bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Host gene expression profiling of cervical smear is eligible for cancer risk evaluation
Authors: Bourmenskaya Olga , Shubina Ekaterina , Trofimov Dmitry , Rebrikov Denis , Sabdulaeva Elina , Nepsha Oksana , Bozhenko Vladimir , Rogovskaya Svetlana , Sukhikh Gennady
Published: December 2012

Aims

Uterine cervical carcinoma (CC) is known to be a delayed consequence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Considering the reported influence of HPV on host genome activity, we conceived an approach to capture human gene expression profiles corresponding to increased risks of carcinogenesis.

Methods

A sample set of 143 female participants included a ‘control’ group of 23, a ‘pathology’ group of 83 (cervical abnormalities of varied grade including 10 cases of CC), and a ‘HPV carrier’ group of 37 (infected but manifesting normal cytology). HPV detection, viral load measurements and gene expression profiling were performed by real-time PCR assays.

Results

Gradual increase in expression of proliferation markers and a decrease in expression of proapoptotic genes, some receptors,PTENandPTGS2were demonstrated for progressive grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia leading to cancer. All reported trends were statistically significant, for instance, correlation of gene expression values forMKI67,CCNB1andBIRC5.

A model was proposed that employed mRNA concentrations for genesMKI67,CDKN2A,PGRandBAX. Prompt distinction between the norm and the cancer, provided by initial calculation, suggested that positive values of the function could indicate the higher individual risks. Indeed, all patients assigned to high risk by calculation were HPV infected and showed elevated viral E6, E7 mRNA concentration known to be associated with CC onset.

Conclusions

The research was concentrated on dynamical gene expression profiling upon pathological changes ultimately leading to CC. Differences of normalised mRNA concentrations were used for quantitative model design and its primary approbation.
Preoperative Onyx embolization of hypervascular head, neck, and spinal tumors. Experience with 100 consecutive cases from a single tertiary center
Authors: Rangel-Castilla Leonardo , Shah Ankit H , Klucznik Richard Paul , Diaz Orlando M
Published: December 2012

Background/purpose

Preoperative embolization of head, neck, and spinal tumors is frequently used to control tumor bleeding, reduce operative time, and achieve better resection. Numerous embolic materials have been used. The use of the liquid embolic agent Onyx is rapidly increasing but current experience is limited to small case series. Our purpose was to evaluate the indications, techniques, angiographic devascularization, blood loss, outcome, and general efficacy of preoperative tumor embolization with Onyx in a large series.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive cases of head, neck, and spinal tumors embolized with Onyx and prospective follow-up.

Results

100 patients (63 women, 37 men) were included. Tumors included 39 meningiomas, 23 metastases, 16 parangliomas, five juvenile nasal angiofibromas, five giant cell bone tumors, three Ewing's sarcomas, three hemangiomas, three hemangioblastomas, two multiple myelomas, and one osteoblastoma. In all patients, angiographic analysis of the feeding arteries and branches was performed and all embolizations were completed in a single session. Additional materials were used in 28 patients. No mortality or major complications were observed. Minor complications were seen in 11 patients. 85 patients underwent surgery; 79 within the next 48 h and six of them 4–188 days after embolization.

Conclusions

Embolization of intracranial, head, neck, and spinal tumors with Onyx is effective and safe by a transarterial route or by direct puncture. Onyx penetrates well into the tumor capillary with less arterial catheterization. Studies are necessary to establish long term utility in adjunct or palliative tumor embolization.
Clinical, microbiological and histological findings in lambs affected by ‘salivary abomasum disease’
Authors: Christodoulopoulos G. , Scott P. R. , Jehl N. , Filioussis G. , Smith S. H.
Published: December 2012

‘Salivary abomasum disease’ is a common syndrome in Greece affecting lambs and kids from three to 17 days of age. In this case series, we present clinical and laboratory findings from 37 affected lambs presented alive and subsequently euthanased for welfare reasons and necropsied, and also from 24 other lambs submitted dead that were also necropsied. The clinical signs in the 37 lambs presented alive included lethargy (100 per cent), absence of sucking (83.8 per cent), weakness (37.8 per cent), abdominal distension (40.5 per cent) and increased frequency of urination (24.3 per cent). Diarrhoea was not observed in any affected lambs. At necropsy of these 37 lambs, the abomasum was distended with gas (70.3 per cent), saliva (43.2 per cent) along with mixed milk clots and gastric secretions; while multiple small mucosal and serosal haemorrhages with blood clots (‘coffee grains’) were recorded (91.9 per cent). Eight of 37 lambs that were examined alive, had elevated blood urea nitrogen concentrations (21.6 per cent). The pH of the abomasal contents ranged from 1.0 to 2.8;Escherichia coliwas cultured from six of 37 (16.2 per cent) abomasal fluid samples. A mild to moderate inflammatory cell infiltrate was present in the mucosal lamina propria of 13 of 15 abomasal samples (86.6 per cent). Kidneys were paler than normal in 13 of the total 61 lambs necropsied (21.3 per cent); while acute tubular necrosis was evident on histopathological examination of 11 of 12 examined pale kidneys (91.6 per cent). The low abomasal pH and reported successful treatment with oral sodium bicarbonate suggest that metabolic acidosis may develop during the disease; however, further studies, including blood gas analysis, and determination of D‐ and L‐lactic acid concentrations, are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.
A NEW, ANALYTIC, NON-PERTURBATIVE, GAUGE-INVARIANT, REALISTIC FORMULATION OF QCD
Authors: FRIED H. M.
Published: December 2012

This Brief Review presents a new, analytic, gauge-invariant, non-perturbative and rigorous approach to the calculation of QCD phenomena. In this formulation a basic distinction between the conventional description of QCD and a more "realistic" description, taking into account that asymptotic quarks exist only in bound states, is brought into focus by the evaluation of the Schwinger solution for the QCD generating functional (GF) in terms of the exact Fradkin representations of the Green's functional G0(x, y|A) and the vacuum functional L[A]. A new and simplifying output called "Effective Locality" appears, in which the interactions between quarks by the exchange of a "gluon bundle" (GB) (which "bundle" contains an infinite number of gluons, including cubic and quartic gluon interactions) display an exact locality property that reduces the several functional integrals of the formulation down to a set of ordinary integrals, susceptible to desktop-computer computation. As an example of the power of these methods we offer as a first pencil-and-paper calculation the quark–antiquark binding potential of a pion, and the corresponding three-quark binding potentials of a nucleon, obtained in a simple way from relevant eikonal scattering approximations. This example is followed by the estimation of a nucleon–nucleon binding potential to form a model deuteron, which may have relevance to the origin of the nuclear shell model and nuclear binding in general.
PHYSICAL AND STABLE CLOSED TIME-LIKE CURVES
Authors: HO CHIU MAN , WEILER THOMAS J.
Published: December 2012

We construct a class of closed time-like curves (CTCs) using a compactified extra dimension u. A nonzero metric element gtu(u) enables particles to travel backwards in global time t. The compactified dimension guarantees that the geodesic curve closes in u. The effective 2D (t and u) nature of the metric ensures that spacetime is flat, therein satisfying all the classical stability conditions as expressed by the energy conditions. Finally, stationarity of the metric guarantees that a particle's energy is conserved. The pathologies that plague many hypothesized metrics admitting CTCs, e.g., an infinite cylinder of matter, a negative energy-distribution, particle acceleration/blue-shifting along the CTC, do not occur within our metric class.
OBLIQUE CORRECTIONS IN THE MSSM AT ONE LOOP II: FERMIONS
Authors: YU YAO , ZHENG SIBO
Published: December 2012

This paper is the completion of an earlier work arXiv:1207.4867 which involves the derivation of oblique corrections in the MSSM at one-loop. In terms of the two-component spinor formalism, which is new in comparison with those used in the literature, the contributions arising from the fermion superpartners, i.e. neutralino-chargino sector to self-energy of Standard Model electroweak gauge bosons are calculated. Corresponding descendants the S, T and U parameters are presented. The validity of our results is examined in two ways, which are then followed by detailed analysis on the results in the literature.
FACTORIZATION INVARIANTS IN HALF-FACTORIAL AFFINE SEMIGROUPS
Authors: GARCÍA SÁNCHEZ P. A. , OJEDA I. , SÁNCHEZ-R.-NAVARRO A.
Published: December 2012

Let [Formula: see text] be the monoid generated by [Formula: see text] We introduce the homogeneous catenary degree of [Formula: see text] as the smallest N ∈ ℕ with the following property: for each [Formula: see text] and any two factorizations u, v of a, there exist factorizations u = w1,…,wt = v of a such that, for every k, d (wk,wk+1) ≤ N, where d is the usual distance between factorizations, and the length of wk, |wk|, is less than or equal to max{|u|, |v|}. We prove that the homogeneous catenary degree of [Formula: see text] improves the monotone catenary degree as upper bound for the ordinary catenary degree, and we show that it can be effectively computed. We also prove that for half-factorial monoids, the tame degree and the ω-primality coincide, and that all possible catenary degrees of the elements of an affine semigroup of this kind occur as the catenary degree of one of its Betti elements.
INTERVAL STRUCTURE OF THE PIERI FORMULA FOR GROTHENDIECK POLYNOMIALS
Authors: PONS VIVIANE
Published: December 2012

We give a combinatorial interpretation of a Pieri formula for double Grothendieck polynomials in terms of an interval of the Bruhat order. Another description had been given by Lenart and Postnikov in terms of chain enumerations. We use Lascoux's interpretation of a product of Grothendieck polynomials as a product of two kinds of generators of the 0-Hecke algebra, or sorting operators. In this way, we obtain a direct proof of the result of Lenart and Postnikov and then prove that the set of permutations occurring in the result is actually an interval of the Bruhat order.
${\mathcal{B}$-BOUNDED COHOMOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS
Authors: JI RONGHUI , OGLE CRICHTON , RAMSEY BOBBY
Published: December 2012

A discrete group with word-length (G, L) is [Formula: see text]-isocohomological for a bounding classes [Formula: see text] if the comparison map from [Formula: see text]-bounded cohomology to ordinary cohomology (with coefficients in ℂ) is an isomorphism; it is strongly [Formula: see text]-isocohomological if the same is true with arbitrary coefficients. In this paper we establish some basic conditions guaranteeing strong [Formula: see text]-isocohomologicality. In particular, we show strong [Formula: see text]-isocohomologicality for an FP∞ group G if all of the weighted G-sensitive Dehn functions are [Formula: see text]-bounded. Such groups include all [Formula: see text]-asynchronously combable groups; moreover, the class of such groups is closed under constructions arising from groups acting on an acyclic complex. We also provide examples where the comparison map fails to be injective, as well as surjective, and give an example of a solvable group with quadratic first Dehn function, but exponential second Dehn function. Finally, a relative theory of [Formula: see text]-bounded cohomology of groups with respect to subgroups is introduced. Relative isocohomologicality is determined in terms of a new notion of relative Dehn functions and a relativeFP∞ property for groups with respect to a collection of subgroups. Applications for computing [Formula: see text]-bounded cohomology of groups are given in the context of relatively hyperbolic groups and developable complexes of groups.
ON THE DIMENSION OF PRODUCTS OF HOMOGENEOUS SUBSPACES IN FREE LIE ALGEBRAS
Authors: MANSUROǦLU NIL , STÖHR RALPH
Published: December 2012

Let L be a free Lie algebra of finite rank over a field K and let Lndenote the degree n homogeneous component of L. Formulae for the dimension of the subspaces [Lm, Ln] for all m and n were obtained by the second author and Michael Vaughan-Lee. In this note we consider subspaces of the form [Lm, Ln, Lk] = [[Lm, Ln], Lk]. Surprisingly, in contrast to the case of a product of two homogeneous components, the dimension of such products may depend on the characteristic of the field K. For example, the dimension of [L2, L2, L1] over fields of characteristic 2 is different from the dimension over fields of characteristic other than 2. Our main results are formulae for the dimension of [Lm, Ln, Lk]. Under certain conditions on m, n and k they lead to explicit formulae that do not depend on the characteristic of K, and express the dimension of [Lm, Ln, Lk] in terms of Witt's dimension function.
HIGGS BOSON IN RG RUNNING INFLATIONARY COSMOLOGY
Authors: CAI YI-FU , EASSON DAMIEN A.
Published: December 2012

An intriguing hypothesis is that gravity may be nonperturbatively renormalizable via the notion of asymptotic safety (AS). We show that the Higgs sector of the standard model (SM) minimally coupled to asymptotically safe gravity can generate the observed near scale-invariant spectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Background through the curvaton mechanism. The resulting primordial power spectrum places an upper bound (CMB) on the Higgs mass, which for finely tuned values of the curvaton parameters, is compatible with the recently released Large Hadron Collider (LHC) data.
LARGE-SCALE METAGENOMIC SEQUENCE CLUSTERING ON MAP-REDUCE CLUSTERS
Authors: YANG XIAO , ZOLA JAROSLAW , ALURU SRINIVAS
Published: December 2012

Taxonomic clustering of species from millions of DNA fragments sequenced from their genomes is an important and frequently arising problem in metagenomics. In this paper, we present a parallel algorithm for taxonomic clustering of large metagenomic samples with support for overlapping clusters. We develop sketching techniques, akin to those created for web document clustering, to deduce significant similarities between pairs of sequences without resorting to expensive all vs. all comparison. We formulate the metagenomic classification problem as that of maximal quasi-clique enumeration in the resulting similarity graph, at multiple levels of the hierarchy as prescribed by different similarity thresholds. We cast execution of the underlying algorithmic steps as applications of the map-reduce framework to achieve a cloud ready implementation. We show that the resulting framework can produce high quality clustering of metagenomic samples consisting of millions of reads, in reasonable time limits, when executed on a modest size cluster.
AN EFFICIENT FINITE ELEMENT MODEL FOR ANALYSIS OF SINGLE WALLED BORON NITRIDE NANOTUBE-BASED RESONANT NANOMECHANICAL SENSORS
Authors: PANCHAL MITESH B. , UPADHYAY S. H. , HARSHA S. P.
Published: December 2012

In this paper, the dynamics analysis of single walled boron nitride nanotubes (SWBNNT) as a resonant nanomechanical sensor by using the finite element method has been reported. Molecular structural mechanics-based finite element model (FEM) has been developed by using three-dimensional elastic beams and point masses, such that the proximity of the model to the actual atomic structure of nanotube is significantly retained. Different types of armchair layups of SWBNNTs are considered with cantilevered and bridged end constraints. By implementing the finite element simulation approach, the resonant frequency shift-based mass sensitivity analysis is performed for both types of end constraints for considered armchair form of the SWBNNTs with different aspect ratios. For both types of end constraint, continuum mechanics-based analytical formulations, considering effective wall thickness of nanotubes are used to validate the present FEM-based simulation approach. The intermediate landing position of the added mass is analyzed, considering variations in resonant frequency shifts of the different fundamental modes of vibrations for both types of end constraints. The FEM-based simulation results for both types of end constraints found in good agreement with the continuum mechanics-based analytical results for the aspect ratio of range of 9–15. The mass sensitivity limit of 10-1 zg is achieved for SWBNNT-based resonant nanomechanical sensors. The resonant frequency shift for higher-order fundamental vibrational modes become stable as the attached mass moves away from the fixed ends for particular magnitude of attached mass. The present finite element-based approach is found to be effectual in terms of dealing different atomic structures, boundary conditions and consideration of added mass to analyze the dynamic behavior of the SWBNNT-based resonant nanomechanical sensors.
Immunosuppression preserves renal autoregulatory function and microvascular P2X1 receptor reactivity in ANG II-hypertensive rats
Authors: Guan Zhengrong , Giddens Matthew I. , Osmond David A. , Cook Anthony K. , Hobbs Janet L. , Zhang Shali , Yamamoto Tatsuo , Pollock Jennifer S. , Pollock David M. , Inscho Edward W.
Published: December 2012

Autoregulation is critical for protecting the kidney against arterial pressure elevation and is compromised in some forms of hypertension. Evidence indicates that activated lymphocytes contribute importantly to cardiovascular injury in hypertension. We hypothesized that activated lymphocytes contribute to renal vascular dysfunction by impairing autoregulation and P2X1 receptor signaling in ANG II-infused hypertensive rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats receiving ANG II infusion were treated with a lymphocyte proliferation inhibitor, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for 2 wk. Autoregulation was assessed in vitro and in vivo using the blood-perfused juxtamedullary nephron preparation and anesthetized rats, respectively. ANG II-treated rats exhibited impaired autoregulation. At the single vessel level, pressure-mediated afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction was significantly blunted ( P < 0.05 vs. control rats). At the whole kidney level, renal blood flow passively decreased as renal perfusion pressure was reduced. MMF treatment did not alter the ANG II-induced hypertensive state; however, MMF did preserve autoregulation. The autoregulatory profiles in both in vitro or in vivo settings were similar to the responses from control rats despite persistent hypertension. Autoregulatory responses are linked to P2X1 receptor activation. Accordingly, afferent arteriolar responses to ATP and the P2X1 receptor agonist β,γ-methylene ATP were assessed. ATP- or β,γ-methylene ATP-induced vasoconstriction was significantly attenuated in ANG II-infused hypertensive rats but was normalized by MMF treatment. Moreover, MMF prevented elevation of plasma transforming growth factor-β1 concentration and lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration in ANG II-infused kidneys. These results suggest that anti-inflammatory treatment with MMF prevents lymphocyte infiltration and preserves autoregulation in ANG II-infused hypertensive rats, likely by normalizing P2X1 receptor activation.
The Equivalence of Convergence Results between Mann and Multistep Iterations with Errors for Uniformly Continuous Generalized Weak Φ‐Pseudocontractive Mappings in Banach Spaces
Authors: Lv Guiwen , Zhou Haiyun
Published: December 2012

We prove the equivalence of the convergence of the Mann and multistep iterations with errors for uniformly continuous generalized weak Φ‐pseduocontractive mappings in Banach spaces. We also obtain the convergence results of Mann and multistep iterations with errors. Our results extend and improve the corresponding results.
Positive Solutions of a Second‐Order Nonlinear Neutral Delay Difference Equation
Authors: Liu Zeqing , Sun Wei , Ume Jeong Sheok , Kang Shin Min
Published: December 2012

The purpose of this paper is to study solvability of the second‐order nonlinear neutral delay difference equation . By making use of the Rothe fixed point theorem, Leray‐Schauder nonlinear alternative theorem, Krasnoselskill fixed point theorem, and some new techniques, we obtain some sufficient conditions which ensure the existence of uncountably many bounded positive solutions for the above equation. Five nontrivial examples are given to illustrate that the results presented in this paper are more effective than the existing ones in the literature.
Metric Subregularity for Subsmooth Generalized Constraint Equations in Banach Spaces
Authors: Qinghai He , Ji Yang , Binbin Zhang
Published: December 2012

This paper is devoted to metric subregularity of a kind of generalized constraint equations. In particular, in terms of coderivatives and normal cones, we provide some necessary and sufficient conditions for subsmooth generalized constraint equations to be metrically subregular and strongly metrically subregular in general Banach spaces and Asplund spaces, respectively.
Monoballism Associated with Newly Onset Ketotic Hyperglycemia
Authors: Soysal Dilek Ersil , Gelen Barıs , Hızar Sezin , Pekdiker Mete , Tekesin Ebru , Beckmann Yesim , Karakus Volkan
Published: December 2012

Movement disorders as the initial symptoms of diabetes mellitus are rare. Here, we describe one of these rare manifestations of primary diabetes: a case of newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus in an old-age female patient with transient monoballismus during an episode of ketotic hyperglycemia.
Solving Hyperchaotic Systems Using the Spectral Relaxation Method
Authors: Motsa S. S. , Dlamini P. G. , Khumalo M.
Published: December 2012

A new multistage numerical method based on blending a Gauss‐Siedel relaxation method and Chebyshev pseudospectral method, for solving complex dynamical systems exhibiting hyperchaotic behavior, is presented. The proposed method, called the multistage spectral relaxation method (MSRM), is applied for the numerical solution of three hyperchaotic systems, namely, the Chua, Chen, and Rabinovich‐Fabrikant systems. To demonstrate the performance of the method, results are presented in tables and diagrams and compared to results obtained using a Runge‐Kutta‐(4,5)‐based MATLAB solver, ode45, and other previously published results.
Role of Dynesys as Pedicle-Based Nonfusion Stabilization for Degenerative Disc Disorders
Authors: Anand Neel , Baron Eli M.
Published: December 2012

Posterior nonfusion pedicle-screw-based stabilization remains a controversial area of spine surgery. To date, the Dynesys system remains the most widely implanted posterior nonfusion pedicle screw system. We review the history of Dynesys and discuss clinical outcome studies and biomechanical evaluations regarding the Dynesys system. Indications for surgery and controversies are discussed. Recommendations are made regarding technical implantation.
Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Major Gastrointestinal Disorders for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Mixed Treatment Comparison Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sun Feng , Yu Kai , Yang Zhirong , Wu Shanshan , Zhang Yuan , Shi Luwen , Ji Linong , Zhan Siyan
Published: December 2012

Aim. We aimed to integrate evidence from all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and assess the impact of different doses of exenatide or liraglutide on major gastrointestinal adverse events (GIAEs) in type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Methods. RCTs evaluating different doses of exenatide and liraglutide against placebo or an active comparator with treatment duration ≥4 weeks were searched and reviewed. A total of 35, 32 and 28 RCTs met the selection criteria evaluated for nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, respectively. Pairwise random-effects meta-analyses and mixed treatment comparisons (MTC) of all RCTs were performed.Results. All GLP-1 dose groups significantly increased the probability of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea relative to placebo and conventional treatment. MTC meta-analysis showed that there was 99.2% and 85.0% probability, respectively, that people with exenatide 10 μg twice daily (EX10BID) was more vulnerable to nausea and vomiting than those with other treatments. There was a 78.90% probability that liraglutide 1.2 mg once daily (LIR1.2) has a higher risk of diarrhea than other groups. A dose-dependent relationship of exenatide and liraglutide on GIAEs was observed.Conclusions. Our MTC meta-analysis suggests that patients should be warned about these GIAEs in early stage of treatment by GLP-1s, especially by EX10BID and LIR1.2, to promote treatment compliance.
Bilateral Vaginocutaneous Fistulas Three Years following the Insertion of a “Tension-Free” Vaginal Tape
Authors: Bacon James , Black Penny
Published: December 2012

We present a rare complication of fistula following the insertion of a transvaginal tape and the literature surrounding fistula formation following this procedure.
The Role of TGFβSignaling in Squamous Cell Cancer: Lessons from Mouse Models
Authors: Glick Adam B.
Published: December 2012

TGFβ1 is a member of a large growth factor family including activins/inhibins and bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) that have a potent growth regulatory and immunomodulatory functions in normal skin homeostasis, regulation of epidermal stem cells, extracellular matrix production, angiogenesis, and inflammation. TGFβsignaling is tightly regulated in normal tissues and becomes deregulated during cancer development in cutaneous SCC and many other solid tumors. Because of these diverse biological processes regulated by TGFβ1, this cytokine and its signaling pathway appear to function at multiple points during carcinogenesis with distinct effects. The mouse skin carcinogenesis model has been a useful tool to dissect the function of this pathway in cancer pathogenesis, with transgenic and null mice as well as small molecule inhibitors to alter the function of the TGFβ1 pathway and assess the effects on cancer development. This paper will review data on changes in TGFβ1 signaling in human SCC primarily HNSCC and cutaneous SCC and different mouse models that have been generated to investigate the relevance of these changes to cancer. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the duality of TGFβ1 action in carcinogenesis will inform potential use of this signaling pathway for targeted therapies.
Swimming as a Positive Moderator of Cognitive Aging: A Cross-Sectional Study with a Multitask Approach
Authors: Abou-Dest Amira , Albinet Cédric T. , Boucard Geoffroy , Audiffren Michel
Published: December 2012

This study examined whether regular swimming in older adults was related to better cognitive functioning and whether there were any global or selective positive effects of this physical activity (PA) on cognition. The cognitive performances of three groups of sixteen volunteer participants (young adults, sedentary older adults, and older adults who regularly practice swimming) were evaluated using a multitask approach. All participants performed a battery of ten tasks: two reaction time tasks assessing information processing speed and eight experimental tasks assessing three executive functions (EFs), (behavioral inhibition, working memory updating, and cognitive flexibility). The results showed that young adults performed significantly better than older adults on all examined cognitive functions. However, in older adults, regular swimming was related to better performance on the three EFs, but not on information processing speed. More precisely, five experimental tasks out of the eight tapping EFs were shown to be sensitive to positive effects from swimming practice. Finally, the demonstrated benefits of swimming on EFs were not necessarily linked to better cardiorespiratory fitness. The present findings illustrate the validity of using a multitask approach in examining the potential benefits of regular PA on cognitive aging.
Axitinib Induced Recurrent Pneumothorax following Near-Complete Response of Renal Cell Carcinoma Lung Metastasis: An Unexpected Complication
Authors: Socola Francisco , Loaiza-Bonilla Arturo , Benedetto Pasquale
Published: December 2012

We report a case of a Caucasian male with a history of renal cell carcinoma metastatic (mRCC) to the lungs refractory despite aggressive treatment with several lines of targeted therapy. He was started on axitinib palliative targeted therapy with a good clinical and radiological response; however one month after treatment initiation he presented to the emergency department with severe dyspnea and hypoxemia. Physical exam and chest X-ray revealed left-sided tension pneumothorax which required emergent thoracostomy with subsequent improvement; however it recurred requiring video assisted thoracoscopy. A left-sided 4 × 3 cm cavitated necrotic lesion was found at the level of the main pulmonary artery. Repair with pericardial fat flap was performed. Surgical biopsies from this lesion revealed mRCC with extensive necrosis. Imaging studies before and after axitinib use showed an initial 4 × 3 cm mass seen in the same location of this large cavitated necrotic tumor. Pneumothorax has not been described as a potential major complication from the use of axitinib. Complete or near-complete responses of mRCC to axitinib targeted therapy may lead to this potential life-threatening complication, particularly if the metastatic lesions are located near to pleural structures. We also review pertinent clinical trial data on axitinib.
Gastroprotective Activity ofPolygonum chinenseAqueous Leaf Extract on Ethanol-Induced Hemorrhagic Mucosal Lesions in Rats
Authors: Ismail Iza Farhana , Golbabapour Shahram , Hassandarvish Pouya , Hajrezaie Maryam , Abdul Majid Nazia , Kadir Farkaad A. , Al-Bayaty Fouad , Awang Khalijah , Hazni Hazrina , Abdulla Mahmood Ameen
Published: December 2012

Polygonum chinenseis a Malaysian ethnic plant with various healing effects. This study was to determine preventive effect of aqueous leaf extract ofP. chinenseagainst ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats.Sprague Dawleyrats were divided into seven groups. The normal and ulcer control groups were orally administered with distilled water. The reference group was orally administered with 20 mg/kg omeprazole. The experimental groups received the extracts 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg, accordingly. After sixty minutes, distilled water and absolute ethanol were given (5 mL/kg) to the normal control and the others, respectively. In addition to histology, immunohistochemical and periodic acid schiff (PAS) stains, levels of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzymes, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. The ulcer group exhibited severe mucosal damages. The experimental groups significantly reduced gastric lesions and MDA levels and increased SOD level. Immunohistochemistry of the experimental groups showed upregulation and downregulation of Hsp70 and Bax proteins, respectively. PAS staining in these groups exhibited intense staining as compared to the ulcer group. Acute toxicity study revealed the nontoxic nature of the extract. Our data provide first evidence thatP. chinenseextract could significantly prevent gastric ulcer.
Exploiting Spatial and Frequency Diversity in Spatially Correlated MU-MIMO Downlink Channels
Authors: Nordin Rosdiadee
Published: December 2012

The effect of self-interference due to the increase of spatial correlation in a MIMO channel has become one of the limiting factors towards the implementation of future network downlink transmissions. This paper aims to reduce the effect of self-interference in a downlink multiuser- (MU-) MIMO transmission by exploiting the available spatial and frequency diversity. The subcarrier allocation scheme can exploit the frequency diversity to determine the self-interference from the ESINR metric, while the spatial diversity can be exploited by introducing the partial feedback scheme, which offers knowledge of the channel condition to the base station and further reduces the effect before the allocation process takes place. The results have shown that the proposed downlink transmission scheme offers robust bit error rate (BER) performance, even when simulated in a fully correlated channel, without imposing higher feedback requirements on the base controller.
Design and Construction of a Single-Tube, LATE-PCR, Multiplex Endpoint Assay with Lights-On/Lights-Off Probes for the Detection of Pathogens Associated with Sepsis
Authors: Carver-Brown Rachel K. , Reis Arthur H. , Rice Lisa M. , Czajka John W. , Wangh Lawrence J.
Published: December 2012

Aims. The goal of this study was to construct a single tube molecular diagnostic multiplex assay for the detection of microbial pathogens commonly associated with septicemia, using LATE-PCR and Lights-On/Lights-Off probe technology.Methods and Results. The assay described here identified pathogens associated with sepsis by amplification and analysis of the 16S ribosomal DNA gene sequence for bacteria and specific gene sequences for fungi. A sequence from an unidentified gene inLactococcus lactissubsp.cremorisserved as a positive control for assay function. LATE-PCR was used to generate single-stranded amplicons that were then analyzed at endpoint over a wide temperature range in a specific fluorescent color. Each bacterial target was identified by its pattern of hybridization to Lights-On/Lights-Off probes derived from molecular beacons. Complex mixtures of targets were also detected.Conclusions. All microbial targets were identified in samples containing low starting copy numbers of pathogen genomic DNA, both as individual targets and in complex mixtures.Significance and Impact of the Study. This assay uses new technology to achieve an advance in the field of molecular diagnostics: a single-tube multiplex assay for identification of pathogens commonly associated with sepsis.
A Path-Integral Approach to the Cameron-Martin-Maruyama-Girsanov Formula Associated to a Bilaplacian
Authors: Léandre Rémi
Published: December 2012

We define the Wiener product on a bosonic Connes space associated to a Bilaplacian and we introduce formal Wiener chaos on the path space. We consider the vacuum distribution on the bosonic Connes space and show that it is related to the heat semigroup associated to the Bilaplacian. We deduce a Cameron-Martin quasi-invariance formula for the heat semigroup associated to the Bilaplacian by using some convenient coherent vector. This paper enters under the Hida-Streit approach of path integral.
r-Costar Pair of Contravariant Functors
Authors: Al-Nofayee S.
Published: December 2012

We generalize r-costar module to r-costar pair of contravariant functors between abelian categories.
The Risk of Acute Kidney Injury and Its Impact on 30-Day and Long-Term Mortality after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Gebauer Katrin , Diller Gerhard-Paul , Kaleschke Gerrit , Kerckhoff Gregor , Malyar Nasser , Meyborg Matthias , Reinecke Holger , Baumgartner Helmut
Published: December 2012

Background. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is widely used in high risk patients (pts) with aortic stenosis. Underlying chronic kidney disease implicates a high risk of postprocedural acute kidney injury (AKI). We analyzed its occurrence, impact on hospital stay, and mortality.Methods. 150 consecutive pts underwent TAVI in our institution (mean age81 ± 7years; logistic EuroSCORE24 ± 15%). AKI definition was a creatinine rise of26.5 μmol/L or more within 48 hours postprocedural. Ten patients on chronic hemodialysis were excluded.Results. AKI occurred in 28 pts (20%). Baseline creatinine was higher in AKI pts (126.4 ± 59.2 μmol/L versus 108.7 ± 45.1 μmol/L,P=0.09). Contrast media use was distributed evenly. Both, 30-day mortality (29% versus 7%,P<0.0001) and long-term mortality (43% versus 18%,P<0.0001) were higher; hospital stay was longer in AKI pts (20 ± 12 versus 15 ± 10 days,P=0.03). Predicted renal failure calculated STS Score was similar (8.0 ± 5.0% [AKI] versus 7.1 ± 4.0% [non-AKI],P=0.32) and estimated lower renal failure rates than observed.Conclusion. AKI remains a frequent complication with increased mortality in TAVI pts. Careful identification of risk factors and development of more suitable risk scores are essential.
Highly Efficient Calculation Schemes of Finite‐Element Filter Approach for the Eigenvalue Problem of Electric Field
Authors: Zhang Yu , Yang Yidu , Liu Jie
Published: December 2012

This paper discusses finite‐element highly efficient calculation schemes for solving eigenvalue problem of electric field. Multigrid discretization is extended to the filter approach for eigenvalue problem of electric field. With this scheme one solves an eigenvalue problem on a coarse grid just at the first step, and then always solves a linear algebraic system on finer and finer grids. Theoretical analysis and numerical results show that the scheme has high efficiency. Besides, we use interpolation postprocessing technique to improve the accuracy of solutions, and numerical results show that the scheme is an efficient and significant method for eigenvalue problem of electric field.
Building a Strategic Framework for Comparative Effectiveness Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine
Authors: Witt Claudia M. , Chesney Margaret , Gliklich Richard , Green Lawrence , Lewith George , Luce Bryan , McCaffrey Anne , Rafferty Withers Shelly , Sox Harold C. , Tunis Sean , Berman Brian M.
Published: December 2012

The increasing burden of chronic diseases presents not only challenges to the knowledge and expertise of the professional medical community, but also highlights the need to improve the quality and relevance of clinical research in this domain. Many patients now turn to complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) to treat their chronic illnesses; however, there is very little evidence to guide their decision-making in usual care. The following research recommendations were derived from a CIM Stakeholder Symposium on Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER): (1) CER studies should be made a priority in this field; (2) stakeholders should be engaged at every stage of the research; (3) CER study designs should highlight effectiveness over efficacy; (4) research questions should be well defined to enable the selection of an appropriate CER study design; (5) the CIM community should cultivate widely shared understandings, discourse, tools, and technologies to support the use and validity of CER methods; (6) Effectiveness Guidance Documents on methodological standards should be developed to shape future CER studies. CER is an emerging field and its development and impact must be reflected in future research strategies within CIM. This stakeholder symposium was a first step in providing systematic guidance for future CER in this field.
New Approach for Solving a Class of Doubly Singular Two-Point Boundary Value Problems Using Adomian Decomposition Method
Authors: Singh Randhir , Kumar Jitendra , Nelakanti Gnaneshwar
Published: December 2012

We propose two new modified recursive schemes for solving a class of doubly singular two-point boundary value problems. These schemes are based on Adomian decomposition method (ADM) and new proposed integral operators. We use all the boundary conditions to derive an integral equation before establishing the recursive schemes for the solution components. Thus we develop recursive schemes without any undetermined coefficients while computing successive solution components, whereas several previous recursive schemes have done so. This modification also avoids solving a sequence of nonlinear algebraic or transcendental equations for the undetermined coefficients with multiple roots, which is required to complete calculation of the solution by several earlier modified recursion schemes using the ADM. The approximate solution is computed in the form of series with easily calculable components. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is tested by considering four examples and results are compared with previous known results.
Florbetaben PET in the Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease: A Discrete Event Simulation to Explore Its Potential Value and Key Data Gaps
Authors: Guo Shien , Getsios Denis , Hernandez Luis , Cho Kelly , Lawler Elizabeth , Altincatal Arman , Lanes Stephan , Blankenburg Michael
Published: December 2012

The growing understanding of the use of biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease (AD) may enable physicians to make more accurate and timely diagnoses. Florbetaben, a beta-amyloid tracer used with positron emission tomography (PET), is one of these diagnostic biomarkers. This analysis was undertaken to explore the potential value of florbetaben PET in the diagnosis of AD among patients with suspected dementia and to identify key data that are needed to further substantiate its value. A discrete event simulation was developed to conduct exploratory analyses from both US payer and societal perspectives. The model simulates the lifetime course of disease progression for individuals, evaluating the impact of their patient management from initial diagnostic work-up to final diagnosis. Model inputs were obtained from specific analyses of a large longitudinal dataset from the New England Veterans Healthcare System and supplemented with data from public data sources and assumptions. The analyses indicate that florbetaben PET has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs under certain scenarios. Key data on the use of florbetaben PET, such as its influence on time to confirmation of final diagnosis, treatment uptake, and treatment persistency, are unavailable and would be required to confirm its value.
Tuina-Focused Integrative Chinese Medical Therapies for Inpatients with Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kong Ling Jun , Fang Min , Zhan Hong Sheng , Yuan Wei An , Pu Jiang Hui , Cheng Ying Wu , Chen Bo
Published: December 2012

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of Tuina-focused integrative Chinese medical therapies (TICMT) on inpatients with low back pain (LBP).Methods. 6 English and Chinese databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TICMT for in-patients with LBP. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was assessed based on PEDro scale. And the meta-analyses of TICMT for LBP on pain and functional status were conducted.Results. 20 RCTs were included. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was poor. The meta-analyses' results showed that TICMT had statistically significant effects on pain and functional status, especially Tuina plus Chinese herbal medicine (standardised mean difference, SMD: 1.17; 95% CI 0.75 to 1.60 on pain; SMD: 1.31; 95% CI 0.49 to 2.14 on functional status) and Tuina plus acupuncture (SMD: 0.94; 95% CI 0.38 to 1.50 on pain; SMD: 0.53; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.85 on functional status). But Tuina plus moxibustion or hot pack did not show significant improvements on pain. And the long-term evidence of TICMT was far from sufficient.Conclusions. The preliminary evidence from current studies suggests that TICMT might be effective complementary and alternative treatments for in-patients with LBP. However, the poor methodological quality of the included RCTs means that high-quality RCTs with long follow-up are warranted.
Travel Demand‐Based Assignment Model for Multimodal and Multiuser Transportation System
Authors: Si Bingfeng , Yan Xuedong , Sun Hunjun , Yang Xiaobao , Gao Ziyou
Published: December 2012

In this paper, the structural characteristic of urban multimodal transport system is fully analyzed and then a two‐tier network structure is proposed to describe such a system, in which the first‐tier network is used to depict the traveller’s mode choice behaviour and the second‐tier network is used to depict the vehicle routing when a certain mode has been selected. Subsequently, the generalized travel cost is formulated considering the properties of both traveller and transport mode. A new link impedance function is proposed, in which the interferences between different vehicle flows are taken into account. Simultaneously, the bi‐equilibrium patterns for multimodal transport network are proposed by extending Wardrop principle. Correspondingly, a bi‐level programming model is then presented to describe the bi‐equilibrium based assignment for multi‐class multimodal transport network. The solution algorithm is also given. Finally, a numerical example is provided to illustrate the model and algorithm.
Targeting Herpetic Keratitis by Gene Therapy
Authors: Elbadawy Hossein Mostafa , Gailledrat Marine , Desseaux Carole , Ponzin Diego , Ferrari Stefano
Published: December 2012

Ocular gene therapy is rapidly becoming a reality. By November 2012, approximately 28 clinical trials were approved to assess novel gene therapy agents. Viral infections such as herpetic keratitis caused by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) can cause serious complications that may lead to blindness. Recurrence of the disease is likely and cornea transplantation, therefore, might not be the ideal therapeutic solution. This paper will focus on the current situation of ocular gene therapy research against herpetic keratitis, including the use of viral and nonviral vectors, routes of delivery of therapeutic genes, new techniques, and key research strategies. Whereas the correction of inherited diseases was the initial goal of the field of gene therapy, here we discuss transgene expression, gene replacement, silencing, or clipping. Gene therapy of herpetic keratitis previously reported in the literature is screened emphasizing candidate gene therapy targets. Commonly adopted strategies are discussed to assess the relative advantages of the protective therapy using antiviral drugs and the common gene therapy against long-term HSV-1 ocular infections signs, inflammation and neovascularization. Successful gene therapy can provide innovative physiological and pharmaceutical solutions against herpetic keratitis.
Separation Axioms in Intuitionistic Fuzzy Topological Spaces
Authors: Singh Amit Kumar , Srivastava Rekha
Published: December 2012

In this paper we have studied separation axiomsTi,i=0,1,2in an intuitionistic fuzzy topological space introduced by Coker. We also show the existence of functorsℬ:IF-Top→BF-Topand𝒟:BF-Top→IF-Topand observe that𝒟is left adjoint toℬ.
Intelligent Risk Assessment for Dewatering of Metro‐Tunnel Deep Excavations
Authors: Ye X. W. , Ran L. , Yi T. H. , Dong X. B.
Published: December 2012

In recent years, China has been undergoing a metro railway construction boom in order to alleviate the urban traffic congestion problem resulting from the rapid urbanization and population growth in many metropolises. In the construction of metro systems, deep excavations and continuous dewatering for construction of the metro tunnels and stations remain a challenging and high risk task in densely populated urban areas. Intelligent computational methods and techniques have exhibited the exceptional talent in dealing with the complicated problems inherent in the deep excavation and dewatering practice. In this paper, an intelligent risk assessment system for deep excavation dewatering is developed and has been applied in the project of Hangzhou Metro Line 1 which is the first metro line of the urban rapid rail transit system in Hangzhou, China. The specific characteristics and great challenges in deep excavation dewatering of the metro‐tunnel airshaft of Hangzhou Metro Line 1 are addressed. A novel design method based on the coupled three‐dimensional flow theory for dewatering of the deep excavation is introduced. The modularly designed system for excavation dewatering risk assessment is described, and the field observations in dewatering risk assessment of the airshaft excavation of Hangzhou Metro Line 1 are also presented.