bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autophagy is involved in adipogenic differentiation by repressesing proteasome-dependent PPARγ2 degradation
Authors: Zhang Chongben , He Yingke , Okutsu Mitsuhara , Ong Lai Chun , Jin Yi , Zheng Lin , Chow Pierce , Yu Sidney , Zhang Mei , Yan Zhen
Published: June 2013

Animal studies have shown that autophagy is essential in the process of obesity. Here, we performed daily injection of the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) in mice and found that systemic administration of CQ blocks high-fat diet-induced obesity. To investigate the potential underlying molecular mechanism, we employed genetic and pharmacological interventions in cultured preadipocytes to investigate the role of autophagy in the control of the expression of the adipogenic regulator peroxisome proliferatior-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ). We show that adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes is associated with activation of autophagy and increased PPARγ2 protein level. Treatment with CQ, shRNA-mediated knockdown, or genetic engineering-induced deletion of autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5) promoted proteasome-dependent PPARγ2 degradation and attenuated adipogenic differentiation. Therefore, activated autophagy increases PPARγ2 stability and promotes adipogenic differentiation, and inhibition of autophagy may prevent high-fat diet-induced obesity and the consequential type 2 diabetes.
Baicalin’s Therapeutic Time Window of Neuroprotection during Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia and Its Antioxidative EffectsIn VitroandIn Vivo
Authors: Cheng Fafeng , Lu Yi , Zhong Xianggen , Song Wenting , Wang Xueqian , Sun Xiaoguang , Qin Jianguo , Guo Shaoying , Wang Qingguo
Published: June 2013

We investigated the effects of baicalin on an ischemia-reperfusion-induced brain injury model in rats and its antioxidative activitiesin vitroandin vivo. An ischemia-reperfusion injury of the brain via a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was induced in rats. Baicalin was injected at different time points (0, 2, 4, and 6 h) after the MCAO was induced. Baicalin can improve neurological function and significantly decrease brain infarction within a time window of 4 h. Moreover, baicalin was able to reduce cell apoptosis and had the strong antioxidative effect of reducing reactive oxygen species production and malondialdehyde generation. In contrast, baicalin interfered with superoxide dismutase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide 2′-phosphate oxidase activities. Moreover, baicalin also exhibited strong neuroprotective effects against H2O2-mediated injury and improved the SOD activity of neurons. Furthermore, baicalin demonstrated good scavenging of hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anions, and DPPH radicals and exerted an additional effect of inhibiting xanthine oxidase. Baicalin showed beneficial effects against MCAO-induced injury within a 4 h time window, and its antioxidative effects bothin vitroandin vivomay partly elucidate its mechanism of action.
Flavonoids Induce the Synthesis and Secretion of Neurotrophic Factors in Cultured Rat Astrocytes: A Signaling Response Mediated by Estrogen Receptor
Authors: Xu Sherry L. , Bi Cathy W. C. , Choi Roy C. Y. , Zhu Kevin Y. , Miernisha Abudureyimu , Dong Tina T. X. , Tsim Karl W. K.
Published: June 2013

Neurotrophic factors are playing vital roles in survival, growth, and function of neurons. Regulation of neurotrophic factors in the brain has been considered as one of the targets in developing drug or therapy against neuronal disorders. Flavonoids, a family of multifunctional natural compounds, are well known for their neuronal beneficial effects. Here, the effects of flavonoids on regulating neurotrophic factors were analyzed in cultured rat astrocytes. Astrocyte is a major secreting source of neurotrophic factors in the brain. Thirty-three flavonoids were screened in the cultures, and calycosin, isorhamnetin, luteolin, and genistein were identified to be highly active in inducing the synthesis and secretion of neurotrophic factors, including nerve growth factor (NGF), glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The inductions were in time- and dose-dependent manners. In cultured astrocytes, the phosphorylation of estrogen receptor was triggered by application of flavonoids. The phosphorylation was blocked by an inhibitor of estrogen receptor, which in parallel reduced the flavonoid-induced expression of neurotrophic factors. The results proposed the role of flavonoids in protecting brain diseases, and therefore these flavonoids could be developed for health food supplement for patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.
Two New Efficient Iterative Regularization Methods for Image Restoration Problems
Authors: Zhao Chao , Huang Ting-Zhu , Zhao Xi-Le , Deng Liang-Jian
Published: June 2013

Iterative regularization methods are efficient regularization tools for image restoration problems. The IDR(s) and LSMR methods are state-of-the-arts iterative methods for solving large linear systems. Recently, they have attracted considerable attention. Little is known of them as iterative regularization methods for image restoration. In this paper, we study the regularization properties of the IDR(s) and LSMR methods for image restoration problems. Comparative numerical experiments show that IDR(s) can give a satisfactory solution with much less computational cost in some situations than the classic method LSQR when the discrepancy principle is used as a stopping criterion. Compared to LSQR, LSMR usually produces a more accurate solution by using theL-curve method to choose the regularization parameter.
Personalized Lifestyle Medicine: Relevance for Nutrition and Lifestyle Recommendations
Authors: Minich Deanna M. , Bland Jeffrey S.
Published: June 2013

Public health recommendations for lifestyle modification, including diet and physical activity, have been widely disseminated for the prevention and treatment of disease. These guidelines are intended for the overall population without significant consideration for the individual with respect to one’s genes and environment. Personalized lifestyle medicine is a newly developed term that refers to an approach to medicine in which an individual’s health metrics from point‐of‐care diagnostics are used to develop lifestyle medicine‐oriented therapeutic strategies for improving individual health outcomes in managing chronic disease. Examples of the application of personalized lifestyle medicine to patient care include the identification of genetic variants through laboratory tests and/or functional biomarkers for the purpose of designing patient‐specific prescriptions for diet, exercise, stress, and environment. Personalized lifestyle medicine can provide solutions to chronic health problems by harnessing innovative and evolving technologies based on recent discoveries in genomics, epigenetics, systems biology, life and behavioral sciences, and diagnostics and clinical medicine. A comprehensive, personalized approach to medicine is required to promote the safety of therapeutics and reduce the cost of chronic disease. Personalized lifestyle medicine may provide a novel means of addressing a patient’s health by empowering them with information they need to regain control of their health.
On Best Proximity Points under the -Property on Partially Ordered Metric Spaces
Authors: Jleli Mohamed , Karapinar Erdal , Samet Bessem
Published: June 2013

Very recently, Abkar and Gabeleh (2013) observed that some best proximity point results under the -property can be obtained from the same results in fixed-point theory. In this paper, motivated by this mentioned work, we show that the most best proximity point results on a metric space endowed with a partial order (under the -property) can be deduced from existing fixed-point theorems in the literature. We present various model examples to illustrate this point of view.
Correlation between Phylogroups and Intracellular Proteomes ofPropionibacterium acnesand Differences in the Protein Expression Profiles between Anaerobically and Aerobically Grown Cells
Authors: Dekio Itaru , Culak Renata , Fang Min , Ball Graham , Gharbia Saheer , Shah Haroun N.
Published: June 2013

Propionibacterium acnesis one of the dominant commensals on the human skin and also an opportunistic pathogen in relation to acne, sarcoidosis, prostate cancer, and various infections. Recent investigations using housekeeping and virulence genes have revealed that the species consists of three major evolutionary clades (types I, II, and III). In order to investigate protein expression differences between these phylogroups, proteomic profiles of 21 strains ofP. acneswere investigated. The proteins extracted from cells cultured under anaerobic and aerobic conditions were analysed using a SELDI-TOF mass spectrometer, high-resolution capillary gel electrophoresis, and LC-MS/ MS. The SELDI spectral profiles were visualised as a heat map and a dendrogram, which resulted in four proteomic groups. Strains belonging to type I were represented in the proteome Group A, while Group B contained type III strains. Groups C and D contained mixtures of types I and II. Each of these groups was not influenced by differences in culture conditions. Under anoxic growth conditions, a type IB strain yielded high expressions of some proteins, such as methylmalonyl-CoA epimerase and the Christie-Atkins-Munch-Petersen (CAMP) factor. The present study revealed good congruence between genomic and proteomic data suggesting that the microenvironment of each subtype may influence protein expression.
Genetic Variation betweenBiomphalaria alexandrinaSnails Susceptible and Resistant toSchistosoma mansoniInfection
Authors: El-Nassery Suzanne M. F. , Abou-El-Naga Iman F. , Allam Sonia R. , Shaat Eman A. , Mady Rasha F. M.
Published: June 2013

Much effort has been made to control schistosomiasis infection in Egypt. However, enduring effects from such strategies have not yet been achieved. In this study, we sought to determine the genetic variability related to the interaction betweenBiomphalaria alexandrinasnails andSchistosoma mansoni. Using RAPD-PCR with eight (10 mers) random primers, we were able to determine the polymorphic markers that differed between snails susceptible and resistant toSchistosoma mansoniinfection using five primers out of the eight. Our results suggest that the RAPD-PCR technique is an efficient means by which to compare genomes and to detect genetic variations between schistosomiasis intermediate hosts. The RAPD technique with the above-noted primers can identify genomic markers that are specifically related to theBiomphalaria alexandrina/Schistosoma mansonirelationship in the absence of specific nucleotide sequence information. This approach could be used in epidemiologic surveys to investigate genetic diversity amongBiomphalaria alexandrinasnails. The ability to determine resistant markers inBiomphalaria alexandrinasnails could potentially lead to further studies that use refractory snails as agents to control the spread of schistosomiasis.
Required Lateral Inlet Pressure Head for Automated Subsurface Drip Irrigation Management
Authors: Hammami Moncef , Zayani Khemaies , Ben Ali Hédi
Published: June 2013

Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) is one of the most promising irrigation systems. It is based on small and frequent water supplies. Because SDI emitters are buried, their discharges are dependent on the water status at the vicinity of the outlets. This paper was targeted to design the SDI laterals accounting for the soil water-retention characteristics and the roots water extraction. The proposed approach provides systematic triggering and cut-off of irrigation events based on fixed water suctions in the vadose zone. In doing so, the soil water content is maintained at an optimal threshold ascertaining the best plant growth. Knowing the soil water-retention curve, the appropriate water suction for the plant growth, and the emitter discharge-pressure head relationship, the developed method allows the computation of the required hydraulics of the lateral (e.g., inlet pressure head, inside diameter, etc.). The proposed approach is a helpful tool for best SDI systems design and appropriate water management. An illustrative example is presented for SDI laterals’ design on tomato crop.
Sensor Node Placement in Wireless Sensor Network Based on Territorial Predator Scent Marking Algorithm
Authors: Zainol Abidin Husna , Din Norashidah Md.
Published: June 2013

Optimum sensor node placement in a monitored area is needed for cost-effective deployment. The positions of sensor nodes must be able to provide maximum coverage with longer lifetimes. This paper proposed a sensor node placement technique that utilizes a new biologically inspired optimization technique that imitates the behaviour of territorial predators in marking their territories with their odours, known as territorial predator scent marking algorithm (TPSMA). The TPSMA deployed in this paper uses the maximum coverage objective function. A performance study has been carried out by comparing the performance of the proposed technique with the minimax and lexicographic minimax (lexmin) sensor node placement schemes in terms of coverage ratio and uniformity. Uniformity is a performance metric that can be used to estimate a WSN lifetime. Simulation results show that the WSN deployed with the proposed sensor node placement scheme outperforms the other two schemes with larger coverage ratio and is expected to provide as long lifetime as possible.
Analysis of Solid-Liquid Interface Behavior during Continuous Strip-Casting Process Using Sharp-Interface Technique
Authors: Lee Changbum , Yoon Wooyoung , Shin Seungwon , Lee Jaewoo , Song Hee-eun
Published: June 2013

Continuous strip casting (CSC) has been developed to fabricate thin metal plates while simultaneously controlling the microstructure of the product. A numerical analysis to understand the solid-liquid interface behaviors during CSC was carried out and used to identify the solidification morphologies of the plate, which were then used to obtain the optimum process conditions. In this study, we used a modified level contour reconstruction method and the sharp-interface method to modify the interface tracking, and we performed a simulation analysis to identify the differences in the material properties that affect the interface behavior. The effects of the process parameters such as the heat transfer coefficient and extrusion velocity on the behavior of the solid-liquid interface are estimated and also used to improve the CSC process.
Solution of the Fractional Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model by Finite Difference Method
Authors: Song Lina , Wang Weiguo
Published: June 2013

This work deals with the put option pricing problems based on the time-fractional Black-Scholes equation, where the fractional derivative is a so-called modified Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative. With the aid of symbolic calculation software, European and American put option pricing models that combine the time-fractional Black-Scholes equation with the conditions satisfied by the standard put options are numerically solved using the implicit scheme of the finite difference method.
Defensive Glands of the Darkling BeetleMesomorphus villigerBlanchard (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors: Seena C. M. , Thomas Sabu K.
Published: June 2013

Massive home invasion by the darkling beetleMesomorphus villigerBlanchard 1853 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) during monsoon season make it a nuisance pest in many regions of south India. Morphology of defensive glands and mode of release and dispersal of the defensive secretion were analysed. Defensive glands were separated from the abdominal sternites by cutting along the posterior margin of the seventh sternite. Glands are evaginations of intersegmental membrane between the seventh and eighth sternites consisting of two long sac-like reservoirs, and glandular secretion is released by exudation and spread through epipleural gutter of elytra. Gradual release of the secretion is a strategy to repel the predators for a longer duration.
CandidaInfections, Causes, Targets, and Resistance Mechanisms: Traditional and Alternative Antifungal Agents
Authors: Spampinato Claudia , Leonardi Darío
Published: June 2013

The genusCandidaincludes about 200 different species, but only a few species are human opportunistic pathogens and cause infections when the host becomes debilitated or immunocompromised.Candidainfections can be superficial or invasive. Superficial infections often affect the skin or mucous membranes and can be treated successfully with topical antifungal drugs. However, invasive fungal infections are often life-threatening, probably due to inefficient diagnostic methods and inappropriate initial antifungal therapies. Here, we briefly review our current knowledge of pathogenic species of the genusCandidaand yeast infection causes and then focus on current antifungal drugs and resistance mechanisms. An overview of new therapeutic alternatives for the treatment ofCandidainfections is also provided.
Psychometric Properties of the Attitudes toward Self-Revised in Italian Young Adults
Authors: Innamorati Marco , Tamburello Stella , Contardi Anna , Imperatori Claudio , Tamburello Antonino , Saggino Aristide , Balsamo Michela
Published: June 2013

Objectives and Methods. Several researchers have provided support for the critical role of cognitive vulnerabilities in the development of depression. The Attitudes toward Self-Revised (ATS-R) was designed to assess three potential self-regulatory vulnerabilities to depression: High Standards (HS), Self-Criticism (SC), and Negative Generalization (NG). The aim of the study was to assess the psychometric properties of the ATS-R in the Italian young adult population. The ATS-R, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and the Teate Depression Inventory (TDI) were administered to 857 (320 men and 537 women) young adults.Results. The best-fitting solution for the ATS-R was a 2-factor model, which obtained satisfactory homogeneity of content (HS/SC: Cronbach ; mean interitem correlation = 0.46. NG: Cronbach ; mean interitem correlation = 0.43) and significant correlation with the BDI-II (NG: Pearson , ), the TDI (HS/SC: Pearson , ), and the BHS (HS/SC: Pearson , ; NG: Pearson , ).Conclusions. The Italian version of the ATS-R seems to be a valid instrument for the study of the role of cognitive tendencies as potential vulnerability for depression.
A Time Off Incentive Was Not Associated with Influenza Vaccination Acceptance among Healthcare Workers
Authors: Cheema Saima , Vinnard Christopher , Foster-Chang Sarah , Linkin Darren R.
Published: June 2013

Objectives. The national influenza vaccination rate among healthcare workers (HCWs) remains low despite clear benefits to patients, coworkers, and families. We sought to evaluate formally the effect of a one-hour time off incentive on attitudes towards influenza vaccination during the 2011-2012 influenza season. Methods. All HCWs at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center were invited to complete an anonymous web-based survey. We described respondents’ characteristics and attitudes toward influenza vaccination and determined the relationship of specific attitudes with respondents’ acceptance of influenza vaccination, using a 5-point Likert scale. Results. We analyzed survey responses from 154 HCWs employed at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, with a response rate of 8%. Among 121 respondents who reported receiving influenza vaccination, 34 (28%, 95% CI 20–37%) reported agreement with the statement that the time off incentive made a difference in their decision to accept influenza vaccination. Conclusions. Our study provides evidence that modest incentives such as one-hour paid time off will be unlikely to promote influenza vaccination rates within medical facilities. More potent interventions that include mandatory vaccination combined with penalties for noncompliance will likely provide the only means to achieve near-universal influenza vaccination among HCWs.
Effect of Cholesterol Removal Processing Usingβ-Cyclodextrin on Main Components of Milk
Authors: Maskooki A. M. , Beheshti S. H. R. , Valibeigi S. , Feizi J.
Published: June 2013

Various concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) ofβ-CD were mixed with different fat contents (1%, 2.5% and 3%) of raw (unhomogenized) and homogenized milk at two mixing temperatures of 8 and 20°C. The cholesterol residue, fat, protein, lactose, solid nonfat (SNF), density, and ash content of milk were measured for each treatment. The results statistically analysed and showed that the cholesterol content of milk remarkably decreased as theβ-CD was increased particularly in homogenized milk at 20°C. However, the reduction rate of cholesterol was decreased when extraβ-CD was added due to its intermolecular reactions. The maximum cholesterol reduction was achieved at the level of 1%β-CD. The fat content, SNF, protein, lactose, and density content were decreased with increasingβ-CD whereas it did not affect ash content.
Natural Antisense Transcripts in Plants: A Review and Identification in Soybean Infected with Phakopsora pachyrhizi SuperSAGE Library
Authors: Britto-Kido Suzana de Aragão , Ferreira Neto José Ribamar Costa , Pandolfi Valesca , Marcelino-Guimarães Francismar Corrêa , Nepomuceno Alexandre Lima , Vilela Abdelnoor Ricardo , Benko-Iseppon Ana Maria , Kido Ederson Akio
Published: June 2013

Natural antisense ranscripts (NAT) are RNA molecules complementary to other endogenous RNAs. They are capable of regulating the expression of target genes at different levels (transcription, mRNA stability, translation, etc.). Such a property makes them ideal for interventions in organisms′ metabolism. The present study reviewed plant NAT aspects, including features, availability and genesis, conservation and distribution, coding capacity, NAT pair expression, and functions. Besides, an in silico identification of NATs pairs was presented, using deepSuperSAGE libraries of soybean infected or not with Phakopsora pachyrhizi. Results showed that around 1/3 of the 77,903 predicted trans‐NATs (by PlantsNATsDB database) detected had unitags mapped in both sequences of each pair. The same 1/3 of the 436 foreseen cis‐NATs showed unitags anchored in both sequences of the related pairs. For those unitags mapped in NAT pairs, a modulation expression was assigned as upregulated, downregulated, or constitutive, based on the statistical analysis (P < 0.05). As a result, the infected treatment promoted the expression of 2,313 trans‐NATs pairs comprising unitags exclusively from that library (1,326 pairs had unitags only found in the mock library). To understand the regulation of these NAT pairs could be a key aspect in the ASR plant response.
Chinese Herbal Medicine Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for the Treatment of Essential Hypertension: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Wang Jie , Xiong Xingjiang , Yang Guoyan , Zhang Yuqing , Liu Yongmei , Zhang Yun , Zhang Zhenpeng , Li Jun , Yang Xiaochen
Published: June 2013

Background. Chinese herbs are potentially effective for hypertension. Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (QJDHW) is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine as a monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive agents for the treatment of essential hypertension (EH). However, there is no critically appraised evidence such as systematic reviews or meta-analyses on the effectiveness and safety of QJDHW for EH.Methods and Findings. CENTRAL, PubMed, CBM, CNKI, VIP, and online clinical trial registry websites were searched for published and unpublished randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of QJDHW for essential hypertension up to January 2013 with no language restrictions. A total of 10 randomized trials involving 1024 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that QJDHW combined with antihypertensive drugs was more effective in lowering blood pressure and improving TCM syndrome for the treatment of essential hypertension than antihypertensive drugs used alone. No trials reported severe adverse events related to QJDHW.Conclusions. Our review suggests that QJDHW combined with antihypertensive drugs might be an effective treatment for lowering blood pressure and improving symptoms in patients with essential hypertension. However, the finding should be interpreted with caution because of the poor methodological quality of included trials. There is an urgent need for well-designed, long-term studies to assess the effectiveness of QJDHW in the treatment of essential hypertension.
Microglia and Macrophages in Malignant Gliomas: Recent Discoveries and Implications for Promising Therapies
Authors: Carvalho da Fonseca Anna Carolina , Badie Behnam
Published: June 2013

Malignant gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors. Their deadliest manifestation, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), accounts for 15% of all primary brain tumors and is associated with a median survival of only 15 months even after multimodal therapy. There is substantial presence of microglia and macrophages within and surrounding brain tumors. These immune cells acquire an alternatively activated phenotype with potent tumor-tropic functions that contribute to glioma growth and invasion. In this review, we briefly summarize recent data that has been reported on the interaction of microglia/macrophages with brain tumors and discuss potential application of these findings to the development of future antiglioma therapies.
Abiotic and Biotic Factors Affecting Resting Spore Formation in the Mite PathogenNeozygites floridana
Authors: da Silveira Duarte Vanessa , Westrum Karin , Lopes Ribeiro Ana Elizabete , Guedes Corrêa Gondim Junior Manoel , Klingen Ingeborg , Delalibera Júnior Italo
Published: June 2013

Neozygites floridanais an obligate mite pathogenic fungus in the Entomophthoromycota. It has been suggested that resting spores of this fungus are produced as a strategy to survive adverse conditions. In the present study, possible mechanisms involved in the regulation of resting spore formation were investigated in the hostsTetranychus urticaeandTetranychus evansi. Abiotic and biotic factors mimicking conditions that we, based on earlier field studies, thought might induce resting spores in temperate and tropical regions were tested with isolates from Norway and Brazil. A total of 42 combinations of conditions were tested, but only one induced the formation of a high number of resting spores in only one isolate. The Brazilian isolate ESALQ1420 produced a large number of resting spores (51.5%) inT. urticaeat a temperature of 11°C, photoperiod of 10L:14D, and light intensity of 42–46 (μmol m−2 s−1) on nonsenescent plants (nondiapausing females). Resting spores of the BrazilianN. floridanaisolate ESALQ1421 were found at very low levels (up to 1.0%). Small percentages ofT. urticaewith resting spores (0–5.0%) were found for the Norwegian isolate NCRI271/04 under the conditions tested. The percentages of resting spores found for the Norwegian isolate in our laboratory studies are similar to the prevalence reported in earlier field studies.
Adaptive Modified Function Projective Lag Synchronization of Uncertain Hyperchaotic Dynamical Systems with the Same or Different Dimension and Structure
Authors: Chai Xiuli , Gan Zhihua , Shi Chunxiao
Published: June 2013

Modified function projective lag synchronization (MFPLS) of uncertain hyperchaotic dynamical systems with the same or different dimensions and structures is studied. Based on Lyapunov stability theory, a general theorem for controller designing, parameter update rule designing, and control gain strength adapt law designing is introduced by using adaptive control method. Furthermore, the scheme is applied to four typical examples: MFPLS between two five-dimensional hyperchaotic systems with the same structures, MFPLS between two four-dimensional hyperchaotic systems with different structures, MFPLS between a four-dimensional hyperchaotic system and a three-dimensional chaotic system and MFPLS between a novel three-dimensional chaotic system, and a five-dimensional hyperchaotic system. And the system parameters are all uncertain. Corresponding numerical simulations are performed to verify and illustrate the analytical results.
Effect of Filler Dimensionality on Mechanical Properties of Nanofiller Reinforced Polyolefin Elastomers
Authors: Pradhan Sharmila , Lach Ralf , Le Hong Hai , Grellmann Wolfgang , Radusch Hans-Joachim , Adhikari Rameshwar
Published: June 2013

The object of this study has been to investigate the effect of filler dimensionality on morphology and mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites using various kinds of nanofillers (such as multiwalled carbon nanotubes (1D filler), layered silicate (2D filler), and boehmite (3D filler)) dispersed in the matrix of ethylene-1-octene copolymer (EOC), a polyolefin-based elastomer. The morphological features were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) while mechanical properties were characterized by tensile testing and depth sensitive recording microindentation hardness measurements. It has been demonstrated that the filler dimensionality may have dramatic influence on the mechanical properties of the samples. Based on the results obtained by tensile testing and microhardness measurements, the reinforcing effect of the nanofiller was found to follow the order: 1D filler > 2D filler > 3D filler.
An Impulse Dynamic Model for Computer Worms
Authors: Zhang Chunming , Zhao Yun , Wu Yingjiang
Published: June 2013

A worm spread model concerning impulsive control strategy is proposed and analyzed. We prove that there exists a globally attractive virus-free periodic solution when the vaccination rate is larger thanθ1. Moreover, we show that the system is uniformly persistent if the vaccination rate is less thanθ1. Some numerical simulations are also given to illustrate our main results.
Chrysanthemum Cutting Productivity and Rooting Ability Are Improved by Grafting
Authors: Zhang Jing , Chen Sumei , Liu Ruixia , Jiang Jiafu , Chen Fadi , Fang Weimin
Published: June 2013

Chrysanthemum has been commercially propagated by rooting of cuttings, whereas the quality will decline over multiple collections from a single plant. Therefore, we compared the vigour, rooting ability, and some physiological parameters between cuttings harvested from nongrafted “Jinba” (non‐grafted cuttings) with those collected from grafted “Jinba” plants onto Artemisia scoparia as a rootstock (grafted cuttings). The yield, length, node number, stem diameter, fresh weight, and dry weight of the grafted cuttings were superior to the non‐grafted cuttings. Also grafted cuttings “Jinba” rooted 1 day earlier, but showing enhanced rooting quality including number, length, diameter, and dry weight of roots, where compared to the non‐grafted. The physiological parameters that indicated contents of soluble protein, peroxidase activity, soluble sugar, and starch, ratios of soluble sugar/nitrogen ratio, and carbohydrate/nitrogen (C/N), as well as contents of indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA), and IAA/ABA ratio were significantly increased in the grafted cuttings. This suggested their important parts in mediating rooting ability. Results from this study showed that grafting improved productivity and rooting ability related to an altered physiology, which provide a means to meet the increasing demand.
Comparative Study of Various Delivery Methods for the Supply of Alpha-Ketoglutarate to the Neural Cells for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Vishnoi Tanushree , Kumar Ashok
Published: June 2013

Delivery of growth factors or bioactive molecules plays an important role in tissue engineering, as the duration to which these are supplied can modulate the cell fate. Thus, the delivery method plays an important role, and the same is presented in this work wherein the exogenous supply of alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG) gave better results for fast proliferating cells as compared to delivery by microspheres or microspheres incorporated scaffolds which can be used while culturing slow growing cells. All these studies were performed in two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) setups in which chitosan-gelatin-polypyrrole has been used as 3-D scaffolds. Chitosan and gelatin microspheres alone as well as incorporated in the cryogels were characterized. MTT assay done using neuro-2a cell line showed approximately 42% and 70% increment in cellular proliferation when gelatin and chitosan microspheres were added in a 3-D setup, respectively, as compared to the control. Biochemical analysis of ammonia showed 6-fold reductions in ammonia level in a 3-D setup compared to the control. We also studied the synthesis of a neurotransmitter-like glutamate and found that its concentration increased up to 0.25 mg/ml when the microspheres were added exogenously in a 3-D system.
Interference with RUNX1/ETO Leukemogenic Function by Cell-Penetrating Peptides Targeting the NHR2 Oligomerization Domain
Authors: Bartel Yvonne , Grez Manuel , Wichmann Christian
Published: June 2013

The leukemia-associated fusion protein RUNX1/ETO is generated by the chromosomal translocation t(8;21) which appears in about 12% of allde novoacute myeloid leukemias (AMLs). Essential for the oncogenic potential of RUNX1/ETO is the oligomerization of the chimeric fusion protein through the nervy homology region 2 (NHR2) within ETO. In previous studies, we have shown that the intracellular expression of peptides containing the NHR2 domain inhibits RUNX1/ETO oligomerization, thereby preventing cell proliferation and inducing differentiation of RUNX1/ETO transformed cells. Here, we show that introduction of a recombinant TAT-NHR2 fusion polypeptide into the RUNX1/ETO growth-dependent myeloid cell line Kasumi-1 results in decreased cell proliferation and increased numbers of apoptotic cells. This effect was highly specific and mediated by binding the TAT-NHR2 peptide to ETO sequences, as TAT-polypeptides containing the oligomerization domain of BCR did not affect cell proliferation or apoptosis in Kasumi-1 cells. Thus, the selective interference with NHR2-mediated oligomerization by peptides represents a challenging but promising strategy for the inhibition of the leukemogenic potential of RUNX1/ETO in t(8;21)-positive leukemia.
Localization Techniques in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Alrajeh Nabil Ali , Bashir Maryam , Shams Bilal
Published: June 2013

The important function of a sensor network is to collect and forward data to destination. It is very important to know about the location of collected data. This kind of information can be obtained using localization technique in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Localization is a way to determine the location of sensor nodes. Localization of sensor nodes is an interesting research area, and many works have been done so far. It is highly desirable to design low-cost, scalable, and efficient localization mechanisms for WSNs. In this paper, we discuss sensor node architecture and its applications, different localization techniques, and few possible future research directions.
Modification of Human-Biometeorologically Significant Radiant Flux Densities by Shading as Local Method to Mitigate Heat Stress in Summer within Urban Street Canyons
Authors: Lee Hyunjung , Holst Jutta , Mayer Helmut
Published: June 2013

Increasing heat will be a significant problem for Central European cities in the future. Shading devices are discussed as a method to mitigate heat stress on citizens. To analyze the physical processes, which are characteristic of shading in terms of urban human-biometeorology, experimental investigations on the thermal effects of shading by a building and shading by tree canopies were conducted in Freiburg (Southwest Germany) during typical Central European summer weather. Urban human-biometeorology stands for the variables air temperatureTa, mean radiant temperatureTmrt, and physiologically equivalent temperature PET, that is the human-biometeorological concept to assess the thermal environment which was applied. The measuring setup consists of specific human-biometeorological stations, which enable the direct or indirect determination ofTa,Tmrt, and PET. With respect to both shading devices, theTareduction did not exceed 2°C, while PET as a measure for human heat stress was lowered by two thermal sensation steps according to the ASHRAE scale. AsTmrthas the role of a key variable for outdoor thermal comfort during Central European summer weather, all radiant flux densities relevant to the determination ofTmrtwere directly measured and analyzed in detail. The results show the crucial significance of the horizontal radiant flux densities forTmrtand consequently PET.
The Exploding Spark: Workplace Violence in an Infectious Disease Hospital—A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Magnavita Nicola
Published: June 2013

Objectives.Workplace violence (WV) is an important occupational hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs).Methods.A longitudinal study was carried out on HCWs from an infectious disease hospital. Work-related stress, anxiety, and depression were measured at baseline in 2003, and they were reassessed in 2005, along with the assaults that occurred in the previous year.Results. One-year prevalences of 6.2% and 13.9% were reported for physical and verbal aggressions, respectively. Perpetrators were mainly patients. The professional groups most frequently attacked were physicians, followed by nurses. Workers with job strain at baseline had a significant risk of being subject to aggression (OR 7.7; CI 95%, 3.3–17.9) in the following year. The relationship between job strain and subsequent WV remained significant even after correction for anxiety, depression, and other confounders. Conversely, experiencing WV was associated with a high risk of job strain and effort-reward imbalance in the following year. The final levels of anxiety and depression were predicted using regression models that included physical aggression among predictive variables.Conclusions.WV is the spark that sets off a problematic work situation. Effective prevention of WV can only be achieved within the framework of an overall improvement in the quality of work.
Electroacupuncture Attenuates 5′-Guanidinonaltrindole-Evoked Scratching and Spinal c-Fos Expression in the Mouse
Authors: Chen Yi-Hung , Yang Han-Yin , Lin Chia-Hsien , Dun Nae J. , Lin Jaung-Geng
Published: June 2013

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) on compulsive scratching in mice and c-Fos expression elicited by subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of a known puritogen, 5′-guanidinonaltrindole (GNTI) to the neck. Application of EA to Hegu (LI4) and Quchi (LI11) acupoints at 2 Hz, but not 100 Hz, attenuated GNTI-evoked scratching. In mice pretreated with the µ opioid receptor antagonist naloxone, EA 2 Hz did not attenuate GNTI-evoked scratching, whereas EA at 2 Hz did attenuate GNTI-evoked scratching in mice pretreated with theκopioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine. Moreover, intradermal (i.d.) administration of the selective µ opioid receptor agonist [d-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol]-enkephalin acetate (DAMGO) attenuated GNTI-evoked scratching behavior, while s.c. administration of DAMGO was ineffective. GNTI provoked c-Fos expression on the lateral side of the superficial layer of the dorsal horn of the cervical spinal cord. Application of 2 Hz EA to LI4 and LI11 decreased the number of c-Fos positive nuclei induced by GNTI. It may be concluded that application of 2 Hz EA to LI4 and LI11 attenuates scratching behavior induced by GNTI in mice and that the peripheral µ opioid system is involved, at least in part, in the anti-pruritic effects of EA.
An Analytical Model Approach for the Dissolution Kinetics of Magnesite Ore Using Ascorbic Acid as Leaching Agent
Authors: Raza Nadeem , Zafar Zafar Iqbal , Najam-ul-Haq
Published: June 2013

Ascorbic acid was used as leaching agent to investigate the dissolution kinetics of natural magnesite ore. The effects of various reaction parameters such as acid concentration, liquid-solid ratio, particle size, stirring speed, and temperature were determined on dissolution kinetics of the magnesite ore. It was found that the dissolution rate increased with increase in acid concentration, liquid-solid ratio, stirring speed, and temperature and decrease in the particle size of the ore. The graphical and statistical methods were applied to analyze the kinetic data, and it was evaluated that the leaching process was controlled by the chemical reaction, that is, . The activation energy of the leaching process was found to be 57.244 kJ mol−1 over the reaction temperature range from 313 to 343 K.
A Study on Exploration of Ethnobotanical Knowledge of Rural Community in Bangladesh: Basis for Biodiversity Conservation
Authors: Rahman Md. Habibur
Published: June 2013

Rural home garden is an important traditional source of medicinal plants for daily curative uses throughout Bangladesh. Such knowledge is continuing from generation to generation without documentation. An ethnobotanical investigation was conducted through focus group discussions and households’ survey accompanied by field observation to document the indigenous knowledge of herbal medicines being used by the rural communities of Comilla district in Bangladesh. A total of 45 ethnomedicinal plant species belonging to 34 families were found, where trees (37.78%) were the most commonly utilized growth form. Plant resources are used to treat 31 different individual ailments ranging from simple cuts to heart disease. Plants are mainly used to treat dysentery (12 species), cold ailments, cough, and fever (6 species each). For curing ailments, the use of the above ground plant parts was higher (86.44%); particularly fruits (37.29%) and leaves (30.51%) were the most commonly used plant parts. More than half of the medicinal plants are indigenous (71.11%), being edible fruit bearer (48.89%), plants parts suitable for animals and birds (57.78%), and natural regeneration present (64.44%) indicated that medicinal plants play a vital role in biodiversity conservation in the study area.
The Effect of Chlorpyrifos on Isolated Thoracic Aorta in Rats
Authors: Yıldırım Ebru , Baydan Emine , Kanbur Murat , Kul Oğuz , Çınar Miyase , Ekici Hüsamettin , Atmaca Nurgül
Published: June 2013

This study investigated the effect of chlorpyrifos on thoracic aorta and on the level of NO in plasma and aorta. The effect of chlorpyrifos on thoracic aorta in organ bath was determined in 10 rats. Another 45 rats were assigned to 3 groups with 15 rats each: control group 1 received distilled water, control group 2 was given corn oil, and the last group was given 13.5 mg/kg chlorpyrifos dissolved in corn oil every other day for 8 weeks orally. Chlorpyrifos (10−10 M–10−5 M) showed no effect on isolated thoracic aorta. Plasma AChE activity was decreased, while LDH, ALT, GGT, and AST activities were increased in chlorpyrifos group compared to control groups. Plasma NO level was increased in chlorpyrifos group compared to control groups. iNOS expression was present in all groups in the cytoplasm of the endothelia and in the smooth muscle cells of aorta. According to semiquantitative histomorphological analysis, iNOS immunopositive reactions were seen in the decreasing order in chlorpyrifos, control 2, and control 1 groups. eNOS immunopositive reactions were observed in the endothelial cell cytoplasm, rarely in the subintimal layer, and the smooth muscle cells of aorta. There were no differences among the groups in terms of eNOS immunostaining. In conclusion, chlorpyrifos induced NO production in aorta following an increase in NOS expression.
Multidimensional Scaling for Orthodontic Root Resorption
Authors: Preoteasa Cristina Teodora , Ionescu Ecaterina , Preoteasa Elena , Tenreiro Machado J. A. , Baleanu Mihaela Cristina , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: June 2013

The paper investigates the risk factors for the severity of orthodontic root resorption. The multidimensional scaling (MDS) visualization method is used to investigate the experimental data from patients who received orthodontic treatment at the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, during a period of 4 years. The clusters emerging in the MDS plots reveal features and properties not easily captured by classical statistical tools. The results support the adoption of MDS for tackling the dentistry information and overcoming noise embedded into the data. The method introduced in this paper is rapid, efficient, and very useful for treating the risk factors for the severity of orthodontic root resorption.
Inertial Iteration for Split Common Fixed-Point Problem for Quasi-Nonexpansive Operators
Authors: Dang Yazheng , Gao Yan
Published: June 2013

Inspired by the note on split common fixed-point problem for quasi-nonexpansive operators presented by Moudafi (2011), based on the very recent work by Dang et al. (2012), in this paper, we propose an inertial iterative algorithm for solving the split common fixed-point problem for quasi-nonexpansive operators in the Hilbert space. We also prove the asymptotical convergence of the algorithm under some suitable conditions. The results improve and develop previously discussed feasibility problems and related algorithms.
“Near Miss” Obstetric Events and Maternal Deaths in a Tertiary Care Hospital: An Audit
Authors: PS Roopa , Verma Shailja , Rai Lavanya , Kumar Pratap , Pai Murlidhar V. , Shetty Jyothi
Published: June 2013

Objectives. (1) To determine the frequency of maternal near miss, maternal near miss incidence ratio (MNMR), maternal near miss to mortality ratio and mortality index. (2) To compare the nature of near miss events with that of maternal mortality. (3) To see the trend of near miss events.Design. Audit.Setting. Kasturba Hospital, Manipal University, Manipal, India.Population. Near miss cases & maternal deaths.Methods. Cases were defined based on WHO criteria 2009.Main Outcome Measures. Severe acute maternal morbidity and maternal deaths.Results. There were 7390 deliveries and 131 “near miss” cases during the study period. The Maternal near miss incidence ratio was 17.8/1000 live births, maternal near miss to mortality ratio was 5.6 : 1, and mortality index was 14.9%. A total of 126 cases were referred, while 5 cases were booked at our hospital. Hemorrhage was the leading cause (44.2%), followed by hypertensive disorders (23.6%) and sepsis (16.3%). Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was 313/100000 live births.Conclusion. Hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders are the leading causes of near miss events. New-onset viral infections have emerged as the leading cause of maternal mortality. As near miss analysis indicates the quality of health care, it is worth presenting in national indices.
Some Inequalities for Bounding Toader Mean
Authors: Li Wen-Hui , Zheng Miao-Miao
Published: June 2013

By finding linear relations among differences between two special means, the authors establish some inequalities for bounding Toader mean in terms of the arithmetic, harmonic, centroidal, and contraharmonic means.
The Depth of Generalized Full Terms and Generalized Full Hypersubstitutions
Authors: Phuapong Sarawut , Leeratanavalee Sorasak
Published: June 2013

We generalize the concept of a full term which was introduced by Denecke and Changphas and the concept of the depth of a hypersubstitution which was introduced by Denecke et al. to the depth of a generalized full term and the depth of a generalized full hypersubstitution and then derive the formular for its depth.