bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Animal Models in Studying Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation
Authors: Xu Ming , Xu Hongzhi , Qin Zhiyong
Published: November 2015

Brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an important cause of hemorrhagic stroke. The etiology is largely unknown and the therapeutics are controversial. A review of AVM-associated animal models may be helpful in order to understand the up-to-date knowledge and promote further research about the disease. We searched PubMed till December 31, 2014, with the term “arteriovenous malformation,” limiting results to animals and English language. Publications that described creations of AVM animal models or investigated AVM-related mechanisms and treatments using these models were reviewed. More than 100 articles fulfilling our inclusion criteria were identified, and from them eight different types of the original models were summarized. The backgrounds and procedures of these models, their applications, and research findings were demonstrated. Animal models are useful in studying the pathogenesis of AVM formation, growth, and rupture, as well as in developing and testing new treatments. Creations of preferable models are expected.
A Comparative Study of Spin Coated Transparent Conducting Thin Films of Gallium and Aluminum Doped ZnO Nanoparticles
Authors: Alkahlout A.
Published: November 2015

Transparent conducting Ga:ZnO (GZO) and Al:ZnO (AZO) layers have been deposited by spin coating on glass substrates using crystalline nanoparticles redispersed in 1-propanol. The coatings have been sintered in air at 600°C for 15 min and then postannealed in a reducing atmosphere at 400°C for 90 min. The effect of Ga and Al doping on the structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of the obtained thin films was investigated. Both films were found to be crystalline with a hexagonal structure. A single step spin coated layer 52–56 nm thick is obtained. To increase the thickness and lower the obtained sheet resistance multilayers coatings have been used. The visible transmission of both layers is high (T>80%). The influence of the sintering temperature and the optimum doping concentration was investigated. Five layers synthesized with doping ratio of 1 mol.% and sintered at 600°C and then submitted to reducing treatment in forming gas exhibited a minimum resistivity value of 7.4 × 10−2 Ω·cm for GZO layer and 1.45 Ω·cm for AZO coating.
Surface Deposition and Coalescence and Coacervation Phase Separation Methods: In Vitro Study and Compatibility Analysis of Eudragit RS30D, Eudragit RL30D, and Carbopol-PLA Loaded Metronidazole Microspheres
Authors: Dewan Irin , Islam Md. Maynul , Al-Hasan Maksud , Nath Joydeb , Sultana Sefat , Rana Md. Sohel
Published: November 2015

Metronidazole (MTZ) has extremely broad spectrum of protozoal and antimicrobial activity and is clinically effective in trichomoniasis, amoebic colitis, and giardiasis. This study was performed to formulate and evaluate the MTZ loaded microspheres by coacervation phase separation and surface deposition and coalescence methods using different polymers like Gelatin, Carbopol 934P, Polylactic Acid (PLA), Eudragit RS30D, and Eudragit RL30D to acquire sustained release of drug. In vitro dissolution studies were carried out in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) for 8 hours according to USP paddle method. The maximum and minimum release of MTZ from microspheres observed were 84.81% and 76.6% for coacervation and 95.07% and 80.07% for surface deposition method, respectively, after 8 hours. Release kinetics was studied in different mathematical release models. The SEM and FTIR studies confirm good spheres and smooth surface as well as interaction between drug and polymers. Though release kinetic is uncertain, the best fit was obtained with the Korsmeyer kinetic model with release exponent (n) lying between 0.45 and 0.89. In vitro studies showed that MTZ microspheres with different polymers might be a good candidate as sustained drug delivery system to treat bacterial infections.
Vibration Response Prediction of Plate with Particle Dampers Using Cosimulation Method
Authors: Wang Dongqiang , Wu Chengjun
Published: November 2015

The particle damping technology is a passive vibration control technique. The particle dampers (PDs) as one of the passive damping devices has found wide use in the field of aeronautical engineering, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering because it has several advantages compared with the forms of viscous damping, for example, structure simplicity, low cost, robust properties, and being effective over a wide range of frequencies. In this paper, a novelty simulation method based on multiphase flow theory (MFT) is developed to evaluate the particle damping characteristics using FEM combining DEM with COMSOL Multiphysics. First, the effects of the collisions and friction between the particles are interpreted as an equivalent nonlinear viscous damping based on MFT of gas particle. Next, the contribution of PDs is estimated as equivalent spring-damper system. Then a cantilever rectangular plate treated with PDs is introduced in a finite element model of structure system. Finally frequency response functions (FRFs) of the plate without and with particle dampers are predicted to study characteristics of the particle damping plates under forced vibration. Meanwhile, an experimental verification is performed. Simulation results are in good agreement with experiment date. It is concluded that the simulation method in this paper is valid.
Intraoperative Conversion to ALPPS in a Case of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Oldhafer F. , Ringe K. I. , Timrott K. , Kleine M. , Ramackers W. , Cammann S. , Jäger M. D. , Klempnauer J. , Bektas H. , Vondran F. W. R.
Published: November 2015

Background. Surgical resection remains the best treatment option for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Two-stage liver resection combiningin situliver transection with portal vein ligation (ALPPS) has been described as a promising method to increase the resectability of liver tumors also in the case of ICC.Presentation of Case. A 46-year-old male patient presented with an ICC-typical lesion in the right liver. The indication for primary liver resection was set and planed as a right hepatectomy. In contrast to the preoperative CT-scan, the known lesion showed further progression in a macroscopically steatotic liver. Therefore, the decision was made to perform an ALPPS-procedure to avoid an insufficient future liver remnant (FLR). The patient showed an uneventful postoperative course after the first and second step of the ALPPS-procedure, with sufficient increase of the FLR. Unfortunately, already 2.5 months after resection the patient had developed new tumor lesions found by the follow-up CT-scan.Discussion. The presented case demonstrates that an intraoperative conversion to an ALPPS-procedure is safely applicable when the FLR surprisingly seems to be insufficient.Conclusion. ALPPS should also be considered a treatment option in well-selected patients with ICC. However, the experience concerning the outcome of ALPPS in case of ICC remains fairly small.
Mechanisms of Drug Resistance in Relapse and Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Yang Wen-Chi , Lin Sheng-Fung
Published: November 2015

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy that remains incurable because most patients eventually relapse or become refractory to current treatments. Although the treatments have improved, the major problem in MM is resistance to therapy. Clonal evolution of MM cells and bone marrow microenvironment changes contribute to drug resistance. Some mechanisms affect both MM cells and microenvironment, including the up- and downregulation of microRNAs and programmed death factor 1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 interaction. Here, we review the pathogenesis of MM cells and bone marrow microenvironment and highlight possible drug resistance mechanisms. We also review a potential molecular targeting treatment and immunotherapy for patients with refractory or relapse MM.
Ceruminous Adenoma of the External Auditory Canal: A Case Report with Imaging and Pathologic Findings
Authors: Psillas George , Krommydas Argyrios , Karayannopoulou Georgia , Chatzopoulos Kyriakos , Kanitakis Jean , Markou Konstantinos
Published: November 2015

Ceruminous adenomas are benign tumors that are rare in humans and present with a nonspecific symptomatology. The treatment of choice is surgical excision. We present an 87-year-old woman who presented with a reddish, tender, round, soft mass of the outer third of the inferior wall of the left external auditory canal, discharging a yellowish fluid upon pressure. Coincidentally, due to her poor general condition, this patient also showed symptoms consistent with chronic otitis media, parotitis, and cervical lymphadenopathy, such as otorrhea, through a ruptured tympanic membrane and swelling of the parotid gland and cervical lymph nodes. The external auditory canal lesion was surgically excised under general anesthesia, utilizing a transmeatal approach. The pathological diagnosis was ceruminous gland adenoma. The tumor was made of tubular and cystic structures and embedded in a fibrous, focally hyalinized stroma. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of two distinct cell populations. The luminal cells expressed keratin 7, while peripheral (basal) cells expressed keratins 5/6, S100 protein, and p63. The apocrine gland-related antigen GCDFP-15 was focally expressed by tumor cells. The postoperative course was uneventful and at the 2-year follow-up no recurrence of the ceruminous adenoma was noted.
Caffeine Mitigates Lung Inflammation Induced by Ischemia‐Reperfusion of Lower Limbs in Rats
Authors: Chou Wei-Chi , Kao Ming-Chang , Yue Chung-Tai , Tsai Pei-Shan , Huang Chun-Jen
Published: November 2015

Reperfusion of ischemic limbs can induce inflammation and subsequently cause acute lung injury. Caffeine, a widely used psychostimulant, possesses potent anti‐inflammatory capacity. We elucidated whether caffeine can mitigate lung inflammation caused by ischemia‐reperfusion (IR) of the lower limbs. Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly allocated to receive IR, IR plus caffeine (IR + Caf group), sham‐operation (Sham), or sham plus caffeine (n = 12 in each group). To induce IR, lower limbs were bilaterally tied by rubber bands high around each thigh for 3 hours followed by reperfusion for 3 hours. Caffeine (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) was administered immediately after reperfusion. Our histological assay data revealed characteristics of severe lung inflammation in the IR group and mild to moderate characteristic of lung inflammation in the IR + Caf group. Total cells number and protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the IR group were significantly higher than those of the IR + Caf group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.008, resp.). Similarly, pulmonary concentrations of inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, and macrophage inflammatory protein‐2) and pulmonary myeloperoxidase activity of the IR group were significantly higher than those of the IR + Caf group (all P < 0.05). These data clearly demonstrate that caffeine could mitigate lung inflammation induced by ischemia‐reperfusion of the lower limbs.
Dynamic Characteristics Analysis of the Coupled Lateral-Torsional Vibration with Spur Gear System
Authors: Zhou Shihua , Ren Zhaohui , Song Guiqiu , Wen Bangchun
Published: November 2015

A sixteen-degree-of-freedom (16-DOF) lumped parameter dynamic model taking into account the gravity, eccentricity, bearing clearance, transmission error, and coupled lateral-torsional vibration is established. Based on the dynamical equation, the dynamic behaviors of the spur gear rotor bearing system are investigated by using Runge-Kutta method. The research focuses on the effect of rotational speed, eccentricity, and bearing clearance and nonlinear response of the coupled multibody dynamics is presented by vibration waveform, spectrum, and 3D frequency spectrum. The results show that the rotational frequency of the driven gear appears in the driving gear, and the dynamic characteristics of gears have obvious differences due to the effects of the gear assembly and the coupled lateral-torsional vibration. The bearing has its own resonance frequency, and the effect of the variable stiffness frequency of the bearings should be avoided during the system design. The results presented in this paper show an analysis of the coupled lateral-torsional vibration of the spur gear system. The study may contribute to a further understanding of the dynamic characteristics of such a spur gear rotor bearing system.
Neonatal Septicemia in Nepal: Early-Onset versus Late-Onset
Authors: Ansari Shamshul , Nepal Hari Prasad , Gautam Rajendra , Shrestha Sony , Neopane Puja , Chapagain Moti Lal
Published: November 2015

Introduction.Neonatal septicemia is defined as infection in the first 28 days of life. Early-onset neonatal septicemia and late-onset neonatal septicemia are defined as illnesses appearing from birth to three days and from four to twenty-eight days postnatally, respectively.Methods.In this cross-sectional study, blood samples from the suspected infants were collected and processed in the bacteriology laboratory. The growth was identified by standard microbiological protocol and the antibiotic sensitivity testing was carried out by modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.Results.Among total suspected cases, the septicemia was confirmed in 116 (12.6%) neonates. Early-onset septicemia (EOS) was observed in 82 infants and late-onset septicemia (LOS) in 34 infants. Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) (46.6%) was the predominant Gram-positive organism isolated from EOS as well as from LOS cases followed byStaphylococcus aureus(14.6%).Acinetobacterspecies (9.5%) was the predominant Gram-negative organism followed byKlebsiella pneumoniae(7.7%).Conclusions.The result of our study reveals that the CoNS,Staphylococcus aureus,Acinetobacterspp., andKlebsiella pneumoniaeare the most common etiological agents of neonatal septicemia. In particular, since rate of CoNS causing sepsis is alarming, prompting concern to curb the excess burden of CoNS infection is necessary.
Black Rice Anthocyanins Suppress Metastasis of Breast Cancer Cells by Targeting RAS/RAF/MAPK Pathway
Authors: Chen Xiang-Yan , Zhou Jie , Luo Li-Ping , Han Bin , Li Fei , Chen Jing-Yao , Zhu Yan-Feng , Chen Wei , Yu Xiao-Ping
Published: November 2015

Overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) drives the biology of 30% of breast cancer cases. As a transducer of HER2 signaling, RAS/RAF/MAPK pathway plays a pivotal role in the development of breast cancer. In this study, we examined the molecular mechanisms underlying the chemopreventive effects of black rice anthocyanins (BRACs) extract and identified their molecular targets in HER2+breast cancer cells. Treatment of MDA-MB-453 cells (HER2+) with BRACs inhibited cell migration and invasion, suppressed the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (RAF), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and downregulated the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and MMP9. BRACs also weakened the interactions of HER2 with RAF, MEK, and JNK proteins, respectively, and decreased the mRNA expression ofraf,mek, andjnk. Further, we found combined treatment with BRACs and RAF, MEK, or JNK inhibitors could enhance the antimetastatic activity, compared with that of each treatment. Transient transfection with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) specific forraf,mek, andjnkinhibited their mRNA expression in MDA-MB-453 cells. Moreover, cotreatment with BRACs and siRNA induces a more remarkable inhibitory effect than that by either substance alone. In summary, our study suggested that BRACs suppress metastasis in breast cancer cells by targeting the RAS/RAF/MAPK pathway.
Effect of Flow and Dissolved Oxygen on the Compatibility ofPongamia pinnataBiodiesel with Common Construction Materials Used in Storage and Transportation
Authors: Meenakshi H. N. , Shyamala R.
Published: November 2015

The compatibility ofPongamia pinnatabiodiesel (PBD) and its NaCl blends on aluminium, brass, copper, carbon steel, and mild steel has been studied by static mass loss and rotating cage methods. The effects of dissolved oxygen and flow on the metal corrosion in PBD were also observed. This study confirmed that the copper strip test alone is not enough to determine the fuel property since the corrosion of ferrous metal was found to be high in PBD compared to other metals. The least corrosion rate of aluminium was confirmed by surface morphology and elemental analysis.
Improving Performance of CIGS Solar Cells by Annealing ITO Thin Films Electrodes
Authors: Chuang Chuan Lung , Chang Ming Wei , Chen Nien Po , Pan Chung Chiang , Liu Chung Ping
Published: November 2015

Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films were grown on glass substrates by direct current (DC) reactive magnetron sputtering at room temperature. Annealing at the optimal temperature can considerably improve the composition, structure, optical properties, and electrical properties of the ITO film. An ITO sample with a favorable crystalline structure was obtained by annealing in fixed oxygen/argon ratio of 0.03 at 400°C for 30 min. The carrier concentration, mobility, resistivity, band gap, transmission in the visible-light region, and transmission in the near-IR regions of the ITO sample were-1.6E+20 cm−3,2.7E+01 cm2/Vs,1.4E-03 Ohm-cm, 3.2 eV, 89.1%, and 94.7%, respectively. Thus, annealing improved the average transmissions (400–1200 nm) of the ITO film by 16.36%. Moreover, annealing a copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS) solar cell at 400°C for 30 min in air improved its efficiency by 18.75%. The characteristics of annealing ITO films importantly affect the structural, morphological, electrical, and optical properties of ITO films that are used in solar cells.
Roles of Hsp70s in Stress Responses of Microorganisms, Plants, and Animals
Authors: Yu Anmin , Li Ping , Tang Ting , Wang Jiancai , Chen Yuan , Liu Li
Published: November 2015

Hsp70s (heat shock protein 70s) are a class of molecular chaperones that are highly conserved and ubiquitous in organisms ranging from microorganisms to plants and humans. Most research on Hsp70s has focused on the mechanisms of their functions as molecular chaperones, but recently, studies on stress responses are coming to the forefront. Hsp70s play key roles in cellular development and protecting living organisms from environmental stresses such as heat, drought, salinity, acidity, and cold. Moreover, functions of human Hsp70s are related to diseases including neurological disorders, cancer, and virus infection. In this review, we provide an overview of the specific roles of Hsp70s in response to stress, particularly abiotic stress, in all living organisms.
Significant Decline of Malaria Incidence in Southwest of Iran (2001–2014)
Authors: Salmanzadeh Shokrollah , Foroutan-Rad Masoud , Khademvatan Shahram , Moogahi Sasan , Bigdeli Shahla
Published: November 2015

Iran is considered as one of the malaria endemic countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) and is at risk due to neighboring Afghanistan, Pakistan in the east, and Iraq to the west. Therefore the aim of the present investigation is the evaluation of the trend of malaria distribution during the past decade (2001–2014) in Khuzestan province, southwestern Iran. In this retrospective cross-sectional investigation, blood samples were taken from all malaria suspicious cases who were referred to health centers across Khuzestan province. For each positive subject a questionnaire containing demographic information was filled out. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 18. From a total of 541 malaria confirmed cases, 498 (92.05%) were male and 43 (7.95%) were female. The highest number of infections was seen in 2001 with 161 (29.75%) cases and the lowest was in 2014 with 0 (0%). Also,Plasmodium vivaxwas identified as dominant species in 478 (88.35%) individuals andP. falciparumcomprised 63 (11.65%). The highest infection rate was observed in non-Iranian populations with number 459 (84.85%) and imported cases 508 (93.90%). Also, the majority of subjects were over 15 years of age, 458 (84.65%). Due to proximity to endemic countries which has made the malaria campaign difficult, more effort is needed to control the infection in order to achieve malaria elimination.
An Uncommon Case of Chronic Tubercular Appendicitis
Authors: Maharjan Sushna
Published: November 2015

Tuberculosis (TB) is a common disease that ranks as the second leading cause of death from an infectious disease worldwide, after the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, primary TB of the appendix is rare and may or may not be associated with specific clinical features. Thus, diagnosis is made only after histopathological examination. It suggests that all surgically removed appendices should be subjected to histopathological examination. This reported case is an uncommon case of chronic tubercular appendicitis.
Output Feedback Variable Structure Control Design for Uncertain Nonlinear Lipschitz Systems
Authors: Chang Jeang-Lin , Wu Tsui-Chou
Published: November 2015

This paper develops a full-order compensator-based output feedback variable structure control law for uncertain nonlinear Lipschitz systems having matched perturbations. Given that the sufficient condition is satisfied, the developed control scheme, with the observer-like technique incorporated into the design of the compensator, can achieve global exponential stabilization. An illustrative example is provided with simulation results to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Interferon-γ-Mediated Natural Killer Cell Activation by an AqueousPanax ginsengExtract
Authors: Takeda Kazuyoshi , Okumura Ko
Published: November 2015

Panax ginsengextracts are used in traditional herbal medicines, particularly in eastern Asia, but their effect on natural killer (NK) cell activity is not completely understood. This study aimed to examine the effects ofP. ginsengextracts on the cytotoxic activity of NK cells. We orally administeredP. ginsengextracts or ginsenosides to wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 (B6) and BALB/c mice and to B6 mice deficient in either recombination activating gene 2 (RAG-2) or interferon-γ(IFN-γ). We then tested the cytotoxic activity of NK cells (of spleen and liver mononuclear cells) against NK-sensitive YAC-1 cells. Oral administration ofP. ginsengaqueous extract augmented the cytotoxicity of NK cells in WT B6 and BALB/c mice and in RAG-2-deficient B6 mice, but not in IFN-γ-deficient B6 mice. This effect was only observed with the aqueous extract ofP. ginseng. Interestingly, the ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 did not augment NK cell cytotoxicity. These results demonstrated that the aqueousP. ginsengextract augmented NK cell activationin vivovia an IFN-γ-dependent pathway.
Distinct Functions of Neutrophil in Cancer and Its Regulation
Authors: Granot Zvi , Jablonska Jadwiga
Published: November 2015

Neutrophils are the most abundant of all white blood cells in the human circulation and are usually associated with inflammation and with fighting infections. In recent years the role immune cells play in cancer has been a matter of increasing interest. In this context the function of neutrophils is controversial as neutrophils were shown to possess both tumor promoting and tumor limiting properties. Here we provide an up‐to‐date review of the pro‐ and antitumor properties neutrophils possess as well as the environmental cues that regulate these distinct functions.
Live and Heat‐Killed Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469 May Induce Modulatory Cytokines Profiles on Macrophages RAW 264.7
Authors: Jorjão Adeline Lacerda , Oliveira Felipe Eduardo de , Leão Mariella Vieira Pereira , Carvalho Cláudio Antonio Talge , Jorge Antonio Olavo Cardoso , Oliveira Luciane Dias de
Published: November 2015

This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and/or its products to induce the synthesis of cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, and IL‐12) by mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7). Three microorganism preparations were used: live L. rhamnosus (LLR) suspension, heat‐killed L. rhamnosus (HKLR) suspension, and the supernatant of a heat‐killed L. rhamnosus (SHKLR) suspension, which were cultured with macrophages (37°C, 5% CO2) for 2 h and 30 min. After that, cells were cultured for 16 h. The supernatants were used for the quantitation of cytokines, by ELISA. The results were compared with the synthesis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and analysed, using ANOVA and Tukey test, 5%. LLR and HKLR groups were able to significantly increase the production of TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐10 (P < 0.05). SHKLR also significantly increased the production of TNF‐α and IL‐10 (P < 0.05) but not IL‐6 (P > 0.05). All the L. rhamnosus suspensions were not able to produce detectable levels of IL‐1β or significant levels of IL‐4 and IL‐12 (P > 0.05). In conclusion, live and heat‐killed L. rhamnosus suspensions were able to induce the synthesis of different cytokines with proinflammatory (TNF‐α and IL‐6) or regulatory (IL‐10) functions, suggesting the role of strain L. rhamnosus ATCC 7469 in the modulation or in the stimulation of immune responses.
Integrated Wavelength-Tunable Light Source for Optical Gas Sensing Systems
Authors: Li Bin , He Qi-Xin , Liu Hui-Fang , Wang Yi-Ding
Published: November 2015

A compact instrument consisting of a distributed feedback laser (DFB) at 1.65 μm was developed as a light source for gas sensing systems using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) technique. The wavelength of laser is tuned by adjusting the laser working temperature and injection current, which are performed by self-developed temperature controller and current modulator respectively. Stability test shows the fluctuation of the laser temperature is within the range of ±0.02°C. For gas detection experiments, the wavelength is tuned around the gas absorption line by adjusting laser temperature and is then shifted periodically to scan across the absorption line by the laser current modulator, which generates a 10 Hz saw wave signal. In addition, the current modulator is able to generate sine wave signal for gas sensing systems using wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) technique involving extraction of harmonic signals. The spectrum test proves good stability that the spectrum was measured 6 times every 10 minutes at the constant temperature and current condition. This standalone instrument can be applied as a light source for detection systems of different gases by integrating lasers at corresponding wavelength.
An Efficient Chemoenzymatic Process for Preparation of Ribavirin
Authors: Sakharov Vladimir , Baykov Sergey , Konstantinova Irina , Esipov Roman , Dorogov Mikhail
Published: November 2015

Ribavirin is an important antiviral drug, which is used for treatment of many diseases. The pilot-scale chemoenzymatic process for synthesis of the active pharmaceutical ingredient Ribavirin was developed with 32% overall yield and more than 99.5% purity. The described method includes the chemical synthesis of 1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide, which is a key intermediate and enzyme-catalyzed transglycosylation reaction for preparation of the desired product. 1,2,4-Triazole-3-carboxamide was synthesized from 5-amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxylic acid by classical Chipen-Grinshtein method. Isolated fromE. сoliBL21(DE3)/pERPUPHHO1 strain the purine nucleoside phosphorylase was used as a biocatalytical system. All steps of this process were optimized and scaled.
Evaluation ofα-Glucosidase Inhibitory Effect of 50% Ethanolic Standardized Extract ofOrthosiphon stamineusBenth in Normal and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Mohamed Elsnoussi Ali , Ahmad Mariam , Ang Lee Fung , Asmawi Mohd. Zaini , Yam Mun Fei
Published: November 2015

In the present study, a 50% ethanolic extract ofOrthosiphon stamineuswas tested for itsα-glucosidase inhibitory activity.In vivoassays of the extract (containing 1.02%, 3.76%, and 3.03% of 3′hydroxy-5,6,7,4′-tetramethoxyflavone, sinensetin, and eupatorin, resp.) showed that it possessed an inhibitory activity againstα-glucosidase in normal rats loaded with starch and sucrose. The results showed that 1000 mg/kg of the 50% ethanolic extract ofO. stamineussignificantly (P<0.05) decreased the plasma glucose levels of the experimental animals in a manner resembling the effect of acarbose. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, only the group treated with 1000 mg/kg of the extract showed significantly (P<0.05) lower plasma glucose levels after starch loading. Hence,α-glucosidase inhibition might be one of the mechanisms by whichO. stamineusextract exerts its antidiabetic effect. Furthermore, our findings indicated that the 50% ethanolic extract ofO. stamineuscan be considered as a potential agent for the management of diabetes mellitus.
Dynamic Arm Gesture Recognition Using Spherical Angle Features and Hidden Markov Models
Authors: Kim Hyesuk , Kim Incheol
Published: November 2015

We introduce a vision-based arm gesture recognition (AGR) system using Kinect. The AGR system learns the discrete Hidden Markov Model (HMM), an effective probabilistic graph model for gesture recognition, from the dynamic pose of the arm joints provided by the Kinect API. Because Kinect’s viewpoint and the subject’s arm length can substantially affect the estimated 3D pose of each joint, it is difficult to recognize gestures reliably with these features. The proposed system performs the feature transformation that changes the 3D Cartesian coordinates of each joint into the 2D spherical angles of the corresponding arm part to obtain view-invariant and more discriminative features. We confirmed high recognition performance of the proposed AGR system through experiments with two different datasets.
AICAR Protects against High Palmitate/High Insulin-Induced Intramyocellular Lipid Accumulation and Insulin Resistance in HL-1 Cardiac Cells by Inducing PPAR-Target Gene Expression
Authors: Rodríguez-Calvo Ricardo , Vázquez-Carrera Manuel , Masana Luis , Neumann Dietbert
Published: November 2015

Here we studied the impact of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR), a well-known AMPK activator, on cardiac metabolic adaptation. AMPK activation by AICAR was confirmed by increased phospho-Thr172-AMPK and phospho-Ser79-ACC protein levels in HL-1 cardiomyocytes. Then, cells were exposed to AICAR stimulation for 24 h in the presence or absence of the AMPK inhibitor Compound C, and the mRNA levels of the three PPARs were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. Treatment with AICAR induced gene expression of all three PPARs, but only thePparaandPpargregulation were dependent on AMPK. Next, we exposed HL-1 cells to high palmitate/high insulin (HP/HI) conditions either in presence or in absence of AICAR, and we evaluated the expression of selected PPAR-targets genes. HP/HI induced insulin resistance and lipid storage was accompanied by increasedCd36,Acot1, andUcp3mRNA levels. AICAR treatment induced the expression ofAcadvlandGlut4, which correlated to prevention of the HP/HI-induced intramyocellular lipid build-up, and attenuation of the HP/HI-induced impairment of glucose uptake. These data support the hypothesis that AICAR contributes to cardiac metabolic adaptationviaregulation of transcriptional mechanisms.
Relationship between Chinese and International Crude Oil Prices: A VEC-TARCH Approach
Authors: Song Changming , Li Chongguang
Published: November 2015

Many studies focus on the impact of international crude oil price volatility on various economic variables in China with a hypothesis that international crude oil price affected Chinese crude oil price first and then other economic variables. However, there has been little research to explore whether or not international and Chinese oil market are integrated. This study aims to investigate the relationship between Chinese and international crude oil prices by VAR and VEC-TARCH models. It was found that the two crude oil markets have been integrated gradually. But the impact of external shocks on the Chinese crude oil market was stronger and the Chinese crude oil price was sensitive to changes in international crude oil price, implying that the centrally controlled oil market in China is less capable of coping with external risk. In addition, the volatility of both Chinese and international crude oil prices was mainly transmitted by prior fluctuation forecast and the impact of external shocks was limited, demonstrating that in both cases volatility would disappear rather slowly. Furthermore, Chinese and international crude oil markets have established a stable relationship. When the direction of external shocks on the two variables’ respective stochastic term was consistent, the impact on the two variables’ joint volatility was aggravated and vice versa.
Image-Processing Scheme to Detect Superficial Fungal Infections of the Skin
Authors: Mäder Ulf , Quiskamp Niko , Wildenhain Sören , Schmidts Thomas , Mayser Peter , Runkel Frank , Fiebich Martin
Published: November 2015

The incidence of superficial fungal infections is assumed to be 20 to 25% of the global human population. Fluorescence microscopy of extracted skin samples is frequently used for a swift assessment of infections. To support the dermatologist, an image-analysis scheme has been developed that evaluates digital microscopic images to detect fungal hyphae. The aim of the study was to increase diagnostic quality and to shorten the time-to-diagnosis. The analysis, consisting of preprocessing, segmentation, parameterization, and classification of identified structures, was performed on digital microscopic images. A test dataset of hyphae and false-positive objects was created to evaluate the algorithm. Additionally, the performance for real clinical images was investigated using 415 images. The results show that the sensitivity for hyphae is 94% and 89% for singular and clustered hyphae, respectively. The mean exclusion rate is 91% for the false-positive objects. The sensitivity for clinical images was 83% and the specificity was 79%. Although the performance is lower for the clinical images than for the test dataset, a reliable and fast diagnosis can be achieved since it is not crucial to detect every hypha to conclude that a sample consisting of several images is infected. The proposed analysis therefore enables a high diagnostic quality and a fast sample assessment to be achieved.
Giant Saphenous Venous Graft Aneurysm with Compression of the Pulmonary Artery: A Rare Cause of Heart Failure
Authors: Kalavakunta Jagadeesh K. , Agrawal Yashwant , Williams Alicia , Pratt Jerry W. , Saltiel Frank
Published: November 2015

We report a case of a 74-year-old man who presented with dyspnea on exertion and pedal edema. He had five-vessel coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery twenty-six years ago and redo three-vessel CABG done thirteen years later. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the heart and coronary vessels demonstrated a giant aneurysm arising from the saphenous venous graft (SVG) to the first obtuse marginal of the left circumflex artery compressing the pulmonary artery (PA). He underwent coronary angiography, confirming the CTA findings. Surgical and percutaneous interventions were offered, but the patient opted for conservative management due to the high risk of morbidity and mortality.
Hybrid Stabilization of Thoracic Spine Fractures with Sublaminar Bands and Transpedicular Screws: Description of a Surgical Alternative and Review of the Literature
Authors: Unterweger Marie-Therese , Kandziora Frank , Schnake Klaus J.
Published: November 2015

Stabilization of unstable thoracic fractures with transpedicular screws is widely accepted. However, placement of transpedicular screws can cause complications, particularly in the thoracic spine with physiologically small pedicles. Hybrid stabilization, a combination of sublaminar bands and pedicle screws, might reduce the rate of misplaced screws and can be helpful in special anatomic circumstances, such as preexisting scoliosis and osteoporosis. We report about two patients suffering from unstable thoracic fractures, of T5 in one case and T3, T4, and T5 in the other case, with preexisting scoliosis and extremely small pedicles. Additionally, one patient had osteoporosis. Patients received hybrid stabilization with pedicle screws adjacent to the fractured vertebral bodies and sublaminar bands at the level above and below the pedicle screws. No complications occurred. Follow-up was 12 months with clinically uneventful postoperative courses. No signs of implant failure or loss of reduction could be detected. In patients with very small thoracic pedicles, scoliosis, and/or osteoporosis, hybrid stabilization with sublaminar bands and pedicle screws can be a viable alternative to long pedicle screw constructs.
Diversity and Distribution of Aquatic Insects in Streams of the Mae Klong Watershed, Western Thailand
Authors: Maneechan Witwisitpong , Prommi Taeng On
Published: November 2015

The distribution and diversity of aquatic insects and water quality variables were studied among three streams of the Mae Klong Watershed. In each stream, two sites were sampled. Aquatic insects and water quality variables were randomly sampled seven times in February, May, September, and December 2010 and in January, April, and May 2011. Overall, 11,153 individuals belonging to 64 families and nine orders were examined. Among the aquatic insects collected from the three streams, the order Trichoptera was most diverse in number of individuals, followed by Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera, Odonata, Coleoptera, Diptera, Plecoptera, Megaloptera, and Lepidoptera. The highest Shannon index of diversity of 2.934 and 3.2 was recorded in Huai Kayeng stream and the lowest was in Huai Pakkok stream (2.68 and 2.62). The high diversity of insect fauna in streams is an indication of larger microhabitat diversity and better water quality conditions prevailing in the streams. The evenness value was recorded as high in most sites. The high species diversity and evenness in almost all sites indicated good water quality.
Biomarkers of Eating Disorders Using Support Vector Machine Analysis of Structural Neuroimaging Data: Preliminary Results
Authors: Cerasa Antonio , Castiglioni Isabella , Salvatore Christian , Funaro Angela , Martino Iolanda , Alfano Stefania , Donzuso Giulia , Perrotta Paolo , Gioia Maria Cecilia , Gilardi Maria Carla , Quattrone Aldo
Published: November 2015

Presently, there are no valid biomarkers to identify individuals with eating disorders (ED). The aim of this work was to assess the feasibility of a machine learning method for extracting reliable neuroimaging features allowing individual categorization of patients with ED. Support Vector Machine (SVM) technique, combined with a pattern recognition method, was employed utilizing structural magnetic resonance images. Seventeen females with ED (six with diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and 11 with bulimia nervosa) were compared against 17 body mass index-matched healthy controls (HC). Machine learning allowed individual diagnosis of ED versus HC with an Accuracy ≥ 0.80. Voxel-based pattern recognition analysis demonstrated that voxels influencing the classification Accuracy involved the occipital cortex, the posterior cerebellar lobule, precuneus, sensorimotor/premotor cortices, and the medial prefrontal cortex, all critical regions known to be strongly involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of ED. Although these findings should be considered preliminary given the small size investigated, SVM analysis highlights the role of well-known brain regions as possible biomarkers to distinguish ED from HC at an individual level, thus encouraging the translational implementation of this new multivariate approach in the clinical practice.
Green Emission of Tellurite Based Glass Containing Erbium Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Muhammad Noorazlan Azlan , Kamari Halimah Mohamed , Omar Baki Sharudin , Mohamad Daud W.
Published: November 2015

Investigation on green emission and spectral intensity of tellurite based glass containing erbium oxide NPs is one of the crucial issues. Tellurite based glass containing erbium oxide NPs with the composition of {[(TeO2)0.70(B2O3)0.30]0.7(ZnO)0.3}0.95(Er2O3)0.05 has been prepared by using conventional melt‐quenching method. The structural and optical properties of the glass sample were characterized by using XRD, FTIR, UV‐Vis absorption, and PL spectroscopy. The amorphous structural arrangement was proved through XRD method. The formation of TeO3 and BO3 units was revealed by FTIR analysis. Five transition states of excitation were shown in UV‐Vis spectra which arise from the ground state 4I15/2 to the excited states 4G11/2 + 2H9/2 + 4F5/2 + 4F7/2 + 2H11/2 + 4S3/2 + 4F9/2 + 4I9/2 + 4I11/2. The intensity parameters Ωt (t = 2, 4, 6) are calculated and follow the trend of Ω2 > Ω4 > Ω6. Broad green emission at 559 nm under 385 nm excitation was obtained.
Delta‐Like‐1 Changes the Immunomodulatory Property of OP9 Cells
Authors: Zhang Lei , Dang Rui-Jie , Yang Yan-Mei , Cui Dian-Chao , Li Ping , Ni Yan-Li , Hao Tong , Wang Changyong , Jiang Xiao-Xia , Fang Nan-Zhu
Published: November 2015

As stromal cells and recently confirmed mesenchymal stem cells, OP9 cells support hematopoiesis stem cell (HSC) differentiation into the B lymphocyte lineage, yet Delta‐like‐1 (DL1) overexpressing OP9 (OP9DL1) cells promote the development of early T lymphocytes from HSC. However, the immunomodulatory capacity of OP9 or OP9DL1 on mature B and T cell proliferation has not been elucidated. Here, we show that OP9 and OP9DL1 have similar proliferation capacities and immunophenotypes except DL1 expression. Compared with OP9, OP9DL1 displayed more osteogenesis and less adipogenesis when cultured in the respective induction media. Both OP9 and OP9DL1 inhibited mature B and T cell proliferation. Furthermore, OP9 showed stronger inhibition on B cell proliferation and OP9DL1 exhibited stronger inhibition on T cell proliferation. With stimulation, both OP9 and OP9DL1 showed increased nitrate oxide (NO) production. The NO levels of OP9 were higher than that of OP9DL1 when stimulated with TNFα/IFNγ or LPS/IL4. Taken together, our study reveals a previously unrecognized role of OP9 and OP9DL1 in mature B and T cell proliferation. DL1 overexpression alone changed the properties of OP9 cells in addition to their role in early B cell development.
Binding Orientations and Lipid Interactions of Human Amylin at Zwitterionic and Anionic Lipid Bilayers
Authors: Qian Zhenyu , Jia Yan , Wei Guanghong
Published: November 2015

Increasing evidence suggests that the interaction of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) with lipids may facilitate hIAPP aggregation and cause the death of pancreatic isletβ-cells. However, the detailed hIAPP-membrane interactions and the influences of lipid compositions are unclear. In this study, as a first step to understand the mechanism of membrane-mediated hIAPP aggregation, we investigate the binding behaviors of hIAPP monomer at zwitterionic palmitoyloleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) bilayer by performing atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. The results are compared with those of hIAPP at anionic palmitoyloleoyl-phosphatidylglycerol (POPG) bilayers. We find that the adsorption of hIAPP to POPC bilayer is mainly initiated from the C-terminal region and the peptide adopts a helical structure with multiple binding orientations, while the adsorption to POPG bilayer is mostly initiated from the N-terminal region and hIAPP displays one preferential binding orientation, with its hydrophobic residues exposed to water. hIAPP monomer inserts into POPC lipid bilayers more readily than into POPG bilayers. Peptide-lipid interaction analyses show that the different binding features of hIAPP at POPC and POPG bilayers are attributed to different magnitudes of electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions with lipids. This study provides mechanistic insights into the different interaction behaviors of hIAPP with zwitterionic and anionic lipid bilayers.
Longxuetongluo Capsule Improves Erythrocyte Function against Lipid Peroxidation and Abnormal Hemorheological Parameters in High Fat Diet‐Induced ApoE−/− Mice
Authors: Zheng Jiao , Liu Binglin , Lun Qixing , Yao Weijuan , Zhao Yunfang , Xiao Wei , Huang Wenzhe , Wang Yonghua , Li Jun , Tu Pengfei
Published: November 2015

Chinese dragon’s blood, the red resin of Dracaena cochinchinensis, one of the renowned traditional medicines, has been used to facilitate blood circulation and disperse blood stasis for thousands of years. Phenolic compounds are considered to be responsible for its main biological activities. In this study, total phenolic compounds of Chinese dragon’s blood were made into capsule (Longxuetongluo Capsule, LTC) and their effects on the abnormal hemorheological properties were examined by high fat diet (HFD) induced ApoE−/− mice. Compared to the model group, LTC recovered the abnormal hemorheological parameters in HFD‐induced ApoE−/− mice by reducing whole blood viscosity (WBV) at high rate and improving erythrocyte function. In conclusion, LTC could ameliorate erythrocyte deformability and osmotic fragility through the reduction of lipid peroxidation on plasma and erythrocyte membranes in HFD‐induced ApoE−/− mice, which supported the traditional uses of Chinese dragon’s blood as an effective agent for improving blood microcirculation in hypercholesterolemia.
Stability Control of Force-Reflected Nonlinear Multilateral Teleoperation System under Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Sun Da , Naghdy Fazel , Du Haiping
Published: November 2015

A novel control algorithm based on the modified wave-variable controllers is proposed to achieve accurate position synchronization and reasonable force tracking of the nonlinear single-master-multiple-slave teleoperation system and simultaneously guarantee overall system’s stability in the presence of large time-varying delays. The system stability in different scenarios of human and environment situations has been analyzed. The proposed method is validated through experimental work based on the 3-DOF trilateral teleoperation system consisting of three different manipulators. The experimental results clearly demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed algorithm to achieve high transparency and robust stability in nonlinear single-master-multiple-slave teleoperation system in the presence of time-varying delays.
Impact of Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring Use on Glucose Variability and Endothelial Function in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: New Technology—New Possibility to Decrease Cardiovascular Risk?
Authors: Jamiołkowska Milena , Jamiołkowska Izabela , Łuczyński Włodzimierz , Tołwińska Joanna , Bossowski Artur , Głowińska Olszewska Barbara
Published: November 2015

Children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) are the high-risk group of accelerated atherosclerosis. Real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) provides possibilities for the detection of glycaemic variability, newly recognized cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of RT-CGM as an educational tool to find and reduce glycaemic variability in order to improve endothelial function in T1DM adolescents. Forty patients aged 14.6 years were recruited. The study was based on one-month CGM sensors use. Parameters of glycaemic variability were analyzed during first and last sensor use, together with brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) to assess endothelial function. In the whole group, FMD improvement was found (10.9% to 16.6%,p<0.005), together with decrease in all studied glycaemic variability parameters. In patients with HbA1c improvement compared to the group without HbA1c improvement, we found greater increase of FMD (12% to 19%,p<0.005versus 8.2% to 11.3%,p=0.080) and greater improvement of glucose variability. RT-CGM can be considered as an additional tool that offers T1DM adolescents the quick reaction to decrease glycaemic variability in short time observation. Whether such approach might influence improvement in endothelial function and reduction of the risk of future cardiovascular disease remains to be elucidated.