bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internet Informs Parents about Growth Hormone
Authors: Cousounis Pamela , Lipman Terri H. , Ginsburg Kenneth R. , Grimberg Adda
Published: August 2013

Background: Parents' knowledge influences decisions regarding medical care for their children. Methods: Parents of pediatric primary care patients aged 9-14 years, irrespective of height, participated in open focus groups (OFGs). Moderators asked the question, ‘How do people find out about growth hormone (GH)?' Because many parents cited the Internet, the top 10 results from the Google searches of ‘growth hormone children' and ‘parents of children who take growth hormone' were examined. Three investigators independently performed content analysis and then reached a consensus. The results were tabulated via summary statistics. Results: Eighteen websites were reviewed, most with the purpose of education (56%) and many funded by commercial sources (44%). GH treatment information varied, with 33% of the sites containing content only about US FDA-approved indications. Fifty-six percent of the sites included information about psychosocial benefits from treatment, with 44% acknowledging them as controversial. Although important to OFG participants, risks and costs were each omitted from 39% of the websites. Conclusion: Parents often turn to the Internet for GH-related information for their children, although its content may be incomplete and/or biased. Clinicians may want to provide parents with tools for critically evaluating Internet-based information, a list of prereviewed websites, or their own educational materials.
Disease Activity Only Moderately Correlates with Quality of Life Impairment in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
Authors: Koti I. , Weller K. , Makris M. , Tiligada E. , Psaltopoulou T. , Papageorgiou C. , Baiardini I. , Panagiotakos D. , Braido F. , Maurer M.
Published: August 2013

Background: The impact of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is widely held to be mainly influenced by disease activity and comorbidities. Objective: To assess the correlation between disease activity and HRQoL impairment by using validated disease-specific instruments. Methods: The Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q2oL) was translated into Greek and subsequently applied to 110 CSU patients along with the Dermatology Life Quality Index and the Urticaria Activity Score. After the validity and reliability of the Greek CU-Q2oL had been determined, we assessed the relation between disease activity and HRQoL impairment by computing correlations as well as by performing multiple regression analysis. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a six-scale structure of the Greek CU-Q2oL that explained 67.9% of its total variance. The internal consistency was satisfactory with Cronbach's α >0.7. Disease activity was the only predictor of quality of life impairment, but it only moderately correlated with the CU-Q2oL total score (r = 0.40, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our results suggest that there are additional factors to disease activity that are responsible for the pronounced reduction of HRQoL in CSU, and this supports the recommendation to assess and monitor both disease activity and quality of life in CSU patients.
Papillary Renal Cell Cancer Is Strongly Associated with Simple Renal Cysts
Authors: Visapää Harri , Glücker Esko , Haukka Jari , Taari Kimmo , Nisen Harry
Published: August 2013

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of simple renal cysts (SRCs) in patients with renal neoplasia. Patients and Methods: The study population consisted of 482 patients who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy for kidney tumour between 2006 and 2010. Prevalence of cysts was evaluated retrospectively on a preoperative CT or MRI scan. Results: SRCs are more prevalent in patients with papillary renal cell cancer (RCC) than patients with clear cell RCC. All obese (BMI ≥30) patients in our study population had SRCs. Conclusions: This is the first study to show an association between SRCs and papillary RCC.
Association between Diagonal Earlobe Crease and Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index in Asymptomatic Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Korkmaz Levent , Ağaç Mustafa Tarık , Erkan Hakan , Acar Zeydin , Gurbak Ismail , Bektas Huseyin , Kurt Devrim , Çelik Şükrü
Published: August 2013

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between earlobe crease (ELC) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in asymptomatic hypertensive subjects. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 subjects with ELC and 75 age- and gender-matched patients without ELC were prospectively selected from subjects admitted to the Outpatient Cardiology Clinic. ELC was assigned to a person with a crease stretching obliquely from the outer ear canal towards the border of the earlobe of at least one ear. CAVI was assessed by a VaSera VS-1000 instrument. Results: There were statistically significant higher CAVI values in ELC subjects (9.8 ± 2.1 vs. 8.6 ± 1.6, p < 0.001). There was a significant and positive association between CAVI and age (r = 0.42, p < 0.001), ELC (r = 0.31, p < 0.001), BMI (0.20, p < 0.001) and male gender (r = 0.21, p = 0.04). Linear regression analysis demonstrated ELC (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.61-1.74, p = 0.009), age (95% CI 0.03-0.09, p < 0.001) and male gender (95% CI 0.48-1.55, p = 0.03) as independent determinants of CAVI. Also, there was a higher prevalence of ELC in subjects with subclinical atherosclerosis (CAVI ≥9) than in normal subjects (CAVI <9). Conclusion: Patients with ELC had higher CAVI than normal subjects. This observation of ELC is simple, adds no cost and can be easily made by most physicians, and it may provide important predictive information of arterial stiffness and subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic hypertensive subjects.
The Effect of SV 293, a D2 Dopamine Receptor-Selective Antagonist, on D2 Receptor-Mediated GIRK Channel Activation and Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibition
Authors: Huang Renqi , Griffin Suzy A. , Taylor Michelle , Vangveravong Suwanna , Mach Robert H. , Dillon Glenn H. , Luedtke Robert R.
Published: August 2013

SV 293 [1-([5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl]methyl)-4-(4-[methylthio]​phenyl)piperidin-4-ol] binds with 100-fold higher affinity to human D2 receptors compared to the human D3 and D4 dopamine receptor subtypes. We investigated the intrinsic efficacy of this compound at the D2 dopamine receptor subtype using both: (1) a forskolin-dependent adenylyl cyclase inhibition assay and (2) an electrophysiological assay for evaluating coupling to G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels. In both assays SV 293 was found to be a neutral antagonist capable of blocking the effects of the full D2-like receptor agonist quinpirole. Based upon these results we propose that SV 293 is a useful pharmacological tool that can be used for both in vitro and in vivo studies to investigate the role of D2-like dopamine receptor subtypes in neurological, neuropsychiatric and movement disorders where dopaminergic pathways have been implicated.
Cognitive Reserve: Implications for Assessment and Intervention
Authors: Stern Yaakov
Published: August 2013

The concept of reserve is used to explain the observation that some individuals function better than others in the presence of brain pathology. This article reviews the concept of reserve from its theoretical basis to the implication of reserve for clinical practice. A distinction between brain reserve, referring to individual differences in the anatomic substrate, and cognitive reserve, referring to differences in the flexibility or adaptivity of cognitive networks, is useful. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that a set of life exposures including higher educational and occupational attainment, and engaging in leisure activities is associated with a lower risk of incident dementia, suggesting that these life exposures may enhance cognitive reserve. This provides a basis for controlled clinical studies that can test specific exposures that may enhance reserve. The concept of cognitive reserve also has important implications for clinical practice in terms of diagnosis and prognosis.
Signet-Ring Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising on the Back of the Finger
Authors: Nakajima Koji , Kaneko Takahide , Aizu Takayuki , Nakano Hajime , Matsuzaki Yasushi , Sawamura Daisuke
Published: August 2013

A variety of pathologic variants of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been reported, and the signet-ring variant of cutaneous SCC is extremely uncommon. We reported an 83-year-old man with signet-ring SCC arising on the back of the finger. As far as we know, only 4 cases have been described in detail, and one dermatopathologic report focused on the presence of signet-ring cells briefly described in clinical data of 6 cases. Interestingly, in these reports, the skin lesions of 10 cases occurred exclusively in the head and neck area. This case involved a skin lesion on the back of the finger and is thus the first reported case of signet-cell cutaneous SCC that did not arise in the head and neck area. The location of this lesion, together with the histological findings compatible with actinic keratosis, support the hypothesis that the development of signet-ring SCC is related to ultraviolet light-induced damage.
Total Reconstruction of the Afferent Loop for Treatment of Radiation-Induced Afferent Loop Obstruction with Segmental Involvement after Pancreaticoduodenectomy with Roux-en-Y Reconstruction
Authors: Blouhos Konstantinos , Boulas Konstantinos A. , Salpigktidis Ilias I. , Konstantinidou Anna , Ioannidis Konstantinos , Hatzigeorgiadis Anestis
Published: August 2013

As the literature on afferent loop obstruction (ALO) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is very limited, standardized rules for its management do not exist. Herein, we report the case of a 65-year-old male patient with chronic ALO who had undergone PD with single Roux-en-Y limb reconstruction and adjuvant chemoradiation therapy for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma 2 years earlier. The patient was brought to the operating room with the diagnosis of radiation enteritis of the afferent loop with segmental involvement and concurrent hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) and pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) stricture. Complete mobilization of the afferent loop, removal of the affected segment and reconstruction were performed. Reconstruction of the afferent loop was a one-way option for the surgeons because the Roux-en-Y reconstruction limited endoscopic access to the afferent loop, and the segmental radiation injury of the afferent loop ruled out bypass surgery. However, mobilization of the affected segment through a field of dense adhesions and revision of the HJ and PJ were technically demanding.
Right Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Young Adults Born Preterm
Authors: Lewandowski Adam J. , Bradlow William M. , Augustine Daniel , Davis Esther F. , Francis Jane , Singhal Atul , Lucas Alan , Neubauer Stefan , McCormick Kenny , Leeson Paul
Published: August 2013

Background—

Young adults born preterm have distinct differences in left ventricular mass, function, and geometry. Animal studies suggest that cardiomyocyte changes are evident in both ventricles after preterm birth; therefore, we investigated whether these young adults also have differences in their right ventricular structure and function.

Methods and Results—

We studied 102 preterm-born young adults followed up prospectively since birth and 132 term-born control subjects born to uncomplicated pregnancies. We quantified right ventricular structure and function by cardiovascular magnetic resonance on a 1.5-T Siemens scanner using Argus and TomTec postprocessing software. Preterm birth was associated with a small right ventricle (end diastolic volume, 79.8±13.2 versus 88.5±11.8 mL/m
2
;
P
<0.001) but greater right ventricular mass (24.5±3.5 versus 20.4±3.4 g/m
2
;
P
<0.001) compared with term-born controls, with the severity of differences proportional to gestational age (
r
=−0.47,
P
<0.001). Differences in right ventricular mass and function were proportionally greater than previously reported for the left ventricle. This was most apparent for systolic function; young adults born preterm had significantly lower right ventricular ejection fraction (57±8% versus 60±5%;
P
=0.006). Indeed, 21% had values below the lower limit observed in the term-born adults and 6% had mild systolic dysfunction (<45%). Postnatal ventilation accounted for some of the variation in mass but not function.

Conclusions—

Preterm birth is associated with global myocardial structural and functional differences in adult life, including smaller right ventricular size and greater mass. The changes are greater in the right ventricle than previously observed in the left ventricle, with potentially clinically significant impairment in right ventricular systolic function.
Resting-state Modulation of Alpha Rhythms by Interference with Angular Gyrus Activity
Authors: Capotosto Paolo , Babiloni Claudio , Romani Gian Luca , Corbetta Maurizio
Published: August 2013

The default mode network is active during restful wakefulness and suppressed during goal-driven behavior. We hypothesize that inhibitory interference with spontaneous ongoing, that is, not task-driven, activity in the angular gyrus (AG), one of the core regions of the default mode network, will enhance the dominant idling EEG alpha rhythms observed in the resting state. Fifteen right-handed healthy adult volunteers underwent to this study. Compared with sham stimulation, magnetic stimulation (1 Hz for 1 min) over both left and right AG, but not over FEF or intraparietal sulcus, core regions of the dorsal attention network, enhanced the dominant alpha power density (8–10 Hz) in occipitoparietal cortex. Furthermore, right AG-rTMS enhanced intrahemispheric alpha coherence (8–10 Hz). These results suggest that AG plays a causal role in the modulation of dominant low-frequency alpha rhythms in the resting-state condition.
Dorsal and Ventral Attention Systems Underlie Social and Symbolic Cueing
Authors: Callejas Alicia , Shulman Gordon L. , Corbetta Maurizio
Published: August 2013

Eye gaze is a powerful cue for orienting attention in space. Studies examining whether gaze and symbolic cues recruit the same neural mechanisms have found mixed results. We tested whether there is a specialized attentional mechanism for social cues. We separately measured BOLD activity during orienting and reorienting attention following predictive gaze and symbolic cues. Results showed that gaze and symbolic cues exerted their influence through the same neural networks but also produced some differential modulations. Dorsal frontoparietal regions in left intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and bilateral MT+/lateral occipital cortex only showed orienting effects for symbolic cues, whereas right posterior IPS showed larger validity effects following gaze cues. Both exceptions may reflect the greater automaticity of gaze cues: Symbolic orienting may require more effort, while disengaging attention during reorienting may be more difficult following gaze cues. Face-selective regions, identified with a face localizer, showed selective activations for gaze cues reflecting sensory processing but no attentional modulations. Therefore, no evidence was found linking face-selective regions to a hypothetical, specialized mechanism for orienting attention to gaze cues. However, a functional connectivity analysis showed greater connectivity between face-selective regions and right posterior IPS, posterior STS, and inferior frontal gyrus during gaze cueing, consistent with proposals that face-selective regions may send gaze signals to parts of the dorsal and ventral frontoparietal attention networks. Finally, although the default-mode network is thought to be involved in social cognition, this role does not extend to gaze orienting as these regions were more deactivated following gaze cues and showed less functional connectivity with face-selective regions during gaze cues.
The Selective Role of Premotor Cortex in Speech Perception: A Contribution to Phoneme Judgements but not Speech Comprehension
Authors: Krieger-Redwood Katya , Gaskell M. Gareth , Lindsay Shane , Jefferies Elizabeth
Published: August 2013

Several accounts of speech perception propose that the areas involved in producing language are also involved in perceiving it. In line with this view, neuroimaging studies show activation of premotor cortex (PMC) during phoneme judgment tasks; however, there is debate about whether speech perception necessarily involves motor processes, across all task contexts, or whether the contribution of PMC is restricted to tasks requiring explicit phoneme awareness. Some aspects of speech processing, such as mapping sounds onto meaning, may proceed without the involvement of motor speech areas if PMC specifically contributes to the manipulation and categorical perception of phonemes. We applied TMS to three sites—PMC, posterior superior temporal gyrus, and occipital pole—and for the first time within the TMS literature, directly contrasted two speech perception tasks that required explicit phoneme decisions and mapping of speech sounds onto semantic categories, respectively. TMS to PMC disrupted explicit phonological judgments but not access to meaning for the same speech stimuli. TMS to two further sites confirmed that this pattern was site specific and did not reflect a generic difference in the susceptibility of our experimental tasks to TMS: stimulation of pSTG, a site involved in auditory processing, disrupted performance in both language tasks, whereas stimulation of occipital pole had no effect on performance in either task. These findings demonstrate that, although PMC is important for explicit phonological judgments, crucially, PMC is not necessary for mapping speech onto meanings.
A new species of Astyanax from headwater streams of southern Brazil (Characiformes: Characidae)
Authors: DE LUCENA CARLOS A. S. , BERTACO VINICIUS A. , BERBIGIER GUILHERME
Published: August 2013

Astyanax pirabitira, new species, is described from the upper portion of the rio das Antas, laguna dos Patos system, and from the rio Pelotas, upper rio Uruguay drainage, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The new species belongs to the A. scabripinnis species complex and differs from its congeners by a combination of characters, viz., body depth (27.1–34.0% of standard length), narrow interorbital width (22.2–28.7% of head length), head depth (72.9–97.0% of HL), number of branched anal-fin rays (15–20), number of lateral line scales (37–40), one or two maxillary teeth, two humeral spots and absence of secondary sexual characters (bony hooks in the fins or other differences in the morphology). Comments on the endemic fish fauna of the region are presented.
Biodiversity of hillstream fishes in Bangladesh
Authors: AHMED ABU TWEB ABU , RAHMAN MD. MIZANUR , MANDAL SUMAN
Published: August 2013

Bangladesh is a country of 1,47,570 km2 of mostly flat topography, but about 12 percent is hilly. The hilly areas are confined to the northeast and the southeastern parts of the country bordering India and Myanmar. Hill streams are highly variable and very important for the study and understanding of the aquatic biodiversity of Bangladesh. Hillstream ecosystems include a variety of habitats including those with sand, clay, cobble, gravel, mud, and rock substrates. In a recent field survey, 82 species of fishes have been identified from those habitats. The ichthyofauna belongs to the following families (numbers of species in parentheses) Notopteridae (1), Engraulidae (1), Cyprinidae (32), Psilorhynchidae (3), Nemacheilidae (2), Cobitidae (6), Bagridae (6), Schilbeidae (5), Amblycipitidae (1), Akysidae (1), Sisoridae (4), Erethistidae (1), Clariidae (1), Olyridae (1), Aplocheilidae (1), Ambassidae (2), Badidae (1), Mugilidae (1), Gobiidae (2), Osphronemidae (2), Channidae (3), Mastacembelidae (3), Belonidae (1) and Tetraodontidae (1). This paper provides a checklist of the hillstream fish species with their habitat preferences and associated fauna.
Overview of the species of Aphelocheirus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aphelocheiridae) of India, with description of a new species from West Bengal
Authors: BASU SRIMOYEE , K.A. SUBRAMANIAN , SAHA GOUTAM K.
Published: August 2013

An overview and a key to the species of Aphelocheirus of India are given. Aphelocheirus (Aphelocheirus) thirumalaii sp. nov. from Gorumara National Park of Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, is described. With this new species, eight other species of benthic water bugs (Aphelocheiridae) are reported from India. A distribution map of all known Indian species is also provided.
Using the Back Propagation Neural Network Approach to Bias Correct TMPA Data in the Arid Region of Northwest China
Authors: Yang Yanfen , Luo Yi
Published: August 2013

Scarcity or unavailability of precipitation observation creates difficulties in hydrologic modeling of mountainous sections of the arid region of northwest China (34°–50°N, 72°–107°E). Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation products may be a potential substitute, but they should be evaluated and corrected with ground observation data before application. In this paper, two TRMM Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) precipitation products were evaluated by gauge observations, using indices such as frequency bias index, probability of detection, false alarm ratio, relative mean bias, Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency, and correlation coefficient. Terrain variables were extracted from a digital elevation model, and their rotated principal components were determined to establish a stepwise regression model to adjust TMPA precipitation. Additionally, a back-propagation (BP) neural network was established to correct TMPA precipitation. The results showed that TMPA had an unsatisfactory detection ability in the study area for both precipitation occurrence and amount. TMPA precipitation corrected by a stepwise regression method showed some improvement, but only the results for TRMM 3B43 on a subregion scale were acceptable. The BP neural network method showed better results than the stepwise regression method, and both TRMM 3B42 and TRMM 3B43 corrected by the former method on a subregion scale could be acceptable. Both methods were spatial-scale dependent and showed better results on a subregion scale than on a larger scale.
Between the Personal and the Professional: Ethical Challenges When Using Visual Ethnography to Understand Young People’s Use of Popular Visual Material Culture
Authors: Eglinton Kristen Ali
Published: August 2013

This article has two aims: ( i) to examine a series of ethical challenges that arose during the course of a visual ethnography which sought to understand the ways in which young people use popular visual material culture in their everyday lives; and ( ii) to look critically at ‘reciprocity’ and ‘self-reflexivity’ as two commonly cited strategies for supporting ethical ethnographic youth research. Using a self-reflexive style throughout, the author draws on Amit (2000) to underline a tension embedded in an assumed separation between the ‘field’ and ‘real’ life—or between the professional and the personal. It is argued that visual ethnography was the handmaiden to several ethical dilemmas that, though powerful, self-reflexivity and reciprocity failed to ameliorate. Furthermore, it is also argued that an enhancement of these strategies is essential for future ethical visual ethnographic youth research. Two possible ways forward, including arts-based research and ‘pedagogic visual ethnography’, are offered.
Private Conversations and Public Audiences: Exploring the Ethical Implications of Using Mobile Telephones to Research Young People’s Lives
Authors: Hinton Denise
Published: August 2013

Recent developments in mobile and information technology provide new ways of conducting research with young people. The ubiquitous use of mobile telephones by young people, for example, allows researchers to interact with participants who are neither physically present nor spatially fixed, so that data can be captured as young people go about their daily lives. Using mobile phones to interview young people, however, presents a number of ethical challenges which may not be addressed by standard ethical frameworks. Drawing on a study of 42 university students aged 20–25 years old in Wales (the United Kingdom [UK]), this article examines the practical and ethical issues associated with conducting in-depth interviews via mobile telephones, and highlights the challenge of maintaining participant confidentiality when young people choose to conduct their mobile telephone conversations in public places. This article contends that research guidelines need to be more responsive to young people’s use of technology and their shifting interpretations of public/private boundaries to encourage good research practice that safeguards young people’s personal data.
Keeping it in the Family
Authors: Gamson Joshua
Published: August 2013

Sociologist Joshua Gamson interviews his parents, both sociologists, on parenting, sociology in social movements, and carrying on the family business.
Atlanta and Other Olympic Losers
Authors: Ward Chandra D.
Published: August 2013

Cities launch major campaigns to convince the International Olympic Committee to grace them with a staging of the Summer or Winter Games, and they spare no expense in readying their cities for the events. But will the promise of tourist riches and urban improvements pan out once the Olympic torch passes to the next host city?
The New Class War
Authors: Manza Jeff
Published: August 2013

Jeff Manza reviews three recent books and their takes on the coming (or current) class war so many believe is tearing America apart.
Teaching Each Other to Teach
Authors: Irby Courtney Ann , Fuist Todd Nicholas , Rumpf Cesraéa , Jackson C.L. , Polasek Patrick M. , Van Altena Annmarie S.
Published: August 2013

Academia talks a good game about valuing classroom charisma, but the real focus for professors remains on research production and publication. How, then, are graduate students to learn how to teach? Students share their experiences in wading into the deep end of the lecture hall.
Congenital dyserythropoietic anemias: molecular insights and diagnostic approach
Authors: Iolascon Achille , Heimpel Hermann , Wahlin Anders , Tamary Hannah
Published: August 2013

The congenital dyserythropoietic anemias (CDAs) are hereditary disorders characterized by distinct morphologic abnormalities of marrow erythroblasts. The unveiling of the genes mutated in the major CDA subgroups (I-CDAN1 and II-SEC23B) has now been completed with the recent identification of the CDA III gene (KIF23). KIF23 encodes mitotic kinesin-like protein 1, which plays a critical role in cytokinesis, whereas the cellular role of the proteins encoded by CDAN1 and SEC23B is still unknown. CDA variants with mutations in erythroid transcription factor genes (KLF1 and GATA-1) have been recently identified. Molecular diagnosis of CDA is now possible in most patients.
PARP-1 regulates expression of TGF-β receptors in T cells
Authors: Zhang Pin , Nakatsukasa Hiroko , Tu Eric , Kasagi Shimpei , Cui Kairong , Ishikawa Masaki , Konkel Joanne E. , Maruyama Takashi , Wei Gang , Abbatiello Brittany , Wang Zhao-Qi , Zhao Keji , Chen WanJun
Published: August 2013

Key Points

PARP-1 controls TGF-β receptors on T cells. PARP-1 regulates Treg generation.
Classification of genomic signals using dynamic time warping
Authors: Skutkova Helena , Vitek Martin , Babula Petr , Kizek Rene , Provaznik Ivo
Published: August 2013

Background

Classification methods of DNA most commonly use comparison of the differences in DNA symbolic records, which requires the global multiple sequence alignment. This solution is often inappropriate, causing a number of imprecisions and requires additional user intervention for exact alignment of the similar segments. The similar segments in DNA represented as a signal are characterized by a similar shape of the curve. The DNA alignment in genomic signals may adjust whole sections not only individual symbols. The dynamic time warping (DTW) is suitable for this purpose and can replace the multiple alignment of symbolic sequences in applications, such as phylogenetic analysis.

Methods

The proposed method is composed of three main parts. The first part represent conversion of symbolic representation of DNA sequences in the form of a string of A,C,G,T symbols to signal representation in the form of cumulated phase of complex components defined for each symbol. Next part represents signals size adjustment realized by standard signal preprocessing methods: median filtration, detrendization and resampling. The final part necessary for genomic signals comparison is position and length alignment of genomic signals by dynamic time warping (DTW).

Results

The application of the DTW on set of genomic signals was evaluated in dendrogram construction using cluster analysis. The resulting tree was compared with a classical phylogenetic tree reconstructed using multiple alignment. The classification of genomic signals using the DTW is evolutionary closer to phylogeny of organisms. This method is more resistant to errors in the sequences and less dependent on the number of input sequences.

Conclusions

Classification of genomic signals using dynamic time warping is an adequate variant to phylogenetic analysis using the symbolic DNA sequences alignment; in addition, it is robust, quick and more precise technique.
The role of Zic transcription factors in regulating hindbrain retinoic acid signaling
Authors: Drummond Danna L , Cheng Caroline S , Selland Lyndsay G , Hocking Jennifer C , Prichard Lisa B , Waskiewicz Andrew J
Published: August 2013

Background

The reiterated architecture of cranial motor neurons aligns with the segmented structure of the embryonic vertebrate hindbrain. Anterior-posterior identity of cranial motor neurons depends, in part, on retinoic acid signaling levels. The early vertebrate embryo maintains a balance between retinoic acid synthetic and degradative zones on the basis of reciprocal expression domains of the retinoic acid synthesis gene aldhehyde dehydrogenase 1a2 (aldh1a2) posteriorly and the oxidative gene cytochrome p450 type 26a1 (cyp26a1) in the forebrain, midbrain, and anterior hindbrain.

Results

This manuscript investigates the role of zinc finger of the cerebellum (zic) transcription factors in regulating levels of retinoic acid and differentiation of cranial motor neurons. Depletion of zebrafish Zic2a and Zic2b results in a strong downregulation of aldh1a2 expression and a concomitant reduction in activity of a retinoid-dependent transgene. The vagal motor neuron phenotype caused by loss of Zic2a/2b mimics a depletion of Aldh1a2 and is rescued by exogenously supplied retinoic acid.

Conclusion

Zic transcription factors function in patterning hindbrain motor neurons through their regulation of embryonic retinoic acid signaling.
The neurogenic response of cardiac resident nestin(+) cells was associated with GAP43 upregulation and abrogated in a setting of type I diabetes
Authors: Chabot Andreanne , Meus Marc-Andre , Hertig Vanessa , Duquette Natacha , Calderone Angelino
Published: August 2013

Background

Cardiac nestin(+)cells exhibit properties of a neural progenitor/stem cell population characterized by thede novosynthesis of neurofilament-M in response to ischemic injury and 6-hydroxydopamine administration. The induction of growth associated protein 43 (GAP43) was identified as an early event of neurogenesis. The present study tested the hypothesis that thede novosynthesis of neurofilament-M by nestin(+)cells was preceded by the transient upregulation of GAP43 during the acute phase of reparative fibrosis in the infarcted male rat heart. Secondly, a seminal feature of diabetes is impaired wound healing secondary to an inadequate neurogenic response. In this regard, an additional series of experiments tested the hypothesis that the neurogenic response of cardiac nestin(+)cells was attenuated in a setting of type I diabetes.

Methods

The neurogenic response of cardiac nestin(+)cells was examined during the early phase of reparative fibrosis following permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in the adult male rat heart. The experimental model of type I diabetes was created following a single injection of streptozotocin in adult male rats. The impact of a type I diabetic environment on the neurogenic response of cardiac nestin(+)cells was examined during myocardial infarction and following the administration of 6-hydroxydopamine.

Results

During the early phase of scar formation/healing, the density of GAP43/nestin(+)fibres innervating the peri-infarct/infarct region was significantly increased, whereas neurofilament-M/nestin(+)fibres were absent. With ongoing scar formation/healing, a temporal decrease of GAP43/nestin(+)fibre density and a concomitant increase in the density of innervating neurofilament-M/nestin(+)fibres were observed. The neurogenic response of cardiac nestin(+)cells during scar formation/healing was inhibited following the superimposition of type I diabetes. Thede novosynthesis of neurofilament-M by nestin(+)cells after 6-hydroxydopamine administration was likewise attenuated in the heart of type I diabetic rats whereas the density of GAP43/nestin(+)fibres remained elevated.

Conclusion

The transient upregulation of GAP43 apparently represents a transition event during the acquisition of a neuronal-like phenotype and a type I diabetic environment attenuated the neurogenic response of cardiac nestin(+)cells to ischemia and 6-hydroxydopamine.
Impaired skin microcirculation in paediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Heimhalt-El Hamriti Mirjam , Schreiver Corinna , Noerenberg Anja , Scheffler Julia , Jacoby Ulrike , Haffner Dieter , Fischer Dagmar-C
Published: August 2013

Aims/hypothesis

We used Laser Doppler Fluximetry (LDF) to define "normal" endothelial function in a large cohort of healthy children and adolescents and to evaluate skin microcirculation in paediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

LDF was performed in 102 healthy children (12.8 ± 3.3 years of age; 48 male) and 68 patients (12.9 ± 3.3 years of age; 33 male). Duration of disease was 5.0 ± 3.97 years. Each participant sequentially underwent three stimulation protocols (localized thermal hyperaemia with localized warming to maximum 40°C, iontophoretic delivery of pilocarpine hydrochloride (PCH) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP)). The maximum relative increase in skin blood flow and the total relative response, i.e. the area under the curve (AUC) to each stimulus (AUCheat, AUCPCH, AUCSNP) was determined. In addition, the area of a right-angled triangle summarizing the time to and the amplitude of the first peak, which represents the axon reflex mediated neurogenic vasodilation (ARR) was calculated.

Results

In healthy controls, AUCheat, AUCPCH, AUCSNP, and ARR turned out to be independent of sex, age, and anthropometric values. Per parameter the 10th percentile generated from data of healthy controls was used as the lower threshold to define normal endothelial function. Diabetic patients showed significantly reduced vasodilatative response to either physical or pharmacological stimulation with SNP, whereas the response to PCH was comparable in both cohorts. In patients compared to controls i) a significantly higher frequency of impaired vasodilatation in response to heat and SNP was noted and ii) vascular response was classified as pathological in more than one of the parameters with significantly higher frequency.

Conclusions/interpretation

Skin microvascular endothelial dysfunction is already present in about 25% of paediatric type 1 diabetic patients suffering from type 1 diabetes for at least one year. Future studies are needed to assess the predictive value of endothelial dysfunction in the development of long-term (cardio)vascular comorbidity in these patients.
The pathologic response of resected synovial sarcomas to hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion with melphalan and TNF-α: a comparison with the whole group of resected soft tissue sarcomas
Authors: Schwindenhammer Benjamin , Podleska Lars Erik , Kutritz Andrea , Bauer Sebastian , Sheu Sien-Yi , Taeger Georg , Schmid Kurt Werner , Grabellus Florian
Published: August 2013

Background

Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion with tumor necrosis factor-α and melphalan (TM-HILP) has been successfully used to treat limb soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) with high response rates. The data on the effectiveness of HILP-TM for the treatment of STSs are mainly based on various STS types. The aim of this study was to investigate the responses of synovial sarcomas (SS) to TM-HILP.

Methods

A total of 125 TM-HILP-treated tumors (STSall), including 14 SSs, were included in the study. The tumors were subdivided into proximal and distal limb localizations. Tumor typing (using the WHO classification), resection status (using the UICC classification), and response to therapy were assessed using light microscopy. The SSs were tested for the SYT-SSX translocation using RT-PCR. The following tests were applied: a chi-squared test, a t test, and the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

The SSs were localized distally more often than were the STS cohort (STS−SS) (85.7% vs. 32.4%) and were smaller (5.8 cm vs. 10.7 cm). There were no differences in the responder/nonresponder ratios or the mean percentages of pathological regression between the SS and STS−SS cohorts (74.0% vs. 76.0%). A general localization-dependent difference in the tumor responses to TM-HILP could not be detected in the STSall cohort (distal, 72.0% vs. proximal, 78.0%); however, a UICC R0 status was more often observed in proximal tumors (distal, 50.0% vs. proximal, 71.4%). There was no association between the SYT-SSX type and SS responses to TM-HILP.

Conclusions

Because of the high response rates, TM-HILP is recommended for the treatment of SSs. The distal limb localization of TM-HILP-treated STSs was generally (STSall cohort) associated with fewer R0 resections.
Management of distal choroidal artery aneurysms in patients with moyamoya disease: report of three cases and review of the literature
Authors: He Kangmin , Zhu Wei , Chen Liang , Mao Ying
Published: August 2013

Prevention of rebleeding plays an important role in the treatment of hemorrhagic moyamoya disease, because rebleeding results in high mortality and morbidity. We discuss possible treatment for patients with moyamoya disease accompanied with distal choroidal artery aneurysms and review the literature to summarize clinical treatment and mechanisms. The cases of three male patients who suffered from intraventricular hemorrhage are presented. Computed tomography (CT) and digital subtractive angiography (DSA) revealed that bleeding was believed to be caused by ruptured aneurysms originating from distal choroidal artery aneurysms. Two patients successfully underwent superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass combined with encephalo-duro-myo-synangiosis (EDMS) and the obliteration of the aneurysm. The follow-up DSA or CT scan demonstrated that the aneurysms completely disappeared with the patency of the reconstructed artery. Neither of the patients experienced rebleeding during the follow-up period (up to 34 months). Given conservative treatment, the third patient experienced recurrent hemorrhages 4 months after the first ictus. This study describes treatment for moyamoya disease accompanied with distal choroidal artery aneurysms. Our experience suggests that cerebral revascularization combined with obliteration of the complicated distal aneurysm in the same session is a possible treatment.
Enhanced interaction between natural killer cells and lung cancer cells: involvement in gefitinib-mediated immunoregulation
Authors: He Sisi , Yin Tao , Li Dan , Gao Xiang , Wan Yang , Ma Xuelei , Ye Tinghong , Guo Fuchun , Sun Jianhong , Lin Ziqiang , Wang Yongsheng
Published: August 2013

Background

Natural killer (NK) cells can kill tumor cells in a non-MHC-restricted manner. However, cancer cells frequently escape from the attack of NK cells by multiple ways. In this study, we investigated the effect of gefitinib on the interaction between NK cells and lung cancer cells.

Methods

51Cr release assay, CD107a assay, and IFN-γ secretion assay were performed to detect the sensitivity of lung cancer cell lines A549 and H1975 to NK cells cytotoxicity in the presence of gefitinib. Human NK cells were co-cultured with A549 and H1975 cell lines in the presence of gefitinib. NKG2D ligands, ULBP1, ULBP2, MICA, and MHC-I on tumor cells, and NKG2D, NKp44 and NKp46 on NK cells were evaluated with flow cytometry. 51Cr release assay was performed when NKG2D antibody were added into the co-culture system. Expressions of stat3 and LC3 I/II on tumor cells were determined with western blot after co-cultured with NK cells. After treated with gefitinib, mannose-6-phosphate receptor (MPR) on H1975 cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. 51Cr release assay were performed when MPR antagonist were used.

Results

Gefitinib increased cytotoxicity of NK cells to human lung cancer H1975 cells with EGFR L858R + T790M mutations, while not in A549 cells with wild type EGFR. Gefitinib could block the immune escape by up-regulating the expression of NKG2D ligands ULBP1, ULBP2 or MICA on tumor cells and NKG2D on NK cells in the co-culture system. Gefitinib and NK cells up-regulated MHC-I expression in A549 while not in H1975 cells. NKG2D antibody blocked the enhanced NK cytotoxicity by gefitinib. The combination of NK cells and gefitinib could significantly down-regulate stat3 expression. Furthermore, NK cells-mediated tumor cell autophagy was observed in A549 cells while not in H1975 cells. Notably, gefitinib increased autophagy and MPR expression in H1975 cells, which improved the sensitivity to NK cell-based immunotherapy.

Conclusions

Gefitinib greatly enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity to lung cancer cells with EGFR L858R + T790M resistance mutation. Combination of EGFR tyrokinase inhibitors and NK cells adoptive immunotherapy may represent a potentially effective strategy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
Efficient compressive sampling of spatially sparse fields in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Colonnese Stefania , Cusani Roberto , Rinauro Stefano , Ruggiero Giorgia , Scarano Gaetano
Published: August 2013

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs), i.e., networks of autonomous, wireless sensing nodes spatially deployed over a geographical area, are often faced with acquisition of spatially sparse fields. In this paper, we present a novel bandwidth/energy-efficient compressive sampling (CS) scheme for the acquisition of spatially sparse fields in a WSN. The paper contribution is twofold. Firstly, we introduce a sparse, structured CS matrix and analytically show that it allows accurate reconstruction of bidimensional spatially sparse signals, such as those occurring in several surveillance application. Secondly, we analytically evaluate the energy and bandwidth consumption of our CS scheme when it is applied to data acquisition in a WSN. Numerical results demonstrate that our CS scheme achieves significant energy and bandwidth savings with respect to state-of-the-art approaches when employed for sensing a spatially sparse field by means of a WSN.
HIV-1 capsid undergoes coupled binding and isomerization by the nuclear pore protein NUP358
Authors: Bichel Katsiaryna , Price Amanda J , Schaller Torsten , Towers Greg J , Freund Stefan MV , James Leo C
Published: August 2013

Background

Lentiviruses such as HIV-1 can be distinguished from other retroviruses by the cyclophilin A-binding loop in their capsid and their ability to infect non-dividing cells. Infection of non-dividing cells requires transport through the nuclear pore but how this is mediated is unknown.

Results

Here we present the crystal structure of the N-terminal capsid domain of HIV-1 in complex with the cyclophilin domain of nuclear pore protein NUP358. The structure reveals that HIV-1 is positioned to allow single-bond resonance stabilisation of exposed capsid residue P90. NMR exchange experiments demonstrate that NUP358 is an active isomerase, which efficiently catalyzes cis-trans isomerization of the HIV-1 capsid. In contrast, the distantly related feline lentivirus FIV can bind NUP358 but is neither isomerized by it nor requires it for infection.

Conclusion

Isomerization by NUP358 may be preserved by HIV-1 to target the nuclear pore and synchronize nuclear entry with capsid uncoating.
Isolation of midgut escape mutants of two American genotype dengue 2 viruses from Aedes aegypti
Authors: Khoo Cynthia CH , Doty Jeffrey B , Held Nicole L , Olson Ken E , Franz Alexander WE
Published: August 2013

Background

Several studies have shown that American genotype dengue 2 viruses (DENV2) have reduced viral fitness in the mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti, compared to other DENV2 genotypes. Diminished replication efficiency or inability to efficiently traverse membrane barriers encompassing organs such as the midgut or salivary glands are considered major factors negatively impacting viral fitness in the mosquito.

Results

We analyzed the vector competence of Ae. aegypti for two American DENV2 strains, QR94 and PR159 originating from Mexico and Puerto-Rico, respectively. Both strains infected mosquito midguts following acquisition of infectious bloodmeals. However, DENV2-QR94 and DENV2-PR159 poorly disseminated from the midgut at 7 or 14 days post-bloodmeal (pbm). We detected one virus isolate, EM33, among 31 DENV2-QR94 infected mosquitoes, and one isolate, EM41, among 121 DENV2-PR159 infected mosquitoes, generating high virus titers in mosquito carcasses at 7 days pbm. In oral challenge experiments, EM33 and EM41 showed midgut dissemination rates of 40-50%. Replication efficiency of EM41 in secondary mosquito tissue was similar to that of a dissemination-competent control strain, whereas the replication efficiency of EM33 was significantly lower than that of the control virus. The genome sequence of DENV2-QR94 encoded seven unique amino acids (aa), which were not found in 100 of the most closely related DENV2 strains. EM33 had one additional aa change, E202K, in the E protein. DENV2-PR159 encoded four unique aa residues, one of them E202K, whereas EM41 had two additional aa substitutions, Q77E in the E protein and E93D in NS3.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the midgut of Ae. aegypti acts as a selective sieve for DENV2 in which genetically distinct, dissemination-competent virus variants are rapidly selected from the viral quasispecies to be transmitted to vertebrates.
Japanese encephalitis virus infects porcine kidney epithelial PK15 cells via clathrin- and cholesterol-dependent endocytosis
Authors: Yang Songbai , He Minhui , Liu Xiangdong , Li Xinyun , Fan Bin , Zhao Shuhong
Published: August 2013

Background

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes acute viral encephalitis in humans. Pigs are important amplifiers of JEV. The entry mechanism of JEV into porcine cells remains largely unknown. In this study, we present a study of the internalization mechanism of JEV in porcine kidney epithelial PK15 cells.

Results

We demonstrated that the disruption of the lipid raft by cholesterol depletion with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) reduced JEV infection. We also found that the knockdown of clathrin by small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly reduced JEV-infected cells and JEV E-glycoprotein levels, suggesting that JEV utilizes clathrin-dependent endocytosis. In contrast, the knockdown of caveolin-1, a principal component of caveolae, had only a small (although statistically significant) effect on JEV infection, however, JEV entry was not affected by genistein. These results suggested that JEV entry was independent of caveolae.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results demonstrate that JEV enters porcine kidney epithelial PK15 cells through cholesterol- and clathrin-mediated endocytosis.