bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of a simple liquid meal test to evaluate insulin sensitivity and beta‐cell function in children
Authors: Chandler‐Laney P. C. , Higgins P. B. , Granger W. , Alvarez J. , Casazza K. , Fernandez J. R. , Dalla Man C. , Cobelli C. , Gower B. A.
Published: March 2013

What is already known about this subject

The assessment of insulin sensitivity and secretion provides useful information about the metabolic health of an individual.

Invasive methods are needed to assess insulin sensitivity and secretion but these are difficult to perform in young children.

What this study adds

The relatively less invasive liquid meal test provided an estimate of insulin sensitivity in a pediatric population that was comparable to that obtained via a more invasive frequently‐sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT).

Both meal‐ and FSIGT‐derived estimates of insulin sensitivity were inversely associated with children's adiposity.

The meal‐derived estimate of insulin sensitivity, but not that derived by the FSIGT, was associated with fasting insulin and triglyceride concentrations.

Insulin sensitivity and β‐cell function are useful indices of metabolic disease risk but are difficult to assess in young children because of the invasive nature of commonly used methodology. A meal‐based method for assessing insulin sensitivity and β‐cell function may at least partially alleviate concerns. The objectives of this study were to: (i) determine the association of insulin sensitivity assessed by liquid meal test with that determined by an insulin‐modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT); (ii) examine the association of insulin sensitivity derived from each test with measures of body composition, fat distribution and metabolic health (lipids, fasting insulin and glucose, and surrogate indices of insulin sensitivity); and (iii) examine the associations of indices of β‐cell function derived from each test with total and regional adiposity. Forty‐seven children (7–12 years) underwent both a liquid meal test and an FSIGT. The insulin sensitivity index derived from the meal test (SI‐meal) was positively associated with that from the FSIGT (SI‐FSIGT; r = 0.63; P < 0.001), and inversely with all measures of insulin secretion derived from the meal test. Both SI‐meal and SI‐FSIGT were associated with measures of total and regional adiposity. SI‐meal, but not SI‐FSIGT, was associated with triglycerides and fasting insulin, after adjusting for ethnicity, gender, pubertal stage and fat mass. Basal insulin secretion measured during the meal test was positively associated with all measures of adiposity, independent of insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, a liquid meal offers a valid and sensitive means of assessing insulin sensitivity and β‐cell responsivity in young children.
Morphology, seasonality and phylogeny of Zschokkella soleae sp. n. (Myxozoa, Myxosporea) parasite of Solea solea (L.) (Pleuronectiformes, Soleidae) from Ghar El Melh Lagoon, Tunisia
Authors: Yemmen C , Marton S , Bahri S , Eszterbauer E
Published: March 2013

A new Myxosporea, Zschokkella soleae sp. n., was found in the gall bladder and the bile of common sole, Solea solea (L.), from Ghar El Melh Lagoon in north‐east Tunisia. This is the first record for the presence of Zschokkella species in Tunisian waters. The parasite's plasmodia are polysporic with variable size and shape. Some plasmodia appeared attached to the gall bladder epithelium while others were found free in bile. Mature spores are ellipsoidal in frontal view 13.8 ± 0.38 μm long and 10.86 ± 0.40 μm wide with two equal size spherical polar capsules 3.6 ± 0.43 μm in size. The prevalence of infection seems to correlate with host size and changes over the year with maximum percentage in summer. Based on the 18S rDNA sequence data, Z. soleae sp. n. is readily distinguishable from other myxozoan DNA sequences in GenBank. Phylogenetically, the new species is placed in the freshwater Myxidium clade including several Zschokkella spp. infecting the gall bladder. Morphology, histology as well as DNA sequence analysis indicate that the examined species differs from all previously described Zschokkella species.
Relaxant effect of chloroquine in rat ileum: possible involvement of nitric oxide and BKCa
Authors: Jing Fangmiao , Liu Ming , Yang Ning , Liu Yinglu , Li Xiaoyu , Li Jingxin
Published: March 2013

Objectives

Bitter perception has a particularly important role in host defence. However, to date, direct effects of bitter compounds on small intestinal motility have not been shown. This study investigated the effects of bitter compounds on the spontaneous contraction of longitudinal smooth muscle strips of rat ileum.

Methods

Isolated longitudinal smooth muscle strips of rat ileum were used for tension recording in vitro. Immunofluorescence staining was used to identify the localization of TAS2R10 receptors.

Key findings

The spontaneous contraction of rat ileum was decreased after chloroquine administration. Other bitter compounds, such as quinine, denatonium and saccharin, exhibited similar effects. Chloroquine-induced relaxation was not blocked by tetrodotoxin, but was partially reversed by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME or the large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channel antagonist iberiotoxin. By surgically removing the small intestinal mucosa or bathing in Ca2+-free Krebs solution, the chloroquine-induced relaxation was largely attenuated. The immunofluorescence staining showed that TAS2R10 receptors were expressed in rat ileum.

Conclusions

The results indicate that bitter receptor agonists induce relaxation of longitudinal smooth muscle strips of rat ileum, which is mediated by nitric oxide and BKCa channels.
Ideologies in Law Time: The Oxford History of the Laws of England
Authors: McLean Janet
Published: March 2013

In the introduction to the newOxford History of the Laws of England 1820–1914, the authors suggest that their task is to tell the “history of the law itself.” This review essay examines what can be learned from a history told from law's internal point of view rather than through the perspectives of other disciplines, such as economics or philosophy. It considers whether and how the common law responded to industrialization and laissez-faire ideology, the influence of salient philosophical movements—such as utilitarianism—on statutory change, and how all history is an exercise in ideology. In considering the public sphere, it suggests that this work should form the inspiration for further inquiry.
Nonlinear Identification of a Magneto‐Rheological Damper Based on Dynamic Neural Networks
Authors: Khalid Marzuki , Yusof Rubiyah , Joshani Majid , Selamat Hazlina , Joshani Mohamad
Published: March 2013

Semi‐active control of dynamic response of civil structures with magneto‐rheological (MR) fluid dampers has emerged as a novel revolutionary technology in recent years for designing “smart structures.” A small‐scale MR damper model with the valve mode mechanism has been examined in this research using dynamic recurrent neural network modeling approach to reproduce its hysteretic nonlinear behavior. Modified Bouc–Wen model based on nonlinear differential equations has not only been employed as the reference model to provide a comprehensive training data for the neural network but also for comparison purposes. A novel frequency and amplitude varying displacement input signal (modulated chirp signal) associated with a random supply voltage has been introduced for persistent excitation of the damper in such a way to cover almost all of its operating conditions. Finally a series of validation tests were conducted on the proposed model which proved the appropriate performance of the model in terms of accuracy and capability for realization.
Role of interstitial inflammation in the pathogenesis of polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Ta Michelle HT , Harris David CH , Rangan Gopala K
Published: March 2013

Interstitial infiltrates, consisting of macrophages and other inflammatory cells, have been consistently reported in human and animal models of polycystic kidney diseases (PKD). However, the mechanisms underlying this inflammation are not well defined. Evidence suggests that interstitial inflammation in PKD is driven by pro‐inflammatory chemoattractants such as monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), and cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α. Putative upregulated inflammatory pathways include JAK‐STAT and nuclear factor (NF)‐κB signalling. In addition, the genetic mutations of PKD may further complicate the relationship between inflammation and cystic disease, by increasing the susceptibility to inflammatory injury, and facilitating interactions between the genetically determined cystoproteins and biological mediators of inflammation. Moreover, the roles of interstitial inflammation in promoting cyst growth and progression to kidney failure in PKD are not clearly understood. Although anti‐inflammatory therapies have attenuated cystogenesis in animal models, inflammatory cells may also have reparative actions. Thus, in developing therapies for PKD, it is prudent to consider the potential negative outcomes of ablating inflammation, and whether it is more viable to target certain inflammatory pathways over others.
Detoxification of α‐tomatine by Cladosporium fulvum is required for full virulence on tomato
Authors: Ökmen Bilal , Etalo Desalegn W. , Joosten Matthieu H. A. J. , Bouwmeester Harro J. , de Vos Ric C. H. , Collemare Jérôme , de Wit Pierre J. G. M.
Published: March 2013

α‐Tomatine is an antifungal glycoalkaloid that provides basal defense to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). However, tomato pathogens overcome this basal defense barrier by the secretion of tomatinases that degrade α‐tomatine into the less fungitoxic compounds β‐tomatine and tomatidine. Although pathogenic on tomato, it has been reported that the biotrophic fungus Cladosporium fulvum is unable to detoxify α‐tomatine.

Here, we present a functional analysis of the glycosyl hydrolase (GH10), CfTom1, which is orthologous to fungal tomatinases.

We show that C. fulvum hydrolyzes α‐tomatine into tomatidine in vitro and during the infection of tomato, which is fully attributed to the activity of CfTom1, as shown by the heterologous expression of this enzyme in tomato. Accordingly, ∆cftom1 mutants of C. fulvum are more sensitive to α‐tomatine and are less virulent than the wild‐type fungus on tomato. Although α‐tomatine is thought to be localized in the vacuole, we show that it is also present in the apoplast, where it is hydrolyzed by CfTom1 on infection. The accumulation of tomatidine during infection appears to be toxic to tomato cells and does not suppress defense responses, as suggested previously.

Altogether, our results show that CfTom1 is responsible for the detoxification of α‐tomatine by C. fulvum, and is required for full virulence of this fungus on tomato.
Sequence divergence in the Treponema denticola FhbB protein and its impact on factor H binding
Authors: Miller D.P. , McDowell J.V. , Rhodes D.V. , Allard A. , Caimano M. , Bell J.K. , Marconi R.T.
Published: March 2013

Treponema denticola is an anaerobic spirochete whose abundance in the subgingival crevice correlates with the development and severity of periodontal disease. The ability of T. denticola to survive and thrive in the hostile environment of the periodontal pocket is due, at least in part, to its ability to bind factor H (FH), a negative regulator of the alternative complement pathway. The FH binding protein of T. denticola has been identified as FhbB and its atomic structure has been determined. The interaction of FH with T. denticola is unique in that FH bound to the cell surface is cleaved by the T. denticola protease, dentilisin. It has been postulated that FH cleavage by T. denticola leads to immune dysregulation in periodontal pockets. In this study, we conduct a comparative assessment of the sequence, properties, structure and ligand binding kinetics of the FhbB proteins of strains 33521 and 35405. The biological outcome of the interaction of these strains with FH could differ significantly as 33521 lacks dentilisin activity. The data presented here offer insight into our understanding of the interactions of T. denticola with the host and its potential to influence disease progression.
The role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in SP110 associated veno‐occlusive disease with immunodeficiency syndrome
Authors: Ganaiem Hammam , Eisenstein Eli M. , Tenenbaum Ariel , Somech Raz , Simanovsky Natalia , Roscioli Tony , Weintraub Michael , Stepensky Polina
Published: March 2013

Background

Veno‐occlusive disease with immunodeficiency (VODI) is an autosomal recessive disorder of combined immunodeficiency (CID) and hepatic injury. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) – the only definitive treatment for CID – appeared to have a high rate of complications in a previous report. In this study, we describe a new group of patients with VODI highlighting further clinical and immunologic aspects of this disease and re‐evaluating the effectiveness of HSCT for the treatment of this disorder.

Patients and methods

Review of clinical data, immunologic features, molecular studies, treatment, and final outcome of eight kindred members with VODI.

Results

The patients described had clinical and immunologic findings consistent with VODI. The molecular studies revealed a new mutation in the SP110 gene. HSCT was carried out in five patients and was successful in three.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of VODI should be considered in all patients regardless of ethnicity with a severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)‐like presentation, especially with a normal mitogen response, or with signs of hepatic injury. VODI is a primary immune deficiency, which can be successfully corrected by bone marrow transplantation if applied early in the course of disease using appropriate conditioning.
A new endotracheal tube for infants – laboratory and clinical assessment: a preliminary study
Authors: Stankiewicz Barbara , Darowski Marek , Glapiński Jarosław , Rawicz Marcin , Michnikowski Marcin , Guć Maciej , Kuraszkiewicz Bożena
Published: March 2013

Background

Conventional endotracheal pediatric tubes offer high resistance due to their small diameters and relatively high flow during ventilation. Any increase of the diameter of the tube lumen decreases the airway resistance and subsequently, the work of breathing (WOB). We compared ventilation mechanics using a new, cone‐shaped endotracheal tube of our design to the Cole and standard tubes.

Methods

The study has been divided into three parts: (i) preliminary laboratory tests, (ii) in vitro study with infant lung model, and (iii) clinical study in infants. Flow resistance and WOB were compared, using standard, Cole (in experimental phase only) and cone tubes.

Results

We proved that inspiratory (Ri) and expiratory (Re) resistance, and WOB, were significantly lower in patients ventilated via a cone tube. Mean Ri decreased by 37%, compared with the baseline values, Re – by 35%, and total WOB – by 12%.

Conclusion

The cone tube offers lower resistance to gas flow than the standard, used nowadays in clinical practice. It can be especially beneficial to spontaneously breathing patients reducing WOB and improving gas exchange.
A randomized study of surgical site infiltration with bupivacaine or ketamine for pain relief in children following cleft palate repair
Authors: Jha Ajay Kumar , Bhardwaj Neerja , Yaddanapudi Sandhya , Sharma Ramesh Kumar , Mahajan Jai Kumar
Published: March 2013

Background

Wound infiltration with ketamine reduces postoperative pain after tonsillectomy by NMDA receptor blockade and local anesthetic effect.

Objectives

To evaluate the postoperative analgesia after surgical site infiltration with bupivacaine or ketamine in children undergoing cleft palate surgery.

Materials and methods

After institutional ethics committee approval and parental consent, 50 ASA‐1 children of age 1–6 years undergoing palatoplasty were included in this prospective randomized double‐blind study. A standardized technique of general anesthesia was used. The surgical site was infiltrated with either 2 mg·kg−1 of bupivacaine (Group B) or 0.5 mg·kg−1 of ketamine (Group K). Pain (Children Hospital Eastern Ontario Pain Score), sedation, dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, and sleep pattern were assessed postoperatively up to 24 h.

Results

CHEOPS scores were similar in both the groups up to 12 h but were lower with ketamine compared with bupivacaine at 24 h postoperatively (P = 0.01). Fewer children required rescue analgesics in Group K (28%) than in Group B (64%; P < 0.01). The time to first rescue analgesic and the amount of analgesics used in 24 h were similar in the two groups. Fewer children suffered from dysphagia in Group K (52%) than in Group B (88%; P < 0.01). More children in Group B had disturbed sleep than in Group K at 6 (88% vs 56%; P = 0.012) and 12 h (60% vs 24%; P = 0.01) postoperatively. None of the children had deep sedation, desaturation or respiratory depression.

Conclusion

Surgical site infiltration with either bupivacaine or ketamine provides adequate analgesia and is devoid of major side effects. Ketamine is superior to bupivacaine in terms of requirement of rescue analgesic, peaceful sleep pattern and early resumption of feeding.
Laboratory detection of strongyloidiasis: IgG‐, IgG4‐ and IgE‐ELISAs and cross‐reactivity with lymphatic filariasis
Authors: Norsyahida A. , Riazi M. , Sadjjadi S. M. , Muhammad Hafiznur Y. , Low H. C. , Zeehaida M. , Noordin R.
Published: March 2013

Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were developed for the detection of IgG, IgG4 and IgE antibodies against Strongyloides stercoralis. A commercial ELISA (IVD Research, USA) was also used, and the sensitivities and specificities of the four assays were determined. Serum samples from 26 patients with S. stercoralis infection and 55 patients with other infections or no infection were analysed. Sensitivities of the IgG4, IgG, IgE and IgG (IVD) assays were 76·9%, 84·6%, 7·7% and 84·6%, respectively, while the specificities were 92·7%, 81·8%, 100% and 83·6%, respectively. If filariasis samples were excluded, the specificities of the IgG4‐ELISA and both IgG‐ELISAs increased to 100% and 98%, respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between IgG‐ and IgG4‐ELISAs (r = 0·4828; P = 0·0125). IgG‐ and IgG‐ (IVD) ELISAs (r = 0·309) were positively correlated, but was not significant (P = 0·124). Meanwhile there was no correlation between IgG4‐ and IgG‐ (IVD) ELISAs (r = 0·0042; P = 0·8294). Sera from brugian filariasis patients showed weak, positive correlation between the titres of antifilarial IgG4 and the optical densities of anti‐Strongyloides IgG4‐ELISA (r = 0·4544, P = 0·0294). In conclusion, the detection of both anti‐Strongyloides IgG4 and IgG antibodies could improve the serodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. Furthermore, patients from lymphatic filariasis endemic areas who are serologically diagnosed with strongyloidiasis should also be tested for filariasis.
Infection of mungbean seed by Macrophomina phaseolina is more likely to result from localized pod infection than from systemic plant infection
Authors: Fuhlbohm M. J. , Ryley M. J. , Aitken E. A. B.
Published: March 2013

The ubiquitous fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina is best known as causing charcoal rot and premature death when host plants are subject to post‐flowering stress. Overseas reports of M. phaseolina causing a rapid rot during the sprouting of Australian mungbean seed resulted in an investigation of the possible modes of infection of seed. Isolations from serial portions of 10 mungbean plants naturally infected with the pathogen revealed that on most plants there were discrete portions of infected tissue separated by apparently healthy tissue. The results from these studies, together with molecular analysis of isolates collected from infected tissue on two of the plants, suggested that aerial infection of aboveground parts by different isolates is common. Inoculations of roots and aboveground parts of mungbean plants at nine temperature × soil moisture incubation combinations and of detached green pods strongly supported the concept that seed infection results from infection of pods by microsclerotia, rather than from hyphae growing systemically through the plant after root or stem infection. This proposal is reinforced by anecdotal evidence that high levels of seed infection are common when rainfall occurs during pod fill, and by the isolation of M. phaseolina from soil peds collected on pods of mungbean plants in the field. However, other experiments showed that when inoculum was placed within 130 mm of a green developing pod and a herbicide containing paraquat and diquat was sprayed on the inoculated plants, M. phaseolina was capable of some systemic growth from vegetative tissue into the pods and seeds.
Imagining the truth and the moon: An electrophysiological study of abstract and concrete word processing
Authors: Gullick Margaret M. , Mitra Priya , Coch Donna
Published: March 2013

Previous event‐related potential studies have indicated that both a widespread N400 and an anterior N700 index differential processing of concrete and abstract words, but the nature of these components in relation to concreteness and imagery has been unclear. Here, we separated the effects of word concreteness and task demands on the N400 and N700 in a single word processing paradigm with a within‐subjects, between‐tasks design and carefully controlled word stimuli. The N400 was larger to concrete words than to abstract words, and larger in the visualization task condition than in the surface task condition, with no interaction. A marked anterior N700 was elicited only by concrete words in the visualization task condition, suggesting that this component indexes imagery. These findings are consistent with a revised or extended dual coding theory according to which concrete words benefit from greater activation in both verbal and imagistic systems.
“Passing” as (Non)Ethnic: The Israeli Version of Acting White
Authors: Sasson‐Levy Orna , Shoshana Avi
Published: March 2013

This article offers a cultural analysis of the practice of “acting white” in a society where the distinction between black and white is vague and primarily symbolic and where the hegemonic discourse denies the existence of ethnic inequality and encourages ethnic integration. In the Israeli context, acting white or passing (in Hebrew, hishtaknezut or “Ashkenazification”) refers to mimicking the habitus of the dominant (European) ethnic group. Based on qualitative research, we argue that hishtaknezut is the cultural script offered by Israeli society in response to both the national discourse of the “ingathering of the exiles” and the neoliberal demand for identities devoid of ethnic markers as a precondition for economic mobility. However, the concept of hishtaknezut functions as a shaming interpellation highlighting both the act of mimicry and its inherent failure. Passing as “white” in Israel entails a twofold sense of shame, over both one's ethnic origin and the concealment of that origin by mimicking another group. This practice carries with it an individual, apolitical stigma that reaffirms the neoliberal, non‐ethnic perception of Israeli society. The prevalence of Ashkenazification, along with its signification of imperfection, attests to the perpetuation of the ethnic order in Israel, which relies on an Orientalist discourse that distinguishes between “worthy” social positions and “unworthy” ones from which one must escape to achieve social privileges.
Creating optimal code for GPU‐accelerated CT reconstruction using ant colony optimization
Authors: Papenhausen Eric , Zheng Ziyi , Mueller Klaus
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

CT reconstruction algorithms implemented on the GPU are highly sensitive to their implementation details and the hardware they run on. Fine‐tuning an implementation for optimal performance can be a time consuming task and require many updates when the hardware changes. There are some techniques that do automatic fine‐tuning of GPU code. These techniques, however, are relatively narrow in their fine‐tuning and are often based on heuristics which can be inaccurate. The goal of this paper is to present a framework that will automate the process of code optimization with maximum flexibility and produce a final result that is efficient and readable to the user.

Methods:

The authors propose a method that is able to tune high level implementation details by using the ant colony optimization algorithm to find the optimal implementation in a relatively short amount of time. Our framework does this by taking as input, a file that describes a graph, such that a path through this graph represents a potential implementation. They then use the ant colony optimization algorithm to find the optimal path through this graph based on the execution time and the quality of the image.

Results:

Two experimental studies are carried out. Using the presented framework, they optimize the performance of a GPU accelerated FDK backprojection implementation and a GPU accelerated separable footprint backprojection implementation. The authors demonstrate that the resulting optimal implementation can be different depending on the hardware specifications. They then compare the results of the framework produced with the results produced by manual optimization.

Conclusions:

The framework they present is a useful tool for increasing programmer productivity and reducing the overhead of leveraging hardware specific resources. By performing an intelligent search, our framework produces a more efficient image reconstruction implementation in a shorter amount of time.
Patchwork reconstruction with resolution modeling for digital breast tomosynthesis
Authors: Michielsen Koen , Van Slambrouck Katrien , Jerebko Anna , Nuyts Johan
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

Digital breast tomosynthesis is a relatively new diagnostic x‐ray modality that allows high resolution breast imaging while suppressing interference from overlapping anatomical structures. However, proper visualization of microcalcifications remains a challenge. For the subset of systems considered by the authors, the main cause of deterioration is movement of the x‐ray source during exposures. They propose a modified grouped coordinate ascent algorithm that includes a specific acquisition model to compensate for this deterioration.

Methods:

A resolution model based on the movement of the x‐ray source during image acquisition is created and combined with a grouped coordinate ascent algorithm. Choosing planes parallel to the detector surface as the groups enables efficient implementation of the position dependent resolution model. In the current implementation, the resolution model is approximated by a Gaussian smoothing kernel. The effect of the resolution model on the iterative reconstruction is evaluated by measuring contrast to noise ratio (CNR) of spherical microcalcifications in a homogeneous background. After this, the new reconstruction method is compared to the optimized filtered backprojection method for the considered system, by performing two observer studies: the first study simulates clusters of spherical microcalcifications in a power law background for a free search task; the second study simu‐lates smooth or irregular microcalcifications in the same type of backgrounds for a classification task.

Results:

Including the resolution model in the iterative reconstruction methods increases the CNR of microcalcifications. The first observer study shows a significant improvement in detection of microcalcifications (p = 0.029), while the second study shows that performance on a classification task remains the same (p = 0.935) compared to the filtered backprojection method.

Conclusions:

The new method shows higher CNR and improved visualization of microcalcifications in an observer experiment on synthetic data. Further study of the negative results of the classification task showed performance variations throughout the volume linked to the changing noise structure introduced by the combination of the resolution model and the smoothing prior.
Temporal resolution and motion artifacts in single‐source and dual‐source cardiac CT
Authors: Schöndube Harald , Allmendinger Thomas , Stierstorfer Karl , Bruder Herbert , Flohr Thomas
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

The temporal resolution of a given image in cardiac computed tomography (CT) has so far mostly been determined from the amount of CT data employed for the reconstruction of that image. The purpose of this paper is to examine the applicability of such measures to the newly introduced modality of dual‐source CT as well as to methods aiming to provide improved temporal resolution by means of an advanced image reconstruction algorithm.

Methods:

To provide a solid base for the examinations described in this paper, an extensive review of temporal resolution in conventional single‐source CT is given first. Two different measures for assessing temporal resolution with respect to the amount of data involved are introduced, namely, either taking the full width at half maximum of the respective data weighting function (FWHM‐TR) or the total width of the weighting function (total TR) as a base of the assessment. Image reconstruction using both a direct fan‐beam filtered backprojection with Parker weighting as well as using a parallel‐beam rebinning step are considered. The theory of assessing temporal resolution by means of the data involved is then extended to dual‐source CT. Finally, three different advanced iterative reconstruction methods that all use the same input data are compared with respect to the resulting motion artifact level. For brevity and simplicity, the examinations are limited to two‐dimensional data acquisition and reconstruction. However, all results and conclusions presented in this paper are also directly applicable to both circular and helical cone‐beam CT.

Results:

While the concept of total TR can directly be applied to dual‐source CT, the definition of the FWHM of a weighting function needs to be slightly extended to be applicable to this modality. The three different advanced iterative reconstruction methods examined in this paper result in significantly different images with respect to their motion artifact level, despite exactly the same amount of data being used in the reconstruction process.

Conclusions:

The concept of assessing temporal resolution by means of the data employed for reconstruction can nicely be extended from single‐source to dual‐source CT. However, for advanced (possibly nonlinear iterative) reconstruction algorithms the examined approach fails to deliver accurate results. New methods and measures to assess the temporal resolution of CT images need to be developed to be able to accurately compare the performance of such algorithms.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Rhizopus chinensis
CCTCCM201021, Used for Brewing Traditional Chinese Alcoholic Beverages
Authors: Wang Dong , Wu Rong , Xu Yan , Li Ming
Published: March 2013

The filamentous fungus genus
Rhizopus
has traditionally been used for brewing alcoholic beverages and fermented foods in China. The 45,666,236-bp draft genome sequence of
R. chinensis
CCTCCM201021, isolated from the leaven Daqu, was determined, annotated, and analyzed. Analysis of the sequence might provide insight into the properties of this fungus and lead to its further development for industrial applications.
Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Bacteriophage phiJLA23 Isolated in Mexico
Authors: Amarillas Luis , Chaidez Cristobal , Lugo Yadira , León-Félix Josefina
Published: March 2013

The bacteriophage phiJLA23 was isolated from an animal feces sample and lytic activity was demonstrated against the
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 strain. We report the complete nucleotide sequence of bacteriophage phiJLA23, information which may be useful for determining whether this phage is a candidate for biocontrol or another biotechnological application.
Whole-Genome Sequencing and Comparative Analysis of Yersinia pestis, the Causative Agent of a Plague Outbreak in Northern Peru
Authors: Cáceres O. , Montenegro J. , Padilla C. , Tarazona D. , Bailón H. , García P. , Céspedes M. , Valencia P. , Guio H.
Published: March 2013

The plague is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium
Yersinia pestis
. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the
Y. pestis
strain INS, which was isolated from swollen lymph gland aspirate (bubo aspirate) of an infected patient from a pneumonic outbreak in 2010 in northern Peru.
Influenza Viruses with Rearranged Genomes as Live-Attenuated Vaccines
Authors: Pena Lindomar , Sutton Troy , Chockalingam Ashok , Kumar Sachin , Angel Matthew , Shao Hongxia , Chen Hongjun , Li Weizhong , Perez Daniel R.
Published: March 2013

H5N1 and H9N2 avian influenza virus subtypes top the World Health Organization's list for the greatest pandemic potential. Inactivated H5N1 vaccines induce limited immune responses and, in the case of live-attenuated influenza virus vaccines (LAIV), there are safety concerns regarding the possibility of reassortment between the H5 gene segment and circulating influenza viruses. In order to overcome these drawbacks, we rearranged the genome of an avian H9N2 influenza virus and expressed the entire H5 hemagglutinin open reading frame (ORF) from the segment 8 viral RNA. These vectors had reduced polymerase activities as well as viral replication
in vitro
and excellent safety profiles
in vivo
. Immunization with the dual H9-H5 influenza virus resulted in protection against lethal H5N1 challenge in mice and ferrets, and also against a potentially pandemic H9 virus. Our studies demonstrate that rearranging the influenza virus genome has great potential for the development of improved vaccines against influenza virus as well as other pathogens.
Mother-Offspring Transmission and Age-Dependent Accumulation of Simian Foamy Virus in Wild Chimpanzees
Authors: Blasse Anja , Calvignac-Spencer Sébastien , Merkel Kevin , Goffe Adeelia S. , Boesch Christophe , Mundry Roger , Leendertz Fabian H.
Published: March 2013

Simian foamy viruses (SFVs) are thought to infect virtually any adult nonhuman primate (NHP). While many data have accumulated about patterns of codivergence with their hosts and cross-species transmission events, little is known about the modalities of SFV transmission within NHP species, especially in the wild. Here we provide a detailed investigation of the dynamics of SFV circulation in a wild community of Western chimpanzees (
Pan troglodytes verus
). We demonstrate that mother-offspring (vertical) SFV transmission is common and hypothesize that it accounts for a number of primary infections. We also show that multiple infections with several chimpanzee-specific SFV strains (i.e., superinfection) commonly happen in adult chimpanzees, which might point to adult-specific aggressive behaviors as a lifelong source of SFV infection. Our data give evidence for complex SFV dynamics in wild chimpanzees, even at a single community scale, and show that linking wild NHP social interactions and their microorganisms' dynamics is feasible.
Human Cytomegalovirus pp71 Stimulates Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Presentation of IE1-Derived Peptides at Immediate Early Times of Infection
Authors: Hesse Julia , Reyda Sabine , Tenzer Stefan , Besold Katrin , Reuter Nina , Krauter Steffi , Büscher Nicole , Stamminger Thomas , Plachter Bodo
Published: March 2013

Suppression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-mediated presentation of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) peptides is an important mechanism to avoid CD8 T lymphocyte recognition and killing of infected cells. Of particular interest is how MHC class I presentation of essential regulatory immediate early (IE) proteins of HCMV can be effectively compromised at times when known viral immunoevasins are not abundantly expressed. The tegument protein pp71 had been suggested to be involved in MHC class I downregulation. Intriguingly, this polypeptide is also critically engaged in the initial derepression of the major IE gene locus, leading to enhanced expression of IE proteins IE1-pp72 and IE2-pp86. Using a set of viral mutants, we addressed the role of pp71 in MHC class I presentation of IE1-pp72-derived peptides. We show that the amount of “incoming” pp71 positively correlates with IE1-pp72 protein levels and with the presentation of IE1-derived peptides. This indicates that the amount of the IE1 protein, induced by pp71, rather than a putative immunoevasive function of the tegument protein, determines MHC class I antigen presentation of IE1-derived peptides. This process proved to be independent of the presence of pp65, which had been reported to interfere with IE1 presentation. It may thus be beneficial for the success of HCMV replication to limit the level of pp71 delivered from infecting particles in order to avoid critical levels of MHC class I presentation of IE protein-derived peptides.
ENTROPY FOR INTUITIONISTIC FUZZY SETS BASED ON DISTANCE AND INTUITIONISTIC INDEX
Authors: ZHANG HUIMIN
Published: March 2013

Many researchers have put forward lots of entropy and distance measures for intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs). This paper firstly reviews some basic concepts for IFSs and several widely used distance measures between IFSs. And then a series of distance measures are presented on the basis of above widely used distance measures. Based on such distance measures and intuitionistic index, a set of entropies for IFSs are proposed and proved to meet the axiomatic requirements given by Szmidt and Kacprzyk in 2001. Besides, two numerical examples are demonstrated to verify the efficiency of the proposed entropies for IFSs. Finally, the paper concludes with suggestions for future research.
THREE POINT FUNCTION OF GKP STRING FROM INTEGRABILITY
Authors: KOMATSU SHOTA
Published: March 2013

We develop a general method based on the integrability for computing the holographic three point functions for the large spin limit of Gubser-Klebanov-Polyakov (GKP) strings, which correspond to twist-2 operators in [Formula: see text] super Yang-Mills.
F-THEORY FLUXES, CHIRALITY AND CHERN-SIMONS THEORIES
Authors: HAYASHI HIROTAKA
Published: March 2013

We have established a relation between the four-dimensional chiral index in F-theory compactifications and the three-dimensional Chern-Simons coupling in M-theory compactifications by using F-theory - M-theory duality. The content of this article is based on our recent paper,1 which is in collaboration with Thomas W. Grimm.
Ritodrine Should Be Carefully Administered during Antenatal Glucocorticoid Therapy Even in Nondiabetic Pregnancies
Authors: Ogawa Masaki , Matsuda Yoshio , Kobayashi Aiko , Shimada Etsuko , Akizawa Yoshika , Mitani Minoru , Makino Yasuo , Matsui Hideo
Published: March 2013

Aim. Antenatal glucocorticoid therapy (AGT) has been commonly used recently. However, this therapy has severe harmful effects such as maternal hyperglycemia. In Japan, ritodrine hydrochloride has been used as a tocolytic agent. In this study, we performed retrospective casecontrol study to clarify whether concomitant use of ritodrine and glucocorticoid was safe to pregnant women without diabetes mellitus.Methods. We reviewed the computerized records of pregnant women with pregestational diabetes and nondiabetes who gave birth at our hospital between 2002 and 2011. Cases and controls received AGT. Blood glucose after the therapy was analyzed, and additional volume of insulin was compared to that before the therapy.Results. From this study, 30 units of insulin were necessary when performing AGT in diabetic pregnant women. And also, an increase in blood glucose of 40 mg/dL was seen after the therapy even in nondiabetic pregnant women. Blood glucose increased significantly in the group that also received ritodrine, and it was shown that the number of pregnant women who might develop ketoacidosis might increase 11-fold.Conclusions. Ritodrine should be carefully administered during antenatal glucocorticoid therapy. It may be necessary to adequately monitor blood glucose, when performing the therapy, even in nondiabetic pregnant women.
Assessment in and of Serious Games: An Overview
Authors: Bellotti Francesco , Kapralos Bill , Lee Kiju , Moreno-Ger Pablo , Berta Riccardo
Published: March 2013

There is a consensus that serious games have a significant potential as a tool for instruction. However, their effectiveness in terms of learning outcomes is still understudied mainly due to the complexity involved in assessing intangible measures. A systematic approach—based on established principles and guidelines—is necessary to enhance the design of serious games, and many studies lack a rigorous assessment. An important aspect in the evaluation of serious games, like other educational tools, is user performance assessment. This is an important area of exploration because serious games are intended to evaluate the learning progress as well as the outcomes. This also emphasizes the importance of providing appropriate feedback to the player. Moreover, performance assessment enables adaptivity and personalization to meet individual needs in various aspects, such as learning styles, information provision rates, feedback, and so forth. This paper first reviews related literature regarding the educational effectiveness of serious games. It then discusses how to assess the learning impact of serious games and methods for competence and skill assessment. Finally, it suggests two major directions for future research: characterization of the player’s activity and better integration of assessment in games.
Existence and Iterative Algorithms of Positive Solutions for a Higher Order Nonlinear Neutral Delay Differential Equation
Authors: Liu Zeqing , Guan Ling , Lee Sunhong , Kang Shin Min
Published: March 2013

This paper is concerned with the higher order nonlinear neutral delay differential equation[a(t)(x(t)+b(t)x(t-τ))(m)](n-m)+[h(t,x(h1(t)),…,x(hl(t)))](i)+f(t,x(f1(t)),…,x(fl(t)))=g(t),for allt≥t0. Using the Banach fixed point theorem, we establish the existence results of uncountably many positive solutions for the equation, construct Mann iterative sequences for approximating these positive solutions, and discuss error estimates between the approximate solutions and the positive solutions. Nine examples are included to dwell upon the importance and advantages of our results.
Rapid Green Synthetic Protocol for Novel Trimetallic Nanoparticles
Authors: Karthikeyan B. , Loganathan B.
Published: March 2013

Metallic nanocomposites and nanotubes can be rapidly prepared under microwave irradiation (MW) from an aqueous solution of metallic precursors in the presence of trisodium citrate as a reductant. For the nanotubes nanoparticles are stabilized by poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP), a protecting agent. PVP is a typical capping and structure-directing agent used for the synthesis of various metallic nanostructures. In this work, we have demonstrated for the first time an MW irradiation approach for the synthesis of trimetallic nanocomposites and nanotubes. The resulting nanohybrids were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis (EDX), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) techniques.
High-Density Fiber Optical Sensor and Instrumentation for Gas Turbine Operation Condition Monitoring
Authors: Xia Hua , Byrd Doug , Dekate Sachin , Lee Boon
Published: March 2013

Gas turbine operation control is normally based on thermocouple-measured exhaust temperatures. Due to radiation shielding and bulky package, it is difficult to provide high spatial resolution for measuring can-to-can combustion temperature profile at the exhaust duct. This paper has demonstrated that wavelength-division-multiplexing-based fiber Bragg grating sensors could provide high spatial resolution steady and dynamic temperature measurements. A robust sensor package can be designed with either circumferential sensing cable or radial sensing rake for quasi-distributing multiple fiber sensors in the gas turbine environment. The field validations have demonstrated that quasi-distributed fiber sensors have not only demonstrated its temperature measurement accuracy compared to existing thermocouple sensors but also shown its unique dynamic response amplitude and power spectra that could be utilized for gas turbine transient operation condition monitoring and diagnostics.
The Current State of Diagnosis and Treatment for Early Gastric Cancer
Authors: Yada Tomoyuki , Yokoi Chizu , Uemura Naomi
Published: March 2013

The prognosis for gastric cancer depends on its stage; so, detection in the early stage of disease is important, when complete and curative removal is possible. Accurate diagnosis can be facilitated by a sound understanding of the basic findings of white light endoscopy of early gastric cancer, and diagnosis can be refined further by the combined use of other imaging modalities such as image-enhanced endoscopy including chromoendoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography. Minimally invasive endoscopic treatment has come to be the preferred therapeutic approach for early gastric cancer. In addition to conventional endoscopic mucosal resection, a new technique known as endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has spread rapidly worldwide. Indeed, strategies for ESD have been established, devices developed, its indications expanded, and its safety and long-term results extensively reported. Some unique combination therapies involving endoscopy and surgical treatment have also been reported. It is anticipated that the number of patients undergoing endoscopic therapy will continue to increase, and the ongoing developments in endoscopic treatment are expected not only to improve gastric cancer prognosis but also to maintain good quality of life after treatment.
Bufalin Reverses HGF-Induced Resistance to EGFR-TKIs in EGFR Mutant Lung Cancer Cells via Blockage of Met/PI3k/Akt Pathway and Induction of Apoptosis
Authors: Kang Xiao-Hong , Xu Zhen-Ye , Gong Ya-Bin , Wang Li-fang , Wang Zhong-Qi , Xu Ling , Cao Fei , Liao Ming-juan
Published: March 2013

The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), such as gefitinib and erlotinib, have shown promising therapeutic efficacy in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring epidermal growth factor receptor- (EGFR-) activating mutation. However, the inevitable recurrence resulting from acquired resistance has limited the clinical improvement in therapy outcomes. Many studies demonstrate that hepatocyte growth factor- (HGF-) Met axis plays an important role in tumor progression and drug sensitivity. HGF may induce resistance to EGFR-TKIs in EGFR mutant lung cancer cells by Met/PI3K/Akt signaling. The purpose of this study was to determine whether bufalin, a major bioactive component of Venenum Bufonis, could reverse HGF-induced resistance to reversible and irreversible EGFR-TKIs in mutant lung cancer cells PC-9, HCC827, and H1975. Our studies showed that bufalin could reverse resistance to reversible and irreversible EGFR-TKIs induced by exogenous HGF in EGFR mutant lung cancer cells by inhibiting the Met/PI3K/Akt pathway and inducing death signaling. These results suggested that bufalin might have a potential to overcome HGF-induced resistance to molecular-targeted drugs for lung cancer.
Mixed Capillary Venous Retroperitoneal Hemangioma
Authors: Godar Mohit , Yuan Qinghai , Shakya Rukeshman , Xia Yang , Zhang Pengguo
Published: March 2013

We report a case of mixed capillary venous hemangioma of the retroperitoneum in a 61-year-old man. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a mass to be hypoechoic with increased flow in color Doppler imaging. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a centripetal filling-in of the mass, located anterior to the left psoas muscle at the level of sacroiliac joint. On the basis of imaging features, preoperative diagnosis of hemangioma was considered and the mass was excised by laparoscopic method. Immunohistochemical studies were strongly positive for CD31 and CD34, and negative for calretinin, EMA, WT1, HMB45, Ki67, synaptophysin, and lymphatic endothelial cell marker D2–40. Histologically, the neoplasm was diagnosed as mixed capillary venous hemangioma.