bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic and phenotypic parameter on fertility traits of Red Chittagong Cattle in Bangladesh
Authors: Habib MA , Bhuiyan AKFH , Amin MR
Published: March 2013

The fertility of Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) of Bangladesh was studied using data from 122 animals from four herds. The least squares means of female fertility traits were 1.4 ± 0.1, 72.6 ± 3.6% and 85.0 ± 2.0%, respectively, for number of services per pregnancy, first service pregnancy rate and overall pregnancy rate. The least squares mean of non-return rate to first service of bull was 58.7 ± 5.1%. The factor having a significant effect on female fertility was herd, while parity had no effect. Herd and parity of dam, season of service and sire had no effect on non-return rate to first service of bull. The heritability of fertility traits were very low: values were 0.07 ± 0.04, 0.03 ± 0.04, 0.05 ± 0.04 and 0, respectively, for number of services per pregnancy, first service pregnancy rate, overall pregnancy rate and non-return rate to first service of bull. The corresponding repeatability values were 0.18 ± 0.08, 0.08 ± 0.07, 0.13 ± 0.08 and -0.07 ± 0.02, respectively. This study reveals the fertility to be good. However, better reproductive management may enhance the overall herd fertility of RCC. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bvet.v29i2.14347 Bangl. vet. 2012. Vol. 29, No. 2, 78-89
Keeping quality of cow milk in different containers with or without sodium bicarbonate
Authors: Rahman MM , Islam MN , Siddiquee NU , Habib MA
Published: March 2013

The keeping quality of raw cow milk at room temperatures was evaluated in different containers with or without sodium bicarbonate. Milk samples stored in containers of glass, tinned iron, plastic, aluminium, earthen and bronze at 12 to 20oC were analyzed every two hours for acidity and clot-on-boiling (COB) tests. Milk from the organised dairy farm kept well in aluminium containers up to ten hours, but milk from villages deteriorated after six hours. The keeping qualities of milk were poorer in other containers, and worst in earthen container. In COB test, milk from BAU dairy farm showed no changes for eight hours in all containers. Milk in aluminium container kept 14 hours, but only eight hours in earthen pot. Milk collected from villages kept for ten hours in aluminium container and six hours in earthen container. After mixing sodium bicarbonate 0.05 and 0.1%, milk kept well up to 16 hours, and up to 20 hours with 0.15% based on acidity test. Addition of Na2Co3 improved the keeping quality till 24 hours of storage at 10  19oC in aluminium container. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bvet.v29i2.14348 Bangl. vet. 2012. Vol. 29, No. 2, 90-95
Percutaneous Left Main Intervention
Authors: Rahman Afzalur
Published: March 2013

Abstract not available. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v5i2.14280 Cardiovasc. j. 2013; 5(2): 131-132
Increased Arterial Stiffness Correlates with the Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with acute ST Elevation MI
Authors: Khan AR , AAS Majumder AAS , Rahman MT , Hoque M
Published: March 2013

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between arterial stiffness determined noninvasively by pulse wave analysis (PWA) and the severity of coronary artery disease in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Dhaka over a period of ten months starting from July 2011 to April 2012. Patients were purposively selected from those who were admitted in NICVD with acute STEMI myocardial infarction agreed to do coronary angiography. Total 99 patients (male: 81, female: 18) were included in this study. Assessment of arterial stiffness was performed noninvasively with the commercially available SphygmoCor system using applanation tonometry with a high-fidelity micromanometer. Augmentation index (AIx), Augmentation pressure (AP) and Augmentation index corrected for heart rate 75beats/min (AIx@75) were derived from this with the technique of PWA. Coronary angiography was performed in those patients during the same hospital stay and severity was assessed by vessel score, Friesinger score and Leaman score. Results: It was found that 9 (9.1%) patients had score 0, 42 (42.4%) had score 1, 23 (23.2%) had score 2 and 25 (25.3%) had score 3. However higher the number of vessels is involved, the greater is the AIx @75. Mean score in single, double and triple vessel disease was 24.50, 33.57 and 34.60 respectively. The mean level of AIx @75 was observed 23.97±11.47 and 31.76±11.26 in insignificant and significant CAD respectively using Friesinger score. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between the AIx@75 and the severity of coronary artery disease (p= <0.05, r=0.40). Conclusion: In conclusion, the results presented herein indicate that augmentation pressure (AP), augmentation index (AIx), and augmentation index corrected for heart rate 75/minute (AIx@75), measures closely related to wave reflections and arterial stiffness, are predictors of severity of CAD. It may be considered as a recommended test for the evaluation of CV risk in addition to other routine investigations DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v5i2.14281 Cardiovasc. j. 2013; 5(2): 133-140
Serum Creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Akanda MAK , Choudhury KN , Ali MZ , Kabir MK , Begum LN , Sayami LA
Published: March 2013

Background: Few studies have assessed the relation of Serum creatinine and serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study investigated the association between high uric acid BUN levels with the presence of Coronary artery disease. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as an observational cohort study. The study was composed of 170 patients admitted at our institution due to symptoms related to CAD. Patients having angiographic evidence of stenosis in coronary artery were as case group and without stenosis control group. Patients with high serum creatinine were defined as serum creatinine concentration with in 80-105 ?mol/L and BUN level with in 10-20 ?mol/L. The presence of CAD has been defined as the Gensini score being >1. Results: Patients with or without CAD were similar in terms of age (45.22±6.80 years vs. 52.87±9.31 years, p<0.01) and significant age difference was found between patients. Male gender (p<0.001) and smoking habit (p=0.003) were more frequent and statistically significant in patients with CAD. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean serum creatinine levels (92.89±20.82 ?mol/L vs 108.68±23.62 ?mol/L respectively, p<0.05) and serum blood urea nitrogen level (10.59±6.15 ?mol/L vs. 20.37±6.73 ?mol/L respectively, p<0.01) of patients with or without CAD. While looking at the correlation coefficient of Gensini score with different factors; S. creatinine, ejection fraction and BUN were significantly correlated at<0.001 and <0.04 and <0.01 level respectively. Increased serum creatinine levels were found to be independent risk factors for the presence of CAD (for serum cretinine hazard ration 3.9, p<0.001 and in case BUN hazard ration 2.08, p<0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, a significant association has been found between serum creatinine & BUN level and the presence of CAD. In addition to the evaluation of conventional risk factors in daily clinical practice, the measurement of serum creatinine and BUN level might provide significant prognostic benefits in terms of global cardiovascular risk and management of the patients. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v5i2.14282 Cardiovasc. j. 2013; 5(2): 141-145
Characteristics and in Hospital Clinical Outcome of Patients with Non St-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Kabir CMS , Malik FN , Malik A , Haq MM , Taimur SDM , Jahan M
Published: March 2013

Background: Nearly 40% of patients presenting with Non ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). CKD is a powerful predictor of adverse events among NSTEMI patients. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the in-hospital outcome of patients with Chronic Kidney Disease presenting with Non ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction. Methods: In this prospective observational study a total of 128 patients with NSTEMI were enrolled. They were divided equally in group I (NSTEMI with CKD) and group II (NSTEMI with normal renal function) on the basis of estimated glomerular filtration rate. Patients were considered to have CKD if he/she had documented history of CKD or estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m². Presence of inhospital complications was identified. Results: Patients with CKD were significantly older, with a greater prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, and lower haemoglobin level compared with those without CKD. CKD patients had more atypical presentation during admission. In-hospital complications were significantly higher in CKD patients presenting with NSTEMI. Conclusion: CKD strongly predicts adverse in-hospital outcome among NSTEMI patients. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v5i2.14305 Cardiovasc. j. 2013; 5(2): 146-153
Slender Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (Slender PCI) via Transradial approach by using 5Fr Guide Catheter- An Updated Single Center Experiences
Authors: Islam AHMW , Munwar S , Talukder S , Reza AQM , Ahmed T , Bhuiyan AH
Published: March 2013

Background: Aim of the study was to evaluate the primary procedural success of slender PCI via transradial approach using either Bare-metal stents (BMS) or Drug Eluting Stent (DES). Methods: Total 10 patients were enrolled in this very preliminary study. Among them, Male: 8 and Female: 2. Clinical presentation were Ant MI: 4 (40%), Inf. MI: 2 (20%), Angina II-III: 3 (30%), and NSTEMI: 1 (10%). Total 10 stents were deployed. Mean age were for Male: 44yrs, for Female: 55yrs . Associated CAD risk factors were Dyslipidemia, High Blood pressure, Diabetes Mellitus, Positive FH for CAD and Smoking (all male). Results: Among the study group; 9 (90%) were Dyslipidemic, 5 (50%) were hypertensive; 6 (60%) patients were Diabetic, FH 6 (6%) and 8(63%) were all male smoker. Female patients were more obese (BMI M 24: F 27) and developed CAD in advance age. Common stented territory were LAD: 5 (50%) followed by RCA: 3 (30%) and LCX: 2 (20%). Average length and diameter of stent for LAD, RCA and LCX were 3.25, 3.16, 2.5 and 21.4, 20.3, 20 respectively. Stent used: BMS 3 (30%), Everolimus 5 (50%), Sirolimus 1(10%) and Zotarolimus 1(0.75%). Less contrast used (49.5ml), reduced radiation exposure (4727Gym2) and less fluoroscopy time (193 sec) with overall no procedural complication were observed. Conclusion: Our study has shown that the slender PCI via radial artery with a 5F guide catheter is safe with no procedural complication. It is also associated with less radiation exposure, less fluoroscopy time, good backup support and quick mobilization of patient. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v5i2.14320 Cardiovasc. j. 2013; 5(2): 160-164
Prolonged QTc Dispersion Correlates with Coronary Artery Disease in Acute ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)
Authors: Sharafat NI , Khalequzzaman M , Akhtaruzzaman M , Choudhury AK , Hasem S , Choudhury TA , Nobi ABM Nurun , MR Shikder , Kabir M Shaheen , Akanda AK
Published: March 2013

Background: It has been found that there is strong association of QT dispersion and QT dispersion ratio with extent and severity of coronary artery disease. Qualitative importance of QTc dispersion on the base line ECG in patients with MI is recognized clinically but quantification of this phenomenon is less commonly used in clinical practice, which might be a better independent risk predictor of this group of patients. Methods: A total of 100 patients were selected, Study populations sub-divided into two groups on the basis of QTc dispersion. In group I (comparison group): QTc dispersion is <60 milliseconds (msec) in group II (study group) : QTc dispersion e60milliseconds(msec). 50 patients in each group. QT dispersion was calculated on standard resting 12 lead ECGs. QT interval was measured from the beginning of the inscription of the QRS complex to the point at which the T wave returned to the isoelectric line. Angiographic severity of coronary artery disease was assessed by- Vessel score, Friesinger score and Leaman score. Interpretation of coronary angiogram was reviewed by at least two cardiologists. . Results: The mean vessel score for group I patients was 1.16±0.68 and that of group II patients was 2.30±0.64 and the mean difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Patients those had single vessel involvement had mean QTc dispersion 57.05, patients those had double vessel disease mean QTc dispersion was 102.00 and patients those had triple vessel involvement had mean QTc dispersion 177.60. There was a strong positive correlation with the QTc dispersion and increasing number of vessel involvement (Pearsons correlation coefficient). The mean Friesinger score for group I patients was 4.84±2.56 and that of group II patients was 9.80±2.60. The mean difference was significantly (p<0.05) higher in group II patients. There was a strong positive correlation between the QTc dispersion and Leaman score (Pearsons correlation coefficient). In group I patients 56% had insignificant coronary artery disease and 44% had significant coronary artery disease defined by Friesinger index (n=100). In group II patients 6% had Insignificant coronary artery disease & had 94% significant coronary artery disease. Conclusion: QTc dispersion>60 ms had independent predictive value for the severity of coronary artery disease. The greater the QTc dispersion the higher the number of coronary artery involvement. We observed that there is a positive correlation between prolonged QT dispersion and coronary artery disease severity in terms of Vessel score, Friesinger score, Leaman score. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v5i2.14322 Cardiovasc. j. 2013; 5(2): 173-181
Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of High dose Valsartan Hydrochloride in Essential Hypertension
Authors: Zaman MA
Published: March 2013

Background: Studies across the world have demonstrated the efficacy of valsartan in lowering blood pressure in a variety of patient populations, several of them investigated higher doses of the drug. This study focuses on revealing safety and efficacy of valsartan at higher doses in Bangladeshi population. Current study is planned to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of daily dose of Valsartan 160 or 320 mg in the treatment of essential hypertension. Method: This is a multi-center, open-label, observational, non-comparative, clinical decision based titration, involving about 31 centers in Bangladesh. A total of 334 newly diagnosed adult patients with essential hypertension received valsartan at a dose of 160 mg or 320 mg as deemed necessary by physician were included to allow for an assessment of efficacy, safety and tolerability. The total duration of treatment with valsartan was 16 weeks. Primary parameter for efficacy was percentage responders to valsartan at 16 weeks, reduction in Mean sitting systolic blood pressure (MSSBP) and Mean sitting Diastolic blood pressure MSDBP, control rate (% patients) achieving SBP <140 mmHg and DBP <90 mmHg at end point and Global assessment of efficacy and tolerability to valsartan treatment by the physician and patient. Result: Mean age of the patient was 53.31±8.8 years and 56.5% were male. A clearly evident decline is evident in mean Systolic BP and diastolic BP over the study duration. Average reduction of 30.4 ± 17.4 mmHg was seen in systolic BP, 18.4 ± 11.2 mmHg in diastolic BP and 3.5 ± 3.1/ minute in heart rate. The reduction was highly significant in both systolic BP and diastolic BP and heart rate as well (P<.001). At 16 weeks only 3.4% were found to be refractory to the treatment. Global assessment of safety and efficacy was assessed on four point scale, around 30.2% of the physician rated the efficacy as excellent, around 56% rated as very good and 13.8% rated as good. Tolerability of the treatment was also assessed based on the opinion of the patient and physician concerned on four point scale. Around 34.1% of the physician rated the tolerability as excellent, around 49.7% rated as very good and 16.2% rated as good. Conclusion: Sixteen week treatment with valsartan at 160mg daily or 320 mg daily is an effective treatment for patients with essential hypertension. The drug is found to be well tolerated with minimal adverse event during the course of treatment. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v5i2.14323 Cardiovasc. j. 2013; 5(2): 182-189
Fractional Flow Reserve - A Review
Authors: Ullah M , Majumder AAS
Published: March 2013

Percutaneous coronary intervention is being performed over the last 35 years. In this time span a remarkable advancement occurred in this field regarding skill & hardware. Its spectrum has also been widened starting from chronic stable angina to Acute coronary syndrome, single vessel disease to multivessel disease, simple to complex lesions including left main disease. The incidence and prevalence of Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is also increasing. Number of studies has been conducted to decide how far this modality of treatment can change the morbidity and mortality of the IHD. Cardiologists are trying to detect the culprit lesions, treatment of which will be beneficial for the patient. Number of noninvasive and invasive modalities has been introduced to determine the functional significance of a coronary artery stenosis. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is one of the relatively new methods in this field. We will discuss some of the basic aspects of FFR and its implications in different subsets of coronary artery disease. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v5i2.14324 Cardiovasc. j. 2013; 5(2): 190-200
Concomitant Aorto-axillary Bypass and Beating Heart Total Arterial Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting by RIMA-LIMA Y graft
Authors: Chanda PK , Biswas S , Rahman MH , Kabir DMAK
Published: March 2013

In common practice, left internal mammary artery (LIMA) along with great saphanous vein is used in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Day by day total arterial CABG specially use of bilateral mammary arteries are becoming demanding. Coexisting occlusive disease may rarely affect coronary arteries along with left subclavian artery. We have reported a successful concomitant aorto-axillary bypass and CABG of a 52-year-aged man with the diagnosis of triple-vessel-disease (TVD) angiographically along with proximal stenosis in left subclavian artery. Aorto-axillary (left) bypass was done with 6-mm ring re-inforced polytetrafluoroethane (PTFE) graft and CABG was done by total arterial RIMA-LIMA Y graft on beating heart. The post-operative course was uneventful with reappearance of peripheral pulses in left upper extremity. The patient was discharged on the 9th post-operative day. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v5i2.14325 Cardiovasc. j. 2013; 5(2): 201-205
A Caveat during Adenosine Challenge
Authors: Brenes Jorge A
Published: March 2013

Abstract not availableDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v5i2.14326 Cardiovasc. j. 2013; 5(2): 206-207
Philately Stamps on Heart
Authors: Editor The
Published: March 2013

Abstract not availableDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v5i2.14327 Cardiovasc. j. 2013; 5(2): 208
A watercolour of a stranded sperm whale from the late seventeenth century
Authors: Barthelmess Klaus
Published: April 2013

A manuscript album, known as Kungsboken, contains various documents of military relevance assembled during the rule of the Swedish kings Charles XI and Charles XII. Among them is a watercolour depicting a stranded sperm whale. The painting is not signed or dated but is believed to have been done around 1675. It may be an illustration of a whale that was stranded on the north German coast, then part of the Swedish empire. The painting is an interesting example of anamorphosis.
Kaempferol: a case study of what eponyms in chemical nomenclature can tell us
Authors: Funk Holger
Published: April 2013

Personal names (eponyms) of real or fictitious people can be found both in botanical and zoological nomenclature ever since Linnaeus's reform efforts (and earlier too) – yet they were never uncontroversial. The same applies for scientific chemical nomenclature where the situation is more complex because besides systematic names, semi-systematic, and even non-scientific (trivial) names such as Glauber's salt or ammonia (both derived from eponyms), are officially accepted. One of the semi-systematic names is kaempferol, the designation of a natural dyestuff (flavonoid) that occurs in numerous plants, among them Kaempferia galanga. The course of the discovery and name-giving process for this organic compound is traced, elucidating that not only Engelbert Kaempfer was involved, but a whole series of natural scientists.
Nicolas Venette'sTraité du rossignol(1697) and the discovery of migratory restlessness
Authors: Birkhead T. R.
Published: April 2013

We identify the little known, anonymous author of a treatise on nightingales, Traité du rossignol, as Nicolas Venette (1633–1698), a physician based in La Rochelle, France. As well as writing about nightingales, Venette had a wide range of scientific interests, and produced several other books, including an extraordinarily popular sex manual. In his nightingale monograph Venette made observations and wrote in a logical, “scientific” manner, critically assessing previous speculations about the causes of migration in birds. In addition, he was the first to describe the phenomenon of migratory restlessness and to accurately identify its biological significance. Venette is therefore one of a small number of individuals who began the development of scientific ornithology in the seventeenth century.
Association of Gastroesophageal Factors and Worsening of Forced Vital Capacity in Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Zhang Xuli Jerry , Bonner Ashley , Hudson Marie ,   The Canadian Scleroderma Research Group, Baron Murray , Pope Janet
Published: April 2013

Objective.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and causes death. Once lung fibrosis occurs, disease course may become stable or decline. Little is known about risks for progression. We studied SSc–gastroesophageal (GE) involvement in relation to worsening forced vital capacity (FVC) on pulmonary function tests (PFT) to investigate whether it was related to progression. Our objective was to determine whether GE reflux and dysphagia are associated with progressive moderate/severe ILD as measured by PFT over 3 years.

Methods.

The Canadian Scleroderma Research Group is a multicenter SSc database that collects data annually. Using indicators of GE involvement and annual PFT, comparisons were made between no/mild ILD, stable moderate/severe ILD, and progressive moderate/severe ILD groups based on changes of FVC. Multivariate analyses determined associations between GE factors and ILD development and progression.

Results.

There were 1043 patients with SSc (mean age 55.7 yrs, mean disease duration 10.8 yrs); one-quarter had pulmonary fibrosis on chest radiograph that was related to FVC percentage predicted (Spearman’s rho −0.39; p < 0.01). Physician indicators such as esophageal dysmotility (p = 0.009) and postesophageal dilatation (p = 0.041), and patient indicators such as difficulty swallowing (p = 0.016) and waking up choking (p = 0.026) were associated with low FVC. In comparing progressive and stable moderate/severe FVC (< 70% predicted), early satiety (p = 0.018) and a combination term of postdilatation and choking (p = 0.042) increased risk of progression of ILD. Topoisomerase I was not associated with progression over followup.

Conclusion.

Symptoms of esophageal dysmotility were associated with worsening FVC in SSc, especially if both need for esophageal dilatation and choking were present.
Efficacy and Safety of Belimumab in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Phase II, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Dose-ranging Study
Authors: Stohl William , Merrill Joan T. , McKay James D. , Lisse Jeffrey R. , Zhong Z. John , Freimuth William W. , Genovese Mark C.
Published: April 2013

Objective.

To evaluate the efficacy/safety of belimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods.

Patients fulfilling American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA for ≥ 1 year who had at least moderate disease activity while receiving stable disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy and failed ≥ 1 DMARD were randomly assigned to placebo or belimumab 1, 4, or 10 mg/kg, administered intravenously on Days 1, 14, and 28, and then every 4 weeks for 24 weeks (n = 283). This was followed by an optional 24-week extension (n = 237) in which all patients received belimumab. Primary efficacy endpoint was the Week 24 ACR20 response.

Results.

Week 24 ACR20 responses with placebo and belimumab 1, 4, and 10 mg/kg were 15.9%, 34.7% (p = 0.010), 25.4% (p = 0.168), and 28.2% (p = 0.080), respectively. Patients taking any belimumab dose who continued with belimumab in the open-label extension had an ACR20 response of 41% at 48 weeks. A similar ACR20 response (42%) at 48 weeks was seen in patients taking placebo who switched in the extension to belimumab 10 mg/kg. Greater response rates were observed in patients who at baseline were rheumatoid factor-positive, anticitrullinated protein antibody-positive, or tumor necrosis factor inhibitor-naive, or had elevated C-reactive protein levels, Disease Activity Score 28 > 5.1, or low B lymphocyte stimulator levels (< 0.858 ng/ml). Adverse event rates were similar across treatment groups.

Conclusion.

In this phase II trial, belimumab demonstrated efficacy and was generally well tolerated in patients with RA who had failed previous therapies. [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00071812]
Cardiovascular Events Are Not Associated with MTHFR Polymorphisms, But Are Associated with Methotrexate Use and Traditional Risk Factors in US Veterans with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Davis Lisa A. , Cannon Grant W. , Pointer Lauren F. , Haverhals Leah M. , Wolff Roger K. , Mikuls Ted R. , Reimold Andreas M. , Kerr Gail S. , Richards J. Steuart , Johnson Dannette S. , Valuck Robert , Prochazka Allan , Caplan Liron
Published: April 2013

Objective.

C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) have been associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) events in non-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) populations. We investigated potential associations of MTHFR polymorphisms and use of methotrexate (MTX) with time-to-CV event in data from the Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) registry.

Methods.

VARA participants were genotyped for MTHFR polymorphisms. Variables included demographic information, baseline comorbidities, RA duration, autoantibody status, and disease activity. Patients’ comorbidities and outcome variables were defined using International Classification of Diseases-9 and Current Procedural Terminology codes. The combined CV event outcome included myocardial infarction (MI), percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and stroke. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to model the time-to-CV event.

Results.

Data were available for 1047 subjects. Post-enrollment CV events occurred in 97 patients (9.26%). Although there was a trend toward reduced risk of CV events, MTHFR polymorphisms were not significantly associated with time-to-CV event. Time-to-CV event was associated with prior stroke (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.03–3.90), prior MI (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.06–2.71), hyperlipidemia (HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.01–2.43), and increased modified Charlson-Deyo index (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.13–1.34). MTX use (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.44–0.99) and increasing education (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80–0.95) were associated with a lower risk for CV events.

Conclusion.

Although MTHFR polymorphisms were previously associated with CV events in non-RA populations, we found only a trend toward decreased association with CV events in RA. Traditional risk factors conferred substantial CV risk, while MTX use and increasing years of education were protective.
Patterns and Associated Risk of Perioperative Use of Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Undergoing Total Knee Replacement
Authors: Johnson Beverly K. , Goodman Susan M. , Alexiades Michael M. , Figgie Mark P. , Demmer Ryan T. , Mandl Lisa A.
Published: April 2013

Objective.

The patterns and risks of perioperative use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) medication in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are not well studied. We examined the patterns of perioperative anti-TNF use and risk of postoperative adverse events (AE) in patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR).

Method.

Retrospective cohort study with followup. RA cases within a TKR registry were identified by ICD-9 code (714.0) or self-report. Mailed questionnaires queried anti-TNF use and duration of RA. AE were determined by chart review and patient self-report, and included surgical site infection, pulmonary embolus, deep venous thrombosis, pneumonia, and any infection or re-operation within 6 months.

Results.

There were 268 TKR cases with RA. The stop time for anti-TNF preoperatively correlated with dosing schedule; restart time was after wound healing. There were 7 surgical site infections (3%), one (0.4%) of which was a deep joint infection in bilateral TKA requiring explant. The anti-TNF group had 3.26% (3/92) local site infection versus 2.10% (3/143) in the group without anti-TNF and this difference was not statistically significant (Fisher exact test, p = 0.68). The one deep joint infection was in the anti-TNF group. Six-month AE rate was 7.61% in the anti-TNF group versus 6.99% in the group without anti-TNF (Fisher exact test, p = 1.0).

Conclusion.

There was a low risk of infection and perioperative adverse events in patients with RA receiving anti-TNF therapy who were undergoing TKR. This raises the question whether it is necessary to stop anti-TNF for a long period prior to surgery. Given the possible risks associated with stopping anti-TNF, including worsening of disease, further study is needed to determine optimal perioperative use of anti-TNF among patients with RA undergoing TKR.
Descripción de una especie nueva del género Epicauta Dejean, 1834 de México y revisión del grupo de especies de Epicauta cupraeola (Coleoptera, Meloidae)
Authors: García-París M. , Ruiz J. L.
Published: April 2013

Se describe una especie nueva, morfológicamente singular, del grupo de especies de Epicauta cupraeola de las zonas altas del Estado de Nayarit, México. La apariencia externa de Epicauta cora sp. nov., es similar a la de Epicauta rufipennis y Epicauta diana, pero difiere de ambas en la estructura de las antenas del macho, forma y pilosidad de la cabeza y pronoto, y estructura de las tibias anteriores del macho. Se revisan las nueve especies incluidas ahora en el grupo de especies de E. cupraeola. Este estudio que incluye 323 especímenes, entre ellos material tipo diverso, confirma la sinonimia de Cantharis rufescens con Epicauta basimacula propuesta por Pinto (1991), y aporta nuevos registros geográficos para las especies de México. Se presenta una clave para las especies del grupo de E. cupraeola y se ilustran foto gráficamente, incluyendo ejemplares tipo de cinco taxones. Un nuevo análisis filogenético del grupo de E. cupraeola indica que la especie nueva se sitúa como grupo hermano de E. rufipennis, de forma que juntas constituyen el clado hermano de las demás especies del grupo.
Pathology of Building Materials in Historic Buildings. Relationship Between Laboratory Testing and Infrared Thermography
Authors: Lerma C. , Mas Á. , Gil E. , Vercher J. , Peñalver M. J.
Published: April 2013

Study of historic buildings requires a pathology analysis of the construction materials used in order to define their conservation state. Usually we can find capillary moisture, salt crystalli-zation or density differences by deterioration. Sometimes this issue is carried out by destructive testing which determine materials’ physical and chemical characteristics. However, they are unfavorable regarding the building’s integrity, and they are sometimes difficult to implement. This paper presents a technique using infrared thermography to analyze the existing pathology and has the advantage of being able to diagnose inaccessible areas in buildings. The results obtained by this technique have been compared with those obtained in the laboratory, in order to validate this study and thus to extrapolate the methodology to other buildings and materials.
Politiques publiques de développement à la frontière franco-brésilienne : une ignorance mutuelle
Authors: d’Hautefeuille Madeleine Boudoux
Published: April 2013

De nombreux espaces frontaliers périphériques des États nationaux font l’objet, de par le monde, de politiques publiques de développement territorialisées. La frontière franco-brésilienne, entre la Guyane française, département-région d’outre-mer français, et l’Amapá, État fédéré brésilien, constitue le cas d’étude sur lequel nous examinons ici ces politiques en nous intéressant non à leur efficacité mais à leur coïncidence. Cet examen révèle un différentiel politique majeur entre France et Brésil : s’appuyant sur des logiques nationales mises en place depuis le milieu du XXe siècle, mais aussi dotées de quelques spécificités locales, elles n’ont ni la même portée géographique, ni la même nature, ni les mêmes objectifs, ni les mêmes types de pilotes.En s’appuyant prioritairement sur l’analyse des documents de politiques publiques connexes, cet article revient successivement sur celles mises en œuvre du côté français et du côté brésilien, pour aboutir à un bilan tabulaire et cartographique comparatif mettant en exergue de nets écarts et une relative ignorance mutuelle.
GO-Based Term Semantic Similarity
Authors: Alvarez Marco A. , Qi Xiaojun , Yan Changhui
Published: April 2013

As the Gene Ontology (GO) plays more and more important roles in bioinformatics research, there has been great interest in developing objective and accurate methods for calculating semantic similarity between GO terms. In this chapter, the authors first introduce the basic concepts related to the GO and then briefly review the current advances and challenges in the development of methods for calculating semantic similarity between GO terms. Then, the authors introduce a semantic similarity method that does not rely on external data sources. Using this method as an example, the authors show how different properties of the GO can be explored to calculate semantic similarities between pairs of GO terms. The authors conclude the chapter by presenting some thoughts on the directions for future research in this field.
Parallel Evolutionary Computation in R
Authors: Gondro Cedric , Kwan Paul
Published: April 2013

Evolutionary Computation (EC) is a branch of Artificial Intelligence which encompasses heuristic optimization methods loosely based on biological evolutionary processes. These methods are efficient in finding optimal or near-optimal solutions in large, complex non-linear search spaces. While evolutionary algorithms (EAs) are comparatively slow in comparison to deterministic or sampling approaches, they are also inherently parallelizable. As technology shifts towards multicore and cloud computing, this overhead becomes less relevant, provided a parallel framework is used. In this chapter the authors discuss how to implement and run parallel evolutionary algorithms in the popular statistical programming language R. R has become the de facto language for statistical programming and it is widely used in biostatistics and bioinformatics due to the availability of thousands of packages to manipulate and analyze data. It is also extremely easy to parallelize routines within R, which makes it a perfect environment for evolutionary algorithms. EC is a large field of research, and many different algorithms have been proposed. While there is no single silver bullet that can handle all classes of problems, an algorithm that is extremely simple, efficient, and with good generalization properties is Differential Evolution (DE). Herein the authors discuss step-by-step how to implement DE in R and how to parallelize it. They then illustrate with a toy genome-wide association study (GWAS) how to identify candidate regions associated with a quantitative trait of interest.
Developing a Library Collection in Bioinformatics
Authors: Martin Victoria
Published: April 2013

This chapter provides guidelines for developing a university library collection for bioinformatics programs. The chapter discusses current research and scholarly communication trends in bioinformatics and their impact on information needs and information seeking behavior of bioinformaticians and, consequently, on collection development. It also discusses the criteria for making collection development decisions that are largely influenced by the interdisciplinary nature of the field. The types of information resources most frequently used by bioinformaticians are described, specific resources are suggested, and creative options aimed at finding ways for a bioinformatics library collection to expand in the digital era are explored. The author draws on literature in bioinformatics and the library and information sciences as well as on her ten years of experience providing bioinformatics user services at George Mason University. The chapter is geared towards practicing librarians who are charged with developing a collection for bioinformatics academic programs as well as future librarians taking courses on collection development and academic librarianship.
From Bench to Bedside
Authors: Shen Yong
Published: April 2013

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a constantly progressive and highly complex neurodegenerative disease, and there are many ways to molecularly characterize the various stages. Morphologically, AD patients are characterized by neurofibrillar abnormalities associated with pathological hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, and deposits of ß– amyloid peptides (Aß). There is an overwhelming amount of information to support the hypothesis that generation, formation, and ß-amyloid deposits play key mechanistic roles in the early development of AD. It is known that the cause of early-onset familial AD (FAD) is due to mutations in three genes which cause an increase in the production of the toxic peptide, Aß42. The molecules that cause the proteolytic activities of beta and gamma secretase, two proteases that free the Aß-peptide by endoproteolyzing APP, have recently been discovered. Homologous to BACE1, BACE2 was also a recent discovery (Lin et al, 2000; Vassar et al, 1999; Yan et al, 1999), and together these two enzymes make up a new family of transmembrane aspartic proteases. The key enzyme, BACE1, initiates the formation of Aß, represents a candidate biomarker, as well as a drug target for AD, exhibit all the functional properties of ß–secretase. This chapter will review the biology of BACE1 and focus attention to BACE1 as a candidate biomarker for the early detection, prediction, and biological activity in AD.
Web Services for Bioinformatics
Authors: Shah Abad , Singhera Zafar , Ahsan Syed
Published: April 2013

A large number of tools are available to Bioinformaticians to analyze the rapidly growing databanks of molecular biological data. These databanks represent complex biological systems and in order to understand them, it is often necessary to link many disparate data sets and use more than one analysis tool. However, owing to the lack of standards for data sets and the interfaces of the tools this is not a trivial task. Over the past few years, web services has become a popular way of sharing the data and tools distributed over the web and used by different researchers all over the globe. In this chapter we discuss the interoperability problem of databanks and tools and how web services are being used to try to solve it. These efforts have resulted in the evolution of web services tools from HTML/web form-based tools not suited for automatic workflow generation to advances in Semantic Web and Ontologies that have revolutionized the role of semantics. Also included is a discussion on two extensively used Web Service systems for Life Sciences, myGrid and Semantic-MOBY. In the end we discuss how the state-of-art research and technological development in Semantic Web, Ontology and Database Management can help address these issues.
Learning Binding Affinity from Augmented High Throughput Screening Data
Authors: Angelopoulos Nicos , Hadjiprocopis Andreas , Walkinshaw Malcolm D.
Published: April 2013

In high throughput screening a large number of molecules are tested against a single target protein to determine binding affinity of each molecule to the target. The objective of such tests within the pharmaceutical industry is to identify potential drug-like lead molecules. Current technology allows for thousands of molecules to be tested inexpensively. The analysis of linking such biological data with molecular properties is thus becoming a major goal in both academic and pharmaceutical research. This chapter details how screening data can be augmented with high-dimensional descriptor data and how machine learning techniques can be utilised to build predictive models. The pyruvate kinase protein is used as a model target throughout the chapter. Binding affinity data from a public repository provide binding information on a large set of screened molecules. The authors consider three machine learning paradigms: Bayesian model averaging, Neural Networks, and Support Vector Machines. The authors apply algorithms from the three paradigms to three subsets of the data and comment on the relative merits of each. They also used the learnt models to classify the molecules in a large in-house molecular database that holds commercially available chemical structures from a large number of suppliers. They discuss the degree of agreement in compounds selected and ranked for three algorithms. Details of the technical challenges in such large scale classification and the ability of each paradigm to cope with these are put forward. The application of machine learning techniques to binding data augmented by high-dimensional can provide a powerful tool in compound testing. The emphasis of this work is on making very few assumptions or technical choices with regard to the machine learning techniques. This is to facilitate application of such techniques by non-experts.
Neuroimaging in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Fukuyama Hidenao
Published: April 2013

The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is often based on clinical and pathological data. Positron emission tomography (PET) using the tracer 18F-FDG revealed findings specific to AD-mainly the posterior part of the brain and the association cortices of the parietal and occipital lobes were affected by a reduction in glucose metabolism. Recent advances in the development of tracers for amyloid protein, which is the key protein in the pathogenesis of AD, enables the pattern of deposition of amyloid protein in the brain to be visualized. Various tracers have been introduced to visualize other aspects of AD pathology. Recent clinical interests on dementia have focused on the early detection of AD and variation of Parkinson’s disease, namely dementia with Lewy body disease (DLB), because the earlier the diagnosis, the better the prognosis. The differential diagnosis of mild AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as well as DLB has been studied using PET and MRI as part of the NIH’s Alzheimer disease Neuroimaging initiative (ADNI). At present, many countries are participating in the ADNI, which is yielding promising results. This chapter’s study will improve the development of new drugs for the treatment of dementia patients by enabling the evaluation of the effect and efficacy of those drugs.
Noninvasive Detection of Misfolded Proteins in the Brain Using [11C]BF-227 PET
Authors: Okamura Nobuyuki , Furumoto Shozo , Tashiro Manabu , Furukawa Katsutoshi , Arai Hiroyuki , Kudo Yukitsuka , Yanai Kazuhiko
Published: April 2013

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and many other neurodegenerative disorders belong to the family of protein misfolding diseases. These diseases are characterized by the deposition of insoluble protein aggregates containing an enriched ß-sheet structure. To evaluate PET amyloid-imaging tracer [11C]BF-227 as an agent for in vivo detection of various kinds of misfolded protein, a [11C]BF-227 PET study was performed in patients with various protein misfolding diseases, including AD, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) and Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease (GSS). BF-227 binds to ß-amyloid fibrils with high affinity. Most of the AD patients showed prominent retention of [11C]BF-227 in the neocortex. In addition, neocortical retention of BF-227 was observed in the subjects with mild cognitive impairment who converted to AD during follow-up. DLB patients had elevated [11C]BF-227 uptake in the neocortex. However, FTD and sCJD patients showed no cortical retention of [11C]BF-227. Patients with multiple system atrophy had elevated BF-227 binding in the putamen. Finally, GSS patients had elevated BF-227 uptake in the cerebellum and other brain regions. This chapter confirms that BF-227 can selectively bind to a-synuclein and prion protein deposits using postmortem brain samples. Based on these findings, [11C]BF-227 is not necessarily specific for ß-amyloid in AD patients. However, this tracer could be used to detect various types of protein aggregates in the brain.
Prediction of Epigenetic Target Sites by Using Genomic DNA Sequence
Authors: Yuan Guo-Cheng
Published: April 2013

Epigenetic regulation provides an extra layer of gene control in addition to the genomic sequence and is critical for the maintenance of cell-type specific gene expression programs. Significant changes of epigenetic patterns have been linked to developmental stages, environmental exposure, ageing, and diet. However, the regulatory mechanisms for epigenetic recruitment, maintenance, and switch are still poorly understood. Computational biology provides tools to deeply uncover hidden connections and these tools have played a major role in shaping the current understanding of gene regulation, but its application in epigenetics is still in the infancy. This chapter reviews some recent developments of computational approaches to predict epigenetic target sites.
Chemosensitivity Prediction of Tumours based on Expression, miRNA, and Proteomics Data
Authors: Tsamardinos I. , Borboudakis G. , Christodoulou E. G. , Røe O. D.
Published: April 2013

The chemosensitivity of tumours to specific drugs can be predicted based on molecular quantities, such as gene expressions, miRNA expressions, and protein concentrations. This finding is important for improving drug efficacy and personalizing drug use. In this paper, the authors present an analysis strategy that, compared to prior work, retains more information in the data for analysis and may lead to improved chemosensitivity prediction. The authors apply improved methods for estimating the GI50 value of a drug (an indicator of the response to the drug), regression methods for constructing predictive models of the GI50 value, advanced variable selection techniques, such as MMPC, and a multi-task variable selection technique for identifying a small-size signature that is simultaneously predictive for several drugs and cell lines. The methods are applied on gene expression, miRNA expression, and proteomics data from 53 tumour cell lines after treatment with 120 drugs, obtained from the National Cancer Institute databases. A biological interpretation and discussion of the results is presented for the most clinically important subset of 14 drugs.