bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Letrozole versus clomiphene citrate for unexplained infertility: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Aihai , Zheng Chao , Lang Junzhe , Chen Wenbing
Published: April 2014

The objective of this study is to investigate and compare the effectiveness of letrozole and clomiphene citrate for improving fertility outcomes, including pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, multiple pregnancy rate, and incidence rate of adverse events, number of dominant follicles, endometrial thickness at hCG day and serum E2 on hCG day. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CNKI and CBMdisc databases were searched up to March 2013. Randomized controlled trials comparing letrozole with clomiphene in women with unexplained infertility were included. Pooled relative risk, mean difference and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. We found that there are no differences in pregnancy, miscarriage and multiple pregnancy rates, incidence rate of adverse events, number of dominant follicles (>18 mm) and endometrial thickness at hCG day in women with unexplained infertility between letrozole and clomiphene regimens. The mean (±standard deviation) concentration of serum E2 on hCG day was lower in those treated with letrozole than those with clomiphene. The subgroup of 2.5 mg letrozole displayed a statistically significant higher rate of clinical pregnancy as compared with 100 mg of clomiphene. The results of this study conclude that letrozole is as effective as clomiphene in women with unexplained infertility. Letrozole at a dose of 2.5 mg seems more effective. Further high‐quality studies assessing the possible effectiveness of letrozole in selected groups of patients are warranted.
Reductions in serum levels of LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, triglycerides and lipoprotein(a) in hypercholesterolaemic patients treated with the liver‐selective thyroid hormone receptor agonist eprotirome
Authors: Angelin Bo , Kristensen Jens D. , Eriksson Mats , Carlsson Bo , Klein Irwin , Olsson Anders G. , Chester Ridgway E. , Ladenson Paul W.
Published: April 2014

Background

Liver‐selective thyromimetic agents could provide a new approach for treating dyslipidaemia.

Methods

We performed a multicentre, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of eprotirome, a liver‐selective thyroid hormone receptor agonist, in 98 patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia. After previous drug wash‐out and dietary run‐in, patients received 100 or 200 μg day−1 eprotirome or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary end‐point was change in serum LDL cholesterol; secondary end‐points included changes in other lipid parameters and safety measures.

Results

Eprotirome treatment at 100 and 200 μg daily reduced serum LDL cholesterol levels by 23 ± 5% and 31 ± 4%, respectively, compared with 2 ± 6% for placebo (P < 0.0001). Similar reductions were seen in non‐HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo) B, whereas serum levels of HDL cholesterol and apo A‐I were unchanged. There were also considerable reductions in serum triglycerides and lipoprotein(a), in particular in patients with elevated levels at baseline. There was no evidence of adverse effects on heart or bone and no changes in serum thyrotropin or triiodothyronine, although the thyroxine level decreased. Low‐grade increases in liver enzymes were evident in most patients.

Conclusion

In hypercholesterolaemic patients, the liver‐selective thyromimetic eprotirome decreased serum levels of atherogenic lipoproteins without signs of extra‐hepatic side effects. Selective stimulation of hepatic thyroid hormone receptors may be an attractive way to modulate lipid metabolism in hyperlipidaemia.
Diagnostic value of MRI in dogs with inflammatory nasal disease
Authors: Furtado A. R. R. , Caine A. , Herrtage M. E.
Published: April 2014

OBJECTIVES

To determine the value of low‐field magnetic resonance imaging in differentiating sino‐nasal aspergillosis from lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis in dogs.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 41 dogs (25 with lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis and 16 with sino‐nasal aspergillosis) that underwent magnetic resonance imaging scan of the nasal cavity was conducted. On magnetic resonance imaging, turbinate destruction was classified as mild, moderate or severe. The cribriform plate and vomer destruction were classified as present or absent. The intensity of fluid accumulation and turbinates was classified on T1‐weighted and T2‐weighted images as hypointense, hyperintense and isointense based on the brightest area on the same slice.

RESULTS

Turbinate destruction was significantly (P=0·005) associated with sino‐nasal aspergillosis. On T1‐weighted images, sino‐nasal aspergillosis was associated with turbinate hyperintensity, while lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis was significantly (P=0·007) associated with hypointensity. On T2‐weighted images, this feature was shown not to be relevant.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study has demonstrated that turbinate destruction is the most reliable feature to differentiate sino‐nasal aspergillosis from lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis and that T1‐weighted image was the most useful sequence.
Association Between Penile Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI-Derived Quantitative Parameters and Self-Reported Sexual Function in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Prostate Cancer
Authors: Vargas Hebert Alberto , Donati Olivio F. , Wibmer Andreas , Goldman Debra A. , Mulhall John P. , Sala Evis , Hricak Hedvig
Published: April 2014

Introduction

The high incidence of prostate cancer, coupled with excellent prostate cancer control rates, has resulted in growing interest in nononcological survivorship issues such as sexual function. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly being performed for local staging of prostate cancer, and due to the close anatomical relationship to the prostate, penile enhancement is often depicted in prostate MRI.

Aim

To evaluate the associations between quantitative perfusion-related parameters derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI of the penis and self-reported sexual function in patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer.

Methods

This retrospective study included 50 patients who underwent DCE-MRI for prostate cancer staging before prostatectomy. The following perfusion-related parameters were calculated: volume transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant (kep), extracellular-extravascular volume fraction (ve), contrast enhancement ratio (CER), area under the gadolinium curve after 180 seconds (AUC180), and slope of the time/signal intensity curve of the corpora cavernosa. Associations between perfusion-related parameters and self-reported sexual function were evaluated using the Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test.

Main Outcome Measures

Patient responses to the sexual function domain of the Prostate Quality of Life survey.

Results

Five of the six DCE-MRI parameters (Ktrans, ve, CER, AUC180, and slope) were significantly associated with the overall score from the sexual domain of the survey (P = 0.0020–0.0252). CER, AUC180, and slope were significantly associated with the answers to all six questions (P = 0.0020–0.0483), ve was significantly associated with the answers to five of six questions (P = 0.0036–0.1029), and Ktrans was significantly associated with the answers to three of six questions (P = 0.0252–0.1023). kep was not significantly associated with the overall survey score (P = 0.7665) or the answers to any individual questions (P = 0.4885–0.8073).

Conclusion

Penile DCE-MRI parameters were significantly associated with self-reported sexual function in patients with prostate cancer. These parameters are readily available when performing prostate MRI for staging and may be relevant to the management of patients considering prostate cancer therapies.
Effects of climatic conditions on sex ratios in nests of broad‐snouted caiman
Authors: Simoncini M. S. , Cruz F. B. , Larriera A. , Piña C. I.
Published: April 2014

Caiman latirostris has temperature‐dependent sex determination and is potentially susceptible to environmental temperature fluctuations and, thus, to the global climate change phenomena. Considering the potential consequences of increasing temperatures for Ca. latirostris offspring, we examined the effects of climatic conditions on sex ratios produced by caimans in wild nests and in particular how climate variables affect nest temperature and the percentage of females produced. We also explored the potential consequences of a hypothetic 0.5 and 1.0°C increase in nest temperature on caiman populations. The proportion of females produced from nests in the wild varied among reproductive seasons, as mean nest temperatures varied between 27.1 and 33.9°C. However, after seven seasons the sex ratio biased toward females, and only during extreme events (strong El Niño Southern Oscillation event, La Niña) was there a reduction in the percentage of females produced in the wild. In the hypothetic scenarios of global warming, we predict a decrease of unisexual female nests, with nests containing both sexes or unisexual male nests becoming more frequent. Entire clutches might be lost if nest temperatures rise above 34.5°C for extended periods. However, it is possible that females modify their nesting timing and behavior to select thermally suitable nest environments.
Distribution and feeding patterns of juvenile parrotfish on algal‐dominated coral reefs
Authors: Feitosa João L.L. , Ferreira Beatrice P.
Published: April 2014

By the consumption of algae, parrotfishes open space for young coral settlement and growth, thus playing a central role on the maintenance of coral reefs. However, juvenile parrotfish ecology is often overlooked due to the difficulty discerning species during this phase. Herein, we present the first attempt to investigate changes in habitat use and diet that happen to juveniles of the Redeye parrotfish Sparisoma axillare, focusing on four zones within an algal‐dominated reef: the macroalgal beds, back reef, reef flat, and fore reef. Smaller S. axillare juveniles (<5 cm) preferred to inhabit the macroalgal beds and the reef flat, whereas juveniles larger than 5 cm were more abundant in the back and fore reefs due to distinct post‐settlement habitat conditions. Aggressive interactions with the territorial damselfish Stegastes fuscus were the primary driving factor of juvenile distribution and feeding rates. Attack rates increased with juvenile size and the lowest bite rates were observed in zones with higher densities of territorial damselfish. In previous studies, the persistence of parrotfish recruits in habitats dominated by damselfish was reduced, but newly settled parrotfish occurred more densely within the damselfish domain by behaving as a cryptic reef fish. As these juveniles grew, their bite rates increased, a change associated with a shift from cryptic to roving behavior. Feeding preferences were determined by substrate cover, where juveniles fed on available food sources in each habitat. Juveniles relied on jointed calcareous algae in habitats dominated by these algae, a pattern not observed for thick leathery algae. Filamentous algae were the preferred food for smaller fish; for individuals greater than 10 cm, a higher ingestion of sand was observed. Most studies evaluating the functional role of parrotfish do not consider species feeding preferences. However, the potential for a species to turn an impacted reef back to a coral‐dominated phase is influenced by their food selection, which is dependent on the algal species composition.
Botrytis species: relentless necrotrophic thugs or endophytes gone rogue?
Authors: van Kan Jan A. L. , Shaw Michael W. , Grant‐Downton Robert T.
Published: April 2014

Plant pathology has a long‐standing tradition of classifying microbes as pathogens, endophytes or saprophytes. Lifestyles of pathogens are categorized as biotrophic, necrotrophic or hemibiotrophic. Botrytis species are considered by many to be archetypal examples of necrotrophic fungi, with B. cinerea being the most extensively studied species because of its broad host range and economic impact. In this review, we discuss recent work which illustrates that B. cinerea is capable of colonizing plants internally, presumably as an endophyte, without causing any disease or stress symptoms. The extent of the facultative endophytic behaviour of B. cinerea and its relevance in the ecology and disease epidemiology may be vastly underestimated. Moreover, we discuss the recent discovery of a novel Botrytis species, B. deweyae, which normally grows as an endophyte in ornamental daylilies (Hemerocallis), but displays facultative pathogenic behaviour, and is increasingly causing economic damage. We propose that the emergence of endophytes ‘gone rogue’ as novel diseases may be related to increased inbreeding of hybrid lines and reduced genetic diversity. These observations lead us to argue that the sometimes inflexible classification of pathogenic microbes by their lifestyles requires serious reconsideration. There is much more variety to the interactions of Botrytis with its hosts than the eye (or the plant pathologist) can see, and this may be true for other microbes interacting with plants.
Theoretical model of the contributions of corneal asphericity and anterior chamber depth to peripheral wavefront aberrations
Authors: He Ji C.
Published: April 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to theoretically model the contributions of corneal asphericity (Q) and anterior chamber depth to peripheral wavefront aberrations.

Methods

Ray‐tracing was performed on a model eye using a customised MatLab program to calculate Zernike aberrations up to the 5th order across ±60° of the horizontal visual field. The corneal Q was varied from −0.5 to 0.8, and the anterior chamber depth was changed from 2.05 to 4.05 mm while axial length was held constant. Spherical equivalent refractive error derived from Zernike defocus was used to estimate peripheral refraction.

Results

Relative to axial Zernike aberrations, both defocus and astigmatism in the peripheral field increased with the corneal Q value, but the increases in relative peripheral astigmatism were much smaller in amplitude than relative peripheral defocus. Anterior chamber depth shortening caused the relative peripheral defocus and astigmatism to increase toward more positive values, although the changes in relative peripheral astigmatism with anterior chamber depth were small. Combination of the variations in both corneal Q and anterior chamber depth does not produce linear sum of the changes in relative peripheral defocus. The relative peripheral refractive error was more myopic when either the corneal Q was increased or the anterior chamber depth was shortened. The changes in relative peripheral x‐axis coma, trefoil and spherical aberration with corneal Q value were complex but were barely changed with anterior chamber depth within the central 60° visual field.

Conclusions

Both corneal asphericity and anterior chamber depth play important roles in determining peripheral wavefront aberrations. The two factors nonlinearly interact to affect peripheral aberrations. Higher corneal Q and/or shorter anterior chamber depth tend to produce relatively more myopic peripheral refraction. Increasing the Q value of the anterior surface of a contact lens might provide an interesting intervention to slow myopia progression.
FightandFlight: Evidence of Aggressive Capitulation in the Face of Fear Messages from Terrorists
Authors: Iyer Aarti , Hornsey Matthew J. , Vanman Eric J. , Esposo Sarah , Ale Shalini
Published: April 2014

In an era of digital technology and theInternet, terrorists can communicate their threats directly to citizens ofWestern countries. Yet no research has examined whether these messages change individuals' attitudes and behavior or the psychological processes underlying these effects. Two studies (conducted in 2008 and 2010) examined howAmerican,Australian, andBritish participants responded to messages fromOsama binLaden that threatened violence if troops were not withdrawn fromAfghanistan. Heightened fear in response to the message resulted in what we call “aggressive capitulation,” characterized by two different group‐protection responses: (1) submission to terrorist demands in the face of threats made against one's country and (2) support for increased efforts to combat the source of the threat but expressed in abstract terms that do not leave one's country vulnerable. Fear predicted influence over and above other variables relevant to persuasion. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
The Effect of the Intracervical Application of Follicle‐Stimulating Hormone or Luteinizing Hormone on the Pattern of Expression of Gonadotrophin Receptors in the Cervix of Non‐Pregnant Ewes
Authors: Leethongdee S , Khalid M , Scaramuzzi RJ
Published: April 2014

Contents

During the periovulatory period, the cervix relaxes in response to changes in circulating concentrations of reproductive hormones. The present study investigated the role of gonadotrophins in cervical function by examining the expression of follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and their mRNAs following intracervical treatment with either FSH or LH. Eighteen ewes were assigned to four groups, and they were then treated with progestagen sponges and PMSG to synchronize their oestrous cycles. Intracervical treatments were given 24 h after sponge removal as follows: Group 1: FSH 2 mg; Group 2: LH 2 mg; Group 3: Vehicle and Group 4: Control. Cervices were collected 54 h after sponge removal and then divided into three regions. The expression of FSHR and LHR was determined by immunohistochemistry and FSHR mRNA and LH mRNA by in situ hybridization. The expression of LHR, FSHR and their respective mRNAs was compared in six tissue layers (luminal epithelium, subepithelial stroma, circular, longitudinal and transverse muscle and serosa) and in three cervical regions (vaginal, mid and uterine). The results showed that FSH increased transcription of the FSHR gene and the levels of its receptor, but only in subepithelial stroma of the cervix. FSH also increased the levels of LHR in the cervix, but only in the muscle layers. LH had no effect on the levels of FSHR despite the fact that it did increase the level of transcription of the FSHR gene and LH also increased the levels of its own receptor in the cervix, but only in the muscle layers, and this action was independent of increased levels of transcription of the LHR gene. These findings suggest multiple levels of regulation of cervical LH and FSH receptors and that the gonadotrophins may have a role in relaxation of the cervix during oestrus by regulating their own receptors.
Injured but not Entitled to Legal Insurance Compensation – Ornamental Institutions and Migrant Workers’ Informal Channels inChina
Authors: Sun Li , Liu Tao
Published: April 2014

Due to the rapid industrialization and urbanization ofChina, an estimated 252 million farmers have migrated from impoverished rural areas to prosperous urban regions, seeking off‐farm employment. InChina, these are referred to as migrant workers. Workers’ compensation insurance law represents one of the most vital formal institutions forChinese migrant workers. Through in‐depth interviews with migrant workers and employers, the authors find that instead of making a formal claim based on workers’ compensation insurance law, most injured migrant workers adopt informal channels (e.g. bargaining, negotiation, threats, violence) to receive compensation from employers. Even when migrant workers are insured in accordance with the law, they may be denied legal insurance compensation and thus turn to informal private settlement. Generally, the amount of compensation acquired by means of informal private settlement is significantly smaller than that awarded in the case of legal insurance compensation. This practice reveals that, like some other formal institutions inChina, workers’ compensation insurance law is merely a symbolic ornament, window‐dressing for the public, which are referred to as ‘ornamental institutions'. In the way they are designed, set up and funded, these ornamental institutions can easily prove illusory since they conceal an anarchic world wherein diverse informal channels of social actors emerge, which reflect the reality ofChinese society. Therefore, only through deep empirical research, like this study, can one see beyond the facade of modernity in contemporaryChina, observe the reality of social actors, and reflect upon the functioning of ornamental institutions.
HLA‐G 3′ untranslated region polymorphisms influence the susceptibility for human papillomavirus infection
Authors: Xu H.‐H. , Shi W.‐W. , Lin A. , Yan W.‐H.
Published: April 2014

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐G molecule acts as a potential factor for the regulation of immune responses and its expression in virus‐infected cells may enable them to escape immunosurveillance. Besides its polymorphic promoter region, the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) seems to play an important role in regulating HLA‐G expression. In this study, we investigated the influence of HLA‐G 14 bp (rs66554220) and +3142 (rs1063320) polymorphisms in 179 women with active human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and 143 age‐matched, unrelated, HPV‐negative, normal Chinese Han population. Our findings showed that frequency of the allele +3142 C [31.3% vs 44.4%, odds ratio (OR) = 0.57, Pc < 0.01] and the genotype +3142 CC (10.6% vs 21.7%, OR = 0.43, Pc = 0.012) was significantly decreased in HPV infected patients compared with normal controls. Furthermore, the haplotype −14 bp/C was associated with a reduced risk for HPV infection (OR = 0.57, Pc = 0.001). Our findings also showed that HLA‐G homozygous +14 bp/+14 bp genotype was significantly associated with an increased risk for HPV18 infection (OR = 12.95, P < 0.01), whereas HLA‐G heterozygous +14 bp/−14 bp genotype increased risk for HPV58 (OR = 5.55, P < 0.05). Furthermore, frequency of the haplotype +14 bp/G was significantly increased in HPV18 infected patients (60.0% vs 27.3%, OR = 4.00, Pc < 0.05). Taken together, our results supported a role of the HLA‐G 3′ UTR polymorphisms as a susceptible factor for the active HPV infection, and suggested a possible interference of the HLA‐G molecule in the response to virus infection.
Triosephosphate Isomerase Is Dispensable
In Vitro
yet Essential for Mycobacterium tuberculosis To Establish Infection
Authors: Trujillo Carolina , Blumenthal Antje , Marrero Joeli , Rhee Kyu Y. , Schnappinger Dirk , Ehrt Sabine
Published: April 2014

Triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) catalyzes the interconversion of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P). This reaction is required for glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, and
tpi
has been predicted to be essential for growth of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. However, when studying a conditionally regulated
tpi
knockdown mutant, we noticed that depletion of TPI reduced growth of
M. tuberculosis
in media containing a single carbon source but not in media that contained both a glycolytic and a gluconeogenic carbon source. We used such two-carbon-source media to isolate a
tpi
deletion (Δ
tpi
) mutant. The Δ
tpi
mutant did not survive with single carbon substrates but grew like wild-type (WT)
M. tuberculosis
in the presence of both a glycolytic and a gluconeogenic carbon source.
13
C metabolite tracing revealed the accumulation of TPI substrates in Δ
tpi
and the absence of alternative triosephosphate isomerases and metabolic bypass reactions, which confirmed the requirement of TPI for glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in
M. tuberculosis
. The Δ
tpi
strain was furthermore severely attenuated in the mouse model of tuberculosis, suggesting that
M. tuberculosis
cannot simultaneously access sufficient quantities of glycolytic and gluconeogenic carbon substrates to establish infection in mice.

IMPORTANCE
The importance of central carbon metabolism for the pathogenesis of
M. tuberculosis
has recently been recognized, but the consequences of depleting specific metabolic enzymes remain to be identified for many enzymes. We investigated triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) because it is central to both glycolysis and gluconeogenesis and had been predicted to be essential for growth of
M. tuberculosis
. This work identified metabolic conditions that make TPI dispensable for
M. tuberculosis
growth in culture and proved that
M. tuberculosis
relies on a single TPI enzyme and has no metabolic bypass for the TPI-dependent interconversion of dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. Finally, we demonstrate that TPI is essential for growth of the pathogen in mouse lungs.
Revealing the Bacterial Butyrate Synthesis Pathways by Analyzing (Meta)genomic Data
Authors: Vital Marius , Howe Adina Chuang , Tiedje James M.
Published: April 2014

Butyrate-producing bacteria have recently gained attention, since they are important for a healthy colon and when altered contribute to emerging diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and type II diabetes. This guild is polyphyletic and cannot be accurately detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Consequently, approaches targeting the terminal genes of the main butyrate-producing pathway have been developed. However, since additional pathways exist and alternative, newly recognized enzymes catalyzing the terminal reaction have been described, previous investigations are often incomplete. We undertook a broad analysis of butyrate-producing pathways and individual genes by screening 3,184 sequenced bacterial genomes from the Integrated Microbial Genome database. Genomes of 225 bacteria with a potential to produce butyrate were identified, including many previously unknown candidates. The majority of candidates belong to distinct families within theFirmicutes, but members of nine other phyla, especially fromActinobacteria,Bacteroidetes,Fusobacteria,Proteobacteria,Spirochaetes, andThermotogae, were also identified as potential butyrate producers. The established gene catalogue (3,055 entries) was used to screen for butyrate synthesis pathways in 15 metagenomes derived from stool samples of healthy individuals provided by the HMP (Human Microbiome Project) consortium. A high percentage of total genomes exhibited a butyrate-producing pathway (mean, 19.1%; range, 3.2% to 39.4%), where the acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) pathway was the most prevalent (mean, 79.7% of all pathways), followed by the lysine pathway (mean, 11.2%). Diversity analysis for the acetyl-CoA pathway showed that the same few firmicute groups associated with severalLachnospiraceaeandRuminococcaceaewere dominating in most individuals, whereas the other pathways were associated primarily withBacteroidetes.

IMPORTANCEMicrobiome research has revealed new, important roles of our gut microbiota for maintaining health, but an understanding of effects of specific microbial functions on the host is in its infancy, partly because in-depth functional microbial analyses are rare and publicly available databases are often incomplete/misannotated. In this study, we focused on production of butyrate, the main energy source for colonocytes, which plays a critical role in health and disease. We have provided a complete database of genes from major known butyrate-producing pathways, using in-depth genomic analysis of publicly available genomes, filling an important gap to accurately assess the butyrate-producing potential of complex microbial communities from “-omics”-derived data. Furthermore, a reference data set containing the abundance and diversity of butyrate synthesis pathways from the healthy gut microbiota was established through a metagenomics-based assessment. This study will help in understanding the role of butyrate producers in health and disease and may assist the development of treatments for functional dysbiosis.
Cryptococcus
at Work: Gene Expression during Human Infection
Authors: Upadhya Rajendra , Donlin Maureen J. , Lodge Jennifer K.
Published: April 2014

Meningitis is a frequent manifestation of infection due to
Cryptococcus neoformans
and a major cause of increased morbidity in patients with AIDS. Numerous
in vitro
gene expression and genetic studies of the fungus have predicted a myriad of genes, pathways, and biological processes that may be critical for pathogenesis, and many studies using animal models have supported the role of these processes during infection. However, the relevance of these hypotheses based on
in vitro
and animal models has often been questioned. A recent study by Chen et al. [Y. Chen, D. L. Toffaletti, J. L. Tenor, A. P. Litvintseva, C. Fang, T. G. Mitchell, T. R. McDonald, K. Nielsen, D. R. Boulware, T. Bicanic, and J. R. Perfect, mBio 5(1):e01087-13, 2014] represents an important step in understanding the cryptococcal response during human infection.
Immunoglobulin E and Allergy: Antibodies in Immune Inflammation and Treatment
Authors: Karagiannis Sophia N. , Karagiannis Panagiotis , Josephs Debra H. , Saul Louise , Gilbert Amy E. , Upton Nadine , Gould Hannah J.
Published: April 2014

The pathogenic role of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in triggering and maintaining allergic inflammation in response to allergens is due to the binding of multivalent allergens to allergen-specific IgEs on sensitized effector cells. These interactions trigger effector cell activation, resulting in release of potent inflammatory mediators, recruitment of inflammatory cells, antigen presentation, and production of allergen-specific antibody responses. Since its discovery in the 1960s, the central role of IgE in allergic disease has been intensively studied, placing IgE and its functions at the heart of therapeutic efforts for the treatment of allergies. Here, we provide an overview of the nature, roles, and significance of IgE antibodies in allergic diseases, infections, and inflammation and the utility of antibodies as therapies. We place special emphasis on allergen-IgE-Fcε receptor complexes in the context of allergic and inflammatory diseases and describe strategies, including monoclonal antibodies, aimed at interrupting these complexes. Of clinical significance, one antibody, omalizumab, is presently in clinical use and works by preventing formation of IgE-Fcε receptor interactions. Active immunotherapy approaches with allergens and allergen derivatives have also demonstrated clinical benefits for patients with allergic diseases. These treatments are strongly associated with serum increases of IgE-neutralizing antibodies and feature a notable redirection of humoral responses towards production of antibodies of the IgG4 subclass in patients receiving immunotherapies. Lastly, we provide a new perspective on the rise of recombinant antibodies of the IgE class recognizing tumor-associated antigens, and we discuss the potential utility of tumor antigen-specific IgE antibodies to direct potent IgE-driven immune responses against tumors.
Platypnoea orthodeoxia after hepatic surgery
Authors: Asrar ul Haq Muhammad , Mutha Vivek , Al-Kaisey Ahmed , van Gaal William J
Published: April 2014

Platypnoea orthodeoxia is a rare clinical syndrome characterised by dyspnoea and deoxygenation exhibited in upright position with improvement in supine posture. Previously described aetiologies include cardiac (pericardial effusion or constrictive pericarditis), pulmonary (pneumonectomy, emphysema or amiodarone toxicity), abdominal (cirrhosis or ileus) or vascular (abdominal aortic aneurysm) causes. We report an unusual case of platypnoea orthodeoxia associated with patent foramen ovale and partial hepatic resection.
Fibroepithelial ureteral polyps presenting as ureteropelvic obstruction
Authors: Cusano Antonio , Abarzua-Cabezas Fernando , Kesler Stuart
Published: April 2014

A 57-year-old woman presented with bilateral abdominal pain and flank discomfort. Imaging studies, consisting of CT scan, diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid renal scan with Lasix and a retrograde pyelogram, indicated an obstruction at the uteropelvic junction (UPJ), possibly due to fibroepithelial polyps within the ureter. A robotic pyeloplasty revealed a ureteral diverticulum and a thin, still-attached fibroepithelial polyp of approximately 2 cm in length. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged one day postpyeloplasty with no reported complications. This rare clinical scenario should be considered when formulating a diagnosis for a UPJ obstruction.
General Practice Locum Improvement Tool
Authors: Weatherburn Christopher , Hasan Shawkat
Published: April 2014

An improvement culture is required in the NHS. Staff members who move from one place of work to another are often best placed to see alternative methods of working that at times are more efficient – locum general practitioners (GPs) tend to be in this category. A tool was developed specifically to obtain quality improvement suggestions to the general practice from the locum GP and vice versa in a time efficient manner. A pilot study was performed in one general practice in Tayside (Grove Health Centre) in December 2013 to assess if this was possible. During this month a general practice partner provided feedback to the locum GP by completing a drop down tick box survey while reviewing three cases dealt with by the locum. The locum GP was emailed after their session with a one question survey enquiring about improvement suggestions for that practice. Five different locum GPs provided clinical cover during the month studied – of these, one opted out from the study. The other four locums performed their clinical session and completed the survey. Feedback from the practice to locums included specific clinical guidance, suggestions for improving documentation, and ways to optimise referrals; of note, unique feedback was given to each locum and this was generated using this tool. Themes from the locum suggestions to the practice included more physical resources (such as cameras in each room), different ways of handling prescriptions, and a suggestion about identifying complex patients. As a direct result of this pilot a locum box has been implemented in this practice and plans are to rerun this tool periodically. The authors would recommend utilising this tool periodically in other general practices as it has the potential to identify improvement suggestions unique for that particular practice.
A physical interpretation of MOND
Authors: Bugg D.V.
Published: April 2014

Earlier comparisons of galactic rotation curves with MOND have arrived at the conclusion that the parameter a0 lies within ∼20% of cH0/2π, where c is the velocity of light and H0 is the Hubble constant. It is proposed here that, for this value of H0, signals propagating around the periphery of the Universe are phase locked by the graviton–nucleon interaction.
Hepatoprotective effects of early pentoxifylline administration on hepatic injury induced by concanavalin A in rat
Authors: Mohamed Doaa Ibrahim , Elmelegy Ahmed Abdel salam Mohamed , A. El-Aziz Lubna Foaad , Abdel kawy Hala Salah , AbdEl-Samad Abeer Ahmed , El-Kharashi Omnyah Ali
Published: April 2014

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) plays an important role in the pathogensis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection induced liver injury. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TNF-α inhibition with pentoxifylline (PTX) on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatic injury in rats. The rats were distributed among 3 groups: (i) control group (1 mL saline·week–1by intravenous injection (i.v.)); (ii) Con A treatment group (20 mg Con A·(kg body mass)–1·week–1, i.v.), and (iii) rats treated with Con A and with PTX (200 mg PTX·(kg body mass)–1·day–1, per oral) group. Blood samples and livers were collected at the end of weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 of Con A treatment. Portal pressure (PP) was measured at the end of week 8. The administration of PTX was found to confer significant protection against the injurious effects of Con A on the liver, by reducing serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, hepatic TNF-α, and malondialdehyde. Histopathological examination revealed that treatment with PTX significantly suppressed early inflammation, reduced alpha smooth muscle actin, and the apoptosis of hepatocytes induced by Con A. Moreover, PTX significantly (P < 0.05) reduced PP, and quantitative analyses of the area of fibrosis induced by treatment with Con A showed a significant reduction at the end of week 8. We conclude that rats treated with PTX revealed a more or less normal hepatocyte architecture as well as marked improvement in fibrosis and PP.
Assessing the relative culpability of Simulium (Diptera: Simuliidae) species in recent black fly outbreaks along the middle Orange River, South Africa
Authors: Rivers-Moore N.A. , Palmer R.W. , Dallas H.F.
Published: April 2014

Black fly along the Orange River are major pests of livestock and labour-intensive agriculture, causing annual estimated industry losses in excess of US$30 million. The problem is attributed to winter high flows, with the main pest species being Simulium chutteri Lewis, 1965, although Simulium damnosum Theobald, 1903 and Simulium impukane de Meillon, 1936 may also be periodically problematic. During 2011, black fly outbreaks along the middle Orange River were perceived by farmers to have worsened and attributed to S. impukane. Here, we investigate the likelihood of this being the case, using a weight-of-evidence approach incorporating ecohydrological data. Results showed that it is unlikely that the 2011 outbreaks were caused by S. impukane, and more likely that the main outbreak cause remains S. chutteri. Sustained high flows and turbidity levels favour S. chutteri species over the other species of black fly, while flow conditions for a species such as S. impukane were favourable for 1% of the time only. However, during periods of lower flow and lower turbidity, other species of black fly may be favoured and contribute towards periodic outbreaks. We conclude that black fly control should focus on management issues around the control programme.
Dynamical stability analysis of delayed recurrent neural networks with ring structure
Authors: Zhang Huaguang , Huang Yujiao , Cai Tiaoyang , Wang Zhanshan
Published: April 2014

In this paper, multistability is discussed for delayed recurrent neural networks with ring structure and multi-step piecewise linear activation functions. Sufficient criteria are obtained to check the existence of multiple equilibria. A lemma is proposed to explore the number and the cross-direction of purely imaginary roots for the characteristic equation, which corresponds to the neural network model. Stability of all of equilibria is investigated. The work improves and extends the existing stability results in the literature. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.
Bifurcation Analysis of a Generic Reaction–Diffusion Turing Model
Authors: Liu Ping , Shi Junping , Wang Rui , Wang Yuwen
Published: April 2014

A generic Turing type reaction–diffusion system derived from the Taylor expansion near a constant equilibrium is analyzed. The existence of Hopf bifurcations and steady state bifurcations is obtained. The bifurcation direction and the stability of the bifurcating periodic obits are calculated. Numerical simulations are included to show the rich spatiotemporal dynamics.
Toward a General Procedure for Extracting Templates from Chaotic Attractors Bounded by High Genus Torus
Authors: Rosalie Martin , Letellier Christophe
Published: April 2014

The topological analysis of chaotic attractor by means of template is rather well established for simple attractors as solution to the Rössler system. Lorenz-like attractors are already slightly more complicated because they are bounded by a genus-3 bounding torus, implying the necessity to use a two-component Poincaré section. In this paper, we enriched the concept of linking matrix to correctly describe an algebraic template for an attractor with (g - 1) components of Poincaré section and whose bounding torus has g interior holes aligned. An example with g = 5 — a multispiral attractor — is explicitly treated.
Chaos Entanglement: Leading Unstable Linear Systems to Chaos
Authors: Zhang Hongtao , Liu Xinzhi , Li Xianguo
Published: April 2014

Chaos entanglement is a new approach to connect linear systems to chaos. The basic principle is to entangle two or multiple linear systems by nonlinear coupling functions to form an artificial chaotic system/network such that each of them evolves in a chaotic manner. However, it is only applicable for stable linear systems, not for unstable ones because of the divergence property. In this study, a bound function is introduced to bound the unstable linear systems and then chaos entanglement is realized in this scenario. Firstly, a new 6-scroll attractor, entangling three identical unstable linear systems by sine function, is presented as an example. The dynamical analysis shows that all entangled subsystems are bounded and their equilibrium points are unstable saddle points when chaos entanglement is achieved. Also, numerical computation exhibits that this new attractor possesses one positive Lyapunov exponent, which implies chaos. Furthermore, a 4 × 4 × 4-grid attractor is generalized by introducing a more complex bound function. Hybrid entanglement is obtained when entangling a two-dimensional stable linear subsystem and a one-dimensional unstable linear subsystem. Specifically, it is verified that it is possible to produce chaos by entangling unstable linear subsystems through linear coupling functions — a special approach referred to as linear entanglement. A pair of 2-scroll chaotic attractors are established by linear entanglement. Our results indicate that chaos entanglement is a powerful approach to generate chaotic dynamics and could be utilized as a guideline to effectively create desired chaotic systems for engineering applications.
A Multiaddress Co-Chaos Shift Keying Communication Scheme and Performance Analysis
Authors: Zhu Zhiliang , Song Jingping , Song Yanjie , Yu Hai
Published: April 2014

A new multiaddress Co-Chaos Shift keying communication scheme (MA-CoCSK) was proposed based on analyzing the permutation-based differential chaos-shift-keying (PMA-DCSK) scheme and the Antipodal Chaos-Shift-Keying (ACSK) scheme. We also analyzed the bit error rate of the new scheme in Gaussian white noise channel and compared its performance with that of the PMA-DCSK scheme. Theory analysis and simulation results both indicate that the scheme proposed in this paper can not only improve the transmission efficiency of a communication system, but also decrease the bit error rate significantly while increasing the speed compared to PMA-DCSK.
FPGA Design and Applicable Analysis of Discrete Chaotic Maps
Authors: Wang Hongjun , Song Bingbing , Liu Qiang , Pan Jing , Ding Qun
Published: April 2014

FPGA technology, applied to the case of electronic system, needs to make full use of hardware resources, to achieve great efficiency and yield the largest returns. To apply digital chaotic sequence which consume least resource in encryption system, this paper seeks a tradeoff between logistic and skew tent discrete map aiming at hardware utilization through the method of testing critical precision. Critical precision (or delay) is firstly proposed to weigh the effect of different precision (or delay) on chaotic system according to the autocorrelation property of output sequences. In tests, a controlled variable approach is adopted. Firstly, build graphical module on DSP builder platform in Simulink library, and then transform that into VHDL hardware language running in Quartus II, in which way, considerable time is saved. The results show that: in respective critical precision, the logistic map allows higher hardware utilization and is suitable to lower resource implementation. Meanwhile, compared with skew tent map in the same precision, the autocorrelation, run and balance properties of logistic map are all more superior. Therefore, a logistic map is selected as a key generator in hardware cryptographic system.
More Than Three Limit Cycles in Discontinuous Piecewise Linear Differential Systems with Two Zones in the Plane
Authors: Braga Denis De Carvalho , Mello Luis Fernando
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we study the existence of limit cycles for piecewise linear differential systems with two zones in the plane. More precisely, we prove the existence of piecewise linear differential systems with two zones in the plane with four, five, six and seven limit cycles. From our results we conjecture the existence of piecewise linear differential systems with two zones in the plane having exactly n limit cycles for all n ∈ ℕ.
Improved Homoclinic Predictor for Bogdanov–Takens Bifurcation
Authors: Kuznetsov Yu. A. , Meijer H. G. E. , Al Hdaibat B. , Govaerts W.
Published: April 2014

An improved homoclinic predictor at a generic codim 2 Bogdanov–Takens (BT) bifucation is derived. We use the classical "blow-up" technique to reduce the canonical smooth normal form near a generic BT bifurcation to a perturbed Hamiltonian system. With a simple perturbation method, we derive explicit first- and second-order corrections of the unperturbed homoclinic orbit and parameter value. To obtain the normal form on the center manifold, we apply the standard parameter-dependent center manifold reduction combined with the normalization, that is based on the Fredholm solvability of the homological equation. By systematically solving all linear systems appearing from the homological equation, we remove an ambiguity in the parameter transformation existing in the literature. The actual implementation of the improved predictor in MatCont and numerical examples illustrating its efficiency are discussed.
Bibot-U6: A Novel 6-DoF Biped Active Walking Robot - Modeling, Planning and Control
Authors: Zhou Xuefeng , Guan Yisheng , Zhu Haifei , Wu Wenqiang , Chen Xin , Zhang Hong , Fu Yuli
Published: April 2014

Most of current biped robots are active walking platforms. Though they have strong locomotion ability and good adaptability to environments, they have a lot of degrees of freedom (DoFs) and hence result in complex control and high energy consumption. On the other hand, passive or semi-passive walking robots require less DoFs and energy, but their walking capability and robustness are poor. To overcome these shortcomings, we have developed a novel active biped walking robot with only six DoFs. The robot is built with six 1-DoF joint modules and two wheels as the feet. It achieves locomotion in special gaits different from those of traditional biped robots. In this paper, this novel biped robot is introduced, four walking gaits are proposed, the criterion of stable walking is addressed and analyzed, and walking patterns and motion planning are presented. Experiments are carried out to verify the locomotion function, the effectiveness of the presented gaits and to illustrate the features of this novel biped robot. It has been shown that biped active walking may be achieved with only a few DoFs and simple kinematic configuration.
A comparative photophysicochemical study of mono substituted phthalocyanines grafted onto silica nanoparticles
Authors: Fashina Adedayo , Antunes Edith , Nyokong Tebello
Published: April 2014

In this study, we report on the covalent linking of carboxylic acid functionalized silica nanoparticles with zinc phthalocyanine mono-substituted non-peripherally and peripherally with either a 4-amino phenoxy (1, peripheral and 2, non-peripheral) or an amino group (3 peripheral). The grafting is achieved via the formation of an amide bond between the carboxylic acid of the silica nanoparticles and the amino group of the phthalocyanine complexes. The hybrid nanoparticles retained the amorphous nature of silica nanoparticles after conjugation. A slight decrease in fluorescence and a general improvement in triplet quantum yields compared to free Pcs were observed. Triplet lifetimes for 2- SiNPs and 3- SiNPs also improved when compared to the free phthalocyanine. The changes in singlet oxygen quantum yields upon conjugation were minimal.