bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mammalian target of rapamycin pathway is up-regulated by both acute endurance exercise and chronic muscle contraction in rat skeletal muscle
Authors: Edgett Brittany A. , Fortner Melanie L. , Bonen Arend , Gurd Brendon J.
Published: March 2013

This study examined changes in the expression of translation initiation regulatory proteins and mRNA following both an acute bout of endurance exercise and chronic muscle contractile activity. Female Sprague Dawley rats ran for 2 h at 15 m·min−1 followed by an increase in speed of 5 m·min−1 every 5 min until volitional fatigue. The red gastrocnemius muscle was harvested from nonexercised animals (control; n = 6) and from animals that exercised either immediately after exercise (n = 6) or following 3 h of recovery from exercise (n = 6). Compared with control, ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6) mRNA was elevated (p < 0.05) at both 0 h (+32%) and 3 h (+47%). Both a catalytic subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (eIF2Bε) (+127%) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) mRNA (+44%) were increased at 3 h, compared with control. Phosphorylation of mTOR (+40%) and S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) (+266%) were increased immediately after exercise (p < 0.05). Female Sprague Dawley rats also underwent chronic stimulation of the peroneal nerve continuously for 7 days. The red gastrocnemius muscle was removed 24 h after cessation of the stimulation. Chronic muscle stimulation increased (p < 0.05) mTOR protein (+74%), rpS6 (+31%), and eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (+44%, p = 0.069), and this was accompanied by an increase in cytochrome c (+31%). Increased resting phosphorylation was observed for rpS6 (+51%) (p < 0.05) but not for mTOR or eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1. These experiments demonstrate that both acute and chronic contractile activity up-regulate the mTOR pathway and mitochondrial content in murine skeletal muscle. This up-regulation of the mTOR pathway may increase translation efficiency and may also represent an important control point in exercise-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis.
The value and propriety of reintroduction as a conservation tool for rare plants
Authors: Guerrant Edward O.
Published: March 2013

Three recent reviews of reintroduction for conservation purposes, which draw on substantial and largely nonoverlapping data sets, have come to strikingly different conclusions about its value. One concludes that “reintroduction is generally unlikely to be a successful conservation strategy as currently conducted”. Another concludes that “…this review cannot conclusively comment on the effectiveness of reintroductions…” The third concludes that there is “strong evidence in support of the notion that reintroduction, especially in combination with ex situ conservation, is a tool that can go a long way toward meeting the needs it was intended to address”. The argument over the conservation value of reintroduction is of more than academic interest. It illustrates a challenge facing land managers and decision makers who may be tempted to act on stated conclusions without thoroughly understanding their underlying assumptions, methodology, and terminology. The differing conclusions can be partially explained by different criteria of what constitutes success, how to measure it, and differing time scales considered. The propriety of reintroduction is briefly discussed and focuses on the following two issues: translocation of naturally occurring individuals to new locations and introduction outside a species' naturally occurring range. Both have appropriate uses but can be used in ways that detract from the survival prospects of taxa.
Genetic variation in the moss Homalothecium lutescens in relation to habitat age and structure
Authors: Rosengren Frida , Cronberg Nils , Reitalu Triin , Prentice Honor C.
Published: March 2013

Relationships between genetic (allozyme) variation and landscape age and structure were investigated in 17 calcareous grassland demes of the moss Homalothecium lutescens (Hedw.) H. Rob. on the Baltic island of Öland. Mean within-deme gene diversity (HS = 0.152) was moderate compared with other bryophyte studies, and the between-deme proportion of the total diversity (GST = 0.100, Jost's D = 0.011) was low but significantly different from zero. Clonal mixing, measured as the proportion of two adjacent shoots having different haplotypes, was relatively high (mean 0.32 over all demes). HS was higher in old grassland fragments, but negatively related to vascular plant species richness. Allelic richness (A) was positively associated with the area of old (≥ 280 years) grassland in the surroundings: although demes in old grasslands are genetically more variable than those in younger grasslands, proximity to large areas of old grassland may promote genetic variability even in younger grassland demes. The importance of management continuity for species diversity has been stressed in many earlier grassland studies. Here, we conclude that grassland fragments with a long history of grazing continuity are also positively associated with variability at within-species level, as exemplified by the bryophyte H. lutescens.
Optimum and maximum temperatures of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) populations hatched at different temperatures
Authors: Chen Z. , Anttila K. , Wu J. , Whitney C.K. , Hinch S.G. , Farrell A.P.
Published: March 2013

Temperature tolerance and heart rates were compared among nine sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum in Artedi, 1792)) populations, whose eggs were incubated at 10, 14, and 16 °C before rearing all hatchlings at a common temperature. Critical thermal maximum (CTmax) significantly differed among populations and temperature treatments. Populations with shorter migration distance and a lower migration and spawning temperature tended to have higher CTmax at 90 days posthatch. However, the relationship was reversed when fish of similar size were compared at 135–214 days posthatch. CTmax at 90 days posthatch was also positively related to body mass, which differed appreciably among populations at this development stage. With growth, the population differences in CTmax diminished from 3.1 to 1 °C. Elevated incubation temperature also decreased CTmax. Arrhenius breakpoint temperature (ABT) for maximum heart rate differed among populations incubated at 14 °C. The Chilko Lake population, which rear at 1.2 km above sea level, had the highest heart rate across all temperatures when incubated at 14 °C, but the lowest ABT among populations. This study provides clear evidence for the local adaptation among sockeye salmon populations with respect to temperature tolerance and cardiac capacity, information that adds to the debate on whether intraspecific variance is adaptive, or a constraint, or both.
CHARACTERIZATIONS AND STABILITY OF COLLOIDAL COAL-MEASURE KAOLINITE IN AQUEOUS SUSPENSIONS: A REVIEW
Authors: LIU LINGYUN , HU YANG , MIN FANFEI , ZHANG MINGXU , SONG SHAOXIAN
Published: March 2013

Coal-measure kaolinite is a main gangue mineral in coal deposits. Because of the colloidal particle size, the kaolinite is very stable in coal tailing slurries, leading to a high turbidity of recycled water in coal washing plants. The coagulation of colloidal kaolinite in aqueous suspensions is an essential problem in many coal washing plants. This review highlights the characterizations and stability of colloidal coal-measure kaolinite in aqueous suspensions. The characterizations include mineralogy, electrokinetics and hydration layers on kaolinite surfaces. The coagulation of colloidal kaolinite in aqueous suspensions is reviewed and discussed on the basis of the DLVO theory and the characterization. In addition,the main parameters of affecting the coagulation, such as suspension pH, electrolytic ions and temperature, are summarized.
STUDIES ON SURFACE STRUCTURE, MORPHOLOGY AND COMPOSITION OF Co–W COATINGS ELECTRODEPOSITED WITH DIRECT AND PULSE CURRENT USING GLUCONATE BATH
Authors: BERA PARTHASARATHI , SEENIVASAN H. , RAJAM K. S.
Published: March 2013

Co–W alloy coatings were deposited with direct current (DC) and pulse current (PC) electrodeposition methods using gluconate bath at pH5 and characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). DSC studies hint at the possibility of formation of metallic glasses. Detailed XPS studies of these alloy coatings have been carried out to compare elemental states and composition of Co and W in DC and PC electrodeposited alloys. DC-plated alloy has significant amount of Co and W metal along with their respective oxidized species. In contrast, mainly oxidized metals are present in the following layers of as-deposited coatings prepared with PC plating. Concentration of Co metal is observed to increase during sputtering, whereas there is no change in W6+ concentration. Microhardness measurement of all the Co–W coatings shows higher hardness compared to Co metal and 1:1 and 1:4 PC electrodeposited coatings show little higher hardness compared to 1:2 PC electrodeposited coating.
THERMALLY FORMED Ru–Si NANOSTRUCTURES GROWN ON SILICON (001) SURFACE
Authors: SHUDO K. , OHNO S. , KAWAMURA N. , TORAMARU M. , KOBAYASHI N. , MIYAMOTO Y.
Published: March 2013

The thermal formation of silicide was observed on Ru -deposited Si(001) surfaces at monolayer scale. Rectangular Ru–Si islands, composed of metastable Ru -rich granular phase, were formed at the early stage of growth. The shape and size of the islands were strongly influenced by the orientation of Si(001) , and did not change until the density of the nearby steps became sufficiently high. In the late stage of growth, incorporation of Si into the islands starts, and at the same time the frequent attack of Si detached from the terrace results in formation of step bunches on the terrace.
A NOVEL NEUTROSOPHIC LOGIC SVM (N-SVM) AND ITS APPLICATION TO IMAGE CATEGORIZATION
Authors: JU WEN , CHENG H. D.
Published: March 2013

Neutrosophic logic is a relatively new logic that is a generalization of fuzzy logic. In this paper, for the first time, neutrosophic logic is applied to the field of classifiers where a support vector machine (SVM) is adopted as the example to validate its feasibility and effectiveness. The proposed neutrosophic set is integrated into a reformulated SVM, and the performance of the obtained classifier N-SVM is evaluated under a region-based image categorization system. Images are first segmented by a hierarchical two-stage self-organizing map (HSOM) using color and texture features. A novel approach is proposed to select the training samples of HSOM based on homogeneity properties. A diverse density support vector machine (DD-SVM) framework is then applied to viewing an image as a bag of instances corresponding to the regions obtained from image segmentation. Each bag is mapped to a point in the new bag space, and the categorization is transformed to a classification problem. Then, the proposed N-SVM is used as the classifier in the new bag space. N-SVM treats samples differently according to the weighting function, and it helps to reduce the effects of outliers. Experimental results have demonstrated the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method which may find wide applications in the related areas.
IMPROVING ADAPTABILITY OF DECISION TREE FOR MINING BIG DATA
Authors: YANG HANG , FONG SIMON
Published: March 2013

Big data has become a popular research topic since the data explosion in the past decade. An efficient analytical methodology provides a way of discovering the potential value from big data. Sampling technique is unsuitable any more that the full data will tell the truths. To this end, the data mining algorithm shall be robust to imperfect data, which may lead to tree size explosion and detrimental accuracy problems. In this paper, we propose an incremental optimization mechanism to solve these problems. The mechanism is called Optimized Very Fast Decision Tree (OVFDT) that possesses an optimized node-splitting control mechanism. Accuracy, tree size and the learning time are the significant factors, which contribute to a much-improved algorithm in performance. Naturally a bigger tree size takes longer computation time. OVFDT is a pioneer model equipped with an incremental optimization mechanism that seeks for a balance between accuracy and tree size for data stream mining. OVFDT operates incrementally by a test-then-train approach. Two new methods of functional tree leaves are proposed to improve the accuracy that the tree model makes a prediction for a new data stream in the testing phase. The optimized node-splitting mechanism controls the tree model growth in the training phase. The experiment supports our claim that OVFDT is an optimal tree structure in both numeric and nominal datasets.
Leptin receptor neurons in the mouse hypothalamus are colocalized with the neuropeptide galanin and mediate anorexigenic leptin action
Authors: Laque Amanda , Zhang Yan , Gettys Sarah , Nguyen Tu-Anh , Bui Kelly , Morrison Christopher D. , Münzberg Heike
Published: March 2013

Leptin acts centrally via leptin receptor (LepRb)-expressing neurons to regulate food intake, energy expenditure, and other physiological functions. LepRb neurons are found throughout the brain, and several distinct populations contribute to energy homeostasis control. However, the function of most LepRb populations remains unknown, and their contribution to regulate energy homeostasis has not been studied. Galanin has been hypothesized to interact with the leptin signaling system, but literature investigating colocalization of LepRb and galanin has been inconsistent, which is likely due to technical difficulties to visualize both. We used reporter mice with green fluorescent protein expression from the galanin locus to recapitulate the colocalization of galanin and leptin-induced p-STAT3 as a marker for LepRb expression. Here, we report the existence of two populations of galanin-expressing LepRb neurons (Gal-LepRb neurons): in the hypothalamus overspanning the perifornical area and adjacent dorsomedial and lateral hypothalamus [collectively named extended perifornical area (exPFA)] and in the brainstem (nucleus of the solitary tract). Surprisingly, despite the known orexigenic galanin action, leptin induces galanin mRNA expression and stimulates LepRb neurons in the exPFA, thus conflicting with the expected anorexigenic leptin action. However, we confirmed that intra-exPFA leptin injections were indeed sufficient to mediate anorexic responses. Interestingly, LepRb and galanin-expressing neurons are distinct from orexin or melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH)-expressing neurons, but exPFA galanin neurons colocalized with the anorexigenic neuropeptides neurotensin and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART). Based on galanin's known inhibitory function, we speculate that in exPFA Gal-LepRb neurons galanin acts inhibitory rather than orexigenic.
Low molecular weight fibroblast growth factor-2 signals via protein kinase C and myofibrillar proteins to protect against postischemic cardiac dysfunction
Authors: Manning Janet R. , Perkins Sarah O. , Sinclair Elizabeth A. , Gao Xiaoqian , Zhang Yu , Newman Gilbert , Pyle W. Glen , Schultz Jo El J.
Published: March 2013

Among its many biological roles, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) acutely protects the heart from dysfunction associated with ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Our laboratory has demonstrated that this is due to the activity of the low molecular weight (LMW) isoform of FGF2 and that FGF2-mediated cardioprotection relies on the activity of protein kinase C (PKC); however, which PKC isoforms are responsible for LMW FGF2-mediated cardioprotection, and their downstream targets, remain to be elucidated. To identify the PKC pathway(s) that contributes to postischemic cardiac recovery by LMW FGF2, mouse hearts expressing only LMW FGF2 (HMWKO) were bred to mouse hearts not expressing PKCα (PKCαKO) or subjected to a selective PKCε inhibitor (εV1–2) before and during I/R. Hearts only expressing LMW FGF2 showed significantly improved postischemic recovery of cardiac function following I/R ( P < 0.05), which was significantly abrogated in the absence of PKCα ( P < 0.05) or presence of PKCε inhibition ( P < 0.05). Hearts only expressing LMW FGF2 demonstrated differences in actomyosin ATPase activity as well as increases in the phosphorylation of troponin I and T during I/R compared with wild-type hearts; several of these effects were dependent on PKCα activity. This evidence indicates that both PKCα and PKCε play a role in LMW FGF2-mediated protection from cardiac dysfunction and that PKCα signaling to the contractile apparatus is a key step in the mechanism of LMW FGF2-mediated protection against myocardial dysfunction.
Differential role of endothelial versus neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the regulation of coronary blood flow during pacing-induced increases in cardiac workload
Authors: Shabeeh Husain , Melikian Narbeh , Dworakowski Rafal , Casadei Barbara , Chowienczyk Phil , Shah Ajay M.
Published: March 2013

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was assumed to be the only source of nitric oxide (NO) involved in the regulation of human coronary blood flow (CBF). However, our recent first-in-human study using the neuronal NOS (nNOS)-selective inhibitor S-methyl-L-thiocitrulline (SMTC) showed that nNOS-derived NO also plays a role. In this study, we investigated the relative contribution of nNOS and eNOS to the CBF response to a pacing-induced increase in cardiac workload. Incremental right atrial pacing was undertaken in patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries during intracoronary infusion of saline vehicle and then either SMTC or NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA; which inhibits both eNOS and nNOS). Intracoronary SMTC (0.625 μmol/min) and l-NMMA (25 μmol/min) reduced basal CBF to a similar extent (−19.2 ± 3.2% and 25.0 ± 2.7%, respectively; n = 10 per group). Pacing-induced increases in CBF were significantly blunted by l-NMMA (maximum CBF: 83.5 ± 14.2 ml/min during saline vs. 61.6 ± 9.5 ml/min during l-NMMA; P < 0.01). By contrast, intracoronary SMTC had no effect on the maximum CBF during pacing (98.5 ± 12.9 ml/min during saline vs. 102.1 ± 16.6 ml/min during SMTC; P = not significant). l-NMMA also blunted the pacing-induced increase in coronary artery diameter ( P < 0.001 vs. saline), whereas SMTC had no effect. Our results confirm a role of nNOS in the regulation of basal CBF in humans but show that coronary vasodilation in response to a pacing-induced increase in cardiac workload is exclusively mediated by eNOS-derived NO.
On a New I-Convergent Double-Sequence Space
Authors: Khan Vakeel A. , Khan Nazneen
Published: March 2013

The sequence space BVσ was introduced and studied by Mursaleen (1983). In this article we introduce the sequence space 2BVσI and study some of its properties and inclusion relations.
On Global Existence of Solutions of the Neumann Problem for Spherically Symmetric Nonlinear Viscoelasticity in a Ball
Authors: Gawinecki Jerzy A. , Zajączkowski Wojciech M.
Published: March 2013

We examine spherically symmetric solutions to the viscoelasticity
system in a ball with the Neumann boundary conditions. Imposing
some growth restrictions on the nonlinear part of the stress tensor,
we prove the existence of global regular solutions for large data in
the weighted Sobolev spaces, where the weight is a power function of
the distance to the centre of the ball. First, we prove a global a
priori estimate. Then existence is proved by the method of successive
approximations and appropriate time extension.
Modification of the Ladder Rung Walking Task—New Options for Analysis of Skilled Movements
Authors: Antonow-Schlorke Iwa , Ehrhardt Julia , Knieling Marcel
Published: March 2013

Method sensitivity is critical for evaluation of poststroke motor function. Skilled walking was assessed in horizontal, upward, and downward rung ladder walking to compare the demands of the tasks and test sensitivity. The complete step sequence of a walk was subjected to analysis aimed at demonstrating the walking pattern, step sequence, step cycle, limb coordination, and limb interaction to complement the foot fault scoring system. Rats (males,n=10) underwent unilateral photothrombotic lesion of the motor cortex of the forelimb and hind limb areas. Locomotion was video recorded before the insult and at postischemic days 7 and 28. Analysis of walking was performed frame-by-frame. Walking along the rung ladder revealed different results that were dependent on ladder inclination. Horizontal walking was found to discriminate lesion-related motor deficits in forelimb, whereas downward walking demonstrates hind limb use most sensitively. A more frequent use of the impaired forelimb that possibly supported poststroke motor learning in rats was shown. The present study provides a novel system for a detailed analysis of the complete walking sequence and will help to provide a better understanding of how rats deal with motor impairments.
Occurrence and Removal Characteristics of Phthalate Esters from Typical Water Sources in Northeast China
Authors: Liu Yu , Chen Zhonglin , Shen Jimin
Published: March 2013

The presence of phthalate esters (PAEs) in the environment has gained a considerable attention due to their potential impacts on public health. This study reports the first data on the occurrence of 15 PAEs in the water near the Mopanshan Reservoir—the new and important water source of Harbin city in Northeast China. As drinking water is a major source for human exposure to PAEs, the fate of target PAEs in the two waterworks (Mopanshan Waterworks and Seven Waterworks) was also analyzed. The results demonstrated that the total concentrations of 15 PAEs in the water near the Mopanshan Reservoir were relatively moderate, ranging from 355.8 to 9226.5 ng/L, with the mean value of 2943.1 ng/L. DBP and DEHP dominated the PAE concentrations, which ranged from 52.5 to 4498.2 ng/L and 128.9 to 6570.9 ng/L, respectively. The occurrence and concentrations of these compounds were heavily spatially dependent. Meanwhile, the results on the waterworks samples suggested no significant differences in PAE levels with the input of the raw waters. Without effective and stable removal of PAEs after the conventional drinking water treatment in the waterworks (25.8% to 76.5%), the risks posed by PAEs through drinking water ingestion were still existing, which should be paid special attention to the source control in the Mopanshan Reservoir and some advanced treatment processes for drinking water supplies.
The Influence of Skin Microcirculation Blood Perfusion at Zusanli Acupoint by Stimulating with Lift-Thrust Reinforcing and Reducing Acupuncture Manipulation Methods on Healthy Adults
Authors: Li Xiaomei , Li Yanqi , Chen Jingzi , Zhou Dan , Liu Yangyang , Li Yinghong , Liu Jianwei , Guo Yongming , Guo Yi
Published: March 2013

Background. In traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture manipulation is one of the key factors that affect the curative results of acupuncture and more and more researches focus on how the different acupuncture manipulation techniques influence microcirculation nowadays. In this paper we demonstrate the different influences of lift-thrust reinforcing and reducing on blood perfusion.Method. The acupuncture manipulations of lift-thrust reinforcing and reducing were, respectively, applied to the 15 healthy subjects at the Zusanli acupoint and the changes of blood perfusion were monitored by Pericam Perfusion Speckle Imager (PSI).Conclusion. Both of the manipulations of lift-thrust reinforcing and reducing increase blood perfusion at Zusanli acupoint while the increasing amount of blood perfusion in the reinforcing group is significantly higher than in the reducing group.
Heart Allograft Tolerance Induced and Maintained by Vascularized Hind-Limb Transplant in Rats
Authors: Liu Quan , Wang Yong , Nakao Atsunori , Zhang Wensheng , Gorantla Vijay , Zheng Xin Xiao
Published: March 2013

Organ/tissue transplantation has become an effective therapy for end-stage diseases. However, immunosuppression after transplantation may cause severe side effects. Donor-specific transplant tolerance was proposed to solve this problem. In this study, we report a novel method for inducing and maintaining heart allograft tolerance rats. First, we induced indefinite vascularized hind-limb allograft survival with a short-term antilymphocyte serum + Cyclosporine A treatment. Peripheral blood chimerism disappeared 6-7 weeks after immunosuppression was withdrawn. Then the recipients accepted secondary donor-strain skin and heart transplantation 200 days following vascularized hind-limb transplantation without any immunosuppression, but rejected third party skin allografts, a status of donor-specific tolerance. The ELISPOT results suggested a mechanism of clone deletion. These findings open new perspectives for the role of vascularized hind-limb transplant in the induction and maintenance of organ transplantation tolerance.
An Extension of Subgradient Method for Variational Inequality Problems in Hilbert Space
Authors: Wang Xueyong , Li Shengjie , Kou Xipeng
Published: March 2013

An extension of subgradient method for solving variational inequality problems is presented. A new iterative process, which relates to the fixed point of a nonexpansive mapping and the current iterative point, is generated. A weak convergence theorem is obtained for three sequences generated by the iterative process under some mild conditions.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Studies of Pd(II) and Pt(II) Complexes of Some Diaminopyrimidine Derivatives
Authors: Ajibade Peter A. , Idemudia Omoruyi G.
Published: March 2013

Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of trimethoprim and pyrimethamine were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy. The complexes are formulated as four coordinate square planar species containing two molecules of the drugs and two chloride or thiocyanate ions. The coordination of the metal ions to the pyrimidine nitrogen atom of the drugs was confirmed by spectroscopic analyses. The complexes were screened for their antibacterial activities against eight bacterial isolates. They showed varied activities with the active metal complexes showing more enhanced inhibition than either trimethoprim or pyrimethamine. The Pd(II) complexes of pyrimethamine showed unique inhibitory activities againstP. aeruginosaandB. pumilus, and none of the other complexes or the drugs showed any activity against these bacteria isolates. The MIC and MBC determinations revealed that these Pd(II) complexes are the most active. Structure activity relationship showed that Pt(II) complexes containing chloride ions are more active, while for Pd(II) complexes containing thiocyanate ions showed more enhanced activity than those containing chloride ions.
Tuberculous Osteomyelitis of the Hyoid Bone: A Case Report
Authors: Emerson Paul , Philip Ajay , Varghese George M. , Thomas Regi
Published: March 2013

Skeletal tuberculosis is a well-known disease entity. We report the first case involving hyoid bone and the use of polymerase chain reaction-based test in detection and management. A 62-year-old male presented with neck swelling of a 20-day duration along with change of voice and dysphagia. Examination revealed a cystic, osteolytic lesion of the hyoid bone which histopathologically demonstrated features of granulomatous infection. A polymerase chain reaction test confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
In Situ Measurement of Local Hydrogen Production Rate by Bubble-Evolved Recording
Authors: Hu Xiaowei , Guo Liejin , Wang Yechun
Published: March 2013

Hydrogen visibly bubbles during photocatalytic water splitting under illumination with above-bandgap radiation, which provides a direct measurement of local gas-evolving reaction rate. In this paper, optical microscopy of superfield depth was used for recording the hydrogen bubble growth on Cd0.5Zn0.5S photocatalyst in reaction liquid and illuminated with purple light. By analyzing change of hydrogen bubble size as a function of time, we understood that hydrogen bubble growth experienced two periods, which were inertia effect dominated period and diffusion effect dominated period, respectively. The tendency of hydrogen bubble growth was similar to that of the gas bubble in boiling, while the difference in bubble diameter and growth time magnitude was great. Meanwhile, we obtained the local hydrogen production rate on photocatalyst active site by measuring hydrogen bubble growth variation characteristics. This method makes it possible to confirm local actual hydrogen evolution rate quantitatively during photocatalytic water splitting.
A Lotka-Volterra Competition Model with Cross-Diffusion
Authors: Chen Wenyan , Chen Ya
Published: March 2013

A Lotka-Volterra competition model with cross-diffusions under homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition is considered, where cross-diffusions are included in such a way that the two species run away from each other because of the competition between them. Using the method of upper and lower solutions, sufficient conditions for the existence of positive solutions are provided when the cross-diffusions are sufficiently small. Furthermore, the investigation of nonexistence of positive solutions is also presented.
Triptolide Prevents Bone Destruction in the Collagen-Induced Arthritis Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Targeting RANKL/RANK/OPG Signal Pathway
Authors: Liu Chunfang , Zhang Yanqiong , Kong Xiangying , Zhu Liuluan , Pang Jian , Xu Ying , Chen Weiheng , Zhan Hongsheng , Lu Aiping , Lin Na
Published: March 2013

Focal bone destruction within inflamed joints is the most specific hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our previous study indicated that the therapeutic efficiency of triptolide in RA may be due partially to its chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its roles in bone destruction are still unclear. In this study, our data firstly showed the therapeutic effects of triptolide on severity of arthritis and arthritis progression in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. Then, by micro-CT quantification, triptolide treatment significantly increased bone mineral density, bone volume fraction, and trabecular thickness and decreased trabecular separation of inflamed joints. Interestingly, triptolide treatment could prevent the bone destruction by reducing the number of osteoclasts in inflamed joints, reducing the expression of receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) ligand (RANKL) and RANK, increasing the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), at both mRNA and protein levels, and decreasing the ratio of RANKL to OPG in sera and inflamed joints of CIA mice, which were further confirmed in the coculture system of human fibroblast-like synovial and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These findings offer the convincing evidence for the first time that triptolide may attenuate RA partially by preventing the bone destruction and inhibit osteoclast formation by regulating RANKL/RANK/OPG signal pathway.
Subsite-Specific Dietary Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer: A Review of Cohort Studies
Authors: Hjartåker Anette , Aagnes Bjarte , Robsahm Trude Eid , Langseth Hilde , Bray Freddie , Larsen Inger Kristin
Published: March 2013

Objective. A shift in the total incidence from left- to right-sided colon cancer has been reported and raises the question as to whether lifestyle risk factors are responsible for the changing subsite distribution of colon cancer. The present study provides a review of the subsite-specific risk estimates for the dietary components presently regarded as convincing or probable risk factors for colorectal cancer: red meat, processed meat, fiber, garlic, milk, calcium, and alcohol.Methods. Studies were identified by searching PubMed through October 8, 2012 and by reviewing reference lists. Thirty-two prospective cohort studies are included, and the estimates are compared by sex for each risk factor.Results. For alcohol, there seems to be a stronger association with rectal cancer than with colon cancer, and for meat a somewhat stronger association with distal colon and rectal cancer, relative to proximal colon cancer. For fiber, milk, and calcium, there were only minor differences in relative risk across subsites. No statement could be given regarding garlic. Overall, many of the subsite-specific risk estimates were nonsignificant, irrespective of exposure.Conclusion. For some dietary components the associations with risk of cancer of the rectum and distal colon appear stronger than for proximal colon, but not for all.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction after Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ajello Laura , Coppola Giuseppe , Corrado Egle , La Franca Eluisa , Rotolo Antonino , Assennato Pasquale
Published: March 2013

The increased survival after acute myocardial infarction induced an increase in heart failure with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Early detection and treatment of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction give the chance to improve outcomes and to reduce costs due to the management of patients with overt heart failure.
Risky Sexual Practices and Associated Factors for HIV/AIDS Infection among Private College Students in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Alamrew Zelalem , Bedimo Melkamu , Azage Muluken
Published: March 2013

Background. Adolescents and young adults engage in risky sexual behaviours that may expose them to risk of contracting sexual transmitted diseases. The aim of this study was to assess risky sexual practices and associated factors for HIV/AIDS infection. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2012 among 790 college students. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses with SPSS version 16 software package. Results. About 40.6% of sexually active respondents had risky sexual behaviours. Multiple sexual partners and unprotected sex were reported by 45.3% and 38.4% of sexually active respondents. Having multiple sexual partners was associated with alcohol use (AOR = 3.20; 95% CI: 2.02–5.08) and having a close friend who started sex (AOR = 5.99; 95% CI: 3.66–9.81). Unprotected sex was associated with marital status (AOR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.55–4.64), alcohol intake (AOR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.36–3.54), and frequency of visiting night clubs (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.12–0.52) for those who visit occasionally and (AOR = 0.45; 95% CI: (0.21–0.97) for those who visited at least once a week. Conclusion. Large proportions of students engaged in risky sexual behaviours and various risk factors were associated with risky sexual behaviours. Therefore, interventions targeting on alcohol intake, peer pressure, and attending night clubs are recommended.
A Clinical Update and Radiologic Review of Pediatric Orbital and Ocular Tumors
Authors: Rao Ajay A. , Naheedy John H. , Chen James Y.-Y. , Robbins Shira L. , Ramkumar Hema L.
Published: March 2013

While pediatric orbital tumors are most often managed in tertiary care centers, clinicians should be aware of the signs of intraocular and orbital neoplasms. In the pediatric population, a delay in diagnosis of orbital and intraocular lesions, even if benign, can lead to vision loss and deformity. Intraocular lesions reviewed are retinoblastoma, medulloepithelioma, and retinal astrocytic hamartoma. Orbital neoplasms reviewed are rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma metastases, optic pathway glioma, plexiform neurofibroma, leukemia, lymphoprolipherative disease, orbital inflammatory syndrome, dermoid and epidermoid inclusion cysts, and Langerhans’ cell histiocytosis. Vascular lesions reviewed are infantile hemangioma and venous lymphatic malformation. In conjunction with clinical examination, high-resolution ophthalmic imaging and radiologic imaging play an important role in making a diagnosis and differentiating between benign and likely malignant processes. The radiologic imaging characteristics of these lesions will be discussed to facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment. The current treatment modalities and management of tumors will also be reviewed.
Long-term Vaccination with Multiple Peptides Derived from Cancer-Testis Antigens Can Maintain a Specific T-cell Response and Achieve Disease Stability in Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer
Authors: Aruga Atsushi , Takeshita Nobuhiro , Kotera Yoshihito , Okuyama Ryuji , Matsushita Norimasa , Ohta Takehiro , Takeda Kazuyoshi , Yamamoto Masakazu
Published: March 2013

Purpose: The prognosis of patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) is extremely poor and there are only a few standard treatments. We conducted a phase I trial to investigate the safety, immune response, and antitumor effect of vaccination with four peptides derived from cancer-testis antigens, with a focus on their fluctuations during long-term vaccination until the disease had progressed.

Experimental Design: Nine patients with advanced BTC who had unresectable tumors and were refractory to standard chemotherapy were enrolled. HLA-A*2402–restricted epitope peptides, lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus K, TTK protein kinase, insulin-like growth factor-II mRNA-binding protein 3, and DEP domain containing 1 were vaccinated subcutaneously once a week at doses of 0.5, 1, or 2 mg and continued until disease progression. The adverse events were assessed by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and the immune response was monitored by an enzyme-linked immunospot assay or by flow cytometry. The clinical effects observed were tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results: Four-peptide vaccination was well tolerated. No grade 3 or 4 adverse events were observed. Peptide-specific T-cell immune responses were observed in seven of nine patients and clinical responses were observed in six of nine patients. The median PFS and OS were 156 and 380 days. The injection site reaction and CTL induction seemed to be prognostic factors of both PFS and OS.

Conclusions: Four-peptide vaccination was well tolerated and seemed to provide some clinical benefit to some patients. These immunologic and clinical responses were maintained over the long term through continuous vaccinations. Clin Cancer Res; 19(8); 2224–31. ©2013 AACR.
A Targeted RNAi Screen of the Breast Cancer Genome Identifies KIF14 and TLN1 as Genes That Modulate Docetaxel Chemosensitivity in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Singel Stina Mui , Cornelius Crystal , Batten Kimberly , Fasciani Gail , Wright Woodring E. , Lum Lawrence , Shay Jerry W.
Published: March 2013

Purpose: To identify biomarkers within the breast cancer genome that may predict chemosensitivity in breast cancer.

Experimental Design: We conducted an RNA interference (RNAi) screen within the breast cancer genome for genes whose loss-of-function enhanced docetaxel chemosensitivity in an estrogen receptor–negative, progesterone receptor–negative, and Her2-negative (ER−, PR−, and Her2−, respectively) breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. Top candidates were tested for their ability to modulate chemosensitivity in 8 breast cancer cell lines and to show in vivo chemosensitivity in a mouse xenograft model.

Results: From ranking chemosensitivity of 328 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) MDA-MB-231 cell lines (targeting 133 genes with known somatic mutations in breast cancer), we focused on the top two genes, kinesin family member 14 (KIF14) and talin 1 (TLN1). KIF14 and TLN1 loss-of-function significantly enhanced chemosensitivity in four triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines (MDA-MB-231, HCC38, HCC1937, and Hs478T) but not in three hormone receptor–positive cell lines (MCF7, T47D, and HCC1428) or normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC). Decreased expression of KIF14, but not TLN1, also enhanced docetaxel sensitivity in a Her2-amplified breast cancer cell line, SUM190PT. Higher KIF14 and TLN1 expressions are found in TNBCs compared with the other clinical subtypes. Mammary fat pad xenografts of KIF14- and TLN1-deficient MDA-MB-231 cells revealed reduced tumor mass compared with control MDA-MB-231 cells after chemotherapy. KIF14 expression is also prognostic of relapse-free and overall survival in representative breast cancer expression arrays.

Conclusion: KIF14 and TLN1 are modulators of response to docetaxel and potential therapeutic targets in TNBC. Clin Cancer Res; 19(8); 2061–70. ©2013 AACR.
Maternal Obesity and Detection Rate of Fetal Structural Anomalies
Authors: Hildebrand Eric , Gottvall Tomas , Blomberg Marie
Published: March 2013

Objective: To estimate the effects of maternal body mass index (BMI) on the sensitivity of detecting fetal anomalies by a routine ultrasound performed either in the first or in the second trimester. Methods: Unselected pregnant women (n = 19,140) were divided into four BMI groups: underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5-24.9, reference group), overweight (25.0-29.9), and obese (≥30.0). Fetal anomaly diagnoses were grouped according to their likely clinical consequences as suggested by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Minor anomalies were excluded. The detection rate of fetal anomalies in each BMI group was calculated and compared. Results: The prevalence of infants with structural anomalies in the study population was 4% and the prevalence of material obesity was 10%. The detection rates of fetal structural anomalies were 26% for normal-weight, 29% for overweight (odds ratio (OR) 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-1.95), and 19% for obese women (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.29-1.52). The detection rate of anomalies with long-term handicap was lower in the obese group (27.3%; OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.11-1.79) compared to normal-weight women (46.3%). Conclusion: The detection rate of fetal anomalies seems to be lower for obese women, but these findings need to be further investigated.
Molecular Detection of Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Premature Infants Using Small Blood Volumes: Proof-of-Concept
Authors: Kasper David C. , Altiok Ipek , Mechtler Thomas P. , Böhm Judith , Straub Julia , Langgartner Michaela , Pollak Arnold , Herkner Kurt R. , Berger Angelika
Published: March 2013

Background: Conventional blood culture is still the gold standard for sepsis diagnosis but results are not immediately available and pathogens are only detected in approximately 25% of cases. New molecular assays for the detection of blood stream pathogens are promising diagnostic tools. Objectives: The aim of the study was to adapt and evaluate a multiplex PCR system using 100 µl blood. -Methods: 46 blood specimens of very low birth weight infants (818 ± 242 g) with suspected sepsis were analyzed using the Roche SeptiFast MGRADE PCR with a modified DNA extraction protocol and software handling tool for decreased blood volume requirements. Results: In the non-infected group, 5/21 infants had a positive PCR result with coagulase-negative staphylococci. All pathogens detected in the blood culture positive group (n = 15) were also detected by PCR. In addition, 4/6 patients had a positive PCR result in the clinical sepsis group (clinical and laboratory signs of sepsis but negative blood culture). Overall, the PCR was demonstrated to have a higher sensitivity (90.5%; 95%CI 68.2-98.3%) in comparison to blood culture (71.4%; 95%CI 47.7-87.8%) including clinical sepsis cases, even though it had a lower specificity (80.0%; 95%CI 58.7-92.4% versus 100.0%; 95%CI 83.4-100.0%). Conclusions: These first data demonstrate the usability and potential benefit of this multiplex PCR using a modified DNA extraction for the rapid detection of nosocomial sepsis in preterm infants in addition to blood culture.
Changes and Prognostic Impact of Apoptotic and Inflammatory Cytokines in Patients Treated with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Osmancik Pavel , Herman Dalibor , Stros Petr , Linkova Hana , Vondrak Karel , Paskova Eva
Published: March 2013

Objectives: In patients with heart failure, increased apoptosis, inflammation and activation of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β cytokine system have been documented. The aim of the present study was to establish (i) whether cytokine concentrations decrease in patients who respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), and (ii) whether pre-implant values have any prognostic value. Methods: Eighty-one CRT candidates were prospectively studied. The success of CRT was assessed based on clinical and echocardiographic improvement 6 months after implantation. Mortality was assessed 2 years after implantation. Blood samples were drawn before and 6 months after implantation. Serum concentrations of Fas, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, TNF-receptor 1, TGF-β1 and interleukin (IL)-6 were measured using ELISA. Results: At 6 months, 46 (56.8%) patients were classified as responders and 35 (43.2%) as nonresponders. Neither group differed with respect to baseline characteristics. In responders, the concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-β1 decreased significantly. In nonresponders, the concentration of TGF-β1 even increased significantly. In multivariate analysis, the concentration of TGF-β1 was a significant predictor of death during follow-up. Conclusions: The response to CRT implantation was associated with a decrease of TGF-β1, IL-6 and TNF-α. Higher pre-implant concentrations of TGF-1β were independently associated with a poor prognosis in CRT patients.
Characterization of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients with Outer Retinal Tubulations
Authors: Faria-Correia F. , Barros-Pereira R. , Queirós-Mendanha L. , Fonseca S. , Mendonça L. , Falcão M.S. , Brandão E. , Falcão-Reis F. , Carneiro A.M.
Published: March 2013

Purpose: To characterize the neovascular lesions of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and outer retinal tubulations (ORTs). Methods: A retrospective study of 377 eyes with exudative AMD, submitted to intravitreal anti-angiogenic treatment. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of ORTs on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT; group 1 - with ORTs; group 2 - without ORTs). Age, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein angiography characteristics, presence of subretinal fibrosis and subfoveal photoreceptor integrity on SD-OCT were analyzed. Results: Although both groups had a BCVA gain during the follow-up period, initial and final BCVA were lower in group 1 (p = 0.020 and p = 0.042, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the BCVA variation between the 2 groups (p = 0.907). Regarding the initial angiographic lesion type, there was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (p = 0.008): group 1 had more lesions with a classic component and group 2 had more occult lesions with no classic component. There was a statistically significant difference concerning the loss of subfoveal photoreceptor integrity (p = 0.0007). Conclusions: Even though AMD patients with ORTs were associated with poor visual outcomes, we reported BCVA improvement. AMD patients with a classical component in their lesions are prone to develop ORTs.