bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Blood Lymphocytes Apoptosis in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: El-Hodhod M. A. , Aly R. H. , Youssef S. R. , Mohamed S. I.
Published: August 2013

The aim of this work was to measure peripheral lymphocyte apoptosis during IBD flare and remission. Subjects and Methods. Flow-cytometric assessment of apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was assessed in 30 children with IBD (16 with ulcerative colitis and 14 with Crohn’s disease) compared to 22, age and sex matched, healthy children. This was carried out during a flare, whether in newly diagnosed or relapsing patients, and after achievement of remission. Clinical findings, complete blood count, liver transaminases, and kidney functions were assessed. Results. Early apoptotic and late apoptotic/necrotic lymphocytes were significantly higher during IBD flare compared to controls (P≤0.01 and <0.01, resp., in ulcerative colitis and P≤0.01 and <0.01, resp., in Crohn’s disease patients). Remission values were significantly decreased but did not come back to the control levels. Early apoptotic values were significantly related to joint involvement in IBD patients (P<0.0001). Conclusions. We can speculate a systemic nature of IBD as evident by enhanced peripheral lymphocyte apoptosis. This is related, to a great extent, to the disease process as it is more deranged in flare than in remission. Relation of this derangement to extraintestinal manifestations needs a special attention.
The Subcellular Localization of the Receptor for Platelet-Activating Factor in Neutrophils Affects Signaling and Activation Characteristics
Authors: Andréasson Emil , Önnheim Karin , Forsman Huamei
Published: August 2013

The localization in neutrophils, of the receptor for platelet-activating factor (PAFR), has been determined using subcellular fractionation and a receptor mobilization protocol. We show that the PAFR is expressed primarily in the plasma membrane. Although activation of neutrophils by PAF induces responses typical also of agonists that bind the formyl peptide receptors (FPR), known to be stored in mobilizable organelles, some quantitative as well as qualitative differences were observed when neutrophils were activated through these receptors. PAF is equipotent to fMLF (high affinity agonist for FPR1) to cleave off L-selectin and to induce granule/vesicle secretion but is more potent than fMLF to induce a rise in intracellular Ca2+. Similar to fMLF, PAF induced also a robust release of reactive oxygen species, but with higher EC50value and was less sensitive to a PI3K inhibitor compared to the fMLF response. Despite the lack of a granule localized storage pool of receptors, the PAF-induced superoxide production could be primed; receptor mobilization was, thus, not required for priming of the PAF response. The desensitized PAFR could not be reactivated, suggesting that distinct signaling pathways are utilized for termination of the responses triggered through FPR1 and PAFR.
Berry and Citrus Phenolic Compounds Inhibit Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV: Implications in Diabetes Management
Authors: Fan Junfeng , Johnson Michelle H. , Lila Mary Ann , Yousef Gad , de Mejia Elvira Gonzalez
Published: August 2013

Beneficial health effects of fruits and vegetables in the diet have been attributed to their high flavonoid content. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) is a serine aminopeptidase that is a novel target for type 2 diabetes therapy due to its incretin hormone regulatory effects. In this study, well-characterized anthocyanins (ANC) isolated from berry wine blends and twenty-seven other phenolic compounds commonly present in citrus, berry, grape, and soybean, were individually investigated for their inhibitory effects on DPP-IV by using a luminescence assay and computational modeling. ANC from blueberry-blackberry wine blends strongly inhibited DPP-IV activity (IC50, 0.07 ± 0.02 to >300 μM). Of the twenty-seven phenolics tested, the most potent DPP-IV inhibitors were resveratrol (IC50, 0.6 ± 0.4 nM), luteolin (0.12 ± 0.01 μM), apigenin (0.14 ± 0.02 μM), and flavone (0.17 ± 0.01 μM), with IC50values lower than diprotin A (4.21 ± 2.01 μM), a reference standard inhibitory compound. Analyses of computational modeling showed that resveratrol and flavone were competitive inhibitors which could dock directly into all three active sites of DPP-IV, while luteolin and apigenin docked in a noncompetitive manner. Hydrogen bonding was the main binding mode of all tested phenolic compounds with DPP-IV. These results indicate that flavonoids, particularly luteolin, apigenin, and flavone, and the stilbenoid resveratrol can act as naturally occurring DPP-IV inhibitors.
Inhibitory Effects of Glycyrrhetinic Acid on the Delayed Rectifier Potassium Current in Guinea Pig Ventricular Myocytes and HERG Channel
Authors: Wu Delin , Jiang Linqing , Wu Hongjin , Wang Shengqi , Zheng Sidao , Yang Jiyuan , Liu Yuna , Ren Jianxun , Chen Xianbing
Published: August 2013

Background. Licorice has long been used to treat many ailments including cardiovascular disorders in China. Recent studies have shown that the cardiac actions of licorice can be attributed to its active component, glycyrrhetinic acid (GA). However, the mechanism of action remains poorly understood.Aim. The effects of GA on the delayed rectifier potassium current (IK), the rapidly activating (IKr) and slowly activating (IKs) components ofIK, and the HERG K+channel expressed in HEK-293 cells were investigated.Materials and Methods. Single ventricular myocytes were isolated from guinea pig myocardium using enzymolysis. The wild type HERG gene was stably expressed in HEK293 cells. Whole-cell patch clamping was used to recordIK(IKr,IKs) and the HERG K+current.Results. GA (1, 5, and 10 μM) inhibitedIK(IKr,IKs) and the HERG K+current in a concentration-dependent manner.Conclusion. GA significantly inhibited the potassium currents in a dose- and voltage-dependent manner, suggesting that it exerts its antiarrhythmic action through the prolongation of APD and ERP owing to the inhibition ofIK(IKr,IKs) and HERG K+channel.
Computing Eigenvalues of Discontinuous Sturm-Liouville Problems with Eigenparameter in All Boundary Conditions Using Hermite Approximation
Authors: Tharwat M. M. , Bhrawy A. H. , Alofi A. S.
Published: August 2013

The eigenvalues of discontinuous Sturm-Liouville problems which contain an eigenparameter appearing linearly in two boundary conditions and an internal point of discontinuity are computed using the derivative sampling theorem and Hermite interpolations methods. We use recently derived estimates for the truncation and amplitude errors to investigate the error analysis of the proposed methods for computing the eigenvalues of discontinuous Sturm-Liouville problems. Numerical results indicating the high accuracy and effectiveness of these algorithms are presented. Moreover, it is shown that the proposed methods are significantly more accurate than those based on the classical sinc method.
Properties and Applications of the Eigenvector Corresponding to the Laplacian Spectral Radius of a Graph
Authors: Song Haizhou , Wang Qiufen
Published: August 2013

We study the properties of the eigenvector corresponding to the Laplacian spectral radius of a graph and show some applications. We obtain some results on the Laplacian spectral radius of a graph by grafting and adding edges. We also determine the structure of the maximal Laplacian spectrum tree among trees withnvertices andkpendant vertices (n,kfixed), and the upper bound of the Laplacian spectral radius of some trees.
Effects of Repeated Central Administration of Endothelin Type A Receptor Antagonist on the Development of Neuropathic Pain in Rats
Authors: Tai Lydia W. , Hung Victor K. L. , Mei Wei , Qiu Qiu , Chung Sookja K. , Cheung C. W.
Published: August 2013

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) predominates in the endothelin family effectively in vascular tone control, mitogenesis, and neuromodulation. Its receptors are widespread in the central nervous system (CNS) associated with endogenous pain control, suggesting an important role of ET-1 in central pain processing. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of central ET-1 on the development of neuropathic pain behaviour by repeated intrathecal administration of endothelin type A receptor (ETAR) antagonist (BQ-123) in a sciatic nerve ligation (SNL) animal model. BQ-123 was administered intrathecally to rats at dosages 15 μg, 20 μg, 25 μg, and 30 μg, daily for 3 days. Mechanical allodynia was assessed daily 30 minutes before/after injection, 1 hour after injection of BQ-123 from post-SNL day 4 to day 6, and once on day 7 (without BQ-123 administration) before rats were sacrificed. Increasing trends of mechanical threshold were observed, and they reached significance at all dosages on post-SNL day 7 (P<0.05at dosage 15 μg andP<0.001at dosages 20 μg, 25 μg, and 30 μg) in comparison to control group. BQ-123 at dosage 30 μg showed the most stable and significant mechanical threshold rise. Repeated central administration of BQ-123 alleviated mechanical allodynia after SNL. Our results provide insight into the therapeutic strategies, including timing, against neuropathic pain development with ETAR antagonist.
Palmitic Acid Induces Production of Proinflammatory Cytokines Interleukin-6, Interleukin-1β, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-αvia a NF-κB-Dependent Mechanism in HaCaT Keratinocytes
Authors: Zhou Bing-rong , Zhang Jia-an , Zhang Qian , Permatasari Felicia , Xu Yang , Wu Di , Yin Zhi-qiang , Luo Dan
Published: August 2013

To investigate whether palmitic acid can be responsible for the induction of inflammatory processes, HaCaT keratinocytes were treated with palmitic acid at pathophysiologically relevant concentrations. Secretion levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), NF-κB nuclear translocation, NF-κB activation, Stat3 phosphorylation, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) mRNA and protein levels, as well as the cell proliferation ability were measured at the end of the treatment and after 24 hours of recovery. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, a selective chemical inhibitor of NF-κB) and goat anti-human IL-6 polyclonal neutralizing antibody were used to inhibit NF-κB activation and IL-6 production, respectively. Our results showed that palmitic acid induced an upregulation of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1βsecretions, accompanied by NF-κB nuclear translocation and activation. Moreover, the effect of palmitic acid was accompanied by PPARαactivation and Stat3 phosphorylation. Palmitic acid-induced IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1βproductions were attenuated by NF-κB inhibitor PDTC. Palmitic acid was administered in amounts able to elicit significant hyperproliferation and can be attenuated by IL-6 blockage. These data demonstrate for the first time that palmitic acid can stimulate IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1βproductions in HaCaT keratinocytes and cell proliferation, thereby potentially contributing to acne inflammation and pilosebaceous duct hyperkeratinization.
Fiber Optic Vibration Sensor Based on the Tilted Fiber Bragg Grating
Authors: An Jiali , Liu Tao , Jin Yongxing
Published: August 2013

A temperature-insensitive fiber optic vibration sensor based on the tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) is presented. The sensing head is formed by insertion of a small section of MMF between a single-mode fiber and the TFBG. The reflection light from this tilted fiber Bragg grating includes two parts: the reflected Bragg mode and the cladding modes. The cladding modes were coupled back into the core mode as a function of the multimode fiber. The power of the cladding modes is sensitive to vibration, so the external vibration measurement can be obtained through the cladding mode average output power. Experiment results show that the root mean square (RMS) of the detection error of the average power was 0.01 μW within the temperature range from 20 to 70°C, so it is proved to be temperature independent; its frequency response has been tested to 1 KHz.
Sustained Elevation of Systemic Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Exacerbation and Remission of Asthma
Authors: Mak Judith C. W. , Ho Siu P. , Ho Alice S. S. , Law Barbara K. W. , Cheung Amy H. K. , Ho James C. M. , Ip Mary S. M. , Chan-Yeung Moira M. W.
Published: August 2013

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma. We aimed at investigating the biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue damage in patients with asthma in acute exacerbation and remission. We recruited 18 asthmatics admitted to hospital with acute exacerbation and 18 healthy nonsmoking controls matched for age. We evaluated plasma levels of 8-isoprostane, C-reactive protein (CRP) and total matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 9 by ELISA, and MMP-9 activity by zymographic analysis. Plasma levels of 8-isoprostane and CRP were significantly elevated in acute exacerbation and decreased in remission but remained significantly higher compared to healthy controls. The activities of pro-MMP-9 were also significantly higher in acute exacerbation and decreased in remission but remained significantly higher compared to healthy controls in parallel to plasma levels of total MMP-9. These data suggest that overproduction of MMP-9 along with highly elevated levels of oxidative stress and inflammation is implicated in asthma exacerbation and that measurements of these biomarkers can be a valid index in its management.
Energy, Traffic Load, and Link Quality Aware Ad Hoc Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Network Based Smart Metering Infrastructure
Authors: Farooq Hasan , Tang Jung Low
Published: August 2013

Electricity industry is in the midst of revolutionary transition from outdated ageing power infrastructure to an intelligent sophisticated smart grid network utilizing modern communication technologies to enhance power generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption. Smart metering infrastructure is an integral part of the smart power grid revolution. Smart meters, in addition to their primary billing functions, serve as distributed Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) nodes for enhancing grid reliability. Existing ad hoc routing protocols are based on single routing criterion such as hop count. This single routing metric approach can overload and deplete resource constrained smart meters along preferred paths. A protocol is needed which is aware of energy level and traffic congestion of smart metering nodes. In addition, protocol should select route based on link quality for optimal routing. In this paper, a novel WSN ad hoc routing protocol ETL-AODV is proposed for reliable and energy efficient communication of smart metering nodes. Three simulation based case studies are conducted to analyze the performance of the proposed protocol, and relative comparison is provided based on four metrics: (i) packet delivery ratio (PDR), (ii) normalized routing load (NRL) (iii) average energy consumption and (iv) average end-to-end delay.
Effects of Chitosan Alkali Pretreatment on the Preparation of Electrospun PCL/Chitosan Blend Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Application
Authors: Roozbahani Fatemeh , Sultana Naznin , Fauzi Ismail Ahmad , Nouparvar Hamed
Published: August 2013

Recently, nanofibrous scaffolds have been used in the field of biomedical engineering as wound dressings, tissue engineering scaffolds, and drug delivery applications. The electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds can be used as carriers for several types of drugs, genes, and growth factors. PCL is one of the most commonly applied synthetic polymers for medical use because of its biocompatibility and slow biodegradability. PCL is hydrophobic and has no cell recognition sites on its structure. Electrospinning of chitosan and PCL blend was investigated in formic acid/acetic acid as the solvent with different PCL/chitosan ratios. High viscosity of chitosan solutions makes difficulties in the electrospinning process. Strong hydrogen bonds in a 3D network in acidic condition prevent the movement of polymeric chains exposed to the electrical field. Consequently, the amount of chitosan in PCL/chitosan blend was limited and more challenging when the concentration of PCL increases. The treatment of chitosan in alkali condition under high temperature reduced its molecular weight. Longer treatment time further decreased the molecular weight of chitosan and hence its viscosity. Electrospinning of PCL/chitosan blend was possible at higher chitosan ratio, and SEM images showed a decrease in fiber diameter and narrower distribution with increase in the chitosan ratio.
On Eavesdropping Attacks in Wireless Sensor Networks with Directional Antennas
Authors: Dai Hong-Ning , Wang Qiu , Li Dong , Wong Raymond Chi-Wing
Published: August 2013

The eavesdropping attack is a serious security threat to a wireless sensor network (WSN) since the eavesdropping attack is a prerequisite for other attacks. Conventional WSNs consist of wireless nodes equipped with omnidirectional antennas, which broadcast radio signals in all directions and are consequently prone to the eavesdropping attacks. Different from omnidirectional antennas, directional antennas radiate radio signals on desired directions and potentially reduce the possibility of the eavesdropping attacks. In this paper, we propose a model to analyze the eavesdropping probability in both single-hop WSNs and multihop WSNs with omnidirectional antennas and directional antennas. We verify the correctness of our analytical model by conducting extensive simulations. We have found that using directional antennas in either single-hop WSNs or multihop WSNs can significantly reduce the eavesdropping probability. The reason of the improved security of WSNs with directional antennas lies in (i) the smaller exposure region of a directional antenna and (ii) the fewer hops to route a packet due to the longer transmission range of a directional antenna. Our results have also shown that the security improvement factor heavily depends on the node density, the antenna beamwidth, and the signal path loss factor.
Greener Approach towards Corrosion Inhibition
Authors: Patni Neha , Agarwal Shruti , Shah Pallav
Published: August 2013

Corrosion control of metals is technically, economically, environmentally, and aesthetically important. The best option is to use inhibitors for protecting metals and alloys against corrosion. As organic corrosion inhibitors are toxic in nature, so green inhibitors which are biodegradable, without any heavy metals and other toxic compounds, are promoted. Also plant products are inexpensive, renewable, and readily available. Tannins, organic amino acids, alkaloids, and organic dyes of plant origin have good corrosion-inhibiting abilities. Plant extracts contain many organic compounds, having polar atoms such as O, P, S, and N. These are adsorbed on the metal surface by these polar atoms, and protective films are formed, and various adsorption isotherms are obeyed. Various types of green inhibitors and their effect on different metals are mentioned in the paper.
An Efficient Approach for Solving Nonlinear Troesch’s and Bratu’s Problems by Wavelet Analysis Method
Authors: Kazemi Nasab A. , Pashazadeh Atabakan Z. , Kılıçman A.
Published: August 2013

We introduce Chebyshev wavelet analysis method to solve the nonlinear Troesch and Bratu problems. Chebyshev wavelets expansions together with operational matrix of derivative are employed to reduce the computation of nonlinear problems to a system of algebraic equations. Several examples are given to validate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed technique. We compare the results with those ones reported in the literature in order to demonstrate that the method converges rapidly and approximates the exact solution very accurately by using only a small number of Chebyshev wavelet basis functions. Convergence analysis is also included.
The Observation of the Change of TCE Caused by Different Acupuncture Stimulation
Authors: Huang Tao , Cheng Xinnong
Published: August 2013

Purpose. To observe the change of transcutaneous CO2emission on meridian points or nonacupoints when the different needle sensations were gotten and study the associativity between Deqi acupuncture and periphery constitution energy metabolism effect.Method. 20 healthy volunteers were punctured on Neiguan (P6) in different ways including sham, shallow, Deqi acupuncture, and Deqi plus pressed P5, and measured TCE of different points before, during, and after acupuncture.Result. Needle sensations of sham acupuncture and shallow acupuncture were less than those of Deqi acupuncture. TCE of meridian points increased significantly and showed the specificity of meridian/channels.Conclusion. Verum acupuncture could cause the stronger needling sensations including distention, aching, numbness, and tingling than sham and shallow acupuncture. The strength of needling sensation caused by Deqi acupuncture is moderate and brought the best curative effects in TCE measurement. Deqi acupuncture could improve the energy metabolism of the points on the corresponding meridian/channel.
Interference Control for Cognitive Network with High Mobility
Authors: Li Yuanxuan , Zhu Gang , Lin Siyu , Guan Ke , Ai Bo
Published: August 2013

Interference control (IC) between the secondary system and the primary system is an important issue for underlay cognitive radio network (CRN). The secondary system should limit the interference power to primary system by adjusting its transmission power. Many relevant works have been done based on the assumption of the quasistatic channel which is not suitable for the fast time-varying fading channel; the performance of IC in underlay CRN will become worse when the channel varies fast. This paper studies the IC issue in high mobility environment. By considering the channel state information (CSI) outdatedness, a short frame structure scheme and a mean interference power constraint scheme are proposed to reduce the influence of CSI outdatedness on IC performance. Furthermore, by considering the channel estimation error, a spherical error region model based robust IC scheme is designed as well. The proposed IC schemes of the secondary system are converted to the power allocation problems, and then they are formulated to optimization problem whose objects are to maximize the capacity of the secondary system with the interference constraints. The above optimization problems are solved by the water-filling style method. The simulation results show that the proposed IC schemes can effectively control the interference power to the primary system.
Molecular Prevalence ofBabesia bigeminaandTrypanosoma evansiin Dairy Animals from Punjab, India, by Duplex PCR: A Step Forward to the Detection and Management of Concurrent Latent Infections
Authors: Sharma Amrita , Singla Lachhman Das , Tuli Ashuma , Kaur Paramjit , Batth Balwinder Kaur , Javed Mohammed , Juyal Prayag Dutt
Published: August 2013

Specific duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed on 411 (386 cattle and 25 buffaloes) blood samples of dairy animals from 9 districts of Punjab, India, for simultaneous detection ofBabesia bigeminaandTrypanosoma evansi. The results were compared and correlated with conventional Giemsa stained thin blood smear (GSTBS) examination and haematological alterations to know the clinical status and pathogenicity of infections. The Bg3/Bg4 and TR3/TR4 primers were used in duplex PCR forB. bigeminaandT. evansiamplified products of 689 bp and 257 bp, respectively. The overall prevalence by duplex PCR was found to be 36.49, 2.43, and 3.41% forT. evansi,B. bigemina, and dual infection, respectively. A more significant difference was observed for dual infection status (P≤0.005) as compared toT. evansi(P≤0.05) andB. bigemina(P≤0.01) among various districts under study. A very low prevalence ofT. evansi(0.73%) andB. bigemina(0.48%) was seen by GSTBS. The highly sensitive, specific, and cost-effective duplex PCR was able to detect latentT. evansiandB. bigeminainfection in cattle and buffaloes. Haematological evaluation revealed marked pathology inB. bigeminainfected group and in dual infected group in contrast to that infected withT. evansialone.
Late-Onset Ornithine Carbamoyltransferase Deficiency Accompanying Acute Pancreatitis and Hyperammonemia
Authors: Machado Marcel Cerqueira Cesar , Fonseca Gilton Marques , Jukemura José
Published: August 2013

Hyperammonemia related to urea cycle disorders is a rare cause of potentially fatal encephalopathy that is encountered in intensive care units (ICUs). Left undiagnosed, this condition may manifest irreversible neuronal damage. However, timely diagnosis and treatment initiation can be facilitated simply by increased awareness of the ICU staff. Here, we describe a patient with acute severe pancreatitis who developed hyperammonemia and encephalopathy without liver disease. Urea cycle disorder was suspected and hemodialysis was initiated. Following reduction of ammonia levels, subsequent treatment included protein restriction and administration of arginine and sodium benzoate. The patient was discharged to home after 47 days with plasma ammonia within normal range and without neurological symptoms. In clinical care settings, patients with neurological symptoms unexplained by the present illness should be assessed for serum ammonia levels to disclose any urea cycle disorders to initiate timely treatment and improve outcome.
SeedSeq: Off-Target Transcriptome Database
Authors: Das Shaoli , Ghosal Suman , Chakrabarti Jayprokas , Kozak Karol
Published: August 2013

Detection of potential cross-reaction between a short oligonucleotide sequence and a longer (unintended) sequence is crucial for many biological applications, such as high content screening (HCS), microarray nucleotide probes, or short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). However, owing to a tolerance for mismatches and gaps in base-pairing with target transcripts, siRNAs could have up to hundreds of potential target sequences in a genome, and some small RNAs in mammalian systems have been shown to affect the levels of many messenger RNAs (off-targets) besides their intended target transcripts (on-targets). The reference sequence (RefSeq) collection aims to provide a comprehensive, integrated, nonredundant, well-annotated set of sequences, including mRNA transcripts. We performed a detailed off-target analysis of three most commonly used kinome siRNA libraries based on the latest RefSeq version. To simplify the access to off-target transcripts, we created a SeedSeq database, a new unique format to store off-target information.
Asymptotic Estimates for Second Kind Generalized Stirling Numbers
Authors: Corcino Cristina B. , Corcino Roberto B.
Published: August 2013

Asymptotic formulas for the generalized Stirling numbers of the second kind with integer and real parameters are obtained and ranges of validity of the formulas are established. The generalizations of Stirling numbers considered here are generalizations along the line of Hsu and Shuie's unified generalization.
Effect of Sodium Alginate on Dextran Sulfate Sodium- and 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid-Induced Experimental Colitis in Mice
Authors: Yamamoto Atsuki , Itoh Tomokazu , Nasu Reishi , Nishida Ryuichi
Published: August 2013

We evaluated the effects of sodium alginate (AL-Na) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)- and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in mice. DSS was added to the drinking water for 7 days. In another experiment, DSS was added to the drinking water for 5 days and DSS-free water was provided thereafter. In a separated study, colitis was induced by intrarectally administered TNBS. AL-Na, 5-aminosalicylic acid, or prednisolone was orally administered. These colitis models exhibited colonic damage and produced noticeable inflammatory responses and aggravated goblet cell damage. AL-Na significantly ameliorated DSS- and TNBS-induced experimental colitis and prevented goblet cell damage. Prednisolone also suppressed colitis but caused loss of body and spleen weight. In contrast, AL-Na did not provoke these symptoms. These data suggest that AL-Na may be a possible therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Group B Streptococcus Exposure and Self-Limited Respiratory Distress in Late Preterm and Term Neonates
Authors: Stroustrup Annemarie , Weintraub Andrea S. , Cadet Claudia T. , Perez Roxane , DeLorenzo Elissa , Holzman Ian R.
Published: August 2013

Background: Self-limited respiratory distress is a common neonatal respiratory morbidity for which effective treatments are lacking. Supportive care with non-invasive respiratory support is the norm. Animal models suggest that intrapartum exposure to group B Streptococcus (GBS) may cause mild pulmonary hypertension in the neonate, resulting in self-resolving respiratory distress. Treatments for pulmonary hypertension are currently not provided to neonates with self-limited respiratory distress empirically. Objectives: This study examines the hypothesis that the incidence and severity of self-limited respiratory distress are altered by intrapartum exposure to GBS and antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) in a human population. Methods: This is a 10-year single-center cohort study of retrospective data of late preterm and term neonates diagnosed with self-limited respiratory distress. Multiple logistic models were fitted to examine associations between exposure to GBS and IAP, and markers of self-limited respiratory distress severity. Additional linear regression models were fitted to examine the association between exposure to GBS and IAP, and duration of respiratory support for self-limited respiratory distress. Finally, crude and gestational age-adjusted incidence of self-limited respiratory distress among GBS-exposed and -unexposed infants, as well as the odds of self-limited respiratory distress based on GBS exposure were calculated. Results: 584 neonates met study criteria. Neither GBS exposure nor IAP exposure was associated with severity of self-limited respiratory distress in multiple models. Crude and adjusted incidence of self-limited respiratory distress among neonates did not differ by GBS exposure history. Conclusions: Although animal studies indicate that GBS-mediated pulmonary hypertension may contribute to self-limited respiratory distress, neither exposure to GBS nor IAP was associated with an increased severity or incidence of self-limited respiratory distress in our human study population. Treatments for pulmonary hypertension are unlikely to speed symptom resolution for patients with self-limited respiratory distress.
Analysis of Turner Syndrome Patients within the Jordanian Population, with a Focus on Four Patients with Y Chromosome Abnormalities
Authors: Daggag H. , Srour W. , El-Khateeb M. , Ajlouni K.
Published: August 2013

This study presents findings in Turner syndrome (TS) patients from the Jordanian population, with focus on 4 patients with Y chromosomal abnormalities. From 1989 to 2011, 504 patients with TS stigmata were referred to our institute for karyotyping, resulting in 142 positive TS cases. Of these, 62 (43.7%) had the typical 45,X karyotype and the remaining individuals (56.3%) were found to be mosaics. Fifteen TS patients (10.5%) carried a structural abnormality of the Y chromosome and presented with the mosaic 45,X/46,XY karyotype. From these, 4 TS cases were investigated further. Karyotyping revealed that 1 patient carried a small supernumerary marker chromosome, whereas cytogenetic and molecular analyses showed that 3 patients carried 2 copies of the SRY gene. Further analysis by SRY sequencing revealed no mutations within the gene. The analyzed patients were found to be phenotypically either females or males, depending on the predominance of the cell line carrying the Y chromosome. This study demonstrates the importance of detailed cytogenetic analysis (such as FISH) in TS patients, and it also emphasizes the need for molecular analysis (such as PCR and sequencing) when fragments of the Y chromosome are present.
A Comparison of the Potential for Acute Cardiopulmonary Adverse Effects in Dogs during Continuous Veno-Venous Hemofiltration with Accusol 35 Solution with and without Induced Calcium Carbonate Particles
Authors: McKee Jeffrey S. , Brooks Benjamin D. , Daller Justin R. , Safron Joseph , Gass Jerome H. , Pantaleone David P. , Zieske Paul A. , Mussi Paola , Moreaux Benoit
Published: August 2013

Background: Baxter received reports of visible precipitate, identified as calcium carbonate, forming during hemofiltration with Accusol 35 solution. Aim: To evaluate the potential for acute cardiopulmonary adverse effects of Accusol 35 containing exaggerated calcium carbonate particles. Methods: Anesthetized dogs underwent continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) with Accusol 35 containing visible and subvisible particles (≥10 µm) 36 times higher than the maximum concentration specified in the European Pharmacopoeia (P-Accusol), or Accusol 35 conforming to specification (Accusol). Select cardiovascular and blood gas parameters were evaluated during CVVH. Lung tissue samples were collected following CVVH. Results: No differences were observed in cardiovascular and blood gas parameters or lung histology between P-Accusol and Accusol. Conclusion: Accusol 35 containing visible and subvisible particles (≥10 µm) 36 times higher than the maximum concentration specified in the European Pharmacopoeia resulted in no acute cardiopulmonary adverse effects compared with Accusol 35 containing no visible particles and subvisible particles within European Pharmacopoeia specification.
A Consecutive and Prospective Stroke Database Covers the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg with 10.8 Million Inhabitants in Germany
Authors: Gumbinger C. , Reuter B. , Wiethölter H. , Bruder I. , Rode S. , Drewitz E. , Habscheid W. , Daffertshofer M. , Diehm C. , Neumaier S. , Kern R. , Ringleb P.A. , Hacke W. , Hennerici M.G.
Published: August 2013

Background: In 1998 Baden-Wuerttemberg (BW), a federal state in southwest Germany with 10.8 million inhabitants, implemented a structured medical concept for the treatment of acute stroke. Methods: Since 2004 participation in the BW stroke database is mandatory for all hospitals in BW involved in acute stroke care. The stroke database includes all inpatients ≥18 years of age who have suffered an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke within 7 days before hospitalization. This article presents methodological aspects and first results of the BW stroke database in the time period from 2007 to 2011. Results: Annual inclusion numbers increased continuously (29,422 vs. 35,724, p < 0.001). Median age of stroke onset was stable over time. The proportion of stroke patients ≥80 years increased from 36.9 to 38.8% (p < 0.001). Rates of patients treated in neurology departments rose from 50.7 to 60.9% (p < 0.001) and numbers of patients treated in stroke units rose from 59.1 to 68.4% (p < 0.001). Admission via emergency medical systems increased from 42.8 to 49.7% (p < 0.001) and arrival within 3 h increased from 29.8 to 34.4% (p < 0.001). Conclusion: We present results from a large, prospective and consecutive stroke patient database. This first analysis demonstrates a continuous increase of absolute and relative numbers of stroke patients who arrive within 3 h after onset, are hospitalized in neurology departments and treated in stroke units, and are aged ≥80 years.
Pediatric Heart Transplantation From Donors With Depressed Ventricular Function
Authors: Rossano Joseph W. , Lin Kimberly Y. , Paridon Stephen M. , Zhang Xuemei , Gaynor J. William , Kaufman Beth D. , Shaddy Robert E.
Published: August 2013

Background—

Wait-list mortality for children awaiting heart transplantation remains high. Potential donor hearts with depressed ventricular function are often declined. We aimed to test the hypothesis that pediatric heart transplant recipients of grafts with depressed ventricular function would have comparable survival with those with normal function.

Methods and Results—

A retrospective study was performed for pediatric heart transplants from the United Network of Organ Sharing Database from October 26, 1999, to June 30, 2011. Patients were grouped based on accepted donor left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): normal function (LVEF ≥55%), mildly depressed function (LVEF 45%–54%), or moderately-to-severely depressed function (LVEF <45%). During the study period, there were 3672 pediatric heart transplants; 3306 (90%) had a LVEF reported. Ventricular function was mildly depressed in 245 (7%) and moderately-to-severely depressed in 172 (5%). Patients receiving grafts with moderately-to-severely depressed function were more likely to be younger and weigh less (
P
<0.001 for both) than those receiving grafts with normal function. Median graft survival from accepted donors with normal ventricular function (10.6 years) was similar to survival from accepted donors with mildly depressed ventricular function (9.7 years;
P
=0.24) and from accepted donors with moderately-to-severely depressed ventricular function (9.1 years;
P
=0.13). On propensity-matched analysis, donor ventricular function was not associated with graft survival.

Conclusions—

The use of donors with depressed ventricular function is uncommon in pediatric heart transplantation (<15% of all transplants), yet graft survival does not differ significantly from accepted donors with normal ventricular function. Hearts from donors with depressed ventricular function may be considered in selected patients.
Cell Therapy for Heart Failure
Authors: Sanganalmath Santosh K. , Bolli Roberto
Published: August 2013

Despite significant therapeutic advances, the prognosis of patients with heart failure (HF) remains poor, and current therapeutic approaches are palliative in the sense that they do not address the underlying problem of the loss of cardiac tissue. Stem cell–based therapies have the potential to fundamentally transform the treatment of HF by achieving what would have been unthinkable only a few years ago—myocardial regeneration. For the first time since cardiac transplantation, a therapy is being developed to eliminate the underlying cause of HF, not just to achieve damage control. Since the initial report of cell therapy (skeletal myoblasts) in HF in 1998, research has proceeded at lightning speed, and numerous preclinical and clinical studies have been performed that support the ability of various stem cell populations to improve cardiac function and reduce infarct size in both ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Nevertheless, we are still at the dawn of this therapeutic revolution. Many important issues (eg, mechanism(s) of action of stem cells, long-term engraftment, optimal cell type(s), and dose, route, and frequency of cell administration) remain to be resolved, and no cell therapy has been conclusively shown to be effective. The purpose of this article is to critically review the large body of work performed with respect to the use of stem/progenitor cells in HF, both at the experimental and clinical levels, and to discuss current controversies, unresolved issues, challenges, and future directions. The review focuses specifically on chronic HF; other settings (eg, acute myocardial infarction, refractory angina) are not discussed.
Non-coding RNAs in Cardiac Remodeling and Heart Failure
Authors: Kumarswamy Regalla , Thum Thomas
Published: August 2013

Heart failure is a leading cause of death in industrialized nations especially in an aging population. The recent improvements in cardiac revascularization therapy reduced death rates because of myocardial infarction but steadily increased the number of individuals developing cardiac remodeling and heart failure in the future. Conceptual novel approaches entering the clinics to treat cardiac remodeling and heart failure remain scarce. MicroRNAs emerged as powerful and dynamic modifiers of cardiovascular diseases. In this review, the current approaches using microRNAs as novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cardiac remodeling and heart failure are highlighted. Other gene regulatory mechanisms presented include long (>200 bp) noncoding RNAs that function as an additional regulatory machinery of the genome controlling both transcriptional and post-transcriptional events also in the cardiovascular system.
Heart Failure Gene Therapy
Authors: Pleger Sven T. , Brinks Henriette , Ritterhoff Julia , Raake Philip , Koch Walter J. , Katus Hugo A. , Most Patrick
Published: August 2013

Gene therapy, aimed at the correction of key pathologies being out of reach for conventional drugs, bears the potential to alter the treatment of cardiovascular diseases radically and thereby of heart failure. Heart failure gene therapy refers to a therapeutic system of targeted drug delivery to the heart that uses formulations of DNA and RNA, whose products determine the therapeutic classification through their biological actions. Among resident cardiac cells, cardiomyocytes have been the therapeutic target of numerous attempts to regenerate systolic and diastolic performance, to reverse remodeling and restore electric stability and metabolism. Although the concept to intervene directly within the genetic and molecular foundation of cardiac cells is simple and elegant, the path to clinical reality has been arduous because of the challenge on delivery technologies and vectors, expression regulation, and complex mechanisms of action of therapeutic gene products. Nonetheless, since the first demonstration of in vivo gene transfer into myocardium, there have been a series of advancements that have driven the evolution of heart failure gene therapy from an experimental tool to the threshold of becoming a viable clinical option. The objective of this review is to discuss the current state of the art in the field and point out inevitable innovations on which the future evolution of heart failure gene therapy into an effective and safe clinical treatment relies.
Cardiac Metabolism in Heart Failure
Authors: Doenst Torsten , Nguyen Tien Dung , Abel E. Dale
Published: August 2013

The heart has a high rate of ATP production and turnover that is required to maintain its continuous mechanical work. Perturbations in ATP-generating processes may therefore affect contractile function directly. Characterizing cardiac metabolism in heart failure (HF) revealed several metabolic alterations called metabolic remodeling, ranging from changes in substrate use to mitochondrial dysfunction, ultimately resulting in ATP deficiency and impaired contractility. However, ATP depletion is not the only relevant consequence of metabolic remodeling during HF. By providing cellular building blocks and signaling molecules, metabolic pathways control essential processes such as cell growth and regeneration. Thus, alterations in cardiac metabolism may also affect the progression to HF by mechanisms beyond ATP supply. Our aim is therefore to highlight that metabolic remodeling in HF not only results in impaired cardiac energetics but also induces other processes implicated in the development of HF such as structural remodeling and oxidative stress. Accordingly, modulating cardiac metabolism in HF may have significant therapeutic relevance that goes beyond the energetic aspect.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies Are Associated With Cardiovascular Remodeling In Utero That Persists Postnatally
Authors: Valenzuela-Alcaraz Brenda , Crispi Fàtima , Bijnens Bart , Cruz-Lemini Monica , Creus Montserrat , Sitges Marta , Bartrons Joaquim , Civico Salvadora , Balasch Juan , Gratacós Eduard
Published: August 2013

Background—

Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have been shown to be associated with general vascular dysfunction in late childhood. However, it is unknown whether cardiac remodeling is also present and if these changes already manifest in prenatal life. Our aim was to assess fetal and infant (6 months of age) cardiovascular function in ART pregnancies.

Methods and Results—

This prospective cohort study included 100 fetuses conceived by ART and 100 control pregnancies. ART fetuses showed signs of cardiovascular remodeling, including a more globular heart with thicker myocardial walls, decreased longitudinal function (tricuspid ring displacement in controls: median, 6.5 mm [interquartile range, 6.1–7.1 mm]; tricuspid ring displacement in ART: 5.5 mm [interquartile range, 5.1–6.1];
P
<0.001), impaired relaxation, and dilated atria (atrial area in controls, 1.46 cm
2
[interquartile range, 1.2–1.5 cm
2
]; atrial area in ART, 1.6 cm
2
[interquartile range, 1.3–1.8 cm
2
];
P
<0.001). Additionally, ART infants showed persistence of most cardiac changes and a significant increase in blood pressure and aortic intima-media thickness (systolic blood pressure in controls, 74 mm Hg [interquartile range, 67–83 mm Hg]; systolic blood pressure in ART, 83 mm Hg [interquartile range, 75–94 mm Hg];
P
<0.001; aortic intima-media thickness in controls, 0.52 mm [interquartile range, 0.45–0.56 mm]; aortic intima-media thickness in ART, 0.64 mm [interquartile range, 0.62–0.67];
P
<0.001). We could not demonstrate that our findings were directly caused by ART because of their association with various confounding factors, including intrauterine growth restriction or factors related to the cause of infertility.

Conclusions—

Children conceived by ART manifest cardiac and vascular remodeling that is present in fetal life and persists in postnatal life, suggesting opportunities for early detection and potential intervention. The underlying mechanisms and the effect of potential confounders such as growth restriction or prematurity remain to be elucidated.
From Sacrifice to the Slaughterhouse
Authors: Reed Annette Yoshiko
Published: August 2013

Abstract

This essay uses a focus on meat and animals to illumine ancient and modern discourses about sacrifice and “civilization.” It suggests that attention to recent research on meat-production and the “sociology of the slaughterhouse” might open new perspectives on the range of ways in which the sanctified ritual slaughter of animals has been understood by its proponents, critics, and theorists—both ancient and modern. It begins by historicizing the rise of modern scholarly interest in animal sacrifice, with reference to dramatic shifts in the production and consumption of meat in modern European societies. Then, it looks to the Vedas and the Torah/Pentateuch to reflect upon the place of meat and animals in two of the best documented of ancient sacrificial systems. Lastly, it considers some trajectories in theirNachlebenwith an eye to the value and limits of dominant narratives about the cessation, interiorization, or spiritualization of sacrifice.
A Response to Fabio Gironi’s “Turning a Critical Eye Upon Science and Religion”
Authors: Reeves Josh A. , Peters Richard A.
Published: August 2013

Abstract

In a previous issue of this journal, Fabio Gironi criticizes the field of science and religion from his perspective as a religious studies scholar. Our reaction to his paper is mixed. Though we share many of Gironi’s concerns, we do not believe that his criticisms count for much against religion-and-science scholarshipper se, and we therefore attempt to nuance and redirect those criticisms in what follows.
Jesus’ Empire or the Empire’s Jesus?
Authors: Martin Craig
Published: August 2013

Abstract

In response to Burton Mack’s argument in “A Secular Bible?” that a Christian myth or “Christian mentality” drives American empire, this essay suggests that Christian myths should be seen as products of empire. As we can see by looking at 19th and 20th century racist and anti-racist versions of Jesus, base determines superstructure at least some of the time.
Hip-Hop and the Study of Religion
Authors: Rolsky L. Benjamin
Published: August 2013

This book review essay examines the practices and unconscious tendencies in the study of religion and hip-hop through a critical investigation of Monica Miller’s Religion and Hip-Hop. Miller’s work both analyzes the problematic analytics associated with the “religion as a source” method in the study of religion and illuminates alternative approaches for re-describing “the religious” in the study of hip-hop through a postmodern vocabulary. While Miller’s book makes a significant contribution to the study of religion through her study of hip-hop, it falls short of making an equally powerful contribution to the study of hip-hop generally considered.