bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amino Acid Deprivation Inhibits TORC1 Through a GTPase-Activating Protein Complex for the Rag Family GTPase Gtr1
Authors: Panchaud Nicolas , Péli-Gulli Marie-Pierre , De Virgilio Claudio
Published: May 2013

A complex that inactivates a GTPase keeps the TORC1 pathway in check in times of amino acid deprivation.
The Master Switch for Itch?
Authors: Stern Peter R.
Published: May 2013

Natriuretic polypeptide b is the primary neurotransmitter in TRPV1-expressing, itch-sensitive afferent nerve fibers.
Sugar Aversion
Authors: Vignieri Sacha
Published: May 2013

Some German cockroaches find glucose both sweet and bitter, which allows them to avoid baited traps.
Sensing Tension
Authors: Vinson Valda
Published: May 2013

A piconewton tension gauge reveals that less than 12 pN suffices to activate Notch.
Mitochondrial Rb Promotes Apoptosis
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: May 2013

The tumor suppressor Rb promotes apoptosis through a transcription-independent mechanism.
AKAP Functions for Rac1
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: May 2013

Rac1 binds to the PKA holoenzyme to enable cAMP-mediated enhancement of the activity of the Rac1 effectors of the PAK family of kinases.
Intraoperative Tissue Identification Using Rapid Evaporative Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Balog Júlia , Sasi-Szabó László , Kinross James , Lewis Matthew R. , Muirhead Laura J. , Veselkov Kirill , Mirnezami Reza , Dezső Balázs , Damjanovich László , Darzi Ara , Nicholson Jeremy K. , Takáts Zoltán
Published: May 2013

A mass spectrometric approach was developed for intraoperative identification of cancerous tissue, in near–real-time.
Clinically Relevant Modeling of Tumor Growth and Treatment Response
Authors: Yankeelov Thomas E. , Atuegwu Nkiruka , Hormuth David , Weis Jared A. , Barnes Stephanie L. , Miga Michael I. , Rericha Erin C. , Quaranta Vito
Published: May 2013

Noninvasive imaging technologies can help create patient-specific mathematical models to predict tumor growth.
Cardio-Oncology: It Takes Two to Translate
Authors: Moslehi Javid , Cheng Susan
Published: May 2013

Heart-related toxicities from targeted cancer therapies shed light on the biology of cardiovascular disease in humans (Chintalgattu
et al
., this issue).
Sugar Coat It
Authors: Artzi Natalie
Published: May 2013

Rational biomaterial design mimics the body’s mechanism for regulating glucose levels and thus controlling diabetes.
One More Reason to Love Mother’s Milk
Authors: Polage Christopher R.
Published: May 2013

Breast milk–derived sodium nitrate provides an exogenous source of nitric oxide that protects against ischemia in necrotizing enterocolitis.
A Field Trip to Plasticity
Authors: Schaefer Anne
Published: May 2013

Exploration benefits brain plasticity and personalizes behavior.
Tracking Tolerance—T Regulatory Type 1 Cell Markers Revealed
Authors: Zidar David A.
Published: May 2013

LAG-3 and CD49b are cell surface markers of type 1 regulatory T cells.
Boosting Salt Resistance of Short Antimicrobial Peptides
Authors: Chu Hung-Lun , Yu Hui-Yuan , Yip Bak-Sau , Chih Ya-Han , Liang Chong-Wen , Cheng Hsi-Tsung , Cheng Jya-Wei
Published: May 2013

The efficacies of many antimicrobial peptides are greatly reduced under high salt concentrations, therefore limiting their use as pharmaceutical agents. Here, we describe a strategy to boost salt resistance and serum stability of short antimicrobial peptides by adding the nonnatural bulky amino acid β-naphthylalanine to their termini. The activities of the short salt-sensitive tryptophan-rich peptide S1 were diminished at high salt concentrations, whereas the activities of its β-naphthylalanine end-tagged variants were less affected.
Structure-Antifungal Activity Relationships of Polyene Antibiotics of the Amphotericin B Group
Authors: Tevyashova Anna N. , Olsufyeva Evgenia N. , Solovieva Svetlana E. , Printsevskaya Svetlana S. , Reznikova Marina I. , Trenin Aleksei S. , Galatenko Olga A. , Treshalin Ivan D. , Pereverzeva Eleonora R. , Mirchink Elena P. , Isakova Elena B. , Zotchev Sergey B. , Preobrazhenskaya Maria N.
Published: May 2013

A comprehensive comparative analysis of the structure-antifungal activity relationships for the series of biosynthetically engineered nystatin analogues and their novel semisynthetic derivatives, as well as amphotericin B (AMB) and its semisynthetic derivatives, was performed. The data obtained revealed the significant influence of the structure of the C-7 to C-10 polyol region on the antifungal activity of these polyene antibiotics. Comparison of positions of hydroxyl groups in the antibiotics and
in vitro
antifungal activity data showed that the most active are the compounds in which hydroxyl groups are in positions C-8 and C-9 or positions C-7 and C-10. Antibiotics with OH groups at both C-7 and C-9 had the lowest activity. The replacement of the C-16 carboxyl with methyl group did not significantly affect the
in vitro
antifungal activity of antibiotics without modifications at the amino group of mycosamine. In contrast, the activity of the N-modified derivatives was modulated both by the presence of CH
3
or COOH group in the position C-16 and by the structure of the modifying substituent. The most active compounds were tested
in vivo
to determine the maximum tolerated doses and antifungal activity on the model of candidosis sepsis in leukopenic mice (cyclophosphamide-induced). Study of our library of semisynthetic polyene antibiotics led to the discovery of compounds, namely,
N
-(
l
-lysyl)-BSG005 (compound 3n) and, especially,
l
-glutamate of 2-(
N
,
N
-dimethylamino)ethyl amide of S44HP (compound 2j), with high antifungal activity that were comparable in
in vitro
and
in vivo
tests to AMB and that have better toxicological properties.
Lopinavir Plasma Concentrations and Virological Outcome with Lopinavir-Ritonavir Monotherapy in HIV-1-Infected Patients
Authors: Lopez-Cortes Luis F. , Ruiz-Valderas Rosa , Sánchez-Rivas Elena , Lluch Amparo , Gutierrez-Valencia Alicia , Torres-Cornejo Almudena , BenMarzouk-Hidalgo Omar J. , Viciana Pompeyo
Published: May 2013

There is significant intra- and intersubject variability in lopinavir (LPV) plasma concentrations after standard dosing; thus, this prospective study was conducted to determine whether low plasma LPV concentrations could be associated with virological outcome throughout lopinavir-ritonavir maintenance monotherapy (mtLPVr) in the clinical practice setting. If this hypothesis would be confirmed, LPV drug monitoring could improve the efficacy of mtLPVr regimens. Patients with previous virological failure (VF) on protease inhibitor-based regimens were also included if the genotypic resistance tests showed no major resistance mutation associated with reduced susceptibility to lopinavir-ritonavir. VF was defined as 2 consecutive determinations of HIV RNA levels of >200 copies/ml. Efficacy was analyzed by per-protocol analysis. Plasma LPV trough concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography using a UV detector. A total of 127 patients were included (22% with previous failure on protease inhibitors). After 96 weeks, the efficacy rate was 82.3% (95% confidence interval [CI95], 75.3 to 89.3%). Virological efficacy was independent of LPV plasma concentrations even when LPVr was given once daily. An adherence of <90% (HR, 4.4 [CI95, 1.78 to 10.8;P= 0.001]) and the presence of blips in the preceding 12 months (HR, 3.06 [CI95, 1.17 to 8.01;P= 0.022]) were the only variables independently associated with time to VF. These findings suggest that the LPV concentrations achieved with the standard doses of LPVr are sufficient to maintain virological control during monotherapy and that measurement of LPV concentrations is not useful for predicting virological outcome. Tight control of viral replication in the previous months and strict adherence throughout the mtLPVr regimen could improve the virological efficacy of this maintenance regimen.
Complete Sequence of pOZ176, a 500-Kilobase IncP-2 Plasmid Encoding IMP-9-Mediated Carbapenem Resistance, from Outbreak Isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa 96
Authors: Xiong Jianhui , Alexander David C. , Ma Jennifer H. , Déraspe Maxime , Low Donald E. , Jamieson Frances B. , Roy Paul H.
Published: May 2013

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
96 (PA96) was isolated during a multicenter surveillance study in Guangzhou, China, in 2000. Whole-genome sequencing of this outbreak strain facilitated analysis of its IncP-2 carbapenem-resistant plasmid, pOZ176. The plasmid had a length of 500,839 bp and an average percent G+C content of 57%. Of the 618 predicted open reading frames, 65% encode hypothetical proteins. The pOZ176 backbone is not closely related to any plasmids thus far sequenced, but some similarity to pQBR103 of
Pseudomonas fluorescens
SBW25 was observed. Two multiresistant class 1 integrons and several insertion sequences were identified. The
bla
IMP-9
-carrying integron contained
aacA4
→
bla
IMP-9
→
aacA4
, flanked upstream by Tn
21 tnpMRA
and downstream by a complete
tni
operon of Tn
402
and a
mer
module, named Tn
6016
. The second integron carried
aacA4
→
catB8a
→
bla
OXA-10
and was flanked by Tn
1403
-like
tnpRA
and a
sul1
-type 3′ conserved sequence (3′-CS), named Tn
6217
. Other features include three resistance genes similar to those of Tn
5
, a tellurite resistance operon, and two
pil
operons. The replication and maintenance systems exhibit similarity to a genomic island of
Ralstonia solanacearum
GM1000. Codon usage analysis suggests the recent acquisition of
bla
IMP-9
. The origins of the integrons on pOZ176 indicated separate horizontal gene transfer events driven by antibiotic selection. The novel mosaic structure of pOZ176 suggests that it is derived from environmental bacteria.
Post-PKS Tailoring Steps of the Spiramycin Macrolactone Ring in Streptomyces ambofaciens
Authors: Nguyen Hoang-Chuong , Darbon Emmanuelle , Thai Robert , Pernodet Jean-Luc , Lautru Sylvie
Published: May 2013

Spiramycins are clinically important 16-member macrolide antibiotics produced by
Streptomyces ambofaciens
. Biosynthetic studies have established that the earliest lactonic intermediate in spiramycin biosynthesis, the macrolactone platenolide I, is synthesized by a type I modular polyketide synthase (PKS). Platenolide I then undergoes a series of post-PKS tailoring reactions yielding the final products, spiramycins I, II, and III. We recently characterized the post-PKS glycosylation steps of spiramycin biosynthesis in
S. ambofaciens
. We showed that three glycosyltransferases, Srm5, Srm29, and Srm38, catalyze the successive attachment of the three carbohydrates mycaminose, forosamine, and mycarose, respectively, with the help of two auxiliary proteins, Srm6 and Srm28. However, the enzymes responsible for the other tailoring steps, namely, the C-19 methyl group oxidation, the C-9 keto group reduction, and the C-3 hydroxyl group acylation, as well as the timing of the post-PKS tailoring reactions, remained to be established. In this study, we show that Srm13, a cytochrome P450, catalyzes the oxidation of the C-19 methyl group into a formyl group and that Srm26 catalyzes the reduction of the C-9 keto group, and we propose a timeline for spiramycin-biosynthetic post-PKS tailoring reactions.
Theaflavin-3,3′-Digallate and Lactic Acid Combinations Reduce Herpes Simplex Virus Infectivity
Authors: Isaacs Charles E. , Xu Weimin
Published: May 2013

The present study examined the efficacy of using multiple mechanisms as part of a topical microbicide to inactivate herpes simplex virus (HSV) by combining theaflavin-3,3′-digallate (TF-3) and lactic acid (LA) over the pH range of 4.0 to 5.7 to mimic conditions in the female reproductive tract. Six clinical isolates of HSV-2 and two clinical isolates of HSV-1 were almost completely inactivated when TF-3 (100 μM) was present with LA over the pH range of 4.5 to 5.7, whereas four additional HSV-1 clinical isolates required TF-3 concentrations of 250 to 500 μM for comparable virus titer reduction. LA (1%) alone at pH 4.0 reduced the titers of laboratory and clinical isolates of HSV-1 and HSV-2 by ≥5 log
10
, but most LA-dependent antiviral activity was lost at a pH of ≥4.5. When HSV-1 and HSV-2 were incubated at pH 4.0 without LA virus titers were not reduced. At pH 4.0, HSV-1 and HSV-2 titers were reduced 5 log
10
in 20 min by LA alone. TF-3 reduced HSV-2 titers by 5 log
10
in 20 to 30 min at pH 4.5, whereas HSV-1 required 60 min for comparable inactivation. Mixtures of TF-3 and LA stored at 37°C for 1 month at pH 4.0 to 5.7 maintained antiviral activity. Semen, but not cervical vaginal fluid, decreased LA-dependent antiviral activity at pH 4.0, but adding TF-3 to the mixture reduced HSV titers by 4 to 5 log
10
. These results indicate that a combination microbicide containing TF-3 and LA could reduce HSV transmission.
The Fur-Iron Complex Modulates Expression of the Quorum-Sensing Master Regulator, SmcR, To Control Expression of Virulence Factors in Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Kim In Hwang , Wen Yancheng , Son Jee-Soo , Lee Kyu-Ho , Kim Kun-Soo
Published: May 2013

The gene
vvpE
, encoding the virulence factor elastase, is a member of the quorum-sensing regulon in
Vibrio vulnificus
and displays enhanced expression at high cell density. We observed that this gene was repressed under iron-rich conditions and that the repression was due to a Fur (
f
erric
u
ptake
r
egulator)-dependent repression of
smcR
, a gene encoding a quorum-sensing master regulator with similarity to
luxR
in
Vibrio harveyi
. A gel mobility shift assay and a footprinting experiment demonstrated that the Fur-iron complex binds directly to two regions upstream of
smcR
(−82 to −36 and −2 to +27, with respect to the transcription start site) with differing affinities. However, binding of the Fur-iron complex is reversible enough to allow expression of
smcR
to be induced by quorum sensing at high cell density under iron-rich conditions. Under iron-limiting conditions, Fur fails to bind either region and the expression of
smcR
is regulated solely by quorum sensing. These results suggest that two biologically important environmental signals, iron and quorum sensing, converge to direct the expression of
smcR
, which then coordinates the expression of virulence factors.
Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate Is a Novel Coactivator of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Cytotoxin ExoU
Authors: Tyson Gregory H. , Hauser Alan R.
Published: May 2013

ExoU is a potent phospholipase A
2
effector protein secreted by the type III secretion system of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. By cleaving plasma membrane phospholipids, it causes rapid lysis of eukaryotic cells. However, ExoU does not exhibit activity on its own but instead requires eukaryotic cell cofactors for activation. Ubiquitin and ubiquitinated proteins have been shown to activate ExoU, but previous work suggested that other cofactors are also involved. In this study, we demonstrate that phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] is another important coactivator of ExoU. PI(4,5)P2 works synergistically with ubiquitin to greatly enhance the phospholipase A
2
activity of ExoU. Distinct residues of ExoU were critical for activation by PI(4,5)P2 and by ubiquitin, indicating that these factors activate ExoU by discrete mechanisms. In support of the biological relevance of PI(4,5)P2 coactivation, a yeast mutant with reduced PI(4,5)P2 levels was less susceptible to the cytotoxic activity of ExoU. Together, these findings further elaborate the molecular mechanism of ExoU.
Functional Characterization of Burkholderia pseudomallei Trimeric Autotransporters
Authors: Campos Cristine G. , Byrd Matthew S. , Cotter Peggy A.
Published: May 2013

Burkholderia pseudomallei
is a tier 1 select agent and the causative agent of melioidosis, a severe and often fatal disease with symptoms ranging from acute pneumonia and septic shock to a chronic infection characterized by abscess formation in the lungs, liver, and spleen. Autotransporters (ATs) are exoproteins belonging to the type V secretion system family, with many playing roles in pathogenesis. The genome of
B. pseudomallei
strain 1026b encodes nine putative trimeric AT proteins, of which only four have been described. Using a bioinformatic approach, we annotated putative domains within each trimeric AT protein, excluding the well-studied BimA protein, and found short repeated sequences unique to
Burkholderia
species, as well as an unexpectedly large proportion of ATs with extended signal peptide regions (ESPRs). To characterize the role of trimeric ATs in pathogenesis, we constructed disruption or deletion mutations in each of eight AT-encoding genes and evaluated the resulting strains for adherence to, invasion of, and plaque formation in A549 cells. The majority of the ATs (and/or the proteins encoded downstream) contributed to adherence to and efficient invasion of A549 cells. Using a BALB/c mouse model of infection, we determined the contributions of each AT to bacterial burdens in the lungs, liver, and spleen. At 48 h postinoculation, only one strain, Bp340::pD
bpaC
, demonstrated a defect in dissemination and/or survival in the liver, indicating that BpaC is required for wild-type virulence in this model.
Protective Efficacy Induced by Recombinant Clostridium difficile Toxin Fragments
Authors: Leuzzi Rosanna , Spencer Janice , Buckley Anthony , Brettoni Cecilia , Martinelli Manuele , Tulli Lorenza , Marchi Sara , Luzzi Enrico , Irvine June , Candlish Denise , Veggi Daniele , Pansegrau Werner , Fiaschi Luigi , Savino Silvana , Swennen Erwin , Cakici Osman , Oviedo-Orta Ernesto , Giraldi Monica , Baudner Barbara , D'Urzo Nunzia , Maione Domenico , Soriani Marco , Rappuoli Rino , Pizza Mariagrazia , Douce Gillian R. , Scarselli Maria
Published: May 2013

Clostridium difficile
is a spore-forming bacterium that can reside in animals and humans.
C. difficile
infection causes a variety of clinical symptoms, ranging from diarrhea to fulminant colitis. Disease is mediated by TcdA and TcdB, two large enterotoxins released by
C. difficile
during colonization of the gut. In this study, we evaluated the ability of recombinant toxin fragments to induce neutralizing antibodies in mice. The protective efficacies of the most promising candidates were then evaluated in a hamster model of disease. While limited protection was observed with some combinations, coadministration of a cell binding domain fragment of TcdA (TcdA-B1) and the glucosyltransferase moiety of TcdB (TcdB-GT) induced systemic IgGs which neutralized both toxins and protected vaccinated animals from death following challenge with two strains of
C. difficile
. Further characterization revealed that despite high concentrations of toxin in the gut lumens of vaccinated animals during the acute phase of the disease, pathological damage was minimized. Assessment of gut contents revealed the presence of TcdA and TcdB antibodies, suggesting that systemic vaccination with this pair of recombinant polypeptides can limit the disease caused by toxin production during
C. difficile
infection.
A massive occult pericardial effusion in an athletic young male
Authors: Thompson Matthew H , Corbett G D , Cherian A , Nicol E D
Published: May 2013

We present a case of a 27-year-old Royal Marine with a massive pericardial effusion, presenting with minimal clinical findings, suggesting that high levels of physical fitness may effectively mask the normal symptoms of this potentially life-threatening condition.
Clinical supervision in a UK military Department of Community Mental Health
Authors: Wesson Matthew I , Whybrow D , Greenberg N , Gould M
Published: May 2013

Objectives

Recent service developments in the NHS on the provision of talking therapies such as the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) initiative have made the compliance with clinical supervision (CS) inherent among its service guidelines. This paper presents the findings of an audit, measuring compliance with CS among clinicians providing psychological therapies within a military Department of Community Mental Health.

Method

Adherence to the recommended monthly supervision and the presence of an indate CS contract were audited on two separate occasions over 2 years by analysing the departmental electronic CS database.

Results

Compliance rates were found to be lower than the Defence guidelines, which are already modest in their expectations compared with IAPT CS standards.

Discussion

Potential reasons are hypothesised including high levels of staff rotation, other military commitments, clinicians not keeping up-to-date records and the pressures of meeting performance indicators on other clinical issues. Proposals for improving the uptake of CS are suggested along with areas for further research.
Stentrievers versus other endovascular treatment methods for acute stroke: comparison of procedural results and their relationship to outcomes
Authors: Ribo Marc , Molina Carlos A , Jankowitz Brian , Tomasello Alejandro , Zaidi Syed , Jumaa Mouhammad , Coscojuela Pilar , Oakley Jennifer , Alvarez-Sabín José , Jovin Tudor
Published: May 2013

Background and purpose

The use of stentrievers (ST) is rapidly growing due to several potential benefits over other available treatments. ST potentially restore flow before clot retrieval and reduce procedural time. We aimed to study the impact of these potential benefits.

Methods

Patients with acute stroke treated with endovascular procedures in two stroke centers were studied. According to device availability, patients were treated either with intra-arterial tissue plasminogen activator (IAT), Merci or ST. We defined time to initial flow restoration as time from symptom onset to first pass of contrast to previously occluded arteries either through the deployed device or after recanalization. Complete recanalization (Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction >2b), day 5 National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and favorable outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale score≤2) were recorded.

Results

A total of 315 patients were studied: 127 IAT, 119 Merci, 69 ST (26 Trevo, 43 Solitaire). No major differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the treatment groups. The rate of complete recanalization was higher with ST (67.2%) than with IAT (50.8%) or Merci (57.3%) (p=0.05). Time from groin puncture to final recanalization was lower with ST (88±46 min) than with IAT (103±70 min) or Merci (128±62 min) (p<0.01) and time from groin puncture to initial flow restoration was shorter with ST (36±18 min) than with IAT (92±67 min) or Merci (114±57 min) (p<0.01). Discharge NIHSS was lower in the ST group (7, IQR 1–26) than in the IAT (14, 2–30) or Merci (12, 5–30) groups (p=0.05) and the rate of favorable outcome was higher: ST (52.9%) vs IAT (33.9%) and Merci (40%) (p=0.03). The use of a ST increased the odds of a favorable outcome (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.39; p=0.037).

Conclusions

In acute endovascular treatment of stroke, the use of ST may increase recanalization and reduce time to flow restoration leading to improved outcomes.
Republished: Paediatric early warning scores: Holy Grail and Achilles' heel
Authors: Roland Damian
Published: May 2013

Early Warning Scores (EWS) have become increasingly used by hospitals throughout the world to prevent unexpected admission to intensive care or even death in their inpatient population. It is well known that signs of deterioration are present well before collapse and by a combination of systems, EWS enable healthcare professionals to intervene at an appropriate time. A number of national bodies and regulators in the UK have required the use of Early Warning Scores in locations where children are inpatients. This article attempts to describe the background to their development, identify common problems and provide information for units interested in introducing an EWS into their department.
Republished: Non-invasive urine based tests for the detection of bladder cancer
Authors: Wadhwa Neha , Jatawa Suresh Kumar , Tiwari Archana
Published: May 2013

Bladder cancer is the fourth most frequently diagnosed malignant neoplasm and cause of cancer-related deaths in men and eighth in women. Patients with bladder cancer undergo repeated cystoscopic examinations of the bladder to monitor for tumour recurrence which is invasive, costly and lacks accuracy. Therefore, the development of non-invasive urine based tests for the early detection of bladder cancer would be of tremendous benefit to both patients and healthcare systems. A number of urine based markers are available for the early diagnosis of bladder cancer. The diagnosis of bladder cancer relies on identifying malignant cells in the urine. All urinary markers have a higher sensitivity as compared with cytology but they score lower in specificity. Many soluble and cell based markers have been developed. Only two of the soluble and cell based markers have obtained the Food and Drug Administration approval. In the current review, the most recent literature of urinary markers is summarised. This article reports some of the more prominent urine markers and new technologies used nowadays.
A spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography device provides reliable corneal pachymetry measurements in canine eyes
Authors: Alario A. F. , Pirie C. G.
Published: May 2013

The objective of this study was to determine central corneal thickness (CCT) and the intra‐ and interuser reliability using a portable spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) device in canine eyes. Twenty clinically normal dogs were examined. CCT measurements were obtained from both eyes of each animal three times by two operators in succession. The CCT was automatically calculated using the pachymetry software generated from eight radial scans, 6 mm in length. Mean canine CCT was 606.83±39.45 μm for all eyes examined. There was no significant difference in CCT based on the eye examined (OD vs OS), age or gender of the animal. There was no significant difference in CCT between replicates performed by the same operator; however, a small but significant difference was noted in CCT between operators. The mean difference in CCT between operators was 1.9 μm (P=0.03). The coefficient of variation for each user and between users was very low (range 0.64–1.7 per cent). The intraclass correlation coefficient comparing operators was 0.975. Based on these results, the SD‐OCT device evaluated is capable of obtaining precise CCT measurements with excellent intra‐ and interoperator reliability in canine eyes.
Spatial and temporal microsatellite variation in spawning Atlantic cod,Gadus morhua, around Iceland
Authors: Eiríksson Guðni Magnús , Árnason Einar
Published: May 2013

The present study suggests that the observed genetic difference between Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, off the south and the north coast of Iceland may be caused by natural selection affecting genetic variation at a microsatellite loci (Gmo34). When disregarding this locus from the analysis, no genetic difference was observed between northern and southern Iceland. The methods applied here were very sensitive, and differences as small as FST= 0.0005 are unlikely to go unnoticed. The difference between cod off the south and the north coast of Iceland is thus likely to be smaller than that. Such a small difference is negligible and is not likely to have any biological meaning. Genetic drift was detected by allele frequency comparison among different cohorts (FST= 0.0007, P = 0.0209). A small but significant difference was observed among allele frequency for cod grouped by depth at the south coast of Iceland (FST= 0.0017, P = 0.0002). This difference is very subtle and needs to be interpreted with caution.
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF K0.8Fe2Se2 FROM DENSITY FUNCTIONAL THEORY GW METHOD SIMULATION
Authors: TAN LIUXI , GUO RUI , YANG SHIZHONG , KHOSRAVI EBRAHIM , ZHAO GUANG-LIN , BAGAYOKO DIOLA
Published: May 2013

First principles density functional theory — based (GW) method — was used to simulate the electronic structure of the novel iron-based superconductor K 0.8 Fe 2 Se 2. The calculated band gap of K 0.8 Fe 2 Se 2 at the Γ point is 0.15 eV, which is significantly lower than the 0.61 eV of vacancy free crystal KFe 2 Se 2. The d-orbital of Fe atom is overlapped with the p-orbital of Se atom. Charge density analysis shows strong lattice distortion and vacancy related electric dipole and quadruple near the K vacancy. The reflectivity is anisotropic in three coordinate directions.
SUPERCONDUCTING FILM WITH AN ARRAY OF MAGNETIC NANOSTRIPES
Authors: KIM K. , RATHNAYAKA K. K. D. , LYUKSYUTOV I. F. , NAUGLE D. G.
Published: May 2013

We present studies of the transport properties of a Sn superconducting film with an array of parallel nickel magnetic nanostripes (800 nm period) deposited on top of a germanium insulating layer covering the Sn film surface. The critical current parallel to the stripes is larger than the critical current perpendicular to the stripes. Both critical currents demonstrate strong hysteresis and matching field effects. We have observed strong hysteresis in the resistance dependence on the magnetic field.
SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURAL STABILITY OF BiRhO3 AT HIGH PRESSURE
Authors: LI X. , LIU Q. Q. , HAN W. , LIU Y. , LI X. D. , LI Y. C. , LIU J. , JIN C. Q.
Published: May 2013

The bismuth rhodate BiRhO 3, which crystallizes in a perovskite structure, was synthesized under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, using a 6–8 double stage multi-anvil apparatus. The synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data suggest that the crystal structure of the BiRhO 3 perovskite is stable under pressures up to 34 GPa at room temperature with anisotropic compressibility. The equation of state for BiRhO 3 compound was obtained. The results offer opportunities for further research into the BiRhO 3 quantum compound with strong spin orbital coupling.
NUMERICAL STUDY OF MAGNETIC PENETRATION DEPTH IN MgB2
Authors: LI BO , LIN DE-HUA
Published: May 2013

The magnetic penetration depth formula in MgB 2 is more complex than that in BCS superconductors due to the existence of exotic two energy gap in MgB 2. A new simplified relationship between the penetration depth and temperature is presented, which is derived from the two-fluid model by means of numerical fitting method, and the physical meaning is relatively clear.
SEMANTIC WIKI-BASED KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BY INTERLEAVING ONTOLOGY MAPPING TOOL
Authors: JUNG JASON J.
Published: May 2013

Many organizations have been employing Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) to improve task performance. In this paper, we propose a novel KMS by using semantic wiki framework based on a centralized Global Wiki Ontology (GWO). The main aim of this system is (i) to collect as many organizational resources as possible, and (ii) to maintain semantic consistency of the system. When enriching the KMS in a particular domain, not only linguistic resources but also conceptual structures can be efficiently captured from multiple users, and more importantly, the resources can be automatically integrated with the GWO of the KMS in real time. Once users add new organization resources, the proposed KMS can formalize and contextualize them into a set of triplets by referring to a predefined pattern-triplet mapping table and the GWO. Especially, since the ontology mapper is interleaved, the KMS can determine whether the new resources are semantically conflicted with the GWO. To evaluate the proposed methodology, we have implemented the semantic wiki-based KMS. As a case study, two user groups were invited to collect the organization resources. We found that the group with the proposed KMS has shown better performance than the other group with traditional wiki-based KMS.
Ezetimibe prevents hepatic steatosis induced by a high-fat but not a high-fructose diet
Authors: Ushio Masateru , Nishio Yoshihiko , Sekine Osamu , Nagai Yoshio , Maeno Yasuhiro , Ugi Satoshi , Yoshizaki Takeshi , Morino Katsutaro , Kume Shinji , Kashiwagi Atsunori , Maegawa Hiroshi
Published: May 2013

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most frequent liver disease. Ezetimibe, an inhibitor of intestinal cholesterol absorption, has been reported to ameliorate hepatic steatosis in human and animal models. To explore how ezetimibe reduces hepatic steatosis, we investigated the effects of ezetimibe on the expression of lipogenic enzymes and intestinal lipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat or a high-fructose diet. CBA/JN mice were fed a high-fat diet or a high-fructose diet for 8 wk with or without ezetimibe. High-fat diet induced hepatic steatosis accompanied by hyperinsulinemia. Treatment with ezetimibe reduced hepatic steatosis, insulin levels, and glucose production from pyruvate in mice fed the high-fat diet, suggesting a reduction of insulin resistance in the liver. In the intestinal analysis, ezetimibe reduced the expression of fatty acid transfer protein-4 and apoB-48 in mice fed the high-fat diet. However, treatment with ezetimibe did not prevent hepatic steatosis, hyperinsulinemia, and intestinal apoB-48 expression in mice fed the high-fructose diet. Ezetimibe decreased liver X receptor-α binding to the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c promoter but not expression of carbohydrate response element-binding protein and fatty acid synthase in mice fed the high-fructose diet, suggesting that ezetimibe did not reduce hepatic lipogenesis induced by the high-fructose diet. Elevation of hepatic and intestinal lipogenesis in mice fed a high-fructose diet may partly explain the differences in the effect of ezetimibe.
Leptin gene in rabbit: cloning and expression in mammary epithelial cells during pregnancy and lactation
Authors: Koch Emmanuelle , Hue-Beauvais Cathy , Galio Laurent , Solomon Gili , Gertler Arieh , Révillon Françoise , Lhotellier Valérie , Aujean Etienne , Devinoy Eve , Charlier Madia
Published: May 2013

Leptin is known as a cytokine mostly produced by fat cells and implicated in regulation of energy metabolism and food intake but has also been shown to be involved in many physiological mechanisms such as tissue metabolism and cell differentiation and proliferation. In particular, leptin influences the development of mammary gland. Although leptin expression in mammary gland has been studied in several species, no data are available in the rabbit. Leptin transcripts in this species have been described as being encoded by only two exons rather than three as in other species. Our focus was to clone and sequence the rabbit leptin cDNA and to prepare the recombinant biologically active protein for validation of the proper sequence and then to describe leptin expression in rabbit mammary gland during different stages of pregnancy and lactation. The leptin sequence obtained was compared with those of other species, and genome alignment demonstrated that the rabbit leptin gene is also encoded by three exons. Additionally, we analyzed the expression of leptin during pregnancy and lactation. Leptin mRNA was weakly expressed throughout pregnancy, whereas mRNA levels were higher during lactation, with a significant increase between days 3 and 16. Leptin transcripts and protein were localized in luminal epithelial cells, thus indicating that leptin synthesis occurs in this compartment. Therefore, mammary synthesized leptin may constitute a major regulator of mammary gland development by acting locally as an autocrine and/or paracrine factor. Furthermore, our results support the possible physiological role of leptin in newborns through consumption of milk.
Selectively bred rat model system for low and high response to exercise training
Authors: Koch Lauren Gerard , Pollott Geoffrey E. , Britton Steven L.
Published: May 2013

We initiated a large-scale bidirectional selection experiment in a genetically heterogeneous rat population (N/NIH stock, n = 152) to develop lines of low response trainers (LRT) and high response trainers (HRT) as a contrasting animal model system. Maximal treadmill running distance [meters (m)] was tested before (DIST1) and after (DIST2) standardized aerobic treadmill training over an 8 wk period (3 exercise sessions per week). Response to training was calculated as the change in exercise capacity (ΔDIST = DIST2− DIST1). A within-family selection and rotational breeding paradigm between 10 families was practiced for both selected lines. For the founder population, exercise training produced a 140 ± 15 m gain in exercise capacity with interindividual variation ranging from −339 to +627 m. After 15 generations of selection ( n = 3,114 rats), HRT rats improved 223 ± 20 m as a result of exercise training while exercise capacity declined −65 ± 15 m in LRT rats given the same absolute training environment. The narrow-sense heritability (h2) for ΔDIST was 0.10 ± 0.02. The LRT and HRT lines did not differ significantly for body weight or intrinsic (i.e., DIST1) exercise capacity. Using pedigree records the inbreeding coefficient increased at a rate of 1.7% per generation for HRT and 1.6% per generation for LRT, ∼30% slower than expected from random mating. Animal models developed from heterogeneous stock and enriched via selection, as presented here, often generate extreme values for traits of interest and may prove more useful than current models for uncovering genetic underpinnings.
Probabilistic Value-Centric Optimization Design for Fractionated Spacecrafts Based on Unscented Transformation
Authors: Xu Ming , Wang Jinlong , Zhang Ang , Liu Shengli
Published: May 2013

Fractionated spacecrafts are of particular interest for pointing-intensive missions because of their ability to decouple physically the satellite bus and some imaging payloads, which possess a lesser lifecycle cost than a comparable monolithic spacecraft. Considering the probabilistic uncertainties during the mission lifecycle, the cost assessment or architecture optimization is essentially a stochastic problem. Thus, this research seeks to quantitatively assess different spacecraft architecture strategies for remote-sensing missions. A dynamical lifecycle simulation and parametric models are developed to evaluate the lifecycle costs, while the mass, propellant usage, and some other constraints on spacecraft are assessed using nonparametric, physics-based computer models. Compared with the traditional Monte Carlo simulation to produce uncertain distributions during the lifecycle, the unscented transformation is employed to reduce the computational overhead, just as it does in improving the extended Kalman filter. Furthermore, the genetic algorithm is applied to optimize the fractionated architecture based on the probabilistic value-centric assessments developed in this paper.
Sea Buckthorn Pulp Oil Treatment Prevents Atherosclerosis in Obese Children
Authors: Virgolici Bogdana , Lixandru Daniela , Casariu Elena Daniela , Stancu Mihaela , Greabu Maria , Totan Alexandra , Miricescu Daniela , Mohora Maria
Published: May 2013

This study aimed to determine the effects of sea buckthorn pulp oil treatment (800 mg/day for 60 days) on inflammatory, systemic oxidative/reductive status and endothelial function, in obese children. A total of 41 obese children (10–18 years old) and thirty controls were enrolled. The measurements were done before and after pulp oil administration. Ultrasounds were used for flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements and colorimetric and ELISA methods for biochemical parameters. In the obese children versus the lean ones, increased oxidative stress (high malonyldialdehyde, high respiratory burst (RB)), low antioxidant defence (low blood glutathione, low TEAC), inflammatory status (high CRP, ceruloplasmin), adipocytokines disturbance (low adiponectin and high leptin), insulin resistance (high fasting C peptide), low FMD (P<0.001), and high IMT (P<0.01) were measured. Treatment reduced total cholesterol (P<0.03), triglycerides (P<0.01), RB (P<0.03), leptin (P<0.049), ceruloplasmin (P<0.01), fasting C peptide (P<0.01), blood pressure (P<0.01), and IMT (P<0.03). In conclusion, sea buckthorn pulp oil treatment prevents atherosclerosis by lowering triglyceridemia, cholesterolemia, and blood pressure (strong effects) and by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance (weak effects).
Resonant Tunneling Diodes-Based Cellular Nonlinear Networks with Fault Tolerance Analysis
Authors: Duan Shukai , Hu Xiaofang , Wang Lidan , Gao Shiyong
Published: May 2013

The resonant tunneling diodes (RTD) have found numerous applications in high-speed digital and analog circuits owing to its folded-back negative differential resistance (NDR) in current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and nanometer size. On account of the replacement of the state resistor in standard cell by an RTD, an RTD-based cellular neural/nonlinear network (RTD-CNN) can be obtained, in which the cell requires neither self-feedback nor a nonlinear output, thereby being more compact and versatile. This paper addresses the structure of RTD-CNN in detail and investigates its fault-tolerant properties in image processing taking horizontal line detection and edge extraction, for examples. A series of computer simulations demonstrates the promising fault-tolerant abilities of the RTD-CNN.
Traffic Prediction-Based Fast Rerouting Algorithm for Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks
Authors: Li Zhiyuan , Bi Junlei , Chen Siguang
Published: May 2013

Rerouting has become an important challenge to Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (WMSNs) due to the constraints on energy, bandwidth, and computational capabilities of sensor nodes and frequent node and link failures. In this paper, we propose a traffic prediction-based fast rerouting algorithm for use between the cluster heads and a sink node in WMSNs (TPFR). The proposed algorithm uses the autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model to predict a cluster head's network traffic. When the predicted value is greater than the predefined network traffic threshold, both adaptive retransmission trigger (ART) that contributes to switch to a better alternate path in time and trigger efficient retransmission behaviors are enabled. Performance comparison of TPFR with ant-based multi-QoS routing (AntSensNet) and power efficient multimedia routing (PEMuR) shows that they: (a) maximize the overall network lifespan by load balancing and not draining energy from some specific nodes, (b) provide high quality of service delivery for multimedia streams by switching to a better path towards a sink node in time, (c) reduce useless data retransmissions when node failures or link breaks occur, and (d) maintain lower routing overhead.
Anti-Diabetic Activities of Jiaotaiwan in db/db Mice by Augmentation of AMPK Protein Activity and Upregulation of GLUT4 Expression
Authors: Hu Na , Yuan Lin , Li Hui-Jiao , Huang Cheng , Mao Quan-Ming , Zhang Yong-Yu , Lin Min , Sun Yin-Qiang , Zhong Xiao-Yu , Tang Peng , Lu Xiong
Published: May 2013

Jiaotaiwan (JTW), which is composed ofCoptis chinensis(CC) and cinnamon (CIN), is one of the most well-known traditional Chinese medicines. In this study, we investigated the antidiabetic effects and mechanism of JTW in db/db mice. Results showed that JTW significantly decreased the level of fasting blood glucose and improved glucose and insulin tolerance better than CC or CIN alone. JTW also effectively protected the pancreatic islet shape, augmented the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the liver, and increased the expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein in skeletal muscle and white fat. AMPK and GLUT4 contributed to glucose metabolism regulation and had an essential function in the development of diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, the mechanisms of JTW may be related to suppressing gluconeogenesis by activating AMPK in the liver and affecting glucose uptake in surrounding tissues through the upregulation of GLUT4 protein expression. These findings provided a new insight into the antidiabetic clinical applications of JTW and demonstrated the potential of JTW as a new drug candidate for DM treatment.
Liquid‐Liquid Extraction of Transition Metal Cations by Glyoximes and Their Macrocyclic Glyoxime Ether Derivatives
Authors: Karapinar Nazan , Karapinar Emin , Ozcan Emine
Published: May 2013

Liquid‐liquid extraction of various alkalis (Li+, Na+, K+, and Cs+), transition metals (Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+), and Pb2+ cations with phenylglyoxime (L1), p‐tolylglyoxime (L2), N′‐(4′‐Benzo[15‐crown‐5])phenylaminoglyoxime (L3), and N′‐(4′‐Benzo[15‐crown‐5])‐p‐tolylaminoglyoxime (L4) from the aqueous phase into the organic phase was carried out. For comparison, the corresponding two glyoximes and their macrocyclic glyoxime ether derivatives were also examined. Crown ether groups having ligands (L3, L4) carry especially Na+ cation from aqueous phase to organic phase. The extraction equilibrium constants (Kex) for complexes of ligands with Cu2+ and Hg2+ metal picrates between dichloromethane and water have been determined at 25°C. The values of the extraction constants (log Kex) were determined to be 12.27, 13.37, 12.94, and 12.39 for Cu2+ and 10.29, 10.62, 11.53, and 11.97 for Hg2+ with L1–L4, respectively.
A MATLAB-Based Boundary Data Simulator for Studying the Resistivity Reconstruction Using Neighbouring Current Pattern
Authors: Bera Tushar Kanti , Nagaraju J.
Published: May 2013

Phantoms are essentially required to generate boundary data for studying the inverse solver performance in electrical impedance tomography (EIT). A MATLAB-based boundary data simulator (BDS) is developed to generate accurate boundary data using neighbouring current pattern for assessing the EIT inverse solvers. Domain diameter, inhomogeneity number, inhomogeneity geometry (shape, size, and position), background conductivity, and inhomogeneity conductivity are all set as BDS input variables. Different sets of boundary data are generated by changing the input variables of the BDS, and resistivity images are reconstructed using electrical impedance tomography and diffuse optical tomography reconstruction software (EIDORS). Results show that the BDS generates accurate boundary data for different types of single or multiple objects which are efficient enough to reconstruct the resistivity images for assessing the inverse solver. It is noticed that for the BDS with 2048 elements, the boundary data for all inhomogeneities with a diameter larger than 13.3% of that of the phantom are accurate enough to reconstruct the resistivity images in EIDORS-2D. By comparing the reconstructed image with an original geometry made in BDS, it would be easier to study the inverse solver performance and the origin of the boundary data error can be identified.
The Parameter Reduction of Fuzzy Soft Sets Based on Soft Fuzzy Rough Sets
Authors: Zhang Zhiming
Published: May 2013

Fuzzy set theory, rough set theory, and soft set theory are three effective mathematical tools for dealing with uncertainties and have many wide applications both in theory and practise. Meng et al. (2011) introduced the notion of soft fuzzy rough sets by combining fuzzy sets, rough sets, and soft sets all together. The aim of this paper is to study the parameter reduction of fuzzy soft sets based on soft fuzzy rough approximation operators. We propose some concepts and conditions for two fuzzy soft sets to generate the same lower soft fuzzy rough approximation operators and the same upper soft fuzzy rough approximation operators. The concept of reduct of a fuzzy soft set is introduced and the procedure to find a reduct for a fuzzy soft set is given. Furthermore, the concept of exclusion of a fuzzy soft set is introduced and the procedure to find an exclusion for a fuzzy soft set is given.