bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patellar ligament rupture in an adolescent
Authors: Albuquerque Rodrigo Sattamini Pires e , Araújo Gabriel Costa Serrão de , Labronici Pedro José , Gameiro Vinícius Schott
Published: March 2015

Rupture of the patellar tendon is a well-known injury in the orthopaedic literature. However, it is unusual and rarely reported in adolescent children. On the one hand, in the immature skeleton, the most frequent lesion above the kneecap is the sleeve fracture. On the other hand, in the distal region, avulsion of the tibial tuberosity is more common. Patellar tendon rupture in an adolescent is a rare lesion. We report a case in which an adolescent sustained a fall when jumping. No predisposing factors have been found. The injury was treated with surgical repair with transosseous suturing and reinforcement with semitendinosus tendon. The aim of this study is to present a case of traumatic rupture of the extensor mechanism of the knee in an adolescent and the therapy used.
Infantile osteopetrosis associated with osteomyelitis
Authors: Machado Cintia de Vasconcellos , Siquara da Rocha Maria Celina Barreiros , Telles Paloma Dias da Silva
Published: March 2015

Osteopetrosis is a rare inherited disorder characterised by the inability to reabsorb and remodel bone due to an osteoclast dysfunction. An increase in bone mass and density results in severe skeletal malformation and bone marrow failure, which may be fatal. The aim of this study was to report a case of infantile osteopetrosis in a 6-year-old boy, who primarily complained of dental problems. The patient developed an osteomyelitis after a primary tooth extraction. We also reviewed the literature about this genetic bone disease, since the management of dental problems of these patients can be a challenge to the dentist. The diagnosis, clinical and radiographic features and treatment of the case were discussed in this work.
Lameness in cattle 1. Recent research to inform clinical practice
Authors: Maxwell Oliver , Miguel‐Pacheco Giuliana , Newsome Reuben , Randall Laura , Remnant John , Thomas Hettie , Huxley Jon
Published: March 2015

Lameness in cattle has significant consequences for welfare, health and productivity. More research is now being done on lameness and this article, the first in a two‐part series, provides an update on research‐based advances in the field published from around the world over the past five years. These developments have improved our understanding of lameness in cattle and can inform clinical practice and the control of lameness on‐farm. The second article, to be published in a subsequent issue of In Practice, will cover the understanding and management of claw health and claw horn lesions.
Fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis; a persistent problem: a large longitudinal study
Authors: van Steenbergen Hanna W , Tsonaka Roula , Huizinga Tom W J , Boonen Annelies , van der Helm-van Mil Annette H M
Published: March 2015

Objective

Fatigue is prevalent and disabling in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Surprisingly, the long-term course of fatigue is studied seldom and it is unclear to what extent it is influenced by inflammation. This study aimed to determine the course of fatigue during 8 years follow-up, its association with the severity of inflammation and the effect of improved treatment strategies.

Methods

626 patients with RA included in the Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic cohort were studied during 8 years. Fatigue severity, measured on a 0–100 mm scale, and other clinical variables were assessed yearly. Patients included in 1993–1995, 1996–1998 and 1999–2007 were treated with delayed treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), early treatment with mild DMARDs and early treatment with methotrexate respectively. After multiple imputation, the serial measurements were analysed using linear quantile mixed models.

Results

Median fatigue severity at baseline was 45 mm and remained, despite treatment, rather stable thereafter. Female gender (effect size=4.4 mm), younger age (0.2 mm less fatigue/year), higher swollen and tender joint counts (0.3 mm and 1.0 mm more fatigue/swollen or tender joint) and C reactive protein-levels (0.1 mm more fatigue per mg/L) were independently and significantly (p<0.05) associated with fatigue severity over 8 years. Although improved treatment strategies associated with less severe radiographic progression, there was no effect on fatigue severity (p=0.96).

Conclusions

This largest longitudinal study on fatigue so far demonstrated that the association between inflammation and fatigue is statistically significant but effect sizes are small, suggesting that non-inflammatory pathways mediate fatigue as well. Improved treatment strategies did not result in less severe fatigue. Therefore, fatigue in RA remains an ‘unmet need’.
Non-Born–Oppenheimer stereodynamics study for the D+ + H2 (v, j = 0) reaction using coherent switching with decay of mixing method
Authors: Cheng Dahai , Yuan Jiuchuang , Chen Maodu
Published: March 2015

A non-Born–Oppenheimer (BO) investigation using coherent switching with decay of mixing method is carried out for both reactive non-charge transfer and charge transfer channels of reaction D+ + H2 (v, j = 0). For the non-charge transfer channel, it is found that the non-BO effect has a small influence on the differential cross section, but it has a large impact on the rotational polarization of the HD product, which is reflected by the joint distribution P(θr, ϕr). And it is also found that the polarization of the charge transfer products shows a quite different form. The rotational polarizations are also investigated at various collision energies and initial vibrational states for both reactive channels.
Mesenteric artery responsiveness to acetylcholine and phenylephrine in cirrhotic rats challenged with endotoxin: the role of TLR4
Authors: Ostadhadi Sattar , Rezayat Seyed-Mahdi , Ejtemaei-Mehr Shahram , Tavangar Seyed-Mohammad , Nikoui Vahid , Jazaeri Farahnaz , Eftekhari Golnar , Abdollahi Alireza , Dehpour Ahmad-Reza
Published: March 2015

Cirrhosis is associated with vascular dysfunction and endotoxemia. These experiments were designed to investigate the hypothesis that the administration of a low-dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) worsens vascular dysfunction in rats subjected to bile-duct ligation (BDL), and to determine whether LPS initiates changes in vascular Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression. Four weeks after BDL, the animals were given an intraperitoneal injection of either saline or LPS (1.0 mg/kg body mass). Three hours later, the superior mesenteric artery was isolated, perfused, and then subjected to the vasoconstriction and vasodilatation effects of phenylephrine and acetylcholine, respectively. Our results show that phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction decreased in the cirrhotic vascular bed (BDL rats) compared with the vascular bed of the sham-operated animals, and that the LPS injections in the cirrhotic (BDL) rats worsened this response. LPS injection administered to the sham-operated animals had no such effect. On the other hand, both the BDL procedure and the LPS injection increased acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation, but LPS administration to the BDL rats had no effect on this response. The mRNA levels of TLR4 did not change, but immunohistochemical studies showed that TLR4 localization switched from the endothelium to vascular smooth muscle cells following chronic BDL. In conclusion, acute endotoxemia in cirrhotic rats is associated with hyporesponsiveness to phenylephrine and tolerance to the effects of acetylcholine. Altered localization of TLR4 may be responsible for these effects.
The possible strangeness dibaryon states in a chiral quark model
Authors: Dai L. R. , Yuan L. , Zheng N. , Kang X. S. , Yuan S. L. , Zhang D.
Published: March 2015

Considering the mixing of scalar mesons, the ΩΩ and Ξ*Ω systems are dynamically investigated within the framework of the chiral SU(3) quark model by solving the resonating group method (RGM) equation. The model parameters are taken from our previous work, which gave a good description of the energies of the baryon ground states, the binding energy of deuteron, and the experimental data of the nucleon–nucleon (NN) and nucleon–hyperon (NY) scattering processes. Two different mixing cases, one is the ideal mixing and another is 19° mixing, are discussed. The results show that no matter what kind of mixing is adopted, the ΩΩ and Ξ*Ω systems are still bound states. It is also shown that they are deeply bound if 19° mixing is adopted.
Stability of thin-shell wormholes from noncommutative BTZ black hole
Authors: Bhar Piyali , Banerjee Ayan
Published: March 2015

In this paper, we construct thin-shell wormholes in (2 + 1)-dimensions from noncommutative BTZ black hole by applying the cut-and-paste procedure implemented by Visser. We calculate the surface stresses localized at the wormhole throat by using the Darmois–Israel formalism and we find that the wormholes are supported by matter violating the energy conditions. In order to explore the dynamical analysis of the wormhole throat, we consider that the matter at the shell is supported by dark energy equation of state (EoS) p = ωρ with ω < 0. The stability analysis is carried out of these wormholes to linearized spherically symmetric perturbations around static solutions. Preserving the symmetry we also consider the linearized radial perturbation around static solution to investigate the stability of wormholes which was explored by the parameter β (speed of sound).
An alternative classical force of gravitation in order to explain the velocity curve of spiral galaxies
Authors: Guiot E.
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this work is to investigate an alternative to modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND), in order to explain the rotation curve of galaxies without dark matter hypothesis, and with respect for classical physics. Our hypothesis is that the force of gravitation, in the case of large distances and under certain conditions, possesses a tangential component. We show that the force of gravitation we obtain is compatible with observational data, such as "flat" curve of rotation and the conic trajectories of the stars.
Lipschitz functions on the infinite-dimensional torus
Authors: Faifman Dmitry , Klartag Bo’az
Published: March 2015

We discuss the spectrum phenomenon for Lipschitz functions on the infinite-dimensional torus. Suppose that [Formula: see text] is a measurable, real-valued, Lipschitz function on the torus [Formula: see text]. We prove that there exists a number [Formula: see text] with the following property: For any [Formula: see text], there exists a parallel, infinite-dimensional subtorus [Formula: see text] such that the restriction of the function [Formula: see text] to the subtorus [Formula: see text] has an [Formula: see text]-norm of at most [Formula: see text].
Multiplicity results for a class of asymptotically p-linear equations on ℝN
Authors: Bartolo Rossella , Candela Anna Maria , Salvatore Addolorata
Published: March 2015

The aim of this paper is investigating the multiplicity of weak solutions of the quasilinear elliptic equation [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], the nonlinearity [Formula: see text] behaves as [Formula: see text] at infinity and [Formula: see text] is a potential satisfying suitable assumptions so that an embedding theorem for weighted Sobolev spaces holds. Both the non-resonant and resonant cases are analyzed.
Projectivity of reflexive modules over regular rings
Authors: Jothilingam P. , Duraivel T.
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this paper is to examine the freeness of nonzero reflexive modules M and N over a regular local ring R, under the condition [Formula: see text] is zero.
Stone Age archaeological sites and environmental changes during the Holocene in the NW region of Russia
Authors: Kulkova Marianna , Mazurkevich Andrey , Gerasimov Dmitry
Published: March 2015

The region of NW Russia connecting with the Baltic Sea presents a dynamic ecological system that was sensitive to environmental changes during the Holocene. Certain factors affected environmental changes in the region during the Holocene: deglaciation processes, that finally terminated about 9 cal ka BP; eustatic sea-level changes; and tectonic movements, which are basically considered in the region as isostatic uplift processes. Contextual remains of ancient human occupation sites can be the only evidence of surface stabilization in monotonous sediments, such as aquatic and subaquatic deposits. Prehistoric settlements also mark ancient shorelines. The latter is of great importance for studying the history of water oscillations and coastal-line displacements on the territory of NW Russia. The transgressive–regressive stages of the Baltic Sea (at
c.
10.15 cal ka BP, the Ancylus transgression; at
c.
7.6–7.0 cal ka BP, the Littorina transgression) have an impact on the positions of prehistorical sites. The complex investigations of the Stone Age archaeological settlements on the Karelian Isthmus and in the Dvina–Lovat’ basin, and their altitudes below sea level, allowed us to reconstruct palaeoenvironmental changes during the Holocene, the chronology of cultural–historical processes and the adaptation strategy of ancient people to environmental conditions in this territory.
Noggin inhibits hypoxia-induced proliferation by targeting store-operated calcium entry and transient receptor potential cation channels
Authors: Yang Kai , Lu Wenju , Jia Jing , Zhang Jie , Zhao Mingming , Wang Sabrina , Jiang Haiyang , Xu Lei , Wang Jian
Published: March 2015

Abnormally elevated bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) expression and mediated signaling play a critical role in the pathogenesis of chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (CHPH). In this study, we investigated the expression level and functional significance of four reported naturally occurring BMP4 antagonists, noggin, follistatin, gremlin1, and matrix gla protein (MGP), in the lung and distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC). A 21-day chronic hypoxic (10% O2) exposure rat model was utilized, which has been previously shown to successfully establish experimental CHPH. Among the four antagonists, noggin, but not the other three, was selectively downregulated by hypoxic exposure in both the lung tissue and PASMC, in correlation with markedly elevated BMP4 expression, suggesting that the loss of noggin might account for the hypoxia-triggered BMP4 signaling transduction. Then, by using treatment of extrogenous recombinant noggin protein, we further found that noggin significantly normalized 1) BMP4-induced phosphorylation of cellular p38 and ERK1/2; 2) BMP4-induced phosphorylation of cellular JAK2 and STAT3; 3) hypoxia-induced PASMC proliferation; 4) hypoxia-induced store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), and 5) hypoxia-increased expression of transient receptor potential cation channels (TRPC1 and TRPC6) in PASMC. In combination, these data strongly indicated that the hypoxia-suppressed noggin accounts, at least partially, for hypoxia-induced excessive PASMC proliferation, while restoration of noggin may be an effective way to inhibit cell proliferation by suppressing SOCE and TRPC expression.
Lens ion homeostasis relies on the assembly and/or stability of large connexin 46 gap junction plaques on the broad sides of differentiating fiber cells
Authors: Cheng Catherine , Nowak Roberta B. , Gao Junyuan , Sun Xiurong , Biswas Sondip K. , Lo Woo-Kuen , Mathias Richard T. , Fowler Velia M.
Published: March 2015

The eye lens consists of layers of tightly packed fiber cells, forming a transparent and avascular organ that is important for focusing light onto the retina. A microcirculation system, facilitated by a network of gap junction channels composed of connexins 46 and 50 (Cx46 and Cx50), is hypothesized to maintain and nourish lens fiber cells. We measured lens impedance in mice lacking tropomodulin 1 (Tmod1, an actin pointed-end capping protein), CP49 (a lens-specific intermediate filament protein), or both Tmod1 and CP49. We were surprised to find that simultaneous loss of Tmod1 and CP49, which disrupts cytoskeletal networks in lens fiber cells, results in increased gap junction coupling resistance, hydrostatic pressure, and sodium concentration. Protein levels of Cx46 and Cx50 in Tmod1−/−; CP49−/− double-knockout (DKO) lenses were unchanged, and electron microscopy revealed normal gap junctions. However, immunostaining and quantitative analysis of three-dimensional confocal images showed that Cx46 gap junction plaques are smaller and more dispersed in DKO differentiating fiber cells. The localization and sizes of Cx50 gap junction plaques in DKO fibers were unaffected, suggesting that Cx46 and Cx50 form homomeric channels. We also demonstrate that gap junction plaques rest in lacunae of the membrane-associated actin-spectrin network, suggesting that disruption of the actin-spectrin network in DKO fibers may interfere with gap junction plaque accretion into micrometer-sized domains or alter the stability of large plaques. This is the first work to reveal that normal gap junction plaque localization and size are associated with normal lens coupling conductance.
N-Acetyl-Seryl-Aspartyl-Lysyl-Proline: mechanisms of renal protection in mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Liao Tang-Dong , Nakagawa Pablo , Janic Branislava , D'Ambrosio Martin , Worou Morel E. , Peterson Edward L. , Rhaleb Nour-Eddine , Yang Xiao-Ping , Carretero Oscar A.
Published: March 2015

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease characterized by the development of auto antibodies against a variety of self-antigens and deposition of immune complexes that lead to inflammation, fibrosis, and end-organ damage. Up to 60% of lupus patients develop nephritis and renal dysfunction leading to kidney failure. N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline, i.e., Ac-SDKP, is a natural tetrapeptide that in hypertension prevents inflammation and fibrosis in heart, kidney, and vasculature. In experimental autoimmune myocarditis, Ac-SDKP prevents cardiac dysfunction by decreasing innate and adaptive immunity. It has also been reported that Ac-SDKP ameliorates lupus nephritis in mice. We hypothesize that Ac-SDKP prevents lupus nephritis in mice by decreasing complement C5-9, proinflammatory cytokines, and immune cell infiltration. Lupus mice treated with Ac-SDKP for 20 wk had significantly lower renal levels of macrophage and T cell infiltration and proinflammatory chemokine/cytokines. In addition, our data demonstrate for the first time that in lupus mouse Ac-SDKP prevented the increase in complement C5-9, RANTES, MCP-5, and ICAM-1 kidney expression and it prevented the decline of glomerular filtration rate. Ac-SDKP-treated lupus mice had a significant improvement in renal function and lower levels of glomerular damage. Ac-SDKP had no effect on the production of autoantibodies. The protective Ac-SDKP effect is most likely achieved by targeting the expression of proinflammatory chemokines/cytokines, ICAM-1, and immune cell infiltration in the kidney, either directly or via C5-9 proinflammatory arm of complement system.
Transformation of spatial sensitivity along the ascending auditory pathway
Authors: Yao Justin D. , Bremen Peter , Middlebrooks John C.
Published: March 2015

Locations of sounds are computed in the central auditory pathway based primarily on differences in sound level and timing at the two ears. In rats, the results of that computation appear in the primary auditory cortex (A1) as exclusively contralateral hemifield spatial sensitivity, with strong responses to sounds contralateral to the recording site, sharp cutoffs across the midline, and weak, sound-level-tolerant responses to ipsilateral sounds. We surveyed the auditory pathway in anesthetized rats to identify the brain level(s) at which level-tolerant spatial sensitivity arises. Noise-burst stimuli were varied in horizontal sound location and in sound level. Neurons in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICc) displayed contralateral tuning at low sound levels, but tuning was degraded at successively higher sound levels. In contrast, neurons in the nucleus of the brachium of the inferior colliculus (BIN) showed sharp, level-tolerant spatial sensitivity. The ventral division of the medial geniculate body (MGBv) contained two discrete neural populations, one showing broad sensitivity like the ICc and one showing sharp sensitivity like A1. Dorsal, medial, and shell regions of the MGB showed fairly sharp spatial sensitivity, likely reflecting inputs from A1 and/or the BIN. The results demonstrate two parallel brainstem pathways for spatial hearing. The tectal pathway, in which sharp, level-tolerant spatial sensitivity arises between ICc and BIN, projects to the superior colliculus and could support reflexive orientation to sounds. The lemniscal pathway, in which such sensitivity arises between ICc and the MGBv, projects to the forebrain to support perception of sound location.
Immune Centroids Oversampling Method for Binary Classification
Authors: Ai Xusheng , Wu Jian , Sheng Victor S. , Zhao Pengpeng , Cui Zhiming
Published: March 2015

To improve the classification performance of imbalanced learning, a novel oversampling method, immune centroids oversampling technique (ICOTE) based on an immune network, is proposed. ICOTE generates a set of immune centroids to broaden the decision regions of the minority class space. The representative immune centroids are regarded as synthetic examples in order to resolve the imbalance problem. We utilize an artificial immune network to generate synthetic examples on clusters with high data densities, which can address the problem of synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE), which lacks reflection on groups of training examples. Meanwhile, we further improve the performance of ICOTE via integrating ENN with ICOTE, that is, ICOTE + ENN. ENN disposes the majority class examples that invade the minority class space, so ICOTE + ENN favors the separation of both classes. Our comprehensive experimental results show that two proposed oversampling methods can achieve better performance than the renowned resampling methods.
Regulation of Hyaluronan Synthesis in Vascular Diseases and Diabetes
Authors: Moretto Paola , Karousou Evgenia , Viola Manuela , Caon Ilaria , D’Angelo Maria Luisa , De Luca Giancarlo , Passi Alberto , Vigetti Davide
Published: March 2015

Cell microenvironment has a critical role determining cell fate and modulating cell responses to injuries. Hyaluronan (HA) is a ubiquitous extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan that can be considered a signaling molecule. In fact, interacting with several cell surface receptors can deeply shape cell behavior. In vascular biology, HA triggers smooth muscle cells (SMCs) dedifferentiation which contributes to vessel wall thickening. Furthermore, HA is able to modulate inflammation by altering the adhesive properties of endothelial cells. In hyperglycemic conditions, HA accumulates in vessels and can contribute to the diabetic complications at micro- and macrovasculature. Due to the pivotal role in favoring atherogenesis and neointima formation after injuries, HA could be a new target for cardiovascular pathologies. This review will focus on the recent findings regarding the regulation of HA synthesis in human vascular SMCs. In particular, the effects of the intracellular HA substrates availability, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and protein O-GlcNAcylation on the main HA synthetic enzyme (i.e., HAS2) will be discussed.
Comprehensive Analysis of Transcriptome Sequencing Data in the Lung Tissues of COPD Subjects
Authors: Kim Woo Jin , Lim Jae Hyun , Lee Jae Seung , Lee Sang-Do , Kim Ju Han , Oh Yeon-Mok
Published: March 2015

Background and Objectives.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex disease characterized by airflow limitation. Although airway inflammation and oxidative stress are known to be important in the pathogenesis of COPD, the mechanism underlying airflow obstruction is not fully understood. Gene expression profiling of lung tissue was performed to define the molecular pathways that are dysregulated in COPD.Methods.RNA was isolated from lung tissues obtained from 98 subjects with COPD and 91 control subjects with normal spirometry. The RNA samples were processed with RNA-seq using the HiSeq 2000 system. Genes expressed differentially between the two groups were identified using Student’st-test.Results.After filtering for genes with zero counts and noncoding genes, 16,676 genes were evaluated. A total of 2312 genes were differentially expressed between the lung tissues of COPD and control subjects (false discovery rate correctedq<0.01). The expression of genes related to oxidative phosphorylation and protein catabolism was reduced and genes related to chromatin modification were dysregulated in lung tissues of COPD subjects.Conclusions. Oxidative phosphorylation, protein degradation, and chromatin modification were the most dysregulated pathways in the lung tissues of COPD subjects. These findings may have clinical and mechanistic implications in COPD.
On Some Transverse Geometrical Structures of Lifted Foliation to Its Conormal Bundle
Authors: Ida Cristian , Oană Alexandru
Published: March 2015

We consider the lift of a foliation to its conormal bundle and some transverse geometrical structures associated with this foliation are studied. We introduce a good vertical connection on the conormal bundle and, moreover, if the conormal bundle is endowed with a transversal Cartan metric, we obtain that the lifted foliation to its conormal bundle is a Riemannian one. Also, some transversally framed f(3,  ε)‐structures of corank 2 on the normal bundle of lifted foliation to its conormal bundle are introduced and an almost (para)contact structure on a transverse Liouville distribution is obtained.
Shape Designing of Engineering Images Using Rational Spline Interpolation
Authors: Sarfraz Muhammad , Ishaq Munaza , Hussain Malik Zawwar
Published: March 2015

In modern days, engineers encounter a remarkable range of different engineering problems like study of structure, structure properties, and designing of different engineering images, for example, automotive images, aerospace industrial images, architectural designs, shipbuilding, and so forth. This paper purposes an interactive curve scheme for designing engineering images. The purposed scheme furnishes object designing not just in the area of engineering, but it is equally useful for other areas including image processing (IP), Computer Graphics (CG), Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE), Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM), and Computer-Aided Design (CAD). As a method, a piecewise rational cubic spline interpolant, with four shape parameters, has been purposed. The method provides effective results together with the effects of derivatives and shape parameters on the shape of the curves in a local and global manner. The spline method, due to its most generalized description, recovers various existing rational spline methods and serves as an alternative to various other methods includingv-splines, gamma splines, weighted splines, and beta splines.
Synthesis and Biological Activity of Arylspiroborate Salts Derived from Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester
Authors: Hébert Martin J. G. , Flewelling Andrew J. , Clark Trevor N. , Levesque Natalie A. , Jean-François Jacques , Surette Marc E. , Gray Christopher A. , Vogels Christopher M. , Touaibia Mohamed , Westcott Stephen A.
Published: March 2015

Two novel boron compounds containing caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) derivatives have been prepared and characterized fully. These new compounds and CAPE have been investigated for potential antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and their ability to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase and whether chelation to boron improves their biological activity. Sodium salt 4 was generally more active than ammonium salt 5 in the biological assays and surpassed the radical scavenging ability of CAPE. Compounds 4 and 5 were more active than CAPE and Zileuton in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. These results clearly show the effectiveness of the synthesized salts as transporter of CAPE.
Metabolomic Analysis of Clinical Plasma from Cerebral Infarction Patients Presenting with Blood Stasis
Authors: Cha Min Ho , Kim Min Jung , Jung Jeeyoun , Kim Jin Hee , Lee Myeong Soo , Kim Myung-Sunny
Published: March 2015

Blood stasis (BS) is characterized as a disorder of blood circulation. In traditional Korean medicine (TKM), it is viewed as a cause factor of diseases such as multiple sclerosis and stroke. This study investigated differences in the plasma metabolites profiles of subjects displaying BS or non-BS patterns. Thirty-one patients with cerebral infarction diagnosed with BS and an equal number of sex- and age-matched non-BS patients were enrolled. Metabolic profiling was performed using UPLC-MS. The ratio of subjects with a rough pulse and purple coloration of the tongue was higher in patients presenting with BS pattern. Through metabolomics analysis, 82 metabolites that differed significantly between the BS and non-BS pattern were identified, and the two groups were significantly separated using an orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis model(P<0.001). Of these 82 metabolites, acetyl carnitine, leucine, kynurenine, phosphocholine, hexanoyl carnitine, and decanoyl carnitine were present in significantly higher levels in patients with a BS pattern than those with a non-BS pattern. Our results also demonstrated that seven plasma metabolites, including acyl-carnitines and kynurenine, were associated with a BS pattern, suggesting that variant plasma metabolic profiles may serve as a biomarker for diagnosis of BS in patients with cerebral infarction.
Abstract Computation in Schizophrenia Detection through Artificial Neural Network Based Systems
Authors: Cardoso L. , Marins F. , Magalhães R. , Marins N. , Oliveira T. , Vicente H. , Abelha A. , Machado J. , Neves J.
Published: March 2015

Schizophrenia stands for a long‐lasting state of mental uncertainty
that may bring to an end the relation among behavior, thought, and emotion; that is, it may lead to unreliable perception, not suitable actions and feelings, and a sense of mental fragmentation. Indeed, its diagnosis is done over a large period of time; continuos signs of the disturbance persist for at least 6 (six) months. Once detected, the psychiatrist diagnosis is made through the clinical interview and a series of psychic tests, addressed mainly to avoid the diagnosis of other mental states or diseases. Undeniably, the main problem with identifying schizophrenia is the difficulty to distinguish its symptoms from those associated to different untidiness or roles. Therefore, this work will focus on the development of a diagnostic support system, in terms of its knowledge representation and reasoning procedures, based on a blended of Logic Programming and Artificial Neural Networks approaches to computing,
taking advantage of a novel approach to knowledge representation and reasoning, which aims to solve the problems associated in the handling (i.e., to stand for and reason) of defective information.
Microwave‐Solvothermal Synthesis of Nanostructured BiOBr with Excellent Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Wu Shuisheng , Dong Qian , Wang Jun , Jia Qingming , Sun Yanlin , Shan Shaoyun , Wang Yaming
Published: March 2015

Novel BiOBr hierarchical microspheres have been successfully prepared via a facile microwave‐assisted solvothermal route and used for visible‐light photocatalytic degradation of RhB. The phase and morphology of the products were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET, and UV‐vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The SEM observations displayed that BiOBr flower‐like nanostructure assembled from nanosheets. The BiOBr flower‐like nanostructure, with a narrow band gap (2.63 eV), shows excellent photocatalytic activity in the degradation of RhB dye under visible‐light, much higher than those of BiOBr nanosheet and P25 photocatalysts.
Comparative Investigation of Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Application in Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Si Jiawen , Dai Jiewen , Zhang Jianjun , Liu Sha , Gu Jing , Shi Jun , Shen Steve G. F. , Guo Lihe
Published: March 2015

Emerging evidence suggests amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) as a promising source of progenitor cells in regenerative medicine and bone tissue engineering. However, investigations comparing the regenerative properties of AECs with other sources of stem cells are particularly needed before the feasibility of AECs in bone tissue engineering can be determined. This study aimed to compare human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs), human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs), and human amniotic fluid derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAFMSCs) in terms of their morphology, proliferation, immunophenotype profile, and osteogenic capacityin vitroandin vivo. Not only greatly distinguished by cell morphology and proliferation, hAECs, hAFMSCs, and hBMSCs exhibited remarkably different signature regarding immunophenotypical profile. Microarray analysis revealed a different expression profile of genes involved in ossification along the three cell sources, highlighting the impact of different anatomical origin and molecular response to osteogenic induction on the final tissue-forming potential. Furthermore, our data indicated a potential role of FOXC2 in early osteogenic commitment.
Similar and Additive Effects of Ovariectomy and Diabetes on Insulin Resistance and Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Tawfik Shady H. , Mahmoud Bothaina F. , Saad Mohamed I. , Shehata Mona , Kamel Maher A. , Helmy Madiha H.
Published: March 2015

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is among the leading causes of death in postmenopausal women. The disruption of ovarian function may contribute to the incidence of T2DM. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ovariectomy and T2DM on glucose and lipid homeostasis, perilipin levels in adipose tissues, as a lipolytic regulator, and levels of certain adipokines. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were used as a model for postmenopausal women. The study was performed on sham, OVX, sham diabetic, and OVX diabetic female rats. The results indicated that ovariectomy alters adipose tissue metabolism through reducing perilipin content in white adipose tissue (WAT); however it has no effect on perilipin level in brown adipose tissue (BAT). OVX diabetic females suffer from serious metabolic disturbances, suggested by exacerbation of insulin resistance in terms of disrupted lipid profile, higher HOMA-IR, hyperinsulinemia, higher leptin, and lower adiponectin concentrations. These metabolic derangements may underlie the predisposition for cardiovascular disease in women after menopause. Therefore, for efficient treatment, the menopausal status of diabetic female should be addressed, and the order of events is of great importance because ovariectomy following development of diabetes has more serious complications compared to development of diabetes as result of menopause.
Fusing Multiscale Charts into 3D ENC Systems Based on Underwater Topography and Remote Sensing Image
Authors: Liu Tao , Zhao De-Peng , Pan Ming-Yang , Bai Kun
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this study is to propose an approach to fuse multiscale charts into three-dimensional (3D) electronic navigational chart (ENC) systems based on underwater topography and remote sensing image. This is the first time that the fusion of multiscale standard ENCs in the 3D ENC system has been studied. First, a view-dependent visualization technology is presented for the determination of the display condition of a chart. Second, a map sheet processing method is described for dealing with the map sheet splice problem. A process order called “3D order” is designed to adapt to the characteristics of the chart. A map sheet clipping process is described to deal with the overlap between the adjacent map sheets. And our strategy for map sheet splice is proposed. Third, the rendering method for ENC objects in the 3D ENC system is introduced. Fourth, our picking-up method for ENC objects is proposed. Finally, we implement the above methods in our system: automotive intelligent chart (AIC) 3D electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS). And our method can handle the fusion problem well.
Interrelation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Neurodegenerative Disease: Role of TNF
Authors: Fischer Roman , Maier Olaf
Published: March 2015

Neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction are common features of chronic neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system. Both conditions can lead to increased oxidative stress by excessive release of harmful reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS), which further promote neuronal damage and subsequent inflammation resulting in a feed-forward loop of neurodegeneration. The cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a master regulator of the immune system, plays an important role in the propagation of inflammation due to the activation and recruitment of immune cells via its receptor TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1). Moreover, TNFR1 can directly induce oxidative stress by the activation of ROS and RNS producing enzymes. Both TNF-induced oxidative stress and inflammation interact and cooperate to promote neurodegeneration. However, TNF plays a dual role in neurodegenerative disease, since stimulation via its second receptor, TNFR2, is neuroprotective and promotes tissue regeneration. Here we review the interrelation of oxidative stress and inflammation in the two major chronic neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and discuss the dual role of TNF in promoting neurodegeneration and tissue regeneration via its two receptors.
Soluble c-Met Is a Reliable and Sensitive Marker to Detect c-Met Expression Level in Lung Cancer
Authors: Lv Huilai , Shan Baoen , Tian Ziqiang , Li Yong , Zhang Yuefeng , Wen Shiwang
Published: March 2015

c-Met has been demonstrated as an attractive target in lung cancer therapy. Current studies showed that detection of c-Met status in tumor is critical in Met-targeted therapy. However not all patients are suitable for tissue sample collection. It is important to discover novel surrogate markers to detect c-Met status. In the study, soluble c-Met (s-Met) in plasma from 146 Chinese lung cancer patients and 40 disease-free volunteers was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent. In parallel, expression of c-Met in those tumors was also assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results showed that, in 146 lung cancer patients, 93 were c-Met expression positive and 74 of 93 were overexpressed. In c-Met-overexpressed patients, plasma s-Met was significantly increased. And further studies showed that plasma s-Met linearly correlated with c-Met expression in tumor. After tumor was removed in Met-overexpressed patients via resection, plasma s-Met significantly decreased to basal level. In addition, plasma s-Met showed to be poorly correlated with tumor size in Met-overexpressed patients. These results demonstrated that plasma s-Met is a sensitive and reliable marker to detect c-Met overexpression in lung cancers, and it is independent of tumor volume.
Validation of an RPHPTLC-Densitometric Method Using Silica Gel 60 RP18WF254for Simultaneous Determination of Nicotinamide in Selected Pharmaceutical Formulations
Authors: Dołowy Małgorzata , Pyka Alina
Published: March 2015

This research study describes the applicability of silica gel 60 RPW18F254plates for the development and validation of new, simple, economic, accurate, and precise RPHPTLC-densitometric method suitable for the quantification of nicotinamide (asVitamin PP) in three marketed preparations. The mobile phase used was methanol-water in volume composition 3 : 7. Detection wavelength was 200 nm. The proposed method was validated according to ICH guidelines and also based on Ferenczi-Fodor and Konieczka reports. Results were found to be linear over a range of 1.00 to 2.00 μg/spot. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.15 μg/spot and 0.45 μg/spot, respectively. The percent content of nicotinamide in the investigated preparations was found to be 99.2% (Product 1), 99.3% (Product 2), and 99.4% (Product 3). Developed method is accurate and precise (CV<3%) and may be successfully applied for the quality control of pharmaceutical formulations containing nicotinamide in the presence of its derivatives, such as N,N-diethylnicotinamide, N-methylnicotinamide, and nicotinic acid.
Regions of Central Configurations in a Symmetric 4 + 1-Body Problem
Authors: Shoaib Muhammad
Published: March 2015

The inverse problem of central configuration of the trapezoidal 5-body problems is investigated. In this 5-body setup, one of the masses is chosen to be stationary at the center of mass of the system and four-point masses are placed on the vertices of an isosceles trapezoid with two equal massesm1=m4at positions∓0.5, rBandm2=m3at positions∓α/2,rA. The regions of central configurations where it is possible to choose positive masses are derived both analytically and numerically. It is also shown that in the complement of these regions no central configurations are possible.
Inhibition of Osteoclast Activation by Phloretin through Disturbingαvβ3 Integrin-c-Src Pathway
Authors: Lee Eun-Jung , Kim Jung-Lye , Gong Ju-Hyun , Park Sin-Hye , Kang Young-Hee
Published: March 2015

This study was to explore the sequential signaling of disorganization of the actin cytoskeletal architecture by phloretin. RAW 264.7 macrophages were incubated with 1–20 μM phloretin for 5 days in the presence of RANKL. C57BL/6 mice were ovariectomized (OVX) and orally treated with 10 mg/kg phloretin once a day for 8 weeks. Phloretin allayed RANKL stimulated formation of actin podosomes with the concomitant retardation of the vinculin activation. Oral administration of phloretin suppressed the induction of femoral gelsolin and vinculin in OVX mice. The RANK-RANKL interaction resulted in theαvβ3 integrin induction, which was demoted by phloretin. The RANKL induction of actin rings and vacuolar-type H+-ATPase entailed Pyk2 phosphorylation and c-Src and c-Cbl induction, all of which were blunted by phloretin. Similar inhibition was also observed in phloretin-exposed OVX mouse femoral bone tissues with decreased trabecular collagen formation. Phloretin suppressed the paxillin induction in RANKL-activated osteoclasts and in OVX epiphyseal bone tissues. Also, phloretin attenuated the Syk phosphorylation and phospholipase Cγinduction by RANKL in osteoclasts. These results suggest that phloretin was an inhibitor of actin podosomes and sealing zone, disruptingαvβ3 integrin-c-Src-Pyk2/Syk signaling pathway for the regulation of actin cytoskeletal organization in osteoclasts.
Exploratory Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of a Topical Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in Psoriasis Vulgaris
Authors: Yan Yuhe , Liu Wali , Andres Philippe , Pernin Colette , Chantalat Laurent , Briantais Philippe , Lin Albert , Feng Lilian
Published: March 2015

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of herbal ointment, Shi Du Ruan Gao, in patients with plaque-type psoriasis.Design. Single-center, randomized, investigator-blinded, parallel group, placebo-controlled study.Participants. One hundred outpatients with mild to moderate chronic plaque-type psoriasis were enrolled.Intervention. The patients applied either Shi Du Ruan Gao ointment or vehicle ointment topically to for 8 weeks.Main Outcome Measures. The outcomes were assessed using the following criteria: Total Severity Score (TSS, sum of erythema, scaling, and plaque elevation/induration, on a 0 to 4 scale), Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) evaluated on a 0 (Clear) to 4 (s to very severe) scale, and Global Subjects’ Assessment of treatment response on a 7-point scale from −1 (worse) to 5 (Cleared).Results. Significant reductions in the Total Severity Score (P<0.001) (mean score: 2.7 after Shi Du Ruan Gao treatment versus 5.1 in control subjects). Both Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) and Global Subjects’ Assessment of treatment are better in the Shi Du Ruan Gao group than the control group (P<0.001).Conclusion. Shi Du Ruan Gao ointment was a safe, and effective therapy for plaque-type psoriasis.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis as First Presentation of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adult
Authors: Nadhem Omar , Nakhla Essam , Smalligan Roger D.
Published: March 2015

A 54-year-old white female with hypothyroidism presented with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. She was found to have diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and admitted to our hospital for treatment. Laboratory workup revealed positive antiglutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies and subsequently she was diagnosed with latent onset autoimmune diabetes in adult (LADA). She was successfully treated with insulin with clinical and laboratory improvement. Diagnosis of LADA has been based on three criteria as given by The Immunology of Diabetes Society: (1) adult age of onset (>30 years of age); (2) presence of at least one circulating autoantibody (GADA/ICA/IAA/IA-2); and (3) initial insulin independence for the first six months. The importance of this case is the unlikely presentation of LADA. We believe that more research is needed to determine the exact proportion of LADA patients who first present with DKA, since similar cases have only been seen in case reports. Adult patients who are obese and have high blood sugar may deserve screening for LADA, especially in the presence of other autoimmune diseases. Those patients once diagnosed with LADA need extensive diabetic education including potentially serious events such as diabetic ketoacidosis.
Mosaicism of Mitochondrial Genetic Variation in Atherosclerotic Lesions of the Human Aorta
Authors: Sazonova Margarita A. , Sinyov Vasily V. , Barinova Valeria A. , Ryzhkova Anastasia I. , Zhelankin Andrey V. , Postnov Anton Y. , Sobenin Igor A. , Bobryshev Yuri V. , Orekhov Alexander N.
Published: March 2015

Objective.The aim of the present study was an analysis of heteroplasmy level in mitochondrial mutations 652delG, A1555G, C3256T, T3336C, 652insG, C5178A, G12315A, G13513A, G14459A, G14846A, and G15059A in normal and affected by atherosclerosis segments of morphologically mapped aortic walls.Methods.We investigated the 265 normal and atherosclerotic tissue sections of 5 human aortas. Intima of every aorta was divided according to morphological characteristics into segments with different types of atherosclerotic lesions: fibrous plaque, lipofibrous plaque, primary atherosclerotic lesion (fatty streak and fatty infiltration), and normal intima from human aorta. PCR-fragments were analyzed by a new original method developed in our laboratory on the basis of pyrosequence technology.Results.According to the obtained data, mutations G12315A and G14459A are significantly associated with total and primary atherosclerotic lesions of intimal segments and lipofibrous plaques (P≤0.01andP≤0.05, accordingly). Mutation C5178A is significantly associated with fibrous plaques and total atherosclerotic lesions(P≤0.01). A1555G mutation shows an antiatherosclerotic effect in primary lesion in lipofibrous plaques(P≤0.05). Meanwhile, G14846A mutation is antiatherogenic for lipofibrous plaques(P≤0.05).Conclusion.Therefore, mutations C5178A, G14459A, G12315A, A1555G, and G14846A were found to be associated with atherosclerotic lesions.