bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transrectal electrical impedance tomography of the prostate: Spatially coregistered pathological findings for prostate cancer detection
Authors: Wan Yuqing , Borsic Andrea , Heaney John , Seigne John , Schned Alan , Baker Michael , Wason Shaun , Hartov Alex , Halter Ryan
Published: May 2013

Purpose:

Prostate cancer ranks as one of the most common malignancies and currently represents the second leading cancer‐specific cause of death in men. The current use of single modality transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) for biopsy guidance has a limited sensitivity and specificity for accurately identifying cancerous lesions within the prostate. This study introduces a novel prostate cancer imaging method that combines TRUS with electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and reports on initial clinical findings based onin vivo measurements.

Methods:

The ultrasound system provides anatomic information, which guides EIT image reconstruction. EIT reconstructions are correlated with semiquantitative pathological findings. Thin plate spline warping transformations are employed to overlay electrical impedance images and pathological maps describing the spatial distribution of prostate cancer, with the latter used as reference for data analysis. Clinical data were recorded from a total of 50 men prior to them undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer treatment. Student' st‐tests were employed to statistically examine the electrical property difference between cancerous tissue and benign tissue as defined through histological assessment of the excised gland.

Results:

Example EIT reconstructions are presented along with a statistical analysis comparing EIT and pathology. An average transformation error of 1.67% is found when 381 spatially coregistered pathological images are compared with their target EIT reconstructed counterparts. At EIT signal frequencies of 0.4, 3.2, and 25.6 kHz, paired‐testing demonstrated that the conductivity of cancerous regions is significantly greater than that of benign regions ( p < 0.0304).

Conclusions:

These preliminary clinical findings suggest the potential benefits electrical impedance measurements might have for prostate cancer detection.
On the (f)utility of measuring the lead equivalence of protective garments
Authors: Jones A. Kyle , Wagner Louis K.
Published: May 2013

Purpose:

Protective garments incorporating lead (Pb) or other moderate to high atomic number elements are a necessary radiation protection tool. However, as lead has been replaced by other elements, verifying manufacturers’ claims regarding the lead equivalence of such garments has become nearly impossible, and current standards only require measurement of attenuation or lead equivalence at a single beam quality. A garment may provide a high degree of protection at the specified beam quality, but underperform at others. The authors sought to measure the lead equivalence of several protective garments and propose a better method for quantifying the protective value of garments.

Methods:

The authors measured the penetration of primary and scattered radiation through lead sheets and three protective garments of nominal 0.5 mm Pb equivalence, one lead and two lead‐free. Penetration was measured using beams of nominal 60, 80, 100, and 120 kVp. Primary penetration through protective garments at 70 kVp was also measured. A lead‐lined enclosure was constructed for measuring scatter penetration, as instruments must be protected from stray radiation when measuring low‐level penetration of scattered radiation. Using polynomial least‐squares fits to the measured data of penetration through lead sheets, the authors determined the lead equivalence of the protective garments across a range of beam qualities.

Results:

The lead garment was 0.5 mm Pb equivalent across all beam qualities evaluated. While the maximum lead equivalence of the lead‐free garments did occur at the manufacturer‐specified beam quality, neither garment was 0.5 mm Pb equivalent at the specified beam quality. The lead equivalence of the lead‐free garments was a strong function of beam quality and nature of the radiation, i.e., primary or scattered. The lead equivalence of the lead‐free garments in primary beams ranged from 0.40 to 0.47 mm Pb equivalent and in scattered beams ranged from 0.37 to 0.46 mm Pb equivalent. The penetration through one lead‐free garment at 60 kVp was 478% higher than the penetration through the lead garment. The authors have also provided linear fits of radiation penetration through lead as a function of half‐value layer. It is likely that assessment of protective value can be performed using primary beams matched to the spectra of scattered beams. The authors propose the diagnostic radiation index of protection (DRIP), a weighted sum of the percentage of radiation penetration across a range of beam qualities, as a more robust method for specifying the protective value of garments.

Conclusions:

The protective value of garments from both primary and scattered radiation is a strong function of beam quality. Assessment of the protective value should be performed across a range of beam qualities. Methods for performing such assessment must be developed and must specify beam qualities, measurement geometry, and the appropriate weighting across the beam quality range for different applications.
Quantitative analysis of geometric information from an end‐to‐end examination of IMRT and VMAT using the optimal selection method
Authors: Tachibana Hidenobu , Takahashi Ryo
Published: May 2013

Purpose:

Gamma index, distance‐to‐agreement, and dose difference (DD) are commonly used to evaluate planar dose distributions. In this evaluation, the agreement between calculated and measured dose distributions can be susceptible to steep dose gradients along another axis perpendicular to the evaluation plane. Visual registration of the measured dose distribution may be performed to achieve better agreement, although doing so might lose geometric information related to beam targeting in an end‐to‐end test of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). The optimal selection (OS) method was developed to take into consideration a dose distribution in three‐dimensions, and also to quantitatively analyze geometric information along with better agreement.

Methods:

The OS method was composed of two steps. These steps were based on two algorithms, the gamma index and DD, to (1) find the best‐matched plane, which is parallel to the planar measured dose distribution and is reconstructed by a volumetric dose distribution calculated by a treatment planning system; and (2) to get shifts and rotation along with better agreement between the calculated and measured dose distribution, compared with the planar dose distribution from the test. The OS method computes shifts and rotation against a user‐defined coregistered location for the measured dose distribution. Thirteen prostate IMRT plans (two planes per plan for a total of 26 planes) were analyzed retrospectively to compare the pass ratios of DD and gamma index evaluations with and without the OS method. The computed shifts and rotations were evaluated.

Results:

Compared with the method without OS, the average pass ratios of DD and gamma index with the OS method increased by 8.2% and 5.7%, respectively, in the dose region from 30% to 100%. A particular result from one of the planes showed an increase of 43.5% and 32.5% in the pass ratios of DD and gamma, respectively, with the OS method in the same dose region. The shifts in the x‐, y‐, z‐axes and rotation, which were computed using the OS method, were 0.5 ± 0.6, 0.3 ± 0.5, 1.0 ± 1.1 mm, and 0.3 ± 0.3°, respectively. In terms of the comparatively large difference between the z‐shift and the x‐ and y‐shifts, an additional geometric test was performed. A systematic error of 0.7 mm in the z‐axis was found at the location of the film placed in the phantom that we used.

Conclusions:

The OS method improved the quality of the end‐to‐end test of IMRT and VMAT plans by providing additional information regarding shifts and rotation, which were calculated and found to be in better agreement.
Impaired Sphingolipid Synthesis in the Respiratory Tract Induces Airway Hyperreactivity
Authors: Worgall Tilla S. , Veerappan Arul , Sung Biin , Kim Benjamin I. , Weiner Evan , Bholah Reshma , Silver Randi B. , Jiang Xian-Cheng , Worgall Stefan
Published: May 2013

Decreased activity of serine palmitoyl-CoA transferase is associated with asthma.
Clinical Use of Colistin Induces Cross-Resistance to Host Antimicrobials in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Napier Brooke A. , Burd Eileen M. , Satola Sarah W. , Cagle Stephanie M. , Ray Susan M. , McGann Patrick , Pohl Jan , Lesho Emil P. , Weiss David S.
Published: May 2013

The alarming rise in antibiotic resistance has led to an increase in patient mortality and health care costs. This problem is compounded by the absence of new antibiotics close to regulatory approval.
Acinetobacter baumannii
is a human pathogen that causes infections primarily in patients in intensive care units (ICUs) and is highly antibiotic resistant. Colistin is one of the last-line antibiotics for treating
A. baumannii
infections; however, colistin-resistant strains are becoming increasingly common. This cationic antibiotic attacks negatively charged bacterial membranes in a manner similar to that seen with cationic antimicrobials of the innate immune system. We therefore set out to determine if the increasing use of colistin, and emergence of colistin-resistant strains, is concomitant with the generation of cross-resistance to host cationic antimicrobials. We found that there is indeed a positive correlation between resistance to colistin and resistance to the host antimicrobials LL-37 and lysozyme among clinical isolates. Importantly, isolates obtained before and after treatment of individual patients demonstrated that colistin use correlated with increased resistance to cationic host antimicrobials. These data reveal the overlooked risk of inducing cross-resistance to host antimicrobials when treating patients with colistin as a last-line antibiotic.

IMPORTANCE
Increased use of the cationic antibiotic colistin to treat multidrug-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
has led to the development of colistin-resistant strains. Here we report that treatment of patients with colistin can induce not only increased resistance to colistin but also resistance to host cationic antimicrobials. This worrisome finding likely represents an example of a broader trend observed in other bacteria against which colistin is used therapeutically such as
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
. Furthermore, these data suggest that the possible future use of an array of cationic antimicrobial peptides in development as therapeutics may have unintended negative consequences, eventually leading to the generation of hypervirulent strains that are resistant to innate host defenses. The potential for the induction of cross-resistance to innate immune antimicrobials should be considered during the development of new therapeutics.
Experimental Verification of the Identity of Variant-Specific Surface Proteins in Giardia lamblia Trophozoites
Authors: Li Wei , Saraiya Ashesh A. , Wang Ching C.
Published: May 2013

The cell membrane of a
Giardia lamblia
trophozoite is covered with a single species of variant-specific surface protein (VSP) that is replaced by another VSP every 6 to 13 generations of cell growth, possibly for an evasion of host immunity. Experimentally, only six VSP species have been verified to localize to the cell membrane thus far. By assuming that VSP contains multiple CXXC motifs, 219
vsp
genes were annotated in GiardiaDB of the WB isolate. By further assuming that VSP possesses both CXXC motifs and a CRGKA tail at the C terminus, Adam et al. (BMC Genomics 11:424, 2010) identified a total of 303 potential
vsp
genes in
Giardia
WB. The discrepancies between these two assumed VSP identities have caused some confusion. Here, we used experimental approaches to further verify what is required of the structures of a VSP to localize to the surface of cell membrane. The data led to the following conclusions. (i) The C-terminal CRGKA sequence is not essential for localizing VSPs to the cell membrane. (ii) A “motif 1” of 45 residues, consisting of two CXXCs separated by 12 to 15 amino acid residues, located close to the C terminus and a hydrophobic “motif 2” of 38 residues at the C terminus are both essential and sufficient for localizing the protein to the cell membrane. (ii) An N-terminal sequence upstream from motif 1 is not required for targeting VSPs to the cell membrane. By these criteria, we are able to identify 73 open reading frames as the putative
vsp
genes in
Giardia
.

IMPORTANCE
The intestinal pathogen
Giardia lamblia
expresses only one variant-specific surface protein (VSP) on the cell membrane surface at a given time, but it changes spontaneously every 6 to 13 generations of growth, presumably for evading the host immunity. Only 6 VSPs have been empirically shown to localize to the cell membrane surface thus far. Here, we used mutations of VSPs and methods of identifying their locations in
Giardia
cells and found that a “motif 1” of 45 residues, consisting of two CXXCs separated by 12 to 15 amino acid residues, located close to the C terminus and a hydrophobic “motif 2” of 38 residues at the C terminus are the only essential and sufficient structural requirements for localizing a protein to the cell membrane. By these criteria, 73 genes are identified in the
Giardia
WB strain genome database as the putative repertoire of VSPs.
Acyltransferases in Bacteria
Authors: Röttig Annika , Steinbüchel Alexander
Published: May 2013

Long-chain-length hydrophobic acyl residues play a vital role in a multitude of essential biological structures and processes. They build the inner hydrophobic layers of biological membranes, are converted to intracellular storage compounds, and are used to modify protein properties or function as membrane anchors, to name only a few functions. Acyl thioesters are transferred by acyltransferases or transacylases to a variety of different substrates or are polymerized to lipophilic storage compounds. Lipases represent another important enzyme class dealing with fatty acyl chains; however, they cannot be regarded as acyltransferases in the strict sense. This review provides a detailed survey of the wide spectrum of bacterial acyltransferases and compares different enzyme families in regard to their catalytic mechanisms. On the basis of their studied or assumed mechanisms, most of the acyl-transferring enzymes can be divided into two groups. The majority of enzymes discussed in this review employ a conserved acyltransferase motif with an invariant histidine residue, followed by an acidic amino acid residue, and their catalytic mechanism is characterized by a noncovalent transition state. In contrast to that, lipases rely on completely different mechanism which employs a catalytic triad and functions via the formation of covalent intermediates. This is, for example, similar to the mechanism which has been suggested for polyester synthases. Consequently, although the presented enzyme types neither share homology nor have a common three-dimensional structure, and although they deal with greatly varying molecule structures, this variety is not reflected in their mechanisms, all of which rely on a catalytically active histidine residue.
Role of Pore-Forming Toxins in Bacterial Infectious Diseases
Authors: Los Ferdinand C. O. , Randis Tara M. , Aroian Raffi V. , Ratner Adam J.
Published: May 2013

Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are the most common bacterial cytotoxic proteins and are required for virulence in a large number of important pathogens, includingStreptococcus pneumoniae, group A and B streptococci,Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli, andMycobacterium tuberculosis. PFTs generally disrupt host cell membranes, but they can have additional effects independent of pore formation. Substantial effort has been devoted to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the functions of certain model PFTs. Likewise, specific host pathways mediating survival and immune responses in the face of toxin-mediated cellular damage have been delineated. However, less is known about the overall functions of PFTs during infectionin vivo. This review focuses on common themes in the area of PFT biology, with an emphasis on studies addressing the roles of PFTs inin vivoandex vivomodels of colonization or infection. Common functions of PFTs include disruption of epithelial barrier function and evasion of host immune responses, which contribute to bacterial growth and spreading. The widespread nature of PFTs make this group of toxins an attractive target for the development of new virulence-targeted therapies that may have broad activity against human pathogens.
The Unexpected Roles of Eukaryotic Translation Elongation Factors in RNA Virus Replication and Pathogenesis
Authors: Li Dongsheng , Wei Ting , Abbott Catherine M. , Harrich David
Published: May 2013

The prokaryotic translation elongation factors were identified as essential cofactors for RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity of the bacteriophage Qβ more than 40 years ago. A growing body of evidence now shows that eukaryotic translation elongation factors (eEFs), predominantly eEF1A, acting in partially characterized complexes sometimes involving additional eEFs, facilitate virus replication. The functions of eEF1A as a protein chaperone and an RNA- and actin-binding protein enable its “moonlighting” roles as a virus replication cofactor. A diverse group of viruses, from human immunodeficiency type 1 and West Nile virus to tomato bushy stunt virus, have adapted to use eEFs as cofactors for viral transcription, translation, assembly, and pathogenesis. Here we review the mechanisms used by viral pathogens to usurp these abundant cellular proteins for their replication.
Toxin Plasmids of Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Li Jihong , Adams Vicki , Bannam Trudi L. , Miyamoto Kazuaki , Garcia Jorge P. , Uzal Francisco A. , Rood Julian I. , McClane Bruce A.
Published: May 2013

In both humans and animals,Clostridium perfringensis an important cause of histotoxic infections and diseases originating in the intestines, such as enteritis and enterotoxemia. The virulence of this Gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium is heavily dependent upon its prolific toxin-producing ability. Many of the ∼16 toxins produced byC. perfringensare encoded by large plasmids that range in size from ∼45 kb to ∼140 kb. These plasmid-encoded toxins are often closely associated with mobile elements. AC. perfringensstrain can carry up to three different toxin plasmids, with a single plasmid carrying up to three distinct toxin genes. Molecular Koch's postulate analyses have established the importance of several plasmid-encoded toxins whenC. perfringensdisease strains cause enteritis or enterotoxemias. Many toxin plasmids are closely related, suggesting a common evolutionary origin. In particular, most toxin plasmids and some antibiotic resistance plasmids ofC. perfringensshare an ∼35-kb region containing a Tn916-related conjugation locus namedtcp(transfer of clostridial plasmids). Thistcplocus can mediate highly efficient conjugative transfer of these toxin or resistance plasmids. For example, conjugative transfer of a toxin plasmid from an infecting strain toC. perfringensnormal intestinal flora strains may help to amplify and prolong an infection. Therefore, the presence of toxin genes on conjugative plasmids, particularly in association with insertion sequences that may mobilize these toxin genes, likely providesC. perfringenswith considerable virulence plasticity and adaptability when it causes diseases originating in the gastrointestinal tract.
Conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgical procedure due to complete fibrosis of the gallbladder
Authors: Su Lowell S , Burke Leandra H , Ertl Christian W
Published: May 2013

We present a case of transmural fibrotic gallbladder in a patient with previously undiagnosed gallbladder disease and describe our surgical approach to treating this patient.
Pilonidal sinus cyst of the penis: a rare manifestation of a common disease
Authors: Al-Qassim Zubair , Reddy Kiran , Khan Zeb , Reddy Ippala Sreenath
Published: May 2013

Pilonidal sinus is a chronic inflammatory condition owing to the subcutaneous trapping of hair. Most commonly it is found in the sacrococcygeal region (natal cleft) but rarely it is found on the penis with very few cases reported in the literature worldwide. We are reporting a case of a pilonidal sinus growing on the distal penile shaft with the sinus opening to the mucosal layer of the foreskin, in a young and fit patient. The cyst was removed with a circumcision and found to contain hair. This was confirmed by histology as a pilonidal sinus cyst.
Ankylosing pelvitrochanteric heterotopic ossification in a patient with spinal cord injury
Authors: Gurcan Serkan , Ozyurek Selahattin , Kose Ozkan , Sehirlioglu Ali
Published: May 2013

Heterotopic ossification is a frequent complication after spinal cord injury. It usually develops around major weight bearing joints. However, ankylosing hip is a rare presentation. Various treatment methods have been reported and advocated as efficacious methods for management of heterotopic ossification. We report a case of ankylosing pelvitrochanteric heterotopic ossification treated with surgical excision before full maturation, postoperative radiation therapy and indomethacine without recurrence after 1 year. Treatment options are discussed in this particular case.
Sampling technique is important for optimal isolation of pharyngeal gonorrhoea
Authors: Mitchell M , Rane V , Fairley C K , Whiley D M , Bradshaw C S , Bissessor M , Chen M Y
Published: May 2013

Background

Culture is insensitive for the detection of pharyngeal gonorrhoea but isolation is pivotal to antimicrobial resistance surveillance. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether recommendations provided to clinicians (doctors and nurses) on pharyngeal swabbing technique could improve gonorrhoea detection rates and to determine which aspects of swabbing technique are important for optimal isolation.

Methods

This study was undertaken at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Australia. Detection rates among clinicians for pharyngeal gonorrhoea were compared before (June 2006–May 2009) and after (June 2009–June 2012) recommendations on swabbing technique were provided. Associations between detection rates and reported swabbing technique obtained via a clinician questionnaire were examined.

Results

The overall yield from testing before and after provision of the recommendations among 28 clinicians was 1.6% (134/8586) and 1.8% (264/15 046) respectively (p=0.17). Significantly higher detection rates were seen following the recommendations among clinicians who reported a change in their swabbing technique in response to the recommendations (2.1% vs 1.5%; p=0.004), swabbing a larger surface area (2.0% vs 1.5%; p=0.02), applying more swab pressure (2.5% vs 1.5%; p<0.001) and a change in the anatomical sites they swabbed (2.2% vs 1.5%; p=0.002). The predominant change in sites swabbed was an increase in swabbing of the oropharynx: from a median of 0% to 80% of the time.

Conclusions

More thorough swabbing improves the isolation of pharyngeal gonorrhoea using culture. Clinicians should receive training to ensure swabbing is performed with sufficient pressure and that it covers an adequate area that includes the oropharynx.
Trichomonas vaginalisvirulence factors: an integrative overview
Authors: Hirt Robert P
Published: May 2013

The elusive nature ofTrichomonas vaginalis, the most common, non-viral, sexually transmitted pathogen has hampered our knowledge of its significance for human health for over 150 years. The combination of epidemiology, molecular cell biology, immunology and more recently genomics and other allied omics data, are all contributing at shedding new light onto what is increasingly recognised as a significant human pathogen leading to important health sequelae due to multifaceted interactions with its human host, the human microbiota, bacterial pathogens and viruses. The integrations of these various data are contributing in important ways to refining our understanding of the parasite pathobiology and virulent factors. Indeed, it is increasingly recognised that to rationalise the development of effective prophylactic and therapeutic treatments for human pathogens it is important to integrate the broadest possible spectrum of human-microbial-parasite-virus interactions in relation to qualitative and quantitative variations in the human innate and adaptive defence responses. This short review aims at providing an integrative overview ofT vaginalisvirulent factors by taking into account the importance of the human-microbiota-parasite-virus interplay in human health. It also highlights selected cellular characteristics of the parasite often overlooked in the biological and medical literature.
Estimating occupancy and abundance of stream amphibians using environmental DNA from filtered water samples
Authors: Pilliod David S. , Goldberg Caren S. , Arkle Robert S. , Waits Lisette P.
Published: May 2013

Environmental DNA (eDNA) methods for detecting aquatic species are advancing rapidly, but with little evaluation of field protocols or precision of resulting estimates. We compared sampling results from traditional field methods with eDNA methods for two amphibians in 13 streams in central Idaho, USA. We also evaluated three water collection protocols and the influence of sampling location, time of day, and distance from animals on eDNA concentration in the water. We found no difference in detection or amount of eDNA among water collection protocols. eDNA methods had slightly higher detection rates than traditional field methods, particularly when species occurred at low densities. eDNA concentration was positively related to field-measured density, biomass, and proportion of transects occupied. Precision of eDNA-based abundance estimates increased with the amount of eDNA in the water and the number of replicate subsamples collected. eDNA concentration did not vary significantly with sample location in the stream, time of day, or distance downstream from animals. Our results further advance the implementation of eDNA methods for monitoring aquatic vertebrates in stream habitats.
Does increment coring enhance tree decay? New insights from tomography assessments
Authors: Wunder Jan , Manusch Corina , Queloz Valentin , Brang Peter , Ringwald Veronique , Bugmann Harald
Published: May 2013

Increment coring is a standard method to obtain growth history information stored in trees. Although the method is invasive, the long-term effects on tree decay are largely unknown. Here we assess a possible side-effect of scientific research, i.e., coring-induced stemwood decay, using the high-resolution imaging technique of sonic and electric resistivity tomography. To this end, we use data from a Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forest in the Swiss Alps (forest reserve Scatlè) containing a large number of trees cored in 1965–1966. In 2011, in-situ tomography was applied to 22 pairs of cored and uncored trees to assess their stemwood decay status. Each pair was characterised by similar tree diameter at breast height, vitality, forest layer class, micro-site, and competition status. Samples from a subset of 10 trees were checked for common heart rot fungi. We found no significant difference between the decay status of cored and uncored trees. Few trees of both groups showed distinct signs of decay, most of them growing in a cluster containing three cored and seven uncored trees. Heterobasidion annosum s.l. was identified in seven trees, and Armillaria sp. was identified in one tree only. Heterobasidion annosum was found in two trees without distinct decay signs, showing the latent presence of this pathogen in unmanaged forests. Our findings suggest that increment coring of P. abies does not cause a significant increase of tree decay frequency in undisturbed high-elevation forest stands.
Selection of seismic excitations for nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete frame buildings
Authors: Lin Lan , Naumoski Nove , Saatcioglu Murat , Foo Simon , Booth Edmund , Gao Yuling
Published: May 2013

The selection of seismic motions is one of the most important issues for the time-history analysis of buildings. This paper discusses four different methods for obtaining spectrum-compatible acceleration time histories (i.e., accelerograms) of seismic motions. Based on these methods, four sets of accelerograms compatible with the design spectrum for Vancouver were selected for this study. These included (i) scaled real accelerograms, (ii) modified real accelerograms, (iii) simulated accelerograms, and (iv) artificial accelerograms. The selected sets were used as excitation motions in the nonlinear analysis of three reinforced concrete frame buildings designed for Vancouver. The buildings included a 4-storey, a 10-storey, and a 16-storey building, which can be considered representative of low-rise, medium-rise, and high-rise buildings, respectively. The storey shears, interstorey drifts, and curvature ductilities for beams and columns obtained from the analysis were used for the evaluation of the effects of the selected sets on the responses of the buildings. Based on the results from the analysis, scaled real accelerograms are recommended for use in time-history analysis of reinforced concrete frame buildings.
CONTROLLING SUPERCONDUCTIVITY WITH MAGNETIC NANOSTRUCTURES
Authors: LYUKSYUTOV I. F.
Published: May 2013

We discuss different possibilities to control vortex motion in a thin superconducting film with Tesla range magnetic fields generated by magnetic nanostructures. These nanostructures can be embedded into the superconducting film (arrays of magnetic nanorods) or placed outside the film and separated from it with an insulating layer (arrays of magnetic nanostripes). Interaction of the superconducting film with the magnetic nanostructure results in a strong increase and hysteresis of the critical current, in a strong anisotropy of the critical current (in the case of magnetic nanostripes) and several other phenomena. It is feasible to fabricate systems where the magnetic field from the nanostructures changes sign on the scale of the coherence length. We discuss possible new phenomena in such systems and its implementations.
SUPERCONDUCTING FILM WITH EMBEDDED COBALT NANORODS
Authors: LEE H. , KIM K. , RATHNAYAKA K. K. D. , LYUKSYUTOV I. F. , NAUGLE D. G.
Published: May 2013

Studies of the transport properties of a PbBi superconducting film with an embedded triangular array of cobalt nanorods with a 300 nm period are reported. It is found that the critical current demonstrates strong hysteresis and maxima at magnetic field values corresponding to an integral number of flux quanta per unit cell of the array. The amplitude of the critical current is larger than for a control film without nanorods. The increase varies from several times to several orders of magnitude depending on the magnetic field and temperature.
COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN CHINA: IMPLICATIONS TO PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION WORK
Authors: TAM DORA M.Y. , DAWSON MYRNA , JACKSON MARGRET , KWOK SIU-MING , THURSTON WILFREDA E.
Published: May 2013

Domestic violence in marital relationships is against the law in the People's Republic of China (hereafter "China" is used), where progressive development to address domestic violence began after the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. In this article, domestic violence is referred to as violence against women by their male partners and the complexity of domestic violence is seen to be influenced by socio-cultural, economic, psychological, and environmental factors. Community responses to domestic violence are largely led by the "residents' committees" under the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the All Women's Federation in China. However, literature has documented the inadequacy of these community responses to prevent and intervene on domestic violence. A feminist perspective is used to examine the prevalence and perception of domestic violence in the local context, and discusses implications for prevention and intervention work in China.
A MULTIPLICATIVE DETERMINANT FOR 2m-DIMENSIONAL MATRICES
Authors: SUNDHEIM PAUL
Published: May 2013

A multiplication for a specific nested collection of multidimensional matrices is defined by association with a system of n = 2m-dimensional hypercomplex numbers. A totally symmetric and multiplicative determinant is then derived from the system which extends the Cayley hyperdeterminant to these higher dimensions. The determinant is related to the zero divisors of the system of hypercomplex numbers. Properties of the determinant are then discussed.
KM Coursework: Pooled Judgments of Experts
Authors: ur Rehman Sajjad , Chaudhry Abdus Sattar , Al-Alawi Sakeena A.
Published: May 2013

Knowledge management (KM) is maturing as a field of study with an interdisciplinary orientation, being taught in a variety of schools by the faculty from diverse affiliations. In this context, KM curriculum design becomes a major challenge for educators. This study was designed with the purpose of analyzing the perceptions of senior KM academics and KM experts about the relevance and value of KM constructs in graduate programs. KM curriculum content was proposed based on an earlier study of KM modules (Rehman and Sumait, 2010). KM modules: An analysis of course. In Paper presented at the Pre-conference on LIS Education in Developing Countries, 75th Annual IFLA Conference, Milan, Italy; revised version accepted for publication in Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 2010) about what is being taught in the KM programs. We also used findings of a validated set of KM taxonomy that indicated both the structure of the discipline and disciplinary content expressed in standard terminology (Tan, 2010; Chaudhry and Lee, 2009). Intellectual structure of knowledge management. The International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change Management, (9)). Two hundred KM academics and experts were identified internationally as potential participants. They were requested to respond to a Web-based survey, indicating their perceptions about the value and relevance of KM statements/modules. Fifty-one of them responded to the survey. The results have indicated that the academics placed a great deal of emphasis on the conceptual foundations of the discipline for its inclusion in the curriculum. KM modules related to KM processes, knowledge sources, KM technology, knowledge organisation, and knowledge sharing received a clear emphasis. It is expected that the findings of this study will be useful for those engaged in curriculum design or revision.
Exercise restores decreased physical activity levels and increases markers of autophagy and oxidative capacity in myostatin/activin-blocked mdx mice
Authors: Hulmi Juha J. , Oliveira Bernardo M. , Silvennoinen Mika , Hoogaars Willem M. H. , Pasternack Arja , Kainulainen Heikki , Ritvos Olli
Published: May 2013

The importance of adequate levels of muscle size and function and physical activity is widely recognized. Myostatin/activin blocking increases skeletal muscle mass but may decrease muscle oxidative capacity and can thus be hypothesized to affect voluntary physical activity. Soluble activin receptor IIB (sActRIIB-Fc) was produced to block myostatin/activins. Modestly dystrophic mdx mice were injected with sActRIIB-Fc or PBS with or without voluntary wheel running exercise for 7 wk. Healthy mice served as controls. Running for 7 wk attenuated the sActRIIB-Fc-induced increase in body mass by decreasing fat mass. Running also enhanced/restored the markers of muscle oxidative capacity and autophagy in mdx mice to or above the levels of healthy mice. Voluntary running activity was decreased by sActRIIB-Fc during the first 3–4 wk correlating with increased body mass. Home cage physical activity of mice, quantified from the force plate signal, was decreased by sActRIIB-Fc the whole 7-wk treatment in sedentary mice. To understand what happens during the first weeks after sActRIIB-Fc administration, when mice are less active, healthy mice were injected with sActRIIB-Fc or PBS for 2 wk. During the sActRIIB-Fc-induced rapid 2-wk muscle growth period, oxidative capacity and autophagy were reduced, which may possibly explain the decreased running activity. These results show that increased muscle size and decreased markers of oxidative capacity and autophagy during the first weeks of myostatin/activin blocking are associated with decreased voluntary activity levels. Voluntary exercise in dystrophic mice enhances the markers of oxidative capacity and autophagy to or above the levels of healthy mice.
Melatonin acts through MT1/MT2 receptors to activate hypothalamic Akt and suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis in rats
Authors: Faria Juliana A. , Kinote Andrezza , Ignacio-Souza Letícia M. , de Araújo Thiago M. , Razolli Daniela S. , Doneda Diego L. , Paschoal Lívia B. , Lellis-Santos Camilo , Bertolini Gisele L. , Velloso Lício A. , Bordin Silvana , Anhê Gabriel F.
Published: May 2013

Melatonin can contribute to glucose homeostasis either by decreasing gluconeogenesis or by counteracting insulin resistance in distinct models of obesity. However, the precise mechanism through which melatonin controls glucose homeostasis is not completely understood. Male Wistar rats were administered an intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of melatonin and one of following: an icv injection of a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, an icv injection of a melatonin receptor (MT) antagonist, or an intraperitoneal (ip) injection of a muscarinic receptor antagonist. Anesthetized rats were subjected to pyruvate tolerance test to estimate in vivo glucose clearance after pyruvate load and in situ liver perfusion to assess hepatic gluconeogenesis. The hypothalamus was removed to determine Akt phosphorylation. Melatonin injections in the central nervous system suppressed hepatic gluconeogenesis and increased hypothalamic Akt phosphorylation. These effects of melatonin were suppressed either by icv injections of PI3K inhibitors and MT antagonists and by ip injection of a muscarinic receptor antagonist. We conclude that melatonin activates hypothalamus-liver communication that may contribute to circadian adjustments of gluconeogenesis. These data further suggest a physiopathological relationship between the circadian disruptions in metabolism and reduced levels of melatonin found in type 2 diabetes patients.
Sustained in vivo blockade of α1-adrenergic receptors prevented some of stress-triggered effects on steroidogenic machinery in Leydig cells
Authors: Stojkov Natasa J. , Janjic Marija M. , Baburski Aleksandar Z. , Mihajlovic Aleksandar I. , Drljaca Dragana M. , Sokanovic Srdjan J. , Bjelic Maja M. , Kostic Tatjana S. , Andric Silvana A.
Published: May 2013

This study was designed to systematically analyze and evaluate the effects of in vivo blockade of α1-adrenergic receptors (α1-ADRs) on the stress-induced disturbance of steroidogenic machinery in Leydig cells. Parameters followed 1) steroidogenic enzymes/proteins, transcription factors, and cAMP/testosterone production; 2) the main hallmarks of stress (epinephrine, glucocorticoids); and 3) transcription profiles of ADRs and oxidases with high affinity to inactivate glucocorticoids. Results showed that sustained blockade of α1-ADRs prevented stress-induced 1) decrease of the transcripts/proteins for main steroidogenic CYPs (CYP11A1, CYP17A1); 2) decrease of Scarb1 and Hsd3b1 transcripts; 3) decrease of transcript for Nur77, one of the main activator of the steroidogenic expression; and 4) increase of Dax1 and Arr19, the main steroidogenic repressors in Leydig cells. In the same cells, the expression of steroidogenic stimulatory factor Creb1, StAR, and androgen receptor increased. In this signaling scenario, stress-induced stimulation of Adra1a/Adra1b/Adrbk1 and Hsd11b2 (the unidirectional oxidase with high affinity to inactivate glucocorticoids) was not changed. Blockade additionally stimulated stress-increased transcription of the most abundantly expressed ADRs Adra1d/Adrb1/Adrb2 in Leydig cells. In the same cells, stress-decreased testosterone production, the main marker of Leydig cells functionality, was completely prevented, while reduction of cAMP, the main regulator of androgenesis, was partially prevented. Accordingly, the presented data provide a new molecular/transcriptional base for “fight/adaptation” of steroidogenic cells and new molecular insights into the role of α1-ADRs in stress-impaired Leydig cell steroidogenesis. The results are important in term of wide use of α1-ADR selective antagonists, alone/in combination, to treat high blood pressure, nightmares associated with posttraumatic stress disorder, and disrupted sexual health.
Pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor causes autocrine-mediated migration and invasion in bladder cancer and phosphorylates the EGF receptor, Akt2 and Akt3, and ERK1 and ERK2
Authors: Marchbank Tania , Mahmood Asif , Playford Raymond J.
Published: May 2013

Pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI) is expressed in most bladder carcinomas, where its pathophysiological relevance is unclear. Using recombinant normal sequence PSTI/tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI), a variant associated with familial pancreatitis (N34S), an active site-inactivated variant (R18/V19), and immunoneutralization and RNA interference-mediated knockdown techniques, we investigated the actions of PSTI/TATI on cell migration (wounding monolayers), collagen invasion (gel invasion assays), and proliferation (Alamar blue) on 253J, RT4, and HT1376 human bladder carcinoma cell lines. All three forms of PSTI/TATI stimulated migration twofold, and normal sequence PSTI/TATI showed synergistic promigratory effects when added with EGF. Addition of structurally unrelated soybean trypsin inhibitor had no promigratory activity. Similar results were seen using collagen invasion assays, although the active site mutated variant had no proinvasive activity, probably due to reduced Akt2 activation. PSTI/TATI did not stimulate proliferation despite acting, at least partially, through the EGF receptor, as effects of PSTI/TATI were truncated by the addition of an EGF receptor blocking antibody or the tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin. Cell lines produced endogenous PSTI/TATI, and PSTI/TATI RNA interference knockdown or the addition of PSTI/TATI, EGF receptor, or tyrphostin blocking agents reduced migration and invasion below baseline. PSTI/TATI induced phosphorylation of the EGF receptor, ERK1 and ERK2, Akt2 and Akt3, JNK1, MKK3, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1. This profile was more limited than that induced by EGF and did not include Akt1, probably explaining the lack of proproliferative activity. Our findings of autocrine stimulation and synergistic responses between EGF and PSTI/TATI at concentrations found in urine and tissue suggest that PSTI/TATI has pathophysiological relevance.
Detection of differentially methylated gene promoters in failing and nonfailing human left ventricle myocardium using computation analysis
Authors: Koczor Christopher A. , Lee Eva K. , Torres Rebecca A. , Boyd Amy , Vega J. David , Uppal Karan , Yuan Fan , Fields Earl J. , Samarel Allen M. , Lewis William
Published: May 2013

Human dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by congestive heart failure and altered myocardial gene expression. Epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, are implicated in the development of DCM but have not been studied extensively. Clinical human DCM and nonfailing control left ventricle samples were individually analyzed for DNA methylation and expressional changes. Expression microarrays were used to identify 393 overexpressed and 349 underexpressed genes in DCM (GEO accession number: GSE43435 ). Gene promoter microarrays were utilized for DNA methylation analysis, and the resulting data were analyzed by two different computational methods. In the first method, we utilized subtractive analysis of DNA methylation peak data to identify 158 gene promoters exhibiting DNA methylation changes that correlated with expression changes. In the second method, a two-stage approach combined a particle swarm optimization feature selection algorithm and a discriminant analysis via mixed integer programming classifier to identify differentially methylated gene promoters. This analysis identified 51 hypermethylated promoters and six hypomethylated promoters in DCM with 100% cross-validation accuracy in the group assignment. Generation of a composite list of genes identified by subtractive analysis and two-stage computation analysis revealed four genes that exhibited differential DNA methylation by both methods in addition to altered gene expression. Computationally identified genes ( AURKB, BTNL9, CLDN5, and TK1) define a central set of differentially methylated gene promoters that are important in classifying DCM. These genes have no previously reported role in DCM. This study documents that rigorous computational analysis applied to microarray analysis of healthy and diseased human heart samples helps to define clinically relevant DNA methylation and expressional changes in DCM.
Neural control hierarchy of the heart has not evolved to deal with myocardial ischemia
Authors: Kember G. , Armour J. A. , Zamir M.
Published: May 2013

The consequences of myocardial ischemia are examined from the standpoint of the neural control system of the heart, a hierarchy of three neuronal centers residing in central command, intrathoracic ganglia, and intrinsic cardiac ganglia. The basis of the investigation is the premise that while this hierarchical control system has evolved to deal with “normal” physiological circumstances, its response in the event of myocardial ischemia is unpredictable because the singular circumstances of this event are as yet not part of its evolutionary repertoire. The results indicate that the harmonious relationship between the three levels of control breaks down, because of a conflict between the priorities that they have evolved to deal with. Essentially, while the main priority in central command is blood demand, the priority at the intrathoracic and cardiac levels is heart rate. As a result of this breakdown, heart rate becomes less predictable and therefore less reliable as a diagnostic guide as to the traumatic state of the heart, which it is commonly used as such following an ischemic event. On the basis of these results it is proposed that under the singular conditions of myocardial ischemia a determination of neural control indexes in addition to cardiovascular indexes has the potential of enhancing clinical outcome.
Plasma HULC as a Promising Novel Biomarker for the Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Xie Hui , Ma Hongwei , Zhou Danqiu
Published: May 2013

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer death in many Asian and African countries. Lack of early diagnosis tools is one of the clinical obstacles for effective treatment of HCC. Thus, enhanced understanding of the molecular changes associated with HCC is urgently needed to develop novel strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of this dismal disease. While aberrant expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been functionally associated with certain cancers, the expression profiles and biological relevance of lncRNAs in HCC remain unclear. Highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC) lncRNA has been implicated in the regulation of hepatoma cell proliferation. In this study, we demonstrate that HULC expression is significantly higher in HCC tumors compared to normal liver tissues. Among the tumor tissues, higher HULC expression is positively associated with Edmondson histological grades or with hepatitis B (HBV) positive status. Moreover, HULC lncRNA is detected with higher frequency in the plasma of HCC patients compared to healthy controls. Higher HULC detection rates are observed in the plasma of patients with higher Edmondson grades or with HBV+ status. These findings indicate for the first time that the expression of HULC in plasma can be used as a noninvasive promising novel biomarker for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of HCC.