bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF THE PASSIVE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF TAENIAE COLI: EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL APPROACH
Authors: CARNIEL EMANUELE LUIGI , GRAMIGNA VERA , FONTANELLA CHIARA GIULIA , STEFANINI CESARE , NATALI ARTURO NICOLA
Published: August 2013

The constitutive analysis of gastrointestinal tissues represents a fundamental aspect for the biomechanical investigation of gastrointestinal structures and organs through the use of computational methods. This approach makes it possible to obtain an accurate and extensive set of results, also offering the possibility to evaluate the interaction with surgical devices. The constitutive analysis of taeniae coli tissue is performed by a multi-disciplinary approach that requires the cooperation between medical, experimental and computational competences, as common practice in biological tissues mechanics. The analysis of taeniae coli histology suggests the assumption of a transversally isotropic scheme, because of the orientation of muscular fibers along a preferential direction. Mechanical tests are designed and planned in consideration of the mentioned structural conformation, considering tensile tests imposed according to different loading directions. The results from histological and experimental investigations lead to the definition of a constitutive model in the framework of fiber-reinforced hyperelastic materials. The constitutive parameters are evaluated by the comparative analysis between experimental and numerical results by means of a minimisation of their discrepancy. The reliability of the constitutive formulation and parameters is assessed by the analysis of additional experimental data and the evaluation of satisfaction of thermo-mechanics requirements about material stability.
SPECIFIC BINDING OF A SHORT miRNA SEQUENCE BY ZINC KNUCKLES OF Lin28: A MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATION STUDY
Authors: TAN CHENG , LI WENFEI , WANG WEI
Published: August 2013

Protein Lin28 recognizes pre-let-7 microRNAs (miRNAs) through direct interactions between its zinc-knuckle type zinc-finger (ZnF) domains and the terminal loop of pre-let-7, resulting in the inhibition of the synthesis of mature let-7 miRNAs. Despite the physiological importance, the involved conformational changes and energetic factors contributing to the binding affinity and specificity remain unclear. We conducted molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in conjunction with molecular mechanics/generalized born surface area (MM/GBSA) and energy decomposition calculations to investigate the RNA binding-induced conformational changes of the ZnFs and the residual level energetic factors that influence the binding affinity and specificity. We showed that the binding of the RNA results in the inter-domain conformational changes of the two ZnF domains, including changes of the spatial relationships of several nucleobase-binding amino acids. We also observed mutation-induced weakening of the affinity of the Lin28–pre-let-7 binding, which reveals the importance of the stacking interactions between the side-chains of Tyr140, His148, His162 and the bases of nucleic acid G2 and G5 in the specific recognition of pre-let-7 by the ZnFs of Lin28.
PHOTOCATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF TiO2/CNTs FILMS WITH DIFFERENT MORPHOLOGY ON STAINLESS STEEL SUBSTRATES
Authors: WANG S. G. , DU Z. R. , KONG C. X. , LI P. F. , XU J. L. , WANG C. X. , WANG J. H.
Published: August 2013

CNTs– TiO 2 films with different morphology were fabricated on stainless steel substrates through chemical vapor hydrolysis deposition (CVHD) process and sol–gel process, respectively. Their morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photocatalytic properties of the films were tested in the degradation of methyl orange by UV light irradiation. The results revealed that TiO 2 nanoparticles could form a continuous layer on the surface of CNTs through CVHD process. While for sol–gel process, most TiO 2 nanoparticles were isolated and only a small amount of TiO 2 nanoparticles attached on the surface of CNTs. And the photocatalytic property of TiO 2/CNTs film synthesized through CVHD process was better than that of TiO 2/CNTs films synthesized through sol–gel process. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis illuminated that TiO 2/CNTs synthesized through CVHD process displayed a smaller resistance than the sample which was synthesized through sol–gel process and certified that the close combination between TiO 2 and CNTs could minimize recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes, and thus promote the photocatalytic property.
RANDOM MATRICES: SHARP CONCENTRATION OF EIGENVALUES
Authors: TAO TERENCE , VU VAN
Published: August 2013

Let [Formula: see text] be a Wigner matrix whose entries have vanishing third moment, normalized so that the spectrum is concentrated in the interval [-2, 2]. We prove a concentration bound for NI = NI(Wn), the number of eigenvalues of Wn in an interval I. Our result shows that NI decays exponentially with standard deviation at most O( log O(1) n). This is best possible up to the constant exponent in the logarithmic term. As a corollary, the bulk eigenvalues are localized to an interval of width O( log O(1) n/n); again, this is optimal up to the exponent. These results strengthen recent results of Erdős, Yau and Yin (under the extra assumption of vanishing third moment). Our proof is relatively simple and relies on the Lindeberg replacement argument.
Health of Indigenous Circumpolar Populations
Authors: Josh Snodgrass J.
Published: August 2013

Indigenous circumpolar populations have experienced profound transitions in lifeways over the past half-century as a result of economic development. Although there have been positive aspects of this social transformation, most circumpolar groups today have a triple burden of disease, with a modestly elevated infectious disease level, an elevated and increasing burden of chronic conditions such as obesity and cardiovascular disease, and high rates of mental health–related challenges. The health of contemporary circumpolar populations is not easily characterized because of dramatic regional differences that stem from socioeconomic disparities among nonindigenous groups, individual population histories, lifestyle factors, environmental pollution, and underlying biological variation. Overall health and well-being range from excellent among the Sami of Sweden and Norway to extremely poor among marginalized native populations in northern Russia. Circumpolar groups today are not only threatened by continued regional economic development and pollution, but also uniquely vulnerable to global climate change.
Cool Gas in High-Redshift Galaxies
Authors: Carilli C.L. , Walter F.
Published: August 2013

Over the past decade, observations of the cool interstellar medium (ISM) in distant galaxies via molecular and atomic fine structure line (FSL) emission have gone from a curious look into a few extreme, rare objects to a mainstream tool for studying galaxy formation out to the highest redshifts. Molecular gas has been observed in close to 200 galaxies at z > 1, including numerous AGN host-galaxies out to z ∼ 7, highly star-forming submillimeter galaxies, and increasing samples of main-sequence color-selected star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 1.5 to 2.5. Studies have moved well beyond simple detections to dynamical imaging at kiloparsec-scale resolution and multiline, multispecies studies that determine the physical conditions in the ISM in early galaxies. Observations of the cool gas are the required complement to studies of the stellar density and star-formation history of the Universe as they reveal the phase of the ISM that immediately precedes star formation in galaxies. Current observations suggest that the order of magnitude increase in the cosmic star-formation rate density from z ∼ 0 to 2 is commensurate with a similar increase in the gas-to-stellar mass ratio in star-forming disk galaxies. Progress has been made in determining the CO luminosity to H2 mass conversion factor at high z, and the dichotomy between high versus low values for main-sequence versus starburst galaxies, respectively, appears to persist with increasing redshift, with a likely dependence on metallicity and other local physical conditions. There may also be two sequences in the relationship between star-formation rate and gas mass: one for starbursts, in which the gas consumption timescale is short (a few 107 years), and one for main sequence galaxies, with an order of magnitude longer gas consumption timescale. Studies of atomic FSL emission are rapidly progressing, with some tens of galaxies detected in the exceptionally bright [Cii] 158-μm line to date. The [Cii] line is proving to be a unique tracer of galaxy dynamics in the early Universe and, together with other atomic FSLs, has the potential to be the most direct means of obtaining spectroscopic redshifts for the first galaxies during cosmic reionization.
Agricultural Biotechnology: Economics, Environment, Ethics, and the Future
Authors: Bennett Alan B. , Chi-Ham Cecilia , Barrows Geoffrey , Sexton Steven , Zilberman David
Published: August 2013

Agricultural biotechnology and, specifically, the development of genetically modified (GM) crops have been controversial for several reasons, including concerns that the technology poses potential negative environmental or health effects, that the technology would lead to the (further) corporatization of agriculture, and that it is simply unethical to manipulate life in the laboratory. GM crops have been part of the agricultural landscape for more than 15 years and have now been adopted on more than 170 million hectares (ha) in both developed countries (48%) and developing countries (52%). On the basis of this substantial history and data spanning many years, the economic and environmental impacts of GM crops can now be summarized with some certainty, and the analysis indicates that, on balance, many benefits have accrued from the adoption of GM crops. There continue to be many ethical issues that are being debated, and many are being resolved through institutional interventions. The future of agricultural productivity would be better served if the genetic modification debate were less polarized and were focused on the potential for complementarity of GM technologies within a diversified farming system framework.
Growing Up in Law and Society: The Pulls of Policy and Methods
Authors: Lempert Richard
Published: August 2013

This article begins by tracing the aspirations and training that led to Lempert's commitment to the field of law and social science and includes comments on prominent figures in the field, the emergence of empirical legal studies, and other matters. It may interest scholars who seek to understand the history of the field's revival, and those who were among the first generation of Law and Society Association members may see some of their own experience in Lempert's account. The article then discusses policy uses of law and social science research and cautions against the possibility that a study's policy appeal may exceed the weight that can fairly be put on it. Five studies are used as examples: Wilson and Kelling's essay on “broken windows,” Sherman and Berk's work on arrest for spouse abuse, Ehrlich's article on the deterrent effects of the death penalty, Lott and Mustard's work on right-to-carry laws, and Sander's mismatch critique of affirmative action. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance to policy of understanding mechanism and the need for sophistication in the soft methods of study design, along with a good understanding of formal statistics.
The Regulation of Environmental Space
Authors: Herbert Steve , Derman Brandon , Grobelski Tiffany
Published: August 2013

The need to regulate environmental problems is of ever-increasing urgency. Yet the complexity of environmental dynamics challenges any regulatory scheme. We use this essay to describe and assess some of these challenges. We deploy the terms scope and scale as analytic tools in this effort. We define and elaborate on these terms and then use them to analyze three especially critical dilemmas in environmental regulation: the fit between environmental dynamics and legal categories, the relationship between legal and nonlegal dynamics in structuring human impacts on the environment, and the relationship between environmental law and environmental justice.
Immunocytochemical localization of pendrin in intercalated cell subtypes in rat and mouse kidney
Authors: Kim Young-Hee , Kwon Tae-Hwan , Frische Sebastian , Kim Jin , Tisher C. Craig , Madsen Kirsten M. , Nielsen Søren
Published: August 2013

Recent studies have demonstrated that a novel anion exchanger, pendrin, is expressed in the apical domain of type B intercalated cells in the mammalian collecting duct. The purpose of this study was 1) to determine the expression and distribution of pendrin along the collecting duct and connecting tubule of mouse and rat kidney and establish whether pendrin is expressed in the non-A-non-B intercalated cells and 2) to determine the intracellular localization of pendrin in the different populations of intercalated cells by immunoelectron microscopy. A peptide-derived affinity-purified antibody was generated that specifically recognized pendrin in immunoblots of rat and mouse kidney. Immunohistochemistry and confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated the presence of pendrin in apical domains of all type B intercalated cells in mouse and rat connecting tubule and collecting duct. In addition, strong pendrin immunostaining was observed in non-A-non-B intercalated cells. There was no labeling of type A intercalated cells. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that pendrin was located in the apical plasma membrane and intracellular vesicles of both type B intercalated cells and non-A-non-B cells; the latter was identified by the presence of H+-ATPase in the apical plasma membrane. The results of this study demonstrate that both pendrin and H+-ATPase are expressed in the apical plasma membrane of non-A-non-B intercalated cells, suggesting that these cells are capable of both HCO[Formula: see text] and proton secretion. Furthermore, the presence of pendrin in both the apical plasma membrane and the apical intracellular vesicles of type B and non-A-non-B intercalated cells suggests that HCO[Formula: see text] secretion may be regulated by trafficking of pendrin between the two membrane compartments.
Ca2+ signaling and membrane potential in descending vasa recta pericytes and endothelia
Authors: Rhinehart Kristie , Zhang Zhong , Pallone Thomas L.
Published: August 2013

We devised a method for removal of pericytes from isolated descending vasa recta (DVR). After enzymatic digestion, aspiration of a descending vas rectum into a micropipette strips the pericytes from the abluminal surface. Pericytes and denuded endothelia can be recovered for separate study. Using fura 2-loaded preparations, we demonstrated that 10 nM angiotensin II (ANG II) elevates pericyte intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and suppresses endothelial [Ca2+]i. The anion transport blocker probenecid helps retain fura 2 in the pericyte cytoplasm. DVR endothelia were accessed for membrane potential measurement by perforated-patch whole cell recording by using the pericyte-stripping technique and by turning nondigested vessels inside out with concentric micropipettes. By either method of access, 10 nM ANG II depolarized ( n = 20) and 100 nM bradykinin hyperpolarized ( n = 25) the endothelia. We conclude that isolated endothelia and pericytes remain functional for study of [Ca2+]i responses and that ANG II and bradykinin receptors exist separately on each cell type.
Spatial repression ofPCNAby p53 during kidney development
Authors: Saifudeen Zubaida , Marks Jessica , Du Hong , El-Dahr Samir S.
Published: August 2013

Transcriptional repression is a key mechanism for the spatial specification of gene expression and cell fate determination. During kidney development, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is expressed in the nephrogenic zone and is downregulated rapidly as renal epithelial cells enter terminal differentiation and acquire functional characteristics. Our laboratory reported that the transcription factor p53 stimulates the terminal differentiation of renal epithelial cells by means of transcriptional activation of renal function genes (Saifudeen Z, Dipp S, and El-Dahr SS. J Clin Invest 109: 1021–1030, 2002). Because p53-induced growth arrest correlates with downregulation of PCNA gene expression, we examined the impact of p53 inactivation on PCNA expression in mice and evaluated the effect of p53 on PCNA transcription. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the transition from nephrogenesis to terminal epithelial cell differentiation correlates with accumulation of the transcription factor p53. Importantly, the spatially restricted pattern of PCNA expression is disrupted in kidneys of p53-deficient pups, in which there was a redistribution of PCNA expression into the differentiation zone (without a change in total kidney PCNA content) and distortion of the tubular architecture. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that the binding of kidney nuclear extracts to the p53 response elements in human and rat PCNA promoters is developmentally regulated. Transient transfection assays performed in p53-deficient HeLa cells revealed that exogenous p53 strongly represses transcription from human PCNA promoter-reporter constructs. Interestingly, deletion of the p53-binding site confers enhanced responsiveness to p53-mediated repression, suggesting that transcriptional repression of PCNA by p53 is achieved by a mechanism other than direct DNA binding. On the basis of these results, we propose the hypothesis that p53-mediated transcriptional repression plays a role in the spatial restriction of PCNA gene expression during normal renal development.
On the natriuretic effect of verapamil: inhibition of ENaC and transepithelial sodium transport
Authors: Segal Alan S. , Hayslett John P. , Desir Gary V.
Published: August 2013

The natriuretic effect of Ca2+channel blockers has been attributed to hemodynamic changes and to poorly defined direct tubular effects. To test the possibility that verapamil may inhibit Na+reabsorption at the distal tubule, its effect on transepithelial Na+transport in aldosterone-stimulated A6 cells was determined. Cells were grown on permeable supports, and short-circuit current ( Isc) measured in an Ussing chamber was used as a surrogate marker for transepithelial Na+transport. Application of 300 μM verapamil to the apical side inhibited Iscby 77% and was nearly as potent as 100 μM amiloride, which inhibited Iscby 87%. Verapamil-induced inhibition of Iscwas accompanied by a significant increase in transepithelial resistance, suggesting blockade of an apical conductance. Its action on transepithelial Na+transport does not appear to occur through inhibition of L-type Ca2+channels, since Iscwas unaffected by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Verapamil also does not appear to inhibit Iscby modulating intracellular Ca2+stores, since it fails to inhibit transepithelial Na+transport when added to the basolateral side. The effect on Na+transport is specific for verapamil, since nifedipine, Ba2+, 4-aminopyridine, and charybdotoxin do not significantly affect Isc. A direct effect of verapamil on the epithelial Na+channel (ENaC) was tested using oocytes injected with the α-, β-, and γ-subunits. We conclude that verapamil inhibits transepithelial Na+transport in A6 cells by blocking ENaC and that the natriuresis observed with administration of verapamil may be due in part to its action on ENaC.
Characterization of mouse urea transporters UT-A1 and UT-A2
Authors: Fenton R. A. , Stewart G. S. , Carpenter B. , Howorth A. , Potter E. A. , Cooper G. J. , Smith C. P.
Published: August 2013

Specialized transporter proteins that are the products of two closely related genes, UT-A ( Slc14a2) and UT-B ( Slc14a1), modulate the movement of urea across cell membranes. The purpose of this study was to characterize the mouse variants of two major products of the UT-A gene, UT-A1 and UT-A2. Screening a mouse kidney inner medulla cDNA library yielded 4,047- and 2,876-bp cDNAs, the mouse homologues of UT-A1 and UT-A2. Northern blot analysis showed high levels of UT-A mRNAs in kidney medulla. UT-A transcripts were also present in testes, heart, brain, and liver. Immunoblots with an antiserum raised to the 19 COOH-terminal amino acids of rat UT-A1 (L194) identified immunoreactive proteins in kidney, testes, heart, brain, and liver and showed a complex pattern of differential expression. Relative to other tissues, kidney and brain had the highest levels of UT-A protein expression. In kidney sections, immunostaining with L194 revealed immunoreactive proteins in type 1 (short) and type 3 (long) thin descending limbs of the loop of Henle and in the middle and terminal inner medullary collecting ducts. Expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes showed that, characteristic of UT-A family members, the cDNAs encoded phloretin-inhibitable urea transporters. Acute application of PKA agonists (cAMP/forskolin/IBMX) caused a significant increase in UT-A1- and UT-A3-, but not UT-A2-mediated, urea transport.
ANG II AT1 and AT2 receptors in developing kidney of normal microswine
Authors: Bagby Susan P. , LeBard Linda S. , Luo Zaiming , Ogden Bryan E. , Corless Christopher , McPherson Elizabeth D. , Speth Robert C.
Published: August 2013

To identify an appropriate model of human renin-angiotensin system (RAS) involvement in fetal origins of adult disease, we quantitated renal ANG II AT1 and AT2 receptors (AT1R and AT2R, respectively) in fetal (90-day gestation, n = 14), neonatal (3-wk, n = 5), and adult (6-mo, n = 8) microswine by autoradiography (125I-labeled [Sar1Ile8]ANG II+cold CGP-42112 for AT1R,125I-CGP-42112 for AT2R) and by whole kidney radioligand binding. The developmental pattern of renal AT1R in microswine, like many species, exhibited a 10-fold increase postnatally ( P < 0.001), with maximal postnatal density in glomeruli and lower density AT1R in extraglomerular cortical and outer medullary sites. With aging, postnatal AT1R glomerular profiles increased in size ( P < 0.001) and fractional area occupied ( P < 0.04), with no change in the number per unit area. Cortical levels of AT2R by autoradiography fell with age from ≅5,000 fmol/g in fetal kidneys to ≅60 and 20% of fetal levels in neonatal and adult cortex, respectively ( P < 0.0001). The pattern of AT2R binding in postnatal pig kidney mimicked that described in human and simian, but not rodent, species: dense AT2R confined to discrete cortical structures, including pre- and juxtaglomerular, but not intraglomerular, vasculature. Our results provide a quantitative assessment of ANG II receptors in developing pig kidney and document the concordance of pigs and primates in developmental regulation of renal AT1R and AT2R.
Epithelial Na channels and short-term renal response to salt deprivation
Authors: Frindt Gustavo , McNair Tiffany , Dahlmann Anke , Jacobs-Palmer Emily , Palmer Lawrence G.
Published: August 2013

To test the role of epithelial Na channels in the day-to-day regulation of renal Na excretion, rats were infused via osmotic minipumps with the Na channel blocker amiloride at rates that achieved drug concentrations of 2–5 μM in the lumen of the distal nephron. Daily Na excretion rates were unchanged, although amiloride-treated animals tended to excrete more Na in the afternoon and less in the late evening than controls. When the rats were given a low-Na diet, Na excretion rates were elevated in the amiloride-treated group within 4 h and remained higher than controls for at least 48 h. Adrenalectomized animals responded similarly to the low-Na diet. In contrast, rats infused with polythiazide at rates designed to inhibit NaCl transport in the distal tubule were able to conserve Na as well as did the controls. Injection of aldosterone (2 μg/100 g body wt) decreased Na excretion in control animals after a 1-h delay. This effect was largely abolished in amiloride-treated rats. On the basis of quantitative analysis of the results, we conclude that activation of amiloride-sensitive channels by mineralocorticoids accounts for 50–80% of the immediate natriuretic response of the kidney to a reduction in Na intake. Furthermore, the channels are necessary to achieve minimal rates of Na excretion during more chronic Na deprivation.
Smiling in Pain: Explorations of Its Social Motives
Authors: Kunz Miriam , Prkachin Kenneth , Lautenbacher Stefan
Published: August 2013

Studies of facial responses during experimental and clinical pain have revealed a surprising phenomenon, namely, that a considerable number of individuals respond with a smile. So far, it is not known why smiling occurs during pain. It is possible that the “smile of pain” is socially motivated (e.g., reinforcing social bonds while undergoing an unpleasant experience). The present studies were conducted in an attempt to address the role of social motives in smiling during pain. In two studies, we varied the quantitative (level of sociality) and qualitative (properties of the relationship between interactants) components of the situations in which participants received painful stimulation. Participants’ faces were video-recorded and the occurrence of smiling was assessed. The occurrence of smiling differed depending on stimulus intensity and the properties of the relationship between interactants. Smiling occurred more often during the painful compared to nonpainful stimulation. Whereas the presence of a stranger (experimenter) reduced the smiling behavior, the presence of an intimate other increased it. Slight variations in the level of sociality, however, had no effect on the degree of smiling. Social motives possibly aimed at strengthening social bonds and thus ensuring social support appear to underlie smiling during pain.
Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and a Novel Curcumin Derivative on Notch1 Signaling in Hepatoma Cell Line
Authors: Abdel Aziz Mohamed Talaat , Khaled Hussien Mostafa , El Hindawi Ali , Roshdy Nagwa Kamal , Rashed Laila A. , Sabry Dina , Hassouna Amira A. , Taha Fatma , Ali Walaa Ibrahim
Published: August 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and a novel curcumin derivative (NCD) on HepG2 cells (hepatoma cell line) and to investigate their effect on Notch1 signaling pathway target genes. HepG2 cells were divided into HepG2 control group, HepG2 cells treated with MSC conditioned medium (MSCs CM), HepG2 cells treated with a NCD, HepG2 cells treated with MSCs CM and NCD, and HepG2 cells treated with MSCs CM (CM of MSCs pretreated with a NCD). Expression of Notch1, Hes1, VEGF, and cyclin D1 was assessed by real-time, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in HepG2 cells. In addition, HepG2 proliferation assay was performed in all groups. Notch1 and its target genes (Hes1 and cyclin D1) were downregulated in all treated groups with more suppressive effect in the groups treated with both MSCs and NCD. Also, treated HepG2 cells showed significant decrease in cell proliferation rate. These data suggest that modulation of Notch1 signaling pathway by MSCs and/or NCD can be considered as a therapeutic target in HCC.
Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease Caregivers: The Contribution of Personality Traits
Authors: Tew Eloise H. , Naismith Sharon L. , Pereira Marilia , Lewis Simon J. G.
Published: August 2013

Parkinson's disease imposes significant demands not only on patients but also on those people living and caring for them, who often have a reduction in their quality of life. The factors that may ameliorate these effects, such as an individual's personality, are not understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to look at the relative contribution of caregiver personality on their quality of life, specifically attempting to identify those traits, which may be protective or harmful. Two hundred and seventy-four caregivers of patients with Parkinson's disease were included in this study. Caregivers were given questionnaires to complete, including the Big Five Inventory and the World Health Organisation Quality of Life BREF version. Univariate correlations demonstrated that depression and anxiety were the largest predictors of reduced quality of life amongst caregivers. However, after controlling for these potential confounds, conscientiousness was associated with enhanced psychological quality of life and openness positively predicted benefits in the environmental domain. Neuroticism was associated with reduced quality of life in the psychological domain. Thus, screening for neuroticism may help identify those caregivers who would benefit from intervention strategies, which could in the long term help reduce the need for nursing home placement of Parkinson's disease patients.
Study on the Effect of Blood Content on Diffuse Reflectance Spectra of Basal Cell Carcinoma Skin Tissue
Authors: Nan Miaoqing , He Qingli
Published: August 2013

Diffuse reflectance spectrum as a noninvasive method has been widely used to study the optical properties of cutaneous skin tissue. In this work, we optimized an eight‐layered optical model of basal cell carcinoma skin tissue to study its optical properties. Based on the model, the diffuse reflectance spectra were reconstructed in visible wavelength range by Monte Carlo methods. After different blood contents were added to the optical model, the contribution of blood to diffuese reflectance spectra was investigated theoretically. The ratios of basal cell carcinoma skin and normal skin tissue were also calculated for both experimental result and rebuilt results to testify the theoretical reasonability of the model and methods.
The Current Role of Endourologic Management of Renal Transplantation Complications
Authors: Duty Brian D. , Conlin Michael J. , Fuchs Eugene F. , Barry John M.
Published: August 2013

Introduction. Complications following renal transplantation include ureteral obstruction, urinary leak and fistula, urinary retention, urolithiasis, and vesicoureteral reflux. These complications have traditionally been managed with open surgical correction, but minimally invasive techniques are being utilized frequently.Materials and Methods. A literature review was performed on the use of endourologic techniques for the management of urologic transplant complications.Results. Ureterovesical anastomotic stricture is the most common long-term urologic complication following renal transplantation. Direct vision endoureterotomy is successful in up to 79% of cases. Urinary leak is the most frequent renal transplant complication early in the postoperative period. Up to 62% of patients have been successfully treated with maximal decompression (nephrostomy tube, ureteral stent, and Foley catheter). Excellent outcomes have been reported following transurethral resection of the prostate shortly after transplantation for patients with urinary retention. Vesicoureteral reflux after renal transplant is common. Deflux injection has been shown to resolve reflux in up to 90% of patients with low-grade disease in the absence of high pressure voiding. Donor-gifted and de novo transplant calculi may be managed with shock wave, ureteroscopic, or percutaneous lithotripsy.Conclusions. Recent advances in equipment and technique have allowed many transplant patients with complications to be effectively managed endoscopically.
Dupuytren's Contracture Cosegregation with Limb-Girdle Muscle Dystrophy
Authors: Lace Baiba , Inashkina Inna , Micule Ieva , Vasiljeva Inta , Naudina Maruta Solvita , Strautmanis Jurgis , Stavusis Janis , Jankevics Eriks
Published: August 2013

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs) is a heterogeneous group of muscular dystrophies that mostly affect the pelvic and shoulder girdle muscle groups. We report here a case of neuromuscular disease associated with Dupuytren's contracture, which has never been described before as cosegregating with an autosomal dominant type of inheritance. Dupuytren's contracture is a common disease, especially in Northern Europe. Comorbid conditions associated with Dupuytren's contracture are repetitive trauma to the hands, diabetes, and seizures, but it has never before been associated with neuromuscular disease. We hypothesize that patients may harbor mutations in genes with functions related to neuromuscular disease and Dupuytren's contracture development.
Antitussive Efficacy and Safety Profile of Ethyl Acetate Fraction ofTerminalia chebula
Authors: ul Haq Rizwan , Wahab Abdul , Ayub Khurshed , Mehmood Khalid , Sherkheli M. Azhar , Khan Rafeeq Alam , Raza Mohsin
Published: August 2013

Antitussive effects of ethyl acetate fraction ofTerminalia chebulaon sulphur dioxide (SO2) gas induced cough have been examined in mice. Safety profile ofTerminalia chebulawas established by determining LD50and acute neurotoxicity. The result showed that extract ofTerminalia chebuladose dependently suppressed SO2gas induced cough in mice.Terminalia chebula, after i.p. administration at dose level 500 mg/kg, offered maximum cough suppressive effects; that is, number of coughs at 60 min was12±1.52(mean ± SEM) as compared to codeine 10 mg/kg; i.p., dextromethorphan 10 mg/kg; i.p., and saline, having frequency of cough10.375±0.866,12.428±0.81, and46±2.61, respectively. LD50value ofTerminalia chebulawas approximately 1265 mg/kg, respectively. No sign of neural impairment was observed at antitussive doses of extract. Antitussive effect ofTerminalia chebulawas partly reversed with treatment by naloxone (3 mg/kg; s.c.) while rimcazole (3 mg/kg; s.c.) did not antagonize its cough suppression activity. This may suggest that opioid receptors partially contribute in antitussive action ofTerminalia chebula. Along with this, the possibility of presence of single or multiple mechanisms activated by several different pharmacological actions (mainly anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, spasmolytic, antibacterial, and antiphlegmatic) could not be eliminated.
Ketamine Infusion Associated with Improved Neurology in a Patient with NMDA Receptor Encephalitis
Authors: MacMahon Michael , Naysmith Morag R. , McCallion Stephanie , Rhodes Jonathan
Published: August 2013

A young lady was ventilated on intensive care for a prolonged period with NMDA receptor encephalitis. She had undergone steroid, immunoglobulin, and plasmapheresis with no evidence of recovery. Her main management issue was the control of severe orofacial and limb dyskinesia. Large doses of sedating agents had been used to control the dystonia but were ineffective, unless she was fully anaesthetised. The introduction of a ketamine infusion was associated with a dramatic improvement in her symptoms such that it was possible to remove her tracheostomy two days after commencement. She was discharged shortly after that and is making a good recovery. The successful use of ketamine has not previously been described in this context, and we hope this case report will provide some insight into the management of this rare but serious condition.
Modulation of Vasodilator Response via the Nitric Oxide Pathway after Acute Methyl Mercury Chloride Exposure in Rats
Authors: Omanwar S. , Saidullah B. , Ravi K. , Fahim M.
Published: August 2013

Mercury exposure induces endothelial dysfunction leading to loss of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation due to decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability via increased oxidative stress. Our aim was to investigate whether acute treatment with methyl mercury chloride changes the endothelium-dependent vasodilator response and to explore the possible mechanisms behind the observed effects. Wistar rats were treated with methyl mercury chloride (5 mg/kg,po.). The methyl mercury chloride treatment resulted in an increased aortic vasorelaxant response to acetylcholine (ACh). In methyl-mercury-chloride-exposed rats, the % change in vasorelaxant response of ACh in presence of Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME;10-4 M) was significantly increased, and in presence of glybenclamide (10-5 M), the response was similar to that of untreated rats, indicating the involvement of NO and not of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). In addition, superoxide dismutase (SOD) + catalase treatment increased the NO modulation of vasodilator response in methyl-mercury-chloride-exposed rats. Our results demonstrate an increase in the vascular reactivity to ACh in aorta of rats acutely exposed to methyl mercury chloride. Methyl mercury chloride induces nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and increases the NO production along with inducing oxidative stress without affecting the EDHF pathway.
Periprosthetic Joint Infections
Authors: Lima Ana Lucia L. , Oliveira Priscila R. , Carvalho Vladimir C. , Saconi Eduardo S. , Cabrita Henrique B. , Rodrigues Marcelo B.
Published: August 2013

Implantation of joint prostheses is becoming increasingly common, especially for the hip and knee. Infection is considered to be the most devastating of prosthesis-related complications, leading to prolonged hospitalization, repeated surgical intervention, and even definitive loss of the implant. The main risk factors to periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are advanced age, malnutrition, obesity, diabetes mellitus, HIV infection at an advanced stage, presence of distant infectious foci, and antecedents of arthroscopy or infection in previous arthroplasty. Joint prostheses can become infected through three different routes: direct implantation, hematogenic infection, and reactivation of latent infection. Gram-positive bacteria predominate in cases of PJI, mainlyStaphylococcus aureusandStaphylococcus epidermidis. PJIs present characteristic signs that can be divided into acute and chronic manifestations. The main imaging method used in diagnosing joint prosthesis infections is X-ray. Computed tomography (CT) scan may assist in distinguishing between septic and aseptic loosening. Three-phase bone scintigraphy using technetium has high sensitivity, but low specificity. Positron emission tomography using fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) presents very divergent results in the literature. Definitive diagnosis of infection should be made by isolating the microorganism through cultures on material obtained from joint fluid puncturing, surgical wound secretions, surgical debridement procedures, or sonication fluid. Success in treating PJI depends on extensive surgical debridement and adequate and effective antibiotic therapy. Treatment in two stages using a spacer is recommended for most chronic infections in arthroplasty cases. Treatment in a single procedure is appropriate in carefully selected cases.
Behavioral and Neurochemical Effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid in the Model of Parkinson’s Disease Induced by Unilateral Stereotaxic Injection of 6-Ohda in Rat
Authors: de Araújo Dayane Pessoa , De Sousa Caren Nádia Soares , Araújo Paulo Victor Pontes , Menezes Carlos Eduardo de Souza , Sousa Rodrigues Francisca Taciana , Escudeiro Sarah Souza , Lima Nicole Brito Cortez , Patrocínio Manoel Claúdio Azevedo , Aguiar Lissiana Magna Vasconcelos , Viana Glauce Socorro de Barros , Vasconcelos Silvânia Maria Mendes
Published: August 2013

This study aimed to investigate behavioral and neurochemical effects ofα-lipoic acid (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg) alone or associated with L-DOPA using an animal model of Parkinson’s disease induced by stereotaxic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in rat striatum. Motor behavior was assessed by monitoring body rotations induced by apomorphine, open field test and cylinder test. Oxidative stress was accessed by determination of lipid peroxidation using the TBARS method, concentration of nitrite and evaluation of catalase activity.α-Lipoic acid decreased body rotations induced by apomorphine, as well as caused an improvement in motor performance by increasing locomotor activity in the open field test and use of contralateral paw (in the opposite side of the lesion produced by 6-OHDA) at cylinder test.α-lipoic acid showed antioxidant effects, decreasing lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels and interacting with antioxidant system by decreasing of endogenous catalase activity. Therefore,α-lipoic acid prevented the damage induced by 6-OHDA or by chronic use of L-DOPA in dopaminergic neurons, suggesting thatα-lipoic could be a new therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease prevention and treatment.
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Originating from an Intestinal Duplication
Authors: Lemahieu Julie , D'Hoore André , Deloose Stijn , Sciot Raf , Moerman Philippe
Published: August 2013

Alimentary tract duplications are rare congenital anomalies. They most often become symptomatic in childhood and rarely undergo malignant transformation. Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is an equally uncommon condition, most frequently originating from a primary appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. We report an extremely unusual case of PMP arising from an intestinal duplication. A 67-year-old woman presented with vague upper abdominal pain, and, unexpectedly, explorative laparoscopy revealed diffuse jelly-like peritoneal implants. The histopathological diagnosis of a low-grade PMP or “disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis” was made. At that moment, no primary tumor was found. During later surgery, a cystic lesion located in the mesentery of the small bowel could be resected. Histologically, the cyst wall clearly showed the concentric layering of a normal bowel wall. The mucosa, however, displayed a diffuse low-grade villous adenoma. We concluded that this histological picture was most consistent with a small intestinal duplication, containing a low-grade villous adenoma. The adenoma caused a mucocele, which subsequently leaked or ruptured, giving rise to noninvasive mucinous peritoneal implants or low-grade PMP, also known as “disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis” (DPAM).
Microwave Imaging of Human Forearms: Pilot Study and Image Enhancement
Authors: Gilmore Colin , Zakaria Amer , Pistorius Stephen , LoVetri Joe
Published: August 2013

We present a pilot study using a microwave tomography system in which we image the forearms of 5 adult male and female volunteers between the ages of 30 and 48. Microwave scattering data were collected at 0.8 to 1.2 GHz with 24 transmitting and receiving antennas located in a matching fluid of deionized water and table salt. Inversion of the microwave data was performed with a balanced version of the multiplicative-regularized contrast source inversion algorithm formulated using the finite-element method (FEM-CSI). T1-weighted MRI images of each volunteer’s forearm were also collected in the same plane as the microwave scattering experiment. Initial “blind” imaging results from the utilized inversion algorithm show that the image quality is dependent on the thickness of the arm’s peripheral adipose tissue layer; thicker layers of adipose tissue lead to poorer overall image quality. Due to the exible nature of the FEM-CSI algorithm used, prior information can be readily incorporated into the microwave imaging inversion process. We show that by introducing prior information into the FEM-CSI algorithm the internal anatomical features of all the arms are resolved, significantly improving the images. The prior information was estimated manually from the blind inversions using anad hocprocedure.
Iatrogenic Sinistral Hypertension Complicating Screening Colonoscopy
Authors: Ziff Oliver J. , Shapiro A. M. James
Published: August 2013

Colonoscopy is widely accepted as the gold-standard screening technique for detecting malignancies in the distal gastrointestinal tract in patients with symptoms suggestive of colon cancer. However, this procedure is not without risk, including colonic perforation. We report a patient who was managed conservatively after colonoscopy induced perforation. Eighteen months after appearing to make a full recovery, he presented with an upper gastrointestinal bleed. Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD) revealed large gastric fundal varices and computed tomography (CT) revealed splenic vein thrombosis. The ensuing left-sided (sinistral) hypertension explains the development of the fundal varices in the presence of normal liver function. At surgery, a persistent abscess cavity was identified and cultures from this site grewStreptococcus anginosus. Curative splenectomy was performed and the patient made a full recovery. We advocate more prompt operative intervention in selected cases of iatrogenic colonic perforation with primary repair to prevent late complications.
High Temperature Magnetic Properties of Indirect Exchange Spring FePt/M(Cu,C)/Fe Trilayer Thin Films
Authors: Gayen Anabil , Biswas Barnali , Singh Akhilesh Kumar , Saravanan Padmanapan , Perumal Alagarsamy
Published: August 2013

We report the investigation of temperature dependent magnetic properties of FePt and FePt(30)/M(Cu,C)/Fe(5) trilayer thin films prepared by using magnetron sputtering technique at ambient temperature and postannealed at different temperatures. L10 ordering, hard magnetic properties, and thermal stability of FePt films are improved with increasing postannealing temperature. In FePt/M/Fe trilayer, the formation of interlayer exchange coupling between magnetic layers depends on interlayer materials and interface morphology. In FePt/C/Fe trilayer, when the C interlayer thickness was about 0.5 nm, a strong interlayer exchange coupling between hard and soft layers was achieved, and saturation magnetization was enhanced considerably after using interlayer exchange coupling with Fe. In addition, incoherent magnetization reversal process observed in FePt/Fe films changes into coherent switching process in FePt/C/Fe films giving rise to a single hysteresis loop. High temperature magnetic studies up to 573 K reveal that the effective reduction in the coercivity decreases largely from 34 Oe/K for FePt/Fe film to 13 Oe/K for FePt/C(0.5)/Fe film demonstrating that the interlayer exchange coupling seems to be a promising approach to improve the stability of hard magnetic properties at high temperatures, which is suitable for high‐performance magnets and thermally assisted magnetic recording media.
The Mutual Beneficial Effect between Medical Imaging and Nanomedicine
Authors: Qiao Huiting , Wang Libin , Han Jintao , Chen Yingmao , Wang Daifa , Li Deyu
Published: August 2013

The reports on medical imaging and nanomedicine are getting more and more prevalent. Many nanoparticles entering into the body act as contrast agents, or probes in medical imaging, which are parts of nanomedicines. The application extent and the quality of imaging have been improved by nanotechnique. On one hand, nanomedicines advance the sensitivity and specificity of molecular imaging. On the other hand, the biodistribution of nanomedicine can also be studied in vivo by medical imaging, which is necessary in the toxicological research. The toxicity of nanomedicine is a concern which may slow down the application of nanomedical. The quantitative description of the kinetic process is significant. Based on metabolic study on radioactivity tracer, a scheme of pharmacokinetic research of nanomedicine is proposed. In this review, we will discuss the potential advantage of medical imaging in toxicology of nanomedicine, as well as the advancement of medical imaging prompted by nanomedicine.