bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cross-sectional study of the appropriateness of colonoscopy requests in the Spanish region of Catalonia
Authors: Puente Diana , Cantero Francesc Xavier , Llagostera Maria , Piñeiro Pilar , Nieto Raquel , Saladich Rosa , Mascort Juanjo , Marzo Mercè , Almeda Jesús , Segarra Manel ,   the CANCER-REAP Research Group
Published: December 2012

Introduction

Colonoscopies are being requested with increasing frequency in the last few years, as they are used both as a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in several gastrointestinal diseases. Our purpose is to describe the appropriateness of colonoscopy requests issued both from primary care centres and from hospitals, according to the EPAGE II guidelines (European Panel on the Appropriateness of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy).

Methods and analysis

Cross-sectional study. Colonoscopy requests issued since January 2011 and received at the endoscopy units of all six reference hospitals serving the primary care centres of the South Metropolitan and Central Catalonia districts will be collected (total=1500 requests). Variables to be collected include gender, date of birth, origin of the request and reference hospital, priority of the procedure, type of clinician requesting the procedure, date and indication of request, abdominal examination performed, anal inspection examination performed, date of last colonoscopy if applicable, diagnosis and date of diagnosis. Using the available information and the EPAGE II website, colonoscopy requests will be assigned as an appropriateness score. The association between the variables collected and the EPAGE II scores will be assessed using a Student's t test and a χ2test. A multilevel logistic model will be generated on the factors associated with the appropriateness of the requests.

Ethics and dissemination

Colonoscopy is a costly procedure and not free from complications. In order to increase cost effectiveness, reduce waiting lists and optimise resources, it is necessary to use tools such as the EPAGE II guidelines, which establish criteria to assess the appropriateness of colonoscopies. The purpose of this study is to describe the current situation and to discuss whether current clinical practice is appropriate. The results of the study will be published in the next few years. In consideration of the ethical principles and methods of the research study, approval was granted for the project.
A qualitative analysis of the elements used by palliative care clinicians when formulating a survival estimate
Authors: Clarkson Rose , Selby Debbie , Myers Jeff
Published: December 2012

Objective

For patients with advanced and/or incurable disease, clinicians are often called upon to formulate and communicate an estimate of likely survival duration. The objective of this study was to gain a deeper appreciation of this process by identifying and exploring the specific elements that may inform and/or impact a clinician's estimate of survival (CES).

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted among a group of palliative care clinicians in the setting of a tertiary academic health sciences centre. Qualitative data were subsequently analysed using a grounded theory approach.

Results

Five major themes were identified as being central to the process of CES formulation: use of objective patient-specific elements, strength of the patient-clinician relationship, purpose and context of an individual CES, perceived role of hope and the overall likelihood of CES inaccuracy.

Conclusions

For any given patient, several elements have the potential to inform and/or impact the process of CES formulation. Study participants were aware of objective clinical factors known to correlate with actual survival duration and likely integrate this information when formulating a CES. Formulation occurs within a larger context comprised of a number of elements that may influence individual estimates. These elements exist against a background of awareness of the overall likelihood of CES inaccuracy. Clinicians are encouraged to develop a personalised and standardised approach to CES formulation whereby an awareness of the menu of potentially impacting elements is consciously integrated into an individual process.
SIMULATION METHODS OF PIEZORESISTIVE PRESSURE SENSORS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE CONSISTENCY
Authors: ZHANG ZHAOHUA , REN TIANLING , HAN RUIRUI , YUAN LI , PANG BO
Published: December 2012

It is important to realize good consistency among different device units on a big wafer. The bad product consistency results from the processing deviation which is hard to control. A novel simulation method to control and reduce the influence of processing deviation on the sensitivity of a piezoresistive pressure sensor is provided in this paper. Based on finite element analysis (FEA) and mathematical integration, the performance of the pressure sensors is simulated. The pressure sensors are designed and fabricated according to the simulation results. The test results confirm that this simulation method can help to design the pressure sensor very precisely. From the simulation and test results, we find that properly enlarging the size of the square silicon membrane can improve the devices consistency.
Adaptive plasticity of autophagic proteins to denervation in aging skeletal muscle
Authors: O'Leary Michael F. , Vainshtein Anna , Iqbal Sobia , Ostojic Olga , Hood David A.
Published: December 2012

Aging muscle exhibits a progressive decline in mass and strength, known as sarcopenia, and a decrease in the adaptive response to contractile activity. The molecular mechanisms mediating this reduced plasticity have yet to be elucidated. The purposes of this study were 1) to determine whether denervation-induced muscle disuse would increase the expression of autophagy genes and 2) to examine whether selective autophagy pathways (mitophagy) are altered in aged animals. Denervation reduced muscle mass in young and aged animals by 24 and 16%, respectively. Moreover, young animals showed a 50% decrease in mitochondrial content following denervation, an adaptation that was not matched by aged animals. Basal autophagy protein expression was higher in aged animals, whereas young animals exhibited a greater induction of autophagy proteins following denervation. Localization of LC3II, Parkin, and p62 was significantly increased in the mitochondrial fraction of young and aged animals following denervation. Moreover, the unfolded protein response marker CHOP and the mitochondrial dynamics protein Fis1 were increased by 17- and 2.5-fold, respectively, in aged animals. Lipofuscin granules within lysosomes were evident with aging and denervation. Thus reductions in the adaptive plasticity of aged muscle are associated with decreases in disuse-induced autophagy. These data indicate that the expression of autophagy proteins and their localization to mitochondria are not decreased in aged muscle; however, the induction of autophagy in response to disuse, along with downstream events such as lysosome function, is impaired. This may contribute to an accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria in aged muscle.
The cardiac L-type calcium channel distal carboxy terminus autoinhibition is regulated by calcium
Authors: Crump Shawn M. , Andres Douglas A. , Sievert Gail , Satin Jonathan
Published: December 2012

The L-type calcium channel (LTCC) provides trigger Ca2+for sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-release, and LTCC function is influenced by interacting proteins including the LTCC distal COOH terminus (DCT) and calmodulin. DCT is proteolytically cleaved and reassociates with the LTCC complex to regulate calcium channel function. DCT reduces LTCC barium current ( IBa,L) in reconstituted channel complexes, yet the contribution of DCT to LTCC Ca2+current ( ICa,L) in cardiomyocyte systems is unexplored. This study tests the hypothesis that DCT attenuates cardiomyocyte ICa,L. We measured LTCC current and Ca2+transients with DCT coexpressed in murine cardiomyocytes. We also heterologously coexpressed DCT and CaV1.2 constructs with truncations corresponding to the predicted proteolytic cleavage site, CaV1.2Δ1801, and a shorter deletion corresponding to well-studied construct, CaV1.2Δ1733. DCT inhibited IBa,Lin cardiomyocytes, and in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells expressing CaV1.2Δ1801 and CaV1.2Δ1733. Ca2+-CaM relieved DCT block in cardiomyocytes and HEK cells. The selective block of IBa,Lcombined with Ca2+-CaM effects suggested that DCT-mediated blockade may be relieved under conditions of elevated Ca2+. We therefore tested the hypothesis that DCT block is dynamic, increasing under relatively low Ca2+, and show that DCT reduced diastolic Ca2+at low stimulation frequencies but spared high frequency Ca2+entry. DCT reduction of diastolic Ca2+and relief of block at high pacing frequencies and under conditions of supraphysiological bath Ca2+suggests that a physiological function of DCT is to increase the dynamic range of Ca2+transients in response to elevated pacing frequencies. Our data motivate the new hypothesis that DCT is a native reverse use-dependent inhibitor of LTCC current.
AMP-activated protein kinase inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration and vascular remodeling following injury
Authors: Stone Joshua D. , Narine Avinash , Shaver Patti R. , Fox Jonathan C. , Vuncannon Jackson R. , Tulis David A.
Published: December 2012

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) activation promotes a synthetic phenotype that underlies many vessel growth disorders. In this regard it has been suggested that the metabolic sensor adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has significant antigrowth and antimetastatic properties and may serve as a viable therapeutic target. In the current study we hypothesized that AMPK reduces neointima formation following balloon injury and that this occurs through reduction in VSMC proliferation and migration. Data reveal that local or systemic dosing with the AMPK agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR) significantly increased AMPK activity in vivo and inhibited neointima formation in rat carotid arteries 2 wk after injury. In primary VSMCs, AICAR inhibited migration and induced cytostatic growth arrest through increased protein phosphatase 2A-mediated inhibition of mitosis-promoting cyclin B. AICAR also significantly enhanced AMPK-specific T278 phosphorylation of the actin anticapping vasodilator-activated serum phosphoprotein, increased G- to F-actin ratios and stress fiber formation, and abrogated PDGF-stimulated S397 autophosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, promigratory cytoplasmic accumulation of paxillin, and extracellular matrix proteolysis by matrix metalloproteinase-9. Together, these results provide compelling evidence that AMPK serves to inhibit vascular smooth muscle migration and proliferation through regulation of cytoskeletal/focal adhesion/ECM stability, increasing our knowledge of this important metabolic regulator and providing support for its continued investigation in the treatment of vascular growth disorders.
Testosterone regulates cardiac contractile activation by modulating SERCA but not NCX activity
Authors: Witayavanitkul Namthip , Woranush Warunya , Bupha-Intr Tepmanas , Wattanapermpool Jonggonnee
Published: December 2012

Alterations in intracellular Ca2+transients of cardiomyocytes in orchidectomized (ORX) rats could be a cause of cardiac dysfunction in the hypogonadal condition. To investigate the role of male sex hormones in intracellular Ca2+homeostasis during relaxation, Ca2+-handling activities by sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) and the Na+/Ca2+exchanger (NCX) were evaluated in the ventricular muscle of 10-wk-old ORX rats with and without testosterone supplementation (2.5 mg/kg testosterone propionate, 2 times/wk). ORX induced a 50% decrease in contraction force accompanied by a prolonged time to achieve 50% relaxation ( T50) in isolated intact ventricular trabeculae, which was partially corrected by testosterone administration. Maximum active tension was also suppressed in ORX rats without changes in myofilament Ca2+sensitivity and passive stiffness of the heart. Using a sarcoplasmic reticulum-enriched membrane preparation, the maximum thapsigargin-sensitive SERCA activity of the ORX rat was 27% lower with an increased Ca2+sensitivity, which was prevented by testosterone treatment. However, neither changes in SERCA content nor its modulating components, sarcolipin and heat shock protein 20, were detected in the ORX rat, but there was a significant decrease in the phosphorylated Thr17form of phospholamban. Despite a lower level of NCX protein in the heart of ORX rats, prolonged T50disappeared after an incubation with thapsigargin (10 μM), implying a lack of effect of male sex hormone deficiency on NCX function. These findings indicate that male sex hormones can regulate cardiac relaxation by acting mainly through SERCA. However, a detailed mechanism of SERCA modulation under male sex hormone deficiency status remains to be explored.
Natriuretic peptides and cGMP signaling control of energy homeostasis
Authors: Moro Cedric , Lafontan Max
Published: December 2012

Since the discovery of natriuretic peptides (NPs) by de Bold et al. in 1981, the cardiovascular community has been well aware that they exert potent effects on vessels, heart remodeling, kidney function, and the regulation of sodium and water balance. Who would have thought that NPs are also able to exert metabolic effects and contribute to an original cross talk between heart, adipose tissues, and skeletal muscle? The attention on the metabolic role of NPs was awakened in the year 2000 with the discovery that NPs exert potent lipolytic effects mediated by the NP receptor type A/cGMP pathway in human fat cells and that they contribute to lipid mobilization in vivo. In this review, we will discuss the biological effects of NPs on the main tissues involved in the regulation of energy metabolism (i.e., white and brown adipose tissues, skeletal muscle, liver, and pancreas). These recent results on NPs are opening a new chapter into the physiological properties and therapeutic usefulness of this family of hormones.
Evidence of synergistic/additive effects of sildenafil and erythropoietin in enhancing survival and migration of hypoxic endothelial cells
Authors: Gammella Elena , Leuenberger Caroline , Gassmann Max , Ostergaard Louise
Published: December 2012

Endothelial cell dysfunction is a common event to several pathologies including pulmonary hypertension, which is often associated with hypoxia. As the endothelium plays an essential role in regulating the dynamic interaction between pulmonary vasodilatation and vasoconstriction, this cell type is fundamental in the development of vascular remodeling and increased vascular resistance. We investigated the protective effects of sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, given in combination with erythropoietin (Epo), as it has been demonstrated that both drugs have antiapoptotic effects on several cell types. Specifically, we examined the viability and angiogenic properties of rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells upon exposure to either 21% or 1% oxygen, in presence of sildenafil (1 and 100 nM) and Epo (5 and 20 U/ml) alone or in combination (1 nM and 20 U/ml). Cell proliferation and viability were analyzed by Trypan blue staining, MTT assay, and Annexin V/propidium iodide stainings. In all assays, the ability of the combination treatment in improving cell viability was superior to that of either drug alone. The angiogenic properties were studied using a migration and a 3D collagen assay, and the results revealed increases in the migration potential of endothelial cells as well as the ability to form tube-like structures in response to sildenafil and the combination treatment. We therefore conclude that both drugs exert protective effects on endothelial cells on hypoxia and that sildenafil enhances the migratory and angiogenic properties, especially in hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, we present evidence of possible additive or synergistic effects of both drugs.
Macrophage/epithelial cell CCL2 contributes to rhinovirus-induced hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in a mouse model of allergic airways disease
Authors: Schneider Dina , Hong Jun Young , Bowman Emily R. , Chung Yutein , Nagarkar Deepti R. , McHenry Christina L. , Goldsmith Adam M. , Bentley J. Kelley , Lewis Toby C. , Hershenson Marc B.
Published: December 2012

Human rhinovirus (HRV) infections lead to exacerbations of lower airways disease in asthmatic patients but not in healthy individuals. However, underlying mechanisms remain to be completely elucidated. We hypothesized that the Th2-driven allergic environment enhances HRV-induced CC chemokine production, leading to asthma exacerbations. Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and -challenged mice inoculated with HRV showed significant increases in the expression of lung CC chemokine ligand (CCL)-2/monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, CCL4/macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β, CCL7/MCP-3, CCL19/MIP-3β, and CCL20/MIP3α compared with mice treated with OVA alone. Inhibition of CCL2 with neutralizing antibody significantly attenuated HRV-induced airways inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in OVA-treated mice. Immunohistochemical stains showed colocalization of CCL2 with HRV in epithelial cells and CD68-positive macrophages, and flow cytometry showed increased CCL2+, CD11b+cells in the lungs of OVA-treated, HRV-infected mice. Compared with lung macrophages from naïve mice, macrophages from OVA-exposed mice expressed significantly more CCL2 in response to HRV infection ex vivo. Pretreatment of mouse lung macrophages and BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells with interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 increased HRV-induced CCL2 expression, and mouse lung macrophages from IL-4 receptor knockout mice showed reduced CCL2 expression in response to HRV, suggesting that exposure to these Th2 cytokines plays a role in the altered HRV response. Finally, bronchoalveolar macrophages from children with asthma elaborated more CCL2 upon ex vivo exposure to HRV than cells from nonasthmatic patients. We conclude that CCL2 production by epithelial cells and macrophages contributes to HRV-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in a mouse model of allergic airways disease and may play a role in HRV-induced asthma exacerbations.
Airway epithelium is a predominant source of endogenous airway GABA and contributes to relaxation of airway smooth muscle tone
Authors: Gallos George , Townsend Elizabeth , Yim Peter , Virag Laszlo , Zhang Yi , Xu Dingbang , Bacchetta Matthew , Emala Charles W.
Published: December 2012

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma are characterized by hyperreactive airway responses that predispose patients to episodes of acute airway constriction. Recent studies suggest a complex paradigm of GABAergic signaling in airways that involves GABA-mediated relaxation of airway smooth muscle. However, the cellular source of airway GABA and mechanisms regulating its release remain unknown. We questioned whether epithelium is a major source of GABA in the airway and whether the absence of epithelium-derived GABA contributes to greater airway smooth muscle force. Messenger RNA encoding glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) 65/67 was quantitatively measured in human airway epithelium and smooth muscle. HPLC quantified GABA levels in guinea pig tracheal ring segments under basal or stimulated conditions with or without epithelium. The role of endogenous GABA in the maintenance of an acetylcholine contraction in human airway and guinea pig airway smooth muscle was assessed in organ baths. A 37.5-fold greater amount of mRNA encoding GAD 67 was detected in human epithelium vs. airway smooth muscle cells. HPLC confirmed that guinea pig airways with intact epithelium have a higher constitutive elution of GABA under basal or KCl-depolarized conditions compared with epithelium-denuded airway rings. Inhibition of GABA transporters significantly suppressed KCl-mediated release of GABA from epithelium-intact airways, but tetrodotoxin was without effect. The presence of intact epithelium had a significant GABAergic-mediated prorelaxant effect on the maintenance of contractile tone. Airway epithelium is a predominant cellular source of endogenous GABA in the airway and contributes significant prorelaxant GABA effects on airway smooth muscle force.
Important role of PLC-γ1 in hypoxic increase in intracellular calcium in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells
Authors: Yadav Vishal R. , Song Tengyao , Joseph Leroy , Mei Lin , Zheng Yun-Min , Wang Yong-Xiao
Published: December 2012

An increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) induces hypoxic cellular responses in the lungs; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. We report, for the first time, that acute hypoxia significantly enhances phospholipase C (PLC) activity in mouse resistance pulmonary arteries (PAs), but not in mesenteric arteries. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining reveal the expression of PLC-γ1 protein in PAs and PASMCs, respectively. The activity of PLC-γ1 is also augmented in PASMCs following hypoxia. Lentiviral shRNA-mediated gene knockdown of mitochondrial complex III Rieske iron-sulfur protein (RISP) to inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) production prevents hypoxia from increasing PLC-γ1 activity in PASMCs. Myxothiazol, a mitochondrial complex III inhibitor, reduces the hypoxic response as well. The PLC inhibitor U73122, but not its inactive analog U73433, attenuates the hypoxic vasoconstriction in PAs and hypoxic increase in [Ca2+]iin PASMCs. PLC-γ1 knockdown suppresses its protein expression and the hypoxic increase in [Ca2+]i. Hypoxia remarkably increases inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) production, which is blocked by U73122. The IP3receptor (IP3R) antagonist 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) or xestospongin-C inhibits the hypoxic increase in [Ca2+]i. PLC-γ1 knockdown or U73122 reduces H2O2-induced increase in [Ca2+]iin PASMCs and contraction in PAs. 2-APB and xestospongin-C produce similar inhibitory effects. In conclusion, our findings provide novel evidence that hypoxia activates PLC-γ1 by increasing RISP-dependent mitochondrial ROS production in the complex III, which causes IP3production, IP3R opening, and Ca2+release, playing an important role in hypoxic Ca2+and contractile responses in PASMCs.
Renal functional decline and glomerulotubular injury are arrested but not restored by release of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)
Authors: Chaabane Wassim , Praddaude Françoise , Buleon Marie , Jaafar Acil , Vallet Marion , Rischmann Pascal , Galarreta Carolina I. , Chevalier Robert L. , Tack Ivan
Published: December 2012

Murine unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), a major model of progressive kidney disease, causes loss of proximal tubular mass and formation of atubular glomeruli. Adult C57BL/6 mice underwent a sham operation or reversible UUO under anesthesia. In group 1, kidneys were harvested after 7 days. In group 2, the obstruction was released after 7 days, and a physiological study of both kidneys was performed 30 days later. Renal blood flow (RBF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine protein, and albumin excretion were measured after ligation of either the left or right ureter. Glomerular volume (periodic acid-Schiff), glomerulotubular integrity and proximal tubular mass ( Lotus tetragonolobus lectin), and interstitial collagen (Sirius red) were measured by histomorphometry. Obstructed kidney weight was reduced by 15% at 7 days but was not different from sham after a 30-day recovery. Glomerular volume and proximal tubular area of the obstructed kidney were reduced by 55% at 7 days, but normalized after 30 days. Interstitial collagen deposition increased 2.4-fold after 7 days of UUO and normalized after release. However, GFR and RBF were reduced by 40% and urine albumin/protein ratio was increased 2.8-fold 30 days after release of UUO. This was associated with a 50% reduction in glomerulotubular integrity despite a 30-day recovery ( P < 0.05 for all data). We conclude that release of 7-day UUO can arrest progression but does not restore normal function of the postobstructed kidney. Although the remaining intact nephrons have hypertrophied, glomerular injury is revealed by albuminuria. These results suggest that glomerulotubular injury should become the primary target of slowing progressive kidney disease.
Motor unit activity when young and old adults perform steady contractions while supporting an inertial load
Authors: Pascoe Michael A. , Gould Jeffrey R. , Enoka Roger M.
Published: December 2012

The purpose of the study was to compare the discharge characteristics of biceps brachii motor units of young and old adults when they performed steady, submaximal contractions while the arm supported different inertial loads. Young (28 ± 4 yr; n = 16) and old (75 ± 4 yr; n = 14) adults performed steady contractions with the elbow flexors at target forces set at either small (11.7 ± 4.4% maximum) or large (17.8 ± 6.5% maximum) differences below the recruitment threshold force of the motor unit ( n = 40). The task was to maintain an elbow angle at 1.57 rad until the motor unit was recruited and discharged action potentials for ∼120 s. Time to recruitment was longer for the larger target force difference (187 ± 227 s vs. 23 ± 46 s, P < 0.001). Once recruited, motor units discharged action potentials either repetitively or intermittently, with a greater proportion of motor units exhibiting the repetitive pattern for old adults. Discharge rate at recruitment and during the steady contraction was similar for the two target force differences for old adults but was greater for the small target force difference for young adults. Discharge variability was similar at recruitment for the two age groups but less for the old adults during the steady contraction. The greatest difference between the present results and those reported previously when the arm pulled against a rigid restraint was that old adults modulated discharge rate less than young adults across the two contraction intensities for both load types.
Interaction of temporal and ordinal representations in movement sequences
Authors: Kornysheva Katja , Sierk Anika , Diedrichsen Jörn
Published: December 2012

The production of movement sequences requires an accurate control of muscle activation in time. How does the nervous system encode the precise timing of these movements? One possibility is that the timing of movements (temporal sequence) is an emergent property of the dynamic state of the nervous system and therefore intimately linked to a representation of the sequence of muscle commands (ordinal sequence). Alternatively, timing may be represented independently of the motor effectors and would be transferable to a new ordinal sequence. Some studies have found that a learned temporal sequence cannot be transferred to a new ordinal sequence, thus arguing for an integrated representation. Others have observed temporal transfer across movement sequences and have advocated an independent representation of temporal information. Using a modified serial reaction time task, we tested alternative models of the representation of temporal structure and the interaction between the output of separate ordinal and temporal sequence representations. Temporal transfer depended on whether a novel ordinal sequence was fixed within each test block. Our results confirm the presence of an independent representation of temporal structure and advocate a nonlinear multiplicative neural interaction of temporal and ordinal signals in the production of movements.
A Review of Full-Body Radiography in Nontraumatic Emergency Medicine
Authors: Whiley S. P. , Mantokoudis G. , Ott D. , Zimmerman H. , Exadaktylos A. K.
Published: December 2012

This paper reports on the application of full-body radiography to nontraumatic emergency situations. The Lodox Statscan is an X-ray machine capable of imaging the entire body in 13 seconds using linear slit scanning radiography (LSSR). Nontraumatic emergency applications in ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt visualisation, emergency room arteriography (ERA), detection of foreign bodies, and paediatric emergency imaging are presented. Reports show that the fast, full-body, and low-dose scanning capabilities of the Lodox system make it well suited to these applications, with the same or better image quality, faster processing times, and lower dose to patients. In particular, the large format scans allowing visualisation of a greater area of anatomy make it well suited to VP shunt monitoring, ERA, and the detection of foreign bodies. Whilst more studies are required, it can be concluded that the Lodox Statscan has the potential for widespread use in these and other nontraumatic emergency radiology applications.
HwPMI: An Extensible Performance Monitoring Infrastructure for Improving Hardware Design and Productivity on FPGAs
Authors: Schmidt Andrew G. , Steiner Neil , French Matthew , Sass Ron
Published: December 2012

Designing hardware cores for FPGAs can quickly become a complicated task, difficult even for experienced engineers. With the addition of more sophisticated development tools and maturing high-level language-to-gates techniques, designs can be rapidly assembled; however, when the design is evaluated on the FPGA, the performance may not be what was expected. Therefore, an engineer may need to augment the design to include performance monitors to better understand the bottlenecks in the system or to aid in the debugging of the design. Unfortunately, identifying what to monitor and adding the infrastructure to retrieve the monitored data can be a challenging and time-consuming task. Our work alleviates this effort. We present the Hardware Performance Monitoring Infrastructure (HwPMI), which includes a collection of software tools and hardware cores that can be used to profile the current design, recommend and insert performance monitors directly into the HDL or netlist, and retrieve the monitored data with minimal invasiveness to the design. Three applications are used to demonstrate and evaluate HwPMI’s capabilities. The results are highly encouraging as the infrastructure adds numerous capabilities while requiring minimal effort by the designer and low resource overhead to the existing design.
Existence of Solutions for Fractional Integro‐Differential Equation with Multipoint Boundary Value Problem in Banach Spaces
Authors: Zhao Yulin , Huang Li , Wang Xuebin , Zhu Xianyang
Published: December 2012

By means of the fixed‐point theorem in the cone of strict‐set‐contraction operators, we consider the existence of a nonlinear multi‐point boundary value problem of fractional integro‐differential equation in a Banach space. In addition, an example to illustrate the main results is given.
Existence and Uniqueness Theorems of Ordered Contractive Map in Banach Lattices
Authors: Li Xingchang , Wang Zhihao
Published: December 2012

This paper presents some existence and uniqueness theorems of the fixed point for ordered contractive mapping in Banach lattices. Moreover, we prove the existence of a unique
solution for first‐order ordinary differential equations with initial value conditions by using the theoretical results with no need for using the condition of a lower solution or an upper solution.
Klossiella equiInfection in an Immunosuppressed Horse: Evidence of Long-Term Infection
Authors: Ballweber Lora R. , Dailey Deanna , Landolt Gabriele
Published: December 2012

A 13-year-old quarter horse gelding presented with a history of hematuria of approximately 1-year duration, anemia, weight loss over the previous six months, and bilateral nasal discharge of 2-week duration. It was determined that hematuria was most likely caused by the coccidian parasiteKlossiella equi. Additional case workup suggested a diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Confirmatory testing was declined by the owners and the horse was discharged on medical therapy. Despite initial improvement after discharge, the horse developed unresolving sinusitis approximately 1 year later and was euthanized. Necropsy confirmed the presence of an adenoma of the pars intermedia of the pituitary gland, supporting the initial diagnosis. Additional findings included multiple developmental stages ofK. equipresent in the kidneys. This finding demonstrates infections withK. equican be chronic in nature and supports the association of increased severity of klossiellosis and impaired immune function.
Complex Formation Control of Large‐Scale Intelligent Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Lei Ming , Zhou Shao-lei , Yang Xiu-xia , Yin Gao-yang
Published: December 2012

A new formation framework of large‐scale intelligent autonomous vehicles is developed, which can realize complex formations while reducing data exchange. Using the proposed hierarchy formation method and the automatic dividing algorithm, vehicles are automatically divided into leaders and followers by exchanging information via wireless network at initial time. Then, leaders form formation geometric shape by global formation information and followers track their own virtual leaders to form line formation by local information. The formation control laws of leaders and followers are designed based on consensus algorithms. Moreover, collision‐avoiding problems are considered and solved using artificial potential functions. Finally, a simulation example that consists of 25 vehicles shows the effectiveness of theory.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Activity of Some Transition Metal Complexes of N-Benzoyl-N′-2-thiophenethiocarbohydrazide
Authors: Yadav Mahendra
Published: December 2012

In the present study, Mn(II), Fe(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes of N-benzoyl -N′-2-thiophenethiocarbohydrazide (H2 BTTH) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility measurements, infrared, NMR, electronic, and ESR spectral studies. The complexes were found to have compositions [Mn(H BTTH)2], [Ni(BTTH)(H2O)2], [Cu(BTTH)], and [Fe(H BTTH)2EtOH]. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of H2 BTTH and its metal complexes have been screened against several bacteria and fungi.
Nanoscale Biomolecular Detection Limit for Gold Nanoparticles Based on Near-Infrared Response
Authors: D’Acunto Mario , Moroni Davide , Salvetti Ovidio
Published: December 2012

Gold nanoparticles have been widely used during the past few years in various technical and biomedical applications. In particular, the resonance optical properties of nanometer-sized particles have been employed to design biochips and biosensors used as analytical tools. The optical properties of nonfunctionalized gold nanoparticles and core-gold nanoshells play a crucial role for the design of biosensors where gold surface is used as a sensing component. Gold nanoparticles exhibit excellent optical tunability at visible and near-infrared frequencies leading to sharp peaks in their spectral extinction. In this paper, we study how the optical properties of gold nanoparticles and core-gold nanoshells are changed as a function of different sizes, shapes, composition, and biomolecular coating with characteristic shifts towards the near-infrared region. We show that the optical tenability can be carefully tailored for particle sizes falling in the range 100–150 nm. The results should improve the design of sensors working at the detection limit.
A Combined Mathematical Treatment for a Special Automatic Music Transcription System
Authors: Guo Yi , Tang Jiyong
Published: December 2012

This paper presents a combined mathematical treatment for a special automatic music transcription system. This system is specially made for computer‐synthesized music. The combined mathematical treatment includes harmonic selection, matrix analysis, and probability analysis method. The algorithm reduces dimension by PCA and selects candidates first by human auditory model and harmonic structures of notes. It changes the multiple‐F0 estimation question into a mathematical problem and solves it in a mathematical way. It can be shown in this paper that the experimental results indicate that this method has very good recognition results.
Left Ventricle Diverticulum with Partial Cantrell's Syndrome
Authors: El Kouache Mustapha , Labib S. , El Madi A. , Babakhoya A. , Atmani S. , Abouabdilah Y. , Harandou M.
Published: December 2012

Cantrell syndrome is a very rare congenital disease associating five features: a midline, upper abdominal wall disorder, lower sternal abnormality, anterior diaphragmatic defect, diaphragmatic pericardial abnormality, and congenital abnormalities of the heart. In this paper, we report a case of partial Cantrell's syndrome with left ventricular diverticulum, triatrial situs solitus, ventricular septal defect, dextrorotation of the heart, an anterior pericardial diaphragmatic defect, and a midline supraumbilical abdominal wall defect with umbilical hernia. The 5-month-old patient underwent a successful cardiac surgical procedure. A PTFE membrane was placed on the apex of the heart to facilitate reopening of the patient’s chest. Postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged with good clinical condition and with a normal cardiac function.
Transcriptional Regulation by Nuclear Corepressors and PGC-1α: Implications for Mitochondrial Quality Control and Insulin Sensitivity
Authors: Qi Zhengtang , Ding Shuzhe
Published: December 2012

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and estrogen-related receptor (ERRα) are ligand-activated nuclear receptors that coordinately regulate gene expression. Recent evidence suggests that nuclear corepressors, NCoR, RIP140, and SMRT, repress nuclear receptors-mediated transcriptional activity on specific promoters, and thus regulate insulin sensitivity, adipogenesis, mitochondrial number, and activity in vivo. Moreover, the coactivator PGC-1αthat increases mitochondrial biogenesis during exercise and calorie restriction directly regulates autophagy in skeletal muscle and mitophagy in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. In this paper, we discuss the PGC-1α’s novel role in mitochondrial quality control and the role of nuclear corepressors in regulating insulin sensitivity and interacting with PGC-1α.
Observations of the Polarisation of the Anomalous Microwave Emission: A Review
Authors: Rubiño-Martín J. A. , López-Caraballo C. H. , Génova-Santos R. , Rebolo R.
Published: December 2012

The observational status of the polarisation of the anomalous microwave emission (AME) is reviewed, both for individual compact Galactic regions as well as for the large-scale Galactic emission. There are six Galactic regions with existing polarisation constraints in the relevant range of 10–40 GHz: four dust clouds (Perseus,ρOphiuchi, LDN1622, and Pleiades) and two HII regions (LPH96 and the Helix nebula). These constraints are discussed in detail and are complemented by deriving upper limits on the polarisation of the AME for those objects without published WMAP constraints. For the case of large-scale emission, two recent works, based on WMAP data, are reviewed. Currently, the best constraints on the fractional polarisation of the AME, at frequencies near the peak of the emission (i.e., 20–30 GHz), are at the level of~1% (95.4% confidence level). Finally, we compare these constraints with the predictions of some theoretical AME models and discuss the possible impact of polarised AME on future primordial B-mode experiments.
A Comparison of Epitope Repertoires Associated with Myasthenia Gravis in Humans and Nonhuman Hosts
Authors: Vaughan Kerrie , Kim Yohan , Sette Alessandro
Published: December 2012

Here we analyzed the molecular targets associated with myasthenia gravis (MG) immune responses, enabled by an immune epitope database (IEDB) inventory of approximately 600 MG-related epitopes derived from 175 references. The vast majority of epitopes were derived from theα-subunit of human AChR suggesting that other MG-associated autoantigens should be investigated further. Humanα-AChR was mostly characterized in humans, whereas reactivity primarily toT. californicaAChR was examined in animal models. While the fine specificity of T-cell response was similar in the two systems, substantial antibody reactivity to the C-terminus was detected in the nonhuman system, but not in humans. Further analysis showed that the reactivity of nonhuman hosts to the C-terminus was eliminated when data were restricted to hosts tested in the context of autoimmune disease (spontaneous or induced), demonstrating that the epitopes recognized in humans and animals were shared when disease was present. Finally, we provided data subsets relevant to particular applications, including those associated with HLA typing or restriction, sets of epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies, and epitopes associated with modulation of immunity or disease. In conclusion, this analysis highlights gaps, differences, and similarities in the epitope repertoires of humans and animal models.
Wavelet-Based Color Pathological Image Watermark through Dynamically Adjusting the Embedding Intensity
Authors: Liu Guoyan , Liu Hongjun , Kadir Abdurahman
Published: December 2012

This paper proposes a new dynamic and robust blind watermarking scheme for color pathological image based on discrete wavelet transform (DWT). The binary watermark image is preprocessed before embedding; firstly it is scrambled by Arnold cat map and then encrypted by pseudorandom sequence generated by robust chaotic map. The host image is divided inton×nblocks, and the encrypted watermark is embedded into the higher frequency domain of blue component. The mean and variance of the subbands are calculated, to dynamically modify the wavelet coefficient of a block according to the embedded 0 or 1, so as to generate the detection threshold. We research the relationship between embedding intensity and threshold and give the effective range of the threshold to extract the watermark. Experimental results show that the scheme can resist against common distortions, especially getting advantage over JPEG compression, additive noise, brightening, rotation, and cropping.
Neonatal Gastric Lactobezoar: Management with N-Acetylcysteine
Authors: Bajorek Sarah , Basaldua Roel , McGoogan Katherine , Miller Charla , Sussman Craig B.
Published: December 2012

Gastric lactobezoars (GLBs) are the most common form of bezoars in neonates and consist of aggregations of undigested milk constituents. GLB can present with a variety of intra-abdominal clinical symptoms, and occasionally, extra-abdominal symptoms. Conservative management, with a period of bowel rest and intravenous fluids, is the most common treatment regimen for uncomplicated GLB. Surgical measures are reserved for the rare complications of obstruction and/or perforation. Although limited, utilization of the protein-cleaving enzyme N-acetylcysteine has been described for the disintegration of GLB in toddlers. In this paper, we discuss the first documented use of N-acetylcysteine for a neonatal GLB. Supporting literature, the infant’s unusual presentation, and details of the treatment regimen are discussed.
Spatiotemporal Spectral Variations of AOT in India’s EEZ over Arabian Sea: Validation of OCM-II
Authors: Simha C. P. , Devara P. C. S. , Saha S. K. , Babu K. N. , Shukla A. K.
Published: December 2012

We report the results of sun-photometric measurements of Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) over the Arabian Sea along with synchronous Ocean Color Monitor (OCM-II) derived AOT estimates during December 12, 2009–January 10, 2010. Relatively higher values of Angstrom exponent (α) around 1.2 near coast and 0.2–0.8 in the India’s EEZ, observed during the cruise period, indicate the presence of smaller particles near the coast due to anthropogenic activities; and larger particles in the India’s EEZ due to advection of pollutants from Indian subcontinent via long-range transport. Results related to α and its derivative reveal four different aerosol types (urban-industrial, desert-dust, clean-marine, and mixed-type) with varying fraction during the study period. Surface radiative forcing due to aerosols is found to be 20 W/m2 over India’s EEZ. OCM-derived AOTs showed good corroboration with in situ measurements with a correlation coefficient of about 0.95. A reasonably good correlation was also observed between AOT and wind speed (R = 0.6); AOT and relative humidity (R = 0.58). The concurrent MODIS AOT data also agree well with those observed by the OCEANSAT (OCM-II) satellite during the campaign period.
An Investigation of Electronic Structure and Aromaticity in Medium‐Sized Nanoclusters of Gold‐Doped Germanium
Authors: Li Xiao-Jun , Ren Hong-Jiang , Yang Li-Ming
Published: December 2012

The electronic property and aromaticity of endohedrally doped and clusters are investigated using the density‐functional theory (DFT) within the hybrid B3LYP method. The calculated results reveal that the two clusters have high thermodynamic stability reflected by reaction energy. At the same time, it could be hoped that their high stability may arise from the closed‐shell spherical aromaticity with eight π‐electrons satisfying the counting rule with Nπ = 1. A popular nucleus‐independent chemical shifts (NICSs) calculation on basis of magnetic shieldings is also performed to confirm the aromaticity of the three‐dimensional nanoclusters with largely negative NICS values. In addition, the electronic features and chemical bonding of the two clusters are analyzed with the help of the density of states (DOS) and electron localization function (ELF), and the majority of Ge–Ge bonds on the cage show more covalent characters.
Warthin-Like Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid Gland: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Paliogiannis Panagiotis , Attene Federico , Trogu Federica , Trignano Mario
Published: December 2012

We present a case of Warthin-like papillary thyroid carcinoma in a 22-year-old woman and a review of the literature on the topic. The patient had the occasional discovery of a hypoechoic thyroid nodule of approximately 18 mm, characterized by irregular margins, hyperechoic spots, rich intra- and perilesional vascularization, and a suspicious enlarged right laterocervical lymph node. Fine-needle aspiration was performed for both lesions and the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma without lymph node involvement was made. The patient underwent thyroidectomy and central neck lymphadenectomy without complications. Histopathological examination suggested a Warthin-like papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland, with all the removed lymph nodes being free of disease. The patient subsequently underwent iodine ablative therapy and she remains free of disease one year after surgery. Warthin-like papillary thyroid carcinoma is a recently described variant of papillary thyroid cancer that is frequently associated with lymphocytic thyroiditis. Morphologically, it resembles Warthin tumors of the salivary glands, with T and B lymphocytes infiltrating the stalks of papillae lined with oncocytic cells. Surgical and postoperative management is identical to that of classic differentiated thyroid cancer, while prognosis seems to be favourable.
Cost Analysis in Shoulder Arthroplasty Surgery
Authors: Teusink Matthew J. , Virani Nazeem A. , Polikandriotis John A. , Frankle Mark A.
Published: December 2012

Cost in shoulder surgery has taken on a new focus with passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. As part of this law, there is a provision for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and the bundled payment initiative. In this model, one entity would receive a single payment for an episode of care and distribute funds to all other parties involved. Given its reproducible nature, shoulder arthroplasty is ideally situated to become a model for an episode of care. Currently, there is little research into cost in shoulder arthroplasty surgery. The current analyses do not provide surgeons with a method for determining the cost and outcomes of their interventions, which is necessary to the success of bundled payment. Surgeons are ideally positioned to become leaders in ACOs, but in order for them to do so a methodology must be developed where accurate costs and outcomes can be determined for the episode of care.