bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Midazolam in Subarachnoid Block: Current Evidence
Authors: Chattopadhyay Anirban , Maitra Souvik , Sen Suvadeep
Published: February 2013

Midazolam, despite of being the commonest benzodiazepine used in anaesthesia and perioperative care, is a relatively newer addition to the list of adjuvant used in subarachnoid block. Midazolam causes spinally mediated analgesia and the segmental analgesia produced by intrathecal midazolam is mediated by the benzodiazepine-GABA receptor complex. Initial animal studies questioned the safety of intrathecal midazolam in terms of possible neurotoxicity. However subsequent clinical studies also failed to show any neurotoxicity of high dose midazolam even on long-term use. Addition of intrathecal midazolam to bupivacaine significantly improves the duration and quality of spinal anaesthesia and provides prolonged perioperative analgesia without any significant side effects. Clinical studies also reported its safety and efficacy in pregnant women, but some studies also reported mild sedation with intrathecal midazolam. It is also reported to decrease the incidence of PONV. Intrathecal midazolam does not have any clinically significant effect on perioperative hemodynamics.
Circle Fitting Using a Virtual Source Localization Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Liang Junli , Zhang Miaohua , Zeng Xianju , Zhao Kexin , Li Jian
Published: February 2013

A novel circle fitting algorithm is proposed in this paper. The key points of this paper are given as follows: (i) it formulates the circle fitting problem into the special source localization one in wireless sensor networks (WSN); (ii) the multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis is applied to the data points, and thus the propagator-like method is proposed to represent the circle center parameters as the functions of the circle radius; (iii) the virtual source localization model can be rerepresented as special nonlinear equations of a unique variable (the circle radius) rather than the original three ones (the circle center and radius), and thus the classical fixed-point iteration algorithm is applied to determine the radius and the circle center parameters. The effectiveness of the proposed circle fitting approach is demonstrated using the simulation and experimental results.
New Existence Results and Generalizations for Coincidence Points and Fixed Points without Global Completeness
Authors: Du Wei-Shih
Published: February 2013

Some new existence theorems concerning approximate coincidence point property and approximate fixed point property for nonlinear maps in metric spaces without global completeness are established in this paper. By exploiting these results, we prove some new coincidence point and fixed point theorems which generalize and improve Berinde-Berinde's fixed point theorem, Mizoguchi-Takahashi's fixed point theorem, Kikkawa-Suzuki's fixed point theorem, and some well known results in the literature. Moreover, some applications of our results to the existence of coupled coincidence point and coupled fixed point are also presented.
Medical Yoga for Patients with Stress-Related Symptoms and Diagnoses in Primary Health Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Köhn Monica , Persson Lundholm Ulla , Bryngelsson Ing-Liss , Anderzén-Carlsson Agneta , Westerdahl Elisabeth
Published: February 2013

An increasing number of patients are suffering from stress-related symptoms and diagnoses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the medical yoga treatment in patients with stress-related symptoms and diagnoses in primary health care. A randomized controlled study was performed at a primary health care centre in Sweden from March to June, 2011. Patients were randomly allocated to a control group receiving standard care or a yoga group treated with medical yoga for 1 hour, once a week, over a 12-week period in addition to the standard care. A total of 37 men and women, mean age of53±12years were included. General stress level (measured using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)), burnout (Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (SMBQ)), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)), insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)), pain (visual analogue scale (VAS)), and overall health status (Euro Quality of Life VAS (EQ-VAS)) were measured before and after 12 weeks. Patients assigned to the Yoga group showed significantly greater improvements on measures of general stress level (P<0.000), anxiety (P<0.019), and overall health status (P<0.018) compared to controls. Treatment with medical yoga is effective in reducing levels of stress and anxiety in patients with stress-related symptoms in primary health care.
Relationship between Oxidant/Antioxidant Markers and Severity of Microalbuminuria in the Early Stage of Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Shao Ning , Kuang Hong Yu , Wang Na , Gao Xin Yuan , Hao Ming , Zou Wei , Yin Hui Qing
Published: February 2013

A wide range of microalbuminuria cutoff values are currently used for diagnosing the early stage of nephropathy in type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study analyzed the relationships between oxidant and antioxidant markers of nephropathy and the severity of microalbuminuria. The study included 50 healthy controls (Group 1), 50 diabetic patients with no nephropathy (Group 2), 50 diabetic patients with nephropathy and a urinary albumin excretion (UAE) of 30–200 mg/24 h (Group 3), and 50 diabetic patients with UAE 200–300 mg/24 h (Group 4). Serum nitrotyrosine, conjugated dienes, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels were determined. Oxidative stress is increased in the early stage of nephropathy in patients with T2D. There was a significant correlation between the extent of microalbuminuria and markers of oxidative stress. Multiple linear regression analysis identified lipid oxidative stress as a possible independent marker for evaluating the degree of renal damage in diabetic nephropathy. Stratifying microalbuminuria values during the early stage of nephropathy might be an important factor in facilitating earlier and more specific interventions.
Ordered Porous Nanomaterials: The Merit of Small
Authors: Berenguer Murcia Ángel
Published: February 2013

This paper will introduce the reader to some of the “classical” and “new” families of ordered porous materials which have arisen throughout the past decades and/or years. From what is perhaps the best-known family of zeolites, which even now to this day is under constant research, to the exciting new family of hierarchical porous materials, the number of strategies, structures, porous textures, and potential applications grows with every passing day. We will attempt to put these new families into perspective from a synthetic and applied point of view in order to give the reader as broad a perspective as possible into these exciting materials.
Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Array by DC Glow Plasma Etching for Supercapacitor
Authors: Luo Yongfeng , Li Xi , Gong Zhiqiang , Sheng Zhongzhi , Peng Xiaofang , Mou Qunying , He Mengdong , Li Xianjun , Chen Hong
Published: February 2013

To open the end of carbon nanotubes and make these ends connect with functional carboxyl group, aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) arrays was etched by DC glow oxygen‐argon plasma. With these open‐ended carbon nanotubes array as electrode materials to build supercapacitor, we found that the capacity (32.2 F/g) increased significantly than that of pure carbon nanotubes (6.7 F/g).
Osthole Improves Spatial Memory Deficits in Rats via Hippocampalα1-Adrenergic and D1/D2Receptors
Authors: Lin Li-Wei , Kuo Yueh-Hsiung , Hseu You Cheng , Tsai Chia-Wen , Hsieh Ming-Tsuen , Chen Shiu Ching , Wu Chi-Rei
Published: February 2013

The present study evaluated the effect of osthole, an active ingredient isolated fromCnidium monnieriL. Cusson, on spatial memory deficits caused by central neurotoxins using the Morris water maze in rats. The involvement of catecholaminergic receptors on the memory-enhancing effect of osthole in rat hippocampus was further investigated by intrahippocampal injection of catecholaminergic receptor antagonists. Intracisternal injection of osthole (10 μg/brain) improved the spatial performance and working memory impairments caused by the catecholaminergic neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine. No significant differences in swimming speeds were observed among sham, neurotoxin-induced, and osthole-treated groups. Intracisternal osthole injection also attenuated the spatial performance and working memory impairments caused by theα1receptor antagonist phenoxybenzamine, the D1receptor antagonist SCH 23390, and the D2receptor antagonist sulpiride. Therefore, we demonstrated that the effect of osthole on improving spatial memory deficits may be related to the activation of hippocampalα1and D1/D2receptors.
An Empirical Modelling of New Zealand Hospitality and Tourism Stock Returns
Authors: Lim Christine , Chan Felix
Published: February 2013

This paper examines the factor risk premiums of stock returns for the hospitality and tourism companies in New Zealand. The Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT) approach is used to investigate the expected return for stock portfolio with respect to market, macro (i.e., money supply and discount rate), and tourism factor sensitivities. Monthly stock prices, market index, tourism, and macroeconomic data are used in the study. The results indicate that the risk premiums for international tourism demand and term premium (proxy for discount rate) are positively significant at the 5% level. A one unit increase in tourist arrival sensitivity would result in expected return increase of 10 to 17 percentage point. Similarly, a one unit increase in term premium can increase hospitality-tourism expected returns by 0.2 percentage point. However, the findings for the money supply factor are not significant. As the study shows that investors face high positive tourism demand risk, it is imperative for firms and policymakers in New Zealand to promote inbound tourism through effective marketing and management. This in turn can provide high expected returns and create shareholder value for investors.
Schwannoma with an Uncommon Upper Lip Location and Literature Review
Authors: Bayindir Tuba , Kalcioglu M. Tayyar , Cicek Mehmet T. , Karadag Nese , Karaman Abdurrahman
Published: February 2013

Schwannomas are usually single, encapsulated, and benign tumors of the nerve sheath that arise from the perineural Schwann cells. Schwannomas are mostly seen in the fourth decade. Despite its location in the head and neck region is 25–45%, lip location of schwannoma are very rare. We present a case of a upper lip schwannoma in the pediatric age and review the literature.
A Numerical Comparison for a Discrete HIV Infection of CD4+T-Cell Model Derived from Nonstandard Numerical Scheme
Authors: Yakıt Ongun Mevlüde , Turhan İlkem
Published: February 2013

A nonstandard numerical scheme has been constructed and analyzed for a mathematical model that describes HIV infection of CD4+T cells. This new discrete system has the same stability properties as the continuous model and, particularly, it preserves the same local asymptotic stability properties. Linearized Stability Theory and Schur-Cohn criteria are used for local asymptotic stability of this discrete time model. This proposed nonstandard numerical scheme is compared with the classical explicit Euler and fourth order Runge-Kutta methods. To show the efficiency of this numerical scheme, the simulated results are given in tables and figures.
Positive Solutions for Three-Point Boundary Value Problem of Fractional Differential Equation with -Laplacian Operator
Authors: Yao Shang-lin , Wang Guo-hui , Li Zhi-ping , Yu Li-jun
Published: February 2013

We investigate the existence of multiple positive solutions for three-point boundary value problem of fractional differential equation with -Laplacian operator , where are the standard Riemann-Liouville derivatives with , and the constant is a positive number satisfying ; -Laplacian operator is defined as . By applying monotone iterative technique, some sufficient conditions for the existence of multiple positive solutions are established; moreover iterative schemes for approximating these solutions are also obtained, which start off a known simple linear function. In the end, an example is worked out to illustrate our main results.
Small Bowel Injury in Peritoneal Encapsulation following Penetrating Abdominal Trauma
Authors: Naidoo K. , Mewa Kinoo S. , Singh B.
Published: February 2013

Small bowel encapsulation is a rare entity which is usually found incidentally at autopsy. We report the first case of peritoneal encapsulation encountered serendipitously at laparotomy undertaken for penetrating abdominal trauma and review the literature on peritoneal encapsulation. We also compare this phenomenon to abdominal cocoon and sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis.
Gene Expression of Adhesion Molecules in Endothelial Cells from Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease Is Reduced after Surgical Revascularization and Pharmacological Treatment
Authors: Marino Franca , Guasti Luigina , Tozzi Matteo , Schembri Laura , Castiglioni Luana , Molteni Elisabetta , Piffaretti Gabriele , Castelli Patrizio , Cosentino Marco
Published: February 2013

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease characterized by immunological activity, in which endothelial dysfunction represents an early event leading to subsequent inflammatory vascular damage. We investigated gene expression of the adhesion molecules (AMs) ICAM-1, VCAM-1, andβ1-integrin in endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from venous blood (circulating EC, cEC) and purified from femoral plaques (pEC) obtained from 9 patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) submitted to femoral artery thrombendarterectomy (FEA). In addition, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the same subjects, we investigated gene expression of IFN-γ, IL-4, TGF-β, and IL-10. Patients were longitudinally evaluated 1 month before surgery, when statin treatment was established, at the time of surgery, and after 2 and 5 months. All AM mRNA levels, measured by means of real-time PCR, in cEC diminished during the study, up to 41–50% of initial levels at followup. AM mRNA expression was significantly higher in pEC than in cEC. During the study, in PBMCs, TGF-βand IL-10 mRNA levels remained unchanged while IFN-γand IL-4 levels increased; however, the ratio IFN-γ/IL-4 showed no significant modification. In PAD patients, FEA and statin treatment induce a profound reduction of AM expression in cEC and affect cytokine mRNA expression in PBMCs.
4-Hydroxy-17-methylincisterol fromAgaricus blazeiDecreased Cytokine Production and Cell Proliferation in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells via Inhibition of NF-AT and NF-κB Activation
Authors: Tsai Wei-Jern , Yang Shih-Chien , Huang Yu-Ling , Chen Chien-Chih , Chuang Kai-An , Kuo Yuh-Chi
Published: February 2013

Agaricus blazeiMurill is an edible and medicinal mushroom. In the previous study, we have proved that extracts ofA. blazeiinhibit human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation activated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Currently, we purified 4-hydroxy-17-methylincisterol (4-HM; C21H33O3) fromA. blazeiinvestigated its regulatory effects on cytokine productions and cell proliferation of PBMC induced by PHA. The results indicated that4-HMsuppressed, in activated PBMC, the production and mRNA expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γin a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition was not related to cell viability. While4-HMdid not affect ERK phosphorylation and its downstreamc-fosgene expression in PBMC induced by PHA, it decreased both NF-AT and NF-κB activation. The upstream signaling of NF-AT and NF-κB, intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i), and protein kinase C theta (PKCθ) activation in PHA-treated PBMC were reduced by4-HM. The data demonstrated that the suppressant effects of4-HMon cell proliferation in PBMC activated by PHA appeared to be mediated, at least in part, through inhibition of Ca2+mobilization and PKCθactivation, NF-AT and NF-κB activation, and cytokine transcripts and productions of PBMC. We suggested thatA. blazeicontained a potential immunomodulator4-HM.
Future Long-Baseline Neutrino Facilities and Detectors
Authors: Diwan Milind , Edgecock Rob , Hasegawa Takuya , Patzak Thomas , Shiozawa Masato , Strait Jim
Published: February 2013

We review the ongoing effort in the US, Japan, and Europe of the scientific community to study the location and the detector performance of the next-generation long-baseline neutrino facility. For many decades, research on the properties of neutrinos and the use of neutrinos to study the fundamental building blocks of matter has unveiled new, unexpected laws of nature. Results of neutrino experiments have triggered a tremendous amount of development in theory: theories beyond the standard model or at least extensions of it and development of the standard solar model and modeling of supernova explosions as well as the development of theories to explain the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe. Neutrino physics is one of the most dynamic and exciting fields of research in fundamental particle physics and astrophysics. The next-generation neutrino detector will address two aspects: fundamental properties of the neutrino like mass hierarchy, mixing angles, and the CP phase, and low-energy neutrino astronomy with solar, atmospheric, and supernova neutrinos. Such a new detector naturally allows for major improvements in the search for nucleon decay. A next-generation neutrino observatory needs a huge, megaton scale detector which in turn has to be installed in a new, international underground laboratory, capable of hosting such a huge detector.
Enabling 3D-Liver Perfusion Mapping from MR-DCE Imaging Using Distributed Computing
Authors: Leporq Benjamin , Camarasu-Pop Sorina , Davila-Serrano Eduardo E. , Pilleul Frank , Beuf Olivier
Published: February 2013

An MR acquisition protocol and a processing method using distributed computing on the European Grid Infrastructure (EGI) to allow 3D liver perfusion parametric mapping after Magnetic Resonance Dynamic Contrast Enhanced (MR-DCE) imaging are presented. Seven patients (one healthy control and six with chronic liver diseases) were prospectively enrolled after liver biopsy. MR-dynamic acquisition was continuously performed in free-breathing during two minutes after simultaneous intravascular contrast agent (MS-325 blood pool agent) injection. Hepatic capillary system was modeled by a 3-parameters one-compartment pharmacokinetic model. The processing step was parallelized and executed on the EGI. It was modeled and implemented as a grid workflow using the Gwendia language and the MOTEUR workflow engine. Results showed good reproducibility in repeated processing on the grid. The results obtained from the grid were well correlated with ROI-based reference method ran locally on a personal computer. The speed-up range was 71 to 242 with an average value of 126. In conclusion, distributed computing applied to perfusion mapping brings significant speed-up to quantification step to be used for further clinical studies in a research context. Accuracy would be improved with higher image SNR accessible on the latest 3T MR systems available today.
Study on the Optoelectronic Properties of UV Luminescent Polymer: ZnO Nanoparticles Dispersed PANI
Authors: Kayathri J. , RaniMeiyammai N. , Rani S. , Bhuvana K. P. , Palanivelu K. , Nayak S. K.
Published: February 2013

The present work is focused on the synthesis and characterization of a new polymer thin film material suitable for emissive layer in polymer light-emitting diodes. Thin films of polyaniline and ZnO nanoparticles dispersed polyaniline have been prepared and investigated for the suitability of emissive layer in polymer light emitting diodes. ZnO nanoparticles have been synthesized using wet chemical method and characterized using powder X-ray diffraction. Diffraction pattern reveals that the ZnO nanoparticles are grown in hexagonal wurtzite structure with the preferential orientation of (001) plane. Polyaniline was synthesized using potassium persulphate (initiator) at room temperature. ZnO nanoparticles are then dispersed in different doping level (5%, 10%, 15% 20% and 50%) with polyaniline. Thin films of ZnO dispersed polyaniline (PANI/ZnO) were prepared and characterized using scanning electron microscopy in order to investigate the surface morphology of the film. The optical characteristics and the suitability of film as emissive layer were analyzed using UV-visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy.
Developing Simple Production of Continuous Ramie Single Yarn Reinforced Composite Strands
Authors: Kim Hyun-Bum , Goda Koichi , Noda Junji , Aoki Kenji
Published: February 2013

This paper deals with long fiber-reinforced composite strands using continuous ramie yarns, in which polypropylene including MA-PP (maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene) was used as a matrix material. The composite strands were fabricated by a new method called multi-pin-assisted resin impregnation (M-PaRI) process, for which the equipment was newly applied after conventional extrusion process. The composite strands were then pelletized and injection molded. Tensile strength and Young's modulus of the resultant short ramie/PP reinforced composites were investigated. Results show that this new process improved the mechanical properties of injection-molded specimens.
The Effect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid on Mitochondrial Superoxide and Glucocorticoid-Induced Hypertension
Authors: Ong Sharon L. H. , Vohra Harpreet , Zhang Yi , Sutton Matthew , Whitworth Judith A.
Published: February 2013

Aims. To examine the effect of alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant with mitochondrial superoxide inhibitory properties, on adrenocorticotrophic hormone- (ACTH-HT) and dexamethasone-induced hypertensions (DEX-HT) in rats and if any antihypertensive effect is mediated via mitochondrial superoxide inhibition.Methods. In a prevention study, rats received ground food or alpha-lipoic-acid-laced food (10 mg/rat/day) for 15 nights. Saline, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH, 0.2 mg/kg/day), or dexamethasone (DEX, 10 μg/rat/day) was injected subcutaneously from day 5 to day 11. In a reversal study, rats received alpha-lipoic-acid-laced food 4 days after commencement of saline or DEX. Tail-cuff systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured second daily. Kidney mitochondrial superoxide was examined using (MitoSOX) Red (MitoSOX) via flow cytometry.Results. SBP was increased by ACTH (P<0.0005) and DEX (P<0.0005). Alpha-lipoic acid alone did not alter SBP. With alpha-lipoic acid pretreatment, SBP was increased by ACTH (P′<0.005) but not by DEX. Alpha-lipoic partially prevented ACTH-HT (P′<0.0005) and fully prevented DEX-HT (P′<0.0005) but failed to reverse DEX-HT. ACTH and DEX did not increase MitoSOX signal. In ACTH-hypertensive rats, high-dose alpha-lipoic acid (100 mg/rat/day) did not decrease SBP further but raised MitoSOX signal (P<0.001), suggesting prooxidant activity.Conclusion. Glucocorticoid-induced hypertension in rats is prevented by alpha-lipoic acid via mechanisms other than mitochondrial superoxide reduction.
Intra-Articular Dislocation of the Patella
Authors: McHugh Gavin , Ryan Ed , Cleary May , Kenny Paddy , O'Flanagan Shea , Keogh Peter
Published: February 2013

We present an unusual case of a chronic, irreducible intra-articular dislocation of the patella in an elderly nursing home resident. The patient had been unable to weight bear for 3 weeks. Radiographs in the emergency department (ED) confirmed the intra-articular dislocation with the superior pole lodged in the intercondylar notch. She underwent two failed closed reduction attempts and subsequently required an open reduction under general anaesthesia.
Recombinant Human Thyrotropin-Aided Radioiodine Therapy in Tracheal Obstruction by an Invading Well-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Pontikides Nickolaos , Karras Spyridon , Papagiannis Antonios , Kaprara Athina , Anagnostis Panagiotis , Noussios George , Doumas Argyrios , Goropoulos Apostolos , Iakovou Ioannis , Kotronis Georgios , Bantis Konstantinos , Krassas Gerasimos
Published: February 2013

Papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) usually extend to lymph nodes in the neck and mediastinum. Rarely, they invade the neighboring upper airway anatomical structures. We report a 56-year-old woman who presented with symptoms of upper airway obstruction. Imaging studies revealed a lesion derived from the thyroid which invaded and obstructed the trachea, which appeared to be a highly differentiated PTC. Total thyroidectomy was performed, with removal of the endotracheal part of the mass along with the corresponding anterior tracheal rings. Two months later, a whole body I131scan after recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rh-TSH) administration was performed and revealed a residual mass in upper left thyroid lobe. Subsequently, 150 mCi I131were given following rh-TSH administration. Nine months later, there was no sign of residual tumor. This case is the first one reported in the literature regarding rh-TSH administration prior to RAI ablation in a PTC obstructing the trachea.
Solution Monitoring Evaluated by Proliferation Risk Assessment and Fuzzy Optimization Analysis for Safeguards in a Reprocessing Process
Authors: Suzuki Mitsutoshi , Terao Norichika
Published: February 2013

Solution monitoring (SM) has been used in a nuclear reprocessing plant as an additional measure to provide assurance that the plant is operated as declared. The inline volume and density monitoring equipment with dip tubes is important for safety and safeguards purposes and is a typical example of safeguards by design (SBD). Recently safety, safeguards, and security by design (3SBD) are proposed to promote an efficient and effective generation of nuclear energy. In 3SBD, proliferation risk assessment has the potential to consider likelihood of the incidence and proliferation risk in safeguards. In this study, risk assessment methodologies for safeguards and security are discussed and several mathematical methods are presented to investigate risk notion applied to intentional acts of facility misuse in an uncertainty environment. Proliferation risk analysis with the Markov model, deterrence effect with the game model, and SBD with fuzzy optimization are shown in feasibility studies to investigate the potential application of the risk and uncertainty analyses in safeguards. It is demonstrated that the SM is an effective measurement system using risk-informed and cost-effective SBD, even though there are inherent difficulties related to the possibility of operator’s falsification.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of New Tripeptides as COX-2 Inhibitors
Authors: Vernieri Ermelinda , Gomez-Monterrey Isabel , Milite Ciro , Grieco Paolo , Musella Simona , Bertamino Alessia , Scognamiglio Ilaria , Alcaro Stefano , Artese Anna , Ortuso Francesco , Novellino Ettore , Sala Marina , Campiglia Pietro
Published: February 2013

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway leading to the formation of prostaglandins, which are mediators of inflammation. It exists mainly in two isoforms COX-1 and COX-2. The conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have gastrointestinal side effects because they inhibit both isoforms. Recent data demonstrate that the overexpression of these enzymes, and in particular of cyclooxygenases-2, promotes multiple events involved in tumorigenesis; in addition, numerous studies show that the inhibition of cyclooxygenases-2 can delay or prevent certain forms of cancer. Agents that inhibit COX-2 while sparing COX-1 represent a new attractive therapeutic development and offer a new perspective for a further use of COX-2 inhibitors. The present study extends the evaluation of the COX activity to all 203 possible natural tripeptide sequences following a rational approach consisting in molecular modeling, synthesis, and biological tests. Based on data obtained from virtual screening, only those peptides with better profile of affinity have been selected and classified into two groups called S and E. Our results suggest that these novel compounds may have potential as structural templates for the design and subsequent development of the new selective COX-2 inhibitors drugs.
Culture of the Aspirated Coronary Thromboembulus Specimen: A Peculiar Diagnostic Method for Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Slavich Massimo , Fisicaro Andrea , Agricola Eustachio , Coppi Giovanni , Ballarotto Carlo , Margonato Alberto
Published: February 2013

A 69-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for persistent fever, myalgias, articular pain, headache, and hypoaesthesia of the scalp. The clinical scenario was typical for giant-cell arteritis. During hospital stay, patient developed fugax amaurosis, stroke, and acute coronary syndrome. The definitive diagnosis of infective endocarditis, supported by transesophageal echocardiography, was confirmed only by culturing the material obtained during angiography and coronary thromboaspiration.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Neonatal Encephalopathy: Animal Experiments for Neuroprotective Therapies
Authors: Sameshima Hiroshi , Ikenoue Tsuyomu
Published: February 2013

Hypoxic-ischemic neonatal encephalopathy and ensuing brain damage is still an important problem in modern perinatal medicine. In this paper, we would like to share some of the results of our recent studies on neuroprotective therapies in animal experiments, as well as some literature reviews. From the basic animal studies, we have now obtained some possible candidates for therapeutic measures against hypoxic-ischemic neonatal encephalopathy. For example, they are hypothermia, rehabilitation, free radical scavenger, neurotrophic factors and growth factors, steroid, calcium channel blocker, vagal stimulation, some anti apoptotic agents, pre- and post conditioning, antioxidants, cell therapy with stem cells, modulators of K(+)-ATP channels, and so on. Whether combination of these therapies may be more beneficial than any single therapy needs to be clarified. Hypoxia-ischemia is a complicated condition, in which the cause, severity, and time-course are different in each case. Likewise, each fetus has its own inherent potentials such as adaptation, preconditioning-tolerance, and intolerance. Therefore, further extensive studies are required to establish an individualized strategy for neuroprotection against perinatal hypoxic-ischemic insult.
Effects of Flavor Dependence on Weak Decays ofJ/ψandϒ
Authors: Dhir Rohit , Verma R. C. , Sharma Avinash
Published: February 2013

We carry out a detailed analysis of effects of flavor dependence of average transverse quark momentum inside a meson onJ/ψ→Pandϒ→Bctransition form factors and two-body weak hadronic decays ofJ/ψandϒemploying the factorization scheme. We predict the branching ratios of semileptonic and nonleptonic weak decays ofJ/ψandϒmesons in Cabibbo-angle-enhanced and Cabibbo-angle-suppressed modes.
Censored Data Analysis Reveals Effects of Age and Hepatitis C Infection on C-Reactive Protein Levels in Healthy Adult Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Ely John J. , Zavaskis Tony , Lammey M. Lon
Published: February 2013

C-reactive protein, a conserved acute-phase protein synthesized in the liver and involved in inflammation, infection, and tissue damage, is an informative biomarker for human cardiovascular disease. Out of 258 captive adult common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) assayed for CRP, 27.9% of the data were below the quantitation limit. Data were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and results compared to other methods for handling censored data (including deletion, replacement, and imputation). Kaplan-Meier results demonstrated a modest age effect and a strong effect of HCV infection in reducing CRP but did not allow inference of reference intervals. Results of other methods varied considerably. Substitution schemes differed widely in statistical significance, with estimated group means biased by the size of the substitution constant, while inference of unbiased reference intervals was impossible. Single imputation gave reasonable statistical inferences but unreliable reference intervals. Multiple imputation gave reliable results, for both statistical inference and reference intervals, and was comparable to the Kaplan-Meier standard. Other methods should be avoided. CRP did not predict cardiovascular disease, but CRP levels were reduced by 50% in animals with hepatitis C infection and showed inverse relationships with 2 liver function enzymes. Results suggested that hsCRP can be an informative biomarker of chronic hepatic dysfunction.
Coexistence of Neurofibromatosis Type-1 and MTHFR C677T Gene Mutation in a Young Stroke Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Yilmaz Halim , Erkin Gulten , Gumus Haluk , Nalbant Lutfiye
Published: February 2013

In neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF1), cerebrovascular disorders are rarely encountered although vasculopathy is a well-known complication. Several mutations seen in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) give rise to the formation of hyperhomocysteinemia and homocystinuria, a considerable risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders, by leading to enzymatic inactivation. In the paper, a 31-year-old young stroke female patient with the coexistence of neurofibromatosis and MTHFR C677T gene mutation was presented.
Discrete Wavelet Transform on Color Picture Interpolation of Digital Still Camera
Authors: Fan Yu-Cheng , Chiang Yi-Feng
Published: February 2013

Many people use digital still cameras to take photographs in contemporary society. Significant amounts of digital information have led to the emergence of a digital era. Because of the small size and low cost of the product hardware, most image sensors use a color filter array to obtain image information. However, employing a color filter array results in the loss of image information; thus, a color interpolation technique must be employed to retrieve the original picture. Numerous researchers have developed interpolation algorithms in response to various image problems. The method proposed in this study involves integrating discrete wavelet transform (DWT) into the interpolation algorithm. The method was developed based on edge weight and partial gain characteristics and uses the basic wavelet function to enhance the edge performance and processes of the nearest or larger and smaller direction gradients. The experiment results were compared to those of other methods to verify that the proposed method can improve image quality.
Two New Types of Multiple Granulation Rough Set
Authors: Xu Weihua , Zhang Xiaoyan , Zhang Wenxiu
Published: February 2013

In the paper proposed two new types of the multiple granulation rough set models, where a target concept is approximated from two different kinds of views by using the equivalence classes induced by multiple granulations. A number of important properties of the two types of MGRS are investigated. From the properties, it can be found that Pawlak’s and Qian’s rough set models are special instances of those of our MGRS. Moreover, several important measures are presented in two types of MGRS, such as rough measure and quality of approximation. Furthermore, the relationship and difference are discussed carefully among Pawlak’s rough set, Qian’s MGRS, and two new types of MGRS. In order to illustrate our multiple granulations rough set model, some examples are considered, which are helpful for applying this theory in practical issues. One can get that the paper is meaningful both in the theory and in application for the issue of knowledge reduction in complex information systems.
Colonoscopy Practice in Lagos, Nigeria: A Report of an Audit
Authors: Onyekwere C. A. , Odiagah J. N. , Ogunleye O. O. , Chibututu C. , Lesi O. A.
Published: February 2013

Background. Colonoscopy effectiveness depends on the quality of the examination. Community-based report of quality of colonoscopy practice in a developing country will help in determining standard and also serve as a stimulus for improvement in service. Aim. To review the quality of colonoscopy practice and document pattern of colonic disease including polyp detection rate in Lagos, Nigeria. Method. A protocol that captured the patients’ demographics, indication, and some quality indices of colonoscopy was developed and sent to all the identified colonoscopy units in Lagos to complete for all procedures performed between January 2011 and June 2012. All data were collated and analyzed. The quality indices studied were compared with guideline standard. Results. Twelve colonoscopy centers were identified but only nine centers responded. The gastroenterologist/endoscopists were physicians (3) and surgeons (5). Six hundred and seven colonoscopy procedures were performed during this period (M : F = 333 : 179) while the sex was not disclosed in 95 subjects. The examination indications were lower GI bleeding (24.2%), altered bowel habits (9.2%), lower abdominal pain (9.1%), screening for CRC (4.3%) and unspecified (46.8%). Conscious sedation was generally used while bowel preparation (good in 81.4%) was done with low residue diet and stimulant laxatives. Caecal intubation rate was 81.2%. Common endoscopic findings were haemorrhoids (43.2%), polyps/masses (13.4%), diverticulosis (11.1%), and no abnormality (23.4%). Polyp was detected in 6.8% of cases. Conclusion. Colonoscopy utilization is low, and the quality of practice is suboptimal; although limited resources could partly explain this, however it is not clear if the low rate of polyp detection is due to missed lesions or low population incidence.
Contact Thermal Analysis and Wear Simulation of a Brake Block
Authors: Békési Nándor , Váradi Károly
Published: February 2013

The present paper describes an experimental test and a coupled contact-thermal-wear analysis of a railway wheel/brake block system through the braking process. During the test, the friction, the generated heat, and the wear were evaluated. It was found that the contact between the brake block and the wheel occurs in relatively small and slowly moving hot spots, caused by the wear and the thermal effects. A coupled simulation method was developed including numerical frictional contact, transient thermal and incremental wear calculations. In the 3D simulation, the effects of the friction, the thermal expansion, the wear, and the temperature-dependent material properties were also considered. A good agreement was found between the results of the test and the calculations, both for the thermal and wear results. The proposed method is suitable for modelling the slowly oscillating wear caused by the thermal expansions in the contact area.
The Involvement of a Polyphenol-Rich Extract of Black Chokeberry in Oxidative Stress on Experimental Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Ciocoiu Manuela , Badescu Laurentiu , Miron Anca , Badescu Magda
Published: February 2013

The aim of this study is to characterize the content ofAronia melanocarpaElliott (black chokeberry) extract and also to estimate the influence of polyphenolic compounds contained in chokeberries on oxidative stress, on an L-NAME-induced experimental model of arterial hypertension. The rat blood pressure values were recorded using a CODA Noninvasive Blood Pressure System. HPLC/DAD coupled with ElectroSpray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry allowed identification of five phenolic compounds in berries ethanolic extract as follows: chlorogenic acid, kuromanin, rutin, hyperoside, and quercetin. The serous activity of glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) has significantly lower values in the hypertensive (AHT) group as compared to the group protected by polyphenols (AHT + P). The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) values are lower in the AHT group and they are significantly higher in the AHT + P group. All the measured blood pressure components revealed a biostatistically significant blood pressure drop between the AHT group and the AHT + P group. The results reveal the normalization of the reduced glutathion (GSH) concentration as well as a considerable reduction in the malondialdehyde (MDA) serum concentration in the AHT + P group. Ethanolic extract of black chokeberry fruits not only has a potential value as a prophylactic agent but also may function as a nutritional supplement in the management of arterial hypertension.
Pinning Two Nonlinearly Coupled Complex Networks with an Asymmetrical Coupling Matrix
Authors: Feng Jianwen , Tang Ze , Wang Jingyi , Zhao Yi
Published: February 2013

This paper addresses the hybrid synchronization problem in two nonlinearly coupled complex networks with asymmetrical coupling matrices under pinning control schemes. The hybrid synchronization of two complex networks is the outer antisynchronization between the driving network and the response network while the inner complete synchronization in the driving network and the response network. We will show that only a small number of pinning feedback controllers acting on some nodes are effective for synchronization control of the mentioned dynamical networks. Based on Lyapunov Stability Theory, some simple criteria for hybrid synchronization are derived for such dynamical networks by pinning control strategy. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of our theoretical results.
Ex Vivo Activation of CD56+ Immune Cells That Eradicate Neuroblastoma
Authors: Rujkijyanont Piya , Chan Wing Keung , Eldridge Paul W. , Lockey Timothy , Holladay Martha , Rooney Barbara , Davidoff Andrew M. , Leung Wing , Vong Queenie
Published: February 2013

Despite the use of intensive contemporary multimodal therapy, the overall survival of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma is still less than 50%. Therefore, immunotherapy without cross-resistance and overlapping toxicity has been proposed. In this study, we report the development of a novel strategy to specifically activate and expand human CD56+ (NCAM1) natural killer (NK) immune cells from normal donors and patients with neuroblastoma. Enriched CD56+ cells from peripheral blood were mixed with CD56− fraction at 1:1 ratio and cultured in the presence of OKT3, interleukin (IL)-2, and -15 for five days and then without OKT3 for 16 more days. The final products contained more than 90% CD56+ cells and could kill neuroblastoma cells effectively that were originally highly resistant to nonprocessed NK cells. Mechanistically, cytolysis of neuroblastoma was mediated through natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR), DNAX accessory molecule-1 (DNAM-1; CD226), perforin, and granzyme B. Successful clinical scale-up in a good manufacturing practices (GMP)-compliant bioreactor yielded effector cells that in a neuroblastoma xenograft model slowed tumor growth and extended survival without GVHD. Investigation of CD56+ cells from patients with neuroblastoma revealed a similar postactivation phenotype and lytic activity. Our findings establish a novel and clinically expedient strategy to generate allogeneic or autologous CD56+ cells that are highly cytotoxic against neuroblastoma with minimal risk of GVHD. Cancer Res; 73(8); 2608–18. ©2013 AACR.
Regulation of Lung Cancer Metastasis by Klf4-Numb–like Signaling
Authors: Vaira Valentina , Faversani Alice , Martin Nina M. , Garlick David S. , Ferrero Stefano , Nosotti Mario , Kissil Joseph L. , Bosari Silvano , Altieri Dario C.
Published: February 2013

Metastatic traits seem to be acquired by transformed cells with progenitor-like cancer-initiating properties, but there remains little mechanistic insight into this linkage. In this report, we show that the polarity protein Numbl, which is expressed normally in neuronal progenitors, becomes overexpressed and mislocalized in cancer cells from a variety of human tumors. Numbl overexpression relies on loss of the tumor suppressor miRNA-296-5p (miR-296), which actively represses translation of Numbl in normal cells. In turn, deregulated expression of Numbl mediates random tumor cell migration and invasion, blocking anoikis and promoting metastatic dissemination. In clinical specimens of non–small cell lung cancer, we found that Numbl overexpression correlated with a reduction in overall patient survival. Mechanistically, Numbl-mediated tumorigenesis involved suppression of a “stemness” transcriptional program driven by the stem cell programming transcription factor Klf4, thereby preserving a pool of progenitor-like cells in lung cancer. Our results reveal that Numbl-Klf4 signaling is critical to maintain multiple nodes of metastatic progression, including persistence of cancer-initiating cells, rationalizing its therapeutic exploitation to improve the treatment of advanced lung cancer Cancer Res; 73(8); 2695–705. ©2013 AACR.
An Essential Requirement for the SCAP/SREBP Signaling Axis to Protect Cancer Cells from Lipotoxicity
Authors: Williams Kevin J. , Argus Joseph P. , Zhu Yue , Wilks Moses Q. , Marbois Beth N. , York Autumn G. , Kidani Yoko , Pourzia Alexandra L. , Akhavan David , Lisiero Dominique N. , Komisopoulou Evangelia , Henkin Amy H. , Soto Horacio , Chamberlain Brian T. , Vergnes Laurent , Jung Michael E. , Torres Jorge Z. , Liau Linda M. , Christofk Heather R. , Prins Robert M. , Mischel Paul S. , Reue Karen , Graeber Thomas G. , Bensinger Steven J.
Published: February 2013

The sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP) are key transcriptional regulators of lipid metabolism and cellular growth. It has been proposed that SREBP signaling regulates cellular growth through its ability to drive lipid biosynthesis. Unexpectedly, we find that loss of SREBP activity inhibits cancer cell growth and viability by uncoupling fatty acid synthesis from desaturation. Integrated lipid profiling and metabolic flux analysis revealed that cancer cells with attenuated SREBP activity maintain long-chain saturated fatty acid synthesis, while losing fatty acid desaturation capacity. We traced this defect to the uncoupling of fatty acid synthase activity from stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1)–mediated desaturation. This deficiency in desaturation drives an imbalance between the saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid pools resulting in severe lipotoxicity. Importantly, replenishing the monounsaturated fatty acid pool restored growth to SREBP-inhibited cells. These studies highlight the importance of fatty acid desaturation in cancer growth and provide a novel mechanistic explanation for the role of SREBPs in cancer metabolism. Cancer Res; 73(9); 2850–62. ©2013 AACR.
Functional Genetic Screens Identify Genes Essential for Tumor Cell Survival in Head and Neck and Lung Cancer
Authors: Martens-de Kemp Sanne R. , Nagel Remco , Stigter-van Walsum Marijke , van der Meulen Ida H. , van Beusechem Victor W. , Braakhuis Boudewijn J.M. , Brakenhoff Ruud H.
Published: February 2013

Purpose: Despite continuous improvement of treatment regimes, the mortality rates for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain disappointingly high and novel anticancer agents are urgently awaited.

Experimental Design: We combined the data from genome-wide siRNA screens on tumor cell lethality in a lung and a head and neck cancer cell line.

Results: We identified 71 target genes that seem essential for the survival of both cancer types. We identified a cluster of 20 genes that play an important role during G2–M phase transition, underlining the importance of this cell-cycle checkpoint for tumor cell survival. Five genes from this cluster (CKAP5, KPNB1, RAN, TPX2, and KIF11) were evaluated in more detail and have been shown to be essential for tumor cell survival in both tumor types, but most particularly in HNSCC. Phenotypes that were observed following siRNA-mediated knockdown of KIF11 (kinesin family member 11) were reproduced by inhibition of KIF11 using the small-molecule inhibitor ispinesib (SB-715992). We showed that ispinesib induces a G2 arrest, causes aberrant chromosome segregation, and induces cell death in HNSCC in vitro, whereas primary keratinocytes are less sensitive. Furthermore, growth of HNSCC cells engrafted in immunodeficient mice was significantly inhibited after ispinesib treatment.

Conclusion: This study identified a wide array of druggable genes for both lung and head and neck cancer. In particular, multiple genes involved in the G2–M checkpoint were shown to be essential for tumor cell survival, indicating their potential as anticancer targets. Clin Cancer Res; 19(8); 1994–2003. ©2013 AACR.