bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COEXISTENCE OF THE STRAINS INDUCED BY MUTATION
Authors: QIAN DE-LIANG , LI XUE-ZHI , GHOSH MINI
Published: March 2012

In this paper, we propose a two strain epidemic model with single host population. It is assumed that strain one can mutate into strain two. Also latent-stage progression age and mutation are incorporated into the model. Stability of equilibria (including the disease free equilibrium, dominant equilibria and the coexistence equilibrium) is investigated and it is found that they are locally stable under suitable and biological feasible constraints. Results indicate that the competition exclusion and coexistence of the two strains are possible depending on the mutation. Numerical simulations are also performed to illustrate these results.
The Synergistic Effect of Valsartan and LAF237 [(S)-1-[(3-Hydroxy-1-Adamantyl)Ammo]acetyl-2-Cyanopyrrolidine] on Vascular Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetic Mice
Authors: Shen Min , Sun Dongdong , Li Weijie , Liu Bing , Wang Shenxu , Zhang Zheng , Cao Feng
Published: March 2012

Aim. To investigate the combination effects and mechanisms of valsartan (angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker) and LAF237 (DPP-IV inhibitor) on prevention against oxidative stress and inflammation injury in db/db mice aorta.Methods. Db/db mice (n=40) were randomized to receive valsartan, LAF237, valsartan plus LAF237, or saline. Oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction in diabetic mice aorta were examined.Results. Valsartan or LAF237 pretreatment significantly increased plasma GLP-1 expression, reduced apoptosis of endothelial cells isolated from diabetic mice aorta. The expression of NAD(P)H oxidase subunits also significantly decreased resulting in decreased superoxide production and ICAM-1 (fold change: valsartan : 7.5 ± 0.7,P<0.05; LAF237: 10.2 ± 1.7,P<0.05), VCAM-1 (fold change: valsartan : 5.2 ± 1.2,P<0.05; LAF237: 4.8 ± 0.6,P<0.05), and MCP-1 (fold change: valsartan: 3.2 ± 0.6, LAF237: 4.7 ± 0.8;P<0.05) expression. Moreover, the combination treatment with valsartan and LAF237 resulted in a more significant increase of GLP-1 expression. The decrease of the vascular oxidative stress and inflammation reaction was also higher than monotherapy with valsartan or LAF237.Conclusion. These data indicated that combination treatment with LAF237 and valsartan acts in a synergistic manner on vascular oxidative stress and inflammation in type 2 diabetic mice.
Characterization of Fractured Reservoirs Using a Combination of Downhole Pressure and Self-Potential Transient Data
Authors: Nishi Yuji , Ishido Tsuneo
Published: March 2012

In order to appraise the utility of self-potential (SP) measurements to characterize fractured reservoirs, we carried out continuous SP monitoring using multi Ag-AgCl electrodes installed within two open holes at the Kamaishi Mine, Japan. The observed ratio of SP change to pressure change associated with fluid flow showed different behaviors between intact host rock and fractured rock regions. Characteristic behavior peculiar to fractured reservoirs, which is predicted from numerical simulations of electrokinetic phenomena in MINC (multiple interacting continua) double-porosity media, was observed near the fractures. Semilog plots of the ratio of SP change to pressure change observed in one of the two wells show obvious transition from intermediate time increasing to late time stable trends, which indicate that the time required for pressure equilibration between the fracture and matrix regions is about 800 seconds. Fracture spacing was estimated to be a few meters assuming several micro-darcies (10-18 m2) of the matrix region permeability, which is consistent with geological and hydrological observations.
Modelling and Regularity of Nonlinear Impulsive Switching Dynamical System in Fed‐Batch Culture
Authors: Wang Lei
Published: March 2012

A hybrid system with state‐based switchings is proposed to describe the fed‐batch production of 1,3‐propandiol from glycerol in our previous work. However, the on‐off switching of alkali is too frequent, which greatly increases the computational cost of the numerical solution to the system so as to locate the state‐based switchings in strict time order and implement the correct mode changes. To deal with this problem, we consider the switching of alkali pump as an impulsive event and present a nonlinear impulsive switching system to describe the fed‐batch culture. It is proved that the impulsive switching system is non‐Zeno. Some basic properties of solutions to the impulsive switching system are also explored. In order to overcome the discontinuities of the system, the Skorohod topology is induced and a specific form of λ is constructed to prove the main theorem. Additionally, a numerical simulation is carried out to show that the proposed system can describe the fed‐batch culture properly and the essential difference with the previous work.
Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Mechanisms, Targets, and Treatment
Authors: Amaral Teresa Maria Santos , Macedo Daniela , Fernandes Isabel , Costa Luis
Published: March 2012

Patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), who progress after docetaxel therapy, had until very recently, only a few therapeutic options. Recent advances in this field brought about new perspectives in the treatment of this disease. Molecular, basic, and translational research has given us a better understanding on the mechanisms of CRPC. This great investment has turned into a more rational approach to the development of new drugs. Some of the new treatments are already available to our patients outside clinical trials and may include inhibitors of androgen biosynthesis; new chemotherapy agents; bone-targeted therapy; and immunotherapy. This paper aims to review the mechanisms of prostate cancer resistance, possible therapeutic targets, as well as new options to treat CRPC.
Consequences of Reducing the Cost of PV Modules on a PV Wind Diesel Hybrid System with Limited Sizing Components
Authors: Silva Jones S. , Cardoso Alice R. , Beluco Alexandre
Published: March 2012

The use of renewable resources for power supply in family homes has passed the stage of utopia to became a reality, with limits set by technical and economic parameters. This paper presents the results of a project originated from the initiative of a middle-class family to achieve energy independence at home. The starting point was the concept of home with “zero energy” in which the total energy available is equal to the energy consumed. The solution devised to meet the energy demand of the residence in question is a PV wind diesel hybrid system connected to the grid, with the possibility of energy storage in batteries and in the form of heating water and the environment of the house. As a restriction, the family requested that the system would represent little impact to the lifestyle and landscape. This paper aims to assess the consequences of reductions in the cost of the PV modules on the optimization space, as conceived by the software Homer. The results show that for this system, a 50% reduction in the cost of PV modules allows all viable solutions including PV modules.
Adaptive Immune Response to Model Antigens Is Impaired in Murine Leukocyte-Adhesion Deficiency-1 Revealing Elevated Activation ThresholdsIn Vivo
Authors: Peters Thorsten , Bloch Wilhelm , Pabst Oliver , Wickenhauser Claudia , Uthoff-Hachenberg Claudia , Schmidt Susanne V. , Varga Georg , Grabbe Stephan , Kess Daniel , Oreshkova Tsvetelina , Sindrilaru Anca , Addicks Klaus , Förster Reinhold , Müller Werner , Scharffetter-Kochanek Karin
Published: March 2012

Absence ofβ2integrins (CD11/CD18) leads to leukocyte-adhesion deficiency-1 (LAD1), a rare primary immunodeficiency syndrome. Although extensivein vitrowork has established an essential function ofβ2integrins in adhesive and signaling properties for cells of the innate and adaptive immune system, their respective participation in an altered adaptive immunity in LAD1 patients are complex and only partly understoodin vivo. Therefore, we investigated adaptive immune responses towards different T-dependent antigens in a murine LAD1 model ofβ2integrin-deficiency (CD18−/−). CD18−/−mice generated only weak IgG responses after immunization with tetanus toxoid (TT). In contrast, robust hapten- and protein-specific immune responses were observed after immunization with highly haptenated antigens such as (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)21acetyl chickenγglobulin (NP21-CG), even though regularly structured germinal centers with specificity for the defined antigens/haptens in CD18−/−mice remained absent. However, a decrease in the hapten/protein ratio lowered the efficacy of immune responses in CD18−/−mice, whereas a mere reduction of the antigen dose was less crucial. Importantly, haptenation of TT with NP (NP-TT) efficiently restored a robust IgG response also to TT. Our findings may stimulate further studies on a modification of vaccination strategies using highly haptenated antigens in individuals suffering from LAD1.
Usefulness of the Core Outcome Measures Index in Daily Clinical Practice for Assessing Patients with Degenerative Lumbar Disease
Authors: Lozano-Álvarez Carlos , Pérez-Prieto Daniel , Saló Guillem , Molina Antoni , Lladó Andreu , Ramírez Manuel
Published: March 2012

Introduction. Outcome evaluation is an important aspect of the treatment of patients with degenerative lumbar disease. We evaluated the usefulness of the Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) in assessing people affected by degenerative lumbar disease in daily clinical practice.Methods. We evaluated 221 patients who had completed preoperatively and 2 years after surgery VAS pain, Short Form-36 (SF-36), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and COMI. We calculated the change of scores and its sensitivity to change. The internal consistency of the COMI items and the correlation between the COMI scores and the scores of the other measurements were assessed.Results. Statistically significant differences were observed between the mean scores of the preoperative and 2 years questionnaires for nearly all measurements. COMI showed a good internal consistency, except for the preoperative pain subscale. The sensitivity to change was high for the total COMI and its pain and well-being subscales and moderate for the rest. The COMI demonstrated strong correlation with the other measurements.Conclusions. The COMI is a useful tool for assessing the patient-based outcome in the studied population. Given its simplicity, good correlation with the SF-36 and ODI and its good sensitivity to change, it could replace more cumbersome instruments in daily clinical practice.
Unusual Cause of Intestinal Obstruction: Left Paraduodenal Hernia
Authors: Akbulut Sami
Published: March 2012

Internal intestinal hernia has been defined as bulging of the intestines through a normal or an abnormal peritoneal or mesenteric opening. Paraduodenal hernias comprise 30%–53% of all internal intestinal herniations and account for 0.2%–0.9% of all bowel obstructions. In this paper, we aimed to present a male patient of 42 years of age who developed intestinal obstruction due to left paraduodenal hernias. Left paraduodenal hernia should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis in patients of relatively younger ages with no prior abdominal surgery who frequently have bowel obstruction episodes.
Aging Phenotypes of Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Ross Corinna N. , Davis Kenneth , Dobek Georgina , Tardif Suzette D.
Published: March 2012

Characterizing the phenotypic changes associated with aging in a short-lived primate is necessary in order to develop better translational models for human health, aging, and disease research. A population of conventionally housed marmoset monkeys was assessed to determine if phenotypes of body composition, hematology, and morphometrical measures were associated with age or risk of death. We found that the cause of mortality in older marmosets was more likely to be due to cardiac and chronic kidney disease than in younger marmosets. Older marmosets have decreased fat mass, morphometric measures, and serum albumin. Older marmosets are more likely to show a modified posture while at rest and this modified posture was significantly associated with an increased risk of imminent death. These assessments provide an initial definition of aged health in marmosets and a base for future translational aging research with this species.
Environmental Heterogeneity and Phenotypic Divergence: Can Heritable Epigenetic Variation Aid Speciation?
Authors: Flatscher Ruth , Frajman Božo , Schönswetter Peter , Paun Ovidiu
Published: March 2012

The dualism of genetic predisposition and environmental influences, their interactions, and respective roles in shaping the phenotype have been a hot topic in biological sciences for more than two centuries. Heritable epigenetic variation mediates between relatively slowly accumulating mutations in the DNA sequence and ephemeral adaptive responses to stress, thereby providing mechanisms for achieving stable, but potentially rapidly evolving phenotypic diversity as a response to environmental stimuli. This suggests that heritable epigenetic signals can play an important role in evolutionary processes, but so far this hypothesis has not been rigorously tested. A promising new area of research focuses on the interaction between the different molecular levels that produce phenotypic variation in wild, closely-related taxa that lack genome-wide genetic differentiation. By pinpointing specific adaptive traits and investigating the mechanisms responsible for phenotypic differentiation, such study systems could allow profound insights into the role of epigenetics in the evolution and stabilization of phenotypic discontinuities, and could add to our understanding of adaptive strategies to diverse environmental conditions and their dynamics.
Isolated Cardiac Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer in a 35-Year-Old Man
Authors: Pizzicannella Jacopo , Ricci Vincenzo , Gorla Riccardo , Spinapolice Elena , Esposito Antonio
Published: March 2012

We present the case of a 35-year-old patient who was found to be affected by an isolated clinically silent cardiac metastasis despite a negative CT follow-up at one year from abdominal surgery for colorectal cancer. CT/PET and tumor marker GICA were fundamental in suggesting the diagnosis, which was then confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance and surgical biopsy. This is a very rare modality of presentation of cardiac metastasis because of the young age of our patient and the absence of disease in other sites.
Effects of Low-Intensity Laser Irradiation on Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Ma Hui , Li Ying-xin , Chen Hong-li , Kang Mei-ling , Liu Timon Cheng-Yi
Published: March 2012

Objective.The effects of low-intensity 630 nm semiconductor laser irradiation at 3.6 J/cm2(LISL) on wound healing in diabetic rats were studied in this paper.Methods.36 diabetic rats with dorsal cutaneous excisional wounds were divided into three LISL groups and a control group randomly. The three LISL groups were irradiated with LISL at 5, 10, and 20 mW/cm2five times a week for two weeks, respectively. The process of wound healing was assessed by assessing blood glucose, calculating percentage of wound closure, histopathological evaluation, and immunohistochemical quantification.Results.Blood glucose of all groups remained at similar levels throughout the experiment. LISL could obviously promote wound contraction, fibroblasts proliferation, and collagen synthesis, alter bFGF and TGF-β1 expression, and reduce inflammatory reaction in the early and middle phases of chronic wound-healing process. However, LISL could not shorten cicatrization time, and the treatment effects were not sensitive to illuminate parameters in the later phase of the experiment.Conclusions.LISL might have auxiliary effects in the early and middle phases of wound healing in STZ-induced diabetic rats, but the reciprocity rule might not hold. The wound-healing process of early-phase diabetes rats shows typical characteristics of self-limited disease.
Sino-European Transcontinental Basic and Clinical High-Tech Acupuncture Studies—Part 2: Acute Stimulation Effects on Heart Rate and Its Variability in Patients with Insomnia
Authors: Litscher Gerhard , Cheng Guangyu , Cheng Weiping , Wang Lu , Niu Qianqian , Feng Xiao , Gaischek Ingrid , Kuang Haixue
Published: March 2012

This second part of a series of Sino-European high-tech acupuncture studies describes the first clinical transcontinental teleacupuncture measurements in patients with insomnia. Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements in 28 patients (mean age ± SD: 41.9 ± 14.6 years) were performed under standardized conditions in Harbin, China, and the data analysis was performed in Graz, Austria. Similar to the first part of the series, the electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded by an HRV Medilog AR12 system during acupuncture of the Shenmen point (HT7) on the left hand. HR decreased significantly (P<0.001) during and after acupuncture stimulation of the HT7 acupuncture point. Total HRV increased significantly (P<0.05) immediately after acupuncture stimulation, but there was no long-lasting effect. The values of the low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) band increased significantly after the stimulation compared to baseline values; however, the LF/HF ratio showed no significant changes. Together with the results of previous studies, the present results can serve as a solid basis for further development of acupressure or acupuncture stimulation equipment for complementary use in treating insomnia.
Characterization, Tissue Expression, and Imprinting Analysis of the Porcine CDKN1C and NAP1L4 Genes
Authors: Li Shun , Li Juan , Tian Jiawei , Dong Ranran , Wei Jin , Qiu Xiaoyan , Jiang Caode
Published: March 2012

CDKN1C and NAP1L4 in human CDKN1C/KCNQ1OT1 imprinted domain are two key candidate genes responsible for BWS (Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome) and cancer. In order to increase understanding of these genes in pigs, their cDNAs are characterized in this paper. By the IMpRH panel, porcine CDKN1C and NAP1L4 genes were assigned to porcine chromosome 2, closely linked with IMpRH06175 and with LOD of 15.78 and 17.94, respectively. By real-time quantitative RT-PCR and polymorphism-based method, tissue and allelic expression of both genes were determined using F1 pigs of Rongchang and Landrace reciprocal crosses. The transcription levels of porcine CDKN1C and NAP1L4 were significantly higher in placenta than in other neonatal tissues (P<0.01) although both genes showed the highest expression levels in the lung and kidney of one-month pigs (P<0.01). Imprinting analysis demonstrated that in pigs, CDKN1C was maternally expressed in neonatal heart, tongue, bladder, ovary, spleen, liver, skeletal muscle, stomach, small intestine, and placenta and biallelically expressed in lung and kidney, while NAP1L4 was biallelically expressed in the 12 neonatal tissues examined. It is concluded that imprinting of CDKN1C is conservative in mammals but has tissue specificity in pigs, and imprinting of NAP1L4 is controversial in mammalian species.
Adaptivity Support for MPSoCs Based on Process Migration in Polyhedral Process Networks
Authors: Cannella Emanuele , Derin Onur , Meloni Paolo , Tuveri Giuseppe , Stefanov Todor
Published: March 2012

System adaptivity is becoming an important feature
of modern embedded multiprocessor systems. To achieve the
goal of system adaptivity when executing Polyhedral Process
Networks (PPNs) on a generic tiled Network‐on‐Chip (NoC)
MPSoC platform, we propose an approach to enable the run‐time
migration of processes among the available platform resources. In
our approach, process migration is allowed by a middleware layer
which comprises two main components. The first component
concerns the inter‐tile data communication between processes.
We develop and evaluate a number of different communication
approaches which implement the semantics of the PPN model
of computation on a generic NoC platform. The presented
communication approaches do not depend on the mapping
of processes and have been implemented on a Network‐on‐Chip multiprocessor platform prototyped on an FPGA. Their
comparison in terms of the introduced overhead is presented in
two case studies with different communication characteristics.
The second middleware component allows the actual run‐time
migration of PPN processes. To this end, we propose and evaluate
a process migration mechanism which leverages the PPN model
of computation to guarantee a predictable and efficient migration
procedure. The efficiency and applicability of the proposed
migration mechanism is shown in a real‐life case study.
A Galectin-3–Dependent Pathway Upregulates Interleukin-6 in the Microenvironment of Human Neuroblastoma
Authors: Silverman Ayaka M. , Nakata Rie , Shimada Hiroyuki , Sposto Richard , DeClerck Yves A.
Published: March 2012

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine with a broad range of physiologic and pathologic functions. Because in cancer, IL-6 contributes to a microenvironment that promotes tumor cell survival, angiogenesis, and inflammation, understanding the mechanism responsible for its production is important. In neuroblastoma, the second most common solid tumor in children, IL-6 is produced not by tumor cells but by stromal cells such as monocytes and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC). Here we show that the production of IL-6 in BMMSCs is in part stimulated by galectin-3 binding protein (Gal-3BP) secreted by neuroblastoma cells. We identified a distal region of the IL-6 promoter that contains 3 CCATT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) binding domains involved in the transcriptional upregulation of IL-6 by Gal-3BP. Gal-3BP interacted with Galectin-3 (Gal-3) present in BMMSCs, and a Gal-3BP/Gal-3/Ras/MEK/ERK signaling pathway was responsible for the transcriptional upregulation of IL-6 in BMMSCs in which Gal-3 has a necessary function. In support of the role of this pathway in human neuroblastoma tumors, Gal-3BP was found to be present in tumor cells and in the adjacent extracellular matrix of 96% of 78 primary neuroblastoma tumor samples examined by immunohistochemistry. Considering the protumorigenic function of IL-6 in cancer, this tumor cell–stromal cell interactive pathway could be a target for anticancer therapy. Cancer Res; 72(9); 2228–38. ©2012 AACR.
A RASSF1A Polymorphism Restricts p53/p73 Activation and Associates with Poor Survival and Accelerated Age of Onset of Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Yee Karen S. , Grochola Lukasz , Hamilton Garth , Grawenda Anna , Bond Elisabeth E. , Taubert Helge , Wurl Peter , Bond Gareth L. , O'Neill Eric
Published: March 2012

RASSF1A (Ras association domain containing family 1A), a tumor suppressor gene that is frequently inactivated in human cancers, is phosphorylated by ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) on Ser131 upon DNA damage, leading to activation of a p73-dependent apoptotic response. A single-nucleotide polymorphism located in the region of the key ATM activation site of RASSF1A predicts the conversion of alanine (encoded by the major G allele) to serine (encoded by the minor T allele) at residue 133 of RASSF1A (p.Ala133Ser). Secondary protein structure prediction studies suggest that an alpha helix containing the ATM recognition site is disrupted in the serine isoform of RASSF1A (RASSF1A-p.133Ser). In this study, we observed a reduced ability of ATM to recruit and phosphorylate RASSF1A-p.133Ser upon DNA damage. RASSF1A-p.133Ser failed to activate the MST2/LATS pathway, which is required for YAP/p73-mediated apoptosis, and negatively affected the activation of p53, culminating in a defective cellular response to DNA damage. Consistent with a defective p53 response, we found that male soft tissue sarcoma patients carrying the minor T allele encoding RASSF1A-p.133Ser exhibited poorer tumor-specific survival and earlier age of onset compared with patients homozygous for the major G allele. Our findings propose a model that suggests a certain subset of the population have inherently weaker p73/p53 activation due to inefficient signaling through RASSF1A, which affects both cancer incidence and survival. Cancer Res; 72(9); 2206–17. ©2012 AACR.
Molecular Pathways: Fibroblast Growth Factor Signaling: A New Therapeutic Opportunity in Cancer
Authors: Brooks A. Nigel , Kilgour Elaine , Smith Paul D.
Published: March 2012

The fibroblast growth factor/fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGF/FGFR) signaling axis plays an important role in normal organ, vascular, and skeletal development. Deregulation of FGFR signaling through genetic modification or overexpression of the receptors (or their ligands) has been observed in numerous tumor settings, whereas the FGF/FGFR axis also plays a key role in driving tumor angiogenesis. A growing body of preclinical data shows that inhibition of FGFR signaling can result in antiproliferative and/or proapoptotic effects, both in vitro and in vivo, thus confirming the validity of the FGF/FGFR axis as a potential therapeutic target. In the past, development of therapeutic approaches to target this axis has been hampered by our inability to develop FGFR-selective agents. With the advent of a number of new modalities for selectively inhibiting FGF/FGFR signaling, we are now in a unique position to test and validate clinically the many hypotheses that have been generated preclinically. Clin Cancer Res; 18(7); 1855–62. ©2012 AACR.
Developmental Endothelial Locus-1 (Del-1) Mediates Clearance of Platelet Microparticles by the Endothelium
Authors: Dasgupta Swapan Kumar , Le Anhquyen , Chavakis Triantafyllos , Rumbaut Rolando E. , Thiagarajan Perumal
Published: March 2012

Background—

Phosphatidylserine-expressing microparticles circulate in blood with a short half-life of <10 minutes. We tested the role of an endothelium-derived phosphatidylserine-binding opsonin, developmental endothelial locus-1 (Del-1), in the uptake of platelet microparticles.

Methods and Results—

Cultured human umbilical vein and microvascular endothelial cells avidly engulf BODIPY (4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-
s
-indacene)-maleimide–labeled platelet microparticles. Microparticle uptake was inhibited by a monoclonal antibody to Del-1 (
P
=0.027) and by annexin A5 (
P
=0.027), abciximab (
P
=0.027), a monoclonal antibody to integrin αVβ3 (
P
=0.027), and chlorpromazine (
P
=0.027). These results suggest that Del-1 mediates phosphatidylserine- and integrin-dependent endothelial uptake of microparticles by endocytosis. To assess the in vivo significance, we infused fluorescent platelet microparticles into the inferior vena cava of mice and harvested endothelial cells from the pulmonary and systemic circulation. Compared with their wild-type littermates, Del-1–deficient mice had decreased uptake in endothelial cells in lung (3.07±1.9 versus 1.09±1.3,
P
=0.02) and liver (2.85±1.1 versus 1.35±0.92,
P
=0.01). Furthermore, after endotoxin administration, Del-1–deficient mice displayed an increase in the level of microparticles compared with wild-type mice (
P
=0.02).

Conclusions—

These studies show a physiological role for Del-1 in the clearance of phosphatidylserine-expressing microparticles by endothelium.
On Local Search for Bi-objective Knapsack Problems
Authors: Liefooghe Arnaud , Paquete Luís , Figueira José Rui
Published: March 2012

In this article, a local search approach is proposed for three variants of the bi-objective binary knapsack problem, with the aim of maximizing the total profit and minimizing the total weight. First, an experimental study on a given structural property of connectedness of the efficient set is conducted. Based on this property, a local search algorithm is proposed and its performance is compared to exact algorithms in terms of runtime and quality metrics. The experimental results indicate that this simple local search algorithm is able to find a representative set of optimal solutions in most of the cases, and in much less time than exact algorithms.
William Holman Hunt: Layered Belief in the Art of a Pre-Raphaelite Realist
Authors: Davenport Nancy
Published: March 2012

Abstract

The essay is concerned with the evolving religious beliefs of the British Pre-Raphaelite painter, William Holman Hunt (1827–1910). Hunt’s faith was forged by his early connection and friendships with members and patrons of the High Anglican Oxford Movement and transformed by his repeated trips to the fraught religious environment of nineteenth-century Syria, the name generally used at the time to denote modern Israel. His contacts with urban and agrarian Jews, Christians, and Muslims, with officials in the Anglican, Byzantine, and Lutheran Churches, and with British colonial officials turned both him and his art in more universalistic directions from his former parochial British colonial/elitist global understanding.
Multidecadal Covariability of North Atlantic Sea Surface Temperature, African Dust, Sahel Rainfall, and Atlantic Hurricanes
Authors: Wang Chunzai , Dong Shenfu , Evan Amato T. , Foltz Gregory R. , Lee Sang-Ki
Published: March 2012

Most studies of African dust and North Atlantic climate have been limited to the short time period since the satellite era (1980 onward), precluding the examination of their relationship on longer time scales. Here a new dust dataset with the record extending back to the 1950s is used to show a multidecadal covariability of North Atlantic SST and aerosol, Sahel rainfall, and Atlantic hurricanes. When the North Atlantic Ocean was cold from the late 1960s to the early 1990s, the Sahel received less rainfall and the tropical North Atlantic experienced a high concentration of dust. The opposite was true when the North Atlantic Ocean was warm before the late 1960s and after the early 1990s. This suggests a novel mechanism for North Atlantic SST variability—a positive feedback between North Atlantic SST, African dust, and Sahel rainfall on multidecadal time scales. That is, a warm (cold) North Atlantic Ocean produces a wet (dry) condition in the Sahel and thus leads to low (high) concentration of dust in the tropical North Atlantic, which in turn warms (cools) the North Atlantic Ocean. An implication of this study is that coupled climate models need to be able to simulate this aerosol-related feedback in order to correctly simulate climate variability in the North Atlantic. Additionally, it is found that dust in the tropical North Atlantic varies inversely with the number of Atlantic hurricanes on multidecadal time scales because of the multidecadal variability of both direct and indirect influences of dust on vertical wind shear in the hurricane main development region.
Selective Exposure in Decided and Undecided Individuals
Authors: Galdi Silvia , Gawronski Bertram , Arcuri Luciano , Friese Malte
Published: March 2012

People often show a preference for information that confirms their attitudes and beliefs, and this tendency is reduced for opinions that are not held with conviction. The present study shows that both decided and undecided individuals show a tendency to selectively expose themselves to confirmatory information, albeit with different antecedents and consequences. Whereas selective exposure in decided participants was predicted by conscious beliefs and not by automatic associations, selective exposure in undecided participants was predicted by automatic associations and not by conscious beliefs. Moreover, selective exposure led undecided participants to adopt conscious beliefs that were in line with their preexisting automatic associations. Conversely, for decided participants, selective exposure shifted automatic associations in a direction that was in line with their preexisting conscious beliefs. Implications for decision making and mutual influences of automatic associations and conscious beliefs in attitude change are discussed.
The Relationship Between Neighborhood Characteristics and Effective Parenting Behaviors
Authors: Byrnes Hilary F. , Miller Brenda A.
Published: March 2012

Neighborhood characteristics have been linked to healthy behavior, including effective parenting behaviors. This may be partially explained through the neighborhood’s relation to parents’ access to social support from friends and family. The current study examined associations of neighborhood characteristics with parenting behaviors indirectly through social support. The sample included 614 mothers of 11- to 12-year-old youths enrolled in a health care system in the San Francisco area. Structural equations modeling shows that neighborhood perceptions were related to parenting behaviors, indirectly through social support, whereas archival census neighborhood indicators were unrelated to social support and parenting. Perceived neighborhood social cohesion and control were related to greater social support, which was related to more effective parenting style, parent–child communication, and monitoring. Perceived neighborhood disorganization was unrelated to social support. Prevention strategies should focus on helping parents build a social support network that can act as a resource in times of need.
Undermining Stereotypes of Linguistic Groups Through Mediated Intergroup Contact
Authors: Harwood Jake , Vincze László
Published: March 2012

The article investigates majority group viewing of minority language media, with a particular focus on examining (a) motivations for viewing, (b) associations between viewing and stereotypes, and (c) the moderating effects of local minority language vitality and direct interpersonal contact. Among Finnish-speaking Finns (the majority group), traditional motivations (e.g., diversion) as well as intergroup motivations (e.g., seeking contact with the outgroup culture) were found to statistically predict Swedish language television viewing, and Swedish language television viewing predicted more positive stereotypes of Swedish-speaking Finns (the minority group). This latter effect was moderated by vitality, such that it was stronger in areas of higher Swedish (outgroup) vitality: The authors had predicted that the effect would be stronger in areas of lower vitality. The results are discussed in terms of intergroup contact theory and the effects of local variation in group vitality on the potential for media to influence intergroup attitudes, including the role of perceived threat from a large local minority population.
Performance on a probabilistic inference task in healthy subjects receiving ketamine compared with patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Evans Simon , Almahdi Basil , Sultan Pervez , Sohanpal Imrat , Brandner Brigitta , Collier Tracey , Shergill Sukhi S , Cregg Roman , Averbeck Bruno B
Published: March 2012

Evidence suggests that some aspects of schizophrenia can be induced in healthy volunteers through acute administration of the non-competitive NMDA-receptor antagonist, ketamine. In probabilistic inference tasks, patients with schizophrenia have been shown to ‘jump to conclusions’ (JTC) when asked to make a decision. We aimed to test whether healthy participants receiving ketamine would adopt a JTC response pattern resembling that of patients. The paradigmatic task used to investigate JTC has been the ‘urn’ task, where participants are shown a sequence of beads drawn from one of two ‘urns’, each containing coloured beads in different proportions. Participants make a decision when they think they know the urn from which beads are being drawn. We compared performance on the urn task between controls receiving acute ketamine or placebo with that of patients with schizophrenia and another group of controls matched to the patient group. Patients were shown to exhibit a JTC response pattern relative to their matched controls, whereas JTC was not evident in controls receiving ketamine relative to placebo. Ketamine does not appear to promote JTC in healthy controls, suggesting that ketamine does not affect probabilistic inferences.
Adolescents’ Emotion Regulation Strategies, Self-Concept, and Internalizing Problems
Authors: Hsieh Manying , Stright Anne Dopkins
Published: March 2012

This study examined the relationships among adolescents’ emotion regulation strategies (suppression and cognitive reappraisal), self-concept, and internalizing problems using structural equation modeling. The sample consisted of 438 early adolescents (13 to 15 years old) in Taiwan, including 215 boys and 223 girls. For both boys and girls, suppression was negatively associated, and cognitive reappraisal was positively associated with self-concept. Self-concept negatively predicted adolescents’ internalizing problems. The findings support the hypothesis that self-concept mediates the relationship between emotion regulation and internalizing problems. These findings support generalization of one part of Cicchetti’s and Toth’s model of the development of internalizing problems to an Asian culture.
Mathematical modeling of the interference of seal pair in triple-offset butterfly valve
Authors: Kan Biao , Jin Mingwei , Ding Jianning , Hua Tongshu , Yang Guangxian
Published: March 2012

Avoiding interference of seal pair in triple-offset butterfly valve is critical to its performance and service time. In this article, a mathematical model is proposed for the seal interface. A formula is derived to evaluate the interference of seal pair in triple-offset butterfly valve. Five parameters are considered, including the diameter of valve disc, the effective sealing thickness, axial offset, radial offset, and eccentric angle. The influences of axial offset, radial offset, and eccentric angle on the interference area and position are investigated. The results show that the interference area decreases initially and increases finally when either the axial offset or the eccentric angle increases, whereas it decreases monotonously as the radial offset increases.
Evaluation of the Prothrombin Time for Measuring Rivaroxaban Plasma Concentrations Using Calibrators and Controls
Authors: Samama Meyer Michel , Contant Genevieve , Spiro Theodore E. , Perzborn Elisabeth , Flem Lena Le , Guinet Céline , Gourmelin Yves , Martinoli Jean Luc
Published: March 2012

This study evaluated the prothrombin time (PT) assay for the measurement of plasma concentrations of rivaroxaban using calibrators and controls. The intra- and interlaboratory precision of the measurement was investigated in a field trial involving 21 laboratories. Each laboratory was provided with rivaroxaban calibrators and control plasma samples containing different concentrations of rivaroxaban, and PT reagents. The evaluation was carried out over 2 consecutive weeks using centrally provided and local PT reagents. A calibration curve was produced each day (for inter-run precision), and day-to-day precision was evaluated by testing 3 control plasma samples. A large interlaboratory variation (in seconds) was observed with local PT reagents. The results were less variable when expressed as rivaroxaban concentrations (ng/mL) or when central PT reagent was used (STA Neoplastine CI Plus). The widely available PT assay, in conjunction with rivaroxaban calibrators, may be useful for the measurement of peak plasma levels of rivaroxaban.
Effect of Uremia and Hemodialysis on Platelet Apoptosis
Authors: Sobol Anna B. , Kaminska Marta , Walczynska Marta , Walkowiak Bogdan
Published: March 2012

The blood platelet proteome of hemodialyzed patients with uremia exhibits significant difference in comparison with the blood platelet proteome of healthy individuals. This alteration is manifested by the presence of high concentrations of low-molecular peptides within the whole range of isoelectric points. Increased platelet apoptosis has been put forward as a possible cause of this phenomenon. The aim of the present research was to assess whether blood platelet populations from hemodialyzed patients with uremia exhibit higher binding capacity of Annexin V than control samples from healthy donors. It was found that blood platelets of hemodialyzed patients, in the period between dialyses, bound significantly more Annexin V with no different incorporation of propidium iodide in comparison with platelets of control donors and conservatively treated patients with uremia. The results support the hypothesis that the process of hemodialysis may be at least partially responsible for triggering blood platelet apoptosis and result in increased risk of thrombosis.
Antiphosphatidylserine/Prothrombin Antibodies (aPS/PT) as Potential Markers of Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Vlagea Alexandru , Gil Antonio , Cuesta Maria V. , Arribas Florencia , Diez Jesús , Lavilla Paz , Pascual-Salcedo Dora
Published: March 2012

The antiphospholipid antibodies present in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are directed at a number of phospholipid-binding proteins: β2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI), prothrombin, and so on. Antibodies directed at β2GPI are accepted as a classification criterion for APS, while the presence of antiprothrombin antibodies is not. In the present article, we investigated the possible role of antiphosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies (aPS/PT) as marker of APS on a cohort of 295 individuals with APS (95 primary APS and 45 secondary APS) and APS-related diseases. We found aPS/PT to be highly associated with venous thrombosis (immunoglobulin G [IgG] aPS/PT odds ratio [OR], 7.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.97-13.92 and IgM aPS/PT OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.35-4.77) and obstetric abnormalities (IgG aPS/PT OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.04-5.43), but not with arterial thrombosis. A very high degree of concordance between the concentration of aPS/PT and lupus anticoagulant activity was demonstrated. Therefore, we support the inclusion of aPS/PT determination as second-level assay to confirm APS classification.
Novel Oral Anticoagulation in Management of Venous Thromboembolism, Atrial Fibrillation, and Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Khemasuwan Danai , Suramaethakul Nuttanun
Published: March 2012

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major public health concern since the incidence of VTE rises substantially with age. Furthermore, the diagnosis can be elusive since patients can present differently, causing delay in diagnosis and initiation of treatment and resulting in major morbidity and mortality. In addition to accuracy and precision in diagnosis, antithrombotic therapies are the cornerstones of VTE management. In traditional paradigm, vitamin K antagonists (warfarin), indirect factor Xa inhibitors, and heparin are the foundation in management of VTE. Warfarin has been the only available oral anticoagulant therapy for several decades. Although warfarin is effective in both treatment and prophylaxis against VTE, there are several limitations. Therefore, the novel anticoagulation therapies, including rivaroxaban, apixaban, and dabigatran etexilate, have apparent advantages over warfarin in terms of clinical efficacy and adverse effects. The objective of this review is to describe the background and clinical implications of these novel anticoagulants.
Increase in Mean Platelet Volume in Patients With Myocardial Bridge
Authors: Bilen Emine , Tanboga Ibrahim Halil , Kurt Mustafa , Kocak Umran , Ayhan Huseyin , Keleş Telat , Bozkurt Engin
Published: March 2012

Aim:

Myocardial bridge is associated with atherosclerosis altered in shear stress and endothelial dysfunction. Mean platelet volume (MPV), a determinant of platelet activation, is shown to be related with atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to evaluate platelet function assessed by MPV in patients with myocardial bridge.

Methods:

Forty-two patients with myocardial bridge in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and 43 age- and gender-matched healthy participants were included in the study. Myocardial bridging was defined as an intramyocardial systolic compression or milking of a segment of an epicardial coronary artery on angiography. For the entire study population, MPV was measured using an automatic blood counter.

Results:

The study population consisted of 42 patients with myocardial bridge (52.7 ± 10.2, 76.2% male) and 43 age- and sex-matched healthy control participants (52.1 ± 10.4, 74.4% male). Compared to the control group, MPV value was significantly higher in patients with myocardial bridge (8.9 ± 1.24 vs 8.3 ± 0.78; P = .01). Further, there were no significant differences between groups regarding hemoglobin level, platelet count, fasting blood glucose, and creatinine levels.

Conclusions:

Our study findings indicated that myocardial bridge is associated with elevated MPV values. Our results might partly explain the increased cardiovascular events in patients with myocardial bridge.
A retrospective observational study on the use of capecitabine in patients with severe renal impairment (GFR <30 mL/min) and end stage renal disease on hemodialysis
Authors: Jhaveri Kenar D , Flombaum Carlos , Shah Manish , Latcha Sheron
Published: March 2012

Capecitabine (Xeloda) is an orally administered precursor of 5′deoxy-5-fluorouridine, which is a preferentially activated to 5-fluorouracil in tumors. It is used in the treatment of colorectal, gastric, and breast cancers. Based on a single Phase II trial, which included a total of 4 patients with severe renal impairment (GFR <30 mL/min), the manufacturer issued a ‘Dear Doctor’ letter contraindicating the use of capecitabine in these patients since a high rate of grade 3 and 4 adverse events were observed and because these patients tolerated shorter treatment durations.1 We retrospectively studied 12 patients with a GFR <30 mL/min, including 2 patients with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis, who received capecitabine for mean duration of 7.1 months (1–26 months). The mean serum creatinine at the time of initiation of the drug was 2.63 mg/dL (1.8–6.4 mg/dL) and mean GFR was 20.9 mL/min (8–29 mL/min). Two patients remained on capecitabine after they progressed to end stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis (HD) for an additional 17 and 6 months, respectively. Most patients reported grade 1 and 2 adverse effects (AE), 2 patients reported grade 3 diarrhea and one patient died while on treatment with capecitabine. The starting dose ranged from 250 to 1000 mg/m2, given twice daily at variable intervals. Dose modifications, with reductions of up to 50% of the starting dose, were made following reports of AEs. Serum tumor marker levels and/or follow up imaging studies were available on 9 patients. Response to capecitabine was documented in 4 patients, stable disease in 2, and disease progression in 3. We conclude that, with close monitoring of their clinical and chemical data, and with dose modification based on reported AEs, capecitabine can be safely administered to patients with severe renal impairment, including patients on hemodialysis.
Using Intervention Mapping as a Participatory Strategy
Authors: Byrd Theresa L. , Wilson Katherine M. , Smith Judith Lee , Heckert Andrea , Orians Carlyn E. , Vernon Sally W. , Fernandez-Esquer Maria E. , Fernandez Maria E.
Published: March 2012

Cervical cancer is preventable with treatment of precancerous lesions and treatable at early stages. Hispanics have higher rates of cervical cancer and lower rates of screening. Ayndando a las Mujeres con Informaccion, Guia, y Amor para su Salud (AMIGAS) is an intervention to increase cervical cancer screening in U.S. women of Mexican origin. AMIGAS was developed with the participation of the community using intervention mapping (IM). Following the IM process, the authors completed a needs assessment, development of program objectives, selection of intervention methods and strategies, and program design. A benefit of IM is its linkage with community-based participatory research as it includes engagement of community members to identify and refine priority areas. The success of this strategy suggests it a useful tool for other populations. The resulting intervention program is currently being tested for efficacy and cost-effectiveness in three sites: El Paso, Texas; Houston, Texas; and Yakima, Washington.