bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ‘stable/unstable’ chronic isolated anterior syndesmotic injury: A presentation of three cases and a new surgical technique
Authors: Laver L , Massarwa S , Mann G , Mei-Dan O , Maoz G , Nyska M
Published: April 2011

Background

Isolated syndesmotic injuries are reported to comprise 1–11% of all ankle sprains. This number may increase to more than 40% in those involved in high contact and collision sports. These injuries are frequently under-diagnosed often being mistaken for the more common lateral ankle sprains and are inadequately treated as a result, leading to chronic syndesmotic instability. When instability can be objectively documented with clinical and radiographic measures it is defined as mechanical instability. When it is only based on clinical symptoms, it is defined as functional. Symptoms vary from long standing pain, stiffness, recurrent swelling and an instability sensation without actual giving way or mechanical correlation. It may lead often to functional disability and substantial activity restriction. Imaging of the instability may be performed by dynamic ultrasound. However if there is no instability proven in imaging, the surgical decision to explore the syndesmosis is problematic. Proven pathology in the syndesmosis in MRI or CT may serve as relative indication for operation. Surgical options for chronic anterior syndesmotic proven instability include combinations of debridement, ligamentoplasty with varying graft options, syndesmotic screw fixation, translation osteotomy of AITFL insertion and arthroscopic debridement with graft reconstruction and screw fixation – with most techniques reporting satisfying results. There are no clear indications of surgical approach to stable syndesmotic injury.

Setting, participants and methods

We present three cases of chronic anterior syndesmotic instability suffering from chronic pain and instability sensation, all of which were stable upon radiographic evaluation including Dynamic US examination. MRI disclosed pathology in the anterior synsesmosis – with mainly scar tissue present. All three cases were operated and proven unstable upon in-operative mechanical examination after debridement of the scar tissue. The anterior syndesmosis was reconstructed using figure of eight suturing of the Chaput process to the anterior Fibula. In 6–18 months followup the patients recovered from their symptoms and returned to full activity.

Results and conclusions

In cases of stable symptomatic syndesmosis injuries there is indication for exploration of the anterior syndesmosis and stabilization if proven unstable.
Hypothenar hammer syndrome in a middle blocker – case report and brief review
Authors: Massada M , Aido R , Magalhaes C , Puga N
Published: April 2011

Background

Hypothenar hammer syndrome (HHS) is an uncommon vascular overuse syndrome caused by trauma to the palmar portion of the ulnar artery.

Objective

In this report, we describe a representative case in the volleyball player as well as a brief approach to clinical features, pathogenesis, diagnosis, imaging and management.

Design

Case report.

Setting

Volleyball National Team.

Methods

The athlete is a 22-year-old right-hand dominant male, national team middle blocker, who presented to the Medical Department for evaluation of painful and paresthetic fourth and fifth digits. He described the affected fingertips and hypothenar region as being tender and sensitive to touch. When queried, he stated that he would use the hypothenar portion of his right hand to spike and block. There was an abnormal Allen test in the right hand with refill of the palmar vasculature with release of the radial artery but no refill with release of the ulnar artery, consistent with a diagnosis of HHS. He started a platelet aggregation inhibitor and was instructed and trained to change his hitting technique.

Results

On follow-up the athlete's remaining symptom was mild cold sensitivity. He was able to perform his usual sports activities without impairment.

Conclusions

Typically, HHS occurs in men in their 40s involving the dominant hand and in occupational settings where the workers use the hypothenar portion of the hand as a tool to hammer, push or squeeze hard objects (metal workers, machinists, brick layers, carpenters, etc.). It is a curable and preventable cause of upper extremity digital ischemia, rarely seen in volleyball.
Lumbar intervertebral disk degeneration in Japanese male volleyball players belonging to the national team
Authors: Hayashi M , Hamu Y , Hashimoto Y , Kaneoka K , Hangai M , Okuwak T
Published: April 2011

Background

Lower back pain occurs more frequently among volleyball than other players and one of the main course affecting their performance on the court.

Objective

To identify the reason of the lower back pain, a detailed MRI analysis of disk degeneration (DD) and survey were conducted.

Design, setting and participants

There were 48 players from the 2009 and 2010 national teams; mean age, 25.1 years; mean height, 188.7 cm, mean weight, 81.9 kg; mean length of career as a volleyball player, 15.1 years. They practiced volleyball on 5.9 days of the week and for 4.1 h a day, on average.

Intervention

DD of each case was evaluated retrospectively based on the signal intensity (rated on a 5-grade scale: I through V) of five intervertebral disks (L1/2 to L5/S1) on MRI using Pfirrmann's classification.

Results

The DD grade was I-II in five players (10.4%) and III-V in 43 players (89.6%). It was 20.8% at L1/2, 22.9% at L2/3, 16.7% at L3/4, 45.8% at L4/5, and 75.0% at L5/S1. Of all the players, 95.8% had had lower back pain.

Conclusions

Hangaiet al.1 reported a higher prevalence of DD among baseball players (59.7%) and swimmers (57.5%) than among non-athletes (31.4%). The prevalence of DD among the volleyball players was as high as 89.6% in this study. With an average of 200 jumps a day, a volleyball player will jump about one million times during a 15-year career. Factors possibly responsible for DD and lower back pain are: (1) shocks from jumping and landing associated with attacks, blocks, jump serves, etc., (2) body trunk twisting in the air at the time of attack, (3) flying receiving, etc. In summary, the prevalence of DD among Japanese male national volleyball players was 89.6%. DD was closely associated with volleyball tactics.
A TWO-WAREHOUSE INVENTORY MODEL FOR ITEMS WITH IMPERFECT QUALITY AND QUANTITY DISCOUNTS
Authors: LIN TIEN-YU
Published: April 2011

In this paper, a two-warehouse inventory model for items with imperfect quality and all-unit quantity discounts was developed. In practice, the supplier usually offers quantity discounts to encourage the retailer ordering larger lot sizes and thus, extra storage space is needed for the retailer. Two levels of storages, owned-warehouse and rented warehouse, are considered in this study to store bulk quantities. We develop two algorithms to determine the optimal lot size and purchasing cost: one is based on the work of Render et al. (2003) and the other is similar to the method proposed by Goyal (1995). Two numerical examples are provided for illustration, in which we show that our algorithms require fewer iterations than that of the modified procedures based on the work of Render et al. (2003).
ONLINE AND SEMI-ONLINE SCHEDULING ON CAPACITATED TWO-PARALLEL MACHINES
Authors: ZHANG AN , JIANG YIWEI , TAN ZHIYI
Published: April 2011

In this paper, we investigate the capacitated two-parallel machines scheduling problem, where one machine is only available for a special period of time after which it can no longer process any job while the other machine is continuously available. Our objective is to minimize the completion time of the machine which is continuously available. The offline version of the problem is equivalent to the minimization version of the Subset-Sum problem. We first show the lower bound of the online version is infinite. We also consider the semi-online version with known the total job processing time in advance, for which both lower bound and semi-online algorithms are given.
THE VALUATION OF THE BASKET CDS IN A PRIMARY-SUBSIDIARY MODEL
Authors: LIN JIANWEI , LIANG GECHUN , WU SEN , ZHENG HARRY
Published: April 2011

This paper considers the valuation problem of basket CDSs. Based on the construction of total hazard rates, the paper develops the work of Zheng and Jiang Zheng and Jiang (2009) from the homogenous case to the primary-subsidiary heterogenous case in the interacting intensity framework, and obtains the corresponding joint density of the default time. Moreover, the paper derives the valuation formulae for the basket CDSs with and without counterparty risk. Numerical results robustly show that, under certain conditions, using the analytical pricing formulae derived in this paper is more efficient than the Monte Carlo method for the basket CDS valuation.
EXACT ANALYTICAL EXPRESSIONS AND NUMERICAL VALUES OF SLATER'S AND MARVIN'S RADIAL INTEGRALS OF THE TYPE $F_k^{(\mu, \nu)}(1;2)$ AND $G_k^{(\mu, \nu)}(1, 2)$ WITH THE KERNEL $r_<^{k+\mu} / r_>^{k+\nu}$(ASk ≥ 0, μ ≥ 0 IS EVEN AND ν - μ = 1, 3, 5, …) AND WITH DIRAC'S RADIAL FUNCTIONS g(r) AND f(r) FOR ARBITRARY nlj-STATES OF H-LIKE ATOMS AND Z ≤ 137 BY MEANS OF GAUSS'S FUNCTIONS 2F1(z)
Authors: TARASOV V. F.
Published: April 2011

Exact analytical expressions for the Dirac–Slater–Marvin radial integrals of the type [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] by means of Gauss's functions 2F1(z) and also their exact numerical values are first given. (Author has all the values of these integrals for arbitrary nlj-states of H-like for Z≤137, i.e., actually for all Mendeleev's table.)
s-f(d) EXCHANGE MECHANISM OF MAGNON GENERATION BY SLOW SPINPOLARONS
Authors: LAKHNO VICTOR
Published: April 2011

It is shown that in a single-axis antiferromagnetic semiconductor placed in a strong magnetic field, dispersionless magnons start emitting at any arbitrarily small velocity of an electron occurring in a spinpolaron state. If magnons are dispersed they are generated when the spinpolaron velocity exceeds the minimum phase velocity of magnons. The maximum power of magnon generation caused by the drift of spinpolarons is estimated.
THROUGHPUT AND DELAY OPTIMIZATION WITH CONFIGURABLE TRADEOFF IN MULTIHOP WIRELESS NETWORKS
Authors: GONG XUAN , CHENG MAGGIE X. , XU YIBO
Published: April 2011

In this paper, we answer the following questions: given a multihop wireless network and pairs of sources and destinations, what is the maximum throughput that can be achieved while satisfying delay constraints? When the network is operating at its full capacity, how to trade throughput for delay and vice versa? In this paper, we use cross-layer optimization to achieve the desired tradeoff between throughput and delay. The cross-layer scheme combines routing, data rate control and link transmission scheduling in one scheme and fully utilizes the network capacity. Through simulation we show that the cross-layer scheme can find feasible solutions within the achievable performance space of a given network and can adaptively control the desired tradeoff between delay and throughput by adjusting two control parameters α and β. Compared to previous work, our scheme goes beyond optimization on a single performance metric (either throughput or delay) and considers the inherent tradeoff relation between the two aspects.
CIRCUIT INTEGRATION THROUGH LATTICE HYPERTERMS
Authors: MELKONIAN VARDGES
Published: April 2011

Reducing the size of a logic circuit through lattice identities is an important and well-studied discrete optimization problem. In this paper, we consider a related problem of integrating several circuits into a single hypercircuit using the recently developed concept of lattice hyperterms. We give a combinatorial algorithm for integrating k-out-of-n symmetrical diagrams which play an important role in reliability theory. Our results show that the integration can reduce the number of circuit gates by more than twice.
Diffusion Induced Stresses and Strain Energy in a Phase-Transforming Spherical Electrode Particle
Authors: Deshpande Rutooj , Cheng Yang-Tse , Verbrugge Mark W. , Timmons Adam
Published: April 2011

Lithium insertion and removal in lithium ion battery electrodes can result in diffusion induced stresses (DISs) which may cause fracture and decrepitation of electrodes. Many lithium ion electrode materials undergo formation of two or more phases during lithium insertion or removal. In this work, we mathematically investigate the DISs in phase transforming electrodes using a core-shell structural model. We examine the concentration jumps at phase boundaries that result in stress discontinuities, which in turn can cause cracking. The influence of the mechanical properties of the two phases on stress evolution, stress discontinuity, and strain energy are clarified. The trends obtained with the model may be used to help tune electrode materials with appropriate interfacial and bulk properties so as to increase the durability of battery electrodes.
Mathematical Modeling of the Concentration Profile of Carbonate Ions in an Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors: Siroma Z. , Watanabe S. , Yasuda K. , Fukuta K. , Yanagi H.
Published: April 2011

An anion exchange membrane fuel cell (alkaline membrane fuel cell) was operated after the absorption of carbon dioxide. The release of carbon dioxide from the anode, which is known as “self-purging”, was observed during cell operation. The content of carbonate ions in the electrolyte membrane after it reached a steady-state was assumed to be a function of the current density. A mathematical model was developed to explain the experimental results.
Composite Membranes with Sulfonic and Phosphonic Functionalized Inorganics for Reduced Relative Humidity PEM Fuel Cells
Authors: Wang Chunmei , Chalkova Elena , Lee Jeong K. , Fedkin Mark V. , Komarneni Sridhar , Lvov Serguei N.
Published: April 2011

Nafion/inorganic (inorganic = S-ZrO2, SiO2-SO3H, SBA-15-SO3H, MCM-41-SO3H, and P-Si gels) composite membranes were synthesized with the goal of increasing the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance at elevated temperatures up to 120°C and reduced relative humidity (RH) down to 25%. Inorganic materials were incorporated within the Nafion by three different techniques. The conductivity of composite membranes with sulfonated inorganic materials was not higher than the conductivity of the recast Nafion in the whole range of inorganic loading. Conductivity of the Nafion/P-Si gel membranes was affected by the surface of inorganic powders and was higher for membranes prepared by in situ formation techniques. At 120°C and 70% RH, the conductivity of some composite membranes reached 100 mS cm−1. Effect of the inorganic phase on the membrane performance in a fuel cell was much stronger than on its conductivity probably due to substantial improvement in membrane water retention properties. At 120°C and 50% RH, the cell resistance of the P-Si composite membrane was found to be 40% lower than that of Nafion. By applying the modified rule of mixtures, the composite proton conductivity was calculated and compared with experimental data.
An Approach to Optimize the Composition of Supercapacitor Electrodes Consisting of Manganese-Molybdenum Mixed Oxide and Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Okamura Keigo , Inoue Ryota , Sebille Thomas , Tomono Kazuaki , Nakayama Masaharu
Published: April 2011

We have fabricated composite electrode materials consisting of manganese-molybdenum mixed oxide and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for supercapacitor application. The process involves electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of multi-walled CNTs onto an ITO electrode, followed by anodic deposition of Mn-Mo oxide from an aqueous Mn(II) solution containing MoO4
2− anions. Electrochemical properties of the composite electrodes with various combinations of Mn-Mo oxide and CNTs were evaluated systematically with the aim of maximizing the electrochemical utilization of the oxide. Optimization led to a high specific capacitance of 408 F g−1 at a scan rate of 2 mV s−1, with an area-normalized capacitance of 31 mF cm−2 (or a volume-normalized capacitance of 76 F cm−3).
The calcium channel α2/δ1 subunit interacts with ATP5b in the plasma membrane of developing muscle cells
Authors: García Jesús
Published: April 2011

The α2/δ1 and α11.1 subunits are present at a 1:1 ratio in the dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) from adult skeletal muscle. In contrast, during early myotube development α2/δ1 is present at higher levels than α11.1 and localizes at the ends of the cells, suggesting that α2/δ1 may have a role independent from DHPRs. We sought to identify binding partners of α2/δ1 at a period when levels of α11.1 are low. Analysis of protein complexes in their native configuration established that α2/δ1 may be associating with ATP5b, a subunit of a mitochondrial ATP synthase complex. This interaction was confirmed with fluorescence resonance energy transfer and coimmunoprecipitation. The association of α2/δ1 and ATP5b occurs in intracellular membranes and at the plasma membrane, where they form a functional signaling complex capable of accelerating the rate of decline of calcium transients. The acceleration of decay was more evident when myotubes were stimulated with a train of pulses. Our data indicate that the α2/δ1 subunit is not only part of the DHPR but that it may interact with other cellular components in developing myotubes, such as the ATP5b in its atypical localization in the plasma membrane.
Trafficking-deficient hERG K+ channels linked to long QT syndrome are regulated by a microtubule-dependent quality control compartment in the ER
Authors: Smith Jennifer L. , McBride Christie M. , Nataraj Parvathi S. , Bartos Daniel C. , January Craig T. , Delisle Brian P.
Published: April 2011

The human ether-a-go-go related gene ( hERG) encodes the voltage-gated K+ channel that underlies the rapidly activating delayed-rectifier current in cardiac myocytes. hERG is synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as an “immature” N-linked glycoprotein and is terminally glycosylated in the Golgi apparatus. Most hERG missense mutations linked to long QT syndrome type 2 (LQT2) reduce the terminal glycosylation and functional expression. We tested the hypothesis that a distinct pre-Golgi compartment negatively regulates the trafficking of some LQT2 mutations to the Golgi apparatus. We found that treating cells in nocodazole, a microtubule depolymerizing agent, altered the subcellular localization, functional expression, and glycosylation of the LQT2 mutation G601S-hERG differently from wild-type hERG (WT-hERG). G601S-hERG quickly redistributed to peripheral compartments that partially colocalized with KDEL (Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu) chaperones but not calnexin, Sec31, or the ER golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC). Treating cells in E-4031, a drug that increases the functional expression of G601S-hERG, prevented the accumulation of G601S-hERG to the peripheral compartments and increased G601S-hERG colocalization with the ERGIC. Coexpressing the temperature-sensitive mutant G protein from vesicular stomatitis virus, a mutant N-linked glycoprotein that is retained in the ER, showed it was not restricted to the same peripheral compartments as G601S-hERG at nonpermissive temperatures. We conclude that the trafficking of G601S-hERG is negatively regulated by a microtubule-dependent compartment within the ER. Identifying mechanisms that prevent the sorting or promote the release of LQT2 channels from this compartment may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for LQT2.
Acute elevation of triglycerides increases left ventricular contractility and alters ventricular-vascular interaction
Authors: Holland David J. , Erne Dominique , Kostner Karam , Leano Rodel , Haluska Brian A. , Marwick Thomas H. , Sharman James E.
Published: April 2011

Acute elevation of circulating lipids, such as the postprandial state, contributes to increased cardiovascular risk. However, the effect of acutely elevated triglycerides on arterial and left ventricular function is not completely understood. We aimed to assess whether an acute increase in triglycerides affects ventricular-vascular interaction. Fifteen healthy men (age, 49 ± 8 yr) underwent blinded, randomized infusion of saline and intravenous fat emulsion to acutely raise plasma triglycerides. All subjects underwent both randomization trials, in random order on two separate days. Ventricular-vascular interaction measures were recorded by tonometry (central blood pressure) and echocardiography (left ventricular volumes, strain, and strain rate) at baseline and after 1 h infusion. Net ventricular-vascular interaction was defined by the effective arterial elastance ( EA)-to-left ventricular end-systolic elastance ( ELV) ratio ( EA/ ELV). When compared with saline, the infusion of intravenous fat emulsion increased triglycerides and free fatty acids (Δ P < 0.001 for both) and improved left ventricular contractility (Δ ELV, end-systolic volume and strain rate; P < 0.05 for all). However, arterial function was unchanged (Δ EA, brachial and central blood pressure; P > 0.05 for all). Overall, EA/ ELVwas decreased by an infusion of intravenous fat emulsion ( P = 0.004) but not saline ( P > 0.05, P = 0.001 for Δ between trials). We conclude that intravenous fat emulsion and acute elevation of blood lipids (including triglycerides and free fatty acids) alter ventricular-vascular interaction by increasing left ventricular contractility without affecting arterial load. These findings may have implications for cardiovascular responses to parenteral nutrition.
Flow-dependent Smad2 phosphorylation and TGIF nuclear localization in human aortic endothelial cells
Authors: Shepherd Robert D. , Kos Stephanie M. , Rinker Kristina D.
Published: April 2011

Endothelial cells respond to fluid flow stimulation through transient and sustained signal pathway activation. Smad2 is a signaling molecule and transcription factor in the Smad signaling pathway, traditionally associated with TGF-β. Although phosphorylation of Smad2 in the receptor-dependent COOH-terminal region is the most appreciated way Smad2 is activated to affect gene expression, phosphorylation may also occur in the MH1-MH2 linker region (L-psmad2). Here, we show that in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC), Smad2 was both preferentially phosphorylated in the linker region and localized to the nucleus in a flow-dependent manner. The Smad corepressor transforming growth interacting factor (TGIF) was also found to have flow-dependent nuclear localization. Tissue studies confirmed this L-psmad2 generation trend in rat aorta, indicating likely importance in arterial tissue. HAEC-based inhibitor studies demonstrated that L-psmad2 levels were not related to MAPK phosphorylation, but instead followed the pattern of pAkt473, both with and without the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor PI-103. Akt and Smad species were also shown to directly interact under flow relative to static controls. To further evaluate impacts of PI-103 treatment, expression profiles for two TGF-β and shear stress-dependent genes were determined and showed that mRNAs were lower from untreated 10 dyn/cm2than 2 dyn/cm2average shear stress cultures. However, upon exposure to PI-103, this trend was reversed, with a stronger response observed at 10 dyn/cm2. Taken together, the results of this work suggest that fluid flow exposure may influence endothelial gene expression by a novel mechanism involving Akt, L-psmad2, and TGIF.
Implications of nonshivering thermogenesis for energy balance regulation in humans
Authors: van Marken Lichtenbelt Wouter D. , Schrauwen Patrick
Published: April 2011

The incidence of the metabolic syndrome has reached epidemic levels in the Western world. With respect to the energy balance, most attention has been given to reducing energy (food) intake. Increasing energy expenditure is an important alternative strategy. Facultative thermogenesis, which is the increase in energy expenditure in response to cold or diet, may be an effective way to affect the energy balance. The recent identification of functional brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adult humans promoted a renewed interest in nonshivering thermogenesis (NST). The purpose of this review is to highlight the recent insight in NST, general aspects of its regulation, the major tissues involved, and its metabolic consequences. Sustainable NST in adult humans amounts to 15% of the average daily energy expenditure. Calculations based on the limited available literature show that BAT thermogenesis can amount to 5% of the basal metabolic rate. It is likely that at least a substantial part of NST can be attributed to BAT, but it is possible that other tissues contribute to NST. Several studies on mitochondrial uncoupling indicate that skeletal muscle is another potential contributor to facultative thermogenesis in humans. The general and synergistic role of the sympathetic nervous system and the thyroid axis in relation to NST is discussed. Finally, perspectives on BAT and skeletal muscle NST are given.
FoxO1 is not a key transcription factor in the regulation ofmyostatin(mstn-1aandmstn-1b) gene expression in trout myotubes
Authors: Seiliez Iban , Sabin Nathalie , Gabillard Jean-Charles
Published: April 2011

In mammals, much evidence has demonstrated the important role of myostatin (MSTN) in regulating muscle mass and identified the transcription factor forkhead box O (FoxO) 1 as a key regulator of its gene expression during atrophy. However, in trout, food deprivation leads to muscle atrophy without an increase of the expression of mstn genes in the muscle. We therefore studied the relationship between FoxO1 activity and the expression of both mstn genes ( mstn1a and mstn1b) in primary culture of trout myotubes. To this aim, two complementary studies were undertaken. In the former, FoxO1 protein activity was modified with insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) treatment, and the consequences on the expression of both mstn genes were monitored. In the second experiment, the expression of both studied genes was modified with growth hormone (GH) treatment, and the activation of FoxO1 protein was investigated. We found that IGF-I induced the phosphorylation of FoxO1 and FoxO4. Moreover, under IGF-I stimulation, FoxO1 was no longer localized in the nucleus, indicating that this growth factor inhibited FoxO1 activity. However, IGF-I treatment had no effect on mstn1a and mstn1b expression, suggesting that FoxO1 would not regulate the expression of mstn genes in trout myotubes. Furthermore, the treatment of myotubes with GH decreased the expression of both mstn genes but has no effect on the phosphorylation of FoxO1, FoxO3, and FoxO4 nor on the nuclear translocation of FoxO1. Altogether, our results showed that mstn1a and mstn1b expressions were not associated with FoxO activity, indicating that FoxO1 is likely not a key regulator of mstn genes in trout myotubes.
Dynamin activates NO production in rat renal inner medullary collecting ducts via protein-protein interaction with NOS1
Authors: Hyndman Kelly A. , Musall Jacqueline B. , Xue Jing , Pollock Jennifer S.
Published: April 2011

We hypothesized that nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms may be regulated by dynamin (DNM) in the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD). The aims of this study were to determine which DNM isoforms (DNM1, DNM2, DNM3) are expressed in renal IMCDs, whether DNM interacts with NOS, whether a high-salt diet alters the interaction of DNM and NOS, and whether DNM activates NO production. DNM2 and DNM3 are highly expressed in the rat IMCD, while DNM1 is localized outside of the IMCD. We found that DNM1 interacts with NOS1α, NOS1β, and NOS3 in the inner medulla of male Sprague-Dawley rats on a 0.4% salt diet. DNM2 interacts with NOS1α, while DNM3 interacts with both NOS1α and NOS1β. DNM2 and DNM3 do not interact with NOS3 in the rat inner medulla. We did not observe any change in the DNM/NOS interactions with rats on a 4% salt diet after 7 days. Furthermore, NOS1α interacts with DNM2 in mIMCD3 and COS7 cells transfected with NOS1α and DNM2-GFP constructs and the NOS1 reductase domain is necessary for the interaction. Finally, COS7 cells expressing NOS1α or NOS1α/DNM2-GFP had significantly higher nitrite production compared with DNM2-GFP only. Nitrite production was blocked by the DNM inhibitor dynasore or the dominant negative DNM2K44A. Ionomycin stimulation further increased nitrite production in the NOS1α/DNM2-GFP cells compared with NOS1α only. In conclusion, DNM and NOS1 interact in the rat renal IMCD and this interaction leads to increased NO production, which may influence NO production in the renal medulla.
Putative lateral inhibition in sensory processing for directional turns
Authors: Yafremava Liudmila S. , Gillette Rhanor
Published: April 2011

Computing targeted responses is a general problem in goal-directed behaviors. We sought the sensory template for directional turning in the predatory sea slug Pleurobranchaea californica, which calculates precise turn angles by averaging multiple stimulus sites on its chemotactile oral veil (Yafremava LS, Anthony CW, Lane L, Campbell JK, Gillette R. J Exp Biol 210: 561–569, 2007). Spiking responses to appetitive chemotactile stimulation were recorded in the two bilateral pairs of oral veil nerves, the large oral veil nerve (LOVN) and the tentacle nerve (TN). The integrative abilities of the peripheral nervous system were significant. Nerve spiking responses to punctate, one-site stimulation of the oral veil followed sigmoid relations as stimuli moved between lateral tentacle and the midline. Receptive fields of LOVN and TN were unilateral, overlapping, and oppositely weighted for responsiveness across the length of oral veil. Simultaneous two-site stimulation caused responses of amplitudes markedly smaller than the sum of corresponding one-site responses. Plots of two-site nerve responses against the summed approximate distances from midline of each site were markedly linear. Thus the sensory paths in the peripheral nervous system show reciprocal occlusion similar to lateral inhibition. This outcome suggests a novel neural function for lateral inhibitory mechanisms, distinct from simple contrast enhancement, in computation of both sensory maps and targeted motor actions.
Sensory weighting and realignment: independent compensatory processes
Authors: Block Hannah J. , Bastian Amy J.
Published: April 2011

When estimating the position of one hand for the purpose of reaching to it with the other, humans have visual and proprioceptive estimates of the target hand's position. These are thought to be weighted and combined to form an integrated estimate in such a way that variance is minimized. If visual and proprioceptive estimates are in disagreement, it may be advantageous for the nervous system to bring them back into register by spatially realigning one or both. It is possible that realignment is determined by weights, in which case the lower-weighted modality should always realign more than the higher-weighted modality. An alternative possibility is that realignment and weighting processes are controlled independently, and either can be used to compensate for a sensory misalignment. Here, we imposed a misalignment between visual and proprioceptive estimates of target hand position in a reaching task designed to allow simultaneous, independent measurement of weights and realignment. In experiment 1, we used endpoint visual feedback to create a situation where task success could theoretically be achieved with either a weighting or realignment strategy, but vision had to be regarded as the correctly aligned modality to achieve success. In experiment 2, no endpoint visual feedback was given. We found that realignment operates independently of weights in the former case but not in the latter case, suggesting that while weighting and realignment may operate in conjunction in some circumstances, they are biologically independent processes that give humans behavioral flexibility in compensating for sensory perturbations.
Robust Affine Invariant Descriptors
Authors: Yang Jianwei , Chen Zirun , Chen Wen-Sheng , Chen Yunjie
Published: April 2011

An approach is developed for the extraction of affine invariant
descriptors by cutting object into slices. Gray values associated with every
pixel in each slice are summed up to construct affine invariant descriptors.
As a result, these descriptors are very robust to additive noise. In order to
establish slices of correspondence between an object and its affine transformed
version, general contour (GC) of the object is constructed by performing
projection along lines with different polar angles. Consequently, affine in‐variant division curves are derived. A slice is formed by points fall in the
region enclosed by two adjacent division curves. To test and evaluate the
proposed method, several experiments have been conducted. Experimental
results show that the proposed method is very robust to noise.
An Axisymmetric Squeezing Fluid Flow between the Two Infinite Parallel Plates in a Porous Medium Channel
Authors: Islam S. , Khan Hamid , Shah Inayat Ali , Zaman Gul
Published: April 2011

The flow between two large parallel plates approaching each other symmetrically in a porous medium is studied. The Navier‐Stokes equations have been transformed into an ordinary nonlinear differential equation using a transformation ψ(r, z) = r2F(z). Solution to the problem is obtained by using differential transform method (DTM) by varying different Newtonian fluid parameters and permeability of the porous medium. Result for the stream function is presented. Validity of the solutions is confirmed by evaluating the residual in each case, and the proposed scheme gives excellent and reliable results. The influence of different parameters on the flow has been discussed and presented through graphs.
Attitudes of Healthcare Workers towards Older People in a Rural Population: A Survey Using the Kogan Scale
Authors: Doherty Mandy , Mitchell Elizabeth A. , O'Neill Siobhan
Published: April 2011

With the global trend towards an increasingly ageing population, it is clear that nurses need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to fulfil significant roles in responding to future health and support needs. This paper reports the results of a survey that aimed to identify and evaluate the attitudes of nurses, healthcare assistants, and nursing students towards older people. The survey was undertaken in a rural county in the Republic of Ireland. It is reassuring that in our study, we found that these healthcare workers hold positive attitudes towards older people. In addition, we found that study to a higher level at university appears to mitigate towards holding more positive attitudes, and this is an important finding in light of the shift towards nursing as an all-graduate profession.
Perspectives on the Role of Fospropofol in the Monitored Anesthesia Care Setting
Authors: Pergolizzi Joseph V. , Gan Tong J. , Plavin Stanford , Labhsetwar Sumedha , Taylor Robert
Published: April 2011

Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is a safe, effective, and appropriate form of anesthesia for many minor surgical procedures. The proliferation of outpatient procedures has heightened interest in MAC sedation agents. Among the most commonly used MAC sedation agents today are benzodiazepines, including midazolam, and propofol. Recently approved in the United States is fospropofol, a prodrug of propofol which hydrolyzes in the body by alkaline phosphatase to liberate propofol. Propofol liberated from fospropofol has unique pharmacological properties, but recently retracted pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) evaluations make it difficult to formulate clear conclusions with respect to fospropofol's PK/PD properties. In safety and efficacy clinical studies, fospropofol demonstrated dose-dependent sedation with good rates of success at doses of 6.5 mg/kg along with good levels of patient and physician acceptance. Fospropofol has been associated with less pain at injection site than propofol. The most commonly reported side effects with fospropofol are paresthesia and pruritus. Fospropofol is a promising new sedation agent that appears to be well suited for MAC sedation, but further studies are needed to better understand its PK/PD properties as well its appropriate clinical role in outpatient procedures.
ReMoFP: A Tool for Counting Function Points from UML Requirement Models
Authors: Batista Vitor A. , Peixoto Daniela C. C. , Borges Eduardo P. , Pádua Wilson , Resende Rodolfo F. , Pádua Clarindo Isaías P. S.
Published: April 2011

Function Point Analysis (FPA) is a widely used technique for measuring software size. It measures software functionality from the user's perspective, usually based on a requirements description. In many software processes, these requirements are represented by UML models.
Although there have been attempts to automate the measurement process, FPA counting requires a considerable amount of interpretation which, to be reliable, should be made by experts. On the other hand, fully manual counting methods usually fail to keep synchronized with the requirements model, since requirements frequently change during the development cycle.
This paper describes an approach for counting FPA and a compliant tool. This approach makes use of UML requirement models. The tool, called ReMoFP (Requirement Model Function Point counter), leaves all the counting decisions to the analyst, but supports him by ensuring consistency with the requirements represented in the models. The ReMoFP was developed by a software development laboratory in Brazil, and helped it to improve counting productivity, consistency, and maintainability.
Nonoscillation of Second‐Order Dynamic Equations with Several Delays
Authors: Braverman Elena , Karpuz Başak
Published: April 2011

Existence of nonoscillatory solutions for the second‐order dynamic equation for is investigated in this paper. The results involve nonoscillation criteria in terms of relevant dynamic and generalized characteristic inequalities, comparison theorems, and explicit nonoscillation and oscillation conditions. This allows to obtain most known nonoscillation results for second‐order delay differential equations in the case
A0(t) ≡ 1 for t ∈ [t0, ∞) ℝ and for second‐order nondelay difference equations (αi(t) = t + 1 for t ∈ [t0, ∞) ℕ). Moreover, the general results imply new nonoscillation tests for delay differential equations with arbitrary A0 and for second‐order delay difference equations. Known nonoscillation results for quantum scales can also be deduced.
Communication Support for People with ALS
Authors: Beukelman David , Fager Susan , Nordness Amy
Published: April 2011

Almost all people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) experience a motor speech disorder, such as dysarthria, as the disease progresses. At some point, 80 to of people with ALS are unable to meet their daily communication needs using natural speech. Unfortunately, once intelligibility begins to decrease, speech performance often deteriorates so rapidly that there is little time to implement an appropriate augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention; therefore, appropriate timing of referral for AAC assessment and intervention continues to be a most important clinical decision-making issue. AAC acceptance and use have increased considerably during the past decade. Many people use AAC until within a few weeks of their deaths.
Blood and CSF Biomarker Dynamics in Multiple Sclerosis: Implications for Data Interpretation
Authors: Eikelenboom M. J. , Uitdehaag B. M. J. , Petzold A.
Published: April 2011

Background. Disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) is related to neuroaxonal degeneration. A reliable blood biomarker for neuroaxonal degeneration is needed.Objectives. To explore the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum concentrations of a protein biomarker for neuroaxonal degeneration, the neurofilaments heavy chain (NfH).Methods. An exploratory cross-sectional (n=51) and longitudinal (n=34) study on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum NfH phosphoform levels in patients with MS. The expanded disability status scale (EDSS), CSF, and serum levels of NfH-SMI34 and NfH-SMI35 were quantified at baseline. Disability progression was assessed at 3-year followup.Results. At baseline, patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS, EDSS 6) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS, EDSS 6) were more disabled compared to patients with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS, EDSS 2,P<.0001). Serum and CSF NfH phosphoform levels were not correlated. Baseline serum levels of the NfH-SMI34 were significantly (P<.05) higher in patients with PPMS (2.05 ng/mL) compared to SPMS (0.03 ng/mL) and RRMS (1.56 ng/mL). In SPMS higher serum than CSF NfH-SMI34 levels predicted disability progression from baseline (ΔEDSS2,P<.05). In RRMS higher CSF than serum NfH-SMI35 levels predicted disability progression (ΔEDSS2,P<.05).Conclusion. Serum and CSF NfH-SMI34 and NfH-SMI35 levels did not correlate with each other in MS. The quantitative relationship of CSF and serum NfH levels suggests that neuroaxonal degeneration of the central nervous system is the likely cause for disability progression in RRMS. In more severely disabled patients with PP/SPMS, subtle pathology of the peripheral nervous system cannot be excluded as an alternative source for blood NfH levels. Therefore, the interpretation of blood protein biomarker data in diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) should consider the possibility that pathology of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) may influence the results.
Gregus‐Type Common Fixed Point Theorems for Tangential Multivalued Mappings of Integral Type in Metric Spaces
Authors: Sintunavarat W. , Kumam P.
Published: April 2011

The concept of tangential for single‐valued
mappings is extended to multivalued mappings and used to prove
the existence of a common fixed point theorem of Gregus type for
four mappings satisfying a strict general contractive condition of
integral type. Consequently, several known fixed point results generalized
and improved the corresponding recent result of Pathak and
Shahzad (2009) and many authors.
PDK1 Attenuation Fails to Prevent Tumor Formation in PTEN-Deficient Transgenic Mouse Models
Authors: Ellwood-Yen Katharine , Keilhack Heike , Kunii Kaiko , Dolinski Brian , Connor Yamicia , Hu Kun , Nagashima Kumiko , O'Hare Erin , Erkul Yusuf , Di Bacco Alessandra , Gargano Diana , Shomer Nirah H. , Angagaw Minilik , Leccese Erica , Andrade Paula , Hurd Melissa , Shin Myung K. , Vogt Thomas F. , Northrup Alan , Bobkova Ekaterina V. , Kasibhatla Shailaja , Bronson Roderick T. , Scott Martin L. , Draetta Giulio , Richon Victoria , Kohl Nancy , Blume-Jensen Peter , Andersen Jannik N. , Kraus Manfred
Published: April 2011

PDK1 activates AKT suggesting that PDK1 inhibition might suppress tumor development. However, while PDK1 has been investigated intensively as an oncology target, selective inhibitors suitable for in vivo studies have remained elusive. In this study we present the results of in vivo PDK1 inhibition through a universally applicable RNAi approach for functional drug target validation in oncogenic pathway contexts. This approach, which relies on doxycycline-inducible shRNA expression from the Rosa26 locus, is ideal for functional studies of genes like PDK1 where constitutive mouse models lead to strong developmental phenotypes or embryonic lethality. We achieved more than 90% PDK1 knockdown in vivo, a level sufficient to impact physiological functions resulting in hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia. This phenotype was reversible on PDK1 reexpression. Unexpectedly, long-term PDK1 knockdown revealed a lack of potent antitumor efficacy in 3 different mouse models of PTEN-deficient cancer. Thus, despite efficient PDK1 knockdown, inhibition of the PI3K pathway was marginal suggesting that PDK1 was not a rate limiting factor. Ex vivo analysis of pharmacological inhibitors revealed that AKT and mTOR inhibitors undergoing clinical development are more effective than PDK1 inhibitors at blocking activated PI3K pathway signaling. Taken together our findings weaken the widely held expectation that PDK1 represents an appealing oncology target. Cancer Res; 71(8); 3052–65. ©2011 AACR.
PI3K Pathway Mutations and PTEN Levels in Primary and Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Gonzalez-Angulo Ana M. , Ferrer-Lozano Jaime , Stemke-Hale Katherine , Sahin Aysegul , Liu Shuying , Barrera Juan A. , Burgues Octavio , Lluch Ana M. , Chen Huiqin , Hortobagyi Gabriel N. , Mills Gordon B. , Meric-Bernstam Funda
Published: April 2011

The purpose of this work was to determine whether there are differences in PIK3CA mutation status and PTEN protein expression between primary and matched metastatic breast tumors as this could influence patient management. Paraffin sections of 50 μm were used for DNA extraction and slides of 3 μm for immunohistochemistry (IHC) and FISH. Estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 IHC were repeated in a central laboratory for both primary tumors and metastases. PTEN levels were assessed by IHC and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway mutations were detected by a mass spectroscopy–based approach. Median age was 48 years (range: 30–83 years). Tumor subtype included 72% hormone receptor positive/HER2 negative, 20% HER2-positive, and less than 7.8% triple receptor negative. Tissues were available for PTEN IHC in 46 primary tumors and 52 metastases. PTEN was lost in 14 (30%) primary tumors and 13 (25%) metastases. There were five cases of PTEN loss and eight cases of PTEN gain from primary tumors to metastases (26% discordance). Adequate DNA was obtained from 46 primary tumors and from 50 metastases for PIK3CA analysis. PIK3CA mutations were detected in 19 (40%) of primary tumors and 21 (42%) of metastases. There were five cases of PIK3CA mutation loss and four cases of mutation gain (18% discordance). There was an increase of the level of PIK3CA mutations in four cases and decrease in one case from primary tumors to metastases. There is a high level of discordance in PTEN level, PIK3CA mutations, and receptor status between primary tumors and metastases that may influence patient selection and response to PI3K-targeted therapies. Mol Cancer Ther; 10(6); 1093–101. ©2011 AACR.
The Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor SCH 727965 (Dinacliclib) Induces the Apoptosis of Osteosarcoma Cells
Authors: Fu Wei , Ma Le , Chu Baoky , Wang Xue , Bui Marilyn M. , Gemmer Jennifer , Altiok Soner , Pledger W. Jackson
Published: April 2011

Although rare, osteosarcoma is an aggressive cancer that often metastasizes to the lungs. Toward the goal of developing new treatment options for osteosarcoma, we show that the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor SCH 727965 (SCH) induces the apoptosis of several osteosarcoma cell lines including those resistant to doxorubicin and dasatinib. Cell lines prepared in our laboratory from patients who had received adjuvant chemotherapy and explants derived from a human osteosarcoma xenograft in mice were also responsive to SCH. Apoptosis occurred at low nanomolar concentrations of SCH, as did CDK inhibition, and was p53-independent. SCH activated the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis as evidenced by caspase-9 cleavage and accumulation of cytoplasmic cytochrome c. Amounts of the apoptotic proteins Bax and Bim increased in mitochondria, whereas amounts of the antiapoptotic proteins Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL declined. Osteosarcoma cells apoptosed when codepleted of CDK1 and CDK2 but not when depleted of other CDK combinations. We suggest that SCH triggers the apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells by inactivating CDK1 and CDK2 and that SCH may be useful for treatment of drug-resistant osteosarcomas. SCH also induced the apoptosis of other sarcoma types but not of normal quiescent osteoblasts or fibroblasts. Mol Cancer Ther; 10(6); 1018–27. ©2011 AACR.