bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study of genes involved in adipocyte differentiation
Authors: Zhu Shunming , Cheng Gong , Zhu Huolan , Guan Gongchang
Published: August 2014

With the use of the microarray technique, genes expressed in the late phase of adipocyte differentiation were investigated. These genes play an important role in stimulating adipocyte growth and lipid droplet formation. Therefore, they contribute a great deal to the onset of obesity.

With the use of SW872 adipocytes and the microarray technique, genes related to adipocyte differentiation were tested and compared with undifferentiated preadipocytes 14 days after induction. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for confirmation.

More than 21,329 transcriptors were expressed and determined, of which 1326 increased and 687 decreased undifferentiated adipocytes. Among them, 21 were highly expressed by more than 10-fold. With RT-PCR, 12 were confirmed, including apelin, CIDEC, PID1, LYRM1, ADD1, PPARγ2, ANGPTL4, ADIPOQ, ACOX1, FIP1L1, MAP3K2 and PEX14. Furthermore, genes involved in lipid metabolism, signal transduction, DNA replication, redox status and transcription factors were determined as well. Novel genes involved in adipogenesis (e.g., apelin) were detected.

A variety of genes were discovered and validated with RT-PCR at the late phase of adipocyte differentiation. This may help us better understand the onset of obesity and the potential role of adipocytes in other organs.
Familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia in a 4-year-old girl with hyperactivity, palpitations and advanced dental age: how gold standard assays may be misleading
Authors: Choudhary Abha , Sriphrapradang Chutintorn , Refetoff Samuel , Antal Zoltan
Published: August 2014

Here we report the case of a young girl who had vague signs and symptoms potentially attributable to hyperthyroidism and was found to have autoimmune thyroiditis and hyperthyroxinemia. The elevated serum free thyroxine levels were persistent when measured by both standard assays and equilibrium dialysis/high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The clinical symptoms, with discordant thyroid test results, created a diagnostic dilemma that led initially to unnecessary additional evaluations. She was ultimately found to have familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia (FDH) and required no therapy. This case highlights the inherent difficulties in evaluating children, who typically have vague signs and symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, when, in addition, they have an unrelated acquired (autoimmune) as well as a genetic (FDH) defect. The benefit of including testing for immediate members of the family is emphasized.
Governments, Rebels, and the Use of Child Soldiers in Internal Armed Conflicts: A Global Analysis, 1987–2007
Authors: Tynes Robert , Early Bryan R.
Published: August 2014

Why do governments and rebel groups employ child soldiers in some internal armed conflicts but not in others? This study argues that child soldiers can be viewed as a military innovation that governments and rebel groups have differing costs and incentives in employing. It is hypothesized that longer, bloodier conflicts, disputant capacities, and the presence of democratic institutions significantly influence whether child soldiers are used by one or both parties during internal armed conflicts. The effects of these factors are statistically analyzed, uncovering new insights into global patterns of child soldier usage by governments and rebel groups.
Mapping early fate determination in Lgr5+ crypt stem cells using a novel Ki67‐RFP allele
Authors: Basak Onur , van de Born Maaike , Korving Jeroen , Beumer Joep , van der Elst Stefan , van Es Johan H , Clevers Hans
Published: August 2014

Cycling Lgr5+ stem cells fuel the rapid turnover of the adult intestinal epithelium. The existence of quiescent Lgr5+ cells has been reported, while an alternative quiescent stem cell population is believed to reside at crypt position +4. Here, we generated a novel Ki67RFP knock‐in allele that identifies dividing cells. Using Lgr5‐GFP;Ki67RFP mice, we isolated crypt stem and progenitor cells with distinct Wnt signaling levels and cell cycle features and generated their molecular signature using microarrays. Stem cell potential of these populations was further characterized using the intestinal organoid culture. We found that Lgr5high stem cells are continuously in cell cycle, while a fraction of Lgr5low progenitors that reside predominantly at +4 position exit the cell cycle. Unlike fast dividing CBCs, Lgr5low Ki67− cells have lost their ability to initiate organoid cultures, are enriched in secretory differentiation factors, and resemble the Dll1 secretory precursors and the label‐retaining cells of Winton and colleagues. Our findings support the cycling stem cell hypothesis and highlight the cell cycle heterogeneity of early progenitors during lineage commitment.
VAD as Bridge to Recovery in Anthracycline-Induced Cardiomyopathy and HHV6 Myocarditis
Authors: Cavigelli-Brunner Anna , Schweiger Martin , Knirsch Walter , Stiasny Brian , Klingel Karin , Kretschmar Oliver , Hübler Michael
Published: August 2014

This report describes an 8-year-old child with acute anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy triggered by human herpesvirus 6 and the subsequent implantation of an intracorporeal continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and the process to discharge the child from the hospital. After barely 3 months on mechanical support, the device was explanted after thorough examination. Experiences regarding LVAD removal are limited, and no guidelines for echocardiographic and hemodynamic criteria for LVAD removal in children have been published thus far. We present our institutional algorithm for device selection, surveillance in an ambulatory setting, and testing for myocardial recovery, as well as our criteria for LVAD explantation in children.
In Situ Simulation Training for Neonatal Resuscitation: An RCT
Authors: Rubio-Gurung Sophie , Putet Guy , Touzet Sandrine , Gauthier-Moulinier Hélène , Jordan Isabelle , Beissel Anne , Labaune Jean-Marc , Blanc Sébastien , Amamra Nassira , Balandras Catherine , Rudigoz René-Charles , Colin Cyrille , Picaud Jean-Charles
Published: August 2014

OBJECTIVES:

High-fidelity simulation is an effective tool in teaching neonatal resuscitation skills to professionals. We aimed to determine whether in situ simulation training (for ∼80% of the delivery room staff) improved neonatal resuscitation performed by the staff at maternities.

METHODS:

A baseline evaluation of 12 maternities was performed: a random sample of 10 professionals in each unit was presented with 2 standardized scenarios played on a neonatal high-fidelity simulator. The medical procedures were video recorded for later assessments. The 12 maternities were then randomly assigned to receive the intervention (a 4-hour simulation training session delivered in situ for multidisciplinary groups of 6 professionals) or not receive it. All maternities were evaluated again at 3 months after the intervention. The videos were assessed by 2 neonatologists blinded to the pre-/postintervention as well as to the intervention/control groups. The performance was assessed using a technical score and a team score.

RESULTS:

After intervention, the median technical score was significantly higher for scenarios 1 and 2 for the intervention group compared with the control group (P = .01 and 0.004, respectively), the median team score was significantly higher (P < .001) for both scenarios. In the intervention group, the frequency of achieving a heart rate >90 per minute at 3 minutes improved significantly (P = .003), and the number of hazardous events decreased significantly (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

In situ simulation training with multidisciplinary teams can effectively improve technical skills and teamwork in neonatal resuscitation.
Electronic Gaming and Psychosocial Adjustment
Authors: Przybylski Andrew K.
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The rise of electronic games has driven both concerns and hopes regarding their potential to influence young people. Existing research identifies a series of isolated positive and negative effects, yet no research to date has examined the balance of these potential effects in a representative sample of children and adolescents. The objective of this study was to explore how time spent playing electronic games accounts for significant variation in positive and negative psychosocial adjustment using a representative cohort of children aged 10 to 15 years.

METHODS:

A large sample of children and adolescents aged 10 to 15 years completed assessments of psychosocial adjustment and reported typical daily hours spent playing electronic games. Relations between different levels of engagement and indicators of positive and negative psychosocial adjustment were examined, controlling for participant age and gender and weighted for population representativeness.

RESULTS:

Low levels (<1 hour daily) as well as high levels (>3 hours daily) of game engagement was linked to key indicators of psychosocial adjustment. Low engagement was associated with higher life satisfaction and prosocial behavior and lower externalizing and internalizing problems, whereas the opposite was found for high levels of play. No effects were observed for moderate play levels when compared with non-players.

CONCLUSIONS:

The links between different levels of electronic game engagement and psychosocial adjustment were small (<1.6% of variance) yet statistically significant. Games consistently but not robustly associated with children’s adjustment in both positive and negative ways, findings that inform policy-making as well as future avenues for research in the area.
Changes Over Time in Sex Assignment for Disorders of Sex Development
Authors: Kolesinska Zofia , Ahmed S. Faisal , Niedziela Marek , Bryce Jillian , Molinska-Glura Marta , Rodie Martina , Jiang Jipu , Sinnott Richard O. , Hughes Ieuan A. , Darendeliler Feyza , Hiort Olaf , van der Zwan Yvonne , Cools Martine , Guran Tulay , Holterhus Paul-Martin , Bertelloni Silvano , Lisa Lidka , Arlt Wiebke , Krone Nils , Ellaithi Mona , Balsamo Antonio , Mazen Inas , Nordenstrom Anna , Lachlan Katherine , Alkhawari Mona , Chatelain Pierre , Weintrob Naomi
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

It is unclear whether the proportion of infants with a disorder of sex development who are raised as male or female has changed over time. The temporal trends in sex assignment of affected cases entered in the International Disorder of Sex Development (I-DSD) Registry were studied.

METHODS:

Cases of disorders of sex development reported as partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (PAIS; n = 118), disorder of gonadal development (DGD; n = 232), and disorder of androgen synthesis (DAS; n = 104) were divided into those who were born before 1990, 1990–1999, and after 1999. External appearance of the genitalia was described by the external masculinization score.

RESULTS:

The median (5th–95th percentile) external masculinization scores of those infants with PAIS, DGD, and DAS who were raised as boys were 6 (2–9), 6 (3–9), and 6 (1–12), respectively, and were significantly higher than in those raised as girls (2 [0–6], 2 [0–7], and 0 [0–5], respectively); this difference was maintained in the 3 temporal birth cohorts (P < .01). Of the 118 cases in the pre-1990 cohort, 41 (35%) were raised as boys; of the 148 cases in the 1990–1999 cohort, 60 (41%) were raised as boys; and of the 188 cases in the post-1999 cohort, 128 (68%) were raised as boys.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although there is an association between the external appearance of the genitalia and the choice of sex assignment, there are clear temporal trends in this practice pointing toward an increased likelihood of affected infants being raised as boys. The impact of this change in practice on long-term health outcomes requires additional focus.
RADIAÇÃO ULTRAVIOLETA, OZÔNIO TOTAL E AEROSSÓIS NA CIDADE DE NATAL-RN
Authors: Lopo Alexandre Boleira , Spyrides Maria Helena Constantino , Lucio Paulo Sérgio , Sigró Javier
Published: August 2014

A cidade de Natal é denominada pelos seus habitantes de “Cidade do Sol” em razão de sua elevada luminosidade, contudo a capital do Rio Grande do Norte possui taxas de câncer de pele não melanoma acima da média das capitais do Nordeste do Brasil. Neste cenário, o presente artigo apresenta um estudo da radiação ultravioleta (UV) e índice UV em Natal e suas relações com variáveis relevantes como ozônio total, aerossóis, radiação solar global (RSG) e nebulosidade. A metodologia realizou um estudo descritivo e estatístico com aplicação da Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) e Gráfico Biplot. Os dados foram obtidos no Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais/Centro Regional do Nordeste (INPE/CRN), nos instrumentos TOMS-OMI/AURA e MODIS/TERRA e no Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia do Brasil. Os resultados indicaram que o índice UV apresenta média anual igual a 11, classificado como extremo pela Organização Mundial de Saúde e a intensidade da UVB e índice UV no primeiro semestre do ano são mais intensos que no segundo. A variabilidade anual da UV possui uma característica nos meses de setembro e outubro que consiste em uma estabilização/redução do índice UV numa fase de crescimento da RSG em razão da maior concentração anual de ozônio total, sendo que a maior quantidade de aerossóis contribui em menor escala para este evento. A ACP e gráfico Biplot contribuíram para identificar o evento, pois indicaram que o ozônio total e aerossóis possuem uma forte correlação negativa com o índice UV nos referidos meses. Os autores chamaram esta característica de Evento Anual de Primavera da UV (EAP-UV), uma vez que ocorre no início e durante esta estação.
USO DE DIFERENTES FONTES DE BIOMASSA VEGETAL PARA A PRODUCÃO DE BIOCOMBUSTÍVEIS SÓLIDOS
Authors: Tavares Silvio Roberto de Lucena , Santos Thaís Estevão dos
Published: August 2014

Entre as várias fontes para produção de energia, a biomassa vegetal apresenta um grande potencial de crescimento nos próximos anos. O objetivo deste estudo foi a avaliação das propriedades físicas, químicas e energéticas de algumas biomassas agrícolas plantadas (capim elefante e capim vertiver); biomassa disponível em corpos hídricos superficiais (macrófita) e biomassas advindas de explorações florestais (carnaúba e palmeira real), para a produção de briquetes visando a utilização deste combustível sólido nas cerâmicas vermelhas estruturais na região do baixo-açu no Rio Grande do Norte. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado (DIC) com 3 repetições para cada espécie investigada., totalizando 15 parcelas experimentais (5 biomassas X 3 repetições). Foram analisados também as densidades e o Poder Calorífico Superior de diferentes composições (blends) de capim elefante e palha de carnaúba. Os resultados mostram que os briquetes oriundos das biomassas vegetais como palha de carnaúba e capim elefante, apresentam grandes potenciais para o uso na geração de energia térmica nos fornos existentes das cerâmicas da região e que essas biomassas podem ser utilizadas na fabricação de briquetes, tanto de forma individual, como misturadas em blends de diferentes composições, visando a manutenção de fabricação de briquetes ao longo de todo o ano agrícola apresentando uma maior regularidade das características físico-térmicas dos mesmos.
PTEN Deletion in Pancreatic α-Cells Protects Against High-Fat Diet–Induced Hyperglucagonemia and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Wang Linyuan , Luk Cynthia T. , Cai Erica P. , Schroer Stephanie A. , Allister Emma M. , Shi Sally Y. , Wheeler Michael B. , Gaisano Herbert Y. , Woo Minna
Published: August 2014

An aberrant increase in circulating catabolic hormone glucagon contributes to type 2 diabetes pathogenesis. However, mechanisms regulating glucagon secretion and α-cell mass are not well understood. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling is an important regulator of α-cell function. Mice with deletion of PTEN, a negative regulator of this pathway, in α-cells show reduced circulating glucagon levels and attenuated l-arginine–stimulated glucagon secretion both in vivo and in vitro. This hypoglucagonemic state is maintained after high-fat–diet feeding, leading to reduced expression of hepatic glycogenolytic and gluconeogenic genes. These beneficial effects protected high-fat diet–fed mice against hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. The data demonstrate an inhibitory role of PI3K signaling on α-cell function and provide experimental evidence for enhancing α-cell PI3K signaling for diabetes treatment.
Structure and dynamics of oligomesic dry pine forests in land zones of the Lake Engure catchment area
Authors: Laiviņš Māris , Čekstere Gunta , Medene Anda , Donis Jānis
Published: August 2014

Investigation of species composition, soil physical and chemical properties, as well as forest productivity of oligomesic dry pine forests (Vacciniosa and Myrtillosa forest types) was carried out in six dry land zones differing in age of the Lake Engure catchment area (sediment zones of the drained lakebed, Mia, Limnea, Litorina Sea, Baltic Ice Lake and glaciofluvial sediment zone in Northern Kursa Upland). Higher species diversity in the tree layer and a more typical podzolisation process was found in the older dry land zones (sediments of the Baltic Ice Lake, Northern Kursa Upland), while higher species diversity in the field layer (higher proportion of grasses and sword grasses), more intensive gleying process in soils, as well as considerably higher stand productivity was observed in the younger dry land zones (the drained lakebed, Mia, Limnea and Littorina Sea stages). Characteristic species of the Vaccinio-Piceetea class were dominant in the pine forests of older dry land zones, whereas species of the Pulsatillo-Pinetea class were typical in the sea coastal pine forests.
Survival of Liparis loeselii (L.) as an early successional species in Engure region described based on ecological peculiarities DURING the annual cycle
Authors: Roze Daina , Jakobsone Gunta , Megre Dace , Belogrudova Inta , Karlovska Amanda
Published: August 2014

We present some results of a six-year (2008-2013) study in two localities of Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. near Lake Engure. The annual cycle of L. loeselii, an early successional species, may indicate its potential survival in its typical wet habitat with fluctuating levels of water. Flowering of L. loeselii usually begins in the first decade of June and lasts for several weeks. If the initiation of development was delayed, leaves and inflorescence started to grow almost simultaneously. Development of the first fruit began during flowering and continued to August. Ripening of fruit and seeds occurred in September-October, and they were dispersed mostly by melt water of snow in spring, which is very important for populations in sites overgrowing with perennial herbs. The previous season capsules of L. loeselii remained till the middle of the next growing season; a part of the seeds remained in capsules and less than 1% of seeds had viable embryos. This may increase the survival potential of the population. The studies of herbarium records of L. loeselii in the area of Lake Engure showed that the annual cycles of L. loeselii have been similar and that the species has not responded drastically to climate change.
Statistical analysis of soil moisture content changes in Central Europe using GLDAS database over three past decades
Authors: Zawadzki Jarosław , Kȩdzior Mateusz
Published: August 2014

This paper examine soil moisture trends changes in inhomogeneous area of Central European countries — Poland, the Czech Republic and neighbouring territories. The area suffered from the lack of large-scale soil parameters research. Most of them are limited to ground measurements performed for a small part of land. Although there were extensive water conditions studies performed for the whole Europe, such as drought analysis, they were focused on Western European countries, neglecting situation in Central Europe (taking exception to Austria). The NOAH model of Global Land Data Assimilation System database has been used as a data source. It delivers one degree spatial resolution data and variables which describe soil moisture values for four depth levels (0–10 cm, 10–40 cm, 40–100 cm and 100–200 cm). Data covering years 1979–2011 has been averaged in order to analyse summer and winter terms separately. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis have been prepared on the software Statistica, Research reveals that area is losing water content. Due to promising results of water content trend analysis, the authors plan to run a large-scale analysis using other variables from the GLDAS database, especially concerning soil temperature and evapotranspiration.
The spatial distribution pattern of heavy metal concentrations in urban soils — a study of anthropogenic effects in Berehove, Ukraine
Authors: Vince Tímea , Szabó György , Csoma Zoltán , Sándor Gábor , Szabó Szilárd
Published: August 2014

In the present study we examined the Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn contamination levels of the soils of Berehove, a small city in West-Ukraine. As a first step we determined the spatial distribution of the heavy metal contents of the urban soils; then, by studying the land use structure of the city and by statistical analysis we identified the major sources of contamination; we established a matrix of correlations between the heavy metal contents of the soils and the different types of land use; and finally, we drew a conclusion regarding the possible origin(s) of these heavy metals. By means of multivariate statistical analysis we established that of the investigated metals, Ba, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn accumulated in the city’s soils primarily as a result of anthropogenic activity. In the most polluted urban areas (i.e. in the industrial zones and along the roads and highways with heavy traffic), in the case of several metals (Ba, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) we measured concentration levels even two or three times higher than the threshold limit values. Furthermore, Cr, Fe and Ni are primarily of lithogenic origin; therefore, the soil concentrations of these heavy metals depend mainly on the chemical composition of the soil-forming rocks.
Prediction of earthquake hazard by hidden Markov model (around Bilecik, NW Turkey)
Authors: Can Ceren , Ergun Gul , Gokceoglu Candan
Published: August 2014

Earthquakes are one of the most important natural hazards to be evaluated carefully in engineering projects, due to the severely damaging effects on human-life and human-made structures. The hazard of an earthquake is defined by several approaches and consequently earthquake parameters such as peak ground acceleration occurring on the focused area can be determined. In an earthquake prone area, the identification of the seismicity patterns is an important task to assess the seismic activities and evaluate the risk of damage and loss along with an earthquake occurrence. As a powerful and flexible framework to characterize the temporal seismicity changes and reveal unexpected patterns, Poisson hidden Markov model provides a better understanding of the nature of earthquakes. In this paper, Poisson hidden Markov model is used to predict the earthquake hazard in Bilecik (NW Turkey) as a result of its important geographic location. Bilecik is in close proximity to the North Anatolian Fault Zone and situated between Ankara and Istanbul, the two biggest cites of Turkey. Consequently, there are major highways, railroads and many engineering structures are being constructed in this area. The annual frequencies of earthquakes occurred within a radius of 100 km area centered on Bilecik, from January 1900 to December 2012, with magnitudes (M) at least 4.0 are modeled by using Poisson-HMM. The hazards for the next 35 years from 2013 to 2047 around the area are obtained from the model by forecasting the annual frequencies of M ≥ 4 earthquakes.
DNA Mismatch Repair and Oxidative DNA Damage: Implications for Cancer Biology and Treatment
Authors: Bridge Gemma , Rashid Sukaina , Martin Sarah
Published: August 2014

Many components of the cell, including lipids, proteins and both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, are vulnerable to deleterious modifications caused by reactive oxygen species. If not repaired, oxidative DNA damage can lead to disease-causing mutations, such as in cancer. Base excision repair and nucleotide excision repair are the two DNA repair pathways believed to orchestrate the removal of oxidative lesions. However, recent findings suggest that the mismatch repair pathway may also be important for the response to oxidative DNA damage. This is particularly relevant in cancer where mismatch repair genes are frequently mutated or epigenetically silenced. In this review we explore how the regulation of oxidative DNA damage by mismatch repair proteins may impact on carcinogenesis. We discuss recent studies that identify potential new treatments for mismatch repair deficient tumours, which exploit this non-canonical role of mismatch repair using synthetic lethal targeting.
Phylogeography of the Chinese Beard Eel, Cirrhimuraena chinensis Kaup, Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA: A Range Expansion after the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Li Hai , Lin Hungdu , Li Jianlong , Ding Shaoxiong
Published: August 2014

The Chinese beard eel (Cirrhimuraena chinensis Kaup) is an intertidal fish and a model organism for the study of impacts caused by topological fluctuations during the Pleistocene and current intricate hydrological conditions on fauna living in the coastal areas of China. In this study, we examined the phylogeographical pattern, population genetic profile and demographical history of C. chinensis using mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b (cyt b) and control region (CR)) from 266 individuals sampled in seven localities across the coastal area of southeastern China. The combined data indicated high levels of haplotype diversity and low levels of nucleotide diversity. Analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) and FST statistics suggested the absence of a significant population structure across the Chinese coast. Neutrality tests, mismatch distributions and Bayesian skyline plots uniformly indicated a recent population expansion. The phylogeographic structure of C. chinensis may be attributed to past population expansion and long-distance pelagic larval dispersal facilitated by present-day ocean currents.
New Thiosemicarbazides and 1,2,4-Triazolethiones Derived from 2-(Ethylsulfanyl) Benzohydrazide as Potent Antioxidants
Authors: Nazarbahjat Nafal , Nordin Nurdiana , Abdullah Zanariah , Abdulla Mahmood , Yehye Wageeh , Halim Siti , Kee Chin , Ariffin Azhar
Published: August 2014

New thiosemicarbazide derivatives 2–6 were synthesised by reacting 2-(ethylsulfanyl)benzohydrazide with various aryl isothiocyanates. The cyclisation of compounds 2–6 under reflux conditions in a basic medium (aqueous NaOH, 4 N) yielded compounds 7–11 that contain a 1,2,4-triazole ring. All of the synthesised compounds were screened for their antioxidant activities. Compounds 2, 3, and 7 showed better radical scavenging in a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, with IC50 values of 1.08, 0.22, and 0.74 µg/mL, respectively, compared to gallic acid (IC50, 1.2 µg/mL). Compound 3 also showed superior results in a ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay (3054 µM/100 g) compared to those of ascorbic acid (1207 µM/100 g).
Synthesis and in Vitro Antimicrobial Evaluation of New N-Heterocyclic Diquaternary Pyridinium Compounds
Authors: Furdui Bianca , Parfene Georgiana , Ghinea Ioana , Dinica Rodica , Bahrim Gabriela , Demeunynck Martine
Published: August 2014

A series of bis-pyridinium quaternary ammonium salts (bis-PyQAs) with different aryl and heteroaryl moieties were synthesized and their antimicrobial activity investigated. The inhibition effect of the compounds was evaluated against bacteria, molds and yeasts; the activities were expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). The relationships between the structure descriptors (logP, polarizability, polar surface area (2D), van der Waals area (3D)) and the biological activity of the tested bis-PyQAs are discussed.
Synthesis and Docking Studies of 2,4,6-Trihydroxy-3-Geranylacetophenone Analogs as Potential Lipoxygenase Inhibitor
Authors: Ng Chean , Rullah Kamal , Aluwi Mohd , Abas Faridah , Lam Kok , Ismail Intan , Narayanaswamy Radhakrishnan , Jamaludin Fadzureena , Shaari Khozirah
Published: August 2014

The natural product molecule 2,4,6-trihydroxy-3-geranyl-acetophenone (tHGA) isolated from the medicinal plant Melicope ptelefolia was shown to exhibit potent lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitory activity. It is known that LOX plays an important role in inflammatory response as it catalyzes the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic acid to form hydroperoxides. The search for selective LOX inhibitors may provide new therapeutic approach for inflammatory diseases. Herein, we report the synthesis of tHGA analogs using simple Friedel-Craft acylation and alkylation reactions with the aim of obtaining a better insight into the structure-activity relationships of the compounds. All the synthesized analogs showed potent soybean 15-LOX inhibitory activity in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 10.31–27.61 μM) where compound 3e was two-fold more active than tHGA. Molecular docking was then applied to reveal the important binding interactions of compound 3e in soybean 15-LOX binding site. The findings suggest that the presence of longer acyl bearing aliphatic chain (5Cs) and aromatic groups could significantly affect the enzymatic activity.
Glutamine Attenuates Acute Lung Injury Caused by Acid Aspiration
Authors: Lai Chih-Cheng , Liu Wei-Lun , Chen Chin-Ming
Published: August 2014

Inadequate ventilator settings may cause overwhelming inflammatory responses associated with ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Here, we examined potential benefits of glutamine (GLN) on a two-hit model for VILI after acid aspiration-induced lung injury in rats. Rats were intratracheally challenged with hydrochloric acid as a first hit to induce lung inflammation, then randomly received intravenous GLN or lactated Ringer’s solution (vehicle control) thirty min before different ventilator strategies. Rats were then randomized to receive mechanical ventilation as a second hit with a high tidal volume (TV) of 15 mL/kg and zero positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) or a low TV of 6 mL/kg with PEEP of 5 cm H2O. We evaluated lung oxygenation, inflammation, mechanics, and histology. After ventilator use for 4 h, high TV resulted in greater lung injury physiologic and biologic indices. Compared with vehicle treated rats, GLN administration attenuated lung injury, with improved oxygenation and static compliance, and decreased respiratory elastance, lung edema, extended lung destruction (lung injury scores and lung histology), neutrophil recruitment in the lung, and cytokine production. Thus, GLN administration improved the physiologic and biologic profiles of this experimental model of VILI based on the two-hit theory.
A Cloud-Based Internet of Things Platform for Ambient Assisted Living
Authors: Cubo Javier , Nieto Adrián , Pimentel Ernesto
Published: August 2014

A common feature of ambient intelligence is that many objects are inter-connected and act in unison, which is also a challenge in the Internet of Things. There has been a shift in research towards integrating both concepts, considering the Internet of Things as representing the future of computing and communications. However, the efficient combination and management of heterogeneous things or devices in the ambient intelligence domain is still a tedious task, and it presents crucial challenges. Therefore, to appropriately manage the inter-connection of diverse devices in these systems requires: (1) specifying and efficiently implementing the devices (e.g., as services); (2) handling and verifying their heterogeneity and composition; and (3) standardizing and managing their data, so as to tackle large numbers of systems together, avoiding standalone applications on local servers. To overcome these challenges, this paper proposes a platform to manage the integration and behavior-aware orchestration of heterogeneous devices as services, stored and accessed via the cloud, with the following contributions: (i) we describe a lightweight model to specify the behavior of devices, to determine the order of the sequence of exchanged messages during the composition of devices; (ii) we define a common architecture using a service-oriented standard environment, to integrate heterogeneous devices by means of their interfaces, via a gateway, and to orchestrate them according to their behavior; (iii) we design a framework based on cloud computing technology, connecting the gateway in charge of acquiring the data from the devices with a cloud platform, to remotely access and monitor the data at run-time and react to emergency situations; and (iv) we implement and generate a novel cloud-based IoT platform of behavior-aware devices as services for ambient intelligence systems, validating the whole approach in real scenarios related to a specific ambient assisted living application.
Optimal Service Distribution in WSN Service System Subject to Data Security Constraints
Authors: Wu Zhao , Xiong Naixue , Huang Yannong , Gu Qiong
Published: August 2014

Services composition technology provides a flexible approach to building Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) Service Applications (WSA) in a service oriented tasking system for WSN. Maintaining the data security of WSA is one of the most important goals in sensor network research. In this paper, we consider a WSN service oriented tasking system in which the WSN Services Broker (WSB), as the resource management center, can map the service request from user into a set of atom-services (AS) and send them to some independent sensor nodes (SN) for parallel execution. The distribution of ASs among these SNs affects the data security as well as the reliability and performance of WSA because these SNs can be of different and independent specifications. By the optimal service partition into the ASs and their distribution among SNs, the WSB can provide the maximum possible service reliability and/or expected performance subject to data security constraints. This paper proposes an algorithm of optimal service partition and distribution based on the universal generating function (UGF) and the genetic algorithm (GA) approach. The experimental analysis is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the suggested algorithm.
Development of a Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor Based on Screen-Printed Electrodes Modified with Inkjet-Printed Prussian Blue Nanoparticles
Authors: Cinti Stefano , Arduini Fabiana , Moscone Danila , Palleschi Giuseppe , Killard Anthony
Published: August 2014

A sensor for the simple and sensitive measurement of hydrogen peroxide has been developed which is based on screen printed electrodes (SPEs) modified with Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) deposited using piezoelectric inkjet printing. PBNP-modified SPEs were characterized using physical and electrochemical techniques to optimize the PBNP layer thickness and electroanalytical conditions for optimum measurement of hydrogen peroxide. Sensor optimization resulted in a limit of detection of 2 × 10−7 M, a linear range from 0 to 4.5 mM and a sensitivity of 762 μA∙mM–1∙cm–2 which was achieved using 20 layers of printed PBNPs. Sensors also demonstrated excellent reproducibility (<5% rsd).
Development of a Modularized Seating System to Actively Manage Interface Pressure
Authors: Yu Chung-Huang , Chou Tung-Yu , Chen Cheng-Huan , Chen Poyin , Wang Fu-Cheng
Published: August 2014

Pressure ulcers can be a fatal complication. Many immobile wheelchair users face this threat. Current passive and active cushions do reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers and they have different merits. We proposed an active approach to combine their advantages which is based on the concept that the interface pressure can be changed with different supporting shapes. The purpose of this paper is to verify the proposed approach. With practical applications in mind, we have developed a modular system whose support surface is composed by height-adjustable support elements. Each four-element module was self-contained and composed of force sensors, position sensors, linear actuators, signal conditioners, driving circuits, and signal processors. The modules could be chained and assembled together easily to form different-sized support surfaces. Each support element took up a 3 cm × 3 cm supporting area. The displacement resolution was less than 0.1 mm and the force sensor error was less than 1% in the 2000 g range. Each support element of the system could provide 49 N pushing force (408 mmHg over the 3 cm × 3 cm area) at a speed of 2.36 mm/s. Several verification tests were performed to assess the whole system’s feasibility. Further improvements and clinical applications were discussed. In conclusion, this modularized system is capable of actively managing interface pressure in real time.
Social Welfare Evaluation of Electric Universal Service in China: From the Perspective of Sustainability
Authors: Zhao Huiru , Guo Sen , Zhang Qi , Li Chunjie
Published: August 2014

Electric universal service aims to improve the individual living quality in remote and underdeveloped areas, the implementation of which can promote the sustainable development of people’s lives and the local economy to some extent. A social welfare evaluation model of electric universal service was proposed, which was divided into economic and non-economic welfare evaluation models. After the factors influencing the social welfare sense of electric universal service were identified from the perspective of sustainability, the economic welfare evaluation model was built based on Atkinson’s social welfare function, and the non-economic welfare evaluation model was constructed based on the ideological connotation of prospect theory. Taking Yunnan province in China as the example, a social welfare evaluation of electric universal service was performed. The result shows that the social welfare of electric universal service for Yunnan rural areas has increased by 9.79% from 2006 to 2011, and the “electric service realization degree” is the most sensitive indicator.
sRNA Antitoxins: More than One Way to Repress a Toxin
Authors: Wen Jia , Fozo Elizabeth
Published: August 2014

Bacterial toxin-antitoxin loci consist of two genes: one encodes a potentially toxic protein, and the second, an antitoxin to repress its function or expression. The antitoxin can either be an RNA or a protein. For type I and type III loci, the antitoxins are RNAs; however, they have very different modes of action. Type I antitoxins repress toxin protein expression through interacting with the toxin mRNA, thereby targeting the mRNA for degradation or preventing its translation or both; type III antitoxins directly bind to the toxin protein, sequestering it. Along with these two very different modes of action for the antitoxin, there are differences in the functions of the toxin proteins and the mobility of these loci between species. Within this review, we discuss the major differences as to how the RNAs repress toxin activity, the potential consequences for utilizing different regulatory strategies, as well as the confirmed and potential biological roles for these loci across bacterial species.
DNA Virus Vectors for Vaccine Production in Plants: Spotlight on Geminiviruses
Authors: Hefferon Kathleen
Published: August 2014

Plants represent a safe, efficacious and inexpensive production platform by which to provide vaccines and other therapeutic proteins to the world’s poor. Plant virus expression vector technology has rapidly become one of the most popular methods to express pharmaceutical proteins in plants. This review discusses several of the state-of-the-art plant expression systems based upon geminiviruses that have been engineered for vaccine production. An overview of the advantages of these small, single-stranded DNA viruses is provided and comparisons are made with other virus expression systems. Advances in the design of several different geminivirus vectors are presented in this review, and examples of vaccines and other biologics generated from each are described.
Students’ engagement with a collaborative wiki tool predicts enhanced written exam performance
Authors: Stafford Tom , Elgueta Herman , Cameron Harriet
Published: August 2014

We introduced voluntary wiki-based exercises to a long-running cognitive psychology course, part of the core curriculum for an undergraduate degree in psychology. Over 2 yearly cohorts, students who used the wiki more also scored higher on the final written exam. Using regression analysis, it is possible to account for students’ tendency to score well on other psychology exams, thus statistically removing some obvious candidate third factors, such as general talent or enthusiasm for psychology, which might drive this correlation. Such an analysis shows that both high- and low-grading students who used the wiki got higher scores on the final exam, with engaged wiki users scoring an average of an extra 5 percentage points. We offer an interpretation of the mechanisms of action in terms of the psychological literature on learning and memory.Keywords: learning technology; writing; wiki; collaborative learning; interactive learning environments; higher education(Published: 5 August 2014)Citation: Research in Learning Technology 2014, 22: 22797 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v22.22797
Adjacent Segment Disease
Authors: Virk Sohrab S. , Niedermeier Steven , Yu Elizabeth , Khan Safdar N.
Published: August 2014

Educational Objectives

As a result of reading this article, physicians should be able to:

1.

Understand the forces that predispose adjacent cervical segments to degeneration.

2.

Understand the challenges of radiographic evaluation in the diagnosis of cervical and lumbar adjacent segment disease.

3.

Describe the changes in biomechanical forces applied to adjacent segments of lumbar vertebrae with fusion.

4.

Know the risk factors for adjacent segment disease in spinal fusion.

Adjacent segment disease (ASD) is a broad term encompassing many complications of spinal fusion, including listhesis, instability, herniated nucleus pulposus, stenosis, hypertrophic facet arthritis, scoliosis, and vertebral compression fracture. The area of the cervical spine where most fusions occur (C3–C7) is adjacent to a highly mobile upper cervical region, and this contributes to the biomechanical stress put on the adjacent cervical segments postfusion. Studies have shown that after fusion surgery, there is increased load on adjacent segments. Definitive treatment of ASD is a topic of continuing research, but in general, treatment choices are dictated by patient age and degree of debilitation. Investigators have also studied the risk factors associated with spinal fusion that may predispose certain patients to ASD postfusion, and these data are invaluable for properly counseling patients considering spinal fusion surgery. Biomechanical studies have confirmed the added stress on adjacent segments in the cervical and lumbar spine. The diagnosis of cervical ASD is complicated given the imprecise correlation of radiographic and clinical findings. Although radiological and clinical diagnoses do not always correlate, radiographs and clinical examination dictate how a patient with prolonged pain is treated. Options for both cervical and lumbar spine ASD include fusion and/or decompression. Current studies are encouraging regarding the adoption of arthroplasty in spinal surgery, but more long-term data are required for full adoption of arthroplasty as the standard of care for prevention of ASD. [
Orthopedics.
2014; 37(8):547–555.]
Popliteal Cysts: A Current Review
Authors: Herman Alyssa M. , Marzo John M.
Published: August 2014

Baker’s cyst, or popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled mass that is a distention of a preexisting bursa in the popliteal fossa, most commonly the gastrocnemio-semimembranosus bursa. This bursa is unique in that it communicates with the knee joint, unlike other periarticular bursae, via an opening in the joint capsule posterior to the medial femoral condyle. Many have theorized that this opening creates a valve-like mechanism in the presence of effusion that contributes to the formation of these cysts in adults. Popliteal cysts rarely manifest alone and are most often found in conjunction with other intra-articular pathologies and inflammatory conditions, such as osteoarthritis, meniscus tears, and rheumatoid arthritis. In children, popliteal cysts are only occasionally associated with these conditions and are more often an incidental finding discovered during a routine physical examination. Popliteal cysts may present as either a chronically persistent or relapsing condition or as an acute and dramatic condition that can occur in the case of cyst rupture presenting as pseudothrombophlebitis. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging have proven to be consistent and accurate in the confirmation of popliteal cysts, with magnetic resonance imaging becoming the modern imaging modality of choice. This review discusses the anatomy and etiology of popliteal cysts, describes the common clinical presentations, reviews the differential diagnoses, and provides guidance for proper diagnostic imaging. It also provides a comparison of current conservative, minimally invasive, and invasive treatment options, along with a discussion of results. Postoperative rehabilitation depends largely on the condition associated with the popliteal cyst.
Ulnar Neuropathy as a Result of Anconeus Epitrochlearis
Authors: Nellans Kate , Galdi Balazs , Kim H. Mike , Levine William N.
Published: August 2014

After carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common compression neuropathy in the upper extremity. Various sites of ulnar nerve compression at the elbow exist, with the most common being between the 2 heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris. Other potential sites include the arcade of Struthers, the space between Osborne’s ligament and the medial ulnar collateral ligament, the medial epicondyle, the medial head of the triceps, and the medial intermuscular septum. The anconeus epitrochlearis, an anomalous muscle that runs between the medial aspect of the olecranon and the medial epicondyle, is found in up to 28% of cadavers. Although it is far less common, it must be considered when evaluating a patient with cubital tunnel syndrome. The authors report a 19-year-old man with a 2-month history of atraumatic left elbow pain accompanied by distal motor and sensory symptoms that significantly affected his activities of daily living and quality of life. After a short course of conservative management, surgical excision of the anomalous muscle, along with decompression of the ulnar nerve, was performed because of progression of symptoms. The patient had immediate improvement in subjective symptoms and strength on removal of the anconeus epitrochlearis. As shown in this case report, recovery of both motor and sensory nerve function can be achieved if the source of compression is an anomalous muscle and is treated with early surgical removal.