bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward Genetics-Based Virus Taxonomy: Comparative Analysis of a Genetics-Based Classification and the Taxonomy of Picornaviruses
Authors: Lauber Chris , Gorbalenya Alexander E.
Published: January 2012

Virus taxonomy has received little attention from the research community despite its broad relevance. In an accompanying paper (C. Lauber and A. E. Gorbalenya, J. Virol. 86:3890–3904, 2012), we have introduced a quantitative approach to hierarchically classify viruses of a family using pairwise evolutionary distances (PEDs) as a measure of genetic divergence. When applied to the six most conserved proteins of the
Picornaviridae
, it clustered 1,234 genome sequences in groups at three hierarchical levels (to which we refer as the “GENETIC classification”). In this study, we compare the GENETIC classification with the expert-based picornavirus taxonomy and outline differences in the underlying frameworks regarding the relation of virus groups and genetic diversity that represent, respectively, the structure and content of a classification. To facilitate the analysis, we introduce two novel diagrams. The first connects the genetic diversity of taxa to both the PED distribution and the phylogeny of picornaviruses. The second depicts a classification and the accommodated genetic diversity in a standardized manner. Generally, we found striking agreement between the two classifications on species and genus taxa. A few disagreements concern the species
Human rhinovirus A
and
Human rhinovirus C
and the genus
Aphthovirus
, which were split in the GENETIC classification. Furthermore, we propose a new supergenus level and universal, level-specific PED thresholds, not reached yet by many taxa. Since the species threshold is approached mostly by taxa with large sampling sizes and those infecting multiple hosts, it may represent an upper limit on divergence, beyond which homologous recombination in the six most conserved genes between two picornaviruses might not give viable progeny.
1,3-Dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 2-arylbenzothiazoles
Authors: Yang Xiaojuan , Liang Jinying
Published: January 2012

A one-pot synthesis of 2-arylbenzothiazoles from the reaction of 2-aminothiophenol and aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin is reported.
Phospholipid layer stabilization via Yb(III) on ITIES and facilitated K(I) transport
Authors: Jaklová Dytrtová Jana , Navrátil Tomáš , Mareček Vladimír
Published: January 2012

The stabilization of lecithin layer physically adsorbed on the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) using addition of Yb3+ to the aqueous phase was studied using cyclic voltammetry. Stability of this layer was evaluated according to the time of the layer formation; the optimal time amounted to 180 s. The stability of the layer as a function of the potential applied on the system during the layer formation was investigated. The behavior of the monolayer during the layer polarization was studied by the facilitated K+ transport using dibenzo-18-crown-6. The stoichiometry of Yb/anion/lecithin complexes was investigated using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS).
The correct interpretation of tetramethylthiourea electrosorption data in 3 M NaClO4 solution
Authors: Nieszporek Jolanta
Published: January 2012

Tetramethylthiourea (TMTU) electrosorption behaviour at the mercury electrode in 3 M NaClO4 has been examined. Using a new concept of adsorption isotherm, new theoretical expressions have been proposed. The application of these equations shows evident influence of the electrode charge on the TMTU adsorption. It can be concluded that TMTU molecules are largely specifically bonded and at zero electrode charge the change of adsorbed TMTU molecules orientation is observed.
Endovascular treatment of fusiform intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Devulapalli Kavi K , Chowdhry Shakeel A , Bambakidis Nicholas C , Selman Warren , Hsu Daniel Pierce
Published: January 2012

Background and purpose

Endovascular treatment (EVT) has emerged as an alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of intracranial fusiform aneurysms (IFAs), but little is known about the safety and efficacy of deconstructive and reconstructive methods, especially in patients presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The purpose of this study is to describe the radiological and clinical outcomes in patients with IFAs undergoing EVT.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 18 patients undergoing EVT of IFAs, 13 of whom (72.2%) presented with SAH. Radiological outcomes were characterized by the presence of parent vessel opacification and aneurysmal remnants for patients undergoing deconstructive and reconstructive EVT, respectively. Clinical outcomes were characterized by the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Contingency analysis of factors associated with clinical outcomes in patients with ruptured aneurysms was conducted.

Results

Technical success was achieved in 17 of the 18 patients (94.4%), with 10 (55.6%) undergoing reconstructive EVT and eight (44.4%) undergoing deconstructive EVT. For patients with SAH, favorable clinical outcomes were achieved in 9/13 (69.2%), with 3/6 (50.0%) undergoing reconstructive EVT and 6/7 (85.7%) undergoing deconstructive EVT. Among patients with ruptured aneurysms, only Hunt–Hess grade ≥3 was associated with an unfavorable clinical outcome (p=0.007). Favorable clinical outcomes were seen in all five patients with unruptured aneurysms.

Conclusion

Both deconstructive and reconstructive EVT were found to be safe and effective in patients with unruptured aneurysms. Reconstructive EVT may be associated with a higher incidence of poor clinical outcomes in patients presenting with high-grade SAH.
Endovascular therapy of acute ischemic stroke: report of the Standards of Practice Committee of the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery
Authors: Blackham K A , Meyers P M , Abruzzo T A , Alberquerque F C , Fiorella D , Fraser J , Frei D , Gandhi C D , Heck D V , Hirsch J A , Hsu D P , Jayaraman M , Narayanan S , Prestigiacomo C , Sunshine J L ,   on behalf of the Society for NeuroInterventional Surgery
Published: January 2012

Objective

To summarize and classify the evidence for the use of endovascular techniques in the treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

Recommendations previously published by the American Heart Association (AHA) (Guidelines for the early management of adults with ischemic stroke (Circulation2007) and Scientific statement indications for the performance of intracranial endovascular neurointerventional procedures (Circulation2009)) were vetted and used as a foundation for the current process. Building on this foundation, a critical review of the literature was performed to evaluate evidence supporting the endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The assessment was based on guidelines for evidence based medicine proposed by the Stroke Council of the AHA and the University of Oxford, Centre for Evidence Based Medicine (CEBM). Procedural safety, technical efficacy and impact on patient outcomes were specifically examined.
Raised herd somatic cell count due toStaphylococcus aureusfollowing the failure of an automatic teat spraying system
Authors: Edmondson P. W.
Published: January 2012

This study describes the failure of a single jet exit race automatic teat spray (ATS) system resulting in the spread ofStaphylococcus aureusinfection in a 135‐cow dairy herd, which showed an increased herd somatic cell count from 91,000/ml to 554,000/ml over a nine‐month period.S aureuswas isolated from 34 of 46 high cell count cows. The milking procedures were modified and manual teat spraying was restarted. Bacteriology was used to identifyS aureuspositive high cell count cows, and first and second lactation cows were treated during lactation. If their cell counts were not reduced, these were then culled. High cell countS aureuscows in lactation three or above were culled. The three‐month geometric mean cell count fell to below 150,000/ml within five months. As all replacements were home‐bred,S aureusinfection must have spread from within the herd itself. All other causes have been eliminated, and this spread is attributed to the failure of the ATS to carry out effective postmilking teat disinfection. The advantages and disadvantages of ATS systems are discussed, especially in relation to robotic or voluntary milking systems.
Survey of ophthalmic abnormalities in the labradoodle in the UK
Authors: Oliver J. A. C. , Gould D. J.
Published: January 2012

One‐hundred and seventy‐five labradoodles underwent slit‐lamp biomicroscopy and direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy between January 2008 and December 2009. These examinations were performed at shows by the first author. In addition, labradoodle eye certificates from the 2008 and 2009 British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club/International Sheep Dog Society (BVA/KC/ISDS) Eye Scheme were analysed (n=260). The results of the examinations were reviewed, and all ophthalmic abnormalities were recorded. The prevalence of any abnormality was compared with that reported by the Eye Scheme and the KC during 2009 for the labrador retriever, miniature, toy and standard poodles. Multifocal retinal dysplasia (MRD) was identified in 20 labradoodles (4.6 per cent), and cataracts were identified in 16 labradoodles (3.7 per cent). The prevalence of MRD in labradoodles was significantly greater than in labrador retrievers (P<0.0001). There was no difference in the prevalence of cataract between labradoodles and labrador retrievers (P=0.4866). The results of this study suggest that MRD is a relatively common finding in the labradoodle population in the UK. Given such an apparent high prevalence of MRD, routine screening for hereditary eye disease before breeding is advised for this increasingly popular new crossbreed.
Calibration of constitutive parameters by inverse analysis for a geotechnical boundary problem
Authors: Knabe Tina , Schweiger Helmut F. , Schanz Tom
Published: January 2012

The finite element method (FEM) has become a standard tool for solving complex problems in geotechnical engineering. Many different advanced constitutive models for fine-grained soils have been developed in recent years, which can consider various phenomena of soil. Generally, the number of constitutive parameters increases with phenomena incorporated in the model, and their determination is one of the key issues in numerical modeling in geotechnics. Normally, experimental data, experience, and back analyses based on engineering judgment are used to arrive at appropriate input parameters for a particular model. However, this procedure is not always satisfactory, especially when the number of required input parameters is large. In this paper, a population-based algorithm has been used to determine the constitutive parameters for a geotechnical boundary value problem, namely a floating stone column foundation under an embankment. Measurements of surface settlements and excess pore-water pressures at different depths are available for calibration. A subsequent statistical assessment of the calibration results is followed to assess the quality of the identified parameters in dependency of the different set of measurements evaluated. As a major result of this research, measures of the utility and reliability of the constitutive models for further predictive computations can be estimated.
Short- and long-term leakage through composite liners. The 7th Arthur Casagrande Lecture1This lecture was presented at the 14th Pan-American Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Toronto, Ont., October 2011, and a pre-print appeared in the conference proceedings.
Authors: Rowe R. Kerry
Published: January 2012

The factors that may affect short-term leakage through composite liners are examined. It is shown that the leakage through composite liners is only a very small fraction of that expected for either a geomembrane (GM) or clay liner (CL) alone. However, the calculated leakage through holes in a GM in direct contact with a clay liner is typically substantially smaller than that actually observed in the field. It is shown that calculated leakage taking account of typical connected wrinkle lengths observed in the field explains the observed field leakage through composite liners. Provided that care is taken to avoid excessive connected wrinkle lengths, the leakage through composite liners is very small compared to a typical GM or CL alone. It is shown that the leakage through composite liners with a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) is typically much less than for composite liners with a compacted clay liner (CCL). Finally, factors that will affect long-term leakage through composite liners are discussed. It is concluded that composite liners have performed extremely well in field applications for a couple of decades and that recent research both helps understand why they have worked so well and provides new insight into issues that need to be considered to ensure excellent long-term liner performance of composite liners — especially for applications where the liner temperature can exceed about 35 °C.
A RELAY-BASED APPROACH FOR ROBOT MOTION CONTROL WITH JOINT FRICTION AND GRAVITY COMPENSATION
Authors: LIU JIA , WU JIANHUA , XIONG ZHENHUA , ZHU XIANGYANG
Published: January 2012

This paper introduces a relay-based approach to control the motion of robot joints with friction and gravity load. This approach uses relay feedback tests to estimate the disturbances including Coulomb friction, viscous friction, and the gravity load. The relay feedback tests take the robot joint angular as the feedback signal and identify the friction value and the gravity load at the same time. A control scheme is then presented including a feedforward friction compensator and a feedforward gravity compensator based on the estimated results. With the disturbances properly compensated, the proposed approach improves the tracking performance of a robotic system. Simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Early maternal undernutrition programs increased feed intake, altered glucose metabolism and insulin secretion, and liver function in aged female offspring
Authors: George Lindsey A. , Zhang Liren , Tuersunjiang Nuermaimaiti , Ma Yan , Long Nathan M. , Uthlaut Adam B. , Smith Derek T. , Nathanielsz Peter W. , Ford Stephen P.
Published: January 2012

Insulin resistance and obesity are components of the metabolic syndrome that includes development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes with advancing age. The thrifty phenotype hypothesis suggests that offspring of poorly nourished mothers are predisposed to the various components of the metabolic syndrome due to adaptations made during fetal development. We assessed the effects of maternal nutrient restriction in early gestation on feeding behavior, insulin and glucose dynamics, body composition, and liver function in aged female offspring of ewes fed either a nutrient-restricted [NR 50% National Research Council (NRC) recommendations] or control (C: 100% NRC) diet from 28 to 78 days of gestation, after which both groups were fed at 100% of NRC from day 79 to lambing and through lactation. Female lambs born to NR and C dams were reared as a single group from weaning, and thereafter, they were fed 100% NRC recommendations until assigned to this study at 6 yr of age. These female offspring were evaluated by a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test, followed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for body composition analysis prior to and after ad libitum feeding of a highly palatable pelleted diet for 11 wk with automated monitoring of feed intake (GrowSafe Systems). Aged female offspring born to NR ewes demonstrated greater and more rapid feed intake, greater body weight gain, and efficiency of gain, lower insulin sensitivity, higher insulin secretion, and greater hepatic lipid and glycogen content than offspring from C ewes. These data confirm an increased metabolic “thriftiness” of offspring born to NR mothers, which continues into advanced age, possibly predisposing these offspring to metabolic disease.
UPEI-100, a conjugate of lipoic acid and apocynin, mediates neuroprotection in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion
Authors: Connell Barry J. , Saleh Monique C. , Khan Bobby V. , Rajagopal Desikan , Saleh Tarek M.
Published: January 2012

Previous work in our laboratory has provided evidence that preadministration of apocynin and lipoic acid at subthreshold levels for neuroprotection enhanced the neuroprotective capacity when injected in combination. Therefore, the present investigation was designed to determine whether a co-drug consisting of lipoic acid and apocynin functional groups bound by a covalent bond, named UPEI-100, is capable of similar efficacy using a rodent model of stroke. Male rats were anesthetized with Inactin (100 mg/kg iv), and the middle cerebral artery was occluded for 6 h or allowed to reperfuse for 5.5 h following a 30-min occlusion (ischemia/reperfusion, I/R). Preadministration of UPEI-100 dose-dependently decreased infarct volume in the I/R model ( P < 0.05), but not in the middle cerebral artery occlusion model of stroke. Using the optimal dose, we then injected UPEI-100 during the stroke or at several time points during reperfusion, and significant neuroprotection was observed when UPEI-100 was administered up to 90 min following the start of reperfusion ( P < 0.05). A time course for this neuroprotective effect showed that UPEI-100 resulted in a decrease in infarct volume following 2 h of reperfusion compared with vehicle. The time course of this neuroprotective effect was also used to study several mediators along the antioxidant pathway and showed that UPEI-100 increased the level of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase and oxidized glutathione and decreased a marker of lipid peroxidation due to oxidative stress (HNE-His adduct formation). Taken together, the data suggest that UPEI-100 may utilize similar pathways to those observed for the two parent compounds; however, it may also act through a different mechanism of action.
Integrative responses of neurons in parabrachial nuclei to a nauseogenic gastrointestinal stimulus and vestibular stimulation in vertical planes
Authors: Suzuki Takeshi , Sugiyama Yoichiro , Yates Bill J.
Published: January 2012

The parabrachial and adjacent Kölliker-Fuse (PBN/KF) nuclei play a key role in relaying visceral afferent inputs to the hypothalamus and limbic system and are, thus, believed to participate in generating nausea and affective responses elicited by gastrointestinal (GI) signals. In addition, the PBN/KF region receives inputs from the vestibular system and likely mediates the malaise associated with motion sickness. However, previous studies have not considered whether GI and vestibular inputs converge on the same PBN/KF neurons, and if so, whether the GI signals alter the responses of the cells to body motion. The present study, conducted in decerebrate cats, tested the hypothesis that intragastric injection of copper sulfate, which elicits emesis by irritating the stomach lining, modifies the sensitivity of PBN/KF neurons to vertical plane rotations that activate vestibular receptors. Intragastric copper sulfate produced a 70% median change in the gain of responses to vertical plane rotations of PBN/KF units, whose firing rate was modified by the administration of the compound; the response gains for 16 units increased and those for 17 units decreased. The effects were often dramatic: out of 51 neurons tested, 13 responded to the rotations only after copper sulfate was injected, whereas 10 others responded only before drug delivery. These data show that a subset of PBN/KF neurons, whose activity is altered by a nauseogenic stimulus also respond to body motion and that irritation of the stomach lining can either cause an amplification or reduction in the sensitivity of the units to vestibular inputs. The findings imply that nausea and affective responses to vestibular stimuli may be modified by the presence of emetic signals from the GI system.
Serotonin modulates multiple calcium current subtypes in commissural interneurons of the neonatal mouse
Authors: Abbinanti Matthew D. , Harris-Warrick Ronald M.
Published: January 2012

Calcium currents are critical to the intrinsic properties of neurons and the networks that contain them. These currents make attractive targets for neuromodulation. Here, we examine the serotonergic modulation of specific calcium current subtypes in neonatal (P0-5) intersegmental commissural interneurons (CINs), members of the hindlimb locomotor central pattern generator in the mouse spinal cord. Previous work in our lab showed that serotonin (5-HT) excited CINs in part by reducing a calcium current and thus indirectly reducing the calcium-activated potassium current ( Diaz-Rios et al. 2007 ). We have determined which calcium currents are targets of serotonin modulation. Utilizing whole cell voltage clamp and toxins to specific calcium current subtypes, we found that N- and P/Q-type currents comprise over 60% of the overall calcium current. Blockade of each of these subtypes alone with either ω-conotoxin GVIA or ω-agatoxin TK was unable to occlude 5-HT's reduction of the calcium current. However, coapplication of both blockers together fully occluded 5-HT's reduction of the calcium current. Thus, 5-HT decreases both N- and P/Q-type calcium current to excite neonatal CINs.
A test of spatial temporal decoding mechanisms in the superior colliculus
Authors: Katnani Husam A. , Van Opstal A. J. , Gandhi Neeraj J.
Published: January 2012

Population coding is a ubiquitous principle in the nervous system for the proper control of motor behavior. A significant amount of research is dedicated to studying population activity in the superior colliculus (SC) to investigate the motor control of saccadic eye movements. Vector summation with saturation (VSS) has been proposed as a mechanism for how population activity in the SC can be decoded to generate saccades. Interestingly, the model produces different predictions when decoding two simultaneous populations at high vs. low levels of activity. We tested these predictions by generating two simultaneous populations in the SC with high or low levels of dual microstimulation. We also combined varying levels of stimulation with visually induced activity. We found that our results did not perfectly conform to the predictions of the VSS scheme and conclude that the simplest implementation of the model is incomplete. We propose that additional parameters to the model might account for the results of this investigation.
Cross talk between synaptic receptors mediates NMDA-induced suppression of inhibition
Authors: Chisari Mariangela , Zorumski Charles F. , Mennerick Steven
Published: January 2012

Past research has shown that calcium influx through NMDA receptors (NMDARs) depresses GABAA currents. We examined upstream triggers of this suppression, including involvement of target synaptic GABAA receptors and the NMDARs triggering suppression. In hippocampal neurons, conditioning with 20 μM NMDA for 20 s caused 50% suppression of GABA responses. The suppression was delayed by ∼60 s following NMDA application and persisted for at least 5 min following conditioning. Pharmacology experiments suggested a shift in both the sensitivity to GABA and a loss of functional receptors. NMDA conditioning strongly suppressed inhibitory postsynaptic currents and speeded decay kinetics. Synaptic NMDAR conditioning was necessary to suppress GABA current in pyramidal neurons; extrasynaptic NMDAR activation did not suppress, even when matched to synaptic activation. We found no evidence that specific synaptic NMDAR subunits mediate depression of GABA responses. Although physical colocalization of glutamate and GABAA receptors is mostly likely in extrasynaptic regions, our evidence suggests that NMDAR-induced suppression of GABA responsiveness prominently affects precise, moment-to-moment signaling from synaptic receptors to synaptic receptors.
Cutaneous Silicone Granuloma Mimicking Breast Cancer after Ruptured Breast Implant
Authors: El-Charnoubi Waseem Asim Ghulam , Foged Henriksen Trine , Joergen Elberg Jens
Published: January 2012

Cutaneous manifestations due to migration of silicone from ruptured implants are rare. Migrated silicone with cutaneous involvement has been found in the chest wall, abdominal wall, and lower extremities. We describe a case of cutaneous silicone granuloma in the breast exhibiting unusual growth mimicking breast cancer after a ruptured implant.
Synthesis and Characterization of a New Five and Six Membered Selenoheterocyclic Compounds Homologues of Ebselen
Authors: Messali Mouslim , Abboudi Mostafa , Aouad Mohamed R. , Rezki Nadjet , Christiaens Léon E.
Published: January 2012

The discovery of the antioxidant activity of selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) has attracted growing attention in the biochemistry of selenium. Among molecules which mimic the structure of the active site of the enzyme, N-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazolin-3-one 1, Ebselen, exhibited useful anti-inflammatory properties. It has been extensively investigated and has undergone clinical trials as an anti-inflammatory agent. Unfortunately, Ebselen exhibits relatively poor catalytic activity, prompting attempts to design more efficacious GPx mimetics that would retain his low toxicity while manifesting improved catalytic properties. In this context, novel 1,2-benzoselenazine and 1,2-benzoselenazols, which are five and six membered homologues of Ebselen were synthesized and characterized. One structure has been proven by single crystal X-ray crystallography.
Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome of the Forearm in an Elite Rower
Authors: O'hEireamhoin S. , Baker J. F. , Neligan M.
Published: January 2012

We report a case of chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) affecting the volar forearm compartment of an elite rower. CECS of the forearm is a less well recognised entity than lower limb CECS. We describe a typical history and detail a potential treatment.
Total Hip Arthroplasty in Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IH
Authors: O'hEireamhoin S. , Bayer T. , Mulhall K. J.
Published: January 2012

Children affected by mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type IH (Hurler Syndrome), an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder, are known to experience a range of musculoskeletal manifestations including spinal abnormalities, hand abnormalities, generalised joint stiffness, genu valgum, and hip dysplasia and avascular necrosis. Enzyme therapy, in the form of bone marrow transplantation, significantly increases life expectancy but does not prevent the development of the associated musculoskeletal disorders. We present the case of a 23-year-old woman with a diagnosis of Hurler syndrome with a satisfactory result following uncemented total hip arthroplasty.
Optimal Harvesting When the Exchange Rate Is a Semimartingale
Authors: Offen E. R. , Lungu E. M.
Published: January 2012

We consider harvesting in the Black-Scholes Quanto Market when the exchange rate is being modeled by the process Et=E0exp⁡{Xt}, where Xt is a semimartingale, and we ask the following question: What harvesting strategy γ* and the value function Φ maximize the expected total income of an investment? We formulate a singular stochastic control problem and give sufficient conditions for the existence of an optimal strategy. We found that, if the value function is not too sensitive to changes in the prices of the investments, the problem reduces to that of Lungu and Øksendal. However, the general solution of this problem still remains elusive.
Pseudoaneurysm of Lumbar Artery following a Vertebral Biopsy: A Case Report
Authors: Mifune Yutaka , Yagi Masayoshi , Iwasaki Yasunobu , Doita Minoru
Published: January 2012

A 74-year-old man developed a severe low back pain and a fever. In the initial examinations, a collapse of the L5 anterosuperior vertebral body and narrowing of the L4/5 disc space were identified on radiographs, and the laboratory data showed inflammatory results. A computed tomography (CT) and a magnetic resonance imaging showed collapse of L5. A needle biopsy was performed to make a diagnosis; however, an abdominal pain and a hypotension appeared after the biopsy. An abdominal CT showed a hematoma in the retroperitoneal space, and an angiography revealed a left fourth lumbar artery pseudoaneurysm. The pseudoaneurysm was treated with transcatheter placement of microcoils. Although haemorrhagic complications following needle biopsy are very rare, patients with large amounts of vertebral destruction may have unusual anatomical positions of the lumber artery. Therefore, surgeons should be aware of the possibility of lumbar artery injury during a needle biopsy and take care of prebiopsy plans.
Analysis of Parking Reliability Guidance of Urban Parking Variable Message Sign System
Authors: Mei Zhenyu , Tian Ye , Li Dongping
Published: January 2012

Operators of parking guidance and information systems (PGIS) often encounter difficulty in determining when and how to provide reliable car park availability information to drivers. Reliability has become a key factor to ensure the benefits of urban PGIS. The present paper is the first to define the guiding parking reliability of urban parking variable message signs (VMSs). By analyzing the parking choice under guiding and optional parking lots, a guiding parking reliability model was constructed. A mathematical program was formulated to determine the guiding parking reliability of VMS. The procedures were applied to a numerical example, and the factors that affect guiding reliability were analyzed. The quantitative changes of the parking berths and the display conditions of VMS were found to be the most important factors influencing guiding reliability. The parking guiding VMS achieved the best benefit when the parking supply was close to or was less than the demand. The combination of a guiding parking reliability model and parking choice behavior offers potential for PGIS operators to reduce traffic congestion in central city areas.
New Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Therapeutic Strategies Based on the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/Angiotensin-(1–7)/Mas Receptor Axis
Authors: Ferreira Anderson J. , Murça Tatiane M. , Fraga-Silva Rodrigo A. , Castro Carlos Henrique , Raizada Mohan K. , Santos Robson A. S.
Published: January 2012

Angiotensin (Ang)-(1–7) is now recognized as a biologically active component of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The discovery of the angiotensin-converting enzyme homologue ACE2 revealed important metabolic pathways involved in the Ang-(1–7) synthesis. This enzyme can form Ang-(1–7) from Ang II or less efficiently through hydrolysis of Ang I to Ang-(1–9) with subsequent Ang-(1–7) formation. Additionally, it is well established that the G protein-coupled receptor Mas is a functional ligand site for Ang-(1–7). The axis formed by ACE2/Ang-(1–7)/Mas represents an endogenous counter regulatory pathway within the RAS whose actions are opposite to the vasoconstrictor/proliferative arm of the RAS constituted by ACE/Ang II/AT1receptor. In this review we will discuss recent findings concerning the biological role of the ACE2/Ang-(1–7)/Mas arm in the cardiovascular and pulmonary system. Also, we will highlight the initiatives to develop potential therapeutic strategies based on this axis.
The Finite Element Method Applied to a Problem of Blood Flow in Vessels
Authors: Nuţ Gabriela , Chiorean Ioana , Crişan Maria
Published: January 2012

We use the finite element method to solve a convection-diffusion equation when convection is dominating, a problem which describes the behavior of the concentration of a solute in a blood vessel. A new technique for computing the discrete problem is used.
Renal Pelviceal Keratinizing Squamous Metaplasia with Sparing of Pyramidal Zones
Authors: Siderits Richard H. , Fingerman Jared , Hazra Anup , Rimmer Cheryl , Colaco Marc , Mikhail Nagy , Ardeleanu Cristian , Mazari Peter M.
Published: January 2012

Metaplastic changes in the urothelium of the upper urinary tract are relatively infrequent. Metaplasia may present as either squamous or less often glandular differentiation. The process may be associated with chronic inflammation or associated chronic infections. There may be malignant transformation to either squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma. The demarcation of the metaplastic process in the minor calyces has not been well documented to date. We report the case of a 74-year-old female patient who presented with a history of chronic renal disease and acute pyohydronephrosis. The patient underwent a nephroureterectomy which revealed keratinizing desquamative squamous metaplasia throughout the renal pelvis and upper urinary tract with abrupt termination of metaplasia at the junction of the renal pelvis and the minor calyx (pyramidal zone). Immunohistochemical evaluation documents metaplastic urothelium stained positive for CK5, before converting sharply to simple cuboidal epithelium in the minor calyx (pyramidal zones) which stained positive CK7. At the junction of the metaplastic components and low cuboidal lined minor calyceal surfaces, the underlying stroma showed loss of ureteral muscularis mucosa with transition to renal parenchymal type stroma. We believe that this observation is unique and potentially relevant to the etiology and pathophysiology of pelviceal metaplasia.
Human Mast Cells (HMC-1 5C6) Enhance Interleukin-6 Production by Quiescent and Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells
Authors: Walia Damandeep S. , Sharma Mukut , Raveendran Vineesh V. , Zhou Jianping , Sharma Ram , Stechschulte Daniel J. , Dileepan Kottarappat N.
Published: January 2012

We examined the effect of intact human mast cells (HMC-1 5C6) and their selected mediators on interleukin-6 (IL-6) production and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) expression in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) in the presence and absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Scanning electron microscopy showed that HMC-1 5C6 cells adhere to HCAEC in cocultures. Addition of HMC-1 5C6 cells markedly enhanced the IL-6 production by quiescent and LPS-activated HCAEC even at the maximal concentration of LPS. Furthermore, mast cell-derived histamine and proteases accounted for the direct and synergistic effect of mast cells on IL-6 production that was completely blocked by the combination of histamine receptor-1 antagonist and protease inhibitors. Another novel finding is that histamine was able to induce BMP-2 expression in HCAEC. Collectively, our results suggest that endotoxin and mast cell products synergistically amplify vascular inflammation and that histamine participates in the early events of vascular calcification.
Comparison between Normalised and Unnormalised 454-Sequencing Libraries for Small-Scale RNA-Seq Studies
Authors: Ekblom Robert , Slate Jon , Horsburgh Gavin J. , Birkhead Tim , Burke Terry
Published: January 2012

Next-generation sequencing of transcriptomes (RNA-Seq) is being used increasingly in studies of nonmodel organisms. Here, we evaluate the effectiveness of normalising cDNA libraries prior to sequencing in a small-scale study of the zebra finch. We find that assemblies produced from normalised libraries had a larger number of contigs but used fewer reads compared to unnormalised libraries. Considerably more genes were also detected using the contigs produced from normalised cDNA, and microsatellite discovery was up to 73% more efficient in these. There was a positive correlation between the detected expression level of genes in normalised and unnormalised cDNA, and there was no difference in the number of genes identified as being differentially expressed between blood and spleen for the normalised and unnormalised libraries. We conclude that normalised cDNA libraries are preferable for many applications of RNA-Seq and that these can also be used in quantitative gene expression studies.
New and Simple Approach for Preventing Postoperative Peritoneal Adhesions: Do not Touch the Peritoneum without Viscous Liquid—A Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Aysan Erhan , Bektas Hasan , Ersoz Feyzullah , Sari Serkan , Kaygusuz Arslan , Huq Gulben Erdem
Published: January 2012

Background. Postoperative peritoneal adhesions (PPAs) are an unsolved and serious problem in abdominal surgery.Method. Viscous liquids of soybean oil, octyl methoxycinnamate, flax oil, aloe vera gel, and glycerol were used in five experiments, using the same methodology for each. Liquids were applied in the peritoneal cavity before and after mechanical peritoneal trauma. Results were evaluated by multivariate analysis.Results. Compared with the control group, macroscopic and microscopic adhesion values before (P<.001) and after (P<.05) application of viscous liquids significantly reduced PPAs. Values were significantly lower when liquids were applied before rather than after peritoneal trauma (P<.0001).Discussion. Viscous liquids injected into the peritoneal cavity before or after mechanical peritoneal trauma decrease PPA. Injection before trauma was more effective than after trauma. In surgical practice, PPA formation may be prevented or decreased by covering the peritoneal cavity with an appropriate viscous liquid before abdominal surgery.
In VivoMolecular Imaging in Retinal Disease
Authors: Xie Fang , Luo Wenting , Zhang Zhongyu , Sun Dawei
Published: January 2012

There is an urgent need for early diagnosis in medicine, whereupon effective treatments could prevent irreversible tissue damage. The special structure of the eye provides a unique opportunity for noninvasive light-based imaging of ocular fundus vasculature. To detect endothelial injury at the early and reversible stage of adhesion molecule upregulation, some novel imaging agents that target retinal endothelial molecules were generated.In vivomolecular imaging has a great potential to impact medicine by detecting diseases or screening disease in early stages, identifying extent of disease, selecting disease and patient-specific therapeutic treatment, applying a directed or targeted therapy, and measuring molecular-specific effects of treatment. Current preclinical findings and advances in instrumentation such as endoscopes and microcatheters suggest that these molecular imaging modalities have numerous clinical applications and will be translated into clinical use in the near future.
Diagnostic Disagreements in Bipolar Disorder: The Role of Substance Abuse Comorbidities
Authors: Shalini Theodore Rowena , Ramirez Basco Monica , Biggan John R.
Published: January 2012

Substance abuse can produce symptoms similar to other psychiatric disorders, thus confusing the diagnostic picture. This paper attempts to elucidate how misdiagnosis in bipolar disorder might be explained by the presence of substance abuse comorbidities. The overlap of symptoms, limited information about symptom onset, and inexperienced clinicians can result in the misinterpretation of symptoms of substance abuse disorders for bipolar disorder. The present study found that the presence of a substance abuse comorbidity, the polarity of last episode (depressed, manic, mixed, not otherwise specified), and the total number of comorbidities affected the reliability of a bipolar disorder diagnosis.
Alpha Lipoic Acid for Symptomatic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Mijnhout Gerritje S. , Kollen Boudewijn J. , Alkhalaf Alaa , Kleefstra Nanno , Bilo Henk J. G.
Published: January 2012

Objective. We performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effects of alpha lipoic acid for symptomatic peripheral neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus.Research design and methods. The databases MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched using the key words “lipoic acid’’, “thioctic acid’’, “diabet*’’, and the MeSH-terms “thioctic acid’’ and “diabetes mellitus’’. Randomised controlled trials using the TSS score as the outcome measure were selected and assessed for their methodological quality. Study selection and quality assessment were performed independently by three observers.Results. Overall, the pooled standardized mean difference estimated from all trials revealed a reduction in TSS scores of −2.26 (CI: −3.12 to −1.41;P=0.00001) in favour of alpha lipoic acid administration. Subgroup analyses of oral administration (−1.78 CI: −2.45 to −1.10;P=0.00001) and intravenous administration (−2.81 CI: −4.16 to −1.46;P=0.0001) confirmed the robustness of the overall result.Conclusions. When given intravenously at a dosage of 600 mg/day over a period of 3 weeks, alpha lipoic acid leads to a significant and clinically relevant reduction in neuropathic pain (grade of recommendation A). It is unclear if the significant improvements seen after 3–5 weeks of oral administration at a dosage of>600 mg/day are clinically relevant.
Dichotomies with No Invariant Unstable Manifolds for Autonomous Equations
Authors: Moşincat Răzvan O. , Preda Ciprian , Preda Petre
Published: January 2012

We analyze the existence of (no past) exponential dichotomies for a well-posed autonomous differential equation (that generates aC0-semigroup ). The novelty of our approach consists in the fact that we do not assume theT(t)-invariance of the unstable manifolds. Roughly speaking, we prove that if the solution of the corresponding inhomogeneous difference equation belongs to any sequence space (on which the right shift is an isometry) for every inhomogeneity from the same class of sequence spaces, then the continuous-time solutions of the autonomous homogeneous differential equation will exhibit a (no past) exponential dichotomic behavior. This approach has many advantages among which we emphasize on the facts that the aforementioned condition is very general (since the class of sequence spaces that we use includes almost all the known sequence spaces, as the classical spaces, sequence Orlicz spaces, etc.) and that from discrete-time conditions we get information about the continuous-time behavior of the solutions.
Effects of Fluorescein Staining on Laser In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Images of the Cornea
Authors: Sindt Christine W. , Critser D. Brice , Grout Trudy K. , Kern Jami R.
Published: January 2012

This study was designed to identify whether topical fluorescein, a common ophthalmic tool, affects laser in vivo confocal microscopy of the cornea, a tool with growing applications. Twenty-five eye care specialists were asked to identify presence or absence of fluorescein in 99 confocal micrographs of healthy corneas. Responses were statistically similar to guessing for the epithelium (48% ± 14% of respondents correct per image) and the subbasal nerve plexus (49% ± 11% correct), but results were less clear for the stroma. Dendritic immune cells were quantified in bilateral images from subjects who had been unilaterally stained with fluorescein. Density of dendritic immune cells was statistically similar between the unstained and contralateral stained eyes of 24 contact lens wearers (P=.72) and of 10 nonwearers (P=.53). Overall, the results indicated that fluorescein staining did not interfere with laser confocal microscopy of corneal epithelium, subbasal nerves, or dendritic immune cells.
Cocompact Open Sets and Continuity
Authors: Al Ghour Samer , Samarah Salti
Published: January 2012

Compact subsets of a topological space are used to define coc‐open sets as new generalized open sets, and then coc‐open sets are used to define (coc)∗‐open sets as another type of generalized open sets. Several results and examples related to them are obtained; particularly a decomposition of open sets is given. Also, coc‐open sets and (coc)∗‐open sets are used to introduce coc‐continuity and (coc)∗‐continuity, respectively. As a main result, a decomposition theorem of continuity is obtained.
Functional Relationships between Lipid Metabolism and Liver Regeneration
Authors: Rudnick David A. , Davidson Nicholas O.
Published: January 2012

The regenerative capacity of the liver is well known, and the mechanisms that regulate this process have been extensively studied using experimental model systems including surgical resection and hepatotoxin exposure. The response to primary mitogens has also been used to investigate the regulation of hepatocellular proliferation. Such analyses have identified many specific cytokines and growth factors, intracellular signaling events, and transcription factors that are regulated during and necessary for normal liver regeneration. Nevertheless, the nature and identities of the most proximal events that initiate hepatic regeneration as well as those distal signals that terminate this process remain unknown. Here, we review the data implicating acute alterations in lipid metabolism as important determinants of experimental liver regeneration and propose a novel metabolic model of regeneration based on these data. We also discuss the association between chronic hepatic steatosis and impaired regeneration in animal models and humans and consider important areas for future research.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Hydrangea‐Like F‐Doped Titania Microspheres for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Carbamazepine under UV and Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Ye Miaomiao , Yang Yulong , Zhang Yan , Zhang Tuqiao , Shao Weiyun
Published: January 2012

Hydrangea‐like F‐doped TiO2 microspheres have been synthesized on a large scale by a simple hydrothermal process using potassium titanium oxalate as the titanium source, ammonium fluoride and hydrogen peroxide as the etchant. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated using carbamazepine as the target organic molecule under UV and visible light irradiation. Structural characterization indicates that the hydrangea‐like TiO2 microspheres, with an average diameter of 2.80 μm, are composed of numerous anatase TiO2 petals. Moreover, it is found that both the NH4F and H2O2 dosages have important effects on the formation of the hydrangea‐like structures. In addition, photocatalytic experiments show that the hydrangea‐like TiO2 microspheres calcined at 500°C exhibit high photocatalytic efficiency under both UV and visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the successful fluorine doping, good crystallinity, and the unique nanostructures.
Adult Bone Marrow: Which Stem Cells for Cellular Therapy Protocols in Neurodegenerative Disorders?
Authors: Wislet-Gendebien Sabine , Laudet Emerence , Neirinckx Virginie , Rogister Bernard
Published: January 2012

The generation of neuronal cells from stem cells obtained from adult bone marrow is of significant clinical interest in order to design new cell therapy protocols for several neurological disorders. The recent identification in adult bone marrow of stem cells derived from the neural crests (NCSCs) might explain the neuronal phenotypic plasticity shown by bone marrow cells. However, little information is available about the nature of these cells compared to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this paper, we will review all information available concerning NCSC from adult tissues and their possible use in regenerative medicine. Moreover, as multiple recent studies showed the beneficial effect of bone marrow stromal cells in neurodegenerative diseases, we will discuss which stem cells isolated from adult bone marrow should be more suitable for cell replacement therapy.