bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dorsal striatum metabotropic glutamate receptor 8 affects nocifensive responses and rostral ventromedial medulla cell activity in neuropathic pain conditions
Authors: Rossi Francesca , Marabese Ida , De Chiaro Maria , Boccella Serena , Luongo Livio , Guida Francesca , De Gregorio Danilo , Giordano Catia , de Novellis Vito , Palazzo Enza , Maione Sabatino
Published: December 2013

The present study investigated the role of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 8 (mGluR8) in the dorsal striatum (DS) in modulating thermonociception and rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) ON and OFF cell activities in conditions of neuropathic pain induced by spared nerve injury (SNI) of the sciatic nerve in rats. The role of DS mGluR8 on mechanical allodynia was also investigated. Intra-DS ( S)-3,4-dicarboxyphenylglycine [( S)-3,4-DCPG], a selective mGluR8 agonist, did not modify the activity of the ON and OFF cells in sham-operated rats. In SNI rats, which showed a reduction of the mechanical withdrawal threshold, intra-DS microinjection of ( S)-3,4-DCPG inhibited the ongoing and tail flick-evoked activity of the ON cells while increasing the activity of the OFF cells. AZ12216052, a selective mGluR8 positive allosteric modulator (PAM), behaved like ( S)-3,4-DCPG in increasing tail flick latency and OFF cell activity and decreasing ON cell activity in SNI rats only but was less potent. VU0155041, a selective mGluR4 PAM, was ineffective in changing thermal nociception and ON and OFF cell activity in both sham-operated and SNI rats. ( S)-3,4-DCPG did not change mechanical withdrawal threshold in sham-operated rats but increased it in SNI rats. Furthermore, a decreased level of mGluR8 gene and immunoreactivity, expressed on GABAergic terminals, associated with a protein increase was found in the DS of SNI rats. These results suggest that stimulation of mGluR8 inhibits thermoceptive responses and mechanical allodynia. These effects were associated with inhibition of ON cells and stimulation of OFF cells within RVM.
Synchronized firing of fast-spiking interneurons is critical to maintain balanced firing between direct and indirect pathway neurons of the striatum
Authors: Damodaran Sriraman , Evans Rebekah C. , Blackwell Kim T.
Published: December 2013

The inhibitory circuits of the striatum are known to be critical for motor function, yet their contributions to Parkinsonian motor deficits are not clear. Altered firing in the globus pallidus suggests that striatal medium spiny neurons (MSN) of the direct (D1 MSN) and indirect pathway (D2 MSN) are imbalanced during dopamine depletion. Both MSN classes receive inhibitory input from each other and from inhibitory interneurons within the striatum, specifically the fast-spiking interneurons (FSI). To investigate the role of inhibition in maintaining striatal balance, we developed a biologically-realistic striatal network model consisting of multicompartmental neuron models: 500 D1 MSNs, 500 D2 MSNs and 49 FSIs. The D1 and D2 MSN models are differentiated based on published experiments of individual channel modulations by dopamine, with D2 MSNs being more excitable than D1 MSNs. Despite this difference in response to current injection, in the network D1 and D2 MSNs fire at similar frequencies in response to excitatory synaptic input. Simulations further reveal that inhibition from FSIs connected by gap junctions is critical to produce balanced firing. Although gap junctions produce only a small increase in synchronization between FSIs, removing these connections resulted in significant firing differences between D1 and D2 MSNs, and balanced firing was restored by providing synchronized cortical input to the FSIs. Together these findings suggest that desynchronization of FSI firing is sufficient to alter balanced firing between D1 and D2 MSNs.
Adaptation to Coriolis perturbations of voluntary body sway transfers to preprogrammed fall-recovery behavior
Authors: Bakshi Avijit , Ventura Joel , DiZio Paul , Lackner James R.
Published: December 2013

In a rotating environment, goal-oriented voluntary movements are initially disrupted in trajectory and endpoint, due to movement-contingent Coriolis forces, but accuracy is regained with additional movements. We studied whether adaptation acquired in a voluntary, goal-oriented postural swaying task performed during constant-velocity counterclockwise rotation (10 RPM) carries over to recovery from falling induced using a hold and release (H&R) paradigm. In H&R, standing subjects actively resist a force applied to their chest, which when suddenly released results in a forward fall and activation of an automatic postural correction. We tested H&R postural recovery in subjects ( n = 11) before and after they made voluntary fore-aft swaying movements during 20 trials of 25 s each, in a counterclockwise rotating room. Their voluntary sway about their ankles generated Coriolis forces that initially induced clockwise deviations of the intended body sway paths, but fore-aft sway was gradually restored over successive per-rotation trials, and a counterclockwise aftereffect occurred during postrotation attempts to sway fore-aft. In H&R trials, we examined the initial 10- to 150-ms periods of movement after release from the hold force, when voluntary corrections of movement path are not possible. Prerotation subjects fell directly forward, whereas postrotation their forward motion was deviated significantly counterclockwise. The postrotation deviations were in a direction consistent with an aftereffect reflecting persistence of a compensation acquired per-rotation for voluntary swaying movements. These findings show that control and adaptation mechanisms adjusting voluntary postural sway to the demands of a new force environment also influence the automatic recovery of posture.
Special Effect of Urea as a Stabilizer in Thermal Immersion Method to Synthesis Porous Zinc Oxide Nanostructures
Authors: Husairi F. S. , Ali Syahirah Mhd , Azlinda A. , Rusop M. , Abdullah S.
Published: December 2013

ZnO nanostructure was prepared by catalytic immersion method (90°C) with zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)26H2O) as a precursors and urea (CH4N2O) as a stabilizer. Different molarity concentration ratio of Zn(NO3)26H2O to CH4N2O, 2 : 1, 1 : 4, 1 : 6, and 1 : 8 is used in this work. The effect of urea concentration used during the synthesis process is discussed. The ZnO nanostructures were characterized by using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), photoluminescene (PL), and I-V probe. Porous nanoflakes are successfully synthesized on p‐type silicon substrate coated with gold layer with different size and dimension. High intensity photoluminescence (PL) at optimum concentration indicated that urea is good stabilizer to produce ZnO nanostructures with good crytallinity. Rectifying characteristics show dramaticaly change in turn‐on voltage when the concentration of urea increases in aqueous solution. This is related to the theory about p‐type doping of ZnO nanostructures by nitrogen from NH3.
Engineered Human Muscle Tissue from Skeletal Muscle Derived Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Cardiac Cells
Authors: Tchao Jason , Kim Jong Jin , Lin Bo , Salama Guy , Lo Cecilia W. , Yang Lei , Tobita Kimimasa
Published: December 2013

During development, cardiac and skeletal muscle share major transcription factors and sarcomere proteins which were generally regarded as specific to either cardiac or skeletal muscle but not both in terminally differentiated adult cardiac or skeletal muscle. Here, we investigated whether artificial muscle constructed from human skeletal muscle derived stem cells (MDSCs) recapitulates developmental similarities between cardiac and skeletal muscle. We constructed 3-dimensional collagen-based engineered muscle tissue (EMT) using MDSCs (MDSC-EMT) and compared the biochemical and contractile properties with EMT using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived cardiac cells (iPS-EMT). Both MDSC-EMT and iPS-EMT expressed cardiac specific troponins, fast skeletal muscle myosin heavy chain, and connexin-43 mimicking developing cardiac or skeletal muscle. At the transcriptional level, MDSC-EMT and iPS-EMT upregulated both cardiac and skeletal muscle-specific genes and expressed Nkx2.5 and Myo-D proteins. MDSC-EMT displayed intracellular calcium ion transients and responses to isoproterenol. Contractile force measurements of MDSC-EMT demonstrated functional properties of immature cardiac and skeletal muscle in both tissues. Results suggest that the EMT from MDSCs mimics developing cardiac and skeletal muscle and can serve as a usefulin vitrofunctioning striated muscle model for investigation of stem cell differentiation and therapeutic options of MDSCs for cardiac repair.
Tumor Necrosis Factor‐Alpha Gene Promoter Region Polymorphism and the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Asifa Gul Zareen , Liaquat Afrose , Murtaza Iram , Kazmi Syed Ali Raza , Javed Qamar
Published: December 2013

Background. Tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) gene polymorphisms have been implicated in the manifestation of atherosclerosis. Controversy exists regarding the link between the cytokine’s variant genotype and CHD among different ethnic groups. There have been fewer studies on the TNF‐α gene −1031T>C and −863C>A polymorphisms in relation to CHD. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate the association of the TNF‐α gene −1031T>C and −863C>A polymorphisms with CHD in a Pakistani population. Methods. Patients with CHD (n = 310) and healthy individuals (n = 310) were enrolled in this study. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP). Results. A significant difference was observed in the −863C>A polymorphism between patients with CHD and control subjects (P < 0.0001). CHD risk was positively associated with the variant allele −863A (P < 0.0001) in the study subjects. There was no significant link between the −1031T>C polymorphism and CHD risk in the study population. Haplotypes A‐T and A‐C of the TNF‐alpha gene loci at −863 and −1031 showed higher frequency in the patient group compared with controls (P < 0.05). Conclusion. The TNF‐α  −863C>A gene polymorphism was associated with the pathogenesis of CHD while the −1031T>C polymorphism did not show any link with the disease in a Pakistani population.
Slide Mode Control for Integrated Electric Parking Brake System
Authors: Wang Bin , Guo Xuexun , Zhang Chengcai , Xiong Zhe , Xia Huan , Zhang Jie
Published: December 2013

The emerging integrated electric parking brake (IEPB) system is introduced and studied. Through analyzing the various working stages, the stages switched IEPB system models are given with the consideration of the friction and system idle inertia. The sliding mode control (SMC) method is adopted to control the clamping force by the widely used motor angle and clamping force relationship method. Based on the characteristics of the state equations, two sliding surfaces are built to control the motor angle and current, respectively. And in every working stage, the control stability is guaranteed by choosing the control parameters based on Lyapunov theory and SMC reachability. The effectiveness of the proposed control system has been validated in Matlab/Simulink.
Multicast Capacity Analysis for High Mobility Social Proximity Machine-to-Machine Networks
Authors: Guan Xin
Published: December 2013

Wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) networks enable ubiquitous sensing and controlling via sensors, vehicles, and other types of wireless nodes. Capacity scaling law is one of the fundamental properties for high mobility M2M networks. As for high mobility M2M networks, vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) are a typical case. Since vehicles have social property, their moving trajectory is according to the fixed community. With the purpose of transmitting packets to different communities of VANETs and further improving the network capacity, we study the multicast capacity of bus-assisted VANETs in two scenarios: forwarding scenario and routing scenario. All the ordinary vehicles obey the restricted mobility model. Thus, the spatial stationary distribution decays as power law with the distance from the center spot of a restrict region of each vehicle. In forwarding scenario, all the buses deployed in all roads as intermediate nodes are used to forward packets for ordinary vehicles. In routing scenario, buses and ordinary cars construct a highway path supported by percolation theory to transmit urgent packets. Each ordinary vehicle randomly chooses [Formula: see text] vehicles from the other ordinary vehicles as receivers. For the two kinds of scenarios, we derived the upper bound and lower bound, respectively.
Comparison of Immediate and 2‐Year Outcomes between Excimer Laser‐Assisted Angioplasty with Spot Stent and Primary Stenting in Intermediate to Long Femoropopliteal Disease
Authors: Wu Tien-Yu , Chou Hsin-Hua , Chang Shang-Hung , Tsai Yueh-Ju , Hsieh Chien-An , Cheng Shih-Tsung , Yeh Kuan-Hung , Chang Hern-Jia , Ko Yu-Lin , Huang Hsuan-Li
Published: December 2013

Background. To compare the clinical outcomes between excimer laser‐assisted angioplasty (ELA) with spot stent (group A) and primary stenting (group B) in intermediate to long femoropopliteal disease. Methods. Outcomes of 105 patients totaling 119 legs treated with two different strategies were analyzed retrospectively in a prospectively maintained database. Results. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Better angiographic results and lesser increase of serum C‐reactive protein levels (0.60 ± 0.72 versus 2.98 ± 0.97 mg/dL, P < 0.001) after the intervention were obtained in Group B. Group A had inferior 1‐year outcomes due to higher rate of binary restenosis (67% versus 32%, P = 0.001) and lower rate of primary patency (40% versus 58%, P = 0.039). Rates of amputation‐free survival, target vessel revascularization, assisted primary patency, and stent fracture at 24 months were similar in both groups (80% versus 82%, P = 0.979, 65% versus 45%, P = 0.11, 78% versus 80%, P = 0.75 and 6.3% versus 6.8%, P = 0.71, resp.). Conclusion. Greater vascular inflammation after ELA with spot stent resulted in earlier restenosis and inferior 1‐year clinical outcomes than primary stenting. This benefit was lost in the primary stenting group at 2 years due to late catch‐up restenosis. Active surveillance with prompt intervention was required to maintain the vessel patency.
Mann-Type Viscosity Approximation Methods for Multivalued Variational Inclusions with Finitely Many Variational Inequality Constraints in Banach Spaces
Authors: Ceng Lu-Chuan , Latif Abdul , Al-Mazrooei Abdullah E.
Published: December 2013

We introduce Mann-type viscosity approximation methods for finding solutions of a multivalued variational inclusion (MVVI) which are also common ones of finitely many variational inequality problems and common fixed points of a countable family of nonexpansive mappings in real smooth Banach spaces. Here the Mann-type viscosity approximation methods are based on the Mann iteration method and viscosity approximation method. We consider and analyze Mann-type viscosity iterative algorithms not only in the setting of uniformly convex and 2-uniformly smooth Banach space but also in a uniformly convex Banach space having a uniformly Gáteaux differentiable norm. Under suitable assumptions, we derive some strong convergence theorems. In addition, we also give some applications of these theorems; for instance, we prove strong convergence theorems for finding a common fixed point of a finite family of strictly pseudocontractive mappings and a countable family of nonexpansive mappings in uniformly convex and 2-uniformly smooth Banach spaces. The results presented in this paper improve, extend, supplement, and develop the corresponding results announced in the earlier and very recent literature.
Peering Strategic Game Models for Interdependent ISPs in Content Centric Internet
Authors: Zhao Jia , Guan Jianfeng , Xu Changqiao , Su Wei , Zhang Hongke
Published: December 2013

Emergent content‐oriented networks prompt Internet service providers (ISPs) to evolve and take major responsibility for content delivery. Numerous content items and varying content popularities motivate interdependence between peering ISPs to elaborate their content caching and sharing strategies. In this paper, we propose the concept of peering for content exchange between interdependent ISPs in content centric Internet to minimize content delivery cost by a proper peering strategy. We model four peering strategic games to formulate four types of peering relationships between ISPs who are characterized by varying degrees of cooperative willingness from egoism to altruism and interconnected as profit‐individuals or profit‐coalition. Simulation results show the price of anarchy (PoA) and communication cost in the four games to validate that ISPs should decide their peering strategies by balancing intradomain content demand and interdomain peering relations for an optimal cost of content delivery.
Sustainable Reduction of Sleepiness through Salutogenic Self-Care Procedure in Lunch Breaks: A Pilot Study
Authors: Schnieder Sebastian , Stappert Sarah , Takahashi Masaya , Fricchione Gregory L. , Esch Tobias , Krajewski Jarek
Published: December 2013

The aim of the study was to elucidate the immediate, intermediate, and anticipatory sleepiness reducing effects of a salutogenic self-care procedure called progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), during lunch breaks. The second exploratory aim deals with determining the onset and long-term time course of sleepiness changes. In order to evaluate the intraday range and interday change of the proposed relaxation effects, 14 call center agents were assigned to either a daily 20-minute self-administered PMR or a small talk (ST) group during a period of seven months. Participants’ levels of sleepiness were analyzed in a controlled trial using anticipatory, postlunchtime, and afternoon changes of sleepiness as indicated by continuously determined objective reaction time measures (16,464 measurements) and self-reports administered five times per day, once per month (490 measurements). Results indicate that, in comparison to ST, the PMR break (a) induces immediate, intermediate, and anticipatory reductions in sleepiness; (b) these significant effects remarkably show up after one month, and sleepiness continues to decrease for at least another five months. Although further research is required referring to the specific responsible mediating variables, our results suggest that relaxation based lunch breaks are both accepted by employees and provide a sustainable impact on sleepiness.
RF Field Build-Up inside a Manned Space Vehicle Using Novel Ray-Tracing Algorithm
Authors: Choudhury Balamati , Singh Hema , Jha R. M.
Published: December 2013

The radio-frequency (RF) field mapping and its analysis inside a space vehicle cabin, although of immense importance, represent a complex problem due to their inherent concavity. Further hybrid surface modeling required for such concave enclosures leads to ray proliferation, thereby making the problem computationally intractable. In this paper, space vehicle is modeled as a double-curvatured general paraboloid of revolution (GPOR) frustum, whose aft section is matched to an end-capped right circular cylinder. A 3D ray-tracing package is developed which involves a uniform ray-launching scheme, an intelligent scheme for ray bunching, and an adaptive reception algorithm for obtaining ray-path details inside the concave space vehicle. Due to nonavailability of image method for concave curvatured surfaces, the proposed ray-tracing method is validated with respect to the RF field build-up inside a closed lossy cuboid using image method. The RF field build-up within the space vehicle is determined using the details of ray paths and the material parameters. The results for RF field build-up inside a metal-backed dielectric space vehicle are compared with those of highly metallic one for parallel and perpendicular polarizations. The convergence of RF field within the vehicle is analyzed with respect to the propagation time and the number of bounces a ray undergoes before reaching the receiving point.
Stakeholders’ Attitude to Genetically Modified Foods and Medicine
Authors: Amin Latifah , Md Jahi Jamaluddin , Md Nor Abd Rahim
Published: December 2013

Public acceptance of genetically modified (GM) foods has to be adequately addressed in order for their potential economic and social benefits to be realized. The objective of this paper is to assess the attitude of the Malaysian public toward GM foods (GM soybean and GM palm oil) and GM medicine (GM insulin). A survey was carried out using self‐constructed multidimensional instrument measuring attitudes towards GM products. The respondents (n = 1017) were stratified according to stakeholders’ groups in the Klang Valley region. Results of the survey show that the overall attitude of the Malaysian stakeholders towards GM products was cautious. Although they acknowledged the presence of moderate perceived benefits associated with GM products surveyed and were moderately encouraging of them, they were also moderately concerned about the risks and moral aspects of the three GM products as well as moderately accepting the risks. Attitudes towards GM products among the stakeholders were found to vary not according to the type of all GM applications but rather depend on the intricate relationships between the attitudinal factors and the type of gene transfers involved. Analyses of variance showed significant differences in the six dimensions of attitude towards GM products across stakeholders’ groups.
A Comparison of Clock Synchronization in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Youn Seongwook
Published: December 2013

The recent advances in microelectro devices have led the researchers to an area of developing a large distributed system that consist of small, wireless sensor nodes. These sensor nodes are usually equipped with sensors to perceive the environment. Synchronization is an important component of almost all distributed systems and has been studied by many researchers. There are many solutions for the classical networks, but the traditional synchronization techniques are not suitable for sensor networks because they do not consider the partitioning of the network and message delay. Additionally, limited power, computational capacity, and memory of the sensor nodes make the problem more challenging for wireless sensor networks. This paper examines the clock synchronization issues in wireless sensor networks. Energy efficiency, cost, scalability, lifetime, robustness, and precision are the main problems to be considered in design of a synchronization algorithm. There is no one single system that satisfies all these together. A comparison of different clock synchronization algorithms in wireless sensor networks with a main focus on energy efficiency, scalability, and precision properties of them will be provided here.
Enhancing the Migration Ability of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells by Targeting the SDF-1/CXCR4 Axis
Authors: Marquez-Curtis Leah A. , Janowska-Wieczorek Anna
Published: December 2013

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are currently being investigated in numerous clinical trials of tissue repair and various immunological disorders based on their ability to secrete trophic factors and to modulate inflammatory responses. MSCs have been shown to migrate to sites of injury and inflammation in response to soluble mediators including the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-(SDF-)1, but during in vitro culture expansion MSCs lose surface expression of key homing receptors particularly of the SDF-1 receptor, CXCR4. Here we review studies on enhancement of SDF-1-directed migration of MSCs with the premise that their improved recruitment could translate to therapeutic benefits. We describe our studies on approaches to increase the CXCR4 expression in in vitro-expanded cord blood-derived MSCs, namely, transfection, using the commercial liposomal reagent IBAfect, chemical treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid, and exposure to recombinant complement component C1q. These methodologies will be presented in the context of other cell targeting and delivery strategies that exploit pathways involved in MSC migration. Taken together, these findings indicate that MSCs can be manipulated in vitro to enhance their in vivo recruitment and efficacy for tissue repair.
On the Effects of Viscosity on the Shock Waves for a Hydrodynamical Case—Part I: Basic Mechanism
Authors: Cavus Huseyin
Published: December 2013

The interaction of shock waves with viscosity is one of the central problems in the supersonic regime of compressible fluid flow. In this work, numerical solutions of unmagnetised fluid equations, with the viscous stress tensor, are investigated for a one-dimensional shock wave. In the algorithm developed the viscous stress terms are expressed in terms of the relevant Reynolds number. The algorithm concentrated on the compression rate, the entropy change, pressures, and Mach number ratios across the shock wave. The behaviour of solutions is obtained for the Reynolds and Mach numbers defining the medium and shock wave in the supersonic limits.
Comparison between Phase‐Shift Full‐Bridge Converters with Noncoupled and Coupled Current‐Doubler Rectifier
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Tao , Su Jye-Chau , Tseng Sheng-Yu
Published: December 2013

This paper presents comparison between phase‐shift full‐bridge converters with noncoupled and coupled current‐doubler rectifier. In high current capability and high step‐down voltage conversion, a phase‐shift full‐bridge converter with a conventional current‐doubler rectifier has the common limitations of extremely low duty ratio and high component stresses. To overcome these limitations, a phase‐shift full‐bridge converter with a noncoupled current‐doubler rectifier (NCDR) or a coupled current‐doubler rectifier (CCDR) is, respectively, proposed and implemented. In this study, performance analysis and efficiency obtained from a 500 W phase‐shift full‐bridge converter with two improved current‐doubler rectifiers are presented and compared. From their prototypes, experimental results have verified that the phase‐shift full‐bridge converter with NCDR has optimal duty ratio, lower component stresses, and output current ripple. In component count and efficiency comparison, CCDR has fewer components and higher efficiency at full load condition. For small size and high efficiency requirements, CCDR is relatively suitable for high step‐down voltage and high efficiency applications.
Sensory Recovery with Innervated and Noninnervated Flaps after Total Lower Lip Reconstruction: A Comparative Study
Authors: Ayhan Oral Meltem , Zeynep Sevim Kamuran , Görgü Metin , Yücel Öztan Hasan
Published: December 2013

This study compares sensory recovery after total lower lip reconstruction in a wide variety of flaps including bilateral depressor anguli oris flap, submental island flap, bilateral fan flaps, radial forearm flap, and pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps in a large number of patients. Spontaneous return of flap sensation was documented by clinical testing in the majority (3%) of patients who underwent total lower lip reconstruction. Sensory recovery occurred more often in patients with fasciocutaneous free flaps than in those with musculocutaneous flaps. Flap sensation to touch, two-point discrimination, and temperature perception was correlated with age, smoking, and radiation treated patients. We conclude that reasonable sensory recovery may be expected in noninnervated flaps, provided that the major regional sensorial nerve has not been sacrificed, and also provided that the patients age is relatively young and that enough surface contact area of the recipient bed is present without marked scarring. This trial was regestered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Chi CTR) with ChiCTR-ONC-13003656.
Muscle Wasting in Hemodialysis Patients: New Therapeutic Strategies for Resolving an Old Problem
Authors: Chen Chun-Ting , Lin Shih-Hua , Chen Jin-Shuen , Hsu Yu-Juei
Published: December 2013

Muscle wasting has long been recognized as a major clinical problem in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In addition to its impact on quality of life, muscle wasting has been proven to be associated with increased mortality rates. Identification of the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle wasting in HD patients provides opportunities to resolve this clinical problem. Several signaling pathways and humeral factors have been reported to be involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of muscle wasting in HD patients, including ubiquitin‐proteasome system, caspase‐3, insulin/insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) signaling, endogenous glucocorticoids, metabolic acidosis, inflammation, and sex hormones. Targeting the aforementioned crucial signaling and molecules to suppress protein degradation and augment muscle strength has been extensively investigated in HD patients. In addition to exercise training, administration of megestrol acetate has been proven to be effective in improving anorexia and muscle wasting in HD patients. Correction of metabolic acidosis through sodium bicarbonate supplements can decrease muscle protein degradation and hormone therapy with nandrolone decanoate has been reported to increase muscle mass. Although thiazolidinedione has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, its role in the treatment of muscle wasting remains unclear. This review paper focuses on the molecular pathways and potential new therapeutic approaches to muscle wasting in HD patients.
Use of Magnetic Folate-Dextran-Retinoic Acid Micelles for Dual Targeting of Doxorubicin in Breast Cancer
Authors: Varshosaz J. , Sadeghi-aliabadi H. , Ghasemi S. , Behdadfar B.
Published: December 2013

Amphiphilic copolymer of folate-conjugated dextran/retinoic acid (FA/DEX-RA) was self-assembled into micelles by direct dissolution method. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) coated with oleic acid (OA) were prepared by hydrothermal method and encapsulated within the micelles. Doxorubicin HCl was loaded in the magnetic micelles. The characteristics of the magnetic micelles were determined by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The crystalline state of OA-coated MNPs and their heat capacity were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods, respectively. The iron content of magnetic micelles was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used to test the protein binding of magnetic micelles. The cytotoxicity of doxorubicin loaded magnetic micelles was studied on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 cells using MTT assay and their quantitative cellular uptake by fluorimetry method. TEM results showed the MNPs in the hydrophobic core of the micelles. TGA results confirmed the presence of OA and FA/DEX-RA copolymer on the surface of MNPs and micelles, respectively. The magnetic micelles showed no significant protein bonding and reduced the IC50of the drug to about 10 times lower than the free drug.
Everolimus in Heart Transplantation: An Update
Authors: Hirt Stephan W. , Bara Christoph , Barten Markus J. , Deuse Tobias , Doesch Andreas O. , Kaczmarek Ingo , Schulz Uwe , Stypmann Jörg , Haneya Assad , Lehmkuhl Hans B.
Published: December 2013

The evidence base relating to the use of everolimus in heart transplantation has expanded considerably in recent years, providing clinically relevant information regarding its use in clinical practice. Unless there are special considerations to take into account, allde novoheart transplant patients can be regarded as potential candidates for immunosuppression with everolimus and reduced-exposure calcineurin inhibitor therapy. Caution about the use of everolimus immediately after transplantation should be exercised in certain patients with the risk of severe proteinuria, with poor wound healing, or with uncontrolled severe hyperlipidemia. Initiation of everolimus in the early phase aftertransplant is not advisable in patients with severe pretransplant end-organ dysfunction or in patients on a left ventricular assist device beforetransplant who are at high risk of infection or of wound healing complications. The most frequent reason for introducing everolimus in maintenance heart transplant patients is to support minimization or withdrawal of calcineurin inhibitor therapy, for example, due to impaired renal function or malignancy. Due to its potential to inhibit the progression of cardiac allograft vasculopathy and to reduce cytomegalovirus infection, everolimus should be initiated as soon as possible after heart transplantation. Immediate and adequate reduction of CNI exposure is mandatory from the start of everolimus therapy.
Predictive Analytics by Using Bayesian Model Averaging for Large-Scale Internet of Things
Authors: Zhu Xinghui , Kui Fang , Wang Yongheng
Published: December 2013

Massive events can be produced today because of the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT). Complex event processing, which can be used to extract high-level patterns from raw data, has become an essential part of the IoT middleware. Prediction analytics is an important technology in supporting proactive complex event processing. In this paper, we propose the use of dynamic Bayesian model averaging to develop a high-accuracy prediction analytic method for large-scale IoT application. This method, which is based on a new multilayered adaptive dynamic Bayesian network model, uses Gaussian mixture models and expectation-maximization inference for basic Bayesian prediction. Bayesian model averaging is implemented by using Markov chain Monte Carlo approximation, and a novel dynamic Bayesian model averaging method is proposed based on event context clustering. Simulation experiments show that the proposed prediction analytic method has better accuracy compared to traditional methods. Moreover, the proposed method exhibits acceptable performance when implemented in large-scale IoT applications.
Early Atherosclerosis in HIV Infected Subjects on Suppressive Antiretroviral Treatment: Role of Osteoprotegerin
Authors: D’Abramo Alessandra , D’Agostino Claudia , Oliva Alessandra , Iannetta Marco , D’Ettorre Gabriella , Vullo Francesco , Mancone Massimo , Ciardi Maria Rosa , Mastroianni Claudio Maria , Vullo Vincenzo
Published: December 2013

Cardiovascular disease is increased in HIV-infected patients. Cytokines such as osteoprotegerin are implicated in atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of osteoprotegerin in the development and progression of atherosclerosis in HIV infected subjects on suppressive antiretroviral treatment. We enrolled 76 patients; 35 HIV infected men on suppressive Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy with Framingham score <10%; 21 HIV negative individuals matched for age, gender, and Framingham score, and 20 subjects with Framingham score >10% as control groups. HIV positive subjects underwent echocardiography, electrocardiography, and heart multidetector computed tomography, whereas in HIV negative subjects, tomography was only performed in case of any abnormalities either in echocardiography or electrocardiography. In HIV positive patients, computed tomography showed stenosis in 51.4% of the subjects. Osteoprotegerin plasma levels were higher in HIV-infected patients than those in healthy controls but lower than in HIV negative subjects with Framingham score >10%. Higher osteoprotegerin plasma levels were found in HIV positive patients with grade I stenosis than in patients with grade II/III stenosis. In conclusion, in HIV infected subjects with Framingham score <10%, osteoprotegerin plasma concentrations are associated with atherosclerosis, in particular at the early stage of the process.
A Mechanical Analysis of In Situ Polymerized Poly(butylene terephthalate) Flax Fiber Reinforced Composites Produced by RTM
Authors: Romão C. , Pereira C. M. C. , Esteves J. L.
Published: December 2013

This work addresses mechanical characterization in tension of woven flax fabric reinforced in situ polymerized poly(butylene terephthalate) composites, produced by the RTM technique. A brief description of the developed RTM set-up is made and the composite manufacturing details are presented. A morphological analysis of the mechanically characterized materials by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) is also made. The produced neat polymer (pCBT) showed a brittle behavior and mechanical properties lower than those found in the literature. Its reinforcement with woven flax fabric resulted in an enhancement of both tensile strength and stiffness. The obtained results can be significantly improved by the polymer modifying chemically , optimizing the control of the processing parameters, and subjecting flax fibers to a surface treatment compatible with the CBT 160 resin.
Reliable Graph Routing in Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhao Jing , Qin Yajuan , Yang Dong , Duan Junqi
Published: December 2013

Research studies on smart cities have been conducted, which will enable a better management of the available resources. Industrial wireless sensor networks (IWSNs) are important part of smart city. IWSNs are used for process measurement and control applications in harsh and noisy industrial environments. As substitutes for traditional wired industrial networks, IWSNs are more flexible, scalable, and efficient. However, resource limitation of the sensor nodes and unreliability of low-power wireless links, in combination with stringent quality of the service (QoS) requirements of industrial applications, imposes many challenges in designing efficient routing for IWSNs. Existing standards propose a simple and reliable routing mechanism named graph routing. In this paper, we propose novel routing algorithms to discover reliable paths and construct reliable routing graphs. In our approaches, the centralized manager selects parent nodes for each node in the network to satisfy reliability requirements of the intended application. We try to maximize the number of reliable nodes and change the parent nodes selection strategy along with the link quality and the link correlation. Our design is evaluated using simulation where we show that our algorithm could achieve a balance between routing reliability and overhead.
Numerical Simulation of Confluence Flow in Open Channel with Dynamic Meshes Techniques
Authors: Yang Q. Y. , Liu T. H. , Lu W. Z. , Wang X. K.
Published: December 2013

Due to the interaction between branch flow and main stream at confluence zone in open channel, the water level of free surface often varies dramatically. In three dimensional simulations of confluence flow, multi-phase models are usually adopted in treating the free-surface boundary, for example, the Volume of Fluid model. The major dilemma for adopting multi-phase modes is that the method consumes more time and computation resources. In this study, the new mesh technique, the dynamic meshes, is adopted to track the position of free surface. The simulation results show that simulation adopting dynamic meshes converges rapidly and is in good agreement with the experimental data. In addition, simulations and comparisons of different turbulence models coupled with dynamic meshes, rigid lid, or the Volume of Fluid method are carried out to investigate the impact by tracing the free-surface boundary. The simulated position of free surface, velocity distribution, and vector field are all compared to the data collected in the flume test. The results of numerical simulations of confluence flow using the dynamic meshes present much better accuracy than those of Volume of Fluid or rigid-lid method, although they take the same turbulence model.
FGFR1–WNT–TGF-β Signaling in Prostate Cancer Mouse Models Recapitulates Human Reactive Stroma
Authors: Carstens Julienne L. , Shahi Payam , Van Tsang Susan , Smith Billie , Creighton Chad J. , Zhang Yiqun , Seamans Amber , Seethammagari Mamatha , Vedula Indira , Levitt Jonathan M. , Ittmann Michael M. , Rowley David R. , Spencer David M.
Published: December 2013

The reactive stroma surrounding tumor lesions performs critical roles ranging from supporting tumor cell proliferation to inducing tumorigenesis and metastasis. Therefore, it is critical to understand the cellular components and signaling control mechanisms that underlie the etiology of reactive stroma. Previous studies have individually implicated fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) and canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling in prostate cancer progression and the initiation and maintenance of a reactive stroma; however, both pathways are frequently found to be coactivated in cancer tissue. Using autochthonous transgenic mouse models for inducible FGFR1 (JOCK1) and prostate-specific and ubiquitously expressed inducible β-catenin (Pro-Cat and Ubi-Cat, respectively) and bigenic crosses between these lines (Pro-Cat × JOCK1 and Ubi-Cat × JOCK1), we describe WNT-induced synergistic acceleration of FGFR1-driven adenocarcinoma, associated with a pronounced fibroblastic reactive stroma activation surrounding prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (mPIN) lesions found both in in situ and reconstitution assays. Both mouse and human reactive stroma exhibited increased transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling adjacent to pathologic lesions likely contributing to invasion. Furthermore, elevated stromal TGF-β signaling was associated with higher Gleason scores in archived human biopsies, mirroring murine patterns. Our findings establish the importance of the FGFR1–WNT–TGF-β signaling axes as driving forces behind reactive stroma in aggressive prostate adenocarcinomas, deepening their relevance as therapeutic targets. Cancer Res; 74(2); 609–20. ©2013 AACR.
Alcohol Drinking and Second Primary Cancer Risk in Patients with Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Druesne-Pecollo Nathalie , Keita Youssouf , Touvier Mathilde , Chan Doris S.M. , Norat Teresa , Hercberg Serge , Latino-Martel Paule
Published: December 2013

Background: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing data from observational studies to assess the strength of the association of alcohol drinking with second primary cancer risk in patients with upper aerodigestive tract (UADT; oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus) cancer.

Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched up to July 2012 and the reference lists of studies included in the analysis were examined. Random-effects models were used to estimate summary relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: Nineteen studies, 8 cohort and 11 case–control studies, were included. In highest versus lowest meta-analyses, alcohol drinking was associated with significantly increased risk of UADT second primary cancers (RR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.96–4.50). Significantly increased risks were also observed for UADT and lung combined (RR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.16–3.11) and all sites (RR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.22–2.10) second primary cancers. For an increase in the alcohol intake of 10 grams per day, dose–response meta-analysis resulted in a significantly increased RR of 1.09 (95% CI, 1.04–1.14) for UADT second primary cancers.

Conclusions: Alcohol drinking in patients with UADT cancer is associated with an increased risk of second primary cancers. Studies conducted in alcohol drinking patients with UADT cancer and evaluating the effect of alcohol cessation on second primary cancer and other outcomes are needed.

Impact: Our results emphasize the importance of prevention policies aiming to reduce alcohol drinking. Health-care professionals should encourage alcohol drinking patients with UADT cancer to reduce their consumption and reinforce the surveillance of this at-risk subpopulation. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(2); 324–31. ©2013 AACR.
Female sex as an independent risk factor for stroke in atrial fibrillation: Possible mechanisms
Authors: Albert Christine M. , Andreotti Felicita , Badimon Lina , Van Gelder Isabelle C. , Hylek Elaine M. , Cove Christina L.
Published: December 2013

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an independent risk factor for thromboembolism and stroke. Women with AF are at a higher overall risk for thromboembolic stroke when compared to men with AF. Recent evidence suggests that female sex, after adjusting for stroke risk profile and sex differences in utilisation of anticoagulation, is an independent stroke risk factor in AF. The inclusion of female sex has improved the accuracy of the CHADS2 stroke risk stratification schema (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age 75 years or greater, Diabetes mellitus, and prior Stroke or TIA). The newly revised and validated schema, CHA2DS2-VASc, dichotomises age and incorporates female sex and vascular disease history. The pathophysiological mechanisms to explain this increased risk in women are not well understood. According to Virchow’s triad, thrombosis that leads to stroke in AF should arise from three co-existing phenomena: structural abnormalities, blood stasis, and a hypercoagulable state. Herein, we explore the sex differences in the biological processes that lead to thrombus formation as applied to Virchow’s Triad. The objective of this review is to describe the potential mechanisms behind the increased risk of stroke in AF associated with female sex.
Intermediate doses of low-molecular-weight heparin for the long-term treatment of pregnancy thromboembolism. A systematic review
Authors: Gándara Esteban , Carrier Marc , Rodger Marc A.
Published: December 2013

Note: The contact information for Drs. Gandara and Carrier is the same as for Dr. Rodger. Their e-mail addresses are egandara@ohri.ca and mcarrier@ohri.ca, respectively.
Prolonged duration of type 2 diabetes is associated with increased thrombin generation, prothrombotic fibrin clot phenotype and impaired fibrinolysis
Authors: Konieczynska Malgorzata , Fil Korneliusz , Bazanek Marta , Undas Anetta
Published: December 2013

It has been shown that type 2 diabetes (DM) is associated with enhanced thrombin generation and formation of denser fibrin clots of reduced lysability. We sought to investigate the impact of diabetes duration versus glycaemia control on fibrin clot phenotype and its determinants in type 2 diabetic patients. In 156 consecutive Caucasian patients with type 2 diabetes we investigated ex vivo thrombin generation, fibrinolytic proteins, along with plasma fibrin clot permeation (Ks
), compaction, turbidity, and efficiency of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)-mediated fibrinolysis. Patients with longer diabetes duration (>5 years, median; n=68) had higher peak thrombin generation (+16.3%, p<0.001), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antigen (+14.8%, p=0.001), t-PA antigen (+13.9%, p=0.002) compared with those with duration ≤5 years (n=88). No such differences were observed between patients with inadequate glycaemic control, defined as glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) >6.5% (48 mmol/mol) (n=77), versus those with HbA1C ≤6.5% (n=79). Fibrinogen, thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor antigen, plasminogen and soluble thrombomodulin were unaffected by disease duration or glycaemia control. Lower clot permeability, longer clot lysis, and higher maximum D-dimer levels released from clots (all p<0.05 after adjustment for fibrinogen, age, body mass index, insulin, acetylsalicylic acid treatment, and HbA1c or diabetes duration) were also observed in patients with diabetes duration >5 years and those with HbA1C >6.5%. We conclude that prolonged duration of type 2 diabetes is associated with increased thrombin formation, hypofibrinolysis, and prothrombotic fibrin clot phenotype. The impact of disease duration on coagulation is different and stronger than that observed during inadequate glycaemia control.