bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Lattice Boltzmann Simulation of Three-Dimensional Displacement Flow of Two Immiscible Liquids in a Square Duct
Authors: Redapangu Prasanna R. , Chandra Sahu Kirti , Vanka S. P.
Published: September 2013

A three-dimensional (3D), multiphase lattice Boltzmann approach is used to study a pressure-driven displacement flow of two immiscible liquids of different densities and viscosities in a square duct. A three-dimensional, 15-velocity (D3Q15) lattice model is used. The effects of channel inclination, viscosity, and density contrasts are investigated. The contours of the density and the average viscosity profiles in different planes are plotted and compared with those obtained in a two-dimensional (2D) channel. We demonstrate that the flow dynamics in a 3D channel is quite different as compared to that of a 2D channel. We found that the flow is relatively more coherent in a 3D channel than that in a 2D channel. A new screw-type instability is seen in the 3D channel that cannot be observed in the 2D channel.
Multiobjective Optimization Design of a Pump–Turbine Impeller Based on an Inverse Design Using a Combination Optimization Strategy
Authors: Yang Wei , Xiao Ruofu
Published: September 2013

This paper presents an automatic multiobjective hydrodynamic optimization strategy for pump–turbine impellers. In the strategy, the blade shape is parameterized based on the blade loading distribution using an inverse design method. An efficient response surface model relating the design parameters and the objective functions is obtained. Then, a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm is applied to the response surface functions to find a Pareto front for the final trade-off selection. The optimization strategy was used to redesign a scaled pump–turbine. Model tests were conducted to validate the final design and confirm the validity of the design strategy.
Impact of Weightlessness on Cardiac Shape and Left Ventricular Stress/Strain Distributions
Authors: Iskovitz Ilana , Kassemi Mohammad , Thomas James D.
Published: September 2013

In this paper, a finite element model of the heart is developed to investigate the impact of different gravitational loadings of Earth, Mars, Moon, and microgravity on the cardiac shape and strain/stress distributions in the left ventricle. The finite element model is based on realistic 3D heart geometry, detailed fiber/sheet micro-architecture, and a validated orthotropic cardiac tissue model and constitutive relationship that capture the passive behavior of the heart at end-diastole. The model predicts the trend and magnitude of cardiac shape change at different gravitational levels with great fidelity in comparison to recent cardiac sphericity measurements performed during simulated reduced-gravity parabolic flight experiments. Moreover, the numerical predictions indicate that although the left ventricular strain distributions remain relatively unaltered across the gravitational fields and the strain extrema values occur at the same relative locations, their values change noticeably with decreasing gravity. As for the stress, however, both the magnitude and location of the extrema change with a decrease in the gravitational field. Consequently, tension regions of the heart on Earth can change into compression regions in space.
Finding of Optimum Effective Parameters on Sweetening of Methane Gas by Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Farahbod Farshad , Farahmand Sara , Jafar Soltanian Fard Mohammad , Nikkhahi Mohammad
Published: September 2013

Nanocatalysts are adapted in this research to remove H2S as the toxic, corrosive, and pyrophoric contaminant. The important feature which is considered is to enhance the adsorption efficiency of hydrogen sulfide from hydrocarbon fuels such as methane gas by applying the zinc oxide nanocatalyst. In general, the optimum conditions to eliminate the hydrogen sulfide from methane gas are evaluated in this paper, experimentally. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles are synthesized and are contacted with flow of sour methane. The synthesized nanoparticles are characterized by SEM. The process performance of H2S removal from methane gas on zinc oxide nanoparticles is illustrated by the ratio of outlet concentration per feed concentration. The effects of operating conditions such as operating temperature, pressure, the occupied volume of bed, the amount of H2S concentration in feed stream, feed superficial velocity, size of nanocatalyst, and the bed height are studied in this paper. Also, the cost estimations are presented for different operating pressures and temperatures. This work studies the adsorption of H2S from natural gas with an emphasis on the influence of the operating parameters on process efficiency and cost evaluation. Finally, results introduce the amount of pressure 15 atm, temperature 300 °C, bed height 70 cm, and 35 nm in diameter nano zinc oxide as the optimum properties. Therefore, the amount of C/C0 is decreased to 0.022. In addition, this is confirmed that the increase in the feed concentration of H2S and feed superficial velocity, also the decrease in the diameter of zinc oxide catalyst enhances the process efficiency.
Analytical Evaluation of the Double Stewart Platform Tensile Truss Stiffness Matrix
Authors: Hesselroth Adam H. , Hennessey Michael P.
Published: September 2013

The 6 × 6 stiffness matrix for a single Stewart platform tensile truss is well known. This work extends the methodology used to determine the stiffness matrix of a double Stewart platform system, in which one Stewart platform is stacked on top of another, in serial fashion. A double Stewart platform may offer advantages for some applications in terms of increased stiffness in certain directions. Using principles of statics and considering small displacement perturbations in three-dimensional space of both mobile platforms (middle and bottom) from their weighted equilibrium locations, displacements can be related in a linear manner to application loading, implying a stiffness matrix. Scripts are then developed and executed in matlabtm to determine the stiffness matrix of a specific system. The matlabtm result is validated using single and double Stewart platform physical models and measuring system compliance responses to external forces and moments.
Full State Hybrid Projective Synchronization and Parameters Identification for Uncertain Chaotic (Hyperchaotic) Complex Systems
Authors: Zhang Fangfang , Liu Shutang
Published: September 2013

We introduce the definition of full state hybrid projective synchronization (FSHPS) with complex scaling factors for chaotic and hyperchaotic complex systems and design adaptive FSHPS schemes for uncertain chaotic complex systems under bounded disturbances with all possible situations of unknown parameters. The proposed schemes guarantee adaptive FSHPS between two chaotic complex systems with a small error bound and the convergence factors and dynamical control strength are added to regulate the convergence speed and increase robustness. Then we draw on the sufficient condition and necessary condition that the unknown parameters converge to their true values based on the persistency of excitation (PE) and linear independence (LI). At last, we realize adaptive FSHPS between uncertain complex Chen and Lü systems, which verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the presented schemes.
An Experimental Way of Assessing the Application Potential of Emulsified Palm Biodiesel Toward Alternative to Diesel
Authors: Debnath Biplab K. , Saha Ujjwal K. , Sahoo Niranjan
Published: September 2013

Amid various methods available to reduce pollutant emissions and to improve performance and combustion characteristics of a diesel engine, emulsified fuel seems to be promising. However, because of its different properties from diesel, a biodiesel emulsion is incompetent to provide standard diesel performance. Once combusted in a diesel engine; the proper adjustment of engine operating parameters with the presence of “micro-explosion” may amend the performance of a biodiesel emulsion run engine. In order to realize this fact, a comprehensive study has been carried out in a variable compression ratio diesel engine running with two-phase water in a palm biodiesel emulsion. The engine operating parameters studied and optimized are compression ratio (CR), injection timing (IT), and load. The water emulsions of palm oil methyl ester (WIP) with various specifications have been prepared by commercially available surfactants with appropriate HLB values. Water quantity (5% and 10%), surfactant quantity (1%, 2%, and 3%), and HLB values (4.3, 5, and 6) are the parameters optimized to attain the stable WIP by means of mean droplet diameter measurement and stability study. The optimized WIP of 5% water, 3% surfactant of 6 HLB is then tested in a diesel engine at varying CR (17, 17.5, and 18) and IT (20, 23, and 28 deg BTDC). For each of the combinations of CR and IT, the load has been varied from idling conditions to full load (12 kg) with an increment of 20% (2.4 kg) and 110% (13.2 kg) of full load. The results are analyzed in the form of performance, combustion, and emission parameters with respect to the baseline diesel run (CR = 17.5 and IT = 23 deg BTDC).
Linear Structures in the Core of the Coma Cluster of Galaxies
Authors: Sanders J. S. , Fabian A. C. , Churazov E. , Schekochihin A. A. , Simionescu A. , Walker S. A. , Werner N.
Published: September 2013

Merging Coma

Galaxy clusters grow through mergers and accretion of matter to become the largest gravitationally bound structures in the universe.

Sanders
et al.

(p.
1365
) report long, high-resolution observations with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory that probe hot, ionized gas at the core of the Coma cluster—one of the nearest and best-studied galaxy clusters. The data reveal several large-scale, filament-shaped x-ray brightness enhancements, which provide insight into the cluster's merging history.
Control of Surface Charges by Radicals as a Principle of Antistatic Polymers Protecting Electronic Circuitry
Authors: Baytekin H. Tarik , Baytekin Bilge , Hermans Thomas M. , Kowalczyk Bartlomiej , Grzybowski Bartosz A.
Published: September 2013

Dissipating Static

The accumulation of a static charge on polymers and other insulators often causes little more than a slight annoyance but it can lead to the destruction of sensitive electrical equipment. Thus, approaches are required that prevent and dissipate static electricity through improved electrical conductivity, or that ensure complete discharge before a contact with a key piece of equipment.

Baytekin
et al.

(p.
1368
) show that surface charges will colocalize with radicals on the surface of a polymer, and that the addition of free radical scavengers causes a discharge of the surface as the charges are removed. The approach was used successfully to produce coatings that protected electronic circuits from damage caused by electrostatic discharge.
Polymers Find Plenty of Wiggle Room at the Bottom
Authors: Russell Thomas P.
Published: September 2013

The glassy dynamics of an isolated polymer chain is found to be identical to that of a bulk material.

[Also see Report by

Tress
et al.

]
India Aims a Probe at Mars—And at Earthly Prestige
Authors: Bagla Pallava
Published: September 2013

India is preparing to launch an orbiter to Mars next month that would search for methane, a sign of possible life, in the martian atmosphere.
Comparative Evaluation of Blood and Serum Samples in Rapid Immunochromatographic Tests for Visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Kumar Dinesh , Khanal Basudha , Tiwary Puja , Mudavath Shyam Lal , Tiwary Narendra K. , Singh Rupa , Koirala Kanika , Boelaert Marleen , Rijal Suman , Sundar Shyam
Published: September 2013

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) based on the detection of specific antibodies in serum are commonly used for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Several commercial kits are available, and some of them allow the use of whole-blood samples instead of serum. An RDT is much more user-friendly for blood samples than for serum samples. In this study, we examined the sensitivities and specificities of six different commercially available immunochromatographic tests for their accuracy in detecting
Leishmania
infection in whole blood and serum of parasitologically confirmed VL cases. This study was performed in areas of India and Nepal where VL is endemic. A total of 177 confirmed VL cases, 208 healthy controls from areas of endemicity (EHCs), 26 malaria patients (MP), and 37 tuberculosis (TB) patients were enrolled. The reproducibilities of the blood and serum results and between-reader and between-laboratory results were tested. In India, the sensitivities of all the RDTs ranged between 94.7 and 100.0%, with no significant differences between whole blood and serum. The specificities ranged between 92.4 and 100.0%, except for the specificity of the Onsite
Leishmania
Ab RevB kit, which was lower (33.6 to 42.0%). No differences in specificities were observed for blood and serum. In Nepal, the sensitivities of all the test kits, for whole-blood as well as serum samples, ranged between 96.3 and 100.0%, and the specificities ranged between 90.1 and 96.1%, again with the exception of that of the Onsite
Leishmania
Ab RevB test, which was markedly lower (48.7 to 49.3%). The diagnostic accuracies of all the tests, except for one brand, were excellent for the whole-blood and serum samples. We conclude that whole blood is an adequate alternative for serum in RDTs for VL, with sensitivities and specificities comparable to those obtained in serum samples, provided that the test kit is of overall good quality.
BK Polyomavirus Subtype III in a Pediatric Renal Transplant Patient with Nephropathy
Authors: Kapusinszky Beatrix , Chen Sharon F. , Sahoo Malaya K. , Lefterova Martina I. , Kjelson Lynn , Grimm Paul C. , Kambham Neeraja , Concepcion Waldo , Pinsky Benjamin A.
Published: September 2013

BK polyomavirus (BKV) is an emerging pathogen in immunocompromised individuals. BKV subtype III is rarely identified and has not previously been associated with disease. Here we provide the whole-genome sequence of a subtype III BKV from a pediatric kidney transplant patient with polyomavirus-associated nephropathy.
PC61 (Anti-CD25) Treatment Inhibits Influenza A Virus-Expanded Regulatory T Cells and Severe Lung Pathology during a Subsequent Heterologous Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection
Authors: Kraft Anke R. M. , Wlodarczyk Myriam F. , Kenney Laurie L. , Selin Liisa K.
Published: September 2013

Prior immunity to influenza A virus (IAV) in mice changes the outcome to a subsequent lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection and can result in severe lung pathology, similar to that observed in patients that died of the 1918 H1N1 pandemic. This pathology is induced by IAV-specific memory CD8+T cells cross-reactive with LCMV. Here, we discovered that IAV-immune mice have enhanced CD4+Foxp3+T-regulatory (Treg) cells in their lungs, leading us to question whether a modulation in the normal balance of Treg and effector T-cell responses also contributes to enhancing lung pathology upon LCMV infection of IAV-immune mice. Treg cell and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels remained elevated in the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes (mLNs) throughout the acute LCMV response of IAV-immune mice. PC61 treatment, used to decrease Treg cell levels, did not change LCMV titers but resulted in a surprising decrease in lung pathology upon LCMV infection in IAV-immune but not in naive mice. Associated with this decrease in pathology was a retention of Treg in the mLN and an unexpected partial clonal exhaustion of LCMV-specific CD8+T-cell responses only in IAV-immune mice. PC61 treatment did not affect cross-reactive memory CD8+T-cell proliferation. These results suggest that in the absence of IAV-expanded Treg cells and in the presence of cross-reactive memory, the LCMV-specific response was overstimulated and became partially exhausted, resulting in a decreased effector response. These studies suggest that Treg cells generated during past infections can influence the characteristics of effector T-cell responses and immunopathology during subsequent heterologous infections. Thus, in humans with complex infection histories, PC61 treatment may lead to unexpected results.
Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity with incongruent clinical course
Authors: Patel Pratik Nalinbhai , Mutalik Vimi Sunil , Rehani Shweta , Radhakrishnan Raghu
Published: September 2013

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rare variant of SCC having a marked predilection for the upper aerodigestive tract. It is regarded as a high-grade tumour with increased propensity for metastasis to distant sites. The histological hallmark of BSCC is its dimorphic pattern of presentation with a characteristic basal cell component associated with squamous component. We report two cases of BSCC on the buccal mucosa and gingiva, respectively, with the former presenting as a primary lesion in a patient without a positive history of tobacco and alcohol use and the latter present as a seemingly metachronous development from carcinoma lung. The proliferative index of the two diverse yet similar entities was assessed by Ki-67 labelling index (LI) and the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) was detected with p16 monoclonal antibody. The intrinsically aggressive behaviour of BSCC and its association with HPV is highlighted.
Airway management concerns in patient with gastric banding procedures
Authors: Koolwijk Jasper , Schors Marcel , el Bouazati Soufian , Noordergraaf Gerrit J
Published: September 2013

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) is considered a relatively safe and effective treatment for obesity. Even after weight loss patients with LAGB are at increased risk of pulmonary aspiration during induction of general anaesthesia, possibly due to LAGB-induced anatomical and functional changes. We present a case of aspiration in a patient with LAGB following significant weight loss and 14 h of preoperative fasting and review the literature. In the presence of LAGB we propose specific anaesthesia management at least consisting of anti-Trendelenburg positioning; avoidance of mask-ventilation; use of the local rapid sequence induction strategy with endotracheal intubation and fully awake extubation.
Predicting the likelihood of additional lymph node metastasis in sentinel lymph node positive breast cancer: validation of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC) nomogram
Authors: Chue Koy Min , Yong Wei Sean , Thike Aye Aye , Ahmed Syed Salahuddin , Li Hui Hua , Wong Chow Yin , Ho Gay Hui , Madhukumar Preetha , Tan Benita Kiat Tee , Ong Kong Wee , Tan Puay Hoon
Published: September 2013

Aim

To identify important clinicopathological parameters that are most helpful in predicting additional non-sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis among patients with a positive SLN biopsy in the Singapore breast cancer population.

Methods

A total of 1409 patients who underwent SLN biopsy were reviewed over a 5 year period from July 2004 to October 2009. A Singapore General Hospital (SGH) nomogram was developed from predictors in the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC) nomogram using 266 patients with primary invasive breast cancer and a positive SLN biopsy who subsequently had an axillary lymph node dissection. The SGH nomogram was calibrated using bootstrapped data, while the MSKCC nomogram was calibrated using SGH data. The performance of these two nomograms was compared with the calculation of the area under the receiver–operator characteristics curve and adequacy indices.

Results

The MSKCC nomogram achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.716 (range 0.653–0.779) in our study population, while the SGH nomogram, which used only three pathological parameters, lymphovascular invasion, number of positive and negative SLN biopsies, achieved an AUC of 0.750 (range 0.691–0.808). The SGH nomogram with a higher adequacy index (0.969) provided better estimates compared with the MSKCC nomogram (0.689).

Conclusions

The use of the MSKCC nomogram was validated in our local patient population. The SGH nomogram showed promise to be equally, if not, more predictive as a model in our own population, while using only three pathological parameters.
Republished: Instigating change: trainee doctors' perspective
Authors: Parvizi Nassim , Shahaney Sumera , Martin Guy , Ahmad Ahmir , Moghul Masood
Published: September 2013

In the 21st century, the core skills of trainee doctors are evolving as clinicians, leaders and innovators. Leadership skills are an essential tool for all doctors and need to be an integral part of their training and learning as set out in the General Medical Council's Good Medical Practice. It is essential to develop these skills at an early stage and continually improve them. A group of junior doctors participated in a pilot programme for leadership with the aim of executing a quality improvement (QI) project. This article describes our experiences of both the course itself and the project undertaken by our group. As part of the process of implementing change, we faced a number of challenges which contributed to our learning. These have been explored as well as potential ways to overcome them to enable the swift and smooth development of future QI projects. Using an example of a QI project looking at handover, this article demonstrates how a trainee doctor can implement their project for both professional and institutional improvement.
AUTOMATED SEIZURE DETECTION USING EKG
Authors: OSORIO IVAN
Published: September 2013

Changes in heart rate, most often increases, are associated with the onset of epileptic seizures and may be used in lieu of cortical activity for automated seizure detection. The feasibility of this aim was tested on 241 clinical seizures from 81 subjects admitted to several Epilepsy Centers for invasive monitoring for evaluation for epilepsy surgery. The performance of the EKG-based seizure detection algorithm was compared to that of a validated algorithm applied to electrocorticogram (ECoG). With the most sensitive detection settings [threshold T: 1.15; duration D: 0 s], 5/241 seizures (2%) were undetected (false negatives) and with the highest [T: 1.3; D: 5 s] settings, the number of false negative detections rose to 34 (14%). The rate of potential false positive (PFP) detections was 9.5/h with the lowest and 1.1/h with the highest T, D settings. Visual review of 336 ECoG segments associated with PFPs revealed that 120 (36%) were associated with seizures, 127 (38%) with bursts of epileptiform discharges and only 87 (26%) were true false positives. Electrocardiographic (EKG)-based seizure onset detection preceded clinical onset by 0.8 s with the lowest and followed it by 13.8 s with the highest T, D settings. Automated EKG-based seizure detection is feasible and has potential clinical utility given its ease of acquisition, processing, high signal/noise and ergonomic advantages viz-a-viz EEG (electroencephalogram) or ECoG. Its use as an "electronic" seizure diary will remedy in part, the inaccuracies of those generated by patients/care-givers in a cost-effective manner.
MULTIBEAM GPU TRANSIENT PIPELINE FOR THE MEDICINA BEST-2 ARRAY
Authors: MAGRO A. , HICKISH J. , ADAMI K. Z.
Published: September 2013

Radio transient discovery using next generation radio telescopes will pose several digital signal processing and data transfer challenges, requiring specialized high-performance backends. Several accelerator technologies are being considered as prototyping platforms, including Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). In this paper we present a real-time pipeline prototype capable of processing multiple beams concurrently, performing Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) rejection through thresholding, correcting for the delay in signal arrival times across the frequency band using brute-force dedispersion, event detection and clustering, and finally candidate filtering, with the capability of persisting data buffers containing interesting signals to disk. This setup was deployed at the BEST-2 SKA pathfinder in Medicina, Italy, where several benchmarks and test observations of astrophysical transients were conducted. These tests show that on the deployed hardware eight 20 MHz beams can be processed simultaneously for ~640 Dispersion Measure (DM) values. Furthermore, the clustering and candidate filtering algorithms employed prove to be good candidates for online event detection techniques. The number of beams which can be processed increases proportionally to the number of servers deployed and number of GPUs, making it a viable architecture for current and future radio telescopes.
Knockdown of tyrosine hydroxylase in the nucleus of the solitary tract reduces elevated blood pressure during chronic intermittent hypoxia
Authors: Bathina Chandra Sekhar , Rajulapati Anuradha , Franzke Michelle , Yamamoto Kenta , Cunningham J. Thomas , Mifflin Steve
Published: September 2013

Noradrenergic A2 neurons in nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) respond to stressors such as hypoxia. We hypothesize that tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) knockdown in NTS reduces cardiovascular responses to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), a model of the arterial hypoxemia observed during sleep apnea in humans. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with radiotelemetry transmitters and adeno-associated viral constructs with green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter having either short hairpin RNA (shRNA) for TH or scrambled virus (scRNA) were injected into caudal NTS. Virus-injected rats were exposed to 7 days of CIH (alternating periods of 10% O2 and of 21% O2 from 8 AM to 4 PM; from 4 PM to 8 AM rats were exposed to 21% O2). CIH increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) during the day in both the scRNA ( n = 14, P < 0.001 MAP and HR) and shRNA ( n = 13, P < 0.001 MAP and HR) groups. During the night, MAP and HR remained elevated in the scRNA rats ( P < 0.001 MAP and HR) but not in the shRNA group. TH immunoreactivity and protein were reduced in the shRNA group. FosB/ΔFosB immunoreactivity was decreased in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of shRNA group ( P < 0.001). However, the shRNA group did not show any change in the FosB/ΔFosB immunoreactivity in the rostral ventrolateral medulla. Exposure to CIH increased MAP which persisted beyond the period of exposure to CIH. Knockdown of TH in the NTS reduced this CIH-induced persistent increase in MAP and reduced the transcriptional activation of PVN. This indicates that NTS A2 neurons play a role in the cardiovascular responses to CIH.
Mg supplementation attenuates ritonavir-induced hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, and cardiac dysfunction in rats
Authors: Mak I. Tong , Kramer Jay H. , Chen Xi , Chmielinska Joanna J. , Spurney Christopher F. , Weglicki William B.
Published: September 2013

Use of protease inhibitors (PI) in HIV patients is associated with hyperlipidemia and increased risk of coronary heart disease. Chronic systemic and cardiac effects of ritonavir (RTV), a universal PI booster, and Mg supplementation were examined. RTV was administered (75 mg·kg−1·day−1 po) to Lewis×Brown-Norway hybrid (LBNF1) rats for up to 8 wk; significant increases in plasma triglyceride and cholesterol occurred from 8 days to 8 wk. At 5 wk, the expression of selected hepatic genes ( CYP7A1, CITED2, G6PC, and ME-1), which are key to lipid catabolism/synthesis, were altered toward lipogenesis. Dietary Mg supplementation (six-fold higher) completely reversed the altered expression of these genes and attenuated both hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia. Neutrophils isolated from the RTV-treated rats displayed a three-fold higher basal and a twofold higher stimulated superoxide production; plasma isoprostane and red blood cell (RBC) GSSG levels were elevated two- to three-fold. All oxidative indices were normalized by Mg supplementation. After 5 wk, RTV caused significant decreases in cardiac left ventricular (LV) shortening fraction and LV ejection fraction; mitral valve early/late atrial ventricular filling (E/A) ratio was reduced accompanied by LV posterior wall thinning. Immunohistochemical staining revealed significant white blood cell (WBC) infiltration (5 wk) and prominent fibrosis (8 wk) in the RTV hearts. Mg supplementation attenuated RTV-induced declines in systolic and diastolic (improved mitral valve E/A ratio) function (>70%), lessened LV posterior wall thinning (by 75%), and substantially decreased the pathological markers. The known clinical hyperlipidemia effects of RTV can be mimicked in the LBNF1 rats; in association, systemic oxidative stress and progressive cardiac dysfunction occurred. Remarkably, Mg supplementation alone suppressed RTV-mediated hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, and cardiac dysfunction.
Working memory performance and neural activity in prefrontal cortex of peripubertal monkeys
Authors: Zhou Xin , Zhu Dantong , Qi Xue-Lian , Lees Cynthia J. , Bennett Allyson J. , Salinas Emilio , Stanford Terrence R. , Constantinidis Christos
Published: September 2013

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex matures late into adolescence or early adulthood. This pattern of maturation mirrors working memory abilities, which continue to improve into adulthood. However, the nature of the changes that prefrontal neuronal activity undergoes during this process is poorly understood. We investigated behavioral performance and neural activity in working memory tasks around the time of puberty, a developmental event associated with the release of sex hormones and significant neurological change. The developmental stages of male rhesus monkeys were evaluated with a series of morphometric, hormonal, and radiographic measures. Peripubertal monkeys were trained to perform an oculomotor delayed response task and a variation of this task involving a distractor stimulus. We found that the peripubertal monkeys tended to abort a relatively large fraction of trials, and these were associated with low levels of task-related neuronal activity. However, for completed trials, accuracy in the delayed saccade task was high and the appearance of a distractor stimulus did not impact performance significantly. In correct trials delay period activity was robust and was not eliminated by the presentation of a distracting stimulus, whereas in trials that resulted in errors the sustained cue-related activity was significantly weaker. Our results show that in peripubertal monkeys the prefrontal cortex is capable of generating robust persistent activity in the delay periods of working memory tasks, although in general it may be more prone to stochastic failure than in adults.
The Predictive Prognostic Values of Serum TNF-αin Comparison to SOFA Score Monitoring in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Yousef Ayman Abd Al-Maksoud , Suliman Ghada Abdulmomen
Published: September 2013

Background. The use of inflammatory markers to follow up critically ill patients is controversial. The short time frame, the need for frequent and serial measurement of biomarkers, the presence of soluble receptor and their relatively high cost are the major drawbacks. Our study’s objective is to compare the prognostic values of serum TNF-αand SOFA score monitoring in critically ill patients.Patients and Methods. A total of ninety patients were included in the study. Forty-five patients developed septic complication (sepsis group). Forty-five patients were critically ill without evidence of infectious organism (SIRS group). Patients’ data include clinical status, central venous pressure, and laboratory analysis were measured. A serum level of TNF-αand SOFA score were monitored.Results. Monitoring of TNF-αrevealed significant elevation of TNF-αat 3rd and 5th days of ICU admission in both groups. Monitoring of SOFA score revealed significant elevation of SOFA scores in both groups throughout their ICU stay, particularly in nonsurvivors. Positive predictive ability of SOFA score was demonstrated in critically ill patients.Conclusion. Transient significant increase in serum levels of TNF-αwere detected in septic patients. Persistent elevation of SOFA score was detected in nonsurvivor septic patients. SOFA score is an independent prognostic value in critically ill patients.
Gestational Exposure to a Viral Mimetic Poly(I:C) Results in Long-Lasting Changes in Mitochondrial Function by Leucocytes in the Adult Offspring
Authors: Giulivi Cecilia , Napoli Eleonora , Schwartzer Jared , Careaga Milo , Ashwood Paul
Published: September 2013

Maternal immune activation (MIA) is a potential risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SZ). In rodents, MIA results in changes in cytokine profiles and abnormal behaviors in the offspring that model these neuropsychiatric conditions. Given the central role that mitochondria have in immunity and other metabolic pathways, we hypothesized that MIA will result in a fetal imprinting that leads to postnatal deficits in the bioenergetics of immune cells. To this end, splenocytes from adult offspring exposed gestationally to the viral mimic poly(I:C) were evaluated for mitochondrial outcomes. A significant decrease in mitochondrial ATP production was observed in poly(I:C)-treated mice (45% of controls) mainly attributed to a lower complex I activity. No differences were observed between the two groups in the coupling of electron transport to ATP synthesis, or the oxygen uptake under uncoupling conditions. Concanavalin A- (ConA-) stimulated splenocytes from poly(I:C) animals showed no statistically significant changes in cytokine levels compared to controls. The present study reports for the first time that MIA activation by poly(I:C) at early gestation, which can lead to behavioral impairments in the offspring similar to SZ and ASD, leads to long-lasting effects in the bioenergetics of splenocytes of adult offspring.
Elevated Levels of Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma Interleukin-37 in Patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Authors: Li Cong , Zhao Pingwei , Sun Xiguang , Che Yuanyuan , Jiang Yanfang
Published: September 2013

Aims. Interleukin-37 (IL-37) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. This study aims to investigate the concentrations of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IL-37 in patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).Methods. The levels of plasma and CSF IL-37, IL-17A, IFN-γ, and TNF-αin 25 GBS patients and 20 healthy controls (HC) were determined by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay and flow cytometric bead array assay, respectively. The values of clinical parameters in the patients were also measured.Results. The concentrations of plasma IL-37, IL-17A, IFN-γ, and TNF-αand CSF IL-37 and IL-17A in patients at the acute phase of GBS were significantly higher than those in the HC. The levels of plasma IL-37, IL-17A, IFN-γ, and TNF-αwere positively correlated in those patients, and the levels of CSF IL-37 and IL-17A as well as the levels of plasma TNF-αwere correlated positively with the GBS disability scale scores (GDSs) in those patients. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin significantly reduced the levels of plasma IL-37, IL-17A, IFN-γ, and TNF-αin the drug-responding patients.Conclusions. Our findings indicate higher levels of plasma and CSF IL-37 and IL-17A and other proinflammatory cytokines in patients with GBS.
Towards a Better Understanding of Relationship between Preisach Densities and Polarization Reversals on Hysteresis Characteristic
Authors: Monnor Teerawat , Laosiritaworn Yongyut , Yimnirun Rattikorn
Published: September 2013

This work performed Preisach modeling on hysteresis loops, where the contributions of Preisach density characteristics on hysteresis reversals were investigated. Specifically, the three-dimensional Gaussian-distribution function was used to construct the Preisach densities for extracting the associated hysteresis loops. In particular, the influences of three key Gaussian Preisach density characteristics (i.e., density sharpness, density center, and splitting densities) on hysteresis behavior were examined. It was found that sharper density induces more harmonized domain switching, so polarization derivative is enhanced at the coercivity, while the density center indicates the range of external field at which most switching occurs. Moreover, the splitting of the density was found to represent pinching in hysteresis loops, where material tends to actively respond in two different ranges of external field. Consequently, based on these results, significant hysteresis behavior can be revealed using minimal parameters via appropriate mathematical function; that is, another step enhances the fundamental understanding in the hysteresis topic using the Preisach framework.
Validation of a Proliferation-Based Expression Signature as Prognostic Marker in Early Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wistuba Ignacio I. , Behrens Carmen , Lombardi Francesca , Wagner Susanne , Fujimoto Junya , Raso M. Gabriela , Spaggiari Lorenzo , Galetta Domenico , Riley Robyn , Hughes Elisha , Reid Julia , Sangale Zaina , Swisher Steven G. , Kalhor Neda , Moran Cesar A. , Gutin Alexander , Lanchbury Jerry S. , Barberis Massimo , Kim Edward S.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: New prognostic markers to guide treatment decisions in early stage non–small cell lung cancer are necessary to improve patient outcomes. In this report, we assess the utility of a predefined mRNA expression signature of cell-cycle progression genes (CCP score) to define 5-year risk of lung cancer–related death in patients with early stage lung adenocarcinoma.

Experimental Design: A CCP score was calculated from the mRNA expression levels of 31 proliferation genes in stage I and stage II tumor samples from two public microarray datasets [Director's Consortium (DC) and GSE31210]. The same gene set was tested by quantitative PCR in 381 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) primary tumors. Association of the CCP score with outcome was assessed by Cox proportional hazards analysis.

Results: In univariate analysis, the CCP score was a strong predictor of cancer-specific survival in both the Director's Consortium cohort (P = 0.00014; HR = 2.08; 95% CI, 1.43–3.02) and GSE31210 (P = 0.0010; HR = 2.25; 95% CI, 1.42–3.56). In multivariate analysis, the CCP score remained the dominant prognostic marker in the presence of clinical variables (P = 0.0022; HR = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.29–3.17 in Director's Consortium, P = 0.0026; HR = 2.16; 95% CI, 1.32–3.53 in GSE31210). On a quantitative PCR platform, the CCP score maintained highly significant prognostic value in FFPE-derived mRNA from clinical samples in both univariate (P = 0.00033; HR = 2.10; 95% CI, 1.39–3.17) and multivariate analyses (P = 0.0071; HR = 1.92; 95% CI, 1.18–3.10).

Conclusions: The CCP score is a significant predictor of lung cancer death in early stage lung adenocarcinoma treated with surgery and may be a valuable tool in selecting patients for adjuvant treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 19(22); 6261–71. ©2013 AACR.
Disruption of the Thymic Microenvironment Is Associated with Thymic Involution of Transitional Cell Cancer
Authors: Song Yan , Yu Ruoxing , Wang Changshan , Chi Feng , Guo Zhibin , Zhu Xike
Published: September 2013

Introduction: During bladder tumorigenesis, thymopoiesis is usually downregulated. Considering that the thymus is the site of most T-cell development, this phenomenon may be related to thymic involution. However, the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon remain to be elucidated. Materials and Methods: An MB 49 murine bladder tumor model was used to identify mechanisms that might underlie this process. Results: The thymuses of tumor-bearing mice showed less cellularity than those of healthy mice. Involution was found to be associated with less proliferation and more apoptosis of thymic epithelial cells (TEC). Foxn1, KGF, and IL-7, three factors known to be involved in thymic development, were also downregulated in the thymuses of tumor bearers. When these mice were intravenously injected with KGF, the thymic microenvironment, thymopoiesis, and T-cell differentiation all returned to near normal status. Conclusions: The decreases in thymopoiesis and impaired T-cell differentiation may be attributable to changes in the thymic microenvironment. Improving the function of TEC, rather than T-cell progenitors, should be the focus of therapy.
Intra-Arterial Eptifibatide in the Management of Thromboembolism during Endovascular Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: Case Series and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Ramakrishnan Pankajavalli , Yoo Albert J. , Rabinov James D. , Ogilvy Christopher S. , Hirsch Joshua A. , Nogueira Raul G.
Published: September 2013

Objectives: Thromboembolic complications are well recognized during the endovascular management of intracranial aneurysms. In this study, we present a case series of 40 patients with intraprocedural thrombotic complications who were treated with intra-arterial eptifibatide (IAE), and a review of the literature. Methods: Twenty-five patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA), 10 with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) and 5 with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced vasospasm (VSP) received IAE for intraprocedural thrombi during endovascular treatment. Rates of recanalization, strokes, and hemorrhagic complications were assessed. Results: Recanalization was achieved in 96% (24/25) of the RIA patients [72% (18/25) complete; 24% (6/25) partial], in 100% (10/10) of the UIA patients [90% (9/10) complete; 10% (1/10) partial], and in 100% (5/5) of the VSP patients [80% (4/5) complete; 20% (1/5) partial]. Strokes following intraprocedural thrombosis were coil-related (20%, 5/25) or stent-related (12%, 3/25) in RIA patients, stent-related (10%, 1/10) in UIA patients, and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II-related (60%, 3/5) or vasospasm-related (20%, 1/5) in VSP patients. There were no intracerebral hemorrhagic complications in UIA. Intracerebral hemorrhage was observed in 20% of the RIA patients (5/25), all of whom had received intra-arterial thrombolytics and/or high-dose heparin infusion in addition to IAE; in 12%, this was external ventricular drain-related (3/25), 4% had parenchymal hematoma type 1 (1/25), and 4% parenchymal hematoma type 2 (1/25). One of the 5 VSP patients, who had received argatroban in addition to IAE, had parenchymal hematoma type 1. No clinically significant systemic hemorrhage was observed in this study. Conclusion: Treatment of thromboembolic complications with IAE during endovascular management of aneurysms was effective in achieving recanalization and overall well tolerated in this series.
Partial deletion of the αC-domain in the Fibrinogen Perth variant is associated with thrombosis, increased clot strength and delayed fibrinolysis
Authors: Duval Cédric , Philippou Helen , Brown Rebecca , Lee Kurtis R. , Murden Sherina L. , Phillips Emma , Reilly-Stitt Christopher , Whalley Daniel , Ariëns Robert A. , Mumford Andrew D. , Westbury Sarah K.
Published: September 2013

Genetic fibrinogen (FGN) variants that are associated with bleeding or thrombosis may be informative about fibrin polymerisation, structure and fibrinolysis. We report a four generation family with thrombosis and heritable dysfibrinogenaemia segregating with a c.[1541delC];[=] variation in FGA (FGN-Perth). This deletion predicts a truncated FGN αC-domain with an unpaired terminal Cys at residue 517 of FGN-Aα. In keeping with this, SDS-PAGE of purified FGN-Perth identified a truncated FGN-Aα chain with increased co-purification of albumin, consistent with disulphide bonding to the terminal Cys of the variant FGN-Aα. Clot visco-elastic strength in whole blood containing FGN-Perth was greater than controls and tPA-mediated fibrinolysis was delayed. In FGN-Perth plasma and in purified FGN-Perth, there was markedly reduced final turbidity after thrombin-mediated clot generation. Consistent with this, FGN-Perth formed tighter, thinner fibrin fibres than controls indicating defective lateral aggregation of protofibrils. Clots generated with thrombin in FGN-Perth plasma were resistant to tPA-mediated fibrinolysis. FGN-Perth clot also displayed impaired tPA-mediated plasmin generation but incorporated α2-anti-plasmin at a similar rate to control. Impaired fibrinolysis because of defective plasmin generation potentially explains the FGN-Perth clinical phenotype. These findings highlight the importance of the FGN αC-domain in the regulation of clot formation and fibrinolysis.
Interplay of Electrical Wavefronts as Determinant of the Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Dyssynchronous Canine Hearts
Authors: Strik Marc , van Middendorp Lars B. , Houthuizen Patrick , Ploux Sylvain , van Hunnik Arne , Kuiper Marion , Auricchio Angelo , Prinzen Frits W.
Published: September 2013

Background—

The relative contribution of electromechanical synchronization and ventricular filling to the optimal hemodynamic effect in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) during adjustment of stimulation-timings is incompletely understood. We investigated whether optimal hemodynamic effect in CRT requires collision of pacing-induced and intrinsic activation waves and optimal filling of the left ventricle (LV).

Methods and Results—

CRT was performed in dogs with chronic left bundle–branch block (n=8) or atrioventricular (AV) block (n=6) through atrial (A), right ventricular (RV) apex, and LV-basolateral pacing. A 100 randomized combinations of A-LV/A-RV intervals were tested. Total activation time (TAT) was calculated from >100 contact mapping electrodes. Mechanical interventricular dyssynchrony was determined as the time delay between upslopes of LV and RV pressure curves. Settings providing an increase in LVdP/dt
max
(maximal rate of rise of left ventricular pressure) of ≥90% of the maximum LVdP/dt
max
value were defined as optimal (CRT
opt
). Filling was assessed by changes in LV end-diastolic volume (EDV; conductance catheter technique). In all hearts, CRT
opt
was observed during multiple settings, providing an average LVdP/dt
max
increase of ≈15%. In AV-block hearts, CRT
opt
exclusively depended on interventricular-interval and not on AV-interval. In left bundle–branch block hearts, CRT
opt
occurred at A-LV intervals that allowed fusion of LV-pacing–derived activation with right bundle–derived activation. In all animals, CRT
opt
occurred at settings resulting in the largest decrease in TAT and mechanical interventricular dyssynchrony, whereas LV EDV hardly changed.

Conclusions—

In left bundle–branch block and AV-block hearts, optimal hemodynamic effect of CRT depends on optimal interplay between pacing-induced and intrinsic activation waves and the corresponding mechanical resynchronization rather than filling.