bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Database for renal collecting duct regulatory and transporter proteins
Authors: Legato John , Knepper Mark A. , Star Robert A. , Mejia Raymond
Published: March 2015

The mammalian kidney collecting duct plays an important role in the fine regulation of Na, K, water, and acid-base balance. Functional genomic and proteomic studies of the kidney offer new opportunities in the understanding of renal physiology and pathophysiology, and the collecting duct is an appropriate target tissue because of the relative simplicity of its cells and the ease of isolating or culturing large numbers of collecting duct cells. Study of the collecting duct includes assessment of gene expression and protein regulation and abundance. For example, DNA and protein microarrays can be used to quantitate gene expression and protein regulation and abundance under varying physiological conditions. An Internet-accessible database has been devised for major collecting duct proteins involved in transport and regulation of cellular processes. The individual proteins included in this database are those culled from literature searches and from previously published studies involving cDNA arrays and serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). Design of microarray targets for the study of kidney collecting duct tissues is facilitated by the database, which includes links to curated base pair and amino acid sequence data, relevant literature, and related databases. Use of the database is illustrated by a search for water channel proteins, aquaporins, and by a subsequent search for vasopressin receptors. Links are shown to the literature and to sequence data for human, rat, and mouse, as well as to relevant web-based resources. Extension of the database is dynamic and is done through a maintenance interface. This permits creation of new categories, updating of existing entries, and addition of new ones.
Changes in human bladder epithelial cell gene expression associated with interstitial cystitis or antiproliferative factor treatment
Authors: Keay Susan , Seillier-Moiseiwitsch Francoise , Zhang Chen-Ou , Chai Toby C. , Zhang Jialu
Published: March 2015

Explanted bladder epithelial cells from patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) have been shown to differ from explanted control cells in several ways, including production of an antiproliferative factor (APF), altered production of certain epithelial growth factors, and rate of proliferation. To better understand the role of the APF in abnormal bladder epithelial cell proliferation in IC, we studied gene expression patterns in normal bladder epithelial cells treated with APF vs. mock APF and compared them to expression patterns in IC vs. normal cells using microarray analysis. Oligo-dT-primed total cellular RNA was labeled with [33P]dCTP and hybridized to GeneFilter GF211 microarray membranes (Research Genetics) containing cDNA for 3,964 human genes. Thirteen genes that function in epithelial cell proliferation or differentiation were consistently differentially expressed in both IC (compared with control) and APF-treated (compared with mock APF-treated) normal bladder epithelial cells. The general pattern of gene expression in IC and APF-treated cells suggested a less proliferative phenotype, with increased expression of E-cadherin, phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase-associated protein 39, and SWI/SNF complex 170-kDa subunit, and decreased expression of vimentin, α2-integrin, α1-catenin, cyclin D1, and jun N-terminal kinase 1; these findings were confirmed for the structural gene products (E-cadherin, vimentin, α2-integrin, and α-catenin) by immunohistochemistry. These results are compatible with the previously noted decreased proliferation rate of IC and APF-treated normal cells, and indicate that the mechanism whereby APF inhibits cell proliferation may involve both downregulation of genes that stimulate cell proliferation along with upregulation of genes that inhibit cell growth.
Genomic map of cardiovascular phenotypes of hypertension in female Dahl S rats
Authors: Moreno Carol , Dumas Pierre , Kaldunski Mary L. , Tonellato Peter J. , Greene Andrew S. , Roman Richard J. , Cheng Qunli , Wang Zhitao , Jacob Howard J. , Cowley Allen W.
Published: March 2015

Genetic linkage analyses in human populations have traditionally combined male and female progeny for determination of quantitative trait loci (QTL). In contrast, most rodent studies have focused primarily on males. This study represents an extensive female-specific linkage analysis in which 236 neuroendocrine, renal, and cardiovascular traits related to arterial pressure (BP) were determined in 99 female F2 rats derived from a cross of Dahl salt-sensitive SS/JrHsdMcwi (SS) and Brown Norway normotensive BN/SsNHsdMcwi (BN) rats. We identified 126 QTL for 96 traits on 19 of the 20 autosomal chromosomes of the female progeny. Four chromosomes (3, 6, 7, and 11) were identified as especially important in regulation of arterial pressure and renal function, since aggregates of 8–11 QTL mapped together on these chromosomes. BP QTL in this female population differed considerably from those previously found in male, other female, or mixed sex population linkage analysis studies using SS rats. Kidney weight divided by body weight was identified as an intermediate phenotype that mapped to the same region of the genome as resting diastolic blood pressure and was correlated with that same BP phenotype. Seven other phenotypes were considered as “potential intermediate phenotypes, ” which mapped to the same region of the genome as a BP QTL but were not correlated with BP. These included renal vascular responses to ANG II and ACh and indices of baroreceptor responsiveness. Secondary traits were also identified that were likely to be consequences of hypertension (correlated with BP but not mapped to a BP QTL). Seven such traits were found, notably heart rate, plasma cholesterol, and renal glomerular injury. The development of a female rat systems biology map of cardiovascular function represents the first attempt to prioritize those regions of the genome important for development of hypertension and end organ damage in female rats.
Time course of skeletal muscle repair and gene expression following acute hind limb ischemia in mice
Authors: Paoni Nicholas F. , Peale Franklin , Wang Fay , Errett-Baroncini Carol , Steinmetz Hope , Toy Karen , Bai Wei , Williams P. Mickey , Bunting Stuart , Gerritsen Mary E. , Powell-Braxton Lyn
Published: March 2015

DNA microarrays were used to measure the time course of gene expression during skeletal muscle damage and regeneration in mice following femoral artery ligation (FAL). We found 1,289 known sequences were differentially expressed between the FAL and control groups. Gene expression peaked on day 3, and the functional cluster “inflammation” contained the greatest number of genes. Muscle function was depressed for 3 days postligation, but returned to normal by day 7. Decreased muscle function was accompanied by reduced expression of genes involved in mitochondrial energy production, muscle contraction, and calcium handling. The induction of MyoD on day 1 denoted the beginning of muscle regeneration and was followed by the reemergence of the embryonic forms of muscle contractile proteins, which peaked at day 7. Transcriptional analysis indicated that the ischemic skeletal muscle may transition through a functional adaptation stage with recovery of contractile force prior to full regeneration. Several members of the insulin-like growth factor axis were coordinately induced in a time frame consistent with their playing a role in the regenerative process.
Molecular Mechanisms of Inherited Cardiomyopathies
Authors: Fatkin Diane , Graham Robert M.
Published: March 2015

Cardiomyopathies are diseases of heart muscle that may result from a diverse array of conditions that damage the heart and other organs and impair myocardial function, including infection, ischemia, and toxins. However, they may also occur as primary diseases restricted to striated muscle. Over the past decade, the importance of inherited gene defects in the pathogenesis of primary cardiomyopathies has been recognized, with mutations in some 18 genes having been identified as causing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and/or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Defining the role of these genes in cardiac function and the mechanisms by which mutations in these genes lead to hypertrophy, dilation, and contractile failure are major goals of ongoing research. Pathophysiological mechanisms that have been implicated in HCM and DCM include the following: defective force generation, due to mutations in sarcomeric protein genes; defective force transmission, due to mutations in cytoskeletal protein genes; myocardial energy deficits, due to mutations in ATP regulatory protein genes; and abnormal Ca2+homeostasis, due to altered availability of Ca2+and altered myofibrillar Ca2+sensitivity. Improved understanding that will result from these studies should ultimately lead to new approaches for the diagnosis, prognostic stratification, and treatment of patients with heart failure.
BRCAGenetic Screening in Middle Eastern and North African: Mutational Spectrum and FounderBRCA1Mutation (c.798_799delTT) in North African
Authors: Laraqui Abdelilah , Uhrhammer Nancy , EL Rhaffouli Hicham , Sekhsokh Yassine , Lahlou-Amine Idriss , Bajjou Tahar , Hilali Farida , El Baghdadi Jamila , Al Bouzidi Abderrahmane , Bakri Youssef , Amzazi Said , Bignon Yves-Jean
Published: February 2015

Background. The contribution ofBRCA1mutations to both hereditary and sporadic breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) has not yet been thoroughly investigated in MENA.Methods. To establish the knowledge aboutBRCA1mutations and their correlation with the clinical aspect in diagnosed cases of HBOC in MENA populations. A systematic review of studies examiningBRCA1in BC women in Cyprus, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia was conducted.Results. Thirteen relevant references were identified, including ten studies which performed DNA sequencing of allBRCA1exons. For the latter, 31 mutations were detected in 57 of the 547 patients ascertained. Familial history of BC was present in 388 (71%) patients, of whom 50 were mutation carriers. c.798_799delTT was identified in 11 North African families, accounting for 22% of total identifiedBRCA1mutations, suggesting a founder allele. A broad spectrum of other mutations including c.68_69delAG, c.181T>G, c.5095C>T, and c.5266dupC, as well as sequence of unclassified variants and polymorphisms, was also detected.Conclusion. The knowledge of genetic structure ofBRCA1in MENA should contribute to the assessment of the necessity of preventive programs for mutation carriers and clinical management. The high prevalence of BC and the presence of frequent mutations of theBRCA1gene emphasize the need for improving screening programs and individual testing/counseling.
A Distributed TDMA Slot Scheduling Algorithm for Spatially Correlated Contention in WSNs
Authors: Bhatia Ashutosh , Hansdah R. C.
Published: February 2015

In WSNs the communication traffic is often time and space correlated, where multiple nodes in a proximity start transmitting simultaneously. Such a situation is known asspatially correlated contention. The random access method to resolve such contention suffers from high collision rate, whereas the traditional distributed TDMA scheduling techniques primarily try to improve the network capacity by reducing the schedule length. Usually, the situation ofspatially correlated contentionpersists only for a short duration, and therefore generating an optimal or suboptimal schedule is not very useful. Additionally, if an algorithm takes very long time to schedule, it will not only introduce additional delay in the data transfer but also consume more energy. In this paper, we present a distributed TDMA slot scheduling (DTSS) algorithm, which considerably reduces the time required to perform scheduling, while restricting the schedule length to the maximum degree of interference graph. The DTSS algorithm supports unicast, multicast, and broadcast scheduling, simultaneously without any modification in the protocol. We have analyzed the protocol for average case performance and also simulated it using Castalia simulator to evaluate its runtime performance. Both analytical and simulation results show that our protocol is able to considerably reduce the time required for scheduling.
Computing Low-Rank Approximation of a Dense Matrix on Multicore CPUs with a GPU and Its Application to Solving a Hierarchically Semiseparable Linear System of Equations
Authors: Yamazaki Ichitaro , Tomov Stanimire , Dongarra Jack
Published: February 2015

Low-rank matrices arise in many scientific and engineering computations. Both computational and storage costs of manipulating such matrices may be reduced by taking advantages of their low-rank properties. To compute a low-rank approximation of a dense matrix, in this paper, we study the performance of QR factorization with column pivoting or with restricted pivoting on multicore CPUs with a GPU. We first propose several techniques to reduce the postprocessing time, which is required for restricted pivoting, on a modern CPU. We then examine the potential of using a GPU to accelerate the factorization process with both column and restricted pivoting. Our performance results on two eight-core Intel Sandy Bridge CPUs with one NVIDIA Kepler GPU demonstrate that using the GPU, the factorization time can be reduced by a factor of more than two. In addition, to study the performance of our implementations in practice, we integrate them into a recently developed software StruMF which algebraically exploits such low-rank structures for solving a general sparse linear system of equations. Our performance results for solving Poisson's equations demonstrate that the proposed techniques can significantly reduce the preconditioner construction time of StruMF on the CPUs, and the construction time can be further reduced by 10%–50% using the GPU.
Fixed Points of ModifiedF-Contractive Mappings in Complete Metric-Like Spaces
Authors: Alsulami Hamed H. , Karapınar Erdal , Piri Hossein
Published: February 2015

We introduce the notion of modifiedF-contractive mappings in the setting of complete metric-like spaces and we investigate the existence and uniqueness of fixed point of such mappings. The presented results unify, extend, and improve several results in the related literature.
Correlation of Endometrial Glycodelin Expression and Pregnancy Outcome in Cases with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Treated with Clomiphene Citrate Plus Metformin: A Controlled Study
Authors: Uysal Selda , Zeki Isik Ahmet , Eris Serenat , Yigit Seyran , Yalcin Yakup , Ozun Ozbay Pelin
Published: February 2015

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between clomiphene citrate (CC) plus metformin treatment and endometrial glycodelin expression and to then correlate this relationship with pregnancy outcomes.Material and Methods. A total of 30 patients diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) according to the Rotterdam criteria constituted our study group. All had been admitted to the gynecology outpatient clinic between June 1, 2011, and January 1, 2012, for infertility treatment. Our control group consisted of 20 patients admitted for routine Pap smear control. They had no history of infertility and were not using contraceptives and they were actively attempting pregnancy. Midluteal progesterone measurement and pipelle endometrial biopsies were performed with both groups. For PCOS patients, metformin treatment was initiated right after the biopsy and CC was added in the second menstrual cycle. Pipelle endometrial biopsies were repeated. Histological dating and immunohistochemistry for glycodelin were performed by a single pathologist who was blinded to the patients’ clinical data.Result(s). The posttreatment ovulation rate in the study group was 93.3%. No pregnancies were achieved in either group when glycodelin expression was not present, even in the presence of ovulation. When glycodelin expression was high in PCOS group, the pregnancy rate was 60% and all pregnancies ended in live births. In weak expression group, however, three out of four pregnancies ended as early pregnancy losses.Conclusion(s). Endometrial glycodelin expression is an important predictor of pregnancy outcomes in both PCOS and fertile groups.
Cardiac Migration of Endogenous Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Patients with Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Schmidt-Lucke Caroline , Escher Felicitas , Van Linthout Sophie , Kühl Uwe , Miteva Kapka , Ringe Jochen , Zobel Thomas , Schultheiss Heinz-Peter , Tschöpe Carsten
Published: February 2015

Introduction. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have immunomodulatory features. The aim of this study was to investigate the migration and homing potential of endogenous circulating MSC in virus negative inflammatory cardiomyopathy (CMi). Methods. In 29 patients with (n = 23) or without (n = 6) CMi undergoing endomyocardial biopsies (EMB), transcardiac gradients (TCGs) of circulating MSC were measured by flow cytometry from blood simultaneously sampled from aorta and coronary sinus. The presence of MSC in EMB, cardiac inflammation, and SDF‐1α mRNA expression were detected via immunohistochemistry and real‐time PCR. Results. MSC defined as CD45−CD34−CD11b−CD73+CD90+ cells accounted for 0.010 [0.0025–0.048]%/peripheral mononuclear cell (PMNC) and as CD45−CD34−CD11b−CD73+CD105+ cells for 0.019 [0.0026–0.067]%/PMNC, both with similar counts in patients with or without cardiac inflammation. There was a 29.9% (P < 0.01) transcardiac reduction of circulating MSC in patients with CMi, correlating with the extent of cardiac inflammation (P < 0.05, multivariate analysis). A strong correlation was found between the TCG of circulating MSC and numbers of MSC (CD45−CD34−CD90+CD105+) in EMB (r = −0.73, P < 0.005). SDF‐1α was the strongest predictor for increased MSC in EMB (P < 0.005, multivariate analysis). Conclusions. Endogenous MSC continuously migrate to the heart in patients with CMi triggered by cardiac inflammation.
Hematopoietic Cancer Cell Lines Can Support Replication of Sabin Poliovirus Type 1
Authors: Oosterhoff Dinja , van de Weerd Gerard , van Eikenhorst Gerco , de Gruijl Tanja D. , van der Pol Leo A. , Bakker Wilfried A. M.
Published: February 2015

Viral vaccines can be produced in adherent or in suspension cells. The objective of this work was to screen human suspension cell lines for the capacity to support viral replication. As the first step, it was investigated whether poliovirus can replicate in such cell lines. Sabin poliovirus type 1 was serially passaged on five human cell lines, HL60, K562, KG1, THP-1, and U937. Sabin type 1 was capable of efficiently replicating in three cell lines (K562, KG1, and U937), yielding high viral titers after replication. Expression of CD155, the poliovirus receptor, did not explain susceptibility to replication, since all cell lines expressed CD155. Furthermore, we showed that passaged virus replicated more efficiently than parental virus in KG1 cells, yielding higher virus titers in the supernatant early after infection. Infection of cell lines at an MOI of 0.01 resulted in high viral titers in the supernatant at day 4. Infection of K562 with passaged Sabin type 1 in a bioreactor system yielded high viral titers in the supernatant. Altogether, these data suggest that K562, KG1, and U937 cell lines are useful for propagation of poliovirus.
Design and Validation of an Attention Model of Web Page Users
Authors: Jana Ananya , Bhattacharya Samit
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we propose a model to predict the locations of the most attended pictorial information on a web page and the attention sequence of the information. We propose to divide the content of a web page into conceptually coherent units or objects, based on a survey of more than 100 web pages. The proposed model takes into account three characteristics of an image object: chromatic contrast, size, and position and computes a numerical value, the attention factor. We can predict from the attention factor values the image objects most likely to draw attention and the sequence in which attention will be drawn. We have carried out empirical studies to both develop and determine the efficacy of the proposed model. The study results revealed a prediction accuracy of about 80% for a set of artificially designed web pages and about 60% for a set of real web pages sampled from the Internet. The performance was found to be better (in terms of prediction accuracy) than the visual saliency model, a popular model to predict human attention on an image.
Degree Distribution of Arbitrary AANET
Authors: Liu Xue , Zeng Xiaoping , Wang Zhiming , Chen Li , Jin Yuemei
Published: February 2015

Taking the safe distance between two adjacent planes in the same airline into account, we give a model for the multiairline aeronautical ad hoc network (AANET). Based on our model, we analyze the plane’s degree distribution of any arbitrary AANET. Then, the expressions of the degree distributions of one single plane and the whole networks are both worked out and verified by the simulations, in which we generate several random AANETs. Since our model is a reasonable abstraction of the real situation, the theoretical result we get is very close to the result of the real networks, which is also shown in the simulations.
Entanglement Area Law in Disordered Free Fermion Anderson Model in One, Two, and Three Dimensions
Authors: Pouranvari Mohammad , Zhang Yuhui , Yang Kun
Published: February 2015

We calculate numerically the entanglement entropy of free fermion ground states in one-, two-, and three-dimensional Anderson models and find that it obeys the area law as long as the linear size of the subsystem is sufficiently larger than the mean free path. This result holds in the metallic phase of the three-dimensional Anderson model, where the mean free path is finite although the localization length is infinite. Relation between the present results and earlier ones on area law violation in special one-dimensional models that support metallic phases is discussed.
Large‐Area Resonance‐Tuned Metasurfaces for On‐Demand Enhanced Spectroscopy
Authors: Iwanaga Masanobu , Choi Bongseok , Miyazaki Hideki T. , Sugimoto Yoshimasa , Sakoda Kazuaki
Published: February 2015

We show an effective procedure for lateral structure tuning in nanoimprint lithography (NIL) that has been developed as a vertical top‐down method fabricating large‐area nanopatterns. The procedure was applied to optical resonance tuning in stacked complementary (SC) metasurfaces based on silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) substrates and was found to realize structure tuning at nm precision using only one mold in the NIL process. The structure tuning enabled us to obtain fine tuning of the optical resonances, offering cost‐effective, high‐throughput, and high‐precision nanofabrication. We also demonstrate that the tuned optical resonances selectively and significantly enhance fluorescence (FL) of dye molecules in a near‐infrared range. FL intensity on a SC metasurface was found to be more than 450‐fold larger than the FL intensity on flat Au film on base SOI substrate.
Adhesion Strength of Cellulosic Varnish Coated Wood Species as Function of Their Surface Roughness
Authors: Ozdemir Turgay , Hiziroglu Salim , Kocapınar Mutlu
Published: February 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate adhesion strength of four wood species, namely, beech (Fagus orientalisLipsky), alder (Alnus glutinosasubsp.barbataYalt.), spruce (Picea orientalisL. Link), and fir (Abies nordmannianasubsp.) coated with cellulosic varnish. Samples were prepared in tangential and radial grain orientations from the above species. Surface quality of the specimens was also measured employing stylus type equipment after samples of all four types of species were sanded with 80- and 180-grit sandpaper prior to coating process. Surface roughness of the specimens sanded with 80-grit sandpaper resulted in significantly higher mean peak-to-valley height (Rz) values based on the measurement employing stylus type profilometer. The highest adhesion strength values of 2.39 N/mm2and 2.03 N/mm2were found for beech and alder samples, respectively. It appears that overall higher roughness characteristics of the specimens exhibited enhanced adherence between substrate and varnish resulting in higher adhesion strength values.
A Study on an Energy Conservation and Interconnection Scheme between WSN and Internet Based on the 6LoWPAN
Authors: Zhang Runtong , Chu Fuzhi , Yuan Quan , Dai Wei
Published: February 2015

Wireless sensor network (WSN), which has broad application prospects, consists of small nodes with sensing, computation, and communications capabilities. IPv6 is used over low power WPAN (wireless personal area network) which is run by 6LoWPAN technology on the LoWPAN devices. In order to establish seamless connection of two heterogeneous networks, that is, WSN and IPv6 network, this paper proposes an improved energy conservation and interconnection scheme (ECIS) based on the analysis of the current schemes. Detailed design of each functional component in the new scheme is proposed, and an expansion of the SSCS module in NS2 802.15.4 simulator is examined. Comprehensive experiments on the simulation platform show that the newly proposed scheme is advantageous over existing results.
Hepatitis B Virus Infection and the Kidney: Renal Abnormalities in HBV Patients, Antiviral Drugs Handling, and Specific Follow-Up
Authors: Deray Gilbert , Buti Maria , Gane Ed , Jia Ji-Dong , Chan Henry Lik Yuen , Craxi Antonio , Piratvisuth Teerha , Pol Stanislas
Published: February 2015

Chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Many patients with CHB have variable degrees of functional renal impairment, and approximately 2 to 15% of patients on hemodialysis have CHB. Several therapeutic regimens have been developed in the past years, among which oral nucleoside and nucleotide analogues have been demonstrated to be efficient and well tolerated. However, they all are excreted in the urine and may thus require dosage adjustment in patients with decreased renal function. Furthermore, a number of them may in addition be toxic to the kidneys, especially in those patients presenting with renal insufficiency.
Human Respiration Localization Method Using UWB Linear Antenna Array
Authors: Liu Yuan , Wu Shiyou , Chen Jie , Fang Guangyou , Yin Hejun
Published: February 2015

Human respiration is the basic vital sign in remote monitoring. There has been remarkable progress in this area, but some challenges still remain to obtain the angle-of-arrival (AOA) and distinguish the individual signals. This paper presents a 2D noncontact human respiration localization method using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) 1D linear antenna array. The imaging reconstruction based on beamforming is used to estimate the AOA of the human chest. The distance-slow time 2D matrix at the estimated AOA is processed to obtain the distance and respiration frequency of the vital sign. The proposed method can be used to isolate signals from individual targets when more than one human object is located in the surveillance space. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated via the simulation and experiment results.
A Novel Rat Model of Vitamin D Deficiency: Safe and Rapid Induction of Vitamin D and Calcitriol Deficiency without Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Stavenuiter Andrea W. D. , Arcidiacono Maria Vittoria , Ferrantelli Evelina , Keuning Eelco D. , Vila Cuenca Marc , ter Wee Piet M. , Beelen Robert H. J. , Vervloet Marc G. , Dusso Adriana S.
Published: February 2015

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a range of clinical disorders. To study the mechanisms involved and improve treatments, animal models are tremendously useful. Current vitamin D deficient rat models have important practical limitations, including time requirements when using, exclusively, a vitamin D deficient diet. More importantly, induction of hypovitaminosis D causes significant fluctuations in parathyroid hormone (PTH) and mineral levels, complicating the interpretation of study results. To overcome these shortcomings, we report the successful induction of vitamin D deficiency within three weeks, with stable serum PTH and minerals levels, in Wistar rats. We incorporated two additional manoeuvres compared to a conventional diet. Firstly, the vitamin D depleted diet is calcium (Ca) enriched, to attenuate the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Secondly, six intraperitoneal injections of paricalcitol during the first two weeks are given to induce the rapid degradation of circulating vitamin D metabolites. After three weeks, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3(25D) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3(1,25D) levels had dropped below detection limits, with unchanged serum PTH, Ca, and phosphate (P) levels. Therefore, this model provides a useful tool to examine the sole effect of hypovitaminosis D, in a wide range of research settings, without confounding changes in PTH, Ca, and P.
Visualizing the Microdistribution of Zinc Borate in Oriented Strand Board Using X-Ray Microcomputed Tomography and SEM-EDX
Authors: Evans Philip D. , Lube Vinicius , Averdunk Holger , Limaye Ajay , Turner Michael , Kingston Andrew , Senden Timothy J.
Published: February 2015

Oriented strand board (OSB) is an important wood composite used in situations where fungal decay and termite attack can occur. To counter these threats, powdered zinc borate biocide is commonly added to OSB. The effectiveness of biocides depends on their even distribution within composites and resistance to leaching, but little is known about the distribution of zinc borate in OSB. Zinc is denser than wood and it should be possible to map its distribution in OSB using X-ray micro-CT. We test this hypothesis and chemically register zinc in OSB using SEM-EDX. Zinc borate particles aggregated at the wood-adhesive interface in OSB, creating interrupted lines of zinc oriented in the x-y plane. Zinc borate particles were also found in the lumens of wood cells. Zinc was distributed throughout OSB, although slightly less was present in the core of the composite than in surface layers. A network of zinc remained in OSB after leaching in water. The resistance of zinc to leaching may be due to its incorporation in glue-lines within OSB, in addition to its low water-solubility. We conclude that X-ray micro-CT is a powerful tool for studying the distribution of zinc in OSB and other wood composites containing zinc borate.
Rhabdomyolysis Occurring under Statins after Intense Physical Activity in a Marathon Runner
Authors: Toussirot Éric , Michel Fabrice , Meneveau Nicolas
Published: February 2015

Statins are widely used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and their side effects on muscles are well established. Conversely, data are sparse regarding the safety of this class of drugs in subjects who engage in sports, particularly those who have intense sports activity. We report the case of a marathon runner who presented with acute rhabdomyolysis during competition while being under rosuvastatin treatment. This case raises the question of the need for temporary discontinuation of statin therapy when intense physical activity is planned.
Experimental Investigation of Closed Porosity of Inorganic Solidified Foam Designed to Prevent Coal Fires
Authors: Lu Yi , Qin Botao
Published: February 2015

In order to overcome the deficiency of the existing fire control technology and control coal spontaneous combustion by sealing air leakages in coal mines, inorganic solidified foam (ISF) with high closed porosity was developed. The effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) concentration on the porosity of the foams was investigated. The results showed that the optimized closed porosity of the solidified foam was 38.65 wt.% for an SDS concentration of approximately7.4×10-3 mol/L. Based on observations of the microstructure of the pore walls after solidification, it was inferred that an equilibrium between the hydration process and the drainage process existed. Therefore, the ISF was improved using three different systems. Gelatin can increase the viscosity of the continuous phase to form a viscoelastic film around the air cells, and the SDS + gelatin system can create a mixed surfactant layer at gas/liquid interfaces. The accelerator (AC) accelerates the hydration process and coagulation of the pore walls before the end of drainage. The mixed SDS + gelatin + AC systems produced an ISF with a total porosity of 79.89% and a closed porosity of 66.89%, which verified the proposed stabilization mechanism.
Ag Nanorod Arrays for SERS: Aspects of Spectral Reproducibility, Surface Contamination, and Spectral Sensitivity
Authors: Šubr Martin , Petr Martin , Peksa Vlastimil , Kylián Ondřej , Hanuš Jan , Procházka Marek
Published: February 2015

Ag nanorod arrays prepared by oblique angle vapor deposition (OAD) represent regular, large area substrates for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. We studied uniformity and spectral reproducibility of silver OAD‐fabricated substrates (AgOADs) by spectral mapping of methylene blue. The results demonstrate good reproducibility apart from occasional “hot‐spot” sites where the intensity is higher. The number of “hot‐spots” represents 2%–6% of SERS‐active sites of mapping substrate area. We were able to obtain good SERS spectra of testing amino acid tryptophan at 1 × 10−5 M concentration and three different free‐base porphyrins down to ∼10−7 M concentration. We found out that keeping the AgOADs in a vacuum chamber overnight prevents the surface from binding any contaminants from the ambient atmosphere, without significant reduction in the SERS enhancement. Such substrates provide stable SERS enhancement even when stored for 1 year after preparation.
A Case of Ruptured Aortic Arch Aneurysm Successfully Treated by Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair with Chimney Graft
Authors: Kawatani Yohei , Hayashi Yujiro , Ito Yujiro , Kurobe Hirotsugu , Nakamura Yoshitsugu , Suda Yuji , Hori Takaki
Published: February 2015

We report the case of aortic arch aneurysm rupture treated successfully with thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) accompanied by aortic arch debranching using the chimney graft technique. A 94-year-old man was transported to the hospital after complaining of chest pain for one day. Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) images revealed an aortic arch aneurysm rupture. Considering the patient’s age and postoperative activities of daily living, TEVAR was used. In order to place an indwelling stent graft from the ascending aorta to the periphery, the chimney graft technique was used to debranch the brachiocephalic artery. Hemodynamics was stabilized postsurgically. Plain CT performed 20 days postoperatively confirmed that the intrathoracic hematoma had decreased in size. Although respiratory failure was persistent, there were improvements and the patient was extubated 34 days postoperatively and discharged from the intensive care unit 37 days postoperatively. On postoperative day 75, he was discharged from the hospital to an elder care facility. Few reports have focused on stent grafting for treating aortic arch aneurysm rupture. TEVAR using the chimney graft technique could be an effective treatment option for patients with a decreased ability to tolerate surgery.
The Effect of Climate Change on Variations in Dew Amount in a Paddy Ecosystem of the Sanjiang Plain, China
Authors: Xu Yingying , Yan Baixing , Tang Jie
Published: February 2015

Due to global warming, a drying and warming trend has been observed over the last 50 years in the Sanjiang Plain of Heilongjiang Province, China, which could significantly affect the condensation of vapor in paddy ecosystems. Dew is a crucial factor in the water and nutrient cycling of farmland ecosystems, and it exerts an important influence on fertilization and other agricultural activities. In order to reveal the effects of global warming on dew variation in a paddy ecosystem, anin situexperiment was conducted in paddy fields in the Sanjiang Plain during the growing seasons of 2011 to 2013. Dew was collected and measured with a poplar stick. The results of correlation analysis between meteorological factors and dew intensity in the paddy ecosystem indicate that the dew point temperature and relative humidity significantly influenced the dew intensity. Based on synchronous meteorological data, a stepwise linear multivariation regression model was established to predict dew amount. The model successfully interpreted the relationship between simulated and measured dew intensity. The results suggest that a warmer and drier climate would lead to a reduction in dew amount because water cannot condense when relative humidity falls below 71%.
Association of Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Erythrocyte Antioxidant Enzymes Activity and Serum Total Antioxidant Status
Authors: Plestina-Borjan Ivna , Katusic Damir , Medvidovic-Grubisic Maria , Supe-Domic Daniela , Bucan Kajo , Tandara Leida , Rogosic Veljko
Published: February 2015

The aim was to estimate association of the oxidative stress with the occurrence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) and additionally serum total antioxidant status (TAS) were used as indicators of the oxidative stress level. 57 AMD patients (32 early and 25 late AMD) and 50 healthy, age and gender matched controls were included. GPx activity (P<0.001) and serum TAS (P=0.015) were significantly lower in AMD patients. The difference was not significant for SOD or CAT activities. Significant interaction between GPx and SOD was detected (P=0.003). At high levels of SOD activity (over 75th percentile), one standard deviation decrease in GPx increases the odds for AMD for six times (OR = 6.22;P<0.001). ROC analysis revealed that combined values of GPx activity and TAS are significant determinants of AMD status. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 75%, 95%, 52%, 69%, and 90%, respectively. The study showed that low GPx activity and TAS are associated with AMD. SOD modulates the association of GPx and AMD. The results suggest that erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes activity and serum TAS could be promising markers for the prediction of AMD.
Search Rate and Functional Response of a Eusocial Insect (Oecophylla longinoda) in a Tanzanian Mango Orchard
Authors: Fast Thora Samsø , Axelsen Jørgen Aagaard , Lynegaard Gina Kier , Mwatawala Maulid , Offenberg Joachim
Published: February 2015

Weaver ants,Oecophyllaspp., are famous for being efficient biological control agents as they prey on a variety of insects, and they are capable of suppressing a large number of pest species. Here, the search rate and functional response ofOecophylla longinodawere investigated in a Tanzanian mango orchard using feeding experiments. This was done by following the removal of prey, which constituted the foundation for estimating the search rate by aid of the Nicholson-Bailey and Lotka-Volterra models. The overall mean search rate was3.2 ×10-4and1.7 ×10-4over 30 minutes, when calculating the search rate using the Nicholson-Bailey equation and the Lotka-Volterra equation (modified Holling equation), respectively. The functional response investigations showed a linear relationship between removed prey and available prey, suggesting type I functional response or, alternatively, the initial phase of type II functional response. The results presented here are probably the first attempt to identify the functional response type of a colony of living predatory eusocial insects.
Predicting the Functions of Long Noncoding RNAs Using RNA-Seq Based on Bayesian Network
Authors: Xiao Yun , Lv Yanling , Zhao Hongying , Gong Yonghui , Hu Jing , Li Feng , Xu Jinyuan , Bai Jing , Yu Fulong , Li Xia
Published: February 2015

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play key roles in various biological processes. However, functions of most lncRNAs are poorly characterized. Here, we represent a framework to predict functions of lncRNAs through construction of a regulatory network between lncRNAs and protein-coding genes. Using RNA-seq data, the transcript profiles of lncRNAs and protein-coding genes are constructed. Using the Bayesian network method, a regulatory network, which implies dependency relations between lncRNAs and protein-coding genes, was built. In combining protein interaction network, highly connected coding genes linked by a given lncRNA were subsequently used to predict functions of the lncRNA through functional enrichment. Application of our method to prostate RNA-seq data showed that 762 lncRNAs in the constructed regulatory network were assigned functions. We found that lncRNAs are involved in diverse biological processes, such as tissue development or embryo development (e.g., nervous system development and mesoderm development). By comparison with functions inferred using the neighboring gene-based method and functions determined using lncRNA knockdown experiments, our method can provide comparable predicted functions of lncRNAs. Overall, our method can be applied to emerging RNA-seq data, which will help researchers identify complex relations between lncRNAs and coding genes and reveal important functions of lncRNAs.
Fulminant Hepatic Failure Secondary to Primary Hepatic Angiosarcoma
Authors: Abegunde Ayokunle T. , Aisien Efe , Mba Benjamin , Chennuri Rohini , Sekosan Marin
Published: February 2015

Background. Hepatic angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive tumor that often presents at an advanced stage with nonspecific symptoms.Objective. To report a case of primary hepatic angiosarcoma in an otherwise healthy man with normal liver function tests two months prior to presenting with a short period of jaundice that progressed to fulminant hepatic failure.Methods. Case report and review of literature.Conclusion. This case illustrates the rapidity of progression to death after the onset of symptoms in a patient with hepatic angiosarcoma. Research on early diagnostic strategies and newer therapies are needed to improve prognosis in this rare and poorly understood malignancy with limited treatment options.
Using Shadow Page Cache to Improve Isolated Drivers Performance
Authors: Zheng Hao , Dong Xiaoshe , Wang Endong , Chen Baoke , Zhu Zhengdong , Liu Chengzhe
Published: February 2015

With the advantage of the reusability property of the virtualization technology, users can reuse various types and versions of existing operating systems and drivers in a virtual machine, so as to customize their application environment. In order to prevent users’ virtualization environments being impacted by driver faults in virtual machine, Chariot examines the correctness of driver’s write operations by the method of combining a driver’s write operation capture and a driver’s private access control table. However, this method needs to keep the write permission of shadow page table as read‐only, so as to capture isolated driver’s write operations through page faults, which adversely affect the performance of the driver. Based on delaying setting frequently used shadow pages’ write permissions to read‐only, this paper proposes an algorithm using shadow page cache to improve the performance of isolated drivers and carefully study the relationship between the performance of drivers and the size of shadow page cache. Experimental results show that, through the shadow page cache, the performance of isolated drivers can be greatly improved without impacting Chariot’s reliability too much.
Oxaliplatin Analogues with Carboxy Derivatives of Boldine with Enhanced Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Mellado Marco , Jara Carlos , Astudillo David , Villena Joan , Reveco Patricio G. , Thomet Franz A.
Published: February 2015

A new oxaliplatin analog [Pt(dach)(L5)] (1) was synthesized and characterized as a continuation of a study of the previously reported [Pt(dach)(L6)] (2), where dach = (1R,2R)-diaminocyclohexane, L5 = 3-carboxyboldine, and L6 = 3-carboxypredicentrine. Compounds1and2exhibited a substantially enhanced antioxidant activity compared to oxaliplatin (130 and 30 times for1and 13 and 4 times for2using the DPPH and FRAP assays, resp.). In addition,1and2exhibited cytotoxic activity in the same range as oxaliplatin toward the two human tumor cell lines (MCF-7 and HT-29) studied and two to four times lower activity in the human colon nontumor cell line (CCD-841). Preadministration of L5 or L6 to the colon tumor (HT-29) and the colon nontumor (CCD-841) cell lines prior to oxaliplatin addition increased the viability of the nontumor cell line to a greater extent than that of the tumor cell line.
Association of IL-6 Polymorphism -174G/C and Metabolic Syndrome in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Teixeira Andrei Alkmim , Quinto Beata Marie Redublo , Dalboni Maria Aparecida , Rodrigues Cassio Jose de Oliveira , Batista Marcelo Costa
Published: February 2015

Introduction. Visceral obesity, the central core of metabolic syndrome (MetS), is conceived as the pathogenic basis of an increased cardiovascular burden and is related with changes in cytokines. We investigated whether IL-6-174G/C gene polymorphism is associated with MetS prevalence in hypertensive patients.Method. A population of hypertensive patients was included and stratified by the presence of MetS according to IDF criteria and evaluated by Framingham risk score. The IL-6-174G/C genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and the prevalence of MetS was compared between “C” carrier and “non-C” carrier groups.Results. From an original sample of 664 patients, 612 (34.2% men, age 57.3 ± 10.1, 30.4% diabetics) were included. MetS was diagnosed in 51.3% of total population and “C” carriers demonstrated high prevalence of MetS (P<0.05) and each of its components. On binary logistic regression, it was observed that the IL-6 polymorphism was independently associated with occurrence of MetS, even after adjusting for covariates (OR 1.13–2.37, 95% CI,P<0.05).Conclusion. The C allele at the -174 locus of IL-6 gene is independently associated with the occurrence of metabolic syndrome, emphasizing the importance of inflammatory genetic background in the pathogenesis of visceral obesity and related cardiovascular burden.
Limy Bile Syndrome Complicated with Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Koca Yavuz Savas , Koca Tugba , Barut Ibrahim
Published: March 2015

Limy bile is a relatively rare condition, in which a radiopaque material is visible in the gallbladder on plain radiography or computerized tomography. Cases of complicated hyperparathyroidism are extremely rare. We report a patient with right upper quadrant and epigastric pain and extremity weakness in whom abdominal tomography showed limy bile in the gallbladder and laboratory values showed high levels of serum calcium and parathormone.
Costello Syndrome with Severe Nodulocystic Acne: Unexpected Significant Improvement of Acanthosis Nigricans after Oral Isotretinoin Treatment
Authors: Sriboonnark Leelawadee , Arora Harleen , Falto-Aizpurua Leyre , Choudhary Sonal , Connelly Elizabeth Alvarez
Published: February 2015

We report the case of 17-year-old female diagnosed with Costello syndrome. Genetic testing provided a proof with G12S mutation in the HRAS gene since 3 years of age with a presentation of severe nodulocystic acne on her face. After 2 months of oral isotretinoin treatment, improvement in her acne was observed. Interestingly, an unexpected significant improvement of acanthosis nigricans on her neck and dorsum of her hands was found as well. We present this case as a successful treatment option by using oral isotretinoin for the treatment of acanthosis nigricans in Costello syndrome patients.