bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis of
Salmonella
Genomes Identifies a Metabolic Network for Escalating Growth in the Inflamed Gut
Authors: Nuccio Sean-Paul , Bäumler Andreas J.
Published: March 2014

The
Salmonella
genus comprises a group of pathogens associated with illnesses ranging from gastroenteritis to typhoid fever. We performed an
in silico
analysis of comparatively reannotated
Salmonella
genomes to identify genomic signatures indicative of disease potential. By removing numerous annotation inconsistencies and inaccuracies, the process of reannotation identified a network of 469 genes involved in central anaerobic metabolism, which was intact in genomes of gastrointestinal pathogens but degrading in genomes of extraintestinal pathogens. This large network contained pathways that enable gastrointestinal pathogens to utilize inflammation-derived nutrients as well as many of the biochemical reactions used for the enrichment and biochemical discrimination of
Salmonella
serovars. Thus, comparative genome analysis identifies a metabolic network that provides clues about the strategies for nutrient acquisition and utilization that are characteristic of gastrointestinal pathogens.

IMPORTANCE
While some
Salmonella
serovars cause infections that remain localized to the gut, others disseminate throughout the body. Here, we compared
Salmonella
genomes to identify characteristics that distinguish gastrointestinal from extraintestinal pathogens. We identified a large metabolic network that is functional in gastrointestinal pathogens but decaying in extraintestinal pathogens. While taxonomists have used traits from this network empirically for many decades for the enrichment and biochemical discrimination of
Salmonella
serovars, our findings suggest that it is part of a “business plan” for growth in the inflamed gastrointestinal tract. By identifying a large metabolic network characteristic of
Salmonella
serovars associated with gastroenteritis, our
in silico
analysis provides a blueprint for potential strategies to utilize inflammation-derived nutrients and edge out competing gut microbes.
Increased Survival in B-Cell-Deficient Mice during Experimental Cerebral Malaria Suggests a Role for Circulating Immune Complexes
Authors: de Oliveira Rosane B. , Wang Jennifer P. , Ram Sanjay , Gazzinelli Ricardo T. , Finberg Robert W. , Golenbock Douglas T.
Published: March 2014

The pathogenesis of malaria, an insect-borne disease that takes millions of lives every year, is still not fully understood. Complement receptor 1 (CR1) has been described as a receptor forPlasmodium falciparum, which causes cerebral malaria in humans. We investigated the role of CR1 in an experimental model of cerebral malaria. Transgenic mice expressing human CR1 (hCR1+) on erythrocytes were infected withPlasmodium bergheiANKA and developed cerebral malaria. No difference in survival was observed in hCR1+mice compared to wild-type mice following infection withP. bergheiANKA; however, hCR1 detection was significantly diminished on erythrocytes between days 7 and 10 postinfection. hCR1 levels returned to baseline by day 17 postinfection in surviving animals. Immunoblot assays revealed that total erythrocyte hCR1 levels were diminished, confirming that immune complexes in association with erythrocyte hCR1 were likely removed from erythrocytesin vivoby clearance following immune adherence. Decreases in hCR1 were completely dependent on C3 expression, as mice treated with cobra venom factor (which consumes and depletes C3) retained hCR1 on erythrocytes during C3 depletion through day 7; erythrocyte hCR1 decreases were observed only when C3 levels recovered on day 9. B-cell-deficient mice exhibit a marked increase in survival following infection withP. bergheiANKA, which suggests that immune complexes play a central role in the pathogenesis of experimental cerebral malaria. Together, our findings highlight the importance of complement and immune complexes in experimental cerebral malaria.

IMPORTANCECerebral malaria is a deadly complication of infection withPlasmodium falciparum. Despite its high prevalence, relatively little is understood about its pathogenesis. We have determined that immune complexes are generated and deposited on erythrocytes specifically expressing human complement receptor 1 in a mouse model of cerebral malaria. We also provide evidence demonstrating the importance of immunoglobulins in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria in mice. These findings may have important implications in human cerebral malaria.
Biogeochemical Forces Shape the Composition and Physiology of Polymicrobial Communities in the Cystic Fibrosis Lung
Authors: Quinn Robert A. , Lim Yan Wei , Maughan Heather , Conrad Douglas , Rohwer Forest , Whiteson Katrine L.
Published: March 2014

The cystic fibrosis (CF) lung contains thick mucus colonized by opportunistic pathogens which adapt to the CF lung environment over decades. The difficulty associated with sampling airways has impeded a thorough examination of the biochemical microhabitats these pathogens are exposed to. An indirect approach is to study the responses of microbial communities to these microhabitats, facilitated by high-throughput sequencing of microbial DNA and RNA from sputum samples. Microbial metagenomes and metatranscriptomes were sequenced from multiple CF patients, and the reads were assigned taxonomy and function through sequence homology to NCBI and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database hierarchies. For a comparison, saliva microbial metagenomes from the Human Microbiome Project (HMP) were also analyzed. These analyses identified that functions encoded and expressed by CF microbes were significantly enriched for amino acid catabolism, folate biosynthesis, and lipoic acid biosynthesis. The data indicate that the community uses oxidative phosphorylation as a major energy source but that terminal electron acceptors were diverse. Nitrate reduction was the most abundant anaerobic respiratory pathway, and genes for nitrate reductase were largely assigned to
Pseudomonas
and
Rothia
. Although many reductive pathways of the nitrogen cycle were present, the cycle was incomplete, because the oxidative pathways were absent. Due to the abundant amino acid catabolism and incomplete nitrogen cycle, the CF microbial community appears to accumulate ammonia. This finding was verified experimentally using a CF bronchiole culture model system. The data also revealed abundant sensing and transport of iron, ammonium, zinc, and other metals along with a low-oxygen environment. This study reveals the core biochemistry and physiology of the CF microbiome.

IMPORTANCE
The cystic fibrosis (CF) microbial community is complex and adapts to the environmental conditions of the lung over the lifetime of a CF patient. This analysis illustrates the core functions of the CF microbial community in the context of CF lung biochemistry. There are many studies of the metabolism and physiology of individual microbes within the CF lung, but none that collectively analyze data from the whole microbiome. Understanding the core metabolism of microbes that inhabit the CF lung can provide new targets for novel therapies. The fundamental processes that CF pathogens rely on for survival may represent an Achilles heel for this pathogenic community. Novel therapies that are designed to disrupt understudied survival strategies of the CF microbial community may succeed against otherwise untreatable or antibiotic-resistant microbes.
The first case of Henoch-Schönlein purpura associated with rosuvastatin: colonic involvement coexisting with small intestine
Authors: Gonen Korcan Aysun , Erfan Gamze , Oznur Meltem , Erdogan Cuneyt
Published: March 2014

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a systemic vasculitis affecting small vessels. It is the most common systemic vasculitis in children, and is rare in adults. Serious gastrointestinal complications are more common in childhood. Infections and drugs are the most prominent factors in the aetiology. Wall thickening in segments of the small intestine is commonly seen in imaging studies in gastrointestinal system (GIS) involvement. Simultaneous involvement of small intestine and colon is rare. An HSP case involving small intestine and colon in an adult patient due to the use of rosuvastatin, an antihyperlipidaemic agent, is presented, and is first of its kind reported in the literature.
Surviving acute cyanide poisoning: a longitudinal neuropsychological investigation with interval MRI
Authors: Mohan Adith , Lee Teresa , Sachdev Perminder
Published: March 2014

We report the case of a 22-year-old woman who presented with self-poisoning by cyanide ingestion. We have elected to pay particular attention to describing the neuropsychological sequelae of cyanide poisoning, and the evolution of these deficits over a 6-month period. Prominent deficits in episodic memory were noted from an early stage, which were consistent with the findings noted on structural neuroimaging. These deficits remained persistent, although improving in severity over the follow-up period. No focal neurological deficits or abnormal involuntary movements emerged, and the patient's overall functional status remained satisfactory. The patient's psychiatric presentation and background history are briefly discussed.
Identifying systems failures in the pathway to a catastrophic event: an analysis of national incident report data relating to vinca alkaloids
Authors: Franklin Bryony Dean , Panesar Sukhmeet S , Vincent Charles , Donaldson Liam J
Published: March 2014

Background

Catastrophic errors in healthcare are rare, yet the consequences are so serious that where possible, special procedures are put in place to prevent them. As systems become safer, it becomes progressively more difficult to detect the remaining vulnerabilities. Using inadvertent intrathecal administration of vinca alkaloids as an example, we investigated whether analysis of incident report data describing low-harm events could bridge this gap.

Methods

We studied nine million patient safety incidents reported from England and Wales between November 2003 and May 2013. We searched for reports relating to administration of vinca alkaloids in patients also receiving intrathecal medication, and classified the failures identified against steps in the relevant national protocol.

Results

Of 38 reports that met our inclusion criteria, none resulted in actual harm. The stage of the medication process most commonly involved was ‘supply, transport and storage’ (15 cases). Seven cases related to dispensing, six to documentation, and four each to prescribing and administration. Defences most commonly breached related to separation of intravenous vinca alkaloids and intrathecal medication in timing (n=16) and location (n=8); potential for confusion due to inadequate separation of these drugs therefore remains. Problems involved in six cases did not align with the procedural defences in place, some of which represented major hazards.

Conclusions

We identified areas of concern even within the context of a highly controlled standardised national process. If incident reporting systems include and encourage reports of no-harm incidents in addition to actual patient harm, they can facilitate monitoring the resilience of healthcare processes. Patient safety incidents that produce the most serious harm are often rare, and it is difficult to know whether patients are adequately protected. Our approach provides a potential solution.
Seasonal and spatial variations in microbial activity at various phylogenetic resolutions at a groundwater – surface water interface
Authors: Yu Ran , Smets Barth F. , Gan Ping , MacKay Allison A. , Graf Joerg
Published: March 2014

We investigated the seasonal and spatial variation in activity and density of the metabolically active in situ microbial community (AIMC) at a landfill leachate-impacted groundwater – surface water interface (GSI). A series of AIMC traps were designed and implemented for AIMC sampling and microbial activity and density examinations. Measurements were made not only at the level of bacterial domain but also at the levels of alphaproteobacterial Rhizobiales order and gammaproteobacterial Pseudomonas genus, both of which included a large number of iron-oxidizing bacteria as revealed from previous analysis. Consistently higher microbial activities with less variation in depth were measured in the AIMC traps than in the ambient sediments. Flood disturbance appeared to control AIMC activity distributions at the gradually elevated GSI. The highest AIMC activities were generally obtained from locations closest to the free surface water boundary except during the dry season when microbial activities were similar across the entire GSI. A clone library of AIMC 16S rRNA genes was constructed, and it confirmed the predominant role of the targeted alphaproteobacterial group in AIMC activity and composition. This taxon constituted 2%–14% of all bacteria with similar activity distribution profiles. The Pseudomonas group occupied only 0.1‰–0.5‰ of the total bacterial density, but its activity was 27 times higher than the bacterial average. Of the 16S rRNA sequences in the AIMC clone library, 7.5% were phylogenetically related to putative IOB, supporting the occurrence and persistence of active microbial iron oxidation across the studied iron-rich GSI ecosystem.
Image encryption with an improved cryptosystem based on a matrix approach
Authors: Ramírez-Torres M. T. , Murguía J. S. , Carlos M. Mejía
Published: March 2014

This paper carries out the image encryption with a revised and modified cryptosystem based on a rule-90 cellular automaton. For this purpose, we used an appropriate and convenient matrix approach to implement the main components of the encryption system, two indexed families of permutations and a pseudo-random bit generator. Furthermore, we modify the encryption scheme for improving its security. This makes our encryption proposal resist some common attacks, e.g. chosen plain-text attack, and the encryption and decryption processes are performed in a flexible way. Also, some security aspects of the cryptosystem are evaluated with a series of statistical tests exhibiting good results. It is believed that this proposal fits naturally in the present digital technology and is capable of achieving high levels of performance.
Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture for Pain After Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in Patients with Liver Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zeng Ke , Dong Hui-Juan , Chen Hong-Yun , Chen Zhe , Li Bai , Zhou Qing-Hui
Published: March 2014

This study was designed to evaluate the analgesic effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) for patients with primary liver cancer (PLC) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Sixty PLC patients with post-TACE visual analog pain intensity scores greater than 3 were divided equally into two groups receiving either WAA or oral morphine sulphate (MOR) for post-TACE pain. Pain intensity scores were reassessed at 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after analgesic intervention. Patients were also monitored for adverse reactions to analgesic treatment. Pain scores recorded when the patients first felt pain after TACE showed no statistical difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). WAA and MOR had indistinguishable degrees of pain relief 1, 2, and 4 h after analgesic intervention (p > 0.05). At 6 h after intervention, the WAA group experienced significantly greater pain relief than the MOR group (p < 0.05). Incidence of abdominal distension was lower in the WAA group than in the MOR group (p < 0.05). The results suggest that WAA not only had an analgesic effect equal to or greater than MOR in PLC patients with moderate to severe post-TACE pain, but also reduced the incidence of post-operative abdominal distention.
Clinical Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Ho Chien-Yi , Lin Hsiu-Chen , Lee Yu-Chen , Chou Li-Wei , Kuo Ta-Wei , Chang Heng-Wei , Chen Yueh-Sheng , Lo Sui-Foon
Published: March 2014

Acupuncture and electroacupuncture treatments of symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) may improve symptoms and aid nerve repair as well as improve sensory and motor functions. However, limited evidence is available regarding the effects of these treatments based on comprehensive evaluation methods. This research completed the treatment and evaluation of 26 patients with confirmed CTS. Participants were divided into two treatment groups based on a modified neurophysiological grading scale. Of the total number of participants, 15 received acupuncture and 11 received electroacupuncture on both upper limbs. Acupoints were PC-7 (Daling) and PC-6 (Neiguan) along the pericardial meridian compatible with the median nerve tract. The treatment program consisted of 24 sessions of 15 min duration over 6 weeks. After electroacupuncture treatments, symptom severity was evaluated using the short clinical questionnaire by Lo and Chiang, which indicated improvements in the respective symptom severity score. After the acupuncture treatment, grip strength in the major symptomatic side in CTS patients could be significantly increased. Electrophysiology evaluation likewise indicated a significant increase in the distal median motor amplitude of the palm-wrist segment. In addition, Tinel's sign significantly decreased in the major symptomatic side. Our findings indicated that electroacupuncture could improve symptomatology, while acupuncture could exert positive therapeutic effects for CTS patients, as evidenced by improved symptomatology, grip strength, electrophysiological function, and physical provocation sign.
Consumption of Mesona chinensis Attenuates Postprandial Glucose and Improves Antioxidant Status Induced by a High Carbohydrate Meal in Overweight Subjects
Authors: Chusak Charoonsri , Thilavech Thavaree , Adisakwattana Sirichai
Published: March 2014

Edible plants constitute a potential source for controlling postprandial hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to investigate in vitro antioxidant and intestinal α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of Mesona chinensis (MC). In addition, the acute effect of MC on postprandial glucose and plasma antioxidant status after the consumption of a high carbohydrate (HC) meal by overweight subjects was also determined. The results showed that total phenolic and flavonoid contents in the extract were 212.37 ± 5.64 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dried extract and 23.44 ± 2.50 mg catechin equivalents/g dried extract, respectively. MC extract markedly inhibited the intestinal maltase and sucrose with the IC50 values of 4.66 ± 0.22 mg/mL and 1.30 ± 0.43 mg/mL, respectively. However, MC extract had no inhibitory activity against pancreatic α-amylase. In addition, MC extract had antioxidant properties including DPPH radical scavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity (SRSA), hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (HRSA), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and ferrous ion cheating activity (FICP). The significant decrease in postprandial plasma glucose, triglyceride and malondialdehyde levels, and the increase in plasma antioxidant capacity (FRAP and ORAC) were observed in overweight subjects receiving a HC meal together with MC extract (1 g). The finding supports that MC helps normalize and enhance antioxidant defense induced by a HC meal, suggesting that MC may have the potential for the prevention of chronic conditions and diseases associated with overweight and obesity.
Intestinal Absorptive Transport of Genkwanin fromFlos genkwaUsing a Single-Pass Intestinal Perfusion Rat Model
Authors: Jiang Cui-Ping , He Xin , Yang Xiao-Lin , Zhang Su-Li , Li Hui , Song Zi-Jing , Zhang Chun-Feng , Yang Zhong-Lin , Li Ping
Published: March 2014

To investigate the absorptive transport behavior of genkwanin and the beneficial effects of monoterpene enhancers with different functional groups, the single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) of rats was used. The results showed that genkwanin was segmentally-dependent and the best absorptive site was the duodenum. The effective permeability coefficient (Peff) was 1.97 × 10-4cm/s and the absorption rate constant (Ka) was 0.62 × 10-2s-1. Transepithelial transportation descended with increasing concentrations of genkwanin. This was a 1.4-fold increase in Peffby probenecid, whereas a 1.4-fold or 1.6-fold decrease was observed by verapamil and pantoprazole, respectively. Furthermore, among the absorption enhancers, the enhancement with carbonyl (camphor and menthone) was higher than that with hydroxyl (borneol and menthol). The concentration-independent permeability and enhancement by coperfusion of probenecid indicated that genkwanin was transported by both passive diffusion and multidrug resistance protein (MDR)-mediated efflux mechanisms.
Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis (Foshou) Activates Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Signaling to Induce Migration of RSC96 Schwann Cells
Authors: Huang Chih-Yang , Kuo Wei-Wen , Shibu Marthandam Asokan , Hsueh Ming-Fang , Chen Yueh-Sheng , Tsai Fuu-Jen , Yao Chun-Hsu , Lin Chien-Chung , Pan Lung-Fa , Ju Da-Tong
Published: March 2014

Factors that enhance the intrinsic growth potential of neurons play a major role in the regeneration and repair of adult neurons following an injury. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) is one of the key players in the origin and growth of neuronal and glial cells through autocrine and paracrine signaling. Water extract of Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis (fingered citron, foshou), which is been used effectively as a Chinese herbal medicine, was found to activate the FGF-2 promoter in transgenic luciferase expression models. Foshou treatment on Schwann cells (RSC96) transfected with luciferase reporter plasmid under a FGF-2 promoter was found to induce the FGF-2 promoter and showed enhanced luciferase expression. The FGF-2 expression was accompanied with an increase in the expression of proteins involved in cell migration and cell proliferation in a dose dependent manner. Therefore, foshou potentially enhances nerve regeneration by inducing the Schwann cell proliferation and migration.
Regulatory Effects ofSiegesbeckia glabrescenson Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Proliferation and Invasion
Authors: Lee Ha Neul , Joo Ji-Hye , Oh Joa Sub , Choi Shin Wook , Seo Dong-Wan
Published: March 2014

Siegesbeckia glabrescens (SG) Makino (Compositae) has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of allergic and inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we examined the effects and molecular mechanism of the ethanol extract of SG on cell proliferation and invasion in p53 wild-type A549 and p53-deficient H1299 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. SG treatment markedly inhibited the proliferation and invasion in both cell lines, independently of p53 expression. The anti-proliferative effect of SG on A549 cells was mediated by the inactivation of Akt and p70S6Kas evidenced by treatment with LY294002 and rapamycin, respectively. In addition, anti-invasive activity of SG in A549 cells was found to be associated with the inhibition of p70S6K. In contrast, in H1299 cells the inactivation of p38MAPKappeared to be involved in SG-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation and invasion. Collectively, these findings suggest that SG modulates cellular fates such as proliferation and invasion by differential regulation of signaling pathways, depending on the status of p53 expression in NSCLC, and support the development of SG as a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of NSCLC.
Triptolide Synergistically Enhances Temozolomide-Induced Apoptosis and Potentiates Inhibition of NF-κB Signaling in Glioma Initiating Cells
Authors: Sai Ke , Li Wen-Yu , Chen Yin-Sheng , Wang Jian , Guan Su , Yang Qun-Ying , Guo Cheng-Cheng , Mou Yong-Gao , Li Wei-Ping , Chen Zhong-Ping
Published: March 2014

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a lethal solid cancer in adults. Temozolomide (TMZ) is a first-line chemotherapeutic agent but the efficacy is limited by intrinsic and acquired resistance in GBM. Triptolide (TPL), a derivative from traditional Chinese medicine, demonstrated anti-tumor activity. In this study, we explored the interaction of TPL and TMZ in glioma-initiating cells (GICs) and the potential mechanism. A GIC line (GIC-1) was successfully established. Cell viability of GIC-1 after treatment was measured using a CCK-8 assay. The interaction between TPL and TMZ was calculated from Chou–Talalay equations and isobologram. Self-renewal was evaluated with tumor sphere formation assay. Apoptosis was assessed with flow cytometry and western blot. Luciferase assay was employed to measure NF-κB transcriptional activity. The expression of NF-κB downstream genes, NF-κB nuclear translocalization and phoshorylation of IκBα and p65 were evaluated using western blot. We found that GIC-1 cells were resistant to TMZ, with the expected IC50 of 705.7 μmol/L. Co-treatment with TPL yielded a more than three-fold dose reduction of TMZ. TPL significantly increased the percentage of apoptotic cells and suppressed the tumor sphere formation when combined with TMZ. Phosphorylation of IκBα and p65 coupled with NF-κB nuclear translocalization were notably inhibited after a combined treatment. Co-incubation synergistically repressed NF-κB transcriptional activity and downstream gene expression. TPL sensitizes GICs to TMZ by synergistically enhancing apoptosis, which is likely resulting from the augmented repression of NF-κB signaling. TPL is therefore a potential chemosensitizer in the treatment of GBM.
Studies on bound-state spectra of Manning–Rosen potential
Authors: Roy Amlan K.
Published: March 2014

Accurate ro-vibrational energies, eigenfunctions, radial densities, expectation values are presented for the exponential-type Manning–Rosen (MR) potential. Bound states, accurate up to ten significant figure are obtained by employing a simple, reliable generalized pseudospectral (GPS) method. All 55 eigenstates with n ≤10 are treated for arbitrary values of potential parameters, covering a wide range of interaction, through a non-uniform, optimal spatial radial discretization. A detailed investigation has been made on energy changes with respect to screening and other potential parameters. A systematic estimation of critical screening parameters is given for these eigenstates. Special emphasis has been given to higher states and in the vicinity of critical screening region. A thorough comparison with literature results is made wherever possible. This surpasses the accuracy of all other existing methods currently available. Several new states are reported for the first time. In short, a simple, efficient scheme for accurate calculation of this and other molecular potentials is offered.
BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJURIES: DIAGNOSIS PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY OF EVERYDAY TOOLS
Authors: Caporrino F. A. , Moreira L. , Moraes V. Y. , Belloti J. C. , Gomes dos Santos J. B. , Faloppa F.
Published: March 2014

Purpose: Determining the patterns of brachial plexus injuries is challenging. Diagnostic methods have been used to facilitate diagnosis, but there is no consensus regarding which tool best complements physical examination (PE). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nerve conduction studies (NCSs) are instruments with widespread use and feasibility for everyday assessment. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of these diagnostic instruments and PE. We also assessed the agreement in the PE and diagnostic instrument findings of two experienced and certified hand surgeons.

Methods: We reviewed data gathered from medical records and compared these data with the results of operative findings. We divided data according to the site of injury and the root injury patterns for all three diagnostic instruments (PE, MRI, and NCSs).

Results: We considered 102 assessments. We found poor inter-observer agreement for the PE assessments and poor agreement among the PE, NCS, and MRI assessments. Diagnostic performance was higher for PE: sensitivity = 97.8 [95% confidence interval (C.I.) = 92.1–99.7]; specificity = 30.8 [95% C.I. = 9.1–61.4], and NCSs (sensitivity = 98.9 [95% C.I. = 93.9–100]; specificity = 23.1 [95% C.I. = 5–53.8]. MRI had inferior performance for all measurements. Separate analysis using pre- and post-ganglionic injuries revealed that PE had the lowest sensitivity, 46.7 (95% C.I. = 21.3–73.4) despite having the highest specificity, 81.6 (95% C.I. = 71.9–89.1).

Discussion: Low agreement among the findings using different diagnostic instruments demonstrated that PE is the most specific tool, despite its low sensitivity. Detailed PE is cornerstone for evaluating brachial plexus injuries and NCSs are better than MRI for scrutinizing injuries not found in PE.

Clinical Relevance: In our study, NCSs exhibited superior performance to MRI, and should be considered a more reliable supporting tool after detailed PE.
THE McCASH TECHNIQUE FOR DUPUYTREN'S DISEASE: OUR EXPERIENCE
Authors: Zoubos Aristides B. , Stavropoulos Nikolaos A. , Babis George C. , Mavrogenis Andreas F. , Kokkalis Zinon T. , Soucacos Panayotis N.
Published: March 2014

This study presents the clinical outcomes of 35 hands with Dupuytren's Disease treated with the McCash technique between 1990 and 2009. Of the 31 patients (28 males and three females, mean age 53 yrs), four patients had bilateral involvement (12.9%). Thirty hands had no previous medical or surgical treatment for the disease, while the remaining five hands had been operated on at least once. The mean contracture of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint improved from 42.14° to 1.83°, while that of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint improved from 62.60° to 7.09°. All wounds healed within a mean 9.8 weeks. Sensory evaluation revealed no permanent numbness. With realistic expectations, clear documentation, meticulous surgical technique and implementation of a demanding post-operative rehabilitation program, an acceptable outcome may be achieved with the McCash technique for Dupuytren's disease.
INTRANEURAL MALIGNANT GRANULAR CELL TUMOR — REPORT OF AN EXTREMELY RARE TUMOR IN A CHILD
Authors: Aviles Silvia , Tay Terrence , Jones W. D. , Thirkannad Sunil
Published: March 2014

We report a case of intraneural malignant granular cell tumor of the upper extremity occurring in a child. This is an exceedingly rare tumor and the incidence has so far been reported only in adults. The tumor was successfully treated surgically and the patient has remained tumor free to date. We describe our approach to the problem so that it will serve as an index case for similar encounters in the future.
A CASE REPORT OF A GIANT FOREARM LIPOMA CAUSING ANTERIOR INTEROSSEOUS NERVE PALSY AFTER FRACTURE OF THE DISTAL RADIUS
Authors: Nakamura Satoshi , Okazaki Masato , Tazaki Kenichi
Published: March 2014

To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous reports on anterior interosseous nerve palsy (AINP) caused by a soft tissue tumor after fracture of the distal radius. We treated a case of giant forearm lipoma that caused AINP one day after internal fixation of a distal radius fracture.
FIXATION OF AN ULNODORSAL FRAGMENT WHEN TREATING AN INTRA-ARTICULAR FRACTURE IN THE DISTAL RADIUS
Authors: Ikeda Kazuo , Osamura Naoki , Tada Kaoru
Published: March 2014

If fixation of an ulnodorsal fragment in an intra-articular fracture of the distal radius is not stable, it is sometimes caused by dorsal displacement after surgery. Hence, we recommend the volar plate fixation with an additional dorsal approach and fixation of irreducible ulnodorsal fragments using a low-profile dorsal mini plate. The details of the surgical procedure and indications are discussed in this article.
Diffusion and Drivers of Smart Meters: The Case of Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Spodniak Petr , Jantunen Ari , Viljainen Satu
Published: March 2014

This paper maps the diffusion dynamics of smart meters in the Central and Eastern Europe (EU10) and develops methodology which assesses the potential drivers of diffusion by the means of thematic analysis. Innovation diffusion theory and the concept of rate of adoption enabled to measure the speed of smart meter diffusion throughout the time in individual countries and the whole region, which is subsequently benchmarked against the market leaders. Results indicate that large-scale rollouts of smart meters are preceded by pilot projects, cost–benefit analysis, regulations, and initiatives. Furthermore, the role of state decreases with gradual development of the market.
SCALE ROBUST HEAD POSE ESTIMATION BASED ON RELATIVE HOMOGRAPHY TRANSFORMATION
Authors: LIU CHENGUANG , CHENG HENGDA , DASU ARAVIND
Published: March 2014

Head pose estimation has been widely studied in recent decades due to many significant applications. Different from most of the current methods which utilize face models to estimate head position, we develop a relative homography transformation based algorithm which is robust to the large scale change of the head. In the proposed method, salient Harris corners are detected on a face, and local binary pattern features are extracted around each of the corners. And then, relative homography transformation is calculated by using RANSAC optimization algorithm, which applies homography to a region of interest (ROI) on an image and calculates the transformation of a planar object moving in the scene relative to a virtual camera. By doing so, the face center initialized in the first frame will be tracked frame by frame. Meanwhile, a head shoulder model based Chamfer matching method is proposed to estimate the head centroid. With the face center and the detected head centroid, the head pose is estimated. The experiments show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed algorithm.
Common and Diverging Integrin Signals Downstream of Adhesion and Mechanical Stimuli and Their Interplay with Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Zeller Kathrin Stephanie , Johansson Staffan
Published: March 2014

The integrin family of adhesion receptors regulates basic functions of cells, and the signals they induce are altered in tumor cells. In this review we discuss how different integrin-dependent signals are generated during cell adhesion and by physical forces acting on cells. We also describe how reactive oxygen species are integral parts of integrin signaling and highlight a few important questions in the field. Answers to those may improve our understanding of integrins and their role in the development of cancer.
A MACROECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION: MEETING THE FINANCING CHALLENGE
Authors: BOWEN ALEX , CAMPIGLIO EMANUELE , TAVONI MASSIMO
Published: March 2014

Transitioning to a low-carbon economy will require significant investment to transform energy systems, alter the built environment and adapt infrastructure. A strategy to finance this investment is needed if the limit of a 2°C increase in global mean temperatures is to be respected. Also, high-income countries have pledged to pay the "agreed full incremental costs" of climate-change mitigation by developing countries, which are not necessarily the same as incremental investment costs. Building on simulations using Integrated Assessment Models and historical evidence, this paper explores some of the issues posed by this dual financing challenge. We discuss the "fiscal self-reliance" of the energy sector, finding that carbon pricing would generate sufficient fiscal revenues within each region to finance total investment in energy supply. Even when allowing for trade in emission permits, regional carbon fiscal revenues should still suffice to cover both their own investment in energy supply and permit purchases from abroad. We show that incremental energy-supply investment (and saving) needs are well within the range of past variation of aggregate investment, and argue that the challenge is rather to ensure that revenues from carbon pricing and other sources are complemented by investment in the appropriate sectors. But fairness and equity are likely to warrant transfers from advanced industrial countries to developing nations.
Computational conformational antimicrobial analysis developing mechanomolecular theory for polymer biomaterials in materials science and engineering
Authors: Petersen Richard C.
Published: March 2014

Single-bond rotations or pyramidal inversions tend to either hide or expose relative energies that exist for atoms with nonbonding lone-pair electrons. Availability of lone-pair electrons depends on overall molecular electron distributions and differences in the immediate polarity of the surrounding pico/nanoenvironment. Stereochemistry three-dimensional aspects of molecules provide insight into conformations through single-bond rotations with associated lone-pair electrons on oxygen atoms in addition to pyramidal inversions with nitrogen atoms. When electrons are protected, potential energy is sheltered toward an energy minimum value to compatibilize molecularly with nonpolar environments. When electrons are exposed, maximum energy is available toward polar environment interactions. Computational conformational analysis software calculated energy profiles that exist during specific oxygen ether single-bond rotations with easy-to-visualize three-dimensional models for the trichlorinated bisaromatic ether triclosan antimicrobial polymer additive. As shown, fluctuating alternating bond rotations can produce complex interactions between molecules to provide entanglement strength for polymer toughness or alternatively disrupt weak secondary bonds of attraction to lower resin viscosity for new additive properties with nonpolar triclosan as a hydrophobic toughening/wetting agent. Further, bond rotations involving lone-pair electrons by a molecule at a nonpolar-hydrocarbon-membrane/polar-biologic-fluid interface might become sufficiently unstable to provide free mechanomolecular energies to disrupt weaker microbial membranes, for membrane transport of molecules into cells, provide cell signaling/recognition/defense and also generate enzyme mixing to speed reactions.
Interaction between dietary fat and exercise on excess postexercise oxygen consumption
Authors: Frost Elizabeth A. , Redman Leanne M. , de Jonge Lilian , Rood Jennifer , Zachwieja Jeffrey J. , Volaufova Julia , Bray George A. , Smith Steven R.
Published: March 2014

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increased physical activity on subsequent sleeping energy expenditure (SEE) measured in a whole room calorimeter under differing levels of dietary fat. We hypothesized that increased physical activity would increase SEE. Six healthy young men participated in a randomized, single-blind, crossover study. Subjects repeated an 8-day protocol under four conditions separated by at least 7 days. During each condition, subjects consumed an isoenergetic diet consisting of 37% fat, 15% protein, and 48% carbohydrate for the first 4 days, and for the following 4 days SEE and energy balance were measured in a respiration chamber. The first chamber day served as a baseline measurement, and for the remaining 3 days diet and activity were randomly assigned as high-fat/exercise, high-fat/sedentary, low-fat/exercise, or low-fat/sedentary. Energy balance was not different between conditions. When the dietary fat was increased to 50%, SEE increased by 7.4% during exercise ( P < 0.05) relative to being sedentary (baseline day), but SEE did not increase with exercise when fat was lowered to 20%. SEE did not change when dietary fat was manipulated under sedentary conditions. Physical activity causes an increase in SEE when dietary fat is high (50%) but not when dietary fat is low (20%). Dietary fat content influences the impact of postexercise-induced increases in SEE. This finding may help explain the conflicting data regarding the effect of exercise on energy expenditure.
Role of AMPK and PPARγ1 in exercise-induced lipoprotein lipase in skeletal muscle
Authors: Sasaki Takashi , Nakata Rieko , Inoue Hiroyasu , Shimizu Makoto , Inoue Jun , Sato Ryuichiro
Published: March 2014

Exercise can effectively ameliorate type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Here we show that the mRNA levels of one of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) family members, PPARγ1, and genes related to energy metabolism, including PPARγ coactivator-1 protein-1α (PGC-1α) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL), increased in the gastrocnemius muscle of habitual exercise-trained mice. When mice were intraperitoneally administered an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR), the mRNA levels of the aforementioned three genes increased in gastrocnemius muscle. AICAR treatment to C2C12 differentiated myotubes also increased PPARγ1 mRNA levels, but not PPARα and -δ mRNA levels, concomitant with increased PGC-1α mRNA levels. An AMPK inhibitor, compound C, blocked these AICAR effects. AICAR treatment increased the half-life of PPARγ1 mRNA nearly threefold (4–12 h) by activating AMPK. When C2C12 myoblast cells infected with a PPARγ1 expression lentivirus were differentiated into myotubes, PPARγ1 overexpression dramatically increased LPL mRNA levels more than 40-fold. In contrast, when PPARγ1 expression was suppressed in C2C12 myotubes, LPL mRNA levels were significantly reduced, and the effect of AICAR on increased LPL gene expression was almost completely blocked. These results indicated that PPARγ1 was intimately involved in LPL gene expression in skeletal muscle and the AMPK-PPARγ1 pathway may play a role in exercise-induced LPL expression. Thus, we identified a novel critical role for PPARγ1 in response to AMPK activation for controlling the expression of a subset of genes associated with metabolic regulation in skeletal muscle.
Measurement and Analysis of P2P IPTV Program Resource
Authors: Wang Wenxian , Chen Xingshu , Wang Haizhou , Zhang Qi , Wang Cheng
Published: March 2014

With the rapid development of P2P technology, P2P IPTV applications have received more and more attention. And program resource distribution is very important to P2P IPTV applications. In order to collect IPTV program resources, a distributed multi-protocol crawler is proposed. And the crawler has collected more than 13 million pieces of information of IPTV programs from 2009 to 2012. In addition, the distribution of IPTV programs is independent and incompact, resulting in chaos of program names, which obstructs searching and organizing programs. Thus, we focus on characteristic analysis of program resources, including the distributions of length of program names, the entropy of the character types, and hierarchy depth of programs. These analyses reveal the disorderly naming conventions of P2P IPTV programs. The analysis results can help to purify and extract useful information from chaotic names for better retrieval and accelerate automatic sorting of program and establishment of IPTV repository. In order to represent popularity of programs and to predict user behavior and popularity of hot programs over a period, we also put forward an analytical model of hot programs.
Global Exponential Stability of Antiperiodic Solution for Impulsive High-Order Hopfield Neural Networks
Authors: Chen Wei , Gong Shuhua
Published: March 2014

This paper is concerned with antiperiodic solutions for impulsive high-order Hopfield neural networks with leakage delays and continuously distributed delays. By employing a novel proof, some sufficient criteria are established to ensure the existence and global exponential stability of the antiperiodic solution, which are new and complement of previously known results. Moreover, an example and numerical simulations are given to support the theoretical result.
The Development of Sex Reassignment Surgery in Thailand: A Social Perspective
Authors: Chokrungvaranont Prayuth , Selvaggi Gennaro , Jindarak Sirachai , Angspatt Apichai , Pungrasmi Pornthep , Suwajo Poonpismai , Tiewtranon Preecha
Published: March 2014

This paper reviews the development of gender reassignment in Thailand during the period of 1975–2012, in terms of social attitude, epidemiology, surgical patients’ profile, law and regulation, religion, and patients’ path from psychiatric assessment to surgery. Thailand healthcare for transsexual patients is described. Figures related to the number of sex reassignment surgeries performed in Thailand over the past 30 years are reported. Transsexual individuals are only apparently integrated within the Thail society: the law system of Thailand in fact, does not guarantee to transsexuals the same rights as in other Western countries; the governmental healthcare does not offer free treatments for transsexual patients. In favor of the transsexual healthcare, instead, the Medical Council of Thailand recently published a policy entitled “Criteria for the treatment of sex change, Census 2009.” The goal of this policy was to improve the care of transsexual patients in Thailand, by implementing the Standards of Care of the World Professional Association of Transgender Health. Currently, in Thailand, there are 6 major private groups performing sex reassignment surgery, and mostly performing surgery to patients coming from abroad. Particularly, the largest of these (Preecha’s group) has performed nearly 3000 vaginoplasties for male-to-female transsexuals in the last 30 years.
Analysis of the Impact of Fault Mechanism Radiation Patterns on Macroseismic Fields in the Epicentral Area of 1998 and 2004 Krn Mountains Earthquakes (NW Slovenia)
Authors: Gosar Andrej
Published: March 2014

Two moderate magnitude (Mw = 5.6 and 5.2) earthquakes in Krn Mountains occurred in 1998 and 2004 which had maximum intensity VII-VIII and VI-VII EMS-98, respectively. Comparison of both macroseismic fields showed unexpected differences in the epicentral area which cannot be explained by site effects. Considerably, different distribution of the highest intensities can be noticed with respect to the strike of the seismogenic fault and in some localities even higher intensities have been estimated for the smaller earthquake. Although hypocentres of both earthquakes were only 2 km apart and were located on the same seismogenic Ravne fault, their focal mechanisms showed a slight difference: almost pure dextral strike-slip for the first event and a strike-slip with small reverse component on a steep fault plane for the second one. Seismotectonically the difference is explained as an active growth of the Ravne fault at its NW end. The radiation patterns of both events were studied to explain their possible impact on the observed variations in macroseismic fields and damage distribution. Radiation amplitude lobes were computed for three orthogonal directions: radial P, SV, and SH. The highest intensities of both earthquakes were systematically observed in directions of four (1998) or two (2004) large amplitude lobes in SH component (which corresponds mainly to Love waves), which have significantly different orientation for both events. On the other hand, radial P direction, which is almost purely symmetrical for the strike-slip mechanism of 1998 event, showed for the 2004 event that its small reverse component of movement has resulted in a very pronounced amplitude lobe in SW direction where two settlements are located which expressed higher intensities in the case of the 2004 event with respect to the 1998 one. Although both macroseismic fields are very complex due to influences of multiple earthquakes, retrofitting activity after 1998, site effects, and sparse distribution of settlements, unusual differences in observed intensities can be explained with different radiation patterns.