bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dysregulation of hepatic zinc transporters in a mouse model of alcoholic liver disease
Authors: Sun Qian , Li Qiong , Zhong Wei , Zhang Jiayang , Sun Xiuhua , Tan Xiaobing , Yin Xinmin , Sun Xinguo , Zhang Xiang , Zhou Zhanxiang
Published: June 2014

Zinc deficiency is a consistent phenomenon observed in patients with alcoholic liver disease, but the mechanisms have not been well defined. The objective of this study was to determine if alcohol alters hepatic zinc transporters in association with reduction of hepatic zinc levels and if oxidative stress mediates the alterations of zinc transporters. C57BL/6 mice were pair-fed with the Lieber-DeCarli control or ethanol diets for 2, 4, or 8 wk. Chronic alcohol exposure reduced hepatic zinc levels, but increased plasma and urine zinc levels, at all time points. Hepatic zinc finger proteins, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF-4α), were downregulated in ethanol-fed mice. Four hepatic zinc transporter proteins showed significant alterations in ethanol-fed mice compared with the controls. ZIP5 and ZIP14 proteins were downregulated, while ZIP7 and ZnT7 proteins were upregulated, by ethanol exposure at all time points. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that chronic ethanol exposure upregulated cytochrome P-450 2E1 and caused 4-hydroxynonenal accumulation in the liver. For the in vitro study, murine FL-83B hepatocytes were treated with 5 μM 4-hydroxynonenal or 100 μM hydrogen peroxide for 72 h. The results from in vitro studies demonstrated that 4-hydroxynonenal treatment altered ZIP5 and ZIP7 protein abundance, and hydrogen peroxide treatment changed ZIP7, ZIP14, and ZnT7 protein abundance. These results suggest that chronic ethanol exposure alters hepatic zinc transporters via oxidative stress, which might account for ethanol-induced hepatic zinc deficiency.
Differential regulation of GLUT1 and GLUT8 expression by hypoxia in mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Shao Yong , Wellman Theresa L. , Lounsbury Karen M. , Zhao Feng-Qi
Published: June 2014

Glucose is a major substrate for milk synthesis and is taken up from the blood by mammary epithelial cells (MECs) through facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs). The expression levels of GLUT1 and GLUT8 are upregulated dramatically in the mammary gland from late pregnancy through early lactation stages. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that this increase in GLUT1 and GLUT8 expression involves hypoxia signaling through hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in MECs. Mouse mammary glands showed significantly more hypoxia in midpregnancy through early lactation stages compared with in the virgin stage, as stained by the hypoxia marker pimonidazole HCl. Treatment with hypoxia (2% O2) significantly stimulated glucose uptake and GLUT1 mRNA and protein expression, but decreased GLUT8 mRNA expression in bovine MECs. In MECs, hypoxia also increased the levels of HIF-1α protein in the nuclei, and siRNA against HIF-1α completely abolished the hypoxia-induced upregulation of GLUT1, while having no effect on GLUT8 expression. A 5′-RCGTG-3′ core HIF-1α binding sequence was identified 3.7 kb upstream of the bovine GLUT1 gene, and HIF-1α binding to this site was increased during hypoxia. In conclusion, the mammary glands in pregnant and lactating animals are hypoxic, and MECs respond to this hypoxia by increasing GLUT1 expression and glucose uptake through a HIF-1α-dependent mechanism. GLUT8 expression, however, is negatively regulated by hypoxia through a HIF-1α-independent pathway. The regulation of glucose transporters through hypoxia-mediated gene transcription in the mammary gland may provide an important physiological mechanism for MECs to meet the metabolic demands of mammary development and lactation.
Role of decidual natural killer cells, interleukin-15, and interferon-γ in placental development and preeclampsia
Authors: Sones Jenny L. , Lob Heinrich E. , Isroff Catherine E. , Davisson Robin L.
Published: June 2014

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive, proteinuric disease that affects 5–10% of all pregnancies and is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity/mortality (Soto et al., J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 25: 498–507, 2011). The primary treatment for preeclampsia still is delivery of the fetus and placenta. The underlying mechanisms remain elusive. One possibility is inadequate uterine angiogenesis/vascularity (decidualization) at the time of implantation (Torry et al., Am J Reprod Immunol 51: 257–268, 2004). Here, we review evidence for dysregulation of decidual natural killer (dNK) cells, which secrete important angiogenic factors during decidualization, as a contributing factor in preeclampsia.
Toll-like receptors and hypertension
Authors: Singh Madhu V. , Abboud François M.
Published: June 2014

Hypertension and associated inflammatory processes that accelerate cardiovascular damage are regulated by the innate immune system. Toll-like receptors (TLR) are major components of the innate immune system that recognize endogenous damage-associated molecular patterns to activate prominent inflammatory signaling including activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). However, the role of TLR in the etiology of hypertension is not well understood. TLR signaling is dependent on adaptor proteins that, along with the TLR expression patterns, confer specificity of the inflammatory response and its pathological targets. Here we review the conceptual framework of how TLR and their adaptor proteins may differentially affect hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy by different stimuli.
Angiotensin II stimulates fibronectin protein synthesis via a Gβγ/arachidonic acid-dependent pathway
Authors: Alexander Larry D. , Ding Yaxian , Alagarsamy Suganthi , Cui Xiaolan
Published: June 2014

In rabbit proximal tubular cells, ANG II type 2-receptor (AT2)-induced arachidonic acid release is PLA2coupled and dependent of G protein βγ (Gβγ) subunits. Moreover, ANG II activates ERK1/2 and transactivates EGFR via a c-Src-dependent mechanism. Arachidonic acid has been shown to mimic this effect, at least in part, by an undetermined mechanism. In this study, we determined the effects of ANG II on fibronectin expression in cultured rabbit proximal tubule cells and elucidated the signaling pathways associated with such expression. We found that ANG II and transfection of Gβγ subunits directly increased fibronectin protein expression, and this increase was inhibited by overexpression of β-adrenergic receptor kinase (βARK)-ct or DN-Src. Moreover, ANG II-induced fibronectin protein expression was significantly abrogated by the AT2receptor antagonist PD123319. In addition, inhibition of cystolic PLA2diminished ANG II-induced fibronectin expression. Endogenous arachidonic acid mimicked ANG II-induced fibronectin expression. We also found that overexpression of Gβγ subunits induced c-Src, ERK1/2, and EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation, which can be inhibited by overexpression of βARK-ct or DN-Src. Gβγ also induced c-Src SH2 domain association with the EGFR. Supporting these findings, in rabbit proximal tubular epithelium, immunoblot analysis indicated that βγ expression was significant. Interestingly, arachidonic acid- and eicosatetraenoic acid-induced responses were preserved in the presence of βARK-ct. This is the first report demonstrating the regulation of EGFR, ERK1/2, c-Src, and fibronectin by Gβγ subunits in renal epithelial cells. Moreover, this work demonstrates a role for Gβγ heterotrimeric proteins in ANG II, but not arachidonic acid, signaling in renal epithelial cells.
WNK3 abrogates the NEDD4-2-mediated inhibition of the renal Na+-Cl−cotransporter
Authors: Lagnaz Dagmara , Arroyo Juan Pablo , Chávez-Canales María , Vázquez Norma , Rizzo Federica , Spirlí Alessia , Debonneville Anne , Staub Olivier , Gamba Gerardo
Published: June 2014

The serine/threonine kinase WNK3 and the ubiquitin-protein ligase NEDD4-2 are key regulators of the thiazide-sensitive Na+-Cl−cotransporter (NCC), WNK3 as an activator and NEDD2-4 as an inhibitor. Nedd4-2 was identified as an interacting partner of WNK3 through a glutathione- S-transferase pull-down assay using the N-terminal domain of WNK3, combined with LC-MS/MS analysis. This was validated by coimmunoprecipitation of WNK3 and NEDD4-2 expressed in HEK293 cells. Our data also revealed that the interaction between Nedd4-2 and WNK3 does not involve the PY-like motif found in WNK3. The level of WNK3 ubiquitylation did not change when NEDD4-2 was expressed in HEK293 cells. Moreover, in contrast to SGK1, WNK3 did not phosphorylate NEDD4-2 on S222 or S328. Coimmunoprecipitation assays showed that WNK3 does not regulate the interaction between NCC and NEDD4-2. Interestingly, in Xenopus laevis oocytes, WNK3 was able to recover the SGK1-resistant NEDD4-2 S222A/S328A-mediated inhibition of NCC and further activate NCC. Furthermore, elimination of the SPAK binding site in the kinase domain of WNK3 (WNK3-F242A, which lacks the capacity to bind the serine/threonine kinase SPAK) prevented the WNK3 NCC-activating effect, but not the Nedd4-2-inhibitory effect. Together, these results suggest that a novel role for WNK3 on NCC expression at the plasma membrane, an effect apparently independent of the SPAK kinase and the aldosterone-SGK1 pathway.
Lung arginase expression and activity is increased in cystic fibrosis mouse models
Authors: Jaecklin Thomas , Duerr Julia , Huang Hailu , Rafii Mahroukh , Bear Christine E. , Ratjen Felix , Pencharz Paul , Kavanagh Brian P. , Mall Marcus A. , Grasemann Hartmut
Published: June 2014

The activity of arginase is increased in airway secretions of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Downstream products of arginase activity may contribute to CF lung disease. We hypothesized that pulmonary arginase expression and activity would be increased in mouse models of CF and disproportionally increased in CF mice with Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. Expression of arginase isoforms in lung tissue was quantified with reverse transcriptase-PCR in naive cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator ( Cftr)-deficient mice and β-epithelial sodium channel-overexpressing [β-ENaC-transgenic (Tg)] mice. An isolated lung stable isotope perfusion model was used to measure arginase activity in Cftr-deficient mice before and after intratracheal instillation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The expression of arginase-2 in lung was increased in adult Cftr-deficient animals and in newborn β-ENaC-Tg. Arginase-1 lung expression was normal in Cftr-deficient and in newborn β-ENaC-Tg mice, but was increased in β-ENaC-Tg mice at age 1, 3, and 6 wk. Arginase activity was significantly higher in lung (5.0 ± 0.7 vs. 3.2 ± 0.3 nmol·−1·h−1, P = 0.016) and airways (204.6 ± 49.8 vs. 79.3 ± 17.2 nmol·−1·h−1, P = 0.045) of naive Cftr-deficient mice compared with sex-matched wild-type littermate controls. Infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa resulted in a far greater increase in lung arginase activity in Cftr-deficient mice (10-fold) than in wild-type controls (6-fold) ( P = 0.01). This is the first ex vivo characterization of arginase expression and activity in CF mouse lung and airways. Our data show that pulmonary arginase expression and activity is increased in CF mice, especially with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.
A high-density, high-channel count, multiplexed μECoG array for auditory-cortex recordings
Authors: Escabí Monty A. , Read Heather L. , Viventi Jonathan , Kim Dae-Hyeong , Higgins Nathan C. , Storace Douglas A. , Liu Andrew S. K. , Gifford Adam M. , Burke John F. , Campisi Matthew , Kim Yun-Soung , Avrin Andrew E. , Spiegel Jan Van der , Huang Yonggang , Li Ming , Wu Jian , Rogers John A. , Litt Brian , Cohen Yale E.
Published: June 2014

Our understanding of the large-scale population dynamics of neural activity is limited, in part, by our inability to record simultaneously from large regions of the cortex. Here, we validated the use of a large-scale active microelectrode array that simultaneously records 196 multiplexed micro-electrocortigraphical (μECoG) signals from the cortical surface at a very high density (1,600 electrodes/cm2). We compared μECoG measurements in auditory cortex using a custom “active” electrode array to those recorded using a conventional “passive” μECoG array. Both of these array responses were also compared with data recorded via intrinsic optical imaging, which is a standard methodology for recording sound-evoked cortical activity. Custom active μECoG arrays generated more veridical representations of the tonotopic organization of the auditory cortex than current commercially available passive μECoG arrays. Furthermore, the cortical representation could be measured efficiently with the active arrays, requiring as little as 13.5 s of neural data acquisition. Next, we generated spectrotemporal receptive fields from the recorded neural activity on the active μECoG array and identified functional organizational principles comparable to those observed using intrinsic metabolic imaging and single-neuron recordings. This new electrode array technology has the potential for large-scale, temporally precise monitoring and mapping of the cortex, without the use of invasive penetrating electrodes.
Rapid acquisition of novel interface control by small ensembles of arbitrarily selected primary motor cortex neurons
Authors: Law Andrew J. , Rivlis Gil , Schieber Marc H.
Published: June 2014

Pioneering studies demonstrated that novel degrees of freedom could be controlled individually by directly encoding the firing rate of single motor cortex neurons, without regard to each neuron's role in controlling movement of the native limb. In contrast, recent brain-computer interface work has emphasized decoding outputs from large ensembles that include substantially more neurons than the number of degrees of freedom being controlled. To bridge the gap between direct encoding by single neurons and decoding output from large ensembles, we studied monkeys controlling one degree of freedom by comodulating up to four arbitrarily selected motor cortex neurons. Performance typically exceeded random quite early in single sessions and then continued to improve to different degrees in different sessions. We therefore examined factors that might affect performance. Performance improved with larger ensembles. In contrast, other factors that might have reflected preexisting synaptic architecture—such as the similarity of preferred directions—had little if any effect on performance. Patterns of comodulation among ensemble neurons became more consistent across trials as performance improved over single sessions. Compared with the ensemble neurons, other simultaneously recorded neurons showed less modulation. Patterns of voluntarily comodulated firing among small numbers of arbitrarily selected primary motor cortex (M1) neurons thus can be found and improved rapidly, with little constraint based on the normal relationships of the individual neurons to native limb movement. This rapid flexibility in relationships among M1 neurons may in part underlie our ability to learn new movements and improve motor skill.
Changes in motoneuron afterhyperpolarization duration in stroke survivors
Authors: Suresh Aneesha K. , Hu Xiaogang , Powers Randall K. , Heckman C. J. , Suresh Nina L. , Rymer William Zev
Published: June 2014

Hemispheric brain injury resulting from a stroke is often accompanied by muscle weakness in limbs contralateral to the lesion. In the present study, we investigated whether weakness in contralesional hand muscle in stroke survivors is partially attributable to alterations in motor unit activation, including alterations in firing rate modulation range. The afterhyperpolarization (AHP) potential of a motoneuron is a primary determinant of motoneuron firing rate. We examined differences in AHP duration in motoneurons innervating paretic and less impaired (contralateral) limb muscles of hemiparetic stroke survivors as well as in control subjects. A novel surface EMG (sEMG) electrode was used to record motor units from the first dorsal interosseous muscle. The sEMG data were subsequently decomposed to derive single-motor unit events, which were then utilized to produce interval (ISI) histograms of the motoneuron discharges. A modified version of interval death rate (IDR) analysis was used to estimate AHP duration. Results from data analyses performed on both arms of 11 stroke subjects and in 7 age-matched control subjects suggest that AHP duration is significantly longer for motor units innervating paretic muscle compared with units in contralateral muscles and in units of intact subjects. These results were supported by a coefficient of variation (CV) analysis showing that paretic motor unit discharges have a lower CV than either contralateral or control units. This study suggests that after stroke biophysical changes occur at the motoneuron level, potentially contributing to lower firing rates and potentially leading to less efficient force production in paretic muscles.
Modulation of Electrocortical Brain Activity by Attention in Individuals with and without Tinnitus
Authors: Paul Brandon T. , Bruce Ian C. , Bosnyak Daniel J. , Thompson David C. , Roberts Larry E.
Published: June 2014

Age and hearing-level matched tinnitus and control groups were presented with a 40 Hz AM sound using a carrier frequency of either 5 kHz (in the tinnitus frequency region of the tinnitus subjects) or 500 Hz (below this region). On attended blocks subjects pressed a button after each sound indicating whether a single 40 Hz AM pulse of variable increased amplitude (target, probability 0.67) had or had not occurred. On passive blocks subjects rested and ignored the sounds. The amplitude of the 40 Hz auditory steady-state response (ASSR) localizing to primary auditory cortex (A1) increased with attention in control groups probed at 500 Hz and 5 kHz and in the tinnitus group probed at 500 Hz, but not in the tinnitus group probed at 5 kHz (128 channel EEG). N1 amplitude (this response localizing to nonprimary cortex, A2) increased with attention at both sound frequencies in controls but at neither frequency in tinnitus. We suggest that tinnitus-related neural activity occurring in the 5 kHz but not the 500 Hz region of tonotopic A1 disrupted attentional modulation of the 5 kHz ASSR in tinnitus subjects, while tinnitus-related activity in A1 distributing nontonotopically in A2 impaired modulation of N1 at both sound frequencies.
Osthole Attenuates Doxorubicin-Induced Apoptosis in PC12 Cells through Inhibition of Mitochondrial Dysfunction and ROS Production
Authors: Shokoohinia Yalda , Hosseinzadeh Leila , Moieni-Arya Maryam , Mostafaie Ali , Mohammadi-Motlagh Hamid-Reza
Published: June 2014

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent, broad-spectrum chemotherapeutic drug used for treatment of several types of cancers. Despite its effectiveness, it has a wide range of toxic side effects, many of which most likely result from its inherent prooxidant activity. It has been reported that DOX has toxic effects on normal tissues, including brain tissue. In the current study, we investigated the protective effect of osthole isolated fromPrangos ferulacea(L.) Lindl. on oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by DOX in PC12 as a neuronal model cell line. PC12 cells were pretreated with osthole 2 h after treatment with different concentrations of DOX. 24 h later, the cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), the activity of caspase-3, the expression ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and the generation of intracellular ROS were detected. We found that pretreatment with osthole on PC12 cells significantly reduced the loss of cell viability, the activity of caspase-3, the increase in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and the generation of intracellular ROS induced by DOX. Moreover, pretreatment with osthole led to an increase in MMP in PC12 cells. In conclusion, our results indicated that pretreatment with nontoxic concentrations of osthole protected PC12 cells from DOX-mediated apoptosis by inhibition of ROS production.
p53 Is a Key Regulator for Osthole-Triggered Cancer Pathogenesis
Authors: Huang Ssu-Ming , Tsai Cheng-Fang , Chen Dar-Ren , Wang Min-Ying , Yeh Wei-Lan
Published: June 2014

Osthole has been reported to have antitumor activities via the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cancer cell growth and metastasis. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of osthole in human colon cancer remain unclear. In the present study, we have assessed osthole-induced cell death in two different human colon cancer cell lines, HCT116 and SW480. Our results also showed that osthole activated proapoptotic signaling pathways in human colon cancer cells. By using cell culture insert system, osthole reduced cell motility in both human colon cancer cell lines. This study also provides evidence supporting the potential of osthole in p53 activation. Expression of p53, an apoptotic protein, was remarkably upregulated in cells treated with osthole. Importantly, the levels of phosphorylation of p53 on Ser15 (p-p53) and acetylation of p53 on Lys379(acetyl-p53) were increased under osthole treatment. Our results also demonstrated that p53 was activated followed by generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Our study provides novel insights of p53-mediated responses under osthole treatment. Taken together, we concluded that osthole induces cancer cell death and inhibits migratory activity in a controlled manner and is a promising candidate for antitumor drug development.
Analysis of a Periodic Single Species Population Model Involving Constant Impulsive Perturbation
Authors: Tan Ronghua , Li Zuxiong , Guo Shengliang , Liu Zhijun
Published: June 2014

This is a continuation of the work of Tan et al. (2012). In this paper a periodic single species model controlled by constant impulsive perturbation is investigated. The constant impulse is realized at fixed moments of time. With the help of the comparison theorem of impulsive differential equations and Lyapunov functions, sufficient conditions for the permanence and global attractivity are established, respectively. Also, by comparing the above results with corresponding known results of Tan et al. (2012) (i.e., the above model with linear impulsive perturbations), we find that the two different types of impulsive perturbations have influence on the above dynamics. Numerical simulations are presented to substantiate our analytical results.
Output-Only Identification of System Parameters from Noisy Measurements by Multiwavelet Denoising
Authors: Al-Gahtani O. , El-Gebeily M. , Khulief Y.
Published: June 2014

In this paper we estimate the parameters of a multidimensional system from a record of noisy output measurements by using a multiwavelet denoising technique. In this output-only identification scheme, we extend wavelet denoising methods to the multiwavelet case. After the noise has been removed from the output records by wavelet methods, either full model identification or deterministic subspace identification can be performed. In the former case, full information on the system such as modal values and shapes becomes available by postprocessing. In the latter case, the observable modal values of the system as well as modal shapes at the sensor locations can be extracted from the identified parameters. Additionally, we discuss the requirements on the measuring devices to be compatible with wavelet transforms of a particular type. The validity and merit of the developed scheme are illustrated by examples of numerically simulated and experimentally measured signals, including comparisons with stochastic identification methods.
Markers of Biological Stress and Mucosal Immunity during a Week Leading to Competition in Adolescent Swimmers
Authors: Papadopoulos E. , Muir C. , Russell C. , Timmons B. W. , Falk B. , Klentrou P.
Published: June 2014

In this study we examined changes in the salivary concentrations of immunoglobulin A (sIgA), cortisol (sC), testosterone (sT), and testosterone-to-cortisol ratio (T/C) in 21 competitive swimmers, 11–15 years old, during a week leading to competition as compared to a control (noncompetition) week. No day-to-day changes or significant differences between weeks were observed for sIgA (47.9±4.4versus54.9±5.2 μg/mL for control versus competition week, resp.), sC (2.7±0.2versus2.5±0.2 ng/mL for control versus competition week, resp.), and T/C ratio (83.4±7.0versus77.9±7.7for control versus competition week, resp.). In contrast, sT was significantly lower during the week of competition (154.5±11.3 pg/mL) as compared to the control week (181.3±11.5 pg/mL) suggesting that the swimmers were in a catabolic state, although this did not have a negative effect on their performance. In conclusion, salivary cortisol did not change between the two weeks, and thus competition stress was relatively low, and mucosal immunity was unaffected in these young athletes prior to competition.
An Eliminating Method to Improve Localization Accuracy
Authors: Chen Liangyin , Yan Bingshu , He Junjun , Zhang Jingyu , Chen Wen , Jiang Yushi , Liu Yan , Luo Qian , Wang Baoqiu
Published: June 2014

Node localization is essential in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, due to limited node energy and overhead network, node localization faces many challenges in WSNs. In addition, it is difficult to meet the requirement of localization accuracy and energy consumption at the same time in existing algorithms. In this paper, we proposed a novel eliminating algorithm called NPLA which achieves high localization accuracy and reduces energy consumption effectively. It makes full use of multiple-hop neighbor nodes of unknown node to eliminate the possible location area (PLA) of the unknown node. Simulations show that the localization error of algorithm NPLA can be controlled within 20%.
Analytical Study of Fractional-Order Multiple Chaotic FitzHugh-Nagumo Neurons Model Using Multistep Generalized Differential Transform Method
Authors: Momani Shaher , Freihat Asad , AL-Smadi Mohammed
Published: June 2014

The multistep generalized differential transform method is applied to solve the fractional-order multiple chaotic FitzHugh-Nagumo (FHN) neurons model. The algorithm is illustrated by studying the dynamics of three coupled chaotic FHN neurons equations with different gap junctions under external electrical stimulation. The fractional derivatives are described in the Caputo sense. Furthermore, we present figurative comparisons between the proposed scheme and the classical fourth-order Runge-Kutta method to demonstrate the accuracy and applicability of this method. The graphical results reveal that only few terms are required to deduce the approximate solutions which are found to be accurate and efficient.
Outcomes of a Joint Replacement Surgical Home Model Clinical Pathway
Authors: Chaurasia Avinash , Garson Leslie , Kain Zeev L. , Schwarzkopf Ran
Published: June 2014

Optimizing perioperative care to provide maximum benefit at minimum cost may be best achieved using a perioperative clinical pathway (PCP). Using our joint replacement surgical home (JSH) model PCP, we examined length of stay (LOS) following total joint arthroplasty (TJA) to evaluate patient care optimization. We reviewed a spectrum of clinical measurements in 190 consecutive patients who underwent TJA. Patients who had surgery earlier in the week and who were earlier cases of the day had a significantly lower LOS than patients whose cases started both later in the week and later in the day. Patients discharged home had significantly lower LOS than those discharged to a secondary care facility. Patients who received regional versus general anesthesia had a significantly lower LOS. Scheduling patients discharged to home and who will likely receive regional anesthesia for the earliest morning slot and earlier in the week may help decrease overall LOS.
A Large Cross-Sectional Survey Investigating the Knowledge of Cervical Cancer Risk Aetiology and the Predictors of the Adherence to Cervical Cancer Screening Related to Mass Media Campaign
Authors: De Vito Corrado , Angeloni Claudio , De Feo Emma , Marzuillo Carolina , Lattanzi Amedeo , Ricciardi Walter , Villari Paolo , Boccia Stefania
Published: June 2014

Objectives.The aims of this study were to compare the characteristics of women who got a Pap-test during the mass media campaign, carried out in an Italian region by broadcasts advertising, and two years later and to identify the determinants of knowledge of cervical cancer etiology and of the adherence to the mass media campaign.Methods.A cross-sectional survey was carried out through a self-administered questionnaire.Results.A total of 8570 randomly selected women were surveyed, 823 of these had a Pap-test during the mass media campaign period and 7747 two years later. Higher educational level, being not married, and living in urban areas were the main independent characteristics associated with a higher level of knowledge of cervical cancer etiology, although a previous treatment following a Pap smear abnormality was the strongest predictor (OR = 2.88; 95% CI: 2.43–3.41). During the campaign period women had the Pap-test more frequently as a consequence of the mass media campaign (OR = 8.28; 95% CI; 5.51–12.45).Conclusions.Mass media campaign is a useful tool to foster cervical screening compliance; however, its short-term effect suggests repeating it regularly.
MINRES Seed Projection Methods for Solving Symmetric Linear Systems with Multiple Right‐Hand Sides
Authors: Li Xin , Liu Hao , Zhu Jingfu
Published: June 2014

We consider the MINRES seed projection method for solving multiple right‐hand side linear systems AX = B, where A ∈ Rn×n is a nonsingular symmetric matrix, B ∈ Rn×p. In general, GMRES seed projection method is one of the effective methods for solving multiple right‐hand side linear systems. However, when the coefficient matrix is symmetric, the efficiency of this method would be weak. MINRES seed projection method for solving symmetric systems with multiple right‐hand sides is proposed in this paper, and the residual estimation is analyzed. The numerical examples show the efficiency of this method.
Existence Results for a Michaud Fractional, Nonlocal, and Randomly Position Structured Fragmentation Model
Authors: Doungmo Goufo Emile Franc , Maritz Riëtte , Mugisha Stella
Published: June 2014

Until now, classical models of clusters’ fission remain unable to fully explain strange phenomena like the phenomenon of shattering (Ziff and McGrady, 1987) and the sudden appearance of infinitely many particles in some systems having initial finite number of particles. That is why there is a need to extend classical models to models with fractional derivative order and use new and various techniques to analyze them. In this paper, we prove the existence of strongly continuous solution operators for nonlocal fragmentation models with Michaud time derivative of fractional order (Samko et al., 1993). We focus on the case where the splitting rate is dependent on size and position and where new particles generating from fragmentation are distributed in space randomly according to some probability density. In the analysis, we make use of the substochastic semigroup theory, the subordination principle for differential equations of fractional order (Prüss, 1993, Bazhlekova, 2000), the analogy of Hille‐Yosida theorem for fractional model (Prüss, 1993), and useful properties of Mittag‐Leffler relaxation function (Berberan‐Santos, 2005). We are then able to show that the solution operator to the full model is positive and contractive.
Disseminated BCG: Complications of Intravesical Bladder Cancer Treatment
Authors: To Uyen , Kim Joyce , Chia David
Published: June 2014

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) has been established as an effective treatment of superficial bladder cancer (Parker and Kommu, 2013). However, major side effects, including pneumonitis, sepsis, and even death, may occur in <5% of patients (Gonzalez et al., 2003). Here we present a case of severe disseminatedMycobacterium bovisfollowing intravesical BCG administration. Our patient is a 76-year-old gentleman with newly diagnosed superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder who recently received his first intravesical BCG treatment. He initially presented with hemoptysis and was found to have extensive patchy infiltrates bilaterally. He was treated for pneumonia with antibiotics and then with steroids for hypersensitivity pneumonitis but continued to deteriorate. Due to the temporal proximity of his exposure to BCG, we administered treatment for presumed disseminated BCG infection with rifampin, isoniazid, and ethambutol. Within a 48-hour period, the patient improved dramatically. The reported cases of infection from intravesical BCG illustrate an insidious onset with initial symptoms of low-grade fevers and cystitis but may progress to pneumonitis. If the symptoms persist for more than 7 days or if there is clinical deterioration, RIPE therapy (with rifampin, isoniazid, pyridoxine, and ethambutol) and a fluoroquinolone should be administered for a 6–9-month course along with steroids for 4–6 weeks (Naudžiunas et al., 2012).
A Zone-Based Self-Organized Handover Scheme for Heterogeneous Mobile and Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Khan Murad , Han Kijun
Published: June 2014

Uninterrupted internet services are need of the day and their demand will increase in future by manifold. However, providing uninterrupted services under heterogeneous networks environment is a challenging task. One of the major challenges in this regard is the management of handover system between various networks. This paper proposes a handover management scheme by dividing the total coverage area of the base station (BS) or access point (AP) into three different zones (strong, average, and weak zones), respectively, on the basis of receive signal strength indication (RSSI) to provide fast vertical handover support in heterogeneous wireless networks. Furthermore, a new event is proposed and added to the IEEE 802.21: media independent handover (MIH) standard to integrate the functionality of multithreshold. The proposed scheme is implemented in NS2 and it is shown that our scheme provides a superior performance over the previous methods used for similar purposes.
Bandwidth Reconfigurable Metamaterial Arrays
Authors: Smith Nathanael J. , Papantonis Dimitris , Volakis John L.
Published: June 2014

Metamaterial structures provide innovative ways to manipulate electromagnetic wave responses to realize new applications. This paper presents a conformal wideband metamaterial array that achieves as much as 10 : 1 continuous bandwidth. This was done by using interelement coupling to concurrently achieve significant wave slow-down and cancel the inductance stemming from the ground plane. The corresponding equivalent circuit of the resulting array is the same as that of classic metamaterial structures. In this paper, we present a wideband Marchand-type balun with validation measurements demonstrating the metamaterial (MTM) array’s bandwidth from 280 MHz to 2800 MHz. Bandwidth reconfiguration of this class of array is then demonstrated achieving a variety of band-pass or band-rejection responses within its original bandwidth. In contrast with previous bandwidth and frequency response reconfigurations, our approach does not change the aperture’s or ground plane’s geometry, nor does it introduce external filtering structures. Instead, the new responses are realized by making simple circuit changes into the balanced feed integrated with the wideband MTM array. A variety of circuit changes can be employed using MEMS switches or variable lumped loads within the feed and 5 example band-pass and band-rejection responses are presented. These demonstrate the potential of the MTM array’s reconfiguration to address a variety of responses.
Intraoperative Cerebral Glioma Characterization with Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound
Authors: Prada Francesco , Mattei Luca , Del Bene Massimiliano , Aiani Luca , Saini Marco , Casali Cecilia , Filippini Assunta , Legnani Federico Giuseppe , Perin Alessandro , Saladino Andrea , Vetrano Ignazio Gaspare , Solbiati Luigi , Martegani Alberto , DiMeco Francesco
Published: June 2014

Background. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a dynamic and continuous modality providing real-time view of vascularization and flow distribution patterns of different organs and tumors. Nevertheless its intraoperative use for brain tumors visualization has been performed few times, and a thorough characterization of cerebral glioma had never been performed before.Aim. To perform the first characterization of cerebral glioma using CEUS and to possibly achieve an intraoperative differentiation of different gliomas.Methods. We performed CEUS in an off-label setting in 69 patients undergoing surgery for cerebral glioma. An intraoperative qualitative analysis was performed comparing iCEUS with B-mode imaging. A postprocedural semiquantitative analysis was then performed for each case, according to EFSUMB criteria. Results were related to histopathology.Results. We observed different CE patterns: LGG show a mild, dotted CE with diffuse appearance and slower, delayed arterial and venous phase. HGG have a high CE with a more nodular, nonhomogeneous appearance and fast perfusion patterns.Conclusion. Our study characterizes for the first time human brain glioma with CEUS, providing further insight regarding these tumors’ biology. CEUS is a fast, safe, dynamic, real-time, and economic tool that might be helpful during surgery in differentiating malignant and benign gliomas and refining surgical strategy.
Parametric Study on Responses of a Self-Anchored Suspension Bridge to Sudden Breakage of a Hanger
Authors: Qiu Wenliang , Jiang Meng , Huang Cailiang
Published: June 2014

The girder of self-anchored suspension bridge is subjected to large compression force applied by main cables. So, serious damage of the girder due to breakage of hangers may cause the collapse of the whole bridge. With the time increasing, the hangers may break suddenly for their resistance capacities decrease due to corrosion. Using nonlinear static and dynamic analysis methods and adopting 3D finite element model, the responses of an actual self-anchored suspension bridge to sudden breakage of hangers are studied in this paper. The results show that the sudden breakage of a hanger causes violent vibration and large changes in internal forces of the bridge. In the process of the vibration, the maximum tension of hanger produced by breakage of a hanger exceeds 2.22 times its initial value, and the reaction forces of the bearings increase by more than 1.86 times the tension of the broken hanger. Based on the actual bridge, the influences of some factors including flexural stiffness of girder, torsion stiffness of girder, flexural stiffness of main cable, weight of girder, weight of main cable, span to sag ratio of main cable, distance of hangers, span length, and breakage time of hanger on the dynamic responses are studied in detail, and the influencing extent of the factors is presented.
Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation Early in Pregnancy May Prevent Deep Placentation Disorders
Authors: Carvajal Jorge A.
Published: June 2014

Uteroplacental ischemia may cause preterm birth, either due to preterm labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes, or medical indication (in the presence of preeclampsia or fetal growth restriction). Uteroplacental ischemia is the product of defective deep placentation, a failure of invasion, and transformation of the spiral arteries by the trophoblast. The failure of normal placentation generates a series of clinical abnormalities nowadays called “deep placentation disorders”; they include preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, preterm labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes, in utero fetal death, and placental abruption. Early reports suggested that a LC-PUFAs (long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) rich diet reduces the incidence of deep placentation disorders. Recent randomized controlled trials are inconsistent to show the benefit of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation during pregnancy to prevent deep placentation disorders, but most of them showed that DHA supplementation was associated with lower risk of early preterm birth. We postulate that DHA supplementation, early in pregnancy, may reduce the incidence of deep placentation disorders. If our hypothesis is correct, DHA supplementation, early in pregnancy, will become a safe and effective strategy for primary prevention of highly relevant pregnancy diseases, such as preterm birth, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction.
Physical Activity, Physical Performance, and Biological Markers of Health among Sedentary Older Latinos
Authors: Moreno Gerardo , Mangione Carol M. , Wang Pin-Chieh , Trejo Laura , Butch Anthony , Tseng Chi-Hong , Sarkisian Catherine A.
Published: June 2014

Background. Physical activity is associated with better physical health, possibly by changing biological markers of health such as waist circumference and inflammation, but these relationships are unclear and even less understood among older Latinos—a group with high rates of sedentary lifestyle.Methods. Participants were 120 sedentary older Latino adults from senior centers. Community-partnered research methods were used to recruit participants. Inflammatory (C-reactive protein) and metabolic markers of health (waist circumference, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, and glucose), physical activity (Yale physical activity survey), and physical performance (short physical performance NIA battery) were measured at baseline and 6-month followup.Results. Eighty percent of the sample was female. In final adjusted cross-sectional models, better physical activity indices were associated with faster gait speed (P<0.05). In adjusted longitudinal analyses, change in self-reported physical activity level correlated inversely with change in CRP (β=-0.05;P=0.03) and change in waist circumference (β=-0.16;P=0.02). Biological markers of health did not mediate the relationship between physical activity and physical performance.Conclusion. In this community-partnered study, higher physical activity was associated with better physical performance in cross-sectional analyses. In longitudinal analysis, increased physical activity was associated with improvements in some metabolic and inflammatory markers of health.
Endplates Changes Related to Age and Vertebral Segment
Authors: Herrero Carlos Fernando P. S. , Garcia Sergio Britto , Garcia Luis Vicente , Aparecido Defino Helton Luiz
Published: June 2014

Endplate separations are defined as the presence of a space between the hyaline cartilage and the cortical bone of the adjacent vertebral body. This study evaluates endplate separations from the vertebral body and intervertebral discs and verifies if endplate separation is related to age and the spinal level. Groups were formed based on age (20–40 and 41–85 years old) and the vertebral segment (T7-T8 and L4-L5 segments). Histological analysis included assessment of the length of the vertebral endplates, the number and dimensions of the separations, and orientation of the collagen fibers, in the mid-sagittal slice. Two indexes were created: the separation index (number of separations/vertebral length) and separation extension index (sum of all separations/vertebral length). The results of the study demonstrated a direct relationship between the density of separations in the endplate and two variables: age and spinal level.
Optimization of the Actuarial Model of Defined Contribution Pension Plan
Authors: Li Yan , Huang Yuchen , Zhou Yancong
Published: June 2014

The paper focuses on the actuarial models of defined contribution pension plan. Through assumptions and calculations, the expected replacement ratios of three different defined contribution pension plans are compared. Specially, more significant considerable factors are put forward in the further cost and risk analyses. In order to get an assessment of current status, the paper finds a relationship between the replacement ratio and the pension investment rate using econometrics method. Based on an appropriate investment rate of 6%, an expected replacement ratio of 20% is reached.
Simultaneous Determination of Florfenicol and Diclazuril in Compound Powder by RP-HPLC-UV Method
Authors: Guo Leilei , Tian Xiangqin , Shan Shangran , Han Jian , Shang Xiaojun , Ma Suying
Published: June 2014

A RP-HPLC-UV method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of florfenicol and diclazuril in compound powder. The separation involved using a SinoChoom ODS-BP C18(5 μm, 4.6 mm × 250 mm) analytical column. The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile-0.2% phosphoric acid (pH was adjusted to 3.0 with triethylamine). The ratio of acetonitrile and 0.2% phosphoric acid in the mobile phase was 60 : 40 (v/v) from 0 minutes to 6 minutes and 70 : 30 (v/v) from 6.1 minutes to 15 minutes. The flow rate was 1 mL/min. The temperature of the analytical column was maintained at 30°C. The detection was monitored at 225 nm and 277 nm for florfenicol and diclazuril, respectively. The excipients in the compound powder did not interfere with the drug peaks. The calibration curves of florfenicol and diclazuril were fairly linear over the concentration ranges between 50.0–500.0 μg/mL (r=0.9995) and 10.0–100.0 μg/mL (r=0.9992), respectively. The RSD of both the intraday and interday variations was below 2.1% for florfenicol and diclazuril. The method was successfully validated according to International Conference on Harmonisation and proved to be suitable for the simultaneous determination of florfenicol and diclazuril in compound powder.
Atypical Pyoderma Gangrenosum Mimicking an Infectious Process
Authors: To Derek , Wong Aaron , Montessori Valentina
Published: June 2014

We present a patient with atypical pyoderma gangrenosum (APG), which involved the patient’s arm and hand. Hemorrhagic bullae and progressive ulcerations were initially thought to be secondary to an infectious process, but a biopsy revealed PG. Awareness of APG by infectious disease services may prevent unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Pharmacovigilance and Moroccan Tuberculosis Public Program: Current Situation
Authors: Soussi Tanani Driss , Tebaa Amina , Benkirane Raja , Bennani Kenza , Iraqi Ghali , Soulaymani Abdelmajid , Soulaymani Bencheikh Rachida
Published: June 2014

The objective of this work is to demonstrate the interest of integration of pharmacovigilance in Moroccan Tuberculosis Control Program (MTCP).Design and Data Collection.The integration of pharmacovigilance in MTCP was conducted in October 2012 with the Global Fund support. We compared the reports notified before and after this integration (period 1: January 2010–October 2012; period 2: October 2012–December 2013). The detection of signals was based on the Information Component available in VigiMine. We used the SPSS version 10.0 and MedCalc version 7.3 for data analysis.Results. The average number of spontaneous reports increased from 3.6 to 37.4 cases/month (P<10-3). The average age was40.7±17.5years; the sex ratio was 0.8. Hepatic reactions (32.7%) predominated during the first period, while skin reactions (24.1%) were in the second period (P=10-4), and 40.9% of cases in the first period were serious against 15.8% in second period (P=0.003). Nine signals were generated (hepatic enzyme increase, cholestasis, jaundice, arthralgia, acne, lower limb edema, pruritus, skin rashes, and vomiting).Conclusion.The integration of pharmacovigilance in Moroccan Tuberculosis Control Program improved the management of ADRs and detected new signals of antituberculosis drugs.