bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fueling Cancer Growth
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: August 2013

Tumors in insulin-resistant tissues may maintain insulin sensitivity through Wnt-mediated activation of the gene encoding the insulin receptor.
Quantification of Brain Voriconazole Levels in Healthy Adults Using Fluorine Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Henry Michael E. , Bolo Nicolas R. , Zuo Chun S. , Villafuerte Rosemond A. , Cayetano Kenroy , Glue Paul , Damle Bharat D. , Andrews Emma , Lauriat Tara L. , Rana Namoode S. , Churchill Jeffrey H. , Renshaw Perry F.
Published: August 2013

Voriconazole is more effective for aspergillosis infections with central nervous system involvement than other antifungal agents. The clinical efficacy of voriconazole for central nervous system infections has been attributed to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. However, pharmacokinetic studies are limited to plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, so it remains unclear how much of the drug enters the brain. Fluorinated compounds such as voriconazole can be quantified in the brain using fluorine-19 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Twelve healthy adult males participated in a pharmacokinetic analysis of voriconazole levels in the brain and plasma. Open-label voriconazole was dosed per clinical protocol with a loading dose of 400 mg every 12 h on day 1, followed by 200 mg every 12 h administered orally over a 3-day period. MRS was performed before and after dosing on the third day. Voriconazole levels in the brain exceeded the MIC for
Aspergillus
. The brain/plasma ratios were 3.0 at steady state on day 3 (predose) and 1.9 postdose. We found that voriconazole is able to penetrate the brain tissue, which can be quantified using a noninvasive MRS technique. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT00300677.)
Activities of Psilostachyin A and Cynaropicrin against Trypanosoma cruzi
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Authors: da Silva Cristiane França , Batista Denise da Gama Jaen , De Araújo Julianna Siciliano , Batista Marcos Meuser , Lionel Jessica , de Souza Elen Mello , Hammer Erica Ripoll , da Silva Patricia Bernardino , De Mieri Maria , Adams Michael , Zimmermann Stefanie , Hamburger Matthias , Brun Reto , Schühly Wolfgang , Soeiro Maria de Nazaré Correia
Published: August 2013

In vitro
and
in vivo
activities against
Trypanosoma cruzi
were evaluated for two sesquiterpene lactones: psilostachyin A and cynaropicrin. Cynaropicrin had previously been shown to potently inhibit African trypanosomes
in vivo
, and psilostachyin A had been reported to show
in vivo
effects against
T. cruzi
, albeit in another test design.
In vitro
data showed that cynaropicrin was more effective than psilostachyin A. Ultrastructural alterations induced by cynaropicrin included shedding events, detachment of large portions of the plasma membrane, and vesicular bodies and large vacuoles containing membranous structures, suggestive of parasite autophagy. Acute toxicity studies showed that one of two mice died at a cynaropicrin dose of 400 mg/kg of body weight given intraperitoneally (i.p.). Although no major plasma biochemical alterations could be detected, histopathology demonstrated that the liver was the most affected organ in cynaropicrin-treated animals. Although cynaropicrin was as effective as benznidazole against trypomastigotes
in vitro
, the treatment (once or twice a day) of
T. cruzi
-infected mice (up to 50 mg/kg/day cynaropicrin) did not suppress parasitemia or protect against mortality induced by the Y and Colombiana strains. Psilostachyin A (0.5 to 50 mg/kg/day given once a day) was not effective in the acute model of
T. cruzi
infection (Y strain), reaching 100% animal mortality. Our data demonstrate that although it is very promising against African trypanosomes, cynaropicrin does not show efficacy compared to benznidazole in acute mouse models of
T. cruzi
infection.
Contribution of Efflux Pumps, Porins, and β-Lactamases to Multidrug Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Rumbo C. , Gato E. , López M. , Ruiz de Alegría C. , Fernández-Cuenca F. , Martínez-Martínez L. , Vila J. , Pachón J. , Cisneros J. M. , Rodríguez-Baño J. , Pascual A. , Bou G. , Tomás M.
Published: August 2013

We investigated the mechanisms of resistance to carbapenems, aminoglycosides, glycylcyclines, tetracyclines, and quinolones in 90 multiresistant clinical strains of
Acinetobacter baumannii
isolated from two genetically unrelated
A. baumannii
clones: clone PFGE-ROC-1 (53 strains producing the OXA-58 β-lactamase enzyme and 18 strains with the OXA-24 β-lactamase) and clone PFGE-HUI-1 (19 strains susceptible to carbapenems). We used real-time reverse transcriptase PCR to correlate antimicrobial resistance (MICs) with expression of genes encoding chromosomal β-lactamases (AmpC and OXA-51), porins (OmpA, CarO, Omp33, Dcap-like, OprB, Omp25, OprC, OprD, and OmpW), and proteins integral to six efflux systems (AdeABC, AdeIJK, AdeFGH, CraA, AbeM, and AmvA). Overexpression of the AdeABC system (level of expression relative to that by
A. baumannii
ATCC 17978, 30- to 45-fold) was significantly associated with resistance to tigecycline, minocycline, and gentamicin and other biological functions. However, hyperexpression of the AdeIJK efflux pump (level of expression relative to that by
A. baumannii
ATCC 17978, 8- to 10-fold) was significantly associated only with resistance to tigecycline and minocycline (to which the TetB efflux system also contributed). TetB and TetA(39) efflux pumps were detected in clinical strains and were associated with resistance to tetracyclines and doxycycline. The absence of the AdeABC system and the lack of expression of other mechanisms suggest that tigecycline-resistant strains of the PFGE-HUI-1 clone may be associated with a novel resistance-nodulation-cell efflux pump (decreased MICs in the presence of the inhibitor Phe-Arg β-naphthylamide dihydrochloride) and the TetA(39) system.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Molecular Typing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates in Kyoto and Osaka, Japan, 2010 to 2012: Intensified Surveillance after Identification of the First Strain (H041) with High-Level Ceftriaxone Resistance
Authors: Shimuta Ken , Unemo Magnus , Nakayama Shu-ichi , Morita-Ishihara Tomoko , Dorin Misato , Kawahata Takuya , Ohnishi Makoto
Published: August 2013

In 2009, the first high-level ceftriaxone-resistant
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
strain (H041) was isolated in Kyoto, Japan. The present study describes an intensified surveillance (antimicrobial resistance and molecular typing) of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
isolates in Kyoto and its neighboring prefecture Osaka, Japan, in 2010 to 2012, which was initiated after the identification of H041. From April 2010 to March 2012, 193
N. gonorrhoeae
isolates were collected and the MICs (μg/ml) to six antimicrobials, including ceftriaxone, were determined. All isolates showed susceptibility to ceftriaxone and cefixime (MIC values, <0.5 μg/ml), and spectinomycin. The rates of resistance (intermediate susceptibility) to azithromycin, penicillin G, and ciprofloxacin were 3.6% (19.7%), 24.4% (71.0%), and 78.2% (0.5%), respectively. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) showed that 40.9%, 19.2%, and 17.1% of isolates belonged to ST1901, ST7359, and ST7363, respectively. Furthermore,
N. gonorrhoeae
multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) revealed that 12 (63%) of the 19 isolates with decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone (MIC > 0.064 μg/ml) were of ST1407. NG-MAST ST1407 was also the most prevalent ST (16.1%; 31 of 193 isolates). In those NG-MAST ST1407 strains, several mosaic type
penA
alleles were found, including SF-A type (penicillin binding protein 2 allele XXXIV) and its derivatives. These were confirmed using transformation of the
penA
mosaic alleles as critical determinants for enhanced cefixime and ceftriaxone MICs. The intensified surveillance in Kyoto and Osaka, Japan, did not identify any dissemination of the high-level ceftriaxone-resistant
N. gonorrhoeae
strain H041, suggesting that H041 might have caused only a sporadic case and has not spread further.
Augmentation of Epithelial Resistance to Invading Bacteria by Using mRNA Transfections
Authors: Zou Xianqiong , Sorenson Brent S. , Ross Karen F. , Herzberg Mark C.
Published: August 2013

To protect against invading bacteria, oral epithelial cells appear to use two effector antimicrobial peptides (AMPs): calprotectin (S100A8-S100A9 heterodimer [S100A8/A9]) in the cytosol and cathelicidin antimicrobial protein (CAMP) in endosomes. We sought to learn whether innate immunity might be augmented benignly to increase resistance against invasive bacteria. Epithelial cells were transiently transfected with mRNA constructs containing either the
CAMP
,
S100A8
, and
S100A9
open reading frames,
A8-IRES-A9
(fusion sequence), or
A8-nIRES-A9
(fusion with native internal ribosome entry site [IRES] sequence). CAMP, S100A8, and S100A9 protein levels generally peaked between 16 and 44 h after mRNA transfection, depending on the construct; CAMP was processed to LL-37 over time. Following transfection with the respective mRNAs, CAMP and S100A8/A9 each independently increased resistance of epithelial cells to invasion by
Listeria
and
Salmonella
for up to 48 h; tandem S100A8/A9 constructs were also effective. Cotransfection to express S100A8/A9 and CAMP together augmented resistance, but synergy was not seen. Independent of the new proteins produced, transfection reduced cell viability after 48 h by 20%, with only 2% attributable to apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggest that epithelial cell resistance to invasive pathogens can be augmented by transient transfection of antimicrobial mRNAs into epithelial cells.
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension as an initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Maloney Keisha
Published: August 2013

A 14-year-old girl with no known illness presented with a several week history of headaches and vomiting. The patient also reported having joint pain and swelling to the wrists and knees. She had no prior history of headaches, use of hormonal contraception or other medications, recent weight changes or family history of autoimmune disease. Blood pressure temperature, height and weight were normal. She was alert, there was alopecia, cervical lympadenopathy, symmetrical synovitis to the wrists, bilateral papilloedema and cranial nerve VI palsy. Laboratory investigations revealed a normochromic normocytic anaemia, leucopenia and lymphopenia. Serum chemistries were normal. CT of the brain was normal. Lumbar puncture revealed an opening pressure of greater than 300 mm H2O; cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was normal. HIV antibodies were non-reactive. Despite treatment with acetazolamide she developed somnolence. Hence MR venography was performed which showed no evidence of cerebral vein thrombosis. Further investigations revealed a positive direct coombs test, positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) positive antidouble-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and false positive VDRL. Complement levels were reduced. Anti-Smith, anticardiolipin antibodies and lupus anticoagulant were negative.
Inadequate testosterone suppression after medical and subsequent surgical castration in a patient with prostate cancer
Authors: Ragnarsson Oskar , Johannsson Gudmundur , Geterud Kjell , Lodding Par , Dahlqvist Per
Published: August 2013

Androgen deprivation is a cornerstone in prostate cancer management. We present a 69-year-old man, with a poorly differentiated prostate cancer with skeletal and lymph node metastases. After medical and subsequent surgical castration serum testosterone concentrations remained inappropriately high (4.9 and 4.5 nmol/L; castration range <0.5). For cancer staging a CT was performed which showed bilateral adrenal enlargement. Endocrine workup revealed elevated levels of adrenal androgens and adrenal precursors. Mutation analysis confirmed a non-classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency, that is, a mild form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). To suppress adrenocorticotrophic hormone and the excess adrenal androgen secretion, treatment with hydrocortisone and prednisolone was started with success. Inadequate testosterone suppression after castration due to previously undiagnosed CAH has not previously been reported. Considering the estimated prevalence of 1% in selected populations, non-classical CAH should be considered when testosterone is not adequately suppressed after castration in men with prostate cancer.
Immune activation in HIV/HCV-infected patients is associated with low-level expression of liver expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP-2)
Authors: Shata Mohamed Tarek M , Abdel-Hameed Enass A , Hetta Helal F , Sherman Kenneth E
Published: August 2013

Background

Immune activation is one of the main features of HIV/Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and has been linked to the disturbance of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). In chronic HIV infection, loss of GALT integrity results in translocation of microbial products and chronic immune activation. We explored the relationship between bacterial translocation and specific colonic proteins, including liver expressed antimicrobial peptide (LEAP 2) which may play a role in modulating the bacterial translocation process.

Methods

A total of 40 subjects (10 HIV/HCV, 10 HIV, 10 HCV-infected patients and 10 controls) were enrolled and underwent serum and colonic tissue sampling. The levels of immune activation were evaluated by measuring plasma sCD27, and the levels of selected proinflammatory, Th2 and regulatory cytokines in both the plasma and supernatant of CD3-stimulated intraepithelial lymphocytes. We also evaluated LEAP-2 expression in the colon biopsies using Affymetrix Human Gene 1.0 ST (HuGene) and fluorescent immunohistochemistry.

Results

Increased levels of sCD27 were observed in HIV/HCV coinfected (p=0.03) and HIV monoinfected (p=0.04) patients compared with controls consistent with the presence of immune activation. The chip array identified LEAP-2 expression as a key marker associated with immune activation. LEAP-2 expression in HIV, HCV and HIV/HCV-infected patients was significantly lower compared with controls, and was significantly negatively correlated (p=0.03, r=−0.44) with sCD27.

Conclusions

Our data suggests that HCV and HIV infections are associated with decreased expression of LEAP-2 in colonic tissue. This may represent a key mechanism for enhanced microbial translocation and immune activation in HIV/HCV-infected patients.
What is the point of tips?
Authors: Adamczyk L , Simpkin A , Oxley J
Published: August 2013

Aims

To look at the incidence of tip margin involvement in skin excisions for basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and to examine if any factors might be used to predict margin involvement.

Methods and results

All reports of BCCs by a single dermatopathologist were reviewed and 793 excisions were included from 642 patients. Whether there was BCC in the tip and whether this tip was involved were recorded together with macroscopic and microscopic factors based on the Royal College of Pathologists’ (RCPath) dataset. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine associations between these factors and tip involvement. In 43 (5%) specimens the tip margin was involved and in 35 (4%) cases the peripheral lateral margin was involved. Risk factors for tip margin involvement were a lesion that was non-discernible macroscopically and most importantly, involvement of a peripheral lateral margin.

Conclusions

The incidence of tip margin involvement is small and it appears unnecessary to embed the tips unless the lesion is non-discernible macroscopically or if the peripheral lateral margin is involved.
Progressive changes in cerebral perfusion after carotid stenting: a dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion weighted imaging study
Authors: Piñero Pilar , González Alejandro , Moniche Francisco , Martínez Eva , Cayuela Aurelio , González-Marcos José-Ramón , Mayol Antonio , Gil-Peralta Alberto
Published: August 2013

Background

We aimed to assess baseline inter-hemispheric perfusion differences, before carotid artery stenting (CAS), of severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis, and to evaluate perfusion changes over time after CAS by means of perfusion weighted imaging (PWI).

Methods

Dynamic susceptibility contrast PWI was performed in 33 patients with severe ICA stenosis 1 day before and 1 day after CAS, and repeated in 23 patients 30 days after CAS. Cerebral blood volume, cerebral blood flow, arrival time (T0), mean transit time, and time to peak (TTP) relative values comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic hemispheres before CAS were obtained. Pre- and post-CAS values were also compared in the treated hemisphere and middle cerebral artery (MCA) territories. The influence of collateral circulation and contralateral ICA stenosis were evaluated.

Results

Before CAS, TTP was significantly increased in the affected hemisphere and MCA territory in all patients (p=0.007 and p=0.021, respectively). After treatment, normalization was observed for TTP and T0 30 days after CAS in all patients, mainly in patients with any grade of contralateral stenosis and with one or both functioning communicating arteries (42.4% of patients had both, and 42.4% showed only one—anterior communicating artery=11 patients (78.6%) and posterior communicating artery=3 patients (21.4%)).

Conclusions

Inter-hemispheric perfusion differences in patients with severe ICA stenosis normalize after CAS in the long term, up to 30 days after the procedure.
Characterization and functional ecology of the extrafloral nectar of Cedrela odorata in contrasting growth environments in central Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: Chavarro-Rodríguez Nathalia , Díaz-Castelazo Cecilia , Rico-Gray Víctor
Published: August 2013

Extrafloral nectar (EFN) is a plant secretion known to mediate interactions between insects and plants. Here we present the ecological characterization of the EFN of Cedrela odorata, in terms of sugar composition, as well as its importance in attracting ant visitors to extrafloral nectaries. We also studied the influence of different plant water conditions on the quality of EFN. We found site (forest, agroecosystem, plantation) and season (i.e., rainy, dry) effects for both water balance and the quality of EFN. Our results show that (i) water has a significant influence on EFN quality and (ii) environmental disturbance that differed at each site was associated with differences in loss of water through transpiration. Season also affected the levels of dissolved sugars in EFN. This had a direct, site-dependent impact on the abundance of ants foraging on EFN. Only at the most disturbed site (where higher damage by shoot borer occurred) was the abundance of ants foraging on EFN higher during the rainy season, when herbivore pressure increased. This pattern was consistent with an induced biotic defense strategy in C. odorata.
Seed ecology ofSynthyris bullii(Plantaginaceae), a rare endemic of the midwestern USA
Authors: Curtis Marnelle , Chi Katherine , Molano-Flores Brenda
Published: August 2013

Many rare plant species are declining owing to habitat destruction and degradation. Because many populations of rare species suffer low recruitment, a good understanding of seed ecology is crucial for developing effective conservation and management plans. In this study, we examine the effects of shading, seed longevity, and soilless mixes on seed germination for the rare midwestern USA endemic Synthyris bullii (Eaton) A. Heller. Seed germination studies were conducted in a greenhouse environment utilizing seeds from populations collected in Illinois in 2008, 2009, and 2010. In the shading study, both control (66.7% ± 1.3%) and green wrap (63.7% ± 1.3%) had similar and greater percent seed germination than the solid white wove paper (59.5% ± 1.3%). Percent seed germination was similar for seeds collected in 2010 and 2009 (59.5% ± 3.3% and 55.1% ± 4.4%, respectively) in the longevity study, but germination was lower for seeds collected in 2008 (27.1% ± 4.0%) compared with both of the other years. For the soilless mixes study, seeds sown in only one of the three media, Fafard Super-Fine Germinating Mix, emerged (3.5% ± 1.0%). Results from these studies suggest that for S. bullii, (i) seeds may be shade tolerant, (ii) seed viability lessens with age, and (iii) seedlings require a special soilless mix to grow. The information generated by this study can provide guidelines for better seed storage and germination protocols for the conservation of this rare plant species.
Molecular evidence for reticulate speciation in Astragalus (Fabaceae) as revealed by a case study from sect. Dissitiflori
Authors: Bartha László , Dragoş Nicolae , Molnár V. Attila , Sramkó Gábor
Published: August 2013

Although hybridization has long been recognized as a major force driving speciation in land plants, it has not yet been evidenced in Astragalus, the largest angiosperm genus. Here, we reveal the possible contribution of hybridization to speciation in Astragalus by employing cloning of the nrDNA ITS region and sampling three plastid regions (ycf1, ndhF–rpl32, and rpl32–trnL) in taxa belonging to sect. Dissitiflori. Phylogenetic network and tree analyses uncovered various levels of intra-individual and intraspecific polymorphism of ITS in most of the taxa investigated. Two distantly related ribotype groups were found to be shared by the closely related polyploids Astragalus pallescens M.Bieb., Astragalus peterfii Jáv., and Astragalus pseudoglaucus Klokov suggesting ancient hybridization followed by incomplete lineage sorting (i.e., shared ancestral polymorphism) in nrDNA ITS. Reticulation is also invoked as an underlying evolutionary process behind the statistically highly supported incongruent placement of A. pseudoglaucus and Astragalus vesicarius subsp. pastellianus (Pollini) Arcang. in nuclear versus plastid phylogenies. The phylogenetic results also shed light on taxonomic controversies in the section, such as the false synonimization of A. peterfii under A. vesicarius s.l. Our results provide evidence for the (at least past) existence of speciation processes driven by hybridization in Astragalus.
Isolation and molecular analysis of two R2R3-MYB genes from the sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Authors: Pugliesi Claudio , Salvini Mariangela , Fambrini Marco
Published: August 2013

MYB factors comprise one of the largest family of transcription factors (TFs) characterized by a highly conserved DNA-binding domain: the MYB domain. From the sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genome, we have isolated two R2R3-type MYB TFs (Ha-R2R3-MYB1 and Ha-R2R3-MYB2) that show homology with the functional domain of most R2R3-MYB proteins of other species. The R2 (53 amino acids) and R3 (51 amino acids) motifs of the sunflower MYB TFs contain typical amino acids, including a series of highly conserved tryptophan residues, which play a key role in sequence-specific DNA binding. In the MYB domain, both genes (Ha-R2R3-MYB1 and Ha-R2R3-MYB2) exhibit the highly conserved splicing arrangement of three exons and two introns. Using in situ hybridization, a weak level of Ha-R2R3-MYB1 transcription was uniformly spread in shoot apical meristem (SAM), as well as in axillary meristem (AM). By contrast, Ha-R2R3-MYB2 transcription was strongly restricted to a small domain within the boundary zone separating the SAM and the leaf primordia, suggesting that Ha-R2R3-MYB2 may be involved in an early step of AM development.
Black spruce trees from fire-origin stands have higher wood mechanical properties than those from older, irregular stands
Authors: Torquato Luciane Paes , Auty David , Hernández Roger E. , Duchesne Isabelle , Pothier David , Achim Alexis
Published: August 2013

In the eastern Canadian boreal forest, long fire return intervals lead to over 60% of stands having an irregular, uneven-aged structure, which is associated with slower growth. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of stand structure on the clear wood mechanical properties of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.). A total of 128 trees were destructively sampled from stands of regular and irregular structure across Quebec, Canada. Nonlinear mixed-effects models were developed for each stand type to describe the variation in modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) in small defect-free samples as functions of cambial age and annual ring width. Mechanical properties were strongly related to cambial age, with a smaller influence of ring width. After accounting for these variables, both MOE and MOR were higher in samples from stands of regular structure, although differences were less pronounced in the upper stem compared with breast height. The fixed effects of the models explained between 34% and 53% of the variation in mechanical properties. A higher incidence of mild compression wood in trees of layer origin may explain the observed differences between stand structures.
New regression estimators in forest inventories with two-phase sampling and partially exhaustive information: a design-based Monte Carlo approach with applications to small-area estimation
Authors: Mandallaz Daniel , Breschan Jochen , Hill Andreas
Published: August 2013

We consider two-phase sampling schemes where one component of the auxiliary information is known in every point (“wall-to-wall”) and a second component is available only in the large sample of the first phase, whereas the second phase yields a subsample with the terrestrial inventory. This setup is of growing interest in forest inventory thanks to the recent advances in remote sensing, in particular, the availability of LiDAR data. We propose a new two-phase regression estimator for global and local estimation and derive its asymptotic design-based variance. The new estimator performs better than the classical regression estimator. Furthermore, it can be generalized to cluster sampling and two-stage tree sampling within plots. Simulations and a case study with LiDAR data illustrate the theory.
TRACE JENSEN INEQUALITY FOR SELF-ADJOINT OPERATORS IN SEMI-FINITE VON NEUMANN ALGEBRAS
Authors: KOSAKI HIDEKI
Published: August 2013

Let [Formula: see text] be a semi-finite von Neumann algebra equipped with a faithful semi-finite normal trace τ, and f(t) be a convex function with f(0) = 0. The trace Jensen inequality in our previous work states τ(f(a*xa)) ≤ τ(a*f(x)a) (as long as the both sides are well-defined) for a contraction [Formula: see text] and a semi-bounded τ-measurable operator x. Validity of this inequality for (not necessarily semi-bounded) self-adjoint τ-measurable operators is investigated.
LIGHT QUARK MASSES FROM QCD SUM RULES
Authors: SCHILCHER KARL
Published: August 2013

Recent QCD sum rule determinations of the light quark masses are reviewed. In the case of the strange quark mass, possible uncertainties are discussed in the framework of finite energy sum rules.
DETERMINATION OF CHARM QUARK MASS AND αs(MZ) FROM HERA DATA
Authors: COOPER-SARKAR AMANDA
Published: August 2013

Charm production data from HERA may be used to determine the charm quark mass and jet production data from HERA may be used to determine αs(MZ). Recent results are summarised.
DETERMINATION OF αs AND mc IN DEEP-INELASTIC SCATTERING
Authors: ALEKHIN SERGEY , BLÜMLEIN JOHANNES , MOCH SVEN-OLAF
Published: August 2013

We describe the determination of the strong coupling constant [Formula: see text] and of the charm-quark mass mc(mc) in the [Formula: see text]-scheme, based on the QCD analysis of the unpolarized World deep-inelastic scattering data. At NNLO the values of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are obtained and are compared with other determinations, and also clarifying discrepancies.
PRECISE HEAVY QUARK MASSES
Authors: KÜHN JOHANN H.
Published: August 2013

Recent theoretical and experimental improvements in the determination of charmed- and bottom-quark masses are discussed. The final results, mc(3 GeV ) = 986(13) MeV and mb(mb) = 4163(16) MeV , are among the most precise determinations of these two fundamental parameters. A critical analysis of the theoretical and experimental uncertainties is presented and possibilities for further improvements of the experimental input are discussed.
NEUTRINO MASSES AND LEPTOGENESIS FROM EXTRA FERMIONS
Authors: ZHURIDOV DMITRY V.
Published: August 2013

Generation of the neutrino masses and leptogenesis (LG) in the standard model extended by the heavy Majorana fermions is considered. Classification of LG scenarios according to the new fermion mass spectra is given, where singlet–triplet LG is considered for the first time. The upper bound on the CP asymmetry relevant for LG with hierarchical heavy neutrinos (Davidson–Ibarra bound) is revised, and shown that in the case of one massless neutrino it essentially depends on the type of the light neutrino mass hierarchy. The resonant scenarios, which help to avoid the problem of extremely high reheating temperature in the early universe, are discussed. In particular, we present new simplified, generalized and detailed formulation of freed LG, which violates Davidson–Ibarra bound in a special class of models.
PROPOSAL FOR A GENERAL QUANTUM CLONING MACHINE VIA DISTANT QUBITS IN A QUANTUM NETWORK
Authors: YU YANG , YE LIU
Published: August 2013

We propose a scheme for implementing a general quantum cloning machine with distant qubits. By regulating some times and phases, we can easily realize almost all kinds of quantum cloning machines (optimal phase-covariant cloning, optimal universal quantum cloning, optimal economical phase-covariant cloning and optimal real state cloning). The quantum cloning machine may have important applications in quantum cryptography for quantum network.
STRANGENESS PRODUCTION IN RELATIVISTIC HEAVY-ION COLLISIONS IN THE QUARK RECOMBINATION MODEL
Authors: WEN X. S. , YANG C. B.
Published: August 2013

In this paper, yields of strange hadrons in relativistic heavy-ion collisions are investigated in the framework of the recombination model. Yield ratios of strange to nonstrange hadrons are studied. Strangeness enhancement is shown stronger for higher initial quark densities and for hadrons with more strange quarks.
DETAILED STUDY FOR 16O ELASTICALLY SCATTERED FROM 16O AT ENERGIES 20, 24 and 28 MeV
Authors: HAMADA SH. , BURTEBAYEV N. , AMANGELDI N.
Published: August 2013

This paper includes the experimental measurements for the angular distributions of 16 O ion beam elastically scattered by 16 O nuclei at energies 20, 24 and 28 MeV . The experimental results were analyzed within the framework of both the optical model using different complex potential and the double folding (DF) potential obtained with different density-dependent nucleon–nucleon interactions which give the corresponding values of the nuclear incompressibility K in the Hartree–Fock calculation of nuclear matter. The agreement between the experimental results and the theoretical predictions in the whole angular range is fairly good. In DF calculations, the obtained normalization coefficient Nr is in the range 0.833–1.07.
FIXED POINTS AND APPROXIMATELY C*-TERNARY QUADRATIC HIGHER DERIVATIONS
Authors: ESHAGHI GORDJI M. , ALIZADEH B. , DE LA SEN M. , GHAEMI M. B.
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we prove the generalized Hyers–Ulam stability of C*-ternary quadratic higher derivations of any rank by using the Banach fixed point theorem.
SURFACE DECORATION OF COMMERCIAL GRAPHITE MICROSPHERES WITH SMALL Si/C MICROSPHERES AS IMPROVED ANODE MATERIALS FOR Li-ION BATTERIES
Authors: ZHANG ZAILEI , WANG YANHONG , ZHANG MEIJU , TAN QIANGQIANG , SU FABING
Published: August 2013

We report a facile chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method to grow silicon/carbon ( Si / C ) microspheres on commercial graphite microsphere (GMs) surface to prepare Si / C / GMs composite anode materials for Li -ion batteries. The CVD synthesis is conducted at 900°C using methyltrichlorosilane ( CH 3 SiCl 3) as both the Si and C precursor, which is a cheap byproduct in organosilane industry. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is found that the obtained Si / C / GMs composites are composed of Si nanocrystals, amorphous carbon and GMs. The CVD time significantly influences the morphology and electrochemical performance of the Si / C / GMs composite materials. The Si / C / GMs composite materials prepared at CVD condition of 900°C for 4 h possess improved electrochemical properties, showing a discharge capacity of 821.4 mAh g−1 at a rate of 50 mA g−1, and a good cycling performance (i.e., a reversible capacity of 565.2 mAh g−1 is retained after 50 cycles). The enhanced electrochemical performance is attributed to the formation of Si / C microsphere network among GMs, which increases the electronic conductivity and is able to buffer the large volume changes of Si during lithium ion insertion/extraction.
Arterio-venous balance studies of skeletal muscle fatty acid metabolism: what can we believe?
Authors: Guo ZengKui , Jensen Michael D.
Published: August 2013

The arterio-venous balance (A-V balance/difference) technique has been used by a number of groups, including ours, to study skeletal muscle fatty acid metabolism. Several lines of evidence indicate that, like glycogen, intramyocellular triglycerides (imcTG) are an energy source for local use. As such, the report that increased release of free fatty acids (FFA) via lipolysis from skeletal muscle, but not from adipose tissue, is responsible for the increased systemic lipolysis during IL-6 infusion in healthy humans is somewhat unexpected ( 26 ). It appears that given the complex anatomy of human limbs, as to be discussed in this review, it is virtually impossible to determine whether any fatty acids being released into the venous circulation of an arm or leg derive from the lipolysis of intermuscular fat residing between muscle groups, intramuscular fat residing within muscle groups (between epimysium and perimysium, or bundles), or the intramyocellular triglyceride droplets (imcTG). In many cases, it may even be difficult to be confident that there is no contribution of FFA from subcutaneous adipose tissue. This question is fundamentally important as one attempts to interpret the results of skeletal muscle fatty acid metabolism studies using the A-V balance technique. In this Perspectives article, we examine the reported results of fatty acid kinetics obtained using the techniques to evaluate the degree of and how to minimize contamination when attempting to sample skeletal muscle-specific fatty acids.
Gene expression signatures but not cell cycle checkpoint functions distinguish AT carriers from normal individuals
Authors: Zhang Liwen , Simpson Dennis A. , Innes Cynthia L. , Chou Jeff , Bushel Pierre R. , Paules Richard S. , Kaufmann William K. , Zhou Tong
Published: August 2013

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is a rare autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated gene ( ATM). AT carriers with one mutant ATM allele are usually not severely affected although they carry an increased risk of developing cancer. There has not been an easy and reliable diagnostic method to identify AT carriers. Cell cycle checkpoint functions upon ionizing radiation (IR)-induced DNA damage and gene expression signatures were analyzed in the current study to test for differential responses in human lymphoblastoid cell lines with different ATM genotypes. While both dose- and time-dependent G1 and G2 checkpoint functions were highly attenuated in ATM−/− cell lines, these functions were preserved in ATM+/− cell lines equivalent to ATM+/+ cell lines. However, gene expression signatures at both baseline (consisting of 203 probes) and post-IR treatment (consisting of 126 probes) were able to distinguish ATM+/− cell lines from ATM+/+ and ATM−/− cell lines. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway analysis of the genes in the baseline signature indicate that ATM function-related categories, DNA metabolism, cell cycle, cell death control, and the p53 signaling pathway, were overrepresented. The same analyses of the genes in the IR-responsive signature revealed that biological categories including response to DNA damage stimulus, p53 signaling, and cell cycle pathways were overrepresented, which again confirmed involvement of ATM functions. The results indicate that AT carriers who have unaffected G1 and G2 checkpoint functions can be distinguished from normal individuals and AT patients by expression signatures of genes related to ATM functions.
Radiation and Magnetohydrodynamics Effects on Unsteady Free Convection Flow in a Porous Medium
Authors: Ulhaq Sami , Khan Ilyas , Ali Farhad , Shafie Sharidan
Published: August 2013

The unsteady MHD free convection flow near an exponentially accelerated infinite vertical plate through porous medium with uniform heat flux in the presence of thermal radiation has been considered. The mathematical model, under the usual Boussinesq approximation, was reduced to a system of coupled linear partial differential equations for velocity and temperature. Exact solutions are obtained by the Laplace transform method. The influence of pertinent parameters such as the radiation parameter, Grashof number, Prandtl number, and time on velocity, temperature, and skin friction is shown by graphs.
Liraglutide Suppresses the Plasma Levels of Active and Des-Acyl Ghrelin Independently of Active Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Levels in Mice
Authors: Nonogaki Katsunori , Suzuki Marina
Published: August 2013

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an insulinotropic gastrointestinal peptide that is primarily produced by intestinal endocrine L-cells, stimulates satiety. Ghrelin, a hormone that is produced predominantly by the stomach stimulates hunger. There are two forms of ghrelin: active ghrelin and inactive des-acyl ghrelin. After depriving mice of food for 24 h, we demonstrated that the systemic administration of liraglutide (100 μg/kg), a human GLP-1 analog that binds to the GLP-1 receptor, increased (1.4-fold) the plasma levels of active GLP-1 and suppressed the plasma levels of active and des-acyl ghrelin after 1 h. Despite the elevated plasma levels of active GLP-1 (11-fold), liraglutide had no effect on the plasma levels of active or des-acyl ghrelin after 12 h. These findings demonstrated that liraglutide suppresses the plasma levels of active and des-acyl ghrelin independently of active GLP-1 levels in fasted mice, suggesting a novel in vivo biological effect of liraglutide beyond regulating plasma GLP-1.
Photovoltaic Energy Conversion System Constructed by High Step-Up Converter with Hybrid Maximum Power Point Tracking
Authors: Hwu K. I. , Tu W. C. , Wang C. R.
Published: August 2013

A photovoltaic energy conversion system, constructed by high step-up converter with hybrid maximum power point tracking (HMPPT), is presented. A voltage converter with a high voltage conversion ratio is proposed, which is simple in circuit and easy in control. After this, such a converter operating with a suitable initial duty cycle of the pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) control signal, together with the proposed HMPPT algorithm combining the fractional open-circuit voltage method and the incremental conductance method, is applied to the photovoltaic energy conversion system. By doing so, not only the maximum power point tracking speed can be increased, but also the oscillation around the maximum power point can be reduced. Aside from these, the field programmable gate array (FPGA) is used as a control kernal of the overall system, so as to realize the HMPPT and fully digitalized control. Finally, via a PV simulator, some experimental results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed photovoltaic energy conversion system.
In VitroCharacterization of a Multifunctional Staphylokinase Variant with Reduced Reocclusion, Produced from Salt InducibleE. coliGJ1158
Authors: Pulicherla K. K. , Kumar Anmol , Gadupudi G. S. , Kotra Seetha Ram , Sambasiva Rao K. R. S.
Published: August 2013

The thrombolytic therapy with clinically approved drugs often ensues with recurrent thrombosis caused by thrombin-induced platelet aggregation from the clot debris. In order to minimize these problems, a staphylokinase (SAK)-based bacterial friendly multifunctional recombinant protein SRH (staphylokinase (SAK) linked with tripeptide RGD and dodecapeptide Hirulog (SRH)) was constructed to have Hirulog as an antithrombin agent and RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) as an antiplatelet agent in the present study. This multifunctional fusion protein SRH was expressed in osmotically inducibleE. coliGJ1158 as soluble form and purified with a yield of 0.27 g/L and functionally characterizedin vitro. SRH retained the fibrinolytic activity and plasminogen activation rate comparable to the parental counterpart SAK. The antithrombin activity of SRH was significantly higher than SAK. The platelet rich clot lysis assay indicated that SRH had enhanced platelet binding activity andT50%and C50of SRH were significantly lower than that of SAK. Furthermore, SRH inhibited the ADP-induced platelet aggregation in dose-dependent manner while SAK had no significant effect on platelet aggregation. Thus, the current study suggests that the SAK variant produced from osmotically inducible GJ1158 is more potent thrombolytic agent with antithrombin and antiplatelet aggregation activities for reduction of reocclusion in thrombolytic therapy.
Prediction and Analysis of Retinoblastoma Related Genes through Gene Ontology and KEGG
Authors: Li Zhen , Li Bi-Qing , Jiang Min , Chen Lei , Zhang Jian , Liu Lin , Huang Tao
Published: August 2013

One of the most important and challenging problems in biomedicine is how to predict the cancer related genes. Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy usually occurring in childhood. Early detection of RB could reduce the morbidity and promote the probability of disease-free survival. Therefore, it is of great importance to identify RB genes. In this study, we developed a computational method to predict RB related genes based on Dagging, with the maximum relevance minimum redundancy (mRMR) method followed by incremental feature selection (IFS). 119 RB genes were compiled from two previous RB related studies, while 5,500 non-RB genes were randomly selected from Ensemble genes. Ten datasets were constructed based on all these RB and non-RB genes. Each gene was encoded with a 13,126-dimensional vector including 12,887 Gene Ontology enrichment scores and 239 KEGG enrichment scores. Finally, an optimal feature set including 1061 GO terms and 8 KEGG pathways was obtained. Analysis showed that these features were closely related to RB. It is anticipated that the method can be applied to predict the other cancer related genes as well.
Preparation of Laccase Immobilized Cryogels and Usage for Decolorization
Authors: Uygun Murat
Published: August 2013

Poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate) (poly(MMA‐co‐GMA)) cryogels were synthesized by radical cryopolymerization technique. Then, laccase enzyme was covalently attached to the cryogel and characterized by using swelling studies and SEM and EDX analyses. Kinetic properties and optimum conditions of the immobilized and free laccase were studied and it was found that Vmax of the immobilized laccase was lower than that of free laccase. Km of the immobilized laccase was increased upon immobilization. Optimum pH was found to be 4.0 for each type of laccase, while optimum temperature was shifted to the warmer region after the immobilization. It was also found that thermal stability of the immobilized laccase was higher than that of free laccase. Immobilized laccase could be used for 10 times successive reuse with no significant decrease in its activity. Also, these laccase immobilized cryogels were successfully used for the decolorization of seven different dyes.
Epidemiology of Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Reemerging Focus of Intense Transmission in Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Authors: Barata Ricardo Andrade , Peixoto Jennifer Cunha , Tanure Aline , Gomes Marcela Esteves , Apolinário Estefânia Conceição , Bodevan Emerson Cotta , de Araújo Holbiano Saraiva , Dias Edelberto Santos , Pinheiro Aimara da Costa
Published: August 2013

This study was developed in the urban area of Governador Valadares, a reemerging focus of intense transmission of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil, presenting 86 human cases of VL from 2008 to 2011. The disease prevailed in males (73.2%) with most patients between 0 and 9 years (44.1%) and a lethality rate of 16.2%. A canine survey was carried out on 16,529 domestic dogs in 35 districts in the area and it showed that 30.2% of them (4,992 dogs) were positive for VL by serum assays. Prevalence ratios for canine VL varied between 13.6% and 53.4%. The clinical exam of 343 seropositive dogs showed that 49.9% of them were considered symptomatic, with larger prevalence of canine VL being in short-furred animals (90%). The entomological survey was performed in eight districts, where 2,539 phlebotomines were captured, preferentially in the peridomicile (84.5%).Lutzomyia longipalpiswas the predominant species (90%) suggesting its participation in the VL transmission in the area. The correlation between canine prevalence andL. longipalpisdensity was evaluated.
A Porism Concerning Cyclic Quadrilaterals
Authors: Kocik Jerzy
Published: August 2013

We present a geometric theorem on a porism about cyclic quadrilaterals, namely, the existence of an
infinite number of cyclic quadrilaterals through four fixed collinear points once one exists. Also, a technique of proving such properties with the use of pseudounitary traceless matrices is presented. A similar property holds for general quadrics as well as for the circle.
Conceptual Problems in Quantum Gravity and Quantum Cosmology
Authors: Kiefer Claus
Published: August 2013

The search for a consistent and empirically established quantum theory of gravity is among the biggest open problems of fundamental physics. The obstacles are of formal and of conceptual nature. Here, I address the main conceptual problems, discuss their present status, and outline further directions of research. For this purpose, the main current approaches to quantum gravity are briefly reviewed and compared.
Study on the Nonsingular Problem of Fractional-Order Terminal Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Li Kening , Cao Jianyong , Yu Fan
Published: August 2013

An improved type of control strategy combining the fractional calculus with nonsingular terminal sliding mode control named non-singular fractional terminal sliding mode control (NFOTSM) is proposed for the nonlinear tire-road friction control system of vehicle in this paper. A fractional-order switching manifold is proposed, and the corresponding control law is formulated based on the Lyapunov stability theory to guarantee the sliding condition. The proposed controller ensures the finite time stability of the closed-loop system. Then, a terminal attractor is introduced to solve the singularity problem of fractional terminal sliding mode control (FOTSM). Finally, the performance of the NFOTSM is fully investigated compared with other related algorithms to find the effectiveness for the tire-road friction system. The results show that the NFOTSM has better performance than other related algorithms.