bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Different Requirements for Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I in Hepatitis C Virus Cell-Free versus Cell-to-Cell Transmission
Authors: Catanese Maria Teresa , Loureiro Joana , Jones Christopher T. , Dorner Marcus , von Hahn Thomas , Rice Charles M.
Published: May 2013

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is believed to initially infect the liver through the basolateral side of hepatocytes, where it engages attachment factors and the coreceptors CD81 and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI). Active transport toward the apical side brings the virus in close proximity of additional entry factors, the tight junction molecules claudin-1 and occludin. HCV is also thought to propagate via cell-to-cell spread, which allows highly efficient virion delivery to neighboring cells. In this study, we compared an adapted HCV genome, clone 2, characterized by superior cell-to cell spread, to its parental genome, J6/JFH-1, with the goal of elucidating the molecular mechanisms of HCV cell-to-cell transmission. We show that CD81 levels on the donor cells influence the efficiency of cell-to-cell spread and CD81 transfer between neighboring cells correlates with the capacity of target cells to become infected. Spread of J6/JFH-1 was blocked by anti-SR-BI antibody or in cells knocked down for SR-BI, suggesting a direct role for this receptor in HCV cell-to-cell transmission. In contrast, clone 2 displayed a significantly reduced dependence on SR-BI for lateral spread. Mutations in E1 and E2 responsible for the enhanced cell-to-cell spread phenotype of clone 2 rendered cell-free virus more susceptible to antibody-mediated neutralization. Our results indicate that although HCV can lose SR-BI dependence for cell-to-cell spread, vulnerability to neutralizing antibodies may limit this evolutionary option
in vivo
. Combination therapies targeting both the HCV glycoproteins and SR-BI may therefore hold promise for effective control of HCV dissemination.
Full Conversion of the Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase Specificity of the Parainfluenza Virus 5 Fusion Protein by Replacement of 21 Amino Acids in Its Head Region with Those of the Simian Virus 41 Fusion Protein
Authors: Tsurudome Masato , Nakahashi Mito , Matsushima Yoshiaki , Ito Morihiro , Nishio Machiko , Kawano Mitsuo , Komada Hiroshi , Nosaka Tetsuya
Published: May 2013

For most parainfluenza viruses, a virus type-specific interaction between the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and fusion (F) proteins is a prerequisite for mediating virus-cell fusion and cell-cell fusion. The molecular basis of this functional interaction is still obscure partly because it is unknown which region of the F protein is responsible for the physical interaction with the HN protein. Our previous cell-cell fusion assay using the chimeric F proteins of parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) and simian virus 41 (SV41) indicated that replacement of two domains in the head region of the PIV5 F protein with the SV41 F counterparts bestowed on the PIV5 F protein the ability to induce cell-cell fusion on coexpression with the SV41 HN protein while retaining its ability to induce fusion with the PIV5 HN protein. In the study presented here, we furthered the chimeric analysis of the F proteins of PIV5 and SV41, finding that the PIV5 F protein could be converted to an SV41 HN-specific chimeric F protein by replacing five domains in the head region with the SV41 F counterparts. The five SV41 F-protein-derived domains of this chimera were then divided into 16 segments; 9 out of 16 proved to be not involved in determining its specificity for the SV41 HN protein. Finally, mutational analyses of a chimeric F protein, which harbored seven SV41 F-protein-derived segments, revealed that replacement of at most 21 amino acids of the PIV5 F protein with the SV41 F-protein counterparts was enough to convert its HN protein specificity.
Chemoembolisation combined with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of primary angiosarcoma of the liver
Authors: Nunes Thiago Franchi , Barbosa Fabio Colagrossi Paes , Miiji Luciana Nakao Odashiro , de Souza Luiz Gustavo Orlandi
Published: May 2013

Angiosarcoma of the liver is a rare disease; however, it ranks as the third most common primary liver malignancy. Diagnosis is difficult and prognosis is very poor. After the onset of clinical symptoms, the disease often progresses rapidly, decreasing the chances of curative treatment. We report the case of an 83-year-old male patient who presented with postprandial fullness. Upper abdominal ultrasound showed a hypervascular mass in segment 6 of the liver. The results of anatomopathological examination and immunohistochemistry were compatible with the diagnosis of primary angiosarcoma of the liver. Patient refused surgery (haepatectomy), and treatment was then initiated with transarterial chemoembolisation, followed by percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. The patient is currently cured based on clinical and radiological evidence. This case report is the first in the literature to describe the combined use of transarterial chemoembolisation with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of primary angiosarcoma of the liver.
Bilateral simultaneous testicular torsion presenting as a diagnostic dilemma
Authors: Beliaev Andrei M , Mundy Ian
Published: May 2013

Bilateral simultaneous testicular torsion is a rare condition and can be misdiagnosed. The 16–year-old patient presented with a 3 h history of left hemi-scrotal pain, nausea and vomiting. His comorbidities included DiGeorge syndrome (22q11 deletion syndrome). Patient's scrotal examination was misleading because both testes were retracted. His cremasteric reflex was negative bilaterally. Scrotal ultrasound findings were consistent with the diagnosis of the left testicular torsion. An examination under anaesthesia revealed high riding and oblique position of the left testicle, but the position of the right testicle was unremarkable. The patient underwent an emergency left hemiscrotal exploration and untwisting of the left testicle. The right hemi-scrotal exploration revealed a 540° clock-wise right testicular torsion. The case demonstrates the importance of bilateral hemi-scrotal exploration in a patient presenting with acute testicular pain due to a testicular torsion. Bilateral scrotal exploration is mandatory not only for diagnostic but also for treatment purposes.
Provision of an out-of-hours emergency endoscopy service: the Leicester experience
Authors: Ramiah Rekha , Wurm Peter
Published: May 2013

Introduction

The British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) Strategy document ‘Care of patients with Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders’ recommends that all acute hospitals should have arrangements for out-of-hours (OOH) endoscopy staffed with appropriately trained endoscopists. The UK national audit published in 2010 found that only 52% of hospitals across the UK had a formal consultant-led OOH endoscopy on-call rota. The University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) established a consultant-led rota in 2006, which now provides 24/7 endoscopy cover. To define the workload of a newly established OOH service, we examined procedures performed since the introduction of an OOH service in 2006.

Methods

The audit period covered August–January (6 months) for each of five consecutive years. Data were gathered from formal endoscopy reports on Unisoft reporting tool and OOH record books. We examined indication for endoscopy, timing of procedure, findings at index endoscopy, intervention and immediate outcome.

Results

Across the three UHL sites, data on 982 patients were analysed. Eighty-one percent of procedures performed were gastroscopies. 63% of the procedures were performed for GI bleed indications. Over the five years, there was an overall increase in the number of procedures performed where no pathology was found. Immediate outcomes postendoscopy were good, with over 90% being returned to their base ward.

Conclusions

The experience at UHL appears to show a trend towards an increasing number of procedures performed OOH, with fewer positive findings and less need for therapy. A likely contributing factor is the ongoing shortage of medical beds, requiring more routine work to be done OOH in order to expedite discharges. However, early specialist endoscopic input is likely to improve patient management. The impact of an OOH service on other services, however, needs to be carefully considered.
Investigation of the role of the NO–cGMP pathway on YC-1 and DEA/NO effects on thoracic aorta smooth muscle responses in a rat preeclampsia model
Authors: Turgut Nergiz Hacer , Temiz Tijen Kaya , Turgut Bülent , Karadas Baris , Parlak Mesut , Bagcivan Ihsan
Published: May 2013

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of YC-1, a nitric oxide (NO)-independent soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activator, and DEA/NO, a NO donor, on smooth muscle responses in the preeclampsia model with suramin-treated rats and on the levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) of thoracic aorta rings isolated from term-pregnant rats. Rats of 2 groups, control group and suramin group, were given intraperitoneal injection of saline or suramin, respectively. Suramin injection caused increased blood pressure, protein in urine, and fetal growth retardation. Thoracic aorta rings were exposed to contractile and relaxant agents. KCl contraction and papaverine relaxation responses were similar. Relaxation responses of YC-1 and DEA/NO decreased in suramin group. In both groups in the presence of ODQ, a sGC inhibitor, the relaxation responses of YC-1 and DEA/NO decreased. The cGMP content was determined by radioimmunoassay technique. The content of cGMP in the suramin group decreased. In the presence of YC-1 and DEA/NO in both groups, cGMP content increased, but in ODQ-added groups, there was a significant decrease. We conclude that in preeclampsia, the decrease of relaxation responses and the decrease of cGMP content could be due to the reduction in stimulation of sGC and the decrease in cGMP levels.
PAST AND PRESENT OPERATION OF THE CERN PS BOOSTER
Authors: HANKE K.
Published: May 2013

This paper reviews 40 years of operation of the CERN Proton Synchrotron Booster, from the commissioning in the early 1970s until today's operation as injector for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and as one of the backbone accelerators for CERN's fixed-target physics program.
NUCLEAR SEMIDIRECT PRODUCT OF COMMUTATIVE AUTOMORPHIC LOOPS
Authors: HORA JAN , JEDLIČKA PŘEMYSL
Published: May 2013

Automorphic loops are loops where all inner mappings are automorphisms. We study when a semidirect product of two abelian groups yields a commutative automorphic loop such that the normal subgroup lies in the middle nucleus. With this description at hand we give some examples of such semidirect products.
Augmented-reality glasses bring cloud security into sharp focus
Authors: Hyman Paul
Published: May 2013

The possibility of a new $200-billion-plus industry has cloud security experts bracing for the ramifications.
What is a "good" estimate?
Authors: Armour Phillip G.
Published: May 2013

Whether forecasting is valuable.
Swamped by automation
Authors: Neville-Neil George V.
Published: May 2013

Whenever someone asks you to trust them, don't.
There is no getting around it
Authors: Cavage Mark
Published: May 2013

Building a distributed system requires a methodical approach to requirements.
SimPL
Authors: Kim Myung-Chul , Lee Dong-Jin , Markov Igor L.
Published: May 2013

VLSI placement optimizes locations of circuit components so as to reduce interconnect. Formulated in terms of (hyper) graphs, it is NP-hard, and yet must be solved for challenging million-node instances within several hours. We propose an algorithm for large-scale placement that outperforms prior art both in runtime and solution quality on standard benchmarks. The algorithm is more straightforward than existing placers and easier to integrate into timing-closure flows. Our C++ implementation is compact, self-contained and exploits instruction-level and thread-level parallelism. Due to its simplicity and superior performance, the algorithm has been adopted in the industry and was extended by several university groups to multi-objective optimization.
Artifact evaluation for software conferences
Authors: Krishnamurthi Shriram
Published: May 2013

Software and other digital artifacts are amongst the most valuable contributions of computer science. Yet our conferences treat these mostly as second-class artifacts--especially conferences in the software sciences, which ought to know better. This article argues for elevating these other artifacts by making them part of the evaluation process for papers, and reports on experience from an iteration of an Artifact Evaluation Committee for ESEC/FSE 2011.
Essence of reusability in aspect-oriented systems
Authors: Chaudhary Ritika , Chatterjee Ram
Published: May 2013

Programmers practicing software development have long realized that reusability is an important area of concern- it is an attribute of quality, which depicts the extent to which a module can be used again in different applications with slight modification.

Software professionals often adopt the Module-oriented Approach (MOA) and / or the Object-Oriented Approach (OOA) to develop reusable software. However, these approaches do not address crosscutting concerns (such as logging, security etc.), which are scattered throughout the code and which if poorly done adversely affect reusability and maintainability.

Readers may note that "reusability" is a quality attribute whose assessment remains quite underexplored. This paper discusses the importance of reusability as a quality attribute and its essence in Aspect-Oriented Systems.

This paper has been split into Introduction, Quality Parameters, Conclusion and Future Scope. In the Introduction, the focus is on how Aspect-Oriented Software development addresses the problem of crosscutting concerns. Quality parameters emphasize the concept of reusability within the domains of Object-Oriented Programming and Aspect-Oriented Programming and signify the importance of assessing reusability in Aspect-Oriented Systems. In the future, maintainability will be one of the factors to be considered for assessment of Aspect-Oriented Systems.
Optimizing the software testing efficiency by using a genetic algorithm
Authors: Rao K. Koteswara , Raju GSVP , Nagaraj Srinivasan
Published: May 2013

This paper presents a design method for optimizing software-testing efficiency by identifying the most critical path clusters in a program. This is done by the application of soft computing techniques, specifically genetic algorithms. We develop a genetic algorithm that selects the software path clusters to test, which are weighted in accordance with the criticality of the path. Exhaustive software testing is rarely possible because it becomes intractable for even medium-sized software applications. Typically only parts of a program can be tested, but these parts are not necessarily the most error prone ones. Therefore, we are designing a more selective approach for testing the paths that are more critical, which results in improving the testing efficiency.
Modeling and validation of execution of tasks on high speed network under distributed environment
Authors: Zaidi Taskeen , Saxena Vipin
Published: May 2013

During the past years, distributed computing approach has become an integral part of many of the software companies. This is because of low cost infrastructure involvement and faster execution of the tasks, sharing of resources, etc. In the year 2009, the Indian Government has established distributed network called as National Knowledge Network (NKN). The main objective of NKN is to connect all of the Indian universities, research institutions, computing labs, digital libraries, countrywide classrooms, etc. In the present paper, a well-known object-oriented Unified Modeling Language (UML) is used to construct a model for the execution of the tasks across a distributed network. Authors have designed a static step topology for the faster execution of tasks. Static and dynamic behaviors of the execution of the tasks are represented through UML class and state diagrams, respectively. For validation of the UML model, the state diagram is converted into a Finite State Machine (FSM) and different test cases are generated to validate the proposed model across distributed network environment.
Female pheromones modulate flight muscle activation patterns during preflight warm-up
Authors: Crespo José G. , Vickers Neil J. , Goller Franz
Published: May 2013

At low ambient temperature Helicoverpa zea male moths engage in warm-up behavior prior to taking flight in response to an attractive female pheromone blend. Male H. zea warm up at a faster rate when sensing the attractive pheromone blend compared with unattractive blends or blank controls ( Crespo et al. 2012 ), but the mechanisms involved in this olfactory modulation of the heating rate during preflight warm-up are unknown. Here, we test three possible mechanisms for increasing heat production: 1) increased rate of muscle contraction; 2) reduction in mechanical movement by increased overlap in activation of the antagonistic flight muscles; and 3) increased activation of motor units. To test which mechanisms play a role, we simultaneously recorded electrical activation patterns of the main flight muscles (dorsolongitudinal and dorsoventral muscles), wing movement, and thoracic temperature in moths exposed to both the attractive pheromone blend and a blank control. Results indicate that the main mechanism responsible for the observed increase in thoracic heating rate with pheromone stimulation is the differential activation of motor units during each muscle contraction cycle in both antagonistic flight muscles. This additional activation lengthens the contracted state within each cycle and thus accounts for the greater heat production. Interestingly, the rate of activation (frequency of contraction cycles) of motor units, which is temperature dependent, did not vary between treatments. This result suggests that the activation rate is determined by a temperature-dependent oscillator, which is not affected by the olfactory stimulus, but activation of motor units is modulated during each cycle.
Fear signaling in the prelimbic-amygdala circuit: a computational modeling and recording study
Authors: Pendyam Sandeep , Bravo-Rivera Christian , Burgos-Robles Anthony , Sotres-Bayon Francisco , Quirk Gregory J. , Nair Satish S.
Published: May 2013

The acquisition and expression of conditioned fear depends on prefrontal-amygdala circuits. Auditory fear conditioning increases the tone responses of lateral amygdala neurons, but the increase is transient, lasting only a few hundred milliseconds after tone onset. It was recently reported that that the prelimbic (PL) prefrontal cortex transforms transient lateral amygdala input into a sustained PL output, which could drive fear responses via projections to the lateral division of basal amygdala (BL). To explore the possible mechanisms involved in this transformation, we developed a large-scale biophysical model of the BL-PL network, consisting of 850 conductance-based Hodgkin-Huxley-type cells, calcium-based learning, and neuromodulator effects. The model predicts that sustained firing in PL can be derived from BL-induced release of dopamine and norepinephrine that is maintained by PL-BL interconnections. These predictions were confirmed with physiological recordings from PL neurons during fear conditioning with the selective β-blocker propranolol and by inactivation of BL with muscimol. Our model suggests that PL has a higher bandwidth than BL, due to PL's decreased internal inhibition and lower spiking thresholds. It also suggests that variations in specific microcircuits in the PL-BL interconnection can have a significant impact on the expression of fear, possibly explaining individual variability in fear responses. The human homolog of PL could thus be an effective target for anxiety disorders.
Flavonoid Naringenin: A Potential Immunomodulator forChlamydia trachomatisInflammation
Authors: Yilma Abebayehu N. , Singh Shree R. , Morici Lisa , Dennis Vida A.
Published: May 2013

Chlamydia trachomatis, the agent of bacterial sexually transmitted infections, can manifest itself as either acute cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or a chronic asymptomatic infection. Inflammation induced byC. trachomatiscontributes greatly to the pathogenesis of disease. Here we evaluated the anti-inflammatory capacity of naringenin, a polyphenolic compound, to modulate inflammatory mediators produced by mouse J774 macrophages infected with liveC. trachomatis. Infected macrophages produced a broad spectrum of inflammatory cytokines (GM-CSF, TNF, IL-1β, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-12p70, and IL-10) and chemokines (CCL4, CCL5, CXCL1, CXCL5, and CXCL10) which were downregulated by naringenin in a dose-dependent manner. Enhanced protein and mRNA gene transcript expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 in addition to the CD86 costimulatory molecule on infected macrophages were modulated by naringenin. Pathway-specific inhibition studies disclosed that p38 mitogen-activated-protein kinase (MAPK) is involved in the production of inflammatory mediators by infected macrophages. Notably, naringenin inhibited the ability ofC. trachomatisto phosphorylate p38 in macrophages, suggesting a potential mechanism of its attenuation of concomitantly produced inflammatory mediators. Our data demonstrates that naringenin is an immunomodulator of inflammation triggered byC. trachomatis, which possibly may be mediated upstream by modulation of TLR2, TLR4, and CD86 receptors on infected macrophages and downstream via the p38 MAPK pathway.
Immunological Reaction in TNF-α-Mediated Osteoclast Formation and Bone ResorptionIn VitroandIn Vivo
Authors: Kitaura Hideki , Kimura Keisuke , Ishida Masahiko , Kohara Haruka , Yoshimatsu Masako , Takano-Yamamoto Teruko
Published: May 2013

Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) is a cytokine produced by monocytes, macrophages, and T cells and is induced by pathogens, endotoxins, or related substances. TNF-αmay play a key role in bone metabolism and is important in inflammatory bone diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Cells directly involved in osteoclastogenesis include macrophages, which are osteoclast precursor cells, osteoblasts, or stromal cells. These cells express receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) to induce osteoclastogenesis, and T cells, which secrete RANKL, promote osteoclastogenesis during inflammation. Elucidating the detailed effects of TNF-αon bone metabolism may enable the identification of therapeutic targets that can efficiently suppress bone destruction in inflammatory bone diseases. TNF-αis considered to act by directly increasing RANK expression in macrophages and by increasing RANKL in stromal cells. Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin- (IL-) 12, IL-18, and interferon-γ(IFN-γ) strongly inhibit osteoclast formation. IL-12, IL-18, and IFN-γinduce apoptosis in bone marrow cells treated with TNF-α  in vitro, and osteoclastogenesis is inhibited by the interactions of TNF-α-induced Fas and Fas ligand induced by IL-12, IL-18, and IFN-γ. This review describes and discusses the role of cells concerned with osteoclast formation and immunological reactions in TNF-α-mediated osteoclastogenesisin vitroandin vivo.
Thermal Tolerance in Anuran Embryos with Different Reproductive Modes: Relationship to Altitude
Authors: Bernal Manuel Hernando , Lynch John D.
Published: May 2013

Anurans are ectothermic animals very sensitive to temperature, mainly during the embryonic stage. In addition, environmental temperature decreases with altitude, and the amphibian fauna changes. Therefore, we studied the relationship between the embryonic thermal tolerances of twelve species of anurans and the temperatures of their microhabitat along an altitudinal gradient from 430 m to 2600 m. We hypothesized that there is a strong thermal adjustment of embryos to their microhabitat and, consequently, that temperature could be a limiting factor of altitudinal distribution of the anurans. We also compared the embryonic thermal tolerances according to six postulated reproductive modes of the study species. We found a significant relationship between the maximum and minimum thermal tolerances of the anuran embryos and the maximum and minimum temperatures of their microhabitat and altitudinal distribution. We also found a wide range of embryonic thermal tolerances for aquatic breeding species and a narrower range for terrestrial breeding species. Particularly, embryos of direct development species were the most sensitive to temperature. These results show the strong thermal adjustment of anuran embryos to their microhabitat and elevation and do not reject the hypothesis that temperature can be a limiting factor of their altitudinal distribution.
Positive Effect of Propolis on Free Radicals in Burn Wounds
Authors: Olczyk Pawel , Ramos Pawel , Komosinska-Vassev Katarzyna , Stojko Jerzy , Pilawa Barbara
Published: May 2013

Concentration and properties of free radicals in the burn wounds treated with propolis were examined by the use of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Magnetic spin-spin interactions and complex free radicals structures in wound beds were studied. The results were compared to those obtained for silver sulphadiazine used as a standard pharmaceutical agent. The changes of free radicals in the matrix of injury with time of exposition on these substances were tested. The aim of this study was to check the hypothesis about the best influence of propolis on the burn wounds healing. It was confirmed that a relatively lower concentration of free radicals exists in the burn wounds treated with propolis. The homogeneously broadened spectra and a complex free radical system characterize the tested tissue samples. The fastening of spin-lattice relaxation processes in the matrix of injury after treatment with propolis and silver sulphadiazine was observed. Practical usefulness of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in alternative medicine was proved.
Crack Cocaine-Induced Cardiac Conduction Abnormalities Are Reversed by Sodium Bicarbonate Infusion
Authors: Miranda Carlos Henrique , Pazin-Filho Antônio
Published: May 2013

We report a dramatic case of a 19-year-old man with crack cocaine overdose with important clinical complications as cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation andepileptics status. During this intoxication, electrocardiographic abnormalities similar to those found in tricyclic antidepressant poisoning were observed, and they were reversed by intravenous sodium bicarbonate infusion.
Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Determination of Trace Amounts of Silver after Solid‐Phase Extraction with 2‐Mercaptobenzothiazole Immobilized on Microcrystalline Naphthalene
Authors: Shakerian Farid , Haji Shabani Ali Mohammad , Dadfarnia Shayessteh , Shabani Mahdieh
Published: May 2013

A simple and sensitive solid‐phase extraction (SPE) procedure combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was designed for the extraction and determination of trace amounts of silver. A column of immobilized 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) on microcrystalline naphthalene was used as the sorbent. Silver was quantitatively retained on the column in the pH range of 0.5–6.0. After extraction, the solid mass consisting of silver complex and naphthalene was dissolved out of the column with 5.0 mL of dimethylformamide, and the analyte was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Under the optimum experimental conditions, the adsorption capacity was found to be 1.18 mg of silver per gram of the sorbent. A sample volume of 800 mL resulted in a preconcentration factor of 160. The relative standard deviation obtained for ten replicate determinations at a concentration of 0.8 µg L−1 was 1.4%, and the limit of detection was 0.02 µg L−1. The method was successfully applied to the determination of silver in radiology film, waste water, and natural water samples. The accuracy was examined by recovery experiments, independent analysis by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, and analysis of two certified reference materials.
Analysis of Heart Transplant Survival Data Using Generalized Additive Models
Authors: Tsujitani Masaaki , Tanaka Yusuke
Published: May 2013

The Stanford Heart Transplant data were collected to model survival in patients using penalized smoothing splines for covariates whose values change over the course of the study. The basic idea of the present study is to use a logistic regression model and a generalized additive model withB-splines to estimate the survival function. We model survival time as a function of patient covariates and transplant status and compare the results obtained using smoothing spline, partial logistic, Cox's proportional hazards, and piecewise exponential models.
An Unusual Case of Bilateral Granulomatous Mastitis
Authors: Pistolese C. A. , Di Trapano R. , Girardi V. , Costanzo E. , Di Poce I. , Simonetti G.
Published: May 2013

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is an uncommon benign disorder of the breast. At clinical examination, IGM is characterized by an inflammatory process of the breast, usually unilateral. Possible clinical findings are palpable mass with erythematous skin, pain, sterile abscesses, fistula and nipple retraction. Mammography and ultrasound findings are not specific for IGM. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful tool for the differential diagnosis; it is also necessary to delineate the exact extension of the disease and to plan the correct treatment. Final diagnosis is histological. We described an unusual case of IGM with bilateral involvement in a patient with history of pacemaker implantation and IGM typical clinical symptoms. Mammography, ultrasound, and MRI examinations were performed to identify the inflammatory disorder and to plan the correct therapy. Imaging features were correlated with final histological diagnosis of IGM.
Analytic Solutions of an Iterative Functional Differential Equations Near Regular Points
Authors: Liu Lingxia
Published: May 2013

The existence of analytic solutions of an iterative functional differential equation is studied when the given functions are all analytic and when the given functions have regular points. By reducing the equation to another functional equation without iteration of the unknown function an existence theorem is established for analytic solutions of the original equation.
Kantowski-Sachs String Cosmological Model with Bulk Viscosity in General Scalar Tensor Theory of Gravitation
Authors: Rao V. U. M. , Neelima D.
Published: May 2013

A new class of spatially homogeneous Kantowski-Sachs string cosmological models with bulk viscosity in Nordtvedt (1970) general scalar-tensor theory of gravitation with the help of a special case proposed by Schwinger (1970) is obtained. In this paper we have presented anisotropic as well as isotropic cosmological models. Some important features of the models, thus obtained, have been discussed. These exact models are new and more general and represent not only the early stages of evolution but also the present universe.
Effect of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Homocysteine Metabolism through Regulating the Gene Expressions Involved in Methionine Metabolism
Authors: Huang Tao , Hu Xiaojie , Khan Nicholas , Yang Jing , Li Duo
Published: May 2013

The objective was to investigate the regulatory effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on mRNA expression of key genes involved in homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism. Eighty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into eight groups. The oils were orally administered daily for 8 weeks. Plasma Hcy, phospholipids fatty acids, and mRNA expression were determined. Compared with the control group, plasma Hcy was significantly decreased in the 22:6n‐3 and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) groups; mRNA expression of Mthfr was significantly upregulated in the 22:6n‐3, 20:5n‐3, and 18:3n‐3 groups and downregulated in the 18:2n‐6 and stearolic acid (SO) groups. Mat1a was upregulated in the 22:6n‐3, 20:5n‐3, 18:3n‐3, and CLA groups. In addition, Cbs was upregulated in the 22:6n‐3, 20:5n‐3, 18:3n‐3 and CLA groups while downregulated in 18:2n‐6 and SO groups. Dietary 22:6n‐3 and CLA decrease the plasma concentration of Hcy. mRNA expression of Mthfr, Mat1a, Cbs and Pemt, Gnmt, Mtrr, and Bad is upregulated by n‐3 PUFA and downregulated by n‐6 PUFA. CLA upregulates mRNA expression of Mat1a and Cbs.
fMRI Evidence of Acupoints Specificity in Two Adjacent Acupoints
Authors: Liu Hua , Xu Jian-Yang , Li Lin , Shan Bao-Ci , Nie Bin-Bin , Xue Jing-quan
Published: May 2013

Objectives. Acupoint specificity is the foundation of acupuncture treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the acupoint specificity exists in two adjacent acupoints.Design and Setting. Two adjacent real acupoints, LR3 (Taichong) and ST44 (Neiting), and a nearby nonacupoint were selected. Thirty-three health volunteers were divided into three groups in random order, and each group only received acupuncture at one of the three points. While they received acupuncture, fMRI scan was performed.Results. The common cerebral activated areas responding to LR3 and ST44 included the contralateral primary somatosensory area (SI) and ipsilateral cerebellum. Acupuncture at LR3 specifically activated contralateral middle occipital gyrus, ipsilateral medial frontal gyrus, superior parietal lobe, middle temporal gyrus, rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC), lentiform nucleus, insula, and contralateral thalamus. Stimulation at ST44 selectively activated ipsilateral secondary somatosensory area (SII), contralateral middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, lingual gyrus, lentiform nucleus, and bilateral posterior cingulate cortex (PCC).Conclusions. Acupuncture at adjacent acupoints elicits distinct cerebral activation patterns, and those specific patterns might be involved in the mechanism of the specific therapeutic effects of different acupoints.
A Unified Framework for DPLL(T) + Certificates
Authors: Zhou Min , He Fei , Wang Bow-Yaw , Gu Ming , Sun Jiaguang
Published: May 2013

Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT) techniques are widely used nowadays. SMT solvers are typically used as verification backends. When an SMT solver is invoked, it is quite important to ensure the correctness of its results. To address this problem, we propose a unified certificate framework based on DPLL(T), including a uniform certificate format, a unified certificate generation procedure, and a unified certificate checking procedure. The certificate format is shown to be simple, clean, and extensible to different background theories. The certificate generation procedure is well adapted to most DPLL(T)-based SMT solvers. The soundness and completeness for DPLL(T) + certificates were established. The certificate checking procedure is straightforward and efficient. Experimental results show that the overhead for certificates generation is only 10%, which outperforms other methods, and the certificate checking procedure is quite time saving.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Improves Cardiovascular Response to Exercise in COPD
Authors: Ramponi Sara , Tzani Panagiota , Aiello Marina , Marangio Emilio , Clini Enrico , Chetta Alfredo
Published: May 2013

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has emerged as a recommended standard of care in symptomatic COPD. Objectives: We now studied whether PR may affect cardiovascular response to exercise in these patients. Methods: Twenty-seven patients (9 females aged 69 ± 8 years) with moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction admitted to a 9-week PR course performed a pre-to-post evaluation of lung function test and symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Oxygen uptake (VO2), tidal volume (VT), dyspnea and leg fatigue scores were measured during CPET. Cardiovas-cular response was assessed by means of oxygen pulse (O2Pulse), the oxygen uptake efficiency slope and heart rate recovery at the 1st min. Results: A significant increase in peak VO2 and in all cardiovascular parameters (p < 0.05) was found following PR when compared to baseline. Leg fatigue (p < 0.05), but not dyspnea, was significantly reduced after PR. When assessed at metabolic and ventilatory iso levels [% VCO2max and % minute ventilation (VEmax)], O2Pulse and VT were significantly higher (p < 0.05) at submaximal exercise (75 and 50% of VCO2max and VEmax) after PR when compared to baseline. VT percent changes at 75% VCO2max and 75% VEmax after PR significantly correlated with corresponding changes in O2Pulse (p < 0.01). Conclusions: In COPD patients, a PR training program improved the cardiovascular response during exercise at submaximal exercise independent of the external workload. This change was associated with an enhanced ventilatory function during exercise.
Using Virtual-Reality Simulation to Assess Performance in Endobronchial Ultrasound
Authors: Konge Lars , Annema Jouke , Clementsen Paul , Minddal Valentina , Vilmann Peter , Ringsted Charlotte
Published: May 2013

Background: For optimal treatment of patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma, it is essential to have physicians with competence in endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). EBUS training and certification requirements are under discussion and the establishment of basic competence should be based on an objective assessment of performance. Objectives: The aims of this study were to design an evidence-based and credible EBUS certification based on a virtual-reality (VR) EBUS simulator test. Methods: Twenty-two respiratory physicians were divided into 3 groups: experienced EBUS operators (group 1, n = 6), untrained novices (group 2, n = 8) and simulator-trained novices (group 3, n = 8). Each physician performed two standardized simulated EBUS-TBNA procedures. Simulator metrics with discriminatory ability were identified and reliability was explored. Finally, the contrasting-groups method was used to establish a pass/fail standard, and the consequences of this standard were explored. Results: Successfully sampled lymph nodes and procedure time were the only simulator metrics that showed statistically significant differences of p = 0.047 and p = 0.002, respectively. The resulting quality score (QS, i.e. sampled lymph nodes per minute) showed an acceptable reliability and a generalizability coefficient of 0.67. Reliability of 0.8 could be obtained by testing in 4 procedures. Median QS was 0.24 (range 0.21-0.26) and 0.098 (range 0.04-0.21) for groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.001). The resulting pass/fail standard was 0.19. Group 3 had a median posttraining QS of 0.11 (range 0-0.17). None of them met the pass/fail standard. Conclusions: With careful design of standardized tests, a credible standard setting and appropriate transfer studies, VR simulators could be an important first line in credentialing before proceeding to supervised performance on patients.
Platelets as Cellular Effectors of Inflammation in Vascular Diseases
Authors: Rondina Matthew T. , Weyrich Andrew S. , Zimmerman Guy A.
Published: May 2013

Platelets are chief effector cells in hemostasis. In addition, they are multifaceted inflammatory cells with functions that span the continuum from innate immune responses to adaptive immunity. Activated platelets have key thromboinflammatory activities in a variety of vascular disorders and vasculopathies. Recently identified inflammatory and immune activities provide insights into the biology of these versatile blood cells that are directly relevant to human vascular diseases.
Forecasting the Future of Stroke in the United States
Authors: Ovbiagele Bruce , Goldstein Larry B. , Higashida Randall T. , Howard Virginia J. , Johnston S. Claiborne , Khavjou Olga A. , Lackland Daniel T. , Lichtman Judith H. , Mohl Stephanie , Sacco Ralph L. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Trogdon Justin G.
Published: May 2013

Background and Purpose—

Stroke is a leading cause of disability, cognitive impairment, and death in the United States and accounts for 1.7% of national health expenditures. Because the population is aging and the risk of stroke more than doubles for each successive decade after the age of 55 years, these costs are anticipated to rise dramatically. The objective of this report was to project future annual costs of care for stroke from 2012 to 2030 and discuss potential cost reduction strategies.

Methods and Results—

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association developed methodology to project the future costs of stroke-related care. Estimates excluded costs associated with other cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, coronary heart disease, and congestive heart failure). By 2030, 3.88% of the US population >18 years of age is projected to have had a stroke. Between 2012 and 2030, real (2010$) total direct annual stroke-related medical costs are expected to increase from $71.55 billion to $184.13 billion. Real indirect annual costs (attributable to lost productivity) are projected to rise from $33.65 billion to $56.54 billion over the same period. Overall, total annual costs of stroke are projected to increase to $240.67 billion by 2030, an increase of 129%.

Conclusions—

These projections suggest that the annual costs of stroke will increase substantially over the next 2 decades. Greater emphasis on implementing effective preventive, acute care, and rehabilitative services will have both medical and societal benefits. (Stroke. 2013;44:2361-2375.)
James K. Polk and the Mystery of Amor Patriæ
Authors: Cohen Michael David
Published: May 2013

Between 1845 and 1858, a mysterious New Haven, Connecticut, resident wrote letters to President James K. Polk and proslavery pamphlets under the pseudonym “Amor Patriæ.” Probing his writings for clues, this essay unearths the author's identity and chronicles the busy life that gave rise to his views on slavery, religion, and education.
Deladenus prorsus n. sp. (Nematoda: Neotylenchidae) in dunnage wood from Malaysia intercepted in Ningbo, China
Authors: Yu Qing , Gu Jianfeng , Ye Weimin
Published: May 2013

Deladenus prorsus n. sp., isolated from dunnage wood originating from Malaysia and intercepted in Ningbo port, P.R. China, is described and illustrated. The dunnage wood material appeared to have holes resembling the typical exit holes of wood-boring insects and have associated blue stain. The new species is characterised by the presence of both the mycophagous and infective forms (Deladenus consists of mycetophagous-only forms and those with known female dimorphism), the body length of 814 (670-1147) and 898 (812-979) μm for mycetophagous males and females, respectively, and 1129 (1114-1352) μm for the infective female, and by the very anterior position of the excretory pore which is situated at 30.7 (24.4-33.0), 30.6 (25.4-35.6) and 37.9 (27.3-39.7) μm for the mycetophagous males and females and infective females, respectively, and the distance that the excretory pore is located anterior to the hemizonid which is 82 (77-90), 74 (54-92) and 86 (64-106) μm for the mycetophagous males and females and infective females, respectively. The diagnostic value of the excretory pore and the hemizonid of the species of the genus are discussed. The ribosomal DNA ITS region was sequenced and analysed.
A classification of Lejeuneaceae (Marchantiophyta) based on molecular and morphological evidence
Authors: GRADSTEIN S. ROBBERT
Published: May 2013

Lejeuneaceae are the largest family of the liverworts with at least one thousand species in 68 currently accepted genera. The number of genera is much lower than accepted previously and was reduced based on recent molecular work. This paper present a first classification of Lejeuneaceae based on integrated molecular-phylogenetic and morphological evidence. The family is subdivided into two broad subfamilies, Ptychanthoideae (19 genera) and Lejeuneoideae (49 genera). Ptychanthoideae are not further subdivided whereas Lejeuneoideae are classified into three tribes: Brachiolejeuneeae (8 genera), Symbiezidieae (new; 1 genus) and Lejeuneeae (40 genera). Lejeuneeae, the largest tribe in the family, are classified into eight subtribes: Ceratolejeuneinae (2 genera), Cheilolejeuneinae (4 genera), Cololejeuneinae (12 genera), Cyclolejeuneinae (3 genera), Drepanolejeuneinae (2 genera), Echinolejeuneinae (3 genera), Lejeuneinae (5 genera) and Lepidolejeuneinae (2 genera). Seven genera of Lejeuneeae have not yet been studied by molecular methods and are not classified.
A revision of the genus Anthoceros (Anthocerotaceae, Anthocerotophyta) in China
Authors: PENG TAO , ZHU RUI-LIANG
Published: May 2013

The genus Anthoceros (Anthocerotaceae, Anthocerotopsida) in China is reviewed. Five species and one variety are recognized. Anthoceros alpinus, A. bharadwajii, and A. subtilis, are reported new to China. Aspiromitus areolatus and Anthoceros esquirolii are proposed as new synonyms of Folioceros fuciformis and Phaeoceros carolinianus, respectively. A key to the species of Anthoceros in China is provided.
A new subgenus Wraseiellus of the genus Pterostichus Bonelli (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Pterostichini) and new species descriptions
Authors: SHI HONGLIANG , SCIAKY RICCARDO , LIANG HONGBIN , ZHOU HONGZHANG
Published: May 2013

A new subgenus Wraseiellus new subgenus (type species: Pterostichus andrewesi Jedlička 1931) of the genus Pterosti-chus from China is described. Eight species and one subspecies are recognized in the new subgenus including three new species and one new subspecies: Pt. (Wraseiellus) comatus new species (Guangxi: Maoershan, N25.87º, E110.42º), Pt. (Wraseiellus) crassiapex new species (Hubei: Tiechanghuang, N30.75º, E110.30º), Pt. (Wraseiellus) pseduodiversus new species (Yunnan: Luguhu, N27.63º, E100.82º), Pt. (Wraseiellus) stictopleurus cangshanensis new subspecies (Yunnan: Cangshan, N25.63º, E100.14º). Feronia crebrepunctata Straneo, 1937 is newly proposed as junior synonym of Pterosti-chus meyeri Jedlička, 1934. A key to all known species and subspecies, images of habitus and genitalia, and distribution maps are provided.
Girl Child Marriage and Its Association With National Rates of HIV, Maternal Health, and Infant Mortality Across 97 Countries
Authors: Raj Anita , Boehmer Ulrike
Published: May 2013

This study was designed to assess associations between national rates of girl child marriage and national rates of HIV and maternal and child health (MCH) concerns, using national indicator data from 2009 United Nations reports. Current analyses were limited to the N = 97 nations (of 188 nations) for which girl child marriage data were available. Regression analyses adjusted for development and world region demonstrate that nations with higher rates of girl child marriage are significantly more likely to contend with higher rates of maternal and infant mortality and nonutilization of maternal health services, but not HIV.
Predictive value of 1 month retinal nerve fiber layer thinning for deficits at 6 months after acute optic neuritis
Authors: Kupersmith Mark J , Anderson Susan , Kardon Randy
Published: May 2013

Background:

Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) loss occurs with multiple sclerosis and after optic neuritis. Vision or RNFL changes at presentation of optic neuritis are not predictive of outcome, but vision loss at 1 month correlates with vision deficits at 6 months. We hypothesized that RFNL thinning at 1 month would predict RNFL loss at 6 months.

Methods:

We prospectively studied the RNFL by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and scanning laser polarimetry (SLP), and determined the threshold field mean deviation, in 25 subjects with acute optic neuritis over a 6-month period. RNFL values, including the amount of thinning at 1-month, were correlated with 6-month outcome.

Results:

Baseline visual performance and RNFL values were similar for eyes grouped by 1 month RNFL thinning. Eyes with 1 month RNFL thinning had greater and significant RNFL thinning at 6 months, for all quadrants by OCT and for the nasal and inferior quadrants by SLP. RNFL thinning by OCT and SLP at 1 month correlated with 6-month OCT ( r = 0.58; p = 0.006) and SLP ( r = 0.59; p = 0.002) RNFL thinning, respectively.

Conclusion:

Early RNFL loss at 1 month was predictive of the RNFL thinning at 6 months, which corroborated the importance of the 1-month time point for predicting the outcome of an optic neuritis attack.