bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing utilization of Internet-based resources following efforts to promote evidence-based medicine: a national study in Taiwan
Authors: Weng Yi-Hao , Kuo Ken N , Yang Chun-Yuh , Lo Heng-Lien , Shih Ya-Hui , Chen Chiehfeng , Chiu Ya-Wen
Published: January 2013

Background

Since the beginning of 2007, the National Health Research Institutes has been promoting the dissemination of evidence-based medicine (EBM). The current study examined longitudinal trends of behaviors in how hospital-based physicians and nurses have searched for medical information during the spread of EBM.

Methods

Cross-sectional postal questionnaire surveys were conducted in nationally representative regional hospitals of Taiwan thrice in 2007, 2009, and 2011. Demographic data were gathered concerning gender, age, working experience, teaching appointment, academic degree, and administrative position. Linear and logistic regression models were used to examine predictors and changes over time.

Results

Data from physicians and nurses were collected in 2007 (n = 1156), 2009 (n = 2975), and 2011 (n = 3999). There were significant increases in the use of four Internet-based resources – Web portals, online databases, electronic journals, and electronic books – across the three survey years among physicians and nurses (p < 0.001). Access to textbooks and printed journals, however, did not change over the 4-year study period. In addition, there were significant relationships between the usage of Internet-based resources and users’ characteristics. Age and faculty position were important predictors in relation to the usage among physicians and nurses, while academic degree served as a critical factor among nurses only.

Conclusions

Physicians and nurses used a variety of sources to look for medical information. There was a steady increase in use of Internet-based resources during the diffusion period of EBM. The findings highlight the importance of the Internet as a prominent source of medical information for main healthcare professionals.
Relationship between Advanced Glycation End Products and Plaque Progression in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: The JAPAN-ACS Sub-study
Authors: Fukushima Yoshifumi , Daida Hiroyuki , Morimoto Takeshi , Kasai Takatoshi , Miyauchi Katsumi , Yamagishi Sho-ichi , Takeuchi Masayoshi , Hiro Takafumi , Kimura Takeshi , Nakagawa Yoshihisa , Yamagishi Masakazu , Ozaki Yukio , Matsuzaki Masunori ,   JAPAN-ACS Investigators
Published: January 2013

Background

The Japan Assessment of Pitavastatin and Atorvastatin in Acute Coronary Syndrome (JAPAN-ACS) trial demonstrated that early aggressive statin therapy in patients with ACS significantly reduces plaque volume (PV). Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and the receptors of AGEs (RAGE) may lead to angiopathy in diabetes mellitus (DM) and may affect on the development of coronary PV. The present sub-study of JAPAN-ACS investigates the association between AGEs and RAGE, and PV.

Methods

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was undertaken, followed by the initiation of statin treatment (either 4 mg/day of pitavastatin or 20 mg/day of atorvastatin), in patients with ACS. In the 208 JAPAN-ACS subjects, PV using IVUS in non-culprit segment > 5 mm proximal or distal to the culprit lesion and, serum levels of AGEs and soluble RAGE (sRAGE) were measured at baseline and 8–12 months after PCI.

Results

At baseline, no differences in the levels of either AGEs or sRAGE were found between patients with DM and those without DM. The levels of AGEs decreased significantly with statin therapy from 8.6 ± 2.2 to 8.0 ± 2.1 U/ml (p < 0.001), whereas the levels of sRAGE did not change. There were no significant correlations between changes in PV and the changes in levels of AGEs as well as sRAGE. However, high baseline AGEs levels were significantly associated with plaque progression (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 - 1.48; p = 0.044) even after adjusting for DM in multivariate logistic regression models.

Conclusions

High baseline AGEs levels were associated with plaque progression in the JAPAN-ACS trial. This relationship was independent of DM. These findings suggest AGEs may be related to long-term glucose control and other oxidative stresses in ACS.

Trial registration

NCT00242944
Quantitative metabolomics analysis of amino acid metabolism in recombinant Pichia pastoris under different oxygen availability conditions
Authors: Carnicer Marc , ten Pierick Angela , van Dam Jan , Heijnen Joseph J , Albiol Joan , van Gulik Walter , Ferrer Pau
Published: January 2013

Background

Environmental and intrinsic stress factors can result in the global alteration of yeast physiology, as evidenced by several transcriptional studies. Hypoxia has been shown to have a beneficial effect on the expression of recombinant proteins in Pichia pastoris growing on glucose. Furthermore, transcriptional profiling analyses revealed that oxygen availability was strongly affecting ergosterol biosynthesis, central carbon metabolism and stress responses, in particular the unfolded protein response. To contribute to the better understanding of the effect and interplay of oxygen availability and foreign protein secretion on central metabolism, a first quantitative metabolomic analysis of free amino acids pools in a recombinant P. pastoris strain growing under different oxygen availability conditions has been performed.

Results

The values obtained indicate significant variations in the intracellular amino acid pools due to different oxygen availability conditions, showing an overall increase of their size under oxygen limitation. Notably, even while foreign protein productivities were relatively low (about 40–80 μg Fab/gDCW·h), recombinant protein production was found to have a limited but significant impact on the intracellular amino acid pools, which were generally decreased in the producing strain compared with the reference strain. However, observed changes in individual amino acids pools were not correlated with their corresponding relative abundance in the recombinant protein sequence, but to the overall cell protein amino acid compositional variations.

Conclusions

Overall, the results obtained, combined with previous transcriptomic and proteomic analyses provide a systematic metabolic fingerprint of the oxygen availability impact on recombinant protein production in P. pastoris.
A new method of kidney biopsy using low dose CT-guidance with coaxial trocar and bard biopsy gun
Authors: Pi Xiao-ling , Tang Zhen , Fu Li-qian , Guo Mei-hua , Shi Mei-hua , Chen Lan , Wan Zheng-ying
Published: January 2013

Background

To explore a new method of kidney biopsy with coaxial trocar and bard biopsy gun under low dose computed tomography (CT)-guidance and evaluate its accuracy, safety, and efficacy.

Methods

Sixty patients underwent renal biopsy under CT-guidance. They were randomly divided into two groups: group I, low dose CT-guided (120 kV and 25 or 50 mAs) and group II, standard dose CT-guided (120 kV and 250 mAs). For group I, the coaxial trocar was accurately placed adjacent to the renal capsule of the lower pole, the needle core was removed, and samples were obtained with a bard biopsy gun. For group II, the coaxial trocar was not used. Total number of passes, mean biopsy diameter, mean glomeruli per specimen, mean operation time, mean scanning time, and mean radiation dose were noted. Dose-length product (DLP) was used to calculate the radiation doses. After 24 hours of the biopsy, ultrasound was repeated to identify any subcapsular hematoma.

Results

Success rate of biopsy in group I was 100% while using low dose CT-guidance along with coaxial trocar renal. There was no statistic differences bewteen group I and II in the total number of passes, mean biopsy diameter, mean glomeruli per specimen and mean time of operation and CT scanning. The average DLP of group I was lower as compared to the value of group II (p <0.05).

Conclusions

Kidney biopsy using coaxial trocar and bard biopsy gun under low dose CT was an accurate, simple and safe method for diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. It can be used for repeat and multiple biopsies, particularly suitable for obese and renal atrophy patients in whom the kidneys are difficult to image.
Facile synthesis of ultrathin magnetic iron oxide nanoplates by Schikorr reaction
Authors: Ma Ming , Zhang Yu , Guo Zhirui , Gu Ning
Published: January 2013

In this work, a very facile one-pot hydrothermal synthesis approach has been developed for the preparation of ultrathin magnetite nanoplates. The hydrothermal procedure was performed by aging ferrous hydroxide under anaerobic conditions, which is known as Schikorr reaction. Ethylene glycol (EG), which was introduced to the reaction as another solvent, played a critical role in the formation process of these nanoplates. Typically, hexagonal Fe3O4 nanoplates with a thickness of 10 to 15 nm and a side length of 150 to 200 nm have been synthesized with EG/H2O = 1:1 in experiments. Our data suggest that the thickness of Fe3O4 nanoplates decreases, and the shape of the nanoplate becomes more irregular when the concentration of EG increases. The as-prepared Fe3O4 nanoplates were highly crystallized single crystals and exhibited large coercivity and specific absorption rate coefficient.
Attenuation of multiple Nef functions in HIV-1 elite controllers
Authors: Mwimanzi Philip , Markle Tristan J , Martin Eric , Ogata Yoko , Kuang Xiaomei T , Tokunaga Michiyo , Mahiti Macdonald , Pereyra Florencia , Miura Toshiyuki , Walker Bruce D , Brumme Zabrina L , Brockman Mark A , Ueno Takamasa
Published: January 2013

Background

Impaired HIV-1 Gag, Pol, and Env function has been described in elite controllers (EC) who spontaneously suppress plasma viremia to < 50 RNA copies/mL; however, activity of the accessory protein Nef remains incompletely characterized. We examined the ability of 91 Nef clones, isolated from plasma of 45 EC and 46 chronic progressors (CP), to down-regulate HLA class I and CD4, up-regulate HLA class II invariant chain (CD74), enhance viral infectivity, and stimulate viral replication in PBMC.

Results

In general, EC Nef clones were functional; however, all five activities were significantly lower in EC compared to CP. Nef clones from HLA-B*57-expressing EC exhibited poorer CD4 down-regulation function compared to those from non-B*57 EC, and the number of EC-specific B*57-associated Nef polymorphisms correlated inversely with 4 of 5 Nef functions in these individuals.

Conclusion

Results indicate that decreased HIV-1 Nef function, due in part to host immune selection pressures, may be a hallmark of the EC phenotype.
Genetic and evolutionary characterization of RABVs from China using the phosphoprotein gene
Authors: Wang Lihua , Wu Hui , Tao Xiaoyan , Li Hao , Rayner Simon , Liang Guodong , Tang Qing
Published: January 2013

Background

While the function of the phosphoprotein (P) gene of the rabies virus (RABV) has been well studied in laboratory adapted RABVs, the genetic diversity and evolution characteristics of the P gene of street RABVs remain unclear. The objective of the present study was to investigate the mutation and evolution of P genes in Chinese street RABVs.

Results

The P gene of 77 RABVs from brain samples of dogs and wild animals collected in eight Chinese provinces through 2003 to 2008 were sequenced. The open reading frame (ORF) of the P genes was 894 nucleotides (nt) in length, with 85-99% (80-89%) amino acid (nucleotide) identity compared with the laboratory RABVs and vaccine strains. Phylogenetic analysis based on the P gene revealed that Chinese RABVs strains could be divided into two distinct clades, and several RABV variants were found to co circulating in the same province. Two conserved (CD1, 2) and two variable (VD1, 2) domains were identified by comparing the deduced primary sequences of the encoded P proteins. Two sequence motifs, one believed to confer binding to the cytoplasmic dynein light chain LC8 and a lysine-rich sequence were conserved throughout the Chinese RABVs. In contrast, the isolates exhibited lower conservation of one phosphate acceptor and one internal translation initiation site identified in the P protein of the rabies challenge virus standard (CVS) strain. Bayesian coalescent analysis showed that the P gene in Chinese RABVs have a substitution rate (3.305x10-4 substitutions per site per year) and evolution history (592 years ago) similar to values for the glycoprotein (G) and nucleoprotein (N) reported previously.

Conclusion

Several substitutions were found in the P gene of Chinese RABVs strains compared to the laboratory adapted and vaccine strains, whether these variations could affect the biological characteristics of Chinese RABVs need to be further investigated. The substitution rate and evolution history of P gene is similar to G and N gene, combine the topology of phylogenetic tree based on the P gene is similar to the G and N gene trees, indicate that the P, G and N genes are equally valid for examining the phylogenetics of RABVs.
Temporal changes in respiratory adenovirus serotypes circulating in the greater Toronto area, Ontario, during December 2008 to April 2010
Authors: Abbas Kaniza Zahra , Lombos Ernesto , Duvvuri Venkata R , Olsha Romy , Higgins Rachel R , Gubbay Jonathan B
Published: January 2013

Background

Certain adenovirus serotypes cause severe infections, especially in children. It is important to monitor temporal changes in serotypes causing clinical disease. The objective of this study was to document circulating respiratory adenovirus serotypes by sequencing adenovirus culture isolates from the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, during December 2008 to April 2010.

Methods

Nucleic acid extraction was performed on 90 respiratory tract adenovirus culture isolates. PCR amplification was conducted with primers targeting the adenovirus hexon gene hypervariable region 7. Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were performed to determine serotype identities.

Results

Among 90 clinical respiratory isolates sequenced, eight different serotypes were identified. Serotype 3 (34, 38%), serotype 2 (30, 30%), and serotype 1 (14, 16%) isolates were most common; serotypes 5, 6, 11, 17 and 21 were also observed. Seventeen (50%) of the 34 HAdV-3 isolates were identified between December 2008 and February 2009, while none were identified from December 2009 to February 2010. Between December 2008 and April 2009, the two most common serotypes were HAdV-3 and HAdV-2, detected in 18 (53%) and 8 (24%) of the 34 cultures isolates, respectively. However, from December 2009 to April 2010, there was an increase in HAdV-2, which became the most prevalent serotype, detected in 10 (50%) of the 20 isolates identified (p = 0.05).

Conclusions

There was a gradual shift in prevailing adenovirus serotypes during the 17 month study period, from predominantly HAdV-3 to HAdV-2. If an adenovirus vaccine were to be broadly implemented, multiple serotypes should be included.
In vivo characterization of chimeric PCV DNA clones containing heterogeneous capsid protein nuclear localization signals (NLS)
Authors: Shuai Jiangbing , Zhang Xiaofeng , Chen Wujian , Li Ke , Wu Shan , He Yongqiang , Fang Weihuan
Published: January 2013

Background

PCV ORF2 capsid protein was predicted to contribute to the control of replication via an interaction between the Cap and Rep proteins in the nucleoplasm. We previously showed that the nuclear localization signal (NLS) on the capsid protein plays an accessory role in the replication of PCV in vitro. To further evaluate the in vivo characteristics of NLS-chimeric PCV DNA clones, BALB/C mice were inoculated intranasally and intraperitoneally with the DNA clones.

Results

As expected, no gross lesions were detected during the study of the inoculated animals. The chimeric PCV12-, PCV1-NLS2- and PCV2-NLS1-inoculated animals had significantly fewer and less severe histopathological lesions in lymphoid tissues than the PCV2-inoculated animals (P < 0.05). PCV12 induced a specific antibody response against PCV2 ORF2 comparable to that induced by wild-type PCV2 but demonstrated a shorter period of viremia and much lower level of virus loads in sera than those in PCV2-inoculated mice. Remarkably, the PCV2-NLS1 and PCV1-NLS2 chimeras replicated in inoculated mice and induced specific antibody responses but failed to produce viral antigens in the lymph nodes or a detectable viremia.

Conclusions

The chimeric PCV2-NLS1 and PCV1-NLS2 demonstrated a lower replication level as compared with wild type of PCV2 or PCV1 in vivo, suggesting that ORF2 NLSs played an accessory role in PCV replication. The chimeric PCV12 is a good candidate for vaccination against PCV2 infection.
Association between the GRM7 rs3792452 polymorphism and attention deficit hyperacitiveity disorder in a Korean sample
Authors: Park Subin , Jung Sun-Woo , Kim Boong-Nyun , Cho Soo-Churl , Shin Min-Sup , Kim Jae-Won , Yoo Hee Jeong , Cho Dae-Yeon , Chung Un-Sun , Son Jung-Woo , Kim Hyo-Won
Published: January 2013

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the ionotropic and glutamate receptors, N-methyl D-asparate 2A (GRIN2A) and 2B (GRIN2B), and the metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR7 (GRM7) gene polymorphisms and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Korean population.

Methods

We conducted a case–control analysis of 202 ADHD subjects and 159 controls, performed a transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) on 149 trios, and compared scores from the continuous performance test (CPT), the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) according to the genotype of the glutamate receptor genes.

Results

There were no significant differences in the genotype or allele frequencies of the GRIN2A rs8049651, GRIN2B rs2284411, or GRM7 rs37952452 polymorphisms between the ADHD and control groups. For 148 ADHD trios, the TDT analysis also showed no preferential transmission of the GRIN2A rs8049651 or GRIN2B rs2284411 polymorphisms. However, the TDT analysis of the GRM7 rs3792452 polymorphism showed biased transmission of the G allele (χ2 = 4.67, p = 0.031). In the ADHD probands, the subjects with GG genotype in the GRM7 rs37952452 polymorphism had higher mean T-scores for omission errors on the CPT than did those with the GA or AA genotype (t = 3.38, p = 0.001). In addition, the ADHD subjects who were homozygous for the G allele in the GRM7 rs37952452 polymorphism had higher STAIC-T (t = 5.52, p < 0.001) and STAIC-S (t = 2.74, p = 0.007) scores than did those with the GA or AA genotype.

Conclusions

These results provide preliminary evidence of an association between the GRM7 rs37952452 polymorphism and selective attention deficit and anxiety found within the Korean ADHD population.
Intraoperative laser angiography using the SPY system: review of the literature and recommendations for use
Authors: Gurtner Geoffrey C , Jones Glyn E , Neligan Peter C , Newman Martin I , Phillips Brett T , Sacks Justin M , Zenn Michael R
Published: January 2013

Inadequate tissue perfusion is a key contributor to early complications following reconstructive procedures. Accurate and reliable intraoperative evaluation of tissue perfusion is critical to reduce complications and improve clinical outcomes. Clinical judgment is the most commonly used method for evaluating blood supply, but when used alone, is not always completely reliable. A variety of other methodologies have been evaluated, including Doppler devices, tissue oximetry, and fluorescein, among others. However, none have achieved widespread acceptance. Recently, intraoperative laser angiography using indocyanine green was introduced to reconstructive surgery. This vascular imaging technology provides real-time assessment of tissue perfusion that correlates with clinical outcomes and can be used to guide surgical decision making. Although this technology has been used for decades in other areas, surgeons may not be aware of its utility for perfusion assessment in reconstructive surgery. A group of experts with extensive experience with intraoperative laser angiography convened to identify key issues in perfusion assessment, review available methodologies, and produce initial recommendations for the use of this technology in reconstructive procedures.
New phosphine-diamine and phosphine-amino-alcohol tridentate ligands for ruthenium catalysed enantioselective hydrogenation of ketones and a concise lactone synthesis enabled by asymmetric reduction of cyano-ketones
Authors: Fuentes José A , Phillips Scott D , Clarke Matthew L
Published: January 2013

Enantioselective hydrogenation of ketones is a key reaction in organic chemistry. In the past, we have attempted to deal with some unsolved challenges in this arena by introducing chiral tridentate phosphine-diamine/Ru catalysts. New catalysts and new applications are presented here, including the synthesis of phosphine-amino-alcohol P,N,OH ligands derived from (R,S)-1-amino-2-indanol, (S,S)-1-amino-2-indanol and a new chiral P,N,N ligand derived from (R,R)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine. Ruthenium pre-catalysts of type [RuCl2(L)(DMSO)] were isolated and then examined in the hydrogenation of ketones. While the new P,N,OH ligand based catalysts are poor, the new P,N,N system gives up to 98% e.e. on substrates that do not react at all with most catalysts. A preliminary attempt at realising a new delta lactone synthesis by organocatalytic Michael addition between acetophenone and acrylonitrile, followed by asymmetric hydrogenation of the nitrile functionalised ketone is challenging in part due to the Michael addition chemistry, but also since Noyori pressure hydrogenation catalysts gave massively reduced reactivity relative to their performance for other acetophenone derivatives. The Ru phosphine-diamine system allowed quantitative conversion and around 50% e.e. The product can be converted into a delta lactone by treatment with KOH with complete retention of enantiomeric excess. This approach potentially offers access to this class of chiral molecules in three steps from the extremely cheap building blocks acrylonitrile and methyl-ketones; we encourage researchers to improve on our efforts in this potentially useful but currently flawed process.
Oxidation of benzoin catalyzed by oxovanadium (IV) schiff base complexes
Authors: Alsalim Tahseen A , Hadi Jabbar S , Ali Omar N , Abbo Hanna S , Titinchi Salam JJ
Published: January 2013

Background

The oxidative transformation of benzoin to benzil has been accomplished by the use of a wide variety of reagents or catalysts and different reaction procedures. The conventional oxidizing agents yielded mainly benzaldehyde or/and benzoic acid and only a trace amount of benzil. The limits of practical utilization of these reagents involves the use of stoichiometric amounts of corrosive acids or toxic metallic reagents, which in turn produce undesirable waste materials and required high reaction temperatures.

In recent years, vanadium complexes have attracted much attention for their potential utility as catalysts for various types of reactions.

Results

Active and selective catalytic systems of new unsymmetrical oxovanadium(IV) Schiff base complexes for the oxidation of benzoin is reported. The Schiff base ligands are derived between 2-aminoethanol and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde (H2L1) or 3-ethoxy salicylaldehyde (H2L3); and 2-aminophenol and 3-ethoxysalicylaldehyde (H2L2) or 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde (H2L4). The unsymmetrical Schiff bases behave as tridentate dibasic ONO donor ligands. Reaction of these Schiff base ligands with oxovanadyl sulphate afforded the mononuclear oxovanadium(IV) complexes (VIVOLx.H2O), which are characterized by various physico-chemical techniques.

The catalytic oxidation activities of these complexes for benzoin were evaluated using H2O2 as an oxidant. The best reaction conditions are obtained by considering the effect of solvent, reaction time and temperature. Under the optimized reaction conditions, VOL4 catalyst showed high conversion (>99%) with excellent selectivity to benzil (~100%) in a shorter reaction time compared to the other catalysts considered.

Conclusion

Four tridentate ONO type Schiff base ligands were synthesized. Complexation of these ligands with vanadyl(IV) sulphate leads to the formation of new oxovanadium(IV) complexes of type VIVOL.H2O.

Elemental analyses and spectral data of the free ligands and their oxovanadium(IV) complexes were found to be in good agreement with their structures, indicating high purity of all the compounds.

Oxovanadium complexes were screened for the oxidation of benzoin to benzil using H2O2 as oxidant. The effect of time, solvent and temperature were optimized to obtain maximum yield. The catalytic activity results demonstrate that these catalytic systems are both highly active and selective for the oxidation of benzoin under mild reaction conditions.
PubChem3D: conformer ensemble accuracy
Authors: Kim Sunghwan , Bolton Evan E , Bryant Stephen H
Published: January 2013

Background

PubChem is a free and publicly available resource containing substance descriptions and their associated biological activity information. PubChem3D is an extension to PubChem containing computationally-derived three-dimensional (3-D) structures of small molecules. All the tools and services that are a part of PubChem3D rely upon the quality of the 3-D conformer models. Construction of the conformer models currently available in PubChem3D involves a clustering stage to sample the conformational space spanned by the molecule. While this stage allows one to downsize the conformer models to more manageable size, it may result in a loss of the ability to reproduce experimentally determined “bioactive” conformations, for example, found for PDB ligands. This study examines the extent of this accuracy loss and considers its effect on the 3-D similarity analysis of molecules.

Results

The conformer models consisting of up to 100,000 conformers per compound were generated for 47,123 small molecules whose structures were experimentally determined, and the conformers in each conformer model were clustered to reduce the size of the conformer model to a maximum of 500 conformers per molecule. The accuracy of the conformer models before and after clustering was evaluated using five different measures: root-mean-square distance (RMSD), shape-optimized shape-Tanimoto (ST

ST-opt
) and combo-Tanimoto (ComboT

ST-opt
), and color-optimized color-Tanimoto (CT

CT-opt
) and combo-Tanimoto (ComboT

CT-opt
). On average, the effect of clustering decreased the conformer model accuracy, increasing the conformer ensemble’s RMSD to the bioactive conformer (by 0.18 ± 0.12 Å), and decreasing the ST

ST-opt
, ComboT

ST-opt
, CT

CT-opt
, and ComboT

CT-opt
scores (by 0.04 ± 0.03, 0.16 ± 0.09, 0.09 ± 0.05, and 0.15 ± 0.09, respectively).

Conclusion

This study shows the RMSD accuracy performance of the PubChem3D conformer models is operating as designed. In addition, the effect of PubChem3D sampling on 3-D similarity measures shows that there is a linear degradation of average accuracy with respect to molecular size and flexibility. Generally speaking, one can likely expect the worst-case minimum accuracy of 90% or more of the PubChem3D ensembles to be 0.75, 1.09, 0.43, and 1.13, in terms of ST

ST-opt
, ComboT

ST-opt
, CT

CT-opt
, and ComboT

CT-opt
, respectively. This expected accuracy improves linearly as the molecule becomes smaller or less flexible.
New biomarkers for stage determination in Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense sleeping sickness patients
Authors: Tiberti Natalia , Matovu Enock , Hainard Alexandre , Enyaru John Charles , Lejon Veerle , Robin Xavier , Turck Natacha , Ngoyi Dieudonné Mumba , Krishna Sanjeev , Bisser Sylvie , Courtioux Bertrand , Büscher Philippe , Kristensson Krister , Ndung'u Joseph Mathu , Sanchez Jean‐Charles
Published: January 2013

Accurate stage determination is crucial in the choice of treatment for patients suffering from sleeping sickness, also known as human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Current staging methods, based on the counting of white blood cells (WBC) and the detection of parasites in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have limited accuracy. We hypothesized that immune mediators reliable for staging T. b. gambiense HAT could also be used to stratify T. b. rhodesiense patients, the less common form of HAT.

A population comprising 85 T. b. rhodesiense patients, 14 stage 1 (S1) and 71 stage 2 (S2) enrolled in Malawi and Uganda, was investigated. The CSF levels of IgM, MMP‐9, CXCL13, CXCL10, ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1, neopterin and B2MG were measured and their staging performances evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses.

IgM, MMP‐9 and CXCL13 were the most accurate markers for stage determination (partial AUC 88%, 86% and 85%, respectively). The combination in panels of three molecules comprising CXCL13‐CXCL10‐MMP‐9 or CXCL13‐CXCL10‐IgM significantly increased their staging ability to partial AUC 94% (p value < 0.01).

The present study highlighted new potential markers for stage determination of T. b. rhodesiense patients. Further investigations are needed to better evaluate these molecules, alone or in panels, as alternatives to WBC to make reliable choice of treatment.
Design and characterization of diclofenac diethylamine transdermal patch using silicone and acrylic adhesives combination
Authors: Panchaxari Dandigi M , Pampana Sowjanya , Pal Tapas , Devabhaktuni Bhavana , Aravapalli Anil Kumar
Published: January 2013

Background and purpose of the study

The objective of the study was to develop and characterize Diclofenac Diethylamine (DDEA) transdermal patch using Silicone and acrylic adhesives combination.

Methods

Modified solvent evaporation method was employed for casting of film over Fluoropolymer coated polyester release liner. Initial studies included solubilization of drug in the polymers using solubilizers. The formulations with combination of adhesives were attempted to combine the desirable features of both the adhesives. The effect of the permeation enhancers on the drug permeation were studied using pig ear skin. All the optimized patches were subjected to adhesion, dissolution and stability studies. A 7-day skin irritancy test on albino rabbits and an in vivo anti-inflammatory study on wistar rats by carrageenan induced paw edema method were also performed.

Results

The results indicated the high percent drug permeation (% CDP-23.582) and low solubility nature (1%) of Silicone adhesive and high solubility (20%) and low% CDP (10.72%) of acrylic adhesive. The combination of adhesives showed desirable characteristics for DDEA permeation with adequate % CDP and sufficient solubility. Release profiles were found to be dependent on proportion of polymer and type of permeation enhancer. The anti-inflammatory study revealed the sustaining effect and high percentage inhibition of edema of C4/OLA (99.68%). The acute skin irritancy studies advocated the non-irritant nature of the adhesives used.

Conclusion

It was concluded that an ideal of combination of adhesives would serve as the best choice, for fabrication of DDEA patches, for sustained effect of DDEA with better enhancement in permeation characteristics and robustness.
Kinetics of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on silica-supported cobalt-cerium catalyst
Authors: Mansouri Mohsen , Atashi Hossein , Mirzaei Ali Akbar , Jangi Reza
Published: January 2013

Background

The process of converting synthesis gas into liquid fuels (Fischer-Tropsch synthesis) is a well-known technology. Among all Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts, Co- and Fe-based ones are applicable for industrial processes due to their low cost and high activity and selectivity. In this experimental study, a kinetic model has been developed for FTS reactions using co-precipitation technique and Co-Ce/SiO2 as the catalyst.

Results

Rate data have been obtained for CO hydrogenation over a co-precipitated well-characterized Co-Ce/SiO2 catalyst, studied in a fixed-bed micro-reactor at atmospheric pressure under the conditions of 200°C to 300°C, H2/CO feed ratio (mol/mol) of 1 and 1.5, and space velocity in the range 2,700 to 5,200 h−1. Characterization of both precursor and calcined catalysts was carried out using powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area measurements.

Conclusions

The kinetic parameters were estimated with nonlinear regression method. The data were best fitted by a Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson approach. The activation energy for the optimal kinetic model was determined to be 31.57 kJ mol−1.
Hypoxia stimulates migration of breast cancer cells via the PERK/ATF4/LAMP3-arm of the unfolded protein response
Authors: Nagelkerke Anika , Bussink Johan , Mujcic Hilda , Wouters Bradly G , Lehmann Steffi , Sweep Fred CGJ , Span Paul N
Published: January 2013

Introduction

The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 pathway can stimulate tumor cell migration and metastasis. Furthermore, hypoxic tumors are associated with a poor prognosis. Besides the HIF-1 pathway, the unfolded protein response (UPR) is also induced by hypoxic conditions. The PKR-like ER kinase (PERK)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)-arm of the UPR induces expression of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 3 (LAMP3), a factor that has been linked to metastasis and poor prognosis in solid tumors. In this study the role of UPR-induced LAMP3 in hypoxia-mediated migration of breast cancer cells was examined.

Methods

A number of in vitro metastasis models were used to study the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells under hypoxic conditions. PERK, ATF4 and their downstream factor LAMP3 were knocked down to examine their role in cell migration. In addition, multicellular tumor spheroids were used to study the involvement of the tumor microenvironment in invasion.

Results

Using transwell assays, migration of different breast cancer cell lines was assessed. A direct correlation was found between cell migration and baseline LAMP3 expression. Furthermore, moderate hypoxia (1% O2) was found to be optimal in stimulating migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. siRNA mediated knockdown of PERK, ATF4 and LAMP3 reduced migration of cells under these conditions. Using gap closure assays, similar results were found. In a three-dimensional invasion assay into collagen, LAMP3 knockdown cells showed a diminished capacity to invade compared to control cells when collectively grown in multicellular spheroids.

Conclusions

Thus, the PERK/ATF4/LAMP3-arm of the UPR is an additional pathway mediating hypoxia-induced breast cancer cell migration.
English Program Assessment and the Institutional Context
Authors: Ulrich John M.
Published: January 2013

English programs like mine face a particular challenge: implementing a manageable assessment process in an institutional context featuring scarce resources, staff reductions, and heavy teaching loads. We believe our portfolio-based process enables us to assess our program’s effectiveness without reducing our students’ performance to a set of abstract, statistical data.
Teaching Dante as a Visionary Prophet
Authors: Clark Anne L.
Published: January 2013

Introducing Dante in a course on medieval visuality positioned the Commedia in relation to medieval women’s visionary and mystical literature. This article suggests how a comparison of the Commedia with this literature, particularly the works of Hildegard of Bingen, can illuminate the visionary mode of writing that Dante employed.
Lighting Their Own Path
Authors: Weber Elizabeth Dolly
Published: January 2013

How to engage students in the Commedia and involve them in the pleasure of decoding the rich density of Dante’s allusions to historical, literary, and Biblical characters? This article suggests that a class on the Inferno can be enriched by creating a wiki that encourages and facilitates individualized research, peer evaluation, and frequent teacher feedback.
Liminal Spaces and Research Identity
Authors: Purdy James P. , Walker Joyce R.
Published: January 2013

This article argues that prevailing approaches to research instruction in introductory composition courses, as represented in print and digital instructional materials, reflect outdated theoretical views and may damage students’ researcher identity. Teaching research as a closed, linear, universal process prevents students from leaving the liminal space of the composition classroom.
Discourses on the Vietnam War
Authors: Tuon Bunkong
Published: January 2013

In this article, the author discusses his experiences teaching a class on the Vietnam War, a controversial subject that divided a nation along generational, class, and racial lines. He argues that learning takes place in the encounter of differences — where students consider perspectives, worldviews, and cultures different from their own. As a literature teacher, he claims to use writings by American soldiers and journalists, North and South Vietnamese soldiers, Vietnamese Buddhists, and ethnic American poets in order to have students reflect on the many perspectives on the war, perspectives that may challenge their preconceived notions about Vietnam, likely deriving from family, history, and cultural productions such as Hollywood films. In teaching this class, he discovered that, like his students, his views were interpolated by history, politics, and culture; to teach ethically, he had to reflect on his own subject positions as both an Asian American, who identifies with the struggle of other minorities, and a Cambodian, who must come to terms with his country’s historical tensions with Vietnam. Overall, the article demonstrates the importance of humanities teaching — where students learn, through language, creativity, and the imagination, to reflect on the experiences of other people and become responsible world citizens.
Citogenetic and molecular genetic studies in infertility in East Hungary
Authors: Mokánszki Attila , Ujfalusi Anikó , Balogh Erzsébet , Molnár Zsuzsanna , Sápy Tamás , Jakab Attila , Varga Attila , Oláh Éva
Published: January 2013

Introduction: In developed countries 10-15% of the couples are affected by infertility. In half of them genetic factors can be identified. Aims: We studied genetic alterations in infertility in Hungarian patients. Methods: Cyogenetic analyses were performed in 195 females and 305 males. In 17 females FMR1 mutations, in 150 males Y microdeletions, and aneuploidy were studied in the sperm of 28 males. In a carrier male sperm meiotic segregation was studied. Results: The most common aberrations in females were X chromosome aneuploidia and inversion (3.6%), while the same in males Klinefelter-syndrome (3.3%) and autosomal translocations (2%). In two females FMR1 premutation was found. While Y microdeletions were identified only in azoospermic and severe oligozoospermic men, partial microdeletions could also be detected in normozoospermic males. A higher aberration rate was found in cases with abnormality in both the number and motility of sperm. In a male patient with 46,XY,t(3;6)(q21;q23) karyotype, 53.2% of spem carried unbalanced chromosome assortment. Conclusions: Knowledge of abnormalities may help in genetic counseling and choosing the most effective reproduction technique. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 52–61.
A case of glucose-sensitive insulinoma accompanied by slightly elevated serum insulin levels and persisting convulsions after the surgically removed neuroendocrine tumor
Authors: Soós Zsuzsanna , Czégeni Anna , Salamon Ferenc , Salamon Mónika , Kenessey István , Folyovich András , Tihanyi Tibor , Winkler Gábor
Published: January 2013

Insul(in)oma is a usually solitary or, in some cases, multifocal tumor of pancreatic beta cells. It may be a component of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. or von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. In typical forms the diagnosis – based on the Whipple triad – is simple, however, it may be difficult to recognize in cases with near normal or only slightly elevated serum insulin levels, as well as in patients with known convulsive episodes. With the case presentation of an 81-year-old woman the authors draw attention to the pitfalls of the correct diagnosis. A special feature of the presented case is that convulsions persisted after surgical removal of the pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor verified with functional and imaging methods. Recurrant or residual tumor was not found, and morphological damage of the brain was absent. In the background of the continuing convulsions cerebrovascular alterations as well as the cytotoxic effect of the hypoglycemia-induced excessive glutamate production can be postulated. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 69–73.
Low Temperature Plasma Sintering of Silver Nanoparticles for Potential Flexible Electronics Applications
Authors: Ma Siyuan , Bromberg Vadim , Egitto Frank D. , Singler Timothy J.
Published: January 2013

Deposition of solution-processed functional materials generally requires additional post-processing to optimize the functionality of the material. We study sintering of Ag nanoparticle (NP) (with average diameter 77nm) deposits for improved electrical conductivity, with emphasis on Argon plasma methods compatible with the low temperature requirements of regular low-cost flexible polymer substrates. The relationship between plasma parameters (such as power and treatment time) versus sintering results (sintered structure depth, film continuity and electrical sheet resistance) will be reported. According to our efforts so far, we have achieved the electrical resistivity of the sintered film at about 20 times greater than the value of bulk silver using a process compatible with the low temperature requirements of common flexible polymer substrates.
Current Status of Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound for Dental Purposes
Authors: Rego Emanuel Braga , Takata Takashi , Tanne Kazuo , Tanaka Eiji
Published: January 2013

Over the past few years, tissue engineering applied to the dental field has achieved relevant results. Tissue engineering can be described by actions taken to improve biological functions. Several methods have been described to enhance cellular performance and low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has shown to play an important role in cell metabolism. The present article provides an overview about the current status of LIPUS as a tissue engineering tool to be used to enhance tooth and periodontal regeneration.
Development of A Three-Dimensional Tissue Construct from Dental Human Ectomesenchymal Stem Cells: In Vitro and In Vivo Study
Authors: Guzmán-Uribe Daniela , Estrada Keila Neri Alvarado , Guillén Amaury de Jesús Pozos , Pérez Silvia Martín , Ibáñez Raúl Rosales
Published: January 2013

Application of regenerative medicine technology provides treatment for patients with several clinical problems, like loss of tissue and its function. The investigation of biological tooth replacement, dental tissue engineering and cell culture, scaffolds and growth factors are considered essential. Currently, studies reported on the making of threedimensional tissue constructs focused on the use of animal cells in the early stages of embryogenesis applied to young biomodels. The purpose of this study was the development and characterization of a three-dimensional tissue construct from human dental cells. The construct was detached, cultured and characterized in mesenchymal and epithelial cells of a human tooth germ of a 12 year old patient. The cells were characterized by specific membrane markers (STRO1, CD44), making a biocomplex using Pura Matrix as a scaffold, and it was incubated for four days and transplanted into 30 adult immunosuppressed male Wistar rats. They were evaluated at 6 days, 10 days and 2 months, obtaining histological sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Cell cultures were positive for specific membrane markers, showing evident deviations in morphology under phase contrast microscope. Differentiation and organization were noted at 10 days, while the constructs at 2 months showed a clear difference in morphology, organization and cell type. It was possible to obtain a three-dimensional tissue construct from human dental ectomesenchymal cells achieving a degree of tissue organization that corresponds to the presence of cellular stratification and extracellular matrix.
Effect of Therapeutic Ultrasound on Human Periodontal Ligament Cells for Dental and Periodontal Tissue Engineering
Authors: El-Bialy Tarek , Alhadlaq Adel , Lam Brian
Published: January 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate whether low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has anabolic effects on human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. The PDL cells were plated in 48-well plates and cultured at 37°C in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air, in a humidified incubator until confluent. The cells were divided into three groups including control, 5 min and 10 min ultrasound application. The LIPUS was applied using a 2.5 transducer that produces an incident intensity of 30 mW/cm2 of the transducer's surface area. The results from the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) indicates that expression levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP),cyclin D1 (CYC), nucleostemin (NCT) were increased after four weeks of 10 minutes of daily ultrasound treatment. The increased ALP/DNA by LIPUS shows a time dependent pattern with the highest activity occurring after four weeks of treatment. These results demonstrate that LIPUS has an anabolic effect on PDL cells and suggest that LIPUS may enhance the pluripotent characteristics of PDL cells as indicated by the up-regulation of NCT, a stem marker. These results also may explain the potential role of LIPUS in periodontal tissue regeneration.
Anger and it's management
Authors: Pashupati Mahat , Dev Sharma Vidya
Published: January 2013

Anger as an emotional reaction involves both physical and psychological changes in our health. Despite of common emotional reactions, it can create many physical and psychological disturbances and diseases as well. So, information regarding its management is helpful to learn some of the simple skills to control it. There cannot be a single cause of the anger. Heredity factors, home environment, social learning and cultural factors are important factors for its emergence. Behavioral techniques and cognitive restructuring techniques are found to be effective methods in controlling anger reaction if practiced properly and systematically. They are effective only if practicing therapist or psychologist is equipped with these skills. It cannot be done just reading an article in the books.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v1i1.7282 Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol.1(1) 2011 9-14
Crop and Tillage Effects on Water Productivity of Dryland Agriculture in Argentina
Authors: Noellemeyer Elke , Fernández Romina , Quiroga Alberto
Published: January 2013

Rising demands for food and uncertainties about climate change call for a paradigm shift in water management with a stronger focus on rainfed agriculture. The objective here was to estimate water productivity of different crops under no-till (NT) and conventional till (CT), in order to identify rotations that improve the water productivity of dryland agriculture. We hypothesized that NT and cereal crops would have a positive effect on overall water productivity. Crop yield and water use data were obtained from a 15 year experiment (1993 to 2008) on an entic Haplustoll in the semiarid Pampa, Argentina, with a rotation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), sunflower (Helianthus annus), and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.). The results indicated an improved water productivity of all crops under NT compared with that of CT; however, the response of cereals (corn +1.0 kg ha−1 mm−1, wheat +1.3 kg ha−1 mm−1) was higher than that of sunflower (+0.3 kg ha−1 mm−1) and soybean (+0.5 kg ha−1 mm−1). Crop type had a higher impact on water productivity than did tillage system. In agreement with our hypothesis, cereal crops were more efficient (corn 9.8 and wheat 6.9 kg ha−1 mm−1) compared with soybean 2.4 and sunflower 3.9 kg mm−1, but the economic water productivity of sunflower (0.9 US$ ha−1 mm−1) almost equaled that of wheat (1.1 US$ ha−1mm−1) and corn (1.2 US$ ha−1 mm−1). We concluded that the use of the synergy between NT and water efficient crops could be a promising step towards improving food production in semiarid regions.