bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Toxicology Studies in Sprague-Dawley Rats, Rhesus Monkeys, and New Zealand White Rabbits to Determine a No Observed Adverse Effect Level for 1,1′-Methylenebis[4-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]-pyridinium] Dimethanesulfonate
Authors: Osheroff Merrill R. , Kobs Dean J. , Buccellato Matthew , Croutch Claire R. , Elcock Laura E. , Burback Brian L. , Johnson Jerry D.
Published: August 2013

Studies were conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats, New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits, and rhesus monkeys to characterize the toxicity of 1,1′-methylenebis[4-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]-pyridinium] dimethanesulfonate (MMB4 DMS) following intramuscular administration. Rats received MMB4 DMS once daily for 7 days at 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/d; rabbits received a range of dose levels in 3 separate 7-day studies from 3 to 800 mg/kg/d and in a single-dose study from 50 to 200 mg/kg; and monkeys received MMB4 DMS at 150 to 600 mg/kg/d. Mortality was noted in rats and rabbits administered ≥200 mg/kg. All monkeys survived until scheduled termination. Adverse clinical observations were noted in the rats at ≥400 mg/kg/d and in rabbits administered ≥200 mg/kg; no adverse findings were noted in the monkeys. Clinical pathology changes were noted in the rabbit related to cardiac and renal function. In the rabbit and monkey, elevations in myoglobin, alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase, platelets, creatine kinase, and coagulation factors were related to local inflammation at the intramuscular administration site. Light microscopic examination at the injection sites revealed acute skeletal muscle necrosis in vehicle control and treated groups. Target tissues in the rabbit studies were identified as kidney, heart, and lungs at ≥100 mg/kg/d. All changes noted in all the species demonstrated partial to complete recovery comparable to control values or to a clinically irrelevant level of effect. The NZW rabbit was the most sensitive species, and the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was determined as 50 mg/kg/d; the NOAEL in the rat was 100 mg/kg/d; and the NOAEL in rhesus monkeys was >600 mg/kg/d.
MMB4 DMS Nanoparticle Suspension Formulation With Enhanced Stability for the Treatment of Nerve Agent Intoxication
Authors: Dixon Hong , Clark Andrew P.-Z. , Cabell Larry A. , McDonough Joe A.
Published: August 2013

Various oximes are currently fielded or under investigation in the United States and other countries as a component of autoinjector emergency treatment systems for organophosphate nerve agent chemical weapons. Bis-pyridinium oximes in general have greater efficacy against a broad spectrum of nerve agents, but they have poor stability due to hydrolytic degradation at elevated temperatures. 1,1′-Methylenebis-4-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]pyridinium dimethanesulfonate (MMB4 DMS) is a leading candidate for next-generation nerve agent treatment systems, because it is more stable than other bis-pyridinium oximes, but it still degrades quickly at temperatures often encountered during storage and field use. The primary goal is to increase the stability and shelf life of MMB4 while maintaining the desirable pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of the aqueous formulation. We have developed a formulation to be used in a phase 1 clinical trial consisting of MMB4 micro/nanoparticles suspended in cottonseed oil, a biocompatible vegetable oil. Through various milling techniques, the average particle size can be controlled from approximately 200 to 6000 nm to produce non-Newtonian formulations that are viscous enough to resist rapid particle sedimentation while remaining injectable at a range of concentrations from 5 to 400 mg/mL. The preliminary accelerated stability test shows that MMB4 in these formulations is stable for at least 2 years at temperatures up to 80°C. Preliminary preclinical in vivo studies have demonstrated that all concentrations and particle sizes have desirable PK properties, including high bioavailability and rapid absorption, which is critical to combat potent and fast-acting nerve agents.
Smoking and risk of treatment-induced neutralizing antibodies to interferon β-1a
Authors: Hedström Anna Karin , Ryner Malin , Fink Katarina , Fogdell-Hahn Anna , Alfredsson Lars , Olsson Tomas , Hillert Jan
Published: August 2013

Background:

Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) to interferon β (IFNβ) products that develop during treatment are associated with a loss of clinical efficacy.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of smoking habits on the risk of developing NAbs to IFNβ, in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods:

This report is based on 695 MS patients treated with IFNβ-1a, included in two Swedish case-control studies that collected information on smoking habits. Using logistic regression, the development of NAbs to IFNβ-1a among current smokers was compared with that of non-smokers, by calculating the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results:

Current smokers showed an increased risk of developing NAbs to IFNβ-1a, compared with non-smokers (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.3–2.8; p = 0.002). There were no gender differences. We observed no association between past smoking and the risk of developing NAbs to IFNβ-1a.

Conclusions:

The finding that current smokers have an increased risk of developing NAbs to IFNβ-1a has implications, both for the practical care and the treatment of MS; it also provides an interesting perspective of the lungs as an immune-reactive organ, reacting upon irritation.
‘Fandom is full of pearl clutching old ladies’: Nonnies in the online slash closet
Authors: Brennan Joseph
Published: August 2013

This article examines cultures of anonymity (or ‘nonnies’) and secrecy in online slash fandom through textual analysis of fannish reaction to gay magazine DNA publishing slash content. I use the experiences of infamous slash manip artist mythagowood from the Supernatural fandom community to read this critical moment of online discourse creation. Specific cases on LiveJournal communities spnanonhaven and fandomsecrets are examined to reveal pockets of conservatism, or ‘pearl clutching’, online. Within the context of male slash production, I examine the implications of nonnies and their efforts to keep slash secret, which is the enactment of an online ‘slash closet’; and conclude by considering what cultures of anonymity and secrecy mean for male slashers, many whose slash practice is inextricably linked to direct identity construction.
Beyond mean regression
Authors: Kneib Thomas
Published: August 2013

Usual exponential family regression models focus on only one designated quantity of the response distribution, namely the mean. While this entails easy interpretation of the estimated regression effects, it may often lead to incomplete analyses when more complex relationships are indeed present and also bears the risk of false conclusions about the significance/importance of covariates. We will therefore give an overview on extended types of regression models that allows us to go beyond mean regression. More specifically, we will consider generalized additive models for location, scale and shape as well as semiparametric quantile and expectile regression. We will review the basic properties of all three approaches and compare them with respect to the flexibility in terms of the supported types of predictor specification, the availability of software and the support for different types of inferential procedures. The considered model classes are illustrated using a data set on rents for flats in the City of Munich.
Discussion of ‘Beyond mean regression’
Authors: Green Peter J
Published: August 2013

Methodology for regression beyond the mean has been a goal of researchers for many years. This discussion provides some additional context for the important ideas in the present paper, by recounting some of the historical background to the GAMLSS approach and pointing to the power and appeal of fully probabilistic regression analysis in the setting of Bayesian nonparametrics.
Similarity-based visualization of large image collections
Authors: Wang Chaoli , Reese John P , Zhang Huan , Tao Jun , Gu Yi , Ma Jun , Nemiroff Robert J
Published: August 2013

Effective techniques for organizing and visualizing large image collections are in growing demand as visual search gets increasingly popular. Targeting an online astronomy archive with thousands of images, we present our solution for image search and clustering based on the evaluation of image similarity using both visual and textual information. Time-consuming image similarity computation is accelerated using graphics processing unit. To lay out images, we introduce iMap, a treemap-based representation for visualizing and navigating image search and clustering results. iMap not only makes effective use of available display area to arrange images but also maintains stable update when images are inserted or removed during the query. We also develop an embedded visualization that integrates image tags for in-place search refinement. To show the effectiveness of our approach, we demonstrate experimental results, compare our iMap layout with a force-directed layout, and conduct a comparative user study. As a potential tool for astronomy education and outreach, we deploy our iMap to a large tiled display of nearly 50 million pixels.
Strategy-as-practice meets neo-institutional theory
Authors: Suddaby Roy , Seidl David , Lê Jane K
Published: August 2013

Strategy-as-practice and neo-institutionalism offer alternative approaches to studying organizations. In this essay, we examine the foundational assumptions and methods of these perspectives, unveiling different ways in which they could complement each other. In particular, we elaborate three areas of overlap: a focus on what actors actually do, their shared cognitions, and the role of language in creating shared meanings. We show how the two perspectives can inform each other and offer significant learning to organization studies more broadly.
New and Future Medications for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Mathers Michael C. , Zarbock Sommer D. , Sutton Emily E.
Published: August 2013

With almost 30 million individuals predicted to be diagnosed by the year 2025, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become one of the most prevalent diseases in the United States. Because of the progressive dysfunction of the pancreatic β-cells and increasing insulin resistance over time, the need for treatments with different mechanisms or addition of medications to a regimen is becoming commonplace. Because of this, developing new medications to treat T2DM has been the focus of a lot of recent research and drug development. Molecular substrates such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), and the sodium glucose transporter-2 (SGLT2) have all become new therapeutic targets. GLP-1 agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors are 2 of the newest classes of Food and Drug Administration–approved medications for diabetes. By increasing GLP-1 to supraphysiologic levels (GLP-1 agonists) and delaying endogenous GLP-1 degradation (DPP-4 inhibitors), these drugs increase insulin secretion and decrease glucagon production. SGLT2 inhibitors, the newest antihyperglycemic class, promote glycosuria by inhibiting sodium and glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule of the renal nephron. Other novel agents for the treatment of diabetes include the use of the dopamine agonist bromocriptine, the cholesterol medication colesevelam, and a new form of inhaled insulin.
Overcoming Challenges to Build Strong Physical Activity Promotion Messages
Authors: Berry Tanya R. , Latimer-Cheung Amy E.
Published: August 2013

Physical inactivity is a serious public health issue. Physical activity promotion messages are part of a comprehensive approach to creating a society in which physical activity is the norm. Although public health messages can be influential, they face tough competition from other sources of physical activity information that offer conflicting advice about being active and thus may undermine public health efforts. It is therefore necessary to consider the multiple sources of messages (eg, commercial, public health) that can cause confusion for consumers. This article reviews research on sources of physical activity information, where such information is sought and by whom, and how messages are processed at both automatic (ie, with little thought) and reasoned (ie, deliberate) levels. Having outlined the challenges, suggestions are made regarding how public health messages can be heard in an environment dominated by commercial advertising. These suggestions include tailoring theory-based messages, ensuring the benefits of being active are highlighted, branding, and forging collaborative partnerships within the physical activity sector. By enacting these strategies, public health messages may be more effective at attracting attention and being subsequently read and recalled by consumers, and thus contribute to an active society.
Perioperative Laboratory Assessment of Diabetic Foot Infections Undergoing Amputation
Authors: Highlander Peter , Shinabarger Andrew B.
Published: August 2013

Diabetes is the leading cause of nontraumatic amputations. Although laboratory assessment may not alone determine the optimal level of amputation thorough assessment of a variety of laboratory values is critical to overall care of the patient and may place the patient into risk category. This systematic review analyzes publications related to diabetic lower extremity amputations and associated laboratory values, including lymphocyte count, albumin, hemoglobin, and glycemic control.

Levels of Evidence: Diagnostic, Level IV
Anatomical Reconstruction of the Spring Ligament Complex
Authors: Acevedo Jorge , Vora Anand
Published: August 2013

The calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament complex is a critical static support of the medial arch of the foot. Compromise of this structure has been implicated as a primary causative factor of talar derotation leading to the clinical deformity of peritalar subluxation. Few procedures have been described to address this deficiency. The technique we describe here is a simple yet effective method to reconstruct the spring ligament complex that can easily be used in conjunction with other more commonly used procedures for extra-articular reconstructions of this deformity. We believe this procedure allows for a more powerful deformity correction and may decrease dependency on other nonanatomic reconstructive procedures.
Learning and Applying New Quality Improvement Methods to the School Health Setting
Authors: Celik Laurel A.
Published: August 2013

A school health registered nurse identified medication administration documentation errors by unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) in a system of school health clinics in an urban setting. This nurse applied the Lean Six Sigma Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control process of improvement methodology to effectively improve the process. The UAP of medication administration documentation error rate improved from 68% to 35%. This methodology may be used by school nurses to collaboratively look at ways to improve processes at the point of care.
The role of uroflowmetry in the assessment and management of men with lower urinary tract symptoms – revisiting the evidence
Authors: Veeratterapillay R , Pickard RS , Harding C
Published: August 2013

Uroflowmetry is variably used for the assessment of men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). There is discrepancy in practice guidelines regarding recommendations for use of uroflowmetry in the initial assessment of men with LUTS. To explain this discrepancy, we systematically reviewed relevant literature to detail currently available evidence and identify evidence gaps requiring further research. PubMED, EMBASE and Medline literature databases were searched for the period between January 1970 and July 2012 to identify articles pertaining to uroflowmetry and outcomes of treatment for men with LUTS. We identified 30 studies for inclusion – none of which had a randomised design. The majority of the studies were prospective or retrospective cohort studies with some cross-sectional and observational reports. The methodology of measurement and reporting urine flow rate has been standardised by reports from the International Continence Society. The current available literature on the reproducibility of urine flow rate is inconclusive and suggests that there may be variability between measurements for a number of different reasons and that repeated tests could be of value clinically. There is also general agreement that a Qmax cut-off of 10 ml/s−1 is suggestive of bladder outlet obstruction. Despite guideline recommendations, there remains a lack of high-quality evidence from studies with robust design to fully ascertain the clinical utility of uroflowmetry and its place in the care pathway for men with LUTS. Future well-designed studies should focus on this evidence gap.
The Impacts of English Colonial Terrorism and Genocide on Indigenous/Black Australians
Authors: Jalata Asafa
Published: August 2013

This article critically explores the essence of colonial terrorism and its consequences on the indigenous people of Australia during their colonization and incorporation into the European-dominated racialized capitalist world system in the late 18th century. It uses multidimensional, comparative methods, and critical approaches to explain the dynamic interplay among social structures, human agency, and terror to explain the connection between terrorism and the emergence of the capitalist world system or globalization. Raising complex moral, intellectual, philosophical, ethical, and political questions, this article explores the essence, roles, and impacts of colonial terrorism on the indigenous Australians. First, the article provides background historical and cultural information. Second, it conceptualizes and theorizes colonial terrorism as an integral part of the capitalist world system. Specifically, it links capitalist incorporation and colonialism and various forms of violence to terrorism. Third, the article examines the structural aspects of colonial terrorism by connecting it to some specific colonial policies and practices. Finally, it identifies and explains different kinds of ideological justifications that the English colonial settlers and their descendants used in committing crimes against humanity.
Analysis of risk factors influencing outcomes after cord blood transplantation in children with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia: a EUROCORD, EBMT, EWOG-MDS, CIBMTR study
Authors: Locatelli Franco , Crotta Alessandro , Ruggeri Annalisa , Eapen Mary , Wagner John E. , MacMillan Margaret L. , Zecca Marco , Kurtzberg Joanne , Bonfim Carmem , Vora Ajay , Díaz de Heredia Cristina , Teague Lochie , Stein Jerry , O’Brien Tracey A. , Bittencourt Henrique , Madureira Adrienne , Strahm Brigitte , Peters Christina , Niemeyer Charlotte , Gluckman Eliane , Rocha Vanderson
Published: August 2013

Key Points

UCBT is a suitable option for children with JMML, being able to cure a relevant proportion of patients. Because disease recurrence remains the major cause of treatment failure after UCBT, strategies aimed at reducing relapse are desirable.
Antagonistic activities of the immunomodulator and PP2A-activating drug FTY720 (Fingolimod, Gilenya) in Jak2-driven hematologic malignancies
Authors: Oaks Joshua J. , Santhanam Ramasamy , Walker Christopher J. , Roof Steve , Harb Jason G. , Ferenchak Greg , Eisfeld Ann-Kathrin , Van Brocklyn James R. , Briesewitz Roger , Saddoughi Sahar A. , Nagata Kyosuke , Bittman Robert , Caligiuri Michael A. , Abdel-Wahab Omar , Levine Ross , Arlinghaus Ralph B. , Quintas-Cardama Alfonso , Goldman John M. , Apperley Jane , Reid Alistair , Milojkovic Dragana , Ziolo Mark T. , Marcucci Guido , Ogretmen Besim , Neviani Paolo , Perrotti Danilo
Published: August 2013

Key Points

The tumor suppressor PP2A is repressed in Jak2V617F-driven myleoproliferative neoplasms by a Jak2/PI3K/PKC/SET signaling pathway. PP2A-activating (eg, FTY720, OSU-2S) but not sphingosine-1-phosphate agonistic (eg, FTY720-P) drugs selectively kill Jak2V617F+ cells.
Platelet hyperreactivity explains the bleeding abnormality and macrothrombocytopenia in a murine model of sitosterolemia
Authors: Kanaji Taisuke , Kanaji Sachiko , Montgomery Robert R. , Patel Shailendra B. , Newman Peter J.
Published: August 2013

Key Points

Plant sterol accumulation in platelet membrane induces platelet hyperreactivity. Internalization of the αIIbβ3 complex and filamin A degradation cause macrothrombocytopenia and bleeding phenotype.
Passively transferred human NMO-IgG exacerbates demyelination in mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Saini Harleen , Rifkin Robert , Gorelik Michael , Huang Hwa , Ferguson Zachary , Jones Melina V , Levy Michael
Published: August 2013

Background

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a devastating inflammatory disorder of the optic nerves and spinal cord characterized by frequently recurring exacerbations of humoral inflammation. NMO is associated with the highly specific NMO-IgG biomarker, an antibody that binds the aquaporin-4 water channel. Aquaporin-4 is present on glial endfeet in the central nervous system (CNS). In humans, the NMO-IgG portends more frequent exacerbations and a worse long-term clinical outcome.

Methods

We tested the longer-term outcome of mice with EAE injected with NMO-IgG and followed them for 60 days. Clinical exams and pathology of the spinal cord and optic nerves were compared to mice that received control human IgG.

Results

Passively transferred human NMO-IgG leads to more severe neurology disability over two months after onset of disease. Clinical worsening is associated with an increased concentration of large demyelinating lesions primarily to subpial AQP4-rich regions of the spinal cord.

Conclusions

NMO-IgG is pathogenic in the context of EAE in mice.
Exposure and impact of a mass media campaign targeting sexual health amongst Scottish men who have sex with men: an outcome evaluation
Authors: Flowers Paul , McDaid Lisa M , Knussen Christina
Published: August 2013

Background

This paper explores the exposure and impact of a Scottish mass media campaign: Make Your Position Clear. It ran from October 2009 to July 2010, targeted gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), and had two key aims: to promote regular sexual health and HIV testing every 6 months, and to promote the use of appropriate condoms and water-based lubricant with each episode of anal intercourse.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey (anonymous and self-report) was conducted 10 months after the campaign was launched (July 2010). Men were recruited from commercial venues. Outcome measures included use of lubricant, testing for sexually transmitted infections and HIV, and intentions to seek HIV testing within the following six months. Linear-by-linear chi-square analysis and binary logistic regressions were conducted to explore the associations between the outcome measures and campaign exposure.

Results

The total sample was 822 men (62.6% response rate). Men self-identifying as HIV positive were excluded from the analysis (n = 38). Binary logistic analysis indicated that those with mid or high campaign exposure were more likely to have been tested for HIV in the previous six months when adjusted for age, area of residence and use of the “gay scene” (AOR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.26 to 3.06, p = .003), but were not more likely to be tested for STIs (AOR = 1.37, 95% CI = 0.88 to 2.16, p = .167). When adjusted for previous HIV testing, those with mid or high campaign exposure were not more likely to indicate intention to be tested for HIV in the following six months (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 0.73 to 2.32, p = .367). Those with no campaign exposure were less likely than those with low exposure to have used appropriate lubricant with anal sex partners in the previous year (AOR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.23 to 0.77, p = .005).

Conclusions

The campaign had demonstrable reach. The analysis showed partial support for the role of mass media campaigns in improving sexual health outcomes. This suggests that a role for mass media campaigns remains within combination HIV prevention.
Shared decision making for patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized trial in primary care
Authors: Branda Megan E , LeBlanc Annie , Shah Nilay D , Tiedje Kristina , Ruud Kari , Van Houten Holly , Pencille Laurie , Kurland Marge , Yawn Barbara , Montori Victor M
Published: August 2013

Background

Patient-centered diabetes care requires shared decision making (SDM). Decision aids promote SDM, but their efficacy in nonacademic and rural primary care clinics is unclear.

Methods

We cluster-randomized 10 practices in a concealed fashion to implement either a decision aid (DA) about starting statins or one about choosing antihyperglycemic agents. Each practice served as a control group for another practice implementing the other type of DA. From April 2011 to July 2012, 103 (DA=53) patients with type 2 diabetes participated in the trial. We used patient and clinician surveys administered after the clinical encounter to collect decisional outcomes (patient knowledge and comfort with decision making, patient and clinician satisfaction). Medical records provided data on metabolic control. Pharmacy fill profiles provided data for estimating adherence to therapy.

Results

Compared to usual care, patients receiving the DA were more likely to report discussing medications (77% vs. 45%, p<.001), were more likely to answer knowledge questions correctly (risk reduction with statins 61% vs. 33%, p=.07; knowledge about options 57% vs. 33%, p=.002) and were more engaged by their clinicians in decision making (50. vs. 28, difference 21.4 (95% CI 6.4, 36.3), p=.01). We found no significant impact on patient satisfaction, medication starts, adherence or clinical outcomes, in part due to limited statistical power.

Conclusion

DAs improved decisional outcomes without significant effect on clinical outcomes. DAs designed for point-of-care use with type 2 diabetes patients promoted shared decision making in nonacademic and rural primary care practices.

Trial Registration

NCT01029288
Comparative evaluation of published real-time PCR assays for the detection of malaria following MIQE guidelines
Authors: Alemayehu Saba , Feghali Karla C , Cowden Jessica , Komisar Jack , Ockenhouse Christian F , Kamau Edwin
Published: August 2013

Background

The use of malaria-specific quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is increasing due to its high sensitivity, speciation and quantification of malaria parasites. However, due to the lack of consensus or standardized methods in performing qPCR, it is difficult to evaluate and/or compare the quality of work reported by different authors for a cross-study and/or cross-platform assay analysis.

Methods

The performances of seven published qPCR assays that detect Plasmodium spp or Plasmodium falciparum were compared using standard DNA and samples from a clinical trial. Amplification and qPCR measurements were performed using the Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR System. All the analyses were automatically established using the default settings. For the TaqMan probe format, the assays were performed in the background of QuantiFast Probe Master Mix whereas in SYBR Green format, the assays were performed in the background of QuantiFast SYBR Green Master Mix and QuantiTect SYBR Green Master Mix background.

Results

Assays with high PCR efficiencies outperformed those with low efficiencies in all categories including sensitivity, precision and consistency regardless of the assay format and background. With the exception of one assay, all assays evaluated showed lower sensitivity compared to what have been published. When samples from a malaria challenge study were analysed, the qPCR assay with the overall best performance detected parasites in subjects earliest and with most consistency.

Conclusion

The data demonstrate the need for increased consensus and guidelines that will encourage better experimental practices, allowing more consistent and unambiguous interpretation of qPCR results.
Breast ductal carcinoma in situ presenting as recurrent non-puerperal mastitis: case report and literature review
Authors: Liong Yee Vonne , Hong Ga Sze , Teo Jennifer Gek Choo , Lim Geok Hoon
Published: August 2013

Breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a preinvasive form of breast cancer. It typically presents as microcalcifications which are picked up on screening mammogram. We report an atypical case of breast DCIS presenting with recurrent non-puerperal mastitis with a normal mammogram and perform a literature review.
Morphological control of heterostructured nanowires synthesized by sol-flame method
Authors: Luo Runlai , Cho In Sun , Feng Yunzhe , Cai Lili , Rao Pratap M , Zheng Xiaolin
Published: August 2013

Heterostructured nanowires, such as core/shell nanowires and nanoparticle-decorated nanowires, are versatile building blocks for a wide range of applications because they integrate dissimilar materials at the nanometer scale to achieve unique functionalities. The sol-flame method is a new, rapid, low-cost, versatile, and scalable method for the synthesis of heterostructured nanowires, in which arrays of nanowires are decorated with other materials in the form of shells or chains of nanoparticles. In a typical sol-flame synthesis, nanowires are dip-coated with a solution containing precursors of the materials to be decorated, then dried in air, and subsequently heated in the post-flame region of a flame at high temperature (over 900°C) for only a few seconds. Here, we report the effects of the precursor solution on the final morphology of the heterostructured nanowire using Co3O4 decorated CuO nanowires as a model system. When a volatile cobalt salt precursor is used with sufficient residual solvent, both solvent and cobalt precursor evaporate during the flame annealing step, leading to the formation of Co3O4 nanoparticle chains by a gas-solid transition. The length of the nanoparticle chains is mainly controlled by the temperature of combustion of the solvent. On the other hand, when a non-volatile cobalt salt precursor is used, only the solvent evaporates and the cobalt salt is converted to nanoparticles by a liquid–solid transition, forming a conformal Co3O4 shell. This study facilitates the use of the sol-flame method for synthesizing heterostructured nanowires with controlled morphologies to satisfy the needs of diverse applications.
Sustainable approach toward synthesis of green functional carbonaceous 3-D micro/nanostructures from biomass
Authors: Tavangar Amirhossein , Tan Bo , Venkatakrishnan Krishnan
Published: August 2013

This study proposes a novel technique to synthesize functional carbonaceous three-dimensional (3-D) micro/nanocompounds from agricultural by-products using femtosecond laser irradiation. Biowastes of rice husk and wheat straw are value-engineered to carbonaceous structures in a single-step process under ambient conditions. Our results demonstrate that by controlling the laser fluence, structures with a variety of different morphologies from nanostructures to microstructures can be achieved. Also, the results indicate that altering the laser processing parameters influences the chemical composition of the synthesized structures. This sustainable approach presents an important step towards synthesizing 3-D micro/nanofibrous compounds from biowaste materials. These structures, as-synthesized or as nanocomposite fillers, can have practical uses in electronic, sensing, biological, and environmental applications.
Coupling Ishikawa algorithms with hybrid techniques for pseudocontractive mappings
Authors: Yao Yonghong , Postolache Mihai , Liou Yeong-Cheng
Published: August 2013

It is well-known that Mann’s algorithm fails to converge for Lipschitzian pseudocontractions and strong convergence of Ishikawa’s algorithm for Lipschitzian pseudocontractions have not been achieved without compactness assumption on pseudocontractive mapping T or underlying space C. A new algorithm, which couples Ishikawa algorithms with hybrid techniques for finding the fixed points of a Lipschitzian pseudocontractive mapping, is constructed in this paper. Strong convergence of the presented algorithm is shown without any compactness assumption.

MSC:47H05, 47H10, 47H17.
Fixed point results for single and set-valued α-η-ψ-contractive mappings
Authors: Hussain Nawab , Salimi Peyman , Latif Abdul
Published: August 2013

Sametet al. (Nonlinear Anal. 75:2154-2165, 2012) introducedα-ψ-contractive mappings and proved some fixed point results for these mappings. More recently Salimiet al.(Fixed Point Theory Appl. 2013:151, 2013) modified the notion ofα-ψ-contractive mappings and established certain fixed point theorems. Here, we continue to utilize these modified notions for single-valued Geraghty and Meir-Keeler-type contractions, as well as multi-valued contractive mappings. Presented theorems provide main results of Hussainet al. (J. Inequal. Appl. 2013:114, 2013), Karapinaret al. (Fixed Point Theory Appl. 2013:34, 2013) and Aslet al.(Fixed Point Theory Appl. 2012:212, 2012) as corollaries. Moreover, some examples are given here to illustrate the usability of the obtained results.

MSC:46N40, 47H10, 54H25, 46T99.
DDT and pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles arabiensis from South Africa
Authors: Nardini Luisa , Christian Riann N , Coetzer Nanette , Koekemoer Lizette L
Published: August 2013

Background

Pyrethroid resistance has been well documented in Anopheles arabiensis, one of the major African malaria vectors, and the predominant malaria vector in South Africa.

Methods

In this study, the genetic basis of pyrethroid resistance in a selected laboratory strain of An. arabiensis from South Africa was investigated using a custom-made microarray, known as the An. gambiae detoxification chip.

Results

A large number of P450 genes were over-transcribed, as well as a suite of redox genes and glutathione S-transferases. The five genes that showed the highest level of gene transcription when compared with an insecticide susceptible strain were: CYP6AG2, CYPZ1, TPX2, CYPZ2 and CYP6P1.

Conclusions

Permethrin resistance in South African An. arabiensis is associated with increased transcription of multiple genes, and a large proportion of these genes were also previously recorded as over-transcribed in another An. arabiensis strain selected for resistance to DDT with cross-resistance to deltamethrin. The deltamethrin resistance developed de novo in the DDT-selected strain and is most likely due to increased transcription of those genes associated with DDT resistance. However, of particular interest was the fact that the strain selected for resistance to pyrethroids did not develop de novo resistance to DDT. These differences are compared and discussed.
Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in depression in adults: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Li Guowei , Mbuagbaw Lawrence , Samaan Zainab , Zhang Shiyuan , Adachi Jonathan D , Papaioannou Alexandra , Thabane Lehana
Published: August 2013

Background

The role of vitamin D in management of depression is unclear. Results from observational and emerging randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of vitamin D in depression lack consistency - with some suggesting a positive association while others show a negative or inconclusive association.

Methods/Design

The primary aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of RCTs to assess the effect of oral vitamin D supplementation versus placebo on depression symptoms measured by scales and the proportion of patients with symptomatic improvement according to the authors’ original definition. Secondary aims include assessing the change in quality of life, adverse events and treatment discontinuation. We will conduct the systematic review and meta-analysis according to the recommendations of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We will search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (1966 to present), EMBASE (1980 to present), CINAHL (1982 to present), PsychINFO (1967 to present) and ClinicalTrials.gov. Unpublished work will be identified by searching two major conferences: the International Vitamin Conference, the Anxiety Disorders and Depression Conference, while grey literature will be acquired by contacting authors of included studies. We will use the random-effects meta-analysis to synthesize the data by pooling the results of included studies.

Discussion

The results of this systematic review will be helpful in clarifying the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation and providing evidence to establish guidelines for implementation of vitamin D for depression in general practice and other relevant settings.

Study registration

Unique identifier: CRD42013003849.
In silico drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic profiles of natural products from medicinal plants in the Congo basin
Authors: Ntie-Kang Fidele , Lifongo Lydia L , Mbah James A , Owono Owono Luc C , Megnassan Eugene , Mbaze Luc Meva’a , Judson Philip N , Sippl Wolfgang , Efange Simon M N
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) assessment has come to occupy a place of interest during the early stages of drug discovery today. The use of computer modelling to predict the DMPK and toxicity properties of a natural product library derived from medicinal plants from Central Africa (named ConMedNP). Material from some of the plant sources are currently employed in African Traditional Medicine.

Methods

Computer-based methods are slowly gaining ground in this area and are often used as preliminary criteria for the elimination of compounds likely to present uninteresting pharmacokinetic profiles and unacceptable levels of toxicity from the list of potential drug candidates, hence cutting down the cost of discovery of a drug.

In the present study, we present an in silico assessment of the DMPK and toxicity profile of a natural product library containing ~3,200 compounds, derived from 379 species of medicinal plants from 10 countries in the Congo Basin forests and savannas, which have been published in the literature. In this analysis, we have used 46 computed physico-chemical properties or molecular descriptors to predict the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination and toxicity (ADMET) of the compounds.

Results

This survey demonstrated that about 45% of the compounds within the ConMedNP compound library are compliant, having properties which fall within the range of ADME properties of 95% of currently known drugs, while about 69% of the compounds have ≤ 2 violations. Moreover, about 73% of the compounds within the corresponding “drug-like” subset showed compliance.

Conclusions

In addition to the verified levels of “drug-likeness”, diversity and the wide range of measured biological activities, the compounds from medicinal plants in Central Africa show interesting DMPK profiles and hence could represent an important starting point for hit/lead discovery.
Highly efficient differentiation of neural precursors from human embryonic stem cells and benefits of transplantation after ischemic stroke in mice
Authors: Drury-Stewart Danielle , Song Mingke , Mohamad Osama , Guo Ying , Gu Xiaohuan , Chen Dongdong , Wei Ling
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, but treatment options are severely limited. Cell therapy offers an attractive strategy for regenerating lost tissues and enhancing the endogenous healing process. In this study, we investigated the use of human embryonic stem cell-derived neural precursors as a cell therapy in a murine stroke model.

Methods

Neural precursors were derived from human embryonic stem cells by using a fully adherent SMAD inhibition protocol employing small molecules. The efficiency of neural induction and the ability of these cells to further differentiate into neurons were assessed by using immunocytochemistry. Whole-cell patch-clamp recording was used to demonstrate the electrophysiological activity of human embryonic stem cell-derived neurons. Neural precursors were transplanted into the core and penumbra regions of a focal ischemic stroke in the barrel cortex of mice. Animals received injections of bromodeoxyuridine to track regeneration. Neural differentiation of the transplanted cells and regenerative markers were measured by using immunohistochemistry. The adhesive removal test was used to determine functional improvement after stroke and intervention.

Results

After 11 days of neural induction by using the small-molecule protocol, over 95% of human embryonic stem-derived cells expressed at least one neural marker. Further in vitro differentiation yielded cells that stained for mature neuronal markers and exhibited high-amplitude, repetitive action potentials in response to depolarization. Neuronal differentiation also occurred after transplantation into the ischemic cortex. A greater level of bromodeoxyuridine co-localization with neurons was observed in the penumbra region of animals receiving cell transplantation. Transplantation also improved sensory recovery in transplant animals over that in control animals.

Conclusions

Human embryonic stem cell-derived neural precursors derived by using a highly efficient small-molecule SMAD inhibition protocol can differentiate into electrophysiologically functional neurons in vitro. These cells also differentiate into neurons in vivo, enhance regenerative activities, and improve sensory recovery after ischemic stroke.
Biot constitutive relation and porosity perturbation equation
Authors: Sahay Pratap N.
Published: August 2013

In a porous medium, the porosity perturbation, i.e., the change in porosity, is an integral part of a deformation process. Yet, there is no explicit statement about that in the Biot theory. By linking its constitutive relation to the continuity equations, the tacit assumption about the porosity perturbation in this theory is inferred. The linear dependence of the porosity perturbation on the pressure difference of the two phases is embedded in its constitutive relation. The solid and fluid pressures affect the change in porosity in equal magnitude but in opposite sense. By assuming that the fluid pressure may affect the porosity perturbation to an extent different than that of the solid pressure, the Biot constitutive relation is generalized. This introduces a nondimensional parameter. It could be named the porosity effective pressure coefficient, because the measure of the extent the fluid pressure affects the change in porosity relative to the solid pressure. In the regime in which the fluid pressure affects to a lesser extent, this parameter spans from unity, the state in which fluid resists the change in porosity in equal but opposite manner to solid, to zero, the state in which fluid ultimately ceases to affect the porosity change at all. As this parameter diminishes from unity, the undrained bulk modulus drops from being the Gassmann modulus. Ultimately, it becomes the series combination of the dry frame bulk modulus with the bulk modulus of fluid weighted by the Biot coefficient when the parameter is vanishing. The other regime is the one in which the fluid pressure affects to an extent greater than the solid pressure. Here, the parameter may span from unity to the ratio of bulk modulus of constituent solid mineral to fluid, which is its upper limit. At the upper limit, the undrained bulk modulus is the Voigt average: the upper bound of the modulus of a composite medium.
Three-dimensional irregular seismic data reconstruction via low-rank matrix completion
Authors: Ma Jianwei
Published: August 2013

We have developed a new algorithm for the reconstruction of seismic traces randomly missing from a uniform grid of a 3D seismic volume. Several algorithms have been developed for such reconstructions, based on properties of the seismic wavefields and on signal processing concepts, such as sparse signal representation in a transform domain. We have investigated a novel approach, originally introduced for noise removal, which is based on the premise that for suitable representation of the seismic data as matrices or tensors, the rank of the seismic data (computed by singular value decomposition) increases with noise or missing traces. Thus, we apply low-rank matrix completion (MC) with a designed texture-patch transformation to 3D seismic data reconstruction. Low-rank components capture geometrically meaningful structures in seismic data that encompass conventional local features such as events and dips. The low-rank MC is based on nuclear-norm minimization. An efficient [Formula: see text]-norm minimizing algorithm, named approximate message passing, is extended to use for a general nonconvex nuclear-norm minimization problem. A fast MC algorithm named low-rank matrix fitting (LMaFit), which avoids the computation of singular value decomposition, was also considered for the 3D reconstruction. Empirical studies on synthetic and real data have shown promising performance of the method, in comparison with traditional projection onto convex sets.
Prestack wavefield approximations
Authors: Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: August 2013

The double-square-root (DSR) relation offers a platform to perform prestack imaging using an extended single wavefield that honors the geometrical configuration between sources, receivers, and the image point, or in other words, prestack wavefields. Extrapolating such wavefields, nevertheless, suffers from limitations. Chief among them is the singularity associated with horizontally propagating waves. I have devised highly accurate approximations free of such singularities which are highly accurate. Specifically, I use Padé expansions with denominators given by a power series that is an order lower than that of the numerator, and thus, introduce a free variable to balance the series order and normalize the singularity. For the higher-order Padé approximation, the errors are negligible. Additional simplifications, like recasting the DSR formula as a function of scattering angle, allow for a singularity free form that is useful for constant-angle-gather imaging. A dynamic form of this DSR formula can be supported by kinematic evaluations of the scattering angle to provide efficient prestack wavefield construction. Applying a similar approximation to the dip angle yields an efficient 1D wave equation with the scattering and dip angles extracted from, for example, DSR ray tracing. Application to the complex Marmousi data set demonstrates that these approximations, although they may provide less than optimal results, allow for efficient and flexible implementations.
Notch signaling represses p63 expression in the developing surface ectoderm
Authors: Tadeu Ana Mafalda Baptista , Horsley Valerie
Published: August 2013

The development of the mature epidermis requires a coordinated sequence of signaling events and transcriptional changes to specify surface ectodermal progenitor cells to the keratinocyte lineage. The initial events that specify epidermal keratinocytes from ectodermal progenitor cells are not well understood. Here, we use both developing mouse embryos and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to explore the mechanisms that direct keratinocyte fate from ectodermal progenitor cells. We show that both hESCs and murine embryos express p63 before keratin 14. Furthermore, we find that Notch signaling is activated before p63 expression in ectodermal progenitor cells. Inhibition of Notch signaling pharmacologically or genetically reveals a negative regulatory role for Notch signaling in p63 expression during ectodermal specification in hESCs or mouse embryos, respectively. Taken together, these data reveal a role for Notch signaling in the molecular control of ectodermal progenitor cell specification to the epidermal keratinocyte lineage.