bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resistance/Response Molecular Signature for Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Suresh Amritha , Vannan Muhil , Kumaran Dhanya , Gümüs Zeynep H. , Sivadas Priya , Murugaian Elango Erode , Kekatpure Vikram , Iyer Subramanian , Thangaraj Kumarasamy , Kuriakose Moni Abraham
Published: June 2013

Worldwide, the incidence of oral tongue cancer is on the rise, adding to the existing burden due to prevailing low survival and high recurrence rates. This study uses high-throughput expression profiling to identify candidate markers of resistance/response in patients with oral tongue cancer. Analysis of primary and post-treatment samples (12 tumor and 8 normal) by the Affymetrix platform (HG U133 plus 2) identified 119 genes as differentially regulated in recurrent tumors. The study groups had distinct profiles, with induction of immune response and apoptotic pathways in the non-recurrent and metastatic/invasiveness pathways in the recurrent group. Validation was carried out in tissues by Quantitative Real-Time PCR (QPCR) (n=30) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) (n=35) and in saliva by QPCR (n=37). The markers,COL5A1,HBB,IGLAandCTSCindividually andCOL5A1andHBBin combination had the best predictive power for treatment response in the patients. A subset of markers identified (COL5A1,ABCG1,MMP1, IL8, FN1) could be detected in the saliva of patients with oral cancers with their combined sensitivity and specificity being 0.65 and 0.87 respectively. The study thus emphasizes the extreme prognostic value of exploring markers of treatment resistance that are expressed in both tissue and saliva.
Population Analysis of Pharmacogenetic Polymorphisms Related to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Drug Treatment
Authors: Chiabai Marcela A. , Lins Tulio C. L. , Pogue Robert , Pereira Rinaldo W.
Published: June 2013

This study aimed to evaluate in the Brazilian population, the genotypes and population frequencies of pharmacogenetic polymorphisms involved in the response to drugs used in treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and to compare the data with data from the HapMap populations. There was significant differentiation between most population pairs, but few associations between genetic ancestry and SNPs in the Brazilian population were observed. AMOVA analysis comparing the Brazilian population to all other populations retrieved from HapMap pointed to a genetic proximity with the European population. These associations point to preclusion of the use of genetic ancestry as a proxy for predicting drug response. In this way, any study aiming to correlate genotype with drug response in the Brazilian population should be based on pharmacogenetic SNP genotypes.
Paraoxonase-1 Is Not Associated with Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 2 Diabetes: Results from the PREDICT Study
Authors: Mackness Bharti , Marsillach Judit , Elkeles Robert S. , Godsland Ian F. , Feher Michael D. , Rubens Michael B. , Flather Marcus D. , Humphries Steve E. , Cooper Jackie , Mackness Mike
Published: June 2013

Objectives: To determine any association between serum paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity, protein and coding region genetic polymorphisms and coronary artery calcification (CACS) and to determine factors which modulate serum PON1 in type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods and results: 589 patients (419 Caucasian, 120 South Asian, 50 other) from the PREDICT Study were investigated. All patients were asymptomatic for coronary disease and had established T2DM. CACS, lipids, lipoproteins, inflammatory markers, insulin resistance and PON1 activity, concentration and Q192R and L55M genotypes were measured. Independent associations were: 1) PON1 activity negatively with insulin resistance, triglycerides and PON1-55 genotype and positively with PON1-192 genotype; 2) PON1 concentration negatively with Caucasian ethnicity, duration of diabetes and statin use and positively with plasma creatinine and PON1-192 genotype. There was no association between CACS and any of the PON1 activity, concentration or genotype and this finding was not different in the various ethnic groups within the PREDICT study.

Conclusion: PON1 is modulated by a number of factors, some of which are reported here for the first time, including ethnicity and insulin resistance in subjects with T2DM. No association between CACS and PON1 was found.
E3B1/ABI-1 Isoforms Are Down-Regulated in Cancers of Human Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Baba Rafia A. , Bhat Hina F. , Wani Lateef A. , Bashir Muneesa , Wani Mudasir M. , Qadri Sumyra K. , Khanday Firdous A.
Published: June 2013

The expression of E3B1/ABI-1 protein and its role in cancer progression and prognosis are largely unknown in the majority of solid tumors. In this study, we examined the expression pattern of E3B1/ABI-1 protein in histologically confirmed cases of esophageal (squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma), gastro-esophageal junction, colorectal cancers and corresponding normal tissues freshly resected from a cohort of 135 patients, by Western Blotting and Immunofluorescence Staining. The protein is present in its phosphorylated form in cells and tissues. Depending on the extent of phosphorylation it is either present in hyper-phosphorylated (M. Wt. 72 kDa) form or in hypo-phosphorylated form (M. Wt. 68 kDa and 65 kDa). A thorough analysis revealed that expression of E3B1/ABI-1 protein is significantly decreased in esophageal, gastro-esophageal junction and colorectal carcinomas irrespective of age, gender, dietary and smoking habits of the patients. The decrease in expression of E3B1/ABI-1 was consistently observed for all the three isoforms. However, the decrease in the expression of isoforms varied with different forms of cancers. Down-regulation of E3B1/ABI-1 expression in human carcinomas may play a critical role in tumor progression and in determining disease prognosis.
Does Playground Improvement Increase Physical Activity among Children? A Quasi-Experimental Study of a Natural Experiment
Authors: Bohn-Goldbaum Erika E. , Phongsavan Philayrath , Merom Dafna , Rogers Kris , Kamalesh Venugopal , Bauman Adrian E.
Published: June 2013

Outdoor recreational spaces have the potential to increase physical activity. This study used a quasi-experimental evaluation design to determine how a playground renovation impacts usage and physical activity of children and whether the visitations correlate with children’s physical activity levels and parental impressions of the playground. Observational data and intercept interviews were collected simultaneously on park use and park-based activity among playground visitors at pre- and postrenovation at an intervention and a comparison park during three 2-hour periods each day over two weeks. No detectable difference in use between parks was observed at followup. In the intervention park, attendance increased among boys, but decreased among girls although this (nonsignificant) decline was less marked than in the comparison park. Following renovation, there was no detectable difference between parks in the number of children engaged in MVPA (interaction between park and time:P=0.73). At the intervention park, there was a significant decline in girls engaging in MVPA at followup (P=0.04). Usage was correlated with parental/carer perceptions of playground features but not with physical activity levels. Renovations have limited the potential to increase physical activity until factors influencing usage and physical activity behavior are better understood.
Proteomic Analysis ofTrichinella spiralisMuscle Larval Excretory-Secretory Proteins Recognized by Early Infection Sera
Authors: Wang Li , Wang Zhong Quan , Hu Dan Dan , Cui Jing
Published: June 2013

Although the excretory-secretory (ES) proteins ofTrichinella spiralismuscle larvae are the most commonly used diagnostic antigens for trichinellosis, their main disadvantage is the false negative results during the early stage of infection and cross-reaction of their main components (43, 45, 49, and 53 kDa) with sera of patients with other helminthiasis. The aim of this study was to identify early specific diagnostic antigens inT. spiralisES proteins with 30–40 kDa. The ES proteins were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), and a total of approximately 150 proteins spots were detected with isoelectric point (pI) varying from 4 to 7 and molecular weight from 14 to 66 kDa. When probed with sera from infected mice at 18 days postinfection, ten protein spots with molecular weight of 30–40 kDa were recognized and identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS. All of ten spots were successfully identified and characterized to correlate with five different proteins, including two potential serine proteases, one antigen targeted by protective antibodies, one deoxyribonuclease (DNase) II, and one conserved hypothetical protein. These proteins might be the early specific diagnostic antigens for trichinellosis.
Kernel Coupled Cross-Regression for Low-Resolution Face Recognition
Authors: Wang Zhifei , Miao Zhenjiang , Wan Yanli , Tang Zhen
Published: June 2013

Low resolution (LR) in face recognition (FR) surveillance applications will cause the problem of dimensional mismatch between LR image and its high-resolution (HR) template. In this paper, a novel method called kernel coupled cross-regression (KCCR) is proposed to deal with this problem. Instead of processing in the original observing space directly, KCCR projects LR and HR face images into a unified nonlinear embedding feature space using kernel coupled mappings and graph embedding. Spectral regression is further employed to improve the generalization performance and reduce the time complexity. Meanwhile, cross-regression is developed to fully utilize the HR embedding to increase the information of the LR space, thus to improve the recognition performance. Experiments on the FERET and CMU PIE face database show that KCCR outperforms the existing structure-based methods in terms of recognition rate as well as time complexity.
Study of TNF-α, IL-1βand LPS Levels in the Gingival Crevicular Fluid of a Rat Model of Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontitis
Authors: Jiang Zhu-Ling , Cui Yu-Qiong , Gao Rui , Li Ying , Fu Zhao-Chen , Zhang Bin , Guan Cheng-Chao
Published: June 2013

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we sought to investigate the dynamic changes in the levels of TNF-α, IL-1βand LPS in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in a rat model of diabetes mellitus (DM) and periodontitis (PD). Additionally, we evaluated alveolar bone loss and the histopathological response associated with experimental diabetes mellitus and experimental periodontitis.

METHODS: DM and PD were induced together in 15 rats (group 1) by streptozotocin injection and ligature induction. Periodontitis alone was produced by ligature induction in 15 rats (group 2), diabetes alone was produced by streptozotocin injection in 15 rats (group 3), and fifteen systemically and periodontally healthy rats were used as controls (group 4). The gingival TNF-α, IL-1βand LPS levels were measured by using ELISA method. Periodontal destruction was assessed by measuring the alveolar bone loss. Periodontal inflammation was quantified by histopathological grading in H&E stained samples.

RESULTS: Higher levels of TNF-α, IL1-β and LPS, increased alveolar bone loss and more serve histopathology were found in group 1 compared with group 2, group 3 and group 4 (p< 0.05). The quantities of TNF-α, IL1-βand LPS, the amount of alveolar bone loss and the severity of the histopathological finding were greater in group 2 than group 3 and group 4 (p< 0.05). Group 3 demonstrated higher levels of TNF-α, IL1-βand LPS, increased alveolar bone loss and more serve histopathology than group 4 (p< 0.05). Statistically significant differences were noted between all of the groups.

CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that DM may lead to enhanced TNF-α, IL1-βand LPS production in the periodontal tissues. The resorption values of alveolar bone and the histological inflammation were more severe in rats with periodontitis and diabetes mellitus than in those with periodontitis alone, diabetes mellitus alone and control rats. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that hyperglycemia contributes to the heightened inflammatory response associated with periodontitis.
Factors Associated with Use of Latex Condom-Compatible Lubricants by Men Who Have Sex with Men in India: Implications for HIV Prevention
Authors: Ramanathan Shreena , Chakrapani Venkatesan , Ramakrishnan Lakshmi , Goswami Prabuddhagopal , Yadav Diwakar , George Bitra , Sen Shrabanti , Rachakulla Harikumar , Subramanian Thilakavathi , Paranjape Ramesh S.
Published: June 2013

We examined the prevalence and type of rectal lubricants use and factors associated with exclusive use of latex-condom compatible lubricants (water-based lubricants) among men who have sex with men (MSM) using data from a large-scale cross-sectional survey conducted in 2009/10 in three Indian states. Using time-location cluster sampling, 3880 MSM were recruited from cruising sites. We used multiple logistic regression to assess the association between type of lubricants used and sociodemographic and programmatic indicators. Among those who reported using lubricants (64%) more than half (53%) exclusively used water-based lubricants, less than one-tenth used exclusively oil-based lubricants, and nearly 40% used both water-based and oil-based lubricants. Factors associated with exclusive use of water-based lubricants were exposure to HIV prevention interventions (AOR: 6.18, 95% CI 4.82 to 7.92) and kothi-identified MSM—feminine/anal-receptive (AOR: 2.56, 95% CI 2.12 to 3.10). Targeted HIV interventions among MSM need to promote and distribute latex condom-compatible lubricants for use during anal sex—irrespective of their presumed or stated sexual role in anal sex, and educate them not to use oil-based lubricants with condoms.
On Noncommutative Corrections of Gravitational Energy in Teleparallel Gravity
Authors: Ulhoa S. C. , Amorim R. G. G.
Published: June 2013

We use the theory of teleparallelism equivalent to general relativity based on noncommutative spacetime coordinates. In this context, we write the corrections of the Schwarzschild solution. We propose the existence of a Weitzenböck spacetime that matches the corrected metric tensor. As an important result, we find the corrections of the gravitational energy in the realm of teleparallel gravity due to the noncommutativity of spacetime. Then we interpret such corrections as a manifestation of quantum theory in gravitational field.
Surgical Treatment of Jacob’s Disease: A Case Report Involving an Osteochondroma of the Coronoid Process
Authors: Stringer Dale E. , Chatelain Kourt B. , Tandon Rahul
Published: June 2013

Although it is one of the most common benign tumors of bone in the axial skeleton, the osteochondroma is relatively rare in the maxillofacial region. Its discovery on the coronoid process is even more rare. First described by Jacob in 1899, it remains a rare entity as only a few reported cases have been described in the literature. Nevertheless, the symptomatic features remain relatively nonspecific: limited opening, tightness, and slight expansion of the affected area with or without pain. The demographic features are more established, as it affects younger males. Definitive diagnosis is made after histological analysis, post-resection of the growth. We report a 27 year-old male with a history of limited opening and tightness of the mouth. Computed Tomography (CT) imaging revealed a well corticated exophytic protuberance from the left coronoid process. Left coronoidectomy and excision of the exophytic growth was performed, and was confirmed by histologic analysis to be an osteochondroma, demonstrating Jacob’s disease.
Effect of Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy on Superoxide Dismutase Levels in Gingival Tissues of Chronic Periodontitis Patients: A Clinical and Spectophotometric Analysis
Authors: Sukhtankar Laxmi , Kulloli Anita , Kathariya Rahul , Shetty Sharad
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND: Superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant acting against superoxide (oxygen radical, O2.-), it is released in inflammatory pathways and causes connective tissue breakdown. Increased SOD activity in inflamed gingiva may indicate increased O2.-radical generation by neutrophils and other inflammatory cells at the diseased site. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on SOD levels in gingival tissues of chronic periodontitis patients.

METHODS: Forty subjects: 20 periodontally healthy (Control) and 20 chronic periodontitis (Test); age range 24–55 years were recruited. Gingival tissue samples were collected by excising the inner lining of the periodontal pocket at baseline (prior to non-surgical periodontal therapy) and 2 months post therapy. In controls, tissue samples were obtained immediately after tooth extraction scheduled for orthodontic reasons. Clinical parameters included probing depth, clinical attachment level, gingival index, bleeding index, plaque index. SOD activities were assessed spectrophotometrically at baseline and 2 months post NSPT, results were analysed statistically.

RESULTS: At baseline, patients with chronic periodontitis had higher mean SOD activity (2.73 ± 1.36) than the control subjects (1.12 ± 1.13) withp= 0.00003 (p< 0.05). At 2 months post NSPT median SOD level (1.00) had come close to median SOD value of control group (0.85);p= 0.99 (p> 0.05). The resolution of inflammation with successful NSPT resulted in decreased SOD levels as in control group. Clinical parameters in patients with chronic periodontitis showed a significant improvement 2 months post NSPT (p< 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Non-surgical periodontal therapy significantly improves the clinical parameters and restores previously increased SOD levels to normal in chronic periodontitis patients.
Maternal SNPs in the p53 Pathway: Risk Factors for Trisomy 21?
Authors: Boquett Juliano André , Brandalize Ana Paula Carneiro , Fraga Lucas Rosa , Schuler-Faccini Lavínia
Published: June 2013

The p53 family and its regulatory pathway play an important role as regulators of developmental processes, limiting the propagation of aneuploid cells. Its dysfunction or imbalance can lead to pathological abnormalities in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal polymorphismsTP53c.215G>C (P72R),TP734 c.-30G>A and 14 c.-20C>T,MDM2c.14+309T>G (SNP309),MDM4c.753+572C>T andUSP7c.2719-234G>A as risk factors for Down Syndrome (DS) birth. A case-control study was conducted with 263 mothers of DS children and 196 control mothers. The distribution of these genotypic variants was similar between case and control mothers. However, the combined allelesTP53C andMDM2G, andTP53C andUSP7A increased the risk of having offspring with DS (OR = 1.84 and 1.77; 95% CI;P< 0.007 and 0.018, respectively). These results suggest that, although the individual polymorphisms were not associated with DS birth, the effect of the combined genotypes amongTP53,MDM2andUSP7genes indicates a possible role ofTP53and its regulatory pathway as a risk factor for aneuploidy.
Some New Existence Results of Positive Solutions to an Even-Order Boundary Value Problem on Time Scales
Authors: Sang Yanbin
Published: June 2013

We consider a high-order three-point boundary value problem. Firstly, some new existence results of at least one positive solution for a noneigenvalue problem and an eigenvalue problem are established. Our approach is based on the application of three different fixed point theorems, which have extended and improved the famous Guo-Krasnosel’skii fixed point theorem at different aspects. Secondly, some examples are included to illustrate our results.
Function of Nanocatalyst in Chemistry of Organic Compounds Revolution: An Overview
Authors: Hemalatha Kanagarajan , Madhumitha Gunabalan , Kajbafvala Amir , Anupama Narayanan , Sompalle Rajesh , Mohana Roopan Selvaraj
Published: June 2013

Heterocyclic motif is an important scaffold which has both industrial and pharmaceutical applications. These motifs can be prepared using wide variety of reaction conditions such as the use of expensive catalyst, toxic solvent, harsh reaction condition like the use of base, high temperature, and multistep reaction. Although various methods are involved, the chemistry arena is now shifted towards the greener way of synthesis. Nanocatalyst constitutes an important role in the green synthesis. This is because the activity of the catalyst resides in the exposed portion of the particles. By decreasing the size of the catalyst, advantages such as more surface area would be exposed to the reactant, only negligible amount would be required to give the significant result and selectivity could be achieved, thereby, eliminating the undesired products. The current review enlists the various types of nanocatalyst involved in the heterocyclic ring formation and also some other important functionalization over the ring.
The Value of Combined Use of Survivin mRNA and Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 and 9 for Bladder Cancer Detection in Voided Urine
Authors: Eissa Sanaa , Badr Soheir , Abd Elhamid Shadia , Helmy Azza Salah , Nour Mohamed , Esmat Mohamed
Published: June 2013

Objective: In a trial to improve the diagnostic efficacy of conventional urine cytology we determine survivin RNA and matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 in urine of bladder cancer cases.

Method: Voided urine specimens were collected from patients with histologically confirmed bladder urothelial carcinoma (Group 1;n= 46), urological patients without urothelial carcinoma (Group 2;n= 20), and healthy volunteers (Group 3;n= 20). Urine cytology, survivin RNA was estimated by qualitative nested RT-PCR and MMP-2, MMP-9 activity were detected by gelatin zymography. The expression of survivin RNA and matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 in bladder cancer was compared with benign and normal cases.

Results: Positivity rates of survivin RNA and MMPs zymography were significantly different among the 3 groups. Urine survivin detection by qualitative nested RT-PCR showed 76.1% sensitivity and 95% specificity. The overall sensitivity, specificity of urinary MMP zymography was 67.3%, 90% respectively. The combined use of urine cytology with urine survivin or MMPs zymography increased sensitivity of urine cytology from 50% to 84.7%. The highest sensitivity (95.6%) was obtained on combining the three markers.

Conclusion: Survivin RNA and MMPS zymography can be considered as promising noninvasive markers for bladder cancer early detection. Combined use of the three markers improved the sensitivity for detecting bladder cancer.
Isoprostanes and 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal: Markers or Mediators of Disease? Focus on Rett Syndrome as a Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Signorini Cinzia , De Felice Claudio , Durand Thierry , Oger Camille , Galano Jean-Marie , Leoncini Silvia , Pecorelli Alessandra , Valacchi Giuseppe , Ciccoli Lucia , Hayek Joussef
Published: June 2013

Lipid peroxidation, a process known to induce oxidative damage to key cellular components, has been implicated in several diseases. Following three decades of explorations mainly onin vitromodels reproducible in the laboratories, lipid peroxidation has become increasingly relevant for the interpretation of a wide range of pathophysiological mechanisms in the clinical setting. This cumulative effort has led to the identification of several lipid peroxidation end-products meeting the needs of thein vivoevaluation. Among these different molecules, isoprostanes and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal protein adducts appear to be particularly interesting. This review shows how specific oxidation products, deriving from polyunsaturated fatty acids precursors, are strictly related to the clinical manifestations and the natural history of Rett syndrome, a genetically determined neurodevelopmental pathology, currently classified among the autism spectrum disorders. In our experience, Rett syndrome offers a unique setting for physicians, biologists, and chemists to explore the borders of the lipid mediators concept.
Urinary Biomarkers for The Prediction of Reversibility in Acute-on-Chronic Renal Failure
Authors: Luk Cathy Choi-Wan , Chow Kai-Ming , Kwok Jeffrey Sung-Shing , Kwan Bonnie Ching-Ha , Chan Michael Ho-Ming , Lai Ka-Bik , Lai Fernand Mac-Moune , Wang Gang , Li Philip Kam-Tao , Szeto Cheuk-Chun
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND: There is no reliable clinical test to predict the reversibility of acute-on-chronic renal failure. We study whether urinary biomarkers could be used as a noninvasive prognostic marker in patients with acute-on-chronic renal failure.

METHODS: We studied 39 adult patients with pre-existing chronic renal impairment presenting to us with acute-on-chronic renal failure. Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) level was measured. The mRNA of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), interleukin-18 (IL-18), alpha-1-microglobulin (α1M), sodium/hydrogen exchanger-3 (NHE3), beta-2 microglobulin (β2M), and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) in urinary sediment were quantified.

RESULTS: Urinary NGAL level significantly correlated with the serum creatinine at presentation (r= 0.762,p< 0.0001) but not baseline serum creatinine. Urinary sedimentβ2M expression significantly correlated with baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (r= –0.400,p= 0.012). Urinaryα1M and NHE3 expressions were significantly higher in ischemic acute tubular necrosis than other causes of acute kidney injury (p< 0.0001 andp= 0.006, respectively). Urinaryα1M expression significantly correlated with the degree of improvement in renal function (r= 0.387,p= 0.026), as well as the estimated GFR 6 months later (r= 0.386,p= 0.027).

CONCLUSION: In patients with acute-on-chronic renal failure, urinary NGAL level correlates with the severity of renal failure, while urinaryα1M expression correlates with the degree of renal function recovery. Quantification of urinaryα1M mRNA may be developed as an non-invasive tool for risk stratification of this group of patients.
Comparison of Hay’s Criteria with Nugent’s Scoring System for Diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis
Authors: Chawla Rohit , Bhalla Preena , Chadha Sanjim , Grover Sujatha , Garg Suneela
Published: June 2013

Although Nugent’s criterion is considered as the gold standard for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV), the method requires an experienced slide reader and considerable time and skill. In this study, we compared the method of Hay and Ison with Nugent’s scoring criteria. Vaginal specimens were collected from a total of 213 women, presenting with or without the symptoms of vaginitis. Diagnosis of BV was done using Nugent’ and Hay’s method. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for positive and negative test were calculated for Hay’s method using Nugent’s method as the gold standard. We diagnosed 70 cases (32.86%) of BV by Nugent’s method and 87 (40.85%) cases by the Hay’s method. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive value of positive result, predictive value of negative result, and Kappa value when evaluating Hay’s criteria using Nugent’s criteria as the gold standard were ≥97.2%, ≥88.1%, ≥80.4%, ≥97.1%, and ≥0.830, respectively, when Hay’s grade II and/or Nugent’s intermediate score were considered either as negative or positive or excluded. Using Nugent score for the intermediate group is the most difficult. Hay’s method shows good agreement with the gold standard method of Nugent et al. and can be used as an alternative to Nugent’s criteria in busy tertiary care hospitals.
Treatment of Acute Tacrolimus Toxicity with Phenytoin in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Authors: Jantz Arin S. , Patel Samir J. , Suki Wadi N. , Knight Richard J. , Bhimaraj Arvind , Gaber A. Osama
Published: June 2013

The pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus are influenced by many factors, including genetic variability, acute infections, liver dysfunction, and interacting medications, which can result in elevated concentrations. The most appropriate management of acute tacrolimus toxicity has not been defined though case reports exist describing the therapeutic use of enzyme inducers to increase tacrolimus metabolism and decrease concentrations. We are reporting on the utilization of phenytoin to assist in decreasing tacrolimus concentrations in a case series of four solid organ transplant recipients with acute, symptomatic tacrolimus toxicity presenting with elevated serum creatinine, potassium, and tacrolimus trough concentrations greater than 30 ng/mL. All four patients had the potential causative agents stopped or temporarily held and were given 300 to 400 mg/day of phenytoin for two to three days. Within three days of beginning phenytoin, all four patients had a decrease in tacrolimus concentration to less than 15 ng/mL, a return to or near baseline creatinine concentration, and lack of phenytoin-related side effects. Therefore, phenytoin appears to be a safe and potentially beneficial treatment option in patients with symptomatic tacrolimus toxicity.
Development and Validation of Stability Indicating RP-HPLC Method for Estimation of Ceftaroline Fosamil in Bulk and Its Parenteral Dosage Forms
Authors: Suneetha A. , China Venkanna K.
Published: June 2013

The present method describes the development of a validated RP-HPLC method for determination of ceftaroline fosamil in presence of its degradation products or other pharmaceutical excipients. The drug substance was subjected to stress conditions of acid, alkali, and oxidative and thermal degradation studies. Separation was carried out on a C-18 X-terra column (Waters Corporation, 250 mm × 4.6 mm I.D.; particle size 5 μm) using 40 : 30 : 30 [buffer : acetonitrile : methanol] as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. UV detection was performed at 242 nm. The method was validated with respect to specificity, selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness. The assay method was found to be linear in the range of 40 to 120 μg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999. The percentage recovery of active pharmaceutical ingredient from parenteral dosage form ranged from 99.5 to 100.2%. The method precision for determination of ceftaroline was below 0.85%. The results showed that the developed RP-HPLC method is suitable for determination of ceftaroline fosamil in bulk as well as stability samples of pharmaceutical dosage forms containing various excipients.
Practical Stabilization of Uncertain Nonholonomic Mobile Robots Based on Visual Servoing Model with Uncalibrated Camera Parameters
Authors: Chen Hua , Chen Bingyan , Li Baojun , Zhang Jinbo
Published: June 2013

The practical stabilization problem is addressed for a class of uncertain nonholonomic mobile robots with uncalibrated visual parameters. Based on the visual servoing kinematic model, a new switching controller is presented in the presence of parametric uncertainties associated with the camera system. In comparison with existing methods, the new design method is directly used to control the original system without any state or input transformation, which is effective to avoid singularity. Under the proposed control law, it is rigorously proved that all the states of closed-loop system can be stabilized to a prescribed arbitrarily small neighborhood of the zero equilibrium point. Furthermore, this switching control technique can be applied to solve the practical stabilization problem of a kind of mobile robots with uncertain parameters (and angle measurement disturbance) which appeared in some literatures such as Morin et al. (1998), Hespanha et al. (1999), Jiang (2000), and Hong et al. (2005). Finally, the simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed controller design approach.
Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Human Breast Cancer Tissues
Authors: Benson Chellakkan Selvanesan , Babu Somasundaram Dinesh , Radhakrishna Selvi , Selvamurugan Nagarajan , Sankar Bhaskaran Ravi
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in the world today. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of endopeptidases that can degrade extracellular matrix proteins and promote cell invasion and metastasis. MMPs are differentially expressed and their expressions are often associated with a poor prognosis for patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the expression of MMPs in different grades of human breast cancer tissues with normal breast tissues.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected 39 breast cancer samples (24 grade II and 15 grade III) along with 16 normal breast tissues from outside the tumor margin during cancer removal surgery. The samples were analysed for the expression of all known MMPs using real-time quantitative PCR.

RESULTS: The results indicate that mRNA expressions of MMP-1, -9,-11,-15,-24 and -25 were upregulated in breast cancer tissues when compared to normal breast tissues. But, the mRNA expressions of MMP-10 and MMP-19 were downregulated in cancer tissue. In membrane associated MMPs like MMP-15 and MMP-24 we found a grade dependent increase of their mRNA expression.

CONCLUSION: Our studies demonstrate that MMPs are differentially regulated in breast cancer tissues and they might play various roles in tumor invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. Thus, MMPs are of immense value to be studied as diagnostic markers and drug target.
Finite Time Blowup in a Realistic Food-Chain Model
Authors: Parshad Rana D. , Abderrahmane Hamid Ait , Upadhyay Ranjit Kumar , Kumari Nitu
Published: June 2013

We investigate a realistic three-species food-chain model, with generalist top predator. The model based on a modified version of the Leslie-Gower scheme incorporates mutual interference in all the three populations and generalizes several other known models in the ecological literature. We show that the model exhibits finite time blowup in certain parameter range and for large enough initial data. This result implies that finite time blowup is possible in a large class of such three-species food-chain models. We propose a modification to the model and prove that the modified model has globally existing classical solutions, as well as a global attractor. We reconstruct the attractor using nonlinear time series analysis and show that it pssesses rich dynamics, including chaos in certain parameter regime, whilst avoiding blowup in any parameter regime. We also provide estimates on its fractal dimension as well as provide numerical simulations to visualise the spatiotemporal chaos.
Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2): A Novel and Promising Biomarker for Cardiovascular Risks Assessment
Authors: Cai Anping , Zheng Dongdan , Qiu Ruofeng , Mai Weiyi , Zhou Yingling
Published: June 2013

Atherosclerosis and its manifestations namely cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although intensified interventions have been applied, the residual cardiovascular (CV) risks are still very high. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a novel and unique biomarker highly specific for vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. Both pro-atherogenic property of Lp-PLA2and positive correlation with CV events have already been demonstrated by a large number of scientific and clinical studies. Currently, in the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) guideline, Lp-PLA2has been recommended as an adjunct to traditional risk factors in assessing future CV risks. Encouragingly, darapladib, an orally Lp-PLA2specific inhibitor, has been tested in basic research and preclinical trials and the outcomes are quite striking. Additionally, there are two phase III ongoing clinical trials in evaluating the efficacy and safety of darapladib on cardiovascular outcomes. With regard to the potential values of Lp-PLA2in risk stratification, therapeutic regimen establishment and prognosis evaluation in patients with moderate or high risk, our present review is going to summarize the relevant data about the bio-chemical characteristics of Lp-PLA2, the actions of Lp-PLA2on atherosclerosis and the results of Lp-PLA2in scientific research and clinical studies.
QoS and Energy Aware Cooperative Routing Protocol for Wildfire Monitoring Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Maalej Mohamed , Cherif Sofiane , Besbes Hichem
Published: June 2013

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are presented as
proper solution for wildfire monitoring. However, this application
requires a design of WSN taking into account the network lifetime
and the shadowing effect generated by the trees in the forest
environment. Cooperative communication is a promising solution
for WSN which uses, at each hop, the resources of multiple nodes
to transmit its data. Thus, by sharing resources between nodes,
the transmission quality is enhanced. In this paper, we use the
technique of reinforcement learning by opponent modeling, optimizing
a cooperative communication protocol based on RSSI and
node energy consumption in a competitive context (RSSI/energy‐CC), that is, an energy and quality‐of‐service aware‐based cooperative
communication routing protocol. Simulation results show that the
proposed algorithm performs well in terms of network lifetime,
packet delay, and energy consumption.
Comparison of Biological Attributes ofCulex quinquefasciatus(Diptera: Culicidae) Populations from India
Authors: Gokhale Mangesh D. , Paingankar Mandar S. , Dhaigude Sachin D.
Published: June 2013

Understanding the population dynamics of mosquito populations through life table analysis and insecticide susceptibility is important to assess the likely impact of vector control strategies as well as to aid the design of novel interventions. Variation in the life tables and other biological data was compared for two populations ofCulex quinquefasciatusSay 1823 from geographically isolated regions, Gorakhpur and Pune from India. Under a standardized rearing regime and constant laboratory conditions, mosquitoes were reared and biological attributes of these populations were compared. Development and survival of immature and adult stages ofCulex quinquefasciatuswere found significantly different in Gorakhpur and Pune populations. Principal component analysis of morphological data revealed that the two populations form significantly different clusters which can be differentiated from each other based on siphon, saddle, anal gills, and pecten teeth related variables. Insecticide susceptibility results suggest that the larvae from both areas were more susceptible to deltamethrin as compared to DDT and malathion. The current study provides baseline information on survivorship, morphological variation and insecticide susceptibility ofCulex quinquefasciatus. The results obtained in this study suggest that different geographical areas with contrasting habitats have significant influence on survival and reproductive strategies ofCulex quinquefasciatus.
Intraosseous Ganglia: A Series of 17 Treated Cases
Authors: Sakamoto Akio , Oda Yoshinao , Iwamoto Yukihide
Published: June 2013

Background. Intraosseous ganglion is a cystic lesion that contains gelatinous material, most often occurs in middle-aged patients, and is regarded as similar to soft-tissue ganglion. The etiology is unknown, but association with degenerative joint disease has been considered.Materials and Methods. At a single institute, 17 patients (8 men, 9 women) with a mean age of 48.9 years (22–72 years) were surgically treated for an intraosseous ganglion. The lesions were located in 9 long bones (5 tibiae, 2 humeri, 1 ulna, and 1 femur); 4 flat bones (2 scapulae, 2 ilia); and 4 small bones (2 scaphoid, 1 metacarpal bone, and 1 talus). The diagnosis was confirmed based both on the gross intraoperative finding of intralesional gelatinous material and on histopathology.Results. All lesions occurred at the epiphysis or near the joint. The plain radiographs showed a lesion with marginal osteosclerosis. The average lesion size was 22.4 mm (range 6–40 mm). Among the 17 patients, 2 (12%) had osteoarthritis, 3 (18%) had pathological fracture, and 4 (24%) had extraskeletal extension.Discussion and Conclusion. The periosteum and cortex of bone represent physical barriers. Therefore, it seems much more likely that primary bone lesions will spread to the soft tissues. Intraosseous ganglion does not appear to be associated with either soft-tissue ganglion or with osteoarthritis. This clinical information and the appearance on plain radiographs, particularly the marginal osteosclerosis, are of differential diagnostic importance.
Neuroendoscopic Resection of Intraventricular Tumors and Cysts through a Working Channel with a Variable Aspiration Tissue Resector: A Feasibility and Safety Study
Authors: Nduom Edjah Kweku-Ebura , Sribnick Eric A. , Ormond D. Ryan , Hadjipanayis Costas G.
Published: June 2013

Pure neuroendoscopic resection of intraventricular lesions through a burr hole is limited by the instrumentation that can be used with a working channel endoscope. We describe a safety and feasibility study of a variable aspiration tissue resector, for the resection of a variety of intraventricular lesions. Our initial experience using the variable aspiration tissue resector involved 16 patients with a variety of intraventricular tumors or cysts. Nine patients (56%) presented with obstructive hydrocephalus. Patient ages ranged from 20 to 88 years (mean 44.2). All patients were operated on through a frontal burr hole, using a working channel endoscope. A total of 4 tumors were resected in a gross total fashion and the remaining intraventricular lesions were subtotally resected. Fifteen of 16 patients had relief of their preoperative symptoms. The 9 patients who presented with obstructive hydrocephalus had restoration of cerebrospinal fluid flow though one required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Three patients required repeat endoscopic resections. Use of a variable aspiration tissue resector provides the ability to resect a variety of intraventricular lesions in a safe, controlled manner through a working channel endoscope. Larger intraventricular tumors continue to pose a challenge for complete removal of intraventricular lesions.
Evaluation of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width in Patients with Cardiac Syndrome X
Authors: Qing Ping , Luo Song-Hui , Guo Yuan-Lin , Liu Jun , Xu Rui-Xia , Zhu Cheng-Gang , Jia Yan-Jun , Ma Feng-Lian , Wu Na-Qiong , Jiang Li-Xin , Li Jian-Jun
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND: Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is a condition characterized by chest pain with normal coronary arteries. However, its pathogenesis has not fully been understood yet. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has recently been suggested as a marker of acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases, while no data is available in patients with CSX.

METHODS: One hundred and twenty consecutive patients with CSX and 102 normal controls were prospectively enrolled in this study. Blood samples were drawn from all individuals for measuring RDW and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP). The baseline data were compared between patients with CSX and normal controls.

RESULTS: The RDW levels were significantly higher in patients with CSX than that in those with normal controls (13.1 ± 2.1 versus 12.3 ± 1.8,p= 0.011). Moreover, the data showed that the levels of plasma CRP were marked higher in patients with CSX than those that were observed in normal controls (CRP: 2.8 ± 2.2 mg/L versus 2.0 ± 1.7 mg/dl,p= 0.014). In addition, the multivariate analysis indicated that peripheral monocyte cell, CRP and RDW were the independent variables most strongly associated with CSX. In a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, we found that an RDW value of 12.8% was used as an effective cut-point in the segregation of the presence or absence of cardiac syndrome X, a sensitivity of 52.0% and a specificity of 65.4% were obtained. Finally, correlation analysis suggested that there was positive correlation between plasma levels of CRP and RDW levels (n= 120,γ= 0.381,P= 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS: The present study, for the first time, demonstrated that elevated RDW and CRP levels were independently associated with the presence of CSX.
Mood and Memory Function in Ovariectomised Rats Exposed to Social Instability Stress
Authors: Al-Rahbi Badriya , Zakaria Rahimah , Othman Zahiruddin , Hassan Asma’ , Muthuraju Sangu , Wan Mohammad Wan Mohd Zahiruddin
Published: June 2013

This study aims to compare the effects of social instability stress on memory and anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour between sham-operated controls and ovariectomised (OVX) rats. Forty adult female Sprague-Dawley rats (8 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups, (n=10per group). These were non-stressed sham-operated control rats, stressed sham-operated control rats, non-stressed OVX rats, and stressed OVX rats. The rats were subjected to social instability stress procedure for 15 days. Novel object recognition, open field, and forced swim tests were conducted after the stress procedure. Serum estradiol, ACTH and corticosterone levels were measured using commercially available ELISA kits. Lower serum estradiol level and uterine weight with higher weight gain were observed in OVX rats compared to sham-operated controls. Serum ACTH, and corticosterone levels were higher in stressed compared to non-stressed groups. Memory deficit and anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour were significantly increased in stressed compared to non-stressed OVX rats but these changes were not seen in sham-operated controls. These results suggest that the high circulating corticosterone acts synergistically with low circulating estradiol to exert negative effects on mood and memory function.
eNOS 4a/b Polymorphism and Its Interaction with eNOS G894T Variants in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Modifying the Risk of Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Rahimi Zohreh , Rahimi Ziba , Shahvaisi-Zadeh Frahad , Sadeghei Shieda , Vessal Mahmood , Yavari Niloofar
Published: June 2013

To investigate the possible association between eNOS 4a/b polymorphism and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic nephropathy (DN) 173 T2DM patients with and without DN and 101 healthy subjects with ethnic background of Kurds were examined for the frequency of eNOS variants using PCR-RFLP method. The frequency of eNOS 4a/b genotypes between T2DM and controls was not significantly difference. Studying eNOS 4a/b variants alone indicated that the presence ofeNOS4a allele was not associated with the risk of developing DN. However, considering both polymorphisms of eNOS 4a/b and G894T indicated that the risk of macroalbuminuria significantly increased in the presence of eithereNOS4a or 894T allele by 2.45 times (p=0.014) and 3.7-fold (p=0.016), respectively. However, the concomitant presence of both alleles was not associated with the risk of macroalbuminuria. In microalbuminuric patients, in the presence of each allele, the risk of microalbuminuria increased 2.2 times (p=0.028) and 2.72-fold (p=0.057) foreNOS4a and 894T alleles, respectively. However, the combined presence of botheNOS894T and 4a alleles was not associated with the risk of microalbuminuria. The present study indicates the absence of association between eNOS 4a/b variants and the risk of developing T2DM and DN. Also, we demonstrated thateNOS4a or 894T allele alone increased the risk of developing DN but this effect was modified by the concomitant presence of both alleles.