bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compromised respiratory function in lethal influenza infection is characterized by the depletion of type I alveolar epithelial cells beyond threshold levels
Authors: Sanders Catherine J. , Vogel Peter , McClaren Jennifer L. , Bajracharya Resha , Doherty Peter C. , Thomas Paul G.
Published: January 2013

During influenza virus infection, it is unclear how much alveolar cell loss can be tolerated before the host succumbs to the disease. We sought to define relevant correlates of disease severity in the mouse influenza model, hypothesizing that a susceptibility threshold exists for alveolar epithelial cell loss. We compared lung pathology, virus spread, alveolar epithelial cell depletion, arterial blood oxygenation, physiological responses measured by unrestrained plethysmography, and oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production by gas analysis in mice at intervals after infection with virus strains and doses that cause mild (x31) or severe (PR/8) influenza. Both mild and severe infections showed similar degrees of lung damage and virus dissemination until day 6 after inoculation but diverged in survival outcomes from day 9. Day 6 PR/8-infected mice had normal respiratory and gas exchange functions with 10% type I cell loss. However, day 10 PR/8-infected mice had 40% type I cell loss with a concomitant drastic decreases in tidal and minute volumes, V̇o2, V̇co2, and arterial blood oxygenation, compared with a maximum 3% type I cell loss for x31 on day 10 when they recovered body weight and respiratory functions. Alterations in breaths per minute, expiratory time, and metabolic rate were observed in both infections. A threshold for maintenance of proper respiratory function appears to be crossed once 10% of alveolar type I cells are lost. These data indicate that lethality in influenza virus infection is a matter of degree rather than quality.
Exhaled breath condensate adenosine tracks lung function changes in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Esther Charles R. , Olsen Bonnie M. , Lin Feng-Chang , Fine Jason , Boucher Richard C.
Published: January 2013

Measurement of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) biomarkers offers a noninvasive means to assess airway disease, but the ability of EBC biomarkers to track longitudinal changes in disease severity remains unproven. EBC was collected from pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) during regular clinic visits over 1 yr. EBC biomarkers urea, adenosine (Ado), and phenylalanine (Phe) were measured by mass spectrometry, and biomarker ratios were used to control for variable dilution of airway secretions. EBC biomarker ratios were assessed relative to lung function in longitudinal, multivariate models and compared with sputum inflammatory markers and quality of life assessment (CFQ-R). EBC was successfully analyzed from 51 subjects during 184 visits (3.6 ± 0.9 visits per subject). EBC Ado/urea ratio was reproducible in duplicate samples ( r = 0.62, P < 0.01, n = 20) and correlated with sputum neutrophil elastase (β = 2.5, P < 0.05). EBC Ado/urea correlated with the percentage predicted of forced expiratory volume in 1 s in longitudinal, multivariate models (β = −2.9, P < 0.01); EBC Ado/Phe performed similarly (β = −2.1, P < 0.05). In contrast, IL-8 and elastase measured in spontaneously expectorated sputum ( n = 57 samples from 25 subjects) and the CFQ-R respiratory scale ( n = 90 tests from 47 subjects) were not significantly correlated with lung function. EBC was readily collected in a clinic setting from a wide range of subjects. EBC Ado tracked longitudinal changes in lung function in CF, with results similar to or better than established measures.
The Relationship between Maternal Atopy and Childhood Asthma in Pretoria, South Africa
Authors: Abbott Salome , Becker Piet , Green Robin J.
Published: January 2013

Introduction. Asthma is the commonest chronic condition of children. Diagnosis of this condition remains difficult. Many surrogate markers are used, such as documenting evidence of atopy. Method. A random sample of asthmatic children and their mothers attending the Children’s Chest and Allergy Clinic at Steve Biko Academic Hospital were enrolled. Children were classified as having atopic or nonatopic asthma. Mothers completed a questionnaire to uncover atopic features. Results. Along with their mothers, 64 children with atopic asthma and 36 with nonatopic asthma were studied. The proportion of children with atopic asthma does not differ for mothers with and without a positive SPT (), a history of asthma (), symptoms suggestive of an allergic disease (), or who were considered to be allergic (). The odds ratio of a child having atopic asthma when having a mother with a doctor diagnosed history of asthma is 4.76, but the sensitivity is low (21.9%). Conclusion. The data demonstrates that all maternal allergic or asthmatic associations are poor predictors of childhood atopic asthma. Despite the increased risk of atopic asthma in a child to a mother that has a doctor diagnosis of asthma (OR 4.76 ), this is a poor predictor of atopic asthma (sensitivity 21.9%).
Suppressions of Migration and Invasion by Cantharidin in TSGH-8301 Human Bladder Carcinoma Cells through the Inhibitions of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2/-9 Signaling
Authors: Huang Yi-Ping , Ni Chien-Hang , Lu Chi-Cheng , Chiang Jo-Hua , Yang Jai-Sing , Ko Yang-Ching , Lin Jing-Pin , Kuo Jehn-Hwa , Chang Shu-Jen , Chung Jing-Gung
Published: January 2013

Cancer metastasis becomes an initial cause of cancer death in human population. In many cancers, it has been shown that the high levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and/or MMP-9 are associated with the invasive phenotypes of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of cantharidin, a derivative ofblister beetleswhich is one of the traditional Chinese medicines, on the adhesion, migration, and invasion of human bladder cancer TSGH-8301 cells. Cantharidin effectively suppressed TSGH-8301 cell adhesion, migration, and invasion in a concentration-dependent manner. Results from Western blotting, RT-PCR, and gelatin zymography assays indicated that cantharidin blocked the protein levels, gene expression (mRNA), and activities of MMP-2 and -9 in TSGH-8301 cells. Cantharidin also significantly suppressed the protein expressions of p-p38 and p-JNK1/2 in TSGH-8301 cells. Taken together, cantharidin was suggested to present antimetastatic potentialviasuppressing the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression that might be mediated by targeting the p38 and JNK1/2 MAPKs pathway in TSGH-8301 human bladder cancer cells.
Effect of Linseed Oil Dietary Supplementation on Fatty Acid Composition and Gene Expression in Adipose Tissue of Growing Goats
Authors: Ebrahimi M. , Rajion M. A. , Goh Y. M. , Sazili A. Q. , Schonewille J. T.
Published: January 2013

This study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding oil palm frond silage based diets with added linseed oil (LO) containing highα-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3), namely, high LO (HLO), low LO (LLO), and without LO as the control group (CON) on the fatty acid (FA) composition of subcutaneous adipose tissue and the gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α, PPAR-γ, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) in Boer goats. The proportion of C18:3n-3 in subcutaneous adipose tissue was increased (P<0.01) by increasing the LO in the diet, suggesting that the FA from HLO might have escaped ruminal biohydrogenation. Animals fed HLO diets had lower proportions of C18:1 trans-11, C18:2n-6, CLA cis-9 trans-11, and C20:4n-6 and higher proportions of C18:3n-3, C22:5n-3, and C22:6n-3 in the subcutaneous adipose tissue than animals fed the CON diets, resulting in a decreased n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio (FAR) in the tissue. In addition, feeding the HLO diet upregulated the expression of PPAR-γ(P<0.05) but downregulated the expression of SCD (P<0.05) in the adipose tissue. The results of the present study show that LO can be safely incorporated in the diets of goats to enrich goat meat with potential health beneficial FA (i.e., n-3 FA).
Carbon Ion Radiotherapy for Oligo-Recurrence in the Lung
Authors: Yamamoto Naoyoshi , Nakajima Mio , Tsujii Hirohiko , Kamada Tadashi
Published: January 2013

The clinical results after carbon ion radiotherapy for the metastatic lung tumors believed to be in the state of oligo-recurrence were evaluated. One hundred and sixteen lesions in 91 patients with lung cancer metastasis were treated with carbon ion radiotherapy at our institute from April 1997 to February 2011. Regarding the prescribed dose, total dose ranged between 40 gray equivalents (GyE) and 80 GyE, and fraction size ranged from 1 to 16 fractions. After a median followup period of 2.3 years (range, 0.3–13.1 years), the statistical overall survival rate and local control rate were 71.2% and 91.9% at 2 years after treatment, respectively. Treatment-related side effects were not a clinical problem. When classified by the primary organ, there were 49 cases of lung cancer, 20 cases of colorectal cancer, and 22 cases of others. The overall survival rate and local control rate for lung metastasis cases from lung cancer at 2 years after treatment were 81.5% and 92.4%, respectively, and 65.0% and 92.0% regarding lung metastasis from colorectal cancer. Carbon ion beam therapy for the metastatic lung tumors is a safe therapy, and the therapeutic effect is comparable to the outcome obtained from reported surgical resections.
Korean Red Ginseng Extract Attenuates 3-Nitropropionic Acid-Induced Huntington’s-Like Symptoms
Authors: Jang Minhee , Lee Min Jung , Kim Cheon Suk , Cho Ik-Hyun
Published: January 2013

Korean red ginseng (KRG) possesses neuroprotective activity. However, the potential neuroprotective value of KRG for the striatal toxicity is largely unknown. We investigated whether KRG extract (KRGE) could have a neuroprotective effect in a 3-nitropropionic acid- (3-NP) induced (i.p.) Huntington’s disease (HD) model. KRGE (50, 100, and 250 mg/kg/day, p.o.) was administrated 10 days before 3-NP injection (pre-administration), from the same time with 3-NP injection (co-administration), or from the peak point of neurological impairment by 3-NP injection (post-administration). Pre-administration of KRGE produced the greatest neuroprotective effect in this model. Pre-administration of KRGE significantly decreased 3-NP-induced neurological impairment, lethality, lesion area, and neuronal loss in the 3-NP-injected striatum. KRGE attenuated microglial activation and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signal pathway. KRGE also reduced the level of mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and OX-42. Interestingly, the intrathecal administration of SB203580 (a p38 inhibitor) or PD98059 (an inhibitor of MAPK Kinase, MEK) increased the survival rate in the 3-NP-induced HD model. Pre-administration of KRGE may effectively inhibit 3-NP-induced striatal toxicity via the inhibition of the phosphorylation of MAPKs and NF-κB pathways, indicating its therapeutic potential for suppressing Huntington’s-like symptoms.
Differentiation between Celiac Disease, Nonceliac Gluten Sensitivity, and Their Overlapping with Crohn’s Disease: A Case Series
Authors: Vojdani Aristo , Perlmutter David
Published: January 2013

Celiac disease (CD) and nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) are two distinct conditions triggered by the ingestion of gliadin. Although symptoms of nonceliac gluten sensitivity may resemble those of celiac disease, due to the lack of objective diagnostic tests, NCGS is associated with overlapping symptomatologies of autoimmunities and Crohn’s disease. Furthermore, a gluten-free diet is only recommended for those who meet the criteria for a diagnosis of CD. Unfortunately, that leaves many nonceliac gluten-sensitive people suffering unnecessarily from very serious symptoms that put them at risk for complications of autoimmune disorders that might be resolved with a gluten-free diet. Thus, a new paradigm is needed for aid in diagnosing and distinguishing among various gut-related diseases, including CD, NCGS (also known as silent celiac disease), and gut-related autoimmunities. Herein, we report three different cases: the first, an elderly patient with celiac disease which was diagnosed based on signs and symptoms of malabsorption and by a proper lab test; second, a case of NCGS which was initially misdiagnosed as lupus but was detected as NCGS by a proper lab test with its associated autoimmunities, including gluten ataxia and neuromyelitis optica; third, a patient with NCGS overlapping with Crohn’s disease. The symptomatologies of all three patients improved significantly after 12 months of gluten-free diet plus other modalities.
Parkinsonian Rigidity Shows Variable Properties Depending on the Elbow Joint Angle
Authors: Endo Takuyuki , Hamasaki Toshimitsu , Okuno Ryuhei , Yokoe Masaru , Fujimura Harutoshi , Akazawa Kenzo , Sakoda Saburo
Published: January 2013

Parkinsonian rigidity has been thought to be constant through a full range of joint angle. The aim of this study was to perform a detailed investigation of joint angle dependency of rigidity. We first measured muscle tone at the elbow joint in 20 healthy subjects and demonstrated that an angle of approximately 60° of flexion marks the division of two different angle-torque characteristics. Then, we measured muscle tone at the elbow joint in 24 Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients and calculated elastic coefficients in flexion and extension in the ranges of 10°–60° (distal) and 60°–110° (proximal). Rigidity as represented by the elastic coefficient in the distal phase of elbow joint extension was best correlated with the UPDRS rigidity score (r=0.77). A significant difference between the UPDRS rigidity score 0 group and 1 group was observed in the elastic coefficient in the distal phase of extension (P<0.0001), whereas no significant difference was observed in the proximal phase of extension and in each phase of flexion. Parkinsonian rigidity shows variable properties depending on the elbow joint angle, and it is clearly detected at the distal phase of elbow extension.
P2X7 Receptor Activation Induces Reactive Oxygen Species Formation and Cell Death in Murine EOC13 Microglia
Authors: Bartlett Rachael , Yerbury Justin J. , Sluyter Ronald
Published: January 2013

The P2X7 purinergic receptor is a ligand-gated cation channel expressed on leukocytes including microglia. This study aimed to determine if P2X7 activation induces the uptake of organic cations, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and death in the murine microglial EOC13 cell line. Using the murine macrophage J774 cell line as a positive control, RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunolabelling established the presence of P2X7 in EOC13 cells. A cytofluorometric assay demonstrated that the P2X7 agonists adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) and 2′(3′)-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl) ATP induced ethidium+or YO-PRO-12+uptake into both cell lines. ATP induced ethidium+uptake into EOC13 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, with an EC50of~130 μM. The P2X7 antagonists Brilliant Blue G, A438079, AZ10606120, and AZ11645373 inhibited ATP-induced cation uptake into EOC13 cells by 75–100%. A cytofluorometric assay demonstrated that P2X7 activation induced ROS formation in EOC13 cells, via a mechanism independent of Ca2+influx and K+efflux. Cytofluorometric measurements of Annexin-V binding and 7AAD uptake demonstrated that P2X7 activation induced EOC13 cell death. The ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine impaired both P2X7-induced EOC13 ROS formation and cell death, suggesting that ROS mediate P2X7-induced EOC13 death. In conclusion, P2X7 activation induces the uptake of organic cations, ROS formation, and death in EOC13 microglia.
Socioscientific Decision Making in the Science Classroom: The Effect of Embedded Metacognitive Instructions on Students' Learning Outcomes
Authors: Eggert Sabina , Ostermeyer Frauke , Hasselhorn Marcus , Bögeholz Susanne
Published: January 2013

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of cooperative training strategies to enhance students' socioscientific decision making as well as their metacognitive skills in the science classroom. Socioscientific decision making refers to both “describing socioscientific issues” as well as “developing and evaluating solutions” to socioscientific issues. We investigated two cooperative training strategies which differed with respect to embedded metacognitive instructions that were developed on the basis of the IMPROVE method. Participants were 360 senior high school students who studied either in a cooperative learning setting (COOP), a cooperative learning setting with embedded metacognitive questions (COOP+META), or a nontreatment control group. Results indicate that students in the two training conditions outperformed students in the control group on both processes of socioscientific decision making. However, students in the COOP+META condition did not outperform students in the COOP condition. With respect to students' learning outcomes on the regulation facet of metacognition, results indicate that all conditions improved over time. Students in the COOP+META condition exhibited highest mean scores at posttest measures, but again, results were not significant. Implications for integrating metacognitive instructions into science classrooms are discussed.
Obesity and African Americans: Physiologic and Behavioral Pathways
Authors: Abraham Preetha Anna , Kazman Josh Ben , Zeno Stacey Anne , Deuster Patricia Anne
Published: January 2013

Although progress has been made to understand the association between physiological and lifestyle behaviors with regard to obesity, ethnic differences in markers of obesity and pathways towards obesity remain somewhat unexplained. However, obesity remains a serious growing concern. This paper highlights ethnic differences in African Americans and Caucasians that may contribute to the higher prevalence of obesity among African Americans. Understanding ethnic differences in metabolic syndrome criteria, functioning of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, variations in glucocorticoid sensitivity and insulin resistance, and physical activity and cardiovascular fitness levels may help to inform practical clinical and public health interventions and reduce obesity disparities.
Ultrahigh-Field MR (7 T) Imaging of Brain Lesions in Neuromyelitis Optica
Authors: Kister Ilya , Herbert Joseph , Zhou Yongxia , Ge Yulin
Published: January 2013

Background. Brain lesions are common in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOsd) and may resemble lesions of multiple sclerosis (MS).Objectives. To describe the imaging characteristics of supratentorial lesions in NMOsd on ultrahigh-field (7 T) MRI with special attention to vessel-lesion relationship.Methods. Ten NMOsd patients, all women and all seropositive for NMO IgG, with mean age of 51.3 ± 15.4 years and disease duration of 9.2 ± 6.4 years, were scanned at a 7 T whole-body human MR system with high-resolution 2D gradient echo sequence optimized to best visualize lesions and venous structures, T2- and T1-weighted imaging.Results. In 10 patients with NMOsd, a total of 92 lesions were observed (mean: 9.2 ± 8.8; range: 2–30), but only 8 lesions (9%) were traversed by a central venule. All lesions were <5 mm in diameter, and 83% were located in subcortical white matter. There were no lesions in the cortex or basal ganglia. Two patients exhibited diffuse periependymal abnormalities on FLAIR.Conclusions. Small, subcortical lesions without a central venule are the most consistent finding of NMOsd on 7 T MRI of the brain. Ultrahigh-field imaging may be useful for differentiating between NMOsd and MS.
Pregnancy with a Severe Hemoglobinopathy: Unintended Consequences of Transfusions
Authors: Kim David , Mendez-Figueroa Hector , Anderson Brenna L.
Published: January 2013

We report a case of a pregnant woman with a complex hemoglobinopathy who developed a symptomatic anemia at 28 weeks of gestation and was treated with multiple transfusions of type-specific packed red blood cells. Shortly thereafter, she developed a fever and joint pains, along with laboratory values consistent with hemolysis. Timing suggested a delayed transfusion reaction. An extensive evaluation including red blood cell antigen identification and cross-reaction failed to reveal the cause for her hemolysis. Despite her critically low hemoglobin levels, her transfusions were withheld in an attempt to allow the patient to recover conservatively. With this strategy, her hemoglobin remained below her baseline, but her symptoms began to improve. Her laboratory values normalized, and hemolysis was no longer evident. Three weeks later, her hemoglobin levels returned back to her baseline without additional intervention. She went on to deliver a full-term male infant.
Parasitic Infections: A Role for C-Type Lectins Receptors
Authors: Vázquez-Mendoza Alicia , Carrero Julio César , Rodriguez-Sosa Miriam
Published: January 2013

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) sense the microenvironment through several types of receptors that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns. In particular, C-type lectins receptors (CLRs), which are expressed by distinct subsets of dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages (MØs), recognize and internalize specific carbohydrate antigens in a Ca2+-dependent manner. The targeting of these receptors is becoming an efficient strategy for parasite recognition. However, relatively little is known about how CLRs are involved in both pathogen recognition and the internalization of parasites. The role of CLRs in parasite infections is an area of considerable interest because this research will impact our understanding of the initiation of innate immune responses, which influences the outcome of specific immune responses. This paper attempts to summarize our understanding of the effects of parasites’ interactions with CLRs.
The Surgical Treatment for Portal Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yin Lanning , Liu Haipeng , Zhang Youcheng , Rong Wen
Published: January 2013

Aim. To compare the effectiveness of surgical procedures (selective or nonselective shunt, devascularization, and combined shunt and devascularization) in preventing recurrent variceal bleeding and other complications in patients with portal hypertension.
Methods. A systematic literature search of the Medline and Cochrane Library databases was carried out, and a meta-analysis was conducted according to the guidelines of the Quality of Reporting Meta-Analyses (QUOROM) statement.
Results. There were a significantly higher reduction in rebleeding, yet a significantly more common encephalopathy () in patients who underwent the shunt procedure compared with patients who had only a devascularization procedure. Further, there were no significant differences in rebleeding, late mortality, and encephalopathy between selective versus non-selective shunt. Next, the decrease of portal vein pressure, portal vein diameter, and free portal pressure in patients who underwent combined treatment with shunt and devascularization was more pronounced compared with patients who were treated with devascularization alone ().
Conclusions. This meta-analysis shows clinical advantages of combined shunt and devascularization over devascularization in the prevention of recurrent variceal bleeding and other complications in patients with portal hypertension.
Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma of the Mastoid: Resection for Recurrence and Adjuvant Radiation with 8-Year Followup
Authors: Drazin Doniel , Gandhi Ravi , Slodkowska Elzbieta , Boulos Alan S.
Published: January 2013

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EH) is a rare, vascular neoplasm that can affect any age group and has been reported previously in sites including bone, liver, lung, breast, and brain. We describe a case of EH located in the mastoid, which appears to be the first report of EH in this site. The patient was 62 years old when they presented with dizziness and nausea. A suboccipital surgical approach was utilized to resect the tumor. After 18-month followup, the patient was symptom-free; however, imaging demonstrated a recurrence and the patient was taken back to the operating room for a resection. There is no evidence of recurrence after 8 years of followup. This paper aims to reinforce the need for a timely radical excision and aggressive clinical followup as the best hope for cure. Here, we describe an illustrative case and review the pertinent literature.
Extreme Insulin Resistance in a Patient with Diabetes Ketoacidosis and Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Oo Yin H. , Karam Jocelyne G. , Resta Christine A.
Published: January 2013

Hyperglycemia is common in hospitalized patients and associated with adverse clinical outcomes. In hospitalized patients, multiple factors contribute to hyperglycemia, such as underlying medical conditions, pathophysiological stress, and medications. The development of transient insulin resistance is a known cause of hyperglycemia in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Though physicians are familiar with common diseases that are known to be associated with insulin resistance, the majority of us rarely come across a case of extreme insulin resistance. Here, we report a case of prolonged course of extreme insulin resistance in a patient admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and acute myocardial infarction (MI). The main purpose of this paper is to review the literature to identify the underlying mechanisms of extreme insulin resistance in a patient with DKA and MI. We will also briefly discuss the different clinical conditions that are associated with insulin resistance and a general approach to a patient with severe insulin resistance.
Solar Divergence Collimators for Optical Characterisation of Solar Components
Authors: Fontani D. , Sansoni P. , Sani E. , Coraggia S. , Jafrancesco D. , Mercatelli L.
Published: January 2013

Experimentation and laboratory optical tests on solar components are central aspects of the research on renewable energies. The key element of the proposed testing systems is a solar divergence collimator, which exactly reproduces in laboratory the sunlight divergence, while commercial solar simulators are mainly aimed to replicate intensity and spectrum of the sun. Precise solar divergence reproduction is essential to correctly assess the optical properties and to simulate the operative conditions of a solar collecting device. Optical characterisation and experimentation can give information about production quality and homogeneity; moreover, specific tests can address the serial production of solar components detecting defects type and location. For Concentrating Photovoltaic systems, appropriate tests can analyze solar concentrators of various shapes, dimensions, and collection features. Typically, to characterise a solar component the most important and commonly examined quantities are collection efficiency, image plane analysis, and angle dependence.
Morphological Measurement of Living Cells in Methanol with Digital Holographic Microscopy
Authors: Wang Yunxin , Yang Yishu , Wang Dayong , Ouyang Liting , Zhang Yizhuo , Zhao Jie , Wang Xinlong
Published: January 2013

Cell morphology is the research foundation in many applications related to the estimation of cell status, drug response, and toxicity screening. In biomedical field, the quantitative phase detection is an inevitable trend for living cells. In this paper, the morphological change of HeLa cells treated with methanol of different concentrations is detected using digital holographic microscopy. The compact image-plane digital holographic system is designed based on fiber elements. The quantitative phase image of living cells is obtained in combination with numerical analysis. The statistical analysis shows that the area and average optical thickness of HeLa cells treated with 12.5% or 25% methanol reduce significantly, which indicates that the methanol with lower concentration could cause cellular shrinkage. The area of HeLa cells treated with 50% methanol is similar to that of normal cells(P>0.05), which reveals the fixative effect of methanol with higher concentration. The maximum optical thickness of the cells treated with 12.5%, 25%, and 50% methanol is greater than that of untreated cells, which implies the pyknosis of HeLa cells under the effect of methanol. All of the results demonstrate that digital holographic microscopy has supplied a noninvasive imaging alternative to measure the morphological change of label-free living cells.
Design and Development of Novel Dual-Compartment Capsule for Improved Gastroretention
Authors: Patil Ganesh B. , Singh Saurabh S. , Ramani Ketan P. , Chatap Vivekanand K. , Deshmukh Prashant K.
Published: January 2013

The aim of the proposed research work was to develop a novel dual-compartment capsule (NDCC) with polymeric disc for gastroretentive dosage form, which will ultimately result in better solubility and bioavailability of Ofloxacin. Floating ring caps were formulated by using different natural polymers, separating ring band and swellable polymer located at the bottom of capsule. Formulated ring caps were assessed for coating thickness, In vitro buoyancy, In vitro drug release, release kinetics and stability studies. Coating attained by the capsule shell was found to be 0.0643 mm. Depending on nature of natural polymer used, most of the formulations showed buoyancy for more than 9 hrs. Developed formulation demonstrated considerably higher drug release up to 9 hrs. The developed formulation FE2 depicted the drug release according to Korsmeyer-Peppas model. There was not any significant change in performance characteristics of developed ring caps after subjecting them to stability studies. The present study suggests that the use of NDCC for oral delivery of Ofloxacin could be an alternative to improve its systemic availability which could be regulated by the floating approach. The designed dosage system can have futuristic applications over payloads which require stomach-specific delivery.
Pivotal Roles of Monocytes/Macrophages in Stroke
Authors: Chiba Tsuyoshi , Umegaki Keizo
Published: January 2013

Stroke is an important issue in public health due to its high rates both of morbidity and mortality, and high rate of disability. Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, arterial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and alcohol abuse are all risk factors for stroke. Clinical observations suggest that inflammation is also a direct risk factor for stroke. Patients with stroke have high levels of inflammatory cytokines in plasma, and immune cells, such as macrophages and T-lymphocytes, are noted within stroke lesions. These inflammatory events are considered as a result of stroke. However, recent studies show that plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines or soluble adhesion molecules are high in patients without stroke, and anti-inflammatory therapy is effective at reducing stroke incidence in not only animal models, but in humans as well. Statins have been shown to decrease the stroke incidence via anti-inflammatory effects that are both dependent and independent of their cholesterol-lowering effects. These reports suggest that inflammation might directly affect the onset of stroke. Microglial cells and blood-derived monocytes/macrophages play important roles in inflammation in both onset and aggravation of stroke lesions. We review the recent findings regarding the role of monocytes/macrophages in stroke.
Equalizer's Use Limitation for Complexity Reduction in a Green Radio Receiver
Authors: Bourbia Salma , Le Guennec Daniel , Palicot Jacques , Grati Khaled , Ghazel Adel
Published: January 2013

This work is about reducing energy consumption in the receiver chain by limiting the use of the equalizer. It is to make the radio receiver aware of its environment and able to take decision to turn on or off the equalizer according to its necessity or not. When the equalizer is off, the computational complexity is reduced and the rate of reduction depends on the percentage of time during which this component is disabled. In order to achieve this scenario of adapting the use of the equalizer, we need to develop a decision-making technique that provides the receiver with the capacities of awareness and adaptability to the state of its environment. For this, we improve a technique based on a statistical modeling of the environment by defining two metrics as channel quality indicators to evaluate the effect of the intersymbol interferences and the channel fading. The statistical modeling technique allows to take into account the impact of the uncertainties of the estimated metrics on the decision making.
New Weighted Norm Inequalities for Pseudodifferential Operators and Their Commutators
Authors: Bui The Anh
Published: January 2013

This paper is dedicated to study weighted inequalities for pseudodifferential operators with amplitudes and their commutators by using the new class of weights and the new BMO function space BMO∞which are larger than the Muckenhoupt class of weights and classical BMO space BMO, respectively. The obtained results therefore improve substantially some well-known results.
Recent Applications of Mass Spectrometry in the Study of Grape and Wine Polyphenols
Authors: Flamini Riccardo
Published: January 2013

Polyphenols are the principal compounds associated with health benefic effects of wine consumption and in general are characterized by antioxidant activities. Mass spectrometry is shown to play a very important role in the research of polyphenols in grape and wine and for the quality control of products. The soft ionization of LC/MS makes these techniques suitable to study the structures of polyphenols and anthocyanins in grape extracts and to characterize polyphenolic derivatives formed in wines and correlated to the sensorial characteristics of the product. The coupling of the several MS techniques presented here is shown to be highly effective in structural characterization of the large number of low and high molecular weight polyphenols in grape and wine and also can be highly effective in the study of grape metabolomics.
In Situ Real-Time TEM Reveals Growth, Transformation and Function in One-Dimensional Nanoscale Materials: From a Nanotechnology Perspective
Authors: Petkov Nikolay
Published: January 2013

This paper summarises recent developments in in situ TEM instrumentation and operation conditions. The focus of the discussion is on demonstrating how improved understanding of fundamental physical phenomena associated with nanowire or nanotube materials, revealed by following transformations in real time and high resolution, can assist the engineering of emerging electronic and optoelectronic devices. Special attention is given to Si, Ge, and compound semiconductor nanowires and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as one of the most promising building blocks for devices inspired by nanotechnology.
Attenuated Increase in Maximal Force of Rat Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle after Concurrent Peak Power and Endurance Training
Authors: Furrer Regula , Jaspers Richard T. , Baggerman Hein L. , Bravenboer Nathalie , Lips Paul , de Haan Arnold
Published: January 2013

Improvement of muscle peak power and oxidative capacity are generally presumed to be mutually exclusive. However, this may not be valid by using fibre type-specific recruitment. Since rat medial gastrocnemius muscle (GM) is composed of high and low oxidative compartments which are recruited task specifically, we hypothesised that the adaptive responses to peak power training were unaffected by additional endurance training. Thirty rats were subjected to either no training (control), peak power training (PT), or both peak power and endurance training (PET), which was performed on a treadmill 5 days per week for 6 weeks. Maximal running velocity increased 13.5% throughout the training and was similar in both training groups. Only after PT, GM maximal force was 10% higher than that of the control group. In the low oxidative compartment, mRNA levels of myostatin and MuRF-1 were higher after PT as compared to those of control and PET groups, respectively. Phospho-S6 ribosomal protein levels remained unchanged, suggesting that the elevated myostatin levels after PT did not inhibit mTOR signalling. In conclusion, even by using task-specific recruitment of the compartmentalized rat GM, additional endurance training interfered with the adaptive response of peak power training and attenuated the increase in maximal force after power training.
Changes in the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor after Fetal Tracheal Occlusion in an Experimental Model of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Sanz-López E. , Maderuelo E. , Peláez D. , Chimenti P. , Lorente R. , Muñoz M. A. , Sánchez-Luna M.
Published: January 2013

Introduction. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an angiogenic factor secreted by type II pneumocytes, could play a role in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) pathogenesis. Animal studies suggest that VEGF accelerates lung growth.Aim. To quantify VEGF on fetal lungs in a nitrofen rat model for CDH and to analyze the effect of tracheal occlusion (TO) in VEGF in fetal lung rats after nitrofen and in control rats not exposed to nitrofen.Methods. Pregnant rats received nitrofen on day 9.5 of gestation. Fetuses were divided into 2 groups: those that underwent TO on day 20 and those that did not. On day 21, fetuses were delivered, and the lungs were dissected for subsequent VEGF quantification.Results. CDH was detected in 43% of the fetuses that received nitrofen. Fetuses with CDH showed significantly reduced lung weight/fetal weight ratio and lower VEGF levels than the remainder. A higher VEGF value was observed after TO.Conclusions. VEGF protein was significantly lower in fetuses with CDH. TO induced a significant increase in VEGF compared to the fetuses that did not undergo TO. Although not statistically significant, we observed higher VEGF levels in fetuses with CDH and TO compared to fetuses with CDH and no further intervention.
Justice is Interventionist: The Political Sources of the Judicial Reach of the Special Court for Sierra Leone
Authors: Rodman Kenneth A.
Published: January 2013

The Special Court for Sierra Leone’s conviction of former Liberian President Charles Taylor and its prosecution of perpetrators regardless of their political alignment have been hailed as milestones in the diffusion of international criminal justice norms. Yet what made these achievements possible were interventionist strategies by Western governments and international and regional institutions to defeat the rebellion in Sierra Leone and bring about regime change in Liberia. The broader lesson that should be drawn from this is that the prospects for prosecution in the aftermath of armed conflict are likely to be determined by the political strategies adopted by the international community to end the violence and that international criminal justice presumes an interventionist form of politics.
State Cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
Authors: Ryngaert Cedric
Published: January 2013

This contribution discusses the mismatch between States’ duties to cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the reality of State non-cooperation. It focuses on two issues of cooperation which have been particularly important to the Tribunal: the arrest of fugitives by States, and the referral of cases to national jurisdictions under the Tribunal’s completion strategy. The articles demonstrates how Rwanda has used cooperation - which it knows is indispensable for the Tribunal’s functioning - as a bargaining chip to obtain certain concessions from the Tribunal, but argues that also the ICTR itself and the international community should receive a portion of the blame for State non-cooperation.
A Tale of Two Institutions: The United Nations Security Council and the International Criminal Court
Authors: Aloisi Rosa
Published: January 2013

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a judicial body that has been created as a politically independent judicial institution to prosecute the most serious international crimes. However, the political independence of the Court has been questioned considerably in the past decade because of the relationship between the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which has the power to refer or defer situations to the Court, and the ICC. In this work, I argue that in analyzing the relationship between the UNSC and ICC it is evident that clashing political and judicial interests have done a disservice to the implementation of international justice. I will focus on the two instances of referrals so far approved by the UNSC and highlight some of the political aspects that seem to be hindering and delaying, in spite of international pressures for UNSC attention, a referral of the situation in Syria.
Justice, Power and Peace: Conflicting Interests and the Apprehension of ICC Suspects
Authors: Meernik James
Published: January 2013

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has the legal power to issue arrest warrants, but not the political power to arrest. Rather, it must rely on other national and international actors to enforce these requests. All the actors—the ICC, the suspected war criminals, and the key state actors—in these high stakes dramas involving the apprehension of suspected war criminals have distinct interests that guide their actions. Typically, as I argue, these contending interests lead to political disputes. I will argue that the principal interest of the International Criminal Court is justice; the principal interest of the actors indicted by the ICC is power; and the principal interests of international actors are peace and justice. Further, I contend that the ability of the ICC to gain custody of suspects will be determined by its ability to induce the international community to privilege justice over peace.
The International Criminal Court: A Pipe Dream to End Impunity?
Authors: Rothe Dawn L. , Collins Victoria E.
Published: January 2013

The prospects of the emerging international criminal justice system, namely the International Criminal Court, serving as a catalyst to end impunity of those most responsible for crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide, and massive violations of human rights, remains bleak given four underlying factors: the ideology of deterrence that undergirds the system, jurisdictional limitations, the backlash of its involvement in and issuance of arrest warrants during highly contentious conflicts. This article offers some insight into these issues and the obstacles they present to the success of the International Criminal Court in ending impunity and future cases of such criminality. We begin by discussing the International Criminal Court followed by the ideology of deterrence and issues associated with the Court’s jurisdiction. We then draw on two case examples, namely Uganda and Columbia, to discuss the challenges to involvement in ongoing conflicts and post-conflict situations.
Which Approach to Justice in Colombia under the Era of the ICC
Authors: Bueno Isabella , Diaz Rozas Andrea
Published: January 2013

How could Colombia deal with the overwhelming cruelty of mass atrocities committed during its ongoing conflict? This article intends to thoroughly explain the strategies implemented in Colombia to deal with the issues of transitional justice in an ongoing conflict and to illustrate the state of the art of the approaches to justice. In order to do so, we will show the limits of the retributive justice approach at both the national and the international level and propose the applicability of the restorative justice approach in dealing with mass victimisation. This debate becomes even more complex due to the shadow of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has exerted great influence in implementing a dominant retributive oriented approach to the expenses of other ways of doing justice.
Multilayered Justice in Northern Uganda: ICC Intervention and Local Procedures of Accountability
Authors: Roach Steven C.
Published: January 2013

In an effort to redress the effects of the civil war in Northern Uganda, local, state and international officials have begun to study the feasibility of re-adapting the procedures of local justice, including mato oput, a local procedure practiced by the Acholi tribe. This article examines this evolving multilayered project of justice in Northern Uganda. It addresses two features of this model: (1) the central features of local justice, in particular mato oput, and (2) the complementary relationship between mato oput, the state, and the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) victims’ unit and the victims’ trust fund. It argues that closer and more effective ties between the ICC and local procedures of justice can be developed. Not only does this relationship constitute an evolving framework for addressing the political realities of ICC intervention, but it also raises many important practical implications for reaching out to the local population.
Financing the International Criminal Court
Authors: O’Donohue Jonathan
Published: January 2013

In its first ten years, the International Criminal Court (ICC) cost approximately EUR 750 million. For this investment, it has conducted investigations in seven situations and commenced proceedings against 29 persons. However, it has only completed one trial and has yet to achieve significant impact in, arguably its most important function, promoting complementarity. With another eight situations under preliminary examination, its workload and budget requests are expected to increase. Some states are questioning its value for money and looking to restrict its expenditure. This paper examines the realities and challenges of financing the ICC. Firstly, it identifies emerging negative attitudes towards the cost of international criminal justice. Secondly, it describes ICC budgetary practice between 2002 and 2012. Thirdly, it considers the principle factors that should drive the ICC’s workload and therefore its budget. Finally, it examines proposals to cut costs and their potential impact on the ICC’s work.
Enunciating Genocide: Crime, Rights and the Impact of Judicial Intervention
Authors: Findlay Mark
Published: January 2013

As a consequence of recent decisions from the ICJ and the ICTR, it is clear that genocide can be pursued through the international courts both in terms of criminal liability and also rights/responsibility legal paradigms. This article suggests that this duality in possible contexts and processes of judicial determination, while being procedurally problematic, is in keeping with the human rights direction of international criminal justice. In addition, by opening the legal consideration of genocide to questions of individual liability as well as state-sponsored rights abuse, judges are now able to consider the more realistic complexity of genocide atrocity and thereby to address the diverse legitimate interests of victims. Particularly, by enabling and expanding juridical activation as the medium for legally enunciating the Genocide Convention, the determination of genocide and its consequences may benefit from enhanced certainty when reflected against the constitutional legality of the courts.