoided admission for 23.1% (95% CI 19% to 28%) patients with 100% sensitivity (95% CI 95.6% to 100%). With hs-cTnT, 100% sensitivity could have been achieved even if only patients with ‘probable’ or ‘definite’ ACS were investigated further, which would have allowed 41.7% patients to be discharged immediately.

Conclusions

Gestalt alone cannot be used to ‘rule in’ or ‘rule out’ ACS. By combining clinician gestalt with the admission ECG and troponin level, we found 100% sensitivity without the need for serial troponin testing. These findings have the potential to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions for suspected ACS but must be prospectively validated before considering clinical implementation.
Diadenosine diphosphate (Ap2A) delays neutrophil apoptosis via the adenosine A2Areceptor and cAMP/PKA pathway
Authors: Pliyev Boris K. , Dimitrieva Tatyana V. , Savchenko Valery G.
Published: July 2014

Diadenosine polyphosphates have been shown to inhibit neutrophil apoptosis, but mechanisms of the antiapoptotic effect are not known. Diadenosine diphosphate (Ap2A) is the simplest naturally occurring diadenosine polyphosphate, and its effect on neutrophil apoptosis has not previously been investigated. Here we report that Ap2A delays spontaneous apoptosis of human neutrophils, and the effect is reversed by the adenosine A2Areceptor antagonists SCH442416 and ZM241385. Ap2A induced an elevation of intracellular cAMP and the elevation was blocked by the adenosine A2Areceptor antagonists. The antiapoptotic effect of Ap2A was abrogated by 2′,5′-dideoxyadenosine, an inhibitor of adenylyl cyclase, and Rp-8-Br-cAMPS, an inhibitor of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). Together, these results demonstrate that Ap2A delays neutrophil apoptosis via the adenosine A2Areceptor and cAMP/PKA signaling axis.
Effect of Thompson River elevation on velocity and instability of Ripley Slide
Authors: Hendry Michael T. , Macciotta Renato , Martin C. Derek , Reich Benjamin
Published: July 2014

Fourteen large landslides have occurred within a 10 km stretch of the Thompson River Valley south of Ashcroft, British Columbia. The slides have had movements ranging from rapid (metres per hour) to very slow, and the largest slides have volumes approaching 15.0 × 106 m3. Investigations of these slides have been conducted since the early failures of the slopes were noted in the 1860s, and have continued with the periodic reactivations and slope movements since then. This paper focuses on the Ripley Slide, which is one of the slides within the Thompson River Valley. This slide is a very slow-moving landslide, which has recently been reactivated. This landslide is crossed by a major transportation corridor and has therefore been the subject of ongoing geotechnical investigation and instrumentation. The results of this investigation are interpreted in light of the wealth of accumulated knowledge from more than a century of geotechnical investigation within this valley. The data collected from the landslide show that, like other slow-moving landslides in this valley, the seasonal fluctuations of the Thompson River elevation strongly influence the instability and the rate of slope movement. Continuous global positioning system monitoring of the movement of the landslide combined with measurement of the pore pressures within the sliding mass and elevation of the river have allowed for an empirical correlation between the limit equilibrium method modelled factor of safety and the velocity of the landslide.
Evolutionary Algorithm with Diversity-Reference Adaptive Control in Dynamic Environments
Authors: Gouvêa Maury Meirelles , Araújo Aluizio F. R.
Published: July 2014

Evolutionary algorithms (EAs) can be used to find solutions in dynamic environments. In such cases, after a change in the environment, EAs can either be restarted or they can take advantage of previous knowledge to resume the evolutionary process. The second option tends to be faster and demands less computational effort. The preservation or growth of population diversity is one of the strategies used to advance the evolutionary process after modifications to the environment. We propose a new adaptive method to control population diversity based on a model-reference. The EA evolves the population whereas a control strategy, independently, handles the population diversity. Thus, the adaptive EA evolves a population that follows a diversity-reference model. The proposed model, called the Diversity-Reference Adaptive Control Evolutionary Algorithm (DRAC), aims to maintain or increase the population diversity, thus avoiding premature convergence, and assuring exploration of the solution space during the whole evolutionary process. We also propose a diversity models based on the dynamics of heterozygosity of the population, as models to be tracked by the diversity control. The performance of DRAC showed promising results when compared with the standard genetic algorithm and six other adaptive evolutionary algorithms in 14 different experiments with three different types of environments.
The Impact of Tidal Phase on Hurricane Sandy's Flooding Around New York City and Long Island Sound
Authors: Georgas Nickitas , Orton Philip , Blumberg Alan , Cohen Leah , Zarrilli Daniel , Yin Larry
Published: July 2014

How do the local impacts of Hurricane Sandy's devastating storm surge differ because of the phase of the normal astronomical tide, given the spatiotemporal variability of tides around New York? In the weeks and months after Hurricane Sandy's peak surge came ashore at the time of local high tide at the southern tip of Manhattan and caused record-setting flooding along the New York and New Jersey coastline, this was one question that government officials and critical infrastructure managers were asking. For example, a simple superposition of the observed peak storm surge during Sandy on top of high tide in Western Long Island Sound comes within 29 cm (less than a foot) of the top elevation of the Stamford Hurricane barrier system which would have been overtopped by 60 cm surface waves riding over that storm tide. Here, a hydrodynamic model study of how shifts in storm surge timing could have influenced flood heights is presented. Multiple flood scenarios were evaluated with Stevens Institute of Technology's New York Harbor Observing and Prediction System model (NYHOPS) having Hurricane Sandy arriving any hour within the previous or next tidal cycle (any hour within a 26-hour period around Sandy's actual landfall). The simulated scenarios of Sandy coming between 7 and 10 hours earlier than it did were found to produce the worst coastal flooding in the Upper East River, Western and Central Long Island Sound among the evaluated cases. Flooding would have generally been worse compared to the real Sandy in Connecticut and the areas of New York City around the Upper East River between the boroughs of Queens and the Bronx, exceeding record flood heights. However, the New York Harbor region would still have seen its record flood elevation exceeded, so the storm's impact could have been more widespread. The hydrodynamic model results suggest that the still-water levels would have risen to within 75 cm of the top elevation of the Stamford storm surge barrier, 46 cm lower than the naïve superposition of astronomical tide and storm surge.
L1 Retrotransposons and Somatic Mosaicism in the Brain
Authors: Richardson Sandra R. , Morell Santiago , Faulkner Geoffrey J.
Published: July 2014

Long interspersed element 1 (LINE-1 or L1) retrotransposons have generated one-third of the human genome, and their ongoing mobility is a source of inter- and intraindividual genetic diversity. Although retrotransposition in metazoans has long been considered a germline phenomenon, recent experiments using cultured cells, animal models, and human tissues have revealed extensive L1 mobilization in rodent and human neurons, as well as mobile element activity in the Drosophila brain. In this review, we evaluate the available evidence for L1 retrotransposition in the brain and discuss mechanisms that may regulate neuronal retrotransposition in vivo. We compare experimental strategies used to map de novo somatic retrotransposition events and present the optimal criteria to identify a somatic L1 insertion. Finally, we discuss the unresolved impact of L1-mediated somatic mosaicism upon normal neurobiology, as well as its potential to drive neurological disease.
Language Abilities in Neanderthals
Authors: Johansson Sverker
Published: July 2014

Neanderthal language abilities cannot be directly observed, but indirect evidence is available in their anatomy, archeology, and DNA. Neanderthal anatomy shows possible speech adaptations, and their archeology contains enough indicators of behavioral modernity, including symbols and ornaments, to conclude that their minds could handle symbolic communication. Neanderthal DNA, finally, indicates both that they possessed some of the language-relevant genes found in modern humans and that they could and did have children with modern humans. From the consilience of evidence from anatomy, archeology, and DNA, one can conclude that some language abilities, if not necessarily full modern syntactic language, were present in Neanderthals.
PPARα-dependent exacerbation of experimental colitis by the hypolipidemic drug fenofibrate
Authors: Qi Yunpeng , Jiang Changtao , Tanaka Naoki , Krausz Kristopher W. , Brocker Chad N. , Fang Zhong-Ze , Bredell Bryce X. , Shah Yatrik M. , Gonzalez Frank J.
Published: July 2014

Fibrates, such as fenofibrate, are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) agonists and have been used for several decades as hypolipidemic agents in the clinic. However, contradictory observations exist on the role of fibrates in host response to acute inflammation, with unclear mechanisms. The role of PPARα in colitis was assessed using fenofibrate and Ppara-null mice. Wild-type or Ppara-null mice were subjected to acute colitis under three distinct protocols, dextran sulfate sodium, trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid, and Salmonella Typhi. Serum and colon lipidomics were analyzed to characterize the metabolic profiles by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Messenger RNAs of PPARα target genes and genes involved in inflammation were determined by qunatitative PCR analysis. Fenofibrate treatment exacerbated inflammation and tissue injury in acute colitis, and this was dependent on PPARα activation. Lipidomics analysis revealed that bioactive sphingolipids, including sphingomyelins (SM) and ceramides, were significantly increased in the colitis group compared with the control group; this was further potentiated following fenofibrate treatment. In the colon, fenofibrate did not reduce the markedly increased expression of mRNA encoding TNFα found in the acute colitis model, while it decreased hydrolysis and increased synthesis of SM, upregulated RIPK3-dependent necrosis, and elevated mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation, which were possibly related to the exacerbated colitis.
Heme oxygenase-1 upregulation modulates tone and fibroelastic properties of internal anal sphincter
Authors: Krishna Chadalavada Vijay , Singh Jagmohan , Kumar Sumit , Rattan Satish
Published: July 2014

A compromise in the internal anal sphincter (IAS) tone and fibroelastic properties (FEP) plays an important role in rectoanal incontinence. Herein, we examined the effects of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 upregulation on these IAS characteristics in young rats. We determined the effect of HO-1 upregulator hemin on HO-1 mRNA and protein expressions and on basal IAS tone and its FEP before and after HO-1 inhibitor tin protoporphyrin IX. For FEP, we determined the kinetics of the IAS smooth muscle responses, by the velocities of relaxation, and recovery of the IAS tone following 0 Ca2+and electrical field stimulation. To characterize the underlying signal transduction for these changes, we determined the effects of hemin on RhoA-associated kinase (RhoA)/Rho kinase (ROCK) II, myosin-binding subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase 1, fibronectin, and elastin expression levels. Hemin increased HO-1 mRNA and protein similar to the increases in the basal tone, and in the FEP of the IAS. Underlying mechanisms in the IAS characteristics are associated with increases in the genetic and translational expressions of RhoA/ROCKII, and elastin. Fibronectin expression levels on the other hand were found to be decreased following HO-1 upregulation. The results of our study show that the hemin/HO-1 system regulates the tone and FEP of IAS. The hemin/HO-1 system thus provides a potential target for the development of new interventions aimed at treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders, specifically the age-related IAS dysfunction.
A Tabu Search‐Based Memetic Algorithm for Hardware/Software Partitioning
Authors: Lin Geng , Zhu Wenxing , Ali M. Montaz
Published: July 2014

Hardware/software (HW/SW) partitioning is to determine which components
of a system are implemented on hardware and which ones on software. It is one of the most
important steps in the design of embedded systems. The HW/SW partitioning problem is an
NP‐hard constrained binary optimization problem. In this paper, we propose a tabu search‐based
memetic algorithm to solve the HW/SW partitioning problem. First, we convert the
constrained binary HW/SW problem into an unconstrained binary problem using an adaptive
penalty function that has no parameters in it. A memetic algorithm is then suggested
for solving this unconstrained problem. The algorithm uses a tabu search as its local search
procedure. This tabu search has a special feature with respect to solution generation, and
it uses a feedback mechanism for updating the tabu tenure. In addition, the algorithm integrates
a path relinking procedure for exploitation of newly found solutions. Computational
results are presented using a number of test instances from the literature. The algorithm
proves its robustness when its results are compared with those of two other algorithms. The
effectiveness of the proposed parameter‐free adaptive penalty function is also shown.
Multiobjective TOU Pricing Optimization Based on NSGA2
Authors: Jiang Huilan , Liu Bingqi , Wang Yawei , Zheng Shuangqi
Published: July 2014

Fast and elitist nondominated sorting generic algorithm (NSGA2) is an improved multiobjective genetic algorithm with good convergence and robustness. The Pareto optimal solution set using NSGA2 has the character of uniform distribution. This paper builds a time-of-use (TOU) pricing mathematical model considering actual constraint conditions and puts forward a new method which realizes multiobjective TOU pricing optimization using NSGA2. A variety of objective TOU pricing schemes can be provided for decision makers compared with traditional method. Furthermore, the multiple attribute decision making theory is applied in processing the Pareto optimal solution set to calculate the optimal compromise price scheme. The simulation results have shown that the TOU pricing scheme determined by the method proposed above can achieve a better effect of clipping the peak load to fill the valley load. Consequently, the study in this paper is innovative and is a successful exploration of coordinating the relation of various objective functions concerned in TOU pricing optimization problem.
Reconstruction of Uncertain Historical Evolution of the Polysyllablization of Chinese Lexis
Authors: Qiu Bing , Li Jie
Published: July 2014

Polysyllablization, closely related to phonetics, semantics, and syntactics, is one of the fundamental trends in the development of Chinese lexis. However, with lots of uncertainties in the historical evolution of Chinese language, the quantitative modeling and reconstruction of polysyllablization remain open questions. Based on theComprehensive Dictionary of Chinese Words, a mapping from the words to their time of occurrence is built. With the inverse mapping on random samples, the newly produced words with different numbers of syllables in different time periods are obtained. Finally the total quadratic variation minimization model is adopted to estimate the trend of polysyllablization. As a novel exploration in the computational linguistics, the results agree with the stage division of historical Chinese and answer some difficult questions related to polysyllablization in a quantitative manner.
The Effect of Citrus Peel Extracts on Cytokines Levels and T Regulatory Cells in Acute Liver Injury
Authors: Pantsulaia Ia , Iobadze Manana , Pantsulaia Nato , Chikovani Tinatin
Published: July 2014

Background. T cell-mediated immune responses contribute to the hepatocellular injury during autoimmune hepatitis, viral infection, and hepatotoxins. Pharmacological compounds regulating immune responses are suitable candidates for prevention/treatment of this pathology. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to define the effects of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory mixture of citrus peel extract (CPE) on the immune-mediated liver injury.Methods. The influence of CPE on liver injury was determined by the activity of transaminases in plasma and the histological changes. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects were studied by measuring frequency of T regulatory cells (Tregs), cytokines (TNF-α, IL-10, and IFN-γ), and nitric oxide levels.Results. The CPE application notably prevents development of liver injury through decreasing levels of both cytokines (TNF-alpha, INF) and regulatory T cells and increasing levels of IL-10. CPE injection also diminished the serum NO, which in turn resulted in evident reduction of the liver damage.Conclusion. Our findings represent the primary preclinical data indicating that the CPEin vivocould ameliorate Con A induced hepatitis. The low dose of CPE most likely can be used for the treatment of the T cell-mediated liver injury as in autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, and chronic viral hepatitis.
Finite-Time Observer Based Cooperative Tracking Control of Networked Lagrange Systems
Authors: Chen Gang , Lin Qing
Published: July 2014

This paper investigates the cooperative tracking control problem for networked uncertain Lagrange systems with a leader-follower structure on digraphs. Since the leader’s information is only available to a portion of the followers, finite-time observers are designed to estimate the leader’s velocity. Based on the estimated velocity information and the universal approximation ability of fuzzy logic systems, a distributed adaptive fuzzy tracking control protocol is first proposed for the fault-free Lagrange systems. Then, the actuator faults are considered and a distributed fault-tolerant controller is presented. Based on graph theory and Lyapunov theory, the convergence analyses for the proposed algorithms are provided. The development in this paper is suitable for the general directed communication topology. Numerical simulation results are presented to show the closed-loop performance of the proposed control law and illustrate its robustness to actuator faults and external disturbances.
High Absorption and Second‐Harmonic Generation in Split Ring Resonator Multilayer Nanostructure
Authors: Zhou Renlong , Wu Mengxiong , Deng Hui , Liu Qiong , Xie Suxia , Wu Lingxi , Nie Guozheng , Zhan Jie
Published: July 2014

Second‐harmonic generation in split ring resonator multilayer nanostructure is studied with the finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method. The fundamental frequency wave and the second‐harmonic generation at the resonant absorption wavelength are highly localized in the dielectric layer, and the absorption peak is sensitive to dielectric constant of the dielectric layer. Under the excitation of the plasmon resonances mode, the strong local field induces an expected increase of the second‐harmonic generation with conversion efficiencies 10−6‐10−7. The distributions of fundamental frequency electric field and second‐harmonic electric field inside the central dielectric layer region are also shown.
An Uncommon Presentation of Spontaneous Rectus Sheath Hematoma with Acute Kidney Injury due to Obstructive Uropathy and Prerenal Azotemia
Authors: Paschou Eleni , Gavriilaki Eleni , Kalaitzoglou Asterios , Mourounoglou Maria , Sabanis Nikolaos
Published: July 2014

Rectus Sheath Hematoma (RSH) represents an unusual entity which is characterized by acute abdominal pain and tender palpable abdominal mass usually, among elderly patients receiving anticoagulant therapy. We report the case of an 81-year-old woman admitted to our department due to acute abdominal pain and oligoanuria. The patient had recently been hospitalized due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and atrial fibrillation (AF) and received both anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies. The radiological assessments revealed an extended Rectus Sheath Hematoma and bilateral hydronephrosis. Treatment of the hematoma required cessation of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents, immobilization, blood and fresh frozen plasma transfusion, and administration of vasopressors. The patient recovered gradually and was discharged home fifteen (15) days later.