bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and Crohn's Disease in One Patient: Dilemmas and Concerns
Authors: Fidalgo Catarina , Ferreira Sara , Rosa Isadora , Mão de Ferro Susana , Dias Pereira António
Published: August 2013

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Crohn's disease (CD) are two entities with no known etiologic or physiopathogenic relation. The rarity of the former makes the coincidence of both diagnoses in one patient very unlikely. Nevertheless, management in such cases can be puzzling as surgical options must be considered, and immunosuppression/immunomodulation is set in a territory of accelerated carcinogenesis. We report the case of a 29-year-old male with a diagnosis of FAP since adolescence, already submitted to prophylactic proctocolectomy, presenting with anemia and bloody diarrhea, revealing small bowel CD. This case allows for a rich discussion of the clinical dilemmas presenting when FAP and CD are diagnosed in the same patient and for a deep analysis of the concerns inherent to the available therapeutic options.
Waveform Analysis–Guided Treatment Versus a Standard Shock-First Protocol for the Treatment of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Presenting in Ventricular Fibrillation
Authors: Freese John P. , Jorgenson Dawn B. , Liu Ping-Yu , Innes Jennifer , Matallana Luis , Nammi Krishnakant , Donohoe Rachael T. , Whitbread Mark , Silverman Robert A. , Prezant David J.
Published: August 2013

Background—

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) waveform properties have been shown to predict defibrillation success and outcomes among patients treated with immediate defibrillation. We postulated that a waveform analysis algorithm could be used to identify VF unlikely to respond to immediate defibrillation, allowing selective initial treatment with cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an effort to improve overall survival.

Methods and Results—

In a multicenter, double-blind, randomized study, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in 2 urban emergency medical services systems were treated with automated external defibrillators using either a VF waveform analysis algorithm or the standard shock-first protocol. The VF waveform analysis used a predefined threshold value below which return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was unlikely with immediate defibrillation, allowing selective treatment with a 2-minute interval of cardiopulmonary resuscitation before initial defibrillation. The primary end point was survival to hospital discharge. Secondary end points included ROSC, sustained ROSC, and survival to hospital admission. Of 6738 patients enrolled, 987 patients with VF of primary cardiac origin were included in the primary analysis. No immediate or long-term survival benefit was noted for either treatment algorithm (ROSC, 42.5% versus 41.2%,
P
=0.70; sustained ROSC, 32.4% versus 33.4%,
P
=0.79; survival to admission, 34.1% versus 36.4%,
P
=0.46; survival to hospital discharge, 15.6% versus 17.2%,
P
=0.55, respectively).

Conclusions—

Use of a waveform analysis algorithm to guide the initial treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients presenting in VF did not improve overall survival compared with a standard shock-first protocol. Further study is recommended to examine the role of waveform analysis for the guided management of VF.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00535106.
Two new species of Pestalotiopsis from Southern China
Authors: SONG YU , GENG KUN , HYDE KEVIN D. , ZHAO WEN-SHENG , Wei Ji-Guang , Kang Ji-Chuan , WANG YONG
Published: August 2013

Three Pestalotiopsis isolates were obtained from leaves of Coffea arabica and Rhodomyrtus tomentosa. Among them, two isolates produced versicolorous conidia, and the other produced concolorous conidia. Phylogenetic analysis based on a combination of ITS, β-tubulin and tef1 gene sequence data clearly confirms that they belong to two species and distinguishes them from other species in this genus, with ex-type sequence data in GenBank. On the basis of evidence from morphology and molecular phylogeny they are described as new species, Pestalotiopsis coffeae-arabicae sp. nov. and P. rhodomyrtus sp. nov.
Curcuma leonidii, a new species from southern Vietnam
Authors: LEONG-ŠKORNIČKOVÁ J. , LƯU HỒNG TRƯỜNG
Published: August 2013

Curcuma leonidii, a new species of Curcuma subg. Hitcheniopsis (Zingiberaceae) from southern Vietnam is described and illustrated here. Curcuma leonidii with flowers similar to some Stahlianthus-like species but inflorescences consisting of up to 8 green bracts and their arrangements conforming to usual ‘classical’ Curcuma-like species provides the much-awaited morphological link between the two genera, of which Stahlianthus have been, based on molecular results, recently proposed to be merged with Curcuma subg. Hitcheniopsis.
A new species of Miconia from the remaining primary forest at Las Cruces Biological Station in Costa Rica
Authors: KRIEBEL RICARDO , OVIEDO-BRENES FEDERICO
Published: August 2013

A new species of Miconia, M. povedae is described from a small remnant of primary forest at Las Cruces Biological Station in San Vito, Puntarenas province, Costa Rica. The new species is distinguished by its orangish indument of dendritic and stellate trichomes on most parts of the plant, sessile leaves with a tapering leaf base and strongly plinerved and asymmetric leaf venation, deflexed inflorescences, sessile herkogamous flowers with fused calyces that rupture at anthesis and geniculate staminal filaments. M. povedae is related to a group of for the most part Costa Rican and Panamanian endemics and the distinctive features of M. povedae and these species are discussed. Photographs of live plants, dissections of flowers preserved in ethanol, Scanning Electron Micrographs of leaf trichomes and a distribution map are provided.
Influences of the Pacific–Japan Teleconnection Pattern on Synoptic-Scale Variability in the Western North Pacific
Authors: Li Richard C. Y. , Zhou Wen , Li Tim
Published: August 2013

This study investigates the influences of the Pacific–Japan (PJ) teleconnection pattern on synoptic-scale variability (SSV) in the western North Pacific (WNP). The PJ pattern exhibits salient intraseasonal variations, with a dominant peak at 10–50 days. During positive PJ phases, strengthened SSV is found in the WNP, with a much stronger and better organized synoptic wave train structure. Such a synoptic-scale wave train, however, is greatly weakened during negative PJ phases. Examination of the vertical profiles of the observational data suggests that environmental parameters are generally more (less) favorable for the growth of synoptic disturbances under positive (negative) PJ conditions.

Observational results are further verified with an anomaly atmospheric general circulation model, which reveals faster (slower) growth of the synoptic-scale wave train when the environmental anomalies associated with positive (negative) PJ phases are incorporated into the summer mean state of the model. In addition, sensitivity experiments indicate that thermodynamic parameters of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) play a determining role in controlling the development of synoptic disturbances in the WNP. The increase (decrease) in background PBL moisture during positive (negative) PJ phases enhances (suppresses) perturbation moisture convergence and thus the convective heating associated with SSV, leading to strengthened (weakened) synoptic-scale activity in the WNP. Serving as potential seed disturbances for cyclogenesis, the strengthened (weakened) synoptic-scale activity may also contribute to the enhancement (suppression) in intraseasonal TC frequency during positive (negative) PJ phases.
Small-Scale Variability in Sea Surface Salinity and Implications for Satellite-Derived Measurements
Authors: Vinogradova Nadya T. , Ponte Rui M.
Published: August 2013

Calibration and validation efforts of the Aquarius and Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite missions involve comparisons of satellite and in situ measurements of sea surface salinity (SSS). Such estimates of SSS can differ by the presence of small-scale variability, which can affect the in situ point measurement, but be averaged out in the satellite retrievals because of their large footprint. This study quantifies how much of a difference is expected between in situ and satellite SSS measurements on the basis of their different sampling of spatial variability. Maps of sampling error resulting from small-scale noise, defined here as the root-mean-square difference between “local” and footprint-averaged SSS estimates, are derived using a solution from a global high-resolution ocean data assimilation system. The errors are mostly <0.1 psu (global median is 0.05 psu), but they can be >0.2 psu in several regions, particularly near strong currents and outflows of major rivers. To examine small-scale noise in the context of other errors, its values are compared with the overall expected differences between monthly Aquarius SSS and Argo-based estimates. Results indicate that in several ocean regions, small-scale variability can be an important source of sampling error for the in situ measurements.
Genetic variants in SLC7A7 are associated with risk of glioma in a Chinese population
Authors: Fan Songhua , Zhao Yingjie , Li Xiaoying , Du Yanli , Wang Jingkun , Song Xiao , Zhou Fangfang , Chen Hongyan , Chen Gong , Zhao Yao , Mao Ying , Lan Qing
Published: August 2013

Dysregulation of the amino acid transporter SLC7A7 is involved in multiple types of cancer including gliobastoma (GBM), the most malignant form of glioma. We hypothesized that SLC7A7 genetic variants may influence glioma risk. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a case–control study in 736 incident glioma cases and 793 cancer-free controls in a Chinese population by genotyping 22 common single nucleotide polymorphisms in SLC7A7. In single-locus analysis, we found an increased risk was associated with the variant genotypes of rs12888930 (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.54, P = 0.034), rs12433985 (adjusted OR = 1.38, 95%CI = 1.13–1.70), rs2065134 (adjusted OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.05–1.95) in a dominant genetic model and rs12436190 (adjusted OR = 1.37, 95%CI 1.06–1.77) in a recessive model. Multivariate analysis confirmed that rs12433985 and rs2065134 were significant and independent risk factor for glioma as well as GBM subtype (for rs12433985, OR = 1.21, 95%CI 1.04–1.42, P = 0.016 for all types of gliomas and P = 0.013, OR = 1.30, 95%CI 1.06–1.60 for GBM. For rs2065134, OR = 1.39, 95%CI 1.02–1.89, P = 0.039 for all types of gliomas and OR = 1.66, 95%CI 1.12–2.24, P = 0.011). These results, for the first time, provide suggestive evidence of polymorphisms in SLC7A7 is involved in the aetiology of glioma.
DNA methyltransferase inhibitor-mediated apoptosis in the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway in a renal cell carcinoma cell line
Authors: Konac Ece , Varol Nuray , Yilmaz Akin , Menevse Sevda , Sozen Sinan
Published: August 2013

The Wnt signaling pathway is activated in most cancer types when Wnt antagonist genes are inactivated. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 ( GSK3β) is an important regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The mechanisms underlying GSK3β regulation of neoplastic transformation and tumor development are unclear. Studies have raised the possibility that the Wnt signaling pathway may be implicated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Therefore, in the present study, we hypothesize that the expression and methylation status of the secreted frizzled-related protein 2 ( sFRP2) gene, one of the secreted antagonists that bind Wnt protein, and re-expression of this gene with the demethylation agent (5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine; DAC) may induce apoptosis in RCC cells. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the relationship among epigenetic inactivation of sFRP2 and p-GSK3β (Ser9) and other Wnt antagonists ( sFRP1, DKK3, WIF-1) and apoptotic factors ( Bax and Caspase3) as well as the anti-apoptotic factor BCL2. Our results indicate that DAC-mediated inhibition of DNA methylation led to a re-activation of sFRP2 expression and increased expression levels of the Wnt antagonists and apoptotic factors. In contrast, the level of β-catenin (CTNNB1) expression decreased. The p-GSK3β (Ser9) protein level in Caki-2 cells was significantly down-regulated, while the DNA fragmentation rate increased after treatment with 5 μM DAC at 96 h. Our data show that sFRP2 functions as a tumor suppressor gene in RCC and that its restoration may offer a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of RCC. Moreover, our study draws attention to the regulatory features of epigenetic molecules and analyses their underlying molecular mechanisms of action and their potential use in clinical practice.
mRNA-engineered mesenchymal stem cells for targeted delivery of interleukin-10 to sites of inflammation
Authors: Levy Oren , Zhao Weian , Mortensen Luke J. , LeBlanc Sarah , Tsang Kyle , Fu Moyu , Phillips Joseph A. , Sagar Vinay , Anandakumaran Priya , Ngai Jessica , Cui Cheryl H. , Eimon Peter , Angel Matthew , Lin Charles P. , Yanik Mehmet Fatih , Karp Jeffrey M.
Published: August 2013

Key Points

mRNA transfection is an effective tool to simultaneously engineer MSCs for enhanced homing and improved secretome. MSCs can be systemically targeted to sites of inflammation to achieve therapeutically relevant concentrations of biological agents.
A novel method to assess collagen architecture in skin
Authors: Osman Osman S , Selway Joanne L , Harikumar Parvathy E , Stocker Claire J , Wargent Edward T , Cawthorne Michael A , Jassim Sabah , Langlands Kenneth
Published: August 2013

Background

Texture within biological specimens may reveal critical insights, while being very difficult to quantify. This is a particular problem in histological analysis. For example, cross-polar images of picrosirius stained skin reveal exquisite structure, allowing changes in the basketweave conformation of healthy collagen to be assessed. Existing techniques measure gross pathological changes, such as fibrosis, but are not sufficiently sensitive to detect more subtle and progressive pathological changes in the dermis, such as those seen in ageing. Moreover, screening methods for cutaneous therapeutics require accurate, unsupervised and high-throughput image analysis techniques.

Results

By analyzing spectra of images post Gabor filtering and Fast Fourier Transform, we were able to measure subtle changes in collagen fibre orientation intractable to existing techniques. We detected the progressive loss of collagen basketweave structure in a series of chronologically aged skin samples, as well as in skin derived from a model of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions

We describe a novel bioimaging approach with implications for the evaluation of pathology in a broader range of biological situations.
Genetic variation in brown trout Salmo truttaacross the Danube, Rhine, and Elbe headwaters: a failure of the phylogeographic paradigm?
Authors: Lerceteau-Köhler Estelle , Schliewen Ulrich , Kopun Theodora , Weiss Steven
Published: August 2013

Background

Brown troutSalmo truttahave been described in terms of five major mtDNA lineages, four of which correspond to major ocean basins, and one, according to some authors, to a distinct taxon, marbled troutSalmo marmoratus. The Atlantic and Danubian lineages of brown trout meet in a poorly documented contact zone in Central Europe. The natural versus human mediated origin of the Atlantic lineage in the upper Danube is a question of both theoretical and practical importance with respect to conservation management. We provide a comprehensive population genetic analysis of brown trout in the region with the aim of evaluating the geographic distribution and genetic integrity of these two lineages in and around their contact zone.

Results

Genetic screening of 114 populations of brown trout across the Danube/Rhine/Elbe catchments revealed a counter-intuitive phylogeographic structure with near fixation of the Atlantic lineage in the sampled portions of the Bavarian Danube. Along the Austrian Danube, phylogeographic informative markers revealed increasing percentages of Danube-specific alleles with downstream distance. Pure Danube lineage populations were restricted to peri-alpine isolates within previously glaciated regions. Both empirical data and simulated hybrid comparisons support that trout in non-glaciated regions north and northeast of the Alps have an admixed origin largely based on natural colonization. In contrast, the presence of Atlantic basin alleles south and southeast of the Alps stems from hatchery introductions and subsequent introgression. Despite extensive stocking of the Atlantic lineage, little evidence of first generation stocked fish or F1hybrids were found implying that admixture has been established over time.

Conclusions

A purely phylogeographic paradigm fails to describe the distribution of genetic lineages ofSalmoin Central Europe. The distribution pattern of the Atlantic and Danube lineages is extremely difficult to explain without invoking very strong biological mechanisms.

The peri-alpine distribution of relict populations of pure Danubian lineage brown trout implies that they colonized headwater river courses post-glacially ahead of the expansion of the Atlantic lineage. The recognition of natural as opposed to anthropogenic introgression of the Atlantic lineage into Danubian gene pools is of fundamental importance to management strategies.
Correlation between centromere protein-F autoantibodies and cancer analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Authors: Welner Simon , Trier Nicole Hartwig , Frisch Morten , Locht Henning , Hansen Paul Robert , Houen Gunnar
Published: August 2013

Background

Centromere protein-F (CENP-F) is a large nuclear protein of 367 kDa, which is involved in multiple mitosis-related events such as proper assembly of the kinetochores, stabilization of heterochromatin, chromosome alignment and mitotic checkpoint signaling. Several studies have shown a correlation between CENP-F and cancer, e.g. the expression of CENP-F has been described to be upregulated in cancer cells. Furthermore, several studies have described a significant correlation between the expression of autoantibodies to CENP-F and cancer.

Methods

Autoantibodies to CENP-F were detected in a small number of samples during routine indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) analysis for anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) using HEp-2 cells as substrate. Using overlapping synthetic peptides covering a predicted structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) domain, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of CENP-F antibodies.

Results

Analyzing the reactivity of the sera positive in IIF for CENP-F antibodies to overlapping CENP-F peptides, we showed that autoantibodies to several peptides correlate with the presence of antibodies to CENP-F and a diagnosis of cancer, as increased CENP-F antibody expression specific for malignant cancer patients to five peptides was found (A9, A12, A14, A16, A27). These antibodies to CENP-F in clinical samples submitted for ANA analysis were found to have a positive predictive value for cancer of 50%. Furthermore, the expression of cancer-correlated CENP-F antibodies seemed to increase as a function of time from diagnosis.

Conclusion

These results conform to previous findings that approximately 50% of those patients clinically tested for ANA analyses who express CENP-F antibodies are diagnosed with cancer, confirming that these antibodies may function as circulating tumor markers. Thus, a peptide-based CENP-F ELISA focused on the SMC domain may aid in identifying individuals with a potential cancer.
In an in vitro model of human tuberculosis, monocyte-microglial networks regulate matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -3 gene expression and secretion via a p38 mitogen activated protein kinase-dependent pathway
Authors: Green Justin A , Rand Lucinda , Moores Rachel , Dholakia Shruti , Pezas Theodore , Elkington Paul T , Friedland Jon S
Published: August 2013

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) of the central nervous system (CNS) is characterized by extensive tissue inflammation, driven by molecules that cleave extracellular matrix such as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-3. However, relatively little is known about the regulation of these MMPs in the CNS.

Methods

Using a cellular model of CNS TB, we stimulated a human microglial cell line (CHME3) with conditioned medium from Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected primary human monocytes (CoMTb). MMP-1 and MMP-3 secretion was detected using ELISAs confirmed with casein zymography or western blotting. Key results of a phospho-array profile that detects a wide range of kinase activity were confirmed with phospho-Western blotting. Chemical inhibition (SB203580) of microglial cells allowed investigation of expression and secretion of MMP-1 and MMP-3. Finally we used promoter reporter assays employing full length and MMP-3 promoter deletion constructs. Student’s t-test was used for comparison of continuous variables and multiple intervention experiments were compared by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s correction for multiple pairwise comparisons.

Results

CoMTb up-regulated microglial MMP-1 and MMP-3 secretion in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The phospho-array profiling showed that the major increase in kinase activity due to CoMTb stimulation was in p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), principally the α and γ subunits. p38 phosphorylation was detected at 15 minutes, with a second peak of activity at 120 minutes. High basal extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity was further increased by CoMTb. Secretion and expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 were both p38 dependent. CoMTb stimulation of full length and MMP-3 promoter deletion constructs demonstrated up-regulation of activity in the wild type but a suppression site between -2183 and -1612 bp.

Conclusions

Monocyte-microglial network-dependent MMP-1 and MMP-3 gene expression and secretion are dependent upon p38 MAPK in tuberculosis. p38 is therefore a potential target for adjuvant therapy in CNS TB.
A valid strategy for precise identifications of transcription factor binding sites in combinatorial regulation using bioinformatic and experimental approaches
Authors: Wang Hailong , Guan Shan , Zhu Zhixin , Wang Yan , Lu Yingqing
Published: August 2013

Background

Transcription factor (TF) binding sites (cis element) play a central role in gene regulation, and eukaryotic organisms frequently adapt a combinatorial regulation to render sophisticated local gene expression patterns. Knowing the precise cis element on a distal promoter is a prerequisite for studying a typical transcription process; however, identifications of cis elements have lagged behind those of their associated trans acting TFs due to technical difficulties. Consequently, gene regulations via combinatorial TFs, as widely observed across biological processes, have remained vague in many cases.

Results

We present here a valid strategy for identifying cis elements in combinatorial TF regulations. It consists of bioinformatic searches of available databases to generate candidate cis elements and tests of the candidates using improved experimental assays. Taking the MYB and the bHLH that collaboratively regulate the anthocyanin pathway genes as examples, we demonstrate how candidate cis motifs for the TFs are found on multi-specific promoters of chalcone synthase (CHS) genes, and how to experimentally test the candidate sites by designing DNA fragments hosting the candidate motifs based on a known promoter (us1 allele of Ipomoea purpurea CHS-D in our case) and applying site-mutagenesis at the motifs. It was shown that TF-DNA interactions could be unambiguously analyzed by assays of electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA) and dual-luciferase transient expressions, and the resulting evidence precisely delineated a cis element. The cis element for R2R3 MYBs including Ipomoea MYB1 and Magnolia MYB1, for instance, was found to be ANCNACC, and that for bHLHs (exemplified by Ipomoea bHLH2 and petunia AN1) was CACNNG. A re-analysis was conducted on previously reported promoter segments recognized by maize C1 and apple MYB10, which indicated that cis elements similar to ANCNACC were indeed present on these segments, and tested positive for their bindings to Ipomoea MYB1.

Conclusion

Identification of cis elements in combinatorial regulation is now feasible with the strategy outlined. The working pipeline integrates the existing databases with experimental techniques, providing an open framework for precisely identifying cis elements. This strategy is widely applicable to various biological systems, and may enhance future analyses on gene regulation.
A manufacturing framework for capability-based product-service systems design
Authors: Gokula Vijaykumar Annamalai Vasantha , Komoto Hitoshi , Hussain Romana , Roy Rajkumar , Tomiyama Tetsuo , Evans Steve , Tiwari Ashutosh , Williams Stewart
Published: August 2013

Manufacturers aim to design product-service systems (PSS) which integrate services with products to attain sustained competitive advantage from a life cycle perspective. PSS design should be customised solutions which are aligned to integrated stakeholders' capabilities, a subject which the extant literature has not sufficiently addressed. This paper proposes a systematic framework for the PSS solution provider to address this aim and operationalizes this through software developed for PSS design which models stakeholders' individual activities and simulates their occurrences depending on their relations. The framework stresses that integrated stakeholders' capabilities define continuing ability to generate a desired operational outcome for the customers. The paper reports a PSS design case for a laser system manufacturer and then applies the framework to it. The industrial experts' views on this framework reveal that it helps to develop PSS design from a holistic systems approach which facilitates a change in the designer's mindset from a product-centric to a systems-centric. The level of trust and transparency required for this framework is argued to be absent in most industrial sectors, being one of the foremost limitations for implementation of PSS.
CXCL6 antibody neutralization prevents lung inflammation and fibrosis in mice in the bleomycin model
Authors: Besnard Anne-Gaëlle , Struyf Sofie , Guabiraba Rodrigo , Fauconnier Louis , Rouxel Nathalie , Proost Paul , Uyttenhove Catherine , van Snick Jacques , Couillin Isabelle , Ryffel Bernhard
Published: August 2013

IPF is a chronic, progressive pulmonary disease, leading to respiratory failure. In search of mechanisms of IPF, we used the bleomycin-induced lung-injury model in mice, which causes acute inflammation that may progress to chronic lung inflammation and fibrosis. Here, we asked whether CXCL6/GCP-2, a member of the CXC chemokine superfamily, may be involved in IPF development. First, we reported an increase of CXCL6 levels in BALF from patients with IPF, as well as in the lung of mice, 24 h after bleomycin administration. To investigate whether CXCL6 played a role in experimental bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, we treated mice with an anti-mCXCL6 mAb that has been shown to inhibit neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro. CXCL6 antibody blockade attenuated acute inflammation with a reduced pulmonary neutrophil influx, IL-1β, CXCL1, and TIMP-1 production. In the later phase (14 days after bleomycin exposure), lymphocyte recruitment and fibrosis markers, such as collagen and TIMP-1, were diminished, as well as collagen deposition and fibrotic lesion the lung. Therefore, the data suggest that CXCL6 contributes to experimental pulmonary fibrosis, and CXCL6 inhibition might be used to reduce lung toxicity associated with bleomycin treatment.
Fabrication of Photochromic Molybdenum Oxide-Based Composite Films Using Peroxoisopolymolybdic Acid
Authors: Miyazaki Hidetoshi , Ichioka Hiroaki , Suzuki Hisao , Ota Toshitaka
Published: August 2013

Molybdenum-based photochromic composite films were fabricated using peroxoisopolymolybdic acid (Mo-IPA) solution and transparent urethane resin. Colors of the prepared films using the α-, β-, or γ-Mo-IPA solution were transparent, slight blue, and azure, respectively. All the composite films turned brown when exposed to UV–vis light irradiation for ten minutes. The colored films bleached to the initial colors after 120 h.
Sharp J-Bands Observed for Xanthone Derivatives in Langmuir and Langmuir–Blodgett Films
Authors: Kobayashi Michio , Toma Hitoshi , Akutsu Tetsuo , Araki Kazuhide , Takayama Hisayuki , Hoshi Toshihiko
Published: August 2013

The first shorter-molecular-axis polarized electronic absorption band of 7-methylxanthone-2-carboxylic acid octadecyl ester shows a surface pressure dependence in Langmuir films, giving rise to a so-called J-band at higher surface pressures. In contrast, 7-methoxyxanthone-2-carboxylic acid octadecylamide in the Langmuir film exhibits the J-band even at low surface pressures. AFM images of the LB film of this amide show that the alkyl chains are regularly arranged with a spacing of 0.67 nm in accordance with the head-to-tail arrangement of the shorter molecular axes of the xanthone skeleton.
Mathematical Analysis for MHD Flow of Blood in Constricted Arteries
Authors: Sankar D. S. , Lee Usik , Md. Ismail Ahmad Izani
Published: August 2013

The unsteady oscillatory magneto-hydrodynamic flow of blood in small diameter arteries with mild constriction is analyzed, blood being modelled as a Herschel-Bulkley fluid. Finite difference method is employed for solving the associated initial boundary value problem. Explicit finite difference schemes for velocity distribution, flow rate, skin friction and longitudinal impedance to the flow are obtained. The effects of pressure gradient, yield stress, magnetic field, power law index and maximum depth of the stenosis on the aforesaid flow quantities are discussed through appropriate graphs. It is found that the velocity and flow rate decrease and the skin friction and longitudinal impedance to flow increase with the increase of the magnetic field parameter. It was recorded that the flow rate increases and the skin friction decreases with the increase of the phase angle. It was also noted the skin friction and longitudinal impedance to flow that increase almost linearly with the increase of maximum depth of the stenosis. The estimates of the increase in the longitudinal impedance to flow and skin friction are increased considerably by the presence of the magnetic field.
Bifurcation and Chaos in Periodically Forced and Nonlinearly Damped Pendulum
Authors: Sharma Anjali , Patidar Vinod , Purohit G.
Published: August 2013

In this communication, we mainly focus our attention on the global dynamical behavior of forced and nonlinearly damped pendulum. We consider the nonlinear damping term proportional to the power of velocity (v|v|
p−1). Analytically we obtain the threshold condition for the occurrence of homoclinic bifurcation using Melnikov technique. We carry out the bifurcation analysis to identify the route to chaos for various cases of damping (p = 1, 2 and 3) and analyze the topological shape and fractalness of phase space attractor by computing Kaplan-Yorke dimension and Correlation dimension. We identify the regions of 2D parameter space (consists of external forcing amplitude and damping coefficient) corresponding to various types of asymptotic dynamics through extensive Lyapunov exponent calculation and analyze the fragileness and globalness of chaos in the parameter space with the introduction of nonlinear damping. We also analyze the complexity of basin of attraction for all three cases (p = 1, 2 and 3) and compute the correlation dimension to quantify the fractalness of basin boundaries.
Fractals and Chaos Related to Ising-Onsager-Zhang Lattices vs. The Jordan-von Neumann-Wigner Procedures. Ternary Approach
Authors: Ławrynowicz Julian , Suzuki Osamu , Niemczynowicz Agnieszka
Published: August 2013

A fractal structure is introduced to Jordan-von Neumann-Wigner procedure and Jordan algebra, and some composition algebras are discussed from the point of view of a related fractal structure. Our approach aims at modifying and simplifying the Onsager-Zhang procedure of analyzing simple orthorhombic Ising lattices.
Thyroid dysfunction and tyrosine kinase inhibitors in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Bianchi Loredana , Rossi Luigi , Tomao Federica , Papa Anselmo , Zoratto Federica , Tomao Silverio
Published: August 2013

The most recent World Health Organization classification of renal neoplasms encompassed nearly 50 distinctive renal neoplasms. Different histological subtypes have different clinical outcomes and show different responses to therapy. Overall, the incidence of kidney cancer has increased worldwide in the last years. Although the most common type of kidney cancer is localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with a 5-year survival rate of 85%, about one third of patients present advanced or metastatic disease at diagnosis, with a 5-year survival rate of only 10%. Multi-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs, sunitinib and sorafenib), the anti-VEGF MAB bevacizumab in association with interferon-α, and the mTOR inhibitors are now approved for the treatment of mRCC. Recently, the novel agents pazopanib and axitinib have also demonstrated efficacy in mRCC patients. Several recent retrospective and prospective trials have suggested that some of their adverse events, such as hypertension, hypothyroidism, and hand foot syndrome (HFS) may act as potential biomarkers of response and efficacy of treatment. In this review, we analyzed the studies that have suggested a relationship between hypothyroidism onset and a better outcome of mRCC patients treated with TKIs. The biological mechanisms suggesting and explaining this correlation are not well known and different speculative theories have been considered in order to investigate the clinical link between hypothyroidism occurrence and the prolonged therapy with TKIs in solid tumors. Furthermore, the management of this unexplained side effect is very important to maximize the efficacy of therapy in mRCC patients because there is a clear and consistent relationship between drug dose and efficacy of treatment. Certainly, other studies are needed to clarify whether a better outcome is associated with hypothyroidism induced to TKIs in patients with mRCC.
The significance of early diagnosis of cancer-related hypercalcaemia
Authors: Radványi Ildikó , Csikós Ágnes , Balogh Sándor
Published: August 2013

Cancer-related hypercalcaemia is one of the most common life-threatening metabolic disorders. It occurs in 20% to 30% of patients with cancer during the course of the disease, which depends on tumour type, too. There are two types of cancer-related hypercalcemia: humoral hypercalcemia and local osteolytic hypercalcaemia. Malignant hypercalcaemia is mediated by several circulating factors secreted by malignant cells. The biological actions of these factors are primarily stimulation of osteoclasts to resorb bone and, secondly, stimulation of calcium reabsorption at the renal tubules resulting in an elevation of serum calcium level. Diagnosis of hypercalcaemia is relatively difficult due to the non-specific clinical signs as well as the underlying malignancy and the side-effects of palliative medical treatment. Consequently, cancer-related hypercalcaemia is underdiagnosed quite often. Unrecognised malignant hypercalcaemia can lead to death. Nowadays 90% of hypercalcaemia can be treated with administration of intravenous saline containing fluids and bisphosphonates. Literature data suggest that hypercalcaemia is treated in less than 40% of hospitalized patients properly due to diagnostic errors and mismanagement. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 1367–1373.
Evaluation of the impact of image guided and controlled percutaneous laser disc decompression by cross-sectional imaging and pathology ex vivo
Authors: Cselik Zsolt
Published: August 2013

Introduction: Nearly 65–70% of the population over the age of 40 years may be affected by lumbar pain. Aim: The aim of the author was to detect the impact of percutaneous laser disc decompression in intervertebral discs. Method: For the model 27 ex vivo lumbar intervertebral discs were used. Constant laser light energy to the nucleus pulposus was delivered using diode laser. Computed tomography and fluoroscopy were performed to compare the accuracy of the procedure. For the detection of the physical effect of the laser procedure, magnetic resinance imaging was performed after the laser procedure. To demonstrate morphological tissue changes, histopathological studies were conducted. Results: 2 mm accuracy was reached by cross-sectional imaging aided surgical navigation. The radiation exposure time to the staff was reduced. Measurable tissue changes were detected and different physical effects were verified in the nucleus pulposus after the laser procedure magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusions: The applied study is feasible for modeling percutaneous laser disk decompression PLDD with cross sectional imaging aided surgical navigation. The physical effect was detectable by magnetic resonance measurements which could be used to control in vivo human applications in the future. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 1389–1396.
Performance of RaCe Instrumentation System in Curved Root Canals: A Comprehensive Analysis by Three Study Methods
Authors: Leonardi Denise Piotto , Sydney Gilson Blitzkow , Tanomaru Filho Mario , Baratto-Filho Flares , Baratto Samantha Schaffer Pugsley , Cerri Paulo Sergio
Published: August 2013

In this study, curved maxillary molar root canals were instrumented with RaCe rotary system to evaluate: 1. the occurrence of canal transportation using a radiographic platform; 2. the action of the instruments on the dentin walls, centering ability and canal enlargement by analysis of digital images; and the percentage of regular dentin surfaces and debris within the canal by histological analysis. Ten mesiobuccal roots of extracted human maxillary molars were embedded in acrylic resin and sectioned at the middle and apical thirds. Root canal shaping was performed using the RaCe rotary system at 250 rpm and 1 Ncm torque. Each instrument set was used five times according to a crown-down technique in the following sequence: 40/0.10, 35/0.08, 25/0.06, 25/0.04, 25/0.02 (working length - WL), 30/0.02 (WL) and 35/0.02 (WL). Each instrument was inserted until resistance was felt and then pulled back, followed by brushing movements towards all canal walls. Each specimen was assessed by three study methods: radiographic platform, digitized image assessment and histological analysis. The radiographic platform showed lack of apical transportation. No statistically significant difference (Wilcoxon test, p>0.05) was found between the middle and apical thirds regarding instrument action on dentin walls, centering ability, area of root canal enlargement, percentage of regular dentin surfaces and debris within the root canal. It may be concluded that RaCe system is a suitable method for the preparation of curved root canals, regarding the maintenance of root canal original path, action on dentin walls, canal enlargement and removal of debris from the root canal lumen.
Influence of the Ultimate Torsion on the Geometry of Dental Implants
Authors: Teixeira Ana Beatriz V. , Beja Gabriela B. S. P. , Shimano Antonio Carlos , Macedo Ana Paula , Oliscovicz Nathalia Ferraz , Reis Andrea C. dos
Published: August 2013

This study evaluated the profile of implants subjected to torsion test. Four types of implants (Conexão®) were analyzed: Master Porous (MP - external hexagon, cylindrical, double-porous surface implants; 11.5 X 3.75 mm), Master Screw (MS - external hexagon, cylindrical, machined implants; 11.5 X 3.75 mm), Conect Conic (CC - external hexagon, cylindrical, machined implants; 11.5 X 3.5 mm) and Master Conect AR (CA - internal hexagon, cylindrical, double-porous surface implants; 11.5 X 3.75 mm). The Nikon® model C profile projector was used for the analysis before and after torsion test with a Mackena® model MK-20XX digital torque meter. The measures analyzed in the profile of implants were: diameter and height of the platform, diameter of the screw/platform connection, angle of the screw/platform connection, external diameter, internal diameter, thread pitch, height and length of the thread. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey test at 5% significance level. The torsion test caused a visible deformity on the external implant profile. There was a statistical difference among the implants before and after torsion (p<0.05) for the variables: platform diameter, platform height, diameter of the screw/platform connection and length. Changes were observed in platform height of CC and CA, fracture of CA implants, fracture of the MP and MS assembler/connectors, and internal thread stripping of CC. Thus, it was concluded that excessive or some unadvised torque by the manufacturer can lead to changes in different geometric measurements of implants.
New Bone Formation around Implants Inserted on Autologous and Xenografts Irradiated or not with IR Laser Light: A Histomorphometric Study in Rabbits
Authors: Soares Luiz Guilherme P. , Magalhaes Junior Edival Barreto de , Magalhaes Cesar Augusto B. , Ferreira Cimara Fortes , Marques Aparecida Maria C. , Pinheiro Antonio Luiz B.
Published: August 2013

Use of biomaterials and light on bone grafts has been widely reported. This work assessed the influence of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on bone volume (BV) and bone implant contact (BIC) interface around implants inserted in blocks of bovine or autologous bone grafts (autografts), irradiated or not, in rabbit femurs. Twenty-four adult rabbits were divided in 8 groups: AG: autograft; XG: xenograft; AG/L: autograft + laser; XG/L: xenograft + laser; AG/I: autograft + titanium (Ti) implant; XG/I: xenograft + Ti implant; AG/I/L: autograft + Ti implant + laser; and XG/I/L: xenograft + Ti implant + laser. The animals received the Ti implant after incorporation of the grafts. The laser parameters in the groups AG/L and XG/L were λ=780 nm, 70 mW, CW, 21.5 J/cm 2 , while in the groups AG/I/L and XG/I/L the following parameters were used: λ=780 nm, 70 mW, 0.5 cm 2 (spot), 4 J/cm 2 per point (4), 16 J/cm 2 per session, 48 h interval × 12 sessions, CW, contact mode. LLLT was repeated every other day during 2 weeks. To avoid systemic effect, only one limb of each rabbit was double grafted. All animals were sacrificed 9 weeks after implantation. Specimens were routinely stained and histomorphometry carried out. Comparison of non-irradiated and irradiated grafts (AG/L versus AG and XG/L versus XG) showed that irradiation increased significantly BV on both grafts (p=0.05, p=0.001). Comparison between irradiated and non-irradiated grafts (AG/I/L versus AG/I and XG/I/L versus XG/I) showed a significant (p=0.02) increase of the BIC in autografts. The same was seen when xenografts were used, without significant difference. The results of this investigation suggest that the use of LLLT is effective for enhancing new bone formation with consequent increase of bone-implant interface in both autologous grafts and xenografts.
Regulação central e periférica de sintomas psicossomáticos
Authors: Pires Nelson
Published: August 2013

São estudados sintomas não neurológicos cuja regulação ora é central ora periférica; falando em regulação central o autor tanto subentende a psíquica, como a estritamente neural. Um mesmo sintoma pode ser ativado e exteriorizado por fatôres diversos; assim, um acesso asmático ou uma crise convulsiva podem irromper ou ser inibidos por fatôres de todo extrínsecos à síndrome. A regulação central ativadora ou inibidora será o fator patogênico ou terapêutico até decisivo, sem que, de modo algum, se possa falar em causa do sintoma; inversamente, um sintoma que foi inicialmente desencadeado por desregulação central pode tornar-se autóctone e a desregulação não será mais central, mas periférica e autônoma, às vêzes irreversível. Também é certo que cada sintoma pode evoluir independente do outro, tanto para melhorar como para piorar. A simultaneidade e identidade patogênica não significa equivalência evolutiva. Como o sintoma pode evolver anexando sucessivos elos fisiológicos que não lhe são intrínsecos, êsses elos podem assumir papel patogênico, passando mesmo a comandar o sintoma, embora sejam estranhos à causalidade dêle: o fenômeno antes periférico ganhou regulação central que é elo adicional estranho mas decisivo. Assim o sintoma que era "específico" passa a "inespecífico". Em vez de causa, o importante é o fator. E o fator pode subir tanto de importância que decide da evolução, inclusive pela irrever-sibilidade. Na cadeia de reações que o sintoma vai organizando, qualquer elo pode tornar-se o desencadeador e o mais importante. Regulação central e periférica do sintoma psicossomático é expressão dessa possibilidade.
Globulina beta do líquido cefalorraqueano no prognóstico de processos inflamatórios do sistema nervoso central
Authors: Spina-França A.
Published: August 2013

Foi feita avaliação do comportamento da globulina beta do LCR em processos inflamatórios do SNC e/ou de seus envoltórios no sentido de verificar até que ponto podem ser úteis para o prognóstico as informações obtidas. Essa avaliação foi baseada no fato de a concentração dessa globulina no LCR estar relacionada ao metabolismo do parênquima nervoso, aumentando em condições que acarretem seu sofrimento. Os proteinogramas do LCR de 45 pacientes com processos inflamatórios do SNC e/ou de seus envoltórios, distribuídos em 6 grupos de casos, foram analisados segundo a possibilidade de o processo inflamatório estar acarretando, ou não, sofrimento do parênquima encefálico. A análise dos resultados mostrou que o estudo da concentração da globulina beta no LCR fornece elementos que permitem avaliar o comprometimento do parênquima encefálico nessas condições, aduzindo dados úteis para a avaliação prognóstica. A intensidade do aumento da concentração dessa globulina no LCR era maior do que a do aumento da concentração de albumina nos casos em que o processo inflamatório determinava comprometimento do parênquima encefálico.
Cinesioterapia nas polineuropatias periféricas em crianças
Authors: Anghinah Abrão , Carvalho Alberto Alencar
Published: August 2013

Os autores relatam os efeitos da cinesioterapia em 24 crianças portadoras de déficits motores por lesão de nervos periféricos. A avaliação do grau de fôrça muscular foi feita mediante o emprêgo de testes musculares manuais, adotados pela National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (New-York) e, de acôrdo com os déficits musculares existentes, foi seguido programa cinesioterápico com base nos exercícios de resistência progressiva de De Lorme; além disso os pacientes foram submetidos a exercícios para recuperar e desenvolver funções básicas da vida diária (preensão e marcha). Todos os pacientes foram medicados com ACTH e cortisona durante a fase aguda. Em 23 pacientes (99,8%) foi possível obter a recuperação da capacidade de preensão e da marcha; em um (0,2%) a recuperação da marcha foi parcial. O tempo médio de cinesioterapia durante a internação foi de 45 dias. Êstes resultados mostram que as polineuropatias periféricas em fase aguda são beneficiadas com a hormonioterapia e que a recuperação motora é abreviada com a utilização precoce da cinesioterapia. A cinesioterapia não só evita que se instalem seqüelas irremissíveis, como conserva o mecanismo efetor durante a regeneração nervosa, constituindo-se em valioso auxiliar da terapêutica medicamentosa.