bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chromosomal “Stress-Response” Domains Govern the Spatiotemporal Expression of the Bacterial Virulence Program
Authors: Jiang Xuejiao , Sobetzko Patrick , Nasser William , Reverchon Sylvie , Muskhelishvili Georgi
Published: April 2015

Recent studies strongly suggest that the gene expression sustaining both normal and pathogenic bacterial growth is governed by the structural dynamics of the chromosome. However, the mechanistic device coordinating the chromosomal configuration with selective expression of the adaptive traits remains largely unknown. We used a holistic approach exploring the inherent relationships between the physicochemical properties of the DNA and the expression of adaptive traits, including virulence factors, in the pathogen
Dickeya dadantii
(formerly
Erwinia chrysanthemi
). In the transcriptomes obtained under adverse conditions encountered during bacterial infection, we explored the patterns of chromosomal DNA sequence organization, supercoil dynamics, and gene expression densities, together with the long-range regulatory impacts of the abundant DNA architectural proteins implicated in pathogenicity control. By integrating these data, we identified transient chromosomal domains of coherent gene expression featuring distinct couplings between DNA thermodynamic stability, supercoil dynamics, and virulence traits.

IMPORTANCE
We infer that the organization of transient chromosomal domains serving specific functions acts as a fundamental device for versatile adjustment of the pathogen to environmental stress. We believe that the identification of chromosomal “stress-response” domains harboring distinct virulence traits and mediating the cellular adaptive behavior provides a breakthrough in understanding the control mechanisms of bacterial pathogenicity.
Single Nucleoprotein Residue Modulates Arenavirus Replication Complex Formation
Authors: Knopp Kristeene A. , Ngo Tuan , Gershon Paul D. , Buchmeier Michael J.
Published: April 2015

The
Arenaviridae
are enveloped, negative-sense RNA viruses with several family members that cause hemorrhagic fevers. This work provides immunofluorescence evidence that, unlike those of New World arenaviruses, the replication and transcription complexes (RTC) of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) colocalize with eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and that eIF4E may participate in the translation of LCMV mRNA. Additionally, we identify two residues in the LCMV nucleoprotein (NP) that are conserved in every mammalian arenavirus and are required for recombinant LCMV recovery. One of these sites, Y125, was confirmed to be phosphorylated by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). NP Y125 is located in the N-terminal region of NP that is disordered when RNA is bound. The other site, NP T206, was predicted to be a phosphorylation site. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that NP T206 is required for the formation of the punctate RTC that are typically observed during LCMV infection. A minigenome reporter assay using NP mutants, as well as Northern blot analysis, demonstrated that although NP T206A does not form punctate RTC, it can transcribe and replicate a minigenome. However, in the presence of matrix protein (Z) and glycoprotein (GP), translation of the minigenome message with NP T206A was inhibited, suggesting that punctate RTC formation is required to regulate viral replication. Together, these results highlight a significant difference between New and Old World arenaviruses and demonstrate the importance of RTC formation and translation priming in RTC for Old World arenaviruses.

IMPORTANCE
Several members of the
Arenaviridae
cause hemorrhagic fevers and are classified as category A pathogens. Arenavirus replication-transcription complexes (RTC) are nucleated by the viral nucleoprotein. This study demonstrates that the formation of these complexes is required for virus viability and suggests that RTC nucleation is regulated by the phosphorylation of a single nucleoprotein residue. This work adds to the body of knowledge about how these key viral structures are formed and participate in virus replication. Additionally, the fact that Old World arenavirus complexes colocalize with the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E, while New World arenaviruses do not, is only the second notable difference observed between New and Old World arenaviruses, the first being the difference in the glycoprotein receptor.
Implementation of the partograph in India's JSY cash transfer programme for facility births: a mixed methods study in Madhya Pradesh province
Authors: Chaturvedi Sarika , Upadhyay Sourabh , De Costa Ayesha , Raven Joanna
Published: April 2015

Objectives

To study implementation of partograph use to monitor labour in facilities providing the JSY (Janani Suraksha Yojana) cash transfer programme for facility births in India by determining (1) adherence to partograph use, (2) staff abilities at partograph use and (3) staff responsiveness to the policy on partograph use.

Design

A mixed methods study using Carroll's framework for implementation fidelity. Methods include (1) obstetric case record review, (2) a vignette-based survey among nurse midwives and (3) interviews with staff.

Setting

Routine use of the partograph is recommended to monitor progress of labour in most low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), including India, although currently available evidence in this regard is insufficient. This study was conducted in the context of the highly successful JSY programme in three districts of Madhya Pradesh province.

Participants

73 different level JSY programme facilities participated in the record review, 233 nurse midwives at these facilities participated in the vignette survey and a total of 11 doctors and midwives participated in the interviews.

Results

The partograph was used in 6% of the 1466 records reviewed. The staff obtained a median score of 1.08 (maximum of 10) at competence in plotting a partograph. Three themes emerged from the qualitative data: (1) partographs are used rarely and retrospectively; (2) training does not support correct use of the partograph; and (3) partographs can be useful but are not feasible.

Conclusions

Implementation fidelity of partograph use in the JSY programme is low. Successful implementation of the partograph can result in improved quality of care in the JSY programme only if potential moderators to its adherence, such as training, supervision, staff ‘buy in’ and practice environment are addressed so that staff find a conducive practice environment in which to use the partograph and women find it beneficial to present early in labour.
Acupuncture for treating sciatica: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Qin Zongshi , Liu Xiaoxu , Yao Qin , Zhai Yanbing , Liu Zhishun
Published: April 2015

Introduction

This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for treating sciatica.

Methods

The following nine databases will be searched from their inception to 30 October 2014: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), the Chinese Medical Current Content (CMCC), the Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database), the Wan-Fang Database, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Citation Information by National Institute of Informatics (CiNii). Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for sciatica in English, Chinese or Japanese without restriction of publication status will be included. Two researchers will independently undertake study selection, extraction of data and assessment of study quality. Meta-analysis will be conducted after screening of studies. Data will be analysed using risk ratio for dichotomous data, and standardised mean difference or weighted mean difference for continuous data.

Dissemination

This systematic review will be disseminated electronically through a peer-reviewed publication or conference presentations.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO CRD42014015001.
Thalassaemia and risk of cancer: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Chung Wei-Sheng , Lin Chun-Liang , Lin Cheng-Li , Kao Chia-Hung
Published: April 2015

Background

Studies that have investigated the epidemiological relationship between thalassaemia and cancers are scarce. Therefore, we conducted a longitudinal nationwide cohort study to determine whether patients with thalassaemia are at an increased risk of cancer.

Methods

We investigated the incidence and risk of cancer in 2655 patients diagnosed with thalassaemia between 1998 and 2010 by using data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database. The comparison cohort comprised 10 620 people from the general population without thalassaemia. The follow-up period extended from the diagnostic date for thalassaemia to the date of a cancer diagnosis, censoring or 31 December 2011. We used Cox proportional hazard regression models to analyse the risks of cancer.

Results

The incidences of cancer were 3.96 and 2.60/1000 person-years for the thalassaemia and comparison cohorts, respectively. The overall incidence of cancer was 52% higher in the thalassaemia cohort than in the comparison cohort, with an adjusted HR (aHR) of 1.54 (95% CI 1.15 to 2.07). Patients with thalassaemia had a considerably higher risk of haematological malignancy (aHR=5.32, 95% CI 2.18 to 13.0) and abdominal cancer (aHR=1.96, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.15) than did the comparison cohort. Furthermore, patients with thalassaemia with transfusion exhibited a 9.31-fold risk for developing haematological malignancy and a 9.12-fold risk for developing abdominal cancer compared with those who did not receive transfusion.

Conclusions

This nationwide retrospective cohort study indicates that patients with thalassaemia carried substantial risks of haematological malignancy and abdominal cancer compared with those of the general population.
What makes psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis so different?
Authors: Veale Douglas James , Fearon Ursula
Published: April 2015

In many ways, it may be easier to highlight what rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have in common. They are both common conditions characterised by a spectrum of features or clinical manifestations in different organ systems that have led many to conclude that they are actually ‘disease syndromes’. Furthermore, many of the organ systems that are affected in both conditions are the same: skin, joints, eyes, vasculature and even the immune system. Indeed, some clinicians fail to recognise these two common arthritides as distinct. And yet, while the manifestations may have a superficial similarity, there are significant differences at a number of levels including clinical, anatomical, microscopic and molecular levels. However, these differences may explain certain clinical manifestations of the two diseases, and more importantly, they may explain different responses to specific therapies and potentially different disease outcomes and prognoses. This may be especially relevant as new therapeutic targets are examined that may be specific for RA or PsA.
Aerial photography collected with a multirotor drone reveals impact of Eurasian beaver reintroduction on ecosystem structure
Authors: Puttock A.K. , Cunliffe A.M. , Anderson K. , Brazier R.E.
Published: April 2015

Beavers are often described as ecological engineers with an ability to modify the structure and flow of fluvial systems and create complex wetland environments with dams, ponds, and canals. Consequently, beaver activity has implications for a wide range of environmental ecosystem services including biodiversity, flood risk mitigation, water quality, and sustainable drinking water provision. With the current debate surrounding the reintroduction of beavers into the United Kingdom, it is critical to be able to monitor the impact of beavers upon the environment. This study presents the first proof of concept results showing how a lightweight hexacopter fitted with a simple digital camera can be used to derive orthophoto and digital surface model (DSM) data products at a site where beavers have recently been reintroduced. Early results indicate that analysis of the fine-scale (0.01 m) orthophoto and DSM can be used to identify impacts on the ecosystem structure including the extent of dams and associated ponds, and changes in vegetation structure due to beaver tree-felling activity. Unmanned aerial vehicle data acquisition offers an effective toolkit for regular repeat monitoring at fine spatial resolution, which is a critical attribute for monitoring rapidly changing and difficult to access beaver-impacted ecosystems.
Feichtinger's Segal algebra on homogeneous spaces
Authors: Parthasarathy K. , Shravan Kumar N.
Published: April 2015

Let K be a compact subgroup of a locally compact group G. We extend to the context of homogeneous spaces, G/K, the definition of Feichtinger's Segal algebra. The functorial properties of the Segal algebra are proved.
The Relations between Implications and Left (Right) Semi-Uninorms on a Complete Lattice
Authors: Hao Xiaoying , Niu Meixia , Wang Zhudeng
Published: April 2015

Uninorms are important generalizations of triangular norms and conorms, with a neutral element lying anywhere in the unit interval, and left (right) semi-uninorms are non-commutative and non-associative extensions of uninorms. In this paper, we study the relations between implications and left (right) semi-uninorms on a complete lattice. We firstly investigate the left (right) semi-uninorms induced by implications, give some conditions such that the operations induced by implications constitute left or right semi-uninorms, and demonstrate that the operations induced by a right infinitely ∧-distributive implication, which satisfies the order property, are left (right) infinitely ∨-distributive left (right) semi-uninorms. Then, we discuss the residual operations of left (right) semi-uninorms and show that left (right) residual operators of strict left (right)-conjunctive left (right) infinitely ∨-distributive left (right) semi-uninorms are right infinitely ∧-distributive implications that satisfy the order property. Finally, we reveal the relationships between strict left (right)-conjunctive left (right) infinitely ∨-distributive left (right) semi-uninorms and right infinitely ∧-distributive implications which satisfy the order property.
Thickness Effect on Thermal Stability by Phase Transition of Single Crystal Hematite Nanorings
Authors: Li Le , Li Fagen , Zhang XiaoPing , Wang Jun
Published: April 2015

Single-crystal hematite (α- Fe 2 O 3) nanorings with three different thicknesses were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show that the nanorings are single-crystal and have relatively uniform outer diameters of 160nm, and heights of about 100nm. Magnetic measurements up to 920K have been performed on hydrothermally synthesized α- Fe 2 O 3 nanorings and nanoparticles using a quantum design vibrating sample magnetometer. A high temperature phase transition of thermal stability (α- Fe 2 O 3 to Fe 3 O 4) occurs when magnetic measurement was performed under high vacuum (< 9.5 × 10-5 Torr). The phase transition temperature is 670K for nanorings with thickness of ∼30nm, 718K for nanorings with thickness of ∼50nm, 678K for nanorings with thickness of ∼65nm, and 640K for ∼35nm nanoparticles. This data show better thermal stability of nanorings with the thickness of ∼50nm than the other two kinds of nanoring samples The Néel temperature (T N ) of α- Fe 2 O 3 nanorings with the thickness of ∼50nm is determined to be 937.2K by magnetic measurement for the first time, about 22.8K below the bulk value. The small reduction of the T N of the α- Fe 2 O 3 nanorings is consistent with the finite-size scaling theory.
A healed strike-slip plate boundary in North Greenland indicated through associated pull-apart basins
Authors: Håkansson Eckart , Schack Pedersen Stig A.
Published: April 2015

In the North Atlantic, Laurentia–Eurasia break-up commenced in the Late Carboniferous, largely following the structural grain of the Caledonian Fold Belt. However, in the Arctic region, a 45° offset in the plate boundary between North Greenland and Svalbard was determined by a number of pre-Caledonian fundamental faults in North Greenland. As a result, this segment of the plate boundary experienced significant episodes of combined transtension and transpression, in part controlled by the movement of a temporarily independent Greenland Plate. Late Permian–Mesozoic deposits in the North Greenland Wandel Sea Basin record the plate-boundary history along this offset, in our view in a series of at least 20, variously disturbed, pull-apart basins, most of which can be assigned to four major episodes of pull-apart basin formation. The direction of the pre-existing fundamental faults, in combination with the regional variation in rock properties of both the basin floor and basin fill, explains the marked differences in tectonic style recorded along the plate boundary.
Inactivation of PPARβ/δ adversely affects satellite cells and reduces postnatal myogenesis
Authors: Chandrashekar Preeti , Manickam Ravikumar , Ge Xiaojia , Bonala Sabeera , McFarlane Craig , Sharma Mridula , Wahli Walter , Kambadur Ravi
Published: April 2015

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ ( PPARβ/δ) is a ubiquitously expressed gene with higher levels observed in skeletal muscle. Recently, our laboratory showed (Bonala S, Lokireddy S, Arigela H, Teng S, Wahli W, Sharma M, McFarlane C, Kambadur R. J Biol Chem 287: 12935–12951, 2012) that PPARβ/δ modulates myostatin activity to induce myogenesis in skeletal muscle. In the present study, we show that PPARβ/δ-null mice display reduced body weight, skeletal muscle weight, and myofiber atrophy during postnatal development. In addition, a significant reduction in satellite cell number was observed in PPARβ/δ-null mice, suggesting a role for PPARβ/δ in muscle regeneration. To investigate this, tibialis anterior muscles were injured with notexin, and muscle regeneration was monitored on days 3, 5, 7, and 28 postinjury. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed an increased inflammatory response and reduced myoblast proliferation in regenerating muscle from PPARβ/δ-null mice. Histological analysis confirmed that the regenerated muscle fibers of PPARβ/δ-null mice maintained an atrophy phenotype with reduced numbers of centrally placed nuclei. Even though satellite cell numbers were reduced before injury, satellite cell self-renewal was found to be unaffected in PPARβ/δ-null mice after regeneration. Previously, our laboratory had showed (Bonala S, Lokireddy S, Arigela H, Teng S, Wahli W, Sharma M, McFarlane C, Kambadur R. J Biol Chem 287: 12935–12951, 2012) that inactivation of PPARβ/δ increases myostatin signaling and inhibits myogenesis. Our results here indeed confirm that inactivation of myostatin signaling rescues the atrophy phenotype and improves muscle fiber cross-sectional area in both uninjured and regenerated tibialis anterior muscle from PPARβ/δ-null mice. Taken together, these data suggest that absence of PPARβ/δ leads to loss of satellite cells, impaired skeletal muscle regeneration, and postnatal myogenesis. Furthermore, our results also demonstrate that functional antagonism of myostatin has utility in rescuing these effects.
Dysregulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor contributes to podocyte injuries in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Yang , Ma Kun Ling , Liu Jing , Wu Yu , Hu Ze Bo , Liu Liang , Liu Bi Cheng
Published: April 2015

Dyslipidemia plays crucial roles in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). This study investigated the effects of high glucose on lipid accumulation in podocytes and explored its underlying mechanisms. Male db/m and db/db mice were fed a normal chow diet for 8 wk. Immortalised mouse podocytes were treated with or without high glucose for 24 h. The changes to the morphology and ultramicrostructures of the kidneys in mice were examined using pathological staining and electron microscopy. Intracellular lipid accumulation was evaluated by Oil Red O staining and a free cholesterol quantitative assay. The expressions of the molecules involved in low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) pathway and podocyte injury were examined using immunofluorescent staining, real-time PCR, and Western blot. There were increased levels of plasma lipid, serum creatinine, and proteinuria in db/db mice compared with db/m mice. Moreover, there was significant mesangial matrix expansion, basement membrane thickening, podocyte foot process effacement, and phenotypic alteration in the db/db group. Additionally, lipid accumulation in the kidneys of db/db mice was increased due to increased protein expressions of LDLr, sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein, and SREBP-2. These effects were further confirmed by in vitro studies. Interestingly, the treatment with LDLr siRNA inhibited lipid accumulation in podocytes and decreased the protein expression of molecules associated with phenotypic alteration in podocytes. High glucose disrupted LDLr feedback regulation in podocytes, which may cause intracellular lipid accumulation and alteration of podocyte phenotype, thereby accelerating DN progression.
To explain the variation of OGTT dynamics by biological mechanisms: a novel approach based on principal components analysis in women with history of GDM
Authors: Göbl Christian S. , Bozkurt Latife , Mittlböck Martina , Leutner Michael , Yarragudi Rajashri , Tura Andrea , Pacini Giovanni , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra
Published: April 2015

Early reexamination of carbohydrate metabolism via an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is recommended after pregnancy with gestational diabetes (GDM). In this report, we aimed to assess the dominant patterns of dynamic OGTT measurements and subsequently explain them by meanings of the underlying pathophysiological processes. Principal components analysis (PCA), a statistical procedure that aims to reduce the dimensionality of multiple interrelated measures to a set of linearly uncorrelated variables (the principal components) was performed on OGTT data of glucose, insulin and C-peptide in addition to age and body mass index (BMI) of 151 women ( n = 110 females after GDM and n = 41 controls) at 3–6 mo after delivery. These components were explained by frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) parameters. Moreover, their relation with the later development of overt diabetes was studied. Three principal components (PC) were identified, which explained 71.5% of the variation of the original 17 variables. PC1 (explained 47.1%) was closely related to postprandial OGTT levels and FSIGT-derived insulin sensitivity ( r = 0.68), indicating that it mirrors insulin sensitivity in the skeletal muscle. PC2 (explained 17.3%) and PC3 (explained 7.1%) were shown to be associated with β-cell failure and fasting (i.e., hepatic) insulin resistance, respectively. All three components were related with diabetes progression (occurred in n = 25 females after GDM) and showed significant changes in long-term trajectories. A high amount of the postpartum OGTT data is explained by principal components, representing pathophysiological mechanisms on the pathway of impaired carbohydrate metabolism. Our results improve our understanding of the underlying biological processes to provide an accurate postgestational risk stratification.
Profiling of the fetal and adult rat liver transcriptome and translatome reveals discordant regulation by the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)
Authors: Boylan Joan M. , Sanders Jennifer A. , Neretti Nicola , Gruppuso Philip A.
Published: April 2015

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) integrates growth factor signaling, nutrient abundance, cell growth, and proliferation. On the basis of our interest in somatic growth in the late gestation fetus, we characterized the role of mTOR in the regulation of hepatic gene expression and translation initiation in fetal and adult rats. Our strategy was to manipulate mTOR signaling in vivo and then characterize the transcriptome and translating mRNA in liver tissue. In adult rats, we used the nonproliferative growth model of refeeding after a period of fasting and the proliferative model of liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy. We also studied livers from preterm fetal rats (embryonic day 19) in which fetal hepatocytes are asynchronously proliferating. All three models employed rapamycin to inhibit mTOR signaling. Analysis of the transcriptome in fasted-refed animals showed rapamycin-mediated induction of genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation. Genes associated with RNA processing were downregulated. In liver regeneration, rapamycin induced genes associated with lysosomal metabolism, steroid metabolism, and the acute phase response. In fetal animals, rapamycin inhibited expression of genes in several functional categories that were unrelated to effects in the adult animals. Translation control showed marked fetal-adult differences. In both adult models, rapamycin inhibited the translation of genes with complex 5′ untranslated regions, including those encoding ribosomal proteins. Fetal translation was resistant to the effects of rapamycin. We conclude that the mTOR pathway in liver serves distinct physiological roles in the adult and fetus, with the latter representing a condition of rapamycin resistance.
Renal NCC is unchanged in the midpregnant rat and decreased in the late pregnant rat despite avid renal Na+ retention
Authors: West Crystal A. , McDonough Alicia A. , Masilamani Shyama M. E. , Verlander Jill W. , Baylis Chris
Published: April 2015

Pregnancy is characterized by plasma volume expansion due to Na+ retention, driven by aldosterone. The aldosterone-responsive epithelial Na+ channel is activated in the kidney in pregnancy. In the present study, we investigated the aldosterone-responsive Na+-Cl− cotransporter (NCC) in mid- and late pregnant rats compared with virgin rats. We determined the abundance of total NCC, phosphorylated NCC (pNCC; pT53, pS71 and pS89), phosphorylated STE20/SPS-1-related proline-alanine-rich protein kinase (pSPAK; pS373), and phosphorylated oxidative stress-related kinase (pOSR1; pS325) in the kidney cortex. We also measured mRNA expression of NCC and members of the SPAK/NCC regulatory kinase network, serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK)1, total with no lysine kinase (WNK)1, WNK3, and WNK4. Additionally, we performed immunohistochemistry for NCC kidneys from virgin and pregnant rats. Total NCC, pNCC, and pSPAK/OSR1 abundance were unchanged in midpregnant versus virgin rats. In late pregnant versus virgin rats, total NCC and pNCC were decreased; however, pSPAK/OSR1 was unchanged. We detected no differences in mRNA expression of NCC, SGK1, total WNK1, WNK3, and WNK4. By immunohistochemistry, NCC was mainly localized to the apical region in virgin rats, and density in the apical region was reduced in late pregnancy. Therefore, despite high circulating aldosterone levels in pregnancy, the aldosterone-responsive transporter NCC is not increased in total or activated (phosphorylated) abundance or in apical localization in midpregnant rats, and all are reduced in late pregnancy. This contrasts to the mineralocorticoid-mediated activation of the epithelial Na+ channel, which we have previously reported. Why and how NCC escapes aldosterone activation in pregnancy is not clear but may relate to regional differences in aldosterone sensitivity the increased K+ intake or other undefined mechanisms.
Feedback to distal dendrites links fMRI signals to neural receptive fields in a spiking network model of the visual cortex
Authors: Heikkinen Hanna , Sharifian Fariba , Vigario Ricardo , Vanni Simo
Published: April 2015

The blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) response has been strongly associated with neuronal activity in the brain. However, some neuronal tuning properties are consistently different from the BOLD response. We studied the spatial extent of neural and hemodynamic responses in the primary visual cortex, where the BOLD responses spread and interact over much longer distances than the small receptive fields of individual neurons would predict. Our model shows that a feedforward-feedback loop between V1 and a higher visual area can account for the observed spread of the BOLD response. In particular, anisotropic landing of inputs to compartmental neurons were necessary to account for the BOLD signal spread, while retaining realistic spiking responses. Our work shows that simple dendrites can separate tuning at the synapses and at the action potential output, thus bridging the BOLD signal to the neural receptive fields with high fidelity.
Blockade of in vitro ictogenesis by low-frequency stimulation coincides with increased epileptiform response latency
Authors: Kano Toshiyuki , Inaba Yuji , D'Antuono Margherita , Biagini Giuseppe , Levésque Maxime , Avoli Massimo
Published: April 2015

Low-frequency stimulation, delivered through transcranial magnetic or deep-brain electrical procedures, reduces seizures in patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy. A similar control of ictallike discharges is exerted by low-frequency electrical stimulation in rodent brain slices maintained in vitro during convulsant treatment. By employing field and “sharp” intracellular recordings, we analyzed here the effects of stimuli delivered at 0.1 or 1 Hz in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala on ictallike epileptiform discharges induced by the K+ channel blocker 4-aminopyridine in the perirhinal cortex, in a rat brain slice preparation. We found that 1) ictal events were nominally abolished when the stimulus rate was brought from 0.1 to 1 Hz; 2) this effect was associated with an increased latency of the epileptiform responses recorded in perirhinal cortex following each stimulus; and 3) both changes recovered to control values following arrest of the 1-Hz stimulation protocol. The control of ictal activity by 1-Hz stimulation and the concomitant latency increase were significantly reduced by GABAB receptor antagonism. We propose that this frequency-dependent increase in latency represents a short-lasting, GABAB receptor-dependent adaptive mechanism that contributes to decrease epileptiform synchronization, thus blocking seizures in epileptic patients and animal models.
Abnormal neuronal activity in Tourette syndrome and its modulation using deep brain stimulation
Authors: Israelashvili Michal , Loewenstern Yocheved , Bar-Gad Izhar
Published: April 2015

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a common childhood-onset disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics that are typically accompanied by a multitude of comorbid symptoms. Pharmacological treatment options are limited, which has led to the exploration of deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a possible treatment for severe cases. Multiple lines of evidence have linked TS with abnormalities in the motor and limbic cortico-basal ganglia (CBG) pathways. Neurophysiological data have only recently started to slowly accumulate from multiple sources: noninvasive imaging and electrophysiological techniques, invasive electrophysiological recordings in TS patients undergoing DBS implantation surgery, and animal models of the disorder. These converging sources point to system-level physiological changes throughout the CBG pathway, including both general altered baseline neuronal activity patterns and specific tic-related activity. DBS has been applied to different regions along the motor and limbic pathways, primarily to the globus pallidus internus, thalamic nuclei, and nucleus accumbens. In line with the findings that also draw on the more abundant application of DBS to Parkinson's disease, this stimulation is assumed to result in changes in the neuronal firing patterns and the passage of information through the stimulated nuclei. We present an overview of recent experimental findings on abnormal neuronal activity associated with TS and the changes in this activity following DBS. These findings are then discussed in the context of current models of CBG function in the normal state, during TS, and finally in the wider context of DBS in CBG-related disorders.
The Wireless Sensor Networks Base Layout and Density Optimization Oriented towards Traffic Information Collection
Authors: Gu Musong , You Lei , Hu Jun , Duan Lintao , Zuo Zhen
Published: April 2015

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are applied in Intelligent Transport System for data collection. For the low redundancy rate of the wireless sensor networks nodes of traffic information collection, the senor nodes should be deployed reasonably for the WSN nodes to work effectively, and, thus, the base network structure and the density optimization of the sensor network are one of the main problems of WSN application. This paper establishes the wireless sensor networks design optimization model oriented to the traffic information collection, solving the design optimization model with the chemical reaction optimization (CRO) algorithm. The experimental results show that CRO algorithm outperforms the traditional particle swarm optimization (PSO) in solving the wireless sensor network design optimization oriented to the traffic information collection, capable of optimizing the wireless sensor network deployment of traffic information collection to contribute to the great improvement of the comprehensive value of the network performance. The reasonable design of the wireless sensor network nodes has great significance for the information collection, post-maintenance-and-extension, and cost saving of a monitoring system.
DOA and Noncircular Phase Estimation of Noncircular Signal via an Improved Noncircular Rotational Invariance Propagator Method
Authors: Chen Xueqiang , Wang Chenghua , Zhang Xiaofei
Published: April 2015

We consider the computationally efficient direction-of-arrival (DOA) and noncircular (NC) phase estimation problem of noncircular signal for uniform linear array. The key idea is to apply the noncircular propagator method (NC-PM) which does not require eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) of the covariance matrix or singular value decomposition (SVD) of the received data. Noncircular rotational invariance propagator method (NC-RI-PM) avoids spectral peak searching in PM and can obtain the closed-form solution of DOA, so it has lower computational complexity. Animproved NC-RI-PMalgorithm of noncircular signal for uniform linear array is proposed to estimate the elevation angles and noncircular phases with automatic pairing. We reconstruct the extended array output by combining the array output and its conjugated counterpart. Our algorithm fully uses the extended array elements in the improved propagator matrix to estimate the elevation angles and noncircular phases by utilizing the rotational invariance property between subarrays. Compared with NC-RI-PM, the proposed algorithm has better angle estimation performance and much lower computational load. The computational complexity of the proposed algorithm is analyzed. We also derive the variance of estimation error and Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) of noncircular signal for uniform linear array. Finally, simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm.
A Low‐Complexity Euclidean Orthogonal LDPC Architecture for Low Power Applications
Authors: Revathy M. , Saravanan R.
Published: April 2015

Low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) codes have been implemented in latest digital video broadcasting, broadband wireless access (WiMax), and fourth generation of wireless standards. In this paper, we have proposed a high efficient low‐density parity‐check code (LDPC) decoder architecture for low power applications. This study also considers the design and analysis of check node and variable node units and Euclidean orthogonal generator in LDPC decoder architecture. The Euclidean orthogonal generator is used to reduce the error rate of the proposed LDPC architecture, which can be incorporated between check and variable node architecture. This proposed decoder design is synthesized on Xilinx 9.2i platform and simulated using Modelsim, which is targeted to 45 nm devices. Synthesis report proves that the proposed architecture greatly reduces the power consumption and hardware utilizations on comparing with different conventional architectures.
Incidental Adrenal Nodules and Masses: The Imaging Approach
Authors: Willatt J. , Chong S. , Ruma J. A. , Kuriakose J.
Published: April 2015

Adrenal nodules are detected with increasing frequency. The National Institute of Health (NIH), American College of Radiology (ACR), and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AACE/AAES) have produced guidelines for the management of incidental adrenal nodules. This review provides a summary of the consensus radiologic approach to these nodules.
Antioxidant Mechanisms and ROS-Related MicroRNAs in Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Dando Ilaria , Cordani Marco , Dalla Pozza Elisa , Biondani Giulia , Donadelli Massimo , Palmieri Marta
Published: April 2015

Increasing evidence indicates that most of the tumors are sustained by a distinct population of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are responsible for growth, metastasis, invasion, and recurrence. CSCs are typically characterized by self-renewal, the key biological process allowing continuous tumor proliferation, as well as by differentiation potential, which leads to the formation of the bulk of the tumor mass. CSCs have several advantages over the differentiated cancer cell populations, including the resistance to radio- and chemotherapy, and their gene-expression programs have been shown to correlate with poor clinical outcome, further supporting the relevance of stemness properties in cancer. The observation that CSCs possess enhanced mechanisms of protection from reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced stress and a different metabolism from the differentiated part of the tumor has paved the way to develop drugs targeting CSC specific signaling. In this review, we describe the role of ROS and of ROS-related microRNAs in the establishment and maintenance of self-renewal and differentiation capacities of CSCs.
Development of HPLC Protocol and Simultaneous Quantification of Four Free Flavonoids fromDracocephalum heterophyllumBenth.
Authors: Numonov Sodik Rakhmonovich , Qureshi Muhammad Nasimullah , Aisa Haji Akber
Published: April 2015

Quantification of the four flavonoids, namely, luteolin, kaempferol, diosmetin, and chrysosplenetin, has been performed for the first time in 80% ethanolic extract ofDracocephalum heterophyllumB. through HPLC coupled to UV detector after optimization of extracting solvent and chromatographic conditions. Total flavonoids quantified were 0.324 mg/mL of the extract. HPLC analysis delivered contents of the luteolin, kaempferol, diosmetin, and chrysosplenetin as 0.08%, 0.14%, 0.28%, and 0.79% of the dried extract, respectively. LOD (%) values calculated were 0.04, 0.03, 0.03, and 0.08 and LOQ (%) values were 0.08, 0.12, 0.11, and 0.28 for luteolin, kaempferol, diosmetin, and chrysosplenetin, respectively. The recovery percentages for these flavonoids were within the acceptable range of 95% to 105%. Standard deviation and %RSD were calculated for each target analytes individually in extract for determining the reproducibility and accuracy of the method. In no case the %RSD was higher than 1 taking retention time as a factor while in the case of area under the curve maximum %RSD was noted in the case of diosmetin as 2.85. From our literature review regarding the plant species under study, it appears that these flavonoids have not been quantified before and are reported for the first time in this paper.
C/EBPβIsoforms Expression in the Rat Brain during the Estrous Cycle
Authors: Hansberg-Pastor Valeria , Piña-Medina Ana Gabriela , González-Arenas Aliesha , Camacho-Arroyo Ignacio
Published: April 2015

The CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPβ) is a transcription factor expressed in different areas of the brain that regulates the expression of several genes involved in cell differentiation and proliferation. This protein has three isoforms (LAP1, LAP2, and LIP) with different transcription activation potential. The role of female sex hormones in the expression pattern of C/EBPβisoforms in the rat brain has not yet been described. In this study we demonstrate by western blot that the expression of the three C/EBPβisoforms changes in different brain areas during the estrous cycle. In the cerebellum, LAP2 content diminished on diestrus and proestrus and LIP content diminished on proestrus and estrus days. In the prefrontal cortex, LIP content was higher on proestrus and estrus days. In the hippocampus, LAP isoforms presented a switch on diestrus day, since LAP1 content was the highest while that of LAP2 was the lowest. The LAP2 isoform was the most abundant one in all the three brain areas. The LAP/LIP ratio changed throughout the cycle and was tissue specific. These results suggest that C/EBPβisoforms expression changes in a tissue-specific manner in the rat brain due to the changes in sex steroid hormone levels presented during the estrous cycle.
Assessing of Celiac Disease and Nonceliac Gluten Sensitivity
Authors: Ontiveros N. , Hardy M. Y. , Cabrera-Chavez F.
Published: April 2015

The publication of papers on the topic of gluten related disorders has substantially increased over the last few years. This has motivated healthcare professionals to pay attention not only to celiac disease and wheat allergy but also to a condition termed nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Until now this condition has been diagnosed clinically on the basis of exclusion criteria and clinical response to gluten withdrawal. In addition, recent research in this field has shown that other food components distinct from gluten are implicated in NCGS cases, thereby changing our general understanding of NCGS diagnosis in either individuals on gluten containing diets or those already following a gluten-free diet with no proper diagnostic work-up of celiac disease. With this in mind, the assessment of NCGS will require extensive knowledge of celiac disease manifestations and the laboratory tests commonly performed during diagnosis of celiac disease.
Downregulation of Spinal G Protein-Coupled Kinase 2 Abolished the Antiallodynic Effect of Electroacupuncture
Authors: Liu Huan , Liu Shen-Bin , Li Qian , Wang Huijing , Wang Yan-Qing , Mao-Ying Qi-Liang
Published: April 2015

Acupuncture or electroacupuncture (EA) has been demonstrated to have a powerful antihypernociceptive effect on inflammatory pain. The attenuation of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) in spinal cord and peripheral nociceptor has been widely acknowledged to promote the transition from acute to chronic pain and to facilitate the nociceptive progress. This study was designed to investigate the possible role of spinal GRK2 in EA antiallodynic in a rat model with complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) induced inflammatory pain. EA was applied to ST36 (“Zusanli”) and BL60 (“Kunlun”) one day after CFA injection. Single EA treatment at day 1 after CFA injection remarkably alleviated CFA induced mechanical allodynia two hours after EA. Repeated EA displayed significant antiallodynic effect from 2nd EA treatment and a persistent effect was observed during the rest of treatments. However, downregulation of spinal GRK2 by intrathecal exposure of GRK2 antisense 30 mins after EA treatment completely eliminated both the transient and persistent antiallodynic effect by EA treatment. These pieces of data demonstrated that the spinal GRK2 played an important role in EA antiallodynia on inflammatory pain.
Attitude Estimation for In-Service Base Station Antenna Using Downlink Channel Fading Statistics
Authors: Ling Cen , Yin Xuefeng , He Yongyu , Ruiz Boqué Silvia
Published: April 2015

A maximum-likelihood-estimation method is proposed for extracting the attitude of a sectoring base station (BS) antenna by using the received signal strengths observed by multiple user equipments (UEs) in this contribution. This method calculates the likelihood function of the antenna attitude derived by taking into account the multiscale fading statistics, that is, path loss, shadowing, and multipath fading. Depending on whether a calibration result of these fading statistics is available or not, the proposed method can be utilized in either calibration-based estimation (CBE) or calibration-free estimation (CFE) approaches. The performance of both methods is evaluated by Monte-Carlo simulations and real experiments. The results obtained demonstrate that the estimation accuracy of both CBE and CFE approaches increases when the percentage of UEs in the line-of-sight (LoS) condition among all available UEs increases and, moreover, the total number of UEs has no significant impact on the estimation accuracy. Furthermore, the CFE exhibits more robust performance than the CBE particularly in the case where the calibration results involve uncertainties.
Antioxidants and Quality of Aging: Further Evidences for a Major Role ofTXNRD1Gene Variability on Physical Performance at Old Age
Authors: Dato Serena , De Rango Francesco , Crocco Paolina , Passarino Giuseppe , Rose Giuseppina
Published: April 2015

Oxidative stress is a major determinant of human aging and common hallmark of age-related diseases. A protective role against free radicals accumulation was shown for thioredoxin reductase TrxR1, a key antioxidant selenoprotein. The variability of encoding gene (TXNRD1) was previously found associated with physical status at old age and extreme survival in a Danish cohort. To further investigate the influence of the gene variability on age-related physiological decline, we analyzed 9 tagging SNPs in relation to markers of physical (Activity of Daily Living, Hand Grip, Chair stand, and Walking) and cognitive (Mini Mental State Examination) status, in a Southern-Italian cohort of 64–107 aged individuals. We replicated the association ofTXNRD1variability with physical performance, with three variants (rs4445711, rs1128446, and rs11111979) associated with physical functioning after 85 years of age(p<0.022). In addition, we found two SNPs borderline influencing longevity (rs4964728 and rs7310505) in our cohort, the last associated with health status and survival in Northern Europeans too. Overall, the evidences of association in a different population here reported extend the proposed role ofTXNRD1gene in modulating physical decline at extreme ages, further supporting the investigation of thioredoxin pathway in relation to the quality of human aging.
Delay Bounded Roadside Unit Placement in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Li Peng , Huang Chuanhe , Liu Qin
Published: April 2015

The placement of roadside units (RSUs) is a difficult and yet important issue in vehicular networks. If too few RSUs are placed, the system performance would be very poor. However, with too many RSUs, it would incur high installation cost and maintenance cost of these RSUs. In this paper, we study the problem of delay bounded roadside unit placement (DRP) in vehicular networks. For a given delay bound, our objective is to place the minimal number of RSUs in the system such that a message from any of RSUs in the region can be disseminated to all vehicles within the given delay bound. We consider two cases of RSUs, the case that all RSUs are interconnected through wired lines (called DRP-L problem) and the case that RSUs connect to other RSUs through wireless link (called DRP-W problem). We first prove that both DRP-L and DRP-W problems are NP-hard. Then, we propose several heuristic algorithms to solve DRP-L and DRP-W problems, respectively. Extensive simulations have been conducted to show that the performance of our proposed methods is superior to the other methods.
Transcatheter Removal of Embolized Port Catheters from the Hearts of Two Children
Authors: Baspinar Osman , Sulu Ayse , Sahin Derya Aydin
Published: April 2015

Embolization of a port catheter is a dangerous and serious complication. In this paper, we present two cases of children, aged 4.5 months and 6 years, in whom port catheters had embolized to the right ventricle one month and 1.5 years priorly, respectively; the port catheters were retrieved via snaring.