bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progress in clinical hearing evaluation of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).
Authors: Finneran James J. , Houser Dorian S.
Published: October 2013

It has long been recognized that the need to train experimental subjects is a major obstacle to large scale behavioral hearing studies of marine mammals. The time and level of access required for behavioral audiometry have not only prevented hearing assessment in wild individuals but have also limited attempts to assess auditory system fitness in captive populations. Ridgway and co-workers of electrophysiological methods were quick to realize that auditory evoked potential (AEP) measurements could be used to assess marine mammal hearing without lengthy training. Ridgway performed some of the earliest work to characterize dolphin evoked potentials and to develop fast techniques for threshold measurement. In addition to hearing assessment in larger whales not routinely kept in captivity, Ridgway has also strived to develop techniques that would allow routine clinical hearing assessment of captive animals. This talk reviews the development of AEP techniques for rapid large-scale hearing assessment in dolphins at the US Navy Marine Mammal Program. Topics range from Ridgway’s early work on dolphin AEP threshold measurements to recent efforts to acquire longitudinal audiometric data from a large population of dolphins. [Work supported by ONR.]
Genome Sequence of Growth-Improving Paenibacillus mucilaginosus Strain KNP414
Authors: Lu Jing-Jiang , Wang Jian-Feng , Hu Xiu-Fang
Published: October 2013

Paenibacillus mucilaginosus
is a critical growth-improving silicate bacterium. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
P. mucilaginosus
strain KNP414. This information will provide us with the opportunity to understand its molecular mechanisms and develop more effective utilization of the strain.
Bovine respiratory syncytial virus: infection dynamics within and between herds
Authors: Klem T. B. , Gulliksen S. M. , Lie K.‐I. , Løken T. , Østerås O. , Stokstad M.
Published: October 2013

The infection dynamics of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) were studied in randomly selected Norwegian dairy herds. A total of 134 herds were tested twice, six months apart. The herds were classified as positive for BRSV if at least one animal between 150 and 365 days old tested positive for antibodies against BRSV, thereby representing herds that had most likely had the virus present during the previous year. The prevalence of positive herds at the first and second sampling was 34 per cent and at 41 per cent, respectively, but varied greatly between regions. Negative herds were found in close proximity to positive herds. Some of these herds remained negative despite several new infections nearby. Of the herds initially being negative, 42 per cent changed status to positive during the six months. This occurred at the same rate during summer as winter, but a higher rate of animals in the herds was positive if it took place during winter. Of the herds initially being positive, 33 per cent changed to negative. This indicates that an effective strategy to lower the prevalence and the impact of BRSV could be to employ close surveillance and place a high biosecurity focus on the negative herds.
Mapping and candidate genes associated with saccharification yield in sorghum
Authors: Wang Yi-Hong , Acharya Aniruddha , Burrell A. Millie , Klein Robert R. , Klein Patricia E. , Hasenstein Karl H.
Published: October 2013

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a high-yielding, stress tolerant energy crop for lignocellulosic-based biofuel production. Saccharification is a process by which hydrolytic enzymes break down lignocellulosic materials to fermentable sugars for biofuel production, and mapping and identifying genes underlying saccharification yield is an important first step to genetically improve the plant for higher biofuel productivity. In this study, we used the ICRISAT sorghum mini core germplasm collection and 14 739 single nucleotide polymorphism markers to map saccharification yield. Seven marker loci were associated with saccharification yield and five of these loci were syntenic with regions in the maize genome that contain quantitative trait loci underlying saccharification yield and cell wall component traits. Candidate genes from the seven loci were identified but must be validated, with the most promising candidates being β-tubulin, which determines the orientation of cellulose microfibrils in plant secondary cell walls, and NST1, a master transcription factor controlling secondary cell wall biosynthesis in fibers. Other candidate genes underlying the different saccharification loci included genes that play a role in vascular development and suberin deposition in plants. The identified loci and candidate genes provide information into the factors controlling saccharification yield and may facilitate increasing biofuel production in sorghum.
PNFS: PERSONALIZED WEB NEWS FILTERING AND SUMMARIZATION
Authors: WU XINDONG , XIE FEI , WU GONGQING , DING WEI
Published: October 2013

Information on the World Wide Web is congested with large amounts of news contents. Recommending, filtering, and summarization of Web news have become hot topics of research in Web intelligence, aiming to find interesting news for users and give concise content for reading. This paper presents our research on developing the Personalized News Filtering and Summarization system (PNFS). An embedded learning component of PNFS induces a user interest model and recommends personalized news. Two Web news recommendation methods are proposed to keep tracking news and find topic interesting news for users. A keyword knowledge base is maintained and provides real-time updates to reflect the news topic information and the user's interest preferences. The non-news content irrelevant to the news Web page is filtered out. A keyword extraction method based on lexical chains is proposed that uses the semantic similarity and the relatedness degree to represent the semantic relations between words. Word sense disambiguation is also performed in the built lexical chains. Experiments on Web news pages and journal articles show that the proposed keyword extraction method is effective. An example run of our PNFS system demonstrates the superiority of this Web intelligence system.
EVOLVING INSIDER THREAT DETECTION STREAM MINING PERSPECTIVE
Authors: PARVEEN PALLABI , MCDANIEL NATHAN , WEGER ZACKARY , EVANS JONATHAN , THURAISINGHAM BHAVANI , HAMLEN KEVIN , KHAN LATIFUR
Published: October 2013

Evidence of malicious insider activity is often buried within large data streams, such as system logs accumulated over months or years. Ensemble-based stream mining leverages multiple classification models to achieve highly accurate anomaly detection in such streams, even when the stream is unbounded, evolving, and unlabeled. This makes the approach effective for identifying insider threats who attempt to conceal their activities by varying their behaviors over time. This paper applies ensemble-based stream mining, supervised and unsupervised learning, and graph-based anomaly detection to the problem of insider threat detection. It demonstrates that the ensemble-based approach is significantly more effective than traditional single-model methods, supervised learning outperforms unsupervised learning, and increasing the cost of false negatives correlates to higher accuracy. Future work will consider a wider range of tunable parameters in an effort to further reduce false positives, include a more sophisticated polling algorithm for weighting better models, and implement parallelization to lower runtimes to more rapidly detect emerging insider threats.
THE ANATOMY OF ULNAR NERVE BRANCHES IN ANTERIOR TRANSPOSITION
Authors: Ng Zhi Yang , Mitchell Jennifer H. , Fogg Quentin A. , Hart Andrew M.
Published: October 2013

Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common nerve entrapment neuropathy. When non-operative treatments fail, surgical intervention is indicated. Although there remains no consensus between simple decompression and anterior transposition, there is a growing recognition of improved clinical outcomes in the latter. Few details of ulnar nerve branches around the elbow are available however and their sacrifice may be necessary to facilitate anterior transposition. Therefore, ten cadaveric upper extremities were dissected to delineate the course and branching pattern of the ulnar nerve around the elbow joint; anterior transposition was also performed in the cadaveric specimens. Digital photographs of the dissection study were analyzed using the Image J package. Results show that distal ulnar nerve branches are distributed more laterally towards the olecranon and may potentially restrict transposition more than has been recognized; proximal branches may also overlap incision lines of such transposition procedures.
BEWARE! THE VOLAR ULNAR FRAGMENT IN A COMMINUTED BARTONS FRACTURE
Authors: Tan Kelvin Guoping , Chew Winston Yoon Chong
Published: October 2013

The purpose of this study is to highlight a cohort of patients with a comminuted volar shearing type of distal radius fractures (AO B3.3) with the volar ulnar fragment that is prone to re-displace, resulting in volar subluxation of the radiocarpal joint. We report our experience with two such patients with re-displacement of the fragment and joint requiring repeat surgery; one of whom required a third procedure to stabilize that fragment. Three subsequent patients were successfully treated with one surgery when particular attention was paid to stabilize the volar ulnar fragment. This highlights the importance of stabilizing this fragment at the primary procedure.
HIGH INCIDENCE OF HAMATE HOOK FRACTURES IN UNDERWATER RUGBY PLAYERS: DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC IMPLICATIONS
Authors: Scheufler Oliver , Kamusella Peter , Tadda Lukas , Radmer Sebastian , Russo Sebastian G. , Andresen Reimer
Published: October 2013

Hamate hook fractures are rare injuries but appear to occur frequently in underwater rugby, the reason for which was investigated in this study.

High-level underwater rugby players with hook fractures diagnosed during a five-year interval (2005–2010) were studied retrospectively. Medical data on these patients were reviewed for information on the mechanism of injury, type of fracture, radiological imaging, treatment, and outcome.

In ten patients, hook fractures of the leading hand were confirmed by computed tomography, all of which were associated with specific injuries during underwater rugby games. Conservative treatment resulted in delayed healing or non-union, wherefore fragment excision and open reduction and internal fixation was performed in ten and five patients, respectively, while two patients declined surgery. After surgery, all patients were able to play underwater rugby again.

In underwater rugby, hook fractures occur frequently due to high and repeated forces applied to the leading hand during games.
PRIMARY SHORTENING OF THE FOREARM AND SAUVÉ-KAPANDJI FOR SEVERELY COMMINUTED FRACTURES OF THE DISTAL FOREARM IN ELDERLY PATIENTS: A CASE REPORT
Authors: Goorens Chul Ki , Geurts Ghislain , Goubau Jean F.
Published: October 2013

We report a case of an elderly female who sustained a severely comminuted distal radial and ulnar fracture, treated by shortening of the forearm, combined with a primary Sauvé-Kapandji procedure and volar plating of the distal radius.
FLEXOR TENDON RUPTURE OF THE LITTLE FINGER CAUSED BY CALCIUM PYROPHOSPHATE DIHYDRATE CRYSTAL DEPOSITION DISEASE OF THE PISOTRIQUETRUM JOINT
Authors: Wakasugi Takuma , Shirasaka Ritsuro , Kimura Hiroaki , Wakabayashi Yoshiaki
Published: October 2013

We report a case of closed rupture of the flexor tendons of the little finger caused by calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease of the pisotriquetrum joint. The patient could not flex the little finger and did not have wrist pain. Plain radiographs of the affected wrist joint showed severe arthritic changes of the pisotriquetrum joint and calcification around the joint. At operation, the pisotriquetrum joint capsule was ruptured and involved the flexor tendon of the little finger. The distal stump of the flexor tendon was transferred to the flexor tendon of the ring finger, and the pisiform was resected. Histological examination with polarized light microscopy revealed crystals showing weakly positive birefringence in the calcification.
FLEXOR PULLEY RECONSTRUCTION AFTER RUPTURE FOLLOWING CORTICOSTEROID INJECTIONS FOR TRIGGER THUMB: A CASE REPORT
Authors: Kimura Michio , Kuroshima Nagatsugu , Matsushita Takashi
Published: October 2013

We report a rare case of limitation of active flexion and subcutaneous bow-stringing as a result of flexor pulley rupture after repeated corticosteroid injections for trigger thumb. Complete rupture of the A1 and oblique flexor pulleys was confirmed during surgery, and the pulley system was reconstructed with a "three-loop technique" using a free palmaris longus autograft. This technique provided enough strength to allow early mobilization and prompt recovery to full range of motion.
AN UNUSUAL CASE OF COMMON DIGITAL NERVE COMPRESSION CAUSED BY A LIPOMA ARISING FROM THE FLEXOR TENOSYNOVIUM
Authors: Suginaka Hiroshi , Hara Akira , Kudo Toshiya
Published: October 2013

Lipoma of the hand is a common lesion, but lipoma arising from the flexor tenosynovium is a very rare tumor that induces peripheral nerve disorders. Only four cases of synovial lesions that comprised mature fat at the wrist and imitated carpal tunnel syndrome have been described in the literature. We herein report an unusual case of a lipoma arising from the flexor tenosynovium at the level of the ring finger just proximal to the A1 pulley that was responsible for a sensory disturbance of the ring and middle fingers secondary to compression of the common digital nerve at the palm. The patient was completely relieved of the symptoms after lipoma excision.
RECENT PROGRESS AND PERSPECTIVES OF PLASMA HARMONICS
Authors: GANEEV R. A.
Published: October 2013

We review recent achievements of high-order harmonic generation in the plasma plumes produced during laser ablation of various materials. These studies have demonstrated the attractiveness of a new approach in coherent extreme ultraviolet radiation generation. We also present the general ideas of potential goals of plasma harmonic studies and perspectives of the development of this relatively new field of nonlinear optics.
EFFECT OF SELF-FOCUSING ON STIMULATED RAMAN SCATTERING BY A GAUSSIAN LASER BEAM IN COLLISIONAL PLASMA: MOMENT THEORY APPROACH
Authors: WALIA KESHAV , SINGH ARVINDER
Published: October 2013

In the present paper, the effect of self-focusing on stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) process by a Gaussian laser beam in collisional plasma is investigated. Due to non-uniform heating, collisional nonlinearity arises, which leads to redistribution of carriers. As a result of which, background plasma density profile in a direction transverse to pump beam axis is modified. This modification affects the incident laser beam, electron plasma wave and back-scattered beam. Nonlinear differential equations for the beam width parameters of the main beam, electron plasma wave, back-scattered wave have been set up by taking full nonlinear part of the dielectric constant of collisional plasma with the help of moment theory approach and are solved numerically by Runge–Kutta method. It is observed from the analysis that focusing of waves greatly enhances the SRS reflectivity.
PROPERTIES OF WAVEGUIDE INDUCED BY DARK PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLITONS IN LiNbO3:Fe CRYSTAL
Authors: ZHANG MEIZHI , HUO GUANGWEN , DUAN ZUOLIANG , HUI ZHANQIANG , ZENG XIANGMEI
Published: October 2013

We investigate waveguides induced by dark photovoltaic solitons without background beam theoretically and experimentally in LiNbO 3 crystal. Based on sole charge carrier band-transport model, we numerically simulate the transmission equation with shooting method, and find it single mode. Furthermore, we utilize two probe beams detecting the waveguide in experiments: one is continuous with wavelength of 632.8 nm; the other is femtosecond pulse of 800 nm. Comparing the two set of results, we conclude that the waveguides have basic mode only, while the femto-second pulse is more stable. Due to aforementioned stability of waveguide for femto-second pulse, it indicates the possibility of low power continuous beam controlling the high power laser pulse.
OPTICAL PARAMETRIC INTERACTION IN INFRARED REGION CRYSTALS
Authors: KASUMOVA RENA J.
Published: October 2013

In this work, parametric interaction is investigated with the account for phase change of interacting pump, signal and idler waves in the materials of infrared (IR) range of spectrum in case of Zn 1-x Mg x Se crystal. We give an analysis of the threshold intensity of pumping for Zn 0.75 Mg 0.25 Se crystal under conditions of the existing experiment, as well as the analytical expression for obtaining the optimum value of phase mismatch Δopt, at which maximum of signal wave reinforcement is reached. The values of refractive indices, angle of phase matching and angular dispersion coefficient of the first-order for Zn 0.52 Mg 0.48 Se have been calculated.
The ‘Anthropocene’ as a ratified unit in the ICS International Chronostratigraphic Chart: fundamental issues that must be addressed by the Task Group
Authors: Finney S. C.
Published: October 2013

The proposal that the ‘Anthropocene’ should be ratified as a unit of the International Chronostratigraphic Chart/Geological Time Scale deserves serious consideration by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS). The ‘Anthropocene’ task group within the ICS Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy is responsible for producing a recommendation to be evaluated and considered for approval at high levels in the ICS organization. It must consider the rank and extent of the unit as well as a GSSP or GSSA that defines its lower boundary or beginning. Furthermore, the task group must address several questions related to the proposed unit and the nature of the ICS chart/timescale that are unique to it. Is the ‘Anthropocene’ a concept in search of a distinct stratigraphic record? Should it be defined on a stratigraphic signal or on a date in human history? Is the ‘Anthropocene’ a unit of Earth history or human history or primarily a future projection? Is the ‘Anthropocene’ useful as a chronostratigraphic unit on geological maps? Has the perceived change to a human-dominated Earth system overwhelmed the natural Earth system? What is the conceptual basis of the International Chronostratigraphic Chart/Geologic Time Scale? Will the term ‘Anthropocene’ have value even if not ratified as a formal unit?
Freshwater Biodiversity and Aquatic Insect Diversification
Authors: Dijkstra Klaas-Douwe B. , Monaghan Michael T. , Pauls Steffen U.
Published: October 2013

Inland waters cover less than 1% of Earth's surface but harbor more than 6% of all insect species: Nearly 100,000 species from 12 orders spend one or more life stages in freshwater. Little is known about how this remarkable diversity arose, although allopatric speciation and ecological adaptation are thought to be primary mechanisms. Freshwater habitats are highly susceptible to environmental change and exhibit marked ecological gradients. Standing waters appear to harbor more dispersive species than running waters, but there is little understanding of how this fundamental ecological difference has affected diversification. In contrast to the lack of evolutionary studies, the ecology and habitat preferences of aquatic insects have been intensively studied, in part because of their widespread use as bioindicators. The combination of phylogenetics with the extensive ecological data provides a promising avenue for future research, making aquatic insects highly suitable models for the study of ecological diversification.
Systematics, Phylogeny, and Evolution of Orb-Weaving Spiders
Authors: Hormiga Gustavo , Griswold Charles E.
Published: October 2013

The orb-weaving spiders (Orbiculariae) comprise more than 25% of the approximately 44,000 known living spider species and produce a remarkable variety of webs. The wheel-shaped orb web is primitive to this clade, but most Orbiculariae make webs hardly recognizable as orbs. Orb-weavers date at least to the Jurassic. With no evidence for convergence of the orb web, the monophyly of the two typical orb web taxa, the cribellate Deinopoidea and ecribellate Araneoidea, remains problematic, supported only weakly by molecular studies. The sister group of the Orbiculariae also remains elusive. Despite more than 15 years of phylogenetic scrutiny, a fully resolved cladogram of the Orbiculariae families is not yet possible. More comprehensive taxon sampling, comparative morphology, and new molecular markers are required for a better understanding of orb-weaver evolution.
Chronopharmacology: New Insights and Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Dallmann Robert , Brown Steven A. , Gachon Frédéric
Published: October 2013

Most facets of mammalian physiology and behavior vary according to time of day, thanks to endogenous circadian clocks. Therefore, it is not surprising that many aspects of pharmacology and toxicology also oscillate according to the same 24-h clocks. Daily oscillations in abundance of proteins necessary for either drug absorption or metabolism result in circadian pharmacokinetics, and oscillations in the physiological systems targeted by these drugs result in circadian pharmacodynamics. These clocks are present in most cells of the body, organized in a hierarchical fashion. Interestingly, some aspects of physiology and behavior are controlled directly via a “master clock” in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus, whereas others are controlled by “slave” oscillators in separate brain regions or body tissues. Recent research shows that these clocks can respond to different cues and thereby show different phase relationships. Therefore, full prediction of chronopharmacology in pathological contexts will likely require a systems biology approach that considers chronointeractions among different clock-regulated systems.
Understanding and Modulating Mammalian-Microbial Communication for Improved Human Health
Authors: Mani Sridhar , Boelsterli Urs A. , Redinbo Matthew R.
Published: October 2013

The fact that the bacteria in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract play a symbiotic role was noted as early as 1885, well before we began to manage microbial infections using antibiotics. However, even with the first antimicrobial compounds used in humans, the sulfa drugs, microbes were recognized to be critically involved in the biotransformation of these therapeutics. Thus, the roles played by the microbiota in physiology and in the management of human health have long been appreciated. Detailed examinations of GI symbiotic bacteria that started in the early 2000s and the first phases of the Human Microbiome Project that were completed in 2012 have ushered in an exciting period of granularity with respect to the ecology, genetics, and chemistry of the mammalian-microbial axes of communication. Here we review aspects of the biochemical pathways at play between commensal GI bacteria and several mammalian systems, including both local-epithelia and nonlocal responses impacting inflammation, immunology, metabolism, and neurobiology. Finally, we discuss how the microbial biotransformation of therapeutic compounds, such as anticancer or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can be modulated to reduce toxicity and potentially improve therapeutic efficacy.
Angiogenic response to passive movement and active exercise in individuals with peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Hoier B. , Walker M. , Passos M. , Walker P. J. , Green A. , Bangsbo J. , Askew C. D. , Hellsten Y.
Published: October 2013

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is caused by atherosclerosis and is associated with microcirculatory impairments in skeletal muscle. The present study evaluated the angiogenic response to exercise and passive movement in skeletal muscle of PAD patients compared with healthy control subjects. Twenty-one PAD patients and 17 aged control subjects were randomly assigned to either a passive movement or an active exercise study. Interstitial fluid microdialysate and tissue samples were obtained from the thigh skeletal muscle. Muscle dialysate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were modestly increased in response to either passive movement or active exercise in both subject groups. The basal muscle dialysate level of the angiostatic factor thrombospondin-1 protein was markedly higher ( P < 0.05) in PAD patients compared with the control subjects, whereas soluble VEGF receptor-1 dialysate levels were similar in the two groups. The basal VEGF protein content in the muscle tissue samples was ∼27% lower ( P < 0.05) in the PAD patients compared with the control subjects. Analysis of mRNA expression for a range of angiogenic and angiostatic factors revealed a modest change with active exercise and passive movement in both groups, except for an increase ( P < 0.05) in the ratio of angiopoietin-2 to angiopoietin-1 mRNA in the PAD group with both interventions. PAD patients and aged individuals showed a similar limited angiogenic response to active exercise and passive movement. The limited increase in muscle extracellular VEGF combined with an elevated basal level of thrombospondin-1 in muscle extracellular fluid of PAD patients may restrict capillary growth in these patients.
Peroxidase as the Major Protein Constituent in Areca Nut and Identification of Its Natural Substrates
Authors: Liu Yu-Ching , Chen Chao-Jung , Lee Miau-Rong , Li Mi , Hsieh Wen-Tsong , Chung Jing-Gung , Ho Heng-Chien
Published: October 2013

Numerous reports illustrate the diverse effects of chewing the areca nut, most of which are harmful and have been shown to be associated with oral cancer. Nearly all of the studies are focused on the extract and/or low molecular weight ingredients in the areca nut. The purpose of this report is to identify the major protein component in the areca nut. After ammonium sulfate fractionation, the concentrated areca nut extract is subjected to DEAE-cellulose chromatography. A colored protein is eluted at low NaCl concentration and the apparently homogeneous eluent represents the major protein component compared to the areca nut extract. The colored protein shares partial sequence identity with the royal palm tree peroxidase and its peroxidase activity is confirmed using an established assay. In the study, the natural substrates of areca nut peroxidase are identified as catechin, epicatechin, and procyanidin B1. The two former substrates are similarly oxidized to form a 576 Da product with concomitant removal of four hydrogen atoms. Interestingly, oxidation of procyanidin B1 occurs only in the presence of catechin or epicatechin and an additional product with an 864 Da molecular mass. In addition, procyanidin B1 is identified as a peroxidase substrate for the first time.
Two Parameters Deformations of Ninth Peregrine Breather Solution of the NLS Equation and Multi-Rogue Waves
Authors: Gaillard Pierre
Published: October 2013

This paper is a continuation of a recent paper on the solutions of the focusing NLS equation. The representation in terms of a quotient of two determinants gives a very efficient method of determination of famous Peregrine breathers and their deformations. Here we construct Peregrine breathers of order and multi-rogue waves associated by deformation of parameters. The analytical expression corresponding to Peregrine breather is completely given.
Percutaneous Vertebroplasty in Adult Degenerative Scoliosis for Spine Support: Study for Pain Evaluation and Mobility Improvement
Authors: Filippiadis Dimitrios K. , Papagelopoulos Panagiotis , Kitsou Maria , Oikonomopoulos Nikolaos , Brountzos Elias , Kelekis Nikolaos , Kelekis Alexis
Published: October 2013

We evaluate the efficacy-safety of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) as primary treatment in adult degenerative scoliosis. During the last 4 years, PV was performed in 18 adult patients (68 vertebral bodies) with back pain due to degenerative scoliotic spine. Under anaesthesia and fluoroscopy, direct access to most deformed vertebral bodies was obtained by 13G needles, and PMMA for vertebroplasty was injected. Scoliosis’ inner arch was supported. Clinical evaluation included immediate and delayed studies of patient’s general condition and neurological status. An NVS scale helped assessing pain relief, life quality, and mobility improvement. Comparing patients’ scores prior to (mean value8.06±1.3 NVS units), the morning after (mean value3.11±1.2 NVS units), at 12 (mean value1.67±1.5 NVS units), and 24 months after vertebroplasty (mean value1.67±1.5 NVS units) treatment, patients presented a mean decrease of6.39±1.6 NVS units on terms of life quality improvement and pain relief (P=0.000). Overall mobility improved in 18/18 (100%) patients. No complications were observed. During follow-up period (mean value 17.66 months), all patients underwent a mean of 1.3 sessions for facet joint and nerve root infiltrations. Percutaneous vertebroplasty in the inner arch seems to be an effective technique for supporting adult degenerative scoliotic spine.
Drug Resistance Pattern of MTB Isolates from PTB Patients
Authors: Ranganath Rajani , Kumar Vijay G. S. , Ranganath Ravi , Goud Gangadhar , Javali Veerabhadra
Published: October 2013

Background. TB is a global pandemic disease. All TB control programs were not successful due to the emergence of multidrug resistance inM. tuberculosisstrains. Objective of the present study was to detect the rate of MDR-MTB in this part of India.Methods. One hundred and thirty clinical MTB strains isolated from patients on treatment and confirmed as MTB by MPT64 antigen detection were tested for drug susceptibility against Streptomycin, INH, Rifampicin, and Ethambutol by MBBact automated system.Result. Thirty-two were MDRs (25.61%). 31.2%, 28%, 17.6%, and 21.6% were resistant to INH, RIF, Ethambutol, and Streptomycin, respectively. Resistance to either INH or Rifampicin was 20.8% and 13.88%, respectively. Combined INH and Rifampicin resistance was seen in 18.05% isolates.Conclusion. Drug resistance rate is high in patients treated previously and who have been irregular on treatment.
Possible Role of Human Herpesvirus 6 as a Trigger of Autoimmune Disease
Authors: Broccolo Francesco , Fusetti Lisa , Ceccherini-Nelli Luca
Published: October 2013

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6) infection is common and has a worldwide distribution. Recently, HHV‐6A and HHV‐6B have been reclassified into two distinct species based on different biological features (genetic, antigenic, and cell tropism) and disease associations. A role for HHV‐6A/B has been proposed in several autoimmune disorders (AD), including multiple sclerosis (MS), autoimmune connective tissue diseases, and Hashimoto′s thyroiditis. The focus of this review is to discuss the above‐mentioned AD associated with HHV‐6 and the mechanisms proposed for HHV‐6A/B‐induced autoimmunity. HHV‐6A/B could trigger autoimmunity by exposing high amounts of normally sequestered cell antigens, through lysis of infected cells. Another potential trigger is represented by molecular mimicry, with the synthesis of viral proteins that resemble cellular molecules, as a mechanism of immune escape. The virus could also induce aberrant expression of histocompatibility molecules thereby promoting the presentation of autoantigens. CD46‐HHV‐6A/B interaction is a new attractive mechanism proposed: HHV‐6A/B (especially HHV‐6A) could participate in neuroinflammation in the context of MS by promoting inflammatory processes through CD46 binding. Although HHV‐6A/B has the ability to trigger all the above‐mentioned mechanisms, more studies are required to fully elucidate the possible role of HHV‐6A/B as a trigger of AD.
The Protective Role of Carnosic Acid against Beta‐Amyloid Toxicity in Rats
Authors: Rasoolijazi H. , Azad N. , Joghataei M. T. , Kerdari M. , Nikbakht F. , Soleimani M.
Published: October 2013

Oxidative stress is one of the pathological mechanisms responsible for the beta‐ amyloid cascade associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Previous studies have demonstrated the role of carnosic acid (CA), an effective antioxidant, in combating oxidative stress. A progressive cognitive decline is one of the hallmarks of AD. Thus, we attempted to determine whether the administration of CA protects against memory deficit caused by beta‐amyloid toxicity in rats. Beta‐amyloid (1–40) was injected by stereotaxic surgery into the Ca1 region of the hippocampus of rats in the Amyloid beta (Aβ) groups. CA was delivered intraperitoneally, before and after surgery in animals in the CA groups. Passive avoidance learning and spontaneous alternation behavior were evaluated using the shuttle box and the Y‐maze, respectively. The degenerating hippocampal neurons were detected by fluoro‐jade b staining. We observed that beta‐amyloid (1–40) can induce neurodegeneration in the Ca1 region of the hippocampus by using fluoro‐jade b staining. Also, the behavioral tests revealed that CA may recover the passive avoidance learning and spontaneous alternation behavior scores in the Aβ + CA group, in comparison with the Aβ group. We found that CA may ameliorate the spatial and learning memory deficits induced by the toxicity of beta‐amyloid in the rat hippocampus.
Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Au Nanoclusters‐Silica Fluorescent Composite Nanospheres
Authors: Wang Huiping , Xu Chaoyong , Zheng Chengzhi , Xu Wei , Dong Tianjiao , Liu Kanglei , Han Heyou , Liang Jiangong
Published: October 2013

We developed a novel method for the synthesis of Au nanoclusters (NCs) silica fluorescent composite nanospheres by mixing the as‐prepared bovine serum albumin (BSA) protected Au NCs with amino‐modified silica spheres in acetate buffer solution. The products were characterized by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fluorescent microscope imaging (FLMI), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. The proposed method was simple, efficient, and inexpensive. In addition, the composite nanospheres exhibited favorable water‐dispersible, stable, and fluorescent properties, potentially leading to further applications in chemical and biological sensors. A reasonable mechanism was also proposed for the formation of composite nanospheres.
Molecular Pathways: Sterols and Receptor Signaling in Cancer
Authors: Gabitova Linara , Gorin Andrey , Astsaturov Igor
Published: October 2013

Accelerated cholesterol and lipid metabolism are the hallmarks of cancer and contribute to malignant transformation due to the obligatory requirement for cholesterol for the function of eukaryotic membranes. To build new membranes and maintain active signaling, cancer cells depend on high intensity of endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake of lipid particles. This metabolic dependency of cancer cells on cholesterol and other lipids is tightly regulated by the cholesterol homeostasis network, including (i) sterol response element–binding proteins (SREBP), master transcriptional regulators of cholesterol and fatty acid pathway genes; (ii) nuclear sterol receptors (liver X receptors, LXR), which coordinate growth with the availability of cholesterol; and (iii) lipid particle receptors, such as low-density lipid particle (LDL) receptor, providing exogenous sterol and lipids to cancer cells. In addition, activity of oncogenic receptors, such as MUC1 or EGFR, accelerates sterol uptake and biosynthesis. Therefore, a general strategy of reducing the cholesterol pool in cancer cells is challenged by the highly efficient feedback loops compensating for a blockade at a single point in the cholesterol homeostatic network. Besides the well-established structural role of cholesterol in membranes, recent studies have uncovered potent biologic activities of certain cholesterol metabolic precursors and its oxidized derivatives, oxysterols. The former, meiosis-activating sterols, exert effects on trafficking and signaling of oncogenic EGF receptor (EGFR). Cholesterol epoxides, the highly active products of cholesterol oxidation, are being neutralized by the distal sterol pathway enzymes, emopamyl-binding protein (EBP) and dehydrocholesterol-7 reductase (DHCR7). These recently discovered “moonlighting” activities of the cholesterol pathway genes and metabolites expand our understanding of the uniquely conserved roles these sterol molecules play in the regulation of cellular proliferation and in cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 20(1); 28–34. ©2013 AACR.
Impact of Inhaled Corticosteroid Treatment on 15-Year Longitudinal Respiratory Function Changes in Adult Patients with Bronchial Asthma
Authors: Shimoda Terufumi , Obase Yasushi , Kishikawa Reiko , Iwanaga Tomoaki
Published: October 2013

Background: Bronchial asthma is mainly controlled by inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment, and discontinuation of ICS treatment can worsen asthma symptoms and reduce respiratory function. However, the longitudinal impact of ICS on lung function in adult patients is unknown. Methods: To determine whether regular ICS treatment can prevent long-term lung function deterioration in adults with bronchial asthma, we recruited 167 adult asthma patients who first visited Fukuoka National Hospital in 1995 and underwent lung function tests in 1995, 1996 and 2010. Regular ICS treatment was continued in 102 patients (regular group), while 39 patients received irregular ICS treatment (irregular group). Changes in lung function were compared retrospectively between the groups. The influences of smoking, disease severity and disease duration were also analyzed. Results: The forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) values increased in the regular group 1 year after the initiation of therapy, but they decreased in the irregular group. At year 15, the predicted FEV1% had decreased significantly more in the irregular group than in the regular group (p < 0.05); FEV1 decreased by 28.2 ml/year (SD 24.5) in the regular group and by 44.6 ml/year (32.5) in the irregular group (p < 0.05). The decrease in FEV1 was greater in smokers than in nonsmokers, despite regular ICS treatment, and it was significantly greater in patients with severe asthma than in those with mild or intermittent disease. Delay in ICS initiation also affected the annual FEV1 decrease. Conclusions: Regular ICS, introduced early when symptoms are mild, could prevent lung function from worsening significantly. Smoking should be strongly discouraged in asthma patients.
Dying in Hospital with Dementia and Pneumonia: A Nationwide Study Using Death Certificate Data
Authors: Houttekier Dirk , Reyniers Thijs , Deliens Luc , Van Den Noortgate Nele , Cohen Joachim
Published: October 2013

Background: For people with dementia dying from pneumonia, hospitalization at the end of life may be of little benefit and result in unfavourable outcomes such as hospital death. Objective: The aim of this study is to estimate the incidence of and factors associated with hospital death in people with dementia dying from pneumonia. Methods: We used death certificate data of all deaths in Belgium in 2008 (n = 101,685) to examine characteristics of deaths of people with dementia dying from pneumonia. Information about the urbanization level of the place of residence and the availability of hospital beds, residential (without continuous skilled nursing) and skilled nursing beds in long-term care settings was linked through the zip code of the place of residence. Results: Of people with dementia dying from pneumonia (n = 1,420), 47.2% died in hospital. Of those living in long-term care settings, 25.6% died in hospital. For people living in their own home, hospital death was more likely for those who were single (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.83, 95% CI 1.30-6.16) and living in strongly urbanized areas (AOR 2.48, 95% CI 1.47-4.18). For those living in long-term care settings, hospital death was more likely in regions with higher availability of residential beds (without continuous skilled nursing) in long-term care settings (AOR per unit 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03). Conclusion: Almost half of all those with dementia dying from pneumonia and a quarter of those living in long-term care settings died in a hospital. These results suggest shortcomings in the Belgian healthcare system in preventing potentially avoidable terminal hospitalizations in a vulnerable population.
Successful Aging in Canada: Prevalence and Predictors from a Population-Based Sample of Older Adults
Authors: Meng Xiangfei , D'Arcy Carl
Published: October 2013

Background: Little research has been conducted to thoroughly explore the prevalence and predicators of successful aging (SA) from a national point of view. Objectives: The objectives of this study were (1) to estimate the prevalence of SA as defined by Rowe and Kahn using a large population-based dataset and (2) to determine the roles of sociodemographic, psychological, and lifestyle factors in SA among Canadian seniors. Methods: Data was from the Canadian Community Health Survey: Healthy Aging (CCHS-HA) (n = 25,864) conducted in 2008-2009. Rowe and Kahn's concept was used to measure SA. Descriptive analyses were used to estimate the prevalence of SA in those aged 45+ living in private dwellings in the ten provinces of Canada. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess predicators of SA among those aged 65+ and having complete data on cognition. Results: The prevalence of SA was 50.1% among those aged 50+, then decreased to 46.2% for those aged 55+, 42.0% for those aged 60+, and 37.2% among those aged 65+. Assuming those 65+ living in institutions as unsuccessful agers, then the prevalence of SA was 35.3% among Canadian seniors aged 65+. There were no differences in prevalence rate of SA between males and females. We did not find higher income associated with SA. Being younger, married, regular drinkers, exercisers, perceived better health, satisfied with life, and taking calcium in the past month were associated with SA. The predicted probability of being a successful ager was 41% for those aged 65-74 years, 33% for 75-84 years, and 22% for those 85+ years, while controlling for other covariates. Presence of disease led to a major decline in SA, levels of functioning and engagement in contrast remained relatively constant. Conclusion: Over one third of the seniors in Canada met the criteria for SA, largely because the operationalization of the definition only considered severe chronic diseases that may not be well managed and thus likely to result in functional impairment. The modifiable risk factors identified provide direction for prevention efforts to increase SA at a population level.
Identification of Parvalbumin and Two New Thermolabile Major Allergens of Thunnus tonggol Using a Proteomics Approach
Authors: Rosmilah Misnan , Shahnaz Murad , Meinir Jones , Masita Arip , Noormalin Abdullah , Jamaluddin Mohamed
Published: October 2013

Background: The longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol) is widely consumed in Asia. Parvalbumin, the main major allergen of fish, has been well identified in multiple fish species, yet little is known about the allergenic proteins in T. tonggol. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize the major allergens of T. tonggol using a proteomics approach. Methods: Raw and boiled extracts of the fish were prepared. Fish proteins were separated by means of SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional (2-DE) electrophoresis. 1-DE immunoblotting of raw extract was performed with sera from fish-allergic patients. Ten sera were further analysed by 2-DE immunoblotting. Selected major allergenic protein spots were excised, trypsin digested and analysed by means of mass spectrometry. Results: SDS-PAGE of raw extract revealed 26 protein fractions, while boiled extract demonstrated fewer bands. The 2-DE gel profile of the raw extract further fractionated the protein bands to more than 100 distinct protein spots. 1-DE immunoblotting of raw extract exhibited two thermolabile protein fractions of 42 and 51 kDa as the major allergens, while the boiled extract only revealed a single IgE-binding band at 151 kDa. 2-DE immunoblotting of raw extract further detected numerous major IgE-reactive spots of 11-13, 42 and 51 kDa. Mass spectrometry analysis of the peptides generated from the 12, 42 and 51 kDa digested spots indicated that these spots were parvalbumin, creatine kinase and enolase, respectively. Conclusions: In addition to parvalbumin, two new thermolabile allergens were identified as major allergenic proteins of T. tonggol. This study proved that both thermostable and thermolabile proteins are important in local tuna allergy and should be included in diagnostic strategies.
Functionality of Endothelial Cells and Pericytes From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Demonstrated in Cultured Vascular Plexus and Zebrafish Xenografts
Authors: Orlova Valeria V. , Drabsch Yvette , Freund Christian , Petrus-Reurer Sandra , van den Hil Francijna E. , Muenthaisong Suchitra , Dijke Peter ten , Mummery Christine L.
Published: October 2013

Objective—

Endothelial cells (ECs), pericytes, and vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) are essential for vascular development, and their dysfunction causes multiple cardiovascular diseases. Primary vascular cells for research are, however, difficult to obtain. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived from somatic tissue are a renewable source of ECs and vSMCs; however, their use as disease models has been limited by low and inconsistent efficiencies of differentiation and the lack of phenotypic bioassays.

Approach and Results—

Here, we developed defined conditions for simultaneous derivation of ECs and pericytes with high efficiency from hiPSCs of different tissue origin. The protocol was equally efficient for all lines and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The ECs could undergo sequential passage and were phenotypically indistinguishable, exhibiting features of arterial-like embryonic ECs. Moreover, hiPSC-derived ECs formed an authentic vascular plexus when cocultured with hiPSC-derived pericytes. The coculture system recapitulated (1) major steps of vascular development including EC proliferation and primary plexus remodeling, and (2) EC-mediated maturation and acquisition of contractile vSMC phenotype by pericytes. In addition, hiPSC-derived ECs integrated into developing vasculature as xenografts in zebrafish. This contrasts with more widely used ECs from human umbilical vein, which form only unstable vasculature and were completely unable to integrate into zebrafish blood vessels.

Conclusions—

We demonstrate that vascular derivatives of hiPSC, such as ECs and pericytes, are fully functional and can be used to study defective endothelia–pericyte interactions in vitro for disease modeling and studies on tumor angiogenesis.
Nomenclatural and taxonomical novelties in southamerican Glandularia (Verbenaceae)
Authors: O'Leary Nataly , PERALTA PAOLA , MÚLGURA MARIA EMA
Published: October 2013

In this work, a lectotype for a Chamisso’s species is designated, two new synonyms within Glandularia are proposed, and a distributional misleading remark is clarified.
A new species of Rubia (Rubiaceae) from western Yunnan, China
Authors: Li Rong , Li Heng
Published: October 2013

A new species of Rubiaceae, Rubia pianmaensis, is described and illustrated from western Yunnan, China. Morphologically, it is similar to Rubia siamensis, but differs from the latter by having larger stipules, 5-6-merous flowers, and shorter inflorescences.