bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Y2 receptors in the regulation of gastric tone in rats
Authors: Janssen P. , Verschueren S. , Rotondo A. , Tack J.
Published: January 2012

We set out to determine the effect of peptide YY3–36 (PYY3–36) on the gastric muscle tone in conscious rats by measuring intragastric pressure (IGP) during intragastric nutrient drink infusion. After an overnight fast, a chronically implanted gastric fistula was connected to a custom-made nutrient drink infusion system and a catheter to measure IGP. IGP was measured before and during the infusion of a nutrient drink (Nutridrink; 0.5 ml/min) until 10 ml was infused. Rats were treated with PYY3–36 (0, 33, and 100 pmol·kg−1·min−1) in combination with a subcutaneous injection of the Y2 receptor antagonists JNJ31020028 (10 mg/kg) or BIIE0246 (2 mg/kg). Experiments were also performed after subdiaphragmatic vagotomy and after pretreatment with 3 ml of nutrient drink (to mimic a fed state). IGP was compared as the average IGP during nutrient infusion, represented as means ± SE and compared using ANOVA. PYY3–36 dose dependently increased the IGP during nutrient infusion (4.7 ± 0.3, 5.7 ± 0.5 and 7.3 ± 0.7 mmHg; P < 0.01) while JNJ31020028 and BIIE0246 could block this increase [4.4 ± 0.5 ( P < 0.001) and 4.8 ± 0.4 ( P < 0.05) mmHg, respectively]. Also in vagotomized rats, PYY3–36 was able to significantly increase the IGP during, an effect attenuated by JNJ31020028. BIIE0246 and JNJ31020028 were not able to decrease the IGP when no PYY3–36 was administered. PYY3–36 increased gastric tone through an Y2 receptor-mediated mechanism that does not involve the vagus nerve. Y2 receptor antagonists were not able to decrease gastric tone without exogenous administration of PYY3–36, indicating that Y2 receptors do not play a crucial role in the determination of gastric tone in physiological conditions.
In vivo two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy reveals cardiac- and respiration-dependent pulsatile blood flow in cortical blood vessels in mice
Authors: Santisakultarm Thom P. , Cornelius Nathan R. , Nishimura Nozomi , Schafer Andrew I. , Silver Richard T. , Doerschuk Peter C. , Olbricht William L. , Schaffer Chris B.
Published: January 2012

Subtle alterations in cerebral blood flow can impact the health and function of brain cells and are linked to cognitive decline and dementia. To understand hemodynamics in the three-dimensional vascular network of the cerebral cortex, we applied two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy to measure the motion of red blood cells (RBCs) in individual microvessels throughout the vascular hierarchy in anesthetized mice. To resolve heartbeat- and respiration-dependent flow dynamics, we simultaneously recorded the electrocardiogram and respiratory waveform. We found that centerline RBC speed decreased with decreasing vessel diameter in arterioles, slowed further through the capillary bed, and then increased with increasing vessel diameter in venules. RBC flow was pulsatile in nearly all cortical vessels, including capillaries and venules. Heartbeat-induced speed modulation decreased through the vascular network, while the delay between heartbeat and the time of maximum speed increased. Capillary tube hematocrit was 0.21 and did not vary with centerline RBC speed or topological position. Spatial RBC flow profiles in surface vessels were blunted compared with a parabola and could be measured at vascular junctions. Finally, we observed a transient decrease in RBC speed in surface vessels before inspiration. In conclusion, we developed an approach to study detailed characteristics of RBC flow in the three-dimensional cortical vasculature, including quantification of fluctuations in centerline RBC speed due to cardiac and respiratory rhythms and flow profile measurements. These methods and the quantitative data on basal cerebral hemodynamics open the door to studies of the normal and diseased-state cerebral microcirculation.
Intramural optical mapping of Vm and Cai2+ during long-duration ventricular fibrillation in canine hearts
Authors: Kong Wei , Ideker Raymond E. , Fast Vladimir G.
Published: January 2012

Intramural gradients of intracellular Ca2+ (Cai2+) Cai2+ handling, Cai2+ oscillations, and Cai2+ transient (CaT) alternans may be important in long-duration ventricular fibrillation (LDVF). However, previous studies of Cai2+ handling have been limited to recordings from the heart surface during short-duration ventricular fibrillation. To examine whether abnormalities of intramural Cai2+ handling contribute to LDVF, we measured membrane voltage ( Vm) and Cai2+ during pacing and LDVF in six perfused canine hearts using five eight-fiber optrodes. Measurements were grouped into epicardial, midwall, and endocardial layers. We found that during pacing at 350-ms cycle length, CaT duration was slightly longer (by ≃10%) in endocardial layers than in epicardial layers, whereas action potential duration (APD) exhibited no difference. Rapid pacing at 150-ms cycle length caused alternans in both APD (APD-ALT) and CaT amplitude (CaA-ALT) without significant transmural differences. For 93% of optrode recordings, CaA-ALT was transmurally concordant, whereas APD-ALT was either concordant (36%) or discordant (54%), suggesting that APD-ALT was not caused by CaA-ALT. During LDVF, Vm and Cai2+ progressively desynchronized when not every action potential was followed by a CaT. Such desynchronization developed faster in the epicardium than in the other layers. In addition, CaT duration strongly increased (by ∼240% at 5 min of LDVF), whereas APD shortened (by ∼17%). CaT rises always followed Vm upstrokes during pacing and LDVF. In conclusion, the fact that Vm upstrokes always preceded CaTs indicates that spontaneous Cai2+ oscillations in the working myocardium were not likely the reason for LDVF maintenance. Strong Vm-Cai2+ desynchronization and the occurrence of long CaTs during LDVF indicate severely impaired Cai2+ handling and may potentially contribute to LDVF maintenance.
Hydrogen peroxide enhances the expression of Giα proteins in aortic vascular smooth cells: role of growth factor receptor transactivation
Authors: Mbong Nathan , Anand-Srivastava Madhu B.
Published: January 2012

Oxidative stress has been shown to increase the expression of Giα proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from spontaneously hypertensive rats. The present study was undertaken to examine if H2O2, which induces oxidative stress, could also enhance the expression of Giα proteins in VSMC and to further explore the underlying signaling pathways responsible for this response. Treatment of VSMC with H2O2increased the expression of Giα proteins and not of Gsα protein in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. A maximal increase of ∼40–50% was observed at 100 μM and 1 h and was restored to control levels by AG1295 and AG1478, inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R), respectively, and PD98059 and U126, inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), and wortmannin and AKT inhibitor VIII, inhibitors of PKB/AKT, respectively. In addition, H2O2also increased the phosphorylation of EGF-R, PDGF-R, ERK1/2, and AKT, which was attenuated by the respective inhibitors, whereas the inhibitors of EGF-R and PDGE-R also inhibited the enhanced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT. Furthermore, transfection of cells with short interfering RNA of EGF-R and PDGF-R restored the H2O2-induced enhanced expression of Giα proteins to control levels. The increased expression of Giα proteins was reflected in enhanced Gifunctions as demonstrated by enhanced inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by inhibitory hormones and forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by a low concentration of GTPγS, whereas Gsα-mediated stimulations of AC were significantly decreased. Furthermore, H2O2-induced enhanced proliferation of VSMC was attenuated by dibutyryl-cAMP. These results suggest that H2O2increases the expression of Giα proteins in VSMC through the transactivation of EGF-R/PDGF-R and ERK1/2 and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase signaling pathways.
Biphasic modulation of the mitochondrial electron transport chain in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion
Authors: Lee Hsin-Ling , Chen Chwen-Lih , Yeh Steve T. , Zweier Jay L. , Chen Yeong-Renn
Published: January 2012

Mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the major source of reactive oxygen species during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Ischemic defect and reperfusion-induced injury to ETC are critical in the disease pathogenesis of postischemic heart. The properties of ETC were investigated in an isolated heart model of global I/R. Rat hearts were subjected to ischemia for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 1 h. Studies of mitochondrial function indicated a biphasic modulation of electron transfer activity (ETA) and ETC protein expression during I/R. Analysis of ETAs in the isolated mitochondria indicated that complexes I, II, III, and IV activities were diminished after 30 min of ischemia but increased upon restoration of flow. Immunoblotting analysis and ultrastructural analysis with transmission electron microscopy further revealed marked downregulation of ETC in the ischemic heart and then upregulation of ETC upon reperfusion. No significant difference in the mRNA expression level of ETC was detected between ischemic and postischemic hearts. However, reperfusion-induced ETC biosynthesis in myocardium can be inhibited by cycloheximide, indicating the involvement of translational control. Immunoblotting analysis of tissue homogenates revealed a similar profile in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α expression, suggesting its essential role as an upstream regulator in controlling ETC biosynthesis during I/R. Significant impairment caused by ischemic and postischemic injury was observed in the complexes I- III. Analysis of NADH ferricyanide reductase activity indicated that injury of flavoprotein subcomplex accounts for 50% decline of intact complex I activity from ischemic heart. Taken together, our findings provide a new insight into the molecular mechanism of I/R-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.
MK2 posttranscriptionally regulates TNF-α-induced expression of ICAM-1 and IL-8 via tristetraprolin in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Shi Jia-Xin , Su Xin , Xu Jin , Zhang Wei-Yun , Shi Yi
Published: January 2012

Tristetraprolin (TTP), a substrate of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2), is an RNA-binding protein that binds to AU-rich elements (AREs) in the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of its target mRNAs and accelerates mRNA degradation. A previous study by our group showed that MK2 regulates tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in human lung microvascular endothelial cells; however, the downstream protein of MK2 remains unknown. Interestingly, both ICAM-1 and IL-8 have AREs in the 3′-UTR of their mRNAs. In the present study, we performed experiments to determine whether MK2 regulates TNF-α-induced expression of ICAM-1 and IL-8 via TTP in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs). The study revealed that MK2 silencing significantly reduced the half-lives of ICAM-1 and IL-8 mRNAs in TNF-α-stimulated HPMECs. TTP phosphorylation levels were decreased in MK2-silenced cells. TTP silencing led to mRNA stabilization of ICAM-1 and IL-8 and upregulation of protein production following TNF-α stimulation. These results, together with our previous study and others, suggest that MK2, in HPMECs, regulates TNF-α-induced expression of ICAM-1 and IL-8 via TTP at the mRNA decay level.
Inferring Biological Mechanisms by Data-Based Mathematical Modelling: Compartment-Specific Gene Activation during Sporulation inBacillus subtilisas a Test Case
Authors: Iber Dagmar
Published: January 2012

Biological functionality arises from the complex interactions of simple components. Emerging behaviour is difficult to recognize with verbal models alone, and mathematical approaches are important. Even few interacting components can give rise to a wide range of different responses, that is, sustained, transient, oscillatory, switch-like responses, depending on the values of the model parameters. A quantitative comparison of model predictions and experiments is therefore important to distinguish between competing hypotheses and to judge whether a certain regulatory behaviour is at all possible and plausible given the observed type and strengths of interactions and the speed of reactions. Here I will review a detailed model for the transcription factor , a regulator of cell differentiation during sporulation inBacillus subtilis. I will focus in particular on the type of conclusions that can be drawn from detailed, carefully validated models of biological signaling networks. For most systems, such detailed experimental information is currently not available, but accumulating biochemical data through technical advances are likely to enable the detailed modelling of an increasing number of pathways. A major challenge will be the linking of such detailed models and their integration into a multiscale framework to enable their analysis in a larger biological context.
Gravity and Large Extra Dimensions
Authors: Satheeshkumar V. H. , Suresh P. K.
Published: January 2012

The idea that quantum gravity can be realized at the TeV scale is extremely attractive to theorists and experimentalists alike. This proposal leads to extra spacial dimensions large compared to the Planck scale. Here, we give a very systematic view of the foundations of the theories with large extra dimensions and their physical consequences.
Galileo's Problem with PRS or What's in a Phase?
Authors: Hodgart M. Stephen
Published: January 2012

The upcoming Galileo global navigation satellite system has a design problem with the cosine-phased BOCc(15, 2.5) modulation of its Public Regulated Service (PRS A-code). This signal needs far more bandwidth than the available 40.92 MHz. The present signal and system specification cannot be expected to deliver design performance under practical operational conditions (noise, receiver phase distortion, and multipath). There would not have been this problem with sine-phased BOC(15, 2.5).
Combined Anterior Sclera Staphylectomy and Vitrectomy with Anterior Sclera Staphyloma and Vitreous Hemorrhage Occurring 38 Years after Cataract Surgery
Authors: Zheng Qinxiang , Wu Ronghan , Li Wensheng
Published: January 2012

Introduction. To report a case of anterior sclera staphyloma and vitreous hemorrhage occurring over 38 years after bilateral cataract surgery.Methods. A 58-year-old man presented with anterior sclera staphyloma and vitreous hemorrhage in the right eye, after bilateral cataract surgery, over 38 years ago. We performed combined anterior sclera staphylectomy and vitrectomy of right eye for anterior sclera staphyloma and vitreous hemorrhage.Results. Forty-eight months after the combined surgery, best-corrected visual acuity was 0.3 (+10.00/−4.50 × 60) with eutopic stitches of the corneoscleral junction on the superior nasal quadrant and a stable ocular surface.Conclusions. This is the first reported case of anterior sclera staphyloma with vitreous hemorrhage successfully managed by combined surgery.
Optical Coherence Tomography Findings of Retinal Folds in Nanophthalmos
Authors: Yalçındağ F. Nilüfer , Atilla Huban , Batıoğlu Figen
Published: January 2012

Aim. To report the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in three members of the same family with nanophthalmos associated with elevated papillomacular retinal fold.Methods. Complete ophthalmic examination as well as ultrasonography and OCT was performed in all patients.Results. Axial lengths ranged from 16.75 mm to 17.48 mm and refractive errors ranged from +17.50 D to +20.50 D. Main fundus findings were the hyperopic crowded, cupless optic disc, and retinal fold through papillomacular region. Macular OCT scans revealed retinal fold with normal retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris.Interpretation. It is presumed that the retinal folds in nanophthalmos result from a redundancy of the retinal layer caused by retarded growth of the scleral, choroidal, and retinal pigment epithelial layers. The anatomic information provided by the current study is consistent with this thesis.
Representation of Multiple Durations in Children and Adults
Authors: Carelli Maria Grazia , Forman Helen
Published: January 2012

Keeping track of durations of multiple event attributes with different onset and offset times is a challenging task for both children and adults. In this study, children between 5 and 15 years and young adults observed a puppet show in which three puppets appeared on the scene during overlapping intervals of 30 s to 90 s. At test, participants completed a conventional time estimation task and a timeline task in which they reconstructed the temporal pattern by drawing a timeline for each puppet. For all age groups, the timeline task produced more accurate duration judgments than the time estimation task. Preschoolers’ time estimation was at chance level, but their timeline performance was surprisingly good and age differences were eliminated in some task conditions. These findings suggest that the timeline procedure provides an efficient retrieval support for complex temporal events and that even preschool-aged children are able to represent multiple asynchronous durations, possibly by relying on relational event knowledge in combination with visuospatial retrieval support.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome and Weight Loss: Review
Authors: Cowan Douglas C. , Livingston Eric
Published: January 2012

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) syndrome is common, and obesity is a major risk factor. Increased peripharyngeal and central adiposity result in increased pharyngeal collapsibility, through increased mechanical loading around the upper airway, reduced tracheal traction on the pharynx, and reduced neuromuscular activity, particularly during sleep. Significant and sustained weight loss, if achieved, is likely to be a useful therapeutic option in the management of OSA and may be attempted by behavioural, pharmacological, and surgical approaches. Behavioural therapy programs that focus on aspects such as dietary intervention, exercise prescription patients and general lifestyle counselling have been tested. Bariatric surgery is an option in the severely obese when nonsurgical measures have failed, and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass are the most commonly employed techniques in the United Kingdom. Most evidence for efficacy of surgery comes from cohort studies. The role of sibutramine in OSA in the obese patients has been investigated, however, there are concerns regarding associated cardiovascular risk. In this paper the links between obesity and OSA are discussed, and the recent studies evaluating the behavioural, pharmacological and surgical approaches to weight loss in OSA are reviewed.
Fat Modulates the Relationship between Sarcopenia and Physical Function in Nonobese Older Adults
Authors: Marcus Robin L. , Brixner Diana I. , Ghate Sameer , LaStayo Paul
Published: January 2012

It is intuitive to think that sarcopenia should be associated with declines in physical function though recent evidence questions this assertion. This study investigated the relationship between absolute and relative sarcopenia, with physical performance in 202 nonobese (mean BMI=26.6 kg/ht2) community-dwelling older (mean age =73.8±5.9years) adults. While absolute sarcopenia (appendicular skeletal mass (ASM)/ht2) was either not associated, or weakly associated with physical performance, relative sarcopenia (ASM/kg) demonstrated moderate (r=0.31tor=0.51,P<0.01) relationships with performance outcomes in both males and females. Knee extension strength (r=0.27) and leg extension power (r=0.41) were both related to absolute sarcopenia (P<0.001) in females and not in males. Strength and power were associated with relative sarcopenia in both sexes (fromr=0.47tor=0.67, P<0.001). The ratio of lean mass to total body mass, that is, relative sarcopenia, is an important consideration relative to physical function in older adults even in the absence of obesity. Stratifying these individuals into equal tertiles of total body fat revealed a trend of diminished regression coefficients across each incrementally higher fat grouping for performance measures, providing further evidence that total body fat modulates the relationship between sarcopenia and physical function.
Time-Dependent Alterations in Rat Macrovessels with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Searls Yvonne , Smirnova Irina V. , VanHoose Lisa , Fegley Barbara , Loganathan Rajprasad , Stehno-Bittel Lisa
Published: January 2012

Vascular complications are associated with the progressive severity of diabetes, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. This study quantifies functional vascular parameters and macrovascular structure in a rat model of type 1 diabetes. While there was no difference in the systemic arterial elastance (Ea) with 50 days of diabetes, changes were noted in the aorta and femoral artery including increased tunica media extracellular matrix content, decreased width of both the media and individual smooth muscle cell layers, and increased incidence of damaged mitochondria. Extracellular matrix proteins and elastin levels were significantly greater in the aorta of diabetic animals. These differences correlated with diminished matrix metalloprotease activity in the aorta of the diabetic animals. In conclusion, diabetes significantly altered the structure and ultrastructure of the aorta and femoral artery before systemic changes in arterial elastance could be detected.
The Real and Complex Hermitian Solutions to a System of Quaternion Matrix Equations with Applications
Authors: Yu Shao-Wen
Published: January 2012

We establish necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of and the expressions for the general real and complex Hermitian solutions to the classical system of quaternion matrix equationsA1X=C1,XB1=C2, and  A3XA3*=C3. Moreover, formulas of the maximal and minimal ranks of four real matricesX1,X2,X3, andX4in solutionX=X1+X2i+X3j+X4kto the system mentioned above are derived. As applications, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the quaternion matrix equationsA1X=C1,XB1=C2,A3XA3*=C3, and  A4XA4*=C4to have real and complex Hermitian solutions.
Isothermal and Two-Temperature Zone Selenization of Mo Layers
Authors: Kaupmees L. , Altosaar M. , Volobujeva O. , Raadik T. , Grossberg M. , Danilson M. , Mellikov E. , Barvinschi P.
Published: January 2012

Glass/Mo, Mo foil, glass/Mo/In, and glass/Mo/Cu stacked layers were selenized in closed vacuum tubes by isothermal and/or two-temperature zone annealing in Se vapors. The selenization process was studied dependent on Se vapor pressure, temperature and time. Samples were selenized from 375 to 580°C for 30 and 60 minutes. The applied Se pressure was varied between 130 and4.4⋅103 Pa. The increase of MoSe2film thickness was found to depend on the origin of Mo. MoSe2thicknessdLon Mo-foil was much higher than on sputtered Mo layers, and it depended linearly on time and as a power functiondL~PSe1/2on Se vapor pressure. The residual oxygen content in the formed MoSe2layers was much lower in the two-zone selenization process. If Mo was covered with Cu or In before selenization, these were found to diffuse into formed MoSe2layer. All the MoSe2layers showedp-type conductivity.
B-Cell Response during Protozoan Parasite Infections
Authors: Amezcua Vesely María C. , Bermejo Daniela A. , Montes Carolina L. , Acosta-Rodríguez Eva V. , Gruppi Adriana
Published: January 2012

In this review, we discuss how protozoan parasites alter immature and mature B cell compartment. B1 and marginal zone (MZ) B cells, considered innate like B cells, are activated during protozoan parasite infections, and they generate short lived plasma cells providing a prompt antibody source. In addition, protozoan infections induce massive B cell response with polyclonal activation that leads to hypergammaglobulnemia with serum antibodies specific for the parasites and self and/or non related antigens. To protect themselves, the parasites have evolved unique ways to evade B cell immune responses inducing apoptosis of MZ and conventional mature B cells. As a consequence of the parasite induced-apoptosis, the early IgM response and an already establish humoral immunity are affected during the protozoan parasite infection. Moreover, some trypanosomatides trigger bone marrow immature B cell apoptosis, influencing the generation of new mature B cells. Simultaneously with their ability to release antibodies, B cells produce cytokines/quemokines that influence the characteristic of cellular immune response and consequently the progression of parasite infections.
Nanocrystalline Hydroxyapatite/Si Coating by Mechanical Alloying Technique
Authors: Hannora Ahmed E. , Mukasyan Alexander S. , Mansurov Zulkhair A.
Published: January 2012

A novel approach for depositing hydroxyapatite (HA) films on titanium substrates by using mechanical alloying (MA) technique has been developed. However, it was shown that one-hour heat treatment at 800°C of such mechanically coated HA layer leads to partial transformation of desired HA phase to beta-tri-calcium phosphate (β-TCP) phase. It appears that the grain boundary and interface defects formed during MA promote this transformation. It was discovered that doping HA by silicon results in hindering this phase transformation process. The Si-doped HA does not show phase transition toβ-TCP or decomposition after heat treatment even at 900°C.
The Prevalence of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviours Relative to Obesity among Adolescents from Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia: Rural versus Urban Variations
Authors: Al-Nuaim Anwar A. , Al-Nakeeb Yahya , Lyons Mark , Al-Hazzaa Hazzaa M. , Nevill Alan , Collins Peter , Duncan Michael J.
Published: January 2012

Purpose. The aims of this study were to explore the lifestyle of young people living in Al-Ahsa Governorate; to investigate differences due to gender, age, school type, and geographical location.Methods. 1270 volunteered youth (15–19 years) completed a self-report questionnaire that contained 47 items relating to patterns of physical activity (PA), sedentary activity, and eating habits. The questionnaire allows the calculation of total energy expenditure in metabolic equivalent (MET-min) values per week.Results. Significant differences in the PA levels of youth were evident with regard to gender, geographical areas, and type of school. Also, normal weight males reported the highest levels of PA compared to overweight and obese.Conclusions. Youth living in rural desert were less physically active than those living in urban or rural farm environments. Youth of “normal” weight were more active than obese. Males were more active than females and PA levels appeared to decline with age.
Bilateral Facial Nerve Palsy: A Diagnostic Dilemma
Authors: Pothiawala Sohil , Lateef Fatimah
Published: January 2012

Introduction. Bilateral facial nerve palsy (FNP) is a rare condition, representing less than 2% of all cases of FNP. Majority of these patients have underlying medical conditions, ranging from neurologic, infectious, neoplastic, traumatic, or metabolic disorders.Objective. The differential diagnosis of its causes is extensive and hence can present as a diagnostic challenge. Emergency physicians should be aware of these various diagnostic possibilities, some of which are potentially fatal.Case Report. We report a case of a 43-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with sequential bilateral facial nerve paralysis which could not be attributed to any particular etiology and, hence, presented a diagnostic dilemma.Conclusion. We reinforce the importance of considering the range of differential diagnosis in all cases presenting with bilateral FNP. These patients warrant admission and prompt laboratory and radiological investigation for evaluation of the underlying cause and specific further management as relevant.
A Simple Effective Flaw Model on Analyzing the Nanofiller Agglomeration Effect of Nanocomposite Materials
Authors: Krishnan Arun , Xu L. Roy
Published: January 2012

A special mechanics/material phenomenon involving nanocomposites is the agglomeration of nanofillers at high volume fractions of nanofillers. Numerous experimental investigations on nanocomposites have indicated a significant decrease in mechanical properties, due to the agglomeration of nanofillers. This paper describes a simple effective flaw model to correlate the local mechanical behavior of agglomerated nanoparticles with the change in global strengths of nanocomposites. The estimated bending strength reduction from our model is shown to be similar to experimental results reported by previous researchers. These results can be used as a guide for future nanocomposite design and development. Future nanomaterial manufacturing should be focused on eliminating the largest agglomerates, rather than limiting the nanofiller volume fraction. Meanwhile, by reducing the nanofiller agglomerate size, we expect that a high critical nanofiller volume fraction could be obtained to delay the mechanical property reduction.
Designing Tangible User Interfaces for NFC Phones
Authors: Pyykkönen Mikko , Riekki Jukka , Alakärppä Ismo , Sanchez Ivan , Cortes Marta , Saukkonen Sonja
Published: January 2012

The increasing amount of NFC phones is attracting application developers to utilize NFC functionality. We can hence soon expect a large amount of mobile applications that users command by touching NFC tags in their environment with their NFC phones. The communication technology and the data formats have been standardized by the NFC Forum, but there are no conventions for advertising to the users NFC tags and the functionality touching the tags triggers. Only individual graphical symbols have been suggested when guidelines for advertising a rich variety of functionality are called for. In this paper, we identify the main challenges and present our proposal, a set of design guidelines based on more than twenty application prototypes we have built. We hope to initiate discussion and research resulting in uniform user interfaces for NFC-based services.
Synthesis of Carbon Nanocapsules and Nanotubes Using Fe-Doped Fullerene Nanowhiskers
Authors: Kizuka Tokushi , Miyazawa Kun'ichi , Matsuura Daisuke
Published: January 2012

We synthesized iron-(Fe-)doped C60nanowhiskers (NWs) by applying the liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method that employs a C60-saturated toluene solution and a solution of 2-propanol containing ferric nitrate nonahydrate (Fe(NO3)3⋅9H2O). Fe particles of 3–7 nm in diameter were precipitated in the NWs. By heating at 1173 K, the NWs were transformed into hollow and Fe3C-encapsulated carbon nanocapsules and carbon nanotubes.
Immunopathological Roles of Cytokines, Chemokines, Signaling Molecules, and Pattern-Recognition Receptors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Yu Shui-Lian , Kuan Woon-Pang , Wong Chun-Kwok , Li Edmund K. , Tam Lai-Shan
Published: January 2012

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with unknown etiology affecting more than one million individuals each year. It is characterized by B- and T-cell hyperactivity and by defects in the clearance of apoptotic cells and immune complexes. Understanding the complex process involved and the interaction between various cytokines, chemokines, signaling molecules, and pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) in the immune pathways will provide valuable information on the development of novel therapeutic targets for treating SLE. In this paper, we review the immunopathological roles of novel cytokines, chemokines, signaling molecules, PRRs, and their interactions in immunoregulatory networks and suggest how their disturbances may implicate pathological conditions in SLE.
Classification, Natural History, and Evolution of Tarsosteninae (Coleoptera: Cleridae)—Part I: Generic Composition of the Subfamily and Key and Phylogeny of Genera
Authors: Opitz Weston
Published: January 2012

Four new genera and one new species of the subfamily Tarsosteninae (Coleoptera: Cleridae) are described. The new genera are:AgapetilusOpitz, gen. nov.,FallopylusOpitz, gen., nov,GloboclavaOpitz, gen. nov., andPseudopylusOpitz, gen. nov. The new species involvesAgapetilus vietusOpitz. sp. nov.LiostylusFairmaire is synonymized withRhophaloclerusFairmaire. New combinations,Fallopylus pallipes(MacLeay, 1872), comb. nov.,Globoclava quadrimaculata(Chevrolat, 1876), comb. nov.,Parapylus sedlaceki(Kolibáč, 2003), comb. nov.,Pseudopylus okei(Elston, 1929), comb. nov., andRhophaloclerus pictus(Fairmaire, 1902), comb. nov., are established. A key and phylogeny of the genera of Tarsosteninae is provided.
Inverse Projective Synchronization between Two Different Hyperchaotic Systems with Fractional Order
Authors: Chai Yi , Chen Liping , Wu Ranchao
Published: January 2012

This paper mainly investigates a novel inverse projective synchronization between two different fractional‐order hyperchaotic systems, that is, the fractional‐order hyperchaotic Lorenz system and the fractional‐order hyperchaotic Chen system. By using the stability theory of fractional‐order differential equations and Lyapunov equations for fractional‐order systems, two kinds of suitable controllers for achieving inverse projective synchronization are designed, in which the generalized synchronization, antisynchronization, and projective synchronization of fractional‐order hyperchaotic Lorenz system and fractional‐order hyperchaotic Chen system are also successfully achieved, respectively. Finally, simulations are presented to demonstrate the validity and feasibility of the proposed method.
Fabrication of Simple and Ring-Type Piezo Actuators and Their Characterization
Authors: Sahoo B. , Panda P. K.
Published: January 2012

A piezo multilayered stack of height 10 mm is fabricated using 80 μm thick PZT tapes prepared by tape-casting technique. About 120 layers of thin tapes are dried, screen-printed with Pt-electrode paste, stacked, laminated, and then isopressed to obtain a green multilayered stack. Cofiring of the stack is carried out at C for 1 h with very slow heating rate ( per 1 h). The sintered stack is poled at 2 kV per mm in hot (C) silicone oil bath for 45 minutes, and free displacement and block force were characterized. The actuator generates free displacement of 10 μm (0.1% strain) and block force of 1427 N at 175 V. In a similar way, a ring-shaped multilayered PZT stack was fabricated; the displacement was measured to be 8 μm. The ring-type actuator is mainly used for fluid flow control in space vehicles.
A Review of Bioeconomic Modelling of Habitat-Fisheries Interactions
Authors: Foley Naomi S. , Armstrong Claire W. , Kahui Viktoria , Mikkelsen Eirik , Reithe Siv
Published: January 2012

This paper reviews the bioeconomic literature on habitat-fisheries connections. Many such connections have been explored in the bioeconomic literature; however, missing from the literature is an analysis merging the potential influences of habitat on both fish stocks and fisheries into one general, overarching theoretical model. We attempt to clarify the nature of linkages between the function of habitats and the economic activities they support. More specifically, we identify theoretically the ways that habitat may enter the standard Gordon-Schaefer model, and nest these interactions in the general model. Habitat influences are defined as either biophysical or bioeconomic. Biophysical effects relate to the functional role of habitat in the growth of the fish stock and may be either essential or facultative to the species. Bioeconomic interactions relate to the effect of habitat on fisheries and can be shown through either the harvest function or the profit function. We review how habitat loss can affect stock, effort, and harvest under open access and maximum economic yield managed fisheries.
Effects of Acupuncture on Th1, Th2 Cytokines in Rats of Implantation Failure
Authors: Gui Juan , Xiong Fan , Li Jing , Huang Guangying
Published: January 2012

The aim is to explore the effect of acupuncture on Th1, Th2 cytokines in rats of implantation failure. Early pregnant rats were randomized into normal group (N), implantation failure group (M), acupuncture group (A), progestin group (H). The model was established with mifepristone. Samples of serum, endometrium were collected on Day 5, 6 and 8 of pregnancy. Compared with group M, the number of embryos was significantly higher in groups N, A and H; IL-1β, IL-2 protein in serum and endometrium were significantly lower in groups N, A and H, while IL-4, IL-10 were significantly higher in groups N, A and H; the endometrial IL-2, IL-4 mRNA were significantly lower in groups N, A and H, while IL-1β, IL-10 mRNA were significantly higher in groups N, A and H. Acupuncture could improve the poor receptive state of endometrium due to mifepristone by promoting Th2 cytokines secretion and inhibiting Th1 cytokines to improve blastocyst implantation.
Vietnamese Immigrants in Brisbane, Australia: Perception of Parenting Roles, Child Development, Child Health, Illness, and Disability, and Health Service Utilisation
Authors: Tran Uyen N. T. L.
Published: January 2012

The limited research into Vietnamese immigrants suggests that this group may have different perceptions relating to parenting roles, child development, child health, illness, and disability, and differing patterns of health service utilisation. The author conducted a pilot study exploring how Vietnamese immigrants differ from Anglo-Australian in relation to these issues. The pilot, utilising a mixed quantitative and qualitative method, was conducted in Brisbane, Australia, with subjects being existing clients of a health centre. Two focus group discussions were conducted and a structured questionnaire developed from the discussions. Vietnamese immigrants in contrast to Australian-born Caucasians regard the general practitioner as the main health care provider and were less satisfied with English-speaking health services. This study highlights potentially important health-related issues for children of Vietnamese immigrants living in Brisbane, the importance of further research in this area, and the methodological challenges faced when conducting research into Vietnamese immigrants.
Large-Scale Forest Modeling: Deducing Stand Density from Inventory Data
Authors: Franklin Oskar , Moltchanova Elena , Kraxner Florian , Seidl Rupert , Böttcher Hannes , Rokityiansky Dimitry , Obersteiner Michael
Published: January 2012

While effects of thinning and natural disturbances on stand density play a central role for forest growth, their representation in large-scale studies is restricted by both model and data availability. Here a forest growth model was combined with a newly developed generic thinning model to estimate stand density and site productivity based on widely available inventory data (tree species, age class, volume, and increment). The combined model successfully coupled biomass, increment, and stand closure (=stand density/self-thinning limited stand density), as indicated by cross-validation against European-wide inventory data. The improvement in model performance attained by including variable stand closure among age cohorts compared to a fixed closure suggests that stand closure is an important parameter for accurate forest growth modeling also at large scales.
Sirolimus Enhances Cyclosporine A-Induced Cytotoxicity in Human Renal Glomerular Mesangial Cells
Authors: O'Connell Séin , Slattery Craig , Ryan Michael P. , McMorrow Tara
Published: January 2012

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is an ever increasing problem worldwide. However the mechanisms underlying disease progression are not fully elucidated. This work addressed nephrotoxicity induced by the immunosuppressive agents’ cyclosporine A (CsA) and sirolimus (SRL). Nephrotoxicity is the major limiting factor in long term use of CsA. SRL causes less nephrotoxicity than CsA. Therefore investigations into the differential effects of these agents may identify potential mechanisms of nephrotoxicity and means to prevent ESRD induced by therapeutic drugs. Using ELISA, Western blotting, quantitative PCR and a reporter gene assay we detailed the differential effects of CsA and SRL in human renal mesangial cells. CsA treatment increased profibrotic TGF-β1 secretion in human mesangial cells whereas SRL did not, indicating a role for TGF-βin CsA toxicity. However we observed a synergistic nephrotoxic effect when CsA and SRL were co-administered. These synergistic alterations may have been due to an increase in CTGF which was not evident when the immunosuppressive drugs were used alone. The CsA/SRL combination therapy significantly enhanced Smad signalling and altered the extracellular matrix regulator matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). Inhibition of the ERK 1/2 pathway, attenuated these CsA/SRL induced alterations indicating a potentially significant role for this pathway.
CK2 Inhibitor CX-4945 Suppresses DNA Repair Response Triggered by DNA-Targeted Anticancer Drugs and Augments Efficacy: Mechanistic Rationale for Drug Combination Therapy
Authors: Siddiqui-Jain Adam , Bliesath Joshua , Macalino Diwata , Omori Mayuko , Huser Nanni , Streiner Nicole , Ho Caroline B. , Anderes Kenna , Proffitt Chris , O'Brien Sean E. , Lim John K. C. , Von Hoff Daniel D. , Ryckman David M. , Rice William G. , Drygin Denis
Published: January 2012

Drug combination therapies are commonly used for the treatment of cancers to increase therapeutic efficacy, reduce toxicity, and decrease the incidence of drug resistance. Although drug combination therapies were originally devised primarily by empirical methods, the increased understanding of drug mechanisms and the pathways they modulate provides a unique opportunity to design combinations that are based on mechanistic rationale. We have identified protein kinase CK2 as a promising therapeutic target for combination therapy, because CK2 regulates not just one but many oncogenic pathways and processes that play important roles in drug resistance, including DNA repair, epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, Hsp90 machinery activity, hypoxia, and interleukin-6 expression. In this article, we show that CX-4945, a clinical stage selective small molecule inhibitor of CK2, blocks the DNA repair response induced by gemcitabine and cisplatin and synergizes with these agents in models of ovarian cancer. Mechanistic studies show that the enhanced activity is a result of inactivation of XRCC1 and MDC1, two mediator/adaptor proteins that are essential for DNA repair and that require phosphorylation by CK2 for their function. These data position CK2 as a valid pharmacologic target for intelligent drug combinations and support the evaluation of CX-4945 in combination with gemcitabine and platinum-based chemotherapeutics in the clinical setting. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(4); 994–1005. ©2012 AACR.
Statistical Analysis of Chinese Phonemic Contrast
Authors: Yu Shuiyuan , Xu Chunshan , Liu Haitao , Chen Yudong
Published: January 2012

Two phonemes that may induce minimal pairs constitute a phonemic contrast. Some phonemic contrasts may disappear for various reasons, which, nevertheless, does not seem to seriously impede linguistic communication. Does it mean that the disappeared phonemic contrasts are unimportant? In our study, we calculated the proportions (here termed degree of contrast) of minimal pairs to the words in which the two contrastive phonemes occur and explored the role of phonemic contrasts in the phonemic combinations. The degree of contrast of phonemes reflects the relation between phonemes. Our results indicate that (1) the average degree of contrast of Chinese phonemes declines exponentially with the increase in the number of syllables, rapidly approaching zero; (2) the average degree of contrast of Chinese consonants that differ from each other in only one distinctive feature and of the consonants that are absent in some Chinese dialects is significantly higher than that of other consonants; (3) the degree of contrast of Chinese consonants that differ from each other in only one distinctive feature is not significantly different from that of the consonants absent in some Chinese dialects; (4) Chinese phonemic combinations exhibit high degree of sparsity, which increases exponentially with the number of syllables and rapidly approaches 1. All these results show that the high degree of sparsity and the low degree of contrast of human languages not only leave enough room for new words, new dialects and new languages to appear but also contribute to effective and reliable communication, because a few phonemic mistakes are not likely to cause wrong decoding (sound recognition) and failed communication.
A Pilot Study Examining Associations between DYRK1A and α-Synuclein Dementias
Authors: Jones Emma L. , Aarsland Dag , Londos Elisabet , Ballard Clive
Published: January 2012

Background: DYRK1A is a kinase targeting several proteins associated with the pathology of dementias, including α-synuclein and amyloid precursor protein. It is not clear if DYRK1A genetics are associated with neurodegenerative conditions. Objective: To determine if DYRK1A also has a genetic association with α-synuclein dementias such as dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease dementia. Methods: DNA samples from prospectively followed cohorts of control and dementia individuals were genotyped for the DYRK1A rs8126696 polymorphism. Results: The rs8126696 polymorphism altered the risk of developing an α-synuclein-associated dementia. Conclusion: DYRK1A could prove to be an important therapeutic target as it interacts with several proteins associated with the development of pathology in dementia.
Tau Overexpression Results in Its Secretion via Membrane Vesicles
Authors: Simón Diana , García-García Esther , Gómez-Ramos Alberto , Falcón-Pérez Juan Manuel , Díaz-Hernández Miguel , Hernández Félix , Avila Jesús
Published: January 2012

Background: Tau protein, the main component of neurofibrillary tangles, could be found in the extracellular space upon neuronal death or, as it has recently been suggested, could be secreted from cells through membrane vesicles. Objective: The purpose of this communication is to confirm that upon neuronal death, tau protein can be found, indeed, in the extracellular space and to analyze if tau could be secreted outside the cell in an alternative way. Methods: We have tested not only the extracellular release of tau, but also the toxicity of this extracellular tau. To do these studies, we have used neuronal cell cultures and tau-overexpressing non-neuronal cells. Membrane vesicles were isolated from culture medium from tau-overexpressing non-neuronal cells. Results: Our results indicate that extracellular tau, arising after neuron death, could be a toxic agent for neighboring neurons. On the other hand, we have found that an overexpression of tau protein could result in its secretion through membrane vesicles. However, the presence of this secreted tau does not result in cell death. Conclusion: We conclude that extracellular tau could arise by two different ways, by cell death or by secretion through membrane vesicles.