bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of AiiM, an
N
-Acylhomoserine Lactonase, against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Mouse Model of Acute Pneumonia
Authors: Migiyama Yohei , Kaneko Yukihiro , Yanagihara Katsunori , Morohoshi Tomohiro , Morinaga Yoshitomo , Nakamura Shigeki , Miyazaki Taiga , Hasegawa Hiroo , Izumikawa Koichi , Kakeya Hiroshi , Kohrogi Hirotsugu , Kohno Shigeru
Published: May 2013

Quorum sensing (QS) in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
regulates the production of many virulence factors and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of
P. aeruginosa
infection.
N
-acyl homoserine lactones (AHL) are major QS signal molecules. Recently, a novel AHL-lactonase enzyme, AiiM, has been identified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of AiiM on the virulence of
P. aeruginosa
in a mouse model of acute pneumonia. We developed a
P. aeruginosa
PAO1 strain harboring an AiiM-expressing plasmid. The production of several virulence factors by the AiiM-expressing strain was examined. Mice were intratracheally infected with an AiiM-expressing PAO1 strain. Lung histopathology, bacterial burden, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were assessed at 24 h postinfection. AiiM expression in PAO1 reduced production of AHL-mediated virulence factors and attenuated cytotoxicity against human lung epithelial cells. In a mouse model of acute pneumonia, AiiM expression reduced lung injury and greatly improved the survival rates. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines and myeloperoxidase activity in BAL fluid were significantly lower in mice infected with AiiM-expressing PAO1. Thus, AiiM can strongly attenuate
P. aeruginosa
virulence in a mammalian model and is a potential candidate for use as a therapeutic agent against
P. aeruginosa
infection.
Antibiotic Administration Routes Significantly Influence the Levels of Antibiotic Resistance in Gut Microbiota
Authors: Zhang Lu , Huang Ying , Zhou Yang , Buckley Timothy , Wang Hua H.
Published: May 2013

This study examined the impact of oral exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic administration methods on antibiotic resistance (AR) gene pools and the profile of resistant bacteria in host gastrointestinal (GI) tracts using C57BL/6J mice with natural gut microbiota. Mice inoculated with a mixture of
tet
(M)-carrying
Enterococcus
spp. or
bla
CMY-2
-carrying
Escherichia coli
were treated with different doses of tetracycline hydrochloride (Tet) or ampicillin sodium (Amp) and delivered via either feed or intravenous (i.v.) injection. Quantitative PCR assessment of mouse fecal samples revealed that (i) AR gene pools were below the detection limit in mice without prior inoculation of AR gene carriers regardless of subsequent exposure to corresponding antibiotics; (ii) oral exposure to high doses of Tet and Amp in mice inoculated with AR gene carriers led to rapid enrichment of corresponding AR gene pools in feces; (iii) significantly less or delayed development of AR in the GI tract of the AR carrier-inoculated mice was observed when the same doses of antibiotics were administered via i.v. injection rather than oral administration; and (iv) antibiotic dosage, and maybe the excretion route, affected AR in the GI tract. The shift of dominant AR bacterial populations in the gut microbiota was consistent with the dynamics of AR gene pools. The emergence of endogenous resistant bacteria in the gut microbiota corresponding to drug exposure was also observed. Together, these data suggest that oral administration of antibiotics has a prominent effect on AR amplification and development in gut microbiota, which may be minimized by alternative drug administration approaches, as illustrated by i.v. injection in this study and proper drug selection.
Broad-Spectrum Antimalarial Activity of Peptido Sulfonyl Fluorides, a New Class of Proteasome Inhibitors
Authors: Tschan Serena , Brouwer Arwin J. , Werkhoven Paul R. , Jonker Anika M. , Wagner Lena , Knittel Sarah , Aminake Makoah Nigel , Pradel Gabriele , Joanny Fanny , Liskamp Rob M. J. , Mordmüller Benjamin
Published: May 2013

Despite declining numbers of cases and deaths, malaria remains a major public health problem in many parts of the world. Today, case management relies heavily on a single class of antimalarial compounds: artemisinins. Hence, development of resistance against artemisinins may destroy current malaria control strategies. Beyond malaria control are elimination and eradication programs that will require drugs with good activity against acute infection but also with preventive and transmission-blocking properties. Consequently, new antimalarials are needed not only to ensure malaria control but also for elimination and eradication efforts. In this study, we introduce peptido sulfonyl fluorides (PSF) as a new class of compounds with antiplasmodial activity. We show that PSF target the plasmodial proteasome and act on all asexual stages of the intraerythrocytic cycle and on gametocytes. PSF showed activities at concentrations as low as 20 nM against multidrug-resistant and chloroquine-sensitive
Plasmodium falciparum
laboratory strains and clinical isolates from Gabon. Structural requirements for activity were identified, and cytotoxicity in human HeLa or HEK 293 cells was low. The lead PSF PW28 suppressed growth of
Plasmodium berghei
in vivo
but showed signs of toxicity in mice. Considering their modular structure and broad spectrum of activity against different stages of the plasmodial life cycle, proteasome inhibitors based on PSF have a great potential for further development as preclinical candidate compounds with improved species-specific activity and less toxicity.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Uses Multiple Pathways To Acquire Iron during Chronic Infection in Cystic Fibrosis Lungs
Authors: Konings Anna F. , Martin Lois W. , Sharples Katrina J. , Roddam Louise F. , Latham Roger , Reid David W. , Lamont Iain L.
Published: May 2013

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
chronically infects the lungs of more than 80% of adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and is a major contributor to the progression of disease pathology.
P. aeruginosa
requires iron for growth and has multiple iron uptake systems that have been studied in bacteria grown in laboratory culture. The purpose of this research was to determine which of these are active during infection in CF. RNA was extracted from 149 sputum samples obtained from 23 CF patients. Reverse transcription–quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to measure the expression of
P. aeruginosa
genes encoding transport systems for the siderophores pyoverdine and pyochelin, for heme, and for ferrous ions. Expression of
P. aeruginosa
genes could be quantified in 89% of the sputum samples. Expression of genes associated with siderophore-mediated iron uptake was detected in most samples but was at low levels in some samples, indicating that other iron uptake mechanisms are active. Expression of genes encoding heme transport systems was also detected in most samples, indicating that heme uptake occurs during infection in CF.
feoB
expression was detected in all sputum samples, implying an important role for ferrous ion uptake by
P. aeruginosa
in CF. Our data show that multiple
P. aeruginosa
iron uptake mechanisms are active in chronic CF infection and that RT-qPCR of RNA extracted from sputum provides a powerful tool for investigating bacterial physiology during infection in CF.
Shiga Toxin 2 Reduces Complement Inhibitor CD59 Expression on Human Renal Tubular Epithelial and Glomerular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Ehrlenbach Silvia , Rosales Alejandra , Posch Wilfried , Wilflingseder Doris , Hermann Martin , Brockmeyer Jens , Karch Helge , Satchell Simon C. , Würzner Reinhard , Orth-Höller Dorothea
Published: May 2013

Infections with enterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli(EHEC) are a primary cause of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). Recently, Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2), the major virulence factor of EHEC, was reported to interact with complement, implying that the latter is involved in the pathogenesis of EHEC-induced HUS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Stx2 on the expression of membrane-bound complement regulators CD46, CD55, and CD59 on proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) and glomerular endothelial (GEnC) cells derived from human kidney cells that are involved in HUS. Incubation with Stx2 did not influence the amount of CD46 or CD55 on the surface of HK-2 and GEnC cells, as determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. In contrast, CD59 was significantly reduced by half on GEnC cells, but the reduction on HK-2 cells was less pronounced. With increasing amounts of Stx2, reduction of CD59 also reached significance in HK-2 cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses showed that CD59 was not present in the supernatant of Stx2-treated cells, implying that CD59 reduction was not caused by cleavage from the cell surface. In fact, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analyses showed downregulation of CD59 mRNA as the likely reason for CD59 cell surface reduction. In addition, a significant increase in terminal complement complex deposition on HK-2 cells was observed after treatment with Stx2, as a possible consequence of CD59 downregulation. In summary, Stx2 downregulates CD59 mRNA and protein levels on tubular epithelial and glomerular endothelial cells, and this downregulation likely contributes to complement activation and kidney destruction in EHEC-associated HUS.
Consequences of circadian fluctuations in water temperature on the standard metabolic rate of Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar)
Authors: Beauregard David , Enders Eva , Boisclair Daniel
Published: May 2013

Fish that inhabit rivers may experience important daily fluctuations in water temperature. Bioenergetic models have the potential to simulate the effects of such fluctuations on fish growth; however, bioenergetic components are traditionally modeled using fish kept at constant water temperatures. This study tested the hypothesis that circadian fluctuations in water temperature increase the standard metabolic rate of fish. The standard metabolic rate of Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar; 5.96–36.20 g wet blotted mass) estimated at 20 ± 0.5 °C was 25% to 32% lower for fish held at a relatively constant water temperature (20.2 ± 0.5 °C) than for fish maintained under fluctuating thermal regimes (19.8 ± 2.0 °C; 19.5 ± 3.0 °C). This study suggests that a rise in standard metabolic rate may explain how temperature fluctuations affect fish growth. It also indicates that the traditional approach used to estimate and model components of the bioenergetic equation may substantially underestimate the standard metabolic rate of fish that are subjected to such fluctuations.
Insights for planning an effective stocking program in anadromous brown trout (Salmo trutta)
Authors: Marco-Rius Francisco , Sotelo Graciela , Caballero Pablo , Morán Paloma
Published: May 2013

Brown trout (Salmo trutta) is a salmonid species with a high socio-economic value related with recreational fishing. Because of that, stocking programs have been developed in many populations, although they have focused on resident populations. To explore which factors promote migratory behaviour when implementing stocking actions, 28 brown trout artificial crosses were carried out in a noncommercial hatchery, and the returning success of their offspring was further evaluated. Return rate was examined according to male phenotype (anadromous versus resident), mean egg size, parents’ similarity at major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II β-gene, and stocking procedure. At the end of the experiment, 35 of the captured returning adults (9.4%) belonged to 14 of those crosses. Return success shows a significant effect (p = 0.0016) by parental MHC similarities, stocking procedure, and male phenotype. Our results indicate that planting fertilized eggs in nursery areas of the river, together with the selection of anadromous males as brood stock and mate pairs with higher similarity at the MHC locus, can be an appropriate option to increase the migratory part of trout populations. In addition, nursery areas can allow an important decrease in the cost per stocked individual, being 32 times less expensive than the cost per hatchery-reared individual.
Developing a general method for the estimation of the fertility rating parameter of the 3-PG model: application in Eucalyptus globulus plantations in northwestern Spain
Authors: Vega-Nieva Daniel J. , Tomé Margarida , Tomé José , Fontes Luís , Soares Paula , Ortiz Luis , Basurco Fernando , Rodrígez-Soalleiro Roque
Published: May 2013

Simple, operational tools are required for forest managers to quantify the effects of soil fertility on tree growth and ecosystem sustainability leading to precise, sustainable forest management. The simplified process-based 3-PG model (Landsberg, J.J., and Waring, R.H., For. Ecol. Manage. 95: 209–228, 1997) provides a useful framework for operational prediction of forest growth. However, no simple objective method for relating the effects of available soil nutrients to the model fertility parameter fertility rating (FR) is yet available. The present study aimed to compare several general modeling approaches for the estimation of FR values from soil relative nutrient contents (RNCs) to maximum nonlimiting values, measured in the whole soil profile, at continuous inventory plots of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. in several locations under different parent materials in northwestern Spain. The modeling approaches tested provided good predictions of FR values from RNCs. In particular, using the minimum value of the most significant RNCs showed considerable potential for modeling FR values and plantation growth responses to them. This modeling approach showed promise to be further tested as a generally applicable strategy for estimating the effect of soil nutrients on forest plantations growth.
THE RADIATIVE NEUTRON CAPTURE ON 2H, 6Li, 7Li, 12C AND 13C AT ASTROPHYSICAL ENERGIES
Authors: DUBOVICHENKO SERGEY , DZHAZAIROV-KAKHRAMANOV ALBERT , BURKOVA NATALIA
Published: May 2013

The continued interest in the study of radiative neutron capture on atomic nuclei is due, on the one hand, to the important role played by this process in the analysis of many fundamental properties of nuclei and nuclear reactions, and, on the other hand, to the wide use of the capture cross-section data in the various applications of nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics, and, also, to the importance of the analysis of primordial nucleosynthesis in the Universe. This paper is devoted to the description of results for the processes of the radiative neutron capture on certain light atomic nuclei at thermal and astrophysical energies. The consideration of these processes is done within the framework of the potential cluster model (PCM), general description of which was given earlier. The methods of usage of the results obtained, based on the phase shift analysis intercluster potentials, are demonstrated in calculations of the radiative capture characteristics. The considered capture reactions are not part of stellar thermonuclear cycles, but involve in the basic reaction chain of primordial nucleosynthesis in the course of the Universe formation.
DEUTERON ELECTRIC QUADRUPOLE AND OCTUPOLE POLARIZABILITIES
Authors: KHARCHENKO V. F.
Published: May 2013

The direct transition-matrix approach to determination of the electric polarizabilities of quantum bound systems developed in my preceding work is applied to study the electric multipole polarizabilities of a two-particle bound complex with a central interaction between the particles. Expressions for the electric quadrupole and octupole polarizabilities of the deuteron are derived and their values in the case of the S-wave separable interaction potential are calculated.
THRESHOLDS, NICHES AND INERTIA: ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE STEAMSHIP INDUSTRY
Authors: CLYDESDALE GREG
Published: May 2013

This paper seeks to increase understanding of the role the environment in the emergence of business opportunities, and how opportunities change as industries evolves. It explores the dynamics of entrepreneurial opportunity in the British steamship industry. It suggests niches are created when environmental thresholds are reached. Entrepreneurs who act before thresholds are reached fail. A complex relationship between inventors, innovators/entrepreneurs and higher order opportunities is revealed illustrating the difficulty of identifying 'higher order opportunities. Over time, variations in environmental forces changed niche size and carrying capacity. Causes of new niche formation were both exogenous and endogenous supporting both Kirzner and Schumpeter. Inertial forces inhibited the ability of existing players to seize opening niches and expanded opportunities for new comers.
ADOPTION OF HUMAN RESOURCE PRACTICES WITHIN A SOUTH AFRICAN SMALL BUSINESS: A CASE STUDY
Authors: WERNER HAVENGA , HERMAN LINDE
Published: May 2013

Until recently, human resource management has been considered inappropriate and too costly for small businesses and consequently research in this direction has been at a relatively minimum level. It is also evident that the effectiveness and competitiveness of SMEs can be increased through the application of sound HRM practices. In order to establish how SMEs can successfully apply HRM, the objective of this study is to establish, in an exploratory manner, the applicability of HRM in a small business in order to ensure its effective operation and consequent competitiveness. The research method applied is an interpretive and qualitative approach by means of a single case study of a photographic equipment store. The owner-manager perceives that personnel problems pose a major barrier to the success of the business; however, he also believes that outside aid in HRM would not resolve the problems. The HRM process of the SME growth model adds value in the sense that it also illustrates the relationship between the owner-manager's personal characteristics, external market conditions, nature of the work environment, and the business structure. Given the small business-specific problems that were identified, the information obtained in this study paves the way for a quantitative study of a number of SMEs and comparative research.
ENTANGLEMENT AND NON-TRIVIAL TOPOLOGIES
Authors: PRUDÊNCIO THIAGO , CIRILO-LOMBARDO DIEGO JULIO
Published: May 2013

We consider states defined on non-trivial topologies of Torus, Mobius and Torus–Mobius. Adequate operators leading to the construction of coherent states, two-mode coherent states and entangled states are derived and we show a class of entangled states on Torus that are related to the entanglement of photons by orbital angular momentum states.
QUANTUM GEOMETRY AND WILD EMBEDDINGS AS QUANTUM STATES
Authors: ASSELMEYER-MALUGA TORSTEN , KRÓL JERZY
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we discuss wild embeddings like Alexanders horned ball and relate them to fractal spaces. We build a C*-algebra corresponding to a wild embedding. We argue that a wild embedding is the result of a quantization process applied to a tame embedding. Therefore, quantum states are directly the wild embeddings. Then we give an example of a wild embedding in the four-dimensional spacetime. We discuss the consequences for cosmology.
Preparation and investigation on properties of BST-base ceramic with high-energy storage density
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Dong Guixia , Liu Qiuxiang , Wu Di
Published: May 2013

The Ba0.3Sr0.6Ca0.1TiO3 (BSCT) powder was prepared through the solid-state reaction. And then preparing ceramic samples with quantitative doped- Bi2O3⋅3TiO2 and different doped- MgO . X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate the phase compositions, distribution and morphology of the ceramic samples. SM–11J49 capacitance measurement instrument and CS2674A pressure tester were used to measure the dielectric properties of the samples. The results show that the compactness and the dielectric constant of the ceramics increases first and then decreases when the doped MgO content was changed from 1.5 to 4.5 wt.%. The trend of breakdown strength is characterized by M-shaped pattern with the increase of doped- MgO content. Calculation results demonstrate that when the doped- MgO content is 2.0%, the samples have the highest energy storage density.
The Mesoproterozoic Rayner Province in the Lambert Glacier area: its age, origin, isotopic structure and implications for Australia–Antarctica correlations
Authors: Mikhalsky E. V. , Sheraton J. W. , Kudriavtsev I. V. , Sergeev S. A. , Kovach V. P. , Kamenev I. A. , Laiba A. A.
Published: May 2013

Within the Rayner Province in the Lambert Glacier area, two Proterozoic lithotectonic zones are distinguished, which differ in age and lithology. In the Fisher Zone, a significant juvenile component (ε
Nd
(
t
)=+2 to +4) is represented by mafic, intermediate and felsic plutonic and volcanic rocks; the tectonomagmatic processes were concentrated at
c.
1400–1200 Ma. In the Beaver Zone, orthogneisses record multiple emplacement, metamorphism and ductile deformation at
c.
1150–930 Ma. New U–Pb SHRIMP-II zircon ages (
c.
1140 Ma and 1095 Ma – protolith emplacement;
c.
950–850 and
c.
540 Ma – metamorphism), chemical and Sm–Nd isotopic data indicate that both zones have their continuations in the eastern Amery Ice shelf coast. The Rayner Province has some geological features in common with the Albany-Fraser Orogen in Western Australia, suggesting that these regions evolved in similar tectonic environments at
c.
1400–1300 Ma, followed by steady closure, from east to west, of the ocean that separated the Mawson Continent from Western Australia.

Supplementary material:

Chemical compositions of rocks, a summary of trace element ratios, a summary of published U–Pb dates, field photo views, new U–Pb analyses by SIMS SHRIMP-II and new Sm–Nd data are available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18621
Possible armalcolite pseudomorph-bearing garnet–sillimanite gneiss from Skallevikshalsen, Lützow-Holm Complex, East Antarctica: Implications for ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism
Authors: Kawasaki Toshisuke , Adachi Tatsuro , Nakano Nobuhiko , Osanai Yasuhito
Published: May 2013

A possible armalcolite pseudomorph has been identified in garnet–sillimanite gneiss from Skallevikshalsen, located
c.
30 km NE of Rundvågshetta, in a terrane with the highest metamorphic grade in the Lützow-Holm Complex, East Antarctica. It occurs as an Fe–Mg–Ti compositional domain consisting of ilmenite, rutile and pseudorutile, partially mantled by rutile within ilmenite. The domain yields an average
X
Mg
of 0.171±0.036 exceeding by 3 wt% TiO
2
from armalcolite stoichiometry, while the analysis closest to armalcolite stoichiometry has an
X
Mg
value close to 0.202. Host ilmenite with 0.4 mol% hematite is in contact with prismatic sillimanite, quartz, plagioclase and K-feldspar.

In run products of annealing experiments performed to investigate the origin of the pseudomorph, armalcolite–ilmenite reaction coronae were developed around relict rutile in rock fragments of quartz eclogite from the Higashi-Akaishi mass of the Sanbagawa belt, central Shikoku, Japan. The experiments were carried out at 1 atm and 960–1050 °C with wüstite–magnetite buffer and imply a minimum temperature of 1290 °C for armalcolite stability when extrapolated to Skallevikshalsen pressures of 1.0 GPa. Mineral chemistry thermobarometry for Skallevikshalsen yields a metamorphic path with
P
–
T
peak conditions of 0.88–1.1 GPa and 970–1050 °C, followed by retrograde metamorphism at 0.6 GPa and 780 °C, and finally metasomatic alteration at
c.
630 °C. This
P
–
T
path matches that for similar ultrahigh-temperature metamorphic rocks from Rundvågshetta and Sri Lanka, and is markedly lower in temperature than the unreasonable estimates based on armalcolite stability. This discrepancy is inferred to reflect chemical impurities in armalcolite that lower its minimum temperature stability by more than 200 °C.
Re-engineering the ICT profession
Authors: Preston Christina
Published: May 2013

Until recently, Korea and Israel were the only places where computer science in the strictest sense was taught in primary and secondary schools. But now, the United Kingdom coalition government is in a rush to introduce more coding because Eric Schmidt of Google criticized the information technology and communications curriculum, observing:
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Bi2S3 Nanorods from a Single‐Source Precursor and Their Promotional Effect on the Photocatalysis of TiO2
Authors: Lu Juan , Wang Zuoshan , Zhang Ying , Zhou Xiufeng
Published: May 2013

As a direct bandgap semiconductor, Bi2S3 has the potential ability to improve the photocatalytic activity of nano‐TiO2 due to its low energy gap (Eg = 1.3 eV). In this study, large‐scale uniform Bi2S3 nanorods were synthesized by a hydrothermal treatment, using Bi[S2P(OC4H9)2]3 as the single‐source precursor. Characterization results show that as‐prepared samples belong to an orthorhombic phase of Bi2S3, and the products mainly crystallize in the form of nanorods which measure ca. 200 nm in length and ca. 50 nm in diameter. The photo‐catalytic experiments for the degradation of methyl orange under visible irradiation revealed that a small amount of as‐prepared Bi2S3 in our study would significantly improve the photo‐catalytic activity of nano‐TiO2, whether Bi2S3 is introduced by a physical way or a chemical way. However, excess Bi2S3 will lead to a decrease in the catalytic efficiency of TiO2 when Bi2S3 was introduced by a chemical way; it never happened when Bi2S3 was introduced by a physical way. Even so, among all as‐prepared samples, the TiO2‐based photo‐catalyst with 3 wt.% Bi2S3 introduced by a chemical way exhibits the best catalytic performance under visible irradiation.
Pain Sensation and Postsurgical Complications in Posterior Mandibular Implant Placement Using Ridge Mapping, Panoramic Radiography, and Infiltration Anesthesia
Authors: AlGhamdi Ali Saad Thafeed
Published: May 2013

Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate intrasurgical and after surgical, pain and the incidence of after surgical alteration of sensation in the mandible and lower lip when placing implants in the posterior mandible using ridge mapping, panoramic radiography, and infiltration anesthesia.Methods. This was a longitudinal clinical study of healthy patients needing implant placement in the posterior mandible. After thorough examination and treatment plan using ridge mapping and panoramic radiography, all patients received dental implants under local infiltration anesthesia. The patients were then given a questionnaire to assess the pain during anesthesia and implant surgery. Change of sensation in the lower lip was evaluated by standard neurosensory examination tests at 7 days and 1 and 4 months. Prosthetic treatment was carried out 4 months postsurgery and the patients were followed for an average of 28.5 months afterwards.Results. A total of 103 implants were placed in 62 patients. Patients reported very minor pain during injection. No pain was reported during either implant placement or bone grafting procedures. No alteration of sensation in the mandible or lower lip was recorded postsurgery.Conclusion. In most cases, ridge mapping, panoramic radiography, and infiltration anesthesia are sufficient for posterior mandibular implant placement without pain or complications.
Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptides of Chia (Salvia hispanica) Produced by Enzymatic Hydrolysis
Authors: Segura Campos Maira Rubi , Peralta González Fanny , Chel Guerrero Luis , Betancur Ancona David
Published: May 2013

Synthetic angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE-I) inhibitors can have undesirable side effects, while natural inhibitors have no side effects and are potential nutraceuticals. A protein-rich fraction from chia (Salvia hispanicaL.) seed was hydrolyzed with an Alcalase-Flavourzyme sequential system and the hydrolysate ultrafiltered through four molecular weight cut-off membranes (1 kDa, 3 kDa, 5 kDa, and 10 kDa). ACE-I inhibitory activity was quantified in the hydrolysate and ultrafiltered fractions. The hydrolysate was extensive (DH = 51.64%) and had 58.46% ACE-inhibitory activity. Inhibition ranged from 53.84% to 69.31% in the five ultrafiltered fractions and was highest in the <1 kDa fraction (69.31%). This fraction’s amino acid composition was identified and then it was purified by gel filtration chromatography and ACE-I inhibition measured in the purified fractions. Amino acid composition suggested that hydrophobic residues contributed substantially to chia peptide ACE-I inhibitory strength, probably by blocking angiotensin II production. Inhibitory activity ranged from 48.41% to 62.58% in the purified fractions, but fraction F1 (1.5–2.5 kDa) exhibited the highest inhibition (IC50= 3.97 μg/mL; 427–455 mL elution volume). The results point out the possibility of obtaining bioactive peptides from chia proteins by means of a controlled protein hydrolysis using Alcalase-Flavourzyme sequentional system.
A Giant Dumbbell Shaped Vesico-Prostatic Urethral Calculus: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Prabhuswamy Vinod Kumar , Tiwari Rahul , Krishnamoorthy Ramakrishnan
Published: May 2013

Calculi in the urethra are an uncommon entity. Giant calculi in prostatic urethra are extremely rare. The decision about treatment strategy of calculi depends upon the size, shape, and position of the calculus and the status of the urethra. If the stone is large and immovable, it may be extracted via the perineal or the suprapubic approach. In most of the previous reported cases, giant calculi were extracted via the transvesical approach and external urethrotomy. A 38-year-old male patient presented with complaints of lower urinary tract symptoms. Further investigations showed a giant urethral calculus secondary to stricture of bulbo-membranous part of the urethra. Surgical removal of calculus was done via transvesical approach. Two calculi were found and extracted. One was a huge dumbbell calculus and the other was a smaller round calculus. This case was reported because of the rare size and the dumbbell nature of the stone. Giant urethral calculi are better managed by open surgery.
Nanoparticles for Brain Drug Delivery
Authors: Masserini Massimo
Published: May 2013

The central nervous system, one of the most delicate microenvironments of the body, is protected by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulating its homeostasis. BBB is a highly complex structure that tightly regulates the movement of ions of a limited number of small molecules and of an even more restricted number of macromolecules from the blood to the brain, protecting it from injuries and diseases. However, the BBB also significantly precludes the delivery of drugs to the brain, thus, preventing the therapy of a number of neurological disorders. As a consequence, several strategies are currently being sought after to enhance the delivery of drugs across the BBB. Within this review, the recently born strategy of brain drug delivery based on the use of nanoparticles, multifunctional drug delivery systems with size in the order of one-billionth of meters, is described. The review also includes a brief description of the structural and physiological features of the barrier and of the most utilized nanoparticles for medical use. Finally, the potential neurotoxicity of nanoparticles is discussed, and future technological approaches are described. The strong efforts to allow the translation from preclinical to concrete clinical applications are worth the economic investments.
Minimal Change Disease and IgA Deposition: Separate Entities or Common Pathophysiology?
Authors: Oberweis Brandon S. , Mattoo Aditya , Wu Ming , Goldfarb David S.
Published: May 2013

Introduction. Minimal Change Disease (MCD) is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children, while IgA nephropathy is the most common cause of glomerulonephritis worldwide. MCD is responsive to glucocorticoids, while the role of steroids in IgA nephropathy remains unclear. We describe a case of two distinct clinical and pathological findings, raising the question of whether MCD and IgA nephropathy are separate entities or if there is a common pathophysiology.Case Report. A 19-year old man with no medical history presented to the Emergency Department with a 20-day history of anasarca and frothy urine, BUN 68 mg/dL, Cr 2.3 mg/dL, urinalysis 3+ RBCs, 3+ protein, and urine protein : creatinine ratio 6.4. Renal biopsy revealed hypertrophic podocytes on light microscopy, podocyte foot process effacement on electron microscopy, and immunofluorescent mesangial staining for IgA. The patient was started on prednisone and exhibited dramatic improvement.Discussion. MCD typically has an overwhelming improvement with glucocorticoids, while the resolution of IgA nephropathy is rare. Our patient presented with MCD with the uncharacteristic finding of hematuria. Given the improvement with glucocorticoids, we raise the question of whether there is a shared pathophysiologic component of these two distinct clinical diseases that represents a clinical variant.
Governance Mechanism for Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Stochastic Differential Game Approach
Authors: Yu Wei , Xin Baogui
Published: May 2013

Today developed and developing countries have to admit the fact that global warming is affecting the earth, but the fundamental problem of how to divide up necessary greenhouse gas reductions between developed and developing countries remains. In this paper, we propose cooperative and noncooperative stochastic differential game models to describe greenhouse gas emissions decision makings of developed and developing countries, calculate their feedback Nash equilibrium and the Pareto optimal solution, characterize parameter spaces that developed and developing countries can cooperate, design cooperative conditions under which participants buy the cooperative payoff, and distribute the cooperative payoff with Nash bargaining solution. Lastly, numerical simulations are employed to illustrate the above results.
Skin Matters: Identifying Pain Mechanisms and Predicting Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Shipton Edward A.
Published: May 2013

The skin acts as a complex sensory organ. The emerging new data on peripheral pain mechanisms from within the skin is presented. This data has led to new insights into the potential pain mechanisms for various pain conditions including neuropathic pain (from small fiber neuropathies) and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. The somatosensory neurons that innervate our skin constantly update our brains on the objects and environmental factors that surround us. Cutaneous sensory neurons expressing nociceptive receptors such as transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 channels and voltage-gated sodium channels are critical for pain transmission. Epidermal cells (such as keratinocytes, Langerhans cells, and Merkel cells) express sensor proteins and neuropeptides; these regulate the neuroimmunocutaneous system and participate in nociception and neurogenic inflammation. In the past two decades, there has been widespread use of modalities such as punch skin biopsies, quantitative sensory testing, and laser-evoked potentials to evaluate small caliber nerve fibers. This paper explores these laboratory techniques as well as the phenomenon of small fiber neuropathy. Treatment using transdermal drug delivery is discussed. There is potential for these findings to predict treatment outcomes in clinical practice and to develop new therapies for different pain conditions. These findings should enhance the physician's ability to evaluate and treat diverse types of pain.
Expanding Access to Malaria Diagnosis through Retail Shops in Western Kenya: What Do Shop Workers Think?
Authors: Rusk Andria , Goodman Catherine , Naanyu Violet , Koech Beatrice , Obala Andrew , O'Meara Wendy Prudhomme
Published: May 2013

Background. The common symptoms of malaria reduce the specificity of clinical diagnosis. Presumptive treatment is conventional but can lead to overdiagnosis of malaria, delay of appropriate treatment, overprescription of antimalarials, and drug resistance. Routine use of diagnostic tests can address many of these concerns. Though treatment is often procured from retailers, there is low availability of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria (MRDTs), a simple, inexpensive, and accurate diagnostic solution. We know little about the challenges to expanding access to diagnostics through these outlets. Methods. To understand the perceptions of the benefits and challenges to selling rapid diagnostic tests for malaria, we conducted focus group discussions with antimalarial retailers who serve the residents of the Webuye Health and Demographic Surveillance Site in western Kenya. Results. Medicine retailers perceived MRDTs to be beneficial to their customers and businesses but also included cost, fear of the tests, risks of self-treatment, and regulatory concerns among the challenges to using and selling MRDTs. Conclusion. MRDTs represent a viable approach to increase access to malaria diagnostic testing. Medicine retailers are eager for MRDTs to be made available to them. However, certain challenges remain to implementation in retail outlets and should be addressed in advance.
Small Bowel Imaging: Clinical Applications of the Different Imaging Modalities—A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Masselli Gabriele
Published: May 2013

In the last years, MR and CT techniques have been optimized for small bowel imaging and are playing an increasing role in the evaluation of small bowel disorders. In comparison to traditional barium fluoroscopic examinations, spatial and temporal resolution is now much more improved partially thanks to modern bowel distending agents. However, there is a global interest in implementing techniques that either reduce or eliminate radiation exposure. This is especially important in patients with chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease who may require multiple studies over a lifetime. Owing to the excellent soft tissue contrast, direct multiplanar imaging capabilities, new ultrafast breath-holding pulse sequences, lack of ionizing radiation, and availability of a variety of oral contrast agents, MR is well suited to play a critical role in the imaging of small bowel disorders.
Primo Vascular System in the Lymph Vessel from the Inguinal to the Axillary Nodes
Authors: Lee Seung Hwan , Bae Kyoung-Hee , Kim Geum Ock , Nam Min Ho , Choi Young Bok , Kwon Hee-Min , Ryu Yeonhee , Soh Kwang-Sup
Published: May 2013

The primo vascular system (PVS) in a lymph system was observed mostly in large caliber ducts around the caudal vena cava of rabbits, rats, and mice. This required a severe surgery with laparectomy and massive removal of fat tissues in the abdomen to expose the lymph vessel. In the current brief report, we presented a new method to evade these shortcomings by observing the PVS in a less large caliber duct in the skin, that is, the lymph vessel from the inguinal to the axillary nodes. The Alcian blue injection into the inguinal node revealed the desired primo vessel in the target lymph vessel. This opened a new perspective for the investigation of the lymphatic PVS without severe damage to subject animals and for monitoring of the PVS in a long period of time.
High-Flux Hemodialysis and Levocarnitine in the Treatment of Severe Valproic Acid Intoxication
Authors: Temel V. , Arikan Müge , Temel G.
Published: May 2013

Valproic acid (VPA) intoxication incidence is increasing, because of the use of VPA in psychiatric disorders. The most common finding of VPA intoxication is central nervous system depression which leads to coma and respiratory depression. Pancreatitis, hyperammonemia, metabolic, and bone marrow failure (thrombocytopenia and leukopenia) have also been described. Treatment is mainly supportive. We present the case of an 18-year-old female patient, who made an attempt to autolysis with VPA. Our patient's VPA plasma level was very high (924 μg/mL), confirming that it was a severe intoxication. Our treatment including levocarnitine (50 mg/kg per day for 3 days), and high-flux hemodialysis was performed for four hours. The patient's hemodynamic status and mental function improved in conjunction with the acute reduction in VPA concentrations. Her subsequent hospital course was complicated by transient thrombocytopenia and levocarnitine induced hypophosphatemia. By day 6, the patient's laboratory values had completely normalized, and she was transferred to an inpatient psychiatric facility for continuing therapy.
A Randomized Controlled Study of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule for Prevention of Esophageal Variceal Bleeding in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Gu Jie , Zhang Qin , Xue Dongying , Cai Hong , Xu Lieming
Published: May 2013

To elucidate the role of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule, a herbal formula, in the prevention of esophageal variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients, a multicenter randomized and placebo-controlled trial was carried out. One hundred forty-six cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices were enrolled to compare the probability of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and survival between Fuzheng Huayu Capsule group and controlled group for the duration of 2 years. The results demonstrated that the FZHYC could effectively reduce the risk of variceal bleeding and improve survival rates for cirrhotic patients with varices, especially the combination of the capsule and Propranolol, which presented a better effect; FZHYC could reduce the varices size in patients with small ones. Its effect may be related to the amelioration of hepatic fibrosis.
PSO-Based PID Controller Design for a Class of Stable and Unstable Systems
Authors: Latha K. , Rajinikanth V. , Surekha P. M.
Published: May 2013

Nonlinear processes are very common in process industries, and designing a stabilizing controller is always preferred to maximize the production rate. In this paper, tuning of PID controller for a class of time delayed stable and unstable process models using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is discussed. The dimension of the search space is only three (, , and ); hence, a fixed weight is assigned for the inertia parameter. A comparative study is presented between various inertia weights such as 0.5, 0.75, and 1. From the result, it is evident that the proposed method helps to attain better controller settings with reduced iteration number. The efficacy of the proposed scheme has been validated through a comparative study with classical controller tuning methods and heuristic methods such as Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO). Finally, a real-time implementation of the proposed method is carried on a nonlinear spherical tank system. From the simulation and real-time results, it is evident that the PSO algorithm performs well on the stable and unstable process models considered in this work. The PSO tuned controller offers enhanced process characteristics such as better time domain specifications, smooth reference tracking, supply disturbance rejection, and error minimization.
Least-Squares-Based Iterative Identification Algorithm for Wiener Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Zhou Lincheng , Li Xiangli , Pan Feng
Published: May 2013

This paper focuses on the identification problem of Wiener nonlinear systems. The application of the key-term separation principle provides a simplified form of the estimated parameter model. To solve the identification problem of Wiener nonlinear systems with the unmeasurable variables in the information vector, the least-squares-based iterative algorithm is presented by replacing the unmeasurable variables in the information vector with their corresponding iterative estimates. The simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm is effective.
Parametric Analysis of a Heavy Metal Sorption Isotherm Based on Fractional Calculus
Authors: Gomes Enrico M. , Araújo Rosana R. L. , Lenzi Marcelo K. , Silva Fernanda R. G. B. , Lenzi Ervin K.
Published: May 2013

Heavy metals are widely recognized as being hazardous to human health and environmentally aggressive. The literature reports different approaches for lead removal, for example, water hyacinths. Heavy metal sorption isotherm modeling represents an important tool towards the study of equilibrium conditions. Fractional calculus represents a novel approach and a growing research field for process modeling, based on derivatives of arbitrary order. Recently, a novel isotherm based on fractional calculus was proposed for lead sorption using water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). This paper reports a general procedure on error analysis and its influence on parameter estimation. It was applied to mathematical models based on fractional differential equations, focusing on a heavy metal novel isotherm sorption model. Parameter variance was calculated by using two different approaches (with the complete Hessian matrix and with a simplified Hessian matrix), and joint parameter confidence regions were generated, being successfully able to show that the fractional nature of the model is statistically valid.
Population Dynamics and Air Pollution: The Impact of Demographics on Health Impact Assessment of Air Pollution
Authors: Flachs Esben Meulengracht , Sørensen Jan , Bønløkke Jakob , Brønnum-Hansen Henrik
Published: May 2013

Objective. To explore how three different assumptions on demographics affect the health impact of Danish emitted air pollution in Denmark from 2005 to 2030, with health impact modeled from 2005 to 2050.Methods. Modeled air pollution from Danish sources was used as exposure in a newly developed health impact assessment model, which models four major diseases and mortality causes in addition to all-cause mortality. The modeling was at the municipal level, which divides the approximately 5.5 M residents in Denmark into 99 municipalities. Three sets of demographic assumptions were used: (1) a static year 2005 population, (2) morbidity and mortality fixed at the year 2005 level, or (3) an expected development.Results. The health impact of air pollution was estimated at 672,000, 290,000, and 280,000 lost life years depending on demographic assumptions and the corresponding social costs at 430.4 M€, 317.5 M€, and 261.6 M€ through the modeled years 2005–2050.Conclusion. The modeled health impact of air pollution differed widely with the demographic assumptions, and thus demographics and assumptions on demographics played a key role in making health impact assessments on air pollution.
Methods and Models for Metabolic Assessment in Mice
Authors: Pacini G. , Omar B. , Ahrén B.
Published: May 2013

The development of new therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes requires robust, reproducible and well validatedin vivoexperimental systems. Mice provide the most ideal animal model for studies of potential therapies. Unlike larger animals, mice have a short gestational period, are genetically similar, often give birth to many offspring at once and can be housed as multiple groups in a single cage. The mouse model has been extensively metabolically characterized using different tests. This report summarizes how these tests can be executed and how arising data are analyzed to confidently determine changes in insulin resistance and insulin secretion with high reproducibility. The main tests for metabolic assessment in the mouse reviewed here are the glucose clamp, the intravenous and the oral glucose tolerance tests. For all these experiments, including some commonly adopted variants, we describe: (i) their performance; (ii) their advantages and limitations; (iii) the empirical formulas and mathematical models implemented for the analysis of the data arising from the experimental procedures to obtain reliable measurements of peripheral insulin sensitivity and beta cell function. Finally, a list of previous applications of these methods and analytical techniques is provided to better comprehend their use and the evidences that these studies yielded.
Asymptotic Smoothing and Global Attractors for a Class of Nonlinear Evolution Equations
Authors: Xie Yongqin , He Zhufang , Xi Chen , Jun Zheng
Published: May 2013

We prove the asymptotic regularity of global solutions for a class of semilinear evolution equations in H01(Ω)×H01(Ω). Moreover, we study the long-time behavior of the solutions. It is proved that, under the natural assumptions, these equations possess the compact attractor 𝒜 which is bounded in H2(Ω)×H2(Ω), where the nonlinear term f satisfies a critical exponential growth condition.