bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two immunogenic passenger dendritic cell subsets in the rat liver have distinct trafficking patterns and radiosensitivities
Authors: Yu Bin , Ueta Hisashi , Kitazawa Yusuke , Tanaka Toshiya , Adachi Kensuke , Kimura Hiromitsu , Morita Miwa , Sawanobori Yasushi , Qian Hai Xin , Kodama Tatsuhiko , Matsuno Kenjiro
Published: April 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the trafficking patterns, radiation sensitivities, and functions of conventional dendritic cell (DC) subsets in the rat liver in an allotransplantation setting. We examined DCs in the liver, hepatic lymph, and graft tissues and recipient secondary lymphoid organs after liver transplantation from rats treated or untreated by sublethal irradiation. We identified two distinct immunogenic DC subsets. One was a previously reported population that underwent blood-borne migration to the recipient's secondary lymphoid organs, inducing systemic CD8+ T-cell responses; these DCs are a radiosensitive class II major histocompatibility complex (MHCII)+CD103+CD172a+CD11b−CD86+ subset. Another was a relatively radioresistant MHCII+CD103+CD172a+CD11b+CD86+ subset that steadily appeared in the hepatic lymph. After transplantation, the second subset migrated to the parathymic lymph nodes (LNs), regional peritoneal cavity nodes, or persisted in the graft. Irradiation completely eliminated the migration and immunogenicity of the first subset, but only partly suppressed the migration of the second subset and the CD8+ T-cell response in the parathymic LNs. The grafts were acutely rejected, and intragraft CD8+ T-cell and FoxP3+ regulatory T-cell responses were unchanged. The radioresistant second subset up-regulated CD25 and had high allostimulating activity in the mixed leukocyte reaction, suggesting that this subset induced CD8+ T-cell responses in the parathymic LNs and in the graft by the direct allorecognition pathway, leading to the rejection.

Conclusion:

Conventional rat liver DCs contain at least two distinct immunogenic passenger subsets: a radiosensitive blood-borne migrant and a relatively radioresistant lymph-borne migrant. LNs draining the peritoneal cavity should be recognized as a major site of the intrahost T-cell response by the lymph-borne migrant. This study provides key insights into liver graft rejection and highlights the clinical implications of immunogenic DC subsets. (Hepatology 2012)
Impact of large‐scale reservoir operation on flow regime in the Chao Phraya River basin, Thailand
Authors: Tebakari Taichi , Yoshitani Junichi , Suvanpimol Pongthakorn
Published: April 2012

The Chao Phraya River basin, the largest basin in Thailand, is located in the centre of the northern part of the country. This basin has two large‐scale reservoirs: the Bhumibol Reservoir on the Ping River and the Sirikit Reservoir on the Nan River. A comparison of the annual and monthly flow regimes downstream from the reservoirs before and after reservoir development showed a constant increase in low flow and a drastic decrease in high flow. The spectrum of the daily discharge was analysed using the fast Fourier transform on data collected in the area of Nakhon Sawan and immediately downstream from the Bhumibol Reservoir after the reservoir was constructed. The flow at Nakhon Sawan had a periodic characteristic of 7  days. The water released from the Bhumibol Reservoir at hydrological station P.12 also had a periodic characteristic of 7 days. Reservoir operations have a significant impact on the hydrological cycles. The effect of human activities is evident in the spectrum analysis of recorded historical discharge data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
COMMUNITY VIOLENCE EXPOSURE AND ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE: DOES MONITORING AND POSITIVE PARENTING MODERATE RISK IN URBAN COMMUNITIES?
Authors: Lee Rosalyn
Published: April 2012

This study investigates whether monitoring and positive parenting moderate the relationship between community violence exposure (CVE) and youth substance use. Analyses utilized a subsample (N = 2197) of a cross‐sectional, ethnically diverse, urban school district sample. Dependent variables were any past year alcohol or drug use (AOD) and binge drinking. Independent variables were CVE, perceptions of parental monitoring, and positive parenting. Sixty‐four percent of the sample witnessed beatings, 16.5% witnessed stabbings or shootings; 45% and 19.5% reported AOD consumption and binge drinking, respectively. After controlling for confounders, logistic regression models indicated that CVE was significantly and positively related to AOD and binge drinking. Parental monitoring was inversely related to AOD and binge drinking. Significant interactions between CVE and parenting variables were not found. Additional research is needed to identify factors at multiple levels of the social ecology that buffer the impact of community violence on adolescent substance use.
INVOLVING PARENTS IN A COMMUNITY‐BASED, CULTURALLY GROUNDED MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION FOR AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH: PARENT PERSPECTIVES, CHALLENGES, AND RESULTS
Authors: Goodkind Jessica , LaNoue Marianna , Lee Christopher , Freeland Lance , Freund Rachel
Published: April 2012

An important predictor of youth well‐being and resilience is the presence of nurturing adults in a youth's life. Parents are ideally situated to fulfill this role but often face challenges and stressors that impede their ability to provide adequate support and guidance. American Indian parents may also be affected by intergenerational transmission of trauma and loss of traditional parenting practices, as a result of forced boarding school and/or relocation. Members of a community‐university partnership sought to interrupt cycles of violence and poor mental health of youth through a culturally‐grounded intervention for youth and their parents that focused on healing historical trauma, strengthening positive parenting practices and social skills, reconnecting to traditional cultural knowledge, and improving parent‐child relationships/communication. This article describes parental involvement and its challenges and provides mixed‐method results for 10 parents related to enculturation, parenting practices, parent‐child communication, family cohesion, historical loss and associated symptoms, and community involvement.
Differential Responses of Cortisol and Corticosterone to Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) in a Subterranean Rodent (Ctenomys talarum)
Authors: VERA FEDERICO , ZENUTO ROXANA RITA , ANTENUCCI CARLOS DANIEL
Published: April 2012

We aimed to evaluate the responses of cortisol, corticosterone, and blood glucose to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in males and females of the subterranean rodentCtenomys talarumand addressed interannual variations in the plasma levels of both hormones. The most important results indicate that: (1) cortisol positively responds to theACTHsignal but corticosterone does not, even though corticosterone levels were higher than cortisol concentrations, (2) plasma corticosterone concentrations in free‐living animals were 20 times higher compared to values reported for the same population during previous annual periods and, as cortisol levels were similar, this resulted in much lower cortisol/corticosterone ratios, (3) cortisol and corticosterone differentiated in their relative proportions in plasma in free‐living males and females. These results indicate that cortisol and corticosterone are differentially regulated in our study species and emphasize that a remarkable temporal variation in the relative proportions of these hormones may occur in natural populations. Therefore, the conclusions regarding the presence of cortisol and corticosterone in plasma of wild animals may differ substantially depending on the moment when the study is conducted. Recent data indicate that cortisol and corticosterone are not interchangeable hormones in species of free‐living vertebrates. We suggest that, in addition to the classical roles of glucocorticoids (GCs), it is crucial that other physiological functions be kept in mind when interpretingGCdata from wild species.J. Exp. Zool. 317:173–184, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Screening of Upregulated Genes Induced by High Density in the Vetch Aphid Megoura crassicauda
Authors: ISHIKAWA ASANO , ISHIKAWA YUKI , OKADA YASUKAZU , MIYAZAKI SATOSHI , MIYAKAWA HITOSHI , KOSHIKAWA SHIGEYUKI , BRISSON JENNIFER A. , MIURA TORU
Published: April 2012

Aphids exhibit several polyphenisms in which discontinuous, alternative phenotypes are produced depending on environmental conditions. One representative example is the wing polyphenism, where winged and wingless females are produced through parthenogenesis. Previous work has shown that, in some aphid species, the density condition sensed by the mother aphid determines the developmental fate of embryos in her ovary, with high densities leading to winged progeny and low densities to wingless progeny. However, little is known about the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying the wing polyphenism. To identify genes involved in the wing‐morph determination in the vetch aphid, Megoura crassicauda, we compared maternal and embryonic transcripts between high‐ and low‐density conditions using differential display, followed by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). Under the high‐density condition, two genes (Uba1 and Naca) were found to be upregulated in maternal tissues without ovaries, while one gene (ClpP) was upregulated in ovaries containing embryos. Uba1 and Naca encode factors that function in protein modification or transcriptional/translational regulation, respectively. In addition to differential display, candidate gene approaches focusing on morphogenetic and endocrine genes, i.e., wg, dpp, ap, hh, InR, IRS, Foxo, EcR, and USP, were also carried out. We found that wg was upregulated in maternal tissues under the high‐density condition. The identified genes from both approaches are candidates for further study of their involvement in the transduction of density signals in mother aphids and/or the initial process of wing differentiation in embryos. J. Exp. Zool. 317:194–203, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Validation of the seventh edition of the American Joint Committee on cancer tumor node‐staging system in patients with colorectal carcinoma in comparison with sixth classification
Authors: Park Jun Seok , Choi Gyu‐Seog , Hasegawa Suguru , Sakai Yoshiharu , Huh Jung Wook , Kim Hyeong Rok , Kwak Sang Gyu
Published: April 2012

Background

The aim of this study was to compare survival rates assessed by the seventh‐staging system with those by the sixth classification.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 3,377 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal adenocarcinoma from three university hospitals. The overall survival (OS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) rates were compared between patients whose stages according to the seventh‐staging system remained the same and patients whose stages migrated, and between subgroups within each new stage (homogeneity analysis).

Results

In seventh edition, the 5‐year OS and CSS rates of patients with T3n2 tumor were significantly greater in the downstaged patients (T3N2a) than in other patients (T3N2b) (OS, P = 0.010; CSS, P = 0.009). The 5‐year survival rates for patients with T4a and T4b sub‐classifications according to the seventh edition did not differ from those in patients with T4N0‐1. Homogeneity analysis of subgroups classified using the new system showed that some subgroups of stage IIIB (T3N2a/T4aN1) had poorer survival rates compared with patients in other sub‐categories in the same stage IIIB (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Overall, the seventh edition provides a more detailed classification of the prognosis than the old system. However, further study would be warranted to evaluate the validity of sub‐classification in seventh TNM‐staging system, especially for T4a‐b and T3N2a tumors. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:674–679. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
EBV infection and mismatch repair deficiency mediated by loss of hMLH1 expression contribute independently to the development of multiple synchronous gastric carcinomas
Authors: Park Ha Young , Kang So Young , Kang Gu Hyun , Bae Go Eun , Lee Seung Eun , Kim Kyoung‐Mee , Park Cheol Keun , Choi Min Gew , Noh Jae Hyung , Sohn Tae Sung , Bae Jae Moon , Kim Sung
Published: April 2012

Background

To explore the possible association between EBV, microsatellite instability (MSI), and alterations of hMLH1 protein, 282 tumors from 141 patients with multiple synchronous gastric carcinomas (MSGC) were studied.

Methods

In situ hybridization for EBV‐encoded small RNA and hMLH1 immunohistochemistry were performed in tissue microarrays. In 19 MSGC cases with altered hMLH1 expression, methylation analyses by MethyLight and MSI tests were performed.

Results

Loss of hMLH1 was found in 19 of 141 MSGC patients (13.5%) and 26 of 282 MSGC tumors (9.2%). hMLH1 loss was associated with differentiated histology (P = 0.03). Out of the 38 tumors from 19 hMLH1‐negative MSGCs, 12 tumors from six cases (31.6%) showed concurrent methylation of hMLH1 and MSI‐high in both multiple tumors. EBV was found in 31 of 141 MSGC patients (21.9%) and 49 of 282 MSGC tumors (17.4%) and was significantly associated with undifferentiated histology and a location within the upper third of the stomach (P < 0.002). EBV was not observed in any of the tumors that had a loss of hMLH1 expression.

Conclusions

Considering that EBV‐associated GCs show global CpG island methylation, our findings suggest that EBV infection allows the gastric mucosa to escape from aberrant methylation of hMLH1 and induces a malignant pathway independent of MSI. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:777–782. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pro‐Poor Tourism in a First World Urban Setting: Case Study of Glasgow Govan
Authors: Butler Richard , Curran Ross , O'Gorman Kevin D.
Published: April 2012

This research investigates pro‐poor tourism (PPT), which has only been considered in a third world context, in a first world country, determining whether PPT principles are being used to alleviate poverty in a developed location, Glasgow Govan, in Scotland. The research develops and applies a new PPT principles tool to regeneration projects in the area and reveals a significant level of PPT application there. The findings suggest that PPT can be an over‐complication of a common sense development approach that any responsible government should promote. The results also question the validity of community based tourism initiatives. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Usability of ringed polytetrafluoroethylene grafts for middle hepatic vein reconstruction during living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Hwang Shin , Jung Dong-Hwan , Ha Tae-Yong , Ahn Chul-Soo , Moon Deok-Bog , Kim Ki-Hun , Song Gi-Won , Park Gil-Chun , Jung Sung-Won , Yoon Sam-Youl , Namgoong Jung-Man , Park Chun-Soo , Park Yo-Han , Park Hyeong-Woo , Lee Hyo-Jun , Lee Sung-Gyu
Published: April 2012

Large vein allografts are suitable for middle hepatic vein (MHV) reconstruction, but their supply is often limited. Although polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts are unlimitedly available, their long-term patency is relatively poor. We intended to enhance the clinical usability of PTFE grafts for MHV reconstruction during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Two sequential studies were performed. First, PTFE grafts were implanted as inferior vena cava replacements into dogs. Second, in a 1-year prospective clinical trial of 262 adults undergoing LDLT with a modified right lobe, MHV reconstruction with PTFE grafts was compared with other types of reconstruction, and the outcomes were evaluated. In the animal study, PTFE grafts induced strong inflammatory reactions and luminal thrombus formation, but the endothelial lining was well developed. In the clinical study, the reconstruction techniques were revised to make a composite PTFE graft with an artery patch on the basis of the results of the animal study. MHVs were reconstructed with cryopreserved iliac veins (n = 122), iliac arteries (n = 43), aortas (n = 13), and PTFE (n = 84), and these reconstructions yielded 6-month patency rates of 75.3%, 35.2%, 92.3%, and 76.6%, respectively. The overall 6-month patency rates for the iliac vein and PTFE grafts were similar (P = 0.92), but the 6-month patency rates with vein segment 5 were 51.0% and 34.7%, respectively (P = 0.001). The overall graft and patient survival rates did not differ among these 4 groups. In conclusion, ringed PTFE grafts combined with small vessel patches showed high patency rates comparable to those of iliac vein grafts; thus, they can be used for MHV reconstruction when other sizable vessel allografts are not available. Liver Transpl, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
Age and abdominal wall strength: Assessing the aging abdominal wall after autologous breast reconstruction
Authors: Nelson Jonas A. , Fosnot Joshua , Selber Jesse C. , Wu Liza C. , Serletti Joseph M.
Published: April 2012

Autologous breast reconstruction is safe in advanced age, yet no study has examined its effects on the aging abdomen. We, therefore, studied 145 women who participated in a prospective study of abdominal strength following abdominal free flap breast reconstruction, comparing preoperative and late follow‐up scores in patients ≥60 years old (11 unilateral, 13 bilateral) compared with patients <60 (58 unilateral, 63 bilateral). Simple in‐office tests were utilized to test abdominal strength. No differences were noted in unilateral absolute scores at either time point, however, a decrease in upper abdominal strength was noted in the younger cohort over time (P = 0.01). Bilateral analyses revealed absolute score decreases in upper abdominal strength for both cohorts but no major differences between the two. We conclude that autologous breast reconstruction with abdominal tissue in older patients result in little to no difference in abdominal function as compared with younger patients. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.
Numerical methods for a coupled system of differential equations arising from a thermal ignition problem
Authors: Pao C.V. , Chang Yu‐Hsien , Jau Guo‐Chin
Published: April 2012

This article is concerned with monotone iterative methods for numerical solutions of a coupled system of a first‐order partial differential equation and an ordinary differential equation which arises from fast‐igniting catalytic converters in automobile engineering. The monotone iterative scheme yields a straightforward marching process for the corresponding discrete system by the finite‐difference method, and it gives not only a computational algorithm for numerical solutions of the problem but also the existence and uniqueness of a finite‐difference solution. Particular attention is given to the “finite‐time” blow‐up property of the solution. In terms of minimal sequence of the monotone iterations, some necessary and sufficient conditions for the blow‐up solution are obtained. Also given is the convergence of the finite‐difference solution to the continuous solution as the mesh size tends to zero. Numerical results of the problem, including a case where the continuous solution is explicitly known, are presented and are compared with the known solution. Special attention is devoted to the computation of the blow‐up time and the critical value of a physical parameter which determines the global existence and the blow‐up property of the solution. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2013
The development of business associations in Central America: the role of international actors and economic integration
Authors: Bull Benedicte
Published: April 2012

This article analyses the formation and development of business associations in Central America from the 1960s to the present. It shows how the development of the region's economies and its formal business associations were shaped by increasing economic integration in the region and by foreign governments and institutions. The argument presented is that the role of external actors and increasing international economic and political integration renders inadequate the commonly held explanation regarding the existence and operation of business associations as interest groups in the region. The origin, cohesiveness, evolution and influence of many formal business organizations in Central America is the result not only of a self‐help function, the dynamics of business–state relations, or that of business reacting to perceived threats from labour or other organized groups, but also of various international influences. These international forces worked to both divide and unify the region's business interests but overall have increased their numbers and the technical and political capacity of both new and existing organizations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Business, social responsibility, and corruption
Authors: Branco Manuel Castelo , Delgado Catarina
Published: April 2012

This paper explores the role of corporate social responsibility and the reporting thereof in the fight against corruption. A special focus is laid on the international endeavors to improve transparency through reporting, and the paper elaborates extensively on the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. Voluntary initiatives, such as the UNGC, the OECD guidelines, and the GRI guidelines, are considered to play an important role in providing the trust‐based informal social norms, without which markets and societies cannot function. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maxillary dental arch biometry: assessment with fetal MR imaging
Authors: Mailath‐Pokorny Mariella , Klein Katharina , Worda Christof , Weber Michael , Brugger Peter C. , Czerny Christian , Nemec Ursula , Prayer Daniela
Published: April 2012

Objective

To define normal growth of the fetal maxillary dental arch using magnetic resonance imaging.

Method

Four hundred twenty‐four consecutive fetuses (18 to 37 weeks) with a morphologically normal anatomy or only minor malformations, not affecting bone growth and face anatomy were included. On axial T2‐weighted images the dental arch length and width were measured. The measurements were correlated with gestational age and the biparietal diameter (BPD) of the fetal head using correlation and regression analysis.

Results

A linear growth relationship was observed between the dental arch length and gestational age (r = 0.86; p = <0.0001; y = −1.85 + 0.75 × gestational age) and the dental arch width and gestational age (r = 0.92; p = <0.0001; y = −2.19 + 1.05 × gestational age). A significant correlation was found between the dental arch length and the BPD (r = 0.903; p = <0.0001) and the dental arch width and the BPD (r = 0.927; p = <0.0001). The interobserver variability showed good agreement for the dental arch length (intraclass coefficient 0.981; r = 0.963) and width (intraclass coefficient 0.987; r = 0.974), respectively.

Conclusion

We present a nomogram for the in utero assessment of the fetal dental arch. These data may help in the early detection of abnormal dental arch development. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of MDM2, p16, and p53 staining levels as biomarkers of biochemical recurrence following salvage radiation therapy for recurrent prostate cancer
Authors: Heckman Michael G. , Parker Alexander S. , Wu Kevin J. , Hilton Tracy W. , Ko Stephen J. , Pisansky Thomas M. , Schild Steven E. , Khor Li Yan , Hammond Elizabeth H. , Pollack Alan , Buskirk Steven J.
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The selection of appropriate candidates for salvage radiation therapy (SRT) to address a rising PSA following radical prostatectomy remains challenging. Herein, we provide the first evaluation of the ability of staining levels of the tumor based biomarkers MDM2, p16, and p53 to aid in prediction of biochemical recurrence (BCR) among men undergoing SRT for recurrent prostate cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We identified 152 patients who were treated with SRT between July 1987 and July 2003. Staining levels of MDM2, p16, and p53 in primary tumor samples removed during prostatectomy were detected using monoclonal antibodies and quantified by use of a computer‐assisted method. Associations of staining levels with BCR were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models; relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated.

RESULTS

Compared to patients with low staining (≤median) as measured by percentage of cells with nuclear staining, there was no significant difference in risk of BCR for patients with high MDM2 staining (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.57–1.45, P = 0.67), high p16 staining (RR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.54–1.44, P = 0.62), or high p53 staining (RR: 1.33, 95% CI: 0.84–2.11, P = 0.23) in multivariable analysis. These results were consistent when considering alternate percentile cutpoints and alternate quantifications of biomarker staining.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide evidence that MDM2, p16, and p53 staining levels are not useful in the prediction of BCR after SRT. As such, these biomarkers are of little clinical use in the selection of appropriate candidates for SRT. Prostate 72:1757–1766, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A high‐fat diet enhances proliferation of prostate cancer cells and activates MCP‐1/CCR2 signaling
Authors: Huang Mingguo , Narita Shintaro , Numakura Kazuyuki , Tsuruta Hiroshi , Saito Mitsuru , Inoue Takamitsu , Horikawa Yohei , Tsuchiya Norihiko , Habuchi Tomonori
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND

Dietary patterns including high‐fat diet (HFD) and high‐carbohydrate diet (HCD) play an important role in prostate cancer progression. However, which of these diets have the greatest effect on tumor progression and its underlying mechanisms remains unclear.

METHODS

We investigated the effects of different diets on prostate cancer cell growth and the relevant circulating factors including serum insulin, growth factors, and inflammatory cytokines using the in vivo and ex vivo model.

RESULTS

The tumor growth of prostate cancer LNCaP xenograft was significantly higher in the HFD group than in the HCD and control diet (CD) groups (P = 0.01; HFD vs. HCD, P = 0.025; HFD vs. CD, P = 0.003). The mean level of the serum monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) in the HFD group was significantly higher than that in the HCD and CD groups (P = 0.024; HFD vs. HCD, P = 0.033; HFD vs. CD, P = 0.001). The mRNA levels of CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), which is an MCP‐1 receptor, and the expression of activated Akt were the highest in the HFD group. Furthermore, serum from HFD‐fed mice enhanced the proliferation of two PCa cells and CCR2 knockdown inhibited HFD‐induced proliferation of LNCaP cells.

CONCLUSIONS

An HFD enhanced prostate cancer cell growth more strongly than an HCD or CD. MCP‐1/CCR2 signaling may be involved in an HFD‐induced prostate cancer progression. Prostate 72:1779–1788, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stilbenoids from Gnetum macrostachyum Attenuate Human Platelet Aggregation and Adhesion
Authors: Kloypan Chiraphat , Jeenapongsa Rattima , Sri‐in Piyawit , Chanta Surin , Dokpuang Dech , Tip‐pyang Santi , Surapinit Nattanan
Published: April 2012

Platelets play a critical role in pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders and strokes. The inhibition of platelet function is beneficial for the treatment and prevention of these diseases. The phytochemical investigation of stilbenoids from Gnetum macrostachyum Hook. f. led to the isolation of trans‐resveratrol (1), isorhapotigenin (2), gnetol (3), bisisorhapontigenin B (4), gnetin C (5), parvifolol A (6), latifolol (7) and gnetuhainin C (8). The isolated stilbenoids were evaluated for in vitro antiplatelet activities via agonist‐induced platelet aggregation and static platelet‐collagen adhesion assays using washed human platelets. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 were active in the inhibition of arachidonic acid (AA)‐induced platelet aggregation. Compound 2 and its dimer, compound 4, were the most active stilbenoids in thrombin‐induced platelet aggregation. Moreover, compounds 4, 5 and 6, tended to be more potent than monomeric and trimeric stilbenoids in a human platelet‐collagen adhesion assay under static conditions. This is the first report of the antiplatelet activity of stilbenoids isolated from G. macrostachyum. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Beneficial actions of melatonin in the management of viral infections: a new use for this “molecular handyman”?
Authors: Boga Jose Antonio , Coto‐Montes Ana , Rosales‐Corral Sergio A. , Tan Dun‐Xian , Reiter Russel J.
Published: April 2012

Melatonin (N‐acetyl‐5‐methoxytryptamine) is a multifunctional signaling molecule that has a variety of important functions. Numerous clinical trials have examined the therapeutic usefulness of melatonin in different fields of medicine. Clinical trials have shown that melatonin is efficient in preventing cell damage under acute (sepsis, asphyxia in newborns) and chronic states (metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, inflammation, aging). The beneficial effects of melatonin can be explained by its properties as a potent antioxidant and antioxidant enzyme inducer, a regulator of apoptosis and a stimulator of immune functions. These effects support the use of melatonin in viral infections, which are often associated with inflammatory injury and increases in oxidative stress. In fact, melatonin has been used recently to treat several viral infections, which are summarized in this review. The role of melatonin in infections is also discussed herein. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐factor mutual authentication with key agreement in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Vaidya Binod , Makrakis Dimitrios , Mouftah Hussein
Published: April 2012

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are getting popular for their deployment in unattended environments, where a registered user can log in to the network and access data collected from the desired sensor. Because of limited resources and computation power in sensor nodes, an authentication protocol should be simple and efficient. M.L. Das proposed a two‐factor authentication scheme for WSNs. Because his scheme uses only one‐way hash function and XOR operation, it is well suited for resource‐constrained environments. Because of some flaws in Das's scheme, several improved schemes have been introduced. In this paper, we show that Das's scheme and its derivatives not only have security imperfections but also do not provide key agreement. To overcome their security shortcomings, we propose a novel user authentication scheme with key agreement for WSN. We furnish security analysis of the proposed protocol to show its robustness to various attacks as well as analyze its performance to determine its efficiency. We provide protocol analysis and verification of the proposed protocol. Compared with the existing schemes, it is more robust and offers better security. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What you see predicts what you get—lightweight agent‐based malware detection
Authors: Wang Wei , Murynets Ilona , Bickford Jeffrey , Wart Christopher Van , Xu Gang
Published: April 2012

Because of the always connected nature of mobile devices, as well as the unique interfaces they expose, such as short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), and Bluetooth, classes of mobile malware tend to propagate using means unseen in the desktop world. In this paper, we propose a lightweight malware detection system on mobile devices to detect, analyze, and predict malware propagating via SMS and MMS messages. We deploy agents in the form of hidden contacts on the device to capture messages sent from malicious applications. Once captured, messages can be further analyzed to identify a message signature as well as potentially a signature for the malicious application itself. By feeding the observed messages over time to a latent space model, the system can estimate the current dynamics and predict the future state of malware propagation within the mobility network. One distinct feature of our system is that it is lightweight and suitable for wide deployment. The system shows a good performance even when only 10% of mobile devices are equipped with three agents on each device. Moreover, the model is generic and independent of malware propagation schemes. We prototype the system on the Android platform in a universal mobile telecommunications system laboratory network to demonstrate the feasibility of deploying agents on mobile devices as well as collecting and blocking malware‐carrying messages within the mobility network. We also show that the proposed latent space model estimates the state of malware propagation accurately, regardless of the propagation scheme. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interactions at polymer/(oxyhydr)oxide/aluminium interfaces studied by Scanning Kelvin Probe
Authors: Özkanat Ö. , Salgin B. , Rohwerder M. , de Wit J. H. W. , Mol J. M. C. , Terryn H.
Published: April 2012

In this work, molecular interactions at buried polymer/(oxyhydr)oxide/aluminium interface were revealed by means of potential measurements after the application of either an emulsion or an epoxy‐amine coating on aluminium surface. While no significant potential shift (PS) was observed after the application of an emulsion, bonding of the oxide surface with an epoxy‐amine coating considerably decreased the potential, and as such, the potential in the latter case was further investigated as a function of surface pretreatment and relative humidity (40% and 90%). Results showed that both parameters individually contribute to the observed PS. The above was followed by studying the interfacial molecular bonding after the deposition of model compounds on the aluminium surface, by means of Scanning Kelvin Probe and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Phenol‐based compounds showed no sign of adsorption unlike amine molecules which were found to have been adsorbed on the aluminium surface. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative elemental analysis of photovoltaic Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films using MCs+ clusters
Authors: Kaufmann K. , Wahl S. , Meyer S. , Hagendorf C.
Published: April 2012

In the process of optimizing solar cells, a quantitative and depth‐resolved elemental analysis of photovoltaic thin films is strongly required. Regarding Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin film solar cells, depth‐dependent stoichometric changes of Ga and In are of great interest because the In/Ga ratio has a large effect on solar cell efficiencies. In this paper, we investigate the elemental composition of CIGS thin film solar cells based on secondary ion intensities in time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) depth profiling, providing high sensitivities and high spatial resolution. Quantification of the data is obtained by comparison to X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth profiles. The detection of MCs+ clusters is used for semiquantitative elemental analysis of CIGS thin films. Correlation plots of the intensities of GaCs+ and InCs+ indicate that there is no relevant matrix effect for In and Ga due to changes in stoichiometry in the layer. Additional high‐resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurements show a strong correlation between the ratio of the bulk concentrations of Ga and In and the ratio of integrated ToF‐SIMS intensities of GaCs+ and InCs+ therefore supporting the quantitative interpretation of MCs+ data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Corrosion behavior in 10% H2C2O2·H2O solution of austenite stainless steel for double wall gas pipe of duel fuel engine for liquefied natural gas ship
Authors: Kim Seong‐Jong , Han Min‐Su , Park Jae‐Cheul
Published: April 2012

In this study, to evaluate the corrosion resistance in the case of the identical welding by the gas metal arc welding with the STS 304 and STS 316L alloys, the double wall gas pipe materials, using the ER 308L electrode, the corrosion characteristics of the base metal and the welding zone were compared and evaluated by various electrochemical experiments in 10% oxalic acid solution, and the corrosion behavior was analyzed by observing the process of the corrosive damage. The STS 304 identical welding zone was a small cathode‐large anode cell where the base metal played the role of an anode and protected the welding zone. However, corrosion took place preferentially in the STS 316L welding zone because the welding zone played the role of an anode. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Improved non‐destructive replication metallography method for investigation of the precipitates in Cr‐Mo‐V turbine steel
Authors: He Yinsheng , Dong Jiling , Choi Woosung , Jung Jinesung , Shin Keesam
Published: April 2012

An improved non‐destructive replication (NDR) metallography method was developed and applied successfully for the precipitates study in 1Cr‐1Mo‐0.25V turbine rotor steel. The preparation of the replicas for electron microscopy was carried out with a combination of electropolishing, etching, and acetate film setting for extraction medium. The exposure of the precipitates was improved by electropolishing followed by chemical etching. The electropolishing after application of acetate film, instead of stripping, resulted in a quality improvement of the extraction replica. Three types of precipitates (M23C6, Mo2C, and VC) were identified by TEM analysis of thin foil. The types, sizes, and chemical compositions of the precipitates from the bulk SEM observation and TEM analyses of thin foil specimen and the NDR extraction replica matched very well, indicating NDR extracted all types of the precipitates with high efficiency. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energy dispersive electron probe microanalysis (ED‐EPMA) of elemental composition and thickness of Fe‐Ni alloy films
Authors: Hodoroaba Vasile‐Dan , Kim Kyung Joong , Unger Wolfgang E. S.
Published: April 2012

The elemental composition of thin Fe‐Ni alloy films deposited on silicon substrates were determined by electron probe microanalysis with an energy dispersive spectrometer using the STRATAGem software. The work was part of ample inter‐laboratory comparisons organized in the frame of CCQM/SAWG (Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance/Surface Analysis Working Group). Therefore, the evaluation of the measurement uncertainties is treated in detail. By having the mass coverage and estimating a layer density, the layer thickness could be derived. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental correlation between metallographic evaluation and electrochemical noise in intergranular corrosion tests of aluminium alloys
Authors: Sánchez‐Amaya J. M. , González‐Rovira L. , Amaya‐Vázquez M. R. , Botana F. J.
Published: April 2012

In the present work, the correlation between the metallographic evaluation and electrochemical noise (EN) in intergranular corrosion (IGC) tests of aluminium alloy 2024‐T3 has been analysed. For this purpose, the influence of temperature and hydrogen peroxide concentration on the IGC attack has been studied. Similar IGC was observed between 20 and 40 °C, showing a low dependence with temperature (at least in this range). Hydrogen peroxide was seen to have a strong effect, leading to IGC activation when raising its concentration. The results of the detailed metallographic evaluation of the samples after the tests were analysed together with the EN measured during the tests. The averaged noise resistance was inversely proportional to the depths of the attacks, whereas the average of the parameter so‐called ‘Statistical Noise Power’ was directly related to the IGC degree. The metallographic evaluation and the EN showed a reasonable experimental correlation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating the cost‐effectiveness of prenatal surgery for myelomeningocele: a decision analysis
Authors: Werner E. F. , Han C. S. , Burd I. , Lipkind H. S. , Copel J. A. , Bahtiyar M. O. , Thung S. F.
Published: April 2012

Objective

To determine whether prenatal myelomeningocele repair is a cost‐effective strategy compared to postnatal repair.

Methods

Decision‐analysis modeling was used to calculate the cumulative costs, effects and incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of prenatal myelomeningocele repair compared with postnatal repair in singleton gestations with a normal karyotype that were identified with myelomeningocele between T1 and S1. The model accounted for costs and quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) in three populations: (1) myelomeningocele patients; (2) mothers carrying myelomeningocele patients; and (3) possible future siblings of these patients. Sensitivity analysis was performed using one‐way, two‐way and Monte Carlo simulations.

Results

Prenatal myelomeningocele repair saves $ 2 066 778 per 100 cases repaired. Additionally, prenatal surgery results in 98 QALYs gained per 100 repairs with 42 fewer neonates requiring shunts and 21 fewer neonates requiring long‐term medical care per 100 repairs. However, these benefits are coupled to 26 additional cases of uterine rupture or dehiscence and one additional case of neurologic deficits in future offspring per 100 repairs. Results were robust in sensitivity analysis.

Conclusion

Prenatal myelomeningocele repair is cost effective and frequently cost saving compared with postnatal myelomeningocele repair despite the increased likelihood of maternal and future pregnancy complications associated with prenatal surgery. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinically oriented three‐step strategy for assessment of adnexal pathology
Authors: Ameye L. , Timmerman D. , Valentin L. , Paladini D. , Zhang J. , Van Holsbeke C. , Lissoni A. A. , Savelli L. , Veldman J. , Testa A. C. , Amant F. , Van Huffel S. , Bourne T.
Published: April 2012

Objective

To determine the diagnostic performance of ultrasound‐based simple rules, risk of malignancy index (RMI), two logistic regression models (LR1 and LR2) and real‐time subjective assessment by experienced ultrasound examiners following the exclusion of masses likely to be judged as easy and ‘instant’ to diagnose by an ultrasound examiner, and to develop a new strategy for the assessment of adnexal pathology based on this.

Methods

3511 patients with at least one persistent adnexal mass preoperatively underwent transvaginal ultrasonography to assess tumor morphology and vascularity. They were included in two consecutive prospective studies by the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) group: Phase 1 (1999–2005), development of the simple rules and logistic regression models LR1 and LR2, and Phase 2, a validation study (2005–2007).

Results

Almost half of the cases (43%) were identified as ‘instant’ to diagnose on the basis of descriptors applied to the database. To assess diagnostic performance in the more difficult ‘non‐instant’ masses, we used only Phase 2 data (n = 1036). The sensitivity of LR2 was 88%, of RMI it was 41% and of subjective assessment it was 87%. The specificity of LR2 was 67%, of RMI it was 90% and of subjective assessment it was 86%. The simple rules yielded a conclusive result in almost 2/3 of the masses, where they resulted in sensitivity and specificity similar to those of real‐time subjective assessment by experienced ultrasound examiners: sensitivity 89 vs 89% (P = 0.76), specificity 91 vs 91% (P = 0.65). When a three‐step strategy was applied with easy ‘instant’ diagnoses as Step 1, simple rules where conclusive as Step 2 and subjective assessment by an experienced ultrasound examiner in the remaining masses as Step 3, we obtained a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 92% compared with sensitivity 90% (P = 0.03) and specificity 93% (P = 0.44) when using real‐time subjective assessment by experts in all tumors.

Conclusion

A diagnostic strategy using simple descriptors and ultrasound rules when applied to the variables contained in the IOTA database obtains results that are at least as good as those obtained by subjective assessment of a mass by an expert. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A refinement of everyday thinking: the energetic span model for kinetic assessment of catalytic cycles
Authors: Kozuch Sebastian
Published: April 2012

The energetic span model is a bridge connecting the kinetic outcome of experimental and theoretical catalysis. It proves the utility of working with Gibbs energies (E‐representation) instead of the rate constants (k‐representation), in line with the assertion saying that ‘there are no rate‐determining steps, but rate‐determining states’. With this model the turnover frequency (TOF), turnover number (TON) and the kinetic determining factors can be obtained from the reaction profile of a computed catalytic cycle. In this way, it is possible to examine, explain, and predict the efficiency of a catalyst. The effect of concentrations, different pathways, preactivation and deactivation, and the comparison of catalysts and reactants are analyzed with several examples from the literature. In addition, the AUTOF program (excel version) is presented, allowing the fast and simple analysis of theoretically calculated catalytic reactions. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Computer and Information Science > Computer Algorithms and Programming
An overview of the use of neural networks for data mining tasks
Authors: Stahl Frederic , Jordanov Ivan
Published: April 2012

In the recent years, the area of data mining has been experiencing considerable demand for technologies that extract knowledge from large and complex data sources. There has been substantial commercial interest as well as active research in the area that aim to develop new and improved approaches for extracting information, relationships, and patterns from large datasets. Artificial neural networks (NNs) are popular biologically‐inspired intelligent methodologies, whose classification, prediction, and pattern recognition capabilities have been utilized successfully in many areas, including science, engineering, medicine, business, banking, telecommunication, and many other fields. This paper highlights from a data mining perspective the implementation of NN, using supervised and unsupervised learning, for pattern recognition, classification, prediction, and cluster analysis, and focuses the discussion on their usage in bioinformatics and financial data analysis tasks. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Classification

Technologies > Computational Intelligence

Technologies > Prediction

Technologies > Structure Discovery and Clustering
Resampling methods
Authors: Chernick Michael R.
Published: April 2012

Resampling methods are statistical procedures that reuse the sample data for the purpose of statistical inference. However, they do not require parametric assumptions that may be difficult to verify in practice. This focus article describes four resampling techniques, the bootstrap, the jackknife, cross‐validation, and permutation tests. Another method, subsampling, is mentioned with two references but is not covered in any detail. These resampling methods and the history of their development are outlined in this paper. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Statistics

Technologies > Prediction