bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial Applications of Transition Metal Complexes of Benzothiazole Based Terpolymer: Synthesis, Characterization, and Effect on Bacterial and Fungal Strains
Authors: Riswan Ahamed Mohamed A. , Azarudeen Raja S. , Kani N. Mujafar
Published: September 2014

Terpolymer of 2-amino-6-nitro-benzothiazole-ethylenediamine-formaldehyde (BEF) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and various spectral techniques like FTIR, UV-Visible, and1H and13C-NMR. The terpolymer metal complexes were prepared with Cu2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+metal ions using BEF terpolymer as a ligand. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis and IR, UV-Visible, ESR,1H-NMR, and13C-NMR spectral studies. Gel permeation chromatography was used to determine the molecular weight of the ligand. The surface features and crystalline behavior of the ligand and its complexes were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction methods. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to analyze the thermal stability of the ligand and its metal complexes. Kinetic parameters such as activation energy(Ea)and order of reaction (n) and thermodynamic parameters, namely,ΔS,ΔF,S*, andZ, were calculated using Freeman-Carroll (FC), Sharp-Wentworth (SW), and Phadnis-Deshpande (PD) methods. Thermal degradation model of the terpolymer and its metal complexes was also proposed using PD method. Biological activities of the ligand and its complexes were tested againstShigella sonnei,Escherichia coli,Klebsiellaspecies,Staphylococcus aureus,Bacillus subtilis, andSalmonella typhimuriumbacteria andAspergillus flavus,Aspergillus niger,Penicilliumspecies,Candida albicans,Cryptococcus neoformans,Mucor speciesfungi.
Dual Stimulus-Dependent Effect ofOenothera paradoxaExtract on the Respiratory Burst in Human Leukocytes: Suppressing forEscherichia coliand Phorbol Myristate Acetate and Stimulating for Formyl-Methionyl-Leucyl-Phenylalanine
Authors: Burzynska-Pedziwiatr Izabela , Bukowiecka-Matusiak Malgorzata , Wojcik Marzena , Machala Waldemar , Bienkiewicz Malgorzata , Spolnik Grzegorz , Danikiewicz Witold , Wozniak Lucyna Alicja
Published: September 2014

Although a growing body of evidence suggests that plant polyphenols can modulate human immune responses, their simultaneous action on monocyte and neutrophil oxidative burst is currently poorly understood. Based on the hypothesis that various polyphenols contained in plant extracts might affect the oxidative burst of phagocytes, we evaluated the effects of ethanolicO. paradoxaextract polyphenols on monocyte and neutrophil oxidative burstin vitroactivated by different stimuli, including opsonized bacteriaE. coli, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). Samples were analyzed by the dihydrorhodamine flow cytometry assay. Our results showed that the extract repressed significantly and dose-dependently reactive oxygen species production in both cell types stimulated withE. coliand PMA (P< 0.05) and its inhibitory efficiency was stimulus- and cell-type-dependent. Interestingly, there was significant stimulatory effect of the extract on bursting phagocytes induced by fMLP (P< 0.05). Additionally, several flavonoids and phenolic compounds as well as penta-galloyl-β-(D)-glucose (PGG), the representative of hydrolyzable tannins, were identified in the 60% extract by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to electrospray ionization in negative ion mode. In summary, the ethanolicO. paradoxaextract, rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds, exhibits dual stimulus-dependent effect on the respiratory burst in human leukocytes; hence, it might affect immune responses in humans.
The Applicability of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Assessing Chromium Induced Toxicity in the FishLabeo rohita
Authors: Kumari Kanchan , Khare Ankur , Dange Swati
Published: September 2014

The evaluation of metal’s toxicity in freshwater is one of the imperative areas of research and there is an emergent concern on the development of techniques for detecting toxic effects in aquatic animals. Oxidative stress biomarkers are very useful in assessing the health of aquatic life and more in depth studies are necessary to establish an exact cause effect relationship. Therefore, to study the effectiveness of this approach, a laboratory study was conducted in the fishLabeo rohitaas a function of hexavalent chromium and the toxicity indices using a battery of oxidative stress biomarkers such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GR) in the liver, muscle, gills, and brain have been studied along with biometric parameters, behavioral changes, and Cr bioaccumulation. A significant increased HSI was observed in contrast to CF which reduced significantly. SOD, CAT, and GR activity increased significantly in all the tissues of treated fishes. The bioaccumulation of Cr was highest in liver followed by gills, muscle, and brain. This study highlights the significance of using a set of integrated biomarker and advocate to include these parameters in National Water Quality Monitoring Program in areas potentially polluted with metals to assess the health of the ecosystem.
Separation and Characterization of Synthetic Polyelectrolytes and Polysaccharides with Capillary Electrophoresis
Authors: Thevarajah Joel J. , Gaborieau Marianne , Castignolles Patrice
Published: September 2014

The development of macromolecular engineering and the need for renewable and sustainable polymer sources make polymeric materials progressively more sophisticated but also increasingly complex to characterize. Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC or GPC) has a monopoly in the separation and characterization of polymers, but it faces a number of proven, though regularly ignored, limitations for the characterization of a number of complex samples such as polyelectrolytes and polysaccharides. Free solution capillary electrophoresis (CE), or capillary zone electrophoresis, allows usually more robust separations than SEC due to the absence of a stationary phase. It is, for example, not necessary to filter the samples for analysis with CE. CE is mostly limited to polymers that are charged or can be charged, but in the case of polyelectrolytes it has similarities with liquid chromatography in the critical conditions: it does not separate a charged homopolymer by molar mass. It can thus characterize the topology of a branched polymer, such as poly(acrylic acid), or the purity or composition of copolymers, either natural ones such as pectin, chitosan, and gellan gum or synthetic ones.
An Unusual Gross Appearance of Vulval Tuberculosis Masquerading as Tumor
Authors: Arakeri Surekha U. , Sinkar Prachi
Published: September 2014

Tuberculosis of the vulva is very rare. It is found in about 0.2% of the cases of genital tract tuberculosis. It usually presents as small shallow ulcers and multiple sinus tracts or rarely as elephantiasis of vulva. Except for very rare cases of primary tuberculosis in the vulva, it is usually associated with tuberculosis elsewhere in the body leading to secondary tuberculosis. Here, we report a case of secondary vulval tuberculosis which presented as a vulval mass in a 40-year-old female patient. The rarity of this presentation in the female genital tract is emphasized.
Six Years of Experience in Photodynamic Therapy for Basal Cell Carcinoma: Results and Fluorescence Diagnosis from 191 Lesions
Authors: Fernández-Guarino M. , Harto A. , Pérez-García B. , Royuela A. , Jaén P.
Published: September 2014

Background.Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has become a therapeutic option for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in the last decade. Objectives.To study the results and predictors of BCC response to treatment with PDT and to evaluate fluorescence diagnosis of BCC.Methods.A descriptive, retrospective, and observational study was carried out. Patients with biopsy-confirmed BCC who were treated with methyl aminolevulinate and red light according to standard treatment protocols (2 sessions separated by 2 weeks, 630 nm, 37 J/cm2, 8 minutes, Aktilite) were selected. Response was scored as clinically complete and incomplete and the patients were followed up every three months.Results. Data from 191 BCC in 181 patients with a mean age of 69.55 years and a mean follow-up period of 34.4 months were collected. The overall response was 74% of the BCC treated, with the best response in superficial BCC with a 95% of complete response. The regression analysis revealed that the superficial histological type was the primary factor predictive of a complete response.Conclusions.In the treatment of BCC with PDT, the most significant factor for predicting response is the histological type.
Serial Changes of Neointimal Tissue after Everolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation in Porcine Coronary Artery: An Optical Coherence Tomography Analysis
Authors: Won Hoyoun , Kim Jung-Sun , Shin Dong-Ho , Kim Byeong-Keuk , Ko Young-Guk , Choi Donghoon , Jang Yangsoo , Hong Myeong-Ki
Published: September 2014

Purposes. The serial changes in neointimal tissues were compared between everolimus-eluting stent (EES) and bare-metal stent (BMS) in the porcine coronary artery using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods. Serial (1, 3, and 6 month follow-up after stent implantation) OCT examinations were performed in 15 swine with 15 BMS- and 15 EES-treated lesions in porcine coronary arteries. Results. In BMS-implanted lesions, neointimal volume decreased from 7.3 mm3 to 6.9 mm3 and 6.4 mm3 at 1, 3, and 6 months follow-up without statistical significance (P=0.369). At the time points of 1, 3, and 6 months, neointimal tissue appearance was mainly a homogeneous pattern (80.0%, 93.3%, and 100%, resp.), while the other pattern was layered. In contrast, in EES-implanted lesions, neointimal volume significantly increased from 4.8 mm3 to 9.8 mm3 between 1 and 3 months but significantly decreased to 8.6 mm3 between 3 and 6 months (P<0.001). Between 1 and 3 months, the layered pattern of neointimal tissue increased from 26.7% to 66.7% but decreased to 20.0% between 3 and 6 months. Conclusions. EES had a biphasic pattern of neointimal amounts that correlated with changes in neointimal morphology.
Bilateral Choroidal Metastasis from Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Namad Tariq , Wang Jiang , Tilton Annemarie , Abdel Karim Nagla
Published: September 2014

Breast and lung cancers are the most common primary neoplasms to manifest with choroidal metastases. The incidence of choroidal metastases from metastatic lung cancer was reported to be 2–6.7%. We report a case of bilateral choroidal metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer. A 59-year-old Caucasian female patient, never a smoker, was diagnosed with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma metastatic to the pleura, bones, and the brain. Her initial scan of the chest showed innumerable soft tissue nodules and mediastinal adenopathy compatible with metastatic disease. Her initial brain MRI showed numerous small enhancing lesions consistent with extensive disease. Unfortunately, during her follow-up visits, she presented with bulge on her left eye. Simultaneously, her follow-up chest scan showed increase in the size of the lung nodules. She continued to have a reasonable performance status at that time, except for mild increase in her dyspnea. The choroidal metastases require a multidisciplinary care and should be among the differential patients with malignancy who present with ocular symptoms.
The Discolouration of Human Teeth from Archaeological Contexts: Elemental Analysis of a Black Tooth from a Roman Cranium Recovered from the River Witham, Lincoln, UK
Authors: Brown Emma L. , Dixon Ronald A. , Birkett Jason W.
Published: September 2014

A human cranium was recovered from the River Witham, Lincoln, UK, at Stamp End Lock during a police operation in 2002. Although extensive trauma was noted, the skull was not of forensic interest since radiocarbon dating revealed that the individual had lived during the Roman occupation of Lincoln, almost 2,000 years ago. The skull had unusual black “metallic” staining on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth. As this kind of staining is relatively uncommon, it was investigated to determine the possible cause. An individual tooth was subjected to two elemental analyses: inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). A small sample(n=21)of modern teeth was also analysed for comparison to determine “normal” ranges of certain elements. Analysis of the ancient tooth shows very high levels of manganese (275 µg/g) and iron (1540 µg/g) compared to modern teeth values (1.90 µg/g Mn and 40.81 µg/g Fe). These results were consistent with the black staining arising from iron and manganese infiltrating bone and dental tissue from the depositional environment, and not a consequence of diet, pathological process or cultural practices.
Theoretical and Linearity Analysis for Pressure Sensors and Communication System Development
Authors: Jeong Taikyeong
Published: September 2014

For the safety, reliability, and fuel economy, new road vehicles and automotive pressure sensor are being equipped with tire pressure measurement system (TPMS) in the vehicle. This paper describes the theoretical analysis and linear behavior of direct-type tire pressure sensor while the vehicle is operating. A rugged pressure sensor, thin-film piezoresistive pressure sensor, design is presented as a modular design approach for TPMS, where all the main parts of the TPMS can be connected together for easiness in integration, maintenance, and replaceability. This can also result in reducing replacement cost as well as maintaining linearity behavior of pressure sensor's property. Three-dimensional model was analyzed with material properties; the resonance frequency of the model calculated is 24 kHz and sensitivity is calculated to be 1.2  µV/V·kPa. Our result shows that a thin-film technology of sensor design is still a viable solution for vehicular sensor and system measurement development.
A Critical Review of Personal Statements Submitted by Dermatology Residency Applicants
Authors: Olazagasti Jeannette , Gorouhi Farzam , Fazel Nasim
Published: September 2014

Background. A strong personal statement is deemed favorable in the overall application review process. However, research on the role of personal statements in the application process is lacking.Objective. To determine if personal statements from matched applicants differ from unmatched applicants.Methods. All dermatology residency applications (n=332) submitted to UC Davis Dermatology in the year of 2012 were evaluated. Two investigators identified the characteristics and recurring themes of content present in the personal statements. Then, both investigators individually evaluated the content of these personal statements in order to determine if any of the defined themes was present. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and reliability tests were used.Results. The following themes were emphasized more often by the matched applicants than the unmatched applicants as their reasons for going into dermatology are to study the cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease (33.8% versus 22.8%), to contribute to the literature gap (8.3% versus 1.1%), and to study the pathophysiology of skin diseases (8.3% versus 2.2%;P≤0.05for all).Conclusion. The prevalence of certain themes in personal statements of dermatology applicants differs according to match status; nevertheless, whether certain themes impact match outcome needs to be further elucidated.
Pulse Edge-Only Signaling Method Comparison for Wireline Interconnects
Authors: Garmatyuk Dmitriy , Kauffman Kyle , Martwick Andrew
Published: September 2014

Typical high-speed electrical transmission lines use a variety of precoding and equalization techniques to counter the frequency-dependent channel loss and environmental conditions such as ISI. In this paper, we suggest a relatively narrow-band signaling method that is resilient to the effects of ISI and crosstalk and can be implemented with existing technology. Alternative modulation schemes are analyzed in terms of effectiveness, performance, and cost. In particular, line-encoded and on-off keyed modulation methods are evaluated in simulations of transmission lines to gauge effectiveness in high-speed conditions with limiting ISI.
Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Plates Stiffened by Parallel Beams with Deformable Connection
Authors: Dourakopoulos J. A. , Sapountzakis E. J.
Published: September 2014

In this paper a general solution to the geometrically nonlinear dynamic analysis of plates stiffened by arbitrarily placed parallel beams of arbitrary doubly symmetric cross-section, subjected to dynamic loading, is presented. The plate-beam structure is assumed to undergo moderate large deflections and the nonlinear analysis is carried out by retaining nonlinear terms in the kinematical relations. According to the proposed model, the arbitrarily placed parallel stiffening beams are isolated from the plate by sections in the lower outer surface of the plate, making the hypothesis that the plate and the beams can slip in all directions of the connection without separation and taking into account the arising tractions in all directions at the fictitious interfaces. These tractions are integrated with respect to each half of the interface width resulting in two interface lines, along which the loading of the beams and the additional loading of the plate are defined. Six boundary value problems are formulated and solved using the analog equation method (AEM), a BEM-based method. Both free and forced transverse vibrations are considered and numerical examples with great practical interest are presented demonstrating the effectiveness, wherever possible, the accuracy, and the range of applications of the proposed method.
Boundary Control for a Kind of Coupled PDE-ODE System
Authors: Wang Yuanting , Liao Fucheng , Liao Yonglong , Shen Zhengwei
Published: September 2014

A coupled system of an ordinary differential equation (ODE) and a heat partial differential equation (PDE) with spatially varying coefficients is discussed. By using the PDE backstepping method, the state-feedback stabilizing controller is explicitly constructed with the assumptionsλ(x)∈P[x]nandλ(x)∈C[0, l]∞, respectively. The closed-loop system is proved to be exponentially stable by this controller. A simulation example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The Potentiation of Associative Memory by Emotions: An Event-Related FMRI Study
Authors: Luck David , Leclerc Marie-Eve , Lepage Martin
Published: September 2014

Establishing associations between pieces of information is related to the medial temporal lobe (MTL). However, it remains unclear how emotions affect memory for associations and, consequently, MTL activity. Thus, this event-related fMRI study attempted to identify neural correlates of the influence of positive and negative emotions on associative memory. Twenty-five participants were instructed to memorize 90 pairs of standardized pictures during a scanned encoding phase. Each pair was composed of a scene and an unrelated object. Trials were neutral, positive, or negative as a function of the emotional valence of the scene. At the behavioral level, participants exhibited better memory retrieval for both emotional conditions relative to neutral trials. Within the right MTL, a functional dissociation was observed, with entorhinal activation elicited by emotional associations, posterior parahippocampal activation elicited by neutral associations, and hippocampal activation elicited by both emotional and neutral associations. In addition, emotional associations induced greater activation than neutral trials in the right amygdala. This fMRI study shows that emotions are associated with the performance improvement of associative memory, by enhancing activity in the right amygdala and the right entorhinal cortex. It also provides evidence for a rostrocaudal specialization within the MTL regarding the emotional valence of associations.
A New Sensors-Based Covert Channel on Android
Authors: Al-Haiqi Ahmed , Ismail Mahamod , Nordin Rosdiadee
Published: September 2014

Covert channels are not new in computing systems, and have been studied since their first definition four decades ago. New platforms invoke thorough investigations to assess their security. Now is the time for Android platform to analyze its security model, in particular the two key principles: process-isolation and the permissions system. Aside from all sorts of malware, one threat proved intractable by current protection solutions, that is, collusion attacks involving two applications communicating over covert channels. Still no universal solution can countermeasure this sort of attack unless the covert channels are known. This paper is an attempt to reveal a new covert channel, not only being specific to smartphones, but also exploiting an unusual resource as a vehicle to carry covert information: sensors data. Accelerometers generate signals that reflect user motions, and malware applications can apparently only read their data. However, if the vibration motor on the device is used properly, programmatically produced vibration patterns can encode stolen data and hence an application can cause discernible effects on acceleration data to be received and decoded by another application. Our evaluations confirmed a real threat where strings of tens of characters could be transmitted errorless if the throughput is reduced to around 2.5–5 bps. The proposed covert channel is very stealthy as no unusual permissions are required and there is no explicit communication between the colluding applications.
Preclinical Activity of the Liposomal Cisplatin Lipoplatin in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Casagrande Naike , Celegato Marta , Borghese Cinzia , Mongiat Maurizio , Colombatti Alfonso , Aldinucci Donatella
Published: September 2014

Purpose: Cisplatin and its platinum derivatives are first-line chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of ovarian cancer; however, treatment is associated with tumor resistance and significant toxicity. Here we investigated the antitumoral activity of lipoplatin, one of the most promising liposomal platinum drug formulations under clinical investigation.

Experimental Design: In vitro effects of lipoplatin were tested on a panel of ovarian cancer cell lines, sensitive and resistant to cisplatin, using both two-dimensional (2D) and 3D cell models. We evaluated in vivo the lipoplatin anticancer activity using tumor xenografts.

Results: Lipoplatin exhibited a potent antitumoral activity in all ovarian cancer cell lines tested, induced apoptosis, and activated caspase-9, -8, and -3, downregulating Bcl-2 and upregulating Bax. Lipoplatin inhibited thioredoxin reductase enzymatic activity and increased reactive oxygen species accumulation and reduced EGF receptor (EGFR) expression and inhibited cell invasion. Lipoplatin demonstrated a synergistic effect when used in combination with doxorubicin, widely used in relapsed ovarian cancer treatment, and with the albumin-bound paclitaxel, Abraxane. Lipoplatin decreased both ALDH and CD133 expression, markers of ovarian cancer stem cells. Multicellular aggregates/spheroids are present in ascites of patients and most contribute to the spreading to secondary sites. Lipoplatin decreased spheroids growth, vitality, and cell migration out of preformed spheroids. Finally, lipoplatin inhibited more than 90% tumor xenograft growth with minimal systemic toxicity, and after the treatment suspension, no tumor progression was observed.

Conclusion: These preclinical data suggest that lipoplatin has potential for clinical assessment in aggressive cisplatin-resistant patients with ovarian cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 20(21); 5496–506. ©2014 AACR.
Gradenigo Syndrome Caused by Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
Authors: Chen Pey-Yu , Wu Chen-Chi , Yang Tsung-Lin , Hsu Chuan-Jen , Lin Yi-Tsen , Lin Kai-Nan
Published: September 2014

Gradenigo syndrome is a rare but devastating complication of otitis media that involves the petrous apex. Clinically, it is characterized by the triad of suppurative otitis media, deep facial pain, and abducens palsy. Most of the Gradenigo syndrome cases that have been reported in the literature were caused by pyogenic bacteria. In this report, we describe the clinical courses of 4 adults with Gradenigo syndrome who were encountered consecutively at a tertiary referral hospital between 2008 and 2012. Mycobacterium abscessus was confirmed in all 4 cases by culturing the pathological tissues obtained during surgical debridement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report documenting infections of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Gradenigo syndrome. An NTM infection must be considered in chronic otomastoiditis complicated by Gradenigo syndrome. The definite treatment of Gradenigo syndrome with an NTM infection requires adequate surgical debridement combined with antibiotic treatment for at least 4-6 months.
A Novel Preoperative Scoring System for Predicting Endometrial Cancer in Patients with Complex Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia and Accuracy of Frozen Section Pathological Examination in This Context: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Gungorduk Kemal , Ozdemir Aykut , Ertas Ibrahim E. , Sahbaz Ahmet , Asicioglu Osman , Gokcu Mehmet , Solmaz Ulas , Harma Mehmet , Uzuncakmak Cihangir , Dogan Askin , Sanci Muzaffer
Published: September 2014

Objective: To estimate the accuracy of frozen pathological analysis in patients preoperatively diagnosed with endometrial atypical complex hyperplasia (ACH) and to develop a model predicting the probability of the presence of endometrial carcinoma in ACH. Methods: Patients (n = 128) who underwent total hysterectomies because of diagnoses of ACH were evaluated at four tertiary centers. Results: Diagnoses made using frozen sections and permanent sections were in good agreement (ĸ = 0.61, p < 0.0001). A useful scoring system combining weighted risk factors derived from a regression model is as follows: (2 × age ≥50 years) + (3 × BMI ≥30) + (2 × menopausal status) + (2 × diabetes comorbidity) + (3 × endometrial thickness >12 mm). The AUC of this score was 0.793, and the score afforded 80.9% sensitivity, 70.3% specificity, a 75.3% positive predictive value, and a 76.4% negative predictive value, when a score of 5 was used as a cutoff. Conclusions: Patients with ACH should be evaluated by gynecological oncologists and intraoperative frozen section analysis should be performed by pathologists specializing in the evaluation of gynecological malignancies, because ACH is closely associated with endometrial cancer (EC). Our novel preoperative scoring system may aid in the detection of patients at increased risk of EC and thus guide general gynecologists.
Impact of Preoperative Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging during Awake Craniotomy Procedures for Intraoperative Guidance and Complication Avoidance
Authors: Trinh Victoria T. , Fahim Daniel K. , Maldaun Marcos V.C. , Shah Komal , McCutcheon Ian E. , Rao Ganesh , Lang Frederick , Weinberg Jeffrey , Sawaya Raymond , Suki Dima , Prabhu Sujit S.
Published: September 2014

Background: We wanted to study the role of functional MRI (fMRI) in preventing neurological injury in awake craniotomy patients as this has not been previously studied. Objectives: To examine the role of fMRI as an intraoperative adjunct during awake craniotomy procedures. Methods: Preoperative fMRI was carried out routinely in 214 patients undergoing awake craniotomy with direct cortical stimulation (DCS). Results: In 40% of our cases (n = 85) fMRI was utilized for the intraoperative localization of the eloquent cortex. In the other 129 cases significant noise distortion, poor task performance and nonspecific BOLD activation precluded the surgeon from using the fMRI data. Compared with DCS, fMRI had a sensitivity and specificity, respectively, of 91 and 64% in Broca's area, 93 and 18% in Wernicke's area and 100 and 100% in motor areas. A new intraoperative neurological deficit during subcortical dissection was predictive of a worsened deficit following surgery (p < 0.001). The use of fMRI for intraoperative localization was, however, not significant in preventing worsened neurological deficits, both in the immediate postoperative period (p = 1.00) and at the 3-month follow-up (p = 0.42). Conclusions: The routine use of fMRI was not useful in identifying language sites as performed and, more importantly, practiced tasks failed to prevent neurological deficits following awake craniotomy procedures.
A Tunisian Patient with Two Rare Syndromes: Triple A Syndrome and Congenital Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
Authors: Cherif Ben Abdallah Lamia , Lakhoua Youssef , Nagara Majdi , Khiari Karima , Elouej Sahar , Messaoud Olfa , Bouyacoub Yosra , Romdhane Lilia , Turki Zinet , Abdelhak Sonia , Ben Abdallah Nejib
Published: September 2014

Background/Aims: The coexistence of triple A syndrome (AAAS) and congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) has so far not been reported in the literature. This study aimed to characterize at the clinical and genetic level one patient presenting an association of AAAS and CHH in order to identify causal mutations. Methods: Clinical and endocrinal investigations were performed and followed by mutational screening of candidate genes. Results: At the age of 18, the patient presented sexual infantilism, a micropenis and gynecomastia. No mutation was revealed in GnRHR, TACR3/TAC3, PROK2/PROKR2 and PROP1 genes, except a homozygous intronic variation (c.244 + 128C>T; dbSNP: rs350129) in the KISS1R gene, which is likely nondeleterious. A homozygous splice-donor site mutation (IVS14 + 1G>A) was found in the AAAS gene. This mutation, responsible for AAAS, is a founder mutation in North Africa. Conclusion: This is the first report on a Tunisian patient with the coexistence of AAAS and CHH. The diagnosis of CHH should be taken in consideration in patients with Allgrove syndrome and who carry the IVS14 + 1G>A mutation as this might challenge appropriate genetic counseling.
Cost-Effectiveness of IL28Β Genotype-Guided Protease Inhibitor Triple Therapy versus Standard of Care Treatment in Patients with Hepatitis C Genotypes 2 or 3 Infection
Authors: Bock Jonathan A. , Fairley Kimberly J. , Smith Robert E. , Maeng Daniel D. , Pitcavage James M. , Inverso Nicholas A. , Williams Marc S.
Published: September 2014

Background/Aims: Triple therapy [adding protease inhibitors to standard of care (SOC)] dramatically increases treatment response in selected patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Interleukin 28B (IL28Β) genotyping helps predict responsiveness in these patients; however, the economic implications of IL28Β genotyping in HCV genotype 2 or 3 infected patients are unknown. Short- and long-term costs and outcomes of SOC therapy were calculated and used to determine the cost-effectiveness thresholds for using triple therapy in HCV genotype 2 or 3 infected patients. Methods: Costs and outcomes were calculated by conducting cohort simulations on decision trees modeling SOC and triple therapy. Quality-adjusted life expectancies and long-term costs were predicted through Markov modeling. Results: For triple therapy to be cost-effective, sustained virologic response (SVR) rates must improve (depending on age) by 7.91-11.11 and 9.06-12.8% for HCV genotype 2 and 3 cohorts, respectively. When triple therapy is guided by 2 IL28Β variants, a 2.63-3.72% improvement in SVR is needed for cost-effectiveness, and when guided by only one variant, a 1.4-8.91% improvement is needed. Conclusions: Markov modeling revealed that modest increases in SVR rates from IL28Β-guided triple therapy can lead to both lower costs and better health outcomes than SOC therapy in the long run.
Bienen: Eine Lebensgarantie - eine ethnobotanische und literarische Studie zur Wirksamkeit von Bienenprodukten - Teil 1
Authors: Huonker Peter
Published: September 2014

In der heutigen Zeit kann man getrost die Aussage treffen, dass ohne Honigbienen kein Menschenleben möglich wäre. Die Honigbiene ist aber nicht nur der Ernährer der Menschen, indem sie Jahr für Jahr die Pflanzen befruchtet und dafür sorgt, dass wir Früchte, Gemüse und Getreide verzehren können, sondern jedes Bienenvolk ist der Produzent von Stoffen bzw. Nahrungsmitteln wie Honig, Propolis, Gelée Royale, Pollenbrot, Bienengift und Wachs, die auch therapeutisch verwendet werden können. Trotz seiner sehr individuellen Zusammensetzung scheint Honig grundsätzlich eine antibakterielle Wirkung aufzuweisen, sodass er volksmedizinisch noch oft angewendet wird, um Erkältungen oder Halsschmerzen zu beseitigen. Propolis ist eine Mischung aus verschieden Harzen der Bäume, die ebenfalls eine antibakterielle und antientzündliche Wirkung haben. So wird Propolis in der Volksmedizin heute oft noch als Wundcreme verwendet. Gelée Royale mit seinem verhältnismässig hohen Gehalt an 10-Hydroxy-2-Decensäure wurde auch als starkes antibakterielles Heilmittel gehandelt, wobei es aber keine bedeutenden klinischen Studien hierzu gibt. Pollenbrot, das ein Gemisch aus verschiedenen Pollen ist, weist keine therapeutischen Anwendungsmöglichkeiten auf. Wachs scheint eine leichte entzündungshemmende Wirkung zu haben, wird aber in erster Linie in der Kosmetik und nicht therapeutisch verwendet. Bienengift hingegen wurde aufgrund seiner entzündungshemmenden, schmerzlindernden Wirkung (abgesehen von der Schwellung unmittelbar nach dem Stich) schon intensiver studiert. Das Proteingemisch scheint mehrere Schmerzsignalwege zu beeinflussen und könnte für Rheumabehandlungen eine interessante Alternative bieten. Kenntnisse über die therapeutischen Verwendungen wurden in einer nicht repräsentativen Umfrage eruiert. Es stellte sich dabei heraus, dass die Wirkungsweise dieser sechs verschiedenen Bienenprodukte in unserer Gesellschaft nicht sehr stark verwurzelt ist. Honig ist das einzige Produkt, das noch häufig verwendet wird, sei es zum Frühstück, sei es gegen Erkältungen. Andere Produkte werden eher selten verwendet. In gewissen Fällen wird Propolis für die Wundheilung verwendet. Bei einem Selbstversuch mit Bienengift konnte erfolgreich eine chronische Entzündung im Kniebereich behandelt werden.
Intensified Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Nab-Paclitaxel plus Gemcitabine Followed by FOLFIRINOX in a Patient with Locally Advanced Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Kunzmann Volker , Herrmann Ken , Bluemel Christina , Kapp Markus , Hartlapp Ingo , Steger Ulrich
Published: September 2014

The prognosis of patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer can be improved if secondary complete (R0) resection is possible. In patients initially staged as unresectable this may be achieved with neoadjuvant treatment which is usually chemoradiotherapy based. We report the case of a 46-year-old patient with an unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer (pT4 Nx cM0 G2) who was treated with a sequential neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen consisting of 2 cycles of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine followed by 4 cycles of FOLFIRINOX. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy resulted in secondary resectability (R0 resection). After 2 cycles of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine, the patient already had a complete metabolic remission as measured by integrated fludeoxyglucose (18F) positron emission tomography and computerized tomography. After a follow-up of 18 months the patient is alive without progression of disease. We propose to assess the clinical benefit of sequencing the combinations nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and FOLFIRINOX as neoadjuvant therapy for patients with locally advanced and initially unresectable pancreatic cancer in a controlled clinical trial.
The impact of renal function on platelet reactivity and clinical outcome in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting
Authors: Breet Nicoline , Jong Corine de , Bos Willem Jan , van Werkum Jochem , Bouman Heleen , Kelder Johannes , Bergmeijer Thomas , Zijlstra Felix , Hackeng Christian , ten Berg Jurriën
Published: September 2014

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have suggested that patients with CKD have less therapeutic benefit of antiplatelet therapy. However, the relation between renal function and platelet reactivity is still under debate. On-treatment platelet reactivity was determined in parallel by ADP- and AA-induced light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) and the VerifyNow® System (P2Y12 and Aspirin) in 988 patients on dual antiplatelet therapy, undergoing elective coronary stenting. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of moderate/severe CKD (GFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m2). Furthermore, the incidence of all-cause death, non-fatal acute myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis and stroke at one-year was evaluated. Patients with CKD (n=180) had significantly higher platelet reactivity, regardless of the platelet function test used. Patients with CKD more frequently had high on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity (HCPR) and high on-aspirin platelet reactivity (HAPR) regardless of the platelet function test used. After adjustment for potential confounders, this was no longer significant. The event-rate was the highest in patients with both high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) and CKD compared to those with neither high on-treatment platelet reactivity nor CKD. In conclusion, the magnitude of platelet reactivity as well as the incidence of HPR was higher in patients with CKD. However, since the incidence of HPR was similar after adjustment, a higher rate of co-morbidities in patients with CKD might be the major cause for this observation rather than CKD itself. CKD-patients with HCPR were at the highest risk of long-term cardiovascular events.

Clinical Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00352014.
CYP-independent inhibition of platelet aggregation in rabbits by a mixed disulfide conjugate of clopidogrel
Authors: Lauver D. Adam , Hollenberg Paul , Zhang Haoming
Published: September 2014

Dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin has been the standard of care in the United States for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and/or undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). However, the effectiveness of clopidogrel varies significantly among different sub-populations due to inter-individual variability. In this study we examined the antiplatelet potential of a novel mixed disulfide conjugate of clopidogrel with the aim to overcome the inter-individual variability. In the metabolic studies using human liver microsomes and cDNA-expressed P450s, we confirmed that multiple P450s are involved in the bioactivation of 2-oxoclopidogrel to H4, one of the diastereomers of the pharmacologically active metabolite (AM) possessing antiplatelet activity. Results from kinetic studies demonstrated that 2C19 is the most active in converting 2-oxoclopidogrel to H4 with a catalytic efficiency of 0.027 µM-1min-1 in the reconstituted system. On the basis of this finding, we were able to biosynthesise the conjugate of clopidogrel with 3-nitropyridine-2-thiol, referred to as clopNPT, and examined its antiplatelet activity in male New Zealand white rabbits. After administration as intravenous bolus at 2 mg/kg, the clopNPT conjugate was rapidly converted to the AM leading to the inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA). Analyses of the blood samples drawn at various time points showed that intravenous administration of clopNPT led to ~70% IPA within 1 hour and the IPA persisted for more than 3 hours. Since the antiplatelet activity of clopNPT does not require bioactivation by P450s, the mixed disulfide conjugate of clopidogrel has the potential to overcome the inter-individual variability in clopidogrel therapy.
Tumour growth inhibition and anti-angiogenic effects using curcumin correspond to combined PDE2 and PDE4 inhibition
Authors: Abusnina Abdurazzag , Keravis Thérèse , Zhou Qingwei , Justiniano Hélène , Lobstein Annelise , Lugnier Claire
Published: September 2014

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a major role in angiogenesis by stimulating endothelial cells. Increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) level inhibits VEGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation and migration. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which specifically hydrolyse cyclic nucleotides, are critical in the regulation of this signal transduction. We have previously reported that PDE2 and PDE4 up-regulations in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are implicated in VEGF-induced angiogenesis and that inhibition of PDE2 and PDE4 activities prevents the development of the in vitro angiogenesis by increasing cAMP level, as well as the in vivo chicken embryo angiogenesis. We have also shown that polyphenols are able to inhibit PDEs. The curcumin having anti-cancer properties, the present study investigated whether PDE2 and PDE4 inhibitors and curcumin could have similar in vivo anti-tumour properties and whether the anti-angiogenic effects of curcumin are mediated by PDEs. Both PDE2/PDE4 inhibitor association and curcumin significantly inhibited in vivo tumour growth in C57BL/6N mice. In vitro, curcumin inhibited basal and VEGF-stimulated HUVEC proliferation and migration and delayed cell cycle progression at G0/G1, similarly to the combination of selective PDE2 and PDE4 inhibitors. cAMP levels in HUVECs were significantly increased by curcumin, similarly to rolipram (PDE4 inhibitor) and BAY-60–550 (PDE2 inhibitor) association, indicating cAMP-PDE inhibitions. Moreover, curcumin was able to inhibit VEGF-induced cAMP-PDE activity without acting on cGMP-PDE activity and to modulate PDE2 and PDE4 expressions in HUVECs. The present results suggest that curcumin exerts its in vitro anti-angiogenic and in vivo antitumour properties through combined PDE2 and PDE4 inhibition.
Gene network analysis: from heart development to cardiac therapy
Authors: Bellazzi Riccardo , Engel Felix , Ferrazzi Fulvia
Published: September 2014

Networks offer a flexible framework to represent and analyse the complex interactions between components of cellular systems. In particular gene networks inferred from expression data can support the identification of novel hypotheses on regulatory processes. In this review we focus on the use of gene network analysis in the study of heart development. Understanding heart development will promote the elucidation of the aetiology of congenital heart disease and thus possibly improve diagnostics. Moreover, it will help to establish cardiac therapies. For example, understanding cardiac differentiation during development will help to guide stem cell differentiation required for cardiac tissue engineering or to enhance endogenous repair mechanisms. We introduce different methodological frameworks to infer networks from expression data such as Boolean and Bayesian networks. Then we present currently available temporal expression data in heart development and discuss the use of network-based approaches in published studies. Collectively, our literature-based analysis indicates that gene network analysis constitutes a promising opportunity to infer therapy-relevant regulatory processes in heart development. However, the use of network-based approaches has so far been limited by the small amount of samples in available datasets. Thus, we propose to acquire high-resolution temporal expression data to improve the mathematical descriptions of regulatory processes obtained with gene network inference methodologies. Especially probabilistic methods that accommodate the intrinsic variability of biological systems have the potential to contribute to a deeper understanding of heart development.
How diverse are coccoid cyanobacteria? A case study of terrestrial habitats from the Atlantic Rainforest (São Paulo, Brazil)
Authors: GAMA-JR WATSON ARANTES , Laughinghouse IV Haywood Dail , Sant'Anna Célia Leite
Published: September 2014

The present study analyzed 267 samples of terrestrial habitats from different fragmented areas of the Atlantic Rainforest located in São Paulo State (southeastern Brazil), finding 61 taxa of coccoid cyanobacteria, 21 of which we were only capable of identifying at the generic level. The samples were examined using light microscopy and populations were morphometrically separated and taxonomically identified. Among the identified taxa, we propose the elevation of Chroococcus turgidus var. subviolaceus to Chroococcus subviolaceus comb. et stat. nov. Due to the high species richness found, we assume that the Atlantic Rainforest is a ‘hotspot’ of coccoid cyanobacterial diversity and should be better studied, in addition to other tropical ecosystems and terrestrial habitats, which have been shown to be suitable places for cyanobacterial diversity establishment.
A new section of Silene (Caryophyllaceae) including a new species from South Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: Aydin Zeynep , Ertekin Alaattin Selçuk , Långström Elisabeth , Oxelman Bengt
Published: September 2014

Silene section Cryptoneurae (Caryophyllaceae) and S. ertekinii from Western Antalya, Turkey, are described as new taxa on the basis of morphological and molecular investigations. Nuclear ITS and chloroplast rps16 DNA sequences clearly support the recognition of the new section. Inclusiveness and characterization of the new section is discussed and described, and a key for the included species is provided. Diagnostic characters of the new species S. ertekinii are given and its relation to the other species of the section is discussed.
Three new species and growth patterns in Hechtia (Bromeliaceae: Hechtioideae)
Authors: Ramírez Ivón , Jiménez Carlos F. , Carnevali Germán , Pinzón Juan Pablo
Published: September 2014

Three new species of Hechtia from the Mexican State of Oaxaca are herein proposed as new: Hechtia flexilifolia, H. huamelulaensis, and H. nivea, from the physiogeographical provinces of Mixteca Alta, Costas del Sur, and Sierras Centrales de Oaxaca respectively. All three species are described and illustrated. Iconography provided features plants in habitat and under cultivation. An assessment of their conservation status sensu IUCN criteria is presented as well. We also discuss and illustrate the three growth patterns identified at this time in the genus.
Actinellopsis murphyi gen. et spec. nov.: A new small celled freshwater diatom (Bacillariophyta, Eunotiales) from Zambia
Authors: Taylor Jonathan Charles , KARTHICK BALASUBRAMANIAN , KOCIOLEK J. PATRICK , WETZEL CARLOS E. , COCQUYT CHRISTINE
Published: September 2014

In this paper we describe Actinellopsis murphyi gen. et spec. nov. a small heteropolar and dorsiventral diatom from a seep habitat in Zambia. This novel taxon has the chief distinguishing characteristic, along with its cell symmetry, of having the raphe positioned wholly in the valve face and not extending onto the mantle. It is further placed within the Peroniaceae as it possesses a straight raphe on the valve face and rimoportulae, and the frustules are heteropolar with regard to the length of the raphe. We also transfer the fossil diatom Actinella giraffensis to Actinellopsis as the morphological characteristics of this taxon are consistent with those of the generitype.