bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respiratory infections in preterm infants and subsequent asthma: a cohort study
Authors: Montgomery Scott , Bahmanyar Shahram , Brus Ole , Hussein Oula , Kosma Paraskevi , Palme-Kilander Charlotte
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To investigate whether gestational age modifies the association of airway infections that result in hospital admission during the first year after birth, with subsequent asthma risk after age 5 years.

Setting

Hospital inpatients and a general population comparison group in Sweden followed for subsequent diagnoses in primary and secondary care.

Participants

National registers identified 42 334 children admitted to hospital for respiratory infection in their first year after birth during 1981–1995, individually matched with 211 594 children not admitted to hospital for infection during their first year.

Primary outcome

Asthma diagnoses and prescribed asthma treatments after the age of 5 years identified through registers.

Results

Cox regression was used to identify a HR (and 95% CI) of 1.51 (1.47 to 1.51) for the association of respiratory infection before 1 year of age with asthma after age 5 years, after adjustment for sex, gestational age, chronic lung disease, maternal asthma and maternal smoking. When stratified by gestational age (and with additional adjustment for birth weight), there is statistically significant effect modification by gestational age, with the highest magnitude asthma risk among those born with a gestational age of less than 28 weeks, producing an adjusted HR of 2.22 (1.59 to 3.09). This higher magnitude asthma risk persisted until after age 10 years, but differences in risk by gestational age were less pronounced for asthma after age 16 years.

Conclusions

Extremely preterm infants are most likely to have chronic respiratory sequelae following respiratory infections in early life.
Positive imagery cognitive bias modification (CBM) and internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) versus control CBM and iCBT for depression: study protocol for a parallel-group randomised controlled trial
Authors: Williams Alishia D , Blackwell Simon E , Holmes Emily A , Andrews Gavin
Published: October 2013

Introduction

The current randomised controlled trial will evaluate the efficacy of an internet-delivered positive imagery cognitive bias modification (CBM) intervention for depression when compared with an active control condition and help establish the additive benefit of positive imagery CBM when delivered in combination with internet cognitive behavioural therapy for depression.

Methods and analysis

Patients meeting diagnostic criteria for a current major depressive episode will be recruited through the research arm of a not-for-profit clinical and research unit in Australia. The minimum sample size for each group (α set at 0.05, power at 0.80) was identified as 29, but at least 10% more will be recruited to hedge against expected attrition. We will measure the impact of CBM on primary measures of depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory—second edition (BDI-II), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9)) and interpretive bias (ambiguous scenarios test-depression), and on a secondary measure of psychological distress (Kessler-10 (K10)) following the 1-week CBM intervention. Secondary outcome measures of psychological distress (K10), as well as disability (WHO disability assessment schedule-II), repetitive negative thinking (repetitive thinking questionnaire), and anxiety (state trait anxiety inventory-trait version) will be evaluated following completion of the 11-week combined intervention, in addition to the BDI-II and PHQ9. Intent-to-treat marginal and mixed effect models using restricted maximum likelihood estimation will be used to evaluate the primary hypotheses. Clinically significant change will be defined as high-end state functioning (a BDI-II score <14) combined with a total score reduction greater than the reliable change index score. Maintenance of gains will be assessed at 3-month follow-up.

Ethics and dissemination

The current trial protocol has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of St Vincent's Hospital and the University of New South Wales, Sydney.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12613000139774 and Clinicaltrials.gov:NCT01787513. This trial protocol is written in compliance with the Standard Protocol Items: recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines.
A Smart-Distributed Pareto Front Using the ev-MOGA Evolutionary Algorithm
Authors: Herrero J. M. , Reynoso-Meza G. , Martínez M. , Blasco X. , Sanchis J.
Published: October 2013

Obtaining multi-objective optimization solutions with a small number of points smartly distributed along the Pareto front is a challenge. Optimization methods, such as the normalized normal constraint (NNC), propose the use of a filter to achieve a smart Pareto front distribution. The NCC optimization method presents several disadvantages related with the procedure itself, initial condition dependency, and computational burden. In this article, the epsilon-variable multi-objective genetic algorithm (ev-MOGA) is presented. This algorithm characterizes the Pareto front in a smart way and removes the disadvantages of the NNC method. Finally, examples of a three-bar truss design and controller tuning optimizations are presented for comparison purposes.
TRIBONACCI MATRICES AND A NEW CODING THEORY
Authors: BASU MANJUSRI , DAS MONOJIT
Published: October 2013

In this paper, we consider the series of Tribonacci numbers. Thereby, we introduce a new coding theory called Tribonacci coding theory based on Tribonacci numbers and show that in the simplest case, the correct ability of this method is 99.80% whereas the correct ability of the Fibonacci coding/decoding method is 93.33%.
Macrophages directly mediate diabetic renal injury
Authors: You Hanning , Gao Ting , Cooper Timothy K. , Brian Reeves W. , Awad Alaa S.
Published: October 2013

Monocyte/macrophage recruitment correlates strongly with the progression of renal impairment in diabetic nephropathy (DN), yet their direct role is not clear. We hypothesized that macrophages contribute to direct podocyte injury and/or an abnormal podocyte niche leading to DN. Experiments were conducted in CD11b-DTR mice treated with diphtheria toxin (DT) to deplete macrophages after streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Additional experiments were conducted in bone marrow chimeric (CD11b-DTR→ C57BL6/J) mice. Diabetes was associated with an increase in the M1-to-M2 ratio by 6 wk after the induction of diabetes. Macrophage depletion in diabetic CD11b-DTR mice significantly attenuated albuminuria, kidney macrophage recruitment, and glomerular histological changes and preserved kidney nephrin and podocin expression compared with diabetic CD11b-DTR mice treated with mutant DT. These data were confirmed in chimeric mice indicating a direct role of bone marrow-derived macrophages in DN. In vitro, podocytes grown in high-glucose media significantly increased macrophage migration compared with podocytes grown in normal glucose media. In addition, classically activated M1 macrophages, but not M2 macrophages, induced podocyte permeability. These findings provide evidence showing that macrophages directly contribute to kidney injury in DN, perhaps by altering podocyte integrity through the proinflammatory M1 subset of macrophages. Attenuating the deleterious effects of macrophages on podocytes could provide a new therapeutic approach to the treatment of DN.
Nucleus accumbens responses differentiate execution and restraint in reward-directed behavior
Authors: Roitman Jamie D. , Loriaux Amy L.
Published: October 2013

Our behavior is powerfully driven by environmental cues that signal the availability of rewarding stimuli. We frequently encounter stimuli—a bowl of candy or an alert from our smartphone—that trigger actions to obtain those rewards, even though there may be positive outcomes associated with not acting. The inability to restrain one's action in the presence of reward-associated cues is one type of impulsive behavior and a component of such maladaptive behaviors as overeating, gambling, and substance abuse. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is ideally situated to integrate multiple cognitive and affective inputs to bias action via outputs through the basal ganglia. NAc neurons have been shown to respond to cues that predict reward availability, goal-directed behaviors aimed at obtaining them, and delivery of the reward itself. As these processes are typically associated, it is difficult to discern whether signals in the NAc are more closely related to processing reward-predictive aspects of goal-directed behavior or selection of behavioral response. To dissociate these possibilities, we recorded the activity of NAc neurons while rats performed a task in which two different cues both informed rats of reward availability but required them to either press a lever (Go) or withhold pressing (NoGo) to obtain the reward. Individual cue-responsive neurons showed either increases or decreases in activity at cue onset. Increases in activity were larger, and decreases smaller, when rats withheld lever pressing, whether correctly for NoGo trials or in error on Go trials. Thus NAc cue responses correlated with action, regardless of cue type or accuracy.
Neuronal activity in the preoptic hypothalamus during sleep deprivation and recovery sleep
Authors: Alam Md. Aftab , Kumar Sunil , McGinty Dennis , Alam Md. Noor , Szymusiak Ronald
Published: October 2013

The preoptic hypothalamus is implicated in sleep regulation. Neurons in the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) and the ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO) have been identified as potential sleep regulatory elements. However, the extent to which MnPO and VLPO neurons are activated in response to changing homeostatic sleep regulatory demands is unresolved. To address this question, we continuously recorded the extracellular activity of neurons in the rat MnPO, VLPO and dorsal lateral preoptic area (LPO) during baseline sleep and waking, during 2 h of sleep deprivation (SD) and during 2 h of recovery sleep (RS). Sleep-active neurons in the MnPO ( n = 11) and VLPO ( n = 13) were activated in response to SD, such that waking discharge rates increased by 95.8 ± 29.5% and 59.4 ± 17.3%, respectively, above waking baseline values. During RS, non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep discharge rates of MnPO neurons initially increased to 65.6 ± 15.2% above baseline values, then declined to baseline levels in association with decreases in EEG delta power. Increase in non-REM sleep discharge rates in VLPO neurons during RS averaged 40.5 ± 7.6% above baseline. REM-active neurons ( n = 16) in the LPO also exhibited increased waking discharge during SD and an increase in non-REM discharge during RS. Infusion of A2A adenosine receptor antagonist into the VLPO attenuated SD-induced increases in neuronal discharge. Populations of LPO wake/REM-active and state-indifferent neurons and dorsal LPO sleep-active neurons were unresponsive to SD. These findings support the hypothesis that sleep-active neurons in the MnPO and VLPO, and REM-active neurons in the LPO, are components of neuronal circuits that mediate homeostatic responses to sustained wakefulness.
The Existence and Attractivity of Solutions of an Urysohn Integral Equation on an Unbounded Interval
Authors: Darwish Mohamed Abdalla , Banaś Józef , Alzahrani Ebraheem O.
Published: October 2013

We prove a result on the existence and uniform attractivity of solutions of an Urysohn integral equation. Our considerations are conducted in the Banach space consisting of real functions which are bounded and continuous on the nonnegative real half axis. The main tool used in investigations is the technique associated with the measures of noncompactness and a fixed point theorem of Darbo type. An example showing the utility of the obtained results is also included.
Measurement of Intervertebral Cervical Motion by Means of Dynamic X-Ray Image Processing and Data Interpolation
Authors: Bifulco Paolo , Cesarelli Mario , Romano Maria , Fratini Antonio , Sansone Mario
Published: October 2013

Accurate measurement of intervertebral kinematics of the cervical spine can support the diagnosis of widespread diseases related to neck pain, such as chronic whiplash dysfunction, arthritis, and segmental degeneration. The natural inaccessibility of the spine, its complex anatomy, and the small range of motion only permit concise measurement in vivo. Low dose X-ray fluoroscopy allows time-continuous screening of cervical spine during patient’s spontaneous motion. To obtain accurate motion measurements, each vertebra was tracked by means of image processing along a sequence of radiographic images. To obtain a time-continuous representation of motion and to reduce noise in the experimental data, smoothing spline interpolation was used. Estimation of intervertebral motion for cervical segments was obtained by processing patient’s fluoroscopic sequence; intervertebral angle and displacement and the instantaneous centre of rotation were computed. The RMS value of fitting errors resulted in about 0.2 degree for rotation and 0.2 mm for displacements.
Procedure to Use PZT Sensors in Vibration and Load Measurements
Authors: Sathyanarayana C. N. , Raja S. , Ragavendra H. M.
Published: October 2013

In situ correlation procedure is developed for electromechanically coupled PZT sensors to output the structural responses in standard engineering format, namely, displacement, strain, acceleration, and so forth. In order to implement this idea, we have used the standard sensing devices such as laser displacement sensor, strain gauge, and accelerometer. Aluminum beams and composite plate are employed in the experiments as specimens. The experimental results have shown that the structural reactions at critical locations can be monitored by a dynamically correlated PZT patch sensor, besides measuring the intensity of load in terms of acceleration. Furthermore, the influence of damage on sensor correlation has been evaluated. It is seen that the presence of damage has significantly modified the interpreted engineering parameters from the PZT patch and if they are appropriately correlated with respect to healthy structure, then the occurrence of damage related information will be ascertained. The developed sensor correlation concept therefore may be useful in load monitoring, health monitoring, and structural control applications.
Enabling Large-Scale Biomedical Analysis in the Cloud
Authors: Lin Ying-Chih , Yu Chin-Sheng , Lin Yen-Jen
Published: October 2013

Recent progress in high-throughput instrumentations has led to an astonishing growth in both volume and complexity of biomedical data collected from various sources. The planet-size data brings serious challenges to the storage and computing technologies. Cloud computing is an alternative to crack the nut because it gives concurrent consideration to enable storage and high-performance computing on large-scale data. This work briefly introduces the data intensive computing system and summarizes existing cloud-based resources in bioinformatics. These developments and applications would facilitate biomedical research to make the vast amount of diversification data meaningful and usable.
Comparative Performance of PLZT and PVDF Pyroelectric Sensors Used to the Thermal Characterization of Liquid Samples
Authors: Lara Hernandez Gemima , Cruz-Orea Alfredo , Suaste Gomez Ernesto , Flores Cuautle Jose Jesus Agustin
Published: October 2013

Among the photothermal methods, the photopyroelectric (PPE) technique is a suitable method to determine thermal properties of different kinds of samples ranging from solids to liquids and gases. Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) is one of the most frequently used pyroelectric sensors in PPE technique but has the disadvantage that it can be easily deformed by the sample weight. This deformation could add a piezoelectric effect to the thermal parameters assessment; also PVDF has a narrow temperature operation range when compared with ceramic pyroelectric sensors. In order to minimize possible piezoelectric effects due to sensor deformation, a ceramic of lanthanum modified lead zirconate (PLZT) was used as pyroelectric sensor in the PPE technique. Then, thermal diffusivity of some liquid samples was measured, by using the PPE configuration that denominated the thermal wave resonator cavity (TWRC), with a PLZT ceramic as pyroelectric detector. The performance obtained with the proposed ceramic in the TWRC configuration was compared with that obtained with PVDF by using the same configuration.
Cognitive Training for Schizophrenia in Developing Countries: A Pilot Trial in Brazil
Authors: Pontes Livia M. M. , Martins Camila B. , Napolitano Isabel C. , Fonseca Juliana R. , Oliveira Graça M. R. , Iso Sandra M. K. , Menezes Anny K. P. M. , Vizzotto Adriana D. B. , di Sarno Elaine S. , Elkis Hélio
Published: October 2013

Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia can massively impact functionality and quality of life, furthering the importance of cognitive training. Despite the development of the field in Europe and in the United States, no programmes have been developed and tested in developing countries. Different cultural backgrounds, budget restrictions, and other difficulties may render treatment packages created in high income countries difficult for adoption by developing nations. We performed a pilot double-blind, randomized, controlled trial in order to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of an attention and memory training programme specially created in a developing nation. The intervention used simple, widely available materials, required minimal infrastructure, and was conducted in groups. The sample included seventeen stable Brazilians with schizophrenia. Sessions were conducted weekly during five months. The cognitive training group showed significant improvements in inhibitory control and set-shifting over time. Both groups showed improvements in symptoms, processing speed, selective attention, executive function, and long-term visual memory. Improvements were found in the control group in long-term verbal memory and concentration. Our findings reinforce the idea that cognitive training in schizophrenia can be constructed using simple resources and infrastructure, facilitating its adoption by developing countries, and it may improve cognition.
Three-Dimensional Dirac Oscillator with Minimal Length: Novel Phenomena for Quantized Energy
Authors: Betrouche Malika , Maamache Mustapha , Choi Jeong Ryeol
Published: October 2013

We study quantum features of the Dirac oscillator under the condition that the position and the momentum operators obey generalized commutationrelations that lead to the appearance of minimal length with the order of the Planck length,∆xmin=ℏ3β+β′, whereβandβ′are two positive small parameters. Wave functions of the system and the corresponding energy spectrum are derived rigorously. The presence of the minimal length accompanies a quadratic dependence of the energy spectrum on quantum numbern, implying the property of hard confinement of the system. It is shown that the infinite degeneracy of energy levels appearing in the usual Dirac oscillator is vanished by the presence of the minimal length so long asβ≠0. Not only in the nonrelativistic limit but also in the limit of the standard case(β=β′=0), our results reduce to well known usual ones.
Salamander-Derived, Human-Optimized nAG Protein Suppresses Collagen Synthesis and Increases Collagen Degradation in Primary Human Fibroblasts
Authors: Al-Qattan Mohammad M. , Shier Medhat K. , Abd-AlWahed Mervat M. , Mawlana Ola H. , El-Wetidy Mohammed S. , Bagayawa Reginald S. , Ali Hebatallah H. , Al-Nbaheen May S. , Aldahmash Abdullah M.
Published: October 2013

Unlike humans, salamanders regrow their amputated limbs. Regeneration depends on the presence of regenerating axons which upregulate the expression of newt anterior gradient (nAG) protein. We had the hypothesis that nAG might have an inhibitory effect on collagen production since excessive collagen production results in scarring, which is a major enemy to regeneration.nAGgene was designed, synthesized, and cloned. The cloned vector was then transfected into primary human fibroblasts. The results showed that the expression of nAG protein in primary human fibroblast cells suppresses the expression of collagen I and III, with or without TGF-β1 stimulation. This suppression is due to a dual effect of nAG both by decreasing collagen synthesis and by increasing collagen degradation. Furthermore, nAG had an inhibitory effect on proliferation of transfected fibroblasts. It was concluded that nAG suppresses collagen through multiple effects.
Oximetry Signal Processing Identifies REM Sleep-Related Vulnerability Trait in Asthmatic Children
Authors: Perez Geovanny F. , Gutierrez Maria J. , Huseni Shehlanoor , Pancham Khrisna , Rodriguez-Martinez Carlos E. , Nino Cesar L. , Nino Gustavo
Published: October 2013

Rationale. The sleep-related factors that modulate the nocturnal worsening of asthma in children are poorly understood. This study addressed the hypothesis that asthmatic children have a REM sleep-related vulnerability trait that is independent of OSA.Methods. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of pulse-oximetry signals obtained during REM and NREM sleep in control and asthmatic children (n=134). Asthma classification was based on preestablished clinical criteria. Multivariate linear regression model was built to control for potential confounders (significance levelP≤0.05).Results. Our data demonstrated that (1) baseline nocturnal respiratory parameters were not significantly different in asthmatic versus control children, (2) the maximal % of SaO2desaturation during REM, but not during NREM, was significantly higher in asthmatic children, and (3) multivariate analysis revealed that the association between asthma and REM-related maximal % SaO2desaturation was independent of demographic variables.Conclusion. These results demonstrate that children with asthma have a REM-related vulnerability trait that impacts oxygenation independently of OSA. Further research is needed to delineate the REM sleep neurobiological mechanisms that modulate the phenotypical expression of nocturnal asthma in children.
Comparison of GlideScope Videolaryngoscopy to Direct Laryngoscopy for Intubation of a Pediatric Simulator by Novice Physicians
Authors: Rabiner Joni E. , Auerbach Marc , Avner Jeffrey R. , Daswani Dina , Khine Hnin
Published: October 2013

Objective. To compare novice clinicians’ performance using GlideScope videolaryngoscopy (GVL) to direct laryngoscopy (DL).Methods. This was a prospective, randomized crossover study. Incoming pediatric interns intubated pediatric simulators in four normal and difficult airway scenarios with GVL and DL. Primary outcomes included time to intubation and rate of successful intubation. Interns rated their satisfaction of the devices and chose the preferred device.Results. Twenty-five interns were included. In the normal airway scenario, there were no differences in mean time for intubation with GVL or DL (61.4 versus 67.4 seconds, ) or number of successful intubations (19 versus 18, ). In the difficult airway scenario, interns took longer to intubate with GVL than DL (87.7 versus 61.3 seconds, ), but there were no differences in successful intubations (14 versus 15, ). There was a trend towards higher satisfaction for GVL than DL (7.3 versus 6.4, ), and GVL was chosen as the preferred device by a majority of interns (17/25, 68%).Conclusions. For novice clinicians, GVL does not improve time to intubation or intubation success rates in a pediatric simulator model of normal and difficult airway scenarios. Still, these novice clinicians overall preferred GVL.
Rubi Fructus (Rubus coreanus) Inhibits Differentiation to Adipocytes in 3T3-L1 Cells
Authors: Jeong Mi-Young , Kim Hye-Lin , Park Jinbong , An Hyo-Jin , Kim Sung-Hoon , Kim Su-Jin , So Hong-Seob , Park Raekil , Um Jae-Young , Hong Seung-Heon
Published: October 2013

Rubi Fructus (RF) is known to exert several pharmacological effects including antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, its antiobesity effect has not been reported yet. This study was focused on the antidifferentiation effect of RF extract on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. When 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiating into adipocytes, 10–100 μg/mL of RF was added. Next, the lipid contents were quantified by Oil Red O staining. RF significantly reduced lipid accumulation and downregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ(PPARγ), CCAAT0-enhancer-binding proteinsα(C/EBPα), adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein 2 (aP2), resistin, and adiponectin in ways that were concentration dependent. Moreover, RF markedly upregulated liver kinase B1 and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Interestingly, pretreatment with AMPKαsiRNA and RF downregulated the expression of PPARγand C/EBPαprotein as well as the adipocyte differentiation. Our study shows that RF is capable of inhibiting the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes through the modulation of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and AMPK, suggesting that it has a potential for therapeutic application in the treatment or prevention of obesity.
A Global and Hemispherical Analysis of the Lorenz Energetics Based on the Representative Concentration Pathways Used in CMIP5
Authors: Veiga José Augusto P. , Ambrizzi Tercio
Published: October 2013

So far, only a few studies have evaluated the impact of greenhouse gases emissions on the global and limited area energetics. Furthermore, all of them have concentrated on the increasing of CO2. As new climate projections are now available from a number of climate models under the MPI-ESR-MR experiment, the present study analyses the global and hemispherical energetics under the increase of greenhouse gas forcings that follow Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP26, RCP45, and RCP85). The results have shown a reduction in theLECintensity as the concentration of greenhouse gases increases, with the RCP85 scenario generating the strongest decrease. For both global and hemispherical domains, zonal kinetic energy is the only energy reservoir which increases in a warmer environment, whereas the conversion between eddy kinetic energy and zonal kinetic energy (CK) is the only energy flux also experiencing an increase. A quantitative analysis of the inner processes involved in the conversion terms shows important changes in the horizontal and vertical eddy-transport of momentum and sensible heat. In the case ofCKboth vertical and horizontal eddy-transports of momentum play an important role in the increase of zonal kinetic energy for the global domain.
Automatic Characterization of the Visual Appearance of Industrial Materials through Colour and Texture Analysis: An Overview of Methods and Applications
Authors: González Elena , Bianconi Francesco , Álvarez Marcos X. , Saetta Stefano A.
Published: October 2013

We present an overview of methods and applications of automatic characterization of the appearance of materials through colour and texture analysis. We propose a taxonomy based on three classes of methods (spectral, spatial, and hybrid) and discuss their general advantages and disadvantages. For each class we present a set of methods that are computationally cheap and easy to implement and that was proved to be reliable in many applications. We put these methods in the context of typical industrial environments and provide examples of their application in the following tasks: surface grading, surface inspection, and content-based image retrieval. We emphasize the potential benefits that would come from a wide implementation of these methods, such as better product quality, new services, and higher customer satisfaction.
Process of Identifying Stress Fields from Strain Fields in the Specimen with a Hole
Authors: Štamborská Michaela , Kvíčala Miroslav , Mareš Vratislav
Published: October 2013

The paper is focused on the process of identifying stress fields from strain fields in the specimen with a hole. The experiment was realized on the specimen with a hole made from anisotropic material. The main attention is paid to the analysis of deformation in the areas of stress (near the hole). That geometry generates a heterogeneous strain field which has been measured during the test using a digital image correlation system. The advantage of using heterogeneous strain fields in the identification procedure is that a complex state of stress-strain can be analyzed at the same time. On the other hand the stress field cannot be directly computed from the test and a suitable identification procedure has to be developed. Here, the virtual fields method (VFM) adapted for plastic strain has been used to identify the hardening behaviour and the anisotropy of the material. The values obtained by the VFM have been compared with the results coming from a standard identification made with uniaxial tensile tests.
Involvement of MAPKs and PLC Pathways in Modulation of Pacemaking Activity by So‐Cheong‐Ryong‐Tang in Interstitial Cells of Cajal from Murine Small Intestine
Authors: Hwang Min Woo , Lee Hee Jung , Song Ho Joon , Kim Byung Joo
Published: October 2013

Purpose. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are the pacemaker cells that generate slow waves in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We have aimed to investigate the effects of Socheongryong‐Tang (SCRT) in ICCs from mouse’s small intestine. Methods. The whole‐cell patch‐clamp configuration was used to record membrane potentials from cultured ICCs. Intracellular Ca2+ () increase was studied in cultured ICCs using fura‐2 AM. Results. ICCs generated pacemaker potentials in mouse’s small intestine. SCRT produced membrane depolarization in current clamp mode. Y25130 (5‐HT3 receptor antagonist) and RS39604 (5‐HT4 receptor antagonist) blocked SCRT‐induced membrane depolarizations, whereas SB269970 (5‐HT7 receptor antagonist) did not. When GDP‐β‐S (1 mM) was in the pipette solution, SCRT did not induce the membrane depolarizations. analysis showed that SCRT increased . In the presence of PD98059 (p42/44 MAPK inhibitor), SCRT did not produce membrane depolarizations. In addition, SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) and JNK inhibitors blocked the depolarizations by SCRT in pacemaker potentials. Furthermore, the membrane depolarizations by SCRT were not inhibited by U‐73122, an active phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, but by U‐73343, an inactive PLC inhibitor. Conclusion. These results suggest that SCRT might affect GI motility by the modulation of pacemaker activity through MAPKs and PLC pathways in the ICCs.
Genetic Pattern Search and Its Application to Brain Image Classification
Authors: Zhang Yudong , Wang Shuihua , Ji Genlin , Dong Zhengchao
Published: October 2013

A novel global optimization method, based on the combination of genetic algorithm (GA) and generalized pattern search (PS) algorithm, is proposed to find global minimal points more effectively and rapidly. The idea lies in the facts that GA tends to be quite good at finding generally good global solutions, but quite inefficient in finding the last few mutations for the absolute optimum, and that PS is quite efficient in finding absolute optimum in a limited region. The novel algorithm, named as genetic pattern search (GPS), employs the GA as the search method at every step of PS. Experiments on five different classical benchmark functions (consisting of Hump, Powell, Rosenbrock, Schaffer, and Woods) demonstrate that the proposed GPS is superior to improved GA and improved PS with respect to success rate. We applied the GPS to the classification of normal and abnormal structural brain MRI images. The results indicate that GPS exceeds BP, MBP, IGA, and IPS in terms of classification accuracy. This suggests that GPS is an effective and viable global optimization method and can be applied to brain MRI classification.
Infraspinatus/Teres Minor Transfer Biceps In Situ Tenodesis Procedure: Initial Results of a Technique for Massive Cuff Tears
Authors: Fletcher Matt D. A.
Published: October 2013

Massive rotator cuff tears may not be primarily repairable with salvage options not necessarily providing acceptable results. Extrinsic tendon transfer is a significant undertaking with prolonged rehabilitation and variable outcome. A novel technique for the reconstruction of massive tears, not amenable to primary repair, by performing a transfer of the intrinsic posterior rotator cuff onto an intact, tenodesed long head of biceps tendon acting as a scaffold for the intrinsic transfer is described. The clinical results at short to medium term in 17 initial patients are presented. Encouraging results from this study suggest that this is a viable option for the management of massive rotator cuff tears with an intact posterior cuff with results equal or superior to other reconstructive techniques.
Rapid and Inexpensive Screening of Genomic Copy Number Variations Using a Novel Quantitative Fluorescent PCR Method
Authors: Stofanko Martin , Han Joan C. , Elsea Sarah H. , Pena Heloísa B. , Gonçalves-Dornelas Higgor , Pena Sérgio Danilo Junho
Published: October 2013

Detection of human microdeletion and microduplication syndromes poses significant burden on public healthcare systems in developing countries. With genome-wide diagnostic assays frequently inaccessible, targeted low-cost PCR-based approaches are preferred. However, their reproducibility depends on equally efficient amplification using a number of target and control primers. To address this, the recently described technique called Microdeletion/Microduplication Quantitative Fluorescent PCR (MQF-PCR) was shown to reliably detect four human syndromes by quantifying DNA amplification in an internally controlled PCR reaction. Here, we confirm its utility in the detection of eight human microdeletion syndromes, including the more common WAGR, Smith-Magenis, and Potocki-Lupski syndromes with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. We present selection, design, and performance evaluation of detection primers using variety of approaches. We conclude that MQF-PCR is an easily adaptable method for detection of human pathological chromosomal aberrations.
Hydrocarbons Migration through Groundwater Convergence toward Saline Depressions: A Case Study, Sidi El Hani Discharge Playa, Tunisian Sahel
Authors: Essefi Elhoucine , Tagorti Mohamed Ali , Touir Jamel , Yaich Chokri
Published: October 2013

This paper aims to provide proofs of hydrocarbons migration from petroleum reservoirs towards the surface of discharge playas. This is a case study of the discharge playa of Sidi El Hani, eastern Tunisia. The geochemistry of water of some hydrological drills in the Sahel area and of water from the discharge playa proves relatedness between the deep aquifer and the water of the discharge playa. Thus, the hydrology is now more than likely converging from the subsurface. This convergence may be an agent of transport of hydrocarbons. Concerning the organic matter within the discharge playa, high percentages of different fractions seem abnormal in such a saline context. This maturated organic matter should be viewed in the widest context of a multidisciplinary study taking into account the presence of petroleum potentials in the subsurface, the converging hydrogeology, and the tectonised region. The high percentage of Aromatic Polycyclic Hydrocarbon (APH) may be the result of hydrocarbons migration rather than anthropogenic pollution. As for the reinterpretation of previous works about the organic matter in playas done in sebkha Moknine, the contaminated organic matter, which was interpreted as a human induced activity, may have another origin from a reservoir located in the subsurface of the Sahel area.
Higher Prostate Weight Is Inversely Associated with Gleason Score Upgrading in Radical Prostatectomy Specimens
Authors: Reis Leonardo Oliveira , Zani Emerson Luis , Freitas Leandro L. L. , Denardi Fernandes , Billis Athanase
Published: October 2013

Background. Protective factors against Gleason upgrading and its impact on outcomes after surgery warrant better definition.Patients and Methods. Consecutive 343 patients were categorized at biopsy (BGS) and prostatectomy (PGS) as Gleason score, ≤6, 7, and ≥8; 94 patients (27.4%) had PSA recurrence, mean followup 80.2 months (median 99). Independent predictors of Gleason upgrading (logistic regression) and disease-free survival (DFS) (Kaplan-Meier, log-rank) were determined.Results. Gleason discordance was 45.7% (37.32% upgrading and 8.45% downgrading). Upgrading risk decreased by 2.4% for each 1 g of prostate weight increment, while it increased by 10.2% for every 1 ng/mL of PSA, 72.0% for every 0.1 unity of PSA density and was 21 times higher for those with BGS 7. Gleason upgrading showed increased clinical stage (P=0.019), higher tumor extent (P=0.009), extraprostatic extension (P=0.04), positive surgical margins (P<0.001), seminal vesicle invasion (P=0.003), less “insignificant” tumors (P<0.001), and also worse DFS,χ2=4.28,df=1,P=0.039. However, when setting the final Gleason score (BGS≤6to PGS 7 versus BGS 7 to PGS 7), avoiding allocation bias, DFS impact is not confirmed,χ2=0.40,df=1,P=0.530.Conclusions. Gleason upgrading is substantial and confers worse outcomes. Prostate weight is inversely related to upgrading and its protective effect warrants further evaluation.
Surgical Treatment of Pediatric Epileptic Encephalopathies
Authors: Fridley J. , Reddy G. , Curry D. , Agadi S.
Published: October 2013

Pediatric epileptiform encephalopathies are a group of neurologically devastating disorders related to uncontrolled ictal and interictal epileptic activity, with a poor prognosis. Despite the number of pharmacological options for treatment of epilepsy, many of these patients are drug resistant. For these patients with uncontrolled epilepsy, motor and/or neuropsychological deterioration is common. To prevent these secondary consequences, surgery is often considered as either a curative or a palliative option. Magnetic resonance imaging to look for epileptic lesions that may be surgically treated is an essential part of the workup for these patients. Many surgical procedures for the treatment of epileptiform encephalopathies have been reported in the literature. In this paper the evidence for these procedures for the treatment of pediatric epileptiform encephalopathies is reviewed.
The Impact of Mesoscale Environmental Uncertainty on the Prediction of a Tornadic Supercell Storm Using Ensemble Data Assimilation Approach
Authors: Yussouf Nusrat , Gao Jidong , Stensrud David J. , Ge Guoqing
Published: October 2013

Numerical experiments over the past years indicate that incorporating environmental variability is crucial for successful very short-range convective-scale forecasts. To explore the impact of model physics on the creation of environmental variability and its uncertainty, combined mesoscale-convective scale data assimilation experiments are conducted for a tornadic supercell storm. Two 36-member WRF-ARW model-based mesoscale EAKF experiments are conducted to provide background environments using either fixed or multiple physics schemes across the ensemble members. Two 36-member convective-scale ensembles are initialized using background fields from either fixed physics or multiple physics mesoscale ensemble analyses. Radar observations from four operational WSR-88Ds are assimilated into convective-scale ensembles using ARPS model-based 3DVAR system and ensemble forecasts are launched. Results show that the ensemble with background fields from multiple physics ensemble provides more realistic forecasts of significant tornado parameter, dryline structure, and near surface variables than ensemble from fixed physics background fields. The probabilities of strong low-level updraft helicity from multiple physics ensemble correlate better with observed tornado and rotation tracks than probabilities from fixed physics ensemble. This suggests that incorporating physics diversity across the ensemble can be important to successful probabilistic convective-scale forecast of supercell thunderstorms, which is the main goal of NOAA’s Warn-on-Forecast initiative.
A High‐Fat Diet Enriched with Low Omega‐6 to Omega‐3 Fatty Acid Ratio Reduced Fat Cellularity and Plasma Leptin Concentration in Sprague-Dawley Rats
Authors: Tekeleselassie A. W. , Goh Y. M. , Rajion M. A. , Motshakeri M. , Ebrahimi M.
Published: October 2013

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of dietary fatty acids on the accretion pattern of major fat pads, inguinal fat cellularity, and their relation with plasma leptin concentration. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups and received the following diets for 22 weeks: (1) standard rat chow diet (CTRL), (2) CTRL + 10% (w/w) butter (HFAR), (3) CTRL + 3.33% (w/w) menhaden fish oil + 6.67% (w/w) soybean oil (MFAR), and (4) CTRL + 6.67% (w/w) menhaden fish oil + 3.33% (w/w) soybean oil (LFAR). Inguinal fat cellularity and plasma leptin concentration were measured in this study. Results for inguinal fat cellularity showed that the mean adipocyte number for the MFAR (9.2 * 105 ± 3.6) and LFAR (8.5 * 105 ± 5.1) groups was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the rest, while the mean adipocyte diameter of HFAR group was larger (P < 0.05) (46.2 ± 2.8) than the rest. The plasma leptin concentration in the HFAR group was higher (P < 0.05) (3.22 ± 0.32 ng/mL), than the other groups. The higher inguinal fat cellularity clearly indicated the ability of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and butter supplemented diets to induce hyperplasia and hypertrophy of fat cells, respectively, which caused adipocyte remodeling due to hyperleptinemia.
The Biology of Ewing Sarcoma
Authors: Ross Keir A. , Smyth Niall A. , Murawski Christopher D. , Kennedy John G.
Published: October 2013

Objective. The goal of this study was to review the current literature on the biology of Ewing's sarcoma, including current treatments and the means by which an understanding of biological mechanisms could impact future treatments.
Methods. A search of PubMed and The Cochrane Collaboration was performed. Both preclinical and clinical evidence was considered, but specific case reports were not. Primary research articles and reviews were analyzed with an emphasis on recent publications.
Results. Ewing sarcoma is associated with specific chromosomal translocations and the resulting transcripts/proteins. Knowledge of the biology of Ewing sarcoma has been growing but has yet to significantly impact or produce new treatments. Localized cases have seen improvements in survival rates, but the same cannot be said of metastatic and recurrent cases. Standard surgical, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments are reaching their efficacy limits.
Conclusion. Improving prognosis likely lies in advancing biomarkers and early diagnosis, determining a cell(s) of origin, and developing effective molecular therapeutics and antiangiogenic agents. Preclinical evidence suggests the utility of molecular therapies for Ewing sarcoma. Early clinical results also reveal potential for novel treatments but require further development and evaluation before widespread use can be advocated.
On a Property of a Three-Dimensional Matrix
Authors: Blokh David
Published: October 2013

Let be the symmetrical group acting on the set and . Consider the set The main result of this paper is the following theorem. If the number of set entries is more than , then there exist entries such that , , and . The application of this theorem to the three-dimensional assignment problem is considered.
Subtoxic Levels of Apigenin Inhibit Expression and Secretion of VEGF by Uveal Melanoma Cells via Suppression of ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt Pathways
Authors: Chao Shih-Chun , Huang Sheng-Chieh , Hu Dan-Ning , Lin Hung-Yu
Published: October 2013

The effects of apigenin on the expression of VEGF in uveal melanoma cells have not been reported. We studied this effect and relevant signaling pathways in two human uveal melanoma cell lines (SP6.5 and C918). ELISA assay revealed that the constitutive secretion of VEGF by uveal melanoma cells was 21-fold higher than that in normal uveal melanocytes. Apigenin at subtoxic levels (1–5 μM) significantly suppressed the secretion of VEGF in a dose- and time-dependent manner in melanoma cells. VEGF levels in the conditioned culture media from SP6.5 and C918 cell lines treated with 5 μM apigenin for 24 h reduced to 29% and 21% of those in cells not treated with apigenin, respectively. RT-PCR analysis found that apigenin also decreased the expression of VEGF mRNA in melanoma cells. ELISA study of various signal pathways showed that apigenin significantly decreased phosphorylated Akt and ERK1/2 but increased phosphorylated JNK1/2 and p38 MAPK levels in melanoma cells. PI3K/Akt or ERK1/2 inhibitors significantly decreased, but JNK1/2 and p38 MAPK inhibitors did not influence the secretion of VEGF by melanoma cells, suggesting that apigenin suppresses the secretion of VEGF mainly through the inhibition of PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 pathways.
The Medicinal Values of Culinary-Medicinal Royal Sun Mushroom (Agaricus blazei Murrill)
Authors: Wang Hang , Fu Zhiming , Han Chunchao
Published: October 2013

Agaricus blazeiMurrill (ABM), a mushroom native to Brazil, is a basidiomycete brown fungus, which is popularly known as “Cogumelo do Sol” in Brazil or “Himematsutake” in Japan, and there has been a prominent increase in the use of ABM for therapeutic and medicinal purposes. ABM is useful against a variety of diseases like cancer, tumor, chronic hepatitis, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, and so on. In this review, we demonstrated various pharmacological effects of ABM, so that we can use different effects of ABM against different diseases and provide reference for the study of ABM in the future.
Robust Joint Analysis with Data Fusion in Two-Stage Quantitative Trait Genome-Wide Association Studies
Authors: Pan Dong-Dong , Xiong Wen-Jun , Zhou Ji-Yuan , Pan Ying , Zhou Guo-Li , Fung Wing-Kam
Published: October 2013

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in identifying the disease-associated genetic variants have been proved to be a great pioneering work. Two-stage design and analysis are often adopted in GWASs. Considering the genetic model uncertainty, many robust procedures have been proposed and applied in GWASs. However, the existing approaches mostly focused on binary traits, and few work has been done on continuous (quantitative) traits, since the statistical significance of these robust tests is difficult to calculate. In this paper, we develop a powerfulF-statistic-based robust joint analysis method for quantitative traits using the combined raw data from both stages in the framework of two-staged GWASs. Explicit expressions are obtained to calculate the statistical significance and power. We show using simulations that the proposed method is substantially more robust than theF-test based on the additive model when the underlying genetic model is unknown. An example for rheumatic arthritis (RA) is used for illustration.