bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pseurotin A1 and A2, two new 1-oxa-7-azaspiro[4.4]non-2-ene-4,6-diones from the holothurian-derived fungus Aspergillus fumigatus WFZ-25
Authors: Wang Fa-Zuo , Li De-Hai , Zhu Tian-Jiao , Zhang Min , Gu Qian-Qun
Published: January 2011

Two new metabolites containing a 1-oxa-7-azaspiro[4.4]non-2-ene-4,6-dione core, pseurotin A1 (1) and A2 (2), as well as pseurotin A (3), were isolated from the holothurian-derived fungus Aspergillus fumigatus WFZ-25. These compounds were determined using extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and circular dichroism (CD) experiments.
Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Alcoholism: From Ancient to Modern
Authors: Liu Qing , Lawrence Andrew J. , Liang Jian-Hui
Published: January 2011

Alcohol has long been used as a daily beverage in China and around the world. It is a medicinal substance with various biological activities. In fact, alcohol has played an important role in the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), within which it is considered as the earliest exhilarant and anaesthetic. Yet, as a substance with great potency of misuse and addiction, the consumption of alcohol can lead to serious damage to individual health and the society. Over the past 20 years, alcohol abuse or alcoholism has become an increasing social problem in China along with the rapid economic development. China, the country of origin for TCM, has accumulated abundant clinical experience in the treatment of alcoholism with its ancient medicine. In the present research, we have summarized clinical and primary studies concerning various remedies of TCM for alcohol abuse, including herbal components (such as Kudzu/Pueraria Lobata, Pediculus melo, Hypericumpperforatum L.), decoctions and acupuncture.
In VitroSynergistic Cytotoxic Effect of Triptolide Combined with Hydroxycamptothecin on Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Yang Su-Wen , Wang Wei , Xie Xin-You , Zhu Wan-Ping , Li Fang-Qiong
Published: January 2011

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease characterized by low sensitivity to conventional chemotherapeutic treatment that has a poor prognosis. Therefore, novel effective chemotherapeutic regimens need to be developed. In this study, we analyzed the combined cytotoxic effect of triptolide and hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) on pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1 by using 3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxy-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt (MTS) and fluorescence- activated cell sorting (FACS) assays. Our results showed that the sensitivity of a combined therapy using triptolide and HCPT was higher than that of triptolide or HCPT alone and that activation of caspase-9/caspase-3 and inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway may contribute to the synergistic cytotoxic effect of this combination therapy. Therefore, our observations provided evidence supporting the clinical applications of the combination chemotherapy using triptolide and HCPT for treating pancreatic cancer.
Inhibitory Effects of Resveratrol on Platelet Activation Induced by Thromboxane A2Receptor Agonist in Human Platelets
Authors: Yang Yumin , Wang Xiaoling , Zhang Li , An Huiping , Zao Zhigao
Published: January 2011

Resveratrol (RSVL), a polyphenolic compound found in red wine is believed to be a contributor in decreasing the incidence of coronary heart disease. Although its primary target is unknown, it blocks platelet aggregation by an ill-defined mechanism. Protein kinase C (PKC), which would redistribute from the cytosol to the platelet membrane upon platelet stimulation, plays a key role in the signal transduction system of platelets in human. In this study, we investigated the effect of RSVL and a PKC inhibitor (DL-erythro-1,3-Dihydroxy-2-aminooctadecane, PKCI) on platelet aggregation induced by a thromboxane A2receptor agonist (U46619, 9,11-Dideoxy-11α, 9α-epoxymethanoprostaglandin F2α) using a platelet aggregometer. We also studied the platelet membranebound fibrinogen (PFig) content and the activity of protein kinase C (PKC) in platelets from healthy volunteers using flow cytometry, and a phosphorimaging system, respectively. Our results showed that RSVL blocked platelet aggregation and PFig content induced by U46619 in a concentration-dependent manner. PKCI and RSVL had an additive effect in inhibiting platelet aggregation and PFig content. Furthermore, RSVL (final concentration 50 μM) remarkably depressed the activity of PKC in the membrane of platelets and the percentage of membrane PKC activity in total PKC activity. Taken together, these results suggested that RSVL suppressed U46619-induced platelet aggregation and PFig content partially through the inhibition of the activity of PKC in platelets.
In VitroAntiproliferative and Antioxidant Activities of the Extracts ofMuntingia calaburaLeaves
Authors: Zakaria Z. A. , Mohamed A. M. , Jamil N. S. Mohd. , Rofiee M. S. , Hussain M. K. , Sulaiman M. R. , Teh L. K. , Salleh M. Z.
Published: January 2011

The in vitro antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of the aqueous, chloroform and methanol extracts of Muntingia calabura leaves were determined in the present study. Assessed using the 3,(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay, the aqueous and methanol extracts of M. calabura inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7, HeLa, HT-29, HL-60 and K-562 cancer cells while the chloroform extract only inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7, HeLa, HL-60 and K-562 cancer cells. Interestingly, all extracts of M. calabura, which failed to inhibit the MDA-MB-231 cells proliferation, did not inhibit the proliferation of 3T3 (normal) cells, indicating its safety. All extracts (20, 100 and 500 μg/ml) were found to possess antioxidant activity when tested using the DPPH radical scavenging and superoxide scavenging assays with the methanol, followed by the aqueous and chloroform, extract exhibiting the highest antioxidant activity in both assays. The total phenolic content for the aqueous, methanol and chloroform extracts were 2970.4 ± 6.6, 1279.9 ± 6.1 and 2978.1 ± 4.3 mg/100 g gallic acid, respectively. In conclusion, the M. calabura leaves possess potential antiproliferative and antioxidant activities that could be attributed to its high content of phenolic compounds, and thus, needs to be further explored.
A NOVEL SOURCE MPEG-2 VIDEO IDENTIFICATION ALGORITHM
Authors: SU YUTING , XU JUNYU , DONG BO , ZHANG JING , LIU QINGZHONG
Published: January 2011

With the availability of powerful multimedia editing software, all types of personalized image and video resources are available in networks. Multimedia forensics technology has become a new topic in the field of information security. In this paper, a new source video system identification algorithm is proposed based on the features in the video stream; it takes full advantage of the different characteristics in the rate control module and the motion prediction module, which are two open parts in the MPEG-2 video compression standard, and combines a support vector machine classifier to build an intelligent computing system for video source identification. The experiments show this proposed algorithm can effectively identify video streams that come from a number of video coding systems.
THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SOLVENTS AND TEMPERATURES ON STABILITY OF SINGLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBE: A QM/MD STUDY
Authors: MONAJJEMI M. , KHALEGHIAN M. , TADAYONPOUR N. , MOLLAAMIN F.
Published: January 2011

In the present work, we have investigated solvent effects on the relative energies and dipole moment values and studied the structural properties of water, methanol, and ethanol surrounding single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and mixtures of them as well, using Molecular Dynamics simulation. Because some of the physicochemical parameters are related to structural properties of SWCNT, we used different force fields to determine energy and other types of geometrical parameters, on the particular SWCNT. Because of the differences among force fields, the energy of a molecule calculated using two different force fields will not be the same. In this study, the difference in the force fields is illustrated by comparing the calculated energies by using force fields such as MM+, AMBER, and BIO+. The Quantum Mechanics (QM) calculations were carried out with the GAUSSIAN 98 program based on HF/3-21G level. In this study, we have compared gas phase and solvent calculations that considered solvents such as water, methanol, ethanol, and mixtures of them. So, in this work, we investigated polar solvents effects on SWCNT within the Onsager self-consistent reaction field (SCRF) model using a Hartree–Fock method and the temperature effect on the stability of SWCNT in various solvents.
OPTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ZnO NANOROD ARRAYS GROWN FROM SOLUTION
Authors: WATER WALTER , FANG TE-HUA , JI LIANG-WEN , LEE CHING-CHIN
Published: January 2011

ZnO nanorods were synthesized on ZnO / ITO glass substrates using an aqueous solution of zinc nitrate hexahydrate and hexamethylenetetramine. The effects of hexamethylenetetramine concentration on the crystalline structure and surface morphology of ZnO nanorods were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to analyze the crystalline characteristics and microstructures of the nanorod arrays. Ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were used to characterize the optical properties of ZnO nanorods. Larger and brighter photoluminescent ZnO nanorods were obtained from solutions with higher hexamethylenetetramine concentrations. A nanogenerator based on ZnO nanorod arrays was fabricated in the investigation. The nanogenerator's current–voltage characteristics with Schottky-like behavior were discussed.
Boosting software fault injection for dependability analysis of real-time embedded applications
Authors: Cabodi Gianpiero , Murciano Marco , Violante Massimo
Published: January 2011

The design of complex embedded systems deployed in safety-critical or mission-critical applications mandates the availability of methods to validate the system dependability across the whole design flow. In this article we introduce a fault injection approach, based on loadable kernel modules and running under the Linux operating system, which can be adopted as soon as a running prototype of the systems is available. Moreover, for the purpose of decoupling dependability analysis from hardware availability, we also propose the adoption of hardware virtualization. Extensive experimental results show that statistical analysis made on top of virtual prototypes are in good agreement with the information disclosed by fault detection trends of real platforms, even under real-time constraints.
Flapping and Bending Bodies Interacting with Fluid Flows
Authors: Shelley Michael J. , Zhang Jun
Published: January 2011

The flapping or bending of a flexible planar structure in a surrounding fluid flow, which includes the flapping of flags and the self-streamlining of flexible bodies, constitutes a central problem in the field of fluid-body interactions. Here we review recent, highly detailed experiments that reveal new nonlinear phenomena in these systems, as well as advances in theoretical understanding, resulting in large part from the rapid development of new simulation methods that fully capture the mutual coupling of fluids and flexible solids.
Aerobreakup of Newtonian and Viscoelastic Liquids
Authors: Theofanous T.G.
Published: January 2011

In this review, we consider and unify all aspects of the dynamics of Newtonian and viscoelastic liquid drops in high-speed gas flows, including shock waves. The path to understanding is opened by novel, laser-induced fluorescence visualizations at spatial resolutions of up to 200 pixels for millimeter and exposure times as low as 5 ns. The central role of the competition between Rayleigh-Taylor and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities is assessed in the frame of rich aerodynamics, from low subsonic to supersonic, and the multitude of characteristic length scales and timescales at play with varying liquid properties. Acceleration and liquid redistribution (drop deformation) early in the evolution set the stage for this competition, and we insist on an interpretation of the drag coefficient that is physically meaningful. Two principal breakup regimes (patterns of bodily loss of coherence) are identified depending on whether the gas finds its way through the liquid mass, causing gross disintegration, or goes around to induce, through shear, a surface-layer peeling-and-ejection action. Corresponding criticalities are quantified in terms of key physics, consistent with experiments. This covers in a unified fashion all liquids, independent of viscosity and elasticity, and the potential role of direct numerical simulations in supporting further advances is forecast. The resulting particle-size distributions (in a final equilibrium cloud) depend crucially on the pattern of breakup, although in this respect the role of elasticity obtains a special significance in terms of the underlying entangled-polymer-chain dynamics. From a more general perspective, we explain the canonical significance of this fundamental problem and summarize the wide range of its practical relevance, including the recently renewed interest in predicting shock-induced fluidization (or high-speed, atmospheric dissemination) of large masses of liquid agents (so-called weapons of mass destruction).
Planetary Magnetic Fields and Fluid Dynamos
Authors: Jones Chris A.
Published: January 2011

The magnetic fields of the planets, including the Earth, are generated by dynamo action in their fluid cores. Numerical models of this process have been developed that solve the fundamental magnetohydrodynamic equations driven by convection in a rotating spherical shell. New results from these theoretical models are compared with observations of the geomagnetic field and magnetic data gathered from space missions. The mechanism by which a magnetic field is created is examined. The effects of rotation and magnetic field on the convection are of paramount importance in the simulations. A wide range of simulations with different convection models, varying boundary conditions, and parameter values have been performed over the past 10 years. The effects of these differences are assessed. Numerical considerations mean that all dynamo simulations use much enhanced values of the diffusivities. We consider to what extent this affects results and show how the asymptotic behavior at low diffusion is starting to be inferred using scaling laws. The results of specific models relating to individual planets are reviewed.
High–Reynolds Number Wall Turbulence
Authors: Smits Alexander J. , McKeon Beverley J. , Marusic Ivan
Published: January 2011

We review wall-bounded turbulent flows, particularly high–Reynolds number, zero–pressure gradient boundary layers, and fully developed pipe and channel flows. It is apparent that the approach to an asymptotically high–Reynolds number state is slow, but at a sufficiently high Reynolds number the log law remains a fundamental part of the mean flow description. With regard to the coherent motions, very-large-scale motions or superstructures exist at all Reynolds numbers, but they become increasingly important with Reynolds number in terms of their energy content and their interaction with the smaller scales near the wall. There is accumulating evidence that certain features are flow specific, such as the constants in the log law and the behavior of the very large scales and their interaction with the large scales (consisting of vortex packets). Moreover, the refined attached-eddy hypothesis continues to provide an important theoretical framework for the structure of wall-bounded turbulent flows.
Surfactant Effects on Bubble Motion and Bubbly Flows
Authors: Takagi Shu , Matsumoto Yoichiro
Published: January 2011

Small amounts of surfactant can drastically change bubble behavior. For example, a bubble in aqueous surfactant solution rises much slower than one in purified water. This phenomenon is explained by the so-called Marangoni effect caused by a nonuniform concentration distribution of surfactant along the bubble surface. In other words, a tangential shear stress appears on the bubble surface due to the surface tension variation caused by the surface concentration distribution, which results in the reduction of the rising velocity of the bubble. More interestingly, this Marangoni effect influences not only the rising velocity, but also the lateral migration in the presence of mean shear. Furthermore, these phenomena influence the multiscale nature of bubbly flows and cause a drastic change in the bubbly flow structure. In this article, we review the recent studies related to these interesting behaviors of bubbles caused by the surfactant adsorption/desorption on the bubble surface.
Follistatin-derived peptide expression in muscle decreases adipose tissue mass and prevents hepatic steatosis
Authors: Nakatani Masashi , Kokubo Masahiro , Ohsawa Yutaka , Sunada Yoshihide , Tsuchida Kunihiro
Published: January 2011

Myostatin, a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily, plays a potent inhibitory role in regulating skeletal muscle mass. Inhibition of myostatin by gene disruption, transgenic (Tg) expression of myostatin propeptide, or injection of propeptide or myostatin antibodies causes a widespread increase in skeletal muscle mass. Several peptides, in addition to myostatin propeptide and myostatin antibodies, can bind directly to and neutralize the activity of myostatin. These include follistatin and follistatin-related gene. Overexpression of follistatin or follistatin-related gene in mice increased the muscle mass as in myostatin knockout mice. Follistatin binds to myostatin but also binds to and inhibits other members of the TGF-β superfamily, notably activins. Therefore, follistatin regulates both myostatin and activins in vivo. We previously reported the development and characterization of several follistatin-derived peptides, including FS I-I (Nakatani M, Takehara Y, Sugino H, Matsumoto M, Hashimoto O, Hasegawa Y, Murakami T, Uezumi A, Takeda S, Noji S, Sunada Y, Tsuchida K. FASEB J 22: 477–487, 2008). FS I-I retained myostatin-inhibitory activity without affecting the bioactivity of activins. Here, we found that inhibition of myostatin increases skeletal muscle mass and decreases fat accumulation in FS I-I Tg mice. FS I-I Tg mice also showed decreased fat accumulation even on a control diet. Interestingly, the adipocytes in FS I-I Tg mice were much smaller than those of wild-type mice. Furthermore, FS I-I Tg mice were resistant to high-fat diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis and had lower hepatic fatty acid levels and altered fatty acid composition compared with control mice. FS I-I Tg mice have improved glucose tolerance when placed on a high-fat diet. These data indicate that inhibiting myostatin with a follistatin-derived peptide provides a novel therapeutic option to decrease adipocyte size, prevent obesity and hepatic steatosis, and improve glucose tolerance.
Role of the angiotensin II AT2 receptor in inflammation and oxidative stress: opposing effects in lean and obese Zucker rats
Authors: Sabuhi Rifat , Ali Quaisar , Asghar Mohammad , Al-Zamily Najah Riesh Hadi , Hussain Tahir
Published: January 2011

Inflammation and oxidative stress are believed to contribute to hypertension in obesity/diabetes. Recently, we reported a role for the AT2 receptor in blood pressure control in obese Zucker rats. However, the role of AT2 receptors in inflammation and oxidative stress in obesity is not known. Therefore, in the present study, we tested the effects of the AT2 receptor agonist CGP-42112A on inflammation and oxidative stress in obese Zucker rats and compared them in their lean counterparts. Rats were systemically treated with either vehicle (control) or CGP-42112A (1 μg·kg−1·min−1; osmotic pump) for 2 wk. Markers of inflammation (CRP, MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6) and oxidative stress (HO-1, gp-91phox) as well as an antioxidant (SOD) were determined. Control obese rats had higher plasma levels of CRP, MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-6, and HO-1 compared with control lean rats. Conversely, plasma SOD activity was lower in control obese than in control lean rats. Furthermore, the protein levels of TNF-α and gp-91phox were higher in the kidney cortex of control obese rats. Interestingly, CGP-42112A treatment in obese rats reduced the plasma and kidney cortex inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6) and oxidative stress (gp-91phox) markers and increased plasma SOD activity to the levels seen in lean control rats. However, CGP-42112A treatment in lean rats increased inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6) and oxidative stress (gp-91phox) markers in the plasma and kidney cortex. Our present studies suggest anti-inflammatory and antioxidative functions of AT2 receptor in obese Zucker rats but proinflammatory and prooxidative functions in lean Zucker rats.
Onp‐Adic Analogue ofq‐Bernstein Polynomials and Related Integrals
Authors: Kim T. , Choi J. , Kim Y. H. , Jang L. C.
Published: January 2011

Recently, Kim′s work (in press) introducedq‐Bernstein polynomials which are different Phillips′q‐Bernstein polynomials introduced in the work by (Phillips, 1996; 1997). The purpose of this paper is to study some properties of several type Kim′sq‐Bernstein polynomials to express thep‐adicq‐integral of these polynomials onℤpassociated with Carlitz′sq‐Bernoulli numbers and polynomials. Finally, we also derive some relations on thep‐adicq‐integral of the products of several type Kim′sq‐Bernstein polynomials and the powers of them onℤp.
Laue Gamma-Ray Lenses for Space Astrophysics: Status and Prospects
Authors: Frontera Filippo , von Ballmoos Peter
Published: January 2011

We review feasibility studies, technological developments, and the astrophysical prospects for Laue lenses devoted
to hard X-/gamma-ray astronomy observations.
Long‐Term Follow‐Up of HLA‐A2+ Patients with High‐Risk, Hormone‐Sensitive Prostate Cancer Vaccinated with the Prostate Specific Antigen Peptide Homologue (PSA146‐154)
Authors: Perambakam Supriya , Xie Hui , Edassery Seby , Peace David J.
Published: January 2011

Twenty‐eight HLA‐A2+ patients with high‐risk, locally advanced or metastatic, hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer were immunized with a peptide homologue of prostate‐specific antigen, PSA146‐154, between July 2002 and September 2004 and monitored for clinical and immune responses. Fifty percent of the patients developed strong PSA146‐154‐peptide‐specific delayed‐type hypersensitivity skin responses, tetramer and/or IFN‐γ responses within one year. Thirteen patients had stable or declining serum levels of PSA one year post‐vaccination. A decreased risk of biochemical progression was observed in patients who developed augmented tetramer responses at six months compared to pre‐vaccination levels (P = .02). Thirteen patients have died while 15 patients remain alive with a mean overall survival of 60 months (95% CI, 51 to 68 months) per Kaplan‐Meier analysis. A trend towards greater overall survival was detected in men with high‐risk, hormone‐sensitive CaP who developed specific T‐cell immunity following vaccination with PSA146‐154 peptide.
Stratigraphy of the Lower Pierre Shale (Campanian): Implications for the Tectonic and Eustatic Controls on Facies Distributions
Authors: Bertog Janet
Published: January 2011

The lower Pierre Shale represents a time of significant changes in the Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway, resulting from complex interactions of tectonism and eustatic sea level changes. The recognition and redefinition of the units of the lower Pierre Shale has facilitated understanding of the dynamics of the basin. The Burning Brule Member of the Sharon Springs Formation is restricted to the northern part of the basin and represents tectonically influenced sequences. These sequences are a response to rapid subsidence of the axial basin and the Williston Basin corresponding to tectonic activity along the Absoroka Thrust in Wyoming. Unconformities associated with the Burning Brule Member record a migrating peripheral bulge in the Black Hills region corresponding to a single tectonic pulse on the Absoroka Thrust. Migration of deposition and unconformities supports an elastic model for the formation and migration of the peripheral bulge and its interaction with the Williston Basin.
Mammalian Models of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Pathological Characteristics and Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Nakamura Akinori , Takeda Shin′ichi
Published: January 2011

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating X‐linked muscle disorder characterized by muscle wasting which is caused by mutations in the DMD gene. The DMD gene encodes the sarcolemmal protein dystrophin, and loss of dystrophin causes muscle degeneration and necrosis. Thus far, therapies for this disorder are unavailable. However, various therapeutic trials based on gene therapy, exon skipping, cell therapy, read through therapy, or pharmaceutical agents have been conducted extensively. In the development of therapy as well as elucidation of pathogenesis in DMD, appropriate animal models are needed. Various animal models of DMD have been identified, and mammalian (murine, canine, and feline) models are indispensable for the examination of the mechanisms of pathogenesis and the development of therapies. Here, we review the pathological features of DMD and therapeutic applications, especially of exon skipping using antisense oligonucleotides and gene therapies using viral vectors in murine and canine models of DMD.
Modulators of Protein Kinase C Affect SR-BI-Dependent HDL Lipid Uptake in Transfected HepG2 Cells
Authors: Brunet Rachelle , How Maxine , Trigatti Bernardo L.
Published: January 2011

SR-BI is a cell surface HDL receptor that mediates selective uptake of the lipid cargo of HDL, an important process in hepatocytes, driving reverse cholesterol transport from cells in the artery wall. To facilitate examination of factors that modulate SR-BI activity in hepatocytes, we have generated fluorescent protein-tagged versions of SR-BI that allow for facile monitoring of SR-BI protein levels and distribution in transfected cells. We show that deletion of the C-terminal cytosolic tail does not affect the distribution of SR-BI in HepG2 cells, nor is the C-terminal cytosolic tail required for SR-BI-mediated uptake of HDL lipids. We also demonstrate that the phorbol ester, PMA, increased, while protein kinase C inhibitors reduced SR-BI-mediated HDL lipid uptake in HepG2 cells. These data suggest that protein kinase C may modulate selective uptake of HDL lipids including cholesterol in hepatocytes, thereby influencing hepatic HDL cholesterol clearance and reverse cholesterol transport.
Effects of Maternal Magnesium Sulfate Administration on Intestinal Blood Flow Velocity in Preterm Neonates
Authors: Havranek Thomas , Ashmeade Terri L. , Afanador Maria , Carver Jane D.
Published: January 2011

Background: Antenatal MgSO4 administration is used extensively as a tocolytic agent and to treat preeclampsia. Various effects on the fetus and newborn have been reported, and MgSO4 has well-documented vasoactive effects. Objective: To determine if antenatal MgSO4 administration affects intestinal blood flow velocity in newborn preterm infants. Methods: Peak, mean and end-diastolic velocities in the superior mesenteric artery were measured on day 1 of life. Maternal medical records were reviewed to identify infants whose mothers had been administered MgSO4 for preterm labor or preeclampsia within 24 h of delivery. Result: Fifty-six infants were studied: 27 were exposed and 29 were not exposed to antenatal MgSO4. Mean birth weight (1,371 ± 349 and 1,401 ± 469 g, respectively), gestational age (29.7 ± 2.0 and 30.0 ± 2.9 weeks, respectively) and infant hemodynamic and clinical variables (other than clinical indication for antenatal MgSO4 administration) were similar between groups. There were no significant differences between the exposed and unexposed groups in intestinal blood flow velocities. For the exposed group, however, there was a significant negative correlation between mean velocity and the number of hours from birth to the time superior mesenteric artery blood flow velocity measurements were made (p = 0.002); there was no correlation for the unexposed group (p = 0.852). Conclusion: Group mean values indicate that antenatal exposure to MgSO4 does not significantly affect intestinal blood flow velocity in newborn preterm infants. However, the significant negative relationship between mean blood flow velocity and time from birth to blood flow velocity measurement in exposed infants suggests that there may be measurable effects of MgSO4 exposure within the hours immediately after birth. Trials that prospectively evaluate the development of intestinal blood flow velocities are needed to further clarify potential effects of antenatal MgSO4 on the gastrointestinal tract of preterm infants.
Grammatical Difficulties in Children with Specific Language Impairment: Is Learning Deficient?
Authors: Hsu Hsinjen Julie , Bishop Dorothy V.M.
Published: January 2011

Theoretical accounts of grammatical limitations in specific language impairment (SLI) have been polarized between those that postulate problems with domain-specific grammatical knowledge, and those that regard grammatical deficits as downstream consequences of perceptual or memory limitations. Here we consider an alternative view that grammatical deficits arise when the learning system is biased towards memorization of exemplars, and is poor at extracting statistical dependencies from the input. We examine evidence that SLI involves deficits in extracting nonadjacent dependencies from input, leading to reliance on rote learning, and consider how far this may be part of a limitation of procedural learning, or a secondary consequence of memory limitations.
Biochemical and Pharmacological Effects of Mitoxantrone and Acetyl-L-Carnitine in Mice with a Solid Form of Ehrlich Tumour
Authors: Niang M. , Soukup T. , Živný P. , Tomšík P. , Bukač J. , Řezáčová M. , Stoklasová A. , Cerman J. , Šišpera L.
Published: January 2011

Background: Dysfunction of the carnitine system in non-tumour tissue following anticancer therapy has been reported. In this setting, supplementation with carnitine derivatives might increase the general metabolic activity of normal cells so that they might better withstand the adverse effects of chemotherapy aimed at tumour cells. Here we investigated the effect of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) alone and in combination with the antineoplastic agent mitoxantrone (MX) in an animal cancer model. Methods: The effects of MX and MX-ALC were assessed based on gain or loss of body weight and on local growth of a solid form of Ehrlich tumour inoculated into mice. We also performed biochemical analyses like serum activities of some enzymes signalling the functioning of the liver, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Total protein, albumin and bilirubin were also determined in serum. Under favourable conditions, the Ehrlich tumour readily forms metastases, and this is the reason why we performed histological studies of samples of both the liver and heart in order to identify changes that may have mediated the observed effect of the treatment. In addition to those studies, the survival time of treated animals against controls was also noted. Results: MX monotherapy was associated with lower body weight gain, fewer metastases, smaller tumour size, and lower dissemination. ALC alone promoted survival, but had no potentiating effect on MX therapy in terms of survival. Serum biochemistry changes associated with MX-ALC treatment consisted of a significant (p < 0.05) increase in AST with MX at 6 or 9 mg·kg–1 plus ALC 200 mg·kg–1 and a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in total protein compared to the corresponding MX group; serum albumin and bilirubin remained unchanged. Conclusion: ALC in combination with MX, regardless of the dose of MX, led to higher occurrences of metastases with dissemination to the kidneys, lungs, heart, and mediastinum compared to MX treatment alone. These histological findings indicate that ALC is inappropriate to combine with MX in the treatment of a solid cancer. The protective effect of ALC in combination therapy with the cytostatic drug MX was not supported in this study by our findings that the agent did not improve the therapeutic outcomes of MX therapy.
Renal Disease Associated with Antiretroviral Therapy in the Treatment of HIV
Authors: Cooper Ryan D. , Tonelli Marcello
Published: January 2011

The introduction of potent combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the treatment of HIV infection has permitted reliable control of disease progression and has markedly improved survival among people with HIV. As a result, health care providers and patients have shifted clinical priorities; whereas once delaying opportunistic illness was a primary focus, increasing emphasis is now placed on preventative health, management of comorbid chronic disease and avoiding long-term toxicities of ART. Although renal disease is common in people with HIV, renal disease specifically due to ART remains relatively rare. Still, as the use of ART continues to increase, health care providers are likely to encounter this potentially serious complication with increasing frequency. Distinguishing ART-related nephrotoxicity from the myriad of other potential causes of renal disease in people with HIV is important in order to avoid unnecessary discontinuation of an appropriate ART regimen. This review focuses on the early recognition of renal disease associated with ART and suggests strategies for management and prevention.
A Novel Approach to Assess Oral Feeding Skills of Preterm Infants
Authors: Lau C. , Smith E.O.
Published: January 2011

Background: There is no well-defined means to identify the level of oral feeding skills (OFS) in preterm infants. Objective: To determine whether OFS as reflected by the combination of proficiency (PRO, %ml taken during the first 5 min/ml prescribed) and rate of milk transfer (RT, ml/min) correlates with gestational age (GA), oral feeding performance (OT, %ml taken during a feeding/ml prescribed) and days from start to independent oral feeding (SOF-IOF). Our working premises are that PRO is reflective of infants’ actual feeding skills when fatigue is minimal and RT, monitored over an entire feeding session, reflects their overall skills when fatigue comes into play. Methods: Infants (26–36 weeks GA) with prematurity as their principal diagnosis were recruited and monitored at their first oral feeding. GA was divided into 3 strata, 26–29, 30–33, and 34–36 weeks GA. OFS was divided into 4 levels delineated by PRO (≧ or <30%) and RT (≧ or <1.5 ml/min). ANOVA with post-hoc Bonferroni and multiple regression analyses were used. Results: OFS levels were correlated with GA. OT, PRO, and days from SOF-IOF were associated with OFS and GA, whereas RT was only correlated with OFS levels. Conclusions: OFS is a novel objective indicator of infants’ feeding ability that takes into account infants’ skills and endurance. As a clinical tool, it can help caretakers monitor infants’ skills as they transition to oral feeding and identify oral feeding issues arising from immature skills and/or poor endurance.
Severe Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia and Adverse Short-Term Consequences in Baghdad, Iraq
Authors: Hameed Numan Nafie , Na’ ma Alaa’ Muhamed , Vilms Rohan , Bhutani Vinod K.
Published: January 2011

Background: Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, when unmonitored or untreated, can progress to acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE). Initiatives to prevent and eliminate post-icteric sequelae (kernicterus) are being implemented to allow for timely interventions for bilirubin reduction. Objectives: We report an observational study to determine the clinical risk factors and short-term outcomes of infants admitted for severe neonatal jaundice. Methods: A post-discharge medical chart review was performed for a cohort of infants admitted for management of newborn jaundice to the Children Welfare Teaching Hospital during a 4-month period in 2007 and 2008. Immediate outcomes included severity of hyperbilirubinemia, association of ABE, need and impact of exchange transfusion, and survival. Short-term post-discharge follow-up assessed for post-icteric sequelae. Results: A total of 162 infants were admitted for management of severe jaundice. Incidences of severe sequelae were: advanced ABE (22%), neonatal mortality within 48 h of admission (12%) and post-icteric sequelae (21%). Among the cohort, 85% were <10 days of age (median 6 days, IQR 4–7 days). Readmission total serum bilirubin ranged from 197 to 770 µM; mean 386 ± 108 SD µM (mean 22.6 ± 6.3 SD mg/dl; median 360, IQR 310–445 µM). The major contributory risk factor for the adverse outcome of kernicterus/death was admission with advanced ABE (OR 8.03; 95% CI 3.44–18.7). Other contributory factors to this outcome, usually significant, but not so for this cohort, included home delivery, sepsis, ABO or Rh disease. Absence of any detectable signs of ABE on admission and treatment of severe hyperbilirubinemia was associated with no adverse outcome (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.16–0.68). Conclusions: Risks of mortality and irreversible brain injury among healthy infants admitted for newborn jaundice are urgent reminders to promote education of communities, families and primary health care providers, especially in a fractured health system. Known risk factors for severe hyperbilirubinemia were overwhelmed by the effect of advanced ABE.
Presence of Reactive Microglia and Neuroinflammatory Mediators in a Case of Frontotemporal Dementia with P301S Mutation
Authors: Bellucci Arianna , Bugiani Orso , Ghetti Bernardino , Spillantini Maria Grazia
Published: January 2011

Background: Recent findings, showing the presence of an inflammatory process in the brain of transgenic mice expressing P301S mutated human tau protein, indicate that neuroinflammation may contribute to tau-related degeneration in frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 with tau mutations (FTDP-17T). Objective: To investigate the occurrence of neuroinflammatory changes in the brain of a patient affected by FTDP-17T associated with the P301S mutation and showing a frontotemporal dementia phenotype as well as in the brain of a patient affected by another FTDP-17T phenotype: multiple system tauopathy with presenile dementia. Methods: We used immunohistochemical methods to visualize activated microglia, interleukin-1b (IL-1b)-, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-expressing cells. Results: In the brain of the patient with the P301S mutation, a strong neuroinflammatory reaction was present. Activated microglia/infiltrating macrophages expressing the cluster of differentiation 68 and major histocampatibility complex class II cell surface receptors, encoded by the human leukocyte antigen DP-DQ-DR, were detected in the cortex and hippocampus. IL-1b and COX-2 expression were induced in neuronal and glial cells. These neuroinflammatory changes were different from those observed in the brain of the patient bearing the +3 mutation, where macrophage infiltration was absent, microglial cells displayed an earlier stage of activation and COX-2 was not detected. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that microglial activation and the production of proinflammatory mediators by phospho-tau-positive neurons and glial cells may differentially contribute to neuronal death and disease progression in neurodegenerative tauopathies.
Discovery of (2-Fluoro-Benzyl)-(2-Methyl-2-Phenethyl-2H-Chromen-6-yl)-Amine (KRH-102140) as an Orally Active 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitor with Activity in Murine Inflammation Models
Authors: Cho Young Sik , Song Jin Sook , Huh Jun Young , Kim Chi Hyun , Gong Young-Dae , Cheon Hyae Gyeong
Published: January 2011

Objective and Design: We investigated anti-inflammatory properties of a novel 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitor, KRH-102140, in vitro and in vivo. 5-LO enzyme activity was assayed using insect cell lysates overexpressing rat 5-LO. The leukotriene B4 (LTB4) level was assayed in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cell line. ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice were used for in vivo assays. Mouse ear edema was induced by topical application of arachidonic acid. An air pouch was induced by subcutaneous injection of sterile air into mice, followed by zymosan treatment. Sprague-Dawley rats were used for pharmacokinetic studies. Results: KRH-102140 inhibited 5-LO activity with an IC50 value of 160 ± 23 nmol/l in parallel with LTB4 inhibition in RBL-1 cells. Oral administration of KRH-102140 (10–100 mg/kg) reduced ear edema, myeloperoxidase activity and LTB4 production in murine inflammation models. Oral bioavailability as determined in rats was 66%. Conclusions: Our results show that KRH-102140, a new 5-LO inhibitor, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activities in vitro as well as in vivo.
Outcome of Adjuvant Therapy for Gallbladder Cancer
Authors: Park Hyung Soon , Lim Jae Yun , Yoon Dong Sup , Park Joon Seong , Lee Dong Ki , Lee Se Joon , Choi Hye Jin , Song Si Young , Lee Woo Jung , Cho Jae Yong
Published: January 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of adjuvant therapy on the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) after curative resection (RO) of patients with TNM stage II gallbladder (GB) cancer. Methods: A total of 160 patients who had received curative resection (RO) between January 2000 and December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Among 61 stage II GB cancer patients, 43 received adjuvant therapy, while 18 others received surgery alone. The median follow-up period was 27.3 months (range 2.2–98.9 months). Results: OS was not significantly different among the adjuvant therapies (p = 0.180), but DFS was (p = 0.033). The 3-year OS and DFS from surgery alone, adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant radiotherapy, and adjuvant concurrent chemo-radiotherapy were 64, 78, 36 and 36%, and 56, 69, 14 and 47%, respectively. Overall, the chemotherapy group had a better prognosis, although there were no significant differences. Conclusions: The data from this study do not provide evidence that adjuvant therapy is an effective treatment option for curative resected GB cancer. A large randomized controlled study is necessary to confirm the efficacy of adjuvant therapy. Newer adjuvant studies should be focused on gemcitabine-based chemotherapy or chemo-radiotherapy with molecular-based target agents.
Pegylated Interferon for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C in Hemodialysis Patients in Croatia
Authors: Basic-Jukic Nikolina , Gulin Marijana , Slavicek Jasna , Coric-Martinovic Valentina , Iskra Bosiljka , Racki Sanjin , Sain Milenka , Ostojić Rajko , Hrstic Irena , Ljutic Dragan , Vucelic Boris , Kes Petar
Published: January 2011

Background and Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a frequent complication among long-term dialysis patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of pegylated interferon-α2a (PEG-IFN-α2a) treatment in hemodialysis patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts of 16 HCV-RNA-positive hemodialysis patients. Results: There were 11 male and 5 female patients treated with dialysis for 6–28 years. Twelve patients had HCV genotype 1b, 2 patients had 3a, and 1 patient had genotype 2a. Although only 10 out of 16 patients completed 48 weeks of treatment, early virological response and end-of-treatment virological response were achieved in 9 and 13 patients, respectively. Sustained virological response was recorded in 9 patients. The most common side effect was anemia. A flu-like syndrome was documented in 6, myalgia in 4, and arthralgia in 5 patients. Rectorrhagia, endocarditis and severe cough were recorded in 1 patient each. Nine patients received a renal transplant, and all 6 responders remained HCV-RNA-negative. Conclusions: PEG-IFN-α2a has limited efficacy in dialysis patients. A significant proportion of patients discontinued treatment because of side effects. Additional studies with long-term follow-up are needed to determine the optimal treatment of HCV infection in the dialysis population.
Pure Apocrine Nevus: Immunohistochemical Study of a New Case and Literature Review
Authors: Kanitakis J. , Kyamidis K. , Toussinas A. , Tsoïtis G.
Published: January 2011

Apocrine nevi are benign adnexal cutaneous hamartomas characterized by localized hyperplasia of mature apocrine sweat glands (ASG). Although ASG proliferation can be found in a number of acquired or congenital adnexal skin tumors, pure apocrine nevi are exceedingly rare. We present herein a new typical case of this tumor that was studied immunohistochemically, and review the relevant literature in order to delineate its clinicopathological features.
Evaluation of the Carhart Effect in Congenital Middle Ear Malformation with Both an Intact External Ear Canal and a Mobile Stapes Footplate
Authors: Sakamoto Takashi , Kakigi Akinobu , Kashio Akinori , Kanaya Kaori , Suzuki Mitsuya , Yamasoba Tatsuya
Published: January 2011

The medical charts of 41 ears with congenital middle ear malformation with both an intact external ear canal and a mobile stapes footplate were reviewed retrospectively to study the Carhart effect. The operations were categorized as successful or unsuccessful according to the extent of decrease in the average air-bone gap. Statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 groups with respect to the changes in pure-tone average and the changes in the bone conduction (BC) threshold at 1 and 2 kHz. Linear regression analysis revealed weak correlations between the change in the BC threshold and the postoperative BC threshold at an overall level and at the 4 frequencies tested. Stapes ankylosis is a main cause of the Carhart effect. The present study showed that in congenital middle ear malformation, the Carhart effect was caused not only by stapes ankylosis but also by other types of disruption in the ossicular chain.
Decorin GAG Synthesis and TGF-β Signaling Mediate Ox-LDL–Induced Mineralization of Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Yan Jianyun , Stringer Sally E. , Hamilton Andrew , Charlton-Menys Valentine , Götting Christian , Müller Benjamin , Aeschlimann Daniel , Alexander M. Yvonne
Published: January 2011

Objective—

Decorin and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) independently induce osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We aimed to determine whether decorin glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chain synthesis contributes to Ox-LDL–induced differentiation and calcification of human VSMCs in vitro.

Methods and Results—

Human VSMCs treated with Ox-LDL to induce oxidative stress showed increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, accelerated mineralization, and a difference in both decorin GAG chain biosynthesis and CS/DS structure compared with untreated controls. Ox-LDL increased mRNA abundance of both xylosyltransferase (XT)-I, the key enzyme responsible for GAG chain biosynthesis and Msx2, a marker of osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, downregulation of XT-I expression using small interfering RNA blocked Ox-LDL–induced VSMC mineralization. Adenoviral-mediated overexpression of decorin, but not a mutated unglycanated form, accelerated mineralization of VSMCs, suggesting GAG chain addition on decorin is crucial for the process of differentiation. The decorin-induced VSMC osteogenic differentiation involved activation of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β pathway, because it was attenuated by blocking of TGF-β receptor signaling and because decorin overexpression potentiated phosphorylation of the downstream signaling molecule smad2.

Conclusion—

These studies provide direct evidence that oxidative stress–mediated decorin GAG chain synthesis triggers TGF-β signaling and mineralization of VSMCs in vitro.