bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postoperative Extra-Axial Cerebrospinal Fluid Collection – Its Pathophysiology and Clinical Management
Authors: Eguchi Seiichiro , Aihara Yasuo , Hori Tomokatsu , Okada Yoshikazu
Published: October 2011

Objective: External hydrocephalus, introduced by Dandy and Blackfan in 1914 [Am J Dis Child 1914;8:406–482], is used to describe the clinical condition of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation in the subarachnoid space with its space expansion and increased intracranial pressure in pediatric patients. Benign subdural effusion, subdural hygroma and pseudohydrocephalus are some terms used to describe some conditions, not clearly defined at the moment as separate pathological entities. We report 3 pediatric cases which had CSF collections after craniotomy. Neuroimaging investigations revealed CSF collection after surgery. All 3 cases had a poor clinical course with resolution after shunting. This report analyzes the mechanisms and pathophysiology of postoperative extra-axial CSF collections (PECC), indicating that CSF accumulations in the extra-axial spaces (inside or outside the arachnoid) after surgery have a common pathophysiology. Therefore, the treatment protocol can be specific. Patients: Three pediatric cases, aged from 11 months to 6 years, had large tumors located from their suprasellar region to the hypothalamus and third ventricle. The tumors were excised surgically through either an anterior interhemispheric translamina-terminalis or a transsylvian translamina-terminalis approach or both. The surgery conducted created a wide opening of the anterior interhemispheric or the sylvian fissures, dissecting the lamina terminalis and Liliequist’s membrane resulting in a new artificial CSF tract from the basal cisterns to the subdural space. Clinical symptoms such as deterioration of consciousness level developed within a few weeks after surgery, and a follow-up computed tomography image confirmed subdural CSF collection. Symptoms improved after ventriculoperitoneal (V-P) shunting. Discussion: External hydrocephalus, subdural effusion and the other entities mentioned above are frequently observed in children, and little is known about their pathophysiology. To differentiate from the whole entity of CSF accumulation within the subdural and subarachnoid space, we use the term PECC to specify the main pathophysiological condition resulting from a wide dissection and opening of the arachnoid membrane and communication with the basal cisterns. Conclusion: We present the occurrence of CSF collections in the extra-axial space after surgery as the specific condition of PECC. Broadly dissecting the arachnoid membrane, with a communication remaining with the ventricles, is the main factor contributing to PECC, and patients have shown that V-P shunting is an effective procedure preventing progression and effectively treating PECC.
Transendoscopic Intraoperative Recording of Gelastic Seizures from a Hypothalamic Hamartoma
Authors: Roberts Colin M. , Thompson Eric M. , Selden Nathan R.
Published: October 2011

Object: The differential diagnosis of hypothalamic masses in children includes hamartomas, which are associated with gelastic seizures and endocrine dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to utilize transendoscopic electroencephalography (EEG) recording at the time of tissue biopsy to further assist in diagnosis, determination of prognosis, and treatment planning. Methods: We present the case of an infant with gelastic seizures and a large hypothalamic mass lesion. Despite a clinical and radiographic presentation typical of hypothalamic hamartoma (HH), slight growth on serial imaging raised concern for a diagnosis of intrinsic neoplasm. Biopsy of the lesion was recommended. Results: Transventricular, endoscopic biopsy, was undertaken, with concurrent intraoperative, transendoscopic EEG recording using a standard epilepsy depth recording macroelectrode. Numerous electrographic seizures were recorded. Histopathology revealed a HH. Conclusion: This is the first report of intraoperative macroelectrode recording of electrographic seizures transendoscopically from a HH. This technique may prove useful for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment planning, as well as to guide transendoscopic therapeutic interventions for HH.
Cheyne-Stokes Respiration in Patients with Heart Failure: Prevalence, Causes, Consequences and Treatments
Authors: Brack Thomas , Randerath Winfried , Bloch Konrad E.
Published: October 2011

Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) is characterized by a pattern of cyclic oscillations of tidal volume and respiratory rate with periods of hyperpnea alternating with hypopnea or apnea in patients with heart failure. CSR harms the failing heart through intermittent hypoxia brought about by apnea and hypopnea and recurrent sympathetic surges. CSR impairs the quality of life and increases cardiac mortality in patients with heart failure. Thus, CSR should actively be pursued in patients with severe heart failure. When CSR persists despite optimal therapy of heart failure, noninvasive adaptive servoventilation is currently the most promising treatment.
Significance of mRNA and Protein Expression of MAC30 in Progression of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Zhao Zeng-Ren , Zhang Li-Jing , He Xin-Qi , Zhang Zhi-Yong , Zhang Feng , Li Fang , Pei Yong-Bin , Hu Yue-Ming , Wang Ming-Wei , Sun Xiao-Feng
Published: October 2011

Background: Meningioma-associated protein (MAC30), first described to be overexpressed in meningiomas, exhibits altered expression in certain human tumors. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression of MAC30 mRNA and its correlation with clinicopathological variables in human colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: MAC30 mRNA expression was first examined in 55 CRCs, along with the samples from the matched distant normal and adjacent noncancerous tissue by RT-PCR, further verified in 18 CRCs by quantitative RT-PCR. MAC30 protein expression was detected by Western blot in 10 CRCs, and DNA sequencing was performed in 1 case of the paired CRC and the matched noncancerous specimen. MAC30 mRNA expression in two colon cancer cell lines, HCT-116p53–/– and HCT-116p53+/+, was detected by quantitative RT-PCR. Results: The mRNA expression of MAC30 was increased in CRC when compared with distant normal (p < 0.01) and adjacent noncancerous mucosa (p < 0.01). The mean value of MAC30 mRNA expression in the tumor located in the colon was higher than in the rectum (0.677 ± 0.419 vs. 0.412 ± 0.162, p = 0.005). As the tumor penetrated the wall of the colon/rectum, MAC30 mRNA expression notably increased in tumors with T3+T4 stage compared to tumors with T1+T2 stage (0.571 ± 0.364 vs. 0.404 ± 0.115, p = 0.014). MAC30 protein expression in CRCs was also remarkably elevated compared to the adjacent noncancerous mucosa. There was no mutation in the coding region of the MAC30 gene either in CRC or in the noncancerous mucosa. mRNA expression of p53 was notably decreased in HCT-116p53–/– compared to HCT-116p53+/+, while MAC30 did not vary greatly. Conclusion: The overexpression of MAC30 might be involved in the development and aggressiveness of CRCs, especially in the colon.
Use of Diffusion Tensor MRI to Identify Early Changes in Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Lu Lan , Sedor John R. , Gulani Vikas , Schelling Jeffrey R. , O’Brien Alicia , Flask Chris A. , MacRae Dell Katherine
Published: October 2011

Background/Aims: Currently available clinical indicators of kidney disease lack the sensitivity and/or specificity to identify early-stage diabetic nephropathy (DN). Quantitative diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), specifically diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), has been used to quantify pathophysiologic changes in other organs but has not been well studied in kidney diseases, including DN. The goal of this pilot study was to examine differences in kidney DTI parameters in diabetic subjects versus healthy controls. Methods: 16 diabetic and 5 healthy control subjects were recruited for this institutional review board-approved/Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant study. Kidneys were scanned using DTI to generate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) data. Mean cortical and medullary ADC and FA values were calculated by selecting multiple regions of interest. Diabetics were stratified by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) into 2 groups: eGFR ≧60 (n = 10) and eGFR <60 (n = 6) ml/min/1.73 m2. Mean diffusion parameters and eGFRs were compared between these groups of diabetic subjects and healthy controls. Results: Medullary FA, ADC and cortical ADC values were significantly lower in diabetics with eGFR <60 compared to controls. Notably, both mean medullary FA and ADC were significantly lower in diabetics with eGFR ≧60 compared to controls (p = 0.001 and p = 0.042, respectively). For the study subjects in aggregate, medullary FA correlated significantly with eGFR (R = 0.69, p < 0.01); the other diffusion parameters showed no significant correlations. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that changes in medullary DTI assessments may serve as indicators of early DN. Further studies are needed to determine if these findings could serve as biomarkers to identify diabetics at risk of DN progression.
Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology
Editors' Picks
Authors:   The Editors
Published: October 2011

The following articles are being highlighted as part of the
Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology
Topic Review series. This series will summarize the most important manuscripts, as selected by the editors, published in
Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology
and the rest of the
Circulation
portfolio. The studies included in this article represent the most-read articles published on the topic of atrial fibrillation in 2009 and 2010.
Global Governance from the Amazon: Leaving Oil Underground in Yasuní National Park, Ecuador
Authors: Martin Pamela L.
Published: October 2011

This article explores the saga of the campaign to save the Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini (ITT) block of the Yasuní National Park in Ecuador's Western Amazon, a story of the complex transnational networks and global governance mechanisms that have emerged to create post-Kyoto solutions for the planet. Ecuador's Yasuní-ITT Initiative to keep nearly 900 million barrels of oil underground in exchange for global contributions for avoided emissions presents an alternative norm for global environmental governance in line with the indigenous concept of buen vivir, or the good life. This means living in harmony with nature, and is embodied in the Ecuadorian Constitution of 2008. These changes, however, are not without pressures and inconsistencies at the domestic and international levels. Ultimately, the Yasuní-ITT Initiative and subsequent UNDP Yasuní Trust Fund offer replicable models for other fossil fuel dependent and megadiverse countries in the developing world.
Should We Replace Disabled Newborn Infants?
Authors: Wilkinson Dominic
Published: October 2011

If a disabled newborn infant dies, her parents may be able to conceive another child without impairment. This is sometimes referred to as 'replacement'. Some philosophers have argued that replacement provides a strong reason for disabled newborns to be killed or allowed to die. In this paper I focus on the case for replacement as it relates to decisions about life support in newborn intensive care. I argue (following Jeff McMahan) that the impersonal reason to replace is weak and easily outweighed. I assess and reject several possible ways in which the impersonal reason to replace could be defended. I then address an alternative justification for replacement – as an individual-affecting benefit. The strongest justification for replacement may be the interests of parents. In the latter part of the paper I look at a related question. What role should replacement play in decisions about the funding of newborn intensive care?
Internal Market Preventive Controls of National Technical Standards and eir Impact on Environmental Measures
Authors: de Sadeleer Nicolas
Published: October 2011

With a view to overcoming the shortcomings of “negative harmonisation”, the EU lawmaker has been adopting different directives requiring the Member States to notify to the Commission their draft regulations setting technical standards before their enactment. The aim of this article is to shed the light on two internal market preventive procedures: Directive 98/34 on the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulation and Regulation 764/2008/EC relating to the application of certain national technical rules to products lawfully marketed in another Member State. In particular, the paper assesses the manner in which the directive and the regulation are likely to impinge on the enactment of national environmental measures.
A Turkish Model for the Arab Spring?
Authors: Bâli Aslı Ü.
Published: October 2011

The revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests across the Arab world – known collectively as the Arab Spring – have ushered in a period of unprecedented change to the region. To what extent are non-Arab regional players relevant to this process? This essay considers two dimensions of the potential significance of Turkey to the events underway in the Arab world. Turkey has at times been invoked as a regionally appropriate example on which to model Arab democratization in a post-authoritarian context. This essay critically examines such claims, pointing out both the democratic deficits of the Turkish model and the intrinsic challenges of applying external models to indigenous democratization efforts. On the other hand, there is a second sense in which Turkey may have a role in the Arab Spring – namely, as an actor in its own right. With respect to this second dimension, this essay considers evolving Turkish policy towards the Arab world and examines the potential for Turkey to play a constructive role as a pro-democratic force in the region.
Definitions of schizophrenia, 1908–1987: The failed essentialism
Authors: McNally Kieran
Published: October 2011

This work examines the historical conceptualization of schizophrenia through definition from 1908–1987. Rather than reveal an essentialist definition of schizophrenia in North America, it reveals a history of varying and competing professional definitions. It demonstrates and historically contextualizes how widespread conceptual instability and disagreement over the nature of the concept gave rise to a new, but still contested, theoretical emphasis on operational definitions. As made manifest through definition, schizophrenia has not been a stable transhistorical object. Rather, the characteristic feature in schizophrenia definition appears to be instability and variance rather than stability or long historical periods of agreement. This analysis nevertheless cautions against overstating the importance of fluctuating definition in assessing the ontological status of contemporary interpretations of schizophrenia.
Xenotransplantation: Consent, Public Health and Charter Issues
Authors: Caulfield T.A. , Robertson G.B.
Published: October 2011

There is a growing body of literature and commentary analyzing the ethical and public policy concerns associated with xenotransplantation. While this technology holds great promise to provide an almost limitless supply of organs for transplantation, there remains grave concern about possible public health ramifications. As a result, it has been recommended that patients who undergo xenotransplantations will need to agree, inter alia, to a lifetime of close health monitoring, participation in an international database and autopsy upon death. It has been suggested that this agreement would transform the nature of informed consent into a “binding contract.” Though such draconian measures are understandable given the magnitude of the risks involved, would existing common law and legislation allow their implementation?

This paper analyzes relevant Canadian consent and public health law in the context of the xenotransplantation. Canada is a country with a particularly rich body of informed consent jurisprudence—jurisprudence firmly rooted (rightly or not) in the ethical principle of autonomy. In this climate, many of the suggested monitoring strategies would find little support from Canadian law. Before xenotransplantations proceed, policy makers must be sensitive to the legal barriers which exist to the implementation effective public health measures. Effective surveillance programs will require novel approaches to consent and the enactment of specific public health laws.
Strict Liability for Medical Products: Prospects for Success
Authors: Williamson Shanti
Published: October 2011

The premise of product liability reform has been that strict, rather than fault based liability, is the most equitable means of compensating personal injuries. The movement for reform was instigated, in part, by the tragedy of Thalidomide. The difficulties faced by claimants seeking compensation in negligence were substantial, especially in respect of claims involving medical products. The introduction of a regime of strict liability by Directive 85/374/EEC, and its implementation in the United Kingdom by Part I of the Consumer Protection Act 1987, were intended to ameliorate some of these difficulties. The extent to which the regime accomplishes this has been a matter of speculation. Recent case law, however, provides much needed judicial interpretation of key aspects of the regime. The case of A and others v National Blood Authority and another makes a significant contribution to case law, and is, notably, the first case to succeed against the producer of a medical product. There is now reason to believe that the strict liability regime affords claimants, especially in cases involving medical products, advantages compared to negligence. However, some aspects remain unclear, and some difficulties, particularly affecting medical products, persist. It may be that further reform is necessary, to achieve greater certainty and to enhance the prospects for successful claims in this area.
Managing Access to Biobanks: How Can We Reconcile Individual Privacy and Public Interests in Genetic Research?
Authors: Laurie Graeme , Mallia Pierre , Frenkel David A. , Krajewska Atina , Moniz Helena , Nordal Salvor , Pitz Claudia , Sandor Judit
Published: October 2011

This article is concerned with the ultimate objectives of genetic biobanks set up to promote the public interest—being the sharing of samples and data for medical research—and the consequences for personal privacy of realising them. Our aim is to chart the values, interests and principles in play, to consider the challenges of realizing biobanking objectives on a global scale, and to propose viable ways forward that ensure, as far as possible, that access provisions remain fit for purpose throughout the entire life of a biobank, while adequately protecting the privacy interests at stake. It is argued that key features in any robust access model must include mechanisms to (a) maintain participant trust in management of the resource and to measure and respond to participants’ expectations, (b) facilitate and promote the sharing of benefits, and (c) respond timeously and effectively to new challenges.
Who is Calling the Piper? Is There a Tune? The New Regulatory Systems for Medical Devices in the United Kingdom and Canada
Authors: Longley Diane
Published: October 2011

Substantial change to the regulation of medical devices in both the UK and Canada, and the development of a mutual recognition agreement which affects the two jurisdictions, raises concerns about the possibility of balancing the need for flexibility regarding the industry and trade on the one hand, and the public interest in health and safety on the other.
Race in Popular and Courtroom Discourse of Violence
Authors: Kalunta-Crumpton Anita
Published: October 2011

In this paper the aim is to demonstrate how racial symbols popularised in society intersect with criminal justice discursive construction of a court case. Through the theme of violence, the paper illustrates the intersection by illuminating the racial dichotomy that underpins popular and criminal justice characterisation of ‘acts of violence’ by black and white males.
Legal Liability for Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: India
Authors: Taneja Ramni
Published: October 2011

This article discusses the development of sexual harassment law in a State where most men are steeped in male-supremacist values but remain unaware of their biases. This development has been almost entirely through case law based on the Indian Constitution interpreted in the light of India's international human rights obligations. However, the Indian Penal Code has also been significant in this development, on the one hand expanding the application of sexual harassment laws beyond the workplace to all public places, while on the other hand acting as a brake on the level of damages that might be awarded. While India now has the beginning of a legal mechanism which can redress sexual harassment, there still needs to be a radical transformation in the way women are treated before equality and dignity for all can be translated into a meaningful reality.
Constitutionalising Equality in the European Union: Tolerance and Hierarchies
Authors: Morris Anne
Published: October 2011

Equality was amongst the founding principles of the European Economic Community, based on the need for freedom of movement and fair competition rather than on adherence to ideals of social justice. The recent legislative developments which have introduced laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, disability and religious belief represent not only the inclusion of many more groups within the legislative matrix, but also a challenge to the traditional ideas of what is meant by equality and to institutional ways of addressing discrimination. This article will consider how the very ‘private’ characteristics of belief and sexual orientation may invite considerations of freedoms and rights within a rights based discourse, albeit within the workplace. It will also draw attention to the impending problems of multiple discrimination.
Constitutionalising Equality in the European Union: A Children's Rights Perspective
Authors: Stalford Helen
Published: October 2011

The concept of equality has been central to the development of the European Union social agenda to such an extent that it is now universally acknowledged as a constitutionally-embedded norm. This paper discusses how equality has driven important legislative, judicial and institutional change in the EU, particularly for women, and how the success of the gender campaign has inspired important changes in respect of other marginalised groups. The paper focuses, in particular, on how the concept of equality offers an appropriate, meaningful and effective basis on which to enhance the status of children in the EU.

Following a formal analysis of how children fit within the equality/nondiscrimination paradigm at EU constitutional level, the paper moves on to discuss more critically how these provisions are transposed into tangible entitlement for this category of citizens. It explores mainstreaming as a potential mechanism for achieving substantive equality for children, again alluding to the successes of the gender campaign in this respect. The paper concludes by speculating on how a mainstreaming strategy might be adapted and applied in favour of children and discusses the advancements that have already been made in this regard.
Domesticating Disability Discrimination
Authors: Thornton Margaret
Published: October 2011

This paper presents a brief overview of disability discrimination legislation in Australia over the last two decades. The documentation of the Australian experience may he of interest to jurisdictions contemplating such legislation. Although a raised social consciousness concerning disability has engendered remedial and prophylactic developments a simple progressivist thesis has to he rejected because antidiscrimination legislation is also sensitive to less positive social moods. Despite the appearance of sophisticated models of legislation during the last decade, die conservative political mood of the 1990s has seen a growing ambivalence about the extent of support for progressive social measures, mirroring trends in other pails of the world. The ambivalence subtly ensures that a line of demarcation between the norm and the ‘other’ remains.
A Queer Kind of Law: The Senate Inquires into Sexuality
Authors: Morgan Wayne
Published: October 2011

This article examines sexuality anti-discrimination law in Australia. In particular, it focuses on a recent law reform proposal, the Sexuality Discrimination Bill 1995 (Cth.) and a parliamentary inquiry into that Bill. It analyses the Bill as reinscribing heteronormativity, and analyses the inquiry process as producing extremely oppositional visions of sexual identity. It also analyses the submissions to the inquiry, in order to illustrate what lesbians and gay men thought should be included in the Bill. Finally, it addresses the relationship between queer theory and legal activism.
Screening and identification of seed-specific genes using digital differential display tools combined with microarray data from common wheat
Authors: Yang Xinglu , Xu Hongliang , Li Wenhui , Li Le , Sun Jinyue , Li Yaxuan , Yan Yueming , Hu Yingkao
Published: October 2011

Background

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops for human beings, with seeds being the tissue of highly economic value. Various morphogenetic and metabolic processes are exclusively associated with seed maturation. The goal of this study was to screen and identify genes specifically expressed in the developing seed of wheat with an integrative utilization of digital differential display (DDD) and available online microarray databases.

Results

A total of 201 unigenes were identified as the results of DDD screening and microarray database searching. The expressions of 6 of these were shown to be seed-specific by qRT-PCR analysis. Further GO enrichment analysis indicated that seed-specific genes were mainly associated with defense response, response to stress, multi-organism process, pathogenesis, extracellular region, nutrient reservoir activity, enzyme inhibitor activity, antioxidant activity and oxidoreductase activity. A comparison of this set of genes with the rice (Oryza sativa) genome was also performed and approximately three-fifths of them have rice counterparts. Between the counterparts, around 63% showed similar expression patterns according to the microarray data.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the DDD screening combined with microarray data analysis is an effective strategy for the identification of seed-specific expressed genes in wheat. These seed-specific genes screened during this study will provide valuable information for further studies about the functions of these genes in wheat.
Rapid large-scale preparation of ZnO nanowires for photocatalytic application
Authors: Ma Chunyu , Zhou Zhihua , Wei Hao , Yang Zhi , Wang Zhiming , Zhang Yafei
Published: October 2011

ZnO nanowires are a promising nanomaterial for applications in the fields of photocatalysis, nano-optoelectronics, and reinforced composite materials. However, the challenge of producing large-scale ZnO nanowires has stunted the development and practical utilization of ZnO nanowires. In this study, a modified carbothermal reduction method for preparing large-scale ZnO nanowires in less than 5 min is reported. The preparation was performed in a quartz tube furnace at atmospheric pressure without using any catalysts. A mixed gas of air and N2 with a volume ratio of 45:1 was used as the reactive and carrier gas. About 0.8 g ZnO nanowires was obtained using 1 g ZnO and 1 g graphite powder as source materials. The obtained nanowires exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure with an average diameter of about 33 nm. Good photocatalytic activity of the nanowires toward the photodegradation of methylene blue dye under UV irradiation was also demonstrated.
Strong convergence theorem for amenable semigroups of nonexpansive mappings and variational inequalities
Authors: Piri Hossein , Badali Ali Haji
Published: October 2011

In this paper, using strongly monotone and lipschitzian operator, we introduce a general iterative process for finding a common fixed point of a semigroup of nonexpansive mappings, with respect to strongly left regular sequence of means defined on an appropriate space of bounded real-valued functions of the semigroups and the set of solutions of variational inequality for β-inverse strongly monotone mapping in a real Hilbert space. Under suitable conditions, we prove the strong convergence theorem for approximating a common element of the above two sets.

Mathematics Subject Classification 2000: 47H09, 47H10, 43A07, 47J25
Spice up the hypertension diet - curcumin and piperine prevent remodeling of aorta in experimental L-NAME induced hypertension
Authors: Hlavačková Livia , Janegová Andrea , Uličná Olga , Janega Pavol , Černá Andrea , Babál Pavel
Published: October 2011

Background

Increase of blood pressure is accompanied by functional and morphological changes in the vascular wall. The presented study explored the effects of curcuma and black pepper compounds on increased blood pressure and remodeling of aorta in the rat model of experimental NO-deficient hypertension.

Methods

Wistar rats were administered for 6 weeks clear water or L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day) dissolved in water, piperine (20 mg/kg/day), curcumin (100 mg/kg/day) or their combination in corn oil by oral gavage. The systolic blood pressure was measured weekly. Histological slices of thoracic aorta were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Mallory's phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin (PTAH), orcein, picrosirius red and van Gieson staining and with antibodies against smooth muscle cells actin. Microscopic pictures were digitally processed and morphometrically evaluated.

Results

The increase of blood pressure caused by L-NAME was partially prevented by piperine and curcumin, but the effect of their combination was less significant. Animals with hypertension had increased wall thickness and cross-sectional area of the aorta, accompanied by relative increase of PTAH positive myofibrils and decrease of elastin, collagen and actin content. Piperine was able to decrease the content of myofibrils and slightly increase actin, while curcumin also prevented elastin decrease. The combination of spices had similar effects on aortic morphology as curcumin itself.

Conclusions

Administration of piperine or curcumin, less their combination, is able to partially prevent the increase of blood pressure caused by chronic L-NAME administration. The spices modify the remodeling of the wall of the aorta induced by hypertension. Our results show that independent administration of curcumin is more effective in preventing negative changes in blood vessel morphology accompanying hypertensive disease.
Targeted high throughput sequencing in clinical cancer Settings: formaldehyde fixed-paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor tissues, input amount and tumor heterogeneity
Authors: Kerick Martin , Isau Melanie , Timmermann Bernd , Sültmann Holger , Herwig Ralf , Krobitsch Sylvia , Schaefer Georg , Verdorfer Irmgard , Bartsch Georg , Klocker Helmut , Lehrach Hans , Schweiger Michal R
Published: October 2011

Background

Massively parallel sequencing technologies have brought an enormous increase in sequencing throughput. However, these technologies need to be further improved with regard to reproducibility and applicability to clinical samples and settings.

Methods

Using identification of genetic variations in prostate cancer as an example we address three crucial challenges in the field of targeted re-sequencing: Small nucleotide variation (SNV) detection in samples of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue material, minimal amount of input sample and sampling in view of tissue heterogeneity.

Results

We show that FFPE tissue material can supplement for fresh frozen tissues for the detection of SNVs and that solution-based enrichment experiments can be accomplished with small amounts of DNA with only minimal effects on enrichment uniformity and data variance.

Finally, we address the question whether the heterogeneity of a tumor is reflected by different genetic alterations, e.g. different foci of a tumor display different genomic patterns. We show that the tumor heterogeneity plays an important role for the detection of copy number variations.

Conclusions

The application of high throughput sequencing technologies in cancer genomics opens up a new dimension for the identification of disease mechanisms. In particular the ability to use small amounts of FFPE samples available from surgical tumor resections and histopathological examinations facilitates the collection of precious tissue materials. However, care needs to be taken in regard to the locations of the biopsies, which can have an influence on the prediction of copy number variations. Bearing these technological challenges in mind will significantly improve many large-scale sequencing studies and will - in the long term - result in a more reliable prediction of individual cancer therapies.
Comparative genomics of the pathogenic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, its free-living relatives and a host species provide insights into adoption of a parasitic lifestyle and prospects for disease control
Authors: Coyne Robert S , Hannick Linda , Shanmugam Dhanasekaran , Hostetler Jessica B , Brami Daniel , Joardar Vinita S , Johnson Justin , Radune Diana , Singh Irtisha , Badger Jonathan H , Kumar Ujjwal , Saier Milton , Wang Yufeng , Cai Hong , Gu Jianying , Mather Michael W , Vaidya Akhil B , Wilkes David E , Rajagopalan Vidyalakshmi , Asai David J , Pearson Chad G , Findly Robert C , Dickerson Harry W , Wu Martin , Martens Cindy , Van de Peer Yves , Roos David S , Cassidy-Hanley Donna M , Clark Theodore G
Published: October 2011

Background

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, commonly known as Ich, is a highly pathogenic ciliate responsible for 'white spot', a disease causing significant economic losses to the global aquaculture industry. Options for disease control are extremely limited, and Ich's obligate parasitic lifestyle makes experimental studies challenging. Unlike most well-studied protozoan parasites, Ich belongs to a phylum composed primarily of free-living members. Indeed, it is closely related to the model organism Tetrahymena thermophila. Genomic studies represent a promising strategy to reduce the impact of this disease and to understand the evolutionary transition to parasitism.

Results

We report the sequencing, assembly and annotation of the Ich macronuclear genome. Compared with its free-living relative T. thermophila, the Ich genome is reduced approximately two-fold in length and gene density and three-fold in gene content. We analyzed in detail several gene classes with diverse functions in behavior, cellular function and host immunogenicity, including protein kinases, membrane transporters, proteases, surface antigens and cytoskeletal components and regulators. We also mapped by orthology Ich's metabolic pathways in comparison with other ciliates and a potential host organism, the zebrafish Danio rerio.

Conclusions

Knowledge of the complete protein-coding and metabolic potential of Ich opens avenues for rational testing of therapeutic drugs that target functions essential to this parasite but not to its fish hosts. Also, a catalog of surface protein-encoding genes will facilitate development of more effective vaccines. The potential to use T. thermophila as a surrogate model offers promise toward controlling 'white spot' disease and understanding the adaptation to a parasitic lifestyle.
Pseudorandom sweeps for simultaneous sourcing and low-frequency generation
Authors: Sallas John , Gibson John , Maxwell Peter , Lin Forest
Published: October 2011

Over the past decade, there has been rather vigorous activity in developing simultaneous sourcing and slip-sweep techniques for vibroseis acquisition. Such methods include HFVS and C-HFVS (Krohn et al., 2010), ISS (Howe et al., 2008), DSSS (Bouska, 2010), and HPVA and V1 (Meunier and Bianchi, 2002). These methods provide improved vibrator productivity and create a means of cost-effectively improving source density and thus spatial sampling. Egan et al. (2010) have discussed the link between spatial sampling and resolution (spatial and temporal).
Strategies for land-based controlled-source electromagnetic surveying in high-noise regions
Authors: Streich Rita , Becken Michael , Matzander Ulrich , Ritter Oliver
Published: October 2011

Marine controlled-source electromagnetics (CSEM) has become an established exploration tool in the hydrocarbon industry over the last decade; however, this is not the case for land-based CSEM. A possible reason is the perception that electromagnetic field energy traveling through air masks target responses much more than for marine surveys in which the “airwave” energy is attenuated by the conductive water. Various strategies for mitigating air-wave effects have been proposed recently (Løseth et al., 2010; Chen and Alumbaugh, 2011). In this contribution, we focus on other problems limiting the use of land-based CSEM. These include logistical and technical challenges related to high-power current transmission, and the high levels of cultural electromagnetic noise typical of target areas located in populated regions.
GEOPHYSICS BRIGHT SPOTS
Authors: Sun Yonghe
Published: October 2011

This is my first column as the new Associate Editor for GEOPHYSICS Bright Spots. The current issue of GEOPHYSICS features many excellent articles. Due to space limitations, only a few are mentioned in the following paragraphs. I rely heavily on the authors' pictures to whet your appetite for their stories.
Threshold strategies for risk processes and their relation to queueing theory
Authors: Boxma Onno J. , Löpker Andreas , Perry David
Published: October 2011

We consider a risk model with threshold strategy, where the insurance company pays off a certain percentage of the income as dividend whenever the current surplus is larger than a given threshold. We investigate the ruin time, ruin probability, and the total dividend, using methods and results from queueing theory.
On the excursions of reflected local-time processes and stochastic fluid queues
Authors: Konstantopoulos Takis , Kyprianou Andreas E. , Salminen Paavo
Published: October 2011

In this paper we extend our previous work. We consider the local-time processLof a strong Markov processX, add negative drift toL, and reflect it à la Skorokhod to obtain a processQ. The reflection ofX, together withQ, is, in some sense, a macroscopic model for a service system with two priorities. We derive an expression for the joint law of the duration of an excursion, the maximum value of the process on it, and the time between successive excursions. We work with a properly constructed stationary version of the process. Examples are also given in the paper.
Loss rate for a general Lévy process with downward periodic barrier
Authors: Palmowski Zbigniew , Świa̧tek Przemysław
Published: October 2011

In this paper we consider a general Lévy process X reflected at a downward periodic barrier At and a constant upper barrier K, giving a process VKt=Xt +LAt−LKt. We find the expression for a loss rate defined by lK=ELK1 and identify its asymptotics as K→∞ when X has light-tailed jumps and EX1<0.
Characterization of tails through hazard rate and convolution closure properties
Authors: Bardoutsos Anastasios G. , Konstantinides Dimitrios G.
Published: October 2011

We use the properties of the Matuszewska indices to show asymptotic inequalities for hazard rates. We discuss the relation between membership in the classes of dominatedly or extended rapidly varying tail distributions and corresponding hazard rate conditions. Convolution closure is established for the class of distributions with extended rapidly varying tails.
Exact simulation of the stationary distribution of the FIFO M/G/c queue
Authors: Sigman Karl
Published: October 2011

We present an exact simulation algorithm for the stationary distribution of the customer delay D for first-in–first-out (FIFO) M/G/c queues in which ρ=λ/μ<1. We assume that the service time distribution G(x)=P(S≤x),x≥0 (with mean 0<E(S)=1/μ<∞), and its corresponding equilibrium distribution Ge(x)=μ∫0x P(S>y)dy are such that samples of them can be simulated. We further assume that G has a finite second moment. Our method involves the general method of dominated coupling from the past (DCFTP) and we use the single-server M/G/1 queue operating under the processor sharing discipline as an upper bound. Our algorithm yields the stationary distribution of the entire Kiefer–Wolfowitz workload process, the first coordinate of which is D. Extensions of the method to handle simulating generalized Jackson networks in stationarity are also remarked upon.
On some tractable growth-collapse processes with renewal collapse epochs
Authors: Boxma Onno , Kella Offer , Perry David
Published: October 2011

In this paper we generalize existing results for the steady-state distribution of growth-collapse processes with independent exponential intercollapse times to the case where they have a general distribution on the positive real line having a finite mean. In order to compute the moments of the stationary distribution, no further assumptions are needed. However, in order to compute the stationary distribution, the price that we are required to pay is the restriction of the collapse ratio distribution from a general distribution concentrated on the unit interval to minus-log-phase-type distributions. A random variable has such a distribution if the negative of its natural logarithm has a phase-type distribution. Thus, this family of distributions is dense in the family of all distributions concentrated on the unit interval. The approach is to first study a certain Markov-modulated shot noise process from which the steady-state distribution for the related growth-collapse model can be inferred via level crossing arguments.
Poisson hail on a hot ground
Authors: Baccelli Francois , Foss Sergey
Published: October 2011

We consider a queue where the server is the Euclidean space, and the customers are random closed sets (RACSs) of the Euclidean space. These RACSs arrive according to a Poisson rain and each of them has a random service time (in the case of hail falling on the Euclidean plane, this is the height of the hailstone, whereas the RACS is its footprint). The Euclidean space serves customers at speed 1. The service discipline is a hard exclusion rule: no two intersecting RACSs can be served simultaneously and service is in the first-in–first-out order, i.e. only the hailstones in contact with the ground melt at speed 1, whereas the others are queued. A tagged RACS waits until all RACSs that arrived before it and intersecting it have fully melted before starting its own melting. We give the evolution equations for this queue. We prove that it is stable for a sufficiently small arrival intensity, provided that the typical diameter of the RACS and the typical service time have finite exponential moments. We also discuss the percolation properties of the stationary regime of the RACS in the queue.
A computational statistics approach for estimating the spatial range of morphogen gradients
Authors: Kanodia Jitendra S. , Kim Yoosik , Tomer Raju , Khan Zia , Chung Kwanghun , Storey John D. , Lu Hang , Keller Philipp J. , Shvartsman Stanislav Y.
Published: October 2011

A crucial issue in studies of morphogen gradients relates to their range: the distance over which they can act as direct regulators of cell signaling, gene expression and cell differentiation. To address this, we present a straightforward statistical framework that can be used in multiple developmental systems. We illustrate the developed approach by providing a point estimate and confidence interval for the spatial range of the graded distribution of nuclear Dorsal, a transcription factor that controls the dorsoventral pattern of the Drosophila embryo.
Visualization of flow-induced ATP release and triggering of Ca2+ waves at caveolae in vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Yamamoto Kimiko , Furuya Kishio , Nakamura Makiko , Kobatake Eiry , Sokabe Masahiro , Ando Joji
Published: October 2011

Endothelial cells (ECs) release ATP in response to shear stress, a fluid mechanical force generated by flowing blood but, although its release has a crucial role in controlling a variety of vascular functions by activating purinergic receptors, the mechanism of ATP release has never been established. To analyze the dynamics of ATP release, we developed a novel chemiluminescence imaging method by using cell-surface-attached firefly luciferase and a CCD camera. Upon stimulation of shear stress, cultured human pulmonary artery ECs simultaneously released ATP in two different manners, a highly concentrated, localized manner and a less concentrated, diffuse manner. The localized ATP release occurred at caveolin-1-rich regions of the cell membrane, and was blocked by caveolin-1 knockdown with siRNA and the depletion of plasma membrane cholesterol with methyl-β-cyclodexrin, indicating involvement of caveolae in localized ATP release. Ca2+ imaging with Fluo-4 combined with ATP imaging revealed that shear stress evoked an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and the subsequent Ca2+ wave that originated from the same sites as the localized ATP release. These findings suggest that localized ATP release at caveolae triggers shear-stress-dependent Ca2+ signaling in ECs.
Electroformation of Giant Vesicles and Electrode Polarity
Authors: Okumura Yukihisa , Iwata Yuuichi
Published: October 2011

Electroformation of giant vesicles (GVs) on the negative electrode of dc (static and pulsed) was identical to ac. The negative phase of ac mainly drives the formation. The mechanical oscillation of lipid had little effects. At higher frequency, electroformation with ac deteriorated, while dc pulses still yielded GVs.
Real-time Imaging of RNA Expression in Living Cells Using Bispyrene-modified RNA Probes
Authors: Waki Reiko , Yamayoshi Asako , Kobori Akio , Murakami Akira
Published: October 2011

We successfully monitored time-dependent RNA expression profiles using bispyrene-modified RNA probe in living cervical carcinoma cells stimulated with EGF. Fluorescence microscopy images clearly showed the RNA expression profile, and our time-dependent profiles were in good agreement with those obtained by RT-PCR. This suggests that our novel method can analyze cellular responses to specific stimuli in a time-dependent manner at a single-cell level.
Repeatability and Reproducibility of Product Ion Abundances in Electron Capture Dissociation Mass Spectrometry of Peptides
Authors: Hamidane Hisham Ben , Vorobyev Aleksey , Tsybin Yury O.
Published: October 2011

Site-specific reproducibility and repeatability of electron capture dissociation (ECD) in Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) are of fundamental importance for product ion abundance (PIA)-based peptide and protein structure analysis. However, despite the growing interest in ECD PIA-based applications, these parameters have not yet been investigated in a consistent manner. Here, we first provide a detailed description of the experimental parameters for ECD-based tandem mass spectrometry performed on a hybrid linear ion trap (LTQ) FT-ICR MS. In the following, we describe the evaluation and comparison of ECD and infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) PIA methodologies upon variation of a number of experimental parameters, for example, cathode potential (electron energy), laser power, electron and photon irradiation periods and pre-irradiation delays, as well as precursor ion number. Ranges of experimental parameters that yielded an average PIA variation below 5% and 15% were determined for ECD and IRMPD, respectively. We report cleavage site-dependent ECD PIA variation below 20% and correlation coefficients between fragmentation patterns superior to 0.95 for experiments performed on three FT-ICR MS instruments. Overall, the encouraging results obtained for ECD PIA reproducibility and repeatability support the use of ECD PIA as a complementary source of information to m/z data in radical-induced dissociation applied for peptide and protein structure analysis.