bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enteropathic Spondyloarthritis: From Diagnosis to Treatment
Authors: Peluso Rosario , Di Minno Matteo Nicola Dario , Iervolino Salvatore , Manguso Francesco , Tramontano Giuseppina , Ambrosino Pasquale , Esposito Carmela , Scalera Antonella , Castiglione Fabiana , Scarpa Raffaele
Published: April 2013

Enteropathic arthritis (EA) is a spondyloarthritis (SpA) which occurs in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and other gastrointestinal diseases. Diagnosis is generally established on the medical history and physical examination. It was, generally, made according to the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) criteria. Rheumatic manifestations are the most frequent extraintestinal findings of IBD with a prevalence between 17% and 39%, and IBD is associated, less frequently, with other rheumatic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren syndrome, Takayasu arteritis, and fibromyalgia. Although the pathogenesis of EA has not been plainly clarified, the most popular theory supposes that joint inflammation occurs in genetically predisposed subjects with bacterial gut infections, provided an important evidence for a possible relationship between inflammation of the gut mucosa and arthritis. The management of patients with EA requires an active cooperation between the gastroenterologist and rheumatologist.
A Study on Coastline Extraction and Its Trend Based on Remote Sensing Image Data Mining
Authors: Zhang Yun , Li Xueming , Zhang Jianli , Song Derui
Published: April 2013

In this paper, data mining theory is applied to carry out the field of the pretreatment of remote sensing images. These results show that it is an effective method for carrying out the pretreatment of low-precision remote sensing images by multisource image matching algorithm with SIFT operator, geometric correction on satellite images at scarce control points, and other techniques; the result of the coastline extracted by the edge detection method based on a chromatic aberration Canny operator has a height coincident with the actual measured result; we found that the coastline length of China is predicted to increase in the future by using the grey prediction method, with the total length reaching up to 19,471,983 m by 2015.
Treatment-Based Strategy for the Management of Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis Patients in the Sudan
Authors: Musa A. M. , Khalil E. A. G. , Younis B. M. , Elfaki M. E. E. , Elamin M. Y. , Adam A. O. A. , Mohamed H. A. A. , Dafalla M. M. M. , Abuzaid A. A. , El-Hassan A. M.
Published: April 2013

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a dermatosis that affects more than 50% of successfully treated visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients in Sudan. PKDL is considered an important reservoir for the parasite and its treatment may help in the control of VL. Currently, treatment is mainly with sodium stibogluconate (SSG), an expensive and fairly toxic drug and without universally in treatment protocols used. A literature review, a consensus of a panel of experts, and unpublished data formed the basis for the development of guidelines for the treatment of PKDL in the Sudan. Six treatment modalities were evaluated. Experts were asked to justify their choices based on their experience regarding of drug safety, efficacy, availability, and cost. The consensus was defined by assigning a categorical rank (first line, second line, third line) to each option. Regarding the use of AmBisome the presence of the drug in the skin was confirmed in smears from PKDL lesions. Recommendations: AmBisome at 2.5 mg/kg/day/20 days or SSG at 20 mg/kg/day/40 days plus four/weekly intradermal injection of alum-precipitated autoclaveL. majorvaccine are suggested as first- and second-treatment options for PKDL in the Sudan, respectively. SSG at 20 mg/Kg/day/60 or more days can be used if other options are not available.
A Two-stage Kalman Filter for Sensorless Direct Torque Controlled PM Synchronous Motor Drive
Authors: Yi Boyu , Kang Longyun , Jiang Kai , Lin Yujian
Published: April 2013

This paper presents an optimal two-stage extended Kalman filter (OTSEKF) for closed-loop flux, torque, and speed estimation of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) to achieve sensorless DTC-SVPWM operation of drive system. The novel observer is obtained by using the same transformation as in a linear Kalman observer, which is proposed by C.-S. Hsieh and F.-C. Chen in 1999. The OTSEKF is an effective implementation of the extended Kalman filter (EKF) and provides a recursive optimum state estimation for PMSMs using terminal signals that may be polluted by noise. Compared to a conventional EKF, the OTSEKF reduces the number of arithmetic operations. Simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed OTSEKF observer for DTC of PMSMs.
An LMI Approach for Dynamics of Switched Cellular Neural Networks with Mixed Delays
Authors: Huang Chuangxia , Kuang Hanfeng , Chen Xiaohong , Wen Fenghua
Published: April 2013

This paper considers the dynamics of switched cellular neural networks (CNNs) with mixed delays. With the help of the Lyapnnov function combined with the average dwell time method and linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) technique, some novel sufficient conditions on the issue of the uniformly ultimate boundedness, the existence of an attractor, and the globally exponential stability for CNN are given. The provided conditions are expressed in terms of LMI, which can be easily checked by the effective LMI toolbox in Matlab in practice.
Fractional-Order Generalized Predictive Control: Application for Low-Speed Control of Gasoline-Propelled Cars
Authors: Romero M. , de Madrid A. P. , Mañoso C. , Milanés V. , Vinagre B. M.
Published: April 2013

There is an increasing interest in using fractional calculus applied to control theory generalizingclassicalcontrol strategies as the PID controller and developing new ones with the intention of taking advantage of characteristics supplied by this mathematical tool for the controller definition. In this work, the fractional generalization of the successful and spread control strategy known as model predictive control is applied to drive autonomously a gasoline-propelled vehicle at low speeds. The vehicle is a Citroën C3 Pluriel that was modified to act over the throttle and brake pedals. Its highly nonlinear dynamics are an excellent test bed for applying beneficial characteristics of fractional predictive formulation to compensate unmodeled dynamics and external disturbances.
Differential IL-13 Production by Small Intestinal Leukocytes in Active Coeliac Disease versus Refractory Coeliac Disease
Authors: Gross Sascha , van Wanrooij Roy L. , Nijeboer Petula , Gelderman Kyra A. , Cillessen Saskia A. G. M. , Meijer Gerrit A. , Mulder Chris J. J. , Bouma Gerd , von Blomberg B. Mary E. , Bontkes Hetty J.
Published: April 2013

A small fraction of coeliac disease (CD) patients have persistent villous atrophy despite strict adherence to a gluten-free diet. Some of these refractory CD (RCD) patients develop a clonal expansion of lymphocytes with an aberrant phenotype, referred to as RCD type II (RCDII). Pathogenesis of active CD (ACD) has been shown to be related to gluten-specific immunity whereas the disease is no longer gluten driven in RCD. We therefore hypothesized that the immune response is differentially regulated by cytokines in ACD versus RCDII and investigated mucosal cytokine release after polyclonal stimulation of isolated mucosal lymphocytes. Secretion of theTH2cytokine IL-13 was significantly higher in lamina propria leukocytes (LPLs) isolated from RCDII patients as compared to LPL from ACD patients(P=0.05). In patients successfully treated with a gluten-free diet LPL-derived IL-13 production was also higher as compared to ACD patients(P=0.02). IL-13 secretion correlated with otherTH2as well asTH1cytokines but not with IL-10 secretion. Overall, the cytokine production pattern of LPL in RCDII showed more similarities with LPL isolated from GFD patients than from ACD patients. Our data suggest that different immunological processes are involved in RCDII and ACD with a potential role for IL-13.
Numerical Simulation of Gas-Liquid-Solid Three-Phase Flow in Deep Wells
Authors: Xie Jianyu , Yu Bo , Zhang Xinyu , Shao Qianqian , Song Xianzhi
Published: April 2013

A gas-liquid-solid flow model which considers the effect of the cuttings on the pressure drop is established for the annulus flow in the deep wells in this paper, based on which a numerical code is developed to calculate the thermal and flow quantities such as temperature and pressure distributions. The model is validated by field data, and its performance is compared with several commercial software. The effects of some important parameters, such as well depth, gas kick, cuttings, and drilling fluid properties, on the temperature and pressure distributions are studied.
A Comparison of the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia and the Montgomery-Aasberg Depression Rating Scale in a Memory Clinic Population
Authors: Knapskog Anne-Brita , Barca Maria Lage , Engedal Knut
Published: April 2013

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) and the Montgomery-Aasberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) among memory clinic patients. Methods: The CSDD (based on an interview with the caregiver) and the MADRS (based on the patient's opinion) were filled in independently of each other among 520 patients. Principal component and correlation analyses were performed. Results: The mean score of the CSDD was 7.6 (SD: 6.0), and the mean MADRS score was 9.7 (SD: 6.7). The correlation between the two scales was 0.36 for the whole group, 0.22 in the group with dementia and 0.48 for those without dementia, respectively. Principal component analyses revealed four factors for the CSDD and two factors for the MADRS. Conclusions: Using two different sources of information, we found a poor correlation between the two scales. We suggest that evaluation of depression among memory clinic patients should be done by interviewing both the patient and the caregiver.
Subgroups of Alzheimer's Disease Associated with Diabetes Mellitus Based on Brain Imaging
Authors: Fukazawa Raita , Hanyu Haruo , Sato Tomohiko , Shimizu Soichiro , Koyama Shunichi , Kanetaka Hidekazu , Sakurai Hirofumi , Iwamoto Toshihiko
Published: April 2013

Background/Aims: We attempted to define possible subgroups of Alzheimer's disease (AD) associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) based on brain imaging. Methods: We classified 175 patients with clinically diagnosed AD and type 2 DM into 4 subgroups on the basis of the presence or absence of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) on MRI (CVD or no CVD) and posterior cerebral hypoperfusion on SPECT (AD pattern or no AD pattern). Differences in the clinical characteristics among the subgroups were examined. Results: The subgroup showing neither a CVD pattern nor an AD pattern had significantly older age, higher hemoglobin A1c level, longer duration of diabetes, higher frequency of insulin therapy, lower frequency of apolipoprotein E4 carriers, less severe medial temporal lobe atrophy, more impaired attention, less impaired word recall, and slower progression of cognitive impairment than the subgroup showing an AD pattern. We found no characteristic features of other subgroups. Conclusion: The clinical features of subjects with AD associated with DM may differ depending on brain imaging patterns. Among them, there may be a dementia subgroup with characteristics predominantly associated with DM-related metabolic abnormalities.
Spatial–Temporal Changes of Water Resources in a Typical Semiarid Basin of North China over the Past 50 Years and Assessment of Possible Natural and Socioeconomic Causes
Authors: Yong Bin , Ren Liliang , Hong Yang , Gourley Jonathan J. , Chen Xi , Dong Jinwei , Wang Weiguang , Shen Yan , Hardy Jill
Published: April 2013

Hydrological processes in most semiarid regions on Earth have been changing under the impacts of climate change, human activities, or combinations of the two. This paper first presents a trend analysis of the spatiotemporal changes in water resources and then diagnoses their underlying atmospheric and socioeconomic causes over 10 catchments in the Laoha basin, a typical semiarid zone of northeast China. The impacts of climate variability and human activities on streamflow change were quantitatively evaluated by the VIC (Variable Infiltration Capacity) model. First, results indicate that six out of the 10 studied catchments have statistically significant downward trends in annual streamflow; however, there is no significant change of annual precipitation for all catchments. Two abrupt changes of annual streamflow at 1979 and 1998 are identified for the four largest catchments. Second, the Laoha basin generally experienced three evident dry–wet pattern switches during the past 50 years. Furthermore, this basin is currently suffering from unprecedented water shortages. Large-scale climate variability has affected the local natural hydrologic system. Third, quantitative evaluation shows human activities were the main driving factors for the streamflow reduction with contributions of approximately 90% for the whole basin. A significant increase in irrigated area, which inevitably resulted in tremendous agricultural water consumption, is the foremost culprit contributing to the dramatic runoff reduction, especially at midstream and downstream of the Laoha basin. This study is expected to enable policymakers and stakeholders to make well-informed, short-term practice decisions and better plan long-term water resource and ecoenvironment management strategies.
Response of the Inertial Recirculation to Intensified Stratification in a Two-Layer Quasigeostrophic Ocean Circulation Model
Authors: Sun Shantong , Wu Lixin , Qiu Bo
Published: April 2013

Previous observation and model studies show that the upper-ocean stratification is enhanced under global warming (Capotondi et al.; Cravatte et al.; Deser et al., etc.). The response of the recirculation, which is associated with the western boundary current (WBC) jet extension and significantly increases its transport, to the intensified stratification, is studied in a two-layer quasigeostrophic ocean circulation model. It is found that the barotropic transport of the circulation first increases with stratification but then decreases as a result of saturation of the surface-layer circulation intensity when the stratification exceeds a threshold. PV budget analysis indicates that the saturation is caused by the increased intergyre transport of relative potential vorticity resulting from the intensified variability of the jet location. Both the barotropic instability and bifurcation mechanisms contribute to the intensified variability of the jet location. Because of barotropic instability, eddies are generated in the confluence region of the WBCs and advected eastward, causing the variability of the jet location. With increased stratification, the surface-layer circulation is strengthened and the barotropic instability is intensified. As a result, the surface flow becomes more variable with excessive eddies and intense variability of the jet. With the increasing stratification, three regimes, each marked by its own variation of the jet location, emerge owing to the successive system bifurcations. In the last two regimes, variability of the jet location is further enhanced by frequent switches among the different dynamic states on multidecadal time scales.
Acute myocarditis in vivax malaria: an extremely rare complication
Authors: Ahmad Sohaib , Dhar Minakshi , Bishnoi Shilpa , Shirazi Nadia , Bhat Nowneet K
Published: April 2013

We report on the occurrence of pulmonary oedema due to acute myocarditis in an adolescent girl, from the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, with Plasmodium vivax infection after parasite clearance. Apart from pancytopenia, there were no other features of severe malaria. With the emergence of literature about the complications encountered in P. vivax, especially from this region, a high index of suspicion for unusual cardiovascular manifestations is necessary in cases with acute malaria.
Subacute intestinal obstruction: an enigma revisited
Authors: Jain Bhupendra Kumar , Agrawal Juhi , Rathi Vinita , Garg Pankaj Kumar , Dubey Indu Bhushan
Published: April 2013

Sixty-three patients presenting with subacute intestinal obstruction (SAIO) were studied. Thirty (47.6%) reported recurrent symptoms. Exaggerated bowel sound, visible/palpable bowel loops, distention of abdomen and abdominal lumps were observed in 60.3%, 28.5%, 25.3% and 19.0% patients, respectively. Thirty (47.6%) required emergency laparotomy. Investigations revealed lesions requiring surgery in 14 of 33 patients which were relieved with conservative treatment. The accuracy of ultrasonography, contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan and diagnostic laparoscopy was 57.1%, 100% and 100%, respectively. Ileum was the most common site of obstruction (79.5%). Adhesions and small intestinal strictures were the two most frequent cause of obstruction seen in 31.8% and 27.2%, respectively. Tuberculous pathology was demonstrated in 23 (52.2%). Previous abdominal surgery was found to be the only predictor of the success of conservative treatment (13/19 versus 7/44). All patients of SAIO, whose symptoms were relieved with conservative treatment, and who do not have history of abdominal surgery, should be subjected to CECTand/or diagnostic laparoscopy in order to discover the underlying cause of the obstruction. When these diagnostic modalities are not available, laparotomy is an effective alternative for this group of patients.
Antenatal care registration and predicting factors of late registration among pregnant women
Authors: Patel Prakash B , Rupani Mihir Prafulbhai , Patel Swati S
Published: April 2013

The objective of antenatal care (ANC) is prevention, early recognition and treatment of pregnancy related ailments as well as general medical problems. It also provides an opportunity for reproductive health counselling. Early registration at an antenatal clinic is recommended. However, the majority of pregnant women are entered late into an antenatal care programme, especially in developing countries such as India. We explored the factors associated with late antenatal registration in a rural area of Gujarat State.
Functional CLOCK gene rs1554483 G/C polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease in the Chinese population
Authors: Chen Qian , Huang Chang-Quan , Hu Xiu-Ying , Li Song-Bing , Zhang Xue-Mei
Published: April 2013

Objective

To examine the association between the circadian locomotor output cycles kaput ( CLOCK) gene rs1554483 G/C polymorphism and susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease in Chinese people.

Methods

This case–control study determined apolipoprotein E ( APOE) and CLOCK rs1554483 G/C genotypes using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Results

Unrelated patients with Alzheimer's disease ( n = 130) and healthy controls ( n = 188) were analysed for an association between the CLOCK gene rs1554483 G/C polymorphism and susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease. In the whole sample and in APOE ɛ4 isoform noncarriers, the prevalence of CLOCK gene rs1554483 G allele carriers was significantly higher in patients with Alzheimer's disease than in controls. Among APOE ɛ4 carriers, the prevalence of CLOCK rs1554483 G allele carriers was not significantly different between patients with Alzheimer's disease and controls.

Conclusion

Among APOE ɛ4 noncarriers, but not APOE ɛ4 carriers, the CLOCK rs1554483 G allele was associated with increased susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease.
A corpus-based study in comparing the multimodality of Chinese- and English- language newspapers
Authors: Kong Kenneth CC
Published: April 2013

This cross-cultural study involves a comparison of 55 pairs of global news items in Chinese- and English-language tabloid newspapers collected during a two-month period in 2009. Drawing on Bateman’s Multimodality and Genre (2008), the news articles were analyzed in terms of their base unit realizations, which can be sub-divided into three categories: text-typographic, photo-pictorial and diagram-representational units. The results show that Chinese news tends to employ more photo-pictorial elements, such as photos, icons and arrows, exemplifying the atomization or compartmentalization approach in layout design. Icons and arrows are also argued to have the interpersonal function of building rapport with the audience and the organizational function of helping readers to navigate. English news tends to adopt larger pictures as background, on which other elements are embedded in a more complex manner, exemplifying the graphic composite approach in visual layout. English news also features more text-typographic units because of embedded typographic units, such as capitalized and bold-face fonts, that substitute for the stress patterns in spoken English. Diagrams (such as tables and lists), which serve the function of providing additional information, are more common in Chinese news. It is argued that, although Chinese newspapers exhibit a globalized ‘inverted pyramid’ structure in their written forms, a more fragmented approach of atomization is still preferred in the overall layout of Chinese newspapers. This research highlights the importance of studying the ‘local’ experience of globalization
Visual art and social structure: the social semiotics of relational art
Authors: Riley Howard
Published: April 2013

This article elaborates the dialectical relationship between visual art forms and the social structures in which they are produced, by extending Robert Witkin’s taxonomy first presented in his 1995 book Art and Social Structure. Witkin tracked the history of visual art from pre-modern times, for which he invented the label invocational art, to the advent of Modernism, described in terms of evocational and then provocational art. The article then extrapolates from Witkin’s model to include post-Modernism, for which the author’s term revocational art has been coined, and goes on to discuss Nicolas Bourriaud’s concept of Altermodernism, his term for describing the relationship between contemporary art practices and the social conditions of today, for which the author suggests an alternative – convocational art – a synonym for Bourriaud’s term relational art. The article concludes with a demonstration that social semiotic theory can be a powerful tool for the analysis of relational art.
Effects of grain size and precipitation on liquation cracking of AZ61 magnesium alloy laser welding joints
Authors: Chen X L , Yan H G , Chen J H , Su B , Yu Z H
Published: April 2013

Four kinds of wrought AZ61 alloy sheets with different microstructural features were successfully welded by CO2 laser beam butt welding. Welding joints without visible pores were obtained under optimum process parameters. Effects of grain size and precipitation on liquation cracking behaviours of the laser welding joints were investigated. As far as the as rolled alloy sheets were concerned, liquation in the partially melted zone (PMZ) was visible along grain boundaries, and the extent of liquation was more serious in the alloy sheets with larger grains. As far as the as aged alloy sheets were concerned, plenty of precipitates ( β-Mg17Al12) were involved and liquation in the PMZ was found both at grain boundaries and within grains. Moreover, the extent of liquation was more serious in the alloy sheets with more precipitates. It is promising to reduce liquation cracks in the PMZ of magnesium alloys by grain refinement, reducing the size and the quantity of the low melting point phase, and modifying its distribution.
Therapy prolongation improves outcome in multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Authors: Gadner Helmut , Minkov Milen , Grois Nicole , Pötschger Ulrike , Thiem Elfriede , Aricò Maurizio , Astigarraga Itziar , Braier Jorge , Donadieu Jean , Henter Jan-Inge , Janka-Schaub Gritta , McClain Kenneth L. , Weitzman Sheila , Windebank Kevin , Ladisch Stephan
Published: April 2013

Key Points

Reactivations of multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis (MS-LCH) are reduced by prolonging initial chemotherapy. The previously high mortality of high-risk (risk-organ–positive) MS-LCH in children has been markedly reduced.
Hermite-Hadamard type and Fejér type inequalities for general weights (I)
Authors: Hwang Shiow-Ru , Tseng Kuei-Lin , Hsu Kai-Chen
Published: April 2013

In this paper, we establish some weighted versions of the Hermite-Hadamard type and Fejér type inequalities and from which generalize Hermite-Hadamard inequality, Fejér inequality and several results in (Dragomir in J. Math. Anal. Appl. 167:49-56, 1992; Yang and Hong in Tamkang. J. Math. 28(1):33-37, 1997; Yang and Tseng in J. Math. Anal. Appl. 239:180-187, 1999; Yang and Tseng in Taiwan. J. Math. 7(3):433-440, 2003).

MSC:26D15, 26A51.
Enrichr: interactive and collaborative HTML5 gene list enrichment analysis tool
Authors: Chen Edward Y , Tan Christopher M , Kou Yan , Duan Qiaonan , Wang Zichen , Meirelles Gabriela Vaz , Clark Neil R , Ma’ayan Avi
Published: April 2013

Background

System-wide profiling of genes and proteins in mammalian cells produce lists of differentially expressed genes/proteins that need to be further analyzed for their collective functions in order to extract new knowledge. Once unbiased lists of genes or proteins are generated from such experiments, these lists are used as input for computing enrichment with existing lists created from prior knowledge organized into gene-set libraries. While many enrichment analysis tools and gene-set libraries databases have been developed, there is still room for improvement.

Results

Here, we present Enrichr, an integrative web-based and mobile software application that includes new gene-set libraries, an alternative approach to rank enriched terms, and various interactive visualization approaches to display enrichment results using the JavaScript library, Data Driven Documents (D3). The software can also be embedded into any tool that performs gene list analysis. We applied Enrichr to analyze nine cancer cell lines by comparing their enrichment signatures to the enrichment signatures of matched normal tissues. We observed a common pattern of up regulation of the polycomb group PRC2 and enrichment for the histone mark H3K27me3 in many cancer cell lines, as well as alterations in Toll-like receptor and interlukin signaling in K562 cells when compared with normal myeloid CD33+ cells. Such analyses provide global visualization of critical differences between normal tissues and cancer cell lines but can be applied to many other scenarios.

Conclusions

Enrichr is an easy to use intuitive enrichment analysis web-based tool providing various types of visualization summaries of collective functions of gene lists. Enrichr is open source and freely available online at: http://amp.pharm.mssm.edu/Enrichr.
Changes in the transcriptome of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparumduring the initial phase of transmission from the human to the mosquito
Authors: Ngwa Che Julius , Scheuermayer Matthias , Mair Gunnar Rudolf , Kern Selina , Brügl Thomas , Wirth Christine Clara , Aminake Makoah Nigel , Wiesner Jochen , Fischer Rainer , Vilcinskas Andreas , Pradel Gabriele
Published: April 2013

Background

The transmission of the malaria parasitePlasmodium falciparumfrom the human to the mosquito is mediated by dormant sexual precursor cells, the gametocytes, which become activated in the mosquito midgut. Because gametocytes are the only parasite stages able to establish an infection in the mosquito, they play a crucial role in spreading the tropical disease. The human-to-mosquito transmission triggers important molecular changes in the gametocytes, which initiate gametogenesis and prepare the parasite for life-cycle progression in the insect vector.

Results

To better understand gene regulations during the initial phase of malaria parasite transmission, we focused on the transcriptome changes that occur within the first half hour of parasite development in the mosquito. Comparison of mRNA levels ofP. falciparumgametocytes before and 30 min following activation using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) identified 126 genes, which changed in expression during gametogenesis. Among these, 17.5% had putative functions in signaling, 14.3% were assigned to cell cycle and gene expression, 8.7% were linked to the cytoskeleton or inner membrane complex, 7.9% were involved in proteostasis and 6.4% in metabolism, 12.7% were cell surface-associated proteins, 11.9% were assigned to other functions, and 20.6% represented genes of unknown function. For 40% of the identified genes there has as yet not been any protein evidence.

For a subset of 27 genes, transcript changes during gametogenesis were studied in detail by real-time RT-PCR. Of these, 22 genes were expressed in gametocytes, and for 15 genes transcript expression in gametocytes was increased compared to asexual blood stage parasites. Transcript levels of seven genes were particularly high in activated gametocytes, pointing at functions downstream of gametocyte transmission to the mosquito. For selected genes, a regulated expression during gametogenesis was confirmed on the protein level, using quantitative confocal microscopy.

Conclusions

The obtained transcriptome data demonstrate the regulations of gene expression immediately following malaria parasite transmission to the mosquito. Our findings support the identification of proteins important for sexual reproduction and further development of the mosquito midgut stages and provide insights into the genetic basis of the rapid adaption ofPlasmodiumto the insect vector.
The distribution of IgG subclass deposition on renal tissues from patients with anti-glomerular basement membrane disease
Authors: Qu Zhen , Cui Zhao , Liu Gang , Zhao Ming-hui
Published: April 2013

Background

Renal injury of anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease is defined by the linear deposition of IgG along GBM and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. To date, the distribution of anti-GBM IgG subclasses on renal tissue is still unclear. In the current study, we investigated the deposition of the four IgG subclasses using immunohistochemistry in the renal biopsy specimens from 46 patients with anti-GBM disease.

Results

All four IgG subclasses can be detected within the GBM. Anti-GBM IgG3 was detected in all patients (100%), with 39 (84.8%) patients presenting with weak segmental staining and 7 (15.2%) patients with strong linear deposition. Anti-GBM IgG2 was detected in 22 (47.8%) patients, with 20 (90.9%) patients having weak segmental deposition and 2 (9.1%) patients presenting strong linear staining. Anti-GBM IgG1 and IgG4 were detected in 9 (19.6%) and 7 (15.2%) patients, respectively. IgG deposition along tubular basement membrane (TBM) was also detected in 31 (67.4%) patients. Among them, the IgG subclass distribution was similar to that of the deposition within the GBM: IgG1 6.5% (2/31), IgG2 45.2% (14/31), IgG3 100% (31/31) and IgG4 9.7% (3/31). We observed increased inflammatory cell infiltration into the interstitium in patients with increased anti-TBM IgG3 deposits (P=0.031).

Conclusions

Anti-GBM IgG3 predominantly deposits along GBM and TBM on renal biopsy specimens from patients with anti-GBM disease, which may be involved in the development of renal injury of the disease.
Effects of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) on cell viability and differentiation in the human BeWo choriocarcinoma cell line: a potential syncytialisation inducer distinct from cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)
Authors: Chen YuXia , Allars Megan , Pan Xin , Maiti Kaushik , Angeli Giavanna , Smith Roger , Nicholson Richard C
Published: April 2013

Background

Placental production of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) rises exponentially as pregnancy progresses, and has been linked with the onset of normal and preterm labour. CRH is produced in syncytiotrophoblast cells and production is increased by glucocorticoids and cAMP. It remains unclear whether cAMP acts by inducing differentiation of cytotrophoblasts and/or through induction of syncytialisation. As CRH can stimulate cAMP pathways we have tested whether a feed-forward system may exist in placental cells during syncytialisation.

Methods

The choriocarcinoma BeWo cell line was treated with cAMP, CRH or vehicle. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, while apoptosis was analysed by DAPI staining and by FACS. Differentiation was measured by assaying message for hCG and ERVW-1 (syncytin1) by qRT-PCR, as well as the respective protein by ELISA. Fusion of BeWo cells was assessed by co-staining cell membrane and nuclei with CellMask and Hoechst 33342. CRHR1 and CRHR2 mRNA levels were measured by qRT-PCR.

Results

We show that cAMP has an inductive effect on syncytialisation, as evidenced by induction of hCG secretion, by ERVW-1 mRNA expression and by formation of multinuclear cells. CRH mRNA expression was found to increase prior to the changes in the other syncytialisation markers. cAMP had an inhibitory effect on BeWo cell viability, but exogenous CRH did not. However, CRH did mimic the differentiation inducing effect of cAMP, suggesting a link between CRH and cAMP signalling in syncytialisation. We also found that treatment of BeWo cells with exogenous CRH resulted in elevated cellular CRHR1 levels.

Conclusions

This study suggests a positive feed-forward role exists for CRH in trophoblast cell differentiation, which may underlie the exponential rise in CRH observed as gestation advances.
Counter-forensics of SIFT-based copy-move detection by means of keypoint classification
Authors: Amerini Irene , Barni Mauro , Caldelli Roberto , Costanzo Andrea
Published: April 2013

Copy-move forgeries are very common image manipulations that are often carried out with malicious intents. Among the techniques devised by the ‘Image Forensic’ community, those relying on scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) features are the most effective ones. In this paper, we approach the copy-move scenario from the perspective of an attacker whose goal is to remove such features. The attacks conceived so far against SIFT-based forensic techniques implicitly assume that all SIFT keypoints have similar properties. On the contrary, we base our attacking strategy on the observation that it is possible to classify them in different typologies. Also, one may devise attacks tailored to each specific SIFT class, thus improving the performance in terms of removal rate and visual quality. To validate our ideas, we propose to use a SIFT classification scheme based on the gray scale histogram of the neighborhood of SIFT keypoints. Once the classification is performed, we then attack the different classes by means of class-specific methods. Our experiments lead to three interesting results: (1) there is a significant advantage in using SIFT classification, (2) the classification-based attack is robust against different SIFT implementations, and (3) we are able to impair a state-of-the-art SIFT-based copy-move detector in realistic cases.
Impact of sub-thalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation on dual tasking gait in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Seri-Fainshtat Eliraz , Israel Zvi , Weiss Aner , Hausdorff Jeffrey M
Published: April 2013

Background

The beneficial effects of bilateral sub-thalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation on motor function and gait in advanced Parkinson’s disease are established. Less is known about the effect of stimulation on cognitive function and the capacity to walk while dual tasking, an ability that has been related to fall risk. Everyday walking takes place in complex environments that often require multi-tasking. Hence, dual tasking gait performance reflects everyday ambulation as well as gait automaticity. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of sub-thalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation on dual task walking in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease.

Methods

Gait was assessed using a performance-based test and by quantifying single-task and dual task walking conditions in 28 patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease. These tests were conducted in 4 conditions: “OFF” medication, with the stimulator turned on and off, and “ON” medication, with the stimulator turned on and off. A previously validated, computerized neuro-psychological battery assessed executive function, attention and memory “OFF” and “ON” deep brain stimulation, after subjects took their anti-Parkinsonian medications.

Results

Stimulation improved motor function and the spatiotemporal parameters of gait (e.g., gait speed) during both single-task and dual task walking conditions. Attention improved, but executive function did not. The dual task effect on gait did not change in response to stimulation. For example, during serial 3 subtractions, gait speed was reduced by -0.20 ± 0.14 m/sec while OFF DBS and OFF meds and by -0.22 ± 0.14 m/sec when the DBS was turned on (p = 0.648). Similarly, ON medication, serial 3 subtractions reduced gait speed by -0.20 ± 0.16 m/sec OFF DBS and by -0.22 ± 0.09 m/sec ON DBS (p = 0.543).

Conclusions

Bilateral sub-thalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation improves motor symptoms, certain features of gait and even some aspects of cognitive function. However, stimulation apparently fails to reduce the negative impact of a dual task on walking abilities. These findings provide new insight into the effects of deep brain stimulation on gait during cognitively challenging conditions and everyday walking.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles: a review of current toxicological data
Authors: Shi Hongbo , Magaye Ruth , Castranova Vincent , Zhao Jinshun
Published: April 2013

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) are manufactured worldwide in large quantities for use in a wide range of applications. TiO2 NPs possess different physicochemical properties compared to their fine particle (FP) analogs, which might alter their bioactivity. Most of the literature cited here has focused on the respiratory system, showing the importance of inhalation as the primary route for TiO2 NP exposure in the workplace. TiO2 NPs may translocate to systemic organs from the lung and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) although the rate of translocation appears low. There have also been studies focusing on other potential routes of human exposure. Oral exposure mainly occurs through food products containing TiO2 NP-additives. Most dermal exposure studies, whether in vivo or in vitro, report that TiO2 NPs do not penetrate the stratum corneum (SC). In the field of nanomedicine, intravenous injection can deliver TiO2 nanoparticulate carriers directly into the human body. Upon intravenous exposure, TiO2 NPs can induce pathological lesions of the liver, spleen, kidneys, and brain. We have also shown here that most of these effects may be due to the use of very high doses of TiO2 NPs. There is also an enormous lack of epidemiological data regarding TiO2 NPs in spite of its increased production and use. However, long-term inhalation studies in rats have reported lung tumors. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the toxicology of TiO2 NPs and points out areas where further information is needed.
Comparison of human chordoma cell-kill for 290 MeV/n carbon ions versus 70 MeV protons in vitro
Authors: Fujisawa Hiroshi , Genik Paula C , Kitamura Hisashi , Fujimori Akira , Uesaka Mitsuru , Kato Takamitsu A
Published: April 2013

Background

While the pace of commissioning of new charged particle radiation therapy facilities is accelerating worldwide, biological data pertaining to chordomas, theoretically and clinically optimally suited targets for particle radiotherapy, are still lacking. In spite of the numerous clinical reports of successful treatment of these malignancies with this modality, the characterization of this malignancy remains hampered by its characteristic slow cell growth, particularlyin vitro.

Methods

Cellular lethality of U-CH1-N cells in response to different qualities of radiation was compared with immediate plating after radiation or as previously reported using the multilayered OptiCell™ system. The OptiCell™ system was used to evaluate cellular lethality over a broad dose-depth deposition range of particle radiation to anatomically mimic the clinical setting. Cells were irradiated with either 290 MeV/n accelerated carbon ions or 70 MeV accelerated protons and photons and evaluated through colony formation assays at a single position or at each depth, depending on the system.

Results

There was a cell killing of approximately 20–40% for all radiation qualities in the OptiCell™ system in which chordoma cells are herein described as more radiation sensitive than regular colony formation assay. The relative biological effectiveness values were, however, similar in bothin vitrosystems for any given radiation quality. Relative biological effectiveness values of proton was 0.89, of 13–20 keV/μm carbon ions was 0.85, of 20–30 keV/μm carbon ions was 1.27, and >30 keV/μm carbon ions was 1.69. Carbon-ions killed cells depending on both the dose and the LET, while protons depended on the dose alone in the condition of our study. This is the first report and characterization of a direct comparison between the effects of charged particle carbon ions versus protons for a chordoma cell linein vitro.Our results support a potentially superior therapeutic value of carbon particle irradiation in chordoma patients.

Conclusion

Carbon ion therapy may have an advantage for chordoma radiotherapy because of higher cell-killing effect with high LET doses from biological observation in this study.
Are vector-borne pathogen co-infections complicating the clinical presentation in dogs?
Authors: De Tommasi Anna Sara , Otranto Domenico , Dantas-Torres Filipe , Capelli Gioia , Breitschwerdt Edward B , de Caprariis Donato
Published: April 2013

Background

Infection by two or more canine vector-borne disease (CVBD)-causing pathogens is common in subtropical and tropical regions where vectors are plentiful. Co-infections may potentiate disease pathogenesis, thereby altering clinical manifestations typically associated with singular infections. These factors complicate diagnosis, treatment and can adversely influence prognosis if the practitioner fails to suspect, document, and treat each concurrent infection. The spectrum of pathogens co-infecting dogs may change over time in a given practice location due to the rapid expansion of arthropods and their associated vectored agents, and international transit among pets and wild animals. This applies, for example, toDirofilaria immitisandLeishmania infantum, the distributions of which have expanded from northern to southern Italy, and vice versa, respectively. Indeed, mixed infections byD. immitisandL. infantumhave only been reported once in Italy, probably due to the fact that competent vectors for these infections do not usually occur in the same geographical areas. Thus, information that would help practitioners to identify clinical presentations in dogs co-infected byD. immitisandL. infantumand other CVBD-causing pathogens is scant.

Findings

This manuscript describes the clinical history and physical examination of findings for 7 CVBD co-infected dogs that were examined because of a spectrum of clinical signs. Five dogs were co-infected withL. infantumandEhrlichia canis, one dog withL. infantum,E. canisandD. immitisand the remaining dog withL. infantumandD. immitis.

Conclusions

The clinical signs and haematological abnormalities associated with the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of these dogs is discussed. Also, the usefulness of bone marrow specimens for the molecular diagnosis of CVBDs and for the enhanced monitoring of treatment response is emphasized.
Ontology-Based Querying with Bio2RDF’s Linked Open Data
Authors: Callahan Alison , Cruz-Toledo José , Dumontier Michel
Published: April 2013

Background

A key activity for life scientists in this post “-omics” age involves searching for and integrating biological data from a multitude of independent databases. However, our ability to find relevant data is hampered by non-standard web and database interfaces backed by an enormous variety of data formats. This heterogeneity presents an overwhelming barrier to the discovery and reuse of resources which have been developed at great public expense.To address this issue, the open-source Bio2RDF project promotes a simple convention to integrate diverse biological data using Semantic Web technologies. However, querying Bio2RDF remains difficult due to the lack of uniformity in the representation of Bio2RDF datasets.

Results

We describe an update to Bio2RDF that includes tighter integration across 19 new and updated RDF datasets. All available open-source scripts were first consolidated to a single GitHub repository and then redeveloped using a common API that generates normalized IRIs using a centralized dataset registry. We then mapped dataset specific types and relations to the Semanticscience Integrated Ontology (SIO) and demonstrate simplified federated queries across multiple Bio2RDF endpoints.

Conclusions

This coordinated release marks an important milestone for the Bio2RDF open source linked data framework. Principally, it improves the quality of linked data in the Bio2RDF network and makes it easier to access or recreate the linked data locally. We hope to continue improving the Bio2RDF network of linked data by identifying priority databases and increasing the vocabulary coverage to additional dataset vocabularies beyond SIO.
Global identification of genes and pathways regulated by Akt during activation of T helper cells
Authors: Cheng Jing , Kane Lawrence P
Published: April 2013

We previously demonstrated that Akt differentially modulated a subset of NF-kB target genes during T cell activation. In the current study, we further explored the broader effects of Akt inhibition on T cell gene induction. Global microarray analysis was used to characterize T helper cell transcriptional responses following antigen receptor stimulation in the absence or presence of Akti1/2 (an allosteric inhibitor which targets Akt1 and Akt2), to identify novel targets dependent upon Akt and obtain a more comprehensive view of Akt-sensitive genes in T helper cells. Pathway analysis of microarray data from a CD4+T cell line revealed effects on gene networks involving ribosomal and T cell receptor signaling pathways associated with Akti1/2 treatment. Using real-time PCR analysis, we validated differential regulation of several genes in these pathways, includingIer3,Il13,Klf6,Egr1,Ccl1andCcl4, among others. Additionally, transcription factor target gene (TFactS) analysis revealed that NF-kB and Myc were the most significantly enriched transcription factors among Akt-dependent genes after T cell receptor and CD28 stimulation. Akt activation elicited increases in the enrichment of NF-kB- and Myc-targeted genes. The present study has identified a diverse set of genes, and possible mechanisms for their regulation, that are dependent on Akt during T cell activation.