bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALYTICAL CONDITIONS FOR AMPLITUDE DEATH INDUCED BY CONJUGATE VARIABLE COUPLINGS
Authors: ZHANG XIAOMING , WU YINGCHUN , PENG JIANHUA
Published: January 2011

We construct local and global conjugate variable coupled chaotic systems with an arbitrary number of identical chaotic oscillators. Amplitude death phenomena are found in these two kinds of systems. General methods are proposed to theoretically analyze conditions for amplitude death under local and global conditions, respectively. Taking the Rössler chaotic system as the oscillator unit, we apply these methods to determine the analytical conditions for amplitude death. And the transition relations between local and global coupling induced amplitude deaths are also given. All theoretical results are well confirmed by numerical simulations.
STOCK-HARVEST DYNAMICS IN MULTIAGENT FISHERIES
Authors: GU EN-GUO
Published: January 2011

In this work, we build a two-dimensional dynamical fishery model in which the total harvest is obtained by a multiagent game with best reply strategy and naive expectations, i.e. each agent decides the harvest quantity by solving a profit maximization problem. Special attention is paid to the global dynamic analysis in the light of feasible domains (initial conditions giving non-negative trajectories converging to an equilibrium), which is related to the crisis of extinction. We also study the existence and stability of non-negative equilibria for models through mathematical analysis and numerical simulations. We discover the increase in the margin price of fish stock may lead to instability of the fixed point and make the system sink into chaotic attractors. Thus the fishery resource may fluctuate in a stochastic form.
SURFACE MODIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF Fe3O4/Au COMPOSITE NANOPARTICLES
Authors: SHI FENG , HUI WENLI , CUI YALI , CHEN CHAO
Published: January 2011

Fe 3 O 4/ Au composite nanoparticles were modified with α-thio-ω-carboxy poly (ethylene glycol). Results from XRD, selected area diffraction, high-resolution TEM images, and dynamic lighting scattering illustrate that the particles have a core/shell composite structure and were monodispersed. Surface plasmon resonance measured by UV–Vis indicates that the absorption peak of the modified composite particle characteristic at 532 nm can be stably suspended in a different buffer. The modified composite particles also have good response to external magnetic field. The Fe 3 O 4/ Au composite nanoparticles are magnetically and optically active, and are useful for simultaneous magnetic and optical detection. Coupled with biomolecules, the advantages of these composite particles make them very promising for biomedical applications in the near future.
THERMODYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF A CLOSED BRAYTON/ERICSSON CYCLE ENGINE WITH SCROLL MACHINES
Authors: KIM YOUNG MIN , SHIN DONG GIL , LEE SANG TAE , FAVRAT DANIEL
Published: January 2011

Stirling and Ericsson engines have great potential for many applications, including micro-cogeneration, solar power, and biomass. However, ideal cycles of both types of engines are difficult to achieve in practice because neither isothermal compression nor isothermal expansion is practical with reciprocating piston engines or with turbomachinery. On the other hand, scroll compressor and expander can be very suitable for effective cooling and heating because of the high area-to-volume ratio of scroll geometry or the application of two-phase flow. To achieve quasi-isothermal compression, either a large amount of liquid is injected into the inlet of the compressor or the compressor is externally cooled by liquid. Similarly, for quasi-isothermal expansion, either hot liquid, such as thermal oil, is injected into the inlet of the expander or the expander is externally heated by a heat source. In this current study, we have undertaken a theoretical investigation of thermodynamic analyses of several kinds of scroll-type engines, in particular with regard to associated compression and expansion processes, adiabatic or quasi-isothermal processes, and the highest cycle temperature. We selected power density, or thermal efficiency, as an objective function, and then deduced optimal design parameters for the scroll-type engine.
EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF A SMALL CAPACITY H2O–LiBr ABSORPTION HEAT PUMP IN COOLING AND HEATING MODES
Authors: LABUS J. , MARIMON M. A. , CORONAS A.
Published: January 2011

This study describes the experimental analysis of a small-scale H2O–LiBr absorption heat pump of 4.5 kW cooling and 8 kW heating capacity. The water-cooled heat pump is activated by hot water which can be supplied by solar collectors or a gas boiler. For the purpose of the performance analysis, the absorption heat pump was tested in a multifunctional test bench built up at the University Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. The absorption heat pump was tested by varying the main operating parameters of the external water circuits, such as temperature and flow rate. Finally, this work resulted in complete performance evaluation of absorption heat pump, including heat losses and experimental uncertainties.
Modeling locomotor control
Authors: Wilkie Richard M. , Wann John P. , Allison Robert S.
Published: January 2011

In 1958, JJ Gibson put forward proposals on the visual control of locomotion. Research in the last 50 years has served to clarify the sources of visual and nonvisual information that contribute to successful steering, but has yet to determine how this information is optimally combined under conditions of uncertainty. Here, we test the conditions under which a locomotor robot with a mobile camera can steer effectively using simple visual and extra-retinal parameters to examine how such models cope with the noisy real-world visual and motor estimates that are available to humans. This applied modeling gives us an insight into both the advantages and limitations of using active gaze to sample information when steering.
Perception-motivated interpolation of image sequences
Authors: Stich Timo , Linz Christian , Wallraven Christian , Cunningham Douglas , Magnor Marcus
Published: January 2011

We present a method for image interpolation that is able to create high-quality, perceptually convincing transitions between recorded images. By implementing concepts derived from human vision, the problem of a physically correct image interpolation is relaxed to that of image interpolation which is perceived as visually correct by human observers. We find that it suffices to focus on exact edge correspondences, homogeneous regions and coherent motion to compute convincing results. A user study confirms the visual quality of the proposed image interpolation approach. We show how each aspect of our approach increases perceived quality of the result. We compare the results to other methods and assess achievable quality for different types of scenes.
Logic of infons
Authors: Gurevich Yuri , Neeman Itay
Published: January 2011

Infons are statements viewed as containers of information (rather then representations of truth values). The logic of infons turns out to be a conservative extension of logic known as constructive or intuitionistic. Distributed Knowledge Authorization Language uses additional unary connectives “
p
said” and “
p
implied” where
p
ranges over principals. Here we investigate infon logic and a narrow but useful
primal
fragment of it. In both cases, we develop model theory and analyze the derivability problem: Does the given query follow from the given hypotheses? Our more involved technical results are on primal infon logic. We construct an algorithm for the multiple derivability problem: Which of the given queries follow from the given hypotheses? Given a bound on the quotation depth of the hypotheses, the algorithm runs in linear time. We quickly discuss the significance of this result for access control.
Monadic second order logic on graphs with local cardinality constraints
Authors: Szeider Stefan
Published: January 2011

We introduce the class of MSO-LCC problems, which are problems of the following form. Given a graph
G
and for each vertex
v
of
G
a set α(
v
) of non-negative integers. Is there a set
S
of vertices or edges of
G
such that, (1)
S
satisfies a fixed property expressible in monadic second order logic, and (2) for each vertex
v
of
G
the number of vertices/edges in
S
adjacent/incident with
v
belongs to the set α(
v
)? We demonstrate that several hard combinatorial problems such as Lovász's General Factor Problem can be naturally formulated as MSO-LCC problems. Our main result is the polynomial-time tractability of MSO-LCC problems for graphs of bounded treewidth. We obtain this result by means of a tree-automata approach. By way of contrast we show that a more general class of MSO-LCC problems, where cardinality constraints are applied to second-order variables that are arbitrarily quantified, does not admit polynomial-time tractability for graphs of bounded treewidth unless P=NP.
The tractability of model checking for LTL
Authors: Bauland Michael , Mundhenk Martin , Schneider Thomas , Schnoor Henning , Schnoor Ilka , Vollmer Heribert
Published: January 2011

In a seminal paper from 1985, Sistla and Clarke showed that the model-checking problem for Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) is either NP-complete or PSPACE-complete, depending on the set of temporal operators used. If in contrast, the set of propositional operators is restricted, the complexity may decrease. This article systematically studies the model-checking problem for LTL formulae over restricted sets of propositional and temporal operators. For almost all combinations of temporal and propositional operators, we determine whether the model-checking problem is tractable (in PTIME) or intractable (NP-hard). We then focus on the tractable cases, showing that they all are NL-complete or even logspace solvable. This leads to a surprising gap in complexity between tractable and intractable cases. It is worth noting that our analysis covers an infinite set of problems, since there are infinitely many sets of propositional operators.
Shape google
Authors: Bronstein Alexander M. , Bronstein Michael M. , Guibas Leonidas J. , Ovsjanikov Maks
Published: January 2011

The computer vision and pattern recognition communities have recently witnessed a surge of feature-based methods in object recognition and image retrieval applications. These methods allow representing images as collections of “visual words” and treat them using text search approaches following the “bag of features” paradigm. In this article, we explore analogous approaches in the 3D world applied to the problem of nonrigid shape retrieval in large databases. Using multiscale diffusion heat kernels as “geometric words,” we construct compact and informative shape descriptors by means of the “bag of features” approach. We also show that considering pairs of “geometric words” (“geometric expressions”) allows creating spatially sensitive bags of features with better discriminative power. Finally, adopting metric learning approaches, we show that shapes can be efficiently represented as binary codes. Our approach achieves state-of-the-art results on the SHREC 2010 large-scale shape retrieval benchmark.
Vitronectin accumulates in the interstitium but minimally impacts fibrogenesis in experimental chronic kidney disease
Authors: López-Guisa Jesús M. , Rassa Allen C. , Cai Xiaohe , Collins Sarah J. , Eddy Allison A.
Published: January 2011

Vitronectin (Vtn) is a glycoprotein found in normal serum and pathological extracellular matrix. Given its known interactions with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and Vtn cellular receptors, especially αvβ3 integrin and the urokinase receptor (uPAR), this study was designed to investigate its role in renal fibrogenesis in the mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Kidney Vtn mRNA levels were increased ×1.8–5.1 and Vtn protein levels ×1.9–3 on days 7, 14, and 21 after UUO compared with sham kidney levels. Groups of age-matched C57BL/6 wild-type (Vtn+/+) and Vtn−/− mice ( n = 10–11/group) were killed 7, 14, or 21 days after UUO. Absence of Vtn resulted in the following significant differences, but only on day 14: fewer αSMA+ interstitial myofibroblasts (×0.53), lower procollagen III mRNA levels (×0.41), lower PAI-1 protein (×0.23), higher uPA activity (×1.1), and lower αv protein (×0.32). The number of CD68+ macrophages did not differ between the genotypes. Despite these transient differences on day 14, the absence of Vtn had no effect on fibrosis severity based on both picrosirius red-positive interstitial area and total kidney collagen measured by the hydroxyproline assay. These findings suggest that despite significant interstitial Vtn deposition in the UUO model of chronic kidney disease, its fibrogenic role is either nonessential or redundant. These data are remarkable given Vtn's strong affinity for the potent fibrogenic molecule PAI-1.
Distribution of regional lung aeration and perfusion during conventional and noisy pressure support ventilation in experimental lung injury
Authors: Carvalho Alysson R. , Spieth Peter M. , Güldner Andreas , Cuevas Maximilano , Carvalho Nadja C. , Beda Alessandro , Spieth Stephanie , Stroczynski Christian , Wiedemann Bärbel , Koch Thea , Pelosi Paolo , de Abreu Marcelo Gama
Published: January 2011

In acute lung injury (ALI), pressure support ventilation (PSV) may improve oxygenation compared with pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV), and benefit from random variation of pressure support (noisy PSV). We investigated the effects of PCV, PSV, and noisy PSV on gas exchange as well as the distribution of lung aeration and perfusion in 12 pigs with ALI induced by saline lung lavage in supine position. After injury, animals were mechanically ventilated with PCV, PSV, and noisy PSV for 1 h/mode in random sequence. The driving pressure was set to a mean tidal volume of 6 ml/kg and positive end-expiratory pressure to 8 cmH2O in all modes. Functional variables were measured, and the distribution of lung aeration was determined by static and dynamic computed tomography (CT), whereas the distribution of pulmonary blood flow (PBF) was determined by intravenously administered fluorescent microspheres. PSV and noisy PSV improved oxygenation and reduced venous admixture compared with PCV. Mechanical ventilation with PSV and noisy PSV did not decrease nonaerated areas but led to a redistribution of PBF from dorsal to ventral lung regions and reduced tidal reaeration and hyperinflation compared with PCV. Noisy PSV further improved oxygenation and redistributed PBF from caudal to cranial lung regions compared with conventional PSV. We conclude that assisted ventilation with PSV and noisy PSV improves oxygenation compared with PCV through redistribution of PBF from dependent to nondependent zones without lung recruitment. Random variation of pressure support further redistributes PBF and improves oxygenation compared with conventional PSV.
Acute antibody-directed myostatin inhibition attenuates disuse muscle atrophy and weakness in mice
Authors: Murphy Kate T. , Cobani Vera , Ryall James G. , Ibebunjo Chikwendu , Lynch Gordon S.
Published: January 2011

Counteracting the atrophy of skeletal muscle associated with disuse has significant implications for minimizing the wasting and weakness in plaster casting, joint immobilization, and other forms of limb unloading, with relevance to orthopedics, sports medicine, and plastic and reconstructive surgery. We tested the hypothesis that antibody-directed myostatin inhibition would attenuate the loss of muscle mass and functional capacity in mice during 14 or 21 days of unilateral hindlimb casting. Twelve-week-old C57BL/10 mice were subjected to unilateral hindlimb plaster casting or served as controls. Mice received subcutaneous injections of saline or a mouse chimera of anti-human myostatin antibody (PF-354, 10 mg/kg; n = 6–9) on days 0 and 7 and were tested for muscle function on day 14, or were treated on days 0, 7, and 14 and tested for muscle function on day 21. Hindlimb casting reduced muscle mass, fiber size, and function of isolated soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles ( P < 0.05). PF-354 attenuated the loss of muscle mass, fiber size, and function with greater effects after 14 days than after 21 days of casting, when wasting and weakness had plateaued ( P < 0.05). Antibody-directed myostatin inhibition therefore attenuated the atrophy and loss of functional capacity in muscles from mice subjected to unilateral hindlimb casting with reductions in muscle size and strength being most apparent during the first 14 days of disuse. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of antibody-directed myostatin inhibition for disuse atrophy especially within the first 2 wk of disuse.
2010 Carl Ludwig Distinguished Lectureship of the APS Neural Control and Autonomic Regulation Section: Central neural pathways for thermoregulatory cold defense
Authors: Morrison Shaun F.
Published: January 2011

Central neural circuits orchestrate the homeostatic repertoire to maintain body temperature during environmental temperature challenges and to alter body temperature during the inflammatory response. This review summarizes the research leading to a model representing our current understanding of the neural pathways through which cutaneous thermal receptors alter thermoregulatory effectors: the cutaneous circulation for control of heat loss, and brown adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and the heart for thermogenesis. The activation of these effectors is regulated by parallel but distinct, effector-specific core efferent pathways within the central nervous system (CNS) that share a common peripheral thermal sensory input. The thermal afferent circuit from cutaneous thermal receptors includes neurons in the spinal dorsal horn projecting to lateral parabrachial nucleus neurons that project to the medial aspect of the preoptic area. Within the preoptic area, warm-sensitive, inhibitory output neurons control heat production by reducing the discharge of thermogenesis-promoting neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus. The rostral ventromedial medulla, including the raphe pallidus, receives projections form the dorsomedial hypothalamus and contains spinally projecting premotor neurons that provide the excitatory drive to spinal circuits controlling the activity of thermogenic effectors. A distinct population of warm-sensitive preoptic neurons controls heat loss through an inhibitory input to raphe pallidus sympathetic premotor neurons controlling cutaneous vasoconstriction. The model proposed for central thermoregulatory control provides a platform for further understanding of the functional organization of central thermoregulation.
Separate representations of dynamics in rhythmic and discrete movements: evidence from motor learning
Authors: Howard Ian S. , Ingram James N. , Wolpert Daniel M.
Published: January 2011

Rhythmic and discrete arm movements occur ubiquitously in everyday life, and there is a debate as to whether these two classes of movements arise from the same or different underlying neural mechanisms. Here we examine interference in a motor-learning paradigm to test whether rhythmic and discrete movements employ at least partially separate neural representations. Subjects were required to make circular movements of their right hand while they were exposed to a velocity-dependent force field that perturbed the circularity of the movement path. The direction of the force-field perturbation reversed at the end of each block of 20 revolutions. When subjects made only rhythmic or only discrete circular movements, interference was observed when switching between the two opposing force fields. However, when subjects alternated between blocks of rhythmic and discrete movements, such that each was uniquely associated with one of the perturbation directions, interference was significantly reduced. Only in this case did subjects learn to corepresent the two opposing perturbations, suggesting that different neural resources were employed for the two movement types. Our results provide further evidence that rhythmic and discrete movements employ at least partially separate control mechanisms in the motor system.
Gene expression profiling of skeletal muscles treated with a soluble activin type IIB receptor
Authors: Rahimov Fedik , King Oliver D. , Warsing Leigh C. , Powell Rachel E. , Emerson Charles P. , Kunkel Louis M. , Wagner Kathryn R.
Published: January 2011

Inhibition of the myostatin signaling pathway is emerging as a promising therapeutic means to treat muscle wasting and degenerative disorders. Activin type IIB receptor (ActRIIB) is the putative myostatin receptor, and a soluble activin receptor (ActRIIB-Fc) has been demonstrated to potently inhibit a subset of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family members including myostatin. To determine reliable and valid biomarkers for ActRIIB-Fc treatment, we assessed gene expression profiles for quadriceps muscles from mice treated with ActRIIB-Fc compared with mice genetically lacking myostatin and control mice. Expression of 134 genes was significantly altered in mice treated with ActRIIB-Fc over a 2-wk period relative to control mice (fold change > 1.5, P < 0.001), whereas the number of significantly altered genes in mice treated for 2 days was 38, demonstrating a time-dependent response to ActRIIB-Fc in overall muscle gene expression. The number of significantly altered genes in Mstn−/− mice relative to control mice was substantially higher (360), but for most of these genes the expression levels in the 2-wk treated mice were closer to the levels in the Mstn−/− mice than in control mice ( P < 10−30). Expression levels of 30 selected genes were further validated with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and a correlation of ≥0.89 was observed between the fold changes from the microarray analysis and the qPCR analysis. These data suggest that treatment with ActRIIB-Fc results in overlapping but distinct gene expression signatures compared with myostatin genetic mutation. Differentially expressed genes identified in this study can be used as potential biomarkers for ActRIIB-Fc treatment, which is currently in clinical trials as a therapeutic agent for muscle wasting and degenerative disorders.
Activation of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor AhR Promotes Retinoic Acid–Induced Differentiation of Myeloblastic Leukemia Cells by Restricting Expression of the Stem Cell Transcription Factor Oct4
Authors: Bunaciu Rodica P. , Yen Andrew
Published: January 2011

Retinoic acid (RA) is used to treat leukemia and other cancers through its ability to promote cancer cell differentiation. Strategies to enhance the anticancer effects of RA could deepen and broaden its beneficial therapeutic applications. In this study, we describe a receptor cross-talk system that addresses this issue. RA effects are mediated by RAR/RXR receptors that we show are modified by interactions with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a protein functioning both as a transcription factor and a ligand-dependent adaptor in an ubiquitin ligase complex. RAR/RXR and AhR pathways cross-talk at the levels of ligand–receptor and also receptor–promoter interactions. Here, we assessed the role of AhR during RA-induced differentiation and a hypothesized convergence at Oct4, a transcription factor believed to maintain stem cell characteristics. RA upregulated AhR and downregulated Oct4 during differentiation of HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. AhR overexpression in stable transfectants downregulated Oct4 and also decreased ALDH1 activity, another stem cell–associated factor, enhancing RA-induced differentiation as indicated by cell differentiation markers associated with early (CD38 and CD11b) and late (neutrophilic respiratory burst) responses. AhR overexpression also increased levels of activated Raf1, which is known to help propel RA-induced differentiation. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of Oct4 enhanced RA-induced differentiation and G0 cell-cycle arrest relative to parental cells. Consistent with the hypothesized importance of Oct4 downregulation for differentiation, parental cells rendered resistant to RA by biweekly high RA exposure displayed elevated Oct4 levels that failed to be downregulated. Together, our results suggested that therapeutic effects of RA-induced leukemia differentiation depend on AhR and its ability to downregulate the stem cell factor Oct4. Cancer Res; 71(6); 2371–80. ©2011 AACR.
MGMT Is a Molecular Determinant for Potency of the DNA-EGFR–Combi-Molecule ZRS1
Authors: Huang Ying , Rachid Zakaria , Jean-Claude Bertrand J.
Published: January 2011

To enhance the potency of current EGFR inhibitors, we developed a novel strategy that seeks to confer them an additional DNA damaging function, leading to the design of drugs termed combi-molecules. ZRS1 is a novel combi-molecule that contains an EGFR tyrosine kinase targeting quinazoline arm and a methyltriazene-based DNA damaging one. We examined its effect on human tumor cell lines with varied levels of EGFR and O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). ZRS1 was more potent than the clinical methylating agent temozolomide in all cell lines, regardless of their MGMT status. However, its potency was in the same range as or less than that of Iressa, an EGFR inhibitor, against MGMT-proficient cells. In the MGMT-deficient or in MGMT-proficient cells exposed to the MGMT inhibitor O6-benzylguanine, its potency was superior to that of Iressa and temozolomide or a temozolomide+Iressa combination. Cell signaling analysis in A549 (MGMT+) and A427 (MGMT−) showed that ZRS1 strongly inhibited EGFR phosphorylation and related signaling pathways. In addition, the p53 pathway was activated by DNA damage in both cell lines, but apoptosis was significantly more pronounced in A427 cells. Using MGMT shRNA to block endogenous MGMT protein expression in A549 resulted in significant sensitization to ZRS1. Furthermore, transfection of MGMT into A427 greatly decreased the potency of ZRS1. These results conclusively show that MGMT is a critical molecular determinant for the full-blown potency of the dual EGFR-DNA targeting combi-molecule. Mol Cancer Res; 9(3); 320–31. ©2011 AACR.
Refined Prognostic Role of CD68-Positive Tumor Macrophages in the Context of the Cellular Micromilieu of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Tzankov Alexandar , Matter Matthias S. , Dirnhofer Stephan
Published: January 2011

Objective: Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) consists of neoplastic Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells (HRSC) and a nonneoplastic micromilieu that greatly outnumbers the HRSC. Studies on HRSC-related prognostic biomarkers have been unsuccessful, but the microenvironmental composition is of prognostic importance. Recently, the number of CD68-positive macrophages was correlated with adverse survival in HL, and there was a call to validate these results. Methods: We utilized immunohistochemistry to analyze the prognostic importance of the CD68-positive macrophage number compared to other cellular environmental components in an unselected series of 105 HLs in tissue microarrays. Results: Applying a cutoff score of >0.82% tumor macrophages, cases with increased numbers showed worse overall survival (mean 185 months, median 192) compared to cases with lower numbers (mean 285 months, median not reached). Eleven of 62 patients with ≤0.82% tumor macrophages died, compared to 19 of 43 with >0.82% (p < 0.001). The number of macrophages correlated with a low FOXP3-/high granzyme B-/high PD-1-positive micromilieu and patient age, but did not have independent prognostic significance. A combination background score taking into consideration all negative prognostic microenvironmental components (CD68-, PD-1- and granzyme B-positive cells) was of independent prognostic significance (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Increased numbers of CD68-positive tumor macrophages indicate an adverse overall outcome in HL.
Clinical Characteristics, Biological Profile, and Outcome of Biphenotypic Acute Leukemia: A Case Series
Authors: Zhang Yanming , Wu Depei , Sun Aining , Qiu Huiying , He Guangsheng , Jin Zhengming , Tang Xiaowen , Miao Miao , Fu Zhengzheng , Han Yue
Published: January 2011

Background: Biphenotypic acute leukemia (BAL) is a rare type of acute leukemia that presents with a high degree of heterogeneity and is not well defined. Methods: We identified 51 cases (3%) of BAL from 1,693 newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients according to the EGIL scoring system. The immunophenotyping, cytogenetics, treatment, and outcome of 39 BAL patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results: There were 23 (59%) cases of the myeloid and B-lymphoid phenotype, 14 (36%) cases of the myeloid and T-lymphoid phenotype, and 1 case (3%) of the trilineage phenotype or B/T phenotype. Abnormal karyotypes were detected in 76% of the 37 validated patients and displayed a high degree of heterogeneity. Combined regimens for both acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), as well as ALL type regimens, appeared to achieve a better complete remission rate than AML type regimens (71 and 64 vs. 33%, respectively). BAL patients with complex karyotypes or a rearrangement of chromosome 11 had a significantly reduced survival rate in comparison to patients with normal, t(8; 21), or t(9; 22) karyotypes. The probability of overall survival and disease-free survival at 2 years was 26 and 18%, respectively. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that BAL shows a high incidence of abnormal karyotypes and a poor prognosis. Combined-type regimens or ALL-based protocols are effective for the treatment of BAL.
Bronchoscopic Long-Term Palliation of a Recurrent Atypical Carcinoid Tumor
Authors: Katsenos Stamatis , Rojas-Solano Jose , Schuhmann Maren , Becker Heinrich D.
Published: January 2011

Bronchial carcinoid tumors account for 1–2% of all primary lung tumors and are separated into 2 subgroups: typical and atypical carcinoids. Atypical carcinoids as intermediate-grade malignancies can metastasize more frequently, thus exhibiting poorer prognosis than the low-grade typical carcinoid tumors. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment for pulmonary carcinoids. Bronchoscopic treatment using ablation techniques is an effective alternative to surgery in selected patients with typical carcinoid tumors. However, evidence is lacking regarding the effect of bronchoscopic resection of atypical carcinoid tumor and its recurrences. We report the case of a 73-year-old male with frequent endobronchial recurrences of a previously surgically resected atypical carcinoid tumor successfully treated using Nd:YAG laser photoresection. Furthermore, the therapeutic and local staging aspects of the disease are discussed emphasizing the efficacy of bronchoscopic resection strategies and the value of novel bronchoscopic imaging techniques in detailed inspection of the structures of the bronchial wall.
Oral Iron Chelator Deferasirox in the Treatment of Secondary Hemochromatosis following Bone Marrow Transplantation in a Patient with Severe Aplastic Anemia
Authors: Quarta A. , Melpignano A. , Quarta G.
Published: January 2011

Iron overload sometimes complicates the clinical course of bone marrow transplantation and can cause damage to liver and heart function. A patient with post-transplantation secondary hemochromatosis was treated with deferasirox, which not only normalized ferritin levels, but also reduced hepatic iron to normal values as measured by biosusceptometry with a superconducting quantum interference device. Side effects were minimal. The use of deferasirox to reduce post-transplant iron burden merits evaluation in a larger patient population.
Mild-to-Moderate Neurogenic Pyrexia in Acute Cerebral Infarction
Authors: Li Gang , Xu Xiao-yun , Wang Yue , Gu Xiao-bo , Xue Yuan-yuan , Zuo Lian , Yu Jin-ming
Published: January 2011

Background: Pyrexia is often associated with unfavorable stroke outcomes. However, limited information is available on the relationship between the causes of poststroke hyperthermia and stroke prognosis, especially for mild-to-moderate neurogenic pyrexia in acute cerebral infarction. Aims: To compare the differences in the clinical features and characteristics of pyrexia as well as its prognosis among acute cerebral infarction patients with mild-to-moderate neurogenic pyrexia, with infectious pyrexia, and without pyrexia. The focus was on mild-to-moderate neurogenic pyrexia. Methods: A total of 709 patients with acute cerebral infarction were prospectively recruited and their clinical data were analyzed. Results: No significant difference was detected in age, gender, history of smoking, hypertension, or diabetes among the 3 groups (p > 0.05). Patients with mild-to-moderate neurogenic pyrexia and those with infectious pyrexia had higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores (15.1 ± 6.7, p = 0.003; 14.3 ± 8.1, p = 0.002, respectively), lower 3-month Barthel index (BI) values (64.2 ± 40.7, p < 0.001; 61.9 ± 49.3, p < 0.001, respectively) and higher 3-month mortality rates (13%, p = 0.026; 16%, p < 0.001, respectively) than patients without pyrexia (NIHSS score 11.4 ± 7.9; BI 82.6 ± 39.8, and mortality rate 6%, respectively). No difference existed in these parameters between the 2 pyrexia groups (p > 0.05), but mild-to-moderate neurogenic pyrexia had an earlier onset and a shorter duration than infectious pyrexia (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Acute cerebral infarction patients with mild-to-moderate neurogenic pyrexia had a similar prognosis compared to those with infectious pyrexia. Mild-to-moderate neurogenic pyrexia is possibly associated with stroke severity.
Elevated Nε-(Carboxymethyl)lysine Is Associated with Apoptosis of Retinal Pericytes in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Kim Junghyun , Kim Chan-Sik , Sohn Eunjin , Kim Jin Sook
Published: January 2011

Advanced glycation end products including NΕ-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) are believed to contribute to retinal pericyte loss in diabetic retinopathy. Nuclear factor-ĸB (NF-ĸB) activation has been considered as a potential cytotoxic modulator of retinal pericytes. Herein, we investigated whether CML accumulation can trigger NF-ĸB activation and apoptosis of retinal pericytes in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Seven-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were made diabetic (STZ, 60 mg/kg). After 5 months, CML level and NF-ĸB activation were measured in trypsin-digested retinal vessels. In diabetic rats, TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling)-positive and caspase 3-positive retinal pericytes were significantly increased. CML and NF-ĸB activation was also markedly increased in diabetic retinal vessels. Moreover, the immunoreactivity of NF-ĸB was localized within the region where CML were accumulated. Apoptosis occurred in CML-accumulating retinal pericytes. These results suggest that NF-ĸB could be activated in CML-accumulating pericytes from diabetic retina. CML accumulation is responsible, at least in part, for the apoptosis of retinal pericytes.
Audiological Findings in Celiac Disease
Authors: Karabulut Hayriye , Hizli Şamil , Dagli Muharrem , Karabulut Ismail , Acar Baran , Celik Emrah , Abaci Ayhan , Ozdemir Osman , Karasen R. Murat
Published: January 2011

Objective: Celiac disease (CD) is a gluten-triggered immune enteropathy caused by a genetic predisposition. Recent papers suggest that CD is increasingly recognized by extraintestinal findings. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CD on hearing pathway including the olivocochlear efferent system in children. Methods: Forty-one pediatric CD patients and 31 controls were included in the study. Both groups were evaluated with audiometry, tympanometry, transiently evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE), distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), and contralateral suppression of the TEOAE. Results: The threshold at 250 Hz of the patients with CD was significantly higher (p < 0.05 in CD compared to control group, p < 0.0001). The signal to noise ratio (SNR) amplitudes in DPOAE testing and the SNR amplitudes with and without contralateral acoustic stimulus in TEOAE testing were significantly lower at 1,000 Hz in the CD compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between the CD and the control group regarding contralateral suppression amplitudes. Conclusion: CD seems to have an important impact on the auditory system, and results in an elevation of the thresholds at 250 Hz on audiometry and a decrease in the amplitudes of DPOAE and linear TEOAE at 1,000 Hz in children.
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Combined with Magnetic Beads for Detecting Serum Protein Biomarkers in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Li Yao-Hua , Wang Jian , Zheng Xiao-Li , Zhang Yan-Li , Li Xin , Yu Shun , He Xin , Chan Piu
Published: January 2011

Background: Biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases are essential to facilitate disease diagnosis. Application of proteomics has greatly hastened the search for novel biomarkers. In this study, new potential biomarkers were discovered, and a diagnostic pattern was established for idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) by using proteomic technology. Methods: Serum proteins from PD patients and controls were captured by magnetic bead-based weak cation exchange. The molecular weight of the proteins in bead-binding fraction was detected by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Biomarker Wizard 3.1 and Biomarker Patterns Software were used for data analysis and constructing a model of biomarkers. A blinded testing set was used to validate the model. Results: A total of 17 discriminating m/z peaks related to PD were identified. The model based on the 5 biomarkers generated an excellent separation between PD and healthy controls with 98.36% for the sensitivity and 83.05% for the specificity. Blind test data demonstrated the model could recognize patients with PD with a sensitivity of 85.0% and a specificity of 70.0%. Conclusions: The preliminary data suggested a potential application of MALDI-TOF-MS combined with magnetic beads. The model comprising 5 promising biomarkers can differentiate individuals with PD and the healthy subjects precisely.
A Longitudinal SPECT Study of Different Patterns of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Alzheimer’s Disease with or without Diabetes
Authors: Hirao Kentaro , Hanyu Haruo , Sato Tomohiko , Kanetaka Hidekazu , Shimizu Soichiro , Sakurai Hirofumi , Iwamoto Toshihiko
Published: January 2011

Aims: To determine the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) patterns in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: We investigated the initial rCBF of 71 AD patients (36 without DM and 35 with DM) and the final rCBF of 23 AD patients (12 without DM and 11 with DM) after an average of 32 months. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) data were analyzed by statistical brain imaging. Results: The initial SPECT showed that AD patients without DM had lower rCBF in the left and right inferior temporal gyri than AD patients with DM. A follow-up SPECT demonstrated that rCBF decreased in more widespread regions, including the parietal, temporal, frontal, and limbic lobes, in AD patients without than with DM. Conclusion: This study suggests that functional brain abnormalities in AD differ depending on the DM status at baseline and during follow-up, reflecting neuropathologic differences.
Left Ventricular Filling Pressure Assessment Using Left Atrial Transit Time by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Cao Jie J. , Wang Yi , McLaughlin Jeannette , Haag Elizabeth , Rhee Peter , Passick Michael , Toole Rena , Cheng Joshua , Berke Andrew D. , Lachman Justine , Reichek Nathaniel
Published: January 2011

Background—

Left atrial (LA) size and function reflect left ventricular (LV) hemodynamics. In the present study, we developed a novel method to determine LA circulation transit time (LATT) by MRI and demonstrated its close association with LV filling pressure.

Methods and Results—

All subjects were prospectively recruited and underwent contrast-enhanced MR dynamic imaging. Mean LATT was determined as the time for contrast to transit through the LA during the first pass. In an invasive study group undergoing clinically indicated cardiac catheterization (n=25), LATT normalized by R-R interval (nLATT) was closely associated with LV early diastolic pressure (
r
=0.850,
P
=0.001), LV end-diastolic pressure (
r
=0.910,
P
<0.001), and mean diastolic pressure (
r
=0.912,
P
<0.001). In a larger noninvasive group (n=56), nLATT was prolonged in patients with LV systolic dysfunction (n=47) (10.1±3.0 versus 6.6±0.7 cardiac cycles in normal control subjects, n=9;
P
<0.001). Using a linear regression equation derived from the invasive group, noninvasive subjects were divided into 3 subgroups by estimated LV end-diastolic pressure: ≤10 mm Hg, 11 to 14 mm Hg, and ≥15 mm Hg. There were graded increases from low to high LV end-diastolic pressure subgroups in echocardiographic mitral medial E/e′ ratio: 9±5, 11±4, and 13±3 (
P
=0.023); in B-type natriuretic peptide (interquartile range): 44 (60) pg/mL, 87 (359) pg/mL, and 371 (926) pg/mL (
P
=0.002); and in N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide: 57 (163) pg/mL, 208 (990) pg/mL, and 931 (1726) pg/mL (
P
=0.002), demonstrating the ability of nLATT to assess hemodynamic status.

Conclusions—

nLATT by cardiac MR is a promising new parameter of LV filling pressure that may provide graded noninvasive hemodynamic assessment.
Sympathetic Response to Insulin Is Mediated by Melanocortin 3/4 Receptors in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus
Authors: Ward Kathryn R. , Bardgett James F. , Wolfgang Lawrence , Stocker Sean D.
Published: January 2011

Hyperinsulinemia increases sympathetic nerve activity and contributes to cardiovascular dysfunction in obesity and diabetes. Neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) regulate sympathetic nerve activity through mono- and poly-synaptic connections to preganglionic neurons in the spinal cord. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether PVN neurons mediate the sympathetic response to insulin. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps were performed in α-chloralose-anesthetized, male Sprague-Dawley rats (280–420 g) by an infusion of insulin (3.75 mU/kg per min) and 50% dextrose (0.75–2.0 mL/h) for 120 minutes. At 90 minutes, insulin significantly increased lumbar sympathetic nerve activity without any change in renal sympathetic nerve activity, heart rate, or blood glucose levels. Inhibition of the PVN with bilateral injection of the GABA
A
receptor agonist muscimol completely reversed the sympathoexcitatory response. However, direct injection of insulin into the PVN did not alter lumbar sympathetic nerve activity, and thereby suggests that insulin activates neurons upstream of the PVN. Interestingly, the sympathetic response to insulin was eliminated by PVN injection of the melanocortin 3/4 receptor antagonist SHU9119, but was unaffected by the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan. A final set of experiments suggests activation of PVN neurons during hyperinsulinemia increases glutamatergic drive to the rostral ventrolateral medulla. Collectively, these findings indicate that insulin activates a melanocortin-dependent pathway to the PVN that increases glutamatergic drive to the rostral ventrolateral medulla and alters cardiovascular function.
Relation of Brachial and Digital Measures of Vascular Function in the Community
Authors: Hamburg Naomi M. , Palmisano Joseph , Larson Martin G. , Sullivan Lisa M. , Lehman Birgitta T. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Levy Daniel , Mitchell Gary F. , Vita Joseph A. , Benjamin Emelia J.
Published: January 2011

Impaired vascular function contributes to the development of clinical cardiovascular disease. The relation between vasodilator function assessed noninvasively in the brachial and digital arteries remains incompletely defined. In the Framingham Offspring, Third Generation and Omni Cohorts, we measured flow-mediated dilation (FMD; n=7031; age 48±13 years; age range, 19 to 88 years; 54% women) and peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) ratio (n=4352; 55±16 years; age range, 19 to 90 years; 51% women). Abnormal vascular function for each measure was defined by the sex-specific fifth percentile in a reference group free of conventional cardiovascular risk factors. The prevalence of abnormal FMD but not abnormal PAT ratio was higher with advancing age. In multivariable models, higher body mass index was associated with a higher prevalence of both abnormal FMD and PAT ratio. Additional correlates of abnormal FMD included increasing age and higher systolic blood pressure. In contrast, correlates of abnormal PAT ratio included lower systolic blood pressure, increasing total/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, diabetes, smoking, and lipid-lowering medication. Whereas women had higher FMD and PAT ratios compared with men, using sex-specific reference values, women had a higher prevalence of abnormal brachial and digital vascular function. In participants who had concurrent testing (n=1843), PAT ratio was not significantly associated with FMD in multivariable models. In this large, community-based cohort, brachial and digital measures of vascular function had differing relations with cardiovascular risk factors and were nearly uncorrelated with each other. These results suggest that FMD and PAT provide distinct information regarding vascular function in conduit versus smaller digital vessels.
Impaired Interaction Between Efferent and Afferent Renal Nerve Activity in SHR Involves Increased Activation of α2-Adrenoceptors
Authors: Kopp Ulla C. , Cicha Michael Z. , Smith Lori A.
Published: January 2011

Activation of efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity (ERSNA) increases afferent renal nerve activity (ARNA), leading to decreases in ERSNA by activation of the renorenal reflexes in the overall goal of maintaining low ERSNA. The renorenal reflex responses to various stimuli are impaired in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Because renal tissue density of α2-adrenoceptors (ARs) is increased in SHR, we examined whether the ERSNA-induced increases in ARNA are impaired in SHR and, if so, the role of α2-ARs. The ARNA responses to increases in ERSNA were impaired in SHR, 2390±460%·seconds, versus in Wistar-Kyoto rats, 6620±1690%·seconds. Renal pelvic release of substance P was not altered by 6250 pmol/L norepinephrine (NE) in SHR but was increased by 250 pmol/L NE in Wistar-Kyoto rats, from 5.7±0.7 to 12.5±1.3 pg/min. Renal pelvic administration of the α2-AR antagonist rauwolscine enhanced the ERSNA-induced increases in ARNA, 4170±900%·seconds, in SHR but not in Wistar-Kyoto rats. In the presence of rauwolscine, 250 pmol/L NE increased substance P release, from 5.2±0.3 to 11.2±0.8 pg/min, in pelvises from SHR. Because angiotensin II suppresses the activation of renal mechanosensory nerves in SHR, we examined whether losartan improved the ERSNA-induced ARNA responses. Losartan had no effect on the ARNA responses or the NE-induced increases in substance P in SHR. However, losartan+rauwolscine resulted in further enhancement of the responsiveness of the renal sensory nerves to increases in ERSNA and NE in SHR but not in WKY. We conclude that increased activation of renal α2-ARs and angiotensin II type 1 receptors contributes to the impaired interaction between ERSNA and ARNA in SHR.