bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Single Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomer Targeting VP24 Protects Rhesus Monkeys against Lethal Ebola Virus Infection
Authors: Warren Travis K. , Whitehouse Chris A. , Wells Jay , Welch Lisa , Heald Alison E. , Charleston Jay S. , Sazani Pete , Reid St. Patrick , Iversen Patrick L. , Bavari Sina
Published: February 2015

Ebola viruses (EBOV) cause severe disease in humans and nonhuman primates with high mortality rates and continue to emerge in new geographic locations, including several countries in West Africa, the site of a large ongoing outbreak. Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) are synthetic antisense molecules that are able to target mRNAs in a sequence-specific fashion and suppress translation through steric hindrance. We previously showed that the use of PMOs targeting a combination of VP35 and VP24 protected rhesus monkeys from lethal EBOV infection. Surprisingly, the present study revealed that a PMO
plus
compound targeting VP24 alone was sufficient to confer protection from lethal EBOV infection but that a PMO
plus
targeting VP35 alone resulted in no protection. This study further substantiates recent data demonstrating that VP24 may be a key virulence factor encoded by EBOV and suggests that VP24 is a promising target for the development of effective anti-EBOV countermeasures.

IMPORTANCE
Several West African countries are currently being ravaged by an outbreak of Ebola virus (EBOV) that has become a major epidemic affecting not only these African countries but also Europe and the United States. A better understanding of the mechanism of virulence of EBOV is important for the development of effective treatments, as no licensed treatments or vaccines for EBOV disease are currently available. This study of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) targeting the mRNAs of two different EBOV proteins, alone and in combination, demonstrated that targeting a single protein was effective at conferring a significant survival benefit in an EBOV lethal primate model. Future development of PMOs with efficacy against EBOV will be simplified if only one PMO is required instead of a combination, particularly in terms of regulatory approval.
Reversible changes in diffusion- and perfusion-based imaging in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
Authors: Lin Ning , Wong Andrew K , Lipinski Lindsay J , Mokin Maxim , Siddiqui Adnan H
Published: February 2015

Diffusion- and perfusion-based imaging studies are regularly used in patients with ischemic stroke. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare cause of stroke and is primarily treated by systemic anticoagulation. Endovascular intervention can be considered in cases of failed medical therapy, yet the prognostic value of diffusion- and perfusion-based imaging for CVST has not been clearly established. We present a patient with CVST whose abnormal findings on MRI and CT perfusion images were largely reversed after endovascular treatment.
Assessing the effect of unilateral cerebral revascularisation on the vascular reactivity of the non-intervened hemisphere: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Sam Kevin , Poublanc Julien , Sobczyk Olivia , Han Jay S , Battisti-Charbonney Anne , Mandell Daniel M , Tymianski Michael , Crawley Adrian P , Fisher Joseph A , Mikulis David J
Published: February 2015

Objectives

Unilateral haemodynamically significant large-vessel intracranial stenosis may be associated with reduced blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), an indicator of autoregulatory reserve. Reduced CVR has been associated with ipsilateral cortical thinning and loss in cognitive function. These effects have been shown to be reversible following revascularisation. Our aim was to study the effects of unilateral revascularisation on CVR in the non-intervened hemisphere in bilateral steno-occlusive or Moyamoya disease.

Study Design

A retrospective observational study.

Setting

A routine follow-up assessment of CVR after a revascularisation procedure at a research teaching hospital in Toronto (Journal wants us to generalise).

Participants

Thirteen patients with bilateral Moyamoya disease (age range 18 to 52 years; 3 males), seven patients with steno-occlusive disease (age range 18 to 78 years; six males) and 27 approximately age-matched normal control subjects (age range 19–71 years; 16 males) with no history or findings suggestive of any neurological or systemic disease.

Intervention

Participants underwent BOLD CVR MRI using computerised prospective targeting of CO2, before and after unilateral revascularisation (extracranial–intracranial bypass, carotid endarterectomy or encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis). Pre-revascularisation and post-revascularisation CVR was assessed in each major arterial vascular territory of both hemispheres.

Results

As expected, surgical revascularisation improved grey matter CVR in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory of the intervened hemisphere (0.010±0.023 to 0.143±0.010%BOLD/mm Hg, p<0.01). There was also a significant post-revascularisation improvement in grey matter CVR in the MCA territory of the non-intervened hemisphere (0.101±0.025 to 0.165±0.015%BOLD/mm Hg, p<0.01).

Conclusions

Not only does CVR improve in the hemisphere ipsilateral to a flow restoration procedure, but it also improves in the non-intervened hemisphere. This highlights the potential of CVR mapping for staging and evaluating surgical interventions.
Use of a validated screening tool for psoriatic arthritis in dermatology clinics
Authors: Ganatra Bella , Manoharan Dishan , Akhras Victoria
Published: February 2015

Dermatology clinics represent a key opportunity to screen patients with psoriasis for psoriatic arthritis (PA) which often remains unrecognised. A significant proportion of adults with psoriasis develop arthropathy [5] with around two-thirds having progressive arthritis.[6] NICE has recognised this by the annual use of a validated screening tool such as psoriasis epidemiological screening tool (PEST) on all psoriasis patients without PA. We introduced the PEST into our dermatology department since there was no established system of screening for PA. Twenty-one percent of patients that were identified through PEST as requiring a referral at baseline were not referred to rheumatology through the current system without PEST. This represented a significantly missed proportion of patients with possible PA.

Using the PDSA cycle method, we introduced the PEST into cycle 1 and educated key staff about the tool. All eligible patients were referred appropriately. Through doctor and patient feedback, changes were adopted for cycle 2 and informative emails to all key staff about PEST were sent. We noted a drop in the number of PEST uptake in this cycle possibly due to lack of awareness on the purpose and use of PEST among staff, across the department. An educational teaching session was delivered to a wider audience and posters were placed in strategic areas of the department prior to the final cycle. This resulted in 100% PEST uptake and 100% of those with a score of >3 being referred. A total of 51 patients were studied, comprising of 30 eligible patients for PEST. Of these, 27 patients were actually screened (90%) and five with a PEST score of ≥ 3 were identified and referred appropriately (18.5%). We felt this represented a successful outcome in increasing PEST uptake within the department and in capturing a significant proportion of patients at risk of PA.
Improving inpatient care with the introduction of a hip fracture pathway
Authors: Chamberlain Mark , Pugh Hannah
Published: February 2015

A system of payment by results exists for the management of hip fractures in England and Wales. Poor performance against the national standards was noted, reflecting failure to deliver optimal care. Through the introduction of a multi-disciplinary patient pathway and clerking pro forma, the proportion of patients earning the best practice tariff uplift increased from 44.4% to 91.7%. This demonstrates a significant improvement in patient care measured against the guidelines, also resulting in a substantial revenue increase for the department.
Depressive symptoms in the last days of life of patients with cancer: a nationwide retrospective mortality study
Authors: Janberidze Elene , Pereira Sandra Martins , Hjermstad Marianne Jensen , Knudsen Anne Kari , Kaasa Stein , van der Heide Agnes , Onwuteaka-Philipsen Bregje
Published: February 2015

Objectives

Depressive symptoms are common in patients with cancer and tend to increase as death approaches. The study aims were to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with cancer in their final 24 h, and their association with other symptoms, sociodemographic and care characteristics.

Methods

A stratified sample of deaths was drawn by Statistics Netherlands. Questionnaires on patient and care characteristics were sent to the physicians (N=6860) who signed the death certificates (response rate 77.8%). Adult patients with cancer with non-sudden death were included (n=1363). Symptoms during the final 24 h of life were assessed on a 1–5 scale and categorised as 1=no, 2–3=mild/moderate and 4–5=severe/very severe.

Results

Depressive symptoms were registered in 37.6% of the patients. Patients aged 80 years or more had a reduced risk of having mild/moderate depressive symptoms compared with those aged 17–65 years (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.50 to 0.99). Elderly care physicians were more likely to assess patients with severe/very severe depressive symptoms than patients with no depressive symptoms (OR 4.18; 95% CI 1.48 to 11.76). Involvement of pain specialists/palliative care consultants and psychiatrists/psychologists was associated with more ratings of severe/very severe depressive symptoms. Fatigue and confusion were significantly associated with mild/moderate depressive symptoms and anxiety with severe/very severe symptoms.

Conclusions

More than one-third of the patients were categorised with depressive symptoms during the last 24 h of life. We recommend greater awareness of depression earlier in the disease trajectory to improve care.
Driven to caring for cats at home
Authors: Lewis Jo
Published: February 2015

Jo Lewis says she has always been one to go the extra mile. Five years ago, she took this literally and set up the Cat Vet Home Visiting Clinic. As she explains, it was her love and understanding of all things feline, mixed with frustration about the status quo, that led to her ‘light bulb moment’
Effects of climate on earlywood vessel formation of Quercus robur and Q. pyrenaica at a site in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula
Authors: González-González Borja D. , Vázquez-Ruiz Rosa Ana , García-González Ignacio
Published: February 2015

We analysed climate–growth relationships for two ring-porous oak species (Quercus robur L. and Q. pyrenaica Willd.) at one site in northwestern Spain. Increment cores from 12 living trees per species were taken for ring and earlywood vessel measurements, considering three width variables (for earlywood, latewood, and the whole ring) and six anatomical variables (based on vessel area distribution, number of vessels, and conductivity) in the earlywood. We used standard dendrochronological procedures and compared each mean series with meteorological records of temperature, precipitation, and estimates of soil water content. Earlywood width was negatively related to precipitation in the previous late season for Q. robur, but it was controlled by the previous spring temperature for Q. pyrenaica. These responses were highly dependent on vessel number and probably related to carbohydrate storage dynamics but differed between species. Vessel size showed a stronger relationship to climate and was mainly coupled to water excess during the winter for Q. robur but dependent on quiescence temperature for Q. pyrenaica; also, climatic signal in vessel size was maximized by the largest vessels for Q. pyrenaica but only increased slightly for Q. robur. Consequently, vessel parameters showed a much stronger climate signal than ring width and were successful at highlighting the differences between both oak species.
Uncoupling between core genome and virulome in extraintestinal pathogenicEscherichia coli
Authors: Fernández-Romero Natalia , Romero-Gómez María Pilar , Mora-Rillo Marta , Rodríguez-Baño Jesús , López-Cerero Lorena , Pascual Álvaro , Mingorance Jesús
Published: February 2015

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) are among the most frequently isolated bacterial pathogens in hospitals. They are considered opportunistic pathogens and are found mostly in urinary and bloodstream infections. They are genetically diverse, and many studies have sought associations between genotypes or virulence genes and infection site, severity, or outcome, with varied, often contradictory, results. To understand these difficulties, we have analyzed the diversity patterns in the core genomes and virulomes of more than 500 ExPEC isolates from 5 different collections. The core genome was analyzed using a multilocus sequence type-based single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) pyrosequencing approach, while the virulence gene content (the virulome) was studied by polymerase chain reaction detection of 25 representative genes. SNP typing showed a similar population structure in the different collections: half of the isolates belong to a few sequence types (5 to 8), while the other half is composed of a large diversity of sequence types that are found once or twice. Sampling analysis by rarefaction plots of SNP profiles showed saturation curves indicative of a limited diversity. Contrary to this, the virulome shows an extremely high diversity, with almost as many gene profiles as isolates, and linear, nonsaturating, rarefaction plots, even within sequence types. These data show that genetic exchange rates are very heterogeneous along the chromosome, being much higher in the virulome fraction of the genome than in the core genome.
Ecomorphological patterns linking morphology and diet across three populations of pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus)
Authors: Berchtold A.E. , Colborne S.F. , Longstaffe F.J. , Neff B.D.
Published: February 2015

Relationships between morphological traits and their ecological function frequently result in patterns that are consistently observed within taxa. Across fishes, the field of ecomorphology has identified a number of morphological traits linked to foraging tactic. Here we examined the links between morphology and diet in pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus (L., 1758)) from three temperate freshwater lakes. We focused on morphological variation in pharyngeal jaw and gill raker structures, both involved with the processing of prey after capture, in relation to diet. Using stomach contents and stable isotope analysis, we established mean resource use estimates for both populations and individual fish. Among populations and individuals within lakes, we observed that pharyngeal jaw size and gill raker spacing increased with the consumption of littoral prey (e.g., hard-shelled snails) relative to pelagic prey (e.g., zooplankton), but the morphological changes were greater for the pharyngeal jaws. Overall, the relationships that we observed between morphology and foraging tactic were consistent with patterns observed in pumpkinseed and across other fishes. Individual-level diet variation associated with morphology may result in phenotypic diversity within populations that has multiple ecological and evolutionary implications for these populations.
Geometric and Textural Cues for Automatic Kinship Verification
Authors: Bottino Andrea , Vieira Tiago Figueiredo , Ul Islam Ihtesham
Published: February 2015

Automatic Kinship verification aims at recognizing the degree of kinship of two individuals from their facial images and it has possible applications in image retrieval and annotation, forensics and historical studies. This is a recent and challenging problem, which must deal with different degrees of kinship and variations in age and gender. Our work explores the computer identification of parent–child pairs using a combination of (i) features of different natures, based on geometric and textural data, (ii) feature selection and (iii) state-of-the-art classifiers. Experiments show that the proposed approach provides a valuable solution to the kinship verification problem, as suggested by its comparison with different methods on the same data and the same experimental protocols. We further show the good generalization capabilities of our method in several cross-database experiments.
A Wideband Gain Linearized Microwave Voltage Controlled Oscillator with Low Phase Noise Variation in Nanometer CMOS Technology
Authors: Aqeeli Mohammed , Alburaikan Abdullah , Muvianto Cahyo , Huang Xianjun , Hu Zhirun
Published: February 2015

A wideband CMOS LC tank voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) with low phase noise variations and a linearized gain has been designed using a new binary-weighted switched-capacitor and digitally-controlled varactor bank. The novel design has the advantages of more linear VCO frequency tuning, lower phase noise and reduced gain to variations in supply voltage. The proposed VCO has been designed using UMC 90-nm, 6-metal CMOS technology and features phase noise variation of less than 4.9 dBc/Hz. The VCO operates from 3.45 to 6.55 GHz, with phase noise of -133.4 dBc/Hz at a 1 MHz offset, a figure of merit (FoM) of -203.3 dBc/Hz, less than 41 dBm spurious harmonics, and a total VCO core current consumption of 1.18 mA from a 3.3 V voltage supply. To the authors' knowledge, this is the lowest phase noise variation ever reported.
Embedding of Hypercubes into l-Sibling Trees
Authors: RAJAN R. SUNDARA
Published: February 2015

The hypercube is one of the most popular interconnection networks due to its structural regularity, potential for parallel computation of various algorithms, and the high degree of fault tolerance. In this paper, we introduce a tree called l-sibling trees and the main results obtained in this paper are: (1) For r ≥ 1, the minimum wirelength of embedding r-dimensional hypercube into r-dimensional l-sibling tree. (2) For r ≥ 1, embedding of r-dimensional extended l-sibling tree into caterpillar with minimum dilation. (3) Based on the proof of (1), we provide an O(r)-linear time algorithm to compute the minimum wirelength of embedding r-dimensional hypercube into r-dimensional l-sibling tree.
Designing and Reporting on Computational Experiments of Multi-objective Component Selection Algorithm
Authors: Wu Zhiqiao , Tang Jiafu
Published: February 2015

One important issue of component-based software development is the minimization of the development cost and the maximization of the system reliability while satisfying functional requirements. There are numerous publications on this issue based on metaheuristic techniques, but there are two deficiencies: too tough to evaluate the performance of algorithms and fix parameters in the real-world application. To address this problem, a three phased algorithm is proposed by the Wu et al. [International Journal of Information Technology & Decision Making5 (2011) 811–841]. This paper describes computational experience in solving the problems using the metaheuristics and the proposed algorithm. The results indicate the efficiency of the proposed algorithms in terms of overall nondominated vector generation, well converged set of solutions, and diversity of solutions. Computational results and simulation analysis further assist a decision maker to fix optimal parameters of metaheuristics including the number of iteration, crossover rate, and mutation rate, and explore hints in using metaheuristics for the problem.
Five anomalous structural aspects of rift basins in Thailand and their impact on petroleum systems
Authors: Morley Chris K.
Published: February 2015

The intracratonic, supra-subduction zone setting of the Thailand rift basins caused the rifts to evolve in several ways differently from other intracratonic rifts. Key differences include: widespread occurrence of low-angle normal faults; basin inversion alternating with rifting; diachronous initiation and cessation of rifting; rapid post-rift subsidence; and extensive, low-displacement post-rift faults. These characteristics are related to hot, weak continental lithosphere, rapid evolution of the plate boundaries and stresses during the Cenozoic, and the history of subduction and accretion. Low-angle normal faults impacted the Sirikit Field by controlling the location of fluvio-deltaic reservoirs interfingering lacustrine shales (source and seal). Basin inversion alternating with syn-rift section is detrimental to prospectivity of the southern half of the Phitsanulok Basin by destroying syn-rift structure, and halting hydrocarbon maturation early in the basin history. The diachronous timing of basin development resulted in large, gas-dominated hydrocarbon accumulations in the eastern Gulf of Thailand basins, but was detrimental for younger basins that lack the post-rift section, and the greater variety of petroleum systems and traps that post-rift basins offer. The extensive low displacement–length ratio post-rift faults form significant hydrocarbon traps in the Pattani and North Malay basins. They represent a structural style not usually found in post-rift basins.
Suppression of discoidin domain receptor 1 expression enhances the chondrogenesis of adipose-derived stem cells
Authors: Wu Shun-Cheng , Hsiao Hsu-Feng , Ho Mei-Ling , Hung Yung-Li , Chang Je-Ken , Wang Gwo-Jaw , Wang Chau-Zen
Published: February 2015

Effectively directing the chondrogenesis of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to engineer articular cartilage represents an important challenge in ADSC-based articular cartilage tissue engineering. The discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) has been shown to affect cartilage homeostasis; however, little is known about the roles of DDR1 in ADSC chondrogenesis. In this study, we used the three-dimensional culture pellet culture model system with chondrogenic induction to investigate the roles of DDR1 in the chondrogenic differentiation of human ADSCs (hADSCs). Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to detect the expression of DDRs and chondrogenic genes. Sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) was detected by Alcian blue and dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assays. Terminal deoxy-nucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to assess cell death. During the chondrogenesis of hADSCs, the expression of DDR1 but not DDR2 was significantly elevated. The depletion of DDR1 expression in hADSCs using short hairpin RNA increased the expression of chondrogenic genes (SOX-9, collagen type II, and aggrecan) and cartilaginous matrix deposition (collagen type II and sGAG) and only slightly increased cell death (2–8%). DDR1 overexpression in hADSCs decreased the expression of chondrogenic genes (SOX-9, collagen type II, and aggrecan) and sGAG and enhanced hADSC survival. Moreover, DDR1-depleted hADSCs showed decreased expression of the terminal differentiation genes runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13). These results suggest that DDR1 suppression may enhance ADSC chondrogenesis by enhancing the expression of chondrogenic genes and cartilaginous matrix deposition. We proposed that the suppression of DDR1 in ADSCs may be a candidate strategy of genetic modification to optimize ADSC-based articular cartilage tissue engineering.
Renal extraction and acute effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 on central and renal hemodynamics in healthy men
Authors: Asmar Ali , Simonsen Lene , Asmar Meena , Madsbad Sten , Holst Jens J. , Frandsen Erik , Moro Cedric , Jonassen Thomas , Bülow Jens
Published: February 2015

The present experiments were performed to elucidate the acute effects of intravenous infusion of glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 on central and renal hemodynamics in healthy men. Seven healthy middle-aged men were examined on two different occasions in random order. During a 3-h infusion of either GLP-1 (1.5 pmol·kg−1·min−1) or saline, cardiac output was estimated noninvasively, and intraarterial blood pressure and heart rate were measured continuously. Renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, and uptake/release of hormones and ions were measured by Fick's Principle after catheterization of a renal vein. Subjects remained supine during the experiments. During GLP-1 infusion, both systolic blood pressure and arterial pulse pressure increased by 5 ± 1 mmHg ( P = 0.015 and P = 0.002, respectively). Heart rate increased by 5 ± 1 beats/min ( P = 0.005), and cardiac output increased by 18% ( P = 0.016). Renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate as well as the clearance of Na+and Li+were not affected by GLP-1. However, plasma renin activity decreased ( P = 0.037), whereas plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide were unaffected. Renal extraction of intact GLP-1 was 43% ( P < 0.001), whereas 60% of the primary metabolite GLP-1 9-36amide was extracted ( P = 0.017). In humans, an acute intravenous administration of GLP-1 leads to increased cardiac output due to a simultaneous increase in stroke volume and heart rate, whereas no effect on renal hemodynamics could be demonstrated despite significant extraction of both the intact hormone and its primary metabolite.
Role of spinal metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 in pudendal inhibition of the nociceptive bladder reflex in cats
Authors: Reese Jeremy N. , Rogers Marc J. , Xiao Zhiying , Shen Bing , Wang Jicheng , Schwen Zeyad , Roppolo James R. , de Groat William C. , Tai Changfeng
Published: February 2015

This study examined the role of spinal metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) in the nociceptive C-fiber afferent-mediated spinal bladder reflex and in the inhibtion of this reflex by pudendal nerve stimulation (PNS). In α-chloralose-anesthetized cats after spinal cord transection at the T9/T10 level, intravesical infusion of 0.25% acetic acid irritated the bladder, activated nociceptive C-fiber afferents, and induced spinal reflex bladder contractions of low amplitude (<50 cmH2O) and short duration (<20 s) at a smaller bladder capacity ∼80% of saline control capacity. PNS significantly ( P < 0.01) increased bladder capacity from 85.5 ± 10.1 to 137.3 ± 14.1 or 148.2 ± 11.2% at 2T or 4T stimulation, respectively, where T is the threshold intensity for PNS to induce anal twitch. MTEP {3-[(2-methyl-4-thiazolyl)ethynyl]pyridine; 3 mg/kg iv, a selective mGluR5 antagonist} completely removed the PNS inhibition and significantly ( P < 0.05) increased bladder capacity from 71.8 ± 9.9 to 94.0 ± 13.9% of saline control, but it did not change the bladder contraction amplitude. After propranolol (3 mg/kg iv, a β1/β2-adrenergic receptor antagonist) treatment, PNS inhibition remained but MTEP significantly ( P < 0.05) reduced the bladder contraction amplitude from 18.6 ± 2.1 to 6.6 ± 1.2 cmH2O and eliminated PNS inhibition. At the end of experiments, hexamethonium (10 mg/kg iv, a ganglionic blocker) significantly ( P < 0.05) reduced the bladder contraction amplitude from 20.9 ± 3.2 to 8.1 ± 1.5 cmH2O on average demonstrating that spinal reflexes were responsible for a major component of the contractions. This study shows that spinal mGluR5 plays an important role in the nociceptive C-fiber afferent-mediated spinal bladder reflex and in pudendal inhibition of this spinal reflex.
Somatosensory spatial attention modulates amplitudes, latencies, and latency jitter of laser-evoked brain potentials
Authors: Franz Marcel , Nickel Moritz M. , Ritter Alexander , Miltner Wolfgang H. R. , Weiss Thomas
Published: February 2015

Several studies provided evidence that the amplitudes of laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) are modulated by attention. However, previous reports were based on across-trial averaging of LEP responses at the expense of losing information about intertrial variability related to attentional modulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of somatosensory spatial attention on single-trial parameters (i.e., amplitudes, latencies, and latency jitter) of LEP components (N2 and P2). Twelve subjects participated in a sustained spatial attention paradigm while noxious laser stimuli (left hand) and noxious electrical stimuli (right hand) were sequentially delivered to the dorsum of the respective hand with nonnoxious air puffs randomly interspersed within the sequence of noxious stimuli. Participants were instructed to mentally count all stimuli (i.e., noxious and nonnoxious) applied to the attended location. Laser stimuli, presented to the attended hand (ALS), elicited larger single-trial amplitudes of the N2 component compared with unattended laser stimuli (ULS). In contrast, single-trial amplitudes of the P2 component were not significantly affected by spatial attention. Single-trial latencies of the N2 and P2 were significantly smaller for ALS vs. ULS. Additionally, the across-trial latency jitter of the N2 component was reduced for ALS. Conversely, the latency jitter of the P2 component was smaller for ULS compared with ALS. With the use of single-trial analysis, the study provided new insights into brain dynamics of LEPs related to spatial attention. Our results indicate that single-trial parameters of LEP components are differentially modulated by spatial attention.
Calcium-dependent inactivation of calcium channels in the medial striatum increases at eye opening
Authors: Evans R. C. , Herin G. A. , Hawes S. L. , Blackwell K. T.
Published: February 2015

Influx of calcium through voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) is essential for striatal function and plasticity. VGCCs expressed in striatal neurons have varying kinetics, voltage dependences, and densities resulting in heterogeneous subcellular calcium dynamics. One factor that determines the calcium dynamics in striatal medium spiny neurons is inactivation of VGCCs. Aside from voltage-dependent inactivation, VGCCs undergo calcium-dependent inactivation (CDI): inactivating in response to an influx of calcium. CDI is a negative feedback control mechanism; however, its contribution to striatal neuron function is unknown. Furthermore, although the density of VGCC expression changes with development, it is unclear whether CDI changes with development. Because calcium influx through L-type calcium channels is required for striatal synaptic depression, a change in CDI could contribute to age-dependent changes in striatal synaptic plasticity. Here we use whole cell voltage clamp to characterize CDI over developmental stages and across striatal regions. We find that CDI increases at the age of eye opening in the medial striatum but not the lateral striatum. The developmental increase in CDI mostly involves L-type channels, although calcium influx through non-L-type channels contributes to the CDI in both age groups. Agents that enhance protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation of calcium channels reduce the magnitude of CDI after eye opening, suggesting that the developmental increase in CDI may be related to a reduction in the phosphorylation state of the L-type calcium channel. These results are the first to show that modifications in striatal neuron properties correlate with changes to sensory input.
Effects of subthalamic deep brain stimulation on blink abnormalities of 6-OHDA lesioned rats
Authors: Kaminer Jaime , Thakur Pratibha , Evinger Craig
Published: February 2015

Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rat model share blink abnormalities. In view of the evolutionarily conserved organization of blinking, characterization of blink reflex circuits in rodents may elucidate the neural mechanisms of PD reflex abnormalities. We examine the extent of this shared pattern of blink abnormalities by measuring blink reflex excitability, blink reflex plasticity, and spontaneous blinking in 6-OHDA lesioned rats. We also investigate whether 130-Hz subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) affects blink abnormalities, as it does in PD patients. Like PD patients, 6-OHDA-lesioned rats exhibit reflex blink hyperexcitability, impaired blink plasticity, and a reduced spontaneous blink rate. At 130 Hz, but not 16 Hz, STN DBS eliminates reflex blink hyperexcitability and restores both short- and long-term blink plasticity. Replicating its lack of effect in PD patients, 130-Hz STN DBS does not reinstate a normal temporal pattern or rate to spontaneous blinking in 6-OHDA lesioned rats. These data show that the 6-OHDA lesioned rat is an ideal model system for investigating the neural bases of reflex abnormalities in PD and highlight the complexity of PD's effects on motor control, by showing that dopamine depletion does not affect all blink systems via the same neural mechanisms.
Asymptotic Stabilizability of a Class of Stochastic Nonlinear Hybrid Systems
Authors: Seroka Ewelina
Published: February 2015

The problem of the asymptotic stabilizability in probability of a class of stochastic nonlinear control hybrid systems (with a linear dependence of the control) with state dependent, Markovian, and any switching rule is considered in the paper. To solve the issue, the Lyapunov technique, including a common, single, and multiple Lyapunov function, the hybrid control theory, and some results for stochastic nonhybrid systems are used. Sufficient conditions for the asymptotic stabilizability in probability for a considered class of hybrid systems are formulated. Also the stabilizing control in a feedback form is considered. Furthermore, in the case of hybrid systems with the state dependent switching rule, a method for a construction of stabilizing switching rules is proposed. Obtained results are illustrated by examples and numerical simulations.
Synthesis and Characterization of High Efficiency and Stable Spherical Ag3PO4 Visible Light Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Methylene Blue Solutions
Authors: Qin Liqin , Tao Pingfang , Zhou Xiaosong , Pang Qi , Liang Chunjie , Liu Kuo , Luo Xujian
Published: February 2015

A facile method for the synthesis of Ag3PO4 visible light photocatalyst has been developed to improve the photocatalytic activity and stability. The as‐prepared samples are investigated by X‐ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and UV‐Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy techniques. The results reveal that the prepared Ag3PO4 has cube structure with a band gap of 2.26 eV. The as‐prepared samples show higher photocatalytic activity for methylene blue (MB) degradation than that of N‐TiO2 under visible light irradiation.
Design and Micromagnetic Simulation of Fe/L10-FePt/Fe Trilayer for Exchange Coupled Composite Bit Patterned Media at Ultrahigh Areal Density
Authors: Tipcharoen Warunee , Kaewrawang Arkom , Siritaratiwat Apirat
Published: February 2015

Exchange coupled composite bit patterned media (ECC-BPM) are one candidate to solve the trilemma issues, overcome superparamagnetic limitations, and obtain ultrahigh areal density. In this work, the ECC continuous media and ECC-BPM of Fe/L10-FePt/Fe trilayer schemes are proposed and investigated based on the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. The switching field,Hsw, of the hard phase in the proposed continuous ECC trilayer media structure is reduced below the maximum write head field at interlayer exchange coupling between hard and soft phases,Aex, higher than 20 pJ/m and its value is lower than that for continuousL10-FePt single layer media andL10-FePt/Fe bilayer. Furthermore, theHswof the proposed ECC-BPM is lower than the maximum write head field with exchange coupling coefficient between neighboring dots of 5 pJ/m andAexover 10 pJ/m. Therefore, the proposed ECC-BPM trilayer has the highest potential and is suitable for ultrahigh areal density magnetic recording technology at ultrahigh areal density. The results of this work may be gainful idea for nanopatterning in magnetic media nanotechnology.
Relaxant Action ofPlumula NelumbinisExtract on Mouse Airway Smooth Muscle
Authors: Tan Li , Chen Weiwei , Wei Ming-Yu , Shen Jinhua , Yu Meng-Fei , Yang Guangzhong , Guo Donglin , Qin Gangjian , Ji Guangju , Liu Qing-Hua
Published: February 2015

The traditional herbPlumula Nelumbinisis widely used in the world because it has many biological activities, such as anti-inflammation, antioxidant, antihypertension, and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition. However, the action ofPlumula Nelumbinison airway smooth muscle (ASM) relaxation has not been investigated. A chloroform extract ofPlumula Nelumbinis(CEPN) was prepared, which completely inhibited precontraction induced by high K+in a concentration-dependent manner in mouse tracheal rings, but it had no effect on resting tension. CEPN also blocked voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+channel- (VDCC-) mediated currents. In addition, ACh-induced precontraction was also completely blocked by CEPN and partially inhibited by nifedipine or pyrazole 3. Besides, CEPN partially reduced ACh-activated nonselective cation channel (NSCC) currents. Taken together, our data demonstrate that CEPN blocked VDCC and NSCC to inhibit Ca2+influx, resulting in relaxation of precontracted ASM. This finding indicates that CEPN would be a candidate of new potent bronchodilators.
Quadruple Burden of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Chronic Intestinal Parasitoses, and Multiple Micronutrient Deficiency in Ethiopia: A Summary of Available Findings
Authors: Amare Bemnet , Moges Beyene , Mulu Andargachew , Yifru Sisay , Kassu Afework
Published: February 2015

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis (TB), and helminthic infections are among the commonest public health problems in the sub-Saharan African countries like Ethiopia. Multiple micronutrient deficiencies also known as the “hidden hunger” are common in people living in these countries either playing a role in their pathogenesis or as consequences. This results in a vicious cycle of multiple micronutrient deficiencies and infection/disease progression. As infection is profoundly associated with nutritional status resulting from decreased nutrient intake, decreased nutrient absorption, and nutrient losses, micronutrient deficiencies affect immune system and impact infection and diseases progression. As a result, micronutrients, immunity, and infection are interrelated. The goal of this review is therefore to provide a summary of available findings regarding the “quadruple burden trouble” of HIV, TB, intestinal parasitic infections, and multiple micronutrient deficiencies to describe immune-modulating effects related to disorders.
Inhibitory Effects ofChrysanthemum borealeEssential Oil on Biofilm Formation and Virulence Factor Expression ofStreptococcus mutans
Authors: Kim Beom-Su , Park Sun-Ju , Kim Myung-Kon , Kim Young-Hoi , Lee Sang-Bong , Lee Kwang-Hee , Choi Na-Young , Lee Young-Rae , Lee Young-Eun , You Yong-Ouk
Published: February 2015

The aim of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of essential oil extracted fromChrysanthemum boreale(C. boreale) onStreptococcus mutans(S. mutans). To investigate anticariogenic properties, and bacterial growth, acid production, biofilm formation, bacterial adherence ofS. mutanswere evaluated. Then gene expression of several virulence factors was also evaluated.C. borealeessential oil exhibited significant inhibition of bacterial growth, adherence capacity, and acid production ofS. mutansat concentrations 0.1–0.5 mg/mL and 0.25–0.5 mg/mL, respectively. The safranin staining and scanning electron microscopy results showed that the biofilm formation was also inhibited. The result of live/dead staining showed the bactericidal effect. Furthermore, real-time PCR analysis showed that the gene expression of some virulence factors such asgtfB,gtfC,gtfD,gbpB,spaP,brpA,relA, andvicR ofS. mutanswas significantly decreased in a dose dependent manner. In GC and GC-MS analysis, seventy-two compounds were identified in the oil, representing 85.42% of the total oil. The major components were camphor (20.89%),β-caryophyllene (5.71%),α-thujone (5.46%), piperitone (5.27%),epi-sesquiphellandrene (5.16%),α-pinene (4.97%), 1,8-cineole (4.52%),β-pinene (4.45%), and camphene (4.19%). These results suggest thatC. borealeessential oil may inhibit growth, adhesion, acid tolerance, and biofilm formation ofS. mutansthrough the partial inhibition of several of these virulence factors.
Development of Cutaneous Bioadhesive Ureasil-Polyether Hybrid Films
Authors: Oshiro Junior João Augusto , Carvalho Flávia Chiva , Soares Christiane Pienna , Chorilli Marlus , Chiavacci Leila Aparecida
Published: February 2015

The hydrolysis and condensation reactions involved in synthesis of ureasil-polyether films influence the film formation time and the number of chemical groups able to form hydrogen bonds, responsible for the bioadhesion, with the biological substrate. The objective of this work was to study the influence of the use of an acid catalyst (hydrochloric acid) and a basic catalyst (ammonium fluoride) in the hydrolysis and condensation reactions on the time formation and bioadhesion of ureasil-polyether films. The toxicity of the films was evaluated. The MTT assay has shown cell viability of human skin keratinocytes higher than 70% of all analyzed materials suggesting low cytotoxicity. The bioadhesion of the films is strongly dependent on the viscosity and hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of the polyether chains used to synthetize the hybrid molecules. The use of acid catalyst promotes the formation of less viscous films with higher bioadhesion. The hybrids formed by more hydrophilic PEO chains are more bioadherent, since they can interact more efficiently with the water present in the stratum corneum increasing the bioadhesion. Due to their low toxicity and high bioadhesion, the ureasil-PEO films obtained by using HCl as catalyst agent are good candidates for application to the skin as bioadhesive films.
On Convergence inL-Valued Fuzzy Topological Spaces
Authors: Ramadan A. A. , El-Dardery M. , Zhao Hu
Published: February 2015

We introduce the concept ofL-fuzzy neighborhood systems using completeMV-algebras and present important links with the theory ofL-fuzzy topological spaces. We investigate the relationships among the degrees ofL-fuzzyr-adherent points (r-convergent,r-cluster, andr-limit, resp.) in anL-fuzzy topological spaces. Also, we investigate the concept ofLF-continuous functions and their properties.
A Case of Phosphoglyceride Crystal Deposition Disease in the Pelvic Soft Tissues Recurring after Initial Surgery
Authors: Yamada Yuki , Nishioka Kazuhiro , Kajihara Hirotaka , Noguchi Taketoshi , Naruse Katsuhiko , Horie Kiyoshige
Published: February 2015

Phosphoglyceride crystal deposition disease (PGDD) is a rare disease entity that is characterized by phosphoglyceride crystal deposition that stimulates the formation of masses in soft tissue scars or bones. We report a case of PGDD in the pelvic soft tissues that recurred after initial surgical treatment. A 50-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for the evaluation of pelvic masses that were observed on an abdominal ultrasound. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed masses in the pelvic region, with the largest being 10 cm in diameter. The masses were diagnosed as ovarian malignant tumors, and an exploratory laparotomy was performed. Operative findings revealed them to be foreign body granulomas, and the patient was diagnosed with PGDD. The patient had a history of cesarean delivery at the age of 24 years. PGDD is extremely rare, but it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal masses in patients with a history of abdominal surgery.
Geometric Data Perturbation‐Based Personal Health Record Transactions in Cloud Computing
Authors: Balasubramaniam S. , Kavitha V.
Published: February 2015

Cloud computing is a new delivery model for information technology services and it typically involves the provision of dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources over the Internet. However, cloud computing raises concerns on how cloud service providers, user organizations, and governments should handle such information and interactions. Personal health records represent an emerging patient‐centric model for health information exchange, and they are outsourced for storage by third parties, such as cloud providers. With these records, it is necessary for each patient to encrypt their own personal health data before uploading them to cloud servers. Current techniques for encryption primarily rely on conventional cryptographic approaches. However, key management issues remain largely unsolved with these cryptographic‐based encryption techniques. We propose that personal health record transactions be managed using geometric data perturbation in cloud computing. In our proposed scheme, the personal health record database is perturbed using geometric data perturbation and outsourced to the Amazon EC2 cloud.
Imaging Active Urokinase Plasminogen Activator in Prostate Cancer
Authors: LeBeau Aaron M. , Sevillano Natalia , Markham Kate , Winter Michael B. , Murphy Stephanie T. , Hostetter Daniel R. , West James , Lowman Henry , Craik Charles S. , VanBrocklin Henry F.
Published: February 2015

The increased proteolytic activity of membrane-bound and secreted proteases on the surface of cancer cells and in the transformed stroma is a common characteristic of aggressive metastatic prostate cancer. We describe here the development of an active site-specific probe for detecting a secreted peritumoral protease expressed by cancer cells and the surrounding tumor microenvironment. Using a human fragment antigen-binding phage display library, we identified a human antibody termed U33 that selectively inhibited the active form of the protease urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA, PLAU). In the full-length immunoglobulin form, U33 IgG labeled with near-infrared fluorophores or radionuclides allowed us to noninvasively detect active uPA in prostate cancer xenograft models using optical and single-photon emission computed tomography imaging modalities. U33 IgG labeled with 111In had a remarkable tumor uptake of 43.2% injected dose per gram (%ID/g) 72 hours after tail vein injection of the radiolabeled probe in subcutaneous xenografts. In addition, U33 was able to image active uPA in small soft-tissue and osseous metastatic lesions using a cardiac dissemination prostate cancer model that recapitulated metastatic human cancer. The favorable imaging properties were the direct result of U33 IgG internalization through an uPA receptor–mediated mechanism in which U33 mimicked the function of the endogenous inhibitor of uPA to gain entry into the cancer cell. Overall, our imaging probe targets a prostate cancer–associated protease, through a unique mechanism, allowing for the noninvasive preclinical imaging of prostate cancer lesions. Cancer Res; 75(7); 1225–35. ©2015 AACR.