bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MIMICKING QUANTUM MECHANICS USING REACTIVE PROGRAMMING
Authors: BOUSSINOT FRÉDÉRIC
Published: May 2011

We implement in a reactive programming framework a system mimicking three aspects of quantum mechanics: self-interference, state superposition, and entanglement. The system basically consists in a cellular automaton embedded in a synchronous environment which defines global discrete instants and broadcast events. The implementation shows how a simulation of fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics can be obtained from the synchronous parallel combination of a small number of elementary components.
GENERALIZED SKEIN MODULES OF SURFACES
Authors: BOERNER JEFFREY , DRUBE PAUL
Published: May 2011

There is a one-to-one correspondence between 2-dimensional Topological quantum field theories and Frobenius extensions. Therefore each Frobenius extension defines an invariant of surfaces. We explore these invariants for a family of Frobenius extensions. In addition, we investigate the skein module of surfaces embedded in 3-manifolds corresponding to this family of Frobenius extensions.
ON MODULES OVER LAURENT POLYNOMIAL RINGS
Authors: SILVER DANIEL S. , WILLIAMS SUSAN G.
Published: May 2011

A finitely generated ℤ[t, t-1]-module without ℤ-torsion and having nonzero order Δ(M) of degree d is determined by a pair of sub-lattices of ℤd. Their indices are the absolute values of the leading and trailing coefficients of Δ(M). This description has applications in knot theory.
A DICHOTOMY FOR THE NUMBER OF ULTRAPOWERS
Authors: FARAH ILIJAS , SHELAH SAHARON
Published: May 2011

We prove a strong dichotomy for the number of ultrapowers of a given model of cardinality ≤ 2ℵ0 associated with nonprincipal ultrafilters on ℕ. They are either all isomorphic, or else there are 22ℵ0 many nonisomorphic ultrapowers. We prove the analogous result for metric structures, including C*-algebras and II1 factors, as well as their relative commutants and include several applications. We also show that the CAF001-algebra [Formula: see text] always has nonisomorphic relative commutants in its ultrapowers associated with nonprincipal ultrafilters on ℕ.
SUITABLE EXTENDER MODELS I
Authors: WOODIN W. HUGH
Published: May 2011

We investigate both iteration hypotheses and extender models at the level of one supercompact cardinal. The HOD Conjecture is introduced and shown to be a key conjecture both for the Inner Model Program and for understanding the limits of the large cardinal hierarchy. We show that if the HOD Conjecture is true then this provides strong evidence for the existence of an ultimate version of Gödel's constructible universe L. Whether or not this "ultimate" L exists is now arguably the central issue for the Inner Model Program.
MANHUNTING — A SIMPLE SEARCH GAME
Authors: MCCORMICK GORDON H. , OWEN GUILLERMO
Published: May 2011

We consider a search game in which a hider chooses to hide in any one of many cells. A searcher looks in any of the cells. The probability of finding the hider depends (a) on the characteristics of the cell, and (b) on whether the searcher looks in the right cell. It is possible that the hider may be found even if the searcher looks in the wrong cell. In one variant, the searcher wishes to maximize the probability of capture; in the other, the searcher wishes to minimize the expected time to capture. We show that the game can be solved by an easy algorithm, which allows for the manual solution of games with (of the order of) one hundred cells in a relatively short time. Some examples are given.
Calcium-sensing receptor modulates extracellular Ca2+ entry via TRPC-encoded receptor-operated channels in human aortic smooth muscle cells
Authors: Chow Jimmy Y. C. , Estrema Christine , Orneles Tiffany , Dong Xiao , Barrett Kim E. , Dong Hui
Published: May 2011

Ca-sensing receptor (CaSR), a member of the G protein-coupled receptor family, regulates the synthesis of parathyroid hormone in response to changes in serum Ca2+ concentrations. The functions of CaSR in human vascular smooth muscle cells are largely unknown. Here we sought to study CaSR activation and the underlying molecular mechanisms in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). Extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) dose-dependently increased free cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) in HASMC, with a half-maximal response (EC50) of 0.52 mM and a Hill coefficient of 5.50. CaSR was expressed in HASMC, and the [Ca2+]o-induced [Ca2+]cyt rise was abolished by dominant negative mutants of CaSR. The CaSR-mediated increase in [Ca2+]cyt was also significantly inhibited by pertussis toxin, the phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122, or the general protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine, but not by the conventional PKC inhibitor, Gö6976. Depletion of membrane cholesterol by pretreatment with methyl-β-cyclodextrin markedly decreased CaSR-induced increase in [Ca2+]cyt. Blockade of TRPC channels with 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, SKF-96365, or La3 significantly inhibited [Ca2+]o entry, whereas activation of TRPC6 channels with flufenamic acid potentiated [Ca2+]o entry. Neither cyclopiazonic acid nor caffeine or ionomycin had any effect on [Ca2+]cyt in [Ca2+]o-free solutions. TRPC6 and PKCε mRNA and proteins were detected in HASMC, and [Ca2+]o induced PKCε phosphorylation, which could be prevented by chelerythrine. Our data suggest that CaSR activation mediates [Ca2+]o entry, likely through TRPC6-encoded receptor-operated channels that are regulated by a PLC/PKCε cascade. Our study therefore provides evidence not only for functional expression of CaSR, but also for a novel pathway whereby it regulates [Ca2+]o entry in HASMC.
Reduction of food intake by cholecystokinin requires activation of hindbrain NMDA-type glutamate receptors
Authors: Wright Jason , Campos Carlos , Herzog Thiebaut , Covasa Mihai , Czaja Krzysztof , Ritter Robert C.
Published: May 2011

Intraperitoneal injection of CCK reduces food intake and triggers a behavioral pattern similar to natural satiation. Reduction of food intake by CCK is mediated by vagal afferents that innervate the stomach and small intestine. These afferents synapse in the hindbrain nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) where gastrointestinal satiation signals are processed. Previously, we demonstrated that intraperitoneal (IP) administration of either competitive or noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists attenuates reduction of food intake by CCK. However, because vagal afferents themselves express NMDA receptors at both central and peripheral endings, our results did not speak to the question of whether NMDA receptors in the brain play an essential role in reduction of feeding by CCK. We hypothesized that activation of NMDA receptors in the NTS is necessary for reduction of food intake by CCK. To test this hypothesis, we measured food intake following IP CCK, subsequent to NMDA receptor antagonist injections into the fourth ventricle, directly into the NTS or subcutaneously. We found that either fourth-ventricle or NTS injection of the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 was sufficient to inhibit CCK-induced reduction of feeding, while the same antagonist doses injected subcutaneously did not. Similarly fourth ventricle injection of d-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-1-propenyl-1-phosphoric acid (d-CPPene), a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, also blocked reduction of food intake following IP CCK. Finally, d-CPPene injected into the fourth ventricle attenuated CCK-induced expression of nuclear c-Fos immunoreactivity in the dorsal vagal complex. We conclude that activation of NMDA receptors in the hindbrain is necessary for the reduction of food intake by CCK. Hindbrain NMDA receptors could comprise a critical avenue for control and modulation of satiation signals to influence food intake and energy balance.
Shear mechanical force induces an increase of intracellular Ca2+in cultured Merkel cells prepared from rat vibrissal hair follicles
Authors: Cha Myeounghoon , Ling Jennifer , Xu Guang-Yin , Gu Jianguo G.
Published: May 2011

Merkel cells have been proposed to play a role in mechanical transduction of light touch in mammals. In the present study, Merkel cells were prepared from upper segments of rat vibrissal hair follicles and maintained in culture. Reponses of these cells to shear mechanical forces were examined by Ca2+imaging technique. Shear forces of ≥0.8 dyn/cm2that were delivered to the cells by the application of normal bath solution significantly increased intracellular Ca2+levels ([Ca2+]i) in some of these cells, and up to 30% cells responded to 1.6 dyn/cm2shear force applied for 20 s. Gd3+(100 μM), a compound widely used to inhibit mechanically activated channels, abolished shear force-induced increases of [Ca2+]iin these cells. Reduction of extracellular Ca2+concentration from 2 mM to 0.2 mM also abolished shear force-induced increases of [Ca2+]iin these cells. In addition to shear force, we found that many shear force-responding cells also responded to hypotonic solution. However, the response to hypotonic solution was not abolished by Gd3+(100 μM). We also found that all shear force-responding cells responded to ATP (100 μM) with large increases of [Ca2+]i. The responses to ATP remained in the presence of Gd3+. Taken together, our results suggest that Merkel cells in culture are sensitive to shear force stress, osmotic, and chemical stimuli and that shear force-induced increases of [Ca2+]imay be mediated by the activation of mechanically activated channels.
Integration of auditory and somatosensory error signals in the neural control of speech movements
Authors: Feng Yongqiang , Gracco Vincent L. , Max Ludo
Published: May 2011

We investigated auditory and somatosensory feedback contributions to the neural control of speech. In task I, sensorimotor adaptation was studied by perturbing one of these sensory modalities or both modalities simultaneously. The first formant (F1) frequency in the auditory feedback was shifted up by a real-time processor and/or the extent of jaw opening was increased or decreased with a force field applied by a robotic device. All eight subjects lowered F1 to compensate for the up-shifted F1 in the feedback signal regardless of whether or not the jaw was perturbed. Adaptive changes in subjects' acoustic output resulted from adjustments in articulatory movements of the jaw or tongue. Adaptation in jaw opening extent in response to the mechanical perturbation occurred only when no auditory feedback perturbation was applied or when the direction of adaptation to the force was compatible with the direction of adaptation to a simultaneous acoustic perturbation. In tasks II and III, subjects' auditory and somatosensory precision and accuracy were estimated. Correlation analyses showed that the relationships 1) between F1 adaptation extent and auditory acuity for F1 and 2) between jaw position adaptation extent and somatosensory acuity for jaw position were weak and statistically not significant. Taken together, the combined findings from this work suggest that, in speech production, sensorimotor adaptation updates the underlying control mechanisms in such a way that the planning of vowel-related articulatory movements takes into account a complex integration of error signals from previous trials but likely with a dominant role for the auditory modality.
Neuromuscular strategies in the paretic leg during curved walking in individuals post-stroke
Authors: Duval Karine , Luttin Kathryn , Lam Tania
Published: May 2011

Reduced flexibility over the neuromotor control of paretic leg muscles may impact the extent to which individuals post-stroke modulate their muscle activity patterns to walk along curved paths. The purpose of this study was to compare lower-limb movements and neuromuscular strategies in the paretic leg of individuals with stroke with age-matched controls during curved walking. Participants walked at their preferred walking velocity along four different paths of increasing curvature, while lower-limb kinematics and muscle activity were recorded. A second group of able-bodied individuals walked along the four paths, matching the walking speed of the stroke group. The stroke group showed reduced lower-limb joint excursion and disordered modulation of foot pressure during curved walking, accompanied by reduced modulation of muscle activity patterns. In the inner leg of the curve in control subjects, the posteromedial muscles (medial gastrocnemius and medial hamstrings) showed decreased electromyographic amplitude as path curviture increased. Conversely, activity of the posterolateral musculature of the outer leg was decreased with increasing path curvature. Activity in the tibialis anterior and gluteus medius was also modulated with path curvature. However, in the stroke group, we found reduced modulation of muscle activity in the paretic leg during curved walking. The extent of modulation was also associated with the level of physical impairment due to stroke. The results of this study provide further knowledge about neuromuscular control of locomotor adaptations post-stroke.
Inhibition of Ca2+-activated large-conductance K+ channel activity alters synaptic AMPA receptor phenotype in mouse cerebellar stellate cells
Authors: Liu Yu , Savtchouk Iaroslav , Acharjee Shoana , Liu Siqiong June
Published: May 2011

Many fast-spiking inhibitory interneurons, including cerebellar stellate cells, fire brief action potentials and express α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors (AMPAR) that are permeable to Ca2+ and do not contain the GluR2 subunit. In a recent study, we found that increasing action potential duration promotes GluR2 gene transcription in stellate cells. We have now tested the prediction that activation of potassium channels that control the duration of action potentials can suppress the expression of GluR2-containing AMPARs at stellate cell synapses. We find that large-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium (BK) channels mediate a large proportion of the depolarization-evoked noninactivating potassium current in stellate cells. Pharmacological blockade of BK channels prolonged the action potential duration in postsynaptic stellate cells and altered synaptic AMPAR subtype from GluR2-lacking to GluR2-containing Ca2+-impermeable AMPARs. An L-type channel blocker abolished an increase in Ca2+ entry that was associated with spike broadening and also prevented the BK channel blocker-induced switch in AMPAR phenotype. Thus blocking BK potassium channels prolongs the action potential duration and increases the expression of GluR2-containing receptors at the synapse by enhancing Ca2+ entry in cerebellar stellate cells.
Dramatic Response of Nail Psoriasis to Infliximab
Authors: Safa Gilles , Darrieux Laure
Published: May 2011

Nail psoriasis, affecting up to 50% of psoriatic patients, is an important cause of serious psychological and physical distress. Traditional treatments for nail psoriasis, which include topical or intralesional corticosteroids, topical vitamin D analogues, photochemotherapy, oral retinoids, methotrexate, and cyclosporin, can be time-consuming, painful, or limited by significant toxicities. Biological agents may have the potential to revolutionize the management of patients with disabling nail psoriasis. We present another case of disabling nail psoriasis that responded dramatically to infliximab.
Due‐Window Assignment and Scheduling with Multiple Rate‐Modifying Activities under the Effects of Deterioration and Learning
Authors: Zhu Zhanguo , Sun Linyan , Chu Feng , Liu Ming
Published: May 2011

This paper discusses due‐window assignment and scheduling with multiple rate‐modifying activities. Multiple types of rate‐modifying activities are allowed to perform on a single machine. The learning effect and job deterioration are also integrated concurrently into the problem which makes the problem more realistic. The objective is to find jointly the optimal location to perform multiple rate‐modifying activities, the optimal job sequence, and the optimal location and size of the due window to minimize the total earliness, tardiness, and due‐window‐related costs. We propose polynomial time algorithms for all the cases of the problem under study.
Liver Transplantation in an Adult with Citrullinaemia Type 2
Authors: Tan Hui-Hui , Chow Wan-Cheng , Lim Kiat-Hon , Wan Wei-Keat , Chung Alexander Y. F. , Cheow Peng-Chung , Tan Chee-Kiat
Published: May 2011

Citrullinaemia is a urea cycle defect that results from a deficiency of the enzyme arginosuccinate synthetase. Type 1 disease is diagnosed in childhood, whereas Type 2 disease is adult onset. We report the outcome of a patient with citrullinemia Type 2 who received a liver transplant at our center and the implications of this diagnosis in liver transplantation.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Presenting as Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura: How Close Is Close Enough?
Authors: Perez Cesar A. , Abdo Nabil , Shrestha Anuj , Santos Edgardo S.
Published: May 2011

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon life-threatening disease characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, commonly associated with infections, malignancy, drugs, and autoimmune diseases. We report a case of 19-year-old previously healthy female that presents with anemia and thrombocytopenia diagnosed with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura that was treated successfully with plasmapheresis and corticosteroids. Laboratory findings also revealed antinuclear antibodies and antibodies to double-stranded DNA. Two weeks after presentation developed inflammatory arthritis, fulfilling diagnostic criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Prompt diagnosis and treatment with plasma exchange and corticosteroids should be instituted as soon as the diagnosis of TTP is suspected, even if other diagnoses, including lupus, are possible. When present, the coexistence of these two etiologies can have a higher mortality than either disease alone. An underlying diagnosis of SLE should be considered in all patients presenting TTP and the study of this association may provide a better understanding of their immune-mediated pathophysiology.
Influence of Boundary Conditions and Defects on the Buckling Behavior of SWCNTs via a Structural Mechanics Approach
Authors: Parvaneh Vali , Shariati Mahmoud , Torabi Hamid , Majd Sabeti Amir Masood
Published: May 2011

The effects of boundary conditions and defects on the buckling behavior of SWCNTs are investigated using a structural mechanics model. Due to the application of carbon nanotubes in different fields such as NEMS, where they are subjected to different loading and boundary conditions, an investigation of buckling behavior of nanotubes with different boundary conditions is necessary. Critical buckling loads and the effects of vacancy and Stone-Wales defects were studied for zigzag and armchair nanotubes with various boundary conditions and aspect ratios (length/diameter). The comparison of our results with those of the buckling of shells with cutouts indicates that vacancy defects in carbon nanotubes can most likely be modeled as cutouts of the shells. Finally, a hybrid vacancy defect and Stone-Wales defect are also developed, and their effect on the critical buckling loads is studied.
A New Design of Access Control in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Huang Hui-Feng
Published: May 2011

Nodes in a sensor network may be lost because of power exhaustion or malicious attacks. To extend the span of sensor network, new nodes deployment is necessary. To prevent malicious nodes from joining the sensor networks, access control is a designed requirement for controlling sensor node deployment. Based on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), this paper presents a new access control protocol for secure wireless sensor networks. The proposed scheme not only prevents malicious nodes from joining sensor networks, but also key establishment is included in the authentication procedure. Compared to the previously proposed schemes, the authentication procedure and common key generation of the proposed method are very simple and efficient. It could offer computational efficiency, energy, and bandwidth savings. In addition, it can be easily implemented as a dynamic access control, because all the old secret keys and information in existing nodes should not be updated once a new node is added or an old node is lost.
Measures of Obesity Associated with Asthma Diagnosis in Ethnic Minority Children
Authors: Vangeepuram Nita , Teitelbaum Susan L. , Galvez Maida P. , Brenner Barbara , Doucette John , Wolff Mary S.
Published: May 2011

Objective. The study objective was to examine relationships between different body size measurements and asthma in ethnic minority children.Methods. We used data from a community-based study of 505 children aged 6-to-8 years old to study the association of percent body fat, fat distribution, and BMI percentile with asthma diagnosis. Poisson regression models were used to compute prevalence ratios (PRs) for sex-specific quintiles of the body fat measures on the main outcome of asthma.Results. When comparing the highest quintile of each body fat measure to the combined lowest two quintiles, higher body mass index percentile, percent body fat, and waist circumference all were associated with a higher likelihood of physician-diagnosed asthma (PR = 1.63 (95% CI 1.12–2.39), 1.50 (95% CI 1.02–2.21), and 1.56 (95% CI 1.04–2.34), resp.).Conclusions. This study found a significant association between increased body size and asthma diagnosis, regardless of the measurement examined.
Emodin Induces Apoptotic Death in Murine Myelomonocytic Leukemia WEHI‐3 Cells In Vitro and Enhances Phagocytosis in Leukemia Mice In Vivo
Authors: Chang Yuan-Chang , Lai Tung-Yuan , Yu Chun-Shu , Chen Hung-Yi , Yang Jai-Sing , Chueh Fu-Shin , Lu Chi-Cheng , Chiang Jo-Hua , Huang Wen-Wen , Ma Chia-Yu , Chung Jing-Gung
Published: May 2011

Emodin is one of major compounds in rhubarb (Rheum palmatum L.), a plant used as herbal medicine in Chinese population. Although many reports have shown that emodin exhibits anticancer activity in many tumor cell types, there is no available information addressing emodin‐affected apoptotic responses in the murine leukemia cell line (WEHI‐3) and modulation of the immune response in leukemia mice. We investigated that emodin induced cytotoxic effects in vitro and affected WEHI‐3 cells in vivo. This study showed that emodin decreased viability and induced DNA fragmentation in WEHI‐3 cells. Cells after exposure to emodin for 24 h have shown chromatin condensation and DNA damage. Emodin stimulated the productions of ROS and Ca2+ and reduced the level of ΔΨm by flow cytometry. Our results from Western blotting suggest that emodin triggered apoptosis of WEHI‐3 cells through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, caspase cascade‐dependent and ‐independent mitochondrial pathways. In in vivo study, emodin enhanced the levels of B cells and monocytes, and it also reduced the weights of liver and spleen compared with leukemia mice. Emodin promoted phagocytic activity by monocytes and macrophages in comparison to the leukemia mice group. In conclusions, emodin induced apoptotic death in murine leukemia WEHI‐3 cells and enhanced phagocytosis in the leukemia animal model.
Pheochromocytoma Presenting as Acute Heart Failure Leading to Cardiogenic Shock and Multiorgan Failure
Authors: Steppan Jochen , Shields Julia , Lebron Ralph
Published: May 2011

Pheochromocytoma is an endocrine tumor classically presenting with headache, paroxysmal hypertension, and palpitations. We discuss the case of a young male, presenting with acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock requiring stabilization with an intra-aortic balloon pump and a combination of ionotropes and vasopressors. Pheochromocytoma was diagnosed by CT scan, as well as urine and plasma metanephrines. After pretreatment with phenoxy-benzamine, the patient underwent adrenalectomy with subsequent cardiovascular stabilization and full recovery. Unfortunately, pheochromocytoma often remains undiagnosed. Given the ample diagnostic tools and good prognosis when treated suitably, the diagnosis should be entertained early in patients, presenting with unexplained cardiovascular compromise.
Oncolytic Virotherapy for Multiple Myeloma: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Thirukkumaran Chandini M. , Morris Don G.
Published: May 2011

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B-cell malignancy that is currently felt to be incurable. Despite recently approved novel targeted treatments such as lenalidomide and bortezomib, most MM patients' relapse is emphasizing the need for effective and well-tolerated therapies for this deadly disease. The use of oncolytic viruses has garnered significant interest as cancer therapeutics in recent years, and are currently under intense clinical investigation. Both naturally occurring and engineered DNA and RNA viruses have been investigated preclinically as treatment modalities for several solid and hematological malignancies. Presently, only a genetically modified measles virus is in human clinical trials for MM. The information obtained from this and other future clinical trials will guide clinical application of oncolytic viruses as anticancer agents for MM. This paper provides a timely overview of the history of oncolytic viruses for the treatment of MM and future strategies for the optimization of viral therapy for this disease.
Experience with Using the Sensewear BMS Sensor System in the Context of a Health and Wellbeing Application
Authors: Jones Val , Bults Richard , de Wijk Rene , Widya Ing , Batista Ricardo , Hermens Hermie
Published: May 2011

An assessment of a sensor designed for monitoring energy expenditure, activity, and sleep was conducted in the context of a research project which develops a weight management application. The overall goal of this project is to affect sustainable behavioural change with respect to diet and exercise in order to improve health and wellbeing. This paper reports results of a pretrial in which three volunteers wore the sensor for a total of 11 days. The aim was to gain experience with the sensor and determine if it would be suitable for incorporation into the ICT system developed by the project to be trialled later on a larger population. In this paper we focus mainly on activity monitoring and user experience. Data and results including visualizations and reports are presented and discussed. User experience proved positive in most respects. Exercise levels and sleep patterns correspond to user logs relating to exercise sessions and sleep patterns. Issues raised relate to accuracy, one source of possible interference, the desirability of enhancing the system with real-time data transmission, and analysis to enable real-time feedback. It is argued that automatic activity classification is needed to properly analyse and interpret physical activity data captured by accelerometry.
Suan Zao Ren Tang as an Original Treatment for Sleep Difficulty in Climacteric Women: A Prospective Clinical Observation
Authors: Yeh Chia-Hao , Arnold Christof K. , Chen Yen-Hui , Lai Jung-Nein
Published: May 2011

Little scientific evidence supports the efficacy of herbal medicines in the treatment of women with sleep difficulty during the climacteric period. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Suan Zao Ren Tang (SZRT) in reducing the impact of sleep disturbance on climacteric women, as measured by Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI) and the World Health Organization quality of life (WHOQOL). Sixty‐seven climacteric women with sleep difficulty intending to treat received SZRT at a rate of 4.0 g, thrice daily for four weeks (MRS < 16, n = 34; MRS ≥ 16, n = 33). After taking into account potential confounding factors, the mean PSQI total scores had fallen from 13.0 (±2.9) to 9.0 (±3.2) (95% confidence interval −4.93, −3.10). Further analyses showed that SZRT produced superior benefit of daytime dysfunction in women with severe menopausal symptoms (MRS ≥ 16). There were three of the withdrawals involved treatment‐related adverse events (stomachache, diarrhea, and dizziness). Excluding women with a past history of stomachache, diarrhea, or dizziness, four weeks of therapy with SZRT appears to be a relatively safe and effective short‐term therapeutic option in improving daytime function of climacteric women with poor sleep quality.
Effects of Turbulence on the Combustion Properties of Partially Premixed Flames of Canola Methyl Ester and Diesel Blends
Authors: Dhamale N. , Parthasarathy R. N. , Gollahalli S. R.
Published: May 2011

Canola methyl ester (CME) is a biofuel that is a renewable alternative energy resource and is produced by the transesterification of canola oil. The objective of this study was to document the effects of turbulence on the combustion characteristics of blends of CME and No 2 diesel fuel in a partially‐premixed flame environment. The experiments were conducted with mixtures of pre‐vaporized fuel and air at an initial equivalence ratio of 7 and three burner exit Reynolds numbers, 2700, 3600, and 4500. Three blends with 25, 50, and 75% volume concentration of CME were studied. The soot volume fraction was highest for the pure diesel flames and did not change significantly with Reynolds number due to the mutually compensating effects of increased carbon input rate and increased air entrainment as the Reynolds number was increased. The global NOx emission index was highest and the CO emission index was the lowest for the pure CME flame, and varied non‐monotonically with biofuel content in the blend The mean temperature and the NOx concentration at three‐quarter flame height were generally correlated, indicating that the thermal mechanism of NOx formation was dominant in the turbulent biofuel flames also.
The Akt Inhibitor ISC-4 Activates Prostate Apoptosis Response Protein-4 and Reduces Colon Tumor Growth in a Nude Mouse Model
Authors: Sharma Arun K. , Kline Christina L. , Berg Arthur , Amin Shantu , Irby Rosalyn B.
Published: May 2011

Purpose: Prostate apoptosis response protein-4 (Par-4) sensitizes cells to chemotherapy; however, Akt1 inactivates Par-4. Previously we showed that Par-4–overexpressing colon cancer cells responded more readily to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) than their wild-type counterparts. In this study we investigated (i) the effects of the Akt inhibitor, phenylbutyl isoselenocyanate (ISC-4), on tumor growth in nude mice and (ii) bystander effect of Par-4–overexpressing cells on wild-type tumor growth.

Experimental Design: Mice (n = 80) were injected with wild-type HT29 human colon cancer cells in the right flank. Forty of the mice were also injected in the left flank with HT29 cells engineered to overexpress Par-4. The mice were treated with 5-FU, ISC-4, a combination, or vehicle.

Results: ISC-4 reduced tumor growth, with or without 5-FU. When Par-4–overexpressing tumors were present, wild-type tumors grew more slowly compared to when no Par-4–overexpressing tumors were present. The level of Par-4 protein as well as the Par-4 binding protein, GRP78, was increased in wild-type cells growing in the same mouse as Par-4–overexpressing tumors compared with wild-type tumors growing without Par-4–overexpressing tumors.

Conclusions: Par-4–overexpressing tumors exhibited a bystander effect on wild-type tumors growing distally in the same mouse. This suggests that gene therapy need not achieve total penetration to have a positive effect on tumor treatment. Inhibition of Akt with ISC-4 inhibited tumor growth and had a greater effect on cells overexpressing Par-4. The data indicate ISC-4 alone or in combination with Par-4 can greatly reduce tumor growth. Clin Cancer Res; 17(13); 4474–83. ©2011 AACR.
Characterization of Bone Metastases from Rapid Autopsies of Prostate Cancer Patients
Authors: Mehra Rohit , Kumar-Sinha Chandan , Shankar Sunita , Lonigro Robert J. , Jing Xiaojun , Philips Neena E. , Siddiqui Javed , Han Bo , Cao Xuhong , Smith David C. , Shah Rajal B. , Chinnaiyan Arul M. , Pienta Kenneth J.
Published: May 2011

Purpose: Bone is the most common metastatic site for prostate cancer, and osseous metastases are the leading cause of morbidity from this disease. Recent autopsy studies prove that 100% of men who die of prostate cancer have bone involvement. Understanding the biology of prostate cancer and its evolution to an incurable androgen-independent phenotype requires an understanding of the genetic and cellular alterations that lead to the seeding and proliferation of tumor foci in bone, as well as the microenvironment in which these metastases arise. No intensive studies, however, have been conducted on osseous metastatic tissues from patients with metastatic prostate cancer due to lack of access to such tissues for profiling and other research.

Experimental Design: We show, for the first time, a reproducible methodology to obtain high quality clinical tumor tissues metastatic to the bone. This technique allowed the procurement of viable metastatic tumor tissue from involved bones in 13 recent autopsies conducted at the University of Michigan and analyzed the gene expression of these tissues using real-time PCR and microarrays.

Results: We present here the discovery of nonossified bone metastases from multiple patients with advanced prostate cancer and their subsequent characterization and comparison to nonosseous metastases from the same patients.

Conclusion: This represents a versatile and practical approach that may be employed to characterize the steps in metastasis and the phenotypic characteristics of osseous metastasis of prostate cancer and to profile RNA, DNA, and cDNA from tumor samples metastatic to the bone. Clin Cancer Res; 17(12); 3924–32. ©2011 AACR.
Parental Attitude toward Behavioral Management Techniques in Dental Practice with Schoolchildren in Kuwait
Authors: Muhammad Saleh , Shyama Maddi , Al-Mutawa Sabiha A.
Published: May 2011

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the parental attitude toward different management techniques used during dental treatment of schoolchildren in Kuwait. Subjects and Methods: One hundred and eighteen parents who accompanied their children to the clinics of Hawally School Oral Health Program in Kuwait participated in this study. The parents viewed a videotape which showed scenes of different behavioral management techniques (BMTs) and then completed a questionnaire. Results: Positive reinforcement, effective communication, tell-show-do, distraction, modeling and nonverbal communication were considered as the most approved techniques. Hypnosis and parental separation were moderately approved techniques. Voice control, nitrous oxide sedation, protective stabilization (physical restraint), general anesthesia, hand-over-mouth technique and conscious sedation were the least approved techniques. A majority (99%) of parents regarded the use of various BMTs as a key factor for successful dental care for their children. Acceptance of each BMT was not related to parental age, gender, nationality, educational level or occupation. Conclusion: Most parents preferred the nonpharmacological techniques to pharmacological techniques. Techniques employing drugs and restraint were considered as least acceptable. Further studies comparing the effectiveness of various BMTs are required.
A Comparison of Jurkat Cell-Reactive Anti-T Lymphocyte Globulin and Fetal Anti-Thymocyte Globulin Preparations in the Treatment of Aplastic Anemia
Authors: Serefhanoglu Songul , Buyukasik Yahya , Purnak Tugrul , Goker Hakan , Sayinalp Nılgun , Haznedaroglu Ibrahim C. , Ozcebe Osman I.
Published: May 2011

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the success rate and effects on survival of different anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) preparations in patients diagnosed with aplastic anemia. Subjects and Methods: Of the total 24 patients included in the study, 12 were male and 12 female with a median age of 44 years (range 16–72). Nine patients received Lymphoglobulin®, 7 Thymoglobulin® and ATG-Fresenius® (ATG-F). There was no significant difference between the three treatment groups in terms of severity of aplastic anemia. Results: The estimated 6-month survival rates for ATG-F, Lymphoglobulin and Thymoglobulin groups were 42.9, 77.8 and 71.4%, respectively. The difference in overall survival rates between groups was not significant, most likely due to the low number of patients. The most striking result was that none of the patients in the ATG-F preparation group showed any response to treatment. The ATG-F group was found to have a significantly inferior response rate (p = 0.07). Conclusion: Our data showed that none of the patients responded to ATG-F treatment. Hence, despite the small number of the patients, we recommend that ATG-F should not be used for treatment of severe aplastic anemia.
Clinical Significance of Lymph Node Ratio and Location of Nodal Involvement in Patients with Right Colon Cancer
Authors: Kobayashi Hirotoshi , Enomoto Masayuki , Higuchi Tetsuro , Uetake Hiroyuki , Iida Satoru , Ishikawa Toshiaki , Ishiguro Megumi , Kato Shunsuke , Sugihara Kenichi
Published: May 2011

Background/Aims: Increasing negative lymph node count has been reported to be associated with better outcomes in patients with colon cancer. The present study aimed to clarify the clinical significance of the lymph node ratio (LNR) and location of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with stage III right colon cancer. Methods: We enrolled 820 patients who had undergone curative resection due to colon cancer at a single institution between 1991 and 2005. Among them, 197 underwent curative resection for T2–T4 right colon cancer. We evaluated the oncological outcomes according to LNR (quartiles) and distribution of LNM (n1 = LNM adjacent to the colon or along the vascular arcades of the marginal arteries; n2 = LNM along the major vessels; n3 = LNM near the roots of the major vessels). Results: The rates of LNM in T2, T3 and T4 right colon cancer were 11.1, 38.6 and 58.0%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Recurrence rates were 27.3, 37.5 and 57.1% in patients with n1, n2 and n3 LNM, respectively (p < 0.0001). LNR (p < 0.0001) and distribution of LNM (p = 0.046) were independent risk factors for recurrence in patients with stage III right colon cancer. Conclusions: Some patients with extensive LNM benefited from lymph node dissection with high ligation. Those with T3–T4 right colon cancer are suitable candidates for lymph node dissection with high ligation. Adding the concept of LNR and location of LNM to conventional TNM staging could improve the accuracy of evaluating nodal status.
Another Cause of Pancytopenia in a Patient Receiving Temozolomide
Authors: Pehlivan Yavuz , Sevinc Alper , Turkbeyler Ibrahim Halil , Dirier Ahmet , Kalender Mehmet Emin , Camci Celalettin
Published: May 2011

Objective: To report pancytopenia caused by temozolomide, a second-generation alkylating agent. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 22-year-old patient presenting with seizures and confusion was seen in the emergency room. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass. After surgery, the patient was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme and was given temozolomide at 150 mg/m2 on days 1 through 5 every 4 weeks. During the last cycle of temozolomide, grade 3 thrombocytopenia persisted. Possible causes of pancytopenia including vitamin B12 deficiency were investigated. Conclusion: This case report shows that vitamin B12 deficiency can be a potential cause of pancytopenia and it should be kept in mind for patients receiving chemotherapy.
Transsellar Transsphenoidal Encephalocele: A Case Report
Authors: Rathore Yashpal S. , Gupta Deepak , Mahapatra A.K.
Published: May 2011

Basal encephaloceles are rare, accounting for about 1.5% of all encephaloceles. Transsellar transsphenoidal encephaloceles are the rarest variety of basal encephaloceles. We report a rare case of transsellar transsphenoidal encephalocele managed by a transnasal transseptal approach.
Partial Caries Removal in Primary Teeth: Association of Clinical Parameters with Microbiological Status
Authors: Lula E.C.O. , Almeida Jr. L.J.S. , Alves C.M.C. , Monteiro-Neto V. , Ribeiro C.C.C.
Published: May 2011

The relationship between clinical characteristics of carious dentin and bacterial colonization after partial caries removal is not completely understood. The aim of this study was to compare microbial counts between categories of carious dentin color, consistency and humidity, and to evaluate the correlation between these characteristics and the presence of cariogenic microorganisms in deep cavities (2/3 or more of the dentin thickness) submitted to partial caries removal. Sixteen primary teeth were submitted to the removal of all carious tissue from the lateral walls of the cavity, whereas carious tissue of the pulp wall was removed superficially. Dentin in the pulp wall was classified according to color, consistency and humidity immediately after cavity preparation and 3–6 months after cavity sealing and a tissue sample was collected on the same occasion for microbiological evaluation. Before sealing, Streptococcus mutans (p = 0.033) and Lactobacillus spp. (p = 0.048) counts were higher in cavities with humid dentin compared to cavities with dry dentin. A negative correlation was observed between carious dentin consistency and S. mutans count during this phase (rs = –0.571; p = 0.020). Arrest of dentinal caries lesions was observed after sealing, which was characterized by a reduction of bacterial counts and changes in dentin color, consistency and humidity, irrespectively of baseline dentin characteristics. The clinical characteristics of carious dentin change after the period of cavity sealing and cannot be applied as absolute indicators to limit the excavation of carious dentin when minimally invasive techniques are used.
Bronchodilation and Smoking Interaction in COPD: A Cohort Pilot Study to Assess Cardiovascular Risk
Authors: van Dijk Wouter D. , Lenders Jacques W.M. , Holtman Joran , Grootens Joke , Akkermans Reinier , Heijdra Yvonne , van Weel Chris , Schermer Tjard R.J.
Published: May 2011

Background: Smoking and bronchodilator treatment are both extensively studied as key elements in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, little is known about whether or not these elements interact in terms of developing cardiovascular diseases in patients with COPD. Objectives: To explore to what extent the risk of developing ischemic cardiovascular disease in COPD patients is mediated by smoking status, use of bronchodilators and – specifically – their interaction. Methods: We performed an observational pilot study on a relatively healthy Dutch COPD cohort from a primary care diagnostic center database with full information on spirometry tests, smoking status, bronchodilator use and other prescribed medication. We defined first ischemic cardiovascular events as primary outcome, measured by first prescription of antiplatelet drugs and/or nitrates. Unadjusted analyses by Kaplan-Meier were followed by adjusted Cox’ proportional hazards. Results: 845 COPD patients, totaling 2,169 observation years, were included in the analyses. We observed an increased risk for nonfatal ischemic cardiovascular events by smoking (adjusted HR = 3.58, p = 0.001) and a protective effect of bronchodilators (adjusted HR = 0.43, p = 0.01). Although the protective effect of bronchodilators appears to be substantially minimized in patients that persist in smoking, we could not statistically confirm a hazardous interaction between bronchodilators and smoking (HR 2.50, p = 0.21). Conclusion: Our study reveals bronchodilators may protect from ischemic cardiovascular events in a relatively ‘healthy’ COPD population. We did not confirm a hazardous interaction between bronchodilators and smoking, although we observed current smokers benefit substantially less from the protective effect of bronchodilators.
Harvey Cushing’s Surgical Treatment of a Pediatric Patient with an Intraventricular Glioma
Authors: Pendleton Courtney , Jiang Bowen , Adams Hadie , Burger Peter , Quiñones-Hinojosa Alfredo
Published: May 2011

Background/Aims: The combination of inadequate technology and incomplete nomenclature systems created challenges for early neurosurgeons, and contributed to the dismal prognosis for brain tumors, particularly within the pediatric population. Methods: Following IRB approval, and by the courtesy of the Alan Mason Chesney Archives, we reviewed the Johns Hopkins Hospital surgical files from 1896 to 1912. A single case of a pediatric patient with an intraventricular glioma was selected for further review. Results: Here we report the case of a 10-year-old girl who presented to the Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1907, with a 7-year history of subtle symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, secondary to a tumor. Dr. Harvey Cushing operated upon her, and during surgical intervention resected a large parenchymal and intraventricular glioma. Conclusions: High-grade gliomas are rare occurrences in pediatric patients, with intraventricular gliomas described in only a handful of cases. Although advances in neuroimaging, hemostasis and understanding of the cerebrospinal fluid system have allowed neurosurgeons to resect intraventricular gliomas more safely, the surgical approaches in use today are still fraught with challenges. Here we describe a case of attempted resection of an intraventricular glioma in a pediatric patient, which predates the earliest published report of intraventricular gliomas by 30 years.
A Common Genetic Variant in the 3′-UTR of Vacuolar H
+
-ATPase
ATP6V0A1
Creates a Micro-RNA Motif to Alter Chromogranin A Processing and Hypertension Risk
Authors: Wei Zhiyun , Biswas Nilima , Wang Lei , Courel Maite , Zhang Kuixing , Soler-Jover Alex , Taupenot Laurent , O'Connor Daniel T.
Published: May 2011

Background—

The catecholamine release-inhibitor catestatin and its precursor chromogranin A (CHGA) may constitute “intermediate phenotypes” in the analysis of genetic risk for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension. Previously, the vacuolar H
+
-ATPase subunit gene
ATP6V0A1
was found within the confidence interval for linkage with catestatin secretion in a genome-wide study, and its 3′-UTR polymorphism T+3246C (rs938671) was associated with both catestatin processing from CHGA and population blood pressure. We explored the molecular mechanism of this effect by experiments with transfected chimeric photoproteins in chromaffin cells.

Methods and Results—

Placing the
ATP6V0A1
3′-UTR downstream of a luciferase reporter, we found that the C (variant) allele decreased overall gene expression. The 3′-UTR effect was verified by coupled in vitro transcription/translation of the entire/intact human
ATP6V0A1
mRNA. Chromaffin granule pH, monitored by fluorescence of CHGA/EGFP chimera during vesicular H
+
-ATPase inhibition by bafilomycin A1, was more easily perturbed during coexpression of the
ATP6V0A1
3′-UTR C-allele than the T-allele. After bafilomycin A1 treatment, the ratio of CHGA precursor to its catestatin fragments in PC12 cells was substantially diminished, though the qualitative composition of such fragments was not affected (on immunoblot or matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry). Bafilomycin A1 treatment also decreased exocytotic secretion from the regulated pathway, monitored by a CHGA chimera tagged with embryonic alkaline phosphatase. 3′-UTR T+3246C created a binding motif for micro-RNA hsa-miR-637; cotransfection of hsa-miR-637 precursor or antagomir/inhibitor oligonucleotides yielded the predicted changes in expression of luciferase reporter/
ATP6V0A1
-3′-UTR plasmids varying at T+3246C.

Conclusions—

The results suggest a series of events whereby
ATP6V0A1
3′-UTR variant T+3246C functioned:
ATP6V0A1
expression probably was affected through differential micro-RNA effects, altering vacuolar pH and consequently CHGA processing and exocytotic secretion.