bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histomorphometry in antigen‐induced arthritis of the rabbit temporomandibular joint
Authors: Rafayelyan S. , Radlanski R. J. , Minden K. , Pischon N. , Jost‐Brinkmann P.‐G. , Präger T. M.
Published: June 2014

Background

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause severe growth disturbances of the craniomandibular system. Antigen‐induced arthritis (AIA) of the rabbit TMJ is simulating the inflammatory process of the TMJ in JIA. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a systemic administration of the tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) antagonist etanercept on AIA in rabbits by means of three different histological staining methods.

Methods

After sensitization, a bilateral arthritis of the TMJ was induced and maintained by repeated intra‐articular administrations of ovalbumin in 12 New Zealand white rabbits aged 10 weeks. From the 13th week of age, 6 of the 12 rabbits received weekly subcutaneous injections of etanercept, and the other 6 animals remained without therapy. Another 6 animals served as controls, receiving no treatment or intra‐articular injections at all. After euthanasia at the age of 22 weeks, all TMJs were retrieved en bloc. Sagittal sections were cut and stained with hematoxylin–eosin (H‐E), Safranin‐O for the evaluation of the Mankin score, and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP).

Results

In the arthritis group, a chronic inflammation with degeneration of the articular cartilage was visible. In the etanercept group, the signs of cartilage degeneration were significantly reduced but present. In contrast, the joints in the control group were inconspicuous. A strong correlation between the Mankin score and TRAP‐positive cells could be found.

Conclusions

Antigen‐induced arthritis causes severe damage in the TMJ of young rabbits. An improvement seems to be achievable by a systemic administration of etanercept.
How Do Interaction Activities among Customers and between Customers and Firms Influence Market Performance and Continuous Product Innovation? An Empirical Investigation of the Mobile Application Market
Authors: Jang Seongsoo , Chung Jaihak
Published: June 2014

Mobile application markets (MAMs) significantly differ from other existing marketplaces at least in two aspects. First, customers (app users) and firms (app providers) frequently interact with each other in real time, which is not common in the conventional marketplaces. Second, many app providers incorporate customers’ opinions or suggestions into their software upgrades, representing one of the most unique and interesting aspects of MAMs. Therefore, it has become critical to understand the impact of interaction activities not only among customers, but also between customers and firms on the market performances of new products in MAMs. One of the most significant issues firms face is whether firms reflect on customers’ postpurchase interaction activities, and the next interesting question is how firms respond to them. This study explores the effects of customer‐to‐customer (C2C), customer‐to‐firm, and firm‐to‐customer interaction activities on market performance. In addition, this study investigates how communication activities influence a firm's tendency to pursue continuous product innovation through research and development (R&D).

Using data obtained from a major MAM, T store, three models that are respectively related to product sales, product lifetime, and a firm's R&D activity for product upgrades, are applied to empirically test hypotheses concerning the effects of interaction activities. In our analyses of market performance, a hierarchical log regression model with 10,840 weekly transactions data set related to product sales (model A) and 291 aggregate transactions related to product lifetime (model B) is used. Results indicate that C2C and customer‐to‐firm communication activities have a positive impact on sales, but little relationship with product lifetime. However, a firm's continuous product R&D has a positive impact on both sales and lifetime performance. Our analysis of a firm's R&D (model C) shows that C2C and customer–firm communication increases a firm's R&D activity. Taken together, these results have important implications for customer–firm interactions, market performance, and R&D strategies.
Differentiating Major and Incremental New Product Development: The Effects of Functional and Numerical Workforce Flexibility*
Authors: Kok Robert A.W. , Ligthart Paul E.M.
Published: June 2014

This study seeks to explain the differential effects of workforce flexibility on incremental and major new product development (NPD). Drawing on the resource‐based theory of the firm, human resource management research, and innovation management literature, the authors distinguish two types of workforce flexibility, functional and numerical, and hypothesize differential effects on NPD outcomes. A large‐scale sample of 284 Dutch firms across various manufacturing goods and business services industries serves to test these hypotheses. The results suggest that functional flexibility positively influences incremental NPD only, internal numerical flexibility negatively influences incremental NPD only, and external numerical flexibility positively influences major NPD only. Thus, differences between major and incremental NPD are grounded in the human resource flexibility of the firm. This complements research that found that such differences lie in critical development activities, learning processes, and capabilities. It also complements product innovation research on flexibility in NPD processes and on flexibility in organizational structures and routines. It extends the resource‐based theory of the firm suggesting that human resource flexibility is part of the dynamic capabilities that allow firms to reconfigure existing competencies. The conclusions imply that managers of manufacturing and service firms may use training and education and create a functional flexible workforce that can progressively enhance incremental NPD outcomes. They may want to avoid paying overtime, because such internal numerical flexibility hampers incremental NPD, but use fixed‐term contracts to expand external numerical flexibility to enhance major NPD.
Stress and Resilience for Parents of Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Review of Key Factors and Recommendations for Practitioners
Authors: Peer Justin W. , Hillman Stephen B.
Published: June 2014

Parents of children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities experience more stress in comparison to parents of normally developing children. Chronic stress could negatively influence parents' health while also impacting their ability to meet their child's needs. Despite this, there is a subset of parents who remain resilient in the face of significant stress in their lives. Knowledge of the factors that promote parental resilience could positively impact the services these families receive. The authors conducted a systematic review of research article databases and found support for coping style, optimism, and social support as resilience factors for parents of children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Awareness of variables that promote resilience for parents of children with intellectual and/or development disabilities is likely to inform clinical practice through offering new avenues for clinical focus in all phases of family‐centered care.
Blood folate concentrations among women of childbearing age by race/ethnicity and acculturation,NHANES2001–2010
Authors: Marchetta Claire M. , Hamner Heather C.
Published: June 2014

Hispanic women have higher rates of neural tube defects and report lower total folic acid intakes than non‐Hispanic white (NHW) women. Total folic acid intake, which is associated with neural tube defect risk reduction, has been found to vary by acculturation factors (i.e. language preference, country of origin, or time spent in theUnitedStates) amongHispanic women. It is unknown whether this same association is present for blood folate status. The objective of this research was to assess the differences in serum and red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations betweenNHWwomen andMexicanAmerican (MA) women and amongMAwomen by acculturation factors. Cross‐sectional data from the 2001–2010NationalHealth andNutritionExaminationSurvey (NHANES) were used to investigate how blood folate concentrations differ amongNHWorMAwomen of childbearing age. The impact of folic acid supplement use on blood folate concentrations was also examined.MAwomen with lower acculturation factors had lower serum andRBCfolate concentrations compared withNHWwomen and to their more acculturatedMAcounterparts. Consuming a folic acid supplement can minimize these disparities, butMAwomen, especially lower acculturatedMAwomen, were less likely to report using supplements. Public health efforts to increase blood folate concentrations amongMAwomen should consider acculturation factors when identifying appropriate interventions.
Climatic adaptation and ecological divergence between two closely related pine species in Southeast China
Authors: Zhou Yongfeng , Zhang Lirui , Liu Jianquan , Wu Guili , Savolainen Outi
Published: June 2014

Climate is one of the most important drivers for adaptive evolution in forest trees. Climatic selection contributes greatly to local adaptation and intraspecific differentiation, but this kind of selection could also have promoted interspecific divergence through ecological speciation. To test this hypothesis, we examined intra‐ and interspecific genetic variation at 25 climate‐related candidate genes and 12 reference loci in two closely related pine species, Pinus massoniana Lamb. and Pinus hwangshanensis Hisa, using population genetic and landscape genetic approaches. These two species occur in Southeast China but have contrasting ecological preferences in terms of several environmental variables, notably altitude, although hybrids form where their distributions overlap. One or more robust tests detected signals of recent and/or ancient selection at two‐thirds (17) of the 25 candidate genes, at varying evolutionary timescales, but only three of the 12 reference loci. The signals of recent selection were species specific, but signals of ancient selection were mostly shared by the two species likely because of the shared evolutionary history. FST outlier analysis identified six SNPs in five climate‐related candidate genes under divergent selection between the two species. In addition, a total of 24 candidate SNPs representing nine candidate genes showed significant correlation with altitudinal divergence in the two species based on the covariance matrix of population history derived from reference SNPs. Genetic differentiation between these two species was higher at the candidate genes than at the reference loci. Moreover, analysis using the isolation‐with‐migration model indicated that gene flow between the species has been more restricted for climate‐related candidate genes than the reference loci, in both directions. Taken together, our results suggest that species‐specific and divergent climatic selection at the candidate genes might have counteracted interspecific gene flow and played a key role in the ecological divergence of these two closely related pine species.
Synopsis of Euphorbia subgen. Esula sect. Helioscopia (Euphorbiaceae) in Iran with the description of Euphorbia mazandaranica sp. nov.
Authors: Pahlevani Amir Hossein , Riina Ricarda
Published: June 2014

Euphorbia subgen. Esula with about 480 species is one of the most diverse and complex lineages of the giant genus Euphorbia. Species of this subgenus are usually herbaceous and are mainly distributed in temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere. This paper updates the taxonomy and distribution of Euphorbia (subgen. Esula) sect. Helioscopia in Iran since the publication of ‘Flora Iranica’ in 1964. We provide a key, species descriptions, illustrations (for most species), distribution maps, brief characterization of ecology as well as relevant notes for the 12 species of this section occurring in Iran. As a result of this revision, E. altissima var. altissima is reported as new for the country, and a new species from northern Iran, Euphorbia mazandaranica, is described and illustrated. With the exception of E. helioscopia, a widespread weed in temperate regions worldwide, the remaining species occur in the Alborz, Zagros and northwestern regions of Iran.
Occurrence of phosphorylated castasterone in Arabidopsis thaliana and Lycopersicum esculentum
Authors: Kim Min Kyun , Jang Mun‐Seok , Youn Ji‐Hyun , Son Seung‐Hyun , Lee Ji Eun , Kim Tae‐Wuk , Kim Seong‐Ki
Published: June 2014

An in vitro enzyme assay using radioisotope‐labeled 3H‐castasterone (3H‐CS) or 32P‐ATP showed that CS can be phosphorylated by ATP in Arabidopsis and tomato plants. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis using non‐isotope‐labeled CS and ATP revealed that the phosphorylation of CS occurs at the side chain, most likely at the C‐23 hydroxyl. The polar fractions than free brassinosteroids (BRs) obtained from extracts of Arabidopsis and tomato showed almost no BRs activity in a rice lamina inclination bioassay. However, the fractions showed increased bioactivity after treatment with wheat germ acidic phosphatase (WGAP). Additionally, CS was identified from the hydrolysate by WGAP using GC‐MS analysis in both plants. In contrast, the polar fractions obtained from BR‐deficient mutants, Arabidopsis cyp85a2 and tomato dx, did not show an increase in biological activity with WGAP treatment, and no free BRs, including CS, were detected in the hydrolysate. This suggests that CS phosphate is a naturally occurring biologically inactive conjugate that is generated when CS is normally synthesized in Arabidopsis and tomato plants. Taken together, these results suggest that phosphorylation of CS is an important conjugation process for the maintenance of the homeostatic level of an active BR and thus the regulation of the growth and development of plants.
Nicotine withdrawal and stress‐induced changes in pain sensitivity: A cross‐sectional investigation between abstinent smokers and nonsmokers
Authors: Nakajima Motohiro , Al'Absi Mustafa
Published: June 2014

Chronic smoking has been linked with alterations in endogenous pain regulation. These alterations may be pronounced when individuals quit smoking because nicotine withdrawal produces a variety of psychological and physiological symptoms. Smokers interested in quitting (n = 98) and nonsmokers (n = 37) completed a laboratory session including cold pressor test (CPT) and heat thermal pain. Smokers set a quit date and completed the session after 48 h of abstinence. Participants completed the pain assessments once after rest and once after stress. Cardiovascular and nicotine withdrawal measures were collected. Smokers showed blunted cardiovascular responses to stress relative to nonsmokers. Only nonsmokers had greater pain tolerance to CPT after stress than after rest. Lower systolic blood pressure was related to lower pain tolerance. These findings suggest that smoking withdrawal is associated with blunted stress response and increased pain sensitivity.
Fibrotic airway stenosis following radiotherapy in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma
Authors: Eom Jung Seop , Kim BoKyong , Kim Hojoong , Jeon Kyeongman , Um Sang‐Won , Koh Won‐Jung , Suh Gee Young , Chung Man Pyo , Kwon O Jung
Published: June 2014

Background and objective

Radiotherapy is usually administered to the central airway in patients with unresectable adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). The purpose of this study was to describe the outcomes of endobronchial intervention in patients with airway stenosis following radiotherapy for ACC. Moreover, we investigated the incidence and contributing factors for airway stenosis following radiotherapy for ACC.

Methods

Forty‐seven patients with ACC, who underwent radiotherapy of the tracheobronchial tree from January 1995 to December 2011, were reviewed retrospectively. Fibrotic airway stenoses were diagnosed using three‐dimensional computed tomography, flexible bronchoscopy or both.

Results

Eleven (23%) of the 47 patients with ACC suffered fibrotic airway stenosis following radiotherapy and received bronchoscopic intervention. The median interval from radiotherapy to diagnosis of fibrotic airway stenosis was 7 months. Low forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity and brachytherapy were verified as factors contributing to radiotherapy‐induced airway stenosis. Bronchoscopic intervention provided both symptomatic relief and improvement of lung function, and no procedure‐related death or major complication was observed. Insertion of a straight silicone stent was required in 10 patients (91%), and 4 (36%) eventually received Y‐shaped silicone stents. The stents, once implanted, could not be removed in any of the patients; stents were well‐tolerated for a prolonged period in all patients.

Conclusions

Fibrotic airway stenosis following radiotherapy in patients with ACC is often found. Bronchoscopic intervention, including silicone airway stenting, was a safe and useful method for treating radiotherapy‐induced fibrotic airway stenosis in patients with ACC.
Development of microbial carbonates in the Lower Cretaceous Codó Formation (north‐east Brazil): Implications for interpretation of microbialite facies associations and palaeoenvironmental conditions
Authors: Bahniuk Anelize M. , Anjos Sylvia , França Almério B. , Matsuda Nilo , Eiler John , Mckenzie Judith A. , Vasconcelos Crisogono
Published: June 2014

The study of microbial carbonates has acquired new significance with the recognition that they retain valuable information related to biomineralization processes associated with microbial activity throughout geological time. Additionally, microbialites have a demonstrated economic potential to serve as excellent hydrocarbon reservoirs. The Lower Cretaceous Codó Formation, located in the Parnaiba Basin of north‐east Brazil, comprises a unique stratigraphic sequence of up to 20 m thick, well‐preserved carbonate microbialites. Deposited in a continental basin during the initial break up and separation of South America from Africa in the Early Cretaceous, this lacustrine carbonate sequence provides an excellent example to investigate the palaeoenvironmental conditions controlling microbialite facies development. Based on macroscopic and microscopic observations of outcrop and drill core samples, four microbialite facies (stromatolite, lamina, massive and spherulite) were defined and distinguished by textures and microbial fossil content. Changes in facies type are related to alternating palaeo‐water depths, as reflected by 87Sr/86Sr cycles resulting from fluctuations in the sources of meteoric water. Clumped isotope measurements of stromatolitic fabrics yield precipitation palaeo‐temperatures with an average value of 35°C. The δ18O values of bulk carbonate (−6·8 to −1·5‰ Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite) imply precipitation from water with calculated δ18O values between −1·6‰ and 1·8‰ Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water, reflecting precipitation from variably modified meteoric waters. The δ13C values of bulk carbonate (−15·5 to −7·2‰ Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite) indicate a significant input of carbon derived from aerobic or anaerobic respiration of organic matter. Combined, the data indicate that the evolution of the Codó Formation occurred in a closed lacustrine palaeoenvironment with alternating episodes of contracting and expanding lake levels, which led to the development of specific microbialite facies associations. The results provide new insights into palaeoenvironmental settings, biogenicity and early diagenetic processes involved in the formation of ancient carbonate microbialites and, by extension, improve the knowledge of the reservoir geology of correlative units in deep waters offshore Brazil.
A large‐scale molecular phylogeny of flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)
Authors: PIWCZYŃSKI MARCIN , SZPILA KRZYSZTOF , GRZYWACZ ANDRZEJ , PAPE THOMAS
Published: June 2014

The available data for Sarcophagidae in GenBank were analysed in order to reconstruct the most comprehensive phylogeny to date. GenBank was explored for nine markers that are commonly used in various molecular and phylogenetic studies of flesh flies. We obtained data for 187 species and constructed an aligned dataset with 9241 characters. However, the matrix suffered from 74% missing data due to a low number of sequences for some markers and in most of the cases only short fragments of the analysed genes were available. The reconstructed tree was taxonomically biased towards the subfamilies Paramacronychiinae (12% of the described species) and Sarcophaginae (8.6% of the described species) and specifically the genus Sarcophaga. The third subfamily Miltogramminae was represented by only 0.7% of described species. Moreover, about half of the included species were of forensic importance, while the percentage of such species in the entire family was estimated at 7%. Many nodes had very low support, so in order to increase the support and thereby identify a ‘core topology’, we pruned ‘rogue’ taxa and applied different substitution models. Both strategies improved support considerably, although some nodes still were left unresolved. An analysis of the distribution of bootstrap values across chronograms showed that the weakest phylogenetic signal is restricted to that part of the tree which coincides with the onset of rapid radiations mainly within the genus Sarcophaga. Our study is concordant with phylogenies obtained by other authors, with the most noteworthy exception being the subfamily Paramacronychiinae emerging as paraphyletic with regard to the Miltogramminae, which is in strong conflict with morphological evidence. We discuss the new findings in the light of traditional taxonomical classifications of Sarcophagidae and recent molecular studies.
The ITALK Project: A Developmental Robotics Approach to the Study of Individual, Social, and Linguistic Learning
Authors: Broz Frank , Nehaniv Chrystopher L. , Belpaeme Tony , Bisio Ambra , Dautenhahn Kerstin , Fadiga Luciano , Ferrauto Tomassino , Fischer Kerstin , Förster Frank , Gigliotta Onofrio , Griffiths Sascha , Lehmann Hagen , Lohan Katrin S. , Lyon Caroline , Marocco Davide , Massera Gianluca , Metta Giorgio , Mohan Vishwanathan , Morse Anthony , Nolfi Stefano , Nori Francesco , Peniak Martin , Pitsch Karola , Rohlfing Katharina J. , Sagerer Gerhard , Sato Yo , Saunders Joe , Schillingmann Lars , Sciutti Alessandra , Tikhanoff Vadim , Wrede Britta , Zeschel Arne , Cangelosi Angelo
Published: June 2014

This article presents results from a multidisciplinary research project on the integration and transfer of language knowledge into robots as an empirical paradigm for the study of language development in both humans and humanoid robots. Within the framework of human linguistic and cognitive development, we focus on how three central types of learning interact and co‐develop: individual learning about one's own embodiment and the environment, social learning (learning from others), and learning of linguistic capability. Our primary concern is how these capabilities can scaffold each other's development in a continuous feedback cycle as their interactions yield increasingly sophisticated competencies in the agent's capacity to interact with others and manipulate its world. Experimental results are summarized in relation to milestones in human linguistic and cognitive development and show that the mutual scaffolding of social learning, individual learning, and linguistic capabilities creates the context, conditions, and requisites for learning in each domain. Challenges and insights identified as a result of this research program are discussed with regard to possible and actual contributions to cognitive science and language ontogeny. In conclusion, directions for future work are suggested that continue to develop this approach toward an integrated framework for understanding these mutually scaffolding processes as a basis for language development in humans and robots.
Arabidopsis ZDP DNA 3′‐phosphatase and ARP endonuclease function in 8‐oxoG repair initiated by FPG and OGG1 DNA glycosylases
Authors: Córdoba‐Cañero Dolores , Roldán‐Arjona Teresa , Ariza Rafael R.
Published: June 2014

Oxidation of guanine in DNA generates 7,8‐dihydro‐8‐oxoguanine (8‐oxoG), an ubiquitous lesion with mutagenic properties. 8‐oxoG is primarily removed by DNA glycosylases distributed in two families, typified by bacterial Fpg proteins and eukaryotic Ogg1 proteins. Interestingly, plants possess both Fpg and Ogg1 homologs but their relative contributions to 8‐oxoG repair remain uncertain. In this work we used Arabidopsis cell‐free extracts to monitor 8‐oxoG repair in wild‐type and mutant plants. We found that both FPG and OGG1 catalyze excision of 8‐oxoG in Arabidopsis cell extracts by a DNA glycosylase/lyase mechanism, and generate repair intermediates with blocked 3′‐termini. An increase in oxidative damage is detected in both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from double fpg ogg1 mutants, but not in single mutants, which suggests that a single deficiency in one of these DNA glycosylases may be compensated by the other. We also found that the DNA 3′‐phosphatase ZDP (zinc finger DNA 3′‐phosphoesterase) and the AP(apurinic/apyirmidinic) endonuclease ARP(apurinic endonuclease redox protein) are required in the 8‐oxoG repair pathway to process the 3′‐blocking ends generated by FPG and OGG1. Furthermore, deficiencies in ZDP and/or ARP decrease germination ability after seed deteriorating conditions. Altogether, our results suggest that Arabidopsis cells use both FPG and OGG1 to repair 8‐oxoG in a pathway that requires ZDP and ARP in downstream steps.
Cycling Time Trial Performance May Be Impaired by Whey Protein and L-Alanine Intake During Prolonged Exercise
Authors: Schroer Adam B. , Saunders Michael J. , Baur Daniel A. , Womack Christopher J. , Luden Nicholas D.
Published: June 2014

Previous studies reported that adding protein (PRO) to carbohydrate (CHO) solutions enhances endurance performance. The ergogenic effect may be a function of additional protein/amino acid calories, but this has not been examined. In addition, although supplemental L-alanine (ALA) is readily oxidized during exercise, the subsequent impact on metabolism and prolonged endurance performance is unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to independently gauge the impact of whey PRO hydrolysate and ALA supplementation on performance and various physiological parameters. Eight cyclists (age: 22.3 ± 5.6 yr, weight: 70.0 ± 8.0 kg, VO2max: 59.4 ± 4.9 ml·kg−1·min−1) performed 120 min of constant-load cycling (55% of peak power) followed by a 30-km time trial (TT) under placebo (PLA), PRO, and ALA conditions. Magnitude-based qualitative inferences were applied to evaluate treatment differences and data are presented as percent difference between treatments ± 90% confidence limit. Both ALA (–2.1 ± 2.7%) and PRO intake (–2.1 ± 2.2%) possibly harmed performance compared with PLA. Of interest, heart rate was possibly lower with ALA than PLA at 20– (–2.7 ± 3.4%) and 120-min (–1.7 ± 2.9%) of constant-load cycling and the serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) response to 120 min of cycling was likely attenuated with PRO compared with PLA (PLA, 6.6 ± 3.7 fold vs. PRO, 2.9 ± 1.8 fold). In addition, blood glucose levels were lower with PRO than PLA at 20– (–8.8 ± 2.3%; very likely) and 120-min (–4.9 ± 4.6%; likely) of constant-load cycling. Although ALA intake appears to lower HR and PRO ingestion dampens the IL-6 response to exercise, the ingestion of PRO (without CHO) or ALA does not enhance, and may actually impair, performance following prolonged cycling.
A FAK-Cas-Rac-Lamellipodin Signaling Module Transduces Extracellular Matrix Stiffness into Mechanosensitive Cell Cycling
Authors: Bae Yong Ho , Mui Keeley L. , Hsu Bernadette Y. , Liu Shu-Lin , Cretu Alexandra , Razinia Ziba , Xu Tina , Puré Ellen , Assoian Richard K.
Published: June 2014

A signaling pathway triggers cell proliferation in response to increased stiffness in the external environment.
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Effects of Tamoxifen against Larval Stage Echinococcus granulosus
Authors: Nicolao María Celeste , Elissondo María Celina , Denegri Guillermo M. , Goya Alejandra B. , Cumino Andrea C.
Published: June 2014

Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the larval stage of the cestode
Echinococcus granulosus
. Chemotherapy currently employs benzimidazoles; however, 40% of cases do not respond favorably. With regard to these difficulties, novel therapeutic tools are needed to optimize treatment in humans. The aim of this work was to explore the
in vitro
and
in vivo
effects of tamoxifen (TAM) against
E. granulosus
. In addition, possible mechanisms for the susceptibility of TAM are discussed in relation to calcium homeostasis, P-glycoprotein inhibition, and antagonist effects on a putative steroid receptor. After 24 h of treatment, TAM, at a low micromolar concentration range (10 to 50 μM), inhibited the survival of
E. granulosus
protoscoleces and metacestodes. Moreover, we demonstrated the chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive pharmacological effects of the drug. At a dose rate of 20 mg/kg of body weight, TAM induced protection against the infection in mice. In the clinical efficacy studies, a reduction in cyst weight was observed after the administration of 20 mg/kg in mice with cysts developed during 3 or 6 months, compared to that of those collected from control mice. Since the collateral effects of high TAM doses have been largely documented in clinical trials, the use of low doses of this drug as a short-term therapy may be a novel alternative approach for human cystic echinococcosis treatment.
Sterilizing Activity of Thioridazine in Combination with the First-Line Regimen against Acute Murine Tuberculosis
Authors: Dutta Noton K. , Pinn Michael L. , Karakousis Petros C.
Published: June 2014

We recently reported that in lung tissue, thioridazine accumulates at high concentrations relative to serum levels, displaying modest synergy with isoniazid and reducing the emergence of isoniazid-resistant mutants in mouse lungs. In this study, we sought to investigate the sterilizing activity of human-equivalent doses of thioridazine when given in combination with the “Denver regimen” against acute murine tuberculosis. We found a trend toward a positive impact of thioridazine on the bacterial clearance and lowering relapse rates of the combined standard TB chemotherapy.
Expression of Regulatory T Cells in Jejunum, Colon, and Cervical and Mesenteric Lymph Nodes of Dogs Naturally Infected with Leishmania infantum
Authors: Figueiredo Maria M. , Deoti Beatriz , Amorim Izabela F. , Pinto Aldair J. W. , Moraes Andrea , Carvalho Carolina S. , Magno da Silva Sydnei , de Assis Ana C. B. , de Faria Ana M. C. , Tafuri Wagner L.
Published: June 2014

Using flow cytometry, we evaluated the frequencies of CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells and Foxp3
+
regulatory T cells (Tregs) in mononuclear cells in the jejunum, colon, and cervical and mesenteric lymph nodes of dogs naturally infected with
Leishmania infantum
and in uninfected controls. All infected dogs showed chronic lymphadenitis and enteritis. Despite persistent parasite loads, no erosion or ulcers were evident in the epithelial mucosa. The colon harbored more parasites than the jejunum. Frequencies of total CD4
+
, total Foxp3, and CD4
+
Foxp3
+
cells were higher in the jejunum than in the colon. Despite negative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) serum results for cytokines, levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were higher in the jejunum than in the colon for infected dogs. However, IL-4 levels were higher in the colon than in the jejunum for infected dogs. There was no observed correlation between clinical signs and histopathological changes or immunological and parasitological findings in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of canines with visceral leishmaniasis. However, distinct segments of the GIT presented different immunological and parasitological responses. The jejunum showed a lower parasite load, with increased frequencies and expression of CD4, Foxp3, and CD8 receptors and IL-10, TGF-β, IFN-γ, and TNF-α cytokines. The colon showed a higher parasite load, with increasing expression of IL-4.
Leishmania infantum
infection increased expression of CD4, Foxp3, IL-10, TGF-β, IFN-γ, and TNF-α and reduced CD8 and IL-4 expression in both the jejunum and the colon.
Three-dimensional spectral domain optical coherence tomography in vitreomacular traction
Authors: Saxena Sandeep , Manisha  , Meyer Carsten H , Akduman Levent
Published: June 2014

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) is a non-invasive tool providing unprecedented imaging and analysis of vitreomacular interface. Two cases of vitreomacular traction were analysed by advanced three–dimensional (3D) SD-OCT imaging. En-face OCT permitted localisation of the exact point of attachment of vitreous to retina. A comprehensive view of the surface topography and anatomical configuration of vitreomacular affection was revealed by 3D imaging with segmentation technique. Macular change analysis programme revealed progression to full-thickness macular hole in the second case. Non-invasive high-resolution SD-OCT imaging has transformed the understanding and management of vitreomacular traction. Its role is further reinforced by the introduction of ocriplasmin for management of vitreomacular adhesions.
New structural, metamorphic, and U–Pb geochronological constraints on the Blezardian Orogeny and Yavapai Orogeny in the Southern Province, Sudbury, Canada
Authors: Raharimahefa Tsilavo , Lafrance Bruno , Tinkham Douglas K.
Published: June 2014

New structural and geochronological data are presented for two orogenic events, the Blezardian and Yavapai orogenies, which affected the Paleoproterozoic Southern Province near Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The Southern Province comprises ca. 2452 Ma metavolcanic rocks and metasedimentary rocks of the Huronian Supergroup, which were deposited along the southern margin of the Archean Superior craton during its evolution from a rifted to passive continental margin. Emplacement of the ca. 2415 Ma Creighton pluton during rifting was followed by its deformation and the development of a penetrative gneissic fabric during the ca. 2415 − ca. 2219 Ma Blezardian Orogeny. New laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) U–Pb zircon ages of 2343 ± 17 and 2344 ± 47 Ma on two granitic dikes that cut this fabric provide a new minimum age of ca. 2.34 Ga for the Blezardian Orogeny. The Sudbury area was then impacted by a large extraterrestrial bolide at ca. 1.85 Ga and deformed during the Penokean Orogeny. The southern part of the Southern Province was later reworked by regional folding and north-directed thrusting during the younger 1.7 Ga Yavapai Orogeny. The 1744 ± 29 Ma Eden Lake Complex was emplaced and deformed during this event, which produced a strong foliation overprinting the complex. The foliation formed at pressures of 2.8–4 kbar (1 kbar = 100 MPa) and temperatures of 540–565 °C and was intruded by a weakly deformed 1704 ± 13 Ma old granitic dike, bracketing the Yavapai event between 1744 ± 29 and 1704 ± 13 Ma in the Sudbury segment of the Southern Province. Crustal thickening associated with the Yavapai event resulted, locally, in minor pressure increases before or during regional metamorphism as revealed by phase equilibria modeling in the Raft Lake area; this evolution may be recorded elsewhere in the Ontario segment of the Southern Province.
Acute arsenic treatment alters arachidonic acid and its associated metabolite levels in the brain of C57Bl/6 mice
Authors: Anwar-Mohamed Anwar , Elshenawy Osama H. , El-Sherbeni Ahmed A. , Abdelrady Mohamed , El-Kadi Ayman O.S.
Published: June 2014

The toxic effects of arsenic on the whole brain, as well as the discrete regions, has been previously reported for mice. We investigated the effects of acute arsenite (As(III)) on brain levels of arachidonic acid (AA) and its associated metabolites generated through cytochrome P450 (CYP), cyclooxygenase (COX), and lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways. Our results demonstrated that acute As(III) treatment (12.5 mg·(kg body mass)−1) decreases cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) with a subsequent decrease in its catalytic activity and brain AA levels. In addition, As(III) differentially altered CYP epoxygenases and CYP ω-hydroxylases, but it did not affect brain Ephx2 mRNA or sEH catalytic activity levels. As(III)-mediated effects on Cyps caused an increase in brain 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (5,6-EET) and 16/17-hydroxyeicosatetreinoic acid (16/17-HETE) levels, and a decrease in 18- and 20-HETE levels. Furthermore, As(III) increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA while decreasing prostaglandins F2α (PGF2α) and PGJ2. As(III) also increased brain 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and 15-LOX mRNA, but decreased 12-LOX mRNA. These changes in LOX mRNA were associated with a decrease in 8/12-HETE levels only. In conclusion, this is the first demonstration that As(III) decreases AA levels coinciding with alterations to EET, HETE, and PG levels, which affects brain development and neurochemistry.
Persistent current relaxation in polycrystalline superconducting thin films
Authors: Belevtsov L. V.
Published: June 2014

The relaxation rate of persistent current is studied theoretically in superconducting polycrystalline thin films. It is shown that varying the material parameters of grain anisotropy, grain size and film thickness does guide to a change of the current relaxation rate (CRR) mode. The point of degeneracy of CRR was obtained. The film-thickness dependent maxima are found in the behavior of CRR.
CNOT-based design and query management in quantum relational databases
Authors: Gueddana Amor , Chatta Rihab , Attia Moez
Published: June 2014

In this work, we propose a complete design of a quantum relational multi-tables database. We illustrate how to perform basic and advanced queries to insert, update, delete and select records from single or joined digitized tables. A suggestion of a Quantum Query Language (QQL) is then addressed and we illustrate for a simple quantum database how QQL performs. We highlight the used scheme allowing to traduce the QQL semantics to the corresponding CNOT-based implementation and we underline the evolution of the amplitude of probability of the superposed states contained in the tables.
Evolution of temperature and humidity in an underground repository over the operation period
Authors: Bénet Luc-Vincent , Tulita Catalin , Calsyn Laurent , Wendling Jacques
Published: June 2014

The aim of the study is to describe the ambient conditions in an underground repository of nuclear waste over a 100-year-long operation period. The evolution over time of the moisture and the temperature in the ventilation network was assessed by means of numerical simulations. Condensation events are described in terms of location, frequency and flow rate. The physical conceptual model takes into account the heat and vapour advection and exchanges with walls, and heat conduction through the host rock. The results of simulations were analysed to highlight how the architectural design, the gradual extension of storage zones, the ventilation rate and the weather conditions are likely to influence the ambient conditions all along the shafts, the galleries and the storage modules. They illustrate the significant effects on ambient conditions of the wall thermal inertia, the variation in atmospheric pressure over the shaft height, and the ventilation partition in some galleries between incoming and outgoing air from storage modules.
A Discrete Approach for Pairwise Matching of Archaeological Fragments
Authors: Vendrell-Vidal Eduardo , Sánchez-Belenguer Carlos
Published: June 2014

This article addresses the problem of automatic reconstruction of ancient artifacts from archaeological fragments. The technique described here focuses on pairwise matching of flat fragments (typically fresco fragments), and it is intended to be the core of a larger system for artifact reconstruction. Global registration techniques are challenging due to the combinatory explosion that happens in the solution space: the goal is to find the best alignment among all possible ones without an initialization. This fact defines the duality between performance and correction that we face in this work. The proposed technique defines a cost function to evaluate the quality of an alignment based on a discrete sampling of the fragments that ensures data alignment. Starting from an exhaustive search strategy, the technique progressively incorporates new features that lead to a hierarchical search strategy. Convergence and correction of the resulting technique are ensured using an optimistic cost function. Internal search calculations are optimized so the only operations performed are additions, subtractions, and comparisons over aligned data. All heavy geometric operations are carried out by the GPU on a preprocessing stage that only happens once per fragment.
Integrated Coherence Prediction
Authors: Huang Libo , Wang Zhiying , Xiao Nong , Wang Yongwen , Dou Qiang
Published: June 2014

Multicore architectures with Network-on-Chips (NoCs) have been widely recognized as the de facto design for the efficient utilization of the continuously increasing density of transistors on a chip. A key challenge in designing such an NoC-based multicore processor is maintaining cache coherence in an efficient manner. Directory-based protocols avoid the bandwidth overhead of snoop-based protocols, therefore scaling to a large number of cores. However, conventional directory structures add significant indirection delay to cache-to-cache accesses in larger multicore processor.

In this article we propose a novel hardware coherence technique, called integrated coherence prediction (ICP). This approach adopts a prediction technique for managing shared data to reduce or eliminate the cache-to-cache delay in coherence accesses. ICP has two unique features that differ from previous coherence prediction techniques. First, ICP introduces a new integrated prediction scheme that combines two kinds of predictors: owner predictor, which predicts the data writers and avoids the indirection through directory, and data predictor, which predicts the access address and prefetches data from remote nodes directly. Second, ICP uses a request replication method to reduce the negative effect of wrong owner prediction operations, thus facilitating overall performance improvement. We present the design and implementation details of the ICP approach. Using detailed full-system simulations, we conclude that the ICP provides a cost-effective solution for designing high-performance multicore processors.
Exact Logic and Fault Simulation in Presence of Unknowns
Authors: Erb Dominik , Kochte Michael A. , Sauer Matthias , Hillebrecht Stefan , Schubert Tobias , Wunderlich Hans-Joachim , Becker Bernd
Published: June 2014

Logic and fault simulation are essential techniques in electronic design automation. The accuracy of standard simulation algorithms is compromised by unknown or X-values. This results in a pessimistic overestimation of X-valued signals in the circuit and a pessimistic underestimation of fault coverage.

This work proposes efficient algorithms for combinational and sequential logic as well as for stuck-at and transition-delay fault simulation that are free of any simulation pessimism in presence of unknowns. The SAT-based algorithms exactly classifiy all signal states. During fault simulation, each fault is accurately classified as either undetected, definitely detected, or possibly detected.

The pessimism with respect to unknowns present in classic algorithms is thoroughly investigated in the experimental results on benchmark circuits. The applicability of the proposed algorithms is demonstrated on larger industrial circuits. The results show that, by accurate analysis, the number of detected faults can be significantly increased without increasing the test-set size.
Metal‐Organic Framework Synthesis System Based on Fuzzy Predictive Control via Network Transmission
Authors: Chen Jui-Ho , Wang Hsi-Chun
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this study is to construct metal‐organic framework (MOF) synthesis heating systems based on fuzzy method for monitoring and automatic control. In this study, the temperature sensing module for measurements sensed values that it through a wireless ZigBee chips and wired DAQ device for real‐time data transmission. Because MOF synthesis, often due to different modes of heating or heating instability caused by its nucleation and crystal growth rate, is an important influence, leading to different crystallinity, the use of fuzzy theory to predict the temperature parameter and instant heating MOF synthesis parameters can be adjusted to improve the accuracy of the system. The research system to RS‐232 interface module for infrared emission control packets issued and automated control of the furnace through the infrared receiver module. This study is based on a terminal interface window of Visual Basic programming and LabView graphical diagram for control system design. Finally, this research, through a number of experiments to validate the use of fuzzy system development methods and networks, can improve the accuracy of the reaction efficiency MOF sensing and control the heating system.
Determine the Inflow Performance Relationship of Water Producing Gas Well Using Multiobjective Optimization Method
Authors: Tan Xiao-Hua , Liu Jian-Yi , Zhao Jia-Hui , Li Xiao-Ping , Zhang Guang-Dong , Tang Chuan , Li Li
Published: June 2014

During the development of water drive gas reservoirs, the phenomena of gas escaping from water and water separating out from gas will change the seepage characteristics of formation fluid. Therefore, the traditional gas-water two-phase inflow performance relationship (IPR) models are not suitable for calculating the water producing gas well inflow performance relationship in water drive gas reservoirs. Based on the basic theory of fluid mechanics in porous medium, using the principle of mass conservation, and considering the process of dissolution and volatilization of gas and water formation, this paper establishes a new mathematical model of gas-water two-phase flow. Multiobjective optimization method is used to automatically match the sample well production data in water drive gas reservoirs and then we can achieve the sample well’s productivity equation, relative permeability curve, water influx intensity, and single well controlled reserves. In addition, the influence of different production gas water ratios (GWR) and gas-soluble water coefficients on absolute open flow rate (qAOF) is discussed. This method remedied the limitation of well testing on site and was considered to be a new way to analyze the production behaviors in water producing gas well.