bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of time pressure on adherence to guidelines in primary care: an experimental study
Authors: Tsiga Evangelia , Panagopoulou Efharis , Sevdalis Nick , Montgomery Anthony , Benos Alexios
Published: April 2013

Objectives

Evidence from cognitive sciences has systematically shown that time pressure influences decision-making processes. However, very few studies have examined the role of time pressure on adherence to guidelines in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of time pressure on adherence to guidelines in primary care concerning: history taking, clinical examination and advice giving.

Design

A within-subjects experimental design was used.

Setting

Academic.

Participants

34 general practitioners (GPs) were assigned to two experimental conditions (time pressure vs no time pressure) consecutively, and presented with two scenarios involving virus respiratory tract infections.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Outcome measures included adherence to guidelines on history taking, clinical examination and advice giving.

Results

Under time pressure, GPs asked significantly less questions concerning presenting symptoms, than the ones indicated by the guidelines, (p=0.019), conducted a less-thorough clinical examination (p=0.028), while they gave less advice on lifestyle (p=0.05).

Conclusions

As time pressure increases as a result of high workload, there is a need to examine how adherence to guidelines is affected to safeguard patient's safety.
Too tall for the tape: the weight of schoolchildren who do not fit the Broselow tape
Authors: Cattermole G N , Leung P Y M , Graham C A , Rainer T H
Published: April 2013

Background

In paediatric resuscitation, for a rapid and accurate estimate of children's weight, the Broselow tape can be used in children who are 46–144 cm tall. The Broselow tape has previously been found to provide the most accurate estimate of children's weight internationally, but it is not known how many fall outside the range of the tape, or whether such children can be assumed to be of adult weight, or how otherwise to estimate the weight of these children.

Objectives

To determine what proportion of children in different age groups falls outside the limits of the Broselow tape, how their weight compares with that of the adults and what correlates most strongly with weight in these children.

Methods

This was a population-based prospective observational study of Chinese children up to 12 years old, from schools in Hong Kong. Weight was measured to the nearest 0.2 kg, and the height, foot-length and mid-arm circumference (MAC) were measured to the nearest 0.1 cm.

Results

40% of 10-year olds and 70% of 11-year olds were too tall for the tape. Their median weight was 41.9 kg. This was significantly less than the median weight of 18-year olds (55 kg, p<0.0001) in Hong Kong. The strongest correlate with weight in these children was MAC.

Conclusions

The Broselow tape is inappropriate for use in most children over 10 years old. Children too tall for the tape cannot be assumed to be of adult weight; to do so would imply an average overestimate of 30%. Weight estimates in older children could be based on MAC.
Pilot study of a protocol to administer inhaled nitric oxide to treat severe acute submassive pulmonary embolism
Authors: Kline Jeffrey A , Hernandez Jackeline , Garrett John S , Jones Alan E
Published: April 2013

Objective

Inhaled nitric oxide has been reported to benefit patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). To date, all published literature has derived from case reports or case series conducted without a structured protocol. Here we report the results of a phase I trial with a predefined clinical protocol to treat patients with CT-demonstrated, submassive PE and moderate to severe dyspnoea.

Methods

Patients were recruited from the emergency department of an academic teaching hospital. Informed consent and the entire treatment protocol was administered by a study physician. Nitric oxide was administered using a commercial device (Inovent) and a custom-made non-rebreathing face mask. The NO concentration was increased at 1 ppm/min (parts per million) until a maximum of 25 ppm and continued for 120 min and then weaned at 1 ppm/min. Dyspnoea was assessed with the Borg score, oxygenation by pulse oximetry, and haemodynamic status by shock index (HR/SBP).

Results

Eight patients were enrolled. All patients tolerated the entire protocol without adverse events, and all had decreased numerical Borg score by >50%. The changes from baseline to 155 min were as follows: Borg score 7.5±2.5 to 2.3±1.9 (p=0.06, Signed rank test), SaO2% 93±5 to 97±3 and shock index 1.0±0.11 to 0.86±0.09. No patient experienced worsening during weaning.

Conclusions

Inhaled NO reduced dyspnoea without adverse events in eight patients with severe submassive PE. This protocol can serve as the basis for a phase II trial or for a compassionate use protocol.
A VOTING SCHEME FOR PARTIAL OBJECT EXTRACTION UNDER CLUTTERED ENVIRONMENT
Authors: SU YUANQI , LIU YUEHU
Published: April 2013

Shape extraction aims to detect and localize objects via the shape information. The paper presents a novel voting scheme that can extract partially occluded objects under cluttered environments using a single shape. It works by jointly figuring out the boundaries and resolving the geometric configurations. To model the missing part lead by occlusion, we discretize the shape template into a set of its subpart, named portions. Our representation of shape template is through a set of portion together with their interconnections. Instead of forming a fully connected network, our interconnections make the portions consistent with the chain along the boundary of shape template. Based on the representation, we formulate an auto-locked objective function that contains both the unary and pairwise terms and balances the effects of missing parts. Min-sum voting scheme with strategy driven by bottom–up information is then proposed to minimize the objective function. Conducted experiments show that proposed algorithm is promising for shape extraction with occlusion and noisy backgrounds and allows the non-rigid deformations.
MICROCRACKS CHARACTERIZATION FOR THERMAL BARRIER COATINGS AT HIGH TEMPERATURE
Authors: HUA J. J. , WU W. , LIN C. C. , ZENG Y. , WANG H. , ZHENG X. B.
Published: April 2013

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), used in gas turbine blades, are exposed to oxidation and thermal fatigue conditions. The characterization of TBCs was often performed in laboratory experiments, therefore, its detail failure mechanism is not quite obvious. For better understanding of the phenomenon, it is recommended to observe it under the condition simulating the real service conditions of gas turbines. In the present work, ZrO 2 coatings were prepared by air plasma spraying (APS). Scanning electron microscope (SEM), equipped with a heating system, was used to study the in situ microstructure change of TBCs at service temperature at which the aircraft is operated. The bond coat (BC) layer's thickening process and thermally grown oxide (TGO) generation along with the cracks growth are revealed. Moreover, the influence of the service temperature and holding time on the failure mechanism of TBCs is discussed. The crack healing produced during the coating re-melting reaction is observed, and it is the key factor to increase the thermal conductivity of the coating.
WETTING BEHAVIOR OF Al–Mg ALLOYS ON CARBON FIBER FABRIC
Authors: XU WANG , CHENCHONG WANG , GUOQIN CHEN , WENSHU YANG , ZHICHAO ZHANG
Published: April 2013

In present work, the wetting behavior of carbon fiber and Al – Mg alloys (up to 17 wt.%) from 700°C to 1000°C was investigated by sessile drop method. Below 900°C, the contact angles decreased slightly with increase of temperature regardless of Mg amount. However, the contact angles decreased sharply at elevated temperature (above 900°C). Moreover, below 900°C, the contact angles decreased slightly with holding time, and significant decrease of contact angle with increase of holding time was found above 1000°C. All contact angle-holding time curves at 1000°C demonstrated three kinetic stages. It is observed that the contact angles decreased with Mg amount regardless of wetting temperature. The addition of Mg element will inhabit the nucleation and growth of Al 4 C 3 phase, which is unfavorable to the wetting behavior. However, the addition of Mg element will also decrease the surface energy, which demonstrates dominant effect and leads to the decrease of contact angles.
Modulation of ventricular transient outward K+ current by acidosis and its effects on excitation-contraction coupling
Authors: Saegusa Noriko , Garg Vivek , Spitzer Kenneth W.
Published: April 2013

The contribution of transient outward current ( Ito) to changes in ventricular action potential (AP) repolarization induced by acidosis is unresolved, as is the indirect effect of these changes on calcium handling. To address this issue we measured intracellular pH (pHi), Ito, L-type calcium current ( ICa,L), and calcium transients (CaTs) in rabbit ventricular myocytes. Intracellular acidosis [pHi 6.75 with extracellular pH (pHo) 7.4] reduced Ito by ∼50% in myocytes with both high (epicardial) and low (papillary muscle) Ito densities, with little effect on steady-state inactivation and activation. Of the two candidate α-subunits underlying Ito, human (h)Kv4.3 and hKv1.4, only hKv4.3 current was reduced by intracellular acidosis. Extracellular acidosis (pHo 6.5) shifted Ito inactivation toward less negative potentials but had negligible effect on peak current at +60 mV when initiated from −80 mV. The effects of low pHi-induced inhibition of Ito on AP repolarization were much greater in epicardial than papillary muscle myocytes and included slowing of phase 1, attenuation of the notch, and elevation of the plateau. Low pHi increased AP duration in both cell types, with the greatest lengthening occurring in epicardial myocytes. The changes in epicardial AP repolarization induced by intracellular acidosis reduced peak ICa,L, increased net calcium influx via ICa,L, and increased CaT amplitude. In summary, in contrast to low pHo, intracellular acidosis has a marked inhibitory effect on ventricular Ito, perhaps mediated by Kv4.3. By altering the trajectory of the AP repolarization, low pHi has a significant indirect effect on calcium handling, especially evident in epicardial cells.
Epigenetic regulation of canonical TNFα pathway by HDAC1 determines survival of cardiac myocytes
Authors: Gang Hongying , Shaw James , Dhingra Rimpy , Davie James R. , Kirshenbaum Lorrie A.
Published: April 2013

Gene transcription is regulated by post-translation modifications. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) remove acetyl groups from histone and non-histone factors inhibiting transcription. Proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFα activate the canonical nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. Earlier we established a cytoprotective role for NF-κB in the heart. Though a causal relationship for HDAC1 and NF-κB has been established, the impact of HDAC1 on TNFα signaling is unknown. Herein, we demonstrate that HDAC1 provides a molecular switch for determining cell survival in the TNFα pathway. In contrast to vehicle-treated control cells, TNFα-treated cells displayed a marked increase in NF-κB gene transcription. Notably, cells treated with TNFα were indistinguishable from vehicle controls cells with respect to viability. Interestingly, HDAC activity was reduced in cells treated with TNFα. Conversely, in the presence of HDAC1, NF-κB gene transcription by TNFα was repressed, resulting in mitochondrial perturbations and widespread cell death. Heterologous fusion proteins comprised of yeast Gal4 DNA binding domain fused in frame to the NF-κB p65 transactivation domain were preferentially repressed by HDAC1. Moreover, transcription mediated by Gal4VP16 protein from herpes virus was unaffected by HDAC1 in cardiac myocytes. Mutations that abrogate known catalytic activities of HDAC1, small interference RNA, or pharmacological inhibition of HDAC1 restored NF-κB signaling and suppressed cell death induced by TNFα. These data provide the first evidence for an obligate link between HDAC1 and canonical TNFα pathway for cell survival of cardiac myocytes.
Inotropic and lusitropic effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the heart
Authors: Al-Rubaiee Mustafa , Gangula Pandu R. , Millis Richard M. , Walker Robin K. , Umoh Nsini A. , Cousins Valerie M. , Jeffress Miara A. , Haddad Georges E.
Published: April 2013

Previous studies have demonstrated positive-inotropic effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), but the mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, two experiments were performed to determine the physiological correlates of the positive-inotropic effects of CGRP. Treatments designed to antagonize the effects of physiologically active CGRP1–37 included posttreatment with CGRP8–37 and pretreatment with LY-294002 (LY, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase), 17β-estradiol (E), and progesterone (P) were also used to modulate the effects of CGRP1–37. Experiment 1 was in vitro studies on sarcomeres and cells of isolated adult rat cardiac myocytes. CGRP1–37, alone and in combination with E and P, decreased sarcomere shortening velocities and increased shortening percentages, effects that were antagonized by CGRP8–37, but not by LY. CGRP1–37 increased resting intracellular calcium ion concentrations and Ca2+ influxes, effects that were also antagonized by both CGRP8–37 and LY. Experiment 2 was in vivo studies on left ventricular pressure-volume (PV) loops. CGRP1–37 increased end-systolic pressure, ejection fraction, and velocities of contraction and relaxation while decreasing stroke volume, cardiac output, stroke work, PV area, and compliance. After partial occlusion of the vena cava, CGRP1–37 increased the slope of the end-systolic PV relationship. CGRP8–37 and LY attenuated most of the CGRP-induced changes. These findings suggest that CGRP-induced positive-inotropic effects may be increased by treatments with estradiol and progesterone and inhibited by LY. The physiological correlates of CGRP-induced positive inotropy observed in rat sarcomeres, cells, and intact hearts are likely to reveal novel mechanisms of heart failure in humans.
Kir6.2 is not the mitochondrial KATP channel but is required for cardioprotection by ischemic preconditioning
Authors: Wojtovich Andrew P. , Urciuoli William R. , Chatterjee Shampa , Fisher Aron B. , Nehrke Keith , Brookes Paul S.
Published: April 2013

ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels that contain K+ inward rectifier subunits of the 6.2 isotype (Kir6.2) are important regulators of the cardiac response to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Opening of these channels is implicated in the cardioprotective mechanism of ischemic preconditioning (IPC), but debate surrounds the contribution of surface KATP (sKATP) versus mitochondrial KATP (mKATP) channels. While responses to I/R injury and IPC have been examined in Kir6.2−/− mice before, breeding methods and other technical obstacles may have confounded interpretations. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of Kir6.2 in cardioprotection and mKATP activity, using conventionally bred Kir6.2−/− mice with wild-type littermates as controls. We found that perfused hearts from Kir6.2−/− mice exhibited a normal baseline response to I/R injury, were not protected by IPC, and showed a blunted response to the IPC mimetic drug diazoxide. These data suggest that the loss of IPC in Kir6.2−/− hearts is not due to an underlying difference in I/R sensitivity. Furthermore, mKATP channel activity was identical in cardiac mitochondria isolated from wild-type versus Kir6.2−/− mice, suggesting no role for Kir6.2 in the mKATP. Collectively, these data indicate that Kir6.2 is required for the full response to IPC or diazoxide but is not involved in mKATP formation.
Impairment of autophagy decreases ventilator-induced lung injury by blockade of the NF-κB pathway
Authors: López-Alonso Inés , Aguirre Alina , González-López Adrián , Fernández Álvaro F. , Amado-Rodríguez Laura , Astudillo Aurora , Batalla-Solís Estefanía , Albaiceta Guillermo M.
Published: April 2013

Excessive lung stretch triggers lung inflammation by activation of the NF-κB pathway. This route can be modulated by autophagy, an intracellular proteolytic system. Our objective was to study the impact of the absence of autophagy in a model of ventilator-induced lung injury. Mice lacking Autophagin-1/ATG4B ( Atg4b −/−), a critical protease in the autophagic pathway, and their wild-type counterparts were studied in baseline conditions and after mechanical ventilation. Lung injury, markers of autophagy, and activation of the inflammatory response were evaluated after ventilation. Mechanical ventilation increased autophagy and induced lung injury in wild-type mice. Atg4b −/− animals showed a decreased lung injury after ventilation, with less neutrophilic infiltration than their wild-type counterparts. As expected, autophagy was absent in mutant animals, resulting in the accumulation of p62 and ubiquitinated proteins. Activation of the canonical NF-κB pathway was present in ventilated wild-type, but not Atg4b-deficient, animals. Moreover, these mutant mice showed an accumulation of ubiquitinated IκB. High-pressure ventilation partially restored the autophagic response in Atg4b −/− mice and abolished the differences between genotypes. In conclusion, impairment of autophagy results in an ameliorated inflammatory response to mechanical ventilation and decreases lung injury. The accumulation of ubiquitinated IκB may be responsible for this effect.
Optimal Planning of Distributed Sensor Layouts for Collaborative Surveillance
Authors: Wettergren Thomas A. , Costa Russell
Published: April 2013

The use of a spatially distributed set of sensors has become a cost-effective approach to achieve surveillance coverage against moving targets. As more sensors are utilized in a collaborative manner, the optimal placement of sensors becomes critical to achieve the most efficient coverage. In this paper, we develop a numerical optimization approach to place distributed sets of sensors to perform surveillance against moving targets over extended areas. In particular, we develop a genetic algorithm solution to find spatial sensor density functions that maximize effectiveness against moving targets, where the surveillance performance of individual sensors is dependent on their absolute position in the region as well as their relative position to both the expected target(s) and any asset that is being protected. The density function representation of optimal sensor locations is shown to provide a computationally efficient method for determining sensor asset location planning. We illustrate the effective performance of this method on numerical examples based on problems of general area surveillance and risk-based surveillance in protection of an asset.
Total Antioxidant Capacity and Malondialdehyde in Depressive Rotational Shift Workers
Authors: Khajehnasiri Farahnaz , Mortazavi Seyed Bagher , Allameh Abdolamir , Akhondzadeh Shahin , Hashemi Hassan
Published: April 2013

Shift work is associated with sleep deprivation, occupational stress, and increased risk of depression. Depressed patients show increased oxidative stress. During excessive oxidative stress, Malondialdehyde (MDA) increases and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) decreases in body. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the serum level of TAC and MDA among depressed rotational shift workers in Shahid Tondooyan Tehran Oil Refinery. 21-item Beck Depression Inventory was used to measure depression level. The level of TAC and MDA was measured by 8 mL fasting blood sample. MDA was determined by thiobarbituric acid reaction. Serum total antioxidants were measured using the ABTS. Results of this study showed that TAC mean and standard deviation concentration was 2.451 (±0.536) mg/dL and MDA was 3.725 (±1.098) mic·mol/L, and mean and standard deviation of depression score and BMI were 14.07 (±3.84) and 24.92 (±3.65) kg/m2, respectively. Depression score had a positive correlation with rotational shift work experience and work experience (r=0.218andr=0.212), respectively, (P<0.05).
Molecular Pathogenesis of B-Cell Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder: What Do We Know So Far?
Authors: Morscio J. , Dierickx D. , Tousseyn T.
Published: April 2013

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a potentially fatal disease that arises in 2%–10% of solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplants and is most frequently of B-cell origin. This very heterogeneous disorder ranges from benign lymphoproliferations to malignant lymphomas, and despite the clear association with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection, its etiology is still obscure. Although a number of risk factors have been identified (EBV serostatus, graft type, and immunosuppressive regimen), it is currently not possible to predict which transplant patient will eventually develop PTLD. Genetic studies have linked translocations (involvingC-MYC, IGH, BCL-2), various copy number variations, DNA mutations (PIM1, PAX5, C-MYC, RhoH/TTF), and polymorphisms in both the host (IFN-gamma, IL-10, TGF-beta, HLA) and the EBV genome to B-cell PTLD development. Furthermore, the tumor microenvironment seems to play an important role in the course of disease representing a local niche that can allow antitumor immune responses even in an immunocompromised host. Taken together, B-cell PTLD pathogenesis is very complex due to the interplay of many different (patient-dependent) factors and requires thorough molecular analysis for the development of novel tailored therapies. This review aims at giving a global overview of the currently known parameters that contribute to the development of B-cell PTLD.
p38/AP-1 Pathway in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Responses Is Negatively Modulated by Electrical Stimulation
Authors: Jeong Deok , Lee Jaehwi , Yi Young-Su , Yang Yanyan , Kim Kyoung Won , Cho Jae Youl
Published: April 2013

Electrical stimulation with a weak current has been demonstrated to modulate various cellular and physiological responses, including the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and acute or chronic physical pain. Thus, a variety of investigations regarding the physiological role of nano- or microlevel currents at the cellular level are actively proceeding in the field of alternative medicine. In this study, we focused on the anti-inflammatory activity of aluminum-copper patches (ACPs) under macrophage-mediated inflammatory conditions. ACPs generated nanolevel currents ranging from 30 to 55 nA in solution conditions. Interestingly, the nanocurrent-generating aluminum-copper patches (NGACPs) were able to suppress both lipopolysaccharide-(LPS-) and pam3CSK-induced inflammatory responses such as NO and PGE2production in both RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages at the transcriptional level. Through immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation analyses, we found that p38/AP-1 could be the major inhibitory pathway in the NGACP-mediated anti-inflammatory response. Indeed, inhibition of p38 by SB203580 showed similar inhibitory activity of the production of TNF-αand PGE2and the expression of TNF-αand COX-2 mRNA. These results suggest that ACP-induced nanocurrents alter signal transduction pathways that are involved in the inflammatory response and could therefore be utilized in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and colitis.
The Role of Interleukin-1 Genotype in the Association between Coronary Heart Disease and Periodontitis in a Syrian Population
Authors: Bashour Lina , Khattab Razan , Harfoush Elham
Published: April 2013

Objective. To determine whether differences exist between periodontitis subjects with and without Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) in a Syrian population in the distribution of IL-1 alleles at positions IL-1+4845, IL-1+3954, IL-1−511, and IL-1RN VNTR.Background. The role of Interleukin-1 genes in the association between periodontitis and CHD has been demonstrated in previous studies. No study has been carried out on the Syrian population to asses for such a role.Methods. 200 Syrian Arab periodontitis patients (184 males, 16 females; mean age 52.61) were divided into two groups: cases group 100 subjects with CHD (92 males, 8 females; mean age 52.06); controls group 100 subjects without CHD (92 males, 8 females; mean age 53.16). Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and alveolar bone loss (ABL) were performed for patients. Blood samples were collected for genotyping analysis of IL-1+4845, IL-1+3954, and IL-1−511 using PCR-RFLP technique and IL-1RN VNTR using normal PCR.Results. An association between both (CAL and ABL) and CHD was shown after adjustment for other confounders (OR: 7.659, ; OR: 3.645, , resp.). Also, an association between allele 2 of IL-1+4845, IL-1+3954, and IL-1−511 and ABL was shown. Allele 2 of IL-1+4845 and IL-1−511 was associated with ABL among individuals with and without CHD. But after adjustment for other confounders, the association remained only between allele 2 of IL-11+4845 and both CHD and severe ABL (OR: 0.189, ).Conclusion. Allele 2 of IL-11+4845 may be considered a risk indicator for having both CHD and severe ABL in the investigated Syrian population.
Topical Treatment of Nonhealing Venous Leg Ulcer with Propolis Ointment
Authors: Kucharzewski M. , Kózka M. , Urbanek T.
Published: April 2013

An investigation of effectiveness of topical treatment of nonhealing chronic venous leg ulcers with propolis ointment was conducted. 56 patients were included in the study and randomized into two groups. In group 1, there were 28 patients (ulceration area: 6.9–9.78 cm2) treated by means of topical propolis ointment application and short stretch bandage compression. In group 2, there were 29 patients (ulceration area: 7.2–9.4 cm2) treated by means of Unna boot leg compression without topical propolis treatment. In the study, the efficacy of both treatment methods in patients with resistive venous leg ulcers was compared. The ulceration of patients from group 1 healed completely after 6 weeks of therapy in all cases. In all patients from group 2, the process of healing was longer but successfully completed after 16 weeks of the therapy. We found that an adjunctive propolis ointment treatment increases the efficacy of the short stretch bandage compression stocking, and this combined treatment is more effective than Unna’s boot compression alone.
The Mind-Brain Relationship as a Mathematical Problem
Authors: Ascoli Giorgio A.
Published: April 2013

This paper aims to frame certain fundamental aspects of the human mind (content and meaning of mental states) and foundational elements of brain computation (spatial and temporal patterns of neural activity) so as to enable at least in principle their integration within one and the same quantitative representation. Through the history of science, similar approaches have been instrumental to bridge other seemingly mysterious scientific phenomena, such as thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, optics and electromagnetism, or chemistry and quantum physics, among several other examples. Identifying the relevant levels of analysis is important to define proper mathematical formalisms for describing the brain and the mind, such that they could be mapped onto each other in order to explain their equivalence. Based on these premises, we overview the potential of neural connectivity to provide highly informative constraints on brain computational process. Moreover, we outline approaches for representing cognitive and emotional states geometrically with semantic maps. Next, we summarize leading theoretical framework that might serve as an explanatory bridge between neural connectivity and mental space. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of this framework for human communication and our view of reality. We conclude by analyzing the practical requirements to manage the necessary data for solving the mind-brain problem from this perspective.
Nonfragile Robust Finite-TimeL2-L∞Controller Design for a Class of Uncertain Lipschitz Nonlinear Systems with Time-Delays
Authors: Song Jun , He Shuping
Published: April 2013

The nonfragile robust finite-timeL2-L∞control problem for a class of nonlinear uncertain systems with uncertainties and time-delays is considered. The nonlinear parameters are considered to satisfy the Lipschitz conditions and the exogenous disturbances are unknown but energy bounded. By using the Lyapunov function approach, the sufficient condition for the existence of nonfragile robust finite-timeL2-L∞controller is given in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The finite-time controller is designed such that the resulting closed-loop system is finite-time bounded for all admissible uncertainties and satisfies the givenL2-L∞control index. Simulation results illustrate the validity of the proposed approach.
Nuclear Antigens and Auto/Alloantibody Responses: Friend or Foe in Transplant Immunology
Authors: Nakano Toshiaki , Chen Chao-Long , Goto Shigeru
Published: April 2013

In addition to cellular immune responses, humoral immune responses, mediated by natural antibodies, autoantibodies, and alloantibodies, have increasingly been recognized as causes of organ transplant rejection. In our previous studies, we have demonstrated the induction of antinuclear antibodies against histone H1 and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), in both experimental and clinical liver transplant tolerance. The active induction of antinuclear antibodies is usually an undesirable phenomenon, but it is often observed after liver transplantation. However, the release of nuclear antigens and its suppression by neutralizing antibodies are proposed to be important in the initiation and regulation of immune responses. In this review article, we summarize the current understanding of nuclear antigens and corresponding antinuclear regulatory antibodies (Abregs) on infection, injury, inflammation, transplant rejection, and tolerance induction and discuss the significance of nuclear antigens as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Focal Nodular Hyperplasia and Hepatocellular Adenoma around the World Viewed through the Scope of the Immunopathological Classification
Authors: Balabaud Charles , Al-Rabih Wesal R. , Chen Pei-Jer , Evason Kimberley , Ferrell Linda , Hernandez-Prera Juan C. , Huang Shiu-Feng , Longerich Thomas , Park Young Nyun , Quaglia Alberto , Schirmacher Peter , Sempoux Christine , Thung Swan N. , Torbenson Michael , Wee Aileen , Yeh Matthew M. , Yeh Shiou-Hwei , Le Bail Brigitte , Zucman-Rossi Jessica , Bioulac-Sage Paulette
Published: April 2013

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) are benign hepatocellular tumors. The risk of bleeding and malignant transformation of HCA are strong arguments to differentiate HCA from FNH. Despite great progress that has been made in the differential radiological diagnosis of the 2 types of nodules, liver biopsy is sometimes necessary to separate the 2 entities. Identification of HCA subtypes using immunohistochemical techniques, namely,HNF1A-inactivated HCA (35–40%), inflammatory HCA (IHCA), and beta-catenin-mutated inflammatory HCA (b-IHCA) (50–55%), beta-catenin-activated HCA (5–10%), and unclassified HCA (10%) has greatly improved the diagnostic accuracy of benign hepatocellular nodules. If HCA malignant transformation occurs in all HCA subgroups, the risk is by far the highest in theβ-catenin-mutated subgroups (b-HCA, b-IHCA). In the coming decade the management of HCA will be more dependent on the identification of HCA subtypes, particularly for smaller nodules (<5 cm) in terms of imaging, follow-up, and resection.
The Transaxial Orientation Is Superior to Both the Short Axis and Horizontal Long Axis Orientations for Determining Right Ventricular Volume and Ejection Fraction Using Simpson's Method with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Atalay Michael K. , Chang Kevin J. , Grand David J. , Haji-Momenian Shawn , Machan Jason T. , Sheehan Florence H.
Published: April 2013

We sought to determine which of the three orientations is the most reliable and accurate for quantifying right ventricular (RV) volume and ejection fraction (EF) by cardiac magnetic resonance using Simpson’s method. We studied 20 patients using short axis (SA), transaxial (TA), and horizontal long axis (HLA) orientations. Three readers independently traced RV endocardial contours at end-diastole and end-systole for each orientation. End-diastolic volumes (EDVs), end-systolic volumes (ESVs), and EF were calculated and compared with the 3D piecewise smooth subdivision surface (PSSS) method. The intraclass correlation coefficients among the 3 readers for EDV, ESV, and EF were 0.92, 0.82, and 0.42, respectively, for SA, 0.95, 0.92, and 0.67 for TA, and 0.85, 0.93, and 0.69 for HLA. For mean data there was no significant difference between TA and PSSS for EDV (−2.6%, 95% CI: −8.2 to 3.3%), ESV (−5.9%, −15.2 to 4.5%), and EF (1.7%, −1.5 to 4.9%). HLA was accurate for ESV (−8.9%, −18.5 to 1.8%) and EF (−0.7%, −3.8 to 2.5%) but significantly underestimated EDV (−9.8, −16.6 to −2.4%). SA was accurate for EDV (0.5%, −6.0 to 7.5%) but overestimated ESV (10.5%, 0.1 to 21.9%) and had poor interrater reliability for EF. Conclusions. The TA orientation provides the most reliable and accurate measures of EDV, ESV, and EF.
Current Views on Genetics and Epigenetics of Cholesterol Gallstone Disease
Authors: Di Ciaula Agostino , Wang David Q.-H. , Bonfrate Leonilde , Portincasa Piero
Published: April 2013

Cholesterol gallstone disease, one of the commonest digestive diseases in western countries, is induced by an imbalance in cholesterol metabolism, which involves intestinal absorption, hepatic biosynthesis, and biliary output of cholesterol, and its conversion to bile acids. Several components of the metabolic syndrome (e.g., obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperinsulinemia) are also well-known risk factors for gallstones, suggesting the existence of interplay between common pathophysiological pathways influenced by insulin resistance, genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Cholesterol gallstones may be enhanced, at least in part, by the abnormal expression of a set of the genes that affect cholesterol homeostasis and lead to insulin resistance. Additionally, epigenetic mechanisms (mainly DNA methylation, histone acetylation/deacetylation, and noncoding microRNAs) may modify gene expression in the absence of an altered DNA sequence, in response to different lithogenic environmental stimuli, such as diet, lifestyle, pollutants, also occurringin uterobefore birth. In this review, we will comment on various steps of the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstones and interaction between environmental and genetic factors. The epigenomic approach may offer new options for therapy of gallstones and better possibilities for primary prevention in subjects at risk.
The Geometry of Tangent Bundles: Canonical Vector Fields
Authors: Li Tongzhu , Krupka Demeter
Published: April 2013

A canonical vector field on the tangent bundle is a vector field defined by an invariant coordinate construction. In this paper, a complete classification of canonical vector fields on tangent bundles, depending on vector fields defined on their bases, is obtained. It is shown that every canonical vector field is a linear combination with constant coefficients of three vector fields: the variational vector field (canonical lift), the Liouville vector field, and the vertical lift of a vector field on the base of the tangent bundle.
Finite-Time Synchronization of Singular Hybrid Coupled Networks
Authors: Zheng Cong , Cao Jinde
Published: April 2013

This paper investigates finite-time synchronization of the singular hybrid coupled networks. The singular systems studied in this paper are assumed to be regular and impulse-free. Some sufficient conditions are derived to ensure finite-time synchronization of the singular hybrid coupled networks under a state feedback controller by using finite-time stability theory. A numerical example is finally exploited to show the effectiveness of the obtained results.
Error Analysis of 3D Metal Micromold Fabricated by Femtosecond Laser Cutting and Microelectric Resistance Slip Welding
Authors: Xu Bin , Wu Xiao-Yu , Lei Jian-Guo , Luo Feng , Gong Feng , Du Chen-Lin , Sun Xiu-Quan , Ruan Shuang-Chen
Published: April 2013

We used micro-double-staged laminated object manufacturing process (micro-DLOM) to fabricate 3D micromold. Moreover, the error of the micro-DLOM was also studied. Firstly, we got the principle error of the micro-DLOM. Based on the mathematical expression, it can be deduced that the smaller the opening angle α and the steel foil thickness h are, the smaller the principle error δ is. Secondly, we studied the error of femtosecond laser cutting. Through the experimental results, we know that the error of femtosecond laser cutting is 0.5 μm under 110 mW femtosecond laser power, 100 μm/s cutting speed, and 0.75 μm dimension compensation. Finally, we researched the error of microelectric resistance slip welding. Based on the research results, we can know that the minimum error of microcavity mold in the height direction is only 0.22 μm when welding voltage is 0.21 V and the number of slip welding discharge is 160.
Major Depressive Disorder and Measures of Cellular Aging: An Integrative Review
Authors: Kinser Patricia Anne , Lyon Debra E.
Published: April 2013

Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects millions of individuals and causes significant suffering worldwide. It has been speculated that MDD is associated with accelerated aging-related biological and functional decline. To examine the accelerated aging hypothesis, one of the biomarkers under study is leukocyte telomeres, and specifically the measure of telomere length and telomerase activity. This review integrates findings from eleven human studies which evaluated telomere length and telomerase activity, in order to synthesize the state of the current science and to inform the development of new knowledge and enhance nursing research of depression using appropriate biobehavioral measures. Although preliminary, the findings from this integrated review suggest that there is evidence to support a conceptualization of depression as a stress-related condition in which telomeres shorten over time in relation to cumulative exposure to the chronic stress of depression. For the purposes of testing in future nursing research, visual representations of the theoretical connection between stress vulnerabilities, depression, and health outcomes and key moderators and mediators involved in this conceptualization are provided. The findings from this review and the conceptual framework provided may be a useful step towards advancing therapeutic nursing interventions for this debilitating chronic condition.
Product and Commutativity ofkth-Order Slant Toeplitz Operators
Authors: Liu Chaomei , Lu Yufeng
Published: April 2013

The commutativity ofkth-order slant Toeplitz operators with harmonic polynomial symbols, analytic symbols, and coanalytic symbols is discussed. We show that, on the Lebesgue space and Bergman space, necessary and sufficient conditions for the commutativity ofkth-order slant Toeplitz operators are that their symbol functions are linearly dependent. Also, we study the product of twokth-order slant Toeplitz operators and give some necessary and sufficient conditions.
Calcium Activity of Upper Thoracic Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons in Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats
Authors: Ghorbani Marie Louise , Nyborg Niels C. B. , Fjalland Bjarne , Sheykhzade Majid
Published: April 2013

The aim of the present study was to examine the calcium activity of C8-T5dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from Zucker diabetic fatty rats. In total, 8 diabetic ZDF fatty animals and 8 age-matched control ZDF lean rats were employed in the study. C8-T5dorsal root ganglia were isolated bilaterally from 14 to 18 weeks old rats, and a primary culture was prepared. Calcium activity was measured ratiometrically using the fluorescent Ca2+-indicator Fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester. All neurons were stimulated twice with 20 mM K+, followed by stimulation with either 0.3 or 0.5 μM Capsaicin, alone or in combination with algogenic chemicals (bradykinin, serotonin, prostaglandin E2 (all 10−5 M), and adenosine (10−3 M)) at pH 7.4 and 6.0. Neurons from diabetic animals exhibited an overall increased response to stimulation with 20 mM K+compared to neurons from control. Stimulation with Capsaicin alone caused an augmented response in neurons from diabetic animals compared to control animals. When stimulated with a combination of Capsaicin and algogenic chemicals, no differences between the two groups of neurons were measured, neither at pH 7.4 nor 6.0. In conclusion, diabetes-induced alterations in calcium activity of the DRG neurons were found, potentially indicating altered neuronal responses during myocardial ischemia.
Serosorting and HIV/STI Infection among HIV-Negative MSM and Transgender People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis to Inform WHO Guidelines
Authors: Kennedy Caitlin E. , Bernard Laura J. , Muessig Kathryn E. , Konda Kelika A. , Akl Elie A. , Lo Ying-Ru , Gerbase Antonio , O’Reilly Kevin R.
Published: April 2013

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between serosorting and HIV infection, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and quality of life among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people. Two reviewers independently screened abstracts and abstracted data. Meta-analyses were conducted using random effects models. Of 310 citations reviewed, 4 observational studies, all with MSM, met inclusion criteria. Compared to consistent condom use, serosorting was associated with increased risk of HIV (3 studies, odds ratio (OR): 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.21–2.70) and bacterial STIs (1 study, OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.44–1.83). Compared to no condom use, serosorting was associated with reduced risk of HIV (3 studies, OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.25–0.83) and bacterial STIs (1 study, OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.73–0.91). Among HIV-negative MSM, condom use appears to be more protective against HIV and STIs than serosorting and should be encouraged. However, serosorting may be better than no condom use as a harm reduction strategy.
An Efficient and Lightweight Source Privacy Protecting Scheme for Sensor Networks Using Group Knowledge
Authors: Ruan Zhiqiang , Liang Wei , Sun Decai , Luo Haibo , Cheng Fanyong
Published: April 2013

Providing source privacy is a critical security service for sensor networks. However, privacy preserving in sensor networks is a challenging task, particularly due to the limited resources of sensor nodes and the threat of node capture attack. On the other hand, existing works use either random walk path or fake packets injection, both incurring tremendous overhead. In this work, we propose a new approach, which separates the sensor nodes into groups. The source packet is randomly forwarded within and between the groups with elaborate design to ensure communication anonymity; furthermore, members of each group exchange encrypted traffic of constant packet length to make it difficult for the adversary to trace back. One salient feature of the proposed scheme is its flexibility of trading transmission for higher anonymity requirement. We analyze the ability of our proposed scheme to withstand different attacks and demonstrate its efficiency in terms of overhead and functionality when compared to existing works.
A Hybrid Image Filtering Method for Computer-Aided Detection of Microcalcification Clusters in Mammograms
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyong , Homma Noriyasu , Goto Shotaro , Kawasumi Yosuke , Ishibashi Tadashi , Abe Makoto , Sugita Norihiro , Yoshizawa Makoto
Published: April 2013

The presence of microcalcification clusters (MCs) in mammogram is a major indicator of breast cancer. Detection of an MC is one of the key issues for breast cancer control. In this paper, we present a highly accurate method based on a morphological image processing and wavelet transform technique to detect the MCs in mammograms. The microcalcifications are firstly enhanced by using multistructure elements morphological processing. Then, the candidates of microcalcifications are refined by a multilevel wavelet reconstruction approach. Finally, MCs are detected based on their distributions feature. Experiments are performed on 138 clinical mammograms. The proposed method is capable of detecting 92.9% of true microcalcification clusters with an average of 0.08 false microcalcification clusters detected per image.
IL-10 Treatment Is Associated with Prohibitin Expression in the Crohn’s Disease Intestinal Fibrosis Mouse Model
Authors: Yuan C. , Chen W.-X. , Zhu J.-S. , Chen N.-W. , Lu Y.-M. , Ou Y.-X. , Chen H.-Q.
Published: April 2013

Prohibitin, which can inhibit oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, has been shown to have significant anti-inflammatory activities. Here, we investigate the effects of altering prohibitin levels in affected tissues in the interleukin-10 knockout (IL-10KO) mouse model with intestinal fibrosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of IL-10 on prohibitin and the role of prohibitin in intestinal fibrosis of murine colitis. After the mice were treated with IL-10, prohibitin expression and localization were evaluated in IL-10KO and wild-type (WT, 129/SvEv) mice. The colon tissue was then investigated and the potential pathogenic molecular mechanisms were further studied. Fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) and immunohistochemistry assays revealed a significant upregulation of prohibitin with IL-10 treatment. Furthermore, IL-10 decreases inflammatory cytokines and TGF-β1 in the IL-10KO model of Crohn’s disease and demonstrates a promising trend in decreasing tissue fibrosis. In conclusion, we hypothesize that IL-10 treatment is associated with increased prohibitin and would decrease inflammation and fibrosis in an animal model of Crohn’s disease. Interestingly, prohibitin may be a potential target for intestinal fibrosis associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Strong Convergence Iterative Algorithms for Equilibrium Problems and Fixed Point Problems in Banach Spaces
Authors: Wang Shenghua , Kang Shin Min
Published: April 2013

We first introduce the concept of Bregman asymptotically quasinonexpansive mappings and prove that the fixed point set of this kind of mappings is closed and convex. Then we construct an iterative scheme to find a common element of the set of solutions of an equilibrium problem and the set of common fixed points of a countable family of Bregman asymptotically quasinonexpansive mappings in reflexive Banach spaces and prove strong convergence theorems. Our results extend the recent ones of some others.
Hyperthermia versus Oncothermia: Cellular Effects in Complementary Cancer Therapy
Authors: Hegyi Gabriella , Szigeti Gyula P. , Szász András
Published: April 2013

Hyperthermia means overheating of the living object completely or partly. Hyperthermia, the procedure of raising the temperature of a part of or the whole body above normal for a defined period of time, is applied alone or as an adjunctive with various established cancer treatment modalities such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, hyperthermia is not generally accepted as conventional therapy. The problem is its controversial performance. The controversy is originated from the complications of the deep heating and the focusing of the heat effect. The idea of oncothermia solves the selective deep action on nearly cellular resolution. We would like to demonstrate the force and perspectives of oncothermia, as a highly specialized hyperthermia in clinical oncology. Our aim is to prove the ability of oncothermia to be a candidate to become a widely accepted modality of the standard cancer care. We would like to show the proofs and the challenges of the hyperthermia and oncothermia applications to provide the presently available data and summarize the knowledge in the topic. Like many early stage therapies, oncothermia lacks adequate treatment experience and long-range, comprehensive statistics that can help us optimize its use for all indications.