bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunogenicity and Safety of an Inactivated Trivalent Split Influenza Virus Vaccine in Young Children with Recurrent Wheezing
Authors: Bae E. Young , Choi Ui Yoon , Kwon Hyo Jin , Jeong Dae Chul , Rhim Jung Woo , Ma Sang Hyuk , Lee Kyung Il , Kang Jin Han
Published: March 2013

Influenza virus vaccination is recommended for children, but so far, active vaccination has not been achieved because most parents lack knowledge of vaccine safety and many doctors are reluctant to administer vaccine due to concerns that steroids might alter immunogenicity. The aim of this study was to compare the immunogenicity and safety of inactivated trivalent split influenza virus vaccine between children with recurrent wheezing and healthy children of the same age group. Sixty-eight healthy children and 62 children with recurrent wheezing took part in this study. Seroconversion rates, seroprotection rates, geometric mean titers (GMTs), and geometric mean titer ratios (GMTRs) were measured by a hemagglutination inhibition assay for the assessment of immunogenicity. Solicited and unsolicited local and systemic adverse events were measured for the assessment of safety. Regarding immunogenicity, the seroconversion and seroprotection rates showed no difference overall between healthy children and children with recurrent wheezing. Also, no difference was observed between steroid-treated and nontreated groups with recurrent wheezing. Generally, the GMTs after vaccination were higher in the one-dose vaccination groups for healthy children and children with recurrent wheezing, but the GMTRs revealed different results according to strain in the two groups. Regarding safety, solicited local and systemic adverse events showed no differences between healthy children and children with recurrent wheezing. This study demonstrates that inactivated split influenza virus vaccine is able to induce protective immune responses in healthy children, as observed in previous studies, as well as in children with recurrent wheezing who require frequent steroid treatment.
Combined Administration of MF59-Adjuvanted A/H5N1 Prepandemic and Seasonal Influenza Vaccines: Long-Term Antibody Persistence and Robust Booster Responses 1 Year after a One-Dose Priming Schedule
Authors: Lopez Pio , Caicedo Yolanda , Sierra Alexandra , Tilman Sandrine , Clemens Ralf , Banzhoff Angelika
Published: March 2013

Having previously demonstrated the feasibility of administering A/H5N1 and seasonal influenza vaccine antigens in an MF59-adjuvanted tetravalent formulation, we now report on long-term antibody persistence and responses to a booster dose of a combined seasonal-pandemic, tetravalent influenza vaccine in adults. The primary objective was the evaluation of responses to a booster dose of tetravalent influenza vaccine containing seasonal (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B) and avian (A/H5N1, clade 2) influenza virus strains administered to 265 healthy 18- to 40-year-old volunteers 1 year after priming with one or two clade 1 A/H5N1 doses. Secondary objectives were assessment of reactogenicity, safety, and antibody persistence 1 year after priming with a combined seasonal-pandemic, tetravalent vaccine. Responses to seasonal strains met all European licensure criteria; seroprotection rates were 94 to 100%, 100%, and 61 to 90% for A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B strains, respectively. Anamnestic responses were observed against homologous and heterologous A/H5N1 strains whether priming with one or two A/H5N1 doses, with a monovalent A/H5N1 vaccine, or with a tetravalent vaccine. A single dose of MF59-adjuvanted A/H5N1 vaccine given alone or as part of a fixed combination with a seasonal influenza vaccine was sufficient to prime adult subjects, resulting in robust antigen-specific and cross-reactive antibody responses to heterologous booster immunization 1 year later. These data support the feasibility of incorporating prepandemic priming into seasonal influenza vaccination programs. (This study has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov under registration no. NCT00481065.)
Mycoplasma fermentans MALP-2 Induces Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression via Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases and Nrf2 Pathways To Modulate Cyclooxygenase 2 Expression in Human Monocytes
Authors: Ma Xiaohua , You Xiaoxing , Zeng Yanhua , He Jun , Liu Liangzhuan , Deng Zhongliang , Jiang Chuanhao , Wu Haiying , Zhu Cuiming , Yu Minjun , Wu Yimou
Published: March 2013

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a stress-inducible rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation that confers cytoprotection against oxidative injury and performs a vital function in the maintenance of cell hemostasis. Increasing numbers of reports have indicated that mycoplasma-derived membrane lipoproteins/lipopeptides, such as macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2 (MALP-2), function as agents that stimulate the immune system by producing various inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), which play roles in the pathogenesis of inflammatory responses during mycoplasma infection. Here, we report that MALP-2 induced HO-1 mRNA and protein expression and upregulated HO-1 enzyme activity in THP-1 cells. Specific inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), SB203580, PD98059, and SP600125, significantly abolished HO-1 expression. In addition, MALP-2 also induced NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) translocation, and the silencing of Nrf2 expression in THP-1 cells decreased the levels of MALP-2-mediated HO-1 expression. Furthermore, COX-2 protein expression levels were upregulated in THP-1 cells in response to MALP-2, and transfection with small interfering RNAs of HO-1 significantly increased COX-2 accumulation. These results demonstrate that MALP-2 induces HO-1 expression via MAPKs and Nrf2 pathways and, furthermore, that MALP-2-induced COX-2 expression was modulated by HO-1 in THP-1 cells.
Absence of Mycobacterium intracellulare and Presence of Mycobacterium chimaera in Household Water and Biofilm Samples of Patients in the United States with Mycobacterium avium Complex Respiratory Disease
Authors: Wallace Richard J. , Iakhiaeva Elena , Williams Myra D. , Brown-Elliott Barbara A. , Vasireddy Sruthi , Vasireddy Ravikiran , Lande Leah , Peterson Donald D. , Sawicki Janet , Kwait Rebecca , Tichenor Wellington S. , Turenne Christine , Falkinham Joseph O.
Published: March 2013

Recent studies have shown that respiratory isolates from pulmonary disease patients and household water/biofilm isolates ofMycobacterium aviumcould be matched by DNA fingerprinting. To determine if this is true forMycobacterium intracellulare, household water sources for 36 patients withMycobacterium aviumcomplex (MAC) lung disease were evaluated. MAC household water isolates from three published studies that included 37 additional MAC respiratory disease patients were also evaluated. Species identification was done initially using nonsequencing methods with confirmation by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and/or partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing.M. intracellularewas identified by nonsequencing methods in 54 respiratory cultures and 41 household water/biofilm samples. By ITS sequencing, 49 (90.7%) respiratory isolates wereM. intracellulareand 4 (7.4%) wereMycobacterium chimaera. In contrast, 30 (73%) household water samples wereM. chimaera, 8 (20%) were other MAC X species (i.e., isolates positive with a MAC probe but negative with species-specificM. aviumandM. intracellulareprobes), and 3 (7%) wereM. avium; none wereM. intracellulare. In comparison,M. aviumwas recovered from 141 water/biofilm samples. These results indicate thatM. intracellularelung disease in the United States is acquired from environmental sources other than household water. Nonsequencing methods for identification of nontuberculous mycobacteria (including those of the MAC) might fail to distinguish closely related species (such asM. intracellulareandM. chimaera). This is the first report ofM. chimaerarecovery from household water. The study underscores the importance of taxonomy and distinguishing the many species and subspecies of the MAC.
Comparison of the Vitek 2, MicroScan, and Etest Methods with the Agar Dilution Method in Assessing Colistin Susceptibility of Bloodstream Isolates of Acinetobacter Species from a Korean University Hospital
Authors: Lee Seung Yeob , Shin Jong Hee , Lee Kyungwon , Joo Min Young , Park Kyung Hwa , Shin Myung Geun , Suh Soon Pal , Ryang Dong Wook , Kim Soo Hyun
Published: March 2013

We evaluated three commercial colistin susceptibility testing methods using 213 bloodstream
Acinetobacter
isolates identified by gene sequencing. Compared to the agar dilution reference method, excellent categorical agreements (both 99.1%) were observed using Vitek 2 and Etest, compared to 87.3% (95.7% for
Acinetobacter baumannii
and 80.7% for non-
baumannii Acinetobacter
isolates) using MicroScan.
Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis and Bloodstream Infection Due to Mycobacterium chimaera
Authors: Achermann Yvonne , Rössle Matthias , Hoffmann Matthias , Deggim Vanessa , Kuster Stefan , Zimmermann Dieter R. , Bloemberg Guido , Hombach Michael , Hasse Barbara
Published: March 2013

Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) due to fast-growing nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has been reported anecdotally. Reports of PVE with slowly growing NTM, however, are lacking. We present here one case of PVE and one case of bloodstream infection caused by
Mycobacterium chimaera
. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR indicated a relatedness of the two
M. chimaera
strains. Both patients had heart surgery 2 years apart from each other. A nosocomial link was not detected.
Dietzia papillomatosis Bacteremia
Authors: Rammer Paul , Calum Henrik , Moser Claus , Björnsdóttir Maria K. , Smedegaard Heidi , Høiby Niels , Bjarnsholt Thomas
Published: March 2013

The clinical significance of
Dietzia papillomatosis
is for the moment limited to the rare skin disease confluent and reticulated papillomatosis. We present a case of infection with
D. papillomatosis
in a 2-year-old boy with known syringomyelia. The microbiological diagnosis was done using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This is the first report of bacteremia with
D. papillomatosis
.
Griffithsin Protects Mice from Genital Herpes by Preventing Cell-to-Cell Spread
Authors: Nixon Briana , Stefanidou Martha , Mesquita Pedro M. M. , Fakioglu Esra , Segarra Theodore , Rohan Lisa , Halford William , Palmer Kenneth E. , Herold Betsy C.
Published: March 2013

Griffithsin, which binds N-linked glycans on gp120 to prevent HIV entry, has the most potent HIV-1 inhibitory activity described for any antiviral lectin and is being developed for topical preexposure prophylaxis. The current studies were designed to further assess its potential by exploring its activity against herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), a cofactor for HIV acquisition,
in vitro
and in a murine model. Safety was evaluated by examining its impact on epithelial barrier integrity in polarized cultures and testing whether repeated intravaginal dosing potentiates the susceptibility of mice to genital herpes. Griffithsin displayed modest inhibitory activity against HSV-2 if present during viral entry but completely blocked plaque formation if present postentry, reduced plaque size, and prevented cell-to-cell spread. These
in vitro
findings translated to significant protection against genital herpes in mice treated with 0.1% griffithsin gel. Griffithsin, but not placebo gel, prevented viral spread (visualized with a luciferase-expressing virus), significantly reduced disease scores, and resulted in greater survival (
P
< 0.05, log rank test). Protection persisted when HSV-2 was introduced in seminal plasma. Although griffithsin triggered a small decline in transepithelial electrical resistance in polarized cultures, this did not translate to any significant increase in the ability of HIV to migrate from the apical to the basolateral chamber nor to an increase in susceptibility to HSV-2 in mice treated with griffithsin gel for 7 days. These findings demonstrate that griffithsin inhibits HSV-2 by a unique mechanism of blocking cell-to-cell spread and support its further development for HIV and HSV-2 prevention.
Structure-Function Analysis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus RNA Cap Guanine-N7-Methyltransferase
Authors: Chen Yu , Tao Jiali , Sun Ying , Wu Andong , Su Ceyang , Gao Guozhen , Cai Hui , Qiu Su , Wu Yingliang , Ahola Tero , Guo Deyin
Published: March 2013

Coronaviruses possess a cap structure at the 5′ ends of viral genomic RNA and subgenomic RNAs, which is generated through consecutive methylations by virally encoded guanine-N7-methyltransferase (N7-MTase) and 2′-O-methyltransferase (2′-O-MTase). The coronaviral N7-MTase is unique for its physical linkage with an exoribonuclease (ExoN) harbored in nonstructural protein 14 (nsp14) of coronaviruses. In this study, the structure-function relationships of the N7-MTase were analyzed by deletion and site-directed mutagenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) nsp14. The results showed that the ExoN domain is closely involved in the activity of the N7-MTase, suggesting that coronavirus N7-MTase is different from all other viral N7-MTases, which are separable from other structural domains located in the same polypeptide. Two of the 12 critical residues identified to be essential for the N7-MTase were located at the N terminus of the core ExoN domain, reinforcing a role of the ExoN domain in the N7-MTase activity of nsp14. The other 10 critical residues were distributed throughout the N7-MTase domain but localized mainly in the
S
-adenosyl-
l
-methionine (SAM)-binding pocket and key structural elements of the MTase fold of nsp14. The sequence motif DxGxPxA (amino acids [aa] 331 to 338) was identified as the key part of the SAM-binding site. These results provide insights into the structure and functional mechanisms of coronaviral nsp14 N7-MTase.
Epstein-Barr Virus Negativity among Individuals Older than 60 Years Is Associated with HLA-C and HLA-Bw4 Variants and Tonsillectomy
Authors: Durovic Bojana , Gasser Olivier , Gubser Patrick , Sigle Jörg , Hirsch Hans H. , Stern Martin , Buser Andreas , Hess Christoph
Published: March 2013

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects ∼95% of the adult population. The factors that confer protection in the remaining ∼5% remain unknown. In an exploratory study, we assessed immunogenetic factors and tonsillectomy in a cohort of 17 EBV-negative and 39 EBV-positive healthy individuals aged >60 years. Analyses of HLA genotypes revealed an association between EBV negativity and the presence of HLA-C-35T/T and/or HLA-Bw4 alleles. In addition, EBV-negative donors presented with a history of tonsillectomy more often than EBV-positive donors.
Rift Valley Fever Virus Clearance and Protection from Neurologic Disease Are Dependent on CD4
+
T Cell and Virus-Specific Antibody Responses
Authors: Dodd Kimberly A. , McElroy Anita K. , Jones Megan E. B. , Nichol Stuart T. , Spiropoulou Christina F.
Published: March 2013

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) causes outbreaks of severe disease in people and livestock throughout Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Human RVFV infections generally manifest as a self-limiting febrile illness, but in some individuals, the disease can progress to a fatal encephalitis or hemorrhagic syndrome. Little is known about the host characteristics that predispose development of more severe disease. Early in infection, interferon-mediated antiviral responses are critical for controlling RVFV replication, but the roles of downstream adaptive immune responses in determining clinical outcome have not been examined. Here, using a C57BL/6 mouse disease model, we evaluated the roles of B cells and T cells in RVFV pathogenesis. Given the profound inhibition of the innate response by the viral NSs protein and rapid course of wild-type infection, we utilized an attenuated RVFV lacking NSs to examine host responses following primary infection. Experiments utilizing B-cell-deficient mice or targeted T cell depletions of wild-type mice demonstrated that B cells and CD4
+
T cells, but not CD8
+
T cells, were critical for mediating viral clearance, even in the presence of a functional innate response. One-third of CD4-depleted mice developed severe neurologic disease following infection, in contrast to virus-infected mock-depleted mice that showed no clinical signs. CD4
+
T cells were required for robust IgG and neutralizing antibody responses that correlated with RVFV clearance from peripheral tissues. Furthermore, CD4-depleted mice demonstrated significantly stronger proinflammatory responses relative to controls, suggesting CD4
+
T cells regulate immune responses to RVFV infection. Together, these results indicate CD4
+
T cells are critical determinants of RVFV pathogenesis and play an important role in preventing onset of neurologic disease.
T Cells Target APOBEC3 Proteins in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Humans and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Indian Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Champiat Stéphane , Garrison Keith E. , Raposo Rui André Saraiva , Burwitz Benjamin J. , Reed Jason , Tandon Ravi , York Vanessa A. , Newman Laura P. , Nimityongskul Francesca A. , Wilson Nancy A. , Almeida Rafael R. , Martin Jeffrey N. , Deeks Steven G. , Rosenberg Michael G. , Wiznia Andrew A. , Spotts Gerald E. , Pilcher Christopher D. , Hecht Fredrick M. , Ostrowski Mario A. , Sacha Jonah B. , Nixon Douglas F.
Published: March 2013

APOBEC3 proteins mediate potent antiretroviral activity by hypermutating the retroviral genome during reverse transcription. To counteract APOBEC3 and gain a replicative advantage, lentiviruses such as human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) have evolved the Vif protein, which targets APOBEC3 proteins for proteasomal degradation. However, the proteasome plays a critical role in the generation of T cell peptide epitopes. Whether Vif-mediated destruction of APOBEC3 proteins leads to the generation and presentation of APOBEC3-derived T cell epitopes on the surfaces of lentivirus-infected cells remains unknown. Here, using peptides derived from multiple Vif-sensitive APOBEC3 proteins, we identified APOBEC3-specific T cell responses in both HIV-1-infected patients and SIV-infected rhesus macaques. These results raise the possibility that these T cell responses may be part of the larger antiretroviral immune response.
Tyrosine 132 Phosphorylation of Influenza A Virus M1 Protein Is Crucial for Virus Replication by Controlling the Nuclear Import of M1
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Zhao Zhendong , Bi Yuhai , Sun Lei , Liu Xiaoling , Liu Wenjun
Published: March 2013

Phosphorylation of viral proteins plays important roles in the influenza A virus (IAV) life cycle. By using mass spectrometry, we identified tyrosine 132 (Y132) as a phosphorylation site of the matrix protein (M1) of the influenza virus A/WSN/1933(H1N1). Phosphorylation at this site is essential to the process of virus replication by controlling the nuclear import of M1. We further demonstrated that the phosphorylated tyrosine is crucial for the binding of M1 to the nuclear import factor importin-α1, since any substitutions at this site severely reduce this protein-protein interaction and damage the importin-α1-mediated nuclear import of M1. Additionally, the tyrosine phosphorylation which leads to the nuclear import of M1 is blocked by a Janus kinase inhibitor. The present study reveals a pivotal role of this tyrosine phosphorylation in the intracellular transportation of M1, which controls the process of viral replication.
Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Induces Rapid Release of Angiopoietin-2 from Endothelial Cells
Authors: Ye Feng-Chun , Zhou Fu-Chun , Nithianantham Stanley , Chandran Bala , Yu Xiao-Lan , Weinberg Aaron , Gao Shou-Jiang
Published: March 2013

Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) stimulates proliferation, angiogenesis, and inflammation to promote Kaposi sarcoma (KS) tumor growth, which involves various growth factors and cytokines. Previously, we found that KSHV infection of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induces a transcriptional induction of the proangiogenic and proinflammatory cytokine angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2). Here, we report that KSHV induces rapid release of Ang-2 that is presynthesized and stored in the Weibel-Palade bodies (WPB) of endothelial cells upon binding to its integrin receptors. Blocking viral binding to integrins inhibits Ang-2 release. KSHV binding activates the integrin tyrosine kinase receptor signaling pathways, leading to tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), the tyrosine kinase Src, and the Calα2 subunit of the
l
-type calcium channel to trigger rapid calcium (Ca
2+
) influx. Pretreatment of endothelial cells with specific inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases inhibits KSHV-induced Ca
2+
influx and Ang-2 release. Inhibition of Ca
2+
mobilization with calcium channel blockers also inhibits Ang-2 release. Thus, the interaction between KSHV and its integrin receptors plays a key role in regulating rapid Ang-2 release from endothelial cells. This finding highlights a novel mechanism of viral induction of angiogenesis and inflammation, which might play important roles in the early event of KS tumor development.
Recombination within the Pandemic Norovirus GII.4 Lineage
Authors: Eden John-Sebastian , Tanaka Mark M. , Boni Maciej F. , Rawlinson William D. , White Peter A.
Published: March 2013

Norovirus (NoV) is the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis globally. Since 1996, NoV variants of a single genetic lineage, GII.4, have been associated with at least six pandemics of acute gastroenteritis and caused between 62 and 80% of all NoV outbreaks. The emergence of these novel GII.4 variants has been attributed to rapid evolution and antigenic variation in response to herd immunity; however, the contribution of recombination as a mechanism facilitating emergence is increasingly evident. In this study, we sought to examine the role that intragenotype recombination has played in the emergence of GII.4 variants. Using a genome-wide approach including 25 complete genome sequences generated as part of this study, 11 breakpoints were identified within the NoV GII.4 lineage. The breakpoints were located at three recombination hot spots: near the open reading frame 1/2 (ORF1/2) and ORF2/3 overlaps, as well as within ORF2, which encodes the viral capsid, at the junction of the shell and protruding domains. Importantly, we show that recombination contributed to the emergence of the recent pandemic GII.4 variant, New Orleans 2009, and a newly identified GII.4 variant, termed Sydney 2012. Reconstructing the evolutionary history of the GII.4 lineage reveals the widespread impact of both inter- and intragenotype recombination on the emergence of many GII.4 variants. Lastly, this study highlights the many challenges in the identification of true recombination events and proposes that guidelines be applied for identifying NoV recombinants.
Acute hamstring injuries in Swedish elite football: a prospective randomised controlled clinical trial comparing two rehabilitation protocols
Authors: Askling Carl M , Tengvar Magnus , Thorstensson Alf
Published: March 2013

Background

Hamstring injury is the single most common injury in European professional football and, therefore, time to return and secondary prevention are of particular concern.

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of two rehabilitation protocols after acute hamstring injury in Swedish elite football players by evaluating time needed to return to full participation in football team-training and availability for match selection.

Study design

Prospective randomised comparison of two rehabilitation protocols.

Methods

Seventy-five football players with an acute hamstring injury, verified by MRI, were randomly assigned to one of two rehabilitation protocols. Thirty-seven players were assigned to a protocol emphasising lengthening exercises, L-protocol and 38 players to a protocol consisting of conventional exercises, C-protocol. The outcome measure was the number of days to return to full-team training and availability for match selection. Reinjuries were registered during a period of 12 months after return.

Results

Time to return was significantly shorter for the players in the L-protocol, mean 28 days (1SD±15, range 8–58 days), compared with the C-protocol, mean 51 days (1SD±21, range 12–94 days). Irrespective of protocol, stretching-type of hamstring injury took significantly longer time to return than sprinting-type, L-protocol: mean 43 vs 23 days and C-protocol: mean 74 vs 41 days, respectively. The L-protocol was significantly more effective than the C-protocol in both injury types. One reinjury was registered, in the C-protocol.

Conclusions

A rehabilitation protocol emphasising lengthening type of exercises is more effective than a protocol containing conventional exercises in promoting time to return in Swedish elite football.
Candida tropicalis: diagnostic dilemmas for an unusual prosthetic hip infection
Authors: Lidder Surjit , Tasleem A , Masterson S , Carrington R W J
Published: March 2013

Infection is the third commonest cause of total hip arthroplasty failure. Infections of the hip withCandidaspecies are extremely rare with only a few reports in the literature. A case of a 76-year-old female subject is presented illustrating both the difficulty in initial diagnosis and the challenges faced in hip reconstruction.
Endovascular treatment for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the ninth decade of life and beyond
Authors: Wilson Thomas J , Davis Matthew C , Stetler William R , Giles David A , Chaudhary Neeraj , Gemmete Joseph J , Thompson B Gregory , Pandey Aditya S
Published: March 2013

Objective

As the population ages, clinicians will be faced with difficult decisions regarding treatment of elderly patients presenting with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Previous data have led to continued pessimism by some clinicians treating elderly and very elderly patients presenting with aSAH. The aim of this study was to present our experience in the very elderly treated with endovascular coiling after presentation with aSAH.

Methods

Retrospective review of all patients 80 years of age or older presenting with aSAH who underwent coil embolization. Primary outcomes of interest were functional outcome, as assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Scale score, and inhospital mortality.

Results

During the study period, 16 patients aged 80 years or older presenting with aSAH underwent coil embolization; nine (56%) had a poor outcome at the 6 month follow-up while seven (44%) had a good outcome. The inhospital mortality rate was 50%. Of those patients alive at discharge, seven out of eight (88%) patients had a good outcome. Variables associated with poor outcome included higher Hunt and Hess score (p=0.010), use of balloon assistance/remodeling (p=0.025), and presence of coronary artery disease (p=0.006).

Conclusions

Not surprisingly, we found that very elderly patients presenting with aSAH have a high inhospital mortality rate. However, those patients who survive to discharge have a surprisingly robust chance at good functional recovery when treated with coil embolization. We believe these results support offering endovascular coil embolization, when feasible, to very elderly patients presenting with aSAH.
Treating common articular disorders in dogs
Authors: Innes John
Published: March 2013

John Innes discusses developments in treating common articular disorders, such as dysplasia, cruciate ligament rupture and arthritis, from surgical and medical options to the promising targeted genetic medicine.
The B-hordein prolamin family of barley
Authors: Anderson Olin D.
Published: March 2013

The spectrum of B-hordein prolamins and genes in the single barley cultivar Barke is described from an in silico analysis of 1452 B-hordein ESTs and available genomic DNA. Eleven unique B-hordein proteins are derived from EST contigs. Ten contigs encode apparent full-length B-hordeins and the eleventh contains a premature stop codon that will lead to a truncated B-hordein. The 11 sequences are placed within the two previously described classes, i.e., the B1- and B3-type B-hordeins. The number of ESTs assigned to each sequence is used as an estimate of relative gene transcription and expression. Three of the sequences account for 79% of the total ESTs, with one sequence comprises 32% of the total ESTs and has a variant C-terminus caused by an undefined sequence change history near the 3′ coding terminus. The 70× difference in EST distribution among sequences points to the importance of understanding differential rates of expression within closely related gene families. Analysis of available genomic sequences confirms the EST assembly and reveals one full-length and two partial sequences of pseudogenes as evidenced by no matching ESTs for the sequences and premature stop codons and frame shifts.
SELF-STABILIZING ALGORITHMS FOR UNFRIENDLY PARTITIONS INTO TWO DISJOINT DOMINATING SETS
Authors: HEDETNIEMI SANDRA M. , HEDETNIEMI STEPHEN T. , KENNEDY K. E. , McRAE ALICE A.
Published: March 2013

An unfriendly partition is a partition of the vertices of a graph G = (V,E) into two sets, say Red R(V) and Blue B(V), such that every Red vertex has at least as many Blue neighbors as Red neighbors, and every Blue vertex has at least as many Red neighbors as Blue neighbors. We present three polynomial time, self-stabilizing algorithms for finding unfriendly partitions in arbitrary graphs G, or equivalently into two disjoint dominating sets.
INDUCTIVE COMPLEXITY OF THE P VERSUS NP PROBLEM
Authors: CALUDE CRISTIAN S. , CALUDE ELENA , QUEEN MELISSA S.
Published: March 2013

This paper does not propose a solution, not even a new possible attack, to the P versus NP problem. We are asking the simpler question: How “complex” is the P versus NP problem? Using the inductive complexity measure—a measure based on computations run by inductive register machines of various orders—developed in [2], we determine an upper bound on the inductive complexity of second order of the P versus NP problem. From this point of view, the P versus NP problem is significantly more complex than the Riemann hypothesis. To date, the P versus NP problem and the Goostein theorem (which is unprovable in Peano Arithmetic) are the most complex mathematical statements (theorems, conjectures and problems) studied in this framework [9, 5, 6, 2, 20].
ANALYSIS OF PATENT ACTIVITY IN THE FIELD OF QUANTUM INFORMATION PROCESSING
Authors: WINIARCZYK RYSZARD , GAWRON PIOTR , MISZCZAK JAROSŁAW ADAM , PAWELA ŁUKASZ , PUCHAŁA ZBIGNIEW
Published: March 2013

This paper provides an analysis of patent activity in the field of quantum information processing. Data from the PatentScope database from the years 1993–2011 was used. In order to predict the future trends in the number of filed patents time series models were used.
CHARACTERIZATIONS OF SIZE EFFECT AND OVERALL MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF NANOCRYSTALLINE METALS
Authors: CHEN LI , WEI YUEGUANG
Published: March 2013

A systematical study of size effects and mechanical behaviors for the nanocrystalline (nc) metals is performed. The grain boundary fracture process is considered and described by the mixed-mode interface cohesive model. The grain material is characterized by the conventional theory of strain gradient plasticity. In the present investigation, the effects of five important parameters on the overall mechanical behavior are studied systematically, which include the grain size, critical separation strength, energy release rate of interface separation, mixity of separation strength, as well as the mixity of separation energy release rate. A finite element method (FEM) covering the above characteristics within the grain and on the grain boundary is developed. The present results show that the overall strength and ductility of the nc metals strongly depend on the grain boundary features described by the mixed-mode cohesive interface model, and there is a competition of deformation of grain boundary with that of grain interior.
Fear Extinction and Relapse: State of the Art
Authors: Vervliet Bram , Craske Michelle G. , Hermans Dirk
Published: March 2013

Exposure-based treatments for clinical anxiety generally are very effective, but relapse is not uncommon. Likewise, laboratory studies have shown that conditioned fears are easy to extinguish, but they recover easily. This analogy is striking, and numerous fear extinction studies have been published that highlight the processes responsible for the extinction and return of acquired fears. This review examines and integrates the most important results from animal and human work. Overall, the results suggest that fear extinction is relatively easy to “learn” but difficult to “remember.” It follows that treatments will benefit from an enhanced focus on the long-term retrieval of fear extinction. We review the available studies on the prevention of return of fear and the prospects of weakening fear memories forever. We show that the behavioral principles outlined in learning theory provide a continuous inspiration for preclinical (neurobiological) and clinical research on the extinction and return of fear.
The Genetics of Eating Disorders
Authors: Trace Sara E. , Baker Jessica H. , Peñas-Lledó Eva , Bulik Cynthia M.
Published: March 2013

Over the past decade, considerable advances have been made in understanding genetic influences on eating pathology. Eating disorders aggregate in families, and twin studies reveal that additive genetic factors account for approximately 40% to 60% of liability to anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED). Molecular genetics studies have been undertaken to identify alterations in deoxyribonucleic acid sequence and/or gene expression that may be involved in the pathogenesis of disordered eating behaviors, symptoms, and related disorders and to uncover potential genetic variants that may contribute to variability of treatment response. This article provides an in-depth review of the scientific literature on the genetics of AN, BN, and BED including extant studies, emerging hypotheses, future directions, and clinical implications.
Revisiting the Relationship Between Autism and Schizophrenia: Toward an Integrated Neurobiology
Authors: de Lacy Nina , King Bryan H.
Published: March 2013

Schizophrenia and autism have been linked since their earliest descriptions. Both are disorders of cerebral specialization originating in the embryonic period. Genetic, molecular, and cytologic research highlights a variety of shared contributory mechanisms that may lead to patterns of abnormal connectivity arising from altered development and topology. Overt behavioral pathology likely emerges during or after neurosensitive periods in which resource demands overwhelm system resources and the individual's ability to compensate using interregional activation fails. We are at the threshold of being able to chart autism and schizophrenia from the inside out. In so doing, the door is opened to the consideration of new therapeutics that are developed based upon molecular, synaptic, and systems targets common to both disorders.
Angiotensin II regulates ACE and ACE2 in neurons through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling
Authors: Xiao Liang , Haack Karla K. V. , Zucker Irving H.
Published: March 2013

Brain ANG II plays an important role in modulating sympathetic function and homeostasis. The generation and degradation of ANG II are carried out, to a large extent, through the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2, respectively. In disease states, such as hypertension and chronic heart failure, central expression of ACE is upregulated and ACE2 is decreased in central sympathoregulatory neurons. In this study, we determined the expression of ACE and ACE2 in response to ANG II in a neuronal cell culture and the subsequent signaling mechanism(s) involved. A mouse catecholaminergic neuronal cell line (CATH.a) was treated with ANG II (30, 100, and 300 nM) for 24 h, and protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis. ANG II induced a significant dose-dependent increase in ACE and decrease in ACE2 mRNA and protein expression in CATH.a neurons. This effect was abolished by pretreatment of the cells with the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB-203580 (10 μM) 30 min before administration of ANG II or the ERK1/2 inhibitor U-0126 (10 μM). These data suggest that ANG II increases ACE and attenuates ACE2 expression in neurons via the ANG II type 1 receptor, p38 MAPK, and ERK1/2 signaling pathways.
Changes in fetal lamb arterial blood gas and acid-base status with advancing gestation
Authors: Rurak Dan , Bessette Natalee W.
Published: March 2013

To determine whether there are changes in blood gas and acid-base status with advancing gestation in the fetal lamb, similar to that reported in the human fetus, blood gas, acid-base, and blood metabolite values were measured in 447 control, arterial blood samples from 108 chronically instrumented fetal lambs between 103 and 146 days gestation. With advancing gestation, Po2, pH, O2saturation, and O2content fell significantly, while Pco2and hemoglobin concentration increased. Blood glucose and lactate concentrations were unchanged, although the lactate level increased with decreasing Po2, particularly when below ∼13 mmHg. Multiple linear regression indicated that increasing fetal number was associated with decreased Po2and glucose level and increased pH, HCO3−, base excess, and lactate concentration. Hemoglobin concentration was higher in female than male lambs. Overall, there was a linear relationship between glucose concentration and birth weight. It is concluded that in fetal lambs as in the human fetus, there are changes in blood gas and acid-base status with advancing gestation. This may be due to the decrease in fetal weight-normalized uterine and umbilical blood flows than occurs in these and other species as gestation proceeds. In addition, the reduced birth weight in twin and triplet lambs may be due to hypoglycemia rather than hypoxemia.
Relief of Urinary Urgency, Hesitancy, and Male Pelvic Pain with Pulse Radiofrequency Ablation of the Pudendal Nerve: A Case Presentation
Authors: Bui Christopher , Pangarkar Sanjog , Zeitlin Scott I.
Published: March 2013

Background and Aims. This report demonstrates the utility of a pudendal nerve block by pulsed radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of male pelvic pain and urinary urgency and hesitancy.Methods. The patient is an 86-year-old gentleman with a 30-year history of urinary hesitancy and urgency. The patient also had pain in the area of the perineum but considered it a secondary issue. The patient was seen by a number of specialists, tried various medications, and underwent a variety of procedures to no avail. Therefore, the patient underwent a pulsed RFA of the pudendal nerve.Results. The patient underwent a pulsed RFA of the pudendal nerve; the patient reported marked improvement in his pelvic pain as well as a drastic reduction in his urinary urgency and hesitancy.Conclusion. Urinary urgency and hesitancy and male pelvic pain are some of the most common symptoms affecting men. Pudendal nerve block by pulsed RFA is an effective treatment of pelvic pain. It may also hold some therapeutic value in the treatment of urinary urgency and hesitancy as our case demonstrated. Further studies are needed to help clarify both the anatomy of the pelvis as well as if pudendal blocks are effective in treating more than pelvic pain.
A Latent Implementation Error Detection Method for Software Validation
Authors: Zhou Jiantao , Liu Jing , Wu Jinzhao , Zhong Guodong
Published: March 2013

Model checking and conformance testing play an important role in software system design and implementation. From the view of integrating model checking and conformance testing into a tightly coupled validation approach, this paper presents a novel approach to detect latent errors in software implementation. The latent errors can be classified into two kinds, one is called as Unnecessary Implementation Trace, and the other is called as Neglected Implementation Trace. The method complements the incompleteness of security properties for software model checking. More accurate models are characterized to leverage the effectiveness of the model-based software verification and testing combined method.
ERM Scheme for Quantile Regression
Authors: Xiang Dao-Hong
Published: March 2013

This paper considers the ERM scheme for quantile regression. We conduct error analysis for this learning algorithm by means of a variance-expectation bound when a noise condition is satisfied for the underlying probability measure. The learning rates are derived by applying concentration techniques involving theℓ2-empirical covering numbers.
Marching Cubes Algorithm for Fast 3D Modeling of Human Face by Incremental Data Fusion
Authors: Huang Xiangsheng , Chen Xinghao , Tang Tao , Huang Ziling
Published: March 2013

We present a 3D reconstruction system to realize fast 3D modeling using a vision sensor. The system can automatically detect the face region and obtain the depth data as well as color image data once a person appears in front of the sensor. When the user rotates his head around, the system will track the pose and integrate the new data incrementally to obtain a complete model of the personal head quickly. In the system, iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm is first used to track the pose of the head, and then a volumetric integration method is used to fuse all the data obtained. Third, ray casting algorithm extracts the final vertices of the model, and finally marching cubes algorithm generates the polygonal mesh of the reconstructed face model for displaying. During the process, we also make improvements to speed up the system for human face reconstruction. The system is very convenient for real-world applications, since it can run very quickly and be easily operated.
Antenna Modeling and Reconstruction Accuracy of Time Domain-Based Image Reconstruction in Microwave Tomography
Authors: Fhager Andreas , Padhi Shantanu K. , Persson Mikael , Howard John
Published: March 2013

Nonlinear microwave imaging heavily relies on an accurate numerical electromagnetic model of the antenna system. The model is used to simulate scattering data that is compared to its measured counterpart in order to reconstruct the image. In this paper an antenna system immersed in water is used to image different canonical objects in order to investigate the implication of modeling errors on the final reconstruction using a time domain-based iterative inverse reconstruction algorithm and three-dimensional FDTD modeling. With the test objects immersed in a background of air and tap water, respectively, we have studied the impact of antenna modeling errors, errors in the modeling of the background media, and made a comparison with a two-dimensional version of the algorithm. In conclusion even small modeling errors in the antennas can significantly alter the reconstructed image. Since the image reconstruction procedure is highly nonlinear general conclusions are very difficult to make. In our case it means that with the antenna system immersed in water and using our present FDTD-based electromagnetic model the imaging results are improved if refraining from modeling the water-wall-air interface and instead just use a homogeneous background of water in the model.
Pomegranate Bioactive Constituents Suppress Cell Proliferation and Induce Apoptosis in an Experimental Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Role of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Bhatia Deepak , Thoppil Roslin J. , Mandal Animesh , Samtani Karishma A. , Darvesh Altaf S. , Bishayee Anupam
Published: March 2013

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and chemoprevention represents a viable approach in lowering the mortality of this disease. Pomegranate fruit, an abundant source of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, is gaining tremendous attention for its wide-spectrum health benefits. We previously reported that a characterized pomegranate emulsion (PE) prevents diethylnitrosamine (DENA)-induced rat hepatocarcinogenesis though inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB). Since NF-κB concurrently induces Wnt/β-catenin signaling implicated in cell proliferation, cell survival, and apoptosis evasion, we examined antiproliferative, apoptosis-inducing and Wnt/β-catenin signaling-modulatory mechanisms of PE during DENA rat hepatocarcinogenesis. PE (1 or 10 g/kg) was administered 4 weeks before and 18 weeks following DENA exposure. There was a significant increase in hepatic proliferation (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) and alteration in cell cycle progression (cyclin D1) due to DENA treatment, and PE dose dependently reversed these effects. PE substantially induced apoptosis by upregulating proapoptotic protein Bax and downregulating antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. PE dose dependently reduced hepaticβ-catenin and augmented glycogen synthase kinase-3βexpression. Our study provides evidence that pomegranate phytochemicals exert chemoprevention of hepatic cancer through antiproliferative and proapoptotic mechanisms by modulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. PE, thus, targets two interconnected molecular circuits (canonical NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin pathways) to exert chemoprevention of HCC.
Some Curvature Properties of -Manifolds
Authors: Atçeken Mehmet
Published: March 2013

The object of the present paper is to study -manifolds with vanishing quasi-conformal curvature tensor. -manifolds satisfying Ricci-symmetric condition are also characterized.
Use of Fourier-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography to Evaluate Anterior Stromal Opacities in Donor Corneas
Authors: Bald Matthew R. , Stoeger Christopher , Galloway Joshua , Tang Maolong , Holiman Jeffrey , Huang David
Published: March 2013

Purpose. To evaluate Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) as an adjunct to traditional slit lamp examination of donor corneas with suspected Anterior Stromal Opacities.Methods. Seven corneas suspected of having anterior stromal opacities by slit lamp examination were evaluated with FD-OCT. Each cornea was evaluated to confirm the presence of opacity and, if present, the depth of opacity was measured.Results. The opacity depth ranged from 82 μm to 624 μm. The initial slit lamp impressions of five of the seven corneas were confirmed by OCT. In two corneas, the OCT findings were different from the initial slit lamp impressions. Slit lamp examination of the first cornea gave the impression of anterior stromal scarring, but OCT showed that the opacity was limited to the epithelium. Slit lamp examination of the second cornea suggested opacity limited to the epithelium, but OCT identified significant sub-Bowman's scarring. In all cases, the Eye Bank Technicians reported that the location and depth of corneal opacity were more sharply defined by OCT than by slit lamp.Conclusion. The high resolution of OCT makes it easier to determine the location of corneal opacities compared to slit lamp examinations. This enhanced visualization can improve decisions regarding transplant suitability of donor corneas.