bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A delayed diagnosis of cardiac tamponade
Authors: McGinley Abigail , Gribbin Guy
Published: April 2013

A 64-year-old female was referred to the on-call surgical team by her general practitioner with a 2-week history of feeling generally unwell; more short of breath with lethargy and myalgia with a 2-day history of right upper quadrant abdominal pain. On initial assessment she was tachycardic and an abdominal examination revealed a soft abdomen with right upper quadrant tenderness. An abdominal ultrasound scan revealed a distended gall bladder with the diameter of the common bile duct at the upper limit of normal. It also revealed free fluid within the abdomen, bilateral pleural effusions and a large left ovarian cyst. The medical team became involved and ordered a CT thorax and abdomen which showed a large pericardial effusion, bilateral pleural effusions, a small amount of ascites and a large left ovary; reported as appearances most consistent with malignancy. On further assessment by a cardiologist the patient showed signs of cardiac tamponade and she underwent urgent pericardiocentesis.
Use of embolic protective devices in treating acute arterial occlusions: an interventional radiology and vascular surgery collaborative learning experience
Authors: Woodley-Cook Joel , Prabhudesai Vikram , Moloney Tony
Published: April 2013

A 43-year-old man presented to the emergency department with left leg claudication. CT angiogram confirmed an acute left leg arterial occlusion from a left ventricular thrombus. During intra-arterial thrombolysis, he developed severe abdominal pain and a CT angiogram confirmed an acute occlusive thromboembolism to his left renal artery. Prior to left renal artery intra-arterial embolectomy, temporary intra-arterial occlusion balloons were inflated within his (1) right renal artery to protect this kidney from acute embolism and (2) left iliac artery to protect his left leg from further clot burden. Following the left renal embolectomy, an angiogram demonstrated patent renal arteries, acute occlusion of the right common iliac artery and persistent clot in his left iliac/lower limb. These occlusions were retrieved by surgical embolectomy. Final angiogram demonstrated patent bilateral iliac/lower limb arteries. The patient was discharged on lifelong anticoagulation and remains asymptomatic with bilateral palpable distal pulses and normal serum creatine.
Pulmonary IgG4+ Rosai-Dorfman disease
Authors: El-Kersh Karim , Perez Rafael L , Guardiola Juan
Published: April 2013

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare non-malignant proliferation of histiocytes of unknown aetiology that mainly affects lymph nodes. Here we report a case of RDD that presented a diagnostic dilemma due to its atypical presentation and the overlap with IgG4 disease. Our case presented with interstitial lung involvement without lymphadenopathy. Open lung biopsy suggested the diagnosis of RDD. However, the predominant IgG4 positive plasma cells together with the absence of lymphadenopathy were not typical of RDD. Within 1 year, the patient developed diffuse lymphadenopathy and immunohistochemical staining of lymph node aspirates confirmed the diagnosis. Despite trials of corticosteroid therapy, the disease progressed.
Splenic abscess due to acute brucellosis
Authors: Deveer Mehmet , Sozen Hamdi , Çullu Nesat , Sivrioglu Ali Kemal
Published: April 2013

Splenic abscess due to acute brucellosis is a rare event. We report a case of splenic abscess caused by Brucella spp. in a 21-year-old man. The MRI revealed sharply demarcated lesions measuring 20 and 30 mm in diameter at the superior pole of spleen. Positive Wright agglutination test and positive blood culture confirmed the diagnosis. Antibiotic therapy, without surgical intervention, was successful.
Coexistence of bilateral first and second branchial arch anomalies
Authors: Thakur J S , Shekar Vidya , Saluja Manika , Mohindroo N K
Published: April 2013

Branchial arch anomalies are one of the most common congenital anomalies that are usually unilateral and bilateral presentation is rare. The simultaneous presence of bilateral second branchial arch anomalies along with bilateral first arch anomalies is extremely rare, with only three such cases reported in the literature. We present two non-syndromic cases of coexisting bilateral first and second arch anomalies. Developmental anomalies of the branchial apparatus account for 17% of all paediatric cervical masses and are the most common type of congenital cervical mass. They usually present in the paediatric age group. About 96–97% of these anomalies are unilateral. Bilateral presentation is seen in 2–3% having a strong familial association. Congenital syndromes also have been associated with first and second branchial arch anomalies. Thorough clinical examination and investigations should be done to rule out these syndromes.
Disappearing renal calculus
Authors: Cui Helen , Thomas Johanna , Kumar Sunil
Published: April 2013

We present a case of a renal calculus treated solely with antibiotics which has not been previously reported in the literature. A man with a 17 mm lower pole renal calculus and concurrentEscherichia coliurine infection was being worked up to undergo percutaneous nephrolithotomy. However, after a course of preoperative antibiotics the stone was no longer seen on retrograde pyelography or CT imaging.
An atypical form of cervicofacial actinomycosis treated with short but intensive antibiotic regimen
Authors: Shah Kaushal Mahendra , Karagir Amol , Kanitkar Sampada , Koppikar Rajesh
Published: April 2013

Human actinomycosis is a rare soft tissue infection caused by Gram-positive, anaerobic bacteriaActinomyces israelii, a commensal of the oral cavity. The major clinical forms of actinomycosis are cervicofacial, thoracic, abdominal and pelvic forms. The cervicofacial region is most commonly affected. Actinomycosis is sometimes difficult to diagnose and it should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis of numerous infectious and non-infectious diseases. We report a patient who came with tooth pain and extra-oral swelling which later on presented as multiple draining sinuses. Our initial suspicion was dento-alveolar abscess or osteomyelitis. However, a culture of the discharge and subsequent biopsy revealed actinomycetes, confirming cervicofacial actinomycosis, but presenting itself not as the typical ‘lumpy jaw’. The patient was successfully treated conservatively with a short but intensive antibiotic course.
Sternal tuberculosis in an immunocompetent adult
Authors: Cherif Eya , Ben Hassine Lamia , Boukhris Imen , Khalfallah Narjess
Published: April 2013

Skeletal tuberculosis accounts for 1–3% of patients with mycobacterial infection. Any bone can be a site for tuberculosis, but sternum involvement is quite rare. We report the case of a 37-year-old woman admitted because of chest pain and increased swelling over the anterior chest. She was immunocompetent and had no systemic features. She was diagnosed with tuberculosis of the sternum without active pulmonary disease. Conservative management with oral multidrug antituberculous therapy completely cured the patient.
A novel technique for perineal hernia repair
Authors: Douglas Stephanie R , Longo Walter E , Narayan Deepak
Published: April 2013

Perineal hernia is an uncommon complication of abdominoperineal resection of the rectum. Gracilis muscle flaps can be used to reconstruct the pelvic floor. The traditional repair utilises gracilis muscle alone, without overlying tissues and skin. We present the case of a 69-year-old white man who presented with a perineal hernia subsequent to abdominoperineal resection for advanced rectal cancer who was successfully treated with a modified de-epithelised gracilis myocutaneous flap with no evidence of recurrence at 18 months postsurgery. Surgical repair of postoperative perineal hernia using a gracilis flap spares the morbidity of abdominal-based reconstruction and provides a good option for patients in whom the abdomen is unavailable. Use of a myocutaneous flap adds strength to the repair when compared to reconstruction with the gracilis muscle alone, owing to the strength imparted by the dermis.
Cyclist: slightly foxed
Authors: Goel Rishi , Kuganolipava Shophia , Krokiadis Miltiadis , Wilkinson Mark
Published: April 2013

Abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) are a common cause for referral to hepatology outpatient departments. Cross-sectional imaging may reveal a liver lesion. We report the case of a 33-year-old man who presented with abdominal pain and deranged LFTs and was found to have a large liver cyst on ultrasound scanning. SpecificEchinococcus multilocularisserology testing was positive and he underwent triple phase CT, MRI and positron emission tomography-CT to further characterise the lesion. He was treated with long-term albendazole with subsequent improvement in symptoms, blood results and cyst size on follow-up imaging.
Reporting trends of right-sided hyperplastic and sessile serrated polyps in a large teaching hospital over a 4-year period (2009–2012)
Authors: Gill Pelvender , Wang Lai Mun , Bailey Adam , East James E , Leedham Simon , Chetty Runjan
Published: April 2013

Aim

An audit of serrated polyps diagnosed over a 4-year period: 2009 to 2012 was undertaken to ascertain the reporting trends of sessile serrated polyps (SSP).

Methods

All right sided hyperplastic polyps (HP) proximal to the splenic flexure and all polyps designated SSP were retrieved from the study period. Three pathologists blinded to the original diagnosis re-examined the slides. Recent American College of Gastroenterology guidelines for the diagnosis of SSP was utilised.

Results

No cases of SSP were diagnosed in 2009. In 2010, 32 right-sided cases were encountered, 83 confirmed in 2011 and 134 confirmed in 2012. The vast majority of these were right-sided.

With regards to right-sided HP that were re-classified as SSP the data is as follows: 20 of 66 in 2009 (30%); 58 of 91 in 2010 (64%); 42 of 106 (40%) in 2011 and 69 of 206 in 2012 (33%).

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated an almost exponential increase in the diagnosis of SSP over a 4-year period. In addition, 30 to 64% of right-sided HP were re-classified as SSP over the 4-year period suggesting that greater awareness of the diagnostic criteria for SSP is required.

SSP is an important precursor lesion in the serrated pathway of colorectal cancer. Its recognition is important for surveillance and therapeutic strategies.
MILLING TIME — DEPENDENT MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF NANOSTRUCTURED Al–Si ALLOY
Authors: EBNALWALED A. A. , ABOU ZIED M.
Published: April 2013

Al –7% Si alloys were prepared by ball milling technique under different milling time. The effect of milling time on the microstructure and mechanical properties were studied. The results indicate that the grain size decrease with increasing the milling time, the average dislocation density, ρ, was found to exhibit a drastic increase by increasing the milling time, the median diameter, μ decreases, while the value of width parameter, σ is approximately constant with increasing the milling time. The value of Vickers hardness (HV) increases by increasing milling time, this increase was attributed to the refinement of grains with increasing milling time.
GENERATION OF VORTEX DIPOLES IN SUPERFLUID FERMI GAS IN BCS LIMIT
Authors: GAUTAM S.
Published: April 2013

We theoretically investigate the generation of the vortex dipoles in superfluid Fermi gas in the BCS limit. The vortex dipoles are generated in superfluid either by moving an obstacle above a critical speed or due to the decay of the shock waves obtained on the sudden mixing of two superfluid fragments. We observe that in pancake-shaped traps, the shock waves can lead to the formation of density ripples, which decay into vortex dipoles due to the onset of snake instability.
BOSONIZATION AND ITS APPLICATION TO TRANSPORT IN QUANTUM WIRES
Authors: LI FEIFEI
Published: April 2013

This paper reviews the method of bosonization for one-dimensional interacting fermions. Example of its application to mesoscopic systems is presented with an explicit calculation of the spin and charge currents in an interacting quantum wire subject to a uniform magnetic field and alternating voltage source. Special emphasis is given to the details of the calculation using bosonization and Keldysh techniques.
A THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION ON 10–12 POTENTIAL OF HYDROGEN–HYDROGEN COVALENT BOND
Authors: TANERI SENCER
Published: April 2013

This is an analytical investigation of well-known 10–12 potential of hydrogen–hydrogen covalent bond. In this research, we will make an elaboration of the well-known 6–12 Lennard–Jones potential in case of this type of bond. Though the results are illustrated in many text books and literature, an analytical analysis for these potentials is missing almost everywhere. The power laws are valid for small radial distances, which are calculated to some extent. The internuclear separation as well as the binding energy of the hydrogen molecule are evaluated with success.
RESEARCH ON OPTICAL ABSORPTION CHARACTERISTICS OFAgNANOPARTICLES
Authors: CHEN FENGXIANG , XU WENYING , WANG LISHENG
Published: April 2013

In this work, Ag nanoparticles were deposited on quartz glass substrates by magnetron sputtering method, and the morphology was characterized by SEM. Ag nanoparticle surface plasmon resonance characteristics were observed by transmittance measurement. The experimental results demonstrated an increase in particle size that was correlated to an increase in sputtering time and a plasmon resonance absorption peak redshift. This phenomenon was partially explained by Mie scattering model. The differences between our theoretical analysis and experimental results show that both the shape of and the spacing between nanoparticles are key parameters affecting plasmon resonance peak location.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF METABOLIC NETWORKS IN MESOPHILIC AND THERMOPHILIC ARCHAEA METHANOGENS BASED ON MODULARITY
Authors: CHEN JING , DING YANRUI , XU WENBO
Published: April 2013

Metabolic networks are useful representations of the metabolic capabilities of cells. A comparison of metabolic networks across species is essential to better understand how evolutionary pressures shape these networks. By comparing the set of reactions that are expected to occur in an organism with the set of reactions in reference metabolic pathways, it is possible to infer the main metabolic functions of an organism. In this paper, the metabolic networks of the mesophilic archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans and the thermophilic archaeon Methanopyrus kandleri have been reconstructed based on the KEGG LIGAND database, followed by four topological statistical analyses of the nodes in the two networks to compare their metabolic networks. The values of average degree and characteristic path length are very small but clustering coefficient is relatively large. The results show that the complete metabolic networks of M. acetivorans and M. kandleri possessed "small-world" network properties. Then we used Girvan–Newman modular algorithm to identify hub modules and compared hub modules with non-hub modules, respectively. The results show that M. kandleri metabolic network has a better modular organization than the M. acetivorans network. M. acetivorans includes 39 modules, 25 modules of them are independent, and 15 modules are functionally pure. On the other hand, M. kandleri includes 30 modules. Among them, there are 20 independent modules, and 14 of them are functionally pure. These results further indicated that the present approach for identifying modules yields modules that have biologically significant functions. We also identified hub modules of the metabolic networks and found that these hub modules are carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid metabolism. The conclusions obtained from such studies provide a broad overview of the similarities and differences between organism's metabolic networks. These will be very helpful for further research on thermostability of methanogens.
Intellectual Capital Investment, Stakeholders' Value, Firm Market Value and Financial Performance: The Case of Tunisia Stock Exchange
Authors: Fourati Hedia , Affes Habib
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of intellectual capital investment in improving the firm's market value, stakeholders' value and financial performance. Using data drawn from 21 listed companies in Tunisia Stock Exchange, we conducted two studies. On one hand, from using Charreaux (Charreaux (2006). La valeur partenariale: Vers une mesure opérationnelle. Cahier de FARGO no. 1061103, November) measure of stakeholders' value, we demonstrate that financials come to present the weakest stakeholders' value and clients monopolises in term of value acquisition due to a weak ability of negotiation of firms. On the other hand, we construct a regression model of Pulic's value added intellectual capital investment (VAIC) as the measure of the value added from intellectual capital, in market valuation and financial performance. Our results stressed the fact that there is a positive impact of intellectual capital by human capital efficiency and capital employed efficiency on improving firm's market value. Nevertheless, financial performance measured by ROA is still justified by the traditional measure relying on capital employed efficiency. Indeed for Tunisian quoted firms, human capital investment is a pilar for ameliorating firm market valuation of financial performance.
Angiotensin II activates NF-κB through AT1A receptor recruitment of β-arrestin in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Morinelli Thomas A. , Lee Mi-Hye , Kendall Ryan T. , Luttrell Louis M. , Walker Linda P. , Ullian Michael E.
Published: April 2013

Activation of the angiotensin type 1A receptor (AT1AR) in rat aorta vascular smooth muscle cells (RASMC) results in increased synthesis of the proinflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). We previously showed that nuclear localization of internalized AT1AR results in activation of transcription of the gene for COX-2, i.e., prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase-2. Others have suggested that ANG II stimulation of COX-2 protein synthesis is mediated by NF-κB. The purpose of the present study was to examine the interrelationship between AT1AR activation, β-arrestin recruitment, and NF-κB activation in the ability of ANG II to increase COX-2 protein synthesis in RASMC. In the present study we utilized RASMC, inhibitors of the NF-κB pathway, β-arrestin knockdown, radioligand binding, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence to characterize the roles of AT1AR internalization, NF-κB activation, and β-arrestin in ANG II-induced COX-2 synthesis. Ro-106-9920 or parthenolide, agents that inhibit the initial steps of NF-κB activation, blocked ANG II-induced p65 NF-κB nuclear localization, COX-2 protein expression, β-arrestin recruitment, and AT1AR internalization without inhibiting ANG II-induced p42/44 ERK activation. Curcumin, an inhibitor of NF-κB-induced transcription, blocked ANG II-induced COX-2 protein expression without altering AT1AR internalization, ANG II-induced p65 NF-κB nuclear localization, or p42/44 ERK activation. Small interfering RNA-induced knockdown of β-arrestin-1 and -2 inhibited ANG II-induced p65 NF-κB nuclear localization. In vascular smooth muscle cells, internalization of the activated AT1AR mediated by β-arrestins activates the NF-κB pathway, producing nuclear localization of the transcription factor and initiation of COX-2 protein synthesis, thereby linking internalization of the receptor with the NF-κB pathway.
Alterations in sympathetic neurovascular transduction during acute hypoxia in humans
Authors: Tan Can Ozan , Tzeng Yu-Chieh , Hamner Jason W. , Tamisier Renaud , Taylor J. Andrew
Published: April 2013

Resting vascular sympathetic outflow is significantly increased during and beyond exposure to acute hypoxia without a parallel increase in either resistance or pressure. This uncoupling may indicate a reduction in the ability of sympathetic outflow to effect vascular responses (sympathetic transduction). However, the effect of hypoxia on sympathetic transduction has not been explored. We hypothesized that transduction would either remain unchanged or be reduced by isocapnic hypoxia. In 11 young healthy individuals, we measured beat-by-beat pressure, multiunit sympathetic nerve activity, and popliteal blood flow velocity at rest and during isometric handgrip exercise to fatigue, before and during isocapnic hypoxia (∼80% SpO2), and derived sympathetic transduction for each subject via a transfer function that reflects Poiseuille's law of flow. During hypoxia, heart rate and sympathetic nerve activity increased, whereas pressure and flow remained unchanged. Both normoxic and hypoxic exercise elicited significant increases in heart rate, pressure, and sympathetic activity, although sympathetic responses to hypoxic exercise were blunted. Hypoxia slightly increased the gain relation between pressure and flow (0.062 ± 0.006 vs. 0.074 ± 0.004 cm·s−1·mmHg−1; P = 0.04), but markedly increased sympathetic transduction (−0.024 ± 0.005 vs. −0.042 ± 0.007 cm·s−1·spike−1; P < 0.01). The pressor response to isometric handgrip was similar during normoxic and hypoxic exercise due to the balance of interactions among the tachycardia, sympathoexcitation, and transduction. This indicates that the ability of sympathetic activity to affect vasoconstriction is enhanced during brief exposure to isocapnic hypoxia, and this appears to offset the potent vasodilatory stimulus of hypoxia.
Angiotensin II slow-pressor hypertension enhances NMDA currents and NOX2-dependent superoxide production in hypothalamic paraventricular neurons
Authors: Wang Gang , Coleman Christal G. , Chan June , Faraco Giuseppe , Marques-Lopes Jose , Milner Teresa A. , Guruju Mallikarjuna R. , Anrather Josef , Davisson Robin L. , Iadecola Costantino , Pickel Virginia M.
Published: April 2013

Adaptive changes in glutamatergic signaling within the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) may play a role in the neurohumoral dysfunction underlying the hypertension induced by “slow-pressor” ANG II infusion. We hypothesized that these adaptive changes alter production of gp91phox NADPH oxidase (NOX)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) or nitric oxide (NO), resulting in enhanced glutamatergic signaling in the PVN. Electron microscopic immunolabeling showed colocalization of NOX2 and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) NR1 subunits in PVN dendrites, an effect enhanced (+48%, P < 0.05 vs. saline) in mice receiving ANG II (600 ng·kg−1·min−1 sc). Isolated PVN cells or spinally projecting PVN neurons from ANG II-infused mice had increased levels of ROS at baseline (+40 ± 5% and +57.6 ± 7.7%, P < 0.01 vs. saline) and after NMDA (+24 ± 7% and +17 ± 5.5%, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 vs. saline). In contrast, ANG II infusion suppressed NO production in PVN cells at baseline (−29.1 ± 5.2%, P < 0.05 vs. saline) and after NMDA (−18.9 ± 2%, P < 0.01 vs. saline), an effect counteracted by NOX inhibition. In whole cell recording of unlabeled and spinally labeled PVN neurons in slices, NMDA induced a larger inward current in ANG II than in saline groups (+79 ± 24% and +82.9 ± 6.6%, P < 0.01 vs. saline), which was reversed by the ROS scavenger MnTBAP and the NO donor S-nitroso- N-acetylpenicillamine ( P > 0.05 vs. control). These findings suggest that slow-pressor ANG II increases the association of NR1 with NOX2 in dendrites of PVN neurons, resulting in enhanced NOX-derived ROS and reduced NO during glutamatergic activity. The resulting enhancement of NMDAR activity may contribute to the neurohumoral dysfunction underlying the development of slow-pressor ANG II hypertension.
Early effects of high-fat diet on neurovascular function and focal ischemic brain injury
Authors: Li Weiguo , Prakash Roshini , Chawla Dhruv , Du Wenting , Didion Sean P. , Filosa Jessica A. , Zhang Quanguang , Brann Darrell W. , Lima Victor V. , Tostes Rita C. , Ergul Adviye
Published: April 2013

Obesity is a risk factor for stroke, but the early effects of high-fat diet (HFD) on neurovascular function and ischemic stroke outcomes remain unclear. The goal of this study was to test the hypotheses that HFD beginning early in life 1) impairs neurovascular coupling, 2) causes cerebrovascular dysfunction, and 3) worsens short-term outcomes after cerebral ischemia. Functional hyperemia and parenchymal arteriole (PA) reactivity were measured in rats after 8 wk of HFD. The effect of HFD on basilar artery function after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and associated O-GlcNAcylation were assessed. Neuronal cell death, infarct size, hemorrhagic transformation (HT) frequency/severity, and neurological deficit were evaluated after global ischemia and transient MCAO. HFD caused a 10% increase in body weight and doubled adiposity without a change in lipid profile, blood glucose, and blood pressure. Functional hyperemia and PA relaxation were decreased with HFD. Basilar arteries from stroked HFD rats were more sensitive to contractile factors, and acetylcholine-mediated relaxation was impaired. Vascular O-GlcNAcylated protein content was increased with HFD. This group also showed greater mortality rate, infarct volume, HT occurrence rate, and HT severity and poor functional outcome compared with the control diet group. These results indicate that HFD negatively affects neurovascular coupling and cerebrovascular function even in the absence of dyslipidemia. These early cerebrovascular changes may be the cause of greater cerebral injury and poor outcomes of stroke in these animals.
Two-Photon Processor and SeNeCA: a freely available software package to process data from two-photon calcium imaging at speeds down to several milliseconds per frame
Authors: Tomek Jakub , Novak Ondrej , Syka Josef
Published: April 2013

Two-Photon Processor (TPP) is a versatile, ready-to-use, and freely available software package in MATLAB to process data from in vivo two-photon calcium imaging. TPP includes routines to search for cell bodies in full-frame (Search for Neural Cells Accelerated; SeNeCA) and line-scan acquisition, routines for calcium signal calculations, filtering, spike-mining, and routines to construct parametric fields. Searching for somata in artificial in vivo data, our algorithm achieved better performance than human annotators. SeNeCA copes well with uneven background brightness and in-plane motion artifacts, the major problems in simple segmentation methods. In the fast mode, artificial in vivo images with a resolution of 256 × 256 pixels containing ∼100 neurons can be processed at a rate up to 175 frames per second (tested on Intel i7, 8 threads, magnetic hard disk drive). This speed of a segmentation algorithm could bring new possibilities into the field of in vivo optophysiology. With such a short latency (down to 5–6 ms on an ordinary personal computer) and using some contemporary optogenetic tools, it will allow experiments in which a control program can continuously evaluate the occurrence of a particular spatial pattern of activity (a possible correlate of memory or cognition) and subsequently inhibit/stimulate the entire area of the circuit or inhibit/stimulate a different part of the neuronal system. TPP will be freely available on our public web site. Similar all-in-one and freely available software has not yet been published.
Picrotoxin dramatically speeds the mammalian circadian clock independent of Cys-loop receptors
Authors: Freeman G. Mark , Nakajima Masato , Ueda Hiroki R. , Herzog Erik D.
Published: April 2013

Picrotoxin is extensively and specifically used to inhibit GABAA receptors and other members of the Cys-loop receptor superfamily. We find that picrotoxin acts independently of known Cys-loop receptors to shorten the period of the circadian clock markedly by specifically advancing the accumulation of PERIOD2 protein. We show that this mechanism is surprisingly tetrodotoxin-insensitive, and the effect is larger than any known chemical or genetic manipulation. Notably, our results indicate that the circadian target of picrotoxin is common to a variety of human and rodent cell types but not Drosophila, thereby ruling out all conserved Cys-loop receptors and known regulators of mammalian PERIOD protein stability. Given that the circadian clock modulates significant aspects of cell physiology including synaptic plasticity, these results have immediate and broad experimental implications. Furthermore, our data point to the existence of an important and novel target within the mammalian circadian timing system.
Muscle-specific modulation of vestibular reflexes with increased locomotor velocity and cadence
Authors: Dakin Christopher J. , Inglis John Timothy , Chua Romeo , Blouin Jean-Sébastien
Published: April 2013

Vestibular information is one of the many sensory signals used to stabilize the body during locomotion. When locomotor velocity increases, the influence of these signals appears to wane. It is unclear whether vestibular signals are globally attenuated with velocity or are influenced by factors such as whether a muscle is contributing to balance control. Here we investigate how vestibular sensory signals influence muscles of the leg during locomotion and what causes their attenuation with increasing locomotor velocity. We hypothesized that 1) vestibular signals influence the activity of all muscles engaged in the maintenance of medio-lateral stability during locomotion and 2) increases in both cadence and velocity would be associated with attenuation of these signals. We used a stochastic vestibular stimulus and recorded electromyographic signals from muscles of the ankle, knee, and hip. Participants walked using two cadences (52 and 78 steps/min) and two walking velocities (0.4 and 0.8 m/s). We observed phase-dependent modulation of vestibular influence over ongoing muscle activity in all recorded muscles. Within a stride, reversals of the muscle responses were observed in the biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and rectus femoris. Vestibular-muscle coupling decreases with increases in both cadence and walking velocity. These results show that the observed vestibular suppression is muscle- and phase dependent. We suggest that the phase- and muscle-specific influence of vestibular signals on locomotor activity is organized according to each muscle's functional role in body stabilization during locomotion.
Stretch injury selectively enhances extrasynaptic, GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor function in cortical neurons
Authors: Ferrario Carrie R. , Ndukwe Blaise O. , Ren Jianhua , Satin Leslie S. , Goforth Paulette B.
Published: April 2013

Alterations in the function and expression of NMDA receptors are observed after in vivo and in vitro traumatic brain injury. We recently reported that mechanical stretch injury in cortical neurons transiently increases the contribution of NMDA receptors to network activity and results in an increase in calcium-permeable AMPA (CP-AMPA) receptor-mediated transmission 4 h postinjury ( Goforth et al. 2011 ). Here, we evaluated changes in the function of synaptic vs. extrasynaptic GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors after injury. We also determined whether postinjury treatment with the GluN2B-selective antagonist Ro 25-6981 or memantine prevents injury-induced increases in CP-AMPA receptor activity. We found that injury increased extrasynaptic, GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor-mediated whole cell currents. In contrast, we found no differences in synaptic NMDA receptor-mediated transmission after injury. Furthermore, treatment with Ro 25-6981 or memantine after injury prevented injury-induced increases in CP-AMPA receptor-mediated activity. Together, our data suggest that increased NMDA receptor activity after injury is predominantly due to alterations in extrasynaptic, GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors and that activation of these receptors may contribute to the appearance of CP-AMPA receptors after injury.
A chamber for the perfusion of in vitro tissue with multiple solutions
Authors: Thomas Matthew G. , Covington James A. , Wall Mark J.
Published: April 2013

There are currently no practical systems that allow extended regions (>5 mm2) of a tissue slice in vitro to be exposed, in isolation, to changes in ionic conditions or to pharmacological manipulation. Previous work has only achieved this at the expense of access to the tissue for recording electrodes. Here, we present a chamber that allows a tissue slice to be maintained in multiple solutions, at physiological temperatures, and preserves the ability to record from the slice. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the tissue bath with respect to minimizing the mixing of the solutions, maintaining the viability of the tissue, and preserving the ability to record from the slice simultaneously.
Expression of miRNAs in Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas Is Associated withBRAFMutation and Clinicopathological Features in Chinese Patients
Authors: Sun Yun , Yu Shuang , Liu Yuanyuan , Wang Fen , Liu Yujie , Xiao Haipeng
Published: April 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) dysregulation has been shown to play a critical regulatory role in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs).BRAFmutation is associated with poor clinicopathological outcomes in PTC. In order to identify a possible association between dysregulated miRNA expression andBRAFmutation as well as clinicopathological features in Chinese patients with PTC, we examined the expression levels of five reported dysregulated miRNAs (miRNA-221, miRNA-222, miRNA-146b, miRNA-181, and miRNA-21) and determinedBRAFmutation status in 52 patients with PTC and 52 patients with benign thyroid nodules (BTNs). The expression levels of all five miRNAs were significantly increased in PTC when compared to BTN. TheBRAFmutation occurred more frequently in PTC cases with advanced TNM stage. Importantly, miRNA-221, miRNA-222, miRNA-146b, and miRNA-181 expression levels were significantly higher in PTC patients withBRAFmutation. In addition, enhanced expression of miRNA-221 and miRNA-222 was found in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage. Increased expression of miRNA-221 and miR-181 was evidenced in patients with larger tumors. These findings showed a potential role of this distinct profile of miRNAs in differentiating PTC from BTN.BRAFmutation might regulate or interact with miRNA in the pathogenesis and progression of PTC.
Heart Rate and Arterial Pressure Changes during Whole-Body Deep Hypothermia
Authors: Cavallaro Giacomo , Filippi Luca , Raffaeli Genny , Cristofori Gloria , Schena Federico , Agazzani Elisa , Amodeo Ilaria , Griggio Alice , Boccacci Simona , Fiorini Patrizio , Mosca Fabio
Published: April 2013

Whole-body deep hypothermia (DH) could be a new therapeutic strategy for asphyxiated newborn. This retrospective study describes how DH modified the heart rate and arterial blood pressure if compared to mild hypothermia (MH). Fourteen in DH and 17 in MH were cooled within the first six hours of life and for the following 72 hours. Hypothermia criteria were gestational age ≥36 weeks; birth weight ≥1800 g; clinical signs of moderate/severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Rewarming was obtained in the following 6–12 hours (0.5°C/h) after cooling. Heart rates were the same between the two groups; there was statistically significant difference at the beginning of hypothermia and during rewarming. Three babies in the DH group and 2 in the MH group showed HR < 80 bpm and QTc > 520 ms. Infant submitted to deep hypothermia had not bradycardia or Qtc elongation before cooling and after rewarming. Blood pressure was significantly lower in DH compared to MH during the cooling, and peculiar was the hypotension during rewarming in DH group. Conclusion. The deeper hypothermia is a safe and feasible, only if it is performed by a well-trained team. DH should only be associated with a clinical trial and prospective randomized trials to validate its use.
Intestinal Protective Effects of Herbal-Based Formulations in Rats against Neomycin Insult
Authors: Bose Shambhunath , Han Kyung-Wan , Lee Myeong-Jong , Kim Hojun
Published: April 2013

Disturbance in the gut microbial niche by antibiotics like neomycin produces gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Here, we evaluated the impact of a mixture of extracts of three herbs (Atractylodis Rhizoma Macrocephalae, Massa Medicata Fermentata, and Dolichoris Semen) with known GI protective activities, either laboratory unfermented (herbal formulation-1 (HF-1)) or fermented/re-fermented (herbal formulation-2 (HF-2)) on neomycin-treated rats using a commercialLactobacillusprobiotic as a reference. Treatment with neomycin augmented stool water content, decreased fecal population ofLactobacillusspp., changed the histology of intestine without inducing inflammation, reduced the colonic expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and claudin-1, and elevated the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels. Coadministration of either HF-2 or probiotic, but not HF-1, restored the fecal content ofLactobacillusspp., normalized the serum CRP level, and significantly increased the colonic expression of ZO-1 and claudin-1 in neomycin-treated rats. The combined treatment with any of the above agents ameliorated the histological changes of cecum and colon in neomycin-treated rats, and the magnitude of this effect was probiotic > HF-2 > HF-1. Our study revealed the intestinal protective effect of a mixture of three herbs against neomycin insult, which is mediated through multiple mechanisms and is potentiated upon prior fermentation/refermentation of the herbs.
Mixed Finite Element Methods for the Poisson Equation Using Biorthogonal and Quasi-Biorthogonal Systems
Authors: Lamichhane Bishnu P.
Published: April 2013

We introduce two three-field mixed formulations for the Poisson equation and propose finite element methods for their approximation. Both mixed formulations are obtained by introducing a weak equation for the gradient of the solution by means of a Lagrange multiplier space. Two efficient numerical schemes are proposed based on using a pair of bases for the gradient of the solution and the Lagrange multiplier space forming biorthogonal and quasi-biorthogonal systems, respectively. We also establish an optimal a priori error estimate for both finite element approximations.
Tibetan Medicine: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Research Available in the West
Authors: Reuter K. Philip , Weißhuhn Thorolf E. R. , Witt Claudia M.
Published: April 2013

Background. Little is known about Tibetan medicine (TM), in Western industrialized countries.Objectives. To provide a systematic review of the clinical studies on TM available in the West.Data Sources. Seven literature databases, published literature lists, citation tracking, and contacts to experts and institutions.Study Eligibility Criteria. Studies in English, German, French, or Spanish presenting clinical trial results.Participants. All patients of the included studies.Interventions. Tibetan medicine treatment.Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods. Included studies were described quantitatively; their quality was assessed with the DIMDI HTA checklist; for RCTs the Jadad score was used.Results. 40 studies from 39 publications were included. They were very heterogeneous regarding study type and size, treated conditions, treatments, measured outcomes, and quality.Limitations. No Russian, Tibetan, or Chinese publications were included. Possible publication bias.Conclusions. The number of clinical trials on TM available in the West is small; methods and results are heterogeneous.Implications of Key Findings. Higher quality larger trials are needed, as is a general overview of traditional usage to inform future clinical trials.Systematic Review Registration Number. None.
In VitroAntibacterial Activity of Essential Oils againstStreptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Sfeir Julien , Lefrançois Corinne , Baudoux Dominique , Derbré Séverine , Licznar Patricia
Published: April 2013

Streptococcus pyogenesplays an important role in the pathogenesis of tonsillitis. The present study was conducted to evaluate thein vitroantibacterial activities of 18 essential oils chemotypes from aromatic medicinal plants againstS. pyogenes. Antibacterial activity of essential oils was investigated using disc diffusion method. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of essential oils showing an important antibacterial activity was measured using broth dilution method. Out of 18 essential oils tested, 14 showed antibacterial activity againstS. pyogenes. Among themCinnamomum verum, Cymbopogon citratus, Thymus vulgaris CT thymol, Origanum compactum, andSatureja montanaessential oils exhibited significant antibacterial activity. Thein vitroresults reported here suggest that, for patients suffering from bacterial throat infections, if aromatherapy is used, these essential oils, considered as potential antimicrobial agents, should be preferred.
On the Convergence of Implicit Picard Iterative Sequences for Strongly Pseudocontractive Mappings in Banach Spaces
Authors: Kang Shin Min , Rafiq Arif , Cho Sun Young
Published: April 2013

We study the convergence of implicit Picard iterative sequences for strongly accretive and strongly pseudocontractive mappings. We have also improved the results of Ćirić et al. (2009).
Genetics of Cerebral Vasospasm
Authors: Ladner Travis R. , Zuckerman Scott L. , Mocco J
Published: April 2013

Cerebral vasospasm (CV) is a major source of morbidity and mortality in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). It is thought that an inflammatory cascade initiated by extravasated blood products precipitates CV, disrupting vascular smooth muscle cell function of major cerebral arteries, leading to vasoconstriction. Mechanisms of CV and modes of therapy are an active area of research. Understanding the genetic basis of CV holds promise for the recognition and treatment for this devastating neurovascular event. In our review, we summarize the most recent research involving key areas within the genetics and vasospasm discussion: (1)Prognostic role of genetics—risk stratification based on gene sequencing, biomarkers, and polymorphisms; (2)Signaling pathways—pinpointing key inflammatory molecules responsible for downstream cellular signaling and altering these mediators to provide therapeutic benefit; and (3)Gene therapy and gene delivery—using viral vectors or novel protein delivery methods to overexpress protective genes in the vasospasm cascade.
MHD Heat and Mass Transfer of Chemical Reaction Fluid Flow over a Moving Vertical Plate in Presence of Heat Source with Convective Surface Boundary Condition
Authors: Rout B. R. , Parida S. K. , Panda S.
Published: April 2013

This paper aims to investigate the influence of chemical reaction and the combined effects of internal heat generation and a convective boundary condition on the laminar boundary layer MHD heat and mass transfer flow over a moving vertical flat plate. The lower surface of the plate is in contact with a hot fluid while the stream of cold fluid flows over the upper surface with heat source and chemical reaction. The basic equations governing the flow, heat transfer, and concentration are reduced to a set of ordinary differential equations by using appropriate transformation for variables and solved numerically by Runge-Kutta fourth-order integration scheme in association with shooting method. The effects of physical parameters on the velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles are illustrated graphically. A table recording the values of skin friction, heat transfer, and mass transfer at the plate is also presented. The discussion focuses on the physical interpretation of the results as well as their comparison with previous studies which shows good agreement as a special case of the problem.
Self‐Assembly, Interfacial Nanostructure, and Supramolecular Chirality of the Langmuir‐Blodgett Films of Some Schiff Base Derivatives without Alkyl Chain
Authors: Jiao Tifeng , Xing Ruirui , Zhang Qingrui , Lv Yaopeng , Zhou Jingxin , Gao Faming
Published: April 2013

A special naphthyl‐containing Schiff base derivative, N ,  N′‐bis(2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthylidene)‐1,2‐phenylenediamine, was synthesized, and its coordination with various metal ions in situ at the air/water interface has been investigated. Although the ligand contains no alkyl chain, it can be spread on water surface. When metal ions existed in the subphase, an interfacial coordination between the ligand and different metal ions occurred in the spreading film, while different Nanostructures were fabricated in the monolayers. Interestingly to note that among various metal ions, only the in situ coordination‐induced Cu(II)‐complex film showed supramolecular chirality, although the multilayer films from the ligand or preformed complex are achiral. The chirality of the in situ Cu(II)‐coordinated Langmuir film was developed due to the special distorted coordination reaction and the spatial limitation at the air/water interface. A possible organization mechanism at the air/water interface was suggested.
Fixed Point Results in Quasi-Cone Metric Spaces
Authors: Shaddad Fawzia , Noorani Mohd Salmi Md
Published: April 2013

The main aim of this paper is to prove fixed point theorems in quasi-cone metric spaces which extend the Banach contraction mapping and others. This is achieved by introducing different kinds of Cauchy sequences in quasi-cone metric spaces.
Imaging 3D Sea Surfaces from 3D Dual-Sensor Towed Streamer Data
Authors: Orji Okwudili C. , Söllner Walter , Gelius Leiv-J.
Published: April 2013

3D realistic sea surface imaging from 3D dual-sensor towed streamer data is presented. The technique is based on separating data acquired by collocated dual-sensors into up-going and down-going wavefields. Subsequently, these wavefields are extrapolated upwards in order to image the sea surface. This approach has previously been demonstrated using 2D data examples. Here, the focus is on 3D data. Controlled 3D data based on the Kirchhoff-Helmholtz algorithm is generated, and the 3D sea surface imaging technique is applied. For coarsely spaced streamers from 3D field data, the technique is applied streamerwise (i.e., 2D wavefield separation, extrapolation, and imaging). In the latter case, the resulting sea surface profiles corresponding to each time frame are interpolated to demonstrate that the main sea surface characteristics are preserved, and artefacts due to 2D processing of 3D data are mainly limited to areas corresponding to large angles of incidence. Time-varying sea surfaces from two different 3D field data are imaged. The data examples were acquired under different weather conditions. The imaged sea surfaces show realistic wave heights, and their spectra suggest plausible speeds and directions.
Heart Transplantation in a 14-Year-Old Boy in the Presence of Severe Out-of-Proportion Pulmonary Hypertension due to Restrictive Left Heart Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Schwienbacher Martin , Schweigmann Ulrich , Neu Nikolaus , Schermer Elisabeth , Velik-Salchner Corinna , Michel-Behnke Ina , Irnberger Erentraud , Steger Christina Maria , Stein Jörg Ingolf , Geiger Ralf
Published: April 2013

A 14-year-old boy after balloon valvuloplasty of severe aortic valve stenosis in the neonatal period was referred for heart-lung transplantation because of high grade pulmonary hypertension and left heart dysfunction due to endocardial fibroelastosis with severe mitral insufficiency. After heart catheterization, hemodynamic parameters were invasively monitored: a course of levosimendan and initiation of diuretics led to a decrease of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (from maximum 35 to 24 mmHg). Instead of an expected decrease, mean pulmonary artery pressures (mPAP) increased up to 80 mmHg with increasing transpulmonary pressure gradient (TPG) up to 55 mmHg. Oral bosentan and intravenous epoprostenol then led to a ~50% decrease of mPAP (TPG between 16 and 22 mmHg). The boy was listed solely for heart transplantation which was successfully accomplished 1 month later.