bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Successful Management of a Gastric Sleeve Leak with an Endoscopic Stent
Authors: Abraham Albin , Rizvon Kaleem , Singh Jaspreet , Siddiqui Ghulam , Prasad Apsara , Rashid Sadat , Vardaros Magdalene , Garg Vikas , Subramani Krishnaiyer , Mustacchia Paul
Published: May 2012

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has been a recently developed technique for treating morbid obesity. Gagner and Patterson performed the first laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as part of a duodenal switch procedure at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York in 1999. Since then many surgeons and institutions have adopted this technique. One of the most dreaded complications of sleeve gastrectomy is a leak along the staple line. We present the case of a 23-year-old female with gastric sleeve leak managed successfully with a fully covered wall flex stent. Our aim is to examine the incidence, causes, classification, and presentation of gastric sleeve leaks and to evaluate the use of endoscopic stents in its management.
The Role of Mitochondrial NADPH-Dependent Isocitrate Dehydrogenase in Cancer Cells
Authors: Smolková Katarína , Ježek Petr
Published: May 2012

Isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) is located in the mitochondrial matrix. IDH2 acts in the forward Krebs cycle as an NADP+-consuming enzyme, providing NADPH for maintenance of the reduced glutathione and peroxiredoxin systems and for self-maintenance by reactivation of cystine-inactivated IDH2 by glutaredoxin 2. In highly respiring cells, the resulting NAD+accumulation then induces sirtuin-3-mediated activating IDH2 deacetylation, thus increasing its protective function. Reductive carboxylation of 2-oxoglutarate by IDH2 (in the reverse Krebs cycle direction), which consumes NADPH, may follow glutaminolysis of glutamine to 2-oxoglutarate in cancer cells. When the reverse aconitase reaction and citrate efflux are added, this overall “anoxic” glutaminolysis mode may help highly malignant tumors survive aglycemia during hypoxia. Intermittent glycolysis would hypothetically be required to provide ATP. When oxidative phosphorylation is dormant, this mode causes substantial oxidative stress. Arg172 mutants of human IDH2—frequently found with similar mutants of cytosolic IDH1 in grade 2 and 3 gliomas, secondary glioblastomas, and acute myeloid leukemia—catalyze reductive carboxylation of 2-oxoglutarate and reduction toD-2-hydroxyglutarate, which strengthens the neoplastic phenotype by competitive inhibition of histone demethylation and 5-methylcytosine hydroxylation, leading to genome-wide histone and DNA methylation alternations.D-2-hydroxyglutarate also interferes with proline hydroxylation and thus may stabilize hypoxia-induced factorα.
Finger Vein Recognition Based on (2D)2PCA and Metric Learning
Authors: Yang Gongping , Xi Xiaoming , Yin Yilong
Published: May 2012

Finger vein recognition is a promising biometric recognition technology, which verifies identities via the vein patterns in the fingers. In this paper, (2D)2PCA is applied to extract features of finger veins, based on which a new recognition method is proposed in conjunction with metric learning. It learns a KNN classifier for each individual, which is different from the traditional methods where a fixed threshold is employed for all individuals. Besides, the SMOTE technology is adopted to solve the class-imbalance problem. Our experiments show that the proposed method is effective by achieving a recognition rate of 99.17%.
A Giant Scapular Aneurysmal Bone Cyst in a Child
Authors: Beslikas Theodoros , Chytas Anastasios , Christodoulou Andreas , Gigis Ioannis , Christoforidis Ioannis
Published: May 2012

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are rare benign bone tumours. Scapula is a very rare location, and the relative literature is sparse. The purpose of this study is to present a case of a giant aggressive scapular aneurysmal bone cyst in a child. A 7-year-old boy presented to our hospital with pain and a palpated mass on the right scapula. Imaging studies (radiographs computed tomography scintigraphy) were indicative of aneurysmal bone cyst. We performed curettage and bone grafting after the diagnosis was set by pathological examination through a posterior shoulder approach. Five years later, the patient has only residual signs of the lesion on radiographic control without signs of recurrence.
Olfactory Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Sánchez-Vallecillo María V. , Fraire María E. , Baena-Cagnani Carlos , Zernotti Mario E.
Published: May 2012

Objectives. To measure the prevalence of and identify the clinical characteristics associated with olfactory decline in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.Methods and Materials. There is analytical, prospective, and observational study in adult patients with a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. The olfactory test used was the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC).Results. They are 33 patients total. Within the group of patients aged 18 to 39, 9% had normosmia, 73% hyposmia, and 18% anosmia (P<0.001). Between 40 and 64 years old, there was no patient with normosmia, 63% hyposmia, and 37% anosmia (P<0.001). Of patients older than 65 years old, 33% showed mild hyposmia, 34% severe hyposmia, and 33% anosmia (P<0.001). 52% were females, and 48% were males.Conclusion. Nasal polyposis, asthma, septal deviation, turbinate hypertrophy, tobacco, and allergic rhinitis are predicting factors of olfactory dysfunction. Antecedents of previous endoscopic surgeries, age, and gender would not be associated with olfactory loss.
Perioperative Minimal Induction Therapy: A Further Step toward More Effective Immunosuppression in Transplantation
Authors: Gennarini Alessia , Cravedi Paolo , Marasà Maddalena , Perna Annalisa , Rota Giovanni , Bontempelli Mario , Sandrini Silvio , Remuzzi Giuseppe , Ruggenenti Piero
Published: May 2012

Dual induction with low doses of rabbit anti-human thymoglobulin (RATG) and basiliximab effectively and safely prevented allograft rejection in high-risk renal transplant recipients. To assess whether treatment timing affects efficacy and tolerability, in this single-center, matched-cohort study, we compared posttransplant outcomes in 25 patients and 50 gender-, age-, and treatment-matched reference patients induced with the same course of 7 daily RATG infusions (0.5 mg/kg/day) started before or after engraftment, respectively. All subjects received basiliximab (20 mg) before and 4 days after transplantation, withdrew steroids within 6 days after surgery, and were maintained on steroid-free immunosuppression with cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine. Over 12 months after transplant, 1 patient (4%) and 13 reference patients (26%) had acute rejection episodes. One patient and 5 reference-patients required dialysis therapy because of delayed graft function. In all patients circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were fully depleted before engraftment. Both treatments were well tolerated. In kidney transplantation, perioperative RATG infusion enhances the protective effect of low-dose RATG and basiliximab induction against graft rejection and delayed function, possibly because of more effective inhibition of early interactions between circulating T cells and graft antigens.
Violence against Women: An Exploration of the Physical and Mental Health Trends among Immigrant and Refugee Women in Canada
Authors: Guruge Sepali , Roche Brenda , Catallo Cristina
Published: May 2012

Violence against women is a serious health and social problem for women worldwide. Researchers have investigated the broad physical and mental health consequences of violence against women but few have focused on immigrant and refugee women. We assessed the history of violence and the impairment of physical and mental health among 60 women participants from the Iranian and Sri Lankan Tamil communities in Toronto, Canada. Our survey findings revealed that the participants had experienced various types of violence throughout their lifespan, with psychological abuse by a spouse/partner occurring most frequently in the past 12 months. Commonly reported types of abuse included insulting, criticizing, and intimidation by partner (psychological abuse); slapping, hitting, and shoving (physical abuse); and forced sexual intercourse and sexually degrading acts (sexual abuse) by a partner/spouse. We found that a substantial proportion of the participants also had experienced physical and mental health impairment, which could be a result of the various types of violence they had experienced throughout their lifespan. Research and practice implications are provided.
The Impact of Caesarean Delivery on Paracetamol and Ketorolac Pharmacokinetics: A Paired Analysis
Authors: Kulo Aida , van Calsteren Kristel , Verbesselt Rene , Smits Anne , Devlieger Roland , de Hoon Jan , Allegaert Karel
Published: May 2012

Pharmacokinetics is a first, but essential step to improve population-tailored postoperative analgesia, also after Caesarean delivery. We therefore aimed to quantify the impact of caesarean delivery on the pharmacokinetics of intravenous (iv) paracetamol (2 g, single dose) and iv ketorolac tromethamine (30 mg, single dose) in 2 cohorts eachof 8 women at caesarean delivery and to compare these findings with postpartum to quantify intrapatient changes. We documented a higher median paracetamol clearance at delivery when compared to 10–15 weeks postpartum (11.7 to 6.4 L/h⋅m2,P<0.01), even after correction for weight-related changes. Similar conclusions were drawn for ketorolac: median clearance was higher at delivery with a subsequent decrease (2.03 to 1.43 L/h⋅m2,P<0.05) in postpartum (17–23 weeks). These differences likely reflect pregnancy- and caesarean-delivery-related changes in drug disposition. Moreover, postpartum paracetamol clearance was significantly lower when compared to estimates published in healthy young volunteers (6.4  versus  9.6 L/h⋅m2), while this was not the case for ketorolac (1.43  versus  1.48 L/h⋅m2). This suggests that postpartum is another specific status in young women that merits focused, compound-specific pharmacokinetic evaluation.
Necrotizing Fasciitis Associated withStaphylococcus lugdunensis
Authors: Hung Tony , Zaghi Soroush , Yousefzadeh Jonathan , Leibowitz Matthew
Published: May 2012

Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening soft tissue infection that results in rapid local tissue destruction. Type 1 necrotizing fasciitis is characterized by polymicrobial, synergistic infections that are caused by non-Group Astreptococci, aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Type 2 necrotizing fasciitis involves Group AStreptococcus(GAS) with or without a coexisting staphylococcal infection. Here we provide the first report of necrotizing fasciitis jointly associated with the microbes Group BStreptococcusandStaphylococcus lugdunensis.S. lugdunensisis a commensal human skin bacterium known to cause often painful and prolonged skin and soft tissue infections. To our knowledge, however, this is the first case ofStaph. lugdunensis-associated necrotizing fasciitis to be reported in the literature.
T-Cell and Antibody Responses to Mycobacterial Antigens in Tuberculin Skin-Test-PositiveBos indicusandBos taurusCattle in Ethiopia
Authors: Ameni Gobena , Cockle Paul , Lyashchenko Konstantin , Vordermeier Martin
Published: May 2012

Higher IFN-γresponses to mycobacterial antigens were observed inBos taurus(Holsteins) than inBos indicus(Zebu) cattle which could due to differences in antigen recognition profiles between the two breeds. The present study was conducted to evaluate mycobacterial antigen recognition profiles of the two breeds. Twenty-three mycobacterial antigens were tested on 46 skin test positive (24 Zebu and 22 Holstein) using enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) and multiple antigen print immunoassay (MAPIA). Herds from which the study cattle obtained were tested for Fasciola antibody. The T cells from both breeds recognized most of the mycobacterial antigens at lower and comparable frequencies. However, antigens such as CFP-10, ESAT-6, Rv0287, Rv0288, MPB87, Acr-2, Rv3616c, and Rv3879c were recognized at higher frequencies in zebu while higher frequencies of T cell responses were observed to Hsp65 in both breeds. Furthermore, comparable antibody responses were observed in both breeds; MPB83 being the sero-dominant antigen in both breeds. The prevalence of Fasciola antibody was 81% and similar in both breeds. This piece of work could not lead to a definitive conclusion if there are differences in mycobacterial recognition profiles between the two breeds warranting for further similar studies using sound sample size from the two breeds.
Mechanisms of Glomerular Albumin Filtration and Tubular Reabsorption
Authors: Tojo Akihiro , Kinugasa Satoshi
Published: May 2012

Albumin is filtered through the glomerulus with a sieving coefficient of 0.00062, which results in approximately 3.3 g of albumin filtered daily in human kidneys. The proximal convoluted tubule reabsorbs 71%, the loop of Henle and distal tubule 23%, and collecting duct 3% of the glomerular filtered albumin, thus indicating that the kidney plays an important role in protein metabolism. Dysfunction of albumin reabsorption in the proximal tubules, due to reduced megalin expression, may explain the microalbuminuria in early-stage diabetes. Meanwhile, massive nonselective proteinuria is ascribed to various disorders of the glomerular filtration barrier, including podocyte detachment, glomerular basement membrane rupture, and slit diaphragm dysfunction in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous nephropathy, and other glomerulonephritis. Selective albuminuria associated with foot process effacement and tight junction-like slit alteration is observed in the patients with minimal-change nephrotic syndrome, and the albumin uptake is enhanced in the podocyte cell body, possibly mediated by albumin receptors in the low-dose puromycin model. The role of enhanced podocyte albumin transport needs to be investigated to elucidate the mechanism of the selective albuminuria in minimal-change disease.
An Improvement of the Hotelling T2 Statistic in Monitoring Multivariate Quality Characteristics
Authors: Shabbak Ashkan , Midi Habshah
Published: May 2012

The Hotelling T2 statistic is the most popular statistic used in multivariate control charts to monitor multiple qualities. However, this statistic is easily affected by the existence of more than one outlier in the data set. To rectify this problem, robust control charts, which are based on the minimum volume ellipsoid and the minimum covariance determinant, have been proposed. Most researchers assess the performance of multivariate control charts based on the number of signals without paying much attention to whether those signals are really outliers. With due respect, we propose to evaluate control charts not only based on the number of detected outliers but also with respect to their correct positions. In this paper, an Upper Control Limit based on the median and the median absolute deviation is also proposed. The results of this study signify that the proposed Upper Control Limit improves the detection of correct outliers but that it suffers from a swamping effect when the positions of outliers are not taken into consideration. Finally, a robust control chart based on the diagnostic robust generalised potential procedure is introduced to remedy this drawback.
Cardiac Response to Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia with a Transition from Adaptation to Maladaptation:The Role of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Yin Xia , Zheng Yang , Liu Quan , Cai Jun , Cai Lu
Published: May 2012

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent respiratory disorder of sleep, and associated with chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH). Experimental evidence indicates that CIH is a unique physiological state with potentially “adaptive” and “maladaptive” consequences for cardio-respiratory homeostasis. CIH is also a critical element accounting for most of cardiovascular complications of OSA. Cardiac response to CIH is time-dependent, showing a transition from cardiac compensative (such as hypertrophy) to decompensating changes (such as failure). CIH-provoked mild and transient oxidative stress can induce adaptation, but severe and persistent oxidative stress may provoke maladaptation. Hydrogen peroxide as one of major reactive oxygen species plays an important role in the transition of adaptive to maladaptive response to OSA-associated CIH. This may account for the fact that although oxidative stress has been recognized as a driver of cardiac disease progression, clinical interventions with antioxidants have had little or no impact on heart disease and progression. Here we focus on the role of hydrogen peroxide in CIH and OSA, trying to outline the potential of antioxidative therapy in preventing CIH-induced cardiac damage.
Gait Symmetry in Children with Autism
Authors: Chester Victoria L. , Calhoun Matthew
Published: May 2012

Most studies examining gait asymmetry have focused on infants and toddlers and have tended to use subjective methods of evaluating movement. No previous studies have examined gait symmetry in older children with autism using objective motion capture systems. The purpose of this paper was to quantify gait symmetry in children with autism versus age-matched controls. Fourteen children with autism (N=14) and twenty-two (N=22) age, height, and weight-matched controls participated in the study. An eight camera Vicon motion capture system and four Kistler force plates were used to compute temporal-spatial parameters and symmetry indices during walking. Group differences in these measures were tested using MANOVAs. No significant differences between the autism and control group were found for any of the temporal-spatial measures or symmetry indices. Therefore, results suggest that children with autism demonstrate typical symmetry or interlimb movement during gait. Further research is needed to examine the use of different gait inputs to the symmetry indices (e.g., joint angles and moments). A greater awareness of the movement patterns associated with autism may increase our understanding of this disorder and have important implications for treatment planning.
Leishmaniasis and Climate Change—Case Study: Argentina
Authors: Salomón Oscar Daniel , Quintana María Gabriela , Mastrángelo Andrea Verónica , Fernández María Soledad
Published: May 2012

Vector-borne diseases closely associated with the environment, such as leishmaniases, have been a usual argument about the deleterious impact of climate change on public health. From the biological point of view interaction of different variables has different and even conflicting effects on the survival of vectors and the probability transmission of pathogens. The results on ecoepidemiology of leishmaniasis in Argentina related to climate variables at different scales of space and time are presented. These studies showed that the changes in transmission due to change or increase in frequency and intensity of climatic instability were expressed through changes in the probability of vector-human reservoir effective contacts. These changes of contact in turn are modulated by both direct effects on the biology and ecology of the organisms involved, as by perceptions and changes in the behavior of the human communities at risk. Therefore, from the perspective of public health and state policy, and taking into account the current nonlinear increased velocity of climate change, we concluded that discussing the uncertainties of large-scale models will have lower impact than to develop-validate mitigation strategies to be operative at local level, and compatibles with sustainable development, conservation biodiversity, and respect for cultural diversity.
Safety Design and Evaluation in a Large-Scale Japan Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor
Authors: Yamano H. , Kubo S. , Shimakawa Y. , Fujita K. , Suzuki T. , Kurisaka K.
Published: May 2012

As a next-generation plant, a large-scale Japan sodium-cooled fast reactor (JSFR) adopts a number of innovative technologies in order to achieve economic competitiveness, enhanced reliability, and safety. This paper describes safety requirements for JSFR conformed to the defense-in-depth principle in IAEA. Specific design features of JSFR are a passive reactor shutdown system and a recriticality-free concept against anticipated transients without scram (ATWS) in design extension conditions (DECs). A fully passive decay heat removal system with natural circulation is also introduced for design-basis events (DBEs) and DECs. In this paper, the safety design accommodation in JSFR was validated by safety analyses for representative DBEs: primary pump seizure and long-term loss-of-offsite power accidents. The safety analysis also showed the effectiveness of the passive shutdown system against a typical ATWS. Severe accident analysis supported by safety experiments and phenomenological consideration led to the feasibility of in-vessel retention without energetic recriticality. Moreover, a probabilistic safety assessment indicated to satisfy the risk target.
The Unbalanced Linguistic Aggregation Operator in Group Decision Making
Authors: Zou Li , Pei Zheng , Karimi Hamid Reza , Shi Peng
Published: May 2012

Many linguistic aggregation methods have been proposed and applied in the linguistic decision‐making problems. In practice, experts need to assess a number of values in a side of reference domain higher than in the other one; that is, experts use unbalanced linguistic values to express their evaluation for problems. In this paper, we propose a new linguistic aggregation operator to deal with unbalanced linguistic values
in group decision making, we adopt 2‐tuple representation model of linguistic values and linguistic hierarchies to express unbalanced linguistic values, and moreover, we present the unbalanced linguistic ordered weighted geometric operator to aggregate
unbalanced linguistic evaluation values; a comparison example is given to show the advantage of our method.
Dependence of Error Level on the Number of Probes in Over-the-Air Multiprobe Test Systems
Authors: Khatun Afroza , Laitinen Tommi , Kolmonen Veli-Matti , Vainikainen Pertti
Published: May 2012

Development of MIMO over-the-air (OTA) test methodology is ongoing. Several test methods have been proposed. Anechoic chamber-based multiple-probe technique is one promising candidate for MIMO-OTA testing. The required number of probes for synthesizing the desired fields inside the multiprobe system is an important issue as it has a large impact on the cost of the test system. In this paper, we review the existing investigations on this important topic and end up presenting rules for the required number of probes as a function of the test zone size in wavelengths for certain chosen uncertainty levels of the field synthesis.
Metabolomics-Based Study of Clinical and Animal Plasma Samples in Coronary Heart Disease with Blood Stasis Syndrome
Authors: Zhao Huihui , Chen Jianxin , Shi Qi , Ma Xueling , Yang Yi , Luo Liangtao , Guo Shuzhen , Wang Yong , Han Jing , Wang Wei
Published: May 2012

The aim of this study is to explore a bridge connecting the mechanism basis and macro syndromes of coronary heart disease with experimental animal models. GC-MS technique was used to detect the metabolites of plasma samples in mini swine models with myocardial infarction (MI) and patients with unstable angina (UA). 30 metabolites were detected in the plasma samples of more than 50 percent of model group and control group in swine, while 37 metabolites were found in the plasma samples of UA patients and healthy control group. 21 metabolites in the plasma samples of swine model and 20 metabolites in patients with UA were found of significant value. Among which, 8 shared metabolites were found of low level expression in both swine model and UA patients. Independent Student’st-test, principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchicalcluster analysis (HCA) were orderly applied to comprehend inner rules of variables in the data. The 8 shared metabolites could take place of the 21 or 20 metabolites in classification of swine model with MI and UA patients, which could be considered as a bridge connecting the mechanism basis and macrosyndromes of swine model with MI and UA patients.
Wave Propagation Analysis in Composite Laminates Containing a Delamination Using a Three‐Dimensional Spectral Element Method
Authors: Li Fucai , Peng Haikuo , Sun Xuewei , Wang Jinfu , Meng Guang
Published: May 2012

A three‐dimensional spectral element method (SEM) was developed for analysis of Lamb wave propagation in composite laminates containing a delamination. SEM is more efficient in simulating wave propagation in structures than conventional finite element method (FEM) because of its unique diagonal form of the mass matrix. Three types of composite laminates, namely, unidirectional‐ply laminates, cross‐ply laminates, and angle‐ply laminates are modeled using three‐dimensional spectral finite elements. Wave propagation characteristics in intact composite laminates are investigated, and the effectiveness of the method is validated by comparison of the simulation results with analytical solutions based on transfer matrix method. Different Lamb wave mode interactions with delamination are evaluated, and it is demonstrated that symmetric Lamb wave mode may be insensitive to delamination at certain interfaces of laminates while the antisymmetric mode is more suited for identification of delamination in composite structures.
Effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on Body Weight: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Monami Matteo , Dicembrini Ilaria , Marchionni Niccolò , Rotella Carlo M. , Mannucci Edoardo
Published: May 2012

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), approved as glucose-lowering drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, have also been shown to reduce body weight. An extensive Medline, Cochrane database, and Embase search for “exenatide,” “liraglutide,” “albiglutide,” “semaglutide,” and “lixisenatide” was performed, collecting all randomized clinical trials on humans up to December 15, 2011, with a duration of at least 24 weeks, comparing GLP-1 receptor agonists with either placebo or active drugs. Twenty two (7,859 patients) and 7 (2,416 patients) trials with available results on body weight at 6 and 12 months, respectively, were included. When compared with placebo, GLP-1RAs determine a reduction of BMI at 6 months of −1.0 [−1.3; −0.6] kg/m2. Considering the average BMI at baseline (32.4 kg/m2) these data means a weight reduction of about 3% at 6 months. This result could seem modest from a clinical standpoint; however, it could be affected by many factors contributing to an underestimation of the effect of GLP-1RA on body weight, such as non adequate doses, inclusion criteria, efficacy of GLP-1RA on reducing glycosuria, and association to non-pharmacological interventions not specifically aimed to weight reduction.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Adrenomedullin on Acute Lung Injury Induced by Carrageenan in Mice
Authors: Elena Talero , Rosanna Di Paola , Emanuela Mazzon , Esposito Emanuela , Virginia Motilva , Salvatore Cuzzocrea
Published: May 2012

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a 52 amino acid peptide that has shown predominant anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, we evaluated the possible therapeutic effect of this peptide in an experimental model of acute inflammation, the carrageenan- (CAR-) induced pleurisy. Pleurisy was induced by injection of CAR into the pleural cavity of mice. AM (200 ng/kg) was administered by intraperitoneal route 1 h after CAR, and the animals were sacrificed 4 h after that. AM treatment attenuated the recruitment of leucocytes in the lung tissue and the generation and/or the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines as well as the expression of the intercellular cell adhesion molecules. Moreover, AM inhibited the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), thereby abating the generation of nitric oxide (NO) and prevented the oxidative and nitroxidative lung tissue injury, as shown by the reduction of nitrotyrosine, malondialdehyde (MDA), and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) levels. Finally, we demonstrated that these anti-inflammatory effects of AM were associated with the inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. All these parameters were markedly increased by intrapleural CAR in the absence of any treatment. We report that treatment with AM significantly reduces the development of acute lung injury by downregulating a broad spectrum of inflammatory factors.
Self‐Assembling Peptide Nanofiber Scaffold Enhanced with RhoA Inhibitor CT04 Improves Axonal Regrowth in the Transected Spinal Cord
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Zhan Xiaoduo , Gao Mingyong , Hamilton Audra D. , Liu Zhongying , Jiang Yanwen , Su Huanxing , Dai Xiang , He Bin , Kang Xiaoning , Zeng Yuanshan , Wu Wutian , Guo Jiasong
Published: May 2012

The present study was designed to explore the therapeutic potential of self‐assembling peptide nanofiber scaffold (SAPNS) delivered RhoA inhibitor to ameliorate the hostile microenvironment of injured spinal cord for axonal regeneration. After a transection was applied to the thoracic spinal cord of mice, the combination of SAPNS and CT04 (a cell permeable RhoA inhibitor), single SAPNS with vehicle, or saline was transplanted into the lesion cavity. Results showed that SAPNS+CT04 implants achieved the best therapeutic outcomes among treatment groups. The novel combination not only reconstructed the injured nerve gap but also elicited significant axonal regeneration and motor functional recovery. Additionally, the combination also effectively reduced the apoptosis and infiltration of activated macrophages in the injured spinal cord. Collectively, the present study demonstrated that SAPNS‐based delivery of RhoA inhibitor CT04 presented a highly potential therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury with reknitting lesion gap, attenuating secondary injury, and improving axonal regrowth.
Large‐Scale Integrated Carbon Nanotube Gas Sensors
Authors: Kim Joondong
Published: May 2012

Carbon nanotube (CNT) is a promising one‐dimensional nanostructure for various nanoscale electronics. Additionally, nanostructures would provide a significant large surface area at a fixed volume, which is an advantage for high‐responsive gas sensors. However, the difficulty in fabrication processes limits the CNT gas sensors for the large‐scale production. We review the viable scheme for large‐area application including the CNT gas sensor fabrication and reaction mechanism with a practical demonstration.
An Effective Three-Dimensional Layout of Actuation Body Force for Separation Control
Authors: Kaneda Ittetsu , Sekimoto Satoshi , Nonomura Taku , Asada Kengo , Oyama Akira , Fujii Kozo
Published: May 2012

We conducted large eddy simulations of the control of separated flow over an airfoil using body forces and discuss the role of a three-dimensional vortex structure in separation control. Two types of cases are examined: (1) the body force is distributed in a spanwise uniform layout and (2) the body force is distributed in a spanwise intermittent layout, with three-dimensional vortices being expected to be generated in the latter cases. The flow fields in the latter cases have a shorter separation bubble than those in the former cases although the total momentum of the body force in the latter cases is the same as or half of the former cases. In the flow fields of the latter type, the three-dimensional vortices, which are not observed in the former cases, are generated by the body force downstream of the body force distributed. Thus, three-dimensional vortices are considered to be effective in controlling the separated flow.
A Predictive Model for Daily Inoculum Levels ofGibberella zeaein Passo Fundo, Brazil
Authors: Nicolau Marcio , Fernandes J. M. C.
Published: May 2012

The deposition of spores ofGibberella zeae, the causal agent ofFusariumhead blight of wheat, was monitored during 2008–2011, in Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil. The sampling was carried out in a 31-day period around wheat flowering. The numbers of colonies formed were related to meteorological variables. In this study, a hierarchical autoregressive binary data model was used. The model relates a binary response variable to potential covariates while accounting for dependence over discrete time points. This paper proposes an approach for both model parameter inference and prediction at future time points using the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). The developed model appeared to have a high degree of accuracy and may have implications in the disease control and risk-management planning.
Human Genomic Deletions Generated by SVA-Associated Events
Authors: Lee Jungnam , Ha Jungsu , Son Seung-Yeol , Han Kyudong
Published: May 2012

Mobile elements are responsible for half of the human genome. Among the elements, L1 andAluare most ubiquitous. They use L1 enzymatic machinery to move in their host genomes. A significant amount of research has been conducted about these two elements. The results showed that these two elements have played important roles in generating genomic variations between human and chimpanzee lineages and even within a species, through various mechanisms. SVA elements are a third type of mobile element which uses the L1 enzymatic machinery to propagate in the human genome but has not been studied much relative to the other elements. Here, we attempt the first identification of the human genomic deletions caused by SVA elements, through the comparison of human and chimpanzee genome sequences. We identified 13 SVA recombination-associated deletions (SRADs) and 13 SVA insertion-mediated deletions (SIMDs) in the human genome and characterized them, focusing on deletion size and the mechanisms causing the events. The results showed that the SRADs and SIMDs have deleted 15,752 and 30,785 bp, respectively, in the human genome since the divergence of human and chimpanzee and that SRADs were caused by two different mechanisms, nonhomologous end joining and nonallelic homologous recombination.
Development of Full-Scale Ultrathin Shell Reflector
Authors: Türkmen Durmuş , Soykasap Ömer , Karakaya Şükrü
Published: May 2012

It is aimed that a new ultrathin shell composite reflector is developed considering different design options to optimize the stiffness/mass ratio, cost, and manufacturing. The reflector is an offset parabolic reflector with a diameter of 6 m, a focal length of 4.8 m, and an offset of 0.3 m and has the ability of folding and self-deploying. For Ku-band missions a full-scale offset parabolic reflector antenna is designed by considering different concepts of stiffening: (i) reflective surface and skirt, (ii) reflective surface and radial ribs, and (iii) reflective surface, skirt, and radial ribs. In a preliminary study, the options are modeled using ABAQUS finite element program and compared with respect to their mass, fundamental frequency, and thermal surface errors. It is found that the option of reflective surface and skirt is more advantageous. The option is further analyzed to optimize the stiffness/mass ratio considering the design parameters of material thickness, width of the skirt, and ply angles. Using the TOPSIS method is determined the best reflector concept among thirty different designs. Accordingly, new design can be said to have some advantages in terms of mass, natural frequency, number of parts, production, and assembly than both SSBR and AstroMesh reflectors.
Multilayer Inorganic Electrets with SiO2 and Si3N4 Layers for Applications on Heated Machinery
Authors: Leonov Vladimir , Van Hoof Chris
Published: May 2012

The physics and basic properties of electrets are discussed, namely, what happens during corona charging of dielectrics, why the surface potential and trapped charge show certain limits, where the trapped charge is stored, why and how the charge is released from traps at high temperatures. The experiments have been conducted on single-layer SiO2 and Si3N4 and on multilayer combination of these materials. A strong lateral mobility of charge trapped near the SiO2/Si3N4 interface was observed at elevated temperatures. The positively and negatively charged electrets are compared to each other. The experiments on charge retention at elevated temperatures have shown the studied electrets are suitable for devices working at temperatures of up to 200–300°C.
In VitroResistance to Macrolides and Clindamycin by Group BStreptococcusIsolated from Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women
Authors: Lambiase Antonietta , Agangi Annalisa , Del Pezzo Mariassunta , Quaglia Filomena , Testa Antonio , Rossano Fabio , Martinelli Pasquale , Catania Maria Rosaria
Published: May 2012

Background. Despite the introduction of screening bases intrapartum prophylaxis,Streptococcus agalactiaeis still an important etiological agent of perinatal infections. The increasing rate of resistance and the differences in resistance pattern among countries suggest that a program of surveillance at the institutional level is important in determining optimal prophylaxis. In contrast, knowledge on GBS epidemiology in Italy is limited, and no data are available in the Southern region of the country. We sought to determine the occurrence of resistance to macrolides and clindamycin of GBS isolates in pregnant and nonpregnant women.Methods. Between 2005 and 2008, 1346 vaginal and 810 rectovaginal swabs were obtained from pregnant and not-pregnant women.Results. The occurrence of macrolides and clindamycin resistance was 16.5% in 2005 increasing up to 69.9% in 2008. A high percentage of isolates was resistant to tetracycline through all the study period with no statistically significant annual.Conclusions. In our cohort, an increase ofin vitroresistance of GBS to macrolides and clindamycin is clearly evident. The discordance with reports from different countries emphasize the crucial role of microbiological methods in setting possible therapeutic strategies.
Schizophrenia as a Disorder of Social Communication
Authors: Wible Cynthia Gayle
Published: May 2012

Evidence is reviewed for the existence of a core system for moment-to-moment social communication that is based on the perception of dynamic gestures and other social perceptual processes in the temporal-parietal occipital junction (TPJ), including the posterior superior temporal sulcus (PSTS) and surrounding regions. Overactivation of these regions may produce the schizophrenic syndrome. The TPJ plays a key role in the perception and production of dynamic social, emotional, and attentional gestures for the self and others. These include dynamic gestures of the body, face, and eyes as well as audiovisual speech and prosody. Many negative symptoms are characterized by deficits in responding within these domains. Several properties of this system have been discovered through single neuron recording, brain stimulation, neuroimaging, and the study of neurological impairment. These properties map onto the schizophrenic syndrome. The representation of dynamic gestures is multimodal (auditory, visual, and tactile), matching the predominant hallucinatory categories in schizophrenia. Inherent in the perceptual signal of gesture representation is a computation of intention, agency, and anticipation or expectancy (for the self and others). The neurons are also tuned or biased to rapidly detect threat-related emotions. I review preliminary evidence that overactivation of this system can result in schizophrenia.
Medical Cost and Motorcycle Helmet Law in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chin-Shyan , Liu Tsai-Ching
Published: May 2012

The objective of this study was to examine whether the implementation of the helmet law had reduced the likelihood of head injury and the associated medical cost in Taiwan. Data were taken from the 1996 and 1998 population-based data. In total, 888,179 and 921,058 effective samples were used in the study from the two years. Two different types of regression model were adopted to evaluate the impact of the motorcycle helmet use law on incidences of head injury and associated medical cost and hospital length of stay. The results reveal that medical cost is down by 11.5 percent and hospital LOS has fallen by 18.58 percent. Thus, with the introduction of the motorcycle helmet use law having had a demonstrably positive influence on motorcycle head injuries and fatalities, significant savings are clearly being achieved, not only in terms of economic and social costs, but also with regard to medical cost.
The Gain Modulation by N-methyl-D-aspartate in the Projection Neurons of Robust Nucleus of the Arcopallium in Adult Zebra Finches
Authors: Liao Su-Qun , Hou Guo-Qiang , Pan Xuan , Liao Cong-Shu , Li Dong-Feng
Published: May 2012

The song of zebra finch is stable in life after it was learned successfully. Vocal plasticity is thought to be a motor exploration that can support continuous learning and optimization of performance. The activity of RA, an important pre-motor nucleus in songbird’s brain, influences the song directly. This variability in adult birdsong is associated with the activity of NMDA receptors in LMAN-RA synapses, but the detailed mechanism is unclear. The control of gain refers to modulation of a neuron's responsiveness to input and is critically important for normal sensory, cognitive, and motor functions. Here, we observed the change of gain in RA projection neurons after exogenous NMDA was applied to activate NMDA receptors using the whole-cell current clamp recording. We found that NMDA substantially increased the slope (gain) of the firing rate-current relationship in RA projection neurons. The AMPA receptor-dependent excitability played a crucial role in the modulation of gain by NMDA. These results suggested that NMDA receptors may regulate the dynamics of RA projection neurons by input-output gain.
Vandetanib, an Inhibitor of VEGF Receptor-2 and EGF Receptor, Suppresses Tumor Development and Improves Prognosis of Liver Cancer in Mice
Authors: Inoue Kinya , Torimura Takuji , Nakamura Toru , Iwamoto Hideki , Masuda Hiroshi , Abe Mitsuhiko , Hashimoto Osamu , Koga Hironori , Ueno Takato , Yano Hirohisa , Sata Michio
Published: May 2012

Purpose: VEGF, EGF, and TGF-α are expressed in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and play a role in its growth. Vandetanib, a multikinase inhibitor, suppresses the phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) and EGF receptor (EGFR). The aim of this study was to clarify the antitumor effect of vandetanib in mouse HCCs.

Experimental Design: We evaluated the effects of vandetanib on proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and three hepatoma cell lines, as well as the phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 and EGFR in these cells. Mice were implanted with hepatoma cells subcutaneously or orthotopically in the liver and treated with 50 or 75 mg/kg vandetanib. We analyzed the effects of treatment on tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis, vessel density, phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 and EGFR, and production of VEGF, TGF-α, and EGF in tumor tissues. Adverse events on vandetanib administration were also investigated.

Results: Vandetanib suppressed phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 in HUVECs and EGFR in hepatoma cells and inhibited cell proliferation. In tumor-bearing mice, vandetanib suppressed phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 and EGFR in tumor tissues, significantly reduced tumor vessel density, enhanced tumor cell apoptosis, suppressed tumor growth, improved survival, reduced number of intrahepatic metastases, and upregulated VEGF, TGF-α, and EGF in tumor tissues. Treatment with vandetanib was not associated with serious adverse events, including alanine aminotransferase abnormality, bone marrow suppression, or body weight loss.

Conclusions: The antitumor effects of vandetanib in mice suggest that it is a potentially suitable and safe chemotherapeutic agent for HCCs. Clin Cancer Res; 18(14); 3924–33. ©2012 AACR.
MLN0905, a Small-Molecule PLK1 Inhibitor, Induces Antitumor Responses in Human Models of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma
Authors: Shi Judy Quiju , Lasky Kerri , Shinde Vaishali , Stringer Bradley , Qian Mark G. , Liao Debra , Liu Ray , Driscoll Denise , Nestor Michelle Tighe , Amidon Benjamin S. , Rao Youlan , Duffey Matt O. , Manfredi Mark G. , Vos Tricia J. , Amore Natalie D' , Hyer Marc L.
Published: May 2012

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common of the non–Hodgkin lymphomas, accounting for up to 30% of all newly diagnosed lymphoma cases. Current treatment options for this disease are effective, but not always curative; therefore, experimental therapies continue to be investigated. We have discovered an experimental, potent, and selective small-molecule inhibitor of PLK1, MLN0905, which inhibits cell proliferation in a broad range of human tumor cells including DLBCL cell lines. In our report, we explored the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and antitumor properties of MLN0905 in DLBCL xenograft models grown in mice. These studies indicate that MLN0905 modulates the pharmacodynamic biomarker phosphorylated histone H3 (pHisH3) in tumor tissue. The antitumor activity of MLN0905 was evaluated in three human subcutaneous DLBCL xenograft models, OCI LY-10, OCI LY-19, and PHTX-22L (primary lymphoma). In each model, MLN0905 yielded significant antitumor activity on both a continuous (daily) and intermittent dosing schedule, underscoring dosing flexibility. The antitumor activity of MLN0905 was also evaluated in a disseminated xenograft (OCI LY-19) model to better mimic human DLBCL disease. In the disseminated model, MLN0905 induced a highly significant survival advantage. Finally, MLN0905 was combined with a standard-of-care agent, rituximab, in the disseminated OCI LY-19 xenograft model. Combining rituximab and MLN0905 provided both a synergistic antitumor effect and a synergistic survival advantage. Our findings indicate that PLK1 inhibition leads to pharmacodynamic pHisH3 modulation and significant antitumor activity in multiple DLBCL models. These data strongly suggest evaluating PLK1 inhibitors as DLBCL anticancer agents in the clinic. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(9); 2045–53. ©2012 AACR.
Relative Distribution of Folate Species Is Associated with Global DNA Methylation in Human Colorectal Mucosa
Authors: Liu Jia , Hesson Luke B. , Meagher Alan P. , Bourke Michael J. , Hawkins Nicholas J. , Rand Keith N. , Molloy Peter L. , Pimanda John E. , Ward Robyn L.
Published: May 2012

Folate exists as functionally diverse species within cells. Although folate deficiency may contribute to DNA hypomethylation in colorectal cancer, findings on the association between total folate concentration and global DNA methylation have been inconsistent. This study determined global, LINE-1, and Alu DNA methylation in blood and colon of healthy and colorectal cancer patients and their relationship to folate distribution. Blood and normal mucosa from 112 colorectal cancer patients and 114 healthy people were analyzed for global DNA methylation and folate species distribution using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Repeat element methylation was determined using end-specific PCR. Colorectal mucosa had lower global and repeat element DNA methylation compared with peripheral blood (P < 0.0001). After adjusting for age, sex and smoking history, global but not repeat element methylation was marginally higher in normal mucosa from colorectal cancer patients compared with healthy individuals. Colorectal mucosa from colorectal cancer subjects had lower 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and higher tetrahydrofolate and formyltetrahydrofolate levels than blood from the same individual. Blood folate levels should not be used as a surrogate for the levels in colorectal mucosa because there are marked differences in folate species distribution between the two tissues. Similarly, repeat element methylation is not a good surrogate measure of global DNA methylation in both blood and colonic mucosa. There was no evidence that mucosal global DNA methylation or folate distribution was related to the presence of cancer per se, suggesting that if abnormalities exist, they are confined to individual cells rather than the entire colon. Cancer Prev Res; 5(7); 921–9. ©2012 AACR.