bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel ChimericPlasmodium vivaxCircumsporozoite Protein Induces Biologically Functional Antibodies That Recognize both VK210 and VK247 Sporozoites
Authors: Yadava Anjali , Sattabongkot Jetsumon , Washington Michael A. , Ware Lisa A. , Majam Victoria , Zheng Hong , Kumar Sanjai , Ockenhouse Christian F.
Published: December 2006

A successful vaccine againstPlasmodium vivaxmalaria would significantly improve the health and quality of the lives of more than 1 billion people around the world. A subunit vaccine is the only option in the absence of long-term culture ofP. vivaxparasites. The circumsporozoite protein that covers the surface ofPlasmodiumsporozoites is one of the best-studied malarial antigens and the most promising vaccine in clinical trials. We report here the development of a novel “immunologically optimal” recombinant vaccine expressed inEscherichia colithat encodes a chimeric CS protein encompassing repeats from the two major alleles, VK210 and VK247. This molecule is widely recognized by sera from patients naturally exposed toP. vivaxinfection and induces a highly potent immune response in genetically disparate strains of mice. Antibodies from immunized animals recognize both VK210 and VK247 sporozoites. Furthermore, these antibodies appear to be protective in nature since they cause the agglutination of live sporozoites, an in vitro surrogate of sporozoite infectivity. These results strongly suggest that recombinant CS is biologically active and highly immunogenic across major histocompatibility complex strains and raises the prospect that in humans this vaccine may induce protective immune responses.
Rapid Clearance of Lyme Disease Spirochetes Lacking OspC from Skin
Authors: Tilly Kit , Bestor Aaron , Jewett Mollie W. , Rosa Patricia
Published: December 2006

We previously demonstrated that
Borrelia burgdorferi
requires OspC to colonize a mammalian host. To delineate this requirement, we analyzed the clearance of
ospC
mutant spirochetes and found that they were eliminated within 48 h. We conclude that
B. burgdorferi
uses OspC to resist innate host defenses immediately after transmission.
Substance P Is Responsible for Physiological Alterations Such as Increased Chloride Ion Secretion and Glucose Malabsorption in Cryptosporidiosis
Authors: Hernandez Julio , Lackner Andrew , Aye Pyone , Mukherjee Kakali , Tweardy David J. , Mastrangelo Mary-Ann , Weinstock Joel , Griffiths Jeffrey , D'Souza Melinda , Dixit Shantu , Robinson Prema
Published: December 2006

Cryptosporidiosis, caused by the protozoan parasiteCryptosporidium, causes self-limited diarrhea in immunocompetent hosts and severe life-threatening diarrhea in AIDS patients. Highly active antiretroviral therapy has been used to effectively treat cryptosporiosis in some but not all AIDS patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need for innovative drugs to treat this disease.Cryptosporidiuminfection results in intestinal pathophysiological changes such as glucose malabsorption, increased chloride ion (Cl−) secretion, and epithelial barrier disruption, leading to disease pathogenesis. In order to develop tools to combat this opportunistic pathogen, it is vital to understand mediators involved in disease pathogenesis. Substance P (SP), a neuropeptide and pain transmitter, is located in the gastrointestinal tract. SP can cause Cl−secretion in human gastrointestinal explants. However, its role in cryptosporidiosis has not been fully studied. Jejunal samples from macaques before and afterCryptosporidium parvuminfection were assayed for SP and SP receptor mRNA and protein levels by reverse transcription-PCR and by immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The role of SP in pathophysiological alterations, such as Cl−secretion and glucose malabsorption, was studied using tissues derived from macaques infected withC. parvumby the Ussing chamber technique. SP and SP receptor mRNA and protein expression levels were increased in jejunal samples followingC. parvuminfection and were accompanied by increased basal ion secretion and glucose malabsorption. In vitro treatment of samples obtained from infected macaques with the SP receptor antagonist aprepitant (Emend; Merck, Whitehouse Station, NJ) completely reversed the increase in basal ion secretion and corrected the glucose malabsorption. Our findings raise the possibility of using SP receptor antagonists for the treatment of symptoms associated with cryptosporidiosis.
The Lesson of Supplementary Treatment with Chinese Medicine on Severe Laboratory-Confirmed SARS Patients
Authors: Hsu Chung-Hua , Hwang Kung-Chang , Chao Chung-Liang , Chang Steve G. N. , Ker Cheng-Chin , Chien Lin-Chen , Ho Mei-Shang , Lin Jaung-Geng , Chen Yi-Ming , Chou Pesus
Published: December 2006

Chinese medicine (CM) has been used to control infectious diseases for thousands of years. In 2003 outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) occurred in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. In view of the possible beneficial effect of CM on SARS, we conducted this study to examine whether CM is of any benefit as a supplementary treatment of SARS. Four severe laboratory-confirmed SARS patients received routine western-medicine treatment plus different supplementary treatment: CM A, CM B and CM C (placebo control). We reported the course of the cases in terms of changes in chest radiographic scores. Case 1 treated as a placebo control passed away on the 9th day after onset of disease. The other three cases treated with CM A or CM B survived. The initial findings seemed to indicate a favorable effect of CM on management of SARS. The findings need to be verified with a larger sample. Using CM as a supplementary treatment of severe SARS seems to indicate that natural herbal medicine can be used against avian influenza. Hence, such related experience or clinical trials should be taken into consideration when facing the possible outbreak of avian influenza in the future.
Electroacupuncture Inhibits Inflammatory Edema and Hyperalgesia Through Regulation of Cyclooxygenase Synthesis in Both Peripheral and Central Nociceptive Sites
Authors: Lee Jun-Hyuk , Jang Kyung-Jeon , Lee Yong-Tae , Choi Yung-Hyun , Choi Byung-Tae
Published: December 2006

We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on carrageenan-induced inflammatory model in association with peripheral and spinal COX-2 expression. EA with 2, 15 and 120 Hz, especially 2 Hz, had significant inhibitory effects on the developing of edema and hyperalgesia, which was measured in 30-min intervals after carrageenan injection. Therefore, we investigated whether the effect of 2 Hz EA on carrageenan-induced edema and hyperalgesia is associated with peripheral and spinal expression of inflammatory proteins. The expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was inhibited by 2 Hz EA in carrageenan-injected rat paws. Interestingly, we found that the mRNA of COX-1 and COX-2 expression in the spine was not induced by 2 Hz EA treatment after carrageenan-induced peripheral inflammation. In addition, synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was partially inhibited by 2 Hz EA treatment in both peripheral and spinal nociceptive regions. In conclusion, EA treatment might be a useful therapy for mitigation of inflammatory edema and hyperalgesia through regulation of COX-2 expression in both peripheral and central nociceptive sites.
Effects of Acupuncture on c-Fos Expression in Brain After Noxious Tooth Stimulation of the Rat
Authors: Jung Ji-Yeon , Yang Hye-Ryung , Jeong Yeon-Jin , Vang Mong-Sook , Park Sang-Won , Oh Won-Mann , Kim Sun-Hun , Youn Dae-Hwan , Na Chang-Su , Kim Won-Jae
Published: December 2006

Clinically, acupuncture therapy is useful for the control of acute or chronic pain. This study was designed to elucidate the antinociceptive mechanism of acupuncture and the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular reflex elicited by toothache. Expression of c-Fos, a neuronal activation marker, and the phenylethanalamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) were examined 1.5 hours after noxious intrapulpal tooth stimulation. Manual acupuncture was performed 20 min before noxious intrapulpal stimulation by 2 M KCl injection into upper or lower anterior tooth pulp. The acupuncture points were Li4 (Hegu) between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones or St36 (Zusanli) between the anterior crest of the tibial tuberosity and the fibula head below the patella. After noxious intrapulpal tooth stimulation, Fos-immunoreactive (IR) neurons were identified in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) and the transitional region between the subnucleus caudalis and the subnucleus interpolaris (Vi), in the inferior olivory nucleus (IO) connecting the cerebellum and other brain regions, and also the thalamic ventral posteromedial (VPM) nucleus and centrolateral (CL) nucleus, respectively. In addition, Fos-IR neurons were found in the central cardiovasuclar regulation centers, such as the hypothalamus supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and rostral ventromedulla (RVLM). All acupuncture at St36 or Li4 significantly suppressed Fos-IR neurons in all Fos-expressed brain areas except the IO nucleus and attenuated the increases in arterial blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) after noxious intrapulpal stimulation. Its Fos-suppressive effects were mostly blocked by naloxone, an opioid antagonist. In addition, acupuncture at St36 or Li4 significantly decreased Fos-containing PNMT, and this effect was also reversed by naloxone. These results suggest that: 1) tooth pulpal noxious signals transmit to the Vc and Vc/Vi transitional region and the 2nd afferent neuron synapse in the thalamic VPM and CL, 2) tooth pulpal pain elicits cardiovascular reflex mediated by NTS, VLM, hypothalamic SON and PVN, and 3) acupuncture reduces cardiovascular reflex elicited by toothache, is associated with the adrenergic system.
Protective Effect of Astragalosides on Myocardial Injury by Isoproterenol in SD Rats
Authors: Chen Xiang-Jian , Meng Dan , Feng Lin , Bian Yun-Yun , Li Ping , Yang Di , Cao Ke-Jiang , Zhang Ji-Nan
Published: December 2006

We have extracted and roughly purified astragalosides (AS) from Astragalus membranaceus, a natural herb used as a traditional Chinese medicine, regarded to have pharmacodynamic benefits of protecting injured myocardium. We hypothesized that the astragalosides might exert beneficial effect in myocardial lesion by preserving both energy metabolism and Ca2+homeostasis. Sprague-Dauley (SD) rats were injected with isoproterenol (ISO) subcutaneous (s.c.) at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day consecutively for two days as models and were treated with astragalosides and trimetazidine intraperitoneally (i.p.) respectively, at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day one day prior to isoproterenol for 8 days. The histological changes were alleviated in isoproterenol-injected SD rats treated with astragalosides. Compared with isoproterenol-injected rats, the concentration of myocardial intracellular [ Ca2+] i was decreased, L-type Ca2+current density and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+load were recovered, the concentration of myocardial ATP was increased and phosphocreatine (PCr) was decreased in rats treated with astragalosides. In conclusion, the efficacious treatment of astragalosides for myocardial injury might be through regulating intracellular Ca2+homeostasis and energy metabolism.
JinSanE Decoction, A Chinese Herbal Medicine, Inhibits Expression of TGF-β1/Smads in Experimental Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats
Authors: Song Shi-Ling , Gong Zuo-Jiong , Huang Yan-Qing , Zhang Quan-Rong , Huang Tuan-Xin
Published: December 2006

The study is to investigate the effects of a Chinese herbal medicine, JinSanE decoction, on the TGF-β1/Smads signal transduction pathway in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis model in rats. Rats were randomly divided into 4 study groups: namely, a normal control group, a hepatic fibrosis model group, and 2 treatment groups with different doses of JinSanE (6 and 12 g/kg). Ten rats in each group were sacrificed at 4 and 8 weeks after exposure to CCl4 respectively. The levels of TGF-β1 and TRII mRNA in liver tissue were analyzed by RT-PCR. The expressions of TGF-β1, Smad3 and Smad7 in liver tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The liver histopathology was examined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and electron microscopy respectively. The liver hydroxyproline (HYP), liver function and hyaluronic acid (HA) were examined by biochemistry and radioimmunoassay (RIA) respectively. Compared with the hepatic fibrosis model group, the levels of TGF-β1, TRII mRNA and Smad3 expression significantly decreased in the 2 treatment groups. The expression of Smad7 was significantly increased in the liver of the rats treated with JinSanE ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The histological changes of fibrotic liver were obviously improved in the treatment rats. The levels of liver HYP, serum liver function and HA were also remarkably improved in the treatment rats. Moreover, the effects of JinSanE occurred in a dose- and time-dependent manner in the process of the protection of liver injury and fibrosis. JinSanE decoction had a protective effect on liver injury and could ameliorate hepatic fibrosis in rats. The mechanisms might be associated with their effects of down-regulating TGF-β1, TRII mRNA and Smad3, and up-regulating Smad7.
Effects of the Chinese Herbal Medicines Bupleuri radix, Ginseng radix, and Zingiberis rhizoma on Lymphatic Vessel Activity in Rats
Authors: Yamakage Michiaki , Hattori Jun-Ichi , Satoh Jun-Ichi , Namiki Akiyoshi
Published: December 2006

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the Chinese herbal medicines Bupleuri radix, Ginseng radix and Zingiberis rhizoma on spontaneous lymphatic vessel activity. The effect of each herbal medicine on in vivo lymphatic flow was examined by injection of dye into the femoral regions of rats after feeding with the herbal medicines. In an in vitro study, spontaneous changes in diameter of the rat thoracic duct were monitored, and each segment was exposed to each herbal medicine. In the in vivo study, 100% of the right iliac lymphatic node were positively stained in the herbal medicine group, whereas only 40% of the node were positively stained in the control group. In the in vitro study, Bupleuri radix and Ginseng radix increased the amplitude of spontaneous activity of lymphatic vessels in a concentration-dependent manner with or without L-NAME, an NO synthase inhibitor. The results indicated that the herbal medicines Bupleuri radix and Ginseng radix activated spontaneous lymphatic vasomotion and lymph flow, and the mechanisms of this effect seem to be independent of endothelial cells.
Pharmacokinetic Study of Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 in Rat by ELISA Using Anti-ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Chao Zhi , Shoyama Yukihiro , Tanaka Hiroyuki
Published: December 2006

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems using anti-ginsenoside Rb1 (G-Rb1) and Rg1 (G-Rg1) monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were established for pharmacokinetic investigations of G-Rb1 and G-Rg1 in rat serum. The systems not only allowed sensitive detection of G-Rb1 at the level as low as 20 ng/ml and of G-Rg1 at 300 ng/ml, but showed strong capacity for detecting the two agents in a broad concentration range (20 to 400 ng/ml for G-Rb1 and 0.3 to 10 μg/ml for G-Rg1, respectively). In this respect, these assay systems are superior to other methods using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition, another advantage of these immunoassays is the comparably low quantities of specimen required; as little as 5 μl of serum suffices the need for determination of ginsenosides. We report in this article the application of this immunoassay in pharmacokinetic study of G-Rb1.
Molecular Mechanism of Matrine-Induced Apoptosis in Leukemia K562 Cells
Authors: Liu Xiao-Shan , Jiang Jikai
Published: December 2006

Matrine, a low toxic alkaloid purified from the Chinese herb Kushen, has been reported to induce apoptosis in leukemia K562 cells. In this study, the mechanism underling this apoptotic event was investigated. Treatment of K562 cells with matrine resulted in inhibition of cell survival more significantly than treatment of non-cancer fibroblast NIH3T3 cells. When K562 cells were incubated with matrine in higher than 0.2 mg/ml doses for 48 hours, the apoptotic cells were increased and both poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3 were cleaved in a dose dependent manner. General caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk) or caspase-3 inhibitor (z-DEVD-fmk) almost completely suppressed matrine-induced apoptosis. In addition, matrine increased proapoptotic protein bax and caused the release of cytochrome C. Taken together, the results suggest that matrine induces a cytochrome C-mediated, caspase-dependent apoptosis.
TWO COMMODITY COORDINATED INVENTORY SYSTEM WITH MARKOVIAN DEMAND
Authors: YADAVALLI V. S. S. , ARIVARIGNAN G. , ANBAZHAGAN N.
Published: December 2006

This paper considers a two commodity continuous review inventory system. The demand points for each commodity are assumed to form Poisson processes. It is further assumed that the demand for the first commodity require the one unit of second commodity in addition to the first commodity with probability p1. Similarly, the demand for the second commodity require the one unit of first commodity in addition to the second commodity with probability p2. This assumption model the situation in which a buyer who intends to buy one particular commodity may also go for another commodity. The limiting probability distribution for the joint inventory levels is computed. Various operational characteristics, expression for the long run total expected cost rate is derived. The results are illustrated with numerical examples.
AN EOQ MODEL FOR PROGRESSIVE PAYMENT SCHEME UNDER DCF APPROACH
Authors: SONI HARDIK , GOR AJAY S. , SHAH NITA H.
Published: December 2006

An attempt is made to formulate optimal ordering policies for the retailer when the supplier offers progressive credit periods to settle the account. We define progressive credit periods as follows: If the retailer settles the outstanding amount by M, the supplier does not charge any interest. If the retailer pays after M but before N(M < N), then the supplier charges the retailer on the un-paid balance at the rate Ic 1. If the retailer settles the account after N, then he will have to pay an interest rate of Ic 2 ( Ic 2 > Ic 1). The objective function to be optimized is considered as present value of all future cash-out-flows. An algorithm is given to find the flow of optimal ordering policy. Analytic proofs are discussed to study the effect of various parameters on an objective function.
SOLVING THE UNCAPACITATED MULTIPLE ALLOCATION p-HUB CENTER PROBLEM BY GENETIC ALGORITHM
Authors: KRATICA JOZEF , STANIMIROVIĆ ZORICA
Published: December 2006

In this paper we describe a genetic algorithm (GA) for the uncapacitated multiple allocation p-hub center problem (UMApHCP). Binary coding is used and genetic operators adapted to the problem are constructed and implemented in our GA. Computational results are presented for the standard hub instances from the literature. It can be seen that proposed GA approach reaches all solutions that are proved to be optimal so far. The solutions are obtained in a reasonable amount of computational time, even for problem instances of higher dimensions.
A STUDY ON SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS FOR CONVEX QUADRATIC PROGRAMS
Authors: LIM SUNGMOOK
Published: December 2006

We extend the two similar interior-point approaches to sensitivity analysis originally developed for linear programs to those for convex quadratic programs, where the first approach is the ∊-sensitivity analysis and the other is Yildirim and Todd's. We study the relationship between the bounds on perturbation of the input parameters arising from the extension of Yildirim and Todd's approach and those from the ∊-sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, we prove that Yildirim and Todd's bounds are asymptotically the same as the symmetrized optimal tripartition bounds in the case of a special type of nondegeneracy.
VISUALIZATION-BASED SELECTION-AIMED DATA MINING WITH FUZZY DATA
Authors: LOTOV ALEXANDER V.
Published: December 2006

The paper is devoted to a visualization-based method for exploration of relational databases that contain large volumes of uncertain data. The visualization is aimed at exploration of properties of the data and selecting a small number of interesting items from the database. The method introduced here is a new development of the Reasonable Goals method, which has already been implemented on Internet in the form of the Web application server. Thus, the new method can be applied on Internet, too. It can be used for selection-aimed data mining in various fields including environmental planning, machinery design, financial planning (including credit operations), biology and medicine.
DATA MINING REQUIREMENTS FOR CUSTOMIZED GOODS AND SERVICES
Authors: TIEN JAMES M.
Published: December 2006

Customized goods and services occur when their respective supply and demand chains are managed in a simultaneous and real-time manner. From a research perspective, we classify the methods that are employed in the management of these chains, based on whether supply and/or demand are flexible or fixed. Interestingly, our classification scheme highlights a critical and rewarding research area at which both supply and demand are flexible, thus manageable. Simultaneous management of supply and demand chains sets the stage for mass customization which is concerned with meeting the needs of an individualized customer market. Simultaneous and real-time management of supply and demand chains, in turn, set the stage for real-time mass customization (e.g. wherein a tailor first laser scans an individual's upper torso and then delivers a uniquely fitted jacket within a reasonable period, while the individual is waiting). The benefits of real-time mass customization cannot be over-stated as products and services become indistinguishable and are co-produced in real-time, resulting in an overwhelming economic advantage. Customized goods and services can only be achieved through sophisticated data mining techniques that can define the customization requirements from both a supply and a demand chain perspective, techniques that can obtain pertinent information from the mass of non-homogeneous data, in order to make informed customization decisions.
DETECTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF CHANGES IN EVOLVING DATA STREAMS
Authors: GABER MOHAMED MEDHAT , YU PHILIP S.
Published: December 2006

Data stream mining has attracted considerable attention over the past few years owing to the significance of its applications. Streaming data is often evolving over time. Capturing changes could be used for detecting an event or a phenomenon in various applications. Weather conditions, economical changes, astronomical, and scientific phenomena are among a wide range of applications. Because of the high volume and speed of data streams, it is computationally hard to capture these changes from raw data in real-time. In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm that we term as STREAM-DETECT to capture these changes in data stream distribution and/or domain using clustering result deviation. STREAM-DETECT is followed by a process of offline classification CHANGE-CLASS. This classification is concerned with the association of the history of change characteristics with the observed event or phenomenon. Experimental results show the efficiency of the proposed framework in both detecting the changes and classification accuracy.
FINITE ELEMENT SURFACE FITTING FOR BRIDGE MANAGEMENT
Authors: CHEN XIAOJUN , KIMURA TAKUMA
Published: December 2006

We propose a new finite element surface fitting method which can handle very large databases. This method uses finite element discretization to find an approximation of a smooth function which minimizes a sum of data residuals and second derivatives under some constraints on data. The finite element discretization derives a large scale constrained quadratic program, which can be reformulated as a system of piecewise linear equations. We develop a preconditioned Newton method to solve the system efficiently. We apply this method to form surfaces over Aomori Region in Japan by geographic databases, such that every bridge became associated with environmental information.
HOW TO DEAL WITH UNCERTAINTY IN OPTIMIZATION — SOME RECENT ATTEMPTS
Authors: FUKUSHIMA MASAO
Published: December 2006

In this paper, we give a brief summary of the author's recent attempts conducted in collaboration with a number of co-authors to deal with uncertainty in various optimization problems, including complementarity problem, mathematical program with equilibrium constraints, as well as applications in data mining, mathematical finance, and game theory.
CONSTRAINED FORMULATIONS AND ALGORITHMS FOR PREDICTING STOCK PRICES BY RECURRENT FIR NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: WAH BENJAMIN W. , QIAN MING-LUN
Published: December 2006

In this paper, we develop a new constrained artificial-neural-network (ANN) formulation and the associated learning algorithm for predicting stock prices, a difficult time-series prediction problem. We characterize daily stock prices as a noisy non-stationary time series and identify its predictable low-frequency components. Using a recurrent finite-impulse-response ANN, we formulate the learning problem as a constrained optimization problem, develop constraints for incorporating cross validations, and solve the learning problem using algorithms based on the theory of extended saddle points for nonlinear constrained optimization. Finally, we illustrate our prediction results on ten stock-price time series. Our main contributions in this paper are the channel-specific low-pass filtering of noisy time series obtained by wavelet decomposition, the transformation of the low-pass signals to improve their stationarity, and the incorporation of constraints on cross validation that can improve the accuracy of predictions. Our experimental results demonstrate good prediction accuracy and annual returns.
FROM KNOWLEDGE TO WISDOM: ON BEING INFORMED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE, BECOMING WISE AND ETHICAL
Authors: ZELENY MILAN
Published: December 2006

In this paper from the Xiangshang Forum 2006, we propose the Wisdom project, an international network initiative on developing the next generation of management and entrepreneurial systems based on knowledge and wisdom rather than data and information. This is a major challenge especially for China which must aspire to become wise and ethical rather than just efficient or effective. Major topics of the project include knowledge management, wisdom systems, added value measures, entrepreneurial university, and management as a profession. These topics are the key ones for developing sustainable competitive advantage of any globally aspiring economy or enterprise.
10 CHALLENGING PROBLEMS IN DATA MINING RESEARCH
Authors: YANG QIANG , WU XINDONG
Published: December 2006

In October 2005, we took an initiative to identify 10 challenging problems in data mining research, by consulting some of the most active researchers in data mining and machine learning for their opinions on what are considered important and worthy topics for future research in data mining. We hope their insights will inspire new research efforts, and give young researchers (including PhD students) a high-level guideline as to where the hot problems are located in data mining.

Due to the limited amount of time, we were only able to send out our survey requests to the organizers of the IEEE ICDM and ACM KDD conferences, and we received an overwhelming response. We are very grateful for the contributions provided by these researchers despite their busy schedules. This short article serves to summarize the 10 most challenging problems of the 14 responses we have received from this survey. The order of the listing does not reflect their level of importance.
RESEARCH ON DATA MINING AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND ITS APPLICATIONS IN CHINA'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: SIGNIFICANCE AND TREND
Authors: CHENG SIWEI , DAI RUWEI , XU WEIXUAN , SHI YONG
Published: December 2006

From 1978 to 2004, China's GDP growth rate has been 9.4% annually. In 2005, China's GDP growth rate was 9.9%, which at $2,278 billion currently is ranked number four in the world. This paper discusses the significance of transforming research findings in data mining and knowledge management (DMKM) to support China's economic development as well as the trend of DMKM applications in China. It first reviews development of DTKM in international communities and industries, which includes academic activities and business applications tools. Second, this paper outlines the significance and needs of DTKM in China's economic development, as to promote further DMKM research, innovatively produce new business intelligence tools, and effectively adopt existing commercial software packages. Finally, the paper observes some problems and challenges of using DMKM to support China's economy.
IMPENDING BRAIN INFORMATICS RESEARCH FROM WEB INTELLIGENCE PERSPECTIVE
Authors: ZHONG NING
Published: December 2006

Web Intelligence (WI)-based portal techniques (e.g. the wisdom Web, data mining, multi-agent, and data/knowledge grids) will provide a new powerful platform for Brain Sciences. New understanding and discovery of the human intelligence models in Brain Sciences (e.g. cognitive science, neuroscience, brain informatics) will yield new WI research and development. In this paper, we briefly investigate three high-impact research issues as well as present a case study, to demonstrate the potentials of Brain Informatics (BI) research from WI perspective.
VALEURS IMPAIRES DE LA FONCTION DE PARTITION p(n)
Authors: NICOLAS JEAN-LOUIS
Published: December 2006

Let p(n) denote the number of partitions of n, and for i = 0 (resp. 1), Ai(x) denote the number of n ≤ x such that p(n) is even (resp. odd). In this paper, it is proved that for some constant K > 0, [Formula: see text] holds for x large enough. This estimation slightly improves a preceding result of S. Ahlgren who obtained the above lower bound for K = 0. Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]; the main tool is a result of J.-P. Serre about the distribution of odd values of τk(n). Effective lower bounds for A0(x) and A1(x) are also given.
RECIPROCALS OF BINARY POWER SERIES
Authors: COOPER JOSHUA N. , EICHHORN DENNIS , O'BRYANT KEVIN
Published: December 2006

If A is a set of nonnegative integers containing 0, then there is a unique nonempty set B of nonnegative integers such that every positive integer can be written in the form a + b, where a ∈ A and b ∈ B, in an even number of ways. We compute the natural density of B for several specific sets A, including the Prouhet–Thue–Morse sequence, {0} ∪ {2n:n ∈ ℕ}, and random sets, and we also study the distribution of densities of B for finite sets A. This problem is motivated by Euler's observation that if A is the set of n that has an odd number of partitions, then B is the set of pentagonal numbers {n(3n + 1)/2:n ∈ ℤ}. We also elaborate the connection between this problem and the theory of de Bruijn sequences and linear shift registers.
A q-CONTINUED FRACTION
Authors: BOWMAN D. , Mc LAUGHLIN J. , WYSHINSKI N. J.
Published: December 2006

We use the method of generating functions to find the limit of a q-continued fraction, with 4 parameters, as a ratio of certain q-series. We then use this result to give new proofs of several known continued fraction identities, including Ramanujan's continued fraction expansions for (q2; q3)∞/(q; q3)∞and [Formula: see text]. In addition, we give a new proof of the famous Rogers–Ramanujan identities. We also use our main result to derive two generalizations of another continued fraction due to Ramanujan.
TRANSCENDENTAL ZEROS OF CERTAIN MODULAR FORMS
Authors: GUN SANOLI
Published: December 2006

Kohnen showed that the zeros of the Eisenstein series Ek in the standard fundamental domain other than i and ρ are transcendental. In this paper, we obtain similar results for a more general class of modular forms, using the earlier works of Kanou, Kohnen and the recent work of Getz.
GEOMETRIC LOWER BOUNDS FOR THE NORMALIZED HEIGHT OF HYPERSURFACES
Authors: PONTREAU CORENTIN
Published: December 2006

Here we are concerned on Bogomolov's problem for hypersurfaces; we give a geometric lower bound for the height of a hypersurface of [Formula: see text] (i.e. without condition on the field of definition of the hypersurface) which is not a translate of an algebraic subgroup of [Formula: see text]. This is an analogue of a result of F. Amoroso and S. David who give a lower bound for the height of non-torsion hypersurfaces defined and irreducible over the rationals.
A SYSTEM OF RELATIVE PELLIAN EQUATIONS AND A RELATED FAMILY OF RELATIVE THUE EQUATIONS
Authors: JADRIJEVIĆ BORKA , ZIEGLER VOLKER
Published: December 2006

In this paper we consider the family of systems (2c + 1)U2 - 2cV2 = μ and (c - 2)U2 - cZ2 = -2μ of relative Pellian equations, where the parameter c and the root of unity μ are integers in the same imaginary quadratic number field [Formula: see text]. We show that for |c| ≥ 3 only certain values of μ yield solutions of this system, and solve the system completely for |c| ≥ 1544686. Furthermore we will consider the related relative Thue equation [Formula: see text] and solve it by the method of Tzanakis under the same assumptions.
Elevated prolactin redirects secretory vesicle traffic in rabbit lacrimal acinar cells
Authors: Wang Yanru , Chiu Christopher T. , Nakamura Tamako , Walker Ameae M. , Petridou Barbara , Trousdale Melvin D. , Hamm-Alvarez Sarah F. , Schechter Joel E. , Mircheff Austin K.
Published: December 2006

During pregnancy, lymphocytes infiltrating the rabbit lacrimal gland disperse to the interacinar space from their normal focal concentrations, basal fluid secretion decreases, pilocarpine-induced fluid secretion increases, and stimulated fluid protein concentration decreases. Ductal epithelial cell prolactin (PRL) content increases and redistributes from the apical to the basal-lateral cytoplasm. A replication-incompetent adenovirus vector for rabbit PRL (AdPRL) was used to test the hypothesis that increased intracrine/autocrine PRL signaling alters secretory protein traffic in an ex vivo lacrimal acinar cell model. AdPRL had no discernable influence on microtubules or actin microfilaments or their responses to carbachol (CCh). Endogenous and transduced PRLs exhibited similar, nonpolarized, punctate distributions. Cells secreted PRL consititutively and at increased rates in response to CCh. In contrast, constitutive secretion of β-hexosaminidase was negligible, suggesting that the constitutive pathway for PRL is relatively inaccessible to typical secretory proteins. AdPRL had no significant effect on total secretion of β-hexosaminidase or syncollin-green fluorescent protein (GFP), a chimeric secretory protein construct. However, it reversed the polarized distributions of vesicles containing rab3D and syncollin-GFP. Live-cell imaging indicated that AdPRL redirected CCh-dependent syncollin-GFP exocytosis from the apical plasma membrane to the basal-lateral membrane. Elevated concentrations of exogenous rabbit PRL in the ambient medium elicited similar changes. These observations suggest that elevated PRL, as occurs in the physiological hyperprolactinemia of pregnancy, induces lacrimal epithelial cells to express a mixed exocrine/endocrine phenotype that secretes fluid to the acinus-duct lumen but secretes proteins to the underlying tissue space. This phenotype may contribute to the pregnancy-associated immunoarchitecture.
Altered expression of a limited number of genes contributes to cardiac decompensation during chronic ventricular tachypacing in dogs
Authors: Ojaimi Caroline , Qanud Khaled , Hintze Thomas H. , Recchia Fabio A.
Published: December 2006

Our aim was to determine the changes in the gene expression profile occurring during the transition from compensated dysfunction (CD) to decompensated heart failure (HF) in pacing-induced dilated cardiomyopathy. Twelve chronically instrumented dogs underwent left ventricular pacing at 210 beats/min for 3 wk and at 240 beats thereafter, and four normal dogs were used as control. The transition from CD to HF occurred between the 3rd and 4th wk of pacing, with end-stage HF at 28 ± 1 days. RNA was extracted from left ventricular tissue at control and 3 and 4 wk of pacing ( n = 4) and tested with the Affymetrix Canine Array. We found 509 genes differentially expressed in CD vs. control ( P ≤ 0.05, fold change ≥±2), with 362 increasing and 147 decreasing; 526 genes were differentially expressed in HF vs. control ( P ≤ 0.05; fold change ≥±2), with 439 increasing and 87 decreasing. To better understand the transition, we compared gene alterations at 3 vs. 4 wk pacing and found that only 30 genes differed ( P ≤ 0.05; fold change of ±2). We conclude that a number of processes including normalization of gene regulation during decompensation, appearance of new upregulated genes and maintenance of gene expression all contribute to the transition to overt heart failure with an unexpectedly small number of genes differentially regulated.
Point-of-care International Normalised Ratios: UK NEQAS experience demonstrates necessity for proficiency testing of three different monitors
Authors: Kitchen Dianne , Jennings Ian , Woods Tim , Walker Isobel , Preston F. , Kitchen Stephen
Published: December 2006

External quality assessment (EQA) or proficiency testing is widely considered to be necessary for International Normalised Ratio (INR) determinations performed in conventional laboratory settings. There is increasing use of near-patient-test (NPT) or point-of-care (POC) INR devices and it is not known whether EQA is also necessary for these monitors. We report here on six years experience of proficiency testing for POC monitors used by health care professionals. Three devices were used by >10 centres who participated in the programme, the CoaguChek (CUC), the CUC-S and the TAS or Rapidpoint Coag. Not all users of the same type of monitor obtained the same INR result when analysing the same plasma sample. For the three monitors the CV of results in different centres was 11–14%. The variation between results in different centres could relate to inappropriately handled proficiency testing material, inaccuracies in the calibration of the system by the manufacturer or deterioration during transport/storage of the test strips. In each survey 10–11% of centres using POC monitors obtained INR results which were >15% different from those in other centres using the same monitors. For hospital laboratories using conventional INR techniques this figure was 12%. The relationship between INR results obtained by users of the Rapidpoint Coag orTAS monitor and results obtained by conventional techniques was not constant over the period of study. During one period INRs with TAS were 13.7% greater than with conventional methods. For the remaining three time periods results were similar. Our data suggest that the variation between INR results determined with three POC monitors show similar variation to that observed in hospital laboratories using conventional methods. Based on our data we recommend that users of these POC monitors participate regularly in an independent external proficiency testing programme.
Rat models of myocardial infarction
Authors: Bhindi Ravinay , Witting Paul , McMahon Aisling , Khachigian Levon , Lowe Harry
Published: December 2006

Animal models of cardiovascular pathology contribute towards understanding and treatment of a broad range of conditions. Specifically in the context of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), rat models have been commonly used in studies of pathogenesis, investigation and novel therapies, although there has often been difficulty in translating experimental findings to clinical benefit. However, recent years have seen two important changes to our clinical approaches to AMI. First, there is increasing recognition that the pathophysiology of human AMI is a process occurring at many levels, not just within the epicardial coronary artery, but also within the microvasculature and the myocardium. Second, contemporary treatments are shifting away from thrombolytic dissolution of epicardial coronary thrombus to direct mechanical approaches using angioplasty and stents. These changes in our understanding of AMI have implications for the relevance of these animal models. The following discussion therefore reviews and examines the current rat models of AMI, places them in a clinical context, discusses their advantages and limitations, and outlines likely future developments, providing an overview of the place of these important models of AMI.
A multi-dose pharmacokinetic study of dalteparin in haemodialysis patients
Authors: Byrne Stephen , Szczech Lynda , Ortel Thomas , Perry Stephanie , O’Shea Susan
Published: December 2006

Low-molecular-weight heparins undergo renal elimination, and therefore the proper dosing in hemodialysis (HD) patients is unclear. It was the objective of this study to evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of dalteparin in patients receiving chronic HD for end-stage renal disease. We performeda multidose PK study with prophylactic doses of dalteparin in twelve HD patients. Dalteparin 5,000 IU was administered subcutaneously daily for four consecutive days, with HD performed on day2 and day 4. Anti-factor Xa activity was determined daily and at multiple blood samples after the 3rd and 4th dose. Eleven of 12 patients completed the study. The mean (range) PK parameters determined after the 4th dose were as follows: i) maximum concentration (Cmax) was 0.31 IU/ml (0.06 to 0.55 IU/ml); ii) time to Cmax was 3.55 hours (2.59 to 4.96 hr); iii) area under the curve was 3.24 IU*hr/ml (0.64 to 6.44 IU*hr/ml); iv) half-life was 3.82 hr (2.03 to 9.63 hr); and v) trough anti-factor Xa activity 0.04 IU/ml (0.02 to 0.08 IU/ml). No major bleeding was observed. In general, patients with lower body weight exhibited a higher Cmax. From this pilot PK study, we have determined initial PK parameters for dalteparin in HD patients. Although a standard prophylactic dose was used, we found that in this patient population differences in body weight influenced the Cmax. Future studies to evaluate the PK parameters of dalteparin in patients receiving chronic HD may have to use weight-based dosing and will need to be performed over a longer period of time.
Platelet-induced growth of human fibroblasts is associated with an increased expression of 5-lipoxygenase
Authors: Berg Cecilia , Hammarström Sven , Herbertsson Helena , Lindström Eva , Svensson Ann-Charlotte , Söderström Mats , Tengvall Pentti , Bengtsson Torbjörn
Published: December 2006

Proliferation of fibroblasts is vital for adequate wound healing but is probably also involved in different hyperproliferative disorders such as atherosclerosis and cancer. The regeneration of tissue usually starts with coagulation, involving release of mitogenic and inflammatory factors from activated platelets. This study focuses on the role of eicosanoids in the proliferative effects of platelets on human fibroblasts. We show that the phospholipase A2 inhibitor 7,7-dimethyl-5,8-eicosadienoic acid (DMDA), the combined cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitor 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA) and the LOX inhibitor 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid (ETI) block the platelet-induced proliferation of serum starved subconfluent human fibroblasts. Anti-proliferative effects were also obtained by specific inhibition of 5-LOX with 5,6-dehydro arachidonic acid (5,6-dAA), whereas the 12-LOX inhibitor cinnamyl-3,4-dihydroxy-α-cyanocinnamate (CDC) did not affect the platelet-stimulated growth of fibroblasts. The expression of 5-LOX was analyzed by reverse-transcriptase-mediated PCR (RT-PCR), Western blotting and HPLC. 5-LOX message and protein was detected in fibroblasts but not in platelets. Incubation with platelets markedly increased, already after one hour, the expression of 5-LOX in the fibroblast culture. The increased 5-LOX activity was associated with an elevated level of the 5-LOX metabolite 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) reaching its maximum after 1–2 hours of co-incubation of fibroblasts and platelets. The 5-HETE production was reduced by the inhibitors DMDA, ETYA and ETI. In conclusion, this study suggests that platelet-stimulated proliferation of fibroblasts is mediated by an increased 5-LOX activity, which supports recent findings indicating a crucial role for this enzyme in proliferative disorders such as atherosclerosis.
LFA-1 and VLA-4 involved in human high proliferative potentialendothelial progenitor cells homing to ischemic tissue
Authors: Duan Huaxin , Cheng Lamei , Sun Xuan , Wu Yonggang , Hu Liangshan , Wang Jian , Zhao Huiping , Lu Guangxiu
Published: December 2006

Cumulative evidences have revealed that endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) transplantation can promote the neovascularization in ischemic tissue, but the mechanism of EPCs homing to the site of ischemia is poorly understood. In this study, to investigate the mechanism of human umbilical cord blood-derived high proliferative potential-endothelial progenitor cells (HPP-EPCs) homing to ischemic tissue we evaluated the expression of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1, or CD11a/CD18) and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4, or CD49d/CD29) in EPCs and the changes of expression level of their ligands, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), in ischemic tissue and performed the adhesion and migration assays to analyze the interaction between the receptors and ligands. Furthermore, we studied the roles of LFA-1 and VLA-4 in EPC homing in an ischemic model of mice. The results show that LFA-1 andVLA-4 were expressed in HPPEPCs and ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were expressed in vessel endothelium in ischemic tissues. The pre-incubation of HPP-EPCs with neutralizing antibodies against CD11a or CD49d reduced adhesion and migration of HPP-EPCs in vitro and reduced recovery of hind-limb blood flow, capillary density and incorporation of HPP-EPC into ischemic tissues in vivo. Furthermore, the pre-incubation of HPP-EPCs with the combination of CD11a and CD49d antibodies led to synergistically negative effects on adhesion and transmigration of HPP-EPCs in vitro, and on the homing of HPP-EPCs to ischemic tissue and on neovascularization capacity in vivo. These results indicate that LFA-1 andVLA-4 are involved in HPP-EPC homing to ischemic tissues.