bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel variants detected in AGT gene among patients with essential hypertension
Authors: Padma G , Charita Bh , Swapna N , Mamata M , Padma T
Published: January 2014

Introduction:

AGT is the first gene to be linked to essential hypertension (EHT). It harbors several variants of which only few polymorphisms are found to exhibit positive and negative associations with hypertension. In the present study, the AGT gene was screened to detect already reported and novel variations contributing to the development of hypertension.

Method:

In total, 215 hypertensives and 230 normotensives were screened for variations in all the five exons and a part of promoter of AGT gene using single strand conformation polymorphism analysis followed by sequencing of samples showing mobility shifts on polyacrylamide gels.

Results:

Five novel variants, namely c.-61G>A in promoter, c.-4+17C>T in intron1, c.24T>C and c.28A>T in Exon2, and c.*90 T>C in 3’ untranslated region were detected in the AGT gene. c.-61G>A lies in the promoter region that plays a critical role in its expression. Variation c.-4+17C>T created a new enhancer site. c.24T>C (TCT-TCC) is a silent mutation while c.28A>T (p. M10L) has a possible damaging effect on the AGT protein. c.*90T>C, detected in the 3’ untranslated region is thought to play an important role in the translation and stability of the mRNA.

Conclusion:

Studies on the functional role of these novel variants are warranted to understand the mechanism underlying the development of EHT.
Association of ACE and MTHFR genetic polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Susceptibility and complications
Authors: Settin Ahmad , El-Baz Rizk , Ismaeel Azza , Tolba Wafaa , Allah Wafaa A
Published: January 2014

Hypothesis/introduction:

Polymorphisms of angiotensin converting enzyme ( ACE) and methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR) genes have been proposed to be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with conflicting results. This work was planned in order to check for the association of these polymorphisms with the susceptibility for and complications of T2DM among Egyptian cases.

Materials and methods:

This is a case controlled study involving 203 patients with T2DM and 311 healthy controls. Polymorphic variants of ACE I>D and MTHFR ( 677 C>T and 1298 A>C) were determined using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction analysis technique.

Results:

The susceptibility to T2DM was higher among subjects having the MTHFR 677TT (odds ratio (OR)=2.2, p=0.01), MTHFR 1298 AA (OR=1.84, p=0.001) and ACE (ID+II) (OR=2.0, p=0.0007) genotypes. Logistic regression analysis showed that MTHFR 677T allele was a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy (DR) (OR=3.47, p<0.001), diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) (OR=5.2, p<0.0001) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) (OR=2.9, p<0.05), while MTHFR 1298 C allele was a risk factor for DR (OR=4.2, p<0.001) and the ACE DD genotype was a risk factor for DPN (OR=3.1, p<0.001).

Conclusions:

The MTHFR 677 TT genotype was associated with T2DM susceptibility and complications (DR, DPN and IHD). The MTHFR 1298 CC, AC and ACE DD genotypes were associated with DR and DPN.
What is the current state of care for older people with dementia in general hospitals? A literature review
Authors: Dewing Jan , Dijk Saskia
Published: January 2014

This paper summarises a literature review focusing on the literature directly pertaining to the acute care of older people with dementia in general hospitals from 2007 onwards. Following thematic analysis, one overarching theme emerged: the consequences of being in hospital with seven related subthemes. Significantly, this review highlights that overall there remains mostly negative consequences and outcomes for people with dementia when they go into general hospitals. Although not admitted to hospital directly due to dementia, there are usually negative effects on the dementia condition from hospitalisation. The review suggests this is primarily because there is a tension between prioritisation of acute care for existing co-morbidities and person-centred dementia care. This is complicated by insufficient understanding of what constitutes person-centred care in an acute care context and a lack of the requisite knowledge and skills set in health care practitioners. The review also reveals a worrying lack of evidence for the effectiveness of mental health liaison posts and dementia care specialist posts in nursing. Finally, although specialist posts such as liaison and clinical nurse specialists and specialist units/shared care wards can enhance quality of care and reduce adverse consequences of hospitalisation (they do not significantly) impact on reducing length of stay or the cost of care.
On the critique of political imaginaries
Authors: Grant John
Published: January 2014

Over the past decade there has been a remarkable expansion in the use of ‘imaginaries’ as a guiding concept in and beyond political theory. But the proliferation of this term has gone largely unchecked by critical investigations into its deployment. To correct this I address the work of Charles Taylor, Michael Warner and Chiara Bottici, each of whom has written influential texts on imaginaries and the sites of imaginaries. Interestingly, their reliance on imaginaries does not compel them to do away with older modes of thinking such as ideology critique and dialectical thought. Yet what remains of these enduring modes has been sanitized, their radical commitments scarcely pursued. I proceed by conducting an immanent critique of each author’s work, revealing troublesome pre-critical and instrumentalist features that lead to political phenomena being misrepresented or going unidentified entirely. In addition I elaborate modes of dialectical thought and ideology critique that avoid these difficulties and produce the types of critical insights absent from these texts.
The peripheral cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist VD60 efficiently inhibits carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated hepatic fibrosis progression
Authors: Wei Yan , Kang Xiao-li , Wang Xu
Published: January 2014

This study investigated a peripheral selective CB1antagonist 3,4,22-3-demethoxycarbonyl-3-hydroxylmethyl-4-deacetyl-vindoline 3,4-thionocarbonate (VD60) that efficiently inhibited hepatic fibrosis with lower psychological side effects. A competitive radiolabeled ligand binding experiment and 3′-5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-driven luciferase analysis were performed to evaluate the antagonistic activity of VD60. Cell viability and collagen production were examined in the human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line LX-2 and primary cultured rat HSCs. The antifibrotic effects of VD60 were investigated in a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mouse model. The concentration of VD60 in the blood and the brain was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrum analysis. Furthermore, the potential underlying mechanisms of VD60 were investigated by Western blot. VD60 selectively competed with the radiolabeled CB1agonist to bind to CB1. VD60 antagonized CB1agonist-induced Akt phosphorylation and increased the accumulation of intracellular cAMP. VD60 strongly reduced the expression of α2(I) pro-collagen mRNA and exerted potent antiproliferative effects on primary HSCs and LX-2 cells. The inhibition of reactive oxygen species production and phosphorylation of Akt, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and Smad3 may explain the underlying mechanisms behind the antiproliferative effect of VD60. Moreover, the in vivo antifibrotic activity of VD60 was confirmed in a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mouse model. Most importantly, the concentration of VD60 in the peripheral blood was much higher than in the brain, suggesting that VD60 could act as a novel peripheral CB1antagonist to efficiently inhibit hepatic fibrosis and could be used as a lead compound with low brain side effects in peripheral antifibrotic agents.
Preclinical evaluation of the InCraft® aortic endograft in a sheep model
Authors: Teigen Corey , Stanley James RL , Johnson Paul , Gross Christina
Published: January 2014

Animal models remain the gold standard for the preclinical evaluation of tissue response, sealing and integrity of aortic endografts. Preclinical testing of the InCraft® device was performed to evaluate these attributes. Through the femoral arteries of eight male crossbred sheep, 22 mm diameter InCraft® Aortic Bifurcate devices were deployed in the abdominal aortas, and shortened 13 mm diameter iliac limbs were deployed in the right iliac arteries. Vessels were excised for radiographic and histopathologic assessment at six months. There were no instances of graft thrombosis, type I endoleak or endograft migration. No fractures of the stents or fixation barbs were observed. There were minimal inflammatory changes on histology, characterized by histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells located along the fabric. The InCraft® device has favorable tissue compatibility and functions well in a sheep model, maintaining patency and sealing without migration, stent fracture or abnormal histologic changes.
Considerations in the design of randomized trials to screen for type 2 diabetes
Authors: Echouffo-Tcheugui Justin B , Prorok Philip C
Published: January 2014

Background

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the most robust and valid approach to evaluate screening for diseases. Many in the diabetes research community have advocated sole reliance on RCTs for designing diabetes screening policies. However, the challenges of conducting RCTs of screening for type 2 diabetes may have been underappreciated.

Purpose

Discuss the key theoretical concepts and practical challenges of designing and conducting RCTs of diabetes screening.

Methods

Narrative and critical review of the literature pertaining to the theory and practice of designing and conducting RCTs of diabetes screening.

Results

We present the theoretical basis of a diabetes screening trial, using concepts developed mainly in studies of cancer screening and illustrations from the Cambridge component of the Anglo Danish Dutch Study of Intensive Treatment In peOple with screeN-detected diabetes in primary care (ADDITION-Cambridge), the only extant trial of diabetes screening. We examine design issues, including the appropriate trial question, choice of design, and duration of follow-up, and address aspects of trial implementation, including recruitment, randomization, endpoint determination, sample size requirements, and screening interval.

Limitations

The limited number of trials of diabetes screening did not permit us to illustrate many of the practical difficulties one encounters when implementing theoretical concepts.

Conclusion

When diabetes screening trials are planned, we suggest careful consideration to potential areas of practical difficulty, especially the need for particularly large sample sizes and extended follow-up, and the choice of appropriate outcomes and screening intervals.
Pakikisama: lessons learned in partnership building with Filipinas with breast cancer for culturally meaningful support
Authors: Villero Ofelia , Macaerag Isidra , Burke Nancy J.
Published: January 2014

San Francisco Bay Area Filipinas with breast cancer underutilize support services. Our partnership engaged in community-based participatory research (CBPR) that involved formation of a community advisory board (CAB) representing low-income, low-English-proficient Filipinas with breast cancer. While CABs are a standard component of CBPR projects, the process of establishing and fostering CAB involvement has been under studied. This commentary explores the process our team used—building upon the Filipino cultural method of pakikisama which stresses making the other feel welcome, safe, and nurtured—to overcome barriers to active engagement. Challenges included minimizing power imbalances between the research team and CAB, and the establishment of an environment of familiarity, trust and caring among CAB members. We recorded all CAB meetings, transcribed them verbatim, and Tagalog portions were transcribed into English for analysis. Mobilizing pakikisama supported partnership building and allowed CAB members to engage in inclusive dialogue and formulate a culturally relevant support model.
Effect of Force of Microneedle Insertion on the Permeability of Insulin in Skin
Authors: Cheung Karmen , Han Tao , Das Diganta Bhusan
Published: January 2014

Background:

Many experiments conducted in the literature have investigated the effect of microneedles (MNs) on insulin permeation across skin. There are also a number of articles that deal with the effect of MN insertion force in skin. However, there is little known on quantifying the relationship between the effect of MN insertion force and the amount of insulin permeated for given MNs. This issue is addressed in this article.

Methods:

MNs of 1100 µm and 1400 µm are used to conduct in vitro permeability experiments on porcine skin, using insulin. Histological images of MN treated skin are obtained from a microtome and the viscoelastic properties of the skin sample are measured using a rheometer. An in-house insertion force device is utilized that can reproducibly apply a specified force on MNs for a set period of time using compressed air.

Results:

It is deduced that when porcine skin was pretreated with an applied force of 60.5 N and 69.1 N, the resultant amount of insulin permeated was approximately 3 µg and 25 µg over a 4-hour period for the MNs used.

Conclusions:

The amount of MN force applied to porcine skin was shown to be related to the amount of insulin permeated. An increase in insertion force increase the amount of insulin permeated. It was also demonstrated that using insufficient force may have reduced or prevented the amount of insulin passing through the skin, regardless of the geometry of the MNs.
Integration of Theatre Activities in Cooking Workshops Improves Healthy Eating Attitudes Among Ethnically Diverse Adolescents
Authors: Winham Donna M. , Szkupinski Quiroga Seline , Underiner Tamara L. , Etheridge Woodson Stephani , Todd Megan A.
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this pilot study was to integrate theatre elements into interactive cooking workshops and assess if these experiences prompted attitude and awareness changes with adolescents about healthy eating. Over a 3-week period, 6 interactive cooking workshops were conducted by an artist-in-residence with a group of 21 low-income, predominantly Hispanic, high school sophomores. Social cognitive theory was used as a guide for lessons and outcomes assessment. Students prepared, discussed, and shared food, stories, and experiences about culture, health, and meals. Qualitative focus groups were conducted 4 weeks after the workshop series ended. The theatre-based cooking workshops elicited positive comments in attitudes about healthy eating, nutrition education, and enhanced cooking awareness among ethnically diverse youth. Results from preworkshop and postworkshop self-administered questionnaires showed positive shifts in healthy eating behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes. Qualitative statements supported lifestyle change, specifically by teens stating that they were eating more vegetables, trying new foods, and cooking together. Cooking education using interactive theatre engagement can positively affect high school students’ attitudes toward healthful foods, eating, and culture.
Beyond Deserving More
Authors: Anastasio Phyllis A. , Rose Karen C.
Published: January 2014

Psychological entitlement is defined as the “stable and pervasive sense that one deserves more and is entitled to more than others.” Research has shown those high in entitlement tend to behave selfishly, experience greater workplace conflict, and are low on the Big Five trait of Agreeableness. In a series of four studies, we demonstrate that psychological entitlement also predicts negative views of out-groups: It predicted lower liking for a rival student body, prejudice toward lesbians and gay men, negative attitudes toward female equality among male participants, and modern racism toward African Americans. Given that entitlement was unrelated to in-group identification or favoritism, these results suggest that it may be possible for those higher in entitlement to hold more negative views of out-groups without stronger in-group identification. Combined with previous findings, these studies suggest that the role of “others” in entitlement goes beyond merely believing that one deserves more than them.
Effect of reduced pressure atmosphere on weld geometry in partial penetration laser welding of stainless steel and aluminium alloy with high power and high brightness laser
Authors: Youhei A. , Yousuke K. , Hiroshi N. , Koji N. , Masami M. , Seiji K.
Published: January 2014

This study investigated the effect of reduced pressure atmosphere (from ambient pressure of 101–0·1 kPa) on partial penetration welding. A 16 kW disc laser with a 1030 nm wavelength was employed to weld SUS304 stainless steel and A5052 aluminium alloy at a welding speed of 17 mm s−1. Penetration depths in the stainless steel and the aluminium alloy reached 26 and 23 mm respectively at a reduced pressure of 10 kPa. These depths are >1·6 times deeper than those obtained at 101 kPa. The high speed video imagery showed that in SUS304 welding, the keyhole inlet size decreased and the welding process was stabilised at lower pressures. In A5052 welding, in contrast, the keyhole inlet size increased by a factor of >4 at pressures of 1 and 0·1 kPa compared with that at 101 kPa, resulting in instable welding process and shallow penetration.
Novel classification method of metal transfer modes in gas metal arc welding by real time input electrical impedance
Authors: Wong Y.-R. , Ling S.-F.
Published: January 2014

This paper presents an online, accurate and easy to use method for metal transfer mode classification using the input electrical impedance of arc welding as the signature. The records of the input electrical impedance are obtained by processing the welding voltage and current signals picked up at the output terminal of a welding machine. Similar to a typical linear electrical circuit consisting of a resistor, an inductor and a capacitor connected in series, the real and imaginary part of the input electrical impedance represents the combination of these electrical elements in the arc welding. Their variations directly reflect the switching among the metal transfer modes. A few experiments were conducted to confirm the above working principle and correlations between the input electrical impedance of arc welding and metal transfer. The results were then used to develop a method for online classification of metal transfer modes.
Electron beam weldability of a group IAB iron meteorite
Authors: Elmer J. W. , Evans C. L. , Embree J. J. , Gallegos G. F. , Summers L. T.
Published: January 2014

Electron beam welding, first demonstrated in space on Soyuz 6, and later on the Skylab mission, appears to be the leading candidate for welding structures in space since it is ideally suited for the vacuum of space. These pioneering welding experiments were performed on terrestrial materials such as aluminium, titanium and stainless steel, and the results showed no significant differences from welds made on Earth. Future applications for welding in space include repair of existing structures, research and development activities, and construction of new structures. However, large scale space construction will need to exploit natural space resources for raw materials, and iron is expected to be a key element due to its availability in near-Earth objects. Here, we investigate the weldability of an extraterrestrial group IAB iron meteorite in its native state, and show that further welding innovation is required to directly join meteoritic material due to inherent non-metallic impurities that lead to weld cracking.
Pass-by-pass stress evolution in multipass welds
Authors: Gao H. , Dutta R. K. , Huizenga R. M. , Amirthalingam M. , Hermans M. J. M. , Buslaps T. , Richardson I. M.
Published: January 2014

In multipass welding, each successive thermal cycle will introduce local melting, solid state phase transformations, grain growth, grain refinement, recrystallisation and recovery, all of which lead to a complicated stress state. Most stress measurements performed on multipass welded components represent the final residual stress state. Information concerning stress evolution on a pass-by-pass basis is difficult to find. In this investigation, six pass welds were made on high strength quenched and tempered steel sections, and depth resolved strain measurements in two orthogonal directions were carried out after each weld pass using energy dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The residual stresses were calculated using biaxial Hooke's law. A thermal–metallurgical–mechanical welding model was constructed and validated with temperature and pass-by-pass stress measurements, which improves the reliability of the model. Cross-sectional stress distributions are presented after each pass, revealing the weld stress development in multipass welds.
Characterisation of HA–Si composite coatings on NiTi for biomedical applications
Authors: Khalili V. , Khalil-Allafi J. , Maleki-Ghaleh H.
Published: January 2014

This study concerns with coating of hydroxyapatite–silicon composite on NiTi using a combination of electrophoretic deposition and reactive bonding. Hydroxyapatite and silicon were ball milled to join before electrophoretic deposition. The characterisation of samples was performed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analyses. Also Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to determine the functional groups. Results show that ball milling yields homogeneous codeposition of hydroxyapatite and silicon particles. SEM images of the composite reveal a uniform and dense coating, because of the presence of silicon as a reactive bonding agent, as well as formation of SiO2, CaSiO3 and Ca3SiO5 during sintering.
Impact of soil transfer between test fields on fungal diversity and wood durability
Authors: Råberg U. , Terziev N. , Daniel G.
Published: January 2014

The impact of soil transfer on fungal degradation of Scots pine was investigated using visual inspection, microscopy and DNA profiling. Two test fields in Simlångsdalen with similar soil characteristics were used. Soil has previous been used with the purpose to retain the beneficial original micro-organisms present to imitate field-trials during laboratory condition. We found that fungal degradation in mini-stakes exposed in transferred soil did not correspond to mini-stakes exposed in original soil. Moreover, the type of degradation in the mini-stakes exposed in transferred soil did not match mini-stakes exposed in the original soil. However, established degradation in areas neighbouring the transferred soil was comparable. The fungal community in mini-stakes also varied more between different years than within the field. This suggests that relocation of soil disrupts the original fungal community due to unavoidable mixing of the soil. Therefore, the beneficial micro-organism characteristics of soils is very difficult to transfer elsewhere.
Modification of fast growing poplar with styrene and glycidyl methacrylate
Authors: He W. , Zhang Q. S. , Jiang S. X.
Published: January 2014

Chemical modification of fast growing poplar was carried out by impregnating wood with styrene (ST) as an impregnating monomer and in combination with a cross-linking monomer glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). In situ polymerisation was performed by a catalyst thermal procedure. Monomer retention by volume (MRv) and monomer retention by weight (MRw) were investigated and the results showed that MRv of ST-GMA is somewhat more than that of ST, which indicated that the permeability into fast growing poplar of GMA is a little better than that of ST under vacuum pressure process. However, the MRw of ST was significantly less than that of ST-GMA, which can be ascribed to different monomer density. Then, FTIR spectroscopy analysis showed that cross-linking reaction had happened between wood, ST and GMA due to the presence of both terminal double bond and the epoxy group of GMA. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) indicated that the thermal stability of fast growing poplar has been significantly improved after modification by polymer. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) observation showed that the vessels and lumens of wood samples were not only uniformly filled by polymers, but also the interface was difficult to distinguish (between cell wall and polymer) after modification by the ST and ST-GMA.
Preliminary study on antifungal effect of coconut shell pyrolytic oil against wood decay fungi
Authors: Shiny K. S. , Remadevi O. K. , Nagaveni H. C. , Vijayalakshmi G.
Published: January 2014

Antifungal activity of coconut shell pyrolytic oil against wood decay fungi was explored. Poisoned food technique was employed to indicate the antifungal effect of coconut shell pyrolytic oil against wood decay fungi. The results indicate that there was 81·5% inhibition on the growth of Polyporus sanguineus (L.)G. Mey, (white rot) and 90% inhibition on the growth of Tyromyces palustris (Berk M & A Curtis) (brown rot) at a concentration of 0·25%. This can be attributed to high phenolic content of coconut shell pyrolytic oil.
Ability of three yellow pigment producing fungi to colour wood under controlled conditions
Authors: Robinson S. C. , Tudor D. , Zhang W. R. , Ng S. , Cooper P. A.
Published: January 2014

Inonotus hispidus, Scytalidium ganodermophthorum and two strains of Scytalidium lignicola were tested for their ability to produce yellow extracellular pigment on media plates, sterile wood blocks and non-sterile logs to determine their suitability for use as spalting fungi. All three fungi produced a penetrating yellow pigment in the non-sterile logs after 12 weeks of incubation; however, results from the sterile block tests indicated that the incubation time necessary for I. hispidus to produce sufficient yellow pigment may be as low as 4 weeks of incubation. An incubation period of 4 weeks is the shortest recorded for controlled spalting and will allow for the currently utilised production time for yellow spalted wood of 12 weeks to be substantially decreased using an isolate of I. hispidus as the inoculum.
Phase 2 study of VcR-CVAD with maintenance rituximab for untreated mantle cell lymphoma: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group study (E1405)
Authors: Chang Julie E. , Li Hailun , Smith Mitchell R. , Gascoyne Randy D. , Paietta Elisabeth M. , Yang David T. , Advani Ranjana H. , Horning Sandra J. , Kahl Brad S.
Published: January 2014

Key Points

VcR-CVAD produced high overall and CR rates in previously untreated MCL patients. No substantial difference in 3-year PFS or OS was observed in patients receiving ASCT compared with patients receiving maintenance rituximab.
Generalized α-ψ contractive mappings in quasi-metric spaces and related fixed-point theorems
Authors: Bilgili Nurcan , Karapınar Erdal , Samet Bessem
Published: January 2014

In this paper, we characterize α-ψ contractive mappings in the setting of quasi-metric spaces and investigate the existence and uniqueness of a fixed point of such mappings. We notice that by using our result some fixed-point theorems in the context of G-metric space can be deduced.

MSC:46T99, 47H10, 54H25, 46J10.
Frequency of IFNγ-producing T cells correlates with seroreactivity and activated T cells during canine Trypanosoma cruzi infection
Authors: Hartley Ashley N , Cooley Gretchen , Gwyn Sarah , Orozco Marcela M , Tarleton Rick L
Published: January 2014

Vaccines to preventTrypanosoma cruziinfection in humans or animals are not available, and in many settings, dogs are an important source of domestic infection for the insect vector. Identification of infected canines is crucial for evaluating peridomestic transmission dynamics and parasite control strategies. As immune control ofT. cruziinfection is dependent on humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, we aimed to define a serodiagnostic assay and T cell phenotypic markers for identifying infected dogs and studying the canineT. cruzi-specific immune response. Plasma samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from forty-two dogs living in aT. cruzi-endemic region. Twenty dogs were known to be seropositive and nine seronegative by conventional serologic tests two years prior to our study. To determine canine seroreactivity, we tested sera or plasma samples in a multiplex bead array against eleven recombinantT. cruziproteins. Ninety-four percent (17/18) of dogs positive by multiplex serology were initially positive by conventional serology. The frequency of IFNγ-producing cells in PBMCs responding toT. cruzi correlated to serological status, identifying 95% of multiplex seropositive dogs. Intracellular staining identified CD4+and CD8+T cell populations as the sources ofT. cruzilysate-induced IFNγ. Low expression of CCR7 and CD62L on CD4+and CD8+T cells suggested a predominance of effector/effector memory T cells in seropositive canines. These results are the first, to our knowledge, to correlateT. cruzi-specific antibody responses with T cell responses in naturally infected dogs and validate these methods for identifying dogs exposed toT. cruzi.
Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a poorer prognostic predictor for small hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Du Min , Chen Lingli , Zhao Jing , Tian Feng , Zeng Haiying , Tan Yunshan , Sun Huichuan , Zhou Jian , Ji Yuan
Published: January 2014

Background

Small hepatocellular carcinoma (SHCC) is a special type of hepatocellular carcinoma with the maximum tumor diameter ≤ 3 cm and excellent long-term outcomes. However, the prognostic factors for SHCC remain controversial. The purpose of this study is to clarify the predictive factors of SHCC.

Methods

The study population consisted of 458 patients underwent hepatectomy for single SHCC between January 2006 and December 2008. Clinical data (included age, gender, virus infection, serum alfa-fetoprotein level, cirrhosis, capsule, border), histopathologic features (included differentiation, morphology subtype, microvascular invasion, tumor infiltrative lymphocytes (TIL), inflammatory injury grade and fibrosis stage of surrounding liver), were evaluated to identify prognostic factors influencing SHCC patients’ survival and microvascular invasion.

Results

There were 384 males (83.8%) and 74 (16.2%) females with median ages of 52 years. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) durations were 53 and 54 months, respectively. About 91.9% (n = 421) SHCC were infected by Hepatitis B. One hundred forty-seven of the 446 (33.0%) patients with pre-operation serum AFP level record had serum alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) level ≥ 200 ug/ml and 178 of the 280 (63.8%) patients with post-operation serum AFP level record had AFP level ≥ 20 ug/ml. Liver cirrhosis was present in 411 cases (89.7%), while 434 (97.3%) tumors had clear border, and 250 (55.6%) tumors were encapsulated.

MVI was identified in 83 patients (18.1%). In univariate analysis, a significant association between the presence of MVI and shortened PFS and OS was found (p = 0.012, 0.028, respectively). Histological differentiation had strong relationship with MVI (p = 0.009), in terms of MVI was more easily presented in patients with worse histological differentiation. In patients with MVI, worse survival was correlated with female patients, patients with G2 or G3 histological differentiation, pre-operation serum AFP level ≥ 200 ug/ml or post-operation serum AFP level ≥ 20 ug/ml, and TIL ≥ 50/HPF.

Conclusions

MVI is an independent poorer prognostic factor for PFS and OS of single SHCC patients. Tumor histological differentiation was closely related with MVI.
Influence of pain severity on the quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer before antineoplastic therapy
Authors: Oliveira Karine G , von Zeidler Sandra V , Podestá Jose RV , Sena Agenor , Souza Evandro D , Lenzi Jeferson , Bissoli Nazaré S , Gouvea Sonia A
Published: January 2014

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the severity of pain and its impact on the quality of life (QoL) in untreated patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

A study group of 127 patients with HNSCC were interviewed before antineoplastic treatment. The severity of pain was measured using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) questionnaire, and the QoL was assessed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the head and neck module (QLQ-H&N35).

Results

The mean age of the patients was 57.9 years, and there was a predominance of men (87.4%). The most frequent site of the primary tumor was the oral cavity (70.6%), and the majority of the patients had advanced cancers (stages III and IV). QoL in early stage of cancer obtained better scores. Conversely, the patients with advanced stage cancer scored significantly higher on the symptom scales regarding fatigue, pain, appetite loss and financial difficulties, indicating greater difficulties. Regard to the severity of pain, patients with moderate-severe pain revealed a significantly worse score than patients without pain.

Conclusions

The severity of pain is statistically related to the advanced stages of cancer and directly affects the QoL. An assessment of the quality of life and symptoms before therapy can direct attention to the most important symptoms, and appropriate interventions can then be directed toward improving QoL outcomes and the response to treatment.
Reduced migration of MLH1 deficient colon cancer cells depends on SPTAN1
Authors: Hinrichsen Inga , Ernst Benjamin Philipp , Nuber Franziska , Passmann Sandra , Schäfer Dieter , Steinke Verena , Friedrichs Nicolaus , Plotz Guido , Zeuzem Stefan , Brieger Angela
Published: January 2014

Introduction

Defects in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protein MLH1 are frequently observed in sporadic and hereditary colorectal cancers (CRC). Affected tumors generate much less metastatic potential than the MLH1 proficient forms. Although MLH1 has been shown to be not only involved in postreplicative MMR but also in several MMR independent processes like cytoskeletal organization, the connection between MLH1 and metastasis remains unclear. We recently identified non-erythroid spectrin αII (SPTAN1), a scaffolding protein involved in cell adhesion and motility, to interact with MLH1. In the current study, the interaction of MLH1 and SPTAN1 and its potential consequences for CRC metastasis was evaluated.

Methods

Nine cancer cell lines as well as fresh and paraffin embedded colon cancer tissue from 12 patients were used in gene expression studies of SPTAN1 and MLH1. Co-expression of SPTAN1 and MLH1 was analyzed by siRNA knock down of MLH1 in HeLa, HEK293, MLH1 positive HCT116, SW480 and LoVo cells. Effects on cellular motility were determined in MLH1 deficient HCT116 and MLH1 deficient HEK293T compared to their MLH1 proficient sister cells, respectively.

Results

MLH1 deficiency is clearly associated with SPTAN1 reduction. Moreover, siRNA knock down of MLH1 decreased the mRNA level of SPTAN1 in HeLa, HEK293 as well as in MLH1 positive HCT116 cells, which indicates a co-expression of SPTAN1 by MLH1. In addition, cellular motility of MLH1 deficient HCT116 and MLH1 deficient HEK293T cells was impaired compared to the MLH1 proficient sister clones. Consequently, overexpression of SPTAN1 increased migration of MLH1 deficient cells while knock down of SPTAN1 decreased cellular mobility of MLH1 proficient cells, indicating SPTAN1-dependent migration ability.

Conclusions

These data suggest that SPTAN1 levels decreased in concordance with MLH1 reduction and impaired cellular mobility in MLH1 deficient colon cancer cells. Therefore, aggressiveness of MLH1-positive CRC might be related to SPTAN1.
PQR sort: using PQR trees for binary matrix reorganization
Authors: da Silva Celmar Guimarães , de Melo Marivaldo Felipe , de Paula e Silva Felipi , Meidanis João
Published: January 2014

Background

Reorganization of rows and columns of a matrix does not modify data but may ease or impair visual analysis of data similarities in this structure, according to Gestalt spatial proximity laws. However, there are a factorial number of permutations of rows and columns. Matrix reordering algorithms, such as 2D sort and Sugiyama-based reordering, permute matrix rows and columns in order to highlight hidden patterns.

Methods

We present PQR sort, a matrix reordering algorithm based on a recent data structure called PQR tree, and compare it with the previous ones in terms of time complexity and quality of reordering, according to predefined evaluation criteria.

Results

We found that PQR sort is an interesting method for minimizing minimal span loss functions based on Jaccard or simple matching coefficients, specially for a given pattern called Rectnoise with a noise ratio of 0.01 or 0.02 and a matrix size of 100 × 100 or 1,000 × 1,000.

Conclusion

We concluded that “PQR sort” is a valid alternative method for matrix reordering, which may also be extended for other visual structures.
Three different situations and approaches in the management for anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left coronary sinus: case report
Authors: Heo Woon , Min Ho-Ki , Kang Do Kyun , Jun Hee Jae , Hwang Youn-Ho , Lee Hyung Chae
Published: January 2014

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left coronary sinus is rare but potentially dangerous if any ischemic signs are present. Multiple therapeutic options were advocated so far. We experienced three different situations and surgical approaches to these anomalies, and reviewed retrospectively. For the first case, we made a neo-ostium on the right sinus of Valsalva and anastomosed with the right coronary artery after arteriotomy. For the second and third cases, we applied coronary artery bypasses emergently: patient 2 the gastroepiploic artery during off-pump coronary artery bypass and patient 3 the left internal thoracic artery during surgery for acute aortic dissection. For the better outcomes, it is important to understand anatomic and hemodynamic characteristics of each patient and select the surgical options considering each characteristic.
Application of heart-rate variability in patients undergoing weaning from mechanical ventilation
Authors: Huang Chun-Ta , Tsai Yi-Ju , Lin Jou-Wei , Ruan Sheng-Yuan , Wu Huey-Dong , Yu Chong-Jen
Published: January 2014

Introduction

The process of weaning may impose cardiopulmonary stress on ventilated patients. Heart-rate variability (HRV), a noninvasive tool to characterize autonomic function and cardiorespiratory interaction, may be a promising modality to assess patient capability during the weaning process. We aimed to evaluate the association between HRV change and weaning outcomes in critically ill patients.

Methods

This study included 101 consecutive patients recovering from acute respiratory failure. Frequency-domain analysis, including very low frequency, low frequency, high frequency, and total power of HRV was assessed during a 1-hour spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) through a T-piece and after extubation after successful SBT.

Results

Of 101 patients, 24 (24%) had SBT failure, and HRV analysis in these patients showed a significant decrease in total power (P = 0.003); 77 patients passed SBT and were extubated, but 13 (17%) of them required reintubation within 72 hours. In successfully extubated patients, very low frequency and total power from SBT to postextubation significantly increased (P = 0.003 and P = 0.004, respectively). Instead, patients with extubation failure were unable to increase HRV after extubation.

Conclusions

HRV responses differ between patients with different weaning outcomes. Measuring HRV change during the weaning process may help clinicians to predict weaning results and, in the end, to improve patient care and outcome.
Administration of Saccharin to Neonatal Mice Influences Body Composition of Adult Males and Reduces Body Weight of Females
Authors: Parlee Sebastian D. , Simon Becky R. , Scheller Erica L. , Alejandro Emilyn U. , Learman Brian S. , Krishnan Venkatesh , Bernal-Mizrachi Ernesto , MacDougald Ormond A.
Published: January 2014

Nutritional or pharmacological perturbations during perinatal growth can cause persistent effects on the function of white adipose tissue, altering susceptibility to obesity later in life. Previous studies have established that saccharin, a nonnutritive sweetener, inhibits lipolysis in mature adipocytes and stimulates adipogenesis. Thus, the current study tested whether neonatal exposure to saccharin via maternal lactation increased susceptibility of mice to diet-induced obesity. Saccharin decreased body weight of female mice beginning postnatal week 3. Decreased liver weights on week 14 corroborated this diminished body weight. Initially, saccharin also reduced male mouse body weight. By week 5, weights transiently rebounded above controls, and by week 14, male body weights did not differ. Body composition analysis revealed that saccharin increased lean and decreased fat mass of male mice, the latter due to decreased adipocyte size and epididymal, perirenal, and sc adipose weights. A mild improvement in glucose tolerance without a change in insulin sensitivity or secretion aligned with this leaner phenotype. Interestingly, microcomputed tomography analysis indicated that saccharin also increased cortical and trabecular bone mass of male mice and modified cortical bone alone in female mice. A modest increase in circulating testosterone may contribute to the leaner phenotype in male mice. Accordingly, the current study established a developmental period in which saccharin at high concentrations reduces adiposity and increases lean and bone mass in male mice while decreasing generalized growth in female mice.
Dual-sugar Nanogel Comprising β-1,3-Glucan and Cholesterol-bearing Dextran for Protein Delivery Targeting Antigen Presenting Cells
Authors: Maegawa Yoshiya , Mochizuki Shinichi , Sanada Yusuke , Akiyoshi Kazunari , Sakurai Kazuo
Published: January 2014

A dual-sugar nanogel containing proteins was prepared by a simple mixing of schizophyllan (SPG) in NaOH (0.25 M), cholesterol-hydrophobized dextran (CH-CDex) in NaH2PO4 solution, and BSA. It was found that this nanogel was specifically taken up by SPG receptors present on antigen presenting cells.
Coordination Programming: A New Concept for the Creation of Multifunctional Molecular Systems
Authors: Nishihara Hiroshi
Published: January 2014

Coordination programming is a recently proposed method of creating superstructures that utilizes the advantages of coordination chemistry to control chemical bonds and the arrangements of metal atoms and ions. This review summarizes the recent advances of research on this concept, which are roughly divided into four categories: interfacial programming for molecular circuit systems, cluster programming for systems with electromagnetic functions, supramolecular programming for energy and chemical conversion, and bio-inspired programming for functionalized soft materials.
The Russian teaching at the end of XVIII — the first third of the XIX century: system of preparation and the social status (on materials of the Moscow educational district)
Authors: Захаратос  , Zakharatos Dmitriy
Published: January 2014

In work process of formation of system of preparation of pedagogical shots at a boundary of the XVIII–XIX centuries within modernization of secondary and primary education in Russia is investigated. The social status of the Russian teachers, level of their pedagogical preparation and class situation on materials of the Moscow educational district is analyzed.
Historical overview of the concept of «aesthetic taste»
Authors: Фоменко  , Fomenko Yu.
Published: January 2014

The problem of aesthetic taste concept over the years has undergone changes

that have been associated with political view of the world and other features. But all

the times this question has excited prominent educators, scientists and philosophers.

They wanted to know how to organize knowledge, to assess the aesthetic taste.
Basic Concepts of Modern Representational Drawing School
Authors: Юматова  , Yumatova T.
Published: January 2014

The basic concepts of the modern higher school of graphic drawing for a

long time have been a central issue in the training of academic drawing. This article

discusses two lines: Russian and Western European art pedagogy of the turn of XIX–

XX century. A number of common features can be noted, which are peculiar for these

artists. Proclaiming the nature as the basis of art — Ažbe, Hollósy and Chistyakov,

sought to develop scientific, analytical method of the form image. They set the task to

use in their methods and achievements of contemporary art the main directions of the

XX century, as cubism, constructivism, etc.

And although everyone solved this problem in its own way, their analytical focus on

revealing the laws of art in nature was general.
Formation of physical culture of the individual future teachers on the basis of mobile learning
Authors: Наговицын  , Nagovitsyn Roman
Published: January 2014

To the objective necessity of forming the personality of future physical

education teachers in high school there was a need for content development of physical

culture competence of students on the basis of mobile learning. Development of

competence, which includes a set of common cultural and professional competencies

stated in the federal state educational standard of higher education, is presented in the

framework of Bloom´s taxonomy of B. on the basis of levels of education. Formation of

health and fitness competence of students through the introduction of mobile learning

will implement educational technology to meet modern needs of young people and

aimed at innovation, creativity, creativity, initiative and interests of teachers and

students.
Maximum-Stopping-Value Policies in Finite Markov Population Decision Chains
Authors: Eaves B. Curtis , Veinott Arthur F.
Published: January 2014

This paper considers infinite-horizon finite state-and-action Markov population decision chains (MPDCs) in which the goal is to find a stationary stopping policy with maximum stopping value, that is, with maximum value over all deterministic Markov stopping policies. A policy is stopping if the resulting expected population size in a period diminishes to zero as the period converges to infinity. The paper shows that the following are equivalent: (a) there is a stationary maximum-stopping value policy; (b) the maximum stopping value is finite; (c) there is a stopping policy and an excessive point of the optimal return operator; and (d) the maximum stopping value is the least excessive (resp., fixed) point of the optimal return operator. The paper shows how to use linear programming, policy improvement and successive approximations to solve the problem. The problem arises in stopping a Markov chain, as in optimally eradicating a pest or disease. The problem is one of two key subproblems used repeatedly to find Blackwell and Cesàro-overtaking optimal policies in finite Markov decision chains (MDCs), both of which, with their generalizations, have a vast number of applications. The problem for MDCs and/or MPDCs has been studied under various conditions, and over the years, by many investigators including Bellman, Bertsekas, Blackwell, Dantzig, Denardo, d'Epenoux, Derman, Dynkin, Eaton, Erickson, Ford, Hordijk, Howard, Kallenberg, Manne, O'Sullivan, Rothblum, Shoemaker, Strauch, Tsitsiklis, Veinott, Wagner, and Zadeh.

†1934-2012.