bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of oxygen breathing on micro oxygen bubbles in nitrogen-depleted rat adipose tissue at sea level and 25 kPa altitude exposures
Authors: Randsoe Thomas , Hyldegaard Ole
Published: June 2012

The standard treatment of altitude decompression sickness (aDCS) caused by nitrogen bubble formation is oxygen breathing and recompression. However, micro air bubbles (containing 79% nitrogen), injected into adipose tissue, grow and stabilize at 25 kPa regardless of continued oxygen breathing and the tissue nitrogen pressure. To quantify the contribution of oxygen to bubble growth at altitude, micro oxygen bubbles (containing 0% nitrogen) were injected into the adipose tissue of rats depleted from nitrogen by means of preoxygenation (fraction of inspired oxygen = 1.0; 100%) and the bubbles studied at 101.3 kPa (sea level) or at 25 kPa altitude exposures during continued oxygen breathing. In keeping with previous observations and bubble kinetic models, we hypothesize that oxygen breathing may contribute to oxygen bubble growth at altitude. Anesthetized rats were exposed to 3 h of oxygen prebreathing at 101.3 kPa (sea level). Micro oxygen bubbles of 500-800 nl were then injected into the exposed abdominal adipose tissue. The oxygen bubbles were studied for up to 3.5 h during continued oxygen breathing at either 101.3 or 25 kPa ambient pressures. At 101.3 kPa, all bubbles shrank consistently until they disappeared from view at a net disappearance rate (0.02 mm2 × min−1) significantly faster than for similar bubbles at 25 kPa altitude (0.01 mm2 × min−1). At 25 kPa, most bubbles initially grew for 2–40 min, after which they shrank and disappeared. Four bubbles did not disappear while at 25 kPa. The results support bubble kinetic models based on Fick's first law of diffusion, Boyles law, and the oxygen window effect, predicting that oxygen contributes more to bubble volume and growth during hypobaric conditions. As the effect of oxygen increases, the lower the ambient pressure. The results indicate that recompression is instrumental in the treatment of aDCS.
What can computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging tell us about ventilation?
Authors: Simon Brett A. , Kaczka David W. , Bankier Alexander A. , Parraga Grace
Published: June 2012

This review provides a summary of pulmonary functional imaging approaches for determining pulmonary ventilation, with a specific focus on multi-detector x-ray computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We provide the important functional definitions of pulmonary ventilation typically used in medicine and physiology and discuss the fact that some of the imaging literature describes gas distribution abnormalities in pulmonary disease that may or may not be related to the physiological definition or clinical interpretation of ventilation. We also review the current state-of-the-field in terms of the key physiological questions yet unanswered related to ventilation and gas distribution in lung disease. Current and emerging imaging research methods are described, including their strengths and the challenges that remain to translate these methods to more wide-spread research and clinical use. We also examine how computed tomography and MRI might be used in the future to gain more insight into gas distribution and ventilation abnormalities in pulmonary disease.
Ischemia reperfusion injury, KATPchannels, and exercise-induced cardioprotection against apoptosis
Authors: Quindry John C. , Miller Lindsey , McGinnis Graham , Kliszczewicz Brian , Irwin J. Megan , Landram Michael , Urbiztondo Zea , Nanayakkara Gayani , Amin Rajesh
Published: June 2012

Exercise is a potent stimulus against cardiac ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury, although the protective mechanisms are not completely understood. The study purpose was to examine whether the mitochondrial or sarcolemmal ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mito KATPor sarc KATP, respectively) mediates exercise-induced cardioprotection against post-IR cell death and apoptosis. Eighty-six, 4-mo-old male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to treadmill exercise (Ex; 30 m/min, 3 days, 60 min, ∼70 maximal oxygen uptake) and sedentary (Sed) treatments. Rats were exposed to regional cardiac ischemia (50 min) and reperfusion (120 min) or Sham (170 min; no ligation) surgeries. Exercise subgroups received placebo (saline), 5-hydroxydecanoate (5HD; 10 mg/kg ip), or HMR1098 (10 mg/kg ip) to inhibit mito KATPor sarc KATPchannel. Comprehensive outcome assessments included post-IR ECG arrhythmias, cardiac tissue necrosis, redox perturbations, and autophagy biomarkers. No arrhythmia differences existed between exercised and sedentary hearts following extended-duration IR ( P < 0.05). The sarc KATPchannel was confirmed essential ( P = 0.002) for prevention of antinecrotic tissue death with exercise (percent infarct, Sed = 42%; Ex = 20%; Ex5HD = 16%; ExHMR = 42%), although neither the mito KATP( P = 0.177) nor sarc KATP( P = 0.274) channel provided post-IR protection against apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxy UTP-mediated nick-end labeling-positive nuclei/mm2, Sham = 1.8 ± 0.5; Sed = 19.4 ± 6.7; Ex = 7.5 ± 4.6; Ex5HD = 14.0 ± 3.9; ExHMR = 11.1 ± 1.8). Exercise preconditioning also appears to preserve basal autophagy levels, as assessed by Beclin 1 ( P ≤ 0.001), microtubule-associated protein-1 light-chain 3B ratios ( P = 0.020), and P62 ( P ≤ 0.001), in the hours immediately following IR. Further research is needed to better understand these findings and corresponding redox changes in exercised hearts.
A novel cardiopulmonary exercise test protocol and criterion to determine maximal oxygen uptake in chronic heart failure
Authors: Bowen T. Scott , Cannon Daniel T. , Begg Gordon , Baliga Vivek , Witte Klaus K. , Rossiter Harry B.
Published: June 2012

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing for peak oxygen uptake (V̇o2peak) can evaluate prognosis in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients, with the peak respiratory exchange ratio (RERpeak) commonly used to confirm maximal effort and maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2max). We determined the precision of RERpeak in confirming V̇o2max, and whether a novel ramp-incremental (RI) step-exercise (SE) (RISE) test could better determine V̇o2max in CHF. Male CHF patients ( n = 24; NYHA class I–III) performed a symptom-limited RISE-95 cycle ergometer test in the format: RI (4–18 W/min; ∼10 min); 5 min recovery (10 W); SE (95% peak RI work rate). Patients ( n = 18) then performed RISE-95 tests using slow (3–8 W/min; ∼15 min) and fast (10–30 W/min; ∼6 min) ramp rates. Pulmonary gas exchange was measured breath-by-breath. V̇o2peak was compared within patients by unpaired t-test of the highest 12 breaths during RI and SE phases to confirm V̇o2max and its 95% confidence limits (CI95). RERpeak was significantly influenced by ramp rate (fast, medium, slow: 1.21 ± 0.1 vs. 1.15 ± 0.1 vs. 1.09 ± 0.1; P = 0.001), unlike V̇o2peak (mean n = 18; 14.4 ± 2.6 ml·kg−1·min−1; P = 0.476). Group V̇o2peak was similar between RI and SE ( n = 24; 14.5 ± 3.0 vs. 14.7 ± 3.1 ml·kg−1·min−1; P = 0.407); however, within-subject comparisons confirmed V̇o2max in only 14 of 24 patients (CI95 for V̇o2max estimation averaged 1.4 ± 0.8 ml·kg−1·min−1). The RERpeak in CHF was significantly influenced by ramp rate, suggesting its use to determine maximal effort and V̇o2max be abandoned. In contrast, the RISE-95 test had high precision for V̇o2max confirmation with patient-specific CI95 (without secondary criteria), and showed that V̇o2max is commonly underestimated in CHF. The RISE-95 test was well tolerated by CHF patients, supporting its use for V̇o2max confirmation.
Application of Bioactive Coatings Based on Chitosan for Soybean Seed Protection
Authors: Zeng Defang , Luo Xinrong , Tu Renjie
Published: June 2012

Soybean seeds suffer attacks of various pests that result in a decreased yield in northeastern China. Until recently, people use pesticides such as insecticides to achieve the goal of controlling pests. Chitosan extracted from deacetylation of chitin is promising candidates as a seed-coating agent to control agrotis ypsilon, soybean pod borer, and soybean aphid effectively. An experimental study on influences of chitosan with different concentrations on pest controlling and soybean growth was made in the paper. Coating based on chitosan was used as a feeding deterrent and for enhancing the germination and quality of soybean seeds. Results indicated that all chitosan coating had a significant effect on antifeeding against pests; with the increasing concentration, antifeedant rate (AR) were increased obviously, especially when in the concentration of 5%, santifeedant rate of agrotis ypsilon, soybean pod borer, and soybean aphid reached 82.89%, 87.24%, and 80.21%, respectively. Also chitosan coating increased seed germination, plant growth, and soybean yield efficiently, especially when, in the concentration of 5%, the yield was increased by about 20% compared with CK. The application of chitosan in soybean seed coated is an appropriate option to control pests replacing high-toxicity pesticides and enhance soybean yield.
Shannon Entropy Analysis of the Genome Code
Authors: Tenreiro Machado J. A.
Published: June 2012

This paper studies the chromosome information of twenty five species, namely, mammals, fishes, birds, insects, nematodes, fungus, and one plant. A quantifying scheme inspired in the state space representation of dynamical systems is formulated. Based on this algorithm, the information of each chromosome is converted into a bidimensional distribution. The plots are then analyzed and characterized by means of Shannon entropy. The large volume of information is integrated by averaging the lengths and entropy quantities of each species. The results can be easily visualized revealing quantitative global genomic information.
Electrospun Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Based Nanocomposite Fibers Containing(Ni0.6Zn0.4)Fe2O4
Authors: Khan W. S. , Asmatulu R. , Lin Y. H. , Chen Y. Y. , Ho J. C.
Published: June 2012

Polyvinylpyrrolidone-based nanocomposite fibers containing (Ni0.6Zn0.4)Fe2O4have been successfully fabricated by an electrospinning technique. Magnetic measurements were made, individually, on polyvinylpyrrolidone, the ferrite nanoparticles, and several fibrous nanocomposites. The polymer exhibits a diamagnetic susceptibility comparable to the estimated value from Pascal’s constants. The nanocomposites maintain intrinsic properties of pure (Ni0.6Zn0.4)Fe2O4, with a weighted magnitude according to its concentration in a given fiber. Meanwhile, superparamagnetism prevails with a relatively low blocking temperature, assuring no aggregation of the fine particles. Such electrospun materials are flexible and have large surface area per unit mass, thus suitable for certain applications in environmental and biomedical engineering.
Optimization Efficiency of Monte Carlo Simulation Tool for Evanescent Wave Spectroscopy Fiber-Optic Probe
Authors: Khankin Daniel , Mordechai Shaul , Mark Shlomo
Published: June 2012

In a previous work, we described the simulation tool (FOPS 3D) (Khankin et al., 2001) which can simulate the full three-dimensional geometrical structure of a fiber and the propagation of a light beam sent through it. In this paper we are focusing on three major points: the first concerns the improvements made with respect to the simulation tool and the second, optimizations implemented with respect to the calculations' efficiency. Finally, the major research improvement from our previous works is the simulation results of the optimal absorbance value, as a function of bending angle for a given uncladded part diameter, that are presented; it is suggested that fiber-bending may improve the efficiency of recording the relevant measurements. This is the third iteration of the FOPS development process (Mann et al., 2009) which was significantly optimized by decreasing memory usage and increasing CPU utilization.
In Vitro Degradation of PHBV Scaffolds and nHA/PHBV Composite Scaffolds Containing Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Sultana Naznin , Khan Tareef Hayat
Published: June 2012

This paper investigated the long‐term in vitro degradation properties of scaffolds based on biodegradable polymers and osteoconductive bioceramic/polymer composite materials for the application of bone tissue engineering. The three‐dimensional porous scaffolds were fabricated using emulsion‐freezing/freeze‐drying technique using poly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) which is a natural biodegradable and biocompatible polymer. Nanosized hydroxyapatite (nHA) particles were successfully incorporated into the PHBV scaffolds to render the scaffolds osteoconductive. The PHBV and nHA/PHBV scaffolds were systematically evaluated using various techniques in terms of mechanical strength, porosity, porous morphology, and in vitro degradation. PHBV and nHA/PHBV scaffolds degraded over time in phosphate‐buffered saline at 37°C. PHBV polymer scaffolds exhibited slow molecular weight loss and weight loss in the in vitro physiological environment. Accelerated weight loss was observed in nHA incorporated PHBV composite scaffolds. An increasing trend of crystallinity was observed during the initial period of degradation time. The compressive properties decreased more than 40% after 5‐month in vitro degradation. Together with interconnected pores, high porosity, suitable mechanical properties, and slow degradation profile obtained from long‐term degradation studies, the PHBV scaffolds and osteoconductive nHA/PHBV composite scaffolds showed promises for bone tissue engineering application.
Exercise and the Cardiovascular System
Authors: Golbidi Saeid , Laher Ismail
Published: June 2012

There are alarming increases in the incidence of obesity, insulin resistance, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The risk of these diseases is significantly reduced by appropriate lifestyle modifications such as increased physical activity. However, the exact mechanisms by which exercise influences the development and progression of cardiovascular disease are unclear. In this paper we review some important exercise-induced changes in cardiac, vascular, and blood tissues and discuss recent clinical trials related to the benefits of exercise. We also discuss the roles of boosting antioxidant levels, consequences of epicardial fat reduction, increases in expression of heat shock proteins and endoplasmic reticulum stress proteins, mitochondrial adaptation, and the role of sarcolemmal and mitochondrial potassium channels in the contributing to the cardioprotection offered by exercise. In terms of vascular benefits, the main effects discussed are changes in exercise-induced vascular remodeling and endothelial function. Exercise-induced fibrinolytic and rheological changes also underlie the hematological benefits of exercise.
The Effect ofLabisia pumilavar.alataon Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot Study
Authors: Abdul Kadir Azidah , Nik Hussain Nik Hazlina , Wan Bebakar Wan Mohammad , Mohd Dayang Marshitah , Wan Mohammad Wan Mohd Zahiruddin , Hassan Intan Idiana , Shukor Norlela , Kamaruddin Nor Azmi , Wan Mohamud Wan Nazaimoon
Published: June 2012

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing the effects of a water extract ofLabisia pumilavar.alataat 280 mg/day with placebo, given for 6 months in postmenopausal Malay women. There were 29 patients treated withLabisia pumilaand 34 patients in the placebo group. Menopausal symptoms were assessed at baseline and at 6 months. The blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, and hormonal profile (follicle stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone/estradiol) were measured during visits every two months. ANCOVA model analysis showed significantly lower triglycerides levels in LP subjects at 6 months after treatment as compared to placebo (1.4 versus 1.9 mmol/L; adj. mean difference 0.5, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.89 after adjusted for the baseline values, age, BMI, and duration of menopause placebo). Other parameters in both groups did not differ significantly. In conclusion, daily intake ofLabisia pumilaat 280 mg/day for six months was found to provide benefit in reducing the triglyceride (TG) values.
Some Properties on the q‐Euler Numbers and Polynomials
Authors: Kim T. , Lee S.-H.
Published: June 2012

We give some new identities on q‐Euler numbers and polynomials by using the fermionic p‐adic integral on ℤp.
Botulinum Toxin Injections for Simple Partial Motor Seizures Associated with Pain
Authors: Mader Edward C. , Fisch Bruce J. , Villemarette-Pittman Nicole R. , Olejniczak Piotr W. , Carey Michael E.
Published: June 2012

Intractable epilepsy with painful partial motor seizures is a relatively rare and difficult disorder to treat. We evaluated the usefulness of botulinum toxin to reduce ictal pain. Two patients received two or four botulinum toxin (BTX) injections at one-to-two-month intervals. Patient 1 had painful seizures of the right arm and hand. Patient 2 had painful seizures involving the left foot and leg. Injections were discontinued after improved seizure control following resective surgery. Both patients received significant pain relief from the injections with analgesia lasting at least two months. Seizure severity was reduced, but seizure frequency and duration were unaffected. For these patients, BTX was effective in temporarily relieving pain associated with muscle contraction in simple partial motor seizures. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that modulation of motor end-organ feedback affects focal seizure generation. BTX is a safe and reversible treatment that should be considered as part of adjunctive therapy after failure to achieve control of painful partial motor seizures.
Detection of Parasites and Parasitic Infections of Free-Ranging Wildlife on a Game Ranch in Zambia: A Challenge for Disease Control
Authors: Munang'andu Hetron Mweemba , Siamudaala Victor M. , Munyeme Musso , Nalubamba King Shimumbo
Published: June 2012

Ex-situconservancies are expanding alternatives to livestock production in Zambia albeit the lack of information on circulating infectious parasites from wildlife. Therefore, 12 wildlife species were examined on a game ranch were all species were found to be infected byRhipecephalusspp. Haemoparasite infections were estimated at 7.37% (n=95) withBabesiaspp. detected in bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus);Anaplasma marginalein impala (Aepyceros melampus) and puku (Kobus vardonii) for the first time in Zambia. The majority of worm species isolated from bovids were not detected in equids and,vice versa. Our findings intimate ecological and behavioural patterns of some animals as deterministic to exposure. Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) had the widest range of worm species with more infected organs than other animals suggesting their semi aquatic nature contributory to prolonged worm exposure compared to other animals. On the other hand, Kafue lechwe had the least tick infections attributable more to shorter attachment periods as they spend prolonged periods submerged in water. Our findings indicate the vital role that wildlife plays in the epidemiology of parasitic diseases. To reduce the infection burden, control measures should be focused on reducing transmission to highly susceptible animal species as described herein.
Marathon Runner with Acute Hyponatremia: A Neurological Disorder
Authors: Kormann R. , Philippart F. , Hubert S. , Bruel C.
Published: June 2012

We report the case of an athletic 49-year-old female who has run the 2011 Marathon of Paris and was addressed to the hospital for a confusion. The investigations revealed a cerebral edema complicating a severe hyponatremia secondary to an exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH). Using 3% hypertonic saline solution, the evolution the patient rapidly improve allowing discharge after 7 days. We then discuss the importance of EAH in long-term efforts.
RASSF1 Polymorphisms in Cancer
Authors: Gordon Marilyn , El-Kalla Mohamed , Baksh Shairaz
Published: June 2012

Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) is one of the most epigenetically silenced elements in human cancers. Localized on chromosome 3, it has been demonstrated to be a bone fide tumor suppressor influencing cell cycle events, microtubule stability, apoptosis, and autophagy. Although it is epigenetically silenced by promoter-specific methylation in cancers, several somatic nucleotide changes (polymorphisms) have been identified in RASSF1A in tissues from cancer patients. We speculate that both nucleotide changes and epigenetic silencing result in loss of the RASSF1A tumor suppressor function and the appearance of enhanced growth. This paper will summarize what is known about the origin of these polymorphisms and how they have helped us understand the biological role of RASSF1A.
The Equivalence of Convergence Results between Ishikawa and Mann Iterations with Errors for Uniformly Continuous Generalized Φ‐Pseudocontractive Mappings in Normed Linear Spaces
Authors: Lv Guiwen , Xue Zhiqun
Published: June 2012

We prove the equivalence of the convergence of the Mann and Ishikawa iterations with errors for uniformly continuous generalized Φ‐pseudocontractive mappings in normed
linear spaces. Our results extend and improve the corresponding results of Xu, 1998, Kim et al., 2009, Ofoedu, 2006, Chidume and Zegeye, 2004, Chidume, 2001, Chang et al. 2002, Liu, 1995, Hirano and huang, 2003, C. E. Chidume and C. O. Chidume, 2005, and huang, 2007.
A Deterministic Approach to Earthquake Prediction
Authors: Sgrigna Vittorio , Conti Livio
Published: June 2012

The paper aims at giving suggestions for a deterministic approach to investigate possible earthquake prediction and warning. A fundamental contribution can come by observations and physical modeling of earthquake precursors aiming at seeing in perspective the phenomenon earthquake within the framework of a unified theory able to explain the causes of its genesis, and the dynamics, rheology, and microphysics of its preparation, occurrence, postseismic relaxation, and interseismic phases. Studies based on combined ground and space observations of earthquake precursors are essential to address the issue. Unfortunately, up to now, what is lacking is the demonstration of a causal relationship (with explained physical processes and looking for a correlation) between data gathered simultaneously and continuously by space observations and ground-based measurements. In doing this, modern and/or new methods and technologies have to be adopted to try to solve the problem. Coordinated space- and ground-based observations imply available test sites on the Earth surface to correlate ground data, collected by appropriate networks of instruments, with space ones detected on board of Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites. Moreover, a new strong theoretical scientific effort is necessary to try to understand the physics of the earthquake.
Rock Mechanical Property Influenced by Inhomogeneity
Authors: Tan Yunliang , Huang Dongmei , Zhang Ze
Published: June 2012

In order to identify the microstructure inhomogeneity influence on rock mechanical property, SEM scanning test and fractal dimension estimation were adopted. The investigations showed that the self-similarity of rock microstructure markedly changes with the scanned microscale. Different rocks behave in different fractal dimension variation patterns with the scanned magnification, so it is conditional to adopt fractal dimension to describe rock material. Grey diabase and black diabase have high suitability; red sandstone has low suitability. The suitability of fractal-dimension-describing method for rocks depends on both investigating scale and rock type. The homogeneities of grey diabase, black diabase, grey sandstone, and red sandstone are 7.8, 5.7, 4.4, and 3.4, separately; their average fractal dimensions of microstructure are 2.06, 2.03, 1.72, and 1.40 correspondingly, so the homogeneity is well consistent with fractal dimension. For rock material, the stronger brittleness is, the less profile fractal dimension is. In a sense, brittleness is an image of rock inhomogeneity in macroscale, while profile fractal dimension is an image of rock inhomogeneity in microscale. To combine the test of brittleness with the estimation of fractal dimension with condition will be an effective approach for understanding rock failure mechanism, patterns, and behaviours.
Therapy Development for Spinal Muscular Atrophy in SMN Independent Targets
Authors: Tsai Li-Kai
Published: June 2012

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder, leading to progressive muscle weakness, atrophy, and sometimes premature death. SMA is caused by mutation or deletion of thesurvival motor neuron-1 (SMN1) gene. An effective treatment does not presently exist. Since the severity of the SMA phenotype is inversely correlated with expression levels of SMN, theSMN-encoded protein, SMN is the most important therapeutic target for development of an effective treatment for SMA. In recent years, numerous SMN independent targets and therapeutic strategies have been demonstrated to have potential roles in SMA treatment. For example, some neurotrophic, antiapoptotic, and myotrophic factors are able to promote survival of motor neurons or improve muscle strength shown in SMA mouse models or clinical trials. Plastin-3, cpg15, and a Rho-kinase inhibitor regulate axonal dynamics and might reduce the influences of SMN depletion in disarrangement of neuromuscular junction. Stem cell transplantation in SMA model mice resulted in improvement of motor behaviors and extension of survival, likely from trophic support. Although most therapies are still under investigation, these nonclassical treatments might provide an adjunctive method for future SMA therapy.
Early Determinants of Obesity: Genetic, Epigenetic, and In Utero Influences
Authors: Rhee Kyung E. , Phelan Suzanne , McCaffery Jeanne
Published: June 2012

There is an emerging body of work indicating that genes, epigenetics, and the in utero environment can impact whether or not a child is obese. While certain genes have been identified that increase one’s risk for becoming obese, other factors such as excess gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes mellitus, and smoking can also influence this risk. Understanding these influences can help to inform which behaviors and exposures should be targeted if we are to decrease the prevalence of obesity. By helping parents and young children change certain behaviors and exposures during critical time periods, we may be able to alter or modify one’s genetic predisposition. However, further research is needed to determine which efforts are effective at decreasing the incidence of obesity and to develop new methods of prevention. In this paper, we will discuss how genes, epigenetics, and in utero influences affect the development of obesity. We will then discuss current efforts to alter these influences and suggest future directions for this work.
Application of RFLP-PCR-Based Identification for Sand Fly Surveillance in an Area Endemic for Kala-Azar in Mymensingh, Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Mohammad Shafiul , Kato Hirotomo , Fukushige Mizuho , Wagatsuma Yukiko , Itoh Makoto
Published: June 2012

Mymensingh is the most endemic district for kala-azar in Bangladesh.Phlebotomus argentipesremains the only known vector although a number of sand fly species are prevalent in this area. Genotyping of sand flies distributed in a VL endemic area was developed by a PCR and restriction-fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) of 18S rRNA gene of sand fly species. Using the RFLP-PCR analysis withAfaI andHinfI restriction enzymes,P. argentipes, P. papatasi, andSergentomyiaspecies could be identified. Among 1,055 female sand flies successfully analyzed for the species identification individually, 64.4% flies was classified asSergentomyiaspecies, whereas 35.6% was identified asP. argentipesand noP. papatasiwas found. Although infection ofLeishmaniawithin the sand flies was individually examined targeting leishmanial minicircle DNA, none of the 1,055 sand flies examined were positive forLeishmaniainfection. The RFLP-PCR could be useful tools for taxonomic identification andLeishmaniainfection monitoring in endemic areas of Bangladesh.
Speckle Reduction for Ultrasonic Imaging Using Frequency Compounding and Despeckling Filters along with Coded Excitation and Pulse Compression
Authors: Ullom Joshua S. , Oelze Michael L. , Sanchez Jose R.
Published: June 2012

A method for improving the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) while maintaining the −6 dB axial resolution of ultrasonic B-mode images is proposed. The technique proposed is known as eREC-FC, which enhances a recently developed REC-FC technique. REC-FC is a combination of the coded excitation technique known as resolution enhancement compression (REC) and the speckle-reduction technique frequency compounding (FC). In REC-FC, image CNR is improved but at the expense of a reduction in axial resolution. However, by compounding various REC-FC images made from various subband widths, the tradeoff between axial resolution and CNR enhancement can be extended. Further improvements in CNR can be obtained by applying postprocessing despeckling filters to the eREC-FC B-mode images. The despeckling filters evaluated were the following: median, Lee, homogeneous mask area, geometric, and speckle-reducing anisotropic diffusion (SRAD). Simulations and experimental measurements were conducted with a single-element transducer (f/2.66) having a center frequency of 2.25 MHz and a −3 dB bandwidth of 50%. In simulations and experiments, the eREC-FC technique resulted in the same axial resolution that would be typically observed with conventional excitation with a pulse. Moreover, increases in CNR of 348% were obtained in experiments when comparing eREC-FC with a Lee filter to conventional pulsing methods.
Kerr-Taub-NUT General Frame, Energy, and Momentum in Teleparallel Equivalent of General Relativity
Authors: Nashed Gamal G. L.
Published: June 2012

A new exact solution describing a general stationary and axisymmetric object of the gravitational field in the framework of teleparallel equivalent of general relativity (TEGR) is derived. The solution is characterized by three parameters “the gravitational massM, the rotationa, and the NUTL.” The vierbein field is axially symmetric, and the associated metric gives the Kerr-Taub-NUT spacetime. Calculation of the total energy using two different methods, the gravitational energy momentum and the Riemannian connection 1-formΓα̃β, is carried out. It is shown that the two methods give the same results of energy and momentum. The value of energy is shown to depend on the massMand the NUT parameterL. IfLis vanishing, then the total energy reduced to the energy of Kerr black hole.
Osteosarcoma Phenotype Is Inhibited by 3,4-Methylenedioxy-β-nitrostyrene
Authors: Messerschmitt Patrick J. , Rettew Ashley N. , Schroeder Nicholas O. , Brookover Robert E. , Jakatdar Avanti P. , Getty Patrick J. , Greenfield Edward M.
Published: June 2012

β-nitrostyrene compounds, such as 3,4-methylenedioxy-β-nitrostyrene (MNS), inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in tumor cells, but no reports have investigated their role in osteosarcoma. In this study, human osteosarcoma cell families with cell lines of varying tumorigenic and metastatic potential were utilized. Scrape motility assays, colony formation assays, and colony survival assays were performed with osteosarcoma cell lines, both in the presence and absence of MNS. Effects of MNS on human osteoblasts and airway epithelial cells were assessed in monolayer cultures. MNS decreased metastatic cell line motility by 72–76% and colony formation by 95–100%. MNS consistently disrupted preformed colonies in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. MNS had similar effects on human osteoblasts but little effect on airway epithelial cells. An inactive analog of MNS had no detectable effects, demonstrating specificity. MNS decreases motility and colony formation of osteosarcoma cells and disrupts preformed cell colonies, while producing little effect on pulmonary epithelial cells.
Quantitative Analysis and Efficient Surface Modification of Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Jung Hak-Sung , Moon Doo-Sik , Lee Jin-Kyu
Published: June 2012

Aminofunctional trialkoxysilanes such as aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) and (3‐trimethoxysilylpropyl)diethylenetriamine (DETAS) were employed as a surface modification molecule for generating monolayer modification on the surface of silica (SiO2) nanoparticles. We were able to quantitatively analyze the number of amine functional groups on the modified SiO2 nanoparticles by acid‐base back titration method and determine the effective number of amine functional groups for the successive chemical reaction by absorption measurements after treating with fluorescent rhodamine B isothiocyanate (RITC) molecules. The numbers of amine sites measured by back titration were 2.7 and 7.7 ea/nm2 for SiO2‐APTMS and SiO2‐DETAS, respectively, while the numbers of effective amine sites measured by absorption calibration were about one fifth of the total amine sites, namely, 0.44 and 1.3 ea/nm2 for SiO2‐APTMS(RITC) and SiO2‐DETAS(RITC), respectively. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the reactivity of amino groups on the surface‐modified silica nanoparticles could be maintained in ethanol for more than 1.5 months without showing any significant differences in the reactivity.
Induction Therapy and Stem Cell Mobilization in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Ria Roberto , Reale Antonia , Solimando Antonio Giovanni , Mangialardi Giuseppe , Moschetta Michele , Gelao Lucia , Iodice Giuseppe , Vacca Angelo
Published: June 2012

Autologous stem cell transplantation(ASCT) is considered the standard therapy for younger patients with newly diagnosed symptomaticmultiple myeloma(MM). The introduction into clinical practice of novel agents, such as the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and theimmunomodulatory derivatives(IMiDs) thalidomide and lenalidomide, has significantly contributed to major advances in MM therapy and prognosis. These novel agents are incorporated into induction regimens to enhance the depth of response before ASCT and further improve post-ASCT outcomes. Between January 2000 and November 2011, 65 patients with MM were transplanted in the Department of Biomedical Science and Clinical Oncology at the University of Bari. According to Durie-Salmon, 60 patients had stage III of disease and 5 stage II. Only 7 patients were in stage B (renal failure). Induction regimens that were administered in two or more cycles were VAD (vincristine, adriamycin, and dexamethasone), Thal-Dex (thalidomide, dexamethasone), Len-Dex (lenalidomide, dexamethasone), Vel-Dex (bortezomib, dexamethasone), VTD (bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone), and PAD (bortezomib, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, and dexamethasone). In mobilization procedure, the patients received cyclophosphamide andgranulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF). The number of cells collected through two or more leukapheresess, response after induction, and toxicity were evaluated to define the more adequate up-front induction regimen in transplantation-eligible MM patients.
Acute Respiratory Distress in Patient with Laryngeal Schwannoma
Authors: Mannarini Laura , Morbini Patrizia , Bertino Giulia , Gatti Omar , Benazzo Marco
Published: June 2012

Schwannoma is a neurogenic benign tumour arising from the proliferation of Schwann cells present in the peripheral nerve sheath of myelinated nerves. This proliferation can hypothetically appear in every anatomic region of the human body, but the nerve sheath tumors rarely occur within the larynx. In this paper the authors discuss the case of a 74-year-old female who presented to Emergency Unit (EU) for an important acute respiratory distress. Airway flexible endoscopy revealed a bulky mass of the aryepiglottic fold measuring 3.5 cm in diameter. The patient underwent tracheotomy and a single-step surgical excision treatment of the mass which was recognized as a schwannoma at pathological examination. Tracheotomy was closed 2 weeks postoperatively. After 18 months of followup, the patient is alive and free of disease and her voice had improved markedly.
Bifunctional Silica‐Coated Superparamagnetic FePt Nanoparticles for Fluorescence/MR Dual Imaging
Authors: Lai Syu-Ming , Tsai Tsiao-Yu , Hsu Chia-Yen , Tsai Jai-Lin , Liao Ming-Yuan , Lai Ping-Shan
Published: June 2012

Recently, superparamagnetic chemically disordered face‐centered cubic (fcc) FePt nanoparticles have been demonstrated as superior negative contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, their low intracellular labeling efficiency has limited the potential usage and the nanotoxicity of the particles requires attention. We have developed fluorescein isothiocyanate‐incorporated silica‐coated FePt (FePt@SiO2‐FITC) nanoparticles that exhibited not only a significant T1 and T2 MR contrast abilities but also a fluorescent property without significant cytotoxicities. These results suggest that silica‐coated superparamagnetic FePt nanoparticles are potential nanodevices for the combination of fluorescence and MRI contrast used for cancer diagnosis.
T Cells in Gastric Cancer: Friends or Foes
Authors: Amedei Amedeo , Della Bella Chiara , Silvestri Elena , Prisco Domenico , D'Elios Mario M.
Published: June 2012

Gastric cancer is the second cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.Helicobacter pyloriis the major risk factor for gastric cancer. As for any type of cancer, T cells are crucial for recognition and elimination of gastric tumor cells. Unfortunately T cells, instead of protecting from the onset of cancer, can contribute to oncogenesis. Herein we review the different types, “friend or foe”, of T-cell response in gastric cancer.
Continuity of the Solution Maps for Generalized Parametric Set‐Valued Ky Fan Inequality Problems
Authors: Peng Z. Y. , Li X. B.
Published: June 2012

Under new assumptions, we provide suffcient conditions for the (upper and lower) semicontinuity and continuity of the solution mappings to a class of generalized parametric set‐valued Ky Fan inequality problems in linear metric space. These results extend and improve some known results in the literature (e.g., Gong, 2008; Gong and Yoa, 2008; Chen and Gong, 2010; Li and Fang, 2010). Some examples are given to illustrate our results.
Relationship between Blood Stasis Syndrome Score and Cardioankle Vascular Index in Stroke Patients
Authors: Cho Ki-Ho , Kim Kyoo-Pil , Woo Byung-Cheol , Kim Young-Jee , Park Joo-Young , Cho Seung-Yeon , Park Seong-Uk , Jung Woo-Sang , Park Jung-Mi , Moon Sang-Kwan
Published: June 2012

Blood stasis syndrome (BSS) in traditional Asian medicine has been considered to correlate with the extent of atherosclerosis, which can be estimated using the cardioankle vascular index (CAVI). Here, the diagnostic utility of CAVI in predicting BSS was examined. The BSS scores and CAVI were measured in 140 stroke patients and evaluated with respect to stroke risk factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the diagnostic accuracy of CAVI for the diagnosis of BSS. The BSS scores correlated significantly with CAVI, age, and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that CAVI was a significant associate factor for BSS (OR 1.55,P=0.032) after adjusting for the age and SBP. The ROC curve showed that CAVI and age provided moderate diagnostic accuracy for BSS (area under the ROC curve (AUC) for CAVI, 0.703,P<0.001; AUC for age, 0.692,P=0.001). The AUC of the “CAVI+Age,” which was calculated by combining CAVI with age, showed better accuracy (0.759,P<0.0001) than those of CAVI or age. The present study suggests that the CAVI combined with age can clinically serve as an objective tool to diagnose BSS in stroke patients.
Early Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy: Are the Viruses to Blame?
Authors: Aggarwal Ashim , Pyle Joseph , Hamilton John , Bhat Geetha
Published: June 2012

This paper describes a case of early (7 months after transplant) cardiac allograft vasculopathy. This-43-year-old (CMV positive, EBV negative) female patient underwent an orthotopic heart transplant with a (CMV negative, EBV positive) donor heart. She had a history of herpes zoster infection and postherpetic neuralgia in the past. The patient’s panel reactive antibodies had been almost undetectable on routine surveillance testing, and her surveillance endomyocardial biopsies apart from a few episodes of mild-to-moderate acute cellular rejection (treated adequately with steroids) never showed any evidence of humoral rejection. The postoperative course was complicated by multiple admissions for upper respiratory symptoms, and the patient tested positive for entero, rhino, and coronaviruses serologies. During her last admission (seven months postoperatively) the patient developed mild left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 40%. The patient’s endomyocardial biopsy done at that time revealed concentric intimal proliferation and inflammation resulting in near-total luminal occlusion in the epicardial and the intramyocardial coronary vessels, suggestive of graft vasculopathy with no evidence of rejection, and the patient had a fatal ventricular arrhythmia.
Detection of Acute Pulmonary Embolism by Bedside Ultrasound in a Patient Presenting in PEA Arrest: A Case Report
Authors: Chung-Esaki Hangyul , Knight Roneesha , Noble Jeanne , Wang Ralph , Coralic Zlatan
Published: June 2012

Optimal management of the critically ill patient in shock requires rapid identification of its etiology. We describe a successful application of an emergency physician performed bedside ultrasound in a patient presenting with shock and subsequent cardiac arrest. Pulmonary embolus was diagnosed using bedside echocardiogram and confirmed with CTA of the thorax. Further validation and real-time implementation of this low-cost modality could facilitate the decision to implement thrombolytics for unstable patients with massive pulmonary embolism who cannot undergo formal radiographic evaluation.
Silicon Nanoscale Materials: From Theoretical Simulations to Photonic Applications
Authors: Khriachtchev Leonid , Ossicini Stefano , Iacona Fabio , Gourbilleau Fabrice
Published: June 2012

The combination of photonics and silicon technology is a great challenge because of the potentiality of coupling electronics and optical functions on a single chip. Silicon nanocrystals are promising in various areas of photonics especially for light-emitting functionality and for photovoltaic cells. This review describes the recent achievements and remaining challenges of Si photonics with emphasis on the perspectives of Si nanoscale materials. Many of the results and properties can be simulated and understood based on theoretical studies. However, some of the key questions like the light-emitting mechanism are subjects of intense debates despite a remarkable progress in the recent years. Even more complex and important is to move the known experimental observations towards practical applications. The demonstrated devices and approaches are often too complex and/or have too low efficiency. However, the challenge to combine optical and electrical functions on a chip is very strong, and we expect more research activity in the field of Si nanophotonics in the future.
Automated Tongue Feature Extraction for ZHENG Classification in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Kanawong Ratchadaporn , Obafemi-Ajayi Tayo , Ma Tao , Xu Dong , Li Shao , Duan Ye
Published: June 2012

ZHENG, Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome, is an integral and essential part of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory. It defines the theoretical abstraction of the symptom profiles of individual patients and thus, used as a guideline in disease classification in Chinese medicine. For example, patients suffering from gastritis may be classified as Cold or Hot ZHENG, whereas patients with different diseases may be classified under the same ZHENG. Tongue appearance is a valuable diagnostic tool for determining ZHENG in patients. In this paper, we explore new modalities for the clinical characterization of ZHENG using various supervised machine learning algorithms. We propose a novel-color-space-based feature set, which can be extracted from tongue images of clinical patients to build an automated ZHENG classification system. Given that Chinese medical practitioners usually observe the tongue color and coating to determine a ZHENG type and to diagnose different stomach disorders including gastritis, we propose using machine-learning techniques to establish the relationship between the tongue image features and ZHENG by learning through examples. The experimental results obtained over a set of 263 gastritis patients, most of whom suffering Cold Zheng or Hot ZHENG, and a control group of 48 healthy volunteers demonstrate an excellent performance of our proposed system.
Assessment of Pulmonary Fibrogenic Potential of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes in Human Lung Cells
Authors: Mishra Anurag , Rojanasakul Yon , Chen Bean T. , Castranova Vincent , Mercer Robert R. , Wang Liying
Published: June 2012

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes have been shown to possess unusual fibrogenic activity in vivo and are currently the focus of intense toxicological investigations. This study further determines the fibrogenic potential of well‐dispersed MWCNT in human lung cell culture models and to develop a novel platform for understanding the cellular mechanisms of MWCNT‐induced lung fibrosis. Survanta, a natural lung surfactant, showed effectiveness in dispersing agglomerates of MWCNT to fine structures similar in size to aerosolized one. At relevant low doses (0.002–0.2 μg/cm2), MWCNT exhibited a dose‐dependent bio‐effect on the human lung epithelial cells which is more pronounced in dispersed‐MWCNT compared to non‐dispersed form. Significantly elevated levels of fibrogenic mediators, such as transforming growth factor‐β1 and matrix metalloprotienases‐9 were observed in the dispersed‐MWCNT treated lung epithelial cells. Based on previous in vivo studies showing that dispersed‐MWCNT penetrated the interstitium and caused rapid interstitial fibrosis, we evaluated the potential direct interaction between lung fibroblasts and MWCNT. Direct stimulation of human lung fibroblast cell proliferation, collagen expression and fibroblast growth factor‐2 were observed which suggests novel mechanisms of MWCNT‐induced lung fibrosis. Our results indicate that the dispersion status of MWCNT determines their fibrogenic activity which is consistent with in vivo findings.
Effect of Fullerene Derivates on Thermal and Crystallization Behavior of PBT/Decylamine‐C60 and PBT/TCNEO‐C60 Nanocomposites
Authors: Woźniak-Braszak A. , Jurga K. , Jurga J. , Baranowski M. , Grzesiak W. , Brycki B. , Hołderna-Natkaniec K.
Published: June 2012

The paper describes the process of the preparation of new nanocomposites based on poly(butylene terephthalate) and C60 nanoparticles modified by decylamine (DA) and tetracyanoethylene oxide (TCNEO), respectively. Thermal and crystallization properties of new synthesized nanocomposites were investigated by means of thermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The experimental results demonstrate the effect of fullerene derivates, DA‐C60 and TCNEO‐C60, on the melting and crystallinity processes of nanocomposites. The morphology of new nanocomposites was investigated by SEM.