bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In SilicoInvestigation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compounds to Inhibit Human Histone Deacetylase 2 for Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Hung Tzu-Chieh , Lee Wen-Yuan , Chen Kuen-Bao , Chan Yueh-Chiu , Lee Cheng-Chun , Chen Calvin Yu-Chian
Published: June 2014

Human histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) has been identified as being associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neuropathic degenerative disease. In this study, we screen the world’s largest Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) database for natural compounds that may be useful as lead compounds in the search for inhibitors of HDAC2 function. The technique of molecular docking was employed to select the ten top TCM candidates. We used three prediction models, multiple linear regression (MLR), support vector machine (SVM), and the Bayes network toolbox (BNT), to predict the bioactivity of the TCM candidates. Molecular dynamics simulation provides the protein-ligand interactions of compounds. The bioactivity predictions of pIC50 values suggest that the TCM candidatesm, (−)-Bontl ferulate, monomethylcurcumin, and ningposides C, have a greater effect on HDAC2 inhibition. The structure variation caused by the hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions between protein-ligand interactions indicates that these compounds have an inhibitory effect on the protein.
Structural and Electrical Properties of the YSZ/STO/YSZ Heterostructure
Authors: Fan Yue , Liu Wende , Kang Zhenfeng , Ding Tiezhu , Bo Qingrui , Xiao Lingling , Bai Xiaobing , Zheng Pingping , Li Qiang
Published: June 2014

The heterostructure thin films of yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ)/strontium titanate (STO)/YSZ with various thicknesses were deposited on MgO single crystal substrate by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. The structural and electrical properties of the YSZ/STO/YSZ heterostructure were studied through X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and electrical conductivity measurements. The in‐plane conductivities of the thin films were measured and compared with that of the bulk sample. The highest conductivities were reported for those samples with the thinnest YSZ (220) layers. The observed enhancement in the lateral ionic conductivity was probably caused by the combination of the misfit dislocation density and elastic strain in the interfaces. The enhanced ionic mobility was discussed in terms of the disorder introduced in the oxygen sublattice through the epitaxial strain at the interfaces.
The Effect of Baduanjin on Promoting the Physical Fitness and Health of Adults
Authors: Li Ran , Jin Li , Hong Ping , He Zi-Hong , Huang Chuan-Ye , Zhao Jie-Xiu , Wang Mei , Tian Ye
Published: June 2014

The purpose of study was to assess the efficacy of a 16‐week Baduanjin qigong training intervention in promoting physical fitness and health for adults. An experimental design was adopted, and subjects were assigned randomly into an experimental group (n = 55) and a control group (n = 55). In the intervention group comprised of adults, there were no significant variations in blood glucose, blood lipid, blood pressure, heart rate variability, and vital capacity indices. The body weight and body mass index (BMI) dropped in the intervention group. Compared with the control group, the skinfold thicknesses decreased at lower corner of scapula, triceps brachii, and abdomen, with a statistical significance (P < 0.001; P = 0.005; P = 0.003). By comparing the physical fitness indices, it was found that the increase of the results of sit‐and‐reach test in the intervention group had statistical significance (P = 0.001). In conclusion, it was found by our trial that Baduanjin exercise could significantly improve the physical flexibility and subcutaneous adipose accumulation in the healthy adults.
Hostility Modifies the Association between TV Viewing and Cardiometabolic Risk
Authors: Fabio Anthony , Chen Chung-Yu , Kim Kevin H. , Erickson Darin , Jacobs David R. , Zgibor Janice C. , Chung Tammy , Matthews Karen A. , Sidney Steven , Iribarren Carlos , Pereira Mark A.
Published: June 2014

Background. It was hypothesized that television viewing is predictive of cardiometabolic risk. Moreover, people with hostile personality type may be more susceptible to TV-induced negative emotions and harmful health habits which increase occurrence of cardiometabolic risk.Purpose. The prospective association of TV viewing on cardiometabolic risk was examined along with whether hostile personality trait was a modifier.Methods. A total of 3,269 Black and White participants in the coronary artery risk development in young adults (CARDIA) study were assessed from age 23 to age 35. A cross-lagged panel model at exam years 5, 10, 15, and 20, covering 15 years, was used to test whether hours of daily TV viewing predicted cardiometabolic risk, controlling confounding variables. Multiple group analysis of additional cross-lagged panel models stratified by high and low levels of hostility was used to evaluate whether the association was modified by the hostile personality trait.Results. The cross-lagged association of TV viewing at years 5 and 15 on clustered cardiometabolic risk score at years 10 and 20 was significant (B=0.058and 0.051), but not at 10 to 15 years. This association was significant for those with high hostility (B=0.068for exam years 5 to 10 and 0.057 for exam years 15 to 20) but not low hostility.Conclusion. These findings indicate that TV viewing is positively associated with cardiometabolic risk. Further, they indicate that hostility might be a modifier for the association between TV viewing and cardiometabolic risk.
On Nonlinear Nonlocal Systems of Reaction Diffusion Equations
Authors: Ahmad B. , Alhothuali M. S. , Alsulami H. H. , Kirane M. , Timoshin S.
Published: June 2014

The reaction diffusion system with anomalous diffusion and a balance lawut+-Δα/2u=-fu,v,   vt+-∆β/2v=fu,v,0<α,β<2, is con sidered. The existence of global solutions is proved in two situations: (i) a polynomial growth condition is imposed on the reaction termfwhen0<α≤β≤2; (ii) no growth condition is imposed on the reaction termfwhen0<β≤α≤2.
18F-Labelled Intermediates for Radiosynthesis by Modular Build-Up Reactions: Newer Developments
Authors: Ermert Johannes
Published: June 2014

This brief review gives an overview of newer developments in18F-chemistry with the focus on small18F-labelled molecules as intermediates for modular build-up syntheses. The short half-life (<2 h) of the radionuclide requires efficient syntheses of these intermediates considering that multistep syntheses are often time consuming and characterized by a loss of yield in each reaction step. Recent examples of improved synthesis of18F-labelled intermediates show new possibilities for no-carrier-added ring-fluorinated arenes, novel intermediates for tri[18F]fluoromethylation reactions, and18F-fluorovinylation methods.
Osteoporosis, Fractures, and Diabetes
Authors: Jackuliak Peter , Payer Juraj
Published: June 2014

It is well established that osteoporosis and diabetes are prevalent diseases with significant associated morbidity and mortality. Patients with diabetes mellitus have an increased risk of bone fractures. In type 1 diabetes, the risk is increased by ∼6 times and is due to low bone mass. Despite increased bone mineral density (BMD), in patients with type 2 diabetes the risk is increased (which is about twice the risk in the general population) due to the inferior quality of bone. Bone fragility in type 2 diabetes, which is not reflected by bone mineral density, depends on bone quality deterioration rather than bone mass reduction. Thus, surrogate markers and examination methods are needed to replace the insensitivity of BMD in assessing fracture risks of T2DM patients. One of these methods can be trabecular bone score. The aim of the paper is to present the present state of scientific knowledge about the osteoporosis risk in diabetic patient. The review also discusses the possibility of problematic using the study conclusions in real clinical practice.
Hypoxia in Diabetic Kidneys
Authors: Takiyama Yumi , Haneda Masakazu
Published: June 2014

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is now a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. In addition, DN accounts for the increased mortality in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and then patients without DN achieve long-term survival compatible with general population. Hypoxia represents an early event in the development and progression of DN, and hypoxia-inducible factor- (HIF-) 1 mediates the metabolic responses to renal hypoxia. Diabetes induces the “fraternal twins” of hypoxia, that is, pseudohypoxia and hypoxia. The kidneys are susceptible to hyperoxia because they accept 20% of the cardiac output. Therefore, the kidneys have specific vasculature to avoid hyperoxia, that is, AV oxygen shunting. The NAD-dependent histone deacetylases (HDACs) sirtuins are seven mammalian proteins, SIRTs 1–7, which are known to modulate longevity and metabolism. Recent studies demonstrated that some isoforms of sirtuins inhibit the activation of HIF by deacetylation or noncatalyzing effects. The kidneys, which have a vascular system that protects them against hyperoxia, unfortunately experience extraordinary hypernutrition today. Then, an unexpected overload of glucose augments the oxygen consumption, which ironically results in hypoxia. This review highlights the primary role of HIF in diabetic kidneys for the metabolic adaptation to diabetes-induced hypoxia.
Biological Width around One- and Two-Piece Implants Retrieved from Human Jaws
Authors: Judgar Ricardo , Giro Gabriela , Zenobio Elton , Coelho Paulo G. , Feres Magda , Rodrigues Jose A. , Mangano Carlo , Iezzi Giovanna , Piattelli Adriano , Shibli Jamil Awad
Published: June 2014

Several histologic studies regarding peri-implant soft tissues and biological width around dental implants have been done in animals. However, these findings in human peri-implant soft tissues are very scarce. Therefore, the aim of this case series was to compare the biological width around unloaded one- and two-piece implants retrieved from human jaws. Eight partially edentulous patients received 2 test implants in the posterior mandible: one-piece (solid implants that comprise implant and abutment in one piece) and two-piece (external hexagon with a healing abutment) implants. After 4 months of healing, the implants and surrounding tissue were removed for histologic analysis. The retrieved implants showed healthy peri-implant bone and exhibited early stages of maturation. Marginal bone loss, gaps, and fibrous tissue were not present around retrieved specimens. The biologic width dimension ranged between 2.55 ± 0.16 and 3.26 ± 0.15 to one- and two-piece implants, respectively (P<0.05). This difference was influenced by the connective tissue attachment, while sulcus depth and epithelial junction presented the same dimension for both groups (P>0.05). Within the limits of this study, it could be shown that two-piece implants resulted in the thickening of the connective tissue attachment, resulting in the increase of the biological width, when compared to one-piece implants.
A Graphic Method for Identification of Novel Glioma Related Genes
Authors: Gao Yu-Fei , Shu Yang , Yang Lei , He Yi-Chun , Li Li-Peng , Huang GuaHua , Li Hai-Peng , Jiang Yang
Published: June 2014

Glioma, as the most common and lethal intracranial tumor, is a serious disease that causes many deaths every year. Good comprehension of the mechanism underlying this disease is very helpful to design effective treatments. However, up to now, the knowledge of this disease is still limited. It is an important step to understand the mechanism underlying this disease by uncovering its related genes. In this study, a graphic method was proposed to identify novel glioma related genes based on known glioma related genes. A weighted graph was constructed according to the protein-protein interaction information retrieved from STRING and the well-known shortest path algorithm was employed to discover novel genes. The following analysis suggests that some of them are related to the biological process of glioma, proving that our method was effective in identifying novel glioma related genes. We hope that the proposed method would be applied to study other diseases and provide useful information to medical workers, thereby designing effective treatments of different diseases.
On a System Modelling a Population with Two Age Groups
Authors: Gao Hongliang , Ma Ruyun
Published: June 2014

A system of first order ordinary differential equations describing a population divided into juvenile and adult age groups is studied. The system is not cooperative but its linear part is, and this makes it possible to establish the existence and nonexistence results of positive solutions for the system in terms of the principal eigenvalue of the corresponding linearized system.
Thalassemia and Hemoglobin E in Southern Thai Blood Donors
Authors: Nuinoon Manit , Kruachan Kwanta , Sengking Warachaya , Horpet Dararat , Sungyuan Ubol
Published: June 2014

Thalassemia and hemoglobin E (Hb E) are common in Thailand. Individuals with thalassemia trait usually have a normal hemoglobin concentration or mild anemia. Therefore, thalassemic individuals who have minimum acceptable Hb level may be accepted as blood donors. This study was aimed at determining the frequency ofα-thalassemia 1 trait,β-thalassemia trait, and Hb E-related syndromes in Southern Thai blood donors. One hundred and sixteen voluntary blood donors, Southern Thailand origin, were recruited for thalassemia and Hb E screening by red blood cell indices/dichlorophenolindophenol precipitation test.β-Thalassemia and Hb E were then identified by high performance liquid chromatography and 4 commonα-thalassemia deletions were characterized by a single tube-multiplex gap-polymerase chain reaction. Overall frequency of hemoglobinopathies was 12.9%, classified as follows: homozygousα-thalassemia 2 (1.7%), heterozygousα-thalassemia 1 (1.7%), heterozygousβ-thalassemia withoutα-thalassemia (0.9%), heterozygous Hb E withoutα-thalassemia (5.2%), double heterozygotes for Hb E/α-thalassemia 1 (1.7%), homozygous Hb E withoutα-thalassemia (0.9%), and homozygous Hb E with heterozygousα-thalassemia 2 (0.9%). The usefulness of thalassemia screening is not only for receiving highly effective red blood cells in the recipients but also for encouraging the control and prevention program of thalassemia in blood donors.
miR-16-1 Promotes the Aberrantα-Synuclein Accumulation in Parkinson Disease via Targeting Heat Shock Protein 70
Authors: Zhang Zhelin , Cheng Yan
Published: June 2014

There is striking evidence that heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) negatively regulatesα-synuclein aggregation, which plays a significant role in the formation and progression of Parkinson disease (PD). However, how the Hsp70 in neurons fails to prevent or even reverseα-synuclein aggregation and toxicity in PD still remains to be determined. In the present study, we constructed anα-synuclein-overexpressed human neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y-Syn, in which the blockage of Hsp70 promotedα-synuclein aggregation. And we also found that miR-16-1 downregulated Hsp70 and promotedα-synuclein aggregation in the SH-SY5Y-Syn cells. This study revealed a novel regulatory mechanism of Hsp70 expression, which might contribute to the PD development.
Block Textured a-Si:H Solar Cell
Authors: Moon Seung Jae , Keum Chang Min , Kim Ju-Yeon , Kim Jin Kuk , Bae Byung Seong
Published: June 2014

A series of etching experiments on light trapping structure have been carried out by glass etching. The block structure provides long light traveling path and a constant distance between the cathode and anode electrodes regardless of the block height, which results in higher efficiency of the block textured solar cell. In terms of etching profile of the glass substrate, the addition of NH4F resulted in the smooth and clean etching profile, and the steep slope of the block was obtained by optimizing the composition of etching solution. For a higher HF concentration, a more graded slope was obtained and the addition of HNO3and NH4F provided steep slope and clean etching profile. The effects of the block textured glass were verified by a comparison of the solar cell efficiency. For the textured solar cell, the surface was much rougher than that of the plain glass, which also contributes to the improvement of the efficiency. We accomplished block shaped light trapping structure for the first time by wet etching of the glass substrate, which enables the high efficiency thin film solar cell with the aid of the good step coverage deposition.
A Numerical Method of the Euler-Bernoulli Beam with Optimal Local Kelvin-Voigt Damping
Authors: Yu Xin , Ren Zhigang , Zhang Qian , Xu Chao
Published: June 2014

This paper deals with the numerical approximation problem of the optimal control problem governed by the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation with local Kelvin-Voigt damping, which is a nonlinear coefficient control problem with control constraints. The goal of this problem is to design a control input numerically, which is the damping and distributes locally on a subinterval of the region occupied by the beam, such that the total energy of the beam and the control on a given time period is minimal. We firstly use the finite element method (FEM) to obtain a finite-dimensional model based on the original PDE system. Then, using the control parameterization method, we approximate the finite-dimensional problem by a standard optimal parameter selection problem, which is a suboptimal problem and can be solved numerically by nonlinear mathematical programming algorithm. At last, some simulation studies will be presented by the proposed numerical approximation method in this paper, where the damping controls act on different locations of the Euler-Bernoulli beam.
Impact of an Oral Health Education Workshop on Parents’ Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceived Behavioral Control among African Immigrants
Authors: Amin Maryam , Nyachhyon Pawan , Elyasi Maryam , Al-Nuaimi Muhammed
Published: June 2014

Purpose. To evaluate the impact of an educational workshop on parental knowledge, attitude, and perceived behavioral control regarding their child’s oral health.Materials and Methods. A one-time oral health education workshop including audio/visual and hands-on components was conducted by a trained dentist and bilingual community workers in community locations. Participants were African parents of children who had lived in Canada for less than ten years. The impact of the workshop was evaluated by a questionnaire developed based on the theory of planned behavior.Results. A total of 105 parents participated in this study. Participants were mainly mothers (mean age35.03±5.4years) who came to Canada as refugee (77.1%) and had below high school education (70%). Pairedt-test showed a significant difference in participants’ knowledge of caries, preventive measures, and benefits of regular dental visits after the workshop (Pvalue<0.05). A significant improvement was also found in parental attitudes toward preventive measures and their perceived behavioral control (P<0.05). Parents’ intention to take their child to a dentist within six months significantly altered after the workshop (Pvalue<0.05).Conclusions. A one-time hands-on training was effective in improving parental knowledge, attitude, perceived behavioral control, and intention with respect to their child’s oral health and preventive dental visits in African immigrants.
The Neurovascular Protective Effects of Huperzine A on D-Galactose-Induced Inflammatory Damage in the Rat Hippocampus
Authors: Ruan Qingwei , Hu Xiaona , Ao Huafei , Ma Haifeng , Gao Zhanjuan , Liu Fang , Kong Deqiu , Bao Zhijun , Yu Zhuowei
Published: June 2014

Background: Chronic administration of D-galactose (D-gal) results in oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory aging. Age-related changes in the brain result in neurovascular damage and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. However, little is known regarding D-gal-induced neurovascular damage, as well as the protective effects of huperzine A. Objective: The purpose of this study was to utilize a D-gal-induced rat model to investigate the activation of neurovascular inflammatory damage and apoptosis in the rat hippocampus and to understand whether huperzine A alleviates D-gal-induced neuronal and vascular inflammatory injury. Methods: Aging rats were treated with D-gal (300 mg/kg s.c. for 8 weeks), were coadministered D-gal and huperzine A (D-gal 300 mg/kg and huperzine A 0.1 mg/kg s.c. for 8 weeks) or served as the saline-treated control group rats (same volume of saline given subcutaneously for 8 weeks). Changes in hippocampal morphology and biomarkers of inflammatory damage were analyzed. Results: Our study revealed that chronic administration of D-gal resulted in the activation of glia and vascular endothelial cells and upregulation of mRNA and protein levels of cell-associated adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines via nuclear factor (NF)-κB inhibitor degradation and NF-κB nuclear translocation. The inflammatory injury caused significant BBB dysfunction, decreased density of tight junctions (TJs) and apoptosis in the rat hippocampus. Coadministration of huperzine A not only markedly inhibited the D-gal-induced increase in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, but also alleviated D-gal-induced neurovascular damage by inhibiting D-gal-induced NF-κB activation, improving cerebrovascular function and suppressing the D-gal-induced decrease in the density and protein levels of TJs and cell apoptosis. Conclusions: Our findings provided evidence that D-gal induced a proinflammatory phenotype mediated by NF-κB in the rat hippocampus. Moreover, huperzine A suppressed D-gal-induced neurovascular damage and BBB dysfunction, partly by preventing NF-κB nuclear translocation. The inhibiting effect of huperzine A on AChE activity might play an important role in attenuating D-gal-induced inflammatory damage.
Long-Term Effects of Early Adolescent Methamphetamine Exposure on Depression-Like Behavior and the Hypothalamic Vasopressin System in Mice
Authors: Joca Lauren , Zuloaga Damian G. , Raber Jacob , Siegel Jessica A.
Published: June 2014

Methamphetamine (MA) has neurotoxic effects on the adult human brain that can lead to deficits in behavior and cognition. However, relatively little research has examined the behavioral or neurotoxic effects of MA in adolescents. The rising rates of adolescent MA use make it imperative that we understand the long-term effects of MA exposure on the adolescent brain and how these effects may differ from those seen in adults. In this study, the long-term effects of MA exposure during early adolescence on behavior and the vasopressin system in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus in late adolescent and adult male and female C57BL/6J mice were examined. MA exposure increased depression-like behavior in the Porsolt forced swim test in both late adolescent and adult male and female mice. Late adolescent male mice exposed to MA also showed a decrease in the number of vasopressin-immunoreactive neurons in the paraventricular nucleus compared to sex-matched saline-treated controls. Thus, similar to humans exposed to MA during adolescence, mice exposed to MA during adolescence show increased depression-like behavior later in life. These changes in behavior may be related to MA-induced alterations in vasopressin and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, especially in males.
Cytogenetically Normal Acute Myeloid Leukemia with a Novel KIT Mutation in Exon 11 G565V Developing a Sole Trisomy 13 at Relapse: A Clinical Dilemma
Authors: Nieto Maria Jacqueline , Scalise Angela , Najfeld Vesna
Published: June 2014

We describe a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who had a normal karyotype at diagnosis and was negative for NPM1 and FLT3 mutations, but had a KIT G565V mutation in exon 11. This has not been described previously in AML. The patient received induction and consolidation chemotherapy and was in hematologic remission for 351 days when deletion 7q was cytogenetically detected in 8% of the bone marrow cells. After an initial treatment of azacitidine followed by decitabine, an unrelated trisomy 13 clone was identified, followed by subclonal rearrangement of ETV6. The patient underwent reinduction with high-dose cytarabine and mitoxantrone followed by voluntary-unrelated-donor allogeneic stem cell transplantation with a reduced-intensity conditioning. As of writing, the patient is in complete hematologic and cytogenetic remission with 100% donor cell engraftment.
Prenatal Exposure to the Viral Mimetic Poly I:C Alters Fetal Brain Cytokine Expression and Postnatal Behaviour
Authors: Ratnayake Udani , Quinn Tracey , LaRosa Domenic A. , Dickinson Hayley , Walker David W.
Published: June 2014

An increased incidence of mental illness disorders is found in children and adolescents born to mothers who experienced an infection-based illness during pregnancy. Animal models to study the prenatal origin of such outcomes of pregnancy have largely used conventional rodents, which are immature (altricial) at birth compared with the human neonate. In this study, we used the precocial spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus), whose offspring have completed organogenesis at birth, and administered a single subcutaneous injection of a 5 mg/kg dose of the viral mimetic poly I:C (polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid) at mid gestation (20 days; term is 39 days). Prenatal exposure to poly I:C caused a transient weight loss in the pregnant dam, produced a downregulation of the proinflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α in the fetal brain, and resulted in abnormalities in sensorimotor gating and reduced social interaction, memory and learning in juvenile offspring. No changes in exploratory activity or anxiety and fear behaviours were found between the treatment groups. This study provides evidence that, in a rodent model that more closely resembles human brain development, prenatal infection can lead to behavioural abnormalities in postnatal life.
Desmosterol in Brain Is Elevated because DHCR24 Needs REST for Robust Expression but REST Is Poorly Expressed
Authors: Tint G.S. , Pan Luxing , Shang Quan , Sharpe Laura J. , Brown Andrew J. , Li Man , Yu Hongwei
Published: June 2014

Cholesterol synthesis in the fetal brain is inhibited because activity of DHCR24 (24-dehydrocholesterol reductase) is insufficient, causing concentrations of the precursor desmosterol to increase temporarily to 15-25% of total sterols at birth. We demonstrate that failure of DHCR24 to be adequately upregulated during periods of elevated cholesterol synthesis in the brain results from the presence in its promoter of the repressor element 1 (RE1) nucleotide sequence that binds the RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) and that REST, generally reduced in neural tissues, uncharacteristically but not without precedent, enhances DHCR24 transcription. DHCR24 and REST mRNA levels are reduced 3- to 4-fold in fetal mouse brain compared to liver (p < 0.001). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays suggested that REST binds to the human DHCR24 promoter in the vicinity of the predicted human RE1 sequence. Luminescent emission from a human DHCR24 promoter construct with a mutated RE1 sequence was reduced 2-fold compared to output from a reporter with wild-type RE1 (p < 0.005). Silencing REST in HeLa cells resulted in significant reductions of DHCR24 mRNA (2-fold) and DHCR24 protein (4-fold). As expected, relative concentrations of Δ24-cholesterol precursor sterols increased 3- to 4-fold, reflecting the inhibition of DHCR24 enzyme activity. In contrast, mRNA levels of DHCR7 (sterol 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase), a gene essential for cholesterol synthesis lacking an RE1 sequence, and concentrations of HMGR (3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase) enzyme protein were both unaffected. Surprisingly, a dominant negative fragment of REST consisting of just the DNA binding domain (about 20% of the protein) and full-length REST enhanced DHCR24 expression equally well. Furthermore, RE1 and the sterol response element (SRE), the respective binding sites for REST and the SRE binding protein (SREBP), are contiguous. These observations led us to hypothesize that REST acts because it is bound in close proximity to SREBP, thus amplifying its ability to upregulate DHCR24. It is likely that modulation of DHCR24 expression by REST persisted in the mammalian genome either because it does no harm or because suppressing metabolically active DHCR24 while providing abundant quantities of the multifunctional sterol desmosterol during neural development proved useful.
Differential Diagnosis of Crohn's Disease and Intestinal Tuberculosis in Patients with Spontaneous Small-Bowel Perforation
Authors: Kim Su Hwan , Kim Ji Won , Jeong Ji Bong , Lee Kook Lae , Kim Byeong Gwan , Choi Young Ho
Published: June 2014

Background/Aims: Spontaneous small-bowel perforation caused by Crohn's disease (CD) or intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) is a rare disease entity. We investigated the clinical features and radiologic findings of patients with CD or ITB who presented with a spontaneous small-bowel perforation. Methods: Between January 2001 and December 2010, sixty-two patients underwent surgery due to a spontaneous small-bowel perforation, including 21 (33.9%) CD patients and 18 (29.0%) ITB patients. Clinical and radiologic features were compared between CD and ITB patients. Results: The mean age was significantly lower in CD patients than in ITB patients (p = 0.014). Diarrhea was more common in CD. By contrast, night sweating and a previous history of tuberculosis were more common in ITB. Only 27.8% of patients with ITB had a positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold test. CT findings such as bowel wall thickening of more than 10 mm, omental thickening, and intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy larger than 10 mm were more common among perforations caused by ITB. Mesenteric fat infiltration was a more frequent finding in CD than in ITB. Conclusions: Clinical symptoms and radiologic findings may aid in the differential diagnosis between CD and ITB in patients presenting with spontaneous small-bowel perforation.
Frequency of Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene rs9939609 and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma 2 Gene rs1801282 Polymorphisms among Trinidadian Neonates of Different Ethnicities and Their Relationship to Anthropometry at Birth
Authors: Cuthbert Candace E. , Ramdath D. Dan , Foster Jerome E.
Published: June 2014

Background: The fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) rs9939609 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 gene (PPARG2) rs1801282 polymorphisms are type 2 diabetes mellitus susceptibility gene variants associated with obesity. This study examined whether these variants are associated with anthropometry at birth among a representative multi-ethnic sample of Trinidadian neonates. Methods: Cord blood was obtained from consecutive term live births and DNA was genotyped for FTO and PPARG2 variants using polymerase chain reaction. Associations between neonate anthropometry at birth and genotype frequency were assessed using the χ2 test and linear regression. Results: Significant associations were observed between neonate ethnicity and PPARG2 (p = 0.005) and FTO (p = 0.017) variants: high-risk alleles were more prevalent among African than South Asian neonates for both variants. The allelic and genotypic frequencies for mixed neonates were between those for the African and those for the South Asian neonates. No significant relationship was observed between rs9939609 and rs1801282 and anthropometric measures. For both variants, the allelic and genotypic frequencies among the African and South Asian neonates mirrored those found elsewhere for similar ethnic groups. Conclusions: Neonates of African ethnicity possess the highest frequency of rs9939609 and rs1801282 alleles and genotypes; this may be associated with ethnic differences in the risk of lifestyle diseases.
Solid-Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas: Cytomorphologic Findings and Literature Review
Authors: Bhatnagar Ramneesh , Olson Matthew T. , Fishman Elliot K. , Hruban Ralph H. , Lennon Anne M. , Ali Syed Z.
Published: June 2014

Background: Solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) is a rare pancreatic malignancy with an excellent prognosis. It is most commonly diagnosed in young women. This article comprehensively reviews the clinical, pathological and radiological features of this neoplasm, as well as its clinical management. Methods: A literature review of SPN was performed of all articles published in the English language in PubMed prior to November 1, 2013. Cytomorphological features, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, patient general demographics, molecular studies, radiologic imaging and clinical management were reviewed. Results: SPN displays distinct cytomorphological features on fine-needle aspiration - thin, delicate, branching vessels in a ‘Chinese character' pattern lined by one to several layers of loosely cohesive neoplastic cells. Nuclear features include indented or grooved nuclei with an evenly distributed chromatin pattern and small inconspicuous nucleoli. SPN is characteristically immunoreactive for CD10, β-catenin (in an abnormal nuclear pattern), CD99 in a perinuclear dot-like pattern, α1-antitrypsin, and progesterone receptor. Almost all SPNs harbor an activating point mutation in exon 3 of the β-catenin gene (CTNNB1). Clinicopathological features generally do not correlate with prognosis, and most patients experience excellent long-term survival. Conclusions: SPN can mimic other neoplasms of the pancreas, which can lead to diagnostic challenges in a limited cytologic specimen. Distinct cytomorphological features can help distinguish SPNs from other pancreatic neoplasms. Complete surgical resection as well as resection of metastatic disease is preferred given a low rate of tumor recurrence and long periods of disease-free intervals.
Steinernema tophus sp. n. (Nematoda: Steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode from South Africa
Authors: ÇIMEN HARUN , LEE MING-MIN , HATTING JUSTIN , HAZIR SELCUK , STOCK S. PATRICIA
Published: June 2014

A new entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema tophus n. sp. is described from South Africa. Morphological, molecular (ribosomal gene sequence data) together with cross-hybridization studies were used for diagnostics and identification purposes. Both molecular and morphological data indicate the new species belongs to the ‘glaseri-group’ of Steinernema spp. Key morphological diagnostic traits for S. tophus n. sp. include the morphology of the spicules and gubernaculum. Morphometric traits of third-stage infective juveniles, including total body length (average 1,046µm), tail length (average 70µm), location of the excretory pore (average 92 µm), D% (average 63), E% (average 132) and H% (average 32) values are definitive. In addition to these morphological characters, analysis of rDNA (28S and ITS) gene sequences depict this Steinernema species as a distinct and unique entity.
Description of the natural history and immature stages of Postplatyptilia caribica Gielis in Puerto Rico (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae)
Authors: MATTHEWS DEBORAH L. , PÉREZ MERVIN E.
Published: June 2014

Observations of the life history of a plume moth, Postplatyptilia caribica Gielis are presented along with an adult diagnosis and descriptions of the final instar larva and pupa. The species was previously known only from two female specimens. Illustrations are provided for the adults and immatures, including both male and female genitalia. Morphological characters of the adults and immatures are discussed and compared with other members of the tribe Platyptiliini. Identification of adults and immatures is especially important because one of the larval hostplants, Gesneria pauciflora Urb., is a threatened endemic species of Puerto Rico. The plant family Gesneriaceae is a new addition to the known plant families used by Pterophoridae.
Cymonomid crabs of the MAINBAZA Expedition (Decapoda: Brachyura)
Authors: AHYONG SHANE T.
Published: June 2014

Cymonomid crabs collected from the Mozambique Channel off Madagascar by the 2011 MAINBAZA Expedition are reported. Two species of Cymonomus A. Milne Edwards, 1880, are represented, of which one is new to science and the other, C. valdiviae Lankester, 1903, is rediscovered, being previously known only from the holotype. Three species of Cymonomidae are now known from the western Indian Ocean, including C. trifurcus Stebbing, 1920, from South Africa.
A new genus for the American Tree Sparrow (Aves: Passeriformes: Passerellidae)
Authors: SLAGER DAVID L.
Published: June 2014

The genus Spizella (Bonaparte) contains seven species of North American sparrows in the recently resurrected family Passerellidae (Bock 1994; Barker et al. 2013), formerly placed in the Emberizidae, and includes a few of the region's most common and familiar bird species. Spizella sparrows occupy more or less open habitats; most species are at least partially migratory and form small flocks when not breeding. On the basis of their similar morphology and behavior, they have long been treated as a natural group (Ridgway 1901; American Ornithologists’ Union 1998).
N. T. Wright’s treatment of ‘Justification’ in The New Testament for Everyone
Authors: Moore Richard K.
Published: June 2014

N. T. Wright is a widely published author with a large following among those interested in his field of New Testament. In 2011 he published a translation of the New Testament: The New Testament for Everyone. Over some decades Wright has also published on the doctrine of justification, and the insights he feels he has gained are enshrined in his translation. However, a careful comparison of how he has handled the doctrine of justification in Galatians and Romans with what Paul actually wrote, reveals a number of weaknesses in his translation approach as well as an idiosyncratic understanding of the apostle’s concept of justification.
Symbolic and cultural approaches to the origins of World War I: Introduction
Authors: Lebow Richard N , Lindemann Thomas
Published: June 2014

This forum offers a symbolic and cultural approach for understanding the outbreak of World War I that stresses the interactional and symbolic-cultural aspects of German decision makers’ brinkmanship during the July crisis of 1914. Contrary to excessive structuralist accounts, the contributions focus on what actors ‘do’ and ‘feel’ during a crisis. In the German–Austrian case, symbolic interactions during the July crisis were strongly marked by challenges to the ‘face’ of decision makers. The second theme of the Forum is to question the purely ‘material’ nature of those structures traditionally referred to as permissive for World War I. Structures, in fact, are symbolic, too. Like theories on status discrepancy, the Forum stresses the impact of ‘responsibility gaps’. However, the contributors also point to the emotional aspects and internal legitimacy problems caused precisely by those status lags.
Scalar Travel Documentaries: Animating the Limits of the Body and Life
Authors: Bissonnette Sylvie
Published: June 2014

Scalar travel documentaries and their adaptations in interactive media present animated models of the body’s interior and the physical worlds at a variety of scales. Featuring increasingly comprehensive animated images at microscopic and macroscopic scales, they help scientists better understand the structure of the universe. This article examines the poetics of scale and the diverse rhetorical mechanisms used in these documentaries. In Powers of Ten and Cosmic Voyage, for instance, the metronomic overview of the underlying organization of the natural world generates ideological discourses on the position of humankind in the universe. The mechanical gaze these films produce, it is argued, reveals the instrumentality of new modes of knowledge and the posthuman nature of our perception. Finally, comparing the various ways with which scalar documentaries animate scientific models, this article suggests that the visions of the natural world these films construct should be more reflexive of the limits of representation at the edge of the knowable.
Proteus and the Digital: Scalar Transformations of Seawater’s Materiality in Ocean Animations
Authors: Jue Melody
Published: June 2014

This article analyzes the discursive and conceptual equation of the ocean and the database. Considering how the chemical and vital properties of seawater serve to transform what is ‘stored’, the language of flow and fluidity is inadequate to describe what seawater actually does to things – it encrusts them, rusts them, adheres burgeoning life-forms to them. Seawater asks us to rethink terrestrial notions of the archive or database as informed by the language of earth and sediment, and instead consider the ocean-as-database in terms of seawater’s capacity for protean transformation. Although the protean properties of seawater are meaningful at a macro scale, on increasingly microscopic scales, multiple processes of abstraction make seawater commensurate with digitality. The author considers the stakes of focusing on different scales of seawater and its materiality, taking as her examples two different data visualizations/animations: Google Ocean (scaling the ocean down to the size of a computer screen) and ATLAS in silico (scaling ocean microbial genomic data up to the size of a projection, or cluster of computer screens). She concludes by asking, how might a theory of media evolve from the materiality of seawater differently on macro and micro scales?
Reach In and Feel Something: On the Strategic Reconstruction of Touch in Virtual Space
Authors: Parisi David
Published: June 2014

The drive to make human–computer interactions more efficient and effortless has pushed interface designers to think about new methods of information transmission, display and manipulation. The incorporation of haptic feedback cues into the computer interfacing schematic allows the tactile channel to be opened up as a means of complementing and challenging the data provided by the senses of seeing and hearing. In this article, using the Novint Corporation’s Falcon three-dimensional touch interface as a case study, the author examines the strategic aims of animating and scaling computer-generated space for the haptic. Spaces of heterogeneous scales, from the microscopic to the macroscopic, can be rendered as analogous force sensations using the Falcon’s three-dimensional workspace. The author argues that the project of incorporating complex touch feedback into computing entails not just a transformation of spatiotemporal field accessed by touch, but a wholesale redefinition and rearticulation of touch as a category of human experience.
Noninvasive Nitric Oxide Therapy in Right Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Following Arterial Switch Procedure
Authors: Charafeddine Lama , Arabi Mariam , Alamiddine Kawsar , Khatib Mohammad Issam , Bitar Fadi , Halees Zohair Al
Published: June 2014

Right ventricular dysfunction is uncommon following surgical repair of dextrotransposition of great arteries (d-TGA) by the arterial switch procedure. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is a specific pulmonary vasolidator that has proven successful in treating pulmonary hypertension when delivered via endotracheal tube. We present a five-month-old infant with d-TGA and ventricular septal defect (VSD) who developed pulmonary hypertensive crisis, causing severe right ventricular dysfunction with hemodynamic deterioration at day 6 postsurgical repair by VSD closure and arterial switch. He was successfully treated with iNO via nonrebreather face mask avoiding endotracheal reintubation. This modality should be considered in the management of such infants.
Coarctoplasty and Stenting in a Case of Ventricular Septal Defect With Eisenmenger’s Syndrome
Authors: Mahimaiha Jayaranganath , Patra Soumya , Subramaniun Anand P. , Sastry Usha Mandikal Kodanda Rama , Srinivasa Kikkeri Hemannasetty , Manjunath Cholenahally N.
Published: June 2014

Coarctoplasty with stenting is often an effective strategy in cases of recoarctation following surgical repair. The potential benefit of coarctoplasty in a patient with Eisenmenger’s syndrome is unknown. We describe the case of a 21-year-old male who presented with claudication of lower limbs. He was known to have congenital heart disease, consisting of ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and coarctation of the aorta. Coarctation repair and PDA ligation had been done at two months of age. At the time of presentation for evaluation of claudication, echocardiography revealed severe coarctation and evidence of Eisenmenger’s syndrome. This patient subsequently underwent balloon angioplasty and stenting of coarctation without any increase in cyanosis.
Resection of a Giant Left Atrial Appendage Aneurysm via Limited Thoracotomy
Authors: Clark Joseph B. , Ting Jennifer G. , Polinsky Ronald J. , Wolfe Lewis T.
Published: June 2014

A left atrial appendage aneurysm is a rare cause of atrial arrhythmia in a young adult. Resection of the aneurysm is uniformly recommended in order to prevent thromboembolism and stroke. In patients without evidence of clot within the aneurysm, operative resection via a limited thoracotomy provides a safe and effective alternative to median sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass.
Combined Rastelli and Bentall Procedures for Pulmonary Atresia With Ventricular Septal Defect and a Large Aortopulmonary Collateral Artery and Ascending Aorta Aneurysm
Authors: Chiostri Benjamin , Piccinini Fernando , Vrancic Mariano , Klinger Daniel , Navia Daniel , Lalor Nicolas , Longo Francisco , Kreutzer Christián
Published: June 2014

We report a challenging case of a 32-year-old patient in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, a left aortopulmonary collateral artery, a right modified Blalock-Taussing shunt, and a gigantic aneurysm of the ascending aorta with severe aortic valve insufficiency. A combined Rastelli and Bentall procedure was performed by a joint adult and pediatric cardiovascular surgery team. One year after the operation, the patient is in NYHA class I, working full time.
Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in an Infant
Authors: Patra Soumya , Subramaniun Anand , Mahimaiha Jayranganath , Sastry Usha Mandikal Kodanda Rama , Nanjappa Manjunath Cholenahally
Published: June 2014

Pompe’s disease is a type II glycogen storage disorder resulting from deficiency of α-1,4 glucosidase. It is usually associated with dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Association of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is rarely seen. We present a case of a ten-month-old baby with clinical features of both apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and Pompe’s disease.
Complete Recovery From Severe Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy in a Patient With Ebstein’s Anomaly
Authors: Stämpfli Simon F. , Plass André , Müller Andrea , Greutmann Matthias
Published: June 2014

We report the case of a young patient with repaired Ebstein’s anomaly who developed severe tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy and a large apical thrombus as a consequence of sustained atrial flutter with a 2:1 conduction. In spite of a dramatic course in hospital with prolonged mechanical resuscitation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, she survived and made a rapid and full recovery. This remarkable case underlines that atrial arrhythmias, the most common complication in adults with congenital heart disease, may have devastating outcomes when timely recognition is missed and treatment delayed—thus, emphasizing the importance of good patient education.