bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Receptors in Bone Physiology and Diseases
Authors: Imai Yuuki , Youn Min-Young , Inoue Kazuki , Takada Ichiro , Kouzmenko Alexander , Kato Shigeaki
Published: April 2013

During the last decade, our view on the skeleton as a mere solid physical support structure has been transformed, as bone emerged as a dynamic, constantly remodeling tissue with systemic regulatory functions including those of an endocrine organ. Reflecting this remarkable functional complexity, distinct classes of humoral and intracellular regulatory factors have been shown to control vital processes in the bone. Among these regulators, nuclear receptors (NRs) play fundamental roles in bone development, growth, and maintenance. NRs are DNA-binding transcription factors that act as intracellular transducers of the respective ligand signaling pathways through modulation of expression of specific sets of cognate target genes. Aberrant NR signaling caused by receptor or ligand deficiency may profoundly affect bone health and compromise skeletal functions. Ligand dependency of NR action underlies a major strategy of therapeutic intervention to correct aberrant NR signaling, and significant efforts have been made to design novel synthetic NR ligands with enhanced beneficial properties and reduced potential negative side effects. As an example, estrogen deficiency causes bone loss and leads to development of osteoporosis, the most prevalent skeletal disorder in postmenopausal women. Since administration of natural estrogens for the treatment of osteoporosis often associates with undesirable side effects, several synthetic estrogen receptor ligands have been developed with higher therapeutic efficacy and specificity. This review presents current progress in our understanding of the roles of various nuclear receptor-mediated signaling pathways in bone physiology and disease, and in development of advanced NR ligands for treatment of common skeletal disorders.
Voltage-Gated Proton Channels: Molecular Biology, Physiology, and Pathophysiology of the HVFamily
Authors: DeCoursey Thomas E.
Published: April 2013

Voltage-gated proton channels (HV) are unique, in part because the ion they conduct is unique. HVchannels are perfectly selective for protons and have a very small unitary conductance, both arguably manifestations of the extremely low H+concentration in physiological solutions. They open with membrane depolarization, but their voltage dependence is strongly regulated by the pH gradient across the membrane (ΔpH), with the result that in most species they normally conduct only outward current. The HVchannel protein is strikingly similar to the voltage-sensing domain (VSD, the first four membrane-spanning segments) of voltage-gated K+and Na+channels. In higher species, HVchannels exist as dimers in which each protomer has its own conduction pathway, yet gating is cooperative. HVchannels are phylogenetically diverse, distributed from humans to unicellular marine life, and perhaps even plants. Correspondingly, HVfunctions vary widely as well, from promoting calcification in coccolithophores and triggering bioluminescent flashes in dinoflagellates to facilitating killing bacteria, airway pH regulation, basophil histamine release, sperm maturation, and B lymphocyte responses in humans. Recent evidence that hHV1 may exacerbate breast cancer metastasis and cerebral damage from ischemic stroke highlights the rapidly expanding recognition of the clinical importance of hHV1.
About Sleep's Role in Memory
Authors: Rasch Björn , Born Jan
Published: April 2013

Over more than a century of research has established the fact that sleep benefits the retention of memory. In this review we aim to comprehensively cover the field of “sleep and memory” research by providing a historical perspective on concepts and a discussion of more recent key findings. Whereas initial theories posed a passive role for sleep enhancing memories by protecting them from interfering stimuli, current theories highlight an active role for sleep in which memories undergo a process of system consolidation during sleep. Whereas older research concentrated on the role of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, recent work has revealed the importance of slow-wave sleep (SWS) for memory consolidation and also enlightened some of the underlying electrophysiological, neurochemical, and genetic mechanisms, as well as developmental aspects in these processes. Specifically, newer findings characterize sleep as a brain state optimizing memory consolidation, in opposition to the waking brain being optimized for encoding of memories. Consolidation originates from reactivation of recently encoded neuronal memory representations, which occur during SWS and transform respective representations for integration into long-term memory. Ensuing REM sleep may stabilize transformed memories. While elaborated with respect to hippocampus-dependent memories, the concept of an active redistribution of memory representations from networks serving as temporary store into long-term stores might hold also for non-hippocampus-dependent memory, and even for nonneuronal, i.e., immunological memories, giving rise to the idea that the offline consolidation of memory during sleep represents a principle of long-term memory formation established in quite different physiological systems.
Computational Methods of Studying the Binding of Toxins From Venomous Animals to Biological Ion Channels: Theory and Applications
Authors: Gordon Dan , Chen Rong , Chung Shin-Ho
Published: April 2013

The discovery of new drugs that selectively block or modulate ion channels has great potential to provide new treatments for a host of conditions. One promising avenue revolves around modifying or mimicking certain naturally occurring ion channel modulator toxins. This strategy appears to offer the prospect of designing drugs that are both potent and specific. The use of computational modeling is crucial to this endeavor, as it has the potential to provide lower cost alternatives for exploring the effects of new compounds on ion channels. In addition, computational modeling can provide structural information and theoretical understanding that is not easily derivable from experimental results. In this review, we look at the theory and computational methods that are applicable to the study of ion channel modulators. The first section provides an introduction to various theoretical concepts, including force-fields and the statistical mechanics of binding. We then look at various computational techniques available to the researcher, including molecular dynamics, Brownian dynamics, and molecular docking systems. The latter section of the review explores applications of these techniques, concentrating on pore blocker and gating modifier toxins of potassium and sodium channels. After first discussing the structural features of these channels, and their modes of block, we provide an in-depth review of past computational work that has been carried out. Finally, we discuss prospects for future developments in the field.
Hybrid Discrete Wavelet Transform and Gabor Filter Banks Processing for Features Extraction from Biomedical Images
Authors: Lahmiri Salim , Boukadoum Mounir
Published: April 2013

A new methodology for automatic feature extraction from biomedical images and subsequent classification is presented. The approach exploits the spatial orientation of high-frequency textural features of the processed image as determined by a two-step process. First, the two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is applied to obtain the HH high-frequency subband image. Then, a Gabor filter bank is applied to the latter at different frequencies and spatial orientations to obtain new Gabor-filtered image whose entropy and uniformity are computed. Finally, the obtained statistics are fed to a support vector machine (SVM) binary classifier. The approach was validated on mammograms, retina, and brain magnetic resonance (MR) images. The obtained classification accuracies show better performance in comparison to common approaches that use only the DWT or Gabor filter banks for feature extraction.
Imprecise Imputation as a Tool for Solving Classification Problems with Mean Values of Unobserved Features
Authors: Utkin Lev V. , Zhuk Yulia A.
Published: April 2013

A method for solving a classification problem when there is only partial information about some features is proposed. This partial information comprises the mean values of features for every class and the bounds of the features. In order to maximally exploit the available information, a set of probability distributions is constructed such that two distributions are selected from the set which define the minimax and minimin strategies. Random values of features are generated in accordance with the selected distributions by using the Monte Carlo technique. As a result, the classification problem is reduced to the standard model which is solved by means of the support vector machine. Numerical examples illustrate the proposed method.
Preoperative Comorbidity Correlates Inversely with Survival after Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplantation in Adults
Authors: Sivaprakasam Rajesh , Hidenori Takahashi , Pither Charlotte , Nishida Seigo , Butler Andrew J. , Island Eddie R. , Moon Jung , Dawwas Muhammad , Gabe Simon M. , Jamieson Neville V. , Tzakis Andreas G. , Middleton Stephen J.
Published: April 2013

We investigated the relationship between preoperative comorbidity and postoperative survival after intestinal transplantation. Each patient received a score for preoperative comorbidity. Each comorbidity was given a score based on the degree it impaired function (score range 0–3). A total score was derived from the summation of individual comorbidity scores. Patients (72 adults (M : F, 33 : 39)) received an isolated intestinal graft (27) or a cluster graft (45). Mean (standard deviation) survival was 1501 (1444) days. The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant inverse association between survival and comorbidity score (logrank test for trend, ). Patients grouped into comorbidity scores of 0 and 1, 2 and 3, 4 and 5, 6, and above had hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for death (compared to group 0 + 1), which increased with comorbidity scores: 1.945 (0.7622–5.816), 5.075 (3.314–36.17), and 13.77 (463.3–120100), respectively, (). Receiver-operator curves at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years postoperative had “C” statistics of 0.88, 0.85, 0.88, and 0.92, respectively. When evaluating patients for transplantation, the degree of comorbidity should be considered as a major factor influencing postoperative survival.
Equivalence of Right Infinite Words
Authors: Kulesa Liga
Published: April 2013

Closure properties of some classes of right infinite words have been studied extensively; we are interested in the general algebraic structure of right infinite words. We investigate preorder of morphism invariant classes and show that it is not a semilattice.
Preliminary Deformational Studies on a Finite Element Model of the Nasal Septum Reveals Key Areas for Septal Realignment and Reconstruction
Authors: Liong Kyrin , Lee Shu Jin , Lee Heow Pueh
Published: April 2013

Background. With the current lack of clinically relevant classification methods of septal deviation, computer-generated models are important, as septal cartilage is indistinguishable on current imaging methods, making preoperative planning difficult. Methods. Three-dimensional models of the septum were created from a CT scan, and incremental forces were applied. Results. Regardless of the force direction, with increasing force, the septum first tilts (type I) and then crumples into a C shape (type II) and finally into an S shape (type III). In type I, it is important to address the dislocation in the vomer-ethmoid cartilage junction and vomerine groove, where stress is concentrated. In types II and III, there is intrinsic fracture and shortening of the nasal septum, which may be dislocated off the anterior nasal spine. Surgery aims to relieve the posterior buckling and dislocation, with realignment of the septum to the ANS and possible spreader grafts to buttress the fracture sites. Conclusion. By identifying clinically observable septal deviations and the areas of stress concentration and dislocation, a straighter, more stable septum may be achieved.
Characterization and Treatment of Titanium Dioxide via Ultrasonic Process with Melastoma malabathricum as Sustainable Sensitizer for Photovoltaic Solar Cell
Authors: Rus Anika Zafiah M. , Abdullah Nur Munirah , Abdullah M. F. L.
Published: April 2013

Generation from the existing commercial devices costs about ten times more than the conventional methods. Therefore, this paper presents a thin‐film dyed solar cell (DSC) of natural dyes from Melastoma malabathricum fruits which consist of the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups of anthocyanin molecule that influences the performance of photosensitized effect due to its bound on the surface of filler. Experimental results comparing engineering grade (>99% purity) of metal oxide; U1 and U2 with treated metal oxide; U3 and U4 using ultrasonic process, which is to break the particle agglomeration from 0.37 μm down to 0.15 μm; this treatment led to a more “sponge‐like” consistency with high porosity, enabling enhanced absorption and anchorage of the dye sensitizer. The microstructures of metal oxide were observed using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). Along with the highest performance of I‐V measurement given by U4 with open circuit, Voc = 0.742 V, short circuit, Isc = 0.36 mA, fill factor, FF = 57.012 gives 0.039% efficiency the examples for the first outdoor application upon sunlight illumination of such DSC were also reported. Therefore, this ultrasonic treatment and novel dye from Melastoma malabathricum fruit are reliable to be used for further application.
Comparative Chemistry of Propolis from Eight Brazilian Localities
Authors: Righi A. A. , Negri G. , Salatino A.
Published: April 2013

Propolis is a complex honeybee product with resinous aspect, containing plant exudates and beeswax. Their color, texture, and chemical composition vary, depending on the location of the hives and local flora. The most studied Brazilian propolis is the green (alecrim-do-campo) type, which contains mainly prenylated phenylpropanoids and caffeoylquinic acids. Other types of propolis are produced in Brazil, some with red color, others brown, grey, or black. The aim of the present work was to determine the chemical profiles of alcohol and chloroform extracts of eight samples of propolis, corresponding to six Brazilian regions. Methanol and chloroform extracts were obtained and analyzed by HPLC/DAD/ESI/MS and GC/MS. Two chemical profiles were recognized among the samples analyzed: (1) black Brazilian propolis, characterized chiefly by flavanones and glycosyl flavones, stemming from Picos (Piauí state) and Pirenópolis (Goiás state); (2) green Brazilian propolis, characterized by prenylated phenylpropanoids and caffeoylquinic acids, stemming from Cabo Verde (Bahia state), Lavras and Mira Bela (Minas Gerais state), Pariquera-Açu and Bauru (São Paulo state), and Ponta Grossa (Paraná state). The present work represents the first report of prenylated flavonoids in Brazilian propolis and schaftoside (apigenin-8-C-glucosyl-6-C-arabinose) in green propolis.
A Small Molecule Swertisin fromEnicostemma littoraleDifferentiates NIH3T3 Cells into Islet-Like Clusters and Restores Normoglycemia upon Transplantation in Diabetic Balb/c Mice
Authors: Dadheech Nidheesh , Soni Sanket , Srivastava Abhay , Dadheech Sucheta , Gupta Shivika , Gopurappilly Renjitha , Bhonde Ramesh R. , Gupta Sarita
Published: April 2013

Aim. Stem cell therapy is one of the upcoming therapies for the treatment of diabetes. Discovery of potent differentiating agents is a prerequisite for increasing islet mass. The present study is an attempt to screen the potential of novel small biomolecules for their differentiating property into pancreatic islet cells using NIH3T3, as representative of extra pancreatic stem cells/progenitors.Methods. To identify new agents that stimulate islet differentiation, we screened various compounds isolated fromEnicostemma littoraleusing NIH3T3 cells and morphological changes were observed. Characterization was performed by semiquantitative RT-PCR, Q-PCR, immunocytochemistry, immunoblotting, and insulin secretion assay for functional response in newly generated islet-like cell clusters (ILCC). Reversal of hyperglycemia was monitored after transplanting ILCC in STZ-induced diabetic mice.Results. Among various compounds tested, swertisin, an isolated flavonoid, was the most effective in differentiating NIH3T3 into endocrine cells. Swertisin efficiently changed the morphology of NIH3T3 cells from fibroblastic to round aggregate cell cluster in huge numbers. Dithizone (DTZ) stain primarily confirmed differentiation and gene expression studies signified rapid onset of differentiation signaling cascade in swertisin-induced ILCC. Molecular imaging and immunoblotting further confirmed presence of islet specific proteins. Moreover, glucose induced insulin release (in vitro) and decreased fasting blood glucose (FBG) (in vivo) in transplanted diabetic BALB/c mice depicted functional maturity of ILCC. Insulin and glucagon expression in excised islet grafts illustrated survival and functional integrity.Conclusions. Rapid induction for islet differentiation by swertisin, a novel herbal biomolecule, provides low cost and readily available differentiating agent that can be translated as a therapeutic tool for effective treatment in diabetes.
Using the Analytical Network Process to Select the Best Strategy for Reducing Risks in a Supply Chain
Authors: Hosseini L. , Tavakkoli-Moghaddam R. , Vahdani B. , Mousavi S. M. , Kia R.
Published: April 2013

This paper considers four types of the most prominent risks in the supply chain. Their subcriteria and relations between them and within the network are also considered. In a supply chain, risks are mostly created by fluctuations. The aim of this study is to adopt a strategy for eliminating or reducing risks in a supply chain network. Having various solutions helps the supply chain to be resilient. Therefore, five alternatives are considered, namely, total quality management (TQM), leanness, alignment, adaptability, and agility. This paper develops a new network of supply chain risks by considering the interactions between risks. Perhaps, the network elements have interacted with some or all of the factors (clusters) or subfactors. We constitute supply chain risks in the analytic network process (ANP), which attracted less attention in the previous studies. Most of the studies about making a decision in supply chains have been applied in analytic hierarchy process (AHP) network. The present study considers the ANP as a well-known multicriteria decision making (MCDM) technique to choose the best alternative, because of the interdependency and feedbacks of different levels of the network. Finally, the ANP selects TQM as the best alternative among the considered ones.
Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy of iRGD-Conjugated Crosslinked Multilayer Liposomes for Drug Delivery
Authors: Liu Yarong , Ji Man , Wong Michael K. , Joo Kye-Il , Wang Pin
Published: April 2013

Targeting nanoparticles by conjugating various specific ligands has shown potential therapeutic efficacy in nanomedicine. However, poor penetration of antitumor drugs into solid tumors remains a major obstacle. Here, we describe a targeting strategy for antitumor drug delivery by conjugating a crosslinked multilamellar liposomal vesicle (cMLV) formulation with a tumor-penetrating peptide, iRGD. The results showed that iRGD peptides could facilitate the binding and cellular uptake of drug-loaded cMLVs and consequently enhance the antitumor efficacy in breast tumor cells, including multidrug-resistant cells. Moreover, colocalization data revealed that iRGD-conjugated cMLVs (iRGD-cMLVs) entered cells via the clathrin-mediated pathway, followed by endosome-lysosome transport for efficient drug delivery. Finally,in vivostudy indicated that iRGD-cMLVs could deliver anticancer drugs efficiently to mediate significant tumor suppression.
Fundal Height Growth Curve for Thai Women
Authors: Deeluea Jirawan , Sirichotiyakul Supatra , Weerakiet Sawaek , Buntha Renu , Tawichasri Chamaiporn , Patumanond Jayanton
Published: April 2013

Objectives. To develop fundal height (FH) growth curve from normal singleton pregnancy based on last menstrual period (LMP) and/or ultrasound dating for women in the northern part of Thailand. Methods. A retrospective time-series study was conducted at four hospitals in the upper northern part of Thailand between January 2009 and March 2011. FH from 20 to 40 weeks was measured in centimeters. The FH growth curve was presented as smoothed function of the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles, which were derived from a regression model fitted by a multilevel model for continuous data. Results. FH growth curve was derived from 7,523 measurements of 1,038 women. Gestational age was calculated from LMP in 648 women and ultrasound in 390 women. The FH increased from 19.1 cm at 20 weeks to 35.4 cm at 40 weeks. The maximum increase of 1.0 cm/wk was observed between 20 and 32 weeks, declining to 0.7 cm/wk between 33 and 36 weeks and 0.3 cm/wk between 37 and 40 weeks. A quadratic regression equation was FH (cm)=-19.7882+2.438157 GA (wk)-0.0262178 GA2 (wk) (R-squared = 0.85). Conclusions. A demographically specific FH growth curve may be an appropriate tool for monitoring and screening abnormal intrauterine growth.
Formation of Surface Nano‐ and Textured Austenite Induced by Pulsed Electron Beam Irradiation under Melting Mode
Authors: Zhang K. M. , Zou J. X.
Published: April 2013

We report in this paper an interesting phenomenon associated with low‐energy high‐current pulsed electron beam (LEHCPEB) treatment: surface nanograined and textured austenite formation under the melting treatment mode. The treatment induces superfast heating and melting followed by a rapid solidification and cooling of the material surfaces. As a result, nano‐structured surface layers can be achieved quite easily. Examples of nanoaustenite formation with special texture state in the modified surface layer of AISI D2 steel and NiTi alloy will show the potential for surface nanocrystallization of materials with improved properties by LEHCPEB technique.
Sharper Focal Spot for a Radially Polarized Beam Using Ring Aperture with Phase Jump
Authors: Khonina Svetlana N. , Ustinov Andrei V.
Published: April 2013

We study analytically and numerically in which way the width of ring aperture containing a phase jump affects the size and intensity of the focal spot generated with a radially polarized beam. It is shown that by means of destructive interference of beams coming from the different-phase rings it becomes possible to overcome the scalar diffraction limit corresponding to the first zero of the zero-order Bessel function. The minimal focal spot size (FWHM=0.33λ) is found to be attained when the annular aperture width amounts to 20% of the full-aperture radius. In this case, the side-lobe intensity is not larger than 30% of the central peak. A wider annular aperture with the phase jump introduced is also shown to form a focal spot not exceeding the diffraction limit for a narrow annular aperture, simultaneously providing a nearly six times higher intensity. In this case, the side lobes amount to 35% of the central peak.
Inflammatory Signalling Associated with Brain Dead Organ Donation: From Brain Injury to Brain Stem Death and Posttransplant Ischaemia Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Watts Ryan P. , Thom Ogilvie , Fraser John F.
Published: April 2013

Brain death is associated with dramatic and serious pathophysiologic changes that adversely affect both the quantity and quality of organs available for transplant. To fully optimise the donor pool necessitates a more complete understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of organ dysfunction associated with transplantation. These injurious processes are initially triggered by catastrophic brain injury and are further enhanced during both brain death and graft transplantation. The activated inflammatory systems then contribute to graft dysfunction in the recipient. Inflammatory mediators drive this process in concert with the innate and adaptive immune systems. Activation of deleterious immunological pathways in organ grafts occurs, priming them for further inflammation after engraftment. Finally, posttransplantation ischaemia reperfusion injury leads to further generation of inflammatory mediators and consequent activation of the recipient’s immune system. Ongoing research has identified key mediators that contribute to the inflammatory milieu inherent in brain dead organ donation. This has seen the development of novel therapies that directly target the inflammatory cascade.
Simulation of Intra-Aneurysmal Blood Flow by Different Numerical Methods
Authors: Weichert Frank , Walczak Lars , Fisseler Denis , Opfermann Tobias , Razzaq Mudassar , Münster Raphael , Turek Stefan , Grunwald Iris , Roth Christian , Veith Christian , Wagner Mathias
Published: April 2013

The occlusional performance of sole endoluminal stenting of intracranial aneurysms is controversially discussed in the literature. Simulation of blood flow has been studied to shed light on possible causal attributions. The outcome, however, largely depends on the numerical method and various free parameters. The present study is therefore conducted to find ways to define parameters and efficiently explore the huge parameter space with finite element methods (FEMs) and lattice Boltzmann methods (LBMs). The goal is to identify both the impact of different parameters on the results of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and their advantages and disadvantages. CFD is applied to assess flow and aneurysmal vorticity in 2D and 3D models. To assess and compare initial simulation results, simplified 2D and 3D models based on key features of real geometries and medical expert knowledge were used. A result obtained from this analysis indicates that a combined use of the different numerical methods, LBM for fast exploration and FEM for a more in-depth look, may result in a better understanding of blood flow and may also lead to more accurate information about factors that influence conditions for stenting of intracranial aneurysms.
Review and Phylogenetic Evaluation of Associations between Microdontinae (Diptera: Syrphidae) and Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Reemer Menno
Published: April 2013

The immature stages of hoverflies of the subfamily Microdontinae (Diptera: Syrphidae) develop in ant nests, as predators of the ant brood. The present paper reviews published and unpublished records of associations of Microdontinae with ants, in order to discuss the following questions. (1) Are all Microdontinae associated with ants? (2) Are Microdontinae associated with all ants? (3) Are particular clades of Microdontinae associated with particular clades of ants? (4) Are Microdontinae associated with other insects? A total number of 109 associations between the groups are evaluated, relating to 43 species of Microdontinae belonging to 14 genera, and to at least 69 species of ants belonging to 24 genera and five subfamilies. The taxa of Microdontinae found in association with ants occur scattered throughout their phylogenetic tree. One of the supposedly most basal taxa (Mixogaster) is associated with ants, suggesting that associations with ants evolved early in the history of the subfamily and have remained a predominant feature of their lifestyle. Among ants, associations with Microdontinae are known from subfamilies Ponerinae, Dolichoderinae, Formicinae, Myrmicinae, and Pseudomyrmecinae. These subfamilies comprise more than 95% of all ant species. Interestingly, no associations are known with “dorylomorph” ants (army ants and relatives).
Evidence of Physiotherapy Interventions for Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials
Authors: Damgaard Pia , Bartels Else Marie , Ris Inge , Christensen Robin , Juul-Kristensen Birgit
Published: April 2013

Chronic neck pain (CNP) is common and costly, and the effect of physiotherapeutic interventions on the condition is unclear. We reviewed the literature for evidence of effect of physiotherapy interventions on patients with CNP. Five bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PEDro) were systematically searched. Randomised, placebo and active-treatment-controlled trials including physiotherapy interventions for adults with CNP were selected. Data were extracted primary outcome was pain. Risk of bias was appraised. Effect of an intervention was assessed, weighted to risk of bias. 42 trials reporting on randomised comparisons of various physiotherapy interventions and control conditions were eligible for inclusion involving 3919 patients with CNP. Out of these, 23 were unclear or at high risk of bias, and their results were considered moderate- or low-quality evidence. Nineteen were at low risk of bias, and here eight trials found effect on pain of a physiotherapy intervention. Only exercise therapy, focusing on strength and endurance training, and multimodal physiotherapy, cognitive-behavioural interventions, massage, manipulations, laser therapy, and to some extent also TNS appear to have an effect on CNP. However, sufficient evidence for application of a specific physiotherapy modality or aiming at a specific patient subgroup is not available.
Development and In Vitro Characterization of Hyaluronic Acid‐Based Coatings for Implant‐Associated Local Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Petersen Svea , Kaule Sebastian , Teske Michael , Minrath Ingo , Schmitz Klaus-Peter , Sternberg Katrin
Published: April 2013

The development of drug‐eluting coatings based on hyaluronic acid (HA) is especially promising for implant‐associated local drug delivery (LDD) systems, whose implantation provokes high insertion forces, as, for instance, cochlear implants or drug‐coated balloons (DCB). The lubricious character of HA can then reduce the coefficient of friction and serve as drug reservoir simultaneously. In this context, we investigated several plasma‐ and wet‐chemical methods for the deposition of HA‐based coatings with LDD function on polyamide 12 as a model implant surface, conventionally used for DCB. In contrast to aminosilane, epoxy silane surface layers allowed the covalent attachment of a smooth and uniform HA base layer, which provided good adherence of further HA layers deposited by manual dip coating at a subsequent processing stage. The applied HA‐crosslinking procedure during dip coating influences the transfer and release of paclitaxel, which could be reproducibly incorporated via infiltration. While crosslinking with N‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐N′‐ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride provided HA coatings on DCB, which allowed for an efficient paclitaxel transfer upon expansion in a vessel model, crosslinking with glutardialdehyde resulted in a slower drug release being more appropriate for implants with longer residence time in the body. The developed HA coating is hence well suited for spontaneous and sustained LDD.
Determination of Helicobacter pylori Virulence Genes in Gastric Biopsies by PCR
Authors: Essawi Tamer , Hammoudeh Wail , Sabri Israr , Sweidan Walid , Farraj Mohammad A.
Published: April 2013

Aim. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of H. pylori in biopsy specimens from symptomatic patients by PCR. In addition, the rate of cagA, vacA, iceA1, and iceA2 virulence genes was determined. Materials and Methods. One hundred antral gastric biopsy specimens were collected during endoscopy from patients suffering from gastroduodenal symptoms. The samples were collected by the gastroenterologists in their own clinics in Ramallah, Palestine. DNA was extracted from the biopsies and subsequently used for PCR identification of H. pylori and the virulence genes using specific primers. Results. The rate of positive H. pylori in the collected biopsies was 44%. The rates of the virulence genes in this sample: cagA, vacA, iceA1, and iceA2 were 65.9%, 40.9%, 63.6%, and 84.1%, respectively. Conclusion. The iceA2 gene was the most frequent in this study. Much research is necessary to determine the presence of an association of this gene with gastric pathology. Variation in the rates of the iceA gene in different countries is a strong indication of its geographical distribution. This study would provide important information regarding the prevalence of virulence genes (vacA, cagA, iceA1, and iceA2) in H. pylori strains in the sample tested in this country.
Mathematical Characterization of Protein Transmembrane Regions
Authors: Roy Choudhury Amrita , Zhukov Nikolay , Novič Marjana
Published: April 2013

Graphical bioinformatics has paved a unique way of mathematical characterization of proteins and proteomic maps. The graphics representations and the corresponding mathematical descriptors have proved to be useful and have provided unique solutions to problems related to identification, comparisons, and analyses of protein sequences and proteomics maps. Based on sequence information alone, these descriptors are independent from physiochemical properties of amino acids and evolutionary information. In this work, we have presented invariants from amino acid adjacency matrix and decagonal isometries matrix as potential descriptors of protein sequences. Encoding protein sequences into amino acid adjacency matrix is already well established. We have shown its application in classification of transmembrane and nontransmembrane regions of membrane protein sequences. We have introduced the dodecagonal isometries matrix, which is a novel method of encoding protein sequences based on decagonal isometries group.
Conductometry and Size Characterization of Polypyrrole Nanoparticles Produced by Ball Milling
Authors: Abbasi Abdul Malik Rehan , Marsalkova Miroslava , Militky Jiri
Published: April 2013

Polypyrrole (PPy), one of the most extensively investigated conducting polymers, has attracted a great deal of interest because of its good electrical conductivity, environmental stability, and easy synthesis. PPy films were produced by polymerization of pyrrole and tosylate (TsO−) as dopants in the presence of oxidant FeCl3 and polyethylene glycol (Mw 8000) at −5°C for 48 h. High energy milling was carried out at 850 rpm in the dry media with the balls of 10 mm. Particles were then characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope and Dynamic Light Scattering techniques for size distribution, and it was found that the size of PPy particles is a decreasing function of time of milling. Electrical conductivity was measured by preparing a homogenous aqueous dispersion of PPy particles and found as exponential decreasing function of time of milling. The changes occurred in PPy after milling was analyzed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
Interval Solution for Nonlinear Programming of Maximizing the Fatigue Life of V-Belt under Polymorphic Uncertain Environment
Authors: Wan Zhong , Zhang ShaoJun , Zhou Yanju
Published: April 2013

In accord with the practical engineering design conditions, a nonlinear programming model is constructed for maximizing the fatigue life of V-belt drive in which some polymorphic uncertainties are incorporated. For a given satisfaction level and a confidence level, an equivalent formulation of this uncertain optimization model is obtained where only interval parameters are involved. Based on the concepts of maximal and minimal range inequalities for describing interval inequality, the interval parameter model is decomposed into two standard nonlinear programming problems, and an algorithm, called two-step based sampling algorithm, is developed to find an interval optimal solution for the original problem. Case study is employed to demonstrate the validity and practicability of the constructed model and the algorithm.
Investigation of Students’ Alternative Conceptions of Terms and Processes of Gene Technology
Authors: Franke Gaitano , Scharfenberg Franz-Josef , Bogner Franz X.
Published: April 2013

Our study monitored students’ alternative conceptions about some fundamental terms and processes of gene technology. Novice secondary school 10th graders (144 in total) described their conceptions in an open questionnaire. Using inductive category development, we iteratively categorized their responses. We found 13 categories describing students’ conceptions. Common categories were allocated to more than one different term or process. Specific categories were found only in the context of explaining one term or process. Using the collected conceptions, we then developed a questionnaire, which we administered to monitor the students’ conceptual change during a hands-on approach in our outreach lab. Knowledge about these conceptions and their consideration within science teaching should be of value both for preservice teacher education and for professional development of in-service teachers.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Coronary Artery Disease: From Pathophysiology to Clinical Implications
Authors: De Torres-Alba Fernando , Gemma Daniele , Armada-Romero Eduardo , Rey-Blas Juan Ramón , López-de-Sá Esteban , López-Sendon José Luis
Published: April 2013

Coronary artery disease (CAD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are both complex and significant clinical problems. The pathophysiological mechanisms that link OSA with CAD are complex and can influence the broad spectrum of conditions caused by CAD, from subclinical atherosclerosis to myocardial infarction. OSA remains a significant clinical problem among patients with CAD, and evidence suggesting its role as a risk factor for CAD is growing. Furthermore, increasing data support that CAD prognosis may be influenced by OSA and its treatment by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. However, stronger evidence is needed to definitely answer these questions. This paper focuses on the relationship between OSA and CAD from the pathophysiological effects of OSA in CAD, to the clinical implications of OSA and its treatment in CAD patients.
Microarray-Based Comparisons of Ion Channel Expression Patterns: Human Keratinocytes to Reprogrammed hiPSCs to Differentiated Neuronal and Cardiac Progeny
Authors: Linta Leonhard , Stockmann Marianne , Lin Qiong , Lechel André , Proepper Christian , Boeckers Tobias M. , Kleger Alexander , Liebau Stefan
Published: April 2013

Ion channels are involved in a large variety of cellular processes including stem cell differentiation. Numerous families of ion channels are present in the organism which can be distinguished by means of, for example, ion selectivity, gating mechanism, composition, or cell biological function. To characterize the distinct expression of this group of ion channels we have compared the mRNA expression levels of ion channel genes between human keratinocyte-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and their somatic cell source, keratinocytes from plucked human hair. This comparison revealed that 26% of the analyzed probes showed an upregulation of ion channels in hiPSCs while just 6% were downregulated. Additionally, iPSCs express a much higher number of ion channels compared to keratinocytes. Further, to narrow down specificity of ion channel expression in iPS cells we compared their expression patterns with differentiated progeny, namely, neurons and cardiomyocytes derived from iPS cells. To conclude, hiPSCs exhibit a very considerable and diverse ion channel expression pattern. Their detailed analysis could give an insight into their contribution to many cellular processes and even disease mechanisms.
A Finite Element Method for the Multiterm Time-Space Riesz Fractional Advection-Diffusion Equations in Finite Domain
Authors: Zhao Jingjun , Xiao Jingyu , Xu Yang
Published: April 2013

We present an effective finite element method (FEM) for the multiterm time-space Riesz fractional advection-diffusion equations (MT-TS-RFADEs). We obtain the weak formulation of MT-TS-RFADEs and prove the existence and uniqueness of weak solution by the Lax-Milgram theorem. For multiterm time discretization, we use the Diethelm fractional backward finite difference method based on quadrature. For spatial discretization, we show the details of an FEM for such MT-TS-RFADEs. Then, stability and convergence of such numerical method are proved, and some numerical examples are given to match well with the main conclusions.
Chaotic Hopfield Neural Network Swarm Optimization and Its Application
Authors: Sun Yanxia , Wang Zenghui , van Wyk Barend Jacobus
Published: April 2013

A new neural network based optimization algorithm is proposed. The presented model is a discrete-time, continuous-state Hopfield neural network and the states of the model are updated synchronously. The proposed algorithm combines the advantages of traditional PSO, chaos and Hopfield neural networks: particles learn from their own experience and the experiences of surrounding particles, their search behavior is ergodic, and convergence of the swarm is guaranteed. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated using simulations and typical optimization problems.
Pomegranate Supplementation Improves Affective and Motor Behavior in Mice after Radiation Exposure
Authors: Dulcich Melissa S. , Hartman Richard E.
Published: April 2013

Currently, NASA has plans for extended space travel, and previous research indicates that space radiation can have negative effects on cognitive skills as well as physical and mental health. With long-term space travel, astronauts will be exposed to greater radiation levels. Research shows that an antioxidant-enriched diet may offer some protection against the cellular effects of radiation and may provide significant neuroprotection from the effects of radiation-induced cognitive and behavioral skill deficits. Ninety-six C57BL/6 mice (48 pomegranate fed and 48 control) were irradiated with proton radiation (2 Gy), and two-month postradiation behaviors were assessed using a battery of behavioral tests to measure cognitive and motor functions. Proton irradiation was associated with depression-like behaviors in the tail suspension test, but this effect was ameliorated by the pomegranate diet. Males, in general, displayed worse coordination and balance than females on the rotarod task, and the pomegranate diet ameliorated this effect. Overall, it appears that proton irradiation, which may be encountered in space, may induce a different pattern of behavioral deficits in males than females and that a pomegranate diet may confer protection against some of those effects.
Spontaneous Bladder Perforation in an Infant Neurogenic Bladder: Laparoscopic Management
Authors: Cabezalí Barbancho Daniel , Guerrero Ramos Felix , López Vázquez Francisco , Aransay Bramtot Adolfo , Gómez Fraile Andrés
Published: April 2013

Spontaneous bladder perforation is an uncommon event in childhood. It is usually associated with bladder augmentation. We are presenting a case of bladder rupture in an infant with neurogenic bladder without prior bladder surgery. Three days after lipomyelomeningocele excision the patient showed signs and symptoms of acute abdomen. The ultrasound exploration revealed significant amount of intraperitoneal free fluid and therefore a laparoscopic exploration was performed. A posterior bladder rupture was diagnosed and repaired laparoscopically. Currently, being 3 years old, she keeps successfully dry with clean intermittent catheterization. Neurogenic bladder voiding function can change at any time of its evolution and lead to complications. Early diagnosis of spontaneous bladder rupture is of paramount importance, so it is essential to think about it in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen.
Prognostic Value of Endotoxemia in Patients with Gram-Negative Bacteremia Is Bacterial Species Dependent
Authors: Hurley James C. , Opal Steven M.
Published: April 2013

The prognostic impact of endotoxemia detection in sepsis is unclear. Endotoxemia is detectable in <70% of patients with Gram-negative (GN) bacteremias. Mortality proportion data were available from 27 published studies of patients with GN bacteremia in various settings. Among ten studies restricted to specific types of GN bacteremia, endotoxemia was associated with significantly increased mortality risk for Neisseria meningitidis (4 studies; 138 bacteremias; OR 26.0; 95% CI, 1.6-321) but not for Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (3 studies; 36 bacteremias; OR 0.89; 95% CI, 0.01-74.1). For 17 unrestricted studies (319 GN bacteremic patients), endotoxemia was associated with an increased mortality risk with non-Escherichia coli Enterobacteriaceae such as Klebsiella and Enterobacter species (97 bacteremias; OR 3.7; 95% CI, 1.3-10.3). By contrast, E. coli (144 bacteremias; OR 0.78; 95% CI, 0.36-1.7), and non-Enterobacteriaceae species such as Pseudomonas species (78 bacteremias; OR 1.7; 95% CI, 0.7-4.6) had no increased mortality risk. That endotoxemia detection is predictive of mortality among patients bacteremic with non-E. coli Enterobacteriaceae but not E. coli is surprising given the presumed commonality of the hexa-acyl lipid A structure among Enterobacteriaceae species.
Placental Mesenchymal Dysplasia: Chronological Observation of Placental Images during Gestation and Review of the Literature
Authors: Ohira Satoshi , Ookubo Nao , Tanaka Kyoko , Takatsu Akiko , Kobara Hisanori , Kikuchi Norihiko , Ohya Ayumi , Kanai Makoto , Shiozawa Tanri
Published: April 2013

Placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) is characterized by multiple hypoechoic vesicles which are similar to molar changes in the placenta; however, the process of such morphological changes of PMD during pregnancy has not been fully understood. We performed a review of all PMD cases published in English and identified 49 articles including 110 cases. With regard to the gestational age at which the multicystic pattern was seen, approximately 70% of cases were diagnosed at 13-20 weeks of gestation. Another characteristic feature of PMD is varicose dilation of fetal chorionic vessels. As many as 90% of cases were diagnosed as placenta with dilated fetal chorionic vessels in the third trimester. We also report a case of PMD which was found at 10 weeks of gestation according to ultrasonic molar patterns. Serial observations of the placenta using ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging revealed that multicystic lesions became smaller after 23 weeks. In contrast, dilated placental vessels on the fetal side became apparent at 38 weeks. The present review highlights that placental vesicular lesions of PMD may precede dilation of fetal chorionic vessels during pregnancy. It also indicates the potential of a gradual reduction in size of PMD's placental vesicular lesions by serial study of placental images.
New insights on Salvia platyphylla (Lamiaceae) and description of S. pugana and S. albiterrarum, two new species from Jalisco, Mexico
Authors: GONZÁLEZ-GALLEGOS JESÚS GUADALUPE , CASTRO-CASTRO ARTURO
Published: April 2013

An expanded description of Salvia platyphylla with new insights based on the examination of recent herbarium specimens and observations made in the field is provided. Additionally, are included descriptions and illustrations of two new species morphologically similar to S. platyphylla. The first, S. pugana, can be distinguished from S. platyphylla by its larger calyces, magenta corollas with larger and internally epapillate tubes, longer filaments and connectives, and wider nutlets. The second, S. albiterrarum, differs from the latter by its longer corolla tubes, absence of patent white nectar guides on the lower lip, longer filaments, longer and not geniculate connectives, longer styles, with the branches and 3–5.3 mm of the apical portion exserted from the upper lip, and lower stigmatic branch straight rather than sigmoid or arquate. The three taxa are sympatric and represent western Mexico endemisms. Lastly, floral morphology differences between these species suggest valuable considerations on pollination syndromes.