bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analgesic Effect of Manual Acupuncture and Laser Acupuncture for Lateral Epicondylalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chang Wen-Dien , Lai Ping-Tung , Tsou Yung-An
Published: November 2014

Lateral epicondylalgia is a common orthopedic disorder. In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is often used for treating lateral epicondylalgia. Laser acupuncture, compared with manual acupuncture, has more advantages because it is painless, aseptic and safe. However, the analgesic effect of manual acupuncture and laser acupuncture on lateral epicondylalgia has rarely been explored. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the analgesic effect of laser acupuncture and manual acupuncture for the treatment of lateral epicondylalgia. We investigated studies published in the Medline, PubMed, and CINAHL databases from January 1980 to December 2013. This review included 9 randomized articles. Six of them examined manual acupuncture and the others focused on laser acupuncture. We analyzed the meta-analysis results regarding the analgesic effect of the treatment, and observed substantial differences in 4 articles related to manual acupuncture. Manual acupuncture is effective in short-term pain relief for the treatment of lateral epicondylalgia; however, its long-term analgesic effect is unremarkable. A suitable acupuncture point and depth can be used to treat lateral epicondylalgia. Manual acupuncture applied on lateral epicondylalgia produced stronger evidence of an analgesic effect than did laser acupuncture, and further study on the analgesic effect of laser acupuncture is required.
Astragaloside Improves Outcomes of Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats by Reducing Microglia Activation
Authors: Yang Shun-Tai , Lin Jia-Wei , Chiu Bi-Ying , Hsu Yao-Chin , Chang Ching-Ping , Chang Cheng-Kuei
Published: November 2014

Astragaloside (AST) is traditionally prescribed for the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. We directly tested the therapeutic effects of AST in a rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). One hour after the onset of TBI rats were given Saline (1 ml/kg) or AST (20–80 mg/kg) via i.p. injection. AST causes the attenuation of TBI-induced cerebral contusion, neuronal apoptosis, and neurological motor dysfunction. TBI-induced microglial activation evidenced by the morphological transformation of microglia (or ameboid microglia) and the microglial overexpression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was reduced by AST. Our results indicate that AST may protect against brain contusion and neuronal apoptosis after TBI by attenuating microglia activation in male rats.
A review of central production experiments at the CERN Omega spectrometer
Authors: Kirk Andrew
Published: November 2014

The non-Abelian nature of QCD suggests that particles that have a gluon constituent, such as glueballs or hybrids, should exist. This paper presents a study of central meson production in the fixed target experiments WA76, WA91 and WA102 at the CERN Omega spectrometer at centre-of-mass energies of [Formula: see text], 23.8 and 29 GeV. A study of the resonance production cross-section as a function of [Formula: see text] shows which states are compatible with being produced by Double Pomeron Exchange (DPE). In these DPE processes, the difference in the transverse momentum between the exchange particles (dPT) can be used to select out known [Formula: see text] states from non-[Formula: see text] candidates. The distribution of the azimuthal angle (ϕ) between the two exchange particles suggests that the Pomeron transforms like a nonconserved vector current. Finally there is evidence from an analysis of the decay modes of the scalar states observed, that the lightest scalar glueball manifests itself through the mixing with nearby [Formula: see text] states.
Fixed target experiments at the Fermilab Tevatron
Authors: Gutierrez Gaston , Reyes Marco A.
Published: November 2014

This paper presents a review of the study of Exclusive Central Production at a center-of-mass energy of [Formula: see text] at the Fermilab Fixed Target program. In all reactions reviewed in this paper, protons with an energy of 800 GeV were extracted from the Tevatron accelerator at Fermilab and directed to a Liquid Hydrogen target. The states reviewed include [Formula: see text], ϕϕ and D*±. Partial Wave Analysis results will be presented on the light states but only the cross-section will be reviewed in the diffractive production of D*±.
Representation of quantum field theory in an extended spin space and fermion mass hierarchy
Authors: Besprosvany J. , Romero R.
Published: November 2014

We consider a matrix space based on the spin degree of freedom, describing both a Hilbert state space and its corresponding symmetry operators. Under the requirement that the Lorentz symmetry be kept, at given dimension, scalar symmetries and their representations are determined. Symmetries are flavor or gauge-like, with fixed chirality. After spin 0, 1/2 and 1 fields are obtained in this space, we construct associated interactive gauge-invariant renormalizable terms, showing their equivalence to a Lagrangian formulation, using as example the previously studied (5+1)-dimensional case, with many standard-model connections. At 7+1 dimensions, a pair of Higgs-like scalar Lagrangian is obtained naturally producing mass hierarchy within a fermion flavor doublet.
Extremely low-frequency Lamb wave band gaps in a sandwich phononic crystal thin plate
Authors: Shen Li , Wu Jiu Hui , Liu Zhangyi , Fu Gang
Published: November 2014

In this paper, a kind of sandwich phononic crystal (PC) plate with silicon rubber scatterers embedded in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix is proposed to demonstrate its low-frequency Lamb wave band gap (BG) characteristics. The dispersion relationship and the displacement vector fields of the basic slab modes and the locally resonant modes are investigated to show the BG formation mechanism. The anti-symmetric Lamb wave BG is further studied due to its important function in reducing vibration. The analysis on the BG characteristics of the PC through changing their geometrical parameters is performed. By optimizing the structure, a sandwich PC plate with a thickness of only 3 mm and a lower boundary (as low as 23.9 Hz) of the first anti-symmetric BG is designed. Finally, sound insulation experiment on a sandwich PC plate with the thickness of only 2.5 mm is conducted, showing satisfactory noise reduction effect in the frequency range of the anti-symmetric Lamb BG. Therefore, this kind of sandwich PC plate has potential applications in controlling vibration and noise in low-frequency ranges.
Radio Frequency Transceiver Architecture Energy Efficiency Analysis for Wireless Sensor Communications
Authors: Vasanthi M. S. , Rao T. Rama , Prasad M. Arun
Published: November 2014

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) Communications technology enables the sensor nodes to observe, identify, understand and respond to changes in surrounding environment. Many of the communication devices for WSN have power constraints, due to their small size and the requirement to operate off small batteries for long periods of time. Thus energy efficiency is an important design criterion. Since energy consumption in the transceiver front ends is dominant, the focus is on reducing the energy consumption on the system level. In this research article the energy model for the alternating quadrature differential binary phase shift keying (AQ-DBPSK) modulation-based transceiver is developed and compared with the energy models for various transceiver architectures, popularly used in WSN nodes. Its suitability for energy efficient operations in WSN applications is investigated in this research article. Through theoretical analysis and simulated results, we discuss how to select the energy efficient transceiver front end for various WSN application scenarios.
34Si accompanied ternary fission of 242Cm in equatorial and collinear configuration
Authors: Santhosh K. P. , Krishnan Sreejith , Priyanka B.
Published: November 2014

Taking the interacting potential as the sum of Coulomb and proximity potential, 34 Si accompanied cold ternary fission of 242 Cm has been studied with fragments in the equatorial and collinear configuration. The cold valley plots (plot of driving potential versus mass number of fragments) and the calculations on the yields for the charge minimized fragments have been used to obtain the favorable fragment combinations. Thus, our study on the 34 Si accompanied ternary fission of 242 Cm reveals the role of near doubly magic shell closures (of 130 Sn , 132 Te , 134 Te , etc.) in cold ternary fission. The comparison of relative yield reveals that in 34 Si accompanied ternary fission of 242 Cm , collinear configuration is preferred than the equatorial configuration. The relative yield for binary exit channel is found to be higher than that of ternary fragmentation (both equatorial and collinear configuration). The predicted yield for the binary fragmentation of 4 He and 34 Si from 242 Cm are in agreement with the experimental data.
One-party controlled minimum remote state preparation of equatorial n-qubit states
Authors: Wang Yahong , Liang Hongwei
Published: November 2014

This paper offers a theoretical protocol for one-party controlled remote state preparation (RSP) of n-qubit states with minimum resources consumption. We are mainly focused on the case of the n-qubit state chosen from equatorial circle on a Bloch sphere. We use n - 1 EPR pairs and one GHZ state as quantum channel and show that only n + 1 cbits, n ebits and 2n + 1 qubits are consumed during the controlled RSP processing.
Equality of Dedekind sums mod ℤ, 2ℤ and 4ℤ
Authors: Tsukerman Emmanuel
Published: November 2014

In [K. Girstmair, A criterion for the equality of Dedekind sums mod ℤ, Int. J. Number Theory10 (2014) 565–568], it was shown that the necessary condition b ∣ (a1a2- 1) × (a1- a2) for equality of two Dedekind sums s(a1, b) and s(a2, b) given in [S. Jabuka, S. Robins and X. Wang, When are two Dedekind sums equal? Int. J. Number Theory7 (2011) 2197–2202] is equivalent to 12s(a1, b) - 12s(a2, b) ∈ ℤ. In this paper, we give a new proof of this result and then find two additional necessary and sufficient conditions for 12s(a1, b) - 12s(a2, b) ∈ 2ℤ, 4ℤ. These give new necessary conditions on equality of Dedekind sums.
Cellular Injection Using Carbon Nanotube: A Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Mahboobi Seyed Hanif , Taheri Alireza , Pishkenari Hossein Nejat , Meghdari Ali , Hemmat Mahya
Published: November 2014

Determination of an injection condition which is minimally invasive to the cell membrane is of great importance in drug and gene delivery. For this purpose, a series of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are conducted to study the penetration of a carbon nanotube (CNT) into a pure POPC cell membrane under various injection velocities, CNT tilt angles and chirality parameters. The simulations are nonequilibrium and all-atom. The force and stress exerted on the nanotube, deformation of the lipid bilayer, and strain of the CNT atoms are inspected during the simulations. We found that a lower nanotube velocity results in successfully entering the membrane with minimum disruption in the CNT and the lipid bilayer, and CNT's chirality distinctly affects the results. Moreover, it is shown that the tilt angle of the CNT influences the nanotube's buckling and may result in destroying the membrane structure during the injection process.
Enhanced piezoelectricity and photoluminescence in Dy-doped Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 lead-free multifunctional ceramics
Authors: Lei Fengying , Jiang Na , Luo Lingling , Guo Yongquan , Zheng Qiaoji , Lin Dunmin
Published: November 2014

Lead-free multifunctional ceramics of Ba 0.85 Ca 0.15 Ti 0.9 Zr 0.1 O 3-x mol% Dy have been prepared by an ordinary sintering method and the effects of Dy 2 O 3 doping on structure, piezoelectric, ferroelectric and photoluminescent properties of the ceramics have been studied. The ceramics possess a single phase perovskite structure. The grain growth of the ceramics is prohibited and the ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition at TC becomes more diffusive after the addition of Dy 2 O 3. Dy 2 O 3 doping improves the piezoelectricity of the ceramics and the optimal piezoelectric properties d33 = 335 pC/N is obtained at x = 0.5. The addition of 2 mol% Dy enhances the photoluminescent properties of the ceramics and strong emissions at ∼ 478 nm and ∼ 575 nm are observed. Our study shows that the ceramics with low Dy 2 O 3 levels exhibit simultaneously the strong piezoelectricity, ferroelectricity and photoluminescence and may have a potential application in mechano-electro-optic integration and coupling device.
The Impact of the Milk Glycobiome on the Neonate Gut Microbiota
Authors: Pacheco Alline R. , Barile Daniela , Underwood Mark A. , Mills David A.
Published: November 2014

Human milk is a complete source of nourishment for the infant. Exclusive breastfeeding not only sustains the infant’s development but also guides the proliferation of a protective intestinal microbiota. Among the many components of milk that modulate the infant gut microbiota, the milk glycans, which comprise free oligosaccharides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids, are increasingly recognized as drivers of microbiota development and overall gut health. These glycans may display pleiotropic functions, conferring protection against infectious diseases and also acting as prebiotics, selecting for the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria. The prebiotic effect of milk glycans has direct application to prevention of diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis, a common and devastating disease of preterm infants. In this article, we review the impact of the human (and bovine) milk glycome on gut health through establishment of a milk-oriented microbiota in the neonate.
Bionomics of Temperate and TropicalCulicoidesMidges: Knowledge Gaps and Consequences for Transmission ofCulicoides-Borne Viruses
Authors: Purse B.V. , Carpenter S. , Venter G.J. , Bellis G. , Mullens B.A.
Published: November 2014

Culicoides midges are abundant hematophagous flies that vector arboviruses of veterinary and medical importance. Dramatic changes in the epidemiology of Culicoides-borne arboviruses have occurred since 1998, including the emergence of exotic viruses in northern temperate regions, increases in global disease incidence, and enhanced virus diversity in tropical zones. Drivers may include changes in climate, land use, trade, and animal husbandry. New Culicoides species and new wild reservoir hosts have been implicated in transmission, highlighting the dynamic nature of pathogen-vector-host interactions. Focusing on potential vector species worldwide and key elements of vectorial capacity, we review the sensitivity of Culicoides life cycles to abiotic and biotic factors. We consider implications for designing control measures and understanding impacts of environmental change in different ecological contexts. Critical geographical, biological, and taxonomic knowledge gaps are prioritized. Recent developments in genomics and mathematical modeling may enhance ecological understanding of these complex arbovirus systems.
Neuroblastoma: Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapy
Authors: Louis Chrystal U. , Shohet Jason M.
Published: November 2014

Neuroblastoma is a developmental tumor of young children arising from the embryonic sympathoadrenal lineage of the neural crest. Neuroblastoma is the primary cause of death from pediatric cancer for children between the ages of one and five years and accounts for ∼13% of all pediatric cancer mortality. Its clinical impact and unique biology have made this aggressive malignancy the focus of a large concerted translational research effort. New insights into tumor biology are driving the development of new classification schemas. Novel targeted therapeutic approaches include small-molecule inhibitors as well as epigenetic, noncoding-RNA, and cell-based immunologic therapies. In this review, recent insights regarding the pathogenesis and biology of neuroblastoma are placed in context with the current understanding of tumor biology and tumor/host interactions. Systematic classification of patients coupled with therapeutic advances point to a future of improved clinical outcomes for this biologically distinct and highly aggressive pediatric malignancy.
Neoadjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer
Authors: Zardavas Dimitrios , Piccart Martine
Published: November 2014

Neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer refers to the use of different treatment modalities prior to surgical excision of the tumor. It has been accepted as a treatment option for patients with nonmetastatic disease, because it renders inoperable tumors operable and increases the rates of breast-conserving surgery, while achieving similar long-term clinical outcomes as adjuvant treatment. The neoadjuvant setting is being increasingly perceived as a research platform, where the biologic effects of traditional anticancer agents can be delineated, prognostic and predictive biomarkers can be identified, and the development of targeted agents can be expedited. Surrogate endpoints that can predict long-term clinical outcome and are evaluable early on, such as the pathologic complete response, offer valuable opportunities for rapid assessment of anticancer agents. Additionally, efforts for molecular profiling of the post-neoadjuvant residual disease hold the potential to lead to personalized therapy for breast cancer patients with early-stage high-risk disease.
Pathogenesis of Macrophage Activation Syndrome and Potential for Cytokine- Directed Therapies
Authors: Schulert Grant S. , Grom Alexei A.
Published: November 2014

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is an acute episode of overwhelming inflammation characterized by activation and expansion of T lymphocytes and hemophagocytic macrophages. In rheumatology, it occurs most frequently in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) and systemic lupus erythematosus. The main clinical manifestations include cytopenias, liver dysfunction, coagulopathy resembling disseminated intravascular coagulation, and extreme hyperferritinemia. Clinically and pathologically, MAS bears strong similarity to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), and some authors prefer the term secondary HLH to describe it. Central to its pathogenesis is a cytokine storm, with markedly increased levels of numerous proinflammatory cytokines including IL-1, IL-6, IL-18, TNFα, and IFNγ. Although there is evidence that IFNγ may play a central role in the pathogenesis of MAS, the role of other cytokines is still not clear. There are several reports of SJIA-associated MAS dramatically benefiting from anakinra, a recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist, but the utility of other biologics in MAS is not clear. The mainstay of treatment remains corticosteroids; other medications, including cyclosporine, are used in patients who fail to respond.
Management of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
Authors: Andreopoulou Panagiota , Bockman Richard S.
Published: November 2014

A hallmark of menopause, which follows the decline in the ovarian production of estrogen, is the aggressive and persistent loss of bone mineral and structural elements leading to loss of bone strength and increased fracture risk. This review focuses on newer methods of diagnosing osteoporosis and assessing fracture risk, as well as on novel management strategies for prevention and treatment. Fracture-risk prediction has been significantly enhanced by the development of methods such as the trabecular bone score, which helps assess bone microarchitecture and adds value to standard bone densitometry, and the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) algorithm techniques. The treatment of osteoporosis, which has the goals of fracture prevention and risk reduction, is moving beyond traditional monotherapies with antiresorptives and anabolic agents into new combination regimens.
AA Amyloidosis: Pathogenesis and Targeted Therapy
Authors: Westermark Gunilla T. , Fändrich Marcus , Westermark Per
Published: November 2014

The understanding of why and how proteins misfold and aggregate into amyloid fibrils has increased considerably during recent years. Central to amyloid formation is an increase in the frequency of the β-sheet structure, leading to hydrogen bonding between misfolded monomers and creating a fibril that is comparably resistant to degradation. Generation of amyloid fibrils is nucleation dependent, and once formed, fibrils recruit and catalyze the conversion of native molecules. In AA amyloidosis, the expression of cytokines, particularly interleukin 6, leads to overproduction of serum amyloid A (SAA) by the liver. A chronically high plasma concentration of SAA results in the aggregation of amyloid into cross-β-sheet fibrillar deposits by mechanisms not fully understood. Therefore, AA amyloidosis can be thought of as a consequence of long-standing inflammatory disease. This review summarizes current knowledge about AA amyloidosis. The systemic amyloidoses have been regarded as intractable conditions, but improvements in the understanding of fibril composition and pathogenesis over the past decade have led to the development of a number of different therapeutic approaches with promising results.
High Balanced Biorthogonal Multiwavelets with Symmetry
Authors: Li Youfa , Yang Shouzhi , Shen Yanfeng , Zhang Gengrong
Published: November 2014

Balanced multiwavelet transform can process the vector-valued data sparsely while preserving a polynomial signal. Yang et al. (2006) constructed balanced multiwavelets from the existing nonbalanced ones. It will be proved, however, in this paper that if the nonbalanced multiwavelets have antisymmetric component, it is impossible for the balanced multiwavelets by the method mentioned above to have symmetry. In this paper, we give an algorithm for constructing a pair of biorthogonal symmetric refinable function vectors from any orthogonal refinable function vector, which has symmetric and antisymmetric components. Then, a general scheme is given for high balanced biorthogonal multiwavelets with symmetry from the constructed pair of biorthogonal refinable function vectors. Moreover, we discuss the approximation orders of the biorthogonal symmetric refinable function vectors. An example is given to illustrate our results.
Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm for Mackey-Glass Chaotic Time Series Prediction
Authors: Zhao Junsheng , Li Yongmin , Yu Xingjiang , Zhang Xingfang
Published: November 2014

For decades, Mackey-Glass chaotic time series prediction has attracted more and more attention. When the multilayer perceptron is used to predict the Mackey-Glass chaotic time series, what we should do is to minimize the loss function. As is well known, the convergence speed of the loss function is rapid in the beginning of the learning process, while the convergence speed is very slow when the parameter is near to the minimum point. In order to overcome these problems, we introduce the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm (LMA). Firstly, a rough introduction is given to the multilayer perceptron, including the structure and the model approximation method. Secondly, we introduce the LMA and discuss how to implement the LMA. Lastly, an illustrative example is carried out to show the prediction efficiency of the LMA. Simulations show that the LMA can give more accurate prediction than the gradient descent method.
Packet Payload Monitoring for Internet Worm Content Detection Using Deterministic Finite Automaton with Delayed Dictionary Compression
Authors: Selvaraj Divya , Ganapathi Padmavathi
Published: November 2014

Packet content scanning is one of the crucial threats to network security and network monitoring applications. In monitoring applications, payload of packets in a network is matched against the set of patterns in order to detect attacks like worms, viruses, and protocol definitions. During network transfer, incoming and outgoing packets are monitored in depth to inspect the packet payload. In this paper, the regular expressions that are basically string patterns are analyzed for packet payloads in detecting worms. Then the grouping scheme for regular expression matching is rewritten using Deterministic Finite Automaton (DFA). DFA achieves better processing speed during regular expression matching. DFA requires more memory space for each state. In order to reduce memory utilization, decompression technique is used. Delayed Dictionary Compression (DDC) is applied for achieving better speeds in the communication links. DDC achieves decoding latency during compression of payload packets in the network. Experimental results show that the proposed approach provides better time consumption and memory utilization during detection of Internet worm attacks.
Reversible Visualization for Synchrotron Radiation Using Photochromic Dye and Photostimulable Phosphor Composite Film
Authors: Kinashi Kenji , Jimbo Kazuya , Okabe Takahiro , Sasaki Sono , Masunaga Hiroyasu
Published: November 2014

The study reported herein is undertaken to visualize reversibly synchrotron radiation by using a composite film comprised of two components: a photochromic SP with the conversion characteristics of UV-to-visible color and PSP BaFCl:Eu2+particles with the conversion characteristics of X-rays-to-UV emission.
An Attribute-Based Encryption Scheme with Revocation for Fine-Grained Access Control in Wireless Body Area Networks
Authors: Tian Ye , Peng Yanbin , Peng Xinguang , Li Hongbin
Published: November 2014

The wireless body area networks (WBANs) have emerged as a new method for e-healthcare. Without being measured face-to-face, the medical workers can give guidance to patients in a real-time way. WBANs can greatly improve the healthcare quality. The personal information and medical data are stored and processed in sensors. The security and privacy are two vital issues. In this paper, we design an attribute-based encryption scheme for fine-grained access control in WBANs. In our scheme, a user can decrypt a ciphertext if the attributes related with a ciphertext satisfy the user's access structure. The users can be revoked if necessary. Therefore, the security and privacy of patients can be protected. Our scheme provides confidentiality, security, and resistance to collusion attack. We analyze the correctness, security, and energy consumption of the scheme.
Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1 with Hemin Reduces Obesity-Induced Adipose Tissue Inflammation via Adipose Macrophage Phenotype Switching
Authors: Tu Thai Hien , Joe Yeonsoo , Choi Hye-Seon , Chung Hun Taeg , Yu Rina
Published: November 2014

Adipose macrophages with the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype protect against obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which elicits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, modulates macrophage phenotypes and thus is implicated in various inflammatory diseases. Here, we demonstrate that the HO-1 inducer, hemin, protects against obesity-induced adipose inflammation by inducing macrophages to switch to the M2 phenotype. HO-1 induction by hemin reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-αand IL-6) from cocultured adipocytes and macrophages by inhibiting the activation of inflammatory signaling molecules (JNK and NF-κB) in both cell types. Hemin enhanced transcript levels of M2 macrophage marker genes (IL-4, Mrc1, and Clec10a) in the cocultures, while reducing transcripts of M1 macrophage markers (CD274 and TNF-α). The protective effects of hemin on adipose inflammation and macrophage phenotype switching were confirmed in mice fed a high-fat diet, and these were associated with PPARγupregulation and STAT6 activation. These findings suggest that induction of HO-1 with hemin protects against obesity-induced adipose inflammation through M2 macrophage phenotype switching, which is induced by the PPARγand STAT6 pathway. HO-1 inducers such as hemin may be useful for preventing obesity-induced adipose inflammation.
The Effect of Early Initiation of Breastfeeding on Neonatal Mortality among Low Birth Weight in Aceh Province, Indonesia: An Unmatched Case Control Study
Authors: Berkat Satrinawati , Sutan Rosnah
Published: November 2014

Background. Early initiation of breastfeeding is the breastfeed that is received by the baby within the first hour of birth. It is recommended to reduce infant mortality and illness. Objective. To assess the effect of early initiation of breastfeeding on neonatal mortality for low birth weight in Aceh province, Indonesia. Method. In this qualitative study unmatched case controls were used as the design. Data was collected in 8 districts in Aceh province, Indonesia, between January and December 2012. The total sample for this study was 500 LBW who were born between 2010 and 2012, subdivided into 250 LBW who died in neonatal period and 250 LBW who survived during neonatal period. Result. Thermal care and hygienic practice were not significantly associated with neonatal mortality among LBW. Feeding and early initiation of breastfeeding were associated. Discussion. Early initiation of breastfeeding had an effect on neonatal mortality for the low birth weight in Aceh province, Indonesia. The risk of mortality was decreased for those neonates who accepted breast milk within the first hour after birth. Therefore it is concluded that a new strategy to promote and improve the coverage of the initiation of breastfeeding is needed.
Antifungal Activity of Jasminum sambac against Malassezia sp. and Non-Malassezia sp. Isolated from Human Skin Samples
Authors: Santhanam Jacinta , Abd Ghani Farhana Nadiah , Basri Dayang Fredalina
Published: November 2014

Malassezia sp. causes skin diseases such as pityriasis versicolor, folliculitis, and atopic dermatitis. The present study aims to evaluate the antifungal activity of J. sambac or Arabian jasmine, a flowering plant abundant in the Southeast Asia against Malassezia sp. using disc diffusion and broth microdilution method. The methanol extract and essential oil from the flowers and leaves of J. sambac were, respectively, prepared using solvent extraction and hydrodistillation process. Skin samples from individuals with dandruff were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar overlaid with olive oil. The fungi that grew were observed microscopically, tested with Tween assimilation test, and cultured on CHROMagar (the chromogenic media pioneer) to identify Malassezia sp. Out of 5 skin samples, only 2 Malassezia sp. isolates were identified based on morphology and their ability to assimilate Tween. The inhibition zones of methanol extract of flowers and leaves of J. sambac and essential oil of flowers showed potential for antifungal activity with inhibition zones of 11.10 ± 1.92, 12.90 ± 1.68, and 13.06 ± 0.26 mm, respectively, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 80 mg/mL to 160 mg/mL and 50%, respectively. In conclusion, J. sambac may be used as an alternative treatment against Malassezia-associated skin infections.
A Novel Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Model Based on the 5/6-Nephrectomy Rat and Nephrotoxicological Evaluation of Iohexol and IodixanolIn Vivo
Authors: Liu Tong-qiang , Luo Wei-li , Tan Xiao , Fang Yi , Chen Jing , Zhang Hui , Yu Xiao-fang , Cai Jie-ru , Ding Xiao-qiang
Published: November 2014

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a serious complication in patients after administration of iodinated contrast media. Proper animal models of CI-AKI can help understand the mechanisms involved and prevent the disorder. We used the 5/6-nephrectomized (NE) rat to develop a CI-AKI model and to evaluate differences in the toxic effects on the kidney between iohexol and iodixanol. We found that six weeks after ablative surgery was the preferred time to induce CI-AKI. We compared multiple pretreatment plans and found that dehydration for 48 hours before iodixanol (320, 10 mL/kg) administration was optimal to induce CI-AKI in the 5/6 NE rats. Compared with iodixanol, iohexol induced a significantly greater reduction in renal function, severe renal tissue damage, intrarenal hypoxia, and apoptotic tubular cells. Iohexol and iodixanol resulted in similarly marked increases in levels of inflammation and oxidative stress. In summary, the 5/6 NE rat combined with dehydration for 48 hours is a useful pretreatment to establish a novel and reliable CI-AKI model. Iohexol induced more severe CI-AKI than iodixanol in this model.
The Approach for Action Recognition Based on the Reconstructed Phase Spaces
Authors: Tu Hong-bin , Xia Li-min
Published: November 2014

This paper presents a novel method of human action recognition, which is based on the reconstructed phase space. Firstly, the human body is divided into 15 key points, whose trajectory represents the human body behavior, and the modified particle filter is used to track these key points for self-occlusion. Secondly, we reconstruct the phase spaces for extracting more useful information from human action trajectories. Finally, we apply the semisupervised probability model and Bayes classified method for classification. Experiments are performed on the Weizmann, KTH, UCF sports, and our action dataset to test and evaluate the proposed method. The compare experiment results showed that the proposed method can achieve was more effective than compare methods.
Antibacterial Coating for Elimination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli
Authors: Ali Zainal Abidin , Ismail W. Ahliah , Le Cheng-Foh , Jindal Hassan Mahmood , Yahya Rosiyah , Devi Sekaran Shamala , Puteh R.
Published: November 2014

A polymer antibacterial surface has been successfully developed. The coating system used silane as binder and Ag particles as antibacterial agent. The silver was synthesized using precipitation method. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) tests, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were carried out to evaluate the silver particles. Antibacterial properties of the coating system were tested against gram‐negative bacteria, namely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Different amounts of Ag were used in the coating to optimize its usage. The Japanese International Standard, JISZ2801, was used for bacteria test and the surface developed complies with the standard being antibacterial.
On the Deformation Retract of Kerr Spacetime and Its Folding
Authors: Rafat H.
Published: November 2014

The deformation retract of the Kerr spacetime is introduced using Lagrangian equations. The equatorial geodesics of the Kerr space have been discussed. The retraction of this space into itself and into geodesics has been presented. The deformation retract of this space into itself and after the isometric folding has been discussed. Theorems concerning these relations have been deduced.
ZnO Thin‐Film Transistor Grown by rf Sputtering Using Carbon Dioxide and Substrate Bias Modulation
Authors: Kim Junghwan , Meng Jun , Lee Donghoon , Yu Meng , Yoo Dukyean , Kang Doo Won , Jo Jungyol
Published: November 2014

ZnO thin‐film transistor (TFT) grown by rf magnetron sputtering in Ar/O2 atmosphere shows inferior turn‐off characteristics compared to ZnO TFT grown by other methods. We thought that reactions between Zn and O2 might produce defects responsible for the poor turn‐off behavior. In order to solve this problem, we studied sputtering growth in Ar/CO2 atmosphere at 450°C. During sputtering growth, we modulated substrate dc bias to control ion supply to the substrate. After growth ZnO was annealed in CO2 and O2 gas. With these methods, our bottom‐gate ZnO thin‐film transistor showed 4.7 cm2/Vsec mobility, 4 × 106 on/off ratio, and –2 V threshold voltage.
Are There Clinical Differences in Limited Systemic Sclerosis according to Extension of Skin Involvement?
Authors: Scolnik Marina , Catoggio Luis J. , Lancioni Eliana , Sabelli Mirtha R. , Saucedo Carla M. , Marin Josefina , Soriano Enrique R.
Published: November 2014

Objectives. To examine the characteristics of our patients with limited systemic sclerosis (lSSc) for differences between Barnett Type 1 (sclerodactyly only) and Type 2 or intermediate (acrosclerosis-distal but may reach up to elbows and/or knees plus face) subsets.Methods. Records of patients between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2011, with SSc or those with anti-Scl-70, anticentromere, or antinucleolar antibodies were reviewed. Only cases fulfilling ACR 1980 criteria were included and classified as diffuse or limited according to LeRoy’s criteria. Limited SSc was separated into sclerodactyly and acrosclerosis (Barnett’s Types 1 and 2).Results. 234 SSc patients (216 females) fulfilled criteria. Female/male ratio was 12 : 1; 24% had dSSc and 76% lSSC (64% Type 1 and 12% Type 2). Total follow-up was 688 patient-years. Within lSSC, the Type 2 group had significantly shorter duration of Raynaud’s and more anti-Scl-70 and less anticentromere antibodies. In particular, interstitial lung disease (ILD) was significantly more prevalent in Type 2 group and similar to Type 3.Conclusions. These results appear to confirm that extension of skin involvement within limited SSc may identify two different subsets with clinical and serologic characteristics.
Osteoporosis in Healthy South Indian Males and the Influence of Life Style Factors and Vitamin D Status on Bone Mineral Density
Authors: Shetty Sahana , Kapoor Nitin , Naik Dukhabandhu , Asha Hesarghatta Shyamasunder , Prabu Suresh , Thomas Nihal , Seshadri Mandalam Subramaniam , Paul Thomas Vizhalil
Published: November 2014

Objective. To study the prevalence of osteoporosis and vitamin D deficiency in healthy men and to explore the influence of various life style factors on bone mineral density (BMD) and also to look at number of subjects warranting treatment.Methods. Ambulatory south Indian men aged above 50 were recruited by cluster random sampling. The physical activity, risk factors in the FRAX tool, BMD, vitamin D, and PTH were assessed. The number of people needing treatment was calculated, which included subjects with osteoporosis and osteopenia with 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fracture >20 percent and hip fracture >3 percent in FRAX India.Results. A total of 252 men with a mean age of 58 years were studied. The prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia at any one site was 20% (50/252) and 58%, respectively. Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/dL) was seen in 53%. On multiple logistic regression, BMI (OR 0.3;Pvalue = 0.04) and physical activity (OR 0.4;Pvalue < 0.001) had protective effect on BMD. Twenty-five percent warranted treatment.Conclusions. A significantly large proportion of south Indian men had osteoporosis and vitamin D deficiency. Further interventional studies are needed to look at reduction in end points like fractures in these subjects.
The Impacts of Swimming Exercise on Hippocampal Expression of Neurotrophic Factors in Rats Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress
Authors: Jiang Pei , Dang Rui-Li , Li Huan-De , Zhang Li-Hong , Zhu Wen-Ye , Xue Ying , Tang Mi-Mi
Published: November 2014

Depression is associated with stress‐induced neural atrophy in limbic brain regions, whereas exercise has antidepressant effects as well as increasing hippocampal synaptic plasticity by strengthening neurogenesis, metabolism, and vascular function. A key mechanism mediating these broad benefits of exercise on the brain is induction of neurotrophic factors, which instruct downstream structural and functional changes. To systematically evaluate the potential neurotrophic factors that were involved in the antidepressive effects of exercise, in this study, we assessed the effects of swimming exercise on hippocampal mRNA expression of several classes of the growth factors (BDNF, GDNF, NGF, NT‐3, FGF2, VEGF, and IGF‐1) and peptides (VGF and NPY) in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Our study demonstrated that the swimming training paradigm significantly induced the expression of BDNF and BDNF‐regulated peptides (VGF and NPY) and restored their stress‐induced downregulation. Additionally, the exercise protocol also increased the antiapoptotic Bcl‐xl expression and normalized the CUMS mediated induction of proapoptotic Bax mRNA level. Overall, our data suggest that swimming exercise has antidepressant effects, increasing the resistance to the neural damage caused by CUMS, and both BDNF and its downstream neurotrophic peptides may exert a major function in the exercise related adaptive processes to CUMS.
Computational Studies of Beta Amyloid (Aβ42) with p75NTR Receptor: A Novel Therapeutic Target in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Devarajan Shine , Sharmila Jeya Sundara
Published: November 2014

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of beta amyloid plaques (Aβ) which can induce neurite degeneration and progressive dementia. It has been identified that neuronal apoptosis is induced by binding of Aβ42 to pan neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and gave the possibility that beta amyloid oligomer is a ligand for p75NTR. However, the atomic contact point responsible for molecular interactions and conformational changes of the protein upon binding was not studied in detail. In view of this, we conducted a molecular docking and simulation study to investigate the binding behaviour of Aβ42 monomer with p75NTR ectodomain. Furthermore, we proposed a p75NTR-ectodomain-Aβ42 complex model. Our data revealed that, Aβ42 specifically recognizes CRD1 and CRD2 domains of the receptor and formed a “cap” like structure at the N-terminal of receptor which is stabilized by a network of hydrogen bonds. These findings are supported by molecular dynamics simulation that Aβ42 showed distinct structural alterations at N- and C-terminal regions due to the influence of the receptor binding site. Overall, the present study gives more structural insight on the molecular interactions of beta amyloid protein involved in the activation of p75NTR receptor.
Spread and Control of Mobile Benign Worm Based on Two-Stage Repairing Mechanism
Authors: Wang Meng , Chen Zhide , Xu Li , Zhan Huan
Published: November 2014

Both in traditional social network and in mobile network environment, the worm is a serious threat, and this threat is growing all the time. Mobile smartphones generally promote the development of mobile network. The traditional antivirus technologies have become powerless when facing mobile networks. The development of benign worms, especially active benign worms and passive benign worms, has become a new network security measure. In this paper, we focused on the spread of worm in mobile environment and proposed the benign worm control and repair mechanism. The control process of mobile benign worms is divided into two stages: the first stage is rapid repair control, which uses active benign worm to deal with malicious worm in the mobile network; when the network is relatively stable, it enters the second stage of postrepair and uses passive mode to optimize the environment for the purpose of controlling the mobile network. Considering whether the existence of benign worm, we simplified the model and analyzed the four situations. Finally, we use simulation to verify the model. This control mechanism for benign worm propagation is of guiding significance to control the network security.
Crotonis Fructus and Its Constituent, Croton Oil, Stimulate Lipolysis in OP9 Adipocytes
Authors: Kim Mi-Seong , Kim Ha-Rim , So Hong-Seob , Lee Young-Rae , Moon Hyoung-Chul , Ryu Do-Gon , Yang Sei-Hoon , Lee Guem-San , Song Je-Ho , Kwon Kang-Beom
Published: November 2014

Introduction. Crotonis fructus (CF) is the mature fruit of Croton tiglium L. and has been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disturbance in Asia. It is well known that the main component of CF is croton oil (CO). The present study is to investigate the effects of CF extracts (CFE) and CO on lipolysis in OP9 adipocytes. Methods. Glycerol release to the culture supernatants was used as a marker of adipocyte lipolysis. Results. Treatment with various concentrations of CFE and CO stimulates glycerol release in a dose‐dependent manner. The increase in glycerol release by CFE is more potent than isoproterenol, which is a β‐adrenergic agonist as a positive control in our system. The increased lipolysis by CFE and CO was accompanied by an increase of phosphorylated hormone sensitive lipase (pHSL) but not nonphosphorylated HSL protein and mRNA. Pretreatment with H89, which is a protein kinase A inhibitor, significantly abolished the CFE‐ and CO‐induced glycerol release in OP9 adipocytes. These results suggest that CFE and CO may be a candidate for the development of a lipolysis‐stimulating agent in adipocytes.
Synthesis and Mechanism of Tetracalcium Phosphate from Nanocrystalline Precursor
Authors: Liao Jianguo , Duan Xingze , Li Yanqun , Zheng Caifeng , Yang Zhengpeng , Zhou Aiguo , Zou Dinghua
Published: November 2014

Tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP, Ca4(PO4)2O) was prepared by the calcination of coprecipitated mixture of nanoscale hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) and calcium carbonate crystal (CaCO3), followed by cooling in the air or furnace. The effect of calcination temperature on crystal structure and phase composition of the coprecipitation mixture was characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), thermal analysis‐thermogravimetry (DTA‐TG), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and Raman spectroscopy (RS). The obtained results indicated that the synthesized mixture consisted of nanoscale HA and CaCO3 with uniform distribution throughout the composite. TTCP was observed in the air quenching samples when the calcination temperature was above 1185°C. With the increase of the calcination temperature, the amount of the intermediate products in the air quenching samples decreased and cannot be detected when calcination temperature reached 1450°C. Unexpectedly, the mixture of HA and calcium oxide was observed in the furnace cooling samples. Clearly, the calcination temperature and cooling methods are critical for the synthesis of high‐purity TTCP. The results indicate that the nanosize of precursors can decrease the calcination temperature, and TTCP can be calcinated by low temperature.
Platelet Rich Concentrate Promotes Early Cellular Proliferation and Multiple Lineage Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stromal CellsIn Vitro
Authors: Shani Samuel , Ahmad Raja Elina , Vasudevaraj Naveen Sangeetha , Murali Malliga Raman , Puvanan Karunanithi , Abbas Azlina Amir , Kamarul Tunku
Published: November 2014

Platelet rich concentrate (PRC) is a natural adjuvant that aids in human mesenchymal stromal cell (hMSC) proliferationin vitro; however, its role requires further exploration. This study was conducted to determine the optimal concentration of PRC required for achieving the maximal proliferation, and the need for activating the platelets to achieve this effect, and if PRC could independently induce early differentiation of hMSC. The gene expression of markers for osteocytes (ALP, RUNX2), chondrocytes (SOX9, COL2A1), and adipocytes (PPAR-γ) was determined at each time point in hMSC treated with 15% activated and nonactivated PRC since maximal proliferative effect was achieved at this concentration. The isolated PRC had approximately fourfold higher platelet count than whole blood. There was no significant difference in hMSC proliferation between the activated and nonactivated PRC. Only RUNX2 and SOX9 genes were upregulated throughout the 8 days. However, protein expression study showed formation of oil globules from day 4, significant increase in ALP at days 6 and 8(P≤0.05), and increased glycosaminoglycan levels at all time points(P<0.05), suggesting the early differentiation of hMSC into osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. This study demonstrates that the use of PRC increased hMSC proliferation and induced early differentiation of hMSC into multiple mesenchymal lineages, without preactivation or addition of differentiation medium.