bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protection Provided by a Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2) Glycoprotein C and D Subunit Antigen Vaccine against Genital HSV-2 Infection in HSV-1-Seropositive Guinea Pigs
Authors: Awasthi Sita , Balliet John W. , Flynn Jessica A. , Lubinski John M. , Shaw Carolyn E. , DiStefano Daniel J. , Cai Michael , Brown Martha , Smith Judith F. , Kowalski Rose , Swoyer Ryan , Galli Jennifer , Copeland Victoria , Rios Sandra , Davidson Robert C. , Salnikova Maya , Kingsley Susan , Bryan Janine , Casimiro Danilo R. , Friedman Harvey M.
Published: November 2013

A prophylactic vaccine for genital herpes disease remains an elusive goal. We report the results of two studies performed collaboratively in different laboratories that assessed immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy in herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)-seropositive guinea pigs immunized and subsequently challenged intravaginally with HSV-2. In study 1, HSV-2 glycoproteins C (gC2) and D (gD2) were produced in baculovirus and administered intramuscularly as monovalent or bivalent vaccines with CpG and alum. In study 2, gD2 was produced in CHO cells and given intramuscularly with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and alum, or gC2 and gD2 were produced in glycoengineeredPichia pastorisand administered intramuscularly as a bivalent vaccine with Iscomatrix and alum to HSV-1-naive or -seropositive guinea pigs. In both studies, immunization boosted neutralizing antibody responses to HSV-1 and HSV-2. In study 1, immunization with gC2, gD2, or both immunogens significantly reduced the frequency of genital lesions, with the bivalent vaccine showing the greatest protection. In study 2, both vaccines were highly protective against genital disease in naive and HSV-1-seropositive animals. Comparisons between gD2 and gC2/gD2 in study 2 must be interpreted cautiously, because different adjuvants, gD2 doses, and antigen production methods were used; however, significant differences invariably favored the bivalent vaccine. Immunization of naive animals with gC2/gD2 significantly reduced the number of days of vaginal shedding of HSV-2 DNA compared with that for mock-immunized animals. Surprisingly, in both studies, immunization of HSV-1-seropositive animals had little effect on recurrent vaginal shedding of HSV-2 DNA, despite significantly reducing genital disease.
Ocular quinine toxicity in a sleepwalker
Authors: Sinha Amit , Al Husainy Sahar
Published: November 2013

A 55-year-old woman presented to the emergency department following an episode of severe visual impairment, headache, dizziness and confusion. The patient had been taking quinine sulfate as long-term medication for leg cramps. During an episode of sleepwalking, the patient had taken an overdose of quinine sulfate. Following a thorough investigation and assessment, a diagnosis of ocular quinine toxicity was made. We present this case and highlight the risks of quinine prescription.
Early aetiological agent identification of osteomyelitis with the Light Cycler SeptiFasttest from peripheral blood
Authors: Pasticci Maria Bruna , Rinonapoli Giuseppe , Leli Christian , Mencacci Antonella
Published: November 2013

The commercial real-time PCR SeptiFasttest allows identification of 25 bacterial and fungal species directly from peripheral blood in patients with bloodstream infections. A 22-year-old Caucasian woman reported an open femur fracture requiring a two step surgical procedure. After the second procedure the patient manifested sepsis andEnterobacter cloacae/aerogenesDNA was detected in the peripheral blood with the SeptiFast. Thereafter, femur osteomyelitis was diagnosed andE cloacaewas cultured from intraoperative bone samples. The patient completed a 3-month course of antimicrobial therapy. Five months after therapy was discontinued, the patient remained symptom free, but delayed bone consolidation occurs. Molecular methods to identify aetiological agents in blood, in addition to conventional cultures, could represent an advantageous tool in clinical practice also in patients with post-traumatic bone infections.
Pneumocystis jeroveciipneumonia in a patient with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a novel case and postulations concerning the mechanism
Authors: Kalkanis Alexandros , Judson Marc A , Napier Mark B
Published: November 2013

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), even when severe, is not directly associated with opportunistic infections. Opportunistic infections that occur with CLL are almost exclusively related to immunosuppression caused by chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat CLL. We report a case ofPneumocystis jirovecii(PJ) pneumonia that occurred in a patient with untreated CLL with pulmonary involvement. We suspect that PJ pneumonia resulted from an inadequate immune response in the lung parenchyma resulting from excessive local accumulation of CLL cells.
Chronic health conditions and poverty: a cross-sectional study using a multidimensional poverty measure
Authors: Callander Emily J , Schofield Deborah J , Shrestha Rupendra N
Published: November 2013

Objectives

To identify the chronic health conditions associated with multidimensional poverty.

Design

Cross-sectional study of the nationally representativeSurvey of Disability, Ageing and Carers,conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Setting

Australian population in 2003.

Participants

35 704 individuals randomly selected from the Australian population by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Outcome measures

Multidimensional poverty status, costs of disability, short form 6D health utility score, income, education attainment.

Results

Among those who were multidimensionally poor, 75% had a chronic health condition and the most common health conditions were back problems (11% of those in multidimensional poverty had back problems) and arthritis (11%). The conditions with the highest proportion of individuals in multidimensional poverty were depression/mood affecting disorders (26% in multidimensional poverty) and mental and behavioural disorders (22%). Those with depression/mood affecting disorders were nearly seven times (OR 6.60, 95% CI 5.09 to 8.55, p<0.0001) more likely to be multidimensionally poor than those with no health condition. Equivalising for the additional costs of disability increased the proportion of individuals in multidimensional poverty for all conditions and the conditions with the highest proportion of individuals in multidimensional poverty changed.

Conclusions

Owing to the influence of certain health conditions on poverty status, health interventions have the potential to improve national living standards and poverty rates in a similar way that ‘traditional’ policy responses such as changes to welfare payment currently do. Using a multidimensional poverty measure reveals the health conditions that should be the focus of such efforts.
A population-based survival analysis describing the association of body mass index on time to revision for total hip and knee replacements: results from the UK general practice research database
Authors: Culliford David , Maskell Joe , Judge Andy , Arden Nigel K ,   the COAST Study group
Published: November 2013

Objectives

Against a backdrop of rising levels of obesity, we describe and estimate associations of body mass index (BMI), age and gender with time to revision for participants undergoing primary total hip (THR) or knee (TKR) replacement in the UK.

Design

Population-based cohort study.

Setting

Routinely collected primary care data from a representative sample of general practices, including linked data on all secondary care events.

Participants

Population-based cohort study of 63 162 patients with THR and 54 276 with TKR in the UK General Practice Research Database between 1988 and 2011.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Risk of THR and TKR revision associated with BMI, age and gender, after adjusting for the competing risk of death.

Results

The 5-year cumulative incidence rate for THR was 2.2% for men and 1.8% for women (TKR 2.3% for men, 1.6% for women). The adjusted overall subhazard ratio (SHR) for patients with THR undergoing subsequent hip revision surgery, with a competing risk of death, were estimated at 1.020 (95% CI 1.009 to 1.032) per additional unit (kg/m2) of BMI, 1.23 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.38) for men compared with women and 0.970 (95% CI 0.967 to 0.973) per additional year of age. For patients with TKR, the equivalent estimates were 1.015 (95% CI 1.002 to 1.028) for BMI; 1.51 (95% CI 1.32 to 1.73) for gender and 0.957 (95% CI 0.951 to 0.962) for age. Morbidly obese patients with THR had a 65.5% increase (95% CI 15.4% to 137.3%, p=0.006) in the subhazard of revision versus the normal BMI group (18.5–25). The effect for TKR was smaller (a 43.9% increase) and weaker (95% CI 2.6% to 103.9%, p=0.040).

Conclusions

BMI is estimated to have a small but statistically significant association with the risk of hip and knee revision, but absolute numbers are small. Further studies are needed in order to distinguish between effects for specific revision surgery indications.
A standardised storage solution for venepuncture/cannulation equipment could save an NHS hospital the equivalent of a whole junior doctor
Authors: Lindley Steven , Robertson Ian
Published: November 2013

Junior doctors, nursing staff, and phlebotomists spend a large proportion of their time taking blood samples and siting (venous) cannulae. Approximately 350 blood samples are taken daily across 25 wards at the Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust. There is no standard storage solution for venepuncture or cannulation equipment. On-call junior doctors cover most of the hospital’s wards. Time is wasted locating essential equipment on unfamiliar wards and nurses are frequently interrupted to assist. These delays can compromise patient safety in emergencies as well as contributing to a source of daily inefficiency.

Junior doctors were timed collecting equipment needed for venepuncture and cannulation on unfamiliar wards. Initial results suggested large variation between timings on different wards. The medical admissions unit (MAU), which organises items for venepuncture and cannulation on a single trolley, was 4 times quicker than the mean of all other wards. MAU mean time 21.0s vs. Non-standardised wards mean time 103.0s (p<0.0001). Estimates suggest approximately 47 hours per week (the equivalent of a fulltime doctor) could be saved by implementing a standard trust-wide storage solution.

We set out to introduce the MAU trolley format to all adult inpatient wards. All ward managers agreed to implement the trolley. 18 wards (72% of adult inpatient wards) already possessed the ‘MAU style’ trolley, which we standardised using an easy-to-follow inventory and laminated draw inlays. Feedback was very positive from doctors and ward staff alike. We repeated timings to validate the change and successfully presented a business case to senior management for a further 10 trolleys (£3623.78) for full adult inpatient ward coverage.

As junior doctors, we identified a common problem, tested solutions, and made early simple affordable changes. Initial work helped us present a compelling case for patient safety and efficiency improvements, releasing money to implement modest trust-wide quality improvement changes.
HOLOGRAPHIC DARK ENERGY WITH GENERALIZED CHAPLYGIN GAS IN HIGHER DIMENSIONS
Authors: GHOSE S. , SAHA A. , PAUL B. C.
Published: November 2013

We investigate holographic dark energy (HDE) correspondence of interacting Generalized Chaplygin Gas (GCG) in the framework of compact Kaluza–Klein (KK) cosmology. The evolution of the modified HDE with corresponding equation of state is obtained here. Considering the present value of the density parameter a stable configuration is found which accommodates Dark Energy (DE). We note a connection between DE and Phantom fields. It reveals that the DE might have evolved from a Phantom state in the past.
THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FORM FACTOR OF THE PION: RESULTS FROM THE LATTICE
Authors: BRANDT BASTIAN B.
Published: November 2013

This review contains an overview over recent results for the electromagnetic iso-vector form factor of the pion obtained in lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) with dynamical fermions. Particular attention is given to the extrapolation to the physical point and an easy assessment of the control over the main systematic effects by imposing quality criteria and an associated sign code, similar to the ones used by the FLAG working group. Also included is a brief discussion of recent developments and future challenges concerning the accurate extraction of the form factor in the lattice framework.
A STUDY ON INDIAN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE BASED BUSINESS INCUBATORS
Authors: BASU RANA , BISWAS DHRUBES
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this paper is to identify and explore the various range of business incubation services being provided to the nascent entrepreneurs which is based on comprehensive compilation and subsequent analysis of literature followed by case based approach in context to Indian higher educational institute (HEI) based business incubation centres. The objective behind this research is to critically assess the assistance services and to prioritize the service dimensions provided by the business incubation centres. Data has been collected from various business incubation centres to capture the experience of the incubated clients and other stakeholders who are directly and indirectly attached to the business incubation centres. The novelty of this paper is that there is no available literature that has followed a similar approach in measuring most influential business incubation service parameters taking different HEI based Indian incubation centres. Statistical analysis has been deployed for investigation of service dimensions and prioritized it accordingly as well as a model has been proposed with the identified service dimension that influences the creation of the new ventures. The findings suggests that HEI based business incubation centres are providing services to emerging economies by leveraging talent and thus creating value. The findings have both entrepreneurial and managerial implications for decision makers in universities, industry and government. The management of incubators, entrepreneurs as well as researchers can take input from this study in order to accomplish effective service management for scalable ventures.
Influence of member geometric imperfection on geometrically nonlinear buckling and seismic performance of suspen-dome structures
Authors: Zhou Z. , Wu J. , Meng S.
Published: November 2013

This paper focuses on the effect of member geometric imperfection on nonlinear geometrically buckling and seismic performance of a new style of space steel structure, suspen-dome, which is composed of a reticulated shell and cable-strut system. By supposing the initial curvature of members as half-wave sinusoids, a stiffness equation of imperfect truss elements is derived for the struts, while that of imperfect beam elements is derived for the reticulated shell members. The proposed imperfect elements are implanted into ANSYS finite element program. Three numerical examples are employed to validate the proposed imperfect elements and analysis method. An ellipsoidal suspen-dome of Changzhou gymnasium is taken as an example. The results show that the imperfection value has relatively great influence on the structural stiffness. With the increase of member imperfection, the critical load decreases in a basically linear way. Under different prestress states, the relation curves between the critical load and imperfection are basically parallel. The nonlinear seismic analysis results show that when imperfection is included, the initial state responses are different, namely, the seismic displacement increases while the stress in rods and cables decreases. The proposed imperfection analysis method can be widely used in not only suspen-dome structures, but also other kinds of prestressed space grid structures. In this way, the influence of member imperfection on structural buckling and seismic performance can be estimated.
Analytical approach for transverse vibration analysis of castellated beams
Authors: Chen J. K. , Kim B. , Li L. Y.
Published: November 2013

This paper presents an analytical study on the dynamic characteristics of castellated beams. The study focuses on the effect of web shear on the free vibration frequencies of castellated beams. By using the Hamilton's principle, a simple closed-form solution for determining the free vibration frequencies of simply supported castellated beams is developed. The results show that the shear effect on the free vibration frequencies increases with the cross-sectional area and distance between the centroids of the two tee sections of castellated beams, but decreases with respect to increasing web thickness or increasing beam length. The shear effect is also found to be greater in higher vibration modes.
A nil-clean 2 × 2 matrix over the integers which is not clean
Authors: Andrica Dorin , Călugăreanu Grigore
Published: November 2013

While any nil-clean ring is clean, the last eight years, it was not known whether nil-clean elements in a ring are clean. We give an example of nil-clean element in the matrix ring ℳ2(Z) which is not clean.
STUDY OF STRUCTURAL AND DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF COPPER OXIDE NANOPARTICLES PREPARED BY WET CHEMICAL PRECIPITATION METHOD
Authors: SIDDIQUE KIBRIYA , NATH BHABESH KUMAR , KARMAKAR SANJIB
Published: November 2013

We report the synthesis of copper oxide ( CuO ) nanoparticles prepared by wet chemical precipitation method. The structural and dielectric properties are studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and complex impedance spectroscopy as a function of frequencies from 40 KHz to 100 KHz in the range of temperatures (308–393K). Maximum value of dielectric constants are found to be in the order of 106 which increases with increase in temperatures. From XRD data it is found that the particle size increases with increase in calcination temperatures. SEM with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (EDX) results show that only CuO is present in the prepared sample. The selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern by TEM shows that uniform size distributions of CuO nanoparticles are present in the sample.
DFT investigation on organic dyes with cross-conjugated cyano groups
Authors: Yang Chunhe , Tang Aiwei , Zhang Fujun , Teng Feng
Published: November 2013

Organic dye molecules with the acceptor moieties, cyano groups, cross-conjugated to the donor moieties, have been investigated theoretically. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on such cross-conjugated molecules reveal the effects of cross-conjugation on the geometric and electronic structures of the molecules. The cross-conjugated cyano groups in the dye molecules are found effective to alter the charge population and the frontier orbital energy levels of the dyes. The effects of cross-conjugation of cyano group on the molecular conformation, the charge transfer, and polarity of the dyes are discussed.
Theory and applications of the relativistic Boltzmann equation
Authors: Kremer Gilberto M.
Published: November 2013

In this work, two systems are analyzed within the framework of the relativistic Boltzmann equation. One of them refers to a description of binary mixtures of electrons and protons and of electrons and photons subjected to external electromagnetic fields in special relativity. In this case the Fourier and Ohm laws are derived and the corresponding transport coefficients are obtained. In the other a relativistic gas under the influence of the Schwarzschild metric is studied. It is shown that the heat flux in Fourier's law in the presence of gravitational fields has three contributions, the usual dependence on the temperature gradient, and two relativistic contributions, one of them associated with an acceleration and another to a gravitational potential gradient. Furthermore, it is shown that the transport coefficient of thermal conductivity decreases in the presence of a gravitational field. The dependence of the temperature field in the presence of a gravitational potential is also discussed.
Why the expansion of the Universe is accelerated
Authors: Pavón Diego
Published: November 2013

There is compelling evidence, nowadays, that the present expansion of the Universe is accelerated. In Einstein gravity this acceleration is explained by invoking some exotic energy component with a huge negative pressure. More general gravity theories simply modify the Einstein–Hilbert action in ad hoc manner. Here, we show that whatever its origin, this acceleration is consistent with the second law of thermodynamics in the sense that the entropy of the causal cosmic horizon plus that of matter and fields inside it must never decrease and it should approach a finite maximum in the long run. In this light, the acceleration could have been anticipated on thermodynamic grounds well before its actual discovery.
Properties of the false vacuum as an unstable state
Authors: Raczyńska Katarzyna
Published: November 2013

The false (unstable) vacuum is discussed from the point of view of the quantum theory of unstable states. Properties of the energy of the system in the unstable vacuum state are studied. Within the model considered, it is shown that at very late times, the energy of the system in the false vacuum state tends to the energy of the system in the true vacuum state as 1/t2.
Prime splitting in abelian number fields and linear combinations of Dirichlet characters
Authors: Pollack Paul
Published: November 2013

Let 𝕏 be a finite group of primitive Dirichlet characters. Let ξ = ∑χ∈𝕏aχχ be a nonzero element of the group ring ℤ[𝕏]. We investigate the smallest prime q that is coprime to the conductor of each χ ∈ 𝕏 and that satisfies ∑χ∈𝕏aχχ(q) ≠ 0. Our main result is a nontrivial upper bound on q valid for certain special forms ξ. From this, we deduce upper bounds on the smallest unramified prime with a given splitting type in an abelian number field. For example, let K/ℚ be an abelian number field of degree n and conductor f. Let g be a proper divisor of n. If there is any unramified rational prime q that splits into g distinct prime ideals in ØK, then the least such q satisfies [Formula: see text].
HOPF BIFURCATION ANALYSIS FOR A DELAYED LESLIE–GOWER PREDATOR–PREY SYSTEM WITH DIFFUSION EFFECTS
Authors: WANG LIN-LIN , ZHOU BEI-BEI , FAN YONG-HONG
Published: November 2013

A delayed predator–prey diffusion system with homogeneous Neumann boundary condition is considered. In order to study the impact of the time delay on the stability of the model, the delay τ is taken as the bifurcation parameter, the results show that when the time delay across some critical values, the Hopf bifurcations may occur. In particular, by using the normal form theory and the center manifold reduction for partial functional differential equations, the direction of the Hopf bifurcation and the stability of the bifurcated periodic solution have been established. The effect of the diffusion on the bifurcated periodic solution is also considered. A numerical example is given to support the main result.
MODELING THE ROLE OF DISSOLVED OXYGEN-DEPENDENT BACTERIA ON BIODEGRADATION OF ORGANIC POLLUTANTS
Authors: SHUKLA J. B. , GOYAL ASHISH , TIWARI P. K. , MISRA A. K.
Published: November 2013

In this paper, a nonlinear mathematical model is proposed and analyzed to study the role of dissolved oxygen (DO)-dependent bacteria on biodegradation of one or two organic pollutant(s) in a water body. In the case of two organic pollutant(s), it is assumed that the one is fast degrading and the other is slow degrading and both are discharged into the water body from outside with constant rates. The density of bacteria is assumed to follow logistic model and its growth increases due to biodegradation of one or two organic pollutant(s) as well as with the increase in the concentration of DO. The model is analyzed using the stability theory of differential equations and by simulation. The model analysis shows that the concentration(s) of one or both organic pollutant(s) decrease(s) as the density of bacteria increases. It is noted that for very large density of bacteria, the organic pollutant(s) may be removed almost completely from the water body. It is found that simulation analysis confirms the analytical results. The results obtained in this paper are in line with the experimental observations published in literature.
Geometry of the subducting Pacific plate since 20 Ma, Hikurangi margin, New Zealand
Authors: Seebeck Hannu , Nicol Andrew , Giba Marc , Pettinga Jarg , Walsh John
Published: November 2013

Evolution of slab geometry beneath the North Island, New Zealand, has been investigated using a combination of published arc-type volcanic ages and earthquake locations in the subducting Pacific plate. Arc-front volcanoes migrated SE by 150 km in the last 8 myr subparallel to the present active arc. Migration of the arc is interpreted to mainly reflect slab rollback along the Tonga–Kermadec subduction system changing to fixed hinge slab steepening beneath the central North Island. The strike of the Pacific plate beneath the North Island, imaged by Benioff zone seismicity (50–200 km) and positive mantle velocity anomalies (200–600 km), is parallel to the NE–SW trend of arc-front volcanism. Arc parallelism since 16 Ma indicates that the strike of the subducting plate beneath the North Island was constant over this time interval, in contrast to clockwise vertical-axis rotations of ≥50° of the overriding plate over the same period along the eastern and southern Hikurangi margin. Acceleration of arc-front migration rates (from
c
. 4 to
c
. 18 mm a
−1
), eruption of high-Mg# andesites, increasing eruption frequency and size, and uplift of the overriding plate indicate an increase in the hydration, temperature and size of the mantle wedge beneath the central North Island from
c
. 7 Ma.
A comparison of traditional and engaging lecture methods in a large, professional-level course
Authors: Miller Cynthia J. , McNear Jacquee , Metz Michael J.
Published: November 2013

In engaging lectures, also referred to as broken or interactive lectures, students are given short periods of lecture followed by “breaks” that can consist of 1-min papers, problem sets, brainstorming sessions, or open discussion. While many studies have shown positive effects when engaging lectures are used in undergraduate settings, the literature surrounding use of the learning technique for professional students is inconclusive. The novelty of this study design allowed a direct comparison of engaging physiology lectures versus didactic lecture formats in the same cohort of 120 first-year School of Dentistry DMD students. All students were taught five physiological systems using traditional lecture methods and six physiological systems using engaging lecture methods. The use of engaging lectures led to a statistically significant higher average on unit exams compared with traditional didactic lectures (8.6% higher, P < 0.05). Furthermore, students demonstrated an improved long-term retention of information via higher scores on the comprehensive final exam (22.9% higher in engaging lecture sections, P < 0.05). Many qualitative improvements were also indicated via student surveys and evaluations, including an increased perceived effectiveness of lectures, decrease in distractions during lecture, and increased confidence with the material. The development of engaging lecture activities requires a significant amount of instructor preparation and limits the time available to provide traditional lectures. However, the positive results of this study suggest the need for a restructuring of the physiology curriculum to incorporate more engaging lectures to improve both the qualitative experiences and performance levels of professional students.
A novel approach to teach the generation of bioelectrical potentials from a descriptive and quantitative perspective
Authors: Rodriguez-Falces Javier
Published: November 2013

In electrophysiology studies, it is becoming increasingly common to explain experimental observations using both descriptive methods and quantitative approaches. However, some electrophysiological phenomena, such as the generation of extracellular potentials that results from the propagation of the excitation source along the muscle fiber, are difficult to describe and conceptualize. In addition, most traditional approaches aimed at describing extracellular potentials consist of complex mathematical machinery that gives no chance for physical interpretation. The aim of the present study is to present a new method to teach the formation of extracellular potentials around a muscle fiber from both a descriptive and quantitative perspective. The implementation of this method was tested through a written exam and a satisfaction survey. The new method enhanced the ability of students to visualize the generation of bioelectrical potentials. In addition, the new approach improved students' understanding of how changes in the fiber-to-electrode distance and in the shape of the excitation source are translated into changes in the extracellular potential. The survey results show that combining general principles of electrical fields with accurate graphic imagery gives students an intuitive, yet quantitative, feel for electrophysiological signals and enhances their motivation to continue their studies in the biomedical engineering field.
Flipped classroom model improves graduate student performance in cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal physiology
Authors: Tune Johnathan D. , Sturek Michael , Basile David P.
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a traditional lecture-based curriculum versus a modified “flipped classroom” curriculum of cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal physiology delivered to first-year graduate students. Students in both courses were provided the same notes and recorded lectures. Students in the modified flipped classroom were required to watch the prerecorded lectures before class and then attend class, where they received a quiz or homework covering material in each lecture (valued at 25% of the final grade) followed by a question and answer/problem-solving period. In the traditional curriculum, attending lectures was optional and there were no quizzes. Evaluation of effectiveness and student performance was achieved by having students in both courses take the same multiple-choice exams. Within a comparable group of graduate students, participants in the flipped course scored significantly higher ( P ≤ 0.05) on the cardiovascular, respiratory, and weighted cumulative sections by an average of >12 percentage points. Exam averages for students in the flipped course also tended to be higher on the renal section by ∼11 percentage points ( P = 0.06). Based on our experience and responses obtained in blinded student surveys, we propose that the use of homework and in-class quizzes were critical motivating factors that likely contributed to the increase in student exam performance. Taken together, our findings support that the flipped classroom model is a highly effective means in which to disseminate key physiological concepts to graduate students.
Cholesterol-enriched diet inhibits cardioprotection by ATP-sensitive K+channel activators cromakalim and diazoxide
Authors: Csonka Csaba , Kupai Krisztina , Bencsik Péter , Görbe Anikó , Pálóczi János , Zvara Ágnes , Puskás László G. , Csont Tamás , Ferdinandy Péter
Published: November 2013

It has been previously shown that hyperlipidemia interferes with cardioprotective mechanisms. Here, we investigated the interaction of hyperlipidemia with cardioprotection induced by pharmacological activators of ATP-sensitive K+(KATP) channels. Hearts isolated from rats fed a 2% cholesterol-enriched diet or normal diet for 8 wk were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion in the presence or absence of KATPmodulators. In normal diet-fed rats, either the nonselective KATPactivator cromakalim at 10−5M or the selective mitochondrial (mito)KATPopener diazoxide at 3 × 10−5M significantly decreased infarct size compared with vehicle-treated control rats. Their cardioprotective effect was abolished by coadministration of the nonselective KATPblocker glibenclamide or the selective mitoKATPblocker 5-hydroxydecanoate, respectively. However, in cholesterol-fed rats, the cardioprotective effect of cromakalim or diazoxide was not observed. Therefore, we further investigated how cholesterol-enriched diet influences cardiac KATPchannels. Cardiac expression of a KATPsubunit gene (Kir6.1) was significantly downregulated in cholesterol-fed rats; however, protein levels of Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 were not changed. The cholesterol diet significantly decreased cardiac ATP, increased lactate content, and enhanced myocardial oxidative stress, as shown by increased cardiac superoxide and dityrosine formation. This is the first demonstration that cardioprotection by KATPchannel activators is impaired in cholesterol-enriched diet-induced hyperlipidemia. The background mechanism may include hyperlipidemia-induced attenuation of mitoKATPfunction by altered energy metabolism and increased oxidative stress in the heart.
Deregulation of the lysyl hydroxylase matrix cross-linking system in experimental and clinical bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Witsch Thilo J. , Turowski Paweł , Sakkas Elpidoforos , Niess Gero , Becker Simone , Herold Susanne , Mayer Konstantin , Vadász István , Roberts Jesse D. , Seeger Werner , Morty Rory E.
Published: November 2013

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common and serious complication of premature birth, characterized by a pronounced arrest of alveolar development. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood although perturbations to the maturation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are emerging as candidate disease pathomechanisms. In this study, the expression and regulation of three members of the lysyl hydroxylase family of ECM remodeling enzymes (Plod1, Plod2, and Plod3) in clinical BPD, as well as in an experimental animal model of BPD, were addressed. All three enzymes were localized to the septal walls in developing mouse lungs, with Plod1 also expressed in the vessel walls of the developing lung and Plod3 expressed uniquely at the base of developing septa. The expression of plod1, plod2, and plod3 was upregulated in the lungs of mouse pups exposed to 85% O2, an experimental animal model of BPD. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β increased plod2 mRNA levels and activated the plod2 promoter in vitro in lung epithelial cells and in lung fibroblasts. Using in vivo neutralization of TGF-β signaling in the experimental animal model of BPD, TGF-β was identified as the regulator of aberrant plod2 expression. PLOD2 mRNA expression was also elevated in human neonates who died with BPD or at risk for BPD, compared with neonates matched for gestational age at birth or chronological age at death. These data point to potential roles for lysyl hydroxylases in normal lung development, as well as in perturbed late lung development associated with BPD.
Purinergic and muscarinic modulation of ATP release from the urothelium and its paracrine actions
Authors: Sui Guiping , Fry Chris H. , Montgomery Bruce , Roberts Max , Wu Rui , Wu Changhao
Published: November 2013

The urothelium is a newly recognized sensory structure that detects bladder fullness. Pivotal to this sensory role is the release of ATP from the urothelium. However, the routes for urothelial ATP release, its modulation by receptor-mediated pathways, and the autocrine/paracrine role of ATP are poorly understood, especially in native tissue. We examined the action of key neurotransmitters: purinergic and muscarinic agonists on ATP release and its paracrine effect. Guinea pig and human urothelial mucosa were mounted in a perfusion trough; superfusate ATP was measured using a luciferin-luciferase assay, and tissue contractions were recorded with a tension transducer. Intracellular Ca2+ was measured in isolated urothelial cells with fura-2. The P2Y agonist UTP but not the P2X agonist α,β-methylene-ATP generated ATP release. The muscarinic agonist carbachol and the M2-preferential agonist oxotremorine also generated ATP release, which was antagonized by the M2-specific agent methoctramine. Agonist-evoked ATP release was accompanied by mucosal contractions. Urothelial ATP release was differentially mediated by intracellular Ca2+ release, cAMP, exocytosis, or connexins. Urothelium-attached smooth muscle exhibited spontaneous contractions that were augmented by subthreshold concentrations of carbachol, which had little direct effect on smooth muscle. This activity was attenuated by desensitizing P2X receptors on smooth muscle. Urothelial ATP release was increased in aging bladders. Purinergic and muscarinic agents produced similar effects in human urothelial tissue. This is the first demonstration of specific modulation of urothelial ATP release in native tissue by purinergic and muscarinic neurotransmitters via distinct mechanisms. Released ATP produces paracrine effects on underlying tissues. This process is altered during aging and has relevance to human bladder pathologies.
Convergent synaptic inputs from the caudal fastigial nucleus and the superior colliculus onto pontine and pontomedullary reticulospinal neurons
Authors: Takahashi Mayu , Sugiuchi Yuriko , Shinoda Yoshikazu
Published: November 2013

The caudal fastigial nucleus (FN) is known to be related to the control of eye movements and projects mainly to the contralateral reticular nuclei where excitatory and inhibitory burst neurons for saccades exist [the caudal portion of the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis (NRPc), and the rostral portion of the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis (NRG) respectively]. However, the exact reticular neurons targeted by caudal fastigioreticular cells remain unknown. We tried to determine the target reticular neurons of the caudal FN and superior colliculus (SC) by recording intracellular potentials from neurons in the NRPc and NRG of anesthetized cats. Neurons in the rostral NRG received bilateral, monosynaptic excitation from the caudal FNs, with contralateral predominance. They also received strong monosynaptic excitation from the rostral and caudal contralateral SC, and disynaptic excitation from the rostral ipsilateral SC. These reticular neurons with caudal fastigial monosynaptic excitation were not activated antidromically from the contralateral abducens nucleus, but most of them were reticulospinal neurons (RSNs) that were activated antidromically from the cervical cord. RSNs in the caudal NRPc received very weak monosynaptic excitation from only the contralateral caudal FN, and received either monosynaptic excitation only from the contralateral caudal SC, or monosynaptic and disynaptic excitation from the contralateral caudal and ipsilateral rostral SC, respectively. These results suggest that the caudal FN helps to control also head movements via RSNs targeted by the SC, and these RSNs with SC topographic input play different functional roles in head movements.
Biventricular Failure due to Stress Cardiomyopathy after Pericardiectomy for Constrictive Pericarditis
Authors: Groves Elliott M. , Kim Jin Kyung
Published: November 2013

Importance. Constrictive pericarditis is a rare clinical entity that frequently necessitates surgical intervention. Here we present a case of biventricular failure due to stress cardiomyopathy after pericardiectomy. This is an extremely rare complication that is not well described and does not have a definitive mechanism.Observations. A 40-year-old Ecuadorian woman who was found to have constrictive pericarditis due toMycobacterium tuberculosisinfection was referred to our institution. The presence of constrictive pericarditis was confirmed by echocardiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and cardiac catheterization. Following pericardiectomy, the patient developed biventricular failure consistent with stress cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy), based on the echocardiographic assessment of the ventricles, which demonstrated an akinetic apex and hyperactive base in both ventricles, the absence of significant epicardial coronary atherosclerosis, and prompt normalization of the cardiac function after intensive medical therapy.Conclusions and Relevance. Biventricular failure in the form of stress cardiomyopathy after pericardiectomy in the manner presented here has not been previously described in the literature. While postulations as to the cause of single ventricle dysfunction have been described, the exact mechanism is unclear and current theories do not explain the clinical features in this case of stress cardiomyopathy after pericardiectomy.
Neuroinflammation and Copper in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Choo Xin Yi , Alukaidey Lobna , White Anthony R. , Grubman Alexandra
Published: November 2013

Inflammation is the innate immune response to infection or tissue damage. Initiation of proinflammatory cascades in the central nervous system (CNS) occurs through recognition of danger associated molecular patterns by cognate immune receptors expressed on inflammatory cells and leads to rapid responses to remove the danger stimulus. The presence of activated microglia and astrocytes in the vicinity of amyloid plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients and mouse models implicates inflammation as a contributor to AD pathogenesis. Activated microglia play a critical role in amyloid clearance, but chronic deregulation of CNS inflammatory pathways results in secretion of neurotoxic mediators that ultimately contribute to neurodegeneration in AD. Copper (Cu) homeostasis is profoundly affected in AD, and accumulated extracellular Cu drives Aβaggregation, while intracellular Cu deficiency limits bioavailable Cu required for CNS functions. This review presents an overview of inflammatory events that occur in AD in response to Aβand highlights recent advances on the role of Cu in modulation of beneficial and detrimental inflammatory responses in AD.
Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Provide Protection against Radiation-Induced Liver Injury by Antioxidative Process, Vasculature Protection, Hepatocyte Differentiation, and Trophic Effects
Authors: Francois Sabine , Mouiseddine Moubarak , Allenet-Lepage Bénédicte , Voswinkel Jan , Douay Luc , Benderitter Marc , Chapel Alain
Published: November 2013

To evaluate the potential therapeutic effect of the infusion of hMSCs for the correction of liver injuries, we performed total body radiation exposure of NOD/SCID mice. After irradiation, mir-27b level decreases in liver, increasing the directional migration of hMSCs by upregulating SDF1α. A significant increase in plasmatic transaminases levels, apoptosis process in the liver vascular system, and in oxidative stress were observed. hMSC injection induced a decrease in transaminases levels and oxidative stress, a disappearance of apoptotic cells, and an increase inNrf2,SODgene expression, which might reduce ROS production in the injured liver. Engrafted hMSCs expressed cytokeratinCK18andCK19andAFPgenes indicating possible hepatocyte differentiation. The presence of hMSCs expressingVEGFandAng-1in the perivascular region, associated with an increased expression ofVEGFr1, r2in the liver, can confer a role of secreting cells to hMSCs in order to maintain the endothelial function. To explain the benefits to the liver of hMSC engraftment, we find that hMSCs secretedNGF,HGF,and anti-inflammatory moleculesIL-10,IL1-RAcontributing to prevention of apoptosis, increasing cell proliferation in the liver which might correct liver dysfunction. MSCs are potent candidates to repair and protect healthy tissues against radiation damages.
A Novel Mechanism for Fire Detection in Subway Transportation Systems Based on Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhang Zhen-Jiang , Fu Jun-Song , Chiang Hua-Pei , Huang Yueh-Min
Published: November 2013

Fire is a common and disastrous phenomenon in subway transportation systems because of closed environment and large passenger flow. Traditional methods detect and forecast fire incidents by fusing the data collected by wireless sensor networks and compare the fusion result with a threshold. However, this approach has a significant shortcoming. Fusion of data decreases the amount of useful information since the distribution of data is not considered. In this paper, a novel mechanism based on wireless sensor networks is proposed and we can use the mechanism to detect fire in subway transportation systems. The core algorithm in this mechanism is an alternative of data fusion in wireless sensor networks. The mechanism uses the quantity information acquired from the data and also considers the distribution information of the data in order to predict the occurrence of fire incidents. The simulation results show that fire incidents can be detected fast and efficiently.
Approximate Techniques in Solving Optimal Camera Placement Problems
Authors: Zhao Jian , Yoshida Ruriko , Cheung Sen-ching Samson , Haws David
Published: November 2013

While the theoretical foundation of the optimal camera placement problem has been studied for decades, its practical implementation has recently attracted significant research interest due to the increasing popularity of visual sensor networks. The most flexible formulation of finding the optimal camera placement is based on a binary integer programming (BIP) problem. Despite the flexibility, most of the resulting BIP problems are NP-hard and any such formulations of reasonable size are not amenable to exact solutions. There exists a myriad of approximate algorithms for BIP problems, but their applications, efficiency, and scalability in solving camera placement are poorly understood. Thus, we develop a comprehensive framework in comparing the merits of a wide variety of approximate algorithms in solving the optimal camera placement problems. We first present a general approach of adapting these problems into BIP formulations. Then, we demonstrate how they can be solved using different approximate algorithms including greedy heuristics, Markov-chain Monte Carlo, simulated annealing, and linear and semidefinite programming relaxations. The accuracy, efficiency, and scalability of each technique are analyzed and compared in depth. Extensive experimental results are provided to illustrate the strength and weakness of each method.
Vibration Attenuation of Magnetorheological Landing Gear System with Human Simulated Intelligent Control
Authors: Dong X. M. , Xiong G. W.
Published: November 2013

Due to the short duration of impulsive impact of an aircraft during touchdown, a traditional landing gear can only achieve limited performance. In this study, a magnetorheological (MR) absorber is incorporated into a landing gear system; an intelligent control algorithm, a human simulated intelligent control (HSIC), is proposed to adaptively tune the MR absorber. First, a two degree-of-freedom (DOF) dynamic model of a landing gear system featuring an MR absorber is constructed. The control model of an MR damper is also developed. After analyzing the impact characteristic during touchdown, an HSIC is then formulated. A genetic algorithm is adopted to optimize the control parameters of HSIC. Finally, a numerical simulation is performed to validate the proposed damper and the controller considering the varieties of sink velocities and sprung masses. The simulations under different scenarios show that the landing gear system based on the MR absorber can greatly reduce the peak impact load of sprung mass within the stroke. The biggest improvement of the proposed controller is over 40% compared to that of skyhook controller. Furthermore, HSIC exhibits better adaptive ability and strong robustness than skyhook controller under various payloads and sink velocities.