bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and Treatment of Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Sinusitis
Authors: Suh Jeffrey D. , Ramakrishnan Vijay R. , Tajudeen Bobby , Reger Christine , Kennedy David W. , Chiu Alexander G.
Published: December 2011

Background

The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of atypical Mycobacterium identified by routine sinus cultures and review the recent literature on management.

Methods

A retrospective case series was performed in a tertiary academic hospital. A retrospective case series of all patients treated with atypical Mycobacterium rhinosinusitis from 2005 to 2010 was performed. Cases were identified from a prospective database of 676 endoscopically guided sinus cultures.

Results

Eight patients with atypical Mycobacterium sinusitis were identified. There were five women and three men. Median age was 63 years (range, 55–71 years). All patients had prior endoscopic sinus surgery a median of 14 months (range, 0.8–162 months) before a positive culture result. Species identified included Mycobacterium chelonae, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium abscessus, and Mycobacterium avium complex. Chief presenting symptoms were postnasal discharge (88%), followed by decreased smell and taste (63%), and facial pain/pressure (38%). Patients were treated based on sensitivity results with long-term oral antibiotics for at least 2 months based on improvements on endoscopy. Median follow-up for patients in this study after treatment was 1.3 years (range, 0.6–4.6 years).

Conclusion

In this study, atypical mycobacteria were identified in < 1% of sinus cultures. Prolonged, culture-directed antibiotic therapy remains the mainstay of treatment when there is clinical evidence of infection. Previous endoscopic sinus surgery may represent a risk factor for colonization and subsequent infection. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal treatment duration and management to prevent disease relapse
Triple Cartilage Combining Suture Technique in Rhinoplasty
Authors: Cingi Cemal , Songu Murat
Published: December 2011

Background

The nasal tip position and shape is critical to the overall view of the external nose and is significant in planning rhinoplasty procedures. This study was designed to review our experience in nasal tip surgery and to describe our own version of the suture technique in patients having endonasal rhinoplasty.

Methods

The technique is typically used in combination with other septorhinoplasty maneuvers to achieve the desired functional and cosmetic result. A telephone survey is designed aiming to give general information about the technique's outcomes.

Results

Our technique reduces excess columellar show and provides adjustable controlled nasal tip rotation and projection. The survey conducted among patients followed > 1 year revealed that most patients (84 of 96) were very to completely satisfied with the appearance and symmetry of their nose. Of these 84 patients, 48 were very satisfied and 36 were completely satisfied with the result. Two patients who required revision surgery were somewhat and moderately satisfied.

Conclusion

We present this technique to share our experience in modifying the widely accepted “tongue-in-groove” technique in septorhinoplasty. The figure eight-shaped suture, which avoids making the nose too stiff, is the main difference of our method.
The Histopathological Effect of Thymoquinone on Experimentally Induced Rhinosinusitis in Rats
Authors: Cingi Cemal , Eskiizmir Görkem , Burukoğlu Dilek , Erdoğmuş Nagehan , Ural Ahmet , Ünlü Halis
Published: December 2011

Background

Rhinosinusitis is a common disorder and its treatment includes a variety of topical and systemic drugs. This study was designed to determine the histopathological effect of thymoquinone on experimentally induced rhinosinusitis in rats.

Methods

Sixty rats were randomly allocated into 3 test and 2 control groups, each of which consisted of 12 animals. The rhinosinusitis model was induced using intranasal application of platelet-activating factor. In test groups, the animals were separated into groups: (1) rhinosinusitis-antibiotherapy, (2) rhinosinusitis-thymoquinone, (3) rhinosinusitis-combination therapy. The positive and negative control groups were defined: rhinosinusitis group without any treatment and the group without rhinosinusitis, respectively. The histopathological features (vascular congestion, inflammation, and epithelial injury) in nasal respiratory and olfactory mucosa of animals were examined and graded according to their severity. A quantitative and statistical analysis of histopathological features was performed.

Results

All histopathological features showed statistically significant differences between negative and positive control groups, respectively. Conversely, neither the group with rhinosinusitis-antibiotherapy nor the group with rhinosinusitis-thymoquinone had a statistically significant difference with the negative control group. Moreover, none of the histopathological features showed a statistically significant difference, when the group with rhinosinusitis-antibiotherapy and the group with rhinosinusitis-thymoquinone were compared. A statistically significant difference was not determined when the group with rhinosinusitis-combination therapy was compared with the group with rhinosinusitis-thymoquinone. The histopathological features did not show a statistically significant difference between the group with combination therapy and the negative control

Conclusion

Thymoquinone is a promising bioactive agent for the treatment of rhinosinusitis, and its histopathological effect is as equivalent as an antibiotic.
Acoustic Rhinometry: Impact of External Nasal Dilator on the Two First Notches of the Rhinogram
Authors: Nigro Carlos E. N. , Mion Olavo , Mello João Ferreira , Voegels Richard L. , Roithmann Renato
Published: December 2011

Background

Acoustic rhinometry is more accurate in the anterior portion of the nasal cavities, from the nostril to the nasal valve (NV), the most important site of nasal obstruction. Literature presents different opinions regarding the anatomical correlation of the two notches at the beginning of the rhinogram curve in normal adult white individuals. The aim of this study was to present new data for a better understanding of the anatomic correlation of these two notches.

Methods

This prospective study included 32 nasal cavities under the following conditions: (1) basal condition, (2) with external nasal dilator strip (ENDS), (3) after decongestion (0.05% oxymetazoline chloride applied as an aerosol spray), and (4) after decongestion with ENDS.

Results

No statistically significant variation was observed in the cross-sectional area of the first notch (CSA1) after decongestion. However, there was a statistically significant increase in the CSA2 after ENDS.

Conclusion

Analysis of the results suggested that the first notch of the rhinogram refers to the nostril and the second notch refers to the NV as a whole. This study was part of the clinical trial NCT01411969 registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov .
Retinoic Acid–inducible Gene 1–like Receptors in the Upper Respiratory Tract
Authors: Bogefors Jesper , Kvarnhammar Anne Månsson , Latif Leith , Petterson Terese , Uddman Rolf , Cardell Lars Olaf
Published: December 2011

Background

Retinoic acid–inducible gene 1–like receptors (RLRs) are a novel family of pattern recognition receptors that include retinoic acid–inducible gene 1 (RIG-1), melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA-5), and laboratory of genomics and physiology 2 (LGP-2). The knowledge of RLRs and their function in the human airway is limited. This study explores the role of RLRs in the upper respiratory tract.

Methods

Tonsils, adenoids, nasal polyps, and biopsy specimens from the nasal mucosa were examined for the occurrence of the RIG-1, MDA-5, and LGP-2 using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. The nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line FaDu was cultured with the RIG-1/MDA-5 ligand poly(I:C)/LyoVec (Invivogen, San Diego, CA) and analyzed for cytokine release using ELISA.

Results

RIG-1, MDA-5, and LGP-2 mRNA were found in all tissues tested. The airway epithelium appeared to be their most prominent location. The RIG-1 and MDA-5 mRNA levels were higher in nasal polyps than in normal nasal mucosa, a state that seemed to be reversed by local steroid treatment. Culture of FaDu with poly(I:C)/LyoVec resulted in IL-6 and IL-8 release. No alteration in RLR expression in tonsils was seen on infection.

Conclusion

This study shows the presence and functional activity of RLRs in the human upper airways. It also suggests a role for RLRs in nasal polyposis.
Reliability of Basophil Activation Test Using CD203c Expression in Diagnosis of Pollen Allergy
Authors: Özdemir Seçil Kepil , Güloğlu Deniz , Sin Betül A. , Elhan Atilla H. , İkincioğulları Aydan , Mısırlıgil Zeynep
Published: December 2011

Background

CD203c is a basophil surface marker and its expression is rapidly up-regulated after cross-linking of high-affinity immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor (FcepsilonR1) by an allergen. CD203c basophil activation tests have been studied for the in vitro diagnosis of several allergic conditions. However, there is limited data about its diagnostic usefulness. The optimum allergen concentrations for stimulation and allergen specific cutoff values remain unknown for a number of allergens. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of basophil activation test via CD203c in the diagnosis of pollen allergy.

Methods

The CD203c basophil activation was determined in 31 allergic rhinitis patients with pollen allergy and 9 healthy nonatopic controls during the off-season. CD203c expression was evaluated using three-color staining protocol by flow cytometry.

Results

After an in vitro stimulation with grass pollen extract, the CD203c assay clearly discriminated pollen-allergic patients from controls (p < 0.001). A dose-dependent increase in the percentages of CD203c-activated basophils was shown in rhinitis patients with pollen allergy (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity was 100% and optimal cutoff values were 14.05 and 10.05% with 45.1 and 4.5 μg/mL Phl p 5 stimulation, respectively. Although the specificity was also 100%, the sensitivity was 93 and 87% and the cutoff values were 5.40 and 5.35% with 4.5 x 10– 4 and 4.5 x 10– 5 micrograms/mL Phl p 5 stimulation, respectively.

Conclusion

The CD203c basophil activation test seems to be a reliable tool in the diagnosis of grass pollen allergy. It could be used when conventional diagnostic tests fail or can not be performed.
Comparison of Efficacy of Mometasone Furoate versus Clarithromycin in the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis without Nasal Polyps in Chinese Adults
Authors: Zeng Ming , Long Xiao-Bo , Cui Yong-Hua , Liu Zheng
Published: December 2011

Background

Although both nasal steroids and macrolide antibiotics have been recommended for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNPs), whether there is any difference in their clinical efficacy remains unexplored. In addition, few studies have investigated their clinical efficacy in a Chinese population living in China, who present distinct inflammatory patterns compared with white patients in western countries. This study compares the efficacy of mometasone furoate and clarithromycin treatment in CRSsNP in Chinese adults in a preliminary prospective, open-label, randomized trial.

Methods

Forty-three CRSsNP patients were randomized to receive mometasone furoate nasal spray at 200 μg (n = 21) or clarithromycin tablet at 250 mg (n = 22) once daily for 12 weeks. Patients were assessed before the treatment and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment. Subjective symptoms were scored on a visual analog scale. Endoscopy physical findings were scored according to Lanza-Kennedy scoring system. Moreover, smoking and atopic status and coexistence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma were recorded.

Results

Before the treatment, no significant difference in symptoms and nasal endoscopic physical findings were found between mometasone furoate and clarithromycin group. As early as 4 weeks after dosing, a significant reduction of total symptom scores, nasal obstruction, headache, rhinorrhea and overall burden scores, and mucosal swelling and nasal discharge scores were observed in both groups. No significant difference in symptom or endoscopic scores was observed between these two groups at any posttreatment observation time point. The coexistence of AR was correlated with lower scores of mucosal edema and nasal secretion in the mometasone furoate group after 12-week treatment.

Conclusion

Mometasone furoate and clarithromycin show a comparable clinical effect for CRSsNPs in Chinese adults. Mometasone furoate is more effective in improving edema and secretion for CRSsNP patients with concomitant AR.
The Wild, Wild East: Why the DVU Doesn't Matter and Why the NPD Does
Authors: Art David
Published: December 2011

German politicians, journalists, and analysts are predicting that the DVU's and the NPD's tenure in state parliaments will be brief. Referring to the NPD, Wolfgang Bosbach of the CDU claimed that the party would quickly lose its appeal because its politicians were "generally lazy, not very intelligent and therefore ineffective in parliament." Similar opinions have been voiced about the DVU. In this article, I argue that, while the DVU is likely to remain a marginal player in German politics, the NPD's electoral breakthrough represents a major new development. Over the last decade, the NPD has evolved into a highly organized social movement in eastern Germany. The fact that it can now mobilize portions of the eastern electorate strongly suggests that it has become a political force as well.
Ostalgie's Not What It Used to Be: The German Television GDR Craze of 2003
Authors: Cooke Paul
Published: December 2011

Throughout these shows, a value system is constructed that runs counter to the apparent, stated aim of normalizing the everyday experience of eastern Germans. GDR consumer goods are brought into the mainstream, only to be reconfined to the periphery as "strange" and nonwestern. In so doing, the programs invite former GDR citizens to join a club of western German consumers and to laugh along with them at their bizarre, ridiculous past. Consequently, while Ostalgie might not be what it used to be, the power dynamic between east and west remains the same. In these shows the GDR is no longer presented as a "Stasi state." Instead, through Ostalgie, it becomes a world of curious consumer products. Nevertheless, even if the gasps of horror and disapproval of earlier representations are replaced now by curiosity and amusement, these recent television shows still furnish us with a representation of the east from which the Federal Republic can distance itself, thereby finding further validation as the better German state (which of course it is). But it is also a state that, for many indignant eastern Germans at least, still fails to engage honestly and in a differentiated manner with their preunification experience.
GDR Rock goes West: Finding a Voice in the West German Market
Authors: Larkey Edward
Published: December 2011

Culture in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) is often characterized as isolated from that of the West, with artists locked behind the Iron Curtain, having no opportunities to interact directly with global trends. While this may be true to a great extent for the general population, we should not close our eyes to the actual cross-border movements of artists and art forms that did take place in that regime. Many producers of artistic texts interacted with the West—not just well-known writers and theater directors like Christa Wolf or Bruno Besson, but also rock bands. Indeed, a few privileged GDR bands, belonging to the group of Reisekader (travel functionaries) were granted permission to travel to the West. An analysis of their interactions with their domestic audiences and with audiences in the West gives a more nuanced view regarding the nature of cultural globalization that continues into the 21st century, and provides insights into the role of cultural industries in cultural and political change today. The story of these bands contributes to our knowledge on how GDR authorities were unable to perceive and manage cultural creativity in an era of networked, flexible, and relatively autonomous creators.
Contested Spaces
Authors: Oldenziel Ruth , Albert de la Bruhèze Adri
Published: December 2011

Today most cities emphasize the construction of separate bicycle lanes as a sure path toward sustainable urban mobility. Historical evidence shows a singular focus on building bicycle lanes without embedding them into a broader bicycle culture and politics is far too narrow. Bicycle lanes were never neutral, but contested from the start. Based on comparative research of cycling history covering nine European cities in four countries, the article shows the crucial role representations of bicycles play in policymakers' and experts' planning for the future. In debating the regulation of urban traffic flows, urban-planning professionals projected separate lanes to control rather than to facilitate working- class, mass-scale bicycling. Significantly, cycling organizations opposed the lanes, while experts like traffic engineers and urban planners framed automobility as the inevitable modern future. Only by the 1970s did bicycle lanes enter the debate as safe and sustainable solutions when grass-roots cyclists' activists campaigned for them. The up and downs of bicycle lanes show the importance of encouraging everyday utility cycling by involving diverse social groups.
The Emergence of the Bus Industry
Authors: Filarski Ruud
Published: December 2011

During the interwar period, the emergence of the bus industry presented many governments with a dilemma: should they intervene in the market to establish a level playing field for fair competition between the buses and rail transport, should they protect the loss-making railways or should they take a laissez-faire approach to the developments?

At first glance, promoting fair competition or, as it was called during those days, a "co-ordination policy" seems relatively simple. The government could impose conditions on the bus industry, which regulated safety, quality, services, and allocation of the infrastructure costs in a similar way as the railways. However, an analysis of the developments in The Netherlands reveals a number of obstacles that complicated policy implementation.

Therefore, this article focuses on two questions: how did bus transport develop in The Netherlands? And what obstacles made it so difficult for the Dutch government to implement fair competition?
Road against Rail
Authors: Weber Donald
Published: December 2011

When new motorized means of transport, such as buses, vans, and lorries, captured part of the transport market in Belgium in the interwar period, the rail companies engaged in a political fight to restrict the new modes of road transport. Attempts were made to introduce fiscal and administrative measures aimed at limiting road transport. This coincided with an intense debate on transport policy, both in the press and in parliament. The article focuses on the discourse driving this debate. It is argued that the positions taken were motivated by economic issues, but that there were underlying cultural motivations, different perceptions of what transport should represent in the lives of the users and the whole of society. The focus on the so-called coordination debate is widened beyond the conflict between trains and vans in the 1930s, to include the conflict between automobiles, buses, and trams in the 1920s.
Fluctuation, Dissipation and the Arrow of Time
Authors: Campisi Michele , Hänggi Peter
Published: December 2011

The recent development of the theory of fluctuation relations has led to new insights into the ever-lasting question of how irreversible behavior emerges from time-reversal symmetric microscopic dynamics. We provide an introduction to fluctuation relations, examine their relation to dissipation and discuss their impact on the arrow of time question.
Study on the Decomposition of Factors Affecting Energy-Related Carbon Emissions in Guangdong Province, China
Authors: Wang Wenxiu , Kuang Yaoqiu , Huang Ningsheng
Published: December 2011

Guangdong is China’s largest province in terms of energy consumption. The energy-related carbon emissions in Guangdong province are calculated, and two extended and improved decomposition models for energy-related carbon emissions are established with the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index method based on the basic principle of Kaya identity. Main results are as follows: (1) the energy-related carbon emissions from the three strata of industry, except the primary industry, and household energy consumption in Guangdong province show increasing trend from 1995 to 2009; (2) the main driving and inhibiting factors which influence energy-related carbon emissions are economic output and energy intensity, respectively, while the contributions of energy mix, industrial structures, population size and living standards are not significant during the period of interest. It is concluded that optimizing the energy mix by exploiting new energy sources and cutting down energy intensity by developing low-carbon technologies are the two most effective approaches to reduce carbon emissions for Guangdong province in the future. The results and proposals in this paper provided reference for relevant administrative departments in the Government of Guangdong province to develop policies for energy conservation and emission reduction as well as to promote development of low-carbon economy.
A Service-Oriented Architecture for Proactive Geospatial Information Services
Authors: Li Haifeng , Wu Bo
Published: December 2011

The advances in sensor network, linked data, and service-oriented computing has indicated a trend of information technology, i.e., toward an open, flexible, and distributed architecture. However, the existing information technologies show a lack of effective sharing, aggregation, and cooperation services to handle the sensors, data, and processing resources to fulfill user’s complicated tasks in near real-time. This paper presents a service-orientated architecture for proactive geospatial information services (PGIS), which integrates the sensors, data, processing, and human services. PGIS is designed to organize, aggregate, and co-operate services by composing small scale services into service chains to meet the complicated user requirements. It is a platform to provide real-time or near real-time data collection, storage, and processing capabilities. It is a flexible, reusable, and scalable system to share and interoperate geospatial data, information, and services. The developed PGIS framework has been implemented and preliminary experiments have been performed to verify its performance. The results show that the basic functions such as task analysis, managing sensors for data acquisition, service composition, service chain construction and execution are validated, and the important properties of PGIS, including interoperability, flexibility, and reusability, are achieved.
Determining the Maximum Cumulative Ratios for Mixtures Observed in Ground Water Wells Used as Drinking Water Supplies in the United States
Authors: Han Xianglu , Price Paul S.
Published: December 2011

The maximum cumulative ratio (MCR) developed in previous work is a tool to evaluate the need to perform cumulative risk assessments. MCR is the ratio of the cumulative exposures to multiple chemicals to the maximum exposure from one of the chemicals when exposures are described using a common metric. This tool is used to evaluate mixtures of chemicals measured in samples of untreated ground water as source for drinking water systems in the United States. The mixtures of chemicals in this dataset differ from those examined in our previous work both in terms of the predicted toxicity and compounds measured. Despite these differences, MCR values in this study follow patterns similar to those seen earlier. MCR values for the mixtures have a mean (range) of 2.2 (1.03–5.4) that is much smaller than the mean (range) of 16 (5–34) in the mixtures in previous study. The MCR values of the mixtures decline as Hazard Index (HI) values increase. MCR values for mixtures with larger HI values are not affected by possible contributions from chemicals that may occur at levels below the detection limits. This work provides a second example of use of the MCR tool in the evaluation of mixtures that occur in the environment.
Dynamic Structure-Based Pharmacophore Model Development: A New and Effective Addition in the Histone Deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) Inhibitor Discovery
Authors: Thangapandian Sundarapandian , John Shalini , Lee Yuno , Kim Songmi , Lee Keun Woo
Published: December 2011

Histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) is an enzyme involved in deacetylating the amino groups of terminal lysine residues, thereby repressing the transcription of various genes including tumor suppressor gene. The over expression of HDAC8 was observed in many cancers and thus inhibition of this enzyme has emerged as an efficient cancer therapeutic strategy. In an effort to facilitate the future discovery of HDAC8 inhibitors, we developed two pharmacophore models containing six and five pharmacophoric features, respectively, using the representative structures from two molecular dynamic (MD) simulations performed in Gromacs 4.0.5 package. Various analyses of trajectories obtained from MD simulations have displayed the changes upon inhibitor binding. Thus utilization of the dynamically-responded protein structures in pharmacophore development has the added advantage of considering the conformational flexibility of protein. The MD trajectories were clustered based on single-linkage method and representative structures were taken to be used in the pharmacophore model development. Active site complimenting structure-based pharmacophore models were developed using Discovery Studio 2.5 program and validated using a dataset of known HDAC8 inhibitors. Virtual screening of chemical database coupled with drug-like filter has identified drug-like hit compounds that match the pharmacophore models. Molecular docking of these hits reduced the false positives and identified two potential compounds to be used in future HDAC8 inhibitor design.
Use of Peroxyacetic Acid as Green Chemical on Yield and Sensorial Quality in Watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.) Under Soilless Culture
Authors: Carrasco Gilda , Moggia Claudia , Osses Ingrid Jennifer , Álvaro Juan Eugenio , Urrestarazu Miguel
Published: December 2011

The goal of this research was to evaluate the effect of different doses of peroxyacetic acid on the productivity of watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.) cultivated hydroponically using a constant nutritive solution. Green chemistry in protected horticulture seeks compatibility with the environment through the creation of biodegradable byproducts. In hydroponics, appropriate doses of peroxyacetic mixtures deliver these byproducts while also oxygenating the roots. Watercress producers who recirculate the nutritive solution can use these mixtures in order to increase oxygenation in the hydroponic system. The experiment took place between August and December 2009, beginning with the planting of the watercress seeds and concluding with the completion of the sensory panels. A completely random design was used, including three treatments and four repetitions, with applications of 0, 20 and 40 mg L−1 of the peroxyacetic mixture. Measured variables were growth (plant height, leaf length and stem diameter), yield (weight per plant and dry matter) and organoleptic quality (color and sensory panel). The application of 40 mg L−1 of the peroxyacetic mixture had a greater effect on the growth and development of the plants, which reached an average height of 29.3 cm, stem diameter of 3.3 mm and leaf length of 7.6 cm, whereas the control group reached an average height of only 20.2 cm, stem diameter of 1.9 mm and leaf length of 5.7 cm. The application of the peroxyacetic mixtures resulted in an improvement in growth parameters as well as in yield. Individual weights achieved using the 40 mg L−1 dose were 1.3 g plant−1 in the control group and 3.4 g plant−1 in the experimental group (62% yield increase). Sensory analysis revealed no differences in organoleptic quality.
Molecular Diagnosis of 5α-Reductase Type II Deficiency in Brazilian Siblings with 46,XY Disorder of Sex Development
Authors: Calais Flávia Leme de , Soardi Fernanda Caroline , Petroli Reginaldo José , Lusa Ana Letícia Gori , Silva Roberto Benedito de Paiva e , Maciel-Guerra Andréa Trevas , Guerra-Júnior Gil , Mello Maricilda Palandi de
Published: December 2011

The steroid 5α-reductase type II enzyme catalyzes the conversion of testosterone (T) to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and its deficiency leads to undervirilization in 46,XY individuals, due to an impairment of this conversion in genital tissues. Molecular analysis in the steroid 5α-reductase type II gene (SRD5A2) was performed in two 46,XY female siblings. SRD5A2 gene sequencing revealed that the patients were homozygous for p.Gln126Arg missense mutation, which results from the CGA > CAA nucleotide substitution. The molecular result confirmed clinical diagnosis of 46,XY disorder of sex development (DSD) for the older sister and directed the investigation to other family members. Studies on SRD5A2 protein structure showed severe changes at NADPH binding region indicating that structural modeling analysis can be useful to evaluate the deleterious role of a mutation as causing 5α-reductase type II enzyme deficiency.
Natural Product Chemistry of Gorgonian Corals of Genus Junceella—Part II
Authors: Wu Yang-Chang , Su Jui-Hsin , Chou Tai-Ting , Cheng Yin-Pin , Weng Ching-Feng , Lee Chia-Hung , Fang Lee-Shing , Wang Wei-Hsien , Li Jan-Jung , Lu Mei-Chin , Kuo Jimmy , Sheu Jyh-Horng , Sung Ping-Jyun
Published: December 2011

The structures, names, bioactivities, and references of 81 new secondary metabolites obtained from gorgonian corals belonging to the genus Junceella are described in this review. All compounds mentioned in this review were obtained from sea whip gorgonian corals Junceella fragilis and Junceella juncea, collected from the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Comparison of A and B Starch Granules from Three Wheat Varieties
Authors: Zeng Jie , Li Guanglei , Gao Haiyan , Ru Zhengang
Published: December 2011

Three starches from the wheat varieties AK58, ZM18 and YZ4110 were separated into large (A) and small (B) granules, which were characterized structurally and evaluated for their functional properties. SEM results showed that the size of A-granules from ZM18 and YZ4110 were about the same, but the sizes of A-granules and B-granules from AK58 were larger than those of ZM18 and YZ4110. FTIR spectra showed that all the samples exhibited a similar pattern, with seven main modes with maximum absorbance peaks near 3,500, 3,000, 1,600, 1,400, 1,000, 800, 500 cm−1. The B-granules of ZM18 and YZ4110 had less amylose content, although the difference among the total amylose contents of the three unfractionated starches was not significant. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed predominantly A-type crystallinity for all the starches. The A-granules showed sharper XRD patterns than the other starches. DSC analysis showed that the A-granules had broader ranges of gelatinization temperatures than the B-granules from the same wheat variety. The gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH) of A-granules was higher than that of B-granules. AK58 exhibited the smallest enthalpy, while ZM18 showed the largest enthalpy. In pasting tests, the A-granule starch of AK58 had higher peak, final and setback viscosity, lower breakdown and pasting temperature, and the B-granule starch and unfractionated starch of AK58 had lower peak, breakdown, final and setback viscosity and higher pasting temperature than ZM18 and YZ4110.
Global Chemical Composition and Antioxidant and Anti-Tuberculosis Activities of Various Extracts of Globularia alypum L. (Globulariaceae) Leaves
Authors: Khlifi Daycem , Hamdi Moktar , Hayouni Akrem El , Cazaux Sylvie , Souchard Jean Pierre , Couderc François , Bouajila Jalloul
Published: December 2011

In this work, an evaluation of the biological activities of Globularia alypum L. extracts and their global chemical composition was realized. Extracts from G. alypum were obtained by two extraction methods. The composition of polyphenols (8.5–139.95 g gallic acid equivalent/Kg of dry mass), tannins (1.39–18.65 g catechin equivalent/Kg of dry mass), anthocyanins (8.17–70.69 mg cyanidin equivalent/Kg of dry mass) and flavonoids (0.31–19.28 g quercetin equivalent/Kg of dry mass) was evaluated. The samples were subjected to a screening for their antioxidant activities using the DPPH· and ABTS·+ assays. For the first time, the anti-tuberculosis activity (H37Rv) for G. alypum was tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The strongest antioxidant activity was obtained for the methanol extract (IC50 = 15.58 ± 0.168 mg/L) and the best anti-tuberculosis activity was obtained for the petroleum ether extract (IC50 = 77 mg/L). We have found a positive correlation between the total phenolics content and the antioxidant activity R2 = 0.88 (DPPH·) and R2 = 0.97 (ABTS·+). We have found also a positive correlation between the flavonoid content and the antioxidant activity R2 = 0.91 (DPPH·) and R2 = 0.91 (ABTS·+).
Terpenoids from Endophytic Fungi
Authors: Souza Jucimar Jorgeane de , Vieira Ivo José Curcino , Rodrigues-Filho Edson , Braz-Filho Raimundo
Published: December 2011

This work reviews the production of terpenoids by endophytic fungi and their biological activities, in period of 2006 to 2010. Sixty five sesquiterpenes, 45 diterpenes, five meroterpenes and 12 other terpenes, amounting to 127 terpenoids were isolated from endophytic fungi.
Enhancement of Diosgenin Production in Dioscorea zingiberensis Cell Cultures by Oligosaccharides from Its Endophytic Fungus Fusarium oxysporum Dzf17
Authors: Li Peiqin , Mao Ziling , Lou Jingfeng , Li Yan , Mou Yan , Lu Shiqiong , Peng Youliang , Zhou Ligang
Published: December 2011

The effects of the oligosaccharides from the endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum Dzf17 as elicitors on diosgenin production in cell suspension cultures of its host Dioscorea zingiberensis were investigated. Three oligosaccharides, DP4, DP7 and DP10, were purified from the oligosaccharide fractions DP2-5, DP5-8 and DP8-12, respectively, which were prepared from the water-extracted mycelial polysaccharide of the endophytic fungus F. oxysporum Dzf17. When the cell cultures were treated with fraction DP5-8 at 20 mg/L on day 26 and harvested on day 32, the maximum diosgenin yield (2.187 mg/L) was achieved, which was 5.65-fold of control (0.387 mg/L). When oligosaccharides DP4, DP7 and DP10 were individually added to 26-day-old D. zingiberensis cell cultures at concentrations of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg/L in medium, DP7 at 6 mg/L was found to significantly enhance diosgenin production, with a yield of 3.202 mg/L, which was 8.27-fold of control. When the cell cultures were treated with DP7 twice on days 24 and 26, and harvested on day 30, both diosgenin content and yield were significantly increased and reached the maximums of 1.159 mg/g dw and 4.843 mg/L, both of which were higher than those of single elicitation, and were 9.19- and 12.38-fold of control, respectively.
Four Eremophil-9-en-8-one Derivatives from Cremanthodium stenactinium Samples Collected in China
Authors: Saito Yoshinori , Ichihara Mayu , Okamoto Yasuko , Gong Xun , Kuroda Chiaki , Tori Motoo
Published: December 2011

Two samples of Cremanthodium stenactinium (Asteraceae) were collected in Sichuan Province, China. From the ethyl acetate extracts of the roots, three new eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoids and one new trinoreremophilane compound were isolated, together with other known eremophilanes. Their structures were determined based on the spectroscopic data. This is the first report of isolation of eremophilane-type compounds from the genus Cremanthodium.
Current and Future Experimental Strategies for Structural Analysis of Trichothecene Mycotoxins—A Prospectus
Authors: Shank Roxanne A. , Foroud Nora A. , Hazendonk Paul , Eudes François , Blackwell Barbara A.
Published: December 2011

Fungal toxins, such as those produced by members of the order Hypocreales, have widespread effects on cereal crops, resulting in yield losses and the potential for severe disease and mortality in humans and livestock. Among the most toxic are the trichothecenes. Trichothecenes have various detrimental effects on eukaryotic cells including an interference with protein production and the disruption of nucleic acid synthesis. However, these toxins can have a wide range of toxicity depending on the system. Major differences in the phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity of these mycotoxins are observed for individual members of the class, and variations in toxicity are observed among different species for each individual compound. Furthermore, while diverse toxicological effects are observed throughout the whole cellular system upon trichothecene exposure, the mechanism of toxicity is not well understood. In order to comprehend how these toxins interact with the cell, we must first have an advanced understanding of their structure and dynamics. The structural analysis of trichothecenes was a subject of major interest in the 1980s, and primarily focused on crystallographic and solution-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopic studies. Recent advances in structural determination through solution- and solid-state NMR, as well as computation based molecular modeling is leading to a resurgent interest in the structure of these and other mycotoxins, with the focus shifting in the direction of structural dynamics. The purpose of this work is to first provide a brief overview of the structural data available on trichothecenes and a characterization of the methods commonly employed to obtain such information. A summary of the current understanding of the relationship between structure and known function of these compounds is also presented. Finally, a prospectus on the application of new emerging structural methods on these and other related systems is discussed.
Modelling of Diffusing Capacity Measurement Results in Lung Microangiopathy Patients
Authors: Słomiński W. , Kuziemski K. , Kalicka R.
Published: December 2011

Background: Lung microangiopathy is a little known negative influence of diabetes mellitus on the functioning of the lungs. In current medical practice lung microangiopathy is diagnosed by comparing two measurements of lung diffusing capacity – once with the subject standing and once with the subject lying down. The necessity to take two measurements is inconvenient.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to design a supportive method for diagnosing lung microangiopathy. This will be based on routinely performed pulmonary measurements as well as on investigation of process modelling and data processing.

Methods: A model of the diffusion of oxygen from the alveoli to the blood has been described with a set of differential equations. The idea of the proposed model is based on the physiological analysis of the oxygen flow (caused by a concentration gradient) and on general knowledge regarding the kinetics of associating oxygen with haemoglobin. The model parameters are estimated using diffusing capacity and alveolar volume measurements – routinely performed in pulmonary tests.

Results: The model parameter estimates proved good candidates for the binary classification of the presence or absence of micro-angiopathy. The proposed classification procedure, based on parameter values and established diagnostic thresholds, gives sensitivity Sens = 79.34% and specificity Spec = 87.08%. The results of classification with the use of diffusing capacity measurement are worse: Sens = 62.12% and Spec = 79.89%.

Conclusions: The proposed classification procedure is based on the model parameters. These have proved to be sensitive indicators of lung microangiopathy. Close to 80% of micro-angiopathy cases have been classified as such. Less than 20% were false alarms. The oxygen pathway model allows for simulations. Blood saturation and oxygen partial pressure have been simulated for the organism’s various needs for oxygen, both for the normal and the impaired alveoli-capillary barrier.
Personal Adaptive Method to Assess Mental Tension during Daily Life Using Heart Rate Variability
Authors: Matsuoka K. , Yoshino K.
Published: December 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study is to present a method of assessing psychological tension that is optimized to every individual on the basis of the heart rate variability (HRV) data which, to eliminate the influence of the inter-individual variability, are measured in a long time period during daily life.

Methods: HRV and body accelerations were recorded from nine normal subjects for two months of normal daily life. Fourteen HRV indices were calculated with the HRV data at 512 seconds prior to the time of every mental tension level report. Data to be analyzed were limited to those with body accelerations of 30 mG (0.294 m/s2) and lower. Further, the differences from the reference values in the same time zone were calculated with both the mental tension score (Δtension) and HRV index values (ΔHRVI). The multiple linear regression model that estimates Δtension from the scores for principal components of ΔHRVI were then constructed for each individual. The data were divided into training data set and test data set in accordance with the twofold cross validation method. Multiple linear regression coefficients were determined using the training data set, and with the optimized model its generalization capability was checked using the test data set.

Results: The subjects’ mean Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.52 with the training data set and 0.40 with the test data set. The subjects’ mean coefficient of determination was 0.28 with the training data set and 0.11 with the test data set.

Conclusion: We proposed a method of assessing psychological tension that is optimized to every individual based on HRV data measured over a long period of daily life.
Localizing the Accessory Pathway in Ventricular Preexcitation Patients Using a Score Based Algorithm
Authors: Stühlinger M. C. , Nowak C. N. , Spuller K. , Etsadashvili K. , Stühlinger X. , Berger T. , Dichtl W. , Gothe R. M. , Fischer G. , Hintringer F. , Rantner L. J.
Published: December 2011

Objectives: Clinical data was analyzed to find an efficient way to localize the accessory pathway in patients with ventricular preexcitation.

Methods: The delta wave morphologies and ablation sites of 186 patients who underwent catheter ablation were analyzed and an algorithm (“locAP”) to localize the accessory pathway was developed from the 84 data sets with a PQ interval ≤ 0.12 s and a QRS width ≥ 0.12 s. Fifty additional patients were included for a prospective validation. The locAP algorithm ranks 13 locations according to the likelihood that the accessory pathway is localized there. The algorithm is based on the locAP score which uses the standardized residuals of the available data sets.

Results: The locAP algorithm’s accuracy is 0.54 for 13 locations, with a sensitivity of 0.84, a specificity of 0.97, and a positive likelihood ratio of 24.94. If the two most likely locations are regarded, the accuracy rises to 0.79, for the three most likely locations combined the accuracy is 0.82. This new algorithm performs better than Milstein’s, Fitzpatrick’s, and Arruda’s algorithm both in the original study population as well as in a prospective study.

Conclusions: The locAP algorithm is a valid and valuable tool for clinical practice in a cardiac electrophysiology laboratory. It could be shown that use of the locAP algorithm is favorable over the localizing algorithms that are in clinical use today.
Biomedical Informatics Publications: a Global Perspective
Authors: Garcia-Remesal M. , Bielza C. , Crespo J. , Perez-Rey D. , Kulikowski C. , Maojo V.
Published: December 2011

Background: In the past decade, Medical Informatics (MI) and Bioinformatics (BI) have converged towards a new discipline, called Biomedical Informatics (BMI) bridging informatics methods across the spectrum from genomic research to personalized medicine and global healthcare. This convergence still raises challenging research questions which are being addressed by researchers internationally, which in turn raises the question of how biomedical informatics publications reflect the contributions from around the world in documenting the research.

Objectives: To analyse the worldwide participation of biomedical informatics researchers from professional groups and societies in the best-known scientific conferences in the field. The analysis is focused on their geographical affiliation, but also includes other features, such as the impact and recognition of the conferences.

Methods: We manually collected data about authors of papers presented at three major MI conferences: Medinfo, MIE and the AMIA symposium. In addition, we collected data from a BI conference, ISMB, as a comparison. Finally, we analyzed the impact and recognition of these conferences within their scientific contexts.

Results: Data indicate a predominance of local authors at the regional conferences (AMIA and MIE), whereas other conferences with a worldwide scope (Medinfo and ISMB) had broader participation. Our analysis shows that the influence of these conferences beyond the discipline remains somewhat limited.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that for BMI to be recognized as a broad discipline, both in the geographical and scientific sense, it will need to extend the scope of collaborations and their interdisciplinary impacts worldwide.
L'argument du De Re publica et le Songe de Scipion
Authors: Atkins Jed W.
Published: December 2011

Résumé Le Songe de Scipion est une énigme pour les lecteurs du De re publica de Cicéron. Pourquoi Cicéron conclut-il un dialogue qui traite manifestement de politique dans la Rome républicaine par une vision des cieux et du cosmos ? Quel est son lien avec le reste du dialogue ? Je soutiendrai que le Songe de Scipion joue en fait un rôle clé en menant à son terme l’argument central de l’œuvre. Par le biais du Songe , Cicéron examine la nature et les limites de la science politique, met en lumière l’irrationalité qui caractérise les affaires politiques, et présente un modèle idéal de gouvernement par la raison. Le Songe vient compléter la psychologie politique du dialogue en dévoilant au politique la vision du bien tout en mettant en même temps en question la possibilité de sa réalisation.
La vertu politique : Cicéron versus Macrobe
Authors: Labarrière Jean-Louis
Published: December 2011

Résumé L’objet de cet article est de montrer que, malgré sa de plus en plus grande notoriété du ix e  siècle au xvi e  siècle, le Commentaire au Songe de Scipion dû à Macrobe a plus obscurci les choses qu’il ne les a éclairées tant il voulait voir en Cicéron un philosophe grec cherchant, sur un mode néoplatonicien, à se défaire au plus vite des choses de ce bas monde. Mais la leçon cicéronienne est tout autre : s’il faut certes se garder de tout excès de vanité relatif à la gloire terrestre, il n’en reste pas moins que c’est à une véritable exhortation à la pratique de la vertu politique que nous assistons dans le Songe , qui vient ainsi fort bien conclure littérairement la République  : sois un grand « Homme d’État » et tu gagneras, pour l’éternité, la « Cité des Bienheureux », i.e . la « Voix lactée ».