bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia: to treat or not to treat?
Authors: Sundriyal Deepak , Kumar Naveen , Kotwal Sumedha , Shirsi Nikhil
Published: November 2014

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia (WM) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder. It is mostly seen in the elderly population with a median age of 65 years at the time of diagnosis. The clinical presentation is variable and the patient may be entirely asymptomatic. The slow progressive nature of the disease allows many patients to survive for more than 5 years. At times it may be difficult for a clinician to determine the timing of therapy. We present an interesting case of WM that highlights the typical course of the disease and timing of its management.
Carnitine supplementation alleviates lipid metabolism derangements and protects against oxidative stress in non-obese hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rats
Authors: Cahova Monika , Chrastina Petr , Hansikova Hana , Drahota Zdenek , Trnovska Jaroslava , Skop Vojtech , Spacilova Jana , Malinska Hana , Oliyarnyk Olena , Papackova Zuzana , Palenickova Eliska , Kazdova Ludmila
Published: November 2014

The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of carnitine supplementation on lipid disorders and peripheral tissue insulin sensitivity in a non-obese animal model of insulin resistance, the hereditary hypertriglyceridemic (HHTg) rat. Male HHTg rats were fed a standard diet, and half of them received daily doses of carnitine (500 mg·kg−1body weight) for 8 weeks. Rats of the original Wistar strain were used for comparison. HHTg rats exhibited increased urinary excretion of free carnitine and reduced carnitine content in the liver and blood. Carnitine supplementation compensated for this shortage and promoted urinary excretion of acetylcarnitine without any signs of (acyl)carnitine accumulation in skeletal muscle. Compared with their untreated littermates, carnitine-treated HHTg rats exhibited lower weight gain, reduced liver steatosis, lower fasting triglyceridemia, and greater reduction of serum free fatty acid content after glucose load. Carnitine treatment was associated with increased mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative capacity for fatty acids, amelioration of oxidative stress, and restored substrate switching in the liver. In skeletal muscle (diaphragm), carnitine supplementation was associated with significantly higher palmitate oxidation and a more favorable complete to incomplete oxidation products ratio. Carnitine supplementation further enhanced insulin sensitivity ex vivo. No effects on whole-body glucose tolerance were observed. Our data suggest that some metabolic syndrome-related disorders, particularly fatty acid oxidation, steatosis, and oxidative stress in the liver, could be attenuated by carnitine supplementation. The effect of carnitine could be explained, at least partly, by enhanced substrate oxidation and increased fatty acid transport from tissues in the form of short-chain acylcarnitines.
Matching remotely sensed and field-measured tree size distributions
Authors: Vauhkonen Jari , Mehtätalo Lauri
Published: November 2014

Undetected trees and inaccuracies in the predicted allometric relationships of tree stem attributes seriously constrain single-tree remote sensing of seminatural forests. A new approach to compensate for these error sources was developed by applying a histogram matching technique to map the transformation between the cumulative distribution functions of crown radii extracted from airborne laser scanning (ALS) data and field-measured stem diameters (dbh, outside bark measured at 1.3 m aboveground). The ALS-based crown data were corrected for the censoring effect caused by overlapping tree crowns, assuming that the forest is an outcome of a homogeneous, marked Poisson process with independent marks of the crown radii. The transformation between the cumulative distribution functions was described by a polynomial regression model. The approach was tested for the prediction of plot-level stem number (N), quadratic mean diameter (DQM), and basal area (G) in a managed boreal forest. Of the 40 plots studied, a total of 18 plots met the assumptions of the Poisson process and independent marks. In these plots, the predicted N, DQM, and G had best-case root mean squared errors of 299 stems·ha−1 (27.6%), 2.1 cm (13.1%), and 2.9 m2·ha−1 (13.0%), respectively, and the null hypothesis that the mean difference between the measured and predicted values was 0 was not rejected (p > 0.05). Considerably less accurate results were obtained for the plots that did not meet the assumptions. However, the goodness-of-fit of the predicted diameter distribution was especially improved compared with the single-tree remote sensing prediction, and observations realistically obtainable with ALS data showed potential to further localize the predictions. Remarkably, predictions of N showing no evidence against zero bias were derived solely based on the ALS data for the plots meeting the assumptions made, and limited training data are proposed to be adequate for predicting the stem diameter distribution, DQM, and G. Although this study was based on ALS data, we discuss the possibility of using other remotely sensed data as well. Taken together with the low requirements for field reference data, the presented approach provides interesting practical possibilities that are not typically proposed in the forest remote sensing literature.
Jak2/Stat1 pathway mediated tetrahydrobiopterin up-regulation contributes to nitric oxide overproduction in high-glucose cultured rat mesangial cells
Authors: Wang Jian-Yun , Liu Shuai , Qin Na , Yang Qian-Qian , Guo Hao , Zhang Fan , Yin Xiao-Xing
Published: November 2014

Nitric oxide (NO) is crucial for the progression of early diabetic nephropathy (DN). It is important to clarify the mechanism for the production of NO in mesangial cells (MCs). In this study, the amounts/activities of related factors such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), NO, 3 isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH I), Jak2, and Stat1 were determined using high-glucose cultured rat MCs. The results showed that the production of BH4under oxidative stress was strongly stimulated by its rate-limiting enzyme GTP cyclohydrolase, which increased the expression and activity of inducible NOS to facilitate NO synthesis. Furthermore, the relative quantities of activated-Jak2 and activated-Stat1 were increased. Therefore, Jak2/Stat1 pathway mediated BH4up-regulation can contribute to excessive NO in high-glucose cultured MCs. Our results will be helpful for screening new targets to improve the therapy for early DN.
Hidden structures of knot invariants
Authors: Sleptsov Alexey
Published: November 2014

We discuss a connection of HOMFLY polynomials with Hurwitz covers and represent a generating function for the HOMFLY polynomial of a given knot in all representations as Hurwitz partition function, i.e. the dependence of the HOMFLY polynomials on representation R is naturally captured by symmetric group characters (cut-and-join eigenvalues). The genus expansion and the loop expansion through Vassiliev invariants explicitly demonstrate this phenomenon. We study the genus expansion and discuss its properties. We also consider the loop expansion in details. In particular, we give an algorithm to calculate Vassiliev invariants, give some examples and discuss relations among Vassiliev invariants. Then we consider superpolynomials for torus knots defined via double affine Hecke algebra. We claim that the superpolynomials are not functions of Hurwitz type: symmetric group characters do not provide an adequate linear basis for their expansions. Deformation to superpolynomials is, however, straightforward in the multiplicative basis: the Casimir operators are beta-deformed to Hamiltonians of the Calogero–Moser–Sutherland system. Applying this trick to the genus and Vassiliev expansions, we observe that the deformation is fully straightforward only for the thin knots. Beyond the family of thin knots additional algebraically independent terms appear in the Vassiliev expansions. This can suggest that the superpolynomials do in fact contain more information about knots than the colored HOMFLY and Kauffman polynomials.
Earthquake Response of Base-Isolated Liquid Storage Tanks for Different Isolator Models
Authors: Saha Sandip Kumar , Matsagar Vasant A. , Jain Arvind K.
Published: November 2014

The effect of different isolator parameters on earthquake response of base-isolated liquid storage tanks is investigated herein. Mechanical analog, with three lumped masses, is used to model ground supported base-isolated liquid storage tank, and analyzed for recorded earthquake ground accelerations. The nonlinear force–deformation behavior of the isolator is mathematically modeled in two different ways, represented by (a) equivalent linear elastic-viscous and (b) bi-linear hysteretic behaviors. The equations of motion for the base-isolated tank are derived and solved in the incremental form using Newmark's step-by-step method of integration. Two different configurations of liquid storage tank (i.e. broad and slender) are considered to show the effect of the equivalent linear and bi-linear modeling of the isolator on the important earthquake response quantities. Effect of nonlinear hysteretic modeling of the isolator on peak response of the base-isolated liquid storage tanks is also investigated. The effect on earthquake response of the base-isolated liquid storage tank is studied for different parameters of the isolator for a range of slenderness ratio of the tank. The parameters considered include the characteristic strength of the isolator, isolation time period, isolator yield displacement etc. Significant difference is observed in the earthquake response of the base-isolated liquid storage tanks owing to the equivalent linear and bi-linear modeling approaches of the isolator. However, for bi-linear and nonlinear hysteretic modeling of the isolator, difference between the peak earthquake response of base-isolated liquid storage tanks are insignificant. The earthquake response of base-isolated liquid storage tanks is significantly influenced by the variation in the isolator parameters and slenderness ratio of the tank.
Uniform shell modeling of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays
Authors: Joseph J. , Lu Y. C.
Published: November 2014

Vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays (VA-MWCNTs) are novel carbon nanomaterials that have broader applications than individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs). This paper presents the uniform shell modeling of VA-MWCNTs which allow effectively design and characterize these complex materials. Multi-walled nanotubes in the arrays are approximated as equivalent single-walled CNTs and modeled with shell elements. The stiffness and Young's modulus obtained from the equivalent thickness method are comparable to those obtained from the modeling of actual multi-wall structures, but at much efficient computational efforts. VA-MWCNTs have also been designed at various architectures (square, FCC) and areal densities, and the resultant mechanical properties are analyzed.
Water Physicochemistry and Zooplankton Fauna of Aiba Reservoir Headwater Streams, Iwo, Nigeria
Authors: Akindele Emmanuel O. , Olutona Godwin O.
Published: November 2014

The physicochemical water condition and zooplankton fauna of the two main inflows of Aiba Reservoir were assessed over an annual hydrological cycle (May 2013–March 2014). The concentrations of total solids (TS) and total suspended solids (TSS) in the two streams were unusually higher in the dry season for typical inland waters of Nigeria and showed a decrease from the upper reaches towards the lower reaches (reservoir’s inlet). Dissolved oxygen, NO3-, and PO43- recorded their highest concentrations at the reservoir’s inlet. A total of 37 species of zooplankton were recorded in the study, comprising 5 species of Protozoa, 14 species of Rotifera, 10 species of Copepoda, 4 species of Ostracoda, and 4 species of Insecta. Aiba stream recorded higher number of zooplankton species and abundance than Onikan stream. While number of zooplankton species and abundance showed an increase from the upper reaches to the lower reaches of both streams, species diversity and equitability generally showed a decrease. Correlation and regression analysis suggests that the concentration of TS and TSS played a major role in determining the zooplankton community structure of the streams. PO43- concentrations as well as the community structures of zooplankton faunas of the two streams were indicative of a polluted freshwater system with unstable habitat structure.
Structural, Microhardness, Photoconductivity, and Dielectric Properties of Tris(thiourea) Cadmium Sulphate Single Crystals
Authors: Arthi A. P. , Sumithra Devi M. , Thamizharasan K.
Published: November 2014

Semiorganic nonlinear optical tris(thiourea) cadmium sulphate (TTCS) single crystals were grown by slow evaporation method. The crystal system, cell parameter of the grown crystal, was identified by powder X-ray diffraction study. The self-focusing Z-scan technique has been employed to observe the third-order nonlinear optical property of the grown crystal. The mechanical property of the grown crystal was examined by using Vicker’s microhardness test. Chemical etching studies were made on the TTCS crystal using water as an etchant. The dark current and photocurrent properties of the crystal were estimated by using photoconductivity study. The dielectric constant of grown crystal was studied in different temperature by varying applied frequencies.
Development of Ultra-Broadband Base Station Antenna for All Mainstream LTE 700/800/900 MHz Frequency Bands
Authors: Samb Doudou , Wu Zhonglin , Liu Mulin , Jie Hu Bin
Published: November 2014

LTE deployment is being accelerated due to its improved radio access structure meeting the requirements of current and next generation of wireless networks. Its low band application presents useful aspects such as low density of base station while providing good in-building penetration. In this work, we design and develop a dual-polarized base station antenna supporting 698 MHz to 960 MHz with an azimuth-plan half-power beam width of 90° covering all mainstream LTE 700/800/900 MHz frequency bands representing the widest low frequency range being actively used in the current mobile communication industry. In the design process, rigorous algorithm based on swarm method is developed to tune the electrical performances under strict base station antenna requirements. Experimental results from pattern tests demonstrate the design analysis and the significant advantages of using swarm method in the antenna development process.
Ascites as the Presenting Symptom of Multiple Myeloma in a Scleroderma Patient
Authors: Hilal Nadeen , Atallah Adnan
Published: November 2014

Several reports have demonstrated associations between scleroderma and cancer and between multiple myeloma and autoimmune diseases. Few papers have also reported the concurrence of scleroderma and multiple myeloma. We report a case of multiple myeloma that developed in a male patient after 28 years of fulfilling a diagnosis of scleroderma. The main presenting feature of multiple myeloma was ascites, solely explained by the increased vascular permeability that occurs in this disease.
Age Changes of Jaws and Soft Tissue Profile
Authors: Sharma Padmaja , Arora Ankit , Valiathan Ashima
Published: November 2014

Age-related changes of jaws and soft tissue profile are important both for orthodontists and general dentists. Mouth profile is the area which is manipulated during dental treatment. These changes should be planned in accordance with other components of facial profile to achieve ultimate aim of structural balance, functional efficacy, and esthetic harmony. Through this paper, the authors wish to discuss age changes of the hard and soft tissues of human face which would help not only the orthodontists but also oral surgeons, prosthodontists, pedodontists, and general dentists.
Residual Salivary Secretion Ability May Be a Useful Marker for Differential Diagnosis in Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Maeshima Etsuko , Koshiba Hiroya , Furukawa Kanako , Maeshima Shinichiro , Sakamoto Wataru
Published: November 2014

Background.We have elucidated decreased resting salivary flow in approximately 60% of patients with autoimmune diseases not complicated by Sjögren syndrome (SjS). In this study, salivary stimulation tests using capsaicin were performed to examine residual salivary secretion ability in patients with autoimmune diseases.Materials and Methods.Fifty-eight patients were divided into three groups: patients with primary or secondary SjS (SjS group), patients with systemic sclerosis not complicated by SjS (SSc group), and patients with other autoimmune diseases (non-SjS/non-SSc group). Simple filter paper and filter paper containing capsaicin were used to evaluate salivary flow rates.Results.Resting salivary flow rates were significantly lower in the SjS and SSc groups than in the non-SjS/non-SSc group but did not differ significantly between the SjS and SSc groups. Capsaicin-stimulated salivary flow rates were significantly lower in the SjS and SSc groups than in the non-SjS/non-SSc group, but not significantly different between the SjS and SSc groups. In the non-SjS/non-SSc group, salivary flow rates increased after capsaicin stimulation to the threshold level for determination of salivary gland dysfunction, whereas no improvement was observed in the SjS and SSc groups.Conclusion.Residual salivary secretion ability may be a useful marker for differential diagnosis in autoimmune diseases.
Relationship between Personality Profiles and Suicide Attempt via Medicine Poisoning among Hospitalized Patients: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Shafiee-Kandjani Ali Reza , Amiri Shahrokh , Arfaie Asghar , Ahmadi Azadeh , Farvareshi Mahmoud
Published: November 2014

Objectives. Inflexible personality traits play an important role in the development of maladaptive behaviors among patients who attempt suicide. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between personality profiles and suicide attempt via medicine poisoning among the patients hospitalized in a public hospital. Materials and Methods. Fifty-nine patients who attempted suicide for the first time and hospitalized in the poisoning ward were selected as the experimental group. Sixty-three patients hospitalized in the other wards for a variety of reasons were selected as the adjusted control group. Millon Clinical Multiaxial Personality Inventory, 3rd version (MCMI-III) was used to assess the personality profiles. Results. The majority of the suicide attempters were low-level graduates (67.8% versus 47.1%, OR = 2.36). 79.7% of the suicide attempters were suffering from at least one maladaptive personality profile. The most common maladaptive personality profiles among the suicide attempters were depressive personality disorder (40.7%) and histrionic personality disorder (32.2%). Among the syndromes the most common ones were anxiety clinical syndrome (23.7%) and major depression (23.7%). Conclusion. Major depression clinical syndrome, histrionic personality disorder, anxiety clinical syndrome, and depressive personality disorder are among the predicators of first suicide attempts for the patients hospitalized in the public hospital due to the medicine poisoning.
Parkinson’s Disease: Low-Dose Haloperidol Increases Dopamine Receptor Sensitivity and Clinical Response
Authors: Hudson Craig J. , Seeman Philip , Seeman Mary V.
Published: November 2014

Background. It is known that ultra-low doses of haloperidol can cause dopamine supersensitivity of dopamine D2 receptors and related behaviour in animals.Objective. The objective was to determine whether a daily ultra-low dose of 40 micrograms of haloperidol could enhance the clinical action of levodopa in Parkinson’s disease patients.Method. While continuing their daily treatment with levodopa, 16 patients with Parkinson’s disease were followed weekly for six weeks. They received an add-on daily dose of 40 micrograms of haloperidol for the first two weeks only. The SPES/SCOPA scale (short scale for assessment of motor impairments and disabilities in Parkinson’s disease) was administered before treatment and weekly throughout the trial.Results. The results showed a mean decrease in SPES/SCOPA scores after one week of the add-on treatment.Conclusion. SCOPA scores decreased after the addition of low-dose haloperidol to the standard daily levodopa dose. This finding is consistent with an increase in sensitivity of dopamine D2 receptors induced by haloperidol. Such treatment for Parkinson’s disease may possibly permit the levodopa dose to be reduced and, thus, delay the onset of levodopa side effects.
mTOR Signaling in Protein Translation Regulation: Implications in Cancer Genesis and Therapeutic Interventions
Authors: Showkat Mehvish , Beigh Mushtaq A. , Andrabi Khurshid I.
Published: November 2014

mTOR is a central nutrient sensor that signals a cell to grow and proliferate. Through distinct protein complexes it regulates different levels of available cellular energy substrates required for cell growth. One of the important functions of the complex is to maintain available amino acid pool by regulating protein translation. Dysregulation of mTOR pathway leads to aberrant protein translation which manifests into various pathological states. Our review focuses on the role mTOR signaling plays in protein translation and its physiological role. It also throws some light on available data that show translation dysregulation as a cause of pathological complexities like cancer and the available drugs that target the pathway for cancer treatment.
Successfully Treated Calcific Uremic Arteriolopathy: Two Cases of a High Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis with Intravenous Sodium Thiosulfate
Authors: Rein Joshua L. , Miyata Kana N. , Dadzie Kobena A. , Gruber Steven J. , Sulica Roxana , Winchester James F.
Published: November 2014

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA) is a rare and potentially fatal disorder of calcification involving subcutaneous small vessels and fat in patients with renal insufficiency. We describe the successful use of intravenous sodium thiosulfate (STS) for the treatment of CUA in two patients. The first case was complicated by the development of a severe anion gap metabolic acidosis, which was accompanied by a seizure. Both patients had complete wound healing within five months. Although STS should be considered in the treatment of CUA, little is known about pharmacokinetics and additional studies are required to determine dosing strategies to minimize severe potential side effects.
Design and Evaluation of Polyox and Pluronic Controlled Gastroretentive Delivery of Troxipide
Authors: Jagdale Swati C. , Kamble Shraddha B. , Kuchekar Bhanudas S. , Chabukswar Aniruddha R.
Published: November 2014

Objective. Objective of the present work was to develop site-specific gastroretentive drug delivery of Troxipide using polymers Pluronic F127 and Polyox 205 WSR. Troxipide is a novel gastroprotective agent with antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, and mucus secreting properties with elimination half-life of 7.4 hrs. Troxipide inhibits H. pylori-derived urease. It is mainly absorbed from stomach. Methods. 32 factorial design was applied to study the effect of independent variable. Effects of concentration of polymer on dependant variables as swelling index, hardness, and % drug release were studied. Pluronic F127 and Polyox 205 WSR were used as rate controlled polymer. Sodium bicarbonate and citric acid were used as effervescent-generating agent. Results. From the factorial batches, it was observed that formulation F5 (19% Pluronic F127 and 80% Polyox 205 WSR) showed optimum controlled drug release (98.60% ± 1.82) for 10 hrs with ability to float >12 hrs. Optimized formulation characterized by FTIR and DSC studies confirmed no chemical interactions between drug and polymer. Gastroretention for 6 hrs for optimized formulations was confirmed by in vivo X-ray placebo study. Conclusion. Results demonstrated feasibility of Troxipide in the development of gastroretentive site-specific drug delivery.
Application of2kFull Factorial Design in Optimization of Solvent-Free Microwave Extraction of Ginger Essential Oil
Authors: Shah Mumtaj , Garg S. K.
Published: November 2014

The solvent-free microwave extraction of essential oil from ginger was optimized using a 23full factorial design in terms of oil yield to determine the optimum extraction conditions. Sixteen experiments were carried out with three varying parameters, extraction time, microwave power, and type of sample for two levels of each. A first order regression equation best fits the experimental data. The predicted values calculated by the regression model were in good agreement with the experimental values. The results showed that the extraction time is the most prominent factor followed by microwave power level and sample type for extraction process. An average of 0.25% of ginger oil can be extracted using current setup. The optimum conditions for the ginger oil extraction using SFME were the extraction time 30 minutes, microwave power level 640 watts, and sample type, crushed sample. Solvent-free microwave extraction proves a green and promising technique for essential oil extraction.
Proline Based Chiral Ionic Liquids for Enantioselective Michael Reaction
Authors: Nobuoka Kaoru , Kitaoka Satoshi , Kojima Tsutomu , Kawano Yuuki , Hirano Kazuya , Tange Masakazu , Obata Shunsuke , Yamamoto Yuki , Harran Thomas , Ishikawa Yuich
Published: November 2014

Chiral ionic liquids, starting from (S)-proline, have been prepared and evaluated the ability of a chiral catalyst. In Michael reaction of trans-β-nitrostyrene and cyclohexanone, all the reactions were carried out under homogeneous conditions without any solvent except for excess cyclohexanone. The chiral ionic liquid catalyst with the positive charge delocalized bulky pyrrolidinium cation shows excellent yields (up to 92%), diastereoselectivities (syn/anti = 96/4), and enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee) and could be reused at least three times without any loss of its catalytic activity. Such results demonstrated a promising new approach for green and economic chiral synthesis by using the chiral ionic liquids as a chiral catalyst and a chiral medium.
Bone Mineral Density in Gravida: Effect of Pregnancies and Breast-Feeding in Women of Differing Ages and Parity
Authors: Lebel Ehud , Mishukov Yuri , Babchenko Liana , Samueloff Arnon , Zimran Ari , Elstein Deborah
Published: November 2014

Changes of bone during pregnancy and during lactation evaluated by bone mineral density (BMD) may have implications for risk of osteoporosis and fractures. We studied BMD in women of differing ages, parity, and lactation histories immediately postpartum for BMD,T-scores, andZ-scores. Institutional Review Board approval was received. All women while still in hospital postpartum were asked to participate. BMD was performed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) machine at femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) by a single technician. Of 132 participants, 73 (55.3%) were ≤30 years; 27 (20.5%) were primiparous; 36 (27.3%) were grand multiparous; 35 (26.5%) never breast fed. Mean FNT-scores andZ-scores were higher than respective mean LS scores, but all means were within the normal limits. Mean LST-scores andZ-scores were highest in the grand multiparas. There were only 2 (1.5%) outliers with lowZ-scores. We conclude that, in a large cohort of Israeli women with BMD parameters assessed by DXA within two days postpartum, meanT-scores andZ-scores at both the LS and FN were within normal limits regardless of age (20–46 years), parity (1–13 viable births), and history of either no or prolonged months of lactation (up to 11.25 years).
Partial Gene Deletions ofPMP22Causing Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies
Authors: Cho Sun-Mi , Hong Bo Young , Kim Yoonjung , Lee Sang Guk , Yang Jin-Young , Kim Juwon , Lee Kyung-A
Published: November 2014

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal neuropathy that is commonly caused by a reciprocal 1.5 Mb deletion on chromosome 17p11.2, at the site of the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene. Other patients with similar phenotypes have been shown to harbor point mutations or small deletions, although there is some clinical variation across these patients. In this report, we describe a case of HNPP with copy number changes in exon or promoter regions ofPMP22. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe analysis revealed an exon 1b deletion in the patient, who had been diagnosed with HNPP in the first decade of life using molecular analysis.
Identification of a Variant in KDR Associated with Serum VEGFR2 and Pharmacodynamics of Pazopanib
Authors: Maitland Michael L. , Xu Chun-Fang , Cheng Yu-Ching , Kistner-Griffin Emily , Ryan Kathleen A. , Karrison Theodore G. , Das Soma , Torgerson Dara , Gamazon Eric R. , Thomeas Vasiliki , Levine Matthew R. , Wilson Paul A. , Bing Nan , Liu Yuan , Cardon Lon R. , Pandite Lini N. , O'Connell Jeffrey R. , Cox Nancy J. , Mitchell Braxton D. , Ratain Mark J. , Shuldiner Alan R.
Published: November 2014

Purpose: VEGF receptor (VEGFR) kinases are important drug targets in oncology that affect function of systemic endothelial cells. To discover genetic markers that affect VEGFR inhibitor pharmacodynamics, we performed a genome-wide association study of serum soluble vascular VEGFR2 concentrations [sVEGFR2], a pharmacodynamic biomarker for VEGFR2 inhibitors.

Experimental Design: We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of [sVEGFR2] in 736 healthy Old Order Amish volunteers. Gene variants identified from the GWAS were genotyped serially in a cohort of 128 patients with advanced solid tumor with baseline [sVEGFR2] measurements, and in 121 patients with renal carcinoma with [sVEGFR2] measured before and during pazopanib therapy.

Results: rs34231037 (C482R) in KDR, the gene encoding sVEGFR2 was found to be highly associated with [sVEGFR2], explaining 23% of the variance (P = 2.7 × 10−37). Association of rs34231037 with [sVEGFR2] was replicated in 128 patients with cancer with comparable effect size (P = 0.025). Furthermore, rs34231037 was a significant predictor of changes in [sVEGFR2] in response to pazopanib (P = 0.01).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that genome-wide analysis of phenotypes in healthy populations can expedite identification of candidate pharmacogenetic markers. Genotyping for germline variants in KDR may have clinical utility in identifying patients with cancer with unusual sensitivity to effects of VEGFR2 kinase inhibitors. Clin Cancer Res; 21(2); 365–72. ©2014 AACR.
Repeated Premature Hemofilter Clotting During Regional Citrate Anticoagulation as Indicator of Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Lehner Georg F. , SchFpf Marion , Harler Ulrich , Pechlaner Christoph , Joannidis Michael
Published: November 2014

Purpose: Early clinical signs of heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) are nonspecific and include a sudden drop in the number of platelets as well as formation of arterial and venous thromboses. Regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) is increasingly used as a very effective modality to prevent filter clotting during renal replacement therapy (RRT). We report the first case where repeated premature filter clotting despite RCA indicated a manifestation of HIT. Materials and Methods: A 71-year old woman admitted to the ICU for a compartment syndrome of the leg developed septic shock with acute kidney injury requiring continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD). Because of unexpected and repeated premature filter clotting during CVVHD using RCA, HIT was suspected. Results: The diagnosis of HIT was confirmed by the presence of IgG antibodies against heparin and platelet factor (PF) 4 complexes and six points in the 4T score. Discontinuation of heparin administration and initiation of systemic anticoagulation with danaparoid sodium resulted in the normalization of platelet count and hemofilter lifetime. Conclusion: RCA does not seem to be sufficient to prevent hemofilter clotting during HIT. Thus, in case of repeated premature filter clotting despite RCA, one should suspect HIT and prompt diagnostic workup as well as a switch to alternative anticoagulation. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Body Mass Index Predicts Success in Patients Undergoing Transoral Robotic Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Hoff Paul T. , Glazer Tiffany A. , Spector Matthew E.
Published: November 2014

Objective: To determine the predictors of success in patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and multilevel procedures for the management of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods: A total of 121 patients (83 male, 38 female) underwent TORS between 2010 and 2013. All patients had robotic assisted lingual tonsillectomy, either as stand-alone surgery or in combination with palatal Z-plasty, lateral pharyngoplasty or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and body mass index (BMI) were measured preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. Success was defined as AHI <20 and a decrease in AHI by 50%. Results: There was a significant difference in the preoperative and postoperative AHI in the entire cohort (42.7 vs. 22.2; p < 0.001). Overall, 84.3% of patients had an improvement in their AHI, 51.2% of patients met the criteria for success, and 14% met the criteria for cure defined as AHI <5. When stratifying by BMI, there was a significant difference in success when comparing patients with a BMI <30 versus those with a BMI >30 (69.4 vs. 41.7%; p = 0.004). The cure rate was 15.3% in patients with a BMI <30 and 11.1% in those with a BMI >30 (p = 0.54). Conclusions: TORS lingual tonsillectomy and multilevel procedures were successful in treating moderate-to-severe OSAHS in selected patients. Preoperative BMI helps the clinician to predict success in these patients, with two thirds of patients having a clinically useful benefit. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Biodegradable-Polymer Biolimus-Eluting Stents
Authors: Kaiser Christoph , Galatius Soeren , Jeger Raban , Gilgen Nicole , Jensen Jan Skov , Naber Christoph , Alber Hannes , Wanitschek Maria , Eberli Franz , Kurz David J. , Pedrazzini Giovanni , Moccetti Tiziano , Rickli Hans , Weilenmann Daniel , Vuillomenet André , Steiner Martin , Felten Stefanie Von , Vogt Deborah R. , Hansen Kim Wadt , Rickenbacher Peter , Conen David , Müller Christian , Buser Peter , Hoffmann Andreas , Pfisterer Matthias
Published: November 2014

Background—

Biodegradable-polymer drug-eluting stents (BP-DES) were developed to be as effective as second-generation durable-polymer drug-eluting stents (DP-DES) and as safe >1 year as bare-metal stents (BMS). Thus, very late stent thrombosis (VLST) attributable to durable polymers should no longer appear.

Methods and Results—

To address these early and late aspects, 2291 patients presenting with acute or stable coronary disease needing stents ≥3.0 mm in diameter between April 2010 and May 2012 were randomly assigned to biolimus-A9–eluting BP-DES, second-generation everolimus-eluting DP-DES, or thin-strut silicon-carbide–coated BMS in 8 European centers. All patients were treated with aspirin and risk-adjusted doses of prasugrel. The primary end point was combined cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and clinically indicated target-vessel revascularization within 2 years. The combined secondary safety end point was a composite of VLST, myocardial infarction, and cardiac death. The cumulative incidence of the primary end point was 7.6% with BP-DES, 6.8% with DP-DES, and 12.7% with BMS. By intention-to-treat BP-DES were noninferior (predefined margin, 3.80%) compared with DP-DES (absolute risk difference, 0.78%; −1.93% to 3.50%;
P
for noninferiority 0.042; per protocol
P
=0.09) and superior to BMS (absolute risk difference, −5.16; −8.32 to −2.01;
P
=0.0011). The 3 stent groups did not differ in the combined safety end point, with no decrease in events >1 year, particularly VLST with BP-DES.

Conclusions—

In large vessel stenting, BP-DES appeared barely noninferior compared with DP-DES and more effective than thin-strut BMS, but without evidence for better safety nor lower VLST rates >1 year. Findings challenge the concept that durable polymers are key in VLST formation.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01166685.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Aphelenchoides besseyi (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), the first sequenced representative of the subfamily Aphelenchoidinae
Authors: Sun Longhua , Zhuo Kan , Wang Honghong , Song Handa , Chi Wenwei , Zhang Lian-Hui , Liao Jinling
Published: November 2014

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) ofAphelenchoides besseyiis 16 216 bp in size and has the typical organisation of nematode mitogenomes of Chromadorea, including 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and the AT-rich non-coding region. The nucleotide composition of the mitogenome ofA. besseyiis AT-biased (80.0%) and the AT skew is −0.289. The most common start codon forA. besseyiis ATT. Thenad3andnad4Lgenes have an incomplete stop codon consisting of just a T and the other PCGs stop with the full stop codons. All the tRNA genes display a non-typical cloverleaf structure of mitochondrial tRNA. The AT-rich non-coding region contains ten tandem repeat units with four different regions. Phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated amino acid sequences of 12 protein-coding genes showed that three Tylenchomorpha species, includingA. besseyi,Bursaphelenchus mucronatusandB. xylophilusfrom the superfamily Aphelenchoidea, are placed within a well-supported monophyletic clade, but far from the other six Tylenchomorpha speciesMeloidogyne chitwoodi,M. graminicola,M. incognita,Pratylenchus vulnus,Heterodera glycinesandRadopholus similisof Tylenchoidea. This phylogeny suggests thatAphelenchoideshas a close relative relationship withBursaphelenchusand that the Tylenchomorpha is not monophyletic.
The European Court of Human Rights and Access to Information
Authors: Lehne Florian , Weismann Paul
Published: November 2014

This contribution analyses the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Österreichische Vereinigung zur Erhaltung, Stärkung und Schaffung eines wirtschaftlich gesunden land- und forstwirtschaftlichen Grundbesitzes v Austria1 which was handed down in November 2013. In this judgment, the Court affirmed a violation of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (echr), because an Austrian appellate authority refused entirely to provide access to its past decisions. After an introduction into recent developments regarding the ‘right to receive information’, the facts of the case are presented. Subsequently, the Court’s reasoning in the assessment of the case is analysed with a view to the questions ‘interference’, ‘prescription by law’, ‘legitimate aims’ and ‘proportionality’ (stricto sensu). The Court’s supplementation of the traditional concept ‘public watchdog’ by the new notion of ‘social watchdog’ shall be outlined and a critical view on this legal innovation shall be provided, also with regard to the Court’s recent case law which is already pointing in this direction.
S.A.S v France
Authors: Yusuf Hakeem
Published: November 2014

The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights has upheld the French law which prohibits the concealment of one’s face in public places. The law is directed principally at prohibiting Muslim women covering their faces in public spaces in France. The decision of the Strasbourg Court is premised on the French notion of ‘le vivre ensemble’; ‘living together.’ This critical analysis of the judgment contends that the decision is flawed and retrogressive for women’s rights in particular and undermines the socio-cultural rights and freedoms of individuals who belong to minority groups in general. On wider implications of the decision, it is worrisome that the decision appears to pander to dangerous political leanings currently growing in many parts of Europe and beyond. The Court risks promoting forced assimilation policies against minorities in various parts of the world. To illustrate its implications, the article highlights the experience of the Uyghurs, a Turkic ethnic group in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China.
Testing the validity of Northern European species in the Chrysis ignita species group (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae) with DNA Barcoding
Authors: SOON VILLU , BUDRYS EDUARDAS , ORLOVSKYTĖ SVETLANA , PAUKKUNEN JUHO , ODEGAARD FRODE , LJUBOMIROV TOSHKO , SAARMA URMAS
Published: November 2014

Containing more than a hundred species, the Chrysis ignita species group is the largest and one of the most taxonomically challenging groups in its genus. It has not been possible to resolve the taxonomy of the group using traditional methods due to the lack of robust diagnostic morphological characters. Here we present the results of a molecular analysis designed to delimit species in the Chrysis ignita group for the first time; using mitochondrial sequence data for 364 in-group specimens consisting of all 18 species known to occur in Northern Europe. Two mitochondrial loci were analysed: a COI gene fragment, and a continuous DNA sequence consisting of 16S rRNA, tRNAVal, 12S rRNA and ND4. Two approaches were employed for delimiting species: (1) genetic distance analysis based on the standard COI barcode sequences and; (2) phylogenetic analysis of the COI fragment together with rRNA genes. Both analyses yielded trees with similar topology, but support values for nodes were higher using the second approach. Fifteen species were distinguished in all analyses: Chrysis angustula Schenck, 1856, C. brevitarsis Thomson, 1870, C. clarinicollis Linsenmaier, 1951, C. corusca Valkeila, 1971, C. fulgida Linnaeus, 1761, C. ignita (Linnaeus, 1758), C. impressa Schenck, 1856, C. iris Christ, 1791, C. leptomandibularis Niehuis, 2000, C. longula Abeille de Perrin, 1879, C. ruddii Shuckard, 1837, C. schencki Linsenmaier, 1968, C. subcoriacea Linsenmaier, 1959, C. terminata Dahlbom, 1854 and C. vanlithi Linsenmaier, 1959. The specific status of C. mediata Linsenmaier, 1951 and C. solida Haupt, 1957 was not resolved. Included unidentified specimens grouped in three clusters, two of which are distinctly delimited and apparently represent cryptic species. The specific status of the unidentified samples in the third cluster remained unclear. Moreover, our data suggest the existence of additional cryptic species currently lumped under the names C. pseudobrevitarsis Linsenmaier, 1951 and C. schencki Linsenmaier, 1968. In conclusion, our results derived from analysis of mitochondrial loci strongly support the specific status of the majority of currently recognised species in the Chrysis ignita species group, and suggest the existence of additional cryptic species in Northern Europe. Thus, considering the difficulties that often arise during species determination based on morphological characters, the mtDNA loci used here appear highly suitable for assisting species delimitation in this group as well as identification of specimens.
Carabid (Coleoptera) type collection at National Forest Insect Collection (NFIC), Forest Research Institute, Dehradun (India)
Authors: FAISAL MOHAMMAD , SINGH SUDHIR
Published: November 2014

Members of family Carabidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) are a dominant group of terrestrial predators. National Forest Insect Collection (NFIC) of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun (India) has a good collection of carabids rich in type material. Here we report the details of the type specimens of 139 species included in 49 genera, 24 tribes and 14 subfamilies. Colour automontaged photographs of each type along with its original labels are also included.
Probabilistic Multiple Linear Regression Modeling for Tropical Cyclone Intensity
Authors: Lee Chia-Ying , Tippett Michael K. , Camargo Suzana J. , Sobel Adam H.
Published: November 2014

The authors describe the development and verification of a statistical model relating tropical cyclone (TC) intensity to the local large-scale environment. A multiple linear regression framework is used to estimate the expected intensity of a tropical cyclone given the environmental and storm conditions. The uncertainty of the estimate is constructed from the empirical distribution of model errors. NCEP–NCAR reanalysis fields and historical hurricane data from 1981 to 1999 are used for model development, and data from 2000 to 2012 are used to evaluate model performance. Seven predictors are selected: initial storm intensity, the change of storm intensity over the past 12 h, the storm translation speed, the difference between initial storm intensity and its corresponding potential intensity, deep-layer (850–200 hPa) vertical shear, atmospheric stability, and 200-hPa divergence. The system developed here models storm intensity changes in response to changes in the surrounding environment with skill comparable to existing operational forecast tools. Since one application of such a model is to predict changes in TC activity in response to natural or anthropogenic climate change, the authors examine the performance of the model using data that is most readily available from global climate models, that is, monthly averages. It is found that statistical models based on monthly data (as opposed to daily) with only a few essential predictors, for example, the difference between storm intensity and potential intensity, perform nearly as well at short leads as when daily predictors are used.
Molecular dynamics simulations: from structure function relationships to drug discovery
Authors: Nair Pramod C , Miners John O
Published: November 2014

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is an emerging in silico technique with potential applications in diverse areas of pharmacology. Over the past three decades MD has evolved as an area of importance for understanding the atomic basis of complex phenomena such as molecular recognition, protein folding, and the transport of ions and small molecules across membranes. The application of MD simulations in isolation and in conjunction with experimental approaches have provided an increased understanding of protein structure-function relationships and demonstrated promise in drug discovery.
Microbiological analysis of milk unfermented kefir produced with milk contaminated by Escherichia coli
Authors: Caetano Danúbia R , Montanhini Maike Taís Maziero
Published: November 2014

The fermented milk by kefir grains is a probiotic dairy product that provides to the consumer several health benefits, and can also be consumed by lactose intolerant people. These grains contain in their microbiota acid-lactic bacteria able to inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. This research aimed to evaluate the Escherichia coli inhibition by the kefir fermentation, contaminated during its manufacturing. Thus, were used the standard strain ATCC 11229 E. coli, inoculated in the milk for the kefir production. After the fermentation, the sample were diluted in peptone water and plated in Petrifilm, followed by incubation at 36 °C for 24 hours. In all repetitions, were observed at the end that the kefir fermentation did not inhibit the multiplication of the contaminant bacteria. The results reinforce the importance of the use of milk with quality, and to follow the hygiene proceedings in both utensils and manipulators, during the kefir production.

DOI: 10.14685/rebrapa.v5i1.158

 

 