bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sloshing Response of Floating Roofed Liquid Storage Tanks Subjected to Earthquakes of Different Types
Authors: Golzar F. G. , Shabani R. , Tariverdilo S. , Rezazadeh G.
Published: September 2012

Using extended Hamiltonian variational principle, the governing equations for sloshing response of floating roofed storage tanks are derived. The response of the floating roofed storage tanks is evaluated for different types of ground motions, including near-source and long-period far-field records. Besides comparing the response of the roofed and unroofed tanks, the effect of different ground motions on the wave elevation, lateral forces, and overturning moments induced on the tank is investigated. It is concluded that the dimensionless sloshing heights for the roofed tanks are solely a function of their first natural period. Also it is shown that while long-period far-field ground motions control the free board height, near-source records give higher values for lateral forces and overturning moments induced on the tank. This means that same design spectrum could not be used to evaluate the free board and lateral forces in the seismic design of storage tanks. Finally, two cases are studied to reveal the stress patterns caused by different earthquakes.
Experimental Investigations and Modeling of Finishing Force and Torque in Ultrasonic Assisted Magnetic Abrasive Finishing
Authors: Mulik Rahul S. , Pandey Pulak M.
Published: September 2012

An ultrasonic assisted magnetic abrasive finishing (UAMAF) process uses an ultrasonic vibrations and magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) process. In a finishing process there are two types of forces that act during the finishing of the workpiece by UAMAF, namely, normal force and cutting force. The finishing forces have direct influence on the generation of the finished surface and accuracy of the workpiece. Therefore, in the present work, normal force and finishing torque have been measured at various processing conditions during UAMAF. Supply voltage to the electromagnet and finishing gap have been found to be the significant factors affecting the finishing forces and torque. Mathematical models based on process physics have been developed to predict the finishing force and torque. The developed models predict force and torque as a function of supply voltage, machining gap, and workpiece hardness. The developed mathematical models for normal force and finishing torque have been validated and were found to be in good agreement with experimental results.
Identifying Sets of Constraint Forces by Inspection
Authors: Roithmayr Carlos M. , Hodges Dewey H.
Published: September 2012

A mechanical system is often modeled as a set of particles and rigid bodies, some of which are constrained in one way or another. A concise method is proposed for identifying a set of constraint forces needed to ensure the restrictions are met. Identification consists of determining the direction of each constraint force and the point at which it must be applied, as well as the direction of the torque of each constraint force couple, together with the body on which the couple acts. This important information can be determined simply by inspecting constraint equations written in vector form. For the kinds of constraints commonly encountered, the constraint equations are expressed in terms of dot products involving velocities of the affected points or particles and angular velocities of the bodies concerned. The technique of expressing constraint equations in vector form and identifying constraint forces by inspection is useful when one is deriving explicit, analytical equations of motion by hand or with the aid of symbolic algebra software, as demonstrated with several examples.
Passive acoustic detection of closed-circuit underwater breathing apparatus in an operational port environment
Authors: Fillinger L. , Hunter A. J. , Zampolli M. , Clarijs M. C.
Published: September 2012

Divers constitute a potential threat to waterside infrastructures. Active diver detection sonars are available commercially but present some shortcomings, particularly in highly reverberant environments. This has led to research on passive sonar for diver detection. Passive detection of open-circuit UBA (underwater breathing apparatus) has been demonstrated. This letter reports on the detection of a diver wearing closed-circuit UBA (rebreather) in an operational harbor. Beamforming is applied to a passive array of 10 hydrophones in a pseudo-random linear arrangement. Experimental results are presented demonstrating detection of the rebreather at ranges up to 120 m and are validated by GPS ground truth.
Draft Genome Sequence of Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. fusiforme ATCC 51190
T
Authors: Park Soon-Nang , Kong Si-Won , Park Mo-Se , Lee Jee-Won , Cho Eugene , Lim Yun Kyong , Choi Mi-Hwa , Kim Hwa-Sook , Chang Young-Hyo , Shin Jeong Hwan , Park Hong-Seog , Choi Sang-Haeng , Kook Joong-Ki
Published: September 2012

Fusobacterium nucleatum
, one of the major causative bacteria of periodontitis, is classified into five subspecies (
nucleatum
,
polymorphum
,
vincentii
,
animalis
, and
fusiforme
) on the basis of the several phenotypic characteristics and DNA homology. This is the first report of the draft genome sequence of
F. nucleatum
subsp.
fusiforme
ATCC 51190
T
.
Genome Sequence of Brucella melitensis S66, an Isolate of Sequence Type 8, Prevalent in China
Authors: Ke Yuehua , Yuan Xitong , Zhen Qing , Wang Yufei , Li Tiefeng , Sun Yingjie , Song Hongbin , Huang Liuyu , Wang Dali , Cui Buyun , Mao Kairong , Chen Zeliang
Published: September 2012

Brucella melitensis
is the most-represented
Brucella
species causing human brucellosis in China. Here we report the complete genome sequence of
B. melitensis
strain S66, a representative strain of sequence type 8 (ST8), which is prevalent in China, making it possible to compare the genome sequences of isolates from different countries.
Draft Genome Sequence of Moritella dasanensis Strain ArB 0140, a Psychrophilic Bacterium Isolated from the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Lee Sung Gu , Koh Hye Yeon , Lee Jun Hyuck , Kang Sung-Ho , Kim Hak Jun
Published: September 2012

The psychrophilic bacterium
Moritella dasanensis
strain ArB 0140 was isolated near a glacier in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. Here we report a 4.89-Mb draft genome sequence of
Moritella dasanensis
ArB 0140, which could provide comprehensive information on a psychrophilic mechanism in extreme environments.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Marine Streptomyces sp. Strain AA1529, Isolated from the Yellow Sea
Authors: Xiong Zhi-Qiang , Wang Yong
Published: September 2012

Here we report the draft genome sequence of a
Streptomyces
strain, AA1529, isolated from marine sediment from the Yellow Sea. Its genome contains a subset of unique genes and gene clusters that encode diverse secondary metabolites, suggesting great potential as a source for the discovery of novel gene clusters and bioactive compounds.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus rossiae DSM 15814
T
Authors: Di Cagno Raffaella , De Angelis Maria , Cattonaro Federica , Gobbetti Marco
Published: September 2012

The draft genome sequence of
Lactobacillus rossiae
DSM 15814
T
(CS1, ATCC BAA-88) was determined by a whole-genome shotgun approach. Reads were assembled to a 2.9-Mb draft version. RAST genome annotation evidenced 2,723 predicted coding sequences. Many carbohydrate, amino acid, and amino acid derivative subsystem features were found.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Recovered from Wild Bharal in Tibet, China
Authors: Bao Jingyue , Wang Qinghua , Parida Satya , Liu Chunju , Zhang Ling , Zhao Wenji , Wang Zhiliang
Published: September 2012

For the first time, here we announce the complete genome sequence of a field isolate of Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) derived from macerated rectal tissue of a free living bharal (
Pseudois nayaur
) that displayed clinical disease consistent with severe infection with PPRV. Further, we compare the full genome of this isolate, termed PPRV Tibet/Bharal/2008, with previously available PPRV genomes, including those of virus isolates from domestic small ruminants local to the area where the reported isolate was collected. The current sequence is phylogenetically classified as a lineage IV virus, sharing high levels of sequence identity with previously described Tibetan PPRV isolates. Indeed, across the entire genome, only 26 nucleotide differences (0.16% nucleotide variation) and, consequently, 9 amino acid changes were present compared to sequences of locally derived viruses.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Street Rabies Virus Isolated from a Rabid Dog in China
Authors: Yu Fulai , Zhang Guoqing , Xiao Shaobo , Fang Liurong , Xu Gelin , Yan Jiaxing , Chen Huanchun , Fu Zhen F.
Published: September 2012

A rabies virus (RABV) was isolated from a dog in Anhui Province, China, in 2008. The virus was designated DRV-AH08. Its entire genome was sequenced and found to be closely related to RABV recently isolated in China and other Asian countries (homology of 87 to 98%) but distantly related to RABV in the “cosmopolitan” group (homology of 84 to 85%) in the clade I of RABV.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Recombinant Coxsackievirus B4 from a Patient with a Fatal Case of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Guangxi, China
Authors: Hu Y. F. , Du J. , Zhao R. , Xue Y. , Yang Fan , Jin Qi
Published: September 2012

The coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) belongs to human enterovirus B species within the family
Picornaviridae
. Here we report a novel complete genome sequence of a recombinant CVB4 strain, CVB4/GX/10, which was isolated from a patient with a fatal case of hand, foot, and mouth disease in China. The complete genome consists of 7,293 nucleotides, excluding the 3′ poly(A) tail, and has an open reading frame that maps between nucleotide positions 742 and 7293 and encodes a 2,183-amino-acid polyprotein. Phylogenetic analysis based on different genome regions reveals that CVB4/GX/10 is closest to a CVB4 strain, EPIHFMD-CLOSE CONTACT-16, in the 5′ half (VP4∼2B) of the genome, although it is closer to a Chinese CVB5 strain, CVB5/Henan/2010, in the 3′ half (2C∼3D) of the genome. Furthermore, similar bootscan analysis based on the whole genomes demonstrates that recombination has possibly occurred within the 2C domain and that CVB4/GX/10 is a possible progeny of intertypic recombination of the CVB4 strain EPIHFMD-CLOSE CONTACT-16 and CVB5/Henan/2010 that occurred during their cocirculation and evolution, which is a relatively common phenomenon in enteroviruses.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Novel European Clade Bovine Foamy Viruses from Germany and Poland
Authors: Hechler Torsten , Materniak Magdalena , Kehl Timo , Kuzmak Jacek , Löchelt Martin
Published: September 2012

Bovine foamy virus (BFV), or bovine spumaretrovirus, is an infectious agent of cattle with no obvious disease association but high prevalence in its host. Here, we report two complete BFV sequences, BFV-Riems, isolated in 1978 in East Germany, and BFV100, isolated in 2005 in Poland. Both new BFV isolates share the overall genetic makeup of other foamy viruses (FV). Although isolated almost 25 years apart and propagated in either bovine (BFV-Riems) or nonbovine (BFV100) cells, both viruses are highly related, forming the European BFV clade. Despite clear differences, BFV-Riems and BFV100 are still very similar to BFV isolates from China and the United States, comprising the non-European BFV clade. The genomic sequences presented here confirm the concept of high sequence conservation across most of the FV genome. Analyses of cell culture-derived genomes reveal that proviral DNA may specifically lack introns in the
env-bel
coding region. The spacing of the splice sites in this region suggests that BFV has developed a novel mode to express a secretory but nonfunctional Env protein.
Improving safety and efficiency during emergent central venous catheter placement with a needleless securing clamp
Authors: Silich Bert , Chrobak Paul , Siu Jeffrey , Schlichting Adam , Patel Samir , Yang James
Published: September 2012

Objective

To compare the needleless securing clamp to the traditional suture-secured clamp for central venous catheters.

Methods

Compare the holding strength of each type of clamps by measuring the amount of kinetic energy absorbed, ask 20 physicians to evaluate the clamp placement using sutures or staples, and summarise the clamps effectiveness and complications in 10 patients.

Results

Compared to sutured clamp, the needleless clamp was more secure. The needleless clamp was also significantly better with regard to ease of use, safety, perceived strength (p value <0.002), and insertion time was reduced by 63%. No adverse events or skin infections occurred while using the needleless clamps.

Conclusions

Without incurring complications or increasing risk to patients, the needleless clamp is secure and improves safety and efficiency for physicians.
Mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin improves disposition strategies for patients with acute dyspnoea: results from the BACH trial
Authors: Möckel Martin , Searle Julia , Hartmann Oliver , Anker Stefan D , Peacock W Frank , Wu Alan H B , Maisel Alan ,   on behalf of the BACH Writing group
Published: September 2012

Objectives

To assess the value of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) in guiding patient disposition from the emergency department (ED), as one of the key factors of hospital resource utilisation, in undifferentiated patients with acute dyspnoea.

Methods

We used clinical and outcome data from a large international biomarker study (BACH trial) and analysed data of all 1557 patients of the European and US sites presenting with acute dyspnoea. Patients were discharged or transferred from the ED to different levels of care (general ward, monitoring unit, intensive care unit). This original patient disposition was compared with the hypothetical disposition based on an adapted method of net reclassification improvement (NRI), which upgraded or downgraded patients from one level of care to the other based on the MR-proADM test result.

Results

MR-pro-ADM was significantly higher in patients who died during the follow-up than in survivors (p<0.0001). When applying the adapted NRI model, 30 additional patients from the European Union (EU) and 55 additional patients from USA were theoretically discharged (increase of 16.5%) if MR-proADM had been used for patient management. The overall NRI, adding up the rates of upgrades and downgrades, in the EU was 16.0% (95% CI 8.2% to 23.9%). A total of n=72 (9.9%) patients changed disposition when adding MR-pro ADM. In the USA, the overall NRI was 12.0% (5.7%–18.4%) and a total of n=81 (11.2%) patients changed disposition.

Conclusions

MR-proADM has the potential to guide initial disposition of undifferentiated ED patients with acute dyspnoea and might therefore be helpful to improve resource utilisation and patient care.
POWER LIMITS AND THERMODYNAMICS IN FUEL CELLS
Authors: SIENIUTYCZ STANISŁAW
Published: September 2012

This paper deals with various energy converters, in particular thermal or chemical engines and fuel cells. Applying a general thermodynamic framework we derive formulae for converters' efficiencies and apply them to estimate power limits in these power systems. We consider power limits for thermal systems propelled by differences of temperatures and chemical or electrochemical systems driven by differences of chemical potentials. We focus on fuel cells which are the electrochemical energy generators. We show that fuel cells satisfy the same modeling principles as thermal machines and apply similar computational schemes.
IMPROVEMENT IN MICROSTRUCTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE NiCrBSi REINFORCED COATING ON TA15 TITANIUM ALLOY
Authors: PENG LI
Published: September 2012

This work is based on the dry sliding wear of NiCrBSi reinforced coating deposited on TA15 titanium alloy using the laser cladding technique, the parameters of which were such as to provide almost crack-free coatings with minimum dilution and very low porosity. SEM results indicated that a laser clad coating with metallurgical joint to the substrate was formed. Compared with TA15 substrate, an improvement of the micro-hardness and wear resistance was observed for this composite coating. Rare earth oxide Y 2 O 3 was beneficial in producing of the amorphous phases in laser clad coating. With addition of Y 2 O 3, more amorphous alloys were produced, which increased the micro-hardness and wear resistance of the coating.
ELECTRODEPOSITION OF CoAg FILMS FROM EMIC IONIC LIQUID
Authors: GUO HONGFENG , LU LIN , HE MINGMING , XU QINGQING , PAN HUA , YU YUNDAN , WEI GUOYING , GE HONGLIANG
Published: September 2012

CoAg films were prepared by ionic liquid electrodeposition to replace conventional aqueous electrodeposition on a copper substrate. Effects of different EMIC concentrations on composition, microstructure and magnetic properties of CoAg films were investigated. With the increase of 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride (EMIC) concentration, atomic percentage of cobalt in CoAg films increased dramatically but amounts of silver reduced gradually. Almost all of the deposited films were crystalline and contained fcc- Ag(200) and hcp- Co(002) diffraction peaks. With the increase in EMIC concentration, the intensity of Co(002) peaks increased, which led to better crystalline and larger grain size. Dissimilar surface morphology of CoAg films from different EMIC concentration systems could be detected. CoAg films with bigger grain size and rougher surface could be obtained when higher concentration of EMIC was introduced during the electrodeposition. Especially, CoAg films with rice-like structures could be observed when EMIC was 0.45 mol/L. With the increase of EMIC concentration, coercivity of CoAg increased gradually from 140 Oe to 260 Oe.
SECURITY OF A NEW TWO-WAY CONTINUOUS-VARIABLE QUANTUM KEY DISTRIBUTION PROTOCOL
Authors: SUN MAOZHU , PENG XIANG , SHEN YUJIE , GUO HONG
Published: September 2012

The original two-way continuous-variable quantum-key-distribution (CV-QKD) protocols [S. Pirandola, S. Mancini, S. Lloyd and S. L. Braunstein, Nat. Phys. 4 (2008) 726] give the security against the collective attack on the condition of the tomography of the quantum channels. We propose a family of new two-way CV-QKD protocols and prove their security against collective entangling cloner attacks without the tomography of the quantum channels. The simulation result indicates that the new protocols maintain the same advantage as the original two-way protocols whose tolerable excess noise surpasses that of the one-way CV-QKD protocol. We also show that all sub-protocols within the family have higher secret key rate and much longer transmission distance than the one-way CV-QKD protocol for the noisy channel.
PROBABILISTIC MULTIPARTY-CONTROLLED REMOTE PREPARATION OF AN ARBITRARY m-QUDIT STATE VIA POSITIVE OPERATOR-VALUED MEASUREMENT
Authors: LI ZHAO , ZHOU PING
Published: September 2012

We present a scheme for multiparty-controlled remote preparation of an arbitrary m-qudit (d-dimensional quantum system) state via positive operator-valued measurement (POVM) by using nonmaximally entangled states as the quantum channel, not resorting to auxiliary qubits. The sender performs an optimal POVM measurement on her m particles with measurement operators that depend on the original state, the controllers perform generalized X-basis measurement Xdand the receiver can prepare the original state if he cooperates with all the controllers and the sender. The scheme has the advantage of having high success probability for remote preparing an arbitrary m-qudit state and more convenient than others in a practical application. Moreover, it discusses the relationship between the probability that the receiver obtains the originally state and the coefficients of the entangled states.
SELECTION OF A SUITABLE METHOD FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF COPPER NANOPARTICLES
Authors: UMER ASIM , NAVEED SHAHID , RAMZAN NAVEED , RAFIQUE MUHAMMAD SHAHID
Published: September 2012

Various methods for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles employing chemical, physical and biological techniques considering bottom-up and top-down methods synthesis have been studied. The properties of copper nanoparticles depend largely on their synthesis procedures. The results from various investigations performed by different scientists using these methods have been summarized. The applications, characterization techniques, advantages and disadvantages of each synthesis method are also the point of discussion. A detailed study of the results reveals that chemical reduction methods are most suitable for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles. Chemical reduction of copper salts using ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is a new and green approach in which ascorbic acid is used both as the reduction and capping agent. This approach is the most effective and is also economical. Wide applications have been reported in various fields, including heat transfer, catalyst production, electronics and medicine at a commercial scale. This process is nontoxic, environment-friendly and economical. The applications, characterization techniques, advantages and disadvantages of each synthesis method have been presented.
Vital Autofluorescence: Application to the Study of Plant Living Cells
Authors: Roshchina Victoria V.
Published: September 2012

The application of various microscopy methods such as luminescence microscopy, microspectrofluorimetry and laser-scanning confocal microscopy has been considered as an approach to study the autofluorescence of plant living cells—from cell diagnostics up to modelling the cell-cell contacts and cell interactions with fluorescent biologically active substances. It bases on the direct observations of secretions released from allelopathic and medicinal species and the cell-donor interactions with cell-acceptors as biosensors (unicellular plant generative and vegetative microspores). Special attention was paid to the interactions with pigmented and fluorescing components of the secretions released by the cells-donors from plant species. Colored components of secretions are considered as histochemical dyes for the analysis of cellular mechanisms at the cell-cell contacts and modelling of cell-cell interactions. The fluorescence of plant biosensors was also recommended for the testing of natural plant excretions as medical drugs.
A Note on the Inverse Problem for a Fractional Parabolic Equation
Authors: Erdogan Abdullah Said , Uygun Hulya
Published: September 2012

For a fractional inverse problem with an unknown time‐dependent source term, stability estimates are obtained by using operator theory approach. For the approximate solutions of the problem, the stable difference schemes which have first and second orders of accuracy are presented. The algorithm is tested in a one‐dimensional fractional inverse problem.
Toxic Haemorrhagic Colitis: A Rare Presentation of Eosinophilic Colitis
Authors: Yeo Shen-Ann Eugene , Lim Yon Kuei , Lim Kiat Hon Tony , Tang Choong-Leong
Published: September 2012

Eosinophilic colitis is a rare condition that usually presents with non specific abdominal symptoms. Very uncommonly it presents with an acute surgical emergency such as peritonitis or haemorrhage. We present a rare presentation of eosinophilic colitis with toxic hemorrhagic colitis and ischaemic bowel requiring laparotomy and bowel resection.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Bacterial Meningoencephalitis in a Foal
Authors: Viu Judit , Armengou Lara , de la Fuente Cristian , Cesarini Carla , Añor Sònia , Jose-Cunilleras Eduard
Published: September 2012

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in equidae suffering meningoencephalitis (ME) has not been described. The objective of this paper is to describe brain MRI findings in a foal with bacterial ME. A five-month-old, 200 kg bwt Arabian filly was referred with a history of abnormal mental status and locomotion. The filly was recumbent and obtunded, and pupillary light reflexes were sluggish, and oculocephalic movements were normally present. Ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral optic neuritis. Hematology revealed leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed neutrophilic pleocytosis with intracellular bacteria. On brain MRI, there were multifocal cortical areas of mild hyperintensity on T2-weighted images (T2WI) affecting both hemispheres. The lesions had ill-delineated margins, and there was loss of differentiation between gray and white matter. Diffuse hyperintensity was also identified in the left cerebellar cortex on T2WI. Neither mass effect nor cerebral midline shift were identified. On FLAIR images, the lesions were also hyperintense and, in some areas, they seemed to coalescence to form diffuse cortical areas of hyperintensity. The MRI findings described were similar to the MRI features described in cases of humans and small animals with ME. Brain MRI can be a useful diagnostic tool in foals and small-sized equidae with intracranial disease.
Exponential Estimates and Stabilization of Discrete‐Time Singular Time‐Delay Systems Subject to Actuator Saturation
Authors: Lin Jinxing
Published: September 2012

This paper is concerned with exponential estimates and stabilization of a class of discrete‐time singular systems
with time‐varying state delays and saturating actuators. By constructing a decay‐rate‐dependent Lyapunov‐Krasovskii
function and utilizing the slow‐fast decomposition technique, an exponential admissibility condition, which not only
guarantees the regularity, causality, and exponential stability of the unforced system but also gives the corresponding
estimates of decay rate and decay coefficient, is derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Under the
proposed condition, the exponential stabilization problem of discrete‐time singular time‐delay systems subject actuator
saturation is solved by designing a stabilizing state feedback controller and determining an associated set of safe initial
conditions, for which the local exponential stability of the saturated closed‐loop system is guaranteed. Two numerical
examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed results.
Endovascular Sharp Recanalization for Calcified Femoropopliteal Artery Occlusion
Authors: Huang Hsuan-Li , Chou Hsin-Hua , Wu Tien-Yu
Published: September 2012

Endovascular intervention of peripheral chronic total occlusion (CTO) is technically challenging and time consuming. Various techniques and devices are used to facilitate lesion crossing and improve the success rate of the procedure. However, these new devices are quite expensive and not readily available. We report 2 cases of peripheral CTO wherein the occlusions were successfully crossed by using stiff end of Terumo glidewire. This sharp recanalization may be a useful technique for the recanalization of calcified peripheral CTOs when conventional techniques fail and new devices are not readily available, but it is accompanied by the risk of distal atheroembolism.
Osteoid Osteoma Mimicking Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injury: Diagnosis and Review of Treatment
Authors: Lamo-Espinosa J. M. , González A. , Amillo S.
Published: September 2012

We report the case of osteoid osteoma (OO) with ulnar styloid involvement. A review of the literature has been made with the aim of defining the special behaviour of OO when it is near the articular surface. That behaviour can affect the diagnosis, masking the real etiology of the pain, delaying the diagnosis, missing the diagnosis, or what is more serious, conducting an inadequate treatment. We propose a treatment algorithm conducted based on the localization near or far from articular surface and the superficial or deep localization.
Regulation of Injury-Induced Neurogenesis by Nitric Oxide
Authors: Carreira Bruno P. , Carvalho Caetana M. , Araújo Inês M.
Published: September 2012

The finding that neural stem cells (NSCs) are able to divide, migrate, and differentiate into several cellular types in the adult brain raised a new hope for restorative neurology. Nitric oxide (NO), a pleiotropic signaling molecule in the central nervous system (CNS), has been described to be able to modulate neurogenesis, acting as a pro- or antineurogenic agent. Some authors suggest that NO is a physiological inhibitor of neurogenesis, while others described NO to favor neurogenesis, particularly under inflammatory conditions. Thus, targeting the NO system may be a powerful strategy to control the formation of new neurons. However, the exact mechanisms by which NO regulates neural proliferation and differentiation are not yet completely clarified. In this paper we will discuss the potential interest of the modulation of the NO system for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or other pathological conditions that may affect the CNS.
How Do Annuloplasty Rings Affect Mitral Annular Strains in the Normal Beating Ovine Heart?
Authors: Bothe Wolfgang , Rausch Manuel K. , Escobar Kvitting John-Peder , Echtner Dominique K. , Walther Mario , Ingels Neil B. , Kuhl Ellen , Miller D. Craig
Published: September 2012

Background—

We hypothesized that annuloplasty ring implantation alters mitral annular strains in a normal beating ovine heart preparation.

Methods and Results—

Sheep had 16 radiopaque markers sewn equally spaced around the mitral annulus. Edwards Cosgrove partial flexible band (COS; n=12), St Jude complete rigid saddle-shaped annuloplasty ring (RSA; n=10), Carpentier-Edwards Physio (PHY; n=11), Edwards IMR ETlogix (ETL; n=11), and GeoForm (GEO; n=12) annuloplasty rings were implanted in a releasable fashion. Four-dimensional marker coordinates were obtained using biplane videofluoroscopy with the ring inserted (ring) and after ring release (control). From marker coordinates, a functional spatio-temporal representation of each annulus was generated through a best fit using 16 piecewise cubic Hermitian splines. Absolute total mitral annular ring strains were calculated from the relative change in length of the tangent vector to the annular curve as strains occurring from control to ring state at end-systole. In addition, average Green-Lagrange strains occurring from control to ring state at end-systole along the annulus were calculated. Absolute total mitral annular ring strains were smallest for COS and greatest for ETL. Strains for RSA, PHY, and GEO were similar. Except for COS in the septal mitral annular segment, all rings induced compressive strains along the entire annulus, with greatest values occurring at the lateral mitral annular segment.

Conclusions—

In healthy, beating ovine hearts, annuloplasty rings (COS, RSA, PHY, ETL, and GEO) induce compressive strains that are predominate in the lateral annular region, smallest for flexible partial bands (COS) and greatest for an asymmetrical rigid ring type with intrinsic septal-lateral downsizing (ETL). However, the ring type with the most drastic intrinsic septal-lateral downsizing (GEO) introduced strains similar to physiologically shaped rings (RSA and PHY), indicating that ring effects on annular strain profiles cannot be estimated from the degree of septal-lateral downsizing.
Evidence of a Vicious Cycle in Mitral Regurgitation With Prolapse
Authors: Otani Kyoko , Takeuchi Masaaki , Kaku Kyoko , Haruki Nobuhiko , Yoshitani Hidetoshi , Eto Masataka , Tamura Masahito , Okazaki Masahiro , Abe Haruhiko , Fujino Yoshihisa , Nishimura Yousuke , Levine Robert A. , Otsuji Yutaka
Published: September 2012

Background—

In patients with mitral valve prolapse, nonprolapsed leaflets are often apically tented. We hypothesized that secondary left ventricular dilatation attributed to primary mitral regurgitation (MR) causes papillary muscle (PM) displacement, resulting in this leaflet tenting/tethering, and that secondary tethering further exacerbates malcoaptation and contributes to MR severity.

Methods and Results—

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 25 patients with posterior mitral leaflet prolapse with an intact anterior mitral leaflet (AML) and 20 controls. From 3D zoom data sets, 11 equidistant antero-posterior cut planes of the mitral valve at midsystole were obtained. In each plane, tenting area of nonprolapsed leaflet and prolapse area of prolapsed leaflet were measured. Prolapse/tenting volume of each region was obtained as the product of interslice distance and the prolapse/tenting area. AML tenting volume and whole leaflet prolapse/tenting volume were then obtained. The PM tethering distance between PM tips and anterior mitral annulus was measured from 3D full-volume data sets. The severity of MR was quantified by vena contracta area extracted from color 3D transesophageal echocardiography data sets. AML tenting volume was significantly larger in patients with posterior mitral leaflet prolapse compared with that in controls (1.2±0.5 versus 0.6±0.2 mL/m
2
;
P
<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis identified independent contribution to AML tenting volume from an increase in PM tethering distance. Multivariate regression analysis identified independent contributions to MR severity (vena contracta area) from both whole leaflet tenting volume (
r
=0.44;
P
<0.05) and prolapse volume (
r
=0.44;
P
<0.05). AML tenting volume decreased along with left ventricular volume and PM tethering distance postrepair (n=8;
P
<0.01).

Conclusions—

These results suggest that primary mitral valve prolapse with MR causes secondary mitral leaflet tethering with PM displacement by left ventricular dilatation, which further exacerbates valve leakage, constituting a vicious cycle that would suggest a pathophysiologic rationale for early surgical repair.
A Strong Regenerative Ability of Cardiac Stem Cells Derived From Neonatal Hearts
Authors: Simpson David L. , Mishra Rachana , Sharma Sudhish , Goh Saik Kia , Deshmukh Savitha , Kaushal Sunjay
Published: September 2012

Background—

Human cardiac stem cells (CSCs) promote myocardial regeneration in adult ischemic myocardium. The regenerative capacity of CSCs in very young patients with nonischemic congenital heart defects has not been explored. We hypothesized that isolated neonatal-derived CSCs may have a higher regenerative ability than adult-derived CSCs and might address the structural deficiencies of congenital heart disease.

Methods and Results—

Human specimens were obtained during routine cardiac surgical procedures from right atrial appendage tissue discarded from 2 age groups: neonates and adults patients. We developed a reproducible isolation method that generated cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs), regardless of starting tissue weight or age. Neonatal-derived CDCs demonstrated increased number of cardiac progenitor cells expressing c-kit
+
, flk-1, and Islet-1 by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. When transplanted into infarcted myocardium, neonatal-derived CDCs had a significantly higher ability to preserve myocardial function, prevent adverse remodeling, and enhance blood vessel preservation and/or formation when compared with adult-derived CDCs. Last, neonatal-derived CDCs were more cardiomyogenic than adult-derived CDCs when cocultured with neonatal cardiomyocytes and displayed enhanced angiogenic function compared with adult-derived CDCs.

Conclusions—

Neonatal-derived CDCs have a strong regenerative ability when compared with adult-derived CDCs that may depend on angiogenic cytokines and an increase prevalence of stem cells. This has important implications in the potential use of CDCs in future clinical trials.
Improved model quality assessment using ProQ2
Authors: Ray Arjun , Lindahl Erik , Wallner Björn
Published: September 2012

Background

Employing methods to assess the quality of modeled protein structures is now standard practice in bioinformatics. In a broad sense, the techniques can be divided into methods relying on consensus prediction on the one hand, and single-model methods on the other. Consensus methods frequently perform very well when there is a clear consensus, but this is not always the case. In particular, they frequently fail in selecting the best possible model in the hard cases (lacking consensus) or in the easy cases where models are very similar. In contrast, single-model methods do not suffer from these drawbacks and could potentially be applied on any protein of interest to assess quality or as a scoring function for sampling-based refinement.

Results

Here, we present a new single-model method, ProQ2, based on ideas from its predecessor, ProQ. ProQ2 is a model quality assessment algorithm that uses support vector machines to predict local as well as global quality of protein models. Improved performance is obtained by combining previously used features with updated structural and predicted features. The most important contribution can be attributed to the use of profile weighting of the residue specific features and the use features averaged over the whole model even though the prediction is still local.

Conclusions

ProQ2 is significantly better than its predecessors at detecting high quality models, improving the sum of Z-scores for the selected first-ranked models by 20% and 32% compared to the second-best single-model method in CASP8 and CASP9, respectively. The absolute quality assessment of the models at both local and global level is also improved. The Pearson’s correlation between the correct and local predicted score is improved from 0.59 to 0.70 on CASP8 and from 0.62 to 0.68 on CASP9; for global score to the correct GDT_TS from 0.75 to 0.80 and from 0.77 to 0.80 again compared to the second-best single methods in CASP8 and CASP9, respectively. ProQ2 is available at http://proq2.wallnerlab.org.
Association between the ABO locus and hematological traits in Korean
Authors: Hong Kyung-Won , Moon Sanghoon , Kim Young Jin , Kim Yun Kyoung , Kim Dong-Joon , Kim Cheong-sik , Kim Sung Soo , Kim Bong-Jo
Published: September 2012

Background

Recently, genome-wide association studies identified a pleiotropic gene locus, ABO, as being significantly associated with hematological traits. To confirm the effects of ABO on hematological traits, we examined the link between the ABO locus and hematological traits in Korean population-based cohorts.

Results

Six tagging SNPs for ABO were analyzed with regard to their effects on hematological traits [white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), platelet (Plat), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)]. Linear regression analyses were performed, controlling for recruitment center, sex, and age as covariates. Of the 6 tagging SNPs, 3 (rs2073823, rs8176720, and rs495828) and 3 (rs2073823, rs8176717, and rs687289) were significantly associated with RBC and MCV, respectively (Bonferroni correction p-value criteria < 0.05/6 = 0.008). rs2073823 and a reported SNP (rs8176746), as well as rs495828 and a reported SNP (rs651007), showed perfect linkage disequilibrium status (r
2s = 0.99). Of the remaining 3 SNPs (rs8176720, rs8176717 and rs687289), rs8176717 generated an independent signal with moderate p-value (= 0.045) when it was adjusted for by rs2073823 (the most significant SNP). We also identified a copy number variation (CNV) that was tagged by the SNP rs8176717, the minor allele of which correlated with the deletion allele of CNV. Our haplotype analysis indicated that the haplotype that contained the CNV deletion was significantly associated with MCV (β ± se = 0.363 ± 0.118, p =2.09 × 10-3).

Conclusions

Our findings confirm that ABO is one of the genetic factors that are associated with hematological traits in the Korean population. This result is notable, because GWASs fail to evaluate the link between a CNV and phenotype traits.
Transcriptomic profiling of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 in response to maize root exudates
Authors: Fan Ben , Carvalhais Lilia C , Becker Anke , Fedoseyenko Dmitri , von Wirén Nicolaus , Borriss Rainer
Published: September 2012

Background

Plant root exudates have been shown to play an important role in mediating interactions between plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and their host plants. Most investigations were performed on Gram-negative rhizobacteria, while much less is known about Gram-positive rhizobacteria. To elucidate early responses of PGPR to root exudates, we investigated changes in the transcriptome of a Gram-positive PGPR to plant root exudates.

Results

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 is a well-studied Gram-positive PGPR. To obtain a comprehensive overview of FZB42 gene expression in response to maize root exudates, microarray experiments were performed. A total of 302 genes representing 8.2% of the FZB42 transcriptome showed significantly altered expression levels in the presence of root exudates. The majority of the genes (261) was up-regulated after incubation of FZB42 with root exudates, whereas only 41 genes were down-regulated. Several groups of the genes which were strongly induced by the root exudates are involved in metabolic pathways relating to nutrient utilization, bacterial chemotaxis and motility, and non-ribosomal synthesis of antimicrobial peptides and polyketides.

Conclusions

Here we present a transcriptome analysis of the root-colonizing bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 in response to maize root exudates. The 302 genes identified as being differentially transcribed are proposed to be involved in interactions of Gram-positive bacteria with plants.
Enhancement of object detection with transcranial direct current stimulation is associated with increased attention
Authors: Coffman Brian A , Trumbo Michael C , Clark Vincent P
Published: September 2012

Background

We previously found that Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) improves learning and performance in a task where subjects learn to detect potential threats indicated by small target objects hidden in a complex virtual environment. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that these effects on learning and performance are related to changes in attention. The effects of tDCS were tested for three forms of attention (alerting, orienting, and executive attention) using the Attention Network Task (ANT), which were compared with performance on the object-learning task.

Results

Participants received either 0.1 mA (N = 10) or 2.0 mA (N = 9) tDCS during training and were tested for performance in object-identification before training (baseline-test) and again immediately after training (immediate test). Participants next performed the Attention Networks Task (ANT), and were later tested for object-identification performance a final time (delayed test). Alerting, but not orienting or executive attention, was significantly higher for participants receiving 2.0 mA compared with 0.1 mA tDCS (p < 0.02). Furthermore, alerting scores were significantly correlated with the proportion of hits (p < 0.01) for participants receiving 2.0 mA.

Conclusions

These results indicate that tDCS enhancement of performance in this task may be related in part to the enhancement of alerting attention, which may benefit the initial identification, learning and/or subsequent recognition of target objects indicating potential threats.
Differential effects of arsenic trioxide on chemosensitization in human hepatic tumor and stellate cell lines
Authors: Rangwala Fatima , Williams Kevin P , Smith Ginger R , Thomas Zainab , Allensworth Jennifer L , Lyerly H Kim , Diehl Anna Mae , Morse Michael A , Devi Gayathri R
Published: September 2012

Background

Crosstalk between malignant hepatocytes and the surrounding peritumoral stroma is a key modulator of hepatocarcinogenesis and therapeutic resistance. To examine the chemotherapy resistance of these two cellular compartments in vitro, we evaluated a well-established hepatic tumor cell line, HepG2, and an adult hepatic stellate cell line, LX2. The aim was to compare the chemosensitization potential of arsenic trioxide (ATO) in combination with sorafenib or fluorouracil (5-FU), in both hepatic tumor cells and stromal cells.

Methods

Cytotoxicity of ATO, 5-FU, and sorafenib, alone and in combination against HepG2 cells and LX2 cells was measured by an automated high throughput cell-based proliferation assay. Changes in survival and apoptotic signaling pathways were analyzed by flow cytometry and western blot. Gene expression of the 5-FU metabolic enzyme, thymidylate synthase, was analyzed by real time PCR.

Results

Both HepG2 and LX2 cell lines were susceptible to single agent sorafenib and ATO at 24 hr (ATO IC50: 5.3 μM in LX2; 32.7 μM in HepG2; Sorafenib IC50: 11.8 μM in LX2; 9.9 μM in HepG2). In contrast, 5-FU cytotoxicity required higher concentrations and prolonged (48–72 hr) drug exposure. Concurrent ATO and 5-FU treatment of HepG2 cells was synergistic, leading to increased cytotoxicity due in part to modulation of thymidylate synthase levels by ATO. Concurrent ATO and sorafenib treatment showed a trend towards increased HepG2 cytotoxicity, possibly due to a significant decrease in MAPK activation in comparison to treatment with ATO alone.

Conclusions

ATO differentially sensitizes hepatic tumor cells and adult hepatic stellate cells to 5-FU and sorafenib. Given the importance of both of these cell types in hepatocarcinogenesis, these data have implications for the rational development of anti-cancer therapy combinations for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
The pattern of injury and poisoning in South East Iran
Authors: Ansari-Moghaddam Alireza , Martiniuk Alexandra LC , Mohammadi Mahdi , Rad Mahdieh , Sargazi Fatemeh , Sheykhzadeh Khodadad , Jelodarzadeh Seddighe , Karimzadeh Fatemeh
Published: September 2012

Background

Injury is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and even more so in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Iran is a LMIC and lacks information regarding injury for program and policy purposes. This study aimed to describe the incidence and patterns of injury in one province in South Eastern Iran.

Methods

A hospital-based, retrospective case review using a routinely collected registry in all Emergency Departments in Sistan and Baluchistan province, Iran for 12 months in 2007–2008.

Results

In total 18,155 injuries were recorded during the study period. The majority of injuries in South Eastern Iran were due to road traffic crashes. Individuals living in urban areas sustained more injuries compared to individuals from rural areas. Males typically experienced more injuries than females. Males were most likely to be injured in a street/alley or village whereas females were most likely to be injured in or around the home. In urban areas, road traffic related injuries were observed to affect older age groups more than younger age groups. Poisoning was most common in the youngest age group, 0 to 4 years.

Conclusions

This study provides data on incidence and patterns of injury in South Eastern Iran. Knowledge of injury burden, such as this paper, is likely to help policy makers and planners with health service planning and injury prevention.