bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fibroblast adhesion and activation onto micro‐machined titanium surfaces
Authors: Guillem‐Marti J. , Delgado L. , Godoy‐Gallardo M. , Pegueroles M. , Herrero M. , Gil F. J.
Published: March 2012

Objectives

Surface modifications performed at the neck of dental implants, in the manner of micro‐grooved surfaces, can reduce fibrous tissue encapsulation and prevent bacterial colonization, thereby improving fibrointegration and the formation of a biological seal. However, the applied procedures are technically complex and/or time consuming methods. The aim of this study was to analyse the fibroblast behaviour on modified titanium surfaces obtained, applying a simple and low‐cost method.

Material and methods

An array of titanium surfaces was obtained using a commercial computerized numerical control lathe, modifying the feed rate and the cutting depth. To elucidate the potential ability of the generated surfaces to activate connective tissue cells, a thorough gene (by real time – qPCR) and protein (by western blot or zymography) expression and cellular response characterization (cell morphology, cell adhesion and cell activation by secreting extracellular matrix (ECM) components and their enzyme regulators) was performed.

Results

Micro‐grooved surfaces have statistically significant differences in the groove's width (approximately 10, 50 and 100 μm) depending on the applied advancing fixed speed. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images showed that fibroblasts oriented along the generated grooves, but they were only entirely accommodated on the wider grooves (≥50 μm). Micro‐grooved surfaces exhibited an earlier cell attachment and activation, as seen by collagen Iα1 and fibronectin deposition and activation of ECM remodelling enzymes, compared with the other surfaces. However, fibroblasts could remain in an activated state on narrower surfaces (<50 μm) at later stages.

Conclusions

The use of micro‐grooved surfaces could improve implant integration at the gingival site with respect to polished surfaces. Micro‐grooved surfaces enhance early fibroblast adhesion and activation, which could be critical for the formation of a biological seal and finally promote tissue integration. Surfaces with wider grooves (≥50 μm) seem to be more appropriate than surfaces with narrow grooves (<50 μm), as fibroblasts could persist in an activated state on narrower grooved surfaces, increasing the probability of producing a fibrotic response.
Micro‐CT observation of angiogenesis in bone regeneration
Authors: Udagawa Asami , Sato Shuichi , Hasuike Akira , Kishida Mamoru , Arai Yoshinori , Ito Koichi
Published: March 2012

Objectives

Restoration of an adequate blood supply is essential for the bone healing process and is key to the success of bone augmentation procedures. In this study, we evaluated angiogenesis in rat calvarial flat bone defects using in vivo microfocus computed tomography (micro‐CT).

Materials and methods

Twenty rats were used. The calvarium was exposed and calvarial bone defects of critical (5‐mm diameter) and non‐critical (2.7‐mm diameter) sizes were prepared. Bone regeneration and angiogenesis were evaluated by image analysis using micro‐CT and histological examination.

Results

Critical‐ and non‐critical‐sized calvarial bone defects showed bone regeneration and angiogenesis around the midsagittal suture. Critical‐sized calvarial bone defects showed approximately 1.2% reossification of the original surgical defect, whereas the non‐critical‐sized defects showed approximately 43.3% reossification at day 28. Furthermore, angiogenesis was observed later in the critical‐sized calvarial bone defects (about 38.2%), whereas angiogenesis was observed early in the non‐critical‐sized calvarial bone defects (about 75.5%) at day 28. New blood vessel networks were observed around defects of both sizes.

Conclusions

Angiogenesis preceded bone regeneration around critical‐ and non‐critical‐sized calvarial bone defects. Angiogenesis led to full bone formation in non‐critical‐sized defects.
Periodontitis and Alzheimer’s disease: oral systemic link still on the rise?
Authors: Uppoor Ashita S. , Lohi Hima S. , Nayak Dilip
Published: March 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00660.x

Periodontitis and Alzheimer’s disease: Oral systemic link still on the rise?

Over the past few years, there has been a rapid rise in the older segments of the world population, which has brought along with it a major health concern: dementia. Alzheimer’s disease, considered to be the most common cause of dementia, has become a prospect feared by the elderly. Inflammation of the brain is strongly implicated in Alzheimer’s disease which could be enhanced by systemic inflammation. Periodontitis being a chronic inflammatory condition, which can cause systemic inflammation, the question is whether chronic periodontitis can initiate or hasten the rate of progression of Alzheimer’s disease in susceptible individuals. In this article, the authors outline the proposed oral systemic link between periodontitis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Initial development and testing of a questionnaire of parental self‐efficacy for enacting healthy lifestyles in their children
Authors: Decker Jonathan W.
Published: March 2012

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a questionnaire to assess parental self‐efficacy for enacting healthy diet and physical activity behaviors in their 6‐ to 11‐year‐old children.

Design and Methods. A 35‐item questionnaire was developed and tested with 146 U.S. parents.

Results. Participant responses resulted in a 34‐item questionnaire with two subscales (dietary behaviors and physical activity behaviors), which were valid and reliable in the study sample.

Practice Implications. This new measure will serve as a tool for the assessment of parental self‐efficacy for enacting healthy lifestyles in their children 6–11 years old.
An exploration of pediatric nurses' compliance with a medication checking and administration protocol
Authors: Gill Fenella , Corkish Victoria , Robertson Jeanette , Samson Janet , Simmons Brenda , Stewart Dianne
Published: March 2012

Purpose.  This study examined nurses' reported compliance with the medication administration protocol and explored reasons for noncompliance.

Design and Method.  A mixed‐methods design incorporated a questionnaire (n= 72) and focus groups (n= 24).

Results.  Differences were found between the level of experience and protocol compliance. Noncompliance was widespread in the checking of identification bands and double‐checking medications. Key factors influencing compliance were ward culture, type of drug, familiarity with patient and drug, and workload. The reported realities of practice were found to influence compliance with the medication administration protocol.

Practice Implications.  The discrepancies between protocol and practice in this setting underscore the need to more widely investigate compliance with medication administration protocols in other settings.
Characteristics and Information Value of Credit Watches
Authors: Chung Kee H. , Ann Frost Carol , Kim Myungsun
Published: March 2012

We analyze credit watch and rating actions to better understand the role of credit watches in the credit rating process. We find that watch actions are more frequently prompted by specific, publicly known events than are rating actions. The likelihood that a watch action precedes a rating action varies systematically with proxies for investor demand for credit quality information and the adverse consequences of issuing a rating change prematurely. Credit watches occur more often in response to deterioration in credit quality, and issuers make concerted efforts to address the concerns that prompted down watches. Down watches are less likely than up watches to indicate the direction of the subsequent rating change. Watch announcements are associated with abnormal stock returns, indicating that credit watch actions are significant information events. Our results suggest that credit watches are informative and facilitate the stability of ratings by allowing firms to correct deficiencies and prevent downgrades.
Do Banks Value Innovation? Evidence from US Firms
Authors: Francis Bill , Hasan Iftekhar , Huang Ying , Sharma Zenu
Published: March 2012

This study evaluates how innovation within companies alleviates the information asymmetry problems in relationship lending. We hypothesize that patenting activities could reveal favorable private information and, hence, reduce the information asymmetry between innovative borrowers and banks. Using a sample of US patenting firms from 1987 to 2004, we show that borrowers with higher innovation capability (revealed by having more patent applications, higher research & development (R&D) productivity, or higher‐quality patents) enjoy lower bank‐loan spreads and better nonprice‐related loan terms. Our evidence further suggests that the information benefits of patenting activities on loan spreads is more pronounced for small or less R&D‐intensive firms.
Shareholder Returns from Supplying Trade Credit
Authors: Hill Matthew D. , Kelly G. Wayne , Lockhart G. Brandon
Published: March 2012

We examine shareholder wealth implications of supplying financing to customers. Robust results suggest that excess returns and changes in trade receivables are directly and significantly related. Further evidence indicates the value of receivables is higher for suppliers with stronger motives relating to operating and contracting costs. The results also suggest a discounted value of receivables for financially unconstrained firms. Overall, we conclude that investors recognize trade credit as an effective instrument in mitigating frictions hindering sales growth. Thus, certain suppliers are positioned to derive increased strategic benefits from credit policy.
The role of demand information and monitoring in tacit collusion
Authors: Rojas Christian
Published: March 2012

Motivated by the Green and Porter (1984) and Rotemberg and Saloner (1986) models, we construct lab experiments to test the effects of two factors on collusion: information (regarding next period's demand state) and monitoring (of a rival's past action). Results indicate that information may facilitate collusion more than monitoring, especially as subjects gain experience. A robust finding is that subjects in the Rotemberg and Saloner treatment cooperate as predicted by this theory: collusion falls dramatically in anticipation of unusually large demand and returns to high levels otherwise. These results suggest that tacit and fairly elaborate collusion could arise in stochastic environments.
Evaluating the association between type of prescription drug plan and asthma patients' use of controller medications
Authors: Vaidya Varun , Peeters Michael J , Partha Gautam , Potnis Priyanka
Published: March 2012

Objectives

To explore the association between the type of prescription drug plan (PDP) and taking preventive daily asthma medication (controller medication) in patients with poor asthma control of their asthma (defined as taking more than three canisters of short-acting β-agonists each month).

Methods

A retrospective, cross-sectional study using the 2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative sample of the non-institutionalized, civilian US population. Asthma patients were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code 493. Only those patients that reported use of more than three canisters of rescue inhalers in a 3-month period were included. Based on patients' self-reported use of preventive medications, they were classified as controller drug users and non-users. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the population. A multiple logistic regression model was used to determine odds of controller usage based on type of PDP using demographic characteristics (age, gender, race, ethnicity, income, perceived health status) as confounders. All analysis was done using SAS version 9.1.

Key findings

Asthma controller drug use was found to be 67% among the study population. The logistic regression analysis showed that patients having Medicare as their PDP were more likely to use controller medications compared with patients with no PDP (odds ratio (OR) 4.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33–15.77). Higher odds were seen for Medicaid (OR 2.09, CI 0.96–4.54) and Veterans Affairs (OR 1.66, CI 0.16–17.05) prescription beneficiaries too, but the effect was not significant.

Conclusions

Type of PDP was found to have an effect of utilization of controller drugs among asthma patients. Future research should explore viable plan options that encourage guideline-recommended medication use in asthma patients.
Patients' information on their prescribed current treatment†
Authors: Ekedahl Anders , Hoffmann Mikael
Published: March 2012

Objective

To investigate how many patients, with five or more prescriptions in the Swedish National Prescription Repository (NPR) had received (1) the Medication List (ML) from the electronic medical record and (2) the Prescription List (PL) on prescriptions stored in the NPR and how these lists were used.

Methods

Patients >18 years of age, with five or more prescriptions stored electronically in the NPR, collecting medicines on prescription for themselves at nine pharmacies all around Sweden were interviewed about their knowledge of, and if they had received, the ML, the PL and/or the pharmacy record on medicines purchased on prescription during the last 15 months, and what documentation they used to track their current, prescribed treatment.

Key findings

A total of 777 consensual patients (485 women) were interviewed. Of these, 32% were aware of the ML, but only 13% had received the ML at least once a year, and only 9% used the ML to track their current, prescribed medicines. Virtually all patients (99%) had received the PL at every pharmacy dispensing and 68% said they used the PL as documentation on their current, prescribed medicines. 52% used the dispensed packs to track their medication and 10% said they used a handwritten list. Only few patients were aware of the pharmacy record.

Conclusion

Our study shows that patients' access to information on their prescribed medicines is not in accordance with intentions in health care. The risk for errors in medicine use at home is substantial.
Oral Histories in Meteoritics and Planetary Science––XVI: Grenville Turner
Authors: SEARS Derek W. G.
Published: March 2012

Abstract– In this interview, Grenville Turner (Fig. 1) recounts how he became interested in meteorites during postdoctoral research with John Reynolds at the University of California, Berkeley, after completing a DPhil with Ken Mayne at the University of Oxford. At Berkeley, he worked on xenon isotopes with fellow students Bob Pepin and Craig Merrihue, but Reynolds’ insistence that they analyze all the inert gases in their samples meant that they also made important contributions to Ne isotope studies and potassium‐argon dating leading to the Ar‐Ar technique. In 1964, Grenville obtained a teaching position at the University of Sheffield where he developed his own laboratory for inert gas isotope measurements. After the return of samples from the Moon by the Apollo program, he became involved in determining the chronology of volcanism and major impacts on the Moon. In 1988, Grenville and his team moved to the University of Manchester as part of a national reorganization of earth science departments. During the post Apollo years, Grenville’s interest turned to the development of new instrumentation (resonance ionization mass spectrometry and the ion microprobe), and to problems in terrestrial isotope geochemistry, particularly the source of inert gases in fluid inclusions. He received the Leonard Medal of the Meteoritical Society in 1999, and he has also received awards from the Royal Society, the European Association of Geochemistry, and the Royal Astronomical Society.

 Grenville Turner.

image
Petrology and oxygen isotopes of NWA 5492, a new metal‐rich chondrite
Authors: WEISBERG Michael K. , BUNCH Ted E. , WITTKE James H. , RUMBLE Douglas , EBEL Denton S.
Published: March 2012

Abstract– Northwest Africa 5492 is a new metal‐rich chondrite breccia that may represent a new oxygen reservoir and new chondrite parent body. It has some textural similarities to CB and CH chondrites, but silicates are more reduced, sulfides are more common and not associated with metal, and metal compositions differ from CB and CH chondrites. Oxygen isotope ratios indicate that Northwest Africa (NWA) 5492 components (chondrules and lithic fragments) formed in at least two different oxygen reservoirs. The more common, and presumably host, component plots in a region above the terrestrial fractionation line, below ordinary chondrite compositions, and just above enstatite chondrites in 3‐oxygen space. The only other chondritic materials that plot in this region are chondrules from the Grosvenor Mountains (GRO) 95551 ungrouped metal‐rich chondrite. The other rare component plots near the CR, CB, and CH chondrites. Based on petrologic characteristics and oxygen isotopic compositions, NWA 5492 appears to be related to the ungrouped metal‐rich GRO 95551 chondrite.
Mechanisms of aquatic therapy and its potential use in managing equine osteoarthritis
Authors: King M. R. , Haussler K. K. , Kawcak C. E. , McIlwraith C. W. , Reiser R. F.
Published: March 2012

Aquatic therapy has become increasingly popular in its use for rehabilitation of equine musculoskeletal injuries. Unfortunately, there has been no scientific evaluation of its clinical application for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) or associated musculoskeletal injuries in horses. The purpose of this review is to describe mechanisms of action of aquatic therapy and its potential use in the clinical management of equine OA.
T cell rich, B cell lymphoma in the small colon of a yearling horse
Authors: Smith K. M. , Clark C. K. , Dark M. J. , Kiupel M. , Gary J.
Published: March 2012

A one‐year‐old, Thoroughbred colt presented for evaluation due to a one month history of fever of unknown origin and progressive weight loss. On initial presentation, the horse was febrile and showed signs localised to the respiratory tract. These included bilaterally increased bronchovesicular sounds and a moderate, diffuse interstitial pattern on thoracic radiographs. A transtracheal wash yielded mucopurulent debris, culture of which grew small numbers ofStaphylococcus epidermidisandAspergillusspp. The horse was discharged with a diagnosis of bronchointerstitial pneumonia and placed on antibiotic therapy. Ten days after initial presentation, he developed abdominal pain that was unresponsive to on‐farm treatment. The horse was febrile, displayed increased respiratory rate and effort, and showed moderate signs of abdominal pain. On rectal examination, a firm, 8–10 cm mass was palpated on midline. The colt was admitted to the hospital and scheduled for exploratory laparotomy, but died a short time later before surgery could be performed. This report describes the clinical, diagnostic and histopathological findings of a case of alimentary lymphoma in a yearling colt.
Neonicotinoid Pesticide Reduces Bumble Bee Colony Growth and Queen Production
Authors: Whitehorn Penelope R. , O’Connor Stephanie , Wackers Felix L. , Goulson Dave
Published: March 2012

Bad News for Bees

Neonicotinoid insecticides were introduced in the early 1990s and have become one of the most widely used crop pesticides in the world. These compounds act on the insect central nervous system, and they have been shown to be persistent in the environment and in plant tissues. Recently, there have been controversial connections made between neonicotinoids and pollinator deaths, but the mechanisms underlying these potential deaths have remained unknown.

Whitehorn
et al.

(p.
351
, published online 29 March) exposed developing colonies of bumble bees to low levels of the neonicotinoid imidacloprid and then released them to forage under natural conditions. Treated colonies displayed reduced colony growth and less reproductive success, and they produced significantly fewer queens to found subsequent generations.

Henry
et al.

(p.
348
, published online 29 March) documented the effects of low-dose, nonlethal intoxication of another widely used neonicotinoid, thiamethoxam, on wild foraging honey bees. Radio-frequency identification tags were used to determine navigation success of treated foragers, which suggested that their homing success was much reduced relative to untreated foragers.
A Common Pesticide Decreases Foraging Success and Survival in Honey Bees
Authors: Henry Mickaël , Béguin Maxime , Requier Fabrice , Rollin Orianne , Odoux Jean-François , Aupinel Pierrick , Aptel Jean , Tchamitchian Sylvie , Decourtye Axel
Published: March 2012

Bad News for Bees

Neonicotinoid insecticides were introduced in the early 1990s and have become one of the most widely used crop pesticides in the world. These compounds act on the insect central nervous system, and they have been shown to be persistent in the environment and in plant tissues. Recently, there have been controversial connections made between neonicotinoids and pollinator deaths, but the mechanisms underlying these potential deaths have remained unknown.

Whitehorn
et al.

(p.
351
, published online 29 March) exposed developing colonies of bumble bees to low levels of the neonicotinoid imidacloprid and then released them to forage under natural conditions. Treated colonies displayed reduced colony growth and less reproductive success, and they produced significantly fewer queens to found subsequent generations.

Henry
et al.

(p.
348
, published online 29 March) documented the effects of low-dose, nonlethal intoxication of another widely used neonicotinoid, thiamethoxam, on wild foraging honey bees. Radio-frequency identification tags were used to determine navigation success of treated foragers, which suggested that their homing success was much reduced relative to untreated foragers.
Tubular carcinoids of the appendix: the CK7/CK20 immunophenotype can be a diagnostic pitfall
Authors: Matsukuma Karen E , Montgomery Elizabeth A
Published: March 2012

Aims

Tubular carcinoid is a rare variant of appendiceal well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumour. Although considered benign lesions, the small infiltrating tubules that characterise the tumour may raise concern for metastatic adenocarcinoma. To our knowledge, the cytokeratin 7 (CK7)/cytokeratin 20 (CK20) expression profile of these neoplasms remains unexplored.

Methods

The authors characterised the CK7/CK20 immunophenotype and Ki-67 expression of the eight available tubular carcinoids seen at their institution from 1991 to 2011.

Results

CK7 and CK20 staining was variable, ranging from none to focal staining for either or both CK7 and CK20, to diffuse expression of CK7 or CK20.

Conclusions

The CK7/CK20 expression profile is of limited value when the differential diagnosis includes primary tubular carcinoid and well-differentiated metastatic adenocarcinoma. In such cases, careful attention to the location of the neoplasm, mitotic count and presence or absence of an associated classic carcinoid component are more useful for arriving at the correct diagnosis.
Significance of acquired diverticular disease of the vermiform appendix: a marker of regional neoplasms?
Authors: Kallenbach Klaus , Hjorth Sofie Vetli , Engel Ulla , Schlesinger Nis Hallundbæk , Holck Susanne
Published: March 2012

Aim

To assess the prevalence of acquired diverticulum of the appendix (DA), including incipient forms and its possible significance as a marker of local/regional neoplasms.

Materials and Methods

The pathology database at Hvidovre Hospital was searched for appendix specimens, received between 2001 and 2010, coded for DA or for a space-occupying lesion. Slides were reviewed to determine DA status and the nature of lesions possibly causing DA.

Result

Among 4413 appendix specimens, DA were identified in 39 (0.9%, CI 0.6% to 1.2%) cases, 17 (43.6%, 28.0% to 59.2%) of which additionally harboured an appendiceal neoplasm/neoplastic precursor, whereas this figure was 1.2% (CI 0.9% to 1.6%) for non-DA specimens (p<0.0001). Six of the 39 DA specimens comprised incipient DA, three of which coexisted with appendiceal neoplasms. In addition, local/regional non-neoplastic lesions (six cases) and colorectal carcinomas (four cases) coexisted with DA.

Conclusion

DA has significance as a putative marker of local/regional neoplasms. Therefore, a DA specimen proved significantly more likely to harbour a neoplastic growth than a non-DA counterpart. Submission for microscopy of the entire DA specimen, whether transmural or only incipient, and a comment in the pathology report on the occasional concurrence of local/regional neoplasms in this setting seem appropriate. The observation of DA may thus provide a valuable contribution in the diagnostic process.
Prolonged sampling of spontaneous sputum improves sensitivity of hypermethylation analysis for lung cancer
Authors: Hubers A Jasmijn , Heideman Daniëlle A M , Herder Gerarda J M , Burgers Sjaak A , Sterk Peter J , Kunst Peter W , Smit Henk J , Postmus Pieter E , Witte Birgit I , Duin Sylvia , Snijders Peter J F , Smit Egbert F , Thunnissen Erik
Published: March 2012

Aims

The adequacy of lung cancer diagnosis with sputum cytology depends on duration of sputum sampling. The aim of this methodological study was to determine whether the hypermethylation detection rate of RASSF1A, adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and cytoglobin (CYGB) is influenced by the duration of sputum collection.

Methods

Prospective sputum samples were collected from 53 lung cancer patients and 47 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients as controls. Subjects collected spontaneous sputum at home during nine consecutive days in three canisters I, II and III (ie, days 1–3, days 4–6, days 7–9, respectively). Quantitative methylation-specific PCR was performed to assess gene promoter methylation status of RASSF1A, APC and CYGB.

Results

Analysis of each canister separately showed hypermethylation of RASSF1A, APC and/or CYGB in samples I, II and III, in 43%, 40% and 47% of cases, respectively. In control samples, these numbers were 4%, 2% and 4%, respectively. Cumulative analysis for days 1–6 and days 1–9 revealed an increase in sensitivity to 53% and 64%, and specificity of 94% and 91%, respectively.

Conclusion

Sputum collected over multiple successive days results in a gain in sensitivity for the detection of lung cancer, at the expense of a small loss in specificity.

Condensed abstract

Assessment of hypermethylation sensitivity of biomarkers in sputum collected over a prolonged period for the detection of lung cancer resulted in a promising gain in sensitivity, at the expense of a small loss in specificity.
KRAS mutational status of endoscopic biopsies matches resection specimens
Authors: Yang Qing-Hua , Schmidt Jason , Soucy Genvieve , Odze Robert , Dejesa-Jamanila Liza , Arnold Keely , Kuslich Christine , Lash Richard
Published: March 2012

Aims

This study was performed to determine systematically whether KRAS mutational analysis in biopsy tissue is a reliable indicator of KRAS status in subsequent corresponding resection specimens.

Methods

30 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with biopsy and corresponding subsequent surgical resection specimens were studied. KRAS mutational analysis was performed on each biopsy sample as well as two separate samples from each resection specimen by PCR and Sanger sequencing.

Results

Overall, KRAS mutations were identified in 12/30 (40%) of the tumours. There was 100% correlation between biopsy and resection specimens regarding the presence or absence of KRAS mutations. In fact, the same point mutation was identified in both biopsy and corresponding resection specimens in 12/12 (100%) cases. In addition, in two cases, there were two different point mutations detected within the same biopsy specimen.

Conclusion

This study shows perfect correlation between KRAS mutation status in biopsy and resection specimens from an individual patient, and suggests that biopsy material is adequate for KRAS mutational analysis in CRC patients.
Immediate procedural outcomes in 35 consecutive pipeline embolization cases: a single-center, single-user experience
Authors: Colby Geoffrey P , Lin Li-Mei , Gomez Juan F , Paul Alexandra R , Huang Judy , Tamargo Rafael J , Coon Alexander L
Published: March 2012

Background and objective

Flow diverters are an exciting new class of endovascular devices that treat aneurysms by curative reconstruction of the parent artery. The Pipeline embolization device (PED) is the first FDA-approved intracranial flow diverting device available in the USA. This paper presents periprocedural results with the device in a series of 35 consecutive cases.

Methods

All patients who underwent PED treatment of an intracranial aneurysm at our institution following FDA approval of the device in April 2011 were included in the series. Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, procedural details and technical and clinical outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Thirty-four patients (age range 23–78 years, mean 56.4 years) with 41 unruptured aneurysms (37 anterior circulation, four posterior circulation, mean size 11.4 mm, 20/21 large or giant) were treated with the PED in 35 cases (one patient had bilateral aneurysms treated on 2 separate occasions). Thirty-four of 35 cases (97%) were successfully completed. A total of 64 PEDs were implanted, with a mean number of 1.2 PEDs implanted per anterior circulation cases and 6.5 per posterior circulation cases. A single PED was implanted in 73% of cases. Immediate flow disruption occurred in 97% of the cases. The overall rate of major stroke or mortality was 3% (1/35 patients). Minor stroke, cranial nerve palsy, transient neurological deficit and groin complication occurred in one patient each (3% each, 12% total).

Conclusion

Treatment of cerebral aneurysms with the PED carries an acceptable risk profile when a rigorous and uniform technique is used. Although the long-term results will need to be analyzed, the immediate procedural outcomes in the study series using this technique appear quite promising.
Fibrates and estimated glomerular filtration rate: observations from an outpatient clinic setting and clinical implications
Authors: Abbas Ahmed , Saraf Sanjay , Ramachandran Shanath , Raju Jessie , Ramachandran Sudarshan
Published: March 2012

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated that fibrates have an effect on creatinine concentrations. The pattern of change with fibrates in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), widely used in clinical practice, has not been previously described.

Methods

Data was retrospectively collected from 132 consecutive case notes of patients started on fibrates in a lipid clinic between 2002 and 2008. Pre- and post-fibrate creatinine concentrations were measured and eGFR measurements were obtained.

Results

Of the 79 patients with both pre and post-treatment eGFR values <90 ml/min/1.73 m2, a significant mean eGFR reduction of 8.2 ml/min/1.73 m2 was noted. Of these patients, 50% demonstrated a reduction in eGFR >8 ml/min/1.73 m2, 25% demonstrated a reduction >16 ml/min/1.73 m2, and 10% demonstrated a reduction >21 ml/min/1.73 m2.

Conclusions

The authors demonstrate a significant effect of fibrates on eGFR in clinical practice. Awareness of the pattern of eGFR change is important for decisions regarding the continued use of fibrate therapy and/or commonly co-prescribed diabetic drugs and renal specialist referrals.
Profound destructive effects of adolescent exposure to vincristine accompanied with some sex differences in motor and memory performance
Authors: Shabani Mohammad , Larizadeh Mohammad Hassan , Parsania Shahrnaz , Asadi Shekaari Majid , Shahrokhi Nader
Published: March 2012

Vincristine, an anticancer drug, is known to induce neuronal cell damage. We have elucidated the alteration in performance of the hippocampus and cerebellum following chronic vincristine treatment (0.2 mg·(kg body mass)–1·week–1) in male and female rats. Intraperitoneal injection of vincristine in adolescent rats caused impairment of motor and cognitive behavior. In the probe test, the length of path traveled and percent swimming time for vincristine-treated rats in the correct quadrant was significantly less than for the saline-treated (control) groups. The path length and time latency at the 2nd and 3rd blocks of trials for the male vincristine-treated group was significantly higher than that for the female saline- and the vincristine-treated rats. In the rod test, vincristine exposure impaired the motor coordination in both male and female rats. Exposure to vincristine caused a significant decrease in hanging time in male rats, compared with the saline- and the vincristine-treated female rats, while there were no differences between the female vincristine-treated rats and the saline-treated rats of both sexes. The rearing frequency, total distance moved, and velocity for both male and female rats were dramatically affected by exposure to vincristine. We have observed that the hippocampal and cerebellar functions of male and female rats were profoundly affected by exposure to vincristine, especially the male rats, suggesting a sexual dimorphism in the developing central nervous system that is affected by chemicals such as anticancer drugs.
Beneficial influence of fungal metabolite nigerloxin on eye lens abnormalities in experimental diabetes
Authors: Suresha Bharathinagar S. , Sattur Avinash P. , Srinivasan Krishnapura
Published: March 2012

Osmotic and oxidative stress have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract. Nigerloxin, a fungal metabolite, has been shown to possess aldose reductase inhibitory and free radical scavenging potential, in vitro. In the present study, the beneficial influence of nigerloxin was investigated on diabetes-induced alteration in the eye lens of rats treated with streptozotocin. Groups of diabetic rats were administered nigerloxin orally (100 mg·(kg body mass)–1·day–1) for 30 days. The activity of lens polyol pathway enzymes (aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase), lipid peroxides, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were increased in the diabetic animals. Levels of glutathione as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase) were decreased in the eye lens of the diabetic animals. The administration of nigerloxin significantly decreased levels of lipid peroxides and AGEs in the lens of the diabetic rats. Increase in the activity of aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase in the lens was countered by nigerloxin treatment. The activity of glutathione and antioxidant enzyme in the lens was significantly elevated in nigerloxin-treated diabetic rats. Examination of the treated rats’ eyes indicated that nigerloxin delayed cataractogenesis in the diabetic rats. The results suggest the beneficial countering of polyol pathway enzymes and potentiation of the antioxidant defense system by nigerloxin in diabetic animals, implicating its potential in ameliorating cataracts in diabetics.
Radioprotective effect ofCurcuma longaextract on γ-irradiation-induced oxidative stress in rats
Authors: Nada Ahmed S. , Hawas Asrar M. , Amin Nour El-Din , Elnashar Magdy M. , Abd Elmageed Zakaria Y.
Published: March 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the modulatory effect of aqueous extract of Curcuma longa (L.) against γ-irradiation (GR), which induces biochemical disorders in male rats. The sublethal dose of GR was determined in primary hepatocytes. Also, the effect of C. longa extract was examined for its activity against GR. In rats, C. longa extract was administered daily (200 mg/kg body mass) for 21 days before, and 7 days after GR exposure (6.5 Gy). The lipid profile and antioxidant status, as well as levels of transaminases, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) were assessed. The results showed that in hepatocytes, the aqueous extract exhibited radioprotective activity against exposure to GR. Exposure of untreated rats to GR resulted in transaminase disorders, lipid abnormalities, elevation of lipid peroxidation, trace element alterations, release of IL-6 and TNF, and decrease in glutathione and protein level of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) and peroxiredoxin-1 (PRDX-1). However, treatment of rats with this extract before and after GR exposure improved antioxidant status and minimized the radiation-induced increase in inflammatory cytokines. Changes occurred in the tissue levels of trace elements, and the protein levels of SOD-1 and PRDX-1 were also modulated by C. longa extract. Overall, C. longa exerted a beneficial radioprotective effect against radiation-induced oxidative stress in male rats by alleviating pathological disorders and modulating antioxidant enzymes.
Dexrazoxane provided moderate protection in a catecholamine model of severe cardiotoxicity
Authors: Zatloukalová Libuše , Filipský Tomáš , Mladěnka Přemysl , Semecký Vladimír , Macáková Kateřina , Holečková Magdalena , Vávrová Jaroslava , Palicka Vladimir , Hrdina Radomír
Published: March 2012

Positive effects of dexrazoxane (DEX) in anthracycline cardiotoxicity have been mostly assumed to be associated with its iron-chelating properties. However, this explanation has been recently questioned. Iron plays also an important role in the catecholamine cardiotoxicity. Hence in this study, the influence of DEX on a catecholamine model of acute myocardial infarction (100 mg/kg of isoprenaline by subcutaneous injection) was assessed: (i) the effects of an intravenous dose of 20.4 mg/kg were analyzed after 24 h, (ii) the effects were monitored continuously during the first two hours after drug(s) administration to examine the mechanism(s) of cardioprotection. Additional in vitro experiments on iron chelation/reduction and influence on the Fenton chemistry were performed both with isoprenaline/DEX separately and in their combination. DEX partly decreased the mortality, reduced myocardial calcium overload, histological impairment, and peripheral haemodynamic disturbances 24 h after isoprenaline administration. Continuous 2 h experiments showed that DEX did not influence isoprenaline induced atrioventricular blocks and had little effect on the measured haemodynamic parameters. Its protective effects are probably mediated by inhibition of late myocardial impairment and ventricular fibrillation likely due to inhibition of myocardial calcium overload. Complementary in vitro experiments suggested that iron chelation properties of DEX apparently did not play the major role.
Fluoxetine protects against monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial remodeling by inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor
Authors: Han Dan-Dan , Wang Yun , Zhang Xin-Hua , Liu Jin-Rong , Wang Huai-Liang
Published: March 2012

The selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor fluoxetine has been shown to protect against monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats. To investigate the possible role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in mediating this protective effect, MCT-treated rats were administered fluoxetine by gavage, at doses of 2 mg/kg body mass or 10 mg/kg once daily for 3 weeks. Changes in pulmonary hemodynamic parameters, pulmonary artery morphologies, and expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF were assessed. Fluoxetine at the 10 mg/kg dose, but not at the 2 mg/kg dose, attenuated the effects of MCT on pulmonary artery pressure, right ventricle index, and medial wall thickness. In addition, 10 mg/kg fluoxetine mitigated the MCT-induced up-regulation of HIF-1α and VEGF protein and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the lungs. This dosage also decreased pERK1/2 levels and inhibited proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells in MCT-treated rats. In conclusion, fluoxetine can protect against MCT-induced pulmonary arterial remodeling, which linked to reduced ROS generation and decreased HIF-1α and VEGF protein levels via the ERK1/2 phosphorylation pathway.
Peroxynitrite has potent pulmonary vasodilator activity in the rat
Authors: Casey David B. , Pankey Edward A. , Badejo Adeleke M. , Bueno Franklin R. , Bhartiya Manish , Murthy Subramanyam N. , Uppu Rao M. , Nossaman Bobby D. , Kadowitz Philip J.
Published: March 2012

Peroxynitrite (PN) worsens pathological conditions associated with oxidative stress. However, beneficial effects have also been reported. PN has been shown to demonstrate vasodilator as well as vasoconstrictor properties that are dependent upon the experimental conditions and the vascular bed studied. PN-induced vascular smooth muscle relaxation may involve the formation of nitric oxide (NO) donors. The present results show that PN has significant vasodilator activity in the pulmonary and systemic vascular beds, and that responses to PN were not attenuated by L-penicillamine (L-PEN), a PN scavenger, whereas responses to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were decreased. PN had a small inhibitory effect on decreases in arterial pressure in response to the NO donors diethylammonium (Z)-1-(N,N-diethylamino)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (DEA/NO) and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). PN partially reversed hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. PN responses were attenuated by the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) and responses to PN and the PN precursor, 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), were different. These data show that PN has potent pulmonary vasodilator activity in the rat, and provide evidence that a PN interaction with S-nitrosothiols is not the major mechanism mediating the response. These data suggest that responses to PN are mediated by the activation of sGC, and that PN has a small inhibitory effect on NO responses.
Enhanced expression of salusin-β contributes to progression of atherosclerosis in LDL receptor deficient mice
Authors: Zhou Cheng-Hua , Liu Lan-Lan , Wu Yu-Qing , Song Zheng , Xing Shu-Hua
Published: March 2012

Atherosclerosis is an important underlying pathology of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to observe the expression of salusin-β, a new vasoactive peptide, in vascular tissues of low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient (LDLR–/–) mice, and to evaluate the effect of salusin-β on the development of atherosclerosis in LDLR–/– mice. Six-week-old, male LDLR–/– mice were subcutaneously injected with salusin-β or the vehicle, once a day for 12 weeks. The expressions of salusin-β in both mRNA and peptide levels were determined by reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Atherosclerotic lesions were analyzed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin or oil red O. Our results showed that expression of salusin-β in mRNA and salusin-β peptide levels were enhanced in LDLR–/– mice. Subcutaneous injection of salusin-β significantly aggravated the atherosclerotic lesions, and increased lipid deposits in the arteries of LDLR–/– mice. Moreover, salusin-β significantly increased the serum level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but not total cholesterol, triglycerides, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These results suggest that the enhanced expression of salusin-β contributes to progression of atherosclerosis in LDLR–/– mice by up-regulating the serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. This study provides a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
PRINCIPLE ACTION FOR PARTICLES FASTER THAN LIGHT
Authors: ROMERO JUAN M. , SANTIAGO J. A. , GONZÁLEZ-GAXIOLA O.
Published: March 2012

A general action for particles faster than light is presented. It is demonstrated that this action is invariant under reparametrizations. For several cases, it is shown that in the high velocity regime, the action is invariant under anisotropic spacetime transformation and at quantum level the system has fractal behavior. For those cases, it is shown that the action describes a particle in Finsler geometry and equivalent to one-dimensional field theory in a curved space, where the metric depends on temporal derivatives.
IMAGE COMPOSITION WITH COLOR HARMONIZATION
Authors: WAN YANLI , TANG ZHEN , MIAO ZHENJIANG , LI BO
Published: March 2012

Image composition is a very important technique in computer generated imagery. Besides some factors such as contrast, texture and noise that affect the quality of the composition, color harmony between fore- and background is also an important factor that would affect the quality of the composition. However, in the previous image composition techniques, color harmony between fore- and background is seldom considered. In this paper, an optimization method is proposed to deal with the color harmonization problem that used in image composition. A cost function is derived from the local smoothness of the hue values, and the image is harmonized by minimizing the cost function. A new matching cost function is proposed to select the best matching harmonic schemes. Our approach overcomes several shortcomings of the existing color harmonization methods. We validate the performance of our method and demonstrate its effectiveness with a variety of experiments.
STUDY ON CREW SCHEDULING MODEL FOR THE PASSENGER DEDICATED LINE
Authors: SONG XUDONG , HAO JUAN , HUO LI , LI BOLIN
Published: March 2012

Crew scheduling of the passenger dedicated line is the daily work plan of train attendants, and crew scheduling problem is one of the key problems of the train crew management. Considering the actual condition of China's railway and crew rules, a crew scheduling model is established in this paper to minimize rest time between two consecutive shifts in all roundtrips. In order to solve the scheduling model, in this paper a serial-parallel ant colony optimization algorithm (SP-ACO) is provided. The SP-ACO proposed two improvements: (1) a serial-parallel ant grouping strategy, it means that we let every group of ants find the solution one group by one group for reflecting the positive feedback in a generation; (2) the transition method based on the roulette wheel selection, it means that we randomly select between the certain search and the roulette wheel to make the diversity of solutions for avoiding all ants toward the same part of the search space. Finally, two application cases of the scheduling model are represented. The two cases results show that the methods can not only automatically set roundtrips, but also decrease the number of roundtrips, and the results also show that the feasibility of model and the validity of improved ant colony algorithm for crew scheduling.
POLYAMIDE/POLYESTERAMIDE BASED NANOFIBERS
Authors: MALINOVÁ LENKA , BENEŠOVÁ VÁCLAVA , LUBASOVÁ DANIELA , MARTINOVÁ LENKA , RODA JAN , BROŽEK JIŘÍ
Published: March 2012

The formation of novel high aspect ratio nanofibers from polyesteramides based on ε-caprolactam and ε-caprolactone is reported. Nanofibers were prepared by the electrospinning method from polymer solution. Scanning electron microscopy images of nanofiber layers revealed that the diameter of fibers depended on the nature of the solvent or the mixture of solvents used and especially on the composition of polyesteramides.
LiV3O8 NANOMATERIAL AS ANODE WITH GOOD CYCLING PERFORMANCE FOR AQUEOUS RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERIES
Authors: LIU L. L. , TANG W. , TIAN S. , SHI Y. , WU Y. P. , YANG G. J.
Published: March 2012

LiV3O8 nanorod material was prepared by a simple sol–gel method. The electrochemical properties of the as-prepared LiV3O8 in 0.5 M Li2SO4 aqueous electrolyte were studied through cyclic voltammograms (CV) and discharge–charge measurements. Experiments show that this nanorod material can deliver the capacities of 72, 62 and 53 mAh/g at 20, 50, 100 mA/g, respectively. After 50 cycles, it can maintain 64, 47 and 40 mAh/g, corresponding to 88%, 76% and 77% of the initial capacities, which suggest that this nanorode material presents good cycling performance as anode material for aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries.