bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Home-range interactions of three sympatric mesopredators in east Texas
Authors: Melville H.I.A.S. , Conway W.C. , Morrison M.L. , Comer C.E. , Hardin J.B.
Published: May 2015

Spatial interactions among predators are central to their behavioral ecology. Although coyotes (Canis latrans Say, 1823), bobcats (Lynx rufus (Schreber, 1777)), and raccoons (Procyon lotor (L., 1758)) occur sympatrically throughout much of the USA, little is known about the nature of inter- and intra-specific spatial interactions. We used kernel analysis to estimate home ranges and core areas for these species. We estimated home-range overlap within and among species using the utilization distribution overlap index (UDOI) and percent overlap. Bobcat and coyote home ranges were similar in extent, whereas raccoons had substantially smaller home ranges. Only bobcats displayed seasonal differences in home-range size. Male bobcats had larger home ranges than female bobcats; there was no sex-based differentiation in home range or core area for coyotes or raccoons. Home-range overlaps calculated using percent overlap were consistently larger than UDOI estimates. Percent overlap seemed to exaggerate the extent to which individuals of the same species share space. Bobcats and coyotes shared space more than raccoons did with either bobcats or coyotes, which indicates that raccoons may have avoided areas used by trophically higher ranking mesopredators or that species with similar feeding strategies had lower levels of overlap to avoid competition.
Strongly correlated flat-band systems: The route from Heisenberg spins to Hubbard electrons
Authors: Derzhko Oleg , Richter Johannes , Maksymenko Mykola
Published: May 2015

On a large class of lattices (such as the sawtooth chain, the kagome and the pyrochlore lattices), the quantum Heisenberg and the repulsive Hubbard models may host a completely dispersionless (flat) energy band in the single-particle spectrum. The flat-band states can be viewed as completely localized within a finite volume (trap) of the lattice and allow for construction of many-particle states, roughly speaking, by occupying the traps with particles. If the flat-band happens to be the lowest-energy one, the manifold of such many-body states will often determine the ground-state and low-temperature physics of the models at hand even in the presence of strong interactions. The localized nature of these many-body states makes possible the mapping of this subset of eigenstates onto a corresponding classical hard-core system. As a result, the ground-state and low-temperature properties of the strongly correlated flat-band systems can be analyzed in detail using concepts and tools of classical statistical mechanics (e.g., classical lattice-gas approach or percolation approach), in contrast to more challenging quantum many-body techniques usually necessary to examine strongly correlated quantum systems.

In this review, we recapitulate the basic features of the flat-band spin systems and briefly summarize earlier studies in the field. The main emphasis is made on recent developments which include results for both spin and electron flat-band models. In particular, for flat-band spin systems, we highlight field-driven phase transitions for frustrated quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnets at low temperatures, chiral flat-band states, as well as the effect of a slight dispersion of a previously strictly flat-band due to nonideal lattice geometry. For electronic systems, we discuss the universal low-temperature behavior of several flat-band Hubbard models, the emergence of ground-state ferromagnetism in the square-lattice Tasaki–Hubbard model and the related Pauli-correlated percolation problem, as well as the dispersion-driven ground-state ferromagnetism in flat-band Hubbard systems. Closely related studies and possible experimental realizations of the flat-band physics are also described briefly.
PRICING TWO-ASSET BARRIER OPTIONS UNDER STOCHASTIC CORRELATION VIA PERTURBATION
Authors: ESCOBAR MARCOS , GÖTZ BARBARA , NEYKOVA DANIELA , ZAGST RUDI
Published: May 2015

The correlation structure is crucial when pricing multi-asset products, in particular barrier options. In this work, we price two-asset path-dependent derivatives by means of perturbation theory in the context of a bi-dimensional asset model with stochastic correlation and volatilities. To our best knowledge, this is the first attempt at pricing barriers with stochastic correlation. It turns out that the leading term of the approximation corresponds to a constant covariance Black–Scholes type price with correction terms adjusting for stochastic volatility and stochastic correlation effects. The practicability of the presented method is illustrated by some numerical implementations.
OPTIMAL MEAN REVERSION TRADING WITH TRANSACTION COSTS AND STOP-LOSS EXIT
Authors: LEUNG TIM , LI XIN
Published: May 2015

Motivated by the industry practice of pairs trading, we study the optimal timing strategies for trading a mean-reverting price spread. An optimal double stopping problem is formulated to analyze the timing to start and subsequently liquidate the position subject to transaction costs. Modeling the price spread by an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process, we apply a probabilistic methodology and rigorously derive the optimal price intervals for market entry and exit. As an extension, we incorporate a stop-loss constraint to limit the maximum loss. We show that the entry region is characterized by a bounded price interval that lies strictly above the stop-loss level. As for the exit timing, a higher stop-loss level always implies a lower optimal take-profit level. Both analytical and numerical results are provided to illustrate the dependence of timing strategies on model parameters such as transaction costs and stop-loss level.
Bladder function in mice with inducible smooth muscle-specific deletion of the manganese superoxide dismutase gene
Authors: Liu Guiming , Elrashidy Rania A. , Xiao Nan , Kavran Michael , Huang Yexiang , Tao Mingfang , Powell C. Thomas , Kim Edward , Sadeghi Ghazal , Mohamed Hoda E. , Daneshgari Firouz
Published: May 2015

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is considered a critical component of the antioxidant systems that protect against oxidative damage. We are interested in the role of oxidative stress in bladder detrusor smooth muscle (SM) in different disease states. In this study, we generated an inducible, SM-specific Sod2−/− mouse model to investigate the effects of MnSOD depletion on the function of the bladder. We crossbred floxed Sod2 ( Sod2lox/lox) mice with mice containing heterozygous knock-in of a gene encoding a tamoxifen-activated Cre recombinase in the SM22α promoter locus [SM-CreERT2(ki)Cre/+]. We obtained Sod2lox/lox,SM-CreERT2(ki)Cre/+ mice and injected 8-wk-old males with 4-hydroxytamoxifen to induce Cre-mediated excision of the floxed Sod2 allele. Twelve weeks later, SM-specific deletion of Sod2 and depletion of MnSOD were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. SM-specific Sod2−/− mice exhibited normal growth with no gross abnormalities. A significant increase in nitrotyrosine concentration was found in bladder SM tissue of SM-specific Sod2−/− mice compared with both wild-type mice and Sod2+/+, SM-CreERT2(ki)Cre/+ mice treated with 4-hydroxytamoxifen. Assessment of 24-h micturition in SM-specific Sod2−/− mice revealed significantly higher voiding frequency compared with both wild-type and SM-specific Cre controls. Conscious cystometry revealed significantly shorter intercontraction intervals and lower functional bladder capacity in SM-specific Sod2−/− mice compared with wild-type mice. This novel model can be used for exploring the mechanistic role of oxidative stress in organs rich in SM in different pathological conditions.
Histamine activates p38 MAP kinase and alters local lamellipodia dynamics, reducing endothelial barrier integrity and eliciting central movement of actin fibers
Authors: Adderley Shaquria P. , Lawrence Curtis , Madonia Eyong , Olubadewo Joseph O. , Breslin Jerome W.
Published: May 2015

The role of the actin cytoskeleton in endothelial barrier function has been debated for nearly four decades. Our previous investigation revealed spontaneous local lamellipodia in confluent endothelial monolayers that appear to increase overlap at intercellular junctions. We tested the hypothesis that the barrier-disrupting agent histamine would reduce local lamellipodia protrusions and investigated the potential involvement of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation and actin stress fiber formation. Confluent monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) expressing green fluorescent protein-actin were studied using time-lapse fluorescence microscopy. The protrusion and withdrawal characteristics of local lamellipodia were assessed before and after addition of histamine. Changes in barrier function were determined using electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing. Histamine initially decreased barrier function, lamellipodia protrusion frequency, and lamellipodia protrusion distance. A longer time for lamellipodia withdrawal and reduced withdrawal distance and velocity accompanied barrier recovery. After barrier recovery, a significant number of cortical fibers migrated centrally, eventually resembling actin stress fibers. The p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580 attenuated the histamine-induced decreases in barrier function and lamellipodia protrusion frequency. SB203580 also inhibited the histamine-induced decreases in withdrawal distance and velocity, and the subsequent actin fiber migration. These data suggest that histamine can reduce local lamellipodia protrusion activity through activation of p38 MAP kinase. The findings also suggest that local lamellipodia have a role in maintaining endothelial barrier integrity. Furthermore, we provide evidence that actin stress fiber formation may be a reaction to, rather than a cause of, reduced endothelial barrier integrity.
Tumor necrosis factor-α induces a biphasic change in claudin-2 expression in tubular epithelial cells: role in barrier functions
Authors: Amoozadeh Yasaman , Dan Qinghong , Xiao Jenny , Waheed Faiza , Szászi Katalin
Published: May 2015

The inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a pathogenic factor in acute and chronic kidney disease. TNF-α is known to alter expression of epithelial tight junction (TJ) proteins; however, the underlying mechanisms and the impact of this effect on epithelial functions remain poorly defined. Here we describe a novel biphasic effect of TNF-α on TJ protein expression. In LLC-PK1 tubular cells, short-term (1–6 h) TNF-α treatment selectively elevated the expression of the channel-forming TJ protein claudin-2. In contrast, prolonged (>8 h) TNF-α treatment caused a marked downregulation in claudin-2 and an increase in claudin-1, -4, and -7. The early increase and the late decrease in claudin-2 expression involved distinct mechanisms. TNF-α slowed claudin-2 degradation through ERK, causing the early increase. This increase was also mediated by the EGF receptor and RhoA and Rho kinase. In contrast, prolonged TNF-α treatment reduced claudin-2 mRNA levels and promoter activity independent from these signaling pathways. Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing measurements revealed that TNF-α also exerted a biphasic effect on transepithelial resistance (TER) with an initial decrease and a late increase. Thus there was a good temporal correlation between TNF-α-induced claudin-2 protein and TER changes. Indeed, silencing experiments showed that the late TER increase was at least in part caused by reduced claudin-2 expression. Surprisingly, however, claudin-2 silencing did not prevent the early TER drop. Taken together, the TNF-α-induced changes in claudin-2 levels might contribute to TER changes and could also play a role in newly described functions of claudin-2 such as proliferation regulation.
Sex differences in proximal and distal nephron function contribute to the mechanism of idiopathic hypercalcuria in calcium stone formers
Authors: Ko Benjamin , Bergsland Kristin , Gillen Daniel L. , Evan Andrew P. , Clark Daniel L. , Baylock Jaime , Coe Fredric L. , Worcester Elaine M.
Published: May 2015

Idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) is a common familial trait among patients with calcium nephrolithiasis. Previously, we have demonstrated that hypercalciuria is primarily due to reduced renal proximal and distal tubule calcium reabsorption. Here, using measurements of the clearances of sodium, calcium, and endogenous lithium taken from the General Clinical Research Center, we test the hypothesis that patterns of segmental nephron tubule calcium reabsorption differ between the sexes in IH and normal subjects. When the sexes are compared, we reconfirm the reduced proximal and distal calcium reabsorption. In IH women, distal nephron calcium reabsorption is decreased compared to normal women. In IH men, proximal tubule calcium reabsorption falls significantly, with a more modest reduction in distal calcium reabsorption compared to normal men. Additionally, we demonstrate that male IH patients have lower systolic blood pressures than normal males. We conclude that women and men differ in the way they produce the hypercalciuria of IH, with females reducing distal reabsorption and males primarily reducing proximal tubule function.
Neural regulation of hypoxia-inducible factors and redox state drives the pathogenesis of hypertension in a rodent model of sleep apnea
Authors: Semenza Gregg L. , Prabhakar Nanduri R.
Published: May 2015

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most common causes of hypertension in western societies. OSA causes chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) in specialized O2-sensing glomus cells of the carotid body. CIH generates increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) that trigger a feedforward mechanism in which increased intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) trigger increased HIF-1α synthesis and increased HIF-2α degradation. As a result, the normal homeostatic balance between HIF-1α-dependent prooxidant and HIF-2α-dependent antioxidant enzymes is disrupted, leading to further increases in ROS. Carotid body sensory nerves project to the nucleus tractus solitarii, from which the information is relayed via interneurons to the rostral ventrolateral medulla in the brain stem, which sends sympathetic neurons to the adrenal medulla to stimulate the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine, catecholamines that increase blood pressure. At each synapse, neurotransmitters trigger increased [Ca2+]i, HIF-1α:HIF-2α, and Nox2:Sod2 activity that generates increased ROS levels. These responses are not observed in other regions of the brain stem that do not receive input from the carotid body or signal to the sympathetic nervous system. Thus sympathetic nervous system homeostasis is dependent on a balance between HIF-1α and HIF-2α, disruption of which results in hypertension in OSA patients.
Specific electrophysiological components disentangle affective sharing and empathic concern in psychopathy
Authors: Decety Jean , Lewis Kimberly L. , Cowell Jason M.
Published: May 2015

Empathic impairment is one of the hallmarks of psychopathy, a personality dimension associated with poverty in affective reactions, lack of attachment to others, and a callous disregard for the feelings, rights, and welfare of others. Neuroscience research on the relation between empathy and psychopathy has predominately focused on the affective sharing and cognitive components of empathy in forensic populations, and much less on empathic concern. The current study used high-density electroencephalography in a community sample to examine the spatiotemporal neurodynamic responses when viewing people in physical distress under two subjective contexts: one evoking affective sharing, the other, empathic concern. Results indicate that early automatic (175–275 ms) and later controlled responses (LPP 400–1,000 ms) were differentially modulated by engagement in affective sharing or empathic concern. Importantly, the late event-related potentials (ERP) component was significantly impacted by dispositional empathy and psychopathy, but the early component was not. Individual differences in dispositional empathic concern directly predicted gamma coherence (25–40 Hz), whereas psychopathy was inversely modulatory. Interestingly, significant suppression in the mu/alpha band (8–13 Hz) when perceiving others in distress was positively associated with higher trait psychopathy, which argues against the assumption that sensorimotor resonance underpins empathy. Greater scores on trait psychopathy were inversely related to subjective ratings of both empathic concern and affective sharing. Overall, the study demonstrates that neural markers of affective sharing and empathic concern to the same cues of another's distress can be distinguished at an electrophysiological level, and that psychopathy alters later time-locked differentiations and spectral coherence associated with empathic concern.
Relationships between Serum Levels of Atazanavir and Renal Toxicity or Lithiasis
Authors: Marinescu C. I. , Leyes M. , Ribas M. A. , Peñaranda M. , Murillas J. , Campins A. A. , Martin-Pena L. , Barcelo B. , Barceló-Campomar C. , Grases F. , Frontera G. , Riera Jaume Melchor
Published: May 2015

The main aim of this study is to describe the relationship between serum levels of atazanavir, renal toxicity, and lithiasis. This is a prospective observational study of patients being treated with atazanavir (ATV) at Son Espases Teaching Hospital, Palma de Mallorca, between 2011 and 2013. The study includes 98 patients. Sixteen were found to have a history of urolithiasis. During a median monitoring period of 23 months, nine patients suffered renal colic, in three of whom ATV crystals were evidenced in urine. Cumulative incidence of renal colic was 9.2 per 100 patients. The variables related to having renal colic were the presence of alkaline urine pH and lower basal creatinine clearance. The mean serum level of ATV was slightly higher in patients with renal colic—1,303 μg/L versus 1,161 μg/L—but did not reach statistical significance. Neither were any significant differences detected by analysing the levels according to the timetable for ATV dosage. Cumulative incidence of renal colic was high in patients being treated with ATV, in 33% of whom the presence of ATV crystals was evidenced in urine. We were unable to demonstrate a relationship between ATV serum levels and renal colic or progression towards renal failure.
Magnolia officinalisExtract Contains Potent Inhibitors against PTP1B and Attenuates Hyperglycemia in db/db Mice
Authors: Sun Jing , Wang Yongsen , Fu Xueqi , Chen Yingli , Wang Deli , Li Wannan , Xing Shu , Li Guodong
Published: May 2015

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is an established therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory activity ofMagnolia officinalisextract (ME) on PTP1B and its anti-T2DM effects. Inhibition assays and inhibition kinetics of ME were performedin vitro. 3T3-L1 adipocytes and C2C12 myotubes were stimulated with ME to explore its bioavailability in cell level. Thein vivostudies were performed on db/db mice to probe its anti-T2DM effects. In the present study, ME inhibited PTP1B in a reversible competitive manner and displayed good selectivity against PTPsin vitro. Furthermore, ME enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation levels of cellular proteins, especially the insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylations of insulin receptorβ-subunit (IRβ) and ERK1/2 in a dose-dependent manner in stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and C2C12 myotubes. Meanwhile, ME enhanced insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation. More importantly, there was a significant decrease in fasting plasma glucose level of db/db diabetic mice treated orally with 0.5 g/kg ME for 4 weeks. These findings indicated that improvement of insulin sensitivity and hypoglycemic effects of ME may be attributed to the inhibition of PTP1B. Thereby, we pioneered the inhibitory potential of ME targeted on PTP1B as anti-T2DM drug discovery.
Low Sidelobe Sparse Concentric Ring Arrays Optimization Using Modified GA
Authors: Chen Ke-song , Zhu Yong-yun , Ni Xiao-long , Chen Hui
Published: May 2015

To minimize the peak sidelobe level (PSLL) of sparse concentric ring arrays, this paper presents an optimization method of grid ring radii of these arrays. The proposed method is based on modified real genetic algorithm (MGA); it makes grid ring radii as optimal variables and makes elements more reasonably distributed on the array aperture. Also, it can improve the PSLL of the sparse concentric ring arrays and can meanwhile control the computational cost. The simulated results confirming the efficiency and the robustness of the algorithm are provided at last.
Is Skin-Touch Sham Needle Not Placebo? A Double-Blind Crossover Study on Pain Alleviation
Authors: Takayama Miho , Yajima Hiroyoshi , Kawase Akiko , Homma Ikuo , Izumizaki Masahiko , Takakura Nobuari
Published: May 2015

It remains an open question whether placebo/sham acupuncture, in which the needle tip presses the skin, can be used as a placebo device for research on pain. We compare the analgesic effect of the skin-touch placebo needle with that of the no-touch placebo needle, in which the needle tip does not touch the skin, in a double-blind crossover manner including no-treatment control in 23 healthy volunteers. The subjects received painful electrical stimulation in the forearm before and during needle retention to the LI 4 acupoint and after the removal of the needle and rated pain intensity using a visual analogue scale. We found no significant difference in analgesic effects among the skin-touch placebo needle, no-touch placebo needle, and no-treatment control at every point before, during, and after the treatments (p>0.05). The results indicate that the skin-touch placebo needle can be used as a placebo device in clinical studies on pain.
Evaluation of Aqueous Leaf Extract ofCardiospermum halicacabum(L.) on Fertility of Male Rats
Authors: Peiris L. Dinithi. C. , Dhanushka M. A. T. , Jayathilake T. A. H. D. G.
Published: May 2015

Treatment with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight of aqueous leaf extract (ALE) ofCardiospermum halicacabumfor 30 days produced a significant dose dependent increase in the sperm counts and sperm motility in both caput and cauda regions. Further, significant increase in serum testosterone level was evident at all applied doses. However, no significant changes in the weight of sex organs were observed. Aqueous leaf extract also increased the number of females impregnated, number of implantations, and number of viable fetuses while decreasing the total number of resorption sites in the pregnant females. However, the total cholesterol level in the serum remained unchanged and there were no records on renotoxicity; nevertheless ALE exhibited a hepatoprotective effect. It was concluded that aqueous leaf extract ofCardiospermum halicacabumenhanced sperm concentration, motility, and testosterone, leading to positive results in fertility.
The Use of Radiation Therapy in Well-Differentiated Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Extremities: An NCDB Review
Authors: Lazarides Alexander L. , Eward William C. , Speicher Paul J. , Hou Chun-Han , Nussbaum Daniel P. , Green Cindy , Blazer Dan G. , Kirsch David G. , Brigman Brian E.
Published: May 2015

Objective. This study investigated patterns of utilization of radiation therapy (RT) and correlated this with overall survival by assessing patients with well-differentiated soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity (STS-E) in the National Cancer Database (NCDB).Methods. All patients diagnosed with well-differentiated STS-E between 1998 and 2006 were identified in the NCDB. Patients were stratified by use of surgery alone versus use of adjuvant RT after surgery and analyzed using multivariate analysis, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and propensity matching.Results. 2113 patients with well-differentiated STS-E were identified in the NCDB for inclusion with a mean follow-up time of 74 months. 69% of patients were treated with surgery alone, while 26% were treated with surgery followed by adjuvant RT. Patients undergoing amputation were less likely to receive adjuvant RT. There was no difference in overall survival between patients with well-differentiated STS treated with surgery alone and those patients who received adjuvant RT.Conclusions. In the United States, adjuvant RT is being utilized in a quarter of patients being treated for well-differentiated STS-E. While the use of adjuvant RT may be viewed as a means to facilitate limb salvage, this large national database review confirms no survival benefit, regardless of tumor size or margin status.
Monocyte Proteomics Reveals Involvement of Phosphorylated HSP27 in the Pathogenesis of Osteoporosis
Authors: Daswani Bhavna , Gupta Manoj Kumar , Gavali Shubhangi , Desai Meena , Sathe Gajanan J. , Patil Anushree , Parte Priyanka , Sirdeshmukh Ravi , Khatkhatay M. Ikram
Published: May 2015

Peripheral monocytes, precursors of osteoclasts, have emerged as important candidates for identifying proteins relevant to osteoporosis, a condition characterized by low Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and increased susceptibility for fractures. We employed 4-plex iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification) coupled with LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry) to identify differentially expressed monocyte proteins from premenopausal and postmenopausal women with low versus high BMD. Of 1801 proteins identified, 45 were differentially abundant in low versus high BMD, with heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) distinctly upregulated in low BMD condition in both premenopausal and postmenopausal categories. Validation in individual samples (n=80) using intracellular ELISA confirmed that total HSP27 (tHSP27) as well as phosphorylated HSP27 (pHSP27) was elevated in low BMD condition in both categories (P<0.05). Further, using transwell assays, pHSP27, when placed in the upper chamber, could increase monocyte migration (P<0.0001) and this was additive in combination with RANKL (receptor activator ofNFkBligand) placed in the lower chamber (P=0.05). Effect of pHSP27 in monocyte migration towards bone milieu can result in increased osteoclast formation and thus contribute to pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Overall, this study reveals for the first time a novel link between monocyte HSP27 and BMD.
Functional Testbench Qualification by Mutation Analysis
Authors: Huang Kai , Zhu Peng , Yan Rongjie , Yan Xiaolang
Published: May 2015

The growing complexity and higher time-to-market pressure make the functional verification of modern large scale hardware systems more challenging. These challenges bring the requirement of a high quality testbench that is capable of thoroughly verifying the design. To reveal a bug, the testbench needs to activate it by stimulus, propagate the erroneous behaviors to some checked points, and detect it at these checked points by checkers. However, current dominant verification approaches focus only on the activation aspect using a coverage model which is not qualified and ignore the propagation and detection aspects. Using a new metric, this paper qualifies the testbench by mutation analysis technique with the consideration of the quality of the stimulus, the coverage model, and the checkers. Then the testbench is iteratively refined according to the qualification feedback. We have conducted experiments on two designs of different scales to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in improving the quality of the testbench.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Brondino Natascia , Fusar-Poli Laura , Rocchetti Matteo , Provenzani Umberto , Barale Francesco , Politi Pierluigi
Published: May 2015

Background. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) represents a popular therapeutic option for patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Unfortunately, there is a paucity of data regarding the efficacy of CAM in ASD. The aim of the present systematic review is to investigate trials of CAM in ASD.Material and Methods. We searched the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Agricola, and Food Science Source.Results. Our literature search identified 2687 clinical publications. After the title/abstract screening, 139 publications were obtained for detailed evaluation. After detailed evaluation 67 studies were included, from hand search of references we retrieved 13 additional studies for a total of 80.Conclusion. There is no conclusive evidence supporting the efficacy of CAM therapies in ASD. Promising results are reported for music therapy, sensory integration therapy, acupuncture, and massage.
Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis and Henoch-Schönlein Purpura in a Patient with Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Gupta Neil , Kim Joyce , Njei Basile
Published: May 2015

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a small vessel systemic vasculitis, predominantly affecting children, characterized by a tetrad of manifestations, specifically palpable purpura, arthralgia, abdominal pain, and renal disease. HSP in the adult population is rare, and no case has been described of HSP in liver cirrhosis with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). We present the case of a 58-year-old male with liver cirrhosis, who was subsequently diagnosed with SBP and later HSP. In this patient, the diagnosis of HSP was demonstrated clinically by his palpable purpura, diarrhea, hematuria, and abdominal pain and confirmed pathologically by his renal and skin biopsies demonstrating leukocytoclastic vasculitis and IgA complexes. We believe that this is an example of altered IgA processing in cirrhosis leading to the development of IgA immune complexes and ultimately HSP. The patient additionally had SBP, which may have increased his risk for developing HSP given antigen processing by mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues leading to immune complex deposition, which may not have been effectively cleared in the context of his liver disease. The patient unfortunately died of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, which is unclear to be due to his underlying cirrhosis or a gastrointestinal manifestation of HSP itself.
Online Pedagogical Tutorial Tactics Optimization Using Genetic‐Based Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Lin Hsuan-Ta , Lee Po-Ming , Hsiao Tzu-Chien
Published: May 2015

Tutorial tactics are policies for an Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) to decide the next action when there are multiple actions available. Recent research has demonstrated that when the learning contents were controlled so as to be the same, different tutorial tactics would make difference in students’ learning gains. However, the Reinforcement Learning (RL) techniques that were used in previous studies to induce tutorial tactics are insufficient when encountering large problems and hence were used in offline manners. Therefore, we introduced a Genetic‐Based Reinforcement Learning (GBML) approach to induce tutorial tactics in an online‐learning manner without basing on any preexisting dataset. The introduced method can learn a set of rules from the environment in a manner similar to RL. It includes a genetic‐based optimizer for rule discovery task by generating new rules from the old ones. This increases the scalability of a RL learner for larger problems. The results support our hypothesis about the capability of the GBML method to induce tutorial tactics. This suggests that the GBML method should be favorable in developing real‐world ITS applications in the domain of tutorial tactics induction.
Neuroprotective Effect of Sodium Butyrate against Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Mice
Authors: Sun Jing , Wang Fangyan , Li Haixiao , Zhang Huiqing , Jin Jiangtao , Chen Wenqian , Pang Mengqi , Yu Junjie , He Yiwen , Liu Jiaming , Liu Chunfeng
Published: May 2015

Sodium butyrate (NaB) is a dietary microbial fermentation product of fiber and serves as an important neuromodulator in the central nervous system. In this study, we further investigated that NaB attenuated cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in vivo and its possible mechanisms. NaB (5, 10 mg/kg) was administered intragastrically 3 h after the onset of reperfusion in bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) mice. After 24 h of reperfusion, neurological deficits scores were estimated. Morphological examination was performed by electron microscopy and hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. The levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines were assessed. Apoptotic neurons were measured by TUNEL; apoptosis-related protein caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, the phosphorylation Akt (p-Akt), and BDNF were assayed by western blot and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that 10 mg/kg NaB treatment significantly ameliorated neurological deficit and histopathology changes in cerebral I/R injury. Moreover, 10 mg/kg NaB treatment markedly restored the levels of MDA, SOD, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-8. 10 mg/kg NaB treatment also remarkably inhibited the apoptosis, decreasing the levels of caspase-3 and Bax and increasing the levels of Bcl-2, p-Akt, and BDNF. This study suggested that NaB exerts neuroprotective effects on cerebral I/R injury by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties and BDNF-PI3K/Akt pathway is involved in antiapoptotic effect.
Maternal Hyperglycemia Directly and Rapidly Induces Cardiac Septal Overgrowth in Fetal Rats
Authors: Gordon Erin E. , Reinking Benjamin E. , Hu Shanming , Yao Jianrong , Kua Kok L. , Younes Areej K. , Wang Chunlin , Segar Jeffrey L. , Norris Andrew W.
Published: May 2015

Cardiac septal overgrowth complicates 10–40% of births from diabetic mothers, but perplexingly hyperglycemia markers during pregnancy are not reliably predictive. We thus tested whether fetal exposure to hyperglycemia is sufficient to induce fetal cardiac septal overgrowth even in the absence of systemic maternal diabetes. To isolate the effects of hyperglycemia, we infused glucose into the blood supply of the left but not right uterine horn in nondiabetic pregnant rats starting on gestational day 19. After 24 h infusion, right-sided fetuses and dams remained euglycemic while left-sided fetuses were moderately hyperglycemic. Echocardiograms in utero demonstrated a thickened cardiac septum among left-sided (glucose-exposed, 0.592 ± 0.016 mm) compared to right-sided (control, 0.482 ± 0.016 mm) fetuses. Myocardial proliferation was increased 1.5 ± 0.2-fold among left-sided compared to right-sided fetuses. Transcriptional markers of glucose-derived anabolism were not different between sides. However, left-sided fetuses exhibited higher serum insulin and greater JNK phosphorylation compared to controls. These results show that hyperglycemic exposure is sufficient to rapidly induce septal overgrowth even in the absence of the myriad other factors of maternal diabetes. This suggests that even transient spikes in glucose may incite cardiac overgrowth, perhaps explaining the poor clinical correlation of septal hypertrophy with chronic hyperglycemia.
Prognostic Value of MicroRNA-182 in Cancers: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Fei , Zhong Shanliang , Zhang Haijun , Zhang Wei , Zhang Hongming , Wu Xue , Chen Baoan
Published: May 2015

Objective. MicroRNA-182 (miR-182) exhibits altered expression in various cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of miR-182 expression for cancer patient survival.Methods. Eligible studies were identified through multiple search strategies, and the hazard ratios (HRs) for patient outcomes were extracted and estimated. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the prognostic value of miR-182.Results. In total, 14 studies were included. A high miR-182 expression level predicted a worse outcome with a pooled HR of 2.18 (95% CI: 1.53–3.11) in ten studies related to overall survival (OS), especially in Chinese populations. The results of seven studies evaluating disease-free survival/relapse-free survival/recurrence-free interval/disease-specific survival (DFS/RFS/RFI/DSS) produced a pooled HR of 1.77 (95% CI: 0.91–3.43), which was not statistically significant; however, the trend was positive. When disregarding the DSS from one study, the expression of miR-182 was significantly correlated with DFS/RFS/RFI (pooled HR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.67–3.79).Conclusions. High miR-182 expression is associated with poor OS and DFS/RFS/RFI in some types of cancers, and miR-182 may be a useful prognostic biomarker for predicting cancer prognosis. However, given the current insufficient relevant data, further clinical studies are needed.
Impulsive State Feedback Control of the Rhizosphere Microbial Degradation in the Wetland Plant
Authors: Zhao Zhong , Pang Liuyong , Zhao Zhanping , Luo Chengguang
Published: May 2015

The rhizosphere microbe plays an important role in removing the pollutant generated from industrial and agricultural production. To investigate the dynamics of the microbial degradation, a nonlinear mathematical model of the rhizosphere microbial degradation is proposed based on impulsive state feedback control. The sufficient conditions for existence of the positive order-1 or order-2 periodic solution are obtained by using the geometrical theory of the semicontinuous dynamical system. We show the impulsive control system tends to an order-1 periodic solution or order-2 periodic solution if the control measures are achieved during the process of the microbial degradation. Furthermore, mathematical results are justified by some numerical simulations.
Modeling of Stacking Fault Energy in Hexagonal-Close-Packed Metals
Authors: Ding Zhigang , Li Shuang , Liu Wei , Zhao Yonghao
Published: May 2015

The deformation of metals is known to be largely affected by their stacking fault energies (SFEs). In the review, we examine the theoretical background of three normally used models, supercell model, Ising model, and bond orientation model, for the calculation of SFE of hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) metals and their alloys. To predict the nature of slip in nanocrystalline metals, we further review the generalized stacking fault (GSF) energy curves in hcp metals and alloys. We conclude by discussing the outstanding challenges in the modeling of SFE and GSF energy for studying the mechanical properties of metals.
Treatment of a Prader-Willi Patient with Recurrent Catatonia
Authors: Poser Hana M. , Trutia Alexandru E.
Published: May 2015

Prader-Willi is a genetic disorder characterized by neonatal hypotonia, hyperphagia, short stature, hypogonadism, and mental delay. This disorder can result from multiple mechanisms, most commonly a deletion of paternal chromosome 15, leaving a single maternally derived chromosome 15. Individuals who have a maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 15 have a higher risk for developing psychosis compared to other forms of Prader-Willi. The following report details the treatment course of a 24-year-old female with Prader-Willi and recurrent catatonia. The patient initially had a positive lorazepam challenge test but subsequently failed treatment with benzodiazepines. She then received eight electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) treatments after which she showed improvement from initial catatonic state. However, the resolution in her symptoms did not follow a linear course but would show periods of improvement followed by a return of catatonic features. This case provides an example of the complexity of treatment of a patient with a genetic disorder and recurrent catatonia.
Effect of Stiffness of Rolling Joints on the Dynamic Characteristic of Ball Screw Feed Systems in a Milling Machine
Authors: Wang Dazhong , Lu Yan , Zhang Tongchao , Wang Keyong , Rinoshika Akira
Published: May 2015

Dynamic characteristic of ball screw feed system in a milling machine is studied numerically in this work. In order to avoid the difficulty in determining the stiffness of rolling joints theoretically, a dynamic modeling method for analyzing the feed system is discussed, and a stiffness calculation method of the rolling joints is proposed based on the Hertz contact theory. Taking a 3-axis computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine set ermined as a research object, the stiffness of its fixed joint between the column and the body together with the stiffness parameters of the rolling joints is evaluated according to the Takashi Yoshimura method. Then, a finite element (FE) model is established for the machine tool. The correctness of the FE model and the stiffness calculation method of the rolling joints are validated by theoretical and experimental modal analysis results of the machine tool’s workbench. Under the two modeling methods of joints incorporating the stiffness parameters and rigid connection, a theoretical modal analysis is conducted for the CNC milling machine. The natural frequencies and modal shapes reveal that the joints’ dynamic characteristic has an important influence on the dynamic performance of a whole machine tool, especially for the case with natural frequency and higher modes.
Arterial Stiffness and Renal Replacement Therapy: A Controversial Topic
Authors: Fischer Edmundo Cabrera , Zócalo Yanina , Galli Cintia , Wray Sandra , Bia Daniel
Published: May 2015

The increase of arterial stiffness has been to have a significant impact on predicting mortality in end-stage renal disease patients. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a noninvasive, reliable parameter of regional arterial stiffness that integrates the vascular geometry and arterial wall intrinsic elasticity and is capable of predicting cardiovascular mortality in this patient population. Nevertheless, reports on PWV in dialyzed patients are contradictory and sometimes inconsistent: some reports claim the arterial wall stiffness increases (i.e., PWV increase), others claim that it is reduced, and some even state that it augments in the aorta while it simultaneously decreases in the brachial artery pathway. The purpose of this study was to analyze the literature in which longitudinal or transversal studies were performed in hemodialysis and/or peritoneal dialysis patients, in order to characterize arterial stiffness and the responsiveness to renal replacement therapy.
Production of Sterilizing Agents fromCalendula officinalisExtracts Optimized by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Goktas Fatih Mehmet , Sahin Bilgesu , Yigitarslan Sibel
Published: May 2015

The aim of this study was to produce hand sterilizing liquid and wet wipes with the extracts ofCalendula officinalis. Since this plant has well known antimicrobial activity due to its phytochemical constituents, the increase in the extraction yield was chosen as the principle part of the production process. To achieve the maximum yield, parameters of solid-to-liquid ratio, extraction temperature, and time were studied. The optimum conditions were determined by response surface methodology as 41°C, 7 h, and 3.3 g/200 mL for temperature, time, and solid-to-liquid ratio, respectively. The yield achieved at those conditions was found to be 90 percent. The highest amounts of flavonoids were detected at optimum, whereas the highest triterpene and saponin constituents were determined at different design points. The microbial efficiencies of extracts were determined by the inhibition of the growth of selected microorganisms. Different dilution rates and interaction times were used as parameters of inhibition. Not any of the constituent but symbiotic relation in-between reached the highest inhibition of 90 percent. The pH values of the extracts were 5.1 to 5.4. As a result, the extraction ofCalendula officinalisat the optimum conditions can be used effectively in the production of wet wipes and hand sterilizing liquid.
Antiperoxidative Activity ofTetracarpidium conophorumLeaf Extract in Reproductive Organs of Male Rats
Authors: Akomolafe Seun Funmilola , Oboh Ganiyu , Akindahunsi Afolabi Akintunde , Afolayan Anthony Jide
Published: May 2015

Tetracarpidium conophorum(Mull. Arg.) Hutch. & Dalz is one of the many medicinal plants used in folklore as male fertility enhancers. This research was aimed at evaluating the anti-peroxidative activity of the leaves of this plant by determining their capacity to reduce malondialdehyde (MDA) level in reproductive organs and accessory glands of rats. Adult male rats were administered orally with the aqueous leaf extract fromT. conophorumat 50, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight for 21 consecutive days while clomiphene citrate (1.04 mg/kg body weight), a fertility drug was used as standard. The results of the study indicated that there was increase in relative organ weight, body weight, mean total food and water consumed by the treated groups. Testicular MDA level was highly significantly different from that of the control (p<0.0001) although a tentatively decreased MDA level was observed. However, MDA levels in the reproductive accessory glands, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland were insignificantly (p<0.05) lower than those of controls. The highest percentage decrease of MDA level (66.35, 42.68, 62.50 and 63.36%) was observed at the highest concentration of the extract (1000 mg/kg) in the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland respectively. These values were two-fold greater than the values obtained for the standard drug. Interestingly, the treatment of rats with the extract significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and the levels of GSH, vitamin C and total protein. Collectively, the results suggest that the extract fromT. conophorumleaves had greater capacity to reduce lipid peroxidation in reproductive organs and accessory glands and thus, this plant may be useful in the treatment/management of reproductive cellular damage involving reactive oxygen species.
The Promotion of Antibacterial Effects of Ti6Al4V Alloy Modified with TiO2 Nanotubes Using a Superoxidized Solution
Authors: Beltrán-Partida Ernesto , Valdez-Salas Benjamin , Escamilla Alan , Moreno-Ulloa Aldo , Burtseva Larysa , Valdez-Salas Ernesto , Curiel Alvarez Mario , Nedev Nicola
Published: May 2015

The purpose of the present study was to synthetize 80 nm diameter TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) on Ti6Al4V alloy using a commercially superoxidized water (SOW) enriched with fluoride to reduce anodization time and promote the antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The alloy discs were anodized for 5 min and as a result, NTs of approximately 80 nm diameters were obtained with similar morphology as reported in previous studies using longer anodization times (1‐2 h). Filed emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to characterize the materials surfaces. The NTs showed significantly decreased S. aureus viability after 1, 3, and 5 days of culture in comparison to nonanodized alloy. Likewise, SEM analysis also suggested lower bacterial adhesion on the NTs surface. No differences in bacterial morphology and topography were observed on both materials, as analyzed by SEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In conclusion, 80 nm diameter NTs were grown on Ti6Al4V alloy in 5 min by using a SOW solution enriched with fluoride, which resulted in a material with promoted antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus for up to 5 days of in vitro culture when compared to nonanodized alloy.