bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unfavorable neurological outcome in diabetic patients with acute ischemic stroke is associated with incomplete recanalization after intravenous thrombolysis
Authors: Tang Huan , Zhang Sheng , Yan Shenqiang , Liebeskind David S , Sun Jianzhong , Ding Xinfa , Zhang Minming , Lou Min
Published: March 2015

Objective

To assess the impact of diabetes on neurological outcome and recanalization in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT).

Methods

Clinical data of 419 consecutive patients with AIS who received IVT between June 2009 and April 2014. Based on the medical history and new diagnosis, the patients were divided into groups with and without diabetes. Neurological outcomes at 24 h, 7 days and 3 months after IVT were evaluated. Favorable outcome was defined as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score decrease ≥4 points from baseline or 0 at 24 h, NIHSS decrease ≥8 points or 0 at day 7, or modified Rankin scale ≤1 at 3 months after IVT. Recanalization on non-invasive imaging was evaluated in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) according to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grades.

Results

Among 419 patients, 98 (23.4%) had diabetes. Multivariable analyses showed that comorbidity of diabetes was an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome at 24 h (OR=0.534, 95% CI 0.316 to 0.903, p=0.019), at day 7 (OR=0.382, 95% CI 0.220 to 0.665, p=0.001), and at 3 months (OR=0.464, 95% CI 0.266 to 0.808, p=0.007). In patients with LVO, diabetes was an independent predictor of incomplete recanalization 24 h after IVT (OR=0.268, 95% CI 0.075 to 0.955, p=0.042).

Conclusions

Diabetic patients with AIS had unfavorable neurological outcome, potentially linked to incomplete recanalization after IVT.
Genome size evolution in Ontario ferns (Polypodiidae): evolutionary correlations with cell size, spore size, and habitat type and an absence of genome downsizing
Authors: Henry Thomas A. , Bainard Jillian D. , Newmaster Steven G.
Published: March 2015

Genome size is known to correlate with a number of traits in angiosperms, but less is known about the phenotypic correlates of genome size in ferns. We explored genome size variation in relation to a suite of morphological and ecological traits in ferns. Thirty-six fern taxa were collected from wild populations in Ontario, Canada. 2C DNA content was measured using flow cytometry. We tested for genome downsizing following polyploidy using a phylogenetic comparative analysis to explore the correlation between 1Cx DNA content and ploidy. There was no compelling evidence for the occurrence of widespread genome downsizing during the evolution of Ontario ferns. The relationship between genome size and 11 morphological and ecological traits was explored using a phylogenetic principal component regression analysis. Genome size was found to be significantly associated with cell size, spore size, spore type, and habitat type. These results are timely as past and recent studies have found conflicting support for the association between ploidy/genome size and spore size in fern polyploid complexes; this study represents the first comparative analysis of the trend across a broad taxonomic group of ferns.
Perspective on the weakly coupled heterotic string
Authors: Gaillard Mary K.
Published: March 2015

Since the first "string revolution" of 1984, the weakly coupled E8⊗E8 heterotic string theory has been a promising candidate for the underlying theory of the Standard Model. The particle spectrum and the issue of dilaton stabilization are reviewed. Specific models for hidden sector condensation and supersymmetry breaking are described and their phenomenological and cosmological implications are discussed. The importance of T-duality is emphasized. Theoretical challenges to finding a satisfactory vacuum, as well as constraints from LHC data are addressed.
Midpoint Memory: A Special Memory Structure for Data-Oriented Models Implementation
Authors: Heikalabad Saeed Rasouli , Navin Ahmad Habibizad , Hosseinzadeh Mehdi , Oladghaffari Telli
Published: March 2015

Introducing data-oriented theory in recent years and its successful applications in engineering and applied science and by requirements to new memory structure for managing data efficiently, lead us to present a new memory module for implementation of data-oriented models. Most of concepts in data-oriented theory are modeled as problem-solution data structure. In this paper for suitable management these kinds of data structures, a special content addressable memory with fast access is designed which is named Midpoint memory.
Elko and mass dimension one field of spin one-half: Causality and Fermi statistics
Authors: Ahluwalia Dharam Vir , Nayak Alekha Chandra
Published: March 2015

We review how Elko arise as an extension of complex-valued four-component Majorana spinors. This is followed by a discussion that constrains certain elements of phase freedom. A proof is reviewed that unambiguously establishes that Elko, and for that matter the indicated Majorana spinors, cannot satisfy Dirac equation. They, however do, as they must, satisfy spinorial Klein–Gordon equation. We then introduce a quantum field with Elko as its expansion coefficients and show that it is causal, satisfies Fermi statistics, and then refer to the existing literature to remind that its mass dimension is one. We conclude by providing an up-to-date bibliography on the subject.
Incorporation of dysprosium ions into PbTiO3 ferroelectric ceramic system
Authors: Peláiz-Barranco A. , Mendez-González Y. , Wang Jinfei , Yang Tongqing
Published: March 2015

A structural analysis concerning the incorporation of dysprosium into A- and/or B-sites of the lead titanate is shown. The two "boundary" refinements are presented, i.e., Dy 2+ substitutes for Pb 2+ ( Dy 3+ substitutes for Ti 4+) and Dy 3+ substitutes for Pb 2+ ( Dy 3+ substitutes for Ti 4+). The results offer quantitative information about the incorporation into both crystallographic sites. The increase of Dy 3+ fraction into B-site provides the increase of the Ti 4+ atomic displacement along the [001] direction and the tetragonal distortion.
Is Wikipedia a reliable learning resource for medical students? Evaluating respiratory topics
Authors: Azer Samy A.
Published: March 2015

The aim of the present study was to critically evaluate the accuracy and readability of English Wikipedia articles on the respiratory system and its disorders and whether they can be a suitable resource for medical students. On April 27, 2014, English Wikipedia was searched for articles on respiratory topics. Using a modified DISCERN instrument, articles were independently scored by three assessors. The scoring targeted content accuracy, frequency of updating, and quality of references. The readability of articles was measured using two other instruments. The mean DISCERN score for the 40 articles identified was 26.4 ± 6.3. Most articles covered causes, signs and symptoms, prevention, and treatment. However, several knowledge deficiencies in the pathogenesis of diseases, investigations needed, and treatment were observed. The total number of references for the 40 articles was 1,654, and the references varied from 0 to 168 references, but several problems were identified in the list of references and citations made. The readability of articles was in the range of 9.4 ± 1.8 to 22.6 ± 10.7 using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level instrument and 10.0 ± 2.6 to 19.6 ± 8.3 using the Readability Coleman-Liau index. A strong correlation was found between the two instruments ( r2= 0.744, P < 0.001). The agreement between the assessors had mean κ scores in the range of 0.712–0.857. In conclusion, despite the effort placed in creating Wikipedia respiratory articles by anonymous volunteers (wikipedians), most articles had knowledge deficiencies, were not accurate, and were not suitable for medical students as learning resources.
A puzzle used to teach the cardiac cycle
Authors: Marcondes Fernanda K. , Moura Maria J. C. S. , Sanches Andrea , Costa Rafaela , de Lima Patricia Oliveira , Groppo Francisco Carlos , Amaral Maria E. C. , Zeni Paula , Gaviao Kelly Cristina , Montrezor Luís H.
Published: March 2015

The aim of the present article is to describe a puzzle developed for use in teaching cardiac physiology classes. The puzzle presents figures of phases of the cardiac cycle and a table with five columns: phases of cardiac cycle, atrial state, ventricular state, state of atrioventricular valves, and pulmonary and aortic valves. Chips are provided for use to complete the table. Students are requested to discuss which is the correct sequence of figures indicating the phases of cardiac cycle. Afterward, they should complete the table with the chips. Students of biology, dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, and nursing graduation courses from seven institutions performed the puzzle evaluation. They were invited to indicate whether the puzzle had been useful for learning about the subject by filling one of four alternatives. Of the students, 4.6% answered that it was not necessary but helped them to confirm what they had learned, 64.5% reported that although they had previously understood the cardiac cycle, the puzzle helped them to solve doubts and promoted a better understanding of it, and 30.9% said that they needed the puzzle to understand the cardiac cycle, without differences among courses, institutions, and course semesters. The results of the present study suggest that a simple and inexpensive puzzle may be useful as an active learning methodology applied after the theoretical lecture, as a complementary tool for studying cardiac cycle physiology.
Understanding the electrical behavior of the action potential in terms of elementary electrical sources
Authors: Rodriguez-Falces Javier
Published: March 2015

A concept of major importance in human electrophysiology studies is the process by which activation of an excitable cell results in a rapid rise and fall of the electrical membrane potential, the so-called action potential. Hodgkin and Huxley proposed a model to explain the ionic mechanisms underlying the formation of action potentials. However, this model is unsuitably complex for teaching purposes. In addition, the Hodgkin and Huxley approach describes the shape of the action potential only in terms of ionic currents, i.e., it is unable to explain the electrical significance of the action potential or describe the electrical field arising from this source using basic concepts of electromagnetic theory. The goal of the present report was to propose a new model to describe the electrical behaviour of the action potential in terms of elementary electrical sources (in particular, dipoles). The efficacy of this model was tested through a closed-book written exam. The proposed model increased the ability of students to appreciate the distributed character of the action potential and also to recognize that this source spreads out along the fiber as function of space. In addition, the new approach allowed students to realize that the amplitude and sign of the extracellular electrical potential arising from the action potential are determined by the spatial derivative of this intracellular source. The proposed model, which incorporates intuitive graphical representations, has improved students' understanding of the electrical potentials generated by bioelectrical sources and has heightened their interest in bioelectricity.
The 2014 Claude Bernard Distinguished Lecture: the social contract of learning
Authors: Carroll Robert G.
Published: March 2015

The shift to competency-based education expands the role of the teacher from that of a provider of information and into a shaper of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. These roles are facilitated by establishing a social contract between the instructor and learner, a contract that clearly defines the rights and duties of each. Adopting greater responsibility for the development of competencies in our learners allows faculty members to truly have an impact by shaping the behaviors of learners.
Research-oriented series: a portal into the culture of biomedical research for junior medical students at Alfaisal University in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Shareef Mohammad Abrar , Dweik Loai M. , Abudan Zainab , Gazal Abdalla M. , Abu-Dawas Reema B. , Chamseddin Ranim A. , Albali Nawaf H. , Ali Alaa A. , Khan Tehreem A. , AlAmodi Abdulhadi A.
Published: March 2015

Student contributions to research have been shown to effectively reflect on their communication and critical thinking skills. Short-term research courses offer opportunities for medical students to advance their research experience in subsequent high-demanding long-term research opportunities. The purpose of the present study was to describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of a research-oriented series (ROS) on undergraduate students at Alfaisal University in Saudi Arabia. The ROS was designed to comprise eight sessions. Each session addressed core principles and the practice of research concepts and was based on theoretical morning sessions supplemented by afternoon practical sessions delivered by experienced senior medical students and faculty members. Students were assessed comprehensively by the end of the ROS. The series was conducted twice, and 35 students were involved each time. A total of 70 enrolled students (35 men and 35 women) with grade point averages of >3.5 and <3.5 were asked to fill out an anonymous, online, self-administered questionnaire assessing their perception of knowledge, skills, and confidence after attending the ROS and evaluating their senior peers. Ninety percent of the medical students responded to the online survey and rated the ROS highly in improving their research knowledge, skills, and confidence. Male students reported significant gains compared with their female peers ( P < 0.05). Grade point averages did not play a role in student gains after attending the ROS. Qualitative responses were in support of three recurring themes favoring the unique learning environment in the ROS. In conclusion, the ROS offers a short-term systematic approach to fundamental steps and concepts of biomedical research.
Hypoenergetic diet-induced reductions in myofibrillar protein synthesis are restored with resistance training and balanced daily protein ingestion in older men
Authors: Murphy Caoileann H. , Churchward-Venne Tyler A. , Mitchell Cameron J. , Kolar Nathan M. , Kassis Amira , Karagounis Leonidas G. , Burke Louise M. , Hawley John A. , Phillips Stuart M.
Published: March 2015

Strategies to enhance weight loss with a high fat-to-lean ratio in overweight/obese older adults are important since lean loss could exacerbate sarcopenia. We examined how dietary protein distribution affected muscle protein synthesis during energy balance (EB), energy restriction (ER), and energy restriction plus resistance training (ER + RT). A 4-wk ER diet was provided to overweight/obese older men (66 ± 4 yr, 31 ± 5 kg/m2) who were randomized to either a balanced (BAL: 25% daily protein/meal × 4) or skewed (SKEW: 7:17:72:4% daily protein/meal; n = 10/group) pattern. Myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic protein fractional synthetic rates (FSR) were measured during a 13-h primed continuous infusion of l-[ ring-13C6]phenylalanine with BAL and SKEW pattern of protein intake in EB, after 2 wk ER, and after 2 wk ER + RT. Fed-state myofibrillar FSR was lower in ER than EB in both groups ( P < 0.001), but was greater in BAL than SKEW ( P = 0.014). In ER + RT, fed-state myofibrillar FSR increased above ER in both groups and in BAL was not different from EB ( P = 0.903). In SKEW myofibrillar FSR remained lower than EB ( P = 0.002) and lower than BAL ( P = 0.006). Fed-state sarcoplasmic protein FSR was reduced similarly in ER and ER + RT compared with EB ( P < 0.01) in both groups. During ER in overweight/obese older men a BAL consumption of protein stimulated the synthesis of muscle contractile proteins more effectively than traditional, SKEW distribution. Combining RT with a BAL protein distribution “rescued” the lower rates of myofibrillar protein synthesis during moderate ER.
The Mechanism(s) of Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction: Potassium Channels, Redox O2Sensors, and Controversies
Authors: Archer Stephen , Michelakis Evangelos
Published: March 2015

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction matches perfusion to ventilation and optimizes systemic oxygenation. Alterations in Po2are sensed by a vascular redox O2sensor in the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell, probably within the mitochondria. This creates a signal that modulates redox-sensitive K+channels, thereby controlling membrane potential, Ca2+entry, and tone.
Multiscale Models in the Biomechanics of Plant Growth
Authors: Jensen Oliver E. , Fozard John A.
Published: March 2015

Plant growth occurs through the coordinated expansion of tightly adherent cells, driven by regulated softening of cell walls. It is an intrinsically multiscale process, with the integrated properties of multiple cell walls shaping the whole tissue. Multiscale models encode physical relationships to bring new understanding to plant physiology and development.
The Baroreflex as a Long-Term Controller of Arterial Pressure
Authors: Lohmeier Thomas E. , Iliescu Radu
Published: March 2015

Because of resetting, a role for baroreflexes in long-term control of arterial pressure has been commonly dismissed in the past. However, in recent years, this perspective has changed. Novel approaches for determining chronic neurohormonal and cardiovascular responses to natural variations in baroreceptor activity and to electrical stimulation of the carotid baroreflex indicate incomplete resetting and sustained responses that lead to long-term alterations in sympathetic activity and arterial pressure.
Gaseous Modulators in the Control of the Hypothalamic Neurohypophyseal System
Authors: Ruginsk Silvia Graciela , Mecawi Andre de Souza , da Silva Melina Pires , Reis Wagner Luis , Coletti Ricardo , Lima Juliana Bezerra Medeiros de , Elias Lucila Leico Kagohara , Antunes-Rodrigues Jose
Published: March 2015

Nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are gaseous molecules produced by the brain. Within the hypothalamus, gaseous molecules have been highlighted as autocrine and paracrine factors regulating endocrine function. Therefore, in the present review, we briefly discuss the main findings linking NO, CO, and H2S to the control of body fluid homeostasis at the hypothalamic level, with particular emphasis on the regulation of neurohypophyseal system output.
Persistence, Entrainment, and Function of Circadian Rhythms in Polar Vertebrates
Authors: Williams Cory T. , Barnes Brian M. , Buck C. Loren
Published: March 2015

Polar organisms must cope with an environment that periodically lacks the strongest time-giver, or zeitgeber, of circadian organization–robust, cyclical oscillations between light and darkness. We review the factors influencing the persistence of circadian rhythms in polar vertebrates when the light-dark cycle is absent, the likely mechanisms of entrainment that allow some polar vertebrates to remain synchronized with geophysical time, and the adaptive function of maintaining circadian rhythms in such environments.
The Cerebral Circulation During Pregnancy: Adapting to Preserve Normalcy
Authors: Johnson Abbie C. , Cipolla Marilyn J.
Published: March 2015

The adaptation of the brain and cerebral circulation to pregnancy are unique compared with other organs and circulatory systems, ultimately functioning to maintain brain homeostasis. In this review, the effect of pregnancy on critical functions of the cerebral circulation is discussed, including changes occurring at the endothelium and blood-brain barrier, and changes in the structure and function of cerebral arteries and arterioles, hemodynamics, and cerebral blood flow autoregulation.
How Bar-Headed Geese Fly Over the Himalayas
Authors: Scott Graham R. , Hawkes Lucy A. , Frappell Peter B. , Butler Patrick J. , Bishop Charles M. , Milsom William K.
Published: March 2015

Bar-headed geese cross the Himalayas on one of the most iconic high-altitude migrations in the world. Heart rates and metabolic costs of flight increase with elevation and can be near maximal during steep climbs. Their ability to sustain the high oxygen demands of flight in air that is exceedingly oxygen-thin depends on the unique cardiorespiratory physiology of birds in general along with several evolved specializations across the O2transport cascade.
Hypoxia Tolerance, Nitric Oxide, and Nitrite: Lessons From Extreme Animals
Authors: Fago Angela , Jensen Frank B.
Published: March 2015

Among vertebrates able to tolerate periods of oxygen deprivation, the painted and red-eared slider turtles ( Chrysemys picta and Trachemys scripta) and the crucian carp ( Carassius carassius) are the most extreme and can survive even months of total lack of oxygen during winter. The key to hypoxia survival resides in concerted physiological responses, including strong metabolic depression, protection against oxidative damage and–in air-breathing animals–redistribution of blood flow. Each of these responses is known to be tightly regulated by nitric oxide (NO) and during hypoxia by its metabolite nitrite. The aim of this review is to highlight recent work illustrating the widespread roles of NO and nitrite in the tolerance to extreme oxygen deprivation, in particular in the red-eared slider turtle and crucian carp, but also in diving marine mammals. The emerging picture underscores the importance of NO and nitrite signaling in the adaptive response to hypoxia in vertebrate animals.
The Survival Mechanisms of Thermophiles at High Temperatures: An Angle of Omics
Authors: Wang Quanhui , Cen Zhen , Zhao Jingjing
Published: March 2015

Thermophiles are referred to as microorganisms with optimal growth temperatures of >60°C. Over the past few years, a number of studies have been conducted regarding themophiles, especially using the omics strategies. This review provides a systematic view of the survival physiology of thermophiles from an “omics” perspective, which suggests that the adaptive ability of thermophiles is based on a cooperative mode with multi-dimensional regulations integrating genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.
Biologically Active and Antimicrobial Peptides from Plants
Authors: Salas Carlos E. , Badillo-Corona Jesus A. , Ramírez-Sotelo Guadalupe , Oliver-Salvador Carmen
Published: March 2015

Bioactive peptides are part of an innate response elicited by most living forms. In plants, they are produced ubiquitously in roots, seeds, flowers, stems, and leaves, highlighting their physiological importance. While most of the bioactive peptides produced in plants possess microbicide properties, there is evidence that they are also involved in cellular signaling. Structurally, there is an overall similarity when comparing them with those derived from animal or insect sources. The biological action of bioactive peptides initiates with the binding to the target membrane followed in most cases by membrane permeabilization and rupture. Here we present an overview of what is currently known about bioactive peptides from plants, focusing on their antimicrobial activity and their role in the plant signaling network and offering perspectives on their potential application.
Effects of Statin versus the Combination of Ezetimibe plus Statin on Serum Lipid Absorption Markers in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Watanabe Erisa , Yamaguchi Junichi , Arashi Hiroyuki , Ogawa Hiroshi , Hagiwara Nobuhisa
Published: March 2015

Background. The use of statins is essential for aggressive lipid-lowering treatment in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with dyslipidemia. Recently, elevation of sitosterol, a lipid absorption marker, was reported to be associated with premature atherosclerosis. The purpose of the present study was to examine the impact of ezetimibe, a selective intestinal cholesterol transporter inhibitor, in ACS patients.Methods. A total of 197 ACS patients were randomized to pitavastatin + ezetimibe (n=100) or pitavastatin (n=97). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and sitosterol levels were evaluated on admission and after 12 weeks.Results. After 12 weeks, the pitavastatin + ezetimibe group showed a significantly greater decrease of sitosterol (baseline versus after 12 weeks; 2.9 ± 2.5 versus 1.7 ± 1.0 ng/mL,P<0.001) than the pitavastatin group (2.7 ± 1.5 versus 3.0 ± 1.4 ng/mL). The baseline sitosterol level was significantly higher in patients with achieved LDL-C levels ≥ 70 mg/dL than in patients with levels < 70 mg/dL (3.2 ± 2.5 versus 2.4 ± 1.3 ng/mL,P=0.006).Conclusions. Ezetimibe plus statin therapy in ACS patients with dyslipidemia decreased LDL-C and sitosterol levels more than statin therapy solo. Sitosterol Elevation was a predictor of poor response to aggressive lipid-lowering treatment in ACS patients.
A Lightweight Data Preprocessing Strategy with Fast Contradiction Analysis for Incremental Classifier Learning
Authors: Fong Simon , Biuk-Aghai Robert P. , Si Yain-whar , Yap Bee Wah
Published: March 2015

A prime objective in constructing data streaming mining models is to achieve good accuracy, fast learning, and robustness to noise. Although many techniques have been proposed in the past, efforts to improve the accuracy of classification models have been somewhat disparate. These techniques include, but are not limited to, feature selection, dimensionality reduction, and the removal of noise from training data. One limitation common to all of these techniques is the assumption that the full training dataset must be applied. Although this has been effective for traditional batch training, it may not be practical for incremental classifier learning, also known as data stream mining, where only a single pass of the data stream is seen at a time. Because data streams can amount to infinity and the so-called big data phenomenon, the data preprocessing time must be kept to a minimum. This paper introduces a new data preprocessing strategy suitable for the progressive purging of noisy data from the training dataset without the need to process the whole dataset at one time. This strategy is shown via a computer simulation to provide the significant benefit of allowing for the dynamic removal of bad records from the incremental classifier learning process.
Phase Transition of the Higher Dimensional Charged Gauss-Bonnet Black Hole in de Sitter Spacetime
Authors: Ma Meng-Sen , Zhang Li-Chun , Zhao Hui-Hua , Zhao Ren
Published: March 2015

We study the phase transition of charged Gauss-Bonnet-de Sitter (GB-dS) black hole. For black holes in de Sitter spacetime, there is not only black hole horizon, but also cosmological horizon. The thermodynamic quantities on both horizons satisfy the first law of the black hole thermodynamics, respectively; moreover, there are additional connections between them. Using the effective temperature approach, we obtained the effective thermodynamic quantities of charged GB-dS black hole. According to Ehrenfest classification, we calculate some response functions and plot their figures, from which one can see that the spacetime undergoes a second-order phase transition at the critical point. It is shown that the critical values of effective temperature and pressure decrease with the increase of the value of GB parameterα.
Modulation of Adipocytokines Production and Serum NEFA Level by Metformin, Glimepiride, and Sitagliptin in HFD/STZ Diabetic Rats
Authors: Saad Mohamed I. , Kamel Maher A. , Hanafi Mervat Y.
Published: March 2015

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia owing to insulin resistance and/or insulin deficiency. Current theories of T2DM pathophysiology include a decline inβ-cells function, a defect in insulin signaling pathways, and a dysregulation of secretory function of adipocytes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different antidiabetic drugs on serum levels of certain adipocytokines and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) in high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic rats. All treatments significantly decreased serum NEFA level. Metformin and sitagliptin increased serum adiponectin level, whereas they decreased serum leptin level. Glimepiride showed significant decline in serum levels of both adiponectin and leptin. All treatments remarkably ameliorated insulin resistance, suggested by an improvement of glycemic control, a significant reduction in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and a correction in lipid profile. Modulation of adipocytokines production (i.e., increased serum adiponectin and decreased serum leptin) may also underlie the improvement of insulin resistance and could be a possible mechanism for the beneficial cardiovascular effects of metformin and sitagliptin.
Preparation of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Industrial and Biomedical Applications: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Haider Adnan , Kang Inn-Kyu
Published: March 2015

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have diverted the attention of the scientific community and industrialist itself due to their wide range of applications in industry for the preparation of consumer products and highly accepted application in biomedical fields (especially their efficacy against microbes, anti-inflammatory effects, and wound healing ability). The governing factor for their potent efficacy against microbes is considered to be the various mechanisms enabling it to prevent microbial proliferation and their infections. Furthermore a number of new techniques have been developed to synthesize Ag-NPs with controlled size and geometry. In this review, various synthetic routes adapted for the preparation of the Ag-NPs, the mechanisms involved in its antimicrobial activity, its importance/application in commercial as well as biomedical fields, and possible application in future have been discussed in detail.
P2X7 Receptor as a Key Player in Oxidative Stress-Driven Cell Fate in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Chatterjee Saurabh , Das Suvarthi
Published: March 2015

Incidences of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease parallels increase in the global obesity epidemic. NAFLD has been shown to be associated with risks of cardiometabolic disorders and kidney disturbances. It is accompanied by insulin and leptin resistance that complicate the diagnosis and treatment of this public health menace. Though significant research is underway for understanding the molecular mechanisms of NAFLD and its subsequent inflammatory and fibrotic manifestations like nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, the role of purinergic receptors has been unclear. It is increasingly being recognized that damage associated molecular patterns like NAD and ATP that are released from injured cells via hepatocellular injury either by oxidative stress or lipotoxicity from steatosis activate the purinergic receptor. Based on evidence from inflammatory responses in the airways and vasculature and autoimmune complications in humans and rodents, it is beyond doubt that hepatocellular inflammation such as that seen in NASH can result from the activation of purinergic receptors. This event can result in the formation of inflammasomes and can be an important pathway for the progression of NASH. The present review evaluates the current knowledge of the role of oxidative stress and its signaling via P2X7 receptors in hepatocellular injury that might contribute to the NASH pathophysiology.
Iterative Algorithms for Variational Inequalities Governed by Boundedly Lipschitzian and Strongly Monotone Operators
Authors: Yang Caiping , He Songnian
Published: March 2015

Consider the variational inequalityVI(C,F)of finding a pointx*∈Csatisfying the property〈Fx*,x-x*〉≥0for allx∈C, whereCis a level set of a convex function defined on a real Hilbert spaceHandF:H→His a boundedly Lipschitzian (i.e., Lipschitzian on bounded subsets ofH) and strongly monotone operator. He and Xu proved that this variational inequality has a unique solution and devised iterative algorithms to approximate this solution (see He and Xu, 2009). In this paper, relaxed and self-adaptive iterative algorithms are proposed for computing this unique solution. Since our algorithms avoid calculating the projectionPC(calculatingPCby computing a sequence of projections onto half-spaces containing the original domainC) directly and select the stepsizes through a self-adaptive way (having no need to know any information of bounded Lipschitz constants ofF(i.e., Lipschitz constants on some bounded subsets ofH)), the implementations of our algorithms are very easy. The algorithms in this paper improve and extend the corresponding results of He and Xu.
Current and Potential Applications of Host-Defense Peptides and Proteins in Urology
Authors: Lo Joey Chor Yee , Lange Dirk
Published: March 2015

The use of antibiotics has become increasingly disfavored as more multidrug resistant pathogens are on the rise. A promising alternative to the use of these conventional drugs includes antimicrobial peptides or host-defense peptides. These peptides typically consist of short amino acid chains with a net cationic charge and a substantial portion of hydrophobic residues. They mainly target the bacterial cell membrane but are also capable of translocating through the membrane and target intracellular components, making it difficult for bacteria to gain resistance as multiple essential cellular processes are being targeted. The use of these peptides in the field of biomedical therapies has been examined, and the different approaches to using them under various settings are constantly being discovered. In this review, we discuss the current and potential applications of these host-defense peptides in the field of urology. Besides the use of these peptides as antimicrobial agents, the value of these biological molecules has recently been expanded to their use as antitumor and anti-kidney-stone agents.
A Clinical Decision Support System for the Diagnosis, Fracture Risks and Treatment of Osteoporosis
Authors: Halldorsson Bjarni V. , Bjornsson Aron Hjalti , Gudmundsson Haukur Tyr , Birgisson Elvar Orn , Ludviksson Bjorn Runar , Gudbjornsson Bjorn
Published: March 2015

Expanding medical knowledge increases the potential risk of medical errors in clinical practice. We present, OPAD, a clinical decision support system in the field of the medical care of osteoporosis. We utilize clinical information from international guidelines and experts in the field of osteoporosis. Physicians are provided with user interface to insert standard patient data, from which OPAD provides instant diagnostic comments, 10-year risk of fragility fracture, treatment options for the given case, and when to offer a follow-up DXA-evaluation. Thus, the medical decision making is standardized according to the best expert knowledge at any given time. OPAD was evaluated in a set of 308 randomly selected individuals. OPAD’s ten-year fracture risk computation is nearly identical to FRAX (r= 0.988). In 58% of cases OPAD recommended DXA evaluation at the present time. Following a DXA measurement in all individuals, 71% of those that were recommended to have DXA at the present time received recommendation for further investigation or specific treatment by the OPAD. In only 5.9% of individuals in which DXA was not recommended, the result of the BMD measurement changed the recommendations given by OPAD.
Successful Strategies to Engage Research Partners for Translating Evidence into Action in Community Health: A Critical Review
Authors: Salsberg Jon , Parry David , Pluye Pierre , Macridis Soultana , Herbert Carol P. , Macaulay Ann C.
Published: March 2015

Objectives. To undertake a critical review describing key strategies supporting development of participatory research (PR) teams to engage partners for creation and translation of action-oriented knowledge.Methods. Sources are four leading PR practitioners identified via bibliometric analysis. Authors’ publications were identified in January 1995–October 2009 in PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Science and CAB databases, and books. Works were limited to those with a process description describing a research project and practitioners were first, second, third, or last author.Results. Adapting and applying the “Reliability Tested Guidelines for Assessing Participatory Research Projects” to retained records identified five key strategies: developing advisory committees of researchers and intended research users; developing research agreements; using formal and informal group facilitation techniques; hiring co-researchers/partners from community; and ensuring frequent communication. Other less frequently mentioned strategies were also identified.Conclusion. This review is the first time these guidelines were used to identify key strategies supporting PR projects. They proved effective at identifying and evaluating engagement strategies as reported by completed research projects. Adapting these guidelines identified gaps where the tool was unable to assess fundamental PR elements of power dynamics, equity of resources, and member turnover. Our resulting template serves as a new tool to measure partnerships.
Some Basic Properties of Certain New Subclass of Meromorphic Functions
Authors: Shi Lei , Wang Zhi-Gang
Published: March 2015

We introduce and investigate a new subclassℳ(β,η)of meromorphic functions. Some interesting properties such as inclusion relationship, coefficient estimates, neighborhoods, and partial sums are proved. Connections of the results with known results are also considered.
Epigenetic Regulation of Inflammatory Cytokines and Associated Genes in Human Malignancies
Authors: Yasmin Rehana , Siraj Sami , Hassan Amjad , Khan Abdul Rehman , Abbasi Rashda , Ahmad Nafees
Published: March 2015

Inflammation is a multifaceted defense response of immune system against infection. Chronic inflammation has been implicated as an imminent threat for major human malignancies and is directly linked to various steps involved in tumorigenesis. Inflammatory cytokines, interleukins, interferons, transforming growth factors, chemokines, and adhesion molecules have been associated with chronic inflammation. Numerous cytokines are reported to be aberrantly regulated by different epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation and histone modifications in tumor tissues, contributing to pathogenesis of tumor in multiple ways. Some of these cytokines also work as epigenetic regulators of other crucial genes in tumor biology, either directly or indirectly. Such regulations are reported in lung, breast, cervical, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, prostate, and head and neck cancers. Epigenetics of inflammatory mediators in cancer is currently subject of extensive research. These investigations may help in understanding cancer biology and to develop effective therapeutic strategies. The purpose of this paper is to have a brief view of the aberrant regulation of inflammatory cytokines in human malignancies.
Capacity Enhancement in 60 GHz Based D2D Networks by Relay Selection and Scheduling
Authors: Rehman Waheed ur , Salam Tabinda , Xu Jin , Tao Xiaofeng
Published: March 2015

Millimeter-wave or 60 GHz communication is a promising technology that enables data rates in multigigabits. However, its tremendous propagation loss and signal blockage may severely affect the network throughput. In current data-centric device-to-device (D2D) communication networks, the devices with intended data communications usually lay in close proximity, unlike the case in voice-centric networks. So the network can be visualized as a naturally formed groups of devices. In this paper, we jointly consider resource scheduling and relay selection to improve network capacity in 60 GHz based D2D networks. Two types of transmission scenarios are considered in wireless personal area networks (WPANs), intra and intergroup. A distributed receiver based relay selection scheme is proposed for intragroup transmission, while a distance based relay selection scheme is proposed for intergroup transmission. The outage analysis of our proposed relay selection scheme is provided along with the numerical results. We then propose a concurrent transmission scheduling algorithm based on vertex coloring technique. The proposed scheduling algorithm employs time and space division in mmWave WPANs. Using vertex multicoloring, we allow transmitter-receiver (Tx-Rx) communication pairs to span over more colors, enabling better time slot utilization. We evaluate our scheduling algorithm in single-hop and multihop scenarios and discover that it outperforms other schemes by significantly improving network throughput.
Polyharmonic Multiquadric Particular Solutions for Reissner/Mindlin Plate
Authors: Tsai Chia-Cheng
Published: March 2015

Analytical particular solutions of the polyharmonic multiquadrics are derived for both the Reissner and Mindlin thick-plate models in a unified formulation. In the derivation, the three coupled second-order partial differential equations are converted into a product operator of biharmonic and Helmholtz operators using the Hörmander operator decomposition technique. Then a method is introduced to eliminate the Helmholtz operator, which enables the utilization of the polyharmonic multiquadrics. Then, the analytical particular solutions of displacements, shear forces, and bending or twisting moments corresponding to the polyharmonic multiquadrics are all explicitly derived. Numerical examples are carried out to validate these particular solutions. The results obtained by the present method are more accurate than those by the traditional multiquadrics and splines.
Efficacy and Safety of Pomegranate Medicinal Products for Cancer
Authors: Vlachojannis Christian , Zimmermann Benno F. , Chrubasik-Hausmann Sigrun
Published: March 2015

Preclinicalin vitroandin vivostudies demonstrate potent effects of pomegranate preparations in cancer cell lines and animal models with chemically induced cancers. We have carried out one systematic review of the effectiveness of pomegranate products in the treatment of cancer and another on their safety. The PubMed search provided 162 references for pomegranate and cancer and 122 references for pomegranate and safety/toxicity. We identified 4 clinical studies investigating 3 pomegranate products, of which one was inappropriate because of the low polyphenol content. The evidence of clinical effectiveness was poor because the quality of the studies was poor. Although there is no concern over safety with the doses used in the clinical studies, pomegranate preparations may be harmful by inducing synthetic drug metabolism through activation of liver enzymes. We have analysed various pomegranate products for their content of anthocyanins, punicalagin, and ellagic acid in order to compare them with the benchmark doses from published data. If the amount of coactive constituents is not declared, patients risk not benefiting from the putative pomegranate effects. Moreover, pomegranate end products are affected by many determinants. Their declaration should be incorporated into the regulatory guidance and controlled before pomegranate products enter the market.
A Hybrid Intelligent Diagnosis Approach for Quick Screening of Alzheimer’s Disease Based on Multiple Neuropsychological Rating Scales
Authors: Yin Ziming , Zhao Yinhong , Lu Xudong , Duan Huilong
Published: March 2015

Neuropsychological testing is an effective means for the screening of Alzheimer’s disease. Multiple neuropsychological rating scales should be used together to get subjects’ comprehensive cognitive state due to the limitation of a single scale, but it is difficult to operate in primary clinical settings because of the inadequacy of time and qualified clinicians. Aiming at identifying AD’s stages more accurately and conveniently in screening, we proposed a computer-aided diagnosis approach based on critical items extracted from multiple neuropsychological scales. The proposed hybrid intelligent approach combines the strengths of rough sets, genetic algorithm, and Bayesian network. There are two stages: one is attributes reduction technique based on rough sets and genetic algorithm, which can find out the most discriminative items for AD diagnosis in scales; the other is uncertain reasoning technique based on Bayesian network, which can forecast the probability of suffering from AD. The experimental data set consists of 500 cases collected by a top hospital in China and each case is determined by the expert panel. The results showed that the proposed approach could not only reduce items drastically with the same classification precision, but also perform better on identifying different stages of AD comparing with other existing scales.
The Th17/Treg Immune Balance in Ulcerative Colitis Patients with Two Different Chinese Syndromes: Dampness-Heat in Large Intestine and Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome
Authors: Gong Yang , Liu Lixing , He Xiaojuan , Zhao Hongyan , Yang Jing , Li Li , Lu Aiping , Lin Yifan , Jiang Miao
Published: March 2015

Objective. To investigate the Th17/Treg immune balance in the ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with two Chinese syndrome: dampness-heat in large intestine (DHLI) and spleen and kidney Yang deficiency (SKYD).Methods. Ninety UC patients (45 were diagnosed with DHLI and 45 with SKYD syndrome) and 23 healthy people were recruited. The serumIL-17 and TGF-β1 levels of these participants were measured with ELISA; the expression of IL-17 and TGF-β1 in colonic mucosa tissue was determined with immunohistochemistry and the percentage of Th17 and Treg in peripheral blood with flow cytometry.Results. The levels of IL-17 and Th17 were significantly higher in both DHLI and SKYD groups than in healthy control group and higher in DHLI than in SKYD group (P<0.05). The levels of TGF-β1 and Treg were significantly lower in the two UC patients groups than in healthy control group; and lower in SKYD group than in DHLI group (P<0.05).Conclusions. UC with DHLI syndrome could be characterized by the elevation of Th17 and IL-17 levels, which indicated an accentuation of inflammatory reaction; UC with SKYD syndrome could be characterized by the reduction of serum Treg and TGF-β1 levels, which represented a depression of immune tolerance.
The Effects and Possible Mechanisms of Puerarin to Treat Endometriosis Model Rats
Authors: Yu Jin , Zhao Li , Zhang Danying , Zhai Dongxia , Shen Wei , Bai Lingling , Liu Yiqun , Cai Zailong , Li Ji , Yu Chaoqin
Published: March 2015

Objective. To explore the effects of puerarin to treat endometriosis (EMT) model rats and the possible regulatory mechanisms.Methods.EMT model rats were surgically induced by autotransplantion of endometrial tissues. The appropriate dosage of puerarin to treat EMT model rats was determined by observing the pathologic morphology of ectopic endometrial tissues and by detecting the levels of estradiol (E2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) of both serum and ectopic endometrial tissues. The related genes and proteins of ectopic endometrial tissues were analyzed by Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to explore the possible mechanisms.Results. Puerarin could reduce the levels of E2 and PGE2 and prevent the growth of ectopic endometrium tissues by inhibiting the expression of aromatase cytochrome P450 (p450arom) and cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2); puerarin could adjust the anabolism of E2 by upregulating the expression of 17β-hydroxysteroid-2 (17β-hsd-2) and downregulating the expression of 17β-hydroxysteroid-1 (17β-hsd-1) of the ectopic endometrium tissues; puerarin could increase the expression of ERβand improve the inflammatory microenvironment of EMT model rats.Conclusions.Our data suggest that puerarin has a therapeutic effect on EMT model rats and could be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of EMT in clinic.