bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Accuracy of Radiography and Ultrasonography for Detection of Articular Lesions in Horses
Authors: Hinz Antje , Fischer Andrew T.
Published: September 2011

Objective

To compare the accuracy of ultrasonographic and radiographic examination for evaluation of articular lesions in horses.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Animals

Horses (n = 137) with articular lesions.

Methods

Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations of the affected joint(s) were performed before diagnostic or therapeutic arthroscopic surgery. Findings were recorded and compared to lesions identified during arthroscopy.

Results

In 254 joints, 432 lesions were identified by arthroscopy. The overall accuracy was 82.9% for ultrasonography and 62.2% for radiography (P < .0001) with a sensitivity of 91.4% for ultrasonography and 66.7% for radiography (P < .0001). The difference in specificity was not statistically significant (P = .2628). The negative predictive value for ultrasonography was 31.5% and 13.2% for radiography (P = .0022), the difference for the positive predictive value was not statistically significant (P = .3898). The accuracy for ultrasonography and radiography for left versus right joints was equal and corresponded with the overall results.

Conclusions

Ultrasonographic evaluation of articular lesions was more accurate than radiographic evaluation.
Predictors of Pain Medication Selection Among Patients Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia
Authors: Boulanger Luke , Wu Ning , Chen Shih‐Yin , Nagar Saurabh , Fraser Kimberly , Bernauer Mark J. , Zhao Zhenxiang , Zhao Yang
Published: September 2011

Objectives:  Several pharmacologic therapies have been recommended for managing fibromyalgia. However, the factors associated with each treatment initiation have not been well established. This study assessed factors that were associated with the use of duloxetine vs. other pain medications among patients with fibromyalgia.

Research Design and Methods:  Administrative claims from a large, U.S. commercially insured population were analyzed using a retrospective cohort design. Patients with fibromyalgia who were 18 to 64 years old and initiated duloxetine vs. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), venlafaxine, gabapentin, pregabalin, tramadol, or nontramadol opioids between January 1, 2007 and December 12, 2008 were selected. Treatment initiation was defined as no access to the same medication over the previous 90 days, with the most recent initiation date as the index date. All patients selected had at least one fibromyalgia diagnosis (ICD‐9‐CM: 729.1) in the 12 months prior to initiation of each study medication. Multiple logistic regression models were estimated to assess the predictors of initiating duloxetine vs. each of the other medications.

Results:  The study included 117,305 patients with fibromyalgia (48 years of age on average; 76% women) who initiated duloxetine (n = 5,827), SSRIs (n = 8,620), TCAs (n = 5,424), venlafaxine (n = 2,038), gabapentin (n = 5,733), pregabalin (n = 11,152), tramadol (n = 7,312), or nontramadol opioids (n = 71,199). Common fibromyalgia‐related comorbidities were low back pain (31% to 49%), osteoarthritis (14% to 21%), and sleep disturbance (10% to 15%). Controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics, patients who received pregabalin in the prior 12‐month period were more likely to initiate duloxetine. Patients from other treatment cohorts, except for those in the pregabalin and nontramadol opioid cohorts, were more likely to re‐initiate the same prior medication than to begin treatment with duloxetine. Other predictors of duloxetine initiation included history of rheumatoid and sleep disturbance.

Conclusions:  The presence of select comorbidities and prior use of certain medications were associated with the duloxetine initiation among working‐age, commercially insured patients with fibromyalgia.
The role of genetic variability in the SLC6A4, BDNF and GABRA6 genes in anxiety‐related traits
Authors: Arias B. , Aguilera M. , Moya J. , Sáiz P. A. , Villa H. , Ibáñez M. I. , García‐Portillo M. P. , Bobes J. , Ortet G. , Fañanás L.
Published: September 2011

Arias B, Aguilera M, Moya J, Sáiz PA, Villa H, Ibáñez MI, García‐Portillo MP, Bobes J, Ortet G, Fañanás L. The role of genetic variability in the SLC6A4, BDNF and GABRA6 genes in anxiety‐related traits.

Objective:  The aims of this study were to test the individual association of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) and the GABAAα6 receptor subunit gene (GABRA6) with anxiety‐related traits and to explore putative gene–gene interactions in a Spanish healthy sample.

Method:  A sample of 937 individuals from the general population completed the Temperament and Character Inventory questionnaire to explore Harm Avoidance (HA) dimension; a subsample of 553 individuals also filled in the Big Five Questionnaire to explore the Neuroticism dimension. The whole sample was genotyped for the 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism (SLC6A4 gene), the Val66Met polymorphism (BDNF gene) and the T1521C polymorphism (GABRA6 gene).

Results:  Homozygous individuals for the T allele of the T1512C polymorphism presented slightly higher scores for HA than C allele carriers (F = 2.96, P = 0.019). In addition, there was a significant gene–gene interaction on HA between the 5‐HTTLPR and Val66Met polymorphisms (F = 3.4, P = 0.009).

Conclusion:  GABRA6 emerges as a candidate gene involved in the variability of HA. The effect of a significant gene–gene interaction between the SLC6A4 and BDNF genes on HA could explain part of the genetic basis underlying anxiety‐related traits.
Soft tissue volume augmentation by the use of collagen‐based matrices in the dog mandible – a histological analysis
Authors: Thoma Daniel S. , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. , Cochran David L. , Jones Archie A. , Görlach Christoph , Uebersax Lorenz , Mathes Stephanie , Graf‐Hausner Ursula , Jung Ronald E.
Published: September 2011

Objectives

The aim was to test, whether or not soft tissue volume augmentation with a specifically designed collagen matrix (CM), leads to ridge width gain in chronic ridge defects similar to those obtained by an autogenous subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG).

Material and Methods

In six dogs, soft tissue volume augmentation was performed by randomly allocating three treatment modalities to chronic ridge defects [CM, SCTG and sham‐operated control (Control)]. Dogs were sacrificed at 28 (n = 3) and 84 days (n = 3). Descriptive histology and histomorphometric measurements were performed on non‐decalcified sections.

Results

SCTG and CM demonstrated favourable tissue integration, and subsequent re‐modelling over 84 days. The overall mean amount of newly formed soft tissue (NMT) plus bone (NB) amounted to 3.8 ± 1.2 mm (Control), 6.4 ± 0.9 mm (CM) and 7.2 ± 1.2 mm (SCTG) at 28 days. At 84 days, the mean NMT plus NB reached 2.4 ± 0.9 mm (Control), 5.6 ± 1.5 mm (CM) and 6.0 ± 2.1 mm (SCTG). Statistically significant differences were observed between CM/SCTG and Control at both time‐points (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Within the limits of this animal model, the CM performed similar to the SCTG, based on histomorphometric outcomes combining NB and NMT.
The Purported and Actual Meanings of Richard Wright’s “Big Black Good Man”
Authors: West Michael D.
Published: September 2011

As Richard Wright’s last short story, “Big Black Good Man” has received modest but not very detailed attention from scholars, who often use it to hypothesize about how his fiction might have developed had he lived longer. But while opinions differ on this score and on the story’s merits, all assume that the black American sailor Jim is a gentle giant who represents Wright’s triumphant rebuttal of white fantasies about black violence like those harbored by the Danish hotel clerk Olaf. However, careful analysis suggests that Olaf’s supposed racism is somewhat exaggerated while Jim’s behavior is much more questionable morally than critics have assumed. The story resembles others by Wright flawed by a compulsive preoccupation with violence that the author seems not fully aware or in control of. Now, more than half a century after its initial publication, altered political and social circumstances invite a juster appreciation of Wright’s virtues and faults as displayed in this story.
Marathon of eponyms: 21 Urbach‐Wiethe disease (Lipoid proteinosis)
Authors: Scully C , Langdon J , Evans J
Published: September 2011

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 729–730

The use of eponyms has long been contentious, but many remain in common use, as discussed elsewhere (Editorial: Oral Diseases. 2009: 15; 185). The use of eponyms in diseases of the head and neck is found mainly in specialties dealing with medically compromised individuals (paediatric dentistry, special care dentistry, oral and maxillofacial medicine, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology and oral and maxillofacial surgery) and particularly by hospital‐centred practitioners. This series has selected some of the more recognized relevant eponymous conditions and presents them alphabetically. The information is based largely on data available from MEDLINE and a number of internet websites as noted below: the authors would welcome any corrections. This document summarizes data about Urbach‐Wiethe disease.
Attenuation of Liver Pro‐Inflammatory Responses by Zingiber officinale via Inhibition of NF‐kappa B Activation in High‐Fat Diet‐Fed Rats
Authors: Li Xiao‐Hong , McGrath Kristine C‐Y , Nammi Srinivas , Heather Alison K. , Roufogalis Basil D.
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment with a ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract of high‐fat diet (HFD)‐fed rats suppresses Nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB)‐driven hepatic inflammation and to subsequently explore the molecular mechanisms in vitro. Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were treated with an ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale (400 mg/kg) along with a HFD for 6 weeks. Hepatic cytokine mRNA levels, cytokine protein levels and NF‐κB activation were measured by real‐time PCR, Western blot and an NF‐κB nuclear translocation assay, respectively. In vitro, cell culture studies were carried out in human hepatocyte (HuH‐7) cells by treatment with Zingiber officinale (100 μg/mL) for 24 hr prior to interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β, 8 ng/mL)‐induced inflammation. We showed that Zingiber officinale treatment decreased cytokine gene TNFα and IL‐6 expression in HFD‐fed rats, which was associated with suppression of NF‐κB activation. In vitro, Zingiber officinale treatment decreased NF‐κB‐target inflammatory gene expression of IL‐6, IL‐8 and serum amyloid A1 (SAA1), while it suppressed NF‐κB activity, IκBα degradation and IκB kinase (IKK) activity. In conclusion, Zingiber officinale suppressed markers of hepatic inflammation in HFD‐fed rats, as demonstrated by decreased hepatic cytokine gene expression and decreased NF‐κB activation. The study demonstrates that the anti‐inflammatory effect of Zingiber officinale occurs at least in part through the NF‐κB signalling pathway.
Determination of H5N1 vaccine potency using reference antisera from heterologous strains of influenza
Authors: Vodeiko Galina M. , Weir Jerry P.
Published: September 2011

Please cite this paper as: Vodeiko and Weir (2011). Determination of H5N1 vaccine potency using reference antisera from heterologous strains of influenza. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(3), 176–187.

Background  Standardization of inactivated influenza vaccines by hemagglutinin (HA) content is performed by the single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) method. Regulatory agencies prepare, calibrate, and distribute SRID reagent standards necessary for testing of seasonal influenza vaccines, and a similar process is used to produce potency reagents for candidate pandemic influenza vaccines that are manufactured for emergency stockpiles.

Objectives  Because of the concerns in generating a timely strain‐specific potency antiserum for an emerging pandemic virus, we evaluated the feasibility of using heterologous potency reference antiserum as a replacement for a strain‐specific (homologous) antiserum in the SRID potency assay for stockpiled H5N1 vaccines.

Results  The results indicate that a heterologous H5N1 antiserum can be used to determine the accurate potency of inactivated H5N1 influenza vaccines. Additionally, when H5N1 vaccine was subjected to an accelerated stability protocol, both homologous and heterologous antisera provided similar measurements of vaccine potency decline. Limitations to the heterologous antiserum approach to potency determination were shown by the inability of antiserum to recent seasonal H1N1 viruses to work in an SRID assay with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 A/California/07/2009 antigen.

Conclusions  The data demonstrate the feasibility of using heterologous antiserum for potency determination of at least some candidate vaccines in case of a shortage or delay of homologous antiserum. Further, the results suggest the prudence of stockpiling a broad library of potency reagents including many strains of influenza viruses with pandemic potential to provide an added measure of assurance that reagent production would not be a bottleneck to vaccine production during a pandemic.
Are BOLD searches scientific? A response to Federhen (2011)
Authors: MILLAR CRAIG D. , WAUGH JOHN , LAMBERT DAVID M.
Published: September 2011

In 2011 Waugh et al. presented the results of a DNA barcoding study that identified avian species involved in birdstrikes. Federhen (2011) criticised this study by suggesting that some of the sequences on which identifications were based were not publicly available because access to them in the Barcode of Life database was restricted. Hence, according to Federhen (2011) the study is not repeatable. We disagree and discuss the role of databases in DNA barcoding generally.
BOLD’s role in barcode data management and analysis: a response
Authors: RATNASINGHAM S. , HEBERT P. D. N.
Published: September 2011

DNA barcoding is a very effective tool for the identification of specimens when a carefully validated and taxonomically comprehensive library of reference DNA barcodes is available. Libraries meeting this criterion are now available for some taxonomic groups in some geographic regions, provoking their use as a tool for the identification of samples that would otherwise remain as unknowns. In this article, we emphasize the need for caution in the interpretation of identifications based on a reference library with entries that have seen limited validation. We also emphasize the need for the deposition of sequence records for ‘unknowns’ so that presumptive identifications can be tested by other researchers and updated as the barcode reference library gains increased coverage and validation.
OmpA‐like protein influences cell shape and adhesive activity of Tannerella forsythia
Authors: Abe T. , Murakami Y. , Nagano K. , Hasegawa Y. , Moriguchi K. , Ohno N. , Shimozato K. , Yoshimura F.
Published: September 2011

Tannerella forsythia, a gram‐negative fusiform rod, is implicated in several types of oral anaerobic infections. Most gram‐negative bacteria have OmpA‐like proteins that are homologous to the OmpA protein in Escherichia coli. We identified an OmpA‐like protein in T. forsythia encoded by the tf1331 gene as one of the major proteins by mass spectrometric analysis. Two‐dimensional, diagonal electrophoresis showed that the OmpA‐like protein formed a dimeric or trimeric structure via intermolecular disulfide bonds. A biotin labeling experiment revealed that a portion of the protein was exposed on the cell surface, even though T. forsythia possesses an S‐layer at the outermost cell surface. Using a tf1331‐deletion mutant, we showed that the OmpA‐like protein affected cell morphology. The length of the mutant cell was reduced almost by half. Cell swelling was observed in more than 40% of the mutant cells. Moreover, the mutant exhibited decreased adhesion to fibronectin, retarded autoaggregation, and reduced cell surface hydrophobicity. These results suggest that the OmpA‐like protein in T. forsythia plays an important role in cellular integrity and adhesive function.
Generation of Spatial Patterns Through Cell Polarity Switching
Authors: Robinson Sarah , Barbier de Reuille Pierre , Chan Jordi , Bergmann Dominique , Prusinkiewicz Przemyslaw , Coen Enrico
Published: September 2011

A few simple rules are sufficient to keep neighboring stomata at a safe distance from one another.
Australopithecus sediba
Hand Demonstrates Mosaic Evolution of Locomotor and Manipulative Abilities
Authors: Kivell Tracy L. , Kibii Job M. , Churchill Steven E. , Schmid Peter , Berger Lee R.
Published: September 2011

The hand of
Australopithecus sediba
, a rare example in the hominid fossil record, shows short fingers and a long thumb consistent with improved precision gripping while retaining strength for climbing.
X-ROS Signaling: Rapid Mechano-Chemo Transduction in Heart
Authors: Prosser Benjamin L. , Ward Christopher W. , Lederer W. J.
Published: September 2011

Reactive oxygen species produced by NADPH oxidase link mechanical stretching to calcium signaling in mammalian myocytes.
Australopithecus sediba
at 1.977 Ma and Implications for the Origins of the Genus
Homo
Authors: Pickering Robyn , Dirks Paul H. G. M. , Jinnah Zubair , de Ruiter Darryl J. , Churchill Steven E. , Herries Andy I. R. , Woodhead Jon D. , Hellstrom John C. , Berger Lee R.
Published: September 2011

Further U-series dating and the magnetic stratigraphy of the hosting cave deposits show that
Australopithecus sediba
lived just under 2 million years ago, near or just before the emergence of
Homo
.
A Gene for an Extended Phenotype
Authors: Hoover Kelli , Grove Michael , Gardner Matthew , Hughes David P. , McNeil James , Slavicek James
Published: September 2011

An insect virus gene controls the behavior of the dying host to increase dispersion of the virus.
Flight at Low Ambient Humidity Increases Protein Catabolism in Migratory Birds
Authors: Gerson Alexander R. , Guglielmo Christopher G.
Published: September 2011

Dry conditions during endurance flight increase rates of lean mass loss and protein catabolism in Swainson’s thrushes.
Current Best Practices for Respiratory Virus Testing
Authors: Ginocchio Christine C. , McAdam Alexander J.
Published: September 2011

Diagnostic testing for respiratory viruses has been revolutionized by recent advances that have made rapid and highly accurate tests accessible to clinical laboratories, and it is important that these improved methods be utilized. Accurate detection of respiratory viruses is important in patient care, as it guides both therapy and infection control measures. On a larger scale, the CDC and its collaborating laboratories collect both data and isolates from clinical laboratories for national surveillance, and the use of high-quality tests in clinical laboratories can improve the quality of these data.
Rapid PCR-Based Molecular Pathotyping of H5 and H7 Avian Influenza Viruses
Authors: Leijon Mikael , Ullman Karin , Thyselius Susanna , Zohari Siamak , Pedersen Janice C. , Hanna Amanda , Mahmood Sahar , Banks Jill , Slomka Marek J. , Belák Sándor
Published: September 2011

While the majority of avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes are classified as low-pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (LPAIV), the H5 and H7 subtypes have the ability to mutate to highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) in poultry and therefore are the etiological agents of notifiable AIV (NAIV). It is of great importance to distinguish HPAIV from LPAIV variants during H5/H7 outbreaks and surveillance. To this end, a novel and fast strategy for the molecular pathotyping of H5/H7 AIVs is presented. The differentiation of the characteristic hemagglutinin (HA) protein cleavage sites (CSs) of HPAIVs and LPAIVs is achieved by a novel PCR method where the samples are interrogated for all existing CSs with a 484-plex primer mixture directly targeting the CS region. CSs characteristic for HP or LP H5/H7 viruses are distinguished in a seminested duplex real-time PCR format using plexor fluorogenic primers. Eighty-six laboratory isolates and 60 characterized NAIV-positive clinical specimens from poultry infected with H5/H7 both experimentally and in the field were successfully pathotyped in the validation. The method has the potential to substitute CS sequencing in the HA gene for the determination of the molecular pathotype, thereby providing a rapid means to acquire additional information concerning NAIV outbreaks, which may be critical to their management. The new assay may be extended to the LP/HP differentiation of previously unknown H5/H7 isolates. It may be considered for integration into surveillance and control programs in both domestic and wild bird populations.
Viral-Bacterial Interactions and Risk of Acute Otitis Media Complicating Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Authors: Pettigrew Melinda M. , Gent Janneane F. , Pyles Richard B. , Miller Aaron L. , Nokso-Koivisto Johanna , Chonmaitree Tasnee
Published: September 2011

Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common complication of upper respiratory tract infection whose pathogenesis involves both viruses and bacteria. We examined risks of acute otitis media associated with specific combinations of respiratory viruses and acute otitis media bacterial pathogens. Data were from a prospective study of children ages 6 to 36 months and included viral and bacterial culture and quantitative PCR for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human bocavirus, and human metapneumovirus. Repeated-measure logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between specific viruses, bacteria, and the risk of acute otitis media complicating upper respiratory tract infection. In unadjusted analyses of data from 194 children, adenovirus, bocavirus,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
,
Haemophilus influenzae
, and
Moraxella catarrhalis
were significantly associated with AOM (
P
< 0.05 by χ
2
test). Children with high respiratory syncytial virus loads (≥3.16 × 10
7
copies/ml) experienced increased acute otitis media risk. Higher viral loads of bocavirus and metapneumovirus were not significantly associated with acute otitis media. In adjusted models controlling for the presence of key viruses, bacteria, and acute otitis media risk factors, acute otitis media risk was independently associated with high RSV viral load with
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(odds ratio [OR], 4.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.90 and 10.19) and
Haemophilus influenzae
(OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.38 and 3.02). The risk was higher for the presence of bocavirus and
H. influenzae
together (OR, 3.61; 95% CI, 1.90 and 6.86). Acute otitis media risk differs by the specific viruses and bacteria involved. Acute otitis media prevention efforts should consider methods for reducing infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus, bocavirus, and adenovirus in addition to acute otitis media bacterial pathogens.
Containment of an Outbreak of KPC-3-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Italy
Authors: Agodi Antonella , Voulgari Evangelia , Barchitta Martina , Politi Leda , Koumaki Vasiliki , Spanakis Nicholas , Giaquinta Loredana , Valenti Giovanna , Romeo Maria Antonietta , Tsakris Athanassios
Published: September 2011

From March 2009 to May 2009, 24 carbapenem-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolates were recovered from 16 patients hospitalized in an Italian intensive care unit (ICU). All isolates contained KPC-3 carbapenemase and belonged to a single pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) clone of multilocus sequence type 258 (designated as ST258). A multimodal infection control program was put into effect, and the spread of the KPC-3-producing
K. pneumoniae
clone was ultimately controlled without closing the ICU to new admissions. Reinforced infection control measures and strict monitoring of the staff adherence were necessary for the control of the outbreak.
Cellular Human CLE/C14orf166 Protein Interacts with Influenza Virus Polymerase and Is Required for Viral Replication
Authors: Rodriguez Ariel , Pérez-González Alicia , Nieto Amelia
Published: September 2011

The influenza A virus polymerase associates with a number of cellular transcription-related factors, including RNA polymerase II. We previously described the interaction of influenza virus polymerase subunit PA with human CLE/C14orf166 protein (hCLE), a positive modulator of this cellular RNA polymerase. Here, we show that hCLE also interacts with the influenza virus polymerase complex and colocalizes with viral ribonucleoproteins. Silencing of hCLE causes reduction of viral polymerase activity, viral RNA transcription and replication, virus titer, and viral particle production. Altogether, these findings indicate that the cellular transcription factor hCLE is an important protein for influenza virus replication.
Transmission of Clonal Hepatitis C Virus Genomes Reveals the Dominant but Transitory Role of CD8+T Cells in Early Viral Evolution
Authors: Callendret Benoît , Bukh Jens , Eccleston Heather B. , Heksch Ryan , Hasselschwert Dana L. , Purcell Robert H. , Hughes Austin L. , Walker Christopher M.
Published: September 2011

The RNA genome of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) diversifies rapidly during the acute phase of infection, but the selective forces that drive this process remain poorly defined. Here we examined whether Darwinian selection pressure imposed by CD8+T cells is a dominant force driving early amino acid replacement in HCV viral populations. This question was addressed in two chimpanzees followed for 8 to 10 years after infection with a well-defined inoculum composed of a clonal genotype 1a (isolate H77C) HCV genome. Detailed characterization of CD8+T cell responses combined with sequencing of recovered virus at frequent intervals revealed that most acute-phase nonsynonymous mutations were clustered in class I epitopes and appeared much earlier than those in the remainder of the HCV genome. Moreover, the ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous mutations, a measure of positive selection pressure, was increased 50-fold in class I epitopes compared with the rest of the HCV genome. Finally, some mutation of the clonal H77C genome toward a genotype 1a consensus sequence considered most fit for replication was observed during the acute phase of infection, but the majority of these amino acid substitutions occurred slowly over several years of chronic infection. Together these observations indicate that during acute hepatitis C, virus evolution was driven primarily by positive selection pressure exerted by CD8+T cells. This influence of immune pressure on viral evolution appears to subside as chronic infection is established and genetic drift becomes the dominant evolutionary force.
RelA Ser276 Phosphorylation-Coupled Lys310 Acetylation Controls Transcriptional Elongation of Inflammatory Cytokines in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Authors: Brasier Allan R. , Tian B. , Jamaluddin M. , Kalita Mridul K. , Garofalo Roberto P. , Lu Muping
Published: September 2011

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus responsible for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in humans. In experimental models of RSV LRTI, the actions of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) transcription factor mediate inflammation and pathology. We have shown that RSV replication induces a mitogen-and-stress-related kinase 1 (MSK-1) pathway that activates NF-κB RelA transcriptional activity by a process involving serine phosphorylation at serine (Ser) residue 276. In this study, we examined the mechanism by which phospho-Ser276 RelA mediates expression of the NF-κB-dependent gene network. RelA-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) complemented with the RelA Ser276Ala mutant are deficient in CXCL2/Groβ, KC, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression, but NFKBIA/IκBα is preserved. We show that RSV-induced RelA Ser276 phosphorylation is required for acetylation at Lys310, an event required for transcriptional activity and stable association of RelA with the activated positive transcriptional elongation factor (PTEF-b) complex proteins, bromodomain 4 (Brd4), and cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9). In contrast to gene loading pattern of PTEF-b proteins produced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) stimulation, RSV induces their initial clearance followed by partial reaccumulation coincident with RelA recruitment. The RSV-induced binding patterns of the CDK9 substrate, phospho-Ser2 RNA polymerase (Pol) II, follows a similar pattern of clearance and downstream gene reaccumulation. The functional role of CDK9 was examined using CDK9 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and CDK inhibitors, where RSV-induced NF-κB-dependent gene expression was significantly inhibited. Finally, although RSV induces a transition from short transcripts to fully spliced mRNA in wild-type RelA (RelA WT)-expressing cells, this transition is not seen in cells expressing RelA Ser276Ala. We conclude that RelA Ser276 phosphorylation mediates RelA acetylation, Brd4/CDK9 association, and activation of downstream inflammatory genes by transcriptional elongation in RSV infection.
Increased mortality in parents bereaved in the first year of their child's life
Authors: Harper Mairi , O'Connor Rory C , O'Carroll Ronan E
Published: September 2011

Objective

To identify the relative risk (RR) of mortality in bereaved parents compared with non-bereaved counterparts.

Design

Retrospective data linkage study.

Setting

United Kingdom, 1971–2006.

Participants

A random sample from death registrations (5%) of parents who had a live birth where the infant lived beyond its first year of life (non-bereaved parents) and parents who had experienced a stillbirth or the death of a child in its first year of life (bereaved parents) between 1971 and 2006.

Main outcome measures

Death or widowhood of the parent.

Results

Bereaved parents in Scotland (n=738) were more than twice as likely to die in the first 15 years after their child's death than non-bereaved parents (n=50 132), p<0.005. Bereaved mothers in England and Wales (n=481) were more than four times as likely to die in the first 15 years after their child's birth than non-bereaved parents (n=30 956), p<0.001. The mortality risk for bereaved mothers compared with non-bereaved mothers, followed up for 25 years after death, was 1.5 (bereaved n=745, non-bereaved n=36 434), p<0.005. When followed up for 35 years, the risk of mortality for bereaved mothers (n=1120) was 1.2 times that of non-bereaved mothers (n=36 062), p<0.005.

Conclusions

Bereaved parents who experience stillbirth or infant death have markedly increased mortality compared with non-bereaved parents, up to 25 years (mean) after the death of their child. However, the RR reduces over time.
Comparison of techniques for stent assisted coil embolization of aneurysms
Authors: Spiotta Alejandro M , Wheeler Anne Marie , Smithason Saksith , Hui Ferdinand , Moskowitz Shaye
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Stent assisted coiling (SAC) of aneurysms has been adopted with potential mechanical, hemodynamic and biologic properties imparting an advantage over coil embolization alone. The purpose of this investigation is to compare the various techniques of SAC at a single institution with regards to clinical, technical and angiographic complications and success.

Methods

Patients who underwent SAC between 2003 and 2010 were identified. Clinical charts, procedures, angiographic and non-invasive radiological images were analyzed to determine the anatomical and procedural details and adverse events. Immediate post-procedural angiograms as well as follow-up imaging were studied to assess the degree of aneurysm occlusion.

Results

260 aneurysms were identified. The ‘coil through’ technique was employed in 37.3%, ‘balloon stent’ in 36.2%, ‘jailing’ in 10.8% and the ‘coil stent’ technique in 7.7%. Overall rate of adverse events was higher with the ‘coil stent’ and ‘jailing’ techniques compared with the ‘balloon stent’ technique. The ‘coil through’ technique was associated with a significantly lower packing density (31.4±20%) than all other techniques (‘coil stent’ 45.4±22%, ‘jailing’ 42.2±20%, ‘balloon stent’ 44.3±22%). Among ‘coil stent’ patients, an initial Raymond class 1 was achieved in 40%, compared with 57% of ‘jailing’, 28% of ‘coil through’ and 63% of ‘balloon stent’ cases.

Conclusion

Balloon assisted coil embolization followed by adjunctive stent deployment across the aneurysm neck appears to be the superior technique among stent assisted coiling methods at our institution. It combines a lower rate of thrombotic and coil related complications with a high rate of complete occlusion on initial and follow-up imaging.
Long-term effects of antiplatelet drugs on aneurysm occlusion after endovascular treatment
Authors: Platz Johannes , Güresir Erdem , Seifert Volker , Vatter Hartmut , Berkefeld Joachim
Published: September 2011

Background

The rates of recanalization and reinterventions after endovascular treatment (EVT) of intracranial aneurysms are unknown. Various risk factors have been suggested including the configuration of the aneurysm and the endovascular technique. Recently, an increasing number of patients have received antiplatelet (AP) drugs periprocedurally, possibly inhibiting early thrombus formation.

Objective

To assess the impact of AP drugs on the rate of recurrence and reintervention.

Methods

Patients treated at our center were entered into a prospectively conducted database. Those with at least one follow-up angiogram 6 months after EVT were selected for the study. The role of AP medication was assessed by statistical analysis.

Results

292 patients with 314 aneurysms (206 ruptured) were included. The median follow-up time was 18 months. 129 (41%) were treated with APs (70 with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), 10 with clopidogrel and 48 with both). 107 angiographic aneurysm recurrences were noted and 61 aneurysms were retreated at least once. In a multivariate model only aneurysm size, initially incomplete occlusion and the length of follow-up were significant predictors (p<0.05). No correlation was found between AP administration and recurrences or reinterventions. Interestingly, patients receiving ASA alone were retreated less often (OR 0.187, 95% CI 0.061 to 0.572, p=0.003).

Conclusion

AP administration is not associated with an increased rate of aneurysm recurrence or reintervention; ASA even seemed to have some beneficial effect. However, confounding factors may include the lack of standardized indications for AP and the small number of patients in the series. A prospectively conducted study is warranted to further clarify the role of AP medication after EVT.
YUKAWA CORRECTIONS TO THE NEWTONIAN GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL: FINITE SIZE EFFECTS IN A RECENT EXPERIMENT
Authors: JAMELL C. R. , DECCA R. S.
Published: September 2011

We provide a formalism to calculate the effect of the finite size of the sample on hypothetical Yukawa-like corrections to the Newtonian gravitational potential. It is explicitly shown that finite size effect contributions are negligible when the extent of the sample is larger than the range of the Yukawa term. In particular we show that these contributions are small in the configuration of a recent experiment. In the experiment a gold coated sphere was moved across the interface between two materials with different mass densities. In view of these new experimental results, we analyze the situation when the error on the hypothetical correction could result to be significant.
ON THE EQUATIONS OF STATE FOR THE QUANTUM VACUUM TERMS
Authors: PELINSON ANA M. , SHAPIRO ILYA L.
Published: September 2011

The conformal anomaly provides a useful tool for deriving vacuum effective action. Such contributions to the gravitational action lead to the exponential inflation, similar to the cosmological constant term. In the presence of a background electromagnetic field, there is no exponential solution, including the case when the the anomaly-induced correction in the electromagnetic sector is taken into account. In this contribution we explore the role of the anomaly-induced terms in the form of "equation of state" in both gravitational and radiation sectors. Furthermore, we derive the scaling laws for these terms for the dS, radiation and matter-dominated cases.
EVOLUTION OF NON-GAUSSIANITY IN MULTI-SCALAR FIELD MODELS
Authors: ELLISTON JOSEPH , MULRYNES DAVID , SEERY DAVID , TAVAKOL REZA
Published: September 2011

We study the evolution of non-Gaussianity in multiple-field inflationary models, focusing on three fundamental questions: (a) How is the sign and peak magnitude of the non-linearity parameter f NL related to generic features in the inflationary potential? (b) How sensitive is f NL to the process by which an adiabatic limit is reached, where the curvature perturbation becomes conserved? (c) For a given model, what is the appropriate tool – analytic or numerical – to calculate f NL at the adiabatic limit? We summarise recent results obtained by the authors and further elucidate them by considering an inflection point model.
CASIMIR EFFECT IN DE SITTER SPACETIME
Authors: SAHARIAN A. A.
Published: September 2011

The vacuum expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor and the Casimir forces are investigated for a massive scalar field with an arbitrary curvature coupling parameter in the geometry of two parallel plates, on the background of de Sitter spacetime. The field is prepared in the Bunch–Davies vacuum state and is constrained to satisfy Robin boundary conditions on the plates. The vacuum energy-momentum tensor is non-diagonal, with the off-diagonal component corresponding to the energy flux along the direction normal to the plates. It is shown that the curvature of the background space-time decisively influences the behavior of the Casimir forces at separations larger than the curvature radius of de Sitter spacetime. In dependence of the curvature coupling parameter and the mass of the field, two different regimes are realized, which exhibit monotonic or oscillatory behavior of the forces. The decay of the Casimir force at large plate separation is shown to be power-law, with independence of the value of the field mass.
HIGH ENERGY PROCESSES IN THE VICINITY OF THE KERR'S BLACK HOLE HORIZON
Authors: GRIB A. A. , PAVLOV YU. V. , PIATTELLA O. F.
Published: September 2011

Two particle collisions close to the horizon of the rotating nonextremal black hole are analyzed. It is shown that high energy of the order of the Grand Unification scale in the centre of mass of colliding particles can be obtained when there is a multiple collision – the particle from the accretion disc gets the critical momentum in first collision with the other particle close to the horizon and then there is a second collision of the critical particle with the ordinary one. High energy occurs due to a great relative velocity of two particles and a large Lorentz factor. The dependence of the relative velocity on the distance to horizon is analyzed, the time of movement from the point in the accretion disc to the point of scattering with large energy as well as the time of back movement to the Earth are calculated. It is shown that they have reasonable order.
CRITICAL STEPS IN DATA ANALYSIS FOR PRECISION CASIMIR FORCE MEASUREMENTS WITH SEMICONDUCTING FILMS
Authors: BANISHEV A. A. , CHANG CHIA-CHENG , MOHIDEEN U.
Published: September 2011

Some experimental procedures and corresponding results of the precision measurement of the Casimir force between low doped Indium Tin Oxide ( ITO ) film and gold sphere are described. Measurements were performed using an Atomic Force Microscope in high vacuum. It is shown that the magnitude of the Casimir force decreases after prolonged UV treatment of the ITO film. Some critical data analysis steps such as the correction for the mechanical drift of the sphere-plate system and photodiodes are discussed.
MEASUREMENT OF THE CASIMIR INTERACTION BETWEEN A Au SPHERE AND Au GRATINGS
Authors: DECCA RICARDO S.
Published: September 2011

The measurements between a Au coated sphere and Au gratings with different structural parameters are presented. While the main effect of the grating is to reduce the interaction observed between the same sphere and a Au plane at the same distance, it is observed that the reduction is non-trivial. While at small separations the interaction is greater than what is expected from purely geometrical effects, at large separations the effect not only becomes smaller but it also presents a faster decay than the corresponding geometrical contribution.
DISPERSION INTERACTION OF ATOMS WITH SINGLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES DESCRIBED BY THE DIRAC MODEL
Authors: CHURKIN YU. V. , FEDORTSOV A. B. , KLIMCHITSKAYA G. L. , YUROVA V. A.
Published: September 2011

We calculate the interaction energy and force between atoms and molecules and single-walled carbon nanotubes described by the Dirac model of graphene. For this purpose the Lifshitz-type formulas adapted for the case of cylindrical geometry with the help of the proximity force approximation are used. The results obtained are compared with those derived from the hydrodymanic model of graphene. Numerical computations are performed for hydrogen atoms and molecules. It is shown that the Dirac model leads to larger values of the van der Waals force than the hydrodynamic model. For a hydrogen molecule the interaction energy and force computed using both models are larger than for a hydrogen atom.
TOPOLOGICALLY MASSIVE NON-ABELIAN THEORY: SUPERFIELD APPROACH
Authors: KRISHNA S. , SHUKLA A. , MALIK R. P.
Published: September 2011

We apply the well-established techniques of geometrical superfield approach to Becchi–Rouet–Stora–Tyutin (BRST) formalism in the context of four (3+1)-dimensional (4D) dynamical non-Abelian 2-form gauge theory by exploiting its inherent "scalar" and "vector" gauge symmetry transformations and derive the corresponding off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting BRST and anti-BRST symmetry transformations. Our approach leads to the derivation of three (anti-)BRST invariant Curci–Ferrari (CF)-type restrictions that are found to be responsible for the absolute anticommutativity of the BRST and anti-BRST symmetry transformations. We derive the coupled Lagrangian densities that respect the (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations corresponding to the "vector" gauge transformations. We also capture the (anti-)BRST invariance of the CF-type restrictions and coupled Lagrangian densities within the framework of our superfield approach. We obtain, furthermore, the off-shell nilpotent (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations when the (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations corresponding to the "scalar" and "vector" gauge symmetries are merged together. These off-shell nilpotent "merged" (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations are, however, found to be non-anticommuting in nature.
ONE OR TWO FREQUENCIES? THE SYNCHROSQUEEZING ANSWERS
Authors: WU HAU-TIENG , FLANDRIN PATRICK , DAUBECHIES INGRID
Published: September 2011

The synchrosqueezed transform was proposed recently in [Daubechies et al. (2009)] as an alternative to the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) [Huang et al. (1998)], to decompose composite signals into a sum of "modes" that each have well-defined instantaneous frequencies. This paper presents, for synchrosqueezing, a study similar to that in [Rilling and Flandrin (2008)] for EMD, of how two signals with close frequencies are recognized and represented as such.
ON GENE SELECTION AND CLASSIFICATION FOR CANCER MICROARRAY DATA USING MULTI-STEP CLUSTERING AND SPARSE REPRESENTATION
Authors: JING LIPING , NG MICHAEL K. , ZENG TIEYONG
Published: September 2011

Microarray data profiles gene expression on a whole genome scale, and provides a good way to study associations between gene expression and occurrence or progression of cancer disease. Many researchers realized that microarray data is useful to predict cancer cases. However, the high dimension of gene expressions, which is significantly larger than the sample size, makes this task very difficult. It is very important to identify the significant genes causing cancer. Many feature selection algorithms have been proposed focusing on improving cancer predictive accuracy at the expense of ignoring the correlations between the features. In this work, a novel framework (named by SGS) is presented for significant genes selection and efficient cancer case classification. The proposed framework first performs a clustering algorithm to find the gene groups where genes in each group have higher correlation coefficient, and then selects (1) the significant (2) genes in each group using the Bayesian Lasso method and important gene groups using the group Lasso method, and finally builds a prediction model based on the shrinkage gene space with efficient classification algorithm (such as support vector machine (SVM), 1NN, and regression). Experimental results on public available microarray data show that the proposed framework often outperforms the existing feature selection and prediction methods such as SAM, information gain (IG), and Lasso-type prediction models.
A FAST ALGORITHM FOR COMPUTING SAMPLE ENTROPY
Authors: JIANG YING , MAO DONG , XU YUESHENG
Published: September 2011

Sample entropy is a widely used tool for quantifying complexity of a biological system. Computing sample entropy directly using its definition requires large computational costs. We propose a fast algorithm based on a k-d tree data structure for computing sample entropy. We prove that the time complexity of the proposed algorithm is [Formula: see text] and its space complexity is O(N log N), where N is the length of the input time series and m is the length of its pattern templates. We present a numerical experiment that demonstrates significant improvement of the proposed algorithm in computing time.
IMPROVED ANALYSIS OF THE SUBSAMPLED RANDOMIZED HADAMARD TRANSFORM
Authors: TROPP JOEL A.
Published: September 2011

This paper presents an improved analysis of a structured dimension-reduction map called the subsampled randomized Hadamard transform. This argument demonstrates that the map preserves the Euclidean geometry of an entire subspace of vectors. The new proof is much simpler than previous approaches, and it offers — for the first time — optimal constants in the estimate on the number of dimensions required for the embedding.
DRIPPING AND JETTING IN COFLOWING LIQUID STREAMS
Authors: LEI SIU-LONG , WANG XIAOPING
Published: September 2011

Drop formation and dripping and jetting phenomena occur in an extremely large variety of situation, spanning a broad range of physical length scales. In this paper, we study the dynamics of dripping-to-jetting transition for two immiscible coflowing liquid streams numerically. Two different classes of transition are identified. In both cases, nonlinear dynamical phenomena such as period doubling and chaos are observed between simple dripping and jetting. Extensive numerical calculations show that the first class of dripping-to-jetting transition is determined by the Weber number of the inner fluid [Formula: see text], and the second class of dripping-to-jetting transition is controlled by capillary number of the outer fluid [Formula: see text].
POSITIVELY CONSTRAINED TOTAL VARIATION PENALIZED IMAGE RESTORATION
Authors: CHAN RAYMOND H. , LIANG HAI-XIA , MA JUN
Published: September 2011

The total variation (TV) minimization models are widely used in image processing, mainly due to their remarkable ability in preserving edges. There are many methods for solving the TV model. These methods, however, seldom consider the positivity constraint one should impose on image-processing problems. In this paper we develop and implement a new approach for TV image restoration. Our method is based on the multiplicative iterative algorithm originally developed for tomographic image reconstruction. The advantages of our algorithm are that it is very easy to derive and implement under different image noise models and it respects the positivity constraint. Our method can be applied to various noise models commonly used in image restoration, such as the Gaussian noise model, the Poisson noise model, and the impulsive noise model. In the numerical tests, we apply our algorithm to deblur images corrupted by Gaussian noise. The results show that our method give better restored images than the forward–backward splitting algorithm.