bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bimanual proprioception: are two hands better than one?
Authors: Wong Jeremy D. , Wilson Elizabeth T. , Kistemaker Dinant A. , Gribble Paul L.
Published: January 2014

Information about the position of an object that is held in both hands, such as a golf club or a tennis racquet, is transmitted to the human central nervous system from peripheral sensors in both left and right arms. How does the brain combine these two sources of information? Using a robot to move participant's passive limbs, we performed psychophysical estimates of proprioceptive function for each limb independently and again when subjects grasped the robot handle with both arms. We compared empirical estimates of bimanual proprioception to several models from the sensory integration literature: some that propose a combination of signals from the left and right arms (such as a Bayesian maximum-likelihood estimate), and some that propose using unimanual signals alone. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the nervous system both has knowledge of and uses the limb with the best proprioceptive acuity for bimanual proprioception. Surprisingly, a Bayesian model that postulates optimal combination of sensory signals could not predict empirically observed bimanual acuity. These findings suggest that while the central nervous system seems to have information about the relative sensory acuity of each limb, it uses this information in a rather rudimentary fashion, essentially ignoring information from the less reliable limb.
Taste coding in the parabrachial nucleus of the pons in awake, freely licking rats and comparison with the nucleus of the solitary tract
Authors: Weiss Michael S. , Victor Jonathan D. , Di Lorenzo Patricia M.
Published: January 2014

In the rodent, the parabrachial nucleus of the pons (PbN) receives information about taste directly from the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). Here we examined how information about taste quality (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter) is conveyed in the PbN of awake, freely licking rats, with a focus on how this information is transformed from the incoming NTS signals. Awake rats with electrodes in the PbN had free access to a lick spout that delivered taste stimuli (5 consecutive licks; 100 mM NaCl, 10 mM citric acid, 0.01 mM quinine HCl, or 100 mM sucrose and water) or water (as a rinse) on a variable-ratio schedule. To assess temporal coding, a family of metrics that quantifies the similarity of two spike trains in terms of spike count and spike timing was used. PbN neurons ( n = 49) were generally broadly tuned across taste qualities with variable response latencies. Some PbN neurons were quiescent during lick bouts, and others, some taste responsive, showed time-locked firing to the lick pattern. Compared with NTS neurons, spike timing played a larger role in signaling taste in the first 2 s of the response, contributing significantly in 78% (38/49) of PbN cells compared with 45% of NTS cells. Also, information from temporal coding increased at a faster rate as the response unfolded over time in PbN compared with NTS. Collectively, these data suggest that taste-related information from NTS converges in the PbN to enable a subset of PbN cells to carry a larger information load.
Differential effects of ambient temperature on warm cell responses to infrared radiation in the bloodsucking bugRhodnius prolixus
Authors: Zopf Lydia M. , Lazzari Claudio R. , Tichy Harald
Published: January 2014

Thermoreceptors provide animals with background information about the thermal environment, which is at least indirectly a prerequisite for thermoregulation and assists bloodsucking insects in the search for their host. Recordings from peg-in-pit sensilla and tapered hairs on the antennae of the bug Rhodnius prolixus revealed two physiologically different types of warm cells. Both types responded more strongly to temperature pulses produced by switching between two air streams at different constant temperatures than to infrared radiation pulses employed in still air. In addition, both warm cells were better able to discriminate small changes in air temperature than in infrared radiation. As convective and radiant heat determines the discharge, it is impossible for a single warm cell to signal the nature of the stimulus unequivocally. Individual responses are ambiguous, not with regard to temperature change, but with regard to its source. We argue that the bugs use mechanical flow information to differentiate between pulses of convective and radiant heat. However, if pulses of radiant heat occur together with a constant temperature air stream, the mechanical cues would not allow avoiding ambiguity that convective heat introduces into radiant heat stimulation. In this situation, the warm cell in the tapered hairs produced stronger responses than those in the peg-in-pit sensilla. The reversal in the excitability of the two types of warm cells provides a criterion by which to distinguish the combination of convective and radiant heat from the stimuli presented alone.
Unexpected Benefits of Intermittent Hypoxia: Enhanced Respiratory and Nonrespiratory Motor Function
Authors: Dale E. A. , Ben Mabrouk F. , Mitchell G. S.
Published: January 2014

Intermittent hypoxia (IH) is most often thought of for its role in morbidity associated with sleep-disordered breathing, including central nervous system pathology. However, recent evidence suggests that the nervous system fights back in an attempt to minimize pathology by increasing the expression of growth/trophic factors that confer neuroprotection and neuroplasticity. For example, even modest (“low dose”) IH elicits respiratory motor plasticity, increasing the strength of respiratory contractions and breathing. These low IH doses upregulate hypoxia-sensitive growth/trophic factors within respiratory motoneurons but do not elicit detectable pathologies such as hippocampal cell death, neuroinflammation, or systemic hypertension. Recent advances have been made toward understanding cellular mechanisms giving rise to IH-induced respiratory plasticity, and attempts have been made to harness the benefits of low-dose IH to treat respiratory insufficiency after cervical spinal injury. Our recent realization that IH also upregulates growth/trophic factors in nonrespiratory motoneurons and improves limb (or leg) function after incomplete chronic spinal injuries suggests that IH-induced plasticity is a general feature of motor systems. Collectively, available evidence suggests that low-dose IH may represent a safe and effective treatment to restore lost motor function in diverse clinical disorders that impair motor function.
Ubiquitylation and Control of Renal Na+Balance and Blood Pressure
Authors: Ronzaud Caroline , Staub Olivier
Published: January 2014

Ubiquitylation is crucial for regulating numerous cellular functions. In the kidney, ubiquitylation regulates the epithelial Na+channel ENaC. The importance of this process is highlighted in Liddle's syndrome, where mutations interfere with ENaC ubiquitylation, resulting in constitutive Na+reabsorption and hypertension. There is emerging evidence that NCC, involved in hypertensive diseases, is also regulated by ubiquitylation. Here, we discuss the current knowledge and recent findings in this field.
Mechanisms of Exercise-Induced Cardioprotection
Authors: Powers Scott K. , Smuder Ashley J. , Kavazis Andreas N. , Quindry John C.
Published: January 2014

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury can cause ventricular cell death and is a major pathological event leading to morbidity and mortality in those with coronary artery disease. Interestingly, as few as five bouts of exercise on consecutive days can rapidly produce a cardiac phenotype that resists IR-induced myocardial injury. This review summarizes the development of exercise-induced cardioprotection and the mechanisms responsible for this important adaptive response.
Sympathetic Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure: Influences of Sex and Aging
Authors: Hart E. C. J. , Charkoudian N.
Published: January 2014

Sex and age have important influences on sympathetic neural control of blood pressure in humans. Young women are relatively protected against risk of hypertension due to greater peripheral vasodilator influences compared with young men and older people. This protective effect is lost at menopause. Older men and women have higher sympathetic nerve activity and tighter coupling between SNA and blood pressure, contributing to the increased risk of hypertension with aging.
Gasotransmitter Regulation of Ion Channels: A Key Step in O2Sensing By the Carotid Body
Authors: Prabhakar Nanduri R. , Peers Chris
Published: January 2014

Carotid bodies detect hypoxia in arterial blood, translating this stimulus into physiological responses via the CNS. It is long established that ion channels are critical to this process. More recent evidence indicates that gasotransmitters exert powerful influences on O2sensing by the carotid body. Here, we review current understanding of hypoxia-dependent production of gasotransmitters, how they regulate ion channels in the carotid body, and how this impacts carotid body function.
Respiratory Rhythm Generation In Vivo
Authors: Richter Diethelm W. , Smith Jeffrey C.
Published: January 2014

The cellular and circuit mechanisms generating the rhythm of breathing in mammals have been under intense investigation for decades. Here, we try to integrate the key discoveries into an updated description of the basic neural processes generating respiratory rhythm under in vivo conditions.
Circadian Rhythms in Cell Maturation
Authors: Du Pré Bastiaan C. , Van Veen Toon A. B. , Young Martin E. , Vos Marc A. , Doevendans Pieter A. , Van Laake Linda W.
Published: January 2014

Circadian rhythms are of major importance in mammalian physiology and disease. In this review, we give an overview of the present knowledge on origination of circadian rhythms. We discuss the development of both master and peripheral clocks and compare the origination of circadian rhythms in utero and in vitro.
Genetically determined mitochondrial preservation and cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in a consomic rat model
Authors: Nabbi Raha , Gadicherla Ashish K. , Kersten Judy R. , Stowe David F. , Lazar Jozef , Riess Matthias L.
Published: January 2014

Cardioprotection may be genome dependent. One example is the increased tolerance to cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (IR) in Brown Norway (BN) compared with Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats. By narrowing the genetic difference to chromosome 6 only, we found the consomic SS6BNto be similarly IR tolerant as BN. We hypothesized that better preserved mitochondrial structure and function are genetically determined and therefore critically linked to myocardial IR tolerance associated with BN chromosome 6. Langendorff-prepared BN, SS, and SS6BNrat hearts were subjected to IR, while corresponding controls were continuously perfused. Though largely equal in nonischemic controls, assessment of functional data and ventricular infarct size in IR experiments confirmed that BN and SS6BNhave an equally higher tolerance to IR than SS hearts. This was complemented by equally better preserved mitochondrial structure, oxidative phosphorylation, and calcium retention capacity in BN and SS6BNvs. SS hearts. For the first time, our data indicate that SS6BNare as resistant to IR injury as BN hearts in mitochondrial and myocardial function and viability compared with SS hearts. These findings not only link myocardial and mitochondrial protection in a genetic model but also suggest that genetic information on rat chromosome 6 is critical for mitochondrial preservation and IR tolerance.
Dendritic Spines: The Locus of Structural and Functional Plasticity
Authors: Sala Carlo , Segal Menahem
Published: January 2014

The introduction of high-resolution time lapse imaging and molecular biological tools has changed dramatically the rate of progress towards the understanding of the complex structure-function relations in synapses of central spiny neurons. Standing issues, including the sequence of molecular and structural processes leading to formation, morphological change, and longevity of dendritic spines, as well as the functions of dendritic spines in neurological/psychiatric diseases are being addressed in a growing number of recent studies. There are still unsettled issues with respect to spine formation and plasticity: Are spines formed first, followed by synapse formation, or are synapses formed first, followed by emergence of a spine? What are the immediate and long-lasting changes in spine properties following exposure to plasticity-producing stimulation? Is spine volume/shape indicative of its function? These and other issues are addressed in this review, which highlights the complexity of molecular pathways involved in regulation of spine structure and function, and which contributes to the understanding of central synaptic interactions in health and disease.
L-Type CaV1.2 Calcium Channels: From In Vitro Findings to In Vivo Function
Authors: Hofmann Franz , Flockerzi Veit , Kahl Sabine , Wegener Jörg W.
Published: January 2014

The L-type Cav1.2 calcium channel is present throughout the animal kingdom and is essential for some aspects of CNS function, cardiac and smooth muscle contractility, neuroendocrine regulation, and multiple other processes. The L-type CaV1.2 channel is built by up to four subunits; all subunits exist in various splice variants that potentially affect the biophysical and biological functions of the channel. Many of the CaV1.2 channel properties have been analyzed in heterologous expression systems including regulation of the L-type CaV1.2 channel by Ca2+itself and protein kinases. However, targeted mutations of the calcium channel genes confirmed only some of these in vitro findings. Substitution of the respective serines by alanine showed that β-adrenergic upregulation of the cardiac CaV1.2 channel did not depend on the phosphorylation of the in vitro specified amino acids. Moreover, well-established in vitro phosphorylation sites of the CaVβ2subunit of the cardiac L-type CaV1.2 channel were found to be irrelevant for the in vivo regulation of the channel. However, the molecular basis of some kinetic properties, such as Ca2+-dependent inactivation and facilitation, has been approved by in vivo mutagenesis of the CaV1.2α1gene. This article summarizes recent findings on the in vivo relevance of well-established in vitro results.
Targeting Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2: New Therapeutic Opportunities
Authors: Chen Che-Hong , Ferreira Julio Cesar Batista , Gross Eric R. , Mochly-Rosen Daria
Published: January 2014

A family of detoxifying enzymes called aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) has been a subject of recent interest, as its role in detoxifying aldehydes that accumulate through metabolism and to which we are exposed from the environment has been elucidated. Although the human genome has 19 ALDH genes, one ALDH emerges as a particularly important enzyme in a variety of human pathologies. This ALDH, ALDH2, is located in the mitochondrial matrix with much known about its role in ethanol metabolism. Less known is a new body of research to be discussed in this review, suggesting that ALDH2 dysfunction may contribute to a variety of human diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, and cancer. Recent studies suggest that ALDH2 dysfunction is also associated with Fanconi anemia, pain, osteoporosis, and the process of aging. Furthermore, an ALDH2 inactivating mutation (termed ALDH2*2) is the most common single point mutation in humans, and epidemiological studies suggest a correlation between this inactivating mutation and increased propensity for common human pathologies. These data together with studies in animal models and the use of new pharmacological tools that activate ALDH2 depict a new picture related to ALDH2 as a critical health-promoting enzyme.
Actin Dynamics, Architecture, and Mechanics in Cell Motility
Authors: Blanchoin Laurent , Boujemaa-Paterski Rajaa , Sykes Cécile , Plastino Julie
Published: January 2014

Tight coupling between biochemical and mechanical properties of the actin cytoskeleton drives a large range of cellular processes including polarity establishment, morphogenesis, and motility. This is possible because actin filaments are semi-flexible polymers that, in conjunction with the molecular motor myosin, can act as biological active springs or “dashpots” (in laymen's terms, shock absorbers or fluidizers) able to exert or resist against force in a cellular environment. To modulate their mechanical properties, actin filaments can organize into a variety of architectures generating a diversity of cellular organizations including branched or crosslinked networks in the lamellipodium, parallel bundles in filopodia, and antiparallel structures in contractile fibers. In this review we describe the feedback loop between biochemical and mechanical properties of actin organization at the molecular level in vitro, then we integrate this knowledge into our current understanding of cellular actin organization and its physiological roles.
Calcium-Permeable Ion Channels in Pain Signaling
Authors: Bourinet Emmanuel , Altier Christophe , Hildebrand Michael E. , Trang Tuan , Salter Michael W. , Zamponi Gerald W.
Published: January 2014

The detection and processing of painful stimuli in afferent sensory neurons is critically dependent on a wide range of different types of voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels, including sodium, calcium, and TRP channels, to name a few. The functions of these channels include the detection of mechanical and chemical insults, the generation of action potentials and regulation of neuronal firing patterns, the initiation of neurotransmitter release at dorsal horn synapses, and the ensuing activation of spinal cord neurons that project to pain centers in the brain. Long-term changes in ion channel expression and function are thought to contribute to chronic pain states. Many of the channels involved in the afferent pain pathway are permeable to calcium ions, suggesting a role in cell signaling beyond the mere generation of electrical activity. In this article, we provide a broad overview of different calcium-permeable ion channels in the afferent pain pathway and their role in pain pathophysiology.
Tachykinins and Their Receptors: Contributions to Physiological Control and the Mechanisms of Disease
Authors: Steinhoff Martin S. , von Mentzer Bengt , Geppetti Pierangelo , Pothoulakis Charalabos , Bunnett Nigel W.
Published: January 2014

The tachykinins, exemplified by substance P, are one of the most intensively studied neuropeptide families. They comprise a series of structurally related peptides that derive from alternate processing of three Tac genes and are expressed throughout the nervous and immune systems. Tachykinins interact with three neurokinin G protein-coupled receptors. The signaling, trafficking, and regulation of neurokinin receptors have also been topics of intense study. Tachykinins participate in important physiological processes in the nervous, immune, gastrointestinal, respiratory, urogenital, and dermal systems, including inflammation, nociception, smooth muscle contractility, epithelial secretion, and proliferation. They contribute to multiple diseases processes, including acute and chronic inflammation and pain, fibrosis, affective and addictive disorders, functional disorders of the intestine and urinary bladder, infection, and cancer. Neurokinin receptor antagonists are selective, potent, and show efficacy in models of disease. In clinical trials there is a singular success: neurokinin 1 receptor antagonists to treat nausea and vomiting. New information about the involvement of tachykinins in infection, fibrosis, and pruritus justifies further trials. A deeper understanding of disease mechanisms is required for the development of more predictive experimental models, and for the design and interpretation of clinical trials. Knowledge of neurokinin receptor structure, and the development of targeting strategies to disrupt disease-relevant subcellular signaling of neurokinin receptors, may refine the next generation of neurokinin receptor antagonists.
Environment and Brain Plasticity: Towards an Endogenous Pharmacotherapy
Authors: Sale Alessandro , Berardi Nicoletta , Maffei Lamberto
Published: January 2014

Brain plasticity refers to the remarkable property of cerebral neurons to change their structure and function in response to experience, a fundamental theoretical theme in the field of basic research and a major focus for neural rehabilitation following brain disease. While much of the early work on this topic was based on deprivation approaches relying on sensory experience reduction procedures, major advances have been recently obtained using the conceptually opposite paradigm of environmental enrichment, whereby an enhanced stimulation is provided at multiple cognitive, sensory, social, and motor levels. In this survey, we aim to review past and recent work concerning the influence exerted by the environment on brain plasticity processes, with special emphasis on the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms and starting from experimental work on animal models to move to highly relevant work performed in humans. We will initiate introducing the concept of brain plasticity and describing classic paradigmatic examples to illustrate how changes at the level of neuronal properties can ultimately affect and direct key perceptual and behavioral outputs. Then, we describe the remarkable effects elicited by early stressful conditions, maternal care, and preweaning enrichment on central nervous system development, with a separate section focusing on neurodevelopmental disorders. A specific section is dedicated to the striking ability of environmental enrichment and physical exercise to empower adult brain plasticity. Finally, we analyze in the last section the ever-increasing available knowledge on the effects elicited by enriched living conditions on physiological and pathological aging brain processes.
Neurophysiology of Performance Monitoring and Adaptive Behavior
Authors: Ullsperger Markus , Danielmeier Claudia , Jocham Gerhard
Published: January 2014

Successful goal-directed behavior requires not only correct action selection, planning, and execution but also the ability to flexibly adapt behavior when performance problems occur or the environment changes. A prerequisite for determining the necessity, type, and magnitude of adjustments is to continuously monitor the course and outcome of one's actions. Feedback-control loops correcting deviations from intended states constitute a basic functional principle of adaptation at all levels of the nervous system. Here, we review the neurophysiology of evaluating action course and outcome with respect to their valence, i.e., reward and punishment, and initiating short- and long-term adaptations, learning, and decisions. Based on studies in humans and other mammals, we outline the physiological principles of performance monitoring and subsequent cognitive, motivational, autonomic, and behavioral adaptation and link them to the underlying neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, psychological theories, and computational models. We provide an overview of invasive and noninvasive systemic measures, such as electrophysiological, neuroimaging, and lesion data. We describe how a wide network of brain areas encompassing frontal cortices, basal ganglia, thalamus, and monoaminergic brain stem nuclei detects and evaluates deviations of actual from predicted states indicating changed action costs or outcomes. This information is used to learn and update stimulus and action values, guide action selection, and recruit adaptive mechanisms that compensate errors and optimize goal achievement.
Sputtered Pd as Hydrogen Storage for a Chip-Integrated Microenergy System
Authors: Slavcheva E. , Ganske G. , Schnakenberg U.
Published: January 2014

The work presents a research on preparation and physical and electrochemical characterisation of dc magnetron sputtered Pd films envisaged for application as hydrogen storage in a chip-integrated hydrogen microenergy system. The influence of the changes in the sputtering pressure on the surface structure, morphology, and roughness was analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AMF). The electrochemical activity towards hydrogen adsorption/desorption and formation of PdH were investigated in 0.5 M H2SO4using the methods of cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic polarisation. The changes in the electrical properties of the films as a function of the sputtering pressure and the level of hydrogenation were evaluated before and immediately after the electrochemical charging tests, using a four-probe technique. The research resulted in establishment of optimal sputter regime, ensuring fully reproducible Pd layers with highly developed surface, moderate porosity, and mechanical stability. Selected samples were integrated as hydrogen storage in a newly developed unitized microenergy system and tested in charging (water electrolysis) and discharging (fuel cell) operative mode at ambient conditions demonstrating a stable recycling performance.
MicroRNA in Cervical Cancer: OncomiRs and Tumor Suppressor miRs in Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Banno Kouji , Iida Miho , Yanokura Megumi , Kisu Iori , Iwata Takashi , Tominaga Eiichiro , Tanaka Kyoko , Aoki Daisuke
Published: January 2014

Cervical cancer is a female-specific disease with a high incidence and mortality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression and in the pathogenic mechanisms of cancer, suggesting their importance in diagnosis and treatment. miRNAs may have roles in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer based on the increases or decreases in several specific miRNAs found in patients with this disease. The miRNAs implicated in cervical cancer are miR-21, miR-126, and miR-143, and clinical application of these miRNAs for diagnosis and treatment is under investigation. Methods for diagnosis of cervical cancer include analysis of changes in the levels of specific miRNAs in serum and determination of aberrant hypermethylation of miRNAs. Supplementation of miR-143 or inhibition of miR-21 activityin vivomay be therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer. Previous approaches to development of siRNA as a drug have provided information for establishment of therapy based on these approaches, and an anti-miR-21 inhibitor has been developed. miRNAs also have effects on drug resistance and may be useful in combination therapy with other drugs.
Cow Dung Substrate for the Potential Production of Alkaline Proteases by Pseudomonas putida Strain AT in Solid-State Fermentation
Authors: Vijayaraghavan Ponnuswamy , Saranya Sreekumar , Prakash Vincent Samuel Gnana
Published: January 2014

Cow dung and agroresidues were used as the substrates for the production of alkaline proteases by Pseudomonas putida strain AT in solid-state fermentation. Among the various substrates evaluated, cow dung supported maximum (1351±217 U/g) protease production. The optimum conditions for the production of alkaline proteases were a fermentation period of 48 h, 120% (v/w) moisture, pH 9, and the addition of 6% (v/w) inoculum, 1.5% (w/w) trehalose, and 2.0% (w/w) yeast extract to the cow dung substrate. The enzyme was active over a range of temperatures (50–70°C) and pHs (8–10), with maximum activity at 60°C and pH 9. These enzymes showed stability towards surfactants, detergents, and solvent and digested various natural proteins.
Transaortic Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Catheter Insertion through a Separate Saphenous Vein Graft in Patients with Severe Aortoiliac Disease
Authors: Toktas Faruk , Yavuz Senol , Eris Cuneyt , Surer Suleyman
Published: January 2014

Background. Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is the most widely used mechanical assist device for hemodynamic support in high risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The aim of our study was to confirm whether transaortic route is a suitable alternative to allow IABP insertion in patients with severe aortoiliac diseases.Methods. This study included 7 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting for severe coronary artery disease associated with severe aortoiliac disease. These patients could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass and required the IABP support, which were placed through the ascending aorta. IABP catheter was inserted indirectly through a separate saphenous vein graft anastomosed to the ascending aorta by an end-to-side manner under a partial occluding clamp and advanced to the desired position in the descending thoracic aorta and exteriorly brought into the subcutaneous tissues in the jugulum.Results. The procedure was successfully performed in all the patients. The mean duration of IABP support was54.0±13.4hours. There were no in-hospital mortality and complications related to transaortic route. IABP removal did not require repeat sternotomy. At postoperative 6th month, multislice CT examination showed thrombotic occlusion at the remnant of the saphenous vein graft.Conclusions. This technique is a simple, reliable, and reproducible option in patients with severe aortoiliac disease in whom retrograde femoral route is not possible.
Toxicity Effect of Silver Nanoparticles in Brine ShrimpArtemia
Authors: Arulvasu Chinnasamy , Jennifer Samou Michael , Prabhu Durai , Chandhirasekar Devakumar
Published: January 2014

The present study revealed the toxic effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) inArtemia naupliiand evaluated the mortality rate, hatching percentage, and genotoxic effect inArtemia nauplii/cysts. The AgNPs were commercially purchased and characterized using field emission scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Nanoparticles were spherical in nature and with size range of 30–40 nm.Artemiacysts were collected from salt pan, processed, and hatched in sea water.Artemia nauplii(II instar) were treated using silver nanoparticles of various nanomolar concentrations and LC50value (10 nM) and mortality rate (24 and 48 hours) was evaluated. Hatching percentage of decapsulated cysts treated with AgNPs was examined. Aggregation of AgNPs in the gut region ofnaupliiwas studied using phase contrast microscope and apoptotic cells innaupliistained with acridine orange were observed using fluorescence microscope. DNA damage of single cell ofnaupliiwas determined by comet assay. This study showed that as the concentration of AgNPs increased, the mortality rate, aggregation in gut region, apoptotic cells, and DNA damage increased innauplii, whereas the percentage of hatching inArtemiacysts decreased. Thus this study revealed that the nanomolar concentrations of AgNPs have toxic effect on bothArtemia naupliiand cysts.
Effect of Coexistent Hydrogen on the Selective Production of Ethane by Dehydrogenative Methane Coupling through Dielectric-Barrier Discharge under Ordinary Pressure at an Ambient Temperature
Authors: Konno Katsuya , Onoe Kaoru , Takiguchi Yasuyuki , Yamaguchi Tatsuaki
Published: January 2014

The effect of coexistence of hydrogen on the product selectivity to ethane from methane by dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) reactor was examined experimentally under ordinary pressure without use of catalyst and external heating. By the dilution of methane with hydrogen, both the increase of methane conversion and the decrease of alkene production were observed, improving the selectivities to ethane by ca. 70%.
2-Strict Convexity and Continuity of Set-Valued Metric Generalized Inverse in Banach Spaces
Authors: Shang Shaoqiang , Cui Yunan
Published: January 2014

Authors investigate the metric generalized inverses of linear operators in Banach spaces. Authors prove by the methods of geometry of Banach spaces that, ifXis approximately compact andXis 2-strictly convex, then metric generalized inverses of bounded linear operators inXare upper semicontinuous. Moreover, authors also give criteria for metric generalized inverses of bounded linear operators to be lower semicontinuous. Finally, a sufficient condition for set-valued mappingT∂to be continuous mapping is given.
Almost Conservative Four-Dimensional Matrices through de la Vallée-Poussin Mean
Authors: Mohiuddine S. A. , Alotaibi Abdullah
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this paper is to generalize the concept of almost convergence for double sequence through the notion of de la Vallée-Poussin mean for double sequences. We also define and characterize the generalized regularly almost conservative and almost coercive four-dimensional matrices. Further, we characterize the infinite matrices which transform the sequence belonging to the space of absolutely convergent double series into the space of generalized almost convergence.
Nonlinear Optimal Control of Continuously Variable Transmission Powertrain
Authors: Kazemi Reza , Raf’at Mohsen , noruzi Amir Reza
Published: January 2014

Optimization of gear ratio with the objectives of fuel consumption reduction and vehicle longitudinal performance improvement has been the subject of many studies for years. Finding a strategy for changing gears with specific control objectives, especially in the design of vehicles equipped with Continuously Variable Transition system (CVT), which has advantage of arbitrary selection of gear ratio, has been the aim of some recent researches. Optimal control theory has rarely been used in the previous control approaches applied to such systems due to the limitations in the use of fast computational systems. The aim of this study is to design the aforementioned gear ratio change strategy and related control rules on the basis of optimal control. A driver model is also designed for the simulation of driving cycle using MATLAB Simulink Toolbar. Results of implementing optimal control rules in vehicle longitudinal movement simulation with the aim of fuel consumption reduction are finally represented. The presented method has the remarkable advantage of considerable fuel consumption reduction in comparison to other proposed approaches for gear ratio change strategies.
Analytical Modeling of Flux-Switching In-Wheel Motor Using Variable Magnetic Equivalent Circuits
Authors: Tang Y. , Paulides J. J. H. , Lomonova E. A.
Published: January 2014

Flux-switching motors (FSM) are competitive candidates for in-wheel traction systems. However, the analysis of FSMs presents difficulty due to their complex structure and heavy magnetic saturation. This paper presents a methodology to rapidly construct, adapt, and solve a variable magnetic equivalent circuit of 12-stator-slot 10-rotor-tooth (12/10) FSMs. Following this methodology, a global MEC model is constructed and used to investigate correlations between the radial dimensions and the open-circuit phase flux linkage of the 12/10 FSM. The constructed MEC model is validated with finite element analysis and thus proved to be able to assist designers with the preliminary design of flux-switching motors for different in-wheel traction systems.
Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Cheng Wenjing , Chen Guangjie
Published: January 2014

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease with classical traits of demyelination, axonal damage, and neurodegeneration. The migration of autoimmune T cells and macrophages from blood to central nervous system as well as the destruction of blood brain barrier are thought to be the major processes in the development of this disease. Chemokines, which are small peptide mediators, can attract pathogenic cells to the sites of inflammation. Each helper T cell subset expresses different chemokine receptors so as to exert their different functions in the pathogenesis of MS. Recently published results have shown that the levels of some chemokines and chemokine receptors are increased in blood and cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients. This review describes the advanced researches on the role of chemokines and chemokine receptors in the development of MS and discusses the potential therapy of this disease targeting the chemokine network.
Complexity Analysis of New Task Allocation Problem Using Network Flow Method on Multicore Clusters
Authors: Yang Jixiang
Published: January 2014

The task allocation problem (TAP) generally aims to minimize total execution cost and internode communication cost in traditional parallel computing systems. New TAP (NTAP) considering additive intranode communication cost in emerging multicore cluster systems is investigated in this paper. We analyze the complexity of NTAP with network flow method and conclude that the intranode communication cost is a key to the complexity of NTAP, and prove that (1) the NTAP can be cast as a generalized linear network minimum cost flow problem and can be solved in O(m2n4) time if the intranode communication cost equals the internode communication cost, and (2) the NTAP can be cast as a generalized convex cost network minimum cost flow problem and can be solved in polynomial time if the intranode communication cost is more than the internode communication cost. More in particular, the uniform cost NTAP can be cast as a convex cost flow problem and can be solved in O(m2n2log  (m + n)) time. Furthermore, solutions to the NTAP are also discussed. Our work extends currently known theoretical results and the theorems and conclusions presented in this paper can provide theoretical basis for task allocating strategies on multicore clusters.
Flood Detection/Monitoring Using Adjustable Histogram Equalization Technique
Authors: Nazir Fakhera , Riaz Muhammad Mohsin , Ghafoor Abdul , Arif Fahim
Published: January 2014

Flood monitoring technique using adjustable histogram equalization is proposed. The technique overcomes the limitations (overenhancement, artifacts, and unnatural look) of existing technique by adjusting the contrast of images. The proposed technique takes pre- and postimages and applies different processing steps for generating flood map without user interaction. The resultant flood maps can be used for flood monitoring and detection. Simulation results show that the proposed technique provides better output quality compared to the state of the art existing technique.
IVS1 −397T>C Estrogen ReceptorαPolymorphism Is Associated with Low-Grade Systemic Inflammatory Response in Type 1 Diabetic Girls
Authors: Ryba-Stanisławowska Monika , Rybarczyk-Kapturska Karolina , Brandt Agnieszka , Myśliwiec Małgorzata , Myśliwska Jolanta
Published: January 2014

Purpose. The study aimed to investigate the influence of estrogen receptorα(ER-α) genotypes on inflammatory response and development of microvascular complications in girls with type 1 diabetes.Methods. 152 young regularly menstruating girls with diagnosed type 1 diabetes and 84 young, healthy menstruating girls were recruited. ER-αgenotyping was carried out by PCR. Serum concentrations of 17β-estradiol, as well as IL-6, TNF-α, VEGF, and IL-10, were measured. CD4+Foxp3+TH17 cells were isolated and analyzed by flow cytometry.Results. Type 1 diabetic girls carrying TT genotype were characterized by the lowest serum estradiol level and IL-10 and highest IL-6, TNF-α, and VEGF. The association between the level of certain cytokine and the genetic variant of estrogen receptorαpolymorphism was analyzed. Frequencies of CD4+Foxp3+TH17 cells were also enhanced in TT bearing girls with type 1 diabetes and correlated with the level of analyzed cytokines. In addition, the correlation between serum estradiol level and cytokine concentrations was observed.Conclusions. We propose that TT variant of estrogen receptorαpolymorphism may be associated with enhanced inflammatory response, which in turn may lead to acceleration of diabetic retino- and nephropathy in girls with type 1 diabetes. This finding may help the physicians to predict the onset and progression of diabetic microvascular complications.
Single Step In Situ Synthesis and Optical Properties of Polyaniline/ZnO Nanocomposites
Authors: Sharma Deepali , Kaith B. S. , Rajput Jaspreet
Published: January 2014

Polyaniline/ZnO nanocomposites were prepared by in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline monomer in the presence of different weight percentages of ZnO nanostructures. The steric stabilizer added to prevent the agglomeration of nanostructures in the polymer matrix was found to affect the final properties of the nanocomposite. ZnO nanostructures of various morphologies and sizes were prepared in the absence and presence of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) surfactant under different reaction conditions like in the presence of microwave radiation (microwave oven), under pressure (autoclave), under vacuum (vacuum oven), and at room temperature (ambient condition). The conductivity of these synthesized nanocomposites was evaluated using two-probe method and the effect of concentration of ZnO nanostructures on conductivity was observed. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize nanocomposites. The optical energy band gap of the nanocomposites was calculated from absorption spectra and ranged between 1.5 and 3.21 eV. The reported values depicted the blue shift in nanocomposites as compared to the band gap energies of synthesized ZnO nanostructures. The present work focuses on the one-step synthesis and potential use of PANI/ZnO nanocomposite in molecular electronics as well as in optical devices.
F6H8 as an Intraoperative Tool and F6H8/Silicone Oil as a Postoperative Tamponade in Inferior Retinal Detachment with Inferior PVR
Authors: Tosi Gian Marco , Marigliani Davide , Bacci Tommaso , Romeo Napoleone , Balestrazzi Angelo , Martone Gianluca , Caporossi Tomaso
Published: January 2014

Purpose. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of perfluorohexyloctane (F6H8) for intraoperative flattening of the retina and of F6H8/silicone oil (SO) 1000 cSt as a postoperative tamponade for inferior retinal detachment with inferior proliferative vitreoretinopathy.Methods. This is a retrospective review of 22 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy using F6H8 as an intraoperative tool to flatten the retina. At the end of the surgery a direct partial exchange between F6H8 and SO 1000 cSt was performed, tamponing the eye with different ratios of F6H8/SO (70/30, 60/40, 50/50, 40/30, and 30/70). Anatomical and functional results and complications were evaluated over the follow-up period (mean 22.63 months).Results. F6H8 was efficacious for intraoperative flattening of the retina. Twenty-one of the 22 patients achieved a complete retinal reattachment. Postoperative visual acuity (VA) ranged from light perception to 20/70, with 72% of patients obtaining VA better than 20/400. No emulsification/inflammation was observed whatever the ratio of F6H8/SO used. With higher ratios of F6H8/SO (70/30 and 60/40) cloudiness of the tamponade was observed. A transparent mixture was present with all the other ratios.Conclusions. The surgical technique adopted is very simple and safe. The optimal F6H8/SO ratio seems to be between 50/50 and 30/70.
Isolation and Expression Analysis of Novel Silicon Absorption Gene from Roots of Mangrove(Rhizophora apiculata) viaSuppression Subtractive Hybridization
Authors: Sahebi Mahbod , Hanafi Mohamed M. , Abdullah Siti Nor Akmar , Rafii Mohd Y. , Azizi Parisa , Nejat Naghmeh , Idris Abu Seman
Published: January 2014

Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in soil after oxygen. It is not an essential element for plant growth and formation but plays an important role in increasing plant tolerance towards different kinds of abiotic and biotic stresses. The molecular mechanism of Si absorption and accumulation may differ between plants, such as monocotyledons and dicotyledons. Silicon absorption and accumulation in mangrove plants are affected indirectly by some proteins rich in serine and proline amino acids. The expression level of the genes responsible for Si absorption varies in different parts of plants. In this study, Si is mainly observed in the epidermal roots’ cell walls of mangrove plants compared to other parts. The present work was carried out to discover further information on Si stress responsive genes inRhizophora apiculata, using the suppression subtractive hybridization technique. To construct the cDNA library, two-month-old seedlings were exposed to 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mM SiO2for 15 hrs and for 1 to 6 days resulting in a total of 360 high quality ESTs gained. Further examination by RT-PCR and real-time qRT-PCR showed the expression of a candidate gene ofserine-rich protein.
Nicotine-Mediated Cell Proliferation and Tumor Progression in Smoking-Related Cancers
Authors: Schaal Courtney , Chellappan Srikumar P.
Published: January 2014

Tobacco smoke contains multiple classes of established carcinogens including benzo(a)pyrenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and tobacco-specific nitrosamines. Most of these compounds exert their genotoxic effects by forming DNA adducts and generation of reactive oxygen species, causing mutations in vital genes such as K-Ras and p53. In addition, tobacco-specific nitrosamines can activate nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) and to a certain extent β-adrenergic receptors (β-AR), promoting cell proliferation. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that nicotine, the major addictive component of tobacco smoke, can induce cell-cycle progression, angiogenesis, and metastasis of lung and pancreatic cancers. These effects occur mainly through the α7-nAChRs, with possible contribution from the β-ARs and/or epidermal growth factor receptors. This review article will discuss the molecular mechanisms by which nicotine and its oncogenic derivatives such as 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone and N-nitrosonornicotine induce cell-cycle progression and promote tumor growth. A variety of signaling cascades are induced by nicotine through nAChRs, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT pathway, and janus-activated kinase/STAT signaling. In addition, studies have shown that nAChR activation induces Src kinase in a β-arrestin-1-dependent manner, leading to the inactivation of Rb protein and resulting in the expression of E2F1-regulated proliferative genes. Such nAChR-mediated signaling events enhance the proliferation of cells and render them resistant to apoptosis induced by various agents. These observations highlight the role of nAChRs in promoting the growth and metastasis of tumors and raise the possibility of targeting them for cancer therapy. Mol Cancer Res; 12(1); 14–23. ©2014 AACR.