bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans in the control of B cell development and the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma
Authors: Reijmers Rogier M. , Spaargaren Marcel , Pals Steven T.
Published: February 2013

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) have essential functions during embryonic development and throughout postnatal life. To exert these functions, they undergo a series of processing reactions by heparan‐sulfate‐modifying enzymes (HSMEs), which endows them with highly modified heparan sulfate (HS) domains that provide specific docking sites for a large number of bioactive molecules. The development and antigen‐dependent differentiation of normal B lymphocytes, as well as the growth and progression of B‐lineage malignancies, are orchestrated by an array of growth factors, cytokines and chemokines many of which display HS binding. As discussed in this review, tightly regulated HSPG expression is a requirement for normal B cell maturation, differentiation and function. In addition, the HSPG syndecan‐1 functions as a versatile co‐receptor for signals from the bone marrow microenvironment, essential for the survival of long‐lived plasma cells and multiple myeloma (MM) plasma cells. Targeting of HSMEs or HS chains on MM cells increases their sensitivity to drugs currently used in MM treatment, including bortezomib, lenalidomide or dexamethasone. Taken together, these findings render the HS biosynthetic machinery a promising target for MM treatment.
Historical foundations of wound healing and its potential for acceleration: dose‐response considerations
Authors: Calabrese Edward J.
Published: February 2013

This paper provides a detailed historical assessment of the origin and developmental progress of the concept of wound healing and its attempted acceleration from its start in the beginning of the 20th century to approximately 1960. Emphasis is placed on the development of cell culture in the assessment of wound healing and in attempts to validate experimental findings via clinical research. Of particular interest were the observations that wound healing could be accelerated in the 30–50% range with the dose response displaying biphasic characteristics consistent with the hormesis dose‐response model. Such findings set the stage for the hormetic dose‐response revolution that is occurring within the biological and biomedical sciences, including wound healing, whereby considerable research now supports the capacity for endogenous and exogenous agents to accelerate the process of wound healing and its functional performance.
Risk Stratification Following Complex PCI: Clinical Versus Anatomical Risk Stratification Including “Post PCI Residual SYNTAX‐Score” as Quantification of Incomplete Revascularization
Authors: SCHWIETZ THOMAS , SPYRIDOPOULOS IOAKIM , PFEIFFER STEVEN , LASKOWSKI RAFAEL , PALM SYLVIA , DE ROSA SALVATORE , JENS KLOTSCHE , ZEIHER ANDREAS M. , SCHÄCHINGER VOLKER , FICHTLSCHERER STEPHAN , LEHMANN RALF
Published: February 2013

Background

EuroSCORE and completeness of revascularization predicts long‐term survival after multivessel PCI (MV‐PCI). The SYNTAX‐Score has also been proposed to predict clinical outcome. The prognostic impact of these scores to predict long‐term survival after PCI has not yet been compared.

Methods and Results

Long‐term survival was assessed in 740 patients undergoing MV‐PCI. We calculated EuroSCORE, SYNTAX‐Score, STS‐Score, the clinical SYNTAX‐Score (CSS), and the “post‐PCI residual SYNTAX‐Score.” Mean follow‐up time was 4.5 ± 2.5 years. 341 patients (46%) were treated for ACS (STEMI N = 191; NSTEMI N = 150). 113 patients (15%) underwent PCI of left main coronary artery. The EuroSCORE was significantly lower for stable patients compared to patients with ACS (stable 4.1 ± 4.5, NSTEMI 13.9 ± 13.3, STEMI 18.1 ± 18.7, p < 0.001). The differences in the SYNTAX‐Score were less obvious but even significant (stable 14.9 ± 8.6, NSTEMI 17.8 ± 9.9, STEMI 18.3 ± 9.0; p < 0.001). Patients in the highest tertiles of each risk score experienced a dramatically elevated mortality rate compared to the extremely low mortality rate in the lower tertiles (p log‐rank <0.001). This comparison remained significant for the EuroSCORE and STS‐Score but not for the SYNTAX‐Score, when analysis was restricted to stable patients. The multivariate Cox‐regression‐analysis confirmed the logistic EuroSCORE, EuroSCORE II, and the STS‐Score as independent predictors of long‐term mortality, whereas the SYNTAX‐Score (including residual form) and the CSS had no predictive value.

Conclusion

The EuroSCORE and the STS‐Score outperforms the SYNTAX‐Score and the CSS in predicting long‐term survival following MV‐PCI. In addition, the residual SYNTAX‐Score predicts long‐term survival not independently.
Wild Things: Manufacturing Desire in the Urarina Moral Economy
Authors: Walker Harry
Published: February 2013

Resumén

Tomando como referencia el caso de los Urarina de Perú, este trabajo investiga la demanda actual por artículos de consumo de los pueblos amazónicos, caracterizándola como una economía del deseo, la cual tiene raíces en las experiencias históricas de la colonización. Las relaciones de “domesticazión,” que durante mucho tiempo, han sido una característica de los encuentros con foráneos, las cuales median entre salvajes y el estado civilizado, han llegado a formar parte central del cuidado dentro de la pareja conyugal. Esto es cada vez más acentuado en el suministro de productos básicos, visto como algo similar a las crías de animales silvestres, y cuya adquisición es una actividad esencialmente masculina. Este proceso incluye al género como un punto clave de articulación entre la economía de subsistencia y el mercado, y demuestra los efectos “decodificantes” del capitalismo, a través del cual las esferas de intercambio se confunden y los deseos se intensifican.
Association of pre‐ and post‐natal parental smoking with offspring body mass index: an 8‐year follow‐up of a birth cohort
Authors: Florath I. , Kohler M. , Weck M. N. , Brandt S. , Rothenbacher D. , Schöttker B. , Moß A. , Gottmann P. , Wabitsch M. , Brenner H.
Published: February 2013

What is already known about this subject

Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with offspring overweight, but it is still unclear whether this association is due to confounding by parental lifestyle habits or caused by direct effects of intrauterine tobacco smoke exposure.

What this study adds

Maternal smoking during pregnancy was validated by cord serum cotinine measurements and the offspring body mass index was assessed at various ages.

Maternal smoking during pregnancy was significantly associated with offspring body mass index at 8 years of age with a trend for increased body mass index from 4 years of age onwards.

Paternal smoking and smoking of both parents at pre‐ and post‐natal periods was positively associated with offspring body mass index, which suggests residual confounding by lifestyle habits in smoking families rather than intrauterine effects.

Background

Although many epidemiological studies have shown an association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring overweight, it is still under debate whether intrauterine tobacco smoke exposure directly affects offspring obesity or if the association is rather due to confounding by lifestyle factors.

Objectives

The association of parental smoking habits at pre‐ and post‐natal periods with offspring body mass index (BMI) was investigated, whereas maternal smoking during pregnancy was validated by cord serum cotinine measurements.

Methods

Multivariable linear regression analysis, based on the German Ulm Birth Cohort Study of 1045 children born in 2000 with annual/biennial follow‐up until the age of 8 years (n = 609), was conducted.

Results

BMI of offspring from mothers who smoked during pregnancy and non‐smoking mothers differed significantly at 8 years. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with an increase in BMI of 0.73 kg m−2 [95% confidence interval: 0.21–1.25] in 8‐year‐old children after adjustment for multiple potential confounding variables. Both pre‐ and post‐natal smoking of fathers (0.34 [0.01–0.66]/0.45 [0.08–0.81]) and of both parents (1.03 [0.43–1.63]/0.56 [0.14–0.98]) were likewise significantly associated with offspring BMI.

Conclusions

The observed patterns suggest that residual confounding by living conditions in smoking families rather than specific intrauterine exposure to tobacco smoke may account for the increased risk of offspring overweight.
Orgasmic Headache Treated with Nimodipine
Authors: Lee Jea Whan , Ha Yeon Soo , Park Seung Chol , Seo Ill Young , Lee Hak Seung
Published: February 2013

Introduction

Orgasmic headache (OH) is a sudden and severe headache that occurs at the time of or shortly after an orgasm.

Aim

We present the case of typical primary headache associated with sexual activity, especially during an orgasmic period.

Methods

A 34-year-old man complained of sudden and severe headache during sexual activity, or orgasmic period, for 2 months. The headache developed abruptly with an orgasm and then decreased shortly over a period of 4∼8 hours.

Results

Magnetic resonance angiography revealed severe spasm of the M1 segment of both the middle cerebral arteries. He was treated with oral nimodipine (30 mg every 8 hours), which alleviated the headache and prevented its recurrence.

Conclusions

We postulated a pathophysiological relationship between OH and migraine, especially with respect to vasoconstriction, and believe that in such cases, nimodipine may be an effective therapy.
An amoeboid olivine inclusion (AOI) in CK3 NWA 1559, comparison to AOIs in CV3 Allende, and the origin of AOIs in CK and CV chondrites
Authors: Rubin Alan E.
Published: February 2013

An amoeboid olivine inclusion in CK3 NWA 1559 (0.54 × 1.3 mm) consists of a diopside‐rich interior (approximately 35 vol%) and an olivine‐rich rim (approximately 65 vol%). It is the first AOI to be described in CK chondrites; the apparent paucity of these inclusions is due to extensive parent‐body recrystallization. The AOI interior contains irregular 3–15 μm‐sized Al‐bearing diopside grains (approximately 70 vol%), 2–20 μm‐sized pores (approximately 30 vol%), and traces of approximately 2 μm plagioclase grains. The 75–160 μm‐thick rim contains 20–130 μm‐sized ferroan olivine grains, some with 120º triple junctions. A few coarse (25–50 μm‐sized) patches of plagioclase with 2–18 μm‐thick diopside rinds occur in several places just beneath the rim. The occurrence of olivine rims around AOI‐1 and around many AOIs in CV3 Allende suggests that CK and CV AOIs formed by the acquisition of porous forsteritic rims around fine‐grained, rimless CAIs that consisted of diopside, anorthite, melilite, and spinel. Individual AOIs in carbonaceous chondrites may have formed after transient heating events melted their olivine rims as well as portions of the underlying interiors. In AOI‐1, coarse plagioclase grains with diopside rinds crystallized immediately below the olivine rim. Secondary parent‐body alteration transformed forsterite in the rims of CV and CK AOIs into more‐ferroan olivine. Some of the abundant pores in the interior of AOI‐1 may have formed during aqueous alteration after fine‐grained melilite and anorthite were leached out. Chondrite groups with large chondrules tend to have large AOIs. AOIs that formed in dust‐rich nebular regions (where CV and CK chondrites later accreted) tend to be larger than AOIs from less‐dusty regions.
Fracture of maxillo‐zygomatic complex in patient with unilateral trans‐incisive cleft lip/palate: case report
Authors: da Silva de Menezes J.D. , Toledo G.L. , Correa A.P.S. , Carrasco L.C. , Capelari M.M. , Marzola C. , Toledo Filho J.L.
Published: February 2013

This article presents a clinical case of unilateral maxillo‐zygomatic complex fracture in a patient with cleft palate submitted to surgical treatment at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology Service of the Bauru Hospital Complex (Brazil). Factors related to the aetiopathogenesis of the entity in question are discussed, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and correct management with the aim of minimising complications and sequelae.
AMPing Racial Attitudes: Comparing the Power of Explicit and Implicit Racism Measures in 2008
Authors: Ditonto Tessa M. , Lau Richard R. , Sears David O.
Published: February 2013

In 2008, ANES included for the first time—along with standard explicit measures of old‐fashioned and symbolic racism—the Affect Misattribution Procedure (AMP), a relatively new implicit measure of racial attitudes. This article examines the extent to which four different measures of racial prejudice (three explicit and one implicit) predict public opinion during and after the 2008 election, including Americans' views towards several racial policy issues, their evaluations of, and feelings toward, Barack Obama, and their attitudes toward a Black president in general. Oversamples of African American and Latino respondents in the 2008 ANES enable us to broaden our tests of these measures beyond traditional White samples. We find that racial prejudice played an important role for all racial/ethnic groups but that the traditional explicit measures of racism are by far the stronger predictors for all of our dependent variables (compared to the new implicit measure) for both White and Black respondents. Surprisingly, the AMP adds clear explanatory power only to models in the Latino sample.
Entering Politics: General Self‐Efficacy and Voting Behavior Among Young People
Authors: Condon Meghan , Holleque Matthew
Published: February 2013

Political science traditionally conceptualizes efficacy only in relation to politics and government. In this article, we look beyond political efficacy and examine the effect of general self‐efficacy on young adults' voting behavior. General self‐efficacy, an individual's estimation of capacity to operate successfully across a variety of domains, is often important to the behavioral decisions of individuals entering a new domain of activity. With data from the Children of the National Longitudinal Study of Youth, we examine the effect of general self‐efficacy on voting behavior among young, first‐time voters. We find that general self‐efficacy has a positive effect on voter turnout, and this effect is strongest for young people from low socioeconomic‐status families.
Multidimensionality of Right‐Wing Authoritarian Attitudes: Authoritarianism‐Conservatism‐Traditionalism
Authors: Duckitt John , Bizumic Boris
Published: February 2013

Traditionally Right‐Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) has been seen as a unidimensional construct. Recently, however, researchers have begun to measure three distinct RWA dimensions (Feldman, 2003; Funke, 2005; Van Hiel, Cornelis, Roets, & De Clercq, 2006). One of these new multidimensional RWA approaches has conceptualized these three dimensions as Authoritarianism, Conservatism, and Traditionalism (ACT), which are viewed as expressions of basic social values or motivational goals that represent different, though related, strategies for attaining collective security at the expense of individual autonomy. Findings are reported from two studies to assess the validity and predictive utility of the multidimensional ACT approach. First, a direct cross‐national comparison showed that the three ACT dimensions were reliable and factorially distinct and demonstrated the measurement invariance of the three latent constructs across Serbian and NZ (New Zealand) samples. The three ACT dimensions predicted self‐reported behavior differentially in both samples, and a comparison of latent means showed the Serbian sample higher than the NZ sample on the ACT dimensions of Authoritarianism and Traditionalism but markedly lower on Conservatism. Second, a reanalysis of previously collected NZ data showed that the three ACT scales differentially predicted three dimensions of generalized prejudice in a theoretically meaningful manner. These findings underline the importance of studying ideological attitudes, such as RWA, multidimensionally.
The Contemporary Presidency: Civil‐Military Friction and Presidential Decision Making: Explaining the Broken Dialogue
Authors: Davidson Janine
Published: February 2013

This article examines the perennial mutual frustration between presidents and their military advisors over decisions to use force. What often appears to be a personality‐driven or political debate between the commander in chief and his strong‐minded military advisors actually has deeper institutional and cultural roots. The “professional” military officer has certain expectations about how to craft “best military advice” for the president that are deeply embedded into the organizational culture and in fact hard‐wired into the institutionalized and incredibly detailed military planning processes. This planning process is designed with expectations about the roles civilian leadership will play in providing guidance, which are in many ways out of synch with the expectations of the president and his civilian advisors. Ultimately, the output of the military's planning process fails to deliver the type of nuanced advice in the form of creative options that the president needs.
Ecosystem Restoration is Now a Global Priority: Time to Roll up our Sleeves
Authors: Aronson James , Alexander Sasha
Published: February 2013

Ecosystem restoration is now globally recognized as a key component in conservation programs and essential to the quest for the long‐term sustainability of our human‐dominated planet. Restoration scientists and practitioners are now on the frontline and will be increasingly called upon to get involved in large scale programs addressing immediate environmental crises and challenges. Here, we summarize the advances in mainstreaming ecological restoration in global environmental policy deliberations during the last year, culminating in the recent meeting of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. We also provide key references for those seeking more information, and set out an agenda as to how the restoration community could respond to and act upon these recent developments. However, we underline the need for caution and prudence; we must not promise more than we can deliver. Thirty years after the emergence of ecological restoration as a scientific discipline and practice, there remain many obstacles and misconceptions about what can be achieved at large scales. Yet, clearly the old adage applies here: nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Origin of the vertically orientated clasts in brecciated shallow‐marine limestones of the Chaomidian Formation (Furongian, Shandong Province, China)
Authors: Van Loon A. J. (Tom) , Han Zuozhen , Han Yu
Published: February 2013

Numerous shallow‐marine limestone layers of the Furongian (Late Cambrian) Chaomidian Formation in the Jiulongshan section (Shandong Province, China) are breccias. Some of these breccias show abundant vertical to sub‐vertical clasts. Typically, these clasts end abruptly at the contact plane with the overlying deposit, either abutting the overlying sedimentary bed or via an erosional plane that truncates the clasts. A few exposures show concentrations of clasts that must have been uplifted to the extent that they transgressed the then sedimentary surface or (possibly) penetrated the overlying sediment which, in this case, consists of muds or marls. The clasts tend to show clusters with respect to the enclosing fabric. All clasts are parallel to each other in a specific cluster, while the various clusters may show different orientations of the clasts. It is deduced that both the exceptional position and the exceptional orientation of the clasts must be ascribed to the upward movement of the clasts under the influence of pore water escaping under high pressure through fluidized sediment.
Claiming Queer Territory in the Study of Subcultures and Popular Music
Authors: Taylor Jodie
Published: February 2013

For both the heterosexual and queer subject, subcultural participation and stylistic modes of cultural production and consumption, including popular music, are critical mechanisms aiding in the construction and expression of identity. Yet, in spite of abundant empirical examples of queer music cultures, subcultural studies scholars have paid minimal attention to queer sexualities and their concomitant stylistic modalities. In this article, I claim the importance of queer subterranean music cultures by synthesising significant literatures from various fields of inquiry including cultural sociology, popular musicology and queer studies. To begin, I will briefly clarify to whom and about what queer (theory) speaks. I then go on to offer an overview of subcultural and popular music research paying particular attention to the subaltern queer subject and surveying queer criticism within each field. Accordingly, I discuss various sites of popular music production and subcultural style such as punk and hip‐hop, to show how non‐heterosexual subjects carve space for resistant queer sexualities and merge queer sensibilities with pre‐existing cultural forms. This article consolidates interdisciplinary approaches that will benefit scholars invested in the study of queer subcultures and popular music.
Nodular lesions due to infestation by Dirofilaria repens in dogs from Italy
Authors: Albanese Francesco , Abramo Francesca , Braglia Christian , Caporali Chiara , Venco Luigi , Vercelli Antonella , Ghibaudo Giovanni , Leone Federico , Carrani Francesco , Giannelli Alessio , Otranto Domenico
Published: February 2013

Background

Canine subcutaneous dirofilariosis caused by Dirofilaria repens is an important cause of human dirofilariosis in the Old World.

Objectives

To describe the clinical and pathological features of infestation by D. repens in dogs with cutaneous nodules and to discuss key diagnostic procedures.

Animals

Sixteen privately owned dogs of different breeds, ages and genders with subcutaneous nodules were positive for D. repens on at least one diagnostic test.

Methods

Diagnostic tests included cytological examination of fine‐needle aspiration biopsies, detection of circulating larvae by Knott's test, morphological and molecular identification of adult parasites and microfilariae, and histopathological examination of excised nodules.

Results

Twelve animals were positive for D. repens microfilariae, using cytology and at least one other diagnostic test. Four of twelve dogs screened by Knott's test had circulating D. repens microfilariae, and three of them were co‐infected with Dirofilaria immitis. In eight dogs, adult nematodes were morphologically identified as D. repens. Nodular panniculitis was observed in all cases, with nodules containing either one or several cross‐sections of nematodes and microfilariae. The nematodes extracted were identified as D. repens by an RT‐PCR on the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS‐2).

Conclusions and clinical importance

Adults and larvae of D. repens can induce skin nodules in dogs, and these lesions should be carefully evaluated in endemic areas. Clinicians should be aware that correct tissue sampling (including the storage of part of a sample in ethanol instead of formalin) is pivotal to achievement of a specific diagnosis. Cytology of fine‐needle tissue aspirates was shown to be useful.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 19 February 2013
Authors: Danska Jayne S. , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: February 2013

Male-type gut microbiota are associated with an increase in testosterone that protects mice from developing type 1 diabetes.
Full Genome Sequence of Giant Panda Rotavirus Strain CH-1
Authors: Guo Ling , Yan Qigui , Yang Shaolin , Wang Chengdong , Chen Shijie , Yang Xiaonong , Hou Rong , Quan Zifang , Hao Zhongxiang
Published: February 2013

We report here the complete genomic sequence of the giant panda rotavirus strain CH-1. This work is the first to document the complete genomic sequence (segments 1 to 11) of the CH-1 strain, which offers an effective platform for providing authentic research experiences to novice scientists.
Draft Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Strain LCT-EC59
Authors: Li Tianzhi , Chen Jiapeng , Chang De , Fang Xiangqun , Wang Junfeng , Guo Yinghua , Su Longxiang , Xu Guogang , Wang Yajuan , Chen Zhenhong , Liu Changting
Published: February 2013

The space environment is a very special condition under which many organisms change many features.Escherichia coliis employed widely as a prokaryotic model organism in the fields of biotechnology and microbiology. Here, we present the draft genome sequence ofE. colistrain LCT-EC59 exposed to space conditions.
Parakinesia brachialis oscitans during thrombolytic therapy
Authors: Zorzetto Francis Paciornik , Braatz Vera Lucia , Walusinski Olivier , Teive Helio Afonso Guizoni
Published: February 2013

The authors describe a case report of a patient with parakinesia brachialis oscitans, which occurred during thrombolytic therapy, in a patient with left-middle cerebral artery occlusion.
Kearns-Sayre syndrome presenting as isolated growth failure
Authors: Holloman Conisha Mone , Wolfe Lynne A , Gahl William A , Boerkoel Cornelius F
Published: February 2013

Failure to thrive arises from a heterogeneous group of paediatric disorders including defects in energy metabolism such as mitochondrial diseases. Illustrating this, we describe a girl with poor growth who eluded diagnosis until she developed characteristics of Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Her history emphasises that defects of energy metabolism can present as isolated growth failure.
Multiple idiopathic arterial aneurysms masquerading as aortic dissection
Authors: Naha Kushal , Vivek G , Shetty Ranjan K , Dias Lorraine Simone
Published: February 2013

We report the case of a 58-year-old lady who presented with abdominal pain and backache. Although initial evaluation was strongly suggestive of abdominal aortic dissection, she was ultimately found to have multiple arterial aneurysms. Work-up for underlying vasculitis was negative. Surgical repair was planned and the patient was referred to a cardiovascular surgeon. This case highlights the importance of careful radiological assessment in patients with suspected aortic dissection.
One of the multifocal intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms with the clinical characteristics of mucinous cystic neoplasm
Authors: Hata Tatsuo , Sakata Naoaki , Motoi Fuyuhiko , Unno Michiaki
Published: February 2013

A 74-year-old woman with multiple cystic lesions in the pancreas was first examined at a previous hospital. Many of the lesions in the head and body were diagnosed as a branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), but one lesion in the tail was a simple cyst. She had no surgical treatment because there were no signs of malignancy in any of the lesions. After 3 years, solid components appeared only in the tail lesion. Because of its preoperative diagnosis as a mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), distal pancreatectomy was performed. Histopathological findings revealed that the cystic tumour in the tail was IPMN with minimally invasive carcinoma and the other lesion in the body was IPMN with low-grade dysplasia. They were IPMNs bridged by a non-dilated main pancreatic duct. There may be some cases in which it is difficult to diagnose between IPMN and MCN.
An insulinoma presenting as hypoglycaemia associated with exercise stress testing
Authors: Lainis Fredolin , Fahy Eoin , Murphy Matthew
Published: February 2013

A 68-year-old man presented to the accident and emergency department with a history of central chest pain associated with exertion. He was admitted for assessment and when an acute coronary syndrome was excluded, he underwent exercise stress testing. His exercise stress testing was discontinued due to lightheadedness. His capillary glucose was checked and it showed hypoglycaemia (2.2 mmol/l). In light of this, a 72 h supervised fast was performed and it became positive within 24 h with low plasma glucose, inappropriately high insulin and C peptide levels. Sulfonylurea screen was negative. CT, MRI and endoscopic ultrasound revealed a 2 cm pancreatic tail insulinoma. He underwent successful surgical enucleation of this lesion.
Characterization of tetracycline resistance genes in Escherichia coli isolated from feedlot cattle administered therapeutic or subtherapeutic levels of tetracycline
Authors: Alexander T.W. , Jin X. , Li Q. , Cook S. , McAllister T.A.
Published: February 2013

The effect of administering feedlot cattle subtherapeutic levels of chlortetracycline (CT) or CT and therapeutic levels of oxytetracycline (CT-OX) on resistance genotypes in Escherichia coli was investigated. Detection of genes tet(A), tet(B), and tet(C) encoded by tetracycline-resistant isolates (CT, N = 77; CT-OX, N = 99) was performed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Prevalence of tet(A) was similar in isolates across treatment regimes; however, prevalence of tet(B) was lower (18% versus 34%; P < 0.05) and tet(C) was higher (46% versus 28%; P < 0.05) in CT isolates compared with CT-OX isolates. To further characterize selection of resistance genotypes in E. coli, a group of intermediately tetracycline-resistant E. coli (N = 48) was analyzed. The tet(C) gene was present in 92% of these isolates. Copies of tet(C) transcripts, analyzed by real-time PCR, indicated that upregulation did not occur in tetracycline-resistant isolates when compared with intermediately resistant isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of tetracycline, chlortetracycline, and oxytetracycline were also tested on isolates with different resistance genes. The minimum inhibitory concentration was dependent on the tetracycline analogue and the nature of encoded resistance. These data indicate that tetracycline analogues should not be used interchangeably to evaluate resistance and that prevalence of resistance genes in E. coli can vary according to the tetracycline analogue administered to cattle.
Acoustics of the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) (Curculionidae, Scolytinae): sonic, ultrasonic, and vibration characteristics
Authors: Fleming A.J. , Lindeman A.A. , Carroll A.L. , Yack J.E.
Published: February 2013

Acoustic signaling is widespread in bark beetles (Scolytinae), although little is known about the physical characteristics of signals, how they are transmitted, and how they differ among behavioural contexts. Signals were studied in the male mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, 1902) during stress, male–female, and male–male interactions. Sounds are broadband with significant energy in the ultrasound (peaks between 15 and 26 kHz) and low amplitude (55 and 47 dB SPL at 2 and 4 cm, respectively), indicating that signaling functions at close range. Signal trains vary among contexts primarily in the proportions of chirp types. Chirps were categorized as being simple or interrupted, with the former having significantly lower tooth strike rates and shorter chirp durations. Stress chirps are predominantly simple with characteristics resembling other insect disturbance signals. Male–female interactions begin with the male producing predominantly interrupted chirps prior to gallery entrance, followed by simple chirps. Male–male (rivalry) chirps are predominantly simple, with evidence of antiphonal calling. Substrate-borne vibrations were detectable with a laser-doppler vibrometer at short distances (1–3 cm), suggesting that sensory organs could be tuned to either air or substrate-borne vibrations. These results have important implications for future research on the function and reception of acoustic signals in bark beetles.
A FAST STRAIGHT-SKELETON ALGORITHM BASED ON GENERALIZED MOTORCYCLE GRAPHS
Authors: HUBER STEFAN , HELD MARTIN
Published: February 2013

This paper deals with the fast computation of straight skeletons of planar straight-line graphs (PSLGs) at an industrial-strength level. We discuss both the theoretical foundations of our algorithm and the engineering aspects of our implementation Bone. Our investigation starts with an analysis of the triangulation-based algorithm by Aichholzer and Aurenhammer and we prove the existence of flip-event-free Steiner triangulations. This result motivates a careful generalization of motorcycle graphs such that their intimate geometric connection to straight skeletons is maintained. Based on the generalized motorcycle graph, we devise a non-procedural characterization of straight skeletons of PSLGs and we discuss how to obtain a discretized version of a straight skeleton by means of graphics rendering. Most importantly, this generalization allows us to present a fast and easy-to-implement straight-skeleton algorithm.

We implemented our algorithm in C++ based on floating-point arithmetic. Extensive benchmarks with our code Bone demonstrate an [Formula: see text] time complexity and [Formula: see text] memory footprint on 22 300 datasets of diverse characteristics. This is a linear factor better than the implementation provided by CGAL 4.0, which shows an [Formula: see text] time complexity and an [Formula: see text] memory footprint; the CGAL code has been the only fully-functional straight-skeleton code so far. In particular, on datasets with ten thousand vertices, Bone requires about 0.2–0.6 seconds instead of 4–7 minutes consumed by the CGAL code, and Bone uses only 20 MB heap memory instead of several gigabytes. We conclude our paper with a discussion of the engineering aspects and principles that make Bone reliable enough to compute the straight skeleton of datasets comprising a few million vertices on a desktop computer.
PRIMARY REPAIR OF ZONE I FLEXOR TENDON INJURIES
Authors: Bidwai A. S. C , Feldberg L.
Published: February 2013

Eighty-two patients who were treated by suture repair for Zone I flexor tendon injuries over a ten-year period were identified, to determine the incidence of post-operative surgical complications and subsequent re-operations.

Eighty-five percent of patients completed 12 weeks follow-up post-surgery. Of these patients almost all had good to excellent outcome in terms of total active movement (TAM). However when assessing the range of motion at the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ), only 23% could be classified as having good or excellent results at final follow-up. A total of six patients (7.32%) required surgery for tendon repair complications.

This study illustrates that DIPJ ROM is more indicative of functional recovery after tendon repair in flexor Zone I. Given the DIPJ is important in providing a fine pinch and a span pinch grip movements, patients should be counselled for inability to perform these functions post-tendon repair.
NON-SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF AN AVULSION FRACTURE INJURY OF EXTENSOR CARPI RADIALIS BREVIS
Authors: Ghani Yaser , Sharma Pundrique R. , Grant Ian
Published: February 2013

Avulsion fractures at the base of the index finger or long finger metacarpals are rare. We found six cases in the English language of a similar injury involving the extensor carpi radialis brevis. All were treated surgically. We describe an isolated avulsion fracture injury of extensor carpi radialis brevis insertion treated satisfactorily without surgery. The patient healed uneventfully and returned to normal pain free activity.
OPTICAL SOLITON PERTURBATION IN NANOFIBERS WITH IMPROVED NONLINEAR SCHRÖDINGER'S EQUATION BY SEMI-INVERSE VARIATIONAL PRINCIPLE
Authors: BISWAS ANJAN , MILOVIC DANIELA , SAVESCU MICHELLE , MAHMOOD MOHAMMAD F. , KHAN KAISAR R. , KOHL RUSSELL
Published: February 2013

This paper studies the perturbation of the improved version of the nonlinear Schrödinger's equation that governs the propagation of solitons through nonlinear optical fibers. The semi-inverse variational principle is employed in order to obtain an analytical soliton solution in presence of the perturbation terms. There are three types of nonlinearity that will be studied. They are Kerr law, power law and the log law. The constraint conditions will naturally fall out in order for the soliton solutions to exist. The numerical simulations supplement the analytical results for each of the three laws of nonlinearity.
Axial coordination of zinc and silicon phthalocyanines to silver and gold nanoparticles: an investigation of their photophysicochemical and antimicrobial behavior
Authors: Masilela Nkosiphile , Antunes Edith , Nyokong Tebello
Published: February 2013

This work reports on the axial coordination of zinc phthalocyanine and bis-(1,6-hexanedithiol) silicon phthalocyanine to silver and gold nanoparticles. Red shifting of absorption spectra of the phthalocyanine complexes was observed after conjugation with the nanoparticles. An improvement in the photophysicochemical behavior and antimicrobial activity was achieved in the presence of metal nanoparticles for both complexes. A decrease in triplet lifetimes was observed for all the phthalocyanine metal nanoparticle conjugates. The Zn phthalocyanine complex gave the highest triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yield in the presence of gold nanoparticles. On the other hand, the bacterial inhibition was found to be best for the Si phthalocyanine derivative in the presence of nanoparticles compared to the Zn phthalocyanine counterpart. The highest antimicrobial activity was achieved for both conjugates against B. subtilis compared to S. aureaus both in the dark and under illumination with light.
FIXED POINT THEOREMS IN NON-ARCHIMEDEAN MENGER PM-SPACES USING COMMON PROPERTY (E.A)
Authors: Chauhan Sunny , Kumar Suneel
Published: February 2013

In this paper, we prove common fixed point theorems for weakly compatible mappings in Non-Archimedean Menger PM-spaces employing common property (E.A). Some examples are derived which demonstrate the validity of our results. As an application to our main result, we present a fixed point theorem for four finite families of self mappings. Our results improve and extend several existing results in the literature.
MAL'CEV–NEUMANN SERIES OVER ZIP AND WEAK ZIP RINGS
Authors: Salem R. M. , Hassanein A. M. , Farahat M. A.
Published: February 2013

In this paper we show that: if G is a totally ordered group and R is a G-Armendariz ring (an NI ring with nil (R) is nilpotent), then the ring Λ = R((G; σ; τ)) of Mal'cev–Neumann series is a right zip (weak zip) ring if and only if R is.
BOUNDS FOR THE DIMENSION OF THE SCHUR MULTIPLIER OF A PAIR OF NILPOTENT LIE ALGEBRAS
Authors: Salemkar Ali Reza , Niri Somaieh Alizadeh
Published: February 2013

Let (L, N) be a pair of finite-dimensional nilpotent Lie algebras, in which N is an ideal in L. In this paper we derive some inequalities for the dimension of the Schur multiplier of the pair (L, N) in terms of the dimension of the commutator subalgebra [L, N].
PARTIAL GROUP ACTIONS ON SEMIALGEBRAS
Authors: Sharma Ram Parkash , Anu  , Singh Nirmal
Published: February 2013

For defining a K-semialgebra A, we use Katsov's tensor product which makes the category K-Smod monoidal. Further, if A is a K-semialgebra then AΔ is a KΔ-algebra and A embeds in AΔ. The subtractive and strong partial actions of a group are defined on A. A subtractive partial action α of a group G on A can be extended to a partial action of G on AΔ which helps in globalization of α. A strong partial action on A has a unique subtractive globalization. We also discuss the associativity of the skew group semiring A ×α G.
Drying of MalaysianCapsicum annuumL. (Red Chili) Dried by Open and Solar Drying
Authors: Fudholi Ahmad , Othman Mohd Yusof , Ruslan Mohd Hafidz , Sopian Kamaruzzaman
Published: February 2013

This study evaluated the performance of solar drying in the Malaysian red chili (Capsicum annuumL.). Red chilies were dried down from approximately 80% (wb) to 10% (wb) moisture content within 33 h. The drying process was conducted during the day, and it was compared with 65 h of open sun drying. Solar drying yielded a 49% saving in drying time compared with open sun drying. At the average solar radiation of 420 W/m2and air flow rate of 0.07 kg/s, the collector, drying system, and pickup demonstrated efficiency rates of approximately 28%, 13%, and 45%, respectively. Evaporative capacity ranged from 0.13 to 2.36 kg/h, with an average of 0.97 kg/h. The specific moisture extraction rate (SMER) of 0.19 kg/kWh was obtained. Moreover, the drying kinetics ofC. annuumL. were investigated. A nonlinear regression procedure was used to fit three drying models. These models were compared with experimental data on red chilies dried by open sun drying and those dried by solar drying. The fit quality of the models was evaluated using their coefficient of determination (R2), mean bias error, and root-mean-square error values. The Page model resulted in the highestR2and the lowest mean bias and root-mean-square errors.
Managing the Combination of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Syndrome with Chinese Herbal Extracts in High-Fat-Diet Fed Rats
Authors: Tan Yi , Lao Weiguo , Xiao Linda , Wang Zhenzhong , Xiao Wei , Kamal Mohamed A. , Seale J. Paul , Qu Xianqin
Published: February 2013

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of Chinese herbal extracts fromSalvia miltiorrhizaandGardenia jasminoides(SGE) on the combination of NAFLD and MetS induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in rats. After 6 weeks of HFD feeding, rats (n=10each group) were treated with saline, rosiglitazone (RSG), and SGE for 4 weeks. HFD rats were obese, hyperinsulinemic, hyperlipidemic and increased hepatic enzymes with the histological images of NAFLD. Treatment with SGE significantly reduced serum triglycerides (TG), nonesterified fatty acids and enhanced insulin sensitivity, and ameliorated the elevated serum hepatic enzymes compared with HFD-saline group. SGE treatment also attenuated hepatic TG by 18.5% (P<0.05). Histological stains showed SGE decreased lipids droplets in hepatocytes (P<0.05) and normalized macrovesicular steatosis in HFD rats. Significant reduction of TNF-αand IL6 in adipose tissue was detected in SGE treated rats. The anti-inflammatory action may be, at least in part, the mechanism of SGE on MetS associated with NAFLD. This study discovered that SGE is capable of managing metabolic and histological abnormalities of NAFLD and MetS. SGE may be an optimal treatment for the combination of NAFLD and MetS.
Heparin and Carboxymethylchitosan Metal Nanoparticles: An Evaluation of Their Cytotoxicity
Authors: Bava Adriana , Cappellini Francesca , Pedretti Elisa , Rossi Federica , Caruso Enrico , Vismara Elena , Chiriva-Internati Maurizio , Bernardini Giovanni , Gornati Rosalba
Published: February 2013

In the search for noninvasive diagnostic techniques and new therapies, “nanosystems”, which are capable of binding and targeting bioactive molecules, are becoming increasingly important. In this context, biocompatible coatings are gaining interest, not only for their biological effects but also because they are considered capable to mask nanoparticle toxicity. In this work, we have compared the toxicity of nanoparticles coated with heparin and carboxymethylchitosan in the SKOV-3 cell line. Our results indicate that heparin and carboxymethylchitosan coatings do not guarantee the decrease of nanoparticle intrinsic toxicity which is often envisaged. Nonetheless, these coatings provide the opportunity for further functionalization with a variety of biomolecules for their use in theranostics.
Sequential Failure Analysis Using Novel Algorithms in Sequence Determination of Petri Nets Firing
Authors: Doostparast Torshizi Abolfazl , Parvizian Jamshid , Tooyserkani Farshad
Published: February 2013

Failure occurrence in industrial systems can be a result of a sequence of failures leading to a total system failure. Up to now, several methods to determine failure sequences and to calculate probability of such failures have been proposed. These methods primarily focus on modeling aspects of the problem and do not present a certain framework to determine potential failure sequences. In this paper, a novel approach based on Petri net modeling of the systems is proposed and several heuristic algorithms are developed. Determination of potential failures in sample industrial problems and comparing the results with other existing methods demonstrates that the presented algorithms are much more efficient in dealing with complex Petri net models while existing methods are not capable of handling such complicated models.
Exponential Stability of Impulsive Delay Differential Equations
Authors: Zhang G. L. , Song M. H. , Liu M. Z.
Published: February 2013

The main objective of this paper is to further investigate the exponential stability of a class of impulsive delay differential equations. Several new criteria for the exponential stability are analytically established based on Razumikhin techniques. Some sufficient conditions, under which a class of linear impulsive delay differential equations are exponentially stable, are also given. An Euler method is applied to this kind of equations and it is shown that the exponential stability is preserved by the numerical process.
Characterization and Mechanisms of Action of Novel Na
V
1.5 Channel Mutations Associated With Brugada Syndrome
Authors: Calloe Kirstine , Refaat Marwan M. , Grubb Soren , Wojciak Julianne , Campagna Joan , Thomsen Nancy Mutsaers , Nussbaum Robert L. , Scheinman Melvin M. , Schmitt Nicole
Published: February 2013

Background—

Brugada syndrome is a heterogeneous heart rhythm disorder characterized by an atypical right bundle block pattern with ST-segment elevation and T-wave inversion in the right precordial leads. Loss-of-function mutations in
SCN5A
encoding the cardiac sodium channel Na
V
1.5 are associated with Brugada syndrome. We found novel mutations in
SCN5A
in 2 different families diagnosed with Brugada syndrome and investigated how those affected Na
V
1.5 channel function.

Methods and Results—

We performed genetic testing of the probands’ genomic DNA. After site-directed mutagenesis and transfection, whole-cell currents were recorded for Na
V
1.5 wild type and mutants heterologously expressed in Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells. Proband 1 had two novel Na
V
1.5 mutations: Na
V
1.5-R811H and Na
V
1.5-R620H. The Na
V
1.5-R811H mutation showed a significant loss of function in peak Na
+
current density and alteration of biophysical kinetic parameters (inactivation and recovery from inactivation), whereas Na
V
1.5-R620H had no significant effect on the current. Proband 2 had a novel Na
V
1.5-S1218I mutation. Na
V
1.5-S1218I had complete loss of function, and 1:1 expression of Na
V
1.5-wild type and Na
V
1.5-S1218I mimicking the heterozygous state revealed a 50% reduction in current compared with wild type, suggesting a functional haploinsufficiency in the patient.

Conclusions—

Na
V
1.5-S1218I and R811H are novel loss-of-function mutations in the
SCN5A
gene causing Brugada syndrome.