bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a test for bovine tuberculosis in cattle based on measurement of gamma interferon mRNA by real‐time PCR
Authors: Gan W. , Zhou X. , Yang H. , Chen H. , Qiao J. , Khan S. H. , Yang L. , Yin X. , Zhao D.
Published: July 2013

The infection status of cattle for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) was determined by real‐time PCR, comparing the levels of IFN‐γ mRNA in blood cultures stimulated with either bovine or avian tuberculin with non‐stimulated control (phosphate buffer saline, PBS) blood culture. Totally, 137 cattle were tested to validate the assay, in which 54 were IFN‐γ real‐time quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) positive, while the remaining 83 were found negative. Meanwhile, the IFN‐γ ELISA test was carried out using the Bovigam IFN‐γ detection ELISA kit and these results were used as a standard. The results of the single intradermal tuberculin tests (SIDT) and IFN‐γ RT‐qPCR tests were compared and revealed that the RT‐qPCR correlated better with the ELISA and its accuracy was higher than SIDT. This indicates the RT‐qPCR is a useful diagnostic method for bTB in cattle. However, several limitations remain for our approach, such as lack of a TB lesions or postmortem test results as a gold standard. Further improvements should be made in the future to increase accuracy of diagnosis of bTB in cattle.
ANALYZING IMPACT RULES OF DIFFERENT CHANGE TYPES TO SUPPORT CHANGE IMPACT ANALYSIS
Authors: SUN XIAOBING , LI BIXIN , WEN WANZHI , ZHANG SAI
Published: July 2013

Software change impact analysis (CIA) is a key technique for identifying unpredicted and potential effects caused by changes made to software. Different changes have different ripple effects to other parts in the program, even some changes do not affect other entities in spite of some dependencies existing between these entities and the modified one. This induces imprecision if such a factor is neglected. This article proposes a static CIA technique which considers the impact rules of different change types to predict the change effects. Input of our CIA includes changed classes, class methods and class fields, and the output is composed of potentially affected classes, class methods, and class fields. Precision improvement of the CIA technique relies on three aspects: change types of a modified entity, dependencies between the modified entity and other entities, and a precise initial impact set (IIS), on which the final impact set (FIS) is computed. Experimental case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique, and present its potential applications in software maintenance.
Palaeoenvironmental records from the West Antarctic Peninsula drift sediments over the last 75 ka
Authors: Vautravers Maryline J. , Hodell David A. , Channell James E. T. , Hillenbrand Claus-Dieter , Hall Mike , Smith James , Larter Robert D.
Published: July 2013

We present results of a multi-proxy study on marine sediment core JR179-PC466 recovered from the crest of a sediment drift off the West Antarctic Peninsula at approximately 2300 m water depth. The 10.45 m-long core consists dominantly of glaciomarine terrigenous sediments, with only traces of calcium carbonate (<1 wt%). Despite the very low abundance of calcareous foraminifera, planktonic shell numbers are sufficient for stable isotope analyses in two-thirds of the samples studied. The core chronology is based on oxygen isotope stratigraphy and correlation of its relative palaeomagnetic intensity (RPI) with a stacked reference curve. According to the age model, core PC466 spans the last 75 ka, with average sedimentation rates of between about 4 and 25 cm ka
−1
. Planktonic foraminifera abundances fluctuate between 0 and 30 individuals per gram throughout the core, with minima observed during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 (14–29 ka before present, BP) and MIS4 (57–71 ka BP). Planktonic foraminifera are present in the Holocene but more abundant in sediments deposited during MIS3 (29–57 ka BP), owing to less dilution by terrigenous detritus and/or better carbonate preservation. During MIS3, foraminifera maxima correlate with Antarctic warming events as recorded in the δ
18
O signal of the EPICA Dronning Maud Land (EDML) ice core. They indicate higher planktonic foraminifera production and better carbonate preservation west of the Antarctic Peninsula during that time. The abundance of ice-rafted detritus (IRD) in core PC466 increased during the last deglaciation between about 19 and 11 ka BP, when numerous icebergs drifted across the core site, thereby releasing IRD. During this time, sea-level rise destabilized the Antarctic Peninsula (APIS) and West Antarctic (WAIS) ice sheets that had advanced onto the shelf during the sea-level low-stand of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM;
c
. 19–23 ka BP). Overall, our results demonstrate that it is possible to establish an age model and reconstruct palaeoceanographical and climatic changes at high temporal resolution from sedimentary sequences recovered at 2300 m water depth from a West Antarctic drift.
Muscarinic Signaling in the Brain
Authors: Thiele Alexander
Published: July 2013

Muscarinic signaling affects attention, action selection, learning, and memory through multiple signaling cascades, which act at different timescales and which alter ion channels in cell type–specific manners. The effects of muscarinic signaling differ between cortical layers and between brain areas. Muscarinic signaling adds flexibility to the processing mode of neuronal networks, thereby supporting processing according to task demands. This review outlines possible scenarios to describe how it contributes to cellular mechanisms of attention and how it affects channeling of information in different neuronal circuits.
Studies of mucus in mouse stomach, small intestine, and colon. I. Gastrointestinal mucus layers have different properties depending on location as well as over the Peyer's patches
Authors: Ermund Anna , Schütte André , Johansson Malin E. V. , Gustafsson Jenny K. , Hansson Gunnar C.
Published: July 2013

Colon has been shown to have a two-layered mucus system where the inner layer is devoid of bacteria. However, a complete overview of the mouse gastrointestinal mucus system is lacking. We now characterize mucus release, thickness, growth over time, adhesive properties, and penetrability to fluorescent beads from stomach to distal colon. Colon displayed spontaneous mucus release and all regions released mucus in response to carbachol and PGE2, except the distal colon and domes of Peyer's patches. Stomach and colon had an inner mucus layer that was adherent to the epithelium. In contrast, the small intestine and Peyer's patches had a single mucus layer that was easily aspirated. The inner mucus layer of the distal colon was not penetrable to beads the size of bacteria and the inner layer of the proximal colon was only partly penetrable. In contrast, the inner mucus layer of stomach was fully penetrable, as was the small intestinal mucus. This suggests a functional organization of the intestinal mucus system, where the small intestine has loose and penetrable mucus that may allow easy penetration of nutrients, in contrast to the stomach, where the mucus provides physical protection, and the colon, where the mucus separates bacteria from the epithelium. This knowledge of the mucus system and its organization improves our understanding of the gastrointestinal tract physiology.
Studies of mucus in mouse stomach, small intestine, and colon. III. Gastrointestinal Muc5ac and Muc2 mucinO-glycan patterns reveal a regiospecific distribution
Authors: Holmén Larsson Jessica M. , Thomsson Kristina A. , Rodríguez-Piñeiro Ana M. , Karlsson Hasse , Hansson Gunnar C.
Published: July 2013

The mouse intestinal mucus is mainly made up by the gel-forming Muc2 mucin and the stomach surface mucus Muc5ac, both extensively O-glycosylated. The oligosaccharide diversity provides a vast library of potential recognition sites for both commensal and pathogenic organisms. The mucin glycans are thus likely very important for the selection and maintenance of a stable intestinal flora. Here we have explored the O-glycan patterns of the mouse gastrointestinal tract mucins. The mucins from the mucus of the distal and proximal colon, ileum, jejunum, duodenum, and stomach of conventionally raised wild-type (C57BL/6) mice were separated by composite gel electrophoresis. The O-linked glycans were released by reductive elimination and structurally characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mucins glycans were mostly core 2 type [Galβ1–3(GlcNAcβ1–6)GalNAcol], but also core 1 (Galβ1–3GalNAcol). In the stomach about half of the Muc5ac mucin O-glycans were neutral and many monosulfated, but with a low grade of sialylation and fucosylation. Mouse ileum, jejunum, and duodenum had similar glycan patterns dominated by sialylated and sulfated core 2 glycans, but few fucosylated. Colon was on the other hand dominated by highly charged fucosylated glycans. The distal colon is different from the proximal colon because different biosynthetic pathways are utilized, although sialylated and sulfated glycans were highly abundant in both parts. The sulfation was higher in the distal colon, whereas sialic acid was more common in the proximal colon. Many fucosylated glycans were found in both the proximal and distal colon. Thus the mucin O-glycans vary along the mouse gastrointestinal tract.
Angiotensin II-mediated posttranslational modification of nNOS in the PVN of rats with CHF: role for PIN
Authors: Sharma Neeru M. , Llewellyn Tamra L. , Zheng Hong , Patel Kaushik P.
Published: July 2013

An increased sympathetic drive is an adverse characteristic in chronic heart failure (CHF). The protein expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)- and hence nitric oxide (NO)-mediated sympathoinhibition is reduced in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of rats with CHF. However, the molecular mechanism(s) of nNOS downregulation remain(s) unclear. The aim of the study was to reveal the underlying molecular mechanism for the downregulation of nNOS in the PVN of CHF rats. Sprague-Dawley rats with CHF (6–8 wk after coronary artery ligation) demonstrated decreased nNOS dimer/monomer ratio (42%), with a concomitant increase in the expression of PIN (a protein inhibitor of nNOS known to dissociate nNOS dimers into monomers) by 47% in the PVN. Similarly, PIN expression is increased in a neuronal cell line (NG108) treated with angiotensin II (ANG II). Furthermore, there is an increased accumulation of high-molecular-weight nNOS-ubiquitin (nNOS-Ub) conjugates in the PVN of CHF rats (29%). ANG II treatment in NG108 cells in the presence of a proteasome inhibitor, lactacystin, also leads to a 69% increase in accumulation of nNOS-Ub conjugates immunoprecipitated by an antiubiquitin antibody. There is an ANG II-driven, PIN-mediated decrease in the dimeric catalytically active nNOS in the PVN, due to ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic degradation in CHF. Our results show a novel intermediary mechanism that leads to decreased levels of active nNOS in the PVN, involved in subsequent reduction in sympathoinhibition during CHF, offering a new target for the treatment of CHF and other cardiovascular diseases.
Nox2 and Nox4 influence neonatal c-kit+ cardiac precursor cell status and differentiation
Authors: Nadworny Alyson S. , Guruju Mallik R. , Poor Daniel , Doran Robert M. , Sharma Ram V. , Kotlikoff Michael I. , Davisson Robin L.
Published: July 2013

Redox status has emerged as critical in modulating stemness and lineage commitment in several precursor cell types. However, a role for redox genes, specifically NADPH oxidases (Nox), in cardiac precursor cells (CPCs) has not been established. We tested whether CPCs marked by type III receptor tyrosine kinase c-kit (c-kit+) exhibit a unique NADPH oxidase signature that confers precursor status and whether alterations in this profile are functionally linked to changes in lineage specification. Dihydroethidium (DHE) microfluorography indicated reduced basal reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation within early postnatal c-kit+ CPCs. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed downregulation of ROS generator Nox2 and its subunit p67phox in c-kit+ CPCs under basal conditions but upregulation of Nox2 and Nox4 over the course of differentiation. Adenoviral silencing of Nox2 and Nox4 increased expression of CPC markers c-kit and Flk-1 and blunted smooth and cardiac muscle differentiation, respectively, while overexpression of Nox2 and Nox4 significantly reduced c-kit expression. These changes were accompanied by altered expression of transcription factors regulating cardiac lineage commitment, Gata6 and Gata4, and cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Similar to other precursor cell types, RT2Profiler PCR Arrays revealed that c-kit+ CPCs also exhibit enhanced antioxidant capacity at the mRNA level. In conclusion, we report that c-kit+ CPCs demonstrate reduced Nox2 expression and ROS levels and that increases in Nox2 and Nox4 influence their differentiation into mature cells. We speculate that ROS generators Nox2 and Nox4, along with the antioxidant genes identified by PCR Arrays, may be novel targets in CPCs that could prove useful in cell-based therapy of the heart.
Suitability of Biomorphic Silicon Carbide Ceramics as Drug Delivery Systems against Bacterial Biofilms
Authors: Díaz-Rodríguez P. , Pérez-Estévez A. , Seoane R. , González P. , Serra J. , Landin M.
Published: July 2013

The present work is aimed at getting a new insight into biomorphic silicon carbides (bioSiCs) as bone replacement materials. BioSiCs from a variety of precursors were produced, characterized, and loaded with a broad-spectrum antibiotic. The capacity of loaded bioSiCs for preventing and/or treating preformed S. aureus biofilms has been studied. The differences in precursor characteristics are maintained after the ceramic production process. All bioSiCs allow the loading process by capillarity, giving loaded materials with drug release profiles dependent on their microstructure. The amount of antibiotic released in liquid medium during the first six hours depends on bioSiC porosity, but it could exceed the minimum inhibitory concentration of Staphylococcus aureus, for all the materials studied, thus preventing the proliferation of bacteria. Differences in the external surface and the number and size of open external pores of bioSiCs contribute towards the variations in the effect against bacteria when experiments are carried out using solid media. The internal structure and surface properties of all the systems seem to facilitate the therapeutic activity of the antibiotic on the preformed biofilms, reducing the number of viable bacteria present in the biofilm compared to controls.
Diffuse Scattering from Lead-Containing Ferroelectric Perovskite Oxides
Authors: Goossens D. J.
Published: July 2013

Ferroelectric materials rely on some type of non-centrosymmetric displacement correlations to give rise to a macroscopic polarisation. These displacements can show short-range order (SRO) that is reflective of the local chemistry, and so studying it reveals important information about how the structure gives rise to the technologically useful properties. A key means of exploring this SRO is diffuse scattering. Conventional structural studies use Bragg peak intensitiesto determine the average structure. In a single crystal diffuse scattering (SCDS) experiment, the coherent scattered intensity is measured at non-integer Miller indices, and can be used to examine the population of local configurations. This is because the diffuse scattering is sensitive to two-body averages, whereas the Bragg intensity gives single-body averages. This review outlines key results of SCDS studies on several materials and explores the similarities and differences in their diffuse scattering. Random strains are considered, as are models based on a phonon-like picture or a more local-chemistry oriented picture. Limitations of the technique are discussed.
Markov Chain Models for the Stochastic Modeling of Pitting Corrosion
Authors: Valor A. , Caleyo F. , Alfonso L. , Velázquez J. C. , Hallen J. M.
Published: July 2013

The stochastic nature of pitting corrosion of metallic structures has been widely recognized. It is assumed that this kind of deterioration retains no memory of the past, so only the current state of the damage influences its future development. This characteristic allows pitting corrosion to be categorized as a Markov process. In this paper, two different models of pitting corrosion, developed using Markov chains, are presented. Firstly, a continuous-time, nonhomogeneous linear growth (pure birth) Markov process is used to model external pitting corrosion in underground pipelines. A closed-form solution of the system of Kolmogorov's forward equations is used to describe the transition probability function in a discrete pit depth space. The transition probability function is identified by correlating the stochastic pit depth mean with the empirical deterministic mean. In the second model, the distribution of maximum pit depths in a pitting experiment is successfully modeled after the combination of two stochastic processes: pit initiation and pit growth. Pit generation is modeled as a nonhomogeneous Poisson process, in which induction time is simulated as the realization of a Weibull process. Pit growth is simulated using a nonhomogeneous Markov process. An analytical solution of Kolmogorov's system of equations is also found for the transition probabilities from the first Markov state. Extreme value statistics is employed to find the distribution of maximum pit depths.
FT-IR Investigation of the Structural Changes of Sulcis and South Africa Coals under Progressive Heating in Vacuum: Correlation with Volatile Matter
Authors: D'Alessio Aldo , Raspolli-Galletti Anna Maria , Licursi Domenico , Martinelli Marco
Published: July 2013

The analysis of gas evolving during the pyrolysis of two very different rank coals was studied by using FT-IR spectroscopy. These coals, coming from Sulcis (Sardinia, Italy) and from South Africa, respectively, were subjected to progressive heating up to 800°C in vacuum. The thermal destruction of coal was followed by monitoring the production of gases in this range of temperature. The gases evolving in the heating from room temperature to 800°C were collected at intervals of 100°C and analysed by infrared spectroscopy. The relative pressures were plotted against temperature. These graphs clearly show the correlation among qualitative gas composition, temperature, and the maximum value of emissions, thus confirming FT-IR analysis as a powerful key for pyrolysis monitoring.
A Note on Hobby’s Theorem of Finite Groups
Authors: Kong Qingjun
Published: July 2013

It is well known that the Frattini subgroups of any finite groups are nilpotent. If a finite group is not nilpotent, it is not the Frattini subgroup of a finite group. In this paper, we mainly discuss what kind of finite nilpotent groups cannot be the Frattini subgroup of some finite groups and give some results. Moreover, we generalize Hobby’s Theorem.
Complete Periodic Synchronization of Memristor-Based Neural Networks with Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Wu Huaiqin , Zhang Luying , Ding Sanbo , Guo Xueqing , Wang Lingling
Published: July 2013

This paper investigates the complete periodic synchronization of memristor-based neural networks with time-varying delays. Firstly, under the framework of Filippov solutions, by usingM-matrix theory and the Mawhin-like coincidence theorem in set-valued analysis, the existence of the periodic solution for the network system is proved. Secondly, complete periodic synchronization is considered for memristor-based neural networks. According to the state-dependent switching feature of the memristor, the error system is divided into four cases. Adaptive controller is designed such that the considered model can realize global asymptotical synchronization. Finally, an illustrative example is given to demonstrate the validity of the theoretical results.
Isolated p.H62L Mutation in theCYP21A2Gene in a Simple Virilizing 21-Hydroxylase Deficient Patient
Authors: Taboas Melisa , Fernández Cecilia , Belli Susana , Buzzalino Noemi , Alba Liliana , Dain Liliana
Published: July 2013

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency accounts for 90%–95% of cases. This autosomal recessive disorder has a broad spectrum of clinical forms, ranging from severe or classical, which includes the salt-wasting and simple virilizing forms, to the mild late onset or nonclassical form. Most of the disease-causing mutations described are likely to be the consequence of nonhomologous recombination or gene conversion events between the activeCYP21A2gene and its homologous CYP21A1P pseudogene. Nevertheless, an increasing number of naturally occurring mutations have been found. The change p.H62L is one of the most frequent rare mutations of theCYP21A2gene. It was suggested that the p.H62L represents a mild mutation that may be responsible for a more severe enzymatic impairment when presented with another mild mutation on the same allele. In this report, a 20-year-old woman carrying an isolated p.H62L mutation in compound heterozygosity with c.283-13A/C>G mutation is described. Although a mildly nonclassical phenotype was expected, clinical signs and hormonal profile of the patient are consistent with a more severe simple virilizing form of 21-hydroxylase deficiency. The study of genotype-phenotype correlation in additional patients would help in defining the role of p.H62L in disease manifestation.
Eosinophilic Pleural Effusion: A Rare Complication of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
Authors: Mokhtari Maral , Kumar Perikala Vijayananda , Ghayumi Mohammad-Ali
Published: July 2013

Background. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has been widely used to treat renal stones. The procedure is relatively safe with minor complications.Case. The patient is a 32-year-old man who presented with left sided pleural effusion after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.Results. The pleural effusion study revealed an exudative fluid rich in eosinophils (30%). So, the diagnosis of eosinophilic pleural effusion as a complication of lithotripsy was made.Conclusion. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy should be regarded as an etiology of unexplained eosinophilic pleural effusion after this procedure.
1-Aryl-3-[4-(thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-yloxy)phenyl]ureas as VEGFR-2 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Modelling Studies
Authors: Soares Pedro , Costa Raquel , Froufe Hugo J. C. , Calhelha Ricardo C. , Peixoto Daniela , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. , Abreu Rui M. V. , Soares Raquel , Queiroz Maria-João R. P.
Published: July 2013

The vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) is a tyrosine kinase receptor involved in the growth and differentiation of endothelial cells that are implicated in tumor-associated angiogenesis. In this study, novel 1-aryl-3-[4-(thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-yloxy)phenyl]ureas were synthesized and evaluated for the VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase inhibition. Three of these compounds showed good VEGFR-2 inhibition presenting low IC50values (150–199 nM) in enzymatic assays, showing also a significant proliferation inhibition of VEGF-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) at low concentrations (0.5–1 µM), using the Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) assay, not affecting cell viability. The determination of the total and phosphorylated (active) VEGFR-2 was performed by western blot, and it was possible to conclude that the compounds significantly inhibit the phosphorylation of the receptor at 1 µM pointing to their antiproliferative mechanism of action in HUVECs. The molecular rationale for inhibiting the tyrosine kinase domain of VEGFR-2 was also performed and discussed using molecular docking studies.
Comparative Biosorption Studies of Hexavalent Chromium Ion onto Raw and Modified Palm Branches
Authors: Shouman Mona A. , Fathy Nady A. , Khedr Soheir A. , Attia Amina A.
Published: July 2013

The waste of palm branches (PB) was tested for its ability to remove chromium (VI) from aqueous solution by batch and column experiments. Palm branches chemically modified with an oxidizing agent (sulphuric acid) then coated with chitosan and surfactant (hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide surfactant, HDTMA), respectively, were carried out to improve the removal performance of PB. The results of their Cr (VI) removal performances are pH dependent. The adsorption data could be well interpreted by the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Flory-Huggins isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained from the Langmuir model for the chitosan coated oxidized palm branches is 55 mg/mg. The adsorption process could be described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The intraparticle diffusion study revealed that film diffusion might be involved. The biosorbents were successfully regenerated using 1 M HCL solution.
Recognition of Emotions in Mexican Spanish Speech: An Approach Based on Acoustic Modelling of Emotion‐Specific Vowels
Authors: Caballero-Morales Santiago-Omar
Published: July 2013

An approach for the recognition of emotions in speech is presented. The target language is Mexican Spanish, and for this purpose a speech database was created. The approach consists in the phoneme acoustic modelling of emotion‐specific vowels. For this, a standard phoneme‐based Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system was built with Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), where different phoneme HMMs were built for the consonants and emotion‐specific vowels associated with four emotional states (anger, happiness, neutral, sadness). Then, estimation of the emotional state from a spoken sentence is performed by counting the number of emotion‐specific vowels found in the ASR’s output for the sentence. With this approach, accuracy of 87–100% was achieved for the recognition of emotional state of Mexican Spanish speech.
New Stability Indicating Method for Quantification of Impurities in Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets by Validated HPLC
Authors: Venkata Eranki Rama Joga , Inti Gopichand , Jayaraman Venkatasubramanian , Vidiyala Sudhakar Rao , SreeRamulu J.
Published: July 2013

A stability indicating LC method was developed for simultaneous determination of amlodipine and valsartan in pharmaceutical dosage form. Efficient chromatographic separation was achieved on C8 stationary phase with simple combination of mobile phase-A (70 : 20 : 10 v/v/v of water : acetonitrile : methanol with 2 mL of Octylamine adjusted the pH to 2.50 + 0.05 with orthophosphoric acid) and mobile phase-B (Acetonitrile) delivered in gradient mode. Quantification was carried out using ultraviolet detection at 240 nm at flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with Injection Volume of 100 μL and ambient column temperature. This method was capable to detect both the drug components of Amlodipine and Valsartan in presence of their degradation products (Amlodipine Imp-A and Valsartan Impurity-B) with the detection level of 0.05%. Amlodipine/Valsartan and their combination drug product were exposed to thermal studies, photolytic, hydrolytic and oxidative stress conditions, and samples analysed. Peak homogeneity data of Amlodipine and Valsartan is obtained using PDA detector, demonstrating the specificity. The method shows excellent linearity over range of 0.05–2.0% for Amlodipine; Amlodipine
Impurity-A and 0.05–1.0% for Valsartan and Valsartan Impurity-B. The correlation coefficient for Amlodipine and Valsartan are 0.9999. The proposed method was found to be suitable and accurate for quantitative determination and the stability study of Amlodipine and Valsartan in pharmaceutical preparations.
Nonsocial Functions of Hypothalamic Oxytocin
Authors: Yang Hai-Peng , Wang Liwei , Han Liqun , Wang Stephani C.
Published: July 2013

Oxytocin (OXT) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide composed of nine amino acids. The functions of OXT cover a variety of social and nonsocial activity/behaviors. Therapeutic effects of OXT on aberrant social behaviors are attracting more attention, such as social memory, attachment, sexual behavior, maternal behavior, aggression, pair bonding, and trust. The nonsocial behaviors/functions of brain OXT have also received renewed attention, which covers brain development, reproduction, sex, endocrine, immune regulation, learning and memory, pain perception, energy balance, and almost all the functions of peripheral organ systems. Coordinating with brain OXT, locally produced OXT also involves the central and peripheral actions of OXT. Disorders in OXT secretion and functions can cause a series of aberrant social behaviors, such as depression, autism, and schizophrenia as well as disturbance of nonsocial behaviors/functions, such as anorexia, obesity, lactation failure, osteoporosis, diabetes, and carcinogenesis. As more and more OXT functions are identified, it is essential to provide a general view of OXT functions in order to explore the therapeutic potentials of OXT. In this review, we will focus on roles of hypothalamic OXT on central and peripheral nonsocial functions.
Effect of Electrohydraulic Discharge on Viscosity of Human Blood
Authors: El-Aragi G. M.
Published: July 2013

Electrohydraulic plasma discharge is a novel technology with high efficiency and high speed and can generate chemically active species like free radicals, ions, atoms, and metastables, accompanied by ultraviolet light emission and shock pressure waves. The aim of this work is to examine the effect of electrohydraulic discharge (EHD) system on viscosity of the human blood after different exposure time. The voltage pulsation introduces electric field and temperature jump and at the same time leads to haemolysis of the blood cells. The ratio of blood viscosity under the influence of magnetic field to the viscosity in the absence of magnetic field is directly proportional to the applied magnetic field .
Existence and Numerical Simulation of Solutions for Fractional Equations Involving Two Fractional Orders with Nonlocal Boundary Conditions
Authors: Zhao Jing , Lu Peifen , Liu Yiliang
Published: July 2013

We study a boundary value problem for fractional equations involving two fractional orders. By means of a fixed point theorem, we establish sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of solutions for the fractional equations. In addition, we describe the dynamic behaviors of the fractional Langevin equation by using theG2algorithm.
Vitamin D Deficiency Is Not Associated with Changes in Retinal Geometric Parameters in Young People with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Poon Myra , Craig Maria E. , Kaur Harleen , Cusumano Janine , Sasongko Muhammad Bayu , Wong Tien Yin , Donaghue Kim C.
Published: July 2013

Changes in retinal geometric parameters predict risk and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). We have shown that vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with DR. We hypothesized that VDD mediates changes in retinal geometric parameters. Retinal vascular geometric parameters were assessed using a semiautomated computer program in photographs from young people with type 1 diabetes (T1D)(n=481)and summarized as central retinal arteriolar and venular equivalents (CRAE, CRVE), fractal dimension, length-diameter ratio, branching angle and curvature tortuosity. Parameters were compared between those with and without DR and VDD (25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration ≤ 50 nmol/L). Retinal vascular geometric parameters were also compared across quartiles of vitamin D levels. Median CRVE was higher in patients with DR compared with those without (median (IQR) CRVE 247.3 μm (31.3) versus 238.8 μm (23.5),P=0.01). Fractal dimension was marginally greater in patients without VDD (1.49 (0.06) versus 1.47 (0.07)P=0.03). There was no difference in CRAE, CRVE, length-diameter ratio, branching angle, and curvature tortuosity between those with and without VDD and across quartiles of 25OHD. In conclusion, DR is associated with higher CRVE in young people with T1D; however, VDD is not associated with changes in retinal vascular geometric measures, suggesting an earlier role in the time course of DR pathogenesis.
The Influence of Hypoxia and pH on Bioluminescence Imaging of Luciferase-Transfected Tumor Cells and Xenografts
Authors: Khalil Ashraf A. , Jameson Mark J. , Broaddus William C. , Lin Peck Sun , Dever Seth M. , Golding Sarah E. , Rosenberg Elizabeth , Valerie Kristoffer , Chung Theodore D.
Published: July 2013

Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is a relatively new noninvasive technology used for quantitative assessment of tumor growth and therapeutic effect in living animal models. BLI involves the generation of light by luciferase-expressing cells following administration of the substrate luciferin in the presence of oxygen and ATP. In the present study, the effects of hypoxia, hypoperfusion, and pH on BLI signal (BLS) intensity were evaluatedin vitrousing cultured cells andin vivousing a xenograft model in nude mice. The intensity of the BLS was significantly reduced in the presence of acute and chronic hypoxia. Changes in cell density, viability, and pH also affected BLS. Although BLI is a convenient non-invasive tool for tumor assessment, these factors should be considered when interpreting BLS intensity, especially in solid tumors that could be hypoxic due to rapid growth, inadequate blood supply, and/or treatment.
Effect of Tai Chi versus Walking on Oxidative Stress in Mexican Older Adults
Authors: Rosado-Pérez Juana , Ortiz Rocío , Santiago-Osorio Edelmiro , Mendoza-Núñez Víctor Manuel
Published: July 2013

It has recently been reported that the practice of Tai Chi reduces oxidative stress (OxS), but it is not clear whether walking or Tai Chi produces a greater antioxidant effect. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the practice of Tai Chi and walking on markers for OxS. We carried out a quasi-experimental study with 106 older adults between 60 and 74 years of age who were clinically healthy and divided into the following groups: (i) control group (n=23), (ii) walking group (n=43), and (iii) Tai Chi group (n=31). We measured the levels of lipoperoxides (LPO), antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant status (TAS) pre- and post-intervention in all subjects. The data were subjected to a covariant analysis. We found lower levels of LPO in the Tai Chi group compared with the walking group (Tai Chi, 0.261 ± 0.02; walking, 0.331 ± 0.02; control, 0.304 ± 0.023 µmol/L;P=0.05). Likewise, we observed significantly higher SOD activity and lower OxS-score in the Tai Chi group (P<0.05). Our findings suggest that the practice of Tai Chi produces a more effective antioxidant effect than walking.
Memory State-Feedback Stabilization for a Class of Time-Delay Systems with a Type of Adaptive Strategy
Authors: Chai Lin , Fei Shumin
Published: July 2013

Stabilization of a class of systems with time delay is studied using adaptive control. With the help of the “error to error” technique and the separated “descriptor form” technique, the memory state-feedback controller is designed. The adaptive controller designed can guarantee asymptotical stability of the closed-loop system via a suitable Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional. Some sufficient conditions are derived for the stabilization together with the linear matrix inequality (LMI) design approach. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control design methodology is demonstrated in numerical simulations.
Correlation of Increased Blood Levels of GITR and GITRL with Disease Severity in Patients with Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: Gan Xiaoxia , Feng Xiaoke , Gu Lei , Tan Wenfeng , Sun Xiaoxuan , Lv Chengyin , Zhang Miaojia
Published: July 2013

Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family-related protein (GITR) is a type I transmembrane protein belonging to the TNFR superfamily. After activated by its ligand GITRL, GITR could influence the activity of effector and regulatory T cells, participating in the development of several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases included rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune thyroid disease. We previously reported that serum GITRL levels are increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients compared with healthy controls (HC). Here, we tested serum soluble GITR (sGITR) and GITRL levels in 41 primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) patients and 29 HC by ELISA and correlated sGITR and GITRL levels with clinical and laboratory variables. GITR and GITRL expression in labial salivary glands was detected by immunohistochemistry. pSS patients had significantly increased serum levels of sGITR and GITRL compared with controls (GITR: 5.66 ± 3.56 ng/mL versus 0.50 ± 0.31 ng/mL;P<0.0001; GITRL: 6.17 ± 7.10 ng/mL versus 0.36 ± 0.28 ng/mL;P<0.0001). Serum sGITR and GITRL levels were positively correlated with IgG (GITRL:r=0.6084,P<0.0001; sGITR:r=0.6820,P<0.0001) and ESR (GITRL:r=0.8315,P<0.0001; sGITR:r=0.7448,P<0.0001). Moreover, GITR and GITRL are readily detected in the lymphocytic foci and periductal areas of the LSGs. In contrast, the LSGs of HC subjects did not express GITR or GITRL. Our findings indicate the possible involvement of GITR-GITRL pathway in the pathogenesis of pSS. Further studies may facilitate the development of targeting this molecule pathway for the treatment of pSS.
Metal Ion Selectivity of Kojate Complexes: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Singh Sarita , Singh Jyoti , Gulia Sunita , Kakkar Rita
Published: July 2013

Density functional calculations have been performed on four-coordinate kojate complexes of selected divalent metal ions in order to determine the affinity of the metal ions for the kojate ion. The complexation reactions are characterized by high energies, showing that they are highly exothermic. It is found that Ni(II) exhibits the highest affinity for the kojate ion, and this is attributed to the largest amount of charge transfer from the ligand to the metal ion. The Ni(II) complex has distorted square planar structure. The HOMOs and LUMOs of the complexes are also discussed. All complexes display a strong band at ~1500 cm−1 corresponding to the stretching frequency of the weakened carbonyl bond. Comparison of the complexation energies for the two steps shows that most of the complexation energy is realized in the first step. The energy released in the second step is about one-third that of the first step.
Body Mass Index, Gestational Weight Gain, and Obstetric Complications in Moroccan Population
Authors: Mochhoury Latifa , Razine Rachid , Kasouati Jalal , Kabiri Mariam , Barkat Amina
Published: July 2013

Objectives. To evaluate the impact of the body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy and the weight gain during pregnancy, on the occurrence of maternal and neonatal morbidity in the Moroccan population, as well as to analyze the quality of the weight gain depending on the BMI.Methods. A study was carried out over a period of one year from October 1, 2010 to October 1, 2011, using data collected from a descriptive-transversal study. We recruited nondiabetic women without several HTAs, delivering singletons from 37 completed weeks up to 42 weeks gestation.Results. Total of 1408 were analyzed. The risks of moderate hypertension, macrosomia, dystocia, and resort to cesarean section were higher among overweight or obese women, as well as among women whose weight gain was >16 kg. The differences were significant <0.05.Conclusion. This study demonstrates that overweight women before pregnancy and weight gain during pregnancy are associated with higher risks of maternal and neonatal complications. These data provide ideas on prevention opportunities.
Silica Aerogel Improves the Biocompatibility in a Poly-ε-Caprolactone Composite Used as a Tissue Engineering Scaffold
Authors: Ge Jianhua , Li Musen , Zhang Qingguo , Yang Christopher Z. , Wooley Paul H. , Chen Xiaofeng , Yang Shang-You
Published: July 2013

Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable polyester that has received great attentions in clinical and biomedical applications as sutures, drug delivery tool, and implantable scaffold material. Silica aerogel is a material composed of SiO2that has excellent physical properties for use in drug release formulations and biomaterials for tissue engineering. The current study addresses a composite of silica aerogel with PCL as a potential bone scaffold material for bone tissue engineering. The biocompatibility evaluation of this composite indicates that the presence of silica aerogel effectively prevented any cytotoxic effects of the PCL membrane during extended tissue culture periods and improved the survival, attachment, and growth of 3T3 cells and primary mouse osteoblastic cells. The beneficial effect of silica aerogel may be due to neutralization of the acidic condition that develops during PCL degradation. Specifically, it appears that silica aerogel to PCL wt/wt ratio at 0.5 : 1 maintains a constant pH environment for up to 4 weeks and provides a better environment for cell growth.
Review on the Research for Separated Continuous Linear Programming: With Applications on Service Operations
Authors: Wang Xiaoqing
Published: July 2013

We give a review on the research for a class of optimization model—separated continuous linear programming (SCLP). SCLP takes several similar forms and can be used to find the dynamic control of a multiclass fluid network. We review the duality theory and solution methods for it. We also present application examples of SCLP on service operations.
Robotically Assisted Hysterectomy versus Vaginal Hysterectomy for Benign Disease: A Prospective Study
Authors: Carbonnel M. , Abbou H. , N’Guyen H. T. , Roy S. , Hamdi G. , Jnifen A. , Ayoubi J. M.
Published: July 2013

Objectives. A prospective study was carried out to compare vaginal hysterectomy (VH) and robotically assisted hysterectomy (RH) for benign gynecological disease.Materials and Methods. All patients who underwent hysterectomy from March 2010 to March 2012 for a benign disease were included. Patients’ demographics per and post surgery results were collected from medical files. A questionnaire was also conducted 2 months after surgery.Results. Sixty patients were included in the RH group and thirty four in the VH one. Operative time was significantly longer in the RH group ( versus  min; ). Blood loss and length of hospital stay were significantly reduced: versus  ml; , and versus days; , respectively. Less pain was reported at D1 and D2 by RH patients, and levels of analgesia were lower compared to those observed in the VH group. No differences were found regarding the rate of conversion to laparotomy, intra- or postoperative complications.Conclusion. Robotically assisted hysterectomy appears to reduce blood loss, postoperative pain, and length of hospital stay, but it is associated with longer operative time and higher cost. Specific indications for RH remain to be defined.
MicroRNAs Implicated in the Immunopathogenesis of Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Chafin Cristen B. , Reilly Christopher M.
Published: July 2013

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the deposition of immune complexes due to widespread loss of immune tolerance to nuclear self-antigens. Deposition in the renal glomeruli results in the development of lupus nephritis (LN), the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in SLE. In addition to the well-recognized genetic susceptibility to SLE, disease pathogenesis is influenced by epigenetic regulators such as microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are small, noncoding RNAs that bind to the 3′ untranslated region of target mRNAs resulting in posttranscriptional gene modulation. miRNAs play an important and dynamic role in the activation of innate immune cells and are critical in regulating the adaptive immune response. Immune stimulation and the resulting cytokine milieu alter miRNA expression while miRNAs themselves modify cellular responses to stimulation. Here we examine dysregulated miRNAs implicated in LN pathogenesis from human SLE patients and murine lupus models. The effects of LN-associated miRNAs in the kidney, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, macrophages, mesangial cells, dendritic cells, and splenocytes are discussed. As the role of miRNAs in immunopathogenesis becomes delineated, it is likely that specific miRNAs may serve as targets for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of LN and other pathologies.
Crystal Bases as Tuples of Integer Sequences
Authors: Kus Deniz
Published: July 2013

We describe a set consisting of tuples of integer sequences and provide certain explicit maps on it. We show that this defines a semiregular crystal for and , respectively. Furthermore, we define for any dominant integral weight a connected subcrystal in , such that this crystal is isomorphic to the crystal graph . Finally, we provide an explicit description of these connected crystals .
Side-by-Side Comparison of the Biological Characteristics of Human Umbilical Cord and Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Hu Li , Hu Jingqiong , Zhao Jiajia , Liu Jiarong , Ouyang Weixiang , Yang Chao , Gong Niya , Du Luyang , Khanal Abhilasha , Chen Lili
Published: July 2013

Both human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) have been explored as attractive mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) sources, but very few parallel comparative studies of these two cell types have been made. We designed a side-by-side comparative study by isolating MSCs from the adipose tissue and umbilical cords from mothers delivering full-term babies and thus compared the various biological aspects of ASCs and UC-MSCs derived from the same individual, in one study. Both types of cells expressed cell surface markers characteristic of MSCs. ASCs and UC-MSCs both could be efficiently induced into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and neuronal phenotypes. While there were no significant differences in their osteogenic differentiation, the adipogenesis of ASCs was more prominent and efficient than UC-MSCs. In the meanwhile, ASCs responded better to neuronal induction methods, exhibiting the higher differentiation rate in a relatively shorter time. In addition, UC-MSCs exhibited a more prominent secretion profile of cytokines than ASCs. These results indicate that although ASCs and UC-MSCs share considerable similarities in their immunological phenotype and pluripotentiality, certain biological differences do exist, which might have different implications for future cell-based therapy.
Temperature and Pressure Dependence of the Effective Thermal Conductivity of Geomaterials: Numerical Investigation by the Immersed Interface Method
Authors: Do Duc Phi , Hoxha Dashnor
Published: July 2013

The present work aims to study the nonlinear effective thermal conductivity of heterogeneous composite-like geomaterials by using a numerical approach based on the immersed interface method (IIM). This method is particularly efficient at solving the diffusion problem in domains containing inner boundaries in the form of perfect or imperfect interfaces between constituents. In this paper, this numerical procedure is extended in the framework of non linear behavior of constituents and interfaces. The performance of the developed tool is then demonstrated through the studies of temperature- and pressure-dependent effective thermal conductivity of geomaterials with imperfect interfaces.