bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mortality from heart failure, acute myocardial infarction and other ischaemic heart disease in England and Oxford: a trend study of multiple-cause-coded death certification
Authors: Rahimi Kazem , Duncan Marie , Pitcher Alex , Emdin Connor A , Goldacre Michael J
Published: September 2015

Background

Age-standardised death rates from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) have been declining in most developed countries. However, the magnitude of such reductions and how they impact on death from heart failure are less certain. We sought to assess and compare temporal trends in mortality from heart failure, AMI and non-AMI IHD over a 30-year period in England.

Methods

We analysed death registration data for multiple-cause-coded mortality for all deaths in people aged 35 years and over in England from 1995 to 2010, population 52 million, and in a regional population (Oxford region) from 1981 to 2010, population 2.5 million, for which data on all causes of death were available.

Results

Considering all ages and both sexes combined, during the 30-year observation period, age-standardised and sex-standardised mortality rates based on all certified causes of death declined by 60% for heart failure, 80% for AMI and 46% for non-AMI IHD. These longer term trends observed in the Oxford region were consistent with those for the whole of England from 1995 to 2010, with no evidence of a plateau in recent years. Although proportional reductions in rates differed by age and sex, even in those aged 85 years or more, there were substantial reductions in mortality rates in the all-England data set (50%, 66% and 20% for heart failure, AMI and non-AMI IHD, respectively).

Conclusions

This study shows large and sustained reductions in age-specific and sex-specific and standardised death rates from heart failure, as well as from AMI and non-AMI IHD, over a 30-year period in England.
Differences in diet-induced flexibility in morphology and growth in a partially migratory species
Authors: Van Leeuwen Travis E. , Hooker Oliver E. , Metcalfe Neil B. , Adams Colin E.
Published: September 2015

Partial migration, in which some individuals of a population migrate while other individuals remain resident, is generally associated with ontogenetic shifts to better feeding or as a response to adversity, but its underlying mechanisms remain relatively unknown. Brown trout (Salmo trutta) exhibit partial migration, with some individuals remaining in fresh water (freshwater-resident) while others undertake an anadromous migration, gain most of their adult size at sea, and then return to fresh water to spawn. The option adopted by an individual trout is thought to be partly determined by its growth performance in early life, which in the stochastic and dynamic environment of freshwater streams may be dependent on its flexibility. To examine potential effects of parent type on phenotypic flexibility, we measured the metabolism, growth, and morphology of full-sibling groups of offspring from freshwater-resident and anadromous parents both before and after a switch in diet. We found that fry had a higher growth rate and a more rounded head and body shape when reared on chironomid larvae compared with when they were reared on Daphnia, but diet had no effect on standard metabolic rate. Interestingly, offspring of anadromous parents were less able to maintain their growth rate when fed on Daphnia than were those of freshwater-residents and showed a correspondingly greater increase in growth following a switch from Daphnia to chironomid larvae. Offspring of anadromous parents also showed less morphological flexibility in response to diet than did the offspring of freshwater-residents. We discuss how the migration history of the parents might interact with phenotypic flexibility in early life to influence the migration probability of the offspring.
A categorical modeling approach to analyzing the impacts of the Lacey Act 2008 amendment on Chinese companies’ export cost and the implications on their sourcing behaviors
Authors: Lu Ziyi , Ganguly Indroneil , Eastin Ivan
Published: September 2015

The United States (US) Lacey Act 2008 amendment (LAA) is a timber legality regulation that requires US importers to monitor and minimize the risk of illegally harvested wood products within their supply chains. This paper empirically examines the effect of the LAA on Chinese companies’ export costs to the US. The study uses 138 responses from two surveys in Shanghai, China, in 2013, i.e., 5 years after the LAA was implemented. Given the high proportion of zero export increase indicated by the Chinese companies, a zero-inflated ordered probit model was used to model Chinese companies’ export cost increases to the US. The research results demonstrate that pre-LAA raw material sourcing patterns are primary indicators of the respondents’ export cost increase to the US as a result of the LAA. From the results, it can be inferred that log and lumber importers from suspect regions are taking additional measures, by changing their procurement practices, to ensure the legality of their raw material, which is adding to their cost structure. The results also indicate that smaller companies, given their flexibility with raw material procurement, were less likely to experience a post-LAA cost increase relative to their larger counterparts.
Pharmacological and biochemical studies on the protective effects of melatonin during stress-induced behavioral and immunological changes in relation to oxidative stress in rats
Authors: Pal Rishi , Gulati Kavita , Banerjee B.D. , Ray Arunabha
Published: September 2015

Stress is known to precipitate neuropsychiatric diseases, and depending upon its nature and intensity it can also influence the functioning of the immune system. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxy tryptamine) a pineal gland hormone and potent antioxidant is known to protect against many diseases. Effect of melatonin in stress-induced neuro-immunomodulation is not well elucidated. Therefore in the present study, the protective effects of melatonin were evaluated in restraint stress (RS)-induced behavioral and immunological changes in rats. RS for 1 h significantly reduces (i) percentage of open-arm entries and (ii) percentage of time spent on open-arm in elevated plus maze (EPM) test parameters (p < 0.01) and significant increase in MDA levels in brain homogenate when compared to non-RS control groups (p < 0.05). In immunological studies, both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to antigen were significantly suppressed by RS for 1 h for 5 consecutive days, as evidenced by significant reduction in (i) anti-SRBC antibody titre, (ii) PFC counts, (iii) percentage change in paw volume, and (iv) Th1(IFN-γ) and Th2(IL-4) cytokine levels (p < 0.001 in all parameters). These RS-induced immunological changes were associated with significantly increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels in serum and significantly decreased activity of (i) SOD, (ii) CAT, and (iii) GSH levels in RS (X5)-exposed group (p < 0.02). Pretreatment with melatonin (10, 50, and 100 mg/kg) significantly reversed these RS-induced changes in EPM test parameters and humoral and cell-mediated immunological parameters, as well as oxidative stress markers in a dose-dependent manner by differential degrees (p < 0.001). Results are strongly suggestive of the involvement of free radicals during stress-induced neurobehavioral and immunological changes. These changes were significantly restored by melatonin pretreatment. We can conclude that melatonin may have a protective role during such stress-induced neuro-immunomodulation.
IMPACT OF EUROZONE SOVEREIGN DEBT CRISIS ON CHINA AND INDIA
Authors: DUA PAMI , TUTEJA DIVYA
Published: September 2015

This paper analyzes the impact of the Eurozone debt crisis on China and India. Using Markov-switching analysis, we discern regimes in economic growth as well as financial markets and study the impact of the global financial crisis and Eurozone crisis on the same. We identify vulnerability and robustness factors governing the degree of exposure and resilience to the crisis for both these economies. In view of strong trade and financial linkages, the Eurozone crisis may have marred prospects of recovery in the aftermath of the recent Great Recession in both China and India. China, however, is found to be more resilient to the crisis possibly due to stronger macroeconomic fundamentals.
Effects of “Media” on Innovation, Empirical Results
Authors: Shayan E. , Allotey M. , Ghotb F.
Published: September 2015

Studies on the national development have mainly focused on politics and economics as the main determinants of development. There is no research known to us investigating the effects of media and communication on national development. Evidently, countries that are more media friendly have demonstrated more innovativeness, normally leading to significant levels of economic development. Literature shows that over 50% of the countries with high freedom of press index also have high global innovation index (GII). The aim of this research is to investigate such a relationship based on empirical data.

The data on national innovation index GII is documented in GII 2013. However, due to dependency of these scores on an incomplete number of arbitrary media factors, a new GII (NGII), in absence of media effects, had to be recalculated following the exact procedure used by GII 2013.

It was also required to draw, from a thorough literature search, an acceptable definition of media and its constituents, media items, as related to innovation. After a list of media indicators was concluded from the literature, different reliable sources of statistics were consulted to collect data on the media indicators of relevant countries under study. These values formed the observations on the independent variables. A linear regression model was developed and characterized between the dependent variable NGII and the selected media items for the 45 high income countries. Discussions and conclusions were made about all the data assumptions and behavior of the model to establish reliable results for further interpretations and conclusions. Results clearly show a positive relationship for the high income countries. This is a new finding that we believe will be of interest of the research community. To be able to generalize the results, the next step of the ongoing research will also cover middle income countries.
Uniform bounds on sup-norms of holomorphic forms of real weight
Authors: Steiner Raphael S.
Published: September 2015

We establish uniform bounds for the sup-norms of modular forms of arbitrary real weight [Formula: see text] with respect to a finite index subgroup [Formula: see text] of SL2(ℤ). We also prove corresponding bounds for the supremum over a compact set. We achieve this by extending to a sum over an orthonormal basis [Formula: see text] and analyzing this sum by means of a Bergman kernel and the Fourier coefficients of Poincaré series. Under some weak assumptions, we further prove the right order of magnitude of [Formula: see text]. Our results are valid without any assumption that the forms are Hecke eigenfunctions.
New Vaccines for the World's Poorest People
Authors: Hotez Peter J. , Bottazzi Maria Elena , Strych Ulrich
Published: September 2015

The 2000 Millennium Development Goals helped stimulate the development of life-saving childhood vaccines for pneumococcal and rotavirus infections while greatly expanding coverage of existing vaccines. However, there remains an urgent need to develop new vaccines for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, as well as for respiratory syncytial virus and those chronic and debilitating (mostly parasitic) infections known as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The NTDs represent the most common diseases of people living in extreme poverty and are the subject of this review. The development of NTD vaccines, including those for hookworm infection, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease, is being led by nonprofit product development partnerships (PDPs) working in consortia of academic and industrial partners, including vaccine manufacturers in developing countries. NTD vaccines face unique challenges with respect to their product development and manufacture, as well as their preclinical and clinical testing. We emphasize global efforts to accelerate the development of NTD vaccines and some of the hurdles to ensuring their availability to the world's poorest people.
Hypoxia-inducible factors in T lymphocyte differentiation and function. A Review in the Theme: Cellular Responses to Hypoxia
Authors: Tao Jin-Hui , Barbi Joseph , Pan Fan
Published: September 2015

Low oxygen concentrations or hypoxia is a trait common to inflamed tissues. Therefore it is not surprising that pathways of hypoxic stress response, largely governed by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF), are highly relevant to the proper function of immune cells. HIF expression and stabilization in immune cells can be triggered not only by hypoxia, but also by a variety of stimuli and pathological stresses associated with leukocyte activation and inflammation. In addition to its role as a sensor of oxygen scarcity, HIF is also a major regulator of immune cell metabolic function. Rapid progress is being made in elucidating the roles played by HIF in diverse aspects of both innate and adaptive immunity. Here we discuss a number of breakthroughs that have shed light on how HIF expression and activity impact the differentiation and function of diverse T cell populations. The insights gained from these findings may serve as the foundation for future therapies aimed at fine-tuning the immune response.
A novel exon in the human Ca2+-activated Cl− channel Ano1 imparts greater sensitivity to intracellular Ca2+
Authors: Strege Peter R. , Bernard Cheryl E. , Mazzone Amelia , Linden David R. , Beyder Arthur , Gibbons Simon J. , Farrugia Gianrico
Published: September 2015

Anoctamin 1 (Ano1; TMEM16A) is a Ca2+-activated Cl− channel (CACC) expressed in interstitial cells of Cajal. The mechanisms by which Ca2+ regulates Ano1 are incompletely understood. In the gastrointestinal tract, Ano1 is required for normal slow wave activity and is involved in regulating cell proliferation. Splice variants of Ano1 have varying electrophysiological properties and altered expression in disease states. Recently, we identified a transcript for human Ano1 containing a novel exon-“exon 0” upstream of and in frame with exon 1. The electrophysiological properties of this longer Ano1 isoform are unknown. Our aim was to determine the functional contribution of the newly identified exon to the Ca2+ sensitivity and electrophysiological properties of Ano1. Constructs with [Ano1(+0)] or without [Ano1(−0)] the newly identified exon were transfected into human embryonic kidney-293 cells. Voltage-clamp electrophysiology was used to determine voltage- and time-dependent parameters of whole cell Cl− currents between isoforms with varying concentrations of intracellular Ca2+, extracellular anions, or Cl− channel inhibitors. We found that exon 0 did not change voltage sensitivity and had no impact on the relative permeability of Ano1 to most anions. Ano1(+0) exhibited greater changes in current density but lesser changes in kinetics than Ano1(−0) in response to varying intracellular Ca2+. The CACC inhibitor niflumic acid inhibited current with greater efficacy and higher potency against Ano1(+0) compared with Ano1(−0). Likewise, the Ano1 inhibitor T16Ainh-A01 reduced Ano1(+0) more than Ano1(−0). In conclusion, human Ano1 containing exon 0 imparts its Cl− current with greater sensitivity to intracellular Ca2+ and CACC inhibitors.
Variable responses of regional renal oxygenation and perfusion to vasoactive agents in awake sheep
Authors: Calzavacca Paolo , Evans Roger G. , Bailey Michael , Bellomo Rinaldo , May Clive N.
Published: September 2015

Vasoactive agents are used in critical care to optimize circulatory function, but their effects on renal tissue oxygenation in the absence of anesthesia remain largely unknown. Therefore, we assessed the effects of multiple vasoactive agents on regional kidney oxygenation in awake sheep. Sheep were surgically instrumented with pulmonary and renal artery flow probes, and combination fiber-optic probes, in the renal cortex and medulla, comprising a fluorescence optode to measure tissue Po2 and a laser-Doppler probe to assess tissue perfusion. Carotid arterial and renal venous cannulas enabled measurement of arterial pressure and total renal oxygen delivery and consumption. Norepinephrine (0.1 or 0.8 μg·kg−1·min−1) dose-dependently reduced cortical and medullary laser Doppler flux (LDF) and Po2 without significantly altering renal blood flow (RBF), or renal oxygen delivery or consumption. Angiotensin II (9.8 ± 2.1 μg/h) reduced RBF by 21%, renal oxygen delivery by 28%, oxygen consumption by 18%, and medullary Po2 by 38%, but did not significantly alter cortical Po2 or cortical or medullary LDF. Arginine vasopressin (3.3 ± 0.5 μg/h) caused similar decreases in RBF and renal oxygen delivery, but did not significantly alter renal oxygen consumption or cortical or medullary LDF or Po2. Captopril had no observable effects on cortical or medullary LDF or Po2, at a dose that increased renal oxygen delivery by 24%, but did not significantly alter renal oxygen consumption. We conclude that vasoactive agents have diverse effects on regional kidney oxygenation in awake sheep that are not predictable from their effects on LDF, RBF, or total renal oxygen delivery and consumption.
Salt-induced sympathoexcitation involves vasopressin V1a receptor activation in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
Authors: Ribeiro Natalia , Panizza Helena do Nascimento , Santos Karoline Martins dos , Ferreira-Neto Hildebrando C. , Antunes Vagner Roberto
Published: September 2015

A high-salt diet can lead to hydromineral imbalance and increases in plasma sodium and osmolality. It is recognized as one of the major contributing factors for cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) plays a pivotal role in osmotically driven sympathoexcitation and high blood pressure, the precise mechanisms of which are not fully understood. Recent evidence indicates that AVP released from magnocellular neurons might be involved in this process. Using a combination of in vivo and in situ studies, we sought to investigate whether AVP, acting on PVN neurons, can change mean arterial pressure (MAP) and sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in euhydrated male rats. Furthermore, we wanted to determine whether V1a receptors on PVN neurons would be involved in salt-induced sympathoexcitation and hypertension. In rats, 4 days of salt loading (NaCl 2%) elicited a significant increase in plasma osmolality (39 ± 7 mosmol/kgH2O), an increase in MAP (26 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.001), and sympathoexcitation compared with euhydrated rats. Microinjection of AVP into the PVN of conscious euhydrated animals (100 nl, 3 μM) elicited a pressor response (14 ± 2 mmHg) and a significant increase in lumbar SNA (100 nl, 1 mM) (19 ± 5%). Pretreatment with a V1a receptor antagonist, microinjected bilaterally into the PVN of salt-loaded animals, elicited a decrease in lumbar SNA (−14 ± 5%) and MAP (−19 ± 5 mmHg), when compared with the euhydrated group. Our findings show that AVP plays an important role in modulating the salt-induced sympathoexcitation and high blood pressure, via V1a receptors, within the PVN of male rats. As such, V1a receptors in the PVN might contribute to neurogenic hypertension in individuals consuming a high-salt diet.
Oxygenation properties and isoform diversity of snake hemoglobins
Authors: Storz Jay F. , Natarajan Chandrasekhar , Moriyama Hideaki , Hoffmann Federico G. , Wang Tobias , Fago Angela , Malte Hans , Overgaard Johannes , Weber Roy E.
Published: September 2015

Available data suggest that snake hemoglobins (Hbs) are characterized by a combination of unusual structural and functional properties relative to the Hbs of other amniote vertebrates, including oxygenation-linked tetramer-dimer dissociation. However, standardized comparative data are lacking for snake Hbs, and the Hb isoform composition of snake red blood cells has not been systematically characterized. Here we present the results of an integrated analysis of snake Hbs and the underlying α- and β-type globin genes to characterize 1) Hb isoform composition of definitive erythrocytes, and 2) the oxygenation properties of isolated isoforms as well as composite hemolysates. We used species from three families as subjects for experimental studies of Hb function: South American rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus (Viperidae); Indian python, Python molurus (Pythonidae); and yellow-bellied sea snake, Pelamis platura (Elapidae). We analyzed allosteric properties of snake Hbs in terms of the Monod-Wyman-Changeux model and Adair four-step thermodynamic model. Hbs from each of the three species exhibited high intrinsic O2affinities, low cooperativities, small Bohr factors in the absence of phosphates, and high sensitivities to ATP. Oxygenation properties of the snake Hbs could be explained entirely by allosteric transitions in the quaternary structure of intact tetramers, suggesting that ligation-dependent dissociation of Hb tetramers into αβ-dimers is not a universal feature of snake Hbs. Surprisingly, the major Hb isoform of the South American rattlesnake is homologous to the minor HbD of other amniotes and, contrary to the pattern of Hb isoform differentiation in birds and turtles, exhibits a lower O2affinity than the HbA isoform.
Alterations in lower limb multimuscle activation patterns during stair climbing in female total knee arthroplasty patients
Authors: Kuntze G. , von Tscharner V. , Hutchison C. , Ronsky J. L.
Published: September 2015

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients commonly experience neuromuscular adaptations that may affect stair climbing competence. This study identified multimuscle pattern (MMP) changes in postoperative female TKA patients during stair climbing with a support vector machine (SVM). It was hypothesized that TKA patients adopt temporal and spectral muscle activation characteristics indicative of muscle atrophy and cocontraction strategies. Nineteen female subjects [10 unilateral sex-specific TKAs, 62.2 ± 8.6 yr, body mass index (BMI) 28.2 ± 5.4 kg/m2; 9 healthy control subjects, 61.4 ± 7.4 yr, BMI 25.6 ± 2.4 kg/m2] were recruited. Surface electromyograms (EMGs) were obtained for seven lower limb muscles of the affected limb of TKA subjects and a randomly assigned limb for control subjects during stair climbing. Stance phase (±30%) EMG data were wavelet transformed and normalized to total power. Data across all muscles were combined to form MMPs and analyzed with a SVM. Statistical analysis was performed with binomial tests, independent group t-tests, or independent group Mann-Whitney U-tests in SPSS ( P < 0.05). SVM results indicated significantly altered muscle activation patterns in the TKA group for biceps femoris (recognition rate 84.2%), semitendinosus (recognition rate 73.7%), gastrocnemius (recognition rate 68.4%), and tibialis anterior (recognition rate 68.4%). Further analysis identified no significant differences in spectral activation characteristics between groups. Temporal adaptations, indicative of cocontraction strategies, were, however, evident in TKA MMPs. This approach may provide a valuable tool for clinical neuromuscular function assessment and rehabilitation monitoring.
Accurate stepping on a narrow path: mechanics, EMG, and motor cortex activity in the cat
Authors: Farrell Brad J. , Bulgakova Margarita A. , Sirota Mikhail G. , Prilutsky Boris I. , Beloozerova Irina N.
Published: September 2015

How do cats manage to walk so graciously on top of narrow fences or windowsills high above the ground while apparently exerting little effort? In this study we investigated cat full-body mechanics and the activity of limb muscles and motor cortex during walking along a narrow 5-cm path on the ground. We tested the hypotheses that during narrow walking 1) lateral stability would be lower because of the decreased base-of-support area and 2) the motor cortex activity would increase stride-related modulation because of imposed demands on lateral stability and paw placement accuracy. We measured medio-lateral and rostro-caudal dynamic stability derived from the extrapolated center of mass position with respect to the boundaries of the support area. We found that cats were statically stable in the frontal plane during both unconstrained and narrow-path walking. During narrow-path walking, cats walked slightly slower with more adducted limbs, produced smaller lateral forces by hindlimbs, and had elevated muscle activities. Of 174 neurons recorded in cortical layer V, 87% of forelimb-related neurons (from 114) and 90% of hindlimb-related neurons (from 60) had activities during narrow-path walking distinct from unconstrained walking: more often they had a higher mean discharge rate, lower depth of stride-related modulation, and/or longer period of activation during the stride. These activity changes appeared to contribute to control of accurate paw placement in the medio-lateral direction, the width of the stride, rather than to lateral stability control, as the stability demands on narrow-path and unconstrained walking were similar.
Ischemic injury suppresses hypoxia-induced electrographic seizures and the background EEG in a rat model of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
Authors: Zayachkivsky A. , Lehmkuhle M. J. , Ekstrand J. J. , Dudek F. E.
Published: September 2015

The relationship among neonatal seizures, abnormalities of the electroencephalogram (EEG), brain injury, and long-term neurological outcome (e.g., epilepsy) remains controversial. The effects of hypoxia alone (Ha) and hypoxia-ischemia (HI) were studied in neonatal rats at postnatal day 7; both models generate EEG seizures during the 2-h hypoxia treatment, but only HI causes an infarct with severe neuronal degeneration. Single-channel, differential recordings of acute EEG seizures and background suppression were recorded with a novel miniature telemetry device during the hypoxia treatment and analyzed quantitatively. The waveforms of electrographic seizures (and their behavioral correlates) appeared virtually identical in both models and were identified as discrete events with high power in the traditional delta (0.1–4 Hz) and/or alpha (8–12 Hz) bands. Although the EEG patterns during seizures were similar in Ha- and HI-treated animals at the beginning of the hypoxic insult, Ha caused a more severe electrographic seizure profile than HI near the end. Analyses of power spectral density and seizure frequency profiles indicated that the electrographic seizures progressively increased during the 2-h Ha treatment, while HI led to a progressive decrease in the seizures with significant suppression of the EEG background. These data show that 1) the hypoxia component of these two models drives the seizures; 2) the seizures during Ha are substantially more robust than those during HI, possibly because ongoing neuronal damage blunts the electrographic activity; and 3) a progressive decrease in background EEG, rather than the presence of electrographic seizures, indicates neuronal degeneration during perinatal HI.
Canopy Spectral Characterization of Wheat Stripe Rust in Latent Period
Authors: Liu Qi , Gu Yilin , Wang Shuhe , Wang Cuicui , Ma Zhanhong
Published: September 2015

Stripe rust, caused byPuccinia striiformisf. sp.tritici(Pst), is one of the important wheat diseases worldwide. In this study, the spectral data were collected from wheat canopy during the latent period inoculated with three different concentrations of urediniospores and classification models based on discriminant partial least squares (DPLS) were built to differentiate leaves with and without infection of the stripe rust pathogen. The effects of different spectra features, wavebands, and the number of the samples used in modeling on the performances of the models were assessed. The results showed that, in the spectral region of 325–1075 nm, the model with the spectral feature of 2nd derivative of Pseudoabsorption index had better accuracy than others. The average accuracy rate was 97.28% for the training set and 92.98% for the testing set. In the waveband of 925–1075 nm, the model with the spectral feature of 1st derivative Pseudoabsorption index had better accuracy than other models, and the average accuracy rates were 98.27% and 94.33% for the training and testing sets, respectively. The results demonstrated that wheat stripe rust in latent period can be qualitatively identified based on the canopy spectral detection. Thus, the method can be used for early monitoring of infections of wheat stripe rust.
Expression and Function of Hypoxia Inducible Factor‐1α and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Pulp Tissue of Teeth under Orthodontic Movement
Authors: Wei Fulan , Yang Shuangyan , Xu Hui , Guo Qingyuan , Li Qi , Hu Lihua , Liu Dongxu , Wang Chunling
Published: September 2015

Orthodontic force may lead to cell damage, circulatory disturbances, and vascular changes of the dental pulp, which make a hypoxic environment in pulp. In order to maintain the homeostasis of dental pulp, hypoxia will inevitably induce the defensive reaction. However, this is a complex process and is regulated by numerous factors. In this study, we established an experimental animal model of orthodontic tooth movement to investigate the effects of mechanical force on the expression of VEGF and HIF‐1α in dental pulp. Histological analysis of dental pulp and expressions of HIF‐1α and VEGF proteins in dental pulp were examined. The results showed that inflammation and vascular changes happened in dental pulp tissue in different periods. Additionally, there were significant changes in the expression of HIF‐1α and VEGF proteins under orthodontic force. After application of mechanical load, expression of HIF‐1α and VEGF was markedly positive in 1, 3, 7 d, and 2 w groups, and then it weakened in 4 w group. These findings suggested that the expression of HIF‐1α and VEGF was enhanced by mechanical force. HIF‐1α and VEGF may play an important role in retaining the homeostasis of dental pulp during orthodontic tooth movement.
Identifying Missing and Spurious Interactions in Directed Networks
Authors: Zhang Xue , Zhao Chengli , Wang Xiaojie , Yi Dongyun
Published: September 2015

Recent years, the studies of link prediction have been overwhelmingly emphasizing on undirected networks. Compared with it, how to identify missing and spurious interactions in directed networks has received less attention and still is not well understood. In this paper, we make use of classical link prediction indices for undirected networks, adapt them to directed version which could predict both the existence and direction of an arc between two nodes, and investigate their prediction ability on six real-world directed networks. Experimental results demonstrate that those modified indices perform quite well in directed networks. Compared with bifan predictor, some of them can provide more accurate predictions.
Importance of Molecular Interactions in Colloidal Dispersions
Authors: López-Esparza R. , Balderas Altamirano M. A. , Pérez E. , Gama Goicochea A.
Published: September 2015

We review briefly the concept of colloidal dispersions, their general properties, and some of their most important applications, as well as the basic molecular interactions that give rise to their properties in equilibrium. Similarly, we revisit Brownian motion and hydrodynamic interactions associated with the concept of viscosity of colloidal dispersion. It is argued that the use of modern research tools, such as computer simulations, allows one to predict accurately some macroscopically measurable properties by solving relatively simple models of molecular interactions for a large number of particles. Lastly, as a case study, we report the prediction of rheological properties of polymer brushes using state-of-the-art, coarse-grained computer simulations, which are in excellent agreement with experiments.
A Unified Reproducing Kernel Method and Error Estimation for Solving Linear Differential Equation with Functional Constraints
Authors: Zhang Xinjian , Liu Xiongwei
Published: September 2015

A unified reproducing kernel method for solving linear differential equations with functional constraint is provided. We use a specified inner product to obtain a class of piecewise polynomial reproducing kernels which have a simple unified description. Arbitrary order linear differential operator is proved to be bounded about the special inner product. Based on space decomposition, we present the expressions of exact solution and approximate solution of linear differential equation by the polynomial reproducing kernel. Error estimation of approximate solution is investigated. Since the approximate solution can be described by polynomials, it is very suitable for numerical calculation.
An Unusual Presentation of Adult Tethered Cord Syndrome Associated with Severe Chest and Upper Back Pain
Authors: Kanda Shotaro , Akiyama Toru , Chikuda Hirotaka , Yamaguchi Takehiko , Saita Kazuo
Published: September 2015

Adult tethered cord syndrome (ATCS) is a rare entity that usually presents with multiple neurological symptoms, including lower extremity pain, backache, lower extremity muscle weakness, and bowel/bladder disturbances. Prompt surgical treatment is often necessary to avoid permanent sequelae. We report a 63-year-old man with sudden-onset severe right chest and upper back pain, followed by urinary retention. His initial workup included computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis, which showed a presacral mass. His symptom-driven neurological workup focused on the cervical and thoracic spine, the results of which were normal. Pelvic radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine showed spina bifida occulta, meningocele, and presacral masses consistent with a teratomatous tumor. His symptoms, except for urinary retention, improved dramatically with surgical treatment. The excised specimen contained a teratomatous lesion plus an organized hematoma. Hematoma formation was suspected as the trigger of his sudden-onset right chest and upper back pain.
A New Macro Model Considering the Average Speed of Preceding Vehicles Group in CPS Environment
Authors: Kang Yi-rong , Sun Di-hua , Yang Shu-hong
Published: September 2015

A new car following model considering the effect of average speed information of preceding vehicles group in real traffic is presented. Based on the new car following model, a new macro model for traffic flow is proposed employing the relationship between the micro and macro variables. The linear stability condition of the macro model is obtained by using the linear stability theory. The numerical tests show that the new model can not only simulate the dynamic process of shock, rarefaction wave, and small perturbation, but also can further stabilize the traffic flow.
Isolated Optic Disc Tuberculosis
Authors: Mansour Ahmad M. , Tabbara Khalid F. , Tabbarah Zuhair
Published: September 2015

We present a healthy male subject who developed progressive visual loss in the left eye initially diagnosed as optic neuritis. Upon suspicion of infectious etiology, testing was positive for tuberculosis. There were no signs or symptoms of active systemic tuberculosis infection. The patient responded swiftly to antimycobacterial therapy with return of vision and resolution of disc swelling. Positive purified protein derivative skin test, negative chest radiograph, negative systemic workup, negative workup for other causes of unilateral optic neuritis and quick response to mycobacterial therapy reaffirm the entity of isolated optic disc tuberculosis similar to isolated choroidal tuberculosis without systemic manifestation.
CD44 sensitivity of platelet activation, membrane scrambling and adhesion under high arterial shear rates
Authors: Alzoubi Kousi , Chatterjee Madhumita , Walker Britta , Münzer Patrick , Luo Dong , Umbach Anja T. , Elvira Bernat , Chen Hong , Voelkl Jakob , Föller Michael , Mak Tak Z. , Borst Oliver , Gawaz Meinrad , Lang Florian , Liu Guilai , Liu Guoxing
Published: September 2015

CD44 is required for signalling of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), an anti-apoptotic pro-inflammatory cytokine. MIF is expressed and released from blood platelets, key players in the orchestration of occlusive vascular disease. Nothing is known about a role of CD44 in the regulation of platelet function. The present study thus explored whether CD44 modifies degranulation (P-selectin exposure), integrin activation, caspase activity, phosphatidylserine exposure on the platelet surface, platelet volume, Orai1 protein abundance and cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i). Platelets from mice lacking CD44 (cd44-/- ) were compared to platelets from corresponding wild-type mice (cd44+/+ ). In resting platelets, P-selectin abundance, αllbβ3 inte-grin activation, caspase-3 activity and phosphatidylserine exposure were negligible in both genotypes and Orai1 protein abundance, [Ca2+]i, and volume were similar in cd44-/- and cd44+/+ platelets. Platelet degranulation and αllbβ3 integrin activation were significantly increased by thrombin (0.02 U/ml), collagen related peptide (CRP, 2 µg/ml and Ca2+-store depletion with thapsigargin (1 µM), effects more pronounced in cd44-/- than in cd44+/+ platelets. Thrombin (0.02 U/ml) increased platelet [Ca2+]i, caspase-3 activity, phosphatidylserine exposure and Orai1 surface abundance, effects again significantly stronger in cd44-/- than in cd44+/+ platelets. Thrombin further decreased forward scatter in cd44-/- and cd44+/+ platelets, an effect which tended to be again more pronounced in cd44-/- than in cd44+/+ platelets. Platelet adhesion and in vitro thrombus formation under high arterial shear rates (1,700 s-1) were significantly augmented in cd44-/- mice. In conclusion, genetic deficiency of CD44 augments activation, apoptosis and prothrombotic potential of platelets.
Polyphenol intake is associated with low-grade inflammation, using a novel data analysis from the Moli-sani study
Authors: Pounis George , Bonaccio Marialaura , Castelnuovo Augusto Di , Costanzo Simona , Curtis Amalia De , Persichillo Mariarosaria , Sieri Sabina , Donati Maria Benedetta , Cerletti Chiara , Gaetano Giovanni de , Iacoviello Licia
Published: September 2015

The association of polyphenol content of human diet with low-grade inflammation is not yet fully understood. It was the objective of this study to evaluate the association of flavonoid and lignan intake with frequently used and easily applicable in clinical practice low-grade inflammation biomarkers, in a novel holistic approach. A total of 5,948 women and 5,965 men (aged ≥ 35years) were analysed from the Moli-sani cohort, randomly recruited from the general population. The EPIC-FFQ was used for dietary assessment. Flavonol, flavone, flavanone, flavanol, anthocyanin, isoflavone and lignan intakes were calculated using Eurofir eBASIS and the polyphenol antioxidant content (PAC)-score was constructed to assess the total content of diet in these nutrients. CRP levels, WBC and PLT count and granulocyte to lymphocyte ratio were conceived as low-grade inflammation biomarkers. INFLA-score was constructed summarizing synergistic effects of these biomarkers. The INFLA-score was negatively associated with PAC-score in different levels of adjustment, in both genders (for all β-coef< 0, P< 0.05). 10 units increase in PAC-score was associated with 5–8 % decrease in the likelihood of higher low-grade inflammation status (i. e. higher quartile of INFLA-score) in men and women (odds ratio [ORs] 0.92 to 0.95, p< 0.05). The total variation of INFLA-score that was explained by PAC-score was estimated to be 16.7 % in women and 9.1 % in men (%R2=16.7 and 9.1). In conclusion, polyphenol content of diet evaluated in a holistic approach was negatively associated with a score of low-grade inflammation biomarkers in a large population based study. For the first time low-grade inflammation was evaluated in a holistic way through INFLA-score and was associated with polyphenol content of diet.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Translational approaches to functional platelet production ex vivo
Authors: Buduo Christian A. Di , Balduini Alessandra , Kaplan David L.
Published: September 2015

Platelets, which are released by megakaryocytes, play key roles in haemostasis, angiogenesis, immunity, tissue regeneration and wound healing. The scarcity of clinical cures for life threatening platelet diseases is in a large part due to limited insight into the mechanisms that control the developmental process of megakaryocytes and the mechanisms that govern the production of platelets within the bone marrow. To overcome these limitations, functional human tissue models have been developed and studied to extrapolate ex vivo outcomes for new insight on bone marrow functions in vivo. There are many challenges that these models must overcome, from faithfully mimicking the physiological composition and functions of bone marrow, to the collection of the platelets generated and validation of their viability and function for human use. The overall goal is to identify innovative instruments to study mechanisms of platelet release, diseases related to platelet production and new therapeutic targets starting from human progenitor cells.
Management of Brugada Syndrome
Authors: Belhassen Bernard , Rahkovich Michael , Michowitz Yoav , Glick Aharon , Viskin Sami
Published: September 2015

Background—

Information on long-term clinical outcome of patients with Brugada syndrome treated with electrophysiologically guided class 1A antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) is limited.

Methods and Results—

An aggressive protocol of programmed ventricular stimulation was performed in 96 patients with Brugada syndrome (88% males; mean age, 39.8±15.9 years). Ten patients were cardiac arrest survivors, 27 had presented with syncope, and 59 were asymptomatic. Ventricular fibrillation was induced in 66 patients, including 100%, 74%, and 61% of patients with cardiac arrest, syncope, and no symptoms, respectively. All but 6 of the 66 patients with inducible ventricular fibrillation underwent electrophysiological testing on quinidine (n=54), disopyramide (n=2), or both (n=4). Fifty-four (90%) patients were electrophysiological responders to >1 AAD with similar efficacy rates (≈90%) in all patients groups. Patients with no inducible ventricular fibrillation at baseline were left on no therapy. After a mean follow-up of 113.3±71.5 months, 92 patients were alive, whereas 4 died from noncardiac causes. No arrhythmic event occurred during class 1A AAD therapy in any of electrophysiological drug responders and in patients with no baseline inducible ventricular fibrillation. Arrhythmic events occurred in only 2 cardiac arrest survivors treated with implantable cardioverter–defibrillator alone but did not recur on quinidine. All cases of recurrent syncope (n=12) were attributed to a vasovagal (n=10) or nonarrhythmic mechanism (n=2). Class 1A AAD therapy resulted in 38% incidence of side effects that resolved after drug discontinuation.

Conclusions—

Our data suggest that electrophysiologically guided class 1A AAD treatment has a place in our therapeutic armamentarium for all types of patients with Brugada syndrome.
Multimodality Imaging Assessment of Prosthetic Heart Valves
Authors: Suchá Dominika , Symersky Petr , Tanis W. , Mali Willem P.Th.M. , Leiner Tim , van Herwerden Lex A. , Budde Ricardo P.J.
Published: September 2015

Echocardiography and fluoroscopy are the main techniques for prosthetic heart valve (PHV) evaluation, but because of specific limitations they may not identify the morphological substrate or the extent of PHV pathology. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have emerged as new potential imaging modalities for valve prostheses. We present an overview of the possibilities and pitfalls of CT and MRI for PHV assessment based on a systematic literature review of all experimental and patient studies. For this, a comprehensive systematic search was performed in PubMed and Embase on March 24, 2015, containing CT/MRI and PHV synonyms. Our final selection yielded 82 articles on surgical valves. CT allowed adequate assessment of most modern PHVs and complemented echocardiography in detecting the obstruction cause (pannus or thrombus), bioprosthesis calcifications, and endocarditis extent (valve dehiscence and pseudoaneurysms). No clear advantage over echocardiography was found for the detection of vegetations or periprosthetic regurgitation. Whereas MRI metal artifacts may preclude direct prosthesis analysis, MRI provided information on PHV-related flow patterns and velocities. MRI demonstrated abnormal asymmetrical flow patterns in PHV obstruction and allowed prosthetic regurgitation assessment. Hence, CT shows great clinical relevance as a complementary imaging tool for the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected PHV obstruction and endocarditis. MRI shows potential for functional PHV assessment although more studies are required to provide diagnostic reference values to allow discrimination of normal from pathological conditions.
Current Clinical Features of New Patients With Takayasu Arteritis Observed From Cross-Country Research in Japan
Authors: Watanabe Yoshiko , Miyata Tetsuro , Tanemoto Kazuo
Published: September 2015

Background—

The clinical features of newly diagnosed Japanese patients with Takayasu arteritis and its age or sex specificities are unknown.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed information from nationwide registration forms submitted by patients with Takayasu arteritis between April 2001 and March 2011 as part of a research program by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Among the 7779 patients who submitted their forms, 1372 newly registered patients with Takayasu arteritis were enrolled; 83.8% were female. The median age at onset was 35 years, which was significantly higher in male patients (median, 43.5 years) than in female patients (median, 34 years;
P
<0.001). Local symptoms and findings were most commonly observed in the cervicobrachial area, with more complaints in the head or neck than in the upper limbs. Approximately 85% of the patients had vascular involvements in the aortic arch or its major branches; many young female patients had localized lesions. Although male patients had extensive aortic lesions or aneurysms with more complications, localized abdominal lesions were relatively more frequent in male patients with age at onset >40 years than in other age-sex groups. Disease statuses were severe in patients who registered at ≥1 year after onset.

Conclusions—

The proportions of male patients and patients with elderly onset increased in newly diagnosed patients with Takayasu arteritis. Their clinical and angiographic features differed according to onset age and sex.