bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finding the Sweet Spot: How Human Fungal Pathogens Acquire and Turn the Sugar Inositol against Their Hosts
Authors: Xue Chaoyang
Published: March 2015

Inositol is an essential nutrient with important structural and signaling functions in eukaryotes. Its role in microbial pathogenesis has been reported in fungi, protozoans, and eubacteria. In a recent article, Porollo et al. [
mBio
5(6):e01834-14, 2014, doi:10.1128/mBio.01834-14] demonstrated the importance of inositol metabolism in the development and viability of Pneumocystis species—obligate fungal pathogens that remain unculturable
in vitro
. To understand their obligate nature, the authors used innovative comparative genomic approaches and discovered that Pneumocystis spp. are inositol auxotrophs due to the lack of inositol biosynthetic enzymes and that inositol insufficiency is a contributing factor preventing fungal growth
in vitro
. This work is in accord with other studies suggesting that inositol plays a conserved role in microbial pathogenesis. Inositol uptake and metabolism therefore may represent novel antimicrobial drug targets. Using comparative genomics to analyze metabolic pathways offers a powerful tool to gain new insights into nutrient utilization in microbes, especially obligate pathogens.
Glycan Engagement Dictates Hydrocephalus Induction by Serotype 1 Reovirus
Authors: Stencel-Baerenwald Jennifer , Reiss Kerstin , Blaum Bärbel S. , Colvin Daniel , Li Xiao-Nan , Abel Ty , Boyd Kelli , Stehle Thilo , Dermody Terence S.
Published: March 2015

Receptors expressed on the host cell surface adhere viruses to target cells and serve as determinants of viral tropism. Several viruses bind cell surface glycans to facilitate entry, but the contribution of specific glycan moieties to viral disease is incompletely understood. Reovirus provides a tractable experimental model for studies of viral neuropathogenesis. In newborn mice, serotype 1 (T1) reovirus causes hydrocephalus, whereas serotype 3 (T3) reovirus causes encephalitis. T1 and T3 reoviruses engage distinct glycans, suggesting that glycan-binding capacity contributes to these differences in pathogenesis. Using structure-guided mutagenesis, we engineered a mutant T1 reovirus incapable of binding the T1 reovirus-specific glycan receptor, GM2. The mutant virus induced substantially less hydrocephalus than wild-type virus, an effect phenocopied by wild-type virus infection of GM2-deficient mice. In comparison to wild-type virus, yields of mutant virus were diminished in cultured ependymal cells, the cell type that lines the brain ventricles. These findings suggest that GM2 engagement targets reovirus to ependymal cells in mice and illuminate the function of glycan engagement in reovirus serotype-dependent disease.

IMPORTANCEReceptor utilization strongly influences viral disease, often dictating host range and target cell selection. Different reovirus serotypes bind to different glycans, but a precise function for these molecules in pathogenesis is unknown. We used type 1 (T1) reovirus deficient in binding the GM2 glycan and mice lacking GM2 to pinpoint a role for glycan engagement in hydrocephalus caused by T1 reovirus. This work indicates that engagement of a specific glycan can lead to infection of specific cells in the host and consequent disease at that site. Since reovirus is being developed as a vaccine vector and oncolytic agent, understanding reovirus-glycan interactions may allow manipulation of reovirus glycan-binding properties for therapeutic applications.
Neurosyphilis presenting with a stroke-like syndrome
Authors: Abkur Tarig Mohammed , Ahmed Gasim Salaheldin , Alfaki Nidal Osman , O'Connor Margaret
Published: March 2015

Neurosyphilis results from infection of the central nervous system (CNS) byTreponema pallidum. Neurosyphilis can occur at any time after initial infection, particularly in immunocompromised patients. We describe a case of a 47-year-old man who presented with mixed dysphasia, right upper motor neuron facial palsy and right hemiparesis. Collateral history from the family revealed slowly progressive cognitive impairment and behavioural changes. Neuroimaging was unremarkable, suggesting a non-vascular aetiology. As there was no clear cause for the presentation, a lumbar puncture was performed and serum samples were sent for syphilis serology. The diagnosis of neurosyphilis was made on the basis of a positive RPR test in cerebrospinal fluid. The patient was treated with benzylpenicillin and made a full recovery, with restoration of cognitive function to baseline.
Adalimumab-induced lupus serositis
Authors: Kelly Dearbhla , O'Connell Oisin , Henry Michael
Published: March 2015

A 61-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of breathlessness, chest pain and lethargy. He had been taking adalimumab for ankylosing spondylitis for 2 years. Pleural and pericardial effusions were both found. A video-assisted thorascopic (VATS) pleural and lung biopsy were performed. The pleural pathology showed eosinophils, acute inflammatory cells and lymphoid aggregates. The patient was positive for antinuclear, antidouble-stranded and antihistone antibodies consistent with drug-induced lupus due to adalimumab. His serositis resolved on withdrawal of the drug. Drug-induced lupus can occur as a consequence of anti-TNF-α agents from induction of autoimmunity in a predisposed host.
Neuralgic amyotrophy complicating acute hepatitis E infection: a rare association
Authors: Theochari Evangelia , Vincent-Smith Lisa , Ellis Cathy
Published: March 2015

Hepatitis E virus infection (HEV) is an emerging pathogen that is under-recognised in developed countries. Preceding infection manifested by acute transaminitis has been associated with neurological manifestations, predominately involving the peripheral nervous system, even in immunocompetent patients. We present a case of a 65-year-old previously fit and well Caucasian man with bilateral neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) and acute transaminitis. Serology testing for immunoglobulin (Ig) M and G established the diagnosis of acute HEV infection. The patient received immunomodulatory treatment with an excellent long-term outcome. The temporal association of the clinical presentation of bilateral NA and acute transaminitis from HEV infection suggested the causal association of HEV to NA. We propose screening for HEV in patients presenting with NA and acute hepatitis.
Predictive utility of cardiac ultrasound in traumatic cardiac arrest in a combat casualty
Authors: Kinnear-Mellor Rex , Newton K , Woolley T , Rickard R
Published: March 2015

We report a case of traumatic cardiac arrest in a combat casualty who was resuscitated to return of spontaneous circulation despite asystole and no visible cardiac activity on initial ultrasound examination. This return of spontaneous circulation suggests that survival may be possible in traumatic cardiac arrest due to exsanguination, even when there is no demonstrable cardiac activity on ultrasound. Cardiac ultrasonography was performed for 10 s only. We suggest that cardiac ultrasonography should be performed for a minimum of 1 min during volume resuscitation. If absence of cardiac activity is confirmed once the heart is full, and there are no other signs of life (including pupillary reaction), then termination of resuscitation should be considered.
Republished: Value of white cell count in predicting serious bacterial infection in febrile children under 5 years of age
Authors: De Sukanya , Williams Gabrielle J , Hayen Andrew , Macaskill Petra , McCaskill Mary , Isaacs David , Craig Jonathan C
Published: March 2015

Objective

The leukocyte count is frequently used to evaluate suspected bacterial infections but estimates of its test performance vary considerably. We evaluated its accuracy for the detection of serious bacterial infections in febrile children.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Paediatric emergency department.

Patients

Febrile 0–5-year-olds who had a leukocyte count on presentation.

Outcome measures

Accuracy of total white blood cell and absolute neutrophil counts for the detection of urinary tract infection, bacteraemia, pneumonia and a combined (‘any serious bacterial infection’) category. Logistic regression models were fitted for each outcome. Reference standards were microbiological/radiological tests and clinical follow-up.

Results

Serious bacterial infections were present in 714 (18.3%) of 3893 illness episodes. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for ‘any serious bacterial infection’ was 0.653 (95% CI 0.630 to 0.676) for the total white blood cell count and 0.638 (95% CI 0.615 to 0.662) for absolute neutrophil count. A white blood cell count threshold >15×109/L had a sensitivity of 47% (95% CI 43% to 50%), specificity 76% (95% CI 74% to 77%), positive likelihood ratio 1.93 (95% CI 1.75 to 2.13) and negative likelihood ratio 0.70 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.75). An absolute neutrophil count threshold >10×109/L had a sensitivity of 41% (95% CI 38% to 45%), specificity 78% (95% CI 76% to 79%), positive likelihood ratio 1.87 (95% CI 1.68 to 2.09) and negative likelihood ratio 0.75 (95% CI 0.71 to 0.80).

Conclusions

The total white blood cell count and absolute neutrophil count are not sufficiently accurate triage tests for febrile children with suspected serious bacterial infection.
Republished: Gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms and related precursor lesions
Authors: La Rosa Stefano , Vanoli Alessandro
Published: March 2015

Gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a heterogeneous group of tumours showing different clinicopathological features and behaviour, implying a wide spectrum of therapeutic options. They are currently classified using the 2010 WHO classification of digestive neuroendocrine neoplasms into G1-neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), G2-NETs, neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) and mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomas (MANECs). However, most gastric NENs are composed of ECL-cells (ECL-cell NETs) that can be preceded by ECL-cell hyperplastic and dysplastic lesions, whose oncologic potential has not yet been completely elucidated. ECL-cell NETs differ considerably in terms of prognosis depending on the proliferative status and clinicopathological background. The integration of both aspects in the diagnostic pathway may help to better classify tumours in different prognostic categories, especially when diagnosing them in small bioptic specimens. NECs are all poorly differentiated, highly aggressive carcinomas, while MANECs can show different morphological features that are directly associated with different prognoses. Precursor lesions of such carcinomas are not entirely understood. In this review, the clinicopathological features of gastric NENs and related precursor lesions will be described to give the reader a comprehensive overview on this topic.
Vascular endothelial function is improved by oral glycine treatment in aged rats
Authors: Gómez-Zamudio Jaime H. , García-Macedo Rebeca , Lázaro-Suárez Martha , Ibarra-Barajas Maximiliano , Kumate Jesús , Cruz Miguel
Published: March 2015

Glycine has been used to reduce oxidative stress and proinflammatory mediators in some metabolic disorders; however, its effect on the vasculature has been poorly studied. The aim of this work was to explore the effect of glycine on endothelial dysfunction in aged rats. Aortic rings with intact or denuded endothelium were obtained from untreated or glycine-treated male Sprague–Dawley rats at 5 and 15 months of age. Concentration–response curves to phenylephrine (PHE) were obtained from aortic rings incubated with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), superoxide dismutase (SOD), indomethacin, SC-560, and NS-398. Aortic mRNA expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX-4), cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin-1 β was measured by real time RT–PCR. The endothelial modulation of the contraction by PHE was decreased in aortic rings from aged rats. Glycine treatment improved this modulator effect and increased relaxation to acetylcholine. Glycine augmented the sensitivity for PHE in the presence of l-NAME and SOD. It also reduced the contraction by incubation with indomethacin, SC-560, and NS-398. Glycine increased the mRNA expression of eNOS and decreased the expression of COX-2 and TNF-α. Glycine improved the endothelium function in aged rats possibly by enhancing eNOS expression and reducing the role of superoxide anion and contractile prostanoids that increase the nitric oxide bioavailability.
Knot projections with a single multi-crossing
Authors: Adams Colin , Crawford Thomas , DeMeo Benjamin , Landry Michael , Lin Alex Tong , Montee MurphyKate , Park Seojung , Venkatesh Saraswathi , Yhee Farrah
Published: March 2015

An n-crossing is a singular point in a projection of a link at which n strands cross such that each strand travels straight through the crossing. We introduce the notion of an übercrossing projection, a knot projection with a single n-crossing. Such a projection is necessarily composed of a collection of loops emanating from the crossing. We prove the surprising fact that all knots have a special type of übercrossing projection, which we call a petal projection, in which no loops contain any others. The rigidity of this form allows all the information about the knot to be concentrated in a permutation corresponding to the levels at which the strands lie within the crossing. These ideas give rise to two new invariants for a knot K: the übercrossing number ü(K), and petal number p(K). These are the least number of loops in any übercrossing or petal projection of K, respectively. We relate ü(K) and p(K) to other knot invariants, and compute p(K) for several classes of knots, including all knots of nine or fewer crossings.
Stability and multi-parametric Hopf bifurcation analyses of viral infection model with time delay
Authors: Prakash M. , Balasubramaniam P.
Published: March 2015

Ever since HIV was first diagnosed in human, a great number of scientific works have been undertaken to explore the biological mechanisms involved in the infection and progression of the disease. This paper deals with stability and bifurcation analyses of mathematical model that represents the dynamics of HIV infection of thymus. The existence and stability of the equilibria are investigated. The model is described by a system of delay differential equations with logistic growth term, cure rate and discrete type of time delay. Choosing the time delay as a bifurcation parameter, the analysis is mainly focused on the Hopf bifurcation problem to predict the existence of a limit cycle bifurcating from the infected steady state. Further, using center manifold theory and normal form method we derive explicit formulae to determine the stability and direction of the limit cycles. Moreover the mitosis rate r also plays a vital role in the model, so we fix it as second bifurcation parameter in the incidence of viral infection. Our analysis shows that, while both the bifurcation parameters can destabilize the equilibrium E* and cause limit cycles. Numerical simulations are performed to investigate the qualitative behaviors of the inherent model.
Construction and use of a zebrafish heart voltage and calcium optical mapping system, with integrated electrocardiogram and programmable electrical stimulation
Authors: Lin Eric , Craig Calvin , Lamothe Marcel , Sarunic Marinko V. , Beg Mirza Faisal , Tibbits Glen F.
Published: March 2015

Zebrafish are increasingly being used as a model of vertebrate cardiology due to mammalian-like cardiac properties in many respects. The size and fecundity of zebrafish make them suitable for large-scale genetic and pharmacological screening. In larger mammalian hearts, optical mapping is often used to investigate the interplay between voltage and calcium dynamics and to investigate their respective roles in arrhythmogenesis. This report outlines the construction of an optical mapping system for use with zebrafish hearts, using the voltage-sensitive dye RH 237 and the calcium indicator dye Rhod-2 using two industrial-level CCD cameras. With the use of economical cameras and a common 532-nm diode laser for excitation, the rate dependence of voltage and calcium dynamics within the atrial and ventricular compartments can be simultaneously determined. At 140 beats/min, the atrial action potential duration was 36 ms and the transient duration was 53 ms. With the use of a programmable electrical stimulator, a shallow rate dependence of 3 and 4 ms per 100 beats/min was observed, respectively. In the ventricle the action potential duration was 109 ms and the transient duration was 124 ms, with a steeper rate dependence of 12 and 16 ms per 100 beats/min. Synchronous electrocardiograms and optical mapping recordings were recorded, in which the P-wave aligns with the atrial voltage peak and R-wave aligns with the ventricular peak. A simple optical pathway and imaging chamber are detailed along with schematics for the in-house construction of the electrocardiogram amplifier and electrical stimulator. Laboratory procedures necessary for zebrafish heart isolation, cannulation, and loading are also presented.
Medial nucleus tractus solitarius oxytocin receptor signaling and food intake control: the role of gastrointestinal satiation signal processing
Authors: Ong Zhi Yi , Alhadeff Amber L. , Grill Harvey J.
Published: March 2015

Central oxytocin (OT) administration reduces food intake and its effects are mediated, in part, by hindbrain oxytocin receptor (OT-R) signaling. The neural substrate and mechanisms mediating the intake inhibitory effects of hindbrain OT-R signaling are undefined. We examined the hypothesis that hindbrain OT-R-mediated feeding inhibition results from an interaction between medial nucleus tractus solitarius (mNTS) OT-R signaling and the processing of gastrointestinal (GI) satiation signals by neurons of the mNTS. Here, we demonstrated that mNTS or fourth ventricle (4V) microinjections of OT in rats reduced chow intake in a dose-dependent manner. To examine whether the intake suppressive effects of mNTS OT-R signaling is mediated by GI signal processing, rats were injected with OT to the 4V (1 μg) or mNTS (0.3 μg), followed by self-ingestion of a nutrient preload, where either treatment was designed to be without effect on chow intake. Results showed that the combination of mNTS OT-R signaling and GI signaling processing by preload ingestion reduced chow intake significantly and to a greater extent than either stimulus alone. Using enzyme immunoassay, endogenous OT content in mNTS-enriched dorsal vagal complex (DVC) in response to ingestion of nutrient preload was measured. Results revealed that preload ingestion significantly elevated endogenous DVC OT content. Taken together, these findings provide evidence that mNTS neurons are a site of action for hindbrain OT-R signaling in food intake control and that the intake inhibitory effects of hindbrain mNTS OT-R signaling are mediated by interactions with GI satiation signal processing by mNTS neurons.
Dynamics of gene expression patterns during early development of the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
Authors: Kaitetzidou E. , Xiang J. , Antonopoulou E. , Tsigenopoulos C. S. , Sarropoulou E.
Published: March 2015

Larval and embryonic stages are the most critical period in the life cycle of marine fish. Key developmental events occur early in development and are influenced by external parameters like stress, temperature, salinity, and photoperiodism. Any failure may cause malformations, developmental delays, poor growth, and massive mortalities. Advanced understanding of molecular processes underlying marine larval development may lead to superior larval rearing conditions. Today, the new sequencing and bioinformatic methods allow transcriptome screens comprising messenger (mRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) with the scope of detecting differential expression for any species of interest. In the present study, we applied Illumina technology to investigate the transcriptome of early developmental stages of the European seabass ( Dicentrarchus labrax). The European seabass, in its natural environment, is a euryhaline species and has shown high adaptation processes in early life phases. During its embryonic and larval phases the European seabass lives in a marine environment and as a juvenile it migrates to coastal zones, estuaries, and lagoons. Investigating the dynamics of gene expression in its early development may shed light on factors promoting phenotypic plasticity and may also contribute to the improvement and advancement of rearing methods of the European seabass, a species of high economic importance in European and Mediterranean aquaculture. We present the identification, characterization, and expression of mRNA and miRNA, comprising paralogous genes and differentially spliced transcripts from early developmental stages of the European seabass. We further investigated the detection of possible interactions of miRNA with mRNA.
Roles of Autophagy Induced by Natural Compounds in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Naponelli V. , Modernelli A. , Bettuzzi S. , Rizzi F.
Published: March 2015

Autophagy is a homeostatic mechanism through which intracellular organelles and proteins are degraded and recycled in response to increased metabolic demand or stress. Autophagy dysfunction is often associated with many diseases, including cancer. Because of its role in tumorigenesis, autophagy can represent a new therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in aged men. The evidence on alterations of autophagy related genes and/or protein levels in PCa cells suggests a potential implication of autophagy in PCa onset and progression. The use of natural compounds, characterized by low toxicity to normal tissue associated with specific anticancer effects at physiological levelsin vivo, is receiving increasing attention for prevention and/or treatment of PCa. Understanding the mechanism of action of these compounds could be crucial for the development of new therapeutic or chemopreventive options. In this review we focus on the current evidence showing the capacity of natural compounds to exert their action through autophagy modulation in PCa cells.
Fulminant Shigellosis in a HIV Patient
Authors: Ooi Siang Mei Sally
Published: March 2015

Infectious enterocolitis caused byshigellais usually self-limiting and seldom requires antibiotics treatment. It is uncommon to develop fulminant shigellosis requiring surgery. We report a rare case of fulminant shigellosis in a HIV patient with recurring infection which could not be managed with intravenous antibiotics. CT reviewed extensive colonic wall thickening and stranding with evidence of pneumatosis coli. The patient eventually required a Hartmann procedure. Although fulminant shigellosis is uncommon, thorough assessment and vigilant management are warranted in immunosuppressed patient.
Predictors of Mortality among Adult Antiretroviral Therapy Users in Southeastern Ethiopia: Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Setegn Tesfaye , Takele Abulie , Gizaw Tesfaye , Nigatu Dabere , Haile Demewoz
Published: March 2015

Background. Although efforts have been made to reduce AIDS-related mortality by providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) services, still people are dying while they are on treatment due to several factors. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of mortality among adult antiretroviral therapy (ART) users in Goba Hospital, Southeast Ethiopia.Methods. The medical records of 2036 ART users who enrolled at Goba Hospital between 2007 and 2012 were reviewed and sociodemographic, clinical, and ART-related data were collected. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to measure risk of death and identify the independent predictors of mortality.Results. The overall mortality incidence rate was 20.3 deaths per 1000 person-years. Male, bedridden, overweight/obese, and HIV clients infected with TB and other infectious diseases had higher odds of death compared with their respective counterparts. On the other hand, ART clients with primary and secondary educational level and early and less advanced WHO clinical stage had lower odds of death compared to their counterparts.Conclusion. The overall mortality incidence rate was high and majority of the death had occurred in the first year of ART initiation. Intensifying and strengthening early ART initiation, improving nutritional status, prevention and control of TB, and other opportunistic infections are recommended interventions.
Ox-LDL Induces Dysfunction of Endothelial Progenitor Cells via Activation of NF-κB
Authors: Ji Kang-ting , Qian Lu , Nan Jin-liang , Xue Yang-jing , Zhang Su-qin , Wang Guo-qiang , Yin Ri-peng , Zhu Yong-jin , Wang Lu-ping , Ma Jun , Liao Lian-ming , Tang Ji-fei
Published: March 2015

Dyslipidemia increases the risks for atherosclerosis in part by impairing endothelial integrity. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are thought to contribute to endothelial recovery after arterial injury. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) can induce EPC dysfunction, but the underlying mechanism is not well understood. Human EPCs were cultured in endothelial growth medium supplemented with VEGF (10 ng/mL) and bFGF (10 ng/mL). The cells were treated with ox-LDL (50 µg/mL). EPC proliferation was assayed by using CCK8 kits. Expression and translocation of nuclear factor-kabba B (NF-κB) were evaluated. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells was measured using H2DCF-DA as a fluorescence probe. The activity of NADPH oxidase activity was determined by colorimetric assay. Ox-LDL significantly decreased the proliferation, migration, and adhesion capacity of EPCs, while significantly increased ROS production and NADPH oxidase expression. Ox-LDL induced NF-κB P65 mRNA expression and translocation in EPCs. Thus ox-LDL can induce EPC dysfunction at least by increasing expression and translocation of NF-κB P65 and NADPH oxidase activity, which represents a new mechanism of lipidemia-induced vascular injury.
Hyperelliptic Curves for the Vector Decomposition Problem over Fields of Even Characteristic
Authors: Park Seungkook
Published: March 2015

We present an infinite family of hyperelliptic curves of genus two over a finite field of even characteristic which are suitable for the vector decomposition problem.
Blockade of Aquaporin 1 Inhibits Proliferation, Motility, and Metastatic Potential of MesotheliomaIn Vitrobut not in anIn VivoModel
Authors: Klebe Sonja , Griggs Kim , Cheng Yuen , Driml Jack , Henderson Douglas W. , Reid Glen
Published: March 2015

Background. Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumor of the serosal membranes, mostly the pleura. It is related to asbestos exposure and has a poor prognosis. MM has a long latency period, and incidence is predicted to remain stable or increase until 2020. Currently, no biomarkers for a specific targeted therapy are available. Previously, we observed that expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) was an indicator of prognosis in two independent cohorts. Here we determine whether AQP1 inhibition has therapeutic potential in the treatment of MM.Methods. Functional studies were performed with H226 cells and primary MM cells harvested from pleural effusions. AQP1 expression and mesothelial phenotype was determined by immunohistochemistry. AQP1 function was inhibited by a pharmacological blocker (AqB050) or AQP1-specific siRNA. Cell proliferation, migration, and anchorage-independent cell growth were assessed. A nude mouse heterotopic xenograft model of MM was utilised for thein vivostudies.Results. Inhibition of AQP1 significantly decreases cell proliferation, metastatic potential, and motility without inducing nonspecific cytotoxicity or increasing apoptosis.In vivoblockade of AQP1 had no biologically significant effect on growth of established tumours.Conclusions. Targeted blockade of AQP1 restricts MM growth and migrationin vitro. Further work is warranted to fully evaluate treatment potentialin vivo.
Design of a Multiorder OFDM Frequency Diversity Approach
Authors: Abdelgader Abdeldime Mohamed Salih , Wu Lenan
Published: March 2015

Frequency diversity is used to reduce the effect of destructive fading, so as to improve the communication quality, by passing the information symbols through multiple independently faded paths, and ensure that reliable communication is possible as long as one of these paths is strong. In this paper a multiorder orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) frequency diversity approach using properties of order theory and Hamming distance is proposed. The frequency diversity is obtained by specifying proper correlations among the transmitted symbols. As subchannels experience independent fading, at least one of the symbols may have robust signal, which can be used by the receiver to detect other symbols. Considering bit error rate (BER) performance, power consumption, bandwidth utilization, and practical implementation expense, simulation results show that the proposed approach outperforms other OFDM diversity techniques, such as Maximal Ratio Combination (MRC) and Space Frequency Block Coding (SFBC).
Clinical Features and Genetic Background of the Periodic Fever Syndrome with Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, and Adenitis: A Single Center Longitudinal Study of 81 Patients
Authors: Perko Daša , Debeljak Maruša , Toplak Nataša , Avčin Tadej
Published: March 2015

PFAPA syndrome is the most common autoinflammatory disorder in childhood with unknown etiology. The aim of our study was clinical evaluation of PFAPA patients from a single tertiary care center and to determine whether variations of AIM2, MEFV, NLRP3, and MVK genes are involved in PFAPA pathogenesis. Clinical and laboratory data of consecutive patients with PFAPA syndrome followed up at the University Children’s Hospital, Ljubljana, were collected from 2008 to 2014. All four genes were PCR amplified and directly sequenced. Eighty‐one patients fulfilled criteria for PFAPA syndrome, 50 (63%) boys and 31 (37%) girls, with mean age at disease onset of 2.1 ± 1.5 years. Adenitis, pharyngitis, and aphthae were present in 94%, 98%, and 56%, respectively. Family history of recurrent fevers in childhood was positive in 78%. Nineteen variants were found in 17/62 (27%) patients, 4 different variants in NLRP3 gene in 13 patients, and 6 different variants in MEFV gene in 5 patients, and 2 patients had 2 different variants. No variants of clinical significance were found in MVK and AIM2 genes. Our data suggest that PFAPA could be the result of multiple low‐penetrant variants in different genes in combination with epigenetic and environmental factors leading to uniform clinical picture.
Helicobacter pylori Outer Membrane Vesicle Proteins Induce Human Eosinophil Degranulation via a β2 Integrin CD11/CD18‐ and ICAM‐1‐Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Ko Su Hyuk , Jeon Jong Ik , Kim Young-Jeon , Yoon Ho Joo , Kim Hyeyoung , Kim Nayoung , Kim Joo Sung , Kim Jung Mogg
Published: March 2015

Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), a cytotoxic protein contained in eosinophils granules, can contribute to various inflammatory responses. Although Helicobacter pylori infection increases infiltration of eosinophils, the mechanisms of eosinophil degranulation by H. pylori infection are largely unknown. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of H. pylori outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) in modulating eosinophil degranulation. We found that eosinophils treated with H. pylori OMVs released significantly more ECP compared with untreated controls. In addition, eosinophils cocultured with OMV‐preexposed primary gastric epithelial cells exhibited significantly increased ECP release. Similarly, eosinophils cocultured with culture supernatant (CM) from primary gastric epithelial cells exposed to OMVs (OMV‐CM) released significantly higher amounts of ECP compared with eosinophils cocultured with CM from unexposed control cells. Furthermore, OMVs and OMV‐CM both induced the upregulation of ICAM‐1 on gastric epithelial cells and β2 integrin CD11b on eosinophils. In addition, both transduction of ICAM-1 shRNA into gastric epithelial cells and treatment with neutralizing mAbs to CD18 significantly decreased OMV‐mediated or OMV‐CM‐mediated release of ECP. These results suggest that the eosinophil degranulation response to H. pylori OMVs occurs via a mechanism that is dependent on both β2 integrin CD11/CD18 and ICAM‐1.
Knowledge Mining from Clinical Datasets Using Rough Sets and Backpropagation Neural Network
Authors: Nahato Kindie Biredagn , Harichandran Khanna Nehemiah , Arputharaj Kannan
Published: March 2015

The availability of clinical datasets and knowledge mining methodologies encourages the researchers to pursue research in extracting knowledge from clinical datasets. Different data mining techniques have been used for mining rules, and mathematical models have been developed to assist the clinician in decision making. The objective of this research is to build a classifier that will predict the presence or absence of a disease by learning from the minimal set of attributes that has been extracted from the clinical dataset. In this work rough set indiscernibility relation method with backpropagation neural network (RS-BPNN) is used. This work has two stages. The first stage is handling of missing values to obtain a smooth data set and selection of appropriate attributes from the clinical dataset by indiscernibility relation method. The second stage is classification using backpropagation neural network on the selected reducts of the dataset. The classifier has been tested with hepatitis, Wisconsin breast cancer, and Statlog heart disease datasets obtained from the University of California at Irvine (UCI) machine learning repository. The accuracy obtained from the proposed method is 97.3%, 98.6%, and 90.4% for hepatitis, breast cancer, and heart disease, respectively. The proposed system provides an effective classification model for clinical datasets.
Proteomic Study of Retinal Proteins Associated with Transcorneal Electric Stimulation in Rats
Authors: Kanamoto Takashi , Souchelnytskyi Nazariy , Kurimoto Takuji , Ikeda Yasuhiro , Sakaue Hiroaki , Munemasa Yasunari , Kiuchi Yoshiaki
Published: March 2015

Background. To investigate how transcorneal electric stimulation (TES) affects the retina, by identifying those proteins up- and downregulated by transcorneal electric stimulation (TES) in the retina of rats.Methods. Adult Wistar rats received TES on the left eyes at different electrical currents while the right eyes received no treatment and served as controls. After TES, the eye was enucleated and the retina was isolated. The retinas were analyzed by proteomics.Results. Proteomics showed that twenty-five proteins were upregulated by TES. The identified proteins included cellular signaling proteins, proteins associated with neuronal transmission, metabolic proteins, immunological factors, and structural proteins.Conclusions. TES induced changes in expression of various functional proteins in the retina.
Factors Associated with Home Delivery in West Pokot County of Kenya
Authors: Ogolla Jared Otieno
Published: March 2015

Background.This paper sought to estimate the percentage of women who deliver at home in West Pokot County and establish the factors associated with home delivery in the area.Design and Methods.The cross-sectional survey targeted 18,174 households between the months of April and July 2013. Six hundred mothers participated in the study. Association between predictors and the place where the delivery took place was analysed by chi-square test (χ2) at 95% confidence interval. Factors withPvalue < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. These factors were entered into multivariate logistic regression model after controlling for confounding to ascertain how each one influenced home delivery. Odds ratio was used to determine the extent of association.Results.Based on the mother’s most recent births, 200 (33.3%) women delivered in a health facility while 400 (66.7%) delivered at home. Factors associated with home delivering were housewives (OR: 4.5, 95% CI: 2.1–9.5;P=0.001) and low socioeconomic status of 10 km (OR: 0.5, 9.5% CI: 0.3–0.7;P=0.001).Conclusions.The findings of this study provide novel information for stakeholders responsible for maternal and child health in West Pokot County.
Maslinic Acid Enhances Signals for the Recruitment of Macrophages and Their Differentiation to M1 State
Authors: Sánchez-Quesada Cristina , López-Biedma Alicia , Gaforio José J.
Published: March 2015

The inflammatory process is involved in the genesis and evolution of different diseases like obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Macrophages play a central role in inflammation. In addition, they can regulate some stages of cancer development. Macrophages can polarize into M1 or M2 functional phenotype depending on the cytokines present in the tissue microenvironment. On the other hand, triterpenes found in virgin olive oil are described to present different properties, such as antitumoral and anti-inflammatory activity. The present study was designed to elucidate if the four major triterpenes found in virgin olive oil (oleanolic acid, maslinic acid, uvaol, and erythrodiol) are able to enhance M1 macrophage response which represents an important defense mechanism against cancer. Our results indicated that maslinic acid modulated the inflammatory response by enhancing the production of IL-8, IL-1α, and IL-1β; it promoted M1 response through the synthesis of IFN-γ; and finally it did not modify significantly the levels of NFκβor NO. Overall, our results showed that maslinic acid could prevent chronic inflammation, which represents a crucial step in the development of some cancers.
Evaluation and Validation of a Semiautomatic Image Analysis Method: Quantification of Nares Cell Proliferation of Rhinella arenarum (Anura) Detected with the Avidin-Biotin Complex/Peroxidase, DAB
Authors: Diaz Zamboni Javier Eduardo , Osella Daniela , Paravani Enrique Valentín , Casco Víctor Hugo
Published: March 2015

The current report presents the development and application of a novel methodological approach for computer-based methods of processing and analysis of proliferative tissues labeled by ABC-peroxidase method using 3, 3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) as chromogen. This semiautomatic method is proposed to replace the classical manual approach, widely accepted as gold standard. Our method is based on a visual analysis of the microscopy image features from which a computational model is built to generate synthetic images which are used to evaluate and validate the methods of image processing and analysis. The evaluation allows knowing whether the computational methods applied are affected by the change of the image characteristics. Validation allows determining the method’s reliability and analyzing the concordance between the proposed method and a gold standard one. Additional strongness of this new approach is that it may be a framework adaptable to other studies made on any kind of microscopy.
Midinfrared FT-IR as a Tool for Monitoring Herbaceous Biomass Composition and Its Conversion to Furfural
Authors: Raspolli Galletti Anna Maria , D’Alessio Aldo , Licursi Domenico , Antonetti Claudia , Valentini Giorgio , Galia Alessandro , Nassi o Di Nasso Nicoletta
Published: March 2015

A semiquantitative analysis by means of midinfrared FT-IR spectroscopy was tuned for the simultaneous determination of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in industrial crops such as giant reed (Arundo donaxL.) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatumL.). Ternary mixtures of pure cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin were prepared and a direct correlation area/concentration was achieved for cellulose and lignin, whereas indirect correlations were found for hemicellulose quantification. Good correspondences between the values derived from our model and those reported in the literature or obtained according to the official Van Soest method were ascertained. Average contents of 40–45% of cellulose, 20–25% of hemicellulose, and 20–25% of lignin were obtained for different samples of giant reed species. In the case of switchgrass, a content of 36% of cellulose, 28% of hemicellulose, and 26% of lignin was achieved. This analysis was also carried out on giant reed and switchgrass residues after a mild hydrolysis step carried out with dilute hydrochloric acid for the production of furfural with good yield. Reasonable compositional data were obtained, thus allowing an indirect monitoring which helps the optimization of the hydrothermal pretreatment for furfural production from hemicellulose fractions.
A Novel Ontology Approach to Support Design for Reliability considering Environmental Effects
Authors: Sun Bo , Li Yu , Ye Tianyuan , Ren Yi
Published: March 2015

Environmental effects are not considered sufficiently in product design. Reliability problems caused by environmental effects are very prominent. This paper proposes a method to apply ontology approach in product design. During product reliability design and analysis, environmental effects knowledge reusing is achieved. First, the relationship of environmental effects and product reliability is analyzed. Then environmental effects ontology to describe environmental effects domain knowledge is designed. Related concepts of environmental effects are formally defined by using the ontology approach. This model can be applied to arrange environmental effects knowledge in different environments. Finally, rubber seals used in the subhumid acid rain environment are taken as an example to illustrate ontological model application on reliability design and analysis.
Charge Density Analysis and Transport Properties of TTF Based Molecular Nanowires: A DFT Approach
Authors: Selvaraju Karuppannan , Kumaradhas Poomani
Published: March 2015

The present study has been performed to understand the charge density distribution and the electrical characteristics of Au and thiol substituted tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) based molecular nanowire. A quantum chemical calculation has been carried out using DFT method (B3LYP) with the LANL2DZ basis set under various applied electric fields (EFs). The bond topological analysis characterizes the terminal Au–S and S–C bonds as well as all the bonds of central TTF unit of the molecule. The variation of electron density and Laplacian of electron density at the bond critical point of bonds for zero and different applied fields reveal the electron density distribution of the molecule. The molecular conformation, the variation of atomic charges and energy density distribution of the molecule have been analyzed for the various levels of applied EFs. The HOMO-LUMO gap calculated from quantum chemical calculations has been compared with the value calculated from the density of states. The variation of dipole moment due to the polarization effect and the I-V characteristics of the molecule for the various applied EFs have been well discussed.
Entropy Analysis for MHD Generalised Couette Flow in a Composite Duct
Authors: Vyas Paresh , Ranjan Ashutosh
Published: March 2015

This paper presents entropy analysis of electrically conducting Newtonian fluid flow inside a horizontal composite duct. The upper impermeable wall of the duct moves with a uniform velocity while the lower wall is porous strata of finite thickness with impermeable bottom. The upper wall and the impermeable bottom are at constant temperature but at different temperatures. The duct is divided into two regions: Region I of clear fluid and Region II of fluid saturated porous layer. Momentum and thermal regimes for clear and porous regions are matched at clear fluid-porous interface by employing suitable matching conditions. The governing equations are solved analytically. Analytical solutions obtained for velocity and temperature are utilized to compute entropy generation. The effects of pertinent parameter on temperature distribution, entropy generation, and Bejan number are portrayed graphically and discussed.
A New Energy-Efficient Data Transmission Scheme Based on DSC and Virtual MIMO for Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Li Na , Zhang Liwen , Li Bing
Published: March 2015

Energy efficiency in wireless sensor network (WSN) is one of the primary performance parameters. For improving the energy efficiency of WSN, we introduce distributed source coding (DSC) and virtual multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) into wireless sensor network and then propose a new data transmission scheme called DSC-MIMO. DSC-MIMO compresses the source data using distributed source coding before transmitting, which is different from the existing communication schemes. Data compression can reduce the length of the data and improve the energy efficiency. In addition, DSC-MIMO does not require the cluster heads to collect the data of the source nodes, which reduces the frequencies of data transmission and saves energy. In the simulation, we analyze the energy consumption of DSC-MIMO. The results indicate that DSC-MIMO can effectively reduce the energy consumption and improve the energy efficiency of the whole wireless sensor network.
Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma Presenting with Jugular-Subclavian Deep Vein Thrombosis as the First Presentation
Authors: Eltawansy Sherif Ali , Rao Mana , Ceniza Sidney , Sharon David
Published: March 2015

Jugular venous thrombosis infrequently could be secondary to malignancy and has seldom been reported secondary to mediastinal large B-cell lymphomas. The postulated mechanisms are mechanical compression that leads to stagnation of blood in the venous system of the neck and/or an increase in the circulating thrombogenic elements that could cause venous thromboembolism as a paraneoplastic phenomenon. We report the case of a middle aged male presenting with right sided neck pain and arm swelling secondary to ipsilateral jugular-subclavian deep vein thrombosis. Investigations revealed it to be secondary to a mediastinal mass shown on CT scan of the chest.
The Role of Innate Immunity Receptors in the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Elia Paula Peruzzi , Tolentino Yolanda Faia M. , Bernardazzi Claudio , de Souza Heitor Siffert Pereira
Published: March 2015

Innate immunity constitutes the first line of defense, fundamental for the recognition and the initiation of an inflammatory response against microorganisms. The innate immune response relies on the sensing of microbial‐associated molecular patterns through specialized structures such as toll‐like receptors (TLRs) and the nucleotide oligomerization domain‐ (NOD‐) like receptors (NLRs). In the gut, these tasks are performed by the epithelial barrier and the presence of adaptive and innate immune mechanisms. TLRs and NLRs are distributed throughout the gastrointestinal mucosa, being more expressed in the epithelium, and in lamina propria immune and nonimmune cells. These innate immunity receptors exhibit complementary biological functions, with evidence for pathways overlapping. However, as tolerance is the predominant physiological response in the gastrointestinal mucosa, it appears that the TLRs are relatively downregulated, while NLRs play a critical role in mucosal defense in the gut.
Over the past two decades, genetic polymorphisms have been associated with several diseases including inflammatory bowel disease. Special emphasis has been given to the susceptibility to Crohn’s disease, in association with abnormalities in the NOD2 and in the NLRP3/inflammasome. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying innate immune receptors dysfunction that result in the persistent inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease remain to be clarified.