bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A simple alternative method for preparing Sn(IV) porphyrins
Authors: Shetti Vijayendra S. , Ravikanth Mangalampalli
Published: June 2010

Sn(IV) porphyrins are highly desirable for various applications because of their stability, their preference for oxygen-donor ligands and because they possess properties which can be easily characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. The most established method for the preparation of the Sn(IV) porphyrins is refluxing the porphyrin with SnCl 2·2 H 2 O in pyridine as solvent. Although this method works efficiently, we found that the work-up results in a lot of unwanted materials and using large quantities of pyridine as solvent is not good under laboratory conditions. In this paper, we show that the Sn(IV) porphyrins can be prepared easily by treating porphyrin with SnCl 2·2 H 2 O in chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene as solvent containing 25–50% ethanol as co-solvent. The reaction works smoothly and involves simple work-up and straightforward chromatographic purification. The method works efficiently for meso and β-substituted porphyrins. The spectral and electrochemical properties of various Sn(IV) were studied and our studies showed that the properties are sensitive to the nature of substituent present at the meso-position.
EXISTENCE OF GLOBAL SOLUTIONS FOR A PREY–PREDATOR MODEL WITH CROSS-DIFFUSION
Authors: XU SHENGHU , LV WEIDONG
Published: June 2010

In this paper, a ratio-dependent prey–predator model with cross-diffusion and homogeneous Neumann boundary condition is studied. Using the energy estimates and the bootstrap arguments, the global existence of solutions for the model is investigated when the space dimension is less than ten.
Residential Proximity to Freeways is Associated with Uncontrolled Asthma in Inner-City Hispanic Children and Adolescents
Authors: Huynh Peter , Salam Muhammad T. , Morphew Tricia , Kwong Kenny Y. C. , Scott Lyne
Published: June 2010

Background. Proximity to heavy traffic has been linked to increased asthma severity. However, it is unknown whether exposure to heavy traffic is associated with the ability to maintain asthma control. Objectives. This study examines whether exposure to heavy traffic is associated with the ability to maintain asthma control in inner-city children. Methods. 756 inner-city asthmatic Hispanic children were followed for one year in a pediatric asthma management program (Breathmobile). At each scheduled visit, asthma specialist tracked patients' asthma severity and managed their asthma based on the NAEPP guidelines. The patients' residential distance from the nearest freeway was calculated based on residential address at study entry. Distance to nearest freeway was used as a surrogate marker for high exposure from traffic-related air pollutants. Results. Patients who lived near a freeway were significantly more likely to have asthma that was not well controlled (). Patients with intermittent and mild baseline severity have a two-fold increased risk of having asthma that is uncontrolled if they lived  miles from a freeway (, ). Conclusion. In children with asthma, residential proximity to freeways is associated with uncontrolled asthma.
Design of an IPTV Multicast System for Internet Backbone Networks
Authors: Szymanski T. H. , Gilbert D.
Published: June 2010

The design of an IPTV multicast system for the Internet backbone network is presented and explored through extensive simulations. In the proposed system, a resource reservation algorithm such as RSVP, IntServ, or DiffServ is used to reserve resources (i.e., bandwidth and buffer space) in each router in an IP multicast tree. Each router uses an Input-Queued, Output-Queued, or Crosspoint-Queued switch architecture with unity speedup. A recently proposedRecursive Fair Stochastic Matrix Decompositionalgorithm used to compute near-perfect transmission schedules for each IP router. The IPTV traffic is shaped at the sources usingApplication-Specific Token Bucker Traffic Shapers, to limit the burstiness of incoming network traffic. The IPTV traffic is shaped at the destinations usingApplication-Specific Playback Queues, to remove residual network jitter and reconstruct the original bursty IPTV video streams at each destination. All IPTV traffic flows are regenerated at the destinations with essentially zero delay jitter and essentially-perfect QoS. The destination nodes deliver the IPTV streams to the ultimate end users using the same IPTV multicast system over a regional Metropolitan Area Network. It is shown that all IPTV traffic is delivered with essentially-perfect end-to-end QoS, with deterministic bounds on the maximum delay and jitter on each video frame. Detailed simulations of an IPTV distribution system, multicasting several hundred high-definition IPTV video streams over several essentially saturated IP backbone networks are presented.
Lung Cancer Presenting as Acrometastasis to the Finger: A Case Report
Authors: Long Lawrence Stephen , Brickner Leslea , Helfend Lisa , Wong Tony , Kubota Derek
Published: June 2010

Lung cancer is the commonest cause of acrometastatic disease to the fingers. Here we describe a case of occult lung cancer presenting as unrelenting finger pain and swelling from a metastatic phalangeal fracture. The patient's management was largely palliative and he died soon after discovery of the primary tumor. Digital acrometastatic disease rarely becomes symptomatic before the primary lung cancer is diagnosed and, as observed in this case, carries a very poor prognosis. Clinicians should be cognizant of the strong association between digital acrometastases and bronchogenic carcinoma and vigilant in screening high-risk patients with importunate finger symptoms.
Exploration of the Lysis Mechanisms of Leukaemic Blasts by Chimaeric T-Cells
Authors: Laurin David , Marin Virna , Biagi Ettore , Pizzitola Irene , Agostoni Valentina , Gallot Géraldine , Vié Henri , Jacob Marie Christine , Chaperot Laurence , Aspord Caroline , Plumas Joël
Published: June 2010

Adoptive transfer of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and Cytokine Induced Killer Cells (CIK) following genetic engineering of T-cell receptor zeta hold promising perspective in immunotherapy. In the present work we focused on the mechanisms of anti-tumor action of effectors transduced with an anti-CD19 chimaeric receptor in the context of B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Primary B-ALL blasts were efficiently killed by both z-CD19 CTL and z-CD19 CIK effectors. The use of death receptor mediated apoptosis of target cells was excluded since agonists molecules of Fas and TRAIL-receptors failed to induce cell death. Perforin/granzyme pathway was found to be the mechanism of chimaeric effectors mediated killing. Indeed, cytolytic effector molecules perforin as well as granzymes were highly expressed by CTL and CIK. CD19 specific stimulation of transduced effectors was associated with degranulation as attested by CD107 membrane expression and high IFN- and TNF- release. Moreover inhibitors of the perforin-based cytotoxic pathway, Ca2+-chelating agent EGTA and Concanamycin A, almost completely abrogated B-ALL blast killing. In conclusion we show that the cytolysis response of z-CD19 chimaeric effectors is predominantly mediated via perforin/granzyme pathway and is independent of death receptors signaling in primary B-ALL.
What Do Ecological Paradigms Offer to Conservation?
Authors: Ale Som B. , Howe Henry F.
Published: June 2010

Ecological theory provides applications to biodiversity management—but often falls short of expectations. One possibility is that heuristic theories of a young science are too immature. Logistic growth predicts a carrying capacity, but fisheries managed with the Lotka-Volterra paradigm continue to collapse. A second issue is that general predictions may not be useful. The theory of island biogeography predicts species richness but does not predict community composition. A third possibility is that the theory itself may not have much to do with nature, or that empirical parameterization is too difficult to know. The metapopulation paradigm is relevant to conservation, but metapopulations might not be common in nature. For instance, empirical parameterization within the metapopulation paradigm is usually infeasible. A challenge is to determine why ecology fails to match needs of managers sometimes but helps at other. Managers may expect too much of paradigmatic blueprints, while ecologists believe them too much. Those who implement biodiversity conservation plans need simple, pragmatic guidelines based on science. Is this possible? What is possible? An eclectic review of theory and practice demonstrate the power and weaknesses of the ideas that guide conservation and attempt to identify reasons for prevailing disappointment.
Conception and Implementation of a Dual Data Acquisition System on an Eight-Axis High-Speed Tube Cutting CNC Machine
Authors: Chen Zengshi , Gao Wenzhong
Published: June 2010

Precise and fast position measurement has been a challenging problem in computerized
numerical controller (CNC) machines where parts need to be processed at a high speed.
This paper inspects data acquisition and processing on a high-speed tube cutting Siemens
840D CNC machine with Windows NT.40 operating system and analyzes the constraints
of the old procedure on the production speed. The more efficient technical tactics are
proposed and implemented. The laser is added to the system to perform the same data
acquisition while the function of the capacitive sensor is kept. A dual data acquisition
system is thus created and the old one functions as a backup. In the retrofit, the affordable
and practical data communication method is used, the sensor physical movement is
avoided, the algorithm is optimized with requirement of less data, and computation of the
algorithm is moved from numerical controller unit (NCU) to personal computer unit
(PCU). For every tube part, the laser approach reduces the data acquisition and
processing time to 4 seconds, compared to 12 seconds with a capacitive sensor.
Primary and Secondary Organic Marine Aerosol and Oceanic Biological Activity: Recent Results and New Perspectives for Future Studies
Authors: Rinaldi Matteo , Decesari Stefano , Finessi Emanuela , Giulianelli Lara , Carbone Claudio , Fuzzi Sandro , O′Dowd Colin D. , Ceburnis Darius , Facchini Maria Cristina
Published: June 2010

One of the most important natural aerosol systems at the global level is marine aerosol that comprises both organic and inorganic components of primary and secondary origin. The present paper reviews some new results on primary and secondary organic marine aerosol, achieved during the EU project MAP (Marine Aerosol Production), comparing them with those reported in the recent literature. Marine aerosol samples collected at the coastal site of Mace Head, Ireland, show a chemical composition trend that is influenced by the oceanic biological activity cycle, in agreement with other observations. Laboratory experiments show that sea‐spray aerosol from biologically active sea water can be highly enriched in organics, and the authors highlight the need for further studies on the atmospheric fate of such primary organics. With regard to the secondary fraction of organic aerosol, the average chemical composition and molecular tracer (methanesulfonic‐acid, amines) distribution could be successfully characterized by adopting a multitechnique analytical approach.
Nifedipine‐Induced Changes in the Electrohysterogram of Preterm Contractions: Feasibility in Clinical Practice
Authors: Vinken Maartje P. G. C. , Rabotti C. , Mischi M. , van Laar J. O. E. H. , Oei S. G.
Published: June 2010

Objective. Evaluating changes in the power spectral density (PSD) peak frequency of the electrohysterogram (EHG) caused by nifedipine in women with preterm contractions. Methods. Calculation of the PSD peak frequency in EHG contraction bursts at different times of nifedipine treatment in women in gestational age 24 to 32 weeks with contractions. Results. A significant (P < .05) decrease of PSD peak frequency between EHG signals measured before and 15 minutes after administration of nifedipine. A significant (P < .05) decrease in PSD peak frequency comparing signals recorded within 24 hours after administration of nifedipine to signals 1 day after tocolytic treatment. A higher average PSD peak frequency for patients delivering within 1 week than that for patients delivering after 1 week from nifedipine treatment (P > .05). Conclusions. EHG signal analysis has great potential for quantitative monitoring of uterine contractions. Treatment with nifedipine leads to a shift to lower PSD peak frequency in the EHG signal.
Modulation of Sleep Homeostasis by Corticotropin Releasing Hormone in REM Sleep-Deprived Rats
Authors: Machado Ricardo Borges , Tufik Sergio , Suchecki Deborah
Published: June 2010

Studies have shown that sleep recovery following different protocols of forced waking varies according to the level of stress inherent to each method. Sleep deprivation activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and increased corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) impairs sleep. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate how manipulations of the CRH system during the sleep deprivation period interferes with subsequent sleep rebound. Throughout 96 hours of sleep deprivation, separate groups of rats were treated i.c.v. with vehicle, CRH or with alphahelical , a CRH receptor blocker, twice/day, at 07:00 h and 19:00 h. Both treatments impaired sleep homeostasis, especially in regards to length of rapid eye movement sleep (REM) and theta/delta ratio and induced a later decrease in NREM and REM sleep and increased waking bouts. These changes suggest that activation of the CRH system impact negatively on the homeostatic sleep response to prolonged forced waking. These results indicate that indeed, activation of the HPA axis—at least at the hypothalamic level—is capable to reduce the sleep rebound induced by sleep deprivation.
A New Method for the Evaluation of Vaccine Safety Based on Comprehensive Gene Expression Analysis
Authors: Momose Haruka , Mizukami Takuo , Ochiai Masaki , Hamaguchi Isao , Yamaguchi Kazunari
Published: June 2010

For the past 50 years, quality control and safety tests have been used to evaluate vaccine safety. However, conventional animal safety tests need to be improved in several aspects. For example, the number of test animals used needs to be reduced and the test period shortened. It is, therefore, necessary to develop a new vaccine evaluation system. In this review, we show that gene expression patterns are well correlated to biological responses in vaccinated rats. Our findings and methods using experimental biology and genome science provide an important means of assessment for vaccine toxicity.
Solvothermal Synthesis of Gd2O3 : Eu3+ Luminescent Nanowires
Authors: Liu Guixia , Zhang Song , Dong Xiangting , Wang Jinxian
Published: June 2010

Uniform Gd2O3 : Eu3+ luminescent nanowires were prepared on a large scale by a facile solvothermal method using polyethylene glycol (PEG‐2000) as template and ethanol as solvent; the properties and the structure were characterized. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) showed that the precursors are hexagonal phase Gd(OH)3 crystals, and the samples calcined at 800 °C are cubic phase Gd2O3. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images indicated that the samples are nanowires with a diameter of 30 nm and a length of a few microns. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed that the ratio of  5D 0 →  7F 2 to  5D 0 →  7F 1 transition peak of the calcined samples is stronger than that of the precursors, which confirmed that the color purity of the Gd2O3 : Eu3+ is better than that of the precursors. The as‐obtained Gd2O3 : Eu3+ luminescent nanowires show a strong red emission corresponding to  5D 0 →  7F 2 transition (610 nm) of Eu3+ under ultraviolet excitation (250 nm), which have potential application in red‐emitting phosphors and field emission display devices.
Ovarian Splenosis: A Case Report
Authors: Talati H. , Radhi Jasim
Published: June 2010

Splenosis is auto transplantation of splenic tissue following traumatic rupture of the spleen. In females it can mimic endometriosis when symptomatic. Asymptomatic splenosis is common than previously suspected and it can also involve ovary. In a patient with a history of splenectomy, splenosis can act and provide the function of the spleen and thus should not be routinely excised. We report a case of an asymptomatic, incidental ovarian splenosis of left ovary accompanying multiple pelvic and serosal splenotic nodules. To our best knowledge, total three cases of ovarian splenosis have been reported previously including two cases of ovarian splenosis accompanying pelvic and serosal splenotic nodules and one case of solitary ovarian splenosis
Anomalous Origin and Retropulmonary Course of an Atherosclerotic Stenosed Left Circumflex Coronary Artery
Authors: Parker J. A. T. C. , Peivandi A. A. , Bitschnau S. , Kayhan N. , Vahl C. F.
Published: June 2010

We here present the case of a rarely seen anomalous origin and retropulmonary course of the left circumflex artery from the proximal right coronary artery. The patient suffered from coronary ischemia due to stenotic lesions both in the aberrant circumflex coronary artery and in the first and second diagonal branches. Coronary bypass operation was performed.
Superacid-Induced Reactions of Nefopam
Authors: Knoecer Larecia , DeSchepper Daniel , Klumpp Douglas A.
Published: June 2010

The analgesic drug nefopam reacts in superacidic media to form a dicationic superelectrophiles by ring opening. The dication species is capable of reacting with arenes in Friedel-Crafts-type conversions. This chemistry is used to prepare novel derivatives of nefopam.
A Distributed Bio-Inspired Method for Multisite Grid Mapping
Authors: De Falco I. , Della Cioppa A. , Scafuri U. , Tarantino E.
Published: June 2010

Computational grids assemble multisite and multiowner resources and represent the most promising solutions for processing distributed computationally intensive applications, each composed by a collection of communicating tasks. The execution of an application on a grid presumes three successive steps: the localization of the available resources together with their characteristics and status; the mapping which selects the resources that, during the estimated running time, better support this execution and, at last, the scheduling of the tasks. These operations are very difficult both because the availability and workload of grid resources change dynamically and because, in many cases, multisite mapping must be adopted to exploit all the possible benefits. As the mapping problem in parallel systems, already known as NP-complete, becomes even harder in distributed heterogeneous environments as in grids, evolutionary techniques can be adopted to find near-optimal solutions. In this paper an effective and efficient multisite mapping, based on a distributed Differential Evolution algorithm, is proposed. The aim is to minimize the time required to complete the execution of the application, selecting from among all the potential ones the solution which reduces the use of the grid resources. The proposed mapper is tested on different scenarios.
Combining Microdialysis and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Studying Effects of Low-Load Repetitive Work on the Intramuscular Chemistry in Trapezius Myalgia
Authors: Flodgren Gerd M. , Crenshaw Albert G. , Hellström Fredrik , Fahlström Martin
Published: June 2010

Epidemiological research provides strong evidence for a link between repetitive work (RW) and the development of chronic trapezius myalgia (TM). The aims were to further elucidate if an accumulation of sensitising substances or impaired oxygenation is evident in painful muscles during RW. Females with TM (n=14) were studied during rest, 30 minutes RW and 60 minutes recovery. Microdialysate samples were obtained to determine changes in intramuscular microdialysate (IMMD) [glutamate], [PGE2], [lactate], and [pyruvate] (i.e., [concentration]) relative to work. Muscle oxygenation (%StO2) was assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy. During work, all investigated substances, except PGE2, increased significantly: [glutamate] (54%,P<.0001), [lactate] (26%,P<.005), [pyruvate] (19%,P<.0001), while the %StO2decreased (P<.05). During recovery [PGE2] decreased (P<.005), [lactate] remained increased (P<.001), [pyruvate] increased progressively (P<.0001), and %StO2had returned to baseline. Changes in substance concentrations and oxygenation in response to work indicate normal increase in metabolism but no ongoing inflammation in subjects with TM.
Aldo-Keto Reductases in the Eye
Authors: Huang Shun Ping , Palla Suryanarayana , Ruzycki Philip , Varma Ross Arjun , Harter Theresa , Reddy G. Bhanuprakesh , Petrash J. Mark
Published: June 2010

Aldose reductase (AKR1B1) is an NADPH-dependent aldo-keto reductase best known as the rate-limiting enzyme of the polyol pathway. Accelerated glucose metabolism through this pathway has been implicated in diabetic cataract and retinopathy. Some human tissues contain AKR1B1 as well as AKR1B10, a closely related member of the aldo-keto reductase gene superfamily. This opens the possibility that AKR1B10 may also contribute to diabetic complications. The goal of the current study was to characterize the expression profiles of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 in the human eye. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR and immunohistochemical staining, we observed expression of both AKR genes in cornea, iris, ciliary body, lens, and retina. Expression of AKR1B1 was the highest in lens and retina, whereas AKR1B10 was the highest in cornea. Lenses from transgenic mice designed for overexpression of AKR1B10 were not significantly different from nontransgenic controls, although a significant number developed a focal defect in the anterior lens epithelium following 6 months of experimentally induced diabetes. However, lenses from AKR1B10 mice remained largely transparent following longterm diabetes. These results indicate that AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 may have different functional properties in the lens and suggest that AKR1B10 does not contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract in humans.
A New Insight into Hepatitis C Vaccine Development
Authors: Yu Chun I. , Chiang Bor-Luen
Published: June 2010

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a serious burden to public health worldwide. Currently, HCV-infected patients could undergo antiviral therapy by giving pegylated IFN- with ribavirin. However, this therapy is only effective in around 50% of patients with HCV genotype 1, which accounts for more than 70% of all HCV infection, and it is not well tolerated for most patients. Moreover, there is no vaccine available. The efforts on identifying protective immunity against HCV have progressed recently. Neutralizing antibodies and robust T cell responses including both and have been shown to be related to the clearance of HCV, which have shed lights on the potential success of HCV vaccines. There are many vaccines developed and tested before entering clinical trials. Here, we would first discuss strategies of viral immune evasion and correlates of protective host immunity and finally review some prospective vaccine approaches against chronic HCV infection.
A Novel Lectin with Antiproliferative and HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitory Activities from Dried Fruiting Bodies of the Monkey Head MushroomHericium erinaceum
Authors: Li Yanrui , Zhang Guoqing , Ng Tzi Bun , Wang Hexiang
Published: June 2010

A lectin designated asHericium erinaceumagglutinin (HEA) was isolated from dried fruiting bodies of the mushroomHericium erinaceumwith a chromatographic procedure which entailed DEAE-cellulose, CM-cellulose, Q-Sepharose, and FPLC Superdex 75. Its molecular mass was estimated to be 51 kDa and its N-terminal amino acid sequences was distinctly different from those of other isolated mushroom lectins. The hemagglutinating activity of HEA was inhibited at the minimum concentration of 12.5 mM by inulin. The lectin was stable at pH 1.9–12.1 and at temperatures up to C, but was inhibited by , , and ions. The lectin exhibited potent mitogenic activity toward mouse splenocytes, and demonstrated antiproliferative activity toward hepatoma (HepG2) and breast cancer (MCF7) cells with an of 56.1 M and 76.5 M, respectively. It manifested HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory activity with an of 31.7 M. The lectin exhibited potent mitogenic activity toward murine splenocytes but was devoid of antifungal activity.
Identification of Constraining Experimental-Design Factors in Mycorrhizal Pot-Growth Studies
Authors: Audet Patrick , Charest Christiane
Published: June 2010

In the objective of
testing the design of pot-growth experiments, we
conducted two greenhouse studies of a
“dwarf” sunflower cultivar and an
arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus to determine
how pot size and inoculum distribution affect
plant growth and AM symbiosis. As predicted,
large-potted plants developed a greater overall
biomass and root colonization than small-potted
ones which we attributed to the larger
“rootable” volume. Furthermore,
plants grown in a band of high density inoculum
substrate showed a higher prevalence of fungal
vesicles (sites of lipid storage) indicating a
more advanced level of root colonization
compared to those grown in a dispersed inoculum
substrate; this likely being due to the higher
frequency of interaction between roots and
fungal propagules. In a second experiment,
large-potted AM plants showed a greater
tolerance to water deficit than non-AM control
plants; however, this mycorrhizal effect was not
detected among small-potted plants. We conclude
that careful consideration should be made toward
design parameters to limit result biases and
ultimately facilitate comparison of findings
between studies.
Transcriptome Analysis of the PhytobacteriumXylella fastidiosaGrowing under Xylem-Based Chemical Conditions
Authors: Ciraulo Maristela Boaceff , Santos Daiene Souza , Rodrigues Ana Claudia de Freitas Oliveira , Oliveira Marcus Vinícius de , Rodrigues Tiago , Oliveira Regina Costa de , Nunes Luiz R.
Published: June 2010

Xylella fastidiosais a xylem-limited bacterium responsible for important plant diseases, like citrus-variegated chlorosis (CVC) and grapevine Pierce's disease (PD). Interestingly,in vitrogrowth ofX. fastidiosain chemically defined media that resemble xylem fluid has been achieved, allowing studies of metabolic processes used by xylem-dwelling bacteria to thrive in such nutrient-poor conditions. Thus, we performed microarray hybridizations to compare transcriptomes ofX. fastidiosacells grown in 3G10-R, a medium that resembles grape sap, and in Periwinkle Wilt (PW), the complex medium traditionally used to cultivateX. fastidiosa. We identified 299 transcripts modulated in response to growth in these media. Some 3G10R-overexpressed genes have been shown to be upregulated in cells directly isolated from infected plants and may be involved in plant colonization, virulence and environmental competition. In contrast, cells cultivated in PW show a metabolic switch associated with increased aerobic respiration and enhanced bacterial growth rates.
RNAi-Based Strategies for Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibition in Cancer
Authors: Strillacci Antonio , Griffoni Cristiana , Valerii Maria Chiara , Lazzarini Giorgia , Tomasi Vittorio , Spisni Enzo
Published: June 2010

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme has been involved in the tumorigenesis and in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). The use of traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or selective COX-2 inhibitors has been proposed for the prevention and the treatment of this relevant neoplastic disease. In the light of an innovative alternative to these pharmacological approaches, we review here the possible strategies to achieve a strong and selective inhibition of COX-2 enzyme by using the mechanism of RNA Interference (RNAi) targeted against its mRNA. Anti-COX-2 siRNA molecules (siCOX-2) can be generated in CRC cells from short hairpin RNA (shRNA) precursors, delivered in vitro by a retroviral expression system, and induce a significant and stable silencing of overexpressed COX-2 in human colon cancer cells. As a safer alternative to viral approach, nonpathogenic bacteria (E. coli) can be engineered to invade eukaryotic cells and to generate siCOX-2 molecules in cancer cells. Moreover, the involvement of miRNAs in COX-2 posttranscriptional regulation opens up the possibility to exploit an endogenous silencing mechanism to knockdown overexpressed COX-2. Thus, these recent strategies disclose new challenging perspectives for the development of clinically compatible siRNA or miRNA capable of selectively inhibiting COX-2 enzyme.
Outcome of Colonic Surgery in Elderly Patients with Colon Cancer
Authors: Hermans E. , van Schaik P. M. , Prins H. A. , Ernst M. F. , Dautzenberg P. J. L. , Bosscha K.
Published: June 2010

Introduction. Colonic cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies and most often occurs in patients aged 65 years or older.Aim. To evaluate the outcome of colonic surgery in the elderly in our hospital and to compare five-year survival rates between the younger and elderly patients.Methods. 207 consecutive patients underwent surgery for colon cancer. Patients were separated in patients younger than 75 and older than 75 years.Results. Elderly patients presented significantly more (P<.05) as a surgical emergency, had a longer duration of admission and were more often admitted to the ICU (P<.01). Also, elderly patients had significant more co-morbidities, especially cardiovascular pathology (P<.01). Post-operative complications were seen more often in the elderly, although no significant difference was seen in anastomotic leakage. The five-year survival rate in the younger group was 62% compared with 36% in the elderly (P<.05). DFS was 61% in the younger patients compared with 32% in the elderly (P<.05).Conclusion. Curative resection of colonic carcinoma in the elderly is well tolerated and age alone should not be an indication for less aggressive therapy. However, the type and number of co-morbidities influence post-operative mortality and morbidity.
Giant-Cell Tumor of the Distal Ulna Treated by Wide Resection and Ulnar Support Reconstruction: A Case Report
Authors: Minami Akio , Iwasaki Norimasa , Nishida Kinya , Motomiya Makoto , Yamada Katsuhisa , Momma Daisuke
Published: June 2010

Giant-cell tumor of bone occurred in the distal end of the ulna is extremely uncommon. A 23-year-old male had a giant-cell tumor occurred in the distal end of the ulna. After wide resection of the distal segment of the ulna including giant-cell tumor, ulnar components of the wrist joint were reconstructed with modified Sauvé-Kapandji procedure using the iliac bone graft, preserving the triangular fibrocartilage complex and ulnar collateral ligament in order to maintain ulnar support of the wrist, and the proximal stump of the resected ulna was stabilized by tenodesis using the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon. One year after operation, the patient's wrist was pain-free and had a full range of motion. Postoperative X-rays showed no abnormal findings including recurrence of the giant-cell tumor and ulnar translation of the entire carpus. The stability of the proximal stump of the distal ulna was also maintained.
Association of ABCC2 and CDDP-Resistance in Two Sublines Resistant to CDDP Derived from a Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cell Line
Authors: Xie Si Ming , Fang Wei Yi , Liu Teng Fei , Yao Kai Tai , Zhong Xue Yun
Published: June 2010

Cisplatin (CDDP) is one of the most active drugs to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. To further understand the mechanisms of CDDP-resistance in NPC, two CDDP-resistant sublines (CNE2-CDDP and CNE2-CDDP-5Fu) derived from parental NPC cell line CNE2 were established. It was found that at the IC50 level, the resistance of CNE2-CDDP and CNE2-CDDP-5Fu against CDDP was 2.63-fold and 5.35-fold stronger than that of parental CNE2, respectively. Of the four ABC transporters (ABCB1, ABCC1, ABCC2 and ABCG2) related to MDR, only ABCC2 was found to be elevated both in CDDP-resistant sublines, with ABCC2 located in nucleus of CNE2-CDDP-5Fu but not in CNE2-CDDP and parental CNE2. Further research showed that compared to untreated CNE2, the intracellular levels of CDDP were decreased by 2.03-fold in CNE2-CDDP and 2.78-fold in CNE2-CDDP-5Fu. After treatment with PSC833, a modulator of MDR associated transporters including ABCC2, the intracellular level of CDDP was increased in CDDP-resistant sublines, and the resistance to CDDP was partially reversed from 2.63-fold to 1.62-fold in CNE2-CDDP and from 5.35-fold to 4.62-fold in CNE2-CDDP-5Fu. These data indicate that ABCC2 may play an important role in NPC resistant to CDDP.
Multiple Recurrent Stent Thrombosis in a Patient with Coexisting Clopidogrel Resistance and Increased Anticardiolipin Antibodies: A Case Report
Authors: Middlebrooks Erik H. , Panda Mukta
Published: June 2010

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a common cause of both arterial and venous thrombosis. While studies exist demonstrating the role of APS in coronary artery bypass graft failure, its role in stent thrombosis is less clearly documented. Also, a literature search of PubMed did not reveal any articles regarding the coexistence of clopidogrel resistance and APS despite increasing awareness of resistance to clopidogrel treatment. We present a case of a 59-year-old male having recurrent myocardial infarction after subacute restenosis of multiple drug-eluting stents despite anticoagulant therapy. The patient had in-stent thrombosis of seven drug-eluting stents in a course of eight days. He was subsequently found to have mild elevation of IgG anticardiolipin (aCL) antibody titers and resistance to clopidogrel. Long-term anticoagulation with a combination of low-molecular-weight heparin, clopidogrel, and aspirin has been effective. While the patient's aCL titer level was not elevated above the level required by the current diagnostic criteria for APS, we believe that this patient suffers from the antiphospholipid syndrome. We will discuss some of the controversies surrounding the diagnosis of APS as well as appropriate treatment and recognition of the coexistence of APS and clopidogrel resistance in patients with stent thrombosis.
Mutations in the Circadian Gene CLOCK in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Alhopuro Pia , Björklund Mikael , Sammalkorpi Heli , Turunen Mikko , Tuupanen Sari , Biström Mia , Niittymäki Iina , Lehtonen Heli J. , Kivioja Teemu , Launonen Virpi , Saharinen Juha , Nousiainen Kari , Hautaniemi Sampsa , Nuorva Kyösti , Mecklin Jukka-Pekka , Järvinen Heikki , Orntoft Torben , Arango Diego , Lehtonen Rainer , Karhu Auli , Taipale Jussi , Aaltonen Lauri A.
Published: June 2010

The circadian clock regulates daily variations in physiologic processes. CLOCK acts as a regulator in the circadian apparatus controlling the expression of other clock genes, including PER1. Clock genes have been implicated in cancer-related functions; in this work, we investigated CLOCK as a possible target of somatic mutations in microsatellite unstable colorectal cancers. Combining microarray gene expression data and public gene sequence information, we identified CLOCK as 1 of 790 putative novel microsatellite instability (MSI) target genes. A total of 101 MSI colorectal carcinomas (CRC) were sequenced for a coding microsatellite in CLOCK. The effect of restoring CLOCK expression was studied in LS180 cells lacking wild-type CLOCK by stably expressing GST-CLOCK or glutathione S-transferase empty vector and testing the effects of UV-induced apoptosis and radiation by DNA content analysis using flow cytometry. Putative novel CLOCK target genes were searched by using ChIP-seq. CLOCK mutations occurred in 53% of MSI CRCs. Restoring CLOCK expression in cells with biallelic CLOCK inactivation resulted in protection against UV-induced apoptosis and decreased G2-M arrest in response to ionizing radiation. Using ChIP-Seq, novel CLOCK-binding elements were identified near DNA damage genes p21, NBR1, BRCA1, and RAD50. CLOCK is shown to be mutated in cancer, and altered response to DNA damage provides one plausible mechanism of tumorigenesis. Mol Cancer Res; 8(7); 952–60. ©2010 AACR.
Gene Exchange and the Origin of Giant Viruses
Authors: Filée Jonathan , Chandler Michael
Published: June 2010

Giant viruses or nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs) infect a wide range of eukaryotic hosts (including, algae, amoebae and metazoans) and show a very large range in genome size (between 100 kb and 1.2 Mb). Here we review some recent results concerning the extensive lateral gene transfer which appears to have occurred during NCLDV evolution. Current data suggest that giant viruses probably originated from a simple and ancient viral ancestor with a small subset of 30–35 genes encoding replication and structural proteins. A large array of lateral gene transfers from diverse cellular sources, including several families of mobile genetic elements, is probably responsible for the huge diversity of genome size and composition found in extant giant viruses.
Blood Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acids Predict All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Stable Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Pottala James V. , Garg Sachin , Cohen Beth E. , Whooley Mary A. , Harris William S.
Published: June 2010

Background—

Omega-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) blood levels and intake have been inversely associated with risk for sudden cardiac death, but their relationship with all-cause mortality is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which baseline blood n-3 FA levels are associated with reduced risk for all-cause mortality in patients with stable coronary heart disease.

Methods and Results—

The Heart and Soul study used a prospective cohort design with a median follow-up of 5.9 years. Patients were recruited between 2000 and 2002 from 12 outpatient facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area. Standard cardiovascular risk factors, demographics, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and inflammatory markers were collected at baseline. Fasting blood levels of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were measured and expressed as a percent of total blood FAs. Vital status was assessed with annual telephone interviews and confirmed by review of death certificates. There were 237 deaths among 956 patients. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the extent to which blood eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were independently associated with all cause mortality. Compared with patients having baseline eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids levels below the median (<3.6%), those at or above the median had a 27% decreased risk of death (hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.56–0.94). This association was unaffected by adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, center, socioeconomic status, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and inflammatory markers (hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.55–1.00,
P
<0.05).

Conclusions—

In these outpatients with stable coronary heart disease, blood n-3 FA levels were inversely associated with total mortality independent of standard and emerging risk factors, suggesting that reduced tissue n-3 FA levels may adversely impact metabolism.
MimoSA: a system for minimotif annotation
Authors: Vyas Jay , Nowling Ronald J , Meusburger Thomas , Sargeant David , Kadaveru Krishna , Gryk Michael R , Kundeti Vamsi , Rajasekaran Sanguthevar , Schiller Martin R
Published: June 2010

Background

Minimotifs are short peptide sequences within one protein, which are recognized by other proteins or molecules. While there are now several minimotif databases, they are incomplete. There are reports of many minimotifs in the primary literature, which have yet to be annotated, while entirely novel minimotifs continue to be published on a weekly basis. Our recently proposed function and sequence syntax for minimotifs enables us to build a general tool that will facilitate structured annotation and management of minimotif data from the biomedical literature.

Results

We have built the MimoSA application for minimotif annotation. The application supports management of the Minimotif Miner database, literature tracking, and annotation of new minimotifs. MimoSA enables the visualization, organization, selection and editing functions of minimotifs and their attributes in the MnM database. For the literature components, Mimosa provides paper status tracking and scoring of papers for annotation through a freely available machine learning approach, which is based on word correlation. The paper scoring algorithm is also available as a separate program, TextMine. Form-driven annotation of minimotif attributes enables entry of new minimotifs into the MnM database. Several supporting features increase the efficiency of annotation. The layered architecture of MimoSA allows for extensibility by separating the functions of paper scoring, minimotif visualization, and database management. MimoSA is readily adaptable to other annotation efforts that manually curate literature into a MySQL database.

Conclusions

MimoSA is an extensible application that facilitates minimotif annotation and integrates with the Minimotif Miner database. We have built MimoSA as an application that integrates dynamic abstract scoring with a high performance relational model of minimotif syntax. MimoSA's TextMine, an efficient paper-scoring algorithm, can be used to dynamically rank papers with respect to context.
Delta inflation: a bias in the design of randomized controlled trials in critical care medicine
Authors: Aberegg Scott K , Richards D Roxanne , O'Brien James M
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Mortality is the most widely accepted outcome measure in randomized controlled trials of therapies for critically ill adults, but most of these trials fail to show a statistically significant mortality benefit. The reasons for this are unknown.

Methods

We searched five high impact journals (Annals of Internal Medicine, British Medical Journal, JAMA, The Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine) for randomized controlled trials comparing mortality of therapies for critically ill adults over a ten year period. We abstracted data on the statistical design and results of these trials to compare the predicted delta (delta; the effect size of the therapy compared to control expressed as an absolute mortality reduction) to the observed delta to determine if there is a systematic overestimation of predicted delta that might explain the high prevalence of negative results in these trials.

Results

We found 38 trials meeting our inclusion criteria. Only 5/38 (13.2%) of the trials provided justification for the predicted delta. The mean predicted delta among the 38 trials was 10.1% and the mean observed delta was 1.4% (P < 0.0001), resulting in a delta-gap of 8.7%. In only 2/38 (5.3%) of the trials did the observed delta exceed the predicted delta and only 7/38 (18.4%) of the trials demonstrated statistically significant results in the hypothesized direction; these trials had smaller delta-gaps than the remainder of the trials (delta-gap 0.9% versus 10.5%; P < 0.0001). For trials showing non-significant trends toward benefit greater than 3%, large increases in sample size (380% - 1100%) would be required if repeat trials use the observed delta from the index trial as the predicted delta for a follow-up study.

Conclusions

Investigators of therapies for critical illness systematically overestimate treatment effect size (delta) during the design of randomized controlled trials. This bias, which we refer to as "delta inflation", is a potential reason that these trials have a high rate of negative results.

"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence."
Reducing mortality in severe sepsis with the implementation of a core 6-hour bundle: results from the Portuguese community-acquired sepsis study (SACiUCI study)
Authors: Cardoso Teresa , Carneiro António Henriques , Ribeiro Orquídea , Teixeira-Pinto Armando , Costa-Pereira Altamiro
Published: June 2010

Introduction

To evaluate the impact of compliance with a core version of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 6-hour bundle on 28 days mortality.

Methods

Cohort, multi-centre, prospective study on community-acquired sepsis (CAS).

Results

Seventeen intensive care units (ICU) entered the study. Over a one year period, 4,142 patients were enrolled in the study. Of the 897 (24%) admitted with CAS, 778 (87%) had severe sepsis or septic shock on ICU admission. In the first six hours of hospital admission: (1) 62% had serum lactate measured; (2) 69% fluids administered; (3) 77% specimens collected for microbiology before antibiotic administration; (4) 48% blood cultures obtained; (5) 52% antibiotics administered within the first hour of the diagnosis; (6) vasopressors were given in 78%; (7) 56% had central venous measurement (CVP) measurement; (8) 17% had a central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) measurement; (9) dobutamine was administered in 52%. Compliance with all actions 1 to 6 (core bundle) was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.44 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.24-0.80] in severe sepsis and 0.49 (95% CI = 0.25-0.95) in septic shock, for 28 days mortality. This corresponded to a number needed to treat of 6 patients to save one life.

Conclusions

Compliance with this core bundle was associated with a significant reduction in the 28 days mortality. Urgent action should be taken in order to ensure that early sepsis diagnosis is followed by full completion of this "core bundle" followed by activation of expertise help in severe sepsis.
On estimation of the variances for critical branching processes with immigration
Authors: Ma Chunhua , Wang Longmin
Published: June 2010

The conditional least-squares estimators of the variances are studied for a critical branching process with immigration that allows the offspring distributions to have infinite fourth moments. We derive different forms of limiting distributions for these estimators when the offspring distributions have regularly varying tails with index α. In particular, in the case in which 2 < α < 8/3, the normalizing factor of the estimator for the offspring variance is smaller than √n, which is different from that of Winnicki (1991).
Approximation for expectations of unbounded functions of dependent integer-valued random variables
Authors: Ruzankin Pavel S.
Published: June 2010

Expectations of unbounded functions of dependent nonnegative integer-valued random variables are approximated by the expectations of the functions of independent copies of these random variables. The Lindeberg method is used.
Creating Individualized Data Sets for Student Exercises Using Microsoft Excel and Visual Basic
Authors: Tsai Weiyu , Wardell Don G.
Published: June 2010

In this paper we describe an approach that utilizes Excel macros to help OR/MS instructors to enhance and assess their students' learning. We begin by explaining a specific macro, Data Generator, which mainly helps statistics instructors to create assignment questions where numbers or data sets used in the questions are randomly generated according to the instructions specified by instructors. Because of the potentially narrow application range of our particular macro, we also describe an approach that can be used for more general questions. For the most part, this more general approach requires simply recording a macro and then pasting a few other instructions into the resulting code to make the recorded macro more user-friendly. We also provide a suggested procedure to help instructors to grade the students' answers automatically.