bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Wrist Posture and Fingertip Force on Median Nerve Blood Flow Velocity
Authors: Wilson Katherine E. , Tat Jimmy , Keir Peter J.
Published: February 2017

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to assess nerve hypervascularization using high resolution ultrasonography to determine the effects of wrist posture and fingertip force on median nerve blood flow at the wrist in healthy participants and those experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms.Methods. The median nerves of nine healthy participants and nine participants experiencing symptoms of CTS were evaluated using optimized ultrasonography in five wrist postures with and without a middle digit fingertip press (0, 6 N).Results. Both wrist posture and fingertip force had significant main effects on mean peak blood flow velocity. Blood flow velocity with a neutral wrist (2.87 cm/s) was significantly lower than flexed 30° (3.37 cm/s), flexed 15° (3.27 cm/s), and extended 30° (3.29 cm/s). Similarly, median nerve blood flow velocity was lower without force (2.81 cm/s) than with force (3.56 cm/s). A significant difference was not found between groups.Discussion. Vascular changes associated with CTS may be acutely induced by nonneutral wrist postures and fingertip force. This study represents an early evaluation of intraneural blood flow as a measure of nerve hypervascularization in response to occupational risk factors and advances our understanding of the vascular phenomena associated with peripheral nerve compression.
Location Privacy Protection Based on ImprovedK-Value Method in Augmented Reality on Mobile Devices
Authors: Yin Chunyong , Xi Jinwen , Sun Ruxia
Published: February 2017

With the development of Augmented Reality technology, the application of location based service (LBS) is more and more popular, which provides enormous convenience to people’s life. User location information could be obtained at anytime and anywhere. So user location privacy security suffers huge threats. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to location privacy protection in LBS. Based on the architecture of the trusted third party (TTP), we analyzed the advantages and shortages of existing location privacy protection methods in LBS on mobile terminal. Then we proposed the improvedK-value location privacy protection method according to privacy level, which combinesk-anonymity method with pseudonym method. Through the simulation experiment, the results show that this improved method can anonymize all service requests effectively. In addition to the experiment of execution time, it demonstrated that our proposed method can realize the location privacy protection more efficiently.
Rheumatoid Meningitis Occurring during Etanercept Treatment
Authors: Tsuzaki Koji , Nakamura Takashi , Okumura Hiroyuki , Tachibana Naoko , Hamano Toshiaki
Published: February 2017

We report a 65-year-old man who had repetitive seizures 6 months after receiving etanercept, methotrexate, and prednisolone for rheumatoid arthritis. Mononuclear cells were mildly increased in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed high intensity along sulci of the frontal and parietal lobes. Brain biopsy revealed lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration in the meninges, confirming the diagnosis of rheumatoid meningitis. After steroid pulse therapy, seizures resolved and clinical findings improved. When etanercept was replaced by tocilizumab, rheumatoid meningitis did not recur. Although TNF-α inhibitors can control joint symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, they may induce rheumatoid meningitis.
WASTK: A Weighted Abstract Syntax Tree Kernel Method for Source Code Plagiarism Detection
Authors: Fu Deqiang , Xu Yanyan , Yu Haoran , Yang Boyang
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we introduce a source code plagiarism detection method, named WASTK (Weighted Abstract Syntax Tree Kernel), for computer science education. Different from other plagiarism detection methods, WASTK takes some aspects other than the similarity between programs into account. WASTK firstly transfers the source code of a program to an abstract syntax tree and then gets the similarity by calculating the tree kernel of two abstract syntax trees. To avoid misjudgment caused by trivial code snippets or frameworks given by instructors, an idea similar to TF-IDF (Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency) in the field of information retrieval is applied. Each node in an abstract syntax tree is assigned a weight by TF-IDF. WASTK is evaluated on different datasets and, as a result, performs much better than other popular methods like Sim and JPlag.
Exponential Synchronization for Second-Order Nodes in Complex Dynamical Network with Communication Time Delays and Switching Topologies
Authors: Yu Miao , Shang Weipeng , Chen Zhigang
Published: February 2017

This paper is devoted to the study of exponential synchronization problem for second-order nodes in dynamical network with time-varying communication delays and switching communication topologies. Firstly, a decomposition approach is employed to incorporate the nodes’ inertial effects into the distributed control design. Secondly, the sufficient conditions are provided to guarantee the exponential synchronization of second-order nodes in the case that the information transmission is delayed and the communication topology is balanced and arbitrarily switched. Finally, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results, it is applied to the typical second-order nodes in dynamical network, as a case study. Simulation results indicate that the proposed method has a high performance in synchronization of such network.
Adipokines: Potential Therapeutic Targets for Vascular Dysfunction in Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity
Authors: El husseny Mostafa Wanees Ahmed , Mamdouh Mediana , Shaban Sara , Ibrahim Abushouk Abdelrahman , Zaki Marwa Mostafa Mohamed , Ahmed Osama M. , Abdel-Daim Mohamed M.
Published: February 2017

Adipokines are bioactive molecules that regulate several physiological functions such as energy balance, insulin sensitization, appetite regulation, inflammatory response, and vascular homeostasis. They include proinflammatory cytokines such as adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as adiponectin, as well as vasodilator and vasoconstrictor molecules. In obesity and type II diabetes mellitus (DM), insulin resistance causes impairment of the endocrine function of the perivascular adipose tissue, an imbalance in the secretion of vasoconstrictor and vasodilator molecules, and an increased production of reactive oxygen species. Recent studies have shown that targeting plasma levels of adipokines or the expression of their receptors can increase insulin sensitivity, improve vascular function, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Several reviews have discussed the potential of adipokines as therapeutic targets for type II DM and obesity; however, this review is the first to focus on their therapeutic potential for vascular dysfunction in type II DM and obesity.
Protecting Information with Subcodstanography
Authors: Köhler Mirko , Lukić Ivica , Križanović Čik Višnja
Published: February 2017

In modern communication systems, one of the most challenging tasks involves the implementation of adequate methods for successful and secure transfer of confidential digital information over an unsecured communication channel. Many encryption algorithms have been developed for protection of confidential information. However, over time, flaws have been discovered even with the most sophisticated encryption algorithms. Each encryption algorithm can be decrypted within sufficient time and with sufficient resources. The possibility of decryption has increased with the development of computer technology since available computer speeds enable the decryption process based on the exhaustive data search. This has led to the development of steganography, a science which attempts to hide the very existence of confidential information. However, the stenography also has its disadvantages, listed in the paper. Hence, a new method which combines the favourable properties of cryptography based on substitution encryption and stenography is analysed in the paper. The ability of hiding the existence of confidential information comes from steganography and its encryption using a coding table makes its content undecipherable. This synergy greatly improves protection of confidential information.
HTR-10GT Dual Bypass Valve Control Features and Decoupling Strategy for Power Regulation
Authors: Li Xiao , Yang Xiaoyong , Zhang Youjie , Wang Jie
Published: February 2017

HTR-10GT is the development of HTR-10 reactor, which PCU will be a closed Brayton cycle with two-stage compression and heat recuperation. Bypass control method is adopted for rapid power regulation and safety protection. But quick opening of single bypass valve would inevitably lead to temperature shocks in multiple components especially at the reactor inlet and the recuperator core. Based on the regulating characteristics of each possible bypass valve, a dual bypass valve control scheme was proposed along with MIMO decoupling controller designed with diagonal matrix method. The system was modeled with Modelica; the DASSL code was used to solve the Differential and Algebraic Equations during simulations. System’s control characteristic was analyzed with classical linear control theory andH∞theory applied on linearized system model. Further numerical simulations showed that cooperative functioning of two bypass valves could effectively limit the temperature variation during power regulation, while the decoupler could improve the control effect and the stability of the system. The results will be helpful for the future design of the control system of HTR-10GT or other closed Brayton cycle of the same kind.
A Novel Trip Coverage Index for Transit Accessibility Assessment Using Mobile Phone Data
Authors: Cai Zhengyi , Wang Dianhai , Chen Xiqun (Michael)
Published: February 2017

Transit accessibility is an important measure on the service performance of transit systems. To assess whether the public transit service is well accessible for trips of specific origins, destinations, and origin-destination (OD) pairs, a novel measure, the Trip Coverage Index (TCI), is proposed in this paper. TCI considers both the transit trip coverage and spatial distribution of individual travel demands. Massive trips between cellular base stations are estimated by using over four-million mobile phone users. An easy-to-implement method is also developed to extract the transit information and driving routes for millions of requests. Then the trip coverage of each OD pair is calculated. For demonstrative purposes, TCI is applied to the transit network of Hangzhou, China. The results show that TCI represents the better transit trip coverage and provides a more powerful assessment tool of transit quality of service. Since the calculation is based on trips of all modes, but not only the transit trips, TCI offers an overall accessibility for the transit system performance. It enables decision makers to assess transit accessibility in a finer-grained manner on the individual trip level and can be well transformed to measure transit services of other cities.
Identification of the Nuclear Localization Signal Region of Duck Enteritis Virus UL14 and Its Interaction with VP16
Authors: Li FangJie , Zhang YuWei , Chen Shun , Wang MingShu , Jia RenYong , Zhu DeKang , Liu MaFeng , Sun KunFeng , Yang Qiao , Wu Ying , Chen XiaoYue , Cheng AnChun
Published: February 2017

Object: Duck enteritis virus (DEV) is a member of the Alphaherpesvirinae viruses. VP16 and pUL14 are both predicted to be tegument proteins of DEV. Methods: An indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was performed for preliminary analysis of the colocalization of pUL14 and VP16, which detected their subcellular localization in duck embryo fibroblasts (DEFs) during virus replication. The coexpression of pUL14 and VP16 was detected in transfected DEFs. A bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay was used to confirm a direct interaction between pUL14 and VP16. To better characterize the nuclear localization domain of pUL14, we designed a series of deletion mutants and transfected them with VP16. Results: Our IFA findings indicated that pUL14 binds to VP16 in the cytoplasm and that pUL14 leads VP16 import into the nucleus during DEV replication. The BiFC assay revealed the presence of pUL14 and VP16 complexes. Furthermore, 1-98 amino acid (aa) at the N-terminus of pUL14 played a role in the nuclear localization signal (NLS) region and promoted translocation of VP16 into the nucleus to complete the virus life cycle. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that pUL14 could transport VP16 into the nucleus and that the N-terminal 1-98 aa may contain the NLS domain of pUL14.
The Influence of Renal Centre and Patient Sociodemographic Factors on Home Haemodialysis Prevalence in the UK
Authors: Jayanti Anuradha , Foden Philip , Rae Alasdair , Morris Julie , Brenchley Paul , Mitra Sandip
Published: February 2017

Background: In the United Kingdom, socioeconomic disadvantage has been associated with lower use of home dialysis, mostly peritoneal dialysis. In this study, we explore the role of a patient's sociodemographic, socioeconomic differences and the centre's influence on home haemodialysis (HD) prevalence. Methods: Data is derived from the cross-sectional arm of the UK multi-centre study investigating barriers and enablers of home HD (BASIC-HHD study). Centres were classified as low- (<3%), medium- (5-8%) and high-prevalence groups (>8%). Sociodemographic and socioeconomic status data were ascertained. Patients were enrolled in hospital HD (n = 213), home HD (n = 93) and predialysis groups (n = 222). Results: The treating renal centre to which the patient belonged was significantly associated with a patient's modality in prevalent HD groups and modality-choice in the “predialysis” group, in confounder-adjusted multivariable analyses. Non-white ethnicity was associated with lower odds of self-care dialysis modality choice (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.07-0.62) and lower odds of home HD uptake in the prevalent HD group (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.07-0.80). Other significant associations of home HD uptake in the HD cohort included lower age (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39-0.89), higher education (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.25-7.16), home ownership (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.09-0.70), childcare responsibility (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.08-0.66) and unrestricted mobility (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11-0.91). Conclusion: “Centre” effect accounts for variation in home HD prevalence between renal units after accounting for sociodemographic parameters and co-morbidities. Unit practices and attitudes to home HD are likely to have a dominating impact on home HD prevalence rates and these aspects need to be explored systematically at the organisational level.
Zwei Fälle beruflich bedingter Kontakturtikaria infolge perkutaner Sensibilisierung gegen Parvalbumin
Authors: Sano Akiyo , Yagami Akiko , Suzuki Kayoko , Iwata Yohei , Kobayashi Tsukane , Arima Masaru , Kondo Yasuto , Yoshikawa Tetsushi , Matsunaga Kayoko
Published: February 2017

Hintergrund: Seit einigen Jahren wird perkutane Sensibilisierung als Hauptmechanismus der Entstehung von Nahrungsmittelallergien diskutiert. In Japan ist seit 2010 bei Personen, die Seife mit hydrolysiertem Weizen verwenden, die Inzidenz von Weizenallergien vom Soforttyp gegen hydrolysiertes Weizenprotein drastisch gestiegen. Dies spricht für die Hypothese, dass Nahrungsmittelallergien durch perkutane Sensibilisierung entstehen. Klinische Zusammenfassung: Ein 25-jähriger Patient (Fall 1) und eine 18-jährige Patientin (Fall 2) mit atopischer Dermatitis stellten sich mit Nahrungsmittelallergie und Handekzem in unserem Hause vor. Nach Aufnahme einer beruflichen Tätigkeit, bei der sie mit Fisch in Kontakt kamen, entwickelte sich ein ausgeprägtes juckendes Ekzem auf den Händen. Im weiteren Verlauf manifestierten sich nach dem Verzehr von Fisch orale Allergiesymptome, intraoraler Pruritus und Dyspnoe. In beiden Fällen wurden spezifische IgE-Antikörper gegen zahlreiche Fischarten nachgewiesen, und auch im Haut-Prick-Test zeigten beide Patienten positive Reaktionen gegen eine Vielzahl von Fischarten. Auch die Microarray-Immunoassay-Analyse ergab positive Reaktionen für die Fluoreszenzstärke spezifischer IgE-Antikörper gegen Parvalbumin verschiedener Fischarten. Wir stellten in beiden Fällen die Diagnose einer Kontakturtikaria infolge perkutaner Sensibilisierung gegen Parvalbumin durch beruflich bedingten körperlichen Kontakt mit Fisch. Schlussfolgerung: Die Vorgeschichten und Untersuchungsergebnisse der Patienten deuten darauf hin, dass eine perkutane Sensibilisierung durch berufsbedingte Exposition gegenüber Parvalbumin zur Entwicklung einer Nahrungsmittelallergie führen könnte. Übersetzung aus Case Rep Dermatol 2015;7:227-232 (DOI:10.1159/000439080)
Barrierefunktion der Haut und Allergene
Authors: Engebretsen Kristiane Aasen , Thyssen Jacob Pontoppidan
Published: February 2017

Die Haut ist eine wichtige Barriere, die den Organismus vor mechanischer Belastung, Mikroorganismen, Chemikalien und Allergenen schützt, umgekehrt aber auch die wichtige Funktion erfüllt, den Flüssigkeitsverlust zu reduzieren. Ein gemeinsames Kennzeichen vieler Dermatosen ist eine beeinträchtigte Funktionsfähigkeit der Hautbarriere, und man könnte vermuten, dass hier durch vermehrtes Eindringen potenzieller Allergene ein erhöhtes Risiko für Kontaktsensibilisierung (CS) und Allergie besteht. Die Beziehung zwischen häufigen Hauterkrankungen wie Psoriasis, atopischer Dermatitis (AD) und irritativer Kontaktdermatitis (ICD) einerseits und der Entwicklung einer Kontaktallergie (CA) andererseits ist jedoch komplex und hängt außer vom Zustand der Hautbarriere auch von verschiedenen immunologischen Reaktionen ab. Psoriasis ist in der Vergangenheit immer als Th1-dominierte Krankheit betrachtet worden, doch die Entdeckung von Th17-Zellen und IL-17 hat neue und interessante Informationen bezüglich der Pathogenese beigesteuert. Die wissenschaftliche Evidenzlage deutet auf eine inverse Beziehung zwischen Psoriasis und CA hin, die möglicherweise durch eine erhöhte Konzentration an Th17-Zellen und den dazugehörigen Zytokinen bedingt ist. Was die AD angeht, so ist eine positive Assoziation mit CS in epidemiologischen Studien etabliert worden, allerdings liegt hierfür noch keine Erklärung vor. Experimentelle Studien zeigen jedoch eine inverse Beziehung zwischen AD und CS. Die gegensätzlichen und wechselseitig antagonistischen Einflüsse von Th1- (CS) und Th2-Zellen (AD) sind als mögliche Erklärung hierfür angeführt worden. Schließlich liegen überzeugende Belege dafür vor, dass die Exposition gegenüber Reizstoffen das CS-Risiko erhöht und Patienten mit ICD somit einem erhöhten Risiko für CA unterliegen. Hautreizungen führen zur Freisetzung von IL-1 und TNF-α, was sich wiederum auf die Aktivität antigenpräsentierender Zellen auswirkt, ihre Migration zu lokalen Lymphknoten fördert und so die Wahrscheinlichkeit für eine CS und letztlich die Entwicklung einer CA erhöht. Übersetzung aus Curr Probl Dermatol. Basel, Karger, 2016, vol 49, pp 90-102 (DOI:10.1159/000441548)
Accuracy of Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography in the Preoperative Diagnosis of Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Gastric Cancer
Authors: Kubota Keisuke , Suzuki Akihiro , Shiozaki Hironori , Wada Takeshi , Kyosaka Tomoki , Kishida Akihiro
Published: February 2017

Background/Aims: Preoperative lymph node staging in gastric cancer patients is important. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in assessing lymph nodes in patients with gastric cancer. Methods: A total of 56 patients had undergone standardized gastric resection with lymphadenectomy between October 2013 and June 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. The short axis diameter of the largest lymph node per station was recorded when reviewing the preoperative CT images. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated by comparing CT with histopathological findings. Results: In 518 stations dissected at surgery, 56 included lymph nodes with metastasis. Among them, lymph nodes were visualized on preoperative CT in 26 stations. No lymph node was detected in 382 stations among 462 infiltration-negative stations. The cutoff of 12 mm had the highest accuracy rate of 0.896. Conclusion: The accuracy of CT in the preoperative diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer remains poor. Therefore, surgeons should pay attention to the visibility of lymph nodes on CT. Detection of lymph nodes on CT can be utilized for a more accurate diagnosis such as fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome in a Family of Warmblood Horses Caused by a 25-bp Deletion of the DNA-Binding Domain of the Androgen Receptor Gene
Authors: Welsford G. Eastman , Munk Rikke , Villagómez Daniel A.F. , Hyttel Poul , King W. Allan , Revay Tamas
Published: February 2017

Testicular feminization, an earlier term coined for describing a syndrome resulting from failure of masculinization of target organs by androgen secretions during embryo development, has been well documented not only in humans but also in the domestic horse. The pathology, actually referred to as androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), has been proposed to follow an X-linked recessive pattern of inheritance in some horse breeds already investigated. Affected individuals are characterized by a female phenotype but with a stallion genotype of 64,XY SRY+ constitution. We identified a Warmblood horse pedigree segregating AIS, where the molecular analyses of the androgen receptor gene in the family provided evidences that a 25-bp deletion of the DNA-binding domain is causative of this equine syndrome.
Analysis of the Interleukin-6 (-174) Locus Polymorphism and Serum IL-6 Levels with the Severity of Normal Tension Glaucoma
Authors: Wang Ching-Yu , Liang Chiao-Ying , Feng Shih-Chao , Lin Keng-Hung , Lee Hsin-Nung , Shen Ying-Cheng , Wei Li-Chen , Chang Chia-Jen , Hsu Min-Yen , Yang Yi-Yin , Chiu Chun-Hung , Wang Chun-Yuan
Published: February 2017

Purpose: In normal tension glaucoma (NTG), factors other than elevated intraocular pressure are likely to have a role in the pathogenesis of optic neuropathy. Recent studies of glaucoma or retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) reveal that the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is linked to the pathogenesis of glaucoma and may regulate RGC survival or death. The IL-6 (-174) G allele has also been shown to increase the IL-6 protein. We hypothesized that the IL-6 (-174) polymorphism may be a predisposing genetic factor affecting the severity of glaucoma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the IL-6 polymorphism and serum IL-6 levels as a potential risk factor related to the severity of NTG. Methods: A total of 256 subjects with NTG in the Chinese population were enrolled. The patients were genotyped for the IL-6 (-174) C/G polymorphism. Genomic DNA was amplified by a polymerase chain reaction, followed by the enzymatic restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Serum IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA. Patient age at diagnosis, cup/disc (C/D) ratio, rim area (RA), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and visual field (VF) were analyzed. The associations between genotypes of IL-6 (-174) C/G and the clinical parameters were calculated using a logistic regression. Results: The IL-6 (-174) GC genotype in NTG patients was significantly associated with a smaller C/D ratio (p = 0.04), larger RA (p = 0.04), and thicker RNFL (p = 0.05) compared with IL-6 (-174) GG patients. The allele frequency of IL-6 (-174) C was significantly higher in the NTG patients at an early-moderate stage than at an advanced stage according to the C/D ratio (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.31-0.99). Pattern standard deviation of VF was borderline lower in IL-6 (-174) GC patients (p = 0.06), and serum IL-6 levels were borderline higher in advanced stages than in early-moderate stages (7.66 ± 3.22 vs. 4.46 ± 3.83 pg/mL; p = 0.06). Conclusion: The IL-6 (-174) GC genotype is associated with a smaller C/D ratio, larger RA, and thicker RNFL compared with IL-6 (-174) GG in NTG patients. We found that the IL-6 (-174) G/C polymorphism and serum IL-6 levels may be associated with the severity of NTG.
Why Current PTH Assays Mislead Clinical Decision Making in Patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Hocher Berthold , Yin Lianghong
Published: February 2017

Preclinical studies in cell culture systems as well as in whole animal chronic kidney disease (CKD) models showed that parathyroid hormone (PTH), oxidized at the 2 methionine residues (positions 8 and 18), caused a loss of function. This was so far not considered in the development of PTH assays used in current clinical practice. Patients with advanced CKD are subject to oxidative stress, and plasma proteins (including PTH) are targets for oxidants. In patients with CKD, a considerable but variable fraction (about 70 to 90%) of measured PTH appears to be oxidized. Oxidized PTH (oxPTH) does not interact with the PTH receptor resulting in loss of biological activity. Currently used intact PTH (iPTH) assays detect both oxidized and non-oxPTH (n-oxPTH). Clinical studies demonstrated that bioactive, n-oxPTH, but not iPTH nor oxPTH, is associated with mortality in CKD patients.
A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Study of Antioxidant Supplementation with Lutein for Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
Authors: Shinojima Ari , Sawa Miki , Sekiryu Tetsuju , Oshima Yuji , Mori Ryusaburo , Hara Chikako , Sugano Yukinori , Kato Aki , Asato Hitomi , Yuzawa Mitsuko , Gomi Fumi , Ogura Yuichiro , Ishibashi Tatsuro , Nanri Tomoaki , Yasukawa Tsutomu
Published: February 2017

Purpose: To investigate functional and morphological changes in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy after supplementation with antioxidants containing lutein or a placebo. Procedures: One hundred eyes of 100 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, one taking tablets with lutein plus other antioxidants and the other taking a placebo for 6 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the subfoveal fluid height on optical coherence tomography were measured. Results: Seventy-nine patients (37 in the supplementation and 42 in the placebo group) completed the 6-month follow-up. In the supplementation group, mean BCVA showed significant improvement (p = 0.003), while there was no significant change in the placebo group (p = 0.589). The mean subfoveal fluid height was significantly reduced, by 28.6%, in the supplementation group (p = 0.028), in contrast to 3.3% in the placebo group (p = 0.898). Conclusions: Antioxidant supplementation significantly reduced subfoveal fluid height. The impacts of antioxidant supplementation on BCVA remain to be elucidated in future studies.
Intragenic CNTNAP2 Deletions: A Bridge Too Far
Authors: Poot Martin
Published: February 2017

Intragenic deletions of the contactin-associated protein-like 2 gene (CNTNAP2) have been found in patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, intellectual disability (ID), obsessive compulsive disorder, cortical dysplasia-focal epilepsy syndrome, autism, schizophrenia, Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, stuttering, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A variety of molecular mechanisms, such as loss of transcription factor binding sites and perturbation of penetrance and expressivity, have been proposed to account for the phenotypic variability resulting from CNTNAP2 mutations. Deletions of both CNTNAP2 alleles produced truncated proteins lacking the transmembrane or some of the extracellular domains, or no protein at all. This observation can be extended to heterozygous intragenic deletions by assuming that such deletion-containing alleles lead to expression of a Caspr2 protein lacking one or several extracellular domains. Such altered forms of Capr2 proteins will lack the ability to bridge the intercellular space between neurons by binding to partners, such as CNTN1, CNTN2, DLG1, and DLG4. This presumed effect of intragenic deletions of CNTNAP2, and possibly other genes involved in connecting neuronal cells, represents a molecular basis for the postulated neuronal hypoconnectivity in autism and probably other neurodevelopmental disorders, including epilepsy, ID, language impairments and schizophrenia. Thus, CNTNAP2 may represent a paradigmatic case of a gene functioning as a node in a genetic and cellular network governing brain development and acquisition of higher cognitive functions.
Monitoring of Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen Levels after Curative Resection of Colon Cancer: Cutoff Values Determined according to Preoperative Levels Enhance the Diagnostic Accuracy for Recurrence
Authors: Saito Gota , Sadahiro Sotaro , Kamata Hiroko , Miyakita Hiroshi , Okada Kazutake , Tanaka Akira , Suzuki Toshiyuki
Published: February 2017

Objectives: Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been widely used for postoperative surveillance for colorectal cancer. However, serum CEA has a poor diagnostic accuracy for detecting recurrence. We tested the hypothesis that determining cutoff values according to the preoperative serum CEA levels would enhance the diagnostic accuracy. Methods: Serum CEA was measured before and 1-6 months after surgery in 783 patients with curatively resected colon cancer from 2005 through 2013. The cutoff values during surveillance were determined separately according to preoperative serum CEA levels. Results: In patients with negative preoperative serum CEA, the diagnostic accuracy for recurrence was 89.1% when a postoperative cutoff value was set at 5 ng/mL. However, in patients with positive preoperative serum CEA, the diagnostic accuracy was 58.4% when a postoperative cutoff value was set at 5 ng/mL, and was 75.6% when a cutoff value was set at 8 ng/mL. Among patients with positive preoperative serum CEA, the recurrence-free survival rate was significantly lower in patients with a serum CEA of ≥8 ng/mL than those with a serum CEA of <8 ng/mL (p = 0.0018). Conclusions: The diagnostic accuracy of serum CEA for recurrence is enhanced by separately setting cutoff values according to preoperative serum CEA.
Incidence and Risk Factors of Postoperative Delirium following Pancreatic Surgery: Does the Administration of TJ-54 Reduce the Incidence of Delirium
Authors: Mizuno Shugo , Takeuchi Sachie , Kishiwada Masashi , Mizutani Noriko , Matsuda Mikiko , Sekoguchi Noriko , Iizawa Yusuke , Azumi Yoshinori , Kuriyama Naohisa , Usui Masanobu , Sakurai Hiroyuki , Maruyama Kazuo , Okuda Masahiro , Okada Motohiro , Isaji Shuji
Published: February 2017

Purposes: To clarify the incidence and risk factors of postoperative delirium in patients following pancreatic surgery, and the impact of yokukansan (TJ-54) administered to reduce delirium. Methods: Fifty-nine consecutive patients who underwent pancreatic surgery (2012.4-2013.5) were divided into 2 groups: TJ-54 group: patients who received TJ-54 (n = 21) due to insomnia and the No-TJ-54 group: patients who did not receive TJ-54 (n = 38), and the medical records including the delirium rating scale - Japanese version (DRS-J) were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Postoperative delirium occurred in 2 patients (9.5%) in the TJ-54 group and in 4 (10.5%) patients in the No-TJ-54 group (p = 0.90). The DRS-J on 5 days after surgery was lower in the TJ-54 group than in the No-TJ-54 group (rough p = 0.006), however, without any statistically significant differences with the Bonferroni correction. As for the hospital cost, there was no difference between the TJ-54 and the No-TJ-54 groups (p = 0.78). History of delirium was identified as an independent risk factor of postoperative delirium. Conclusion: The patients with preoperative insomnia, who were treated with TJ-54, did not have a higher incidence of postoperative delirium, compared to those without preoperative insomnia. The patients who had a history of delirium have an increased risk of postoperative delirium and should be cared for and treated prophylactically to prevent it.
ENETS Consensus Guidelines for the Standards of Care in Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Pavel Marianne , de Herder Wouter W.
Published: February 2017

The landscape of treatment options in neuroendocrine tumors (NET) has changed in the last 5 years. Novel targeted drugs have been introduced and approved for distinct types of NET. Furthermore, with the first randomized trial on 177Lu-DOTATATE peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in midgut NET, not only is approval of this treatment awaited but also its more widespread use. Techniques and choices of radionuclides have changed over time as well as imaging tools. Recognition of well-differentiated NET G3 within the group of neuroendocrine neoplasms G3 has widened the spectrum of chemotherapeutic drugs used in this field. Even more so, it has become important to provide recommendations for daily clinical practice on how to safely use novel drugs, chemotherapeutic agents, and PRRT. The updated ENETS consensus guidelines for the standards of care in NET provide a tool to accurately assess the diagnosis of NET as well as practical recommendations for the use of surgery, and the different systemic therapeutic options that are available for the management of NET.
Total Calcium and Albumin Are Decreased in the Deeper Epidermis of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus
Authors: Momose Akishi , Shiraiwa Yasuo , Narita Satoshi , Kusumi Tomomi , Goto Shoko , Sera Koichiro
Published: February 2017

Background/Aims: In our earlier studies, we reported high concentrations of intra- and extracellular calcium ions (Ca2+) in the deeper epidermis of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated pruritus. To determine the cause of this phenomenon, we measured total calcium (TCa) concentrations in the deeper epidermis and performed immunostaining of epidermal albumin, which binds to Ca2+. Methods: This study included 45 patients with CKD-stage 5, which was defined as severely reduced kidney function (i.e., estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 15 mL/min or on dialysis). Subjects were divided into the pruritus group, consisting of patients with mild, moderate, or severe uremic pruritus, and the non-pruritus group, consisting of patients with no or slight pruritus. The particle-induced X-ray emission method was used to measure elements including TCa. Furthermore, we have immunostained epidermal albumin using anti-albumin antibodies and compared the results in the pruritus and non-pruritus groups. Results: The TCa concentration in the spinous layer of patients with CKD with CKD-associated pruritus was lower than in patients with CKD without pruritus (median [range], 395 [235-1,063] vs. 476 [342-1,243] μg/g). The intensity of epidermal albumin expression in the spinous layer was weaker in patients with CKD with CKD-associated pruritus than in those without. Conclusion: Patients with CKD with CKD-associated pruritus demonstrated higher Ca2+ concentrations but lower TCa concentrations than patients without CKD-associated pruritus. This could be in part due to low concentrations of epidermal albumin, which binds to Ca2+, in those with CKD-associated pruritus. These results clarify the pathophysiology of CKD-associated pruritus, providing a valuable foundation for the future development of treatments for this condition.
Liquid Biopsy for Cancer: Circulating Tumor Cells, Circulating Free DNA or Exosomes?
Authors: Zhang Wei , Xia Wenjie , Lv Zhengye , Ni Chao , Xin Yin , Yang Liu
Published: February 2017

Precision medicine and personalized medicine are based on the development of biomarkers, and liquid biopsy has been reported to be able to detect biomarkers that carry information on tumor development and progression. Compared with traditional ‘solid biopsy’, which cannot always be performed to determine tumor dynamics, liquid biopsy has notable advantages in that it is a noninvasive modality that can provide diagnostic and prognostic information prior to treatment, during treatment and during progression. In this review, we describe the source, characteristics, technology for detection and current situation of circulating tumor cells, circulating free DNA and exosomes used for diagnosis, recurrence monitoring, prognosis assessment and medication planning.
Kidney Injury Molecule-1 is Elevated in Nephropathy and Mediates Macrophage Activation via the Mapk Signalling Pathway
Authors: Tian Lei , Shao Xinghua , Xie Yuanyuan , Wang Qin , Che Xiajing , Zhang Minfang , Xu Weijia , Xu Yao , Mou Shan , Ni Zhaohui
Published: February 2017

Background/Aims: Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) is highly expressed in renal tubular cells after injury and is usually regarded as an early biomarker of acute kidney injury(AKI). The aim of this study was to determine the role of KIM-1 in the development of renal tubular injury Methods: Clinical samples, three different animal models and in vitro experiments were utilized to determine the possible mechanism underlying the involvement of KIM-1 in kidney injury. Results: Both plasma and urinary KIM-1 expression levels were significantly higher in AKI and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients than in healthy volunteers, and urinary KIM-1 expression was significantly higher in CKD patients than in AKI patients. According to the results of our research involving three different mouse models, KIM-1 expression was significantly increased during the early stage of kidney injury and was persistently elevated in renal fibrosis. Our immunofluorescence staining results indicated that KIM-1-positive tubules were surrounded by macrophage infiltrates in regions of kidney injury. Moreover, our transwell, western blotting and real-time PCR data showed that macrophage migration and phenotype transitions were mediated by KIM-1 through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. MAPK pathway inhibition could significantly reverse the effects of KIM-1 with respect to these macrophage phenotype changes and migration. Conclusions: KIM-1 expression was markedly elevated in both acute and chronic kidney injury and may play a pivotal role in macrophage activation via the MAPK pathway in kidney disease.
Três imagens de Luciano de Samósata no século XVIII português
Authors: Sinkevisque Eduardo
Published: February 2017

O texto trata das três traduções portuguesas do século XVIII do Como se escreve a história, de Luciano de Samósata (séc. II d.C.), preparadas por Frei Jacinto de São Miguel (1733), Frei Manoel de Santo Antonio (1733) e Custódio José de Oliveira (1771); de seus ambientes letrados, de seus círculos políticos e de alguns de seus usos. As traduções setecentistas em questão propõem Lucianos diferentes. Um Luciano discreto (amável); um Luciano entendido (útil) e um Luciano instrutor público (voltado para o “curioso leitor”). Neste sentido, cada tradução estudada pode ser lida como uma ecfrase, uma imagem de Luciano de Samósata, composta como auctoritas, segundo critérios e usos propostos por intermédio dos tradutores e por meio de suas relações de interlocução.
Imagens tecidas em verso: a representação do mito de Ariadne no carmen LXIV de Catulo
Authors: Werner Erika
Published: February 2017

Este artigo se propõe a analisar a narrativa ecfrástica relativa ao mito de Ariadne encontrada no centro do carmen 64 de Catulo e apresentar como o poeta entrelaça a narrativa acerca de Ariadne e Teseu com a celebração do casamento de Tétis e Peleu ao longo desse poema.
López Férez 2015 Teorías de Galeno sobre el semen femenino
Authors: Rachid Rodolfo José Rocha
Published: February 2017

LÓPEZ FÉREZ, Juan Antonio. 2015. Teorías de Galeno sobre el semen femenino. Universidad Autónoma de Mexico.
Algumas notas sobre imagem e palavra na Arte da Memória
Authors: Chiappetta Angélica
Published: February 2017

O texto relembra a técnica de “lugares” e “imagens” para a Arte da Memória, apresentada em vários tratados de Retórica. As referências passeiam de Cícero e Quintiliano até uma Arte Memorativa do séc. XVII. A construção de lugares mnemônicos e de palácios da memória é comentada, sugerindo a relevância da imagem para a construção do pensamento.
Uma pintura do deus Amor: poética e retórica em Propércio 2.12
Authors: Serignolli Lya
Published: February 2017

Na elegia 2.12 de Propércio, o deus Amor é apresentado como obra admirável de um pintor e como veiculador da paixão erótica. Neste poema, a paixão erótica é comparada a uma guerra provocada pelo deus (militia amoris), motivando, de um lado, o lamento (que é uma das características determinantes do gênero elegíaco) e, de outro, despertando no poeta o desejo de escrever versos que agradam o deus. Neste artigo, meu objetivo é observar os aspectos retóricos e poéticos da elegia 2.12, considerando o tratamento dado à forma e às ações do Amor personificado. Inicialmente, irei investigar possíveis antecedentes desta elegia, tendo em vista a escolha dos lugares-comuns usados para compor a figura do deus. Em seguida, observarei aspectos do πάθος amoroso como artifício retórico e impulso poético. Por fim, irei examinar as ligações da elegia 2.12 com outros poemas eróticos dos Livros 1 e 2 de Propércio, com enfoque na relação de interdependência entre as figurações do puer Amor como divindade tutelar da poesia e da puella elegíaca (Cíntia) como objeto das elegias de Propércio. Assim, tentarei demonstrar de que modo as características de Amor na elegia 2.12 podem evidenciar aspectos de um programa poético em que se incluem as elegias eróticas dos dois primeiros livros de Propércio.
A construção da autoimagem de cristão e a fabricação do herege nas polêmicas do século XVI
Authors: Sartorelli Elaine Cristine
Published: February 2017

O objetivo deste trabalho é, primeiramente, entender a lógica que preside aos mecanismos da polêmica que atuam nos discursos apologéticos cristãos, e, em seguida, tendo-a compreendido, apontar as estratégias retóricas com que o polemista constrói e valida um ethos de cristão verdadeiro e de “advogado da Verdade” para si, ao mesmo tempo em que fabrica a imagem do “inimigo”, o herege, o “falso mestre” para seu adversário. Para isso, comentaremos as técnicas de apropriação de auctoritas praticadas pelo autor ao tratar de si mesmo, e, ao mesmo tempo, os aspectos satíricos da constituição de caricaturas do “outro”, quando se visa não apenas à derrisão, mas à exclusão de um adversário. E nós o faremos por meio de um livro “herético”, em que o autor, perseguido ele mesmo, reproduz, no entanto, o mesmo processo empregado por aqueles que buscavam instituir uma religião por assim dizer oficial, ou falavam autorizados por ela. Nosso corpus é o livro “herético” Christianismi Restitutio, de autoria de Miguel Serveto, publicado em 1553.
A enargeia épica ou a falta de ekphrasis na Guerra Civil de Lucano
Authors: Dinter Martin T.
Published: February 2017

Este estudo mergulha no íntimo da poesia latina a fim de questionar um exemplo particular de engajamento épico com o visual: a ekphrasis. Ele considera como a abordagem teórica da “intermidialidade” pode nos fornecer um parâmetro para explorar a imbricação dos modos narrativo e ecfrástico na épica latina. Tal parâmetro permite a melhor compreensão da relação entre arte e texto na épica latina de um modo geral, bem como do funcionamento da construção épica.
Enárgeia e elegia grega arcaica
Authors: Brunhara Rafael
Published: February 2017

Este texto apresenta dois objetivos: primeiro, visa demonstrar como a noção de Enárgeia, fundada e elaborada na tradição retórica grega do séc. V, está presente na poesia grega desde os poemas homéricos. Em seguida, visa compreendê-la no âmbito da elegia grega arcaica simposial, sobretudo na produção do poeta espartano Tirteu.
A construção do êthos de orador nas sátiras de Juvenal
Authors: Do Carmo Rafael Cavalcanti
Published: February 2017

O trabalho parte da ideia de que a sátira latina, por constituir-se em enunciação poética marcadamente pessoalizada, bem como pelo seu propósito moral de censura ao vício, guarda semelhanças com o discurso do orador. Dessa forma, tal qual ocorre na prática oratória, a sátira demanda a construção de uma voz enunciadora que, em Juvenal, se aproxima e se afasta do êthos que o orador constrói para si em seu discurso. O trabalho discute tal procedimento, associando-o à pertinência do riso como elemento integrante da sátira como gênero poético.
Taxonomic and nomenclatorial revision within the Neotropical genera of the subtribe Odontocheilina W. Horn in a new sense—18. Six Mexican and
Central American species related to Odontocheila mexicana Laporte de
Castelnau and O. ignita Chaudoir, with a description of O. potosiana sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae)
Authors: MORAVEC JIŘÍ , BRZOSKA DAVID , HUBER RONALD
Published: February 2017

Results of taxonomic revision of Mexican and Central American species of the genus Odontocheila Laporte de Castelnau, 1834, related to Odontocheila mexicana Laporte de Castelnau, 1834 (rectified publication date) and O. ignita Chaudoir, 1860 are presented. Redescriptions of O. mexicana, O. iodopleura Bates, 1872 and O. exilis Bates, 1884 are provided with their lectotype designations, and redescriptions of O. tawahka Johnson, 1996 and O. ignita are presented. O. exilis is restored to its original species status. Lectotype designations of O. cinctula Bates, 1881 and O. quadrina (based on Cicindela quadrina Chevrolat, 1835) are provided. The synonymy of O. cinctula with O. ignita is confirmed, as well as the synonymy of O. quadrina with O. mexicana. O. potosiana sp. nov. is described from Mexico as new for science; it represents the northernmost occurrence of the genus. A key to these related species is presented and their biology and distribution is treated. Illustrations in colour photographs of the habitus, diagnostic characters and variability are provided.
Additions and corrections to the systematics of mayfly species assigned to the genus Callibaetis Eaton 1881 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from South America
Authors: CRUZ PAULO VILELA , SALLES FREDERICO FALCÃO , HAMADA NEUSA
Published: February 2017

Due to historical taxonomic impediments, species of Callibaetis Eaton are difficult to identify. Recent studies have attempted to resolve this problem, although many species still lack complete descriptions; nymphs of several species remain undetermined; and type specimens are lost or poorly known. Given these hindrances, the aim of this study is to review some of the type specimens of Callibaetis from South America. This review provides a series of taxonomic additions and corrections supported by improved morphological evaluations, illustrations and photographs of Callibaetis camposi Navás, C. (Abaetetuba) capixaba Cruz, Salles & Hamada, C. gregarius Navás, C. (C.) guttatus Navás, C. jaffueli Navás, C. (C.) jocosus Navás, C. nigrivenosus Banks, C. (A.) pollens Needham & Murphy, C. (C.) radiatus Navás, C. (A.) sellacki (Weyenbergh), C. stictogaster Navás, C. (C.) viviparus Needham & Murphy, C. (C.) willineri Navás, and C. (C.) zonalis Navás. From among these species, C. stictogaster and C. jaffueli are revalidated; C. nigrivenosus and C. gregarius are designated as nomina dubia; C. (C.) fluminensis Cruz, Salles & Hamada is proposed as a junior subjective synonym of C. (C.) zonalis; and C. gloriosus Navás is proposed as a junior subjective synonym of C. (A.) sellacki (Weyenbergh). Lectotypes are designated for C. camposi, C. jaffueli, C. (C.) radiatus and C. stictogaster.