bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrolyte Management in Liquid Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Authors: Yuh Chao-Yi , Franco Adam , Chen Ling , Hilmi Abdelkader , Venkataraman Ramki , Farooque Mohammad
Published: February 2015

Currently there are three major liquid-electrolyte fuel cells: alkaline (AFC), phosphoric (PAFC) and carbonate fuel cells, utilizing liquid electrolytes KOH, H3PO4 and M2CO3 (M: alkali ions), respectively. The electrolytes provide ionic conduction, reactant gas separation, and electrochemical kinetics. The electrolyte inventory and distribution in operating fuel-cell electrochemically-active cell components (electrodes and electrolyte matrix) need to be carefully managed to achieve desired performance and life. There are many similarities in physicochemical/electrochemical processes as well as electrolyte management schemes in these fuel cells. Internal-reforming carbonate fuel cell (Direct Fuel Cell, DFC®) is being commercially deployed by FuelCell Energy (FCE), its German subsidiary FCES (FuelCell Energy Solutions), and South Korean partner POSCO Energy. Successful electrolyte management schemes had allowed DFC stacks to achieve commercial stack performance and endurance goals. In this paper, electrolyte processes and management schemes in these three major liquid-electrolyte fuel cells are reviewed.
Hydrogen/Oxygen Production by Solid Oxide Electrolysis
Authors: Minh Nguyen , Williams Mark Christopher , Washom Byron
Published: February 2015

Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) have been considered and developed for hydrogen production at stationary distributed and central station sizes, syngas synthesis for industrial uses and oxygen generation/recovery for space applications. The all-solid-state construction and high operating temperature of the SOEC lead to several advantages for the technology, especially when compared with low-temperature electrolysis systems. This paper provides a brief overview of SOEC technology and discusses selected experimental results on hydrogen production and a system concept for oxygen recovery for spacecraft life support.
Development of MEA with Self-Water Management Catalyst Layer for PEFC
Authors: Arai Ryohei , Sugiura Kimihiko , Yamauchi Makoto
Published: February 2015

PEFC has still issues such as a high cost and a low energy efficiency though it begins to be commercialized by ENE-　FARM and FCV, etc. The humidifier for the wet of the membrane is necessary for PEFC, and the price and the energy of this device are one of the factors of these issues. We are aiming to make the humidifier unnecessary by managing the water generated with PEFC by improving MEA, a separator, and an internal manifold. This paper aims at the low humidifying operation of PEFC using the self-water management catalyst layer made of carbon powder (NBH) with a water absorption performance. As a result, the cell with the NBH-MEA obtained the same cell performance as the standard cell even if it operates at low humidifying and the amount of Pt catalyst of NBH-MEA was decreased more than the standard MEA.
Establishment of Performance Diagnostics for PEFC Stack
Authors: Matsumoto Yuya , Sugiura Kimihiko , Daigo Akihiko , Murakami Tetsuya
Published: February 2015

If the degradation of the Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) was able to be diagnosed at the early stage, the life performance could be improved by applying appropriate processing to PEFC. We are proposing the PEFC Performance Diagnose System (PPDS) which diagnoses the state of each polarization (the resistance polarization, the activation polarization and the diffusion polarization) by analyzing transient response. The application of the PPDS to the PEFC-stack was tried because it was able to diagnose each degradation factor of a single PEFC. As a result, the PPDS was able to find the unit with the deteriorated cell when it diagnoses each unit composed of four cells in the stack. Moreover, the PPDS was able to diagnose the degradation factor of the deteriorated cell instantaneously. Because we confirmed that the PPDS can diagnose a PEFC-stack, we propose the application of the PPDS to FCV as the diagnosing unit.
Design of Novel Metal Nanostructures for Broadband Solar Energy Conversion
Authors: Zhang Kristine A. , Ma David , Pu Ying-Chih , Li Yat
Published: February 2015

Solar power holds great potential as an alternative energy source, but current photovoltaic cells have much room for improvement in cost and efficiency. Our objective was to develop metal nanostructures whose surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectra closely match the solar spectrum to enhance light absorption and scattering. We employed the finite-difference time-domain simulation method to evaluate the effect of varying key parameters. A novel nanostructure with SPR absorption matching a region of the solar spectrum (300 to 1500 nm) that contains 90% of solar energy was successfully designed. This structure consists of a large gold-silica core-shell structure with smaller gold nanoparticles and nanorods on its surface. Such complex nanostructures are promising for broad and tunable absorption spectra. In addition, we investigated the SPR of silver nanoparticle arrays, which can achieve scattering close to the solar spectrum. We demonstrated an improvement in efficiency of over 30% with optimal nanoparticle radius and periods of 75 nm and 325 nm, respectively. In combination, our studies enable high-efficiency, tunable, and cost-effective enhancement of both light absorption and scattering, which has potential applications in solar energy conversion as well as biomedical imaging.
Far-Infrared Therapy Promotes Nerve Repair following End-to-End Neurorrhaphy in Rat Models of Sciatic Nerve Injury
Authors: Chen Tai-Yuan , Yang Yi-Chin , Sha Ya-Na , Chou Jiun-Rou , Liu Bai-Shuan
Published: February 2015

This study employed a rat model of sciatic nerve injury to investigate the effects of postoperative low-power far-infrared (FIR) radiation therapy on nerve repair following end-to-end neurorrhaphy. The rat models were divided into the following 3 groups: (1) nerve injury without FIR biostimulation (NI/sham group); (2) nerve injury with FIR biostimulation (NI/FIR group); and (3) noninjured controls (normal group). Walking-track analysis results showed that the NI/FIR group exhibited significantly higher sciatic functional indices at 8 weeks after surgery (P<0.05) compared with the NI/sham group. The decreased expression of CD4 and CD8 in the NI/FIR group indicated that FIR irradiation modulated the inflammatory process during recovery. Compared with the NI/sham group, the NI/FIR group exhibited a significant reduction in muscle atrophy (P<0.05). Furthermore, histomorphometric assessment indicated that the nerves regenerated more rapidly in the NI/FIR group than in the NI/sham group; furthermore, the NI/FIR group regenerated neural tissue over a larger area, as well as nerve fibers of greater diameter and with thicker myelin sheaths. Functional recovery, inflammatory response, muscular reinnervation, and histomorphometric assessment all indicated that FIR radiation therapy can accelerate nerve repair following end-to-end neurorrhaphy of the sciatic nerve.
Lateral Response Comparison of Unbonded Elastomeric Bearings Reinforced with Carbon Fiber Mesh and Steel
Authors: Karimzadeh Naghshineh Ali , Akyuz Ugurhan , Caner Alp
Published: February 2015

The vertical and horizontal stiffness used in design of bearings have been established in the last few decades. At the meantime, applicability of the theoretical approach developed to estimate vertical stiffness of the fiber-reinforced bearings has been verified in different academic studies. The suitability of conventional horizontal stiffness equation developed for elastomeric material, mainly for steel-reinforced elastomeric bearings, has not been tested in detail for use of fiber-reinforced elastomeric bearings. In this research, lateral response of fiber mesh-reinforced elastomeric bearings has been determined through experimental tests and the results have been compared by corresponding values pertaining to the steel-reinforced bearings. Within the test program, eight pairs of fiber mesh-reinforced bearings and eight pairs of steel-reinforced bearings are subjected to different levels of compressive stress and cyclic shear strains. Fiber-reinforced elastomeric bearings may be more favorable to be used in seismic regions due to lower horizontal stiffness that can result in mitigation of seismic forces for levels of 100% shear strain. Damping properties of these types of fiber mesh-reinforced bearings depend mostly on the selection of elastomeric material compounds. Suggestions have been made for the lateral response of fiber-reinforced elastomeric bearings. It has also been determined that the classical equation for lateral stiffness based on linear elastic behavior assumptions developed for elastomeric bearings does not always apply to the fiber-reinforced ones.
In VivoandIn VitroMetabolites from the Main Diester and Monoester Diterpenoid Alkaloids in a Traditional Chinese Herb, theAconitumSpecies
Authors: Zhang Min , Peng Chong-sheng , Li Xiao-bo
Published: February 2015

Diester diterpenoid alkaloids (DDAs), such as aconitine (AC), mesaconitine (MA), and hypaconitine (HA), are both pharmacologically active compounds and toxic ingredients in a traditional Chinese herb, theAconitumspecies. Many DDA metabolism studies have been performed to explore mechanisms for reducing toxicity in these compounds and inAconitumspecies extracts for safe clinical administration. In this review, we summarize recent progress on the metabolism of toxic AC, MA, and HA and corresponding monoester diterpenoid alkaloids (MDAs) in the gastrointestinal tract and liver in different animal species and humansin vivoand/orin vitro, where these alkaloids are primarily metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, carboxylesterases, and intestinal bacteria, which produces phase I metabolites, ester hydrolysed products, and lipoalkaloids. Furthermore, we classify metabolites detected in the blood and urine, where the aforementioned metabolites are absorbed and excreted. Less toxic MDAs and nontoxic alcohol amines are the primary DDA metabolites detected in the blood. Most other DDAs metabolites produced in the intestine and liver detected in the urine have not been reported in the blood. We propose an explanation for this nonconformity. Finally, taking AC, for instance, we generalize a process of toxicity reduction in the body after oral AC administration for the first time.
Among Ectasia Patients with Coexisting Coronary Artery Disease, TIMI Frame Count Correlates with Ectasia Size and Markis Type IV Is the Commonest
Authors: Tony Hasahya , Meng Kai , Wu Bangwei , Zeng Qiutang
Published: February 2015

Background. Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) occurs in 0.3 to 5.3% of patients undergoing coronary angiography. TIMI frame count (TFC) is an index of coronary flow that correlates with flow velocity. In ectasia patients, there is delayed coronary flow with increased TFC.Methods.We evaluated angiograms of 789 patients for presence of CAE, coronary artery disease (CAD), and Markis type of CAE. We measured ectasia size and length and their correlation with TFC in ectatic right coronary arteries (RCA) of patients with CAE and CAD.Results.30 patients had CAE (3.8%). Of these 16.7% had isolated CAE, while 83.87% had CAE and CAD. Among CAE and CAD patients, the RCA was most involved (70.4%), and Markis type IV CAE was the commonest (64%). In isolated CAE, the RCA, LAD, and LCx were equally involved (33.3%). Patients with CAE and CAD had significantly higher TFC compared to controls,P=0.035. There was a positive correlation of moderate strength, between ectasia size and TFC,r(17) = 0.598,P=0.007. Ectasia length was not significantly correlated with TFC, rho (17) = 0.334,P=0.163.Conclusion.Among patients undergoing angiography, CAE has a prevalence of 3.8% and Markis type IV is the commonest. Larger ectasias are associated with slower coronary flow.
RareBs→γνν-Decay in Family NonuniversalZ′Model
Authors: Şirvanlı Berin Belma
Published: February 2015

The rareBs→γνν-decay with polarized photon is studied in the framework of a family nonuniversalZ′model. The branching ratio and photon polarization asymmetry to the model parameters are calculated and compared with the Standard Model. Deviations from the Standard Model will indicate the presence of new physics.
Exceptional Complex Chromosomal Rearrangements in Three Generations
Authors: Kartapradja Hannie , Marzuki Nanis Sacharina , Pertile Mark D. , Francis David , Suciati Lita Putri , Anggaratri Helena Woro , Ambarwati Debby Dwi , Idris Firman Prathama , Lesmana Harry , Trimarsanto Hidayat , Paramayuda Chrysantine , Harahap Alida Roswita
Published: February 2015

We report an exceptional complex chromosomal rearrangement (CCR) found in three individuals in a family that involves 4 chromosomes with 5 breakpoints. The CCR was ascertained in a phenotypically abnormal newborn with additional chromosomal material on the short arm of chromosome 4. Maternal karyotyping indicated that the mother carried an apparently balanced CCR involving chromosomes 4, 6, 11, and 18. Maternal transmission of the derivative chromosome 4 resulted in partial trisomy for chromosomes 6q and 18q and a partial monosomy of chromosome 4p in the proband. Further family studies found that the maternal grandmother carried the same apparently balanced CCR as the proband’s mother, which was confirmed using the whole chromosome painting (WCP) FISH. High resolution whole genome microarray analysis of DNA from the proband’s mother found no evidence for copy number imbalance in the vicinity of the CCR translocation breakpoints, or elsewhere in the genome, providing evidence that the mother’s and grandmother’s CCRs were balanced at a molecular level. This structural rearrangement can be categorized as an exceptional CCR due to its complexity and is a rare example of an exceptional CCR being transmitted in balanced and/or unbalanced form across three generations.
Energy Efficient MAC for QoS Traffic in Wireless Body Area Network
Authors: Jacob Anil K. , Jacob Lillykutty
Published: February 2015

Lifetimes and latencies of devices in wireless body area networks (WBANs) that monitor the health conditions of patients largely determine their utility under such a setup. It is seen that the medium access method used in the body area network can play a significant role in determining the quality of service such medical devices can provide. IEEE 802.15.6 standard for WBAN includes different types of medium access, namely, CSMA/CA, scheduled, and polling access schemes, or a combination of these techniques. In this paper, medium access methods proposed in IEEE 802.15.6 standard are investigated to assess their effectiveness in meeting the lifetime and quality of service requirements of WBANs. We then propose sleeping schedules for contention and polling access schemes to extend the device lifetime. Simulation studies are done for the investigation using a typical configuration of the medical devices found in a hospital setting. It is found that priority polling technique can give a combination of high lifetime and a low latency. Various other results offer important insights into the behaviour of these techniques under WBAN conditions.
Postoperative Pulmonary Dysfunction and Mechanical Ventilation in Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Badenes Rafael , Lozano Angels , Belda F. Javier
Published: February 2015

Postoperative pulmonary dysfunction (PPD) is a frequent and significant complication after cardiac surgery. It contributes to morbidity and mortality and increases hospitalization stay and its associated costs. Its pathogenesis is not clear but it seems to be related to the development of a systemic inflammatory response with a subsequent pulmonary inflammation. Many factors have been described to contribute to this inflammatory response, including surgical procedure with sternotomy incision, effects of general anesthesia, topical cooling, and extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and mechanical ventilation (VM). Protective ventilation strategies can reduce the incidence of atelectasis (which still remains one of the principal causes of PDD) and pulmonary infections in surgical patients. In this way, the open lung approach (OLA), a protective ventilation strategy, has demonstrated attenuating the inflammatory response and improving gas exchange parameters and postoperative pulmonary functions with a better residual functional capacity (FRC) when compared with a conventional ventilatory strategy. Additionally, maintaining low frequency ventilation during ECC was shown to decrease the incidence of PDD after cardiac surgery, preserving lung function.
Giant Pseudoaneurysm Associated with Arteriovenous Fistula of the Brachial and Femoral Arteries following Gunshot Wounds: Report of Two Cases
Authors: Daniel Handy Eone , Firmin Ankouane , Angele Pondy O. , Esthelle Minka Ngom , Freddy Bombah , Bernadette Ngo Nonga
Published: February 2015

Posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm associated with arteriovenous fistula of the upper or lower limb is exceptional. We are reporting herein the history of two cases in civil life that have been followed and repaired in our service. Both patients were shot more than a year before being referred to our tertiary hospital for an enlarging mass which was a pseudoaneurysm associated with an arteriovenous fistula. The aneurysm was repaired and the fistula closed. Due to the absence of well-trained professionals, vascular injuries and their complications are usually discovered late in Cameroon while these pseudoaneurysms can reach very dramatic sizes. This presentation intends to raise the attention on a careful clinical exam and search of vascular lesion in the case of penetrating wound of the limb associated with profuse bleeding.
Characterization of Human Knee and Chin Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells
Authors: Kouidhi Magali , Villageois Phi , Mounier Carine M. , Ménigot Corinne , Rival Yves , Piwnica David , Aubert Jérôme , Chignon-Sicard Bérengère , Dani Christian
Published: February 2015

Animal study findings have revealed that individual fat depots are not functionally equivalent and have different embryonic origins depending on the anatomic location. Mouse bone regeneration studies have also shown that it is essential to match theHoxcode of transplanted cells and host tissues to achieve correct repair. However, subcutaneous fat depots from any donor site are often used in autologous fat grafting. Our study was thus carried out to determine the embryonic origins of human facial (chin) and limb (knee) fat depots and whether they had similar features and molecular matching patterns. Paired chin and knee fat depots were harvested from 11 subjects and gene expression profiles were determined by DNA microarray analyses. Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) from both sites were isolated and analyzed for their capacity to proliferate, form clones, and differentiate. Chin and knee fat depots expressed a differentHOXcode and could have different embryonic origins. ASCs displayed a different phenotype, with chin-ASCs having the potential to differentiate into brown-like adipocytes, whereas knee-ASCs differentiated into white adipocytes. These results highlighted different features for these two fat sites and indicated that donor site selection might be an important factor to be considered when applying adipose tissue in cell-based therapies.
Simplified Algorithms for Determining Cycle Shift between qPCR Fluorescence Curves
Authors: Jones Michael E. , Mayne George C. , Wang Tingting , Watson David I. , Hussey Damian J.
Published: February 2015

The polymerase chain reaction is a central component of current molecular biology. It is a cyclic process, in each early cycle of which the template DNA approximately doubles. An indicator which fluoresces when bound to DNA quantifies the DNA present at the end of each cycle, giving rise to a fluorescence curve which is characteristically sigmoid in shape. The fluorescence curve quantifies the amount of DNA initially present; the more the initial DNA, the earlier the rise in the fluorescence. Accordingly the amount of DNA initially present in two samples can be compared: the sample with the less DNA gives rise to a relatively delayed fluorescence curve and the ratio of the DNAs can be deduced from the separation of the curves. There is, however, a second determinant of this separation, the fold increase in DNA per cycle: ideally a twofold increase but frequently less. Current guidelines recommend that this be determined experimentally by carrying out PCR on a series of dilutions. If the value of the fold increase is known, then the algorithm for determining the separation can be reduced to a relatively simple computation, rather than employing a multidimensional nonlinear optimization such as the Marquardt-Levenberg as currently employed.
Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Alter the Gut-Brain Communication
Authors: Ballsmider L. A. , Vaughn A. C. , David M. , Hajnal A. , Di Lorenzo P. M. , Czaja K.
Published: February 2015

This study investigated the anatomical integrity of vagal innervation of the gastrointestinal tract following vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) operations. The retrograde tracer fast blue (FB) was injected into the stomach to label vagal neurons originating from nodose ganglion (NG) and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). Microglia activation was determined by quantifying changes in the fluorescent staining of hindbrain sections against an ionizing calcium adapter binding molecule 1 (Iba1). Reorganization of vagal afferents in the hindbrain was studied by fluorescent staining against isolectin 4 (IB4). The density of Iba1- and IB4-immunoreactivity was analyzed using Nikon Elements software. There was no difference in the number of FB-labeled neurons located in NG and DMV between VSG and VSG-sham rats. RYGB, but not RYGB-sham rats, showed a dramatic reduction in number of FB-labeled neurons located in the NG and DMV. VSG increased, while the RYGB operation decreased, the density of vagal afferents in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). The RYGB operation, but not the VSG procedure, significantly activated microglia in the NTS and DMV. Results of this study show that the RYGB, but not the VSG procedure, triggers microglia activation in vagal structures and remodels gut-brain communication.
Hanle Detection for Optical Clocks
Authors: Zhang Xiaogang , Zhang Shengnan , Pan Duo , Chen Peipei , Xue Xiaobo , Zhuang Wei , Chen Jingbiao
Published: February 2015

Considering the strong inhomogeneous spatial polarization and intensity distribution of spontaneous decay fluorescence due to the Hanle effect, we propose and demonstrate a universe Hanle detection configuration of electron‐shelving method for optical clocks. Experimental results from Ca atomic beam optical frequency standard with electron‐shelving method show that a designed Hanle detection geometry with optimized magnetic field direction, detection laser beam propagation and polarization direction, and detector position can improve the fluorescence collection rate by more than one order of magnitude comparing with that of inefficient geometry. With the fixed 423 nm fluorescence, the improved 657 nm optical frequency standard signal intensity is presented. The potential application of the Hanle detection geometry designed for facilitating the fluorescence collection for optical lattice clock with a limited solid angle of the fluorescence collection has been discussed. The Hanle detection geometry is also effective for ion detection in ion optical clock and quantum information experiments. Besides, a cylinder fluorescence collection structure is designed to increase the solid angle of the fluorescence collection in Ca atomic beam optical frequency standard.
Sexual Absorption of Vaginal Progesterone: A Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Merriam Kathryn S. , Leake Kristina A. , Elliot Mollie , Matthews Michelle L. , Usadi Rebecca S. , Hurst Bradley S.
Published: February 2015

Objective.To determine if sexual intercourse reduces absorption of vaginal progesterone gel in women and to determine if progesterone is absorbed by the male during intercourse.Study Design.Prospective, randomized, cross over, controlled study of 20 reproductive-aged women and their male sexual partners randomized to receive vaginal progesterone gel (Crinone 8% gel, Actavis Inc., USA) or placebo cream. Serum progesterone for both male and female partners were measured 10 hours after intercourse. One week later, subjects were crossed over to receive the opposite formulation. In the third week, women used progesterone gel at night and abstained from intercourse.Results.Serum progesterone was significantly reduced with vaginal progesterone gel + intercourse compared with vaginal progesterone gel + abstinence(P=0.0075). Men absorbed significant progesterone during intercourse with a female partner using vaginal progesterone gel compared to placebo(P=0.0008).Conclusion(s).Vaginal progesterone gel is reduced in women after intercourse which may decrease drug efficacy during luteal phase support. Because men absorb low levels of progesterone during intercourse, exposure could cause adverse effects such as decreased libido. This study is registered under Clinical Trial numberNCT01959464.
Changes of Retina Are Not Involved in the Genesis of Visual Hallucinations in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Kopal Aleš , Mejzlíková Eva , Preiningerová Jana Lízrová , Brebera David , Ulmanová Olga , Ehler Edvard , Roth Jan
Published: February 2015

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by motor and nonmotor symptoms. Nonmotor symptoms include primarily visual hallucinations (VH). The aim of our study was to establish whether patients with PD and visual hallucinations (PDH+) have structural changes of retina detected by an optical coherence tomography (OCT) in comparison with PD patients without visual hallucinations (PDH−). We examined 52 PD patients (18 with VH, 34 without VH) and 15 age and sex matched healthy controls. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and macular thickness and volume were assessed by OCT. Functional impairment of retina was assessed using 2.5% contrast sensitivity test. For OCT outcomes we analyzed 15 PDH+ and 15 PDH− subjects matched for age, gender, and PD duration. For contrast sensitivity we analyzed 8 pairs of patients matched for age, gender, and visual acuity. There was no significant difference in RNFL thickness and macular thickness and macular volume between 15 PDH+ and 15 PDH− subjects, and also between a group of 44 PD patients (both PDH+ and PDH−) and 15 age and gender matched healthy controls. No significant difference was found for 2.5% contrast sensitivity test values between PDH+ and PDH− subjects. Therefore we conclude that functional and structural changes in retina play no role in genesis of VH in PD.
Numerical Study of Plasmonic Efficiency of Gold Nanostripes for Molecule Detection
Authors: Grosges Thomas , Barchiesi Dominique
Published: February 2015

In plasmonics, the accurate computation of the electromagnetic field enhancement is necessary in determining the amplitude and the spatial extension of the field around nanostructures. Here, the problem of the interaction between an electromagnetic excitation and gold nanostripes is solved. An optimization scheme, including an adaptive remeshing process with error estimator, is used to solve the problem through a finite element method. The variations of the electromagnetic field amplitude and the plasmonic active zones around nanostructures for molecule detection are studied in this paper taking into account the physical and geometrical parameters of the nanostripes. The evolution between the sizes and number of nanostripes is shown.
Guidelines for Optimisation of a Multiplex Oligonucleotide Ligation-PCR for Characterisation of Microbial Pathogens in a Microsphere Suspension Array
Authors: Wuyts Véronique , Roosens Nancy H. C. , Bertrand Sophie , Marchal Kathleen , De Keersmaecker Sigrid C. J.
Published: February 2015

With multiplex oligonucleotide ligation-PCR (MOL-PCR) different molecular markers can be simultaneously analysed in a single assay and high levels of multiplexing can be achieved in high-throughput format. As such, MOL-PCR is a convenient solution for microbial detection and identification assays where many markers should be analysed, including for routine further characterisation of an identified microbial pathogenic isolate. For an assay aimed at routine use, optimisation in terms of differentiation between positive and negative results and of cost and effort is indispensable. As MOL-PCR includes a multiplex ligation step, followed by a singleplex PCR and analysis with microspheres on a Luminex device, several parameters are accessible for optimisation. Although MOL-PCR performance may be influenced by the markers used in the assay and the targeted bacterial species, evaluation of the method of DNA isolation, the probe concentration, the amount of microspheres, and the concentration of reporter dye is advisable in the development of any MOL-PCR assay. Therefore, we here describe our observations made during the optimisation of a 20-plex MOL-PCR assay for subtyping ofSalmonellaTyphimurium with the aim to provide a possible workflow as guidance for the development and optimisation of a MOL-PCR assay for the characterisation of other microbial pathogens.
MIMO Radar Imaging Based on Smoothedl0Norm
Authors: Feng Jun-Jie , Zhang Gong , Wen Fang-Qing
Published: February 2015

For radar imaging, a target usually has only a few strong scatterers which are sparsely distributed. In this paper, we propose a compressive sensing MIMO radar imaging algorithm based on smoothedl0norm. An approximate hyperbolic tangent function is proposed as the smoothed function to measure the sparsity. A revised Newton method is used to solve the optimization problem by deriving the new revised Newton directions for the sequence of approximate hyperbolic tangent functions. In order to improve robustness of the imaging algorithm, main value weighted method is proposed. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is superior to Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP), smoothedl0method (SL0), and Bayesian method with Laplace prior in performance of sparse signal reconstruction. Two-dimensional image quality of MIMO radar using the new method has great improvement comparing with aforementioned reconstruction algorithm.
Physiochemical Studies of Sodium Chloride on Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) and Its Possible Recovery with Spermine and Gibberellic Acid
Authors: Ghosh Srijita , Mitra Sanglap , Paul Atreyee
Published: February 2015

The physiological and biochemical responses to increasing NaCl concentrations, along with low concentrations of gibberellic acid or spermine, either alone or in their combination, were studied in mungbean seedlings. In the test seedlings, the root‐shoot elongation, biomass production, and the chlorophyll content were significantly decreased with increasing NaCl concentrations. Salt toxicity severely affected activities of different antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress markers. Activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) increased significantly over water control. Similarly, oxidative stress markers such as proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents also increased as a result of progressive increase in salt stress. Combined application of NaCl along with low concentrations of either gibberellic acid (5 µM) or spermine (50 µM) in the test seedlings showed significant alterations, that is, drastic increase in seedling elongation, increased biomass production, increased chlorophyll content, and significant lowering in all the antioxidant enzyme activities as well as oxidative stress marker contents in comparison to salt treated test seedlings, leading to better growth and metabolism. Our study shows that low concentrations of either gibberellic acid or spermine will be able to overcome the toxic effects of NaCl stress in mungbean seedlings.
Generation of New Neurons in Dorsal Root Ganglia in Adult Rats after Peripheral Nerve Crush Injury
Authors: Muratori Luisa , Ronchi Giulia , Raimondo Stefania , Geuna Stefano , Giacobini-Robecchi Maria Giuseppina , Fornaro Michele
Published: February 2015

The evidence of neurons generatedex novoin sensory ganglia of adult animals is still debated. In the present study, we investigated, using high resolution light microscopy and stereological analysis, the changes in the number of neurons in dorsal root ganglia after 30 days from a crush lesion of the rat brachial plexus terminal branches. Results showed, as expected, a relevant hypertrophy of dorsal root ganglion neurons. In addition, we reported, for the first time in the literature, that neuronal hypertrophy was accompanied by massive neuronal hyperplasia leading to a 42% increase of the number of primary sensory neurons. Moreover, ultrastructural analyses on sensory neurons showed that there was not a relevant neuronal loss as a consequence of the nerve injury. The evidence of BrdU-immunopositive neurons and neural progenitors labeled with Ki67, nanog, nestin, and sox-2 confirmed the stereological evidence of posttraumatic neurogenesis in dorsal root ganglia. Analysis of morphological changes following axonal damage in addition to immunofluorescence characterization of cell phenotype suggested that the neuronal precursors which give rise to the newly generated neurons could be represented by satellite glial cells that actively proliferate after the lesion and are able to differentiate toward the neuronal lineage.
Reprogramming of the ERRα and ERα Target Gene Landscape Triggers Tamoxifen Resistance in Breast Cancer
Authors: Thewes Verena , Simon Ronald , Schroeter Petra , Schlotter Magdalena , Anzeneder Tobias , Büttner Reinhard , Benes Vladimir , Sauter Guido , Burwinkel Barbara , Nicholson Robert I. , Sinn Hans-Peter , Schneeweiss Andreas , Deuschle Ulrich , Zapatka Marc , Heck Stefanie , Lichter Peter
Published: February 2015

Endocrine treatment regimens for breast cancer that target the estrogen receptor-α (ERα) are effective, but acquired resistance remains a limiting drawback. One mechanism of acquired resistance that has been hypothesized is functional substitution of the orphan receptor estrogen-related receptor-α (ERRα) for ERα. To examine this hypothesis, we analyzed ERRα and ERα in recurrent tamoxifen-resistant breast tumors and conducted a genome-wide target gene profiling analysis of MCF-7 breast cancer cell populations that were sensitive or resistant to tamoxifen treatment. This analysis uncovered a global redirection in the target genes controlled by ERα, ERRα, and their coactivator AIB1, defining a novel set of target genes in tamoxifen-resistant cells. Beyond differences in the ERα and ERRα target gene repertoires, both factors were engaged in similar pathobiologic processes relevant to acquired resistance. Functional analyses confirmed a requirement for ERRα in tamoxifen- and fulvestrant-resistant MCF-7 cells, with pharmacologic inhibition of ERRα sufficient to partly restore sensitivity to antiestrogens. In clinical specimens (n = 1041), increased expression of ERRα was associated with enhanced proliferation and aggressive disease parameters, including increased levels of p53 in ERα-positive cases. In addition, increased ERRα expression was linked to reduced overall survival in independent tamoxifen-treated patient cohorts. Taken together, our results suggest that ERα and ERRα cooperate to promote endocrine resistance, and they provide a rationale for the exploration of ERRα as a candidate drug target to treat endocrine-resistant breast cancer. Cancer Res; 75(4); 720–31. ©2015 AACR.
Cytidine Deaminase Axis Modulated by miR-484 Differentially Regulates Cell Proliferation and Chemoresistance in Breast Cancer
Authors: Ye Fu-Gui , Song Chuan-Gui , Cao Zhi-Gang , Xia Chen , Chen Dan-Na , Chen Li , Li Shan , Qiao Feng , Ling Hong , Yao Ling , Hu Xin , Shao Zhi-Ming
Published: February 2015

There has been little study of how the evolution of chemoresistance in cancer affects other aspects of disease pathogenesis. Here, we show that an important chemoresistance axis driven by cytidine deaminase (CDA) also acts to suppress cell-cycle progression by regulating cyclin E–CDK2 signaling. We found that CDA was regulated by miR-484 in a gemcitabine-resistant model of breast cancer. Elevating miR-484 expression reversed the CDA effects, thereby enhancing gemcitabine sensitivity, accelerating cell proliferation, and redistributing cell-cycle progression. Conversely, elevating CDA to restore its expression counteracted the chemosensitization and cell proliferative effects of miR-484. In clinical specimens of breast cancer, CDA expression was frequently downregulated and inversely correlated with miR-484 expression. Moreover, high expression of CDA was associated with prolonged disease-free survival in studied cohorts. Collectively, our findings established that miR-484–modulated CDA has a dual impact in promoting chemoresistance and suppressing cell proliferation in breast cancer, illustrating the pathogenic tradeoffs associated with the evolution of chemoresistance in this malignant disease. Cancer Res; 75(7); 1504–15. ©2015 AACR.
The Yin and Yang of Alloreactivity: Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease and Leukemia Relapse
Authors: Gill Saar
Published: February 2015

Chronic graft-versus-host disease is a frequent complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and plays an important role in posttransplant morbidity and mortality, yet is correlated with the graft-versus-tumor effect in some studies. New approaches to separate the graft-versus-tumor from the graft-versus-host effect are urgently needed. Clin Cancer Res; 21(9); 1981–3. ©2015 AACR.

See related article by Boyiadzis et al., p. 2020
Can Circulating Tumor Cells Predict Resistance in Metastatic Breast Cancer?
Authors: Mathew Aju , Brufsky Adam M. , Davidson Nancy E.
Published: February 2015

Circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration provides prognostic but not predictive information for chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer. Because CTC measurement is reproducible and allows molecular profiling, an assay to assess endocrine resistance was developed. Whether this CTC-based assay can be used to reliably select endocrine therapy must be tested. Clin Cancer Res; 21(11); 2421–3. ©2015 AACR.

See related article by Paoletti et al., p. 2487
Enhanced Antitumor Activity of 3-Bromopyruvate in Combination with Rapamycin In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Zhang Qi , Pan Jing , Lubet Ronald A. , Komas Steven M. , Kalyanaraman Balaraman , Wang Yian , You Ming
Published: February 2015

3-Bromopyruvate (3-BrPA) is an alkylating agent and a well-known inhibitor of energy metabolism. Rapamycin is an inhibitor of the serine/threonine protein kinase mTOR. Both 3-BrPA and rapamycin show chemopreventive efficacy in mouse models of lung cancer. Aerosol delivery of therapeutic drugs for lung cancer has been reported to be an effective route of delivery with little systemic distribution in humans. In this study, 3-BrPA and rapamycin were evaluated in combination for their preventive effects against lung cancer in mice by aerosol treatment, revealing a synergistic ability as measured by tumor multiplicity and tumor load compared treatment with either single-agent alone. No evidence of liver toxicity was detected by monitoring serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes. To understand the mechanism in vitro experiments were performed using human non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. 3-BrPA and rapamycin also synergistically inhibited cell proliferation. Rapamycin alone blocked the mTOR signaling pathway, whereas 3-BrPA did not potentiate this effect. Given the known role of 3-BrPA as an inhibitor of glycolysis, we investigated mitochondrial bioenergetics changes in vitro in 3-BrPA–treated NSCLC cells. 3-BrPA significantly decreased glycolytic activity, which may be due to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion and decreased expression of GAPDH. Our results demonstrate that rapamycin enhanced the antitumor efficacy of 3-BrPA, and that dual inhibition of mTOR signaling and glycolysis may be an effective therapeutic strategy for lung cancer chemoprevention. Cancer Prev Res; 8(4); 318–26. ©2015 AACR.
Therapeutic Insights from Genomic Studies of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Hammerman Peter S. , Hayes D. Neil , Grandis Jennifer R.
Published: February 2015

Summary: Large and comprehensive genomic surveys of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are now greatly increasing our understanding of the diversity of this disease and the key genomic changes that drive these tumors. The results from these studies are beginning to inform the introduction of novel therapies for patients with HNSCCs. Here, we review some of the key findings from recent genomic studies of head and neck cancers, including the most comprehensive study to date from The Cancer Genome Atlas Network. Cancer Discov; 5(3); 239–44. ©2015 AACR.
Correlation between Objective SCORAD and Three-Item Severity Score Used by Physicians and Objective PO-SCORAD Used by Parents/Patients in Children with Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: van Oosterhout Marleen , Janmohamed Sherief R. , Spierings Magda , Hiddinga Jantine , de Waard-van der Spek Flora B. , Oranje Arnold P.
Published: February 2015

Background: A self-assessment rating scale (SAS) is a good tool to assess the fluctuating disease severity and quality of life (QoL) in children with atopic dermatitis (AD). The European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis created an SAS based on the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, called the Patient-Oriented SCORAD (PO-SCORAD). Objective: The aim of our study was to measure the correlation between alternative systems such as the Objective SCORAD, the Three-Item Severity (TIS) score and the Objective PO-SCORAD. We also investigated the correlations between the objective severity assessments and QoL. Methods: In a specialized outpatient clinic, an observational prospective study was performed with children ≤16 years with AD. Results: Seventy-five children were included. A good and significant correlation was shown between Objective SCORAD and Objective PO-SCORAD: Spearman's ρ correlation (rs) = 0.63 (p < 0.001). The correlation with QoL was moderate, but still significant (rs = 0.41-0.61, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The Objective PO-SCORAD can be used for the evaluation of fluctuating AD and correlates significantly with the Objective SCORAD and the less time-consuming TIS score.
Prevalence and Incidence of Clinical Symptoms of the Retroaortic Left Renal Vein
Authors: Heidler Stefan , Hruby Stephan , Schwarz Stephan , Sellner-Zwieauer Yolanthe , Hoeltl Wolfgang , Albrecht Walter
Published: February 2015

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and incidence of clinical symptoms of retroaortic left renal vein (RLRV) diagnosed incidentally over 10 years by computed tomography (CT). Patients and Methods: 7,929 consecutive patients (out- and inpatients) were studied with multidetector CT from January 2000 to April 2011. We retrospectively reviewed RLRV patients' medical records and analyzed their clinical characteristics. Results: A total of 61 out of 7,929 patients had a RLRV, therefore the prevalence was 0.77%. Only 4 of 61 (6.6%) RLRV patients diagnosed by CT scan were clinically symptomatic. RLRV was associated with flank pain and microhematuria in one patient (1.6%), in another one with microhematuria only and in one with ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Furthermore, one patient suffered from arterial hypertension associated with a RLRV. Conclusions: RLRV is a rare finding, and only a small minority of RLRVs causes symptoms.
Treatment of Neurofibromas with a Carbon Dioxide Laser: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study of 106 Patients
Authors: Méni Cécile , Sbidian Emilie , Moreno Jean Christophe , Lafaye Séverine , Buffard Valérie , Goldzal Serge , Wolkenstein Pierre , Valeyrie-Allanore Laurence
Published: February 2015

Background: Few studies have evaluated the efficacy of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser ablation for treating neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Objective: To evaluate laser treatment safety and patient satisfaction at the French National Referral Centre for Neurofibromatosis. Methods: Retrospective survey with a specific questionnaire. The principal outcome measures included pain evaluation and assessments of treatment safety. Results: We included 106 patients, 70% of whom had more than 50 neurofibromas. Laser treatment was performed mostly for aesthetic reasons, or due to pain, recurrent local trauma or familial influence, under a local anaesthetic, during outpatient visits. The mean pain score was 4.0 ± 2.7 during the administration of local anaesthesia, 2.4 ± 2.1 during laser treatment and <2 48 h after treatment in 56% of cases. The mean satisfaction score for the treatment was 4.6 ± 3.4 and was not associated with disease phenotype. Conclusions: CO2 laser treatment for NF could be considered more frequently and might help to decrease the social impact of the disease.
Impact of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Association on Acute Renal Allograft Rejection
Authors: Prakash Swayam , Agrawal Suraksha , Kumar Shashi , Prasad Narayan
Published: February 2015

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a cytokine which plays an important role in the division, proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. In the kidney, VEGF expression is found in glomerular podocytes and in tubular epithelial cells, which may result in acute inflammatory reactions. Methods: The role of VEGF gene polymorphisms (-2578 C/A, -2549 18 bp Ins/Del, -1154 G/A and +936 C/T) was investigated in 272 patients who underwent renal transplantation. ARMS-PCR and PCR-RFLP were used. Patients were categorized into acute allograft rejection (n = 76) and nonrejection (n = 196). Results: The VEGF -1154 GG genotype and the +936 T allele were found to be susceptible to acute rejection (AR). T-A-A-I, T-A-A-D, T-G-C-I and C-A-A-I haplotypes revealed a predisposition among AR cases. In silico analysis revealed +936 T as a significant allele involved in the transcription regulation. Conclusion: These results highlight the role of VEGF polymorphisms in acute allograft rejection.
Bilateral Pedunculopontine Nucleus Stimulation for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Authors: Doshi Paresh K. , Desai Joy D. , Karkera Bharati , Wadia Pettarusp M.
Published: February 2015

The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is a potential target for gait disorders. We report 4 cases of bilateral PPN stimulation in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients with short-term (6 months) and long-term (18 months) follow-ups. Patients with PSP who had gait disturbances, but were able to walk with or without assistance, were selected. The patients' median age was 64 years and the disease duration 3 years. Bilateral PPN deep brain stimulation (DBS) was performed. The pacemaker was programmed using a bipolar mode and lower frequencies (20-45 Hz). The PSP rating scores (PSPRS) and their gait subscores (No. 25, 26, 27 and 28) along with PSP staging scores were used as primary end points. The total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), UPDRS III and the 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire were considered as secondary end points. Video recordings of the gaits were performed before surgery and at the 6- and 18-month follow-ups. These were retrospectively reviewed by a blinded neurologist for the primary end points. At the 6- and 18-month follow-ups, the median change in PSPRS was from 33 (baseline) to 37.5 and 47, respectively. Similarly, the PSP staging changed from 3 to 2.5 and 3.5, item 25 from 1.5 to 2 and 3.5, item 26 from 2.5 to 2 and 3.5, item 27 from 3.5 to 3 and 3.5 and item 28 from 1.5 to 1.5 and 3. Two patients in the study with the PSP-parkinsonism phenotype experienced improvement in their gait until the last follow-up. Bilateral PPN DBS can be safely performed in PSP patients despite mid-brain atrophy.