bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Phospholipid Layers on the Motion of Microbubbles Under Pressure Variations
Authors: Tanaka Yuki , Takahira Hiroyuki
Published: June 2012

The shrinking and growth of microbubbles under pressure variations are observed with a CCD camera. The influence of gas diffusion on the stability of microbubbles covered with phospholipid layers is investigated. The microbubbles are made with acoustic liposomes encapsulating phosphate buffer solution and perfluoropropane gas. It is shown that when the ambient liquid pressure increases, the observed microbubbles shrink accompanied with the cyclic surface buckling and smoothing process. The bubble surface smoothing in the process shows that the excess phospholipid layers are removed from the surface, which results in the instantaneous bubble shrinkage. It is also shown that the smaller the initial radius is, the more the growth of microbubbles is reduced. The bubble model by Takahira and Ito, in which the dynamic surface tension and the gas permeation resistance of molecular layers are considered, is utilized to simulate the experiments. The simulation is in qualitative agreement with the experimental result except for the instantaneous bubble shrinkage. The model is improved so as to consider the instantaneous increase of surface tension. The instantaneous bubble shrinkage is simulated successfully with the improved model. The results suggest that the instantaneous increase of surface tension is caused by the shedding of the excess phospholipid layer material due to the zippering process proposed by Borden and Longo.
An Unstructured Finite-Volume Technique for Shallow-Water Flows With Wetting and Drying Fronts
Authors: Nguyen Kim Dan , Ray Rajendra K.
Published: June 2012

An unstructured finite volume numerical model is presented here for simulating shallow-water flows with wetting and drying fronts. The model is based on the Green’s theorem in combination with Chorin’s projection method. A 2nd-order upwind scheme coupled with a Least Square technique is used to handle convection terms. An Wetting and drying treatment is used in the present model to ensures the total mass conservation. To test it’s capacity and reliability, the present model is used to solve the Parabolic Bowl problem. We compare our numerical solutions with the corresponding analytical and existing standard numerical results. Excellent agreements are found in all the cases.
Single Cell Stimulation Assay: Microfluidic Substance Delivery to a Laterally Trapped Cell
Authors: Terao Kyohei , Gel Murat , Okonogi Atsuhito , Suzuki Takaaki , Oohira Fumikazu , Washizu Masao , Kotera Hidetoshi
Published: June 2012

We propose a novel cell stimulation device for the analysis of cell responses to chemical stimuli. In order to deliver chemical substances to target single cells, we developed a microfluidic device having microchannels and apertures in the side wall to subject stimuli to laterally trapped cells. The channels were designed to allow simple flow control with single syringe pump. We demonstrated single cell trapping and culturing of pancreatic β cell with the device. To test its feasibility in cell stimulation assay, intracellular response of the cell to glucose stimulation was demonstrated.
Development of Polydiacetylene-Embedded Microfibers Using 3-D Hydrodynamic Focusing Technique
Authors: Yoo Imsung , Lee Jeesoo , Song Simon
Published: June 2012

Polydiacetylene (PDA), conjugated polymer, is an attractive sensor material that has a unique optical property to transform its color from visible blue to fluorescent red upon environmental perturbations like heat, pH, specific metal ions, and etc. In this study, we propose a novel method to detect metal ions by using polydiacetylene (PDA)-embedded sensor microfibers fabricated with a 3-D hydrodynamic focusing technique using alginate and calcium solutions. Moreover, by changing the head groups of PDA, we successfully detected Al3+ and Zn2+ ions up to 1mM using PDA micro fibers.
Microbiota-Targeted Therapies: An Ecological Perspective
Authors: Lemon Katherine P. , Armitage Gary C. , Relman David A. , Fischbach Michael A.
Published: June 2012

Insights from ecology will help to drive the development of microbiota-targeted therapeutics.
PAIN AND FUNCTION ONE YEAR AFTER DECOMPRESSIVE DISC SURGERY: CASES AUGMENTED WITH THE DIAM INTERSPINOUS IMPLANT VERSUS THOSE RECEIVING MICRODISCECTOMY
Authors: Crawford R. J. , Lynn J. M. , Malone Q. , Price R. I.
Published: June 2012

Purpose: To examine clinical outcomes after decompressive lumbar surgery for herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) in two cohorts from a single surgeon: Microdiscectomy alone [MICRO] versus microdiscectomy augmented with the Device for Intervertebral Assisted Motion [DIAM™, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, USA]. We hypothesized that DIAM-augmented microdiscectomy would provide superior outcomes to microdiscectomy alone given purported benefits for interspinous devices reported in the literature. Improvements would concur with clinically significant change. Methods: Two separate HNP patient groups were sourced from a single surgeon: MICRO [n = 47 (17F/30M); 45 years (SD 14.2; 22–75)] and DIAM [n = 29 (10F/19M); 42 years (SD 11.2; 20–64)]. Patient-reported outcomes for function [MICRO=Roland-Morris Questionnaire (RMQ); DIAM=Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)] and back and leg pain [visual analogue scale (VAS)] were serially examined at preoperative baseline, 4–6 weeks, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Incidence of repeat surgery at the index segment was recorded. Data were reported using descriptive statistics, unpaired t-tests and repeated ANOVA (Scheffe's post-hoc test). Statistically meaningful differences were defined by p < 0.05. Results: MICRO cases had higher preoperative leg pain (by 19%; p < 0.01). Improvements in absolute function and leg pain at one year were better in the MICRO group (p < 0.01). Both groups showed clinically significant improvement for all variables at each time-point during the period of follow-up. MICRO cases had proportionally fewer repeat surgeries (3/47 versus 4/29). Conclusions: Significant improvements in function, back and leg pain were shown in both patient groups out to one year. Clinically important change to function, back and leg pain was achieved for the MICRO cases, while clinically important change to leg pain occurred in the DIAM group. MICRO cases required proportionally fewer repeat surgeries by one year postoperatively. Microdiscectomy augmented with DIAM did not result in superior outcomes in treatment of herniated nucleus pulposus compared with microdiscectomy alone.
NORMATIVE VALUES OF LOWER BACK AND HAMSTRING FLEXIBILITY FOR NIGERIANS USING THE MODIFIED SIT-AND-REACH TEST
Authors: Adegoke Babatunde O. A. , Akpan Godwin A. , Mbada Chidozie E.
Published: June 2012

Purpose: Dearth of population-specific reference values is a limitation in the assessment of lower back and hamstrings flexibility. This study sought to establish a gender and age normative data for lower back and hamstrings flexibility in healthy Nigerians using the modified sit-and-reach test. Methods: This study involved 4000 (1988 males and 2012 females) participants recruited using multistage sampling technique. The participants' whose ages ranged between 5 and 61 years were grouped into 12 age strata. The Acuflex-1 tester (modified sit-and-reach box) was used to assess lower back and hamstring flexibility following standardized procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation, percentiles. Results: The mean of the modified sit-and-reach test scores (MSRTS) differed significantly between the sexes (p = 0.001). MSRTS increased with age up to age of 15–19 years for male, and 30–39 years for female. There were age and gender variations in the percentile normative values of MSRTS for each of the 16 age categories. Conclusion: This study established a population-specific normative data according to age and gender for lower back and hamstrings flexibility using the modified sit-and-reach test for healthy Nigerians. In general, females had better lower back and hamstrings flexibility than males.
HOMOCLINIC BIFURCATION IN SEMI-CONTINUOUS DYNAMIC SYSTEMS
Authors: DAI CHUANJUN , ZHAO MIN , CHEN LANSUN
Published: June 2012

In this paper, a class of homoclinic bifurcations in semi-continuous dynamic systems are investigated. On the basis of rotated vector fields theory, existence of order-1 periodic solution and the rotated vector fields of the semi-continuous dynamic system are discussed. Furthermore, homoclinic cycles and homoclinic bifurcations are described. Finally, an example is provided to show the validity of our theoretical results.
Transformation of postingestive glucose responses after deletion of sweet taste receptor subunits or gastric bypass surgery
Authors: Geraedts Maartje C. P. , Takahashi Tatsuyuki , Vigues Stephan , Markwardt Michele L. , Nkobena Andongfac , Cockerham Renee E. , Hajnal Andras , Dotson Cedrick D. , Rizzo Mark A. , Munger Steven D.
Published: June 2012

The glucose-dependent secretion of the insulinotropic hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a critical step in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. Two molecular mechanisms have separately been suggested as the primary mediator of intestinal glucose-stimulated GLP-1 secretion (GSGS): one is a metabotropic mechanism requiring the sweet taste receptor type 2 (T1R2) + type 3 (T1R3) while the second is a metabolic mechanism requiring ATP-sensitive K+(KATP) channels. By quantifying sugar-stimulated hormone secretion in receptor knockout mice and in rats receiving Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), we found that both of these mechanisms contribute to GSGS; however, the mechanisms exhibit different selectivity, regulation, and localization. T1R3−/−mice showed impaired glucose and insulin homeostasis during an oral glucose challenge as well as slowed insulin granule exocytosis from isolated pancreatic islets. Glucose, fructose, and sucralose evoked GLP-1 secretion from T1R3+/+, but not T1R3−/−, ileum explants; this secretion was not mimicked by the KATPchannel blocker glibenclamide. T1R2−/−mice showed normal glycemic control and partial small intestine GSGS, suggesting that T1R3 can mediate GSGS without T1R2. Robust GSGS that was KATPchannel-dependent and glucose-specific emerged in the large intestine of T1R3−/−mice and RYGB rats in association with elevated fecal carbohydrate throughout the distal gut. Our results demonstrate that the small and large intestines utilize distinct mechanisms for GSGS and suggest novel large intestine targets that could mimic the improved glycemic control seen after RYGB.
Role of genetic modifiers in an orthologous rat model of ARPKD
Authors: O'Meara Caitlin C. , Hoffman Matthew , Sweeney William E. , Tsaih Shirng-Wern , Xiao Bing , Jacob Howard J. , Avner Ellis D. , Moreno Carol
Published: June 2012

Human data and animal models of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) suggest that genetic factors modulate the onset and severity of the disease. We report here for the first time that ARPKD susceptibility is attenuated by introgressing the mutated Pkhd1 disease allele from the polycystic kidney (PCK) rat onto the FHH (Fawn-Hooded Hypertensive) genetic background. Compared with PCK, the FHH .Pkhd1 strain had significantly decreased renal cyst formation that coincided with a threefold reduction in mean kidney weights. Further analysis revealed that the FHH. Pkhd1 is protected from increased blood pressure as well as elevated plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. On the other hand, liver weight and biliary cystogenesis revealed no differences between PCK and FHH. Pkdh1, indicating that genes within the FHH genetic background prevent the development of renal, but not hepatic, manifestations of ARPKD. Microarray expression analysis of kidneys from 30-day-old PCK rats revealed increased expression of genes previously identified in PKD renal expression profiles, such as inflammatory response, extracellular matrix synthesis, and cell proliferation genes among others, whereas the FHH. Pkhd1 did not show activation of these common markers of disease. This newly developed strain can serve as a tool to map modifier genes for renal disease in ARPKD and provides further insight into disease variability and pathophysiology.
IGF-1 Restores Visual Cortex Plasticity in Adult Life by Reducing Local GABA Levels
Authors: Maya-Vetencourt José Fernando , Baroncelli Laura , Viegi Alessandro , Tiraboschi Ettore , Castren Eero , Cattaneo Antonino , Maffei Lamberto
Published: June 2012

The central nervous system architecture is markedly modified by sensory experience during early life, but a decline of plasticity occurs with age. Recent studies have challenged this dogma providing evidence that both pharmacological treatments and paradigms based on the manipulation of environmental stimulation levels can be successfully employed as strategies for enhancing plasticity in the adult nervous system. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a peptide implicated in prenatal and postnatal phases of brain development such as neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, synaptogenesis, and experience-dependent plasticity. Here, using the visual system as a paradigmatic model, we report that IGF-1 reactivates neural plasticity in the adult brain. Exogenous administration of IGF-1 in the adult visual cortex, indeed, restores the susceptibility of cortical neurons to monocular deprivation and promotes the recovery of normal visual functions in adult amblyopic animals. These effects were accompanied by a marked reduction of intracortical GABA levels. Moreover, we show that a transitory increase of IGF-1 expression is associated to the plasticity reinstatement induced by environmental enrichment (EE) and that blocking IGF-1 action by means of the IGF-1 receptor antagonist JB1 prevents EE effects on plasticity processes.
Adaptive Control for a Class of Nonlinear System with Redistributed Models
Authors: Ke Haisen , Li Jiang
Published: June 2012

Multiple model adaptive control has been investigated extensively during the last ten years in which the “switching” or “switching and tuning” have emerged as the mainly approaches. It is the “switching” that can improve the transient performance to some extent and also make it difficult to analyze the stability of the system with multiple models adaptive controller. Towards this goal, this paper develops a novel multiple models adaptive controller for a class of nonlinear system in parameter-strict-feedback form which not only improves the transient performance significantly, but also guarantees the stability of all the states of the closed-loop system. A simulation example is proposed to illustrate the effectiveness of the developed multiple models adaptive controller.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Zheng in the Era of Evidence-Based Medicine: A Literature Analysis
Authors: Jiang Miao , Zhang Chi , Zheng Guang , Guo Hongtao , Li Li , Yang Jing , Lu Cheng , Jia Wei , Lu Aiping
Published: June 2012

Zheng, which is also called a syndrome or pattern, is the basic unit and a key concept of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory. Zheng can be considered a further stratification of patients when it is integrated with biomedical diagnoses in clinical practice to achieve higher efficacies. In an era of evidence-based medicine, confronted with the vast and increasing volume of TCM data, there is an urgent need to explore these resources effectively using techniques of knowledge discovery in databases. The application of effective data mining in the analysis of multiple extensively integrated databases can supply new information about TCM Zheng research. In this paper, we screened the published literature on TCM Zheng-related studies in the SinoMed and PubMed databases with a novel data mining approach to obtain an overview of the Zheng research landscape in the hope of contributing to a better understanding of TCM Zheng in the era of evidence-based medicine. In our results, contrast was found in Zheng in different studies, and several determinants of Zheng were identified. The data described in this paper can be used to assess Zheng research studies based on the title and certain characteristics of the abstract. These findings will benefit modern TCM Zheng-related studies and guide future Zheng study efforts.
Mixing Study in an Unbaffled Stirred Precipitator Using LES Modelling
Authors: Bertrand Murielle , Parmentier Delphine , Lebaigue Olivier , Plasari Edouard , Ducros Frédéric
Published: June 2012

This paper describes the CFD modelling of a reactor operating in the nuclear industry using LES approach. The reactor consists of an unbaffled stirred tank reactor in which plutonium precipitation reactions are carried out. The flow generated in such a precipitator is complex and there is very little information available in the literature about unbaffled reactors stirred with magnetic rod. That is why a hydrodynamic modelling has been developed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in order to get accurate description of mixing phenomena inside the precipitator and therefore to be able to predict the solid particle properties. Due to the strong turbulence anisotropy, the turbulence transport simulation is achieved by a large eddy simulation (LES) approach which gives unsteady solutions. The numerical simulations are performed in 3D using the Trio_U code developed at the Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique. The predictive performances of the modelling are analysed through a mixing phenomena study. Both experimental and numerical studies are performed. This work shows how hydrodynamics inside the reactor can have a noticeable effect on the precipitate properties and how LES modelling is a very effective tool for the process control.
Distribution, Size, and Shape of Abdominal Aortic Calcified Deposits and Their Relationship to Mortality in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Ganz Melanie , de Bruijne Marleen , Dam Erik B. , Pettersen Paola , Karsdal Morten A. , Christiansen Claus , Nielsen Mads
Published: June 2012

Abdominal aortic calcifications (AACs) correlate strongly with coronary artery calcifications and can be predictors of cardiovascular mortality. We investigated whether size, shape, and distribution of AACs are related to mortality and how such prognostic markers perform compared to the state-of-the-art AC24 marker introduced by Kauppila. Methods. For 308 postmenopausal women, we quantified the number of AAC and the percentage of the abdominal aorta that the lesions occupied in terms of their area, simulated plaque area, thickness, wall coverage, and length. We analysed inter-/intraobserver reproducibility and predictive ability of mortality after 8-9 years via Cox regression leading to hazard ratios (HRs).Results. The coefficient of variation was below 25% for all markers. The strongest individual predictors were the number of calcifications (HR=2.4) and the simulated area percentage (HR=2.96) of a calcified plaque, and, unlike AC24 (HR=1.66), they allowed mortality prediction also after adjusting for traditional risk factors. In a combined Cox regression model, the strongest complementary predictors were the number of calcifications (HR=2.76) and the area percentage (HR=−3.84).Conclusion. Morphometric markers of AAC quantified from radiographs may be a useful tool for screening and monitoring risk of CVD mortality.
Delay‐Independent Stability of Switched Linear Systems withUnbounded Time‐Varying Delays
Authors: Sun Yuangong
Published: June 2012

This paper is focused on delay‐independent stability analysis for a class of switched
linear systems with time‐varying delays that can be unbounded. When the switched system is
not necessarily positive, we first establish a delay‐independent stability criterion under arbitrary
switching signal by using a new method that is different from the methods to positive systems in
the literature. We also apply this method to a class of time‐varying switched linear systems with
mixed delays.
Exploring Biomolecular Literature with EVEX: Connecting Genes through Events, Homology, and Indirect Associations
Authors: Van Landeghem Sofie , Hakala Kai , Rönnqvist Samuel , Salakoski Tapio , Van de Peer Yves , Ginter Filip
Published: June 2012

Technological advancements in the field of genetics have led not only to an abundance of experimental data, but also caused an exponential increase of the number of published biomolecular studies. Text mining is widely accepted as a promising technique to help researchers in the life sciences deal with the amount of available literature. This paper presents a freely available web application built on top of 21.3 million detailed biomolecular events extracted from all PubMed abstracts. These text mining results were generated by a state-of-the-art event extraction system and enriched with gene family associations and abstract generalizations, accounting for lexical variants and synonymy. The EVEX resource locates relevant literature on phosphorylation, regulation targets, binding partners, and several other biomolecular events and assigns confidence values to these events. The search function accepts official gene/protein symbols as well as common names from all species. Finally, the web application is a powerful tool for generating homology-based hypotheses as well as novel, indirect associations between genes and proteins such as coregulators.
Opportunities for Improved Serodiagnosis of Human Tuberculosis, Bovine Tuberculosis, and Paratuberculosis
Authors: Wadhwa Ashutosh , Hickling Graham J. , Eda Shigetoshi
Published: June 2012

Mycobacterial infections—tuberculosis (TB), bovine tuberculosis (bTB), and Johne’s disease (JD)—are major infectious diseases of both human and animals. Methods presently in use for diagnosis of mycobacterial infections include bacterial culture, nucleic acid amplification, tuberculin skin test, interferon-γassay, and serology. Serological tests have several advantages over other methods, including short turn-around time, relatively simple procedures, and low cost. However, current serodiagnostic methods for TB, bTB and JD exhibit low sensitivity and/or specificity. Recent studies that have aimed to develop improved serodiagnostic tests have mostly focused on identifying useful species-specific protein antigens. A review of recent attempts to improve diagnostic test performance indicates that the use of multiple antigens can improve the accuracy of serodiagnosis of these mycobacterial diseases. Mycobacteria also produce a variety of species-specific nonprotein molecules; however, only a few such molecules (e.g., cord factor and lipoarabinomannan) have so far been evaluated for their effectiveness as diagnostic antigens. For TB and bTB, there has been recent progress in developing laboratory-free diagnostic methods. New technologies such as microfluidics and “Lab-on-Chip” are examples of promising new technologies that can underpin development of laboratory-free diagnostic devices for these mycobacterial infections.
In Vitro Release of Interferon-Gamma from Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes in Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions
Authors: Goldberg Ilan , Hanson Meital , Chodick Gabriel , Shirazi Idit , Brenner Sarah
Published: June 2012

Background. Cutaneous drug reactions are common but diagnostically challenging due to phenotypic heterogeneity and simultaneous exposure to multiple drugs. These limitations prompted the development of diagnostic tests.Aims. To evaluate the performance of an in vitro assay measuring interferon-gamma release from patients’ lymphocytes in the presence of causative drugs for the diagnosis of drug reactions.Methods. Mononuclear cells derived from patients were incubated with and without suspected drugs, and increment of interferon-gamma levels was measured by ELISA. We performed a telephonic survey to evaluate the effect of stopping the drugs incriminated by the assay on cutaneous manifestations.Results. We assessed 272 patients who used 1035 medications. When assessed against the questionnaire data collected at least 6 months after stopping the causative drug, sensitivity was found to be 83.61% and specificity 92.67%. Likelihood ratio for a positive test is 11.40 and for a negative test 0.18. Positive predictive value is 75.37% and negative predictive value is 95.47%. The test was found to perform significantly better in females and in older patients.Conclusions. Interferon-gamma release test is a useful adjunct tool in the diagnosis of cutaneous drug reactions.
Association of Base Excision Repair Gene Polymorphisms with ESRD Risk in a Chinese Population
Authors: Cai Zhenming , Chen Huimei , Tao Jing , Guo Wenwen , Liu Xiufang , Zheng Bixia , Sun Wei , Wang Yaping
Published: June 2012

The base excision repair (BER) pathway, containingOGG1, MTH1andMUTYH, is a major protector from oxidative DNA damage in humans, while 8-oxoguanine (8-OHdG), an index of DNA oxidation, is increased in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients. Four polymorphisms of BER genes, OGG1 c.977C > G (rs1052133),MTH1c.247G > A (rs4866),MUTYHc.972G > C (rs3219489), andAluYb8MUTYH(rs10527342), were examined in 337 HD patients and 404 healthy controls. And the 8-OHdG levels in leukocyte DNA were examined in 116 HD patients. The distribution ofMUTYHc.972 GG orAluYb8MUTYHdiffered between the two groups and was associated with a moderately increased risk for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (P=0.013and 0.034, resp.). The average 8-OHdG/106 dG value was significantly higher in patients with theOGG1c.977G,MUTYHc.972G orAluYb8MUTYHalleles (P<0.001via ANOVA). Further analysis showed that combination ofMUTYHc.972GG withOGG1c.977GG orAluYb8MUTYHincreased both the risk for ESRD and leukocyte DNA 8-OHdG levels in HD patients. Our study showed thatMUTYHc.972GG,AluYb8MUTYH, and combination ofOGG1c.977GG increased the risk for ESRD development in China and suggested that DNA oxidative damage might be involved in such process.
Ruptured Rudimentary Horn Pregnancy at 25 Weeks with Previous Vaginal Delivery: A Case Report
Authors: Kanagal Deepa V. , Hanumanalu Lokeshchandra C.
Published: June 2012

Unicornuate uterus with rudimentary horn occurs due to failure of complete development of one of the Mullerian ducts and incomplete fusion with the contralateral side. Pregnancy in a noncommunicating rudimentary horn is extremely rare and usually terminates in rupture during first or second trimester of pregnancy. Diagnosis of rudimentary horn pregnancy and its rupture in a woman with prior vaginal delivery is difficult. It can be missed in routine ultrasound scan and in majority of cases it is detected after rupture. It requires a high index of suspicion. We report a case of G2PlL1 with rupture rudimentary horn pregnancy at 25 weeks of gestation which was misdiagnosed as intrauterine pregnancy with fetal demise by ultrasound, and termination was attempted and the case was later referred to our hospital after the patient developed hemoperitoneum and shock with a diagnosis of rupture uterus. Laparotomy revealed rupture of right rudimentary horn pregnancy with massive hemoperitoneum. Timely laparotomy, excision of the horn, and blood transfusion saved the patient.
Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Some Quinoxaline‐Incorporated Schiff Bases and Their Biological Evaluation
Authors: Achutha L. , Parameshwar R. , Reddy B. Madhava , Babu V. Harinadha
Published: June 2012

Quinoxaline‐incorporated Schiff bases (4a–j) were synthesized by the condensation of 2‐[(3‐methylquinoxalin‐2‐yl)oxy]acetohydrazide (3) with indole‐3‐carbaldehyde, furfuraldehyde, 5‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐2‐furfuraldehyde, and substituted benzaldehydes under conventional and microwave irradiation methods. The microwave method was found to be remarkably successful with higher yields, less reaction time, and environmentally friendly compared to conventional heating method. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds have been confirmed by analytical and spectral data. All the compounds have been evaluated for antitubercular and anti‐inflammatory activities.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Pyrimidine Salts with Chloranilic and Picric Acids
Authors: Mallikarjunaswamy C. , Bhadregowda D. G. , Mallesha L.
Published: June 2012

Pyrimidine salts such as 2‐methyl‐5‐nitro‐phenyl‐(4‐pyridin‐3‐yl‐pyrimidin‐2‐yl)‐amine (1) and 4‐methyl‐3‐(4‐pyridin‐3‐yl‐pyrimidin‐2‐yl‐amino)‐phenyl‐amine (2) with chloranilic and picric acids were synthesized, and their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated. The synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, UV‐visible, FT‐IR, and 1H NMR spectral studies. Compound 2a exhibited good inhibition towards antimicrobial activity compared to the other compounds.
Ligand Binding Promotes CDK-Dependent Phosphorylation of ER-Alpha on Hinge Serine 294 but Inhibits Ligand-Independent Phosphorylation of Serine 305
Authors: Held Jason M. , Britton David J. , Scott Gary K. , Lee Elbert L. , Schilling Birgit , Baldwin Michael A. , Gibson Bradford W. , Benz Christopher C.
Published: June 2012

Phosphorylation of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) is critical for its transcription factor activity and may determine its predictive and therapeutic value as a biomarker for ERα-positive breast cancers. Recent attention has turned to the poorly understood ERα hinge domain, as phosphorylation at serine 305 (Ser305) associates with poor clinical outcome and endocrine resistance. We show that phosphorylation of a neighboring hinge domain site, Ser294, analyzed by multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry of ERα immunoprecipitates from human breast cancer cells is robustly phosphorylated exclusively by ligand (estradiol and tamoxifen) activation of ERα and not by growth factor stimulation (EGF, insulin, heregulin-β). In a reciprocal fashion, Ser305 phosphorylation is induced by growth factors but not ligand activation of ERα. Phosphorylation at Ser294 and Ser305 is suppressed upon co-stimulation by EGF and ligand, respectively, unlike the N-terminal (AF-1) domain Ser118 and Ser167 sites of ERα where phosphorylation is enhanced by ligand and growth factor co-stimulation. Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) by roscovitine or SNS-032 suppresses ligand-activated Ser294 phosphorylation without affecting Ser118 or Ser104/Ser106 phosphorylation. Likewise, cell-free studies using recombinant ERα and specific cyclin–CDK complexes suggest that Ser294 phosphorylation is primarily induced by the transcription-regulating and cell-cycle–independent kinase CDK7. Thus, CDK-dependent phosphorylation at Ser294 differentiates ligand-dependent from ligand-independent activation of Ser305 phosphorylation, showing that hinge domain phosphorylation patterns uniquely inform on the various ERα activation mechanisms thought to underlie the biologic and clinical diversity of hormone-dependent breast cancers. Mol Cancer Res; 10(8); 1120–32. ©2012 AACR.
Drip-and-Ship Thrombolytic Treatment Paradigm Among Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients in the United States
Authors: Tekle Wondwossen G. , Chaudhry Saqib A. , Hassan Ameer E. , Rodriguez Gustavo J. , Suri M. Fareed K. , Qureshi Adnan I.
Published: June 2012

Background and Purpose—

To provide a national assessment of thrombolytic administration using drip-and-ship treatment paradigm.

Methods—

Patients treated with the drip-and-ship paradigm among all acute ischemic stroke patients treated with thrombolytic treatment were identified within the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Thrombolytic utilization, patterns of referral, comparative in-hospital outcomes, and hospitalization charges related to drip-and-ship paradigm were determined. All the in-hospital outcomes were analyzed after adjusting for potential confounders using multivariate analysis.

Results—

Of the 22 243 ischemic stroke patients who received thrombolytic treatment, 4474 patients (17%) were treated using drip-and-ship paradigm. Of these 4474 patients, 81% were referred to urban teaching hospitals for additional care, and 7% of them received follow-up endovascular treatment. States with a higher proportion of patients treated using the drip-and-ship paradigm had higher rates of overall thrombolytic utilization (5.4% versus 3.3%;
P
<0.001). The rate of home discharge/self-care was significantly higher in patients treated with drip-and-ship paradigm compared with those who received thrombolytics through primary emergency department arrival in the multivariate analysis (OR, 1.198; 95% CI, 1.019–1.409;
P
=0.0286).

Conclusions—

One of every 6 thrombolytic-treated patients in United States is treated using drip-and-ship paradigm. States with the highest proportion of drip-and-ship cases were also the states with the highest thrombolytic utilization.
Reassessing Statistical Downscaling Techniques for Their Robust Application under Climate Change Conditions
Authors: Gutiérrez J. M. , San-Martín D. , Brands S. , Manzanas R. , Herrera S.
Published: June 2012

The performance of statistical downscaling (SD) techniques is critically reassessed with respect to their robust applicability in climate change studies. To this end, in addition to standard accuracy measures and distributional similarity scores, the authors estimate the robustness of the methods under warming climate conditions working with anomalous warm historical periods. This validation framework is applied to intercompare the performances of 12 different SD methods (from the analog, weather typing, and regression families) for downscaling minimum and maximum temperatures in Spain. First, a calibration of these methods is performed in terms of both geographical domains and predictor sets; the results are highly dependent on the latter, with optimum predictor sets including near-surface temperature data (in particular 2-m temperature), which appropriately discriminate cold episodes related to temperature inversion in the lower troposphere.

Although regression methods perform best in terms of correlation, analog and weather generator approaches are more appropriate for reproducing the observed distributions, especially in case of wintertime minimum temperature. However, the latter two families significantly underestimate the temperature anomalies of the warm periods considered in this work. This underestimation is found to be critical when considering the warming signal in the late twenty-first century as given by a global climate model [the ECHAM5–Max Planck Institute (MPI) model]. In this case, the different downscaling methods provide warming values with differences in the range of 1°C, in agreement with the robustness significance values. Therefore, the proposed test is a promising technique for detecting lack of robustness in statistical downscaling methods applied in climate change studies.
Accelerating democratic global state formation
Authors: Chase-Dunn Christopher , Inoue Hiroko
Published: June 2012

This article discusses the evolution of the international system and global governance within the Europe-centred modern world-system since the 15th century in the context of a comparative framework that includes interpolity systems since the Stone Age. The evolution of the modern system includes the emergence of the European system of sovereign national states and colonial empires, the extension of the Westphalian system to the non-core by succeeding waves of decolonization, the rise and fall of successively larger hegemons, the deepening of global capitalism in waves of globalization, the emergence of weak international regulatory institutions and the prospects for and the rapid emergence of global democracy. It is not claimed that a global state has already emerged, but the authors see the long-term processes as the early stages of the emergence of a world state, and consider how these processes might be accelerated within the next few decades. The need for democratization of the institutions of global governance is also discussed. However, in this article, the focus is more on real geo-historical processes than normative questions, outlining the evolution of interpolity institutional orders, describing the challenges in thinking about global state formation, and discussing some of the technological and political forces that might accelerate the long-term trend toward global state formation.
Examining the Perceptions, Preferences, and Practices That Influence Healthy Aging for African American Older Adults
Authors: Waites Cheryl
Published: June 2012

This study explored the healthy aging and health promotion perceptions, preferences, and practices of a purposive sample of African American older adults who resided in two communities in the south. An ecological framework was used to capture environmental factors, perceptions regarding access to health promotion resources, and health behavior preferences and practices. A mixed-method approach was used. Health supporting amenities were mapped, focus groups were conducted, and demographic information was obtained. The data were merged to create consolidated themes. The results indicated that health promotion amenities were available, but with some limitations. Convenient access to transportation strongly affected ability to use resources. Older adults were interested in preserving their health and independence, but some had difficulty staying motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They wanted easier access to amenities. Implications for best practice include attention to culturally responsive outreach, motivating with social support and incentives, and developing community-based culturally compatible programming.
Handheld Calorimeter Is a Valid Instrument to Quantify Resting Energy Expenditure in Hospitalized Cirrhotic Patients
Authors: Glass Cathy , Hipskind Peggy , Cole Denise , Lopez Rocio , Dasarathy Srinivasan
Published: June 2012

Background: Nutrition management of cirrhosis in hospitalized patients is overlooked despite the clinical significance of sarcopenia or loss of muscle mass in cirrhosis. Determining optimal nutrition requirement needs precise measurement of resting energy expenditure (REE) in the cirrhotic patient. Predictive equations are not accurate, and the metabolic cart is expensive and cumbersome. The authors therefore performed a prospective study to examine the feasibility and accuracy of a handheld respiratory calorimeter (HHRC) in quantifying the REE in hospitalized cirrhotic patients not in the intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: The study was done in 2 phases: in the first phase, the REE of 24 consecutive healthy volunteers was measured using an HHRC in different positions. The objective of this phase was to identify the impact of body and arm position on measured REE. Subsequently, in the second phase of the study, REE was measured using the HHRC and the metabolic cart in 25 consecutive well‐characterized, hospitalized cirrhotic patients. The degree of concordance was calculated. Results: Body position and arm position did not significantly affect the measured REE using HHRC. In patients with cirrhosis, the mean measured REE (kcal/d) using the HHRC was 1453.2 ± 319.3 in the hospital room, 1525.6 ± 305.2 in a quiet environment, and 1553.7 ± 270.6 with the metabolic cart (P > .1). Predicted REE using 2 widely used equations did not correlate either with each other or with the measured REE. Conclusions: HHRC is a valid, feasible, and rapid method to determine optimal caloric needs in hospitalized cirrhotic patients)
Becoming roller derby grrrls: Exploring the gendered play of affect in mediated sport cultures
Authors: Pavlidis Adele , Fullagar Simone
Published: June 2012

This article explores how the global revival of roller derby as an alternative sport for women has been mobilised through online social networks, league promotion and fan sites that create imagined communities of ‘roller grrrls’. In the creation of sport culture we argue that the virtual performance of ‘derby’ identities is as significant as the embodiment of play. Like other sports, derby sites mobilise affect (passion, pleasure, pain, desire to play) through a discourse of ‘empowerment’ that urges women to overcome limits and reinvent gendered subjectivity. However, within the virtual space of roller derby, complex affects are produced and circulated within power relations that can include or exclude. Through an analysis of the way affect is mobilised in selected roller derby sites, we identify how virtual sport identities are connected through the movement of ‘affects’ across bodies and leagues. These affects both circumscribe and undermine the notion of a single derby community.
Affirming nationality in transnational circumstances: Slovenian coverage of continental franchise sports competitions
Authors: Ličen Simon , Billings Andrew C
Published: June 2012

Sports broadcasts showing national teams frequently have been found to engage in biased and patriotic coverage. However, little is known about the announcers’ discourse in club franchise competitions. This study examines discursive framing of nationality within Slovenian broadcasts of international men’s basketball and women’s team handball matches. Results show that announcers devote Slovenian-based teams just under 60% of all team-related comments. Team affiliation significantly influences explanations of success and failure, as well as personality and physicality descriptions, and ‘rival’ teams were devoted significantly more positive attribution. Slovenian sports broadcasters emphasized national identity through differentiating team identification, overt cheering for Slovenian-based teams, and influencing the way results and performances are interpreted. Nation-centric discourse is thus applied even in professional sports involving city franchises, as club teams are perceived as year-round substitutes for national teams. This likely derives from the role attributed to sports franchises in federal Yugoslavia. In Slovenia, televised promotion of nationhood nurtures a sense of national identity in a country that lacks a long-standing tradition of sovereignty. Public service broadcasters inaccurately perceive this approach as universal.
Provider Approaches to Palliative Dyspnea Assessment
Authors: Ahluwalia Sangeeta C. , Leos Rosana L. , Goebel Joy R. , Asch Steven M. , Lorenz Karl A.
Published: June 2012

Aim:

To understand provider practices around dyspnea assessment to inform the development of an electronic medical record (EMR)-based dyspnea assessment module in an inpatient palliative care consultation template.

Design:

Qualitative analysis of palliative care provider interviews.

Results:

Three themes emerged: (1) integration of patient self-report of breathlessness with a clinical observation of dyspnea; (2) identification of patients for dyspnea assessment based on perceived patient need; and (3) variability in preferences for and use of existing severity scales for dyspnea.

Conclusions:

The assessment approaches described by providers underscore the challenge of developing an informatics tool that supports the natural clinical experience and facilitates standardized care. The complexity of the dyspnea assessment process and variation in provider practices necessitate a level of flexibility and choice to be built into a computer-based tool.
Noncancer Palliative Care
Authors: Hsu Nin-Chieh , Lin Yu-Feng , Shu Chin-Chung , Yang Ming-Chin , Ko Wen-Je
Published: June 2012

Little is known about the picture of patients receiving palliative care in the acute care setting. The study was conducted in a medical center in Taiwan. Cancer palliative care (CPC) was performed for terminal do-not-resuscitate (DNR) patients with advanced cancers. Noncancer palliative care (NCPC) was performed for DNR patients who did not fulfill the criteria of CPC. Of the 1379 consecutive admissions, 258 patients were identified, with 193 (74.8%) requiring NCPC and 65 (25.2%) requiring CPC. The NCPC patients were older and had lower Charlson comorbidity index (2.6 vs 8.6, P < .001) than CPC patients and had poorer consciousness and more organ failure than CPC patients when recognized. Many noncancer patients without access to specialist palliative care services were treated in the acute care setting with delayed recognition.
Malathion/Oxon and Lead Acetate Increase Gene Expression and Protein Levels of Transient Receptor Potential Canonical Channel Subunits TRPC1 and TRPC4 in Rat Endothelial Cells of the Blood–Brain Barrier
Authors: Balbuena Pergentino , Li Wen , Rzigalinski Beverly A. , Ehrich Marion
Published: June 2012

This study examined the effects of malathion and lead on transient receptor potential canonical channel TRPC1/TRPC4 channels in rat brain endothelial cells as a mechanism to explain previously noted blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability induced by these compounds. Lead, malathion, malaoxon and combinations of these were assessed for protein levels and gene expression of TRPC1/C4 at 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours after exposure. Changes in intracellular free calcium dynamics were also assessed. Compounds increased TRPC1 and TRPC4 protein levels as well as gene expression within 4 hours after exposure. Basal levels of intracellular free calcium were also elevated. Increases in gene and protein expression may be associated with an increase in the numbers of TRP channels, and the increases in intracellular calcium may be associated with activation of such channels. Therefore, upregulation and activation of the TRPC1/TRPC4 may be a mechanism by which these neurotoxicants affect BBB permeability.
The use of video to document tacit participation in an emergency operations centre
Authors: Fele Giolo
Published: June 2012

This article explores the use of video in qualitative research. In particular, it focuses on the ways video recordings can be used to document cooperative work and tacit participation in a work setting. The article first presents previous research on participation framework, cooperation and multimodal interaction, then examines a single episode of interaction in a medical emergency call and dispatch centre. The article discusses aspects of coordination and collaboration emerging from the interaction between two people; a call taker and a dispatcher, working side by side during the managing of an emergency call. It explores the way in which social interaction can be studied even when there is no apparent correlation between different courses of action and how video can be used in order to reveal such subtle interaction work. The article finally examines the way in which video can document back stage practices that are central to much work practice but that are hidden from official documents.
Organizational justice and work withdrawal in Chinese companies
Authors: Wang Shuhong , Yi Xiang
Published: June 2012

This paper examines the relationship between organizational justice and work withdrawal in a Chinese context, using the cultural syndrome allocentrism and idiocentrism as moderators. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed model. The results indicate that distributive justice and procedural justice have negative relations with work withdrawal behaviors. Allocentrism and idiocentrism moderates the linkage between procedural justice and work withdrawal. Specifically, perceptions of procedural justice have a negative effect on work withdrawal but this effect is weaker for individuals high on allocentrism and low on idiocentrism. Results indicate that the interacting effects of allocentrism and idiocentrism were not established in the case of distributive justice. This study makes significant theoretical contribution to both cross-cultural management literature and organizational justice literature. It also indicates that cultural orientation should be taken into consideration by managers trying to understand why there might be different reactions from different employees to the same practices and policies in organizations.