bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shortened stapedius tendon: a rare cause of conductive hearing loss
Authors: Zawawi F , Varshney R , Schloss M D
Published: January 2014

Introduction:

Anomalies of the stapedius tendon have been reported to cause conductive hearing loss; in theory, such anomalies limit the movement of the stapes.

Objectives:

To demonstrate a rare cause of conductive hearing loss resulting from anomaly of the stapedius tendon and to compare the clinical findings of this patient to other stapedius tendon anomalies reported in the literature.

Method:

Case report of a single case of shortened stapedius tendon and a review of the English literature on stapedius tendon anomalies.

Results:

This is a case report of a 15-year-old boy with shortened stapedius tendon causing unilateral hearing loss, accompanied by a review of the literature. Contrary to other reported cases, this patient did not have an ossified tendon, but rather an extremely short tendon. The boy regained normal hearing following excision of the stapedius tendon.

Conclusion:

A shortened stapedius tendon is a very rare diagnosis, yet it should be considered as a possible cause of conductive hearing loss.
Clinicopathological features of mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Authors: Yamazaki K , Ohta H , Shodo R , Matsuyama H , Takahashi S
Published: January 2014

Objective:

We aimed to examine the clinical usefulness of a new World Health Organization classification scheme for salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and to identify the factors most strongly associated with prognosis and outcome.

Methods:

The clinicopathological features of 45 patients who received treatment for mucoepidermoid carcinoma between 1986 and 2010 were retrospectively investigated.

Results:

The overall disease-specific 5-year survival rate was 81.8 per cent. The rate for patients with low-grade tumours (92.5 per cent) was significantly higher than that for patients with intermediate or high-grade tumours (52.2 per cent). Univariate analysis revealed that five factors were significantly associated with five-year survival: age, tumour stage classification, lymph node status, histological grade and treatment method. Four factors were significant in multivariate analysis: age, sex, tumour stage classification and lymph node status.

Conclusion:

The new World Health Organization classification was useful in predicting disease progression in patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Patients with high-grade tumours or other prognostic factors positively associated with disease progression should be carefully evaluated and monitored.
Neural correlates of inhibitory control and visual processing in youths with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a counting Stroop functional MRI study
Authors: Fan L.-Y. , Gau S. S.-F. , Chou T.-L.
Published: January 2014

Background

Despite evidence of inhibitory control and visual processing impairment in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), knowledge about its corresponding alterations in the brain is still evolving. The current study used counting Stroop functional MRI and the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) to investigate if brain activation of inhibitory control and visual processing would differ in youths with ADHD relative to neurotypical youths.

Method

We assessed 25 youths with ADHD [mean age 10.9 (s.d. = 2.2) years] and 23 age-, gender- and IQ-matched neurotypical youths [mean age 11.2 (s.d. = 2.9) years]. The participants were assessed by using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, third edition, and two tests from the CANTAB: rapid visual information processing (RVP) and pattern recognition memory (PRM) outside the scanner.

Results

Youths with ADHD showed more activation than neurotypical youths in the right inferior frontal gyrus [Brodmann area (BA) 45] and anterior cingulate cortex, which were correlated with poorer performance on the RVP test in the CANTAB. In contrast, youths with ADHD showed less activation than neurotypical youths in the left superior parietal lobule (BA 5/7), which was correlated with the percentage of correct responses on the PRM test in the CANTAB.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that youths with ADHD might need more inhibitory control to suppress interference between number and meaning and may involve less visual processing to process the numbers in the counting Stroop task than neurotypical youths.
ARCHAIC WHEELMADE CERAMICS FROM THE CAVE OF MARONEIA AND KREMASTO (ASAR TEPE), AEGEAN THRACE
Authors: Ilieva Petya
Published: January 2014

This article presents seventh and sixth centurybcwheelmade ceramics excavated at two sites not far from the coastal area of Mount Ismaros in Aegean Thrace. It aims to introduce new evidence and to throw light on some aspects of the archaeology of the Archaic period in the area occupied by the Thracian Kikones. All the pottery sherds originate from the hilltop settlement at Kremasto (Asar Tepe) and the Cave of Maroneia, both located on the southern slopes of Mount Ismaros. Although both sites are situated in relative geographical proximity to one another, within the same ancient tribal area, they reveal two different patterns of human occupation and diversity in consumption patterns. The varying quantities and features of the wheelmade ceramics from both sites suggest that, while the limited sherds from the Kremasto settlement reflect, more likely, a sporadic import of luxurious objects by its inhabitants, the Grey and painted wares from the cave imply that they were used by people well acquainted with this type of pottery in their daily routine.
COMPARATIVE COST-EFFECTIVENESS MODELS FOR THE TREATMENT OF MULTIPLE MYELOMA
Authors: Cooper Keith , Picot Joanna , Bryant Jackie , Clegg Andrew
Published: January 2014

Objectives: To compare cost effectiveness models for the first-line treatment of multiple myeloma, and explore the differences between the models’ structure, parameters, assumptions and results.

Methods: Three cost effectiveness models for the treatment of multiple myeloma, were compared that had been developed to inform resource allocation in the UK for the chemotherapy regimens bortezomib, melphalan and prednisolone (BMP); and melphalan, prednisolone and thalidomide (MPT) versus melphalan and prednisolone (MP). The models used alternative approaches and assumptions to estimate the overall survival and progression-free survival for each of the interventions. Through the use of sensitivity analyses, the most influential parameters and assumptions of each of the models were identified.

Results: The models developed by the manufacturers gave conflicting results, with each manufacturer favouring their drug. The differences between the model results were determined by two parameters: the hazard ratio for overall survival for MPT vs. MP and the cost of bortezomib.

Conclusions: Using models developed for assessing treatments for multiple myeloma we demonstrated that it was feasible to compare models, which then aided decision makers in making reimbursement decisions.
Geochemistry of the 1100 Ma intrusive rocks from the Ahlmannryggen region, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica
Authors: Riley Teal R. , Millar Ian L.
Published: January 2014

The recognition of a Mesoproterozoic large igneous province (LIP) across large parts of southern Africa has been strengthened by recent geochronology, geochemistry and petrology. The c. 1100 Ma Umkondo province has been recognized across parts of Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique where tholeiitic sills, dykes and rare lava flows have been correlated into a single magmatic province emplaced in the interval 1108–1112 Ma. The extension of the province into the Dronning Maud Land region of Antarctica has been suggested by several workers, but detailed analyses of geochemistry and petrogenesis are lacking, as are comparative studies. This study investigates 25 dykes and sills of the Borgmassivet intrusions which include several of the major diorite sills of the province, up to 300 m in thickness. The dykes and sills are also considered to be c. 1100 Ma and they were emplaced, in part, synchronously with the Ritscherflya Supergroup sedimentary sequence. The Borgmassivet intrusions are characterized by geochemical signatures that suggest the magmas were either extensively contaminated by continental crust or derived from an enriched lithospheric mantle source, where the enrichment was related to earlier subduction. The limited geochemical range of the Borgmassivet and Umkondo intrusions are probably not consistent with significant levels of crustal contamination. Furthermore, the trace element ratios indicate a source in the sub-lithospheric mantle, followed by gabbroic fractionation and interaction with lithospheric wall rocks.
Cervical Spine Fractures in Elderly Patients with Hip Fracture After Low-Level Fall: An Opportunity to Refine Prehospital Spinal Immobilization Guidelines?
Authors: Boland Lori L. , Satterlee Paul A. , Jansen Paul R.
Published: January 2014

Background

Conventional prehospital spine-assessment approaches based on low index of suspicion and mechanism of injury (MOI) result in the liberal application of spinal immobilization in trauma patients. A painful distracting injury (DI), such as a suspected hip fracture, historically has been a sufficient condition for immobilization, even in an elderly patient who suffers a simple fall from standing and exhibits no other risk factors for spinal injury. Because the elderly are at increased risk of hip fracture from low-level falls, and are also particularly susceptible to the discomfort and morbidity associated with immobilization, the prevalence of cervical spine (c-spine) fracture in this patient population was examined.

Methods

Hospital billing records were used to identify all cases of traumatic femur fracture in Minnesota (USA) in 2010-2011. Concurrent diagnosis and external cause codes were used to estimate the prevalence of c-spine fracture by age and MOI.

Results

Among 1,394 patients with femur fracture, 23 (1.7%) had a c-spine fracture. When the MOI was a fall from standing or sitting height and the patient age was ≥65, the prevalence dropped to 0.4% (2/565). The prevalence was similar when the definition of hip fracture additionally included pelvis fractures (0.5%; 11/2,441). Eight of the 11 patients with c-spine fracture had diagnosis codes indicative of criteria other than the DI that likely would have resulted in immobilization (eg, head injury and compromised mental status).

Conclusions

C-spine fracture is extremely rare in elderly patients who sustain hip fracture as a result of a low-level fall, and appears to be accompanied frequently by other known predictors of spinal injury besides DI. More research is needed to determine whether conservative use of spinal immobilization may be warranted in elderly patients with hip fracture after low-level falls when the only criteria for immobilization is the distracting hip injury.

BolandLL,SatterleePA,JansenPR.Cervical spine fractures in elderly patients with hip fracture after low-level fall: an opportunity to refine prehospital spinal immobilization guidelines?Prehosp Disaster Med.2014;29(1):1-4.
The economic power of the Golden Rice opposition
Authors: Wesseler Justus , Zilberman David
Published: January 2014

Vitamin A enriched rice (Golden Rice) is a cost-efficient solution that can substantially reduce health costs. Despite Golden Rice being available since early 2000, this rice has not been introduced in any country. Governments must perceive additional costs that overcompensate the benefits of the technology to explain the delay in approval. We develop a real option model including irreversibility and uncertainty about perceived costs and arrival of new information to explain a delay in approval. The model has been applied to the case of India. Results show the annual perceived costs have to be at least US$199 million per year approximately for the last decade to explain the delay in approval of the technology. This is an indicator of the economic power of the opposition towards Golden Rice resulting in about 1.4 million life years lost over the past decade in India.
Optimising the selection of food items for FFQs using Mixed Integer Linear Programming
Authors: Gerdessen Johanna C , Souverein Olga W , van ‘t Veer Pieter , de Vries Jeanne HM
Published: January 2014

Objective

To support the selection of food items for FFQs in such a way that the amount of information on all relevant nutrients is maximised while the food list is as short as possible.

Design

Selection of the most informative food items to be included in FFQs was modelled as a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model. The methodology was demonstrated for an FFQ with interest in energy, total protein, total fat, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, total carbohydrates, mono- and disaccharides, dietary fibre and potassium.

Results

The food lists generated by the MILP model have good performance in terms of length, coverage and R2 (explained variance) of all nutrients. MILP-generated food lists were 32–40 % shorter than a benchmark food list, whereas their quality in terms of R2 was similar to that of the benchmark.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the MILP model makes the selection process faster, more standardised and transparent, and is especially helpful in coping with multiple nutrients. The complexity of the method does not increase with increasing number of nutrients. The generated food lists appear either shorter or provide more information than a food list generated without the MILP model.
Total body water measurement using the 2H dilution technique for the assessment of body composition of Kuwaiti children
Authors: Al-Ati Tareq , Preston Tom , Al-Hooti Suad , Al-Hamad Nawal , Al-Ghanim Jameela , Al-Khulifi Fatima , Al-Lahou Badreya , Al-Othman Amani , Davidsson Lena
Published: January 2014

Objective

The 2H dilution technique is the reference method to estimate total body water for body composition assessment. The aims of the present study were to establish the total body water technique at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research and assess body composition of Kuwaiti children.

Design

The isotope ratio mass spectrometer was calibrated with defined international reference water standards. A non-random sampling approach was used to recruit a convenience sample of Kuwaiti children. A dose of 2H2O, 1–3 g, was consumed after an overnight fast and 2H enrichment in baseline and post-dose urine samples was measured. Total body water was calculated and used to estimate fat-free mass. Fat mass was estimated as body weight minus fat-free mass.

Setting

The total body water study was implemented in primary schools.

Subjects

Seventy-five boys and eighty-three girls (7–9 years).

Results

Measurements of the isotope ratio mass spectrometer were confirmed to be accurate and precise. Children were classified as normal weight, overweight or obese according to the WHO based on BMI-for-age Z-scores. Normal-weight and overweight girls had significantly higher percentage body fat (median (range): 32·4 % (24·7–39·3 %) and 38·3 % (29·3–44·2 %), respectively) compared with boys (median (range): 26·5 % (14·2–37·1 %) and 34·6 % (29·9–40·2 %), respectively). No gender difference was found in obese children (median 46·5 % v. 45·6 %).

Conclusions

The establishment of a state-of-the-art stable isotope laboratory for assessment of body composition provides an opportunity to explore a wide range of applications to better understand the relationship between body size, body composition and risk of developing non-communicable diseases in Kuwait.
Worker replacement and cost-benefit analysis of life-saving health care programs, a precautionary note
Authors: Tessier Philippe , Sultan-Taïeb Hélène , Barnay Thomas
Published: January 2014

The assumption according to which ill individuals can be replaced at work that underpins the ‘friction cost method’ (FCM) to value productivity costs has been primarily discussed within the framework of cost-utility analysis. This paper investigates the consequences of this assumption for cost-benefit analysis (CBA). It makes three contributions. First, it provides the first analytical account of the overall consequences of ill worker replacement on social welfare and it analyzes the associated compensation effects within a CBA framework. Second, it highlights a double counting problem that arises when ill worker replacement is assumed in the CBA of life-saving health care programs. To the best of our knowledge, no satisfactory solution to this problem has yet been provided in the literature. Third, this paper suggests and discusses two original ways to address this double counting issue. One consists in adjusting value of a statistical life estimations for the well-being provided by future incomes. Another possibility lies in the estimation of marginal rates of substitution between health and wealth so as to directly monetize the value of life over and above consumption. We show that both solutions raise unresolved questions that should be addressed in future research to enable appropriate use of the FCM in CBA.
THE QUANTIFIED ARGUMENT CALCULUS
Authors: BEN-YAMI HANOCH
Published: January 2014

I develop a formal logic in which quantified arguments occur in argument positions of predicates. This logic also incorporates negative predication, anaphora and converse relation terms, namely, additional syntactic features of natural language. In these and additional respects, it represents the logic of natural language more adequately than does any version of Frege’s Predicate Calculus. I first introduce the system’s main ideas and familiarize it by means of translations of natural language sentences. I then develop a formal system built on these principles, the Quantified Argument Calculus or Quarc. I provide a truth-value assignment semantics and a proof system for the Quarc. I next demonstrate the system’s power by a variety of proofs; I prove its soundness; and I comment on its completeness. I then extend the system to modal logic, again providing a proof system and a truth-value assignment semantics. I proceed to show how the Quarc versions of the Barcan formulas, of their converses and of necessary existence come out straightforwardly invalid, which I argue is an advantage of the modal Quarc over modal Predicate Logic as a system intended to capture the logic of natural language.
ERP Evidence of a Stroop-Like Effect in Emotional Speech Related to Social Anhedonia
Authors: Roux Paul , Vistoli Damien , Christophe Anne , Passerieux Christine , Brunet-Gouet Eric
Published: January 2014

The present study investigated the ERP correlates of the integration of emotional prosody to the emotional meaning of a spoken word. Thirty-four nonclinical participants listened to negative and positive words that were spoken with an angry or happy prosody and classified the emotional valence of the word meaning while ignoring emotional prosody. Social anhedonia was also self-rated by the subjects. Compared to congruent trials, incongruent ones elicited slower and less accurate behavioral responses, and a smaller P300 component at the brain response level. The present data suggest that vocal emotional information is salient enough to be integrated early in verbal processing. The P300 amplitude modulation by the prosody-meaning congruency positively correlated with the social anhedonia score, suggesting that the sensitivity of the electrical brain response to emotional prosody increased with social anhedonia. Interpretations of this result in terms of emotional processing in social anhedonia are discussed.
Exemplification and Perceived Job Insecurity
Authors: De Cuyper Nele , Schreurs Bert , Vander Elst Tinne , Baillien Elfi , De Witte Hans
Published: January 2014

Impression management is typically seen as a means to achieve success. Little is known about potential side effects for the self, or about impression management aimed at prevention of loss. Here, we probe the relationship between exemplification (impression management aimed at acquiring the image of model employee) and performance and emotional exhaustion, accounting for the moderating role of job insecurity. We use the Resource Model of Self-regulation and the Conservation of Resources Theory to propose that the association of exemplification with performance and emotional exhaustion is more positive with increased job insecurity. Hypotheses were tested in a sample of 603 Peruvian workers using structural equation modeling (SEM). The pattern of results supported our hypotheses: Exemplification has unintended effects when workers feel insecure.
Perceived Human Resource Management Practices
Authors: Boon Corine , Belschak Frank D. , Den Hartog Deanne N. , Pijnenburg Mark
Published: January 2014

How employees spend their work time can have important consequences for organizations. Although some research has examined the relationship between human resource management (HRM) and employee absence, we know less about whether HRM also affects employees’ time allocation at work. This study examines the role of perceived HRM and psychological processes in explaining employee absence and time allocation in the form of time spent on core task and contextual activities. Besides an avoidance mechanism, linking perceived HRM to absence via lower satisfaction, we propose an approach mechanism linking perceived HRM to time spent on task and contextual activities via satisfaction and willingness to exert extra effort. A study among 1,626 employees of a Dutch governmental organization supports the proposed model.
Protein Kinase C Delta Modulates Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase after Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Lin Hung Wen , Gresia Victoria L , Stradecki Holly M , Alekseyenko Aleksey , Dezfulian Cameron , Neumann Jake T , Dave Kunjan R , Perez-Pinzon Miguel A
Published: January 2014

We previously showed that inhibition of protein kinase C delta (PKC δ) improves brain perfusion 24 hours after asphyxial cardiac arrest (ACA) and confers neuroprotection in the cortex and CA1 region of the hippocampus 7 days after arrest. Therefore, in this study, we investigate the mechanism of action of PKC δ-mediated hypoperfusion after ACA in the rat by using the two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) to observe cortical cerebral blood flow (CBF) and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) detecting regional CBF in the presence/absence of δV1-1 (specific PKC δ inhibitor), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) substrate (L-arginine, L-arg) and inhibitor ( N ω-Nitro-L-arginine, NLA), and nitric oxide (NO) donor (sodium nitroprusside, SNP). There was an increase in regional LDF and local (TPLSM) CBF in the presence of δV1-1+L-arg, but only an increase in regional CBF under δV1-1+SNP treatments. Systemic blood nitrite levels were measured 15 minutes and 24 hours after ACA. Nitrite levels were enhanced by pretreatment with δV1-1 30 minutes before ACA possibly attributable to enhanced endothelial NOS protein levels. Our results suggest that PKC δ can modulate NO machinery in cerebral vasculature. Protein kinase C delta can depress endothelial NOS blunting CBF resulting in hypoperfusion, but can be reversed with δV1-1 improving brain perfusion, thus providing subsequent neuroprotection after ACA.
PET Imaging of Ischemia-Induced Impairment of Mitochondrial Complex I Function in Monkey Brain
Authors: Tsukada Hideo , Ohba Hiroyuki , Nishiyama Shingo , Kanazawa Masakatsu , Kakiuchi Takeharu , Harada Norihiro
Published: January 2014

To assess the capability of 18F-2-tert-butyl-4-chloro-5-{6-[2-(2-fluoroethoxy)-ethoxy]-pyridin-3-ylmethoxy}-2H-pyridazin-3-one (18F-BCPP-EF), a novel positron emission tomography (PET) probe for mitochondrial complex I (MC-I) activity, as a specific marker of ischemia-induced neuronal death without being disturbed by inflammation, translational research was conducted using an animal PET in ischemic brains of Cynomolgus monkeys ( Macaca fascicularis). Focal ischemia was induced by the right middle cerebral artery occlusion for 3 hours, then PET scans were conducted at Day-7 with 15O-gases for regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and regional cerebral metabolism of oxygen (rCMRO2), and 18F-BCPP-EF for MC-I with arterial blood sampling. On Day-8, the additional PET scans conducted with 11C-flumazenil (11C-FMZ) for central-type benzodiazepine receptors, 11C-PBR28 for translocator protein, and 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) for regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (rCMRglc). The total distribution volume ( VT) values of 18F-BCPP-EF showed the significant reduction in MC-I activity in the damaged area at Day-7. When correlated with rCBF and rCMRO2, the VT values of 18F-BCPP-EF provided better correlation with rCMRO2 than with rCBF. In the inflammatory regions (region of interest, ROIPBR) of the ischemic hemisphere detected with 11C-PBR28, higher 18F-FDG uptake and lower VT of 18F-BCPP-EF, 11C-FMZ, and rCMRO2 than those in normal contralateral hemisphere were observed. These results strongly suggested that 18F-BCPP-EF could discriminate the neuronal damaged areas with neuroinflammation, where 18F-FDG could not owing to its high uptake into the activated microglia.
Fecal microbiota imbalance in Mexican children with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Mejía-León María Esther , Petrosino Joseph F. , Ajami Nadim Jose , Domínguez-Bello María Gloria , de la Barca Ana María Calderón
Published: January 2014

Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota affecting the gut barrier could be triggering Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), the second most frequent autoimmune disease in childhood. This study compared the structure of the fecal microbiota in 29 mestizo children aged 7–18 years, including 8 T1D at onset, 13 T1D after 2 years treatment and 8 healthy controls. Clinical information was collected, predisposing haplotypes were determined; the fecal DNA was extracted, the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene amplified and 454-pyrosequenced. The newly diagnosed T1D cases had high levels of the genus Bacteroides (p < 0.004), whereas the control group had a gut microbiota dominated by Prevotella. Children with T1D treated for ≥2 years had levels of Bacteroides and Prevotella compared to those of the control group. The gut microbiota of newly diagnosed T1D cases is altered, but whether it is involved in disease causation or is a consequence of host selection remains unclear.
Layered SiC Sheets: A Potential Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhang P. , Xiao B. B. , Hou X. L. , Zhu Y. F. , Jiang Q.
Published: January 2014

The large-scale practical application of fuel cells cannot come true if the high-priced Pt-based electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) cannot be replaced by other efficient, low-cost and stable electrodes. Here, based on density functional theory (DFT), we exploited the potentials of layered SiC sheets as a novel catalyst for ORR. From our DFT results, it can be predicted that layered SiC sheets exhibit excellent ORR catalytic activity without CO poisoning, while the CO poisoning is the major drawback in conventional Pt-based catalysts. Furthermore, the layered SiC sheets in alkaline media has better catalytic activity than Pt(111) surface and have potential as a metal-free catalyst for ORR in fuel cells.
Prostatic ischemia induces ventral prostatic hyperplasia in the SHR; possible mechanism of development of BPH
Authors: Saito Motoaki , Tsounapi Panagiota , Oikawa Ryo , Shimizu Shogo , Honda Masashi , Sejima Takehiro , Kinoshita Yukako , Tomita Shuhei
Published: January 2014

In the light of increasing evidence that benign prostatic hyperplasia is associated with cardiovascular disease, we have investigated the relationship between prostatic blood flow and prostatic hyperplasia in the spontaneously-hypertensive-rat (SHR). Twelve-week-old male SHRs were treated with nicorandil for six weeks. Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as controls. Six weeks after nicorandil treatment, blood pressure and the prostatic blood flow were estimated and tissue levels of malondialdehyde, HIF-1α, TGF-β1, bFGF, dihydrotestosterone and α-SMA were measured. SHRs showed significant increases in blood pressure, tissue levels of malondialdehyde, HIF-1α, TGF-β1, bFGF, α-SMA and a significant decrease in the prostatic blood flow. Although treatment with nicorandil failed to alter the blood-pressure and α-SMA, it significantly ameliorated the increased levels of malondialdehyde, HIF-1α, TGF-β1 and bFGF. There were no significant differences in tissue levels of dihydrotestosterone among any groups. These data indicate that development of prostatic hyperplasia may be associated with prostatic hypoxia, which nicorandil prevents via its effect to increase the blood flow.
Biomaterial arrays with defined adhesion ligand densities and matrix stiffness identify distinct phenotypes for tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic human mesenchymal cell types
Authors: Hansen Tyler D. , Koepsel Justin T. , Le Ngoc Nhi , Nguyen Eric H. , Zorn Stefan , Parlato Matthew , Loveland Samuel G. , Schwartz Michael P. , Murphy William L.
Published: January 2014

HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells are characterized by a distinct phenotype compared to primary mesenchymal cells.
A triarylboron-based fluorescent temperature indicator: sensitive both in solid polymers and in liquid solvents
Authors: Liu Xuan , Li Shayu , Feng Jiao , Li Yi , Yang Guoqiang
Published: January 2014

A novel triarylboron compound, MPB, exhibiting reversible thermochromic fluorescence in solid-state polymers and in liquid solvents was designed and synthesized.
La-doped Al2O3 supported Au nanoparticles: highly active and selective catalysts for PROX under PEMFC operation conditions
Authors: Lin Qingquan , Qiao Botao , Huang Yanqiang , Li Lin , Lin Jian , Liu Xiao Yan , Wang Aiqin , Li Wen-Cui , Zhang Tao
Published: January 2014

LaAlO3-doped γ-Al2O3 supported Au catalysts show high activity and selectivity by strengthening CO adsorption meanwhile significantly decreasing H2 oxidation.
Alkali- and nitrate-free synthesis of highly active Mg–Al hydrotalcite-coated alumina for FAME production
Authors: Creasey Julia J. , Chieregato Alessandro , Manayil Jinesh C. , Parlett Christopher M. A. , Wilson Karen , Lee Adam F.
Published: January 2014

Mg–Al hydrotalcite coatings have been grown on aluminaviaa novel alkali- and nitrate-free impregnation route and subsequent calcination and hydrothermal treatment.
Observation of hysteretic magnetic phase transitions coupled with orientation motion of ions and dielectric relaxation in a one-dimensional nickel-bis-dithiolene molecule solid
Authors: Chen Xuan-Rong , Ning Wei-Hua , Yang Hao , Liu Jian-Lan , Xuan Fang , Ren Xiao-Ming
Published: January 2014

Step-wise orientation motions of ions results in two successive structural transitions, each one is associated with a hysteretic magnetic transition and dielectric relaxation occurs in the high temperature region.
Evaluation of three types of passive samplers for measuring 1,3-butadiene and benzene at workplaces
Authors: Strandberg Bo , Bergemalm-Rynell Kerstin , Sallsten Gerd
Published: January 2014

Thermal desorption passive samplers filled with Carbopack X adsorbent can be used to measure benzene under occupational air conditions.
Structure-based drug design of chromone antagonists of the adenosine A2A receptor
Authors: Andrews Stephen P. , Mason Jonathan S. , Hurrell Edward , Congreve Miles
Published: January 2014

Structure-based drug design identifies potent & selective GPCR antagonists.
On the molecular relationships between high-zinc tolerance and aconitase (Aco1) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Guirola Maria , Jiménez-Martí Elena , Atrian Silvia
Published: January 2014

In yeast, the lack of mitochondrial aconitase activity determines high-zinc tolerance, which is accompanied by the alteration of several low-iron sensor signals.
A dual-targeting, p53-independent, apoptosis-inducing platinum(ii) anticancer complex, [Pt(BDIQQ)]Cl
Authors: Suntharalingam Kogularamanan , Wilson Justin J. , Lin Wei , Lippard Stephen J.
Published: January 2014

The therapeutic index and cellular mechanism of action of [Pt(BDIQQ)]Cl, a monocationic, square-planar platinum(ii) complex, are reported.
An “off–on–off” fluorescent probe for the sequential detection of Zn2+ and hydrogen sulfide in aqueous solution
Authors: Dong Zhengping , Le Xuanduong , Zhou Panpan , Dong Chunxu , Ma Jiantai
Published: January 2014

The fluorescent chemosensor L1 has been synthesized for the sequential detection of Zn2+ and hydrogen sulfide.
Epitaxial transfer through end-group coordination modulates the odd–even effect in an alkanethiol monolayer assembly
Authors: Yimer Yeneneh Y. , Jha Kshitij C. , Tsige Mesfin
Published: January 2014

End-functional groups control monolayer assembly through co-ordination with an adlayer in an n-alkanethiol assembly on gold {111}.
A highly efficient in situ N-acetylation approach for solid phase synthesis
Authors: Chandra Koushik , Roy Tapta Kanchan , Naoum Johnny N. , Gilon Chaim , Gerber R. Benny , Friedler Assaf
Published: January 2014

In situpeptide acetylation.
Computational rationalization of the selective C–H and C–F activations of fluoroaromatic imines and ketones by cobalt complexes
Authors: Li Jingjing , Zhang Dongju , Sun Hongjian , Li Xiaoyan
Published: January 2014

The selective C–H and C–F activations of fluoroaromatic imines and ketones by cobalt complexes have been rationalized well by performing DFT calculations.
A new approach for the synthesis of O-glycopeptides through a combination of solid-phase glycosylation and fluorous tagging chemistry (SHGPFT)
Authors: Liu Bo , Zhang Fa , Zhang Yan , Liu Gang
Published: January 2014

A new and efficient hybrid approach has been developed for the synthesis and purification of O-linked glycopeptides with high purity.
A novel methodology for synthesis of dihydropyrazole derivatives as potential anticancer agents
Authors: Wang Xu , Pan Ying-ming , Huang Xiao-chao , Mao Zhong-yuan , Wang Heng-shan
Published: January 2014

A flexible and efficient method for the synthesis of 4,5-dihydropyrazole derivatives has been developed.
A Se/C composite as cathode material for rechargeable lithium batteries with good electrochemical performance
Authors: Liu Lili , Hou Yuyang , Yang Yaqiong , Li Minxia , Wang Xiaowei , Wu Yuping
Published: January 2014

A Se/C composite is prepared as cathode material for rechargeable lithium batteries, which significantly enhances the capacity and improves the rate capability in comparison with the commercial Se particles.
CO2reduction at low overpotential on Cu electrodes in the presence of impurities at the subsurface
Authors: Xiao Jianping , Kuc Agnieszka , Frauenheim Thomas , Heine Thomas
Published: January 2014

Tuning the electrochemical activity and selectivity of Cu electrodes using oxygen and carbon impurities at their subsurface.
Platinum–graphene hybrid nanostructure as anode and cathode electrocatalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Authors: Divya P. , Ramaprabhu S.
Published: January 2014

Graphene synthesized by an environmentally benign technique is applied as a low cost electrocatalyst support in proton exchange membrane fuel cell.
Small band gap polymers incorporating a strong acceptor, thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-2,5-dione, with p-channel and ambipolar charge transport characteristics
Authors: Osaka Itaru , Abe Toru , Mori Hiroki , Saito Masahiko , Takemura Noriko , Koganezawa Tomoyuki , Takimiya Kazuo
Published: January 2014

Novel small band gap semiconducting polymers incorporating thienothiophenedione exhibit high hole mobilities of ∼1.38 cm2V−1s−1.
Kinetics of laser-assisted carbon nanotube growth
Authors: van de Burgt Y. , Bellouard Y. , Mandamparambil R.
Published: January 2014

We report on the detailed investigation of CNT growth kinetics related to physical and chemical process characteristics using a laser-assisted chemical vapour deposition technique.
Potential protective effect of highly bioavailable curcumin on an oxidative stress model induced by microinjection of sodium nitroprusside in mice brain
Authors: Nazari Qand Agha , Takada-Takatori Yuki , Hashimoto Tadashi , Imaizumi Atsushi , Izumi Yasuhiko , Akaike Akinori , Kume Toshiaki
Published: January 2014

The protective effects of conventional curcumin or highly bioavailable curcumin, Theracurmin®, against oxidative stress is investigated using our in vivo oxidative stress model.
Functional role of evolutionarily highly conserved residues, N-glycosylation level and domains of the Leishmania miltefosine transporter-Cdc50 subunit
Authors: García-Sánchez Sebastián , Sánchez-Cañete María P. , Gamarro Francisco , Castanys Santiago
Published: January 2014

Cdc50 (cell-cycle control protein 50) is a family of conserved eukaryotic proteins that interact with P4-ATPases (phospholipid translocases). Cdc50 association is essential for the endoplasmic reticulum export of P4-ATPases and proper translocase activity. In the present study, we analysed the role of Leishmania infantum LiRos3, the Cdc50 subunit of the P4-ATPase MLF (miltefosine) transporter [LiMT (L. infantum MLF transporter)], on trafficking and complex functionality using site-directed mutagenesis and domain substitution. We identified 22 invariant residues in the Cdc50 proteins from L. infantum, human and yeast. Seven of these residues are found in the extracellular domain of LiRos3, the conservation of which is critical for ensuring that LiMT arrives at the plasma membrane. The substitution of other invariant residues affects complex trafficking to a lesser extent. Furthermore, invariant residues located in the N-terminal cytosolic domain play a role in the transport activity. Partial N-glycosylation of LiRos3 reduces MLF transport and total N-deglycosylation completely inhibits LiMT trafficking to the plasma membrane. One of the N-glycosylation residues is invariant along the Cdc50 family. The transmembrane and exoplasmic domains are not interchangeable with the other two L. infantum Cdc50 proteins to maintain LiMT interaction. Taken together, these findings indicate that both invariant and N-glycosylated residues of LiRos3 are implicated in LiMT trafficking and transport activity.
Decrease in cytochrome c oxidase reserve capacity diminishes robustness of Drosophila melanogaster and shortens lifespan
Authors: Klichko Vladimir , Sohal Barbara H. , Radyuk Svetlana N. , Orr William C. , Sohal Rajindar S.
Published: January 2014

The phenotypic effects of under- and over-expression of CcO (cytochrome c oxidase) regulatory subunits IV and Vb were examined in Drosophila melanogaster in order to test further the hypothesis that suppression of the activities of mitochondrial ETC (electron-transport chain) oxidoreductases retards the aging process and extends lifespan. Underexpression of both CcO subunits, induced by RNAi, resulted in decreases in the respective mRNA and protein levels, CcO holoenzyme activity, rate of mitochondrial respiration, walking speed and the lifespan of fruitflies. Overexpression of CcO IV or Vb in young fruitflies increased the amount of mRNA, but had no effect on the protein level or CcO catalytic activity. On the other hand, in older fruitflies, overexpression of CcO Vb, but not CcO IV, elevated the mRNA and protein amounts as well as the CcO holoenzyme activity, thereby preventing the typical age-related decline in CcO activity. Nevertheless, lifespans of the fruitflies overexpressing CcO IV or Vb were neither extended nor shortened. Our results demonstrate that: (i) the suppression of CcO function exerts deleterious rather than benign effects on fitness and survival, and (ii) the structure/function of CcO, an ETC oxidoreductase, can be ‘re-engineered’ in vivo.
GdCl3 reduces hyperglycaemia through Akt/FoxO1-induced suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis in Type 2 diabetic mice
Authors: Wang Qian , Wang Ning , Dong Mei , Chen Fang , Li Zhong , Chen Yuanyuan
Published: January 2014

GdCl3 (gadolinium chloride) has been shown to reduce blood glucose; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Liver gluconeogenesis is an important pathway involved in the maintenance of glucose homoeostasis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of GdCl3 in hepatic gluconeogenesis and explore the precise molecular mechanism. Animals from a classical Type 2 diabetic mouse model, created by exposing C57BL/6J mice to a high-fat diet for 4 months, were treated with GdCl3 or saline. Body weight, blood glucose and insulin sensitivity were monitored. It was observed that GdCl3 significantly reduced blood glucose levels and improved insulin sensitivity. A pyruvate tolerance test showed further that GdCl3 suppressed gluconeogenesis in diabetic mice. In the livers of GdCl3-treated mice, the expression of Pepck (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase) and G6pase (glucose-6-phosphatase), the key enzymes in gluconeogenesis, were dramatically reduced. Furthermore, experiments in hepatocarcinoma cells revealed that GdCl3 activated the Akt pathway to promote the phosphorylation of FoxO1 (forkhead box O1), leading to the suppression of gluconeogenesis by reducing the expression of PEPCK and G6Pase and resulting in decreased cellular production of glucose. Comparable results were observed in the livers of GdCl3-treated mice. In addition, we have shown that GdCl3 augmented the role of insulin to control hepatic glucose production. We conclude that GdCl3 reduces hyperglycaemia via the Akt/FoxO1-induced suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis, both in Type 2 diabetic mice (in vivo) and in hepatocarcinoma cells (in vitro), suggesting that GdCl3 may be a potential therapeutic agent for diabetes.
Regularised reweighted BPDN for compressed video sensing
Authors: Liu Haixiao , Song Bin , Tian Fang , Qin Hao
Published: January 2014

In traditional compressed sensing methods, imposing sparsity alone usually does not produce the most visually pleasing reconstructed videos. Thus, by leveraging more prior information extracted from the temporal redundancy, a regularised reweighted basis pursuit denoising method with estimated support and signal value is proposed for a compressively sampled video. Moreover, an effective alternating direction method of multipliers is presented to solve the optimisation problem. Simulation results show that the proposed method compares favourably with conventional algorithms in the recovery performance.
Highly efficient supersonic small infrared target detection using temporal contrast filter
Authors: Kim S. , Sun S.‐G. , Kim K.‐T.
Published: January 2014

A novel temporal contrast filter (TCF)‐based method was developed to detect supersonic small infrared targets. The proposed hysteresis threshold‐based detection followed by the TCF can enhance the accuracy of the target position, the robustness to background clutter and the velocity range of moving targets compared with the conventional temporal variance filter‐based method.
Ultra‐wideband power divider using three parallel‐coupled lines and one shunt stub
Authors: Dang Trung‐Sinh , Kim Chang‐Woo , Yoon Sang‐Woong
Published: January 2014

An ultra‐wideband power divider with out‐of‐band filtering and DC blocking functions is presented. The divider consists of three parallel‐coupled lines, a short‐circuited shunt stub and a resistor. The divider was implemented in a two‐layer printed circuit board with a high dielectric constant. The measurements show a minimum insertion loss of −0.4 dB in the middle band and a rejection of −17 to −18 dBc at 1.5 and 11.5 GHz, respectively.
Quasi‐chipless wireless temperature sensor based on harmonic radar
Authors: Kubina B. , Romeu J. , Mandel C. , Schüßler M. , Jakoby R.
Published: January 2014

A novel passive wireless temperature sensor is presented, which aims at operating in harsh environments. For this purpose, the tag is designed quasi‐chipless and it uses a harmonic radar sensing principle: it combines the backscattering on the first harmonic of the transmitted frequency with frequency‐position encoding of the measured value. The harmonic radar approach brings significant advantages for the wireless readout, since it isolates the undesired radar clutter from the useful tag signal. The tag signal carries the desired temperature information encoded in the position of a resonance transmission peak. The tag is built up planar and consists of two patch antennas, a temperature‐dependent bandpass filter and a diode‐based harmonic generator. It works at 1.59 GHz and backscatters at 3.18 GHz. Wireless indoor measurements have proven the concept. The sensor has shown a temperature sensitivity of 1.2 MHz/K in the range of 22–109 °C.
Excellent epitaxial graphene layers grown simply on SiC substrates and their characterisation
Authors: Jeong S. , Lee E. , Yim M. , Yoon G.
Published: January 2014

A few‐layer‐thick epitaxial graphene synthesised on both the up‐side and the down‐side surfaces of SiC wafers in an ultra‐high vacuum annealing furnace is presented. The graphene grown on the down‐side surfaces of the SiC wafers that contacted with a graphite pedestal resulted in a relatively lower sheet resistance along with less graphene layers, as compared with that of their up‐side surfaces. Overall, the sheet resistance of the few‐layer‐thick graphene grown on the down‐side was found to range from 200 to 3 Ω/□, depending on the annealing time.
Service‐aware bidirectional throughput optimisation route‐selection strategy in long‐term evolution‐advanced networks
Authors: Sun Chen , Wang Weidong , Cui Gaofeng , Wang Xiaojun
Published: January 2014

Relaying is a promising technology in time‐division duplexing long‐term evolution‐advanced networks to improve cell‐edge performance. Owing to the great degree of difference between the transmitting power of evolved node B and relay nodes, uplink performance and downlink performance sometimes cannot be optimised simultaneously. As an important aspect of radio resource management, the conventional route‐selection strategies optimise either downlink performance only or uplink performance only. However, the users launching different types of services have different requirements in uplink and downlink. By taking service type into consideration, an adaptive bidirectional optimisation (ABO) route‐selection strategy is proposed to adaptively and dynamically optimise uplink and downlink performance. The objective of the proposed ABO strategy is to maximise the user bidirectional throughput which is the sum throughput of uplink and downlink. Moreover, load balancing is considered in the formulation of the proposed strategy. Through system‐level simulation, it can be seen that the proposed strategy is better than the benchmark strategies in different frame configurations.
Performance of a routing and wavelength assignment scheme for an optical‐carrier‐reusable ring network
Authors: Keri Masafumi , Kitsuwan Nattapong , Matsuura Motoharu , Oki Eiji
Published: January 2014

This study investigates a heuristic routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) scheme for an optical‐carrier‐reusable ring network. This network has two unique features. First, only one light source, called the multi‐carrier light source, is required which eases the difficulty of controlling many light source devices. Second, optical carriers are reused in order to improve the efficiency of wavelength usage. Given the target of wavelength‐resource‐efficient channel establishment, performance of the heuristic RWA scheme is evaluated. To realise efficient wavelength usage, the authors formulate the RWA problem as an integer linear programming (ILP) problem of obtaining the minimum number of required wavelengths for given requests. With the ILP approach, the calculation process is not tractable in practical time. The heuristic RWA scheme introduced in this study solves the RWA problem. This scheme consists of two algorithms. Channel routes are obtained by the routing algorithm, and the wavelength assignment algorithm is then performed to assign a wavelength to each route. Moreover, two candidates, considering the shortest path and considering the avoidance of wavelength conversion, for the routing algorithm are examined. Numerical results show that the first candidate is more suitable in terms of reducing the number of required wavelengths than the second candidate.