bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers and Enablers to Implementing Clinical Treatment Protocols for Fever, Hyperglycaemia, and Swallowing Dysfunction in the Quality in Acute Stroke Care (QASC) Project—A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Dale Simeon , Levi Christopher , Ward Jeanette , Grimshaw Jeremy M. , Jammali‐Blasi Asmara , D'Este Catherine , Griffiths Rhonda , Quinn Clare , Evans Malcolm , Cadilhac Dominique , Cheung N. Wah , Middleton Sandy
Published: January 2015

Background

The Quality in Acute Stroke Care (QASC) trial evaluated systematic implementation of clinical treatment protocols to manage fever, sugar, and swallow (FeSS protocols) in acute stroke care. This cluster‐randomised controlled trial was conducted in 19 stroke units in Australia.

Aim

To describe perceived barriers and enablers preimplementation to the introduction of the FeSS protocols and, postimplementation, to determine which of these barriers eventuated as actual barriers.

Methods

Preimplementation: Workshops were held at the intervention stroke units (n = 10). The first workshop involved senior clinicians who identified perceived barriers and enablers to implementation of the protocols, the second workshop involved bedside clinicians. Postimplementation, an online survey with stroke champions from intervention sites was conducted.

Results

A total of 111 clinicians attended the preimplementation workshops, identifying 22 barriers covering four main themes: (a) need for new policies, (b) limited workforce (capacity), (c) lack of equipment, and (d) education and logistics of training staff. Preimplementation enablers identified were: support by clinical champions, medical staff, nursing management and allied health staff; easy adaptation of current protocols, care‐plans, and local policies; and presence of specialist stroke unit staff. Postimplementation, only five of the 22 barriers identified preimplementation were reported as actual barriers to adoption of the FeSS protocols, namely, no previous use of insulin infusions; hyperglycaemic protocols could not be commenced without written orders; medical staff reluctance to use the ASSIST swallowing screening tool; poor level of engagement of medical staff; and doctors' unawareness of the trial.

Linking Evidence to Action

The process of identifying barriers and enablers preimplementation allowed staff to take ownership and to address barriers and plan for change. As only five of the 22 barriers identified preimplementation were reported to be actual barriers at completion of the trial, this suggests that barriers are often overcome whilst some are only ever perceived rather than actual barriers.
Haemodynamic and renal sympathetic responses to V1b vasopressin receptor activation within the paraventricular nucleus
Authors: El‐Werfali Wafa , Toomasian Cory , Maliszewska‐Scislo Maria , Li Cailian , Rossi Noreen F.
Published: January 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does antagonism of V1b receptors prevent the haemodynamic and renal sympathetic nerve responses that occur with application of exogenous vasopressin into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of conscious, chronically instrumented rats?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Microinjection of vasopressin into the PVN increased mean arterial pressure, heart rate and renal sympathetic nerve activity, all of which were inhibited by pre‐injection of the PVN with the V1b antagonist, nelivaptan. The administered vasopressin did not enter the peripheral circulation or increase plasma vasopressin. Ganglionic blockade prevented each of the responses, consistent with mediation by enhanced sympathetic output rather than an increase in circulating vasopressin.

Vasopressin (VP) participates in regulation of haemodynamics and volume. Besides more classical actions as a circulating hormone, VP may act via release from axons and dendrites within the CNS. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) possesses vasopressinergic neurons and a dense complement of VP receptors, including the V1b receptor, which has been implicated in several types of stress responses. We tested the hypothesis that antagonism of V1b receptors will prevent VP‐induced increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). Studies were performed in conscious male Sprague–Dawley rats chronically instrumented with vascular catheters, renal nerve electrodes and a cannula stereotaxically directed into the PVN. Unilateral microinjection of VP into the PVN significantly increased MAP, HR and RSNA, peaking at 10 min. Pre‐injection of the PVN with the selective V1b receptor antagonist, nelivaptan, did not alter baseline values but blocked the responses to VP. Ganglionic blockade with chlorisondamine decreased MAP and HR and abolished their increase in response to subsequent PVN application of VP. Injection of VP into the PVN did not alter plasma VP levels. Paraventricular nucleus injection with radiolabelled VP resulted in negligible radiolabelled VP in peripheral blood. These findings support the concept that, in basal conditions, PVN V1b receptor activation (rather than VP release into the periphery) may be implicated in the increases in MAP, HR and RSNA due to increased sympathetic outflow. While the role of V1a and oxytocin receptors cannot be excluded, these data suggest that further studies of the role of V1b receptor activation by endogenous VP during stress to effect neuroexcitation are warranted.
Calibrated breast density methods for full field digital mammography: A system for serial quality control and inter‐system generalization
Authors: Lu B. , Smallwood A. M. , Sellers T. A. , Drukteinis J. S. , Heine J. J. , Fowler E. E. E.
Published: January 2015

Purpose:

The authors are developing a system for calibrated breast density measurements using full field digital mammography (FFDM). Breast tissue equivalent (BTE) phantom images are used to establish baseline (BL) calibration curves at time zero. For a given FFDM unit, the full BL dataset is comprised of approximately 160 phantom images, acquired prior to calibrating prospective patient mammograms. BL curves are monitored serially to ensure they produce accurate calibration and require updating when calibration accuracy degrades beyond an acceptable tolerance, rather than acquiring full BL datasets repeatedly. BL updating is a special case of generalizing calibration datasets across FFDM units, referred to as cross‐calibration. Serial monitoring, BL updating, and cross‐calibration techniques were developed and evaluated.

Methods:

BL curves were established for three Hologic Selenia FFDM units at time zero. In addition, one set of serial phantom images, comprised of equal proportions of adipose and fibroglandular BTE materials (50/50 compositions) of a fixed height, was acquired biweekly and monitored with the cumulative sum (Cusum) technique. These 50/50 composition images were used to update the BL curves when the calibration accuracy degraded beyond a preset tolerance of ±4 standardized units. A second set of serial images, comprised of a wide‐range of BTE compositions, was acquired biweekly to evaluate serial monitoring, BL updating, and cross‐calibration techniques.

Results:

Calibration accuracy can degrade serially and is a function of acquisition technique and phantom height. The authors demonstrated that all heights could be monitored simultaneously while acquiring images of a 50/50 phantom with a fixed height for each acquisition technique biweekly, translating into approximately 16 image acquisitions biweekly per FFDM unit. The same serial images are sufficient for serial monitoring, BL updating, and cross‐calibration. Serial calibration accuracy was maintained within ±4 standardized unit variation from the ideal when applying BL updating. BL updating is a special case of cross‐calibration; the BL dataset of unit 1 can be converted to the BL dataset for another similar unit (i.e., unit 2) at any given time point using the 16 serial monitoring 50/50 phantom images of unit 2 (or vice versa) acquired near this time point while maintaining the ±4 standardized unit tolerance.

Conclusions:

A methodology for monitoring and maintaining serial calibration accuracy for breast density measurements was evaluated. Calibration datasets for a given unit can be translated forward in time with minimal phantom imaging effort. Similarly, cross‐calibration is a method for generalizing calibration datasets across similar units without additional phantom imaging. This methodology will require further evaluation with mammograms for complete validation.
A deterministic solution of the first order linear Boltzmann transport equation in the presence of external magnetic fields
Authors: St. Aubin J. , Keyvanloo A. , Vassiliev O. , Fallone B. G.
Published: January 2015

Purpose:

Accurate radiotherapy dose calculation algorithms are essential to any successful radiotherapy program, considering the high level of dose conformity and modulation in many of today's treatment plans. As technology continues to progress, such as is the case with novel MRI‐guided radiotherapy systems, the necessity for dose calculation algorithms to accurately predict delivered dose in increasingly challenging scenarios is vital. To this end, a novel deterministic solution has been developed to the first order linear Boltzmann transport equation which accurately calculates x‐ray based radiotherapy doses in the presence of magnetic fields.

Methods:

The deterministic formalism discussed here with the inclusion of magnetic fields is outlined mathematically using a discrete ordinates angular discretization in an attempt to leverage existing deterministic codes. It is compared against the EGSnrc Monte Carlo code, utilizing the emf_macros addition which calculates the effects of electromagnetic fields. This comparison is performed in an inhomogeneous phantom that was designed to present a challenging calculation for deterministic calculations in 0, 0.6, and 3 T magnetic fields oriented parallel and perpendicular to the radiation beam. The accuracy of the formalism discussed here against Monte Carlo was evaluated with a gamma comparison using a standard 2%/2 mm and a more stringent 1%/1 mm criterion for a standard reference 10 × 10 cm2 field as well as a smaller 2 × 2 cm2 field.

Results:

Greater than 99.8% (94.8%) of all points analyzed passed a 2%/2 mm (1%/1 mm) gamma criterion for all magnetic field strengths and orientations investigated. All dosimetric changes resulting from the inclusion of magnetic fields were accurately calculated using the deterministic formalism. However, despite the algorithm's high degree of accuracy, it is noticed that this formalism was not unconditionally stable using a discrete ordinate angular discretization.

Conclusions:

The feasibility of including magnetic field effects in a deterministic solution to the first order linear Boltzmann transport equation is shown. The results show a high degree of accuracy when compared against Monte Carlo calculations in all magnetic field strengths and orientations tested.
Simultaneous morphological and rheological measurements on polypropylene: Effect of crystallinity on viscoelastic parameters
Authors: Pantani R. , Speranza V. , Titomanlio G.
Published: January 2015

A rotational rheometer equipped with an optical module is adopted to characterize the evolution of rheological parameters and at the same time the morphology development during isothermal crystallization. This allowed the determination of the effect of crystallinity on the viscoelastic functions of an isotactic polypropylene. A linear multimode Maxwell model was then applied to obtain the modulus and relaxation time of each mode as a function of the measured crystallinity degree. It was found that at low crystallinity levels, the increase of moduli with crystallinity is about the same for all the modes whereas, when crystallinity degree rises, the increase of moduli is higher for the modes characterized by higher relaxation times. Concerning the relaxation times, it was found that the increase due to crystallinity is about the same for all the modes and reaches a factor of about 10 when relative crystallinity degree is close to 10%. The effect of crystallinity on complex viscosity was also assessed by determining a shift factor due to crystallinity. It was observed that the data collected at the lowest frequencies need higher shift factors with respect to the other ones. This was ascribed to the fact that more than one shift factor is needed to describe the effect on moduli, and low frequencies stir modes with higher relaxation times, which undergo a moduli increase larger than modes with shorter relaxation times.
Athlete Social Support, Negative Social Interactions, and Psychological Health across a Competitive Sport Season
Authors: DeFreese J. D. , Smith Alan L.
Published: January 2015

Social support and negative social interactions have implications for athlete psychological health, with potential to influence the links of stress-related experiences with burnout and well-being over time. Using a longitudinal design, perceived social support and negative social interactions were examined as potential moderators of the temporal stress–burnout and burnout–well-being relationships. American collegiate athletes (N = 465) completed reliable and valid online assessments of study variables at four time points during the competitive season. After controlling for dispositional and conceptually important variables, social support and negative social interactions did not moderate the stress–burnout or burnout–well-being relationships, respectively, but did simultaneously contribute to burnout and well-being across the competitive season. The results showcase the importance of sport-related social perceptions to athlete psychological outcomes over time and inform development of socially driven interventions to improve the psychological health of competitive athletes.
The regulatory subunits of PI3Kγ control distinct neutrophil responses
Authors: Deladeriere Arnaud , Gambardella Laure , Pan Dingxin , Anderson Karen E. , Hawkins Phillip T. , Stephens Len R.
Published: January 2015

Migration of neutrophils to sites of infection and their generation of reactive oxygen species depend on different regulatory subunits of PI3Kγ.
A ligand for ALK
Authors: Lemke Greg , Lew Erin D.
Published: January 2015

Heparin binds and activates the receptor tyrosine kinase ALK.
RAS signaling unleashed in breast cancer
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: January 2015

The GTPases RND1 and RAS cooperate to promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metastasis.
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: an unusual cause of neck swelling in pregnancy
Authors: Mayooran Nithiananthan , O'Cathain Eadaoin , Bresnihan Mary N , Patil Nashadh
Published: January 2015

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is an unusual cause of lymphadenopathy and fever. Pregnancy associated with KFD presents as a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians. The diagnosis can be confirmed with invasive biopsies or non-invasive gene analysis. We report a case of a 24-year-old woman at 18 weeks’ gestation with a neck lump and histologically confirmed KFD.
Carcinoma of breast metastasising to mandible
Authors: Ram Hari , Singhai Atin , Kumar Surender , Singh Ragini
Published: January 2015

Metastatic tumours to oral cavity from distant sites are rarely seen. Bones are frequently involved as compared to soft tissues. Clinical presentation may vary according to site and size of metastatic tumour. We present a case of carcinoma of breast in a 50-year-old woman, metastasising to mandibular ramus, condyle and surrounding soft tissue structure presenting as osteomylitis of condyle.
Patients’ perceived value of pharmacy quality measures: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Shiyanbola Olayinka O , Mort Jane R
Published: January 2015

Objective

To describe patients’ perceived value and use of quality measures in evaluating and choosing community pharmacies.

Design

Focus group methodology was combined with a survey tool. During the focus groups, participants assessed the value of the Pharmacy Quality Alliance's quality measures in evaluating and choosing a pharmacy. Also, participants completed questionnaires rating their perceived value of quality measures in evaluating a pharmacy (1 being low value and 5 being high) or choosing a pharmacy (yes/no). Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the focus groups and surveys, respectively.

Setting

Semistructured focus groups were conducted in a private meeting space of an urban and a rural area of a Mid-western State in the USA.

Participants

Thirty-four adults who filled prescription medications in community pharmacies for a chronic illness were recruited in community pharmacies, senior centres and public libraries.

Results

While comments indicated that all measures were important, medication safety measures (eg, drug-drug interactions) were valued more highly than others. Rating of quality measure utility in evaluating a pharmacy ranged from a mean of 4.88 (‘drug-drug interactions’) to a mean of 4.0 (‘absence of controller therapy for patients with asthma’). Patients were hesitant to use quality information in choosing a pharmacy (depending on the participant's location) but might consider if moving to a new area or having had a negative pharmacy experience. Use of select quality measures to choose a pharmacy ranged from 97.1% of participants using ‘drug-drug interactions’ (medication safety measure) to 55.9% using ‘absence of controller therapy for patients with asthma’.

Conclusions

The study participants valued quality measures in evaluating and selecting a community pharmacy, with medication safety measures valued highest. The participants reported that the quality measures would not typically cause a switch in pharmacy but might influence their selection in certain situations.
Understanding the role of physician attire on patient perceptions: a systematic review of the literature— targeting attire to improve likelihood of rapport (TAILOR) investigators
Authors: Petrilli Christopher Michael , Mack Megan , Petrilli Jennifer Janowitz , Hickner Andy , Saint Sanjay , Chopra Vineet
Published: January 2015

Objectives

Despite a growing body of literature, uncertainty regarding the influence of physician dress on patients’ perceptions exists. Therefore, we performed a systematic review to examine the influence of physician attire on patient perceptions including trust, satisfaction and confidence.

Setting, participants, interventions and outcomes

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Biosis Previews and Conference Papers Index. Studies that: (1) involved participants ≥18 years of age; (2) evaluated physician attire; and (3) reported patient perceptions related to attire were included. Two authors determined study eligibility. Studies were categorised by country of origin, clinical discipline (eg, internal medicine, surgery), context (inpatient vs outpatient) and occurrence of a clinical encounter when soliciting opinions regarding attire. Studies were assessed using the Downs and Black Scale risk of bias scale. Owing to clinical and methodological heterogeneity, meta-analyses were not attempted.

Results

Of 1040 citations, 30 studies involving 11 533 patients met eligibility criteria. Included studies featured patients from 14 countries. General medicine, procedural (eg, general surgery and obstetrics), clinic, emergency departments and hospital settings were represented. Preferences or positive influence of physician attire on patient perceptions were reported in 21 of the 30 studies (70%). Formal attire and white coats with other attire not specified was preferred in 18 of 30 studies (60%). Preference for formal attire and white coats was more prevalent among older patients and studies conducted in Europe and Asia. Four of seven studies involving procedural specialties reported either no preference for attire or a preference for scrubs; four of five studies in intensive care and emergency settings also found no attire preference. Only 3 of 12 studies that surveyed patients after a clinical encounter concluded that attire influenced patient perceptions.

Conclusions

Although patients often prefer formal physician attire, perceptions of attire are influenced by age, locale, setting and context of care. Policy-based interventions that target such factors appear necessary.
Wide housing space and chronic exercise enhance physical fitness and adipose tissue morphology in rats
Authors: Scariot Pedro Paulo Menezes , Manchado-Gobatto Fúlvia de Barros , Torsoni Adriana Souza , Torsoni Marcio Alberto , Reis Ivan Gustavo Masselli dos , Beck Wladimir Rafael , Gobatto Claudio Alexandre
Published: January 2015

The current cages commonly used in animal experiments can prevent rats from engaging in most forms of natural locomotion behaviors. These animals tend to exhibit sedentary habits. Here, we show that a combination of wide housing space and training exercise helps to reduce white adipose mass and to increase brown adipose mass. Thus, this combination is a useful strategy for truly enhancing the physical fitness of captive rats commonly used in exercise-related interventional studies and to maximize their welfare.
Longitudinal cerebrovascular reactivity during pregnancy: a case study
Authors: Steinback Craig D. , King Emily C. , Davenport Margie H.
Published: January 2015

Normal cerebrovascular adaptation during pregnancy is poorly understood. We document a case study of progressively increased cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2, despite no change in resting blood flow, from prepregnancy to late gestation in a 36-year-old normotensive participant. Increased cerebral reactivity was related to progressive chronic respiratory alkalosis and specifically elevated pH and reduced HCO3–. These novel data serve as important indicators of normative maternal cerebral adaptation and highlight novel areas of future study.
Permeability of lime- and cement-treated clayey soils
Authors: Quang Nguyen Duy , Chai Jin Chun
Published: January 2015

The permeability (k) of lime- and cement-treated clayey soils was investigated in the laboratory by flexible-wall permeability tests and oedometer tests. Test results indicate that for the cement-treated soils (with up to 8% cement content by dry weight), the value of k is almost equal to that of untreated soils under identical void ratio (e) conditions, and the k value decreases significantly when the cement content is higher than 8%. For lime-treated soils, the threshold lime content is about 4%. Investigation of the soil microstructure using the mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) test and scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging indicates that when the cementation products formed by the pozzolanic reaction fill mainly the intra-aggregate pores, the value of k is comparable for the treated and untreated samples. When the cementation products begin to fill the interaggregate pores, the value of k of the treated sample becomes smaller than that of the untreated soil sample under the identical e value condition. An indication that the cementation products have filled the interaggregate pores is the rapid increase in strength of the treated soil.
Vibrational excitation influence on the H + BrO → HBr + O reaction: a quasi-classical trajectory investigation
Authors: Zhang Yingying , Shi Ying , Xie Tingxian , Li Zerui , Hu Zhan , Jin Mingxing
Published: January 2015

Quasi-classical trajectory calculations are employed to investigate the vibrational excitation effect on the scalar and vector properties of the H + BrO → HBr + O reaction using a X1A′ state ab initio potential energy surface (J. Chem. Phys. 2000, 113, 4598). The reaction probability, cross section, and rate constant are carried out with the effect of the collision energy (Ecol = 0.1–6 kcal/mol) and vibrational levels (v = 0–3). A significant vibrational dependency has been observed in the reaction probability and cross section at a relatively low collision energy area and has also been found in a low-temperature (T < 150 K) region of the rate constant. In addition, two product angular distributions, P(θr) and P(ϕr), and two generalized polarization-dependent differential cross sections, PDDCS00 and PDDCS20, are calculated as well. All of these scalar and vector properties have shown sensitive behaviors to the vibrational levels.
Impact of climate change on ice regime in a river regulated for hydropower
Authors: Timalsina Netra P. , Alfredsen Knut T. , Killingtveit Ånund
Published: January 2015

The ice conditions in a regulated river will depend on the climatic changes as well as the changes to the hydropower operation strategies in the future. The existing literature shows that very few studies have been carried out to investigate the impact of climate change on the river ice regime, which is important for operation of hydropower in cold climates. In this study, a series of modelling tools have been used to transform the climate change signal in terms of precipitation and air temperature into cross-section based river ice assessment in a basin with a complicated hydropower system. The study is based on the EURO-CORDEX climate change data extracted from a regional climate model driven by a suite of five general circulation models with three representative concentration pathways. Hydrological model simulation results show that the winter and spring flow will be increased, which will have an impact on the river ice conditions towards the middle and end of this century. Reservoir-hydropower model simulation shows that the production flows in the winter will be increased in the future. River ice model simulation shows the number of days with freezing water temperature are reduced in the future climate, and correspondingly days with frazil ice are reduced at most of the locations in the study area. The future period with ice cover will also be shortened. The paper also demonstrates a general methodology and procedure to simulate future ice conditions in a regulated river combining multiple models and data sets.
Deep TMS on alcoholics: effects on cortisolemia and dopamine pathway modulation. A pilot study
Authors: Ceccanti Marco , Inghilleri Maurizio , Attilia Maria Luisa , Raccah Ruggero , Fiore Marco , Zangen Abraham , Ceccanti Mauro
Published: January 2015

The hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and dopamine have a key role in transition from alcohol social use to addiction. The medial prefrontal cortex was shown to modulate dopaminergic activity and cortisol releasing factor (CRF) release in hypothalamic and extra-hypothalamic systems. The recent advancements in non-invasive neurostimulation technologies has enabled stimulation of deeper brain regions using H-coil transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in humans. This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study aims to evaluate H-coil efficacy in stimulating the medial prefrontal cortex. Cortisolemia and prolactinemia were evaluated as effectiveness markers. Alcohol intake and craving were considered as secondary outcomes. Eighteen alcoholics were recruited and randomized into 2 homogeneous groups: 9 in the real stimulation group and 9 in the sham stimulation group. Repetitive TMS (rTMS) was administered through a magnetic stimulator over 10 sessions at 20 Hz, directed to the medial prefrontal cortex. rTMS significantly reduced blood cortisol levels and decreased prolactinemia, thus suggesting dopamine increase. Craving visual analogic scale (VAS) in treated patients decreased, as well as mean number of alcoholic drinks/day and drinks on days of maximum alcohol intake (DMAI). In the sham group there was no significant effect observed on cortisolemia, prolactinemia, mean number of alcoholic drinks/day, or drinks/DMAI. Thus, deep rTMS could be considered a potential new treatment for alcoholism.
Protective effects of curcumin on acute gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats
Authors: He Liyu , Peng Xiaofei , Zhu Jiefu , Liu Guoyong , Chen Xian , Tang Chengyuan , Liu Hong , Liu Fuyou , Peng Youming
Published: January 2015

Background: Gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity is one of the most common causes of acute kidney injury (AKI). The phenotypic alterations that contribute to acute kidney injury include inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Curcumin has a wide range biological functions, especially as an antioxidant. This study was designed to evaluate the renoprotective effects of curcumin treatment in gentamicin-induced AKI. Methods: Gentamicin-induced AKI was established in female Sprague–Dawley rats. Rats were treated with curcumin (100 mg/kg body mass) by intragastric administration, once daily, followed with an intraperitoneal injection of gentamicin sulfate solution at a dose of 80 mg/kg body mass for 8 consecutive days. At days 3 and 8, the rats were sacrificed, and the kidneys and blood samples were collected for further analysis. Results: The animals treated with gentamicin showed marked deterioration of renal function, together with higher levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) in the plasma as compared with the controls. Animals that underwent intermittent treatment with curcumin exhibited significant improvements in renal functional parameters. We also observed that treatment with curcumin significantly attenuated renal tubular damage, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Curcumin treatment exerted anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidative effects by up-regulating Nrf2/HO-1 and Sirt1 expression. Conclusions: Our data clearly demonstrate that curcumin protects kidney from gentamicin-induced AKI via the amelioration of oxidative stress and apoptosis of renal tubular cells, thus providing hope for the amelioration of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity.
Exploratory Analysis of Power Spectrum and Functional Connectivity During Resting State in Young Binge Drinkers: A MEG Study
Authors: Correas A. , Rodriguez Holguín S. , Cuesta P. , López-Caneda E. , García-Moreno L. M. , Cadaveira F. , Maestú F.
Published: January 2015

Binge Drinking (BD) is a pattern of intermittent intensive alcohol intake which has spread among young adults over the last decades. Adolescence constitutes a critical neuromaturation period in which the brain is particularly sensitive to the effects of alcohol. However, little is known about how BD affects the brain activity. This study aimed to characterize the brain's functional organization in BD and non-BD young population by means of analyzing functional connectivity (FC) and relative power spectra (PS) profiles measured with magnetoencephalography (MEG) during eyes-closed resting state. Our sample composed 73 first-year university students (35 BDs and 38 controls). Results showed that the BD subjects displayed a decreased alpha FC in frontal-parietal regions, and conversely, an enhanced FC in the delta, theta and beta bands in fronto-temporal networks. Besides the FC differences, the BD group showed a decreased PS within alpha range and an increased PS within theta range in the brain's occipital region. These differences in FC and PS measurements provide new evidence of the neurophysiological alterations related to the alcohol neurotoxicity and could represent an initial sign of an anomalous neural activity caused by a BD pattern of alcohol consumption during youth.
Magnetic fields of the spinning bodies
Authors: Trenčevski Kostadin
Published: January 2015

In this paper we show that the Thomas precession of the spinning bodies, which is in general case constrained in all rigid bodies, induces magnetic field of the spinning bodies. This is one of the main reasons for the magnetic field of the spinning bodies. The general formula for this magnetic field is deduced and if it is applied to the Earth, its magnetic field changes between 0.295 G at the equator and 0.59 G at the poles, assuming that the density inside the Earth is uniform.
Various strategies for obtaining oxidative artificial hemoproteins with a catalytic oxidative activity: from "Hemoabzymes" to "Hemozymes"?
Authors: Mahy Jean-Pierre , Maréchal Jean-Didier , Ricoux Rémy
Published: January 2015

The design of artificial hemoproteins that could lead to new biocatalysts for selective oxidation reactions using clean oxidants such as O2or H2O2under ecocompatible conditions constitutes a really promising challenge for a wide range of industrial applications. In vivo, such reactions are performed by heme-thiolate proteins, cytochromes P450, that catalyze the oxidation of drugs by dioxygen in the presence of electrons delivered from NADPH by cytochrome P450 reductase. Several strategies were used to design new artificial hemoproteins to mimic these enzymes, that associate synthetic metalloporphyrin derivatives to a protein that is supposed to induce a selectivity in the catalyzed reaction. A first generation of artificial hemoproteins or "hemoabzymes" was obtained by the non-covalent association of synthetic hemes such as N-methyl-mesoporphyrin IX, Fe(III) -α3β-tetra-o-carboxyphenylporphyrin or microperoxidase 8 with monoclonal antibodies raised against these cofactors. The obtained antibody-metalloporphyrin complexes displayed a peroxidase activity and some of them catalyzed the regio-selective nitration of phenols by H2O2/ NO2and the stereo-selective oxidation of sulphides by H2O2. A second generation of artificial hemoproteins or "hemozymes", was obtained by the non-covalent association of non-relevant proteins with metalloporphyrin derivatives. Several strategies were used, the most successful of which, named "host-guest" strategy involved the non-covalent incorporation of metalloporphyrin derivatives into easily affordable proteins. The artificial hemoproteins obtained were found to be able to perform efficiently the stereoselective oxidation of organic compounds such as sulphides and alkenes by H2O2and KHSO5.
Restricted variation in data envelopment analysis with undesirable factors in nature
Authors: Kordrostami Sohrab , Amirteimoori Alireza , Noveiri Monireh Jahani Sayyad
Published: January 2015

In standard data envelopment analysis (DEA) models, inefficient decision-making units (DMUs) should change their inputs and outputs arbitrarily to meet the efficient frontier. However, in many real applications of DEA, because of some limitations in resources and DMU's ability, these variations cannot be made arbitrarily. Moreover, in some situations, undesirable factors with different disposability, strong or weak disposability, are found. In this paper, a DEA-based model is proposed to determine the relative efficiency of DMUs in such a restricted environment and in presence of undesirable factors. Indeed, variation levels of inputs and outputs are pre-defined and are considered to evaluate the performance of DMUs. Numerical examples are utilized to demonstrate the approach.
The effect of finite duration inputs on the dynamics of a system: Proposing a new approach for cancer treatment
Authors: Nazari Mostafa , Ghaffari Ali
Published: January 2015

In this paper, a principal question regarding the effect of inputs on the characteristics of dynamic systems is discussed. Whether an input implemented only for a limited duration, can change the characteristics of a dynamic system such that the behavior of the free system, after eliminating the input, differs from that before acting the input? In this paper, it is shown that a limited time acted input is not able to change the dynamical properties of a system after its elimination. Regarding the proposed approach, a novel finite duration treatment method is developed for a tumor-immune system. The vaccine therapy is used to change the parameters of the system and the chemotherapy is applied for pushing the system to the domain of attraction of the healthy state. For optimal chemotherapy, an optimal control is used based on state-dependent Riccati equation (SDRE). It is shown that, in spite of eliminating the treatment (therapeutic inputs), the system approaches to healthy state conditions. The present analysis suggests that a proper treatment method must change the dynamics of the cancer instead of only reducing the population of cancer cells.
Equity Trading in the 21st Century: An Update
Authors: Angel James J. , Harris Lawrence E. , Spatt Chester S.
Published: January 2015

This paper updates our previous study, "Equity Trading in the 21st Century", which presented results about US equity market quality. Despite many complaints in the national media, various measures of market quality indicate that US markets continue to be very healthy. Trade transaction cost estimates have stayed low and market depth and execution speeds remained high. New findings that measure the total transaction cost of executing very large block orders indicate that improvements in market quality also have benefited large institutional traders. While still high, both the number of quotes per trade and per minute have declined substantially from their peaks in 2008. Intraday volatility is below the levels of the pre-electronic 1990s. Although market quality is quite good, it could be enhanced. We discuss some current concerns about maker/taker pricing, dark pools, high frequency trading, tick sizes, designated dealers, transaction taxes, IPOs, and market stability.
Improving Wi-Fi Indoor Positioning via AP Sets Similarity and Semi-Supervised Affinity Propagation Clustering
Authors: Hu Xuke , Shang Jianga , Gu Fuqiang , Han Qi
Published: January 2015

Indoor localization techniques using Wi-Fi fingerprints have become prevalent in recent years because of their cost-effectiveness and high accuracy. The most common algorithm adopted for Wi-Fi fingerprinting is weighted K-nearest neighbors (WKNN), which calculates K-nearest neighboring points to a mobile user. However, existing WKNN cannot effectively address the problems that there is a difference in observed AP sets during offline and online stages and also not all the K neighbors are physically close to the user. In this paper, similarity coefficient is used to measure the similarity of AP sets, which is then combined with radio signal strength values to calculate the fingerprint distance. In addition, isolated points are identified and removed before clustering based on semi-supervised affinity propagation. Real-world experiments are conducted on a university campus and results show the proposed approach does outperform existing approaches.
Human Adult Stem Cells Maintain a Constant Phenotype Profile Irrespective of Their Origin, Basal Media, and Long Term Cultures
Authors: Somasundaram Indumathi , Mishra Rashmi , Radhakrishnan Harikrishnan , Sankaran Rajkumar , Garikipati Venkata Naga Srikanth , Marappagounder Dhanasekaran
Published: January 2015

The study aims to identify the phenotypic marker expressions of different human adult stem cells derived from, namely, bone marrow, subcutaneous fat, and omentum fat, cultured in different media, namely, DMEM-Low Glucose, Alpha-MEM, DMEM-F12 and DMEM-KO and under long term culture conditions (>P20). We characterized immunophenotype by using various hematopoietic, mesenchymal, endothelial markers, and cell adhesion molecules in the long term cultures (Passages-P1, P3, P5, P9, P12, P15, and P20.) Interestingly, data revealed similar marker expression profiles irrespective of source, basal media, and extensive culturing. This demonstrates that all adult stem cell sources mentioned in this study share similar phenotypic marker and all media seem appropriate for culturing these sources. However, a disparity was observed in the markers such as CD49d, CD54, CD117, CD29, and CD106, thereby warranting further research on these markers. Besides the aforesaid objective, it is understood from the study that immunophenotyping acts as a valuable tool to identify inherent property of each cell, thereby leading to a valuable cell based therapy.
Determining Predictors of Early Response to Exenatide in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Khan Muhammad , Ouyang Jing , Perkins Karen , Nair Sunil , Joseph Franklin
Published: January 2015

Exenatide is a GLP-1 analogue used in the management of T2DM yet within a subset of patients fails due to adverse side effects or from failure to attain the end goal. This retrospective observational study aimed to determine whether we could predict response to exenatide in patients with T2DM. 112 patients on exenatide were included with patient age, gender, duration of T2DM, medications alongside exenatide and weight, BMI, and HbA1c at baseline and 3 and 6 months of exenatide use being recorded. 63 responded with 11 mmol/mol reduction from baseline HbA1c after six months and 49 did not respond to exenatide. HbA1c solely differed significantly between cohorts at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months (P< 0.05). Regression analyses identified a negative linear relationship with higher baseline HbA1c correlating to greater reductions in HbA1c by 6 months (P< 0.0001). HbA1c was the sole predictor of exenatide response with higher baseline HbA1c increasing the odds of response by 5% (P= 0.004). Patients with HbA1c reductions ≥15–20% by 3 months were more likely to be responders by 6 months (P= 0.033). Our study identified that baseline HbA1c acted as the sole predictor of exenatide response and that response may be determined after 3 months of exenatide administration.
Association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of Vitamin D Receptor Gene FokI Polymorphism and Clinical Progress of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: Ruan Li , Zhu Jian-guo , Pan Cong , Hua Xing , Yuan Dong-bo , Li Zheng-ming , Zhong Wei-de
Published: January 2015

Background. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and clinical progress of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Chinese men. Methods. The DNA was extracted from blood of 200 BPH patients with operation (progression group) and 200 patients without operation (control group), respectively. The genotypes of VDR gene FokI SNP represented by “F/f” were identified by PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. The odds ratio (OR) of having progression of BPH for having the genotype were calculated. Results. Our date indicated that the f alleles of the VDR gene FokI SNP associated with the progression of BPH (P = 0.009). Conclusion. For the first time, our study demonstrated that VDR gene FokI SNP may be associated with the risk of BPH progress.
Incidence of Brain Abnormalities Detected on Preoperative Brain MR Imaging and Their Effect on the Outcome of Cochlear Implantation in Children with Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Xu Xiao-Quan , Wu Fei-Yun , Hu Hao , Su Guo-Yi , Shen Jie
Published: January 2015

The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) increased gradually in the past decades. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, as an important part of preimplantation evaluation for children with SNHL, could provide the detailed information about the inner ear, the vestibulocochlear nerve, and the brain, so as to select suitable candidate for cochlear implantation (CI). Brain abnormalities were not rare in the brain MR imaging of SNHL children; however, its influence on the effect of CI has not been clarified. After retrospectively analyzing the CT and MR imaging of 157 children with SNHL that accepted preoperative evaluation from June 2011 to February 2013 in our hospital and following them during a period of14.09±5.08months, we found that the white matter change, which might be associated with the history of medical condition, was the most common brain abnormality. Usually CI was still beneficial to the children with brain abnormalities, and the short-term hearing improvement could be achieved. Further study with more patients and longer follow-up time was needed to confirm our results.
Integrating Retrogenesis Theory to Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology: Insight from DTI-TBSS Investigation of the White Matter Microstructural Integrity
Authors: Alves Gilberto Sousa , Oertel Knöchel Viola , Knöchel Christian , Carvalho André Férrer , Pantel Johannes , Engelhardt Eliasz , Laks Jerson
Published: January 2015

Microstructural abnormalities in white matter (WM) are often reported in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and may reflect primary or secondary circuitry degeneration (i.e., due to cortical atrophy). The interpretation of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) eigenvectors, known as multiple indices, may provide new insights into the main pathological models supporting primary or secondary patterns of WM disruption in AD, the retrogenesis, and Wallerian degeneration models, respectively. The aim of this review is to analyze the current literature on the contribution of DTI multiple indices to the understanding of AD neuropathology, taking the retrogenesis model as a reference for discussion. A systematic review using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PUBMED was performed. Evidence suggests that AD evolves through distinct patterns of WM disruption, in which retrogenesis or, alternatively, the Wallerian degeneration may prevail. Distinct patterns of WM atrophy may be influenced by complex interactions which comprise disease status and progression, fiber localization, concurrent risk factors (i.e., vascular disease, gender), and cognitive reserve. The use of DTI multiple indices in addition to other standard multimodal methods in dementia research may help to determine the contribution of retrogenesis hypothesis to the understanding of neuropathological hallmarks that lead to AD.
Xanthine Oxidoreductase Reference Values in Platelet-Poor Plasma and Platelets in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Cecerska-Heryć Elżbieta , Jesionowska Anna , Klaudyna Szupiluk , Katarzyna Siewierska , Dominika Mączka , Dominika Pawlak , Marta Urbańska , Dołęgowska Barbara
Published: January 2015

Introduction.Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) is an enzyme belonging to the class of hydroxylases. XOR is stated, inter alia, in the kidneys, liver, and small intestine as well as in leukocytes and platelets and endothelial cells of capillaries. Its main role is to participate in the conversion of hypoxanthine to xanthine and the uric acid. It occurs in two isoforms: dehydrogenase (XD) and oxidase (XO), which is considered one of the sources of reactive oxygen species.Aim of the Study.Determination of reference values of xanthine oxidoreductase activity in PPP and platelets.Materials and Methods.Study group consisted of 70 healthy volunteers. The isoform activities of xanthine oxidoreductase were determined by kinetic spectrophotometry.Results.A statistically significant difference between the activity of the XOR in PPP and platelets (P<0.001). The highest activity of XO was found in both PPP and blood platelets. Significant differences between the activity of the various isoforms in PPP (P=0.0032) and platelets (P<0.001) were also found.Conclusions.The healthy volunteers showed the highest activity XO (prooxidant) and the lowest XD (antioxidant), which indicates a slight oxidative stress and confirmed physiological effects of XOR.